Dinner at Legal Seafoods Boston at Long Wharf

Recently, while in Boston, Massachusetts attending a Ford event, we decided to eat dinner at a Legal Seafoods restaurant. We have never eaten at a Legal Seafoods so this was going to be a new experience for us. The decision to eat there was also driven by the fact that we had won $200 in gift certificates for Legal Seafoods from a sweepstakes that Wendy entered as part of her sweepstakes hobby.

Prior to our trip, I was researching Legal Seafoods locations in Boston trying to decide which one was closes to our hotel and had the best reviews.  I decided upon the one located at Long Wharf.  The actual address is: 255 State Street, Boston, MA.  I picked this one because it was a short “T” ride from the hotel and was located on the water.  I thought it would be nice to have a good meal why enjoying a pleasant mid-summer evening near the water.  Legal Seafoods has restaurants in most of the states along the East Coast.

While looking at their website, I noticed that I could make reservations online.  I find that interesting and thought it is an excellent way to use technology.  I am not sure how many other restaurants offer that capability.  So, I went ahead and made our reservations using their site.  Even though we had reservations, we still had to wait about 10 minutes to get a table, but that was probably due to the fact that we decided to sit outside as it was a nice evening.  Luckily, the predicted rain held off and did not damper the evening.  We would have kept dry as the outside dining area is covered.

After a short bus (the first two stops on our route were under construction) and “T” ride, we arrived at Long Wharf.  Not knowing exactly where the restaurant was located, we started walking towards the wharf trying to locate it.  After a few minutes and past our reservations time, I asked for directions from a vendor at the wharf.  She advised me to turn around and she pointed to a building behind us with a big Legal Seafoods sign about the entrance.  Duh, if we have simply looked behind us as we walked towards the wharf, we would have seen the restaurant.

As we were waiting on our table, Wendy was busy taking pictures for your viewing pleasure.  As I mentioned earlier, we waited no more than 10 minutes before our table was ready.  The outside dining area has approximately 25 tables, evenly slit between 2-person and 4-person tables.  I assume if you have 5 or more people in your party and want to sit outside that they would combine tables for you. It’s not a fancy atmosphere in the restaurant or outside but more casual so there is really no dress code.

Our waiter arrived shortly after we were seated and take our drink order. The menu was extensive and the waiter was very helpful in answering our questions and offering suggestions.  Wendy decided to try the Legal’s Signature Crab Cakes dinner.  She ordered the Combo version which had one crab cake, grilled shrimp, and scallops.  In place of the salad she order rice pilaf.  I ordered the Wood Grilled Assortment that comes with three portions of fish (Chef’s selection), shrimp, scallops, and choice of two sides.  For sides, I choose sautéed fresh vegetables and mashed potatoes.  While we waited on our dinners, we enjoyed warm dinner rolls, light conversation, and mid-summer evening in Boston.

After 10 to 15 minutes, our dinners arrived and they looked good.  Because Wendy and I are not heavy eaters and we did not want leftovers since we were staying at a hotel so we were pleased to see that the meals were the size that we could eat without leftovers and feeling totally stuffed afterwards.  They forgot to substitute the rice for the seasonal salad that came with Wendy’s dinner, so they quickly brought out her rice with no hesitation.

Time to taste the food and past judgment.  The three fish with my meal were: salmon, tuna, and swordfish.  Each of the fish were cooked exceptionally well, neither to rare nor over done.  The same way with the scallops and shrimp.  They had a slight woody taste combined with a touch of heat.  The mashed potatoes and veggies were okay.  A little garlic and blue cheese would make the potatoes pop more.  The veggies had a crunch to them, which was what I was expecting for being lightly sautéed.  The portions were just the right size fro me.

Wendy enjoyed most of her meal except for the crab cake.  It had a spicy / heat taste to it that she did not like.  I was not able to pin point what was giving it that taste but I believe it was a combination of hot sauce and Dijon mustard.  Other than the crab cakes, she enjoyed the rest of her meal.

As we were not pressed for time, we decided we would partake in dessert and coffee.  Usually, we are too full from the meal to eat dessert, but when the waiter described the Boston Crème Pie that they offered, we figured we would give it a try.  When the pie arrived, it was definitely not your typical Boston Crème Pie and it looked just like he waiter described it.

They start out with a round cake about 4 inches in diameter that is filled with crème and soaked in coffee.  Then a light crust is baked around the cake.  The top is then layered with a rich chocolate.  Once we tasted it, we realized that it is not your standard Boston Crème Pie, it is by far the best one we have ever had.  I thought it would be too moist being that it is soaked in coffee, but soaked is probably the wrong word to use, maybe dipped is better, because it was moist but not soggy. It is something you definitely should try if you are eating at Legal Seafoods.

Overall, it was a good meal at the prices I expected.  The portions were the right size that did not leave you wanting more nor over stuffed.  The Boston Crème Pie was the best we ever had.  The service was excellent and very helpful, while not giving you the feeling of being rushed so they can turn the table.  They gladly and quickly resolved the issue of not bringing out the correct item with Wendy’s dinner.  The atmosphere was relaxing and enjoyable, especially outside (inside may be a touch loud).  The only down side was the coffee, it was okay, but tasted like it had been sitting for awhile.  They offered to get fresh coffee, but we said that we to go, so they did not charge us for the coffee.