The Federal

Review summary

1. D

   Darshna

   Greater Boston

   14 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   14 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I'm going to start this review by saying that I know that the federal is a steak house. And the steak, beef Wellington and appetizer dishes are amazing! But I do expect high quality from the other dishes on the menu. The single vegetarian entree on the menu is a vegetable pasta (pasta Genovese), and it was terrible. Flavorless and swimming in an oily sauce. I usually don't expect variety in vegetarian food at a steakhouse, but I don't expect to not be able to actually eat the dish.
   

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2. Z

   ZITA

   Greater Boston

   298 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   298 reviews

   Dined on 2 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   The Federal has an extensive menu that would please any palate. We enjoy the swordfish which is done to perfection as well as the boneless duck breast with a delicious cherry sauce! Their baked stuffed shrimp is so tasty. The cocktails are excellent! What makes for a very pleasant dining experience are the servers. Amanda was great, she had extensive knowledge of the menu, she is attentive and so friendly. Lastly, the hostess staff at the desk is always gracious and welcoming.
   

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3. A

   Alan

   Greater Boston

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 2 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Swordfish entree was amazing. Amanda is an exceptional server and was very helpful in helping us with food and wine selections.
   

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4. d

   david

   Toronto

   10 reviews

   5.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on 1 November 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   It was our anniversary dinner and Geoffrey, our server, was very knowledgeable and friendly. He welcomed us and wished us a happy anniversary once we were seated. He made some good recommendations for food and wine. I love that the menu is more than steak and there are a lot of delicious options to choose from. I had the short rib ragu with a Barolo wine and my wife had the orecchiette with a Super Tuscan. Bread and olive oil arrived first, then our wine, then our meals. Both were well prepared with a nice presentation and very delicious. After dinner I ordered an Old Fitzgerald 10yr and Tiramisu. The bourbon came first and then to our surprise Geoffrey brought us 2 cannolis with a happy anniversary chocolate banner and again wished us well. Then came a huge piece of very delicious tiramisu. Needless to say to say, we went home well fed with leftovers. The federal made it a special anniversary and we will be back.
   

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5. J

   Jeffrey

   Greater Boston

   248 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   248 reviews

   Dined on 1 November 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 4

   Not the most allergy friendly restaurant. They couldn’t figure out how to make calamari dairy free even though I suggested use water instead of buttermilk. Super simple and EVERY restaurant I’ve asked has done it to date except here and they came back with some bizarre answer of how they would have to make it with semolina and something else and it would be “much more expensive”. What a bizarre reply. And a few other things shot down with no ability to think creatively and make something dairy free. Oddly enough for my fillet BLT I wasn’t asked how I wanted it cooked. Went for lunch on a Friday and there was 3 tables. Maybe this is a telltale sign of mediocrity. 2nd and last time we visit here. Thanks anyhow.
   

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6. R

   Robert

   Greater Boston

   8 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on 22 October 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Went with 3 buddies from our past college days. Server was great and the food was very good- had short rib- one had skirt steak and another had short rib and pasta. Serving size was good and the bread and oil they offered was very good- also had the calamari as an app that was very good. Would come back again and save room for deserts
   

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7. L

   Lola

   London

   33 reviews

   4.0

   33 reviews

   Dined on 19 October 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   I took my daughter out for a celebratory dinner. She lives in Waltham and I searched steakhouse. I loved the menu so I made a reservation. The restaurant is in an outdoor mall. It’s a cut above the other businesses. I was expecting a cut above experience. It really wasn’t so I didn’t give it 5 stars. I think the wait staff needs to be more polished, the lighting more intimate. I’m not being snooty. I’m in the hospitality business. I really want them to succeed! The food was excellent!! I will definitely go back and hope there is a better ambience.
   

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8. B

   Bill

   New York City

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 18 October 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Never been before. 5 of us. Could not have been better. Great bar n overall venue
   

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9. B

   Blake

   Las Vegas

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 15 October 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food, great service, great dining experience!
   

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10. J

    Jacob

    Greater Boston

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 12 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Fantastic food and service, they’ve never disappointed us
    

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