The Refinery

Review summary

1. S

   Scott

   Greater Boston

   13 reviews

   2.0

   13 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

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

   Everyone can have a bad day and I'm sure this restaurant gets high ratings for good reasons. But our experience was quite frustrating and I post this to caution anyone who books this establishment for a special occasion as we did. We originally made a reservation online for a Sunday birthday celebration. When we got to the Refinery it was totally closed up. It was 6pm and at that point all the other nice restaurants were booked. We were not happy but assumed they were closed on Sundays and it was a fault with the reservation system. We verified the next day that they were open and made reservations online for 5:30. Day after Birthday, but we were still really looking forward to our meal. When we arrived we were given a nice quiet table in an outdoor alcove. The waiter was very nice - he told us he showed up for work himself the day before and did not know why they had closed. He took our drink order promptly and when our drinks arrived we ordered fritters and empanadas for appetizers. The waiter then informed us that they had No Fish Entrees! - 20% of the menu and the main reason we had chosen to go there. Disappointing- but we decided that we would have our apps and perhaps still find something on the menu as a replacement for the fish. Then our apps arrived - and they were totally black - they had been in the fryer so long that we could hardly break into the inside of either app. At first we thought maybe this is how they were supposed to be? but after one burnt bite it was obvious that these were horribly overcooked. The waiter came over and agreed they were unacceptable - he assured us they would correct this right away. A short time later he brought new plates that looked much better -but they were totally raw in the middle. We told our waiter we just wanted our check so we could leave. He brought the Mgr. who was very nice. We just wanted to leave - but he brought us house-made sherbet that was delicious and only charges us for our drinks.
   

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2. J

   Judy

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 1 December 2024

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

   We were expecting a great evening at The Refinery. We showed up for our confirmed 7:00 reservation and were seated at an outside table. While we were given menus, no one acknowledged our presence. In fact, another table was seated after us and received attention — drink orders and water, etc. We walked out. This place is NOT worth it — ambiance is “meh” and the service is awful. Sorry. Will be advocating for our friends and family who visit St John to not have The Refinery on their list.
   

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3. A

   Al

   VIP

   New York City

   53 reviews

   5.0

   53 reviews

   Dined on 29 November 2024

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

   Food was fantastic. I would recommend. The wahoo was outstanding.
   

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4. D

   DELANE HELDT

   Munich

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on 22 November 2024

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

   Good drinks. Food was just ok. Food could have been hotter. And they messed up my fish
   

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5. K

   Karsten

   Philadelphia

   15 reviews

   3.0

   15 reviews

   Dined on 22 November 2024

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

   We chose to eat there as the menu has something for everyone. Our fish eaters in the group were very happy with their meals, the vegetarian (Pu Pu platter was rather boring) and the meat eaters (short rib was very fatty and not much meat) were a little disappointed. Staff was friendly and cocktails were good.
   

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6. P

   Paige

   Washington DC

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on 16 November 2024

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

   After many great experiences here - we went for our last dinner of our vacation. We had reservations - found our wobbly table and sat down. Our server was very friendly- welcomed everyone back a- we ordered drinks and food. Drinks came- all good but then the food did not come for quite some time. Our reservations was at 7- appt 8:30 the steak came and was cold followed by lobster that was overcooked. After waiting all that time we did not want to wait longer and told them we’d pay for what we had for drinks Our original server was no where to be found, the bartender came out to chat and was nice but no one seemed to o low what to do next. They charged us for what we had for drinks and then we left. It was not the experience we were used to and i am not sure why but the kitchen and servers while nice seemed ineffective. Unfortunately- we may not be back.
   

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7. J

   Jennifer

   Philadelphia

   8 reviews

   2.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on 3 November 2024

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

   Maybe we picked an off night. Service was beyond slow. Cocktail’s took 25 minutes to get to the table. I had to get napkins and silverware off another table as our food was served and w me e did not get utensils or napkins with the appetizers. Food tasted off. Ceviche not great and served with poor quality plantain chips. Tuna was great, but the green sauce on top was so oily it took away from the fish. Salad was overloaded with dressing. The beef dish my husband ordered was loaded with fat. I heard the table behind me asking about their drink order delay and then asked to have a food item removed from their bill that they never received. The place was not busy. Service and attentiveness was lacking. Food is all served on plastic cheap plates. Paper napkins. Seared on plastic chairs. There are so many better options in St. John. We were really disappointed! Maybe, just a bad night. We will not go back!
   

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8. SS

   SS57

   VIP

   Washington DC

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on 28 October 2024

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

   Enjoyed the delicious Mahi, popcorn cauliflower and the Pain Killer.
   

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9. D

   Denise

   Dallas

   7 reviews

   3.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on 27 October 2024

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

   Food was overrated. Zero ambiance. A couple pretty girls are no substitute. Morgan Mango was far better!
   

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10. N

    Neil

    VIP

    West Virginia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 October 2024

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

    A real hidden gem. The food is very unique and you can tell by the care, attention to detail and presentation that the owners and staff really care. From the salads, to the delicious popcorn chicken dish, the yummy fitters and the chicken drumsticks, everything our group had was top notch. Will definitely come back.
    

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