415 Stavanger Drive
Ph. 738-5544
Boston is famous for baked beans - it’s actually called Beantown - and clam chowder. New York and Chicago are famous for pizza. Boston Pizza restaurants got the Boston part of the name because “Boston” was familiar and sounded credible. It had nothing to do with Beantown’s pizza. A Greek named Gus Agiortis opened the first Boston Pizza, called Boston Pizza and Spaghetti House, in Edmonton, Alberta in the early sixties. Since then it’s become a huge franchise operation with restaurants throughout Canada and the United States. Now there’s one in St. John’s.
I walked in and found a big, noisy restaurant full of reds and blues, playing the music of the punk-pop quintet, Yellowcard. (Before you ask, I know about Yellowcard from my teenage nephew, Pat) To the right of the reception desk was a separate sports bar. It had four huge flat screen televisions above a long bar. Behind it, the bar was rear-lit with white fluorescent lighting that made the liquor bottles stand out in silhouette. Everything looked very sleek and modern. Howie Mandel, Boston Pizza’s manic spokesperson was nowhere to be seen. I guess he’s too busy making his hit game show, Deal or No Deal, these days.
My party, consisting mainly of relatives, was seated at a long table at the front of Boston Pizza.
The area was quite drafty and was made even colder by the steel and vinyl chairs we were sitting on. My first thought was how comfortable it might be at Boston Pizza on summer days when the outdoor temperature exceeds thirty degrees Celsius. No doubt, the restaurant will be an oasis for overheated box store shoppers. However, on the day we visited the temperature outside was barely above zero and Boston Pizza was far from comfortably warm.
With such a large and elaborate bar, the extensive cocktail menu offered in Boston Pizza’s dining room didn’t surprise me. Most of us went with non-alcoholic bevies, although one person had a Long Island iced tea. Despite its innocuous name it was quite capable of taking the peel off a large grapefruit or bringing a frozen diner to the melting point. It had shots of vodka, gin, tequila and white rum.
Boston Pizza’s starters included typical chain fare like Buffalo wings. They called them “Boston” wings but fair’s fair. Everybody knows that Buffalo, New York is where the spicy wings phenomenon started. We had three flavours: barbecue, teriyaki and honey garlic. Each type was quite moist and delicious with plenty of flavour.
If you’re not into something ordinary like wings I recommend Boston Pizza’s chicken pot stickers. They are a Thai treat - supposedly - consisting of bits of chicken in folded wonton wrappers that have been baked or fried. These tasty little dumplings are served on a sweet and sour sauce decorated with chopped scallions and the like.
As for salads you won’t go wrong with a Boston Pizza spinach number. Mine was more than adequate with lots of very fresh baby spinach, crumpled hard-cooked eggs, shredded cheese and bacon bits. It made a hearty lunch all on its own. Another guest had the Thai chicken entrée salad that was also very good. It featured a variety of greens and vegetables topped with slices of grilled chicken breast and some Thai noodles. A tasty, medium spiced dressing brought forward the flavour in every salad ingredient. By the way, all of Boston Pizza’s salads can either be purchased as a side or entrée.
While there was not a lot of seafood on the menu I did try the shrimp and scallops baked in garlic butter. It’s a combination that really is fool proof, as long as you remember to watch the oven. Unfortunately the oven watcher in this case must have been momentarily diverted. I found the dish to be slightly overdone. (I will keep harping on this issue because there is far too much beautiful seafood being ruined in this city by overcooking)
While disappointed that Boston Pizza did not sell draught Smithwick’s ale, their steak sandwich mightily impressed my brother. He claimed it was one of the best he’s had. The strip loin sat on a white bread bun accompanied by a large serving of crispy fries.
The expectation of a simple cheeseburger was mostly dashed for one of us. He had ordered something called a bacon double cheeseburger stromboli sandwich, essentially described as a cheeseburger with the addition of mushrooms and pizza sauce. Instead of being a patty stuck in a bun with some sliced melted cheese, it was a combination of loose hamburger meat mixed with cheese. Although he claimed it was good, the disappointment on his face spoke volumes. Sometimes a guy just wants a simple cheeseburger.
Boston Pizza’s fettuccine in marinara sauce was surprisingly bland. It would have benefited from the inclusion of some vegetables like sweet peppers. However, the namesake Boston pizza was anything but bland. The fajita was a delicious presentation on a crispy thin crust with just enough topping, including cheddar cheese.
I tried one Boston Pizza dessert, a brownie with vanilla ice cream. The brownie had a wonderful freshly baked, deep chocolate taste and the vanilla ice cream tasted much like a premium Ben and Jerry’s or Hagen Daz.
Overall I was happy with Boston Pizza. The décor was smart and fun, the staff was courteous and energetic and the food was good with ample variety. For families and group gatherings it’s an ideal spot, Howie Mandel or No Howie Mandel.
A lunch for two at Boston Pizza - including cocktails and tip - cost approximately $40.00.
Boston Pizza was wheelchair accessible and the noise level was high.
Best Points:
Eye catching atmosphere and decent food.
Areas for Improvement:
Ratings Category:
Boston Pizza gets 8 points out of 10.