Blue on Highland is an upscale suburban restaurant serving modern American cuisine in a contemporary, elegant setting, located in Needham, MA, just outside of Boston.Blue on Highland is perfect for power lunching or socializing after work over dinner and drinks, celebrating special occasions, or simply enjoying fine wine and appetizers in their beautiful bar and lounge area.
"This was our first time here. We heard good things from a coworker of mine. Start to finish it was top notch. The only draw back was that we had a reservation and the hostess sat us by the door/service computer/hostess stand where we could hear everything going on with staff. Yet 2 ppl walked in the door in front of us with no reservation and got a nice booth away from all the chit chat going on. So on that note, we maybe back have not really talked about it yet."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"We had a group of six at a round table which was perfect for conversation. Because the tables are not on top of one another, the quiet atmosphere lowered the stress level. Each main course was outstanding- delicate sauces not overwhelmed by too much spice or butter, as is the case with many establishments lately. They were even better than the descriptions in the menu. Dessert- creme brule was excellent, as was the apple (?). Entrees were large enough to share. Service was professional and not intrusive. Blue on HIghland should be considered a destination restaurant."
Dined on 5/13/2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Service was excellant, hard to find service at this level anymore. Food was fantastic - Seafood linguine was spectacular and the Chicken picatta was outstanding. Food was out of the kitchen very quickly and very hot. Dessret was Chocalate bread pudding with salted caramel ice cream that was just amazing. we will be back and will recommend to all our friends."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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"We were looking for a great non greasy spoon type Brunch, and loved the idea of having live jazz to listen to. Upscale, classy And modern inside. Everything we had was delicious. Good sized portions, Presented beautifully, great service. Coffee is great- I generally first judge a restaurant on their coffee.
I can't wait to return for dinner. Their brunch was fantastic so I can imagine that their dinner is too! Highly recommend.
We had eggs Benedict and challah French toast with strawberries. I usually could care less about French toast but theirs was delicious, fluffy and perfect.
Definitely my new favorite place! Be sure to park in the back lot (free)."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: great for brunch, romantic, special occasion
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"I love to eat out. I owned restaurants in another lifetime so I love to truly enjoy every aspect of dining out (even with a 3 and 6 year old). But way to often my high enthusiasm winds up getting pummeled under bad and/or insincere service and food that is less inspired and even less consistent than I ever dared imagined possible. HOWEVER, that was all turned around the other night when I had the pleasure of dining at Blue on Highland. Sadly, I was expecting more of the same mediocrity, but what I found was that rare gem of a place that I will look forward to going back time and again. The service, atmosphere, and food and beverages were fantastic. I mean, really, really, really good both in selection and quality. Go Blue!"
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"Went on a Sunday night. The restaurant was about 25% full. We waited at our table for 15 full minutes. No one ever came by. We couldn't even get a glass of water. Just inexcusable. We left and went to another restaurant."
Dined on 4/28/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Didn't love the duck , but I'd go back for a burger! The sliders could be a whole meal and he birger looked great too.Have had better meals there in the past. Service spotty but pleasant."
Dined on 04/28/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Was told if you come here have the pizza or burgers.. They were right.. Whoever made the risotto has never seen a real Rissoto .. It was chicken and rice.. My friends had the duck with farro which I sampled after they said it had no flavor.. They were right. And the frites with the steak frites were way overlooked and brown. I'm not a complainer.. But this was a seriously lousy dinner for all of us.. Luckily we had a gift certificate. They really need a new chef - it's a good location and a nice ambiance.. But the food.. Not so good."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2008
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"The servers were good and prompt when it came to asking if we wanted more drinks/refilling water, but the food took a long time to come out. When it did arrive, it was pretty mediocre, which was too bad because the menu appears to be good."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2008
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"Our server, Yulia, was outstanding, as well as very understanding that our group of four, who hadn't seen each other for a long time, lingered a bit too long at the table. I appreciated her good service and nice personality."
Dined on 04/12/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch
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"This is a restaurant fit for meat-eaters, which unfortunately isn't me. I looked over the menu and found the few choices I had (I'm a pescatarian). I hoped for a special since I wasn't excited about my choices. Well, there weren't any specials, so I ordered the salmon, replacing the pilaf (chicken broth) with Brussels sprouts. When my meal came, the salmon was dry, the aioli tasted like McDonald's special sauce, the pilaf was on my plate, and the Brussels sprouts were made with bacon. The best part of my meal was the broccolini that I ordered to replace the side dishes. My husband said his lamb was delicious, although too pink. The restaurant was loud and brightly lit, not the atmosphere I had hoped for."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2006
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"Had a very nice visit to Blue. Server was excellent and the food was delicious. We all chuckled at the huge ice tea glasses: they're old fashioned jars with 24 ounces of tea to the brim!"
Dined on 04/11/2013
2012
Special Features: great for lunch
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"Great place. Nice decoration. A little too loud. We had to speak loudly to hear the conversation in our table of 4. Drinks were good. Best Pomegranate Martini. Will go back for that. Food was hit or miss. Some great some ok. Short ribs were very soft, and tasted very good but needed more sauce to mix with the pasta. Steak and fries: Steak was good but fries were too dark almost burned. Duck was not a hit. Could be better. We have been there before a couple of times. We will go back."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Very popular local establishment that is unassuming on the outside but has great space and atmosphere on the inside. We were there on a Friday night and there was a very vibrant bar scene. The bar is next to the restaurant and the energy flowed into the restaurant in a good way.
Food was excellent. Better than expected and I expected it to be good. Server was very friendly and service was good. We will definitely come back again."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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"My first time at Blue. I am a foodie and Blue did not measure up. The food was lacking in depth. I ordered the duck because the waitress said it had a wonderful glaze and it was actually quite plain. There were no greens or vegetables on the plate. Only some very small and few bits of overcooked carrots in the farro. My partner's meal was a vegetarian risotto. She said it was good, but also lacking in depth. For a main dish it was a rather small bowl of risotto and once again very small pieces of vegetables. I would describe the food at uninteresting and way over priced. The presentation was good, but when I spend 25 dollars on a main course I expect to savor what I am eating and I did not. The coffe was served in nice big cups!"
Dined on 04/03/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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"Food was very good but a little expensive for neighborhood location. I will go there again but they do charge "Boston" prices. Food and service were very good."
Dined on 04/01/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Four of us dined at Blue on Highland for the first time this past Saturday night. None of us had been there before, and what a wonderful surprise! The ambience was lovely, the service excellent, the food delicious. Our reservation was for 6:30. We were seated immediately. Our waitress, Marshiella (I hope she forgives me for misspelling), was perfection. Our dinner was leisurely, we had plenty of time to talk and enjoy the food between courses, and although the restaurant was quite busy, at no time did she make us feel rushed. We ordered the Baked Brie as our appetizer, and the mixture of flavors was spectacular. I ordered the Blue Cheese Panko Encrusted Sirloin. Heaven on a plate. Everything was delightful. Highly recommended."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Had such a lovely dinner here the other night with my family. Everything we had was fantastic! The baked brie appetizer was to die for. SO GOOD. I had the fish special and it was so delicious I think they should have it on the menu all the time. The service there is really special, they are so willing to do anything you need. I love this restaurant and I cannot wait to go back!!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I have been to the restaurant for lunch a number of times in the past (which has always been excellent) but the dinner service was even better. Great choices of fairly non-traditional food but still satisfying to the pickiest of eaters. We went for 2 birthdays this dinner and they even presented amazing desserts with sparklers for celebrating. Our waitress was particularly attentive."
Dined on 03/14/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"The lunch menu is a little limited. I ordered the spinach salad which comes with bacon, blue cheese, and walnuts. I thought it would be enough for a meal, but it wasn't. The addition of bread would have been nice. I should have added a topper I guess, chicken, shrimp, tuna, and beef are available. The burgers looked really good and seemed to be a popular choice. The chocolate bread pudding for dessert was excellent and easily satisfied 3 diners."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2005
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"We went here for "date night" and the food was exellent and our server, Cheryl was amazing. She was funny, polite, on top of everything and she did not make us feel rushed at all. Overall GREAT experience!!"
Dined on 02/26/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Very friendly and accommodating - got a booth on a Friday night! Martini's were well received. Chef needs some instructions on making Italian food: appetizer (pumpkin tortelloni) was tough and heavy; the pumpkin flavor was very good. The lobster risotto with champagne leeks sounded great but was dry, more like rice with leeks and lobster. There was no hint that the chef understood the concept of "risotto = creamy". The steak special got rave reviews at the table. Has good things going for it but there are serious issues trying to produce typical Italian dishes."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2006
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"I had been looking forward to trying Blue for a while. The food was quite good, however our server was incredibly arrogant and didn't have a clue how to "read" a table. He marched over and interrupted fairly intense conversations several times without a second thought. He seemed to be perturbed by our questions about the menu. We usually tip 20% (on the total bill) and this time we all agreed that he didn't deserve our usual tip. I looked for someone to talk to as we left, as I didn't want the waiter to think that we were cheap--I wanted him to know the lower tip was intentional, but alas no one was around.
I'd have mixed feelings about going back."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2008
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"under special requests I booked (or thought I did) a bar high top table. Those are at a first come first serve basis and can not be held by reservation."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Note to self, at noon on Saturdays, people bring their kids and don't seem to care that others are trying to converse. Food was tasty but I was too distracted by the hollering hellions (You'd think with only three tables being served that a table with kids would be okay - and it might have been if the kids hadn't been at the center of the room for all to hear).
Restaurant itself has excellent ambiance."
Dined on 01/12/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"This was our first time dining at this restaurant, the bartenders were great and provided us with wonderful recommendations. Everything was great from pre-dinner cocktails to appetizers...my dinner was just perfect however my husband did not experience the same. He sent his steak back as it was not prepared to his wishes (we both ordered it the same)and it still came back very much on rare side. The bartenders were very apologetic and the manager came over and also apologized.... I'm hoping for a better experience the next time."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"The Jazz brunch at Blue Highland is great! The musicians are very talented and interact with the customers. The food was served in a timely manner and the service was average. I would go here in the future for brunch."
Dined on 01/20/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem
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"Everything about Blue on Highland is just OK. The atmosphere is the best part. Slow service, and I'm always hoping to be blown away by the food, but it's barely memorable. On Sundays they have a jazz brunch, but bring your ear plugs. The trio of senior citizens would be pretty good if they didn't have a singer. She made my ears bleed."
Dined on 01/20/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups
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