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Gem Reviews List
Gem
Welcome to GEM Restaurant and Lounge - a fusion of gastro-lounge and ultra exclusive supper club. Brought to you by Big Night Entertainment Group, owners of Red Lantern and The Estate in Boston, Shrine, Scorpion Bar and High Rollers Luxury Lanes at Foxwoods and exclusive marketing partner Boston Concierge + Consulting Group, AJ Rich and Andrew Haddad.
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32 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Rating Breakdown 32 reviews
5 stars
(5)
4 stars
(13)
3 stars
(7)
2 stars
(7)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- romantic(11)
- fit for foodies(10)
- neighborhood gem(8)
- special occasion(8)
- vibrant bar scene(7)
- hot spot(6)
Gem Reviews List
Review 1 for Gem
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was great, service was
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was great, service was excellent, very romantic atmosphere (couple in the lounge area got to 2nd base lol) Fair prices. Would recommend for date night."
Dined on 04/17/2013
2013
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, hot spot
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Review 2 for Gem
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Just "meh" food. Don't be
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Just "meh" food. Don't be fooled by intriguing descriptions. Execution is definitely lacking."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2011
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Review 3 for Gem
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We found the decor really
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We found the decor really interesting and enjoyable. Food and wine were passable, but way to expensive for the quality/ what you get. We reckon GEM should cut their prices across the board by 25-30% to make it a worthwhile trip to go back."
Dined on 03/28/2013
2010
Special Features: romantic
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Review 4 for Gem
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
I felt like we were being
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I felt like we were being rushed by the server even though the place was empty. She tried several times to bring one persons next course before the other person was done and then she brought the check over after serving dessert without asking if we wanted anything else. Food was decent but probably wouldn't return."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2007
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Review 5 for Gem
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Generally nice experience.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Generally nice experience. Found the uniforms of staff oddly matched to decor and theme, whatever that might be. But overall staff was friendly and professional, experience good, $$ reasonable."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2004
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Gem
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Wouldn't go here again.
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"No valet parking. Had to ask for bread and salt and pepper. Penne bolognese tasted like high-school cafeteria American chop suey."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2006
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Review 7 for Gem
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great food but lousy red wine list
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"My first time dining here. During restaurant week, so energetic bar crowd and quite a fully small dining room. The dining room is dimly lit and quite attractive, given its somewhat funky design and furniture. I dined with two friends, and we all remarked how delightful and well prepared the food was. The only drawback to the entire evening was the pathetic wine list. it is very small, and, sadly, very poorly selected by someone who doesn't know good wine from bad wine. Even the more pricy ones are terrible red wines to drink, so we settled the best of the worst and made do."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 8 for Gem
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A ruby in the rough!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We've been in search of a restaurant before events at the Opera House or Paramount for some time. GEM fits the bill nicely, if the weather's okay. (It's about a three-block walk.)
A coupon good for a free appetizer prompted us to seek out GEM. We're glad we did.
All our dishes - Grilled romaine with blackened tuna & Hamachi and tuna tartare appetizers, followed by pressed crisp chicken and roasted sea bass entrees - were good-to-outstanding. My sea bass might have been a bit too raw for some, but I enjoyed it. The menu has a seafood bias, with Italian and oriental accents.
The wine list is short, but we enjoyed the Kim Crawford NZ sauvignon blanc.
The dining room is small, with fringed lamps and heavy red curtains."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2008
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 9 for Gem
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Overwhelming airfreshener
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Overwhelming airfreshener scent throughout the restaurant. The food was surprisingly good. Had shrimp and grits, pressed chicken & pork chop and baileys cheesecake.. Service was good. Decor is warm and funky, but you can tell its still a new restaurant needs some polishing. Would be a fun place for a girls night dinner or to have drinks if you're in the area."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2006
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Review 10 for Gem
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Nice restaurant with good
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Nice restaurant with good service."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list, romantic, hot spot
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Review 11 for Gem
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The restaurant was nearly
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The restaurant was nearly empty--maybe 2 other tables. Food was great. The gundi were really note resting--sort of like the stuffing for a ravioli without the pasta. Loved the crispy pressed chicken. The only fault was just how pricey it was--app+entree+sparkling water +fries came to close to $70.
Oh and fries ($8) weren't hot. For $8 they ought to be hot"
Dined on 03/08/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Gem
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
great spot with great food/service
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"The food was very good. My wife had the sea bass which was excellent. I had the pork chop which was pretty good but not sure it is worth $38 though. The chocolate dessert was the best I've had in recent memory. I highly recommend it.
Our service was fantastic: timely and knowledgeable.
The dining area was pretty quiet and they don't pack you in in top of other tables. This is a great place to go for a date or a special dinner."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 13 for Gem
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The food was delicious but
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food was delicious but the wine list was very short and very pricey. Luckily, the glasses were quite large so that made up for the cost!"
Dined on 01/19/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion
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Review 14 for Gem
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
I'm not too satisfied with
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I'm not too satisfied with the service. The waitress seemed to be too busy attending six tables. It was hard to get her attention and we had to ASK for every single thing as our table was in the far corner. Chicken entree was good."
Dined on 01/22/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 15 for Gem
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Not bad, but nothing amazing.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My husband I went here for a date night; we found an online deal. We started with appetizers (tomato mozzarella pizza, and tuna tartare). The tuna was excellent and the pizza yummy. The pizza was much heartier than I expected and could have been a meal. For the mains, we ordered the crispy chicken (tasty, huge and super filling) and the sea bass (slightly tough). We shared the mousse for dessert and were totally stuffed - I only had two bites. Our waitress was pleasant and came to check on us the right number of times. No problem getting a 7pm reservation on a Sat, it was empty when we arrived but mostly full when we left. The room was cozy and dark. It was a solid evening, nothing terribly wrong, but I won't feel the need to rush back."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups
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Review 16 for Gem
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
good food and service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We ordered a wedge salad, grilled romaine salad and salumi board as appetizers and a Tuna sashimi sandwich and burger as entrees. The food was very good and decently sized portions. Service was prompt. Drinks were slightly expensive but average tasting. It was getting crowded as we were leaving. Looked like a popular spot on a Saturday night. Cant comment more on the lounge/bar scene as we were only there for dinner. It did appear to be on the pretentious side."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2011
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Gem
Based on the average of (16) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate