Matt Murphy’s Pub
| Address: | 14 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02445, USA |
| Phone: | +1 617-232-0188 |
| Site: | mattmurphyspub.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 8
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A Private User
While Murphys has a nice draft selection and cocktail menu, the food is pedestrian and poorly seasoned. Tonight was my third visit and each dish was underwhelming. This I could forgive as I knowingly prefer complex, layered flavors that stand up and provide a nice punch. The owners behavior is what I cannot forgive and what will keep me from ever coming back. The owner is rude and confident that she - and only she - knows how to run a restaurant. I and another patron were seated at the bar. Both of us were on laptops working (hello - welcome to the world of consulting - we dont get to take a dinner break). Both of us were seated at the bar, not at tables. The owner came over to us and INFORMED us that she was moving us to a less visible location because she is not running an internet cafe. She did not ask in any polite way - just told us that she was moving us in a VERY rude manner. If I am in a pub sitting at a bar, I expect to be able to receive good service, have a few drinks, and get some work done in a location other than the third hotel room I’ve been in that week. This is NOT a business friendly location. Instead of complying with her demand, I put my laptop away, but informed her that I would not be back. At that point she offered that I could leave then and possibly find a Starbucks where I could eat and work. Let me be frank – how dare you be so rude to your paying customers! I worked in the restaurant industry for 9 years managing everything from a corporate chain to a private brew pub. I would never have considered treating a guest in such a rude manner. The owner needs to realize she is in a combined business and residential neighborhood and needs to cater to both sets of customers. I can understand not wanting laptops open at tables - but not at the bar which is by definition more casual and supportive of single patrons – often those traveling on business. Drop the attitude and dont put your staff in a position where they have to apologize for your behavior in the hopes of not losing their tips. (I still tipped over 20%, BTW) Oh, and while I am at it, its 2011. Accepting credit cards is a cost of doing business. Load the cost into your menu prices and stop being ridiculous about taking only cash. Many of us simply don’t carry cash. This screams to the IRS that you are cheating on your books and you will be audited.
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Melissa Pocek
I love Matt Murphys. I love their Irish brunch, the service, and even the homemade ketchup. I must say that I have only been here during brunch, but never have I been disappointed. The food today was phenomenal, better than I remembered. The lovely waiter brought us two steamy cups of coffee along with artisan raisin bread and full flavor butter. I had their fluffy smoked salmon omelet with roasted asparagus, slow cooked tomatoes, chives, and sour cream. My Irish bf appropriately got the Irish breakfast with sausage, hand cut fries, bacon, black in white pudding (sausage) and scrambled eggs with ample amounts of cooked root vegetables. Even though, the portions were huge it was difficult for me to stop eating. Matt Murphys is my favorite brunch location. It makes me very happy that I live in Boston and have this unique and wonderful gem of a restaurant. I recommend this place to anyone who has a love for food, drink, or Irish culture.
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Adam Solomon
Relaxing pub, great food, great for a date or a meal. No televisions in this Brookline Village institution. Cash only, with a great pour of Guinness, amazing cocktails, and excellent food coming out of a very small kitchen. Only a couple servers cover the bar and small number of tables in this dark and relaxing classic pub. Theres often a wait to get a table or even a spot at the bar. The kitchen can be a bit slow, but the food is worth the wait. I particularly love the buffalo fried brussels sprouts. The cheese plate is good and the potato leek soup is fantastic. Im on the fence between four or five stars, even though I love this place. The only minuses in my book are that its cash only and that theres no vegetarian main dish on the menu. Ive gone with five in the end, because, seriously, its one of the best things in the neighborhood.
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A Private User
I sometimes miss working in the hotel/restaurant biz during Christmas. At the Ritz-Carlton Boston, there was a celebratory feel, lots of food and booze - and great tips from the regulars. Christmas Eve at a local restaurant that weve gone to since it opened was similar (and I didnt need to stay until 1:30 am and clean up). Siobhan brought table beet, heirloom squash, goat cheese & veg chips salad. All went great with kicking good Dark & Stormy. Fish & Chips (fresh ketchup) at Matt Murphys is the reason newspapers still exist. I had Cisco Bay Grey Lady beer. Owner brought the table pear & cranberry crumbles which somehow got consumed. Very nice of her in spirit of giving and welcoming us as part of her "home."
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Emilia Diamant
I love Matt Murphys. I love the food, the beer, the atmosphere. Its one of my favorite places to take out of town guests for a true Boston pub with some excellent food. You should try the fish and chips, the curry fries, and whatever they have on tap. If youre going for lunch, give the egg salad sandwich a try if youre into egg salad. I am, and I love it. I wouldnt mind if they brought prices down a bit, but as its in Brookline, Im not complaining/surprised at the tab when I go with a few people. Its a good date spot if you are looking for something homey and no frills. CASH ONLY--theres a bunch of ATMs nearby, but come prepared!
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Dice L
Bottom line--a great place. Its like a restaurant situated in a pub...the bar seems secondary to the restaurant. Great, creative but at the same time traditional dishes--chicken pot pie and fish & chips are awesome. Very relaxing candle-lit tables, pleasant employees, and soothing "Enya-type" music in the background. A few notes of caution...its cash only (theres an ATM across the street), they dont serve fountain soda (Coke, Sprite, etc), and the food probably isnt terribly appetizing to kids below 10 or so--these arent critiques, just information. They offer free oysters on Mondays. Erin go bragh...
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森明锐
Ive eaten here more times than at any other place in the neighborhood. I love the food, the atmosphere, and love love LOVE the oyster Mondays. Ive taken several groups of friends to them and they all loved it. I have a couple pescatarian friends (and Im a seafood lover as well) so its a huge plus that there are a lot of seafood dishes on the menu. The only thing not to like is that I tend not to carry cash around, so often end up heading to the ATM to pay the bill. Just had to leave a 5 star review for my favorite local place to eat out.
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A Private User
I have to admit, I was upset with the renovations. Matt Murphys used to be a fun place to stop in for great food and a few drinks but now it has joined the ranks of other Brookline Village restaurants and does not stand out. That being said, the food is still good and within a good price range. There are still a nice variety of beers on tap as well. But remember- Cash only! Not to fear, there are ATMs located across and down the street.
