The Puddle Dock

Review summary

1. S

   Sheila

   Greater Boston

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

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

   We were eager to try the PuddleDock. We had an early reservation for 4 people and were seated promptly. Our server was attentive and pleasant. We ordered drinks and then on to dinner. One of us had the rib eye ordered medium, one had the chicken breast, one had the Cock-a-leekie pie and one had the salmon pie special. One of us had initially wanted the steak but it was being served with Brussel sprouts and she didn’t like Brussels sprouts so asked to substitute a different vegetable. The server said that might be a problem and she’d speak to the chef. She returned and said no, they would not substitute! Have never had that happen in any restaurant before. As it turns out, she was happy she ordered the salmon pie instead because my husband ordered the $65 ribeye and while it was cooked to a perfect medium, it was one of the toughest steaks we had ever eaten (difficult to even cut without sawing back and forth quite a bit). The cock-a-leekie pie was tasty enough but had to pull gristly bits out of my mouth 3 or 4 times, as if little care had been taken when cutting the chicken up. The salmon pie was fine but nothing she would order again and the chicken breast got rave reviews. Bottom line, we will not likely return for another try. The atmosphere is nice, presentation and service were good but it’s just too much to spend for what was subpar for us - and the inflexibility to replace the Brussels sprouts was astonishing.
   

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2. J

   Jim

   Greater Boston

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

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

   First let me say we love the place and have been several times and it may have just been a bad night but the chowder was barely warm, the bar tender literally couldn’t make a drink (not the regular tender). The Cosmo tasted like lime juice and the martini was watered down. Overall the other food was good but it’s getting more and more expensive and starting to not be worth it. $65 for a steak and the sides were tiny. We will try it again and hope it’s more like it was a few months ago.
   

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3. M

   Monroe

   Greater Boston

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

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

   Great meal and great service. The menu is different from other restaurants in the area. Great place.
   

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4. N

   Nancy

   Greater Boston

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on January 19, 2025

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

   Wonderful atmosphere. Bustling but not noisy. Food was outstanding. Several people in our party commented that it was one of their best meals dining out.
   

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5. PG

   PatG

   Charleston

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 19, 2025

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

   It was a great experience and convenient for after theater drinks and apps. Our server, David, was charming and attentive. We will be back.
   

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6. P

   Paula

   Greater Boston

   57 reviews

   5.0

   57 reviews

   Dined on January 18, 2025

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

   We sat at the bar with bartenders Kyle and Liam. Fun and delicious time. Our 1st time here...will be back soon!
   

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7. E

   Elizabeth

   Greater Boston

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 18, 2025

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

   My husband and I had a date night at Puddle Dock, and it was fantastic. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was perfect. Our server, David, made the evening even better with his friendly and attentive service. He gave great recommendations and made sure we had everything we needed. Highly recommend Puddle Dock for a special night out!
   

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8. L

   Leslie

   Greater Boston

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on January 17, 2025

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

   Don’t often write reviews; dine out a lot. This small, cozy hidden old colonial restaurant was fabulous. Food was superb. Service was classy—low key, but never missed a step. But really, one of those places where everything fell into place. We live in Boston area. Had eaten there once before. Made a special trip to Portsmouth to dine. Better than we remembered. At the end of the entrees, I said to my husband, “this is a home run.” At the end of dessert, I said, no, “a grand slam.”
   

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9. R

   Rob

   Sacramento

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on January 16, 2025

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

   really good food and a really awesome space. very attentive staff!
   

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10. J

    Julie

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on January 16, 2025

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

    Our friends and I make excuses to come from the Boston area so we can eat at the Puddle Dock (Usually we see a terrific show across the street at The Players Ring). There is nothing I don't like about this cozy place. The fireplace, the perfect lighting and noise level. Then there is the food. We've never had a bad meal. They have super delicious cocktails as well. I wish they stayed open until 10. It would be nice to go for a cocktail after the show. The service is also top notch. The dark chocolate pudding was so good, I want to sell my house in Boston and move to Portsmouth just so I can be closer to the pudding. Yes, I'm highly food motivated.
    

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