Ellis Square Social

Fantastic service and food was excellent and quick. Steak was cooked well, tender and not too fatty but flavorful. Great Caesar salad. Service was warm and attentive.

I highly recommend a reservation, there's nowhere to wait, because people will reserve places at the bar . We went here to celebrate my birthday 🎂! The restaurant is great! Exposed brick walls, tum ceilings, soft lighting but you can still see the menu lol Our waitress was lovely! Friendly & helpful. The food was outstanding!! AND if it happens to be your birthday & you mention it to them, dessert is free for that person!

Classy and cozy, from the menu to the decor. Variety of upscale appetizers and entrees and creative cocktails. Great for date night, busy on the weekends.

We dined before a show. All the food was delicious, the server was knowledgeable and attentive and the atmosphere reminded us of a prohibition-era speakeasy. The lighting fixtures were unique! The fries were absolutely amazing!

We shall no longer call it the "New Barrel House" they have made thier own mark on cabot st! The apps are perfect for sharing, drinks are great, and entrees are masterfully prepared. Chef rocks and be sure to ask for Hannah (server) her understanding & excitement about the food is contagious and she was spot on with every suggestion!

Perfection with Direction!! - Everything about my experience was exceptional. We were served by Paul whom delighted us with suggestions on Appetizer & Main Course. His advisement was spot on and historic as we gained knowledge of our chefs history and the menu. The best Medium Rare Steak on the North shore. It was absolute perfection. Additionally the drinks The Pain Killer (in photo) & Bourbon Smash were crafted in a way that guarantees constitent quality and sobriety everytime. The chocolate cake was creative and insanely good... Savory like I wanted to live in this bowl. Its like a big Warm caramello exploded on vanilla ice cream and cake. 😀😀😀😀😀👍 Will return soon!

Went here with the wife late last week before the PMJ show at the Cabot. It was pretty crowded...we sat at the bar...I ordered Coke and she ordered something fruity. The bartender was Johnny on the Spot with the drinks. But with the food...IDK if it was an off night or the crowd was affecting things but it took over an hour to get our food after we finally ordered. Normally I don't mind but this seemed egregiously long of a wait...and I saw some people just change their orders to a "to go" status rather than still have to sit and eat it once it came. I'm not sure if it was a front of house or back of house problem but it was definitely a problem. Once the food came, my burger was cooked perfectly, but the fries were ice cold and just..hard. They'd forgotten an item I'd ordered...were slow to check us out when we left... Honestly it was just an overall mediocre experience and if I go again I hope the issues are worked out...but for now...3 stars.

Ellis square is a local favorite for me and my partner. Brandon, as well as the other bartenders, are absolute pros and their craftsmanship is second to nobody in the north shore. Their cocktail menu is always rotating, the ingredients are home made and fresh, and there’s enough variety where anybody can find what they like there. Food is always on point too! From the ambiance to the service and everything in between, ESQ is a Beverly staple.

Dinners out with 2 babies is tough to plan so when it happens we want to make sure we have a great time. Ellis Square Social delivered everything we needed. Food was superb! Bartender, Brandon, was great and we shared stories of our kids and pictures. The inside decor gave us the vibes that we were searching for. We are so excited to find a great place and cant wait for our next chance to try more. Apps: Fried Pickles. best we have ever had. Light crispy batter. Salad: Pear Salad. It was so fun and delicious. Pears on salad? ... Apparently, sign me up. It was great! Dinner: Steak Frites. We ate every bite. Those shoestring fries and steak bites were the perfect combo.

Great place! Drinks, food and service were wonderful! Went for a pre show quiet dinner a little early in the evening but by the time we left, business was lively. Nice, comfortable ambiance. Will visit again.

Visited on a whim. We had planned to attend a comedy show around the corner but we arrived 45 minutes early. In locating Ellis Square we first noticed how warm it looked. It has a great design inside....see the picture with the brick and incredible lighting. We were given two seats at the bar, which was awesome. We only had a short time to grab a bite and get back to the theater and it could not have worked out any better! My wife ordered a glass of white and a veggie pizza. I ordered a side of mashed potatoes. I know, I know....kind of odd but it was exactly what I was looking for. The food and drinks arrived in perfect time. The mashed potatoes were awesome and my wife is still raving about the veggie pizza and how tasty it was! The bar was crowded as we noticed that most people had reservations. We realized that we were lucky to walk-in and get a great seat! I loved the vibe inside. The bartenders were very welcoming and were full of information and service with a smile. Parking is available on the Cabot Street....I believe there are meters but after dark, I believe parking is free. We will return....with a reservation and a bigger crowd! Great find for us! PS: I did not notice a tv in or near the bar....a nice change!

The last time we were here, it was 4 stars. Last night the food was 2, but the cocktails were still great, so we are rounding up to 3 stars. The steak tartar isn't great. The chop is off and there was gristle. It was served with toasted (yet soft?) bread and fries. It would have been better served with fresh chips. His burger arrived incorrectly with a side salad, so they promptly brought a huge pile of fresh fries that were very good. He was happy. My chicken sandwich tasted fine, but we were laughing at how little chicken there was. I have never seen a chicken sandwich like this one before. They didn't forget the chicken because there was some on there, but it was very hard to find. The side salad it came with was just meh. The dressing was almost like a lemony mayo? And there was nothing but lettuce and that. I usually eat every bite of a salad and I left 2/3 of it there. We had a fairly flavorless chocolate dessert and realized the food isn't what it once was, so next time it's just cocktails.

City food without the price tag and white table cloth. Highly, highly, highly recommend reserving a bar seat, which as plush and comfortable; I could spend an entire day here. Classic steak tartare, which is stellar, but the pork belly is the absolute star. My duck was cooked to perfection, and seasoned quite well. The burger is also great. Every dish is minimal ingredients, prepared and seasoned expertly. Its truly New-American perfection, in a great setting, with excellent bartenders.

Made a reservation for dinner before a show at The Cabot. All seats, even the bar, are by reservation when we went on a Saturday night. Drinks and food were great, servers were very busy but attentive. Halibut entree was fantastic.

This place has a great ambiance and is perfect for a few drinks or a date. After a few visits here, I've come to realize that the food isn't really for me here... I often find it to be overly seasoned and missing the mark taste wise BUT the seafood featured in any of their dishes is as fresh as you can get. Their cocktails are fantastic and their desserts are amazing. I'd come here for an end of night dessert and drinks but will likely head nearby for dinner.

It was a dark and stormy night. Cold-March-Saturday. Crowded. Seats by the front windows-drafty. Avoid that seating area. Beautiful ambiance. Fast & very friendly servers. We got linguini with lobster and clams. Lobster over cooked, pasta a bit more Al dente than I prefer. I would not order it again. Hubs got gnocchi with beef. He liked it, but also not looking to eat it again. People next to us at the bar got short ribs. They had the same reaction to that dish. The cocktails are above average. Best espresso martini I've ever had. Not sure why. It had a bite that was pleasant but not sweet. Summary-food just OK. Cocktails and ambiance fabulous.

What a delightful surprise! I thought I was sitting in a different restaurant. Ok, so I told my friend to meet me at one place and I found I was sitting in the wrong place. But, I just ordered a drink and had to stay. She came to me and met me here. The bartender, Brandon is a true mixologist! I asked for a expresso martini and he suggested one made with local rums and oh my yummy! All the drinks were served in frosted glasses! Not just the martinis! We then ordered the roasted squash salad with roasted chicken and the Arancini. The chicken was amazing. The hazelnut crema was just as described by Brandon, light and not overly sweet! All was yummy! We came on a Wednesday night around 5:30 so definitely early but. Oh my! Highly recommend this place. The vibe is cool, the food delicious and the bartender, Brandon is magic! He is like a mad scientist. A few drops of this, a few splashed of that, and a pour of this! Crushes everything!

I almost don't want to tell people about this place because I want it to be my secret. It is SOOOOOO FREAKING GOOD. We just keep coming back. Some of our favorites: - Oysters: I don't know how their oysters are better than other local restaurants, but they are - Steak tartare: Utter PERFECTION. Possibly better than any other steak tartare I've ever had - Entrees that have all blown our minds: short ribs, steak frites, quail (seriously don't know how they made the lentils on the side THIS delicious), and burger. - nearly all of their whiskey-based cocktails, though I will say that some taste VERY similar to each other. The only thing we've ordered that was mediocre was the ricotta canelloni with braised lamb, but the rest of the meal was superb, and all other meals we've had there were superb, so I'd just skip that particular dish as the flavors really don't meld (though the lamb was delicious on its own, and the canelloni was delicious on its own).

Really great upscale place. Not so fancy that its stuffy. Plenty of bar seating and bar tenders were all super friendly and helpful. I had the grilled pork chop with a cesar salad. Both were excellent. Very good beer and tequila selection. Great place for dinner before the Kashmir show.

We forgot to make reservations at our intended restaurant in Salem, so ended up across the water in Beverly. Insane luck because this deceptively unassuming looking place (from the outside) was outstanding! It's comfort food like Mom made, if your Mom ditched the meatloaf for quail, and tossed the tuna casserole for buttery squash pasta with poached cranberries & goat cheese. I wish this gem weren't an hour from home or I'd be back tomorrow night. And the craft cocktails are the most impressive I've seen south of Blyth & Burrows. Honestly, the most memorable place I've visited this year.

Overall only ok. Decent setup and concept. To start, the air conditioning was broken, it was 83 degrees out and unknown inside, it was warm though. Should have just turned around, stayed though bc we made reservations and no time to look for anything different with making a show. Aside from it being hot inside, food came out at the table next to us who ordered after us. Chicken sandwich had clearly been sitting as it was only warmish, while likely waiting for other dish. I could probably look beyond that, but the content/meat was lacking, more bun than meat, and honestly I've had fuller sandwiches at Wendy's. Service was all right; but had to wait to take bill after indicating times were getting pushed for the show with the delay waiting for food (we had an 1.5 hrs from reservation to show time). Drink menu looks good, food is relatively reasonable; but honestly the food this night was just bland and lacking in content, which probably is a result of trying to prepare in the heat with no AC. I know it's a hard decision, but the restaurant should have just closed to for the night with no AC or windows able to open.

Ate here tonight with my wife before a show at The Cabot. In short, it was a great experience and I'd recommend it to anyone. It was busy (Sat night) and we ate at the bar. There was crowd noise, but there was no problem holding a conversation. Service was prompt and very helpful (bartenders were our servers). Made a great daiquiri (off their cocktail menu) and it was served with a large ice cube. A great start. The menu offered about 7 appetizers, 4 pastas, and 6 entrees. There were also several options for wines by the glass and bottle. It's not a huge menu, but there's options for everyone. Plus I think it's better to do a few things well rather than lots of mediocre things. To start, we shared the oysters, which were very fresh and delicious. My wife ordered the Faroe Island salmon and I had the tenderloin. My wife is an expert in making grilled salmon at home and rarely orders it at restaurants because it doesn't usually measure up. This dish was outstanding and she loved it. My steak was a very generous portion and was cooked to perfection (medium rare). The Bernaise sauce was very well balanced and the meat was perfectly sauced (just the right amount and not drowning in it). The broccolini was also cooked expertly, with just a little "crunch". Overall the meals were excellent and the drinks were very well done. All delivered with great service by friendly, helpful servers (busy bartenders in this case). We will definitely be back.

Very good. Brussel sprouts and lamb meatballs were excellent. Steak cooked perfectly. Pork chop delicious. Excellent burgers. Very good fries. Great service. Will return.

Excellent food and very unique drink menu- would definitely recommend if you're enjoying an evening out in Beverly

Randomly decided to come back here and we are glad we did. Brand new menu and new cocktails. No more upscale bbq and polynesian tiki drinks only. Nice variety of very good cocktails and food, very reasonably priced. Will definitely be going back.

Came here on a whim on Friday night. My partner and I recently moved to Beverly, with covid, we weren't sure what was open so we just drove around the main streets, saw that there were people inside here, and decided to go in. The ambiance: pretty cute and would be great for date night. The lighting is cosy and it wasn't too loud inside. I can tell they'd get busy during normal times, but for covid, the tables were nicely spaced out. The drinks: decent sized cocktails and beer menu, the cocktails looked great but we ended up getting beer, no complaints here. Food: ehhh this is really why it's 3 stars for me. Overall the meats were well cooked, juicy and soft. My problem is that everything is under seasoned. The burger was a true med, slightly pink, but needed lots of salt and pepper. I got the burnt ends sandwich.... But it was really a brisket sandwich. The ends were not burnt at all, didn't have any caramelization, and super bland. We ended up asking for the house bbq sauce (which tastes amazing) but at this point, it really is a "good brisket sandwich" and not a burnt ends sandwich. I do appreciate that they use better quality meats though (free range chicken etc.) Overall, I think they do meats really well but not sure why they don't season anything. My guess is that they expect the flavor to be in the sauce, but we had to ask for the sauces, it didn't come with the plate automatically.

Went for dinner before a show at the Cabot. This is definitely the place to go. Their dirty martini was excellent and the food as well. Service was outstanding. Our favorite place near the Cabot.

Finally writing a review after a few visits, which have all been excellent. I am a pretty new Beverly transplant (hauled all the way north from...Somerville) and this is becoming my lifeline for upscale (but not bank-breaking) nights out. AMBIENCE - You know what I love? A beautiful dining room without a gimmick. Both the bar and tables are elegant, well-spaced, cozily lit. It reminds me of Eastern Standard on a smaller, more intimate, blessedly less noisy scale. Nice music vibe, too - tends to be upbeat but mellow, indie-focused. SERVICE - I am a good cook and I worked in service for years; about 75% of why I go out is to feel taken care of. Delicious food alone won't rescue an evening of sub-par service for me. Ellis Square seems to have a fabulous work culture: staff seem relaxed and happy with one another and with customers, and the service I've received has always been outstanding (which to me means friendly, knowledgeable, timely, and attentive without smothering). Paige was my server on my most recent visit and she was an actual dream. DRINK - The cocktails here are legit. It's a fun bar program that offers a good array of novel and classic without trying to do everything all at once. A particularly fun one is the whisky-based Wait for It, which takes you through a quite enjoyable, intentional taste evolution as its large ice cube melts over 10-15 minutes. Tequila-based It's Not What You Think exhibits a similar pleasure in different experiences in one glass. I appreciate, too, that both the beer and wine lists are carefully curated. Again, they're not overwhelmingly large, just well-chosen. Beer especially shows a careful attention to flavor scope. My by-the-glass red was not served at cellar temp but service was happy to at least get a chilled glass for me. FOOD - I mean, if I didn't like the food, I wouldn't go back no matter how good the service was :) I've eaten maybe a dozen dishes here now? I'd say the majority of them were 5 star, a few were 4 star. They do really fun things with veggies. I'm not vegetarian, but I like the option, and I like when meatless dishes get more than lip (or covered-with-cheese) service. Speaking of meat - the steak! So well seasoned and tender. We did have an issue with one steak coming out well past the temp we requested, but it was still juicy and delicious (incredible char) and we cleaned the plate. Management also offered a bill adjustment without being asked (after I relayed the note about temp, not looking for anything in return but just wanting to give the feedback to the kitchen), which speaks volumes about their interest in customer satisfaction. This place would have been competitive in my old ultra-trendy neighborhood of Union Square, and I feel super lucky to have it only a few minutes' from me now. It's worth a much, much longer trip, and I'm looking forward to becoming a regular.

Great cocktails! The food was well-prepared and waiter was knowledgeable, kind, and welcoming. Only wished they had at least one vegetarian option for an appetizer. But by all accounts, they are not your typical American cuisine restaurant -- they provide something better.

Really a 2.5. The food itself was fantastic and I was really pleased. However, the ambiance, especially the acoustics were terrible. I had to yell throughout my conversation with my dinner partner. My hearing is fine, but I could hardly hear what she was saying. I left with a splitting headache. Rarely have I been somewhere where other factors detracted so much from the overall experience. Despite great food, I can't see myself returning.

I feel bad leaving a bad review with everything restaurants are facing, but that being said the food was pretty underwhelming. I ordered the ribs with a side of Mac and cheese and a side of cornbread. My boyfriend got the pulled pork sandwich with Mac and cheese. The ribs were cooked well but had absolutely no flavor. There was no rub, sauce or seasoning of any kind. The cornbread was burned on the outside and soggy on the inside with a strange consistency. The pulled pork sandwich was strangely wet and didn't taste good. On a positive note their drink menu was extensive and had a lot of unique options and both of the drinks we ordered were great. The complimentary onion dip and chips were amazing and our server was also great. The dessert was good too. I would recommend this place for drinks dessert and apps only.

This place has a super nice feel and chill vibes. It was pretty busy compared to other restaurants we had walked by on our way, so get here early! The bartenders were really attentive and made great drinks. The food was also yum! It felt intimate and cozy making it perfect for dates or a girls night out!

I was fan of the predecessor, and even more-so the current incarnation. This place exceeded expectations spectacularly, I'm happy to report. My wife and I visited this place on a Saturday night. We opted for a late reservation, which worked out well. The place was bustling when we arrived, a couple was leaving as we entered, and that was the only table available in the place. The place can be quite loud when at capacity, so plan your visit accordingly if that's not your scene (generally it's not for us, hence the later option). As our stay progressed, so did the crowd, which made everything that much nicer. Anyway, our waiter Matt came over promptly, taking out drink order. I mentioned a beer I liked, asking for a draught equivalent, and he made a great recommendation. The cocktail my wife ordered was made expertly. We started with a ploughmans platter, which had a variety of options (cheese, meats, bread, spreads and candied walnuts). We both enjoyed this very much, and it was worth the price ($18). I appreciated the server explaining each of the options when the plate was dropped off. Certainly personal preference, the only thing missing was a sweet side, like a bit of honey or preserve. I ordered the swordfish, which was served atop egg noodle in a butter broth with mushrooms. The swordfish was a petite portion, but it was delicious, as was the noodle & broth, I was quite pleased with the selection. My wife had two appetizers for her meal (that she graciously shared with me). She had the chicken arepas, which was chicken salad atop a sourdough crisp. These were small but tasty. However... the item that floored us both was the Berkshire Pork Belly. Generous portion, the pork belly was delectable, the bacon, maple, and crispy rice was magnificent. We will definitely be ordering this next time we're there. The service was top notch, our waiter checked on us the ideal amount, kept our water glasses topped off and asked about refills. Speed of service was great as well, never too long a wait on any dish/course. Food quality was also aces. Every dish was prepared perfectly, and matched the description and expectations. There was a bit of variation in the portion size of some dishes, but nothing unreasonable. Price was good, they're a bit on the higher-end, but I felt every option was worth the price of admission. $13 for a cocktail, $8 for a beer. I think this is a good social spot, decent place to bring a date, or option if you're looking for something a little different.

A staple downtown Beverly drinking and dining establishment. Many fancy drinks and of course the standards. They measure pours which bothers some folks. Food is good but a bit pricey for what you get. Because it's a block from the Cabot you need reservations. They take reservations for tables and the bar. This location because of pre show demand commands higher prices. Service is good. Supply and demand.

We had dinner reservations here before seeing a show at the Cabot. We had a fabulous meal that began with some oysters. They were fresh and delicious! The plating was nice and it was a perfect start. Next was the bone marrow ... SOOOO GOOOD!!!! This dish was perfectly executed and absolutely all it should be - YUM!!! I loved the pomegranate for contrast. The only disappointment was there were only three crostini - sooo good!!! I ordered the duck. It was served a perfect medium rare. I loved the new potatoes as they were so creamy. The cauliflower was yummy, too. My husband had the chef special - a NY sirloin with new potatoes and grilled asparagus. He ate every bite - he usually brings home a doggie bag. He really enjoyed his meal. The shaved Parmesan cheese made the dish for him. For dessert, we ordered the sticky toffee pudding and churros. Both were good, although my husband was having some dessert envy after seeing mine!!! Our server was great. She was professional and attentive. A great meal! I need to add that when we first came in we were seated next to a large party and they were loud. This was noticed by management and we were moved to a quieter table. I was so impressed!!! We had a wonderful dinner and it was no accident! We will be back!!

Amazing!! My taste buds were singing. Steamed duck dumplings, tuna tartar, skirt steak, mushroom scampi(who would have thought) - YUMMY Service was excellent too. This find was a win all around. A must try in the Northshore.

We love Ellis Square and what they've recently done with their menu. The food here is always incredible And creative. We love the meats and when possible, we get a cocktail. The service is terrific and we can't wait to return!

made a last minute reservation and could not have been happier with our choice! Menu was unique and finely crafted. Our food and drinks very good. Loved the ambiance too. Our waiter, Matt, was 10/10. Prices were very fair and good value compared to other similar spots. Check this place out :)

Stopped in here with my husband for an early evening cocktail and appetizers. The bartender was friendly, attentive, and made us some really excellent drinks. We shared the mussels and the duck confit appetizer. The mussels were fine, but the duck was absolutely fantastic. Best thing I've eaten in a while. We really liked the vibe of the place, too. Beautiful dark wood accents and pressed tin ceiling. And I love that there's no TV over the bar. We will definitely be back.

Greatly enjoyed our dinner on a recent Saturday night. The mixologists behind the bar are top notch and their cocktails are part of the experience. The mushroom croquettes and coffee brined pork were awesome. Love the feel of this place, great mix of retro and modern.

As a Boston/Cambridge food snob with restaurant/bar experience, I don't bother to review hundreds of 3 or 4 star places and I don't give out 5 stars. This place is 5 stars. Everything for our party of 4 was baseline "very good" and most things were fantastic. *Bar program: 5/5. Interesting, right-sized list, well balanced with a variety of spirits and some (but not too many) lesser-known ingredients. He also _actually_ listened to my wife who wanted my cocktail (the "it's not what you think") but "more spicy." It really was. And it was amazing. Beer list looked excellent, and I always appreciate a tiki listing, especially in New England Drizzle-Winter. *Service (Paige): 5/5. Downright excellent. We felt like we were in the know about the menus and her attentiveness level was on point. Great detailed recommendations when we couldn't pick between two items, regardless of if it was a drink/wine/anywhere on the food menu. *Shareables/apps: 4.5/5. Carrots and croquettes were 4/5, the (Thai) eggplant parm with burrata(!) and tomato butter was 5/5. The Caesar was the best I've ever had, 5/5. I'll be using toasted coarse breadcrumbs over croutons from now on. *Bowls/entrees: 5/5. The pozole with pork is worth the trip all on its own. I wish I'd ordered another to take home. The wagyu was a bit over in some places but we still happily demolished it. The hanger steak was well charred and smoked despite being (properly) rare, throughout. They certainly know their steaks, which is no surprise given their history. *Desserts: 5/5. The Sticky Toffee Pudding was light and just the right amount of sweet with the sticky crunch. The flourless chocolate had an open texture that was more like a custard, but the right amount of substantial. Nice way to reimagine it, honestly and the topping was perfectly salted. Everything ended on an even higher note when she let us know that she'd packed some containers of their amazing butter for us, as well. I can usually (ok, almost always) find plenty of things that could use at least a bit of improvement, but this place just flat-out nailed it. Very much looking forward to coming back.

Stopped in onna Wednesday night, enjoying the bar while waiting for my friend. Place was moderately busy. Bartendslers were delightful. I asked for a spicy margarita, to which the bar tender quickly presented me with options. I told him no sour mix and he replied the bar doesn't carry it. Sold! It was delicious. So was the second. Sat at a table, service was superb. Ate a burger with bacon, medium rare. It was absolutely delicious. Came with a thick white chivey sauce that really tied things together and carried the flavor. Burger was cooked correctly and it all blended into a fine sensation of deliciousness. I eat a lot of burgers and this was a good one. Instead of fries I was allowed asparagus, which was also delicious, dipped in Sriracha ;) For dessert, a brownie sundae. Sadly, this was where my story of intrigue and fancy ended. I pushed my luck too far. I asked the waitress if it was fudgy vs cakey, defining each clearly as I do - to the delight of all those that encounter me - to which she said she was new and wanted to double check in the back, so did and came back reporting it was flourless. I said that isn't always good. It wasn't. The brownie was bland, dry, more cakey than fudgy, and a bad flourless version. The ice cream, fudge, whipped cream, and crunchies (hazelnuts?) were good and tampered my disappointment. Will definitely return

Really was pleased with everything here. From the ambiance, the customer service (Sam), the selection of alcoholic beverages, and the food - amazing!! I was recommended to get the steak tips. Couldn't have recommended a better dish. Definitely, not your typical steak tips. Very juicy and fulfilling! Also, I recommend if you are a red wine fan- get the Barbera, it is not your average bold, heavy, oaky wine. This is flavorful with a nice fruity beginning. Will definitely come here again! Thanks for the great service ‼

As dad said....we ate in a warm dry place and no one was shooting at us. That's the best that could be said. Drinks....twenty minutes later we got the order and one was wrong....apps....the charcuterie is nothing special. The pork belly that had rave reviews was dry. The rice was good though. Whatever. The pasta was "ok"....Bolognese with some pot roast. The pork chop was decent. But the burgers? How can you charge 16 bucks for a burger with a burnt bun? Even Burger King can do better than that. Don't waste two bucks extra for the bacon which was not only burnt but cold. And cold....limp....fries.... and we would have gone away quietly, but we gave the waitress our credit card and waited 20 minutes and I finally asked someone else what the heck was going on. We saw him chase her down and then how she "forgot" and pulled it out of her belt and went running!!!!! And then the manager came over to try to apologize. (She had spent the entire night with her back to us schmoozing the table next to us that came in well after us but got served the same time) I tried to explain we were done and wouldn't be back but she couldn't accept that they really screwed up. At that point there is no making it right. Customer service isn't damage control. It's damage prevention. While I'll let a mistake be a mistake, letting a bun walk out of the kitchen like that says it all. Move on people. There's much better around....hopefully I can find something at home to get the taste of "burnt" out of my mouth. What a joke!

My husband and I stopped in last night (Tuesday night) for dinner and sat at the bar. I loved the atmosphere and vibe immediately.....I was impressed with the extensive drink menu even though we are beer and wine people..... There were some great sharing options . Menu had so many great options for us it was hard to decide....I ordered the steak tips medium rare with broccolini and olive oil roasted potatoes and it was insane....I'm picky...I don't order meat out very often but the execution was beyond perfect....seasoning was incredible...nicely charred on the outside - a perfect medium rare on the inside and incredibly tender and just the right size portion. My husband had the Fregola with arugula pesto and added shrimp and he loved it.... We are food snobs and we can't wait to return!

I'm not going to go on an all out attack. Great service! Beautifully decorated inside ! Very clean bathrooms ! Very friendly people . I just thought the food was overpriced for the quality of dishes I recieved. And i got sick soon after consuming a suspicious oyster . Would I go back after this. . Possibly yes. Drink menu looked filled with 11 - 13 dollar cocktail options . One guest did enjoy their food. I'm not going to give zero stars and bash . Just being fair and stating facts !

We had an early reservation last night and opted to sit at the bar. Terrific, knowledgeable bar tenders. This is a cocktail bar. Fine choices of bourbons and large ice cube. I watched a daiquiri, Hemingway Style, prepared that was a work of art. Shared small plates. The duck wings are the review's fifth star. Good vibe, good food, good drinks.

Superb cocktails!! We hadn't been here since Barrel House closed, but the other day, we stopped in for cocktails. They were superb - well-balanced, and distinctive, "craft" in the interests of flavor rather than mere show. The bartender, Sam, is a credit to the staff - knowledgeable, personable, and a true dab hand at mixing a drink. We didn't get food, but the menu particularly for bar snacks, looked great, with many options. About $11 a cocktail, fair price for the quality. Definite recommend!!

I feel so badly giving them two stars, as we love to support local, but we paid quite a bit for our food and we truly didn't get much in return. Some good things were that they had many choices, fast service (we did take out), and decent portions.....but it was some of the worst food I've had in recent memory. The meat was dry, the mac and cheese watery, the bbq sauce not great. Most of our meals were left uneaten. The two things we did enjoy were the grits and the cornbread-- otherwise it was incredibly disappointing. So sorry to say it, as we have been waiting to try for a while!

Tried this place on a Wednesday night and loved it!! The cocktails were great and the food was delicious. Our waiter was well informed on the chef (former Grill 23) and updated menu (the chef's "playground" that changes often). The only thing that apparently has been on the menu since it opened was the pork belly appetizer over fried rice, which did not disappoint! The duck confit, steak, salmon and burgers were all excellent. The shellfish pho was a bit bland, but did not detract from the overall great experience in this trendy chic spot. Will definitely be back.

This place was good! Bathrooms were clean, our waiter was nice, the decoration inside was cute!Everyone was super friendly and treated us nicely. But the food was overpriced for what we got. The waiter apologized for the food and said he was very sorry for what happened. I'm not trying to have them go out of business, but I'm telling the truth. Keep up the good work with customer service!

I was not a particular fan when this place was Barrel House, so I wasn't expecting much. When I first saw the menu, it seemed a little pretentious and I assumed this was yet another case of a restaurant putting on airs and then falling short in execution. I was wrong. I've been several times now and can positively report that the food, the drinks, and the service have been consistently great. The first time I went, I was with a friend who is vegetarian and ordered one of their specials for the evening- a sweet potato "burger". I am extremely suspicious of anything other than beef calling itself a burger but oh my God, it was to die for. We begged them to consider putting it on the regular menu and my day was made a few weeks later when I found out that it had been! Having been a bartender in a previous life, I am also very wary of where I will order cocktails as I find that they often fall short of my expectations. Not the case here! The drinks are consistently well made, and I particularly love their take on the classic Negroni. The servers are pleasant, friendly, and attentive, but not overly solicitous or hovering. My experience has been that they'll offer recommendations, but don't cross over into the annoying 'upselling' territory, pushing more expensive dishes. I have yet to have had a negative experience here, and that is really a testament to their staff. This has become my go-to place when I'm looking for a relaxing and nice dinner out, or when someone asks for a recommendation. Which is unfortunate since I live in Salem and would love to be able to walk over. Maybe they'll consider opening a second location...? :)

This food was horrible. I feel bad writing this review because we have been diligent in supporting local business but there is no other word to describe it. The cornbread was burnt to a crisp, the macaroni and cheese had NO cheese, only a small bit of liquid at the bottom of the container. The meat was dry. So disappointing I actually lost my appetite.

This was a really great place in all aspects. Great look and feel to the place, super friendly servers, really excellent food and drink. I can't wait to return

This place is great. The dishes and drinks are top notch. The Berkshire pork belly rested on a pile of "breakfast fried rice" (think bacon, egg, maple) is just amazing; it's a short portion for "sharing" and feels like a meal on it's own. I can't get enough of this. Sincerely, I could eat it every day and be happy; It's an unbeatable dish. Top quality, local meat as well. They don't skimp. Nothing you get here is going to be Sysco trash, like some of the other restaurants in the area. In ingredient quality, it's easily the best restaurant on Cabot St. I also had a beef cheek pot roast . . . un-friggin'-believable. I don't usually do this, but I'm going to go to the immediate defense of this place in regards to a negative review below. Sorry if you're complaining about price (I see a complainer below who doesn't get it. Head to the Anchor or Fibber McGee's and get your townie rubbish --nothing wrong with those places, and they have their time and place, but you get what you pay for and it's boring townie safe food). And as to portion . . . give me a break . . . you're just not getting these insanely rich and thoughtful dishes anywhere else in Beverly; it's all completely filling and well portioned, but more important, high quality. If you want to be fed like a hog at the trough, go go to Country Buffet, or wherever they prize our obesity epidemic as a social virtue. I personally got stuffed here, and I finished neither my small share plate nor my meal. Some people don't understand quality and thoughtfulness. Luckily not everyone is like that, or we'd all still be eating at Applebee's. This place follows in the spirit of Barrel House before it, sourcing top quality ingredients and local and regional meats that can't be beat. And the booze, well, it's phenomenal. Fantastic mixology going on, and a good selection of whiskey. I haven't seen a better crafted drink menu in Beverly. Period. Don't miss out. If you have any interest in "New American" inspired somewhat by, but not pretentiously so, the "foodie" movement and you like quality ingredients applied to inventive recipes, make sure you try this place at least once. It's a special place.

With the caveat that we are not drinkers and went for the food, I have to say, based on one visit, there's no good reason to visit Ellis Street Social. Portions are not large, the food is not special, and it ain't cheap. I think the effort in this place goes into the bar/cocktails, and food is secondary. But my best guess is that this restaurant is not long for this world. Every time we've been by it during the week, the place looks generally not busy except for the bar area. We decided to check the restaurant out this week because we were curious, but again mid-week, it was not busy and all the activity was at the bar, not at the many empty tables. At these prices, Ellis Square Social's food is not competive with many other good choices in Beverly. They really need to re-think the concept here or get a whole lot better food. Or better yet, bring back Mandrake!! (which was previously in this same space)

ESS has a beautiful, sophisticated yet cozy atmosphere. There are real votive candles, comfy, full backed bar seats and cushy booths. I love coming here in the fall and winter, although it's wonderful during any season! The service has always been superb, and I especially love sitting at the bar. The drinks are delicious and served with beautiful presentation. The food is delicious, and the menu changes seasonally. This is a great place for a date, or a night out with your friends!