Not sure I can totally buy into Boston Magazine's rating of #1 in the city. Yes, very welcoming vibe, comfortable setting and good energy throughout our entire meal. The other "goods"? Our bartender/server, Nick. Really well versed in all things menu and drinks. He was very attentive but not too attentive. Overall a well paced meal. The tzatziki spread was delicious and a good sized serving. I loved the big, 4 to a serving, grape leaves. More meat than rice and I liked that. Things weren't as good as we got to the shared entrees. We got the claim to fame lamb dish and it was a bit boring. Bare, shaved lamb on a wooden board with pickled onions ($46). It was good but not show stopping good. Sides are extra, a lot extra. We got the potatoes and they were fine. The wild boar was very good albeit I thought the pasta component of the dish was over cooked. We also had the crayfish/rice dish. Neither of us cared for it, very vinegary. Dessert was very good- chocolate cake. We did get a bottle of wine it was nice that it was from Greece. Over all the bill was quite high, like fine dining high and we didn't feel like the food met the price point. Still, a nice neighborhood restaurant that is worth the try. read more

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We love @krasi so of course we had to try the sister restaurant at boogie Brookline. The high ceiling and open kitchen give a laid back vibe. And the service is reasonably fast. We got the trio of dips $18: the tzatziki is creamy and cool, the kopanisti tangy with a slight bite, and the melitzanosalata, rich with smoky eggplant, was my personal favorite. These were served alongside their signature sourdough, which is wonderfully chewy and abundantly sour, complementing the dips perfectly. We felt the need to try the Greek yogurt $10, which was topped with honey, walnuts, and kiwi, adding a lovely mix of textures and an extra layer of flavor. But i don't even enjoy the dry plain Greek yorgurt idk why im always trying. Souvla and eggs $28 was my favorite dish by far. The lamb was perfectly cooked--tender and juicy on the inside, with crispy, charred edges--and it paired wonderfully with the rich, runny yolk of the fried eggs and a side of fresh, healthy veggies. But why is there only 4 slices of lamb? The unfiltered Greek coffee was too exotic we unfortunately did not acquire the taste, but the lemon tea was refreshing. Overall I only liked 1/3 dishes, so can't say I'm a fan, but it's always better to waste money on food than the stock market anyway. read more

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What a hip and hot place in Brookline! Make sure you make a reservation before dining here on the weekends. I came for brunch and was pleasantly surprised by how tasty everything we ordered was. Prices are steep, but I'd say for the taste and quality of food, they're not too bad. Service was a tad bit slow and maybe it was the corner we were seated, but our server barely came by to check on us, and even if we had requests, it took a while to grab his attention. Aside from that, it's a cute place for weekend brunch or a date night! By the way, to sausage in that pasta is sooooo good. I can't stop thinking about it! read more

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Interesting take on Greek cuisine, but ability to improve to reach those 5 stars! PRICE: Though the menu can seem jarring, the prices are actually quite filling and the total bill came out to around $65 each. Not a bad split for a supposed higher level dining experience. FOOD: The lamb chops were excellent, a set of 4. Very soft meat and well seasoned. The bread was served with a delicious whipped sheep's butter that we couldn't get enough of! I would skip the saganaki, I'm not used to it being so oily and there was a bit too much sweetness added. EXPERIENCE: Easy to get to, well connected by train in Brookline. You must reserve a table, and reservations seem to fill up sometimes months in advance. Be aware! We reserved a spot outside, my only qualm is that the circular tables are super small for a "sharing plates" style of restaurant. I did feel a bit crammed and rushed to keep eating and make room for the next plates quickly. There are just a few tweaks missing for those 5 stars, but overall a a cool and new dining experience! read more

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We came here on a Wednesday with a 6:30 dinner reservation for a party of 2 and were promptly seated. The interior has lovely photographs of Greek rural life and there is an open view of the kitchen and bar which I always enjoy, we put in our food and drink orders just after being seated and everything started coming out shortly thereafter. For appetizers, we got the dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with rice, pork, and beef) which were pretty good, but the standout was the various spreads and their delicious sourdough bread. We got the tzatziki, kopanisti (whipped feta with roasted red pepper), and melitzanosalata (roasted eggplant) dips. They were all so incredibly flavorful and their psomi sourdough bread was thickly sliced, dense, and a great vessel for the spreads. For entrees, we got the kontosouvli (Greek yogurt marinated chicken) and the melitzana yiahni (seasoned eggplant, potato, and feta in a tomato sauce). I got the chicken which was two drumsticks and two smaller chicken thighs that are cooked on a rotating horizontal spit which you can see in the kitchen (I always appreciate seeing how the food is made just because I'm a cooking nerd). The chicken was so well-seasoned and had a great taste even though it had a deceivingly simple appearance. For dessert, we got an espresso and the bougatsa (custard and phyllo dough with sorbet). This rounded out the dinner very nicely. My only qualm which knocked it down a star for me was the price of the soda (which feels like a ludicrous thing for me to say as I write this). It pains me to say this given that the meal was amazing and I don't think I've ever once critiqued an establishment for the price of a commodity/very low overhead item such as this. When we got the bill, I was surprised to see that the two diet cokes I got were $5 each for an 8 fluid ounce glass bottle. For reference, a can of soda is 12 fl oz and a typical plastic bottle is 20 fl oz. I tried to find this listed on the menu anywhere, but I can't quite seem to find it anywhere. I just can't wrap my head around the price of this given that it's such low overhead (whereas cocktails which require a lot of time and ingredients to produce would be a high overhead item). It really was jarring and unexpected and I hope that they can either correct the price or help me understand the justification of it or just straight up not sell soda if the price isn't reduced. Overall, the food was amazing and worthy of a trip and I highly recommend this place for dinner! I would just avoid the expensive soda. Also, I unfortunately didn't enjoy their brunch anywhere near this much, so I can't say my dinner recommendation holds the same for brunch. read more

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Was very excited to try Bar Vlaha and it didn't disappoint. The service was awesome and ambiance was good. The decor isn't anything crazy but the table setting and design is nice. As for the food it was delicious. We got the sausages, trio dip, chicken, spinach pie, and grape leaves and all were very good. The bread with the dip was very fluffy and fresh. The sausages had a great crisp to them. I would recommend for date night! read more

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Food and service were great! We got a little less food than our family usually does because it is quite rich but everything tasted great! read more

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Went to Bar Vlaha with my wife, daughter and her boyfriend for brunch. It's not large and well designed, open dining area. I ordered a shashouka, my wife and daughter's boyfriend ordered a sfougato (actually just a quiche) and my daughter ordered the greek breakfast. All dishes were good, but none were outstanding. Not sure why there is so much hype. (My daughter indicated dinner is better.). The toast was very good. Service was very efficient. I had previously lived nearby, and if I was still in the neighborhood, would go back if it was not too hard to get a table. Otherwise, I am not likely to return. read more

Overall: sister to Krasi does not disappoint whatsoever. Service was top tier with a little funny oopsie and the food was great albeit maybe a little too salty. Food: like everyone else recommends get the Beef cheeks and lamb (either works). The beef cheeks are so rich and decadent with a couscous thats almost orzo/risotto like. The lamb is grilled so that it's not too gamey and salted well but the crust could've been dusted a little better. There's like a 50% on any given bite that the lamb may be too salty. The pies are absolute insane but I think the phyllo could've been a bit thinner. Maybe another fold or two and it would've been perfect as it became noticeable how thick it was once it was rolled up near the crust. Ambience/Decor/Service: the ambience and decor was incredibly well thought out. It was giving transport me to Greece vibes. The only caveat is that there was a lot going on between the bar the open seating the chefs table the little nook in the corner and the open kitchen. The service was exceptional with the one funny thing that happened. The server brought a covered plate and said it was the crayfish dish (which we didn't order) double checked us (felt a little gaslit) and then came back later with the similar looking covered plate with our beef cheeks. Funny situation but he was super nice about it. read more

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tl;dr amazing food and drink with caring service - will be back without a second thought! Some friends and I (4 people total) made a Sunday night dinner reservation about a month in advance for Bar Vlaha after seeing it in Boston Magazine and repeatedly on Instagram, and it did not disappoint in the slightest. The atmosphere is welcoming and feels cozy yet not overcrowded. I started off with the Pump the Briki cocktail, which was not only tasty, but also presented quite artfully. Another friend got an Ambrosia cocktail which was also excellent. We shared all dishes, starting with a spreads trio of the Galotyri (soft cheese), Tzatziki, and Melitzanosalata (eggplant). All were excellent and came with sourdough - the Galoytri in particular was some of the best I've had. Beyond the spreads, we got an Aradopita, Karydokeftedes (walnut fritters), and Saganaki. All were phenomenal, though for me personally, the Saganaki stole the show. I don't even like pistachios that much, but the dish was so artfully done, that I enjoyed it way more than expected. We also got the Melitzana Yiahni (eggplant) and Patates to round out the meal, and both were excellent. We rounded out the meal with the Gianniotiko (baklava with ice cream). I did not expect to enjoy it, honestly, as I'm not the biggest baklava fan... but I was proven wrong in the best way and ate every bite I could! I can't recommend Bar Vlaha enough. I'm very excited to return to try more dishes (I've got my eye on the Manitaria i.e. crispy mushrooms) as well as to finally try Back Bay's Krasi, which is under the same ownership. read more

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I like the ambiance (nice decor, comfortable space) and the service was fine. For food we ordered- Shakshuka: As you'd expect, eggs, tomato, and cheese. The portion size was much much smaller than Shakshukas in other restaurants. Tahinopita: Very lightly sweet phyllo dish. The outer crust was harder than we expected and we had to crack it so that we could share. Dips: All three dips (tzatziki, spicy feta, and eggplant) were tasty ands flavorful. Greek coffee: was strong and bitter, as described :) There was also very limited bread offered to us with the dips and Shakshuka and it was too well done aka almost burnt edges. Overall for the price of the dishes, I'd expect more portions of the food. read more

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Adding my voice to the mix to support this wonderful spot - really enjoyed our experience here. We sat at the center of the chef's table, which felt both bustling (slammed kitchen with graceful chefs) and private (we were totally unaware of the 50+ diners behind us). Lovely and attentive, personal service from a handsome young man with a nose ring. Great food and drinks. Spent $150 for two people with two rounds of drinks and too much food. 4 stars because it was delicious and I'd go back, but doesn't have to be soon. read more

We've dined at Krasi before and loved it, so we were excited to try Bar Vlaha when hearing that it was from the same owners. It's a nice small, intimate restaurant for a date night or dinner out. The menu may be a bit intimidating to some with so many unique options, but our server did a great job of highlighting some of the popular menu items. We ordered a variety of dishes and enjoyed all of them. We came with a party of 3 and ordered 3 small and 2 larger dishes and left quite full. The desserts were definitely the highlight of the meal. We ordered the galatopita (ruffled milk pie), samali cake, and gianniotiko (baklava) and found the flavors of each to be unique. Each dessert was paired with a delicious ice cream or sorbet. Other dishes we ordered: - Manitaria: Fried oyster mushrooms. These were fun to munch on, though wish they were a bit more crispy. - Saligarria: A must try. The snails are in a flavorful tomato sauce. Dipping the bread in the sauce brings it to the next level. - Chicken kontosouvli: At first look, this dish may seem basic, but the meat is so tender from the slow roasting. We would come back just for this. - Pestofra: Whole rainbow trout. Delicious but the skin could have been a bit more charred to really pack in more of the grill flavor. read more

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Our waiter was the standout! He was infectiously cheerful, super patient when we asked for a lot of recommendations and changed our minds, and facilitated a surprise birthday cake. The atmosphere is cozy and well-decorated, though I will say it did get loud over the course of our dinner and hard to hear the people sitting next to me. The carbs of our dishes were my favorite. Initially I balked at the $6 price tag for the bread to go with our dips but the house-baked sourdough bread was one of the standouts. So too were the potatoes that came with the wild boar shoulder - somehow I can never get the potatoes I cook at home to achieve that level of crispy perfection. Things I'd get again: the whipped feta dip, the lamb chops, the bread. Things I probably won't: the cabbage salad (this was my mis-order, I wanted one of the two salad options on the menu, and the olive dressing was incredibly salty. We couldn't finish this dish), the boar shoulder itself (minus the potatoes, the meat was a little tough). I got the Yucatan YiaYia cocktail, mostly because the name was a hoot, and it was a fun, vibrant slushie almost. Pretty generous on the alcohol too. Their other cocktails have some hilarious names, like Phantom of the Opa. Parking: street options, but when I came on a Thursday night, there were zero nearby spots and I parked much further away. read more

Bar Vlaha - Lamb chops (half) - Greek Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

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Super mid, they must be paying the people who claimed this is one of the top restaurants in the Boston area. It's not bad by any means, but it's not special. read more

Unbelievably good. You probably consume a solid 1/2c of olive oil over the course of the meal and smile while doing it. Theres nothing light or restrained about Bar Vlaha. They deliver really punchy flavors, great textures, and know how to make ingredients sing. My LDL can't handle eating here regularly but 100% worth an indulgent meal. read more

Wasn't originally planning to come here but I'm so glad we did! This restaurant is mid-sized, but has some amazingggg Mediterranean food. First off, our server was the most accommodating and funny, and really made our experience here great. We tried a couple of dishes, and I think the dips were my favorite. Compared to Krasi, I thought that the dips here were on the same level of delicious if not more. All three included dips were unique in their sweet/zesty/spicy profiles and paired wonderfully with the bread, which we kept asking for more of! The shakshuka was also delicious, but didn't stand out to me as much. We also enjoyed their zucchini chips which tasted so light and airy, in a good way! Overall, I definitely recommend coming here, it made for such a nice brunch! read more

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So glad my husband and I got to try this place out (and celebrated my birthday here)! He did have to make a reservation a month in advance. The service was amazing and accommodating. I have a few food allergies and they were able to let me know what I can and cannot have from the menu while putting a few toppings on the side for my husband to still enjoy. They sat us also at the end of a long table where we got to look at the kitchen and the cooks, which was cool! We were told that each person could order 2-3 entrees/dishes, but the portion sizes were larger than we expected!! For two of us, we ordered five things (and a drink and a dessert). Next time, we'd definitely stick to maybe 3-4 dishes total for just us two. (Plus, the price definitely adds up.) Our favorite was the fried oyster mushrooms. I also liked the rabbit dish while my husband enjoyed the lamb leg. The grilled veggies were just okay. We really appreciated how much we can enjoy the quality of the ingredients in all of the dishes. The server was sweet to also give us a small shot of tea (one alcoholic, one was non-alcoholic). I remember seeing a list of those on the back of the dessert menu -- I don't remember what it was called but I had a cucumber mint one and it was so refreshing! Lastly, we didn't expect there to be a networking event (it was a Thursday night), so it was definitely pretty loud, but the live music was nice! Overall, very lively ambiance and place. read more

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Came here with my husband after having dined at sister restaurant Krasi many times and other Greek competitor restaurants. So many thoughts. In terms of ambiance, it's fun, lively, and informal (felt overdressed). In terms of the food, everything was good but nothing was spectacular. I was particularly disappointed with the heavy sour dough being served with dips that are better served and highlighted with fresh warm pita. The feta and eggplant deserve a lighter, warmer accompaniment. Of course something different can be nice, but it just didn't pair well. My husband and I really enjoyed the mushrooms, baked fish of the day (catfish), and lamb chops which were juicy and flavorful. He loved his cocktails, but I was so disappointed that my expensive wine glasses were served in water glasses. Even if the goal is a different vibe than their sister restaurant, the server didn't have much to say or explain about the wine list and when it came out in the water glass twice, it just made it taste worse. May not be back to this spot, glad we tried it. read more

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Great meal! We've been to Krasi a lot so was interested to try to concept. We started with a trio of spreads (galotyri, tzatziki, kopanisti) the bread, and the alevropita. All 3 of those items were soooo good, would recommend. Only complaint is I dont think the dips would have come with any vessel if we didn't order bread. Wish these came with any complimentary pita etc. Next course was the frog legs and the horiatiki salad. The salad was very much like a traditional Greek salad but all the ingredients and the feta block on top were so fresh! Even though it may seem basic, we all enjoyed it. Frog legs were done simplistic but also delicious. If youve never tried them before, this is your chance! Lastly we had a grilled veal dish and the rainbow trout. Both were good. Only complaint was the trout had a lot of mini pin bones which we didn't realize until we took a big bite. It's a bit far from where I live but I'd return if in the area! read more

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The service is amazing. I was having a difficult time with my drink and the waitress was super patient, helpful, and understanding. The way that it's set up feels super spacious. The food is really good. The lamb chops and the mushrooms were so good. The mushrooms were a flavor that I've had before (can't quite describe it) but a very uncommon one. I loved it! The lamb chops were very good, especially given how cold it was outside at the time. The desserts were really good; I'm so glad they had a sampler option so that I could try them all. read more

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I made a reservation a couple months in advance for a 7:30pm Thursday dinner, and I'm sure glad that I did! Bar Vlaha can only be described as a unique, comfortable, delicious experience. I felt so fortunate to be able to experience the cuisine of the Vlach culture, nomadic shephard people of Northern Greece. The food is hearty and warming, as are the wines. Although this is a nice restaurant, there is a charming, rustic feel. For example, wine is served in low glasses rather than wine glasses, and the tableware and decor are sturdy and aesthetic. I really enjoyed the funky semi-sparking orange wine by the glass, as well as the light retsina wine on tap. As for food, the fried oyster mushrooms are amazing (as everyone else has noted). We also got the snail dish, beef cheeks, and leg of lamb. The beef cheeks were so tender and slightly sweet; we were reminded of short rib. The lamb leg was especially satisfying, grilled and elevated with a squirt of lemon. This is a restaurant I will definitely be telling my friends about! read more

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I've been here one other time for dinner and had a great experience so I definitely wanted to come back for brunch. I made reservations ahead of time but they only had outdoor seating available. I called to check if there were any cancellations for indoor seating and the host who was helping me was very friendly. There were no cancellations for indoor tables but she was able to reserve bar seats for us and that worked out well! The servers at the bar were super friendly and we had a great overall experience. As for the food, everything was delicious. It's Greek small plates so everything is shareable. We ordered 6 different things and there were three of us. We probably could have been good with just 4 of the plates but I guess it depends how hungry you are. We had some leftovers to take home so that was nice! Everything was good but my favorite was probably the Tost which was the mushroom dish. It had great flavor and I love the bread it was on. The bread was also in a majority of the dishes we ordered. This restaurant is a sister restaurant of Krasi in Back Bay and it definitely has a similar vibe. Both places are fantastic! Highly recommend Bar Vlaha for a girls brunch, date night, or any occasion! Just make sure to make reservations ahead of time because the tables fill up quick! read more

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Delicious food! Loved getting the spreads and bread, was a nice appetizer. The staff was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions thoroughly. They were adamant about getting us out of our table within the time limit even though we had a reservation and plenty of time. This was a little stressful, but still very friendly staff. Was a bigger scale of the sister restaurant krasi. Would recommend getting spreads and then 2 main dishes for 4 people. read more

Bar Vlaha - Bread on cute plate - Greek Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

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Some good tastes but dramatically overpriced food. The bread and spreads were the highlight. After that, the small plates and entree were okay but nothing special to warrant the prices charged. Service was mixed. Ambiance was fine. I don't get the hype and don't see myself returning. read more

Katsaros Oak Aged Tsilili Estate Dark Cave Aged Manitaria 4.5/5 Melitzana Yiahni 5/5 Psarl Psimeno Se Spanaki 4/5 Paidakia 5/5 Moschari Me Damaskina 4.5/5 Arni Stin Souvla 4/5 Xeli 4/5 Glannlotiko ~First Impression~ This restaurant is packed, although not as fully decorated as its restaurant Krasi, the vibes at night eating at the bar talking with the bartenders and talking with a friend is immaculate. Great way to end a Friday night and makes you feel like you've been transported to a different place and the place is full of energy. As whiskey lovers we started off with two whiskey based drinks from the Mediterranean, Katsaros Oak Aged and Tsilili Estate Dark Cave Aged. Set the mood for a great meal. ~The Food~ The Manitaria is a crispy fried oyster mushroom and has the perfect texture. The skin is crispy and the mushrooms inside is moist and juicy. It's a great appetizer to have and I highly recommend getting it. The paidakia lamb chops are the best lamp chops I've ever had. Perfectly grilled, fall off the bone tender, perfectly cooked so that the juices hold, and the classic look with the bone as the handle is a beautiful final touch. Also highly recommend. The Melitzana is a potato eggplant carb delight. A perfect way to ground the meal with a lovely tomato sauce and feta to top it off. The Psari Psimeno Se Spanaki is on the lighter side. A nice fish with a tangy sauce and rice packed with greens to help balance it out. I had to go back a second time to try other things. The Moschari Me Damaskina is a rich red wine based beef dish packed with flavor and spice. The Tarhana side helps to balance the flavor packed meat with a neutral taste to help "cleanse the palate". I tried the other lamb leg dish, the Arni Stin Souvla and although not as juicy and rich as the lamb chops, it was still amazing. The smoked eel Xeli was not the most spectacular, but the bread soaked in the eel juices and the tomato garlic pepper sauce was amazing. Lastly, the desert. Gianniotiko. I love myself a good baklava flavored desert and the olive oil ice-cream was a perfect, not-so-sweet, way to end the night. ~The Logistics~ There's plenty of street parking in the area and it's kind of hard to get a table during a weekend night, so I recommend reserving a table. But the bar seating for a group of two is actually a great experience as well and I would do it again. read more

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Terrific service and food. Very accommodating for families as well. It is always an excellent sign when kids eat everything off their plates! read more

The excellent food and the exceptional service is totally worth a visit. It's best if you can make reservations in advance or walk in to wait for a seat at the bar. We tried the manitaria (fried oyster mushroom***(must try!!)), marouli salad, and psomi bread with melitzanosalata (charred eggplant spread), karydokeftedes (walnut potato fritters), aradopita (cornmeal pie), and samali cake. Without realizing it, us carnivores filled up on a meatless dinner and everything was super delicious. I especially enjoyed the oyster mushrooms (tip: dip your bread in the leftovers), the aradopita, and the bread and eggplant spread. For drinks we had a breeze over epirus, a glass of rose, a house made green chartreuse, and cappuccino. Again, everything was perfection. We especially enjoyed wonderful service from the host, to food server to the very accommodating, attentive, patient, and well versed bartender (Valentina) who answered all of our endless questions and was so much fun to talk to. I honestly can't wait to come back here again. I already have a list of dishes I want to try at a future visit (the chicken dishes and the beef cheeks) as well as some of the alcoholic and non alcoholic cocktails. The ambience was cozy and beautiful. I appreciated the little cute and thoughtful details of the decor, the glassware appears to be expensive crystal, teeny tiny dustpan for clearing crumbs off the counter, hanging hooks for purses, charging outlets for phones, absolutely adorable wooden sheep container for the bill, even their bathroom was spotless and hand soap smelled wonderful. I highly recommend this place. read more

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Great vibes and great food. Generous portions as well. Staff is also very friendly ARADOPITA- corn meal pie- savory, salty, flaky, and delicious. So yummy  4/5 As simple as it gets- huge portion perfectly  cooked tender leg of lamb. Lightly seasoned with salt and a side of  onion and lemon to squeeze over the meat.  5/5 Didn't have dessert because the plates were so filling. I will def come here again for the food, service, and dessert? read more

Bar Vlaha - ARADOPITA- cornmeal pie. Flaky savory salty and delicious 4/5 - Greek Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

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Great food and service, incredibly friendly and kind staff. Sat at bar (with reservation), server was knowledgeable and awesome. Fun to try food from a region of Greece that is not normally offered in Greek restaurants , deemed exotic and fresh. Food quality was wonderful and tasty . Fried crispy oyster mushrooms, rainbow trout and wild boar cheeks topped with a mild sheep's cheese. All delicious . Chocolate and coconut flourless cake with beet/feta ice cream, wasn't sure what to expect but it was excellent . And the Greek Chardonnay was an excellent 'companion to all of it . Interior pretty casual but elegant. Can't recommend too much more highly. A very welcome change from the mediocre South Shore restaurant scene. read more

Great staff. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. The cocktails were good and the food was good. The atmosphere is charming. Parking is a challenge in that part of Brookline. I would recommend taking the 66 or the green line if it is running. Beware the plates are small and the brunch is limited. I tried to order a cocktail from the dinner menu and could not. So preview the menu before you go. The bar takes reservations and walk ins. read more

Made a last minute decision to try and walk in at 5pm on a Saturday and I'm so glad we did! The bar has some space for walk-ins but most of it is reserved, so you'l probably want a reservation. We were the second walk-in party and I heard people after us would have to wait 1 hour - the restaurant fills up fast! But the interior was so beautifully cozy, spacious yet intimate, and nice to see when empty! For food, I couldn't help but compare to Krasi and I'd say Bar Vlaha impressed me more. We started with the highly recommended manitaria and it was delightful! A substantial portion for $16 of lightly fried oyster mushrooms, a thin but crunchy batter and so not overly oily or heavy, balanced by the olive / capery salad on top. Some of the woody stems were tough but fun to chew through. 5/5 and leaving me craving more. The pie of the day was spanikopita, this tasted as expected, not sure it was much better than a spinach feta croissant you could get at a cafe for half the price ($16!!) Very soft and mushy spinach between phyllo. The edge crust portion was SO doughy and dry, almost inedible. 3/5 The other must order - MOSCHARI ME DAMASKINA (red wine braised beef cheeks, prunes, trahanas) for $32. Pure comfort food! This is exactly what I desire in a braised beef dish. There were so many beef chunks in this bowl, so tender with gelatinous bits too, coats your mouth. Paired with a grain that had a bouncy sticky texture, a bit like sago. It was super lemony, but a fresh lemon flavor that was refreshing and honestly tasted like dessert. Another 5/5! The grilled veg plate was massive and had delicata squash, eggplant, portabello mushroom, cabbage, peppers, onion. Straightforward and simple but executed so well to let the char-grilled flavor shine through. Only the cabbage wedge was a bit undercooked. The squash was so buttery, and I loved how the onion segments had a mix of dry/chewy/sweet caramel outer pieces and crunchy acidic inner pieces. The two bartenders had that confident personality that made us feel welcomed, and the general manager made sure we were taken care of despite their ticket machine malfunctioning! Also loved that they gave me a giant pitcher of hot water in a very cool mug. I'd be so happy to come back and sit down with a bowl of fried mushrooms and braised beef again - thoroughly impressed with the quality of food for the price - such great value! At the same time there's so many other interesting items on the menu to try! They seem to have a plethora of cooking methods down (frying, braising, grilling)! Not sure I'd come for brunch though, the menu looks pretty standard / make at home-able. read more

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Being one of the few restaurants in Boston that offers authentic Greek food outside of gyros and falafel wraps, I just had to check out Bar Vlaha. The interior of the restaurant was beautifully decorated; warms comforting, and all-around welcoming. For the kitchen to be the first you see when walking in will guarantee to get you excited for what's to come. Service is also spectacular. Attentive, funny, kind, and very knowledgeable of the food! And now... the food. The trio of spreads were extremely generous in size! Each one tasted fresh, truly embracing the natural flavor of its ingredients! We, of course, had to get bread. Admittedly, it's rather silly to have to pay $6 for bread instead of having it come with the spreads; otherwise, what would you even be dipping into the spreads? At least the sour dough tastes fresh, not at all stale. And you can ask for as much as you like, which is nice. Highly recommend the spreads as a starter! The crispy oyster mushrooms, despite being fried, were light and really flavorful! Almost tasted like calamari, with each bite enriched with the earthy flavor of the mushrooms accompanied by a delicate crunch from the thin, fried coating. As for mains, WOOOOO BOY! Order those beef cheeks!!! To call them tender would be an understatement! I tried using a fork and a knife; my mistake. Those beef cheeks just fell apart by the slightest force of my spoon! No teeth needed to even chew those morsels of meaty flavor! And the grain on the side - perfect vessel to soak up that red wine sauce. 100% MUST GET. As for the other dish, it fell a bit short. Granted, the bar was set extremely high by the beef cheeks. The chicken, though also extremely tender (outright fell apart when I tried to lift it) somehow tasted dry. Adding on, the flavor of the overall dish just felt... underwhelming. Tomato sauce over pasta with chicken on the side; if that sounds simple and something you could easily make in your kitchen, that's because it is, and it tastes just like that: tomato sauce over pasta with chicken. Finally, the venison special. I'll admit, I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. The meat was tender, juicy, but just felt a bit simple. Of course, I suppose I shouldn't be expecting much from grilled meat. Oh! But can't forget about dessert. The dessert sampler was a fantastic way of sampling bits of everything! Despite that, only truly stood out: the chocolate cookies and the baklava, but even the baklava just tasted like a standard baklava you could get at any fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant. The cookies on the other hand - phenomenal! The other two desserts were too simple, in my opinion. Ice cream with vanilla cake. If you're with a group of friends, sure! Go for the sampler. If by yourself or with one other person, get those cookies! Okay, now time for the thing no one likes to talk about: the price. No, Bar Vlaha is not some place you should be going all the time. The mains, especially, are on the costlier side. But, given its presentation, it's obvious this restaurant meant for special occasions where everyone's just looking to treat themselves to something nice. So, in the end, come give this place a try! Bar Vlaha truly captures the essence of authentic Greek food - simple, natural, but extremely flavorful! A bit too simple for the price? Perhaps. But I would gladly come back for those beef cheeks, alone! read more

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Flavors - 4.2/5 Textures - 4/5 Presentation - 3.8/5 Value for Money - 3.5/5 Would return? Yes Must-try: Saganaki I loved the vibes from this place! I went for brunch and had some really delicious food - simple dishes with high quality ingredients. It is a bit expensive, but everything is these days. Sfougato is basically a veggie frittata with a salad on the side. Very well seasoned and flavorful, although I would've liked some creaminess left from the eggs and a more substantial side. Saganaki is fried cheese with spoon sweet and pistachios on top. Delicious! Would've been better with bread. Strapatsada was another simple dish that was packed with flavor! The black truffle really comes through and the feta on top is super creamy. Oh and their homemade sourdough is perfection. Souvla & Eggs - lamb and eggs perfectly cooked with the same delicious sweet tangy salad. Lacked some sauce or something to bring the dish together. Service was amazing! Our waitress was the nicest. read more

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Food was great ! Small brunch menu only available , Service ok . Freezing table next to door as people came in to shop for gift certificates a 20 degree wind swirled around our table of 5 . Management didn't do much to rectify same . Wake up and smell the coffee, nobody likes to sit and freeze in a upmarket bar !!! read more

Better then theUS Postoffice: I'll be there anytime, defying snowstorms, rain showers and soaring temperatures to indulge my taste buds with top-rated eateries in anywhere recommended by YELP or my discerning food connoisseur friends! We savored lamb chops, three dips and eggplant-centric dishes, every morsel a delight. Dining outside with fellow resilient patrons, every bite was worthwhile. As a five-star restaurant, our waiter George shone with expertise and warmth. PS: George thoughtfully retrieved my necklace, ensuring a lasting impression. I'll return with friends who will cherish every moment! read more

Was excited to try this restaurant as it is in a great restaurant family (with Krasi, etc). Definitely did not disappoint! Food: We got the fried oyster mushrooms, lamb chops, and finished with the rolled baklava and olive oil ice cream dessert. The oyster mushrooms were seasoned beautifully. It was a great blend of the tangy, rich, garlicky sauce with the crispy mushrooms. The lamb chops were also seasoned well, cooked nicely and it was tender through and through. We even licked the bones clean! The dessert was so unique as I've never had olive oil ice cream before. You can definitely taste the olive oil but it didn't taste unnatural. Ambiance: Very cute interior, as expected from this restaurant group. The bar in the back is very grand and has a wide array of liquors to choose from. It's a relatively small space but with an open-kitchen concept. Service was great and attentive. Price: This place is a little compared to some other restaurants in Brookline. The oyster mushrooms were around $17, dessert around $15, which was fine. The lamb chops were over $50 and they were tiny. Although they tasted good, I was definitely not full with what we got. Overall, the dishes had great flavor and were of high quality. I would go again to try some of the more traditional dishes! read more

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went for brunch. if you're trying to get a table i recommend going during the day. the ambiance was perfect and the service was excellent. food was incredible traditional greek. the yogurt, dips, and potatoes were very good. got the lamb gyros for the entrée. highly recommend! read more

Bar Vlaha - Dips Patates Greek Yogurt - Greek Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

I've been wanting to check out this restaurant for a while but there's always a long wait for dinner reservations so my friend and I came in for their new brunch and it was AMAZING. Our server (I think their name was Valentina but I'm not 100% sure) was soooo helpful as we weren't familiar with most of the menu items and definitely could tell she knew her stuff! We ordered the Greek coffee which if you like bitter/black coffee was great, the Shakshouka, and the Hilopites. Also the whole vibe and decor is so cute. Definitely going to come back for dinner! read more

Bar Vlaha - Shakshouka, Breakfast Hilopites, and Greek Coffee - Greek Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

Super cute ambience, attentive service, and the food was absolutely amazing. The lamb leg was a tad bit dry but overall will be back! read more

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