Review submitted on December 7th, 2009 by Discriminating Diner – from Duxbury

A solid TOP FIVE choice on the South Shore!

There are very few restaurants on the South Shore that compete with the "Downtown Boston" dining experience... I would say five or less. Ember is definitely one of these restaurants. I feel the prices are competitively priced considering the atmosphere and quality of food offered. It may seem expensive to those who do not routinely dine in Boston, as it is not a chain or mass-production restaurant... it is a privately owned custom designed restaurant catering to those who want to have a relatively slow-paced dining experience that includes creatively preparde foods using relatively basic components. My girlfriend and I have dined at Ember approximately twice a month for the past few years. It caters to a 40+ crowd that does not mind spending a few extra $$ on a well-made cocktail (The martinis are large and very precisely prepared) or a creatively presented appetizer or dessert. I highly recommend the lamb lollipops, pakora shrimp, or mini burgers (Gourmet prepared and WAY better than they sound) as appetizers. The romaine hearts salad is excellent. The oysters are always fresh and nicely presented. The entrees are nice, but the extensive offering of appetizers and "Lite bites" often causes us to focus on an array of these items and then move directly on to dessert. I would acknowledge that the service does sometimes move slowly, but this is part of an overall attitude of "Relax and enjoy" that comes directly from the Owner (Charlie) himself. 90% of the time you will find him behind the bar pouring drinks and patronizing with customers. Final thought...highly recommend you try it.

Review submitted on March 8th, 2009 by anonymous – from Hanson

Almost 100%

My husband and I have been dining at Ember for about one year. The first meal I had there was the "Lobster Risotto" w/ other seafood that came w/ it as well. Absolutely loved it. I still talk about it to this day and very disappointed that it was taken off of the menu and has not returned. We have never had a bad meal. And the deserts are to die for! We have narrowed it down to the "Chocolate cheesecake spring rolls" My husbands favorite.

We went tonight and I am sad to say that we almost left because there just wasn't much on the menue that was catching our eye. I ended up getting the "pan seared salmon" and it just melted in your mouth. My husband got the "beef tenderloin" and for the portion he got, it was way over priced.

I would like to see more than one antree being offered in the specials as well. Can't say that we will never not go back. But we won't be rushing there. Definately go back for deserts and drinks!! Also wanted to add that our waitress was very kind, friendly, and on top of things.

Review submitted on September 8th, 2008 anonymously – from Marshfield

Great Food, Poor Service

I haven't had a bad meal at Ember yet. However, after not visiting for a bit, we went in on a Sunday night prior to a Monday holiday. The restaurant was not overly busy and we sat at the bar (as we usually do). We found the bartender very unattentive. I could understand if she was slammed but considering that we spent over $120 for two, I would expect better service. Even if I dropped in a for a beer, I would have expected better. I'm sure we will visit again, but after our last experience, we will not be rushing in.

Review submitted on August 14th, 2008 by Chipper – from Marshfield

90% Satisfaction

My Wife and I have visited Ember many times. It's actually her favorite restaurant in the area. Overall we are very pleased with the restaurant. We have been to all levels of restaurants from Cape Cod to Sydney Australia, from McDonalds to luxury revolving skyline locations and feel that Ember is, generally, an upper scale place for the area it's in.

I would consider it a bit pricey, there's nothing so spectacular about the place to make it as pricey as it is, but we will continue to eat there none the less. We have never had a disappointing dish, have really enjoyed the appetizer sampler and have always found an entree to enjoy. The drinks are good, the deserts are tasty and well presented and the wait staff is generally there when they should be.

I feel that everyone should go there at least once. Just keep an open mind and take it for what it is, a bit of an overpriced restaurant in Marshfield.
It's not some spectacular, mind blowing, incredibly fancy place in paradise. It's a nice place in Marshfield where most people will enjoy their meal and want to go back again. If you're the type of person that believes places like the 99 or Ground Round are pricey then you may not appreciate Ember (not a bad thing).

I have to say that recently we had our first bad experience at Ember. I believe it was a Tues or Wed night and the place was unusually busy. There was a lack of waitstaff for the amount of guest and they were unable to get in touch with any other waitstaff to help out for the night. Our meal from start to finish usually takes about 1 1/2 hours and we ended up sitting for more than 3 hours. Everything took far too long for our liking. The food was great, but the service was sad, to say the least. I noticed the couple in the table next to us were quite upset as well and things for that night were just handled poorly. In my opinion, the owner should have at least acknowledged the problem and offered us a drink or desert on the house, instead there was little or no concern. It was a night that we just put past us, but I'm not so sure for the couple next to us. I know it happens, but as I said, it was handled poorly.

So, there you have my 90% approval rating for Ember. Nobody is perfect. Give them a try then tell us what you think. Cheers

Review submitted on May 30th, 2008 by Lucky – from Cohasset

Casual preference over Cost

Upscale a tad bit, we prefer a more casual experience offering the same great food quality. A la Carte is not always the way to go, it gets mighty expensive. We hope for some Summer specials to keep Embers in business, at these prices it may be out to sea like many other restaurants. Pricing aside, the dining experiences are solid although be prepared to spend.

Review submitted on May 22nd, 2008 anonymously – from Marshfield

Delicious

I have always had excellent food and service at Ember and I have eaten there many times. I love their nightly appetizer samplers and their salad with fried goat cheese. However, when I first went on this review site, I had a feeling that Ember would have some poor reviews because of the price. I have read many reviews that give inferior restaurants more praise than Ember simply because Ember is more expensive. Ember is expensive for the suburbs, but not too ridiculously priced considering how expensive a dinner can get at a good restaurant in the city. The price is what I would expect from a restaurant of this quality. Currently, no entree tops $31 and no appetizer is more than $13, which may be more than some people are willing to spend on dinner, but if you can't go into this restaurant knowing that it is more expensive than other suburban restaurants and then complain about the cost. The menu is always interesting and I have never been disappointed. If you have never eaten here before, I suggest giving it a chance, but be prepared to live a little and splurge. I think that this restaurant has improved a lot since it first opened so anyone who tried it when it first opened may want to consider trying it again.

Review submitted on May 16th, 2008 by Chickey – from Marshfield

Out of this world!!

My sister and I took our parents there for a special celebration. The atmosphere was very relaxing and enjoyable. Our waiter was on the ball and very attentive. Everyone was thrilled with the selections they made. The Seared Breast of Chicken on a Portabella Risotto Cake, was extremly moist, and the Risotto was to die for. I would highly recommend this to anyone I know, (and will). I will not wait for a special celebration to come up before going again.

Review submitted on May 3rd, 2008 by Tuna – from Vegas

Need to try it again

I've gone to Ember several times in the past few years. Always clean, polite and sometimes awkward service, good drinks, good wine list, fairly priced appetizers and ok entrees. Well... went back a few weeks ago and the food has taken what I thought to be a dramatic leap in the good direction. Pizzas looked great, salads, entrees all looked great. Our table of 5 enjoyed everything. The owner bartends often, very nice guy.

Review submitted on January 25th, 2008 by Peppermint – from Duxbury

Good food, inattentive service

My husband and I went to Ember last night, having heard RAVES. I thought the food was good, the atmosphere nice, but the service was horrible. The wine selection was very limited and there should have been at least one reasonably priced wine in each category. I have to say, I don't understand the rave reviews. With these prices and the quality of the food, their service should be top notch. That bartender is very inattentive, almost to the point of rudeness.

Review submitted on January 21st, 2008 by hardlabor – from marshfield

Great experience

Once again we had a great time at our company party saturday night.We were seated at the chefs table. The food was superb,the wine paired well our choices,and Svetlana did a great job making us feel like royalty.Thanks again!

Review submitted on September 27th, 2007 anonymously – from Marshfield

Disappointing

The service was poor and we were there on a week night. Very few patrons.
The food... just average - possibly a little below average. Nothing inspiring or spectacular.
It was bland food - plain and simple food. Nothing new. Nothing different. Overall, the entire experience was just average. I was disappointed because I had hoped for more.
The prices were a bit high for the type of food served.
Not a place I would complain about but not a place I would recommend. Nor will I rush back to try again. Just disappointing.

Review submitted on July 10th, 2007 by rjt52 – from Pembroke

Not so great for the price!

Atmosphere is good. Food is good, but not worth paying that much for food you can get for $10 a plate cheaper down the road. If they would lower their prices I would definitly recommend this place. But no need for $11 drinks, $15 appetizers and $30 entrees for the quality of the food and desserts. Service is friendly and precise. When we went on a recent Saturday night the place was almost empty, so it was quiet.

Review submitted on June 29th, 2007 by Julianne – from London, UK

Quiet outside, insides CHAOTIC!

The way me and my beautiful family see Ember is fantasized. When you first walk into ember, sit down, and order, it is quiet and peaceful. But as soon as the dishes are served, your insides tingle! The food there leaves you speechless! Almost every month my husband, Vincent and I share a meal at dear Ember. I would reccomend this pricy, yet well worth restaurant to anyone looking for a restaurant they can depend on.

Review submitted on April 25th, 2007 anonymously – from Cohasset

Perfect Place

Ember is the perfect place to go by yourself or to entertain friends and family. I have never been disappointed! It is the kind of place you want to visit on a weekly basis- and whether you want to socialize by the bar or quietly blend in- this is possible due to the creative seating arrangements. One evening I went in just to get a coffee drink (a Nutty Irishman?)and dessert and it was the perfect end to my day. No matter who is tending bar, the drinks are perfectly blended. Check out their new martini menu or order a glass of (I have to say it) Merlot! The food is phenomenal! From their pizzas to their monk fish- you have to try it. Going there again tomorrow. :)

Review submitted on March 1st, 2007 by Brad C – from Salem

The Big Deal

My wife and I went there for a rare night out. Can't figure out what the big deal is. Did'nt really think it was all that great for what I read here. Would rather go to Boston....

Review submitted on February 20th, 2007 by Jerri – from Norwell

A wonderful experience

We ventured out to Marshfield the other evening to visit this wonderful restaurant. Friends had recommended Ember and we were not disappointed. The ambience is warm and inviting. We loved the bar area as the focal point for a relaxing drink before dinner.
Our meals were done nicely and the waitress was pleasant.
We will come back again with our friends.

Review submitted on February 19th, 2007 by Mark S.

Change

Ember has over the last couple of years been a favorite of my famalies. We have been there twice over the last month and noticed a change. The menu hasn't changed,but things just are not up to par. We inquired to our waitress about this and she quietly informed us the Chef had left. I hope he can work things out and come back because we did love it there. The sampler which has always been something we could wow our family and friends with seems bland and not creative like the past. Last time we went the sauce for the filet mignon was, well bland. My wife always has the salmon and it was dry and different. We were a little embarresed with our guests and hope things change for the better. It has been a sence of pride that people on the South Shore and Marshfield have knowing that we have a great restaurant in our back yard or atleast we had a great restaurant in our back yard. Please come back Chef....

Review submitted on February 16th, 2007 by lil bit – from Marshfield

nice, but...

My husband and I had a lovely dinner here. The wine list was great. The setting was very upscale. The appetizers were wonderful. But the entrees disappointed. My fish was dry. We will certainly give it a second chance.

Review submitted on February 15th, 2007 anonymously – from marshfield

Outstanding

Went for Valentines last night and had a great meal. Everything from the 1st drink to dessert was very good and well presented. Portions were bigger than I had expected and nice and hot. The appetizers were really amazing. All in all, it was as good or better than the chic hotspots we have eaten at around the country. We will definately be back.

Review submitted on February 13th, 2007 by JPT – from Norwell

A great destination restaurant

Ember is definitely worth the drive. Our meals were spectacular. The ambience was incredible and the service was superb. This was a very special evening out for us. Now, we have a great reason to visit Marshfield. Well... 2 reasons actually... The Roche Brothers is worth the trip too.
I have 2 suggestions for Ember...
The wine list is very good but the selection is a bit pricey. It would be terrific if a few more affordable wines were offered.
And, I must agree with a previous reviewer... the after dinner coffee was not very hot and more attention should be given toward a better coffee delivery system.
But... over all... these suggestions are minor offerings as the meals were impeccable.
We shall return.

Review submitted on February 11th, 2007 by BJ – from Marshfield

Fabulous!

Went to Ember last evening. The food and service was impeccable. Place was very busy but our waitress seemed to handle the rush very well. I ordered steak which was cooked to perfection. My dining partner ordered the monkfish which was absolutely delicious. Servings were huge and the presentation was elegant. The only drawback was the coffee. The coffee was served lukewarm. When my companion requested a refill, the refill was again served lukewarm even though the waitress told us it was a "fresh steaming pot". We did notice that the coffee pot was clear glass and thought maybe these coffee pots don't hold the heat that well. All in all it was a good take and we will definitely be back.

Review submitted on February 1st, 2007 by cella – from Marshfield

Warm and wonderful in Marshfield

How can I accurately relay how wonderful Ember is? From the great decor to the devine food, Ember is a thrill from start to finish. I love the food, especially the salad with fried goat cheese. And, I have asked for something "off" the menu and the chef happily complied, which truly is generous and unexpected. I think the Creme Brulee is the best on the South Shore, warm and creamy. The owner is a great host, and not a week goes by that I do not want to return there. Run, do not walk, to Ember and tell them Kara sent you!

Review submitted on January 12th, 2007 anonymously

FANTASTIC

Finally a great restaurant in Hootersville USA. I thought I was in Manhattan or even Italy.

Food, decor, and attention of the staff was overwelming for the South Shore or anywhere for that matter.

Have gone back to Ember a lot.

Review submitted on November 29th, 2006 anonymously

Food is awesome! soo good, good to have a restaurant in town that can easily compete with more expensice restaurants in boston. good service good food, excellent management!

Review submitted on November 12th, 2006 by The Cazeault's – from N.Marshfield

Always wonderful

We have been food coniseurs for years and enjoy the great menu at EMBERS.It
is on par as with other fine restuarants such as Longwoodtowers,Brookline;Cranebrook,Carver;Barker tavern,Scituate and Solstice,Kingston.Embers has a terrific 2 person hot tasting sampler.Entres are
varied as well as the desert menu.The large bar is a great meeting place,the tables are well spaced with very well trained servers.

Review submitted on November 10th, 2006 by traveling diner – from Marshfield

food great but question service

I've been to Ember twice. It is expensive but we feel it is worth it. We don't eat in town too often but when we do we want to be treated well. Seasoned servers are always preferred. We don't need "babes" or "bodies". Would prefer mature seasoned waiters or waitresses that can anticipate our needs. We have also found that older servers remember the extras. e.g. cream/milk; dirty ice or ice on side; who should receive check etc. Find this at many restaurants so Ember is not alone. But we will certainly be back!!

Review submitted on November 8th, 2006 by Mike – from Marshfield

Marshfield Needs More of This

Dinner last night was great. Started with a Ceasar salad that was very good and quite large. Steak was HUGE. As a regular at Ember we want to say that the food is great as is the service. Hot, fresh and creative. Clark and Darryl do a great job. Not cheap but worth the price (Not like the Fairview). Keep up the good work.

Review submitted on April 12th, 2006 by galgay – from Marshfield

Wonderful

We went to Ember for drinks and nibbles one evening. Ambiance is fab. The martinis were ice cold! The Cosmos must be good too because I saw 5 of them on the bar. We ordered the Prosciutto, asparagus and mushroom pizza. It was delicious. We were served some bread and seasoned olive oil before the pizza arrived. Can't wait to try a meal some evening. It has to be great.

Review submitted on April 8th, 2006 by Steven La Rocco – from Brookline

Wow....Nice

Hey when did this place pop up? Just to start off I own a restaurant of my own and was very impressed with Ember. Have great friends in Duxbury and they have been telling my wife and I that they would like to take us to dinner. Well for myself I always like to go out to eat and see what other chefs are up to and was vey impressed with what I saw. The plates all have hight,color and dimension and loads of flavor. We made sure all of us had something different so we could try each others and wow is all I have to say.. Kind of jelous and got some great ideas for myself... Something all chefs do......Chef Clark keep up the good work.

Review submitted on March 23rd, 2006 by Elise – from Kingston

Great dinner!!!

I went to EMBER last evening with 3 girlfriends of mine and we had a terrific experience.

First of all the place is beautiful inside, the lighting was great. The bar is top notch and the view of the kitchen is really cool.

We sat at the bar and had a drink prior to dinner- they have a great martini menu as well as a great wine selection by the glass. I had a Flirtini- yummy!!

Then we sat for dinner- great menu!! Nice selection of entrees. Two of us had the lobster, asparagus risotto- AWESOME!!!!! the other two girls had a swordfish special and they loved. We did skip dessert but the choices looked great.

Our server was wonderful, very attentive and knowlegable. We will certainly be back!!

Review submitted on March 22nd, 2006 anonymously – from Marshfield

A great meal..little pricey.

I recently went to this restaurant for the first time since they became Ember. I had heard different things, both good & bad, about the place, but I decided to go with an open mind. The fuccaccia bread was delicious, & warm. We had no appetizers, but we saw many we would have liked to try. I had the beef tenderloin - cooked to perfection! My date's salmon was so tender it fell apart. We did splurge on dessert - the warm chocolate cake & poached pear. Both delicious. Great meal, good size portions & for decor, presentation & entrees: worth the price. We would have tried the place anyways, but as an added bonus - we had an old (very old) gift certificate to Lou's - I called restaurant & asked if they would honor it - they said yes. If you have an gift certificate to Lou's - call them & ask.

Nice to finally have "fine dining" in the local area!

Review submitted on March 15th, 2006 by The big kahuna – from Marshfield

Look out below

Had dinner at Embers on 3/11/2006, spent over $170.00, and will not go back again! Had a good bottle of wine (Ato Z Pinot Noir $42.00), best selection on the wine list, mark up not bad. Downhill from there. Crab cakes were good, but forgot to put the suuce, with the crab cakes! My wife and I both had some fish, that was like a rubber ball, and cold ! Not going back after this ! Were was the Chef

Review submitted on March 8th, 2006 by Theo – from Hingham

Ember-Whole lot better on return trip

I visited Ember last year and found the food to be pretty good while the portions were unimpressive. Overall, it was a mixed experience. I returned to the restaurant recently and had an amazing experience. The service was good-our server very witty and accomodating. The food was GREAT....portions were much better...apparently the old chef, credited with the lousy former portions, had been fired and a whole new staff brought in. Can't really complain here, although still slightly pricey. Still, the portions were fair and so we didn't mind the prices. Presentation and atmosphere, as ususal were unique and impressive. Glad I gave Ember a second try adn will surely give it many more!

Review submitted on March 4th, 2006 by Lunadiva – from Norwell

Ember is Special

I went to Ember in Marshfield for the first time with a friend last weekend. I was so thrilled to finally find a restaurant on the South Shore with some cosmopolitan flair! It's a little bit pricey but no more so than any other decent restaurant in town.
The menu is interesting and creative: we had one of the "starter" appetizers for two for $19 (they come in hot and cold) and were delighted by the tastes of sushi and other items -- only the risotto was a little dull.

I loved the ambiance and the music, and was sorry to see the place almost empty. Our dinners were very good -- I had the monkfish (such a huge portion I had enough for lunch the next day, and I'm a big eater) and my companion had the tuna tartare. We both chose to substitute the roasted vegetables with the roasted asparagus, a request that was cheerfully accommodated.

I hope to see Ember do very well; it's such a lovely alternative to the usual insipid sports bars-type places or the fried fish joints that pass for dining estabishments around here. And because some people have referenced the now-defunct Blackfin in their reviews, I have to say that Ember is far, far better a restaurant than the overrated Blackfin was.

I'd love to take a group of friends to Ember sometime, as the open floor plan assures for an uncrowded experience.

Review submitted on January 22nd, 2006 by ken – from pembroke

Very Nice Dinner at Ember

Seven of us went to dinner at Ember on a Saturday night. Our overall experience: the food and service was very good. If you are a fish lover, you're in luck. On this night there were 6 choices on the main menu. Two excellent choices were the Monkfish and the Halibut. Both of which were very fresh and prepared very well. The desserts were all very good also. No run of the mill, packaged desserts here. Some things to be aware of if you go:
1) I would call this an expensive restaurant. The fish entrees were in the mid $20 range. Meats were closer to $30. A good glass of Chardonnay was $10. Desserts were $8.
2)The dining room is very large and open creating a noise level that was loud throughout the room. One tip: there is a small room at the back of the restaurant that is tucked away in a corner behind the bar and appeared to be more cozy and quiet. Consider requesting this if you prefer a quieter ambiance.
3)The restaurant is very busy on a weekend night so if you are finicky about waiting a bit, consider another night. It is worth noting however that of the 5 restaurants I called on Saturday afternoon to get a reservation for Sat. night, Ember was the only that could accommodate us at the time I wanted (6:30 PM).
So, with these considerations in mind, I recommend that you give it a try. I know I'll be going back for another special occasion.

Review submitted on December 29th, 2005 by Hazy – from marshfield

Congratulations----EMBER---one of south shores top 10 for 2005

Congratulations on being one of the top 10 restaurants on the south shore by the Patriot Ledger food critic for 2005..(December 28 2005 edition)

Keep up the good work. We are lucky to have a great restaurant in Marshfield.

Review submitted on December 9th, 2005 anonymously – from Duxbury

Excellent, excellent, excellent

Have eaten at Ember 3-times of late. Each time the waitstaff was pleasant, knowledgeable and accomodating. Appetizers were delicious, and the entrees were served attractively, in time, and with great flavor. The wine selection is more an adequate, and the drinks were made perfectly. It is so nice to have a first class restaurant so close by - I'll be driving to Boston less frequently (unless it's the North End, of course). We'll be back soon.

Review submitted on December 8th, 2005 by Deb – from Hanson

Ember warms cockles on cold wintry night...

When I moved to New England eight years ago, I had not anticipated that most local restaurants on the south shore would prepare the usual far of burgers, steak and steak tips, halibut and swordfish, in exactly the same way. I began to equate local dining with the local shopping malls. Most establishments offer exactly the same goods and presents them in pretty much the same way. Sure its nice and comforting to know exactly what you to expect, but how boring is that?
I haven't had an interesting meal in an interesting local restaurant in 8 years, except for my own kitchen and dining room! I was, therefore, tickled to discover something more eclectic in Ember.
First, the food. The sauteed lobster and cappelini my husband ordered was simply mouth-watering. My char-grilled swordfish was a bit fatty, but delish. The fish was presented on top of the most scrumptuous, creamy/cheesy risotto with nice plump pieces of very fresh lobster meat. The grilled-to-perfection Asparagus coated with truffle oil topped off this 3 layer epicurean delight, complementing the dish visually.
In its entirety, my meal was a tad too full of oils, between the fish, melted cheese and truffle oil, but the good news was that when I mentioned to the waitstaff that lemon and capers would cut the oil nicely, I was brought a plate of each, within seconds. The chef would do well to incorporate such small touches that add balance, but I wouldn't change the combination of foods. Pepper is served by the waitsaff. I gave up salting food years ago so I didn't miss the lack of shakers on the table.
The relaxing atmosphere, new-age style music, ice-cold white wine (a perfect Sauvignon Blanc 8$), and crisp black and white modernity of the environment(with touches of green) and its extremely pleasing lighting, took every care of the day away. The 3-corner fireplace took the chill out of our bones, as did our table's view of the fiery pizza ovens.
Ember does leave room for improvement, but compared to the usual (yawn) fare in every town in the area, Ember warmed our cockles. We will definitely return and try other offerings. The chef listens to his clientele, is open to suggestions, and that says it all. Ember is a work in progress that we will definitely be re-visiting on our future gastronimically adventurous nights out.

Review submitted on November 26th, 2005 by charles – from hingham

Expansive and Expensive, Ember is a Disappointment

My wife and I decided to give Ember a try after reading about it in a South Shore periodical. It looked beautiful in print, and so it was. It is a bit more cavernous that we would have liked, but the lighting was nice and made it seem a bit more intimate than it really is.
It seemed to take a long wait to get our food, but we didn't mind relaxing with the wine we had ordered. After a time, I began to wonder if we were expected to have a second bottle before our entrees. It is an expensive place to begin with, and we were flabbergasted that to learn that if we wanted the bottle of spring water that was on our table when we arrived, we would have to pay for it.
Strike two for Ember I thought.
We did have a nice appetizer of seared sea scallops, though I think anyone can make a fresh scallop taste good. Oddly there is no salt or pepper at the table,
which our waitress brought along promptly upon request, but along with the spring water it seemed yet another overly zealous attempt at being trendy. Even the place settings were turned at odd angles, as if the management is into feng shui or something.
The background music was unobtrusive, yet rather bizarre. The overall impression is that this restaurant is being run by some drug addled refugee from Andy Warhol's Factory.
Our entrees finally arrived - big hunks of wood charred meat and not very tender. Overall, we left this urban anomaly in the hinterlands of Marshfield over $100 lighter for a dinner for two, and feeling heavy from the weight of it's failed attempt to impress.

Review submitted on November 21st, 2005 by Phil – from Duxbury

Sunday is the night

My wife and I had heard about Ember and saw there review in South Shore Living magazine so we thought we would go. Wow, we were impressed with a restaurant like this in simple Marshfield. There are so many pub style restaurants in our area and this is such a refreshing place. We went with another couple on Sunday and we were treated to a fantastic dining experience. The four of us prefer to eat at fine dining restaurants on the South Shore, because Boston is to far away. We started with something they call samplers and we got a cold and a hot one. I will have to admit we were conserned for a Sunday there were only about 25 people in the restaurant, but as my guests said we were at Solstice a month ago and there were only people at the bar drinking and I think they were employees. Well the samplers were pretty darn creative and fantastic. Two of us got the filet mignon and the girls got a risotto seafood dish and my wife got the duck special and she wouldn,t stop raving abut it. The owner seems to be quite a gentleman and was very pleasent. I guess Marshfield is moving up the ladder...Sorry we were to full for dessert..Some of the posts here say the portions are small, I don't know what to say but they are huge...

Review submitted on November 4th, 2005 by rick – from Marshfield

Love this place

My wife and I brought another couple there and had a great time. I had the tuna tartar and loved it . Was presented in a very way than I have had before.The other three split there hot tasting and will admit it took a couple of minutes but was pretty darn good. I had the filet mignon, the others had shellfish risotto and 2 black bass. I loved it and for sure will go back. Sorry to hear from the previous post that they had a bad experience. Well I have had bad experiences in those restaurants that you also have mentioned before but hey even the best restaurants on busy weekends have bad nights. By the way the creme brulee and the chocolate cake was great.

Review submitted on November 3rd, 2005 by PS – from Norwell

Don't Be Fooled By A Good Review Of Ember

My wife and I frequent all sorts of restaurants south of Boston and EMBER is by far one of our worst experiences....worse than Blackfin! This place isn't worth the ride even if you live in Marshfield. The atmosphere was the best thing this place had going for it. The bartender wasn't interested in working on a Saturday evening. Ordering a bottle of wine took about 20-30 minutes. After that we kept track of everything. Our "Chef's Choice" appetizer took a solid hour and it wasn't even good. Our dinner took an hour and 15 minutes to arrive even after we complained to the owner and he said he'd take care of the bill. I didn't want the bill taken care of, we wanted our DINNER that we ordered. By the time it arrived it was 10 o'clock and it certainly wasn't worth the wait. The pizza was awful (not difficult to make) and the steak and potato was not even worth taking home. We would have been better off at Burger King. There was a party of 10 sitting across from us that had arrived before us and were still there when we left 3 hours later. And yes, we even paid the full bill of well over $100. I'm happy to say that we will never go back no matter what and there are a number of better choices in the area. Sapporitos, 53 South, Cafe Bella, Tosca, Square Cafe, and even Trattoria San Piettro.

Review submitted on September 29th, 2005 by Sean – from Marshfield

Excellent

finally went to ember with my wife after a long wait. can't say enough about it; it matched many of the fine boston restaurants that we go to without the travel/parking headaches. so nice to have a high end restaurant in your town! the decor, service & most importantly food was exceptional. we really enjoyed it; can't wait to go back. i think it it will be even more cozy in the winter.

JB - ashame that the portions didn't meet your expectations. you should have gone another half mile down 139 to wendy's, their "biggie" menu is right up your alley! good luck with that.

Review submitted on September 11th, 2005 by Margric – from Duxbury

Needs work - will return in a year once kinks are worked out

Service - pleasant wait staff but kitchen is painfully slow. Dinner took 2 1/2 hours; Appetizers - beef satay was tasty but cold when it arrived; mussels were very good; Dinner - very long time coming but food was very good and beautifully presented/both entrees were hot when they arrived. Value - a little pricey for the service we received; atmosphere - very noisy until the jazz group came on - group was very good. Suggestion: get more organization in the kitchen so the food delivery is not so long; also, get more wait staff - too few for the number of tables in the restaurant.

Review submitted on August 14th, 2005 anonymously – from marshfield

Ember is HOT!

delicious and creative food in a sophisticated atmosphere. try the crab cakes or a pizza for a starter, then work your way through the entree list over a couple of visits. near the display kitchen, "chef's table" makes a great spot for a group of friends to share and sample a range of items. expect large portions, creatively prepared and artfully presented. the decor is modern and refreshingly different for a south shore restaurant.

Review submitted on August 1st, 2005 anonymously – from Marshfield

Ember is a must go to

The classy atmosphere was just the beginning of a night full of great food and great people. I didn't have any alcohol so I can't comment on that but I had crab cakes to start which were excellent and I had a main coarse of lobster with pasta which was second to none the people I was with also like their dishes which were a huge steak and swordfish. Overall it was an excellent night and I will definately go back.

Review submitted on May 22nd, 2005 by JC – from Marshfield

Elegant Dinner

On our first vist to Ember, my wife and I were very pleased.
The decor, atmosphere and staff were all excellent.
While we waited bread was provided with olive oil. Reading ealier reviews I assume this is new. Nothing better than an establishment that listens.
We then had the assorted hot appetizer sampler which was delicious.
For entree, my wife had the Beef Tenderloin and I had the Grilled Salmon, both of which were excellent.
Our server was very nice and attentive, as was the owner.

We had a wonderful time and had some delicious food.
We look forward to our next visit.

Review submitted on May 3rd, 2005 by JB – from Marshfield

Great Bar - Awful dining experience

A friend and I visited Ember in February and I was really looking forward to it.

The bar area is superb and has that up marlet / chic city feel which is graet for Marshfield. Although the long haired and slightly unkempt bar staff made portayed a different story.

The food was BAD BAD BAD. Large prices for small portions. The apps were the smalles portion I have ever seen. We ordered a side of potatoes that arrived very cold and were the size of a deck of cards. We sent them back and recieved a similar sized portion that was equally cold. We sent them back again (hot food isn't that hard is it?) and they came back verging on look warm on the oustside. Didn't bother to send tham back again - if three tries does not do it then what is the point. Besides by that time we had eaten the rest of the main course.

The biggest issue I have it that no one seemed to care - they didn't even take the potato dish off the bill. However the table beside us knew the owner and he was over there chatting and they got great sized portions. I guess it's who you know.

Would go for a cocktail but would never eat there again - and I have advised all friends and relatives to do the same.

I can not emphasize how small the portions are.

Review submitted on April 4th, 2005 anonymously – from Marshfield

misplaced review

Found this review under the page for Cosmo's Cafe. Figured I'd copy it here. I havent changed anything - just copied and pasted it.

"Review submitted on December 22nd, 2004 anonymously – from Marshfield

Very Nice


I think Ember is a great restaurant --a good alternative here in this area to the "same old, same old". I hope it does very well. The decor is phenomenal and you can see all the hard work that went into the design, especially if you ever were in there when it was Lou's. An open kitchen allows you to see the line as food comes out...it seems like a great place for group dining. There is even a chef's table, close by the kitchen area for larger parties.

The prices are not cheap, but I think this is the kind of place that can draw folks from other towns because of its location and proximity to the highway.

I have been there twice already...had several of the appetizers and tried a couple of the main courses. I thought everything was delicious and well-prepared. I had no complaints about the food. One suggestion would be that as it becomes more familiar, they might consider adding a bar menu or more extensive appetizers/lighter fare alternatives.

Overall, I'd highly recommend Ember. Its a very nice looking restaurant that serves great food and I think we need more of those around here."

Review submitted on April 3rd, 2005 by Bernadette – from marshfield

AWFUL....RUDE...WILL NEVER GO BACK!

Four of us went to Ember soon after Christmas on a busy Saturday night. I promise you, we will never go back. Our server was rude to us, we got shuffled around from table to table....all b/c we, apparently, weren't good enough to be there. We were assured by our server that they didn't serve buffalo wings or hot dogs...this was in answer to our simple question..."What are your specials this evening?" We got moved from a front room table to the bAck for a party bigger than ours to sit there...however, they were the same # as us. After waiting 45 minutes for our entree to be served, the owner came to tell us that they ran out of what we ordered. However, everyone around us continued to be served the same thing. (they had been seated long after us). We then had to argue with our server about the 'no substitution' rule there. Needless to say..awful!! Who do they think they are?!

Review submitted on March 7th, 2005 by Rich & Jan

Something Special in Marshfield

We went to Ember for the first time on Valentine's Day. The makeover of Lou's 139 is exceptional. This is a first class dining atmosphere, although it is still in progress. We each had very tasty and smooth specialty martini's to celebrate. Our appetizers were were as good as promised by the menu description. I had the porterhouse steak and my wife had the encrusted tuna steak. Both excellent and very tasty, except she would have liked the tuna cooked slightly warmer in the middle. We finished with dessert and enjoyed a very nice dining experience. The waitstaff was attentive and pleasant. Yes, it is more expensive than the plain family dining prevalent in Marshfield, but in line with what you'd expect at any of the best gourmet restaurants on the South Shore. We are planning to return, soon.

Review submitted on February 20th, 2005 by TS – from Marshfield

Some good & bad at Ember

I decided to have my birthday dinner at Ember. Reservations were made and when we arrived we were seated immediately. The coat area was full, so we had to take our coats to the table. We were seated near the bar. The tables were close together and we had to move the table in toward the bench I was sitting on, so that my dinner companion didn't get in the way of the wait staff. It was pretty tight. In order to get out we had to pull the table away from the bench and I nearly took the tablecloth with me. We both had martinis, they were smooth. Bread was brought over, but it was burned on the bottom. We ordered the tuna tartar and the crab cakes for appetizers. They were both delicious. I ordered the Saffron Risotto with spiced mussels and asparagus as my entree. The asparagus was cooked to perfection. The rice was way too sticky and there was minimal spice to the mussels. The portion was small it lacked flavor and it did not warrant the price. My dinner companion felt the same with his meal. We opted out of dessert because we knew that we had an incredible birthday cake at home. I normally don't have room for dessert when I dine out. This night was an exception. Not a memorable birthday dinner by any means. Should have gone to Solstice or Fieldston.

Review submitted on February 16th, 2005 by Joe & Deb – from Marshfield

Ember, a perfect addition to our town

I took my wife to Ember for our belated Valentine's Day dinner. This was our first visit and it couldn't have been more enjoyable. I admit it is a little pricey for me. But considering the Art and interesting scenery it is well worth it. Plus, our waiter Mark was excellent. The price keeps the restaraunt upscale and keeps away your typical bar flies. The seating arrangements had me facinated. I liked how there is an arrangement of casual chairs surrounding the bar. My wife and I are eager to bring a bunch of our out-of-town friends down to Marshfield to enjoy some Martinis at Ember.

Review submitted on February 10th, 2005 anonymously

what are we in beverly hills

its refreshing to see someone try to open something better then a simple pub, but this place took it to the other extreme, small portions of meals a little too classy for the cooks to handle, plus everything is ala carte so a meal can cost upwars of $30.00 for a simple small steak and salad.. this isnt boston....asnd it weill never be 4 stars so work on the menu a little and prices

Review submitted on February 7th, 2005 by Jeri & Mike Dagnello – from Marshfield, MA 02050

1st Class - all the way!

We found a new favorite place to unwind and enjoy an incredible meal. The waitstaff has to be the best of the best. Everyone was so friendly and professional at the same time. The atmosphere was contemporary, yet not stuffy. If you go there, you have to try their venicin! It seemed like were transported to a totally high class restaurant somewhere in Boston or New York. It is great to know such a fine dining establishment exists right in Marshfield.

Review submitted on January 20th, 2005 anonymously

Still needs some work

A recent dinner at Ember (our first) failed to live up to expectations. The place is gorgeous and they are trying, but the wait staff still seems a little green, and the food definitely did not warrant the price. My salmon was good, but cold, but my conpanion ordered the haddock and when it arrived, it was such a small portion that we laughed; until the bill arrived! Ember definitely had the last laugh. Go for the atmosphere, order a pizza, but if you want a full mean, look elsewhere.

Review submitted on January 17th, 2005 anonymously – from marshfield

excellent addition to Marshfield

We have had dinner 3 times so far since Ember has opened. It is excellent, very relaxing. The server was very attentive and the meal was outstanding. Marshfield has been in need of a nice restaurant and now we finally have one.
Charlie the owner has done a wonderful job. He did come over to the table and introduced himself. One of the best items we had was the hot tasting for two it was outstanding, very creative and the presentation was spectacular.

Great job we will be back again...

Review submitted on January 12th, 2005 anonymously – from Duxbury

Great Atmosphere, limited menu, good food...

Ember replaces the old Lou's on Rte 139 and it has been worth the wait. As previous customers of Lou's, we anxiously waited for Ember to be completed. Renovations started almost two years ago! The place is beautiful. The open kitchen with sparkling stainless steel fixtures can be seen from many of the tables. The restaurant features a wood grille with the Ember logo above it.
Lighting in the new restaurant is particularly easy on the eyes. We've been to Ember several times and have enjoyed it. Service has been excellent and the owner has stopped by to check on things each time we've been there. We would like to see a few less pricey entrees as we'd probably eat there more often. The Porterhouse is about $29 and a salad is available a la carte. The pizza (in the $17 range) is good but a bit dry and too pricey. The menu offers a fraction of the meal options previously available at Lou's.
Drinks have been great and the bar area is attractive. We have yet to sit at the bar so we're not sure if there is a separate pub menu. This would be a welcome addition.
The menu covers appear to have been designed so changes can be accomodated easily. We'd like to see the menu offer more options and to change with the seasons... Water glasses were filled and kept filled by an attentive server.
Overall, Ember fills a nice niche in the local dining options. Hopefully there are enough niche diners to keep business flowing.

Review submitted on January 5th, 2005 anonymously – from Marshfield

Excellence in Marshfield

Finally, Marshfield has a true fine dining establishment. We went there on New Year's Eve and, despite the croud, we were treated to the best meal and atmosphere that we have had since moving to the South Shore. The food was perfectly prepared (and delicious), the staff professional and friendly.
Highly recommended !

Review submitted on January 4th, 2005 anonymously – from Marshfield

wonderful atmosphere plus...

Had dinner at Ember in December. Everything was fabulous. The ambiance is really so wonderful and the service was better than anywhere in the near vicinity. We found the menu actually alittle boring. I hope there will be more flare to it in the future. But everything we ordered was delicious. We really had no complaints. Ember seems to be providing a true upscale dining experience (to which great service is key). Other restaurants in the area try and fail.

Review submitted on December 30th, 2004 by twiddlydee – from Marshfield

Classy

We went and sat at the bar with some friends. Very nice! Service was wonderful. Some folks were eating the lamb shanks and raved about them. We had the hot appetizer dish and found it delish. We also ordered a pizza (expensive) that was really nice, as well. Glad there's no TV in the bar area, because it's really like a dining area. Imagine, good food and good conversation with everyone there, wow, how unusual in Marshfield. We can't wait to just sit down and have a complete dinner there.

Review submitted on December 28th, 2004 anonymously

12-22-04 Dinner at EMBER

Very positive dinner with friends from 6:30-9:00 pm . Service was A+, the owner even stopped by our table and introduced himself. Food was very good,dessert delicious. We never felt rushed as we do at another local restaurant( where there is always a waiting list of people crammed in the bar waiting for your seat) Not here- also the bar is open and a nice size. We loved the conversation areas. Looking forward to going back soon. Hope to see more of a variety on the main menu in the future.

Review submitted on December 24th, 2004 by The Ruminer – from Marshfield (Ocean Bluff)

Great potential

We are recent additions to Marshfield and were glad to see this restaurant appear in our town. The atmosphere was nice and much needed for Marshfield (Bravo!). There are kinks to be worked out as with any new restaurant but I suspect in time they will get the kinks worked out. Like a prior reviewer noted some sort of pre meal munchie (bread, pita chips etc) should be provided. We had to ask for some bread while we waited for our appetizer and meal.

I personally ordered the Porterhouse steak (med rare). The meat was fine but they had overpowered the meat with a sauce that really left me disappointed that all I could taste was the sauce not really the meat. Some crushed red pepper and something that tasted like worcestershire is what I was left with and not the taste of the meat itself.

Service was fine and the atmosphere and decor were top notch. I look forward to revisiting and have no doubt they will get the kinks worked out.

Review submitted on December 23rd, 2004 by Chuck – from Hanover

Great Addition

The atmosphere is great. We could see ourselves spending a lot of time there with a few changes. The menu needs a few things added such as a couple of salads, a few entrees like a sirloin etc. and something to munch on while you're waiting for the meal to arrive.

Review submitted on December 21st, 2004 anonymously – from Marshfield

You need a new chef

The place is gorgeous, the drinks are good, but that's about it. The food is mediocre at best and always cold. If this place wants to stay around, and we want a place like this is Marshfield, then Charlie needs to get a new executive chef asap!!

Review submitted on December 13th, 2004 by woody – from marshfield

fantastic

Very pricy food excellent pub menu coming out do try it great evening
Enjoy