Amrheins
80 West Broadway, South Boston, MA, 02127
(617) 268-6189
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For those who have fond memories of the old Amrheins, the cozy South Boston restaurant that locals, families, and politicians frequented, the present version of Amrheins may be a bit jarring. Amrheins is now an upscale American restaurant, complete with a cavernous bar area that is extremely attractive, and a dining room that has a touch of understated elegance. But Amrheins is no longer one of those comfortable old spots in the vein of such Boston stalwarts as Doyle's or J.J. Foley's.
The new Amrheins is, however, a very nice dining spot that competes with some of the more reasonably-priced upscale Boston restaurants such as the Ashmont Grill in nearby Dorchester. The food at Amrheins may no longer be family fare, but the entrees are delicious, including the mouthwatering steak tips with jasmine rice, the delectable broiled chicken, and the risotto with seafood. You can also order pork chops, sirloin steak, and various chicken dishes at Amrheins, and the menu has a section dedicated to lighter fare, including mini-burgers. The breads and the soups are also terrific, and you can still get a Guinness at Amrheins, though I do miss the old bar where you could hang out on a rainy afternoon with a pint or two of the good Irish stout. The Sunday morning buffet, which used to be in the side room before the makeover, is now in the main room by the bar, and while different from the old-school buffet from years ago, it is quite impressive, with everything from eggs, French toast, and pancakes to Greek fare (including deliciously minty grape leaves and decent spanakopita) to more substantial entrees (ravioli, macaroni and cheese, etc.), and a dessert section at the end has a wide variety of sweets such as tiramisu and cannoli.
In addition to the old bar area, some specific items from the previous incarnation of Amrheins are sorely missed (though it is nice that they brought back the wiener schnitzel--a good move on their part). It does seems like the crowd has changed at Amrheins, as it seems that there are many more people in business suits or trendy outfits than in casual clothing. But you can't argue with the food at the present incarnation of Amrheins, and the fare may be upscale, but the prices, while a bit high, aren't exactly out of reach for what you get. I give a thumbs up to the renovated Amrheins. I just wish there was room for both versions of this terrific Southie restaurant.
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