Zephyr On the Charles

food is ordinary but relaxing viewing Charles River.
lunch is served until 5 pm which is good
lobster bisque tasts good

Very pleased to find quality food at reasonable prices at the hotel. Most of the staff were very accommodating. Great convenience if you are staying at the Hyatt

In addition to being the restaurant, Zephyr is also the bar at the Hyatt Regency and this is a review of the bar. The good news: The bar serves drinks and bar food, which is convenient but not particularly amazing. The bad news: It’s full of drunken people who are going to whatever small conference or seminar is being held at the hotel. As someone who is a veteran of the trade show circuit, I can say that every stereotype is represented here and it wasn’t hard to figure out who was going to wake up in who’s room and who would be really hung over the next morning (tomorrow this will be a woman named Rebecca with horrible shoes.) Like the hotel, the bar isn’t very convenient to anything and I doubt if locals ever drop in for a beer.

My mom and I sat outside and there were honestly 20 spiders above our heads crawling around. They were bigger than the width of my eye. The service was nice. However, the atmosphere was depressing and the whole place is filled with elderly people who just sit and stare. Will never be coming back.

The spousal unit and I were walking around the MIT West area this evening, and thought we might check out Zephyr for dinner — since there are so few restaurants on the Charles, and nowhere else to eat for nearly a mile in any direction.
Although we were in t-​shirts and jeans, we were treated super nicely even before entering by the woman who was to be our server (the name on the check was Pha). She popped her head out into the lobby area to ask if we wanted to come in. If were dithering prior to that, we were immediately sold on the idea by the warm reception. We were shown to a four-​top near the interior entrance with the great river/​skyline view we were hoping for (from the second floor, not the long gone rooftop view … but still very nice).
Service was fast and attentive. The bar area filled up, but the restaurant area was not crowded. Prices were quite reasonable for Cambridge. And the food was good.
The pretzel bread that comes out first was warm, fresh and tasty. They had a fine watermelon caprese salad on special, and accommodated our request for no balsamic. The smoked chicken entrée was flavorful, if a bit dry. The lobster roll was top notch. Drinks were excellent.
We didn’t do dessert, but were pleasantly surprised by the place — especially given the negative reviews here on Unilocal.We’ve been to a lot of hotel restaurants over the years, and this was one of the better ones.
So we’ll certainly return in the future.

Remember the Spinnacker restaurant at the top of Hyatt? Remember the charming natural vine that grew and dangled from the ceiling? Remember the grandiose food and wonderful service? That is a far cry from Zephyr.
The experience was actually laughable. It took the waiter 30 minutes to get us drinks (and by drinks, I mean water). We were at the table for 2 hours total because everything took forever (mind you it was about 2 pm on a Thursday and the place was completely empty).
Waiter mixed up the orders, completely forgot an ENTIRE dish, and came back and asked us to repeat our orders twice. Food was absolutely terrible. Salad had frozen lettuce and drenched in dressing (that was asked to be on the side). Their Pear dessert was pathetic. Absolutely no flavor… not even pear flavored (which is actually kind of impressive). We sat their and chuckled to ourselves over how horrendous everything was.
Manager came over to ask how things were going. When we informed her how rough things were, she said «awwww» and walked away.
The best thing about this restaurant is the view (which is dampened by a highway).
I would never eat here again unless someone was pointing a gun to my head– and even then– I’d have to think about it.

Got the calamari appetizer and fish and chips main. Calamari sauce was just pasta sauce. Fish and chips were not good, I didn’t finish them. Very bland. My girlfriend didn’t finish her entrée either, the chili tofu. Or her appetizer, the French onion soup. Service was slow and water was rarely refilled. Décor and space in general was depressing as hell. That stifling aura of a Hyatt. Only slight redeeming feature was view of the Charles.
I guess this serves me right for choosing a restaurant completely based on its name. Zephyr is a cool name. But before this experience my girlfriend and I were going to name our first born son Zephyr but now we are not. Thanks Zephyr on the Charles!

Went late at night and they took a little too long to get our order down. They responded to our complaint with great kindness and a little extra. Their crème brûlée– a valentine special– was the best crème brûlée I have ever had– not exaggerating– and was the texture and sweetness a crème brûlée should be. They were appropriately attentive after that. The food was yummy, too. (nachos and veggie wrap)

This restaurant is located in the hotel. There is a convenience factor to consider, but its still way too over priced in general. The food itself is alright. It truly isnt anything to write home about. The wait staff was friendly and respectful. I dont think anyone would go out of their way to we eat here. We ordered a great white pizza for starters then I got a Chicken club sandwich and house fries. The pizza was a bit bland. The chicken club was dry and hard to eat. I was thinking sliced chicken when I placed the order, but it came out as half of the chicken breast on each half of the sandwich.

Disappointed in the hotel food. Underwhelming, bland and boring. Nothing spectacular. The good news is that it motivated me to explore the Cambridge and Boston area for better dining options.

¹⁰⁄₂₃ dinner.
Ceasar salad with flank steak. Too much dressing. Served in a high-​sided bowl so had to take the steak out and cut it on my bread plate.

I should have known better. I should have assumed that the spinning restaurant at the top of the Hyatt was long gone, since I heard of fond stories of my parents going on their first date there in the 80’s…well of course times have changed.
Yesterday was me and my boyfriends two year anniversary, and I was looking for a nice restaurant that wouldn’t break the bank, and would have a nice ambiance.
I found some nice places in Boston but we didn’t feel like driving that far into the city and paying for valet and all that… SO…I thought that the Hyatt might be a nice experience as it’s a beautiful building which overlooks the Charles and the name of the restaurant «Zephyr» sounded enticing. A quick look at the menu online and it seemed appetizing. Then again I should have thought twice because… after all it is a hotel.
Once I called to inquire about reservations, they said the parking is complimentary and in these tough times I thought that would be great.
To my disappointment, the restaurant was on the second floor, and though it was somewhat quiet it was a little awkward. I was embarrassed to be over dressed and we sat at a 4 chair table. The server was great, very welcoming and kind.
We ordered a series of appetizers and my boyfriend got the burger. The food was OKAY… I ordered the mussels – boy did they taste funky. But the portion was good for the price at least. The lobster bisque didn’t seem to have any lobster in it… otherwise I wouldn’t have needed the oyster crackers. Calamari was okay… my boyfriends burger was okay…
I have to keep in mind this isn’t fine dining, it’s a tourist trap and it’s a hotel… so I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up so high. The restaurant could use some renovations. I was somehow not taking into account that 30 years has gone by since the Chinese restaurant up top of the building would be gone, and I should have considered that even though it’s a beautiful building – it’s still a hotel. Disappointed… on the plus side though I heard a couple of my old favorite songs which were never really «hits», and I was surprised to hear them come on.
This morning, neither one of us felt good… we were sick from the mussels we ate.

Took friend for birthday lunch & really enjoyed the pretzel bread with tangy honey mustard they brought out to start. Our crab cake app, the salad I «built» myself, and his turkey naan sandwich were quite satisfying. Best part was their picking up on his birthday and unsolicited bringing out a delightful little Cocoa and coffee mini cake!
Great View of the Charles River and very attentive service were also much appreciated.

Holy broccolini… no seriously, it was included in every other menu offering; vegetable rigatoni, confit duck leg, seared shrimp and scallop, flat iron steak, roasted half chicken, the list goes on. Ok, I get it, the chef has a thing for broccolini, but with all the summer vegetable offerings you’d think more would, could, and should be incorporated.
I was there during Dine Out Boston, yet never given the option of the prix fixe menu (one that is posted on their website). Food is mediocre at best and not worth the hotel pricing. A little salt would really go a long way.
Service is slow, inattentive, and offered no signs of caring.
Despite the distant view of Boston (only from a handful of tables), this is one I’ll not be headed back to anytime soon, if ever.

I think everyone who is in the right state of mind should avoid this restaurant. I went there with a friend during restaurant week and the wait staff said he didn’t know anything about the special menu. I was looking at the restaurant menu on my smartphone right there. He poured us some water and we waited for more than 10 minutes without anyone to take our orders. It was our first time there and we were treated like sh*t. Out of frustration we decided to leave and NEVER come back. The most insulting thing on top of that was the manager didn’t even know we were there. How about give us the invisible treatment after you serve us some food. Good thing there are plenty of other nice restaurants with good food and service in Cambridge and Boston. Owner and or staff of this restaurant, if you’re reading this review I would like to give you a big fat SCREW YOU!

We went here for dinner and brunch while staying at the Hyatt. The brunch was far better than dinner, but we waited over 30 minutes for our food to arrive. The service was ok, but when we went in the evening the restaurant was FREEEEZING. Both my grandmother and I were terribly cold and although they said they turned it down, I didn’t notice it. Food was ok. The sauce on the salmon at dinner was way oversalted, and was not a «lavender» cream sauce at all.
I think this place is overrated– I would return for brunch, not dinner.

I was worried about the quality given the other reviews but it’s fine. I’d even say that it’s good (for a hotel restaurant). It’s a bit pricey, maybe 15 – 20 for most dinners. But has a lovely view of the Charles River.
I had a chicken and quinoa dish that was a good amount of food but the sauce was nice and light. For breakfast I had French toast with fruit which was just okay. Needed cinnamon or something.
I’m tall but the seating didn’t bother me. The booth I sat in was regular height. When I sat on the lounge couches those were quite short but it’s worth it for a closer view.
The staff were super friendly. If I could change one thing I’d make the food more flavorful with smaller portions.
Would I go again? Sure. If I weren’t staying at the hotel? Probably not unless I couldn’t find another place with a view.

I don’t know why this place got a number of bad reviews. This restaurant is on the 2^nd floor of the Hyatt. Everyone knows that a restaurant in a hotel is always going to be a little bit more expensive than restaurants in other places.
The view is great, the bar is full service and open seating, and the bar menu is good.
I had the Sesame Seared Scallops, Petite Sirloin and Lobster Tail, and the Baked Apple fritters. Everything was nicely cooked and tasted great.

This place is likely a tourist trap otherwise I can’t explain why their food is so expensive.
If you sit outside then you have an awesome view of memorial drive. If you sit inside then you’re probably be going to be upset because tables & chairs are extremely low to the ground so if you’re a tall person you’re going to be pretty uncomfortable sitting here trying to enjoy your meal.
I see based on other reviews that I am not alone in issue with low chairs & tables so perhaps management of this place should consider getting new ones?

Probably one of the worst (food only) 4-​star hotel restaurants I’ve been to. Nice space overlooking the river, but this review is just for the food.
Dinner: BBQ Duck Pizza. — cannot say enough how disgusting this was. Ordered to go, came half folded over in a to go styrofoam box — needless to say, half the toppings came off onto one half and left the other bare as a baby bottom. What’s more, this entire pizza was swimming in a pool of grease. not your typical greasy pizza — think pool party in white container. Moving onto the duck: tinyyyyy pieces of duck ²⁄₃ fat sparsely spread across the pizza that burst in your mouth as you take a bite. yum I know. Oh and then I think they opened up a can of Great Value mandarin oranges and dumped them all over the pizza — ok I can’t vouch for the Great Value brand, but definitely canned mandarin oranges.
Onto Breakfast: Why did I eat here again? Because it was snowing and the closest thing was a taxi-​ride away. I chose to do the continental breakfast buffet for $ 13. How can you mess that up? By having flies and bugs crawling in your muffins and bagels and fruits. The breakfast included your usual bagels/​muffins/​danishes, oatmeal, melons, pineapple, yogurt, cereal. For an additional $ 5, you can have sausage and eggs, etc.