Chef Boo's cuisine is centered around brilliant textures and spices, and varies in ethnicity from Thai, Malaysian, Singaporian, Indian, and North American Cuisines Thea Weller, and features a variety of our favourite wines that compliment the food at Boo's Bistro & Wine Bar.
My husband and I have been to Boo's twice. On both occassions we had a wonderful time and meal (as well as wine).
The server was extremely gracious and considerate. He came to check on our meal a couple of times, but was not intrusive whatsoever (allowing for an intimate and romantic evening).
The food was delicious. The servings were of good size (in our opinion) -- I was very full when I left, as was my husband. We had crab cakes for an appetizer - these were rich in real crab meat with little filler. As for mains, I had a salmon dish (the special) and my husband had Boo's signature dish (a steak). Ingredients were fresh, and there was a nice serving of vegetables (also flavourful and well done).
It is a quiet atmosphere and we thoroughly enjoyed our evening. We will definitely go back.
We had heard very good things about this restaurant and looked forward to trying it out.
Our waitress was very friendly - she made up for a lot.
The atmosphere was nice enough - not great but nice enough.
We ordered the blackenned grouper and the duck off the menu. The fish was very lightly browned on one side and had no cajun flavour as noted in the menu. It wasn't what I ordered but still tasted good. If a server had stopped by while we were eating, I would have told them I must have the wrong meal. My wife had the duck - it was all grissle and essentially inedible. Again, if a server had come near while we were eating, we would have said something.
It was our aniversary so I didn't want to completely ruin the evening by stirring up a fuss. I did mention the tasteless fish. After being told that that was blackenned for their clientelle, my wife didn't even bother mentioning how bad her duck was. My wife felt ill when we got home and threw up.
I suspect we just had some bad luck. Other diners seemed quite happy.
Not a great evening for 140+ dollars. I will not return.
This little place on James Street South is great for lunch. I go there a few times a month. I have never been there for dinner but have been told it is equally good for dinner.
The menu is creative with a good variety and the portions are reasonable.
The staff are attentive without hovering and they will accomodate any reasobale changes.
The wine is reasonably priced with a decent variety.
We had been waiting to try this restaurant for awhile.When we finally did we were not impressed.
We orderd cesar salads which came as one whole side of the lettuce, uncut! We have never had to use a knife and fork to eat our salads before!! This may be considered fancy or upscale but to us it was simply annoying.
We both felt like fish and had the sole which tasted fantastic but there so little of it.The portions were extremely small.It was prepared very fancy but the chef seems to take more pleasure in making the food look like art rather than giving a decent portion.
Needless to say we both left hungry.
Our waiter was nothing special and the decor was drab.
Skip Boo's
I have absolutely no complaints; the food was excellent, and the server was attentive; it's a great place to go if you dislike roadhouse food; This chef clearly enjoys cooking and takes pride in what he puts his name on; I was so glad to that there was no salmon on the menu-it's been done to death by so many restaurants-but I bet if it does go on the menu it will be fantastic.
What a gem BOO's is! It's casual, hip and has that feel of Montreal or New-York trendy.
If you are looking for a chef that creates "outside of box" this is the place to go.
First time was for dinner, second time was for lunch both times everything we had was amazing. Even the glass & table ware they use is quality. Unique wine list.
If you are looking to impress a client or a date this is the place to go in Hamilton without spending uge $$$.
Boo keep up the great work! We can't wait to dine there again and experience something new again.
Had plans to go elsewhere for anniversary dinner but saw sign as we were parking.
So glad we went in!
Appetizer, as others mentioned, was small but excellent.
2 sea scallops with dollop of wasabi cuke.
Steak and frites was adequate 8oz size with awesome pile of frites, but could use a few more veg. 3 grape tom and 2tbsp spinach.
Wine list is extensive for price range but a 1/2L option would be nice.
Delicious!! We had an organized dinner for a party of 14, and everyone was pleased with the food & service. Appetizer portions were fairly small, but delicious nonetheless... and my entree was divine. Our waiter was very attentive, helpful & efficient (esp considering the size of our group). Will definitely be returning!!
Service was cheerful, attentive and unintrusive. Decor was calming colourful, seating was in open area opposite bar, noise level OK and lighting comfortable. Pleasant informal dining for four. Some wines priced OK - others not. Nice glasses. Street parking is iffy.
The first time I visited Boo's was for dinner; at...
The first time I visited Boo's was for dinner; at that time everything was excellent- food, service, atmosphere all top notch.
My last 2 visits were for lunch and I was very disappointed due to the poor servce. Both times my party were made to wait overlong first to order, then for our meals, then again for the cheque, and then again for the change. On one occasion the waitress brought a dish that was not ordered by us, then argued with us about it before taking it away, and was rude for the remained of our stay.
I would return to Boo's simply because the food is excellent, but if in short time the poor service outweighs the good food I won't keep going.
Went for lunch with a coworker, was very pleasantly surprised! I gave the honor of "Best $10 Lunch Downtown" to a Thai place before, but I have to take it back and award it to Boo's!
Cesar Salad
-large leaves of Romaine dressed and reassembled on the plate. Not overdressed, not underdressed, perfect!
Chicken Shwarma
-best I've ever had. And I've had plenty!
We dine our quite often and both agree this is one of the most enjoyable meals we have had in a very long time. Everything we ordered was fantastic. Fresh and full of flavour, LOTS of flavour. As per recommendations on this site we were anxious to try the chili shrimp, but it was no longer on the menu. Our waiter had the chef prepare is special for us and also brought a sample of the coconut shrimp. The chili shrimp was amazing!! Our beef main courses were also great. Cooked to perfection, plated beautifully and tasted amazing. The only one small negative, we found the restaurant to be very loud. Next time we will reserve a seat close to the front window instead of in the middle. Can't wait for the next special occasion to return!!
I really enjoyed my take out from here, the beef dish with wide noodles was fabulous, LOVE wide noodles and loved the sauce.
Am interested to try lunch again, as they lunch menu appeals to me way more then the dinner menu. Good lunch prices too for food quality.
And the girl there gave me a free drink and was really sweet!
Had heard rave reviews so was eager to try. Main courses were delicious, as was the sauce for the mussels. Other appetizers veered towards skimpy (figs were literally a couple of bites) and odd (Caesar salad was presented as whole leaves). Shrimp sauce tasted/looked like bottled sweet spring roll sauce so was disappointing. Presentation was very stylish: all square white plates dashed with artistic dribbles and over-sized wine glasses. Deserts were excellent. Decor is lovely: candlelit and modern. Place was quite busy and had a good buzz but female server could have been faster and more attentive. All in all, a good meal and experience, well worth checking out.
