|Sanctuary

Sanctuary

189 State St.
Boston, MA 02109

Phone: 617-573-9333

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Fax: 617-573-9334
Email: info@sanctuaryboston.com

Website: www.sanctuaryboston.com

Two gargantuan Buddhas flank the bar at this Faneuil Hall–area restaurant. It’s a spot with aspirations to coolness, but the reality is a crush of suited-up, overage frat boys more interested in the drinks and flat-screen TVs than the food. Good thing: The international tapas doled out by servers are inspired primarily by Mexico and Asia, but taste anything but inspired. A plate of tempura shrimp “lollipops” offered just three small skewered shrimp, fried in the golden dough common to Chinese takeout joints, while the steak is served with seriously salty mashed potatoes. Your best plan of action: Go straight for dessert. We recommend the Mexican wontons with cinnamon ice cream—melted dark chocolate inside a sweet dough shell. Or try one of the cocktails that lured the crowds in the first place.