A Back Bay mainstay got a new address last week, when Joe’s American Bar and Grill moved and opened an upgraded flagship at the corner of Newbury and Exeter Streets, complete with a retractable roof for year-round sidewalk dining.
The multilevel restaurant seats as many as 265 and features two bars with arched mirrored backdrops, and exposed brick. On the first level, floor-to-ceiling windows open to Newbury Street for people-watching. Downstairs, an open kitchen is separated from the main dining area by glass panels, so diners can watch as chickens circulate on the in-house rotisserie. Buyout options for the lower level of the restaurant may be available in the future. Currently, a 25-seat private dining room features portraits of famed Boston political figures, creating an old-boys-club vibe.
An old-meets-new theme resonates throughout the restaurant, where classic dark woods and leather upholstery mesh with the modern amenities of a heated marble floor, hands-free bathroom doors, and a retractable roof that closes automatically using rain sensors.
A few additions to the menu include a pressed Cuban sandwich and lobster macaroni and cheese.
