In May, State Street Provisions, a newcomer to Boston’s vibrant dining scene under the Grafton Group umbrella, found itself under the critical lens of The Boston Globe. The publication’s review, headlined “not enough to like,” detailed an alleged disturbance within the restaurant and questioned the management’s handling of the situation. This initial assessment sparked a conversation within Boston’s restaurant community and prompted a direct response from the Grafton Group.
Patrick Lee, owner and founder of the Grafton Group, addressed the Globe‘s review with a formal letter to the editor. The letter, publicly shared, served as a direct counterpoint to the Globe‘s account and offered the restaurant’s perspective on the evening in question. Lee emphasized the Grafton Group’s two decades of experience in the Boston restaurant industry, built upon a foundation of dedicated staff and genuine hospitality. He outlined the staff’s approach to managing the incident, stating that ownership was present and did not perceive the disturbance to be as significant as portrayed in the review.
The Grafton Group’s response underscored their commitment to responsible and respectful guest relations. “We realize that guests are constantly judging how we handle situations, and our goal is to be as responsible and respectful to both the guests directly involved in the situation as well as the uninformed parties looking on,” Lee wrote. He further elaborated on the delicate balance of managing customer experiences, suggesting that the Globe‘s review might have underestimated the complexities inherent in hospitality work. Lee argued against the Globe‘s “hyperbolic” depiction of events and the subsequent critique of management without, in his view, fully understanding the nuances of the situation as it unfolded.
State Street Provisions marks the Grafton Group’s first venture into downtown Boston. The Grafton Group, established by Patrick Lee, his brother Peter, and partners Sean Kennedy and Gerry Sheerin, is well-known for its Harvard Square-area establishments. These include popular spots like Park Restaurant and Bar, Grafton Street Pub & Grill, Temple Bar, and Russell House Tavern, with plans for a future oyster bar in the vicinity. Despite the Boston Globe‘s critical article, State Street Provisions has garnered generally positive feedback from diners. Online platforms such as Yelp, OpenTable, TripAdvisor, and Foursquare show average ratings of four stars and above for the restaurant, indicating a discrepancy between the professional review and broader customer experiences at State Street Provisions Restaurant.
