TWK

5 stars because the bartenders were amazing (linely and Sam, and Matt and Barton previously) however, I was devastated to hear the risotto was removed from the menu. I ordered it every time and loved that it changed all the time. I come in frequently and really would love to see the risotto back on the menu!

I’ve been here a few times and each time I have enjoyed everything from the food, service, drinks, and atmosphere! I prefer eating at the high tops in bar area because it’s a good vibe. Tonight I had the chicken and waffles to share as an appetizer, it was huge and amazing! For my meal, I had the scallops with butternut risotto. The scallops were seared perfectly and the risotto was soooo good! It used to be a regular item on the menu, but it looks as if they have dropped it for now. Bring the risotto back! It’s amazing! Tricia, our server, was great! Checking in on us the perfect amount to fill water glasses and making suggestions for which items were her favorite. I will def be back!

Nice atmosphere but nothing special. It’s nice to have another alternative in town. I’m still not sure what to think of the menu. It ranges from sushi to duck confit poutine to burgers. Great presentation. The sushi is very good. The poutine is overly salty but still good enough to eat though I wouldn’t seek it out.
Service can be slow. Last time there, I waited about 10 minutes to be greeted. Server was very nice just not very attentive.

We have been to TWK many times and enjoyed them all immensely, and had earned a free appetizer on our Serenitee card. We popped in to sit at the bar, and unfortunately had a very different experience. We were given drinks, then completely ignored. The bartenders were chatting with the wait staff, filling drink orders, attending to our neighbors, discussing the Oscars red carpet, but completely ignored us. We interrupted and asked for menus, then had to ask again to order. Eventually one of the bartenders apologized and offered the next round on the house, which was very nice. When our favorite appetizer, the mussels, arrived, it was very unlike our prior experiences. There was no broth, which the bartender immediately agreed with when we pointed it out. A while later she provided some piping hot broth, but there was none of the amazing chorizo! When we pointed this out (after revealing it was going to be free anyway, so we were not angling for a freebie), she pointed to some light, ground material on the outside of the mussels shell. She said perhaps the recipe had been changed, and that’s how they are preparing them now. Say it’s not so — please bring back the original recipe!

Had dinner and drinks Saturday night and was greatly impressed by the service and décor. We sat at the bar and was warmly welcomed from Sam and (forgot his name) the bartenders. The cocktails are excellent and very well crafted. The baked brie app was perfect for two to start and flavorful and balanced. The filet was excellent and tender that could be cut with a butter knife. The mushroom risotto was creamy, moist, and done to perfection.
A must go to in Winchester!

My wife and I tried TWK for valentines day this year. I had reservations but we were seated at a tiny table near the door, very close to other couples. Not a great atmosphere… basically felt like we were out to dinner with all the strangers next to us. Plus people constantly opening the door right near us.
The food was not bad, but not great. Given the style, and the price point, I really expected a great meal… and what we got was, just kind of «meh».
The service, on the other hand, was great. Our waitress was awesome, and was really attentive and helpful.
I think we’ll probably come back for drinks/​apps in the bar area, and maybe even brunch, but I don’t think I’d come for dinner again.

Went for dinner with a friend last night. We were seated promptly, and greeted promptly by our server. Cocktails were amazing. We shared duck poutine for an appetizer, which was quite good. I had the risotto of the day, which was mushy and overly salty. My friend had the scallops, and said it was good, but also too salty. Wine pours were generous. Overall, it was a decent experience, but pricey for what it was. Not sure I’d go back for dinner, but would definitely go for cocktails and apps in the bar.

I went here last night with my boyfriend and we were so disappointed! We sat at the bar and had to ask 3 times for a menu. I understand that the bartenders were busy… but there was a lot of chatting with coworkers which seemed to interfere with taking care of the bar guests. We each had a beer (great selection) and split the charcuterie app.
It was hands down the worst charcuterie we’ve ever had! It was basically sliced deli meat, no hard salami, or prosciutto… Just sliced peppered salami and mortadella (I’ve never seen mortadella on a charcuterie board before. Cheap option) a few slivers of pickled onions, whole grain mustard and overly dry pâté. Needless to say, we finished our beer and left.
Definitely not returning.

TWK is part of the Serenitee Group of restaurants north of Boston.
Each has a different name, with different décor, and a different menu. It’s an interesting and successful concept.
If the Serenitee Group were simply a chain of the same restaurant repeated over and over, as so many are, patrons would simply visit the unit closest to them. But this way, you have a choice. We frequent several in the group, and enjoy them.
And Serenitee has a Rewards Program, which is generous, and free to join. Not only can you accrue points, but special offers are also available. For instance, this month TWK was offering a Free Appetizer for Rewards Card holders.
One thing the chain has in common is excellent service, and cleanliness. The staff is universally attentive, and the premises well maintained.
TWK is the newest of the group, and is a delight to the eye, with many varied small rooms, nooks and crannies, achieving intimacy without the cheap trick of simply turning down the lights.
We had high expectations. That were not entirely realized.
The Appetizers offered are unusual, but sadly few appealed to either I or my wife. Just individual preferences, I suppose. We settled on the «CRISPY BARBEQUE CHICKEN LEGS with house pickles» for $ 12.
We received two chicken legs, which seemed to have been baked in a BBQ sauce. Pickles were nowhere to be seen. They were fine, but ultimately boring, and certainly not a $ 12 value.
I ordered BOLOGNESE for $ 24. The dish resembled nothing more than common rigatoni, drenched in a tomato sauce, with clumps of hamburg mixed throughout.
My wife settled on SEARED LOCAL DIVER SCALLOPS with risotto for $ 30. In defense of the restaurant, scallop prices are sky high. So when she received only four, it was disappointing but understandable. She reported the three she ate as excellent. I had the fourth, and found it had a fishy taste, which I don’t like in scallops.
But unlike scallops, risotto prices are not sky high, so the meager serving under the scallops was a bit of a mystery. And the risotto was softer, and mushier than we like. It seemed to be either overcooked, or cooked quite a while ago.
Then came dessert. We decided to share a CREAMSICLE CREME BRULEE $ 9. I adore Crème Brulee. When properly prepared, it is delicate, subtle, firm, with a delicious crust formed from a careful application of a torch to the top, caramelizing it. Delicious !
What I received was a shock. I’m not sure how they achieve it, but in place of a delicate crust, the entire top was a thick slab of sickly-​sweet candy. It was overpowering. My wife found it terrible, but after I carefully removed it, the custard underneath was everything it should be. Sometimes re-​imagining a classic is a mistake.
Conclusion? Everything was wonderful; the Service, the Décor, the Cleanliness — everything but for the actual food.
It is unlikely we will return to TWK. But those that may order different items, or have different tastes, it could be a perfect experience.

Pretty good food, OK for the kids but not perfect. They have a 90 inch TV. This brings in a crowd. Be prepared.

Food was good. Cool spot. Went in with a friend for a first try. For some reason we had never stopped there. The waitress was either in a bad mood or in a hurry coz was quite rude about three times. I noticed it but didn’t say a thing until my friend said it too. That wasn’t nice.

Tried TWK for the first time on Tuesday evening. It was surprisingly full, but we didn’t mind waiting for a table. The bar had a mixed crowd, mostly locals, but all were very friendly and welcoming. The beer menu is well planned and they make some delicious and unique cocktails. Once our table was ready, we were treated with an attentive and knowledgeable server who brought us amazing food. Even simple pleasures like French onion soup were well prepared with complex flavor. The entrees were inventive and perfectly seasoned. We will be back for sure, even if just to steal some design cues from their incredible décor.

New addition to a pretty barren Winchester center. Food is very good, but this place is really pricey. Beer list is great, but could use some variation, same stuff every time I go in there. Wednesday night music in the upstairs bar has been great, not so loud that you cannot chat with your friends like some other places in town. Worth a visit, but expect to spend a few bucks for good sushi et al.

Our server (Jesse) was great-​attentive, knowledgeable, friendly, respectful. Décor was different (meant as a positive) — layout created ‘pockets of privacy’ that provided the feel of a small neighborhood restaurant (well, which it sort of is and is the successful Modus operandi of the owners– Serenitee group). Food was of very good quality and presentation was commendable. Our table had appetizers of crab cake and phyllo wrapped baked Brie; entrees included the prime rib, pork rack, bolognese, and filet mignon; desserts of Apple-​cranberry crisp, lava cake and chocolate «egg» — all were very very good! Great drink menu– great taste and stylish presentation. Simply, well done. To paraphrase Arnold — «We’ll be back!»

We had such a delicious meal at TWK. My boyfriend was happy with the beer selection, and I had a daisy cocktail which was ridiculously good. Ya know how some restaurants overcharge for cocktails that in reality have no alcohol in them? Well – this definitely wasn’t the case here. We had the duck poutine, salmon, and filet mignon, and had no complaints.
The only sort of odd part was when we first arrived. Our reservation was at 7:00, and, granted, it was pretty busy, but the hosts seemed totally flustered about what to do with everyone. All in all, a great experience, and just a warm environment.

My wife and I ate here the other night. We made an 8pm reservation, and the place was just quieting down as we arrived. Waitress came over promptly to take our drink order, and returned with them quickly. She was very welcoming & friendly. We ordered a French Onion soup as a starter, my wife ordered the sliders, I ordered the gnocchi. I’ve commented before, it annoys me to no end that no matter how you pronounce gnocchi, every waiter/​waitress feels the need to correct you (by pronouncing it back to you differently). Minor, but obnoxious none-​the-​less. Anyway… the clientele in this place was eclectic, and unfortunately deterred from our dining experience a bit (not the fault of the restaurant at all). The décor of the restaurant was really cool, I loved the rustic pictures, the trees «growing out of the walls», and the general ambiance. The soup was dropped off relatively quickly, and was delicious. There was a bit of a wait on our main courses, but not unreasonable (I think the time was accentuated by our odd neighbors). Both our entrees were delectable, but I was surprised at the small portion of gnocchi at $ 22/​plate. I guess I just had a bit heartier of an appetite, and usually think of pasta as more filling. I did enjoy the grilled brussel sprouts & roasted squash immensely though. The manager stopped in to check on us, and was very pleasant. If you’re in the area, definitely worth checking them out.

Dined on a Friday afternoon around 2:30 pm after purchasing a Serenitee Gift Card through a fundraising auction. Located in a very cute section of downtown Winchester, we were greeted by the hostess who led us to our seats in a section where there weren’t any diners. En route to our table, we only saw two other diners. The décor is very modern and clean and seating is sectioned off creating a cozy environment. The bar was located to the «back» of the restaurant from the entrance off Main Street.
Our waiter came over fairly quickly to take our drink orders and we decided to stick with water. For our appetizers, we decided to share the soup of the day: pumpkin purée bisque and the crispy fried chicken. For our lunch entrees, we shared the grass-​fed sliders with a side of hand cut fries and the squash salad.
The bisque was quite tasty and had pieces of smoked bacon which was delicious. There were two drumsticks and a piece of breast meat still on the bone that were fried to perfection and covered with a sweet and savory sauce, much like sweet and sour dipping sauce but more tomato-​like than sweet, all topped with slithers of pickles and onions. Excellent!
Our lunch entrees arrived shortly and our waiter warned us that the fries were «right out of the fryer» so they were piping hot. Three sliders were served thinly sliced pickles, Vermont cheddar cheese and a tomato jam which was delicious. The sliders were cooked perfectly and you could taste that the beef was grass fed. Fries were the best we’ve had in a long time… hot, crunchy but not greasy.
The squash salad had to be our least favorite… Not bad, just nothing to rave about. The dressing was a creamy lemon on the side, arugula, sliced apples, cranberries and topped with granola. Goat cheese was requested on the side.
When presented our check, we gave our waiter our Serenitee reward card and what I thought was the $ 100 gift card I had purchased only to discover that the gift card was what they called their «passport» which had a value of $ 100 but was one that had one complimentary appetizer for each of the restaurants in their group. We did end up receiving our appetizer for free through a reward. Before deducting the cost of the appetizer, our tab was $ 51 before tip. A little steep for lunch but we also had two appetizers.
I would definitely return to try other menu items. My friend said she would as well but wouldn’t go out of her way. I guess we have other Serenitee restaurants to visit now with our passport. :-)

In the area for work & decided to grab a bite to eat at TMK. When we got here we sat at the bar, my girlfriend got the crab cake which was amazing, & I got the short ribs & they were delicious!!! Our bartender Linley was so funny & made the best drinks! Her service was outstanding, we will most defiantly come back whenever in the area!

Love this New addition to Winchester. Went on 1÷11÷16 and sat at the Tabletop near the bar on the first floor. Sushi was top notch, the Steak Tartare was unreal!!! And our Server «Janet» was a sweetheart.

Have been a couple of times and the experience has been pretty consistent. Great atmosphere, two very cool bar spaces and good drinks. Food is pricey for what you get, which is hit or badly miss depending on what you order. Service needs some work.
Bolognese — Sauce was very good, but pasta was overcooked to the point of being mushy.
Scallops — The scallops were tasty but the risotto was probably the worst attempt at risotto I have tried. Tasted like dry, bland white rice and when returned, the waiter came back with a mediocre squash purée.
Short ribs — Root veggies were very undercooked and short ribs were tough, leathery and burnt on one side.
French onion soup — Great flavor but virtually no broth.
Chicken leg app — Very good flavor
Charcuterie board — Pretty good
If you’re heading out for drinks and apps/​snacks, this is a cool place to visit. If you’re looking for a good meal, go to A’tavola a block away.

When you enter TWK you learn that means The Waterfield Kitchen, but that’s not what you were thinking. Dining by myself (traveling on business) I figured the bar would be good. The main bar downstairs was pretty hopping. Someone suggested the upstairs bar to be quieter which sounded good, since I was mostly looking for dinner. It was quiet for a little bit but after about 8:30 the place got going. Lots of fun people having a lot of fun and Matt was having a great time dishing up their favorites.
I ordered the Unilocal check-​in deal — a spicy salmon roll which was a great app, it really is best for two. Their menu is pretty diverse and a little more pricey than a chain, which is the norm for Winchester. I had the Short Rib and a double Stout, which was just perfect.
A very nice option in the Woburn/​Winchester area.

We visit TWK a few times a week for dinner, lunch, brunch or just a drink. The staff is always polite and welcoming. The sushi is great (love the playboy) & the sliders kill it. Upstairs in the evenings always seem to draw a good crowd of people making for a fun local evening night out.

Great addition to the Winchester scene. Went first with hubby and had generous glasses of wine and delicious, inventive sushi rolls. Went again with girls and shared appetizers — baked brie, delicious mussels, loved them all. Can be pricey, so I balked at taking the kids a few weeks later, but they enjoyed the sliders and all were happy. So glad we have another choice in town, and I suspect others feel the same since it’s hard to get a reservation!

I am excited that there is a new restaurant in Winchester. The setting is attractive and the space is generally well-​utilized. Perhaps some noise reducing carpet or other devices could be used in certain areas. Also, there is a table in front of a cavernous hole where cushions should be placed. The wait staff is helpful, polite and usually prompt.
However, the food should be better given the price range. The bolognese, as another reviewer stated, is not a true classic ragu, with the strong savoriness from a long cooking time and dry white wine. It is a tad overcooked and too cheesy and creamy. On a more recent visit, the pork shank was overcooked and tepid. The disappointing execution suggests my food was both poorly prepared and reheated. Another in my party had a nigiri, salad, and the duck poutine. While he enjoyed the meal, he suffered moderate digestive issue within an hour. I have had 3 of the desserts at this point and they are all quite good in a not over-​fancy satisfying way.
After some more good visits, I am on the edge of upgrading to a 4 star and considering the above as a fluke. In any case, this place is much better than the dark equine pub and I am grateful there is an alternative.

After walking by for months peaking in at the construction and anxiously awaiting the new renovations for this restaurant I was excited to try TWK especially because there aren’t many spots in Winchester for drinks. When I finally got in to try it, I was disappointed. We went late on a Saturday night. The restaurant has an interesting layout and the bar is all the way at the back. We walked back and took a seat at the bar. A handful of employees were gathered together talking behind the bar so it was a good 10 minutes we finally greeted. The drink menu is unique and intriguing. We enjoyed our cocktails but didn’t linger. We almost felt like we were interrupting the staffs get together. The lighting is bright and feels like you are at a hotel bar. Hopefully this place is just working out its kinks. Maybe we’ll give it another try in a few months.

Incredible place for food and drink! I love that different areas of the restaurant have different environments – it makes it a wonderful date night spot as well as a fun place to go with girlfriends after work. There is a large projection screen in the upstairs bar and, though I have not done it yet, it would be a great place to watch the Pats game.
The rotisserie specials are to die for, especially the duck! Menus are creative, fresh, and change frequently to utilize local ingredients that are in season.
I highly recommend that all of the people that have reviewed without eating at TWK go back ASAP and see why it was worth the wait!

Very good food. We ordered sushi as an app and we’re very pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Next time we’re planning on sushi we’ll probably go to TWK. Service was very good.
Nice bar. Great place to grab a drink. Good draft beer list.
Will definitely go back.

We made a reservation for 6:30 on Friday for four and upon arrival were escorted by the hostess through the pleasant dining area and then past it to the bar where we were to be seated at a high top. We asked why we were seated in the bar area when we made reservations for dining. The hostess «politely» informed us that the high tops were part of the reservations and if we wanted to be seated in the dining room we should have requested the dining area, but she agreed to try and find us another table. She left for a few minutes and when she returned she informed us there was room upstairs. We made our way upstairs into what looked like a pleasant rustic space until we turned to the left and saw an obnoxiously large projection TV blaring and were directed to a large family-​sized table for just the four of us… right in front of the huge screen. We asked if the smaller four top to the side would be possible and she agreed. Half of our party was stuck staring at the glaring screen, and it didn’t look like anyone there was watching the TV so we asked if it could be turned off. The hostess again reminded us that we should tell them when making our reservation that we would like the dining room.
We were hungry and tired, and knowing we couldn’t get seated anywhere else quickly that night, we sat down.
The waitress checked with the bar and informed us that someone was watching the TV and it could in fact not be turned off. Picture a gigantic blinding bug-​zapper filling the wall.
The sushi was inventive and most dishes were pleasant, but the bolognese was simply loose meat with tomatoes and not a rich, complex umami dish as expected. We ordered dessert and the peanut butter chocolate mouse was a very unappetizing looking (giant) egg shaped portion of mouse with peanut butter shavings falling all over the plate. Use your imagination of what it might resemble. The cheesecake was not a cheesecake, but a scoop of a thick panna cotta like dessert that was tasty, but not a sterling example of a crafted cheesecake.
It was a night that started disappointing, rose to mediocre, and hovered there to the end.

The evening started out rocky! We entered TWK at 5:15 and decided to go to the bar. We met Matt and told him my wife was allergic to oranges. A bowl with them were at the end of the bar where there were only 2 open seats next to one another. We were surprised Matt did not offer to move the bowl so we decided to sit nearby at a high top table. This is when we realized the bar area may not be the best choice for dining. No one came to take a drink order so after 10 minutes my wife an I went back to the hostess and asked for a table. I will have to say that this is only the 2^nd time in dozens of visits to the Serenitee chain restaurants that we ever had a negative experience.
Peter to the rescue! Now this is what we love about Serenitee — good staff that know how to make a visit memorable. Peter had a great table side manner, offered some good suggestions for wine and beer and did not miss a beat with service. All with humor and a smile. We like to get to know the wait staff and Peter was easy to like.
I had Maki and my wife had the squash soup after starting with the charcuterie. Desert was a decadent molten chocolate cake with blackberry coulis. All delicious!
Peter made sure to tell us we had rewards equal to free dessert or meal. Thank you for the dessert on the house!
We will try TWK again with friends. The rocks turned into diamonds this night! Enjoy!