There is no denying that business lunches are an integral part of many working folks' days, and they are a perfect example of multi-tasking. Dudley's restaurant in Dudley's Square off Maxwell Street is a great illustration of a dining establishment that embodies that ethic in their industry. During the lunch hour, the dining crowd is a comfortable mix of social and business clientele and the setting works well for both.
The atmosphere in the dining room is sophisticated and presents well for those of the suit persuasion, yet is casual enough to be comfortable for those who follow a business-casual dress code. While tables are placed close to each other and movement within the room often requires a shuffled chair here and there, relative privacy, if required, can be assumed with a cautious voice level. Ambient noise in the form of soft music nicely balances the hum of the room's conversations. One of the pleasant features of the main dining room is the local art that hangs, for sale, on the walls. If weather permits, the outside patio is open and offers a bit more navigational space. When an even more casual space will work, the bar area has a number of small tables, yet maintains Dudley's level of quality service and good food. And the food is worth the visit. Lunch entrees generally range from $9-$15, with choices spanning a variety of salads, the reliable and tasty Pasta Dudley, and daily specials that on the day of our visit included roasted lamb with potatoes and kale. A basket of muffins and bread and butter is delivered immediately - - a tasty introduction to menu options that are proportioned well for the midday meal. For those interested, an extensive wine list is available, and a well-stocked bar offers beer and drinks of almost any kind. With time often a consideration in a business situation, a quick mention to our server that we had time constraints was all it took to get our hot meals quickly - - with the check set to the side of the table even before our dessert was served. Perhaps that wouldn't work in a more social setting, but for our purposes it was perfect. We were in and out in just an hour.
Reservations are accepted and when the parties are large - - we saw a gathering of 10 businessmen at our visit - - they are recommended. Across from the inside entrance to the restaurant is a wine room, which is open for seating on especially busy days, when the patio is closed, or can be reserved for special parties. It is self-contained and completely separate from the bar and dining area, can seat up to 40 comfortably and has a minimum requirement of 25 in order to be reserved. Smaller parties and special needs may be accommodated with a request. The room can facilitate audio/visual equipment but having it may reduce the number it can seat. Wi-fi is not available in any of the rooms, though my laptop sprung to life at the end of the hallway - - perhaps the beneficiary of a nearby resident's service.
Parking, as always, is a consideration with a limited number of spaces located directly behind the building itself, metered street parking available on two sides of the building. With a short walk across either Mill Street or Maxwell Street, however, two lots offer adequate space. A short walk from much of downtown, weather and time permitting, Dudley's is definitely a walking destination for lunch.
Our tab for two entrees, ice teas and a dessert came to $37 without the tip. The service was efficient, unobtrusive, and yet friendly. A quick glance at a list of good things an establishment should offer for a great business lunch, and we'd have to say that Dudley's easily fits the bill.