Probably the most overpriced restaurant let-down I've experienced. I rarely worry about the bill after dinner, but this place made me cringe when I paid, as I felt I was throwing away the money. If you want minuscule portions on large plates per their appropriately called "tasting" menu, then you'll love this place... Certain plates had sparks of deliciousness (but there was barely enough left for a second bite), while others just missed the mark entirely. If they try to assure you that you won't leave hungry, don't believe them. Wendy's might be a necessary stop on the way home. On a positive note, the bordeaux was excellent. read more

We had dinner at Asta tonight, and what a culinary adventure it was! The vegan tasting menu was amazing. The combination of flavors and textures, unique ingredients, service and presentation were all enjoyable and memorable. read more

The most underwhelming meal I have ever had. I cannot believe I was so misled by an establishment. I feel as though someone would come out at any time during the meal and tell me I was being Punked. I'm happy for the people that found this place great, but I cannot fathom how that could ever be. The whole place screams confusion. This "dishes" were oddly thrown together with basic items that are not at all comparable to the price. I gave up almost every dish... as they were very bland and ultimately disappointing. I was especially shocked and quite upset with myself for choosing to dine here with my husband when I received the bill. We had to laugh about it and chalk it up to a pricey learning experience. I was betting my spouse that the dessert would be one slice of banana with some sprayed whipped cream. That's how ridiculous these dishes were. By the way, the reservation was for 8:30pm. We didn't get our table until after 9pm & didn't leave until 10:45pm. For such a small place, I would hate to see the waitstaff and kitchen staff at a real restaurant. I hope I save someone from wasting their time and money here with this review. read more

I enjoyed Asta's delicious tasting menu and casual supper-club vibe. Though there were a few details that didn't quite click with me. The silverware provided in drawers beneath the table instead of being set out for each course struck me as awkwardly hands-off. Could just be my own self-consciousness. All the food was delicious and beautiful. Every course was inventive in a variety of subtle ways. The most ordinary course was dessert, a blueberry tart, to the point where it stood out as ordinary compared to the rest of the meal. I suppose that's the usual dilemma of dessert, the last thing you'd want to do is risk ending the meal on an off note. Maybe I'd need another visit for Asta to grow on me as much as it has for some of the reviewers here. It speaks to the league that Asta is playing in that I worry that I'm damning with faint praise with a four-start review, or for calling the meal merely excellent. But when the prices start at $80 per, the bar is set accordingly. read more

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Asta has the most original and delicious food I've ever had. Without question my favorite restaurant in Boston, and actually my favorite in the entire world! (and I travel and search out great restaurants a lot). If Michelin rated in Boston I think it should be 3-stars read more

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I've been here to try their tasting menu. Their dinner menu was creative and delicious. The service was excellent. Since the menu changes often it's not worth going into how amazing all the individual dishes were. What was most surprisingly awesome was the vegan version of their tasting menu they offered. It's nice to have a fine dining restaurant in Boston that has options for guests who don't do meat. The few bites I had of the vegan options were also outstanding. read more

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About 6 months ago I started to see a new name coming up in a number of food-related articles and "best of" lists: Asta. I had never heard of Asta before, nor had I heard of the chef/owner Alex Crabb. After seeing that Asta was a James Beard semifinalist for Best New Restaurant in 2014 and that the Boston Globe had awarded Chef Crabb the honor of "best new chef", I decided to add it to my long list of restaurants to try. I made a reservation at 7 o'clock on Saturday night and requested the chef's counter for our seats. I was a little nervous about this, as I sometimes find chef's counters can be a little invasive/awkward. When we arrived, instead of being seated at an uncomfortable bar right on top of the chefs, we were sat at a spacious counter a few feet away from and angled toward the kitchen. There were four seats to a counter and we had a spectacular view of the all of the action and especially the plating area. It was so incredibly cool. As soon as we sat down we were given some complimentary sparkling wine. Such a nice touch! Asta only offers tasting menus -- either 3, 5 or 8-courses with pescetarian and vegetarian options for the 5-course. What is unique to Asta is that diners in the same party can choose whatever option they'd like. We decided to share the 5 and 8-course options since they featured different ingredients. The kitchen did a fantastic job timing our meal. I was unsure of how they would handle bringing everything out since we had mixed the two tasting options, but they really did a perfect job! The food overall ranged from very good to incredible. Some highlights for us: - Cauliflower, trout roe, mushrooms, lemon sauce, fried capers. I didn't expect to love a dish centered around cauliflower, so I was shocked out how much I enjoyed this. It was flavorful and the fried capers gave the dish a fun, crunchy, salty pop. - Salt cod on a toasted crostini with carrot slaw, mustard seed, micro greens and olive oil. This dish made us smile and reminisce about our first taste of salt cod in Iceland. It was wonderful from the first to last bite. - Monk fish in bacon broth with brussels sprouts and pickled mustard seed. This was one of my favorite courses of the night. The bacon broth was amazing -- I was literally spooning it into my mouth! The fish was perfectly cooked and I really enjoyed the pickled mustard seeds. - Braised celery, chicken skin, black gnocchi, duck confit. Ladies and gents, let me introduce you to the star of the meal. This signature dish is like a deconstructed chicken soup. Chef Crabb came over to our seats right as we were given this plate and I noticed that our black gnocchi were missing. He immediately went back to the kitchen and whipped us up a little plate with the gnocchi plus some extra chicken skin. Seriously, this dish was heaven. I'd go back to Asta just for this plate! - Carrot soup with coconut. We were both skeptical when we saw this on the menu. Carrot soup with coconut? Yuck. Once again, we were blindsided by how delicious this little dessert was. We both happily slurped it down. - Black sesame cream puff with smoke maple syrup. It was so fun to break open this giant cream puff! The cream was delicious, and the flavor was very unique. Besides the incredible food, what I really loved most about Asta was sitting at the chef's counter. I truly felt like we were a part of the team. The front of house staff, the sommelier, and all of the chefs were constantly interacting with us. I really felt like the experience was a unique one, and one I will definitely go back for. read more

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My favorite restaurant in Boston. The level of creativity on display is really awesome, especially with vegetable preparations, and every time I've gone there has been a totally unique and new menu(s). You will be well served with either the 8 or 5 course, and they're different enough that you could try both on different days! read more

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The best way to enjoy Asta, in my opinion, is to split the 5 and 8 course menus amongst your table (this may require you to take out a second mortgage on your house--I was lucky enough to be treated to dinner by my friend's parents). This way you get to experience the full breadth of Alex Crabbe's genius. Not every course I had was a home run (I would probably be less forgiving if I was paying for myself), but there wasn't a single dish among the thirteen I sampled that didn't make me think long and hard about the food I was eating and the flavor and texture profiles I was experiencing. The highlights for me included the seared scallop (filleted and presented in a way you've never seen) with blueberry farro and coriander and the duck breast (perfectly seared and crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside) with beets and scallions. Now, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the braised celery that has been lavished since Asta's opening. I HATE celery. The only other food that even approaches the disdain I feel for this useless vegetable is fennel. That being said, Chef Alex almost made me like it. Kind of. Almost. The essence of the celery flavor was still there, but it was tempered by the richness of the braising liquid. It was actually reminiscent of chicken noodle soup. And who knew celery could be so hearty? For maximum soup effect, pair it with a bite of the accompanying black garlic gnocchi (divine) and chicken skin. Service is spectacular and unpretentious ("spectacular and unpretentious" could be Asta's dictum). From the moment I arrived fifteen minutes before the rest of my party and was greeted with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine by the sweetest sommelier I've ever met, I knew we were in good hands. And so we were, for two-and-a-half blissful hours of innovative culinary craft. read more

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My husband and I live far outside Boston (read the sticks) but I grew up in Newton and have eaten all over the city. As a pair, we have shared meals from Dubai to Colombia at the most upscale of places. Oh, also he's an Executive Chef. We went out last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary and chose Asta. We are so happy we did! The food was fun and unique with every dish being eaten in full by myself and my dear companion. To top that off, the staff was one of the most down to earth and lovely group of people we could have been graciously served by. Not sure what else to say aside from - GO HERE! read more

I really wanted to like this place....but it ended up being a disappointing dinner. This place has 3 course ($45), 5 course ($70) and 8 course ($95) tasting menus; nice thing that sets this place apart from other tasting menus is that each person at the same table can order which ever number of courses they want. Most places makes everyone order the same number of courses which is so silly. The decor is modern with wood furnishings. The space focuses on the far end of the restaurant which is the open kitchen that's framed by two large light fixtures. I loved watching the kitchen and how the chefs plated with such choreography. There was a lot a lot of tweezers being used....which is should have been a sign that the food would be more precious. Most reviewers said the food portions were adequate but it really wasn't. I had the 8 course and still could have used another meal afterwards. The dishes were creative in a sense but the execution did not match the level of art they were trying to achieve. My faves were the apple, lardo and horseradish - very cool presentation and interesting texture and taste. Also enjoyed the oyster stew and the lobster. But the game bird, sweet breads and the dessert of hazelnut and quince were not the best dishes in overall taste. My husband's beef dish was not seasoned and the meat was unfortunately chewy. I liked how we were greeted and everyone received a glass of sparkling wine to start the evening. I also liked the cutlery that's tucked away in the drawer in front of you so you can bring out your utensils during the meal. Service was more laid back and knowledgeable enough though it wasn't up to the same level as other competing restaurants. Restaurant had a cool and creative vibe but for over $100 for one person, it was disappointing to only enjoy 3 dishes out of 8. read more

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Modern dining, inviting, exciting, on the border of Back Bay. Troop of Boston-area friends in the restaurant business start-up a new place on Mass Ave. Designed to be comfortable, inviting and the sort of place you'd like to go to in the neighborhood. And so I showed up one day as the incoming blizzard was on Boston's doorsteps. At first I was thinking it was a budget sort of place, replacing the old pizzeria that was in the space before, but then quickly realizing I may be in for more than I bargained when presented by a complimentary champagne / sparkling wine, amuse bouche and a menu on one page. Odds and ends chairs, sparse decoration, seems to emphasize raw materials; gives you some insight into their concept. Get rid of all the surface luxuries and silly restaurant formalities and get right to the business of things. The interior is staged with everything laid bare. Simple chairs (although smart observers will recognize the notable designers), benches and tables under dim lighting give way to angled bars in the back, with the kitchen cooking area in full view, spot lights and all. In fact you can walk right in if you wanted. The entire restaurant is on show and the staff are the cast. Everyone shares duties and the cooks come out to serve the meal and to explain their dishes and their craft. Foodies will love this bit of fun and theatre. Recommend grabbing the bar seats. Strike up a conversation with your bar mates and enjoy the show. As others have noted they've decided to go with three set menus. Based on the initial menu, $45 for three dishes representing the budget-end, for more traditional tastes, a $70 five course for the more adventurous and finally a $95 eight course, seafood heavy menu, which will be a stretch for those with terrestrial tastes. For an additional $40 you can get customized wine pairings from their sommelier, well worth it. I'm not sure what category to put the food into, but its definitely american modern cuisine, well rooted in traditional french cookery. Some reviewers have bemoaned that these menus leave them feeling hungry. But I'm of the opinion that those willing to spend their coin on a meal like this are (and to my mind, should be) looking for an experience, not just sustenance. My thinking is if you are chock-full of food, its really hard to make it to the last dish and actually enjoy it if you are trying to stave-off blacking out from a full belly. I have childhood memories being at the mercy of a Big Boys all you can eat buffet. A nice thing about set menus is that it gets you to try things you wouldn't normally go for. On the other hand, some may be turned off if nothing in the grouping is appealing. But if you are not willing to try something a little different, not sure why you would be at Asta in the first place. I went for the five-course menu, and picked up an alsatian riesling. Some thoughts: Carrot risotto: bits of carrot cut to resemble grains of rice in a carrot puree, topped off with some rye crunchy bits and sharp mustard oil, nice contrast in texture, and taste. Keeps if from being too sweet and carroty Scallop: one large scallop that has been "unwound" into a singular steak strip and seared. Amazing bit of knife work. Sauce adds a nice contrast of acid and sweet with the coriander/seafood combination appealing to asian tastes (or at least thats what I thought, it might not be uniquely asian). Braised celery: half a celery that has been seared and then braised in a tasty stock. Served with herbed gnocchi. Tastes remind you of Sunday stuffing. A very unique dish. But, if it were not for the dim lighting, the gnocchi which took on a dark appearance were swimming in a brownish liquid, could be mistaken for detritus. Maybe figure out a different way to serve it, perhaps as a patty. Despite the presentation, one of the highlights in the menu. Venison loin: cooked to perfection. No need to dress this up too much, just enjoy your meat. Apple cake: a nice hot apple cake served on a cheddar cheese sauce. I liked that the cheese sauce was not made sweet, but retained the edge of the cheese. Good flavor combination. All in all, although I was intending for a simple meal at the end of my work day, I was pleasantly treated to a great meal. Hope that they change the menu monthly so that I'll have an excuse to visit again. Not sure I would go back to eat the same things over and over again. Definitely more inviting to go to than Deuxave down the street, although more impressive in its decor and more formal service. read more

Asta - At the bar at astA - New American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Asta is an absolute stand-out for the Boston dining scene! It has warm, friendly service and offers both concept and substance in its dishes. The format of the restaurant is a little like the one some restaurants like Schwa and EL Ideas are doing in Chicago, where the chefs share more of the space with the diners by bringing out and introducing their improvised creations. We had a chance to try both 5 and 8 course menus, and they both had nice surprises in store. The kernels that came with the rolled-out scallop reminded of the pomegranate seeds, but it was farro dyed with beets. The citrus salad had all sorts of vitamin C, but also brown butter vinaigrette that you would notice only in the end. After the storm was a concept dish in which the foam of a wave brought the saltiness of the sea and the fresh catch. Sunchokes and walnuts custard had a perfect texture and taste. Pickled peanuts that accompanied the beef dish were the quirky band members and the carrots were perfectly cooked. The apple cake with caramelized white chocolate and cheddar was like no apple cake you ever had, being accompanied by melted cheddar, yet it provided the comfort of a delicious apple cake! There were some dishes or aspects of a dish we didn't quite like. For example the carrot starter was too harsh, artichoke custard didn't taste much like artichokes (though it had great accompaniments, including pieces of roasted artichoke with wonderful intense flavor), sunchokes and walnuts custard had a lot of sunflower oil on the bottom that invaded the dish (though that course was thoughtfully served with bread), the red beet and chocolate dessert didn't quite come together. However, these are small nuances for a meal that is creative and is there to surprise you. The wine pairings were great too! The sommelier is a jewel. She was exceptionally nice and took care to introduce each wine in detail. If you like delicious food for thought, head to Asta! read more

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Asta is an excellent restaurant that focuses on tasting menus and pairings. There is no a la carte option so just decide how many courses of tastings you want and that's what you get. One or two of the dishes were misses (especially the one that was meant to resemble "stuff washed up on the beach"), but everything was generally good and pretty light. We had the 8 course menu and left full-but-not-stuffed so it is pretty reasonable. The final savory course, pork belly in a cucumber-yuzu puree paired with a Nebbiolo was absolutely outstanding. I also like that they had a nigori sake pairing for one of the courses, but I always Always ALWAYS feel that restaurants like this are way too heavy on French wines. Come on people, there's a whole world out there! Why focus on France so much? Also, the almond cake in rosemary milk was a phenomenal dessert. Can't wait to see what they come up with as the restaurant matures. read more

My boyfriend surprised me with an anniversary dinner here. I really wished I had taken a picture of the menu or taken it home with me, but I'll try my best to remember what we had. We walked in and were given the option of sitting at the "bar" or at a table. We chose the bar to get a good look at the chefs in action and I'm so glad that we did - these are the best seats in the house. You get three options - a 3-course, 5-course, or 8-course meal. Every single option is different and this is one of the few pre-fixe places that actually allow you to order different options within the same party. In order to optimize our tastings, I ordered the 8-course and my boyfriend had the 5-course. I highly recommend coming with a third person and getting all three options :) I would go into detail, but this review would end up being one of those obnoxiously long ones that no one will ever read. It was hands-down one of the best meals I've had in Boston. It was a honor to get a front row view of Chef Alex Crabb in action (he was an apprentice at Noma for a bit). It's probably the closest to Noma that I'll ever get and for a fraction of the price. My favorite course of the night was the very first - a roasted mushroom with sauteed kale and an anchovy dressing - everything fit so well together and the anchovy dressing was one of the best things I've ever had. My boyfriend's favorite was the raw mackerel - it was extremely fresh, silky, and delicious. The menu rotates at a moment's notice so don't ever expect the same thing twice. The hostess informed us that the mackerel was caught that very day and the original vision was for it to be cooked, but that the fish was just too good that it only seemed right to serve it raw. They have a real respect for their ingredients here. Overall, the service and food was excellent. Again, get a seat at the bar if you can (there's only about 8 seats total - 4 on each side) - it's absolutely mesmerizing to watch them work! read more

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Dinner at Asta is an amazing experience that no one should miss. It's sun intimate spot where everyone feels at home. They only offer a pre set tasting menu but they are very accommodating for dietary restrictions if you let them know in advance. Every single dish is so well thought out and truly a work of art. It is so easy for a restaurant like this to feel pretentious but the staff is so welcoming and makes sure that you feel right at home. read more

The food and service were both excellent! I really enjoy being surprised with each course in a tasting menu so I can try new things I otherwise wouldn't. This didn't disappoint with a variety of vegetarian, fish, and meat courses. Additionally, they were wonderful about catering to pregnancy dietary needs including offering me a different fish for the fish course, and offering non-alcoholic drink options as my husband enjoyed the wine pairing . I really appreciated the thoughtfulness. read more

Our favorite restaurant in Boston. Ever single time we've gone the menu has been a fantastic and completely novel collection of outstandingly delicious items. Shish and Alex make us feel like old friends while Alex and his team create and then explain what's in each dish. If you like creative, delicious, interesting food served by a friendly, knowledgeable team in a lovely setting strongly recommend you try Asta. I also recommend the wine pairing, as Shish not only does a great job of pairing wine to food, but I've found it a good way to discover interesting new wines, as many of her selections are well off the beaten path read more

My fiance and I came here to celebrate our engagement and were absolutely not disappointed! Asti can really be whatever type of place you make it whether it's a nice night out in a dress or it's an afterwork meal in more casual attire. We went all out and did the 8 course tasting menu since it was a special occasion. We were greeted with a complimentary glass of wine and were told about the oh so adorable drawers in the table where all our silverware was hiding. The food was great! Everything was tasty and definitely not something you could get just anywhere. Highly recommend doing the wine pairings as well...they know their stuff!!! I would definitely go back! read more

Asta - Drawer of Silverware - New American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Asta unapologetically swings for the fences on each and every dish and pairing. The result is some incredible, creative dishes that are as delicious as anything you've ever had. But, I also felt like there were some dishes and pairings that missed the mark and made me scratch my head. If you have been to a few tasting menus before, you are in for an exciting adventure. If you have never had a tasting menu before, try somewhere else first. Stars - Oyster stew, sunchoke with sunflower and pickled rose, sunflower cake with buttermilk read more

The SO and I were at Asta for Valentine's Day this year. After hearing so much about Asta, I had already made a reservation in advance to be seated at one of the bars facing the open kitchen. Asta did not disappoint -- it just might have edged out over T.W. Food as my favorite restaurant. We went with the 5 + 8 combination, according to the recommendations of other Yelpers who have been here. It came in to about $200 total including tax and tip, but I would have to say it was an extremely good value in terms of the variety of food we got to taste, as well as the fact that we both left feeling satisfied. Some of the dishes we had are more traditional, tried-and-true type of stuff, such as seared monkfish with roasted brussels sprouts and bacon broth, but others were quite surprising, such as the beef heart, served in slices with tarragon, beets, and potato chips. The presentation was striking and the beef heart was unexpectedly tender and flavorful. I was also a big fan of the kale foam that came with the beef dish we had -- who knew that kale could be made to taste as rich and creamy as that? The real surprise to me was just how amazing the desserts were. I've come to have relatively low expectations for even the most posh of restaurants when it comes to dessert, as it just takes a completely different skill set to produce original desserts versus savory dishes. Asta, however, proved that it is indeed possible to hit a home run all the way through. The black cocoa pavlova, with passionfruit and olive oil, topped with a slice each of grapefruit and orange was the show stealer of the night. The pavlova itself had a great crispy exterior that had a slight hint of chewiness (in a good way!), and a light airy inside that complemented perfectly the strong, vivid flavor of the passionfruit puree and olive oil, plus the bright citrus notes from the orange and grapefruit. Amazing. Even the atmosphere here deserves a note. Not even the barest hints of pretentiousness here, as Asta manages to be upscale while still being relatively casual. It can be very well described as one of those places where you would feel just as comfortable dressed up or dressed down--the whole experience felt personal. There was a great energy and vibe to the place, with just the right amount of noise and a lively modern playlist (Phoenix!). I can't wait to go back. read more

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Can't recommend a restaurant that serves the cruelly-prepared foie gras. Such a disappointment.

It's very good. The pork chop was fantastic! The wine paring was interesting but both smell and taste wise are a bit superficial.

The food was amazing!! We went for the 9-course vegan tasting menu, and everything was just perfect. The food, the staff. A truly wonderful experience! read more

If you could take an Instagram ad for an enviable glamping destination (you know the ones: featuring firewood, fur throws, sage leaf bouquets, and farm-fresh dinners) and turn those vibes into an effortlessly cool dining destination, Asta would be it. The place is so minimal and natural, but just seems infinitely cooler than I'll ever be without even trying. I love every low-key design choice, from the entryway tree table to the faux sheepskins, the little dried plants hanging from the walls and of course the astrological painting (Zeus?). We were lucky enough to stop in on Friday night without a reservation. I'd been excited to dine at Asta since I recently made the switch to trying out vegetarianism, and I'd heard they put a lot of care into their meat-free plates. (Importantly, you don't need to call ahead to request the vegetarian menu, nor does everyone at the table need to order it.) Every course was so exceptional in taste and presentation. I've never eaten so many adorable edible flowers! The house ricotta with pine syrup was perhaps the highlight of my night, but I also adored the chilled asparagus soup - so much more flavor and texture than anything similar I've had before. The local strawberries and passion fruit dessert was another highlight for me. But honestly, every course was just incredible. All the plates are unique and interesting, but not cluttered or deconstructed to the point of being unrecognizable. It's just good food, brilliantly prepared. Also: haters gonna hate, but I love the little silverware drawer. I was delighted every time I got to open it. It was such a cute and interesting touch! And the silverware itself is gorgeous. The ambiance was chill, the servers were all really nice, and the whole night was just a great and relaxing way to enjoy dinner. Highly recommended! read more

Best tasting meal I've had in Boston. Everything was uber flavorful and quite innovative. Tasting menu only, so only go here if you are willing to splurge. Also, even though there are plenty of courses - its not an overwhelming amount of food - be warned. Every dish was unique and incredibly tasty. Highlights the night I went were the foie gras (best I've ever had), venison (flavored w/ chocolate and paired w/ vanilla potatoes), and the lard (w/ apples and horseradish). Did the wine pairings (some were actually beers), which all matched up beautifully w/ each course. Someone really took the time matching these up w/ the food. The service and flow was exceptional and very, very approachable. Great atmosphere as well; sit at the chef's bar so you can gawk in amazement at the preparation of the kitchen. One of the most memorable dinning experiences I've ever had. I'd recommend this to anyone who is adventurous and is maybe celebrating something (Two 8 courses, Two wine pairings, tax, tip = $440). read more

Intimate setting. Some of the dishes was too overwhelming. the sour palet cleanser was hard to eat being so sour. The soup was way too salty. The foie gras was pretty good though. read more

Back for the second time last night and once again was blown away by the rich texture and flavors of each dish we had on the five course tasting menu. I neglected to mention in my initial review that the wine pairing is a must if you typically drink with dinner. Paige is just phenomenal at drawing out the subtleties of each dish with a pairing, and vice versa. My senses still recall our first visit, and her inclusion of an Icelandic beer to complement the deconstructed apple pie dessert. Amazing! And I owe a shout out to Shish (I hope I spelled that right), whose simple charm and doting attention just made our night special. So glad that this venture is seeing success - it stands out as a unique experience in Boston. read more

Chef Crabb and his team are amazing. I came here on a Saturday night for my BFs surprise bday dinner. I called Saturday morning and was able to easily book a reservation. The concept of Asta is innovative, creative, and genuine food. This was the first time that I had fine dining and Asta was a great restaurant to dabble my feet. The experience was phenomenal. 1. Each diner has the option to choose a 3 course, 5 course, or an 8 course meal. 2. I had the 5 and my BF had the 8 course meal. I would say that the 5 course with wine pairing is the perfect size for anyone. The 8 course meal does offer more intriguing and unique dishes, but I think that the 5 course is sufficient enough for first timers here. At Asta, I would ask to be seated near the kitchen area so you and your party can experience an open kitchen and watch the chef prepare your food live. We enjoyed talking with Chef Crabb and the servers did a great job explaining each dish. I loved the food, the vibes, and everything. I think Asta is a great place to take your loved one as a fun way to experience food. The music, the dim lighting, and the candles set the perfect romantic ambience :) excited to be back! *** note: MY PICTURES DO NOT DO IT JUSTICE read more

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Bear with me here. Eating food prepared at Asta is like visiting your college friend's grandparents' house over break, and the grandparents are mixed Scandinavian and British. As an Asian-American, the food isn't...homey or nostalgic exactly, but it's comfortable. It's like having the privilege of viewing someone else's nostalgia. Anyway, enough navel-gazing. The food! It's really tasty! Nothing mind blowing but all just really, really good. We got one of their COVID-19 takeout specials ($25 pp) and each got a delicious half roast chicken, spaetzle, some mushroom gravy (I think it was mushroom), and perfect spring asparagus with ramp butter. The ramp butter was soooo insanely good and ramps are tough to find even in the Boston spring, so that was easily my favorite part of the meal. The spaetzle was forgettable, although the texture was nice -- chewy and a little charred in places (in a good way). I also really appreciated that they laid things out in boxes for the person -- so instead of having a box of chicken and a box of asparagus and a box of spaetzle, they had one box with just the right amount of chicken/asp/spaetzle in each. It was a nice touch that provided a closer to match to the restaurant experience rather than the buffet/takeout experience. They also threw in some free sweet caramel popcorn -- tasty, acidic, interesting. We'll be ordering from Asta again for sure! read more

My wife, daughter and myself went to Asta two weeks ago for a celebration dinner and the only thing I regret is that we save going here for big occasions. In a word, it was fabulous - probably one of the top 5 meals we've had in the last 5 years! We all had the 8 course menu (the other option is a different 5 course offering). The chef sent out a starter / "gift" of a deconstructed oyster Rockefeller stew which was perfect on every note and paired very well with the taste of Prosecco that they gave us. I'm attaching the menu so you can see all the other 8 courses but each one was truly memorable and presented by the chefs who were wonderful about explaining each one and happy to give us some background on the ingredients and cooking methods. If you are a small party of 1-4 people, I highly recommend requested they chef's table overlooking the kitchen. You can see the magic happening and have even more interaction with the chefs and hostess/ co-owner Sheesh who is so welcoming that our dinner felt like being in the home of a top chef. Excellent 5 out of 5. Well done!! read more

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Excellent food: so inventive. Beautifully prepared and plated. Service was attentive, helpful, personable. The staff seems to truly care about what they do and what they are carefully and lovingly preparing. read more

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We thoroughly enjoyed Asta for an anniversary dinner last month. The nice thing about Asta is that they have a five- and eight- course option, and the entire table doesn't have to get the same thing. And because none of the dishes on the entire menu overlapped, we decided to get one of each, so we were able to try a total of 13 different dishes, with wine pairings. This time around, we both though that the five-course menu was better than the eight-course, but because the menu changes often, I don't think this will always be the case. (I had visited Asta some years back and the dishes I had then were different from the ones I had more recently.) We just enjoyed the ingredients in the five-course more, and felt that the extra 3 courses did not really add a lot. I won't go too into what we actually ate, since the menu changes so often, but I will say that every dish is plated so carefully and has a lot of flair. We loved the splash of green on the scallop, and the "smashed" potato. We also loved watching the chefs prepare and plate the food from the chef's table. The venison (my first time trying this protein) was surprisingly tender and flavorful. We also enjoyed the skate wing and the fish skin "chip". Oh and the pairings were spot on. He was pleased to find that a Japanese-made, Belgium-style beer had made it on the pairing list. Delicious food aside, what I love most about Asta is that while the food is very sophisticated, the dining experience does not ever feel stuffy. The vibe in the restaurant is rustic, the service relaxed. The silverware is mismatched and placed on wooden utensil rests. Plus, I feel like it's hidden in plain sight on Mass Ave., which makes it all the more appealing. Oh and he enjoyed the complimentary sparkling wine and the amuse. Love, love, love. read more

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I came here for dinner with my wife and a friend. We all got the 5 course menu with the wine pairing and a foie gras to split. Everything was great! (albeit a bit pricey). The wait staff were engaging and friendly. Each dish had unique flavors and textures. The beef dish was cooked perfectly. The wines were well matched with the food (a sparking wine, 4 whites, 2 reds, and a dessert wine). The only thing that was a bit weird was the silverware in the drawers at the table. We thought it was fun at first, but later we found it to be a chore, poking around in the drawers to find the right cutlery. But overall, we had a great meal at Asta! read more

Asta - Beef dish with leeks at Asta - New American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I've never felt more compelled to write a review...this meal was a joke. Save your money. Not clear what the hype is all about. For 4 people with 3 wine pairings it was $780! For a mediocre bland meal. The monkfish course had no flavor, the Brussels sprouts were soggy and every single course was under seasoned. The last course was a "warmed pear". A pear. That's it. The pretentious vibe without the culinary skills to back it up is just a shame and a rip off. The acoustics are horrible, you're literally shouting to hear your table mates. To charge $110 a person, you would expect and hope the menu to be inventive, the atmosphere to be inviting and none of that was the case. Save your $ and skip Asta. read more

Easily the best meal in we've had in Boston. We have tried other great restaurants in Boston and elsewhere (as you can see from my previous reviews), but today's meal at Asta topped the others. In fact, I was forced to change a previous rating to make room for the five stars. Short version: First, the experience of seeing the dishes prepared doubles the fun of the experience. Second, the dishes are truly inventive. Two examples of today's dishes were sunchokes with a duck pastrami and amazing vinaigrette and a sour cherry soufflé with cardamom. Third, the wine pairings were excellent, but beyond that they were unique. At other restaurants, the pairings add to the dish. At Asta, the pairings branch out beyond wine (to sherry, for example) to marvelously match the food prepared. Fourth, the portions are the right size. Many tasting menus leave one feeling stuffed. This left us full, but comfortable. I cannot recommend Asta enough for a celebratory evening. Sit at the bar if you possibly can. Long version (I apologize for any pretentiousness- Asta is not at all pretentious even if my review is): Asta is both a meal and entertainment. Each dish is immaculately prepared and plated and all of the staff are remarkably skilled at their jobs. Each plate is a complete set of flavors that are bold and complementary. For those who value classical technique, we had a sour cherry soufflé that the chef was testing that was, frankly, flawless. It was impossibly delicate, yet had a savory balance thanks to cardamom. This was on-the-fly paired with a wine that held up to the strong flavors, and brought a lovely new flavor to the dish. One spectacular example was a dish of lamb, peas, and grapefruit (but so much more). I would never be able to combine these flavors, yet with the skill at Asta, the buttery, rich, vegetable-ness of the peas was perfectly balanced by grapefruit that was peeled such that there was literally no speck of rind. All of this accentuated the flavor of lamb. With this, we had a remarkable wine that initially tasted bright and citrusy, but with the dish became rich and smokey. It was a beautiful example of how this was a skilled manipulation of flavors in context. The flavors of some dishes are bold, but carefully balanced. Asta is a rare treat- immense technical skill combined with real artistry. We're going back the minute we have an excuse. Arthur read more

My wife took me here for my 50th birthday, and we had an incredible experience! All of our courses were absolutely delicious, as well as being very inventive. Only 2 courses were a little off, but the others were perfect! We did the full tasting including the 2 additional courses (foie gras and cheese). Wine pairing really kicked it up to a higher level. The service was also very good, some of the courses seemed like they were served by the chefs themselves. The only 2 gripes we had were with a charred turnip on a stick that was REALLY charred. The wine that it was paired with made it palatable, otherwise not sure if we would have finished it. And the other was with the cheese course, was a slice of cheese that was melted over an arepa. The arepa itself was fine, but it did absolutely nothing for the cheese whatsoever. We would have preferred maybe just a piece of cheese by itself. Absolutely loved the house made fermented butter that came with the bread, we love little surprises like that. We were a little worried about the portion sizes after reading some Yelp reviews, but turns out that was a non issue. It was the perfect amount of food, we were definitely full and super happy! We had a fabulous time at Asta and can't wait to go back! read more

i know it's only January but daresay, this will be one of the top openings in 2013. in the middle of course 3/5, two words for now: braised celery. tbc... - - - - - - - - - - - - didn't expect the humble celery to be as revelatory. an amuse and two courses down, i get what Asta's all about (egads i taste chicken soup). simple, familiar, novel, much like the culinary ethos of Noma's (best restaurant in the world) René Redzepi, where chef Alex (A in Asta) staged. the food here is peppered by this influence, as in new wave restaurants (featuring veg-forward menus) sampled in Paris, London, NY et al. try for a seat at bar across from the open kitchen where Shish (S in Asta) entertains and find chef+crew (ex-L' Espalier) bring food, drinks and chitchat at dinner. to drink, see œnologue Paige about a Saint Emilion and Leth, a swell Austrian white. opted for 5 courses last night and will surely have a go of both 3-8 course menus (inevitable 5th star?). think though will always ask for coconut cream pie for dessert. it's awesome. read more

Asta - New American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

And if you ask------Vegan Nirvana OK folks, a menu that features Bambi and Daffy would hardly be expected to be cutting edge with respect to vegan cuisine. HOWEVER, this New York visitor has repeatedly been astounded with the creativity and technique of the chef at Asta--now easily the best restaurant in Boston. With advance "warning" of only one day, delights incorporating dehydrated lichen, japanese eggplant showered with pomegranate seeds, and celery roots rendered, somehow, yummy, abound. Props also to the unflappable sommelier. I eagerly await my next visit. read more

Delicious, subtle and bold, with ingenious attention to color & texture & startling juxtapositions, but never at a cost to taste. It's early days, and the chance to catch chef Alex Crabb (formerly at L'Espalier) and his talented team in the glow of the restaurant's birth is a fabulous opportunity. My husband and I tried the 8 and 5 course prix fixe meals with wine pairings. The latter is optional, but we really appreciated the expertise and inventiveness of the sommelier. Everyone in the kitchen it seems participates in presenting the dishes, occasionally with an understandably prideful introduction. The effect is charming and informative. Shish is the perfect hostess, lovely, warm and attentive. The space feels like it was hewn out of the Back Bay's pile of bricks and wood with an artful sledgehammer and a sense of humor. The tables provide each diner with a drawer with enough flatware to last the evening. By the fifth course I realized the beauty of this arrangement: no fussing by the staff getting the right implements at the right time with each dish. Makes for a much more relaxing environment in its own small way. Next time, though, I hope we're seated at the counter tops near the kitchen where the diners have a clear view of the dishes being prepared. I was especially taken with the braised celery with black garlic gnocchi, and also the scallops on farro and blueberries coriander. But the main event lamb & onions was really special too, its plain description underselling its exquisite flavors. My SO's 8 course meal featured razor clams with parsnip puree, a gorgeous citrus salad that scissored its sweet and sour notes with a brown butter vinaigrette, and a ridiculously succulent duck breast with chantenay carrots and kale pickled peanuts. I loved the possibly controversial "after the storm" dish: seaweed pasta and mussel foam. In the middle of January with just one taste I was seated on the Brewster shore with the warm tide lapping at my toes. Food so good you start hallucinating! There's been plenty of advance press about Asta in the Boston foodie press - just do a search. And check out the photos in the Boston magazine preview. The praise is all for good reason -- these...guys...are...good. By the end of our meals we were sated and dazzled, but not overwhelmed. We'll be back, yes, we'll be back. read more