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

The newest addition to the thriving Back Bay dining scene is Asta, a tasting-menu-only spot with a casual feel and extraordinary offerings. Asta is the first restaurant of L'Espalier's former sous-chef Alex Crabb. With an open layout with an open kitchen, minimalist decor, and welcoming staff, the place immediately feels like you're over to a friend's place for a dinner, but a friend that can actually cook...really well. The menu is divided into 3 choices, 3-, 5-, or 8-courses with optional wine pairings. A nice change from the usual is the fact that not everyone at the table has to get the same option. I went with the 5 and T went with the 8. My first course was the carrot licorice mustard oil "risotto". A warm carrot with a hint of licorice, cut to look like rice. T started with the oyster "smoked and raw" with a cold, crisp brine, with a splash celery juice served on a bed of salt. Next T had the essex greens with soft egg and a tasty tasty anchovy cracker, a take on a deconstructed caesar salad. My second course was "after the storm" with seaweed, salmon roe & mussels. To me, this actually just tasted like the ocean, I wasn't a big fan, but luckily it worked out because it was one of T's favorites, so we swapped... I swapped with T and enjoyed the peas & fava beans with sheep's milk cheese and mushrooms...one of my favorites, I wish I could make this for myself every day. T had the poached arctic char with ramps & cherries, and a sprinkling of honey and granola, perhaps his favorite combination of all. Next was my second favorite course of all, the quail stuffed with escargot, green garlic & fava leaves, topped with a branch of a fortune cookie-like texture. For T's 5th course, they gave him my favorite of the whole meal...the grilled scallop woth farro, blueberries, and coriander. The combination of these ingredients were out of this world, my favorite course hands-down, even if the rest of the meal was terrible I would return for this one dish. My final savory course was the ridiculously lean & tender lamb with chopped herbs & spinach along with foraged mushrooms swimming in a puree of sorts. With no trace of a gamey flavor, neither T nor I had tasted a piece of lamb quite like this one. T's final savory course was the duck breast with beets & scallions. The duck was perfectly evenly cooked with crispy skin with the beets being sweet despite being very thinly sliced. T's 7th course was the campari stewed rhubarb with ricotta, pink peppercorns, and dehydrated grapefruit. I have never disagreed with T more over a dish than I did on this one...I absolutely did not understand this dish and was overwhelmed with the grapefruit slices. On the other hand, T almost licked the plate he was so in love with it. My dessert was the swiss roll with chocolate, a passion fruit filling, and a sprinkling of tobacco. Light, refreshing, and bright, it was a nice conclusion to the meal. T's dessert was an almond and apricot cake with rosemary milk. I was only given a nibble of this, as he was very protective over his favorite dish. We ended with some tea & coffee, along with a variety of petit-fours. By the end of the meal, with the large portions it was getting difficult to eat more, but we pushed on as the dishes got surprisingly better dish by dish. Each time we were blown away, and had to share our glorious dish with the other, trying to decide who won. In the end the splitting and switching of the dishes worked out perfectly and we both left stuffed to the brim with great wine & even better food. read more

300 dollars for two people (i reserved without any research) the servers dont even have uniform and act like theyre drunk and are way too informal, not professional at all. its like a cheap restaurant. food is mediocre, music too loud. do your research b4 u come here read more

You might think of Asta the Hipster L'Espalier. (Please bear in mind, from me 3 stars is not an insult. It's a solid offering that I just don't think is terribly special.) On the whole I enjoyed the experience, though not enough to frequent the place (on my own dime). In brief: the food was delicious, the service was of a good quality, though a bit quirky and the experience was unique-ish and fun. But for the price, Asta just lacks a certain unifying soul, personality and - not to sound like a snob - but pedigree. The wine list, however, was spot on. The interior of the place is hipster-chic: exposed brick and hardwood, torn out plaster still showing, spraypaint stencils of animals and... Zeus, and a focus on the chefs in the "celebrity chef" style front kitchen. Dinner at Asta is definitely a culinary adventure of the senses. We dined on venison, celery root, beef heart, truffle shavings and no shortage of deconstructed this-and-that. The flavors were quite good (except one vastly over-salted chicken skin dish), and nothing was over or under cooked. But just about every flavor or texture element of most of these dishes were spread out in the deconstructed manner that is popular right now. I found myself constantly wrestling little bits onto my fork in different configurations. This was fun at first, but grew tiresome. Some dishes could have come with instructions, which would no doubt have needed to be deciphered by adding a combination of citric acids to invisible ink on a cracker-that-was-not-a-cracker. The pacing and service was good. An empty glass was either filled or removed quickly. Dishes would not arrive if one person was at the rest room. The sommelier, Page, really was a fantastic resource to have driving the wine experience. I was not surprised when the $225 check came for dinner for two, but we didn't splurge like we might have on a weekend night. For my money, at that price point, the food needs a unifying soul and the service needs to border on freakishly intuitive. Asta seems to me like a foodie petting zoo driven by a genius mad scientist chef who might be bordering on taking things too far to really become a Boston mainstay. I definitely think you should try this restaurant if you haven't. But it's not the type of place that would develop a lot of regulars. read more

So I finally managed to find my way into Asta and it was all I expected and more. The food and wine pairing (wine, sake and beer) worked wonderfully together. Every dish had its own distinct flavor profile and the layering of flavors was exceptional. Asta is certainly one of the top restaurants in Boston and should be on everyone's Food bucket list. We opted for the 8 course menu and the extra course of foie gras which turned out to be just the right amount of food The prices are very reasonable and I doubt there are many places in Boston where you'll get equal value for your money. Paige has done an outstanding job in selecting the beverages and was a wonderful host throughout the evening. Pictures of our meal can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmh-pics/sets/72157637245326523/ But don't spend all the time reading reviews for Asta , go there and enjoy the food/beverages . You won't regret it !! read more

I spent $100 and left hungry. We did the 5 course menu, and though the food was generally excellent the portions were extremely small and the ingredients weren't anything unique. 1st - chopped carrots in a mustard sauce, 2nd - half a scallop with some grilled berries, 3rd - big piece of celery with 6 small gnocchi and 2 barely noticeable pieces of dark chicken meat, 4th - 3oz piece of lamb with onions in various preparations, 5th - apple crumb cake with white cheddar sauce (the highlight). The service was excellent, the ambiance was nice, but the cost doesn't justify the experience. It's a nice place to try, but I wouldn't go back. read more

Traveled to Asta in a snowstorm on my birthday. We were only 1 of 3 tables in the whole place because everyone had to cancel because of the storm. I was sort of glad looking back because we had the best attention on us from the staff! Now, I can't remember the specifics of the meal because I did not take a photo of the menu and to be honest I just wanted to enjoy the experience so I took a quick photo when the food came and hid my phone. We decided on the 8 course, because why not? Just to address it... were the portions small like people have said in other reviews? Yes, but they were the perfect few bites in my opinion. And it's 8 courses I would not want more than that and be extremely full. Here is what I can remember of the specific dishes (these are more than likely (like 99%) wrong and I just trying to go off memory so stay with me) 1. Mussel & Creamed Celery soup - so fresh and I loved the celery taste 2. Oyster with onions and a crunchy breadcrumb on top - lovely 3. Salted cod on a cracker - The cod was so perfect and salty, portion was perfect too. 4. Hen of the woods mushroom with carrot puree (Pescetarian alternative) - I LOVED this because I love mushrooms. The carrot puree tasted like a fluffy wonderful cloud 4. Cabbage & Brussel sprouts (meat eater alternative) - I didn't have this specifically but heard it was good! 5. Sweet Potato with what I think was a chipotle type of sauce on the side. Whatever it was, it was spicy and good match with the potato 6. Radishes with Béarnaise sauce - I love radishes so this was a yes for me! 7. Skatefish with creamed spinach - (Pescetarian option) I haven't had a lot of skatefish before but the skin was crispy and the spinach on the bottom was a good match 7. Venison (meat eater option) 8. We had a wonderful citrus dessert that I didn't get a photo of because they brought me a candle and I was too busy making a wish! Overall, I was really happy with our experience. They even gave us a small glass of champagne to toast my birthday which I thought was really nice and made the evening even that much better. read more

See all

We made a last minute dinner reservation on a recent Saturday. Parking is almost impossible in that neighborhood but we found we could use the valet at Deuxave next door. We were offered a choice of a table or the bar overlooking the kitchen. We chose the latter which turned out to be a good move as it gave us a chance to watch the food being prepared and to talk to the owners and staff. We were offered complimentary glasses of sparkling wine from the south of France, which definitely created a favorable first impression. ASTA stands for Alex and Shish's Tasting Adventure and it felt like being in a friend's kitchen where they keep bringing you stuff they enjoyed creating, even some extras that were not on the menu. The food is inventive and satisfying. Between the two of us we had the 3 course ($45) and the 5 course ($70) prix fixe menu, which was more than enough food - we took home half of the enormous pork chop. The dishes are as good as described elsewhere and the wine list deserves special mention. While ASTA offers some interesting wine pairings and wines by the glass, we consulted Paige, formerly of Menton, who assembled their wine list and after some discussion chose a 2010 Domaine de Mourchon Séguret Grande Reserve from the Rhône ($64) which went perfectly with everything. The price of the meal is not cheap, but is good value for what you get. The service is very friendly and attentive without being intrusive. We will definitely go back. read more

Asta does it again. Back last month as I said goodbye to Boston and onward to my new home in DC. Chef took the time to come out and deliver our main course. Presented his masterful work to us so humbly. I love that this place is no frills and clean lines decor. Will make this a stop every time I am back in Boston! read more

See all

Asta is a place you have to try, and one that you will return to. FOOD: Asta is a unique concept for American Cuisine, and even more unique because it's in Boston. Asta only serves tasting menus: three, five, and eight courses, with optional pairings. The courses usually combine a smaller dish (or two) to begin with and then a larger course with either meat or fish later on. The first thing you'll notice in each dish is how well the favor profiles of the main ingredients complement each other. For example, you'll notice (if you haven't already) that anchovy and cauliflower complement each other extraordinarily well. Later on in the meal, you may have the same revelation about beets and chocolate. Don't expect odd pairings all the time, or even most of the time, but don't be surprised when they turn up. WINE: Don't worry about the wine-you are in extremely good hands. If wine is your thing, you'll have a memorable conversation about each pick. If it isn't, you'll learn something in a similar and surprisingly easy conversation without any condescension. SERVICE: The ambience is similar to eating at your friend's house. At a friend's house you would expect that your host would select and prepare, and offer it to you warmly, genially, and genuinely. By having only tasting menus Asta becomes your culinary genus friend's kitchen, with your hosts (Alex C. and company) serving the food they selected and prepared, in a warmly, genial, and genuine manner that will leave you seeking to be invited back. SUMMARY: In the strictest sense, Asta is doing to American cuisine in Boston what O Ya has done for Japanese Cuisine in Boston. Asta has built their concept on a vector that reaches far out into the future of food in Boston. If it stays the course, it will find itself in the enviable situation of being one of the best, or THE BEST restaurant in Boston. DECISION: Check it out now, while you can still get a reservation. read more

Fois gras seared to perfection...... that alone is worth the trip. We ordered everything on the menu for the three of us. Do the same if you can. The plates were creative and the different courses were organised for an entertaining progression of flavors. Plates were not weighed down by random starches. This is not Olive Garden. I suspect this place will just keep getting better and the douchebag food philistines will eventually discover this little jewel. Get there before they find it, so you don't have to overhear our generation of failing parents complain to the waitstaff about their children's imagined gluten sensitivities or the lack of vegan hot dogs on the menu.. There is still a bevy of mediocre pizza and overpriced egg noodles elsewhere in Boston for those that miss Pasta 47. read more

I may blow out this review at some later date but just know, the food here made me literally cry of joy. I didn't even know that was possible and certainly hasn't happened before. The space is modern and comfortable and clean. Sitting at the bar with a view of the kitchen was fantastic. Chef Alex Crabb was awesome, coming over to make sure things were going well and just to chat and share a drink when he had the time. I typically don't repeat visits to restaurants of this caliber (with so many great places in Boston, why keep visiting the same few spots?) but with Asta, I really hope to make an exception and come back soon. read more

This place fully gets the idea of "dining as entertainment." The open kitchen, which is immaculate, lets you watch all of the action as it happens. Plus, having one of the chefs, rather than a waiter or expediter, run the food is smart and guarantees interaction with the people making your food (what yuppie / hipster doesn't like that?). The bar, which serves wine & a limited selection of beer (decent stuff, but nothing amazing), is friendly and very knowledgeable and passionate about the wine and wine pairings. The food is, for the most part, very enjoyable. As other reviewers stated, they only offer tasting menus. So what could potentially be a limitless number of combinations is dumbed down into only three: three course, five course, and eight course (vegetarian and supplemental foie gras are the only variables). I don't run a restaurant, but watching the kitchen it didn't seem like there was an obvious reason behind why they did this. And I'm sure a high percentage of diners will find something in their tasting menu (it's simple statistics, right?) that they don't like. For me, it was the pork belly, which was what I'd imagine sous vide bacon to taste like. Otherwise, I was a fan of everything I had....albeit pretty pricey (again, the downside of being forced into a tasting menu). My guess is that once this place isn't the new kid in town, they'll dial this back to stay relevant, competitive, and help establish regulars (I can't imagine being a regular in a place that's tasting menu only). Still, I definitely want to go back. Very friendly staff, cozy atmosphere, and high quality food. read more

Asta - New American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

This review is lengthy because our experience at Asta was very mixed. The food: We chose the 5 course meal. Two of the dishes were outstanding - the sturgeon and soup. Two were sub-par: the pork which was very plain and actually so tough it was hard to cut and the mushroom tart which tasted more like a sweet onion pizza and the pastry was so tough you could not cut it; One was just okay: the dessert. The wine pairings: Outstanding The service: The servers were attentive in that we were served promptly and they were always nearby if we needed something. What frustrated us was that when neither of us were able to cut the tart and sent it back uneaten, the server did not inquire but rather simply took our plates away anxious to bring us our next course. The ambiance: Truly enjoyable In Sum: We found ourselves disappointed when we were driving home talking about the meal and experience. With a five course serving and a $300.00+ bill for two people every bite of food should have been on point as should have been the service. Asta was a bucket list restaurant for us, but sadly it came up short and we will not be back. read more

Despite living in the area, my husband and I only just 'discovered' Asta, and much to our delight. The small, intimate, and comfortable atmosphere immediately suited us. We sat at the front on barstools which I'd definitely recommend. The waitstaff was friendly and very attentive, and kicked us off with a glass of sparkling wine. There are only three menu options, depending on how many courses you'd like-- but honestly, the food is so delicious it's nice to not have to make too many decisions. We got the 5 course menu which was perfectly filling without weighing us down. Each course was well-balanced, flavorful, and elegantly presented. Wine pairings were excellent. Definitely worth a visit! read more

Came here last night for NYE. Whilst we had a good time we were left a little underwhelmed. The service was amazing but the food just didn't quite hit the mark. We did the 5 course tasting menu with wine pairings. The food, too me, seemed poorly seasoned. The dishes seemed lacking -- perhaps the chef has a young pallet and still has far to go. But, when doing a tasting menu, each course needs to pack a punch. One course was "Brussels sprouts with marmite" which had about 3 sprouts out of 8 that had the tiniest amount of marmite. That being said, the lamb course was great and the dessert course was pretty good too. The wine pairings were hit and miss. Some were great, others were just a poor choice. The service was fantastic, our waitress was so friendly and made our time there very enjoyable. Updated this review to one star. We just had an amazing 21 course meal in Portland that cost a little more than this Asta and just blew it out of the water. The more we talk about our meal here the more we feel let down. read more

The pastry chef at Asta should leave and have her own restaurant. I would much rather have had five courses of her desserts. I came to Asta with high hopes and a low metabolism. While we are not foodies, my husband and I enjoy trying a lot of different things, so the tasting menu format appeals to us. But in the end, we were not impressed. The beef medallion was completely unseasoned. The razor clam was not fresh. The sauces underwhelmed. In addition, there was way too much time between courses. I mean, we've been married 25 years, there's only so much dinner table conversation we have left. The place is neat and clean, but is in dire need of renovation. Weird patches of old drywall, mismatched brick and a gold spray-painted ceiling just don't cut it when you're spending $150 a head. In summary... meh. read more

i came here to celebrate Vday with my lovely wife and my dear friends. We all did eight course menu and we came out with a happy stomach. What a fantastic meal and we enjoyed the chef's interaction with the guests. Thanks to Chef Alex!!!! read more

See all

Had the pleasure of an amazing meal at Asta a couple of weeks ago, and didn't write a review because I felt like I would just echo everything that others had said. But 3 weeks later I am still thinking about this meal, this restaurant and these people, and so... Just go. Any special occasion will do, since it's a bit pricey (and well worth it!) The chef/hostess owners are a delight. You MUST sit at the tables near the kitchen and watch the incredible team care and detail that go into the dance that is performed in preparation of every plate. I am a foodie. I have been to some of the best restaurants in NYC, Chicago, Boston, LA, Philadelphia, etc. and this place rivals them all. In my top 3 meals ever. If you don't love every morsel of the 5-course tasting menu, there is something seriously wrong with you. Seriously, just go. Now. read more

i had a great meal at asta. food was light, dericious, creative, and unique in terms of the ingredients, smell, presentation, and taste. the unfamiliar ingredients connected surprisingly well together. the presentation was beautiful. i dont think they were 'overly conceptual' either. its like alinea in chicago, they combine food with art. i totally dig it. like i mentioned before, i totally love the ambience and kitchen setup. very cozy, relaxing, and entertaining. staff was very friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. although i wish couple dishes had more flavors, the overall experience was excellent. i will def be back. read more

This was a memorable and thoroughly delightful dining experience from start to finish. It began when we had to adjust our reservation at the last minute from four to five. The woman on the phone -- who we later learned was the co-owner -- couldn't have been more pleasant or accommodating. The space is well-lit and comfortable. The exposed brick walls make it a bit noisy, but we easily adjusted. The staff was warm and friendly, explaining the tasting menu and taking drink orders. There are three tasting menus to choose from -- three, five and eight courses. We chose five courses with the wine pairing and it was the perfect amount of food. Each course was served by the kitchen staff and carefully explained. The food was exceptional. Not overly fussy or complicated. The flavors were wonderful, subtle when appropriate, bold when necessary. Not a single course disappointed. The wine pairings were spot on. Perfectly matched with each course. The chef came over at the end of our meal and chatted. He ended up buying us a round of after dinner aperitifs. I would return again and again if I lived in Boston and will strongly encourage my friends to try this place out. The simplicity of the setting paired with the flawless food makes for a very special night out. read more

The food here is creative and tasty! We sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the food being prepared with love and care. The wine pairing perfectly complimented the dishes being served. We had a fantastic evening and are looking forward to going back. Attire: Wear whatever makes you happy - Jeans to dressy. read more

Just right! Man, am I a fan of this place. It's creative, it's seasonal, it's not too serious. (But they take it seriously!) Yes, it bears some comparisons to Noma. Perhaps it's out of experience and respect for a former mentor? That's only a good thing in my book! It's a place to let the pros do what they do- it would serve you well to put your guards down and just let these guys do what they do. Chef Alex Crabb is uber-talented without being pretentious (so welcomed in a time of chefs thinking they're friggin rock stars!) and his kitchen staff are all very sure of each move without that hectic restaurant feel. In an open kitchen, it's fun to see how dishes are crafted and they reveal some tricks if you sit up close at the counter tables. The wine service and pairings are creative and all work well. The food is highly seasoned, textural, well thought out and respects the many cultures that influences come from. Technique is not short in his food. Why this place is not bigger on the Boston map really confuses me! Are people that boring?? or is it like the pro football player that blows up after learning the play book--except the Boston dining scene is the player. If you go it's best to go with the intention for a tasting menu. That's what they do well. Sometimes what's on a menu isn't what you may think...sometimes that is on purpose. Allow yourself some surprise factor at Asta- they're also good at this part! Tip: Don't say you're a foodie and then ask for a million substitutions (it's not that place) but if it's an allergy - I bet they'd respond if you call ahead. Too many people with allergies show up and expect immediate results...given notice and you probably will be much better cared for! Bonus: Love the silverware rest up at the counter. read more

Love the atmosphere, love the welcoming vibe, and the food is innovative and surprising (in a good way). Had the five-course tasting and had to cry uncle sometime during the third/fourth course. They were very accommodating to this fish-atarian. Would love to visit more often, but the price makes it a special occasion place (or perhaps, I'll try fewer courses next time). read more

A great epicurean adventure from start to finish! A wonderful imagining of ingredients in a completely welcoming and unpretentious environment. Alex Crabb is not just a tremendous chef with wild ideas, but a gracious host who has personally guaranteed we will be back to dine here whenever we come to town. The menu will vary so I can only say this: you can trust him. I had the 8 course with wine pairing, and I was entirely satisfied. The food and wine often complimenting each other so well I couldn't imagine having them separate. They are perfectly happy to accommodate dietary preference and restrictions (including vegan!) and you will never sacrifice quality and flavor. I recommend a seat at the Kitchen table so you can watch them at work, and get a glimpse of the dishes you're not having. read more

Very creative menu! Not somewhere to go if you are a picky eater, but if you can be open to what they prepare for you, you'll be in for a treat! We did the 8-course menu (we called ahead to make sure they could accomodate a vegetarian and they could). We shared some of the same dishes (a wonderful sweet & sour eggplant dish and a mushroom dish) but they did a wonderful job for both of us! Service was fantastic as well! If you can get a seat at the chef's table toward the back of the restaurant, I recommend it. There's more to watch as the chefs prepare and plate the dinner, and it's more social with other diners, which we enjoyed. read more

Had the chance to dine at Asta and unfortunately I wasn't impressed. While the dining room has an artsy feel with the exposed brick, it didn't speak to elegance and comfort. Tables and chairs were not comfortable and I didn't love the cutlery positioning in a shelf below the table. This position made it quite awkward during the dinner evening. Service was unremarkable and generally lacked enthusiasm. However, I did appreciate the sparkling wine to start the evening. A nice touch. The restaurant is based around a tasting menu style. There was a 3, 5 and 8 course option. The food on each of the plates were of micro size and weight. I really don't understand why such small portions. The size of the dish didn't enhance its potential, flavor or customer satisfaction. I did order the eight course selection and has an assortment of game bird (poor), sweet breads ( very chewy), and quince (poor). I did like the muse though! I wish you much luck in Boston. Enjoy! read more

CHECK IT. I've heard rumblings of ASTA for a few years now, however, I'm usually pretty broke so I don't get to spend this kind of money that often. I like to be selective where I dine on my one or two nights a year when my girlfriend and I decide to splurge. That being said, ASTA far exceeded the already grand expectations I had of it. They went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, and we tried not to pester them about specifics. We were they to enjoy ourselves, not to dissect the meal. We decided on the 8 course for myself and the 5 course for her, both with wine pairings. We picked at the first two plates rather timidly, and tried not to drink the wine too fast as to savor it. We quickly realized we were doing it all wrong. The beauty in ASTA isn't what the chefs create, it's how the create it. Really simple ingredients blended perfectly. Add a few out of the box ideas, like serving two individual potato chips as a course, and you have an amazing and desirable product. So, we decided we were done being delicate and immediately ripped into the next course like vultures, granted slightly educated and tedious vultures. The wine flowed, the food came and went, and it was much more enjoyable after that. I will definitely be visiting them again soon. Thanks for the awesome meal! Here Yelp, have a picture of a duck egg. ASTA-lavista baby. read more

Asta - The duck egg, sunny side up and seasoned perfectly with salt and cracked pepper, laid over steamed greens and topped with sprouts. - New American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

We went to Asta for their tasting menu and wine pairing. It definitely did not disappoint. We each had the 8 course pairing... one was vegetarian and the other was not. We love seeing how they try to make comparable dishes of each. The service was excellent... we never really have had poor service with any of our tasting menu experiences. Everything I ate was amazing, creative and the pairing they offered with each was perfect. We need to go back since my hubby is now vegan and finding Vegan upscale dining is hard in the area... we would love to see what they do for that since he really enjoyed the vegetarian options. read more

Great place. Super cute simple decor. The service was really fantastic - casual but attentive without being overbearing. It is all tasting menus - no a la carte. But they give you options on number of courses. Three, five, and eight courses. We did the five course menu and left very full, but not stuffed - perfect. First was sea bass corn chowder - delicious. Second were scallops 'unpeeled' into long strips. Third was mushroom gnocchi with vegetables in a broth. This was our least favorite. It was tasty but the textures were odd and it was difficult to cut the vegetable without covering yourself in broth. I added the fois gras (just awesome). Fourth was pork belly - super yummy. And thy graciously subbed my wife's pork out to a vegetable with no fuss. I thought dessert was great (don't remember what it was) but my wife wasn't a huge fan. The wine pairings were not the usual selections, but went great with the food courses. Our only gripe was minor. They have a gimmick with the utensils. Instead of on the table, they're in a drawer in front of you and you pick them out yourself. This isn't particularly intriguing and you have to push back from the table quite far in order to see what's in the drawer to pick your next utensil. My vote would be to skip the shtick and do like every other restaurant. We will definitely be back. I hope they make it. We went on a Thursday night ( admittedly during the summer) and they were very empty. read more

We weren't sure what to expect from this new place but decided to make a reservation anyway based on the Yelp reviews. To say we weren't disappointed is an understatement. We loved it! We made a reservation but when we arrived at 8:30, the place was half empty. This was surprising on a Friday night. We ordered the 5 course and 8 course menus without the wine pairings. I can honestly say we enjoyed almost all of the courses. Some were absolutely amazing while others were just great. The menu is very unique and eclectic. We thought the ingredients were very fresh and each course tied very well into what went before and after it. This is a must-try restaurant in Boston. It is a little pricey but the food is amazing, the portions are just right, the interior is subtle and understated, and the service is friendly and attentive. Just go. You won't be disappointed! read more

We just had a marvelous dinner at Asta, our first visit. They offer tasting menus of 3, 5, or 8 courses, and wine pairings are available for the 5 or 8 course meals. We had the 5 courses with wine, and the meal was exceptional. The sommelier, Paige Farrell, really know her wines and introduced us to some outstanding Austrian whites along with some reds from Bordeaux and Provence. We will be back with friends, and I will post a more complete review when I have time to "digest" the experience. read more

Wow. One of the best meals I've had in a long long time. Good thing they don't start you with the bread or you'd never have room to experience the rest of the awesome menu. read more

Asta - New American Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

See all

Love Asta. Took my GF here for an anniversary dinner. She LOVED it. We've been back 4-5 times since, and I booked the chef's counter for my buddy's bachelor party. All visits have been superb. The service is excellent, the atmosphere warm and casual, the food is always interesting and delicious, and the wine pairings are amazing. It's pricy, but not compared to a similar dining experience in other world class cities. And unlike some other tasting menus in town, at the end of the meal you feel like you got your money's worth. Go. You won't regret it. read more

Pricey but really enjoyed our meal. We got in late with a party of six. They stayed open well past closing and we invited the chef to join us for dessert and a drink. Enjoyed visiting with him. Would recommend coming back! Love the silverware drawers at each setting. read more

See all

What an amazing experience for our last evening in Boston! The ambience was hipster without being intimidating. I particularly thought that the table with your own drawer of silverware was a clever touch. We were welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine - another nice touch that really set the mood for a wonderful evening. For dinner, we opted for the 5-course menu with each course outdoing the one that came before. Who knew cauliflower and celery could be so sexy and worthy enough of its own dish? The monk fish was prepared perfectly and complimented well with mustard seed broth and roasted brussel sprouts. Seared foie gras was executed perfectly and just absolutely divine on top of gingerbread with some berry preserves on the side. Just when you thought it was all over, we also feasted on duck prepared with hazelnut and hearty kale. And for the finale? Black cocoa pavlova with the most sinful passion fruit concoction that would make you forget your own name! Service was impeccable and down to earth at the same time. Absolutely one of the best dining experiences we've ever had and cannot wait til fate brings me back to Boston again to return to Asta! read more

A few things, from best to less great: 1. Sommelier: 10 stars. She was fantastic. The wine pairs were delectable and the sommelier was completely pleasant and well versed in wine knowledge. She created an accessible feel to her wine pairings and explained her choices thoroughly. She made us feel like we were the only people at the restaurant. She also emailed me a copy of her wine selections - love. 2. Decor: simple, modern, elegant, unpretentious. 3. Food: Pretty good, but not amazing. I ate here ~1 month ago and don't really remember anything I ate except for an ocean storm type dish that I'm sure you can find in the picture section. Although I remember it because it was creative/different, not because it tasted particularly amazing. The duck confit I ate was really chewy. For the money, this course was mediocre at best, although some of the courses were better. Overall, the food was good, different, but didn't blow my socks off. 4. Service: I found the servers to rate higher than average on my pretentious scale. I get that this restaurant is really cool and different - something I think contributes greatly to the Boston restaurant scene. But it doesn't add something to a restaurant to have judgy, fast moving servers who seem to be somewhat preoccupied when my dad asks them a question about sweet breads. I just didn't get a particularly warm vibe from the servers - again something I expect from a place as expensive as this. read more

We were visiting from Portland, Oregon, where we have so many fabulous restaurants. Wanted to surprise my husband with a special meal and chose Asta. Oh my gosh!!! It truly was an amazing , memorable experience. We each chose the 8 course pairing and as each course came out, it was a work of art, both visually and culinary. The wine pairings were excellent and totally enhanced the food. The atmosphere was great and the service was superb. Wish we lived in Boston so we could go back and celebrate special occasions! read more

The people were very nice. We, two couples, told them we were going to the symphony and they moved the various courses along in order to accommodate us. I didn't like the atmosphere or the music. the silverware is in a drawer, rather than on the table - a nice idea, but I was sitting against the wall, and I could only open the drawer a little bit. We chose the 5 course tasting. The food was of good quality and well prepared, but bland in taste and not all that enjoyable. The only course I really liked was the "main course" - Duck. In the aggregate, I didn't like the wine selection at all. They served a pinot noir that was good, but I didn't like most of the others. The bill was $475, not out of line at all for a party of four at an upscale restaurant, but I don't think it was worth it. There are so many good restaurants in Boston that I consider a better dining experience. The other three people in my group felt the same way. This the first review I have ever written - I guess I feel strongly about it. Apparently I am in the minority in my view of Asta, so maybe you should try it. read more

This review isn't really an update on their dinner service because it is still amazing. This update is for their Fried Chicken & Biscuit sandwiches, which only happen on select Saturday afternoons from 12noon-2pm or until they sell out of fried chicken sandwiches. These fried chicken sandwiches are only available for a limited number of saturdays throughout the year so be diligent and follow their instagram to be in the know. This fried chicken sandwich is a true reflection of perfection. The biscuit is thin yet doesn't fall apart and acts as a beautiful boxspring topped with shredded lettuce in a secret sauce which acts as the mattress for the wonderfully tender, juicy & crispy fried chicken to rest upon. The top of the biscuit is like big toasty down comforter keeping the tender fried chicken warm and cozy as you raise it to your mouth to take a bite. After you eat one you will be permanently altered by a certain je ne sais quoi. It is also important to note that you will not have the power to only eat just one. You will always want another and will not be able to resist ordering a second, or a third. Sometimes my wife will order all of the sandwiches to go and take them with us. You have been warned and should arrive promptly at 12noon to avoid showing up after we do only to watch us buy all the sandwiches right in front of your very own eyes. read more