This is my second time coming to Gigi!…read more Every time when I'm in Boston it will be a tradition from now on. Our server, Leo, was very friendly, and he helped us pick what to get. We ordered their special of the day: the fried zucchini tempura, cod, and veal vodka spaghetti, as well as the rice meatballs, regular meatballs, and the alla vodka rigatoni. Everything tasted phenomenal. The setting was so cozy and it's always a wonderful time in this space. Make sure to book a reservation, because it's impossible to get a walk in table, even on a rainy day!

Last night, my friend and I tried Gigi for the first time for dinner!…read more Definitely super busy on a Saturday night so I highly recommend making reservations. They have indoor seating & outdoor "patio" seating. We started off the meal with drinks! We ordered the limoncello spritz & the pistachio martini. The limoncello spritz tasted refreshing & like a sparkling lemon/limeade with a hint of honey. The pistachio martini was very creamy & tasted sweeter at the end of each sip. We shared two appetizers: the arancini and the calamari fritti. We LOVE calamari & always end up ordering it at every restaurant we visit that has it on their menu. We liked the presentation but wished that the calamari was crispier. The batter is thicker + unseasoned & was fried lightly. The two sauces definitely helped here. We enjoyed the arancini much more than the calamari, though that's not to say the calamari was bad haha. The arancini was just a better bite! I loved that they were crispy, cheesy, + quite flavorful. I highly recommend getting the arancini appetizer. As for entrees, we each ordered a pasta. We did the rigatoni alla vodka & chitarra alla vongole. I'm a big fan of white wine pastas with clams & have to say this one was GOOD! Very flavorful actually, while still tasting light. The sauce had a smokey garlic flavor that I really liked! They gave a lot of clams too, so I was pretty happy with my choice in ordering this dish. The rigatoni alla vodka is perhaps their most popular dish and what our server suggested instead of getting the bolognese. We thought it was just okay. It doesn't come with any protein, just pasta + sauce but it wasn't memorable. I'd say, maybe try the other pasta dishes they have before getting the rigatoni alla vodka. Overall, it wasn't a great meal! The highlights for me were the arancini and the chitarra alla vongole. I think I would come back again to try more dishes & although service was a bit slower (with how busy it was), our server was kind & helpful! Prices were on par with other Italian restaurants in/out of the city. Parking: street parking

Attentive service and food is outstanding. We are repeat visitors to Carmelina's whenever we are in…read morethe North End. We made reservations months in advance and chose the 11:30 time as we had a tour booked for 1pm. Chefs kiss to Carmelina's for having an amazing restaurant and ambiance.

Great food and delicious excellent customer service and the drinks were yummy. Parking was a pain…read morebut still Im happy to give it 5 stars.

You might accidentally walk past this cute Italian ristorante...and you would regret it. I walked…read morearound the area for a while before settling at a table by the window in Giacomo's. I was quickly greeted and informed that they were cash-only dining. But fret not, for just inside the doorway is a perfectly placed ATM. It took only a few seconds for me to pinpoint the exact item on the menu that my stomach was craving and my eyes fixed upon...Antipasto for an appetiser and chicken Marsala for the entree. The antipasto dish arrived very quickly and was a beautiful layout. Of course I desired to save some room for the entree but ended up eating about 3/4 of the appetiser before it arrived. The chicken marsala was absolutely perfect, still steaming on the plate as she placed it before me. I told myself I would only eat half the dish and take the rest back to my hotel for snacking later. However, my taste buds are not allow me to stop feasting on this Italian delicacy. If you're ever in the area, don't worry about the other Italian restaurants in the downtown, although I am sure that they are well and good, but Giacomo's is well worth your consideration. My only regret is that I only have one more night here to try another one of their delectable dishes.

Wait wasn't too long on a Friday night…read more I enjoyed the texture of the fusilli and it certainly was a hearty bowl of pasta. Beyond that though, nothing remarkable. Portion size was decent although prices are not cheap (just entree alone will be minimum $30). They specialize in seafood so the only protein options that weren't seafood were chicken or veal. There weren't too many apps that caught my eye, particularly lacking veggies. Service is on the ruder side. They automatically add 20% tip to your bill.

Great food, good service, surprisingly affordable as well. I had the mushroom ravioli special and I…read morethought it was fantastic.

Isabella is tucked on a small street in the North End and the space is cozy with roughly a dozen…read moretables. My party of three made a last minute reservation last Friday night, just 2 1/2 hours before closing. We arrived an hour later and were immediately seated. We experienced excellent service from beginning to end. Delicious Italian cuisine, from the appetizers to the entrees. Thank you for the meal and can't wait to return!

Thought that I was gonna get pasta, but decided to settle for sandwiches instead and it ended up…read morebeing a great decision! The pesto chicken sandwich is absolutely delicious-- from the focaccia bread being heavily seasoned to the chicken being juicy and crunchy at the same time, with the pesto, bring a great taste to the table overall, I absolutely loved this sandwich. The meatball Panini was also delicious if you are a meatball fan! Service was good. I just wish that it was a little bit more attentive at times as we waited a little longer to have gotten our check. I will come back here again to try more of their dishes and to try some of their drinks as well!

I wanted to love this restaurant - the service was so friendly and attentive. This may have been…read morethe particular dishes I chose , but unfortunately, the food was just okay I ordered the shrimp scampi and Brussels sprouts. The sprouts had too much balsamic reduction on it which was cloying, and the garlic aioli didn't have a distinctive taste. Together it was too much sauce and the sprouts were generally overcooked, the mushy texture that makes people dislike them. The shrimp was cooked perfectly but the seasoning was on the bland side and too little sauce. It did have a nice brightness on the lemon and butter. The pasta had good texture (freshly made), but not enough flavor. The place was quite busy on a Monday night, but I don't think I'll return.

A very popular, long-established Greek restaurant in Boston. Last time I walked in and was told…read morethere would be a two-hour wait, but this time I made a reservation and finally got to enjoy a delicious meal! Tiropita Rolls: Very straightforwardly delicious. The bread was warm, soft, and airy, with a rich aroma of butter and cheese; the spread was a rich blend of honey butter, and olives, sweet and delicious, perfect as an appetizer. Tzatziki: A slight disappointment. The cucumber and Greek yogurt spread was surprisingly heavy, a bit cloying, and the pickled kumquats weren't as sweet as I expected, but rather had a slightly bitter taste. The pita bread was thick and soft, probably better suited for dipping in soup--like Bourdeto--than for the spread. Bourdeto: The tomato fish soup was a pleasant surprise. The freshly caught grouper of the day was thick and tender, lightly seared to create a crispy crust. The broth was a vibrant, tangy tomato base, with onions, fennels, and red peppers contributing a sweet, layered flavor. Trahanas, fermented wheat and dairy, added richness and a smooth texture to the soup. The broth also had a slight spiciness, making it incredibly comforting on a chilly autumn day. Portokalopita: The dessert that elevated the entire meal. A traditional Greek orange phyllo, the cake, made from crumbs of phyllo pastry, becomes incredibly soft and moist after being soaked in orange syrup. Every bite was bursting with rich orange sweetness and fragrance, followed by a slightly bitter orange zest--perfectly balanced. Paired with Manouri cheese ice cream, the creamy flavor was incredibly rich and creamy, creating a harmonious and layered flavor profile.

Krasi is a classic, high-end Greek restaurant with an excellent food and drink selection. It was a…read moregreat choice to catch up with friends and celebrate after a difficult med school exam! We chose to sit outside; it was a chilly fall evening when we went last year, but we got some lap blankets which was a nice touch, so brownie points for service. My friend and I split the pastitsio (meat pasta dish), kotopoulo (a chicken dish), louza charcuterie, and tiropita (halloumi rolls). The rolls were stuffed with halloumi and were dense in the best way possible. Coupled with the louza charcuterie, the appetizers were a hit. The two entrees were small but mighty - they were packed with rich meats but also featured microgreens, herbs, and other tangy, bold flavors that really balanced the dishes. We got some glasses of Greek orange wine that I can't remember the name of but it paired excellently with the food per our waitress's recommendation. Overall, a solid Greek option if you're in Back Bay! But definitely make a reservation if you can.

Moody, classy interior that's perfect for a night out !…read more Spacious with plenty of seating (had no trouble making a last minute reservation) and great service all-around. Ordered the sausage pizza and mushroom pappardelle. 10/10 pizza--crispy crust with spicy peppers that balance out the sausages. Not to mention, most of the pizzas had reasonable prices for this area. Pasta was very mild (great if you're looking for a 'butter noodle' vibe) but personally wish it had more flavor. Highly recommend overall and would be a great choice for groups !

Wow! This kitchen is on fire! We were happy to find Mida open on the 4th of July! We were in Boston…read morefor a week and had some excellent food and this was our favorite restaurant of the trip. The service was amazing from the kitchen. We had a food party and shared all items. Pizza, fritto misto, braised beef on cauliflower puree ( no picture it was so good I forgot) Caesar salad and meatballs (also forgot to shoot a picture). Food was absolutely amazing. One note that I would normally score down on service when I order a drink before dinner I should at least get the drink and be able to consume it before all the food comes! Mida missed an opportunity here in timing the food and lost some liquor sales as a result. We gave this feedback to our server. Food was totally worth it and the vibe of the space was nice. Thanks Mida for a greata meala!

Back in July 2020, I returned to SRV and decided to try the Arsenale tasting menu, a chef-curated,…read moremulti-course shared experience. Since it was summertime, we were able to sit outside in the courtyard out back. I had been to SRV before and had no idea this space was even there. It was tucked away, relaxed, and a great setting for dinner. I was pleased with just about everything that came to the table. There was one dish that simply wasn't doing it for us, but we didn't complain or ask for anything different. Then something happened that really stood out. The chef came out herself and mentioned that she noticed we barely touched that particular dish. She asked if she could send us something else instead. Sure enough, she did. That immediately took the service to another level. We never had to say a word. She noticed, cared enough to ask, and made sure we left happy. Looking back on this July 2020 visit, the food was creative, the courtyard was a nice surprise, but that level of attention from the chef is what I remember most. It turned a great dinner into a memorable one.

We stopped in for an early dinner before the theater. We had reserved seats at the counter but…read moredecided the bar was more comfortable and ate there instead. The restaurant is quite large and was nearly empty during our visit, but it was early. Beware if you sit at the bar as it can be hot as there's a small heating grill on the back of the bar that emits a lot of heat. The curated menu includes cicchetti, or individual bites, along with first courses, pasta, fish, and other proteins. Despite the variety, I found it surprisingly difficult to find something appealing. We shared the zucchini, served over radicchio with ricotta and chipotle. It was heavier than expected, and the combination of flavors felt muddled rather than cohesive. For our main course, we both ordered the hake, served with fennel, onion, and pine nuts. As with the zucchini, the presentation felt somewhat awkward and unrefined, and the individual flavors did not come through as distinctly as we had hoped. The highlights were the friendly service and the Spring in a Bottle nonalcoholic sparkling rosé. Overall, however, we were underwhelmed and would not return.

If you want great service you need to come here and ask for Liana. I've come here many times and…read moreshe has been my server a couple of times always with a smile and extremely overattentive making sure that my experience is great. Also the food is amazing and their expression Martinez are great. Right across from the back bay station this is a must come to spot for small or large groups. They're charcuterie broad and brick oven pizza are very fresh and great for large groups. The atmosphere is spacious great table tops available for single or large groups. I personally like the bar with their TV and wine selection on display.

Our group of 16 was genuinely excited to dine at The Salty Pig in downtown Boston, hoping it would…read morebecome a regular spot on our list. While the kitchen delivered a solid meal, the service was so profoundly disappointing that it completely overshadowed the food. The culinary side of things easily earns a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. We ordered a wide variety of items to share, and the highlights included: * The Pizzas: Creative flavor combinations with fresh, high-quality toppings and fantastic crusts. * The Bucatini Pasta: Perfectly cooked and packed with rich flavor. * The Asparagus Appetizer & The Chicken Milanese: Both executed well, flavorful, and cooked to a high standard. Unfortunately, the front-of-house experience was uniformly horrible. For a large party, hospitality can make or break the night, and our server missed the mark at every single turn: * Argumentative & Dismissive: He actively argued with our host regarding an appetizer that had been ordered in advance. When asked about vegetarian substitutions for a sold-out pasta dish, he curtly replied, "Pasta with butter is all we can do"--despite the fact that we could clearly see a wide variety of fresh vegetables being used right on their pizzas. * Inattentive: Dirty dishes piled up on our table, and when we politely asked for them to be cleared, he claimed he needed to get help and walked away completely empty-handed. Our drink orders were rarely checked on or refilled. * Rude to Guests: He displayed visible attitude and put-off body language whenever anyone asked a simple question. This peaked when he was outright rude to one of the young women in our party who simply wanted to put her order in a bit early because she had to leave before the rest of the group. It is a real shame because the ingredients and the kitchen's output are genuinely good. However, between the hostile attitude and the lack of basic service standards, we unfortunately won't be rushing back.

Great food, lovely ambiance, and awesome waitress! Perfect GNO or date night spot…read more I really liked both of the entrees we ordered. - - The lasagna was a hearty, comforting bite. Adding short rib as the protein gave the classic dish a unique but welcome twist. I was a fan! - The rock shrimp carbonara was al dente (and made with bucatini!!) and covered in the perfect amount of creamy sauce. No notes there. Also huge shout out to our waitress (who we unfortunately did not get the name of). She helped us pick a delicious wine, and made our night a bit more entertaining.

Was excited to try this place because of all the reviews but I have to admit I'm confused…read more The highlights of our night were our server Daniel, their olive oil, and the deconstructed, wacky tiramisu. Daniel was super friendly, checked on us a lot, and offered a lot of suggestions including a red wine that is now my boyfriend's favorite. The free bread they give you came with some of the best olive oil I've ever eaten. Lastly, The tiramisu is not like any I've tried before but I honestly really liked it. It was super fresh and the espresso they pour over it is delicious. The rest of the food was meh. -North Shore Fritto Misto: 4/5, average squid:pepper ratio, fried well so they were not too chewy, great sauce. -Foccacia: 3/5, fluffy and soft but pretty boring unless you dip it in your pasta sauce. -Lasagna: boyfriend 4/5, me 2.5/5. I thought it was really salty and all I could taste was rib, no other components. Important to note though this was not my entree and I only had a few bites. -Bolognese: 1/5, the pasta cooked so well gave this a point otherwise the sauce was super thin, there was like no meat, and all I could taste were scallions.