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Matadora

3.7 (271 reviews)
Open • 12:00 pm - 11:00 PM

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MATADORA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - Matadora

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Hangar steak & Frites
Jason M.

You know how after a long day, sometimes the promise of a well prepared and executed meal is the thing that gets you through? That's exactly what Matador delivers, especially if you are the carnivorous type. I really enjoyed sitting at the bar top affording me a clear view of the exhibition kitchen and the open wood fire pit. The radiant heat was especially terrific on a cold winters night. I opted for the hangar steak which was perfectly cooked medium rare. A dollop of compound butter seamlessly coated the meat and formed a wonderful complement to the meat. The accompanying fries were freshly made, tossed in herbs and cheese and was a great counter texture to the tender meat. The chefs take obvious care in their craft and it shows (and tastes). They will take your order until 10:30p most nights - don't miss it especially if you're a guest at the Hilton!

Brendon W.

Came here with a friend on a Friday night and it was perfect! The food and drinks were delicious and the service was quick. The restaurant is in the lobby of the Hilton hotel. Would definitely come back and try other things on the menu. It felt very tapas focused but there are large entrees on the menu as well.

The Bull!
Velvet G.

Matadora appears to be one of the few Spanish inspired restaurants in the Greater Boston area, so we decided to give it a shot -- no less on Christmas Eve! TLDR: we weren't disappointed! We got the following items: Wagyu meatballs -- OK, a bit rubbery Charred octopus -- pretty good, nice charry flavor and good sauce to go with it Lamb chops -- OK, nice sauce, but too spicy for some of us; it didn't really need that spicy a sauce Chicken Brochettes -- very good, loved the char on it Shishito peppers -- very good, nice garlic and cheese crunch! Paella Matadora -- very good, the rice was amazing, BUT THEY GIVE LITTLE RICE! Unclear why. The pink onions added a really unexpected dimension to the paella. We would have loved more rice and a crispy bottom at that. The Senorio is nice and pairs with everything. I also got the Fiol Prosecco which was light and delightful. Overall, the paella was the star of the show. Everything else was good, but not amazing -- maybe we went in with high expectations. I give it 3.8 - 4 out of 5. The service was great. The ambiance was very relaxed given it was Christmas eve and given that this is inside the Hilton in Woburn. There is plenty of parking in the underground garage (or so we assumed?). The whole place is filled with a charry fragrance that makes you super hungry.

Hanna G.

Matadora has always been on my list of places to try! I've had two opportunities with different friends to explore the tapas during spring and winter. The first time it was only two people so we didn't get to have as many items most recently. I went with a group before and I think we were able to hit all the highlights! Making a reservation was easy on OpenTable for a cold Saturday night. The restaurant is attached to the Hilton hotel in the middle of their courtyard overlooked by all the rooms above. For drinks, I got the bull fighter which was stronger than I anticipated. My SO wanted a drink that required the smoker which they informed us was not available. Some of the standout favorites from the meal was the duck lollipop and the braised short rib (we got two orders). The mushroom asparagus was sadly not as exciting but the egg was a great touch. Of course we got the flaming chorizo just for the spectacle. Tuna tartare was also good but I think we enjoyed the scallops more. My SO also ordered the wood grilled filet mignon and he enjoyed quickly in a few bites. I'd say we ordered with no holds bar, so as expected, we walked away with a hefty bill The service was very attentive given that it was not a very busy evening for both times that I tried the restaurant. Next time I'd be curious about their entrées and paella to compare to some of my other favorite tapas locations!

Beef empanadas
Gloria L.

We came here for Valentine's Day and absolutely loved it. They had a Valentine's specific menu, but most of the dishes we got are from the regular menu. We started off with oysters and jamón serrano. Oysters were very salty and I don't know what the sauce was, wouldn't order again. But the jamón serrano was delicious with crostinis and jam. For tapas we got the beef empanadas, flamingo chorizo, and beef brochette (ranked in the order of what we liked most first). The empanadas are a must order, the sauce was absolutely delicious. Flamingo chorizo had a great snap and kick to it. The pieces that weren't too charred were great for the beef brochette, loved the soft pita and hummus. For the main, we shared steak frites and it was well cooked, but not a huge fan of manchego. And for dessert we got the raspberry heart cake, this is a hard pass, didn't like it at all Also FYI this restaurant is in the Hilton

Beef Brochette from the tapas menu. DELICIOUS
Robo T.

I attended a business dinner with colleagues at Matadora located in the Hilton. Food was very good - great flavors, well prepared. I had a few things off of the tapas menu. Others at the table had full entrees. The wait staff was great - engaging, attentive. I like the vibe. The indoor cavernous space has multiple stories of guestroom balconies overlooking the dining room. It is a little bit weird but it does make the space more interesting. Why only 3 stars you ask? Toward the end of our evening we noticed.... some additional dining room guests that were not seated by the hostess (if you know what i mean). We quietly brought it to our waitress' attention and she did state that management was aware. Not a huge red flag for me because anywhere there is food, you have uninvited guests. Also half of our table were from NYC so they were used to seeing uninvited guests. Would I return? Yes.

Braised short ribs and the salad that's name has been forgotten
Ashleigh P.

On a business trip, and tired from traveling all day. I decided to stay and eat at the hotel the first night. Matadora is a tapas restaurant in the Hilton Boston/Woburn. I was alone so I just ordered a salad and short rib tapas. Both were ok. Nothing to write home about. I can't find the salad on the online menu for some reason so unsure the official naming of it or what it was topped or dressed with. I do remember the dressing being a bit watered down tasting. The braised short rib came with celery root puree and I think I would've preferred mashed potatoes. Anyway, I probably will never be back in this area, but if you find yourself here, try it out. I've definitely had way worse hotel restaurant food.

The Bull!
Alexandria L.

I've been waiting to try this place for a bit, and was thrilled when a friend suggested it. Although I love trying new restaurants, I normally stay within the same food choices. I looked at the menu ahead of time and was salivating at the idea of the Lamb Shank. Sadly, it was no longer on the menu, but after much deliberation, and a VERY patient server, I went with the Seared Scallops. They were cooked to perfection, and the pea purée was the perfect balance. I started with the Beet Salad (which is another dish I always order). It was Divine. The Pistachio/Raspberry brought it to an entirely different level. I wanted a cocktail, but didn't want to get hammered, because I have the tolerance of a toddler. Once again, our server Kenny, came to the rescue by recommending the Tizona. It paired well with my meal and was just the right amount of booze for this broad. *I never take pics of my food because it makes me feel like a creep, but I did get a few pics of the Bull. It's even more spectacular in person.

Service! Omg! Hello! Is there anybody out there? Food was good and came out fast. Forget about attentive service Service Service Service Service Service Service Service Service Service

Spirit of San Juan mocktail
Cindy L.

First off, this restaurant is inside the Hilton Boston/Woburn which I was staying at. It had pretty convenient hours which I loved and it smelled so good as soon as I checked in so it was very tempting. I love how the ceiling was so high and made of glass, like the rest of the hotel, it felt like being outside while indoors. I got the spirit of San Juan mocktail which was so tasty. I usually don't like mocktails with alcohol "replacements" but this one was as pretty good! The server was so nice and helpful when I asked about the sizes of everything since it was just me in there (I don't go to a lot of tapas places!) I ended up getting three and it was the perfect amount. The meatballs were nice and little, the sauce was sweet and loved the pita that was included that added a lot of balance to the sauce's acidity. The basque street corn was nice and flavorful. My absolute favorite though was the burrata. It was DELICIOUS. The depth of flavor was perfect. Fresh burrata, balsamic drizzle, prosciutto on toast smeared with fig preserves and topped with pistachios. I loved every single bite. I thought everything was really well done and would definitely come back if I stayed at the hotel again! There is something I find a little awkward about going to a restaurant in a hotel when you're not staying there (but that's a me issue lol) but highly recommend if you're staying there!

The burger and fries - decent enough with a perfect egg.
Jennifer S.

The pressure of choosing a dish or dishes is real! There are so many things to choose from, and finding something to tempt the palate should not be too difficult. Ambiance:? Well, it is a sea of tables and it is kind of loud. It is an open kitchen, which is pretty cool. Staying within government per diem can be difficult, for those affected by such things. The food does not disappoint!

Chard octopus
James M.

Great service for a hotel restaurant. Oliver was fantastic. He helped me with the right wine selection and was more than just an order taker. Personable and attentive. This has to be some of the best food I've had in a long time at a hotel restaurant. Focused more on the dishes from Spain it was a refreshing dinner. I had the beet salad... yum! The charred octopus was equally delicious. The flavors of the food complemented my Malbec wine. The ambiance is cool and hip. Not too loud but just right. After dinner I sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful September night air and just unwinded from a long day. Thank you Hilton

Beet Salad
Mark T.

To say I am disappointed would be a gross understatement. To only earn one star from me, an experience has to be hilariously bad. The only thing that went right was that the silverware & plates were clean, and the fries were solid. Otherwise, overpriced, bland, unimaginative* food and some dishes lacked freshness! Even the service was disorganized and, therefore, a miss. Here's a clip from the night that sums up this catastrophe: Mom: "That experience was McDonald's level!" Me: "No, McD's seasons their burger patties." Let me attempt to give you the breakdown based on what I had the opportunity to try: Beet Salad: I appreciate the thought of adding Goat Cheese Mousse, Pistachio, and Raspberry Gastrique. However, these were wholly ineffective at elevating sold slices of beet. If you'll pardon the metaphor: an excellent BBQ sauce paired with an abysmal piece of meat doesn't help much Patatas Bravas: They advertise these as crispy, sorry folks, no crispness in sight (or taste). Up top, they were drizzled too generously with Chipotle Aioli. At the base was an okay tomato sauce that I didn't even know was there until half the potatoes were gone, and I had a mouth full of aïoli. Burrata: Not much to write home about here. An ovaloid of cheese drizzled with oil and vinegar, served on top of the same tomato sauce as under the Patatas Bravas. Next to the cheese was a blend of fruit and cherry tomatoes (not heirloom), which felt entirely out of place. Braised Short Rib: Allow me to digress a little bit. One of the things I learned from HelloFresh and food YouTube videos is the importance of seasoning throughout the cooking process and that fat carries flavor. There may have been some flavors here, but with a decided lack of even salt, they stayed hidden. Exhibit A: Celery Root Purée felt like mashed potatoes made from powder. Exhibit B: the protein tasted bland, and some simple S&P would have done wonders. Oh, and the "Dry fig & Pistachio Gremolata" - nowhere to be found. Flaming Chorizo: This dish has one thing going for it, it looks cool while on fire. Otherwise, it is an okay sausage with either Dijon or Yellow Mustard. I would have loved to try the Piquillo Honey Mustard; I love honey mustard! Yeah, no. Tuna Tartare: Now we're getting into my freshness comment. They'd made the whole thing and stuck it all, plate included, into the fridge. For the app itself, the tuna was good quality, though I was not a fan of vinegar as a sauce/dressing. Further, if there were chiles within, they did not make themselves known. The avocado was fine, though it needed some seasoning. As for seaweed salad, as a matter of personal preference, I was not too fond of it here. Here are some extra notes from my parent's dishes (I didn't personally try anything beyond a nibble): Matadora Burger: Per my second paragraph, the patty needed basic salt. Faroe Island Salmon: A $30 piece of fish, yet previously frozen. The Service: When we placed our order, the food didn't come out shotgun style (brought out when prepared), but the sequence didn't make sense either (nor were we asked). For example: were ordered three tuna tartares. We'd get a single tuna tartare, some more things, then the server brought mom her burger, then a few minutes later a tuna tartare. Was mom to have the burger get cold while she ate the tuna, or eat the main before the app? Another critique is that dirty (empty) plates were not cleared promptly and were allowed to pile up. The final nail in the service coffin is that the server brought someone else's bill, not the check with the itemized order, but the slip with the tip and signature line. We found it weird but wrote the tip, signed it, and attached the card. This time, we were brought out an itemized bill for more money than expected. Slip-ups happen, sure, but it wasn't even acknowledged at any point until we called it out. Finally, there is the question of value. Especially for small plates of subpar quality, the prices were too high. Not a single dish had positive standout characteristics that would justify the cost. Matadora is at least a semi-nice restaurant, not a greasy spoon - and such diners give you a man-sized portion for $9.95 instead of $12 for a small serving of boiled potatoes masquerading as crispy. Fails around the board with service, food quality, and value virtually guarantee a return trip is not in the books. Also, please adjust the menu to reflect the dishes accurately. * Just a quick note on "unimaginative:" Sometimes, a restaurant tries to do something unique with a dish, though it fails in execution. Sometimes, a place will go for simplicity, but done to perfection (like that poutine I had in MTL, which the joint executed brilliantly). If you go for something simple, execution better be on point. If you do creative, there's more leeway available. However, if you go the simple route and flub on it, what are you even doing?!

Farrow island wood fired grilled salmon

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Sogno - Olive oil cake

Sogno

4.0(182 reviews)
3.3 mi

Update to latest visit: What can I say about Sogno except…read moreeverytime I'm there I always enjoy my meal and experience there. I brought my BF here and he loved it so much as well so I said we'd have to go back for lunch sometime since he always works late and he was very excited about this idea and looking forward to trying other menu items. Service is always professional and attentive, restaurant always immaculate, bathrooms always clean, food and drinks always delicious, decor charming and classy, parking always plentiful and not a hassle which I always appreciate.

Sogno is a stylish and energetic addition to Woburn, and the food is generally excellent. The…read moredining room has a lively vibe, and the service is friendly and attentive. The Burrata is a very good dish with cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic oil, aged balsamic, and grilled ciabatta. Even knowing burrata is an expensive ingredient, the price feels high for what you get. One of my go‑to entrées is the Rigatoni alla Bolognese, which is consistently satisfying whether ordered traditional or oven baked with fresh ricotta. One thing regulars will notice is that Sogno tends to rotate many fan favorites off the menu. Servers openly acknowledge that guests ask for certain dishes to return, but they also explain that the chef and owner decide what stays and what goes. It can be frustrating when a great dish disappears without warning. Another thing worth mentioning: Sogno often features live music. If that is not your thing, make sure to request a table as far away from the performance area as possible because the sound carries and can make conversation difficult. Lastly, although the owner also owns the building, he has a habit of parking his four‑door Mercedes wherever he wants rather than in an actual parking spot. It comes across as pretentious and unnecessary. If I were to park where he does, I am sure I would be towed. Sogno has a lot going for it: strong food, a fun atmosphere, and a polished dining room, however; a few quirks are worth knowing before you go.

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Sogno - Bar area seating

Bar area seating

Sogno - The porterhouse cut up

The porterhouse cut up

Sogno - I forget the name of this peach drink, but my friend really liked it

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I forget the name of this peach drink, but my friend really liked it

Tudo Na Brasa - Interior

Tudo Na Brasa

4.0(183 reviews)
1.9 mi
•$$

Always a good way to reminisce over my time in Brazil. The…read morestaff are always friendly, and the food is delicious...great desserts too!!!

I'm a traveling hospice nurse and was checking out one of my possible status. So the lady mentions…read moreshe's Brazilian, before you know it we're talking about food. One thing led to another and we decided to visit this wonderful place. We drove up and as I was going in I see two of their employees running to the glass window to take a look at our two very large Woolly Akitas. We start talking and the young man walked me through this amazing buffet of goodness. Then he directs me to the meats over the charcoal... Yes, there is a Heaven, and I'm right there!! I run out and tell my husband. We both grab to-go boxes, fill them up and run back to the car to turn the A/C back on for our pups. Much munching later and a lot of "o dang" and "this is deliciousness" o and "this is the best!" We finally got done Honestly, we had to unbutton that top button of our pants. Full but satisfied. We over filled our to-go boxes and had two passion fruit drinks. I believe it was a total of maybe $40. Way better than we've had in a very long time. Friendly and sweet folks working there. Family owned. The food is AMAZING!!! You gotta check it out!!!

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Tudo Na Brasa - A wide variety of spit-roasting meats at Tudo Na Brasa, from brisket and bacon-wrapped chicken, to garlic beef and kielbasa.

A wide variety of spit-roasting meats at Tudo Na Brasa, from brisket and bacon-wrapped chicken, to garlic beef and kielbasa.

Tudo Na Brasa
Tudo Na Brasa

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110 Grill - Thai Sesame Salmon

110 Grill

3.9(265 reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$

I dined with friends who live in the area who come to this restaurant often. Of all the 110 Grill's…read moreat which I've dined so far (and I'll undoubtedly visit more in the future), this is probably my favorite at the moment. The quality of service, food, drinks, atmosphere were all very good. Turnover here is also very good, as there was no wait for an almost-full restaurant at 7pm on a Friday evening. Drinks were flavorful, but strength seemed a bit inconsistent. My Patriot's Pour, a bourbon drink, seemed a wee bit stronger both in flavor and perceived alcohol than the martinis we were served. The ice cube with the restaurant's name in it was a nice touch. Our dinners all came out at the same time and were, as mentioned, enjoyable. I did notice that the counter in front of the kitchen, where dishes are placed waiting for pickup, seemed to have more plates on it than the could be under the heat lamps. Hopefully folks' dinners weren't inconsistent in temperature. My Thai salmon was done the way I like it, firm and crispy. Parking outside is ample as well, there were several spaces free near the entrance at any time. They do a good job all-around here.

Had a pretty good dinner - we were promptly seated and ordered the kale salad to share for an app…read moreand the mushroom ravioli and pulled pork mac n cheese for mains. The salad arrived split on two separate plates which was a nice touch, and the sweet mustardy dressing balanced the bitterness of the kale and brussels - only comment is it was bit overdressed. The mushroom ravioli was tasty and had a good filling to wrapper ratio with a solid amount of cream sauce. The pulled pork mac was on the sweeter side and also had a lot of sauces - the bechamel, sweet bbq sauce and ranch. It was a touch too many sauces for us. Portions were a good size, a bit larger than expected. Service was attentive and fast, and the space is clean and comfortable, but could use a bit of an update, the upholstery on our booth was noticeably worn down. Overall a good meal, just note dishes tend to be heavier on sauces / dressings - we'll request to go lite on sauces next time.

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110 Grill
110 Grill - 110 Cajun Yellowfish Tuna

110 Cajun Yellowfish Tuna

110 Grill - Outside

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Outside

Krave Kitchen & Bar - Chocolate cake (good ganache, v rich)

Krave Kitchen & Bar

4.0(62 reviews)
3.3 mi

Casual dining about on par with your local Applebee's…read more Vibe: Bar and lots of seating including an area that can be curtained off presumable for private events, overall casual family friendly vibe. Service: Good, fast, pleasant Food: The Asian beef tacos which were fine, came with 3 tacos, heavy on the filling, flavors were so-so. The chocolate cake was a layered cake, the ganache was good, could have used more strawberry slices to cut through the richness. Drinks: The Raspberry lime rickey mocktail was perfectly sweet and sour, tasted like candy. Value: Tacos were $18, for the quality I would say that these were overpriced. The cake was a good portion for desert and was $9. Other: The bathroom was dark, could improve in the lighting. Obviously more a customer issue and could have gone between cleanings but there was shredded paper towels scattered on the ground. Overall this wasn't a bad meal by any means, just overpriced for basic food.

There are three key elements to a successful, well-rounded Yelp review--food, service, and…read moreambiance--and Krave earned a gold star in every single one. The food was nothing short of exceptional. Both simple and deeply nuanced, every dish I tried offered a fresh, elevated take on a familiar favorite. Each bite was packed with flavor, making for a truly memorable dining experience. The shrimp tacos, for instance, were a seafood lover's dream--perfectly grilled shrimp paired with crisp, fresh vegetables and a creamy taco sauce, all wrapped in warm tortillas filled to the brim. As for the mozza balls, they were a revelation. Hot and crispy on the outside, generously dusted with fresh Parmesan, and bursting with rich, creamy mozzarella inside. The crust was so perfectly crunchy that even Sonic's legendary mozzarella sticks would have some serious competition. These golden bites of cheesy perfection were nothing short of divine. The fried shrimp were enormous and cooked to absolute perfection, encased in a flavorful, perfectly crispy batter. They were incredible on their own--so much so that the accompanying dipping sauce, while a nice touch, was completely unnecessary. The bruschetta was warm and fluffy, topped with juicy, perfectly ripened tomatoes and a generous handful of fresh, peppery arugula, all drizzled with rich, warm olive oil. There was plenty to share--but it was so good, you wouldn't want to. The food was so insanely good that I was kraving more before I even made it home--seriously, I considered turning the car around halfway just for another bite. The service was top-notch from the moment we sat down. Our server greeted us before we even had our chairs pulled out, welcomed us to Krave, handed us menus, and took our drink orders right away. She was back quickly with full glasses and a friendly smile. When we ordered appetizers, she kept us updated on their progress, making sure we never had to wonder when they'd arrive. Attentive, efficient, and genuinely welcoming--it doesn't get much better than that. She kept that same level of service throughout our entire visit--never missing a beat. Our glasses stayed full, our table stayed clear, and we never had to ask for a thing. This was the kind of service that makes you want to tip extra extra. The ambiance was perfect--Krave has the chill vibe down to a science. Relaxed atmosphere, great lighting, comfy seating, and just the right level of background noise to keep things lively without being overwhelming. If my kids hadn't been with me, I could've easily made myself at home at the bar for the afternoon. Overall, it was a great experience from start to finish. I usually try to visit a new restaurant every time I go out, just to keep things interesting. But Krave might have just messed up that plan--it's definitely earned a spot on my list of go-to places.

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Krave Kitchen & Bar - Inside

Inside

Krave Kitchen & Bar - Brunch burger

Brunch burger

Krave Kitchen & Bar - Krave

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Krave

IL Ponte - Mussels

IL Ponte

4.7(129 reviews)
1.9 mi

My wife and I made a reservation for a Saturday night and upon arrival were seated immediately. To…read morestart, we ordered a perfectly cooked octopus antipasti, followed by tortellini alla norcina, and for a secondi the vitello alla petroniana (we were debating between this pasta/secondi combination and the pasta bolognese/swordfish special - will have to come back to get these next time!). I don't typically eat veal, and this cutlet was perfectly balanced - rich, savory, crispy, with a pleasant (but not overwhelming) salty kick from the prosciutto and parmigiano reggiano. We also ordered the spicy broccolini, which I highly recommend for the garlic lovers out there. For dessert we had the dark cherry (amarena?) gelato, which was delicious and creamy, with the perfect amount of sweetness. We shared each dish, and it was certainly plenty of food for the two of us. Prices felt reasonable for the amount and quality of what we ordered (all of the above + 2 drinks from the bar totaled approx. $160 pre-tip). The restaurant space itself is relatively small but has enough space to move around comfortably, which made it cozy without ever getting too loud (it was a pretty full house when we went), with a balanced dim lighting. Additionally, the staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and the server patiently walked us through the menu and shared suggestions at our request. On a personal note I am especially appreciative of the staff, as I accidentally left without my hat, and the restaurant responded almost immediately to the message I sent through the restaurant website that same evening. Tl;dr - great menu, rich & hearty but balanced ingredients/recipes, and comfortable vibe. One really gets the impression that the husband/wife owners had a specific vision that they successfully brought into reality.

Had some nice food here the other week. This is a cute place in Woburn Center, and you do feel like…read moreyou've stepped into Italy. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, so it's a great place for date night. The Fantastic: 1. Service -- our waiter was amazing, he took great care of us. We wanted for nothing! 2. Tortellini Alla Norcina -- this was delish. It was creamy, a little funky, and the pasta was cooked perfectly. 3. Cacio e Pepe -- also delish. 4. Mussels -- perfectly cooked, big and plump, and the bread to sop up the broth was also yummy. The plates are beautiful, but I think that plating and presentation takes priority over the food sometimes: 1. Bruschetta -- this was supposed to come with a balsamic drizzle, but it was served on a wooden plate and the drizzle was tiny and thin, so there wasn't really any balsamic. The dish could have used it to help cut through the cheese. 2. Bombolone -- dry, there was not a lot of custard in the pastry, and the surrounding sauces were more decorative than helpful. We did not enjoy the mixed drinks, they were all on the sour side and watery. So I would stick with wine or beer, the wine we had was excellent. Overall, we had a really nice time and would return.

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IL Ponte
IL Ponte
IL Ponte - Ah... creamy limoncello!

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Ah... creamy limoncello!

Matadora - spanish - Updated May 2026

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