MIDA

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!

Maybe my partner and I are biased since we aren't huge fans of Italian cuisine. We ordered the…read moreRigatoni Alla Vodka and the Campanelle Bolognese. The first few bites of both were good, but not as amazing as we would've expected, given the rave about this restaurant. As we continued chowing down our dish, we both noticeably got sick of it. The flavors weren't something that made us want to go back for more. The host was kind. My partner had made a last minute reservation, but realized he made it for the wrong day when we arrived and although they were a full house that Saturday night, he made sure to get us in with a short wait. Inside is dark and loud, which is not much of my preferred ambience. Luckily, we sat outside with fresh air and it was a warm Summer evening, so it felt nice. Unfortunately, this is off my list because we were not amazed.

Inferior

Burrata 10/10

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Inside/Decor

Carmelina's

4.5(4.5k reviews)

2.2 mi•North End

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.

Bolognese

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Grazie @foodieauthority Spicy Shrimp

Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

4.1(4.5k reviews)

2.2 mi•North End

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.

More menu

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Open dining room

Isabella Ristorante

4.5(718 reviews)

2.2 mi•North End

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!

A great but small restaurant (10-15 tables) in the north end of Boston…read more We had a lovely lunch/dinner, around 2 PM on a Saturday , so it was not crowded. We had the pear blue cheese salad, which was delightful! For main courses, our party had the veal roll which they accommodated us by serving it with a side of gnocchi instead of potato. This was a delicious mean course. The lobster ravioli was terrific. The vodka sauce was perfect. The tutti de Mari was full of delicious fresh seafood, including clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp.... Unfortunately We were too full for dessert.

The wine wall at Isabella Ristorante.

Eggplant Parmesan

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Little Italy on a beautiful Boston night.

Piattini

4.0(1.2k reviews)

0.7 mi•Back Bay

I'm definitely a pasta connoisseur and this place is AMAZING! Stumbled upon this place and i'm…read morealways in the mood for Italian so I knew I had to try it. It was such a beautiful day outside leading me to decide to sit on the patio. Great decision. It's covered with umbrellas and a few wire patio tables. The chairs are actually quite comfortable. I decided on the Rigitoni with vodka sauce (one of my favorite pastas) It was absolutely amazing!! My boyfriend got the scampi and it was full of amazing flavors. I've never had a scampi be so flavorful! I love that there was a hint of lemon. I add the breaded chicken cutlet to my pasta and it was a great choice. We had dinner positions and it was enough for leftover, which might I add heat up very well due to the high quality of the food. We were also offered bread with oil and it was the perfect mix of soft and chewy from the crust. 10/10 food. The atmosphere is very classy with a hit of casual sense to it. Our server was very kind and attentive. We will definitely be coming back before we leave!!

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.

Inside

Tuna Crudo

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Raffaela's Tiramisu (~$12)

Krasi

4.6(594 reviews)

0.7 mi•Back Bay

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.

Atmosphere

Giouvetsi

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Dips (tzatziki, kopanisti, taramosalata, sourdough)

Mida

4.3(63 reviews)

1.1 mi•Fenway

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!

Inside

Sausage pizza + Mushroom pappardelle

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Inside

SRV Boston

4.4(658 reviews)

0.1 mi•Symphony

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.

Bar Interior

Lobster risotto

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Outside

The Salty Pig

4.2(2.1k reviews)

0.6 mi•Back Bay

Thats was some really good pizza and all the meats are cooked on site which really seperates them…read morefrom the rest : it's a casual ambiance with upscale food . And the service is really good one of my faves and a must try .

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.

Interior

Pork pate, manchego cheese, olives

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Sippin' easy (w/ alc)

Tonino

4.7(133 reviews)

2.5 mi•Jamaica Plain

Pizza Bianca (9.5/10): Fantastic bread, bursting with aroma. Nice texture as well. We got the…read morestracciatella/tomato relish/balsamic/basil with it. Tasted SOO good. Very well balanced - I especially liked the stracciatella. Taleggio Capeletti (7/10): A bit too rich and too salty for my tastes. I think this dish just needed something to cut through the richness. Still really good nonetheless. Lumache (8/10): The chew on the pasta is impeccable!! The chew on those mushrooms is also insane. Texture-wise, this dish was a home run. For some reason, I kept getting hints of something resembling boar taint in the sauce flavor itself. Not sure why... I don't think there was meat? I feel like I would've given this dish a 10/10 had it not been for the hint of that flavor. Service was very friendly and fast. The restaurant is small, but the seating didn't feel too tight. Even though I gave it a 5/5, I actually don't know if I would come again. The pasta was very steeply priced for not that much food. Although the capeletti was surprisingly filling, I'd rather feel full on carbs than full on pure butter and cheese.

Another 10/10 visit to Tonino in the books!…read more It's such a hard reservation to get, but so worth it. I'm actually getting salivating while posting this review and looking back at my food pictures. I get the Eggplant & Ricotta Pizza as my appetizer and the Rigatoni Amatriciana as my entree each time I go - because they're consistently amazing. The service is always warm and friendly, and I also love the music playlist they play. Believe the hype & come to Tonino!!

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Interior

Countneck Clams

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Countneck Clams

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29 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Richard K.

Elite 24

264

10 years ago

Update #3: Randomly received more hate mail today about my review from about a month ago. Please use caution when visiting Mida. If you have a bad experience do not let anyone know or they may harass you endlessly. Just smile and agree with their fake reviews. Update # 2: It has been weeks since my original review and as of today I am STILL receiving very angry and hateful messages from friends of the chef. I've blocked these people who will make new accounts to just send me new messages calling me "poor" and talking about my sexual orientation which has nothing to do with a restaurant review? Telling me my parents hate me and I should/will be kicked out of other Boston restaurants. I honestly feel like I need to be vocal about this experience. I do not feel Mida is a safe place to dine. God forbid you have a bad experience it could turn into a very unsafe situation. I left a fair review detailing my experience and I've received numerous messages across multiple social media platforms spewing hate at me from people I know for a fact are friends of the chef/his wife. I'm shocked this is happening in 2016. Update: I have had Yelp for years. Although the majority of my reviews are good, I have left one star reviews before when I feel the quality of the establishment and my experience at the restaurant warrants it. Until reviewing this restaurant, I have never been berated by friends of the chef of any restaurant before. I left a similar review on a social media site before being able to find the restaurant on Yelp. Within in hours I was being berated and insulted by friends of the chef and chef's friends- literally mocking me, I think the term may be "bullying?" I'm honestly shocked and disgusted. It wasn't only my review, they had also commented on another person's 2 star review on social media as well. ALSO It's worth noting that after the first few reviews were negative on Yelp, that two 5 star reviews were posted by accounts that had no other reviews and were just created that day....hmmm. My review is below: There are somethings I can overlook in a new restaurant and some things that I cannot. My boyfriend and I were meeting a group of his friends there for dinner. We were early so we grabbed the last spot at the bar, I sat and he stood next to me. He ordered a drink, the Toronto. He hated it and said it tasted like cough syrup or dark soda. I ordered a drink up and was told everything was being served in rocks glasses since they don't have enough glassware, so I stuck to water but not a major deal. The Toronto oddly enough arrived in a coupe glass so I guess they found some? After about 10 minutes the couple next to us left so my boyfriend took one of the seats. The host came over and asked him to stand instead because the chef's parents came in and wanted to sit....excuse me? I guess as a paying customer I'm not important as someone who work's in the kitchen's relatives. This was what really set aside the customer service at Mida from any restaurant I've ever been to. My family has owned businesses and I cannot imagine asking a paying customer to stand so a friend or non elderly relative could sit. It's worth noting his parents were VERY loud and made it difficult to enjoy our drink and hear each other at the bar. We were sat about 40 minutes late for our rezzie, not a problem, I understand. Upon sitting we were told that the gnocchi was a crowd favorite... but they were out tonight. Also, they changed the veal in the orechiette to pork shoulder. We ordered some sort of fried fish appetizer, arranci balls, the bread and pickles to start. The fried fish was not good, too much batter. The arranci balls weren't bad because how can fried cheese taste bad, but they were probably the worst I've had. The bread was awful, I don't understand how you can charge for bread and make it taste bad...I don't think I've ever not liked bread. It was toasted to just the perfect point of making it taste stale. The butter like spread it came with was sour tasting, not tasty. The orechiette was not good. The sauce was flavorless. The girl next to me had the spaghetti and barely touched it. I will say the prices were more than reasonable. Everything was super cheap and portion sizes were fine, so they have that right. However, everything else from the vibe, atmosphere, decor, and service, were true one star material. When you walk in one door you walk literally into the bar so you're immediately in the way of everyone, very uncomfortable. Windows overlook a check cashing business that you'd expect so far down on Tremont. I will absolutely not be back. After sharing my experiences with colleagues and friends they're disappointed as they were looking forward to trying a new South End joint but will no longer bother. read more

Josh B.

10 years ago

MIDA is a gem. What a great addition to this area. LOVE IT. We came twice and left happy. First, on the opening day ( super busy ! ) and again this past weekend ( freaking busy !! ) This neighborhood across Mass ave line has been changing for the past 20 years. It was absolutely ghetto. Until a bunch of young professionals moving in and pushing poor housing projects out. I have seen this spot available for a while. Then Estelle restaurant came in ( not good). After that, a disaster fried chicken place. It was short lived. I walked by many times and really looking forward to it. Here are great things about MIDA . Space is very cozy. Great decor and design. For a restaurant this size? This would be an awesome date spot. I personally like bathroom photos. Nice shots of cars. Totally unpretentious. I particularly also love the lighting and what they wrote on front door " You look good, come on in " something like that. Give you good positive vibe. Bar folks ( bartenders , the beard man and a woman. Lovely folks ). We had drinks before we sat down both times. Host staff and manager were very pleasant when we arrived both times. Our servers on both visits were great. Warm, attentive, and accommodating. We had some fussy diets ( real allergies ) and we told them about our concerns. They were fine with it and helped us choosing right dishes for us. We ordered a lot from the menu. We personally loved Blue Fish Baccalo. Great way to use local fish, sustainable instead of cods. Arancini and pickles are tasty.... We tried all pasta both times. Our friends ordered Ravioli, gnocchi, and orecchiette. They were delicious x delicious. We put them among favorite Italian restaurants in Boston who make own pasta; such as; Giulia and Viale. Food seems honest, comfortin, straightforward, well prepared. Portion sizes here are pretty common in comparison to most good restaurants which allowed us to order more. We cook at home and can see why we don't go to restaurants where chefs / owners are not there cooking your food. We walked by kitchen to bathroom and saw chef Douglas actually cooked in the kitchen all night. THAT made a huge different. We made right decision to check this place out. Monfish was yum. We got charred green, more pasta on second visit. with two other friends. Both has sirloin cap and pork. My boyfriend ate pasnip as entree with grilled oyster. He loved it. I got lamb ribs, lardo, and cappacio as my dinner. They were superb. A lot of damn meat. Opening night was lovely.. Chef came to say quick hello to us on second visit. That big cheese smile though. He seems like a genuine and hardworking guy. We read about where he cooked before. Radius and Coppa are some of our favorite places ( sadly Radius closed a few years ago after almost 20 years in business. We went there often for lunch coz it was near our office). We came to MIDA, left happy, and very full. We hope that MIDA will be here for very long time. Worth a walk from other side of South End. More restaurants in Boston = better = more places to go. This one is a quality one though. We love it here. You should give it a try. We just fell in love with this place as well as all our friends who dined with us !!! Love you, MIDA. Welcome to this neighborhood. read more

Karen S.

10 years ago

I have been putting off writing this review because I truthfully had no idea how to describe my night at MIDA. My husband and I always joked about our meals and tried to write it as short as we could.. But a really nice meal like this might be a rare experience for me, and I will never forget it. I had a special new to share with my husband prior to coming to the restaurant. We were joined by our beloved friends to celebrate it. We were happy to pick this place to go. Every single aspect of the night, from the seating, to the service, lovely cozy décor, airy space, big windows, to the delectable food, was just perfect. We saw an article on Boston magazine about this place opening and it has been on my list of restaurants to try ever since. We finally decided to try it and it did not disappoint! We arrived a few minutes late for our 8:00 p.m. reservation on Friday night, without incident. I wanted to change our reservation the day of to an earlier time so we could squeeze in Celtic game, and I was surprised to find that it was not an option for us - MIDA was all booked up on Open Table by then. We were greeted promptly by the host staff and seated right away. Our wait staff came over almost immediately to introduce himself. He went over the menu a bit and offered water. We ordered a few drinks. We love menu lay out a lot as menu change on daily basis. We started with roasted bone marrow with persillade ( parsley sauce ? ) and Sepia fontina arancini which were excellent choices! which was delicious--served in a spicy tomato - I would call it a "must-have." The lamb ribs may be the best I've had to date, with luxardo, dill, and crispy ginger. YUM ! Fried bluefish bacalao, with olive aioli and roasted lemon paste was excellent. It came with charred green and vinaigrette with a little kick. sooooo goood! For entrees, we shared beef, bass, and pastas. Grilled beef Collette served with mizuna, shaved matsutake mushroom, potato cream (espuma), ginger jus. Striped bass served with bean, oyster& salsa verde, and some watercress. Both were delicious. The handmade pastas we ordered were cooked perfectly al dente. Duck confit Orchetti was really yummy. And " SAFFRON LINGUINI DI MARE" with Mussel escabeche, some white sofrito, anchovy crumb, herbs. BOOM !!. OMG, it was perfectly satisfying. We were so stuffed but we had to try dessert and cheese tasting course ( I won't go over cheese selections ) but it was really great picks. Poppy seed cake with buttermilk custard was just perfect, not overly sweet. It was a perfect ending of our meal. Some final note of why we think MIDA is awesome : This place has a very good vibe. Your typical South End and Boston crowd. Service is seamless and efficient. Prices are typical for the area. Street parking isn't hard to find either. Most importantly, we were just very pleased when we left. We still talked about our meal on our way to a cocktail bar " DRINK " in Fort Point. We will be back soon. read more

Marianne J.

10 years ago

Server !! I need oil change, tire rotation, and air filter replacement. Wait, that's MIDAS. This is MIDA. We walked by several times checking out our hood and saw this restaurant was building. It was bright red ugly with CLUCK IT name on it ( disburbing red with F IT attitude). Then it became MIDA and cool looking store front. So we googled it. And saw an article on Boston Magazine about this chef. I sneaked by host stand to use restroom as soon as we arrived ( boys, it is cold in Boston. This is our first winter. ). An amazing pasta dinner, and overall a wonderful dining experience. This is my favorite restaurant in Boston by far. We came here for an early weeknight meal. We were seated quickly, and our waitress gave us a rundown of the menu, and provided her recommendations. We selected one starter, three pasta dishes, and one entree, and I had a nice glass of red wine to start. The dining room is long but well laid out, and feels open and comfortable. The bluefish baccalo, pickles, lamb ribs, hake crudo as starter were pretty good. The pastas were the standout on the menu. The noodles themselves were perfectly cooked, with the perfect combination of tenderness and chew and the pasta to sauce ratio was just right. The Orchietti with duck was an interesting combination to try, a nice change from the usual. Charred market green was also delicious, Service was great also. Overall, this is an excellent restaurant. We will be back soon. read more

Rick P.

2531

270

1425

2 years ago

Here's my review for MIDA *4/5 Stars* MIDA is a true gem in Boston's culinary scene! This Italian restaurant in the South End neighborhood offers an unforgettable dining experience. From the moment we walked in, the warm atmosphere and exceptional service set the tone for a fantastic evening. *Food:* - The pasta dishes are handmade and cooked to perfection. We loved the Cacio e Pepe and Pappardelle Bolognese. - The wood-fired pizzas are crispy and flavorful, with creative topping combinations. - Don't miss the Burrata appetizer - creamy, rich, and absolutely divine! *Drinks:* - The cocktail menu is inventive and delicious, with a focus on Italian spirits. - The wine list is extensive and thoughtfully curated, with many Italian varietals. *Service:* - Our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly, making excellent recommendations. - The staff is clearly passionate about the food and drinks they serve. *Ambiance:* - Cozy and intimate setting, perfect for date nights or special occasions. - The decor is modern and sleek, with a touch of Italian flair. *Overall:* MIDA is a must-visit for anyone who loves Italian food, drinks, and warm hospitality. We can't wait to return and try more of their delicious offerings! read more

Danielle G.

10 years ago

The good: I LOVE brunch so I was happy to see on their website they'll be serving brunch soon. I live in Brookline so this may be a hike for brunch considering I didn't love the place but maybe brunch will be their thing? The bad: The dinner food. I came with two friends and they gave us an AWESOME seat by the window which was nice but the food was so disappointing. We got the toast, which was basically just a small portion of bread, not enough for the three of us, the pickles which were good but really nothing special, the spicy duck (this was my favorite item we got but still was not wowed), gnocchi which my friend likes but I didn't care for at all, it was too dense not fluffy like I'm used to and one other dish that was so forgettable I forgot it. We feel liked we didn't order enough because we left hungry. Only one of us enjoyed our drinks~~~ and thats because she stuck with wine. The ugly: The service. It was slow and he pushed some items we didn't really want it was just kind of awkward. I would love to say I would give them another shot but if I am trekking to visit my friends in the south end I would rather go to Barcelona for this kind of food. read more

Lili A.

2 years ago

Mida offers a mid-level dining experience with a cozy ambiance and very friendly staff. The waiter was particularly attentive to my allergies, which was greatly appreciated. The arancini was a standout dish - warm and delicious from the first bite. However, the carbonara, while pleasantly lemony, left me wanting more. For $25, the portion size seemed inadequate, lacking both in pasta and guanciale. My friends echoed this sentiment; they too felt the dishes were tasty but would have preferred larger portions for the price. Overall, Mida is a mid restaurant: good, but not outstanding. While my friend enjoyed her gnocchi, the waiter's repeated offers for a takeaway box were somewhat intrusive. Considering the prices and portion sizes, I'm uncertain if I would return, despite the positive aspects of the meal. read more

Ricky B.

3 years ago

MIDA's authentic, high-quality Italian food deserves all the accolades it receives. However it was ultimately their unwavering dedication to customer service that compelled me to write a glowing review. What truly sets MIDA apart is their enthusiastic staff. Sitting at the chef's table allowed me to have genuine interactions with Chef CJ and the rest of the hardworking back of house. They were invested in my dining experience and were excited to help me and my girlfriend decide on our entrees. Choosing to celebrate our anniversary at MIDA was the right decision. Our server Vela went above and beyond to make us feel special. She even congratulated us by sending over a complimentary dessert. I recommend this place to anyone looking to have an unforgettable evening. read more

Lauren R.

125

10 years ago

I was so excited to try MIDA per a recommendation from my friend who is a chef in SF. The host was super friendly, the service was great, and we loved the sommelier! It was busy (Friday night) but everything came out in a timely fashion, our food was coursed perfectly! We ordered the hake crude, eggplant caponata, and the confit duck orrechiete first. Everything was so delicious!! We finished with the mussels escabeche and the bass and left super full and super happy. Definitely coming back and bringing more friends! Thanks for the hospitality!! read more

Jason P.

10 years ago

My girlfriend and I had a date night here the other night. I was not impressed. I was not aware that they were new so maybe they will get better. The service was slow and they were really snobby. My girlfriend got the gnocchi and said it was okay but I got a couple of the smaller dishes and honestly hated them all. The rice ball was okay but I've had better ones for sure. The portions were really small for the prices as other reviewers have noted. We are usually pretty easy to please but this was just plain bad. read more

Gary C.

10 years ago

First post on yelp. Was inspired enough by this restaurant that I figured I could give it a go. Food was on point - aracini with fontina cheese (ummm yup), grilled octopus with I don't remember what (but unreal). The pastas were good. Smaller portions, but are intended to be shared or had as a mid course. Service was super friendly and seemed to know their stuff. I will gladly be back read more

John G.

163

9 years ago

I went here for the first time with a group, and we had the pre fixe menu. It was incredible. The dish choices were incredible, the quality and flavor was amazing. I didn't have the wine pairing, but those who did really enjoyed it, and there was someone there who gave us the background of each drink. It was a really nice experience, highly recommended, I'll be back for sure. read more

Lindsay M.

10 years ago

No, just NO. Everything was awful. I tried Mida when I ventured into the city this week ago. My friend had wanted to go because the prices on their website were cheap so we headed in. Yes, the prices were cheap but the portions were small...fine, it's the city I get it. The price wouldn't be an issue if the food didn't taste like garbage with service to match! read more

Katey M.

9 years ago

Mida is a unique, botique spot in the South End where you can find great (unexpected) food at a reasonable price. I find the menu to be very creative and a mix of italian/american favorites. It's more of a modern twist on staple dishes. Service is great too. My only gripe is that they should have a larger late night menu. Hopefully soon... read more

Jaime R.

9 years ago

Awesome neighborhood spot. Came here over the Marathon weekend while staying at an Air B+B close by. Super fun and knowledgeable staff. The space can be a little loud but I think they are going for a pretty high energy vibe. I would definitely recommend the pasta here. Also really cool selection of inexpensive Italian wines. read more

Chelsea B.

569

7 years ago

We found the space to be slightly uncomfortable but the pasta was so memorable. We really enjoyed all the flavors. The other items on the menu were out of stock. But then a regular sat beside us and got the dishes we didn't have. Suprised that this happened. But maybe they ordered prior to joining them. read more

Anthony K. A.

2 years ago

It's really good. The vibes, service, interiors and lightning, the food and pricing- Im giving it five star! It only took 15 mins for a huge order to be serve. Faster than most places I've been to for that much food read more

Gina Maria C.

2 years ago

excellent food excellent service, cozy atmosphere highly recommend the eggplant Parmesan never disappoints, same with the Bolognese. House made pasta are outstanding. read more

Deanna L.

112

4 years ago

Stunning and delicious. Try the craft cocktails, I had the Secret Garden and it was phenomenal. Everyone enjoyed their food. Delicious homemade breads and pasta. read more

Martin D.

1 year ago

Fantastic restaurant. Great food, engaging and knowledgeable staff. Surprisingly reasonable prices and a fun, vibrant atmosphere. Go here. read more

MIDA - italian - Updated October 2026

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