Amazing food. I also loved the ambience. It was reminiscent of the Mediterranean…read more The plates, plating, and serving ware were tastefully chosen. The service fast attentive and friendly. I'd definitely be back when on vacation again. The orange honey cake was mind blowing

Generally a positive experience though this most recent time we had a few odd moments that took…read moreaway from the experience. We dined indoors. There were a number of flies/ gnats that joined us for dinner, which was not our favorite. We requested an open table by the door but were informed it was only for parties of 3- but then, several other groups of 2 were seated there during the period of time we were there. It's one thing if those tables were specifically reserved- that's fine- it just felt a bit dishonest. Also a note that if you have leftovers, they may not package the entirety of it (though I am not sure why..). For example, we had leftover tiropita rolls but the Greek honey butter (an essential component of the dish) was not packed. Similarly we had a lot of the chicken souvla left, but the roasted garlic yogurt was also omitted? Well worth a try, but less impressive on this visit.

One of Boston's hidden gems located in the Beacons Hill neighborhood. , Ma Maison offers an…read moreauthentic French dining experience in an intimate and charming setting. The menu is small and thoughtfully curated, with each dish expertly prepared and full of flavor. The wine list is well selected, offering excellent value and pairings for the cuisine. What truly sets this restaurant apart is the warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly service.

Chose this spot due to good reviews and short distance from our hotel…read more Ordered the: 1.Lobster Bisque. 4.5/5 This was very good. Good chucks of lobster. Bisque was creamy and flavorful. Probably highlight of the meal 2. French Onion Soup. 1/5. Not good at all. Very watered down. The broth was basically lightly seasoned water. Cheese topping lacked flavor. This was very disappointing for a French restaurant. 3. Mussels. 4/5. These were fresh and came with standard sauces. 4. Coq Au vin with pasta. 3/5 Came out hot but seasoning felt off and didn't quite it the mark. Service was good and it's in a cute spot. But Overall, disappointment with our food and wouldn't repeat.

Amar's afternoon tea, located inside the stunning Raffles Boston, offers an elegant and elevated…read moreexperience that feels both refined and indulgent. From the moment you enter, the setting makes an impression -- the dining room is decadent and beautifully designed, with rich finishes, dramatic details, and sweeping city views that create a luxurious yet inviting atmosphere. It feels special without being overly formal, making it perfect for celebrations or a sophisticated afternoon treat. The tea selection is thoughtfully curated, featuring high-quality blends that range from classic black and green teas to more delicate herbal options. Each tea is aromatic, well-balanced, and served with care, allowing guests to truly savor the experience. The sweet pastries are a standout. Beautifully presented and expertly crafted, they deliver flavor and texture without being overly sweet -- a balance that elevates the entire tea service. Each bite feels refined rather than heavy, allowing you to enjoy the full assortment without feeling overwhelmed. The savory selections complement the sweets nicely, rounding out the experience. Overall, afternoon tea at Amar combines breathtaking views, a decadent and stylish setting, exceptional tea choices, and perfectly balanced pastries. It's a polished and memorable experience that stands out among Boston's luxury dining offerings. $90/person unless you add alcohol. Made reservations

People recently wondered why Boston got nearly entirely shut out by the Michelin people (only 1…read moreone-star was given); among the places that were said to be in the running was Amar, located in a lovely space in the Raffles Hotel. We have been there twice, and I now will put my brief review. The take-home: if Boston, Raffles, and Amar think they deserve a star, they really need to up their game. I will get one thing out of the way very quickly: the food is spectacular and the wine service was excellent; these are not the reason for my comment. The simple truth folks is that a dining experience is not JUST about the food. It's about ambiance--which includes service and atmosphere, and that is where Amar just falls apart. It would be wrong to not recognize that the individual servers were quite nice and attentive. We had an 830 pm seating--hardly late in most cities, though one might suggest that in Boston that is on the later side (it really isn't folks). Regardless, by 1030-11 pm, the dining room was nearly empty on a Saturday night. At that moment, a server came over to us to alert us the kitchen was closing--which was obviously them saying "get out"--but soon thereafter the smell of cleaning fluid filled the air, and we realized there was a person cleaning the tables--with a cleaning cart, complete with mops, brooms, and cleaning fluid in the middle of the dining room. While people were seated and eating. This is a restaurant with a pricey menu and wine list, and I cannot remember a time when dining in a fine restaurant when something like this EVER happened. We found it funny at first, but while trying to eat our dessert and drink our final cocktails the smell of ammonia really ruined the final experience. In the end, once served with the bill, it was not funny. The bill was around $1000 for 4 people including a nice bottle of wine. So: expensive, nice individual service, good food. But the lack of awareness about how diners paying for an expensive meal feel being rushed, and then the utterly ludicrous presence of a cleaning cart in the middle of the dining room while people were still eating (I posted a photo) makes Amar a laughable memory but nowhere I'd go back to.

Located in Hub Hall, we stopped at Now Pouring Wine Bar for some drinks after spending the day in…read moreSalem. It's small but just right. We sat on bar stools, chatted, and drank some beer and cider. No complaints. Loved the ambiance of the place, especially seeing as it was right next to Mike's Pastry. It was easy to get a cannoli and a drink all in one go.

I will say I'm biased - I have been coming here for 3 years. I'm utterly obsessed with the staff…read morewho are attentive and hardworking & the drinks they create! Just got a mango margarita - but I highly recommend looking at their drink menu. There is something for everyone!

Haley Henry Wine Bar is a solid spot for a relaxed but elevated wine night. I went on a Wednesday…read moreevening without a reservation and had no problem getting seated right away for a table of two, which was a great start. The wine selection is excellent and thoughtfully curated -- whites, reds, bubbles, orange wines, and more, so there's truly something for every palate. My friend and I both ordered a red, and it was absolutely perfect. Our server was super friendly and attentive, and she even offered a few samples so we could try before committing to a full glass, which we really appreciated. For food, we shared the hot dog with fried oysters to pair with the wine, and it was surprisingly delicious and a fun, elevated bar bite. Overall, the experience was fantastic -- great wine, great service, and a comfortable atmosphere. Pricing is definitely on the higher end, with wine glasses around $20 and the hot dog at $14, but the quality and experience justify it. I'd absolutely come back for another wine night.

I've been a loyal fan of haley.henry for years and have recommended this spot to countless friends,…read moreso I was really excited to finally bring a new coworker here. Unfortunately, this most recent visit didn't live up to the high standards I've come to expect. While a few dishes hit the mark, the majority of our order was a letdown: Tinned Octopus: Surprisingly chewy and lacked seasoning. Mushroom Toast: The texture was rubbery, and the flavor was completely drowned out by an aggressive amount of balsamic. Beets: Had a very overwhelming cumin flavor that threw the dish out of balance. Roast Beef Slider: Served cold and felt a bit uninspired. It's such a cute, intimate space, and I've had so many wonderful nights here in the past, but the execution was just off this time around. I'm hoping it was just an off night, but it was definitely disappointing given how much I usually love this place!

We have been frequenting Grill 23 for 10 years. We often come to commemorate special occasions,…read morelike birthdays or anniversaries. Given this, in previous years, these moments were celebrated by the restaurant. Unfortunately, this was not the case tonight. We were celebrating a wedding anniversary and there was no acknowledgement of said celebration in any way. It felt really disappointing, as we have patroned this restaurant for years, and were really looking forward to this evening as new parents who do not get to have these moments out as much. It truly left a sour taste in our mouths.

Finally tried out this Boston steakhouse staple. Steak and service were very good. The 100 day dry…read moreaged prime ribeye had great flavor and the dry aged prime new york had a nice texture. Both were served with a bit of greens and french onions to balance the rich beef. The foie gras was a good starter, kind of like a French onion soup with seared foie on top. They definitely seem to apply their French onion flavors in a couple places. Sides left a bit to be desired, the peas and mushrooms were a miss (overcooked) and while the sweet potato looked impressive the pork belly was dry. Cocktails were on the sweeter side, so wine is probably the better play. Ambiance is traditional Boston vibes and quite lively given the Back Bay location. Overall, solid steak and service, but I'm not sure I understand the hype for the price.

We started with papas bravas and sangria--both excellent. The shrimp ceviche was fresh and…read moreflavorful, and the mussels in coconut were outstanding. The chicken anticuchos were great--highly recommend them for anyone who doesn't like gamey meats. I'm Peruvian, and at first I thought the menu might not look Peruvian enough. After dining here, I realized it's not just Peruvian--it's packed with bold flavors and thoughtfully explores Central American influences, which made it a greatly surprising experience. The restaurant wasn't full, so we had no wait at all. Service was great and the atmosphere was fantastic. And the churros--wow! You have to get them. So simple, yet so good. Not sure why this place isn't busier--highly recommend!

Wow--I think we've found a favorite restaurant on Newbury Street! We came here for the ceviche and…read moredidn't know they also have $2 oysters on weekends from 12-5 (I think they have dollar oysters during the week too), so that was a nice surprise. We had a few oysters, which were small but very fresh and on the sweeter side. I usually prefer briny ones, but these were very tasty. The tuna ceviche was perfect. The chicken tacos were also juicy and delicious, and the calamari were very nicely flavored and crisp, and come with a mildly spicy sauce. I will definitely be back soon.

This place blew me away... the restaurant is very small and tight but the service and food is…read moreamazing. The burrata bruschetta was so bright and fresh, a great start to the meal. The rigatoni and the fettuccine carbonara (daily special) were outstanding! Pastas were perfectly cooked and the sauces had incredible depth of flavor. Skip the dessert, though.

Perfect breakfast/brunch spot! The restaurant is small in a way that makes it absolutely cozy. The…read morestaff from the waitress to the food runner went out of their way to make the meal feel welcoming and friendly. The menu has just about everything you'd want or crave for breakfast or brunch, along with daily specials. Pancakes are outstanding with maple butter and the POTATOES! I am unsure how you get potatoes to be soft and smoked, but they are so unique and so delicious! The prices are proportional to the sizes and quality. Didn't feel rushed on a Saturday morning and that is huge!