Mooncusser Photos
MOONCUSSER ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Mooncusser
Recommended Reviews - Mooncusser
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Impossible for me to not love a seafood-forward menu and Mooncusser more than delivered. Given some pacing issues, our meal was more a 4.5 but all told, this was one of the better Boston fine dining options for your money. You get three "main" courses, along with a starter and a dessert, for $125 as a set tasting menu, along with an optional cheese board if you're still hungry. They also give you little bites at the start and finish. Rest assured, you'll leave feeling pleasantly full. I also really appreciated how there are two choices on the tasting menu which is great for two people - you can try the entire menu that way. Everything rotates depending on what's in season, so more likely than not, they'll have a new menu for spring. The dining room is dimly lit and low-key, not pretentious or stuffy, and some of the tables overlook the street across from Saunders Castle. I liked how the atmosphere was cheerful and lively but never got too loud to hear the other person. My favorites on the tasting menu: the lobster laksa (the tiny portion in a bowl was definitely a tease); the salmon (immaculately cooked, with an impressive crispy sear on the skin and an almost-sashimi grade interior, how did they manage this?!). I almost never order the salmon dish at a restaurant given that I can just make it at home but this was the Aristotelian platonic ideal of salmon. The palate cleanser of a chilled quince was also genius, with tiny knife cuts, an incredible presentation. Cheese board was a little small for the price, though I wish they sold the house-made minced chestnut/caramel sauces that came as an accompaniment in bottled form. Also really enjoyed the coconut passionfruit mille feuille dessert even for this coconut hater (didn't love the chocolate/butternut squash dessert). I will say though that this was a very long dinner - our meal was about 2.5 hours, with the most waiting in between the three main courses. The food was certainly worth it but I definitely felt my eyelids drooping at various points. I also wished they offered some bread at the beginning to tide us over. Parking: Several open metered options in the nearby streets that turn off at 8pm, no need to spring for an expensive garage. Definitely want to try Moon Bar on the first floor!
Absolutely the highlight of eating out during our week in Boston. I was ready to come here and eat a wonderful tasting menu (more like pre-fixe because you can choose what you're eating) and have a wonderful wine pairing. I was, however, worried about my husband. He isn't the biggest fan of seafood and has some food restrictions. Thankfully, this place is sooooo tasty that none of that mattered (and they didn't have any of his restrictions on the menu.) We took the elevator up to the third floor (which we thought more people would do but only one half of another table did while we were there) and were greeted with a lovely, open and bright dining room. Our server was friendly and casual (maybe too casual but we aren't hoity toity so I feel more comfortable with more casual servers/bartenders, etc.) My only complaint about our server was that he would always serve my husbands choices to me and vice versa but it became quite funny and my husband and I were tasting each others anyway so we just traded back after we did. He also became a bit less available as the place filled up, but that was ok because we were enjoying ourselves. I think service ran a bit slow, but I appreciated it because it gave me time to digest between courses. Now to the important part, the food. The food here is incredible. Not one course I didn't absolutely love. The wine pairing was well thought out and did pair with the food amazingly. I don't want to say this but they could absolutely charge more for their menu because the portion sizing and the flavors are amazing. I loved the surprise and delights at the end of the meal as well. Those rye chocolate chip cookies, I have to find a way to reverse engineer. We also ordered some cocktails at the beginning of our meal and they were amazing. I half wished I didn't get the wine pairing and tried all of their cocktails. YUM!
We were able to snag an early Thursday dinner a couple of weeks in advance, and came for their updated seafood-heavy menu. I got a gimlet for my drink and it was really good, I love citrusy cocktails that aren't too sweet. I'm not sure if I enjoyed this time or the first time more, but we thought the tuna crudo, scallops, trout, and sweet potato ravioli with lobster were all very strong dishes that we savored to the last bite. The main courses didn't quite hit as well flavor-wise (though the pork was the most tender and juicy pork we've ever had, the gochujang sauce was not our absolute favorite). The caramel apple sorbet for pre-dessert was light and refreshing. The white chocolate mousse was pretty tasty. I did not really like the coconut pudding with jackfruit, but jackfruit is something I don't eat much so it could be it was just a little too foreign. We also got the cheese plate and the bruleed soft cheese was a standout, but the rest of the cheeses/candied nuts/jam were just alright. Could be skipped unless you're feeling extra hungry. Service was nice and not overbearing, but sometimes there would be large gaps between dishes and I also was served water in a glass with two chips and had to ask for a replacement. This is still one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. I really like that there are only a couple of choices for each course, so that we can opt to try everything together if coming in a party of two. I think the prixe fixe menu is pretty reasonably priced and rotates often. Will definitely be coming back for dates in the future.
Came here to celebrate a birthday and they made sure to make it special with a candle during our dessert course. We came in the autumn time so they just changed their menu for the season. Most of the food was curry flavored in order to match the theme of fall, which wasn't my favorite, but a good meal in general. We also opted in for the cheese course and split a wine pairing as well which were amazing additions to the meals. The chosen cheeses in the course were delicious! Highly recommend getting it if you're into that. The staff were all very kind and made sure to explain everything to us and the atmosphere was intimate and cozy. It was a multi-course meal to I understand it takes a bit longer, but we did spend quite a long time waiting in between each course and many folks around us came and left before us.
I'll preface this by saying I am not local to Boston, but I loved Mooncusser so much on my last Boston visit (~2 years ago) that I made sure to come back this past visit. Let's start with the ambiance. I've read "formal, but not pretentious" and I think that's an accurate description. I wouldn't call Mooncusser fancy, but it's certainly upscale but again, definitely not pretentious or stuffy. It's a really cute atmosphere, especially with all the large windows and small bar in the corner. Tables are spaced far enough apart that you don't feel like you're listening on someone else's conversation. The food is excellent. Just excellent. If Mooncusser were local to me, I'd go there every time the menu changes. Incredibly fresh, seasonal ingredients, delicious preparations, just all around excellent. I'm a huge fan of food and wine pairings, and Mooncusser does it right. A few very interesting varietals (one I'd never had before) along with more common wines, but all of the pairings just really made the food sing. I really appreciated the harmony between the two and it really elevated the experience. If you're a fan of pairings, definitely splurge here. And yes, if you want the cheese (which was a new thing since I first visited Mooncusser, it was excellent), they will pair something with that too if you ask. I love how the servers meticulously describe each dish and the pairings. That just adds to the fun of the experience. First line of this review says it all...wish I lived closer to be a regular!
I booked a reservation for my partner's birthday. I enjoyed the food overall aside from the entrees of Sea Trout made with miso and Spanish Mackerel with mole verde, which is a bummer. The sauce for the trout was made with hedgehog mushroom and smelled funky, coming from a mushroom lover. I could give a spiel about the food, but majority just wasn't my preference. Not every treasure suits everyone. My partner enjoyed it, which is what mattered most. I was mainly excited seeing the chef was on a TV show. Customer service was great, but a bit confusing at the front desk with no expectancy of wait time as they chatted away. I had a reservation for a birthday. Not necessarily a 5 star restaurant experience as I've encountered at "lower" level restaurants at least acknowledging this was for a special event, as we waited about 20 minutes.
Pastas are back! One would be hard pressed to find a place in the city that does more exquisite and delicate pastas. The cod croquette is also a perfect crispy bite.
We came to celebrate my birthday so decided to do a fancy restaurant. We were seated under the air conditioning vent and noticed lots of tables had vents above them. I didn't mind it too much but my gf got cold. The server was a bit hurried and spoke quickly and asked us if we wanted a bottle of still or sparkling water. We thought those were the only option since he didn't include tap water as an option. So we asked for still water and he came back with a bottle. As we looked across the room, we noticed other people got bottles too so we thought they didn't do tap water. It was only later that we overheard another server asking another table the same question but he provided tap water was an additional option. I feel like this maybe a common occurrence as both the table behind and in front of us got a single bottle of still water and subsequent waters were filled with tap water. I would rate our first server 3/5 but we did observe some other servers that were very attentive and spoke clearly. Every dish was brought out by different people too. As for the food, we got the late summer menu. We tried every item on the menu and split it between ourselves. They did provide us sharing plates which was helpful! The starter yellow tomato gazpacho would be super good and refreshing on a hot summer day; A- tier. Then came a pre-entree that wasn't listed on the menu online. It was a biscuit with some curry flavorings inside that came with sides of cultured butter and chutney; S tier. Really flaky and not dry. The first course of big eye tuna crudo was A- tier but I didn't enjoy the heirloom tomato salad as much because it was just a tad too smoky for me and the ratio of tomato and fish did not look correct (B tier). The second course of grilled Spanish octopus was very very smoky but tender (C tier); did not like. However, the corn agnolotti was S+ tier. Very delicious, fresh and amazing. The third course of grilled swordfish adobo tasted a lot like indomie mee goreng (A tier) and the branzino en Bruno tasted like a light curry dish. The branzino was cooked well but not a memorable dish (B tier). Then came a pre-dessert, the watermelon mezcal popsicle with some tajin type of powder on it. S+ tier. Super refreshing, not too sweet and the powder was a nice touch! Would order that over ice cream if it was available at ice cream shops! The dessert of peach Melba was A tier and coconut creme caramel was B+/A- tier. The biggest things I noticed were the portion sizes are small and we both left hungry. We wanted to order some fried chicken place afterwards. And for a place that we paid $125/person, I thought I would enjoy more of their food. Overall experience was probably 3.8/5 for these reasons. We spoke to some friends and one pair enjoyed their visit a lot in the winter a half year ago. And another pair tried Mooncusser a few months ago and said he was disappointed and would not go back. Seems very inconsistent but it was different people and different times.
I had been researching for restaurant to take my partner to for her birthday and I picked Mooncusser after all the glowing praise for the restaurant. Once we walked through the doors we checked in with their front desk. Next to the desk was the entrance to Moon Bar, which I didn't even know existed until then- it's definitely on the list after our experience at Mooncusser. We then headed up two floors on the stairs to their dining room, which has a unique view of the castle next door. The dining room is very calm and quiet, the kitchen is located on a different floor so the noise is subdued. We were presented with the tasting menu, which includes 3 starting courses, two options for the second and third course, pre-dessert and dessert- I wish every meal had a pre-dessert. We decided to try just about every item on the menu and the each option was a home run. The beginner dish, a Sea Urchin Bavarois topped with scallops, tangerine and toasted quinoa, was divine and set the tone for the meal. I was also enamored with the house made Milk Bread served with a duck liver parfait and purple mustard, by far the best liver I've had. We were very impressed with the food that was on the Tasting Menu, and want to come back in the warmer months to try the menu then. The service at Mooncusser was wonderful as well, our waiter was very helpful navigating each course and recommended the venison, and I'm glad that he did because it was spiced with guajillo chile which resulted in a smoky perfume and a low level of heat. And the pre-dessert after this course was creamy and refreshing coconut tapioca and mandarin granita, which was just the thing I needed after the venison.
We came back for the Valentine's Day Tasting menu and we fell even more in love with this place. The wine pairings were incredible. The lobster bouillabaisse and wagyu dishes were out of this world. Service was outstanding - great explanation of the dishes and the wine pairings. I l love this place so much and can't wait to come back again!
This might be the best meal you can get in Boston for the price! We loved everything from the cornbread to the dessert grits. The wine pairing is playful and inventive but hits all the right notes. Absolutely do not miss the tuna crudo or the crab and corn stew. I wish we hadn't been so full so we could have stopped by the bar downstairs for a cocktail!
Thanks. Yes. Amazing food in Boston. Delicious. Seasonal. Great wine. Friendly people. I walked in last min as a party of 1 and was welcomed at the bar. Lovely ambiance. Seating area seems full. 10/10 recommend. Have to try. Surprised they don't have a Michelin star but that's just politics I took a pic of wine that was so good I had to know what it was. My only criticism is the chef is clearly a star at savory dishes and I feel like they need a separate dessert or pastry chef because the dessert left something to be lacking.
Mooncusser is not just a restaurant, it's an experience! The pre fixe menu, which is reinvented every six weeks by Chef Carl Dooley, is both creative and delicious. Every dish was carefully curated through interesting ingredient pairings and perfectly balanced flavors. The piece de resistance is the comfortable setting and the service. My companion and I sat at the 4 seat bar on the third floor where we enjoyed cheerful conversation with the mixologist, Clayton. Each dish (we ordered them all) was presented and described prior to "digging in". We also ordered the wine pairings carefully selected by Elaine from around the globe. The wine paired with each dish was enhanced by the dish as the dish was subtly enhanced by the wine. Dinner was a little pricey but worth every penny. Kudos to the Chef and his team!
2 months ago
Mooncusser is a fine dining restaurant that focuses on seasonal tasting menus with a strong emphasis on seafood and creative New England-inspired dishes. We walked into a space that takes a more relaxed approach to fine dining, with a cozy atmosphere that feels upscale without being overly formal. The dining room is warm and inviting, with a layout that encourages settling in for the evening, and the pacing of the meal feels designed around enjoying the full experience rather than rushing through a quick dinner. The tasting menu is the main highlight and gives us the chance to try a variety of dishes with different flavors and textures throughout the meal. The seafood-focused courses stood out, especially the crudo and scallop dishes, which showcased the quality of the ingredients without feeling overly complicated. The crudo was clean and bright, with the fish having a fresh, delicate texture, and the scallops were seared to a perfect golden crust while staying tender inside. The menu changes seasonally, so the experience feels fresh and different depending on when you visit, and each course arrives thoughtfully prepared, with attention given to both presentation and balance. The progression of the meal builds naturally, with lighter courses leading into richer dishes and finishing with a well-composed dessert that ties everything together. The service added a lot to the experience. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable about the dishes, explaining each course without making the meal feel too formal or interrupted. They offered insight into the sourcing of the seafood and the inspiration behind each dish, which added depth without feeling like a lecture. The pacing of the tasting menu was well handled, allowing enough time to enjoy each course while keeping the evening moving naturally. The team checked in at the right moments and kept the table clear without hovering, maintaining a comfortable rhythm throughout the meal. Because it is a tasting menu experience, the price is definitely higher than a typical dinner, but the amount of food and variety make it feel more like a full dining experience rather than just a meal. It works especially well for special occasions, date nights, or anyone looking to spend more time exploring a restaurant's style and creativity. Mooncusser delivers a memorable fine dining experience with a comfortable atmosphere, strong seasonal cooking, and thoughtful service, offering a meal that feels both celebratory and composed without the stiffness that can sometimes accompany this level of dining. read more
Came by for dinner the other night and it was an excellent, world class experience. Mooncusser is featured in the Michelin guide and has a bar on the street level and an upscale dining room on the upper level. I was super impressed with their cook books on the stairwell journey to the dining room! The dining room is upscale and modern. The staff are courteous without being pretenious. Mooncusser features a seasonally changing tasting menu. Meal started off with a chilled cucumber soup with some halibut. This was super refreshing for a warm spring day! Moved on to the fish croquette which was perfection. The fish was warm, light, and fluffy while the breading was super light. The tuna crudo dish was light and topped off with strawberries. The crab ravioli dish was excellent. Super light and thin pasta filled with cheese and featured a light broth with green peas. For the main course, the black cod was excellent. Loved the contrasting crispy skin along with the super light and buttery fish. The grilled pork chop was also excellent. Flavor was on point, grilled to a perfect medium, and the sauces were a complete A+. The marinated strawberry parfait was an excellent way to end the meal being super light and refreshing! ~$200/head after tax, gratuity, and employer mandates for dinner. read more
3 months ago
Impossible for me to not love a seafood-forward menu and Mooncusser more than delivered. Given some pacing issues, our meal was more a 4.5 but all told, this was one of the better Boston fine dining options for your money. You get three "main" courses, along with a starter and a dessert, for $125 as a set tasting menu, along with an optional cheese board if you're still hungry. They also give you little bites at the start and finish. Rest assured, you'll leave feeling pleasantly full. I also really appreciated how there are two choices on the tasting menu which is great for two people - you can try the entire menu that way. Everything rotates depending on what's in season, so more likely than not, they'll have a new menu for spring. The dining room is dimly lit and low-key, not pretentious or stuffy, and some of the tables overlook the street across from Saunders Castle. I liked how the atmosphere was cheerful and lively but never got too loud to hear the other person. My favorites on the tasting menu: the lobster laksa (the tiny portion in a bowl was definitely a tease); the salmon (immaculately cooked, with an impressive crispy sear on the skin and an almost-sashimi grade interior, how did they manage this?!). I almost never order the salmon dish at a restaurant given that I can just make it at home but this was the Aristotelian platonic ideal of salmon. The palate cleanser of a chilled quince was also genius, with tiny knife cuts, an incredible presentation. Cheese board was a little small for the price, though I wish they sold the house-made minced chestnut/caramel sauces that came as an accompaniment in bottled form. Also really enjoyed the coconut passionfruit mille feuille dessert even for this coconut hater (didn't love the chocolate/butternut squash dessert). I will say though that this was a very long dinner - our meal was about 2.5 hours, with the most waiting in between the three main courses. The food was certainly worth it but I definitely felt my eyelids drooping at various points. I also wished they offered some bread at the beginning to tide us over. Parking: Several open metered options in the nearby streets that turn off at 8pm, no need to spring for an expensive garage. Definitely want to try Moon Bar on the first floor! read more
11 months ago
Absolutely the highlight of eating out during our week in Boston. I was ready to come here and eat a wonderful tasting menu (more like pre-fixe because you can choose what you're eating) and have a wonderful wine pairing. I was, however, worried about my husband. He isn't the biggest fan of seafood and has some food restrictions. Thankfully, this place is sooooo tasty that none of that mattered (and they didn't have any of his restrictions on the menu.) We took the elevator up to the third floor (which we thought more people would do but only one half of another table did while we were there) and were greeted with a lovely, open and bright dining room. Our server was friendly and casual (maybe too casual but we aren't hoity toity so I feel more comfortable with more casual servers/bartenders, etc.) My only complaint about our server was that he would always serve my husbands choices to me and vice versa but it became quite funny and my husband and I were tasting each others anyway so we just traded back after we did. He also became a bit less available as the place filled up, but that was ok because we were enjoying ourselves. I think service ran a bit slow, but I appreciated it because it gave me time to digest between courses. Now to the important part, the food. The food here is incredible. Not one course I didn't absolutely love. The wine pairing was well thought out and did pair with the food amazingly. I don't want to say this but they could absolutely charge more for their menu because the portion sizing and the flavors are amazing. I loved the surprise and delights at the end of the meal as well. Those rye chocolate chip cookies, I have to find a way to reverse engineer. We also ordered some cocktails at the beginning of our meal and they were amazing. I half wished I didn't get the wine pairing and tried all of their cocktails. YUM! read more
We were able to snag an early Thursday dinner a couple of weeks in advance, and came for their updated seafood-heavy menu. I got a gimlet for my drink and it was really good, I love citrusy cocktails that aren't too sweet. I'm not sure if I enjoyed this time or the first time more, but we thought the tuna crudo, scallops, trout, and sweet potato ravioli with lobster were all very strong dishes that we savored to the last bite. The main courses didn't quite hit as well flavor-wise (though the pork was the most tender and juicy pork we've ever had, the gochujang sauce was not our absolute favorite). The caramel apple sorbet for pre-dessert was light and refreshing. The white chocolate mousse was pretty tasty. I did not really like the coconut pudding with jackfruit, but jackfruit is something I don't eat much so it could be it was just a little too foreign. We also got the cheese plate and the bruleed soft cheese was a standout, but the rest of the cheeses/candied nuts/jam were just alright. Could be skipped unless you're feeling extra hungry. Service was nice and not overbearing, but sometimes there would be large gaps between dishes and I also was served water in a glass with two chips and had to ask for a replacement. This is still one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. I really like that there are only a couple of choices for each course, so that we can opt to try everything together if coming in a party of two. I think the prixe fixe menu is pretty reasonably priced and rotates often. Will definitely be coming back for dates in the future. read more
9 months ago
Came here to celebrate a birthday and they made sure to make it special with a candle during our dessert course. We came in the autumn time so they just changed their menu for the season. Most of the food was curry flavored in order to match the theme of fall, which wasn't my favorite, but a good meal in general. We also opted in for the cheese course and split a wine pairing as well which were amazing additions to the meals. The chosen cheeses in the course were delicious! Highly recommend getting it if you're into that. The staff were all very kind and made sure to explain everything to us and the atmosphere was intimate and cozy. It was a multi-course meal to I understand it takes a bit longer, but we did spend quite a long time waiting in between each course and many folks around us came and left before us. read more
I'll preface this by saying I am not local to Boston, but I loved Mooncusser so much on my last Boston visit (~2 years ago) that I made sure to come back this past visit. Let's start with the ambiance. I've read "formal, but not pretentious" and I think that's an accurate description. I wouldn't call Mooncusser fancy, but it's certainly upscale but again, definitely not pretentious or stuffy. It's a really cute atmosphere, especially with all the large windows and small bar in the corner. Tables are spaced far enough apart that you don't feel like you're listening on someone else's conversation. The food is excellent. Just excellent. If Mooncusser were local to me, I'd go there every time the menu changes. Incredibly fresh, seasonal ingredients, delicious preparations, just all around excellent. I'm a huge fan of food and wine pairings, and Mooncusser does it right. A few very interesting varietals (one I'd never had before) along with more common wines, but all of the pairings just really made the food sing. I really appreciated the harmony between the two and it really elevated the experience. If you're a fan of pairings, definitely splurge here. And yes, if you want the cheese (which was a new thing since I first visited Mooncusser, it was excellent), they will pair something with that too if you ask. I love how the servers meticulously describe each dish and the pairings. That just adds to the fun of the experience. First line of this review says it all...wish I lived closer to be a regular! read more
4 months ago
I booked a reservation for my partner's birthday. I enjoyed the food overall aside from the entrees of Sea Trout made with miso and Spanish Mackerel with mole verde, which is a bummer. The sauce for the trout was made with hedgehog mushroom and smelled funky, coming from a mushroom lover. I could give a spiel about the food, but majority just wasn't my preference. Not every treasure suits everyone. My partner enjoyed it, which is what mattered most. I was mainly excited seeing the chef was on a TV show. Customer service was great, but a bit confusing at the front desk with no expectancy of wait time as they chatted away. I had a reservation for a birthday. Not necessarily a 5 star restaurant experience as I've encountered at "lower" level restaurants at least acknowledging this was for a special event, as we waited about 20 minutes. read more
3 months ago
Pastas are back! One would be hard pressed to find a place in the city that does more exquisite and delicate pastas. The cod croquette is also a perfect crispy bite. read more
5 months ago
1 year ago
We came to celebrate my birthday so decided to do a fancy restaurant. We were seated under the air conditioning vent and noticed lots of tables had vents above them. I didn't mind it too much but my gf got cold. The server was a bit hurried and spoke quickly and asked us if we wanted a bottle of still or sparkling water. We thought those were the only option since he didn't include tap water as an option. So we asked for still water and he came back with a bottle. As we looked across the room, we noticed other people got bottles too so we thought they didn't do tap water. It was only later that we overheard another server asking another table the same question but he provided tap water was an additional option. I feel like this maybe a common occurrence as both the table behind and in front of us got a single bottle of still water and subsequent waters were filled with tap water. I would rate our first server 3/5 but we did observe some other servers that were very attentive and spoke clearly. Every dish was brought out by different people too. As for the food, we got the late summer menu. We tried every item on the menu and split it between ourselves. They did provide us sharing plates which was helpful! The starter yellow tomato gazpacho would be super good and refreshing on a hot summer day; A- tier. Then came a pre-entree that wasn't listed on the menu online. It was a biscuit with some curry flavorings inside that came with sides of cultured butter and chutney; S tier. Really flaky and not dry. The first course of big eye tuna crudo was A- tier but I didn't enjoy the heirloom tomato salad as much because it was just a tad too smoky for me and the ratio of tomato and fish did not look correct (B tier). The second course of grilled Spanish octopus was very very smoky but tender (C tier); did not like. However, the corn agnolotti was S+ tier. Very delicious, fresh and amazing. The third course of grilled swordfish adobo tasted a lot like indomie mee goreng (A tier) and the branzino en Bruno tasted like a light curry dish. The branzino was cooked well but not a memorable dish (B tier). Then came a pre-dessert, the watermelon mezcal popsicle with some tajin type of powder on it. S+ tier. Super refreshing, not too sweet and the powder was a nice touch! Would order that over ice cream if it was available at ice cream shops! The dessert of peach Melba was A tier and coconut creme caramel was B+/A- tier. The biggest things I noticed were the portion sizes are small and we both left hungry. We wanted to order some fried chicken place afterwards. And for a place that we paid $125/person, I thought I would enjoy more of their food. Overall experience was probably 3.8/5 for these reasons. We spoke to some friends and one pair enjoyed their visit a lot in the winter a half year ago. And another pair tried Mooncusser a few months ago and said he was disappointed and would not go back. Seems very inconsistent but it was different people and different times. read more
I had been researching for restaurant to take my partner to for her birthday and I picked Mooncusser after all the glowing praise for the restaurant. Once we walked through the doors we checked in with their front desk. Next to the desk was the entrance to Moon Bar, which I didn't even know existed until then- it's definitely on the list after our experience at Mooncusser. We then headed up two floors on the stairs to their dining room, which has a unique view of the castle next door. The dining room is very calm and quiet, the kitchen is located on a different floor so the noise is subdued. We were presented with the tasting menu, which includes 3 starting courses, two options for the second and third course, pre-dessert and dessert- I wish every meal had a pre-dessert. We decided to try just about every item on the menu and the each option was a home run. The beginner dish, a Sea Urchin Bavarois topped with scallops, tangerine and toasted quinoa, was divine and set the tone for the meal. I was also enamored with the house made Milk Bread served with a duck liver parfait and purple mustard, by far the best liver I've had. We were very impressed with the food that was on the Tasting Menu, and want to come back in the warmer months to try the menu then. The service at Mooncusser was wonderful as well, our waiter was very helpful navigating each course and recommended the venison, and I'm glad that he did because it was spiced with guajillo chile which resulted in a smoky perfume and a low level of heat. And the pre-dessert after this course was creamy and refreshing coconut tapioca and mandarin granita, which was just the thing I needed after the venison. read more
3 months ago
6 months ago
We came back for the Valentine's Day Tasting menu and we fell even more in love with this place. The wine pairings were incredible. The lobster bouillabaisse and wagyu dishes were out of this world. Service was outstanding - great explanation of the dishes and the wine pairings. I l love this place so much and can't wait to come back again! read more
This might be the best meal you can get in Boston for the price! We loved everything from the cornbread to the dessert grits. The wine pairing is playful and inventive but hits all the right notes. Absolutely do not miss the tuna crudo or the crab and corn stew. I wish we hadn't been so full so we could have stopped by the bar downstairs for a cocktail! read more
6 months ago
2 years ago
Thanks. Yes. Amazing food in Boston. Delicious. Seasonal. Great wine. Friendly people. I walked in last min as a party of 1 and was welcomed at the bar. Lovely ambiance. Seating area seems full. 10/10 recommend. Have to try. Surprised they don't have a Michelin star but that's just politics I took a pic of wine that was so good I had to know what it was. My only criticism is the chef is clearly a star at savory dishes and I feel like they need a separate dessert or pastry chef because the dessert left something to be lacking. read more
10 months ago
1 year ago
Mooncusser is not just a restaurant, it's an experience! The pre fixe menu, which is reinvented every six weeks by Chef Carl Dooley, is both creative and delicious. Every dish was carefully curated through interesting ingredient pairings and perfectly balanced flavors. The piece de resistance is the comfortable setting and the service. My companion and I sat at the 4 seat bar on the third floor where we enjoyed cheerful conversation with the mixologist, Clayton. Each dish (we ordered them all) was presented and described prior to "digging in". We also ordered the wine pairings carefully selected by Elaine from around the globe. The wine paired with each dish was enhanced by the dish as the dish was subtly enhanced by the wine. Dinner was a little pricey but worth every penny. Kudos to the Chef and his team! read more
We made a last minute plan and walked in without a reservation. The staff were friendly and accommodating. We sat at the bar on the ground floor and the atmosphere was vibrant especially since the kitchen was open next to us. The food surprised us with a Jamaican twist that has the perfect amount of 'heat' on every plate. I even loved the plantain dish even though I'm not a fan of things being too sweet. It is tapas style and there are so many great choices to try on the menu (e.g. tandoori chicken highly recommended). I would definitely go back to at least try the dishes we didn't get to. One note- you need to take the elevator either up or down to access the bathrooms if sitting at the bar level. read more
Had such a great time at Mooncusser on a Friday night! The dress code is business casual/dressy, but the vibe isn't pretentious at all. We had seats at the bar, which is an intimate 4-seat counter that also serves the prix fixe menu. The portion sizes were great despite it being a tasting menu, and we both left feeling full and satisfied. Every dish was fresh, well thought out, and prepared perfectly, with unique flavors and a seafood focus. My personal favorites were the sashimi starters, crab pea curry, and apricot sorbet dessert, since I tend to like sweet and savory flavors. But a bunch of our dishes also had peppery and spicy flavors, which my dining companion liked the most. Our bartender Clayton really made our experience, with his attention to our allergies, preferences, and friendly banter. He took great pictures of us to commemorate the occasion and made sure to make our celebration extra special. Truly a 10/10 dining experience. read more
Even with changing their menu every 6 weeks, they always nail it. Each dish on the set menu is creative, delicious, clean, and well plated, and I always am impressed with them. The waiters are super attentive and the place feels like a fine-dining experience. I always look forward to coming here! read more
11 months ago
One of my few 5 star reviews. Mooncusser is special. Located on a unique slice of property at the merge of Stuart and Columbus, the restaurant occupies three stories, with a cool bar scene on the first floor, the kitchen on the second floor, and the dining space on floor three. This Bay Village area find is expensive and worth it. Prix Fixe at $165 per person plus $65 for a wine pairing if you so choose. A full bar and wine list is available, too. Check-in at the door and prepare for the trek up three flights of stairs or ask for the elevator located at the far end of the bar. The dining room is triangular with a working bar and seating for about 40. Clean and classy, white table-clothed tables fill the space. I wouldn't call the area particularly romantic, but it is very comfortable, though noise levels are above average. The service tonite by Jamie was friendly and casual yet impeccable from start to finish. After a round of starter drinks we order from the menu. Seasonal menus change approximately every six weeks. What you had last time will probably not be the same at a later date. As you can see from the accompanying pic of the menu, some courses are set, while others offer two options. With limited options I can see where some folks might not care for certain courses and selections, but for us, tonite's seasonal selection was terrific. You really put your evening in the hands of the chef. Starting off, an oversized amuse bouche, a halibut tostada with avocado and tomatillo brings a three-inch corn hard tortilla adorned with a beautifully presented disk of hand-eaten goodness. Light and flavorful, it is kind of a palate cleanser for the rest of the meal. By this time, if you've chosen the wine pairing, you've received your first wine flight - an approximately two-ounce pour of the wine noted on the menu beside the course. I found all of the pairings humble, but very good, except for the dessert pairing which imoho was not drinkable. All of the paired wines this evening were selections from various small winemakers in Italy. Miss M and I chose different items on the selectable courses so we could sample more flavors. The secondi offered Corn & Crab Stew and a Curried Goat Ravioli. Both were amazing. M is not a goat fan, but I am. Either way, this dish is subtle enough to become perhaps anyone's favorite course of the evening. The light pillows of filled pasta are not too heavy, delicately flavored, with fine cuts of snow peas on top adding crisp and color. The third course was very good, but while typically being a main course, it was not the star of the night. Grilled grass fed beef with lobster salsa and yellow squash was excellent - a balanced surf and turf. The roasted Mediterranean Dorade was a thin white fish, skin scored and intact with lentils cherry tomatoes and "lemon pickle". The fish was perfectly cooked with the garnish complimenting the delicate flavor of the fish. Next came a "pre-dessert". Kind of a second palate cleanser. A coconut popsicle. Creamy coconut on a stick. It was halfway between and ice cream and an ice-pop. Too creamy to be water ice, but too icy to be ice cream. Miss M enjoyed this. Lastly came the desserts. Neither was the best we'd ever had, but both were adventurous and fun. Tasty and worthy of table conversation. The Japanese Cheesecake brought a not-so-heavy cheesecake adorned with raspberry, ginger and buckwheat. The latter bringing an interesting texture, contrasting the creamy cheesecake with the coarse buckwheat. The Yellow Corn Grits were equally discussable topped with a compote of blueberry and pecans. Buttermilk ice cream finished the dish. Everything at Mooncusser was terrific. It is definitely an experience restaurant with food being the centerpiece. Think Joel Rubuchon meets practicality. Well conceived. Well prepared. Well executed. Artistically presented. Mooncusser is a great night out. Enjoy. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
What we ate/drank: Seasonal Prix Fixe Would recommend? Not really Mooncusser offers a fine dining atmosphere with nice service, but unfortunately, the seasonal prix fixe didn't live up to the hype or the price. We started with watermelon dressed with peanuts, herbs, and a Vietnamese-inspired vinaigrette--this dish had mixed reviews at the table. The next dish, a beef carpaccio, lacked texture and was light on flavor. This was followed by crispy oysters which were also a bit bland. In fact, most of the dishes were underwhelming and lacked the depth of flavor we were expecting. The main course was a family-style bluefish shawarma. This was a unique take, but it didn't even pack the punch of the shawarma from the shop down the street. One component, a tiny bowl of eggplant sauce, was the dish's saving grace and brought much needed flavor to the evening.W spent much of the course rationing it. On the brighter side, we did enjoy the pre-dessert popsicle which was a fun treat and the milk panna cotta which benefitted from the crispy toppings and fresh fruit. The second dessert we split, a peach pie with gochujang, was a complete miss with clashing and uncanny savoriness. Overall, while the experience was pleasant enough, the food didn't justify the price or the expectations. Wouldn't recommend unless you're looking for a high-end atmosphere without the standout dishes. read more
Service was great! Everyone was so kind, knowledgeable, and fast. Our servers were very attentive and on it. Ambiance was nice. The course tasting was on the 3 floor. You have to take the elevator down to the 2nd floor to use the restroom. The place is wheelchair accessible. The lighting was dark and the meal was intimate and romantic. The food was pretty good. I was not overly impressed. The portions were perfect. Course 1: The soup had a lot of cilantro, which is overpowering for me. The halibut was prepared raw and i was very surprised and pleased. The seaweed and halibut were very clean and tasted wonderfully. The apple really set off these flavors. The bread was great. I am not a fan of rabbit. No substitutes were allowed. The carrot salsa was also a little spicy. Course 2: Sweet potato gnocchi was decent. It was definitely not my favorite. I felt that the gnocchi itself was not very flavorful. The truffle that came atop this made the dish. Course 3: Caramelized black cod was yummy! The flavoring in this dish complimented each other. It was a lot lighter than i had expected. Pre Dessert: The apple sorbet was great and the perfect palate cleanser. There was no harsh or chemical tastes in this sorbet and i think it was done perfectly. Dessert: Pear Almond cake was very good! It was probably my favorite dish of the night. It was on the heavier side, as cake usually is but it was overly spiced which I admired. read more
3 years ago
Quick Summary Decent prix fixe meal spot with great service and ambiance. Expect the dinner to take the full 3 hours Food- 4 stars The prix fixe meal included 4 courses (the first course consists of 3 appetizers that are shared amongst your table). We had the mahi mahi ceviche, tuna and heirloom melon carpaccio, and house-made sesame sourdough. The ceviche and sourdough were just okay. The carpaccio was fantastic For the second course, I chose the scallops instead of the peppers. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the sauce was pretty good as well. The third course, I chose the lamb chops, but I regret not choosing the red snapper. The lamb chops were pretty standard, but I wasn't a huge fan of the sauce (it was a tad too salty and needed some brightness). The red snapper was fantastic though (very flaky and delicious). For the dessert, I had the black sesame and chocolate cremeaux which was a solid dessert to end the night Service- 5 stars Our servers were fantastic. Very attentive without being overbearing. Bottom Line The food was a hit or miss with the carpaccio, scallops and red snapper as the main highlights. Service and ambiance were great. It's a solid restaurant but missed on the hype of being in the "Best of Boston" category. read more
Picky about seafood? Like creative yet refined flavors? This is the place for you. We picked a 5 pm seating... I was (reluctantly) permitted to sit inside to wait the 10 minutes for my party to arrive before the restaurant actually opened. The food was mind blowing. Course after course-- cohesive, clean, inventive, down to the desert. Highlights included some melon tuna thing and the ceviche. Worth the trip, worth the price. We were even able to find street parking one block away!! read more
So this is definitely a special occasion restaurant. I took my 23 year old daughter, she chose it from the reviews. She loved everything. I liked many things but felt it was overpriced. The fixed price menu had 2 choices for each course. This made it easy, as we ordered one of everything. Here is some of the things we ate we particularly liked: Mahi mahi ceviche as a starter was so good. Really interesting tastes. Tuna and heirloom melon carpaccio had a very unique taste. It was good, but I felt it wasn't excellent. The sourdough was not exceptional. Daughter loved the shishito peppers, not my thing. Scallops, snapper were good. The lamb chops were fantastic. Cheesecake was meh, and the Chocolate Cremeaux was simply to die. It had different parts that all tasted different and together was exceptional. This was probably my highlight, with the lamb chops being second. So if you are a foodie loving everything to taste many different things, you may like it here. read more
Four course prix fixe menu for $120. Usually 2 items per course so if you go with a friend you can try everything. Validated parking in garage across the street. Nice open space. Had the Hiramasa sashimi, Glazed halibut, Acadian redfish and grilled squid and the pear and almond cake. The corn raviolini tasted great too (got a small taste courtesy of my daughter) Everything was excellent although the dessert was very good while everything else was excellent. The flavoring is on the subtle side to let the flavor of the seafood shine through but may not be for everyone. If you like Le Bernadin you'll love this place. read more
OMG! Great place! Try it!! It rocked! First of all, it's a fix price and very thoughtfully organized. There are a couple of choices and I think you can't go wrong. I think you need a reservation as it's not a big place and they run a coordinated effort. I will say the staff was friendly and well educated on the offerings. Ambiance was great! The location was clean and well located. Food: I had the Branzino (sea bass) sashimi style and literally put my fork down more than once to slow down and savor the taste. It was perfectly paired with mandarin slices (I think) and perfectly seasoned so that every bite was good! I had the duck which was crispy and super tasty and the spare ribs which had a home cooking chili flavor! Both great choices. I went with friends and we had a great time. We all had the tres leche which had an original take to it with a sorbet and a perfectly portioned slice of moist cake. I'm not a good critic but this place was great! Enjoy. read more
Mooncusser was an amazing experience! The servers were very attentive and descriptive of all the foods/wine pairings that we tried. Expect to be dining for 2-2.5 hours. They paced the food very well throughout the course of the night so we were able to try everything without feeling too stuffed at the end. We tried everything on the menu and I honestly loved every single one. The wine pairing was also a great addition for those that enjoy wine. It was nice to try different international wines and ciders that are selected for the current season. I personally loved my vodka house cocktail. Some of my favorite highlights included the following: STARTERS: Toor Dal Soup: the soup was the starter of the night and it was crazy good. very savory yet well balanced and I loved the different textures. a lot of the other diners also commented that this was their favorite of the night Housemade Masa Sourdough Bread: the rabbit rillettes and carrot salsa worked amazingly together on top of the sourdough SECOND: Grilled Veal Sweetbread: this was my first time trying veal sweetbread and it was so smooth and tender!! Sweet Potato Gnocchi: perfect amount of gnocchi, well balanced with the rice and not too heavy as a gnocchi can tend to be. the sauces worked really well together THIRD: Roasted Local Hake: the sauce for this was amazing! fish was extremely savory and slightly crunchy with the breadcrumbs. i ordered the black cod for myself but ended up eating more of the hake because i liked it so much DESSERT: Housemade Green Apple Sorbet: this small amount of sorbet really packs a punch. it was a great palette cleanser for dessert and tasted exactly like a green apple Pear & Almond Cake: perfect way to end the night! this was a warm cake with yummy ice cream to top it off. the pear was really delicious I would definitely come back again to try their future seasonal menus!! Highly recommend for a special night out read more
9 months ago
I went when they first opened and it was a la carte upstairs with seafood/fish focused. I recently went back and enjoyed the tasting menu. read more
Came here for a birthday dinner and came to the conclusion that Mooncusser is definitely one of the best (if not the best) restaurants in Boston. First off, the entire staff was so polite and explained every dish well - you could tell everyone was proud of the dishes they were serving which is a plus for any restaurant. You also get basically seven courses - 4 starters, 2 mains, and 1 dessert so imo you definitely get your money's worth. My favorite dish of the night was easily the Tiradito - it was so vibrant, creative, and overall a well-balanced dish. I would never get tired of eating it. Their Mint and Matcha Semifreddo was also to die for. The only dish I wasn't a fan of was the Heirloom Tomato Caesar - a bit too much cheese for my liking. Regardless, with their ambiance, kind staff, and delicious food, I would definitely come back here for another special occasion. Thank you for making the night so special :) read more
Went here for an early dinner right at opening, comfortable open space, not too cramped. We were immediately seated with a cocktail and attentive service as the tasting menu got explained/started. Did the wine paring, highly recommend. The dishes were curious and delicious, liked 90% or so of the menu. The shared course was phenomenal, so much so I forgot to get a picture... same for desserts. I look forward to coming back and trying the next seasonal menu! read more
My boyfriend and I came here last year for our anniversary and we had to come back!! They creatively curate tasting dishes based on different fishes, amongst other foods. they offer 7 courses, including 3 appetizers, 2 entrees, and desserts. There's an optional wine pairing and they all pair so well and our server did an amazing job explaining each one!! The tasting menu goes for $115 per person, with an additional $65 for the wine pairing. They also change their menu every few months, so there's always something new!! Our favorites of the evening were the first two dishes- both appetizers. the blend of flavors, textures, quality of ingredients, and presentation were all to die for. We've already decided to come back here next year to make it a tradition! If you are looking for a restaurant to go to for an occasion and are willing to spend the money, this is a MUST. I would go here every day if I could. Special shoutout to the bartender Clayton who remembered us from last year! See you next year! read more
2 years ago
Creative food (menu changes every month!), snarky (but professional) service, and good wine made this evening a success. I wish it was a bit less loud and had better ambiance, but that's not the most important in this case.. read more
Page 1 of 6
More info about Mooncusser
304 Stuart St
Boston, MA 02116
Back Bay
Directions
(617) 917-5193
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.mooncusserboston.com
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
Ask the Community - Mooncusser
Is there an alacarte menu or only the Prix fixe?
They only have a tasting menu (as of Spring 2023).
Do they service haddock fish?
I don't think they have a typical ("classic Boston") haddock dish. I grew up on the coast of Maine and my mom makes the world's best baked haddock. Honestly -- no one in Boston does this well. I love Legal's but they don't even do this well (it…
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
9 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
8 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
9 years ago
Mooncusser - seafood - Updated August 2026
Best of Boston
People found Mooncusser by searching for…
James Beard Award in Boston, MA
Hip New Restaurants in Boston, MA
Foodie Restaurants in Boston, MA
Celebrity Chef Restaurants in Boston, MA
Fun Restaurants for Kids in Boston, MA
$1 Oysters Happy Hour in Boston, MA
Gluten Free Restaurants in Boston, MA
Restaurants That Accept Ebt in Boston, MA
Most Expensive Restaurant in Boston, MA
Trending Searches in Boston, MA
Browse Articles
Browse Nearby
BEST of Boston, Massachusetts Restaurants near Mooncusser
BEST of Boston, Massachusetts Coffee near Mooncusser
BEST of Boston, Massachusetts Things to Do near Mooncusser
BEST of Boston, Massachusetts Desserts near Mooncusser
BEST of Boston, Massachusetts Parking near Mooncusser
BEST of Boston, Massachusetts Sushi near Mooncusser
BEST of Boston, Massachusetts Breakfast near Mooncusser
BEST of Boston, Massachusetts Cocktail Bars near Mooncusser
Browse Brands
Related Searches in Boston, MA
Authentic Izakaya Dining Experiences in Boston, Massachusetts
Best Bar and Grill Experiences in Boston, Massachusetts
Best Clam Chowder Options in Boston, Massachusetts
Best Crawfish Restaurants and Vendors in Boston, Massachusetts
Best Dim Sum Places to Try in Boston, Massachusetts
Best Fish & Chips Restaurants Near Boston, Massachusetts
Best Fish Restaurants to Try in Boston, Massachusetts
Best Fish Tacos Served in Boston, Massachusetts
Best Places for Brunch in Boston, Massachusetts
Best Places for Poke in Boston, Massachusetts
Best Rooftop Restaurant Experiences in Boston, Massachusetts
Best Soul Food Dishes in Boston, Massachusetts
Best Vegan Restaurants to Try in Boston, Massachusetts
Browse Popular Seafood Markets in Boston, Massachusetts
Delicious Pasta Dishes to Try in Boston, Massachusetts
Delicious Soup Spots to Try in Boston, Massachusetts
Discover All You Can Eat Sushi in Boston, Massachusetts
Discover Authentic Filipino Food in Boston, Massachusetts
Discover Authentic Indian Food in Boston, Massachusetts
Discover Authentic Italian in Boston, Massachusetts
Discover Great Seafood Boil Spots in Boston, Massachusetts
Discover Top Mediterranean Food in Boston, Massachusetts
Discover the Best Sushi Spots in Boston, Massachusetts
Enjoy Fried Fish Specialties in Boston, Massachusetts
Enjoy the Best Cocktails in Boston, Massachusetts
Experience Authentic Omakase Dining in Boston, Massachusetts
Explore BBQ Restaurants Near Boston, Massachusetts
Explore Delicious Sandwiches in Boston, Massachusetts
Explore Delicious Vegetarian Food in Boston, Massachusetts
Explore Popular Cocktail Bars in Boston, Massachusetts
Explore Popular Foodie Restaurants in Boston, Massachusetts
Explore Popular Sushi Bars Around Boston, Massachusetts
Explore Top Restaurants in Boston, Massachusetts
Famous Lobster Roll in Boston, Massachusetts
Find Fresh Lobster Dishes in Boston, Massachusetts
Find Fresh Salmon Dishes in Boston, Massachusetts
Fresh Ceviche Options Available in Boston, Massachusetts
Fresh Fish Options to Try in Boston, Massachusetts
Fresh Oysters Served in Boston, Massachusetts
Great Diners to Visit in Boston, Massachusetts
Highly Rated Japanese Restaurant Locations in Boston, Massachusetts
Highly Rated Steakhouses Around Boston, Massachusetts
Order Fresh and Tasty Salad Options in Boston, Massachusetts
Order the Best Chicken Wings in Boston, Massachusetts Today
Savor Fresh Crab Legs in Boston, Massachusetts Today
Taste Delicious Korean Food Options in Boston, Massachusetts
Taste Fresh Crab Dishes in Boston, Massachusetts
Taste the Best American Food in Boston, Massachusetts
