Ostra, one of a kind! Ostra is part of the Columbus Hospitality group which has many other restaurants including Mistral, Sorellina, Moo to name a few. These restaurants are all very high-end and excellent including my favorite Ostra. When you walk you can't help but stear at how gorgeous the decor and atmosphere is. It will transport you to another place maybe Spain or Portugal but you decide; It doesn't even feel as if you are in Boston. As a seafood driven restaurant, but still offers plenty of other options for those meat lovers. We have eaten here plenty of times and have always had an excellent meal which brings us back again and again. Plus, they are perfect location in the heart of the Theatre district. Think: Dinner + show = check! We came here before a comedy show (use Parkwhiz or Spot Hero) for parking btw. We did not have reservations on a busy Saturday evening but the kind Manager/Host was gladly to seat us just as long as we were finished by 730pm. Awesome :) We weren't that hungry so we each ordered a glass of wine and my husband had their Chicken dish which was plentiful for both of us to enjoy. I ordered their Snow Pea salad which was just ok. I wish I ordered someting else but the bread and fries kept my tummy happy LOL. One thing I will mention is they bring you their homemade chocolates with the check. OMG! I asked if I could have double for our show because they were soooo delicious they put other Chocolatiers in Boston to shame. I can go on and on here about Ostra, but I think you already know how I feel about this restaurant. You have to come here if you haven't already. Make it a special date night or anniversary etc because it can get expensive but also well worth it. Cheers~ read more

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Seafood itself is super fresh! Favorite dishes were the salt crusted branzino and the shrimp pasta. The steak was quite fatty (though had a great sear) and wasn't my favorite, and while the octopus itself was well cooked, the dressing used an overpowering amount of olive oil. Their ciabatta was lacking some flavor too and didn't feel as fresh. Seafood itself was great and fresh though! read more

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This has become, hands down, one of my top five favorite restaurants in Boston and my second favorite from this hospitality group, with Moo Beacon Hill taking the top spot. I'm relatively new to the Boston area and have been making my way through the fine dining scene, and Ostra does not disappoint. The first time I went, I had the Salt Crusted Branzino, and it lingered on my mind so much that I went back a second time within a month. The drinks are top-notch, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is fun. Both times, I went with my partner, and each time I requested that we sit next to each other. Surprisingly, they accommodated my request. I say "surprisingly" because not many restaurants do that, or at least I haven't experienced it. Anyway, Ostra checks all the boxes, and we will definitely be back again. + read more

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Our first visit to Boston and we found this gem upon settling in at the W down the street. We shared the scallops and monkfish. I really love it when the kitchen splits the entree so we are not trying to do so ourselves, eating off the bread plate. The monkfish was really good, and the risotto was perfect. I will definitely go back next time I am in Boston! read more

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Impeccable service, great attention to detail, and delicious food. Since it was just two of us we shared just a few items: the snap pea salad which was lightly dressed, naturally sweet, and very refreshing; paella Valencia (ex chorizo), which came with a generous portion of seafood and succulent chicken pieces; and finished with the affogato (softest biscotti I've ever had- or was it a monocotti?) Dining space is understated and elegant, with elevated fish-themed decor. read more

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This restaurant was a favorite of mine from my last visit to Boston, and it was even better this time. I don't even know what to say other than that this was best lobster I've ever had in my life, and I have had A LOT of lobster. And that pasta stuff with Montepulciano-braised beef cheeks -- OMG, so delicious. I will never not come here when I'm visiting Boston. read more

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Went for a date night dinner and the staff were so kind and attentive. They even split our entrées for us which made everything feel seamless. FRESH BREAD Complimentary, topped with fried onions and served with butter in olive oil. Warm and fragrant. OSSETRA CAVIAR Served with house brioche, blinis, shaved eggs, onions, and basil. Luxurious and perfectly balanced. GRILLED SPANISH OCTOPUS Lemon, olive oil, crispy salt capers, raw sweet Vidalias. Tender with a beautiful char. SAFFRON TAGLIATELLE Maine lobster, beech mushrooms, black truffle. Silky, aromatic, and rich. PRIME SIRLOIN Served with pommes purée, hen of the woods mushrooms, roasted heirloom carrots, sweet potato, cipollini onions, broccolini, vin cotto, and maitre d'hôtel butter. Every side was incredible. BROILED TWIN MAINE LOBSTER Three pounds, with hen of the woods mushrooms, Yukon potatoes, celeriac espuma, drawn butter, and lemon. Sweet, perfectly cooked, and decadent. CHOCOLATE TORTE Molten center with decadent whipped cream. COMPLIMENTARY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES Rich smooth and the perfect final bite. Such a thoughtful touch to end an already amazing dinner. Such an unforgettable dinner from start to finish! Highly recommend for a fancy dinner. read more

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One of my favorite restaurants in Boston for special occasions or anniversaries. I loved most of the dishes we ordered, though one running theme was the heavy use of truffle - I like truffle as much as the next person but there were times when it veered to the overpowering side. We sat at the bar and the service was very friendly and knowledgeable. If you let them know you're seeing a show or movie in the area, they'll work hard to accommodate. My favorites were the sea bass tartare (recommended by the guy sitting next to us); the lobster gnocchi; and the ricotta panna cotta with figs. The tartare was fresh and simple, topped with a single shaving of truffle. The pasta was filled with generous chunks of lobster and cooked to the perfect level of chewiness - almost broke a tooth on some of the pasta from a trip in Sicily. By the time our main came out, the sea bream, I was already almost stuffed, having unwisely filled up on the loaf of bread they bring out at the beginning. But you absolutely have to order the panna cotta dessert and you ought to order one just for yourself. I believe it's a new fall item - topped with crunchy little meringue bites, pomegranate foam, and fresh figs. Basically like eating a heavier whipped cream. I appreciated how they split all our dishes. Portions, as can be expected, were on the small side but with the amount of dishes we got (see below), we left comfortably full to mildly stuffed. For two people, two drinks, two apps, 1 pasta, 1 fish, and 1 dessert came out to around $250 including tip, which isn't bad for this caliber of food. We also noticed how many of the people sitting at the bar were regulars, greeting the waitstaff by name and asking about their families. read more

Ostra - Panna cotta - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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As a sister restaurant of Mooo! I'd say my hopes were high. Ostra delivered a meal that was delicious if a little bit uninspired. I appreciate restaurants focusing on the quality and natural taste of the ingredients but I'd like some dishes with a bit more flair. I did love the strawberry fluke special though! read more

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Ambiance is traditional American fine dining vibes with white table cloths Service is good, attentive but not overbearing Food- potato bread was yummy Oysters were solid Twin lobsters is easily shared, huge portions. Makes sense given the price point. The lemon butter was a scrumppptious was to enjoy the lobster. Sides were perfect for fall. The corn Panna cotta! Soooo good! Perfectly balanced, not too sweet. Chocolates at the end were a nice touch. read more

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Impeccable food and service! Great spot for special occasion Staff were incredibly friendly and attentive It was crowded but you could still hear folks at your table which was good. Sleek restaurant decor Highlights for food included fried oysters, salt encrusted branzino read more

Ostra - Salmon - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Truly known for a seafood restaurant located near Chinatown/Boston Common/Copley. Decent size with high ceilings and full bar. They do tell you that dishes take time to come out like 45-60mins. Our dinner was almost three hours for 4 people. Started off with the garlic chip bread with butter and oil. Great crisp and cut into 4s. The clam risotto was a favorite, great flavor and executed so well. The grilled octopus is not what the plate I used to it was finely chopped in olive oil but the char parts were delicious. The seafood paella was very large and did not skimp on seafood. Ribeye was cooked well with tasty au jus. read more

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Quick trip to Boston and we were able to get in at the last minute to this gem! The menu is amazing with a great mixture of raw items and well put together dishes. The cocktails and wine list are top notch. We drank a beautiful Red Burgundy. The Ricotta Gnochetti was a delicious starter with huge pieces of lobster and delicate truffle The centerpiece was the saltcrusted Branzino beautifully presented and expertly served at the table side. Great experience, wonderful ambiance and service! read more

Ostra - Truffle fries - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The food was absolutely delightful. The drinks were very good. The service was quite decent but definitely slow on a busy Friday night. Expected. We tried to curb our pasta craving at another high end restaurant that was a major let down but their pasta here with truffle goodness hit all the spots. read more

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Everything was phenomenal: the food, ambiance, our server. We couldn't be happier with our experience. read more

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Went here because moon bar down the street was closed. We wanted light, fresh, excellent quality seafood and were very happy here. We weren't super hungry, we got a beer each and split the sea bass tartare. We couldn't decide between the yellowfin and the bass, so the bartender recommended the bass. We were blown away by the tartare! It's unusual to find a truffle shaving/slice as opposed to oils, dust, or anything else but we were very happy. The kitchen split the dish for us which was kind of them. I poked the truffle with my fork before taking a photo, it did look better before. Everything was pricey, but the service, the complimentary bread and chocolates made up for it, especially considering we were not making a full dinner out of splitting one appetizer. Their commitment to their diners is excellent. Ambience is also excellent. Pay attention to the mosaic in the entryway! Will be back! read more

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Lovely dining experience. Great room, great service and very delicious. Loved every minute. Highly recommended. read more

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Overall disappointed with our experience because of the food, but there were some highlights. Would not recommend coming here for a nice dinner if your priority is good food. The restaurant itself is spacious. Even though it was busy, we were able to enjoy our conversation without finding it to be too noisy. The service was great. Our waiter was very knowledgeable of the menu and ready to provide suggestions. I thought he was appropriately attentive given how many others guests there were. The drinks do take a while to make. There were more misses than hits when it comes to food. Overall, not impressed. Hits: the bread was warm and delicious like a dense cloud. The calamari was probably the best I've had in Boston, light and crispy. Truffle-Parmesan fries were fried and seasoned perfectly. Oysters were super fresh. The Warm Chocolate Torte was also delicious. My friends also liked the cosmo drink. Misses: the mains were disappointing. Sirloin was poorly seasoned and had an uncomfortable aftertaste. My friend said the fish was not good, and it's a seafood restaurant? The paella tasted like pure salt, from the seafood to the rice to the chicken. Literally could not taste anything but salt. For the deserts, the sorbet trio was very icy, mildly flavored, and not creamy (you can make sorbet taste good, like Picco, otherwise don't offer it). The snowbird was good for the picture, but did not impress me. Okay: I thought the sirloin carpaccio was alright, but very parmesan-forward if that's what you like. read more

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April 2025; Ostra was a lovely and loud experience for dining out with friends. The crème de la crème was witnessing the plating of the salt crusted branzino fish dish that was not only pleasing to the eye but also my tummy. The wait of 50min for prep time for the branzino gets your salivary glands prepped for the soft, lemon flavored fish that is delightful! The service was good, however the kitchen was incredibly busy. Friday night 8pm dinner reservation, not recommended for a work meeting or quiet dinner - they were packed and staff was hustling! Cheers and enjoy some of the best seafood I've ever had! read more

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Bunch of pretentious folks working at the bar. Drinks gave us a headache afterwards. Was not welcoming at all, would not go back.

Phenomenal experience! I was visiting my sister in Boston for some girl time and we decided to have dinner at Ostra. It truly did not disappoint. We had oysters, king crab, hamachi crudo, and a Caesar salad as starters. For entrees, we had the lobster gnocchi and the crab risotto. Those two dishes were exceptional! I especially loved how they split the portions up into separate plates as we mentioned that we would be sharing both dishes. For drinks, we asked the manager for his recommendation on wine based on what we ordered. I forgot what he suggested but it was perfect. The one issue is that our server wasn't too attentive at the beginning (actually be was rude). He went to the two tables near us who were seated after us but not us. When he finally came to us, I called him out on it and he apologized but with no explanation. read more

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Iowa dude found restaurant next to hotel and is happy. Sea Bream was especially delicious. Fancy with the pants but the service and food was worth it. Go there for the Bream! read more

My wife and I enjoyed a wonderful evening here, starting with oysters and calamari. For our main course, we shared the paella and a tuna appetizer special, paired with parmesan truffle fries. To drink, we had a glass of rosé and a Night Shift draught beer. The atmosphere was lively yet comfortable, with plenty of attentive staff making sure guests were well taken care of. The oysters and calamari were both very good, and the tuna special was truly excellent. The paella was flavorful, though the mussels were unfortunately overcooked. Given the high price of the dish, I expected a bit more refinement in its preparation (not necessarily larger portions). Overall, it was an enjoyable experience with great service, a vibrant setting, and several standout dishes--though the paella left a little room for improvement. read more

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Toro tartare and dry aged ribeye were both very tasty. The ribeye was cooked more well-done than I expected but they sorted out the situation. Afterwards experienced some stomach issues, I'm guessing from the butter that came with the rolls (unless it was from the toro?) Would go back and try other menu items next time. Service and comfort were very good. Found the music to be a bit too loud at times and not at all relaxing (supposedly their lounge is quieter than the main dining room.) read more

Beautiful restaurant space with excellent service! Fair warning, the warm chocolate torte is absolutely incredible, so make sure to save some room! I really enjoyed the filet - super tender and flavorful. I loved the plate composition with potatoes and grilled veggies. The George and ginger cocktail was very delightful. Mezcal lover and appreciated having something a little different from the norm but excellently crafted. I agree with everyone that the bread here is so good and absolutely worth the calories. My server Caitlin was very kind and made helpful recommendations. I would definitely love to return next time I'm in town as there were many amazing sounding items on the menu. It worked out perfectly being - short walk from my hotel. read more

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The bartender was knowledgeable, attentive, and patient. Very nice drink menu. Beautifully crafted. Exceptionally clean. Solid drinks. All the apps were tasty and the steak was beautifully plated. The only thing classier than the ambience is the staff. Seems like a great spot for a date night read more

So Ostra was a place that hit lots of marks for our dinner there in Boston. The dining room was elegant and beautiful. The staff was attentive and professional (mostly). The food was outstanding - seriously outstanding! It is the kind of place you go when you are celebrating a once in a lifetime event or you are trying to really impress someone or thank them for taking care of your mean incontinent cat while you traveled in Europe for 2 weeks. You get the picture, I am sure - it is fancy! Along with fancy comes expensive. There is no doubt. But, the real question is, does the amount paid provide a level of service and the quality of food that makes the payment worth it? I guess the answer for Ostra is yes probably. Kind of. More on the "yes" side than the "probably" side of things. I do not want to be a snob but there are a few small nit picky things that I want to talk about. First and foremost, our main server was not as attentive as we wanted her to be. When we are out for dinner, we like to have a conversation with the waiter. We want someone to talk to, get advice from, share a laugh or two. We are not out to make a new friend but give me some personality please. Our waitress here did not do that. In fact, there were times that we needed things and she was nowhere to be found. At this price point, that is not right. The side staff members were great, fast and moved as in a ballet. But, I think one negative walk-away here is the server who disappointed us. The other negative point is that there is nothing about Ostra that says you're in Boston. Yes, it is fancy, yes, it is elegant and chic but the dining room could be in any big city - Washington DC or San Francisco (minus the poop on the sidewalk) or Chicago (minus the evening shootings). Ostra lacks a little personality that identifies it with the location. Now, maybe at a restaurant of this stature, you cannot expect that. I mean, what did I think I would get, photos of Fenwick Park on the walls? Of course not! So maybe this negative is on me and NOT on Ostra. Maybe I should be more discerning when I am selecting a restaurant while we are traveling. I do want a place that is local, that reflects some history or has some local color, something that you can't find in another city. Fancy and elegant are everywhere. Okay - I have talked myself into it. This negative point is on me. I selected badly if my goal was to get a truly "Boston experience" (only, in this case, the food I ate tonight was first class). We ordered the whole Branzino for 2 cooked in salt. The server (not our table server but the fish-cracking server) had to crack open the salt and filet the fish tableside. Not only was that entertainment all by itself, but she did a beautiful job - I did not find one bone in the fish on my plate and that is pretty impressive! And this fish was so big that neither one of us was able to finish our separate servings of fish, let alone the side of parsnip puree with salad thingies on top. Bottom line - Ostra is a first class restaurant that deserves all of its accolades. Any foodie would be in love with the offerings in this place. Just don't expect to remember that Ostra was in Boston or - truly - "of" Boston. Maybe that is the better way to say that! read more

this is my favorite restaurant in boston! the food is always amazing and the staff is stellar. the interior is dim and perfect for a formal dinner date. my waitress brought a surprise birthday treat even though mine had been two weeks prior, so i really appreciated that. the food is amazing as are their other restaurants sorellina and moo! read more

Had dinner at Ostra which was a graduation celebration this past weekend. Just a hype n over priced. Food was ok n quantity was not a lot. If u want to pay for the name n location then try it. The staff was friendly n attentive. This was our first time n don't think we will return. Had the kale salad, snow pea salad n gnochetti for appetizers. They were tasty but small Portions specially the gnochetti. For entrees we had the monkfish, Branzino, paella n filet. Monkfish tasted good n so did the branzino. Paella was ok n a lil Burnt. Filet was good. No side dishes w entrees. If u want sides u have to order it. For desert we had the snow egg, chocolate torte n panna cotta. They were ok but small portions. read more

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Ostra was the perfect spot for a date night, great vibes and moody lighting. The cocktails were great and food even better...from the bread to the kale Caesar, oysters, and gnocchi it was all tasty. The waiter was attentive and quick, without us feeling rushed. read more

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I've been twice and blown away twice. Unbelievable food, EVERYTHING we ordered was delicious. Impeccable service, perfect balance of helpful and kind without hovering or rushing. Beautiful interior as well. Amazing spot for a special occasion. One of my favorites! read more

Ate here again, 7 years later. What an Excellent dinner. Not cheap by any means, but service was top notch and the food/wine/cocktails were all delicious. I would not be surprised if this place is handed a Michelin star in the future. Go here for a special occasion - you will not be disappointed. read more

Was in Boston for a conference. Decided to check out Ostra. Didn't have a reservation but Trevor managed to get me a seat at the bar with a 45 minute window between reservations. No time for a hot meal but I had a couple of cold apps and dessert. Kaye took care of me at the bar and was very helpful with wine selection. The Maine oysters were really great. Very different than the ones we have on the west coast. The lump crab was also very tasty and the Granny Smith apples were a nice addition to the flavor. The warm chocolate torte is always a winner. I was in and out in about 55 minutes. Fortunately some other groups at the bar left early so I didn't impact anyone's reservation. Overall Ostra is a great place with wonderful staff. It definitely deserves 5 stars due to the level of service. Next time I'm in Boston I'll make a proper reservation and spend more time here with the hot items on the menu. read more

My goodness! One of the most amazing dinners ever. First time visiting Boston and we were so happy we picked this spot. The service was great and every menu item selected did not disappoint. read more

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TURN THE MUSIC DOWN! I want to dine and hold a conversation without having to fight to be heard because of the loud music. This is a good to great restaurant, not a venue for a rock concert. I understand you want the vibe of high energy...but does it have to be that loud? Ostra has a great wait staff that will do anything to make your experience great. Food is very good...but the NOISE! read more

After a thorough search for a high end Boston seafood specialist, we made our way to the back bay. Ostra completely delivers! The space is contemporary and spacious. There is a nice size bar/lounge area and an adjacent dining room, divided by the giant fish on ice display which is a nice touch. There is also a private room behind the bar area and on this night, there was an event going on so the place overall was hopping. We started with the hamachi crudo and grilled Spanish octopus. The kitchen, without prompting, split the octopus appetizer in two so we could share the dish. That was a lovely surprise. Both were incredibly tasty. The octopus was perfection, tender with a nice delicate char. The crudo was simply gorgeous and tasted as good as it looked. I had the monkfish saddle which was recommended by our server. To be honest, I was skeptical because this poor man's lobster is often overhyped and chewy. Tonight, though, I was blown away. The fish was cooked to perfection and floating in a scrumptious pool of mixed mushrooms and scallions. Although the menu describes a mushroom ragout, I would say it is an exquisite mushroom broth. Hubby had the grilled sea bream which was also delicious. In need of some greens, we did the broccolini with pine nuts along with the leafy greens and garlic. The veggie sides were really a highlight. And though the dessert menu looked enticing, we were sufficiently full and opted out. Two chilled caramel truffles arrived with our check and we devoured them. Ostra will not disappoint. The food and service are top notch. It's not inexpensive, but fabulous seafood never is. So glad my fellow yelpers helped me out in choosing this winner. read more

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Ambiance: ok let me start with the vibe of this place. It feels very upscale and elegant. It's a very beautiful place and felt very welcoming from the moment I got in. Food: okay, this is by far the star of the show. We ordered the risotto and branzino and they were both absolutely amazing. We also got complimentary tastings of the gnocchi which had truffle and it was my favorite dish (so it's a must). We also got oysters and really enjoyed the unicorn ones which were very flavorful and buttery. Drinks: I ordered an extra dirty martini with blue cheese olives and it's high on my list of places with good dirty martinis. My friend ordered a cocktail and she really enjoyed it. In addition, we got espresso martinis which were great. Service: we sat at the bar and our server was JJ. He was so knowledgeable about the food and drinks and gave us great recommendations. He was also just great to talk to and made us feel so comfortable. Overall, I'd come here again and can't recommend this place enough! Probably my favorite restaurant we went to during our trip to Boston. read more

Ostra - Dirty martini - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Amazing spot! The fried oysters served in the shell are nothing like I've ever tasted. Followed the Paella which we shared and made us feel as though we were back in Spain! Outstanding service, food and drinks! read more

Ostra - Paella - plenty for 2 - Seafood Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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* Without question the best fine dining seafood restaurant in Boston * 5 Stars from the Boston Globe are Well Deserved * Elegant, Sophisticated dining with food to match * 8 page wine list with 20 selections by the glass, 15 half bottles and prices are close to three times retail If you're a serious foodie and seafood enthusiast the way to best enjoy Ostra is to share as many small plates as you can to truly appreciate the quality, composition and artistry of the kitchen. You can be basic and conventional and just order an appetizer and an entree or you can be extra and create your own tasting menu, even if you're just two people, and that's what we did on our recent and previous visit. Ostra is one of the few restaurants that will, without you having to ask, split dishes into two perfectly composed presentations. That's a lot of extra work for the kitchen, and we appreciate it. Our photos are all half portions. Here's what we had: * Sea Bass Tartare with black truffle carpaccio and fennel pollen crostini, a hit * Hamachi Crudo, the only miss dish that was overwhelmed with vinegar * Salmon Tartare with a smoke presentation, very nice and always a good show * Tuna Tartare, scrumptious * Ricotta Gnocchetti with Maine Lobster, couldn't be more perfect * Crisp Snow Pea (Salad), wanted something healthy, wasn't expecting much, but it is a wow dish. You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this * Spring Asparagus Risotto with King Crab. Was debating if we should order another starch after having gnochetti. Glad we did! Desserts are all good as well, forgot to take a photo. The wine list is extensive with a focus on old world but a fair collection of New World hits. Unfortunately on both occasions our Sommelier agreed our bottles were off. I've never had that happen two times, or rarely ever. There could be some storage issues. But both bottles were recognized and gladly replaced. Kudos to our server Calvin, a true professional with a passion for good food. If you love seafood in a fine dining setting deserving of premium prices Ostra is a do not miss must. read more

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Maybe the best seafood in Boston, but also the most expensive (over $200 for two adults without alcohol, for a moderate amount of food). The bread to start was very good, similar to Moo (same restaurant family). My first course was the lobster gnocchi, which was incredible. My wife had the calamari. It was good, but be warned it comes with fried jalapeños. For the main course I had the simply grilled Sea Bass. It was cooked perfectly, just the right amount of char, and a nice light sauce. For dessert we had the mascarpone cheesecake, also very good. Would definitely come here again for a special occasion. read more

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