One of the biggest hidden gems in Boston no question. Delicious food, friendly service, and a beautiful interior and location. Couldn't recommend more! read more

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To say the least, me and my friends were disappointed with our experience at Prima, also this being our first time there, we were greatly disappointed. We had a reservation at 8pm we arrived 15 mins earlier before the reservation. Even though we arrived earlier, the table we had requested was given to someone else. Which firstly disappointed us, since we were celebrating a dear friend & had specifically reserved that table for it. The ambience is definitely nice & cozy, dim lights, good music, and beautiful decor. Food was good, not impressed with it. We've tried better for a lower price. We were also not pleased with management, we were overhearing comments about our table, and were never fully informed that we would not be getting the table unless we waited over an hour for it! Management didn't seem interested in accommodating us at all. But despite all of this, we didn't let this ruin our night, & we still celebrated our friend. I really hope that there is better hospitality at restaurants that deem to be top tier, because being top tier also means being it within the parameters of service, hospitality, not just food, or restaurant name. Thanks! read more

I've been dying to try Prima since it opened last year, and I'm so glad I finally got my act together to make a reservation (it's no easy feat with how popular this spot has become). This place has quickly become one of the top restaurants in Charlestown, and it didn't disappoint. We started out with a dirty martini and a white negroni and loved both cocktails. I was pleased with the by-the-glass wine menu for my second round and I've already decided to make a return trip for the famous tiramisu martini--it looked amazing every time one went by our table. Our server had some really helpful recommendations, and we landed on the Burrata & Prosciutto (could not get enough of the poached grapes in this dish) and the Steak Tartare for appetizers. The tartare could have been more flavorful, it's probably the only thing from this meal I wouldn't order again. While Prima is an "Italian steakhouse" we really came for the pasta, and I couldn't be happier that we did. We split the Spicy Pici and the Orecchiette Al Limone and absolutely loved both. We opted for some of the more creative options for our first visit, but I'm pretty sad to have missed out on just about every other pasta on the menu after sampling these. The space itself is great too, it's got that cozy steakhouse feel, with plenty of modern touches, mood lighting, and a huge bar in the middle that was packed with people. I have a feeling I'll be back before too long to explore more of the dinner menu, and to try the brunch that's all over my Instagram feed :) read more

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Amazing and easily one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. The food was delicious including the drinks. The service was exceptional and they go above and beyond here. The entire vibe and ambiance of the restaurant was great. They had a more intimate section that is opened up in the back, I believe this might be new, but better for dates. The front house was very busy understandably because everyone just wants to be there and have a great time. read more

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Stopped in for a nightcap. Bartender was nice and attentive. The tiramisu espresso martini was good, I enjoyed the mascarpone whipped cream. Unfortunately, the drink is pre-made in a batch so I couldn't substitute for a different liquor (I prefer tequila). Overall, good drinks, good service and cute atmosphere! read more

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Honestly i gotta give it 5 stars! Amazing service from the guy who greats you at the door to the ladies at the podium to the waitress and serving staff (5/5) Ambiance was very nice as up front it was a vibe and lively while in the back rose room it was very nice!! (5/5) Food: Rigatoni was flavorful and spicy with a little kick Veal chop was flat out delicious 220z filet was cooked perfectly inside and out The dessert was top 5 for me The espresso martini, negroni, and manhattan were all ok point read more

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We came here for a birthday celebration mid week. Reservations were hard to get but due to the snow we were able to sit in the back room, incredibly romantic highly recommend trying to make your reservations in the back of the restaurant for date night and special occasions. Everything we ordered from drinks, appetizers through dinner to dessert were great. The cheese and meat board was delicious as was the gluten-free breaded mushrooms. The steak I ordered for my dinner was excellent and the staff were friendly, supportive and accommodating. To my surprise they even have gluten-free pasta. I'd love to return for another dinner or Sunday brunch. It was a great evening. read more

Prima - the interior of a fancy restaurant - Wine Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Everyone already knows this is the best spot in town - and it's for a reason. Prima remains unmatched in the Boston food scene, topping any North End spot. It's cozy atmosphere makes you want to join the chaotic scene on a Friday or Saturday night and their adaptive space (now expanding into three different dining rooms) allows for most party sizes to be accommodated (with a reservation of course). Outside of the amazing food you get each, and every time at Prima, is their hospitality. The servers are happy to be there, and even more happy when you ask for their recommendations. This summer I reached out to ask for a large party reservation expecting to be told to wait for their reservation window to open up, after being told they'd happily accommodate our group (without a large group fee or minimum), I then had to last minute cancel the reservation due to a family emergency. They went above and beyond to work with me as I went back and forth with them to cancel the reservation and then get one back for a smaller size. Overall, there's a reason this place is hard to get into. Because it's worth it from start to finish. read more

Prima - Dirty martini - Wine Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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An elegant, cozy, and beautiful restaurant in the Charlestown area. This restaurant has a vast bar space that is perfect for dining alone, getting some drinks or just grabbing a small bite. The restaurant also offers ample seating for a great date night scene or to catch up with friends. My visit here was absolutely captivating. I came on a Wednesday night and was seated right away. Felipe took great care of us. We were greeted warmly and our drinks and entrees came out quick! The manager gave us a delicious scallop appetizer on the house. The scallop was cooked to a perfection, the cream complicated the delicate taste of the seafood as well as the refreshing fruit that came with it. Overall a very aesthetic and refreshing start! For the entree, I opted for the Spicy Pici. The noodles were made fresh and conveyed a lot of bounce and flavor. It was a perfect consistency and the sauce was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend this dish if you are a fan of creamy noodle dishes with a bit of a spice! My boyfriend got the Ziti Bolognese and it was amazing. The dish was hearty and came with a ton of beef. I really can't pick a favorite dish since they were both a delicacy. Prima, you've got a loyal customer! read more

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underwhelming. This place was really hyped, but I thought the food was ok. Atmosphere was super cute though! Ordered the filet, mashed potatoes (really buttery which was nice) and spicy pici. Spicy pici had a kick to it, but otherwise the flavor was really salty / cheesy but otherwise bland. read more

Prima - Spicy pici - Wine Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Great atmosphere! Our server was really sweet and nice and was able to split pastas for us so we could try more than one. The Caesar salad is a must! Are it do fast wasn't able to get a picture. read more

Prima - Half bolognese and half orecchiette pastas - Wine Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Possibly the best restaurant I have been to in my 79 years! The appetizers were outstanding and the Filet Mignon was cooked perfectly and were very tasty. Our waiter was a real pro. He explained everything and timed each of our courses so they arrived with perfect timing. I will go again without hesitation! read more

Came here to celebrate a birthday and loved it! I reserved beforehand and made a note that I wanted to surprise the birthday boy with a small cake/dessert and they made sure to make that happen! I reserved in the Rose Room which was more private, quiet and nice. We ended up coming on their Gluten-Free Mondays which I didn't know about beforehand, but the food was still super tasty! I don't think you can go wrong with anything on their menu. They had a blowfish special when we came and it was so unique and delicious. The service is great and everyone was super attentive to our table. Loved it, would come back again! read more

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I'd like to give a huge shout out to the event manager, Meg, and to give her kudos for a job done exceptionally well, through all the stages of planning and executing during the baby shower for my daughter, in the Rose Room. I really appreciated Meg's responsiveness, starting with the initial inquiry, and patience with my daughter and my questions during such a busy time of year (Christmas). I've hosted several events over the last 3 years so I know that communicating about the logistics and details can be confusing but Meg was always very clear and thorough, and it helped to have a phone discussion just to make sure we were on the same page! The only suggestion I would make is that because of the event software, emails were not all connected in a chain so you could look back at the questions and answers in one place, maybe you could give access to the guest portal going forward?, I did use that for an event at a different venue and it was helpful. My daughter definitely "had a vision" and Meg, Brin and Stephanie, if I'm remembering their names correctly?- the bartendress/waitresses helped to make it a reality. They addressed every need and concern with smiles, and made smashing drinks! My daughter was absolutely glowing, and she and our guests all had a wonderful time! And the food was absolutely to die for! so we will definitely be returning sometime soon I hope! read more

The atmosphere is lovely and rooms are beautiful but the food and drinks are not worth the cost. My filet was disappointing; it appeared smaller than 6 oz and was cut oddly. Filets are usually presented as a round cut and 1.5-2 inches thick. Although I considered sending it back since it was my birthday, I chose not to. It bothers me that it seems like they're taking advantage of customers with overpriced food, which feels very unethical. read more

Prima - Expresso Martinis - Wine Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Had the lasagna very tasty, smooth and light. Enjoyed. Great service. Definitely a place to go back to.

This place is absolutely gorgeous! The food is amazing. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. We came for brunch. They had a great selection of cocktails and plates to share. I got the chicken Parmesan. It was wonderful! Highly recommended if you're in town! read more

Fantastic gem of a place! Very friendly service, amazing and very attentive General Manager! Food was fresh and excellent quality! Mushroom carpaccio, caesar salad, bruschetta! We had tuna, scallops, chicken and veal Milanese and rigatoni alla vodka for main courses. I highly recommend for family dinner, date night or just an excellent meal! Fuad M read more

Why I'll go back: Delicious food in a charming restaurant with a neighborhood feel. You HAVE to order: the Caesar salad Tony's Tip: The energy is in the front room, but the elegance is in the back room. Do your "test drive" at the main bar or a table, but make reservations for the Rose Room for a second visit with your date or a nice family celebration meal. What people are saying about this new spot is for real. Prima holds its own after having taken over the storied location of Olives, which closed a decade ago (I had to fact check myself on that one!). We popped over there on a gorgeous Sunday late afternoon and snagged two seats at the centerpiece wrap-around bar. Service from all three bartenders was consistent and comfortable. Of note for me was the Padre Pio, a Negroni with a "jammy" vermouth that gave it a bit of a "blood orange" flavor. I had to double up on that one! As for the food, we did a half order of the Caesar salad, as the salads are entree portion sized. Ours was perfect to share. The breadcrumbs were crumbled, not whole, which gave every bite a nice little texture. I can't put my finger on the dressing, but it reminded me of the bleu cheese you'd get with a classic Cobb salad, though very subtle. Absolutely loved it! I went with the chicken picatta while the wife had their bucatini amatriciana. Now, I can enjoy a rich dish, and the picatta was certainly one of the heavier ones I've eaten (closer to a light gravy than a white wine sauce). The description says "lemon caper butter sauce," and indeed it was - generous with the butter and the capers! My wife thought the amatriciana was solid for sure, as did I, thought we both agreed it was not as spicy as she prefers and as we've eaten elsewhere. We also had two sides - one of a penne pasta accompaniment with the same picatta sauce as my dish and the other an assortment of fresh vegetables in a carbonara. Both were delicious. Having been quite satisfied at that point, we figured we'd try one dessert, and me being a sucker for dark chocolate, I went with the mousse, which had a large dollop of olive oil whipped cream, plus several figs. The portion was huge and the mousse quite rich. I don't think the figs added anything - I'd drop those from the dish (note to kitchen). One of the pleasant surprises is that in an era of seemingly limitless price inflation on cocktails, salads, and entrees from pasta to steak, Prima's prices are actually reasonable. Frankly, that's enough to make this the type of place we might pop into more often, plus add the extra item (or cocktail) during our visit. Much appreciated, Prima! Oh, yeah, that's right - I mentioned the Rose Room in the back. It's got a totally different vibe, almost like a throwback, speakeasy version of an elegant club. It's not as noisy or frenetic, and definitely more intimate. Not what we were going for this first time, but I would absolutely come back here to have the same food in a different atmosphere. Check out the pics - some of my better ones lately, if I do say so! Then check out Prima. It will satiate your appetite without draining your wallet. read more

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Really really delicious and yummy. Super cute restaurant and atmosphere. Waiter was super friendly, quick, and kind. Enjoyed a couple of brunch dishes with friends. I would say the portion sizes are pretty big so easy to share. We ordered way too much from French toast, coffee, Blueberry lemon roll, sausage, potato's, carbonara eggs. My fav was the blueberry lemon roll - such good flavoring. Overall really enjoyed this place and definitely recommend. read more

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Had dinner at Prima last night and it was an amazing experience! The restaurant itself is adorable. We went on a Monday night bc they do almost completely gluten free on Mondays and my daughter and husband have Celiac. I have issues with histamines and the staff took extra precautions to make sure my meal was safe as well. They are very well trained on dealing with food allergies and the food is delicious. To start we ordered the focaccia, fried mozzarella and octopus. Our mains were chicken Milanese (so tasty and crispy), gnocchi, ribeye steak (cooked perfectly) and carrots. Then dessert was cannoli and the dessert trio. Yum! Everything was great from the ambience, to the service (so friendly and helpful), to the food. I would definitely recommend to anyone with or without food issues. read more

My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our anniversary, and it was truly the best decision we could have made. The food was incredible, the drinks were perfect, and they even surprised us with a complimentary glass of champagne to celebrate our special day. The atmosphere is cozy and romantic--absolutely ideal for a date night. I genuinely loved everything about this place and couldn't recommend it more! read more

Prima - Wine Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Came here for my boyfriend's birthday dinner and we were delightedly seated in the back room where it was much more calm, romantic and private. Front of the house had the bar and was very lively, which would be perfect for a group dinner. Food was fantastic. The truffle cheese balls was recommend by my server and we absolutely loved it. Wish there was even more on the plate! We also got the filet mignon and the chicken parm. Filet mignon was cooked to our perfect medium and tasted great. Our only hiccup was completely forgetting to order the roasted carrots as well so our plate looked a little silly (lol). The chicken parm was also delicious and the portion was actually insane. Could easily feed 2 people. Great experience and would come back again! read more

Prima - Wine Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Had an absolutely amazing afternoon brunch here with my parents last weekend before my flight. Prima was recommended by my brother who frequents here and I can see why! The food was absolutely amazing. We had an order of their French toast as an "appetizer" and I had half rigatoni and half cacio e pepe. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the sauces were flavorful and delicious. Our waitress was amazing, she was so attentive and kind. We were able to sit outside and it was a beautiful day with a nice atmosphere. The inside was also adorable! I can't wait to go back on my next trip back east. read more

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I wana love this place I just can't we came here last night for my daughters birthday everything was cool til the food we normally get the baked bread my kids love it we got 3 orders this time the bread was not hot at all not even warm that was a waste my kids got a penne Alfredo off the menu looked ok they both ate it we got the vodka sauce good but little to spicy the Caesar salad was good the entrees my chicken parm was good but very dry there was no sauce on it I asked for sauce and later seen I was charged 2 dollars for a cup my daughter filet little to well done she likes well but little slight pink hers was to well and dry she didn't eat it my wife got some chicken thigh dish she didn't mind it my other daughter got the filet she said was a little to salty flavor now my daughter birthday the waitress asked what we wanted for her with a candle she recommended this small trio dessert was very nice but later looked and was charged 23 dollars for that I'm gona say not great not bad but little tacky to charge a birthday girl for dessert and the 2 dollar side of sauce for a dry parm was odd read more

Their decor is impeccable. Stunning European inspired design with dark wood accents and flowers adorning. The service is nothing insane but they are friendlier than other spots. The food though is where my gripe is. I personally feel like their pasta and drinks are way too pricey for what you get. Under cooked pasta that was overly salted and it seemed as tough cheese was used to mask their flaws. Better authentic Italian spots out there in Boston read more

Great service, good atmosphere. Sat at the bar with no problem. Book a res on weekends read more

Prima - Ceasar salad, bread plate, espresso martini - Wine Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Fantastic vibe and amazing service! Gluten-free night on Monday was exceptional and worth the stop for Monday dinner. read more

Prima - GF chicken piccata, charred carrots and GF chicken parm - Wine Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Dinner before a Bruins playoff game and we were very lucky to score a table for five people. We were seated in the back room which does seem far less busy than the front area. The tables and area are very nice, upscale but not overly formal. Wine service was awesome. The sommelier explained about the wine region - Just enough to be informative and interesting. Very nice! Appetizers were delicious, especially the meatballs. You can ask for an exact number of meatballs if you need more than are served, we added an additional. After the appetizers were cleared the meal slowed to a crawl. Other tables were seated and served dinner before we saw our dinners. A little odd. The server said our dinners would be right out then 25 min more passed. Once on the table, the dinners were delicious and huge. We all had take away boxes and every bit of my leftovers were eaten. Chicken parm was amazing as was the chicken piccata. One note on chicken parm is that two at our table got it - one with vodka sauce and one with regular marinara. Marinara won the day as vodka sauce was too heavy with the parm. Great place, a bustling crowd, outstanding food but I consistently hear that slowness can be an issue. Great for a meal before an event at TD Garden. read more

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Decor and ambiance at Prima are stunning, such a beautiful restaurant!! Went on a Saturday evening and the energy in the main room was lively and loud. Energy in the Rose Room was more intimate and quiet. Service was a bit slow, waiting for a while to order our drinks and then food. Meatballs appetizer was incredible, might be my fave meatballs in Boston! Ziti bolognese and bucatini amatritiana were a bit underwhelming for flavor though. Portions were large. Pistachio gelato dessert was amazing. Would definitely go back as it's a beautiful date spot and would try different dishes! Table next to use got chicken parm and espresso martinis that looked great read more

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We enjoyed the Aperol Spritz, Espresso Martini, Margarita and Dirty Martini which were all delicious. The appetizers were also very notable -- the truffle arancini were some of the best we have had. The mozzarella was good, however, probably would not order again. Our meals were also delicious. The fusilli alla pesto was so fresh, the rigatoni alla vodka was very tasty, the spicy pici was good -- the noodles overpowered the dish, and the ribeye was cooked perfectly. The brown butter mashed potatoes were unbelievable. The service was not great. Our waiter was not friendly, had an attitude, was hard to track down for our missing drinks and sides, and overall made the experience extremely lackluster. The ambiance is great and the overall environment is a cool date night spot, but will probably stick to a seat at their bar versus dining again. read more

Prima - Fusilli alla pesto - Wine Bars Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I've been wanting to go to this restaurant for quite a while, so yesterday my girlfriend & I finally had our date night there.when we first got there we were ecstatic of the outdoor seating,it was really nice.but not more than two minutes in,it started getting really cold and they brought out blankets which was nice by the way.but what I didn't like when our waitress came over how she greeted us with welcome ladies smh I sure you I'm all man,I don't know if she was trying to be funny bc she had her friends sitting next to us,but that was totally uncalled for,So I shook it off. and then my girlfriend started getting really cold so we ended up going inside,which was also nice as well.as we approached the bar there was two empty seats on the opposite sides,there was two ladies sitting next to one,so my girlfriend asked if anyone was sitting there she replied no,as my girlfriend was about to grab the other seat so we can put it together,the racist white lady grabbed on to it & wont let go,I wanted to say something but I wasn't going to let that ruin our night because we were dressed to impress and we don't get nights like that very often bc of my disabilities.but other than that the food & drinks were was amazing it was a bit of a wait but it was all worth it. but I don't know if I will go back bc of the racism that we'd experienced in there so to my black folks just be prepared if you do come here our kind is not wanted. read more

Went to Prima with my husband this past Saturday. The food was outstanding. We had a burrata salad, bean salad, vodka penne, bolognese and pici. All were delicious. The service was also excellent. the restaurant was very busy. Definitely a locals spot. We will definitely be back next time we visit Boston. read more

At prima and just found out that slicing machine is broken As an "ITALIAN RESTAURANT " they can't slice the prosciutto by hand. What else can't they do read more

We visited Prima for brunch this weekend to celebrate a birthday, and while I've always loved this spot in Charlestown, I was really disappointed with the service this time. Our server told us we had to order everything at once because of the way dishes are plated, so we did. But our entrees arrived just minutes after the appetizers, leaving us with no space at the table and making it tough to enjoy the meal. Extra dishes and glasses also weren't cleared until the very end, which again made things feel cluttered. The most frustrating part was when the birthday dessert came out with no spoons, not even one. We ended up asking the bartender for them ourselves, which really made us feel forgotten by our server. There was never an apology for the oversight, no check-in on how the food was, and overall it felt like we weren't being taken care of. The food was good, as always, but unfortunately the service was extremely weak this time. Sad to write this review as it was a spot i always recommend... read more

We had a great experience at Prima. We were there celebrating our anniversary and we sat in the rose room in the back, very romantic and intimate setting. We had the bread plate with ricotta and meatballs as appetizers which was delicious. The focaccia is so light and fluffy. For dinner we had the chicken parm and veal chop parm. The waitstaff was very attentive and friendly. We will be back in the future. read more

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It was absolutely beautiful inside probably one of the most beautiful restaurants I've been into. Our service was great and she was very kind and walked us through the entire menu. The French toast was really thick, which is always a good thing but just a touch dry. The in-house mozzarella was delicious and a cool concept, considering they make it there. The breakfast pizza was good but my favorite was the prosciutto Benedict. I typically don't go for breakfast potatoes, but these were so crispy. I couldn't stop eating them. read more

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The restaurant has great food, but it's full of turncoats. It's sad because I loved this place, but got a taste of what the deal really is. After all the money spent, and the recommendations, the groups of people I brought there, and the great reviews, and the people I sent their way. It's a sin to be talked down to like I was. It's was very discouraging to be spoken to the way I was without a true explanation given. All of this After thinking that I was accepted there... This obviously isn't your average review, and that shows how sincere I am about all this. Great Food. Great decor and format. It's also not overly priced like a lot of places. They could def charge more, but don't. Respect for that. I do feel hurt by it to the point I chose to move out of Charlestown. I felt sick walking by a place that deemed me a person that isn't good enough to be allowed there. What a Shame. You hurt me Prima. read more

My friends and I popped into here to try the famous tiramisu espresso martini. We were blown away by how kind the staff was. They went the extra mile to make us feel welcomed and like friends/regulars. I can't wait to come back and visit. For drinks, I enjoyed the tiramisu espresso martini. I will say it is very much taste like an espresso martini with a tiramisu topping. Food wise, I LOVED and cannot recommend enough the crudo scallops. The flavor profile was amazing. The balance between ginger and apple was perfect. The dish was light and refreshing. I will be ordering these every time I visit! I also enjoyed the Caesar salad. I recommend asking for the waiter to add some cracked pepper to help balance the dish more. read more

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We went to Prima on a Tuesday night in December, I made the reservation about a month in advance (as their reservations tend to quickly fill up for the prime dinner spots!). In regards to parking, there is not too much parking around the actual restaurant. Most spots are Resident or Permit parking only. For those driving, there are two parking areas about a 5 minute walk away (Nautica Parking garage), that costs $15. That's the route we took! We arrived just after 7:30PM for our 7:30PM reservation, and the restaurant was packed! We were told it may take an extra 10-15 minutes to sit us down, so we could grab some drinks while we waited. We sat at the bar, it was decorated for the holidays. The main downside of our experience was that it took just about an hour to sit us. We were sat at around 8:25PM. I will say, the service was great after we sat down. They gave us free Prosecco and some pesto bread, with their apologies for the wait. The food itself was good, we had the garlic bread, ribeye, and agnolotti. I think with the struggle with the reservation, we were exhausted and hungry so our experience was a little thrown off. However, the folks did try to help us turn the experience around. We may need to go back again to get a more fresh perspective on the experience. read more

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