We were there once again this past week and they continue to live up to the high praise I gave them in my last review (with one exception). Bread is delivered by a waiter walking around with a tray of sliced bread which they grab a piece with tongs and place it on your bread plate. The bread is very good. So good in fact, I wanted a second slice. However, I was never offered another slice nor was there a waiter around at the time I really wanted it. This minor flaw does not lower my 5* rating, but is worth mentioning because it was the only thing that was not perfect. My wife and I split the "grilled Spanish octopus" appetizer and both thought it was the best octopus we have ever had. All four of us had the Berkshire Pork Board (for two). In the past I have seen reviews of other "boards" that were all good. They only have one "board" on the menu, so I assume they swap it out from time to time. It consists of four different items, all of which I really enjoyed. Some in our party were not thrilled with the "Crispy (pigs) Ears". I was happy the eat the extras. Dessert did not disappoint. Tables are few at Sycamore. I made a reservation a week in advance for a Thursday night and still could not get my preferred time. The wines are on the high price side. Our $70 bottle was not the cheapest wine on the list, but there were many more higher than there were lower. Dinner for 4 with wine, tax, and a good tip came to $283. Not what I normally spend, but fine for a special occasion. read more

We dined here last night for a second time and I can honestly say both experiences were fantastic. The first time we came I was pregnant and the staff was amazingly supportive of making sure that the food that was prepared didn't have any ingredients I was worrisome of having while pregnant (raw fish, etc.). Last night was no different, the staff was attentive while not hovering. The food was outstanding and the ambiance is 5 stars. We can't wait to come back. read more

Exceptional service in addition to heavenly innovative desserts and drinks will make your night! Yes, yes, yes...This highly popular venue deserves its hype. The warm beignets (two per order) with the caramel sauce were crispy, light and fluffy with the right amount of sweetness. The $9 pastry had a crumbly texture pairing perfectly with the unexpected anis ice cream and intense fruit coulis. The "Dead Bod" cocktail was smokey, complex, strong and sophisticated. It was a pleasure watching the bartender preparing it with mastery. All this served in a soothing, cosy, romantic, elegant, pristine and cool decor with red exposed bricks, industrial lighting, exposed kitchen.... You can park easily for free after six p.m. on the street.... read more

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best food great service meatball and gouda appetizer outstanding blue fish was so good I cannot wait to go back. when they have nantucket bay scallops its a must love this restaurant. Judi b. read more

The creative and smartly composed menu at Sycamore is always changing, but one thing that has rightfully stuck around is the cassoulet. Bursting with toulouse sausage, moulard duck confit, braised pork, and tarbais beans, and tossed with a generous helping of buttery breadcrumbs, this ultra-rich, three-bites and you're full dish is simply too good to pass up (you just might want to start with a salad first). From the food to the service and the ambience, the experience at Sycamore is quite lovely. The restaurant itself is pretty small and fills up quickly, so I'd recommend making a reservation before it does. There is some nice bar seating as well if you'd just like to stop by for drinks and nibbles. I don't order drinks very often, but the Southside Fizz, made with Berkshire Mountain Gin, egg white, lemon, and mint (two-ways) was calling my name. It did not disappoint. Given the inspired drinks, appetizers, and entrees, the dessert selection was a bit of a letdown. I opted for the flourless chocolate cake with pumpkin ice cream, and it was sadly unremarkable. It was, however, the only lowlight of an otherwise wonderful meal. read more

Sycamore - Richest, butteriness, fattiest cassoulet I've ever had. Two bites and you're full. - New American Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

No. No no no! You Bostonians, you Wellesleyians, you MetroWesterners, stay away! This is my favorite place! Mine! All mine! Without question, one of the best restaurants IN THE BOSTON AREA. On any given night, I cannot recommend enough the "Lamb Board." This is a seasonal, weekly menu type of establishment, so the menu on their website may not truly represent what the week's board will be. But assume you're getting lamb from Royalston Farms (or another organic farm), and it will include some roasted leg, confit shoulder, and braised shank. If you're looking for consistency, look no further than their Chicken Liver Mousse. It comes with smoky-grilled toast and OMG you will be in heaven. The mousse is incredibly light and creamy. Add to that, a balsamic gelatin underneath and then spread atop the bread? WOW. No words to describe other than WOW WOW WOW. This place is cozy, small, and highly popular. Make your reservations early! read more

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Truly one of the best dining experiences I've had in the Boston area. Drinks were interesting flavor pairings and the food was just incredible read more

Food was great. Service was also great. We had gnocchi sardi, caramelized onion and smoked gouda dip, farro-stuffed eggplant and roasted striped bass. My wife wanted to eat the gouda dip with a spoon. To drink , I had the basil mule and she had falerno! They were both extremely good. Went down so smooth that you had another before you knew it. I do miss the chef's menu they had in the past. Hopefully it will be returning soon. read more

My boyfriend and I went to Sycamore last Sunday night after the restaurant had been recommended to us by numerous friends. Our server, Kasey, was very knowledgeable and helped us pick delicious items for our meal. This restaurant's food definitely lived up to the recommendations we received. For starters we ordered the Equinox Farm Greens salad and Chorizo croquettes. I thought the salad was delicious, although my boyfriend was not a huge fan of the poached pears. I ordered the Scosmopolitan off of the cocktail list and was pleasantly surprised by the flavor mix of aperol and blood orange. For entrees, I ordered the steak and my boyfriend ordered the rabbit. My boyfriend's rabbit was gone so fast I almost didn't even get a bite. I thought my steak was great, too. We ordered the beignets for dessert and my boyfriend would not shut up about how much he liked them. He said he would go back just for dessert anytime. We both recommend Sycamore and are glad for the (relatively) new addition to Newton Center. read more

Great food. The wild boar ragu is amazing. But, the rudest staff ever. Multiple tries, each time just off the charts rude. I vote with my wallet. I won't be back. read more

Wow. My wife and I dined here last night on their 6th day of operation. The renovation from the old John Dewer butcher shop is great. The exposed brick walls and dim lighting set the mood just right. We were seated next to the large plate glass windows which we enjoyed. Our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable. He has followed the chef/owner from his previous two, Ten Tables restaurants. We started out with two glasses of the Cabernet which we enjoyed. I don't recall where it was from. We preferred it over a Pinot we had also tasted. The winter salad and the turnip soup were our starters. The soup was accompanied by a crisp with a wonderful smoked trout spread. Both the soup and salad were perfect. We shared the scallops for an entree. They were amazing and cooked in some type of wine reduction I believe. Our desserts were the chocolate cake and the lemon custard. Along with the french press coffee, we were in dessert heaven. There are two things we think could be improved. Both the bread (Iggys style) and the chocolate cake should be served warm. This seems like an easy change. We are very happy to have Sycamore in the neighborhood and look forward to returning very soon. read more

Sycamore - Half portion of scallop entree at Sycamore. - New American Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

I went to Sycamore on a Saturday evening. The place was lively and filled completely, but our waitress never missed a beat. I ordered The Fall Guy for my drink, which was a little disappointing. It had a nice apple taste, which was quickly replaces by a burnt-rubber aftertaste. How that got a rubber taste in a drink, I'll never know. My date and I ordered the charcuterie plate to share for our appetizer. It was phenomenal! Even my boyfriend, who openly dislikes liver couldn't stop eating the whole plate. For our entrée, we specifically came here for the duck board, but it was not on the menu that evening. Instead we opted for the Game Board, which included bison steak, venison sausage, and wild boar. All of which had there own accompaniment of various starches and vegetables. We loved the dish! Each bite had a completely different flavor from the next. I would highly recommend it! My boyfriend ordered the apple crisp for dessert, and I got the warm, sugared beignets. I've had beignets in New Orleans, and let me tell you, the beignets at Sycamore blow Cafe Du Monde of the water. You have to try them! Overall, the experience was wonderful, and I'd love to come again to try everything else on the menu. The chefs are really doing something right! read more

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Easily one of the best spots around. Every time I've gone has been fantastic. The menu changes often - so don't be surprised if a standout dish isn't on there the next time you come back. But everything at Sycamore is excellent. The service is always top notch. Shoutout to Josh for the consistently warm hospitality. Love the vibe too! If you're in the Newton area - Sycamore is a must! read more

Elevated dining. Quiet environment. Excellent service. Wish they changed the menu seasonally.

We love Newton Centre and are always on the lookout for new restaurants here. We've been wanting to try Sycamore for a long while, and finally had the chance to have dinner here. We had a 6 PM reservation for 2, but we actually had 3 people because we brought our 11 month old. Even though every table was already accounted for, they still made space and pulled up a high chair for our kid. The host was kind enough and the busboy was the nicest guy I've ever had serve us! He kept asking if the baby needed anything--bread, milk, baby spoon, plate. Thumbs up! The spanish chorizo croquettas were amazing. Hot, crunchy, bursting with flavor! The peaches and cream salad was to die for!! AGH I could eat it everyday. The perfect amount of ricotta cheese, fresh herbs and sweet peaches!! With salty pieces of cured meat and pistachio butter?!? Delic! And the cavatelli was so dang good! I love how they just use market fresh ingredients.. they subsituted the broccoli for fresh corn and peppers. Mmmm combined together with the pecorino cheese, I want to try making this at home! We ordered the pesto steak with crispy potatoes and the veggie platter with barley and mushrooms.. both were large portioned and you could just taste the difference with fresh ingredients. The dessert menu was very well rounded, but we only had room to share one. We got the blackberry semifreddo. It was a little on the creamy side for me, but we still polished it off with no problem. The accompanying butter cookie was A+. We were stuffed beyond capactiy, but next time I'll be back for drinks and the fish board!! Oh! We also got a what's up from the chef.. he was super nice and asked how our meal was :) read more

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Service here was excellent in the beginning. I am a pescatarian who doesn't eat dairy, and unfortunately there wasn't much for me on the menu to choose from. I did get the ceviche which was outstanding, and the strawberry and pea salad, but I wasn't very full. A bit disappointing for such a highly regarded restaurant with not a lot of options for different diets. read more

Absolutely amazing. Went here after a day of juicing and it was exactly what I needed. Fresh pasta and veggies. The inside reminds me of a brooklyn brownstone. Super comfy - perfect lighting and ambiance - and we were sitting at a bar table. Our server was great. The host was a little standoffish (we were late - so I will let that slide). I ordered so much I couldn't finish my meal. I just finished it today and it was even better after having time to marinate. Which prompted this review. Next time will def stay for desert! read more

I learned about Sycamore when I stumbled upon this from Open Table as a place where many others were making reservations at the same time during a holiday weekend. I agree with the other 5-star reviewers. It was a beautiful meal, well balanced and perfectly cooked. The service was excellent. We ordered 2 cocktails and a glass of wine, pillow-like gnocchi appetizer with veal and sausage, mushroom pot pie (aesthetically pleasing with 4 types of mushrooms) and the cioppini, served with shrimp heads and plenty of other fish proteins. I really enjoyed the sauce with a bit of a kick to it. The owner came around at least 2-3 times to check on us and to see how the dining room was doing and brought us our food. I'm hard to impress and they did not disappoint! The only con is it was quite loud due to the brick walls. Thank you, read more

By far our favorite restaurant. The staff is professional and when you combine that with the amazing food, the whole experience is special.

High quality food and service. They absolutely know what they are doing to meet customer needs.

I eat here as often a I can. The food never disappoints and the wine list is phenomenal for a small restaurant. Sometimes the wait for food can seem interminable, but it's worth it! Drink menu is A+ too! My husband and three teens love it as well. See you Saturday Sycamore! read more

I've been a frequent flier at Sycamore since going to their soft opening many moons ago. Everything about this operation is top notch. They have gotten creative during covid times without sacrificing quality of product and have a great deal on wine - 2 bottles for $36. I'll be sad if they don't make it through. read more

Absolutely not worth it! Extremely overpriced, small portions, limited menu... The cheese dip was cold which did not make it taste that good, and was served with Ritz crackers? Common, what a cheap way to do it, I can do that at home! The blue fish pate was fine. The mushroom dish tasted ok, but for 26 dollars there was hardly anything to eat! Two tiny appetizers, two drinks and one small main course came to 120 dollars with tip. And I d say, the vibe there is fairy snooty. Based on what I am not sure. Bottom line? Absolutely not worth it! read more

Absolutely awesome. From the drink selection, to the interesting assortment of charcuterie offerings, to the really fantastic salads. Everything about Sycamore is awesome. I had one of the best dishes I have ever had. It was a chorizo croquetta. Talk about comfort food. Oh man, I'm having chorizo croquetta dreams. What surprised me the most were the deserts. They were light, delicately flavored and really complimentary to the meal. Okay - truth be known, I only partook in one desert (flourless chocolate cake), but it was AWESOME. And, I don't eat deserts (by-and-large). I will definitely be back. I loved the overall style, scope and experience at the restaurant. Oh, the service was great! read more

We had dear family in town to visit, and we attempted to join them for a fast bite after they sat down at Sycamore. Adorable place, and the service staff were lovely. The food was quite good and it was lovely ambiance. The only detractor was the surly, disdainful "host" who was deeply aggrieved that we wanted to join an existing party on a Tuesday at 5:00. The restaurant was two thirds empty, but we were clearly told that there was no room for us at all, other than to "push in" 2 more guests to a table for 4 that had 3 at it. He all but rolled his eyes at us, and when we appeared unlikely to depart, he indifferently told us we could briefly occupy one of the several empty tables of 2 "as long you are gone by 7." We were gone promptly as 6, after enjoying several delicious small bites and lovely conversation with beloved family. I expressed sincere appreciation to the less than gracious host on the way out in hopes that some happiness and joy might miraculously infect him with a more pleasant evening. Delightful food, cozy and inviting, minus the troll bridge at the front door. read more

While we have only done takeout from Sycamore, the food is always top notch. Pickup is easy with friendly staff.

I am a regular at Sycamore. My office is across the street and if I don't eat there I often order and pick up. Once you get in there it's fine but I have to say sometimes the matredi, first Lizzie and now Josh can be quite frosty and reserve seating for friends and say it's full. After an hour or more the people come in and I would have been long gone by then. Tonight I tried to get in there to eat and would have been gone by 7 because I had to work. I stopped myself from writing about this inconsistent treatment for a long time and tonight when Josh insisted he was full until 8:15 with 3 chairs at the bar empty and many tables open outside it was the last straw. It almost feels like I'm back in HS and I am not popular enough to get in. It's a shame that I will hesitate to come here more often because I never know how I'm going to be treated. The owner doesn't have attitude yet the gate keepers do. It's a real conundrum. read more

We got here by chance. Actually had a reservation around the corner to another restaurant that decided to close due to the snow. This place is unassuming, with a simple menu but here's the best part: They offered pretty much whatever we wanted ! So we ended up taking a sirloin, done to perfection. I took the roasted cauliflower side which was mouth melting. A must! The only downside was that the meat was cold by the time they served everything up together. Poor timing, but the great taste was sufficient to overcome. Local cuisine at its best. read more

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Great food and ambiance! Safe COVID protocols and beautiful outdoor dining option as well. Tried the swordfish and the gnocchi, both excellent choices. read more

Fantastic meal with great ambiance. Sycamore is a fantastic destination for a night out in Newton Center!

I went here recently for my birthday dinner because I had heard such great things about it and wanted to give or a try. Overall, I'm disappointed and would not go back. The good: We were seated at the corner table in the back left, probably the best seat in the house for 2 people. The drinks were good. The food was pretty average, nothing exceptional. The highlights for me were the croquettas and the gnocchi (primarily because of the morel mushrooms) The bad: The prices. Ignoring the cost of drinks, we paid about $100 for food that reasonably should have been $60-70. One example is the $22 grilled avocado posole. It is literally a grilled avocado with some Lima beans. No meat at all (posole typically has pork). This should be a $10-12 meal. Summary: We tried Sycamore but we won't be back. The disconnect between the food and prices is unpalatable. read more

Everything on the menu is amazing farm to table, staff and owners passion spill through this place. Their seasonal board specials are a must --- cannot go wrong with them. read more

We ordered an outstanding Thanksgiving meal to bring home - when else can you forego a huge family tradition but during a pandemic?! So pleased with the food, the service upon pickup, and the detailed instructions for popping it all in the oven. We have pre-ordered their meals in January and are looking forward to a weekly fancy meal. read more

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Great drinks, food isn't your normal meat and potatoes. Great off the chart things to choose from . A must try , small but bartenders and staff are "aware" and on their game. read more

Sycamore - New American Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

Sycamore is so special to me. I've spent almost every Valentine's Day and wedding anniversary here since my first experience in 2015. The menu is seasonal. The drink menu is beautifully crafted. Their s'cosmo was my "bride's signature drink" at my wedding. My husband and I were so excited that they were offering takeout during the pandemic; we've ordered three times in the past week. Here's what we got along with notes on our absolute favorites *babaganoush & pita chips - sometimes babaganoush is too smoky. This was perfect *marinated olives *buttonwood cornbread *little gem lettuces *halibut ceviche - just incredible *Shrimp ceviche *Beet salad - fresh, vibrant * cavatelli... braised colorado lamb, peas & carrots - I grew up eating lamb at home but I've found it too gamey occasionally when ordering out. This lamb was perfect. I crave this pasta. *cod & smoked haddock fish cakes *grilled duck skewer with polenta & cherry mostarda - a must have. *Chicken pot pie - Full of flavor. It was a little under salted when we ordered it a second time. *warm sugared beignets - I would eat this all day every day if I could. read more

Laura and I returned to Sycamore and despite the fact that I gave them 5 stars after our first visit, I could justify a higher rating. The host, waitperson, maitre'd and other staff gave us 5 star service and superb recommendations on libations and food. We started our meal with porcini and chestnut soup...OMG! We asked first more bread so we could wipe our bowls clean of any remnants of soup. The gentleman sitting next to us told us he would understand if we licked the bowls clean. He clearly was a fan as well. We also had a Winter Salad which was equally and surprisingly exquisite. We then had the Catalan Seafood Stew and Falafel dishes. The Falafel dish was beyond superb. Crunchy exterior with a soft and cloud-like texture and accompanying ingredients made it simply the best falafel I've ever eaten. We finish off with a chocolate tart and berry pot o creme. Laura and I are very well traveled and have discerning palates, but despite being seasoned restaurant goers, THIS meal was the BEST we have both consumed. Excellent meal and Sycamore has now been deemed "our favorite restaurant! Chef Lydia Reichert is a genius! Her choices on ingredients are pure magic and deserving of the highest praise. Brava! Salud!!! read more

We waited a long time to get a reservation here, and our expectations were high. We tagged along with another couple's advance reservation on a Saturday night. The place was crowded, and the tables pushed close together so we could hear the intimate conversation of the young couple next to us....too much information about things these ears should have never heard. Service was attentive until we were served our food, and then the waitress disappeared into thin air. Entrees include gnocchi, Lamb ragut, the vegetarian option of the night, and to counteract that, braised rabbit. Everything was....good, not great. Our drinks were poured light on the liquor, but adequate. Bathrooms were clean. VERY expensive for what we had, but I get it. It's a trendy hotspot that has a limited popularity life. I'll wait to go back. read more

Great local spot! Great food, wine and staff. I love it! The appetizers are creative, with large portions. The main entrees are also generously sized- excellent choices, too. Unfortunately they do not offer dessert- but J.P.Licks is just two doors down the street. They often have special nights on Mondays- with guest chefs. The last one we joined them for was with Carl Dooley. Another was when they placed a huge smoker out front on Beacon Street- smoking meats all day- that was an extremely fun night!! read more

I sat at the bar with a friend this past weekend and have never been treated so poorly. The bartender was so unfriendly the entire time and made us feel like we did something to offend him. He really ruined the vibe of a night out.My friend asked him if he had any specialty cocktails that he makes and his response was, "I don't make any good cocktails." The food took forever and when we asked where it was he basically said nothing in response nor did he offer an apology for the length of time we waited. When it finally came out one of the items was not even hot. We sent it back and he said they would heat it up. 15 minutes later it still didn't arrive and I told him we didn't want it at this point. They did take it off the bill, but never said anything about the situation. We tipped him generously since the food failure was not his fault. The restaurant did not seem particularly busy. No one was waiting to be seated at the bar or restaurant the whole time we were there. When we left he never said thank you or goodbye. I will think twice about going back to there. read more

Tried this place based on Yelp reviews and could not have been happier. The food was perfect--poke bowl, baccala ravioli, and blue fish on Roma beans, all delicious. A perfect old fashioned. An extensive wine list with exotic stuff as well as old favorites, modestly priced. Also the wait stuff was 100% on. And it was busy late on a Thursday night, always a good sign! Definitely recommend. (When traveling, Yelp reviews are a godsend.) My one complaint is they don't have Bailey's, and the substitute was not...Bailey's. read more

Sycamore - Dinner menu - New American Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts