This must be a Medfield thing. This was my birthday dinner...9/20. The husband and I got all dressed up. For what? Not sure. Service was somewhat lacking: having to ask for bread, ask to order an appetizer, ask to hear the specials. No personal service whatsoever. Food was extremely lacking. Calamari with only "squido" rings? At a fine establishment? Seafood casserole with some type of orange topping and loaded with a greasy sauce? A twice baked potato with lumps? I could do better at the Horse and Carriage. Disappointing $103.00 later. read more

They did a great job handling a large family. All the orders were fresh and fast with a great variety on the menu. The appetizers were varied and delicious - I think we had all the seafood options. read more

excellent food. calamari is to die for. waitstaff is the best. atmosphere is great, too read more

We are regulars at Basil, and for good reason. The food is fantastic, service is phenomenal, and the drinks are expertly poured. We primarily sit in the bar area to enjoy the relatively small, casual and close-knit atmosphere where we run into friends and acquaintances in our town, and where the long-time, familiar staff always provide a warm welcome. Specifically regarding the food, the menu leans heavily Italian, but with a contemporary flair, including specialty raviolis. There are also numerous seafood options on the menu and each are creatively prepared, including my husband's favorite, the Seafood Bianco. For anyone watching calories, the "Light Entree" menu also provides terrific options. Our only suggestion: Make reservations! For the longest time, we had relied on walk-in bar seating, but Basil's has become very popular making it tough to accommodate last-minute folks who stop in. We owe this success in part to the outstanding way Basil's responded during the pandemic with it's highly efficient and much-needed take-out ordering system that was a huge hit and likely generated awareness among a lot of new residents who wouldn't have otherwise known about the great food. Basil owners have always been supportive of our local community in a variety of ways too, so that reputation has helped the restaurant become a popular spot! read more

The calamari is a great way to start your meal, delicious flavors blended with squid, YUM!!!!

Excellent food. Calamari was real and cooked just right with nice flavor and sauce. The chowder came out hot, but not too hot to eat, perfect. The lobster ravioli was unreal, perfectly cooked and key lime pie was excellent just like everything else. Service was just what you'd want, checked on just when you'd want and not too much. Clearly the staff is well trained for great service. read more

I went here last night. I have to say, my experience was subpar. I ordered the risotto with scallops. While the scallops were delicious, the risotto was undercooked and crunchy. The dish could have fantastic had it been cooked properly! I was quite bummed out. I also had the creme brûlée, which was delicious. My friend got the clams casino. She said it was good, but not the best that she's had. She also got the butternut squash soup, which she loved. I was not impressed with our service. Our waitress clearly didn't want to be working and did the bare minimum. Our waitress disappeared at the end of the main entrees, right after we finished. It took her awhile to come back with dessert menus (reeking of cigarettes. I'm fine with smoking, but not when you're bringing food.. It's Just gross.) longer to come get our order, even longer to bring our check, then an extra 15 minutes after we'd put our credit cards on the table. She also stopped refilling our water after the main entree, which was a problem for me as I am part camel. I had an empty glass for my entire dessert, which was pretty unpleasant. For two meals, one drink and two desserts, our total came to $80.00. Pretty expensive, IMO. So, I probably won't come back here, but it wasn't the worst place in the world. TLDR: Hit-or-miss food; cranky waitresses; overly expensive. read more

I oversee many of the in-home catering events and constantly hear comments "Terrific! Best we've ever had". I enjoy serving our food to our customers, in-home and at the restaurant. It's simple.. Excellent food and whether in-home catering or at the restaurant, our superior service starts at the top with the owners, and is displayed by every employee. read more

This a great restaurant. The food is always good and comes out hot. The staff are always friendly and helpful! This place really stands out and we recommend it! read more

Visiting the area & it was suggested we try this restaurant. We got there early and were the only customers, which was a concern, but soon after many others entered. The interior was nicely laid out and clean. The menu is filled with many choices. Plus there was a long list of specials that our wonderful server remembered and kindly repeated several times for us (due to our constantly gabby group). My meal of chicken cordon bleu was very good, as were the mashed potatoes. However, I still am not a fan of undercooked, crunchy green beans. Everyone loved the raviolis, and the haddock as well. However, one of the specials that included the ravioli had grilled chicken which was very much over cooked to a dried up jerky like tough texture. On the other hand, the key lime pie for dessert was perfect. Thank you to our server who was very patient and friendly (she was even kind enough in taking the time to snap a picture of our party). Kudos to her hard work and good service. read more

Wait, is there more then five stars? Please?! Our whole dining experience was perfection. From our cute little table, to the super cool fish tank and all the way to the hostess' farewell to us, it was such a great time! We had the Clams Zuppa. And I needed to have it taken away from me, I almost ate all the sauce that came with it with my spoon! It was SO GOOD. Then I got the Chicken Piccatta, and my boyfriend chose the Roasted Duck. Our dishes were so good, I almost finished it all, but held myself back a little - I needed to try the desserts! Our dinner was so good that I knew dessert would not disappoint. I got the Creme Brulee and it was TO DIE FOR. My boyfriend went for the Cream Puff filled with Ice Cream and was very pleased. We left full, happy and so glad we tried this place and will be back soon! read more

Family owned, built, and operated. You can see that in every thing they do. The food is consistent and fresh. The service is personal and efficient. This is a true NEIGHBORHOOD gem. read more

As my Dad would say....."You can't eat ambiance". I read some reviews about the old decor who the heck cares about that? The food is TRULY amazing. I had the chicken picatta and it was so good that I honestly want to work in the kitchen to get their secrets. So juicy and lemony...yum! The prior visit I had the baked haddock and that was also done so perfectly! This place is a gem please don't change a thing! Omg just had the appetizer special arancini. The absolute best I have ever had. Please oh please add this to the menu permanently. Please try this! read more

I've finally been motivated enough to give this place a review. I've been here 4 times, and I've had four different experiences each time I've been here. It's so hit or miss that I don't really understand it, honestly. The place gets a healthy business, and is within walking distance (actually at the very end of my street). Ok so with the disclaimer over lets get down to business. Basil is really the only true Italian food in town, and fills that roll admirably. The first two times I came back in 2013, and early in 2014 I was greeted with substandard service and overcooked pasta. Then again it could be me, I have always been told to pull pasta at al dente and let it continue to cook on the dish/plate while absorbing in the sauce. The ravioli isn't all that good when soggy and floppy. To top it all off the service was substandard, long waits, repeated requests, etc. The last two times I've been here, I passed on the typical Italian/American pasta, and moved into seafood and the quality has improved dramatically. I am a huge fan of Diavlo, and Basil's version did not disappoint. Chocked full of seafood and spicy to boot. Most recently (two weeks ago) I ordered the seafood bouillabaisse, a French dish. Excellent job, and the spicy risotto was an rather good touch to the plate. It's not served the Julia Child method but rather more of a paella, with the risotto sitting in the broth (it's also the way I ate it). Additionally, the service has improved to the point where it's not at all noticeable anymore. (a step in the right direction). I am giving it 3 stars for now, but if improvements continue, I'll consider an upgrade. Suggestions: Pair down the menu significantly, you have over three pages of entries and it took the poor waiter 5 minutes to go over the 6 specials for the night. By my count that particular night you had 40 entrees to pick from. You can increase overall quality of the dishes by reducing the overhead needed for all of these. read more

After hearing rave reviews about Basil, we decided to give it a try. There are so many 4 and 5 star reviews on Yelp as well and I am really surprised, maybe Medfield isn't a foodie town or discerning in their tastes, but the pasta dinners we ordered were unacceptable. The menu was impressive with lots of options and a long list of specials (not sure this is a positive or a negative). The service was mediocre at best. We all ordered traditional pasta dishes, being an Italian restaurant, it is a good way to check a new restaurant out. None of us got even close to finishing our dinners, and none of us wanted to take home any leftovers. All three dishes had way overcooked pasta, and very dull flavors. The cheese on the chicken parm wasn't all the way melted. I can't buy the fact that the marinara could every be made from scratch - very acidic, almost straight from the can. The meatballs were unseasoned, overcooked and fatty. It is a pricey menu, and given our first experience, highly doubt I would go back. If you are looking for legit Italian food, try Assisi in Wrentham! That's the real Italian deal! read more

Basil is a cozy restaurant in an otherwise residential neighborhood. The dining room is comfortable with a fireplace, but the bar/lounge area is even more enticing with a wall-length fish tank and a mixture of high-tops and booths. The food is good with a nice mixture of Italian-themed dishes. I wasn't a huge fan of their Caprese interpretation with grape tomatoes and small mozzarella balls in a creamy Italian dressing. My penne arabiatta was slightly spicy with a nice mixture of vegetables; I would have loved it if the pasta wasn't overcooked. The hosts and servers all seemed friendly and knowledgeable, however I couldn't help but feel that we were inconveniencing our waiter a bit. He had a bit of a blunt and aloof quality to him. That's not to say he was incompetent. Water glasses were refilled and dishes cleared before you could even think to ask. For the 'burbs, this isn't a bad place for some Italian without venturing to the North End for the really good stuff. read more

Highly recommend this place for a nice dinner out. A very welcoming family restaurant where they care about their guests. You walk in the door and people know each other as regulars! The bread is delicious, dip it in olive oil and it's even better. The food was tasty and you can tell it is fresh and authentic- none of that processed stuff. The service was also great as we were seated fairly quickly and our food and drinks were delivered in a timely manner. Plus, the portions are big enough for you to enjoy for lunch the next day! read more

Good restaurant, one of a few we surprisingly have in a true suburban town. Not the most expensive, not the least expensive and their meals fall in line but very good experience when interested in nice atmosphere, good meal and local commute...decent little bar as well. read more

My husband and I frequent Basil, it's our go to spot. This past week I went outside of my comfort zone and tried the salmon carbonara (I'm not usually a seafood fan). I am so pleased with my decision. I couldn't have been happier with my dinner. 5/5 experience will continue to go to Basil for a great meal. read more

Best restaurant in Medfield. I've had many amazing meals there and a couple of sub par experiences. The manager always reaches out and tries to make right anything that went wrong. Excellent food, prices and especially servers. read more

Basils never disappoints! Service and food are always excellent. The best shrimp cocktail around!!

Very good italian food - a solid chicken parm, ziti and marinara, as well as mini pizzas and other apps. We have had take out, even for Christmas and the owners are very helpful. It is an comfortable place to sit and eat, nothing too fancy. read more

I had no idea this place existed until a few days ago. Met friends here Saturday night. They were seated immediately when they arrived, we got there a few minutes later and found them easily. We ordered cocktails, then salads. The drinks were great, as were the salads, nice and fresh. Our waitress was wonderful with a great sense of humor. I ordered the chicken piccata. The portions were giant, the chicken was well cooked and sauce was delectable. Like others I agree that the pasta was a touch over cooked, luckily I don't mind. We'll definitely come back for special occasion. read more

We had an outstanding experience, the precautions that are are being taken are bar none, and the food has stayed the same amazing meals my family has become accustomed to. It shows they are really doing everything they can in this time in this ever changing world. I can't fathom how hard it is as a restaurant to abide and uphold these standards and they are doing an impeccable job at that. I highly recommend Basil, even if Randy K (not sure how many pandemics he as a business owner has gone through, my guess is zero!) only gets out once a year, he should try other places. Basil has been a wonderful contributor to Medfield and they need our support, as they have supported our community always. They do not need nit pick criticism from someone who clearly is looking to judge. There is no better place to be as far as food, precaution and service as Basil." Give them 5 stars. read more

Basil's has the best eggplant parm anywhere! Even better than the North End! The food here is always fresh and delicious!! Thank you for a wonderful dinner! read more

Amazing!!! 1st time and it is our new favorite!!! Sat at the bar and Alyssa was adorable and so accommodating! The French Onion Soup was very good! Hubbie got Ravioli Sampler and yum! I got Veal Saltimbocca and it was one of the BEST meals I have ever had at a Restaurant. I am a Cosmopolitan Snob and they were Perfection! I can't wait to come back! Thank you Basil! Wish YELP gave more than a five star option. Best Anniversary Dinner Ever! You set the bar very high! read more

Another amazing meal after a long day. Nothing like a delicious meal to help you unwind. Thanks for the great service and food

Local restaurant that everyone raves about so we had to check it out. Extremely busy of Saturday nights but seating with a small wait was available. Service was great! Food was good. I don't see what the rave was, it comparable to the Olive Garden. But would recommend to others & would go again. read more

I am reviewing the bar area of Basil's. I haven't actually been in the restaurant. My family has been to Basil's several times. My kids (11 and 9) especially love to sit in one of the booths by the salt water fish tank. I find the staff friendly and not slow. Last time we were in the owner came over and chatted with us and bought my kids ice cream for dessert (so he made a friend for life with them). As for the food: In the bar you can order off a limited bar menu or the entire restaurant menu. I think their chicken fingers are excellent. My daughter loves the lasagna or the lobster raviolis. We've ordered other things, but tend to stick with the lower priced items. I agree with a previous assessment of the calamari, the sauce is a bit oily and tends to sog the bottoms of things. They have do a good job of keeping the drinks filled and have reasonable wine by the glass. They also have port, which is nice since not all restaurants around here have it for after dinner. read more

Dining in the suburbs is always a different adventure from my usual urban experiences. And while out in Medfield, my experience at Basil was almost quite pleasant. The dining room is quite comfortable, and the bar area seemed to be a social scene. What was most impressive was the menu-- which was quite expansive! I was shocked to see so many options on one menu. I had a fish special that was stuffed with spinach, cheese and mushrooms. Unfortunately this dish was so incredibly salty, it overpowered all the flavors and the dish entirely. We also had an order of calamari which was delightfully battered and lemony, but the sauce was a little on the oily side and was a bit too soggy for my taste. But, that being said, we devoured the calamari and i recommend ordering this dish! Service was excellent and portions were enough to feed a family of four in one dish. Overall this could have been a great meal, but the salt overwhelmed both my dish and experience at Basil. One quick note is that other folks at the table with different dishes (a regular fish and chicken dish) thoroughly enjoyed their dishes that were not as salty. This is undoubtedly a nice place for an Italian meal if you have a wide array of taste buds while in the suburbs. read more

I like looking on Yelp for different restaurants to try. Last Wednesday night I took my girlfriend to Basil in Medfield. It had gotten pretty good reviews on Yelp. We walked in around 6:30 and were promptly seated by a friendly host. Our waiter immediately arrived to take our drink order and dropped off some yummy bread with olive oil and whipped butter. Delicious! We started out with a calamari appetizer which was nicely cooked in a red pepper sauce. I had one of the specials which was beef, pork, and veal bolognese, and my girlfriend had a meatball and sausage linguine in a red sauce. It was very good. We ended the night with a dessert of chocolate cake containing molten chocolate on the inside, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! The inside of the restaurant was clean, cloth napkins, etc. I really don't have any complaints. The price is what you would expect to pay for fine dining. I would say this is a good place to come for a special occasion but I wouldn't be able to afford the same dinner on a weekly basis. :) read more

Basil Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Medfield, Massachusetts

One of my favorite places to eat. The food is always delicious. My favorite thing to get is the chicken Cordon Bleu when they have it for a special. I also like that you can put your name in for a seat at the bar so you don't need to hover over people waiting for them to leave! read more

This is a LOOONNNGGGG overdue review for Basil! The food and the service are absolutely incredible! The menu is varied and wonderful, and the specials never cease to please. Besides dining at the restaurant, we have used Basil catering for an engagement party in our home, had a 50th anniversary in the restaurant proper, and a 60th birthday party in the pub ... oh, and attended a friend's outdoor graduation party... not to mention their commitment and service to local Lions clubs! Tom is amazing! You only need to give him a general idea of what you are thinking, and he puts you at ease with his professional recommendations and help, while being super accommodating. And the food is superlative! We can't thank you enough for all of the service from you and your wonderful staff through the years, Tom & Karen! read more

Excellent meal and great service! We started with the caprese salad and the coconut shrimp and highly recommend both. The orange marmalade sauce that came with the shrimp was amazing. I had the chicken parm, which I'd put up there with any of the North End spots and my wife had the haddock and scallops, which she said were delicious. You could tell that they were short staffed, but our server (I wish I remembered her name) was still very attentive and friendly. Highly recommend. We will be back soon. read more

Given we are in the burbs, I know I have to set my standards a little differently. That's okay. We had been recommended to go to Basil, and were very excited. It's literally in the middle of a neighborhood, so just when you think your in the wrong spot, keep going. It's literally in a house, which is cool. Once you are inside, it has a wierd feeling. It's very dark, smaller rooms, and probably the loudest restaurant I've ever been in. We were told the bar area is better, but the entire place was packed and there was no room at the bar. Sensory overload in every sense. The decor is outdated, and we were definitely the youngest couple by 10-20 years. Aside from that, service was incredibly slow. I got the penne chicken + broccoli, and actually got sick halfway through my meal. I don't think it was necessarily that the food was bad, I think it was just overloaded with grease and cream and just did not settle well. I felt awful. Gster got the half chicken and was less than impressed. Overall, we were thrown off by the dark, dated ambience, loudness, and how the food made us feel after. The prices were also too high for the overall value given the environment. While it is a convenient location with an appealing menu, we will not likely be back anytime soon. read more

Great place!! Came here on a Saturday night with my mom, husband and 1 year old. Service was flawless and food was just as good. They give you a delicious basket of a few types of bread, there were some Rosemary rolls that were to die for! I got the linguini and meatballs which was full of flavor and had fresh Parmesan on top. Also ordered at the table was the chicken Marsala and chicken Picatta, there were no complaints. Portions were huge so we all took half home for another meal. Overall: Delicious food in a great atmosphere. read more

Basil Restaurant - Linguini with meatballs (one meatball missing because I had already taken off the plate) - Italian Near Me - Medfield, Massachusetts

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Awesome service and even better food! The house salad dressing is to die for and the chicken piccata is nothing short of delicious. Never a bad meal here! read more

I love every meal I have here. I especially love the butternut squash ravioli. Linda has been our server here for years and she has all our favorite drinks and meals memorized. I always look forward to a Basil's night. read more

My favorite "date" place. Food never fails to amaze. Had the steak au'poivre and country fried chicken on the last visits. Can't recommend enough. Staff is friendly and well versed. It's a nice change from my recent experiences. Will definitely make this a regular stop. read more

All I can say is Wow! We went their last night for an early dinner. The restaurant was starting to fill up, we were promptly seated near the aquarium. The waitress appeared shortly with the specials of the evening... we chose the Arancini De Riso , I have say they couldn't have been better, they were placed I believe over a vodka sauce with cheese. I decided on the Chicken Marsala , while my bride chose the the Piccata. The meals came out with perfect timing , I have to say the Marsala was superb including the small chunks of prosciutto. This was Followed by a wonderful desert that we shared. It had been almost a year since we had been here as we live about 1/2 hour away, I have to say we will be back soon. Please note that I usually yelp review only when very satisfied or disappointed. Obviously we were very satisfied. Thanks Basil read more