I came here for my mother's birthday with a girls' gathering, and overall, the experience wasn't that great. The drinks were okay, especially for those who don't drink alcohol. However, the food was a bit flavorless and arrived cold. When we wanted to order additional food items, we were told we couldn't because the kitchen was backed up. While I understand that things can get busy, I was expecting more from such a popular restaurant in Boston, Massachusetts. Our server was very kind, attentive, and welcoming, but unfortunately, the hosts at the front who greeted us came across as having an attitude, which wasn't the best first impression. The views were absolutely beautiful, even though it was raining, and the restaurant itself was elegant, classy, and had a great atmosphere. If you decide to visit, I'd recommend going around lunchtime rather than at night I think you'll likely have a better experience than we did. Definitely do better. read more

On June 7th, a group of friends and I made our way up to Contessa's rooftop for brunch, the room did half the work before a single plate arrived -- natural light pouring in from every direction, a genuinely beautiful view, one of the prettiest spaces in the city. We started with Aperol spritz, Hugo spritz, and negroni while we worked through the menu -- the drinks were delicious and a generous size. Our server knew the menu inside and out, answering every question, making suggestions with real confidence. When I mentioned my allergies, the kitchen took them seriously -- the carciofi was altered so I could actually have some, the lemon flavor was just right. That kind of care is what keeps me coming back to a restaurant. The smoked salmon carpaccio was fresh, so good. The tonnato crudo was my favorite dish of the day -- the tuna fresh, the mix of artichokes and anchovy the right touch, full of flavor. I couldn't eat the meatballs Aldo due to my allergies, everyone else at the table raved about them, cooked to perfection, so good they ordered a second round. The macaroni with wild boar ragu earned the same praise across the table -- excellent, packed with flavor, the sauce just right without being heavy. The classic veal Milanese was well prepared, cooked exactly as ordered. The salmon Toscano was a standout in its own right -- the beans a great pair with the salmon, the salsa verde was so fresh and full of flavor. Our server was a lot of fun, interacting with us like he was part of the group -- honestly, he could have joined us at the table. We will be back! read more

My wife went to the bathroom during dinner and came back excited, claiming there was some kind of wine tasting room for guests while you wait to pee. I checked. It was, in fact, not a real thing. Get the salad for dessert. read more

I visited years ago and had this review in my drafts - I've been to Contessa a few times and it's definitely worth visiting for the experience. The food is delicious, but the ambience and the atmosphere make it enjoyable. Everything is professional and the decor (and the view) is beautiful! I'd visit again! read more

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Impeccable. I popped in here for a late lunch and settled for the Arugala and Fig salad, $16. The blend of arugula and greens, hazelnuts, figs, goat cheese with a fig vinegar drizzle was very good. The bread basket was also wonderful and had some surprise additions that I wasn't expecting with toasted Italian bread garnished with rosemary, a mix of olives and chunks of Parmesan. The friendly hostess seated us immediately. This beautiful restaurant sits atop The Newbury and the exterior walls and ceiling are glass. We will return! read more

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This was a dining highlight for us. The restaurant is inside the Newberry hotel, but has its own entrance to preserve privacy of the hotel guests. They totally got the memo that it was my birthday and it seemed like everyone from the bussers to the waitstaff to the managers had made note of it. We decided to have a seafood forward meal starting with the octopus which I thought was delicious. I appreciated the preparation with multiple types of peppers to provide a different flavor profiles. For our pasta course we had the lobster option. I was a little hesitant about it, but found the pasta itself to be particularly delicious - not overcooked, but also not hard in the center. This too, had a depth of flavor and was not one-note. Perhaps an unpopular opinion but I feel it would also have been tasty with crab instead of lobster. I also appreciated them pre-portioning it so my husband and I didn't have to deal with red sauce flying everywhere. They make all their pastas in-house aside from the gluten-free tortellini, I believe. For our entrée, we shared the scallops which were phenomenal. Not a hint of grit and expertly seared. They were accented with a hint of fennel and crispy capers. Sleeper hit for me was the side of artichokes. They were succulent and perfectly flavored...a wonderful compliment to the scallops. We were going to skip dessert, but were very intrigued by the Boston version of a tiramisu. This is a nonalcoholic version and it was absolutely delicious. The kitchen was kind enough to give us a taste of the olive oil gelato as well. It was not my favorite and I found this to be the only "miss" of our meal. Our server was absolutely amazing and gave really honest recommendations and descriptions of all menu items. I wish we had room enough to try the gnuddi, but we'll have to come back another time. read more

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Had reservations for 2:30pm father's day... parking wasn't the greatest when we arrived so I went in a few minutes before our reservation time with the kids while hubs looked for parking which only took him about 10 mins. Going over the menu, we realized it was only a brunch menu (which we didn't think of when we made the reservation but we were fine with that), but what was upsetting was being informed at 2:45 (a few minutes after we ordered or drinks) that they're kitchen was closing in 10 mins. I wished this was information that was given when making that reservation that way we would have made the reservation earlier or made dinner reservations instead. Hubby had the salmon dish 6/10 I had the french toast 3/10 Bellini drink 8/10 Kid 1: had fruits and gluten free bread 7/10 Kid 2: had spaghetti with butter 9/10 read more

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We came here with a reservation for brunch on a Sunday and were seated immediately. The decor was lush and gorgeous, with floral wallpaper, velvet seating, and views overlooking the Public garden. I was worried that this spot might be an overly hyped Instagram spot, but that turned out not to be the case at all. Despite how busy it was, service was attentive, with our servers taking our orders, serving our food, and refilling our waters promptly. The food itself was also delicious and a reasonable price with large portion sizes. I would definitely come back for brunch again or to try their dinner! read more

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Reservation needed this place is in high demand!! Great service and very extensive wine list read more

Contessa - Boston - Excellent presentation and taste - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Just finished a 3 night stay at The Newbury Boston. We had breakfast at Contessa twice during our stay. First off the restaurant is beautiful and has a lovely view of the city. It was definitely one of the nice parts of the hotel. Now for the bad: this restaurant has almost zero vegan options at breakfast. Even the acai bowl had milk in it! I ended up ordering a slice of focaccia, a laughable fruit plate (which was $20), and orange juice. Options for non-vegans seem great so maybe just avoid if you have food preferences like me. read more

I really loved the ambiance and vibes of Contessa! Also probably one of the real selling points of this restaurant is its rooftop garden-isque atmosphere. I came here for a work dinner and had reservations prior. We were seated promptly towards the back. I can see how lovely this restaurant would be during the day and during sunset. Unfortunately for us, it was gloomy and rainy. The glass walls do border all sides of the perimeter so despite it being rainy, it was really nice and warm inside, while being unbothered by the rain. We ordered the pesto tomato burrata and the squash melon carpaccio to share. Both dishes were very refreshing to eat so it was really nice on the palate to have something lighter before something heavier. Tomatoes and burrata were both very fresh as well as the squash carpaccio. The carpaccio literally tasted like fall - yum! I was recommended to try the lobster pasta. Wow, it was delicate yet bold! Angel hair made it feel light and easy without overpowering the lobster pieces. The sauce seems like it's tomato based so very light to balance off the heaviness of the lobster. It looked small when it was served but it was quite sizable as I wasn't able to completely finish it. Definitely come for the great vibes and scenic view from the rooftop but also expect it to be a bit on the expensive side. read more

Contessa - Boston - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

The first and second time I came here from NYC I was literally obsessed with this place! Coming to Contessa is always the highlight of my trip. This time around it was a bit lackluster. We were seated on time for our 8:30 pm reservation on Sunday. Our server and hostess were kind. I can't complain about the service. Disappointed they took the pizza off the menu. We had the meatballs, which I was not a fan of, and squash carpaccio for apps. I did enjoy the squash carpaccio. The meatballs were okay and I didn't love the cabbage on them. I ordered the lobster capellini, which I ordered twice previously. It was very ok. For $50 I was expecting more lobster. I had an aperol spritz which was good and my friend had the raspberry cobbler which she enjoyed. I will say I do appreciate the focaccia and cheese that comes with the food. We finished with the nutella cake and coffee and hazelnut gelato. All in all it was a good meal, but definitely not as good as it used to be in my opinion. Its a great place for photos and drinks if thats what you're looking for. I do recommend trying this place out though at least once. read more

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I absolutely loved my time here. The lobster pasta was one of the best pastas I've ever had and I've lived in Italy. The bread service was also great. My waiter was very kind and attentive and the restaurant was so beautiful. read more

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Had a great experience with good food and very friendly and accommodating staff! We were a walk-in for a late dinner at 10pm and the hostess said the only table they had was at 11. We ended up waiting at the bar and eventually they had a table for us at 10:30, thankfully. The waiter they put us with was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. The bread was so good I loved that they salted it slightly. The arugula goat cheese salad was fine but we wished there was more goat cheese. The beef carpaccio was a little bland but was still super fresh. The steak was fine. The lobster pasta was great! A lot of people ordered that. The branzino was made so well, crispy skin, seasoned well, and the thinly sliced onions and capers that accompanied the fish went really well with it. No dessert for us. We loved contessa! read more

Great views, you can see the prudential from this place. The decoration was elegant, and they have a coat check on the bottom floor if you need. The food tasted good and fresh. The fusili pesto had a solid taste, and the pesto tasted very fresh. The squash carpaccio was amazing and a solid appetizer that I would definitely get again. The ricotta was a pleasant surprise. It was a small portion, but it had a really good taste and texture, and it was pretty sweet. The lemon tart tasted great and honestly you can't ask for better. The Nutella cake was a solid cake with a straight-up chocolate taste. The ribeye was solid, and I liked the roasted garlic that it came with. The rosemary potatoes had a nice taste, seasoning, and texture. The broccoli was not bad either. It was a little tightly packed, but there were still a lot of seats. We were able to make a reservation only 1-2 days ahead for a Thursday night for 7 people, which was surprisingly easy. Overall, a really nice spot with good food, good views, and a great atmosphere. read more

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I never write reviews. I've maybe written one review in my whole life for restaurants. I felt the need to write a review about this place. Without a doubt, one of the most overhyped overrated restaurants I've ever been to in my entire life. If you like to eat, don't go here. You will leave hungry. Their portions are minuscule, and the price is not in line with the amount of food you get. We went here a few months ago and spent over $400 for a group of 4. Had to stop and get fast food on the way home. Never again. read more

As good as any steak restaurant in Vegas. I actually had a hard time choosing what I wanted. Everything was so impressive. Of course in a steak house, had to get steak. I could go on for hours how wonderful this spot is, and in my back yard... Bonus! Thank you contessa for a wonderful experience ! read more

I highly recommended the apps, but the entrees I'd skip on personally. Highly recommend the burratta, trio of dips, and the feta 2.0 is so delicious best thing on the menu! Would come again for drinks and starters. read more

Contessa - Boston - Feta 2.0, trip of dips, and burratta - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Now, I cannot speak about the food at Contessa just yet because I have not tried, but my roommate and I headed up for a drink to kill time while waiting for a spot at the Street Bar and I was blown away by the vibes and my martini. It is truly such a beautiful restaurant. I normally am the type of person who makes a lot at home, particularly drinks, because I like to make it how I make it, and I must say this martini was the closest to the one I make. I loved it and I can't wait to go back. read more

Contessa - Boston - Dirty Martini & The Royale - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

My friend and I came here for drinks during the day and it's such a vibe! It's definitely the move to sit at the bar and sip on a refreshing drink with an insane backdrop of Boston behind. Look at all that natural light?! The entire place was so bright and lit up during the day which added such a nice ambiance to everything. The Sgroppino is the perfect drink on a hot day (it's kind've like you're sipping on an Italian ice). Will be back! read more

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Beautiful night at Contessa! Food was excellent (Burrrata, Lemon Chicken, Filet Mignon and roasted potatoes). Service was excellent also and you cannot beat the ambience and view. A must whenever I'm in Boston! read more

I came here on a beautiful snowy day with my BF, his parents, and my parents. This is kind of like a rooftop bar, but enclosed, so the view is gorgeous. The ambience, furniture, and decor are so fun--it's a great place to go for an upscale brunch. We made a reservation for 6, and it did take us about 10-15 minutes to be seated. Once we were seated, service continued to be somewhat slow. It took a few more minutes for us to order our coffee and then for the coffee to arrive. It seemed like the servers were switching around tables, which may have contributed to the slowness. The food was really tasty! I ordered the Florentine Benedict, which I actually loved and felt like worked so well. My BF's French toast was HUGE so we all ended up eating some of it. It felt like the portions were a bit lacking -- most of us had only one thing on the plate, without any home fries or decorative fruit or anything. I kind of would expect more from a restaurant that holds itself out to be more high-end and charges so much for its dishes. Like not even a piece of parsley to make the plate less empty? Overall, I really did like this place and would love to come back. It's right by the Common and Newbury Street, so I feel like it's a great place to get dressed up, get brunch/dinner, and then stroll around a bit. read more

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Appetizers were great, cocktails were great, desserts were great, service was efficient, main courses were merely okay. They need to add more meat dishes to the main courses, they already have too much seafood. But what they really need are some curtains for their giant windows so people don't go blind with the sun hitting them right in the eyes. read more

This was my favorite meal of my entire week in Boston. I just felt so peaceful & pampered the whole time. The views were incredible. The food was amazing. The service was impeccable. The complimentary bread basket with balsamic-drizzled Parmesan and the biggest olives I've ever seen was such a nice surprise. Even better was the dessert! I never order dessert, but this was so good -- probably the best vanilla ice cream I've had in my life. And yeah, the espresso martini -- definitely the best I've had in my life. The shaved chocolate on top was absolute perfection. This is my new favorite absolute-must-visit spot in Boston. read more

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We came on a snowy Sunday morning so the rooftop view was stunning. Felt like being in Paris even though the food had an Italian flair. My Florentine Benedict was delicious although not generous. We agreed the French toast was the hit of the meal. What kept it from being 5 stars: 1. Service was slow- took forever to get coffee and even longer to get refills. And then even longer for more cream. And the coffee wasn't that good 2. Even though food was tasty, prices are so high that feels like portions should have been a little more generous (or a lot more generous), or should have had more oomph. I guess you come because of the view and ambience. read more

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Since I moved to Boston, everyone has been telling me to come here and it didn't disappoint. I went with a larger party, and our waiter was so kind and charming. He also looked like Bad Bunny, which was definitely a plus. An early dinner around 5 was perfect because it wasn't too crowded, and most people were there just for cocktails, which added to the lively atmosphere. Going with a bigger group, I went with five, was also a great idea because we ordered a bunch of pastas and mains and split everything, so we got a really nice assortment. I would definitely recommend it. Also, the beautiful upholstery, wallpaper, and décor make it the perfect night-out destination. read more

Contessa - Boston - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Stopped here for breakfast/brunch on a Monday and love the decor. Located on the rooftop of the Newbury hotel - we sat with views of Back Bay and the Boston Public garden. Note - you cannot access the outdoor portion. I made a 10:30 reservation because 11:00 was not available - only to find out the kitchen closes and flips for lunch so we had to quickly put our orders in. Like rushed as we sat down. Food was good - I had the avocado toast and a side of Italian sausage (which I recommend). If ever in town, again I would come back to try lunch and dinner. read more

Contessa - Boston - Avocado Bruschetta without almonds, Italian Sausage Patty & a side salad - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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We got a reservation just a couple days before for a late night dinner. So so so pretty and great vibes all around. Everyone was saying how expensive it is, for 2 including 3 alcoholic beverages it was $180 with tip- not bad for an upper scale dining experience at all. We had the sweet corn ravioli and fried calamari- so delicious! Great vegetarian options, the drinks were strong, and the dessert was so so so good (and sweet). read more

Contessa - Boston - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I took a star off because we weren't seated until 25 minutes after our reservation, despite showing up on time. Restaurants advertised and charging as "fine dining" need to do a better job of not making customers wait almost half an hour after their reservation time. With that said, the food we ate kept them at 4 stars rather than going lower. Cocktails were small for their price but good. What we ordered: -Calamari: 3.5/5, I really liked the thick slices however it was quite chewy. Had a great squid:pepper ratio and their butter sauce was divine... but you can't really mess up butter lol. -Whipped ricotta: 5/5, toast was crispy, large serving of the ricotta which tasted very sweet and refreshing. -Macaroni with Wild Boar Ragu: 5/5, this stole the show for us. It was like a better version of bolognese, highly recommend. And I think it was a pretty fair portion - Ricotta Gnudi: 3/5, the sauce definitely made the gnudi more interesting and fun to eat, they would be very boring on their own. You only get 5 gnudi for $30 which is ridiculous. -Nutella cake: 4/5, tasted like straight Nutella (which I love), but you couldn't taste any chocolate cake -Crema Di Boston: 4.8/5, I would recommend this dessert over the Nutella cake because it's a fancy version of a classic Boston cream donut and it was delicious The view is absolutely beautiful and I would highly recommend coming during sunset time. read more

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Great service and a fun classy interior. The pasta tasted homemade and was delicious with a glass of Chianti. We were 20 minutes late to our reservation but they graciously were able to find a table for us after a short wait. Great location in Boston! read more

Contessa - Boston - Bolognese and pesto - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I went to Contessa in October 2025, and first and foremost I immediately fell in love with the decor. The views from the restaurant are unmatched and the overall aesthetic is very upscale. Now to get to the food! Everything was absolutely delicious. I was with a group of people so we did tapas style with the appetizers and had a few different options. For dinner I had the bolognese and it was absolutely delicious. I also had the espresso martini to drink and it literally inspired me to search for the best espresso martini every time I dine out now, it was so good and the chocolate garnish was the best touch. The service like the entire dining experience was phenomenal. They were attentive and helpful with recommendations. I would go back in a heart beat, great for date night, night out with friends, or corporate dinner. read more

Contessa - Boston - Bathroom - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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What a great experience! The restaurant located on the top floor with stunning views of back bay and the public garden was just lovely. We came at night, and the view was absolutely beautiful. The décor felt elegant and intimate. We came here for both breakfast and dinner because we love this place so much. For breakfast, we got their Carbonara Scramble and Eggs Any Style with fresh fruits on the side. The carbonara scramble was simple, but packed with so much flavor! It was very delicious. Definitely must get! The eggs any styles was done just how I liked it. It all tasted so fresh and felt like how breakfast should taste like! For dinner, we started off with their bread served with olives and cheese, which was a a great start! Then came the Lobster Salad Genovese with pesto and this was also delicious! Packed with a lot of lobster and was served chilled. Last app we got was the Tonnato Crudo which was clean and almost had a buttery flavor and texture. Then moved on to the Octopus Agrodolce, which was amazing! It was tender and cooked properly! Definitely my favorite appetizer of the night. For the main course we had the Spicy Lobster Capellini and the 8oz filet. The filet was excellent, but the star of the dish was the lobster capellini! It was creamy, not too spicy, and full of flavor! We could not stop eating this. I actually put the steak aside because the pasta was just so good. I wished I had ordered a second one! Overall, the experience here was wonderful. From the host, staff, our waiter, to the food from beginning to end. This is why we came back and it still did not disappoint. Highly recommend! read more

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After nearly four years in Boston, I finally made my way to Contessa this week. I enjoyed the ambience inside the restaurant, which was a combination of old world charm and more contemporary touches in things like the furniture. I was presented with the drink menus first and waited for my server to come over with the food menu so I could select a good pairing. I decided on a 2022 Tiberio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, which went nicely with my lamb entree (below). I started with the squash carpaccio, which was an interesting and fun take on a squash appetizer! It came with pumpkin seeds (which were nice for their texture), arugula (which made it feel a bit like a salad), and Italian agrodolce (which punched up the flavor profile a bit). It came out on quite a large plate and at first looked a touch overwhelming, but I ate every bite. I really enjoyed the squash carpaccio! The daily special was lamb chops, which came as a substantial portion as well. A few of them were a little fattier around the edges than I would have preferred, but they were nicely prepared. I wrapped up with the crostata di limone, which is a creamy Italian tart. I wasn't particularly enthused by this dish and didn't finish it--not bad, but not memorable. Contessa has a nice, convivial air about it, and my server checked in just the right amount. I look forward to returning to try one of the pastas! read more

Contessa - Boston - Lamb chops - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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I know you see this often but 20/10. I honestly don't give them unless it's due! Ambiance, service, and selections for brunch were everything. My favorite dish was the prosciutto Benedict . Hubby had it first and I couldn't resist. We ate here for brunch during our stay at the hotel. We will be back. For more images/visuals of this visit follow me on instagram @damnthosesteaktacos. read more

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Enjoyed the spring pea ravioli and the lobster capellini. Unfortunately the lobster meat was tough and tasted less than fresh, I ended up leaving it uneaten. Beef carpaccio was excellent. Hostess tried to seat us in the far back where there is no AC. Aside from that, service was good. read more

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I've dined at Contessa twice when they were fairly new and once recently (March 2026). Contessa is always reliable in terms of gorgeous ambiance and cleanliness as well as beautifully prepared dishes. The service from our waiter this trip was wonderful. When I dined years ago, they were a bit more diligent and anticipatory with swapping out silverware and plates between dishes & cleaning the table, which doesn't seem to be a priority anymore as it was not happening at any of the tables around us either. Nonetheless, the service was still absolutely helpful, kind, and attentive. Cocktails are always delicious and the pastas fresh and light. The lobster salad was a highlight with the most fresh green herb dressing and perfectly cooked lobster. Each time I've dined here, I've found the portions to be on the smaller size for the price, always wishing I had a few more bites! read more

Contessa - Boston - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

I love this place! I've gone twice now. Once with my girls for midday drinks and with my hubby for a bday brunch! It's located on the 17th floor so the view is amazing! They have a nice bar area and a few high top standing tables. We had reservations but there was seats at the bar so they kindly moved us over with no issue. The cocktails were amazing both times and the staff were all nice and friendly. We had meatballs and burrata and it was so tasty and enough for the both of us. read more

Contessa - Boston - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

Went here for my college grad dinner! I absolutely loved the upscale ambiance with the city rooftop view. Service was great and the spicy lobster capellini is a must. read more

Contessa - Boston - Secondi: Spicy lobster capellini - Italian Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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A must visit spot in Boston. The atmosphere is girly with great views of Boston. But the food was also fantastic. We went for breakfast and everything ordered was delicious. I would recommend the smoked salmon. The portions were the perfect size and everything was very fresh. I can't speak for the dinner menu but a great breakfast spot. Perfect for a girls dinner, date spot, birthday spot, would definitely be for a great special occasion. read more

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Say at the bar. Pretty spot thanks to the view (can't see from the bar itself), with a large space. It gets really loud. Expensive. Cocktails were mediocre... read more