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    Contessa - Boston

    3.9 (745 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

    Contessa - Boston Photos

    CONTESSA - BOSTON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Contessa - Boston

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    Bread basket.
    Laura P.

    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!

    Focaccia
    Jacklynn K.

    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.

    Seasonal Bellini
    Medgy R.

    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

    Granola
    Ellie C.

    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!

    Tiffany C.

    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.

    Lemon tarte
    Braelyn Joy T.

    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.

    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).

    Feta 2.0, trip of dips, and burratta
    Samira C.

    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.

    Dirty Martini & The Royale
    Baran K.

    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.

    Inside
    Sophie T.

    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!

    Darci W.

    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.

    Florentine Benedict
    Kai M.

    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.

    Carbonara Scramble
    Kathy T.

    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.

    The view

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    6 months ago

    Beautiful brunch spot. The mimosa is good and the carbonara eggs were just ok. The service was phenomenal!

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    Page 3 of 19

    Contessa - Boston Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Contessa - Boston

    Are there gluten friendly or celiac-friendly options?

    Are there vegan options?

    Yes, we checked the menu before going and also told the server when we got there who helped find options

    How kid friendly is this place?

    Contessa has one section with a full bar area and the atmosphere is pretty high end. I wouldn't call it "kid friendly" and definitely not in the evening hours. If I had an infant in a car seat, I may consider it but definitely wouldn't think it… 

    What is the dress code?

    I'd say casual dressy. It's a mostly fashionable crowd with many of the men wearing jackets. I wore a sport jacket with an open collar and was very comfortable. Err on the side of dressy and you'll fit right in. It's a great spot!

    Are there vegetarian pastas?

    They claim to and sometimes they do but they aren't consistent, or honest!

    Where can you park when going to Contessa?

    Newbury Street parking has a lot of movement. I'd look for parking on Newbury and general area... Boylston and cross streets. I've always found a space, and it seems easier now than before covid. Great spot, enjoy!

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    backbar

    backbar

    4.4
    (460 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    As per usual 10/10 Greeted in door way…read more Clean well stocked bathrooms Welcoming to everyone 80s 90s 2000s knowledgeable stylish Mushroom app and burger were nice treats to add to the awesome studio ghibli themed menu from the BB guide so clever top notch cocktails Cocktails Drinks Music and kikis delivery service on the projector good vibes

    I am a lover of everything studio ghibli so when I saw Backbar was doing essentially a month of…read moredrinks based on the movies I knew I had to go! The bar is really funky fun which I loved. There is literally fun everywhere you look from the panda stuffed animal riding a tiger on the wall to the hilarious shrek pillow. Coming right when they open I was able to see these things that you would likely not see in the evening. But to be fair I came right when they opened since it is first come first serve. A majority of the drinks were more on the savory side which was very interesting like "may all your bacon burn" with bacon bites at the top of the drink. The drinks my friend had were all stunning with the use of egg yolk to elevate the drink. We ended the evening by walking over to Bow Market and trying Viet Citron which was so DANG GOOD my gosh. The to go orders were insane but looks like they are doing very well despite recently opening in. I got the grilled lemongrass pork ribs bowl and youtiao and the side sauce was so good. The ribs were all very meaty. It looks small but I was surprised how full I was after having it. Nice night of drinks and food. What we got Kiki's marmalade buns Castle in the sky Milk Punch May All your bacon burn

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    backbar
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    Saltie Girl

    Saltie Girl

    4.2
    (2.8k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    Second time in Boston and second time at Saltie Girl. This time we went out of our way to show our…read morefamily our favorite Boston restaurant. Everything we had was amazing. The oysters are always fresh. Saltie girl offers multiple different kinds oysters along with three different varieties of sauces. The clam chowder is a MUST. First thing we ordered upon sitting down. The drinks are always so good. Services is fabulous and everyone is always so friendly. Alejandro took excellent care of us after a long travel day. We were lucky enough not to have to wait for a table. We really lucked out. If you only have time for one restaurant, make sure Saltie Girl is at the top of your list!

    Yelp Review 2026 #221:…read more I first dined at Saltie Girl when it opened in 2016 and I would always eat here every time I'm in Boston after falling in love with their Lobster and Waffles. Saltie Girl used to occupy a small space right next door: a bar and a few tables. They've expanded due to their success. They even opened a restaurant in Los Angeles. I made a reservation for dinner weeks in advance. We got seated right away. The place was packed inside and the patio was also full. I looked at the menu so maybe I can try something else other than Lobster and Waffles. Everything seemed delicious. They have pasta, caviar, crab roll, lobster roll, fish sandwich, clam chowder, calamari, steak, fresh oysters, seafood tower, tinned fish, smoked fish, salads and desserts. I had my eye on the Lobster Frites so, I asked our server about it. It's basically a whole 1.5lb lobster with a side of garlic fries. So, I reverted back to my go-to Lobster and Waffles. Caviar Dip: Crème fraîche, fried shallots green onion, Saltie Girl potato chips. It's like sour cream and onion vibe but elevated. When we finished the cup of chips, we asked for more chips and they gave us a bag of chips. 4.5/5 Lobster and Waffles: This is my go-to for a reason. Lightly breaded and fried lobster served with sweet corn butter, spicy maple syrup. That butter is so addicting. You don't really need a whole lot but I use up the whole scoop of it every single time. It's slightly sweet and with the mildly spicy maple syrup? Come on! The waffle is nice, warm, crisp, golden brown. It's decadent and very filling. 5/5 Spring Crab Carbonara: Asparagus, english peas, pecorino, preserved lemon. A nice summery pasta dish. Creamy yet refreshing. The pasta was cooked perfectly. The greens were popping against a rather beige background. 4.5/5 Pistachio Tiramisu: Gluten free lady fingers, pistachio cream, toffee crunch. This is meant to be shared since it's a huge heaping pile of creamy nutty goodness. Layers of textures: crunchy pistachios and toffee on top, soft cream, and spongy lady fingers at the bottom. 4.5/5 Our server was fabulous, friendly and fast. He answered our questions and he checked on us from time to time.

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    New England Lobster Roll and Parmesan Truffle Fries
    New England Lobster Roll and Parmesan Truffle Fries
    New England Lobster Roll
    New England Lobster Roll
    Lobster Benedict with Mimosa

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    Lobster Benedict with Mimosa
    Wink & Nod

    Wink & Nod

    3.9
    (557 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    Last night, y'all... @_valentino_86 did his BIG one at @wink_and_nod, and I'm still thinking about…read morethat meal! The food tasted like pure love and a long hug in every bite. Let's talk about what we ordered: The goat pâté had a perfectly flaky crust, and the meat was tender, juicy, and seasoned beautifully. The mac and cheese was creamy, rich, and packed with flavor.The oxtail pasta was cooked to perfection and bursting with bold, savory flavor.The Haitian style griot with pikliz tasted like somebody's auntie or mama made it. That's how you know it's GOOD! Chef Valentine, thank you for sharing your gift and your kindness with us. It was such a pleasure chatting with you and learning more about your journey and everything you're building. You're incredibly talented, and it shows in every plate. And can we give a shout out to our waiter, Xavier? TOP TIER! He knew the menu inside and out, handled all of my little isms and skisms without missing a beat, and was attentive from beginning to end. The hospitality was unmatched. The entire @wink_and_nod experience was beautiful. The speakeasy is chic, the atmosphere is a vibe, the bathrooms were spotless, and the service was exceptional. Chef Valentine is currently the resident chef, and I'm hoping they keep him there for a long time because he's definitely worth the visit. Y'all, JUST GO! Tell them Leah sent you! And don't forget to follow his business page @blkcateatery. #LeahApproved

    visited a while ago, and it left a great impression. The restaurant is beautiful, with a spacious…read moreand inviting layout, and the décor creates a perfect atmosphere for a night out. Our waitress was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed, which added to the positive experience. While I didn't try the food, the drinks were excellent and a definite highlight. Overall, the restaurant was beautiful and had great ambiance, attentive service, and fantastic drinks. I'd definitely recommend it and look forward to returning.

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    Bar area
    Bar area
    Basque burnt cheesecake
    Basque burnt cheesecake
    Mocktails

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    Mocktails
    Moon Bar

    Moon Bar

    4.8
    (41 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    I am over the MOON with Moon Bar!…read more If I could live here I would! :) Another excellent experience here and it just happened to be restaurant week. We also spent an hour at the King Tut exhibit across the street! This restaurant/bar always seems packed. And, with reservations for 645pm (highly recommend) the bar was quite busy. The buzz from this high-end cocktail bar is exactly what you want on a Friday evening; From girlfriends sipping their wine to couples laughing and swirling their cocktails, Moon Bar is for the classy and sexy. Abby our server is excellent! A mixologist who knows all the cocktails and can recommend based on your preference. I tried one of their new cocktails with bourbon and did not care for it. Abby made me my mezcal drink that I have ordered before...its the 305 cowboy, an extremely popular drink. A must try for sure! Note: Some bartenders make you feel guilty for saying something about a drink you ordered and did not like. But, here at Moon Bar, Abby was so gracious to make me something that I will enjoy. Hats off to her:) Food: Since it was restaurant week we just shared everything. For starters we ordered the Tuna Tartare that was excellent. Then, we had Piri-Piri Chicken Thighs that were also good but quite spicy. For dessert, we shared the Caribbean Tiramisu, which was great. It was a tough choice between this and the Guava Cheesecake. We were so full that we ended up bringing home leftovers. Oh, I also forgot to mention we always order their Curry Fries - a must try when coming here Trust Me. My husband doesn't love curry but he loves these fries and you will too. #friesaretodiefor Moon Bar, thanks for being amazing in every way. Thanks for your splendid service, crafty cocktails, delicious wine (try the Pinot Noir from Germany), and your amazing food ---Love those Curry Fries! "Alexa, make reservations for 2 at Moon Bar for tonight." Cheers~

    It should be no surprise, but Moon Bar's Restaurant Week menu is excellent!!! Don't be scared of…read morethe squid salad, the texture is meaty and not rubbery at all. The jerk chicken is maybe the juiciest chicken you'll ever have. And the Caribbean brownie is super simple but absolutely delicious. Also check out the Hood Cat special edition cocktail!!!

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    Interior
    Interior
    Green mango salad
    Green mango salad
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    The Street Bar

    The Street Bar

    3.6
    (75 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    I came here for breakfast during my stay at The Newbury. Service was quite slow as initially there…read morewas only one dedicated, friendly employee handling the seating, taking orders and busing the tables. My order of yogurt with fruit and granola was fresh, filling and a yummy beginning to my day. My coffee was equally enjoyed, and note that it's $13 for each small coffee pot. Refills are not complimentary. I loved my window table on this rainy morning, and the lovely, cozy ambiance of The Street Bar. It's easy to see why this is such a sought after bar each evening.

    We visited on January 11th, a few weeks prior to my wedding. This was a day I had planned for…read moremonths with my daughter and future stepdaughter, an important and meaningful occasion, and the experience fell significantly below expectations. In advance, I stopped into the hotel to confirm that a gluten-free guest could be accommodated and was assured this would be handled. In reality, the accommodation was inadequate and, at times, unacceptable. While the rest of us were served scones, my stepdaughter was given cut fruit in their place, and told that was all they had to accommodate.The dessert course consisted of what appeared to be basic gluten-free cookies, misrepresented as something more gourmet - egg nog cookies??? This lack of preparation was both disappointing, upsetting and avoidable. The broader experience was equally concerning. We were subjected to an unsolicited and uncomfortable "lesson" on tea service, which detracted from what should have been a relaxed and celebratory occasion. While trying to enjoy the time with the girls, being a lifelong tea drinker and someone who has been to many times at your establishment and its various incarnations, this is something I have never experienced. The food quality was poor (scones were clearly reheated and stuck to the cloth napkin they were wrapped in), and there were notable service lapses, including being served water in a visibly shattered glass. Additionally, when hot water was added to refresh the tea, my stepdaughter's pot curdled and had to be replaced. It was especially disappointing, as I mentioned that I had stopped in and spoken with the concierge, and was assured, as they had called the kitchen while I stood there that they readily accommodated gluten-free. There are numerous places in the city that could have done this, and if you had just told me that you could not do so, I would have booked us elsewhere. I chose not to raise the multiple issues in the moment so as not to disrupt what was meant to be a special day for the girls and me. However, the total cost exceeded $500, and the experience did not come close to justifying that price point! Do not recommend.

    Photos
    Bartender | The Street Bar
    Bartender | The Street Bar
    The Street Bar | The Newbury Boston
    The Street Bar | The Newbury Boston
    The Street Bar | The Newbury Boston

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    The Street Bar | The Newbury Boston
    Gigi

    Gigi

    4.3
    (252 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    oh. em. gee. best pasta i've ever had in my life…read more i was looking online for an italian restaurant and this came up multiple times. first off, the interior is gorgeous, plush green seats and antique style. we ordered their special items of the night: lobster risotto and the vodka veal. genuinely the best risotto i've ever had. the people online were not lying when they said their vodka rigatoni was the best. it was indeed very very delicious. even though all of us were full from the pasta, we still had to get tiramisu. it was a perfect way to end the meal. our server was great and attentive, thank you for a wonderful meal.

    7/5/26: I stopped by Gigi for lunch around 1 PM on a Sunday, and surprisingly the restaurant was…read morealmost empty. My guess is that this is more of an evening destination where people come for cocktails and the atmosphere rather than lunch. We ordered a Diet Coke, the Scampi appetizer, Carbonara, and the Rigatoni Alla Vodka. The scampi was easily the best part of the meal. It was flavorful, cooked well, and made for a nice appetizer to start things off. Unfortunately, the pastas didn't quite meet expectations, especially considering the price. The Rigatoni Alla Vodka was $28, but the pasta wasn't cooked al dente and felt overdone. The Carbonara, also $28, was disappointing as the eggs had curdled and the dish ended up being much oilier than I expected. At $18, the scampi was enjoyable, but overall I don't think the food justified the price point. One bright spot was the service. Our waitress was incredibly kind, checked in on us frequently, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. The restaurant itself is beautiful and has a very aesthetic design. I can definitely see why it's popular on social media. There is also outdoor seating, which I imagine would be a nice option on a warm summer evening. One thing I did notice, though, is how closely the tables are spaced together. Since the restaurant was mostly empty during our visit it wasn't an issue, but I could see it feeling crowded and fairly loud once the dining room fills up. I was honestly surprised by the meal because Gigi is part of the Mazi Restaurant Group, and I've really enjoyed some of their other concepts, especially Kava Neo-Taverna. Based on this experience, though, I think there are plenty of Italian restaurants in Boston that offer better food and better value for the same price. Overall, I'd give Gigi 3/5 stars. The service and atmosphere were both strong, but the food didn't live up to the pricing. If I came back, it would probably be for drinks, appetizers, and the ambiance rather than a full Italian dinner.

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    Inside/Decor
    Inside/Decor
    Burrata 10/10
    Burrata 10/10
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    Extra Dirty Cocktail Club

    Extra Dirty Cocktail Club

    4.7
    (12 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Such a fun experience and honestly such a deal for how many drinks and food you get! Definitely…read moreneed reservations, even on a weekday. You have to enter the building with a small fox picture, go down a set of stairs and check in at the counter of said restaurant before they lead you into the back where the speakeasy is. The menu is "set" in that they have a particular cuisine focus for the night and the four food dishes are predetermined as well as the first drink. That being said, you get to order three more drinks from their cocktail menu that range from lighter to more spirit forward, ending with more dessert type cocktails. All the drink flavors were so unique and a fun twist. The food was actually very substantial. Good flavors as well. Our favorite dishes were the lamb cigars (large egg roll shape with eggplant and spices) and the whole branzino. Everything was good though. Service was a very friendly and they were open about the fact that if you didn't like a drink they'd make you another one.

    Man I love this place…read more Reservations are a must and it is a little tricky to find. Look for the fox on the outside door and go downstairs. We sat at the bar and Ada was our bartender. She was great! Really enjoyed talking with her and she had great drinks recommendations. The food was delicious and very unique which was refreshing. Its a 2 hour experience with 4 drinks, 3 food courses and a dessert. You definitely wont be hungry after. Highly recommend for a date night.

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    Extra Dirty Cocktail Club
    Extra Dirty Cocktail Club
    Extra Dirty Cocktail Club

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    Contessa - Boston - italian - Updated August 2026

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