Tried Sala Restobar in Beverly and overall it was a pretty underwhelming experience…read more We started with drinks -- I ordered a piña colada expecting it to be blended, but it came unblended. Nothing on the menu or from the server mentioned that, which was disappointing right away. When I told the server I didn't like it and wanted something else, he literally tilted his head and said, "ummm what do I tell the bartender?" That honestly rubbed me the wrong way -- just felt unprofessional and awkward. Jenny got a tequila cosmo, which was fine, nothing special. Food-wise, everything was just average. The bao buns were overcooked and the bun fell apart, though the flavor was decent. The pineapple fried rice was probably the best thing we had, but even that was just okay. We also had dumplings -- Jenny liked them, but I thought they were just alright. Dessert was the biggest miss. The blueberry cobbler was not good at all -- maybe a 3/10 at best. One thing that really didn't sit right was when we asked to split the tasting menu and were told no. That doesn't make much sense -- if people want to share, especially for a tasting menu, it should be allowed. Overall, nothing stood out in a good way, and between the service and the food, solid ambiance , it just wasn't a great experience.

We both had the Taste of Sala four-course meal for $46. There was a pretty long wait between…read morecourses at times, but the atmosphere is relaxed enough that it didn't feel out of place. Portions were larger than expected, and each dish was very shareable, so you can easily try eight things instead of four if you plan it right. They also have live jazz music -- every Thursday from 7-10pm, and on Friday and select Saturday nights from 8-11pm. If you want a clear view of the musicians, try to sit on the right side (opposite the entrance), though the middle works too. It's a fairly small space, so most tables can see, and all tables can hear. Overall, it's a fun spot -- good food, a relaxed vibe, and the live music (when available) adds a nice touch. If you're looking for something new to try when in the Beverly / Salem area, or a good date-night venue, I'd check out Sala.

This place is nothing to look at outside. It has scaffolding up and has a very bright yellow…read moreawning. A few street parking spots but it's across from a lot so it wasn't hard to get a spot. 6:30 on a Friday but we were easy able to get a table for 2. The place was fairly busy with multiple parties of 6 but service was speedy. Right away we had water and mocktails on our table. I tried the hibiscus Havana and it was great. Super refreshing and light. It tastes of ginger beer and hibiscus with lime. The not so great tapas we had was the mushroom strudel. The texture was pasty and it tasted like dirt and oysters. It's probably just us but we did not like it at all. The other one that was just ok was the croquetas. They taste pretty good but the filling is quite pasty. We did order the patatas bravas which came out undercooked and we sent them back. Now the good...we had the pan con tomate, always a staple and it didn't disappoint. Fresh tomato with olive oil on a crispy baguette. The Chicken empanadas are so flavorful and the sauce is awesome. The star of the night though was churrasquito, short rib steak, with chimichurri. It was divine. Would defiantly go back and get that again. Overall survive is so quick and friendly. There was live music which was nice and an easy in and out experience

Took my parents here for a Sunday dinner and it was an absolute home run! We ordered the Pan de…read moreCasa, Pan con Tomate, Dátiles, Albondigas, Croquetas de Jamon, Solomillo, and Churros for dessert and honestly every single dish was a winner. The pacing was perfect. Every 5-10 minutes a new dish would arrive, which made the whole meal feel like a fun, festive experience. No long waits, no awkward gaps, just great food flowing steadily to the table. The Pan de Casa and Albondigas were the clear crowd favorites. My parents are in their 60s and adventurous eaters, and they were absolutely blown away. My dad couldn't stop raving about the meatballs! A huge shoutout to Kayla, our server, who was attentive, warm, and made the whole evening feel special. Sunday is a great night to go, relaxed vibe, great service, and the kitchen is clearly on point. T'ahpas 529 is a gem in Melrose. We will absolutely be back!

I enjoyed Luna Mare. My boyfriend and I order three small plates (tuna crudo, lamb lollipops, and…read morebriam) and shared the half paella for dinner. It was the perfect amount of food for us. The pistachio baklava was delicious, but it was very very sweet! Our waiter, Seamus was very attentive and friendly. He mentioned that the paella was spicy and we were able to change it to a mild flavor. It was really nice of him to mention that to us since it wasn't listed on the menu that the paella would be spicy.

Luna Mare Cuisine has opened in the former Brown Square Bistro in Ipswich. They also operate Ithaki…read moreMediterranean Restaurant in Peabody. The place was redone and the atmosphere is casual modern upscale with the bar/lounge area to the right side and dining rooms to the left side. There is also outdoor patio seating. The menu offers Mediterranean fare including tapas/mezze, charcuterie, large plates (meat & seafood dishes, pasta), sandwiches, burgers, salads, and dessert. The bar offers 4 draft beers, bottle/can beers, wine, cocktails, and mocktails. The prices are moderate high. I stopped by Luna Mare for dinner during their soft opening phase. The place was fairly busy and I took an open seat at the C-shaped bar. The bartender gave me a paper menu to look over Some menu items were not available. I ordered the Mussels Saganaki ($12 plus tax) and Fried Fish Sandwich with Fries ($18 plus tax). I was given a basket of ciabatta bread with olive oil dip. The mussels arrived first, 20 mussels simmered with white wine, peppers, garlic, feta cheese. Next, the fried fish sandwich arrived, which had Turkish tatare, beets & lettuce between chewy ciabatta bread, served with puffed potato curl fries. After that, I got the check which was $32.10 (cash)/$33.38 (card) with tax and before tip. Overall, the food here was pretty good and I would come back when the full menu is available.

I really enjoyed the food here, we were absolutely stuffed by the end. The larger plates take…read morearound 30-45 min, so make sure to pick those first and put in your order while you peruse the rest of the menu. I loved all the dishes, but the patatas bravas is a must, the sauce plus aioli with crispy potatoes was divine.

Barcelona Wine Bar brings the atmosphere of a lively Spanish tapas bar to Boston with a menu built…read morearound shareable small plates, paellas, charcuterie, and an extensive wine selection. We walked into a warm, energetic space with dim lighting, an open dining room, and a constant buzz that makes it a great choice for a night out with friends or a date. The restaurant has a vibrant, social energy that encourages sharing and exploration, and the open layout adds to the sense of activity without feeling chaotic. Rather than ordering individual entrées, the experience is centered around sharing a variety of dishes, making each visit feel a little different depending on what you choose. The tapas are the highlight of the menu, with plenty of options that encourage trying a little bit of everything. The bacon-wrapped dates are one of the signature dishes, balancing sweet and savory flavors, while the patatas bravas, croquettes, and charcuterie boards are reliable choices to start the meal. If you are looking for something more substantial, the seafood paella and squid ink pasta stand out as excellent main dishes, offering rich flavors and generous portions that are easy to split between two or more people. The olive oil cake is also worth saving room for if you want to end the meal with dessert, and the overall progression of the meal works well with the tapas format. The drink menu is just as impressive as the food. Wine is the main focus, with an extensive list featuring Spanish and international selections, but the sangria and cocktails are equally popular. It is the kind of place where you can easily spend a couple of hours sharing plates while working your way through a few different drinks, and the beverage program is thoughtfully curated to match the style of the food. Service is one of the restaurant's strongest points. The staff are knowledgeable about both the menu and wine list, and dishes arrive steadily throughout the meal instead of all at once, creating a relaxed dining pace. The pacing allowed us to enjoy each dish without feeling rushed, and the team checked in at the right moments without hovering. The restaurant is consistently busy, especially on weekends, so reservations are highly recommended. Even with a reservation, there can occasionally be a short wait, and the lively atmosphere means the dining room can get quite loud during peak hours. The energy of the room is part of what makes the experience work, but it is worth keeping in mind if you are looking for a quieter dinner. Barcelona Wine Bar is one of the best places in Boston for Spanish-inspired tapas and wine. The combination of flavorful shareable dishes, a well-curated drink menu, attentive service, and vibrant atmosphere makes it an easy choice for group dinners, celebrations, or date nights. It offers a meal that feels both communal and polished, with a setting that encourages slowing down and enjoying the evening. Just be prepared for the energetic environment and plan ahead if you are visiting during the busiest times.

stopped in for lunch on father's day. restaurant had a father's day menu which we did not…read moreanticipate. ordered a chicken sandwich and flatbread. flatbread was decent. flavor is on the sweeter side but overall was tasty. the chicken sandwich was. to the best. the chicken breast was thicker on one side and was not consistently cooked. it was also just slightly warmer than room temperature. the bottom bun was absolutely soggy. i'm gong to guess the sandwich sat there waiting for the flatbread so they could serve it together.

We came in for drinks only. Great selection of beer and bourbon. I wish they had Berry Truly. The…read moreseltzer they had was meh. Our waitress was pleasant but not very organized. We sat at the tables with the green chairs. Very comfortable. This place is a nice change from the sports bar in the past.

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~

What an amazing time we had a moon bar! The ambience was perfect for a girls night out and great…read morewall art. All the drinks we got were delicious which I feel like is rare for a bar. The great palm and golden colada were my favorite. They were both sweet with a tangy aftertaste. The roasted cauliflower was very flavorful. It was heavy on the sauce which was great and loved the crunch of the cashews. The tandoori chicken was my favorite. It was very juicy and tender chicken marinated well. The curly fires had a great masala seasoning. The yogurt based was my favorite to dip into. The staff were excellent with frequent check in and quick service. Overall, I highly recommend this place.

Elegant and inviting! Great space with good food and drinks!! We came here for the first time for a…read moreprivate party brunch for a colleague's farewell. The decor is industrial with the stone, metal and wood, earth tones, very modern and yet feels cozy and warm with the combination of the colors, lighting and art. Great atmosphere for an elegant and elevated experience. We had the side room space which is really great for having a small to medium sized gathering of easily up to 50 people or so. There's ample seating at round tables and also a couple high tables to stand at. A long bar where all the food is served buffet style. There are restrooms just down the hall too so very convenient. There's cool wall art murals which make for a great backdrop and very artsy!! The food was really good too - charcuterie meats, cheese, fruit, meatballs, olives, eggplant caponata, hummus and crackers. The staff were friendly and were there to help with any questions and were happy to take our photos too. Overall a great time was had by all!

Barcelona was okay. It's a fun atmosphere with friends and I recommend coming here as a larger…read moregroup so you can try out more things from the tapas menu. Food-wise, none of the dishes we got particularly wowed me (the sauces that came with each dish were better than the actual food) but I'd come back to try other things from the very extensive list. We got: 1. Patatas bravas: The best thing we got, though we should have eaten this when it was still hot and crispy. After sitting out for a while, it became a mushy mess with the sauce. 2. Spiced meatballs: Very small size for the meatball and not much spice (like less than a bite) but the sauce was excellent. 3. Jamon croquettes: Not bad but the filling was pretty gluey in texture. Definitely need to eat with the accompanying sauce. I ended up dunking it in the sauce that came with the meatballs. 4. Grilled peaches: Intrigued by this summer offering but I'd say skip. For $7, we got five very small slices of peach in an indistinguishable, vaguely sugary/burnt sauce. If you have a grill and a peach, you can definitely make a much better version of this for far cheaper. 5. Shrimp in garlic sauce: Fell flat. The shrimp were small and extremely overcooked. The only saving grace of this dish was the scallion/garlic oil that we used to dip the extra bread in. Food came out very fast and our waitress came by often to check on us and see if we needed. Lots of parking options nearby (including free 2-hour options one block over) so if you're debating which location of Barcelona to go to, the parking alone could weigh in favor of this one.

We had an awesome time at Lou's in Harvard Square! We stopped by around 10 p.m. on a Friday, and…read morealthough it was packed, we were pleasantly surprised to get a table without a reservation. The atmosphere was lively, with a DJ, live music, and a great crowd. For drinks, we ordered the Jason Bond and Dirty Work martinis, along with a few beers. The cocktails were delicious and definitely on the stronger side, which we appreciated! For food, we shared the Caesar wrap and the shrimp sliders. The portions were generous, and everything was fresh and flavorful. If you're looking for a fun night out in Harvard Square, Lou's is definitely worth a visit. We'll absolutely be back!

Came here for dinner on a Sunday evening and the space was relatively empty - not too full given…read morethe amount of tables. Ambiance felt modern and chic given the decorations and lighting which matched the overall vibes of the restaurant. Menu had a decent selection of dishes - nothing too standout as a typical American restaurant. The entree I got was okay, expensive and tasted fine. Overall, nothing special though. I probably wouldn't come back here again, but I had a fine meal with my friend. The price and quality just didn't match for me though and I probably would opt to eat somewhere else.