Absolutely love this restaurant. I come here quite often and love the ambiance. The food is phenomenal and the servers are very friendly and quick. My favorite dish is the ravioli zucca and my favorite mixed drink they offer is the black Anastasia. Would definitely recommend this place to couples going out on a date and anyone who enjoys great pasta. read more

Been coming here since Boa was first located on Mill near University about 18 years ago. Always excellent, so here's what we had tonight: - Martinis: me) Negroni: excellent digestiv; her) Anastasia: excellent fresh strawberries, basel, vodka (not sweet) - started with Burrata Antipasti: perfect soft, fresh mozzerella with volcanic salt, fresh bread with olive oil drizzle - Me: excellent Coniglio Pljukanci hand made Istrian pasta, free range & slow roasted hand pulled rabbit, foraged mushrooms, herbs - plenty of meat, could be slightly more of the pasta but I love that there's so much more meat. - Her: Greco organic spring mix, heirloom radishes, kalamatas, Greek goat feta, European feferoni, red onions, oregano; added salmon - overall good not great she said. Aidan was our truly amazing server. Enjoy!! read more

Thought this place was just A-ok for me. A little pricier than I would have liked. Portions are pretty small. The food isn't bad, I ordered pasta and it was tasty and creamy. I was still hungry so I ended up eating off my friends plate. The ambiance is beautiful to dress up and enjoy the weekend, however this isn't going on my recommendation list. read more

The Original Caffe Boa - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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So Chef Peyton Curry has parted ways with Caffe Boa. He probably got tired of dealing with the owner. There doesn't appear to be anyone at the helm in the kitchen right now, and the service is slower than ever UNLESS you're sitting in the bar. Caffe Boa remains a great choice for happy hour: great drinks, great wine selection, great apps. But I wouldn't come here for dinner--the service is slow and the kitchen is unpredictable. read more

Absolutely delicious!! The food, atmosphere and staff were amazing! Go for happy hour at the bar and get some starters. We had 2 of the bruschettas and they we're delicious with the 50% OFF WINE. Order the Ravioli Zucca -- the best pasta dish of my life. Thank you JJ for the recommendation; I'll be dreaming about this dish (so sad we are not from here - we're from Canada for you can trust us - and can't eat it regularly!!) Another thank you to Christian Black and Zack for being sweet and attentive. The entire experience was SO good. I can't emphasize enough the tastiness of all the food. Would also recommend the Caprese and the Gnocchi. But seriously that Ravioli! Go eat it now!! read more

I use to work in the same building Café Boa and when the office caught onto the fabulous happy hour (5-7) it became a favorite spot. Admittedly, I've never been here for anything other than happy hour but I mean to! Really I do... $2 Stella and half off their signature martinis! "Anastasia" is to die for: muddled strawberries and basil. Sounds weird but its so very delicious (and strong depending on who makes it and how long they muddle the strawberries). The drink has sparked so many conversations with the uninitiated ("what drink is that?"). The Orchard is also quite nice: pear and lavender. Also many of their appetizers are half off during happy hour. The shrimp and the capriatta are what I'd recommend. That being said, happy hour prices are only valid in the bar area which has limited seating so get there early and claim a spot because it can get crowded pretty quickly with business folks looking to unwind after work. I've been only once or twice on the weekend as the happy hour is 7 days a week! They do have a flat-screen up on the wall playing sports which takes away from the pleasant atmosphere for me. If you want to watch a sports game go to the Tavern just a few feet away or one of the other very many establishments on Mill that cater to the sports aficionado. Their music selection is above-average for me. Chill, classy, downtempo, and comtemporary. I've heard radiohead, massive attack, portishead, smiths played there; nothing jarring or overly trendy. The lighting is nice, slightly dim. Small votive candles abound. They use to give free bread baskets with some rotating dips and spreads, I miss that. The wait staff is friendly, hip, and knowledgeable but not pretentious. I can't recall ever being displeased with the service here. When it gets crowded obviously you are going to wait a bit for the server to make her rounds though. I recommend sitting right up at the bar if its just you and other person, otherwise get there early and steak out one of the 2 long tables they have in the bar area. The clientele is not the usual Tempe crowd. In my experience its young professionals that veer more towards "hip" than "spirited" which is just fine with me; a welcome change from the usual Mill Ave scene. read more

i'm sad to say it, but caffe boa has gone way downhill. the overall quality of the food i received was way less than i have come to expect from this restaurant. i stopped by a few days ago and my dish was bland and lukewarm by the time i received it. the service was slow and very inattentive. we were given drinks when we first placed our order and the waiter never returned to ask if we would like additional drinks or refills. on top of that, we waited with empty glasses and plates for 20 minutes then had to go find a waiter to bring us the check. i used to love their food and sangria, but i don't think i'll be back any time soon. read more

The Original Caffe Boa - sangria Sunday! - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

I really want to give a rave review of Caffe Boa because I'm a fan of all things Mill Ave. The food is great, but what happened to the service? They're killin' me!!! I've been to 3 brunches this month alone that have been frustrating beyond all belief. Yet, for the eggs benedict alone, I keep going back for the abuse. All you can drink mimosas/bellinis for $18. Sounds great, right? It is and would be if the waiter showed up to refill them! We had to track him down to get a third one after our plates had been cleared to at least make it worth our money (otherwise $8 each). And again, this wasn't just one occurrence this was twice in one weekend and again the following Sunday. And it wasn't just about the mimosas. The other two times I just had coffee and it took 10 minutes after being seated for anyone to even show up at the table to even acknowledge us! Shame...shame...Caffe Boa. You're better than that! I won't give up hope. read more

3 stars by the skin of their teeth. Was there last Friday night and things were hopping...with the customers, that is, but service was painfully slow, both at the bar where we had drinks and appetizers and for dinner. When we eventually did get our entrees the people at the table next to us leaned over and said "i'll give you $30 for that - we've been waiting an hour!" We had too, so we understood their desperation. It was a wait to order, a wait for our food, a wait for the check, a wait for the receipt...ugh. Now keep in mind that I love leisurely dining and hate being rushed. So if service, especially at dinner, is slow by my definition, it is truly glacially paced. So on to the food. The bruschetta - simple and wonderful due to the fresh and flavorful small tomatoes. The bread and dip trio (hummus, oil, pesto) is also pleasing. I ordered the fish of the day, an atlantic sole in buerre blanc. The fish was fantastic Fresh, perfectly cooked, and with a perfect texture. The buerre blanc was a useless bland sauce that did nothing but detract from the fish. The salad greens in aioli dressing were a miss. The weirdly bitter aioli drenched the greens, making them a soggy mass. The table consensus was "interesting. Not good" My husband's fried chicken was oddly and unpleasingly bland, and tasted devoid of seasoning or salt. I only ate the coating because I am allergic to chicken, but isn't that supposed to be the best part? The husband confirmed the meat was similarly bland. My sister in law loved her annolotti. We would have liked to try dessert but we'd been there so long by the time we were afraid we'd become permanently attached to the chair and decided to escape while possible. read more

For several years, Cafe Boa was a go-to lunch spot of mine on Mill because it was relatively close to where I worked. Why did I go here so much? Two reasons: great salads and an adorable atmosphere filled with some character. If you are here for lunch and need to get in and out, they are very accommodating. I've been able to have a nice meal and be out within the hour. And for those with strict lunch hours, timing is incredibly important! If you're looking for a leisurely lunch to catch up with friends and enjoy a nice salad or sandwich and relax, this is your place too. It's a good mix of both. They have some of the best balsamic around and I love the salad & panini combo. A couple of years ago, I hosted a work baby shower for my sister here. I reserved the back room where roughly 20 people could fit in a long family-style table. The service was seamless and the worst part with a big group -- the bill -- wasn't in fact so bad here! It was great that I could have a small party without the cost of renting out a space and the service and food was tasty! Cafe Boa's HH, wine specials and specialty meals are a plus in my book. I'm on their email list and I constantly see deals coming in for a special meal program. Now that I don't work around here as much, I need to find more excuses to find my way there! read more

We went here the our 10th anniversary (of the day we met) and were very disappointed. 1. We made a reservation and had to fight with the guy. They didnt have the time we wanted so we just said we would come in another time. Then all of the sudden, he did have the time. 2. When we got there we were told they needed a few minutes to get out table ready, and that we should hang out in the bar and get a drink while we waited. We walk in and half the tables in the place are empty. We waited 15 minutes in the bar watching the fact that every group the hostess seated was sitting in the bar also. Total Scam. They're trying to get your bill up with alcohol sales. 3. Service was good at first. 4. We split a side salad, which basically consisted of eight whole leaves of green lettuces on a plate. It was $9. 5. It took about 30 minutes fr our food to arrive, all the while the chef is yakking it up with the next table over, dropping the F bomb left and right, and talking about getting high. 6. I ordered the seafood ravioli. It was tiny, about 6 small pieces, and tasted GROSS. The sauce reminded me of salt and vinegar chips. 7. My husband ordered the toasted gnocchi. The pork portion was about 1/2 fat and was also about 2 inches cubed. The 10 little tine gnocchi tasted ok, but the chopped vegetable based was undercooked and the broth was so salty it was inedible. 8 . When we were ready to leave, it took 10 minutes for our bill to arrive. We will NEVER go back. Over priced, disgusting scam. read more

Recently I saw that my big boss, Dr. Love checked in to Caffe Boa for a brunch. In speaking to him, the menu sounded wonderful and I thought it might be a good pre-theater dinner experience; Saturday was my opportunity. I was greeted promptly and taken inside, although I think the outside dining would provide a great environment in the early spring. The décor was beautiful - exposed brick, French doors, artwork, nice draperies leading into the back room. The table setting was nice with a rope tied napkin containing a sprig of rosemary. The waiter, Chadwick, arrived quickly to take the drink order and returned with the trio of hummus, pest and olive oil w/ balsamic. Living next to Queen Creek Olive Mill and having a pantry (unused) stocked full of QC Olive Oil, that wasn't as impressive as someone unfamiliar with the product - but I liked the support for the local merchant. Chadwick explained the background of the products on the menu and how everything is organic and locally supported. Nice touch. The manager stopped by later to explain the rosemary is a sign of hospitality in Croatia, from where the owners descend. We started with a salad - the Caesar and Fall Panzanella. My friend thought the Caesar was flavorless, but yet indicated it was good. My salad had many flavors going on - Balsamic mushrooms, lettuce, bread, goat cheese and a layer of puréed butternut squash. Delightful! Moving to the second course, my friend had the Agnolotti - a forest mushroom ravioli in tomato crème sauce, which she claimed was excellent. I went with the Autumn Maccaroncello, which just sounded good - Butternut Squash and Wild Honey Sauce, Toasted Pepitas, Pecorino, Slovenian Pumpkin oil topped off with Sonoma Duck Confit. I'll be honest, I didn't know what half of that stuff was. The maccaroncello was one of the somewhat thick and longer than I expected. My palette is not as developed as my friend Joel L., but if he said it was missing the Slovenian pumpkin oil, it probably was. I couldn't tell Slovenian pumpkin oil from Crisco oil - but I agree that it was sweet. So sweet in fact, that I couldn't eat it all. That didn't stop me from ordering a sweet dessert...I ordered the chocolate cake with the raspberry, the chocolate ganache - I don't know the price of it, but it was worth it, whatever it was! The salads were each $9-$10, which at first sounded high, but the portions were big and anymore Paradise is about $10 for a salad - and this was much better. The Agnolotti was $16 and my Maccaroncello was $20 with the duck. A couple of sodas, the cake and it was $75 for the meal. I ended up tipping too much, but $10 would be cheap, and $15 didn't feel right. Giving $20 would be $95 and that was just odd too, so I went with $25 and made it a nice round Benjamin. The service by Chadwick was excellent and the manager stopped by two or three times, so it was worth the tip. I would definitely come back here any time and sample something else from the menu. read more

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We love going here for their lunch special. Everything is made in house and is very high end delicious. Attention to detail is great and service is always attentive. Pamela G. read more

Caffe Boa is not what I'd call an affordable night out on the town. That might explain why after work on a Thursday it was nowhere near capacity. But, I'd also have to state that Caffe Boa's business model lends itself well to catering to more of a white collar clientele. With the exception of the cheese board, our experience here was exclusively centered on cocktails. I started out with the Maple Leaf, an enchanting mixture of bouron and whipped maple syrup, followed by the Petal Pusher and capped it off with a gin martini (no olive, of course, because they take up so much room in such a small glass). The damage: $35.13. So, a bit steep. But, their cocktails aren't some genaric concoction any home-bartender could muddle out. These were classic, signature cocktails, skillfully combined by practiced mixologists. Ultimately, I'd have to confess that Caffe Boa is a jewel. Admittedly, the bar area (which is where the happy hour specials begin and end) is limited, so you have to get there early to take advantage of the special pricing. read more

Excited to try out Cafe Boa with a Groupon I got a while back but also curious based on the mixed Yelp reviews. Made a reservation but didn't want to sit outside so we waited about 15 minutes for a nice, intimate table inside, and to the back. Was immediately helped by a really nice bar back asking if he could take our drink order. Super prompt, super friendly and gave great drink recommendations. Once seated to our table, again, really warm and friendly service with our server (Shout out to JUSTIN!). Fantastic recommendation on an appitizer Charcuterie & Artisan Cheese. LOVED IT! Great pairings of cheeses and meats. I dont have a sophisticated palate and the dinner entree selections were very eccentric and refine from duck to rabbit to quail. I was very aprehensive about trying it. The server didn't make me feel silly about my reservation (which I totally appriciated) and I took his recommendation on a pesto pasta dish (I think it was a special because I don't see it on the menu) and substituted chicken (originally came with rabbit or quail I think). It didn't taste like pesto and the flavor was a little bland. My date got the Pork Osso Bucco felt it was ok, but that there was probably something else he could have picked and liked better. And like many Yelpers mentioned, the portions were small relative to the expense of the dishes. We were there two hours (which in retrospect was a REALLY long time for dinner) but because of the company and no pressing plans after, we didn't mind the how long it took to recieve our dinner. All in all, I would probably go back if I were in Tempe because of the ambiance, service and appitizers/drinks but probably would skip dinner and make sure I was open to leasurely spend the evening there. read more

This was such a great experience!!! It was exactly what we were looking for!! Sunday brunch was perfect and the service superb with Lucia! This will be one of our regular spots for sure!!! What a great find.. a gem spot! I was trying to send a second review because this place is so good but it wouldn't allow me so I'm going to continue.. I have to say meeting the GM Jessalyn was also a wonderful experience! Her kindness and sincerity is what we would hope from someone in her position. She made us feel right at home and wanting to come back again and again... which is exactly what we are going to do!!! 5 star food, atmosphere and staff!!! read more

Definitely not WINNING... I have nothing good to say about this place. The entire experience is one I wish I could wipe from my memory. The owner needs to understand that in order to run a successful restaurant you also have to an understanding of one key concept: CUSTOMER SERVICE! I have told at minimum 25 people about my experience here and it has been less than 24 hours. Where shall I begin--- Reservation for 11- scheduled 2 weeks in advance- We are expecting an Amazing meal! Arrive on time and seated- the only highlight. Wait over 2 hours to be told our food was burnt and then have the delightful experience of dealing with a manager with attitude and an owner who was 5x worse- unacceptable. We were entertaining clients and the experience couldn't have been worse. read more

Ok, lemme tell you, this place has THE best food, PERIOD. This is my 4th time here within 2 weeks! I can't get enough. I never heard of this place and found it on google when searching for late night food. The quality is fresh, the portions are big, the presentation is beautiful, the combinations are thoughtful. The cocktails and coffees are high quality and well crafted. The deserts are mouthwatering. The rosemary hidden in the silverware is a nice touch. I didn't take pics because I prefer eating my food not showing it lol. The service is outstanding. We are "needy" guests and our server not once rolled his eyes or had an issue with accommodating ALL of our needs. You won't find a place like this anywhere in Arizona. It's hidden and most Arizonans I've talked to never heard of it. I'm a well versed traveler and have eaten all over the world and this place is set apart by miles. They have brunch on Saturday and Sunday (no wait time, thank God!) and they serve later at night than most places. Don't miss out, get your booty here! It's EPIC! read more

I used to love Caffe Boa. I work nearby and when someone would suggest Boa for lunch I would jump at the chance. I haven't been there in a while and today I think I figured out why no one suggests to go there anymore - it's not as good! We (party of 3) arrived at about 12:15, the place was not very busy so we got a nice spot outside. Looking at the menu we immediately noticed it had changed. They used to have several great salad options, now they only have three. It looked like they have less pasta too. I ordered a half salad and half sandwich. The other two girls ordered salads. We didn't get our food until 1:00 pm! It's not like we took a long time to order. Good thing we weren't in a hurry. They came by and gave us bread and dip, which was good, but they only gave us one piece of bread each and never came back to offer more. Not that I want to pig out but I thought one piece of bread was a little stingy. When it finally came, my turkey sandwich was kinda blah. Even the red pepper mayo on it didn't add much life to it. I think there was cheese on it but I couldn't really tell. My salad was just okay - mixed greens with candied pecans, bleu cheese and pears, well, two tiny slivers of pear. Overall, I was very underwhelmed and after we got back to work my co-worker expressed the same displeasure. I want my old Caffe Boa back! read more

Such a great spot hidden within all the crappy places on mill ave. Everything we ordered food and drinks was outstanding! Our server JJ was hilarious / super nice and made it a great New Year's Eve. Thank you for the extra cheese JJ ;) read more

I like Caffe Boa. It just suprises me that such a place exists on Mill Avenue. The inside is really nice with dim lights that give it a slightly romantic yet swanky atmosphere. I don't like how the bar area is kinda small, so especially if you are going for happy hour, go early! Service at the bar is really good, and the bartenders are very nice. My husband and I checked out dinner one Saturday night when we wanted to stay close to home, but have a good dinner at a nice establishment. Caffe Boa definitely provided that. I had the Tortellini Brigantino (tricolor cheese tortellini) and my husband had the Voodoo Pasta (he substituted the chicken for shrimp)...we both loved our dinners. I really liked how the portions were the perfect size-not too small, not too big. I really hate places that have huge portions where you know you are not even going to eat like 1/4 of what is on your plate (ahem, Cheesecake Factory). Our two entrees, 3 glasses of wine, and 1 beer plus tip came to around $75. Not bad at all! Our waiter was extremely nice and while, the restaurant was loud especially since there was live music outside, conversation was not impossible. I checked out Caffe Boa's happy hour last night after hearing good things about it. Anytime you can go someplace for happy hour and leave with a $16 bill after ordering three glasses of wine and a bruchetta appetizer, you know it's a good place. I know I will definitely be back for many more happy hours there! read more

Dessert only. We decided to take a walk around Mill Ave. in search for a good dessert place. This place was our first happy hour when our son was still in his stroller! Now he has his little opinion about what, where and when we should eat. We've been here on more than one occasion and the entrees are overpriced for the quality and what you get. They didn't have much on the dessert menu list. My hubby and I decided on a tiramisu ($8). I wished we had shared one very rich dessert instead of two. It was a little too heavy on the mascarpone for us. The hostess told us that they could whip up any dessert for my son assuming they would charge less. That was one of the reason why we decided to go in. I ordered the S'mores without the Kahlua and they still charged me the full $9. It was a choco mousse with graham cracker crust. Not worth the money. Needless to say, it was not very good even if they had doused it with liqueur. Meh. read more

It had to happen eventually, I guess. After dozens of really good dining experiences, I had a very sub-par dinner at Caffe Boa. They're getting 3 stars from me only because I've liked what I've ordered in the past. My mistake was choosing something different than what I usually get. I opted for the risotto and, at our server's suggestion, added their housemade spicy Italian sausage to it. The risotto wasn't even al dente, it was straight up undercooked (crunch, crunch). And, the sausage wasn't spicy it was peppery - the black pepper flavor overwhelmed the meat. The shaved white asparagus nearly saved the dish but not quite. I learned my lesson. If/when I go back, I will order the brown butter sage ravioli. It's always been delish. While I trust them to make good food, and figure I caught them on a really off night, I don't think I'll bother ordering from their wine list again. Their bottle prices are ridiculous. I have no problem paying restaurant mark up for wine, but I want to know that I'm getting something good. Nothing on their wine menu jumped out at me as being worthy of my time. I ended up with a very blah flight of unremarkable wines, one of which was served in a nasty filthy glass. eeeeewwwwwww Maybe I'll follow Tonia B's advice and try to Boa for brunch. I'd hate to give up on them altogether but they're going to have to do some wooing to get me back anytime soon. read more

I was excited to visit Caffe Boa as friends of mine who work in Tempe eat there occasionally and told me how delicious the food was, but all in all, our experience left us all dissatisfied. I was impressed with the happy hour, but we were unable to sit in the tiny (I mean tiiiny) bar area. We happily sat in the dining area instead, and by the time we were seated (which took longer than necessary) I was absolutely starving and looking forward to the wonderful meal that was promised. My pasta dish was just ok, and honestly, service was awful-and I worked in the industry while in school. It takes A LOT for me to be dissatisfied with a server as I understand how demanding a job in the restaurant industry can be-but this was just slow and dissapointing. Our server was obviously flustered, and didn't even bother to make eye contact with any of us sitting at the table. The over-all feeling we were left with was rush-rush-rushed. Drink refills took forever, as did getting our check at the end of dinner. We left Boa and my friends (the same who went on and on about how good this restaurant was) were just baffled. They were even more let down than I, and I doubt ANY of us will go rushing back for a mediocre, pricey dinner where the server treats you like you're just one more damn thing they have to do. Since business and friends bring me to this area of town quite often, I look forward to trying out other eateries on Mill before ever retreating back to this let down. read more

I just ate at Caffe Boa for the first time and my whole family was extremely pleased. For starters, they have a very nice decor and ambiance and the staff was stellar. The little things like having fresh rosemary tucked into the napkin with the flatware made the experience a bit more special. The menu is full of ingredients that are locally sourced, naturally grown, wild caught, etc and that's why we went there today. There were many delicious options on the menu and gluten free pasta was available on request. My Bianca pasta dish, with the gluten free noodles, and added wild caught salmon was really comforting and delicious. I would definitely order it again. My 3 year old's gluten free pasta with marinara was great and inexpensive. My husband's sandwich was quite good, though he would've preferred the bread to be a bit less toasted. Mom had the same as I (Bianca pasta with gluten free noodles and salmon) and she licked her plate clean. Dad had the voodoo pasta and loved it. Oh, calamari was very fresh and delicious. I was impressed with the salad options, though I didn't get one. They're mostly organic, and the option for a cheese appetizer plate where you could pick out from a number of raw cheeses was intriguing. I didn't do the cheese plate, but I was tempted because it's not often you find raw cheeses on menus. The iced tea was delicious as was the coffee, but I wish they would make their coffee organic. The dessert menu didn't offer much in the way of gluten free but wow it all sounded elegant and amazing. My whole family enjoyed the experience so much that we have decided it will be our official meeting place for family dinners when my parents come out that way to Tempe. read more

Caffe Boa used to have the best happy hour on Mill. Looks like they decided to fall into rank and increase some prices over 50%. Might be small peanuts to the bottom line, but I know that our corporate support/location for our own events will now be relocated. Doesn't help they were out of Mussels too... read more

This place is a rip-off. I've lived in Tempe my whole life and I get roped into going here about every two years. I'm always disappointed. My most recent experience a few weeks ago was one of the worst. Went there for a work dinner on a Monday night. There were maybe two other tables in the place, so the poor service was completely inexcusable. Our server, who had worked there for four years (can't remember her name), was a typical Tempe server - tattooed, aloof and more or less negligent. Once she realized we weren't going to order booze, she became a ghost. We had to ask twice to have our bread and water refilled and there were several times when she flat out ignored/pretended not to see me when I tried to wave her down - again, the place was empty. Later, when we decided to order dessert and coffee she managed to find a little more effort/energy. I guess she realized she was going to get our ticket up after all despite no booze. As to the food, it's always been worse than mediocre. Way over-priced and borderline bad. I ordered some kind of salmon pasta and it basically tasted like Tuna Helper with Velveeta. I'm giving two stars instead of one because it is beautiful in terms of the ambience and location. But you can get beautiful ambience with way better, less inexpensive food and better service down the street at La Bocca. Skip this joke. read more

Love the anniversary specials they have going right now. You should keep this, I have visited several times since they added this. It provides a little more value to already fantastic food and service. Fantastic touch! read more

I've been to this location numerous times.. One of the recent times I went, I had a Groupon (yeah, I was pretty stoked about that). We ran in to a big problem when, even after confirming it over the phone, my sister and I arrived for dinner and the waiter told us he couldn't honor it because it was a special weekend (..mind you we had already been seated and ordered a glass of wine). When we replied that it had already been OKed over the phone, we also asked what was special about that night as there had been no mention of it over the phone, he said there was a big event going on nearby... yeah? really? where??? where the eff were they eating cuz it sure wasn't busy there?? The place was NOT packed and frankly, I think it was super crappy to say one thing over the phone and then try to reject my Groupon when I get there. I'm not usually a biatch when it comes to stuff like this.. I typically try to be understanding (at least I think I am)... But this time I was piiiisssed. I don't live in the area so I had to drive a good 30 min to get there and then battle stupid Mill Ave traffic to try and find a decent spot to park... add to that that I even called ahead and inquired (like the Groupon tells you to do so) about using it that weekend and had confirmed it. OK, so I explained all this to him and he got his Manager, who told me again that it was a misunderstanding and that she couldn't honor it. I took a deep breath and explained it again to her: "been a long time customer.. travelled far.. confirmed it over the phone.. ridiculous and pretentious of them.. I want my $ back because I didn't expect this from an establishment like theirs.. I expected it from Sizzler or Chili's, but not them" and my sister and I were about to walk out (of course after laying cash down for our wines) when she said okay, they'd honor it. The server was actually very nice the whole night after this (he was nice from the beginning.. I think he personally felt embarrassed that I had to go through this and had to fight them on this), and it seemed that he felt bad for what happened and tried to make up for it by great service and even great conversation. Anyway... that night, I remember specifically, we had great Pinots and the squid ink pasta with octopus was phenomenal! My sisters dish was also fantastic. Since that time, I've gone back a few more times and have, again, had excellent dishes with great service. Their wine selection is refreshing and their staff seems to know what they're saying and take the time to give you good, knowledgeable service and food advice. So besides the little Groupon bump in the road, I'd say they are a great establishment. If they hadn't fought me on the Groupon, you bet I would've given them 1 more star .. but the fact that she finally let me use it AND we've had a superb meal every time (plus the waiter service was great) makes it a 4 star place for now. read more

The Original Caffe Boa - Yummy cocktail! - New American Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

I'll preface this by saying that I'm a big Caffe Boa fan. I've hosted parties there in the past and very much enjoy their food. Their service, unfortunately, leaves much to be desired. Last night, with a reservation, we arrived for our 8:15 table. The hostess outside asked, "Would you like to sit inside or outside this evening?" Since it was so beautiful out, we answered "Outside." His response? "Unfortunately, we don't have anything available." Why would you even ask the question if you had already known that no outdoor seating was available? We were seated indoors in a restaurant where literally only a single table, a couple on a date, was seated. Where were we seated? At the table immediately next to them. Seriously? When I asked to be moved, so our group wasn't talking in the couple's ears and vice versa, I was met with an upset attitude. The food is fantastic, I'll give them that, but it's not enough to keep me (and apparently others since they were completely empty) coming back. read more

Pros - great happy hour, great food, great drinks, great service. Their dishes are made in a way where you can swap out ingredients if you prefer something else. Also, you can call ahead if you know what wine you like and they'll decanter it for you. Cons - regular dining can get expensive (non-happy hour) I love this restaurant and it's happy hour. I take all my out of town guests here. The decor is nice, the service is great, and the bar offers a fun atmosphere. I even recommended a few people do Valentines here. They used to offer a great escargot appetizer as well a great clam appetizer with an amazing sauce. I know they try to keep things fresh by changing up the menu, but hopefully they'll switch back soon. The new curryish clam appetizer isn't cutting it for me. Mothership beer is good and I've always loved the petite-syrah there. read more

This afternoon, I begged my husband to get me out of Scottsdale. I, based on there website, checked out The Clarendon Hotel in D-Town (be patient Boa is below) - It was so horrible - that is all I will say. I felt like I was in a bad John Waters flick - if Sid and Nancy were alive (and traveling) here is the place they would be! Yikes! I will say that the front desk guy was very nice and the decor was cool (although they need to repair whatever is going on with there front entrance). Perhaps, I am just too mainstream. Sorry Clarendon. Now on to Boa.... So after our d-town debacle, we headed to Tempe - where I had gone some time in the 90's - ok, I am not that OLD! Be nice! I told my hubby about this cute little spot called Cafe Boa - so we drove around until we could find it and boom! There it was - much bigger - and better than ever. The staff was amazing and I must say the LA girl in me came out and I caught myself thinking wow, what an attractive staff they have (it was also so refreshing to be away from the bleach blonde, fake boobed - Bentley driving people in Scottsdale. The service was wonderful (especially given that we walked in with a baby and no-one cringed) - in fact, that did the opposite! The decor was lovely, staff very knowlegable and food amazing! I had the shrimp app - my hubby had the Kobe burger and our 7 month old had crushed sweet peas (opps! that wasn't on the menu!) but something tells me they would have made it for us if we had asked! Best part, I thought the pitcher of Sangria was over priced at 30.00 but when the waiter came over and poured the bottle of wine directly over the ice - I though, hmmmm, maybe this isn't such a bad price and then we got the check and the pitcher was 1/2 off due to Happy Hour and it was a Sunday! I loved this place and can't wait to go back. read more

I have to say this is one of my favorite restaurants for reasons including, but not limited to the food, ambiance and happy hour! The restaurant nearly became tainted 3 months ago when I had a bad dating experience there, I realize Cafe Boa didn't make him a self centered negative person, so I quickly deleted the memories of the painful dinner on the vine-covered patio of Boa! I am a connoisseur of caprese and they have it right and even show off with 2 types of mozzarella and beefy (for a veggie) heirloom tomatoes! LOVE IT! They make amazing fresh pastas (according to Jay W daily from scratch which is impressive!) and risotto with roasted squash and pomegranate seeds--amazing and imaginative. Oh and the gnocchi is top notch too. Actually I think I will stop typing and go there right now! read more

It pains me to write this, because I have been going to Boa for a LONG time... like way back when it was in its old location. And at that time, it was unbelievably good in every way. Now it ranges from not-so-great to okay. The menu has changed a few times, and for a while, they got rid of the thing I used to order every single time: the Agnolotti Boa. Most recently, they put it back on the menu, but it didn't taste nearly as good as it used to. And the service pretty much sucks. It's slow and inconsistent and generally not what I expect from a place where lunch for 2 can easily be over $50. I'm not saying I'll never go back... but I won't be nearly as excited about it as I used to. read more

I love this place! Not only for the food but the ambiance! My brother and I go almost every week and I even went twice this week. I had the Toasted Gnocchi on Monday and the Ravioli Zucca today (my favorite). They have a beautiful patio and there is a nostalgic feeling inside too! Our waiter today was Josh...he was great. He kept us full and even sang to Roy Orbison on the spot! My insta-stories thanks you! ;) Boun appetito!! read more

Met a dear friend I haven't seen in a long time for Sunday brunch at Boa. I'd remembered this place being great when I used to live here (before I left, then came back). While the ambiance was still nice and the food was ok, overall I was really just disappointed. First request- I need tea. I'm a tea drinker. Any black tea. With honey, preferably, but I'll live without it. I don't even turn up my nose at Lipton. It's Sunday morning- caffeinate me. They don't have black tea. Only green tea. My friend did get her coffee, but when asked for a warm up later, the server refused and said they brew by the cup and she'd be charged for each one. Food was nothing special, even though they tried. "Fried potatoes" at CB are not homefry-style, with onions and such. They're French Fries. French Fries served in a paper cone inside a spiral-shaped holder, which was a very awkward presentation next to the too-many-eggs omelette. It was what you'd get with a burger or hero sandwich. They were good but you know, just call 'em French Fries for heaven's sake. Our server was rude, interrupting us a number of times while we were mid-sentence to check in, rushing to remove my plate before I was finished. I think she was just bored- there was still only one other table occupied by the time we left. It sadly was not the experience I expected for a brunch. I tried to make up for it with a mimosa, but even that was not what I expected. And really, who isn't pretty easy when it comes to a mimosa? I think they would do better to at least not call it Sunday brunch, since people have a certain expectation of what that means but they aren't trying to meet that. read more

Lovely outdoor patio, under a pergola with flowers. Great during the cooler months. The portions weren't too big, but they were filling. Great service and the wait wasn't long at all. read more

I wanted to like you, Caffe Boa. Fresh, sustainable food in a nice atmosphere is a tempting concept, but the end result seemed a bit off here. The appetizers seemed like a promising start to the evening. The house pate was superb, especially when paired with the brown mustard the dish came with. On the other hand, for the entree, I had the ravioli with chestnut sauce, and while I appreciated the hand made pasta, the mix of savory and sweet didn't really mesh well to create a cohesive, pleasing flavor. Service was off, and we waited forever for our entrees, and were never served any bread while we saw other tables who were seated after us receiving bread right from the start. If I do go here again, it will probably be just to get a few appetizers with some wine, but I probably won't be here for a full meal due to the sluggish service and disappointing dinners. read more

I often forget about this hidden gem and was walking my dog and saw the A-frame sign showing Sunday Brunch, bottomless mimosa or pitcher Sangria's for $15. Yes please! I had the egg sandwich and opted for the Sparking pitcher of Sangria and it was fabulous! The service was not as quick but given the staff on hand, it was all good. My sandwich was a good portion and a nice, delightful salad to accompany the dish. The Sangria was awesome and plentiful. I'll definitely be back! read more

I went here recently after a night at Four Peaks Brewery, also in Tempe, and had already downed an 8-beer sampler. Let's just keep that in mind while reading this review, shall we? The interior is stunning, as most wine bars are. Apparently when the owner bought the place, they just started axing at drywall til a miraculous brick came through, and voila! Insta-charm. Also insta-mark-up, unfortunately. But honestly, if I was just paying for pasta here, why else would a plate of risotto with no meat cost 18 bucks? There is no reason. No reason at all. The cocktail menu is pretty impressive, though--why do wine bars always have bartenders who outshine the wine with herby sophisticated concoctions like rosemary-muddled pear ginger cocktail with prosecco or basil-infused sangria? I guess both of those do include wine, though... Moving on! The place gets fresh bread baked for them daily, and the waiters bring around a selection for you, rather than just dumping a wasteful basket on each table. I liked that little touch. Plus the olive oil-hummus-green olive trio that comes with it is a nice change from just straight EVOO. The heirloom carrot soup with pumpkinseed oil is pretty good, and apparently changes color daily based on what the bulk of the carrots look like. The risotto and fettucini were great, as far as those things go. But ultimately, it's 20 dollar pasta, which the mere idea of kinda turns me off. The place is cute, the staff is nice, and the music selection had some Radiohead and the occasional deviation from jazzy elevator b.s. you get in wine bars all too often. If you're looking to escape the college town vibe without straying too far from ASU, this place is probably pretty great. read more