Contessa Boston

This place is a 10/10! The whole aesthetic is exceptional- from the decor, to the service, the drinks, and the food. My husband has celiac and was able to eat so many items. Our server, Daniel, is honestly one of the best waiters we’ve ever had. He was knowledgeable, had wonderful recommendations (even wrote us a list of cool things to do in Boston)- he deserves to be recognized. The food was chef’s kiss! We had the beef carpaccio, gluten free wild boar pasta, gluten free spicy lobster penne, and the crema di Boston- everything was outstanding If you are able to make a reservation here- do it. It’s a rooftop restaurant and the views were great even though it was overcast. I can’t imagine how beautiful it would be on a clear summer day.

When you walk into Comtessa the ambience is gorgeous and full of natural light and plants. We went for an anniversary celebration with friends for brunch and were placed at a table with a view of Newbury Street and beyond. The service was excellent. My friend has a nut allergy and they took extra precautions to make sure she was safe. The food is delicious (highlights include the meatballs, scramble carbonara, squash carpaccio and side of crispy potatoes). My only dock for one star is that there should be more vegetarian options including an egg choice, as well as a green salad and side vegetables. The menu could be quite limited especially for folks avoiding pork and/or gluten.

I don't understand the bad reviews about Contessa. I've been to this restaurant twice. The first time, it was for date night with my husband. It's true that reservations are hard to make especially for large groups, but since it was just the two for us, I was able to score a table in the early evening before the dinner rush. Maybe that was lucky because the service was impeccable and the food was amazing. The potatoes were hot and crisps, the polenta was so creamy and the chicken was nice and juicy. This first visit prompted me to host a large group dinner for a special celebration. The wine room upstairs offers an intimate celebration space with great views over the Boston Common. Everything, from the planning, to the menu, to the service, to the atmosphere was FANTASTIC! Jessica the manager helped me with the planning. She allowed me to visit the space before booking, reviewed the menu options, and was clear on pricing and payment process. She decorated the room according to my request, printed a customized menu with my company logo, and made sure everything was ready for the special day. They made accommodations for a disabled guests (a service elevator is available), a gluten-free guest and a vegetarian guest. The drinks kept flowing, the food came out pipping hot, fresh, and flavorful, the wait staff was professional and on top of everything, nothing was missing. Since I didn't have to worry about anything, I was able to enjoy the evening with my guests. My entire experience with Contessa has been excellent, and I hope that others will have the same experience too.