As all of my close friends and family already know, I am a huge fan of Sweet Basil. No, the do not take reservations; so I have figured out the best times to show up. (let me know if you want to be in on the secrets) No, they don't take credit cards; so I must bring some cash. No, they do not have booze; but they let you bring wine in, so I do. No, they don't have dessert; but who needs it after the amazing meal that you are sure to get? Those are the things that seem to stand out here on yelp as deterrents so I adressed them first. On with my raves: First and foremost, the food is good, really good. I happen to like garlic so I am in luck. But if you aren't thrilled with it, just let the server know and they'll ask the chef to take it easy on you. Everything is made to order so be vocal (but kind) and your requests will be heard. The dishes are definitely large enough to split and often we even end up taking some home. Ask questions, order what you like, and eat with gusto! I have tried almost everything there at one time or another and I have never gone wrong. The menu changes seasonally but for these colder months the heartier dishes fill you and warm you right up. Second, the owner, Dave, is a great guy. He is dedicated to this place and it shows all the way around. On the days when he is in the kitchen cooking he'll still pop out onto the floor and say hi, check on folks, and smile. Other days he plays host, veggie chopper, bread basket deliverer or whatever is needed. Thanks Dave, we appreciate it. Third, the staff is wonderful, warm, and welcoming. I have gotten to know a few; Nina, Elise, Sarah, and Chris, I thank them all for making eating at Sweet Basil, as busy as it is, and as busy as they are, a pleasant experience. I watch them as they work and they are nice to everyone, even those complainers who we have all seen harass servers and hosts until they snap. Lastly, my food allergy. I have a respiratory allergy to soy. They take it seriously- even though the oil they use contains no soy and there is mostly none on the menu, if I have any questions they find out answers concretely. None of this "well you should be fine" or "I don't think that'll kill you" They read labels, they ask the cooks, they take care of people like me who often have a difficult time eating out. If you haven't been there yet, please go and check out Sweet Basil, it is worth it.
The quality of food at this place and hectic multitasking of the staff reminds me of the petit and fantastically tasty restaurants nestled in the old cities of France. I have my countries wrong though, because this is inspired Italian food. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and flavors are bright with fresh herbs ... each bite was a joy. Table bread was paired with a freshly processed pesto for dipping. A tip for ordering: portions are pretty large ... a couple can share an appetizer/salad and share an entree ... and it's plenty. We even took home extra pasta. The arugula salad was served with wedges of oversized pickled beets, apricots, goat cheese, and a wonderful vinegrette with a hint of dijon (great autumn harvest salad). The gulf shimp scampi showed that they weren't afraid of garlic, and I loved them for it, wonderful! No desserts served here ... move on to your dessert wine, or to the rest of you plans for that evening. So back to the beginning: while you're waiting, probably for at least 30 min. for one of the 10 tables or so, the hostess might suggest visiting the nice bar next door (because sweet basil doesn't serve alcohol). Well Sweet Basil is a BYOB and I prefer to stay there, have them bring up a couple of glasses, pull the cork on one of the wines I've brought along, and we can drink wine, chat and look over the menu while my hunger grows from the smells of the open kitchen and memories of my last visit. /tom
(5)
Joe R.
We had an absolutely amazing meal here last night. The greeters were very friendly and accommodating and directed us to a nearby restaurant to have a drink while waiting for our table. From start to finish every thing we had was extremely tasty and fresh. I high highly recommend the Rosemary Chicken entree. BYOB and Wine which was pretty cool - cash and check only would be my only real complaint. You can't go wrong with this place.
(5)
Jin W.
A neighborhood gem! This is a fantastic little restaurant with exceptional character. My favorite entree is the Bolognese, it's by far the best around, and my favorite lunch sandwich is the steak and cheese. This is no ordinary steak and cheese my friend, this monster's got big chunks of beef, a blend of cheeses, mushrooms (not the little white ones), and herbs. It also comes with a salad so you can be healthy too!
(5)
Anna B.
There really aren't enough words, to rave about this place. Whenever I have foodie out-of-town guests, I bring them here. So delicious, great service, comfortable atmosphere, gooey cheeses, rich tomato sauces, flaky pastry crusts, if only I could eat here every day
(5)
Colin G.
Good italian food. There Pesto is home made and very good. they do a great job on the Eggplant and chix parm sandwiches but I was a little disappointed in the quality of the bread but everything else was very good place has a fun set up and good atmosphere.
(4)
B R.
delicious. wonderful. yes its small and cramped. Yes no reservations so you might have to wait outside. plan around it. and go.
(4)
Robyn L.
Although the seating space in this restaurant is minimal, the menu options and portions are anything but! This place is little, and I mean really little. Either go as soon as dinner begins (5:00) or prepare to wait for a table. My coworker and I were lucky enough to get the last table when we arrived at about 5:20 on a Tuesday night. The menu has a full selection of soups, appetizers and salads. The sweet corn soup sounded delightful, but I opted against it so I could pig out on the phenomenal crusty bread with house pesto sauce spread all over it. I could have made a meal out of that. Then flip over the menu for a wide selection of entrees, everything from chicken parmigiana and chicken scallopini to bolognese with meat, sausage and mushrooms to seafood fra diavlo. We both got the latter, and we weren't disappointed. It was an enormous amount of food -- easily two full meals worth. I would have liked to see a dessert menu, but they appeared not to have one. When you go, be sure to bring cash -- they don't take any credit cards -- as well as your own beer or wine. Needham is a dry town.
(4)
Rebecca L.
We drove to Needham from Cambridge because we heard this was the best Italian food around. The food was really good, although not perfect. We tried the shrimp scampi, and the sauce was heavenly! But the shrimp was overdone. My friend had the lamb, which was apparently marvelous, but it was served on a bed of unrecognizably charred vegetables (or we think that's what they were). The bread and pesto was fantastic, as were the other appetizers, and we even got some calamari on the house, just because they had too much in the kitchen! Definitely better than your average Italian restaurant.
(4)
Rachelle A.
When I lived in nearby Wellesley this was my favorite restaurant! I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind elbowing complete strangers, waiting way too long for a table, and paying in cash. If you can get past all that, the homemade pesto and crusty bread that awaits you as soon as you sit down is show-stopping delicious. And they'll bring you more if you ask. (The pesto is sans-nuts for those on the allergy alert.) I love BYOB places, and that it is, so bring a favorite wine for a small fee. Sweet Basil is that restaurant people are always trying to discover: small, quaint, unique, not too pricey, amazing food. All said, it's a true find. But the food...ah, I'm dreaming about it...HUGE portions that will leave you with a fab lunch tomorrow. I'm the person who always tries new things, but my husband and I religiously ordered the seared scallop salad, mussels, and chicken cacciatore. Split between us we were stuffed (the bread and pesto definitely contributed to this problem) and were sent home with leftovers. The staff is delightful, and the space so small you can practically watch your food being made. If I could give SB 6 ******'s I would.
(5)
David R.
In my opinion the best restaurant in the greater Boston area. Every dish is great the people are great and they are great with my son. If I am looking for a great meal sweet basil is were I will il go.
(5)
a w.
The food here is absolutely amazing. I've never had a dish i didn't think soared above my expectations. Even the veggie lasagna, which i ordered on a whim thinking i might regret it, was phenomenal. Big enough to feed three people probably, and full of amazing veggies you wouldn't expect like beets. Oh it was SO GOOD. The fra diavolo is something that either I or my husband get every time, and their steak is amazing as well. A few quirky things about this place that may cause other people to dock stars. They don't take reservations, and it's not a big restaurant, so if you go on a weekend after 6pm, expect to wait. There's not much room for waiting, though. Also, they only take cash. But if you're like me and rarely have it on you, there are about three banks nearby equipped with cash machines. Also, they don't serve alcohol, but you can bring your own and they charge i think a $5 fee to open your wine for you. The owner is usually around, and they've kept more or less the same waitstaff for as long as I've been coming here (about 2 years), which speaks highly of the restaurant as an employer. Sweet basil i LOVE YOU
(5)
Dawn D.
I went to Sweet Basil for the 1st time last Sat . They do not take reservations but you can go down put your name in and then leave. There's no bar, it's BYOB and there's a $5 corkage fee, I think this is a fantastic idea and I think other restaurants should have this option. My wait was an hour, which turned into 1.5hrs, with really nowhere to sit, basically standing room only, with the exception of 6 log stumps you could sit on, this was one thing I wasn't crazy about, I hate hovering over others while they are trying to enjoy their night . The waitstaff was very accommodating, they were walking around with apps and offered to open the bottle of wine I brought, I thought that was pretty cool. My waitress was excellent and very friendly. The tables are very close together and if you don't like small spaces or people that can basically hear your entire conversation, I wouldn't suggest going here. The food was excellent, the waitress brought us bread with a pesto spread, I could have eaten this by the spoonfuls, that's how good it was. As for our meals, my horrifying blind date and I shared a Greek salad which was very delicious and for dinner, he had the Chicken Scallopini (?sp) that was the best dish & the sauce was very tasty. I had the Shrimp Scampi, which I don't recommend, the shrimp was over cooked and the whole dish itself, had absolutely no flavor....BUT I would definitely go back to this place again...it's SO worth the wait!!! If you are around Needham, you should definitely check it out but go early, I went @ 715p...If I go back, I'll go earlier.. Also, thet do not accept CC only cash.
(4)
Michael T.
I had the lamb osso buco with polenta. It was amazing. It compares favorably with the best dishes I have had in San Francisco and Chicago. The portions are large, the prices are small. What's not to like. So what if its BYOB and there is no desert. The meal starts with bread and pesto. I have to stop writing, thinking about this place is making me hungry.
(5)
Cory B.
UNBELIEVEABLE! Terrific service and the food was beyond incredible. I have gluten issues so it was great that I could find a seafood dish on the menu that could accomodate me...i was ready to lick the plate! I went with 3 other people and we wiped our plates clean!
(5)
Ian S.
I get the feeling that a second visit to Sweet Basil will improve this rating, but I've gotta go with my first visit. So, Lets begin! It was a Tuesday night, only 6pm, so thankfully, we were able to walk right in. I had read about Sweet Basil on Zagat, and since I do Acupuncture right nearby, why not check it out. So, the dining room was cool and relaxed. I liked that. The waitstaff were super casual and really nice. Attentive without hovering. The Music was fantastic!!! The owner's ipod had everything from old disco and funk to Cibo Matto (which I was particularly psyched about!)!! We didn't realize it was BYOB or Cash only, which kinda bummed me out cuz i wanted a glass of read (turns out I probably could've been hooked up with a glass of some leftovers that regulars leave for the staff, but oh well), but I survived! One thing I found very impressive was the amount of people who lined up to wait while we ate. The front of the house was Packed!!! People obviously LOVE this restaurant, which is a good sign. Now, the food: first off, bread with Pesto - GREAT IDEA!! Loved it!! For appetizers, my wife got a yummy garlicy farrow soup, tomoto based, really good! I got the caesar salad, and was quite disappointed. For a nice italian joint, the parmesan was powdered, not grated, the dressing was like water, barely any flavor and it didn't stick, the anchovies were ok. Unthrilled! For entree's, my wife got the GIANT ravioli, which was good, but not special, though the marinara was excellent! I got lamb o'buco, which was a big hunk of lamb in a bowl, over polenta with mixed veggies. Overall Very yummy, the lamb fell right off the bone, had a great flavor, and the veggies were great! Also impressed when one waiter came to deliver the food, and put tap water into my wifes glass of pelligrino. He realized it (tried to stop him), felt really bad, and bought us another bottle. True class! Nice save!!! So, the food was 50% good, hence my 3 stars. Everything else I liked, but I'll have to try it again in order to rate it higher. There you go!
(3)
Jon M.
Readily the best Italian food in the Boston metro. David is personable and always remembers us. We bought his book, and use it often.
(5)
Meredith K.
Nice, big portions. I love the BYOB. The tables are way too close together for my taste. Needham is a dry town so remember to get your alcohol in advance or you'll be driving through Dedham like a poet on payday.
(3)
Y S.
This local gem is adorable and cozy. Even on a chilly, drizzly Wednesday, it was bustling with plenty of people dining in and picking up take-out orders. The ample bread basket came with a delicious pesto, and our calamari starter was fresh and light with a delicious spicy marinara with lots of garden vegetables. My dining companion had the delicious and tender skillet steak (cooked perfectly)- with the addition of sauteed mushrooms per request- and a buttery and flaky spanikopita chock full of piping hot spinach. I had the ziti in a creamy sauce, accented by crispy pancetta, asparagus tips, tomatoes, and big chunks of rosemary chicken. The waitress noted that it was one of their most popular dishes, for good reason. Both dinners were large portions- more than enough for two meals. Although dessert is not officially on the menu, we were regaled with a complimentary moist, fudgy "brownie cake"- about the size of a muffin- perfect for sharing! The dessert was accompanied by plump chocolate-covered strawberries and mint-infused whipped cream. Staff were incredibly solicitous, friendly and helpful as well. Important notes: The restaurant is cash-only, BYOB, and doesn't take reservations. Parking on Great Plain Avenue is scarce, but easy to find on side streets.
(5)
Glenn M.
Simply awesome. Great food at at great price. Great atmosphere and staff. Good size portions. Only bummer is no credit cards.
(5)
Jess T.
The most memorable thing about Sweet Basil is the genuine friendliness of every person working there. The hostess was very nice when I came during prime time to get a table for 2. The 45 minute wait turned out to only be 30 minutes and we got seated at a table with prime view. This restaurant is cash only, BYOW (only a $5 cork fee), and has street parking only. The pesto served with the bread was amazing. I usually never eat the bread but it was worth eating with the pesto. We had a fried calamari appetizer that was served with a some-what spicy sauce. Not bad and large portion. We got the rosemary chicken (recommended by the waitress) and the bolognese. Both came out in large portions, with a lot of garlic and cheese. Rosemary chicken was very heavy, more than we are used to, but still good. Bolognese was okay - the pasta needed to be boiled at least 7 more minutes and more meat was needed. Waitress was knowledgeable about all dishes and was friendly throughout the meal. Would go back again to try different dishes.
(4)
Andrew P.
Have gone and had take out a dozen times at least. Great job Dave.......awesome
(5)
John M.
I went to Sweet Basil with the expectation of being disappointed. How could any restaurant possibly be as good as the reviews that one reads about Sweet Basil? All I can say after one dining experience there is that if Yelp offered the optional rating of six stars, Sweet Basil would get that from me. One of our party had the ravioli, another ordered the veal Marsala, and I ordered the bolognese. All were heavenly. The atmosphere is authentically warm & friendly as one is seated with other like minded diners who appreciate great food and comfortable surroundings. The chefs bring the meals to the table, assuring one of a hot meal. The owner made the rounds and paid a visit to our table where he shared his bolognese recipe with me. I could not have been happier. I was hoping that some meteorological miracle would occur and we would all be snowed in for a few days. What a party that would be! I am already planning my next visit.
(5)
Sean I.
Awesome food, awesome environment. Hand made pasta dishes were incredible. The baked Gouda appetizer was an interesting dish that we both loved.
(5)
S H.
Excellent Italian inspired food. I call it Italian inspired because it's really create gourmet. I personally have had the Baked Gouda appetizer, Vegetable Lasagna, Halibut, Ravioli, and the Gnocci. All of them are full of flavor and cooked exactly right. Our first time there, we brought a bottle of wine. The owner opened it for us and brought some bread with polenta and marinara sauce as we waited for a table. A couple of notes: BYOB ($5 corking fee/bottle), cash only, get there early because there aren't reservations and you could wait an hour for a table, don't fill up on the bread and fresh basil dip.
(5)
J R.
One word: yum! I usually order the chicken cacciatore because it is delicious. The chicken is cooked just right, the sauce and flavoring are so much better than any other cacciatore, and the pairing with pasta is perfect. Their salad is wonderful, too, but I don't care for the dressing, which I find bitter. Because we often get this food to go, I put my own dressing on the salad. The bread is delicious, too. I've dined in a couple of times and find it pleasant if noisy. The food is pricey, but because the portions are so large, my husband and I can share the cacciatore and have one more serving left over.
(5)
Anna P.
I love this place - and I usually don't like Italian food! All the dishes are made fresh to order and they can customize anything. It's probably the most personal and involved experience I've ever had at a restaurant. The owner is incredibly nice, too! But, do note, the place is TINY - it's often hard to get a seat at peak times.
(5)
Laura W.
We went there last night with another couple who live nearby in Dedham. Since we don't live in the Boston area, it was up to them to pick the place. They were raving about this place and it did live up to it. It is BYOB and cash only, so don't forget those 2 important pieces. I don't know if there is a corkage fee. I never saw the bill, so I have no idea. We each got something different as our main course and I think I liked mine the least. The chicken cacciatore was good, but not the best or maybe I am not a cacciatore fan all together. The others at the table got the veggie lasagna that looked amazing, the lamb, and the bolognese. Everyone was very pleased with their meal. For appetizers we split a salad, the calamari, and the baked mozzarella. All of them were very good! Great place to get to if you live in the area or if you are planning on visiting the Boston area. Needham also has a really cute center!
(4)
Sandy F.
love love love this place. everytime i come here, its always packed and theres a wait for at least an hour. but its well worth the wait. since they dont have a bar, they sometimes send us down the block to grab drinks while we wait, but in the summer, some might prefer having custard from the store next door. the only bummers are that they dont take reservations or credit cards, sometimes they're sweet enough to let us nibble on some appetizer extras while we wait. in fact, the first time i've been there and i was curious about how the mussels were, on the next order they took, they made a little extra (which was a lot, almost a full size portion) and let me sample it. that is how i fell in love: with the mussels, the service and the restaurant. its not really the free food that won me over (or maybe it is) but its more the attentive service and the amount of consideration the busy waitstaff puts in to give you a great dining experience. the inside is pretty crowded but cozy. it gets a bit loud but still is a decent date place because you can sit close to your date and whisper sweet nothings while sharing an amazing meal. no alcohol here, its byob with a $5 corking fee. love the idea of the flexibility and unpretentiousness of byob. also love the mussels. its an appetizer, but i swear, the broth is so good, i use so much bread to mop up the juices that i am stuffed by the time my entree gets to the table. you cant go wrong with their innovative rotating risottos. their daily specials always seems to cause a dilemma for me to chose between them and my favorites. the seafood diavolo is a staple for me. the rosemary chicken is very tasty, but a bit heavy. it might be a better idea to just share it if you dont have a tremendous appetite. once it goes in the fridge, you'll know how much evoo they use. my leftovers chills to a solid block, def not as appetizing as it was when it was steaming from the kitchen.
(5)
Catherine M.
Strange business policies mar an otherwise good dining experience. They don't sell tea/coffee/dessert -- so they can turn over tables faster and get you out of there. You feel like you're getting the bum's rush, and they don't have an elegant way of informing you of this policy. Today I had lunch there, and they abruptly dropped off the bill after serving our entrees. When we said, "Wait, we'll be wanting coffee," the waitress said, "Sorry, we don't serve coffee. I dropped off the bill because we had nothing more to offer you." Boy, is that a true statement. They should have politely advised us at the beginning of the meal or clearly posted the policy, so it wouldn't be an unpleasant shock. Then they told us they don't take credit cards! Absolutely bizarre for a restaurant in this price range to not take plastic. They need a polite, cordial way of advising guests of these strange practices, or even better, behave like a normal restaurant -- serve coffee and take credit cards. I won't be going back.
(2)
Ann T.
Highly recommended. I no longer live in the Boston 'burbs, but when I did I was a big fan of this place. I've never understood the popularity of pesto. I know this makes me a bad foodie. I don't dislike pesto, I just don't get very excited about it. But I saw the light when I had the pesto spread at Sweet Basil--full of cheese and basil and served with big chunks of delicious bread. Watch out--they just keep bringing you more, and depending on your appetite, it could be a meal in itself, so be careful. Appetizers are also delicious, but again, a meal in themselves. I recommend either splitting one with your dining companion, or just ordering one as a meal. The baked gouda over greens is fantastic, but a bit heavy and definitely a meal on its own. Never been disappointed with an entree here, either. The sea scallops over wilted spinach are wonderful, as is the rosemary chicken. I really like the ambience and the friendly service at Sweet Basil too. But I think the prices are too high for them not to accept credit cards--not really any more expensive than other comparable restaurants in the Boston area, but high enough that you have to remind yourself to have a lot of cash in your wallet before eating here. The value for money is high, though--not only is the food great, but the portions are enormous, so you can easily take half your meal home. Although, in the end, I'd rather just pay less money and get a more manageable amount of food. BYO.
(4)
Rob Q.
Let's get this out of the way: I love this place. It's a personal favorite, and has been since my first trip something like 6 years ago. So my review is probably colored by that. That said, there are just so many reasons to love this place. Great food, reasonable prices (especially for the HUGE portions; expect to have at least one meal's worth of leftovers), a charming setting, and BYOB wine (something sadly lacking around Boston). This is the part of the review where one would normally recommend dishes, but I'm not even going to try. I've forced myself to eat almost everything on the menu rather than just sticking with my first few favorites, and I've yet to find a dish that isn't wonderful. You really just can't go wrong here.
(5)
Marilyn B.
Yesterday for lunch at Sweet Basil I had what was possibly the worst sandwich of my life. It was listed as a pan seared cod po' boy with romaine, tomatoes and Cajun caper remoulade, but the fish (an appallingly small, thin serving) was definitely NOT cod, accompanied by a few pieces of chopped tomatoes, a few pieces of chopped lettuce, no remoulade in sight, and nonexistent capers as well. The fish itself, whatever it was, fell apart, had no flavor, and disappeared in the oversized bread that it was served on. A very disappointing experience.
(1)
Omri G.
One of the best restaurants I eat in! A confession, I am not a big fan of the culinary scene in the Boston area, I think there are some good places but for the most it's boring and and not creative enough, and then we found Sweet Basil... The food is so surprising with it's flavor, the looks of it is so colorful and the creativity of the food is very unique and reflect the love and thought that was put in each dish we ordered. The service is also very pleasant and warm. The only problem is that it's hard to get a table at the busy hours and the wait is a bit long, but that's fine by me.
(5)
Jeff K.
I'm disappointed this place didn't live up to my expectations. We were prepared with our bottle of wine, the bread dip was very tasty. We ordered a mushroom dumpling over wasabe lettuce which was unique but good. I typically love rosemary anything so i went for the chicken, my wife went for the shrimp scampi. My dish was so heavy i couldn't eat more the a third of it.. the chicken was tough, but overall i wasn't impressed at all. I'm a reasonable cook and i could have come darn close to replicating this dish. My wife's shrimp scampi was a bit better but i thought the shrimp was under cooked.. almost jelly-like. Anyway.. I've heard such great things about this place but it didn't live up to those expectations.. i also spotted two spiders on the wall (don't tell my wife because they were VERY close to her).
(3)
Alison C.
Fine Italian food in the suburbs? Yes, it can be found, my friends - shocking, but true! My company's headquarters had previously been located in the quaint town of Needham, and I had been referred to Sweet Basil when bonding with a fellow foodie colleague from that office. As much as I had wanted to try the well-reviewed destination, the company soon moved to another town, and I found myself rarely in Needham. However, on a recent trip to the area, I was able to talk my friends into a quiet Friday night dinner there. We pulled up to the cozy restaurant and found that it was fully packed with a substantial wait. The courteous manager, Dave, told us that we had about forty minutes until we would be able to snag a table. We decided to take a walk around the neighborhood, and then returned to wait. Upon our reentrance, we noticed that the folks around us were all carrying bottles of wine. Dave asked us if we had a bottle that he could open for us while we waited. We confirmed that we did not and questioned him as to whether there was a local liquor store. Unfortunately, there were nothing within walking distance, but he was kind enough to pour us each a glass from an extra bottle they had on hand. In addition, all pending diners were served slices of bruschetta topped with fresh tomato, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic truffle oil. We bonded with Dave while sipping some crisp white wine and sampling the delectable snacks. We were soon seated and granted the remainder of the wine bottle to enjoy with our meal. I have never experienced such fantastic service! The Sweet Basil experience was off to a terrific start, and we forged ahead with big smiles on our faces. We glanced around the quaint dining room and took in the two intimate dining rooms full of dedicated patrons, all jumping at the chance to catch up with the friendly manager. Our eyes grew wide with delight when we saw the substantial portions of hearty Mediterranean flare atop nearby tables. We deliberated over the menu, but were able to appease our indecisive minds with recommendations from Dave, who stopped by to offer his assistance. After we placed our order, we received a basket of warm Italian bread and a scented pesto oil for dipping. We tried to limit our bread intake and save room for the large entrees. Our plan was foiled, however, but the similarly massive appetizers. My friend's Caprese Salad was a full-sized plate of mixed greens, topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Another friend and I shared a different blend of greens, which acted as a bed cushioning shiitake and avocado dumpling pillows. The unique blend of earthy mushroom and creamy avocado was a shocking success. Both salads were delicious and left us craving our next course. I opted for the Seafood Stew, while my friends leaned towards pasta. My large bowl of tomato broth was packed with plump shrimp, crisp lobster, large pieces of filleted fish, salty mussels, fresh clams, and more. Though the dish was carb-free, it contained enough protein to fill me up. One of my friends ordered the highly recommended Bolognese sauce composed of beef, sausage, and mushrooms. It was served over papardelle pasta. Though I had pushed the rest of my meal aside to save my stomach from rupturing, I could not turn down my friend's offer to pick at her Bolognese. The chunky sauce was extremely addicting, and my fork got some exercise as I shoveled about a third of her dish into my already full belly. I literally had to push the bowl away for my own good. We enjoyed another complimentary glass of wine and paid our affordable bill. (Each dish was under $25 dollars, with most even under $20.) We then scanned the room to locate and thank Dave for his hospitality, but he was nowhere to be found. We sighed peacefully and left the restaurant satisfied and content. Though Sweet Basil was essentially just a suburban neighborhood restaurant, the service and cuisine were better than anything I had tasted in Boston's traditional Italian hub, the North End. I have already begun recommending the simple spot to any area colleagues that have yet to sample its greatness.
(5)
Rick B.
Dinner last night was amazing. Lamb was delicious. Pasta was all homemade and tasted super fresh. Wife loved Piccatta. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Dawn S.
This place is amazing. Its always packed, so usually we just order out. The proportions are enormous and 4 dishes will usually last my family of 4 a couple of days. Sweet basil is also great for the vegetarians we often host for dinner. The choice of delicious seafood and veggie dishes is unmatched in Needham. I would recommend the LLinguine with clams, spicy broccoli rabe and linguine for those who eat seafood. For meat lovers, the Lamb Shank over Polenta is phenomenal. This lamb is the most tender and well cooked I have ever had and the polenta and grilled veggies that go with it are amazing. the lunch menu is also great. Very reasonably priced and I still have dreams about the grilled vegetable, pesto and goat cheese sandwich. Oh and I forgot to mention that with your meal, you get fresh baked bread and a big bowl of basil pesto for dipping. I could fill myself up off of the bread and pesto alone!
(5)
S C.
No frills, great food. Appetizers and dinner only. Bring your own wine. No dessert. But food is spectacular. Gotta love garlic. Excellent chicken scallopini. Great bolognese.
(5)
Chris C.
I've eaten here several times with my Wife. We really enjoy the food here. My Wife used to live in the North End and we think it compares very well with those restaurants. Huge portions and the quality has always been good. The only negative is cash only.
(4)
Dave G.
A great place to go when you are hungry. I have been there about five times, and every time the food has been excellent and the service friendly. It is important to embrace the following to enjoy the Sweet Basil experience to the fullest: 1) You will gain three to ten pounds before you get up from the table 2) The Pesto with bread is delicious, but will make you so thirsty you will need a blood thinner to deal with the rise in blood pressure. 3) Its very cozy and loud, which goes with the bold food. The Bolognese is transcendent. Everything else is excellent or at least very good. I also recommend the Goat cheese salad with roasted beets
(4)
Meghan B.
I love Sweet Basil. That statement sums up my feelings for this fantastic, quirky restaurant in Needham, I've eaten here probably eight times, and I don't live that close. The food here is outstanding. I dream about the Bolognese. The baked gouda, wrapped in phyllo dough, served over greens and fruit is to die for. But what I really love about this place is the vibe. The owner, Dave, is regularly manning the door, and checking in with his customers. When he saw me loving the baked gouda he stopped by and asked if it wasn't like the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich ever. It is. The service is outstanding. My water glass is never empty. The staff is always knowledgeable about the menu, and can make suggestions. One time I got some less then stellar pasta (truly a fluke at this place) and when I brought it to the attention of my server, they immediately made me a new one *and* comped the dish (which was just above and beyond). We've taken out-of-town family here many times, despite the lack of reservations. Also, as it's BYOB, we make sure to bring out own wine. They only charge a $5 corking fee, which is a steal. If the wait is long, you can wander down the block to get a drink. On busy nights they often have some yummy bites for people who are waiting. On a recent trip, during Marathon weekend, we were given a 45 minute wait time, so we went down the street for a drink. 20 minutes later my cell rings and it's Dave! He remembered we were getting a drink, so he said, no hurry, finish your cocktail and we'll give you the next table when you get back. Super service. The menu changes pretty regularly, with new additions for the season (in the fall they had a gnocchi with duck and butternut squash that was incredible), but the standards remain. (Seriously, the Bolognese. Get it.) Everything I've eaten here has been fantastic, and the portions are no joke. I keep coming back, even though I have their cookbook! And don't sweat the lack of dessert, just go next door to Abbott's for some frozen custard.
(5)
Katherine W.
YUM! This place is awesome. The food is soooooooo good. Okay, they don't take reservations (yes, this is normally a gripe with me) but I will excuse them. It's BYOB! They recommend you go down the street and get a drink at the Indian restaurant and come back in X minutes. In our case it was an hour so we downed a bottle of wine at the Indian rest., so needless to say, I was happy and feeling good by the time we sat down. The owner chit chatted with us, and gave us some recommendations. We both loved what we got - the duck was cooked perfectly. I really love this place, need to get back soon!
(5)
Angela S.
Amazing food. One of my favorite restaurants--ever. Everything is delicious. I recommend the baked gouda appetizer--it's divine. Free pesto and bread with your meal. Bring a bottle of wine ($5 corking fee) if you like that sort of thing. The lunch menu is slightly different from the dinner menu--more sandwiches, fewer entrees. All still delicious, though. It gets REALLY crowded on weekend nights, and some week nights, too. Go early. Talk to Dave the owner--he's the friendly guy with the curly hair. You'll like him.
(5)
Sasha R.
I just couldn't understand why my mom was insisting on taking me all the way to Needham to go to some Thai place called Sweet Basil. Oops. First of all, it's Italian food - apparently, they also cook with basil. Secondly, Needham Center? Haaay! It's like the newer nicer Coolidge Corner. Restaurant: just what I like. Small, informal, open kitchen, delectable scents AND! a BYOB! ($5 cork fee). Take $30 off your bill right there. We were starving, so we ordered a ton of food, mostly standard Italian, with some flair: mussels, calamari, beets and warm goat cheese, steak, ossobucco, soft shell crab, accompanied by soft aromatic bread with a bowl of the freshest pesto. The portions are enormous. 1 entree for two people, seriously. It'll piss off the waitress, but at least you won't get heartburn. Great suburban alternative to the Olive Garden, or whatever they call "Italian" around here.
(5)
mike c.
WOW !!!! from the street I don't think I would have gone in but thanks to Yelp that was the site of boys nite . We got there about 630 wednesday nite to an almost full house but were seated right away ,the staff was fun and very good ,now the food ....OMG ! it was all good and BIG as well ....make this a must go too . My ATM card was sad that they would not take it but that will not stop me from going back and soon .
(4)
Meredith K.
I love this place! I have been coming here since they first opened and were half the size they are now. They are BYOB so don't forget your wine! I love the specials and everything I've had here I have always liked: from pasta, to fish, to meat.. all fantastic. And seriously folks why wait in line at Village Fish for mediocre food when you can come here and get something 10x better!
(5)
Christy W.
I went to Sweet Basil a couple of weeks ago with 6 of my girlfriends. We had a nice table in the corner of this very cute restaurant. The food was absolutely amazing! We got the pan roasted mozzarella with marinara and the calamari for an appetizer. I highly recommend trying the mozzarella dish!! So flavorful! For an entree, my friend and I split the raviollis. They were so good! The filling and the tomato sauce was exceptional. I can't wait to go back to Sweet Basil again!!!
(5)
Jen P.
I hadn't been here in about 3 years, ever since our office moved to Boston, but I came back because I remembered how great the food was...I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had expanded the restaurant to 2 rooms, instead of the tiny one room it used to be. Decor was still cute and stylish, down to the oversized glasses and utensils, which I love. Even though we got here before they opened for lunch, it filled up very quickly. Food was still fantastic, some of the best mussels I have EVER had...so much that I wanted to take a bath in the leftover broth. Specials are always great, a pasta or risotto...the group I was with all had different things and we shared. Portions seemed to get bigger since 3 years ago, but it was fine because it meant leftovers, and leftovers are a great thing. Highly recommend this place, but go early, it's well worth it.
(5)
Siddharth S.
Love their seafood Fra diavolo...
(4)
Lana R.
Love, love, love. First of all, it's BYOB. Liquor store down the street :) The hostess made us feel immediately welcome as she took our names down. They were totally full on a Tuesday evening. There are chairs to wait outside. We were seated at a lovely table by the window about 20min later. They offer a pesto spread and amazing bread to start. We also got a goat cheese/beet salad that was incredible. Fresh and delicious. Hubby ordered their special - a beef brisket mushroom risotto and I got the rosemary chicken ziti (no bacon). Both were excellent. Huge portions. NOTE: they do not do dessert.
(5)
Kate R.
This is my absolute favorite restaurant. Me and my boyfriend live in town and we go here occasionally. It is such a treat! We love the atmosphere - cozy, unpretentious, low lights, fresh flowers, mismatched plates and bowls, and a cool old-fashioned bottle of water at every table. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and casually dressed. (You can wear whatever you want here and you wouldn't be out of place.) The food is AMAZING. My boyfriend typically gets the bolognese dish or the lamb - delicious. I've gotten the chicken and pasta dish, which is very good, and also the beet and goat cheese salad with the fish of the day. We've never had a bad dinner and you typically get a couple meals out of it because the portions are quite big. Expensive with entrees in the 20-25 dollar range, but worth every penny. CONS: Go early (at 5, 5:30) or after the dinner rush - They won't take reservations. I wish that they served dessert, but then they would never be able to accomodate everyone that wants a table.
(5)
Shannon W.
AMAZING. This is my favorite restaurants in the greater boston area. Everything is so fresh and delicious, and the service is great.
(5)
Jenn S.
After hearing about Sweet Basil for years, I was so excited when we finally got the chance to go! We went at 5 on a Friday night (we have a toddler), and were seated right away, which I understand is rare. They don't have any high chairs, so my husband ran home to get our travel one, which is a negative. But the staff was so baby/kid-friendly, that it's not a huge deal. They immediately brought yummy bread with a DELICIOUS pesto sauce. I couldn't get enough. And the waitress said I could get a small bowl of pasta with butter or sauce for my son. That came out quick and was a good size. It wasn't anything amazing (pasta with sauce), but he enjoyed it. I got the special risotto and my husband went for his standard - the chicke parm. The portions are huge (although he polished his off) and both were tasty but not amazing. Maybe our expectations were so high due to the rave reviews? My risotto was quite salty and his chicken wasn't as crispy as he likes. Don't get me wrong - we enjoyed it and would go back, but we weren't wowed as much as we thought we'd be. We loved the funky atmosphere - they had fun music & decor. My husband paid while I brought our son outside, so I don't know exactly how much everything was, but it's not cheap. Which is not a surprise.
(4)
Beth J.
This is the BEST Italian food I've had in forever! The bread and pesto they serve was a perfect start. My family and I shared the Calamari, Cesar salad (no anchovies!), Chicken Parmesan, and Shrimp Scampi. The portions are huge so we had lots of leftovers. EVERYTHING was perfect. The service and ambiance were great. It's BYOB and they don't serve dessert-cause who even wants it after food like this!
(5)
B D.
Everything about this place was good. BYOB, waitress was very polite and helpful, we got delicious bread, dishes were phenomenal. Will come back for sure.
(5)
Al M.
We found this place on a last minute Yelp search. Seemed to be the best food in the area, and it's possibly the best food within 10 miles. Killer pastas, veal, chicken. Salads were superb. Great dining room and very cool staff. Prices were right in line with what I would expect given the food quality. Everything we ordered was well prepared and well seasoned. Veal w port wine sauce, cheese ravioli with marinara, chicken parm, and a special corn agnolotti. I would drive an extra 45 mins to enjoy this meal again. No question.
(5)
Lexie S.
So good! And such a cute place. The food was really good and the staff was friendly. Would definitely come back.
(4)
Rich C.
Visiting from Southern California- Sweet Basil was the most refreshing reminder of what true Italian food is. I wanted to go out for some pasta with my sister before a long run tomorrow, so I naturally went to Yelp for some advice and found this gem. Over 200 reviews with a 4.5 star average = a must try. We arrived 20 min after they opened and were lucky to not have to wait. We were some of the last couple of couples to fill it out. I didn't take notice to any exaggerated decor or efforts to stand out. Less is more sometimes and this place gets it! It was just right. We were received and seated and given some refreshing water and bread with pesto. Our waiter came soon thereafter with a personable introduction and before we could blink she took our bottle of wine and had it uncorked. We had all the time time we need to order from the small menu: Gnocchi and fried oysters over fresh veggies to start, the bolognese and she had the lamb and grits. Small menus usually leave me wondering why they don't give more options, but this is quite the contrary for a business like this. Why? It is ALL excellent. There is simply no need to "get creative." Over the hum of music and the chatter of all the other patrons, we enjoyed some wine and gnocchi. This gnocchi was bigger and softer than I've had before ... And simply spectacular. The fried oysters and the veggies were incredibly fresh and the presentation of it all was not overdone. The taste of the food here is clearly the centerpiece. No need to gift wrap their food. The bolognese came out and I think I drooled. The portion was so much bigger than it looked and I found myself having to pace my dinner. The flavors, texture, and body of the dish was IMPECCABLE. I have never had better bolognese. Luckily my sister gave me a taste of her lamb and grits which almost sent me through the ceiling it was so good! The service, ambiance, and just the love I have for the East Coast (originally from NJ) all constructed a simply incredible dining experience. This place could not do any better in any way. Will always come back if I'm in town.
(5)
Jennifer G.
Delicious Italian food! Small cozy restaurant in Needham Center with plenty of street parking available. Fun fact: it's BYOB and they just charge you $5 for a bottle opening fee. There's a wine shop down the street. No Italian meal is whole unless you start off with a fresh basket of bread. The pesto dip is delicious. Wish the bread was warmer, but it was still pretty good. Don't fill up too quickly on the bread! For our table of 5, we started off with two starters: the calamari and the mussels. Both were delicious. Tip: soak the bread in the mussel sauce - it's perfect. I got the bolognese dish for my entree. All the portions here are very generous! I ate half and was full. Perfect for lunch the next day. The pasta was a little tough to separate from the rest of the ingredients so I was struggling a little bit at first, but can't complain. Tasted great. My friends got the risotto, rosemary chicken, scallops, and shrimp scampi. All were great, except the scallops dish comes with prosciutto that's WAY too salty. It makes you cringe. We sent that back and they were understanding about it and switched out for a different dish instead. Overall great dining experience! Can't wait to come back.
(4)
Brian O.
I ordered the basil chicken and scrapped the basil off which to my surprise was very easy. When I left the restaurant I rolled it and smoked it. Best high I've ever achieved
(5)
Rebekah C.
I am a big fan of Sweet Basil. This is a very small place, they don't take reservations I love that it is BYOB so you can bring a couple bottles of delicious wine to enjoy with good food and pay way less then you would if you had to pay per glass. The food is delicious and I love how they serve the meal on hand made pottery. The pesto is delicious. The staff has always been friendly and done a great job during my visits.
(4)
Kaitlyn W.
The food here is delicious. There was no wait for the table and immediately we were served with bread and their amazing pesto. We asked for seconds on the bread-- but save room for the main course! Although the lunch menu was a bit limited, there was nothing we ordered that we didn't like the. The fusilli bolognese is absolutely fantastic, the best I've ever had. The portions are filling, and we left feeling satisfied. Highly recommended.
(5)
Michelle C.
Lunch review The pesto is ah.may.zing! I couldn't stop eating it and was making the biggest pig out of myself in front of my work-lunch coworkers. More pesto! MORE PESTO!! It's so garlicky, I was in heaven! The main meal was okay, I had the special risotto but it was undercooked...although I was really caring that much cause I just ate more pesto,..what is wrong with me?!
(4)
Albie D.
Extremely disappointed with my experience here, and I'd never be back or recommend it to others. Overall - rushed service and mediocre food. Scratch that - inedible food, i.e. RAW PASTA. I'm surprised at the popularity of this place. What do people see here? Went Friday at opening with my DC and we were immediately rushed to order, drink our wine, and hurry things along. Blonde waitress was brusque and cheerily condescending. Hadn't been sitting more than five minutes when we were asked what we wanted to order - didn't even get a chance to chat and fully read the menu- so I couldn't really comment on what was on it. The meal: Bread and pesto was the best part of this meal. Unfortunately, it was all downhill. Ordered the Caesar salad which came in a gigantic, deep bowl. It was soggy, overdressed, and SALTY with chewy and sticky whole anchovies slopped on top. I'm a fan of anchovies, but this was too much and unappetizing. This salt level was so salty it left an unsavory taste in my mouth lasting well until the next day. Back to the rushed service: I kid you not, I put my fork down to pick up my glass, and the waitress came over, put her hands on the bowl and tried to take it away as I was still eating. I was so taken aback by this intrusiveness, that my DC had to say, "she's not done yet!" I ordered the ravioli, which was described as fresh and handmade. I've never seen ravioli presented this way. It was essentially a BOWL, a full bowl, of sauce, with what i think was ravioli hidden in its depths. As I ate it it, the cheese seeped out into the pool of sauce, and became a huge amorphous slop of red and white cheese. AND THE PASTA WAS RAW. It was not cooked. RAW PASTA. Thick and deconstructed ravioli. Raw. In a puddle of sauce. The sauce was clearly homemade, but it was so garlicky that I was smelling like garlic well into the next day. Additionally, it was so hot that I immediately scalded my mouth on it. I'd bet money most of their dishes are prepped ahead of time en masse and then they heat them up in a way that would cause uneven and scalding temperatures.How else would they be so fast with their food? Raw pasta is inexcusable, hence the 1 star. I was surprised when no desert or coffee was offered, I had thought it was a not so subtle way of letting us know we have to go - but apparently that's their practice, no coffee (is it because they want to turn the table over?) - which is fine, but perhaps they should make that clear - somewhere. Also, it confirms that this place is more about the quantity of diners than the quality of their food. Rush, rush, rush, rush. SALTY, bad food, more rushing, RAW PASTA, rush. Unceremoniously plopping of the check. Good riddance.
(1)
Jonathan F.
First time there and very happy. On a Thursday night there was about a 45 minute wait but the weather and company were terrific and it went by quickly. Matt, the maitre d was as good as they get, highly attentive, efficient and friendly. The dining area is a bit tight- hey, it's popular- but comfortable and there's a very good wait staff. I was with a party of oenophiles and being able to bring our own wine added another dimension and made the check much more reasonable. We shared appetizers and main dishes. Muscles were delicious. Beef bolognese with tasty bits of sausage and the rosemary chicken were highlights. Looking forward to repeating soon.
(5)
Lindsey M.
I really like the food at Sweet Basil but there are a few things that really bother me, with that being said: Would I come back? Yes. Pro's: 1. The food is excellent, I have never had a bad meal here. The sauce is very good and everything is very fresh and flavorful. 2. BYOB - Although some people do not care for it, I love bringing a nice expensive bottle of wine to dinner and not paying a markup of 50-60%. 3. Location - Easy to find and easy to park (street, parking lot, etc). 4. Staff is super nice to deal with and WILL call you when your table is ready. They are also able to give you suggestions as to where you can get a glass (or two!) of wine while you wait. 5. Prices are affordable and you do get a lot of food. 6. Corking fee is very reasonable. Con's: 1. No reservations, first come first serve and the wait! Even when I come early I am still waiting anywhere from 45-60 minutes. When I say I come early, I mean 5:00pm people! 2. No dessert or coffee. 3. I feel SO RUSHED here! I've never felt rushed in a restaurant before. This is the only place where they take your dinner plates and immediately run over to you with the check. I understand you have a long wait and I understand that you want to seat others. When I am waiting over an hour to sit down, I will take my time! 4. The restaurant is so small! There is no where to stand to wait and it is really hard to get in/out without bumping into someone or a table. 5. Dinner plates - I get the whole hand crafted beauty of the plates and they really are pretty. The problem I have is that many of the plates are chipped. This is a big health inspection no-no. When food or anything gets into those cracks, it absorbs into the clay and you can't clean it. Working at my old restaurant, we would have to throw away anything that had chips on it, as a standard industrial dishwasher does not clean these properly. This grosses me out, I see this mainly on the bread/appetizer plates. I have had chipped plates all three times I have been at Sweet Basil. The pro's outweigh the con's at Sweet Basil, we will be back.....but hopefully we will not have to wait an hour next time!
(3)
Don G.
The food is fantastic. Can't say anything else. Eaten there many times, never had a meal that anything less than 5 stars. Ate there the other night with family and it didn't disappoint. Long wait for a table but worth it. There aren't too many places like this that give big servings to big eaters like me and unbelievably great food at the same time. Great pesto served with bread as a starter, I could make that my meal.
(5)
Sheila R.
LOVE Sweet Basil. The food and atmosphere are always wonderful. We'll often do take out as the restaurant doesn't take reservations so the wait can be very long on a warm summer night. Food and service are both exceptional and always a treat!
(4)
Jacob G.
I liked Sweet Basil. BYOB is amazing. No reservations which kind of suck but that's what they do. Their pesto is really great. Wife got Halibut and said it was amazing. I got their Bolognese which was fine, nothing special. I'd think twice before getting pasta again, pasta was overdone and their bolognese sauce was trying to be something different and it just didn't get it right. It's one of those things that's perfect already, don't mess with it. I'll be coming back and trying something else since people love this place and it is 47th best in Boston area. Worst case I enjoy a bottle of wine from a packie and a fine meal.
(4)
Susan P.
I had to twist my husband's arm to try this place. First, he doesn't like that they don't take reservations; second, he said it's a "red sauce joint." I was very dismissive of his second point as I thought the menu was somewhat inventive, and there were many dishes I would not consider "red sauce." But he was right. In the end I was very underwhelmed. The best thing they have is the basil pesto for dipping the bread - it is quite good. Other than that, the food is very mediocre. We ordered calamari. They were cut up in really large chunks; if you used a fork and knife to cut them into bite size pieces the coating came off; also, under-seasoned. The tomato dipping sauce was really chunky so would not adhere to the calamari. Meh. My husband ordered the chicken parmesan, it came (as a huge portion) with a side of pasta (ziti). I suspect the huge portions have something to do with the great ratings. The ziti was overcooked and topped with a very chunky tomato sauce. Canned tomatoes. Nothing at all wrong with that (the finest places use canned tomatoes for this application), but it was as though that was it - canned tomatoes dumped on, no simmering, no olive oil, no garlic, no nothin'. And dumping sauce on to of pasta is a no-no; pasta should really be finished in the sauce to absorb it and meld with it (a la Lidia Bastianich), not merely topped. I ordered agnolotti with fresh corn. It turned out to be an ill-conceived dish. The pasta was really tough - either underdone or too thick or both. It's filling was ok, but very liquidy; it leached out all over the place when you cut the agnolotti (which were not bite size to begin with). It was all topped with a lot of arugula and tomatoes and onions - kind of salad-y. On a positive note, the wait staff and greeters were all very pleasant. I liked the funky decor.
(2)
Wayne C.
A fantastic, unpretentious spot for a business lunch or a casual evening meal. The menu offers a little something for every taste. From the well plated salads to the unique summer soups to the fantastic mussels - everything is continental Italian and comes to the table with a smile and not a lot of fanfare. What struck me the most about the restaurant was the server. She made every effort to assure we were comfortable and well attended to - but provided us with plenty of space to drive into our business discussion without ever wanting for anything. Sweet Basil is the perfect place to relax and enjoy well prepared and beautifully presented Italian bistro fare. Oh - and well have great French fries!
(4)
Dane K.
The Chicken Parm might be the best thing I have ever tasted. The bread is great and the staff is friendly. Would definitely say to go here if you get a chance.
(5)
Iman S.
This restaurant is utterly phenomenal. The food is very good, the staff and the manager are super nice and the environment is very welcoming. Most importantly you can bring your own wine and enjoy :).
(5)
Jenn K.
HUGE portions. I feel like ordering one entree is good enough for two people especially considering how good their bread and pesto is that you won't need to really order anything else, but the problem with that is EVERYTHING ON THE MENU SOUNDS AMAZING. I came with two other friends and we decided to order the calamari (appetizer) which was actually a huge portion, but nonetheless delicious. My favorite part was how the marinara sauce had big chunks of tomato and had a hint of spice added. For entrees, we shared the lamb dish and roasted garlic chicken dish. The lamb was extremely moist and practically melted in my mouth. The roasted chicken dish came with pasta that was cooked to a perfect al dente with huge pieces of moist chicken and vegetables. The three of us shared two entrees and an appetizer and had plenty to take back home, overall it was definitely a great dining experience. The waiters are extremely friendly, so don't be hesitant to ask for more bread & pesto!
(4)
Raphael Y.
Great food every time I come. The fresh pesto and bread is amazing. Beautiful feel and decor
(5)
Darren W.
Great food and you can't beat BYOW. I went to the wine shop across the common and got a nice bottle.
(4)
Roberta D.
Holy smokes! This place is no joke. My boyfriend brought me to Sweet Basil for my birthday dinner - he read a review and heard it was one of Boston's top area restaurants, and I can absolutely see why. We went on a Friday evening and there was about a 45 minute wait. They directed us to places in the area where we would wait in the meantime (the inside is extremely small and there is no where to wait). So we went to Farmhouse (right across the street) for some drinks and they called us when our table was ready. We were promptly seated and given the most delicious pesto dip I have ever tasted in my life, I swear I have been having dreams about that pesto dip ever since. As delicious as the dip is be sure to leave room for any appetizers or your main course meal. We ordered the calamari and we were positively stuffed at that point that we both barely touched our meal. For my main meal I ordered the Rosemary Chicken. I am kind of disappointed with the way it is described on the menu - it reads rosemary chicken with pasta, I think it would be better to phrase it pasta with chicken. I expected a main chicken dish and some pasta on the side not the other way around. Overall, this place is excellent - they have an exciting menu and great eclectic vibe. Heads up for everyone it is BYOB and I guess in the past they only took cash but they do take cards now.
(5)
Craig M.
One of Needham's greatest restaurants. We eat in for special occasions and order take out for a fancy night in. My wife loves the Rosemary Chicken and I love the Chicken Parmesan. They always have giant portions. You will not go home hungry. Dave is one of the friendliest restaurant proprietors that you will ever meet. I remember dining here before the expansion and they kept that same quaintness even now that they can serve 5 times as many people. You can even buy their famous pesto to go a mile away at Volante Farms in Needham.
(4)
Emily G.
Sweet Basil is an Italian eatery in Needham, MA that serves traditional and inventive dishes made with hand-made pastas and ingredients from locally sourced, New England farms and purveyors. Chef and Owner Dave Becker even makes the restaurants plateware in a local studio. I have heard many great reviews of Sweet Basil from friends who live in the area. I was really excited to be doing an errand in Needham knowing that I would finally get a chance to try Sweet Basil for myself. While I went in for lunch, Sweet Basil is open for dinner as well and guests are welcome to bring their own bottle of wine or beer to drink with their meal for a $5 corkage fee. The restaurant does not take reservations, and the wait can be long, but stick it out because it is worth it. To start the meal we were served the freshest bread with a side of house made pesto. The pesto was such a nice twist from the usual butter or olive oil. For lunch I tried the Crispy chicken tossed with ziti, serrano ham, tomatoes and peas in a gruyere cream sauce. This beautiful and hearty dish was only $12 and I had plenty to take home as leftovers. The chicken was nice large chunks of white meat and nothing beats hand-made, fresh ziti. This was one of the best pasta dishes I have tried yet - and I try a lot of pasta! I am looking forward to visiting Sweet Basil again soon, bottle of wine in tow!
(5)
Ivan C.
Delicious Italian in a cozy family restaurant setting? FANtastic! Meals start off with bread of course, Italians :) which sadly makes my mom always so full she never eats more than half of the entrees. The pesto sauce is very good, slightly oily for me, though very delicious. I just wish the bread would come warm. I always get the Fried Calamari with Spicy Sauce. If I'm not having Squid Ink Pasta at an Italian restaurant, I'm probably having Fried Calamari. I must say, they are super good. Fried very crispy. You get a lot of calamari flavor, which to me is important because I hate just oil flavors popping out. The spicy bolognese sauce was also very delicious and simple, but done well. You can taste the tomatoes and not just the spice and herbs. Definitely recommend this appetizer.! FraDiavolo Seafood Pasta: Spicy marinara pasta with seafood. I have to say, I love the sauce and if I could, I would buy a bottle from them so I can cook pasta every other night at home. Noodles were done al dente and I do like them slightly hard. Seafood fresh and tasty. I must say the sauce really stood out. Overall, it's a very nice restaurant: perfect for dates or family. It's quite, slightly on the expensive side. But hey, why not indulge in Italian yumminess on weekends?
(5)
anthony j.
Ordered take out from this place last night. The chicken parm. and green salad was good but the risotto was horrible (uneatable). Also a side note, order consisted of 2 chicken parms., 2 risottos and 2 green salads bill=$90 seems a little high..probale won't go back, to bad seemed like a lot of people liked this place.
(2)
Kaen D.
I had the Bolognese over pappardelle pasta. The food was so hot I had to wait 10 minutes before I could eat it. The sauce was very salty. I realize that sausages can be salty, but this was overpowering.....I do not drink wine or beer so I did not bring something to drink with me . I was sure they would offer iced tea or soda or seltzer. Instead, they place a bottle of warm water on the table. I was so thirsty , probably from the salty sauce, and I would have loved a nice glass of ICED WATER !!!!!!! The best part of the dinner was the pesto and Italian bread......
(2)
Maria F.
My boyfriend saw all the great reviews on here and really wanted to give it a try. Overall it was a good dinner, but still not in my top choices. We decided to get there around 5pm, a little earlier than normal for a saturday night. We tried to beat the crowd but was still stuck with a 30 minute wait. It is a fairly small place and it was packed. As for dinner, the bread and pesto dip was delcious and addictive. The bread was soft on the inside with a crusty hard outer layer. The pesto dip was the best i've ever. I ordered the chicken parm with home-made linguini. The chicken parm was crispy yet still juicy and held the flavors of the sauce well. It was covered in chewy mozzarella. To me the linguni had an odd flavor to it. I could not pin point what the flavor was but it kept me from eating much of the linguini. My boyfriend ordered the Bolognese with beef, sausage and mushrooms over pappardelle. He enjoyed the flavors but couldnt not get past the chunkiness of the sauce. I don't mind chunks of tomato in my sauce but he rather have his smooth. We were not offered a dessert menu or coffee. Which lead me to believe there wasn't one. There was only water served. No soft drinks or teas. It's BYOB for beer and Wine. We may return again to try out some other dishes.
(3)
Ashley D.
THIS PLACE IS A MUST GO!!! I usually come here for lunch because they do not take reservations and you never have to wait for lunch. The portions here are huge and you get a lot for your money. I love the mussels and greek salad here. The mussels have a great sauce and its very flavorful. For entrees, the pasta bolognese is a must try. It is a very generous portion and the meat tastes like butter. The pasta is also extremely fresh. They also always have a fish special. It usually comes with a grain and a vegetable. The fish is around 12 dollars and it is a huge portion. The pesto here is phonemail. The best pesto I have ever had. You can never go wrong with just pasta and pesto. This place is also BYOB. And they only charge 5 dollars for a corkage fee. How can you beat that??? It is very casual inside so do not expect much. It used to be cash only but they now accept credit cards.
(5)
Cortland Native C.
I agree with my fellow yelpers -- the best pesto - Wow, delish! Had the beet salad -- that was pretty yummy, along with the the rosemary chicken. Perhaps the chicken would have been a better fall choice as it was hearty and not something I should have chosen on a hot summer day. It wasn't really what I expected -- more like a cheesy pasta dish with chicken but I didn't get the rosemary flavor? Where was that? Would definitely return again when I'm in the area. Staff was just lovely, couldn't be better.
(5)
Alinna C.
There is no love like my love for Sweet Basil. My co-worker and I used to make it a weekly ritual to have Friday lunch at SB, and it was something to look forward to every week. Without fail, we were served some form of delicious. Everything from their ginormous salad (note to yelp: please get with the times and add 'ginormous' to your spell checker), to their amazing bowls of mussels (for anyone who wants to wreak of garlic for at least a few hours), to their irresistible fish of the day (seriously, I can't resist), Sweet Basil has never disappointed. UNTIL they decided to renovate. And they closed for lunch for a long time. And we were deprived. But rejoice! Rumor has it that Sweet Basil is at it again (it being lunch) and I am muchly excited. Hurrah! (Will report back soon.)
(5)
Ai R.
I'm new to the town, moving here from Boston and when the discussion turns to restaurants, the first thing people ask is "Have you been to Sweet Basil yet?" It was lauded by everyone as being one of the best places in the town. So I figured I would try it when I took my friend out to dinner for his birthday. You walk in and its a cute place on the smaller side. I did noticed that it was packed on a Tuesday night and still a 20 min wait at 8 pm. I took these all as good signs. They finally tells us our table is ready. We brought our own bottle of red wine and the corkage fee was only 5 dollars, so awesome. Our very friendly waitress brings out this melt in your mouth bread and pesto! You could make a meal out of just that. She takes our order of the goat cheese salad with beets as a shared starter, I got the veal with the mushrooms and figs and my friend got the chicken parm. Our food comes out and we were so pleasantly surprised. Considering I had all these amazing Italian restaurants available when I lived in the city I wasn't sure how good this place would be. The salad was fresh and balanced in the flavors, lightly tossed with a maple balsamic vinaigrette. I never seen apricots used for a beet salad and was wondering if all the flavors would work. It did. My veal was so flavorful and tender. Perfectly cooked! The sauce was so delicious. The pasta that came with it was al dente. I tasted my friends dish and it was also great. Portions were large and I had dinner the next night. I had such a great experience at Sweet Basil. It has wonderful food and a friendly, attentive staff. I plan on coming back soon!
(5)
Maya M.
Delicious food and very generous portions make this place great value for money! The pesto they serve with bread while you wait for your food is absolutely divine. (You can actually buy it now at volante farms nearby) My favorite dish there is the rosemary chicken but I get it with polenta instead of the ziti. The goat cheese and beet salad is also delicious. The other thing j love about this place is that it is byob... There's a wine store down the street that has a great selection of Italian wines to compliment the sweet basil menu. The service is wonderful too. Friendly and knowledgeable and thoughtful wait staff. All things considered this is a wonderful dining experience.
(5)
Jane D.
I went for lunch on a stormy Thursday. My friend and i were only the second table seated for lunch. the pesto on bread was fine, the atmosphere was funky and a little retro. how ever I was served my lunch in a bowl with three chips on the rim. It was all I could do not to send it back. being with a friend i didn't want to seem impossible. with when a piece of ceramic chips it allows the chemicals of the glaze to leach out and on to food. and because bowl was made from terra cotta, a very porous type of clay that will allow bacterial growth if not glazed. Yuck! not what you want to be eating your $11 dollar lunch on. if it had been a busy night i would have assumed that the dishwasher was full and this was a fluke, but serving on of four costumers at lunch on a chipped bowl is just gross. not only is it aesthetically displeasing, but it is also
(1)
Joseph S.
What a disappointment! Brought my family and we ordered calamari appetizer and duck meatballs. The calamari smelt so fishy it was old and should never have been served. The duck meatballs were awful. They were spongy and tasted like frozen processed prepackaged meatballs. We ordered ravioli and pasta bolognese. The ravioli was served swimming in a bowl of marinara sauce that could have come from a jar. The dough was so thick that the cheese squeezed out with each cut. The bolognese sauce was the worst I have ever had. Too much seasoning, terrible tasting meats and there was garlic in every bite. Even the grated cheese was the low cost sawdust parm that one finds in a cheap supermarket. The only reason I give them a star was for the bread and pesto spread. I will never go back.
(1)
Michelle T.
No need to go to the north end, this place out shines every restaurant there! Growing up in needham I've come here a lot and they by far have the best homemade delicious food I've ever had. To start every table gets bread with a pesto dip which is so delicious!!! My favorite go to meals are the rosemary chicken dish and the veal cutlet dish with pappardelle noodles. They are seriously so amazing!!!! Also the mussels are a great app to share, the broth is delicious and so tasty to dip the bread in. Love that it is byob too. I love the food here so much, so fresh and flavorful and the portions are huge!! I would come here every night for dinner if I could.
(5)
Marie-frances R.
I visited Sweet Basil for the first time a few weekends ago and ended up going twice in the span of three days. The first time was on a Friday evening around 6:30pm. We put our names in (they don't take reservations) and the owner and hostess suggested we grab a drink at a restaurant across the street in the meantime. It was perfect timing! In 30-40 minutes we were seated in a cozy corner and our BYOB beautiful bottle of red, red wine was popped open by our lovely waitress. I ordered the Bolognese with pappardelle homemade pasta - it was so phenomenal. And, my boyfriend had the veal which was also nice. It was so pleasant we returned with his parents a few days later - the service and food was just as delicious as the first time. I ordered the shrimp scampi this time around, but honestly wished I'd gotten the Bolognese again - it was that good!
(5)
Yasa E.
Mmmm...so delish! BYOB, really cute cozy atmosphere, huge portions! The baked Gouda over greens was a big enough app for 4 people to share and was like a big fancy grilled cheese. I had the braised chicken, which is literally enough for 3 meals. My bf had the braised veal which I also liked. The side of pasta he got was kind of blahh...kind of like a kids pasta with marinara. My friend let me try her steak too and it was a little fatty, but had a good flavor overall. Downfalls are that the place is packed and you need a reservation and most likely have to wait even with a reservation. No dessert either which is disappointing. Service was on point and our waiter had very good menu knowledge. Definitely will come back!
(5)
Kimberly K.
Cute place with warm ambiance and awesome ceramic serveware. Pesto and bread was a nice start to the meal. We split a very bland Caesar salad. I ordered seafood fra diavalo, although it wasn't on the menu. It was great. There was too much raw garlic, but still excellent. He did not like his bolognese at all, unfortunately.
(4)
Heather F.
I had a great meal here while in town for the Boston Marathon. I'm always cautious about pre race meals, but this was exactly what I needed. Ok, I guess not too cautious because I ordered chicken parm instead of a big bowl of plain pasta... Worth it! It came with a side of penne (or your choice of noodle/sauce), so I got the carbs I needed. The chicken was breaded to perfection - crispy and delicious, yet not at all greasy. It's served in a pool of thick sauce, which isn't my personal preference (not a fan of tomatoes in their natural form), but otherwise it was very tasty. The red sauce on the pasta is also very chunky, so keep that in mind if you're like me and not especially a fan of that. I tried a taste of my dad's ravioli, and I almost regret not ordering that. They're huge and full of cheesy goodness! My mom ordered the shrimp scampi, which I didn't taste (possible allergy, and not the night to risk it!), but it smelled amazing as well. Everyone was completely satisfied with their meals, so yelp definitely brought us to the right place. It's also a very cozy atmosphere, and the BYOB policy is pretty great. That definitely makes up for the $20+ entrees. I'm not sure what the usual crowd is like, but being here the Sunday before the marathon was an amazing experience. The majority of people were wearing blue and yellow, previous year's race jackets, or other running apparel. The energy was incredible! I'm so thankful for the marathon weekend experience I had, and the pre-race meal is definitely an important part of that. Service was also fantastic. Ian was attentive and friendly, and my parents are convinced they saw him running the marathon the next day too... if this is true, congrats, Ian!
(4)
Sristi G.
Heard about this place from a lot of people and finally gave it a try. A very beautiful ambiance, good food, excellent service, nice portions and easy parking. All in all this is a great place if you looking for a nice Italian restaurant around the area.
(5)
Heidi G.
This place was amazing. Everything we had was delicious. My friend and I were visiting from Los Angeles and came here because of the great yelp reviews and it didn't disappoint! We ordered the baked Gouda as an app. My friend ordered the rosemary chicken and I ordered the chicken parm. They were all great but I think the rosemary chicken was the clear winner. Perfect texture to the handmade pasta!! The portions are huge and we could have split one of the entrees between us and still had left overs.
(4)
Kara V.
NEVER DISAPPOINTED. this is the go to meeting spot for family dinners. With a variety of palettes (vegetarians etc) there is always something delicious very everyone. The kitchen is very accommodating with meal changes and I look forward to the fish special each time. We've had and enjoyed the bolognese, risotto, gnocchi, sweet corn ravioli and many others. Expect the wait to be well worth it.
(5)
Gregory S.
Osso Bucco still the best I've had and is significantly better than Top of the Hub.
(5)
Lisa G.
A year ago I would have given this place 4 stars, but today I feel it deserves a 2 star rating. First, they have added so many more tables to the same small space that it is no longer a cozy little restaurant for quiet conversation. On top of that, the host seated my husband and I...a party of two, quiet 50 year olds, right next to a table with 2 mothers and 2 young children. The children were eating snack bags of pretzels (like you'd put in a school lunch bag) while the mothers drank their wine and ate their salads. Moms seemed to be enjoying their conversation while those of us around couldn't hear our own conversations because their table was so loud. Second, the wait staff (who are all exceptional hard workers pitching in wherever the need be) can barely get around all the tables. While we were there, one waitress got off balance and spilled mussel juice all over a customer and all over the floor. Several other people slipped and almost ended up on the floor with the juice. Not the waitress's fault...there is NOT enough space between tables. Third, we ordered the gnocchi with lobster appetizer and couldn't find much lobster. It was also very salty. Fourth, I ordered the striped bass dinner and was served salmon. Waiter apologized but at that point 2 huge parties of 8 and 7 were seated, and I felt so claustrophobic that I accepted the salmon, pushed it around the plate, and then just took it home. Normally I would say no big deal, but my husband and I were celebrating our Anniversary, and it was a very disappointing dinner. My recommendation is to the owner is to remove some of the tables to make it fair for your staff to do a better and safer job, and to make it more enjoyable for your customers. Or maybe...look into a bigger storefront or try to expand into the neighboring space. I for one (which I'm sure will not cut into their business at all) will not be coming back anytime soon, and most definitely will not waste another anniversary celebration in such an uncomfortable place. Busier does not make the food better nor the atmosphere more inviting....in fact at Sweet Basil it has done the reverse.
(2)
Florina K.
I am a regular here! This place is phenomenal. Every time I go I try a new dish, and my friends different dishes - every single one is phenomenal. Not only the food is good the service is great too! It's too bad they don't have dessert.., but I guess the wait would be forever. I wonder if they will ever start taking reservations. They finally began accept credit cards!
(5)
Arielle B.
My fiance and I were looking to try a new restaurant and I couldn't have loved it more. It is BYOB but we actually didn't bring alcohol. The food was SOOOO GOOD and the prices were very reasonable. The only reason I didn't give Sweet Basil a fifth star is because my fiance swears the restaurant has a funny smell to it. I don't smell it, but he also has a very good sense of smell. Either way, I would recommend this cute little place to anyone.
(4)
Zaur M.
Great food nice employees, the chicken parm was fantastic, and the bread was excellent. We brought wine and had a great time.
(4)
Winnie B.
Went to Sweet Basil on a Wednesday night after a snow storm and there was no wait...however as we were leaving at around 6:30, the place was filling up...so I can see how much of a wait it would be on a Friday or weekend night! The pesto and bread that were brought out was phenomenal. I could've been happy with that as my meal! My husband and I shared the mussels which were very flavorful. For our entrees, I had a bowl of their Rosemary chicken pasta which I barely made a dent in because I was so full from the pesto, bread, and mussels (yay leftovers for lunch the next day)!! My husband had a melt in you mouth rib eye steak. Everything was so very good. The ambience was nice. And the service was great. I love that you can bring your own wine and the $5 corking fee is reasonable. I will definitely go there again!
(5)
Elizabeth K.
Overall impression: overrated. Showed up at 6pm, party of two. Place was basically empty and we were promptly seated. It's a byob spot, so we weren't offered anything to drink and apparently they charge a corkage fee. Bread and pesto came out. Pesto was good, bread was alright..one part looked a bit burnt. Calamari was fine. Nothing special. I got the veal cutlet served over pappardelle. The flavor was okay but the dish was just put together poorly. It was served in a bowl which made it difficult to cut the cutlets, there was too much sauce which made the cutlets soggy, and the pappardelle did not seem homemade which I thought it would be. Towards the end of the meal the place was very busy and they seemed to be rushing us out as middle aged snobby women carrying in five bottles of wine were waiting to be seated! I was just disappointed. I don't know how this place got on the top 50. The food was fine, but I wouldn't bother going back.
(3)
June K.
We had a very disappointing experience bringing a large family for lunch. Only to be followed by a very disappointing conversation with the assistant manager. Our party consisted of 6 adults and 7 children, ages 10 months to 8. ( 5 of the children were under 3 1/2. We were informed that with such a large group they needed to serve us family style, which wasn't a problem. You should be aware that the restaurant does not cater to children as there are no high chairs. We were shocked when the bill arrived to find a charge of $15 per child and $30 per adult. In calling to relay my experience I was told the server should have explained the policy better and please come back soon. I take responsibility for not asking before we sat down but having such a large group and so many children and having experienced lunch before we anticipated something reasonable. I find this response unsatisfactory and you have lost a customer. Many a bad dining experience has been turned around by the response of the restaurant management.
(1)
cabrio q.
I love it here. The service is great. You can bring wine and beer here but that's not even why I love the place. Its quaint, so comfortable, relaxed and the food is fresh and outstanding. The bolognese is my favorite. Its excellent.
(5)
stephanie s.
#NAME?
(5)
Michael R.
Been going to this place for almost 10 years now and it really is everything I've ever wanted in a restaurant. First off, it use to be about 1/3 the size, super cozy and you felt like you were eating in the kitchen. Despite it's increase in size, the place has remained true to that hole-in-the-wall local restaurant vibe. This place is the standard for consistency that I think all places should strive for...even AFTER it tripled in size, the service, the food, the people...have all remained the same! Tonight I got here earlier than usual (was celebrating birthdays with my parents who are in their 70s), so arrived at 530ish. Surveying the crowd, it was definitely your early dinner crowd in the dining room, there were the typical parade of people pulling up out front for take out (I think they do more biz that way than people actually sitting down to eat) and lucky for us they had a table for our group of 5. It was a little louder than we would have liked, being next to a speaker and also the kitchen, but not so bad that we couldn't have an all-inclusive conversation. They don't call it Sweet Basil for nothing, so as usual the obligatory bowl of bread and vat of pesto was already on the table when we sat down. Our cheery waitress came over, delivering some water and promised to be right back with wine glasses and a corkscrew...as promised, she came right back. After she read the specials, we mulled it over and off to the races we went. I can't resist the Caesar Salad, with it's hint of basil and just the right amount of dressing...perfetto! A slight hiccup of the salads not all arriving at the same time, but within 2 minutes, so not a deal breaker in my opinion. I don't think I've ordered anything but the lamb shank for the last few visits, but tonight I was feeling CRAZY and went for the spring pea gnocchi with a ragoux of asparagus,mushrooms and leeks...a huge portion, which I couldn't finish, it was all delicious...a very hearty, comforting dish. As usual, I did sneak a bite from my fiance's plate, she was tackling the rosemary chicken with pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus, in a creamy sauce with ziti...also a huge, yummy plate of food. Check this place out, you won't be disappointed, ever! I promise!
(5)
Sam C.
Always a fan! Great, creative food. Fantastic service. Fun vibe.
(5)
Stephanie K.
We went here on our one year anniversary (almost 2 years ago!) and had a lovely meal! When you first walk in it seems like the space is tight, but once you're settled in, it's cozy and comfortable. We heard it was really dressy, so we fancied up, but when we got there realized it's more of a casual-dressy spot. The manager at the time, Sarah, stopped by and asked us how we were doing and if we liked our meal (which was a big yes!). Great place to go if it's just you and a friend.
(4)
R B.
The smell emanating from this restaurant alone makes me salivate. Have been very happy here, more so at dinner than at lunch. Friendly staff. Particularly like the mussels and anything else saturated with garlic. Get frozen custard at Abbott's afterwards. Generous portions, overall very reasonable. Unique in its way, like to take visitors here.
(4)
Melissa G.
I went here with my husband about a week ago. We arrived on a Friday around 5:30 expecting a wait, but we were able to be seated right away. We told the hostess we had planned to head across the street to get a bottle of wine, so she saved our name and we were seated 15 minutes later when we came back. Service was a little slow but we weren't in a hurry and we had the delicious bread and pesto to munch on while we waited. We shared a Caesar salad, which was good. Nothing outstanding. I ordered the shrimp scampi which was delicious. Homemade pasta perfectly cooked al dente. So creamy and garlicky. My husband got the braised lamb shank which was fall off the bone delicious. Atmosphere was very casual with a wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen that made it feel very homey. No dessert offered, but we got frozen custard next door. Yum!
(4)
Jean M.
Maybe my expectations were too high after reading all the 5 star reviews. First of all, I thought it was waaaay too noisy. I can't imagine how busy it must get on the weekend! We were at a table squished in the middle of the room, so I was uncomfortable. Food was good, but not outstanding. Best part of the meal was the pesto they serve with the bread. That was delish. Service was friendly. If I go back, I'll review again.
(3)
modhu s.
It has great bread and pesto. The rest of the food was just ok. I prefer the two Italian restaurants in Waltham. I have been here twice both times wondered why this place has 5 star reviews. Service is great and very crowded.
(3)
Paula F.
This was my first BYOB, which we did, however getting someone to open it was a bit difficult, the owner was the host and he was the best part of the experience the server was nondescript, he had no real negatives but no personality either. The restaurant is very small with tiny tables, when you put bread plates, wine glasses and water glasses for 4 there is no room for anything else, we ended up putting the wine bottles under our table. The food may be authentic tasting, (I am not sure) I have eaten at many Italian restaurants and never tasted these spices, I had the braised chicken dish that was huge but not to my taste, the pasta was not cooked enough or maybe because of the thickness and texture that is the way some people like it, not me..... My husband had the veal which he said was very tough again lots of it but not good, one of our friends had the Rosemary chicken which she said was good but had too much spice and she did not like the pasta either, our other friend got the steak and brussels sprout hash which she said was amazing. Everyone seems to leave with a doggy box, not sure if that is because the portions are too big or they are bringing it home for their doggy (which we did). Lastly we felt very rushed and over crowded, this is not my idea of a relaxing dinner venue.
(2)
Tom G.
I wish I could give this place 10 stars instead of 5. The food is consistently outstanding. The service staff are always courteous and right on top of their game. I have now eaten here over a dozen times and have never walked away with any feelings other than extremely satisfied. Great food with its own distinctive flavor.
(5)
Elliot W.
Great food and atmosphere, the staff is very welcoming to my family and I, never a bad experience when i dine at aweet basil.
(5)
Daniel M.
Still the best Italian outside of the North End. Hands down. Went with the parents on a recent Friday night when we couldn't get into O'Hara's in Newton...and afterward was very glad for our misfortune. Started with bread and pesto and, despite consuming it by myself I wasn't filled. Later, two of us had the rosemary chicken and one had the lamb ossobucco. All three dishes, along with my after dnner beverage were magnificently prepared and presented, and, to top it off, we didn't have to engage in the seemingly endless search for parking characteristic of a North End dining experience. Sweet Basil boasts a more extensive menu and lower prices than than most Italian restaurants in the area. Maybe Needham doesn't have the atmosphere or charm of the North End, but for a suburban dining experience Sweet Basil is hard to top.
(4)
Jillian Q.
I might have originally given this place three stars, but as I thought about it I was pushed over the edge to four stars. I'll tell you why... My mother, father, husband and I went for lunch on a Saturday for my husband's birthday. My husband and I had never been here but my mother and father had. Once we were seated it took a while for the waiter to get over to our table, even though it was relatively slow. He apologized though, so all forgiven. The pesto is to die for, I seriously could have licked that little bowl clean with no shame at all whatsoever. They gave us a refill because I don't think I allowed anyone else at the table near it. The bread wasn't as fresh as it looked, but it worked. We ordered the pan-fried mozzarella and, I think another review also stated this, it's....interesting. It's in a casserole dish and is basically melted mozzarella in sauce. It's not bad by any means, just different. So much so that we asked the waiter if it actually WAS the mozzarella. This is just my personal preference as well, but I'm not a fan of the sauce. It's a little too sweet and I'm not a fan of the carrots, but like I said, that's just me. Everyone else at the table liked it. For my entree I had the raviolis (which were a special for lunch) and they were divine. 100% homemade and fantastic. I got the sauce on the side and just put pesto on the ravioli, yummm. My father got the chicken parm sandwich, it was good. Our waiter, though, must have been new. He was nice, but seemed to never know the answer to any of the questions I asked and seemed a bit nervous. It made me a feel a little odd for asking questions about the food, etc and I didn't think I was asking anything out of the ordinary. There was another waiter around who seemed much more comfortable around the restaurant. I would like to come back and get dinner sometime.
(4)
Toni S.
It was quite awhile ago when we ate here and it was a good enough experience, but I wasn't really blown away or anything. Everything we had was very good and we had leftovers for days--the portions are huge. Not sure if that is good or not. haha. It is authentic Italian with a twist, I guess you could say, loaded with flavor. We met the Chef who is also loaded with flavor! He is probably one of the most charismatic people I have ever talked to. It has a very nice vibe, just not my favorite place to go for some reason. They don't have a liquor license, however, you can bring your own wine but you have to pay a cork fee, or whatever it's called. Also, they only take cash.
(3)
Holly M.
I wanted to love this place and I fully expected to but it just didn't happen. We didn't get off to a great start, having 3 out of our party of 4 there they wouldn't seat us without the 4th person present unless we "ordered right away". This was kind of odd because we wouldn't order right away even if all 4 of us were there and it was early on a weeknight and the place was nowhere near filled. But that was minor and I figured the food would more than make up for this small oddity. I ordered a risotto special which they said they could make without goat cheese, which I loathe. The dish was about a half cup of risotto spread in a single layer on a plate, it was cold and had the distinctive taste of goat cheese (shudder). In their defense they probably would have fixed it but I didn't complain because my friends were rolling their eyes in ecstasy over their food and I didn't want to be a downer. It did smell divine in there and my friends really loved their food so I'm assuming my food was an outlier. I liked the atmosphere of the place even though it did get crowded. There was kind of an entitled crowd waiting to be seated, some of whom would periodically come over and stare at us from a few feet away as if that would help speed us up. This isn't the restaurant's fault of course. I also loved being able to bring our own wine and when I accidentally left an unopened bottle on the table they had it out back for me when I returned to see if it was still there. I'll give it 3 stars because even though my own experience was eh, it's a cute place and my friends raved about their food.
(3)
Sarah C.
Sooooooo good. Portions are GIGANTIC, food is delicious. I believe that they don't serve alcohol b/c Needham is a dry town, but go anyways and have your drinks somewhere else or at home.
(5)
Roy W.
I used to love this place, but now I realize that the food is way too heavy, the music too loud, and the service too rushed and indifferent. Even though they expanded the size of the restaurant, they still won't serve dessert - they just want to be able to turn the tables over faster. There are many better places to eat.
(2)
Mike M.
The only reason to go to Needham as far as I'm concerned. Great Great Italian food that's original and artfully done. It's BYOB so be sure to bring wine and you cant go wrong with anything on the menu. Happy Eating!
(5)
Hairy K.
Excellent waitress, attentive and pleasant. Food was exceptional even though we arrived half an hour before kitchen close. Bolognese was utterly delightful with delicious homemade pasta. The muscles were perfectly cooked in an amazing garlic butter. Only one was sandy. Overall wonderful experience. The music playing was a fun topic of discussion being a diverse mix of genres.
(5)
Rhan K.
I love this place. I went for my birthday a few weeks ago and they had this duck with gnocchi. It was just the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Their other food is great too . I'm just waiting until I'm 21 so I can take advantage of their BYOW policy. The price is similar to a lot of more chain restaurants but the taste here makes this place worth it.
(4)
Laura T.
Love this place and have been here many times. The atmosphere is cozy and not too loud. Unfortunately, sometimes you end up practically sitting in the lap of the person next to you you're so close to them! The wait on a weekend will be long, but worth it. Go grab a drink at another restaurant or sit in the park across the street and they'll call you when your table is ready. Love that it is BYOB because I can always bring my favorite wine! If I could just sit at my table with a glass of Riesling and a huge basket of bread and pesto, I would be in heaven. The pesto is probably in the list of top ten items that I have ever eaten... it's that good. My mouth is watering right now thinking about it. Appetizers are also phenomenal. The baked gouda is out of this world (especially in the summer when the salad it's is over is smothered in berries), the calamari is top notch, and the risotto of the day is usually amazing. Unfortunately, I've found that their entrees are never as wonderful as their amazing pesto and appetizers. They're good, but I've never been super impressed. In fact, last time I went my husband had the rosemary chicken, but didn't eat much of it because he was so full from the bread and apps. When we warmed it up a couple days later, we realized that it was so garlicky that we couldn't even eat it. I had the short ribs which were good but sort of fatty. We are thinking that next time we go we'll stick with a few appetizers to share, plus the bread and of course a bottle of wine... perfection!
(4)
Lee H.
I liked this place, my wife was not so impressed. Huge portions of well-garlicked italian dishes. Mine was a big bowl of seafood and pasta. Prices are reasonable. Nice decor, good service, easy parking. Be prepared to wait, though, it's a popular place.
(4)
Leighann F.
Sweet indeed! The staff is amazingly attentive, the food comes in enormous portions and everything is delectable! Each meal begins with fresh bread and garlic-pesto dip. I could have eaten only that and been happy! A quick run-down of my meal: -Steamed mussels in garlic and wine with fresh roma tomates, evoo and garlic crostini -Warmed goat cheese over an arugula salad with roasted beets mussels -Skillet seared sirloin steak with a cheesy wild mushroom risotto cake There was so much food, we took a lot home!
(5)
Diane L.
showed up with a $600 bottle of Dragon's Druel which paired nicely with the hearty bolognese. the house was packed and there were several parties waiting to be seated yet we never felt pressured by the staff to leave as we savored our food and wine. Lively but not loud, Sweet Basil puts the "comfort" in comfort food.
(5)
Jim D.
One of the best restaurants in the suburbs and maybe even Boston. We love that it is BYOB and will come back over and over. The ingredients are fresh and delicious and the chef manages to make comfort food both cool and satisfying. (Bring back the beet noodles!) Love Sweet Basil!
(5)
Pete L.
Sweet Basil in Needham is our favorite restaurant. We eat here at least once a week. First of all you get great value, a meal for two with each appetizer and entree will not set you back more than about $60, BUT, surprise (!), that meal you won't be able to eat entirely. You'll be taking half of it home, because it is so much. That way you get two meals for the price of one. Note that payment is only in cash. There are plenty of ATM's nearby. Consider also coming in early, as later in the evening it gets packed. One can usually park in front or on the nearby major free parking a few minutes walking away. Every single staff member and the owner are all super friendly, efficient and welcoming. You get the feeling of being at home there, which is unusual. Also unusual is that, as opposed to many nearby restaurants, the cooks actually dare to insert spices in the food to make it more tasteful. No blandness here. A big positive is that one can bring one's own wine bottle and they'll serve it in glasses at a fair corking fee. That is much better than dealing with the 9 out of 10 unappetizing and overpriced wines in other restaurants. And if you do not finish the bottle, they'll recork. Bottom line, if you have a choice between going to an impersonal average quality chain restaurant like Bucca's or this homey great quality-to-price Sweet Basil, Sweet Basil will win every day for me.
(5)
Julie F.
Love this place. Two things to note before going: It's BYOB and they only take cash. BUT, the fact that it's BYOB means you need not-a-ton-of-cash. They bring you bread served with pesto goodness. If you're counting weight watchers points, you're screwed within 30 seconds of being seated. But, go ahead and splurge. You'll be glad you did. The portions are enormous. My boyfriend and I split the veggie lasagna...and did not make a dent in it. That's right - one piece of lasagna, two people...the thing was indescribably huge. Have been there a few times and never had a bad meal...seafood fra diavolo, swordfish, linguini with clams... I usually get the specials because they always sound so good when the waitstaff describes them. Service is great here - the staff is super-friendly. I don't even know if they serve dessert, because I've never had nearly enough room to even debate having any. But they did put a candle in my leftovers container on my birthday. XO to you, Sweet Basil.
(5)
Jennifer K.
This tiny (very tiny) little Italian eatery, nestled in just steps from Needham Center, shouldn't be missed. They don't take reservations. They only accept payment with cash. They don't serve dessert... but all of this is ok. Their *huge* portions are made in their open kitchen, and because there aren't too many guests, it comes right away... and when your meal arrives on their colorful plates you can no longer worry about anything that may have you frazzled - because it smells SO good. Favorite Dishes: Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta, and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce, and, of course, their sandwiches. Bonus: It's BYOB/BYOW - Bring your own wine (with a $5 corking fee). Some might find this to be a hassle, but I prefer to pay liquor store prices for a bottle of merlot as opposed to restaurant mark-up.... and that way, I'm guaranteed to get something I know I like. Bonus 2: If they wait is too long - take it to go! Drawback: Because of the tiny size, I wouldn't necessarily call it a "romantic place" for dinner - but I love it just the same.
(5)
Cathy H.
Pros: - BYOB - Large portions - Reasonable prices - Great food Cons: - No reservations (they will call your cell though) - No place to wait - Cash only Added notes; 1. The Bolognese was probably the best I have ever had 2. Although the bread is good, do yourself a favor and only have one piece, there is a lot of food!
(5)
Peter W.
First time going there was this past Friday. Atmosphere was very homey. The staff was excellent. Ordered the Bolognese with beef, sausage and mushroom. It was the best Bolognese I've ever had. Great job! Definitely coming back!
(4)
Kay J.
Very good Italian food. BYOB - great! Go early - no reseravtions & small. Would recommend.
(5)
Josh F.
This place is outstanding. I really can't think of any other positive things to say than what has already been said. Just remember to bring cash. They don't accept plastic.
(5)
Mairead S.
I LOVE this place. One of my favorite restaurants of all time! My favorite dishes are the fra diavolo and rosemary chicken. The pan roasted mozzarella and the calamari are amazing!
(5)
Cindy R.
I love Sweet Basil, and I look for excuses to go there. The food is so delicious and so plentiful. Make sure you have the warm beet and goat cheese salad, the vegetarian lasagna, the calamari. My husband almost always gets the lamb shank. And the bread w/ pesto at the beginning -- yum. You do feel that they are eager to turn over the tables, and you have to wait a long time if you arrive after 6 p.m. I wish they served dessert or at least coffee so you could linger. Bringing your own wine is great -- you get to drink a better bottle for a lot less. Go now!
(4)
Saudi K.
Not the worst food I've ever had but definitely not good. Pasta was raw, not al dente, raw. Everything had too much vinegar. Not worth $70. Both left feeling sick. Only positive was wonderful service and large water glasses.
(2)
N M.
So...... We just recently bought a house. I am thinking of selling it, and moving to Needham, so I can eat at Sweet Basil anytime I want, easily. This is just an all around great restaurant. The atmosphere is charming, the staff is friendly, and the food is just........ so good. So, so good. Go on a weeknight if you can- you probably will not have to wait unless you have a large party. Also, go hungry. You will want to get a starter, but the portions on everything are just huge. I had my leftovers for lunch today, and I could have stretched it to 2 lunches, if I wasn't a pig. Food recs: The bolognese- yummy... the lamb shank over polenta....the braised chicken. Go, eat, revel. You will love it.
(5)
Erik S.
Excellent Service - thanks Dave. Small, quaint, intimate, comfortable italian dinner. Wait was worth it. Will be back.
(5)
Matt L.
Just awesome! A great place tucked away in little Needham!! If you didnt have to bring your own wine, could make a reservation and they took credit cards I would rate this 5 stars!! The food is very good and the service is okay, but the place is tiny and very crowded and loud!! If you have more than 2 people in your party your in deep trouble!! Who the heck doesnt take credit cards in this day and age? We had to run across the street to an ATM and looked like fools.
(3)
Amy L.
Definitely worth the wait! My favorite restaurant in the greater Boston area so far - the bread is great, portions are large, and the tiny place is always very friendly! The best sauces I've had anywhere... Don't forget to bring cash!
(5)
A B L.
This place is great. Cozy atmosphere, BYO, delicious food, convenient (!!)...yes, there is typically a wait, but I consider that a good thing/sign. We order take-out from here on a fairly regular basis (typically split an entree). The Chicken Cacciatore (they use port wine in their recipe, which gives it a unique/addictive flavor) is our favorite, but I've also tried the Rosemary Chicken. For appetizers, we love the mussels, baked gouda and goat cheese salad. The pesto that they serve with the bread is also delicious.
(5)
Amy E.
I recently had an unexpected Friday off and stopped by Sweet Basil for a takeout lunch. I had the goat cheese/beet salad and bought a small container of their amazing pesto and some bread and then went across and got some second hand clothes at Closet Exchange (and was spotted by two of my clients). As a small business owner, I try to patronize other small businesses. The dinners are well described by other reviewers, my very favorite is the lamb ossobuco with polenta and veg. I want ten orders so I can take a bath in it. Okay, that was too much sharing, sorry. Sweet Basil is charming, well worth the drive and the cute owner/chef always smiles and waves if he recognizes you. (Or maybe he is nearsighted like me and smiles and waves at everyone, because he owns the business.) Please open Sweet Basil 2 in Natick Center!!!!
(5)
Renee F.
I had the Shrimp Scampi tonight. Very good!!! The service and staff were delightful!! They all have a great sense of humor and Dave came around to all the tables asked how we enjoyed the dinner. Two things you should remember when you go. 1. Bring your own bottle of wine 2) Sweet Basil does not take credit cards. Be sure you bring enough cash. They do have plenty of banks in the area so if your in need of an ATM its not a problem. I am also a big coffee drinker and they do not serve coffee. They also don't have desserts but since I am not a big dessert person it didn't matter to me.
(4)
Hank P.
Excellent. Was in town visiting my sister and she insisted we go there. Everything was superb. Chicken scaloppini, Chicken Parm, Polenta, all great, but the Beet Fettucine was to die for. Great service and ambiance too.
(5)
Kara K.
Amazing! Super fresh and delicious. BYOB!
(5)
Joe D.
We love this restaurant and have been there at least 6-7 times since discovering it last year. It fills up and there are no reservations so I recommend getting there early. The sirloin steak is fantastic. I find it to be on par with many Boston restaurants. They used to Steve it with parsnip fries but seemed to discontinue those- I hope they bring them back. My wife always gets the rosemary chicken with ziti. She's a picky eater so the fact she enjoys this says a lot. While you're waiting for your entrees try some of their delicious pesto and bread! Reminder it is byob. We will definitely be back!
(5)
RoslindaMal E.
I recently went to Sweet Basil for lunch after hearing a friend rave about this place on Facebook. The complimentary table bread and fresh pesto spread was delicious. I really enjoyed my steak bomb sandwich with gorgonzola, onions, mushrooms, roasted peppers. The accompanying french fries were really good; if Sweet Basil added truffle oil and parmesan cheese to its fries their fries would be incredible. The portions were generous. The service was good. As far as the ambiance, not sure that lining all the walls half way up with metal decking would be my first choice. I look forward to going back to Sweet Basil for dinner. I see from reading other reviews Sweet Basil is BYOB; as there is a very nice wine shop nearby (Needham Center Fine Wines), I will be sure to retrieve a bottle of wine beforehand.
(4)
Lisa M.
Cute Italian place downtown. Atmosphere was modern and refreshing. The bread and fresh pesto was great. I had the bolognase and it was ok. It's BYOB - what's not to love!
(4)
Raymond C.
Best Italian rest I have eaten in my neighborhood. Recommend to any in a heart beat.
(5)
Bill A.
This restaurant trumps all in the North End and this is no joke! Service is always pleasant and upon entry there is always the strong smell of garlic aroma in the air. Pesto and olive oil dip for your bread is always fresh and BYOB is always plus. Loud and happening, great place for any occasion.
(5)
Steve T.
This place is so great! I drive 40 minutes out of the way to eat here when I'm in the mood for a really good meal. The food is delicious and all of the staff is really really nice. Try the calamari it's light and crispy, also the cauliflower app is delicious and was such a great surprise. The rosemary chicken is also to die for!!! I love going here!
(5)
Denise T.
Wow the food was amazing. The pesto accompanying the bread, the shrimp/asparagus/plum tomato risotto, and the trout. Fantastic! The service as friendly as well. But really, what restaurant charging these prices (rightly so for the quality) doesn't accept debit/credit cards? They need to get with the times.
(4)
Libby R.
All things that are good: Delicious, fresh food in big helpings (the bolognese is SO good). Excellent service. BYOB. *PLUS, they now accept cards, woo-hoo!* A thing that's just okay: They don't take reservations.
(5)
Katherine M.
The pesto is by far the best I have ever had! The atmosphere is fun, vibrant, and a little quirky which is everything I was looking for! It's BYOB with a $5 corking fee, but totally worth it. The shrimp scampi was out of this world good, and the risotto appetizer, which was a special was also beyond amazing. Great fun date night spot!
(5)
Alison R.
1. They do not have any alcohol here. Bring your own wine and beers!! 2. Come early. I got here at 7pm and the wait was 45 minutes to 1 hour. The host is super nice though and took our cell number so we could walk around the block. He called us when our table was ready. 3. It's a small restaurant so it's a bit loud and a bit cramped but the food is great. 4. I ordered the Bolognese and my husband ordered the Chicken in Cream Sauce. I would highly recommend both! 5. Definitely going back when I'm in the Needham area again!
(4)
Kathy S.
Sweet Basil is an alright Italian meal in beautiful downtown Needham. I really would be giving it 5 stars..But, to get a table in this place is like getting into the freaking White House! We had 8 people on a Thursday night and were coming over from the South Shore. They do NOT take reservations..So good luck trying to get into this place. I came an hour early to make sure the group could get in. I definitely have better things to do than sit outside for an hour to make sure my group gets a table. It would have been wonderful if I could have made a reservations. Also, Sweet Basil does not have any coffee or desserts. Do not plan on staying for something sweet after your meal.. I do not like how you are charged a $5.00 cork fee PER bottle of wine either. We had three bottles and we were charged $15.00 for all three. A bit steep I would think... I think it's a bit steep that they tack on a 20% tip for the waitress for 8 people..HMMM..I thought the standard for MA is 15%!! They must really think they do an outstanding job here at Sweet Basil. My Chicken Parm was pretty good. Nothing so spectacular that I saw fireworks and would be rushing back next week. They do have a very good pesto oil for the bread I must say. But..They really do have to do something about this reservation rule!!!
(3)
Melissa K.
Always delicious Italian food. A bit crowded/cramped but that's because it's so good! Love the BYOB.
(5)
Grant S.
Very good but somewhat rich sauces but always a consistent stalwart in the Needham area.
(4)
Sandy C.
The food is so good. I love the mussels. I could drink the mussel sauce.
(4)
Mark W.
This place is great and packed every evening. The red sauce is perfect, love the braised chicken and the homemade ravioli are to die for... BYOB takes away from the overall experience but that's more than made up for in your final bill, plus a liquor store is right down the street.
(5)
Lauran H.
Sorry little Italy this was the best pasta I've had in Boston. Great great food, cute little spot friendly service and very reasonable prices. Love it!!
(5)
Meghan M.
The food here is fantastic. May be some of the best chicken parm I've ever had. I don't eat pasta too often, but the homemade pasta at Sweet Basil's is just out of this world. Definitely get the bread and pesto!
(5)
Matthew T.
Absolutely one of the best restaurants that I have ever been do. The food is expertly prepared. The first dish I had was the bolognase because I had to see if they could do it right, and they certainly did. That is the mark of a good Italian restaurant if they can do the staples well and not just focus on the specials. The best dish, however, is the lamb shank with the rosemary polenta. It is borderline life-changing. I now compare all dishes to that dish. And, to top it all off, you can bring your own wine or beer! Does it get any better than that?
(5)
Amy S.
We love Sweet Basil! Love their pesto! However, I can't eat much cheese. I wish they had an option of an entree that is vegetarian without cheese. Hubby loves their chicken parm and their portions generous. Definitely leftovers for the next day. Also, a must try is their new restaurant in Wellesley called Juniper! Yum!
(5)
Lena A.
I'm not sure if its because I'm always a little tipsy from bringing my own bottle of wine or if its the consistency of the delicious pasta... or that I always end up sitting at the same table but this place is fantastic. The owner is almost always there to greet his guests. I always order the Bolognese. Let's just say I traveled to NY on Amtrak with a tray of Bolognese for a college friend who went to college in Boston with me. That's the type of experience and connection that Sweet Basil offers.
(5)
Katherine W.
Gazpacho is delicious! BYOB but nowhere nearby to get wine-weird.
(3)
My O.
Very good Italian food. You can bring your own wine/beer which is nice. Wait staff was knowledgeable and pleasant. The only reason I do not give 5 stars is because it was tight quarters which made it a little uncomfortable.
(4)
Crystal B.
Very delicious. The bread and pesto were amazing and enough to fill you up alone! I was not nearly prepared for the portion size. The price was so reasonable I never expected such a large portion. Our waiter, Colby, was very sweet and accommodating. Loved the relaxing atmosphere. I will be back!
(5)
rosann s.
This place was great! A co-worker mentioned that she loved this place when I asked if she knew of anywhere good to eat in Needham, MA. This was a long time ago, and today I finally tried it. Very cool, eclectic feel to the place. They serve non-alcoholic drinks, like water and soda, but if you want wine, you will have to bring it yourself - which is awesome, because a bottle bought outside of a restaurant is often so much cheaper than a glass of that same wine in a restaurant. They provide glasses and open the bottle for you. The amount of food you get for the money is awesome. We had the Chicken Parm with spaghetti (you could have red sauce, pesto or white wine sauce .. I chose the white wine sauce). It was all very good. I will definitely visit this place again! Also, the service was excellent. The Staff was friendly. And as the restaurant started to get busy with the dinner crowd, they did everything to accommodate the customers eating, as well as waiting.
(5)
Kim C.
This is my first negative review on yelp. We arrived at 5p today and the place was empty (2 tables were seated). I was with my two daughters and my husband was on his way, 5-10 minutes away. They would not seat us because "it is our policy we can't seat you until your entire party is here." The snooty hostess told me we had to step to the side and wait for the rest of our party. We were in a hurry - had an event we had to be to at 6p - so we left! We went to Petite Robert Bistro around the corner (fabulous) and got seated right away - without our whole party being present. Actually upset we got a gift card to Sweet Basil for Christmas - really don't want to return!
(1)
Hayley D.
We visited Sweet Basil last Thursday night and it was excellent. Didn't have to wait for a table for two and our waitress was great. I'm allergic to nuts and I was so pleasantly surprised that their pesto is nut-free. I could be mistaken but I believe I didn't see any nuts on the menu. To start we shared the calamari and a Greek salad. Both dishes were huge. I'll order a Greek salad whenever I have the chance and this one was superb. The calamari was also delicious and not soggy at all. When we couldn't decide between the bolognese and the lamb shank our waitress recommended the lamb. When it came I couldn't believe how much food was on the table. Way more than enough for two! Even though my boyfriend grew up in Needham this was the first time at Sweet Basil for both of us and it was such a pleasant, low-key experience. Since it's BYOB we made it out of there with a $60 bill that felt like a steal.
(5)
Derek G.
So I've heard nothing but great things about this place. We went being prepared to be amazed. The atmosphere is nice. It is BYOB, which I love. But the food, the food was not very good. I got the chicken parm. I never get chicken parm but everyone said it is fantastic here. It was bland. the pasta served on the side was sitting in a bowl half full of water. Rookie mistake. My wife got a rosemary chicken dish. it was presented very well, but was way to rich and salty. Tasted like something from the macaroni grill. Not fresh tasting, like sauce from a can. We are going to give it another chance, but my first impression is 2 stars.
(2)
Megan O.
Sweet Basil has some of the best pesto I've ever had. They give you a big serving of it with some fresh bread to start. Most of the starters/entrees on their menu have very large portion sizes, so I would recommend sharing. My only complaints are that most of the entrees come in rather small bowls, which makes it a little difficult to eat if you have something that requires a lot of cutting (I ordered the Chicken Parmesan), and it's quite noisy.
(4)
Nick T.
The food was so good that I proposed marriage to the next girl I saw. OK maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but this was the restaurant that my wife and I went to the night I proposed to her. This place has been our go-to favorite restaurant as students here in Boston. We had Tagliatelle al Ragu (Bolognese) in Bologna, and it didn't compare to their Bolognese. Anything on the menu is going to be the most flavorful dish you've ever eaten, so close your eyes and point. They could get away charging twice what they do for this food (please don't listen to me!!). Also, every date is a cheap date because Sweet Basil is BYOB! Go there for dinner sometime, often, daily, it doesn't matter. Just go!
(5)
Michelle P.
I think I could some this experience up in three words... "omg the pesto". OK, OK omg is not a word- but still, I don't know why I ever order dinner, I am always too full of pesto slathered on house baked bread to eat it! I have been here a handful of times over the years, usually for a girlfriend's birthday dinner. There's always a group of us and it is a great place to hang out, drink wine(BYOB) and stuff ourselves silly. The owners are super friendly, the staff always accommodating, and that darn pesto! This evening I had the soup special, coconut milk corn chowder, and for my main, the bolognese. oh yeah, and a pound of pesto. Other favorites on the table were the calamari, the gnocchi and a vegetarian risotto special. Love coming here when I'm in town visiting, very casual setting, a bit of a tight squeeze sometimes.
(5)
Cory B.
Fabulous service, fabulous food, generous portions, and reasonable prices. The pesto and bread is highly addictive, the mussels were the best I've ever had, anywhere. My scampi was rich, garlicky, and extremely fresh. My husband's chicken Parm was excellent with fresh tomato sauce. The servers were very attentive and they all hustle. I only wish I lived closer. Go. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Melissa B.
I love this place. I have been going there for almost ten years and it keeps getting better. The staff is extremely friendly and the food is delicious. There is often a wait, so go early on weekend nights, but it is worth any wait. You can even go to a bar next door and they will call you when your table is ready.
(5)
Jess M.
Amazing. Amazing. Expect to wait though (no reservations) So show up super early for dinner, then laugh at the people who get there at 6 and wait in a gigantic line. If you get there at 6, put your name in and go grab a frozen custard or something. You could always secretly open your BYOB and drink it in a brown bag while you're waiting too.
(5)
Amy M.
The atmosphere here is... interesting. You make your way through curtains to get inside, and plants, records, and what looks like scrap metal hangs from the mutli-colored walls. The music is funky, although I might have appreciated it more if I wasn't seated on uncomfortable metal chairs with a hanging plants about to hit my head. Positively, though, it was a more unique experience than the run-of-the-mill chains around. I got the handmade ravioli, and it was pretty good -- had a unique combination of four cheeses and the sauce had a mix of crunchy veggies and spiced tomatoes. It seemed a bit over-priced for what I got, but then again it's a sit-down restaurant in Needham. Basically, it's worth checking out for something different, but nothing to go out of your way for.
(3)
setor a.
A recently had dinner with my friend at sweet basil, very cozy atmosphere, the food was delicious, i had the rosemary chicken in a creamy sauce over ziti and it was really good. The portions are huge.
(5)
David H.
Amazing food... One of my fav restaurants. Great service... It is BYOB with liquor and they charge a small fee. Also, there is no desert probably so that they can push tables faster? Can get kind of busy and they do not take reservations. Cash only.
(5)
Erica C.
Sweet Basil used to be good, but unfortunately their hype as gone to their heads and their quality and morals have gone down the toilet. My Mom and I weren't craving pasta so we decided to order a scallop special. We specifically ordered this because, like I said, we did not want pasta. Wait what is that coming to our table? Oh, of course, two giant bowls of some kind of fettucine with four mediocre scallops on top. That's right, we had been duped! Because we had waited 45 minutes for the table + another 20 minutes to order, we both decided to not send it back and just suck it up. Bland and inedible. The same goes for the scallops which were beyond overcooked. In order to not be wasteful, we took the pasta home to dump in our backyard where hopefully the critters could enjoy, can't say for sure if they did. Another note, salad portion sizes are much smaller now too. Perhaps they have caught on like the rest of the mediocre restaurants that think they can charge the same price and reduce portion sizes without anyone noticing. So what is good about Sweet Basil? The pesto. That I could eat for days. Is it worth waiting an hour to eat pesto? No, so I will not return.
(2)
Lynn S.
Came on a Sunday night early dinner with a toddler at 6:00. Only about two or three tables left. We were seated right away. Many elderly, family tables still eating (I think it's the early crowd). First, the bread and pesto dip was such a hit with my little boy, that was all he had all night. It was really rather good. Ok size menu, fair price. I had the shrimp scampi while hubby had the pork chop. They are not kidding with the wine sauce in the scampi! Pork chop was the best we had in boston. Really well marinated, and cook to perfection. Portion is great. We left wanting to come back for more. By the way, it's BYOB, so that's even better! Come early if you don't want to wait.
(4)
Jackie K.
Amazing. Despite the small number of vegetarian options, the ones they had were amazing (no lame pasta primavera like most Italian restaurants). I had the gnocci which was really amazing. The lentil soup and salad were also delicious. We arrived around 6:30 on a Friday night and had to wait about 20 min which was not bad. It was great to bring our own wine and they even hold it for you while you wait for your table so you are not walking around with a bottle of wine. This is as good as Giacomo's which I consider to be one of the best Italian places in downtown Boston. I don't love going out for Italian food but I will come back here.
(5)
Jose V.
WOW!! Exquisite food. Coming from NYC where pasta is a mainstay means I've had a lot of Italian, this place rocks. Great food, cool ambience n good service. Gf had the whole fish n it was cooked perfectly. I had the chicken parm with the sausage meat sauce, FANTASTIC!! Next time we are at Legacy Place will definitely revisit. Cozy n BYOW.
(5)
W C.
Sunday night dinner for six. Got there at 5:45pm and no problem getting a table. By 6pm the house was packed with people waiting. Crazy! Got the lamb shank and it was awesome. Tender fall off the bone good! Fried gouda cheese salad was fantastic. Very unique and tasty dish. No high chairs so it's not really baby friendly. But would still go again.
(4)
Lisa W.
Seems to be everyone's favorite local casual Italian spot. You walk in, and the cozy vibe and delicious scent embraces you like a giant hug, especially welcome on a cold winter night! Bring your own bottle of wine. Its always busy, we sat on some stools in the front and they happily offered to uncork our bottle and bring us our glasses. The wait was as expected, not bad at all for a Friday night. We thought the food was good,not SPECTACULAR, but good enough and the portions are huge as other reviewers say. I believe they also let you bring your own dessert! FYI, we noticed several large parties, so don't be shy about bringing the gang. Its really a homey, warm, environment, and we will be back! One other note...didn't see any kids, which especially on a weekend, we appreciated. A grown up spot.
(4)
Teresa B.
Unique, upbeat place to have dinner in the 'burbs! A little loud so maybe not the best option if you have an elderly person in your party, but in that case just do takeout! Great spot that you'll definitely come back to. Prices are reasonable for the amount of food that you get (we always have leftovers!) I would recommend the braised chicken dish or the chicken rosemary dish - so tasty! Remember to BYO booze! But now you can buy booze in Needham, so it's all good!
(5)
Larry D.
We brought friends that are foodies and we all loved it. The mussels and roasted chicken are must haves! Both times we have been we are blown away by the quality of food and very good service. Bring your own wine. The prices are very reasonable. We always have a dogie bag because we can't finish our meal.
(5)
Juliana C.
Yelp's not a dating site. I mean, I know a bunch of couples who've met on here, and a few who've even tied the knot, but still, you're here for the reviews, right? It would be foolish to say I desperately want a tall, artsy musician-type to take me here on a date. Silly, really. I came here with relatives on a Thursday night and fell in love. Sweet Basil is everything I look for in a restaurant: charming, warm, affordable and unpretentious. The servers aim to please, the food portions are enormous, and the music selection is eclectic. If that weren't enough, drinks are BYOB! Swoon. The only drawbacks are: (1) much like my other dining favorite (Toro) they don't take reservations, (2) payment is cash only. Once seated, we requested the risotto of the day for the table and it turned out to be crisped bacon with pineapple; the flavors were fantastic and made me feel like I was somewhere tropical. I had ordered the rosemary chicken and parmesan cream ziti, and when it landed in front of me I think my eyes bugged out a little; you could feed a small army with the amount of food I was given. It was a struggle to put down my fork, because every mouthful was delicious. To top it all off, our server brought us slices of chocolate rum cake that the restaurant had made for a fundraiser (they don't usually offer dessert). I gave myself a pep talk, and was rewarded with rich, dense bites of bliss. I don't care if I have to hitchhike from the nearest T stop; I will be back.
(5)
Nancy H.
On great recommendations online my husband and I went to Sweet Basil. As tourists we did not know it was BYOB. Unexpected and disappointing. Called ahead but it wasn't mentioned to bring wine if desired. Chicken Parmesan was great that my husband ordered, but I had to send my meal back (shrimp scampi) as the pasta was not cooked enough. Ordered ravioli and had the same problem. Would definitely return and be prepared to bring wine and ask for pasta to be cooked more thoroughly. Shared a Caesar salad, and there was more than enough for two. Go early as it was crowded on a Monday evening by 6:30.
(3)
M E.
This is my favorite lunch spot in the area. The lunch portions are HUGE and always delicious. The chicken parm sandwich is delicious and I always get the fish specials when they are available. Love the bread and pesto they serve before meals. All around a great restaurant!
(5)
Shea H.
On the top of my favorite restaurants list in the Boston area. I'm moving to Chicago soon and when I come back this place will be a must to dine at. I highly recommend the Chicken Parm and Veal Shoulder. The pesto and bread to start is to die for. HIGHLY recommend this place.
(5)
Anthony D.
Sweet Basil is fantastic. I remember when it was a one room hole in the wall and now that it's expanded it's even better. The food is mouth watering and bursting with flavor and the byob is a great option. Only complaint is it's still cash only. Really no excuse for that in this day and age.
(5)
Kate G.
After reading reviews on yelp and encountering a 45 minute wait (no reservations) at 5:30 on a Friday night, we were waiting to be wowed. Maybe our expectations were too high? I had the lobster pot pie which sounded delish - with squash and spicy sausage - but the lobster was claws only (what do they do with the tail, I wonder?) , the sausage was so scarce I identified it only once and the squash was swimming in the lobster-flavored cream sauce for so long that it was virtually indistinguishable. My dining partner had the braised chicken with port wine, balsamic glazed peppers and mushrooms with a cavatappi-like pasta. Expecting a dish with braised chicken on one side, peppers and mushrooms on another and a side of pasta, he was greeted with a big bowl of everything mixed together. The flavors intermingled in a way that overwhelmed and didn't allow for the individual taste sensations of port wine nor balsamic, and the pasta... well not quite al dente as it should be (if you go, ask how your meal will be presented. We saw lots of big bowls go by). It's BYOB here so don;t forget to stop and pick up a bottle of wine if you go and don't expect it to be worth the wait if you go on a Friday night.
(2)
Brett A.
One of my favorites of all time! If you don't like the food here I don't know what to say. Faves and house specialities include mussels, bolognese, rosemary chicken. Love the BYOB too. They don't take res so go early or expect to wait at a nearby bar. I promise the food is worth it! Enjoy!
(5)
Julia J.
Ordered pasta but didn't like it at all. Either Italian food is not for me, or that dish is bad
(2)
Alexander K.
7/26/14 Sweet Basil, Needham, MA. -- Last visit in 12/2013, some time passed. Went back with 4 bottles this time and realizing I have missed this eatery !! Some staff have changed, portions looked bigger, prices higher, lines longer, 8pm still 30min. wait. Yeh allow time. 3 people ordering 5/6 dishes sharing .. tasty yes yes and yes !! Service .. yes yes and yes great !! Go on and visit this cookery !! Bring your own booze !!
(5)
C C.
Visited again last Tuesday. This time, shrimp scampi pasta was excellent, but the linguini with clams -- Big letdown -- Tiny portion and lacking in flavor. It was less than 1/2 of the portion of the shrimp scampi pasta! It's definitely a dish to avoid at this restaurant. Again, very inconsistent. Still 3-stars.
(3)
Deepti J.
Last night was the second time for dinner at this place- I went there with my husband, I had gone with my colleagues the first time. The food and service were great and loved what I ordered the first time. However, when I went there yesterday to grab a nice-but-not-too-fancy food for our marriage anniversary, it was a complete disappointment. The server was cold and food was not half as good as last time(although I had ordered the same stuff, coz I liked it so much- it was baked gouda wrapped in fillo dough with salad and the Lamb shank with polenta where I substituted the lamb with mushrooms). My husband ordered the fagioli pasta. The pasta was too hot and he couldn't eat it and my veggies were too salty so I couldn't eat it. Boxed it up and archived it in my fridge...such a disappointment.
(1)
Brian W.
Dined there last night and had a nice meal. The interior was casual but nice and the food was very good. Service friendly and prompt. I ordered the Lamb shank and it kept me from rating 5 stars. The lamb was tender and tasty, but the dish was swimming in oil/butter, specifically on the veggies, and there were big pieces of skin or fat which I had to remove from the meat. The lamb is rich enough on its own. The dish doesn't need all that extra grease. Overall a really nice place! PS. Not having dessert is an interesting move and I applaud them for it. If you have a restaurant like this (small and busy) you can probably get a full extra turn or two a night if you don't have dessert on the menu. The cash only, however, is a bit strange in this age.
(4)
J. D.
Never been disappointed here, except for noise, crowded and having to wait for a table. Hope to visit soon!
(5)
Allan S.
I LOVE this restaurant. No liquor license which means you have to bring your own wine, which is no great inconvenience plus you bring exactly what you enjoy. Cash or check only. Located in Needham Center, which is no great social mecca so you could easily walk by it and miss it, but don't because you would miss a real treat. Enough about that. The menu. Quite literally, everything on the menu looks delicious, from the appetizers to the entrees (no desserts offered). We started with fresh gazpacho, followed by a baked gouda salad, and finally soft shelled crab. All were amazing. We stopped at this point because we were full, but next time I am digging into the entree menu - the braised lamb shank beckons. Service amazing and the owner is right there and he is a real nice guy. Prices are reasonable how delicious the dishes are. The place always seems at full capacity.
(5)
Nina T.
Fabulous Italian food. We had the calamari, risotto and FILO wrapped Gouda for apps. Could have been done After that! For entrees we had chic parm, baked beet ziti, and steak. The steak was so/so. Everything else was superb. The portions are huge!
(4)
Kris S.
They have alot of signature dishes, my favorite would probably be the very unique pesto sauce that comes with the bread. Bologna pasta, lamb, and mushroom risottos are also a favorite. I come here atleast once every two weeks for three years (as a student) and havent been dissapointed yet.
(5)
TIM O.
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants. The food is outstanding and you'll take home enough for a second meal for sure. Bring your own wine for a small corkage fee.
(5)
Sherri Q.
Amazing! I've heard so many many of my friends and colleagues tell me over the years how wonderful this place was (and frankly, sad to say, I always thought it was a Thai restaurant) but pleasantly surprised it was not. Our appetizers, entrees, just so wonderful, staff, waitress, extremely friendly! We all live in Boston, with many places to choose from, but we will most certainly come back to this hidden gem.
What a great experience. My friend arrived a bit before I did and put his name down. Like a considerate organization, they offered to give his cell phone a call when the table was ready. We got the call and promptly arrived to a very friendly hostess who called us by name and sat us promptly. I didn't realize the restaurant was BYOB which the owner must have noticed because he came over and offered us free wine/beer (which we graciously accepted). We had the duck risotto special which was a huge portion and easily could have qualified as a main course (and I wish I was eating it right now it was so good). I had the lamb shank which was truly enormous. Absolutely way too much food for a human to consume in one sitting but unbelievably tasty. I very much look forward to returning as soon as I can!
(5)
Alyssa W.
pretty ordinary, nothing to really rave about. the bolongnase pasta was the best dish at the table... the space is small but comfy. the service was ok.
(3)
Maia B.
Sweet Basil is my absolute favorite restaurant in suburban Boston. First, you must pick up a bottle of wine at a liquor store. Sweet Basil does not serve alcohol, but they will happily serve you your wine for a corking fee. Second, you must bring (lots of) cash. Sweet Basil does not accept other forms of payment. Third, you must arrive with plenty of time to spare. Sweet Basil does not accept reservations. While you are waiting for a table, you should walk down the street to Masala Art for a cocktail. Fourth, you must order the baked gouda appetizer. Continue as you like. This is my Sweet Basil recipe for success.
(5)
Matthew A.
I stopped in for a late lunch early dinner and the steamed mussels are fantastic. The juice is just right with garlic. Sopped it all up with bread. Beet salad was delish. Too bad it was on the small side. Next time I will have to come back for a full dinner and bring some vino as the menu looks fantastic. Too bad Needham is a haul from NH.
(4)
Eric T.
What's good: the food, the smells, and the staff. What's not so good: no reservations, no credit cards, the cramped-ness, and the noise. There was a 30 minute wait on a Saturday night, which was to be expected. But there's very little space to wait, so we sat on stools directly behind a table of diners. We thought of leaving and just grabbing a pizza instead, but the wafting garlic smells kept us seated. Once we were seated, they put out bread with pesto instead of butter, which was delicious and got me thinking why all Italian restaurants don't do the same. We had the baked mozzarella appetizer, which was amazing - and way too large for even two people to share. I ordered the chicken parm, which was okay. The dish was cooked lightly, missing the grilled-ness of the chicken breast and the cheese - it came off as 'lightly baked' and just missing some flavor. Again, it was okay but I wouldn't order it again. (And the marinara was really subpar.) My wife's lamb shank and polenta entree, on the other hand, was unbelievable. There was some questionable overcooked vegetable happening, which she quickly ignored after the first taste, but the lamb itself was cooked amazingly. I'm not a big lamb fan, but that dish alone would have me going back. And we took home half of all three dishes, so you definitely get your money's worth. So the food was good and the staff was great. The noise was a big turn-off though. The crowd had an understandably loud din to it, but it was accentuated by slightly-too-loud, totally random pop music that didn't jive with the atmosphere at all. When you have that cramped a restaurant, the last thing you want is to make your customers feel that much more claustrophobic; it's an Italian restaurant in the suburbs, not the fad du jour of lower Manhattan. We will definitely go back and try it again. We'll see how the second trip goes...
(4)
Vivi L.
I've been wanting to try out this place for the longest time. We tried coming here 2 weeks ago on Saturday at around 6:30 and the place is already packed. There is already a wait of 1.5 hours for a table. We decided to order take-out instead. This place definitely lives up to their reputation. We order braised chicken, rosemary chicken, parmesan chicken, and the ravioli. Every single dish was delicious. My favorite would be the Braised Chicken. It's full of flavor and the portion is huge. We tried coming here again on Sunday at 4PM right when they're open. The place was empty but as we sit there, the place started to get crowded at 5PM. I'm glad that we went at 4PM. A little disclosure, we took our 2 yrs with us and they don't have high chair for kids. Our daughter ended up sitting on the regular chair and they were able to give her an empty wine box to boost her up. It actually worked out well. This time, I order the Lamb Shank and my husband ordered the veal. Again, the food is definitely consistent. The Lamb was sublime and we really enjoyed this place. The staffs were friendly and the food came out at perfect pace. We have now become a fan of this place and would definitely be a regular.
(5)
Bill B.
Finally got around to this place. I found it cozy and charming. Some reviewers were put off by the decor; to each his own. I had the pork chop; my better half had a fish special. Hers was amazing. Perfectly cooked fish (I think it was cod--my memory is failing me here). The mashed potatoes had fennel in them and were light and refreshing. My pork chop was cooked perfectly. My only complaint was oversalting, but it wasn't enough to ruin the dish. Loved the brandied pomegranate sauce... and as others have said, huge portions. I read one review that complained about a $5 corkage fee per bottle--it's amazing what people can complain about. $15 for 3 bottles is a steal, the absolute lowest I've ever paid for corkage. Try $35/bottle in most places in the north end (some places allow it even if it's not legal or whatever). I'm happy to go back, but I would tell them to go easy on the salt.
Needhams finest restaurant! Every dish is really good with good portions. Always crowded. Bread cheese and pesto is very tasty all the time. Must try. If on budget try lunch. Cash only.
(5)
LoveYouToo L.
Just a wee bit disappointed on the last visit here. Bread was not real fresh, and the selection not as good as in the past. Mussels, however, were hands down delicious! Still a fan, but hope this restaurant will keep their standards real high, and looking forward to more visits to reassess and hopefully be up to the same standards as previously encountered. Still a good place, nice staff, overall positive experience.
(4)
Vanessa L.
Rad some reviews and traveled out to needham to check this place out. Excellent service. Food was pretty good. Nothing that I would drive far out of my way for. The service was outstanding though. It was nice that they had gluten free pasta and were able to accommodate on most entrees. I would recommend a better GF pasta though. It fell apart. I was happy - I could eat something good and allergy friendly. Nice neighborhood to walk around.
(4)
Jimmy M.
In my first review, I had withheld the fifth star because they don't take plastic. That was wrong of me, I apologize, I am wiser now. Restaurants lose money on credit card sales, but they accept them because they're afraid they'll lose business. Sweet Basil is cash only and people are lined up on the sidewalk in the winter to get in and pay cash. If "cash only" means that line is shorter for me.... good! I will gladly pay in cash! Cash machine right across the street. As Mentioned before, bring your own bottle of wine, they don't have a wine license here. This is a good thing! You bring your favorite wine, and pay just one tenth of what a restaurant would charge you. Win! The bread they start you out with; Freshly cut, two types, served with a wonderful pesto/garlic dip and a flask of olive oil. Soooo hard not to fill up on this wonderful bread. Appetizers: We got the calamari, which was crispy and light and delicious, a very generous portion served in a big bowl, with half a lemon and a small bowl of spicy tomato marinara. We also got the baked Gouda, heavenly! Even the bed of greens with dressing was delicious. Entrees: Big portions with the Chicken Parm and Rosemary Chicken, rave reviews from family members. My son and I got the Grilled Salmon served on a bed of baked sweet potatoes. I can say without hesitation that this was the best salmon I ever had in my life. They've figure out grilling salmon to perfection, the texture, the subtle seasoning, and the quality of the fish itself was brilliant. I felt like crying when I was finishing it, and my 16 year old son was reduced to making dreamy sighs and moans while he ate his. The wait staff, even the bus boy, all seem to be very happy to be there, and I noticed our waitress was constantly coming by the table to look us over and see how we were doing without butting in to ask "how is everything" every time. The giant water glasses were constantly being filled for us, and they offered more bread when we finished ours off (don't do it! save stomach room!). The perfect night was slightly blemished by a screw up that resulted in my older son's Chicken Parm being given to the wrong table. The waitress apologized profusely and brought out a bowl of pasta for him while he waited another ten minutes while the rest of us ate our entrees. Half of us were finished by the time he got his Chicken Parm, which he said was outstanding. I think they should have comped that entree, and they didn't, which is why I am withholding the sixth star which they otherwise would have deserved but does not exist anyways.
(5)
Carolyn M.
My favorite place for a date night with the FH! The restaurant is so cozy and unassuming but the food is dynamite. When we moved to Needham it took us a year to try it because from the street it did not look like anything special. We were so wrong! There is a line out the door on any given weekend night and it is cash only, BYOB. We cannot pick a favorite because everything is so good.
(5)
Dak K.
Garlic! Should be renamed , sweet garlic! The pesto and fresh bread with a salad could have been enough, adding baked gouda on top, mb a bit much. However, adding on a lamb shank , some mussels, and had to try the bolognese, gluttony !! The bolognese was to salty, the mussels were flavorful with of course, over the top garlic ( wouldn't have it any other way), the lamb shank was comfort food at it's finest , only complimented by its buttery polenta and sweet onions! Yes , we enjoyed ourselves. Go with a couple of apps for dinner , or your entree and a shared app, and don't forget your bottle like we did!
(4)
Melisa C.
I've been to Sweet Basil 3 times now. It is BYOB which is great, but they will not seat you unless your entire party is there, so make sure to all arrive within a few minutes of each other. The place has two rooms for diners, and the atmosphere is intimate and well decorated. This would be a great place to take a date. They give each table a basket of bread and basil pesto. This pesto is the best I have ever had! It is so delicious, and they will replenish the bread and basil if you ask them to! The first time for dinner I ordered the lamb, and I was so stuffed from the bread and pesto that I was only able to have a few bites of my entree. Nonetheless, it was great, and I was able to have a few leftover meals from this large serving. On my way out I also ordered a takeout pint of the pesto ($5), to bring home. The second time I went for dinner I ordered the chicken parmesan--also very, very good! I bought some leftovers home and was able to have another meal out of it. The most recent time I went I went for lunch and ordered the steak bomb sandwich with a side salad. The salad was dressed with a balsamic dressing which was pretty good, and the sandwich was good as well. Overall my favorite dish that I have had so far is the chicken parmesan out of the three. If you like pesto, I would highly recommend buying a pint to go home with!
(5)
E. K.
Very disappointed.... We were rushed through our dinner, given our bill, charged corkage fee (did not bring alcohol), never offered dessert. Mediocre quality, not worth the price.
(1)
Benjamin R.
I can't say enough good things. Nina is as friendly as a host you could ever hope to welcome you in, kindness in full color. David, the dreamer who first imagined this dream, has been whipping up shrimp scampi and similar fare since the age of eleven. Yes, that's illegal, but the magic is palpable. There is only one Sweet Basil, and so it will always be.
(5)
Stephen G.
I started going to Sweet Basil when it was a one room, and all the tables were packed together so tightly that when one person wanted to get up, the whole restaurant would have to move! The food was fantastic and the staff was happy and friendly. It was like you were eating dinner in the owners house. Over the years the restaurant has become incredibly popular but it has come with a price. Now it's so popular the wait on any given nights could be hours. The number of patrons has literally overwhelmed the staff. On a recent night, we brought friends from Ireland and were told that the wait would be an hour and a half. We wanted our friends to try the place so gave our cell phones as usual. No calls. We went back an hour and a half later to see that our name had been crossed off the list. The owner, who is an awfully nice guy realized the mistake buy there were no tables and ours had been given to a party that came later. So we had to wait more. To top it off, several of the regular dishes were not cooked correctly. We all had a very unpleasant evening there and were unimpressed. No amount of smiling staff can compensate. Sadly, I must say that we won't be going back. Just not worth the aggregation and disappointment.
(2)
Steven B.
Took my girlfriend to this place last night, we go out to eat often and love to try new places. At first it looked like a small place until you walk inside, which reveals to be just as big as the restaurant I work in. Inside is beautiful and you can see the cook line and see what's going on. The decorations are nice and make You feel like your at home. Fresh bread and a bowl on fresh pesto was brought to the table, which was amazing! We ordered the shitaki mushroom dumpling with avocado and it was to awesome. It also came with a honey wasabi salad! We didn't know to bring our own wine but next time we most certainly will. I had the shank and it was amazing! And my girlfriend has the bolognese and loved it! This is as edit from a year ago, and have been back 10 times! Truly an amazing place!
(5)
Carol W.
We live in town and love and respect this place but it is disconcerting to bring home a doggy bag and find spaghetti mixed with one's left over other pasta. The sauce Bolognese is quite complex and is better eaten in the dark and dark it is in this restaurant. The chicken with fig and mushroom sauce looks even worse in the light of day, but tastes terrific in the black out. Still we return because it is so reliable and now share entrees as well as the huge and wonderful salads. Nothing left then to view the next day!
(4)
Roxanne B.
Took my husband and son here on Saturday night for a birthday dinner. Got there before 5:15 based on Yelpers recommendations and brought a bottle of beer. It was full by 5:35 pm. This is a very small place that really hops! We sat on what we thought was the quieter side next to the open kitchen - it got noisy, but that's just part of the atmosphere. They set up round tables for larger parties of 7 on either side of us --- and it was "close" - but we didn't mind. The portions were gi-normous. We got 3 appetizers: sweet potato soup, gazpacho and the baked gouda. Baked gouda was ok -- could only eat 1/4 of it after the tasty bread and pesto they served. Decided on 2 additional appetizers for dinner: Duck confetti which was excellent and certainly was enough for an entree. The shrimp scampi was super flavorful: pepper, lemon, garlic - shrimp might have been a tad overdone, but it was delicious - took 75% of that portion home too. We were never rushed - and thoroughly enjoyed the place. My son said it was much like places in CA --wish Framingham had something like this instead of all the chains! Note: They now take credit cards, but still don't serve dessert. I think you can bring dessert in for a small charge.
(4)
Dee S.
The most fantastic Italian food! Rosemary chicken is not to be missed. It is rich, so leftovers are inevitable. The bread and pesto is unreal, and the fra diavolo is wonderful. The calamari is also delicious, with a spicy marinara sauce and crisp seafood!
(5)
Karen T.
I love the atmosphere, I love the service, and most importantly...I LOVE the food here.
(5)
Amy H.
We had quite a wait, but it was well worth it. It seems most restaurants in the Newton/ Needham area that are any good have quite a long wait on the weekends. They do any seafood with pasta right!! All of them are my favorites. It sure beats driving into Boston, paying $30 for parking and waiting there for 2 hours. It is a good compromise for a night out with little hassle and a great meal.
(5)
Hayley M.
Simply outstanding. I haven't been yelping much lately. I just haven't been inspired. No place has knocked my socks off and no one has pissed me off to the point where I take it out on my keyboard. That all changed tonight... in a good way. My parents went to Sweet Basil last weekend and my mom couldn't stop talking about it. So she and I went tonight, and rushed home to my laptop so I could give this place some love. I walked into this adorable tiny restaurant and my nose was immediately hit with the wonderful aroma of Italian food. All the spices blended together and my tummy immediately rumbled. My mom said something about bringing your own wine, so I asked the waitress if Needham is a dry town. She said it was, but that she thought there was an open bottle of wine in the back, would we like a glass? Yes, yes we would! So this spot is one of those places with comically large portions. Fortunately we knew this ahead of time, so we selected one salad and one entree. We went with the Greek salad and Chicken Scallopini, which had garlic, lemon, capers, tomatoes, and spinach. It also came with a side of pasta, which we opted for the red sauce. I wanted to try every sauce they had! The salad was HUGE. Mom and I each had two servings and there was still plenty of it. It was fresh, colorful, and covered with a delightfully salty feta. The entree arrived and it was awesome. The chicken had a wonderful flavorful sauce and had tons of bright, fresh veggies. The pasta was al dente and the red sauce had chunks of garlic and really went well with the scallopini. One salad and one entree was perfect for two people. Plus the entire bill was $30. Cost efficient. Adorably decorated. Great service. Delicious food. What more could you ask for?
(5)
Pete D.
Wow! The wait was well worth it! My wife and I went the other night for a "date night". The wait is ~1 to 2 hours on a Saturday night, so plan accordingly! They are a BYO-wine and beer restaurant, so pick out a nice bottle and bring it with you!! If you have to wait, leave your number and the host/hostess will call you when it is close to your time. We went to Not Your Average Joe's to get a drink, so it worked out great! Again... worth the wait in my book! The food was excellent! We shared the muscles, my wife had the bolognese dish and I had the sirloin steak. My wife even was able to get wheat pasta, so my tip... it never hurts to ask! In the end, I would definitely go back! Owner was very gracious! My only tip to him: stand your ground and stand behind your restaurant! People will wait because your food is great!! Why did I write that... when I asked him how long the wait was, he told me and then said "I don't blame you if you do not want to wait."
Best Italian food in Boston. My wife and I have been going to Sweet Basil since it opened (12+ years ago). Dave and staff are awesome and we have NEVER had a bad meal. Ranks up there as one of our favorite restaurants.
(5)
Nate C.
Everyone I talk to loves Sweet Basil, and there are a plethora of 5-Star Reviews on it here but I walked away underwhelmed by the whole experience and thought I would share. First of all, the fact that they don't take credit/debit cards is extremely irritating to me. Most people these days rarely carry cash, let alone enough to cover dinner here so you often need to make a special trip to the ATM before dining. I know this is probably a great business decision for them to save on fees by only taking cash, but it would really be much more convenient if they accepted plastic. They don't take reservations either, so if you want a table you'll need to be prepared to wait or arrive well in advance of when you actually want to eat (especially with any party of 4 or larger as group seating is limited). The staff was very kind and accommodating and opened our bottle of wine - it's BYOB here - and served us in the (very small) waiting area and we were given a free appetizer for waiting so long, which was a very nice gesture and made the experience much more pleasant. I thought the food was alright (I had the Ravioli), but nothing that should be generating the rave reviews my friends have given me and the tell-tale sign of underwhelming food for me was my lack of interest in eating the leftovers the next day. It's a cozy little spot that's a great location for a date or a nice evening out with a significant other or a get together with your folks (doubly so if they're paying!) but overall this isn't someplace I'll be hurrying back to.
(3)
R K.
Just gotta say it, even though there are already plenty of similar reviews. Sweet Basil is the best dining experience and food in Needham, one of the top five in Boston. By far the best value. Stop at one of a number of nearby ATM's when you get to Needham Center. Bring your choice of wine and then go somewhere nearby for a light dessert after - if you have room. The combination of flavors, atmosphere, service and respect you experience as a diner there is a complete wow, even if you know what to expect. No amount of wait time is too long not to be worth it. Last night Dave sent those of us waiting outside some sample plates. Kept me there like a pup ready for the next treat.
(5)
Stephanie W.
1. No reservations, so go early or plan to wait (and it could be a while) 2. BYOB 3. No kids menu - ask for a half-order or something special 4. Loud and crowded - may not want to have a serious discussion here This is a really quaint, feel-good restaurant with good food. Not fantastic, not for true foodies, but quality ingredients and traditional recipes. Large portions that are adequate to share. Very friendly staff.
(4)
Francisca W.
first time in town, first time here, upon recommendation of friends who've been here before. 6pm weeknight, found street parking w/o a problem, except that the meter doesn't tell you till when you shall stop feeding it. well, for 25c an HOUR (also w/the entertainment of actually turning that dial after you insert money!!), i'll max it out at 2 hours. walked in, place is happening (not completely full or spilling out yet), friends already there w/menu, water & bread on the table. waitress was actually checking on them when i walked up; she let me sit down and came back after a few minutes to put in orders. waitress is very pleasant. the two-sided menu gives you some appetizer and entree selection. that's about it. i scrolled down and instantly saw "cash only"--"wtf?" surfaced. as i mentioned in another review: if the corner pizza place takes credit cards, then a sit-down restaurant w/waiter service should at least do as much. should do that ESPECIALLY when this is a place to charge $13 a starter and $20 per entree. you think people still carry wads of cash in their wallet these days? where are we, Vietnam? "conveniently" (lucky for them), there's a Sovereign Bank opposite the restaurant; heard Citizens is but another block away. the CVS down the street (ATM inside) might also save your day. albeit having to leave your seat after sitting down bc you realized you didn't have the means to pay for your meal is not going to equate to a pleasant dining experience, at least you are one fewer step from having police called on you. as we were discussing dinner options, i asked if my friends wanted any drinks, like a glass of wine or something. got a good laugh being the newbie here, not knowing they ONLY serve water. oh! that explains the line right below the "cash only" fine print that says "feel free bring your wine, we charge $5 per wine for corkage" or something like that. you mean, i don't even get to order soda? sure, i'll just stick w/water then. not starting very well on the right foot, but let's move on to food. friend liked the bread pesto very much-- i wasn't hungry so i only took a tasting of the pesto w/o any bread. it was fresh, w/a good amount of cheese & salt in it. i guess it's not bad. appetizer: ordered the braised beef shoulder w/sweet potato gnocchi + ginger apple chutney/sauce to share. beef is tender & flavorful (but only ONE 2x2 chunk in the whole plate), sweet potato gnocchi pillowy and soft, ginger apple sauce refreshing. not bad, only i would prefer another chunk or a few bucks off the price. entree: for $20 i got the seafood stew, which consisted of an assortment of seafood (mussels, clams, fish, shrimps), and chunks of potatoes. now, when i see "stew" i'd expect the flavors to marry together and sauce being thicker, but what i had in front of me was more like tomato-based broth w/stuff cooked it in. to potato/seafood combo was new to me as well. seafood was cooked right, but it was somewhat lacking in flavors. friend got the spicy version of the same seafood stew, for $1 more. and instead of potatoes, she got pasta instead. it made more sense for her dish; looked better too. another friend got the veal dish; also looking very good. judging from the color and texture of it, can assume it's packed with flavors-- or some may consider it too rich or heavy. but she cleaned the plate so that's a good sign. as we finished/packed our meal, dessert came to mind, which was instantly squashed down by the reminder of how this place is run. the thought of "think pizza place except they have better decors and waiter service" resurfaced, and i dared not ask this time. the saving grace is the waitress (Elise her name?) was very pleasant, and never rushed us out even though we continued to chill while waiting our to-go meal to arrive AND chilled some more afterwards. there were a couple empty tables yet to be filled and there was no line outside, so i guess it wasn't a problem. but upon our exit, this guy in chef's outfit (who helped bring us food earlier) SAW us leaving, yet didn't make any gesture to bid us farewell. maybe he did after i exited, but i wouldn't have known. for all these reasons, and the fact that this place serves no drinks and takes no credit card, ratings are decreased. plus the fact that the place is REEEEALLY cramped coz they're trying to fit in as many tables as possible. we had to literally MOVE the table to let my friend out. wow. really?
(3)
Pinky S.
Food was so bad, so bad that we didn't even touch the bolognese after initial tasting. The pasta was undercooked. My chicken piccata and my husband's meat dishes tasted the same as they were both covered with same sauce as the base. Only the sauce was bitter. The baked filo was descent, but salad underneath had an overpowering dressing. Everything is laden with cheese and burnt garlic which gives off a bitter taste, so everything tasted like parmasen and bitter garlic. If I can give it zero stars I would.
(1)
Ross S.
***THIS REVIEW IS IMPORTANT TO READ*** I have been to Sweet Basil 3-4 times and I am here to set the record straight. The 4 1/2 Yelp review is VERY deceiving and Sweet Basil is very much undeserving of that score. I frequent many great eatery's around the Boston area and although Sweet Basil is decent, it is by no means "elite." 1. Most of their dishes are extremely heavy. For example the Roasted Chicken with pancheta in a garlicky Parmesan cream sauce is unappetizing. Thick, heavy wayyyyyyyyyyy over "cheesy." 2. The BYOB is totally fine, but they don't chill the wine other than throwing it in a bucket of ice. And they literally serve ZERO beverages...?? Just nasty tap water. And I am not being snobby about tap water... just so happens that Sweet Basil's has a terrible "off-taste." 3. My big complaint about this place is that in nearly all their dishes they feel the need to sprinkle Parmesan cheese over everything. First of all, in many cases, doing so makes no sense. I am sorry but I do not want my veal Marsala or Shrimp Scampi to have cheese on it. Not traditional, and a SIN to mix fish and cheese. They give a good effort, but for the most part this place falls flat on their face. They appear to be a a quaint Italian eatery nestled in downtown Needham, but they are a bit pretentious and the cooking is semi-sloppy. If you like this place, you like heavy, over sauced, over cheesed dishes. Maybe your into sloppy "comfort-foodesque" dishes. I am not.
(2)
Raul G.
I read the many positive reviews and decided to try Sweet Basil out on a weeknight to avoid the potential for a long wait. My wife and I walked right in, and were promptly seated at a table right next to the window. The decor is great, and the music they were playing was an eclectic (and awesome) mix of music from over the decades. We started off with some tasty bread and delicious pesto. I order the bolognese and my wife ordered the shrimp scampi. Both dishes came out pretty quickly, and were absolutely fantastic. There was so much food, but it was really hard to stop eating considering how good it was. Our waitress was great, and the front of the house stopped by to check on things, too. The chef even delivered our meals, said hello, and packed our left-overs up for us. We were extremely pleased with our experience and will happily be returning to try out some of the other entrees that sounded so good. Just make sure to bring cash, as noted in other reviews. This is no big deal at all, however. And quite frankly, I kind of like the simplicity of it.
(5)
Thurston H.
This place is my all time favorite restaurant in the Boston area. Each time I come here I am blown away. The favors, aroma and outstanding service will keep you coming back again and again! I had the steak egg rolls which were braised in soy and filled with fresh crunchy veggie. Outstanding app....then I had a bolognese pasta dish that put to shame any, And I mean any NYC Little Italy or North End restaurant with the most incredible combination of mushrooms, sausage in a delightful meat sauce that will knock your socks off!!! I have had the chicken parm before and the mushroom sandwich which all are also amazing. The menu is full of options. This is not just a pasta place....great fish dishes and incredible rustic bread wit pesto dipping sauce.....man this place ROCKS! I am already looking forward to going back again! This place is a Home Run! Helpful hint go early or late....no reservations...but worth any kind of wait.....seriously go....now!
(5)
Erin M.
Funny story about the first time I tried Sweet Basil. It was my sister's birthday, and we wanted to meet up somewhere in the middle of where she lives and where I work. We decided on Needham, since I remembered seeing a place called Sweet Basil on Phantom Gourmet that I decided I absolutely positively had to try. While we were waiting, I was trying to remember what it was that made me decide I -had- to try this place. Was it a particular entree? Appetizer? Dessert? We were seated and given menus, and nothing looked familiar. Everything looked amazingly delicious, but not familiar. Hmm....... As we were perusing the menu, I started looking around, and noticed that the table next to us had -a lot- of wine... like a bottle per person. I thought to myself "Wow... that table spent a lot of money on wine!" And then, it hit me. The reason I decided I had to try this place: It's B.Y.O.B.! I love B.Y.O.B. places! So, despite the fact that I was only able to do half of wining and dining my sister for her birthday, Sweet Basil more than made up for it on the dining end! We had the baked filo as an appetizer, which was absolutely AMAZING! Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, served over baby greens and strawberries and topped with a truffle vinaigrette. 100% Delicious! For our entrees, I had the ravioli and my sister had the beet baked ziti. Both were terrific! Cheesy, saucy, and delicious! Our waitress saw us picking at each other's plates and was nice enough to bring over small plates for sharing. The portions were very generous, the prices were fair, and the food was absolutely delicious! I will definitely be returning to Sweet Basil, and next time I'll remember the wine!
(5)
Kenten Z.
Dam. This place was too good. I love it. Had the best adult mac and cheese in the world. You start off with crazy good pesto and it only gets better from there. Go here and you will not regret it. Lunch is also super reasonable. Really you eat everything and you are like, "woah, DAM, this is too good"
(5)
Kate M.
Can't get enough of this place. We take everyone we know.
(5)
piggy c.
YAYYYYY!!! finally a good restaurant in BOSTON...my boss recommended me to try this place out...when i heard they serve bread and fresh pesto for starters i was sold...being an avid foodie i will travel far and beyond for food...we went for dinner we parked on the street...stepping out of your car you can smell roasted garlic it was just heavenly...thank goodness i brought an appetite...everyone was so friendly and cheerful when we walked in...the place was packed so we waited for 20 minutes or so...i was surprised to see the dishes coming out of the kitchen were huge!!!...the portions were huge!!! ATMOSPHERE: i really loved how intimate and quaint this was...it's a no frills type restaurant but the feel is cozy and a bit rustic...the waiters were attentive and super nice FOOD: MUSSELS- if you ate this alone...this could very well be your dinner...the plate was huge and was packed with mussels...each mussel was sooo plump and fresh...i sopped the rest of my juice with the bread doused in pesto Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce tossed with ziti - This dish was amazing...yet sooo rich i was sooo full on bread and mussels i took about 4 bites and i was tapped out ...this was amazing...the ziti was cooked al dente...the cream sauce was rich and garlicky.... this is my def. go to place if i am craving for awesome Italian and a romantic evening with a beau
(5)
Gabrielle K.
the best lunch spot ever, dinner time gets very busy but lunch is perfect because its not too crowded and you still get the delicious pesto and bread with a lunch sized entree. Personally the beet salad is the best in the entire world.
(5)
matt c.
I feel bad, because the wait staff is great, but, the chicken parm was chewy and needed to be pounded with a mallet. Picky, but if I'm gonna give something four or five stars, they're gonna have to either serve booze or serve the food properly. If it wasnt so high class (i.e. expensive) i wouldnt have a problem. i get it. you have family money and want to show off to your girlfriend/wife/mistress. just remember that you're a douche, not a connoissoir. you pay for what you get. you get three stars
(3)
Jennifer D.
I am in LOVE with this place! You get to mix their fabulous pesto with a variety of extras, like olive oil, parmesan cheese and cracked red pepper, to make your perfect version...then the bread! The food is totally on point. I've gone for lunch and dinner, but prefer the laid back atmosphere of lunch. But we go for date night also...so maybe it is a toss up! I usually get the fish special at lunch, and I am never disappointed. Prices are really reasonable at lunch, and a bit pricier at dinner. But, it is BYOB so you save a bundle bringing your own bottle or so. Everyone is super friendly.
(5)
RM J.
Absolutely average. Can only guess the high reviews are a result of being in the burbs. They use fresh ingredients but there was nothing special here.
(3)
Jason R.
Surprisingly good for the price. My wife and I joke that all we ask for in a restaurant is correct seasoning and doneness---it's amazing how frequently even "top-notch" restaurants get one or both of these more than slightly wrong. Sweet Basil won't knock-your-socks-off (no vertical food, obscure/expensive ingredients), but they do know how to season accurately and cook to medium-rare (or the correct doneness). Dishes are large (you won't go away hungry). Wine is BYOB w/ $5 corkage (!) It's kid-friendly, but they don't have high-chairs or booster seats (we brought our own---worked great). They don't do dessert/coffee/tea. They know what they're good at and don't try to overreach. Last visit cost us $95 ($73 food/tax/tip, $22 Sancerre). At other restaurants, just the wine would have cost $78 (2.5x markup from $25 retail + 25% tax/tip).
(5)
Special E.
Great food, great staff, great food.....Only reason I didn't give it a fifth star is the acoustics of the room. If it's busy, and it will be, good luck hearing conversations. That is my ONE and only criticism. Bring your own wine and bring cash....as has been mentioned, no credit cards. Portions are large and the cost is very reasonable. So large and so reasonable as far as cost that my wife and I didn't do our usual split. Go ahead and splurge on different dishes and flavors here. Thanks to YELP we found this place tonight. We will be back!
(4)
Monier G.
One word, Unreal!!!!! Absolutely delicious!!! The food is Amazing prices are fair but get there early the line builds up fast!!
(5)
Andrew M.
8/30/2009: Just had a great meal of chicken cacciatorre, only marred by the nagging memory that the ravioli I had last time was even better. The ravioli has mascarpone, goat cheese, ricotta, and...something else, I forget what, but it's all phenomenal. I guess this shouldn't influence my review, but we also bought the Sweet Basil cookbook for my mother last Christmas and she's gotten great results with everything she's cooked from it. If you go on a Saturday night, I recommend bringing a book, putting your name on the wait list, and going down the block to the park to read. UPDATE 8/31/2013: I had what I think is a new menu item -- sweet corn and goat cheese agnolotti ("a kind of ravioli typical of the Piedmont region of Italy, made with small pieces of flattened pasta dough"). GREAT addition, if it is in fact new. Other nice things: they served us a bruschetta-type snack while we waited outside (for only about forty minutes, not bad for a Saturday night). Also, for some reason I like the fact that the waiters here dress casually.
(5)
Meredith D.
I LOVE this place. This is how dining and food should be. Lovingly and thoughtfully prepared, great music, quality ingredients, friendly service and BYOB. This is always where my husband and I go when we have a date night and don't want to go into the city. Plus their cookbook is fabulous and we have made a few delicious soups from it. Oh and their pesto that comes right when you sit down is heavenly.
(5)
Snuffles B.
Bring cash. Bring booze. Wear your fat pants. Thats all you really need to know. But if you want details: Atmosphere: Warm, cozy, family/neighborhood restaurant feel Service: Uber friendly/attentive, but not-too-much-so staff. You get love from everyone who works there, including the owner. Food: WARNING: appetizers are dinosaur portions - Bread: Moist, pesto spread is very fresh - Duck confit/gnocchi - Good sauce, duck is good, gnocchi average. - Mussels - Very good, not too creamy, comes in full casserole dish - Mozzerella in marinara - The part of ziti or chicken parm that's left that you save to eat last, minus the ziti or the chicken - Baked gouda - The best of the appetizers, the gouda was the size of my hand and the "greens" = about a bag of salad. - Chicken picatta - strangely, in a red sauce, meh. - Veal - Friend said it was average. -Bolognese fettuccini - Pretty good, not too heavy, they seem to use the same base for their tomato based sauces, while very good, is also very ubiquitous. Generous on the beef and sausage. Overall, food is above average, but service and friendly environment are the real reasons that this place wins me over.
(4)
Scott C.
Great lunchtime service on a Monday. Bolognese was excellent, not just a sloppy meat sauce as you often find. No credit card is a bummer, but pricing is full of value.
(4)
J C.
I love Sweet Basil. I have been here about six times and my experience is consistently great. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. There's a lot of tables, but it doesn't feel crowded to me, just cozy! The owner is a real nice guy. He often greets you at the door, visits your table, and makes you feel at home. You can tell he cares a lot about the restaurant and making his guests happy. The food is great. You'll have leftovers for sure, or you could easily split your meal. Since there's usually a wait (because it's awesome), I walk down the block to the Indian restaurant and sit at the bar for a pre-dinner drink. Everyone around you is doing the same thing. Sweet Basil will call your phone when they're ready. They also expect that you're mid drink and won't rush you over. You can leave your booze at Sweet Basil so you don't have to carry it around while you wait. BYOB with a 5 dollar corkage fee is still a deal when you consider how much they jack up the price of alcohol in every other restaurant. Like a lot of small places, it's cash only. No big deal. I just wish I lived closer- Needham people are so lucky to have this restaurant at their fingertips. Jealous!
(5)
Becca S.
The food is consistently excellent. There can be a long wait but it is well worth it. The pesto is delicious and plentiful. The atmosphere is very friendly and the owner makes you feel like you're old friends. BYOB, too!!!
(5)
Ray Z.
Tried a pasta and a sandwich from lunch menu and both were excellent, will definitely come here again!
(4)
Cindy K.
FINALLY! I was able to try this local neighborhood gem that I've heard rave reviews about. I've been meaning to come here for about a year now and everytime I try to go, there is always a very long wait. Now I know why! Food is delicious! We went with a party of 6 for a friend's birthday and we each got something different and all of us were really happy with our meal. I got the clams with broccoli rabbe over linguine which was soo yummy! The pasta is homemade --there is just something so amazingly good about homemade pasta. All the ingredients were really fresh and the food was really flavorful. The portions are very decent for the price. The only con about this place is that they only take cash so definitely hit up the ATM before you come. Other than that, service and food was great! So happy that it's right in town!!
(5)
Brianna T.
I have been here twice, our first time was so amazing that at our next dinner date we had to go back. I tried the rosemary chicken and it was DELICIOUS! I also have tried the chicken parm and it was great. Meals are large and very filling. I will be going back again this year thats for sure. Anywhere with a 20 minute wait on a Tuesday is worth waiting for!!!
(5)
Seth B.
Absolutely amazing. Everything on the menu is different and delicious. One of the most interesting places I've ever eaten.
(5)
Tony U.
Why I'll go back: Delicious food and a staff that makes you feel like a regular You HAVE to order: baked gouda, ravioli Tony's Tip: the portions are huge, so don't cheat yourself - fast the day you eat there I was arranging dinner with three friends I hadn't seen in nearly a decade (okay, maybe "friends" is using the term liberally). None of us live in Needham, but Sweet Basil was centrally located between us, so we settled on having dinner there. I think I actually stumbled across this place through Yelp reviews in seeking out new places several months ago. By now, you're probably aware of the three sins they've committed as a restaurant: no reservations, no booze, and no credit cards. To everyone else who has been bitching, get over it! Hit the ATM, pick up a bottle of wine at the store on the way over, and then grab a drink down the street at The Village Fish while you wait. I showed up around 6:45 on a Friday and threw our name in. Dave greeted me as if I'd been coming there for years. People were milling about outside, but they'll take your cell number and just call you when your table is ready. So, we headed down to the Fish. A half hour and one pale ale later, we were seated. Sweet Basil has a very local and relaxed feel to it. There were a number of 30- and 40-somethings, and the place can get a bit loud, but not unbearable. Perhaps my only gripe is that the seats are somewhat stiff and uncomfortable, which is a pet peeve of mine if I'm gonna be sitting for two hours trying to enjoy a nice meal and conversation. Whatever. I'm over it. After the first bite of bread with that rich pesto spread, I was already distracted enough by my taste buds. Our waitress, Erica, was cute, bubbly, and knew the menu well. More than one Yelper had raved about the baked gouda. Erica vouched for it, so I went with it. Ridiculous, in every way. As I said earlier, this salad (a generous block of gouda, wrapped in a thin, flaky dough and served over lightly dressed greens) was huge. I literally could have had that alone as my meal. And even though I knew my ravioli was coming, I couldn't contain myself, and I killed the entire thing. When they brought out the entrees, the plates were so huge, we practically looked like pigs feeding at the trough. My ravioli contained several cheeses and was smothered in a flavorful marinara sauce. Each one was so delicate, there is no mistaking it was homemade. Honestly, I could easily go back there and order the same meal and be perfectly happy. It will take some will power to go with another option. As far as prices go, I think Sweet Basil is very reasonable. The appetizers and salads are basically all around $10 and there are only two entrees over $20 (lamb and steak). With tip, our meal for four came to $150. Throw in the two bottles of wine we brought and it was still under $200. I think this totally works as a date place, and I'm already scheming to figure out when I can get back there.
(5)
James D.
My wife and I have been here twice and their food is some of the best in Boston and the surrounding suburbs. It's a small restaurant and cash only but you will not be disappointed. Bring your own bottle of wine and enjoy a great meal. I highly recommend it to anyone.
(5)
Len M.
Great Italian dining & experience west of Boston. Staff and notably, chef/owner, Dave Becker, are very friendly & welcoming. We felt more hosted for dinner by friends, than patrons at a restaurant. Highly recommended! They serve complimentary bread and pesto with the pesto among the best we've had. I will be calling hoping that it is available for take out to serve for home dinner (w/ added hot Italian sausage & Penne) . Suzanne ordered Rosemary Chicken & I thought, "who would order that?" thinking it best saved as a lesser evil of wedding fare. My mistake! Wow, a rich delicious cream sauce, perfectly cooked asparagus, more (boneless) chicken than ziti (which is not typical of most Italian restaurants!). Fortunately she ate less than half (we enjoyed too much pesto and were nearly full when our meals arrived). The next morning I woke, ran to the fridge and finished it as a great breakfast! I had the Bolognese - also excellent. I am not a fan of mushrooms however these were large & few (unless I ate them thinking they were meat...). Also a great sauce - very flavorful. Ample portion - I finished less than half also. The pasta (both dishes) was a bit too al dente for my likes but I prefer a softer pasta than most. We were too full to consider desert. Our waitress nicely wrapped and labeled our left-overs in foil (not plastic or cardboard) containers which may be placed directly in an oven to reheat. Nice. Great experience start-to-finish. Looking forward to returning. Enjoy!
(5)
Jesse B.
We have been 4 times so far, I am yet to have a single complaint about the food or service. everything is excellent.
(5)
Kate N.
Love this place! The pesto that comes with the bread is so fresh and delicious. Or, if you are gluten free, they will give you a plate of crudites to dip. The Rosemary Chicken is a very rich dish - but the crispy pieces of pancetta, along with the asparagus and chicken all stand up well. Very friendly staff and a warm and inviting place. Make sure to bring cash, as they do not accept CC.
(5)
Cayer N.
We live in town and this is basically our second kitchen. Love the food and the restaurant has tons of charm. Everything on the menu is fantastic...definitely order the homemade pesto!!!!
(5)
Erika C.
Sweet Basil is just simply mind-blowing and trumps any restaurant in the north end of Boston or any Italian restaurant in New England for that matter (true statement). The bolognese is probably one of the best dishes I have ever eaten in any restaurant period. Cash only, long waits, possibly long travel time are all grievances that don't ever seem to matter because the food is THAT incredible. BYOB so bring a great bottle (or two) along with you. Service is fantastic, atmosphere so comfortable you will want to stay until you've eaten every last bite and drank every last drop. Price is right. Stop reading this review and go!
(5)
Larry G.
I've probably eaten here a dozen times, up-and-down the menu. It's a fantastic place; great food and an excellent value. I took a friend from the UK there and he made a really good comment, "It's all about the food." It really is.
(5)
Miriam L.
I dunno - this review may really be two stars, but I'm feeling generous. Plus, I hate being such an outlier. We came here last week for my mom's birthday. The hostess was nice enough, but has a brusque manner that I found a bit off-putting. Once seated, we were surrounded by servers (bussers?), but not our own waitress who could tell us the specials. We ended up getting calamari and risotto to split as appetizers. The calamari was excellent, and the risotto just ok. Mom and I shared a chicken marsala and the ravioli. I wasn't especially impressed with either, though my cousin happily finished his bolognese. They don't serve coffee or dessert, which is a shame, and are cash (or check) only, which is strange for a sit-down restaurant. I can't hold it against them that they don't serve alcohol, since it's not the restaurant's fault that Needham is a dry town. You can always bring your own. Also, the music was kind of odd, and it's a small space, so it gets fairly loud. I wasn't especially bothered, but my mother was. On the up side, the bread was quite good.
(3)
Julie G.
this is the best place straight out of the North End. You might have to wait a little on weekends, but the food is worth it. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable . Felt like i could never leave wanting more. just in case though it is a BYOB and wine which they will gladly serve. Fantastic place Will definitely continue to repeat.
(5)
Aboud Y.
Not a bad Italian spot but very overrated. I'd go back but I'm not in any rush. Keep in mind that this place is BYOB And CASH ONLY!
(3)
Reid F.
There are very few BYO establishments in Boston, so right off the bat, Sweet Basil is worth frequenting because you can bring a really good bottle of wine that is ready to drink (something very rare in most Boston restaurants) without having to pay restaurant wine prices. In addition, the food and service are very good, and the portions are large. The downsides are: 1. The high noise level. 2. The fact that they don't accept credit cards (but they do accept personal checks). 3. The earliness of the crowd--the place is full by 6:00 on weekends and remains that way all night. 4. No reservations.
(4)
Heather A.
Three words: braised lamb shank. Fall off the bone, loads of fresh veggies, and insane polenta. Perfectly cooked and seasoned, large portion that try as I might, could not finish in one sitting. Great atmosphere, fantastic service. Worth the hour and half wait on Saturday night to get in.
(5)
Lynn S.
I have known Dave B for many years and SB when it was very small. He takes pride in all of his dishes and I have not had one I don't like. Great food, Good service and without writing a novel. Just delicious!
(4)
Frank B.
Long-time fan of Dave's place. Our go-to place for a real good meal and fun evening out. BYOB a plus. Albums covers on the check book and music on the ipod always of interest. Visited last evening and had another enjoyable meal. I realized that Sweet Basil is all about the flavors. From the pesto and caesar salad to the main course, lots of interesting flavors that are a bit unique. Scampi, Rosemary chicken and scallopini were the selections at our table. Thumbs up on all three with some for leftovers as well. Once you know the drill for SB....expect a wait, bring cash, BYOB, - just show up, go with the flow, and enjoy.
(5)
Sarah H.
Disclaimer: I'm not a fan of cheese, tomato sauce, pasta or anything associated with Italian cuisine save garlic and bread .. having said that, I really enjoyed this place and would definitely return for a second dinner. I had the chicken cacciatore and two others I was with had the lamb shank. As I have been told, the lamb shank is one of the all time best i-will-never-need-or-want-to-try-anything-else type dishes. The serving sizes are huge--enough for two meals. What was even better than the food and probably the best I have experienced in New England, is the service. Everyone from the hostess to the waitstaff to the bussers and the manager--and i mean everyone on the floor--was so attentive and friendly. It felt as if we were guests in somebody's home. I look forward to going back and expanding my cheese and tomato hating horizons.
(4)
D R.
100% worth the wait. Sweet Basil is consistently busy with hour plus wait times. Wait the hour plus. The pesto spread and bread before the meal are excellent. Highly recommend their Greek Salad for a starter and for entree...my favorite is the Bolognese. The owner, Dave, told me it is his favorite. When you try it, you will soon learn why it is has remained on this menu from the opening of the restaurant. If you want something lighter than the Bolognese, try the Braised Veal (or Chicken) with port wine, mushrooms, and figs (their own twist on a Marsala). Excellent food!
(5)
Michelle K.
The food here is outstanding. I grew up in Needham and I love, love that we have a restaurant like Sweet Basil in town. There really is no other place like it in the area. Wonderful date place, the food is so delicious and comforting. I believe it is BYOB, so just keep that in mind. Love it here, really friendly staff too. Every person I have taken there has loved the food.
(5)
Jennifer K.
Love it here! Chicken Picatta and Rosemary Chicken are amazing! The Rosemary Chicken has a delicious cream sauce, but if you aren't in the mood for such a heavy sauce, a friend told me that you can have the Rosemary Chicken with the Picatta sauce... I haven't done this yet but I am going to try it for sure! Bread & pesto are yummy too (I hear the pesto has no nuts!).
(5)
Liz S.
Don't take reservations, have very few tables, and don't take credit cards. This is why I haven't been back in years, but the food was DELICIOUS! So sometime when I have the time and patience to put up with these things I'm definitely going back!
(5)
Paul S.
A homerun in Needham with Sweet Basil! There are many wonderful things about Sweet Basil. First and foremost, you must get their as soon as they open if you want to get a table fairly quickly because it is a hot spot and the seating capacity is not very big. The food quality is superb, with each entree offering something special. My favorite on the menu is Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce with ziti for $19.95! Mix that with a glass of wine, and if your like me, it spells major carb crash, but what a fantastic pasta dish full of flavor! The atmosphere is modern and trendy with coctail-loungy music to set the mood just right. There is no alcohol here so you must BYOB!($5.00 corkage fee) Now, I love this concept because you get much more grapes for your dollar and it allows you to save tons. Another important aspect is there is no deserts on the menu. Once again, I like this also because for one, I never have room for it anyway at the end, and two it saves you another 20 bucks or so. Another cool aspect of this restaurant is you can hear the clanging of the pots and pans as the kitchen is very close to you no matter where you get seated. The service in my experience has always been speedy, attentive and polite. Dave the owner seems like a real cool person and very approachable. We have been outta there for 50 bucks plus whatever we spent on the bottle of vino many times, and that is a whale of a deal with a quality dining experience in my opinion. The bolognese pasta dish and any of their risottos are also fantastic. If you have not tried Sweet Basil, you must get there at least once, and be sure to pick up your wine along the way. Monday through Friday they are open at 5 pm, and trust me, you want to be there at 5pm. Saturday they open at 4 pm - follow the same rule. ****** Cash Only*******
(4)
Melissa D.
I am so impressed with a small local business who cater to true quality food and service. If you have seen my reviews, I am very particular and stress service since this can make or break your dining experience. Sweet Basil makes you feel welcome and treats each customer like a yelper who is eagerly waiting to write a review. It's a very simple layout with tables mostly 2-tops with a few group tables. Please note you can byob/w and they do not take reservations or credit cards. I parked behind masala art and cvs, that sneaky parking lot The hostess welcomed us with a big smile and since it was early (6:00pm) we were able to get the 2top right by the window. At the end of the evening, the hostess helped recork our wine bottle when our waitress couldn't get to us. A definite plus in service. Not an overwhelming menu and the entrees range from 18-21 dollars. My friend had the seafood fra diavlo - linguine covered with calamari, shrimp, clams, mussels. Since the size of the shelffish were small, they compensated with the quantity in your plate. I had the rosemary chicken with pancetta, spinach in a cream sauce over ziti. The pasta is al-dente and the crispy bits were hidden gems that flavored the sauce. I noticed the chef and some of the cooks came by and picked up the empty plates and asked how their meal was. This is such a great concept and this gives them a chance to always seek room for improvement.
(5)
Albert R.
I am visiting the greater Boston area for a few months, and yelp did not disappoint with this recommendation. The food here s brilliant, and I have come in once a week while I have been here. The start you off with a serving of fresh bread and pesto sauce - nice alternative to the oil/balsamic. don't be fooled into eating too much of it, the food is good and the portions are large. I have had the bolognese and the short ribs. the bolognese was rich and creamy, and served over pasta that was cooked perfectly al dente. Short ribs were succulent and tender, and served with mashed potatoes so creamy, they alone must have wrecked my diet. I also had the risotto appetizer, which was not a traditional risotto, but still delicious. Another review here spoke of having a negative experience in regards to the service. On my first visit, I arrived at was must have been there busiest hour. I was seated as soon as a table was available. Even though I was eating alone, they seated me at a table meant for multiple people. the waitress, listed the specials, frequently checked on me, and, when my order was taking longer than expected, provided me with a sample of the risotto appetizer while I waited. That particular waitress is not currently working there, and I haven't received that level of service since she has left, but all the staff is very friendly, helpful, and I have never felt neglected. The value I got was the most shocking thing of all. Every meal I have ordered has been under $23 dollars before the tip, and I am as often as not walking away with left overs that are pretty darn good reheated. Now there are some drawbacks to this restaurant, but they have nothing to do with the food, which is why I still gave tem five stars. First, parking is atrocious, but that is just a problem in this small town in general. The seating is rather cramped, and they fill up rather quickly, but I consider that a problem related to their success. They have take out, if you decided not to stay, but be prepared to be relatively close to your neighbor, the kitchen, or the front door. The music is an unusual mix, not what I would have expected for a restaurant of this type (you just have to experience it to know what I mean) and I can imagine that it would be kind of obtrusive if you were trying to hold a conversation. It does not, however, interfere with the eating. Lastly, it is kind of a pain to have t bring your own alcohol, especially for us out-of-towners. I have no problems highly recommending this restaurant for food, service and value unsurpassed.
(5)
Nancy W.
Just had a wonderful lunch with a friend at Sweet Basil. Its great to know they are just as good for lunch as dinner. Our favorite is to get carryout from Sweet Basil and relax at home after a busy week. All the entrees are worth trying - the lamb is a favorite. And I would rather have aother piece of the bread they serve than have desser - its that good.
(4)
R T.
Excellent food, service, and ambiance. The menu is not huge, but there should be something on there for everyone. The quality of the food was excellent, and the portions were large. The service staff was very friendly and prompt. We only waited 10 minutes to receive our food from the time it was ordered. This restaurant is BYOB (wine or beer) which was nice since we weren't getting gouged with restaurant prices for a bottle of wine. They did charge a $5 corking fee, which is standard at most BYOB restaurants. The only area for improvement is the noise level. If you listened carefully, they were playing some good background music. But you couldn't easily hear it as the restaurant noise level is a bit loud.
(5)
Jim D.
This is hands down one of the best restaurants in the Boston area. I've been doing take-out from Sweet Basil for years now but finally decided to actually dine here on Saturday evening. Their food has always been fantastic in the past and it definitely remains fantastic now. A nice surprise was that the charming Chef Dave Becker was there to greet and seat us. He was very friendly and even offered us a complimentary glass of wine. Sweet! The inside is cozy and comfortable but on the smaller side. It was much smaller before they expanded so be thankful it's the size it is right now. I typically get the seafood fra diavolo (which is still offered but just not on the menu) but decided to get the lamb ossobuco. Let me tell you - that is one phenomenal dish! Utterly tender, succulent and mind-bogglingly delicious. Their portions are also extremely generous so be sure to come with plenty of room in your belly. A great perk is that it's BYOB - gotta love that! This place gets extremely packed on just about any night of the week so it's a very good idea to come early. Also, don't forget your cash as they only take cash and checks. If you haven't visited Sweet Basil yet, I think your visit is long overdue.
(5)
P Q.
Heard this was a great restaurant. Wrong. Very disappointed. Chopped tomatoes on everything. My friend ordered Chicken Scallopini and I ordered Sweet Carrot Gnocchi in lemon broth and the sauces could have been interchangeable - lots of chopped tomatoes on both even though no mention of tomatoes in the description of the gnocchi. Try it if you must when it is quiet . . . but don't waste your time if you have to wait to be seated.
(2)
Michele B.
Every time I go here I think, Wow, I really should go here more often. But I am usually deterred by the long wait. The portions are large and filling. I had the ziti with beets and a squash ragu which was fantastic. The seafood stew was also good and so large that it is served in a pyrex casserole dish. I thought this was a little tacky but my dining companion was pretty happy. Overall, the atmosphere is closer to you would expect in a college town rather than a suburb (though I guess Needham does have one college). It's also a legal BYOB so it's a good opportunity to bring a nice bottle of wine. Which of course you can't buy in Needham - I think the nearest Liquor store is Upper Falls Discount Liquor in Newton, or at the same distance Bazaa grocery store across the street.
(4)
J M.
Went last night with another couple that lives in Needham. My friend's wife is an Italian and she loves this place, so I thought this must be awesome. And it was! We arrived at 7 for dinner, and the wait was about 45 minutes. They don't take reservation, and for a Saturday night I thought that was fairly acceptable. The food was amazing. I ordered the scallops and it was done very well. I'm a fan. One good thing also is that this place is a BYOW (bring your own wine). That is fantastic. They do charge an uncorking fee, $5 I believe, but you avoid the typical 500% upcharge on bottles of wine. To top it all, we sat next to Steven Tyler (yes the guy from Aerosmith). It was an awesome experience. The owner who was going to have the night off, rolled up his sleeves and cooked for him. I would too. How often can you say, "I cook for Steven Tyler"? Anyways, a solid five stars. Will be going back. A north end quality restaurant in Needham!
(5)
Danielle L.
I don't get the hype about this place. I've been to Sweet Basil twice now and both experiences were just okay. This time, I took my mom because I saw on the Internet that they were one of about 40 restaurants that are donating a percentage of their earnings tonight to the victims of the marathon. I was eager and happy to contribute but when I asked our waiter about it, she said she didn't know what percent of the evening's sales would be donated nor did she know anything about the charity. Before leaving, I asked the host as well and he didn't know either. There was otherwise no mention or signage about it so I wonder if other people even knew about it. Seemed half-assed and not heartfelt at all. Our food was okay but the serving sizes were huge given that we only ordered starters. Too much food! And our waitress was slammed so our service was quite slow. I was turned off by the drab decor - specifically the glass ball full of beads, feathers, and other odd dusty things that are not appealing as a centerpiece. I don't think I'll be going back - even if it's for a good cause.
(2)
Caroline D.
small place, not too much on the menu to choose from. got something plain and simple - the handmade raviolis.... but they were terrible!! swimming in sauce, hard as a rock on the outside (shouldve brought a chisel just to get to the middle). now, the filling of 3 cheeses (not a fan of goat cheese but i can deal on occassion), were hard to swallow. there are no drinks other than water or bring your own wine for a 5$ charge which left me with no way to wash the taste of those nasty raviolis out of my mouth. bring cash as they dont accept credit cards - so my bf had to leave after ordering his food and find an atm machine. we were not informed by the waitress or host or even read a sign upon entering that they dont accept cash it is however noted in small print on their menu. when we arrived we waited about 10 minutes for a table. the woman who sat us, never gave us a menu. after another 10 minutes of waiting for our waitress, we had to stop one and ask for a menu. no apologies either. so we got our bread and pesto, which was ok. nothing bad or good about it. we asked for another bowl, and had to ask twice before she brought it to us, again with no apology. finally we were asked if we wanted our food to be wrapped up to go. of course we did, i mean who wouldnt bring home an 18$ bowl of uneaten raviolis??? she said shed be right over. we had to ask for boxes and bags three times. she didnt apologize for not bringing it over the first two times either. seems to be the theme of that thursday night.... needless to say after alot of rants and raves from people saying how delicious the place is, i found it to be anything but & ill never go back. my boyfriend got the chicken parm, he liked it and would go back ( but i guess it would be without me ). he said it wasnt his favorite place. hes the reason im not giving this place one star.
(2)
Mark B.
My weekly go to, my favorite for entertaining out of towners when food and fun are at the top of the list (they always are). Great staff (both FOH & BOH), great music, great ambiance. Always super accomodating for requests, needs. What more can I say? I always try to go early in the evening to avoid waiting - cause I love to eat. Beet noodles are my current passion, but the Osso Bucco kills, too.
(5)
Abby M.
My family loves to dine out...and we may be monotonous, but NO ONE protests when, 90% of the time, we decide to go to Sweet Basil. We've been coming here for years. It is a never-fail option when taking someone new out. Although they keep coming out with new, enticing dishes, it is always an inner struggle not to order the tried, true, and delicious. For me it is: -Pan-fried mozzarella (to those nay-sayers: save a couple pieces of bread and sopp up the good stuff! Yes it's messy but that's part of the fun) -Baked gouda over greens...YUM -Ravioli -Rosemary Chicken ...I'm not a big meat person, so I am usually most tempted by the appetizers. If you've read the other reviews, you know the appetizers are plenty as a meal. As with most restaurants, the specials are guaranteed to be fresh and worth the risk of the unknown. They don't serve desserts or even coffee, but a frozen custard place just opened next door. Fact is, their apps and entrees are so well done and so enormous that none but the die-hard sweet tooths will be craving dessert after a meal at sweet basil. Also-- we've come here for a few birthday dinners and they will happily serve a cake you bring from home with candles and singing. The wait staff is friendly, helpful, and usually sincerely enthusiastic about the food they serve. You get an oversized glass full of water that will never reach the bottom thanks to attentive busboys, a basket of fresh bread with amazing pesto, and no one rolls their eyes when you ask to take your leftovers home. We usually come here early-ish on weekdays, to avoid the wait. BYOB, bring enough cash, and ENJOY!!!
(5)
Christopher S.
It has been some time since my last visit but I wanted to write a review about my experience. A few months ago I decided to take my girlfriend out to dinner here for our anniversary. Knowing we each have been to Sweet Basil before we met I thought it would be nice to go together. Bringing my own bottle of Bull's Blood red wine we set off to the restaurant. Aware they do not take reservations we left so we could arrive hopefully before the dinner rush. At the podium we were greeted by a really friendly man who sat us at I believe the last available table for two. Our waitress came by, opened our bottle of red ($5 charge), gave us bread and pesto then took down our order. -Pan roasted mozzarella with basil marinara Served during dinner only -Chicken scaloppini with lemon, capers, tomatoes, spinach and pasta on the side -Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce tossed with ziti Soooooooooo, frickin' good! We sat enjoying our meal, checked on by the waitress and owner (?) to make sure everything was to our liking. I was happy to be in a place where I didn't feel rushed and I could take my time even though a line was out the door. It's nice to find that there are little places that serve up quality food and make you feel comfortable. I can see why this place is a local favorite. The only part of my meal that I did not enjoy was that a few of my zitis were a bit on the crunchy side. Other than that I have nothing bad to say about Sweet Basil. Great for dates!
(4)
AB H.
I was really disappointed with my dinner last night. Both the appetizer, gazpacho, and the main course, roasted chicken and pasta, were way too salty. And I felt way too full and heavy after eating only about a 1/4 of my dinner. The crispy pancetta were not edible: over cooked and salty. The creamy parmesan sauce was too heavy. Overall, I would not go back, and I wonder how it's gotten so many good reviews.
(2)
Omri G.
One of the best restaurants I eat in! A confession, I am not a big fan of the culinary scene in the Boston area, I think there are some good places but for the most it's boring and and not creative enough, and then we found Sweet Basil... The food is so surprising with it's flavor, the looks of it is so colorful and the creativity of the food is very unique and reflect the love and thought that was put in each dish we ordered. The service is also very pleasant and warm. The only problem is that it's hard to get a table at the busy hours and the wait is a bit long, but that's fine by me.
(5)
Lana R.
Love, love, love. First of all, it's BYOB. Liquor store down the street :) The hostess made us feel immediately welcome as she took our names down. They were totally full on a Tuesday evening. There are chairs to wait outside. We were seated at a lovely table by the window about 20min later. They offer a pesto spread and amazing bread to start. We also got a goat cheese/beet salad that was incredible. Fresh and delicious. Hubby ordered their special - a beef brisket mushroom risotto and I got the rosemary chicken ziti (no bacon). Both were excellent. Huge portions. NOTE: they do not do dessert.
(5)
Kate R.
This is my absolute favorite restaurant. Me and my boyfriend live in town and we go here occasionally. It is such a treat! We love the atmosphere - cozy, unpretentious, low lights, fresh flowers, mismatched plates and bowls, and a cool old-fashioned bottle of water at every table. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and casually dressed. (You can wear whatever you want here and you wouldn't be out of place.) The food is AMAZING. My boyfriend typically gets the bolognese dish or the lamb - delicious. I've gotten the chicken and pasta dish, which is very good, and also the beet and goat cheese salad with the fish of the day. We've never had a bad dinner and you typically get a couple meals out of it because the portions are quite big. Expensive with entrees in the 20-25 dollar range, but worth every penny. CONS: Go early (at 5, 5:30) or after the dinner rush - They won't take reservations. I wish that they served dessert, but then they would never be able to accomodate everyone that wants a table.
(5)
Shannon W.
AMAZING. This is my favorite restaurants in the greater boston area. Everything is so fresh and delicious, and the service is great.
(5)
Jenn S.
After hearing about Sweet Basil for years, I was so excited when we finally got the chance to go! We went at 5 on a Friday night (we have a toddler), and were seated right away, which I understand is rare. They don't have any high chairs, so my husband ran home to get our travel one, which is a negative. But the staff was so baby/kid-friendly, that it's not a huge deal. They immediately brought yummy bread with a DELICIOUS pesto sauce. I couldn't get enough. And the waitress said I could get a small bowl of pasta with butter or sauce for my son. That came out quick and was a good size. It wasn't anything amazing (pasta with sauce), but he enjoyed it. I got the special risotto and my husband went for his standard - the chicke parm. The portions are huge (although he polished his off) and both were tasty but not amazing. Maybe our expectations were so high due to the rave reviews? My risotto was quite salty and his chicken wasn't as crispy as he likes. Don't get me wrong - we enjoyed it and would go back, but we weren't wowed as much as we thought we'd be. We loved the funky atmosphere - they had fun music & decor. My husband paid while I brought our son outside, so I don't know exactly how much everything was, but it's not cheap. Which is not a surprise.
(4)
Beth J.
This is the BEST Italian food I've had in forever! The bread and pesto they serve was a perfect start. My family and I shared the Calamari, Cesar salad (no anchovies!), Chicken Parmesan, and Shrimp Scampi. The portions are huge so we had lots of leftovers. EVERYTHING was perfect. The service and ambiance were great. It's BYOB and they don't serve dessert-cause who even wants it after food like this!
(5)
B D.
Everything about this place was good. BYOB, waitress was very polite and helpful, we got delicious bread, dishes were phenomenal. Will come back for sure.
(5)
Al M.
We found this place on a last minute Yelp search. Seemed to be the best food in the area, and it's possibly the best food within 10 miles. Killer pastas, veal, chicken. Salads were superb. Great dining room and very cool staff. Prices were right in line with what I would expect given the food quality. Everything we ordered was well prepared and well seasoned. Veal w port wine sauce, cheese ravioli with marinara, chicken parm, and a special corn agnolotti. I would drive an extra 45 mins to enjoy this meal again. No question.
(5)
Lexie S.
So good! And such a cute place. The food was really good and the staff was friendly. Would definitely come back.
(4)
Rich C.
Visiting from Southern California- Sweet Basil was the most refreshing reminder of what true Italian food is. I wanted to go out for some pasta with my sister before a long run tomorrow, so I naturally went to Yelp for some advice and found this gem. Over 200 reviews with a 4.5 star average = a must try. We arrived 20 min after they opened and were lucky to not have to wait. We were some of the last couple of couples to fill it out. I didn't take notice to any exaggerated decor or efforts to stand out. Less is more sometimes and this place gets it! It was just right. We were received and seated and given some refreshing water and bread with pesto. Our waiter came soon thereafter with a personable introduction and before we could blink she took our bottle of wine and had it uncorked. We had all the time time we need to order from the small menu: Gnocchi and fried oysters over fresh veggies to start, the bolognese and she had the lamb and grits. Small menus usually leave me wondering why they don't give more options, but this is quite the contrary for a business like this. Why? It is ALL excellent. There is simply no need to "get creative." Over the hum of music and the chatter of all the other patrons, we enjoyed some wine and gnocchi. This gnocchi was bigger and softer than I've had before ... And simply spectacular. The fried oysters and the veggies were incredibly fresh and the presentation of it all was not overdone. The taste of the food here is clearly the centerpiece. No need to gift wrap their food. The bolognese came out and I think I drooled. The portion was so much bigger than it looked and I found myself having to pace my dinner. The flavors, texture, and body of the dish was IMPECCABLE. I have never had better bolognese. Luckily my sister gave me a taste of her lamb and grits which almost sent me through the ceiling it was so good! The service, ambiance, and just the love I have for the East Coast (originally from NJ) all constructed a simply incredible dining experience. This place could not do any better in any way. Will always come back if I'm in town.
(5)
Don G.
The food is fantastic. Can't say anything else. Eaten there many times, never had a meal that anything less than 5 stars. Ate there the other night with family and it didn't disappoint. Long wait for a table but worth it. There aren't too many places like this that give big servings to big eaters like me and unbelievably great food at the same time. Great pesto served with bread as a starter, I could make that my meal.
(5)
Sheila R.
LOVE Sweet Basil. The food and atmosphere are always wonderful. We'll often do take out as the restaurant doesn't take reservations so the wait can be very long on a warm summer night. Food and service are both exceptional and always a treat!
(4)
Jennifer G.
Delicious Italian food! Small cozy restaurant in Needham Center with plenty of street parking available. Fun fact: it's BYOB and they just charge you $5 for a bottle opening fee. There's a wine shop down the street. No Italian meal is whole unless you start off with a fresh basket of bread. The pesto dip is delicious. Wish the bread was warmer, but it was still pretty good. Don't fill up too quickly on the bread! For our table of 5, we started off with two starters: the calamari and the mussels. Both were delicious. Tip: soak the bread in the mussel sauce - it's perfect. I got the bolognese dish for my entree. All the portions here are very generous! I ate half and was full. Perfect for lunch the next day. The pasta was a little tough to separate from the rest of the ingredients so I was struggling a little bit at first, but can't complain. Tasted great. My friends got the risotto, rosemary chicken, scallops, and shrimp scampi. All were great, except the scallops dish comes with prosciutto that's WAY too salty. It makes you cringe. We sent that back and they were understanding about it and switched out for a different dish instead. Overall great dining experience! Can't wait to come back.
(4)
Brian O.
I ordered the basil chicken and scrapped the basil off which to my surprise was very easy. When I left the restaurant I rolled it and smoked it. Best high I've ever achieved
(5)
Rebekah C.
I am a big fan of Sweet Basil. This is a very small place, they don't take reservations I love that it is BYOB so you can bring a couple bottles of delicious wine to enjoy with good food and pay way less then you would if you had to pay per glass. The food is delicious and I love how they serve the meal on hand made pottery. The pesto is delicious. The staff has always been friendly and done a great job during my visits.
(4)
Kaitlyn W.
The food here is delicious. There was no wait for the table and immediately we were served with bread and their amazing pesto. We asked for seconds on the bread-- but save room for the main course! Although the lunch menu was a bit limited, there was nothing we ordered that we didn't like the. The fusilli bolognese is absolutely fantastic, the best I've ever had. The portions are filling, and we left feeling satisfied. Highly recommended.
(5)
Michelle C.
Lunch review The pesto is ah.may.zing! I couldn't stop eating it and was making the biggest pig out of myself in front of my work-lunch coworkers. More pesto! MORE PESTO!! It's so garlicky, I was in heaven! The main meal was okay, I had the special risotto but it was undercooked...although I was really caring that much cause I just ate more pesto,..what is wrong with me?!
(4)
Albie D.
Extremely disappointed with my experience here, and I'd never be back or recommend it to others. Overall - rushed service and mediocre food. Scratch that - inedible food, i.e. RAW PASTA. I'm surprised at the popularity of this place. What do people see here? Went Friday at opening with my DC and we were immediately rushed to order, drink our wine, and hurry things along. Blonde waitress was brusque and cheerily condescending. Hadn't been sitting more than five minutes when we were asked what we wanted to order - didn't even get a chance to chat and fully read the menu- so I couldn't really comment on what was on it. The meal: Bread and pesto was the best part of this meal. Unfortunately, it was all downhill. Ordered the Caesar salad which came in a gigantic, deep bowl. It was soggy, overdressed, and SALTY with chewy and sticky whole anchovies slopped on top. I'm a fan of anchovies, but this was too much and unappetizing. This salt level was so salty it left an unsavory taste in my mouth lasting well until the next day. Back to the rushed service: I kid you not, I put my fork down to pick up my glass, and the waitress came over, put her hands on the bowl and tried to take it away as I was still eating. I was so taken aback by this intrusiveness, that my DC had to say, "she's not done yet!" I ordered the ravioli, which was described as fresh and handmade. I've never seen ravioli presented this way. It was essentially a BOWL, a full bowl, of sauce, with what i think was ravioli hidden in its depths. As I ate it it, the cheese seeped out into the pool of sauce, and became a huge amorphous slop of red and white cheese. AND THE PASTA WAS RAW. It was not cooked. RAW PASTA. Thick and deconstructed ravioli. Raw. In a puddle of sauce. The sauce was clearly homemade, but it was so garlicky that I was smelling like garlic well into the next day. Additionally, it was so hot that I immediately scalded my mouth on it. I'd bet money most of their dishes are prepped ahead of time en masse and then they heat them up in a way that would cause uneven and scalding temperatures.How else would they be so fast with their food? Raw pasta is inexcusable, hence the 1 star. I was surprised when no desert or coffee was offered, I had thought it was a not so subtle way of letting us know we have to go - but apparently that's their practice, no coffee (is it because they want to turn the table over?) - which is fine, but perhaps they should make that clear - somewhere. Also, it confirms that this place is more about the quantity of diners than the quality of their food. Rush, rush, rush, rush. SALTY, bad food, more rushing, RAW PASTA, rush. Unceremoniously plopping of the check. Good riddance.
(1)
Jonathan F.
First time there and very happy. On a Thursday night there was about a 45 minute wait but the weather and company were terrific and it went by quickly. Matt, the maitre d was as good as they get, highly attentive, efficient and friendly. The dining area is a bit tight- hey, it's popular- but comfortable and there's a very good wait staff. I was with a party of oenophiles and being able to bring our own wine added another dimension and made the check much more reasonable. We shared appetizers and main dishes. Muscles were delicious. Beef bolognese with tasty bits of sausage and the rosemary chicken were highlights. Looking forward to repeating soon.
(5)
Lindsey M.
I really like the food at Sweet Basil but there are a few things that really bother me, with that being said: Would I come back? Yes. Pro's: 1. The food is excellent, I have never had a bad meal here. The sauce is very good and everything is very fresh and flavorful. 2. BYOB - Although some people do not care for it, I love bringing a nice expensive bottle of wine to dinner and not paying a markup of 50-60%. 3. Location - Easy to find and easy to park (street, parking lot, etc). 4. Staff is super nice to deal with and WILL call you when your table is ready. They are also able to give you suggestions as to where you can get a glass (or two!) of wine while you wait. 5. Prices are affordable and you do get a lot of food. 6. Corking fee is very reasonable. Con's: 1. No reservations, first come first serve and the wait! Even when I come early I am still waiting anywhere from 45-60 minutes. When I say I come early, I mean 5:00pm people! 2. No dessert or coffee. 3. I feel SO RUSHED here! I've never felt rushed in a restaurant before. This is the only place where they take your dinner plates and immediately run over to you with the check. I understand you have a long wait and I understand that you want to seat others. When I am waiting over an hour to sit down, I will take my time! 4. The restaurant is so small! There is no where to stand to wait and it is really hard to get in/out without bumping into someone or a table. 5. Dinner plates - I get the whole hand crafted beauty of the plates and they really are pretty. The problem I have is that many of the plates are chipped. This is a big health inspection no-no. When food or anything gets into those cracks, it absorbs into the clay and you can't clean it. Working at my old restaurant, we would have to throw away anything that had chips on it, as a standard industrial dishwasher does not clean these properly. This grosses me out, I see this mainly on the bread/appetizer plates. I have had chipped plates all three times I have been at Sweet Basil. The pro's outweigh the con's at Sweet Basil, we will be back.....but hopefully we will not have to wait an hour next time!
(3)
Jacob G.
I liked Sweet Basil. BYOB is amazing. No reservations which kind of suck but that's what they do. Their pesto is really great. Wife got Halibut and said it was amazing. I got their Bolognese which was fine, nothing special. I'd think twice before getting pasta again, pasta was overdone and their bolognese sauce was trying to be something different and it just didn't get it right. It's one of those things that's perfect already, don't mess with it. I'll be coming back and trying something else since people love this place and it is 47th best in Boston area. Worst case I enjoy a bottle of wine from a packie and a fine meal.
(4)
Iman S.
This restaurant is utterly phenomenal. The food is very good, the staff and the manager are super nice and the environment is very welcoming. Most importantly you can bring your own wine and enjoy :).
(5)
Susan P.
I had to twist my husband's arm to try this place. First, he doesn't like that they don't take reservations; second, he said it's a "red sauce joint." I was very dismissive of his second point as I thought the menu was somewhat inventive, and there were many dishes I would not consider "red sauce." But he was right. In the end I was very underwhelmed. The best thing they have is the basil pesto for dipping the bread - it is quite good. Other than that, the food is very mediocre. We ordered calamari. They were cut up in really large chunks; if you used a fork and knife to cut them into bite size pieces the coating came off; also, under-seasoned. The tomato dipping sauce was really chunky so would not adhere to the calamari. Meh. My husband ordered the chicken parmesan, it came (as a huge portion) with a side of pasta (ziti). I suspect the huge portions have something to do with the great ratings. The ziti was overcooked and topped with a very chunky tomato sauce. Canned tomatoes. Nothing at all wrong with that (the finest places use canned tomatoes for this application), but it was as though that was it - canned tomatoes dumped on, no simmering, no olive oil, no garlic, no nothin'. And dumping sauce on to of pasta is a no-no; pasta should really be finished in the sauce to absorb it and meld with it (a la Lidia Bastianich), not merely topped. I ordered agnolotti with fresh corn. It turned out to be an ill-conceived dish. The pasta was really tough - either underdone or too thick or both. It's filling was ok, but very liquidy; it leached out all over the place when you cut the agnolotti (which were not bite size to begin with). It was all topped with a lot of arugula and tomatoes and onions - kind of salad-y. On a positive note, the wait staff and greeters were all very pleasant. I liked the funky decor.
(2)
Wayne C.
A fantastic, unpretentious spot for a business lunch or a casual evening meal. The menu offers a little something for every taste. From the well plated salads to the unique summer soups to the fantastic mussels - everything is continental Italian and comes to the table with a smile and not a lot of fanfare. What struck me the most about the restaurant was the server. She made every effort to assure we were comfortable and well attended to - but provided us with plenty of space to drive into our business discussion without ever wanting for anything. Sweet Basil is the perfect place to relax and enjoy well prepared and beautifully presented Italian bistro fare. Oh - and well have great French fries!
(4)
Dane K.
The Chicken Parm might be the best thing I have ever tasted. The bread is great and the staff is friendly. Would definitely say to go here if you get a chance.
(5)
Alison R.
1. They do not have any alcohol here. Bring your own wine and beers!! 2. Come early. I got here at 7pm and the wait was 45 minutes to 1 hour. The host is super nice though and took our cell number so we could walk around the block. He called us when our table was ready. 3. It's a small restaurant so it's a bit loud and a bit cramped but the food is great. 4. I ordered the Bolognese and my husband ordered the Chicken in Cream Sauce. I would highly recommend both! 5. Definitely going back when I'm in the Needham area again!
(4)
Jenn K.
HUGE portions. I feel like ordering one entree is good enough for two people especially considering how good their bread and pesto is that you won't need to really order anything else, but the problem with that is EVERYTHING ON THE MENU SOUNDS AMAZING. I came with two other friends and we decided to order the calamari (appetizer) which was actually a huge portion, but nonetheless delicious. My favorite part was how the marinara sauce had big chunks of tomato and had a hint of spice added. For entrees, we shared the lamb dish and roasted garlic chicken dish. The lamb was extremely moist and practically melted in my mouth. The roasted chicken dish came with pasta that was cooked to a perfect al dente with huge pieces of moist chicken and vegetables. The three of us shared two entrees and an appetizer and had plenty to take back home, overall it was definitely a great dining experience. The waiters are extremely friendly, so don't be hesitant to ask for more bread & pesto!
(4)
Raphael Y.
Great food every time I come. The fresh pesto and bread is amazing. Beautiful feel and decor
(5)
Darren W.
Great food and you can't beat BYOW. I went to the wine shop across the common and got a nice bottle.
(4)
Roberta D.
Holy smokes! This place is no joke. My boyfriend brought me to Sweet Basil for my birthday dinner - he read a review and heard it was one of Boston's top area restaurants, and I can absolutely see why. We went on a Friday evening and there was about a 45 minute wait. They directed us to places in the area where we would wait in the meantime (the inside is extremely small and there is no where to wait). So we went to Farmhouse (right across the street) for some drinks and they called us when our table was ready. We were promptly seated and given the most delicious pesto dip I have ever tasted in my life, I swear I have been having dreams about that pesto dip ever since. As delicious as the dip is be sure to leave room for any appetizers or your main course meal. We ordered the calamari and we were positively stuffed at that point that we both barely touched our meal. For my main meal I ordered the Rosemary Chicken. I am kind of disappointed with the way it is described on the menu - it reads rosemary chicken with pasta, I think it would be better to phrase it pasta with chicken. I expected a main chicken dish and some pasta on the side not the other way around. Overall, this place is excellent - they have an exciting menu and great eclectic vibe. Heads up for everyone it is BYOB and I guess in the past they only took cash but they do take cards now.
(5)
Craig M.
One of Needham's greatest restaurants. We eat in for special occasions and order take out for a fancy night in. My wife loves the Rosemary Chicken and I love the Chicken Parmesan. They always have giant portions. You will not go home hungry. Dave is one of the friendliest restaurant proprietors that you will ever meet. I remember dining here before the expansion and they kept that same quaintness even now that they can serve 5 times as many people. You can even buy their famous pesto to go a mile away at Volante Farms in Needham.
(4)
Emily G.
Sweet Basil is an Italian eatery in Needham, MA that serves traditional and inventive dishes made with hand-made pastas and ingredients from locally sourced, New England farms and purveyors. Chef and Owner Dave Becker even makes the restaurants plateware in a local studio. I have heard many great reviews of Sweet Basil from friends who live in the area. I was really excited to be doing an errand in Needham knowing that I would finally get a chance to try Sweet Basil for myself. While I went in for lunch, Sweet Basil is open for dinner as well and guests are welcome to bring their own bottle of wine or beer to drink with their meal for a $5 corkage fee. The restaurant does not take reservations, and the wait can be long, but stick it out because it is worth it. To start the meal we were served the freshest bread with a side of house made pesto. The pesto was such a nice twist from the usual butter or olive oil. For lunch I tried the Crispy chicken tossed with ziti, serrano ham, tomatoes and peas in a gruyere cream sauce. This beautiful and hearty dish was only $12 and I had plenty to take home as leftovers. The chicken was nice large chunks of white meat and nothing beats hand-made, fresh ziti. This was one of the best pasta dishes I have tried yet - and I try a lot of pasta! I am looking forward to visiting Sweet Basil again soon, bottle of wine in tow!
(5)
Ivan C.
Delicious Italian in a cozy family restaurant setting? FANtastic! Meals start off with bread of course, Italians :) which sadly makes my mom always so full she never eats more than half of the entrees. The pesto sauce is very good, slightly oily for me, though very delicious. I just wish the bread would come warm. I always get the Fried Calamari with Spicy Sauce. If I'm not having Squid Ink Pasta at an Italian restaurant, I'm probably having Fried Calamari. I must say, they are super good. Fried very crispy. You get a lot of calamari flavor, which to me is important because I hate just oil flavors popping out. The spicy bolognese sauce was also very delicious and simple, but done well. You can taste the tomatoes and not just the spice and herbs. Definitely recommend this appetizer.! FraDiavolo Seafood Pasta: Spicy marinara pasta with seafood. I have to say, I love the sauce and if I could, I would buy a bottle from them so I can cook pasta every other night at home. Noodles were done al dente and I do like them slightly hard. Seafood fresh and tasty. I must say the sauce really stood out. Overall, it's a very nice restaurant: perfect for dates or family. It's quite, slightly on the expensive side. But hey, why not indulge in Italian yumminess on weekends?
(5)
anthony j.
Ordered take out from this place last night. The chicken parm. and green salad was good but the risotto was horrible (uneatable). Also a side note, order consisted of 2 chicken parms., 2 risottos and 2 green salads bill=$90 seems a little high..probale won't go back, to bad seemed like a lot of people liked this place.
(2)
Kaen D.
I had the Bolognese over pappardelle pasta. The food was so hot I had to wait 10 minutes before I could eat it. The sauce was very salty. I realize that sausages can be salty, but this was overpowering.....I do not drink wine or beer so I did not bring something to drink with me . I was sure they would offer iced tea or soda or seltzer. Instead, they place a bottle of warm water on the table. I was so thirsty , probably from the salty sauce, and I would have loved a nice glass of ICED WATER !!!!!!! The best part of the dinner was the pesto and Italian bread......
(2)
Maria F.
My boyfriend saw all the great reviews on here and really wanted to give it a try. Overall it was a good dinner, but still not in my top choices. We decided to get there around 5pm, a little earlier than normal for a saturday night. We tried to beat the crowd but was still stuck with a 30 minute wait. It is a fairly small place and it was packed. As for dinner, the bread and pesto dip was delcious and addictive. The bread was soft on the inside with a crusty hard outer layer. The pesto dip was the best i've ever. I ordered the chicken parm with home-made linguini. The chicken parm was crispy yet still juicy and held the flavors of the sauce well. It was covered in chewy mozzarella. To me the linguni had an odd flavor to it. I could not pin point what the flavor was but it kept me from eating much of the linguini. My boyfriend ordered the Bolognese with beef, sausage and mushrooms over pappardelle. He enjoyed the flavors but couldnt not get past the chunkiness of the sauce. I don't mind chunks of tomato in my sauce but he rather have his smooth. We were not offered a dessert menu or coffee. Which lead me to believe there wasn't one. There was only water served. No soft drinks or teas. It's BYOB for beer and Wine. We may return again to try out some other dishes.
(3)
Ashley D.
THIS PLACE IS A MUST GO!!! I usually come here for lunch because they do not take reservations and you never have to wait for lunch. The portions here are huge and you get a lot for your money. I love the mussels and greek salad here. The mussels have a great sauce and its very flavorful. For entrees, the pasta bolognese is a must try. It is a very generous portion and the meat tastes like butter. The pasta is also extremely fresh. They also always have a fish special. It usually comes with a grain and a vegetable. The fish is around 12 dollars and it is a huge portion. The pesto here is phonemail. The best pesto I have ever had. You can never go wrong with just pasta and pesto. This place is also BYOB. And they only charge 5 dollars for a corkage fee. How can you beat that??? It is very casual inside so do not expect much. It used to be cash only but they now accept credit cards.
(5)
Amy S.
We love Sweet Basil! Love their pesto! However, I can't eat much cheese. I wish they had an option of an entree that is vegetarian without cheese. Hubby loves their chicken parm and their portions generous. Definitely leftovers for the next day. Also, a must try is their new restaurant in Wellesley called Juniper! Yum!
(5)
Lena A.
I'm not sure if its because I'm always a little tipsy from bringing my own bottle of wine or if its the consistency of the delicious pasta... or that I always end up sitting at the same table but this place is fantastic. The owner is almost always there to greet his guests. I always order the Bolognese. Let's just say I traveled to NY on Amtrak with a tray of Bolognese for a college friend who went to college in Boston with me. That's the type of experience and connection that Sweet Basil offers.
(5)
Katherine W.
Gazpacho is delicious! BYOB but nowhere nearby to get wine-weird.
(3)
My O.
Very good Italian food. You can bring your own wine/beer which is nice. Wait staff was knowledgeable and pleasant. The only reason I do not give 5 stars is because it was tight quarters which made it a little uncomfortable.
(4)
Ai R.
I'm new to the town, moving here from Boston and when the discussion turns to restaurants, the first thing people ask is "Have you been to Sweet Basil yet?" It was lauded by everyone as being one of the best places in the town. So I figured I would try it when I took my friend out to dinner for his birthday. You walk in and its a cute place on the smaller side. I did noticed that it was packed on a Tuesday night and still a 20 min wait at 8 pm. I took these all as good signs. They finally tells us our table is ready. We brought our own bottle of red wine and the corkage fee was only 5 dollars, so awesome. Our very friendly waitress brings out this melt in your mouth bread and pesto! You could make a meal out of just that. She takes our order of the goat cheese salad with beets as a shared starter, I got the veal with the mushrooms and figs and my friend got the chicken parm. Our food comes out and we were so pleasantly surprised. Considering I had all these amazing Italian restaurants available when I lived in the city I wasn't sure how good this place would be. The salad was fresh and balanced in the flavors, lightly tossed with a maple balsamic vinaigrette. I never seen apricots used for a beet salad and was wondering if all the flavors would work. It did. My veal was so flavorful and tender. Perfectly cooked! The sauce was so delicious. The pasta that came with it was al dente. I tasted my friends dish and it was also great. Portions were large and I had dinner the next night. I had such a great experience at Sweet Basil. It has wonderful food and a friendly, attentive staff. I plan on coming back soon!
(5)
Maya M.
Delicious food and very generous portions make this place great value for money! The pesto they serve with bread while you wait for your food is absolutely divine. (You can actually buy it now at volante farms nearby) My favorite dish there is the rosemary chicken but I get it with polenta instead of the ziti. The goat cheese and beet salad is also delicious. The other thing j love about this place is that it is byob... There's a wine store down the street that has a great selection of Italian wines to compliment the sweet basil menu. The service is wonderful too. Friendly and knowledgeable and thoughtful wait staff. All things considered this is a wonderful dining experience.
(5)
Jane D.
I went for lunch on a stormy Thursday. My friend and i were only the second table seated for lunch. the pesto on bread was fine, the atmosphere was funky and a little retro. how ever I was served my lunch in a bowl with three chips on the rim. It was all I could do not to send it back. being with a friend i didn't want to seem impossible. with when a piece of ceramic chips it allows the chemicals of the glaze to leach out and on to food. and because bowl was made from terra cotta, a very porous type of clay that will allow bacterial growth if not glazed. Yuck! not what you want to be eating your $11 dollar lunch on. if it had been a busy night i would have assumed that the dishwasher was full and this was a fluke, but serving on of four costumers at lunch on a chipped bowl is just gross. not only is it aesthetically displeasing, but it is also
(1)
Joseph S.
What a disappointment! Brought my family and we ordered calamari appetizer and duck meatballs. The calamari smelt so fishy it was old and should never have been served. The duck meatballs were awful. They were spongy and tasted like frozen processed prepackaged meatballs. We ordered ravioli and pasta bolognese. The ravioli was served swimming in a bowl of marinara sauce that could have come from a jar. The dough was so thick that the cheese squeezed out with each cut. The bolognese sauce was the worst I have ever had. Too much seasoning, terrible tasting meats and there was garlic in every bite. Even the grated cheese was the low cost sawdust parm that one finds in a cheap supermarket. The only reason I give them a star was for the bread and pesto spread. I will never go back.
(1)
Michelle T.
No need to go to the north end, this place out shines every restaurant there! Growing up in needham I've come here a lot and they by far have the best homemade delicious food I've ever had. To start every table gets bread with a pesto dip which is so delicious!!! My favorite go to meals are the rosemary chicken dish and the veal cutlet dish with pappardelle noodles. They are seriously so amazing!!!! Also the mussels are a great app to share, the broth is delicious and so tasty to dip the bread in. Love that it is byob too. I love the food here so much, so fresh and flavorful and the portions are huge!! I would come here every night for dinner if I could.
(5)
Marie-frances R.
I visited Sweet Basil for the first time a few weekends ago and ended up going twice in the span of three days. The first time was on a Friday evening around 6:30pm. We put our names in (they don't take reservations) and the owner and hostess suggested we grab a drink at a restaurant across the street in the meantime. It was perfect timing! In 30-40 minutes we were seated in a cozy corner and our BYOB beautiful bottle of red, red wine was popped open by our lovely waitress. I ordered the Bolognese with pappardelle homemade pasta - it was so phenomenal. And, my boyfriend had the veal which was also nice. It was so pleasant we returned with his parents a few days later - the service and food was just as delicious as the first time. I ordered the shrimp scampi this time around, but honestly wished I'd gotten the Bolognese again - it was that good!
(5)
Yasa E.
Mmmm...so delish! BYOB, really cute cozy atmosphere, huge portions! The baked Gouda over greens was a big enough app for 4 people to share and was like a big fancy grilled cheese. I had the braised chicken, which is literally enough for 3 meals. My bf had the braised veal which I also liked. The side of pasta he got was kind of blahh...kind of like a kids pasta with marinara. My friend let me try her steak too and it was a little fatty, but had a good flavor overall. Downfalls are that the place is packed and you need a reservation and most likely have to wait even with a reservation. No dessert either which is disappointing. Service was on point and our waiter had very good menu knowledge. Definitely will come back!
(5)
Kimberly K.
Cute place with warm ambiance and awesome ceramic serveware. Pesto and bread was a nice start to the meal. We split a very bland Caesar salad. I ordered seafood fra diavalo, although it wasn't on the menu. It was great. There was too much raw garlic, but still excellent. He did not like his bolognese at all, unfortunately.
(4)
Heather F.
I had a great meal here while in town for the Boston Marathon. I'm always cautious about pre race meals, but this was exactly what I needed. Ok, I guess not too cautious because I ordered chicken parm instead of a big bowl of plain pasta... Worth it! It came with a side of penne (or your choice of noodle/sauce), so I got the carbs I needed. The chicken was breaded to perfection - crispy and delicious, yet not at all greasy. It's served in a pool of thick sauce, which isn't my personal preference (not a fan of tomatoes in their natural form), but otherwise it was very tasty. The red sauce on the pasta is also very chunky, so keep that in mind if you're like me and not especially a fan of that. I tried a taste of my dad's ravioli, and I almost regret not ordering that. They're huge and full of cheesy goodness! My mom ordered the shrimp scampi, which I didn't taste (possible allergy, and not the night to risk it!), but it smelled amazing as well. Everyone was completely satisfied with their meals, so yelp definitely brought us to the right place. It's also a very cozy atmosphere, and the BYOB policy is pretty great. That definitely makes up for the $20+ entrees. I'm not sure what the usual crowd is like, but being here the Sunday before the marathon was an amazing experience. The majority of people were wearing blue and yellow, previous year's race jackets, or other running apparel. The energy was incredible! I'm so thankful for the marathon weekend experience I had, and the pre-race meal is definitely an important part of that. Service was also fantastic. Ian was attentive and friendly, and my parents are convinced they saw him running the marathon the next day too... if this is true, congrats, Ian!
(4)
Sristi G.
Heard about this place from a lot of people and finally gave it a try. A very beautiful ambiance, good food, excellent service, nice portions and easy parking. All in all this is a great place if you looking for a nice Italian restaurant around the area.
(5)
Heidi G.
This place was amazing. Everything we had was delicious. My friend and I were visiting from Los Angeles and came here because of the great yelp reviews and it didn't disappoint! We ordered the baked Gouda as an app. My friend ordered the rosemary chicken and I ordered the chicken parm. They were all great but I think the rosemary chicken was the clear winner. Perfect texture to the handmade pasta!! The portions are huge and we could have split one of the entrees between us and still had left overs.
(4)
Kara V.
NEVER DISAPPOINTED. this is the go to meeting spot for family dinners. With a variety of palettes (vegetarians etc) there is always something delicious very everyone. The kitchen is very accommodating with meal changes and I look forward to the fish special each time. We've had and enjoyed the bolognese, risotto, gnocchi, sweet corn ravioli and many others. Expect the wait to be well worth it.
(5)
Gregory S.
Osso Bucco still the best I've had and is significantly better than Top of the Hub.
(5)
Lisa G.
A year ago I would have given this place 4 stars, but today I feel it deserves a 2 star rating. First, they have added so many more tables to the same small space that it is no longer a cozy little restaurant for quiet conversation. On top of that, the host seated my husband and I...a party of two, quiet 50 year olds, right next to a table with 2 mothers and 2 young children. The children were eating snack bags of pretzels (like you'd put in a school lunch bag) while the mothers drank their wine and ate their salads. Moms seemed to be enjoying their conversation while those of us around couldn't hear our own conversations because their table was so loud. Second, the wait staff (who are all exceptional hard workers pitching in wherever the need be) can barely get around all the tables. While we were there, one waitress got off balance and spilled mussel juice all over a customer and all over the floor. Several other people slipped and almost ended up on the floor with the juice. Not the waitress's fault...there is NOT enough space between tables. Third, we ordered the gnocchi with lobster appetizer and couldn't find much lobster. It was also very salty. Fourth, I ordered the striped bass dinner and was served salmon. Waiter apologized but at that point 2 huge parties of 8 and 7 were seated, and I felt so claustrophobic that I accepted the salmon, pushed it around the plate, and then just took it home. Normally I would say no big deal, but my husband and I were celebrating our Anniversary, and it was a very disappointing dinner. My recommendation is to the owner is to remove some of the tables to make it fair for your staff to do a better and safer job, and to make it more enjoyable for your customers. Or maybe...look into a bigger storefront or try to expand into the neighboring space. I for one (which I'm sure will not cut into their business at all) will not be coming back anytime soon, and most definitely will not waste another anniversary celebration in such an uncomfortable place. Busier does not make the food better nor the atmosphere more inviting....in fact at Sweet Basil it has done the reverse.
(2)
Florina K.
I am a regular here! This place is phenomenal. Every time I go I try a new dish, and my friends different dishes - every single one is phenomenal. Not only the food is good the service is great too! It's too bad they don't have dessert.., but I guess the wait would be forever. I wonder if they will ever start taking reservations. They finally began accept credit cards!
(5)
Arielle B.
My fiance and I were looking to try a new restaurant and I couldn't have loved it more. It is BYOB but we actually didn't bring alcohol. The food was SOOOO GOOD and the prices were very reasonable. The only reason I didn't give Sweet Basil a fifth star is because my fiance swears the restaurant has a funny smell to it. I don't smell it, but he also has a very good sense of smell. Either way, I would recommend this cute little place to anyone.
(4)
Zaur M.
Great food nice employees, the chicken parm was fantastic, and the bread was excellent. We brought wine and had a great time.
(4)
Winnie B.
Went to Sweet Basil on a Wednesday night after a snow storm and there was no wait...however as we were leaving at around 6:30, the place was filling up...so I can see how much of a wait it would be on a Friday or weekend night! The pesto and bread that were brought out was phenomenal. I could've been happy with that as my meal! My husband and I shared the mussels which were very flavorful. For our entrees, I had a bowl of their Rosemary chicken pasta which I barely made a dent in because I was so full from the pesto, bread, and mussels (yay leftovers for lunch the next day)!! My husband had a melt in you mouth rib eye steak. Everything was so very good. The ambience was nice. And the service was great. I love that you can bring your own wine and the $5 corking fee is reasonable. I will definitely go there again!
(5)
Elizabeth K.
Overall impression: overrated. Showed up at 6pm, party of two. Place was basically empty and we were promptly seated. It's a byob spot, so we weren't offered anything to drink and apparently they charge a corkage fee. Bread and pesto came out. Pesto was good, bread was alright..one part looked a bit burnt. Calamari was fine. Nothing special. I got the veal cutlet served over pappardelle. The flavor was okay but the dish was just put together poorly. It was served in a bowl which made it difficult to cut the cutlets, there was too much sauce which made the cutlets soggy, and the pappardelle did not seem homemade which I thought it would be. Towards the end of the meal the place was very busy and they seemed to be rushing us out as middle aged snobby women carrying in five bottles of wine were waiting to be seated! I was just disappointed. I don't know how this place got on the top 50. The food was fine, but I wouldn't bother going back.
(3)
June K.
We had a very disappointing experience bringing a large family for lunch. Only to be followed by a very disappointing conversation with the assistant manager. Our party consisted of 6 adults and 7 children, ages 10 months to 8. ( 5 of the children were under 3 1/2. We were informed that with such a large group they needed to serve us family style, which wasn't a problem. You should be aware that the restaurant does not cater to children as there are no high chairs. We were shocked when the bill arrived to find a charge of $15 per child and $30 per adult. In calling to relay my experience I was told the server should have explained the policy better and please come back soon. I take responsibility for not asking before we sat down but having such a large group and so many children and having experienced lunch before we anticipated something reasonable. I find this response unsatisfactory and you have lost a customer. Many a bad dining experience has been turned around by the response of the restaurant management.
(1)
cabrio q.
I love it here. The service is great. You can bring wine and beer here but that's not even why I love the place. Its quaint, so comfortable, relaxed and the food is fresh and outstanding. The bolognese is my favorite. Its excellent.
(5)
Michael R.
Been going to this place for almost 10 years now and it really is everything I've ever wanted in a restaurant. First off, it use to be about 1/3 the size, super cozy and you felt like you were eating in the kitchen. Despite it's increase in size, the place has remained true to that hole-in-the-wall local restaurant vibe. This place is the standard for consistency that I think all places should strive for...even AFTER it tripled in size, the service, the food, the people...have all remained the same! Tonight I got here earlier than usual (was celebrating birthdays with my parents who are in their 70s), so arrived at 530ish. Surveying the crowd, it was definitely your early dinner crowd in the dining room, there were the typical parade of people pulling up out front for take out (I think they do more biz that way than people actually sitting down to eat) and lucky for us they had a table for our group of 5. It was a little louder than we would have liked, being next to a speaker and also the kitchen, but not so bad that we couldn't have an all-inclusive conversation. They don't call it Sweet Basil for nothing, so as usual the obligatory bowl of bread and vat of pesto was already on the table when we sat down. Our cheery waitress came over, delivering some water and promised to be right back with wine glasses and a corkscrew...as promised, she came right back. After she read the specials, we mulled it over and off to the races we went. I can't resist the Caesar Salad, with it's hint of basil and just the right amount of dressing...perfetto! A slight hiccup of the salads not all arriving at the same time, but within 2 minutes, so not a deal breaker in my opinion. I don't think I've ordered anything but the lamb shank for the last few visits, but tonight I was feeling CRAZY and went for the spring pea gnocchi with a ragoux of asparagus,mushrooms and leeks...a huge portion, which I couldn't finish, it was all delicious...a very hearty, comforting dish. As usual, I did sneak a bite from my fiance's plate, she was tackling the rosemary chicken with pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus, in a creamy sauce with ziti...also a huge, yummy plate of food. Check this place out, you won't be disappointed, ever! I promise!
(5)
Sam C.
Always a fan! Great, creative food. Fantastic service. Fun vibe.
(5)
Stephanie K.
We went here on our one year anniversary (almost 2 years ago!) and had a lovely meal! When you first walk in it seems like the space is tight, but once you're settled in, it's cozy and comfortable. We heard it was really dressy, so we fancied up, but when we got there realized it's more of a casual-dressy spot. The manager at the time, Sarah, stopped by and asked us how we were doing and if we liked our meal (which was a big yes!). Great place to go if it's just you and a friend.
(4)
Joe D.
We love this restaurant and have been there at least 6-7 times since discovering it last year. It fills up and there are no reservations so I recommend getting there early. The sirloin steak is fantastic. I find it to be on par with many Boston restaurants. They used to Steve it with parsnip fries but seemed to discontinue those- I hope they bring them back. My wife always gets the rosemary chicken with ziti. She's a picky eater so the fact she enjoys this says a lot. While you're waiting for your entrees try some of their delicious pesto and bread! Reminder it is byob. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Melissa G.
I went here with my husband about a week ago. We arrived on a Friday around 5:30 expecting a wait, but we were able to be seated right away. We told the hostess we had planned to head across the street to get a bottle of wine, so she saved our name and we were seated 15 minutes later when we came back. Service was a little slow but we weren't in a hurry and we had the delicious bread and pesto to munch on while we waited. We shared a Caesar salad, which was good. Nothing outstanding. I ordered the shrimp scampi which was delicious. Homemade pasta perfectly cooked al dente. So creamy and garlicky. My husband got the braised lamb shank which was fall off the bone delicious. Atmosphere was very casual with a wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen that made it feel very homey. No dessert offered, but we got frozen custard next door. Yum!
(4)
Jean M.
Maybe my expectations were too high after reading all the 5 star reviews. First of all, I thought it was waaaay too noisy. I can't imagine how busy it must get on the weekend! We were at a table squished in the middle of the room, so I was uncomfortable. Food was good, but not outstanding. Best part of the meal was the pesto they serve with the bread. That was delish. Service was friendly. If I go back, I'll review again.
(3)
modhu s.
It has great bread and pesto. The rest of the food was just ok. I prefer the two Italian restaurants in Waltham. I have been here twice both times wondered why this place has 5 star reviews. Service is great and very crowded.
(3)
Paula F.
This was my first BYOB, which we did, however getting someone to open it was a bit difficult, the owner was the host and he was the best part of the experience the server was nondescript, he had no real negatives but no personality either. The restaurant is very small with tiny tables, when you put bread plates, wine glasses and water glasses for 4 there is no room for anything else, we ended up putting the wine bottles under our table. The food may be authentic tasting, (I am not sure) I have eaten at many Italian restaurants and never tasted these spices, I had the braised chicken dish that was huge but not to my taste, the pasta was not cooked enough or maybe because of the thickness and texture that is the way some people like it, not me..... My husband had the veal which he said was very tough again lots of it but not good, one of our friends had the Rosemary chicken which she said was good but had too much spice and she did not like the pasta either, our other friend got the steak and brussels sprout hash which she said was amazing. Everyone seems to leave with a doggy box, not sure if that is because the portions are too big or they are bringing it home for their doggy (which we did). Lastly we felt very rushed and over crowded, this is not my idea of a relaxing dinner venue.
(2)
Tom G.
I wish I could give this place 10 stars instead of 5. The food is consistently outstanding. The service staff are always courteous and right on top of their game. I have now eaten here over a dozen times and have never walked away with any feelings other than extremely satisfied. Great food with its own distinctive flavor.
(5)
Elliot W.
Great food and atmosphere, the staff is very welcoming to my family and I, never a bad experience when i dine at aweet basil.
(5)
RoslindaMal E.
I recently went to Sweet Basil for lunch after hearing a friend rave about this place on Facebook. The complimentary table bread and fresh pesto spread was delicious. I really enjoyed my steak bomb sandwich with gorgonzola, onions, mushrooms, roasted peppers. The accompanying french fries were really good; if Sweet Basil added truffle oil and parmesan cheese to its fries their fries would be incredible. The portions were generous. The service was good. As far as the ambiance, not sure that lining all the walls half way up with metal decking would be my first choice. I look forward to going back to Sweet Basil for dinner. I see from reading other reviews Sweet Basil is BYOB; as there is a very nice wine shop nearby (Needham Center Fine Wines), I will be sure to retrieve a bottle of wine beforehand.
(4)
Lisa M.
Cute Italian place downtown. Atmosphere was modern and refreshing. The bread and fresh pesto was great. I had the bolognase and it was ok. It's BYOB - what's not to love!
(4)
Raymond C.
Best Italian rest I have eaten in my neighborhood. Recommend to any in a heart beat.
(5)
Bill A.
This restaurant trumps all in the North End and this is no joke! Service is always pleasant and upon entry there is always the strong smell of garlic aroma in the air. Pesto and olive oil dip for your bread is always fresh and BYOB is always plus. Loud and happening, great place for any occasion.
(5)
Steve T.
This place is so great! I drive 40 minutes out of the way to eat here when I'm in the mood for a really good meal. The food is delicious and all of the staff is really really nice. Try the calamari it's light and crispy, also the cauliflower app is delicious and was such a great surprise. The rosemary chicken is also to die for!!! I love going here!
(5)
Denise T.
Wow the food was amazing. The pesto accompanying the bread, the shrimp/asparagus/plum tomato risotto, and the trout. Fantastic! The service as friendly as well. But really, what restaurant charging these prices (rightly so for the quality) doesn't accept debit/credit cards? They need to get with the times.
(4)
Libby R.
All things that are good: Delicious, fresh food in big helpings (the bolognese is SO good). Excellent service. BYOB. *PLUS, they now accept cards, woo-hoo!* A thing that's just okay: They don't take reservations.
(5)
Katherine M.
The pesto is by far the best I have ever had! The atmosphere is fun, vibrant, and a little quirky which is everything I was looking for! It's BYOB with a $5 corking fee, but totally worth it. The shrimp scampi was out of this world good, and the risotto appetizer, which was a special was also beyond amazing. Great fun date night spot!
(5)
Kathy S.
Sweet Basil is an alright Italian meal in beautiful downtown Needham. I really would be giving it 5 stars..But, to get a table in this place is like getting into the freaking White House! We had 8 people on a Thursday night and were coming over from the South Shore. They do NOT take reservations..So good luck trying to get into this place. I came an hour early to make sure the group could get in. I definitely have better things to do than sit outside for an hour to make sure my group gets a table. It would have been wonderful if I could have made a reservations. Also, Sweet Basil does not have any coffee or desserts. Do not plan on staying for something sweet after your meal.. I do not like how you are charged a $5.00 cork fee PER bottle of wine either. We had three bottles and we were charged $15.00 for all three. A bit steep I would think... I think it's a bit steep that they tack on a 20% tip for the waitress for 8 people..HMMM..I thought the standard for MA is 15%!! They must really think they do an outstanding job here at Sweet Basil. My Chicken Parm was pretty good. Nothing so spectacular that I saw fireworks and would be rushing back next week. They do have a very good pesto oil for the bread I must say. But..They really do have to do something about this reservation rule!!!
(3)
Melissa K.
Always delicious Italian food. A bit crowded/cramped but that's because it's so good! Love the BYOB.
(5)
Grant S.
Very good but somewhat rich sauces but always a consistent stalwart in the Needham area.
(4)
Sandy C.
The food is so good. I love the mussels. I could drink the mussel sauce.
(4)
Mark W.
This place is great and packed every evening. The red sauce is perfect, love the braised chicken and the homemade ravioli are to die for... BYOB takes away from the overall experience but that's more than made up for in your final bill, plus a liquor store is right down the street.
(5)
Lauran H.
Sorry little Italy this was the best pasta I've had in Boston. Great great food, cute little spot friendly service and very reasonable prices. Love it!!
(5)
Meghan M.
The food here is fantastic. May be some of the best chicken parm I've ever had. I don't eat pasta too often, but the homemade pasta at Sweet Basil's is just out of this world. Definitely get the bread and pesto!
(5)
Matthew T.
Absolutely one of the best restaurants that I have ever been do. The food is expertly prepared. The first dish I had was the bolognase because I had to see if they could do it right, and they certainly did. That is the mark of a good Italian restaurant if they can do the staples well and not just focus on the specials. The best dish, however, is the lamb shank with the rosemary polenta. It is borderline life-changing. I now compare all dishes to that dish. And, to top it all off, you can bring your own wine or beer! Does it get any better than that?
(5)
Crystal B.
Very delicious. The bread and pesto were amazing and enough to fill you up alone! I was not nearly prepared for the portion size. The price was so reasonable I never expected such a large portion. Our waiter, Colby, was very sweet and accommodating. Loved the relaxing atmosphere. I will be back!
(5)
rosann s.
This place was great! A co-worker mentioned that she loved this place when I asked if she knew of anywhere good to eat in Needham, MA. This was a long time ago, and today I finally tried it. Very cool, eclectic feel to the place. They serve non-alcoholic drinks, like water and soda, but if you want wine, you will have to bring it yourself - which is awesome, because a bottle bought outside of a restaurant is often so much cheaper than a glass of that same wine in a restaurant. They provide glasses and open the bottle for you. The amount of food you get for the money is awesome. We had the Chicken Parm with spaghetti (you could have red sauce, pesto or white wine sauce .. I chose the white wine sauce). It was all very good. I will definitely visit this place again! Also, the service was excellent. The Staff was friendly. And as the restaurant started to get busy with the dinner crowd, they did everything to accommodate the customers eating, as well as waiting.
(5)
Kim C.
This is my first negative review on yelp. We arrived at 5p today and the place was empty (2 tables were seated). I was with my two daughters and my husband was on his way, 5-10 minutes away. They would not seat us because "it is our policy we can't seat you until your entire party is here." The snooty hostess told me we had to step to the side and wait for the rest of our party. We were in a hurry - had an event we had to be to at 6p - so we left! We went to Petite Robert Bistro around the corner (fabulous) and got seated right away - without our whole party being present. Actually upset we got a gift card to Sweet Basil for Christmas - really don't want to return!
(1)
Hayley D.
We visited Sweet Basil last Thursday night and it was excellent. Didn't have to wait for a table for two and our waitress was great. I'm allergic to nuts and I was so pleasantly surprised that their pesto is nut-free. I could be mistaken but I believe I didn't see any nuts on the menu. To start we shared the calamari and a Greek salad. Both dishes were huge. I'll order a Greek salad whenever I have the chance and this one was superb. The calamari was also delicious and not soggy at all. When we couldn't decide between the bolognese and the lamb shank our waitress recommended the lamb. When it came I couldn't believe how much food was on the table. Way more than enough for two! Even though my boyfriend grew up in Needham this was the first time at Sweet Basil for both of us and it was such a pleasant, low-key experience. Since it's BYOB we made it out of there with a $60 bill that felt like a steal.
(5)
Derek G.
So I've heard nothing but great things about this place. We went being prepared to be amazed. The atmosphere is nice. It is BYOB, which I love. But the food, the food was not very good. I got the chicken parm. I never get chicken parm but everyone said it is fantastic here. It was bland. the pasta served on the side was sitting in a bowl half full of water. Rookie mistake. My wife got a rosemary chicken dish. it was presented very well, but was way to rich and salty. Tasted like something from the macaroni grill. Not fresh tasting, like sauce from a can. We are going to give it another chance, but my first impression is 2 stars.
(2)
Megan O.
Sweet Basil has some of the best pesto I've ever had. They give you a big serving of it with some fresh bread to start. Most of the starters/entrees on their menu have very large portion sizes, so I would recommend sharing. My only complaints are that most of the entrees come in rather small bowls, which makes it a little difficult to eat if you have something that requires a lot of cutting (I ordered the Chicken Parmesan), and it's quite noisy.
(4)
Nick T.
The food was so good that I proposed marriage to the next girl I saw. OK maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but this was the restaurant that my wife and I went to the night I proposed to her. This place has been our go-to favorite restaurant as students here in Boston. We had Tagliatelle al Ragu (Bolognese) in Bologna, and it didn't compare to their Bolognese. Anything on the menu is going to be the most flavorful dish you've ever eaten, so close your eyes and point. They could get away charging twice what they do for this food (please don't listen to me!!). Also, every date is a cheap date because Sweet Basil is BYOB! Go there for dinner sometime, often, daily, it doesn't matter. Just go!
(5)
Michelle P.
I think I could some this experience up in three words... "omg the pesto". OK, OK omg is not a word- but still, I don't know why I ever order dinner, I am always too full of pesto slathered on house baked bread to eat it! I have been here a handful of times over the years, usually for a girlfriend's birthday dinner. There's always a group of us and it is a great place to hang out, drink wine(BYOB) and stuff ourselves silly. The owners are super friendly, the staff always accommodating, and that darn pesto! This evening I had the soup special, coconut milk corn chowder, and for my main, the bolognese. oh yeah, and a pound of pesto. Other favorites on the table were the calamari, the gnocchi and a vegetarian risotto special. Love coming here when I'm in town visiting, very casual setting, a bit of a tight squeeze sometimes.
(5)
Cory B.
Fabulous service, fabulous food, generous portions, and reasonable prices. The pesto and bread is highly addictive, the mussels were the best I've ever had, anywhere. My scampi was rich, garlicky, and extremely fresh. My husband's chicken Parm was excellent with fresh tomato sauce. The servers were very attentive and they all hustle. I only wish I lived closer. Go. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Melissa B.
I love this place. I have been going there for almost ten years and it keeps getting better. The staff is extremely friendly and the food is delicious. There is often a wait, so go early on weekend nights, but it is worth any wait. You can even go to a bar next door and they will call you when your table is ready.
(5)
Jess M.
Amazing. Amazing. Expect to wait though (no reservations) So show up super early for dinner, then laugh at the people who get there at 6 and wait in a gigantic line. If you get there at 6, put your name in and go grab a frozen custard or something. You could always secretly open your BYOB and drink it in a brown bag while you're waiting too.
(5)
Amy M.
The atmosphere here is... interesting. You make your way through curtains to get inside, and plants, records, and what looks like scrap metal hangs from the mutli-colored walls. The music is funky, although I might have appreciated it more if I wasn't seated on uncomfortable metal chairs with a hanging plants about to hit my head. Positively, though, it was a more unique experience than the run-of-the-mill chains around. I got the handmade ravioli, and it was pretty good -- had a unique combination of four cheeses and the sauce had a mix of crunchy veggies and spiced tomatoes. It seemed a bit over-priced for what I got, but then again it's a sit-down restaurant in Needham. Basically, it's worth checking out for something different, but nothing to go out of your way for.
(3)
setor a.
A recently had dinner with my friend at sweet basil, very cozy atmosphere, the food was delicious, i had the rosemary chicken in a creamy sauce over ziti and it was really good. The portions are huge.
(5)
David H.
Amazing food... One of my fav restaurants. Great service... It is BYOB with liquor and they charge a small fee. Also, there is no desert probably so that they can push tables faster? Can get kind of busy and they do not take reservations. Cash only.
(5)
Erica C.
Sweet Basil used to be good, but unfortunately their hype as gone to their heads and their quality and morals have gone down the toilet. My Mom and I weren't craving pasta so we decided to order a scallop special. We specifically ordered this because, like I said, we did not want pasta. Wait what is that coming to our table? Oh, of course, two giant bowls of some kind of fettucine with four mediocre scallops on top. That's right, we had been duped! Because we had waited 45 minutes for the table + another 20 minutes to order, we both decided to not send it back and just suck it up. Bland and inedible. The same goes for the scallops which were beyond overcooked. In order to not be wasteful, we took the pasta home to dump in our backyard where hopefully the critters could enjoy, can't say for sure if they did. Another note, salad portion sizes are much smaller now too. Perhaps they have caught on like the rest of the mediocre restaurants that think they can charge the same price and reduce portion sizes without anyone noticing. So what is good about Sweet Basil? The pesto. That I could eat for days. Is it worth waiting an hour to eat pesto? No, so I will not return.
(2)
Lynn S.
Came on a Sunday night early dinner with a toddler at 6:00. Only about two or three tables left. We were seated right away. Many elderly, family tables still eating (I think it's the early crowd). First, the bread and pesto dip was such a hit with my little boy, that was all he had all night. It was really rather good. Ok size menu, fair price. I had the shrimp scampi while hubby had the pork chop. They are not kidding with the wine sauce in the scampi! Pork chop was the best we had in boston. Really well marinated, and cook to perfection. Portion is great. We left wanting to come back for more. By the way, it's BYOB, so that's even better! Come early if you don't want to wait.
(4)
Jackie K.
Amazing. Despite the small number of vegetarian options, the ones they had were amazing (no lame pasta primavera like most Italian restaurants). I had the gnocci which was really amazing. The lentil soup and salad were also delicious. We arrived around 6:30 on a Friday night and had to wait about 20 min which was not bad. It was great to bring our own wine and they even hold it for you while you wait for your table so you are not walking around with a bottle of wine. This is as good as Giacomo's which I consider to be one of the best Italian places in downtown Boston. I don't love going out for Italian food but I will come back here.
(5)
Jose V.
WOW!! Exquisite food. Coming from NYC where pasta is a mainstay means I've had a lot of Italian, this place rocks. Great food, cool ambience n good service. Gf had the whole fish n it was cooked perfectly. I had the chicken parm with the sausage meat sauce, FANTASTIC!! Next time we are at Legacy Place will definitely revisit. Cozy n BYOW.
(5)
W C.
Sunday night dinner for six. Got there at 5:45pm and no problem getting a table. By 6pm the house was packed with people waiting. Crazy! Got the lamb shank and it was awesome. Tender fall off the bone good! Fried gouda cheese salad was fantastic. Very unique and tasty dish. No high chairs so it's not really baby friendly. But would still go again.
(4)
Lisa W.
Seems to be everyone's favorite local casual Italian spot. You walk in, and the cozy vibe and delicious scent embraces you like a giant hug, especially welcome on a cold winter night! Bring your own bottle of wine. Its always busy, we sat on some stools in the front and they happily offered to uncork our bottle and bring us our glasses. The wait was as expected, not bad at all for a Friday night. We thought the food was good,not SPECTACULAR, but good enough and the portions are huge as other reviewers say. I believe they also let you bring your own dessert! FYI, we noticed several large parties, so don't be shy about bringing the gang. Its really a homey, warm, environment, and we will be back! One other note...didn't see any kids, which especially on a weekend, we appreciated. A grown up spot.
(4)
Juliana C.
Yelp's not a dating site. I mean, I know a bunch of couples who've met on here, and a few who've even tied the knot, but still, you're here for the reviews, right? It would be foolish to say I desperately want a tall, artsy musician-type to take me here on a date. Silly, really. I came here with relatives on a Thursday night and fell in love. Sweet Basil is everything I look for in a restaurant: charming, warm, affordable and unpretentious. The servers aim to please, the food portions are enormous, and the music selection is eclectic. If that weren't enough, drinks are BYOB! Swoon. The only drawbacks are: (1) much like my other dining favorite (Toro) they don't take reservations, (2) payment is cash only. Once seated, we requested the risotto of the day for the table and it turned out to be crisped bacon with pineapple; the flavors were fantastic and made me feel like I was somewhere tropical. I had ordered the rosemary chicken and parmesan cream ziti, and when it landed in front of me I think my eyes bugged out a little; you could feed a small army with the amount of food I was given. It was a struggle to put down my fork, because every mouthful was delicious. To top it all off, our server brought us slices of chocolate rum cake that the restaurant had made for a fundraiser (they don't usually offer dessert). I gave myself a pep talk, and was rewarded with rich, dense bites of bliss. I don't care if I have to hitchhike from the nearest T stop; I will be back.
(5)
Nancy H.
On great recommendations online my husband and I went to Sweet Basil. As tourists we did not know it was BYOB. Unexpected and disappointing. Called ahead but it wasn't mentioned to bring wine if desired. Chicken Parmesan was great that my husband ordered, but I had to send my meal back (shrimp scampi) as the pasta was not cooked enough. Ordered ravioli and had the same problem. Would definitely return and be prepared to bring wine and ask for pasta to be cooked more thoroughly. Shared a Caesar salad, and there was more than enough for two. Go early as it was crowded on a Monday evening by 6:30.
(3)
M E.
This is my favorite lunch spot in the area. The lunch portions are HUGE and always delicious. The chicken parm sandwich is delicious and I always get the fish specials when they are available. Love the bread and pesto they serve before meals. All around a great restaurant!
(5)
Shea H.
On the top of my favorite restaurants list in the Boston area. I'm moving to Chicago soon and when I come back this place will be a must to dine at. I highly recommend the Chicken Parm and Veal Shoulder. The pesto and bread to start is to die for. HIGHLY recommend this place.
(5)
Anthony D.
Sweet Basil is fantastic. I remember when it was a one room hole in the wall and now that it's expanded it's even better. The food is mouth watering and bursting with flavor and the byob is a great option. Only complaint is it's still cash only. Really no excuse for that in this day and age.
(5)
Kate G.
After reading reviews on yelp and encountering a 45 minute wait (no reservations) at 5:30 on a Friday night, we were waiting to be wowed. Maybe our expectations were too high? I had the lobster pot pie which sounded delish - with squash and spicy sausage - but the lobster was claws only (what do they do with the tail, I wonder?) , the sausage was so scarce I identified it only once and the squash was swimming in the lobster-flavored cream sauce for so long that it was virtually indistinguishable. My dining partner had the braised chicken with port wine, balsamic glazed peppers and mushrooms with a cavatappi-like pasta. Expecting a dish with braised chicken on one side, peppers and mushrooms on another and a side of pasta, he was greeted with a big bowl of everything mixed together. The flavors intermingled in a way that overwhelmed and didn't allow for the individual taste sensations of port wine nor balsamic, and the pasta... well not quite al dente as it should be (if you go, ask how your meal will be presented. We saw lots of big bowls go by). It's BYOB here so don;t forget to stop and pick up a bottle of wine if you go and don't expect it to be worth the wait if you go on a Friday night.
(2)
Brett A.
One of my favorites of all time! If you don't like the food here I don't know what to say. Faves and house specialities include mussels, bolognese, rosemary chicken. Love the BYOB too. They don't take res so go early or expect to wait at a nearby bar. I promise the food is worth it! Enjoy!
(5)
Julia J.
Ordered pasta but didn't like it at all. Either Italian food is not for me, or that dish is bad
(2)
Alexander K.
7/26/14 Sweet Basil, Needham, MA. -- Last visit in 12/2013, some time passed. Went back with 4 bottles this time and realizing I have missed this eatery !! Some staff have changed, portions looked bigger, prices higher, lines longer, 8pm still 30min. wait. Yeh allow time. 3 people ordering 5/6 dishes sharing .. tasty yes yes and yes !! Service .. yes yes and yes great !! Go on and visit this cookery !! Bring your own booze !!
(5)
C C.
Visited again last Tuesday. This time, shrimp scampi pasta was excellent, but the linguini with clams -- Big letdown -- Tiny portion and lacking in flavor. It was less than 1/2 of the portion of the shrimp scampi pasta! It's definitely a dish to avoid at this restaurant. Again, very inconsistent. Still 3-stars.
(3)
Deepti J.
Last night was the second time for dinner at this place- I went there with my husband, I had gone with my colleagues the first time. The food and service were great and loved what I ordered the first time. However, when I went there yesterday to grab a nice-but-not-too-fancy food for our marriage anniversary, it was a complete disappointment. The server was cold and food was not half as good as last time(although I had ordered the same stuff, coz I liked it so much- it was baked gouda wrapped in fillo dough with salad and the Lamb shank with polenta where I substituted the lamb with mushrooms). My husband ordered the fagioli pasta. The pasta was too hot and he couldn't eat it and my veggies were too salty so I couldn't eat it. Boxed it up and archived it in my fridge...such a disappointment.
(1)
Brian W.
Dined there last night and had a nice meal. The interior was casual but nice and the food was very good. Service friendly and prompt. I ordered the Lamb shank and it kept me from rating 5 stars. The lamb was tender and tasty, but the dish was swimming in oil/butter, specifically on the veggies, and there were big pieces of skin or fat which I had to remove from the meat. The lamb is rich enough on its own. The dish doesn't need all that extra grease. Overall a really nice place! PS. Not having dessert is an interesting move and I applaud them for it. If you have a restaurant like this (small and busy) you can probably get a full extra turn or two a night if you don't have dessert on the menu. The cash only, however, is a bit strange in this age.
(4)
J. D.
Never been disappointed here, except for noise, crowded and having to wait for a table. Hope to visit soon!
(5)
Allan S.
I LOVE this restaurant. No liquor license which means you have to bring your own wine, which is no great inconvenience plus you bring exactly what you enjoy. Cash or check only. Located in Needham Center, which is no great social mecca so you could easily walk by it and miss it, but don't because you would miss a real treat. Enough about that. The menu. Quite literally, everything on the menu looks delicious, from the appetizers to the entrees (no desserts offered). We started with fresh gazpacho, followed by a baked gouda salad, and finally soft shelled crab. All were amazing. We stopped at this point because we were full, but next time I am digging into the entree menu - the braised lamb shank beckons. Service amazing and the owner is right there and he is a real nice guy. Prices are reasonable how delicious the dishes are. The place always seems at full capacity.
(5)
Nina T.
Fabulous Italian food. We had the calamari, risotto and FILO wrapped Gouda for apps. Could have been done After that! For entrees we had chic parm, baked beet ziti, and steak. The steak was so/so. Everything else was superb. The portions are huge!
(4)
Kris S.
They have alot of signature dishes, my favorite would probably be the very unique pesto sauce that comes with the bread. Bologna pasta, lamb, and mushroom risottos are also a favorite. I come here atleast once every two weeks for three years (as a student) and havent been dissapointed yet.
(5)
TIM O.
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants. The food is outstanding and you'll take home enough for a second meal for sure. Bring your own wine for a small corkage fee.
(5)
Sherri Q.
Amazing! I've heard so many many of my friends and colleagues tell me over the years how wonderful this place was (and frankly, sad to say, I always thought it was a Thai restaurant) but pleasantly surprised it was not. Our appetizers, entrees, just so wonderful, staff, waitress, extremely friendly! We all live in Boston, with many places to choose from, but we will most certainly come back to this hidden gem.
(5)
Teresa B.
Unique, upbeat place to have dinner in the 'burbs! A little loud so maybe not the best option if you have an elderly person in your party, but in that case just do takeout! Great spot that you'll definitely come back to. Prices are reasonable for the amount of food that you get (we always have leftovers!) I would recommend the braised chicken dish or the chicken rosemary dish - so tasty! Remember to BYO booze! But now you can buy booze in Needham, so it's all good!
Needhams finest restaurant! Every dish is really good with good portions. Always crowded. Bread cheese and pesto is very tasty all the time. Must try. If on budget try lunch. Cash only.
(5)
Jimmy M.
In my first review, I had withheld the fifth star because they don't take plastic. That was wrong of me, I apologize, I am wiser now. Restaurants lose money on credit card sales, but they accept them because they're afraid they'll lose business. Sweet Basil is cash only and people are lined up on the sidewalk in the winter to get in and pay cash. If "cash only" means that line is shorter for me.... good! I will gladly pay in cash! Cash machine right across the street. As Mentioned before, bring your own bottle of wine, they don't have a wine license here. This is a good thing! You bring your favorite wine, and pay just one tenth of what a restaurant would charge you. Win! The bread they start you out with; Freshly cut, two types, served with a wonderful pesto/garlic dip and a flask of olive oil. Soooo hard not to fill up on this wonderful bread. Appetizers: We got the calamari, which was crispy and light and delicious, a very generous portion served in a big bowl, with half a lemon and a small bowl of spicy tomato marinara. We also got the baked Gouda, heavenly! Even the bed of greens with dressing was delicious. Entrees: Big portions with the Chicken Parm and Rosemary Chicken, rave reviews from family members. My son and I got the Grilled Salmon served on a bed of baked sweet potatoes. I can say without hesitation that this was the best salmon I ever had in my life. They've figure out grilling salmon to perfection, the texture, the subtle seasoning, and the quality of the fish itself was brilliant. I felt like crying when I was finishing it, and my 16 year old son was reduced to making dreamy sighs and moans while he ate his. The wait staff, even the bus boy, all seem to be very happy to be there, and I noticed our waitress was constantly coming by the table to look us over and see how we were doing without butting in to ask "how is everything" every time. The giant water glasses were constantly being filled for us, and they offered more bread when we finished ours off (don't do it! save stomach room!). The perfect night was slightly blemished by a screw up that resulted in my older son's Chicken Parm being given to the wrong table. The waitress apologized profusely and brought out a bowl of pasta for him while he waited another ten minutes while the rest of us ate our entrees. Half of us were finished by the time he got his Chicken Parm, which he said was outstanding. I think they should have comped that entree, and they didn't, which is why I am withholding the sixth star which they otherwise would have deserved but does not exist anyways.
(5)
Dak K.
Garlic! Should be renamed , sweet garlic! The pesto and fresh bread with a salad could have been enough, adding baked gouda on top, mb a bit much. However, adding on a lamb shank , some mussels, and had to try the bolognese, gluttony !! The bolognese was to salty, the mussels were flavorful with of course, over the top garlic ( wouldn't have it any other way), the lamb shank was comfort food at it's finest , only complimented by its buttery polenta and sweet onions! Yes , we enjoyed ourselves. Go with a couple of apps for dinner , or your entree and a shared app, and don't forget your bottle like we did!
(4)
Melisa C.
I've been to Sweet Basil 3 times now. It is BYOB which is great, but they will not seat you unless your entire party is there, so make sure to all arrive within a few minutes of each other. The place has two rooms for diners, and the atmosphere is intimate and well decorated. This would be a great place to take a date. They give each table a basket of bread and basil pesto. This pesto is the best I have ever had! It is so delicious, and they will replenish the bread and basil if you ask them to! The first time for dinner I ordered the lamb, and I was so stuffed from the bread and pesto that I was only able to have a few bites of my entree. Nonetheless, it was great, and I was able to have a few leftover meals from this large serving. On my way out I also ordered a takeout pint of the pesto ($5), to bring home. The second time I went for dinner I ordered the chicken parmesan--also very, very good! I bought some leftovers home and was able to have another meal out of it. The most recent time I went I went for lunch and ordered the steak bomb sandwich with a side salad. The salad was dressed with a balsamic dressing which was pretty good, and the sandwich was good as well. Overall my favorite dish that I have had so far is the chicken parmesan out of the three. If you like pesto, I would highly recommend buying a pint to go home with!
(5)
E. K.
Very disappointed.... We were rushed through our dinner, given our bill, charged corkage fee (did not bring alcohol), never offered dessert. Mediocre quality, not worth the price.
(1)
Benjamin R.
I can't say enough good things. Nina is as friendly as a host you could ever hope to welcome you in, kindness in full color. David, the dreamer who first imagined this dream, has been whipping up shrimp scampi and similar fare since the age of eleven. Yes, that's illegal, but the magic is palpable. There is only one Sweet Basil, and so it will always be.
(5)
Stephen G.
I started going to Sweet Basil when it was a one room, and all the tables were packed together so tightly that when one person wanted to get up, the whole restaurant would have to move! The food was fantastic and the staff was happy and friendly. It was like you were eating dinner in the owners house. Over the years the restaurant has become incredibly popular but it has come with a price. Now it's so popular the wait on any given nights could be hours. The number of patrons has literally overwhelmed the staff. On a recent night, we brought friends from Ireland and were told that the wait would be an hour and a half. We wanted our friends to try the place so gave our cell phones as usual. No calls. We went back an hour and a half later to see that our name had been crossed off the list. The owner, who is an awfully nice guy realized the mistake buy there were no tables and ours had been given to a party that came later. So we had to wait more. To top it off, several of the regular dishes were not cooked correctly. We all had a very unpleasant evening there and were unimpressed. No amount of smiling staff can compensate. Sadly, I must say that we won't be going back. Just not worth the aggregation and disappointment.
(2)
Steven B.
Took my girlfriend to this place last night, we go out to eat often and love to try new places. At first it looked like a small place until you walk inside, which reveals to be just as big as the restaurant I work in. Inside is beautiful and you can see the cook line and see what's going on. The decorations are nice and make You feel like your at home. Fresh bread and a bowl on fresh pesto was brought to the table, which was amazing! We ordered the shitaki mushroom dumpling with avocado and it was to awesome. It also came with a honey wasabi salad! We didn't know to bring our own wine but next time we most certainly will. I had the shank and it was amazing! And my girlfriend has the bolognese and loved it! This is as edit from a year ago, and have been back 10 times! Truly an amazing place!
(5)
Carol W.
We live in town and love and respect this place but it is disconcerting to bring home a doggy bag and find spaghetti mixed with one's left over other pasta. The sauce Bolognese is quite complex and is better eaten in the dark and dark it is in this restaurant. The chicken with fig and mushroom sauce looks even worse in the light of day, but tastes terrific in the black out. Still we return because it is so reliable and now share entrees as well as the huge and wonderful salads. Nothing left then to view the next day!
(4)
Roxanne B.
Took my husband and son here on Saturday night for a birthday dinner. Got there before 5:15 based on Yelpers recommendations and brought a bottle of beer. It was full by 5:35 pm. This is a very small place that really hops! We sat on what we thought was the quieter side next to the open kitchen - it got noisy, but that's just part of the atmosphere. They set up round tables for larger parties of 7 on either side of us --- and it was "close" - but we didn't mind. The portions were gi-normous. We got 3 appetizers: sweet potato soup, gazpacho and the baked gouda. Baked gouda was ok -- could only eat 1/4 of it after the tasty bread and pesto they served. Decided on 2 additional appetizers for dinner: Duck confetti which was excellent and certainly was enough for an entree. The shrimp scampi was super flavorful: pepper, lemon, garlic - shrimp might have been a tad overdone, but it was delicious - took 75% of that portion home too. We were never rushed - and thoroughly enjoyed the place. My son said it was much like places in CA --wish Framingham had something like this instead of all the chains! Note: They now take credit cards, but still don't serve dessert. I think you can bring dessert in for a small charge.
(4)
Dee S.
The most fantastic Italian food! Rosemary chicken is not to be missed. It is rich, so leftovers are inevitable. The bread and pesto is unreal, and the fra diavolo is wonderful. The calamari is also delicious, with a spicy marinara sauce and crisp seafood!
(5)
Karen T.
I love the atmosphere, I love the service, and most importantly...I LOVE the food here.
(5)
Amy H.
We had quite a wait, but it was well worth it. It seems most restaurants in the Newton/ Needham area that are any good have quite a long wait on the weekends. They do any seafood with pasta right!! All of them are my favorites. It sure beats driving into Boston, paying $30 for parking and waiting there for 2 hours. It is a good compromise for a night out with little hassle and a great meal.
(5)
Hayley M.
Simply outstanding. I haven't been yelping much lately. I just haven't been inspired. No place has knocked my socks off and no one has pissed me off to the point where I take it out on my keyboard. That all changed tonight... in a good way. My parents went to Sweet Basil last weekend and my mom couldn't stop talking about it. So she and I went tonight, and rushed home to my laptop so I could give this place some love. I walked into this adorable tiny restaurant and my nose was immediately hit with the wonderful aroma of Italian food. All the spices blended together and my tummy immediately rumbled. My mom said something about bringing your own wine, so I asked the waitress if Needham is a dry town. She said it was, but that she thought there was an open bottle of wine in the back, would we like a glass? Yes, yes we would! So this spot is one of those places with comically large portions. Fortunately we knew this ahead of time, so we selected one salad and one entree. We went with the Greek salad and Chicken Scallopini, which had garlic, lemon, capers, tomatoes, and spinach. It also came with a side of pasta, which we opted for the red sauce. I wanted to try every sauce they had! The salad was HUGE. Mom and I each had two servings and there was still plenty of it. It was fresh, colorful, and covered with a delightfully salty feta. The entree arrived and it was awesome. The chicken had a wonderful flavorful sauce and had tons of bright, fresh veggies. The pasta was al dente and the red sauce had chunks of garlic and really went well with the scallopini. One salad and one entree was perfect for two people. Plus the entire bill was $30. Cost efficient. Adorably decorated. Great service. Delicious food. What more could you ask for?
(5)
Pete D.
Wow! The wait was well worth it! My wife and I went the other night for a "date night". The wait is ~1 to 2 hours on a Saturday night, so plan accordingly! They are a BYO-wine and beer restaurant, so pick out a nice bottle and bring it with you!! If you have to wait, leave your number and the host/hostess will call you when it is close to your time. We went to Not Your Average Joe's to get a drink, so it worked out great! Again... worth the wait in my book! The food was excellent! We shared the muscles, my wife had the bolognese dish and I had the sirloin steak. My wife even was able to get wheat pasta, so my tip... it never hurts to ask! In the end, I would definitely go back! Owner was very gracious! My only tip to him: stand your ground and stand behind your restaurant! People will wait because your food is great!! Why did I write that... when I asked him how long the wait was, he told me and then said "I don't blame you if you do not want to wait."
(5)
Carolyn M.
My favorite place for a date night with the FH! The restaurant is so cozy and unassuming but the food is dynamite. When we moved to Needham it took us a year to try it because from the street it did not look like anything special. We were so wrong! There is a line out the door on any given weekend night and it is cash only, BYOB. We cannot pick a favorite because everything is so good.
(5)
Nate C.
Everyone I talk to loves Sweet Basil, and there are a plethora of 5-Star Reviews on it here but I walked away underwhelmed by the whole experience and thought I would share. First of all, the fact that they don't take credit/debit cards is extremely irritating to me. Most people these days rarely carry cash, let alone enough to cover dinner here so you often need to make a special trip to the ATM before dining. I know this is probably a great business decision for them to save on fees by only taking cash, but it would really be much more convenient if they accepted plastic. They don't take reservations either, so if you want a table you'll need to be prepared to wait or arrive well in advance of when you actually want to eat (especially with any party of 4 or larger as group seating is limited). The staff was very kind and accommodating and opened our bottle of wine - it's BYOB here - and served us in the (very small) waiting area and we were given a free appetizer for waiting so long, which was a very nice gesture and made the experience much more pleasant. I thought the food was alright (I had the Ravioli), but nothing that should be generating the rave reviews my friends have given me and the tell-tale sign of underwhelming food for me was my lack of interest in eating the leftovers the next day. It's a cozy little spot that's a great location for a date or a nice evening out with a significant other or a get together with your folks (doubly so if they're paying!) but overall this isn't someplace I'll be hurrying back to.
(3)
R K.
Just gotta say it, even though there are already plenty of similar reviews. Sweet Basil is the best dining experience and food in Needham, one of the top five in Boston. By far the best value. Stop at one of a number of nearby ATM's when you get to Needham Center. Bring your choice of wine and then go somewhere nearby for a light dessert after - if you have room. The combination of flavors, atmosphere, service and respect you experience as a diner there is a complete wow, even if you know what to expect. No amount of wait time is too long not to be worth it. Last night Dave sent those of us waiting outside some sample plates. Kept me there like a pup ready for the next treat.
(5)
Stephanie W.
1. No reservations, so go early or plan to wait (and it could be a while) 2. BYOB 3. No kids menu - ask for a half-order or something special 4. Loud and crowded - may not want to have a serious discussion here This is a really quaint, feel-good restaurant with good food. Not fantastic, not for true foodies, but quality ingredients and traditional recipes. Large portions that are adequate to share. Very friendly staff.
(4)
Francisca W.
first time in town, first time here, upon recommendation of friends who've been here before. 6pm weeknight, found street parking w/o a problem, except that the meter doesn't tell you till when you shall stop feeding it. well, for 25c an HOUR (also w/the entertainment of actually turning that dial after you insert money!!), i'll max it out at 2 hours. walked in, place is happening (not completely full or spilling out yet), friends already there w/menu, water & bread on the table. waitress was actually checking on them when i walked up; she let me sit down and came back after a few minutes to put in orders. waitress is very pleasant. the two-sided menu gives you some appetizer and entree selection. that's about it. i scrolled down and instantly saw "cash only"--"wtf?" surfaced. as i mentioned in another review: if the corner pizza place takes credit cards, then a sit-down restaurant w/waiter service should at least do as much. should do that ESPECIALLY when this is a place to charge $13 a starter and $20 per entree. you think people still carry wads of cash in their wallet these days? where are we, Vietnam? "conveniently" (lucky for them), there's a Sovereign Bank opposite the restaurant; heard Citizens is but another block away. the CVS down the street (ATM inside) might also save your day. albeit having to leave your seat after sitting down bc you realized you didn't have the means to pay for your meal is not going to equate to a pleasant dining experience, at least you are one fewer step from having police called on you. as we were discussing dinner options, i asked if my friends wanted any drinks, like a glass of wine or something. got a good laugh being the newbie here, not knowing they ONLY serve water. oh! that explains the line right below the "cash only" fine print that says "feel free bring your wine, we charge $5 per wine for corkage" or something like that. you mean, i don't even get to order soda? sure, i'll just stick w/water then. not starting very well on the right foot, but let's move on to food. friend liked the bread pesto very much-- i wasn't hungry so i only took a tasting of the pesto w/o any bread. it was fresh, w/a good amount of cheese & salt in it. i guess it's not bad. appetizer: ordered the braised beef shoulder w/sweet potato gnocchi + ginger apple chutney/sauce to share. beef is tender & flavorful (but only ONE 2x2 chunk in the whole plate), sweet potato gnocchi pillowy and soft, ginger apple sauce refreshing. not bad, only i would prefer another chunk or a few bucks off the price. entree: for $20 i got the seafood stew, which consisted of an assortment of seafood (mussels, clams, fish, shrimps), and chunks of potatoes. now, when i see "stew" i'd expect the flavors to marry together and sauce being thicker, but what i had in front of me was more like tomato-based broth w/stuff cooked it in. to potato/seafood combo was new to me as well. seafood was cooked right, but it was somewhat lacking in flavors. friend got the spicy version of the same seafood stew, for $1 more. and instead of potatoes, she got pasta instead. it made more sense for her dish; looked better too. another friend got the veal dish; also looking very good. judging from the color and texture of it, can assume it's packed with flavors-- or some may consider it too rich or heavy. but she cleaned the plate so that's a good sign. as we finished/packed our meal, dessert came to mind, which was instantly squashed down by the reminder of how this place is run. the thought of "think pizza place except they have better decors and waiter service" resurfaced, and i dared not ask this time. the saving grace is the waitress (Elise her name?) was very pleasant, and never rushed us out even though we continued to chill while waiting our to-go meal to arrive AND chilled some more afterwards. there were a couple empty tables yet to be filled and there was no line outside, so i guess it wasn't a problem. but upon our exit, this guy in chef's outfit (who helped bring us food earlier) SAW us leaving, yet didn't make any gesture to bid us farewell. maybe he did after i exited, but i wouldn't have known. for all these reasons, and the fact that this place serves no drinks and takes no credit card, ratings are decreased. plus the fact that the place is REEEEALLY cramped coz they're trying to fit in as many tables as possible. we had to literally MOVE the table to let my friend out. wow. really?
(3)
Pinky S.
Food was so bad, so bad that we didn't even touch the bolognese after initial tasting. The pasta was undercooked. My chicken piccata and my husband's meat dishes tasted the same as they were both covered with same sauce as the base. Only the sauce was bitter. The baked filo was descent, but salad underneath had an overpowering dressing. Everything is laden with cheese and burnt garlic which gives off a bitter taste, so everything tasted like parmasen and bitter garlic. If I can give it zero stars I would.
(1)
Ross S.
***THIS REVIEW IS IMPORTANT TO READ*** I have been to Sweet Basil 3-4 times and I am here to set the record straight. The 4 1/2 Yelp review is VERY deceiving and Sweet Basil is very much undeserving of that score. I frequent many great eatery's around the Boston area and although Sweet Basil is decent, it is by no means "elite." 1. Most of their dishes are extremely heavy. For example the Roasted Chicken with pancheta in a garlicky Parmesan cream sauce is unappetizing. Thick, heavy wayyyyyyyyyyy over "cheesy." 2. The BYOB is totally fine, but they don't chill the wine other than throwing it in a bucket of ice. And they literally serve ZERO beverages...?? Just nasty tap water. And I am not being snobby about tap water... just so happens that Sweet Basil's has a terrible "off-taste." 3. My big complaint about this place is that in nearly all their dishes they feel the need to sprinkle Parmesan cheese over everything. First of all, in many cases, doing so makes no sense. I am sorry but I do not want my veal Marsala or Shrimp Scampi to have cheese on it. Not traditional, and a SIN to mix fish and cheese. They give a good effort, but for the most part this place falls flat on their face. They appear to be a a quaint Italian eatery nestled in downtown Needham, but they are a bit pretentious and the cooking is semi-sloppy. If you like this place, you like heavy, over sauced, over cheesed dishes. Maybe your into sloppy "comfort-foodesque" dishes. I am not.
(2)
Daniel M.
Still the best Italian outside of the North End. Hands down. Went with the parents on a recent Friday night when we couldn't get into O'Hara's in Newton...and afterward was very glad for our misfortune. Started with bread and pesto and, despite consuming it by myself I wasn't filled. Later, two of us had the rosemary chicken and one had the lamb ossobucco. All three dishes, along with my after dnner beverage were magnificently prepared and presented, and, to top it off, we didn't have to engage in the seemingly endless search for parking characteristic of a North End dining experience. Sweet Basil boasts a more extensive menu and lower prices than than most Italian restaurants in the area. Maybe Needham doesn't have the atmosphere or charm of the North End, but for a suburban dining experience Sweet Basil is hard to top.
(4)
Roy W.
I used to love this place, but now I realize that the food is way too heavy, the music too loud, and the service too rushed and indifferent. Even though they expanded the size of the restaurant, they still won't serve dessert - they just want to be able to turn the tables over faster. There are many better places to eat.
(2)
Mike M.
The only reason to go to Needham as far as I'm concerned. Great Great Italian food that's original and artfully done. It's BYOB so be sure to bring wine and you cant go wrong with anything on the menu. Happy Eating!
(5)
Hairy K.
Excellent waitress, attentive and pleasant. Food was exceptional even though we arrived half an hour before kitchen close. Bolognese was utterly delightful with delicious homemade pasta. The muscles were perfectly cooked in an amazing garlic butter. Only one was sandy. Overall wonderful experience. The music playing was a fun topic of discussion being a diverse mix of genres.
(5)
Jillian Q.
I might have originally given this place three stars, but as I thought about it I was pushed over the edge to four stars. I'll tell you why... My mother, father, husband and I went for lunch on a Saturday for my husband's birthday. My husband and I had never been here but my mother and father had. Once we were seated it took a while for the waiter to get over to our table, even though it was relatively slow. He apologized though, so all forgiven. The pesto is to die for, I seriously could have licked that little bowl clean with no shame at all whatsoever. They gave us a refill because I don't think I allowed anyone else at the table near it. The bread wasn't as fresh as it looked, but it worked. We ordered the pan-fried mozzarella and, I think another review also stated this, it's....interesting. It's in a casserole dish and is basically melted mozzarella in sauce. It's not bad by any means, just different. So much so that we asked the waiter if it actually WAS the mozzarella. This is just my personal preference as well, but I'm not a fan of the sauce. It's a little too sweet and I'm not a fan of the carrots, but like I said, that's just me. Everyone else at the table liked it. For my entree I had the raviolis (which were a special for lunch) and they were divine. 100% homemade and fantastic. I got the sauce on the side and just put pesto on the ravioli, yummm. My father got the chicken parm sandwich, it was good. Our waiter, though, must have been new. He was nice, but seemed to never know the answer to any of the questions I asked and seemed a bit nervous. It made me a feel a little odd for asking questions about the food, etc and I didn't think I was asking anything out of the ordinary. There was another waiter around who seemed much more comfortable around the restaurant. I would like to come back and get dinner sometime.
(4)
Holly M.
I wanted to love this place and I fully expected to but it just didn't happen. We didn't get off to a great start, having 3 out of our party of 4 there they wouldn't seat us without the 4th person present unless we "ordered right away". This was kind of odd because we wouldn't order right away even if all 4 of us were there and it was early on a weeknight and the place was nowhere near filled. But that was minor and I figured the food would more than make up for this small oddity. I ordered a risotto special which they said they could make without goat cheese, which I loathe. The dish was about a half cup of risotto spread in a single layer on a plate, it was cold and had the distinctive taste of goat cheese (shudder). In their defense they probably would have fixed it but I didn't complain because my friends were rolling their eyes in ecstasy over their food and I didn't want to be a downer. It did smell divine in there and my friends really loved their food so I'm assuming my food was an outlier. I liked the atmosphere of the place even though it did get crowded. There was kind of an entitled crowd waiting to be seated, some of whom would periodically come over and stare at us from a few feet away as if that would help speed us up. This isn't the restaurant's fault of course. I also loved being able to bring our own wine and when I accidentally left an unopened bottle on the table they had it out back for me when I returned to see if it was still there. I'll give it 3 stars because even though my own experience was eh, it's a cute place and my friends raved about their food.
(3)
Sarah C.
Sooooooo good. Portions are GIGANTIC, food is delicious. I believe that they don't serve alcohol b/c Needham is a dry town, but go anyways and have your drinks somewhere else or at home.
(5)
Rhan K.
I love this place. I went for my birthday a few weeks ago and they had this duck with gnocchi. It was just the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Their other food is great too . I'm just waiting until I'm 21 so I can take advantage of their BYOW policy. The price is similar to a lot of more chain restaurants but the taste here makes this place worth it.
(4)
Toni S.
It was quite awhile ago when we ate here and it was a good enough experience, but I wasn't really blown away or anything. Everything we had was very good and we had leftovers for days--the portions are huge. Not sure if that is good or not. haha. It is authentic Italian with a twist, I guess you could say, loaded with flavor. We met the Chef who is also loaded with flavor! He is probably one of the most charismatic people I have ever talked to. It has a very nice vibe, just not my favorite place to go for some reason. They don't have a liquor license, however, you can bring your own wine but you have to pay a cork fee, or whatever it's called. Also, they only take cash.
(3)
R B.
The smell emanating from this restaurant alone makes me salivate. Have been very happy here, more so at dinner than at lunch. Friendly staff. Particularly like the mussels and anything else saturated with garlic. Get frozen custard at Abbott's afterwards. Generous portions, overall very reasonable. Unique in its way, like to take visitors here.
(4)
Laura T.
Love this place and have been here many times. The atmosphere is cozy and not too loud. Unfortunately, sometimes you end up practically sitting in the lap of the person next to you you're so close to them! The wait on a weekend will be long, but worth it. Go grab a drink at another restaurant or sit in the park across the street and they'll call you when your table is ready. Love that it is BYOB because I can always bring my favorite wine! If I could just sit at my table with a glass of Riesling and a huge basket of bread and pesto, I would be in heaven. The pesto is probably in the list of top ten items that I have ever eaten... it's that good. My mouth is watering right now thinking about it. Appetizers are also phenomenal. The baked gouda is out of this world (especially in the summer when the salad it's is over is smothered in berries), the calamari is top notch, and the risotto of the day is usually amazing. Unfortunately, I've found that their entrees are never as wonderful as their amazing pesto and appetizers. They're good, but I've never been super impressed. In fact, last time I went my husband had the rosemary chicken, but didn't eat much of it because he was so full from the bread and apps. When we warmed it up a couple days later, we realized that it was so garlicky that we couldn't even eat it. I had the short ribs which were good but sort of fatty. We are thinking that next time we go we'll stick with a few appetizers to share, plus the bread and of course a bottle of wine... perfection!
(4)
Lee H.
I liked this place, my wife was not so impressed. Huge portions of well-garlicked italian dishes. Mine was a big bowl of seafood and pasta. Prices are reasonable. Nice decor, good service, easy parking. Be prepared to wait, though, it's a popular place.
(4)
Leighann F.
Sweet indeed! The staff is amazingly attentive, the food comes in enormous portions and everything is delectable! Each meal begins with fresh bread and garlic-pesto dip. I could have eaten only that and been happy! A quick run-down of my meal: -Steamed mussels in garlic and wine with fresh roma tomates, evoo and garlic crostini -Warmed goat cheese over an arugula salad with roasted beets mussels -Skillet seared sirloin steak with a cheesy wild mushroom risotto cake There was so much food, we took a lot home!
(5)
Diane L.
showed up with a $600 bottle of Dragon's Druel which paired nicely with the hearty bolognese. the house was packed and there were several parties waiting to be seated yet we never felt pressured by the staff to leave as we savored our food and wine. Lively but not loud, Sweet Basil puts the "comfort" in comfort food.
(5)
Jim D.
One of the best restaurants in the suburbs and maybe even Boston. We love that it is BYOB and will come back over and over. The ingredients are fresh and delicious and the chef manages to make comfort food both cool and satisfying. (Bring back the beet noodles!) Love Sweet Basil!
(5)
Pete L.
Sweet Basil in Needham is our favorite restaurant. We eat here at least once a week. First of all you get great value, a meal for two with each appetizer and entree will not set you back more than about $60, BUT, surprise (!), that meal you won't be able to eat entirely. You'll be taking half of it home, because it is so much. That way you get two meals for the price of one. Note that payment is only in cash. There are plenty of ATM's nearby. Consider also coming in early, as later in the evening it gets packed. One can usually park in front or on the nearby major free parking a few minutes walking away. Every single staff member and the owner are all super friendly, efficient and welcoming. You get the feeling of being at home there, which is unusual. Also unusual is that, as opposed to many nearby restaurants, the cooks actually dare to insert spices in the food to make it more tasteful. No blandness here. A big positive is that one can bring one's own wine bottle and they'll serve it in glasses at a fair corking fee. That is much better than dealing with the 9 out of 10 unappetizing and overpriced wines in other restaurants. And if you do not finish the bottle, they'll recork. Bottom line, if you have a choice between going to an impersonal average quality chain restaurant like Bucca's or this homey great quality-to-price Sweet Basil, Sweet Basil will win every day for me.
(5)
Frank B.
Long-time fan of Dave's place. Our go-to place for a real good meal and fun evening out. BYOB a plus. Albums covers on the check book and music on the ipod always of interest. Visited last evening and had another enjoyable meal. I realized that Sweet Basil is all about the flavors. From the pesto and caesar salad to the main course, lots of interesting flavors that are a bit unique. Scampi, Rosemary chicken and scallopini were the selections at our table. Thumbs up on all three with some for leftovers as well. Once you know the drill for SB....expect a wait, bring cash, BYOB, - just show up, go with the flow, and enjoy.
(5)
Sarah H.
Disclaimer: I'm not a fan of cheese, tomato sauce, pasta or anything associated with Italian cuisine save garlic and bread .. having said that, I really enjoyed this place and would definitely return for a second dinner. I had the chicken cacciatore and two others I was with had the lamb shank. As I have been told, the lamb shank is one of the all time best i-will-never-need-or-want-to-try-anything-else type dishes. The serving sizes are huge--enough for two meals. What was even better than the food and probably the best I have experienced in New England, is the service. Everyone from the hostess to the waitstaff to the bussers and the manager--and i mean everyone on the floor--was so attentive and friendly. It felt as if we were guests in somebody's home. I look forward to going back and expanding my cheese and tomato hating horizons.
(4)
D R.
100% worth the wait. Sweet Basil is consistently busy with hour plus wait times. Wait the hour plus. The pesto spread and bread before the meal are excellent. Highly recommend their Greek Salad for a starter and for entree...my favorite is the Bolognese. The owner, Dave, told me it is his favorite. When you try it, you will soon learn why it is has remained on this menu from the opening of the restaurant. If you want something lighter than the Bolognese, try the Braised Veal (or Chicken) with port wine, mushrooms, and figs (their own twist on a Marsala). Excellent food!
(5)
Paul S.
A homerun in Needham with Sweet Basil! There are many wonderful things about Sweet Basil. First and foremost, you must get their as soon as they open if you want to get a table fairly quickly because it is a hot spot and the seating capacity is not very big. The food quality is superb, with each entree offering something special. My favorite on the menu is Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce with ziti for $19.95! Mix that with a glass of wine, and if your like me, it spells major carb crash, but what a fantastic pasta dish full of flavor! The atmosphere is modern and trendy with coctail-loungy music to set the mood just right. There is no alcohol here so you must BYOB!($5.00 corkage fee) Now, I love this concept because you get much more grapes for your dollar and it allows you to save tons. Another important aspect is there is no deserts on the menu. Once again, I like this also because for one, I never have room for it anyway at the end, and two it saves you another 20 bucks or so. Another cool aspect of this restaurant is you can hear the clanging of the pots and pans as the kitchen is very close to you no matter where you get seated. The service in my experience has always been speedy, attentive and polite. Dave the owner seems like a real cool person and very approachable. We have been outta there for 50 bucks plus whatever we spent on the bottle of vino many times, and that is a whale of a deal with a quality dining experience in my opinion. The bolognese pasta dish and any of their risottos are also fantastic. If you have not tried Sweet Basil, you must get there at least once, and be sure to pick up your wine along the way. Monday through Friday they are open at 5 pm, and trust me, you want to be there at 5pm. Saturday they open at 4 pm - follow the same rule. ****** Cash Only*******
(4)
Melissa D.
I am so impressed with a small local business who cater to true quality food and service. If you have seen my reviews, I am very particular and stress service since this can make or break your dining experience. Sweet Basil makes you feel welcome and treats each customer like a yelper who is eagerly waiting to write a review. It's a very simple layout with tables mostly 2-tops with a few group tables. Please note you can byob/w and they do not take reservations or credit cards. I parked behind masala art and cvs, that sneaky parking lot The hostess welcomed us with a big smile and since it was early (6:00pm) we were able to get the 2top right by the window. At the end of the evening, the hostess helped recork our wine bottle when our waitress couldn't get to us. A definite plus in service. Not an overwhelming menu and the entrees range from 18-21 dollars. My friend had the seafood fra diavlo - linguine covered with calamari, shrimp, clams, mussels. Since the size of the shelffish were small, they compensated with the quantity in your plate. I had the rosemary chicken with pancetta, spinach in a cream sauce over ziti. The pasta is al-dente and the crispy bits were hidden gems that flavored the sauce. I noticed the chef and some of the cooks came by and picked up the empty plates and asked how their meal was. This is such a great concept and this gives them a chance to always seek room for improvement.
(5)
Jim D.
This is hands down one of the best restaurants in the Boston area. I've been doing take-out from Sweet Basil for years now but finally decided to actually dine here on Saturday evening. Their food has always been fantastic in the past and it definitely remains fantastic now. A nice surprise was that the charming Chef Dave Becker was there to greet and seat us. He was very friendly and even offered us a complimentary glass of wine. Sweet! The inside is cozy and comfortable but on the smaller side. It was much smaller before they expanded so be thankful it's the size it is right now. I typically get the seafood fra diavolo (which is still offered but just not on the menu) but decided to get the lamb ossobuco. Let me tell you - that is one phenomenal dish! Utterly tender, succulent and mind-bogglingly delicious. Their portions are also extremely generous so be sure to come with plenty of room in your belly. A great perk is that it's BYOB - gotta love that! This place gets extremely packed on just about any night of the week so it's a very good idea to come early. Also, don't forget your cash as they only take cash and checks. If you haven't visited Sweet Basil yet, I think your visit is long overdue.
(5)
P Q.
Heard this was a great restaurant. Wrong. Very disappointed. Chopped tomatoes on everything. My friend ordered Chicken Scallopini and I ordered Sweet Carrot Gnocchi in lemon broth and the sauces could have been interchangeable - lots of chopped tomatoes on both even though no mention of tomatoes in the description of the gnocchi. Try it if you must when it is quiet . . . but don't waste your time if you have to wait to be seated.
(2)
Albert R.
I am visiting the greater Boston area for a few months, and yelp did not disappoint with this recommendation. The food here s brilliant, and I have come in once a week while I have been here. The start you off with a serving of fresh bread and pesto sauce - nice alternative to the oil/balsamic. don't be fooled into eating too much of it, the food is good and the portions are large. I have had the bolognese and the short ribs. the bolognese was rich and creamy, and served over pasta that was cooked perfectly al dente. Short ribs were succulent and tender, and served with mashed potatoes so creamy, they alone must have wrecked my diet. I also had the risotto appetizer, which was not a traditional risotto, but still delicious. Another review here spoke of having a negative experience in regards to the service. On my first visit, I arrived at was must have been there busiest hour. I was seated as soon as a table was available. Even though I was eating alone, they seated me at a table meant for multiple people. the waitress, listed the specials, frequently checked on me, and, when my order was taking longer than expected, provided me with a sample of the risotto appetizer while I waited. That particular waitress is not currently working there, and I haven't received that level of service since she has left, but all the staff is very friendly, helpful, and I have never felt neglected. The value I got was the most shocking thing of all. Every meal I have ordered has been under $23 dollars before the tip, and I am as often as not walking away with left overs that are pretty darn good reheated. Now there are some drawbacks to this restaurant, but they have nothing to do with the food, which is why I still gave tem five stars. First, parking is atrocious, but that is just a problem in this small town in general. The seating is rather cramped, and they fill up rather quickly, but I consider that a problem related to their success. They have take out, if you decided not to stay, but be prepared to be relatively close to your neighbor, the kitchen, or the front door. The music is an unusual mix, not what I would have expected for a restaurant of this type (you just have to experience it to know what I mean) and I can imagine that it would be kind of obtrusive if you were trying to hold a conversation. It does not, however, interfere with the eating. Lastly, it is kind of a pain to have t bring your own alcohol, especially for us out-of-towners. I have no problems highly recommending this restaurant for food, service and value unsurpassed.
(5)
Nancy W.
Just had a wonderful lunch with a friend at Sweet Basil. Its great to know they are just as good for lunch as dinner. Our favorite is to get carryout from Sweet Basil and relax at home after a busy week. All the entrees are worth trying - the lamb is a favorite. And I would rather have aother piece of the bread they serve than have desser - its that good.
(4)
R T.
Excellent food, service, and ambiance. The menu is not huge, but there should be something on there for everyone. The quality of the food was excellent, and the portions were large. The service staff was very friendly and prompt. We only waited 10 minutes to receive our food from the time it was ordered. This restaurant is BYOB (wine or beer) which was nice since we weren't getting gouged with restaurant prices for a bottle of wine. They did charge a $5 corking fee, which is standard at most BYOB restaurants. The only area for improvement is the noise level. If you listened carefully, they were playing some good background music. But you couldn't easily hear it as the restaurant noise level is a bit loud.
(5)
Michele B.
Every time I go here I think, Wow, I really should go here more often. But I am usually deterred by the long wait. The portions are large and filling. I had the ziti with beets and a squash ragu which was fantastic. The seafood stew was also good and so large that it is served in a pyrex casserole dish. I thought this was a little tacky but my dining companion was pretty happy. Overall, the atmosphere is closer to you would expect in a college town rather than a suburb (though I guess Needham does have one college). It's also a legal BYOB so it's a good opportunity to bring a nice bottle of wine. Which of course you can't buy in Needham - I think the nearest Liquor store is Upper Falls Discount Liquor in Newton, or at the same distance Bazaa grocery store across the street.
(4)
J M.
Went last night with another couple that lives in Needham. My friend's wife is an Italian and she loves this place, so I thought this must be awesome. And it was! We arrived at 7 for dinner, and the wait was about 45 minutes. They don't take reservation, and for a Saturday night I thought that was fairly acceptable. The food was amazing. I ordered the scallops and it was done very well. I'm a fan. One good thing also is that this place is a BYOW (bring your own wine). That is fantastic. They do charge an uncorking fee, $5 I believe, but you avoid the typical 500% upcharge on bottles of wine. To top it all, we sat next to Steven Tyler (yes the guy from Aerosmith). It was an awesome experience. The owner who was going to have the night off, rolled up his sleeves and cooked for him. I would too. How often can you say, "I cook for Steven Tyler"? Anyways, a solid five stars. Will be going back. A north end quality restaurant in Needham!
(5)
Michelle K.
The food here is outstanding. I grew up in Needham and I love, love that we have a restaurant like Sweet Basil in town. There really is no other place like it in the area. Wonderful date place, the food is so delicious and comforting. I believe it is BYOB, so just keep that in mind. Love it here, really friendly staff too. Every person I have taken there has loved the food.
(5)
Jennifer K.
Love it here! Chicken Picatta and Rosemary Chicken are amazing! The Rosemary Chicken has a delicious cream sauce, but if you aren't in the mood for such a heavy sauce, a friend told me that you can have the Rosemary Chicken with the Picatta sauce... I haven't done this yet but I am going to try it for sure! Bread & pesto are yummy too (I hear the pesto has no nuts!).
(5)
Liz S.
Don't take reservations, have very few tables, and don't take credit cards. This is why I haven't been back in years, but the food was DELICIOUS! So sometime when I have the time and patience to put up with these things I'm definitely going back!
(5)
Danielle L.
I don't get the hype about this place. I've been to Sweet Basil twice now and both experiences were just okay. This time, I took my mom because I saw on the Internet that they were one of about 40 restaurants that are donating a percentage of their earnings tonight to the victims of the marathon. I was eager and happy to contribute but when I asked our waiter about it, she said she didn't know what percent of the evening's sales would be donated nor did she know anything about the charity. Before leaving, I asked the host as well and he didn't know either. There was otherwise no mention or signage about it so I wonder if other people even knew about it. Seemed half-assed and not heartfelt at all. Our food was okay but the serving sizes were huge given that we only ordered starters. Too much food! And our waitress was slammed so our service was quite slow. I was turned off by the drab decor - specifically the glass ball full of beads, feathers, and other odd dusty things that are not appealing as a centerpiece. I don't think I'll be going back - even if it's for a good cause.
(2)
Caroline D.
small place, not too much on the menu to choose from. got something plain and simple - the handmade raviolis.... but they were terrible!! swimming in sauce, hard as a rock on the outside (shouldve brought a chisel just to get to the middle). now, the filling of 3 cheeses (not a fan of goat cheese but i can deal on occassion), were hard to swallow. there are no drinks other than water or bring your own wine for a 5$ charge which left me with no way to wash the taste of those nasty raviolis out of my mouth. bring cash as they dont accept credit cards - so my bf had to leave after ordering his food and find an atm machine. we were not informed by the waitress or host or even read a sign upon entering that they dont accept cash it is however noted in small print on their menu. when we arrived we waited about 10 minutes for a table. the woman who sat us, never gave us a menu. after another 10 minutes of waiting for our waitress, we had to stop one and ask for a menu. no apologies either. so we got our bread and pesto, which was ok. nothing bad or good about it. we asked for another bowl, and had to ask twice before she brought it to us, again with no apology. finally we were asked if we wanted our food to be wrapped up to go. of course we did, i mean who wouldnt bring home an 18$ bowl of uneaten raviolis??? she said shed be right over. we had to ask for boxes and bags three times. she didnt apologize for not bringing it over the first two times either. seems to be the theme of that thursday night.... needless to say after alot of rants and raves from people saying how delicious the place is, i found it to be anything but & ill never go back. my boyfriend got the chicken parm, he liked it and would go back ( but i guess it would be without me ). he said it wasnt his favorite place. hes the reason im not giving this place one star.
(2)
Mark B.
My weekly go to, my favorite for entertaining out of towners when food and fun are at the top of the list (they always are). Great staff (both FOH & BOH), great music, great ambiance. Always super accomodating for requests, needs. What more can I say? I always try to go early in the evening to avoid waiting - cause I love to eat. Beet noodles are my current passion, but the Osso Bucco kills, too.
(5)
Abby M.
My family loves to dine out...and we may be monotonous, but NO ONE protests when, 90% of the time, we decide to go to Sweet Basil. We've been coming here for years. It is a never-fail option when taking someone new out. Although they keep coming out with new, enticing dishes, it is always an inner struggle not to order the tried, true, and delicious. For me it is: -Pan-fried mozzarella (to those nay-sayers: save a couple pieces of bread and sopp up the good stuff! Yes it's messy but that's part of the fun) -Baked gouda over greens...YUM -Ravioli -Rosemary Chicken ...I'm not a big meat person, so I am usually most tempted by the appetizers. If you've read the other reviews, you know the appetizers are plenty as a meal. As with most restaurants, the specials are guaranteed to be fresh and worth the risk of the unknown. They don't serve desserts or even coffee, but a frozen custard place just opened next door. Fact is, their apps and entrees are so well done and so enormous that none but the die-hard sweet tooths will be craving dessert after a meal at sweet basil. Also-- we've come here for a few birthday dinners and they will happily serve a cake you bring from home with candles and singing. The wait staff is friendly, helpful, and usually sincerely enthusiastic about the food they serve. You get an oversized glass full of water that will never reach the bottom thanks to attentive busboys, a basket of fresh bread with amazing pesto, and no one rolls their eyes when you ask to take your leftovers home. We usually come here early-ish on weekdays, to avoid the wait. BYOB, bring enough cash, and ENJOY!!!
(5)
Christopher S.
It has been some time since my last visit but I wanted to write a review about my experience. A few months ago I decided to take my girlfriend out to dinner here for our anniversary. Knowing we each have been to Sweet Basil before we met I thought it would be nice to go together. Bringing my own bottle of Bull's Blood red wine we set off to the restaurant. Aware they do not take reservations we left so we could arrive hopefully before the dinner rush. At the podium we were greeted by a really friendly man who sat us at I believe the last available table for two. Our waitress came by, opened our bottle of red ($5 charge), gave us bread and pesto then took down our order. -Pan roasted mozzarella with basil marinara Served during dinner only -Chicken scaloppini with lemon, capers, tomatoes, spinach and pasta on the side -Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce tossed with ziti Soooooooooo, frickin' good! We sat enjoying our meal, checked on by the waitress and owner (?) to make sure everything was to our liking. I was happy to be in a place where I didn't feel rushed and I could take my time even though a line was out the door. It's nice to find that there are little places that serve up quality food and make you feel comfortable. I can see why this place is a local favorite. The only part of my meal that I did not enjoy was that a few of my zitis were a bit on the crunchy side. Other than that I have nothing bad to say about Sweet Basil. Great for dates!
(4)
AB H.
I was really disappointed with my dinner last night. Both the appetizer, gazpacho, and the main course, roasted chicken and pasta, were way too salty. And I felt way too full and heavy after eating only about a 1/4 of my dinner. The crispy pancetta were not edible: over cooked and salty. The creamy parmesan sauce was too heavy. Overall, I would not go back, and I wonder how it's gotten so many good reviews.
(2)
Ann T.
Highly recommended. I no longer live in the Boston 'burbs, but when I did I was a big fan of this place. I've never understood the popularity of pesto. I know this makes me a bad foodie. I don't dislike pesto, I just don't get very excited about it. But I saw the light when I had the pesto spread at Sweet Basil--full of cheese and basil and served with big chunks of delicious bread. Watch out--they just keep bringing you more, and depending on your appetite, it could be a meal in itself, so be careful. Appetizers are also delicious, but again, a meal in themselves. I recommend either splitting one with your dining companion, or just ordering one as a meal. The baked gouda over greens is fantastic, but a bit heavy and definitely a meal on its own. Never been disappointed with an entree here, either. The sea scallops over wilted spinach are wonderful, as is the rosemary chicken. I really like the ambience and the friendly service at Sweet Basil too. But I think the prices are too high for them not to accept credit cards--not really any more expensive than other comparable restaurants in the Boston area, but high enough that you have to remind yourself to have a lot of cash in your wallet before eating here. The value for money is high, though--not only is the food great, but the portions are enormous, so you can easily take half your meal home. Although, in the end, I'd rather just pay less money and get a more manageable amount of food. BYO.
(4)
Rob Q.
Let's get this out of the way: I love this place. It's a personal favorite, and has been since my first trip something like 6 years ago. So my review is probably colored by that. That said, there are just so many reasons to love this place. Great food, reasonable prices (especially for the HUGE portions; expect to have at least one meal's worth of leftovers), a charming setting, and BYOB wine (something sadly lacking around Boston). This is the part of the review where one would normally recommend dishes, but I'm not even going to try. I've forced myself to eat almost everything on the menu rather than just sticking with my first few favorites, and I've yet to find a dish that isn't wonderful. You really just can't go wrong here.
(5)
Marilyn B.
Yesterday for lunch at Sweet Basil I had what was possibly the worst sandwich of my life. It was listed as a pan seared cod po' boy with romaine, tomatoes and Cajun caper remoulade, but the fish (an appallingly small, thin serving) was definitely NOT cod, accompanied by a few pieces of chopped tomatoes, a few pieces of chopped lettuce, no remoulade in sight, and nonexistent capers as well. The fish itself, whatever it was, fell apart, had no flavor, and disappeared in the oversized bread that it was served on. A very disappointing experience.
(1)
Cathy H.
Pros: - BYOB - Large portions - Reasonable prices - Great food Cons: - No reservations (they will call your cell though) - No place to wait - Cash only Added notes; 1. The Bolognese was probably the best I have ever had 2. Although the bread is good, do yourself a favor and only have one piece, there is a lot of food!
(5)
Peter W.
First time going there was this past Friday. Atmosphere was very homey. The staff was excellent. Ordered the Bolognese with beef, sausage and mushroom. It was the best Bolognese I've ever had. Great job! Definitely coming back!
(4)
Jeff K.
I'm disappointed this place didn't live up to my expectations. We were prepared with our bottle of wine, the bread dip was very tasty. We ordered a mushroom dumpling over wasabe lettuce which was unique but good. I typically love rosemary anything so i went for the chicken, my wife went for the shrimp scampi. My dish was so heavy i couldn't eat more the a third of it.. the chicken was tough, but overall i wasn't impressed at all. I'm a reasonable cook and i could have come darn close to replicating this dish. My wife's shrimp scampi was a bit better but i thought the shrimp was under cooked.. almost jelly-like. Anyway.. I've heard such great things about this place but it didn't live up to those expectations.. i also spotted two spiders on the wall (don't tell my wife because they were VERY close to her).
(3)
Alison C.
Fine Italian food in the suburbs? Yes, it can be found, my friends - shocking, but true! My company's headquarters had previously been located in the quaint town of Needham, and I had been referred to Sweet Basil when bonding with a fellow foodie colleague from that office. As much as I had wanted to try the well-reviewed destination, the company soon moved to another town, and I found myself rarely in Needham. However, on a recent trip to the area, I was able to talk my friends into a quiet Friday night dinner there. We pulled up to the cozy restaurant and found that it was fully packed with a substantial wait. The courteous manager, Dave, told us that we had about forty minutes until we would be able to snag a table. We decided to take a walk around the neighborhood, and then returned to wait. Upon our reentrance, we noticed that the folks around us were all carrying bottles of wine. Dave asked us if we had a bottle that he could open for us while we waited. We confirmed that we did not and questioned him as to whether there was a local liquor store. Unfortunately, there were nothing within walking distance, but he was kind enough to pour us each a glass from an extra bottle they had on hand. In addition, all pending diners were served slices of bruschetta topped with fresh tomato, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic truffle oil. We bonded with Dave while sipping some crisp white wine and sampling the delectable snacks. We were soon seated and granted the remainder of the wine bottle to enjoy with our meal. I have never experienced such fantastic service! The Sweet Basil experience was off to a terrific start, and we forged ahead with big smiles on our faces. We glanced around the quaint dining room and took in the two intimate dining rooms full of dedicated patrons, all jumping at the chance to catch up with the friendly manager. Our eyes grew wide with delight when we saw the substantial portions of hearty Mediterranean flare atop nearby tables. We deliberated over the menu, but were able to appease our indecisive minds with recommendations from Dave, who stopped by to offer his assistance. After we placed our order, we received a basket of warm Italian bread and a scented pesto oil for dipping. We tried to limit our bread intake and save room for the large entrees. Our plan was foiled, however, but the similarly massive appetizers. My friend's Caprese Salad was a full-sized plate of mixed greens, topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Another friend and I shared a different blend of greens, which acted as a bed cushioning shiitake and avocado dumpling pillows. The unique blend of earthy mushroom and creamy avocado was a shocking success. Both salads were delicious and left us craving our next course. I opted for the Seafood Stew, while my friends leaned towards pasta. My large bowl of tomato broth was packed with plump shrimp, crisp lobster, large pieces of filleted fish, salty mussels, fresh clams, and more. Though the dish was carb-free, it contained enough protein to fill me up. One of my friends ordered the highly recommended Bolognese sauce composed of beef, sausage, and mushrooms. It was served over papardelle pasta. Though I had pushed the rest of my meal aside to save my stomach from rupturing, I could not turn down my friend's offer to pick at her Bolognese. The chunky sauce was extremely addicting, and my fork got some exercise as I shoveled about a third of her dish into my already full belly. I literally had to push the bowl away for my own good. We enjoyed another complimentary glass of wine and paid our affordable bill. (Each dish was under $25 dollars, with most even under $20.) We then scanned the room to locate and thank Dave for his hospitality, but he was nowhere to be found. We sighed peacefully and left the restaurant satisfied and content. Though Sweet Basil was essentially just a suburban neighborhood restaurant, the service and cuisine were better than anything I had tasted in Boston's traditional Italian hub, the North End. I have already begun recommending the simple spot to any area colleagues that have yet to sample its greatness.
(5)
Rick B.
Dinner last night was amazing. Lamb was delicious. Pasta was all homemade and tasted super fresh. Wife loved Piccatta. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Dawn S.
This place is amazing. Its always packed, so usually we just order out. The proportions are enormous and 4 dishes will usually last my family of 4 a couple of days. Sweet basil is also great for the vegetarians we often host for dinner. The choice of delicious seafood and veggie dishes is unmatched in Needham. I would recommend the LLinguine with clams, spicy broccoli rabe and linguine for those who eat seafood. For meat lovers, the Lamb Shank over Polenta is phenomenal. This lamb is the most tender and well cooked I have ever had and the polenta and grilled veggies that go with it are amazing. the lunch menu is also great. Very reasonably priced and I still have dreams about the grilled vegetable, pesto and goat cheese sandwich. Oh and I forgot to mention that with your meal, you get fresh baked bread and a big bowl of basil pesto for dipping. I could fill myself up off of the bread and pesto alone!
(5)
S C.
No frills, great food. Appetizers and dinner only. Bring your own wine. No dessert. But food is spectacular. Gotta love garlic. Excellent chicken scallopini. Great bolognese.
(5)
Chris C.
I've eaten here several times with my Wife. We really enjoy the food here. My Wife used to live in the North End and we think it compares very well with those restaurants. Huge portions and the quality has always been good. The only negative is cash only.
(4)
Dave G.
A great place to go when you are hungry. I have been there about five times, and every time the food has been excellent and the service friendly. It is important to embrace the following to enjoy the Sweet Basil experience to the fullest: 1) You will gain three to ten pounds before you get up from the table 2) The Pesto with bread is delicious, but will make you so thirsty you will need a blood thinner to deal with the rise in blood pressure. 3) Its very cozy and loud, which goes with the bold food. The Bolognese is transcendent. Everything else is excellent or at least very good. I also recommend the Goat cheese salad with roasted beets
(4)
Meghan B.
I love Sweet Basil. That statement sums up my feelings for this fantastic, quirky restaurant in Needham, I've eaten here probably eight times, and I don't live that close. The food here is outstanding. I dream about the Bolognese. The baked gouda, wrapped in phyllo dough, served over greens and fruit is to die for. But what I really love about this place is the vibe. The owner, Dave, is regularly manning the door, and checking in with his customers. When he saw me loving the baked gouda he stopped by and asked if it wasn't like the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich ever. It is. The service is outstanding. My water glass is never empty. The staff is always knowledgeable about the menu, and can make suggestions. One time I got some less then stellar pasta (truly a fluke at this place) and when I brought it to the attention of my server, they immediately made me a new one *and* comped the dish (which was just above and beyond). We've taken out-of-town family here many times, despite the lack of reservations. Also, as it's BYOB, we make sure to bring out own wine. They only charge a $5 corking fee, which is a steal. If the wait is long, you can wander down the block to get a drink. On busy nights they often have some yummy bites for people who are waiting. On a recent trip, during Marathon weekend, we were given a 45 minute wait time, so we went down the street for a drink. 20 minutes later my cell rings and it's Dave! He remembered we were getting a drink, so he said, no hurry, finish your cocktail and we'll give you the next table when you get back. Super service. The menu changes pretty regularly, with new additions for the season (in the fall they had a gnocchi with duck and butternut squash that was incredible), but the standards remain. (Seriously, the Bolognese. Get it.) Everything I've eaten here has been fantastic, and the portions are no joke. I keep coming back, even though I have their cookbook! And don't sweat the lack of dessert, just go next door to Abbott's for some frozen custard.
(5)
Katherine W.
YUM! This place is awesome. The food is soooooooo good. Okay, they don't take reservations (yes, this is normally a gripe with me) but I will excuse them. It's BYOB! They recommend you go down the street and get a drink at the Indian restaurant and come back in X minutes. In our case it was an hour so we downed a bottle of wine at the Indian rest., so needless to say, I was happy and feeling good by the time we sat down. The owner chit chatted with us, and gave us some recommendations. We both loved what we got - the duck was cooked perfectly. I really love this place, need to get back soon!
(5)
Angela S.
Amazing food. One of my favorite restaurants--ever. Everything is delicious. I recommend the baked gouda appetizer--it's divine. Free pesto and bread with your meal. Bring a bottle of wine ($5 corking fee) if you like that sort of thing. The lunch menu is slightly different from the dinner menu--more sandwiches, fewer entrees. All still delicious, though. It gets REALLY crowded on weekend nights, and some week nights, too. Go early. Talk to Dave the owner--he's the friendly guy with the curly hair. You'll like him.
(5)
Sasha R.
I just couldn't understand why my mom was insisting on taking me all the way to Needham to go to some Thai place called Sweet Basil. Oops. First of all, it's Italian food - apparently, they also cook with basil. Secondly, Needham Center? Haaay! It's like the newer nicer Coolidge Corner. Restaurant: just what I like. Small, informal, open kitchen, delectable scents AND! a BYOB! ($5 cork fee). Take $30 off your bill right there. We were starving, so we ordered a ton of food, mostly standard Italian, with some flair: mussels, calamari, beets and warm goat cheese, steak, ossobucco, soft shell crab, accompanied by soft aromatic bread with a bowl of the freshest pesto. The portions are enormous. 1 entree for two people, seriously. It'll piss off the waitress, but at least you won't get heartburn. Great suburban alternative to the Olive Garden, or whatever they call "Italian" around here.
(5)
mike c.
WOW !!!! from the street I don't think I would have gone in but thanks to Yelp that was the site of boys nite . We got there about 630 wednesday nite to an almost full house but were seated right away ,the staff was fun and very good ,now the food ....OMG ! it was all good and BIG as well ....make this a must go too . My ATM card was sad that they would not take it but that will not stop me from going back and soon .
(4)
Meredith K.
I love this place! I have been coming here since they first opened and were half the size they are now. They are BYOB so don't forget your wine! I love the specials and everything I've had here I have always liked: from pasta, to fish, to meat.. all fantastic. And seriously folks why wait in line at Village Fish for mediocre food when you can come here and get something 10x better!
(5)
Christy W.
I went to Sweet Basil a couple of weeks ago with 6 of my girlfriends. We had a nice table in the corner of this very cute restaurant. The food was absolutely amazing! We got the pan roasted mozzarella with marinara and the calamari for an appetizer. I highly recommend trying the mozzarella dish!! So flavorful! For an entree, my friend and I split the raviollis. They were so good! The filling and the tomato sauce was exceptional. I can't wait to go back to Sweet Basil again!!!
(5)
Jen P.
I hadn't been here in about 3 years, ever since our office moved to Boston, but I came back because I remembered how great the food was...I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had expanded the restaurant to 2 rooms, instead of the tiny one room it used to be. Decor was still cute and stylish, down to the oversized glasses and utensils, which I love. Even though we got here before they opened for lunch, it filled up very quickly. Food was still fantastic, some of the best mussels I have EVER had...so much that I wanted to take a bath in the leftover broth. Specials are always great, a pasta or risotto...the group I was with all had different things and we shared. Portions seemed to get bigger since 3 years ago, but it was fine because it meant leftovers, and leftovers are a great thing. Highly recommend this place, but go early, it's well worth it.
(5)
Siddharth S.
Love their seafood Fra diavolo...
(4)
Julie F.
Love this place. Two things to note before going: It's BYOB and they only take cash. BUT, the fact that it's BYOB means you need not-a-ton-of-cash. They bring you bread served with pesto goodness. If you're counting weight watchers points, you're screwed within 30 seconds of being seated. But, go ahead and splurge. You'll be glad you did. The portions are enormous. My boyfriend and I split the veggie lasagna...and did not make a dent in it. That's right - one piece of lasagna, two people...the thing was indescribably huge. Have been there a few times and never had a bad meal...seafood fra diavolo, swordfish, linguini with clams... I usually get the specials because they always sound so good when the waitstaff describes them. Service is great here - the staff is super-friendly. I don't even know if they serve dessert, because I've never had nearly enough room to even debate having any. But they did put a candle in my leftovers container on my birthday. XO to you, Sweet Basil.
(5)
Jennifer K.
This tiny (very tiny) little Italian eatery, nestled in just steps from Needham Center, shouldn't be missed. They don't take reservations. They only accept payment with cash. They don't serve dessert... but all of this is ok. Their *huge* portions are made in their open kitchen, and because there aren't too many guests, it comes right away... and when your meal arrives on their colorful plates you can no longer worry about anything that may have you frazzled - because it smells SO good. Favorite Dishes: Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta, and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce, and, of course, their sandwiches. Bonus: It's BYOB/BYOW - Bring your own wine (with a $5 corking fee). Some might find this to be a hassle, but I prefer to pay liquor store prices for a bottle of merlot as opposed to restaurant mark-up.... and that way, I'm guaranteed to get something I know I like. Bonus 2: If they wait is too long - take it to go! Drawback: Because of the tiny size, I wouldn't necessarily call it a "romantic place" for dinner - but I love it just the same.
(5)
Cortland Native C.
I agree with my fellow yelpers -- the best pesto - Wow, delish! Had the beet salad -- that was pretty yummy, along with the the rosemary chicken. Perhaps the chicken would have been a better fall choice as it was hearty and not something I should have chosen on a hot summer day. It wasn't really what I expected -- more like a cheesy pasta dish with chicken but I didn't get the rosemary flavor? Where was that? Would definitely return again when I'm in the area. Staff was just lovely, couldn't be better.
(5)
Alinna C.
There is no love like my love for Sweet Basil. My co-worker and I used to make it a weekly ritual to have Friday lunch at SB, and it was something to look forward to every week. Without fail, we were served some form of delicious. Everything from their ginormous salad (note to yelp: please get with the times and add 'ginormous' to your spell checker), to their amazing bowls of mussels (for anyone who wants to wreak of garlic for at least a few hours), to their irresistible fish of the day (seriously, I can't resist), Sweet Basil has never disappointed. UNTIL they decided to renovate. And they closed for lunch for a long time. And we were deprived. But rejoice! Rumor has it that Sweet Basil is at it again (it being lunch) and I am muchly excited. Hurrah! (Will report back soon.)
(5)
stephanie s.
#NAME?
(5)
Kay J.
Very good Italian food. BYOB - great! Go early - no reseravtions & small. Would recommend.
(5)
Josh F.
This place is outstanding. I really can't think of any other positive things to say than what has already been said. Just remember to bring cash. They don't accept plastic.
(5)
Mairead S.
I LOVE this place. One of my favorite restaurants of all time! My favorite dishes are the fra diavolo and rosemary chicken. The pan roasted mozzarella and the calamari are amazing!
(5)
Cindy R.
I love Sweet Basil, and I look for excuses to go there. The food is so delicious and so plentiful. Make sure you have the warm beet and goat cheese salad, the vegetarian lasagna, the calamari. My husband almost always gets the lamb shank. And the bread w/ pesto at the beginning -- yum. You do feel that they are eager to turn over the tables, and you have to wait a long time if you arrive after 6 p.m. I wish they served dessert or at least coffee so you could linger. Bringing your own wine is great -- you get to drink a better bottle for a lot less. Go now!
(4)
Saudi K.
Not the worst food I've ever had but definitely not good. Pasta was raw, not al dente, raw. Everything had too much vinegar. Not worth $70. Both left feeling sick. Only positive was wonderful service and large water glasses.
(2)
N M.
So...... We just recently bought a house. I am thinking of selling it, and moving to Needham, so I can eat at Sweet Basil anytime I want, easily. This is just an all around great restaurant. The atmosphere is charming, the staff is friendly, and the food is just........ so good. So, so good. Go on a weeknight if you can- you probably will not have to wait unless you have a large party. Also, go hungry. You will want to get a starter, but the portions on everything are just huge. I had my leftovers for lunch today, and I could have stretched it to 2 lunches, if I wasn't a pig. Food recs: The bolognese- yummy... the lamb shank over polenta....the braised chicken. Go, eat, revel. You will love it.
(5)
Erik S.
Excellent Service - thanks Dave. Small, quaint, intimate, comfortable italian dinner. Wait was worth it. Will be back.
(5)
Matt L.
Just awesome! A great place tucked away in little Needham!! If you didnt have to bring your own wine, could make a reservation and they took credit cards I would rate this 5 stars!! The food is very good and the service is okay, but the place is tiny and very crowded and loud!! If you have more than 2 people in your party your in deep trouble!! Who the heck doesnt take credit cards in this day and age? We had to run across the street to an ATM and looked like fools.
(3)
Amy L.
Definitely worth the wait! My favorite restaurant in the greater Boston area so far - the bread is great, portions are large, and the tiny place is always very friendly! The best sauces I've had anywhere... Don't forget to bring cash!
(5)
A B L.
This place is great. Cozy atmosphere, BYO, delicious food, convenient (!!)...yes, there is typically a wait, but I consider that a good thing/sign. We order take-out from here on a fairly regular basis (typically split an entree). The Chicken Cacciatore (they use port wine in their recipe, which gives it a unique/addictive flavor) is our favorite, but I've also tried the Rosemary Chicken. For appetizers, we love the mussels, baked gouda and goat cheese salad. The pesto that they serve with the bread is also delicious.
(5)
Amy E.
I recently had an unexpected Friday off and stopped by Sweet Basil for a takeout lunch. I had the goat cheese/beet salad and bought a small container of their amazing pesto and some bread and then went across and got some second hand clothes at Closet Exchange (and was spotted by two of my clients). As a small business owner, I try to patronize other small businesses. The dinners are well described by other reviewers, my very favorite is the lamb ossobuco with polenta and veg. I want ten orders so I can take a bath in it. Okay, that was too much sharing, sorry. Sweet Basil is charming, well worth the drive and the cute owner/chef always smiles and waves if he recognizes you. (Or maybe he is nearsighted like me and smiles and waves at everyone, because he owns the business.) Please open Sweet Basil 2 in Natick Center!!!!
(5)
Renee F.
I had the Shrimp Scampi tonight. Very good!!! The service and staff were delightful!! They all have a great sense of humor and Dave came around to all the tables asked how we enjoyed the dinner. Two things you should remember when you go. 1. Bring your own bottle of wine 2) Sweet Basil does not take credit cards. Be sure you bring enough cash. They do have plenty of banks in the area so if your in need of an ATM its not a problem. I am also a big coffee drinker and they do not serve coffee. They also don't have desserts but since I am not a big dessert person it didn't matter to me.
(4)
Hank P.
Excellent. Was in town visiting my sister and she insisted we go there. Everything was superb. Chicken scaloppini, Chicken Parm, Polenta, all great, but the Beet Fettucine was to die for. Great service and ambiance too.
(5)
Kara K.
Amazing! Super fresh and delicious. BYOB!
(5)
Jennifer D.
I am in LOVE with this place! You get to mix their fabulous pesto with a variety of extras, like olive oil, parmesan cheese and cracked red pepper, to make your perfect version...then the bread! The food is totally on point. I've gone for lunch and dinner, but prefer the laid back atmosphere of lunch. But we go for date night also...so maybe it is a toss up! I usually get the fish special at lunch, and I am never disappointed. Prices are really reasonable at lunch, and a bit pricier at dinner. But, it is BYOB so you save a bundle bringing your own bottle or so. Everyone is super friendly.
(5)
RM J.
Absolutely average. Can only guess the high reviews are a result of being in the burbs. They use fresh ingredients but there was nothing special here.
(3)
Sheryl L.
As all of my close friends and family already know, I am a huge fan of Sweet Basil. No, the do not take reservations; so I have figured out the best times to show up. (let me know if you want to be in on the secrets) No, they don't take credit cards; so I must bring some cash. No, they do not have booze; but they let you bring wine in, so I do. No, they don't have dessert; but who needs it after the amazing meal that you are sure to get? Those are the things that seem to stand out here on yelp as deterrents so I adressed them first. On with my raves: First and foremost, the food is good, really good. I happen to like garlic so I am in luck. But if you aren't thrilled with it, just let the server know and they'll ask the chef to take it easy on you. Everything is made to order so be vocal (but kind) and your requests will be heard. The dishes are definitely large enough to split and often we even end up taking some home. Ask questions, order what you like, and eat with gusto! I have tried almost everything there at one time or another and I have never gone wrong. The menu changes seasonally but for these colder months the heartier dishes fill you and warm you right up. Second, the owner, Dave, is a great guy. He is dedicated to this place and it shows all the way around. On the days when he is in the kitchen cooking he'll still pop out onto the floor and say hi, check on folks, and smile. Other days he plays host, veggie chopper, bread basket deliverer or whatever is needed. Thanks Dave, we appreciate it. Third, the staff is wonderful, warm, and welcoming. I have gotten to know a few; Nina, Elise, Sarah, and Chris, I thank them all for making eating at Sweet Basil, as busy as it is, and as busy as they are, a pleasant experience. I watch them as they work and they are nice to everyone, even those complainers who we have all seen harass servers and hosts until they snap. Lastly, my food allergy. I have a respiratory allergy to soy. They take it seriously- even though the oil they use contains no soy and there is mostly none on the menu, if I have any questions they find out answers concretely. None of this "well you should be fine" or "I don't think that'll kill you" They read labels, they ask the cooks, they take care of people like me who often have a difficult time eating out. If you haven't been there yet, please go and check out Sweet Basil, it is worth it.
The quality of food at this place and hectic multitasking of the staff reminds me of the petit and fantastically tasty restaurants nestled in the old cities of France. I have my countries wrong though, because this is inspired Italian food. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and flavors are bright with fresh herbs ... each bite was a joy. Table bread was paired with a freshly processed pesto for dipping. A tip for ordering: portions are pretty large ... a couple can share an appetizer/salad and share an entree ... and it's plenty. We even took home extra pasta. The arugula salad was served with wedges of oversized pickled beets, apricots, goat cheese, and a wonderful vinegrette with a hint of dijon (great autumn harvest salad). The gulf shimp scampi showed that they weren't afraid of garlic, and I loved them for it, wonderful! No desserts served here ... move on to your dessert wine, or to the rest of you plans for that evening. So back to the beginning: while you're waiting, probably for at least 30 min. for one of the 10 tables or so, the hostess might suggest visiting the nice bar next door (because sweet basil doesn't serve alcohol). Well Sweet Basil is a BYOB and I prefer to stay there, have them bring up a couple of glasses, pull the cork on one of the wines I've brought along, and we can drink wine, chat and look over the menu while my hunger grows from the smells of the open kitchen and memories of my last visit. /tom
(5)
Joe R.
We had an absolutely amazing meal here last night. The greeters were very friendly and accommodating and directed us to a nearby restaurant to have a drink while waiting for our table. From start to finish every thing we had was extremely tasty and fresh. I high highly recommend the Rosemary Chicken entree. BYOB and Wine which was pretty cool - cash and check only would be my only real complaint. You can't go wrong with this place.
(5)
Jin W.
A neighborhood gem! This is a fantastic little restaurant with exceptional character. My favorite entree is the Bolognese, it's by far the best around, and my favorite lunch sandwich is the steak and cheese. This is no ordinary steak and cheese my friend, this monster's got big chunks of beef, a blend of cheeses, mushrooms (not the little white ones), and herbs. It also comes with a salad so you can be healthy too!
(5)
Anna B.
There really aren't enough words, to rave about this place. Whenever I have foodie out-of-town guests, I bring them here. So delicious, great service, comfortable atmosphere, gooey cheeses, rich tomato sauces, flaky pastry crusts, if only I could eat here every day
(5)
Colin G.
Good italian food. There Pesto is home made and very good. they do a great job on the Eggplant and chix parm sandwiches but I was a little disappointed in the quality of the bread but everything else was very good place has a fun set up and good atmosphere.
(4)
B R.
delicious. wonderful. yes its small and cramped. Yes no reservations so you might have to wait outside. plan around it. and go.
(4)
Robyn L.
Although the seating space in this restaurant is minimal, the menu options and portions are anything but! This place is little, and I mean really little. Either go as soon as dinner begins (5:00) or prepare to wait for a table. My coworker and I were lucky enough to get the last table when we arrived at about 5:20 on a Tuesday night. The menu has a full selection of soups, appetizers and salads. The sweet corn soup sounded delightful, but I opted against it so I could pig out on the phenomenal crusty bread with house pesto sauce spread all over it. I could have made a meal out of that. Then flip over the menu for a wide selection of entrees, everything from chicken parmigiana and chicken scallopini to bolognese with meat, sausage and mushrooms to seafood fra diavlo. We both got the latter, and we weren't disappointed. It was an enormous amount of food -- easily two full meals worth. I would have liked to see a dessert menu, but they appeared not to have one. When you go, be sure to bring cash -- they don't take any credit cards -- as well as your own beer or wine. Needham is a dry town.
(4)
Rebecca L.
We drove to Needham from Cambridge because we heard this was the best Italian food around. The food was really good, although not perfect. We tried the shrimp scampi, and the sauce was heavenly! But the shrimp was overdone. My friend had the lamb, which was apparently marvelous, but it was served on a bed of unrecognizably charred vegetables (or we think that's what they were). The bread and pesto was fantastic, as were the other appetizers, and we even got some calamari on the house, just because they had too much in the kitchen! Definitely better than your average Italian restaurant.
(4)
Rachelle A.
When I lived in nearby Wellesley this was my favorite restaurant! I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind elbowing complete strangers, waiting way too long for a table, and paying in cash. If you can get past all that, the homemade pesto and crusty bread that awaits you as soon as you sit down is show-stopping delicious. And they'll bring you more if you ask. (The pesto is sans-nuts for those on the allergy alert.) I love BYOB places, and that it is, so bring a favorite wine for a small fee. Sweet Basil is that restaurant people are always trying to discover: small, quaint, unique, not too pricey, amazing food. All said, it's a true find. But the food...ah, I'm dreaming about it...HUGE portions that will leave you with a fab lunch tomorrow. I'm the person who always tries new things, but my husband and I religiously ordered the seared scallop salad, mussels, and chicken cacciatore. Split between us we were stuffed (the bread and pesto definitely contributed to this problem) and were sent home with leftovers. The staff is delightful, and the space so small you can practically watch your food being made. If I could give SB 6 ******'s I would.
(5)
David R.
In my opinion the best restaurant in the greater Boston area. Every dish is great the people are great and they are great with my son. If I am looking for a great meal sweet basil is were I will il go.
(5)
a w.
The food here is absolutely amazing. I've never had a dish i didn't think soared above my expectations. Even the veggie lasagna, which i ordered on a whim thinking i might regret it, was phenomenal. Big enough to feed three people probably, and full of amazing veggies you wouldn't expect like beets. Oh it was SO GOOD. The fra diavolo is something that either I or my husband get every time, and their steak is amazing as well. A few quirky things about this place that may cause other people to dock stars. They don't take reservations, and it's not a big restaurant, so if you go on a weekend after 6pm, expect to wait. There's not much room for waiting, though. Also, they only take cash. But if you're like me and rarely have it on you, there are about three banks nearby equipped with cash machines. Also, they don't serve alcohol, but you can bring your own and they charge i think a $5 fee to open your wine for you. The owner is usually around, and they've kept more or less the same waitstaff for as long as I've been coming here (about 2 years), which speaks highly of the restaurant as an employer. Sweet basil i LOVE YOU
(5)
Dawn D.
I went to Sweet Basil for the 1st time last Sat . They do not take reservations but you can go down put your name in and then leave. There's no bar, it's BYOB and there's a $5 corkage fee, I think this is a fantastic idea and I think other restaurants should have this option. My wait was an hour, which turned into 1.5hrs, with really nowhere to sit, basically standing room only, with the exception of 6 log stumps you could sit on, this was one thing I wasn't crazy about, I hate hovering over others while they are trying to enjoy their night . The waitstaff was very accommodating, they were walking around with apps and offered to open the bottle of wine I brought, I thought that was pretty cool. My waitress was excellent and very friendly. The tables are very close together and if you don't like small spaces or people that can basically hear your entire conversation, I wouldn't suggest going here. The food was excellent, the waitress brought us bread with a pesto spread, I could have eaten this by the spoonfuls, that's how good it was. As for our meals, my horrifying blind date and I shared a Greek salad which was very delicious and for dinner, he had the Chicken Scallopini (?sp) that was the best dish & the sauce was very tasty. I had the Shrimp Scampi, which I don't recommend, the shrimp was over cooked and the whole dish itself, had absolutely no flavor....BUT I would definitely go back to this place again...it's SO worth the wait!!! If you are around Needham, you should definitely check it out but go early, I went @ 715p...If I go back, I'll go earlier.. Also, thet do not accept CC only cash.
(4)
Michael T.
I had the lamb osso buco with polenta. It was amazing. It compares favorably with the best dishes I have had in San Francisco and Chicago. The portions are large, the prices are small. What's not to like. So what if its BYOB and there is no desert. The meal starts with bread and pesto. I have to stop writing, thinking about this place is making me hungry.
(5)
Cory B.
UNBELIEVEABLE! Terrific service and the food was beyond incredible. I have gluten issues so it was great that I could find a seafood dish on the menu that could accomodate me...i was ready to lick the plate! I went with 3 other people and we wiped our plates clean!
(5)
Ian S.
I get the feeling that a second visit to Sweet Basil will improve this rating, but I've gotta go with my first visit. So, Lets begin! It was a Tuesday night, only 6pm, so thankfully, we were able to walk right in. I had read about Sweet Basil on Zagat, and since I do Acupuncture right nearby, why not check it out. So, the dining room was cool and relaxed. I liked that. The waitstaff were super casual and really nice. Attentive without hovering. The Music was fantastic!!! The owner's ipod had everything from old disco and funk to Cibo Matto (which I was particularly psyched about!)!! We didn't realize it was BYOB or Cash only, which kinda bummed me out cuz i wanted a glass of read (turns out I probably could've been hooked up with a glass of some leftovers that regulars leave for the staff, but oh well), but I survived! One thing I found very impressive was the amount of people who lined up to wait while we ate. The front of the house was Packed!!! People obviously LOVE this restaurant, which is a good sign. Now, the food: first off, bread with Pesto - GREAT IDEA!! Loved it!! For appetizers, my wife got a yummy garlicy farrow soup, tomoto based, really good! I got the caesar salad, and was quite disappointed. For a nice italian joint, the parmesan was powdered, not grated, the dressing was like water, barely any flavor and it didn't stick, the anchovies were ok. Unthrilled! For entree's, my wife got the GIANT ravioli, which was good, but not special, though the marinara was excellent! I got lamb o'buco, which was a big hunk of lamb in a bowl, over polenta with mixed veggies. Overall Very yummy, the lamb fell right off the bone, had a great flavor, and the veggies were great! Also impressed when one waiter came to deliver the food, and put tap water into my wifes glass of pelligrino. He realized it (tried to stop him), felt really bad, and bought us another bottle. True class! Nice save!!! So, the food was 50% good, hence my 3 stars. Everything else I liked, but I'll have to try it again in order to rate it higher. There you go!
(3)
Jon M.
Readily the best Italian food in the Boston metro. David is personable and always remembers us. We bought his book, and use it often.
(5)
Meredith K.
Nice, big portions. I love the BYOB. The tables are way too close together for my taste. Needham is a dry town so remember to get your alcohol in advance or you'll be driving through Dedham like a poet on payday.
Best Italian food in Boston. My wife and I have been going to Sweet Basil since it opened (12+ years ago). Dave and staff are awesome and we have NEVER had a bad meal. Ranks up there as one of our favorite restaurants.
(5)
Y S.
This local gem is adorable and cozy. Even on a chilly, drizzly Wednesday, it was bustling with plenty of people dining in and picking up take-out orders. The ample bread basket came with a delicious pesto, and our calamari starter was fresh and light with a delicious spicy marinara with lots of garden vegetables. My dining companion had the delicious and tender skillet steak (cooked perfectly)- with the addition of sauteed mushrooms per request- and a buttery and flaky spanikopita chock full of piping hot spinach. I had the ziti in a creamy sauce, accented by crispy pancetta, asparagus tips, tomatoes, and big chunks of rosemary chicken. The waitress noted that it was one of their most popular dishes, for good reason. Both dinners were large portions- more than enough for two meals. Although dessert is not officially on the menu, we were regaled with a complimentary moist, fudgy "brownie cake"- about the size of a muffin- perfect for sharing! The dessert was accompanied by plump chocolate-covered strawberries and mint-infused whipped cream. Staff were incredibly solicitous, friendly and helpful as well. Important notes: The restaurant is cash-only, BYOB, and doesn't take reservations. Parking on Great Plain Avenue is scarce, but easy to find on side streets.
(5)
Glenn M.
Simply awesome. Great food at at great price. Great atmosphere and staff. Good size portions. Only bummer is no credit cards.
(5)
Jess T.
The most memorable thing about Sweet Basil is the genuine friendliness of every person working there. The hostess was very nice when I came during prime time to get a table for 2. The 45 minute wait turned out to only be 30 minutes and we got seated at a table with prime view. This restaurant is cash only, BYOW (only a $5 cork fee), and has street parking only. The pesto served with the bread was amazing. I usually never eat the bread but it was worth eating with the pesto. We had a fried calamari appetizer that was served with a some-what spicy sauce. Not bad and large portion. We got the rosemary chicken (recommended by the waitress) and the bolognese. Both came out in large portions, with a lot of garlic and cheese. Rosemary chicken was very heavy, more than we are used to, but still good. Bolognese was okay - the pasta needed to be boiled at least 7 more minutes and more meat was needed. Waitress was knowledgeable about all dishes and was friendly throughout the meal. Would go back again to try different dishes.
(4)
Andrew P.
Have gone and had take out a dozen times at least. Great job Dave.......awesome
(5)
Gabrielle K.
the best lunch spot ever, dinner time gets very busy but lunch is perfect because its not too crowded and you still get the delicious pesto and bread with a lunch sized entree. Personally the beet salad is the best in the entire world.
(5)
matt c.
I feel bad, because the wait staff is great, but, the chicken parm was chewy and needed to be pounded with a mallet. Picky, but if I'm gonna give something four or five stars, they're gonna have to either serve booze or serve the food properly. If it wasnt so high class (i.e. expensive) i wouldnt have a problem. i get it. you have family money and want to show off to your girlfriend/wife/mistress. just remember that you're a douche, not a connoissoir. you pay for what you get. you get three stars
(3)
John M.
I went to Sweet Basil with the expectation of being disappointed. How could any restaurant possibly be as good as the reviews that one reads about Sweet Basil? All I can say after one dining experience there is that if Yelp offered the optional rating of six stars, Sweet Basil would get that from me. One of our party had the ravioli, another ordered the veal Marsala, and I ordered the bolognese. All were heavenly. The atmosphere is authentically warm & friendly as one is seated with other like minded diners who appreciate great food and comfortable surroundings. The chefs bring the meals to the table, assuring one of a hot meal. The owner made the rounds and paid a visit to our table where he shared his bolognese recipe with me. I could not have been happier. I was hoping that some meteorological miracle would occur and we would all be snowed in for a few days. What a party that would be! I am already planning my next visit.
(5)
Sean I.
Awesome food, awesome environment. Hand made pasta dishes were incredible. The baked Gouda appetizer was an interesting dish that we both loved.
(5)
S H.
Excellent Italian inspired food. I call it Italian inspired because it's really create gourmet. I personally have had the Baked Gouda appetizer, Vegetable Lasagna, Halibut, Ravioli, and the Gnocci. All of them are full of flavor and cooked exactly right. Our first time there, we brought a bottle of wine. The owner opened it for us and brought some bread with polenta and marinara sauce as we waited for a table. A couple of notes: BYOB ($5 corking fee/bottle), cash only, get there early because there aren't reservations and you could wait an hour for a table, don't fill up on the bread and fresh basil dip.
(5)
J R.
One word: yum! I usually order the chicken cacciatore because it is delicious. The chicken is cooked just right, the sauce and flavoring are so much better than any other cacciatore, and the pairing with pasta is perfect. Their salad is wonderful, too, but I don't care for the dressing, which I find bitter. Because we often get this food to go, I put my own dressing on the salad. The bread is delicious, too. I've dined in a couple of times and find it pleasant if noisy. The food is pricey, but because the portions are so large, my husband and I can share the cacciatore and have one more serving left over.
(5)
Anna P.
I love this place - and I usually don't like Italian food! All the dishes are made fresh to order and they can customize anything. It's probably the most personal and involved experience I've ever had at a restaurant. The owner is incredibly nice, too! But, do note, the place is TINY - it's often hard to get a seat at peak times.
(5)
Laura W.
We went there last night with another couple who live nearby in Dedham. Since we don't live in the Boston area, it was up to them to pick the place. They were raving about this place and it did live up to it. It is BYOB and cash only, so don't forget those 2 important pieces. I don't know if there is a corkage fee. I never saw the bill, so I have no idea. We each got something different as our main course and I think I liked mine the least. The chicken cacciatore was good, but not the best or maybe I am not a cacciatore fan all together. The others at the table got the veggie lasagna that looked amazing, the lamb, and the bolognese. Everyone was very pleased with their meal. For appetizers we split a salad, the calamari, and the baked mozzarella. All of them were very good! Great place to get to if you live in the area or if you are planning on visiting the Boston area. Needham also has a really cute center!
(4)
Sandy F.
love love love this place. everytime i come here, its always packed and theres a wait for at least an hour. but its well worth the wait. since they dont have a bar, they sometimes send us down the block to grab drinks while we wait, but in the summer, some might prefer having custard from the store next door. the only bummers are that they dont take reservations or credit cards, sometimes they're sweet enough to let us nibble on some appetizer extras while we wait. in fact, the first time i've been there and i was curious about how the mussels were, on the next order they took, they made a little extra (which was a lot, almost a full size portion) and let me sample it. that is how i fell in love: with the mussels, the service and the restaurant. its not really the free food that won me over (or maybe it is) but its more the attentive service and the amount of consideration the busy waitstaff puts in to give you a great dining experience. the inside is pretty crowded but cozy. it gets a bit loud but still is a decent date place because you can sit close to your date and whisper sweet nothings while sharing an amazing meal. no alcohol here, its byob with a $5 corking fee. love the idea of the flexibility and unpretentiousness of byob. also love the mussels. its an appetizer, but i swear, the broth is so good, i use so much bread to mop up the juices that i am stuffed by the time my entree gets to the table. you cant go wrong with their innovative rotating risottos. their daily specials always seems to cause a dilemma for me to chose between them and my favorites. the seafood diavolo is a staple for me. the rosemary chicken is very tasty, but a bit heavy. it might be a better idea to just share it if you dont have a tremendous appetite. once it goes in the fridge, you'll know how much evoo they use. my leftovers chills to a solid block, def not as appetizing as it was when it was steaming from the kitchen.
(5)
Scott C.
Great lunchtime service on a Monday. Bolognese was excellent, not just a sloppy meat sauce as you often find. No credit card is a bummer, but pricing is full of value.
(4)
Catherine M.
Strange business policies mar an otherwise good dining experience. They don't sell tea/coffee/dessert -- so they can turn over tables faster and get you out of there. You feel like you're getting the bum's rush, and they don't have an elegant way of informing you of this policy. Today I had lunch there, and they abruptly dropped off the bill after serving our entrees. When we said, "Wait, we'll be wanting coffee," the waitress said, "Sorry, we don't serve coffee. I dropped off the bill because we had nothing more to offer you." Boy, is that a true statement. They should have politely advised us at the beginning of the meal or clearly posted the policy, so it wouldn't be an unpleasant shock. Then they told us they don't take credit cards! Absolutely bizarre for a restaurant in this price range to not take plastic. They need a polite, cordial way of advising guests of these strange practices, or even better, behave like a normal restaurant -- serve coffee and take credit cards. I won't be going back.
(2)
Raul G.
I read the many positive reviews and decided to try Sweet Basil out on a weeknight to avoid the potential for a long wait. My wife and I walked right in, and were promptly seated at a table right next to the window. The decor is great, and the music they were playing was an eclectic (and awesome) mix of music from over the decades. We started off with some tasty bread and delicious pesto. I order the bolognese and my wife ordered the shrimp scampi. Both dishes came out pretty quickly, and were absolutely fantastic. There was so much food, but it was really hard to stop eating considering how good it was. Our waitress was great, and the front of the house stopped by to check on things, too. The chef even delivered our meals, said hello, and packed our left-overs up for us. We were extremely pleased with our experience and will happily be returning to try out some of the other entrees that sounded so good. Just make sure to bring cash, as noted in other reviews. This is no big deal at all, however. And quite frankly, I kind of like the simplicity of it.
(5)
Thurston H.
This place is my all time favorite restaurant in the Boston area. Each time I come here I am blown away. The favors, aroma and outstanding service will keep you coming back again and again! I had the steak egg rolls which were braised in soy and filled with fresh crunchy veggie. Outstanding app....then I had a bolognese pasta dish that put to shame any, And I mean any NYC Little Italy or North End restaurant with the most incredible combination of mushrooms, sausage in a delightful meat sauce that will knock your socks off!!! I have had the chicken parm before and the mushroom sandwich which all are also amazing. The menu is full of options. This is not just a pasta place....great fish dishes and incredible rustic bread wit pesto dipping sauce.....man this place ROCKS! I am already looking forward to going back again! This place is a Home Run! Helpful hint go early or late....no reservations...but worth any kind of wait.....seriously go....now!
(5)
Matthew A.
I stopped in for a late lunch early dinner and the steamed mussels are fantastic. The juice is just right with garlic. Sopped it all up with bread. Beet salad was delish. Too bad it was on the small side. Next time I will have to come back for a full dinner and bring some vino as the menu looks fantastic. Too bad Needham is a haul from NH.
(4)
Erin M.
Funny story about the first time I tried Sweet Basil. It was my sister's birthday, and we wanted to meet up somewhere in the middle of where she lives and where I work. We decided on Needham, since I remembered seeing a place called Sweet Basil on Phantom Gourmet that I decided I absolutely positively had to try. While we were waiting, I was trying to remember what it was that made me decide I -had- to try this place. Was it a particular entree? Appetizer? Dessert? We were seated and given menus, and nothing looked familiar. Everything looked amazingly delicious, but not familiar. Hmm....... As we were perusing the menu, I started looking around, and noticed that the table next to us had -a lot- of wine... like a bottle per person. I thought to myself "Wow... that table spent a lot of money on wine!" And then, it hit me. The reason I decided I had to try this place: It's B.Y.O.B.! I love B.Y.O.B. places! So, despite the fact that I was only able to do half of wining and dining my sister for her birthday, Sweet Basil more than made up for it on the dining end! We had the baked filo as an appetizer, which was absolutely AMAZING! Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, served over baby greens and strawberries and topped with a truffle vinaigrette. 100% Delicious! For our entrees, I had the ravioli and my sister had the beet baked ziti. Both were terrific! Cheesy, saucy, and delicious! Our waitress saw us picking at each other's plates and was nice enough to bring over small plates for sharing. The portions were very generous, the prices were fair, and the food was absolutely delicious! I will definitely be returning to Sweet Basil, and next time I'll remember the wine!
(5)
Kenten Z.
Dam. This place was too good. I love it. Had the best adult mac and cheese in the world. You start off with crazy good pesto and it only gets better from there. Go here and you will not regret it. Lunch is also super reasonable. Really you eat everything and you are like, "woah, DAM, this is too good"
(5)
Kate M.
Can't get enough of this place. We take everyone we know.
(5)
piggy c.
YAYYYYY!!! finally a good restaurant in BOSTON...my boss recommended me to try this place out...when i heard they serve bread and fresh pesto for starters i was sold...being an avid foodie i will travel far and beyond for food...we went for dinner we parked on the street...stepping out of your car you can smell roasted garlic it was just heavenly...thank goodness i brought an appetite...everyone was so friendly and cheerful when we walked in...the place was packed so we waited for 20 minutes or so...i was surprised to see the dishes coming out of the kitchen were huge!!!...the portions were huge!!! ATMOSPHERE: i really loved how intimate and quaint this was...it's a no frills type restaurant but the feel is cozy and a bit rustic...the waiters were attentive and super nice FOOD: MUSSELS- if you ate this alone...this could very well be your dinner...the plate was huge and was packed with mussels...each mussel was sooo plump and fresh...i sopped the rest of my juice with the bread doused in pesto Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce tossed with ziti - This dish was amazing...yet sooo rich i was sooo full on bread and mussels i took about 4 bites and i was tapped out ...this was amazing...the ziti was cooked al dente...the cream sauce was rich and garlicky.... this is my def. go to place if i am craving for awesome Italian and a romantic evening with a beau
(5)
Jason R.
Surprisingly good for the price. My wife and I joke that all we ask for in a restaurant is correct seasoning and doneness---it's amazing how frequently even "top-notch" restaurants get one or both of these more than slightly wrong. Sweet Basil won't knock-your-socks-off (no vertical food, obscure/expensive ingredients), but they do know how to season accurately and cook to medium-rare (or the correct doneness). Dishes are large (you won't go away hungry). Wine is BYOB w/ $5 corkage (!) It's kid-friendly, but they don't have high-chairs or booster seats (we brought our own---worked great). They don't do dessert/coffee/tea. They know what they're good at and don't try to overreach. Last visit cost us $95 ($73 food/tax/tip, $22 Sancerre). At other restaurants, just the wine would have cost $78 (2.5x markup from $25 retail + 25% tax/tip).
(5)
Andrew M.
8/30/2009: Just had a great meal of chicken cacciatorre, only marred by the nagging memory that the ravioli I had last time was even better. The ravioli has mascarpone, goat cheese, ricotta, and...something else, I forget what, but it's all phenomenal. I guess this shouldn't influence my review, but we also bought the Sweet Basil cookbook for my mother last Christmas and she's gotten great results with everything she's cooked from it. If you go on a Saturday night, I recommend bringing a book, putting your name on the wait list, and going down the block to the park to read. UPDATE 8/31/2013: I had what I think is a new menu item -- sweet corn and goat cheese agnolotti ("a kind of ravioli typical of the Piedmont region of Italy, made with small pieces of flattened pasta dough"). GREAT addition, if it is in fact new. Other nice things: they served us a bruschetta-type snack while we waited outside (for only about forty minutes, not bad for a Saturday night). Also, for some reason I like the fact that the waiters here dress casually.
(5)
Meredith D.
I LOVE this place. This is how dining and food should be. Lovingly and thoughtfully prepared, great music, quality ingredients, friendly service and BYOB. This is always where my husband and I go when we have a date night and don't want to go into the city. Plus their cookbook is fabulous and we have made a few delicious soups from it. Oh and their pesto that comes right when you sit down is heavenly.
(5)
Snuffles B.
Bring cash. Bring booze. Wear your fat pants. Thats all you really need to know. But if you want details: Atmosphere: Warm, cozy, family/neighborhood restaurant feel Service: Uber friendly/attentive, but not-too-much-so staff. You get love from everyone who works there, including the owner. Food: WARNING: appetizers are dinosaur portions - Bread: Moist, pesto spread is very fresh - Duck confit/gnocchi - Good sauce, duck is good, gnocchi average. - Mussels - Very good, not too creamy, comes in full casserole dish - Mozzerella in marinara - The part of ziti or chicken parm that's left that you save to eat last, minus the ziti or the chicken - Baked gouda - The best of the appetizers, the gouda was the size of my hand and the "greens" = about a bag of salad. - Chicken picatta - strangely, in a red sauce, meh. - Veal - Friend said it was average. -Bolognese fettuccini - Pretty good, not too heavy, they seem to use the same base for their tomato based sauces, while very good, is also very ubiquitous. Generous on the beef and sausage. Overall, food is above average, but service and friendly environment are the real reasons that this place wins me over.
(4)
J C.
I love Sweet Basil. I have been here about six times and my experience is consistently great. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. There's a lot of tables, but it doesn't feel crowded to me, just cozy! The owner is a real nice guy. He often greets you at the door, visits your table, and makes you feel at home. You can tell he cares a lot about the restaurant and making his guests happy. The food is great. You'll have leftovers for sure, or you could easily split your meal. Since there's usually a wait (because it's awesome), I walk down the block to the Indian restaurant and sit at the bar for a pre-dinner drink. Everyone around you is doing the same thing. Sweet Basil will call your phone when they're ready. They also expect that you're mid drink and won't rush you over. You can leave your booze at Sweet Basil so you don't have to carry it around while you wait. BYOB with a 5 dollar corkage fee is still a deal when you consider how much they jack up the price of alcohol in every other restaurant. Like a lot of small places, it's cash only. No big deal. I just wish I lived closer- Needham people are so lucky to have this restaurant at their fingertips. Jealous!
(5)
Special E.
Great food, great staff, great food.....Only reason I didn't give it a fifth star is the acoustics of the room. If it's busy, and it will be, good luck hearing conversations. That is my ONE and only criticism. Bring your own wine and bring cash....as has been mentioned, no credit cards. Portions are large and the cost is very reasonable. So large and so reasonable as far as cost that my wife and I didn't do our usual split. Go ahead and splurge on different dishes and flavors here. Thanks to YELP we found this place tonight. We will be back!
(4)
Monier G.
One word, Unreal!!!!! Absolutely delicious!!! The food is Amazing prices are fair but get there early the line builds up fast!!
(5)
Becca S.
The food is consistently excellent. There can be a long wait but it is well worth it. The pesto is delicious and plentiful. The atmosphere is very friendly and the owner makes you feel like you're old friends. BYOB, too!!!
(5)
Ray Z.
Tried a pasta and a sandwich from lunch menu and both were excellent, will definitely come here again!
(4)
Cindy K.
FINALLY! I was able to try this local neighborhood gem that I've heard rave reviews about. I've been meaning to come here for about a year now and everytime I try to go, there is always a very long wait. Now I know why! Food is delicious! We went with a party of 6 for a friend's birthday and we each got something different and all of us were really happy with our meal. I got the clams with broccoli rabbe over linguine which was soo yummy! The pasta is homemade --there is just something so amazingly good about homemade pasta. All the ingredients were really fresh and the food was really flavorful. The portions are very decent for the price. The only con about this place is that they only take cash so definitely hit up the ATM before you come. Other than that, service and food was great! So happy that it's right in town!!
(5)
Tony U.
Why I'll go back: Delicious food and a staff that makes you feel like a regular You HAVE to order: baked gouda, ravioli Tony's Tip: the portions are huge, so don't cheat yourself - fast the day you eat there I was arranging dinner with three friends I hadn't seen in nearly a decade (okay, maybe "friends" is using the term liberally). None of us live in Needham, but Sweet Basil was centrally located between us, so we settled on having dinner there. I think I actually stumbled across this place through Yelp reviews in seeking out new places several months ago. By now, you're probably aware of the three sins they've committed as a restaurant: no reservations, no booze, and no credit cards. To everyone else who has been bitching, get over it! Hit the ATM, pick up a bottle of wine at the store on the way over, and then grab a drink down the street at The Village Fish while you wait. I showed up around 6:45 on a Friday and threw our name in. Dave greeted me as if I'd been coming there for years. People were milling about outside, but they'll take your cell number and just call you when your table is ready. So, we headed down to the Fish. A half hour and one pale ale later, we were seated. Sweet Basil has a very local and relaxed feel to it. There were a number of 30- and 40-somethings, and the place can get a bit loud, but not unbearable. Perhaps my only gripe is that the seats are somewhat stiff and uncomfortable, which is a pet peeve of mine if I'm gonna be sitting for two hours trying to enjoy a nice meal and conversation. Whatever. I'm over it. After the first bite of bread with that rich pesto spread, I was already distracted enough by my taste buds. Our waitress, Erica, was cute, bubbly, and knew the menu well. More than one Yelper had raved about the baked gouda. Erica vouched for it, so I went with it. Ridiculous, in every way. As I said earlier, this salad (a generous block of gouda, wrapped in a thin, flaky dough and served over lightly dressed greens) was huge. I literally could have had that alone as my meal. And even though I knew my ravioli was coming, I couldn't contain myself, and I killed the entire thing. When they brought out the entrees, the plates were so huge, we practically looked like pigs feeding at the trough. My ravioli contained several cheeses and was smothered in a flavorful marinara sauce. Each one was so delicate, there is no mistaking it was homemade. Honestly, I could easily go back there and order the same meal and be perfectly happy. It will take some will power to go with another option. As far as prices go, I think Sweet Basil is very reasonable. The appetizers and salads are basically all around $10 and there are only two entrees over $20 (lamb and steak). With tip, our meal for four came to $150. Throw in the two bottles of wine we brought and it was still under $200. I think this totally works as a date place, and I'm already scheming to figure out when I can get back there.
(5)
James D.
My wife and I have been here twice and their food is some of the best in Boston and the surrounding suburbs. It's a small restaurant and cash only but you will not be disappointed. Bring your own bottle of wine and enjoy a great meal. I highly recommend it to anyone.
(5)
Len M.
Great Italian dining & experience west of Boston. Staff and notably, chef/owner, Dave Becker, are very friendly & welcoming. We felt more hosted for dinner by friends, than patrons at a restaurant. Highly recommended! They serve complimentary bread and pesto with the pesto among the best we've had. I will be calling hoping that it is available for take out to serve for home dinner (w/ added hot Italian sausage & Penne) . Suzanne ordered Rosemary Chicken & I thought, "who would order that?" thinking it best saved as a lesser evil of wedding fare. My mistake! Wow, a rich delicious cream sauce, perfectly cooked asparagus, more (boneless) chicken than ziti (which is not typical of most Italian restaurants!). Fortunately she ate less than half (we enjoyed too much pesto and were nearly full when our meals arrived). The next morning I woke, ran to the fridge and finished it as a great breakfast! I had the Bolognese - also excellent. I am not a fan of mushrooms however these were large & few (unless I ate them thinking they were meat...). Also a great sauce - very flavorful. Ample portion - I finished less than half also. The pasta (both dishes) was a bit too al dente for my likes but I prefer a softer pasta than most. We were too full to consider desert. Our waitress nicely wrapped and labeled our left-overs in foil (not plastic or cardboard) containers which may be placed directly in an oven to reheat. Nice. Great experience start-to-finish. Looking forward to returning. Enjoy!
(5)
Jesse B.
We have been 4 times so far, I am yet to have a single complaint about the food or service. everything is excellent.
(5)
Kate N.
Love this place! The pesto that comes with the bread is so fresh and delicious. Or, if you are gluten free, they will give you a plate of crudites to dip. The Rosemary Chicken is a very rich dish - but the crispy pieces of pancetta, along with the asparagus and chicken all stand up well. Very friendly staff and a warm and inviting place. Make sure to bring cash, as they do not accept CC.
(5)
Cayer N.
We live in town and this is basically our second kitchen. Love the food and the restaurant has tons of charm. Everything on the menu is fantastic...definitely order the homemade pesto!!!!
(5)
Erika C.
Sweet Basil is just simply mind-blowing and trumps any restaurant in the north end of Boston or any Italian restaurant in New England for that matter (true statement). The bolognese is probably one of the best dishes I have ever eaten in any restaurant period. Cash only, long waits, possibly long travel time are all grievances that don't ever seem to matter because the food is THAT incredible. BYOB so bring a great bottle (or two) along with you. Service is fantastic, atmosphere so comfortable you will want to stay until you've eaten every last bite and drank every last drop. Price is right. Stop reading this review and go!
(5)
Larry G.
I've probably eaten here a dozen times, up-and-down the menu. It's a fantastic place; great food and an excellent value. I took a friend from the UK there and he made a really good comment, "It's all about the food." It really is.
(5)
Brianna T.
I have been here twice, our first time was so amazing that at our next dinner date we had to go back. I tried the rosemary chicken and it was DELICIOUS! I also have tried the chicken parm and it was great. Meals are large and very filling. I will be going back again this year thats for sure. Anywhere with a 20 minute wait on a Tuesday is worth waiting for!!!
(5)
Seth B.
Absolutely amazing. Everything on the menu is different and delicious. One of the most interesting places I've ever eaten.
(5)
Miriam L.
I dunno - this review may really be two stars, but I'm feeling generous. Plus, I hate being such an outlier. We came here last week for my mom's birthday. The hostess was nice enough, but has a brusque manner that I found a bit off-putting. Once seated, we were surrounded by servers (bussers?), but not our own waitress who could tell us the specials. We ended up getting calamari and risotto to split as appetizers. The calamari was excellent, and the risotto just ok. Mom and I shared a chicken marsala and the ravioli. I wasn't especially impressed with either, though my cousin happily finished his bolognese. They don't serve coffee or dessert, which is a shame, and are cash (or check) only, which is strange for a sit-down restaurant. I can't hold it against them that they don't serve alcohol, since it's not the restaurant's fault that Needham is a dry town. You can always bring your own. Also, the music was kind of odd, and it's a small space, so it gets fairly loud. I wasn't especially bothered, but my mother was. On the up side, the bread was quite good.
(3)
Julie G.
this is the best place straight out of the North End. You might have to wait a little on weekends, but the food is worth it. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable . Felt like i could never leave wanting more. just in case though it is a BYOB and wine which they will gladly serve. Fantastic place Will definitely continue to repeat.
(5)
Aboud Y.
Not a bad Italian spot but very overrated. I'd go back but I'm not in any rush. Keep in mind that this place is BYOB And CASH ONLY!
(3)
Reid F.
There are very few BYO establishments in Boston, so right off the bat, Sweet Basil is worth frequenting because you can bring a really good bottle of wine that is ready to drink (something very rare in most Boston restaurants) without having to pay restaurant wine prices. In addition, the food and service are very good, and the portions are large. The downsides are: 1. The high noise level. 2. The fact that they don't accept credit cards (but they do accept personal checks). 3. The earliness of the crowd--the place is full by 6:00 on weekends and remains that way all night. 4. No reservations.
(4)
Heather A.
Three words: braised lamb shank. Fall off the bone, loads of fresh veggies, and insane polenta. Perfectly cooked and seasoned, large portion that try as I might, could not finish in one sitting. Great atmosphere, fantastic service. Worth the hour and half wait on Saturday night to get in.
(5)
Lynn S.
I have known Dave B for many years and SB when it was very small. He takes pride in all of his dishes and I have not had one I don't like. Great food, Good service and without writing a novel. Just delicious!
(4)
Larry D.
We brought friends that are foodies and we all loved it. The mussels and roasted chicken are must haves! Both times we have been we are blown away by the quality of food and very good service. Bring your own wine. The prices are very reasonable. We always have a dogie bag because we can't finish our meal.
What a great experience. My friend arrived a bit before I did and put his name down. Like a considerate organization, they offered to give his cell phone a call when the table was ready. We got the call and promptly arrived to a very friendly hostess who called us by name and sat us promptly. I didn't realize the restaurant was BYOB which the owner must have noticed because he came over and offered us free wine/beer (which we graciously accepted). We had the duck risotto special which was a huge portion and easily could have qualified as a main course (and I wish I was eating it right now it was so good). I had the lamb shank which was truly enormous. Absolutely way too much food for a human to consume in one sitting but unbelievably tasty. I very much look forward to returning as soon as I can!
(5)
Alyssa W.
pretty ordinary, nothing to really rave about. the bolongnase pasta was the best dish at the table... the space is small but comfy. the service was ok.
(3)
Maia B.
Sweet Basil is my absolute favorite restaurant in suburban Boston. First, you must pick up a bottle of wine at a liquor store. Sweet Basil does not serve alcohol, but they will happily serve you your wine for a corking fee. Second, you must bring (lots of) cash. Sweet Basil does not accept other forms of payment. Third, you must arrive with plenty of time to spare. Sweet Basil does not accept reservations. While you are waiting for a table, you should walk down the street to Masala Art for a cocktail. Fourth, you must order the baked gouda appetizer. Continue as you like. This is my Sweet Basil recipe for success.
(5)
Eric T.
What's good: the food, the smells, and the staff. What's not so good: no reservations, no credit cards, the cramped-ness, and the noise. There was a 30 minute wait on a Saturday night, which was to be expected. But there's very little space to wait, so we sat on stools directly behind a table of diners. We thought of leaving and just grabbing a pizza instead, but the wafting garlic smells kept us seated. Once we were seated, they put out bread with pesto instead of butter, which was delicious and got me thinking why all Italian restaurants don't do the same. We had the baked mozzarella appetizer, which was amazing - and way too large for even two people to share. I ordered the chicken parm, which was okay. The dish was cooked lightly, missing the grilled-ness of the chicken breast and the cheese - it came off as 'lightly baked' and just missing some flavor. Again, it was okay but I wouldn't order it again. (And the marinara was really subpar.) My wife's lamb shank and polenta entree, on the other hand, was unbelievable. There was some questionable overcooked vegetable happening, which she quickly ignored after the first taste, but the lamb itself was cooked amazingly. I'm not a big lamb fan, but that dish alone would have me going back. And we took home half of all three dishes, so you definitely get your money's worth. So the food was good and the staff was great. The noise was a big turn-off though. The crowd had an understandably loud din to it, but it was accentuated by slightly-too-loud, totally random pop music that didn't jive with the atmosphere at all. When you have that cramped a restaurant, the last thing you want is to make your customers feel that much more claustrophobic; it's an Italian restaurant in the suburbs, not the fad du jour of lower Manhattan. We will definitely go back and try it again. We'll see how the second trip goes...
(4)
LoveYouToo L.
Just a wee bit disappointed on the last visit here. Bread was not real fresh, and the selection not as good as in the past. Mussels, however, were hands down delicious! Still a fan, but hope this restaurant will keep their standards real high, and looking forward to more visits to reassess and hopefully be up to the same standards as previously encountered. Still a good place, nice staff, overall positive experience.
(4)
Vanessa L.
Rad some reviews and traveled out to needham to check this place out. Excellent service. Food was pretty good. Nothing that I would drive far out of my way for. The service was outstanding though. It was nice that they had gluten free pasta and were able to accommodate on most entrees. I would recommend a better GF pasta though. It fell apart. I was happy - I could eat something good and allergy friendly. Nice neighborhood to walk around.
(4)
Vivi L.
I've been wanting to try out this place for the longest time. We tried coming here 2 weeks ago on Saturday at around 6:30 and the place is already packed. There is already a wait of 1.5 hours for a table. We decided to order take-out instead. This place definitely lives up to their reputation. We order braised chicken, rosemary chicken, parmesan chicken, and the ravioli. Every single dish was delicious. My favorite would be the Braised Chicken. It's full of flavor and the portion is huge. We tried coming here again on Sunday at 4PM right when they're open. The place was empty but as we sit there, the place started to get crowded at 5PM. I'm glad that we went at 4PM. A little disclosure, we took our 2 yrs with us and they don't have high chair for kids. Our daughter ended up sitting on the regular chair and they were able to give her an empty wine box to boost her up. It actually worked out well. This time, I order the Lamb Shank and my husband ordered the veal. Again, the food is definitely consistent. The Lamb was sublime and we really enjoyed this place. The staffs were friendly and the food came out at perfect pace. We have now become a fan of this place and would definitely be a regular.
(5)
Bill B.
Finally got around to this place. I found it cozy and charming. Some reviewers were put off by the decor; to each his own. I had the pork chop; my better half had a fish special. Hers was amazing. Perfectly cooked fish (I think it was cod--my memory is failing me here). The mashed potatoes had fennel in them and were light and refreshing. My pork chop was cooked perfectly. My only complaint was oversalting, but it wasn't enough to ruin the dish. Loved the brandied pomegranate sauce... and as others have said, huge portions. I read one review that complained about a $5 corkage fee per bottle--it's amazing what people can complain about. $15 for 3 bottles is a steal, the absolute lowest I've ever paid for corkage. Try $35/bottle in most places in the north end (some places allow it even if it's not legal or whatever). I'm happy to go back, but I would tell them to go easy on the salt.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Sheryl L.
As all of my close friends and family already know, I am a huge fan of Sweet Basil. No, the do not take reservations; so I have figured out the best times to show up. (let me know if you want to be in on the secrets) No, they don't take credit cards; so I must bring some cash. No, they do not have booze; but they let you bring wine in, so I do. No, they don't have dessert; but who needs it after the amazing meal that you are sure to get? Those are the things that seem to stand out here on yelp as deterrents so I adressed them first. On with my raves: First and foremost, the food is good, really good. I happen to like garlic so I am in luck. But if you aren't thrilled with it, just let the server know and they'll ask the chef to take it easy on you. Everything is made to order so be vocal (but kind) and your requests will be heard. The dishes are definitely large enough to split and often we even end up taking some home. Ask questions, order what you like, and eat with gusto! I have tried almost everything there at one time or another and I have never gone wrong. The menu changes seasonally but for these colder months the heartier dishes fill you and warm you right up. Second, the owner, Dave, is a great guy. He is dedicated to this place and it shows all the way around. On the days when he is in the kitchen cooking he'll still pop out onto the floor and say hi, check on folks, and smile. Other days he plays host, veggie chopper, bread basket deliverer or whatever is needed. Thanks Dave, we appreciate it. Third, the staff is wonderful, warm, and welcoming. I have gotten to know a few; Nina, Elise, Sarah, and Chris, I thank them all for making eating at Sweet Basil, as busy as it is, and as busy as they are, a pleasant experience. I watch them as they work and they are nice to everyone, even those complainers who we have all seen harass servers and hosts until they snap. Lastly, my food allergy. I have a respiratory allergy to soy. They take it seriously- even though the oil they use contains no soy and there is mostly none on the menu, if I have any questions they find out answers concretely. None of this "well you should be fine" or "I don't think that'll kill you" They read labels, they ask the cooks, they take care of people like me who often have a difficult time eating out. If you haven't been there yet, please go and check out Sweet Basil, it is worth it.
(5)Christina N.
The pesto sauce is absolutely phenomenal. I'm not a huge fan of the rosemary chicken, but the raviolis are delicious. It can get pretty crowded and loud, and not exactly the best place to bring a huge group... but the ingredients are always fresh, the seasoning and flavors practically perfect, the bread is always good... and the pesto-- oh, the pesto. The portions used to be larger a while ago, and I couldn't ever finish an entrée and appetizer (especially with such good bread and pesto!)... and I'd always look forward to tomorrow, because there would be leftovers. I'm kind of saddened that the portions have reduced a bit since their new plates and bowls... but I guess it's better than stuffing myself. It's a great place for a night out with friends, but I'd recommend going early (you can get dinner as early as 4:30 last year).
(5)tom k.
The quality of food at this place and hectic multitasking of the staff reminds me of the petit and fantastically tasty restaurants nestled in the old cities of France. I have my countries wrong though, because this is inspired Italian food. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and flavors are bright with fresh herbs ... each bite was a joy. Table bread was paired with a freshly processed pesto for dipping. A tip for ordering: portions are pretty large ... a couple can share an appetizer/salad and share an entree ... and it's plenty. We even took home extra pasta. The arugula salad was served with wedges of oversized pickled beets, apricots, goat cheese, and a wonderful vinegrette with a hint of dijon (great autumn harvest salad). The gulf shimp scampi showed that they weren't afraid of garlic, and I loved them for it, wonderful! No desserts served here ... move on to your dessert wine, or to the rest of you plans for that evening. So back to the beginning: while you're waiting, probably for at least 30 min. for one of the 10 tables or so, the hostess might suggest visiting the nice bar next door (because sweet basil doesn't serve alcohol). Well Sweet Basil is a BYOB and I prefer to stay there, have them bring up a couple of glasses, pull the cork on one of the wines I've brought along, and we can drink wine, chat and look over the menu while my hunger grows from the smells of the open kitchen and memories of my last visit. /tom
(5)Joe R.
We had an absolutely amazing meal here last night. The greeters were very friendly and accommodating and directed us to a nearby restaurant to have a drink while waiting for our table. From start to finish every thing we had was extremely tasty and fresh. I high highly recommend the Rosemary Chicken entree. BYOB and Wine which was pretty cool - cash and check only would be my only real complaint. You can't go wrong with this place.
(5)Jin W.
A neighborhood gem! This is a fantastic little restaurant with exceptional character. My favorite entree is the Bolognese, it's by far the best around, and my favorite lunch sandwich is the steak and cheese. This is no ordinary steak and cheese my friend, this monster's got big chunks of beef, a blend of cheeses, mushrooms (not the little white ones), and herbs. It also comes with a salad so you can be healthy too!
(5)Anna B.
There really aren't enough words, to rave about this place. Whenever I have foodie out-of-town guests, I bring them here. So delicious, great service, comfortable atmosphere, gooey cheeses, rich tomato sauces, flaky pastry crusts, if only I could eat here every day
(5)Colin G.
Good italian food. There Pesto is home made and very good. they do a great job on the Eggplant and chix parm sandwiches but I was a little disappointed in the quality of the bread but everything else was very good place has a fun set up and good atmosphere.
(4)B R.
delicious. wonderful. yes its small and cramped. Yes no reservations so you might have to wait outside. plan around it. and go.
(4)Robyn L.
Although the seating space in this restaurant is minimal, the menu options and portions are anything but! This place is little, and I mean really little. Either go as soon as dinner begins (5:00) or prepare to wait for a table. My coworker and I were lucky enough to get the last table when we arrived at about 5:20 on a Tuesday night. The menu has a full selection of soups, appetizers and salads. The sweet corn soup sounded delightful, but I opted against it so I could pig out on the phenomenal crusty bread with house pesto sauce spread all over it. I could have made a meal out of that. Then flip over the menu for a wide selection of entrees, everything from chicken parmigiana and chicken scallopini to bolognese with meat, sausage and mushrooms to seafood fra diavlo. We both got the latter, and we weren't disappointed. It was an enormous amount of food -- easily two full meals worth. I would have liked to see a dessert menu, but they appeared not to have one. When you go, be sure to bring cash -- they don't take any credit cards -- as well as your own beer or wine. Needham is a dry town.
(4)Rebecca L.
We drove to Needham from Cambridge because we heard this was the best Italian food around. The food was really good, although not perfect. We tried the shrimp scampi, and the sauce was heavenly! But the shrimp was overdone. My friend had the lamb, which was apparently marvelous, but it was served on a bed of unrecognizably charred vegetables (or we think that's what they were). The bread and pesto was fantastic, as were the other appetizers, and we even got some calamari on the house, just because they had too much in the kitchen! Definitely better than your average Italian restaurant.
(4)Rachelle A.
When I lived in nearby Wellesley this was my favorite restaurant! I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind elbowing complete strangers, waiting way too long for a table, and paying in cash. If you can get past all that, the homemade pesto and crusty bread that awaits you as soon as you sit down is show-stopping delicious. And they'll bring you more if you ask. (The pesto is sans-nuts for those on the allergy alert.) I love BYOB places, and that it is, so bring a favorite wine for a small fee. Sweet Basil is that restaurant people are always trying to discover: small, quaint, unique, not too pricey, amazing food. All said, it's a true find. But the food...ah, I'm dreaming about it...HUGE portions that will leave you with a fab lunch tomorrow. I'm the person who always tries new things, but my husband and I religiously ordered the seared scallop salad, mussels, and chicken cacciatore. Split between us we were stuffed (the bread and pesto definitely contributed to this problem) and were sent home with leftovers. The staff is delightful, and the space so small you can practically watch your food being made. If I could give SB 6 ******'s I would.
(5)David R.
In my opinion the best restaurant in the greater Boston area. Every dish is great the people are great and they are great with my son. If I am looking for a great meal sweet basil is were I will il go.
(5)a w.
The food here is absolutely amazing. I've never had a dish i didn't think soared above my expectations. Even the veggie lasagna, which i ordered on a whim thinking i might regret it, was phenomenal. Big enough to feed three people probably, and full of amazing veggies you wouldn't expect like beets. Oh it was SO GOOD. The fra diavolo is something that either I or my husband get every time, and their steak is amazing as well. A few quirky things about this place that may cause other people to dock stars. They don't take reservations, and it's not a big restaurant, so if you go on a weekend after 6pm, expect to wait. There's not much room for waiting, though. Also, they only take cash. But if you're like me and rarely have it on you, there are about three banks nearby equipped with cash machines. Also, they don't serve alcohol, but you can bring your own and they charge i think a $5 fee to open your wine for you. The owner is usually around, and they've kept more or less the same waitstaff for as long as I've been coming here (about 2 years), which speaks highly of the restaurant as an employer. Sweet basil i LOVE YOU
(5)Dawn D.
I went to Sweet Basil for the 1st time last Sat . They do not take reservations but you can go down put your name in and then leave. There's no bar, it's BYOB and there's a $5 corkage fee, I think this is a fantastic idea and I think other restaurants should have this option. My wait was an hour, which turned into 1.5hrs, with really nowhere to sit, basically standing room only, with the exception of 6 log stumps you could sit on, this was one thing I wasn't crazy about, I hate hovering over others while they are trying to enjoy their night . The waitstaff was very accommodating, they were walking around with apps and offered to open the bottle of wine I brought, I thought that was pretty cool. My waitress was excellent and very friendly. The tables are very close together and if you don't like small spaces or people that can basically hear your entire conversation, I wouldn't suggest going here. The food was excellent, the waitress brought us bread with a pesto spread, I could have eaten this by the spoonfuls, that's how good it was. As for our meals, my horrifying blind date and I shared a Greek salad which was very delicious and for dinner, he had the Chicken Scallopini (?sp) that was the best dish & the sauce was very tasty. I had the Shrimp Scampi, which I don't recommend, the shrimp was over cooked and the whole dish itself, had absolutely no flavor....BUT I would definitely go back to this place again...it's SO worth the wait!!! If you are around Needham, you should definitely check it out but go early, I went @ 715p...If I go back, I'll go earlier.. Also, thet do not accept CC only cash.
(4)Michael T.
I had the lamb osso buco with polenta. It was amazing. It compares favorably with the best dishes I have had in San Francisco and Chicago. The portions are large, the prices are small. What's not to like. So what if its BYOB and there is no desert. The meal starts with bread and pesto. I have to stop writing, thinking about this place is making me hungry.
(5)Cory B.
UNBELIEVEABLE! Terrific service and the food was beyond incredible. I have gluten issues so it was great that I could find a seafood dish on the menu that could accomodate me...i was ready to lick the plate! I went with 3 other people and we wiped our plates clean!
(5)Ian S.
I get the feeling that a second visit to Sweet Basil will improve this rating, but I've gotta go with my first visit. So, Lets begin! It was a Tuesday night, only 6pm, so thankfully, we were able to walk right in. I had read about Sweet Basil on Zagat, and since I do Acupuncture right nearby, why not check it out. So, the dining room was cool and relaxed. I liked that. The waitstaff were super casual and really nice. Attentive without hovering. The Music was fantastic!!! The owner's ipod had everything from old disco and funk to Cibo Matto (which I was particularly psyched about!)!! We didn't realize it was BYOB or Cash only, which kinda bummed me out cuz i wanted a glass of read (turns out I probably could've been hooked up with a glass of some leftovers that regulars leave for the staff, but oh well), but I survived! One thing I found very impressive was the amount of people who lined up to wait while we ate. The front of the house was Packed!!! People obviously LOVE this restaurant, which is a good sign. Now, the food: first off, bread with Pesto - GREAT IDEA!! Loved it!! For appetizers, my wife got a yummy garlicy farrow soup, tomoto based, really good! I got the caesar salad, and was quite disappointed. For a nice italian joint, the parmesan was powdered, not grated, the dressing was like water, barely any flavor and it didn't stick, the anchovies were ok. Unthrilled! For entree's, my wife got the GIANT ravioli, which was good, but not special, though the marinara was excellent! I got lamb o'buco, which was a big hunk of lamb in a bowl, over polenta with mixed veggies. Overall Very yummy, the lamb fell right off the bone, had a great flavor, and the veggies were great! Also impressed when one waiter came to deliver the food, and put tap water into my wifes glass of pelligrino. He realized it (tried to stop him), felt really bad, and bought us another bottle. True class! Nice save!!! So, the food was 50% good, hence my 3 stars. Everything else I liked, but I'll have to try it again in order to rate it higher. There you go!
(3)Jon M.
Readily the best Italian food in the Boston metro. David is personable and always remembers us. We bought his book, and use it often.
(5)Meredith K.
Nice, big portions. I love the BYOB. The tables are way too close together for my taste. Needham is a dry town so remember to get your alcohol in advance or you'll be driving through Dedham like a poet on payday.
(3)Y S.
This local gem is adorable and cozy. Even on a chilly, drizzly Wednesday, it was bustling with plenty of people dining in and picking up take-out orders. The ample bread basket came with a delicious pesto, and our calamari starter was fresh and light with a delicious spicy marinara with lots of garden vegetables. My dining companion had the delicious and tender skillet steak (cooked perfectly)- with the addition of sauteed mushrooms per request- and a buttery and flaky spanikopita chock full of piping hot spinach. I had the ziti in a creamy sauce, accented by crispy pancetta, asparagus tips, tomatoes, and big chunks of rosemary chicken. The waitress noted that it was one of their most popular dishes, for good reason. Both dinners were large portions- more than enough for two meals. Although dessert is not officially on the menu, we were regaled with a complimentary moist, fudgy "brownie cake"- about the size of a muffin- perfect for sharing! The dessert was accompanied by plump chocolate-covered strawberries and mint-infused whipped cream. Staff were incredibly solicitous, friendly and helpful as well. Important notes: The restaurant is cash-only, BYOB, and doesn't take reservations. Parking on Great Plain Avenue is scarce, but easy to find on side streets.
(5)Glenn M.
Simply awesome. Great food at at great price. Great atmosphere and staff. Good size portions. Only bummer is no credit cards.
(5)Jess T.
The most memorable thing about Sweet Basil is the genuine friendliness of every person working there. The hostess was very nice when I came during prime time to get a table for 2. The 45 minute wait turned out to only be 30 minutes and we got seated at a table with prime view. This restaurant is cash only, BYOW (only a $5 cork fee), and has street parking only. The pesto served with the bread was amazing. I usually never eat the bread but it was worth eating with the pesto. We had a fried calamari appetizer that was served with a some-what spicy sauce. Not bad and large portion. We got the rosemary chicken (recommended by the waitress) and the bolognese. Both came out in large portions, with a lot of garlic and cheese. Rosemary chicken was very heavy, more than we are used to, but still good. Bolognese was okay - the pasta needed to be boiled at least 7 more minutes and more meat was needed. Waitress was knowledgeable about all dishes and was friendly throughout the meal. Would go back again to try different dishes.
(4)Andrew P.
Have gone and had take out a dozen times at least. Great job Dave.......awesome
(5)John M.
I went to Sweet Basil with the expectation of being disappointed. How could any restaurant possibly be as good as the reviews that one reads about Sweet Basil? All I can say after one dining experience there is that if Yelp offered the optional rating of six stars, Sweet Basil would get that from me. One of our party had the ravioli, another ordered the veal Marsala, and I ordered the bolognese. All were heavenly. The atmosphere is authentically warm & friendly as one is seated with other like minded diners who appreciate great food and comfortable surroundings. The chefs bring the meals to the table, assuring one of a hot meal. The owner made the rounds and paid a visit to our table where he shared his bolognese recipe with me. I could not have been happier. I was hoping that some meteorological miracle would occur and we would all be snowed in for a few days. What a party that would be! I am already planning my next visit.
(5)Sean I.
Awesome food, awesome environment. Hand made pasta dishes were incredible. The baked Gouda appetizer was an interesting dish that we both loved.
(5)S H.
Excellent Italian inspired food. I call it Italian inspired because it's really create gourmet. I personally have had the Baked Gouda appetizer, Vegetable Lasagna, Halibut, Ravioli, and the Gnocci. All of them are full of flavor and cooked exactly right. Our first time there, we brought a bottle of wine. The owner opened it for us and brought some bread with polenta and marinara sauce as we waited for a table. A couple of notes: BYOB ($5 corking fee/bottle), cash only, get there early because there aren't reservations and you could wait an hour for a table, don't fill up on the bread and fresh basil dip.
(5)J R.
One word: yum! I usually order the chicken cacciatore because it is delicious. The chicken is cooked just right, the sauce and flavoring are so much better than any other cacciatore, and the pairing with pasta is perfect. Their salad is wonderful, too, but I don't care for the dressing, which I find bitter. Because we often get this food to go, I put my own dressing on the salad. The bread is delicious, too. I've dined in a couple of times and find it pleasant if noisy. The food is pricey, but because the portions are so large, my husband and I can share the cacciatore and have one more serving left over.
(5)Anna P.
I love this place - and I usually don't like Italian food! All the dishes are made fresh to order and they can customize anything. It's probably the most personal and involved experience I've ever had at a restaurant. The owner is incredibly nice, too! But, do note, the place is TINY - it's often hard to get a seat at peak times.
(5)Laura W.
We went there last night with another couple who live nearby in Dedham. Since we don't live in the Boston area, it was up to them to pick the place. They were raving about this place and it did live up to it. It is BYOB and cash only, so don't forget those 2 important pieces. I don't know if there is a corkage fee. I never saw the bill, so I have no idea. We each got something different as our main course and I think I liked mine the least. The chicken cacciatore was good, but not the best or maybe I am not a cacciatore fan all together. The others at the table got the veggie lasagna that looked amazing, the lamb, and the bolognese. Everyone was very pleased with their meal. For appetizers we split a salad, the calamari, and the baked mozzarella. All of them were very good! Great place to get to if you live in the area or if you are planning on visiting the Boston area. Needham also has a really cute center!
(4)Sandy F.
love love love this place. everytime i come here, its always packed and theres a wait for at least an hour. but its well worth the wait. since they dont have a bar, they sometimes send us down the block to grab drinks while we wait, but in the summer, some might prefer having custard from the store next door. the only bummers are that they dont take reservations or credit cards, sometimes they're sweet enough to let us nibble on some appetizer extras while we wait. in fact, the first time i've been there and i was curious about how the mussels were, on the next order they took, they made a little extra (which was a lot, almost a full size portion) and let me sample it. that is how i fell in love: with the mussels, the service and the restaurant. its not really the free food that won me over (or maybe it is) but its more the attentive service and the amount of consideration the busy waitstaff puts in to give you a great dining experience. the inside is pretty crowded but cozy. it gets a bit loud but still is a decent date place because you can sit close to your date and whisper sweet nothings while sharing an amazing meal. no alcohol here, its byob with a $5 corking fee. love the idea of the flexibility and unpretentiousness of byob. also love the mussels. its an appetizer, but i swear, the broth is so good, i use so much bread to mop up the juices that i am stuffed by the time my entree gets to the table. you cant go wrong with their innovative rotating risottos. their daily specials always seems to cause a dilemma for me to chose between them and my favorites. the seafood diavolo is a staple for me. the rosemary chicken is very tasty, but a bit heavy. it might be a better idea to just share it if you dont have a tremendous appetite. once it goes in the fridge, you'll know how much evoo they use. my leftovers chills to a solid block, def not as appetizing as it was when it was steaming from the kitchen.
(5)Catherine M.
Strange business policies mar an otherwise good dining experience. They don't sell tea/coffee/dessert -- so they can turn over tables faster and get you out of there. You feel like you're getting the bum's rush, and they don't have an elegant way of informing you of this policy. Today I had lunch there, and they abruptly dropped off the bill after serving our entrees. When we said, "Wait, we'll be wanting coffee," the waitress said, "Sorry, we don't serve coffee. I dropped off the bill because we had nothing more to offer you." Boy, is that a true statement. They should have politely advised us at the beginning of the meal or clearly posted the policy, so it wouldn't be an unpleasant shock. Then they told us they don't take credit cards! Absolutely bizarre for a restaurant in this price range to not take plastic. They need a polite, cordial way of advising guests of these strange practices, or even better, behave like a normal restaurant -- serve coffee and take credit cards. I won't be going back.
(2)Ann T.
Highly recommended. I no longer live in the Boston 'burbs, but when I did I was a big fan of this place. I've never understood the popularity of pesto. I know this makes me a bad foodie. I don't dislike pesto, I just don't get very excited about it. But I saw the light when I had the pesto spread at Sweet Basil--full of cheese and basil and served with big chunks of delicious bread. Watch out--they just keep bringing you more, and depending on your appetite, it could be a meal in itself, so be careful. Appetizers are also delicious, but again, a meal in themselves. I recommend either splitting one with your dining companion, or just ordering one as a meal. The baked gouda over greens is fantastic, but a bit heavy and definitely a meal on its own. Never been disappointed with an entree here, either. The sea scallops over wilted spinach are wonderful, as is the rosemary chicken. I really like the ambience and the friendly service at Sweet Basil too. But I think the prices are too high for them not to accept credit cards--not really any more expensive than other comparable restaurants in the Boston area, but high enough that you have to remind yourself to have a lot of cash in your wallet before eating here. The value for money is high, though--not only is the food great, but the portions are enormous, so you can easily take half your meal home. Although, in the end, I'd rather just pay less money and get a more manageable amount of food. BYO.
(4)Rob Q.
Let's get this out of the way: I love this place. It's a personal favorite, and has been since my first trip something like 6 years ago. So my review is probably colored by that. That said, there are just so many reasons to love this place. Great food, reasonable prices (especially for the HUGE portions; expect to have at least one meal's worth of leftovers), a charming setting, and BYOB wine (something sadly lacking around Boston). This is the part of the review where one would normally recommend dishes, but I'm not even going to try. I've forced myself to eat almost everything on the menu rather than just sticking with my first few favorites, and I've yet to find a dish that isn't wonderful. You really just can't go wrong here.
(5)Marilyn B.
Yesterday for lunch at Sweet Basil I had what was possibly the worst sandwich of my life. It was listed as a pan seared cod po' boy with romaine, tomatoes and Cajun caper remoulade, but the fish (an appallingly small, thin serving) was definitely NOT cod, accompanied by a few pieces of chopped tomatoes, a few pieces of chopped lettuce, no remoulade in sight, and nonexistent capers as well. The fish itself, whatever it was, fell apart, had no flavor, and disappeared in the oversized bread that it was served on. A very disappointing experience.
(1)Omri G.
One of the best restaurants I eat in! A confession, I am not a big fan of the culinary scene in the Boston area, I think there are some good places but for the most it's boring and and not creative enough, and then we found Sweet Basil... The food is so surprising with it's flavor, the looks of it is so colorful and the creativity of the food is very unique and reflect the love and thought that was put in each dish we ordered. The service is also very pleasant and warm. The only problem is that it's hard to get a table at the busy hours and the wait is a bit long, but that's fine by me.
(5)Jeff K.
I'm disappointed this place didn't live up to my expectations. We were prepared with our bottle of wine, the bread dip was very tasty. We ordered a mushroom dumpling over wasabe lettuce which was unique but good. I typically love rosemary anything so i went for the chicken, my wife went for the shrimp scampi. My dish was so heavy i couldn't eat more the a third of it.. the chicken was tough, but overall i wasn't impressed at all. I'm a reasonable cook and i could have come darn close to replicating this dish. My wife's shrimp scampi was a bit better but i thought the shrimp was under cooked.. almost jelly-like. Anyway.. I've heard such great things about this place but it didn't live up to those expectations.. i also spotted two spiders on the wall (don't tell my wife because they were VERY close to her).
(3)Alison C.
Fine Italian food in the suburbs? Yes, it can be found, my friends - shocking, but true! My company's headquarters had previously been located in the quaint town of Needham, and I had been referred to Sweet Basil when bonding with a fellow foodie colleague from that office. As much as I had wanted to try the well-reviewed destination, the company soon moved to another town, and I found myself rarely in Needham. However, on a recent trip to the area, I was able to talk my friends into a quiet Friday night dinner there. We pulled up to the cozy restaurant and found that it was fully packed with a substantial wait. The courteous manager, Dave, told us that we had about forty minutes until we would be able to snag a table. We decided to take a walk around the neighborhood, and then returned to wait. Upon our reentrance, we noticed that the folks around us were all carrying bottles of wine. Dave asked us if we had a bottle that he could open for us while we waited. We confirmed that we did not and questioned him as to whether there was a local liquor store. Unfortunately, there were nothing within walking distance, but he was kind enough to pour us each a glass from an extra bottle they had on hand. In addition, all pending diners were served slices of bruschetta topped with fresh tomato, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic truffle oil. We bonded with Dave while sipping some crisp white wine and sampling the delectable snacks. We were soon seated and granted the remainder of the wine bottle to enjoy with our meal. I have never experienced such fantastic service! The Sweet Basil experience was off to a terrific start, and we forged ahead with big smiles on our faces. We glanced around the quaint dining room and took in the two intimate dining rooms full of dedicated patrons, all jumping at the chance to catch up with the friendly manager. Our eyes grew wide with delight when we saw the substantial portions of hearty Mediterranean flare atop nearby tables. We deliberated over the menu, but were able to appease our indecisive minds with recommendations from Dave, who stopped by to offer his assistance. After we placed our order, we received a basket of warm Italian bread and a scented pesto oil for dipping. We tried to limit our bread intake and save room for the large entrees. Our plan was foiled, however, but the similarly massive appetizers. My friend's Caprese Salad was a full-sized plate of mixed greens, topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Another friend and I shared a different blend of greens, which acted as a bed cushioning shiitake and avocado dumpling pillows. The unique blend of earthy mushroom and creamy avocado was a shocking success. Both salads were delicious and left us craving our next course. I opted for the Seafood Stew, while my friends leaned towards pasta. My large bowl of tomato broth was packed with plump shrimp, crisp lobster, large pieces of filleted fish, salty mussels, fresh clams, and more. Though the dish was carb-free, it contained enough protein to fill me up. One of my friends ordered the highly recommended Bolognese sauce composed of beef, sausage, and mushrooms. It was served over papardelle pasta. Though I had pushed the rest of my meal aside to save my stomach from rupturing, I could not turn down my friend's offer to pick at her Bolognese. The chunky sauce was extremely addicting, and my fork got some exercise as I shoveled about a third of her dish into my already full belly. I literally had to push the bowl away for my own good. We enjoyed another complimentary glass of wine and paid our affordable bill. (Each dish was under $25 dollars, with most even under $20.) We then scanned the room to locate and thank Dave for his hospitality, but he was nowhere to be found. We sighed peacefully and left the restaurant satisfied and content. Though Sweet Basil was essentially just a suburban neighborhood restaurant, the service and cuisine were better than anything I had tasted in Boston's traditional Italian hub, the North End. I have already begun recommending the simple spot to any area colleagues that have yet to sample its greatness.
(5)Rick B.
Dinner last night was amazing. Lamb was delicious. Pasta was all homemade and tasted super fresh. Wife loved Piccatta. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Dawn S.
This place is amazing. Its always packed, so usually we just order out. The proportions are enormous and 4 dishes will usually last my family of 4 a couple of days. Sweet basil is also great for the vegetarians we often host for dinner. The choice of delicious seafood and veggie dishes is unmatched in Needham. I would recommend the LLinguine with clams, spicy broccoli rabe and linguine for those who eat seafood. For meat lovers, the Lamb Shank over Polenta is phenomenal. This lamb is the most tender and well cooked I have ever had and the polenta and grilled veggies that go with it are amazing. the lunch menu is also great. Very reasonably priced and I still have dreams about the grilled vegetable, pesto and goat cheese sandwich. Oh and I forgot to mention that with your meal, you get fresh baked bread and a big bowl of basil pesto for dipping. I could fill myself up off of the bread and pesto alone!
(5)S C.
No frills, great food. Appetizers and dinner only. Bring your own wine. No dessert. But food is spectacular. Gotta love garlic. Excellent chicken scallopini. Great bolognese.
(5)Chris C.
I've eaten here several times with my Wife. We really enjoy the food here. My Wife used to live in the North End and we think it compares very well with those restaurants. Huge portions and the quality has always been good. The only negative is cash only.
(4)Dave G.
A great place to go when you are hungry. I have been there about five times, and every time the food has been excellent and the service friendly. It is important to embrace the following to enjoy the Sweet Basil experience to the fullest: 1) You will gain three to ten pounds before you get up from the table 2) The Pesto with bread is delicious, but will make you so thirsty you will need a blood thinner to deal with the rise in blood pressure. 3) Its very cozy and loud, which goes with the bold food. The Bolognese is transcendent. Everything else is excellent or at least very good. I also recommend the Goat cheese salad with roasted beets
(4)Meghan B.
I love Sweet Basil. That statement sums up my feelings for this fantastic, quirky restaurant in Needham, I've eaten here probably eight times, and I don't live that close. The food here is outstanding. I dream about the Bolognese. The baked gouda, wrapped in phyllo dough, served over greens and fruit is to die for. But what I really love about this place is the vibe. The owner, Dave, is regularly manning the door, and checking in with his customers. When he saw me loving the baked gouda he stopped by and asked if it wasn't like the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich ever. It is. The service is outstanding. My water glass is never empty. The staff is always knowledgeable about the menu, and can make suggestions. One time I got some less then stellar pasta (truly a fluke at this place) and when I brought it to the attention of my server, they immediately made me a new one *and* comped the dish (which was just above and beyond). We've taken out-of-town family here many times, despite the lack of reservations. Also, as it's BYOB, we make sure to bring out own wine. They only charge a $5 corking fee, which is a steal. If the wait is long, you can wander down the block to get a drink. On busy nights they often have some yummy bites for people who are waiting. On a recent trip, during Marathon weekend, we were given a 45 minute wait time, so we went down the street for a drink. 20 minutes later my cell rings and it's Dave! He remembered we were getting a drink, so he said, no hurry, finish your cocktail and we'll give you the next table when you get back. Super service. The menu changes pretty regularly, with new additions for the season (in the fall they had a gnocchi with duck and butternut squash that was incredible), but the standards remain. (Seriously, the Bolognese. Get it.) Everything I've eaten here has been fantastic, and the portions are no joke. I keep coming back, even though I have their cookbook! And don't sweat the lack of dessert, just go next door to Abbott's for some frozen custard.
(5)Katherine W.
YUM! This place is awesome. The food is soooooooo good. Okay, they don't take reservations (yes, this is normally a gripe with me) but I will excuse them. It's BYOB! They recommend you go down the street and get a drink at the Indian restaurant and come back in X minutes. In our case it was an hour so we downed a bottle of wine at the Indian rest., so needless to say, I was happy and feeling good by the time we sat down. The owner chit chatted with us, and gave us some recommendations. We both loved what we got - the duck was cooked perfectly. I really love this place, need to get back soon!
(5)Angela S.
Amazing food. One of my favorite restaurants--ever. Everything is delicious. I recommend the baked gouda appetizer--it's divine. Free pesto and bread with your meal. Bring a bottle of wine ($5 corking fee) if you like that sort of thing. The lunch menu is slightly different from the dinner menu--more sandwiches, fewer entrees. All still delicious, though. It gets REALLY crowded on weekend nights, and some week nights, too. Go early. Talk to Dave the owner--he's the friendly guy with the curly hair. You'll like him.
(5)Sasha R.
I just couldn't understand why my mom was insisting on taking me all the way to Needham to go to some Thai place called Sweet Basil. Oops. First of all, it's Italian food - apparently, they also cook with basil. Secondly, Needham Center? Haaay! It's like the newer nicer Coolidge Corner. Restaurant: just what I like. Small, informal, open kitchen, delectable scents AND! a BYOB! ($5 cork fee). Take $30 off your bill right there. We were starving, so we ordered a ton of food, mostly standard Italian, with some flair: mussels, calamari, beets and warm goat cheese, steak, ossobucco, soft shell crab, accompanied by soft aromatic bread with a bowl of the freshest pesto. The portions are enormous. 1 entree for two people, seriously. It'll piss off the waitress, but at least you won't get heartburn. Great suburban alternative to the Olive Garden, or whatever they call "Italian" around here.
(5)mike c.
WOW !!!! from the street I don't think I would have gone in but thanks to Yelp that was the site of boys nite . We got there about 630 wednesday nite to an almost full house but were seated right away ,the staff was fun and very good ,now the food ....OMG ! it was all good and BIG as well ....make this a must go too . My ATM card was sad that they would not take it but that will not stop me from going back and soon .
(4)Meredith K.
I love this place! I have been coming here since they first opened and were half the size they are now. They are BYOB so don't forget your wine! I love the specials and everything I've had here I have always liked: from pasta, to fish, to meat.. all fantastic. And seriously folks why wait in line at Village Fish for mediocre food when you can come here and get something 10x better!
(5)Christy W.
I went to Sweet Basil a couple of weeks ago with 6 of my girlfriends. We had a nice table in the corner of this very cute restaurant. The food was absolutely amazing! We got the pan roasted mozzarella with marinara and the calamari for an appetizer. I highly recommend trying the mozzarella dish!! So flavorful! For an entree, my friend and I split the raviollis. They were so good! The filling and the tomato sauce was exceptional. I can't wait to go back to Sweet Basil again!!!
(5)Jen P.
I hadn't been here in about 3 years, ever since our office moved to Boston, but I came back because I remembered how great the food was...I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had expanded the restaurant to 2 rooms, instead of the tiny one room it used to be. Decor was still cute and stylish, down to the oversized glasses and utensils, which I love. Even though we got here before they opened for lunch, it filled up very quickly. Food was still fantastic, some of the best mussels I have EVER had...so much that I wanted to take a bath in the leftover broth. Specials are always great, a pasta or risotto...the group I was with all had different things and we shared. Portions seemed to get bigger since 3 years ago, but it was fine because it meant leftovers, and leftovers are a great thing. Highly recommend this place, but go early, it's well worth it.
(5)Siddharth S.
Love their seafood Fra diavolo...
(4)Lana R.
Love, love, love. First of all, it's BYOB. Liquor store down the street :) The hostess made us feel immediately welcome as she took our names down. They were totally full on a Tuesday evening. There are chairs to wait outside. We were seated at a lovely table by the window about 20min later. They offer a pesto spread and amazing bread to start. We also got a goat cheese/beet salad that was incredible. Fresh and delicious. Hubby ordered their special - a beef brisket mushroom risotto and I got the rosemary chicken ziti (no bacon). Both were excellent. Huge portions. NOTE: they do not do dessert.
(5)Kate R.
This is my absolute favorite restaurant. Me and my boyfriend live in town and we go here occasionally. It is such a treat! We love the atmosphere - cozy, unpretentious, low lights, fresh flowers, mismatched plates and bowls, and a cool old-fashioned bottle of water at every table. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and casually dressed. (You can wear whatever you want here and you wouldn't be out of place.) The food is AMAZING. My boyfriend typically gets the bolognese dish or the lamb - delicious. I've gotten the chicken and pasta dish, which is very good, and also the beet and goat cheese salad with the fish of the day. We've never had a bad dinner and you typically get a couple meals out of it because the portions are quite big. Expensive with entrees in the 20-25 dollar range, but worth every penny. CONS: Go early (at 5, 5:30) or after the dinner rush - They won't take reservations. I wish that they served dessert, but then they would never be able to accomodate everyone that wants a table.
(5)Shannon W.
AMAZING. This is my favorite restaurants in the greater boston area. Everything is so fresh and delicious, and the service is great.
(5)Jenn S.
After hearing about Sweet Basil for years, I was so excited when we finally got the chance to go! We went at 5 on a Friday night (we have a toddler), and were seated right away, which I understand is rare. They don't have any high chairs, so my husband ran home to get our travel one, which is a negative. But the staff was so baby/kid-friendly, that it's not a huge deal. They immediately brought yummy bread with a DELICIOUS pesto sauce. I couldn't get enough. And the waitress said I could get a small bowl of pasta with butter or sauce for my son. That came out quick and was a good size. It wasn't anything amazing (pasta with sauce), but he enjoyed it. I got the special risotto and my husband went for his standard - the chicke parm. The portions are huge (although he polished his off) and both were tasty but not amazing. Maybe our expectations were so high due to the rave reviews? My risotto was quite salty and his chicken wasn't as crispy as he likes. Don't get me wrong - we enjoyed it and would go back, but we weren't wowed as much as we thought we'd be. We loved the funky atmosphere - they had fun music & decor. My husband paid while I brought our son outside, so I don't know exactly how much everything was, but it's not cheap. Which is not a surprise.
(4)Beth J.
This is the BEST Italian food I've had in forever! The bread and pesto they serve was a perfect start. My family and I shared the Calamari, Cesar salad (no anchovies!), Chicken Parmesan, and Shrimp Scampi. The portions are huge so we had lots of leftovers. EVERYTHING was perfect. The service and ambiance were great. It's BYOB and they don't serve dessert-cause who even wants it after food like this!
(5)B D.
Everything about this place was good. BYOB, waitress was very polite and helpful, we got delicious bread, dishes were phenomenal. Will come back for sure.
(5)Al M.
We found this place on a last minute Yelp search. Seemed to be the best food in the area, and it's possibly the best food within 10 miles. Killer pastas, veal, chicken. Salads were superb. Great dining room and very cool staff. Prices were right in line with what I would expect given the food quality. Everything we ordered was well prepared and well seasoned. Veal w port wine sauce, cheese ravioli with marinara, chicken parm, and a special corn agnolotti. I would drive an extra 45 mins to enjoy this meal again. No question.
(5)Lexie S.
So good! And such a cute place. The food was really good and the staff was friendly. Would definitely come back.
(4)Rich C.
Visiting from Southern California- Sweet Basil was the most refreshing reminder of what true Italian food is. I wanted to go out for some pasta with my sister before a long run tomorrow, so I naturally went to Yelp for some advice and found this gem. Over 200 reviews with a 4.5 star average = a must try. We arrived 20 min after they opened and were lucky to not have to wait. We were some of the last couple of couples to fill it out. I didn't take notice to any exaggerated decor or efforts to stand out. Less is more sometimes and this place gets it! It was just right. We were received and seated and given some refreshing water and bread with pesto. Our waiter came soon thereafter with a personable introduction and before we could blink she took our bottle of wine and had it uncorked. We had all the time time we need to order from the small menu: Gnocchi and fried oysters over fresh veggies to start, the bolognese and she had the lamb and grits. Small menus usually leave me wondering why they don't give more options, but this is quite the contrary for a business like this. Why? It is ALL excellent. There is simply no need to "get creative." Over the hum of music and the chatter of all the other patrons, we enjoyed some wine and gnocchi. This gnocchi was bigger and softer than I've had before ... And simply spectacular. The fried oysters and the veggies were incredibly fresh and the presentation of it all was not overdone. The taste of the food here is clearly the centerpiece. No need to gift wrap their food. The bolognese came out and I think I drooled. The portion was so much bigger than it looked and I found myself having to pace my dinner. The flavors, texture, and body of the dish was IMPECCABLE. I have never had better bolognese. Luckily my sister gave me a taste of her lamb and grits which almost sent me through the ceiling it was so good! The service, ambiance, and just the love I have for the East Coast (originally from NJ) all constructed a simply incredible dining experience. This place could not do any better in any way. Will always come back if I'm in town.
(5)Jennifer G.
Delicious Italian food! Small cozy restaurant in Needham Center with plenty of street parking available. Fun fact: it's BYOB and they just charge you $5 for a bottle opening fee. There's a wine shop down the street. No Italian meal is whole unless you start off with a fresh basket of bread. The pesto dip is delicious. Wish the bread was warmer, but it was still pretty good. Don't fill up too quickly on the bread! For our table of 5, we started off with two starters: the calamari and the mussels. Both were delicious. Tip: soak the bread in the mussel sauce - it's perfect. I got the bolognese dish for my entree. All the portions here are very generous! I ate half and was full. Perfect for lunch the next day. The pasta was a little tough to separate from the rest of the ingredients so I was struggling a little bit at first, but can't complain. Tasted great. My friends got the risotto, rosemary chicken, scallops, and shrimp scampi. All were great, except the scallops dish comes with prosciutto that's WAY too salty. It makes you cringe. We sent that back and they were understanding about it and switched out for a different dish instead. Overall great dining experience! Can't wait to come back.
(4)Brian O.
I ordered the basil chicken and scrapped the basil off which to my surprise was very easy. When I left the restaurant I rolled it and smoked it. Best high I've ever achieved
(5)Rebekah C.
I am a big fan of Sweet Basil. This is a very small place, they don't take reservations I love that it is BYOB so you can bring a couple bottles of delicious wine to enjoy with good food and pay way less then you would if you had to pay per glass. The food is delicious and I love how they serve the meal on hand made pottery. The pesto is delicious. The staff has always been friendly and done a great job during my visits.
(4)Kaitlyn W.
The food here is delicious. There was no wait for the table and immediately we were served with bread and their amazing pesto. We asked for seconds on the bread-- but save room for the main course! Although the lunch menu was a bit limited, there was nothing we ordered that we didn't like the. The fusilli bolognese is absolutely fantastic, the best I've ever had. The portions are filling, and we left feeling satisfied. Highly recommended.
(5)Michelle C.
Lunch review The pesto is ah.may.zing! I couldn't stop eating it and was making the biggest pig out of myself in front of my work-lunch coworkers. More pesto! MORE PESTO!! It's so garlicky, I was in heaven! The main meal was okay, I had the special risotto but it was undercooked...although I was really caring that much cause I just ate more pesto,..what is wrong with me?!
(4)Albie D.
Extremely disappointed with my experience here, and I'd never be back or recommend it to others. Overall - rushed service and mediocre food. Scratch that - inedible food, i.e. RAW PASTA. I'm surprised at the popularity of this place. What do people see here? Went Friday at opening with my DC and we were immediately rushed to order, drink our wine, and hurry things along. Blonde waitress was brusque and cheerily condescending. Hadn't been sitting more than five minutes when we were asked what we wanted to order - didn't even get a chance to chat and fully read the menu- so I couldn't really comment on what was on it. The meal: Bread and pesto was the best part of this meal. Unfortunately, it was all downhill. Ordered the Caesar salad which came in a gigantic, deep bowl. It was soggy, overdressed, and SALTY with chewy and sticky whole anchovies slopped on top. I'm a fan of anchovies, but this was too much and unappetizing. This salt level was so salty it left an unsavory taste in my mouth lasting well until the next day. Back to the rushed service: I kid you not, I put my fork down to pick up my glass, and the waitress came over, put her hands on the bowl and tried to take it away as I was still eating. I was so taken aback by this intrusiveness, that my DC had to say, "she's not done yet!" I ordered the ravioli, which was described as fresh and handmade. I've never seen ravioli presented this way. It was essentially a BOWL, a full bowl, of sauce, with what i think was ravioli hidden in its depths. As I ate it it, the cheese seeped out into the pool of sauce, and became a huge amorphous slop of red and white cheese. AND THE PASTA WAS RAW. It was not cooked. RAW PASTA. Thick and deconstructed ravioli. Raw. In a puddle of sauce. The sauce was clearly homemade, but it was so garlicky that I was smelling like garlic well into the next day. Additionally, it was so hot that I immediately scalded my mouth on it. I'd bet money most of their dishes are prepped ahead of time en masse and then they heat them up in a way that would cause uneven and scalding temperatures.How else would they be so fast with their food? Raw pasta is inexcusable, hence the 1 star. I was surprised when no desert or coffee was offered, I had thought it was a not so subtle way of letting us know we have to go - but apparently that's their practice, no coffee (is it because they want to turn the table over?) - which is fine, but perhaps they should make that clear - somewhere. Also, it confirms that this place is more about the quantity of diners than the quality of their food. Rush, rush, rush, rush. SALTY, bad food, more rushing, RAW PASTA, rush. Unceremoniously plopping of the check. Good riddance.
(1)Jonathan F.
First time there and very happy. On a Thursday night there was about a 45 minute wait but the weather and company were terrific and it went by quickly. Matt, the maitre d was as good as they get, highly attentive, efficient and friendly. The dining area is a bit tight- hey, it's popular- but comfortable and there's a very good wait staff. I was with a party of oenophiles and being able to bring our own wine added another dimension and made the check much more reasonable. We shared appetizers and main dishes. Muscles were delicious. Beef bolognese with tasty bits of sausage and the rosemary chicken were highlights. Looking forward to repeating soon.
(5)Lindsey M.
I really like the food at Sweet Basil but there are a few things that really bother me, with that being said: Would I come back? Yes. Pro's: 1. The food is excellent, I have never had a bad meal here. The sauce is very good and everything is very fresh and flavorful. 2. BYOB - Although some people do not care for it, I love bringing a nice expensive bottle of wine to dinner and not paying a markup of 50-60%. 3. Location - Easy to find and easy to park (street, parking lot, etc). 4. Staff is super nice to deal with and WILL call you when your table is ready. They are also able to give you suggestions as to where you can get a glass (or two!) of wine while you wait. 5. Prices are affordable and you do get a lot of food. 6. Corking fee is very reasonable. Con's: 1. No reservations, first come first serve and the wait! Even when I come early I am still waiting anywhere from 45-60 minutes. When I say I come early, I mean 5:00pm people! 2. No dessert or coffee. 3. I feel SO RUSHED here! I've never felt rushed in a restaurant before. This is the only place where they take your dinner plates and immediately run over to you with the check. I understand you have a long wait and I understand that you want to seat others. When I am waiting over an hour to sit down, I will take my time! 4. The restaurant is so small! There is no where to stand to wait and it is really hard to get in/out without bumping into someone or a table. 5. Dinner plates - I get the whole hand crafted beauty of the plates and they really are pretty. The problem I have is that many of the plates are chipped. This is a big health inspection no-no. When food or anything gets into those cracks, it absorbs into the clay and you can't clean it. Working at my old restaurant, we would have to throw away anything that had chips on it, as a standard industrial dishwasher does not clean these properly. This grosses me out, I see this mainly on the bread/appetizer plates. I have had chipped plates all three times I have been at Sweet Basil. The pro's outweigh the con's at Sweet Basil, we will be back.....but hopefully we will not have to wait an hour next time!
(3)Don G.
The food is fantastic. Can't say anything else. Eaten there many times, never had a meal that anything less than 5 stars. Ate there the other night with family and it didn't disappoint. Long wait for a table but worth it. There aren't too many places like this that give big servings to big eaters like me and unbelievably great food at the same time. Great pesto served with bread as a starter, I could make that my meal.
(5)Sheila R.
LOVE Sweet Basil. The food and atmosphere are always wonderful. We'll often do take out as the restaurant doesn't take reservations so the wait can be very long on a warm summer night. Food and service are both exceptional and always a treat!
(4)Jacob G.
I liked Sweet Basil. BYOB is amazing. No reservations which kind of suck but that's what they do. Their pesto is really great. Wife got Halibut and said it was amazing. I got their Bolognese which was fine, nothing special. I'd think twice before getting pasta again, pasta was overdone and their bolognese sauce was trying to be something different and it just didn't get it right. It's one of those things that's perfect already, don't mess with it. I'll be coming back and trying something else since people love this place and it is 47th best in Boston area. Worst case I enjoy a bottle of wine from a packie and a fine meal.
(4)Susan P.
I had to twist my husband's arm to try this place. First, he doesn't like that they don't take reservations; second, he said it's a "red sauce joint." I was very dismissive of his second point as I thought the menu was somewhat inventive, and there were many dishes I would not consider "red sauce." But he was right. In the end I was very underwhelmed. The best thing they have is the basil pesto for dipping the bread - it is quite good. Other than that, the food is very mediocre. We ordered calamari. They were cut up in really large chunks; if you used a fork and knife to cut them into bite size pieces the coating came off; also, under-seasoned. The tomato dipping sauce was really chunky so would not adhere to the calamari. Meh. My husband ordered the chicken parmesan, it came (as a huge portion) with a side of pasta (ziti). I suspect the huge portions have something to do with the great ratings. The ziti was overcooked and topped with a very chunky tomato sauce. Canned tomatoes. Nothing at all wrong with that (the finest places use canned tomatoes for this application), but it was as though that was it - canned tomatoes dumped on, no simmering, no olive oil, no garlic, no nothin'. And dumping sauce on to of pasta is a no-no; pasta should really be finished in the sauce to absorb it and meld with it (a la Lidia Bastianich), not merely topped. I ordered agnolotti with fresh corn. It turned out to be an ill-conceived dish. The pasta was really tough - either underdone or too thick or both. It's filling was ok, but very liquidy; it leached out all over the place when you cut the agnolotti (which were not bite size to begin with). It was all topped with a lot of arugula and tomatoes and onions - kind of salad-y. On a positive note, the wait staff and greeters were all very pleasant. I liked the funky decor.
(2)Wayne C.
A fantastic, unpretentious spot for a business lunch or a casual evening meal. The menu offers a little something for every taste. From the well plated salads to the unique summer soups to the fantastic mussels - everything is continental Italian and comes to the table with a smile and not a lot of fanfare. What struck me the most about the restaurant was the server. She made every effort to assure we were comfortable and well attended to - but provided us with plenty of space to drive into our business discussion without ever wanting for anything. Sweet Basil is the perfect place to relax and enjoy well prepared and beautifully presented Italian bistro fare. Oh - and well have great French fries!
(4)Dane K.
The Chicken Parm might be the best thing I have ever tasted. The bread is great and the staff is friendly. Would definitely say to go here if you get a chance.
(5)Iman S.
This restaurant is utterly phenomenal. The food is very good, the staff and the manager are super nice and the environment is very welcoming. Most importantly you can bring your own wine and enjoy :).
(5)Jenn K.
HUGE portions. I feel like ordering one entree is good enough for two people especially considering how good their bread and pesto is that you won't need to really order anything else, but the problem with that is EVERYTHING ON THE MENU SOUNDS AMAZING. I came with two other friends and we decided to order the calamari (appetizer) which was actually a huge portion, but nonetheless delicious. My favorite part was how the marinara sauce had big chunks of tomato and had a hint of spice added. For entrees, we shared the lamb dish and roasted garlic chicken dish. The lamb was extremely moist and practically melted in my mouth. The roasted chicken dish came with pasta that was cooked to a perfect al dente with huge pieces of moist chicken and vegetables. The three of us shared two entrees and an appetizer and had plenty to take back home, overall it was definitely a great dining experience. The waiters are extremely friendly, so don't be hesitant to ask for more bread & pesto!
(4)Raphael Y.
Great food every time I come. The fresh pesto and bread is amazing. Beautiful feel and decor
(5)Darren W.
Great food and you can't beat BYOW. I went to the wine shop across the common and got a nice bottle.
(4)Roberta D.
Holy smokes! This place is no joke. My boyfriend brought me to Sweet Basil for my birthday dinner - he read a review and heard it was one of Boston's top area restaurants, and I can absolutely see why. We went on a Friday evening and there was about a 45 minute wait. They directed us to places in the area where we would wait in the meantime (the inside is extremely small and there is no where to wait). So we went to Farmhouse (right across the street) for some drinks and they called us when our table was ready. We were promptly seated and given the most delicious pesto dip I have ever tasted in my life, I swear I have been having dreams about that pesto dip ever since. As delicious as the dip is be sure to leave room for any appetizers or your main course meal. We ordered the calamari and we were positively stuffed at that point that we both barely touched our meal. For my main meal I ordered the Rosemary Chicken. I am kind of disappointed with the way it is described on the menu - it reads rosemary chicken with pasta, I think it would be better to phrase it pasta with chicken. I expected a main chicken dish and some pasta on the side not the other way around. Overall, this place is excellent - they have an exciting menu and great eclectic vibe. Heads up for everyone it is BYOB and I guess in the past they only took cash but they do take cards now.
(5)Craig M.
One of Needham's greatest restaurants. We eat in for special occasions and order take out for a fancy night in. My wife loves the Rosemary Chicken and I love the Chicken Parmesan. They always have giant portions. You will not go home hungry. Dave is one of the friendliest restaurant proprietors that you will ever meet. I remember dining here before the expansion and they kept that same quaintness even now that they can serve 5 times as many people. You can even buy their famous pesto to go a mile away at Volante Farms in Needham.
(4)Emily G.
Sweet Basil is an Italian eatery in Needham, MA that serves traditional and inventive dishes made with hand-made pastas and ingredients from locally sourced, New England farms and purveyors. Chef and Owner Dave Becker even makes the restaurants plateware in a local studio. I have heard many great reviews of Sweet Basil from friends who live in the area. I was really excited to be doing an errand in Needham knowing that I would finally get a chance to try Sweet Basil for myself. While I went in for lunch, Sweet Basil is open for dinner as well and guests are welcome to bring their own bottle of wine or beer to drink with their meal for a $5 corkage fee. The restaurant does not take reservations, and the wait can be long, but stick it out because it is worth it. To start the meal we were served the freshest bread with a side of house made pesto. The pesto was such a nice twist from the usual butter or olive oil. For lunch I tried the Crispy chicken tossed with ziti, serrano ham, tomatoes and peas in a gruyere cream sauce. This beautiful and hearty dish was only $12 and I had plenty to take home as leftovers. The chicken was nice large chunks of white meat and nothing beats hand-made, fresh ziti. This was one of the best pasta dishes I have tried yet - and I try a lot of pasta! I am looking forward to visiting Sweet Basil again soon, bottle of wine in tow!
(5)Ivan C.
Delicious Italian in a cozy family restaurant setting? FANtastic! Meals start off with bread of course, Italians :) which sadly makes my mom always so full she never eats more than half of the entrees. The pesto sauce is very good, slightly oily for me, though very delicious. I just wish the bread would come warm. I always get the Fried Calamari with Spicy Sauce. If I'm not having Squid Ink Pasta at an Italian restaurant, I'm probably having Fried Calamari. I must say, they are super good. Fried very crispy. You get a lot of calamari flavor, which to me is important because I hate just oil flavors popping out. The spicy bolognese sauce was also very delicious and simple, but done well. You can taste the tomatoes and not just the spice and herbs. Definitely recommend this appetizer.! FraDiavolo Seafood Pasta: Spicy marinara pasta with seafood. I have to say, I love the sauce and if I could, I would buy a bottle from them so I can cook pasta every other night at home. Noodles were done al dente and I do like them slightly hard. Seafood fresh and tasty. I must say the sauce really stood out. Overall, it's a very nice restaurant: perfect for dates or family. It's quite, slightly on the expensive side. But hey, why not indulge in Italian yumminess on weekends?
(5)anthony j.
Ordered take out from this place last night. The chicken parm. and green salad was good but the risotto was horrible (uneatable). Also a side note, order consisted of 2 chicken parms., 2 risottos and 2 green salads bill=$90 seems a little high..probale won't go back, to bad seemed like a lot of people liked this place.
(2)Kaen D.
I had the Bolognese over pappardelle pasta. The food was so hot I had to wait 10 minutes before I could eat it. The sauce was very salty. I realize that sausages can be salty, but this was overpowering.....I do not drink wine or beer so I did not bring something to drink with me . I was sure they would offer iced tea or soda or seltzer. Instead, they place a bottle of warm water on the table. I was so thirsty , probably from the salty sauce, and I would have loved a nice glass of ICED WATER !!!!!!! The best part of the dinner was the pesto and Italian bread......
(2)Maria F.
My boyfriend saw all the great reviews on here and really wanted to give it a try. Overall it was a good dinner, but still not in my top choices. We decided to get there around 5pm, a little earlier than normal for a saturday night. We tried to beat the crowd but was still stuck with a 30 minute wait. It is a fairly small place and it was packed. As for dinner, the bread and pesto dip was delcious and addictive. The bread was soft on the inside with a crusty hard outer layer. The pesto dip was the best i've ever. I ordered the chicken parm with home-made linguini. The chicken parm was crispy yet still juicy and held the flavors of the sauce well. It was covered in chewy mozzarella. To me the linguni had an odd flavor to it. I could not pin point what the flavor was but it kept me from eating much of the linguini. My boyfriend ordered the Bolognese with beef, sausage and mushrooms over pappardelle. He enjoyed the flavors but couldnt not get past the chunkiness of the sauce. I don't mind chunks of tomato in my sauce but he rather have his smooth. We were not offered a dessert menu or coffee. Which lead me to believe there wasn't one. There was only water served. No soft drinks or teas. It's BYOB for beer and Wine. We may return again to try out some other dishes.
(3)Ashley D.
THIS PLACE IS A MUST GO!!! I usually come here for lunch because they do not take reservations and you never have to wait for lunch. The portions here are huge and you get a lot for your money. I love the mussels and greek salad here. The mussels have a great sauce and its very flavorful. For entrees, the pasta bolognese is a must try. It is a very generous portion and the meat tastes like butter. The pasta is also extremely fresh. They also always have a fish special. It usually comes with a grain and a vegetable. The fish is around 12 dollars and it is a huge portion. The pesto here is phonemail. The best pesto I have ever had. You can never go wrong with just pasta and pesto. This place is also BYOB. And they only charge 5 dollars for a corkage fee. How can you beat that??? It is very casual inside so do not expect much. It used to be cash only but they now accept credit cards.
(5)Cortland Native C.
I agree with my fellow yelpers -- the best pesto - Wow, delish! Had the beet salad -- that was pretty yummy, along with the the rosemary chicken. Perhaps the chicken would have been a better fall choice as it was hearty and not something I should have chosen on a hot summer day. It wasn't really what I expected -- more like a cheesy pasta dish with chicken but I didn't get the rosemary flavor? Where was that? Would definitely return again when I'm in the area. Staff was just lovely, couldn't be better.
(5)Alinna C.
There is no love like my love for Sweet Basil. My co-worker and I used to make it a weekly ritual to have Friday lunch at SB, and it was something to look forward to every week. Without fail, we were served some form of delicious. Everything from their ginormous salad (note to yelp: please get with the times and add 'ginormous' to your spell checker), to their amazing bowls of mussels (for anyone who wants to wreak of garlic for at least a few hours), to their irresistible fish of the day (seriously, I can't resist), Sweet Basil has never disappointed. UNTIL they decided to renovate. And they closed for lunch for a long time. And we were deprived. But rejoice! Rumor has it that Sweet Basil is at it again (it being lunch) and I am muchly excited. Hurrah! (Will report back soon.)
(5)Ai R.
I'm new to the town, moving here from Boston and when the discussion turns to restaurants, the first thing people ask is "Have you been to Sweet Basil yet?" It was lauded by everyone as being one of the best places in the town. So I figured I would try it when I took my friend out to dinner for his birthday. You walk in and its a cute place on the smaller side. I did noticed that it was packed on a Tuesday night and still a 20 min wait at 8 pm. I took these all as good signs. They finally tells us our table is ready. We brought our own bottle of red wine and the corkage fee was only 5 dollars, so awesome. Our very friendly waitress brings out this melt in your mouth bread and pesto! You could make a meal out of just that. She takes our order of the goat cheese salad with beets as a shared starter, I got the veal with the mushrooms and figs and my friend got the chicken parm. Our food comes out and we were so pleasantly surprised. Considering I had all these amazing Italian restaurants available when I lived in the city I wasn't sure how good this place would be. The salad was fresh and balanced in the flavors, lightly tossed with a maple balsamic vinaigrette. I never seen apricots used for a beet salad and was wondering if all the flavors would work. It did. My veal was so flavorful and tender. Perfectly cooked! The sauce was so delicious. The pasta that came with it was al dente. I tasted my friends dish and it was also great. Portions were large and I had dinner the next night. I had such a great experience at Sweet Basil. It has wonderful food and a friendly, attentive staff. I plan on coming back soon!
(5)Maya M.
Delicious food and very generous portions make this place great value for money! The pesto they serve with bread while you wait for your food is absolutely divine. (You can actually buy it now at volante farms nearby) My favorite dish there is the rosemary chicken but I get it with polenta instead of the ziti. The goat cheese and beet salad is also delicious. The other thing j love about this place is that it is byob... There's a wine store down the street that has a great selection of Italian wines to compliment the sweet basil menu. The service is wonderful too. Friendly and knowledgeable and thoughtful wait staff. All things considered this is a wonderful dining experience.
(5)Jane D.
I went for lunch on a stormy Thursday. My friend and i were only the second table seated for lunch. the pesto on bread was fine, the atmosphere was funky and a little retro. how ever I was served my lunch in a bowl with three chips on the rim. It was all I could do not to send it back. being with a friend i didn't want to seem impossible. with when a piece of ceramic chips it allows the chemicals of the glaze to leach out and on to food. and because bowl was made from terra cotta, a very porous type of clay that will allow bacterial growth if not glazed. Yuck! not what you want to be eating your $11 dollar lunch on. if it had been a busy night i would have assumed that the dishwasher was full and this was a fluke, but serving on of four costumers at lunch on a chipped bowl is just gross. not only is it aesthetically displeasing, but it is also
(1)Joseph S.
What a disappointment! Brought my family and we ordered calamari appetizer and duck meatballs. The calamari smelt so fishy it was old and should never have been served. The duck meatballs were awful. They were spongy and tasted like frozen processed prepackaged meatballs. We ordered ravioli and pasta bolognese. The ravioli was served swimming in a bowl of marinara sauce that could have come from a jar. The dough was so thick that the cheese squeezed out with each cut. The bolognese sauce was the worst I have ever had. Too much seasoning, terrible tasting meats and there was garlic in every bite. Even the grated cheese was the low cost sawdust parm that one finds in a cheap supermarket. The only reason I give them a star was for the bread and pesto spread. I will never go back.
(1)Michelle T.
No need to go to the north end, this place out shines every restaurant there! Growing up in needham I've come here a lot and they by far have the best homemade delicious food I've ever had. To start every table gets bread with a pesto dip which is so delicious!!! My favorite go to meals are the rosemary chicken dish and the veal cutlet dish with pappardelle noodles. They are seriously so amazing!!!! Also the mussels are a great app to share, the broth is delicious and so tasty to dip the bread in. Love that it is byob too. I love the food here so much, so fresh and flavorful and the portions are huge!! I would come here every night for dinner if I could.
(5)Marie-frances R.
I visited Sweet Basil for the first time a few weekends ago and ended up going twice in the span of three days. The first time was on a Friday evening around 6:30pm. We put our names in (they don't take reservations) and the owner and hostess suggested we grab a drink at a restaurant across the street in the meantime. It was perfect timing! In 30-40 minutes we were seated in a cozy corner and our BYOB beautiful bottle of red, red wine was popped open by our lovely waitress. I ordered the Bolognese with pappardelle homemade pasta - it was so phenomenal. And, my boyfriend had the veal which was also nice. It was so pleasant we returned with his parents a few days later - the service and food was just as delicious as the first time. I ordered the shrimp scampi this time around, but honestly wished I'd gotten the Bolognese again - it was that good!
(5)Yasa E.
Mmmm...so delish! BYOB, really cute cozy atmosphere, huge portions! The baked Gouda over greens was a big enough app for 4 people to share and was like a big fancy grilled cheese. I had the braised chicken, which is literally enough for 3 meals. My bf had the braised veal which I also liked. The side of pasta he got was kind of blahh...kind of like a kids pasta with marinara. My friend let me try her steak too and it was a little fatty, but had a good flavor overall. Downfalls are that the place is packed and you need a reservation and most likely have to wait even with a reservation. No dessert either which is disappointing. Service was on point and our waiter had very good menu knowledge. Definitely will come back!
(5)Kimberly K.
Cute place with warm ambiance and awesome ceramic serveware. Pesto and bread was a nice start to the meal. We split a very bland Caesar salad. I ordered seafood fra diavalo, although it wasn't on the menu. It was great. There was too much raw garlic, but still excellent. He did not like his bolognese at all, unfortunately.
(4)Heather F.
I had a great meal here while in town for the Boston Marathon. I'm always cautious about pre race meals, but this was exactly what I needed. Ok, I guess not too cautious because I ordered chicken parm instead of a big bowl of plain pasta... Worth it! It came with a side of penne (or your choice of noodle/sauce), so I got the carbs I needed. The chicken was breaded to perfection - crispy and delicious, yet not at all greasy. It's served in a pool of thick sauce, which isn't my personal preference (not a fan of tomatoes in their natural form), but otherwise it was very tasty. The red sauce on the pasta is also very chunky, so keep that in mind if you're like me and not especially a fan of that. I tried a taste of my dad's ravioli, and I almost regret not ordering that. They're huge and full of cheesy goodness! My mom ordered the shrimp scampi, which I didn't taste (possible allergy, and not the night to risk it!), but it smelled amazing as well. Everyone was completely satisfied with their meals, so yelp definitely brought us to the right place. It's also a very cozy atmosphere, and the BYOB policy is pretty great. That definitely makes up for the $20+ entrees. I'm not sure what the usual crowd is like, but being here the Sunday before the marathon was an amazing experience. The majority of people were wearing blue and yellow, previous year's race jackets, or other running apparel. The energy was incredible! I'm so thankful for the marathon weekend experience I had, and the pre-race meal is definitely an important part of that. Service was also fantastic. Ian was attentive and friendly, and my parents are convinced they saw him running the marathon the next day too... if this is true, congrats, Ian!
(4)Sristi G.
Heard about this place from a lot of people and finally gave it a try. A very beautiful ambiance, good food, excellent service, nice portions and easy parking. All in all this is a great place if you looking for a nice Italian restaurant around the area.
(5)Heidi G.
This place was amazing. Everything we had was delicious. My friend and I were visiting from Los Angeles and came here because of the great yelp reviews and it didn't disappoint! We ordered the baked Gouda as an app. My friend ordered the rosemary chicken and I ordered the chicken parm. They were all great but I think the rosemary chicken was the clear winner. Perfect texture to the handmade pasta!! The portions are huge and we could have split one of the entrees between us and still had left overs.
(4)Kara V.
NEVER DISAPPOINTED. this is the go to meeting spot for family dinners. With a variety of palettes (vegetarians etc) there is always something delicious very everyone. The kitchen is very accommodating with meal changes and I look forward to the fish special each time. We've had and enjoyed the bolognese, risotto, gnocchi, sweet corn ravioli and many others. Expect the wait to be well worth it.
(5)Gregory S.
Osso Bucco still the best I've had and is significantly better than Top of the Hub.
(5)Lisa G.
A year ago I would have given this place 4 stars, but today I feel it deserves a 2 star rating. First, they have added so many more tables to the same small space that it is no longer a cozy little restaurant for quiet conversation. On top of that, the host seated my husband and I...a party of two, quiet 50 year olds, right next to a table with 2 mothers and 2 young children. The children were eating snack bags of pretzels (like you'd put in a school lunch bag) while the mothers drank their wine and ate their salads. Moms seemed to be enjoying their conversation while those of us around couldn't hear our own conversations because their table was so loud. Second, the wait staff (who are all exceptional hard workers pitching in wherever the need be) can barely get around all the tables. While we were there, one waitress got off balance and spilled mussel juice all over a customer and all over the floor. Several other people slipped and almost ended up on the floor with the juice. Not the waitress's fault...there is NOT enough space between tables. Third, we ordered the gnocchi with lobster appetizer and couldn't find much lobster. It was also very salty. Fourth, I ordered the striped bass dinner and was served salmon. Waiter apologized but at that point 2 huge parties of 8 and 7 were seated, and I felt so claustrophobic that I accepted the salmon, pushed it around the plate, and then just took it home. Normally I would say no big deal, but my husband and I were celebrating our Anniversary, and it was a very disappointing dinner. My recommendation is to the owner is to remove some of the tables to make it fair for your staff to do a better and safer job, and to make it more enjoyable for your customers. Or maybe...look into a bigger storefront or try to expand into the neighboring space. I for one (which I'm sure will not cut into their business at all) will not be coming back anytime soon, and most definitely will not waste another anniversary celebration in such an uncomfortable place. Busier does not make the food better nor the atmosphere more inviting....in fact at Sweet Basil it has done the reverse.
(2)Florina K.
I am a regular here! This place is phenomenal. Every time I go I try a new dish, and my friends different dishes - every single one is phenomenal. Not only the food is good the service is great too! It's too bad they don't have dessert.., but I guess the wait would be forever. I wonder if they will ever start taking reservations. They finally began accept credit cards!
(5)Arielle B.
My fiance and I were looking to try a new restaurant and I couldn't have loved it more. It is BYOB but we actually didn't bring alcohol. The food was SOOOO GOOD and the prices were very reasonable. The only reason I didn't give Sweet Basil a fifth star is because my fiance swears the restaurant has a funny smell to it. I don't smell it, but he also has a very good sense of smell. Either way, I would recommend this cute little place to anyone.
(4)Zaur M.
Great food nice employees, the chicken parm was fantastic, and the bread was excellent. We brought wine and had a great time.
(4)Winnie B.
Went to Sweet Basil on a Wednesday night after a snow storm and there was no wait...however as we were leaving at around 6:30, the place was filling up...so I can see how much of a wait it would be on a Friday or weekend night! The pesto and bread that were brought out was phenomenal. I could've been happy with that as my meal! My husband and I shared the mussels which were very flavorful. For our entrees, I had a bowl of their Rosemary chicken pasta which I barely made a dent in because I was so full from the pesto, bread, and mussels (yay leftovers for lunch the next day)!! My husband had a melt in you mouth rib eye steak. Everything was so very good. The ambience was nice. And the service was great. I love that you can bring your own wine and the $5 corking fee is reasonable. I will definitely go there again!
(5)Elizabeth K.
Overall impression: overrated. Showed up at 6pm, party of two. Place was basically empty and we were promptly seated. It's a byob spot, so we weren't offered anything to drink and apparently they charge a corkage fee. Bread and pesto came out. Pesto was good, bread was alright..one part looked a bit burnt. Calamari was fine. Nothing special. I got the veal cutlet served over pappardelle. The flavor was okay but the dish was just put together poorly. It was served in a bowl which made it difficult to cut the cutlets, there was too much sauce which made the cutlets soggy, and the pappardelle did not seem homemade which I thought it would be. Towards the end of the meal the place was very busy and they seemed to be rushing us out as middle aged snobby women carrying in five bottles of wine were waiting to be seated! I was just disappointed. I don't know how this place got on the top 50. The food was fine, but I wouldn't bother going back.
(3)June K.
We had a very disappointing experience bringing a large family for lunch. Only to be followed by a very disappointing conversation with the assistant manager. Our party consisted of 6 adults and 7 children, ages 10 months to 8. ( 5 of the children were under 3 1/2. We were informed that with such a large group they needed to serve us family style, which wasn't a problem. You should be aware that the restaurant does not cater to children as there are no high chairs. We were shocked when the bill arrived to find a charge of $15 per child and $30 per adult. In calling to relay my experience I was told the server should have explained the policy better and please come back soon. I take responsibility for not asking before we sat down but having such a large group and so many children and having experienced lunch before we anticipated something reasonable. I find this response unsatisfactory and you have lost a customer. Many a bad dining experience has been turned around by the response of the restaurant management.
(1)cabrio q.
I love it here. The service is great. You can bring wine and beer here but that's not even why I love the place. Its quaint, so comfortable, relaxed and the food is fresh and outstanding. The bolognese is my favorite. Its excellent.
(5)stephanie s.
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(5)Michael R.
Been going to this place for almost 10 years now and it really is everything I've ever wanted in a restaurant. First off, it use to be about 1/3 the size, super cozy and you felt like you were eating in the kitchen. Despite it's increase in size, the place has remained true to that hole-in-the-wall local restaurant vibe. This place is the standard for consistency that I think all places should strive for...even AFTER it tripled in size, the service, the food, the people...have all remained the same! Tonight I got here earlier than usual (was celebrating birthdays with my parents who are in their 70s), so arrived at 530ish. Surveying the crowd, it was definitely your early dinner crowd in the dining room, there were the typical parade of people pulling up out front for take out (I think they do more biz that way than people actually sitting down to eat) and lucky for us they had a table for our group of 5. It was a little louder than we would have liked, being next to a speaker and also the kitchen, but not so bad that we couldn't have an all-inclusive conversation. They don't call it Sweet Basil for nothing, so as usual the obligatory bowl of bread and vat of pesto was already on the table when we sat down. Our cheery waitress came over, delivering some water and promised to be right back with wine glasses and a corkscrew...as promised, she came right back. After she read the specials, we mulled it over and off to the races we went. I can't resist the Caesar Salad, with it's hint of basil and just the right amount of dressing...perfetto! A slight hiccup of the salads not all arriving at the same time, but within 2 minutes, so not a deal breaker in my opinion. I don't think I've ordered anything but the lamb shank for the last few visits, but tonight I was feeling CRAZY and went for the spring pea gnocchi with a ragoux of asparagus,mushrooms and leeks...a huge portion, which I couldn't finish, it was all delicious...a very hearty, comforting dish. As usual, I did sneak a bite from my fiance's plate, she was tackling the rosemary chicken with pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus, in a creamy sauce with ziti...also a huge, yummy plate of food. Check this place out, you won't be disappointed, ever! I promise!
(5)Sam C.
Always a fan! Great, creative food. Fantastic service. Fun vibe.
(5)Stephanie K.
We went here on our one year anniversary (almost 2 years ago!) and had a lovely meal! When you first walk in it seems like the space is tight, but once you're settled in, it's cozy and comfortable. We heard it was really dressy, so we fancied up, but when we got there realized it's more of a casual-dressy spot. The manager at the time, Sarah, stopped by and asked us how we were doing and if we liked our meal (which was a big yes!). Great place to go if it's just you and a friend.
(4)R B.
The smell emanating from this restaurant alone makes me salivate. Have been very happy here, more so at dinner than at lunch. Friendly staff. Particularly like the mussels and anything else saturated with garlic. Get frozen custard at Abbott's afterwards. Generous portions, overall very reasonable. Unique in its way, like to take visitors here.
(4)Melissa G.
I went here with my husband about a week ago. We arrived on a Friday around 5:30 expecting a wait, but we were able to be seated right away. We told the hostess we had planned to head across the street to get a bottle of wine, so she saved our name and we were seated 15 minutes later when we came back. Service was a little slow but we weren't in a hurry and we had the delicious bread and pesto to munch on while we waited. We shared a Caesar salad, which was good. Nothing outstanding. I ordered the shrimp scampi which was delicious. Homemade pasta perfectly cooked al dente. So creamy and garlicky. My husband got the braised lamb shank which was fall off the bone delicious. Atmosphere was very casual with a wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen that made it feel very homey. No dessert offered, but we got frozen custard next door. Yum!
(4)Jean M.
Maybe my expectations were too high after reading all the 5 star reviews. First of all, I thought it was waaaay too noisy. I can't imagine how busy it must get on the weekend! We were at a table squished in the middle of the room, so I was uncomfortable. Food was good, but not outstanding. Best part of the meal was the pesto they serve with the bread. That was delish. Service was friendly. If I go back, I'll review again.
(3)modhu s.
It has great bread and pesto. The rest of the food was just ok. I prefer the two Italian restaurants in Waltham. I have been here twice both times wondered why this place has 5 star reviews. Service is great and very crowded.
(3)Paula F.
This was my first BYOB, which we did, however getting someone to open it was a bit difficult, the owner was the host and he was the best part of the experience the server was nondescript, he had no real negatives but no personality either. The restaurant is very small with tiny tables, when you put bread plates, wine glasses and water glasses for 4 there is no room for anything else, we ended up putting the wine bottles under our table. The food may be authentic tasting, (I am not sure) I have eaten at many Italian restaurants and never tasted these spices, I had the braised chicken dish that was huge but not to my taste, the pasta was not cooked enough or maybe because of the thickness and texture that is the way some people like it, not me..... My husband had the veal which he said was very tough again lots of it but not good, one of our friends had the Rosemary chicken which she said was good but had too much spice and she did not like the pasta either, our other friend got the steak and brussels sprout hash which she said was amazing. Everyone seems to leave with a doggy box, not sure if that is because the portions are too big or they are bringing it home for their doggy (which we did). Lastly we felt very rushed and over crowded, this is not my idea of a relaxing dinner venue.
(2)Tom G.
I wish I could give this place 10 stars instead of 5. The food is consistently outstanding. The service staff are always courteous and right on top of their game. I have now eaten here over a dozen times and have never walked away with any feelings other than extremely satisfied. Great food with its own distinctive flavor.
(5)Elliot W.
Great food and atmosphere, the staff is very welcoming to my family and I, never a bad experience when i dine at aweet basil.
(5)Daniel M.
Still the best Italian outside of the North End. Hands down. Went with the parents on a recent Friday night when we couldn't get into O'Hara's in Newton...and afterward was very glad for our misfortune. Started with bread and pesto and, despite consuming it by myself I wasn't filled. Later, two of us had the rosemary chicken and one had the lamb ossobucco. All three dishes, along with my after dnner beverage were magnificently prepared and presented, and, to top it off, we didn't have to engage in the seemingly endless search for parking characteristic of a North End dining experience. Sweet Basil boasts a more extensive menu and lower prices than than most Italian restaurants in the area. Maybe Needham doesn't have the atmosphere or charm of the North End, but for a suburban dining experience Sweet Basil is hard to top.
(4)Jillian Q.
I might have originally given this place three stars, but as I thought about it I was pushed over the edge to four stars. I'll tell you why... My mother, father, husband and I went for lunch on a Saturday for my husband's birthday. My husband and I had never been here but my mother and father had. Once we were seated it took a while for the waiter to get over to our table, even though it was relatively slow. He apologized though, so all forgiven. The pesto is to die for, I seriously could have licked that little bowl clean with no shame at all whatsoever. They gave us a refill because I don't think I allowed anyone else at the table near it. The bread wasn't as fresh as it looked, but it worked. We ordered the pan-fried mozzarella and, I think another review also stated this, it's....interesting. It's in a casserole dish and is basically melted mozzarella in sauce. It's not bad by any means, just different. So much so that we asked the waiter if it actually WAS the mozzarella. This is just my personal preference as well, but I'm not a fan of the sauce. It's a little too sweet and I'm not a fan of the carrots, but like I said, that's just me. Everyone else at the table liked it. For my entree I had the raviolis (which were a special for lunch) and they were divine. 100% homemade and fantastic. I got the sauce on the side and just put pesto on the ravioli, yummm. My father got the chicken parm sandwich, it was good. Our waiter, though, must have been new. He was nice, but seemed to never know the answer to any of the questions I asked and seemed a bit nervous. It made me a feel a little odd for asking questions about the food, etc and I didn't think I was asking anything out of the ordinary. There was another waiter around who seemed much more comfortable around the restaurant. I would like to come back and get dinner sometime.
(4)Toni S.
It was quite awhile ago when we ate here and it was a good enough experience, but I wasn't really blown away or anything. Everything we had was very good and we had leftovers for days--the portions are huge. Not sure if that is good or not. haha. It is authentic Italian with a twist, I guess you could say, loaded with flavor. We met the Chef who is also loaded with flavor! He is probably one of the most charismatic people I have ever talked to. It has a very nice vibe, just not my favorite place to go for some reason. They don't have a liquor license, however, you can bring your own wine but you have to pay a cork fee, or whatever it's called. Also, they only take cash.
(3)Holly M.
I wanted to love this place and I fully expected to but it just didn't happen. We didn't get off to a great start, having 3 out of our party of 4 there they wouldn't seat us without the 4th person present unless we "ordered right away". This was kind of odd because we wouldn't order right away even if all 4 of us were there and it was early on a weeknight and the place was nowhere near filled. But that was minor and I figured the food would more than make up for this small oddity. I ordered a risotto special which they said they could make without goat cheese, which I loathe. The dish was about a half cup of risotto spread in a single layer on a plate, it was cold and had the distinctive taste of goat cheese (shudder). In their defense they probably would have fixed it but I didn't complain because my friends were rolling their eyes in ecstasy over their food and I didn't want to be a downer. It did smell divine in there and my friends really loved their food so I'm assuming my food was an outlier. I liked the atmosphere of the place even though it did get crowded. There was kind of an entitled crowd waiting to be seated, some of whom would periodically come over and stare at us from a few feet away as if that would help speed us up. This isn't the restaurant's fault of course. I also loved being able to bring our own wine and when I accidentally left an unopened bottle on the table they had it out back for me when I returned to see if it was still there. I'll give it 3 stars because even though my own experience was eh, it's a cute place and my friends raved about their food.
(3)Sarah C.
Sooooooo good. Portions are GIGANTIC, food is delicious. I believe that they don't serve alcohol b/c Needham is a dry town, but go anyways and have your drinks somewhere else or at home.
(5)Roy W.
I used to love this place, but now I realize that the food is way too heavy, the music too loud, and the service too rushed and indifferent. Even though they expanded the size of the restaurant, they still won't serve dessert - they just want to be able to turn the tables over faster. There are many better places to eat.
(2)Mike M.
The only reason to go to Needham as far as I'm concerned. Great Great Italian food that's original and artfully done. It's BYOB so be sure to bring wine and you cant go wrong with anything on the menu. Happy Eating!
(5)Hairy K.
Excellent waitress, attentive and pleasant. Food was exceptional even though we arrived half an hour before kitchen close. Bolognese was utterly delightful with delicious homemade pasta. The muscles were perfectly cooked in an amazing garlic butter. Only one was sandy. Overall wonderful experience. The music playing was a fun topic of discussion being a diverse mix of genres.
(5)Rhan K.
I love this place. I went for my birthday a few weeks ago and they had this duck with gnocchi. It was just the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Their other food is great too . I'm just waiting until I'm 21 so I can take advantage of their BYOW policy. The price is similar to a lot of more chain restaurants but the taste here makes this place worth it.
(4)Laura T.
Love this place and have been here many times. The atmosphere is cozy and not too loud. Unfortunately, sometimes you end up practically sitting in the lap of the person next to you you're so close to them! The wait on a weekend will be long, but worth it. Go grab a drink at another restaurant or sit in the park across the street and they'll call you when your table is ready. Love that it is BYOB because I can always bring my favorite wine! If I could just sit at my table with a glass of Riesling and a huge basket of bread and pesto, I would be in heaven. The pesto is probably in the list of top ten items that I have ever eaten... it's that good. My mouth is watering right now thinking about it. Appetizers are also phenomenal. The baked gouda is out of this world (especially in the summer when the salad it's is over is smothered in berries), the calamari is top notch, and the risotto of the day is usually amazing. Unfortunately, I've found that their entrees are never as wonderful as their amazing pesto and appetizers. They're good, but I've never been super impressed. In fact, last time I went my husband had the rosemary chicken, but didn't eat much of it because he was so full from the bread and apps. When we warmed it up a couple days later, we realized that it was so garlicky that we couldn't even eat it. I had the short ribs which were good but sort of fatty. We are thinking that next time we go we'll stick with a few appetizers to share, plus the bread and of course a bottle of wine... perfection!
(4)Lee H.
I liked this place, my wife was not so impressed. Huge portions of well-garlicked italian dishes. Mine was a big bowl of seafood and pasta. Prices are reasonable. Nice decor, good service, easy parking. Be prepared to wait, though, it's a popular place.
(4)Leighann F.
Sweet indeed! The staff is amazingly attentive, the food comes in enormous portions and everything is delectable! Each meal begins with fresh bread and garlic-pesto dip. I could have eaten only that and been happy! A quick run-down of my meal: -Steamed mussels in garlic and wine with fresh roma tomates, evoo and garlic crostini -Warmed goat cheese over an arugula salad with roasted beets mussels -Skillet seared sirloin steak with a cheesy wild mushroom risotto cake There was so much food, we took a lot home!
(5)Diane L.
showed up with a $600 bottle of Dragon's Druel which paired nicely with the hearty bolognese. the house was packed and there were several parties waiting to be seated yet we never felt pressured by the staff to leave as we savored our food and wine. Lively but not loud, Sweet Basil puts the "comfort" in comfort food.
(5)Jim D.
One of the best restaurants in the suburbs and maybe even Boston. We love that it is BYOB and will come back over and over. The ingredients are fresh and delicious and the chef manages to make comfort food both cool and satisfying. (Bring back the beet noodles!) Love Sweet Basil!
(5)Pete L.
Sweet Basil in Needham is our favorite restaurant. We eat here at least once a week. First of all you get great value, a meal for two with each appetizer and entree will not set you back more than about $60, BUT, surprise (!), that meal you won't be able to eat entirely. You'll be taking half of it home, because it is so much. That way you get two meals for the price of one. Note that payment is only in cash. There are plenty of ATM's nearby. Consider also coming in early, as later in the evening it gets packed. One can usually park in front or on the nearby major free parking a few minutes walking away. Every single staff member and the owner are all super friendly, efficient and welcoming. You get the feeling of being at home there, which is unusual. Also unusual is that, as opposed to many nearby restaurants, the cooks actually dare to insert spices in the food to make it more tasteful. No blandness here. A big positive is that one can bring one's own wine bottle and they'll serve it in glasses at a fair corking fee. That is much better than dealing with the 9 out of 10 unappetizing and overpriced wines in other restaurants. And if you do not finish the bottle, they'll recork. Bottom line, if you have a choice between going to an impersonal average quality chain restaurant like Bucca's or this homey great quality-to-price Sweet Basil, Sweet Basil will win every day for me.
(5)Julie F.
Love this place. Two things to note before going: It's BYOB and they only take cash. BUT, the fact that it's BYOB means you need not-a-ton-of-cash. They bring you bread served with pesto goodness. If you're counting weight watchers points, you're screwed within 30 seconds of being seated. But, go ahead and splurge. You'll be glad you did. The portions are enormous. My boyfriend and I split the veggie lasagna...and did not make a dent in it. That's right - one piece of lasagna, two people...the thing was indescribably huge. Have been there a few times and never had a bad meal...seafood fra diavolo, swordfish, linguini with clams... I usually get the specials because they always sound so good when the waitstaff describes them. Service is great here - the staff is super-friendly. I don't even know if they serve dessert, because I've never had nearly enough room to even debate having any. But they did put a candle in my leftovers container on my birthday. XO to you, Sweet Basil.
(5)Jennifer K.
This tiny (very tiny) little Italian eatery, nestled in just steps from Needham Center, shouldn't be missed. They don't take reservations. They only accept payment with cash. They don't serve dessert... but all of this is ok. Their *huge* portions are made in their open kitchen, and because there aren't too many guests, it comes right away... and when your meal arrives on their colorful plates you can no longer worry about anything that may have you frazzled - because it smells SO good. Favorite Dishes: Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta, and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce, and, of course, their sandwiches. Bonus: It's BYOB/BYOW - Bring your own wine (with a $5 corking fee). Some might find this to be a hassle, but I prefer to pay liquor store prices for a bottle of merlot as opposed to restaurant mark-up.... and that way, I'm guaranteed to get something I know I like. Bonus 2: If they wait is too long - take it to go! Drawback: Because of the tiny size, I wouldn't necessarily call it a "romantic place" for dinner - but I love it just the same.
(5)Cathy H.
Pros: - BYOB - Large portions - Reasonable prices - Great food Cons: - No reservations (they will call your cell though) - No place to wait - Cash only Added notes; 1. The Bolognese was probably the best I have ever had 2. Although the bread is good, do yourself a favor and only have one piece, there is a lot of food!
(5)Peter W.
First time going there was this past Friday. Atmosphere was very homey. The staff was excellent. Ordered the Bolognese with beef, sausage and mushroom. It was the best Bolognese I've ever had. Great job! Definitely coming back!
(4)Kay J.
Very good Italian food. BYOB - great! Go early - no reseravtions & small. Would recommend.
(5)Josh F.
This place is outstanding. I really can't think of any other positive things to say than what has already been said. Just remember to bring cash. They don't accept plastic.
(5)Mairead S.
I LOVE this place. One of my favorite restaurants of all time! My favorite dishes are the fra diavolo and rosemary chicken. The pan roasted mozzarella and the calamari are amazing!
(5)Cindy R.
I love Sweet Basil, and I look for excuses to go there. The food is so delicious and so plentiful. Make sure you have the warm beet and goat cheese salad, the vegetarian lasagna, the calamari. My husband almost always gets the lamb shank. And the bread w/ pesto at the beginning -- yum. You do feel that they are eager to turn over the tables, and you have to wait a long time if you arrive after 6 p.m. I wish they served dessert or at least coffee so you could linger. Bringing your own wine is great -- you get to drink a better bottle for a lot less. Go now!
(4)Saudi K.
Not the worst food I've ever had but definitely not good. Pasta was raw, not al dente, raw. Everything had too much vinegar. Not worth $70. Both left feeling sick. Only positive was wonderful service and large water glasses.
(2)N M.
So...... We just recently bought a house. I am thinking of selling it, and moving to Needham, so I can eat at Sweet Basil anytime I want, easily. This is just an all around great restaurant. The atmosphere is charming, the staff is friendly, and the food is just........ so good. So, so good. Go on a weeknight if you can- you probably will not have to wait unless you have a large party. Also, go hungry. You will want to get a starter, but the portions on everything are just huge. I had my leftovers for lunch today, and I could have stretched it to 2 lunches, if I wasn't a pig. Food recs: The bolognese- yummy... the lamb shank over polenta....the braised chicken. Go, eat, revel. You will love it.
(5)Erik S.
Excellent Service - thanks Dave. Small, quaint, intimate, comfortable italian dinner. Wait was worth it. Will be back.
(5)Matt L.
Just awesome! A great place tucked away in little Needham!! If you didnt have to bring your own wine, could make a reservation and they took credit cards I would rate this 5 stars!! The food is very good and the service is okay, but the place is tiny and very crowded and loud!! If you have more than 2 people in your party your in deep trouble!! Who the heck doesnt take credit cards in this day and age? We had to run across the street to an ATM and looked like fools.
(3)Amy L.
Definitely worth the wait! My favorite restaurant in the greater Boston area so far - the bread is great, portions are large, and the tiny place is always very friendly! The best sauces I've had anywhere... Don't forget to bring cash!
(5)A B L.
This place is great. Cozy atmosphere, BYO, delicious food, convenient (!!)...yes, there is typically a wait, but I consider that a good thing/sign. We order take-out from here on a fairly regular basis (typically split an entree). The Chicken Cacciatore (they use port wine in their recipe, which gives it a unique/addictive flavor) is our favorite, but I've also tried the Rosemary Chicken. For appetizers, we love the mussels, baked gouda and goat cheese salad. The pesto that they serve with the bread is also delicious.
(5)Amy E.
I recently had an unexpected Friday off and stopped by Sweet Basil for a takeout lunch. I had the goat cheese/beet salad and bought a small container of their amazing pesto and some bread and then went across and got some second hand clothes at Closet Exchange (and was spotted by two of my clients). As a small business owner, I try to patronize other small businesses. The dinners are well described by other reviewers, my very favorite is the lamb ossobuco with polenta and veg. I want ten orders so I can take a bath in it. Okay, that was too much sharing, sorry. Sweet Basil is charming, well worth the drive and the cute owner/chef always smiles and waves if he recognizes you. (Or maybe he is nearsighted like me and smiles and waves at everyone, because he owns the business.) Please open Sweet Basil 2 in Natick Center!!!!
(5)Renee F.
I had the Shrimp Scampi tonight. Very good!!! The service and staff were delightful!! They all have a great sense of humor and Dave came around to all the tables asked how we enjoyed the dinner. Two things you should remember when you go. 1. Bring your own bottle of wine 2) Sweet Basil does not take credit cards. Be sure you bring enough cash. They do have plenty of banks in the area so if your in need of an ATM its not a problem. I am also a big coffee drinker and they do not serve coffee. They also don't have desserts but since I am not a big dessert person it didn't matter to me.
(4)Hank P.
Excellent. Was in town visiting my sister and she insisted we go there. Everything was superb. Chicken scaloppini, Chicken Parm, Polenta, all great, but the Beet Fettucine was to die for. Great service and ambiance too.
(5)Kara K.
Amazing! Super fresh and delicious. BYOB!
(5)Joe D.
We love this restaurant and have been there at least 6-7 times since discovering it last year. It fills up and there are no reservations so I recommend getting there early. The sirloin steak is fantastic. I find it to be on par with many Boston restaurants. They used to Steve it with parsnip fries but seemed to discontinue those- I hope they bring them back. My wife always gets the rosemary chicken with ziti. She's a picky eater so the fact she enjoys this says a lot. While you're waiting for your entrees try some of their delicious pesto and bread! Reminder it is byob. We will definitely be back!
(5)RoslindaMal E.
I recently went to Sweet Basil for lunch after hearing a friend rave about this place on Facebook. The complimentary table bread and fresh pesto spread was delicious. I really enjoyed my steak bomb sandwich with gorgonzola, onions, mushrooms, roasted peppers. The accompanying french fries were really good; if Sweet Basil added truffle oil and parmesan cheese to its fries their fries would be incredible. The portions were generous. The service was good. As far as the ambiance, not sure that lining all the walls half way up with metal decking would be my first choice. I look forward to going back to Sweet Basil for dinner. I see from reading other reviews Sweet Basil is BYOB; as there is a very nice wine shop nearby (Needham Center Fine Wines), I will be sure to retrieve a bottle of wine beforehand.
(4)Lisa M.
Cute Italian place downtown. Atmosphere was modern and refreshing. The bread and fresh pesto was great. I had the bolognase and it was ok. It's BYOB - what's not to love!
(4)Raymond C.
Best Italian rest I have eaten in my neighborhood. Recommend to any in a heart beat.
(5)Bill A.
This restaurant trumps all in the North End and this is no joke! Service is always pleasant and upon entry there is always the strong smell of garlic aroma in the air. Pesto and olive oil dip for your bread is always fresh and BYOB is always plus. Loud and happening, great place for any occasion.
(5)Steve T.
This place is so great! I drive 40 minutes out of the way to eat here when I'm in the mood for a really good meal. The food is delicious and all of the staff is really really nice. Try the calamari it's light and crispy, also the cauliflower app is delicious and was such a great surprise. The rosemary chicken is also to die for!!! I love going here!
(5)Denise T.
Wow the food was amazing. The pesto accompanying the bread, the shrimp/asparagus/plum tomato risotto, and the trout. Fantastic! The service as friendly as well. But really, what restaurant charging these prices (rightly so for the quality) doesn't accept debit/credit cards? They need to get with the times.
(4)Libby R.
All things that are good: Delicious, fresh food in big helpings (the bolognese is SO good). Excellent service. BYOB. *PLUS, they now accept cards, woo-hoo!* A thing that's just okay: They don't take reservations.
(5)Katherine M.
The pesto is by far the best I have ever had! The atmosphere is fun, vibrant, and a little quirky which is everything I was looking for! It's BYOB with a $5 corking fee, but totally worth it. The shrimp scampi was out of this world good, and the risotto appetizer, which was a special was also beyond amazing. Great fun date night spot!
(5)Alison R.
1. They do not have any alcohol here. Bring your own wine and beers!! 2. Come early. I got here at 7pm and the wait was 45 minutes to 1 hour. The host is super nice though and took our cell number so we could walk around the block. He called us when our table was ready. 3. It's a small restaurant so it's a bit loud and a bit cramped but the food is great. 4. I ordered the Bolognese and my husband ordered the Chicken in Cream Sauce. I would highly recommend both! 5. Definitely going back when I'm in the Needham area again!
(4)Kathy S.
Sweet Basil is an alright Italian meal in beautiful downtown Needham. I really would be giving it 5 stars..But, to get a table in this place is like getting into the freaking White House! We had 8 people on a Thursday night and were coming over from the South Shore. They do NOT take reservations..So good luck trying to get into this place. I came an hour early to make sure the group could get in. I definitely have better things to do than sit outside for an hour to make sure my group gets a table. It would have been wonderful if I could have made a reservations. Also, Sweet Basil does not have any coffee or desserts. Do not plan on staying for something sweet after your meal.. I do not like how you are charged a $5.00 cork fee PER bottle of wine either. We had three bottles and we were charged $15.00 for all three. A bit steep I would think... I think it's a bit steep that they tack on a 20% tip for the waitress for 8 people..HMMM..I thought the standard for MA is 15%!! They must really think they do an outstanding job here at Sweet Basil. My Chicken Parm was pretty good. Nothing so spectacular that I saw fireworks and would be rushing back next week. They do have a very good pesto oil for the bread I must say. But..They really do have to do something about this reservation rule!!!
(3)Melissa K.
Always delicious Italian food. A bit crowded/cramped but that's because it's so good! Love the BYOB.
(5)Grant S.
Very good but somewhat rich sauces but always a consistent stalwart in the Needham area.
(4)Sandy C.
The food is so good. I love the mussels. I could drink the mussel sauce.
(4)Mark W.
This place is great and packed every evening. The red sauce is perfect, love the braised chicken and the homemade ravioli are to die for... BYOB takes away from the overall experience but that's more than made up for in your final bill, plus a liquor store is right down the street.
(5)Lauran H.
Sorry little Italy this was the best pasta I've had in Boston. Great great food, cute little spot friendly service and very reasonable prices. Love it!!
(5)Meghan M.
The food here is fantastic. May be some of the best chicken parm I've ever had. I don't eat pasta too often, but the homemade pasta at Sweet Basil's is just out of this world. Definitely get the bread and pesto!
(5)Matthew T.
Absolutely one of the best restaurants that I have ever been do. The food is expertly prepared. The first dish I had was the bolognase because I had to see if they could do it right, and they certainly did. That is the mark of a good Italian restaurant if they can do the staples well and not just focus on the specials. The best dish, however, is the lamb shank with the rosemary polenta. It is borderline life-changing. I now compare all dishes to that dish. And, to top it all off, you can bring your own wine or beer! Does it get any better than that?
(5)Amy S.
We love Sweet Basil! Love their pesto! However, I can't eat much cheese. I wish they had an option of an entree that is vegetarian without cheese. Hubby loves their chicken parm and their portions generous. Definitely leftovers for the next day. Also, a must try is their new restaurant in Wellesley called Juniper! Yum!
(5)Lena A.
I'm not sure if its because I'm always a little tipsy from bringing my own bottle of wine or if its the consistency of the delicious pasta... or that I always end up sitting at the same table but this place is fantastic. The owner is almost always there to greet his guests. I always order the Bolognese. Let's just say I traveled to NY on Amtrak with a tray of Bolognese for a college friend who went to college in Boston with me. That's the type of experience and connection that Sweet Basil offers.
(5)Katherine W.
Gazpacho is delicious! BYOB but nowhere nearby to get wine-weird.
(3)My O.
Very good Italian food. You can bring your own wine/beer which is nice. Wait staff was knowledgeable and pleasant. The only reason I do not give 5 stars is because it was tight quarters which made it a little uncomfortable.
(4)Crystal B.
Very delicious. The bread and pesto were amazing and enough to fill you up alone! I was not nearly prepared for the portion size. The price was so reasonable I never expected such a large portion. Our waiter, Colby, was very sweet and accommodating. Loved the relaxing atmosphere. I will be back!
(5)rosann s.
This place was great! A co-worker mentioned that she loved this place when I asked if she knew of anywhere good to eat in Needham, MA. This was a long time ago, and today I finally tried it. Very cool, eclectic feel to the place. They serve non-alcoholic drinks, like water and soda, but if you want wine, you will have to bring it yourself - which is awesome, because a bottle bought outside of a restaurant is often so much cheaper than a glass of that same wine in a restaurant. They provide glasses and open the bottle for you. The amount of food you get for the money is awesome. We had the Chicken Parm with spaghetti (you could have red sauce, pesto or white wine sauce .. I chose the white wine sauce). It was all very good. I will definitely visit this place again! Also, the service was excellent. The Staff was friendly. And as the restaurant started to get busy with the dinner crowd, they did everything to accommodate the customers eating, as well as waiting.
(5)Kim C.
This is my first negative review on yelp. We arrived at 5p today and the place was empty (2 tables were seated). I was with my two daughters and my husband was on his way, 5-10 minutes away. They would not seat us because "it is our policy we can't seat you until your entire party is here." The snooty hostess told me we had to step to the side and wait for the rest of our party. We were in a hurry - had an event we had to be to at 6p - so we left! We went to Petite Robert Bistro around the corner (fabulous) and got seated right away - without our whole party being present. Actually upset we got a gift card to Sweet Basil for Christmas - really don't want to return!
(1)Hayley D.
We visited Sweet Basil last Thursday night and it was excellent. Didn't have to wait for a table for two and our waitress was great. I'm allergic to nuts and I was so pleasantly surprised that their pesto is nut-free. I could be mistaken but I believe I didn't see any nuts on the menu. To start we shared the calamari and a Greek salad. Both dishes were huge. I'll order a Greek salad whenever I have the chance and this one was superb. The calamari was also delicious and not soggy at all. When we couldn't decide between the bolognese and the lamb shank our waitress recommended the lamb. When it came I couldn't believe how much food was on the table. Way more than enough for two! Even though my boyfriend grew up in Needham this was the first time at Sweet Basil for both of us and it was such a pleasant, low-key experience. Since it's BYOB we made it out of there with a $60 bill that felt like a steal.
(5)Derek G.
So I've heard nothing but great things about this place. We went being prepared to be amazed. The atmosphere is nice. It is BYOB, which I love. But the food, the food was not very good. I got the chicken parm. I never get chicken parm but everyone said it is fantastic here. It was bland. the pasta served on the side was sitting in a bowl half full of water. Rookie mistake. My wife got a rosemary chicken dish. it was presented very well, but was way to rich and salty. Tasted like something from the macaroni grill. Not fresh tasting, like sauce from a can. We are going to give it another chance, but my first impression is 2 stars.
(2)Megan O.
Sweet Basil has some of the best pesto I've ever had. They give you a big serving of it with some fresh bread to start. Most of the starters/entrees on their menu have very large portion sizes, so I would recommend sharing. My only complaints are that most of the entrees come in rather small bowls, which makes it a little difficult to eat if you have something that requires a lot of cutting (I ordered the Chicken Parmesan), and it's quite noisy.
(4)Nick T.
The food was so good that I proposed marriage to the next girl I saw. OK maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but this was the restaurant that my wife and I went to the night I proposed to her. This place has been our go-to favorite restaurant as students here in Boston. We had Tagliatelle al Ragu (Bolognese) in Bologna, and it didn't compare to their Bolognese. Anything on the menu is going to be the most flavorful dish you've ever eaten, so close your eyes and point. They could get away charging twice what they do for this food (please don't listen to me!!). Also, every date is a cheap date because Sweet Basil is BYOB! Go there for dinner sometime, often, daily, it doesn't matter. Just go!
(5)Michelle P.
I think I could some this experience up in three words... "omg the pesto". OK, OK omg is not a word- but still, I don't know why I ever order dinner, I am always too full of pesto slathered on house baked bread to eat it! I have been here a handful of times over the years, usually for a girlfriend's birthday dinner. There's always a group of us and it is a great place to hang out, drink wine(BYOB) and stuff ourselves silly. The owners are super friendly, the staff always accommodating, and that darn pesto! This evening I had the soup special, coconut milk corn chowder, and for my main, the bolognese. oh yeah, and a pound of pesto. Other favorites on the table were the calamari, the gnocchi and a vegetarian risotto special. Love coming here when I'm in town visiting, very casual setting, a bit of a tight squeeze sometimes.
(5)Cory B.
Fabulous service, fabulous food, generous portions, and reasonable prices. The pesto and bread is highly addictive, the mussels were the best I've ever had, anywhere. My scampi was rich, garlicky, and extremely fresh. My husband's chicken Parm was excellent with fresh tomato sauce. The servers were very attentive and they all hustle. I only wish I lived closer. Go. You won't be sorry.
(5)Melissa B.
I love this place. I have been going there for almost ten years and it keeps getting better. The staff is extremely friendly and the food is delicious. There is often a wait, so go early on weekend nights, but it is worth any wait. You can even go to a bar next door and they will call you when your table is ready.
(5)Jess M.
Amazing. Amazing. Expect to wait though (no reservations) So show up super early for dinner, then laugh at the people who get there at 6 and wait in a gigantic line. If you get there at 6, put your name in and go grab a frozen custard or something. You could always secretly open your BYOB and drink it in a brown bag while you're waiting too.
(5)Amy M.
The atmosphere here is... interesting. You make your way through curtains to get inside, and plants, records, and what looks like scrap metal hangs from the mutli-colored walls. The music is funky, although I might have appreciated it more if I wasn't seated on uncomfortable metal chairs with a hanging plants about to hit my head. Positively, though, it was a more unique experience than the run-of-the-mill chains around. I got the handmade ravioli, and it was pretty good -- had a unique combination of four cheeses and the sauce had a mix of crunchy veggies and spiced tomatoes. It seemed a bit over-priced for what I got, but then again it's a sit-down restaurant in Needham. Basically, it's worth checking out for something different, but nothing to go out of your way for.
(3)setor a.
A recently had dinner with my friend at sweet basil, very cozy atmosphere, the food was delicious, i had the rosemary chicken in a creamy sauce over ziti and it was really good. The portions are huge.
(5)David H.
Amazing food... One of my fav restaurants. Great service... It is BYOB with liquor and they charge a small fee. Also, there is no desert probably so that they can push tables faster? Can get kind of busy and they do not take reservations. Cash only.
(5)Erica C.
Sweet Basil used to be good, but unfortunately their hype as gone to their heads and their quality and morals have gone down the toilet. My Mom and I weren't craving pasta so we decided to order a scallop special. We specifically ordered this because, like I said, we did not want pasta. Wait what is that coming to our table? Oh, of course, two giant bowls of some kind of fettucine with four mediocre scallops on top. That's right, we had been duped! Because we had waited 45 minutes for the table + another 20 minutes to order, we both decided to not send it back and just suck it up. Bland and inedible. The same goes for the scallops which were beyond overcooked. In order to not be wasteful, we took the pasta home to dump in our backyard where hopefully the critters could enjoy, can't say for sure if they did. Another note, salad portion sizes are much smaller now too. Perhaps they have caught on like the rest of the mediocre restaurants that think they can charge the same price and reduce portion sizes without anyone noticing. So what is good about Sweet Basil? The pesto. That I could eat for days. Is it worth waiting an hour to eat pesto? No, so I will not return.
(2)Lynn S.
Came on a Sunday night early dinner with a toddler at 6:00. Only about two or three tables left. We were seated right away. Many elderly, family tables still eating (I think it's the early crowd). First, the bread and pesto dip was such a hit with my little boy, that was all he had all night. It was really rather good. Ok size menu, fair price. I had the shrimp scampi while hubby had the pork chop. They are not kidding with the wine sauce in the scampi! Pork chop was the best we had in boston. Really well marinated, and cook to perfection. Portion is great. We left wanting to come back for more. By the way, it's BYOB, so that's even better! Come early if you don't want to wait.
(4)Jackie K.
Amazing. Despite the small number of vegetarian options, the ones they had were amazing (no lame pasta primavera like most Italian restaurants). I had the gnocci which was really amazing. The lentil soup and salad were also delicious. We arrived around 6:30 on a Friday night and had to wait about 20 min which was not bad. It was great to bring our own wine and they even hold it for you while you wait for your table so you are not walking around with a bottle of wine. This is as good as Giacomo's which I consider to be one of the best Italian places in downtown Boston. I don't love going out for Italian food but I will come back here.
(5)Jose V.
WOW!! Exquisite food. Coming from NYC where pasta is a mainstay means I've had a lot of Italian, this place rocks. Great food, cool ambience n good service. Gf had the whole fish n it was cooked perfectly. I had the chicken parm with the sausage meat sauce, FANTASTIC!! Next time we are at Legacy Place will definitely revisit. Cozy n BYOW.
(5)W C.
Sunday night dinner for six. Got there at 5:45pm and no problem getting a table. By 6pm the house was packed with people waiting. Crazy! Got the lamb shank and it was awesome. Tender fall off the bone good! Fried gouda cheese salad was fantastic. Very unique and tasty dish. No high chairs so it's not really baby friendly. But would still go again.
(4)Lisa W.
Seems to be everyone's favorite local casual Italian spot. You walk in, and the cozy vibe and delicious scent embraces you like a giant hug, especially welcome on a cold winter night! Bring your own bottle of wine. Its always busy, we sat on some stools in the front and they happily offered to uncork our bottle and bring us our glasses. The wait was as expected, not bad at all for a Friday night. We thought the food was good,not SPECTACULAR, but good enough and the portions are huge as other reviewers say. I believe they also let you bring your own dessert! FYI, we noticed several large parties, so don't be shy about bringing the gang. Its really a homey, warm, environment, and we will be back! One other note...didn't see any kids, which especially on a weekend, we appreciated. A grown up spot.
(4)Teresa B.
Unique, upbeat place to have dinner in the 'burbs! A little loud so maybe not the best option if you have an elderly person in your party, but in that case just do takeout! Great spot that you'll definitely come back to. Prices are reasonable for the amount of food that you get (we always have leftovers!) I would recommend the braised chicken dish or the chicken rosemary dish - so tasty! Remember to BYO booze! But now you can buy booze in Needham, so it's all good!
(5)Larry D.
We brought friends that are foodies and we all loved it. The mussels and roasted chicken are must haves! Both times we have been we are blown away by the quality of food and very good service. Bring your own wine. The prices are very reasonable. We always have a dogie bag because we can't finish our meal.
(5)Juliana C.
Yelp's not a dating site. I mean, I know a bunch of couples who've met on here, and a few who've even tied the knot, but still, you're here for the reviews, right? It would be foolish to say I desperately want a tall, artsy musician-type to take me here on a date. Silly, really. I came here with relatives on a Thursday night and fell in love. Sweet Basil is everything I look for in a restaurant: charming, warm, affordable and unpretentious. The servers aim to please, the food portions are enormous, and the music selection is eclectic. If that weren't enough, drinks are BYOB! Swoon. The only drawbacks are: (1) much like my other dining favorite (Toro) they don't take reservations, (2) payment is cash only. Once seated, we requested the risotto of the day for the table and it turned out to be crisped bacon with pineapple; the flavors were fantastic and made me feel like I was somewhere tropical. I had ordered the rosemary chicken and parmesan cream ziti, and when it landed in front of me I think my eyes bugged out a little; you could feed a small army with the amount of food I was given. It was a struggle to put down my fork, because every mouthful was delicious. To top it all off, our server brought us slices of chocolate rum cake that the restaurant had made for a fundraiser (they don't usually offer dessert). I gave myself a pep talk, and was rewarded with rich, dense bites of bliss. I don't care if I have to hitchhike from the nearest T stop; I will be back.
(5)Nancy H.
On great recommendations online my husband and I went to Sweet Basil. As tourists we did not know it was BYOB. Unexpected and disappointing. Called ahead but it wasn't mentioned to bring wine if desired. Chicken Parmesan was great that my husband ordered, but I had to send my meal back (shrimp scampi) as the pasta was not cooked enough. Ordered ravioli and had the same problem. Would definitely return and be prepared to bring wine and ask for pasta to be cooked more thoroughly. Shared a Caesar salad, and there was more than enough for two. Go early as it was crowded on a Monday evening by 6:30.
(3)M E.
This is my favorite lunch spot in the area. The lunch portions are HUGE and always delicious. The chicken parm sandwich is delicious and I always get the fish specials when they are available. Love the bread and pesto they serve before meals. All around a great restaurant!
(5)Shea H.
On the top of my favorite restaurants list in the Boston area. I'm moving to Chicago soon and when I come back this place will be a must to dine at. I highly recommend the Chicken Parm and Veal Shoulder. The pesto and bread to start is to die for. HIGHLY recommend this place.
(5)Anthony D.
Sweet Basil is fantastic. I remember when it was a one room hole in the wall and now that it's expanded it's even better. The food is mouth watering and bursting with flavor and the byob is a great option. Only complaint is it's still cash only. Really no excuse for that in this day and age.
(5)Kate G.
After reading reviews on yelp and encountering a 45 minute wait (no reservations) at 5:30 on a Friday night, we were waiting to be wowed. Maybe our expectations were too high? I had the lobster pot pie which sounded delish - with squash and spicy sausage - but the lobster was claws only (what do they do with the tail, I wonder?) , the sausage was so scarce I identified it only once and the squash was swimming in the lobster-flavored cream sauce for so long that it was virtually indistinguishable. My dining partner had the braised chicken with port wine, balsamic glazed peppers and mushrooms with a cavatappi-like pasta. Expecting a dish with braised chicken on one side, peppers and mushrooms on another and a side of pasta, he was greeted with a big bowl of everything mixed together. The flavors intermingled in a way that overwhelmed and didn't allow for the individual taste sensations of port wine nor balsamic, and the pasta... well not quite al dente as it should be (if you go, ask how your meal will be presented. We saw lots of big bowls go by). It's BYOB here so don;t forget to stop and pick up a bottle of wine if you go and don't expect it to be worth the wait if you go on a Friday night.
(2)Brett A.
One of my favorites of all time! If you don't like the food here I don't know what to say. Faves and house specialities include mussels, bolognese, rosemary chicken. Love the BYOB too. They don't take res so go early or expect to wait at a nearby bar. I promise the food is worth it! Enjoy!
(5)Julia J.
Ordered pasta but didn't like it at all. Either Italian food is not for me, or that dish is bad
(2)Alexander K.
7/26/14 Sweet Basil, Needham, MA. -- Last visit in 12/2013, some time passed. Went back with 4 bottles this time and realizing I have missed this eatery !! Some staff have changed, portions looked bigger, prices higher, lines longer, 8pm still 30min. wait. Yeh allow time. 3 people ordering 5/6 dishes sharing .. tasty yes yes and yes !! Service .. yes yes and yes great !! Go on and visit this cookery !! Bring your own booze !!
(5)C C.
Visited again last Tuesday. This time, shrimp scampi pasta was excellent, but the linguini with clams -- Big letdown -- Tiny portion and lacking in flavor. It was less than 1/2 of the portion of the shrimp scampi pasta! It's definitely a dish to avoid at this restaurant. Again, very inconsistent. Still 3-stars.
(3)Deepti J.
Last night was the second time for dinner at this place- I went there with my husband, I had gone with my colleagues the first time. The food and service were great and loved what I ordered the first time. However, when I went there yesterday to grab a nice-but-not-too-fancy food for our marriage anniversary, it was a complete disappointment. The server was cold and food was not half as good as last time(although I had ordered the same stuff, coz I liked it so much- it was baked gouda wrapped in fillo dough with salad and the Lamb shank with polenta where I substituted the lamb with mushrooms). My husband ordered the fagioli pasta. The pasta was too hot and he couldn't eat it and my veggies were too salty so I couldn't eat it. Boxed it up and archived it in my fridge...such a disappointment.
(1)Brian W.
Dined there last night and had a nice meal. The interior was casual but nice and the food was very good. Service friendly and prompt. I ordered the Lamb shank and it kept me from rating 5 stars. The lamb was tender and tasty, but the dish was swimming in oil/butter, specifically on the veggies, and there were big pieces of skin or fat which I had to remove from the meat. The lamb is rich enough on its own. The dish doesn't need all that extra grease. Overall a really nice place! PS. Not having dessert is an interesting move and I applaud them for it. If you have a restaurant like this (small and busy) you can probably get a full extra turn or two a night if you don't have dessert on the menu. The cash only, however, is a bit strange in this age.
(4)J. D.
Never been disappointed here, except for noise, crowded and having to wait for a table. Hope to visit soon!
(5)Allan S.
I LOVE this restaurant. No liquor license which means you have to bring your own wine, which is no great inconvenience plus you bring exactly what you enjoy. Cash or check only. Located in Needham Center, which is no great social mecca so you could easily walk by it and miss it, but don't because you would miss a real treat. Enough about that. The menu. Quite literally, everything on the menu looks delicious, from the appetizers to the entrees (no desserts offered). We started with fresh gazpacho, followed by a baked gouda salad, and finally soft shelled crab. All were amazing. We stopped at this point because we were full, but next time I am digging into the entree menu - the braised lamb shank beckons. Service amazing and the owner is right there and he is a real nice guy. Prices are reasonable how delicious the dishes are. The place always seems at full capacity.
(5)Nina T.
Fabulous Italian food. We had the calamari, risotto and FILO wrapped Gouda for apps. Could have been done After that! For entrees we had chic parm, baked beet ziti, and steak. The steak was so/so. Everything else was superb. The portions are huge!
(4)Kris S.
They have alot of signature dishes, my favorite would probably be the very unique pesto sauce that comes with the bread. Bologna pasta, lamb, and mushroom risottos are also a favorite. I come here atleast once every two weeks for three years (as a student) and havent been dissapointed yet.
(5)TIM O.
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants. The food is outstanding and you'll take home enough for a second meal for sure. Bring your own wine for a small corkage fee.
(5)Sherri Q.
Amazing! I've heard so many many of my friends and colleagues tell me over the years how wonderful this place was (and frankly, sad to say, I always thought it was a Thai restaurant) but pleasantly surprised it was not. Our appetizers, entrees, just so wonderful, staff, waitress, extremely friendly! We all live in Boston, with many places to choose from, but we will most certainly come back to this hidden gem.
(5)Sara M.
I met a girlfriend here for dinner and found the place to be decent. I feel as if the reviews set high expectations that were just not met. The place itself is quite quaint and our server was a lovely woman who did not rush us during our almost 3 hour dinner. The pesto was good but not excellent and I only had one piece of bread. We shared the goat cheese and beet salad to start, which was huge. However, it was quite ordinary and I wished there was more goat cheese. For my entrée, I ordered the oven roasted clams with linguine. The way it was described in the menu made it seem amazing. However, when I received it, there were also red and yellow peppers, cherry tomatoes, and an overabundance of lemon in the sauce. It was not what I had expected and was honestly not that tasty. I didn't feel as if the tomatoes or peppers had any right being in the dish and the lemon overpowered the white wine flavour. I tried my friend's bolognese and it was good but I make an excellent version without the undercooked noodles. I will have to try this place again since I may have just ordered badly or caught them on a bad night.
(3)Matthew H.
What a great experience. My friend arrived a bit before I did and put his name down. Like a considerate organization, they offered to give his cell phone a call when the table was ready. We got the call and promptly arrived to a very friendly hostess who called us by name and sat us promptly. I didn't realize the restaurant was BYOB which the owner must have noticed because he came over and offered us free wine/beer (which we graciously accepted). We had the duck risotto special which was a huge portion and easily could have qualified as a main course (and I wish I was eating it right now it was so good). I had the lamb shank which was truly enormous. Absolutely way too much food for a human to consume in one sitting but unbelievably tasty. I very much look forward to returning as soon as I can!
(5)Alyssa W.
pretty ordinary, nothing to really rave about. the bolongnase pasta was the best dish at the table... the space is small but comfy. the service was ok.
(3)Maia B.
Sweet Basil is my absolute favorite restaurant in suburban Boston. First, you must pick up a bottle of wine at a liquor store. Sweet Basil does not serve alcohol, but they will happily serve you your wine for a corking fee. Second, you must bring (lots of) cash. Sweet Basil does not accept other forms of payment. Third, you must arrive with plenty of time to spare. Sweet Basil does not accept reservations. While you are waiting for a table, you should walk down the street to Masala Art for a cocktail. Fourth, you must order the baked gouda appetizer. Continue as you like. This is my Sweet Basil recipe for success.
(5)Matthew A.
I stopped in for a late lunch early dinner and the steamed mussels are fantastic. The juice is just right with garlic. Sopped it all up with bread. Beet salad was delish. Too bad it was on the small side. Next time I will have to come back for a full dinner and bring some vino as the menu looks fantastic. Too bad Needham is a haul from NH.
(4)Eric T.
What's good: the food, the smells, and the staff. What's not so good: no reservations, no credit cards, the cramped-ness, and the noise. There was a 30 minute wait on a Saturday night, which was to be expected. But there's very little space to wait, so we sat on stools directly behind a table of diners. We thought of leaving and just grabbing a pizza instead, but the wafting garlic smells kept us seated. Once we were seated, they put out bread with pesto instead of butter, which was delicious and got me thinking why all Italian restaurants don't do the same. We had the baked mozzarella appetizer, which was amazing - and way too large for even two people to share. I ordered the chicken parm, which was okay. The dish was cooked lightly, missing the grilled-ness of the chicken breast and the cheese - it came off as 'lightly baked' and just missing some flavor. Again, it was okay but I wouldn't order it again. (And the marinara was really subpar.) My wife's lamb shank and polenta entree, on the other hand, was unbelievable. There was some questionable overcooked vegetable happening, which she quickly ignored after the first taste, but the lamb itself was cooked amazingly. I'm not a big lamb fan, but that dish alone would have me going back. And we took home half of all three dishes, so you definitely get your money's worth. So the food was good and the staff was great. The noise was a big turn-off though. The crowd had an understandably loud din to it, but it was accentuated by slightly-too-loud, totally random pop music that didn't jive with the atmosphere at all. When you have that cramped a restaurant, the last thing you want is to make your customers feel that much more claustrophobic; it's an Italian restaurant in the suburbs, not the fad du jour of lower Manhattan. We will definitely go back and try it again. We'll see how the second trip goes...
(4)Vivi L.
I've been wanting to try out this place for the longest time. We tried coming here 2 weeks ago on Saturday at around 6:30 and the place is already packed. There is already a wait of 1.5 hours for a table. We decided to order take-out instead. This place definitely lives up to their reputation. We order braised chicken, rosemary chicken, parmesan chicken, and the ravioli. Every single dish was delicious. My favorite would be the Braised Chicken. It's full of flavor and the portion is huge. We tried coming here again on Sunday at 4PM right when they're open. The place was empty but as we sit there, the place started to get crowded at 5PM. I'm glad that we went at 4PM. A little disclosure, we took our 2 yrs with us and they don't have high chair for kids. Our daughter ended up sitting on the regular chair and they were able to give her an empty wine box to boost her up. It actually worked out well. This time, I order the Lamb Shank and my husband ordered the veal. Again, the food is definitely consistent. The Lamb was sublime and we really enjoyed this place. The staffs were friendly and the food came out at perfect pace. We have now become a fan of this place and would definitely be a regular.
(5)Bill B.
Finally got around to this place. I found it cozy and charming. Some reviewers were put off by the decor; to each his own. I had the pork chop; my better half had a fish special. Hers was amazing. Perfectly cooked fish (I think it was cod--my memory is failing me here). The mashed potatoes had fennel in them and were light and refreshing. My pork chop was cooked perfectly. My only complaint was oversalting, but it wasn't enough to ruin the dish. Loved the brandied pomegranate sauce... and as others have said, huge portions. I read one review that complained about a $5 corkage fee per bottle--it's amazing what people can complain about. $15 for 3 bottles is a steal, the absolute lowest I've ever paid for corkage. Try $35/bottle in most places in the north end (some places allow it even if it's not legal or whatever). I'm happy to go back, but I would tell them to go easy on the salt.
(4)Peter B.
We had a party of 9 and our friend, a Needham resident, knew the drill, so we came in with plenty bottles of wine. BYOB not a problem. Saves a bunch on drinks. This is my first time here, but many at our party had been there a number of times, so the great reviews from them were respected. I ordered the pan seared scallops. The scallops were great and they sat on a bed of spinach. I was sticking to the scallops and occasionally taking some spinach when I noticed something under the spinach. It was sautéed onions. Now they did not go with the scallops at all. This may have been the first time I have had sauteed onions with a seafood dish. Maybe I'm missing something, but it didn't do much for me at all. Luckily the onions were under the layer of spinach, so it really didn't much mix with the scallops. I would have done 5 stars, but the onions were just weird.
(4)Adi R.
Needhams finest restaurant! Every dish is really good with good portions. Always crowded. Bread cheese and pesto is very tasty all the time. Must try. If on budget try lunch. Cash only.
(5)LoveYouToo L.
Just a wee bit disappointed on the last visit here. Bread was not real fresh, and the selection not as good as in the past. Mussels, however, were hands down delicious! Still a fan, but hope this restaurant will keep their standards real high, and looking forward to more visits to reassess and hopefully be up to the same standards as previously encountered. Still a good place, nice staff, overall positive experience.
(4)Vanessa L.
Rad some reviews and traveled out to needham to check this place out. Excellent service. Food was pretty good. Nothing that I would drive far out of my way for. The service was outstanding though. It was nice that they had gluten free pasta and were able to accommodate on most entrees. I would recommend a better GF pasta though. It fell apart. I was happy - I could eat something good and allergy friendly. Nice neighborhood to walk around.
(4)Jimmy M.
In my first review, I had withheld the fifth star because they don't take plastic. That was wrong of me, I apologize, I am wiser now. Restaurants lose money on credit card sales, but they accept them because they're afraid they'll lose business. Sweet Basil is cash only and people are lined up on the sidewalk in the winter to get in and pay cash. If "cash only" means that line is shorter for me.... good! I will gladly pay in cash! Cash machine right across the street. As Mentioned before, bring your own bottle of wine, they don't have a wine license here. This is a good thing! You bring your favorite wine, and pay just one tenth of what a restaurant would charge you. Win! The bread they start you out with; Freshly cut, two types, served with a wonderful pesto/garlic dip and a flask of olive oil. Soooo hard not to fill up on this wonderful bread. Appetizers: We got the calamari, which was crispy and light and delicious, a very generous portion served in a big bowl, with half a lemon and a small bowl of spicy tomato marinara. We also got the baked Gouda, heavenly! Even the bed of greens with dressing was delicious. Entrees: Big portions with the Chicken Parm and Rosemary Chicken, rave reviews from family members. My son and I got the Grilled Salmon served on a bed of baked sweet potatoes. I can say without hesitation that this was the best salmon I ever had in my life. They've figure out grilling salmon to perfection, the texture, the subtle seasoning, and the quality of the fish itself was brilliant. I felt like crying when I was finishing it, and my 16 year old son was reduced to making dreamy sighs and moans while he ate his. The wait staff, even the bus boy, all seem to be very happy to be there, and I noticed our waitress was constantly coming by the table to look us over and see how we were doing without butting in to ask "how is everything" every time. The giant water glasses were constantly being filled for us, and they offered more bread when we finished ours off (don't do it! save stomach room!). The perfect night was slightly blemished by a screw up that resulted in my older son's Chicken Parm being given to the wrong table. The waitress apologized profusely and brought out a bowl of pasta for him while he waited another ten minutes while the rest of us ate our entrees. Half of us were finished by the time he got his Chicken Parm, which he said was outstanding. I think they should have comped that entree, and they didn't, which is why I am withholding the sixth star which they otherwise would have deserved but does not exist anyways.
(5)Carolyn M.
My favorite place for a date night with the FH! The restaurant is so cozy and unassuming but the food is dynamite. When we moved to Needham it took us a year to try it because from the street it did not look like anything special. We were so wrong! There is a line out the door on any given weekend night and it is cash only, BYOB. We cannot pick a favorite because everything is so good.
(5)Dak K.
Garlic! Should be renamed , sweet garlic! The pesto and fresh bread with a salad could have been enough, adding baked gouda on top, mb a bit much. However, adding on a lamb shank , some mussels, and had to try the bolognese, gluttony !! The bolognese was to salty, the mussels were flavorful with of course, over the top garlic ( wouldn't have it any other way), the lamb shank was comfort food at it's finest , only complimented by its buttery polenta and sweet onions! Yes , we enjoyed ourselves. Go with a couple of apps for dinner , or your entree and a shared app, and don't forget your bottle like we did!
(4)Melisa C.
I've been to Sweet Basil 3 times now. It is BYOB which is great, but they will not seat you unless your entire party is there, so make sure to all arrive within a few minutes of each other. The place has two rooms for diners, and the atmosphere is intimate and well decorated. This would be a great place to take a date. They give each table a basket of bread and basil pesto. This pesto is the best I have ever had! It is so delicious, and they will replenish the bread and basil if you ask them to! The first time for dinner I ordered the lamb, and I was so stuffed from the bread and pesto that I was only able to have a few bites of my entree. Nonetheless, it was great, and I was able to have a few leftover meals from this large serving. On my way out I also ordered a takeout pint of the pesto ($5), to bring home. The second time I went for dinner I ordered the chicken parmesan--also very, very good! I bought some leftovers home and was able to have another meal out of it. The most recent time I went I went for lunch and ordered the steak bomb sandwich with a side salad. The salad was dressed with a balsamic dressing which was pretty good, and the sandwich was good as well. Overall my favorite dish that I have had so far is the chicken parmesan out of the three. If you like pesto, I would highly recommend buying a pint to go home with!
(5)E. K.
Very disappointed.... We were rushed through our dinner, given our bill, charged corkage fee (did not bring alcohol), never offered dessert. Mediocre quality, not worth the price.
(1)Benjamin R.
I can't say enough good things. Nina is as friendly as a host you could ever hope to welcome you in, kindness in full color. David, the dreamer who first imagined this dream, has been whipping up shrimp scampi and similar fare since the age of eleven. Yes, that's illegal, but the magic is palpable. There is only one Sweet Basil, and so it will always be.
(5)Stephen G.
I started going to Sweet Basil when it was a one room, and all the tables were packed together so tightly that when one person wanted to get up, the whole restaurant would have to move! The food was fantastic and the staff was happy and friendly. It was like you were eating dinner in the owners house. Over the years the restaurant has become incredibly popular but it has come with a price. Now it's so popular the wait on any given nights could be hours. The number of patrons has literally overwhelmed the staff. On a recent night, we brought friends from Ireland and were told that the wait would be an hour and a half. We wanted our friends to try the place so gave our cell phones as usual. No calls. We went back an hour and a half later to see that our name had been crossed off the list. The owner, who is an awfully nice guy realized the mistake buy there were no tables and ours had been given to a party that came later. So we had to wait more. To top it off, several of the regular dishes were not cooked correctly. We all had a very unpleasant evening there and were unimpressed. No amount of smiling staff can compensate. Sadly, I must say that we won't be going back. Just not worth the aggregation and disappointment.
(2)Steven B.
Took my girlfriend to this place last night, we go out to eat often and love to try new places. At first it looked like a small place until you walk inside, which reveals to be just as big as the restaurant I work in. Inside is beautiful and you can see the cook line and see what's going on. The decorations are nice and make You feel like your at home. Fresh bread and a bowl on fresh pesto was brought to the table, which was amazing! We ordered the shitaki mushroom dumpling with avocado and it was to awesome. It also came with a honey wasabi salad! We didn't know to bring our own wine but next time we most certainly will. I had the shank and it was amazing! And my girlfriend has the bolognese and loved it! This is as edit from a year ago, and have been back 10 times! Truly an amazing place!
(5)Carol W.
We live in town and love and respect this place but it is disconcerting to bring home a doggy bag and find spaghetti mixed with one's left over other pasta. The sauce Bolognese is quite complex and is better eaten in the dark and dark it is in this restaurant. The chicken with fig and mushroom sauce looks even worse in the light of day, but tastes terrific in the black out. Still we return because it is so reliable and now share entrees as well as the huge and wonderful salads. Nothing left then to view the next day!
(4)Roxanne B.
Took my husband and son here on Saturday night for a birthday dinner. Got there before 5:15 based on Yelpers recommendations and brought a bottle of beer. It was full by 5:35 pm. This is a very small place that really hops! We sat on what we thought was the quieter side next to the open kitchen - it got noisy, but that's just part of the atmosphere. They set up round tables for larger parties of 7 on either side of us --- and it was "close" - but we didn't mind. The portions were gi-normous. We got 3 appetizers: sweet potato soup, gazpacho and the baked gouda. Baked gouda was ok -- could only eat 1/4 of it after the tasty bread and pesto they served. Decided on 2 additional appetizers for dinner: Duck confetti which was excellent and certainly was enough for an entree. The shrimp scampi was super flavorful: pepper, lemon, garlic - shrimp might have been a tad overdone, but it was delicious - took 75% of that portion home too. We were never rushed - and thoroughly enjoyed the place. My son said it was much like places in CA --wish Framingham had something like this instead of all the chains! Note: They now take credit cards, but still don't serve dessert. I think you can bring dessert in for a small charge.
(4)Dee S.
The most fantastic Italian food! Rosemary chicken is not to be missed. It is rich, so leftovers are inevitable. The bread and pesto is unreal, and the fra diavolo is wonderful. The calamari is also delicious, with a spicy marinara sauce and crisp seafood!
(5)Karen T.
I love the atmosphere, I love the service, and most importantly...I LOVE the food here.
(5)Amy H.
We had quite a wait, but it was well worth it. It seems most restaurants in the Newton/ Needham area that are any good have quite a long wait on the weekends. They do any seafood with pasta right!! All of them are my favorites. It sure beats driving into Boston, paying $30 for parking and waiting there for 2 hours. It is a good compromise for a night out with little hassle and a great meal.
(5)Hayley M.
Simply outstanding. I haven't been yelping much lately. I just haven't been inspired. No place has knocked my socks off and no one has pissed me off to the point where I take it out on my keyboard. That all changed tonight... in a good way. My parents went to Sweet Basil last weekend and my mom couldn't stop talking about it. So she and I went tonight, and rushed home to my laptop so I could give this place some love. I walked into this adorable tiny restaurant and my nose was immediately hit with the wonderful aroma of Italian food. All the spices blended together and my tummy immediately rumbled. My mom said something about bringing your own wine, so I asked the waitress if Needham is a dry town. She said it was, but that she thought there was an open bottle of wine in the back, would we like a glass? Yes, yes we would! So this spot is one of those places with comically large portions. Fortunately we knew this ahead of time, so we selected one salad and one entree. We went with the Greek salad and Chicken Scallopini, which had garlic, lemon, capers, tomatoes, and spinach. It also came with a side of pasta, which we opted for the red sauce. I wanted to try every sauce they had! The salad was HUGE. Mom and I each had two servings and there was still plenty of it. It was fresh, colorful, and covered with a delightfully salty feta. The entree arrived and it was awesome. The chicken had a wonderful flavorful sauce and had tons of bright, fresh veggies. The pasta was al dente and the red sauce had chunks of garlic and really went well with the scallopini. One salad and one entree was perfect for two people. Plus the entire bill was $30. Cost efficient. Adorably decorated. Great service. Delicious food. What more could you ask for?
(5)Pete D.
Wow! The wait was well worth it! My wife and I went the other night for a "date night". The wait is ~1 to 2 hours on a Saturday night, so plan accordingly! They are a BYO-wine and beer restaurant, so pick out a nice bottle and bring it with you!! If you have to wait, leave your number and the host/hostess will call you when it is close to your time. We went to Not Your Average Joe's to get a drink, so it worked out great! Again... worth the wait in my book! The food was excellent! We shared the muscles, my wife had the bolognese dish and I had the sirloin steak. My wife even was able to get wheat pasta, so my tip... it never hurts to ask! In the end, I would definitely go back! Owner was very gracious! My only tip to him: stand your ground and stand behind your restaurant! People will wait because your food is great!! Why did I write that... when I asked him how long the wait was, he told me and then said "I don't blame you if you do not want to wait."
(5)Blake C.
Took my fiancé on a nice dinner date while we were here on business. It's is small, quaint restaurant with beautiful decor. The kitchen is open to the restaurant so you can watch your good being cooked. Every table was stocked with fresh flowers and the service was great. We ordered the Chicken Parmesan and the Rosemary Chicken and they we're both phenomenal. Huge portions! After eating there we found out that apparently your supposed to glaring your own bottle of wine if you would like to have some with your meal. Relaxed, Vintage environment. I would highly recommend to anyone!
(5)Richard G.
Best Italian food in Boston. My wife and I have been going to Sweet Basil since it opened (12+ years ago). Dave and staff are awesome and we have NEVER had a bad meal. Ranks up there as one of our favorite restaurants.
(5)Nate C.
Everyone I talk to loves Sweet Basil, and there are a plethora of 5-Star Reviews on it here but I walked away underwhelmed by the whole experience and thought I would share. First of all, the fact that they don't take credit/debit cards is extremely irritating to me. Most people these days rarely carry cash, let alone enough to cover dinner here so you often need to make a special trip to the ATM before dining. I know this is probably a great business decision for them to save on fees by only taking cash, but it would really be much more convenient if they accepted plastic. They don't take reservations either, so if you want a table you'll need to be prepared to wait or arrive well in advance of when you actually want to eat (especially with any party of 4 or larger as group seating is limited). The staff was very kind and accommodating and opened our bottle of wine - it's BYOB here - and served us in the (very small) waiting area and we were given a free appetizer for waiting so long, which was a very nice gesture and made the experience much more pleasant. I thought the food was alright (I had the Ravioli), but nothing that should be generating the rave reviews my friends have given me and the tell-tale sign of underwhelming food for me was my lack of interest in eating the leftovers the next day. It's a cozy little spot that's a great location for a date or a nice evening out with a significant other or a get together with your folks (doubly so if they're paying!) but overall this isn't someplace I'll be hurrying back to.
(3)R K.
Just gotta say it, even though there are already plenty of similar reviews. Sweet Basil is the best dining experience and food in Needham, one of the top five in Boston. By far the best value. Stop at one of a number of nearby ATM's when you get to Needham Center. Bring your choice of wine and then go somewhere nearby for a light dessert after - if you have room. The combination of flavors, atmosphere, service and respect you experience as a diner there is a complete wow, even if you know what to expect. No amount of wait time is too long not to be worth it. Last night Dave sent those of us waiting outside some sample plates. Kept me there like a pup ready for the next treat.
(5)Stephanie W.
1. No reservations, so go early or plan to wait (and it could be a while) 2. BYOB 3. No kids menu - ask for a half-order or something special 4. Loud and crowded - may not want to have a serious discussion here This is a really quaint, feel-good restaurant with good food. Not fantastic, not for true foodies, but quality ingredients and traditional recipes. Large portions that are adequate to share. Very friendly staff.
(4)Francisca W.
first time in town, first time here, upon recommendation of friends who've been here before. 6pm weeknight, found street parking w/o a problem, except that the meter doesn't tell you till when you shall stop feeding it. well, for 25c an HOUR (also w/the entertainment of actually turning that dial after you insert money!!), i'll max it out at 2 hours. walked in, place is happening (not completely full or spilling out yet), friends already there w/menu, water & bread on the table. waitress was actually checking on them when i walked up; she let me sit down and came back after a few minutes to put in orders. waitress is very pleasant. the two-sided menu gives you some appetizer and entree selection. that's about it. i scrolled down and instantly saw "cash only"--"wtf?" surfaced. as i mentioned in another review: if the corner pizza place takes credit cards, then a sit-down restaurant w/waiter service should at least do as much. should do that ESPECIALLY when this is a place to charge $13 a starter and $20 per entree. you think people still carry wads of cash in their wallet these days? where are we, Vietnam? "conveniently" (lucky for them), there's a Sovereign Bank opposite the restaurant; heard Citizens is but another block away. the CVS down the street (ATM inside) might also save your day. albeit having to leave your seat after sitting down bc you realized you didn't have the means to pay for your meal is not going to equate to a pleasant dining experience, at least you are one fewer step from having police called on you. as we were discussing dinner options, i asked if my friends wanted any drinks, like a glass of wine or something. got a good laugh being the newbie here, not knowing they ONLY serve water. oh! that explains the line right below the "cash only" fine print that says "feel free bring your wine, we charge $5 per wine for corkage" or something like that. you mean, i don't even get to order soda? sure, i'll just stick w/water then. not starting very well on the right foot, but let's move on to food. friend liked the bread pesto very much-- i wasn't hungry so i only took a tasting of the pesto w/o any bread. it was fresh, w/a good amount of cheese & salt in it. i guess it's not bad. appetizer: ordered the braised beef shoulder w/sweet potato gnocchi + ginger apple chutney/sauce to share. beef is tender & flavorful (but only ONE 2x2 chunk in the whole plate), sweet potato gnocchi pillowy and soft, ginger apple sauce refreshing. not bad, only i would prefer another chunk or a few bucks off the price. entree: for $20 i got the seafood stew, which consisted of an assortment of seafood (mussels, clams, fish, shrimps), and chunks of potatoes. now, when i see "stew" i'd expect the flavors to marry together and sauce being thicker, but what i had in front of me was more like tomato-based broth w/stuff cooked it in. to potato/seafood combo was new to me as well. seafood was cooked right, but it was somewhat lacking in flavors. friend got the spicy version of the same seafood stew, for $1 more. and instead of potatoes, she got pasta instead. it made more sense for her dish; looked better too. another friend got the veal dish; also looking very good. judging from the color and texture of it, can assume it's packed with flavors-- or some may consider it too rich or heavy. but she cleaned the plate so that's a good sign. as we finished/packed our meal, dessert came to mind, which was instantly squashed down by the reminder of how this place is run. the thought of "think pizza place except they have better decors and waiter service" resurfaced, and i dared not ask this time. the saving grace is the waitress (Elise her name?) was very pleasant, and never rushed us out even though we continued to chill while waiting our to-go meal to arrive AND chilled some more afterwards. there were a couple empty tables yet to be filled and there was no line outside, so i guess it wasn't a problem. but upon our exit, this guy in chef's outfit (who helped bring us food earlier) SAW us leaving, yet didn't make any gesture to bid us farewell. maybe he did after i exited, but i wouldn't have known. for all these reasons, and the fact that this place serves no drinks and takes no credit card, ratings are decreased. plus the fact that the place is REEEEALLY cramped coz they're trying to fit in as many tables as possible. we had to literally MOVE the table to let my friend out. wow. really?
(3)Pinky S.
Food was so bad, so bad that we didn't even touch the bolognese after initial tasting. The pasta was undercooked. My chicken piccata and my husband's meat dishes tasted the same as they were both covered with same sauce as the base. Only the sauce was bitter. The baked filo was descent, but salad underneath had an overpowering dressing. Everything is laden with cheese and burnt garlic which gives off a bitter taste, so everything tasted like parmasen and bitter garlic. If I can give it zero stars I would.
(1)Ross S.
***THIS REVIEW IS IMPORTANT TO READ*** I have been to Sweet Basil 3-4 times and I am here to set the record straight. The 4 1/2 Yelp review is VERY deceiving and Sweet Basil is very much undeserving of that score. I frequent many great eatery's around the Boston area and although Sweet Basil is decent, it is by no means "elite." 1. Most of their dishes are extremely heavy. For example the Roasted Chicken with pancheta in a garlicky Parmesan cream sauce is unappetizing. Thick, heavy wayyyyyyyyyyy over "cheesy." 2. The BYOB is totally fine, but they don't chill the wine other than throwing it in a bucket of ice. And they literally serve ZERO beverages...?? Just nasty tap water. And I am not being snobby about tap water... just so happens that Sweet Basil's has a terrible "off-taste." 3. My big complaint about this place is that in nearly all their dishes they feel the need to sprinkle Parmesan cheese over everything. First of all, in many cases, doing so makes no sense. I am sorry but I do not want my veal Marsala or Shrimp Scampi to have cheese on it. Not traditional, and a SIN to mix fish and cheese. They give a good effort, but for the most part this place falls flat on their face. They appear to be a a quaint Italian eatery nestled in downtown Needham, but they are a bit pretentious and the cooking is semi-sloppy. If you like this place, you like heavy, over sauced, over cheesed dishes. Maybe your into sloppy "comfort-foodesque" dishes. I am not.
(2)Raul G.
I read the many positive reviews and decided to try Sweet Basil out on a weeknight to avoid the potential for a long wait. My wife and I walked right in, and were promptly seated at a table right next to the window. The decor is great, and the music they were playing was an eclectic (and awesome) mix of music from over the decades. We started off with some tasty bread and delicious pesto. I order the bolognese and my wife ordered the shrimp scampi. Both dishes came out pretty quickly, and were absolutely fantastic. There was so much food, but it was really hard to stop eating considering how good it was. Our waitress was great, and the front of the house stopped by to check on things, too. The chef even delivered our meals, said hello, and packed our left-overs up for us. We were extremely pleased with our experience and will happily be returning to try out some of the other entrees that sounded so good. Just make sure to bring cash, as noted in other reviews. This is no big deal at all, however. And quite frankly, I kind of like the simplicity of it.
(5)Thurston H.
This place is my all time favorite restaurant in the Boston area. Each time I come here I am blown away. The favors, aroma and outstanding service will keep you coming back again and again! I had the steak egg rolls which were braised in soy and filled with fresh crunchy veggie. Outstanding app....then I had a bolognese pasta dish that put to shame any, And I mean any NYC Little Italy or North End restaurant with the most incredible combination of mushrooms, sausage in a delightful meat sauce that will knock your socks off!!! I have had the chicken parm before and the mushroom sandwich which all are also amazing. The menu is full of options. This is not just a pasta place....great fish dishes and incredible rustic bread wit pesto dipping sauce.....man this place ROCKS! I am already looking forward to going back again! This place is a Home Run! Helpful hint go early or late....no reservations...but worth any kind of wait.....seriously go....now!
(5)Erin M.
Funny story about the first time I tried Sweet Basil. It was my sister's birthday, and we wanted to meet up somewhere in the middle of where she lives and where I work. We decided on Needham, since I remembered seeing a place called Sweet Basil on Phantom Gourmet that I decided I absolutely positively had to try. While we were waiting, I was trying to remember what it was that made me decide I -had- to try this place. Was it a particular entree? Appetizer? Dessert? We were seated and given menus, and nothing looked familiar. Everything looked amazingly delicious, but not familiar. Hmm....... As we were perusing the menu, I started looking around, and noticed that the table next to us had -a lot- of wine... like a bottle per person. I thought to myself "Wow... that table spent a lot of money on wine!" And then, it hit me. The reason I decided I had to try this place: It's B.Y.O.B.! I love B.Y.O.B. places! So, despite the fact that I was only able to do half of wining and dining my sister for her birthday, Sweet Basil more than made up for it on the dining end! We had the baked filo as an appetizer, which was absolutely AMAZING! Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, served over baby greens and strawberries and topped with a truffle vinaigrette. 100% Delicious! For our entrees, I had the ravioli and my sister had the beet baked ziti. Both were terrific! Cheesy, saucy, and delicious! Our waitress saw us picking at each other's plates and was nice enough to bring over small plates for sharing. The portions were very generous, the prices were fair, and the food was absolutely delicious! I will definitely be returning to Sweet Basil, and next time I'll remember the wine!
(5)Kenten Z.
Dam. This place was too good. I love it. Had the best adult mac and cheese in the world. You start off with crazy good pesto and it only gets better from there. Go here and you will not regret it. Lunch is also super reasonable. Really you eat everything and you are like, "woah, DAM, this is too good"
(5)Kate M.
Can't get enough of this place. We take everyone we know.
(5)piggy c.
YAYYYYY!!! finally a good restaurant in BOSTON...my boss recommended me to try this place out...when i heard they serve bread and fresh pesto for starters i was sold...being an avid foodie i will travel far and beyond for food...we went for dinner we parked on the street...stepping out of your car you can smell roasted garlic it was just heavenly...thank goodness i brought an appetite...everyone was so friendly and cheerful when we walked in...the place was packed so we waited for 20 minutes or so...i was surprised to see the dishes coming out of the kitchen were huge!!!...the portions were huge!!! ATMOSPHERE: i really loved how intimate and quaint this was...it's a no frills type restaurant but the feel is cozy and a bit rustic...the waiters were attentive and super nice FOOD: MUSSELS- if you ate this alone...this could very well be your dinner...the plate was huge and was packed with mussels...each mussel was sooo plump and fresh...i sopped the rest of my juice with the bread doused in pesto Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce tossed with ziti - This dish was amazing...yet sooo rich i was sooo full on bread and mussels i took about 4 bites and i was tapped out ...this was amazing...the ziti was cooked al dente...the cream sauce was rich and garlicky.... this is my def. go to place if i am craving for awesome Italian and a romantic evening with a beau
(5)Gabrielle K.
the best lunch spot ever, dinner time gets very busy but lunch is perfect because its not too crowded and you still get the delicious pesto and bread with a lunch sized entree. Personally the beet salad is the best in the entire world.
(5)matt c.
I feel bad, because the wait staff is great, but, the chicken parm was chewy and needed to be pounded with a mallet. Picky, but if I'm gonna give something four or five stars, they're gonna have to either serve booze or serve the food properly. If it wasnt so high class (i.e. expensive) i wouldnt have a problem. i get it. you have family money and want to show off to your girlfriend/wife/mistress. just remember that you're a douche, not a connoissoir. you pay for what you get. you get three stars
(3)Jennifer D.
I am in LOVE with this place! You get to mix their fabulous pesto with a variety of extras, like olive oil, parmesan cheese and cracked red pepper, to make your perfect version...then the bread! The food is totally on point. I've gone for lunch and dinner, but prefer the laid back atmosphere of lunch. But we go for date night also...so maybe it is a toss up! I usually get the fish special at lunch, and I am never disappointed. Prices are really reasonable at lunch, and a bit pricier at dinner. But, it is BYOB so you save a bundle bringing your own bottle or so. Everyone is super friendly.
(5)RM J.
Absolutely average. Can only guess the high reviews are a result of being in the burbs. They use fresh ingredients but there was nothing special here.
(3)Jason R.
Surprisingly good for the price. My wife and I joke that all we ask for in a restaurant is correct seasoning and doneness---it's amazing how frequently even "top-notch" restaurants get one or both of these more than slightly wrong. Sweet Basil won't knock-your-socks-off (no vertical food, obscure/expensive ingredients), but they do know how to season accurately and cook to medium-rare (or the correct doneness). Dishes are large (you won't go away hungry). Wine is BYOB w/ $5 corkage (!) It's kid-friendly, but they don't have high-chairs or booster seats (we brought our own---worked great). They don't do dessert/coffee/tea. They know what they're good at and don't try to overreach. Last visit cost us $95 ($73 food/tax/tip, $22 Sancerre). At other restaurants, just the wine would have cost $78 (2.5x markup from $25 retail + 25% tax/tip).
(5)Special E.
Great food, great staff, great food.....Only reason I didn't give it a fifth star is the acoustics of the room. If it's busy, and it will be, good luck hearing conversations. That is my ONE and only criticism. Bring your own wine and bring cash....as has been mentioned, no credit cards. Portions are large and the cost is very reasonable. So large and so reasonable as far as cost that my wife and I didn't do our usual split. Go ahead and splurge on different dishes and flavors here. Thanks to YELP we found this place tonight. We will be back!
(4)Monier G.
One word, Unreal!!!!! Absolutely delicious!!! The food is Amazing prices are fair but get there early the line builds up fast!!
(5)Andrew M.
8/30/2009: Just had a great meal of chicken cacciatorre, only marred by the nagging memory that the ravioli I had last time was even better. The ravioli has mascarpone, goat cheese, ricotta, and...something else, I forget what, but it's all phenomenal. I guess this shouldn't influence my review, but we also bought the Sweet Basil cookbook for my mother last Christmas and she's gotten great results with everything she's cooked from it. If you go on a Saturday night, I recommend bringing a book, putting your name on the wait list, and going down the block to the park to read. UPDATE 8/31/2013: I had what I think is a new menu item -- sweet corn and goat cheese agnolotti ("a kind of ravioli typical of the Piedmont region of Italy, made with small pieces of flattened pasta dough"). GREAT addition, if it is in fact new. Other nice things: they served us a bruschetta-type snack while we waited outside (for only about forty minutes, not bad for a Saturday night). Also, for some reason I like the fact that the waiters here dress casually.
(5)Meredith D.
I LOVE this place. This is how dining and food should be. Lovingly and thoughtfully prepared, great music, quality ingredients, friendly service and BYOB. This is always where my husband and I go when we have a date night and don't want to go into the city. Plus their cookbook is fabulous and we have made a few delicious soups from it. Oh and their pesto that comes right when you sit down is heavenly.
(5)Snuffles B.
Bring cash. Bring booze. Wear your fat pants. Thats all you really need to know. But if you want details: Atmosphere: Warm, cozy, family/neighborhood restaurant feel Service: Uber friendly/attentive, but not-too-much-so staff. You get love from everyone who works there, including the owner. Food: WARNING: appetizers are dinosaur portions - Bread: Moist, pesto spread is very fresh - Duck confit/gnocchi - Good sauce, duck is good, gnocchi average. - Mussels - Very good, not too creamy, comes in full casserole dish - Mozzerella in marinara - The part of ziti or chicken parm that's left that you save to eat last, minus the ziti or the chicken - Baked gouda - The best of the appetizers, the gouda was the size of my hand and the "greens" = about a bag of salad. - Chicken picatta - strangely, in a red sauce, meh. - Veal - Friend said it was average. -Bolognese fettuccini - Pretty good, not too heavy, they seem to use the same base for their tomato based sauces, while very good, is also very ubiquitous. Generous on the beef and sausage. Overall, food is above average, but service and friendly environment are the real reasons that this place wins me over.
(4)Scott C.
Great lunchtime service on a Monday. Bolognese was excellent, not just a sloppy meat sauce as you often find. No credit card is a bummer, but pricing is full of value.
(4)J C.
I love Sweet Basil. I have been here about six times and my experience is consistently great. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. There's a lot of tables, but it doesn't feel crowded to me, just cozy! The owner is a real nice guy. He often greets you at the door, visits your table, and makes you feel at home. You can tell he cares a lot about the restaurant and making his guests happy. The food is great. You'll have leftovers for sure, or you could easily split your meal. Since there's usually a wait (because it's awesome), I walk down the block to the Indian restaurant and sit at the bar for a pre-dinner drink. Everyone around you is doing the same thing. Sweet Basil will call your phone when they're ready. They also expect that you're mid drink and won't rush you over. You can leave your booze at Sweet Basil so you don't have to carry it around while you wait. BYOB with a 5 dollar corkage fee is still a deal when you consider how much they jack up the price of alcohol in every other restaurant. Like a lot of small places, it's cash only. No big deal. I just wish I lived closer- Needham people are so lucky to have this restaurant at their fingertips. Jealous!
(5)Becca S.
The food is consistently excellent. There can be a long wait but it is well worth it. The pesto is delicious and plentiful. The atmosphere is very friendly and the owner makes you feel like you're old friends. BYOB, too!!!
(5)Ray Z.
Tried a pasta and a sandwich from lunch menu and both were excellent, will definitely come here again!
(4)Cindy K.
FINALLY! I was able to try this local neighborhood gem that I've heard rave reviews about. I've been meaning to come here for about a year now and everytime I try to go, there is always a very long wait. Now I know why! Food is delicious! We went with a party of 6 for a friend's birthday and we each got something different and all of us were really happy with our meal. I got the clams with broccoli rabbe over linguine which was soo yummy! The pasta is homemade --there is just something so amazingly good about homemade pasta. All the ingredients were really fresh and the food was really flavorful. The portions are very decent for the price. The only con about this place is that they only take cash so definitely hit up the ATM before you come. Other than that, service and food was great! So happy that it's right in town!!
(5)Brianna T.
I have been here twice, our first time was so amazing that at our next dinner date we had to go back. I tried the rosemary chicken and it was DELICIOUS! I also have tried the chicken parm and it was great. Meals are large and very filling. I will be going back again this year thats for sure. Anywhere with a 20 minute wait on a Tuesday is worth waiting for!!!
(5)Seth B.
Absolutely amazing. Everything on the menu is different and delicious. One of the most interesting places I've ever eaten.
(5)Tony U.
Why I'll go back: Delicious food and a staff that makes you feel like a regular You HAVE to order: baked gouda, ravioli Tony's Tip: the portions are huge, so don't cheat yourself - fast the day you eat there I was arranging dinner with three friends I hadn't seen in nearly a decade (okay, maybe "friends" is using the term liberally). None of us live in Needham, but Sweet Basil was centrally located between us, so we settled on having dinner there. I think I actually stumbled across this place through Yelp reviews in seeking out new places several months ago. By now, you're probably aware of the three sins they've committed as a restaurant: no reservations, no booze, and no credit cards. To everyone else who has been bitching, get over it! Hit the ATM, pick up a bottle of wine at the store on the way over, and then grab a drink down the street at The Village Fish while you wait. I showed up around 6:45 on a Friday and threw our name in. Dave greeted me as if I'd been coming there for years. People were milling about outside, but they'll take your cell number and just call you when your table is ready. So, we headed down to the Fish. A half hour and one pale ale later, we were seated. Sweet Basil has a very local and relaxed feel to it. There were a number of 30- and 40-somethings, and the place can get a bit loud, but not unbearable. Perhaps my only gripe is that the seats are somewhat stiff and uncomfortable, which is a pet peeve of mine if I'm gonna be sitting for two hours trying to enjoy a nice meal and conversation. Whatever. I'm over it. After the first bite of bread with that rich pesto spread, I was already distracted enough by my taste buds. Our waitress, Erica, was cute, bubbly, and knew the menu well. More than one Yelper had raved about the baked gouda. Erica vouched for it, so I went with it. Ridiculous, in every way. As I said earlier, this salad (a generous block of gouda, wrapped in a thin, flaky dough and served over lightly dressed greens) was huge. I literally could have had that alone as my meal. And even though I knew my ravioli was coming, I couldn't contain myself, and I killed the entire thing. When they brought out the entrees, the plates were so huge, we practically looked like pigs feeding at the trough. My ravioli contained several cheeses and was smothered in a flavorful marinara sauce. Each one was so delicate, there is no mistaking it was homemade. Honestly, I could easily go back there and order the same meal and be perfectly happy. It will take some will power to go with another option. As far as prices go, I think Sweet Basil is very reasonable. The appetizers and salads are basically all around $10 and there are only two entrees over $20 (lamb and steak). With tip, our meal for four came to $150. Throw in the two bottles of wine we brought and it was still under $200. I think this totally works as a date place, and I'm already scheming to figure out when I can get back there.
(5)James D.
My wife and I have been here twice and their food is some of the best in Boston and the surrounding suburbs. It's a small restaurant and cash only but you will not be disappointed. Bring your own bottle of wine and enjoy a great meal. I highly recommend it to anyone.
(5)Len M.
Great Italian dining & experience west of Boston. Staff and notably, chef/owner, Dave Becker, are very friendly & welcoming. We felt more hosted for dinner by friends, than patrons at a restaurant. Highly recommended! They serve complimentary bread and pesto with the pesto among the best we've had. I will be calling hoping that it is available for take out to serve for home dinner (w/ added hot Italian sausage & Penne) . Suzanne ordered Rosemary Chicken & I thought, "who would order that?" thinking it best saved as a lesser evil of wedding fare. My mistake! Wow, a rich delicious cream sauce, perfectly cooked asparagus, more (boneless) chicken than ziti (which is not typical of most Italian restaurants!). Fortunately she ate less than half (we enjoyed too much pesto and were nearly full when our meals arrived). The next morning I woke, ran to the fridge and finished it as a great breakfast! I had the Bolognese - also excellent. I am not a fan of mushrooms however these were large & few (unless I ate them thinking they were meat...). Also a great sauce - very flavorful. Ample portion - I finished less than half also. The pasta (both dishes) was a bit too al dente for my likes but I prefer a softer pasta than most. We were too full to consider desert. Our waitress nicely wrapped and labeled our left-overs in foil (not plastic or cardboard) containers which may be placed directly in an oven to reheat. Nice. Great experience start-to-finish. Looking forward to returning. Enjoy!
(5)Jesse B.
We have been 4 times so far, I am yet to have a single complaint about the food or service. everything is excellent.
(5)Kate N.
Love this place! The pesto that comes with the bread is so fresh and delicious. Or, if you are gluten free, they will give you a plate of crudites to dip. The Rosemary Chicken is a very rich dish - but the crispy pieces of pancetta, along with the asparagus and chicken all stand up well. Very friendly staff and a warm and inviting place. Make sure to bring cash, as they do not accept CC.
(5)Cayer N.
We live in town and this is basically our second kitchen. Love the food and the restaurant has tons of charm. Everything on the menu is fantastic...definitely order the homemade pesto!!!!
(5)Erika C.
Sweet Basil is just simply mind-blowing and trumps any restaurant in the north end of Boston or any Italian restaurant in New England for that matter (true statement). The bolognese is probably one of the best dishes I have ever eaten in any restaurant period. Cash only, long waits, possibly long travel time are all grievances that don't ever seem to matter because the food is THAT incredible. BYOB so bring a great bottle (or two) along with you. Service is fantastic, atmosphere so comfortable you will want to stay until you've eaten every last bite and drank every last drop. Price is right. Stop reading this review and go!
(5)Larry G.
I've probably eaten here a dozen times, up-and-down the menu. It's a fantastic place; great food and an excellent value. I took a friend from the UK there and he made a really good comment, "It's all about the food." It really is.
(5)Miriam L.
I dunno - this review may really be two stars, but I'm feeling generous. Plus, I hate being such an outlier. We came here last week for my mom's birthday. The hostess was nice enough, but has a brusque manner that I found a bit off-putting. Once seated, we were surrounded by servers (bussers?), but not our own waitress who could tell us the specials. We ended up getting calamari and risotto to split as appetizers. The calamari was excellent, and the risotto just ok. Mom and I shared a chicken marsala and the ravioli. I wasn't especially impressed with either, though my cousin happily finished his bolognese. They don't serve coffee or dessert, which is a shame, and are cash (or check) only, which is strange for a sit-down restaurant. I can't hold it against them that they don't serve alcohol, since it's not the restaurant's fault that Needham is a dry town. You can always bring your own. Also, the music was kind of odd, and it's a small space, so it gets fairly loud. I wasn't especially bothered, but my mother was. On the up side, the bread was quite good.
(3)Julie G.
this is the best place straight out of the North End. You might have to wait a little on weekends, but the food is worth it. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable . Felt like i could never leave wanting more. just in case though it is a BYOB and wine which they will gladly serve. Fantastic place Will definitely continue to repeat.
(5)Aboud Y.
Not a bad Italian spot but very overrated. I'd go back but I'm not in any rush. Keep in mind that this place is BYOB And CASH ONLY!
(3)Reid F.
There are very few BYO establishments in Boston, so right off the bat, Sweet Basil is worth frequenting because you can bring a really good bottle of wine that is ready to drink (something very rare in most Boston restaurants) without having to pay restaurant wine prices. In addition, the food and service are very good, and the portions are large. The downsides are: 1. The high noise level. 2. The fact that they don't accept credit cards (but they do accept personal checks). 3. The earliness of the crowd--the place is full by 6:00 on weekends and remains that way all night. 4. No reservations.
(4)Heather A.
Three words: braised lamb shank. Fall off the bone, loads of fresh veggies, and insane polenta. Perfectly cooked and seasoned, large portion that try as I might, could not finish in one sitting. Great atmosphere, fantastic service. Worth the hour and half wait on Saturday night to get in.
(5)Lynn S.
I have known Dave B for many years and SB when it was very small. He takes pride in all of his dishes and I have not had one I don't like. Great food, Good service and without writing a novel. Just delicious!
(4)Frank B.
Long-time fan of Dave's place. Our go-to place for a real good meal and fun evening out. BYOB a plus. Albums covers on the check book and music on the ipod always of interest. Visited last evening and had another enjoyable meal. I realized that Sweet Basil is all about the flavors. From the pesto and caesar salad to the main course, lots of interesting flavors that are a bit unique. Scampi, Rosemary chicken and scallopini were the selections at our table. Thumbs up on all three with some for leftovers as well. Once you know the drill for SB....expect a wait, bring cash, BYOB, - just show up, go with the flow, and enjoy.
(5)Sarah H.
Disclaimer: I'm not a fan of cheese, tomato sauce, pasta or anything associated with Italian cuisine save garlic and bread .. having said that, I really enjoyed this place and would definitely return for a second dinner. I had the chicken cacciatore and two others I was with had the lamb shank. As I have been told, the lamb shank is one of the all time best i-will-never-need-or-want-to-try-anything-else type dishes. The serving sizes are huge--enough for two meals. What was even better than the food and probably the best I have experienced in New England, is the service. Everyone from the hostess to the waitstaff to the bussers and the manager--and i mean everyone on the floor--was so attentive and friendly. It felt as if we were guests in somebody's home. I look forward to going back and expanding my cheese and tomato hating horizons.
(4)D R.
100% worth the wait. Sweet Basil is consistently busy with hour plus wait times. Wait the hour plus. The pesto spread and bread before the meal are excellent. Highly recommend their Greek Salad for a starter and for entree...my favorite is the Bolognese. The owner, Dave, told me it is his favorite. When you try it, you will soon learn why it is has remained on this menu from the opening of the restaurant. If you want something lighter than the Bolognese, try the Braised Veal (or Chicken) with port wine, mushrooms, and figs (their own twist on a Marsala). Excellent food!
(5)Michelle K.
The food here is outstanding. I grew up in Needham and I love, love that we have a restaurant like Sweet Basil in town. There really is no other place like it in the area. Wonderful date place, the food is so delicious and comforting. I believe it is BYOB, so just keep that in mind. Love it here, really friendly staff too. Every person I have taken there has loved the food.
(5)Jennifer K.
Love it here! Chicken Picatta and Rosemary Chicken are amazing! The Rosemary Chicken has a delicious cream sauce, but if you aren't in the mood for such a heavy sauce, a friend told me that you can have the Rosemary Chicken with the Picatta sauce... I haven't done this yet but I am going to try it for sure! Bread & pesto are yummy too (I hear the pesto has no nuts!).
(5)Liz S.
Don't take reservations, have very few tables, and don't take credit cards. This is why I haven't been back in years, but the food was DELICIOUS! So sometime when I have the time and patience to put up with these things I'm definitely going back!
(5)Paul S.
A homerun in Needham with Sweet Basil! There are many wonderful things about Sweet Basil. First and foremost, you must get their as soon as they open if you want to get a table fairly quickly because it is a hot spot and the seating capacity is not very big. The food quality is superb, with each entree offering something special. My favorite on the menu is Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce with ziti for $19.95! Mix that with a glass of wine, and if your like me, it spells major carb crash, but what a fantastic pasta dish full of flavor! The atmosphere is modern and trendy with coctail-loungy music to set the mood just right. There is no alcohol here so you must BYOB!($5.00 corkage fee) Now, I love this concept because you get much more grapes for your dollar and it allows you to save tons. Another important aspect is there is no deserts on the menu. Once again, I like this also because for one, I never have room for it anyway at the end, and two it saves you another 20 bucks or so. Another cool aspect of this restaurant is you can hear the clanging of the pots and pans as the kitchen is very close to you no matter where you get seated. The service in my experience has always been speedy, attentive and polite. Dave the owner seems like a real cool person and very approachable. We have been outta there for 50 bucks plus whatever we spent on the bottle of vino many times, and that is a whale of a deal with a quality dining experience in my opinion. The bolognese pasta dish and any of their risottos are also fantastic. If you have not tried Sweet Basil, you must get there at least once, and be sure to pick up your wine along the way. Monday through Friday they are open at 5 pm, and trust me, you want to be there at 5pm. Saturday they open at 4 pm - follow the same rule. ****** Cash Only*******
(4)Melissa D.
I am so impressed with a small local business who cater to true quality food and service. If you have seen my reviews, I am very particular and stress service since this can make or break your dining experience. Sweet Basil makes you feel welcome and treats each customer like a yelper who is eagerly waiting to write a review. It's a very simple layout with tables mostly 2-tops with a few group tables. Please note you can byob/w and they do not take reservations or credit cards. I parked behind masala art and cvs, that sneaky parking lot The hostess welcomed us with a big smile and since it was early (6:00pm) we were able to get the 2top right by the window. At the end of the evening, the hostess helped recork our wine bottle when our waitress couldn't get to us. A definite plus in service. Not an overwhelming menu and the entrees range from 18-21 dollars. My friend had the seafood fra diavlo - linguine covered with calamari, shrimp, clams, mussels. Since the size of the shelffish were small, they compensated with the quantity in your plate. I had the rosemary chicken with pancetta, spinach in a cream sauce over ziti. The pasta is al-dente and the crispy bits were hidden gems that flavored the sauce. I noticed the chef and some of the cooks came by and picked up the empty plates and asked how their meal was. This is such a great concept and this gives them a chance to always seek room for improvement.
(5)Albert R.
I am visiting the greater Boston area for a few months, and yelp did not disappoint with this recommendation. The food here s brilliant, and I have come in once a week while I have been here. The start you off with a serving of fresh bread and pesto sauce - nice alternative to the oil/balsamic. don't be fooled into eating too much of it, the food is good and the portions are large. I have had the bolognese and the short ribs. the bolognese was rich and creamy, and served over pasta that was cooked perfectly al dente. Short ribs were succulent and tender, and served with mashed potatoes so creamy, they alone must have wrecked my diet. I also had the risotto appetizer, which was not a traditional risotto, but still delicious. Another review here spoke of having a negative experience in regards to the service. On my first visit, I arrived at was must have been there busiest hour. I was seated as soon as a table was available. Even though I was eating alone, they seated me at a table meant for multiple people. the waitress, listed the specials, frequently checked on me, and, when my order was taking longer than expected, provided me with a sample of the risotto appetizer while I waited. That particular waitress is not currently working there, and I haven't received that level of service since she has left, but all the staff is very friendly, helpful, and I have never felt neglected. The value I got was the most shocking thing of all. Every meal I have ordered has been under $23 dollars before the tip, and I am as often as not walking away with left overs that are pretty darn good reheated. Now there are some drawbacks to this restaurant, but they have nothing to do with the food, which is why I still gave tem five stars. First, parking is atrocious, but that is just a problem in this small town in general. The seating is rather cramped, and they fill up rather quickly, but I consider that a problem related to their success. They have take out, if you decided not to stay, but be prepared to be relatively close to your neighbor, the kitchen, or the front door. The music is an unusual mix, not what I would have expected for a restaurant of this type (you just have to experience it to know what I mean) and I can imagine that it would be kind of obtrusive if you were trying to hold a conversation. It does not, however, interfere with the eating. Lastly, it is kind of a pain to have t bring your own alcohol, especially for us out-of-towners. I have no problems highly recommending this restaurant for food, service and value unsurpassed.
(5)Nancy W.
Just had a wonderful lunch with a friend at Sweet Basil. Its great to know they are just as good for lunch as dinner. Our favorite is to get carryout from Sweet Basil and relax at home after a busy week. All the entrees are worth trying - the lamb is a favorite. And I would rather have aother piece of the bread they serve than have desser - its that good.
(4)R T.
Excellent food, service, and ambiance. The menu is not huge, but there should be something on there for everyone. The quality of the food was excellent, and the portions were large. The service staff was very friendly and prompt. We only waited 10 minutes to receive our food from the time it was ordered. This restaurant is BYOB (wine or beer) which was nice since we weren't getting gouged with restaurant prices for a bottle of wine. They did charge a $5 corking fee, which is standard at most BYOB restaurants. The only area for improvement is the noise level. If you listened carefully, they were playing some good background music. But you couldn't easily hear it as the restaurant noise level is a bit loud.
(5)Jim D.
This is hands down one of the best restaurants in the Boston area. I've been doing take-out from Sweet Basil for years now but finally decided to actually dine here on Saturday evening. Their food has always been fantastic in the past and it definitely remains fantastic now. A nice surprise was that the charming Chef Dave Becker was there to greet and seat us. He was very friendly and even offered us a complimentary glass of wine. Sweet! The inside is cozy and comfortable but on the smaller side. It was much smaller before they expanded so be thankful it's the size it is right now. I typically get the seafood fra diavolo (which is still offered but just not on the menu) but decided to get the lamb ossobuco. Let me tell you - that is one phenomenal dish! Utterly tender, succulent and mind-bogglingly delicious. Their portions are also extremely generous so be sure to come with plenty of room in your belly. A great perk is that it's BYOB - gotta love that! This place gets extremely packed on just about any night of the week so it's a very good idea to come early. Also, don't forget your cash as they only take cash and checks. If you haven't visited Sweet Basil yet, I think your visit is long overdue.
(5)P Q.
Heard this was a great restaurant. Wrong. Very disappointed. Chopped tomatoes on everything. My friend ordered Chicken Scallopini and I ordered Sweet Carrot Gnocchi in lemon broth and the sauces could have been interchangeable - lots of chopped tomatoes on both even though no mention of tomatoes in the description of the gnocchi. Try it if you must when it is quiet . . . but don't waste your time if you have to wait to be seated.
(2)Michele B.
Every time I go here I think, Wow, I really should go here more often. But I am usually deterred by the long wait. The portions are large and filling. I had the ziti with beets and a squash ragu which was fantastic. The seafood stew was also good and so large that it is served in a pyrex casserole dish. I thought this was a little tacky but my dining companion was pretty happy. Overall, the atmosphere is closer to you would expect in a college town rather than a suburb (though I guess Needham does have one college). It's also a legal BYOB so it's a good opportunity to bring a nice bottle of wine. Which of course you can't buy in Needham - I think the nearest Liquor store is Upper Falls Discount Liquor in Newton, or at the same distance Bazaa grocery store across the street.
(4)J M.
Went last night with another couple that lives in Needham. My friend's wife is an Italian and she loves this place, so I thought this must be awesome. And it was! We arrived at 7 for dinner, and the wait was about 45 minutes. They don't take reservation, and for a Saturday night I thought that was fairly acceptable. The food was amazing. I ordered the scallops and it was done very well. I'm a fan. One good thing also is that this place is a BYOW (bring your own wine). That is fantastic. They do charge an uncorking fee, $5 I believe, but you avoid the typical 500% upcharge on bottles of wine. To top it all, we sat next to Steven Tyler (yes the guy from Aerosmith). It was an awesome experience. The owner who was going to have the night off, rolled up his sleeves and cooked for him. I would too. How often can you say, "I cook for Steven Tyler"? Anyways, a solid five stars. Will be going back. A north end quality restaurant in Needham!
(5)Danielle L.
I don't get the hype about this place. I've been to Sweet Basil twice now and both experiences were just okay. This time, I took my mom because I saw on the Internet that they were one of about 40 restaurants that are donating a percentage of their earnings tonight to the victims of the marathon. I was eager and happy to contribute but when I asked our waiter about it, she said she didn't know what percent of the evening's sales would be donated nor did she know anything about the charity. Before leaving, I asked the host as well and he didn't know either. There was otherwise no mention or signage about it so I wonder if other people even knew about it. Seemed half-assed and not heartfelt at all. Our food was okay but the serving sizes were huge given that we only ordered starters. Too much food! And our waitress was slammed so our service was quite slow. I was turned off by the drab decor - specifically the glass ball full of beads, feathers, and other odd dusty things that are not appealing as a centerpiece. I don't think I'll be going back - even if it's for a good cause.
(2)Caroline D.
small place, not too much on the menu to choose from. got something plain and simple - the handmade raviolis.... but they were terrible!! swimming in sauce, hard as a rock on the outside (shouldve brought a chisel just to get to the middle). now, the filling of 3 cheeses (not a fan of goat cheese but i can deal on occassion), were hard to swallow. there are no drinks other than water or bring your own wine for a 5$ charge which left me with no way to wash the taste of those nasty raviolis out of my mouth. bring cash as they dont accept credit cards - so my bf had to leave after ordering his food and find an atm machine. we were not informed by the waitress or host or even read a sign upon entering that they dont accept cash it is however noted in small print on their menu. when we arrived we waited about 10 minutes for a table. the woman who sat us, never gave us a menu. after another 10 minutes of waiting for our waitress, we had to stop one and ask for a menu. no apologies either. so we got our bread and pesto, which was ok. nothing bad or good about it. we asked for another bowl, and had to ask twice before she brought it to us, again with no apology. finally we were asked if we wanted our food to be wrapped up to go. of course we did, i mean who wouldnt bring home an 18$ bowl of uneaten raviolis??? she said shed be right over. we had to ask for boxes and bags three times. she didnt apologize for not bringing it over the first two times either. seems to be the theme of that thursday night.... needless to say after alot of rants and raves from people saying how delicious the place is, i found it to be anything but & ill never go back. my boyfriend got the chicken parm, he liked it and would go back ( but i guess it would be without me ). he said it wasnt his favorite place. hes the reason im not giving this place one star.
(2)Mark B.
My weekly go to, my favorite for entertaining out of towners when food and fun are at the top of the list (they always are). Great staff (both FOH & BOH), great music, great ambiance. Always super accomodating for requests, needs. What more can I say? I always try to go early in the evening to avoid waiting - cause I love to eat. Beet noodles are my current passion, but the Osso Bucco kills, too.
(5)Abby M.
My family loves to dine out...and we may be monotonous, but NO ONE protests when, 90% of the time, we decide to go to Sweet Basil. We've been coming here for years. It is a never-fail option when taking someone new out. Although they keep coming out with new, enticing dishes, it is always an inner struggle not to order the tried, true, and delicious. For me it is: -Pan-fried mozzarella (to those nay-sayers: save a couple pieces of bread and sopp up the good stuff! Yes it's messy but that's part of the fun) -Baked gouda over greens...YUM -Ravioli -Rosemary Chicken ...I'm not a big meat person, so I am usually most tempted by the appetizers. If you've read the other reviews, you know the appetizers are plenty as a meal. As with most restaurants, the specials are guaranteed to be fresh and worth the risk of the unknown. They don't serve desserts or even coffee, but a frozen custard place just opened next door. Fact is, their apps and entrees are so well done and so enormous that none but the die-hard sweet tooths will be craving dessert after a meal at sweet basil. Also-- we've come here for a few birthday dinners and they will happily serve a cake you bring from home with candles and singing. The wait staff is friendly, helpful, and usually sincerely enthusiastic about the food they serve. You get an oversized glass full of water that will never reach the bottom thanks to attentive busboys, a basket of fresh bread with amazing pesto, and no one rolls their eyes when you ask to take your leftovers home. We usually come here early-ish on weekdays, to avoid the wait. BYOB, bring enough cash, and ENJOY!!!
(5)Christopher S.
It has been some time since my last visit but I wanted to write a review about my experience. A few months ago I decided to take my girlfriend out to dinner here for our anniversary. Knowing we each have been to Sweet Basil before we met I thought it would be nice to go together. Bringing my own bottle of Bull's Blood red wine we set off to the restaurant. Aware they do not take reservations we left so we could arrive hopefully before the dinner rush. At the podium we were greeted by a really friendly man who sat us at I believe the last available table for two. Our waitress came by, opened our bottle of red ($5 charge), gave us bread and pesto then took down our order. -Pan roasted mozzarella with basil marinara Served during dinner only -Chicken scaloppini with lemon, capers, tomatoes, spinach and pasta on the side -Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce tossed with ziti Soooooooooo, frickin' good! We sat enjoying our meal, checked on by the waitress and owner (?) to make sure everything was to our liking. I was happy to be in a place where I didn't feel rushed and I could take my time even though a line was out the door. It's nice to find that there are little places that serve up quality food and make you feel comfortable. I can see why this place is a local favorite. The only part of my meal that I did not enjoy was that a few of my zitis were a bit on the crunchy side. Other than that I have nothing bad to say about Sweet Basil. Great for dates!
(4)AB H.
I was really disappointed with my dinner last night. Both the appetizer, gazpacho, and the main course, roasted chicken and pasta, were way too salty. And I felt way too full and heavy after eating only about a 1/4 of my dinner. The crispy pancetta were not edible: over cooked and salty. The creamy parmesan sauce was too heavy. Overall, I would not go back, and I wonder how it's gotten so many good reviews.
(2)Omri G.
One of the best restaurants I eat in! A confession, I am not a big fan of the culinary scene in the Boston area, I think there are some good places but for the most it's boring and and not creative enough, and then we found Sweet Basil... The food is so surprising with it's flavor, the looks of it is so colorful and the creativity of the food is very unique and reflect the love and thought that was put in each dish we ordered. The service is also very pleasant and warm. The only problem is that it's hard to get a table at the busy hours and the wait is a bit long, but that's fine by me.
(5)Lana R.
Love, love, love. First of all, it's BYOB. Liquor store down the street :) The hostess made us feel immediately welcome as she took our names down. They were totally full on a Tuesday evening. There are chairs to wait outside. We were seated at a lovely table by the window about 20min later. They offer a pesto spread and amazing bread to start. We also got a goat cheese/beet salad that was incredible. Fresh and delicious. Hubby ordered their special - a beef brisket mushroom risotto and I got the rosemary chicken ziti (no bacon). Both were excellent. Huge portions. NOTE: they do not do dessert.
(5)Kate R.
This is my absolute favorite restaurant. Me and my boyfriend live in town and we go here occasionally. It is such a treat! We love the atmosphere - cozy, unpretentious, low lights, fresh flowers, mismatched plates and bowls, and a cool old-fashioned bottle of water at every table. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and casually dressed. (You can wear whatever you want here and you wouldn't be out of place.) The food is AMAZING. My boyfriend typically gets the bolognese dish or the lamb - delicious. I've gotten the chicken and pasta dish, which is very good, and also the beet and goat cheese salad with the fish of the day. We've never had a bad dinner and you typically get a couple meals out of it because the portions are quite big. Expensive with entrees in the 20-25 dollar range, but worth every penny. CONS: Go early (at 5, 5:30) or after the dinner rush - They won't take reservations. I wish that they served dessert, but then they would never be able to accomodate everyone that wants a table.
(5)Shannon W.
AMAZING. This is my favorite restaurants in the greater boston area. Everything is so fresh and delicious, and the service is great.
(5)Jenn S.
After hearing about Sweet Basil for years, I was so excited when we finally got the chance to go! We went at 5 on a Friday night (we have a toddler), and were seated right away, which I understand is rare. They don't have any high chairs, so my husband ran home to get our travel one, which is a negative. But the staff was so baby/kid-friendly, that it's not a huge deal. They immediately brought yummy bread with a DELICIOUS pesto sauce. I couldn't get enough. And the waitress said I could get a small bowl of pasta with butter or sauce for my son. That came out quick and was a good size. It wasn't anything amazing (pasta with sauce), but he enjoyed it. I got the special risotto and my husband went for his standard - the chicke parm. The portions are huge (although he polished his off) and both were tasty but not amazing. Maybe our expectations were so high due to the rave reviews? My risotto was quite salty and his chicken wasn't as crispy as he likes. Don't get me wrong - we enjoyed it and would go back, but we weren't wowed as much as we thought we'd be. We loved the funky atmosphere - they had fun music & decor. My husband paid while I brought our son outside, so I don't know exactly how much everything was, but it's not cheap. Which is not a surprise.
(4)Beth J.
This is the BEST Italian food I've had in forever! The bread and pesto they serve was a perfect start. My family and I shared the Calamari, Cesar salad (no anchovies!), Chicken Parmesan, and Shrimp Scampi. The portions are huge so we had lots of leftovers. EVERYTHING was perfect. The service and ambiance were great. It's BYOB and they don't serve dessert-cause who even wants it after food like this!
(5)B D.
Everything about this place was good. BYOB, waitress was very polite and helpful, we got delicious bread, dishes were phenomenal. Will come back for sure.
(5)Al M.
We found this place on a last minute Yelp search. Seemed to be the best food in the area, and it's possibly the best food within 10 miles. Killer pastas, veal, chicken. Salads were superb. Great dining room and very cool staff. Prices were right in line with what I would expect given the food quality. Everything we ordered was well prepared and well seasoned. Veal w port wine sauce, cheese ravioli with marinara, chicken parm, and a special corn agnolotti. I would drive an extra 45 mins to enjoy this meal again. No question.
(5)Lexie S.
So good! And such a cute place. The food was really good and the staff was friendly. Would definitely come back.
(4)Rich C.
Visiting from Southern California- Sweet Basil was the most refreshing reminder of what true Italian food is. I wanted to go out for some pasta with my sister before a long run tomorrow, so I naturally went to Yelp for some advice and found this gem. Over 200 reviews with a 4.5 star average = a must try. We arrived 20 min after they opened and were lucky to not have to wait. We were some of the last couple of couples to fill it out. I didn't take notice to any exaggerated decor or efforts to stand out. Less is more sometimes and this place gets it! It was just right. We were received and seated and given some refreshing water and bread with pesto. Our waiter came soon thereafter with a personable introduction and before we could blink she took our bottle of wine and had it uncorked. We had all the time time we need to order from the small menu: Gnocchi and fried oysters over fresh veggies to start, the bolognese and she had the lamb and grits. Small menus usually leave me wondering why they don't give more options, but this is quite the contrary for a business like this. Why? It is ALL excellent. There is simply no need to "get creative." Over the hum of music and the chatter of all the other patrons, we enjoyed some wine and gnocchi. This gnocchi was bigger and softer than I've had before ... And simply spectacular. The fried oysters and the veggies were incredibly fresh and the presentation of it all was not overdone. The taste of the food here is clearly the centerpiece. No need to gift wrap their food. The bolognese came out and I think I drooled. The portion was so much bigger than it looked and I found myself having to pace my dinner. The flavors, texture, and body of the dish was IMPECCABLE. I have never had better bolognese. Luckily my sister gave me a taste of her lamb and grits which almost sent me through the ceiling it was so good! The service, ambiance, and just the love I have for the East Coast (originally from NJ) all constructed a simply incredible dining experience. This place could not do any better in any way. Will always come back if I'm in town.
(5)Don G.
The food is fantastic. Can't say anything else. Eaten there many times, never had a meal that anything less than 5 stars. Ate there the other night with family and it didn't disappoint. Long wait for a table but worth it. There aren't too many places like this that give big servings to big eaters like me and unbelievably great food at the same time. Great pesto served with bread as a starter, I could make that my meal.
(5)Sheila R.
LOVE Sweet Basil. The food and atmosphere are always wonderful. We'll often do take out as the restaurant doesn't take reservations so the wait can be very long on a warm summer night. Food and service are both exceptional and always a treat!
(4)Jennifer G.
Delicious Italian food! Small cozy restaurant in Needham Center with plenty of street parking available. Fun fact: it's BYOB and they just charge you $5 for a bottle opening fee. There's a wine shop down the street. No Italian meal is whole unless you start off with a fresh basket of bread. The pesto dip is delicious. Wish the bread was warmer, but it was still pretty good. Don't fill up too quickly on the bread! For our table of 5, we started off with two starters: the calamari and the mussels. Both were delicious. Tip: soak the bread in the mussel sauce - it's perfect. I got the bolognese dish for my entree. All the portions here are very generous! I ate half and was full. Perfect for lunch the next day. The pasta was a little tough to separate from the rest of the ingredients so I was struggling a little bit at first, but can't complain. Tasted great. My friends got the risotto, rosemary chicken, scallops, and shrimp scampi. All were great, except the scallops dish comes with prosciutto that's WAY too salty. It makes you cringe. We sent that back and they were understanding about it and switched out for a different dish instead. Overall great dining experience! Can't wait to come back.
(4)Brian O.
I ordered the basil chicken and scrapped the basil off which to my surprise was very easy. When I left the restaurant I rolled it and smoked it. Best high I've ever achieved
(5)Rebekah C.
I am a big fan of Sweet Basil. This is a very small place, they don't take reservations I love that it is BYOB so you can bring a couple bottles of delicious wine to enjoy with good food and pay way less then you would if you had to pay per glass. The food is delicious and I love how they serve the meal on hand made pottery. The pesto is delicious. The staff has always been friendly and done a great job during my visits.
(4)Kaitlyn W.
The food here is delicious. There was no wait for the table and immediately we were served with bread and their amazing pesto. We asked for seconds on the bread-- but save room for the main course! Although the lunch menu was a bit limited, there was nothing we ordered that we didn't like the. The fusilli bolognese is absolutely fantastic, the best I've ever had. The portions are filling, and we left feeling satisfied. Highly recommended.
(5)Michelle C.
Lunch review The pesto is ah.may.zing! I couldn't stop eating it and was making the biggest pig out of myself in front of my work-lunch coworkers. More pesto! MORE PESTO!! It's so garlicky, I was in heaven! The main meal was okay, I had the special risotto but it was undercooked...although I was really caring that much cause I just ate more pesto,..what is wrong with me?!
(4)Albie D.
Extremely disappointed with my experience here, and I'd never be back or recommend it to others. Overall - rushed service and mediocre food. Scratch that - inedible food, i.e. RAW PASTA. I'm surprised at the popularity of this place. What do people see here? Went Friday at opening with my DC and we were immediately rushed to order, drink our wine, and hurry things along. Blonde waitress was brusque and cheerily condescending. Hadn't been sitting more than five minutes when we were asked what we wanted to order - didn't even get a chance to chat and fully read the menu- so I couldn't really comment on what was on it. The meal: Bread and pesto was the best part of this meal. Unfortunately, it was all downhill. Ordered the Caesar salad which came in a gigantic, deep bowl. It was soggy, overdressed, and SALTY with chewy and sticky whole anchovies slopped on top. I'm a fan of anchovies, but this was too much and unappetizing. This salt level was so salty it left an unsavory taste in my mouth lasting well until the next day. Back to the rushed service: I kid you not, I put my fork down to pick up my glass, and the waitress came over, put her hands on the bowl and tried to take it away as I was still eating. I was so taken aback by this intrusiveness, that my DC had to say, "she's not done yet!" I ordered the ravioli, which was described as fresh and handmade. I've never seen ravioli presented this way. It was essentially a BOWL, a full bowl, of sauce, with what i think was ravioli hidden in its depths. As I ate it it, the cheese seeped out into the pool of sauce, and became a huge amorphous slop of red and white cheese. AND THE PASTA WAS RAW. It was not cooked. RAW PASTA. Thick and deconstructed ravioli. Raw. In a puddle of sauce. The sauce was clearly homemade, but it was so garlicky that I was smelling like garlic well into the next day. Additionally, it was so hot that I immediately scalded my mouth on it. I'd bet money most of their dishes are prepped ahead of time en masse and then they heat them up in a way that would cause uneven and scalding temperatures.How else would they be so fast with their food? Raw pasta is inexcusable, hence the 1 star. I was surprised when no desert or coffee was offered, I had thought it was a not so subtle way of letting us know we have to go - but apparently that's their practice, no coffee (is it because they want to turn the table over?) - which is fine, but perhaps they should make that clear - somewhere. Also, it confirms that this place is more about the quantity of diners than the quality of their food. Rush, rush, rush, rush. SALTY, bad food, more rushing, RAW PASTA, rush. Unceremoniously plopping of the check. Good riddance.
(1)Jonathan F.
First time there and very happy. On a Thursday night there was about a 45 minute wait but the weather and company were terrific and it went by quickly. Matt, the maitre d was as good as they get, highly attentive, efficient and friendly. The dining area is a bit tight- hey, it's popular- but comfortable and there's a very good wait staff. I was with a party of oenophiles and being able to bring our own wine added another dimension and made the check much more reasonable. We shared appetizers and main dishes. Muscles were delicious. Beef bolognese with tasty bits of sausage and the rosemary chicken were highlights. Looking forward to repeating soon.
(5)Lindsey M.
I really like the food at Sweet Basil but there are a few things that really bother me, with that being said: Would I come back? Yes. Pro's: 1. The food is excellent, I have never had a bad meal here. The sauce is very good and everything is very fresh and flavorful. 2. BYOB - Although some people do not care for it, I love bringing a nice expensive bottle of wine to dinner and not paying a markup of 50-60%. 3. Location - Easy to find and easy to park (street, parking lot, etc). 4. Staff is super nice to deal with and WILL call you when your table is ready. They are also able to give you suggestions as to where you can get a glass (or two!) of wine while you wait. 5. Prices are affordable and you do get a lot of food. 6. Corking fee is very reasonable. Con's: 1. No reservations, first come first serve and the wait! Even when I come early I am still waiting anywhere from 45-60 minutes. When I say I come early, I mean 5:00pm people! 2. No dessert or coffee. 3. I feel SO RUSHED here! I've never felt rushed in a restaurant before. This is the only place where they take your dinner plates and immediately run over to you with the check. I understand you have a long wait and I understand that you want to seat others. When I am waiting over an hour to sit down, I will take my time! 4. The restaurant is so small! There is no where to stand to wait and it is really hard to get in/out without bumping into someone or a table. 5. Dinner plates - I get the whole hand crafted beauty of the plates and they really are pretty. The problem I have is that many of the plates are chipped. This is a big health inspection no-no. When food or anything gets into those cracks, it absorbs into the clay and you can't clean it. Working at my old restaurant, we would have to throw away anything that had chips on it, as a standard industrial dishwasher does not clean these properly. This grosses me out, I see this mainly on the bread/appetizer plates. I have had chipped plates all three times I have been at Sweet Basil. The pro's outweigh the con's at Sweet Basil, we will be back.....but hopefully we will not have to wait an hour next time!
(3)Jacob G.
I liked Sweet Basil. BYOB is amazing. No reservations which kind of suck but that's what they do. Their pesto is really great. Wife got Halibut and said it was amazing. I got their Bolognese which was fine, nothing special. I'd think twice before getting pasta again, pasta was overdone and their bolognese sauce was trying to be something different and it just didn't get it right. It's one of those things that's perfect already, don't mess with it. I'll be coming back and trying something else since people love this place and it is 47th best in Boston area. Worst case I enjoy a bottle of wine from a packie and a fine meal.
(4)Iman S.
This restaurant is utterly phenomenal. The food is very good, the staff and the manager are super nice and the environment is very welcoming. Most importantly you can bring your own wine and enjoy :).
(5)Susan P.
I had to twist my husband's arm to try this place. First, he doesn't like that they don't take reservations; second, he said it's a "red sauce joint." I was very dismissive of his second point as I thought the menu was somewhat inventive, and there were many dishes I would not consider "red sauce." But he was right. In the end I was very underwhelmed. The best thing they have is the basil pesto for dipping the bread - it is quite good. Other than that, the food is very mediocre. We ordered calamari. They were cut up in really large chunks; if you used a fork and knife to cut them into bite size pieces the coating came off; also, under-seasoned. The tomato dipping sauce was really chunky so would not adhere to the calamari. Meh. My husband ordered the chicken parmesan, it came (as a huge portion) with a side of pasta (ziti). I suspect the huge portions have something to do with the great ratings. The ziti was overcooked and topped with a very chunky tomato sauce. Canned tomatoes. Nothing at all wrong with that (the finest places use canned tomatoes for this application), but it was as though that was it - canned tomatoes dumped on, no simmering, no olive oil, no garlic, no nothin'. And dumping sauce on to of pasta is a no-no; pasta should really be finished in the sauce to absorb it and meld with it (a la Lidia Bastianich), not merely topped. I ordered agnolotti with fresh corn. It turned out to be an ill-conceived dish. The pasta was really tough - either underdone or too thick or both. It's filling was ok, but very liquidy; it leached out all over the place when you cut the agnolotti (which were not bite size to begin with). It was all topped with a lot of arugula and tomatoes and onions - kind of salad-y. On a positive note, the wait staff and greeters were all very pleasant. I liked the funky decor.
(2)Wayne C.
A fantastic, unpretentious spot for a business lunch or a casual evening meal. The menu offers a little something for every taste. From the well plated salads to the unique summer soups to the fantastic mussels - everything is continental Italian and comes to the table with a smile and not a lot of fanfare. What struck me the most about the restaurant was the server. She made every effort to assure we were comfortable and well attended to - but provided us with plenty of space to drive into our business discussion without ever wanting for anything. Sweet Basil is the perfect place to relax and enjoy well prepared and beautifully presented Italian bistro fare. Oh - and well have great French fries!
(4)Dane K.
The Chicken Parm might be the best thing I have ever tasted. The bread is great and the staff is friendly. Would definitely say to go here if you get a chance.
(5)Alison R.
1. They do not have any alcohol here. Bring your own wine and beers!! 2. Come early. I got here at 7pm and the wait was 45 minutes to 1 hour. The host is super nice though and took our cell number so we could walk around the block. He called us when our table was ready. 3. It's a small restaurant so it's a bit loud and a bit cramped but the food is great. 4. I ordered the Bolognese and my husband ordered the Chicken in Cream Sauce. I would highly recommend both! 5. Definitely going back when I'm in the Needham area again!
(4)Jenn K.
HUGE portions. I feel like ordering one entree is good enough for two people especially considering how good their bread and pesto is that you won't need to really order anything else, but the problem with that is EVERYTHING ON THE MENU SOUNDS AMAZING. I came with two other friends and we decided to order the calamari (appetizer) which was actually a huge portion, but nonetheless delicious. My favorite part was how the marinara sauce had big chunks of tomato and had a hint of spice added. For entrees, we shared the lamb dish and roasted garlic chicken dish. The lamb was extremely moist and practically melted in my mouth. The roasted chicken dish came with pasta that was cooked to a perfect al dente with huge pieces of moist chicken and vegetables. The three of us shared two entrees and an appetizer and had plenty to take back home, overall it was definitely a great dining experience. The waiters are extremely friendly, so don't be hesitant to ask for more bread & pesto!
(4)Raphael Y.
Great food every time I come. The fresh pesto and bread is amazing. Beautiful feel and decor
(5)Darren W.
Great food and you can't beat BYOW. I went to the wine shop across the common and got a nice bottle.
(4)Roberta D.
Holy smokes! This place is no joke. My boyfriend brought me to Sweet Basil for my birthday dinner - he read a review and heard it was one of Boston's top area restaurants, and I can absolutely see why. We went on a Friday evening and there was about a 45 minute wait. They directed us to places in the area where we would wait in the meantime (the inside is extremely small and there is no where to wait). So we went to Farmhouse (right across the street) for some drinks and they called us when our table was ready. We were promptly seated and given the most delicious pesto dip I have ever tasted in my life, I swear I have been having dreams about that pesto dip ever since. As delicious as the dip is be sure to leave room for any appetizers or your main course meal. We ordered the calamari and we were positively stuffed at that point that we both barely touched our meal. For my main meal I ordered the Rosemary Chicken. I am kind of disappointed with the way it is described on the menu - it reads rosemary chicken with pasta, I think it would be better to phrase it pasta with chicken. I expected a main chicken dish and some pasta on the side not the other way around. Overall, this place is excellent - they have an exciting menu and great eclectic vibe. Heads up for everyone it is BYOB and I guess in the past they only took cash but they do take cards now.
(5)Craig M.
One of Needham's greatest restaurants. We eat in for special occasions and order take out for a fancy night in. My wife loves the Rosemary Chicken and I love the Chicken Parmesan. They always have giant portions. You will not go home hungry. Dave is one of the friendliest restaurant proprietors that you will ever meet. I remember dining here before the expansion and they kept that same quaintness even now that they can serve 5 times as many people. You can even buy their famous pesto to go a mile away at Volante Farms in Needham.
(4)Emily G.
Sweet Basil is an Italian eatery in Needham, MA that serves traditional and inventive dishes made with hand-made pastas and ingredients from locally sourced, New England farms and purveyors. Chef and Owner Dave Becker even makes the restaurants plateware in a local studio. I have heard many great reviews of Sweet Basil from friends who live in the area. I was really excited to be doing an errand in Needham knowing that I would finally get a chance to try Sweet Basil for myself. While I went in for lunch, Sweet Basil is open for dinner as well and guests are welcome to bring their own bottle of wine or beer to drink with their meal for a $5 corkage fee. The restaurant does not take reservations, and the wait can be long, but stick it out because it is worth it. To start the meal we were served the freshest bread with a side of house made pesto. The pesto was such a nice twist from the usual butter or olive oil. For lunch I tried the Crispy chicken tossed with ziti, serrano ham, tomatoes and peas in a gruyere cream sauce. This beautiful and hearty dish was only $12 and I had plenty to take home as leftovers. The chicken was nice large chunks of white meat and nothing beats hand-made, fresh ziti. This was one of the best pasta dishes I have tried yet - and I try a lot of pasta! I am looking forward to visiting Sweet Basil again soon, bottle of wine in tow!
(5)Ivan C.
Delicious Italian in a cozy family restaurant setting? FANtastic! Meals start off with bread of course, Italians :) which sadly makes my mom always so full she never eats more than half of the entrees. The pesto sauce is very good, slightly oily for me, though very delicious. I just wish the bread would come warm. I always get the Fried Calamari with Spicy Sauce. If I'm not having Squid Ink Pasta at an Italian restaurant, I'm probably having Fried Calamari. I must say, they are super good. Fried very crispy. You get a lot of calamari flavor, which to me is important because I hate just oil flavors popping out. The spicy bolognese sauce was also very delicious and simple, but done well. You can taste the tomatoes and not just the spice and herbs. Definitely recommend this appetizer.! FraDiavolo Seafood Pasta: Spicy marinara pasta with seafood. I have to say, I love the sauce and if I could, I would buy a bottle from them so I can cook pasta every other night at home. Noodles were done al dente and I do like them slightly hard. Seafood fresh and tasty. I must say the sauce really stood out. Overall, it's a very nice restaurant: perfect for dates or family. It's quite, slightly on the expensive side. But hey, why not indulge in Italian yumminess on weekends?
(5)anthony j.
Ordered take out from this place last night. The chicken parm. and green salad was good but the risotto was horrible (uneatable). Also a side note, order consisted of 2 chicken parms., 2 risottos and 2 green salads bill=$90 seems a little high..probale won't go back, to bad seemed like a lot of people liked this place.
(2)Kaen D.
I had the Bolognese over pappardelle pasta. The food was so hot I had to wait 10 minutes before I could eat it. The sauce was very salty. I realize that sausages can be salty, but this was overpowering.....I do not drink wine or beer so I did not bring something to drink with me . I was sure they would offer iced tea or soda or seltzer. Instead, they place a bottle of warm water on the table. I was so thirsty , probably from the salty sauce, and I would have loved a nice glass of ICED WATER !!!!!!! The best part of the dinner was the pesto and Italian bread......
(2)Maria F.
My boyfriend saw all the great reviews on here and really wanted to give it a try. Overall it was a good dinner, but still not in my top choices. We decided to get there around 5pm, a little earlier than normal for a saturday night. We tried to beat the crowd but was still stuck with a 30 minute wait. It is a fairly small place and it was packed. As for dinner, the bread and pesto dip was delcious and addictive. The bread was soft on the inside with a crusty hard outer layer. The pesto dip was the best i've ever. I ordered the chicken parm with home-made linguini. The chicken parm was crispy yet still juicy and held the flavors of the sauce well. It was covered in chewy mozzarella. To me the linguni had an odd flavor to it. I could not pin point what the flavor was but it kept me from eating much of the linguini. My boyfriend ordered the Bolognese with beef, sausage and mushrooms over pappardelle. He enjoyed the flavors but couldnt not get past the chunkiness of the sauce. I don't mind chunks of tomato in my sauce but he rather have his smooth. We were not offered a dessert menu or coffee. Which lead me to believe there wasn't one. There was only water served. No soft drinks or teas. It's BYOB for beer and Wine. We may return again to try out some other dishes.
(3)Ashley D.
THIS PLACE IS A MUST GO!!! I usually come here for lunch because they do not take reservations and you never have to wait for lunch. The portions here are huge and you get a lot for your money. I love the mussels and greek salad here. The mussels have a great sauce and its very flavorful. For entrees, the pasta bolognese is a must try. It is a very generous portion and the meat tastes like butter. The pasta is also extremely fresh. They also always have a fish special. It usually comes with a grain and a vegetable. The fish is around 12 dollars and it is a huge portion. The pesto here is phonemail. The best pesto I have ever had. You can never go wrong with just pasta and pesto. This place is also BYOB. And they only charge 5 dollars for a corkage fee. How can you beat that??? It is very casual inside so do not expect much. It used to be cash only but they now accept credit cards.
(5)Amy S.
We love Sweet Basil! Love their pesto! However, I can't eat much cheese. I wish they had an option of an entree that is vegetarian without cheese. Hubby loves their chicken parm and their portions generous. Definitely leftovers for the next day. Also, a must try is their new restaurant in Wellesley called Juniper! Yum!
(5)Lena A.
I'm not sure if its because I'm always a little tipsy from bringing my own bottle of wine or if its the consistency of the delicious pasta... or that I always end up sitting at the same table but this place is fantastic. The owner is almost always there to greet his guests. I always order the Bolognese. Let's just say I traveled to NY on Amtrak with a tray of Bolognese for a college friend who went to college in Boston with me. That's the type of experience and connection that Sweet Basil offers.
(5)Katherine W.
Gazpacho is delicious! BYOB but nowhere nearby to get wine-weird.
(3)My O.
Very good Italian food. You can bring your own wine/beer which is nice. Wait staff was knowledgeable and pleasant. The only reason I do not give 5 stars is because it was tight quarters which made it a little uncomfortable.
(4)Ai R.
I'm new to the town, moving here from Boston and when the discussion turns to restaurants, the first thing people ask is "Have you been to Sweet Basil yet?" It was lauded by everyone as being one of the best places in the town. So I figured I would try it when I took my friend out to dinner for his birthday. You walk in and its a cute place on the smaller side. I did noticed that it was packed on a Tuesday night and still a 20 min wait at 8 pm. I took these all as good signs. They finally tells us our table is ready. We brought our own bottle of red wine and the corkage fee was only 5 dollars, so awesome. Our very friendly waitress brings out this melt in your mouth bread and pesto! You could make a meal out of just that. She takes our order of the goat cheese salad with beets as a shared starter, I got the veal with the mushrooms and figs and my friend got the chicken parm. Our food comes out and we were so pleasantly surprised. Considering I had all these amazing Italian restaurants available when I lived in the city I wasn't sure how good this place would be. The salad was fresh and balanced in the flavors, lightly tossed with a maple balsamic vinaigrette. I never seen apricots used for a beet salad and was wondering if all the flavors would work. It did. My veal was so flavorful and tender. Perfectly cooked! The sauce was so delicious. The pasta that came with it was al dente. I tasted my friends dish and it was also great. Portions were large and I had dinner the next night. I had such a great experience at Sweet Basil. It has wonderful food and a friendly, attentive staff. I plan on coming back soon!
(5)Maya M.
Delicious food and very generous portions make this place great value for money! The pesto they serve with bread while you wait for your food is absolutely divine. (You can actually buy it now at volante farms nearby) My favorite dish there is the rosemary chicken but I get it with polenta instead of the ziti. The goat cheese and beet salad is also delicious. The other thing j love about this place is that it is byob... There's a wine store down the street that has a great selection of Italian wines to compliment the sweet basil menu. The service is wonderful too. Friendly and knowledgeable and thoughtful wait staff. All things considered this is a wonderful dining experience.
(5)Jane D.
I went for lunch on a stormy Thursday. My friend and i were only the second table seated for lunch. the pesto on bread was fine, the atmosphere was funky and a little retro. how ever I was served my lunch in a bowl with three chips on the rim. It was all I could do not to send it back. being with a friend i didn't want to seem impossible. with when a piece of ceramic chips it allows the chemicals of the glaze to leach out and on to food. and because bowl was made from terra cotta, a very porous type of clay that will allow bacterial growth if not glazed. Yuck! not what you want to be eating your $11 dollar lunch on. if it had been a busy night i would have assumed that the dishwasher was full and this was a fluke, but serving on of four costumers at lunch on a chipped bowl is just gross. not only is it aesthetically displeasing, but it is also
(1)Joseph S.
What a disappointment! Brought my family and we ordered calamari appetizer and duck meatballs. The calamari smelt so fishy it was old and should never have been served. The duck meatballs were awful. They were spongy and tasted like frozen processed prepackaged meatballs. We ordered ravioli and pasta bolognese. The ravioli was served swimming in a bowl of marinara sauce that could have come from a jar. The dough was so thick that the cheese squeezed out with each cut. The bolognese sauce was the worst I have ever had. Too much seasoning, terrible tasting meats and there was garlic in every bite. Even the grated cheese was the low cost sawdust parm that one finds in a cheap supermarket. The only reason I give them a star was for the bread and pesto spread. I will never go back.
(1)Michelle T.
No need to go to the north end, this place out shines every restaurant there! Growing up in needham I've come here a lot and they by far have the best homemade delicious food I've ever had. To start every table gets bread with a pesto dip which is so delicious!!! My favorite go to meals are the rosemary chicken dish and the veal cutlet dish with pappardelle noodles. They are seriously so amazing!!!! Also the mussels are a great app to share, the broth is delicious and so tasty to dip the bread in. Love that it is byob too. I love the food here so much, so fresh and flavorful and the portions are huge!! I would come here every night for dinner if I could.
(5)Marie-frances R.
I visited Sweet Basil for the first time a few weekends ago and ended up going twice in the span of three days. The first time was on a Friday evening around 6:30pm. We put our names in (they don't take reservations) and the owner and hostess suggested we grab a drink at a restaurant across the street in the meantime. It was perfect timing! In 30-40 minutes we were seated in a cozy corner and our BYOB beautiful bottle of red, red wine was popped open by our lovely waitress. I ordered the Bolognese with pappardelle homemade pasta - it was so phenomenal. And, my boyfriend had the veal which was also nice. It was so pleasant we returned with his parents a few days later - the service and food was just as delicious as the first time. I ordered the shrimp scampi this time around, but honestly wished I'd gotten the Bolognese again - it was that good!
(5)Yasa E.
Mmmm...so delish! BYOB, really cute cozy atmosphere, huge portions! The baked Gouda over greens was a big enough app for 4 people to share and was like a big fancy grilled cheese. I had the braised chicken, which is literally enough for 3 meals. My bf had the braised veal which I also liked. The side of pasta he got was kind of blahh...kind of like a kids pasta with marinara. My friend let me try her steak too and it was a little fatty, but had a good flavor overall. Downfalls are that the place is packed and you need a reservation and most likely have to wait even with a reservation. No dessert either which is disappointing. Service was on point and our waiter had very good menu knowledge. Definitely will come back!
(5)Kimberly K.
Cute place with warm ambiance and awesome ceramic serveware. Pesto and bread was a nice start to the meal. We split a very bland Caesar salad. I ordered seafood fra diavalo, although it wasn't on the menu. It was great. There was too much raw garlic, but still excellent. He did not like his bolognese at all, unfortunately.
(4)Heather F.
I had a great meal here while in town for the Boston Marathon. I'm always cautious about pre race meals, but this was exactly what I needed. Ok, I guess not too cautious because I ordered chicken parm instead of a big bowl of plain pasta... Worth it! It came with a side of penne (or your choice of noodle/sauce), so I got the carbs I needed. The chicken was breaded to perfection - crispy and delicious, yet not at all greasy. It's served in a pool of thick sauce, which isn't my personal preference (not a fan of tomatoes in their natural form), but otherwise it was very tasty. The red sauce on the pasta is also very chunky, so keep that in mind if you're like me and not especially a fan of that. I tried a taste of my dad's ravioli, and I almost regret not ordering that. They're huge and full of cheesy goodness! My mom ordered the shrimp scampi, which I didn't taste (possible allergy, and not the night to risk it!), but it smelled amazing as well. Everyone was completely satisfied with their meals, so yelp definitely brought us to the right place. It's also a very cozy atmosphere, and the BYOB policy is pretty great. That definitely makes up for the $20+ entrees. I'm not sure what the usual crowd is like, but being here the Sunday before the marathon was an amazing experience. The majority of people were wearing blue and yellow, previous year's race jackets, or other running apparel. The energy was incredible! I'm so thankful for the marathon weekend experience I had, and the pre-race meal is definitely an important part of that. Service was also fantastic. Ian was attentive and friendly, and my parents are convinced they saw him running the marathon the next day too... if this is true, congrats, Ian!
(4)Sristi G.
Heard about this place from a lot of people and finally gave it a try. A very beautiful ambiance, good food, excellent service, nice portions and easy parking. All in all this is a great place if you looking for a nice Italian restaurant around the area.
(5)Heidi G.
This place was amazing. Everything we had was delicious. My friend and I were visiting from Los Angeles and came here because of the great yelp reviews and it didn't disappoint! We ordered the baked Gouda as an app. My friend ordered the rosemary chicken and I ordered the chicken parm. They were all great but I think the rosemary chicken was the clear winner. Perfect texture to the handmade pasta!! The portions are huge and we could have split one of the entrees between us and still had left overs.
(4)Kara V.
NEVER DISAPPOINTED. this is the go to meeting spot for family dinners. With a variety of palettes (vegetarians etc) there is always something delicious very everyone. The kitchen is very accommodating with meal changes and I look forward to the fish special each time. We've had and enjoyed the bolognese, risotto, gnocchi, sweet corn ravioli and many others. Expect the wait to be well worth it.
(5)Gregory S.
Osso Bucco still the best I've had and is significantly better than Top of the Hub.
(5)Lisa G.
A year ago I would have given this place 4 stars, but today I feel it deserves a 2 star rating. First, they have added so many more tables to the same small space that it is no longer a cozy little restaurant for quiet conversation. On top of that, the host seated my husband and I...a party of two, quiet 50 year olds, right next to a table with 2 mothers and 2 young children. The children were eating snack bags of pretzels (like you'd put in a school lunch bag) while the mothers drank their wine and ate their salads. Moms seemed to be enjoying their conversation while those of us around couldn't hear our own conversations because their table was so loud. Second, the wait staff (who are all exceptional hard workers pitching in wherever the need be) can barely get around all the tables. While we were there, one waitress got off balance and spilled mussel juice all over a customer and all over the floor. Several other people slipped and almost ended up on the floor with the juice. Not the waitress's fault...there is NOT enough space between tables. Third, we ordered the gnocchi with lobster appetizer and couldn't find much lobster. It was also very salty. Fourth, I ordered the striped bass dinner and was served salmon. Waiter apologized but at that point 2 huge parties of 8 and 7 were seated, and I felt so claustrophobic that I accepted the salmon, pushed it around the plate, and then just took it home. Normally I would say no big deal, but my husband and I were celebrating our Anniversary, and it was a very disappointing dinner. My recommendation is to the owner is to remove some of the tables to make it fair for your staff to do a better and safer job, and to make it more enjoyable for your customers. Or maybe...look into a bigger storefront or try to expand into the neighboring space. I for one (which I'm sure will not cut into their business at all) will not be coming back anytime soon, and most definitely will not waste another anniversary celebration in such an uncomfortable place. Busier does not make the food better nor the atmosphere more inviting....in fact at Sweet Basil it has done the reverse.
(2)Florina K.
I am a regular here! This place is phenomenal. Every time I go I try a new dish, and my friends different dishes - every single one is phenomenal. Not only the food is good the service is great too! It's too bad they don't have dessert.., but I guess the wait would be forever. I wonder if they will ever start taking reservations. They finally began accept credit cards!
(5)Arielle B.
My fiance and I were looking to try a new restaurant and I couldn't have loved it more. It is BYOB but we actually didn't bring alcohol. The food was SOOOO GOOD and the prices were very reasonable. The only reason I didn't give Sweet Basil a fifth star is because my fiance swears the restaurant has a funny smell to it. I don't smell it, but he also has a very good sense of smell. Either way, I would recommend this cute little place to anyone.
(4)Zaur M.
Great food nice employees, the chicken parm was fantastic, and the bread was excellent. We brought wine and had a great time.
(4)Winnie B.
Went to Sweet Basil on a Wednesday night after a snow storm and there was no wait...however as we were leaving at around 6:30, the place was filling up...so I can see how much of a wait it would be on a Friday or weekend night! The pesto and bread that were brought out was phenomenal. I could've been happy with that as my meal! My husband and I shared the mussels which were very flavorful. For our entrees, I had a bowl of their Rosemary chicken pasta which I barely made a dent in because I was so full from the pesto, bread, and mussels (yay leftovers for lunch the next day)!! My husband had a melt in you mouth rib eye steak. Everything was so very good. The ambience was nice. And the service was great. I love that you can bring your own wine and the $5 corking fee is reasonable. I will definitely go there again!
(5)Elizabeth K.
Overall impression: overrated. Showed up at 6pm, party of two. Place was basically empty and we were promptly seated. It's a byob spot, so we weren't offered anything to drink and apparently they charge a corkage fee. Bread and pesto came out. Pesto was good, bread was alright..one part looked a bit burnt. Calamari was fine. Nothing special. I got the veal cutlet served over pappardelle. The flavor was okay but the dish was just put together poorly. It was served in a bowl which made it difficult to cut the cutlets, there was too much sauce which made the cutlets soggy, and the pappardelle did not seem homemade which I thought it would be. Towards the end of the meal the place was very busy and they seemed to be rushing us out as middle aged snobby women carrying in five bottles of wine were waiting to be seated! I was just disappointed. I don't know how this place got on the top 50. The food was fine, but I wouldn't bother going back.
(3)June K.
We had a very disappointing experience bringing a large family for lunch. Only to be followed by a very disappointing conversation with the assistant manager. Our party consisted of 6 adults and 7 children, ages 10 months to 8. ( 5 of the children were under 3 1/2. We were informed that with such a large group they needed to serve us family style, which wasn't a problem. You should be aware that the restaurant does not cater to children as there are no high chairs. We were shocked when the bill arrived to find a charge of $15 per child and $30 per adult. In calling to relay my experience I was told the server should have explained the policy better and please come back soon. I take responsibility for not asking before we sat down but having such a large group and so many children and having experienced lunch before we anticipated something reasonable. I find this response unsatisfactory and you have lost a customer. Many a bad dining experience has been turned around by the response of the restaurant management.
(1)cabrio q.
I love it here. The service is great. You can bring wine and beer here but that's not even why I love the place. Its quaint, so comfortable, relaxed and the food is fresh and outstanding. The bolognese is my favorite. Its excellent.
(5)Michael R.
Been going to this place for almost 10 years now and it really is everything I've ever wanted in a restaurant. First off, it use to be about 1/3 the size, super cozy and you felt like you were eating in the kitchen. Despite it's increase in size, the place has remained true to that hole-in-the-wall local restaurant vibe. This place is the standard for consistency that I think all places should strive for...even AFTER it tripled in size, the service, the food, the people...have all remained the same! Tonight I got here earlier than usual (was celebrating birthdays with my parents who are in their 70s), so arrived at 530ish. Surveying the crowd, it was definitely your early dinner crowd in the dining room, there were the typical parade of people pulling up out front for take out (I think they do more biz that way than people actually sitting down to eat) and lucky for us they had a table for our group of 5. It was a little louder than we would have liked, being next to a speaker and also the kitchen, but not so bad that we couldn't have an all-inclusive conversation. They don't call it Sweet Basil for nothing, so as usual the obligatory bowl of bread and vat of pesto was already on the table when we sat down. Our cheery waitress came over, delivering some water and promised to be right back with wine glasses and a corkscrew...as promised, she came right back. After she read the specials, we mulled it over and off to the races we went. I can't resist the Caesar Salad, with it's hint of basil and just the right amount of dressing...perfetto! A slight hiccup of the salads not all arriving at the same time, but within 2 minutes, so not a deal breaker in my opinion. I don't think I've ordered anything but the lamb shank for the last few visits, but tonight I was feeling CRAZY and went for the spring pea gnocchi with a ragoux of asparagus,mushrooms and leeks...a huge portion, which I couldn't finish, it was all delicious...a very hearty, comforting dish. As usual, I did sneak a bite from my fiance's plate, she was tackling the rosemary chicken with pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus, in a creamy sauce with ziti...also a huge, yummy plate of food. Check this place out, you won't be disappointed, ever! I promise!
(5)Sam C.
Always a fan! Great, creative food. Fantastic service. Fun vibe.
(5)Stephanie K.
We went here on our one year anniversary (almost 2 years ago!) and had a lovely meal! When you first walk in it seems like the space is tight, but once you're settled in, it's cozy and comfortable. We heard it was really dressy, so we fancied up, but when we got there realized it's more of a casual-dressy spot. The manager at the time, Sarah, stopped by and asked us how we were doing and if we liked our meal (which was a big yes!). Great place to go if it's just you and a friend.
(4)Joe D.
We love this restaurant and have been there at least 6-7 times since discovering it last year. It fills up and there are no reservations so I recommend getting there early. The sirloin steak is fantastic. I find it to be on par with many Boston restaurants. They used to Steve it with parsnip fries but seemed to discontinue those- I hope they bring them back. My wife always gets the rosemary chicken with ziti. She's a picky eater so the fact she enjoys this says a lot. While you're waiting for your entrees try some of their delicious pesto and bread! Reminder it is byob. We will definitely be back!
(5)Melissa G.
I went here with my husband about a week ago. We arrived on a Friday around 5:30 expecting a wait, but we were able to be seated right away. We told the hostess we had planned to head across the street to get a bottle of wine, so she saved our name and we were seated 15 minutes later when we came back. Service was a little slow but we weren't in a hurry and we had the delicious bread and pesto to munch on while we waited. We shared a Caesar salad, which was good. Nothing outstanding. I ordered the shrimp scampi which was delicious. Homemade pasta perfectly cooked al dente. So creamy and garlicky. My husband got the braised lamb shank which was fall off the bone delicious. Atmosphere was very casual with a wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen that made it feel very homey. No dessert offered, but we got frozen custard next door. Yum!
(4)Jean M.
Maybe my expectations were too high after reading all the 5 star reviews. First of all, I thought it was waaaay too noisy. I can't imagine how busy it must get on the weekend! We were at a table squished in the middle of the room, so I was uncomfortable. Food was good, but not outstanding. Best part of the meal was the pesto they serve with the bread. That was delish. Service was friendly. If I go back, I'll review again.
(3)modhu s.
It has great bread and pesto. The rest of the food was just ok. I prefer the two Italian restaurants in Waltham. I have been here twice both times wondered why this place has 5 star reviews. Service is great and very crowded.
(3)Paula F.
This was my first BYOB, which we did, however getting someone to open it was a bit difficult, the owner was the host and he was the best part of the experience the server was nondescript, he had no real negatives but no personality either. The restaurant is very small with tiny tables, when you put bread plates, wine glasses and water glasses for 4 there is no room for anything else, we ended up putting the wine bottles under our table. The food may be authentic tasting, (I am not sure) I have eaten at many Italian restaurants and never tasted these spices, I had the braised chicken dish that was huge but not to my taste, the pasta was not cooked enough or maybe because of the thickness and texture that is the way some people like it, not me..... My husband had the veal which he said was very tough again lots of it but not good, one of our friends had the Rosemary chicken which she said was good but had too much spice and she did not like the pasta either, our other friend got the steak and brussels sprout hash which she said was amazing. Everyone seems to leave with a doggy box, not sure if that is because the portions are too big or they are bringing it home for their doggy (which we did). Lastly we felt very rushed and over crowded, this is not my idea of a relaxing dinner venue.
(2)Tom G.
I wish I could give this place 10 stars instead of 5. The food is consistently outstanding. The service staff are always courteous and right on top of their game. I have now eaten here over a dozen times and have never walked away with any feelings other than extremely satisfied. Great food with its own distinctive flavor.
(5)Elliot W.
Great food and atmosphere, the staff is very welcoming to my family and I, never a bad experience when i dine at aweet basil.
(5)RoslindaMal E.
I recently went to Sweet Basil for lunch after hearing a friend rave about this place on Facebook. The complimentary table bread and fresh pesto spread was delicious. I really enjoyed my steak bomb sandwich with gorgonzola, onions, mushrooms, roasted peppers. The accompanying french fries were really good; if Sweet Basil added truffle oil and parmesan cheese to its fries their fries would be incredible. The portions were generous. The service was good. As far as the ambiance, not sure that lining all the walls half way up with metal decking would be my first choice. I look forward to going back to Sweet Basil for dinner. I see from reading other reviews Sweet Basil is BYOB; as there is a very nice wine shop nearby (Needham Center Fine Wines), I will be sure to retrieve a bottle of wine beforehand.
(4)Lisa M.
Cute Italian place downtown. Atmosphere was modern and refreshing. The bread and fresh pesto was great. I had the bolognase and it was ok. It's BYOB - what's not to love!
(4)Raymond C.
Best Italian rest I have eaten in my neighborhood. Recommend to any in a heart beat.
(5)Bill A.
This restaurant trumps all in the North End and this is no joke! Service is always pleasant and upon entry there is always the strong smell of garlic aroma in the air. Pesto and olive oil dip for your bread is always fresh and BYOB is always plus. Loud and happening, great place for any occasion.
(5)Steve T.
This place is so great! I drive 40 minutes out of the way to eat here when I'm in the mood for a really good meal. The food is delicious and all of the staff is really really nice. Try the calamari it's light and crispy, also the cauliflower app is delicious and was such a great surprise. The rosemary chicken is also to die for!!! I love going here!
(5)Denise T.
Wow the food was amazing. The pesto accompanying the bread, the shrimp/asparagus/plum tomato risotto, and the trout. Fantastic! The service as friendly as well. But really, what restaurant charging these prices (rightly so for the quality) doesn't accept debit/credit cards? They need to get with the times.
(4)Libby R.
All things that are good: Delicious, fresh food in big helpings (the bolognese is SO good). Excellent service. BYOB. *PLUS, they now accept cards, woo-hoo!* A thing that's just okay: They don't take reservations.
(5)Katherine M.
The pesto is by far the best I have ever had! The atmosphere is fun, vibrant, and a little quirky which is everything I was looking for! It's BYOB with a $5 corking fee, but totally worth it. The shrimp scampi was out of this world good, and the risotto appetizer, which was a special was also beyond amazing. Great fun date night spot!
(5)Kathy S.
Sweet Basil is an alright Italian meal in beautiful downtown Needham. I really would be giving it 5 stars..But, to get a table in this place is like getting into the freaking White House! We had 8 people on a Thursday night and were coming over from the South Shore. They do NOT take reservations..So good luck trying to get into this place. I came an hour early to make sure the group could get in. I definitely have better things to do than sit outside for an hour to make sure my group gets a table. It would have been wonderful if I could have made a reservations. Also, Sweet Basil does not have any coffee or desserts. Do not plan on staying for something sweet after your meal.. I do not like how you are charged a $5.00 cork fee PER bottle of wine either. We had three bottles and we were charged $15.00 for all three. A bit steep I would think... I think it's a bit steep that they tack on a 20% tip for the waitress for 8 people..HMMM..I thought the standard for MA is 15%!! They must really think they do an outstanding job here at Sweet Basil. My Chicken Parm was pretty good. Nothing so spectacular that I saw fireworks and would be rushing back next week. They do have a very good pesto oil for the bread I must say. But..They really do have to do something about this reservation rule!!!
(3)Melissa K.
Always delicious Italian food. A bit crowded/cramped but that's because it's so good! Love the BYOB.
(5)Grant S.
Very good but somewhat rich sauces but always a consistent stalwart in the Needham area.
(4)Sandy C.
The food is so good. I love the mussels. I could drink the mussel sauce.
(4)Mark W.
This place is great and packed every evening. The red sauce is perfect, love the braised chicken and the homemade ravioli are to die for... BYOB takes away from the overall experience but that's more than made up for in your final bill, plus a liquor store is right down the street.
(5)Lauran H.
Sorry little Italy this was the best pasta I've had in Boston. Great great food, cute little spot friendly service and very reasonable prices. Love it!!
(5)Meghan M.
The food here is fantastic. May be some of the best chicken parm I've ever had. I don't eat pasta too often, but the homemade pasta at Sweet Basil's is just out of this world. Definitely get the bread and pesto!
(5)Matthew T.
Absolutely one of the best restaurants that I have ever been do. The food is expertly prepared. The first dish I had was the bolognase because I had to see if they could do it right, and they certainly did. That is the mark of a good Italian restaurant if they can do the staples well and not just focus on the specials. The best dish, however, is the lamb shank with the rosemary polenta. It is borderline life-changing. I now compare all dishes to that dish. And, to top it all off, you can bring your own wine or beer! Does it get any better than that?
(5)Crystal B.
Very delicious. The bread and pesto were amazing and enough to fill you up alone! I was not nearly prepared for the portion size. The price was so reasonable I never expected such a large portion. Our waiter, Colby, was very sweet and accommodating. Loved the relaxing atmosphere. I will be back!
(5)rosann s.
This place was great! A co-worker mentioned that she loved this place when I asked if she knew of anywhere good to eat in Needham, MA. This was a long time ago, and today I finally tried it. Very cool, eclectic feel to the place. They serve non-alcoholic drinks, like water and soda, but if you want wine, you will have to bring it yourself - which is awesome, because a bottle bought outside of a restaurant is often so much cheaper than a glass of that same wine in a restaurant. They provide glasses and open the bottle for you. The amount of food you get for the money is awesome. We had the Chicken Parm with spaghetti (you could have red sauce, pesto or white wine sauce .. I chose the white wine sauce). It was all very good. I will definitely visit this place again! Also, the service was excellent. The Staff was friendly. And as the restaurant started to get busy with the dinner crowd, they did everything to accommodate the customers eating, as well as waiting.
(5)Kim C.
This is my first negative review on yelp. We arrived at 5p today and the place was empty (2 tables were seated). I was with my two daughters and my husband was on his way, 5-10 minutes away. They would not seat us because "it is our policy we can't seat you until your entire party is here." The snooty hostess told me we had to step to the side and wait for the rest of our party. We were in a hurry - had an event we had to be to at 6p - so we left! We went to Petite Robert Bistro around the corner (fabulous) and got seated right away - without our whole party being present. Actually upset we got a gift card to Sweet Basil for Christmas - really don't want to return!
(1)Hayley D.
We visited Sweet Basil last Thursday night and it was excellent. Didn't have to wait for a table for two and our waitress was great. I'm allergic to nuts and I was so pleasantly surprised that their pesto is nut-free. I could be mistaken but I believe I didn't see any nuts on the menu. To start we shared the calamari and a Greek salad. Both dishes were huge. I'll order a Greek salad whenever I have the chance and this one was superb. The calamari was also delicious and not soggy at all. When we couldn't decide between the bolognese and the lamb shank our waitress recommended the lamb. When it came I couldn't believe how much food was on the table. Way more than enough for two! Even though my boyfriend grew up in Needham this was the first time at Sweet Basil for both of us and it was such a pleasant, low-key experience. Since it's BYOB we made it out of there with a $60 bill that felt like a steal.
(5)Derek G.
So I've heard nothing but great things about this place. We went being prepared to be amazed. The atmosphere is nice. It is BYOB, which I love. But the food, the food was not very good. I got the chicken parm. I never get chicken parm but everyone said it is fantastic here. It was bland. the pasta served on the side was sitting in a bowl half full of water. Rookie mistake. My wife got a rosemary chicken dish. it was presented very well, but was way to rich and salty. Tasted like something from the macaroni grill. Not fresh tasting, like sauce from a can. We are going to give it another chance, but my first impression is 2 stars.
(2)Megan O.
Sweet Basil has some of the best pesto I've ever had. They give you a big serving of it with some fresh bread to start. Most of the starters/entrees on their menu have very large portion sizes, so I would recommend sharing. My only complaints are that most of the entrees come in rather small bowls, which makes it a little difficult to eat if you have something that requires a lot of cutting (I ordered the Chicken Parmesan), and it's quite noisy.
(4)Nick T.
The food was so good that I proposed marriage to the next girl I saw. OK maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but this was the restaurant that my wife and I went to the night I proposed to her. This place has been our go-to favorite restaurant as students here in Boston. We had Tagliatelle al Ragu (Bolognese) in Bologna, and it didn't compare to their Bolognese. Anything on the menu is going to be the most flavorful dish you've ever eaten, so close your eyes and point. They could get away charging twice what they do for this food (please don't listen to me!!). Also, every date is a cheap date because Sweet Basil is BYOB! Go there for dinner sometime, often, daily, it doesn't matter. Just go!
(5)Michelle P.
I think I could some this experience up in three words... "omg the pesto". OK, OK omg is not a word- but still, I don't know why I ever order dinner, I am always too full of pesto slathered on house baked bread to eat it! I have been here a handful of times over the years, usually for a girlfriend's birthday dinner. There's always a group of us and it is a great place to hang out, drink wine(BYOB) and stuff ourselves silly. The owners are super friendly, the staff always accommodating, and that darn pesto! This evening I had the soup special, coconut milk corn chowder, and for my main, the bolognese. oh yeah, and a pound of pesto. Other favorites on the table were the calamari, the gnocchi and a vegetarian risotto special. Love coming here when I'm in town visiting, very casual setting, a bit of a tight squeeze sometimes.
(5)Cory B.
Fabulous service, fabulous food, generous portions, and reasonable prices. The pesto and bread is highly addictive, the mussels were the best I've ever had, anywhere. My scampi was rich, garlicky, and extremely fresh. My husband's chicken Parm was excellent with fresh tomato sauce. The servers were very attentive and they all hustle. I only wish I lived closer. Go. You won't be sorry.
(5)Melissa B.
I love this place. I have been going there for almost ten years and it keeps getting better. The staff is extremely friendly and the food is delicious. There is often a wait, so go early on weekend nights, but it is worth any wait. You can even go to a bar next door and they will call you when your table is ready.
(5)Jess M.
Amazing. Amazing. Expect to wait though (no reservations) So show up super early for dinner, then laugh at the people who get there at 6 and wait in a gigantic line. If you get there at 6, put your name in and go grab a frozen custard or something. You could always secretly open your BYOB and drink it in a brown bag while you're waiting too.
(5)Amy M.
The atmosphere here is... interesting. You make your way through curtains to get inside, and plants, records, and what looks like scrap metal hangs from the mutli-colored walls. The music is funky, although I might have appreciated it more if I wasn't seated on uncomfortable metal chairs with a hanging plants about to hit my head. Positively, though, it was a more unique experience than the run-of-the-mill chains around. I got the handmade ravioli, and it was pretty good -- had a unique combination of four cheeses and the sauce had a mix of crunchy veggies and spiced tomatoes. It seemed a bit over-priced for what I got, but then again it's a sit-down restaurant in Needham. Basically, it's worth checking out for something different, but nothing to go out of your way for.
(3)setor a.
A recently had dinner with my friend at sweet basil, very cozy atmosphere, the food was delicious, i had the rosemary chicken in a creamy sauce over ziti and it was really good. The portions are huge.
(5)David H.
Amazing food... One of my fav restaurants. Great service... It is BYOB with liquor and they charge a small fee. Also, there is no desert probably so that they can push tables faster? Can get kind of busy and they do not take reservations. Cash only.
(5)Erica C.
Sweet Basil used to be good, but unfortunately their hype as gone to their heads and their quality and morals have gone down the toilet. My Mom and I weren't craving pasta so we decided to order a scallop special. We specifically ordered this because, like I said, we did not want pasta. Wait what is that coming to our table? Oh, of course, two giant bowls of some kind of fettucine with four mediocre scallops on top. That's right, we had been duped! Because we had waited 45 minutes for the table + another 20 minutes to order, we both decided to not send it back and just suck it up. Bland and inedible. The same goes for the scallops which were beyond overcooked. In order to not be wasteful, we took the pasta home to dump in our backyard where hopefully the critters could enjoy, can't say for sure if they did. Another note, salad portion sizes are much smaller now too. Perhaps they have caught on like the rest of the mediocre restaurants that think they can charge the same price and reduce portion sizes without anyone noticing. So what is good about Sweet Basil? The pesto. That I could eat for days. Is it worth waiting an hour to eat pesto? No, so I will not return.
(2)Lynn S.
Came on a Sunday night early dinner with a toddler at 6:00. Only about two or three tables left. We were seated right away. Many elderly, family tables still eating (I think it's the early crowd). First, the bread and pesto dip was such a hit with my little boy, that was all he had all night. It was really rather good. Ok size menu, fair price. I had the shrimp scampi while hubby had the pork chop. They are not kidding with the wine sauce in the scampi! Pork chop was the best we had in boston. Really well marinated, and cook to perfection. Portion is great. We left wanting to come back for more. By the way, it's BYOB, so that's even better! Come early if you don't want to wait.
(4)Jackie K.
Amazing. Despite the small number of vegetarian options, the ones they had were amazing (no lame pasta primavera like most Italian restaurants). I had the gnocci which was really amazing. The lentil soup and salad were also delicious. We arrived around 6:30 on a Friday night and had to wait about 20 min which was not bad. It was great to bring our own wine and they even hold it for you while you wait for your table so you are not walking around with a bottle of wine. This is as good as Giacomo's which I consider to be one of the best Italian places in downtown Boston. I don't love going out for Italian food but I will come back here.
(5)Jose V.
WOW!! Exquisite food. Coming from NYC where pasta is a mainstay means I've had a lot of Italian, this place rocks. Great food, cool ambience n good service. Gf had the whole fish n it was cooked perfectly. I had the chicken parm with the sausage meat sauce, FANTASTIC!! Next time we are at Legacy Place will definitely revisit. Cozy n BYOW.
(5)W C.
Sunday night dinner for six. Got there at 5:45pm and no problem getting a table. By 6pm the house was packed with people waiting. Crazy! Got the lamb shank and it was awesome. Tender fall off the bone good! Fried gouda cheese salad was fantastic. Very unique and tasty dish. No high chairs so it's not really baby friendly. But would still go again.
(4)Lisa W.
Seems to be everyone's favorite local casual Italian spot. You walk in, and the cozy vibe and delicious scent embraces you like a giant hug, especially welcome on a cold winter night! Bring your own bottle of wine. Its always busy, we sat on some stools in the front and they happily offered to uncork our bottle and bring us our glasses. The wait was as expected, not bad at all for a Friday night. We thought the food was good,not SPECTACULAR, but good enough and the portions are huge as other reviewers say. I believe they also let you bring your own dessert! FYI, we noticed several large parties, so don't be shy about bringing the gang. Its really a homey, warm, environment, and we will be back! One other note...didn't see any kids, which especially on a weekend, we appreciated. A grown up spot.
(4)Juliana C.
Yelp's not a dating site. I mean, I know a bunch of couples who've met on here, and a few who've even tied the knot, but still, you're here for the reviews, right? It would be foolish to say I desperately want a tall, artsy musician-type to take me here on a date. Silly, really. I came here with relatives on a Thursday night and fell in love. Sweet Basil is everything I look for in a restaurant: charming, warm, affordable and unpretentious. The servers aim to please, the food portions are enormous, and the music selection is eclectic. If that weren't enough, drinks are BYOB! Swoon. The only drawbacks are: (1) much like my other dining favorite (Toro) they don't take reservations, (2) payment is cash only. Once seated, we requested the risotto of the day for the table and it turned out to be crisped bacon with pineapple; the flavors were fantastic and made me feel like I was somewhere tropical. I had ordered the rosemary chicken and parmesan cream ziti, and when it landed in front of me I think my eyes bugged out a little; you could feed a small army with the amount of food I was given. It was a struggle to put down my fork, because every mouthful was delicious. To top it all off, our server brought us slices of chocolate rum cake that the restaurant had made for a fundraiser (they don't usually offer dessert). I gave myself a pep talk, and was rewarded with rich, dense bites of bliss. I don't care if I have to hitchhike from the nearest T stop; I will be back.
(5)Nancy H.
On great recommendations online my husband and I went to Sweet Basil. As tourists we did not know it was BYOB. Unexpected and disappointing. Called ahead but it wasn't mentioned to bring wine if desired. Chicken Parmesan was great that my husband ordered, but I had to send my meal back (shrimp scampi) as the pasta was not cooked enough. Ordered ravioli and had the same problem. Would definitely return and be prepared to bring wine and ask for pasta to be cooked more thoroughly. Shared a Caesar salad, and there was more than enough for two. Go early as it was crowded on a Monday evening by 6:30.
(3)M E.
This is my favorite lunch spot in the area. The lunch portions are HUGE and always delicious. The chicken parm sandwich is delicious and I always get the fish specials when they are available. Love the bread and pesto they serve before meals. All around a great restaurant!
(5)Shea H.
On the top of my favorite restaurants list in the Boston area. I'm moving to Chicago soon and when I come back this place will be a must to dine at. I highly recommend the Chicken Parm and Veal Shoulder. The pesto and bread to start is to die for. HIGHLY recommend this place.
(5)Anthony D.
Sweet Basil is fantastic. I remember when it was a one room hole in the wall and now that it's expanded it's even better. The food is mouth watering and bursting with flavor and the byob is a great option. Only complaint is it's still cash only. Really no excuse for that in this day and age.
(5)Kate G.
After reading reviews on yelp and encountering a 45 minute wait (no reservations) at 5:30 on a Friday night, we were waiting to be wowed. Maybe our expectations were too high? I had the lobster pot pie which sounded delish - with squash and spicy sausage - but the lobster was claws only (what do they do with the tail, I wonder?) , the sausage was so scarce I identified it only once and the squash was swimming in the lobster-flavored cream sauce for so long that it was virtually indistinguishable. My dining partner had the braised chicken with port wine, balsamic glazed peppers and mushrooms with a cavatappi-like pasta. Expecting a dish with braised chicken on one side, peppers and mushrooms on another and a side of pasta, he was greeted with a big bowl of everything mixed together. The flavors intermingled in a way that overwhelmed and didn't allow for the individual taste sensations of port wine nor balsamic, and the pasta... well not quite al dente as it should be (if you go, ask how your meal will be presented. We saw lots of big bowls go by). It's BYOB here so don;t forget to stop and pick up a bottle of wine if you go and don't expect it to be worth the wait if you go on a Friday night.
(2)Brett A.
One of my favorites of all time! If you don't like the food here I don't know what to say. Faves and house specialities include mussels, bolognese, rosemary chicken. Love the BYOB too. They don't take res so go early or expect to wait at a nearby bar. I promise the food is worth it! Enjoy!
(5)Julia J.
Ordered pasta but didn't like it at all. Either Italian food is not for me, or that dish is bad
(2)Alexander K.
7/26/14 Sweet Basil, Needham, MA. -- Last visit in 12/2013, some time passed. Went back with 4 bottles this time and realizing I have missed this eatery !! Some staff have changed, portions looked bigger, prices higher, lines longer, 8pm still 30min. wait. Yeh allow time. 3 people ordering 5/6 dishes sharing .. tasty yes yes and yes !! Service .. yes yes and yes great !! Go on and visit this cookery !! Bring your own booze !!
(5)C C.
Visited again last Tuesday. This time, shrimp scampi pasta was excellent, but the linguini with clams -- Big letdown -- Tiny portion and lacking in flavor. It was less than 1/2 of the portion of the shrimp scampi pasta! It's definitely a dish to avoid at this restaurant. Again, very inconsistent. Still 3-stars.
(3)Deepti J.
Last night was the second time for dinner at this place- I went there with my husband, I had gone with my colleagues the first time. The food and service were great and loved what I ordered the first time. However, when I went there yesterday to grab a nice-but-not-too-fancy food for our marriage anniversary, it was a complete disappointment. The server was cold and food was not half as good as last time(although I had ordered the same stuff, coz I liked it so much- it was baked gouda wrapped in fillo dough with salad and the Lamb shank with polenta where I substituted the lamb with mushrooms). My husband ordered the fagioli pasta. The pasta was too hot and he couldn't eat it and my veggies were too salty so I couldn't eat it. Boxed it up and archived it in my fridge...such a disappointment.
(1)Brian W.
Dined there last night and had a nice meal. The interior was casual but nice and the food was very good. Service friendly and prompt. I ordered the Lamb shank and it kept me from rating 5 stars. The lamb was tender and tasty, but the dish was swimming in oil/butter, specifically on the veggies, and there were big pieces of skin or fat which I had to remove from the meat. The lamb is rich enough on its own. The dish doesn't need all that extra grease. Overall a really nice place! PS. Not having dessert is an interesting move and I applaud them for it. If you have a restaurant like this (small and busy) you can probably get a full extra turn or two a night if you don't have dessert on the menu. The cash only, however, is a bit strange in this age.
(4)J. D.
Never been disappointed here, except for noise, crowded and having to wait for a table. Hope to visit soon!
(5)Allan S.
I LOVE this restaurant. No liquor license which means you have to bring your own wine, which is no great inconvenience plus you bring exactly what you enjoy. Cash or check only. Located in Needham Center, which is no great social mecca so you could easily walk by it and miss it, but don't because you would miss a real treat. Enough about that. The menu. Quite literally, everything on the menu looks delicious, from the appetizers to the entrees (no desserts offered). We started with fresh gazpacho, followed by a baked gouda salad, and finally soft shelled crab. All were amazing. We stopped at this point because we were full, but next time I am digging into the entree menu - the braised lamb shank beckons. Service amazing and the owner is right there and he is a real nice guy. Prices are reasonable how delicious the dishes are. The place always seems at full capacity.
(5)Nina T.
Fabulous Italian food. We had the calamari, risotto and FILO wrapped Gouda for apps. Could have been done After that! For entrees we had chic parm, baked beet ziti, and steak. The steak was so/so. Everything else was superb. The portions are huge!
(4)Kris S.
They have alot of signature dishes, my favorite would probably be the very unique pesto sauce that comes with the bread. Bologna pasta, lamb, and mushroom risottos are also a favorite. I come here atleast once every two weeks for three years (as a student) and havent been dissapointed yet.
(5)TIM O.
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants. The food is outstanding and you'll take home enough for a second meal for sure. Bring your own wine for a small corkage fee.
(5)Sherri Q.
Amazing! I've heard so many many of my friends and colleagues tell me over the years how wonderful this place was (and frankly, sad to say, I always thought it was a Thai restaurant) but pleasantly surprised it was not. Our appetizers, entrees, just so wonderful, staff, waitress, extremely friendly! We all live in Boston, with many places to choose from, but we will most certainly come back to this hidden gem.
(5)Teresa B.
Unique, upbeat place to have dinner in the 'burbs! A little loud so maybe not the best option if you have an elderly person in your party, but in that case just do takeout! Great spot that you'll definitely come back to. Prices are reasonable for the amount of food that you get (we always have leftovers!) I would recommend the braised chicken dish or the chicken rosemary dish - so tasty! Remember to BYO booze! But now you can buy booze in Needham, so it's all good!
(5)Peter B.
We had a party of 9 and our friend, a Needham resident, knew the drill, so we came in with plenty bottles of wine. BYOB not a problem. Saves a bunch on drinks. This is my first time here, but many at our party had been there a number of times, so the great reviews from them were respected. I ordered the pan seared scallops. The scallops were great and they sat on a bed of spinach. I was sticking to the scallops and occasionally taking some spinach when I noticed something under the spinach. It was sautéed onions. Now they did not go with the scallops at all. This may have been the first time I have had sauteed onions with a seafood dish. Maybe I'm missing something, but it didn't do much for me at all. Luckily the onions were under the layer of spinach, so it really didn't much mix with the scallops. I would have done 5 stars, but the onions were just weird.
(4)Adi R.
Needhams finest restaurant! Every dish is really good with good portions. Always crowded. Bread cheese and pesto is very tasty all the time. Must try. If on budget try lunch. Cash only.
(5)Jimmy M.
In my first review, I had withheld the fifth star because they don't take plastic. That was wrong of me, I apologize, I am wiser now. Restaurants lose money on credit card sales, but they accept them because they're afraid they'll lose business. Sweet Basil is cash only and people are lined up on the sidewalk in the winter to get in and pay cash. If "cash only" means that line is shorter for me.... good! I will gladly pay in cash! Cash machine right across the street. As Mentioned before, bring your own bottle of wine, they don't have a wine license here. This is a good thing! You bring your favorite wine, and pay just one tenth of what a restaurant would charge you. Win! The bread they start you out with; Freshly cut, two types, served with a wonderful pesto/garlic dip and a flask of olive oil. Soooo hard not to fill up on this wonderful bread. Appetizers: We got the calamari, which was crispy and light and delicious, a very generous portion served in a big bowl, with half a lemon and a small bowl of spicy tomato marinara. We also got the baked Gouda, heavenly! Even the bed of greens with dressing was delicious. Entrees: Big portions with the Chicken Parm and Rosemary Chicken, rave reviews from family members. My son and I got the Grilled Salmon served on a bed of baked sweet potatoes. I can say without hesitation that this was the best salmon I ever had in my life. They've figure out grilling salmon to perfection, the texture, the subtle seasoning, and the quality of the fish itself was brilliant. I felt like crying when I was finishing it, and my 16 year old son was reduced to making dreamy sighs and moans while he ate his. The wait staff, even the bus boy, all seem to be very happy to be there, and I noticed our waitress was constantly coming by the table to look us over and see how we were doing without butting in to ask "how is everything" every time. The giant water glasses were constantly being filled for us, and they offered more bread when we finished ours off (don't do it! save stomach room!). The perfect night was slightly blemished by a screw up that resulted in my older son's Chicken Parm being given to the wrong table. The waitress apologized profusely and brought out a bowl of pasta for him while he waited another ten minutes while the rest of us ate our entrees. Half of us were finished by the time he got his Chicken Parm, which he said was outstanding. I think they should have comped that entree, and they didn't, which is why I am withholding the sixth star which they otherwise would have deserved but does not exist anyways.
(5)Dak K.
Garlic! Should be renamed , sweet garlic! The pesto and fresh bread with a salad could have been enough, adding baked gouda on top, mb a bit much. However, adding on a lamb shank , some mussels, and had to try the bolognese, gluttony !! The bolognese was to salty, the mussels were flavorful with of course, over the top garlic ( wouldn't have it any other way), the lamb shank was comfort food at it's finest , only complimented by its buttery polenta and sweet onions! Yes , we enjoyed ourselves. Go with a couple of apps for dinner , or your entree and a shared app, and don't forget your bottle like we did!
(4)Melisa C.
I've been to Sweet Basil 3 times now. It is BYOB which is great, but they will not seat you unless your entire party is there, so make sure to all arrive within a few minutes of each other. The place has two rooms for diners, and the atmosphere is intimate and well decorated. This would be a great place to take a date. They give each table a basket of bread and basil pesto. This pesto is the best I have ever had! It is so delicious, and they will replenish the bread and basil if you ask them to! The first time for dinner I ordered the lamb, and I was so stuffed from the bread and pesto that I was only able to have a few bites of my entree. Nonetheless, it was great, and I was able to have a few leftover meals from this large serving. On my way out I also ordered a takeout pint of the pesto ($5), to bring home. The second time I went for dinner I ordered the chicken parmesan--also very, very good! I bought some leftovers home and was able to have another meal out of it. The most recent time I went I went for lunch and ordered the steak bomb sandwich with a side salad. The salad was dressed with a balsamic dressing which was pretty good, and the sandwich was good as well. Overall my favorite dish that I have had so far is the chicken parmesan out of the three. If you like pesto, I would highly recommend buying a pint to go home with!
(5)E. K.
Very disappointed.... We were rushed through our dinner, given our bill, charged corkage fee (did not bring alcohol), never offered dessert. Mediocre quality, not worth the price.
(1)Benjamin R.
I can't say enough good things. Nina is as friendly as a host you could ever hope to welcome you in, kindness in full color. David, the dreamer who first imagined this dream, has been whipping up shrimp scampi and similar fare since the age of eleven. Yes, that's illegal, but the magic is palpable. There is only one Sweet Basil, and so it will always be.
(5)Stephen G.
I started going to Sweet Basil when it was a one room, and all the tables were packed together so tightly that when one person wanted to get up, the whole restaurant would have to move! The food was fantastic and the staff was happy and friendly. It was like you were eating dinner in the owners house. Over the years the restaurant has become incredibly popular but it has come with a price. Now it's so popular the wait on any given nights could be hours. The number of patrons has literally overwhelmed the staff. On a recent night, we brought friends from Ireland and were told that the wait would be an hour and a half. We wanted our friends to try the place so gave our cell phones as usual. No calls. We went back an hour and a half later to see that our name had been crossed off the list. The owner, who is an awfully nice guy realized the mistake buy there were no tables and ours had been given to a party that came later. So we had to wait more. To top it off, several of the regular dishes were not cooked correctly. We all had a very unpleasant evening there and were unimpressed. No amount of smiling staff can compensate. Sadly, I must say that we won't be going back. Just not worth the aggregation and disappointment.
(2)Steven B.
Took my girlfriend to this place last night, we go out to eat often and love to try new places. At first it looked like a small place until you walk inside, which reveals to be just as big as the restaurant I work in. Inside is beautiful and you can see the cook line and see what's going on. The decorations are nice and make You feel like your at home. Fresh bread and a bowl on fresh pesto was brought to the table, which was amazing! We ordered the shitaki mushroom dumpling with avocado and it was to awesome. It also came with a honey wasabi salad! We didn't know to bring our own wine but next time we most certainly will. I had the shank and it was amazing! And my girlfriend has the bolognese and loved it! This is as edit from a year ago, and have been back 10 times! Truly an amazing place!
(5)Carol W.
We live in town and love and respect this place but it is disconcerting to bring home a doggy bag and find spaghetti mixed with one's left over other pasta. The sauce Bolognese is quite complex and is better eaten in the dark and dark it is in this restaurant. The chicken with fig and mushroom sauce looks even worse in the light of day, but tastes terrific in the black out. Still we return because it is so reliable and now share entrees as well as the huge and wonderful salads. Nothing left then to view the next day!
(4)Roxanne B.
Took my husband and son here on Saturday night for a birthday dinner. Got there before 5:15 based on Yelpers recommendations and brought a bottle of beer. It was full by 5:35 pm. This is a very small place that really hops! We sat on what we thought was the quieter side next to the open kitchen - it got noisy, but that's just part of the atmosphere. They set up round tables for larger parties of 7 on either side of us --- and it was "close" - but we didn't mind. The portions were gi-normous. We got 3 appetizers: sweet potato soup, gazpacho and the baked gouda. Baked gouda was ok -- could only eat 1/4 of it after the tasty bread and pesto they served. Decided on 2 additional appetizers for dinner: Duck confetti which was excellent and certainly was enough for an entree. The shrimp scampi was super flavorful: pepper, lemon, garlic - shrimp might have been a tad overdone, but it was delicious - took 75% of that portion home too. We were never rushed - and thoroughly enjoyed the place. My son said it was much like places in CA --wish Framingham had something like this instead of all the chains! Note: They now take credit cards, but still don't serve dessert. I think you can bring dessert in for a small charge.
(4)Dee S.
The most fantastic Italian food! Rosemary chicken is not to be missed. It is rich, so leftovers are inevitable. The bread and pesto is unreal, and the fra diavolo is wonderful. The calamari is also delicious, with a spicy marinara sauce and crisp seafood!
(5)Karen T.
I love the atmosphere, I love the service, and most importantly...I LOVE the food here.
(5)Amy H.
We had quite a wait, but it was well worth it. It seems most restaurants in the Newton/ Needham area that are any good have quite a long wait on the weekends. They do any seafood with pasta right!! All of them are my favorites. It sure beats driving into Boston, paying $30 for parking and waiting there for 2 hours. It is a good compromise for a night out with little hassle and a great meal.
(5)Hayley M.
Simply outstanding. I haven't been yelping much lately. I just haven't been inspired. No place has knocked my socks off and no one has pissed me off to the point where I take it out on my keyboard. That all changed tonight... in a good way. My parents went to Sweet Basil last weekend and my mom couldn't stop talking about it. So she and I went tonight, and rushed home to my laptop so I could give this place some love. I walked into this adorable tiny restaurant and my nose was immediately hit with the wonderful aroma of Italian food. All the spices blended together and my tummy immediately rumbled. My mom said something about bringing your own wine, so I asked the waitress if Needham is a dry town. She said it was, but that she thought there was an open bottle of wine in the back, would we like a glass? Yes, yes we would! So this spot is one of those places with comically large portions. Fortunately we knew this ahead of time, so we selected one salad and one entree. We went with the Greek salad and Chicken Scallopini, which had garlic, lemon, capers, tomatoes, and spinach. It also came with a side of pasta, which we opted for the red sauce. I wanted to try every sauce they had! The salad was HUGE. Mom and I each had two servings and there was still plenty of it. It was fresh, colorful, and covered with a delightfully salty feta. The entree arrived and it was awesome. The chicken had a wonderful flavorful sauce and had tons of bright, fresh veggies. The pasta was al dente and the red sauce had chunks of garlic and really went well with the scallopini. One salad and one entree was perfect for two people. Plus the entire bill was $30. Cost efficient. Adorably decorated. Great service. Delicious food. What more could you ask for?
(5)Pete D.
Wow! The wait was well worth it! My wife and I went the other night for a "date night". The wait is ~1 to 2 hours on a Saturday night, so plan accordingly! They are a BYO-wine and beer restaurant, so pick out a nice bottle and bring it with you!! If you have to wait, leave your number and the host/hostess will call you when it is close to your time. We went to Not Your Average Joe's to get a drink, so it worked out great! Again... worth the wait in my book! The food was excellent! We shared the muscles, my wife had the bolognese dish and I had the sirloin steak. My wife even was able to get wheat pasta, so my tip... it never hurts to ask! In the end, I would definitely go back! Owner was very gracious! My only tip to him: stand your ground and stand behind your restaurant! People will wait because your food is great!! Why did I write that... when I asked him how long the wait was, he told me and then said "I don't blame you if you do not want to wait."
(5)Carolyn M.
My favorite place for a date night with the FH! The restaurant is so cozy and unassuming but the food is dynamite. When we moved to Needham it took us a year to try it because from the street it did not look like anything special. We were so wrong! There is a line out the door on any given weekend night and it is cash only, BYOB. We cannot pick a favorite because everything is so good.
(5)Nate C.
Everyone I talk to loves Sweet Basil, and there are a plethora of 5-Star Reviews on it here but I walked away underwhelmed by the whole experience and thought I would share. First of all, the fact that they don't take credit/debit cards is extremely irritating to me. Most people these days rarely carry cash, let alone enough to cover dinner here so you often need to make a special trip to the ATM before dining. I know this is probably a great business decision for them to save on fees by only taking cash, but it would really be much more convenient if they accepted plastic. They don't take reservations either, so if you want a table you'll need to be prepared to wait or arrive well in advance of when you actually want to eat (especially with any party of 4 or larger as group seating is limited). The staff was very kind and accommodating and opened our bottle of wine - it's BYOB here - and served us in the (very small) waiting area and we were given a free appetizer for waiting so long, which was a very nice gesture and made the experience much more pleasant. I thought the food was alright (I had the Ravioli), but nothing that should be generating the rave reviews my friends have given me and the tell-tale sign of underwhelming food for me was my lack of interest in eating the leftovers the next day. It's a cozy little spot that's a great location for a date or a nice evening out with a significant other or a get together with your folks (doubly so if they're paying!) but overall this isn't someplace I'll be hurrying back to.
(3)R K.
Just gotta say it, even though there are already plenty of similar reviews. Sweet Basil is the best dining experience and food in Needham, one of the top five in Boston. By far the best value. Stop at one of a number of nearby ATM's when you get to Needham Center. Bring your choice of wine and then go somewhere nearby for a light dessert after - if you have room. The combination of flavors, atmosphere, service and respect you experience as a diner there is a complete wow, even if you know what to expect. No amount of wait time is too long not to be worth it. Last night Dave sent those of us waiting outside some sample plates. Kept me there like a pup ready for the next treat.
(5)Stephanie W.
1. No reservations, so go early or plan to wait (and it could be a while) 2. BYOB 3. No kids menu - ask for a half-order or something special 4. Loud and crowded - may not want to have a serious discussion here This is a really quaint, feel-good restaurant with good food. Not fantastic, not for true foodies, but quality ingredients and traditional recipes. Large portions that are adequate to share. Very friendly staff.
(4)Francisca W.
first time in town, first time here, upon recommendation of friends who've been here before. 6pm weeknight, found street parking w/o a problem, except that the meter doesn't tell you till when you shall stop feeding it. well, for 25c an HOUR (also w/the entertainment of actually turning that dial after you insert money!!), i'll max it out at 2 hours. walked in, place is happening (not completely full or spilling out yet), friends already there w/menu, water & bread on the table. waitress was actually checking on them when i walked up; she let me sit down and came back after a few minutes to put in orders. waitress is very pleasant. the two-sided menu gives you some appetizer and entree selection. that's about it. i scrolled down and instantly saw "cash only"--"wtf?" surfaced. as i mentioned in another review: if the corner pizza place takes credit cards, then a sit-down restaurant w/waiter service should at least do as much. should do that ESPECIALLY when this is a place to charge $13 a starter and $20 per entree. you think people still carry wads of cash in their wallet these days? where are we, Vietnam? "conveniently" (lucky for them), there's a Sovereign Bank opposite the restaurant; heard Citizens is but another block away. the CVS down the street (ATM inside) might also save your day. albeit having to leave your seat after sitting down bc you realized you didn't have the means to pay for your meal is not going to equate to a pleasant dining experience, at least you are one fewer step from having police called on you. as we were discussing dinner options, i asked if my friends wanted any drinks, like a glass of wine or something. got a good laugh being the newbie here, not knowing they ONLY serve water. oh! that explains the line right below the "cash only" fine print that says "feel free bring your wine, we charge $5 per wine for corkage" or something like that. you mean, i don't even get to order soda? sure, i'll just stick w/water then. not starting very well on the right foot, but let's move on to food. friend liked the bread pesto very much-- i wasn't hungry so i only took a tasting of the pesto w/o any bread. it was fresh, w/a good amount of cheese & salt in it. i guess it's not bad. appetizer: ordered the braised beef shoulder w/sweet potato gnocchi + ginger apple chutney/sauce to share. beef is tender & flavorful (but only ONE 2x2 chunk in the whole plate), sweet potato gnocchi pillowy and soft, ginger apple sauce refreshing. not bad, only i would prefer another chunk or a few bucks off the price. entree: for $20 i got the seafood stew, which consisted of an assortment of seafood (mussels, clams, fish, shrimps), and chunks of potatoes. now, when i see "stew" i'd expect the flavors to marry together and sauce being thicker, but what i had in front of me was more like tomato-based broth w/stuff cooked it in. to potato/seafood combo was new to me as well. seafood was cooked right, but it was somewhat lacking in flavors. friend got the spicy version of the same seafood stew, for $1 more. and instead of potatoes, she got pasta instead. it made more sense for her dish; looked better too. another friend got the veal dish; also looking very good. judging from the color and texture of it, can assume it's packed with flavors-- or some may consider it too rich or heavy. but she cleaned the plate so that's a good sign. as we finished/packed our meal, dessert came to mind, which was instantly squashed down by the reminder of how this place is run. the thought of "think pizza place except they have better decors and waiter service" resurfaced, and i dared not ask this time. the saving grace is the waitress (Elise her name?) was very pleasant, and never rushed us out even though we continued to chill while waiting our to-go meal to arrive AND chilled some more afterwards. there were a couple empty tables yet to be filled and there was no line outside, so i guess it wasn't a problem. but upon our exit, this guy in chef's outfit (who helped bring us food earlier) SAW us leaving, yet didn't make any gesture to bid us farewell. maybe he did after i exited, but i wouldn't have known. for all these reasons, and the fact that this place serves no drinks and takes no credit card, ratings are decreased. plus the fact that the place is REEEEALLY cramped coz they're trying to fit in as many tables as possible. we had to literally MOVE the table to let my friend out. wow. really?
(3)Pinky S.
Food was so bad, so bad that we didn't even touch the bolognese after initial tasting. The pasta was undercooked. My chicken piccata and my husband's meat dishes tasted the same as they were both covered with same sauce as the base. Only the sauce was bitter. The baked filo was descent, but salad underneath had an overpowering dressing. Everything is laden with cheese and burnt garlic which gives off a bitter taste, so everything tasted like parmasen and bitter garlic. If I can give it zero stars I would.
(1)Ross S.
***THIS REVIEW IS IMPORTANT TO READ*** I have been to Sweet Basil 3-4 times and I am here to set the record straight. The 4 1/2 Yelp review is VERY deceiving and Sweet Basil is very much undeserving of that score. I frequent many great eatery's around the Boston area and although Sweet Basil is decent, it is by no means "elite." 1. Most of their dishes are extremely heavy. For example the Roasted Chicken with pancheta in a garlicky Parmesan cream sauce is unappetizing. Thick, heavy wayyyyyyyyyyy over "cheesy." 2. The BYOB is totally fine, but they don't chill the wine other than throwing it in a bucket of ice. And they literally serve ZERO beverages...?? Just nasty tap water. And I am not being snobby about tap water... just so happens that Sweet Basil's has a terrible "off-taste." 3. My big complaint about this place is that in nearly all their dishes they feel the need to sprinkle Parmesan cheese over everything. First of all, in many cases, doing so makes no sense. I am sorry but I do not want my veal Marsala or Shrimp Scampi to have cheese on it. Not traditional, and a SIN to mix fish and cheese. They give a good effort, but for the most part this place falls flat on their face. They appear to be a a quaint Italian eatery nestled in downtown Needham, but they are a bit pretentious and the cooking is semi-sloppy. If you like this place, you like heavy, over sauced, over cheesed dishes. Maybe your into sloppy "comfort-foodesque" dishes. I am not.
(2)Daniel M.
Still the best Italian outside of the North End. Hands down. Went with the parents on a recent Friday night when we couldn't get into O'Hara's in Newton...and afterward was very glad for our misfortune. Started with bread and pesto and, despite consuming it by myself I wasn't filled. Later, two of us had the rosemary chicken and one had the lamb ossobucco. All three dishes, along with my after dnner beverage were magnificently prepared and presented, and, to top it off, we didn't have to engage in the seemingly endless search for parking characteristic of a North End dining experience. Sweet Basil boasts a more extensive menu and lower prices than than most Italian restaurants in the area. Maybe Needham doesn't have the atmosphere or charm of the North End, but for a suburban dining experience Sweet Basil is hard to top.
(4)Roy W.
I used to love this place, but now I realize that the food is way too heavy, the music too loud, and the service too rushed and indifferent. Even though they expanded the size of the restaurant, they still won't serve dessert - they just want to be able to turn the tables over faster. There are many better places to eat.
(2)Mike M.
The only reason to go to Needham as far as I'm concerned. Great Great Italian food that's original and artfully done. It's BYOB so be sure to bring wine and you cant go wrong with anything on the menu. Happy Eating!
(5)Hairy K.
Excellent waitress, attentive and pleasant. Food was exceptional even though we arrived half an hour before kitchen close. Bolognese was utterly delightful with delicious homemade pasta. The muscles were perfectly cooked in an amazing garlic butter. Only one was sandy. Overall wonderful experience. The music playing was a fun topic of discussion being a diverse mix of genres.
(5)Jillian Q.
I might have originally given this place three stars, but as I thought about it I was pushed over the edge to four stars. I'll tell you why... My mother, father, husband and I went for lunch on a Saturday for my husband's birthday. My husband and I had never been here but my mother and father had. Once we were seated it took a while for the waiter to get over to our table, even though it was relatively slow. He apologized though, so all forgiven. The pesto is to die for, I seriously could have licked that little bowl clean with no shame at all whatsoever. They gave us a refill because I don't think I allowed anyone else at the table near it. The bread wasn't as fresh as it looked, but it worked. We ordered the pan-fried mozzarella and, I think another review also stated this, it's....interesting. It's in a casserole dish and is basically melted mozzarella in sauce. It's not bad by any means, just different. So much so that we asked the waiter if it actually WAS the mozzarella. This is just my personal preference as well, but I'm not a fan of the sauce. It's a little too sweet and I'm not a fan of the carrots, but like I said, that's just me. Everyone else at the table liked it. For my entree I had the raviolis (which were a special for lunch) and they were divine. 100% homemade and fantastic. I got the sauce on the side and just put pesto on the ravioli, yummm. My father got the chicken parm sandwich, it was good. Our waiter, though, must have been new. He was nice, but seemed to never know the answer to any of the questions I asked and seemed a bit nervous. It made me a feel a little odd for asking questions about the food, etc and I didn't think I was asking anything out of the ordinary. There was another waiter around who seemed much more comfortable around the restaurant. I would like to come back and get dinner sometime.
(4)Holly M.
I wanted to love this place and I fully expected to but it just didn't happen. We didn't get off to a great start, having 3 out of our party of 4 there they wouldn't seat us without the 4th person present unless we "ordered right away". This was kind of odd because we wouldn't order right away even if all 4 of us were there and it was early on a weeknight and the place was nowhere near filled. But that was minor and I figured the food would more than make up for this small oddity. I ordered a risotto special which they said they could make without goat cheese, which I loathe. The dish was about a half cup of risotto spread in a single layer on a plate, it was cold and had the distinctive taste of goat cheese (shudder). In their defense they probably would have fixed it but I didn't complain because my friends were rolling their eyes in ecstasy over their food and I didn't want to be a downer. It did smell divine in there and my friends really loved their food so I'm assuming my food was an outlier. I liked the atmosphere of the place even though it did get crowded. There was kind of an entitled crowd waiting to be seated, some of whom would periodically come over and stare at us from a few feet away as if that would help speed us up. This isn't the restaurant's fault of course. I also loved being able to bring our own wine and when I accidentally left an unopened bottle on the table they had it out back for me when I returned to see if it was still there. I'll give it 3 stars because even though my own experience was eh, it's a cute place and my friends raved about their food.
(3)Sarah C.
Sooooooo good. Portions are GIGANTIC, food is delicious. I believe that they don't serve alcohol b/c Needham is a dry town, but go anyways and have your drinks somewhere else or at home.
(5)Rhan K.
I love this place. I went for my birthday a few weeks ago and they had this duck with gnocchi. It was just the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Their other food is great too . I'm just waiting until I'm 21 so I can take advantage of their BYOW policy. The price is similar to a lot of more chain restaurants but the taste here makes this place worth it.
(4)Toni S.
It was quite awhile ago when we ate here and it was a good enough experience, but I wasn't really blown away or anything. Everything we had was very good and we had leftovers for days--the portions are huge. Not sure if that is good or not. haha. It is authentic Italian with a twist, I guess you could say, loaded with flavor. We met the Chef who is also loaded with flavor! He is probably one of the most charismatic people I have ever talked to. It has a very nice vibe, just not my favorite place to go for some reason. They don't have a liquor license, however, you can bring your own wine but you have to pay a cork fee, or whatever it's called. Also, they only take cash.
(3)R B.
The smell emanating from this restaurant alone makes me salivate. Have been very happy here, more so at dinner than at lunch. Friendly staff. Particularly like the mussels and anything else saturated with garlic. Get frozen custard at Abbott's afterwards. Generous portions, overall very reasonable. Unique in its way, like to take visitors here.
(4)Laura T.
Love this place and have been here many times. The atmosphere is cozy and not too loud. Unfortunately, sometimes you end up practically sitting in the lap of the person next to you you're so close to them! The wait on a weekend will be long, but worth it. Go grab a drink at another restaurant or sit in the park across the street and they'll call you when your table is ready. Love that it is BYOB because I can always bring my favorite wine! If I could just sit at my table with a glass of Riesling and a huge basket of bread and pesto, I would be in heaven. The pesto is probably in the list of top ten items that I have ever eaten... it's that good. My mouth is watering right now thinking about it. Appetizers are also phenomenal. The baked gouda is out of this world (especially in the summer when the salad it's is over is smothered in berries), the calamari is top notch, and the risotto of the day is usually amazing. Unfortunately, I've found that their entrees are never as wonderful as their amazing pesto and appetizers. They're good, but I've never been super impressed. In fact, last time I went my husband had the rosemary chicken, but didn't eat much of it because he was so full from the bread and apps. When we warmed it up a couple days later, we realized that it was so garlicky that we couldn't even eat it. I had the short ribs which were good but sort of fatty. We are thinking that next time we go we'll stick with a few appetizers to share, plus the bread and of course a bottle of wine... perfection!
(4)Lee H.
I liked this place, my wife was not so impressed. Huge portions of well-garlicked italian dishes. Mine was a big bowl of seafood and pasta. Prices are reasonable. Nice decor, good service, easy parking. Be prepared to wait, though, it's a popular place.
(4)Leighann F.
Sweet indeed! The staff is amazingly attentive, the food comes in enormous portions and everything is delectable! Each meal begins with fresh bread and garlic-pesto dip. I could have eaten only that and been happy! A quick run-down of my meal: -Steamed mussels in garlic and wine with fresh roma tomates, evoo and garlic crostini -Warmed goat cheese over an arugula salad with roasted beets mussels -Skillet seared sirloin steak with a cheesy wild mushroom risotto cake There was so much food, we took a lot home!
(5)Diane L.
showed up with a $600 bottle of Dragon's Druel which paired nicely with the hearty bolognese. the house was packed and there were several parties waiting to be seated yet we never felt pressured by the staff to leave as we savored our food and wine. Lively but not loud, Sweet Basil puts the "comfort" in comfort food.
(5)Jim D.
One of the best restaurants in the suburbs and maybe even Boston. We love that it is BYOB and will come back over and over. The ingredients are fresh and delicious and the chef manages to make comfort food both cool and satisfying. (Bring back the beet noodles!) Love Sweet Basil!
(5)Pete L.
Sweet Basil in Needham is our favorite restaurant. We eat here at least once a week. First of all you get great value, a meal for two with each appetizer and entree will not set you back more than about $60, BUT, surprise (!), that meal you won't be able to eat entirely. You'll be taking half of it home, because it is so much. That way you get two meals for the price of one. Note that payment is only in cash. There are plenty of ATM's nearby. Consider also coming in early, as later in the evening it gets packed. One can usually park in front or on the nearby major free parking a few minutes walking away. Every single staff member and the owner are all super friendly, efficient and welcoming. You get the feeling of being at home there, which is unusual. Also unusual is that, as opposed to many nearby restaurants, the cooks actually dare to insert spices in the food to make it more tasteful. No blandness here. A big positive is that one can bring one's own wine bottle and they'll serve it in glasses at a fair corking fee. That is much better than dealing with the 9 out of 10 unappetizing and overpriced wines in other restaurants. And if you do not finish the bottle, they'll recork. Bottom line, if you have a choice between going to an impersonal average quality chain restaurant like Bucca's or this homey great quality-to-price Sweet Basil, Sweet Basil will win every day for me.
(5)Frank B.
Long-time fan of Dave's place. Our go-to place for a real good meal and fun evening out. BYOB a plus. Albums covers on the check book and music on the ipod always of interest. Visited last evening and had another enjoyable meal. I realized that Sweet Basil is all about the flavors. From the pesto and caesar salad to the main course, lots of interesting flavors that are a bit unique. Scampi, Rosemary chicken and scallopini were the selections at our table. Thumbs up on all three with some for leftovers as well. Once you know the drill for SB....expect a wait, bring cash, BYOB, - just show up, go with the flow, and enjoy.
(5)Sarah H.
Disclaimer: I'm not a fan of cheese, tomato sauce, pasta or anything associated with Italian cuisine save garlic and bread .. having said that, I really enjoyed this place and would definitely return for a second dinner. I had the chicken cacciatore and two others I was with had the lamb shank. As I have been told, the lamb shank is one of the all time best i-will-never-need-or-want-to-try-anything-else type dishes. The serving sizes are huge--enough for two meals. What was even better than the food and probably the best I have experienced in New England, is the service. Everyone from the hostess to the waitstaff to the bussers and the manager--and i mean everyone on the floor--was so attentive and friendly. It felt as if we were guests in somebody's home. I look forward to going back and expanding my cheese and tomato hating horizons.
(4)D R.
100% worth the wait. Sweet Basil is consistently busy with hour plus wait times. Wait the hour plus. The pesto spread and bread before the meal are excellent. Highly recommend their Greek Salad for a starter and for entree...my favorite is the Bolognese. The owner, Dave, told me it is his favorite. When you try it, you will soon learn why it is has remained on this menu from the opening of the restaurant. If you want something lighter than the Bolognese, try the Braised Veal (or Chicken) with port wine, mushrooms, and figs (their own twist on a Marsala). Excellent food!
(5)Paul S.
A homerun in Needham with Sweet Basil! There are many wonderful things about Sweet Basil. First and foremost, you must get their as soon as they open if you want to get a table fairly quickly because it is a hot spot and the seating capacity is not very big. The food quality is superb, with each entree offering something special. My favorite on the menu is Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce with ziti for $19.95! Mix that with a glass of wine, and if your like me, it spells major carb crash, but what a fantastic pasta dish full of flavor! The atmosphere is modern and trendy with coctail-loungy music to set the mood just right. There is no alcohol here so you must BYOB!($5.00 corkage fee) Now, I love this concept because you get much more grapes for your dollar and it allows you to save tons. Another important aspect is there is no deserts on the menu. Once again, I like this also because for one, I never have room for it anyway at the end, and two it saves you another 20 bucks or so. Another cool aspect of this restaurant is you can hear the clanging of the pots and pans as the kitchen is very close to you no matter where you get seated. The service in my experience has always been speedy, attentive and polite. Dave the owner seems like a real cool person and very approachable. We have been outta there for 50 bucks plus whatever we spent on the bottle of vino many times, and that is a whale of a deal with a quality dining experience in my opinion. The bolognese pasta dish and any of their risottos are also fantastic. If you have not tried Sweet Basil, you must get there at least once, and be sure to pick up your wine along the way. Monday through Friday they are open at 5 pm, and trust me, you want to be there at 5pm. Saturday they open at 4 pm - follow the same rule. ****** Cash Only*******
(4)Melissa D.
I am so impressed with a small local business who cater to true quality food and service. If you have seen my reviews, I am very particular and stress service since this can make or break your dining experience. Sweet Basil makes you feel welcome and treats each customer like a yelper who is eagerly waiting to write a review. It's a very simple layout with tables mostly 2-tops with a few group tables. Please note you can byob/w and they do not take reservations or credit cards. I parked behind masala art and cvs, that sneaky parking lot The hostess welcomed us with a big smile and since it was early (6:00pm) we were able to get the 2top right by the window. At the end of the evening, the hostess helped recork our wine bottle when our waitress couldn't get to us. A definite plus in service. Not an overwhelming menu and the entrees range from 18-21 dollars. My friend had the seafood fra diavlo - linguine covered with calamari, shrimp, clams, mussels. Since the size of the shelffish were small, they compensated with the quantity in your plate. I had the rosemary chicken with pancetta, spinach in a cream sauce over ziti. The pasta is al-dente and the crispy bits were hidden gems that flavored the sauce. I noticed the chef and some of the cooks came by and picked up the empty plates and asked how their meal was. This is such a great concept and this gives them a chance to always seek room for improvement.
(5)Jim D.
This is hands down one of the best restaurants in the Boston area. I've been doing take-out from Sweet Basil for years now but finally decided to actually dine here on Saturday evening. Their food has always been fantastic in the past and it definitely remains fantastic now. A nice surprise was that the charming Chef Dave Becker was there to greet and seat us. He was very friendly and even offered us a complimentary glass of wine. Sweet! The inside is cozy and comfortable but on the smaller side. It was much smaller before they expanded so be thankful it's the size it is right now. I typically get the seafood fra diavolo (which is still offered but just not on the menu) but decided to get the lamb ossobuco. Let me tell you - that is one phenomenal dish! Utterly tender, succulent and mind-bogglingly delicious. Their portions are also extremely generous so be sure to come with plenty of room in your belly. A great perk is that it's BYOB - gotta love that! This place gets extremely packed on just about any night of the week so it's a very good idea to come early. Also, don't forget your cash as they only take cash and checks. If you haven't visited Sweet Basil yet, I think your visit is long overdue.
(5)P Q.
Heard this was a great restaurant. Wrong. Very disappointed. Chopped tomatoes on everything. My friend ordered Chicken Scallopini and I ordered Sweet Carrot Gnocchi in lemon broth and the sauces could have been interchangeable - lots of chopped tomatoes on both even though no mention of tomatoes in the description of the gnocchi. Try it if you must when it is quiet . . . but don't waste your time if you have to wait to be seated.
(2)Albert R.
I am visiting the greater Boston area for a few months, and yelp did not disappoint with this recommendation. The food here s brilliant, and I have come in once a week while I have been here. The start you off with a serving of fresh bread and pesto sauce - nice alternative to the oil/balsamic. don't be fooled into eating too much of it, the food is good and the portions are large. I have had the bolognese and the short ribs. the bolognese was rich and creamy, and served over pasta that was cooked perfectly al dente. Short ribs were succulent and tender, and served with mashed potatoes so creamy, they alone must have wrecked my diet. I also had the risotto appetizer, which was not a traditional risotto, but still delicious. Another review here spoke of having a negative experience in regards to the service. On my first visit, I arrived at was must have been there busiest hour. I was seated as soon as a table was available. Even though I was eating alone, they seated me at a table meant for multiple people. the waitress, listed the specials, frequently checked on me, and, when my order was taking longer than expected, provided me with a sample of the risotto appetizer while I waited. That particular waitress is not currently working there, and I haven't received that level of service since she has left, but all the staff is very friendly, helpful, and I have never felt neglected. The value I got was the most shocking thing of all. Every meal I have ordered has been under $23 dollars before the tip, and I am as often as not walking away with left overs that are pretty darn good reheated. Now there are some drawbacks to this restaurant, but they have nothing to do with the food, which is why I still gave tem five stars. First, parking is atrocious, but that is just a problem in this small town in general. The seating is rather cramped, and they fill up rather quickly, but I consider that a problem related to their success. They have take out, if you decided not to stay, but be prepared to be relatively close to your neighbor, the kitchen, or the front door. The music is an unusual mix, not what I would have expected for a restaurant of this type (you just have to experience it to know what I mean) and I can imagine that it would be kind of obtrusive if you were trying to hold a conversation. It does not, however, interfere with the eating. Lastly, it is kind of a pain to have t bring your own alcohol, especially for us out-of-towners. I have no problems highly recommending this restaurant for food, service and value unsurpassed.
(5)Nancy W.
Just had a wonderful lunch with a friend at Sweet Basil. Its great to know they are just as good for lunch as dinner. Our favorite is to get carryout from Sweet Basil and relax at home after a busy week. All the entrees are worth trying - the lamb is a favorite. And I would rather have aother piece of the bread they serve than have desser - its that good.
(4)R T.
Excellent food, service, and ambiance. The menu is not huge, but there should be something on there for everyone. The quality of the food was excellent, and the portions were large. The service staff was very friendly and prompt. We only waited 10 minutes to receive our food from the time it was ordered. This restaurant is BYOB (wine or beer) which was nice since we weren't getting gouged with restaurant prices for a bottle of wine. They did charge a $5 corking fee, which is standard at most BYOB restaurants. The only area for improvement is the noise level. If you listened carefully, they were playing some good background music. But you couldn't easily hear it as the restaurant noise level is a bit loud.
(5)Michele B.
Every time I go here I think, Wow, I really should go here more often. But I am usually deterred by the long wait. The portions are large and filling. I had the ziti with beets and a squash ragu which was fantastic. The seafood stew was also good and so large that it is served in a pyrex casserole dish. I thought this was a little tacky but my dining companion was pretty happy. Overall, the atmosphere is closer to you would expect in a college town rather than a suburb (though I guess Needham does have one college). It's also a legal BYOB so it's a good opportunity to bring a nice bottle of wine. Which of course you can't buy in Needham - I think the nearest Liquor store is Upper Falls Discount Liquor in Newton, or at the same distance Bazaa grocery store across the street.
(4)J M.
Went last night with another couple that lives in Needham. My friend's wife is an Italian and she loves this place, so I thought this must be awesome. And it was! We arrived at 7 for dinner, and the wait was about 45 minutes. They don't take reservation, and for a Saturday night I thought that was fairly acceptable. The food was amazing. I ordered the scallops and it was done very well. I'm a fan. One good thing also is that this place is a BYOW (bring your own wine). That is fantastic. They do charge an uncorking fee, $5 I believe, but you avoid the typical 500% upcharge on bottles of wine. To top it all, we sat next to Steven Tyler (yes the guy from Aerosmith). It was an awesome experience. The owner who was going to have the night off, rolled up his sleeves and cooked for him. I would too. How often can you say, "I cook for Steven Tyler"? Anyways, a solid five stars. Will be going back. A north end quality restaurant in Needham!
(5)Michelle K.
The food here is outstanding. I grew up in Needham and I love, love that we have a restaurant like Sweet Basil in town. There really is no other place like it in the area. Wonderful date place, the food is so delicious and comforting. I believe it is BYOB, so just keep that in mind. Love it here, really friendly staff too. Every person I have taken there has loved the food.
(5)Jennifer K.
Love it here! Chicken Picatta and Rosemary Chicken are amazing! The Rosemary Chicken has a delicious cream sauce, but if you aren't in the mood for such a heavy sauce, a friend told me that you can have the Rosemary Chicken with the Picatta sauce... I haven't done this yet but I am going to try it for sure! Bread & pesto are yummy too (I hear the pesto has no nuts!).
(5)Liz S.
Don't take reservations, have very few tables, and don't take credit cards. This is why I haven't been back in years, but the food was DELICIOUS! So sometime when I have the time and patience to put up with these things I'm definitely going back!
(5)Danielle L.
I don't get the hype about this place. I've been to Sweet Basil twice now and both experiences were just okay. This time, I took my mom because I saw on the Internet that they were one of about 40 restaurants that are donating a percentage of their earnings tonight to the victims of the marathon. I was eager and happy to contribute but when I asked our waiter about it, she said she didn't know what percent of the evening's sales would be donated nor did she know anything about the charity. Before leaving, I asked the host as well and he didn't know either. There was otherwise no mention or signage about it so I wonder if other people even knew about it. Seemed half-assed and not heartfelt at all. Our food was okay but the serving sizes were huge given that we only ordered starters. Too much food! And our waitress was slammed so our service was quite slow. I was turned off by the drab decor - specifically the glass ball full of beads, feathers, and other odd dusty things that are not appealing as a centerpiece. I don't think I'll be going back - even if it's for a good cause.
(2)Caroline D.
small place, not too much on the menu to choose from. got something plain and simple - the handmade raviolis.... but they were terrible!! swimming in sauce, hard as a rock on the outside (shouldve brought a chisel just to get to the middle). now, the filling of 3 cheeses (not a fan of goat cheese but i can deal on occassion), were hard to swallow. there are no drinks other than water or bring your own wine for a 5$ charge which left me with no way to wash the taste of those nasty raviolis out of my mouth. bring cash as they dont accept credit cards - so my bf had to leave after ordering his food and find an atm machine. we were not informed by the waitress or host or even read a sign upon entering that they dont accept cash it is however noted in small print on their menu. when we arrived we waited about 10 minutes for a table. the woman who sat us, never gave us a menu. after another 10 minutes of waiting for our waitress, we had to stop one and ask for a menu. no apologies either. so we got our bread and pesto, which was ok. nothing bad or good about it. we asked for another bowl, and had to ask twice before she brought it to us, again with no apology. finally we were asked if we wanted our food to be wrapped up to go. of course we did, i mean who wouldnt bring home an 18$ bowl of uneaten raviolis??? she said shed be right over. we had to ask for boxes and bags three times. she didnt apologize for not bringing it over the first two times either. seems to be the theme of that thursday night.... needless to say after alot of rants and raves from people saying how delicious the place is, i found it to be anything but & ill never go back. my boyfriend got the chicken parm, he liked it and would go back ( but i guess it would be without me ). he said it wasnt his favorite place. hes the reason im not giving this place one star.
(2)Mark B.
My weekly go to, my favorite for entertaining out of towners when food and fun are at the top of the list (they always are). Great staff (both FOH & BOH), great music, great ambiance. Always super accomodating for requests, needs. What more can I say? I always try to go early in the evening to avoid waiting - cause I love to eat. Beet noodles are my current passion, but the Osso Bucco kills, too.
(5)Abby M.
My family loves to dine out...and we may be monotonous, but NO ONE protests when, 90% of the time, we decide to go to Sweet Basil. We've been coming here for years. It is a never-fail option when taking someone new out. Although they keep coming out with new, enticing dishes, it is always an inner struggle not to order the tried, true, and delicious. For me it is: -Pan-fried mozzarella (to those nay-sayers: save a couple pieces of bread and sopp up the good stuff! Yes it's messy but that's part of the fun) -Baked gouda over greens...YUM -Ravioli -Rosemary Chicken ...I'm not a big meat person, so I am usually most tempted by the appetizers. If you've read the other reviews, you know the appetizers are plenty as a meal. As with most restaurants, the specials are guaranteed to be fresh and worth the risk of the unknown. They don't serve desserts or even coffee, but a frozen custard place just opened next door. Fact is, their apps and entrees are so well done and so enormous that none but the die-hard sweet tooths will be craving dessert after a meal at sweet basil. Also-- we've come here for a few birthday dinners and they will happily serve a cake you bring from home with candles and singing. The wait staff is friendly, helpful, and usually sincerely enthusiastic about the food they serve. You get an oversized glass full of water that will never reach the bottom thanks to attentive busboys, a basket of fresh bread with amazing pesto, and no one rolls their eyes when you ask to take your leftovers home. We usually come here early-ish on weekdays, to avoid the wait. BYOB, bring enough cash, and ENJOY!!!
(5)Christopher S.
It has been some time since my last visit but I wanted to write a review about my experience. A few months ago I decided to take my girlfriend out to dinner here for our anniversary. Knowing we each have been to Sweet Basil before we met I thought it would be nice to go together. Bringing my own bottle of Bull's Blood red wine we set off to the restaurant. Aware they do not take reservations we left so we could arrive hopefully before the dinner rush. At the podium we were greeted by a really friendly man who sat us at I believe the last available table for two. Our waitress came by, opened our bottle of red ($5 charge), gave us bread and pesto then took down our order. -Pan roasted mozzarella with basil marinara Served during dinner only -Chicken scaloppini with lemon, capers, tomatoes, spinach and pasta on the side -Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce tossed with ziti Soooooooooo, frickin' good! We sat enjoying our meal, checked on by the waitress and owner (?) to make sure everything was to our liking. I was happy to be in a place where I didn't feel rushed and I could take my time even though a line was out the door. It's nice to find that there are little places that serve up quality food and make you feel comfortable. I can see why this place is a local favorite. The only part of my meal that I did not enjoy was that a few of my zitis were a bit on the crunchy side. Other than that I have nothing bad to say about Sweet Basil. Great for dates!
(4)AB H.
I was really disappointed with my dinner last night. Both the appetizer, gazpacho, and the main course, roasted chicken and pasta, were way too salty. And I felt way too full and heavy after eating only about a 1/4 of my dinner. The crispy pancetta were not edible: over cooked and salty. The creamy parmesan sauce was too heavy. Overall, I would not go back, and I wonder how it's gotten so many good reviews.
(2)Ann T.
Highly recommended. I no longer live in the Boston 'burbs, but when I did I was a big fan of this place. I've never understood the popularity of pesto. I know this makes me a bad foodie. I don't dislike pesto, I just don't get very excited about it. But I saw the light when I had the pesto spread at Sweet Basil--full of cheese and basil and served with big chunks of delicious bread. Watch out--they just keep bringing you more, and depending on your appetite, it could be a meal in itself, so be careful. Appetizers are also delicious, but again, a meal in themselves. I recommend either splitting one with your dining companion, or just ordering one as a meal. The baked gouda over greens is fantastic, but a bit heavy and definitely a meal on its own. Never been disappointed with an entree here, either. The sea scallops over wilted spinach are wonderful, as is the rosemary chicken. I really like the ambience and the friendly service at Sweet Basil too. But I think the prices are too high for them not to accept credit cards--not really any more expensive than other comparable restaurants in the Boston area, but high enough that you have to remind yourself to have a lot of cash in your wallet before eating here. The value for money is high, though--not only is the food great, but the portions are enormous, so you can easily take half your meal home. Although, in the end, I'd rather just pay less money and get a more manageable amount of food. BYO.
(4)Rob Q.
Let's get this out of the way: I love this place. It's a personal favorite, and has been since my first trip something like 6 years ago. So my review is probably colored by that. That said, there are just so many reasons to love this place. Great food, reasonable prices (especially for the HUGE portions; expect to have at least one meal's worth of leftovers), a charming setting, and BYOB wine (something sadly lacking around Boston). This is the part of the review where one would normally recommend dishes, but I'm not even going to try. I've forced myself to eat almost everything on the menu rather than just sticking with my first few favorites, and I've yet to find a dish that isn't wonderful. You really just can't go wrong here.
(5)Marilyn B.
Yesterday for lunch at Sweet Basil I had what was possibly the worst sandwich of my life. It was listed as a pan seared cod po' boy with romaine, tomatoes and Cajun caper remoulade, but the fish (an appallingly small, thin serving) was definitely NOT cod, accompanied by a few pieces of chopped tomatoes, a few pieces of chopped lettuce, no remoulade in sight, and nonexistent capers as well. The fish itself, whatever it was, fell apart, had no flavor, and disappeared in the oversized bread that it was served on. A very disappointing experience.
(1)Cathy H.
Pros: - BYOB - Large portions - Reasonable prices - Great food Cons: - No reservations (they will call your cell though) - No place to wait - Cash only Added notes; 1. The Bolognese was probably the best I have ever had 2. Although the bread is good, do yourself a favor and only have one piece, there is a lot of food!
(5)Peter W.
First time going there was this past Friday. Atmosphere was very homey. The staff was excellent. Ordered the Bolognese with beef, sausage and mushroom. It was the best Bolognese I've ever had. Great job! Definitely coming back!
(4)Jeff K.
I'm disappointed this place didn't live up to my expectations. We were prepared with our bottle of wine, the bread dip was very tasty. We ordered a mushroom dumpling over wasabe lettuce which was unique but good. I typically love rosemary anything so i went for the chicken, my wife went for the shrimp scampi. My dish was so heavy i couldn't eat more the a third of it.. the chicken was tough, but overall i wasn't impressed at all. I'm a reasonable cook and i could have come darn close to replicating this dish. My wife's shrimp scampi was a bit better but i thought the shrimp was under cooked.. almost jelly-like. Anyway.. I've heard such great things about this place but it didn't live up to those expectations.. i also spotted two spiders on the wall (don't tell my wife because they were VERY close to her).
(3)Alison C.
Fine Italian food in the suburbs? Yes, it can be found, my friends - shocking, but true! My company's headquarters had previously been located in the quaint town of Needham, and I had been referred to Sweet Basil when bonding with a fellow foodie colleague from that office. As much as I had wanted to try the well-reviewed destination, the company soon moved to another town, and I found myself rarely in Needham. However, on a recent trip to the area, I was able to talk my friends into a quiet Friday night dinner there. We pulled up to the cozy restaurant and found that it was fully packed with a substantial wait. The courteous manager, Dave, told us that we had about forty minutes until we would be able to snag a table. We decided to take a walk around the neighborhood, and then returned to wait. Upon our reentrance, we noticed that the folks around us were all carrying bottles of wine. Dave asked us if we had a bottle that he could open for us while we waited. We confirmed that we did not and questioned him as to whether there was a local liquor store. Unfortunately, there were nothing within walking distance, but he was kind enough to pour us each a glass from an extra bottle they had on hand. In addition, all pending diners were served slices of bruschetta topped with fresh tomato, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic truffle oil. We bonded with Dave while sipping some crisp white wine and sampling the delectable snacks. We were soon seated and granted the remainder of the wine bottle to enjoy with our meal. I have never experienced such fantastic service! The Sweet Basil experience was off to a terrific start, and we forged ahead with big smiles on our faces. We glanced around the quaint dining room and took in the two intimate dining rooms full of dedicated patrons, all jumping at the chance to catch up with the friendly manager. Our eyes grew wide with delight when we saw the substantial portions of hearty Mediterranean flare atop nearby tables. We deliberated over the menu, but were able to appease our indecisive minds with recommendations from Dave, who stopped by to offer his assistance. After we placed our order, we received a basket of warm Italian bread and a scented pesto oil for dipping. We tried to limit our bread intake and save room for the large entrees. Our plan was foiled, however, but the similarly massive appetizers. My friend's Caprese Salad was a full-sized plate of mixed greens, topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Another friend and I shared a different blend of greens, which acted as a bed cushioning shiitake and avocado dumpling pillows. The unique blend of earthy mushroom and creamy avocado was a shocking success. Both salads were delicious and left us craving our next course. I opted for the Seafood Stew, while my friends leaned towards pasta. My large bowl of tomato broth was packed with plump shrimp, crisp lobster, large pieces of filleted fish, salty mussels, fresh clams, and more. Though the dish was carb-free, it contained enough protein to fill me up. One of my friends ordered the highly recommended Bolognese sauce composed of beef, sausage, and mushrooms. It was served over papardelle pasta. Though I had pushed the rest of my meal aside to save my stomach from rupturing, I could not turn down my friend's offer to pick at her Bolognese. The chunky sauce was extremely addicting, and my fork got some exercise as I shoveled about a third of her dish into my already full belly. I literally had to push the bowl away for my own good. We enjoyed another complimentary glass of wine and paid our affordable bill. (Each dish was under $25 dollars, with most even under $20.) We then scanned the room to locate and thank Dave for his hospitality, but he was nowhere to be found. We sighed peacefully and left the restaurant satisfied and content. Though Sweet Basil was essentially just a suburban neighborhood restaurant, the service and cuisine were better than anything I had tasted in Boston's traditional Italian hub, the North End. I have already begun recommending the simple spot to any area colleagues that have yet to sample its greatness.
(5)Rick B.
Dinner last night was amazing. Lamb was delicious. Pasta was all homemade and tasted super fresh. Wife loved Piccatta. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Dawn S.
This place is amazing. Its always packed, so usually we just order out. The proportions are enormous and 4 dishes will usually last my family of 4 a couple of days. Sweet basil is also great for the vegetarians we often host for dinner. The choice of delicious seafood and veggie dishes is unmatched in Needham. I would recommend the LLinguine with clams, spicy broccoli rabe and linguine for those who eat seafood. For meat lovers, the Lamb Shank over Polenta is phenomenal. This lamb is the most tender and well cooked I have ever had and the polenta and grilled veggies that go with it are amazing. the lunch menu is also great. Very reasonably priced and I still have dreams about the grilled vegetable, pesto and goat cheese sandwich. Oh and I forgot to mention that with your meal, you get fresh baked bread and a big bowl of basil pesto for dipping. I could fill myself up off of the bread and pesto alone!
(5)S C.
No frills, great food. Appetizers and dinner only. Bring your own wine. No dessert. But food is spectacular. Gotta love garlic. Excellent chicken scallopini. Great bolognese.
(5)Chris C.
I've eaten here several times with my Wife. We really enjoy the food here. My Wife used to live in the North End and we think it compares very well with those restaurants. Huge portions and the quality has always been good. The only negative is cash only.
(4)Dave G.
A great place to go when you are hungry. I have been there about five times, and every time the food has been excellent and the service friendly. It is important to embrace the following to enjoy the Sweet Basil experience to the fullest: 1) You will gain three to ten pounds before you get up from the table 2) The Pesto with bread is delicious, but will make you so thirsty you will need a blood thinner to deal with the rise in blood pressure. 3) Its very cozy and loud, which goes with the bold food. The Bolognese is transcendent. Everything else is excellent or at least very good. I also recommend the Goat cheese salad with roasted beets
(4)Meghan B.
I love Sweet Basil. That statement sums up my feelings for this fantastic, quirky restaurant in Needham, I've eaten here probably eight times, and I don't live that close. The food here is outstanding. I dream about the Bolognese. The baked gouda, wrapped in phyllo dough, served over greens and fruit is to die for. But what I really love about this place is the vibe. The owner, Dave, is regularly manning the door, and checking in with his customers. When he saw me loving the baked gouda he stopped by and asked if it wasn't like the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich ever. It is. The service is outstanding. My water glass is never empty. The staff is always knowledgeable about the menu, and can make suggestions. One time I got some less then stellar pasta (truly a fluke at this place) and when I brought it to the attention of my server, they immediately made me a new one *and* comped the dish (which was just above and beyond). We've taken out-of-town family here many times, despite the lack of reservations. Also, as it's BYOB, we make sure to bring out own wine. They only charge a $5 corking fee, which is a steal. If the wait is long, you can wander down the block to get a drink. On busy nights they often have some yummy bites for people who are waiting. On a recent trip, during Marathon weekend, we were given a 45 minute wait time, so we went down the street for a drink. 20 minutes later my cell rings and it's Dave! He remembered we were getting a drink, so he said, no hurry, finish your cocktail and we'll give you the next table when you get back. Super service. The menu changes pretty regularly, with new additions for the season (in the fall they had a gnocchi with duck and butternut squash that was incredible), but the standards remain. (Seriously, the Bolognese. Get it.) Everything I've eaten here has been fantastic, and the portions are no joke. I keep coming back, even though I have their cookbook! And don't sweat the lack of dessert, just go next door to Abbott's for some frozen custard.
(5)Katherine W.
YUM! This place is awesome. The food is soooooooo good. Okay, they don't take reservations (yes, this is normally a gripe with me) but I will excuse them. It's BYOB! They recommend you go down the street and get a drink at the Indian restaurant and come back in X minutes. In our case it was an hour so we downed a bottle of wine at the Indian rest., so needless to say, I was happy and feeling good by the time we sat down. The owner chit chatted with us, and gave us some recommendations. We both loved what we got - the duck was cooked perfectly. I really love this place, need to get back soon!
(5)Angela S.
Amazing food. One of my favorite restaurants--ever. Everything is delicious. I recommend the baked gouda appetizer--it's divine. Free pesto and bread with your meal. Bring a bottle of wine ($5 corking fee) if you like that sort of thing. The lunch menu is slightly different from the dinner menu--more sandwiches, fewer entrees. All still delicious, though. It gets REALLY crowded on weekend nights, and some week nights, too. Go early. Talk to Dave the owner--he's the friendly guy with the curly hair. You'll like him.
(5)Sasha R.
I just couldn't understand why my mom was insisting on taking me all the way to Needham to go to some Thai place called Sweet Basil. Oops. First of all, it's Italian food - apparently, they also cook with basil. Secondly, Needham Center? Haaay! It's like the newer nicer Coolidge Corner. Restaurant: just what I like. Small, informal, open kitchen, delectable scents AND! a BYOB! ($5 cork fee). Take $30 off your bill right there. We were starving, so we ordered a ton of food, mostly standard Italian, with some flair: mussels, calamari, beets and warm goat cheese, steak, ossobucco, soft shell crab, accompanied by soft aromatic bread with a bowl of the freshest pesto. The portions are enormous. 1 entree for two people, seriously. It'll piss off the waitress, but at least you won't get heartburn. Great suburban alternative to the Olive Garden, or whatever they call "Italian" around here.
(5)mike c.
WOW !!!! from the street I don't think I would have gone in but thanks to Yelp that was the site of boys nite . We got there about 630 wednesday nite to an almost full house but were seated right away ,the staff was fun and very good ,now the food ....OMG ! it was all good and BIG as well ....make this a must go too . My ATM card was sad that they would not take it but that will not stop me from going back and soon .
(4)Meredith K.
I love this place! I have been coming here since they first opened and were half the size they are now. They are BYOB so don't forget your wine! I love the specials and everything I've had here I have always liked: from pasta, to fish, to meat.. all fantastic. And seriously folks why wait in line at Village Fish for mediocre food when you can come here and get something 10x better!
(5)Christy W.
I went to Sweet Basil a couple of weeks ago with 6 of my girlfriends. We had a nice table in the corner of this very cute restaurant. The food was absolutely amazing! We got the pan roasted mozzarella with marinara and the calamari for an appetizer. I highly recommend trying the mozzarella dish!! So flavorful! For an entree, my friend and I split the raviollis. They were so good! The filling and the tomato sauce was exceptional. I can't wait to go back to Sweet Basil again!!!
(5)Jen P.
I hadn't been here in about 3 years, ever since our office moved to Boston, but I came back because I remembered how great the food was...I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had expanded the restaurant to 2 rooms, instead of the tiny one room it used to be. Decor was still cute and stylish, down to the oversized glasses and utensils, which I love. Even though we got here before they opened for lunch, it filled up very quickly. Food was still fantastic, some of the best mussels I have EVER had...so much that I wanted to take a bath in the leftover broth. Specials are always great, a pasta or risotto...the group I was with all had different things and we shared. Portions seemed to get bigger since 3 years ago, but it was fine because it meant leftovers, and leftovers are a great thing. Highly recommend this place, but go early, it's well worth it.
(5)Siddharth S.
Love their seafood Fra diavolo...
(4)Julie F.
Love this place. Two things to note before going: It's BYOB and they only take cash. BUT, the fact that it's BYOB means you need not-a-ton-of-cash. They bring you bread served with pesto goodness. If you're counting weight watchers points, you're screwed within 30 seconds of being seated. But, go ahead and splurge. You'll be glad you did. The portions are enormous. My boyfriend and I split the veggie lasagna...and did not make a dent in it. That's right - one piece of lasagna, two people...the thing was indescribably huge. Have been there a few times and never had a bad meal...seafood fra diavolo, swordfish, linguini with clams... I usually get the specials because they always sound so good when the waitstaff describes them. Service is great here - the staff is super-friendly. I don't even know if they serve dessert, because I've never had nearly enough room to even debate having any. But they did put a candle in my leftovers container on my birthday. XO to you, Sweet Basil.
(5)Jennifer K.
This tiny (very tiny) little Italian eatery, nestled in just steps from Needham Center, shouldn't be missed. They don't take reservations. They only accept payment with cash. They don't serve dessert... but all of this is ok. Their *huge* portions are made in their open kitchen, and because there aren't too many guests, it comes right away... and when your meal arrives on their colorful plates you can no longer worry about anything that may have you frazzled - because it smells SO good. Favorite Dishes: Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta, and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce, and, of course, their sandwiches. Bonus: It's BYOB/BYOW - Bring your own wine (with a $5 corking fee). Some might find this to be a hassle, but I prefer to pay liquor store prices for a bottle of merlot as opposed to restaurant mark-up.... and that way, I'm guaranteed to get something I know I like. Bonus 2: If they wait is too long - take it to go! Drawback: Because of the tiny size, I wouldn't necessarily call it a "romantic place" for dinner - but I love it just the same.
(5)Cortland Native C.
I agree with my fellow yelpers -- the best pesto - Wow, delish! Had the beet salad -- that was pretty yummy, along with the the rosemary chicken. Perhaps the chicken would have been a better fall choice as it was hearty and not something I should have chosen on a hot summer day. It wasn't really what I expected -- more like a cheesy pasta dish with chicken but I didn't get the rosemary flavor? Where was that? Would definitely return again when I'm in the area. Staff was just lovely, couldn't be better.
(5)Alinna C.
There is no love like my love for Sweet Basil. My co-worker and I used to make it a weekly ritual to have Friday lunch at SB, and it was something to look forward to every week. Without fail, we were served some form of delicious. Everything from their ginormous salad (note to yelp: please get with the times and add 'ginormous' to your spell checker), to their amazing bowls of mussels (for anyone who wants to wreak of garlic for at least a few hours), to their irresistible fish of the day (seriously, I can't resist), Sweet Basil has never disappointed. UNTIL they decided to renovate. And they closed for lunch for a long time. And we were deprived. But rejoice! Rumor has it that Sweet Basil is at it again (it being lunch) and I am muchly excited. Hurrah! (Will report back soon.)
(5)stephanie s.
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(5)Kay J.
Very good Italian food. BYOB - great! Go early - no reseravtions & small. Would recommend.
(5)Josh F.
This place is outstanding. I really can't think of any other positive things to say than what has already been said. Just remember to bring cash. They don't accept plastic.
(5)Mairead S.
I LOVE this place. One of my favorite restaurants of all time! My favorite dishes are the fra diavolo and rosemary chicken. The pan roasted mozzarella and the calamari are amazing!
(5)Cindy R.
I love Sweet Basil, and I look for excuses to go there. The food is so delicious and so plentiful. Make sure you have the warm beet and goat cheese salad, the vegetarian lasagna, the calamari. My husband almost always gets the lamb shank. And the bread w/ pesto at the beginning -- yum. You do feel that they are eager to turn over the tables, and you have to wait a long time if you arrive after 6 p.m. I wish they served dessert or at least coffee so you could linger. Bringing your own wine is great -- you get to drink a better bottle for a lot less. Go now!
(4)Saudi K.
Not the worst food I've ever had but definitely not good. Pasta was raw, not al dente, raw. Everything had too much vinegar. Not worth $70. Both left feeling sick. Only positive was wonderful service and large water glasses.
(2)N M.
So...... We just recently bought a house. I am thinking of selling it, and moving to Needham, so I can eat at Sweet Basil anytime I want, easily. This is just an all around great restaurant. The atmosphere is charming, the staff is friendly, and the food is just........ so good. So, so good. Go on a weeknight if you can- you probably will not have to wait unless you have a large party. Also, go hungry. You will want to get a starter, but the portions on everything are just huge. I had my leftovers for lunch today, and I could have stretched it to 2 lunches, if I wasn't a pig. Food recs: The bolognese- yummy... the lamb shank over polenta....the braised chicken. Go, eat, revel. You will love it.
(5)Erik S.
Excellent Service - thanks Dave. Small, quaint, intimate, comfortable italian dinner. Wait was worth it. Will be back.
(5)Matt L.
Just awesome! A great place tucked away in little Needham!! If you didnt have to bring your own wine, could make a reservation and they took credit cards I would rate this 5 stars!! The food is very good and the service is okay, but the place is tiny and very crowded and loud!! If you have more than 2 people in your party your in deep trouble!! Who the heck doesnt take credit cards in this day and age? We had to run across the street to an ATM and looked like fools.
(3)Amy L.
Definitely worth the wait! My favorite restaurant in the greater Boston area so far - the bread is great, portions are large, and the tiny place is always very friendly! The best sauces I've had anywhere... Don't forget to bring cash!
(5)A B L.
This place is great. Cozy atmosphere, BYO, delicious food, convenient (!!)...yes, there is typically a wait, but I consider that a good thing/sign. We order take-out from here on a fairly regular basis (typically split an entree). The Chicken Cacciatore (they use port wine in their recipe, which gives it a unique/addictive flavor) is our favorite, but I've also tried the Rosemary Chicken. For appetizers, we love the mussels, baked gouda and goat cheese salad. The pesto that they serve with the bread is also delicious.
(5)Amy E.
I recently had an unexpected Friday off and stopped by Sweet Basil for a takeout lunch. I had the goat cheese/beet salad and bought a small container of their amazing pesto and some bread and then went across and got some second hand clothes at Closet Exchange (and was spotted by two of my clients). As a small business owner, I try to patronize other small businesses. The dinners are well described by other reviewers, my very favorite is the lamb ossobuco with polenta and veg. I want ten orders so I can take a bath in it. Okay, that was too much sharing, sorry. Sweet Basil is charming, well worth the drive and the cute owner/chef always smiles and waves if he recognizes you. (Or maybe he is nearsighted like me and smiles and waves at everyone, because he owns the business.) Please open Sweet Basil 2 in Natick Center!!!!
(5)Renee F.
I had the Shrimp Scampi tonight. Very good!!! The service and staff were delightful!! They all have a great sense of humor and Dave came around to all the tables asked how we enjoyed the dinner. Two things you should remember when you go. 1. Bring your own bottle of wine 2) Sweet Basil does not take credit cards. Be sure you bring enough cash. They do have plenty of banks in the area so if your in need of an ATM its not a problem. I am also a big coffee drinker and they do not serve coffee. They also don't have desserts but since I am not a big dessert person it didn't matter to me.
(4)Hank P.
Excellent. Was in town visiting my sister and she insisted we go there. Everything was superb. Chicken scaloppini, Chicken Parm, Polenta, all great, but the Beet Fettucine was to die for. Great service and ambiance too.
(5)Kara K.
Amazing! Super fresh and delicious. BYOB!
(5)Jennifer D.
I am in LOVE with this place! You get to mix their fabulous pesto with a variety of extras, like olive oil, parmesan cheese and cracked red pepper, to make your perfect version...then the bread! The food is totally on point. I've gone for lunch and dinner, but prefer the laid back atmosphere of lunch. But we go for date night also...so maybe it is a toss up! I usually get the fish special at lunch, and I am never disappointed. Prices are really reasonable at lunch, and a bit pricier at dinner. But, it is BYOB so you save a bundle bringing your own bottle or so. Everyone is super friendly.
(5)RM J.
Absolutely average. Can only guess the high reviews are a result of being in the burbs. They use fresh ingredients but there was nothing special here.
(3)Sheryl L.
As all of my close friends and family already know, I am a huge fan of Sweet Basil. No, the do not take reservations; so I have figured out the best times to show up. (let me know if you want to be in on the secrets) No, they don't take credit cards; so I must bring some cash. No, they do not have booze; but they let you bring wine in, so I do. No, they don't have dessert; but who needs it after the amazing meal that you are sure to get? Those are the things that seem to stand out here on yelp as deterrents so I adressed them first. On with my raves: First and foremost, the food is good, really good. I happen to like garlic so I am in luck. But if you aren't thrilled with it, just let the server know and they'll ask the chef to take it easy on you. Everything is made to order so be vocal (but kind) and your requests will be heard. The dishes are definitely large enough to split and often we even end up taking some home. Ask questions, order what you like, and eat with gusto! I have tried almost everything there at one time or another and I have never gone wrong. The menu changes seasonally but for these colder months the heartier dishes fill you and warm you right up. Second, the owner, Dave, is a great guy. He is dedicated to this place and it shows all the way around. On the days when he is in the kitchen cooking he'll still pop out onto the floor and say hi, check on folks, and smile. Other days he plays host, veggie chopper, bread basket deliverer or whatever is needed. Thanks Dave, we appreciate it. Third, the staff is wonderful, warm, and welcoming. I have gotten to know a few; Nina, Elise, Sarah, and Chris, I thank them all for making eating at Sweet Basil, as busy as it is, and as busy as they are, a pleasant experience. I watch them as they work and they are nice to everyone, even those complainers who we have all seen harass servers and hosts until they snap. Lastly, my food allergy. I have a respiratory allergy to soy. They take it seriously- even though the oil they use contains no soy and there is mostly none on the menu, if I have any questions they find out answers concretely. None of this "well you should be fine" or "I don't think that'll kill you" They read labels, they ask the cooks, they take care of people like me who often have a difficult time eating out. If you haven't been there yet, please go and check out Sweet Basil, it is worth it.
(5)Christina N.
The pesto sauce is absolutely phenomenal. I'm not a huge fan of the rosemary chicken, but the raviolis are delicious. It can get pretty crowded and loud, and not exactly the best place to bring a huge group... but the ingredients are always fresh, the seasoning and flavors practically perfect, the bread is always good... and the pesto-- oh, the pesto. The portions used to be larger a while ago, and I couldn't ever finish an entrée and appetizer (especially with such good bread and pesto!)... and I'd always look forward to tomorrow, because there would be leftovers. I'm kind of saddened that the portions have reduced a bit since their new plates and bowls... but I guess it's better than stuffing myself. It's a great place for a night out with friends, but I'd recommend going early (you can get dinner as early as 4:30 last year).
(5)tom k.
The quality of food at this place and hectic multitasking of the staff reminds me of the petit and fantastically tasty restaurants nestled in the old cities of France. I have my countries wrong though, because this is inspired Italian food. The pasta was cooked perfectly, and flavors are bright with fresh herbs ... each bite was a joy. Table bread was paired with a freshly processed pesto for dipping. A tip for ordering: portions are pretty large ... a couple can share an appetizer/salad and share an entree ... and it's plenty. We even took home extra pasta. The arugula salad was served with wedges of oversized pickled beets, apricots, goat cheese, and a wonderful vinegrette with a hint of dijon (great autumn harvest salad). The gulf shimp scampi showed that they weren't afraid of garlic, and I loved them for it, wonderful! No desserts served here ... move on to your dessert wine, or to the rest of you plans for that evening. So back to the beginning: while you're waiting, probably for at least 30 min. for one of the 10 tables or so, the hostess might suggest visiting the nice bar next door (because sweet basil doesn't serve alcohol). Well Sweet Basil is a BYOB and I prefer to stay there, have them bring up a couple of glasses, pull the cork on one of the wines I've brought along, and we can drink wine, chat and look over the menu while my hunger grows from the smells of the open kitchen and memories of my last visit. /tom
(5)Joe R.
We had an absolutely amazing meal here last night. The greeters were very friendly and accommodating and directed us to a nearby restaurant to have a drink while waiting for our table. From start to finish every thing we had was extremely tasty and fresh. I high highly recommend the Rosemary Chicken entree. BYOB and Wine which was pretty cool - cash and check only would be my only real complaint. You can't go wrong with this place.
(5)Jin W.
A neighborhood gem! This is a fantastic little restaurant with exceptional character. My favorite entree is the Bolognese, it's by far the best around, and my favorite lunch sandwich is the steak and cheese. This is no ordinary steak and cheese my friend, this monster's got big chunks of beef, a blend of cheeses, mushrooms (not the little white ones), and herbs. It also comes with a salad so you can be healthy too!
(5)Anna B.
There really aren't enough words, to rave about this place. Whenever I have foodie out-of-town guests, I bring them here. So delicious, great service, comfortable atmosphere, gooey cheeses, rich tomato sauces, flaky pastry crusts, if only I could eat here every day
(5)Colin G.
Good italian food. There Pesto is home made and very good. they do a great job on the Eggplant and chix parm sandwiches but I was a little disappointed in the quality of the bread but everything else was very good place has a fun set up and good atmosphere.
(4)B R.
delicious. wonderful. yes its small and cramped. Yes no reservations so you might have to wait outside. plan around it. and go.
(4)Robyn L.
Although the seating space in this restaurant is minimal, the menu options and portions are anything but! This place is little, and I mean really little. Either go as soon as dinner begins (5:00) or prepare to wait for a table. My coworker and I were lucky enough to get the last table when we arrived at about 5:20 on a Tuesday night. The menu has a full selection of soups, appetizers and salads. The sweet corn soup sounded delightful, but I opted against it so I could pig out on the phenomenal crusty bread with house pesto sauce spread all over it. I could have made a meal out of that. Then flip over the menu for a wide selection of entrees, everything from chicken parmigiana and chicken scallopini to bolognese with meat, sausage and mushrooms to seafood fra diavlo. We both got the latter, and we weren't disappointed. It was an enormous amount of food -- easily two full meals worth. I would have liked to see a dessert menu, but they appeared not to have one. When you go, be sure to bring cash -- they don't take any credit cards -- as well as your own beer or wine. Needham is a dry town.
(4)Rebecca L.
We drove to Needham from Cambridge because we heard this was the best Italian food around. The food was really good, although not perfect. We tried the shrimp scampi, and the sauce was heavenly! But the shrimp was overdone. My friend had the lamb, which was apparently marvelous, but it was served on a bed of unrecognizably charred vegetables (or we think that's what they were). The bread and pesto was fantastic, as were the other appetizers, and we even got some calamari on the house, just because they had too much in the kitchen! Definitely better than your average Italian restaurant.
(4)Rachelle A.
When I lived in nearby Wellesley this was my favorite restaurant! I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind elbowing complete strangers, waiting way too long for a table, and paying in cash. If you can get past all that, the homemade pesto and crusty bread that awaits you as soon as you sit down is show-stopping delicious. And they'll bring you more if you ask. (The pesto is sans-nuts for those on the allergy alert.) I love BYOB places, and that it is, so bring a favorite wine for a small fee. Sweet Basil is that restaurant people are always trying to discover: small, quaint, unique, not too pricey, amazing food. All said, it's a true find. But the food...ah, I'm dreaming about it...HUGE portions that will leave you with a fab lunch tomorrow. I'm the person who always tries new things, but my husband and I religiously ordered the seared scallop salad, mussels, and chicken cacciatore. Split between us we were stuffed (the bread and pesto definitely contributed to this problem) and were sent home with leftovers. The staff is delightful, and the space so small you can practically watch your food being made. If I could give SB 6 ******'s I would.
(5)David R.
In my opinion the best restaurant in the greater Boston area. Every dish is great the people are great and they are great with my son. If I am looking for a great meal sweet basil is were I will il go.
(5)a w.
The food here is absolutely amazing. I've never had a dish i didn't think soared above my expectations. Even the veggie lasagna, which i ordered on a whim thinking i might regret it, was phenomenal. Big enough to feed three people probably, and full of amazing veggies you wouldn't expect like beets. Oh it was SO GOOD. The fra diavolo is something that either I or my husband get every time, and their steak is amazing as well. A few quirky things about this place that may cause other people to dock stars. They don't take reservations, and it's not a big restaurant, so if you go on a weekend after 6pm, expect to wait. There's not much room for waiting, though. Also, they only take cash. But if you're like me and rarely have it on you, there are about three banks nearby equipped with cash machines. Also, they don't serve alcohol, but you can bring your own and they charge i think a $5 fee to open your wine for you. The owner is usually around, and they've kept more or less the same waitstaff for as long as I've been coming here (about 2 years), which speaks highly of the restaurant as an employer. Sweet basil i LOVE YOU
(5)Dawn D.
I went to Sweet Basil for the 1st time last Sat . They do not take reservations but you can go down put your name in and then leave. There's no bar, it's BYOB and there's a $5 corkage fee, I think this is a fantastic idea and I think other restaurants should have this option. My wait was an hour, which turned into 1.5hrs, with really nowhere to sit, basically standing room only, with the exception of 6 log stumps you could sit on, this was one thing I wasn't crazy about, I hate hovering over others while they are trying to enjoy their night . The waitstaff was very accommodating, they were walking around with apps and offered to open the bottle of wine I brought, I thought that was pretty cool. My waitress was excellent and very friendly. The tables are very close together and if you don't like small spaces or people that can basically hear your entire conversation, I wouldn't suggest going here. The food was excellent, the waitress brought us bread with a pesto spread, I could have eaten this by the spoonfuls, that's how good it was. As for our meals, my horrifying blind date and I shared a Greek salad which was very delicious and for dinner, he had the Chicken Scallopini (?sp) that was the best dish & the sauce was very tasty. I had the Shrimp Scampi, which I don't recommend, the shrimp was over cooked and the whole dish itself, had absolutely no flavor....BUT I would definitely go back to this place again...it's SO worth the wait!!! If you are around Needham, you should definitely check it out but go early, I went @ 715p...If I go back, I'll go earlier.. Also, thet do not accept CC only cash.
(4)Michael T.
I had the lamb osso buco with polenta. It was amazing. It compares favorably with the best dishes I have had in San Francisco and Chicago. The portions are large, the prices are small. What's not to like. So what if its BYOB and there is no desert. The meal starts with bread and pesto. I have to stop writing, thinking about this place is making me hungry.
(5)Cory B.
UNBELIEVEABLE! Terrific service and the food was beyond incredible. I have gluten issues so it was great that I could find a seafood dish on the menu that could accomodate me...i was ready to lick the plate! I went with 3 other people and we wiped our plates clean!
(5)Ian S.
I get the feeling that a second visit to Sweet Basil will improve this rating, but I've gotta go with my first visit. So, Lets begin! It was a Tuesday night, only 6pm, so thankfully, we were able to walk right in. I had read about Sweet Basil on Zagat, and since I do Acupuncture right nearby, why not check it out. So, the dining room was cool and relaxed. I liked that. The waitstaff were super casual and really nice. Attentive without hovering. The Music was fantastic!!! The owner's ipod had everything from old disco and funk to Cibo Matto (which I was particularly psyched about!)!! We didn't realize it was BYOB or Cash only, which kinda bummed me out cuz i wanted a glass of read (turns out I probably could've been hooked up with a glass of some leftovers that regulars leave for the staff, but oh well), but I survived! One thing I found very impressive was the amount of people who lined up to wait while we ate. The front of the house was Packed!!! People obviously LOVE this restaurant, which is a good sign. Now, the food: first off, bread with Pesto - GREAT IDEA!! Loved it!! For appetizers, my wife got a yummy garlicy farrow soup, tomoto based, really good! I got the caesar salad, and was quite disappointed. For a nice italian joint, the parmesan was powdered, not grated, the dressing was like water, barely any flavor and it didn't stick, the anchovies were ok. Unthrilled! For entree's, my wife got the GIANT ravioli, which was good, but not special, though the marinara was excellent! I got lamb o'buco, which was a big hunk of lamb in a bowl, over polenta with mixed veggies. Overall Very yummy, the lamb fell right off the bone, had a great flavor, and the veggies were great! Also impressed when one waiter came to deliver the food, and put tap water into my wifes glass of pelligrino. He realized it (tried to stop him), felt really bad, and bought us another bottle. True class! Nice save!!! So, the food was 50% good, hence my 3 stars. Everything else I liked, but I'll have to try it again in order to rate it higher. There you go!
(3)Jon M.
Readily the best Italian food in the Boston metro. David is personable and always remembers us. We bought his book, and use it often.
(5)Meredith K.
Nice, big portions. I love the BYOB. The tables are way too close together for my taste. Needham is a dry town so remember to get your alcohol in advance or you'll be driving through Dedham like a poet on payday.
(3)Blake C.
Took my fiancé on a nice dinner date while we were here on business. It's is small, quaint restaurant with beautiful decor. The kitchen is open to the restaurant so you can watch your good being cooked. Every table was stocked with fresh flowers and the service was great. We ordered the Chicken Parmesan and the Rosemary Chicken and they we're both phenomenal. Huge portions! After eating there we found out that apparently your supposed to glaring your own bottle of wine if you would like to have some with your meal. Relaxed, Vintage environment. I would highly recommend to anyone!
(5)Richard G.
Best Italian food in Boston. My wife and I have been going to Sweet Basil since it opened (12+ years ago). Dave and staff are awesome and we have NEVER had a bad meal. Ranks up there as one of our favorite restaurants.
(5)Y S.
This local gem is adorable and cozy. Even on a chilly, drizzly Wednesday, it was bustling with plenty of people dining in and picking up take-out orders. The ample bread basket came with a delicious pesto, and our calamari starter was fresh and light with a delicious spicy marinara with lots of garden vegetables. My dining companion had the delicious and tender skillet steak (cooked perfectly)- with the addition of sauteed mushrooms per request- and a buttery and flaky spanikopita chock full of piping hot spinach. I had the ziti in a creamy sauce, accented by crispy pancetta, asparagus tips, tomatoes, and big chunks of rosemary chicken. The waitress noted that it was one of their most popular dishes, for good reason. Both dinners were large portions- more than enough for two meals. Although dessert is not officially on the menu, we were regaled with a complimentary moist, fudgy "brownie cake"- about the size of a muffin- perfect for sharing! The dessert was accompanied by plump chocolate-covered strawberries and mint-infused whipped cream. Staff were incredibly solicitous, friendly and helpful as well. Important notes: The restaurant is cash-only, BYOB, and doesn't take reservations. Parking on Great Plain Avenue is scarce, but easy to find on side streets.
(5)Glenn M.
Simply awesome. Great food at at great price. Great atmosphere and staff. Good size portions. Only bummer is no credit cards.
(5)Jess T.
The most memorable thing about Sweet Basil is the genuine friendliness of every person working there. The hostess was very nice when I came during prime time to get a table for 2. The 45 minute wait turned out to only be 30 minutes and we got seated at a table with prime view. This restaurant is cash only, BYOW (only a $5 cork fee), and has street parking only. The pesto served with the bread was amazing. I usually never eat the bread but it was worth eating with the pesto. We had a fried calamari appetizer that was served with a some-what spicy sauce. Not bad and large portion. We got the rosemary chicken (recommended by the waitress) and the bolognese. Both came out in large portions, with a lot of garlic and cheese. Rosemary chicken was very heavy, more than we are used to, but still good. Bolognese was okay - the pasta needed to be boiled at least 7 more minutes and more meat was needed. Waitress was knowledgeable about all dishes and was friendly throughout the meal. Would go back again to try different dishes.
(4)Andrew P.
Have gone and had take out a dozen times at least. Great job Dave.......awesome
(5)Gabrielle K.
the best lunch spot ever, dinner time gets very busy but lunch is perfect because its not too crowded and you still get the delicious pesto and bread with a lunch sized entree. Personally the beet salad is the best in the entire world.
(5)matt c.
I feel bad, because the wait staff is great, but, the chicken parm was chewy and needed to be pounded with a mallet. Picky, but if I'm gonna give something four or five stars, they're gonna have to either serve booze or serve the food properly. If it wasnt so high class (i.e. expensive) i wouldnt have a problem. i get it. you have family money and want to show off to your girlfriend/wife/mistress. just remember that you're a douche, not a connoissoir. you pay for what you get. you get three stars
(3)John M.
I went to Sweet Basil with the expectation of being disappointed. How could any restaurant possibly be as good as the reviews that one reads about Sweet Basil? All I can say after one dining experience there is that if Yelp offered the optional rating of six stars, Sweet Basil would get that from me. One of our party had the ravioli, another ordered the veal Marsala, and I ordered the bolognese. All were heavenly. The atmosphere is authentically warm & friendly as one is seated with other like minded diners who appreciate great food and comfortable surroundings. The chefs bring the meals to the table, assuring one of a hot meal. The owner made the rounds and paid a visit to our table where he shared his bolognese recipe with me. I could not have been happier. I was hoping that some meteorological miracle would occur and we would all be snowed in for a few days. What a party that would be! I am already planning my next visit.
(5)Sean I.
Awesome food, awesome environment. Hand made pasta dishes were incredible. The baked Gouda appetizer was an interesting dish that we both loved.
(5)S H.
Excellent Italian inspired food. I call it Italian inspired because it's really create gourmet. I personally have had the Baked Gouda appetizer, Vegetable Lasagna, Halibut, Ravioli, and the Gnocci. All of them are full of flavor and cooked exactly right. Our first time there, we brought a bottle of wine. The owner opened it for us and brought some bread with polenta and marinara sauce as we waited for a table. A couple of notes: BYOB ($5 corking fee/bottle), cash only, get there early because there aren't reservations and you could wait an hour for a table, don't fill up on the bread and fresh basil dip.
(5)J R.
One word: yum! I usually order the chicken cacciatore because it is delicious. The chicken is cooked just right, the sauce and flavoring are so much better than any other cacciatore, and the pairing with pasta is perfect. Their salad is wonderful, too, but I don't care for the dressing, which I find bitter. Because we often get this food to go, I put my own dressing on the salad. The bread is delicious, too. I've dined in a couple of times and find it pleasant if noisy. The food is pricey, but because the portions are so large, my husband and I can share the cacciatore and have one more serving left over.
(5)Anna P.
I love this place - and I usually don't like Italian food! All the dishes are made fresh to order and they can customize anything. It's probably the most personal and involved experience I've ever had at a restaurant. The owner is incredibly nice, too! But, do note, the place is TINY - it's often hard to get a seat at peak times.
(5)Laura W.
We went there last night with another couple who live nearby in Dedham. Since we don't live in the Boston area, it was up to them to pick the place. They were raving about this place and it did live up to it. It is BYOB and cash only, so don't forget those 2 important pieces. I don't know if there is a corkage fee. I never saw the bill, so I have no idea. We each got something different as our main course and I think I liked mine the least. The chicken cacciatore was good, but not the best or maybe I am not a cacciatore fan all together. The others at the table got the veggie lasagna that looked amazing, the lamb, and the bolognese. Everyone was very pleased with their meal. For appetizers we split a salad, the calamari, and the baked mozzarella. All of them were very good! Great place to get to if you live in the area or if you are planning on visiting the Boston area. Needham also has a really cute center!
(4)Sandy F.
love love love this place. everytime i come here, its always packed and theres a wait for at least an hour. but its well worth the wait. since they dont have a bar, they sometimes send us down the block to grab drinks while we wait, but in the summer, some might prefer having custard from the store next door. the only bummers are that they dont take reservations or credit cards, sometimes they're sweet enough to let us nibble on some appetizer extras while we wait. in fact, the first time i've been there and i was curious about how the mussels were, on the next order they took, they made a little extra (which was a lot, almost a full size portion) and let me sample it. that is how i fell in love: with the mussels, the service and the restaurant. its not really the free food that won me over (or maybe it is) but its more the attentive service and the amount of consideration the busy waitstaff puts in to give you a great dining experience. the inside is pretty crowded but cozy. it gets a bit loud but still is a decent date place because you can sit close to your date and whisper sweet nothings while sharing an amazing meal. no alcohol here, its byob with a $5 corking fee. love the idea of the flexibility and unpretentiousness of byob. also love the mussels. its an appetizer, but i swear, the broth is so good, i use so much bread to mop up the juices that i am stuffed by the time my entree gets to the table. you cant go wrong with their innovative rotating risottos. their daily specials always seems to cause a dilemma for me to chose between them and my favorites. the seafood diavolo is a staple for me. the rosemary chicken is very tasty, but a bit heavy. it might be a better idea to just share it if you dont have a tremendous appetite. once it goes in the fridge, you'll know how much evoo they use. my leftovers chills to a solid block, def not as appetizing as it was when it was steaming from the kitchen.
(5)Scott C.
Great lunchtime service on a Monday. Bolognese was excellent, not just a sloppy meat sauce as you often find. No credit card is a bummer, but pricing is full of value.
(4)Catherine M.
Strange business policies mar an otherwise good dining experience. They don't sell tea/coffee/dessert -- so they can turn over tables faster and get you out of there. You feel like you're getting the bum's rush, and they don't have an elegant way of informing you of this policy. Today I had lunch there, and they abruptly dropped off the bill after serving our entrees. When we said, "Wait, we'll be wanting coffee," the waitress said, "Sorry, we don't serve coffee. I dropped off the bill because we had nothing more to offer you." Boy, is that a true statement. They should have politely advised us at the beginning of the meal or clearly posted the policy, so it wouldn't be an unpleasant shock. Then they told us they don't take credit cards! Absolutely bizarre for a restaurant in this price range to not take plastic. They need a polite, cordial way of advising guests of these strange practices, or even better, behave like a normal restaurant -- serve coffee and take credit cards. I won't be going back.
(2)Raul G.
I read the many positive reviews and decided to try Sweet Basil out on a weeknight to avoid the potential for a long wait. My wife and I walked right in, and were promptly seated at a table right next to the window. The decor is great, and the music they were playing was an eclectic (and awesome) mix of music from over the decades. We started off with some tasty bread and delicious pesto. I order the bolognese and my wife ordered the shrimp scampi. Both dishes came out pretty quickly, and were absolutely fantastic. There was so much food, but it was really hard to stop eating considering how good it was. Our waitress was great, and the front of the house stopped by to check on things, too. The chef even delivered our meals, said hello, and packed our left-overs up for us. We were extremely pleased with our experience and will happily be returning to try out some of the other entrees that sounded so good. Just make sure to bring cash, as noted in other reviews. This is no big deal at all, however. And quite frankly, I kind of like the simplicity of it.
(5)Thurston H.
This place is my all time favorite restaurant in the Boston area. Each time I come here I am blown away. The favors, aroma and outstanding service will keep you coming back again and again! I had the steak egg rolls which were braised in soy and filled with fresh crunchy veggie. Outstanding app....then I had a bolognese pasta dish that put to shame any, And I mean any NYC Little Italy or North End restaurant with the most incredible combination of mushrooms, sausage in a delightful meat sauce that will knock your socks off!!! I have had the chicken parm before and the mushroom sandwich which all are also amazing. The menu is full of options. This is not just a pasta place....great fish dishes and incredible rustic bread wit pesto dipping sauce.....man this place ROCKS! I am already looking forward to going back again! This place is a Home Run! Helpful hint go early or late....no reservations...but worth any kind of wait.....seriously go....now!
(5)Matthew A.
I stopped in for a late lunch early dinner and the steamed mussels are fantastic. The juice is just right with garlic. Sopped it all up with bread. Beet salad was delish. Too bad it was on the small side. Next time I will have to come back for a full dinner and bring some vino as the menu looks fantastic. Too bad Needham is a haul from NH.
(4)Erin M.
Funny story about the first time I tried Sweet Basil. It was my sister's birthday, and we wanted to meet up somewhere in the middle of where she lives and where I work. We decided on Needham, since I remembered seeing a place called Sweet Basil on Phantom Gourmet that I decided I absolutely positively had to try. While we were waiting, I was trying to remember what it was that made me decide I -had- to try this place. Was it a particular entree? Appetizer? Dessert? We were seated and given menus, and nothing looked familiar. Everything looked amazingly delicious, but not familiar. Hmm....... As we were perusing the menu, I started looking around, and noticed that the table next to us had -a lot- of wine... like a bottle per person. I thought to myself "Wow... that table spent a lot of money on wine!" And then, it hit me. The reason I decided I had to try this place: It's B.Y.O.B.! I love B.Y.O.B. places! So, despite the fact that I was only able to do half of wining and dining my sister for her birthday, Sweet Basil more than made up for it on the dining end! We had the baked filo as an appetizer, which was absolutely AMAZING! Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, served over baby greens and strawberries and topped with a truffle vinaigrette. 100% Delicious! For our entrees, I had the ravioli and my sister had the beet baked ziti. Both were terrific! Cheesy, saucy, and delicious! Our waitress saw us picking at each other's plates and was nice enough to bring over small plates for sharing. The portions were very generous, the prices were fair, and the food was absolutely delicious! I will definitely be returning to Sweet Basil, and next time I'll remember the wine!
(5)Kenten Z.
Dam. This place was too good. I love it. Had the best adult mac and cheese in the world. You start off with crazy good pesto and it only gets better from there. Go here and you will not regret it. Lunch is also super reasonable. Really you eat everything and you are like, "woah, DAM, this is too good"
(5)Kate M.
Can't get enough of this place. We take everyone we know.
(5)piggy c.
YAYYYYY!!! finally a good restaurant in BOSTON...my boss recommended me to try this place out...when i heard they serve bread and fresh pesto for starters i was sold...being an avid foodie i will travel far and beyond for food...we went for dinner we parked on the street...stepping out of your car you can smell roasted garlic it was just heavenly...thank goodness i brought an appetite...everyone was so friendly and cheerful when we walked in...the place was packed so we waited for 20 minutes or so...i was surprised to see the dishes coming out of the kitchen were huge!!!...the portions were huge!!! ATMOSPHERE: i really loved how intimate and quaint this was...it's a no frills type restaurant but the feel is cozy and a bit rustic...the waiters were attentive and super nice FOOD: MUSSELS- if you ate this alone...this could very well be your dinner...the plate was huge and was packed with mussels...each mussel was sooo plump and fresh...i sopped the rest of my juice with the bread doused in pesto Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta, tomatoes and asparagus, in a creamy parmesan cream sauce tossed with ziti - This dish was amazing...yet sooo rich i was sooo full on bread and mussels i took about 4 bites and i was tapped out ...this was amazing...the ziti was cooked al dente...the cream sauce was rich and garlicky.... this is my def. go to place if i am craving for awesome Italian and a romantic evening with a beau
(5)Jason R.
Surprisingly good for the price. My wife and I joke that all we ask for in a restaurant is correct seasoning and doneness---it's amazing how frequently even "top-notch" restaurants get one or both of these more than slightly wrong. Sweet Basil won't knock-your-socks-off (no vertical food, obscure/expensive ingredients), but they do know how to season accurately and cook to medium-rare (or the correct doneness). Dishes are large (you won't go away hungry). Wine is BYOB w/ $5 corkage (!) It's kid-friendly, but they don't have high-chairs or booster seats (we brought our own---worked great). They don't do dessert/coffee/tea. They know what they're good at and don't try to overreach. Last visit cost us $95 ($73 food/tax/tip, $22 Sancerre). At other restaurants, just the wine would have cost $78 (2.5x markup from $25 retail + 25% tax/tip).
(5)Andrew M.
8/30/2009: Just had a great meal of chicken cacciatorre, only marred by the nagging memory that the ravioli I had last time was even better. The ravioli has mascarpone, goat cheese, ricotta, and...something else, I forget what, but it's all phenomenal. I guess this shouldn't influence my review, but we also bought the Sweet Basil cookbook for my mother last Christmas and she's gotten great results with everything she's cooked from it. If you go on a Saturday night, I recommend bringing a book, putting your name on the wait list, and going down the block to the park to read. UPDATE 8/31/2013: I had what I think is a new menu item -- sweet corn and goat cheese agnolotti ("a kind of ravioli typical of the Piedmont region of Italy, made with small pieces of flattened pasta dough"). GREAT addition, if it is in fact new. Other nice things: they served us a bruschetta-type snack while we waited outside (for only about forty minutes, not bad for a Saturday night). Also, for some reason I like the fact that the waiters here dress casually.
(5)Meredith D.
I LOVE this place. This is how dining and food should be. Lovingly and thoughtfully prepared, great music, quality ingredients, friendly service and BYOB. This is always where my husband and I go when we have a date night and don't want to go into the city. Plus their cookbook is fabulous and we have made a few delicious soups from it. Oh and their pesto that comes right when you sit down is heavenly.
(5)Snuffles B.
Bring cash. Bring booze. Wear your fat pants. Thats all you really need to know. But if you want details: Atmosphere: Warm, cozy, family/neighborhood restaurant feel Service: Uber friendly/attentive, but not-too-much-so staff. You get love from everyone who works there, including the owner. Food: WARNING: appetizers are dinosaur portions - Bread: Moist, pesto spread is very fresh - Duck confit/gnocchi - Good sauce, duck is good, gnocchi average. - Mussels - Very good, not too creamy, comes in full casserole dish - Mozzerella in marinara - The part of ziti or chicken parm that's left that you save to eat last, minus the ziti or the chicken - Baked gouda - The best of the appetizers, the gouda was the size of my hand and the "greens" = about a bag of salad. - Chicken picatta - strangely, in a red sauce, meh. - Veal - Friend said it was average. -Bolognese fettuccini - Pretty good, not too heavy, they seem to use the same base for their tomato based sauces, while very good, is also very ubiquitous. Generous on the beef and sausage. Overall, food is above average, but service and friendly environment are the real reasons that this place wins me over.
(4)J C.
I love Sweet Basil. I have been here about six times and my experience is consistently great. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. There's a lot of tables, but it doesn't feel crowded to me, just cozy! The owner is a real nice guy. He often greets you at the door, visits your table, and makes you feel at home. You can tell he cares a lot about the restaurant and making his guests happy. The food is great. You'll have leftovers for sure, or you could easily split your meal. Since there's usually a wait (because it's awesome), I walk down the block to the Indian restaurant and sit at the bar for a pre-dinner drink. Everyone around you is doing the same thing. Sweet Basil will call your phone when they're ready. They also expect that you're mid drink and won't rush you over. You can leave your booze at Sweet Basil so you don't have to carry it around while you wait. BYOB with a 5 dollar corkage fee is still a deal when you consider how much they jack up the price of alcohol in every other restaurant. Like a lot of small places, it's cash only. No big deal. I just wish I lived closer- Needham people are so lucky to have this restaurant at their fingertips. Jealous!
(5)Special E.
Great food, great staff, great food.....Only reason I didn't give it a fifth star is the acoustics of the room. If it's busy, and it will be, good luck hearing conversations. That is my ONE and only criticism. Bring your own wine and bring cash....as has been mentioned, no credit cards. Portions are large and the cost is very reasonable. So large and so reasonable as far as cost that my wife and I didn't do our usual split. Go ahead and splurge on different dishes and flavors here. Thanks to YELP we found this place tonight. We will be back!
(4)Monier G.
One word, Unreal!!!!! Absolutely delicious!!! The food is Amazing prices are fair but get there early the line builds up fast!!
(5)Becca S.
The food is consistently excellent. There can be a long wait but it is well worth it. The pesto is delicious and plentiful. The atmosphere is very friendly and the owner makes you feel like you're old friends. BYOB, too!!!
(5)Ray Z.
Tried a pasta and a sandwich from lunch menu and both were excellent, will definitely come here again!
(4)Cindy K.
FINALLY! I was able to try this local neighborhood gem that I've heard rave reviews about. I've been meaning to come here for about a year now and everytime I try to go, there is always a very long wait. Now I know why! Food is delicious! We went with a party of 6 for a friend's birthday and we each got something different and all of us were really happy with our meal. I got the clams with broccoli rabbe over linguine which was soo yummy! The pasta is homemade --there is just something so amazingly good about homemade pasta. All the ingredients were really fresh and the food was really flavorful. The portions are very decent for the price. The only con about this place is that they only take cash so definitely hit up the ATM before you come. Other than that, service and food was great! So happy that it's right in town!!
(5)Tony U.
Why I'll go back: Delicious food and a staff that makes you feel like a regular You HAVE to order: baked gouda, ravioli Tony's Tip: the portions are huge, so don't cheat yourself - fast the day you eat there I was arranging dinner with three friends I hadn't seen in nearly a decade (okay, maybe "friends" is using the term liberally). None of us live in Needham, but Sweet Basil was centrally located between us, so we settled on having dinner there. I think I actually stumbled across this place through Yelp reviews in seeking out new places several months ago. By now, you're probably aware of the three sins they've committed as a restaurant: no reservations, no booze, and no credit cards. To everyone else who has been bitching, get over it! Hit the ATM, pick up a bottle of wine at the store on the way over, and then grab a drink down the street at The Village Fish while you wait. I showed up around 6:45 on a Friday and threw our name in. Dave greeted me as if I'd been coming there for years. People were milling about outside, but they'll take your cell number and just call you when your table is ready. So, we headed down to the Fish. A half hour and one pale ale later, we were seated. Sweet Basil has a very local and relaxed feel to it. There were a number of 30- and 40-somethings, and the place can get a bit loud, but not unbearable. Perhaps my only gripe is that the seats are somewhat stiff and uncomfortable, which is a pet peeve of mine if I'm gonna be sitting for two hours trying to enjoy a nice meal and conversation. Whatever. I'm over it. After the first bite of bread with that rich pesto spread, I was already distracted enough by my taste buds. Our waitress, Erica, was cute, bubbly, and knew the menu well. More than one Yelper had raved about the baked gouda. Erica vouched for it, so I went with it. Ridiculous, in every way. As I said earlier, this salad (a generous block of gouda, wrapped in a thin, flaky dough and served over lightly dressed greens) was huge. I literally could have had that alone as my meal. And even though I knew my ravioli was coming, I couldn't contain myself, and I killed the entire thing. When they brought out the entrees, the plates were so huge, we practically looked like pigs feeding at the trough. My ravioli contained several cheeses and was smothered in a flavorful marinara sauce. Each one was so delicate, there is no mistaking it was homemade. Honestly, I could easily go back there and order the same meal and be perfectly happy. It will take some will power to go with another option. As far as prices go, I think Sweet Basil is very reasonable. The appetizers and salads are basically all around $10 and there are only two entrees over $20 (lamb and steak). With tip, our meal for four came to $150. Throw in the two bottles of wine we brought and it was still under $200. I think this totally works as a date place, and I'm already scheming to figure out when I can get back there.
(5)James D.
My wife and I have been here twice and their food is some of the best in Boston and the surrounding suburbs. It's a small restaurant and cash only but you will not be disappointed. Bring your own bottle of wine and enjoy a great meal. I highly recommend it to anyone.
(5)Len M.
Great Italian dining & experience west of Boston. Staff and notably, chef/owner, Dave Becker, are very friendly & welcoming. We felt more hosted for dinner by friends, than patrons at a restaurant. Highly recommended! They serve complimentary bread and pesto with the pesto among the best we've had. I will be calling hoping that it is available for take out to serve for home dinner (w/ added hot Italian sausage & Penne) . Suzanne ordered Rosemary Chicken & I thought, "who would order that?" thinking it best saved as a lesser evil of wedding fare. My mistake! Wow, a rich delicious cream sauce, perfectly cooked asparagus, more (boneless) chicken than ziti (which is not typical of most Italian restaurants!). Fortunately she ate less than half (we enjoyed too much pesto and were nearly full when our meals arrived). The next morning I woke, ran to the fridge and finished it as a great breakfast! I had the Bolognese - also excellent. I am not a fan of mushrooms however these were large & few (unless I ate them thinking they were meat...). Also a great sauce - very flavorful. Ample portion - I finished less than half also. The pasta (both dishes) was a bit too al dente for my likes but I prefer a softer pasta than most. We were too full to consider desert. Our waitress nicely wrapped and labeled our left-overs in foil (not plastic or cardboard) containers which may be placed directly in an oven to reheat. Nice. Great experience start-to-finish. Looking forward to returning. Enjoy!
(5)Jesse B.
We have been 4 times so far, I am yet to have a single complaint about the food or service. everything is excellent.
(5)Kate N.
Love this place! The pesto that comes with the bread is so fresh and delicious. Or, if you are gluten free, they will give you a plate of crudites to dip. The Rosemary Chicken is a very rich dish - but the crispy pieces of pancetta, along with the asparagus and chicken all stand up well. Very friendly staff and a warm and inviting place. Make sure to bring cash, as they do not accept CC.
(5)Cayer N.
We live in town and this is basically our second kitchen. Love the food and the restaurant has tons of charm. Everything on the menu is fantastic...definitely order the homemade pesto!!!!
(5)Erika C.
Sweet Basil is just simply mind-blowing and trumps any restaurant in the north end of Boston or any Italian restaurant in New England for that matter (true statement). The bolognese is probably one of the best dishes I have ever eaten in any restaurant period. Cash only, long waits, possibly long travel time are all grievances that don't ever seem to matter because the food is THAT incredible. BYOB so bring a great bottle (or two) along with you. Service is fantastic, atmosphere so comfortable you will want to stay until you've eaten every last bite and drank every last drop. Price is right. Stop reading this review and go!
(5)Larry G.
I've probably eaten here a dozen times, up-and-down the menu. It's a fantastic place; great food and an excellent value. I took a friend from the UK there and he made a really good comment, "It's all about the food." It really is.
(5)Brianna T.
I have been here twice, our first time was so amazing that at our next dinner date we had to go back. I tried the rosemary chicken and it was DELICIOUS! I also have tried the chicken parm and it was great. Meals are large and very filling. I will be going back again this year thats for sure. Anywhere with a 20 minute wait on a Tuesday is worth waiting for!!!
(5)Seth B.
Absolutely amazing. Everything on the menu is different and delicious. One of the most interesting places I've ever eaten.
(5)Miriam L.
I dunno - this review may really be two stars, but I'm feeling generous. Plus, I hate being such an outlier. We came here last week for my mom's birthday. The hostess was nice enough, but has a brusque manner that I found a bit off-putting. Once seated, we were surrounded by servers (bussers?), but not our own waitress who could tell us the specials. We ended up getting calamari and risotto to split as appetizers. The calamari was excellent, and the risotto just ok. Mom and I shared a chicken marsala and the ravioli. I wasn't especially impressed with either, though my cousin happily finished his bolognese. They don't serve coffee or dessert, which is a shame, and are cash (or check) only, which is strange for a sit-down restaurant. I can't hold it against them that they don't serve alcohol, since it's not the restaurant's fault that Needham is a dry town. You can always bring your own. Also, the music was kind of odd, and it's a small space, so it gets fairly loud. I wasn't especially bothered, but my mother was. On the up side, the bread was quite good.
(3)Julie G.
this is the best place straight out of the North End. You might have to wait a little on weekends, but the food is worth it. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable . Felt like i could never leave wanting more. just in case though it is a BYOB and wine which they will gladly serve. Fantastic place Will definitely continue to repeat.
(5)Aboud Y.
Not a bad Italian spot but very overrated. I'd go back but I'm not in any rush. Keep in mind that this place is BYOB And CASH ONLY!
(3)Reid F.
There are very few BYO establishments in Boston, so right off the bat, Sweet Basil is worth frequenting because you can bring a really good bottle of wine that is ready to drink (something very rare in most Boston restaurants) without having to pay restaurant wine prices. In addition, the food and service are very good, and the portions are large. The downsides are: 1. The high noise level. 2. The fact that they don't accept credit cards (but they do accept personal checks). 3. The earliness of the crowd--the place is full by 6:00 on weekends and remains that way all night. 4. No reservations.
(4)Heather A.
Three words: braised lamb shank. Fall off the bone, loads of fresh veggies, and insane polenta. Perfectly cooked and seasoned, large portion that try as I might, could not finish in one sitting. Great atmosphere, fantastic service. Worth the hour and half wait on Saturday night to get in.
(5)Lynn S.
I have known Dave B for many years and SB when it was very small. He takes pride in all of his dishes and I have not had one I don't like. Great food, Good service and without writing a novel. Just delicious!
(4)Larry D.
We brought friends that are foodies and we all loved it. The mussels and roasted chicken are must haves! Both times we have been we are blown away by the quality of food and very good service. Bring your own wine. The prices are very reasonable. We always have a dogie bag because we can't finish our meal.
(5)Sara M.
I met a girlfriend here for dinner and found the place to be decent. I feel as if the reviews set high expectations that were just not met. The place itself is quite quaint and our server was a lovely woman who did not rush us during our almost 3 hour dinner. The pesto was good but not excellent and I only had one piece of bread. We shared the goat cheese and beet salad to start, which was huge. However, it was quite ordinary and I wished there was more goat cheese. For my entrée, I ordered the oven roasted clams with linguine. The way it was described in the menu made it seem amazing. However, when I received it, there were also red and yellow peppers, cherry tomatoes, and an overabundance of lemon in the sauce. It was not what I had expected and was honestly not that tasty. I didn't feel as if the tomatoes or peppers had any right being in the dish and the lemon overpowered the white wine flavour. I tried my friend's bolognese and it was good but I make an excellent version without the undercooked noodles. I will have to try this place again since I may have just ordered badly or caught them on a bad night.
(3)Matthew H.
What a great experience. My friend arrived a bit before I did and put his name down. Like a considerate organization, they offered to give his cell phone a call when the table was ready. We got the call and promptly arrived to a very friendly hostess who called us by name and sat us promptly. I didn't realize the restaurant was BYOB which the owner must have noticed because he came over and offered us free wine/beer (which we graciously accepted). We had the duck risotto special which was a huge portion and easily could have qualified as a main course (and I wish I was eating it right now it was so good). I had the lamb shank which was truly enormous. Absolutely way too much food for a human to consume in one sitting but unbelievably tasty. I very much look forward to returning as soon as I can!
(5)Alyssa W.
pretty ordinary, nothing to really rave about. the bolongnase pasta was the best dish at the table... the space is small but comfy. the service was ok.
(3)Maia B.
Sweet Basil is my absolute favorite restaurant in suburban Boston. First, you must pick up a bottle of wine at a liquor store. Sweet Basil does not serve alcohol, but they will happily serve you your wine for a corking fee. Second, you must bring (lots of) cash. Sweet Basil does not accept other forms of payment. Third, you must arrive with plenty of time to spare. Sweet Basil does not accept reservations. While you are waiting for a table, you should walk down the street to Masala Art for a cocktail. Fourth, you must order the baked gouda appetizer. Continue as you like. This is my Sweet Basil recipe for success.
(5)Eric T.
What's good: the food, the smells, and the staff. What's not so good: no reservations, no credit cards, the cramped-ness, and the noise. There was a 30 minute wait on a Saturday night, which was to be expected. But there's very little space to wait, so we sat on stools directly behind a table of diners. We thought of leaving and just grabbing a pizza instead, but the wafting garlic smells kept us seated. Once we were seated, they put out bread with pesto instead of butter, which was delicious and got me thinking why all Italian restaurants don't do the same. We had the baked mozzarella appetizer, which was amazing - and way too large for even two people to share. I ordered the chicken parm, which was okay. The dish was cooked lightly, missing the grilled-ness of the chicken breast and the cheese - it came off as 'lightly baked' and just missing some flavor. Again, it was okay but I wouldn't order it again. (And the marinara was really subpar.) My wife's lamb shank and polenta entree, on the other hand, was unbelievable. There was some questionable overcooked vegetable happening, which she quickly ignored after the first taste, but the lamb itself was cooked amazingly. I'm not a big lamb fan, but that dish alone would have me going back. And we took home half of all three dishes, so you definitely get your money's worth. So the food was good and the staff was great. The noise was a big turn-off though. The crowd had an understandably loud din to it, but it was accentuated by slightly-too-loud, totally random pop music that didn't jive with the atmosphere at all. When you have that cramped a restaurant, the last thing you want is to make your customers feel that much more claustrophobic; it's an Italian restaurant in the suburbs, not the fad du jour of lower Manhattan. We will definitely go back and try it again. We'll see how the second trip goes...
(4)LoveYouToo L.
Just a wee bit disappointed on the last visit here. Bread was not real fresh, and the selection not as good as in the past. Mussels, however, were hands down delicious! Still a fan, but hope this restaurant will keep their standards real high, and looking forward to more visits to reassess and hopefully be up to the same standards as previously encountered. Still a good place, nice staff, overall positive experience.
(4)Vanessa L.
Rad some reviews and traveled out to needham to check this place out. Excellent service. Food was pretty good. Nothing that I would drive far out of my way for. The service was outstanding though. It was nice that they had gluten free pasta and were able to accommodate on most entrees. I would recommend a better GF pasta though. It fell apart. I was happy - I could eat something good and allergy friendly. Nice neighborhood to walk around.
(4)Vivi L.
I've been wanting to try out this place for the longest time. We tried coming here 2 weeks ago on Saturday at around 6:30 and the place is already packed. There is already a wait of 1.5 hours for a table. We decided to order take-out instead. This place definitely lives up to their reputation. We order braised chicken, rosemary chicken, parmesan chicken, and the ravioli. Every single dish was delicious. My favorite would be the Braised Chicken. It's full of flavor and the portion is huge. We tried coming here again on Sunday at 4PM right when they're open. The place was empty but as we sit there, the place started to get crowded at 5PM. I'm glad that we went at 4PM. A little disclosure, we took our 2 yrs with us and they don't have high chair for kids. Our daughter ended up sitting on the regular chair and they were able to give her an empty wine box to boost her up. It actually worked out well. This time, I order the Lamb Shank and my husband ordered the veal. Again, the food is definitely consistent. The Lamb was sublime and we really enjoyed this place. The staffs were friendly and the food came out at perfect pace. We have now become a fan of this place and would definitely be a regular.
(5)Bill B.
Finally got around to this place. I found it cozy and charming. Some reviewers were put off by the decor; to each his own. I had the pork chop; my better half had a fish special. Hers was amazing. Perfectly cooked fish (I think it was cod--my memory is failing me here). The mashed potatoes had fennel in them and were light and refreshing. My pork chop was cooked perfectly. My only complaint was oversalting, but it wasn't enough to ruin the dish. Loved the brandied pomegranate sauce... and as others have said, huge portions. I read one review that complained about a $5 corkage fee per bottle--it's amazing what people can complain about. $15 for 3 bottles is a steal, the absolute lowest I've ever paid for corkage. Try $35/bottle in most places in the north end (some places allow it even if it's not legal or whatever). I'm happy to go back, but I would tell them to go easy on the salt.
(4)