Aquitaine Menu

  • Appetizer
  • Entrée
  • Plat Du Jour
  • Sides
  • Main
  • Prix Fixe Brunch
  • Entrées
  • Sides
  • Late Riser Special
  • Lunch Special
  • Les Articles Du Petit Déjeuner
  • Omelettes
  • Soups & Salades
  • Classics
  • Sandwiches
  • Dessert at Lunch & Brunch
  • Desserts
  • Liquid Desserts
  • Cocktails
  • Bière
  • Glass Of Wines
  • Appetizers
  • Entrées
  • Desserts
  • Appetizers
  • Entrees
  • Desserts
  • Appetizers
  • Entrees
  • Appetizers
  • Entrées
  • Sides
  • Appetizer
  • Entrée
  • Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Aquitaine

  • Appetizer
  • Entrée
  • Plat Du Jour
  • Sides
  • Main
  • Prix Fixe Brunch
  • Entrées
  • Sides
  • Late Riser Special
  • Lunch Special
  • Les Articles Du Petit Déjeuner
  • Omelettes
  • Soups & Salades
  • Classics
  • Sandwiches
  • Dessert at Lunch & Brunch
  • Desserts
  • Liquid Desserts
  • Cocktails
  • Bière
  • Glass Of Wines
  • Appetizers
  • Entrées
  • Desserts
  • Appetizers
  • Entrees
  • Desserts
  • Appetizers
  • Entrees
  • Appetizers
  • Entrées
  • Sides
  • Appetizer
  • Entrée
  • Dessert

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

  • Danae K.

    Very good! Delicious brunch! Their menu has many options to satisfy every appetite. We tried the Croque Magret (Duck confit with house made potato chips) and the Salmon Benedict (Smoked Salmon, Hollandaise and Lyonnaise Potatoes.) The quality of the food is truly amazing as Aquitaine seems to use excellent quality produce. What I loved was their Glazed Cinnamon Buns as they are truly unique here. Also, they use Pure Vermont Maple Syrup. So what didn't I like? It's way too crowded :( Tables are uncomfortably close to each other with about 8inches apart. It's very hard to squeeze from the inside table seat to the outside. Also, because it's so packed, it feels like a hurried brunch. Not so great. Transportation: on Tremont st. Lot's of buses and a 15 min walk from Back Bay station (orange line)

    (3)
  • Neechi M.

    Summary: I wish I could give it 3.5 stars because I did like it but not enough to give it 4 or 5 stars though it does deserve more than 3 stars (I would consider 3 stars to be average and it was certainly above that). I came with high expectations mostly because of our multiple experiences at the French restaurant Gaslight (same owners) that is not too far away. Overall, food was good but portions were small for what we were paying and the service was slower than it should have been considering the restaurant was about 30-40% full. What We Ordered: We came for brunch and had the Duck Hash and Eggs, Brioche French Toast, and Pommes Frites to start. I cannot recall the drinks we had (the menu had recently changed apparently when we were there a few weeks ago and it does not look like the menu online has been updated) but one was like a Mojito with Pomegranate and the other was their version of a Bloody Mary. Liked: The waitress was very friendly and helpful with descriptions. The food was delicious. The fries were excellent as was the gravy thing it came with. The duck hash was flavorful and tender and the french toast was perfect. Not Liked: Food took long to come out considering the restaurant was not very busy (perhaps -hopefully- they have more staff at peak times). Portions were quite small, particularly the $7 Pommes Frites (think Small Fries McDonalds order). Drinks did not seem particularly strong. Maybe we'll manage to stop in for a different meal and have a better impression but until then, I would skip Aquitaine and head to Gaslight where there is similar but better food with larger portions and seemingly quicker service.

    (3)
  • Sarah M.

    Its always a pleasure coming to Aquitaine. I usually recommend this place for its incredible weekend brunch deal that includes bottomless coffee, juice, a cinnamon bun, and omelette entree for only $11.95. The portions are very generous and the omelettes so flavorful. For a 1 pm Saturday reservation, the restaurant was fairly empty. We got our food seemingly less than 10 minutes. The omelettes were cooked perfectly (I'm picky about my eggs, so that's saying a lot), the roasted potatoes robustly seasoned, and the freshly made cinnamon bun--wow I could eat it all day! Service: The waitstaff are friendly and knowledgeable. Our waitress checked on us several times and refilled our waters and coffee. Seating: I would highly recommend calling in earlier for a reservation. This is not a large restaurant and during their busy hours, the wait-time can be long. Parking: Street parking (if you can find any). We walked from Park Street T station. Its a mere 1 mile walk along Tremont Street.

    (5)
  • L F.

    Last weekend I had a stupendous brunch at Aquitaine! If you are looking for a nice, conveniently located, inexpensive spot for brunch, go to Aquitaine. Their prix fixe menu offers a cinamon bun, coffee, juice and an entree for $11.95! I honestly haven't had a nicer brunch at that price point anywhere else in the city. The ambiance is classy (which adds to its value). Our server was attentive, although a bit confused with our questions regarding menu ingredients. I am looking forward to visiting again soon!

    (4)
  • Catherine H.

    I had a lot of fun here. The ambiance is chill and the giant booth seating is really conducive to a relaxing brunch and good conversation. I really struggled with the number of stars. I really wish I could give 3.5 - but alas yelp does not cater to my whims. The reason for the three rather than four stars is mostly the result of the steel cut Irish oatmeal. It sounded so amazingly delicious, but alas it was not. I love oatmeal. It is one of my favorite foods ever. And I love crème brûlée - but this oatmeal was seriously lacking. Not very delicious at all. Luckily that was just the snack I got along with my brunch and not the only item I ordered. I also ordered the Alsacienne omelette. It was good, however, this is the type of restaurant that does not cook omelette ingredients within the egg mixture. I know a lot of higher end places and hotels make omelettes like this, but I just can't get behind it. The potatoes were really good and the toast was just toast. Service was tip top, the food just wasn't quite my style. Atmosphere is nice. Wait was a bit long, even though we had reservations. Ultimately everyone had a fun morning.

    (3)
  • Amanda R.

    Review for brunch only which I am consistently underwhelmed by. I've been here for brunch roughly 5 times now. Usually the portions are incredibly small and if not small, I've never had an enjoyable meal here. The French toast is deep fried bread - gross. They have a couple of egg bakes which are 90% cream - also gross. The service is usually slow and I've never had particularly good service here. The decor is also fairly dated and ugly. The only redeeming quality of Aquitaine is that the front of the house manager is incredibly friendly and fun. Otherwise I wouldn't recommend going here for brunch at all.

    (2)
  • Milena P.

    I organized a dinner with friends here, 6 of us total, and made a reservation for 8:30. We showed up right on time and the host told us the folks at our table were wrapping up their meal and it should only be a few minutes. We ended up waiting 45 minutes, with the host telling us that they were signing their checks. I'm not sure most people would take 45 minutes to pay and leave, and he said that the party at that table had been eating since 5:30. I was not happy about having to wait for so long when I had a reservation, but what really upset me was that he made no offer to get us drinks or apps on the house while we waited. He did get me a drink, but only after I asked. That should've been his first offer. Our waitress was nice, but she clearly forgot my side dish. She fired it after we were all eating our entrees and it took a while to come, so I was eating my side after my friends were done eating, and after I had eaten most of my entree. She comped it but still, I just felt like it was flub after flub after flub dining here. I asked to speak with the manager but he had left for the night. What a disappointment!

    (2)
  • Damien S.

    Brunch, the other breakfast. As a walk-in party of two, we were surprisingly sat immediately along the brass and mirrored dining area. South End locals dotted the bar and bay window, unabashedly kibitzing, sipping and nibbling (in that order). I'd heard of the lauded Prix Fixe menu (all day Saturday, 10-11a Sunday) and dove in headlong: a starter cinnamon bun, orange juice, coffee and an Omelette Piperade (ample ham, tomato and peppers). Expected only the egg creation, but lo - home fries and toast sided the tri-ova beast. How is this cornucopia of comestibles under $10? Get on it. Service could only be called "delayed" - we found ourselves waiting for everything from a welcome, to beverages to entrees 5-10 minutes longer than was necessary in a small, well-staffed environment. Wasn't obnoxious, but definitely noticeable. A return is definite. It'll be hard to cheat on that winning prix fixe, but the duck hash and eggs is calling my name. Quacking. Quacking my name.

    (4)
  • Skyler J.

    Have to give two stars as the service the last few times we have sat in at Aquataine has been terrible...slow, non responsive, unapologetically so...we eat food from here on take out frequently and it is usually completely unpredictable, though I can predict there will be something prepared badly, either soggy fries, weird over cooked fries, etcetera though we do keep coming back for the basil aioli which we love. All in all, sadly, Aquataine should not be top of anyone's list visiting boston, that's for sure.

    (2)
  • Jen P.

    I ate so much great food that I rolled home and suffered all night. Lol! The lobster bisque was sublime. I now dream about it. I've officially graduated to adulthood with this visit also. The escargot was good enough for me, the pickiest person on earth, to eat four! Noteworthy: they are incredibly rich and filling. I had no idea. Simply put, the place lived up to its reputation I was thrilled to find.

    (5)
  • Jia Ying C.

    It was my first time visiting. My friend and I went for breakfast; we ordered food from the ala carte menu. The truffled bacon burger is pretty good although I still find it a little too greasy, egg Benedict's is also decent. It is definitely a nice place for a relaxing breakfast on a weekend; I really appreciated the service and the environment!

    (3)
  • Jennifer V.

    I remember coming here for restaurant week and I was hoping that the experience would be similar to the wonderful time I had if I took my mother here for a mother's day dinner. I was severely disappointed. It was unbearably hot in the restaurant. I understand it's dinner and the weather is nice but it was a humid 80-some degrees outside and you could feel it in the restaurant. Not something I was expecting but I'll let that slide. Slow service to start Nothing was in the kitchen (no pasta, entree of the day wasnt available and changed to something else, running out if vegetables for sides). I wish our waiter would've told us all the disappointments in one go instead of us finding out by guessing Ran out of some desserts all of this and our reservation was at 7:30. Which I would think would be the time when the kitchen had the most ingredients. Our waiter was very apologetic and even comped our desserts and gave us an order of their sorbet trio which was delicious. Overall not my best experience there, food and service could be better but not bad. I've had better experiences there before. I'll wait a little bit before going back again.

    (2)
  • MacKenzie D.

    SO good!! I love this place, you can never go wrong with any of the food options... but the chilled calamari is honestly one of the best things I have ever eaten... I mean it is seriously amazing. It is almost like a greek salad (with kalamata olives, feta...) but instead of lettuce you have chilled calamari. I could have eaten six plates if I wouldn't have been judged for doing so ha. I have had the escargot, this was actually the first time I had ever tried it escargot, and I was nervous... but oh myyyyyy it was melt in your mouth amazing. seriously so good. The aquitaine salad has a farm poached egg over top (i am drooling even thinking about it) and the green beans are perfectly dressed and delicious. The mussels are in a creamy broth that I couldn't help but order another side of bread so I could do some dipping, I would have drank that stuff.... Lobster bisque and the french onion... both AMAZING. The food here is just phenomenal. A must try. The service is absolutely awesome as well... they are all incredibly professional and very helpful! GO HERE!

    (5)
  • Kim B.

    Since I came here the first time and started a draft of this review, I have now come here a second time. That says something, right? The first time, I came with fellow yelper cray cray rai rai. We wanted a good brunch place, and after searching on Yelp, we really wanted to try here. We made a reservation ahead of time, which thankfully we did because it was packed. I think no matter when you go, you need a reservation. Once Raisa got here, we were seated immediately. Our server was friendly, and somewhat attentive. I think it was just overwhelmingly busy in general. Being the child I am, I asked for Chocolate Milk, which they do not have .She came out and gave me milk, with hot chocolate stirred in. It was utterly disgusting. Thankfully, she realized this and didn't charge me. Note to self, don't try this at home. I got the Brioche French Toast, and it was to die for. It was so sugary, savory, and sweet. The bread was also delicious. Everything about it was spot on. I forget what Raisa got, but it came with a cinnamon bun. I wasn't as impressed with the bun as I thought I would be, but overall I think she had a great meal too. The second time I came, I was in a group of 10. 6 of us were there, and we were waiting for 4 more. The waitress said our table was set, and waiting for us, but literally would not sit us until our whole party was here. Even though we told her that they would be 20 minutes late, they still wouldn't seat us, as we were staring at our table right in front of us. It was really odd, and I don't think I have ever had that happen to us (especially when more than half of us were there). We ended up blocking the entire doorway/entryway, and seemed to be causing a lot of problems by taking up space. It came off as rude and started all of us out on a wrong foot. We all go mimosas, which were fantastic, duh. This time, because it was 2:00, (or 2:45 by the time we sat), I got the mac and cheese. It had great flavor, but could have used quadruple the amount of cheese. It tasted like their was almost nothing on it, and if anything, it was all on the bottom of the pan. As far as mac and cheese's go, it was fair, probably a 6 out of 10, but just lacking the main ingredient. I enjoyed it for the brunch more so than the lunch, but want to come back and try dinner!

    (4)
  • Robyn B.

    The prix fixe brunch is a great deal. The cinnamon buns and the salmon benedict are my favorite.

    (5)
  • Hk M.

    Came for lunch/brunch amazing food and service- luke was great! had the french onion soup which was absolutely delicious. The portions and quality of food are excellent for the price as well.

    (5)
  • Celin W.

    I've only been here once, but was impressed by the affordability of the brunch and quality of the salmon eggs benedict! Seating was slightly cramped but understandably so since it was a Saturday afternoon. Service was also good despite the crowd.

    (4)
  • Craig S.

    The owner of the restaurant contacted me based on my previous review. I really appreciate when owners and managers rake the time to respond to bad or good experiences. I was graciously offered an opportunity to return and given a stipend for my troubles. This time it was much better the server Jon was exceptional, attentive , informative, and efficient. The wine he recommended was really good we had 4 glasses. Unfortunately 3 good apps and one meh sole entree and 4 glasses of wine was over $140. even with the complementary stipend this was an expensive outing for what we got. 2 more stars for management and service but the price differential is just too wide for what we got,

    (3)
  • Stephanie T.

    I've been here only for brunch, but have come several times. The pre-fixe menu with the cinnamon buns is the best choice here. Its a great value and the food is pretty good. The service leaves a little to be desired and the waits can be pretty long, even with a reservation.

    (3)
  • Tucker H.

    Went her back in April and really enjoyed the experience! The wine list was super well balanced and offered lots of pairing options with food items. Obviously a well orchestrated operation here. Server was very knowledgeable and was very helpful! The food itself was excellent. The menu changes with the seasons which is awesome, offering fresh local produce to use while building dishes. Highly recommend

    (5)
  • Amber E.

    Lovely little French restaurant, right on Tremont. We sat in the little bar area, and one of us had lunch; the rest just drinks. Nice ambiance, and the bellinis were very good - not too sweet. Can't really speak to the food, although the brunch menu was reasonably priced, and the truffle fries were tasty (hard to go wrong with those).

    (4)
  • Nikki W.

    We come here regularly about twice a year and love the food. This time we were a little disappointed in our service though. It was a little bit slower than we were used to compared to the many other times we come here. She had a larger party and then was sat twice quickly afterwards. I'm assuming this was pretty overwhelming. I would suggest timing your reservations better to accommodate servers to give better service. Most annoying was our after dinner drinks were not served at the same time as dessert. They should go as a pairing. Other than that we love Aquataine. Authentic French food. I recommend the Mussels, Escargot, and Filet Mignon.

    (4)
  • Mike J.

    Wah..... what a great place to dine in with a great environment, especially with great service. I always come here with my homies for brunch. U know my name is Mike Jones from Boston.

    (5)
  • Nandanie S.

    I made a reservation for brunch here on a Sunday morning. Beforehand, I emailed the manager of Gaslight because I have gift certificates that were sent to me and wanted to know if they can be used at Aquitaine. In my email, I should have mentioned dinner certificates and not gift certificates. Thus, Diego responded that I could use them at any of the nine restaurants in the group. When we arrived, we were seated. I then asked the manager if I could use the certificates, and she says no because it was just for Gaslight only. Then I realized that I should have specified that it was a dinner certificate in my email as opposed to a gift certificate. She let me use one anyway, which I was totally okay with!! Okay that was that...moving on.... The temperature inside of the restaurant was sweltering and extremely uncomfortable. People around us were sweating and looked uneasy. My husband and I were among those. The front doors were wide open, and the humidity wafting in and out combined with heat from the kitchen made it uncomfortable and so we declined to stay. I felt bad about leaving, but we were uncomfortable with the heat (the temperature outside was a lot nicer - if there was al fresco dining, we'd have taken advantage). We were there for about 5-10 minutes and no one had come by to take our order or anything, so I didn't feel that bad. However it was noticed that the silverware was dirty as well as the wine glasses. We just didn't want to be uncomfortable having brunch. I've been to Gaslight and Aquitaine Dedham. Experiences there were good, and I was just surprised at service at this location, seeing that it's in popular South End of Boston. Hope to give you another chance soon...

    (2)
  • Andrew C.

    This place has to be one of the most over rated restaurants in Boston. I came here for brunch and he service was mediocre and the food was horrendous. My bad experience started when I arrived at the restaurant. Prior to coming here, I had made a reservation for this restaurant. Although we arrived on time, we still had to wait for 20 mins or so for our table to be ready. Service Overall, our waitress was not very friendly. Her service level was a bare minimum. She was quick and efficient in taking our orders and serving our food. But, she did not smile and had a very "snotty" vibe. It seemed like she couldn't care less about how we were doing throughout my meal. I credit her for fulfilling her duties but she absolutely did not go beyond the bare minimum which should be expected at a restaurant of this "caliber" Food I got the Prixe Fixe Brunch Menu and decided to pick the Portuguese French Toast. What I got was the most pathetic 3 pieces of French toast I've ever been served. The serving was so small and the bread tasted stale and uninspiring. On top of that, the sides were burnt and it lacked in any flavor at all. Furthermore, the French toast included a Cinnamon bun which was absolutely horrible. It was dry and also tasted stale. I could've probably cooked a better brunch for myself Moral of the story: Don't bother coming here... especially for brunch. Save yourself some misery and go to a proper diner.

    (1)
  • Silly S.

    Come with friends for the first time. I love crisped chicken legs. The restaurant is quiet and a good place for chatting.

    (4)
  • Divie E.

    I came here with a friend late Friday evening and was not disappointed! The prix fixe we'd read about wasn't available so we made our own. It's not an inexpensive restaurant but we were really happy with the night. The ambiance is a little vintage (and a tad quirky). You immediately get the vibe that this caters to a mature audience (i.e., those who are prepared to spend cash) but it has just a hint of modernness that keeps it current. The food was really good, making the trek to Back Bay worth it! Every dish was solid and very-well executed. They started us off with two mini cheese-filled pastries, which were warm and very tasty. We then shared the Salade Aquitaine, which had the perfect amount of tang in the dressing. The bacon cubes and poached egg really added something to the dish, and the haricots vertes were perfectly cooked. The dinner rolls were crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, and delicious as well. We ordered two main dishes to share: the roasted shrimp and the moules frites. Both were great. I really liked that the shrimp dish was ready to eat, no knife needed. The shrimps were large but out of shell. The gnocchi had a slight crispness to it. The sauce had hints of garlic and made the dish hearty. It was a great twist on pasta. The mussels were great as well: large and in a creamy sauce that brought out their flavor. I didn't love the fries (at first) but they were hot, crispy, and well-seasoned. I found myself eating them all! The dish was actually of Belgian quality. We also shared a carafe of a great red Bordeaux (slightly spicy), which added to our meal. The service was also good overall, taking it up to 5 stars. Our waitress was attentive, efficient, and not pushy. One of the busboys seemed eager to clear our plates, which was a little annoying, but they also let us stay until an hour after closing, which speaks volumes! The entire experience was just that: an experience! It's the kind of experience I'd want on a date - intimate yet fun. Things weren't 100% perfect but my friend and I had such a good time. I look forward to coming back again (especially when they have the cheese plate).

    (5)
  • Chloé R.

    I love that Aquitaine changes the menu with the seasons. Servers are knowledgable and explain the wines and specials with detail. Recommend the onion soup, aquitaine salad, lamb shank, steak frites, and chocolate bread pudding. Clean. Nice ambience.

    (4)
  • Leah K.

    Headed to Aquitaine for dessert after dinner at The Gallows. 4 of us got a seat at the bar, and took a good long look at the dessert menu (and incredible cocktails). The bartender was great an would chime in in helping us make a decision. I went with a calvados cocktail that came in a martini glass, my fiancé had a beer, and our friends ordered sparkling wine and another cocktail. I think we all loved our choices, and they paired well with the desserts. I chose the crème brûlée, and my friends had chocolate mousse and tarte tatin. The bartender laid out napkins as placemats for us, and it set the tone nicely. My crème brûlée was beautiful, perfect in every way. I tried my friend's chocolate mousse, which was thick, dark and delicious. And all of them were around $7...a good price for the quality. It's such a beautiful restaurant with great service, that I will most certainly be back for dessert and cocktails quite soon!

    (5)
  • Paprika F.

    I was so excited to take my dear accomplice out for French food, which is a holiday tradition. I went to Yelp and searched for a French restaurant in Boston that we had not yet tried. I read good reviews about Aquitaine on Yelp. Four stars out of 600-plus reviews. Sign me up! Well, did we go to the same restaurant? Or are we speaking different languages? Aquitaine hit all the right notes in terms of appearance and service. When we first went in, I thought the experience might be similar to Brasserie Jo. My accomplice ordered the wine, and I had a smoky mezcal cocktail. Since I like to pair mezcal drinks with red meat, and my spouse likes red wine and red meat, we immediately gravitated toward the short ribs. Perhaps we were feeling nostalgic for the decadent, soft, tender short ribs from the dearly departed Casablanca's in Harvard Square. Unfortunately for Aquitaine, our short ribs had been boiled to the point where they resembled hot floss. If I pulled a string of short ribs off my tray, I could have performed my evening dental care ritual right at the table. Now, we have worked service, and we know that you never, ever send a meal back unless it is undercooked and might kill you, but I was tempted. We ate our plates like a good little boy and girl because we're not total jerks, but I don't think we'll go back. And if you go, maybe you'll have better luck than we did, but do not order the short ribs.

    (2)
  • Lotus R.

    Food was alright. Pretty congested. Our waiter seemed to do all the work as well. We had smoked salmon, lobster bisque, branzino, rock shrimp, bread pudding.

    (3)
  • Erica R.

    In my last review, I mentioned wanting to come back to Aquitaine to try dinner sometime. Well, after a number of months? I was finally able to get back to Boston, and the friend that I frequently visit while in the city had made sure to make reservations for us to get back - this time for dinner. Yay! We arrived a couple minutes early, but were seated quickly (within 1 or 2 minutes - right after they cleaned the table). Our waiter was incredibly attentive from start to finish as well. We started off with the Escargots De Bourgogne, while my friend ordered the Butter Poached Maine Lobster (the Saturday plat du jour) and I ordered the Filet Au Poivre (because, c'mon, it's the Filet Au Poivre...so how can you go wrong?!). We ended up splitting both dishes, so I guess we made our own surf 'n turf dinner... but we also ordered a side of the Brussels Sprouts to share, since neither of us could pass up some delicious brussels sprouts with bacon lardons. Yum! Everything we ordered was fantastic, and I'm giddy that I was finally able to make it back for the dinner. Portions are perfect, and the food was delectable. My filet was cooked perfectly (I love a good 'medium rare'), which is certainly the way to my foodie heart. Haha. All in all? Aquitaine certainly didn't disappoint, and I can't wait to go back for my next meal - brunch, dinner, or for desserts. :)

    (5)
  • kathleen c.

    I am not sure why this place is touted as "one of the best places in for Brunch." I was totally looking forward to the duck hash with eggs and caramelized onions only to find that 1) it was more onion than hash (as in potatoes) 2) said onions were not caramelized 3) it was actually mostly charred 4) there wasn't that much duck and 5) it was OVERWHELMINGLY bland. Maybe it was a bad day in the kitchen. My friend I went with said that other thing that he and others have gotten were tasty and he even got the cinnamon rolls that he said were tasty, but based on that dish I'd give it a solid 1 star. The rest of the place, however, was fine. We we about 20 minutes late and gave the obligatory-yet-useless phone call to let them know and they seated us right away. Our server was very polite and reasonably attentive. But if you asked me to choose a brunch place again? It would not be here.

    (2)
  • Nicky E.

    We went for Sunday brunch and it was divine. We both got the prix fixe menu, and we were so happy with the value of the meal. Mum got the crepes, I got the Greek omelet and they were tasty and a gustatory gift. They also serve these tiny dollhouse cinnamon buns that I thought were hysterical looking, and when I bit into it - it was warm, gooey, sugary, sticky infatuation. I also got a cocktail that had rum in it (I heart brunch cocktails) and it was the perfect addition to an already wonderful brunch. Also, The waiter was sort of awkward in the most charming way.

    (4)
  • Jan M.

    Had high hopes for this place based on reviews and went for brunch with a few friends. We had a reservation but still had to wait 10-15min before being seated. The food: nothing special. The omelette was not seasoned so well and potatoes were burnt. Be warned of the Worlds smallest cinnamon roll with the prefixed menu. My friend got the Belgian waffle, which was stale and cold. The service: absolutely terrible. I asked for a coffee when the waiter took our drink orders and got asked 2 more times what we wanted to drink before finally getting a cup of coffee. The waiter spilled orange juice, water, and creamer every time he poured anything for me and didn't bother to give us any extra napkins to clean things up. There are so many wonderful brunch places in Boston, this is definitely not one of them. Don't waste your time and money

    (2)
  • Grace C.

    3.5 stars. Our friends love coming here. We got reservations as it is busy all the time. Plenty parking at this newish outdoor strip mall. Most dinner entrees were $22-30 and appetizers $7-9. Though it's French food, the portions were good sized. I did not love my trout as it tasted like egg covered salmon. But i did like the duck breast and most entrees came w some veggies and grain or starch which were tasty. Creme Brulee was ok. A little boring. I've had better. I did love the semi sweet chocolate mousse.

    (4)
  • Vi H.

    Came here during Restaurant Week and I thought it was good. Not amazing but not bad either. I didn't like the set up of the restaurant too much because it seemed very squished together and crowded. The waitress was extremely nice and helpful when explaining the description of the food. A little pushy on trying to get my friends and I to order some drinks though. I got the Tomato Bisque Provençale, Daube Niçoise, and the Genoise Chocolate Roulade. Overall I thought they were ok but I thought the dessert was delicious. I usually get sick of chocolate easily so I tend to avoid it. But the person next to our table got it and it looked so good I just had to try it. Very happy I did and no regrets because I couldn't get enough of it. It was a little busy but the food came out in a good timely manner! Although I liked it here, I think this will just be a first one time experience only for me.

    (4)
  • Heather W.

    The food is out of this world, every time. Enjoy a classic like the steak frites and French onion soup!

    (5)
  • Tamara W.

    Came here with a $150 gift card fro my land lord in the South End which was a gift & had a good meal. It is real fancy/upscale if that is your thing but I am giving it A-OK quite simply because the food is buttery and heavy. I probably will never go back as its out of my price range (150 just got us dinner and wine) but it was a nice, week day night to dine here. I prefer others in the "family" of restaurants that are less fancy and less French. If you like heavy food and fine dining this probably would be your 5 star jam; but if you are like me and prefer healthier options + cocktails then I suggest another place!

    (3)
  • Karis O.

    You absolutely need to make a reservation in advance on the weekends if you don't want to wait for at least 45 minutes. Sure, we can all go cutesy for Sunday Brunch, get eggs benedict, maybe a little side of fruit, throw in mimosas. But I passed on this. I came in with a game plan, knowing I heard the Truffle Bacon Burger would make me want to sashay out the door and yell from the cobblestones of the South End. One of the best burgers I've ever had. It was so rich and juicy, cooked exactly how my Dad cooked my burgers for me growing up, flavorful with truffle mayo (no skimping out here, folks) and delicious bacon. It also didn't help the fries were also some of the best I've had as well. Aquitaine is constantly busy for a reason. I've also heard their prix fixe brunch is one of the best deals in the city. Another tidbit worth sharing is one of my friends said he'd consider quitting his full-time job if it meant he could have a lifetime supply of their cinnamon rolls. That's saying something- he's got a great job. Fabulous service, lovely, chic decor and funky clear glasses for steaming hot coffee. A true gem in the South End!

    (4)
  • Cindy X.

    Came here for Boston Restaurant Week and the experience was worth the time and money! Aquitaine was one of my favorite restaurants during Dine out Boston. Both the service and food were on point, and I can tell the wine was carefully chose to compliment the course I ordered. The atmosphere is mellow and classy. Simply sitting there makes you feel better. I would love to come back sometime for brunch.

    (5)
  • Reem H.

    This place is great! We went for an Anniversary dinner and it was a great place for a such an event. A bit on the pricey side. It's not a huge place but it was cozy. Situated In the heart of Boston it was very easy to get to by cab (cabs are everywhere and so easy to get) The food was delicious!!! I ordered the peppercorn sirloin and it was delicious but the inside of it was too pink and I didn't finish it. I'm sure you're wondering why I'm raving about it if I didn't eat it all? Well it was cooked but I was full and the parts that were pink I left aside. It wasn't that it was undercooked, in fact my husband are the rest of it. Everyone at our table raved about their meals. They also have a good wine selection. The desserts were great. Try their sorbet!!! You won't regret it..... You're welcome! LOL We had a wonderful waitress, Cossette. She knew her stuff, was attentive and great at her job!

    (5)
  • Rayan D.

    Aquitaine used to be a brunch institution in Boston but since my last visit it's clear that they've been cutting some corners to save on costs. I used to be a frequent patron of their $10 prix fixe brunch that included a delicious cinnamon bun, a glass of orange juice, your choice of one of many sweet or savory dishes, and all the coffee you could drink. A couple of weeks ago, I returned after a several month hiatus and was disappointed as soon as I walked in the door. To start with, the hostess was unfriendly at best as was our waitress who, as soon as she realized we were after the prix fixe weren't ordering drinks, changed her entire demeanor. I also noticed that the place was EMPTY at 10:30 in the morning - if you've ever been there on a weekend in the past you'd know that something must not be right. I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt but the service was atrocious; as soon as she realized we weren't going to be throwing back mimosas at 10AM she stopped smiling and turned cold and gave us the least amount of attention possible. Lets turn to the food - it was HORRIBLE! Those delicious cinnamon buns they used to serve? Gone and replaced with what tastes/looks like something bought in bulk from Costco. They also shrank the menu for prix fixe and now only offer a select few options, all of which fail to meet the standards this restaurant set in the past. I will definitely not choose Aquitaine again unless they make some serious changes. As far as I'm concerned they are a "once was"; I hope that the management sees what has happened to their customer base and improves the service and food.

    (2)
  • Liz C.

    My husband and I would come here for a classier date night. It has a small and intimate atmosphere although some of the tables for two are very close to each other. The Filet au Poivre is fantastic and the bread pudding is to die for. The service is good, and they bring interesting little things to snack on before your dinner. For my husband's birthday, they let me get the bread pudding as take out to surprise him! Excellent service and excellent food. It's always a great night when we come here.

    (5)
  • Cici A.

    I've been to Aquitaine a bunch of times for brunch & love their shrimp salad sandwich and eggs benedict. I also came in for restaurant week awhile back & really enjoyed their lunch options.

    (5)
  • Blaire O.

    I have been here for the pre-fixe brunch often. Who could not come for the $9.95 brunch all day Saturday and 9-11am on Sunday? The brunch includes: unlimited coffee, a glass of fresh squeezed juice (Orange or grapefruit) a mini Cinnabon then an omelette. You can chose from the 3. The deal and food is good. My friend and I went for the brunch this morning and had a 10:30 reservation. The tables are extremely close to each other. Barely any room to get in and out on the booth side of the table. The fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee was good along with the warm Cinnabon. We both ordered the omelette piperade (ham, tomatoes and peppers) with mushrooms added. It also had home fries and toast (but we got English muffins). My favorite part was the Home fries. With the tables super close together, it made me feel claustrophobic and it was tough to get out the booth to leave. My gloves went missing. I went back to check the table and it was being cleared. I asked the busboys if they saw them and they weren't helpful. Nor was the hostess. She seemed like she was not happy to help or wanting to be there. I am still waiting to hear back if they found them when the tables next to us are cleared.

    (3)
  • Maey P.

    Made a reservation for 12:30 brunch. Arrived early and ended up waiting until 1 in the very crowded entryway. When we were finally seated we were put in a very awkward set table where not one of us faced each other and decided we would rather wait for a booth. I ordered the salmon benedict which was very average and they were very cheap on the amount of salmon I got. The bloody Mary and other drinks were very tasty on the other hand. Overall i don't think it's worth the hype or price.

    (3)
  • Antonio B.

    As a New Yorker we expect a a lot. This is a little bit of heaven miss L THE BARTENDER can blend anything to ur pleasure she can read ur mind before u need another one. Haha and as far as the severs John an Cossete love he they always know what to suggest and order with out hesitation. The manager Bryan he always welcomes me as if it was the first time here always and I love that.

    (5)
  • Saacha M.

    Just stopped in again for brunch this Saturday. The Prix Fixe brunch is amazing. $10 and you get coffee, orange juice, a cinnamon roll and an omelette. I think this place actually gets better every time I visit. Next time in Boston, I'm going to get dinner here.

    (5)
  • Keuna C.

    I can't believe I waited this long to try the weekend brunch at Aquitaine. It's fantastic!! What a gem. Service: We had a reservation for 4 people for 12:30 on a Saturday. Even though one person got there a bit before the others, she was seated pretty promptly. As soon as 2 or 3 of us were there, the waitress offered us coffee, juice, water. Food: I had the Croque magret, which came on gorgeously toasted bread (that's saying a lot, since I'm really not a carb person) and had incredibly flavorful duck. Two of us had the prix-fixe brunch at the unbelieveable price of $9.95-- small glass of fresh squeezed juice, coffee, mini cinnamon bun, and your choice of omelette. I would give the greek omelette 4 stars instead of 5 for flavor, but the cinnamon bun made up for it (tiny, warm, and just right). The fourth person had the croque monsieur, which I didn't try but he said was pretty good. Ambience: Your typical charming french bistrot feel, in the best sense. Just the right amount of light, not too noisy. Great location right on Tremont. I'm definitely going back for more!

    (5)
  • Kimmy U.

    Wait a sec. So you're telling me I can get bottomless coffee and juice (mmmmmm grapefruit), toast, potatoes, and an omelet for $10?? YES. Come here for their weekend pre fixe brunch! Saturdays 10-3, Sundays 10-11. Make your reservations now! Their petite cinnamon buns are so flaky and warm! The icing dripping down. ahh heaven Omelette De La Maison was the better of the 2 I shared with the brother. Comes with bacon, tomatoes, and gruyere. And gimme summadat fresh cracked pepper ! The Omelette Alsacienne was just ok- mushrooms, leeks, and boursin cheese. I was so excited to try a new cheese, but of course.. my brother takes the half with ALL THE CHEESE IN IT! pshh Potatoes were nicely cooked, but nothing special They have these jam packets that you cut open and squeeze onto your toast. It was the first time I've seen those.. pretty interesting lol. This is one of the best deals I've seen in Boston, especially at a $$$ restaurant

    (3)
  • Becca L.

    Wow, now I get why Jethro Tull wrote a song about this place! Nothing says "classy" like coffee in clear glass mugs. Of all the many brunch options in the South End, this is by far the best! Although I couldn't pronounce most of the things on the menu, the server was very patient with me, and was spot on with his recommendation of the prix fixe menu (Cinnamon buns are the first course and a must!)

    (4)
  • Alex S.

    Aquitaine is a quaint little bistro located in the heart of the South End and is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. I have only been here for dinner before but have been dying to take advantage of their prix fixe brunch special on the weekends. Because we never have the motivation or energy to make it all the way down to the South End on a Saturday morning, we've never been able to take part in their brunch special. However, because it is only $9.95 for a complete brunch, we finally decided to move our lazy asses and check it out. The brunch special is a pretty sweet deal. For only $9.95, you get a glass of fresh squeezed juice, coffee, a glazed cinnamon bun, and an entree. I know...ridiculousness. These we're some of the best rolls we've ever had. The outside was crunchy and flaky and the inside was soft and moist. And don't even get me started on the icing... For the entrees, we ordered the Omelette Piperade and the omelette with pimento cheese and niman ranch ham. Both were really well made and tasted amazing. It's surprising how something so simple can be so delicious. We both left completely stuffed and craving a nap. And for only $9.95 per person, it's really one of the best brunch deals in Boston. If you are ever in the mood for a good weekend brunch, I would highly recommend checking out Aquitaine in the South End. Check out my blog (complete with pictures and childish humor) for the full review! thesuchef.org/2014/07/19…

    (5)
  • Nick B.

    Following the incident described in my previous review regarding the bartender, I was reached out but one of the business managers who apologized for the inconvenience and the poor experience. I sincerely appreciate the service recovery and appeasement. I live in the south end and look forward to going back and giving Aquitaine another try.

    (5)
  • Catherine D.

    First of all, I would like to apologize to my waiter if I was rude at all. I only had almonds for lunch that night and was extremely hungry coming in for dinner. So, if I involuntarily sneered when you said there was no more duck, I'm sorry. So... My partner and I came here for dinner last weekend. The restaurant was a bit understaff, so it took quite a bit of time before the waiter was able to make his way to our table to take our drink orders. Aside from the long waits, dinner here was lovely. The ambiance is cozy and as cute-French feeling as you would expect from a French restaurant. Their escargot is probably the best I have ever had in Boston. For dinner, I had the pappardelle (though I wanted the duck, which they were out of); I imagine the pasta was made in house--I don't know what it say, it was delicious and perfectly balanced. Looking forward to coming back.

    (4)
  • Kate P.

    We were very disappointed with our brunch today. Our reservation was for 12.30 and we were seated at 1.00. We ordered cocktails at the bar while we waited from a particularly unfriendly female bar tender who never cracked a hint of a smile for the duration. We were initially seated at a table with all the chairs in a line on one side, which was very awkward and hopeless for conversation, so we asked to be moved to a booth which we squished in to. The food was unremarkable. The eggs Benedict had a mere drizzle of hollandaise, the sausages seemed like they were the frozen kind that you buy in Bj's. The tea was good though......as were the cocktails. Oh yes and one loo for the establishment... You could miss your entire meal while you waited. No TP and the waste paper basket overflowing.

    (2)
  • Jenny S.

    Weekend brunch pre fixe is SUCH is an INSANELY GOOD DEAL! $10 gets you a glass of fresh juice, bottomless coffee, a DELICIOUS flaky cinnamon bun, and an egg dish that comes with potatoes AND whole grain toast! the Omelets aren't amazing but again the price is right! ---omelet al sacienne: kind of bland. The Boursin would've been better as a cheese ---omelet de la Maison: much tastier due to the saltiness of the gruyere & bacon Fresh cracked pepper over your meal & Bonne Maman fruit preserves + Cabot butter to spread over your toast the restaurant is very relaxing & a great place to catch up over brunch! one question... can I take some cinnamon buns TO GO? haha

    (3)
  • Joann C.

    Been here for dinner, been here for lunch... Been here for brunch! Oh let me count all the ways I love thee Great place for affordable French cuisine. The food is always great, wait staff is always courteous, and love the ambience. Oeuf en cocotte and lemon sole for dinner ! Lunch menu is a great deal ! And it's normally not too busy in the day time. Brunch potatoes and homemade warm cinnamon buns are a must !! Coffee ... Anytime of day ... Really! Have it during brunch (of course) but have it after lunch or dinner.

    (4)
  • Reem K.

    I went today for a brunch as I read recommendations of the French Toast they make. My brother ordered an omelet that was so normal. I had the French Toast and I was SO disappointed. It was DRY. Crispy, but not in a good way. It didn't taste good at all. I've been looking at the dishes on the tables around us. And nothing seemed appealing. Defiantly not going there again. Even the people working there weren't helpful enough.

    (1)
  • Juliana K.

    Actually somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. Bad news is -bone marrow was wimpy and not worth getting. -short ribs, while tender, were bland and Unimpressive. Almost like they boiled short rib and put it on some bland broth. -creme brûlée was was extremely disappointing. One of the worst ever. The texture was like pudding. This may be due to the fact that they out WAYYY to much sugar on top. They probably had to fire up the top layer of sugar for a long time and it turned the creme brûlée to melt into pudding as well. Sugar should be a thin layer in order to crack with a spoon. Very poorly executed. My favorite dessert and the worst dish. Good news-- -bread is fantastic. - get the escargot. Big, juicy plump escargot drowned on garlic, herbs and butter. Really WOW. -cauliflower side dish was fabulous. -surprisingly, the chicken dish was the best of the night. Typically, I would never get chicken, but it was moist and the dish was well seasoned and balanced. - filet steak was very tender with a great peppercorn crust. The accompanying potatoes au gratin were a joy. Medium rare= medium here though. - sole fish was good. Perfectly cooked and crispy skin, but didn't blow my mind. - moule frites was very good. Heavy herbed cream sauce was great. - beet salad was nice and lovely especially if you like powerful aged blue cheese. - shrimp bisque had a beautiful presentation which set high expectations that were not met. - french onion soup was awesome. Great depth to the soup. Perfect layer of cheese. We ordered another! -apple tartin was okay. Overly sweet for me. - crispy black bread pudding was very good. Nice crispness and moist. Service was fantastic. Host and service were very polite, friendly, and had great attention to detail. Decor is a dim-lit cosy french restaurant feel. Would definitely return again (but not get creme brulee).

    (4)
  • Gabriela S.

    We went out for dinner last night, Thursday night. I had expected to wait for a table, but we didn't so that was a nice surprise. The escargot were mega salty, which isn't bad if you're into that. The people I was with liked the bone marrow croquettes because of the cheese they were served with, but I was disappointed that I couldn't taste the marrow in the croquettes. The chicken was tasty, but nothing special. I expected more for the price. Nice presentation though. The sea bass was delicious, beautifully made with lots of herbs. I really liked our waitress. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. Great service. Ambiance was cute, warm and inviting. For being known as the best French restaurant in Boston (According to boston magazine) I had high expectations that were not met. I probably won't go back. I've heard it's good for brunch, but dinner is okay and pricey. I'd be just as happy going to La Madeleine's. :).

    (3)
  • Sarah K.

    I came for sunday brunch - had a lovely time, cozy atmosphere not too busy. We started with the cinnamon rolls (fantastic and just the right size) then I had the nicoise salad and my husband had the avocado benedict. The nicoise salad had big chunks of what seemed like fresh tuna - good but I feel like it's impossible to improve on oil packed canned tuna in nicoise salad. Waiter was great and kept our coffees and waters full. Would definitely come back again next time I'm in Boston.

    (4)
  • Kiko P.

    Underwhelmed by the food and the service. Maybe it was our particular server (quite cold and not attentive) or the brunch menu, but I left feeling unsatisfied. The food here is pretty basic. Side note: I'm a picky eater so I got the bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese, but I've seen other places do it better (I got 4 sad pieces of salmon). I could've recreated all the dishes my friends ordered at home with a yummier touch.

    (2)
  • Cathy Z.

    I chose Aquitaine as a special place for a celebratory lunch and was so, so disappointed. Our waitress was ridiculously nice, but the food was simply not good at all. I was excited about their lunch special, with French onion soup/tomato soup, a duck confit sandwich/croque Monsieur and fries/salad for around $12, but everything was way too salty, barely warm, and not fresh-tasting--I was feeling miserable about eating it. It would have been a great deal if it had been edible. Again, the service was spectacular, but I wouldn't come here again because I was so disgusted by the food.

    (2)
  • Ryan C.

    Went for a late lunch and the food was great. I got the Ruben Burger which was unbelievably good. Very nice atmosphere and quality service.

    (5)
  • ric d.

    Good food, but mediocre service. Bread delivered with no serving plates. Waiters are spread thin. Is management paying attention to customer service?

    (3)
  • E G.

    I've been here a couple times, the steak dishes are great but if you really want an amazing experience go for the more creative dishes. The Gnocchi are mouth-watering, from the appetizers I had something (forget what it was called) with olives, feta cheese and seafood, simply amazing.

    (5)
  • Susanna L.

    An upscale, French restaurant with very VERY attentive service and great food! We got the escargot, which was delicious and garlicky and buttery, if not a little too salty, and the sea bass. The fish was perfectly cooked and had a nice savory lemony taste. It's a pretty hearty dish for fish. Last but not least, the crispy chocolate bread pudding is AMAZING. The top is crunchy and the inside is soft and chewy, and it's perfectly complemented by the caramel sauce and vanilla icecream. I love bread pudding, but this was definitely one of the best I've ever had. My friends who don't even like bread pudding liked this one!! Highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Anju P.

    Mind your check is the lesson of this review. I dined at Aquitaine a few months ago and it was an enjoyable brunch with good food and service. However, upon close review of my recent credit card bills, there was a grossly inappropriate increase in my gratuity charge...meaning adding more than my entire bill to an already generous tip. My credit card company requested I try to settle with the restaurant. That experience required multiple phone calls and emails over 3 weeks. After the matter was settled, I received an apology that did not seem genuine and an explanation that left me skeptical at best. If you decide to dine here, make sure to save the receipt!

    (1)
  • Ryan S.

    I lived in the South End ten years ago and used to love having brunch at Aquitaine. It's upscale yet comfortable, the food is consistently delicious, and the service (used to be?) helpful and friendly. Unfortunately, on a recent visit with my family I was shocked to discover it wasn't the same warm and friendly place I once loved. Our waitress on Saturday morning was so incredibly rude with us I got anxious every time she came to the table. It was a horrible dining experience and I left feeling embarrassed that I had suggested the restaurant to my parents. Having worked many years in the service industry I kept on explaining to my family "maybe she wasn't supposed to work today and she got called in and is just upset... or maybe she broke up with her boyfriend and just doesn't want to be here..." but then I realized no matter what the back story may have been that morning -- there is simply no excuse for being rude and making guests feel uncomfortable.

    (2)
  • Susan S.

    Friendly with delicious food. Very accommodating to vegetarians, making helpful substitution suggestions. We loved the branzino, the vegetarian gnocchi, the onion soup. The porchetta was a miss (but hey! why is a french bistro serving an italian dish?). We will be back for a second go round!

    (4)
  • Jenn Z.

    Great place for weekend brunch. For about $10, the main course comes with freshly squeezed juice, unlimited coffee, and a small cinnamon bun. The brunch omelettes are pretty substantial in size. If you come in a party of two or less, it might be a good idea to just sit at the bar instead of waiting (~30 mins) for a table.

    (4)
  • Alexandra L.

    Went there for a Sunday brunch. The food was decent, but nothing special. Salmon egg Benedict was tasty enough, though tired looking, Belgian waffle crispy, my 11 year old enjoyed it, the omelette was under par, very generic and over cooked, although we asked for it soft, oatmeal comes with a thick caramel crust; while it sounds good, we skipped it, just a think layer of burned sugar, not terribly appetizing and, certainly, not healthy. Cinnamon buns were excellent. Overall, the meal was satisfying, but nothing special. Go there if you happened to be in the area, otherwise, not worth going out of your way. Not a keeper.

    (3)
  • Pascal Z.

    We had dinner at Aquitaine last Saturday night. Very nice food, atmosphere, etc. We enjoyed it very much. Pros: good sauces atmosphere Wine selections cons only one bathroom pricey I would recommend this place for a special date night, etc. Very romantic setting.

    (4)
  • Katie Y.

    The food is amazing here! We went for our grandpa's birthday and everything was amazing. The salmon was smoked nicely. The chocolate mousse was quite nice too. Also one thing that we didn't like was when we asked to wait a bit longer(incase he was late) for our grandpa to arrive, we had to push our reservation a bit back by half an hour because the entire group had to be together to enter. Otherwise, we had a very nice dinner with dessert.

    (4)
  • Nick N.

    I'm new to yelp, but I've been coming here for years. It's a south end favorite - a classic Parisian bistro & wine bar. They have a terrific wine program with selected offerings that cover all of the French wine regions, as well as the classic California wineries. The bar has a beautiful zinc bar, and seats approx 8 or so, with a couple seats next to the window. It's shoulder to shoulder near the bar area on the weekends, but it seems like everyone knows each other. It's a fun vibe, but if you're looking for space, try the dinning room. The restaurant is comprised of booths, which makes for a fun or romantic get-together. Candlelit tables and dim lighting at night. $10 pre-fix brunch (bun, coffee, juice, choice of omelette/eggs, potatoes, toast). Make a reservation if you can! It's packed, but fun and worth the wait. I could go on and on about the food. They switch it up, seasonal and locally sourced. Try their steak au poivré with a cream cognac sauce, grilled scallions, green peppercorns, and pommes au gratin. It's a staple. The mussels are some of the best I've ever had, anywhere. If you're looking for something light, try the Sole, it's delicious. Staff is amazing, some of them have been there 10+ years. True professionals. If you're thinking Valentines day, try making a reservation a few months in advance.

    (5)
  • Hanna G.

    This is a great place for eggs Benedict in Boston! This is authentic French style cooking. Not too large of portions either. The brunch menu also has the option of a fixed price menu, choose your juice, appetizer, main dish, and desert for a set price! My only issue is they only serve brunch 2 days a week, Saturday and Sunday... Make sure you plan ahead because it can get very busy.

    (4)
  • Guillermo M.

    3.5 stars. This place has a lot of positives that we liked: delicious cinnamon buns and the french toast is excellent. If I came back it was for these things. The things I didn't like as much were the salmon eggs benedict (the hollandaise sauce was not very tasty) and a lot of customer service glitches: long wait even though we had a reservation, my plate was not very hot, my friend ordered something specific and they screwed his order. They were nice in compensating with cinnamon buns and a complimentary granola but still you want a good experience especially if the place is not cheap.

    (3)
  • John C.

    Every meal has been excellent. The duck was amazing and the service impeccable. Can't go wrong.

    (4)
  • Sophia S.

    Cute place for brunch. BF and I made a reservation for 11 but we got here 10:40 and they seated us right away. It started to get crowded after we placed our order so I do recommend making a reservation before coming here. I got the salmon benedict, the egg was perfectly poached. It came with a side of potatoes and I asked for my hollandaise on the side. It wasn't anything spectacular; just your average salmon benedict. BF got the steak and eggs and the steak was a little over cooked (he got medium rare) and it's also very small portioned. It came with eggs and potatoes on the side. He liked it, I thought it was just average and definitely not the best steak and eggs I've ever tasted. I also got the bloody Mary. The mix is yummy, salty, spicy, but very light on the alcohol. Would probably not come back for brunch though. Also, the hostess, short black hair with bangs, African American, VERY stoic. Never smiled or showed emotion. I walked in, said hi and told her I had reservations for two and all she said was "NAME?". Rude.

    (3)
  • Carmen B.

    I made a reservation for 12pm for Sunday brunch and was excited because I haven't found a great spot for a French brunch yet. We were a little early and seated promptly. The host at the front must have been new and was pretty flustered and new (it wasn't that busy, yet), but the manager calmed his nerves and told him to slow down. There were two of us, and we were seated at those too-close-together tables that are sometimes joined together to seat large parties. The host didn't know to pull the table out so my friend could get to the interior booth. Just inexperience, but unfortunately, because he didn't her coat caught a bottle of Tabasco and it shattered on the floor. The host didn't notice, he had dropped the menus before we were seated, but I caught his arm and asked if we could move to one of the other 3 empty tables next to us so someone could clean the hot sauce up. It was a powerful smell, and right under the table where I would have to put my feet (remember the tables are extremely close). He said we couldn't move, that was our table and the others were reserved. Puzzled, I asked, but they are exactly like this one, and I know it's an inconvenience having worked in a restaurant, but they aren't losing their table and the fact is, I can't sit here with hot sauce on the floor. It took a few minutes to get it all worked out, I think he was inflexible because of his inexperience, but we got settled. To his credit, he did come back after we had ordered and said if the smell was bothering us, he could move us (I'm not sure where, because by this point all the tables were full around us). The waiter was good, but he was a little slow to refill water glasses and check on us after the food was delivered. We didn't get the side of bacon we ordered to be added to the omelet, so my friend was bummed, but he got us a side of bacon immediately. The food was really terrible. The potatoes that come with the omelets were sad and not as good as other Lyonnaise potatoes I've had. The omelet itself was overdone and lacked filling (I think I had 4 slices of mushroom in the mushroom omelet). The cinnamon rolls were very small and tasted stale around the edges. The coffee tasted a little burnt and we weren't offered a refill until after our meal. Some places are very nice for dinner and not so great for brunch. This could be one of those places. But considering my brunch experience, I won't be giving this place a chance to disappoint for dinner.

    (1)
  • Rhoda A.

    I visited Boston from Jacksonville over the weekend, and had Brunch on Sunday at Aquitaine Boston. I ordered their waffles which were the best tasting waffles I ever had. I followed up with 2 poached eggs, and a side of chorizo sausages. My friend ordered the salmon eggs Benedict (scrambled). I would love to return and give their dinner menu a try.

    (5)
  • Lynn J.

    frugal, fast, friendly and flavorful... only £9.95 for an all inclusive brunch every Saturday and Sunday in South End Boston! brunch includes all of the following: homemade cinnamon roll, coffee, juice, eggs, toast and homemade home fries. The deal: its always busy, so make a reservation on your phone while you're walking there to eat.

    (4)
  • Bill Z.

    While searching for someplace for Sunday Brunch, we happened to walk past Aquitaine at 9:59 a.m., 1 minute before opening, and there was a line of about 15 people waiting to go in. We decided that was a good sign, so we also got in line. It was a good decision. We heard the hostess ask the group in front of us if they had a reservation, and we thought, "Oh, great, no room." But it was not a problem. People with reservations tended to be seated at booths in the back. We got a smaller table near the front, but we had a great view of Tremont St. We divided our brunch selections between items on the brunch menu, and from the prix fixe brunch selections. The prix fixe brunch selections, for $9.95, included juice, a cinnamon bun, and your choice of type of eggs or omelette with potatoes. The brunch omelette al Sacienne was filled with mushrooms, leeks, and Boursin cheese. The leeks were rich in sauteed flavor and were the strength of the omelette. Based on a Yelp tip, I ordered the brioche French toast also at $9.95. It was two 1" thick pieces of brioche nicely browned, covered by 2 perfectly-cooked pieces of bacon, whipped cream with a hint of vanilla, and fresh strawberries and blueberries. I hesitated on the syrup, because I could tell it was not maple, but I eventually poured some on the bottom piece. To my surprise, it was infused with cinnamon and, used sparingly, complemented the flavor of the French toast. Coffee, at approximately $1.60 per person, is a great deal. My cup never got below half, and the coffee was always steaming on refills. Service was casual yet very professional. The bus-staff was practically transparent as they cleared items off our table. No wonder there was a line!

    (4)
  • Kiki P.

    A MUST FOR BRUNCH! Amazing food with VERY reasonable prices! Food: 5/5 Bacon: 4/5 Bloody Mary: 3/5 This is one of my favorite brunch places in all of Boston. The omelettes are prepared perfectly. They are served with brunch potatoes, which are absolutely delicious. I am certainly not a potato girl and this is probably the first time I ate all of my potatoes. The side of applewood smoked bacon is probably the best bacon I've ever had. I ordered it extra crispy and thats exactly how it was prepared. That's some good quality bacon. The french toast is also a great choice. It is served with crispy bacon, fresh blueberries, strawberries, and vanilla whipped cream. The toast is light and fluffy with a great combination of bacon and berries. I was not a fan of the cream which came along with it so I recommend asking for the whipped cream on the side just to be safe. The drinks are also great...from mimosas to beers. You must try Aquitaine in the South End for Brunch!!! (I have been to the other Aquitaine locations and this one is the best by far)

    (5)
  • Daniela C.

    Went with a group of 9 for brunch after a bachelorette party the evening before. The service was fast, attentive, and personable. The drinks were very good; I enjoyed my Bloody Mary very much. My coffee mug never dropped below half empty. The prix fixe menu is a steal, especially for the area. The cinnamon bun was fresh and delicious. The omelette was good sized and well prepared. Would absolutely return for brunch or to try dinner next time I am in town!

    (5)
  • Graham H.

    We sat at the bar and had apps and wine with the intention of a just quick stop before heading on. However, the food was so good that we ended up staying. Will definitely go back!

    (4)
  • Vivian C.

    Aquitaine was full up on the night we went for Restaurant Week - the only available seats were at the bar. Speaking of the bar, it is a curved structure filled with a variety of bottles in cubbies along the wall, and 7 seats before it, plus an additional 3 seats at the counter by the window. But we had reservations, so the hostess walked us to our prepared table and presented us with the regular menu and a single copy of the RW menu to share. A member of the staff soon offered us our choice of water, and a pair of warm crisp buns and a thin triangle of butter was presented on a single white dish. So yes, crumbs began to abound as we tore the buns open without the convenience of personal bread plates. A glass of a bubbly wine was included in the restaurant week pre-fixe. So it was a good thing we didn't order a separate alcoholic beverage, as two might have done us in. The Chilled Corn "Vichyssoise" with Smoked Bacon & Avocado was a sweet cool rich soup, but I preferred the warm Crispy Blue Crab Beignets with Hazelnut Tomato Romesco, even though it arrived only one beignet (it looked like a crabcake) to an order despite the plural typed "s" on the menu. For our entrees, I overwhelmingly preferred the Seared Merlu with Provençal Mussel stew & Saffron Rouille over the Roasted Berkshire Pork with Sweet Corn Tart, Watercress & Marinated Tomato Salade. Reasons being the hot temperature of the tasty fish dish which lasted the entire time it took for me to consume it vs the cooler temp of the pork dish, the pork's toughness vs the seafood's tenderness, and the rather dry nature of the sad tough corn tart. Too bad since I love all things corn. Both desserts, Peach Soufflé Glacé with Almond Biscuits, and Sugar Plum & Black Walnut Cake with Crème Chantilly, were tasty. However, while the souffle was pleasantly reminiscent in flavor of an almond dessert of my childhood, it was rather melty - which was odd for a souffle. The restaurant itself is rather narrow and deep, so it was a walk down to the back, take a right, and the bathroom is the door to your left inside a dark alcove. It is an individual restroom, but quite sizeable within. My gentleman friend however found the mirror by the toilet seat rather off-putting. Service was fine, however the pork entree and the nearly soupy nature of the dessert rounded this review down to 3 stars.

    (3)
  • Hilary H.

    For brunch in the South End, Aquitane is a great option - nice menu, lovely location, valet parking (at a staggering $16 - woah!), and a beautiful and tres-French feel. So, why the three stars? Here we go... We made reservations far in advance for Easter brunch. A week before, I called to add another person, and the woman on the phone was so snotty and rude, I wanted to hang up on her. I knew it would be entirely possible to add one more, so we showed up for our reservation with the extra person and, lo and behold, there was more than enough room (not to mention a few open tables) to accomodate us all. The menu is interesting with a few unique takes on brunch fare, but I went for the salmon eggs Benedict and opted to add avocado for $1.50. Our waiter was adorable, sweet and friendly and recommended the special Easter brunch cocktail - champagne, St. Germain and lavender - that was divine. However, the salmon on my Benedict was scarce (barely a slice per egg), and extremely salty. The avocado I'd paid extra for was still hard, very pale and totally inedible. I literally couldn't eat it, so there it sat on the side of my plate. The other people in my party enjoyed their brunches and beers, so I can't go below three stars since there were many plusses. I would gladly go back to Aquitane, but I'll avoid the salmon and certainly any avocado they offer me.

    (3)
  • Jenan A.

    I would give this place -10 if it were possible!! Why oh why do you have a table reservation system if you DO NOT honor this? I came with three other girlfriends to celebrate a 60th birthday; I had made a reservation on line and called to confirm. Three of the four arrive on time, but we are NOT seated. "The full party needs to be here before we can seat you" - seriously? what's all that about? There is no waiting room inside, so we have to wait outside, in the cold The fourth friend arrives after 5 minutes; we then have to wait for an additional 35 minutes to be seated. Service was appalling; unfriendly, unattentive, in fact downright rude. One would expect the food to be exquisite to make it worth while all the inconvenience - wrong If you want to have a nice meal and enjoy yourself, don't come here because if you do, it's just reinforcing that it's ok for the staff and management of this establishment to treat their guests badly Disappointed - so so so so disappointed

    (1)
  • Olivia J.

    Make a reservation via OpenTable, and go here for Saturday brunch. Very affordable, delicious food at a fancy restaurant! We went per Grace C.'s recommendation. M and I got the same thing - salmon eggs benedict with avocado. We both finished our plates, squeaky clean. Everything was perfect - the salmon, the hollandaise sauce, the potatoes, the eggs. So good.

    (5)
  • Anthony L.

    I am so excited to finally be out of grad school and work Monday-Friday. Why, you ask? So I can go to brunch on the weekends. I went to Aquitaine for the second time on Saturday, 3/24/2012 and enjoyed their prix fixe brunch (seriously, $9.95, what a bargain!) The brunch comes with a beverage (I opted for orange juice), a cinnamon bun, and an egg dish. I ordered the "Omelette a la Greque with Spinach and Feta Cheese" (which, instead of trying to pronounce that, I just said spinach and feta, please!) What a delight this meal was! The omelet was perfectly made (but it's also a little tricky to screw that up, eh?) with scrumptious (can I stress this again: scrumptious / delicious / out of this world) potatoes on the side. The physical lay out of the restaurant lives up to it's name: a French bistro. Tables are very close together, nice silverware, waiters dressed nicely. It was cute. This time, I ended up sitting at the bar for brunch (as the place was packed!) The bartender was amazing, such great energy and was extremely kind. I liked her. Be careful: this place gets extremely busy during brunch, head there early (10 - 10:30 a.m.!)

    (4)
  • Jenessa C.

    Great spot for brunch. Went in early afternoon on a Saturday & it wasn't too crowded, the cried already came & went. If you want a nice leisurely brunch, this is the place to go. I don't think they have a/c, so I is warm inside. If you select a warm day to visit, don't blame them for your discomfort after you arrive. They did keep the front door open for air to flow though. It reminded me more of a Parisian restaurant that doesn't have a/c, so I actually liked it. It isn't too noisy here either even when the place is more crowded, so it makes for good conversation. Ate a Croque Madame, which was good. Surprised that the egg only came on 1/2 of my sandwich, but it didn't ruin it. The coffee isn't too strong & bitty. It's mild & kind if silky, but I liked that.

    (4)
  • Benson Y.

    On my recent trip to Boston, MA, birthday boy Albert W. suggested Aquitaine for brunch. We were a rather large party, ten people in total. Looking forward to a good brunch (being a huge fan of the meal) I found the look of this restaurant to be perfect. Dark wood, a classic setting that looked like something out of a movie set fifty or so years ago, I immediately took to the visual of the restaurant. However, once we were seated the experience kind of went down a bit from there. First, our party of ten was broken up into two separate tables, which was just odd. If the party is ten, why split them when there was room to fit us all? I shrugged, happy that I got to sit with friends at all and we proceeded to order off the Prix Fixe Brunch menu. I have to say that this menu is more than worth it. $9.95 per person and you get a small cinnamon bun with an egg dish. This includes potatoes, toast, juice and coffee. Seen through this prism, the meal was absolutely worth every dime. Thank goodness, because I'm not sure how I would have felt if I had paid full price. I decided to go with the Omelette Alsacienne (mushrooms, leeks and boursin cheese). Much to my dismay, I found the omelette rather bland. It needed much more seasoning and I wound up putting a healthy bit of ketchup and tobasco sauce on it to make it tasty. The toast was good (warm, still crisp) and the potatoes were perfectly seasoned. The coffee was servicable and the cinnamon bun was tasty but basically looked like something you could buy at the grocery store and heat up. My experience at Aquitaine wasn't bad by any means, it was just very, very average. My standards may be a bit high for brunch (then again I love greasy spoon diner food so take that as you will). A good deal for okay food.

    (3)
  • Steven T.

    It was great going to brunch at Aquitaine this past Saturday..... This restaurant is a lovely gem located in bustling Boston. The music is French, the food is French and the feel is excellently French. The staff was not only attractive, friendly and charming, but effective and efficient. My water glass was filled continuously...never did I ever peep a sound to ask. I had poached eggs on muti-grain toast with steak. I opted for a healthy side of fruit instead of the traditional potatoes. This was all accompanied by a lovely mimosa. There is nothing like having a mimosa at 10:30 in the morning. It was just lovely. Sophie had a traditional Québécois poutine which is french fries covered in gravy, curds and topped with an egg sunny side up. This dish originates in the casse-croûtes of Quebec. C'est si bon, non?? This establishment is clean, well managed and simply adorable with its jams, jellies and European touches of elegance. It was to my surprise that its a small chain. It opens its doors at 10 AM, so make reservations before coming down. Also, there are near by parking garages and metered street parking if you don't already live in the general area. I would recommend this place as a good meeting spot for friends, a date or even a small party. Manger, aimer et rire!!!

    (5)
  • Alice T.

    Love it! Great food and nice modern interior design. although it was quite hot inside that morning with only fans on. Perfect place to chill. Love the brunch menu. Looking forward to taste the dinner menu.

    (4)
  • Tanya Y.

    Disclaimer: This review is solely based on a 25-person work related holiday party! I was pumped when I got the E-vite stating that the annual holiday party would be at Aquitaine. Other than for restaurant week, I'm not typically the type to venture out to higher end restaurants to grab a bite to eat. Therefore, I knew from the start that this would be special. I got to the restaurant late because I spent forever looking for a parking spot along Tremont Street. The parking here sucks butt - if you're lucky enough to find a spot on the street, make sure you fill up your meter and be mindful of your time; the meter maids are very unforgiving and will give you a parking ticket as soon as they get the chance. The lighting of Aquitaine is dim even during the day, setting a romantic-esque atmosphere. Each person in our party was given a paper menu in which we could pick out an appetizer, main course, and dessert. I ended up choosing the soupe a l'oignon with Amontillado Sherry and Melted Aged Gruyere ($7.95) for my appetizer, steak frites with Périgord Black Truffle Vinaigrette, Watercress Shallot Salade & Natural Jus ($24.95), and the Confiture De Lait creme brulee ($6.95) for dessert. The presentation for each course was spot on (refer to my pictures!). The french onion soup was delicious, steak with fries delicious, and creme brulee the absolute best. Even the fresh squeezed orange juice was great. The hosts and waiters/waitresses were polite and professional - I was even more impressed that they were able to keep 25 people's requests all in order. After reading a ton of Yelper's reviews on Aquitaine, I definitely plan on coming back for their prixe-fixe brunch. Warm cinnamon bun? Yes please! Thanks for such great hospitality, Aquitaine!

    (4)
  • Keren R.

    I love eating brunch, and I was excited to try out Aquitaine on a Saturday morning. It was very disappointing, for several reasons. First, we had a reservation, but we still waited about 20 minutes (past the time of our reservation) to be seated. This in itself wouldn't be a huge problem, as I had hoped that it might mean the food was extra delicious, but that was not the case. Then, the service was very slow. We were seated and given menus, but it was another 15 minutes or so before the waiter came back around to take our orders, so we spent a long time just waiting. Finally, the waiter came. We ordered the brioche french toast and the salmon eggs benedict. We ended up waiting another 20 minutes for our food to arrive, and when it arrived, it was cold. The brioche french toast was slightly burnt, and the eggs in the eggs benedict were over-poached, so the yolks were no longer runny. The food was edible, but it was definitely worse than other cheaper brunches we have had at less hyped-up places, so we were pretty disappointed. The waiter also didn't refill our coffees or waters during the entire second half of the meal. Finally, after we finished our food, we waited forever for somebody to come clear our plates and bring us our checks. A manager-looking person ended up coming over to help us, since our server was elsewhere. It didn't look like they were understaffed, but they certainly weren't using their staff efficiently, so their service was very bad. Overall, I was disappointed that this was one of the worst brunches I have had in a restaurant. It was made worse by the fact that we had high hopes. I can't say much about their lunch food or dinners.

    (2)
  • former w.

    Normally love this place, and we usually go here for special occasions or when parents are in town. We will definitely be rethinking that after last night's experience (even though I can literally throw a stone from my living room window and hit the place). No amuse bouche was served; the table next to us, with the same server, received one. After about a half hour-45 minutes from sitting down (there is a difference between relaxed service and being completely inattentive - I waited tables for 3 years and worked in restaurants for 8), I asked our server to take our order and bring some bread. Based on his reaction, it seemed as though he had completely forgotten about our existence. The first order of bread we received was cold and tough and they did not even bring bread plates. When our server refilled the water (upon request), he filled half the table and left the rest unattended. Based on several prior experiences at Aquitaine and its sister restaurants (all great), this server was out of his element. Unfortunately, by the time our order was taken, the kitchen had only one plat de jour left; we had requested two. We were left wondering if this would have been avoidable, if only we had not been ignored. Appetizers took forever and were sitting in the window for some time. I know this because I was able to see the reflection of our food sitting in the mirror, accompanied by the manager(?) in a blue shirt scratching the back of his head prior to bringing my foie gras (gross). Speaking of the foie gras, this used to be a delicious serving of duck liver terrine - now it is pate. Tasty, but not what I expected (in the restaurants defense, I should have noticed the "torchon" indication on the menu). When the appetizers arrived, hour server asked if I wanted another beer for his lone proactive moment over the course of our dining "experience". The only problem was, he clearly forgot to enter the order because 10 minutes later when I asked him for a refill of the tables' water and a status on the beer, he scrambled to the computer. Finally, we said (to the blue shirt head scratching manager) that the service had been subpar and gave some quick examples. He apologized and said our entrees were on the way. Super! Our entrees (lobster, sole muniere, steak frites, moule frite) were nothing to write home about. Frankly, they took so long to arrive to the table we weren't even hungry at that point. There was no checkup, although our server did ask if we wanted another bottle of wine with a lack of regard of how our meal was (but with a clear agenda to pad the bill). By the time we finished our entree, we had been there for 1:45 (we are not slow eaters). Again there is a difference between relaxed and inattentive service. We were offered a dessert as a gesture (a day late and dollar short in my view), but graciously declined. If a business wants to make things right for the guest and instill some good faith, next time offer a modest gift card. To the manager (who clearly did not take Business 101), this serves two purposes - 1) it makes me feel like you actually give a s#!t about my business. 2) it gets me in your restaurant again spending more money. Sorry if any of this sounds like "first world problems", but when people spend $60 a cover at a restaurant (plus tip), it comes with expectations. Like a filled water glass.

    (1)
  • Nikhil P.

    Ahh, so good :) We went on a Saturday night and the atmosphere was very "South End." Buzzing with full tables of people talking, drinking, enjoying. Warm inside, dark lighting, great artwork on the walls, tall ceilings. Candles, wine flowing, great cocktails, great food. GREAT food. We had the: Raclette Pissaladiere - Delicious. Arugula and duck on a pastry-thick base. Great flavors, perfect appetizer. Crispy Chocolate Bread Pudding With Vanilla Ice Cream - Every single positive review about this is entirely true. We'll come back here some day for cocktails and this, alone. Current winner of Best Bread Pudding in the City. Slow Roasted Pork Loin - Delicious puree. Rich, and made the idea of eating a side of cabbage full of awesome. Really good dish, and the pork was prepared perfectly. Kumquat Pisco - Love pisco, and had no idea what a kumquat tastes like. It tastes like something that would go well with pisco. Good choice. The Bartista - If you like the taste of champagne with a strong taste of orange/lemon, this is it. Really refreshing, crisp drink. I also left with a renewed sense of portion control. Even with a big appetite, and "French portion sizes," you leave nice and full. Not roll-to-the-car full, but satisfyingly full. The price was $100 + tip for an appy, two entrees, and two cocktails. Not cheap, but good value. And as much as I dislike the concept of many-tentacled restaurant conglomerates (Aquitaine, Union, Gaslight, Metropolis, Cinquecento...) you can't deny the consistency of quality in this chain. Loved it.

    (4)
  • Anabelle D.

    Nice place but the food is mediocre. Completely overrated!

    (3)
  • Matt C.

    I have only been to Aquitaine for brunch but I was impressed both in terms of quality and value. Many restaurants in the South End offer prix fix brunches and Aquitaine is right at the top of my favorites. For around $10 (pre tax/tip) you get bottomless coffee, a cup of juice, a cinnamon roll, and an egg entree. The whole menu looked vast and tasty but we had to go with the price fix and I am glad we did. Although I have had slightly better brunch dishes elsewhere the omelet was great and the extras were stellar. Overall it was a great experience and a price that really can't be beat in Boston or elsewhere.

    (4)
  • Shiqi Z.

    Great experience!! Good deal during the resturant week.

    (5)
  • I G.

    We tried this place again and it was just sublime. It was a busy, wet Sunday morning, and they got us a table within 10 minutes. The service was great and the food was impeccable.

    (5)
  • Meghan H.

    Delish!! We ordered the filet and steak frites, both were amazing. The peppercorn on the filet gives it great flavor and the sauce it is in is so delicious. Our waitress Juliana was very thoughtful and educated on the menu. She gave great wine recommendations and went above and beyond even helping us get a cab in the snowstorm. We will definitely be back!!

    (4)
  • Lillian C.

    I came here for a prix fixe brunch (which is a great deal!) and sat at the bar because a table would have been a 45-60 min wait. I was pretty impressed with the food; our dishes seemed filling but not heavy, and refreshing despite most 'brunch' food being somewhat heavy and oily. I would recommend and come back to try the lunch/dinner!

    (4)
  • Laura A.

    While our first dining experience at Aquitaine left much to be desired, a kind gesture made by the owner convinced us to give Aquitaine one more try. And we are so pleased that we did! We quickly became big fans of Aquitaine's brunch. My husband had an extremely satisfying omelet, my mother-in-law the most gorgeous looking and tasting brioche french toast, I had the to-die-for Salmon Benedict, and my father-in-law enjoyed the three eggs scrambled with a side of some of the best brunch potatoes I've sampled in a long time. We also enjoyed coffee and fresh orange juice. Our server was very attentive, which was appreciated due to the high volume of people at the peak hour for Sunday brunch, and while there was one small mix-up our server quickly resolved the issue in a seamless fashion. We were so happy that we gave Aquitaine another try, and this brunch was perfect for the occasion of entertaining my in-laws who were visiting from out of town. I am sure we will be back again.

    (4)
  • Ashna K.

    Excellent food and great atmosphere! We got the Eggs Benedict Florentine, the Omelette Alsacienne, and the Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal, and everything was delicious! Definitely make reservations; we went for brunch at 2:30 pm on a Sunday and this place was popping!

    (5)
  • boom b.

    Very satisfying and consistent!

    (4)
  • Jamie R.

    The prix fixe brunch sounds amazing but sadly we arrived too late. Full price brunch was also great! We were there in early afternoon and it was pretty crowded and busy. We had a stroller which made things a little cramped, so be prepared if you have little ones. We did have reservations, I imagine it would be tricky to walk in without them. The service was great, our waitress was very friendly and kindly offered to warm up the baby's bottle (we didn't even ask, she just noticed we were struggling and helped). I got an omelette with ham, gruyere, and parsley: generous with the fillings, and it came with potatoes and toast too. Delicious!

    (4)
  • Tim M.

    Wonderful place for dinner. The artwork was great and the staff friendly. We had muscles to start and a filet mignon later on with the sorbet du jour as a dessert. Everything was wonderfully tasty, highly recommended if you're into French cuisine.

    (5)
  • Hina K.

    Had a great experience at Aquitaine. I had a reservation and it was good that I did because when we got there people were getting a wait time of 30-45 mins. We opted for the pre fixe menu and all the things were wonderfully tasteful. I would definitely be returning. The ambiance is great. The only drawback if there was any was that the seats were too close to the neighbouring table but inspite of this I will give it a 5 star rating

    (5)
  • Edi D.

    Loved brunch here. Such a fan. My omelet was only $8 and had scrumptious mushrooms, leeks, and boursin cheese. I dropped some additional dough for them to add in chorizo. It was seriously the best omelet ever. It came with yummy home fries and nice quality toast. I couldn't be happier. The Bloody Mary got my morning started on the right foot :-) Absolutely no complaints. At all!

    (5)
  • Joe G.

    Came in here for a quick lunch with friends. The waiting area upfront was a little small and the bar to the right looks like it could only hold 6 people. The wait for a table was short. When we were finally sat at our table, the waitress did not even say hello. It was just kind of "are you read to order?" I had asked for a Pellegrino instead of water and was not asked which citrus I preferred, it was kind of weird, but oh well right? It was not until I was halfway through my first glass, that I noticed all the glasses were dirty. Not just the glasses at our table, but ALL the glasses. The glasses they used for water and glasses for wine (and my Pellegrino) were covered with dish soap, dried citrus and fingerprints. The glasses were not obviously held by the stems or even wiped, disgusting frankly. Even though the glasses were gross, I still wanted to try the Croque Monsieur because I heard they were good. Instead of ordering the lunch special which offered a soup (bisque or french onion) and drink, I tried the full lunch with watercress salad. It did not take the food too long to come out but when it did. After I took my first bite, it was like the clouds opened up and a ray of sunlight was shining on me. The croque monsieur was phenomenal. Even though other people in my party got the lunch special croque monsieur and I got the regular croque monsieur lunch, there was nothing different except they got more food for less the price. It sucked because I thought I would get more because I paid more, not always the case. When we finished eating, it took forever to get our check. I felt like I had to ask the wait staff for everything I needed, when I needed it. They are not good at gauging or reading their customers. Overall: the food was phenomenal, glasses are gross and service was "ok." Will definitely return.

    (3)
  • Christopher C.

    Were my expectations setting me for disappointment? Hmm... most likely. Damn you positive reviews! I first visited this fine french restaurant last Monday in the context of Restaurant week. I went out with friends to have a quiet yet fancy night. Most of us decided to go with the prix-fix + according wine pairing. The options look amazing and the price made this option even more interesting. So, what disappointed me? 1) The waiters were inattentive and even rude when we took a few extra minutes to decide. We had to call them a few times before they would realize that we have not still placed our order 15 minutes after being seated. Also they were not very excited when we requested additional prix-fix menu for all of us to be able to check the menu at the same time 2) Food was good but not as impressive as I was expecting -here goes to reading positive reviews before visiting a new place-. Specially my dessert, I order a ganache that felt some how too jellish for me and that was lacking the chocolate-coffe flavor that I was expecting. Also they brought us the wrong desserts 3) Finally, I might be getting old, but there is a different between dim lighting and needing to bring a flashlight. The decor is very beautiful, but for a restaurant I would like to be able to read my menu without a problem. On the bright side The wine pairing was very well executed and the extra financier that they brought as a mistake was actually very tasty. I might go again with the hope of discovering all the fine food other yelpers have enjoyed in this venue. Unfortunately, this was not the case for me last Monday.

    (2)
  • Charlie B.

    Good prices, good service, great atmosphere. But - kinda ordinary food. We've had fantastic meals at two other Aquitaine Group restaurants this weekend (Cinquecento and Metropolis), so I expected to love Aquitaine as much as ever. We all had the prix fixe brunch. The service was great, and we appreciated the bottomless OJ. And Aquitaine on a Saturday is great fun to be at - jammed with people enjoying themselves. Our friends, happily, liked their Greek omelets very well. But to me, my Basquaise omelet was a bit tough, and overall, ordinary. Hash browns on the side were well cooked but salty. My husband found his french toast just-OK as well. And (this may sound like a nit, but hey, it's a review) altho the prix fixe is priced very well, so that's good, the plates used to come with a bit of adornment - some fruit or something. This time it was just the omelet and the potatoes. Plain-looking. So, not exactly a complaint - we had a great time, were treated very well, and it was a fine breakfast. But not a 4-star one.

    (3)
  • Michelle A.

    Went for brunch for my friend's birthday. I've wanted to try this place for awhile just because I've heard good things about it. There are so many great restaurants in this area you really can't go wrong wherever you go. Reservations are a must because it's not very big. Always a crowd waiting. They squeezed 8 of us into 1 two person table and this small surfboard looking table. Too crowded for the amount of people we had and that was before the food showed up. Waiter was really nice and very attentive considering all of the birthday paraphernalia we had brought with us. lol... I got a Bloody Mary which had way too much pepper and not enough horse radish. And the tomato juice they used tasted off. I couldn't figure out what it was but I was not impressed. Best Bloody Mary I've had is Highland Kitchen in Somerville. PLUG! I also ordered the brioche french toast which was yummy but whipped cream definitely put it over the edge. Prices are surprisingly inexpensive for brunch. Parking can be a pain in the *ss.

    (2)
  • Alisa K.

    I really think this place is overrated for brunch. Yes, their prix fixe brunch is a good deal and their prices are pretty good overall; I just wasn't blown away by the selection or execution. Omelette al Sacienne: Amazing, would highly recommend this. Basil Citrus soda: Worth a try. Cool combo of flavors. Cinnamon bun: Good, but tiny, and more like a mini Danish than a true cinnamon bun. Don't be fooled. I still prefer warm Ikea cinnamon buns. Yup Ikea has them and they're delicious and huge. Creme fraiche and lemon scented waffle: Sounds a lot better than it was. Needs more lemon! Brioche french toast: Tiny, tasty but not mind-blowing. In summary, it was ok, but not amazing. I'm still in search of a great brunch place in Boston.

    (3)
  • Dave S.

    The food was very good. The atmosphere was great and no surprise so was the fine. We went here with a party of eight we had appetizers, entrees (the lemon sole is excellent) and dessert. If you like creme brûlée the save room for it. We had good service as well. The only downfall is the prices could maybe be a little lower.

    (5)
  • David B.

    What a fabulous little corner of the South End. We've passed the restaurant on numerous occasions and an evening of theatre brought us to their door step. Other than being accosted by an obnoxious fellow at the bar while waiting for our table, we had a wonderful meal. We were seated promptly and the waiter made a good recommendation regarding their available red wine. I started with a creamy squash soup, the husband a salad. Both ere good. We moved onto the entree. I had perfectly cooked Arctic Char while the hubbie had a beef concoction. Again, both were delightful. We were seated as soon as they opened and saw it get progressively busier. We appreciated not being rushed on a frenetic Saturday evening as we finished the meal with coffee and tea. We look forward to returning for more!

    (4)
  • Jacob S.

    Pretty disappointing brunch today. We were seated twenty minutes late despite having a reservation, there was flies swarming around me our table during the meal, and the portion for the duck hash was comically small. Overall the most disappointing brunch experiences I've had in the south end. The only upside is that our server was very sweet and pleasant.

    (2)
  • Lia M.

    Aquitaine was OK for brunch. I'm not the biggest brunch fan, especially with Boston brunches for some reason. As much as brunching in the South End always sounds fabulous, wherever I go, I'm never wowed. Seating at Aquitaine is tight and it is quite loud inside. I think our server was new, but what he lacked skill wise, he made up for in enthusiasm, which is much appreciated. Ariela M. and I shared the cinnamon buns. While I'm glad I tried them, I was not amazed, and I would not order again. Plus, I would have preferred them warm. My macaroni and cheese was huge and I thought it was just OK - not good enough to compel me back. I tried some of Ariela's homefries and those were good. She loves Aquitaine, and I was excited to try it with her, but I just don't share her enthusiasm.

    (2)
  • CARLA S.

    My father and I arrived a little early to have a cocktail. I had an amazing - well balanced cocktail called field of dreams. I think that is what it was called. It was pink and had gin. We both did the prie fixe dinner. Dinner was decent.

    (3)
  • Albert L.

    Great service and the food was pretty filling. The egg, ham, and cheese was remarkably filling and great! I would definitely come back again for the atmosphere, service, and food.

    (5)
  • Ralph O.

    The food is good, and they have beautiful venue. Service is very good. Not too pushy. Value/Price might be a little high. Although it is a great location and formal atmosphere.

    (3)
  • jun k.

    5 Stars for BRUNCH. Honestly, you've read what everyone else had to say. Just a wonderful atmosphere. Wonderful service. I came here a bit early with my friend G. We both just got the prix fixe brunches.. and then we just walked around Tremont for a bit. A perfect way to spend a Boston Saturday in the late Spring :)

    (5)
  • Julie B.

    Good food, great ambiance. Love this restaurant

    (5)
  • Megan H.

    For Boston Restaurant week, I decided to gather my girlfriends for a fancy affair. We don't often dine in classy restaurants in Boston, so we figured to give this a try. I made reservations within more than a week in advance over the phone. Whoever the host was, he was a Sweetie Pie. He was so adorably polite. I asked if they offer vegetarian options for a friend. He said, they would be more than willing to accommodate any plate. On the night of our fancy feast, we were graciously welcomed by the host, and just waited a mere few minutes as our table was being cleared. As we sat down, we were greeted by an unnamed waitress. She gave us enough time to decide on what we would like for our meal. By this time, I was unsure if she was in bad mood, or if she just lacked a server's personality. I have yet to see her smile or still give a name. She laid bread on the table, but did not notice that we didn't have any plates to eat upon. We were still confused and tried to determine whether if she was unhappy with us, or if she just blanked. First course came, I chose the Champignon en Papillote... a mushroom mix on a toasted soggy slice of French bread within a parchment paper box. Nothing to write home about. There were umami fragrances, but that was it. Nothing sensational. One of my girlfriends chose the Salade aux Carotte Héritage. Shredded salad, more like slaw. My sample bite: This had to be the best of all three first courses. The vinaigrette was utterly flavorful. It was sparkling! My other girlfriend (who is a restaurant chef) chose the Watermelon Gazpacho. Maine lobster and Crenshaw melon salade. Again, just okay. In my sample taste, it was just very underwhelming. It's a great idea for a summer plate, but I would have expected something more. Also, the lobster was not cleaned thoroughly. My friend nearly cut the inside of her mouth with pieces of lobster shells. Serious NO NO. Second course came. My friends chose the Roasted Berkshire Pork Chop. Unfortunately overcooked and the spinach was overly salty. My Pan Roasted Golden Trout was okay/less than perfect. The skin of the fish was roasted perfectly; crispy and beautifully. The inside was flaky, but bland. I think my favorite part of the plate was the grated potatoes... Kind of like a soggy, loose hashbrown. Still, with $40 out of my pocket, I was not to waste a bite. I think the best part of all was the dessert. In which, I ended my night with the Peach Cobbler. Loved it! Loved the crust! Love the ice cream and toasted almonds. The only two problems were that it melted too quickly and it disappeared too quickly. To sum up: I'm happy I have given Aquitaine a try for my bi-annual splurge on sophisticated restaurants. The food just wasn't balanced right. Under and overwhelming. Table service just lacked enthusiasm. The best that she could do was top off our water glasses with a half-sideways smirk. The best service really goes out to the valet attendants. Great job, guys! Would I go back? -Probably if it wasn't my choice. $40 for tiny plates isn't my ideal way of spending.

    (3)
  • Jenn S.

    I loved the prix fixe menu for brunch and had a great experience with the waiter. My friend and I ordered the omelets and they were excellent. The only downfall was one of the hostesses was completely rude. My friend and I were using the restroom and another hostess was hanging up a coat when I asked if we could go out the back door and she said yes. When we went out the rude hotess yelled out the door that next time we come in we should use the front door. I replied very nicely that we wer sorry but the other hostess said we could exit that way and she slammed the door in my face while I was talking and gave us the dirtiest look. It was very unprofessional and not a way to treat a customer.

    (4)
  • Gaye B.

    The hubby and I were in Boston for a week long conference and stayed in the South End near this lovely restaurant. Went for brunch on Sunday and they exceeded my litmus test for French restaurants - the foie gras was not only perfectly cooked, but creatively served over roasted grapes. Really luscious! Hubby is a fan of corned beef hash so he had the duck hash (because, honestly, anything with duck confit has GOT to be the best ever, right?) The meal was so good we returned on Friday with friends to try the dinner menu. Between the four of us we had foie gras again, escargot - hubby pronounced them the best he's had outside of Paris, and the warm chèvre salad. This was the only low point of the evening for me as I prefer the cheese to be a small disk coated in crumbs and then sautéed in butter and theirs has no coating. Otherwise they were lovely appetizers. For our entrees, the moules frites was outstanding - best french fries ever!, the sea bass was delectable, the short ribs seemed to be a hit, and the Berkshire pork chop got raves all around. Hurray for the chef. Service also was warm and friend with those little touches of class I so appreciate, like having my napkin folded for me when I stepped away from the table. All in all, it is a friendly neighborhood restaurant with classy service and food good enough that I wish I could move them near me. I would be there at least once a week.

    (5)
  • Joseph F.

    Brunch Review: We were drawn in by their 9.99 deal, which is incredibly cheap. In the end, it was definitely worth it. A solid brunch experience. If you are in the mood for an egg dish or simple omlette, this is definitely the way to go. You are started off with a cinnamon roll. It definitely has a French influence, as it is all butter with a very flaky crust. It was very satisfying. Ordered a Bloody Mary, even though it was not included. It was nice and spicy, and came in a pint glass! For my entrée I had their house omlette. It was flavorful, cheese was nicely melted and it was a good size too. The potatoes they were served were delicious. Loved the thyme, rosemary etc that they seasoned them with. Service was good the entire time. The atmosphere was typical brunch - nice and lively. Great place to go with a group as well.

    (4)
  • Mel K.

    came here for brunch and had the pre-fix (only $10 or something). food was really simple, delicious. will definitely have to come back to try dinner/lunch.

    (5)
  • Anne N.

    Great prix fixe brunch menu, but plan ahead and make reservations. The place was packed on the Sunday AM we went. The only real downside was how anxious they were to turn over our table before we were ready to leave.

    (4)
  • Nahid L.

    Great food and great prices. Before we went here for brunch on Saturday, I saw the $$$ on yelp and thought this must be an expensive place. We were meeting a friend in town and she recommended this restaurant so we got a chance to try it. An omelette is $8 and if u get it Prix Fix for $9.5 it will come with juice, bread, and cinnamon roll which is a great deal. I got the mushroom and leek omelette. It was great. I'm not a big fan of cinnamon roll but their roll was sooo fresh that I didn't leave any of it. Definitely a great value considering the quality and the price. The service was pretty good too.

    (5)
  • Michael R.

    We will never go back. We arrived early for our New Years Eve. dinner reservation but were seated at a nice table in the back. Very close to all the other tables but we know that to be true about Aquitaine so no bother. Then came the wine. Wrong bottle. Yes we should have checked the label more closely but upon taste of it the bottle was not the right bottle. So it took a while to change the bottle. The one we ordered was 105.00. The meal and the service was good. We noticed that right around desert time the waitress and the management we getting little edgy. It appeared that they thought we were staying too long (I had told the waitress that we were in no hurry) At any rate the long and the short of it is that 1 1/2 hours into our meal..while we were finishing the bottle of wine ($150.00) we were asked by management to move to another table because there was another party waiting. "I will buy you desert if you agree to move." Desert really? When pressed management kept saying they were sorry and noticed that my husband and I were really angry at having been asked to uproot ourselves for another party. They finally wrote off the check but not before they got the other party involved in the discussion about how long we had been sitting at the table. They also gave us a 100.00 gift certificate. I returned it on my out and told them we would never return. It was New Years Eve. It was a special night for us and I will not go into it here. Sadly one star just because it is the new year and maybe they did something right.

    (1)
  • Jaclyn S.

    Great vibe when you walk in and wonderful service. Valet parking. Coat check. Small intimate place. As for the food, they claimed to have the best French onion soup in Boston and were 100% correct. Served fresh bread and butter. I had the gnocchi which was phenomenal and my boyfriend ordered the pork tenderloin and was in love with his dish. He even said he "loved" the kale and parsnip. The food was fresh and clean and the flavors all blended well together. $30pp entrees. Wine ranges from $40/bottle+. The service was friendly and didn't hover. There is a small bar in the front of house that you can easily sit at and enjoy a meal or desert. The menu is well rounded. We went for valentine's day and couldn't have had a better, more intimate setting, meal! I would definitely recommend this place.

    (5)
  • S M.

    Hard to argue with a $10 price fixe brunch for an omelet, potatoes, toast, small cinnamon bun, coffee and juice. Food was good, but not great. The cinnamon bun certainly could have been warmed as it seemed like it had been sitting out for a while. Service was excellent.

    (4)
  • Paloma M.

    I went there the other day for brunch because the reviews here were so good that I wanted to try it! I had a reservation and they gave us a table right away, no waiting whatsoever! The place is beautiful and service impeccable! I had eggs benedict with spinach, delicious!! Really really good! My husband had the regular version and said it was also very good! Can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Rudi W.

    After the most egregious lack of professionalism from Grotto, I was HELL bent on not allowing Scott Harritt's surly lying staff to ruin yet another special occasion. We called and told. Jeremy, the GM at Aquitaine of our late dilemma, (please read review from hell of Grottto) We arrived and were treated like ..well thoughtful customers prepared to spend, enjoy, tip, a quality restaurant for honoring their word. After telling Jeremy I was looking for a peaceful! private table (not in the bathroom or at a kitchen entrance), we were seated at the front bay window in a gorgeous private booth. The most delightful energetic women, Cossete, came to take our order. First she came out with some special warmed breads to start and out of the gate began to describe the amazing drink selections made with in-house concoctions of infusions and syrups. The way she praised her fellow staff was a blessing. You could tell she appreciated the place from the ground up. At most places I am AFRAID to let them know of my medically necessary restrictions after being abused at the "front". I don't want to be made ill from the "back" of a restaurant. So after knowing they "will" go out of their way to accommodate and take this seriously, we ordered. Having been frazzled I did not choose as wisely as I should have, I.e. Escargot. A known brine, but it's FRENCH! My husbands liver pate was less salty but if not for my sodium restrictions, they were classic. I ordered a Steak au poivre, it was still salty and the sauce was not made to order.. Low salt. I know it could have been on the side, but as a chef, I know IF they had un-salted stock, a simple reduction or wine sauce could have been made. I could not eat the potatoes au gratin on the side because even the gruyere cheese was not salted enough! the potatoes themselves made my mouth sting, salted to death. Then a 'shared' kale was super salted, and when I sent it back it came out as a steamed dish with no effort. Cossette,m truly wanted to re-plate with sauce on the side, but I was sorry my choice was don't eat it, have it steamed, or no flavor....where is lemon? What about sauté herbs, garlic, reduction...salt is not the only choice in a kitchen. I hope I don't get a bland steamed or broiled mess when I call ahead next time. My husband had short ribs and since sodium is no issue, his plate was perfect and came with seasonal vegetables. The wine selection Cosset made for me was wonderful, but I was really suffering with the salt. She came out with our desert complete with a candle and sweet presentation for my husbands birthday. His infusion drink, the house creation was amazing, and he orders all non alcoholic. They promise that calling in advance would give the chefs an opportunity to prepare a low sodium meal. I hope that's true, because the service was flawless, the atmosphere wonderful, but I don't want to have everything I order that is edible put on the side instead of made for me, or a steamed veggie I could make at home. We tipped extremely well, that was for the service. I hope the chef can do better next time Due to the kindness, the service, and promise of advance special restriction awareness I will give them a chance to do it just right.

    (4)
  • Thomas L.

    This is one of the best French restaurants in Boston, on the more affordable side. I recommend the raclette appetizer and the cocktails. I advise against the creme brulée, they use a slight variation which is too sweet.

    (4)
  • Alexandra M.

    Great food, great drinks, great service, great decor....love it. We came for brunch and I had the Benedict Provencal which was fantastic. Everything was perfectly cooked and perfectly proportioned. For drinks I had a Mimosa which had extra champagne which made it even better than it usually is! I also had a Printemps which was the prefect mix of cucumber, lime and mint. Service forgot someones coffee but was so apologetic that it didn't matter they had to wait another 5 minutes. Before that she even gave someone ice coffee with their prix fixe menu even though it should only come with regular coffee. Very ontop of everything else. Decor was very welcoming and French feeling--fitting to the menu. There were interesting pictures on the wall which were great talking points too.

    (5)
  • Bryan J.

    Best Brunch in Boston, with the most helpful and friendly staff. After a horrendous 'brunch' experience down the street at the poop-show called Masa (during which we literally sat there for an hour with zero service and then understandably left), we strolled in here. The lovely hostess and waitress up front could tell we were irritated---so we told them why---and then they proceeded to treat us like royalty. In other words, the customer service at Aquitaine is so excellent that they even make up for other horrible restaurants' mistakes. They weren't even catty or competitive about it; they simply wanted to make us really, really happy at their place...and they SO did! We're pretty sure they even rushed our orders and drinks out; i.e. they took into account customers' temperaments and accommodated. Awesome. The food is delicious. Specifically, we ordered the mushroom, leek, and boursin omelet; benedict provencal (a veggie eggs benedict); cinnamon buns; and a drink called printemps, a YUMMY concoction of cucumber- and lime-infused vodka, mint, lime juice, and more. Just to make sure these were as good as we thought, we kept ordering and ordering and ordering them. It's SO relaxing inside and not wannabe pretentious at all. After we were happily full and were on our nineteenth printemps cocktail, the awesome waitress and hostess even came to sit with us for a few minutes to give us their fantastic neighborhood suggestions so that we would fall in love with the 'hood just as much as we had with their restaurant and so that we wouldn't have any more awful dining experiences...the last of which we know will never happen at Aquitaine.

    (5)
  • Patti W.

    First, let me start off by saying that I've only been here for brunch. That being said, it was a great experience, and I look forward to eating at Aquitaine again! My friend had recommended a dish that wasn't necessarily my favorite, but their brunch menu had many other amazing choices. I'm excited to go back and try their dinner menu. Definitely worth a visit if in the South End.

    (4)
  • Jennie C.

    You really can't beat the $10 brunch which includes coffee, omelet, juice & cinnamon bun. Yes the bun was small and the dough tasted store-bought, but the rest of the meal was good. I had the alsacienne omelet, which had a good amount of mushroom, leek and boursin cheese. The omelet was a little bit overcooked for my taste but otherwise perfectly enjoyable. The potatoes were well-caramelized and very flavorful, if a tad greasy. Service was very attentive, my coffee cup was always full and I didn't have to wait long for the food or check. Love the effortlessly chic French interior too.

    (4)
  • Ash T.

    Back for brunch, and still just as amazing. At 10:30, I made a reservation for 12:30, and we were seated right away when we arrived. (Note the reservation was definitely a good move, as there was quite the crowd waiting around outside). Now I'm normally not a brunch person. In fact, brunch as a concept pisses me off as it has become a drunken carnival in many cities. Also, I'm not a huge fan of most brunch style food as it seems more like dessert than an actual meal. French toast, I'm looking at you. But alas, I am on vacation, so brunch seemed like a thing to do. I settled on Le Cite omelette, which had Niman Ranch ham and mornay sauce, because I felt like I deserved the protein. It was very likely the best omelette I ever had. The breakfast potatoes were also the best I ever had. Breakfast potatoes usually disappoint. They are usually too greasy and either undercooked or burned. The potatoes here were just right. Heck even the plain wheat toast that came with the meal was really good. Usually I don't bother with the requisite toast that comes on the side of every brunch dish, but Aquitaine found a way to make it more than a garnish. So still five stars and still one of the best places I've eaten at in Boston.

    (5)
  • Mindy T.

    This is a great choice for brunch. I made a reservation for Sunday at 11:30 and the place was packed. We were seated after a few minutes of waiting.. which gave us enough time to order drinks at the bar. The bartender was friendly and made good drink recommendations for us. The bloody mary mix here is delicious. I had the Pressed Duck Confit and Gruyère Sandwiche and my friend had Steak & Eggs. My sandwich had the perfect filling to bread ratio and my friend's steak was cooked to her liking. We also ordered a side of french toast because we wanted something sweet. It came with one piece, which was perfect! Also the basil garlic dipping sauce or whatever it is for the french fries is sooooo good.

    (4)
  • Deborah J.

    Great place for brunch I ate the French toast with bacon, it was yummy The only thing I didn't like was that they didn't give complementary bread. The waitress was ok

    (4)
  • Judy L.

    Salmon benedict! GET IT. It's amazing. :) I usually can't finish brunch serving sizes, but for this sumptuous dish, I devoured it all! Everyone at the table liked what they got as well. We had ordered French Toast and the weekend prix fixe menu. You can't go wrong. Warning though, the wait is ridiculous. So call ahead and save yourself the trouble.

    (4)
  • Karen B.

    Large party of 10 for brunch. Nice decor and ambience, like a Parisien bistro. Service was good. The cinnamon buns were warm and delicious; though smaller than I expected, they're really the right size so you can still enjoy your entree. We ordered a basket of them for the table. The truffle burger was fantastic. Can't comment on other dishes.

    (4)
  • Elaina L.

    Woke up early on a Sunday morning to come here. We made a reservation for 10am and even with the reservation, we waited around 20 minutes. The hostess was nice though and apologized for the delay. I was excited to try the pre fixe brunch which comes with your choice of an egg dish with potatoes, toast, bottomless coffee, juice (orange or grapefruit), and a cinnamon roll. I got the Omelette de la Maison and enjoyed the bacon bits. Over all, the omelette is good in terms of presentation, but tasted like a normal omelette. The cinnamon roll was surprisingly dry and I didn't end up finishing it. My date got the Eggs Benedict, which I usually enjoy, but this one didn't have a good hollandaise sauce. His potatoes looked like they were cooked in the same batch as mine, but were left in longer as he had some dark pieces of inedible potatoes. I passed on the bottom less coffee and ordered the orange juice (which they serve in a tiny wine glass). That was finished pretty quickly, so I asked for another juice hoping they would substitute it for the bottomless coffee I never ordered, but found out later that they had charged us extra. Ultimately, we had a disappointing experience. The food was mediocre, and despite being polite, the waitress never asked if we wanted anything else and instead, just dropped the check off on our table. At this point, we were recovering from the disappointment of our mediocre food despite waking up early for it, and were still trying to enjoy our experience, but the waitress topped off our decision. Even though we live just a close walk to Aquitaine, we decided that we wouldn't be coming back. Update: Just thought it'd be fair to add that the management contacted me and apologized for my disappointing experience. That's a plus on their end for caring and definitely, just good business practice! I think I'll go back and give them a shot again when the weather gets nicer. Will post a positive update if the food and experience improves this time.

    (2)
  • Amelia A.

    The atmosphere is very dark because of the low lighting. Also, we were a little too close to other tables for my liking, and it was mostly an older crowd. We were definitely the youngest ones there by far. The noise level was pretty low though, which was nice so we didn't have to talk so loudly to be able to hear one another. The service was pretty good as well! I ordered a cocktail, but it was way too strong for my liking. Also, had escargot for the first time, and it was good - very buttery and garlicky! Gnocci was delicious! I wish I could figure out the flavors in this dish, but all I can say is that I loved it. There were some apples and potatoes that along with the sauce, created a great composition. Very flavorful! I wish I could order a bunch of it to take home and have whenever I want!

    (4)
  • Alison C.

    This restaurant is phenomenal! We were told by friends that if you like French food to go here. The atmosphere was romantic and classy. The food was AMAZING. The foie gras was incredible! I had the filet au poivre and my boyfriend had the steak frites; both were incredible. We left in a food coma!

    (5)
  • Flux Doctor I.

    There were four of us for dinner and 2 had the prix fixe dinners and 2 ordered from the main menu. All the food was excellent. The service was very good and the atmosphere pleasant. The noise level was not bad, not the quietest but OK nonetheless, I recommend this place.

    (5)
  • Jenny H.

    This place is absolutely fabulous, it was my favorite meal during my trip to Boston!! I would give them 5 starts but their duck confit panini was too salty although the texture, flavors, etc. were all fabulous. I got their grapefruit rose soda, delicious, light and refreshing. I also got their berries with vanilla bean whipped cream which was also delicious. Their duck conflit panini with gruyuere (Croque Maigret) was the perfect panini- crunchy, thick bread with perfectly melted high-quality cheese and shredded duck. But the duck confit tasted like I was eating mouthfuls of salt, but otherwise, it was a great panini. The dessert was outstanding- I got their Apple Tarte Tatin with Calvados Caramel and Crème Fraiche, it had the perfect caramel flavor and texture and with the creme fraiche melting next to it, created the perfect blend of sweetness. Phenomenal!!!! A fantastic meal overall!! I would come back here in a heartbeat!

    (4)
  • Nina O.

    I go here for brunch and I love the food. They make great drinks and serve freshly squeezed orange juice. The wait is never that long when you just want to show up, and the service is accommodating and very polite. A great place for breakfast/brunch.

    (5)
  • Shea D.

    This is an *awesome* brunch option in a city that seems to have very few good brunch deals/menus (a foreign concept to this New Yorker). For $9.95 on Saturdays and Sundays, though it's only during certain hours so check before you go, you will receive the following through their pre-fixe menu: - bottomless coffee - orange juice - warm cinnamon bun - your choice of an omelette or egg entree - toast and breakfast potatoes And? They take reservations. Splendid! Also, if you are not taken with the pre-fixe option, you can order off the regular brunch menu instead. FOOD: the cinnamon bun was indeed warm and delicious. I ordered the spinach and feta cheese omelette. It was good, but it tasted like they had added salt to a dish that already had plenty of it with the feta (I tested it by just trying a piece of the omelette without any of the feta in it...still salty). The toast and potatoes were good too. Overall, it was tasty but I wasn't overcome with adoration for it either. PRICE: look, it's $9.95 for all of this food at a place like Aquitaine. No it doesn't include a beverage akin to a bellini or mimosa, but for roughly $7-8 you can indulge in one if you'd like. This price is just awesome for what you get. ALCOHOL: I ordered the peach puree and white sparkling wine bellini. It was GOOD. I was thoroughly impressed. Some places water down the wine by putting too much of the puree, but not here. It was an excellent brunch cocktail. SERVICE: I don't know how I feel about this because while it was excellent service overall, I felt pretty rushed and that's now how I imagine brunch. Our food came out almost lightning fast (seriously, maybe 5-7 minutes after we sat down we had our food), and as soon as our plates were empty they were gone. Had there been no empty tables around us I would have understood, but there were several empty tables in our immediate vicinity, so I am unclear as to why they would want to rush us out (if that is, in fact, what they were doing). They weren't aggressive in signaling that they wanted us to leave or anything, but I couldn't help but get that feeling. This is really the only complaint I had about the experience. Overall, I'll be back. For sure. P.S. Unlike many places in New York, this is not a roll out of bed and head to brunch kind of place. If you attempt this, well, don't say I didn't warn you.

    (4)
  • Judith C.

    Great prix fixe deal for brunch. With all the items that you get, it's definitely a bargain and you leave feeling stuffed. It was $9.95 before tax and tip for an egg dish served with seven grain toast and potatoes, a cinnamon roll, which was interestingly made with puff pastry than the typical made with yeast version, orange or grapefruit juice, and bottomless coffee. I also enjoyed that they had small packets of Bonne Maman preserves along with butter to go with your toast. The pre fixe brunch for Sundays only last from 10-11am and my friend and I got seated 5 minutes before 11am. Luckily, the restaurant still allows you to order from the pre fixe menu just as long as you're seated by 11am. I got the Omelette de la Maison which had bacon, tomatoes and gruyere, all ingredients that make a delicious dish.

    (4)
  • Jeanny C.

    Fantastic for Brunch (especially with the girlfriends)! The menu is simple, but the food is amazingly delicious! We ordered almost everything on the menu and shared it, there was 5 of us. We loved everything! The French toast and Belgian waffle was not over the top sweet, it was perfect with taste and texture. It was one of the most memorable dish to me, since I am a big fan of French Toast and Waffles. Parking is a bit hard to find, only street parking. Definitely make reservation, not good for walk-ins at all. Would love to come here again!

    (5)
  • Alexandra F.

    What a cute restaurant. I went here with a girlfriend after work to grab a couple drinks. The bar tender was so sweet and accommodating and covering a lot of ground by herself seeing as it was early afternoon weekday. Food was delicious, we split their homemade chips and I had a delicious mac and cheese. :)

    (5)
  • K- L.

    This place has greatly improved. In October 2013, they didn't wash their lettuce. In May 2014, the food is clean and tasty. The brunch bartender, Ludgie, is professional, courteous and she can pour a very drinkable drink!

    (5)
  • Lisa B.

    Brunch was very yummy and reasonably priced. There weren't any standout dishes at our table, but everyone enjoyed their meal. The restaurant also honored our 11AM reservation which is a HUGE plus in a town where a reservation means nothing. The highlight of our visit was the service! After an awful service experience yesterday (see my review on Sunset Grill in Allston), it was wonderful to have an attentive and kind server. Our coffees and water glasses were always full, mimosas came out quickly, and our server seemed to be genuinely interested in taking care of us. What a great way to start a Sunday.

    (4)
  • Ashley P.

    Came in here after work one night for a much needed drink. I ordered a daily drink special - Kafir lime and fig mojito - quite possibly the most amazing drink I ever had. I one or two small plates while sitting at the intimate bar and chatting with the bartender. It was a great experience for a restaurant I previously thought might be a bit too stuffy for me. I will have to head back soon to try a full meal here.

    (4)
  • Danni S.

    I had a very comical brunch experience here at Aquitaine. I happened to be the only sober/not hung-over member of my party, which I think added to hilarity of the meal. There was a short wait for a table so we decided to sit at the (micro) bar - I have absolutely no idea how the bartender does not suffer from severe claustrophobia back there. The bartender began our brunch with friendly service and suggestions. By the end of brunch, we were on the receiving end of his entire life story and motivational speech. He took us through how he hit rock bottom and how he has turned his life around. Its totally amazing that he is livin' life to its fullest, BUT it was a little early in the morning for such serious talks. I found myself completely overwhelmed by it all, I just wanted to enjoy my eggs! Service aside, the food off the Prix Fixe menu seemed a bit mediocre. I tried some of my friend's Omelette a La Greque which was fine, but nothing impressive. The cinnamon bun was so petit! Call me a glutton, but I would have wanted so much more! I got the Salmon Benedict, and let me tell you that the eggs were perfect. No exaggeration at all. Little pillows of happiness. Perfectly round with a gooey yolk, just the way I like 'em. (it sounds so mundane in writing, but these eggs were some sort of impressive) The drinks were not anything special. We got the special of the day which involved peach, orange, vodka and champagne, maybe? It was a little strong for me, I'm still adjusting to the "brunching" lifestyle which includes day-drinking. Overall, kind of a strange experience but those eggs saved the day! And I am definitely going to go back so that I can give a more well-rounded review.

    (3)
  • Ashley F.

    This Sunday my boyfriend and I tried Aquitaine for the first time. After reading multiple reviews and doing my research I was excited to try this well revered brunch spot in the south end. I was sorely disappointed with the experience overall. We arrived about 15 minutes late for our 11:30 reservation and the restaurant was very acommodating when I called to let them know. They clearly held our table because they sat us right away. The tables in the front are incredibly small and close together, so much so that you are literally on top of your neighbor. I almost knocked things over on the table next to me while trying to shimmy quietly into my seat. Our waitress came by to fill our water glasses, yet never introduced herself, so we originally thought she was a bus boy. She never welcomed us to the restaurant or announced she would be our server. Over all her disposition was aloof and disengaged, so much so that it almost appeared rude. We settled on a bruleed oatmeal, which I was very excited about because the idea of a warm sugary crust on steel cut oatmeal sounds clever and delicious. However, when the dish arrived it was overwhlemingly bad. The top was saturated with granulated sugar and the rest was an overly creamy mess. We were so over sweetened that we sent the dish back to the kitchen. The waitress never apologized or asked if we would like something else instead. She did, however, take it off the bill. The rest of our breakfast was pretty good, but basic. I ordered the eggs benedict which came out somewhat cold, and my boyfriend found the same problem with his salmon benedict. Both dishes were accompanied by very tasty breakfast potatoes. Sadly, that was the highlight of the meal for me. All in all, we will not be returning to Aquitaine. It is far to pricy for such a sub par meal and there are far too many decadent restaurants in the south end to be wasting our time here.

    (2)
  • Elizabeth D.

    Let me start off by saying their sorbet trio is always a hit. Just in case you didn't want to read the rest of this, I just wanted you to know. So far, I've dined once for dinner and once for brunch. Dinner was great, I had the steak frites. To me, they weren't as amazing as at their sister restaurant Gaslight, and I wasn't expecting it to come out already sliced, but it was very good. I usually like chocolate for dessert, but my friend and I saw the sorbet trio leaving the kitchen and I couldn't resist. Great choice! Today, I had brunch with a famiy friend. I ordered the croque madame. Everything on the plate was tasty- the sammie itself, the fries, and the salad! I just couldn't finish it bc I wanted a side of fruit. It came out topped with vanilla whipped cream. Yummy! Of course, we shared a sorbet trio for dessert. Again, I spied someone else's and the green eyed monster forced me to order it. Today it was pear, peach, and pomegranate ::just rolled eyes to back of head:: I definitely want to go back for the BTR (beat the rush) early bird special. See you there?

    (4)
  • Anne W.

    I have such high hopes for this place as it seems like it could be a terrific French restaurant.. it's in the trendy South End.. and it has a good look and feel inside. This place had the shortest wait though on a Saturday night.. so we decided to eat here. This place should be categorized more of an Americanized wannabe French restaurant. The bread is good.. I don't dispute that. Because I didn't like any of their entrees, I got two appetizers. I got the beef tartare which was significantly better than Gaslight nearby. It wasn't a wow dish though... and the second dish I got was the mussels. She asked me if I wanted to make it my entree. Yes, I did.. she charged me double for it. Wow.. what a sneaky waitress. She did the same to my friend who wanted just an endive salad since it was 9:30 pm. Who charges double and doesn't tell you? The mussels I ordered were covered in this cheesy buttery goo.. not good at all. It didn't taste French at all. Maybe RW or brunch is better.. seems like that from the reviews.. but I will not be frequenting here again for anything other than drinks. Those are decent. Update: The manager contacted me to apologize for the service I received. I appreciate that immensely. He also offered me a gift certificate. I will add a star for now and will go back to try again. I appreciate this effort of customer service.

    (2)
  • Harri S.

    Had their lunch special. For $12.95 you get a soup, sandwich and salad (or fries), plus a soda/coffee. I got the french onion and the duck confit with gruyere sandwich opted for the salad and ended up doing takeout (brought my bill down a couple of bucks). Everything was good. While the Sandwich looked more like a pancake than a sandwich the taste all but made up for it. The French onion soup was done well, but definitely would have been better if I'd had it at the restaurant. The salad was a salad. Dunno if it was worth $10.95 (takeout price), but it was definitely worth the experience. Everyone should give it a try.

    (3)
  • Adrian G.

    Let me start off by saying that the food at Aquitaine is delicious. I was there last Sunday to try out their prix fixe brunch...all my friends had been raving about how great it was, so I had to try it. They were correct...I had the most perfectly cooked omelette of my life, paired with an equally delicious cup of coffee. The general atmosphere of the restaurant, as well as the extremely-attentive wait staff, would have made this a brunch date of dreams. Nonetheless, Aquitaine committed a big whoopsie...the biggest in my book. Upon picking up my spoon to dig into the child-portion-sized 'cinnamon bun', I noticed that it was dirty. Now I understand that this is an extremely busy establishment, but I just find it unacceptable. I kindly, and discreetly, let my waitress know of the issue and she immediately brought new silverware. Nonetheless, for a restaurant as highly-regarded as Aquitaine, I expected more.

    (1)
  • Christina R.

    I've been here for both brunch and a large family dinner. The cinnamon rolls at brunch are like small nuggets of butter, sugar, and cinnamon. I mean that in the most flattering way possible. I had my graduation dinner here and while I was worried about bringing a crowd of about a dozen to such a small venue, it was not a problem. We were seated despite having some stragglers. We weren't over-crowded at our table. We had reservations for 7 on graduation sunday and I believe we were the last patrons to leave, but we didn't notice this until we put on our coats - a good indication that the staff did not rush us out at the end of service. I appreciated that. We started with escargot, chicken liver mousse and onion soup - all delicious, especially with the warm bread they serve. The server helped my brother choose a delicious and affordable wine for the table. I can't remember the details of the dozen entrees ordered that night but I honestly think we ordered one of everything and no one was disappointed. I guess the memory I'm left with about 7 months later is just the ease with which I made the reservation (in april, relatively late to book a graduation dinner!), and how relaxed I was during dinner, feeling that the dinner service was in able hands.

    (4)
  • sean g.

    Oh, I have spent many a morning at the intimate zinc bar sipping some amazing martini special eating quite possibly the greatest Breakfast in the entire city of boston.- their Croque Madame with watercress salad makes me weep with joy. you have to try it. nothing in the city can even touch it.

    (5)
  • Armin F.

    Restaurant week part 1. Walked by this place some time ago, and after some yelp research, Acquitaine made it on our list. The atmosphere is really nice, the service was great but not fantastic. All dishes we ate were well prepared and really tasty. We had coq au vain and hake (white fish) as entrees, both really good. The wine pairing with all dishes was also a nice idea for restaurant week. All in all, this place is a solid 4-star restaurant. However, it didn't deliver anything outstanding which would make me a 'regular', also given the price tag which is nothing you want to cough up more than once....worth trying out when it comes to French cuisine I would rate Chez Henri in Cambridge as number 1.

    (4)
  • Beth M.

    Finally got here for brunch after meaning to for ages! So great! We arrived at prime brunch hour (11:30ish) and were told it could be 45 minutes...but then got seated in no more than 15! Fabulous. Very friendly hostesses, even in the midst of a flurry of people coming at them from all directions. The prix fixe option is great. Cinnamon bun, check. Variety of egg dishes to choose from with yummy potatoes and toast, check. Juice and coffee, check. All for $10.00ish? Check? Yes. We had such a lovely experience for super cheap, with an attentive adorable server in a lovely setting while sunlight poured in and lit up the pretty decor and all the other happy brunchers and such. Super good times. That and a nice long stroll through the South End to the Copley area to burn off the calories made for a perfect Saturday. I will definitely be back to sample the other tastiness that Aquitaine surely has to offer.

    (4)
  • Jenn H.

    Quality brunch for an awesome price. The wait is never too long, and you can even reserve a table ahead of time. I enjoy it every time!

    (4)
  • Good M.

    Decided to try Aquitaine after a disappointing experience at Gaslight a month prior. When my date and I told our waiter that we weren't going to be drinking any wine, that's when things went downhill. The waiter failed to tell us about the specials, but told the couple sitting next to us. We ordered the french onion soup and escargot as starters. Then my date's short rib entree was bland and my Lemon Sole arrived cold. We also noticed that service from the same waiter was a lot friendlier to our neighboring tables. I'm not sure whether it was the fact that we didn't order wine or that we were the only minority couple dining that evening, but we won't be going back that's for sure.

    (1)
  • Vivian C.

    Took my two sisters here for an early morning brunch. It was raining, but South End was a short walk from our hotel in the theatre district. Cute brassiere Service at the front was seamless, we came with a reservation and were seated quickly. However, once we were seated, it was impossible to get the attention of our waiter. We had to ask several other waiters every time we wanted something--all of whom would say they would look for our server for us. @_@ We were working with a bit of a time crunch, with 40-45 minutes to sit, order, eat, pay, and dash. Three coffee drinking strategists + simple one-page menu = 2 prefix brunches and an order of french toast. Omelette Alsacienne: with Mushrooms, Leeks, and Boursin Cheese--pretty tasty--the cheese was very creamy--I didn't expect it, but it made it more flavorful. Omelette Basquaise: Ham, Gruyere and Parsley--a bit on the drier side, but the eggs were nice and fluffy. French Toast: thick, challah--but a bit charred and eggy (I prefer my french toast either with more structure OR completely custardy). I wasn't a huge fan of the cream they slathered on top--but at the very least, given the bread, it wasn't too heavy. Split amongst 3 people it was manageable. Sidenotes: Cute jam packets in good flavors (apricot, raspberry) :) In retrospect: The prefix is definitely a steal at ~10bucks for a glass of juice (OJ or grapefruit), bottomless coffee (otherwise 2.75/cup), a cinnamon roll (more like a croissant snail with some icing), and your choice of their omelets with breakfast potatoes (average). Next time I'll pass on the french toast and opt for one of their sandwiches (I predict it will be the croque madame or the pressed duck confit & gruyere...) Can't wait to come back!

    (4)
  • Joel G.

    I have to say, it's amazingly refreshing to go to a restaurant and have two very good courses that are vegetarian. At a French restaurant, it's downright transcendent. Vegetarians who enjoy fine dining are sick to death of salads and pastas, thankyouverymuch. So a job very well done to Aquitaine for their "oeuf en cocotte," a wonderful little pot of poached egg, truffley mushrooms, cheese, herbs and potato puree, with toast points lightly charred for dipping. Easily one of the best appetizers I've had in a very long time. Making this a vegetarian dish may have been an afterthought, because it's perfect as is, but still I very much appreciated that this delicacy is available to me. The "socca crepes," though the only vegetarian main course on the menu, were very good. Mushrooms, savory pastry, onions, and light a bechamel, with a pile of tangy arugula to keep things arugalish. Cocktails were delicious, and wine was easily ordered and consumed. Thanks for a wonderful anniversary dinner, Aquitaine!

    (5)
  • Cody C.

    solid brunch location in the south end. ordered a croque magret (a croque monsieur but with duck confit instead of ham) with two poached eggs..... and actually recieved a croque monsieur with two poached eggs. not a big deal because that was my second choice... and when the bill came - i was charged for the croque monsieur. very tasty meal down to the side salad and the mustard. fries were extra crunchy and sucked up every last drop of the mustard. :). coffee was excellent. breakfast cocktails were well done and loved people watching the characters there for brunch with us. definitely on the rotation for brunch in the south end.

    (4)
  • Chantal G.

    The second you enter the restaurant, the atmosphere wins you over--even the bathroom! The food is also lovely-- I ordered the chestnut gnocci which I thoroughly enjoyed with lots of red wine. For dessert, we loved the bitter sweet chocolate & Chantilly cream. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and the food-- I need to come back and try more of the meat options and the cocktails. They looked really yummy!

    (4)
  • Monica R.

    We went here for brunch on a Sunday morning after the SoWa Holiday Market. They were able to get our party of 6 in within 30 minutes, while every other place in the area was quoting at least 1 hour. 3 of the 6 of us had the duck sandwich (Croque Maigret) - they were really happy with their order. We also had a lobster benedict (also happy with their order) and a french toast. I had the macaroni and cheese - this is the main reason for 3 stars - and it was really mediocre. It didn't really have much cheese flavor, and was under-seasoned (and the pasta wasn't cooked well). The ambiance was nice - our table was tucked into a corner, which was great for us being able to converse and catch up with each other. We also had mimosas and bloody marys (tasty!). I'd come back, just would not order the mac&cheese the next time.

    (3)
  • Kathy A.

    I'm a long time customer at Union, so I wanted to branch of a try one of the other restaurants in the Aquitaine group. The menu here looked great and it had stellar reviews so I was hoping to have a lovely evening here. We also had a birthday to celebrate so we thought this would be a good choice. Unfortunately, I wasn't as amazed as I had hoped. When we arrived at the restaurant there was a nice card at our table signed by the whole staff for the birthday girl in our group. That was a nice touch and a nice start to the dinner. We were seated in a booth and there was a dirty napkin left on the seat so that wasn't the most welcoming thing. Service was fine. Nothing stellar, but they kept our water glasses full and kept things moving at a decent pace. To start we had two different salads. The warm beet salad is excellent. The salade du marche is good, but nothing special. The mussel dish is also good. It is a unique way of preparing the dish and the cream sauce, while good, was a bit heavy and almost like a chowder (at least once you got to the bottom of the pot). The char was an okay dish. The olives overwhelmed the flavors of everything else (so I guess it's a good thing I like olives). But I definitely would have liked being able to taste the other components of the plate more. The fish itself was also cooked a little under my liking, but I don't like to be fussy and send things back unless it's absolutely necessary. Desserts were probably the biggest disappointment. The creme brulee was pretty bland and something was definitely off for the the crispy chocolate bread pudding. It tasted stale, which was really unappealing. I think I would go back to try appetizers again because they seem to do those well, but I feel their other dishes fell short.

    (3)
  • AB H.

    I had a great dinner at Aquitaine during restaurant week. I stared with the pea soup with foie gras. The soup tasted like pureed fresh peas - it was amazing. I also tasted the vegetarian sausage, which was excellent. I then had the veal over potatoes, which was very good. My friend had the vegetarian entree - the bastiila, which I wish I had gotten - it was so good! We then tasted 3 desserts: the peach 'pudding' lacked flavor, and the nuts served with it should have been crisp. the chocolate crepe was AMAZING due to the brandy sauce on the plate, and the pineapple vacherin was very good too, though the pineapple was a but tough and tasteless. We both had delicious cocktails (one made slightly less sweet due to my preference) and enjoyed the bubbly served with dessert for restaurant week. I haven't been here for dinner in awhile, and I was very impressed. I will be back!

    (4)
  • Jeff F.

    Came in for a second visit recently on 10/15 and thought of this more as a 3 star experience. A little disappointing since I was coming off an average experience at Union. The Filet Au Poivre and the Steak Frites were both mediocre - it was essentially cooked meat with borderline bland flavor. This was surprising given on our last visit we were really impressed with the steak frites. Then again, we were impressed with the service last time and grossly underwhelmed on this last visit. From an atmosphere standpoint, Aquitaine still rocks. At the very least, I'd return for cocktails and apps.

    (3)
  • Samantha S.

    So good. The prices are decent and the food was amazing. The only reason why not a 5-star rating is because I save those for places that completely blow my mind!

    (4)
  • Sohini R.

    This is one of those situations where half-stars would help -- I'd say 2.5 stars for service, 3.5 for food overall, and 4 for the bar/bartender. We had a foodie friend visiting Harvard and drove up from PVD to meet her for dinner at Aquitaine; during my years in Cambridge, I hadn't managed to go to Aquitaine, and so was delighted when we got a reservation through OpenTable. The evening was filled with alternating highs and lows, a restaurant roller coaster by the end of it. Low: $16 valet. I will admit that parking in the South End is horrific, and that we are spoiled with all the free valet (gratuity only) in Providence. But $16! Even LA isn't that bad. Add to that that we had to pay before entering, and the young man wanted exact change, it did not make me feel the love from Aquitaine. If you want exact change, at least charge a multiple of $5. High: The bartender was very nice and whipped us up a delicious cocktail and mocktail (the non-alcoholic drink was citrus-y and had mint; really different from the syrup-y virgin drinks one usually gets when needing to abstain). She also recommended a couple dishes for us to try. Low: Slow service. Our waitress was nice but took a very long time to take our order. With Aquitaine's flat menus and no cover, it's hard to indicate that you're ready to order, and the three of us were catching up as old friends are wont to. When she made it over she said how she hates to interrupt a conversation, but I just felt like eating my own arm....this was 20 minutes in and we only had water in front of us. Things speeded up from there, but I will note that at the end of the night a table near us had to walk up to her to give her their credit card. Oy. High: I ordered the endive salad to start and it was the most special thing all night: shredded green apple, endive, roquefort, walnuts. Really a nice salad, both fresh and tangy due to the cheese. Our DC enjoyed her beet salad and we were all polishing off the crusty rolls and butter. Low: The main course was just...OK. Our DC really liked her poule roti, but the Mr. and I weren't happy with our fish. I had the sole and he had the char; I was hoping for more of a crust on the fish, but it was just very mushy and not too flavorful (despite being advertised as lemon sole -- when I order something with lemon in the title, I want to pucker). I did switch out the pommes puree that the fish usually lies on top of for the pommes au gratin. These cheesy potatoes were amazing, and are a great food memory. Combined with silvered snap peas for crunch, and drizzled with beurre blanc, these veggies were so tasty. It cast into relief, though, that the fish felt just a step above airplane food. For the potato switch-out, there was a surcharge; I was warned about this, but I don't understand why it costs more to switch out one side for another when those two sides are the *same price a la carte*. It makes me feel like meals aren't made to order. Low: We ordered the profiteroles for dessert, but these are not profiteroles (which was very sad for our expert baker friend). They are huge, not bite-sized, and have been turned into ice cream sandwiches that need a knife to be eaten (but all we had were spoons and forks). The profiteroles were very eggy too, which added something unpleasant taste-wise to the dish. The chocolate sauce was good, however. Overall I'm glad I went to Aquitaine once. But more than 1.5 Benjamins later I don't want to go there again.

    (3)
  • Greg D.

    This place is good....as in wicked good. Just eat here you fool

    (5)
  • Chelsea L.

    For a broke college student, Sunday brunch may be the most heavenly meal ever. It's almost never unaffordable and you get to knock out two meals in one sitting? SCORE! So after 3 years of going to brunch at Chinatown for dimsum or to the local pubs for a 7 dollar meal, I thought it was time to expand my horizons. Plus, my mom came to visit from California so I thought it was a perfect time for a change. Cue the hour the night before reading reviews on yelp, searching for a perfect brunch spot that was within walking distance, affordable, and had good reviews. After deciding to go to Aquitaine due to all the rave reviews, I went with my mom and a couple of friends down to the South End, hopeful that these high marks wouldn't let me down. And boy, they sure didn't disappoint. I got the croque madame and my mother decided on one of the omelettes on the menu. My 4 friends (apparently reading each others' minds) decided to order the same thing, the salmon benedict. The waiter was friendly and our food came out in no time. Absolutely delicious! My croque madame was perfect and I just...my mouth is watering just thinking about it. The fries were very well seasoned and the fried eggs were the cherry on top of a scrumptious meal. My friends raved about the salmon benedict as well and in the words of my mother: "I thought an omelette would be just an omelette, but it was actually really really good!" Portions were perfect aka: I didn't feel hungry afterwards yet I didn't eat to the point of hating myself. The space was a little tight so I'm glad that we made reservations, and the prices were very very reasonable for the quality that we got. Thank you, Aquitaine! You have opened my eyes to a new world of classy brunches. Bravo.

    (4)
  • Britt R.

    My boyfriend and I went to Boston for a little getaway over the holiday... this place was recommended by a friend and I am so glad that we went! The food was amazing, the service was great, and the atmosphere was cozy and nice. For all of you dessert lovers out there - highly recommend the chocolate bread pudding! TO DIE FOR!

    (4)
  • sasha h.

    I've been here a few times for brunch and dinner now. In summary, this place is good but never great. The food is tasty but not necessarily presented in a very creative way. Fish is usually a winner and the egg dishes are the weekends are yummy. If you're in the south end, plenty of restaurants to choose from but this would always be a good decision. Ambiance is nice, duos as a good date spot or just a casual dinner with friends.

    (4)
  • Justin T.

    I've gone for Sunday brunch twice now, the first time was several years ago and the second was earlier this month. Overall, my experience was largely the same for both experiences. Despite being a more expensive restaurant, the brunch menu is fairly reasonable priced. Overall, I found the food to be very good and our waitresses were both very attentive.

    (5)
  • Roxana F.

    My family and I went here again for their brunch on Saturday and our experience was completely different than our lunch experience. We ordered two of the prix fixe entrees (the omelette de la maison and the omelette al sacienne) the french toast, and croque maigret. We also got a bloody mary and a bellini, both of which were pretty good. My french toast was outstanding. I was originally going to order the waffle but my waiter suggested the french toast, so I decided on that and boy, was it a good decision. Everyone at the table had a bite and wanted moreeee. My brother loved his croque maigret and it was such a huge portion, he couldn't finish it. I didn't get rave reviews for the omelets but I tasted the omelette al sacienne and it was pretty good but nothing spectacular. It had mushrooms and leeks and I think its only seasoning came from the boursin cheese, which isn't bad but that's why it wasn't anything spectacular. I could have probably made it myself. All in all, I really enjoyed this brunch and will probably go again. The waiters were really nice and really helpful despite how busy it can get for their brunches, and the food was magnificent.

    (4)
  • Kasey E.

    We had a fantastic dinner here on our visit to Boston. The lobster risotto was the most decadent thing I have ever eaten! Every mouthful was practically a religious experience--will never forget this meal! Cocktails were delicious. Our server Cosette was stellar. She had detailed recommendations about dishes and suggested wine pairings, even bringing us several wines to try when we were on the fence. We ended up chatting with her toward the end of our meal when business was slow, and I think I want her to be my new best friend .... What do you say, Cosette? She mentioned that she'll be leaving soon to live abroad--that will be a big loss for Aquitaine! But with such a wonderful menu and talented cooks, there's a lot that will tempt us back here whenever we're in town.

    (5)
  • Deanna D.

    Aquitaine is one of my favorite lunch spots in the South End. The service is always great: friendly and fast. I love the bistro style décor: simple, stylish, and inviting. The menu has lots of options including great salads and sandwiches. The lunch special is awesome: very filling and a great deal! The Onion Soup & Tomato Bisque are both lovely. The Duck Confit & Gruyere sandwich is scrumptious. The fries are addicting and the coffee is great. The reasonable prices, delicious food, and spot on service keep me coming back for more!

    (4)
  • Isabella C.

    The food is very delicious here, one of my favorite French restaurants in the south end. I come here frequently for brunch. The only thing though is that I'd expect better service than they offer considering its a pretty fancy restaurant. It's also on the louder side so if you're on a first date and don't really feel like screaming over each other it's probly not the best place to go.

    (4)
  • Christina P.

    Went to this restaurant last night with a large group. While I appreciate good food and have been to a fare share of French restaurants, this was a little over the cliff. Nothing on the menu seems appeasing at all - the combinations disgusting and flavors contradict. I had the salad with the pumpkin stuff all over it (seeds and whatnot). It was ok but I would have liked to just have a salad without the fanfare. The steak & frites was a very gross cut of steak. The meat was stringy and overburdened with seasoning. If I order steak, I would like to taste steak (or maybe they didnt want me to). The greens that came with the steak, however, were very good! Dessert, chocolate mouse, was commented at the table as 'nothing special' (I did not test it). There are better places in Boston to go than this one. Not worth the money, not worth the wait. The valet is disorganized - the police actually came over and told them to get the cars out of there - not a comfortable feeling. No draft beer. Cocktails have too much seasoning.

    (1)
  • Kelsey C.

    Aquitaine the duchy was ruled by the Lady Eleanor, later Queen Eleanor, one of European history's most admired amazons. Aquitaine the restaurant is ruled by Seth Woods, one of South End history's most admired chefs. Frankly, Aquitaine and its legendary chef are just as glamorous as the duchy and its legendary duchess. LOVE the $12.95 lunch special! The Soupe a L'oignon, Duck Confit & Gruyere Sandwich and Petit Salade are a deadly combination and definitely the whole package. For dinner, the Beat the Rush deal is criminally good. LOVE the Chicken Liver Mousse Terrine LOVE the perigord black truffle vinaigrette topping the Steak Frites If LOVE the Roasted Chicken Breast & Braised Leg LOVE the Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse for dessert (Seeing an emerging theme here?) The food at Aquitaine is nothing short of breathtaking, but it had very little originality, which made it dazzling but not quite exceptional enough to earn its last half-star. It's just a pity that the world has so many restaurants and I have so little time (and so many student loans!) or I'd be back at Aquitaine before you can say Bonsoir.

    (4)
  • Michael S.

    Nice neighborhood, more than once a week, kind of place. Unfortunately the lunch menu is an abbreviated version of the dinner menu. But the mussels were still good and my wife said that the omelet was one of the best she has had. The half bottle of Sancerre went well with everything. I know they are going for the retro/ been around forever look but they should clean up the duct work, etc. above, it all looks a bit dusty and outputting.

    (4)
  • Nicolay S.

    Brunch is overrated, not sure about dinner. It's a good deal at prix fixe $9.95 (between 10 and 11 AM), but the omelet was dry, there was barely any ham in it, and the "Gruyere" tasted like plastic. I had the Omelette Basquaise, but I doubt the rest are any better. It came with a pitiful excuse for a fruit salad, which consisted of previously frozen strawberries, grapes, and canned pineapple. No, thanks. The much-revered eggs benedict were also average at best... they had soaked the bread with the water from poaching the eggs, so it tasted like vinegar. And c'mon, Canadian bacon is not that expensive, you can cut a slice that's thicker than a micron.

    (2)
  • Mark G.

    A definite don't-miss spot for brunch. There's usually a huge wait, so I'm always happy to sit at the bar with a friend, order some cocktails, and enjoy my meal. Everything I've ordered has been impeccable. Still have yet to order the prix fixe $10 brunch, but I'm sure it will impress as usual. Can't argue with the price. Bartenders are super friendly.

    (4)
  • Grace O.

    I was here for Restaurant Week. First things first, the RW menu was a bit of a snooze. Both the man friend and I were extreeeemely tempted to just order from the regular menu since everything sounded far more interesting, but ended up going for the RW instead (what it really boiled down to was that we were greedy and wanted 3 courses). Customer service was very very good. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, rattled off a long list of recommendations. We were served a small amuse-bouche of 2 gougères (quite tasty, slight crisp on the outside) and 2 glasses of very very sweet dessert wine (complementary for RW diners). Appetizers : I got the crab cake, he got the corn vichyssoise. Crab cake was VERY tasty with a generous side of rocket + dollop of romesco. The corn soup was decent, not bad but extremely unremarkable. Mains : I got the seared merlu, he had the roasted pork. The fish was great, mussels were so, SO tasty (slightly smoky, maybe from the chorizo bits) and the broth everything was swimming in was great. Packed with flavour! The pork on the other hand was only so-so, nice texture, tomato salad was nice but again, quite unremarkable. Dessert : I got the sugar plum & walnut cake, he got the peach soufflé glacé. Cake was nice, not too sweet with large chunks of sugar plum and a nice quinelle of chantilly cream to go with it. Soufflé was a disaster - I know it's supposed to be a cold soufflé but this one was rock solid, couldn't get a spoon through it and when we did manage to get in a mouthful it was all ice crystals! Overall a very mixed bag - I was lucky and had 3 great courses while he wasn't so lucky and had a terribly mediocre time. Had to take off 2 stars for inconsistency. Customer service was great though, and we were offered a second walnut cake in place of the failed soufflé (after the very nice manager apologised profusely). +1 star for that... and -1 again for the water we were charged $7 for.

    (3)
  • Ali K.

    Although i really despise parking in the south end, this is a good place for Sunday brunch! Thoroughly enjoyed the Benedict Provençal and of course the little cinnamon buns! Very reasonable, I honestly think I paid like $15 (without the Bloody Mary I bought at the bar while waiting-another plus!). So unless you get a $50 parking ticket like me, you'll walk away spending relatively little for a good breakfast!

    (4)
  • Natasha S.

    Aquitaine will most likely be my new brunch spot! I came here with my mother for Mother's Day brunch and it was very yummy and had superior service. We will definitely return again!

    (5)
  • Frank D.

    This restaurant is one of those places that has been around for quite a while but, for one reason or another, I have avoided going to. I think the name and the location kind of make it seem like it should be a lot more expensive than it is, but it is reasonable for the level of service and quality of food. I will admit to being slightly in the dark on French cuisine and French restaurants. I cannot speak to the authenticity of the dishes, only whether or not we enjoyed them and had a good time. The answer is a resounding yes on both accounts. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable on the drinks and the dishes, which, although it should be the norm, tends to not be the case. The portion sizes varied depending on the dish that you chose. I had the gnocchi, my friend had the steak frites and the third person the braised short ribs. In all three cases the presentation was fantastic, the food tasted fresh and was well seasoned. The ambience of the restaurant is great for a date and in the winter season feels very quaint. Certain areas of the restaurant are extremely dark and you have to really squint to see the menu and some of the food! All in all, I look forward to returning to this restaurant and I think I'd like to try brunch! Definitely give it a try!

    (4)
  • Connie C.

    Three words: BEST. BRUNCH. EVER! I've heard great reviews from friends and finally got the chance to try it out myself. Great place for brunch on a lazy Sunday. I got the Salmon Benedict which was amazing! Could not believe how delicious it was and no I'm not over exaggerating haha. If you like avocados, then I suggest you add it on to the salmon benedict. It's the perfect touch to that meal. My friend and I shared a side of French Toast and Canadian Ham. They were just average to me. Nothing amazing. Felt like the bread for the french toast was too thick, but I don't mind. I glanced over at what other people were getting and it all looked yummy. I look forward to another brunch date here again! :)

    (4)
  • Coala B.

    Note to self: read reviews carefully and not just count stars. Coming off of the "uber cheap brunch special" Sunday at 1:30pm we got the worst of both worlds - our brunch was 2.5x the price the people at the table before us and we had to wait (despite the reservation in a very seinfeld-esque moment) while they took their time paying and lining up in front of the only bathroom for the whole place... The waitress was irritable as the place is severely understaffed and warmed up to us as the "free lunch" people seeped out of the place.... All-in-all this was not a 4-star experience and I am shocked this place has a solid 4 stars

    (1)
  • Mallory C.

    In a word: BRUNCH. Always delicious, perfectly priced, service is spot on and the space is beautiful. The front and back corner tables are always awesome scores and the ideal people watching spots. Definitely recommend the benedict provencal, brioche French toast and Croque Madame - they are all seriously wonderful. Although Sundays are significantly busier, the Prix Fixe brunch on Saturday is too great a deal to pass up. Dinner is pretty solid as well - steak frites, nom! - but brunch is bit more laid back and has livelier atmosphere. Reservations are an absolute must to guarantee avoiding waits regardless of the meal time.

    (4)
  • Lynn C.

    Eating at a nice restaurant with exceptional food but lousy service is like hanging out with a super fun friend who is always short a few bucks all the time, everywhere you go. At the end of the day, you admit that you had a great day, yet you somehow walk away with a bit of bad taste in your mouth. And then you wonder to yourself whether or not the few dollars you spot your friend with is really worth breaking up the otherwise great friendship. And the question here is, is the lousy service we received today so marring that we won't be coming back---despite the great food and the cheap cheap brunch prices? We made our reservation for 12:30 and arrived promptly. Our server was not rude, but curt, inattentive, and unfriendly. The place was not busy, but every time he looked over at our table, he never bothered to take away the empty glasses or refill our coffee or even just to ask us if we needed anything. When we did call him over the two times to ask for a refill on our coffee and to get the check with a nice smile, he failed to return the smile nor the your welcome after our thank yous. In fact, he barely wanted to look at us. He seemed to be overall displeased with us, despite we were properly attired ( I was in a dress and my boyfriend was in a dress shirt), and was not carrying outside beverages, unlike the two tables on either side of us. What also annoyed me was that he charged me for the iced coffee, which I assumed would have been included in the prixe fixed menu, but never told me, nor offered me hot coffee, which was included in the prixe fixed menu. But beyond the lousy service, the food was exceptional and the price was so beyond great. My boyfriend had the omelette a la maison (bacon, tomatoes and cheese) while I had the Eggs Piperade. $9.99 for the entree + freshly squeezed orange juice+ bottomless coffee+a perfectly sized cinnamon bun (appetizer sizer) is no doubt a bargain. It would have been a rather cheap final bill if we didn't also ordered a mimosa that came out to $8 (ouch), and the iced coffee was another 2.75, which brought our total bill for the two of us to be $40 after tax and tip. Not to say that it wasn't worth it, because it was. The food was phenomenal. I guess I'm going to have to go back to Aquitaine for dinner, and probably brunch again, but just with the expectation that I might need to spot my friend a few dollars and be okay with it. _______________________________ Edit: Sept 26, 2010 I just received an email from one of the partners from Aquitaine, apologizing for their service and an offer for me to contact him for a gift certificate. This is just a single day after I ate there and posted the review. What wonderful and prompt service. Edit: Dec 16, 2010 The owner, Jeff, never got back to us. He also seems to be the guy who msgs people on Yelp who make reviews on restaurants the the South End. I wonder if he's really a "partner" like he says, or a hired gun that monitors Yelp reviews.

    (5)
  • Joseph L.

    The prix fixe lunch menu during Restaurant week was perfect. It was great food and good service for a reasonable price in a nice neighborhood and nicer restaurant. The food was excellent and prompt. I would definitely frequent this location again if in Boston again.

    (4)
  • Annette N.

    Stars are all for food and service. Our experience here last friday began in an unpleasant way, when the hubby and I walked in at 9.08 for a 9pm reservation, and the host barely acknowledged us, looked it up, and said, ok yeah it was for 9.30 and the table would be a small wait. I knew 100% I'd made the reservation for 9pm and found his attitude odd (checked email later and found I was right). Anyway, after 8 minutes or so, we were seated at the worst excuse for a table possible. Literally, it was boxed into a corner next to the entrance, and we kept getting bumped by servers and customers walking to and fro. It was like he took one look at us and decided we weren't worth it, and as brown people, it's hard not to sense discrimination, especially when he smiled broadly at the people that walked in after us. Anyway, food was simply excellent, and luckily we had an absolutely lovely waitress (Cozette). All the French bistro standards are executed perfectly (escargots, moules, Steak frites). We ended with the bittersweet chocolate mousse at our server's recommendation, and it was yummy! Cocktails were okay, not the best quality liquor, but potent. Bottom line, I'd definitely brave the host again for the food and service, and that's saying a lot. Long overdue update: Aquitaine contacted me right after my first review with a very heartfelt apology and offered a gift certificate as incentive to give them another try. While I never replied to take them up on it, that's pretty awesome customer service.

    (3)
  • Alex B.

    Nice looking place. The seats are soft and cozy and has dim lighting which gives Aquitaine a nice romantic setting. There were several couples in there with us. Our waitress was friendly and informed us of the prefixed menu available from 5:30-6:30 daily. The deal is pretty good if you are planning on getting appetizers and desert. However, my GF and I opted to make our own selections. My issue: At the end of the meal the check came and I asked about the yelp passport to the South End. The waitress asked for a physical passport which I didnt have assuming this to be a promotional week for the south end. After two trips back and forth with the asst. manager, I finally asked for the assistant manager to come over. She didn't seem to know much about the offer, and ended up honoring the deal after some resistance. They shouldn't be participating in things like this if their management isn't made aware of what is going on...and now on to the food. The buttered puff that comes out with the bread was very good. We had had something like this on the cape that didn't have nearly as much taste. We ordered escargots (a french restaurant must) as an appetizer. They were warm and very buttery, yumm! They provided extra bread to dip which was good. Drinks: They have pisco sour. Haven't had this since peru so this made me very happy to see it on the menu. Originally I ordered a Scallop dish with a zucchini puree and rhubarb salad. Unfortunately, the waitress convinced me to go with a special that involved trout, clams, roasted potatoes, sardines, and bacon (there was some sort of green too but i forgot what it was). In theory, the dish sounded good, but was actually very salty, almost too salty. My gf got the Thursday Duck special. I love duck and this was very juicy. The orange sauce was a little sweet and went okay with the duck but not great. There was a green sauce that i thought tasted much better when paired with the duck. The duck is served over farro and fennel which i have never had before but tasted very good. The dish could have used a vegetable though. Overall, pretty good food, but expensive. I am glad they ended up honoring the discount.

    (3)
  • Ilya E.

    Well I was really excited to try a new french place after thoroughly enjoying Robert Petit Bistro in Kenmore, sadly not everything was up to par. Especially since they let us eat so late. Ambiance: The place is very cozy - great for first/second dates. Its quiet - despite people at the nearby table talking it felt very intimate. Service: Very good, the food came fast, as I say below, the drinks were given special attention. Drinks: Wine selection was great; the waiter brought us over samples for both wines we ordered - rare even in the nicer restaraunts in Boston (why don't more places do this, it ads a touch of elegance to the evening). Food: First Course: We ordered the escargot (completely drenched in butter and garlic, so we couldn't really taste it, but it felt like it was good texture and cooked well). Not a big fan of snail nor do I know how its 'supposed' to be cooked, but well - it was REALLY garlicky. Main Course: The chicken was mediocre - well cooked but slightly soggy. The rest of the food was not very memorable. Dessert: The chocolate 'thing' I had was very delicious. I'm a fiend for chocolate. End of Meal: We saw a mouse/rodent. Not a night killer/deal breaker, but I had to pretend I didn't see it, thank god my date didn't. Clean up your act Aquitaine. The bill came to 143 (plus tax and tip) for 2 glasses of wine each, plus 2 entrees and 1 appetizer. For that price, honestly I expected more. Once again, bonus points for seating us so late on a weekday night (we showed up at 11pm) and providing us with good service. Worth going to for drinks and a dessert late night, for food I would consider Stella at a much lower price for equal quality food.

    (3)
  • Piyali S.

    Delicious, reliable brunch in the trendy South End that doesn't break the bank! I struggled with whether to give this one 4 or 5 stars but went with 5! Usually I reserve 5 stars for restaurants that score high points on creativity or for combining an unlikely set of flavors that yield something delicious but Aquitaine was none of those things. Aquitaine was a solid, delicious, traditional brunch I know I can count on again. We went for the $10 prix fixe which comes with a cinnamon bun, omelette of your choice and bottomless coffee. I chose the omelette with mushrooms, leeks and boursin cheese with home style potatoes and toast: simple divine and HIGHLY recommended. I like branching out and trying new things but I doubt I ever will here because I found my perfect match on the first try. The portions are just right, leaving you feeling comfortably full without putting you into food comatose. If they had outdoor seating this would be my official summer brunch spot. If you don't love Aquitaine as much as I did you'll at least like it and that's enough to make a reservation this weekend.

    (5)
  • Anna L.

    Positives: Amazing meat!!! Authentic French menu Cozy and tasteful décor Negatives: Long wait (about 30 mins) for brunch, even with a reservation Several times no apology was given for the delay, not even a smile Overall, a very good restaurant. A shame service isn't always up to par with the food.

    (4)
  • William T.

    Consistently good service and food. The lemon sole is delicious. Steak fries are just tight. The beet salad is a great appetizer. The wines are well chosen and fairly priced. I live in the neighborhood and this is always a place I can count on. A real winner.

    (4)
  • Ellie W.

    Alright, so I decided to give Aquitaine a second chance. I figure, if Gordon Ramsay can give contestants a second chance on Hell's Kitchen (yes, i watch garbage reality TV on occassion), it wouldn't hurt to give Aquitaine one more try. And I'm glad I did. The first time around, the bad service and food really irked me and left me with a really sour impression of this restaurant. Also made me want to swear a bit like Gordon Ramsay (that's bad reality TV reference #2!). This time, I had a courteous waitress who was both friendly and attentive, and the food was great. They also serve some pretty tasty cocktails that make you wish you were sipping them while sunbathing on a yacht off Nantucket with a Kennedy. Well, one of the cute ones. Considering my initial bad experience occurred during Restaurant Week, I have a feeling that for the most part, it's rare to see restaurants (Aquitaine being one of them) at their best then. Mostly due to the insane volume of customers rotating in and out of restaurants around that time. So I'd have to recommend that if you want to see Aquitaine at its best and taste all the savory dishes this place has to offer, go for their brunch or dinner during regular hours/weeks. This still doesn't top my favorites list, but it's worth a try to decide for yourself.

    (3)
  • Juliana N.

    The boyfriend and I came here for brunch and I was super excited! One of my guilty pleasures is brunch!! I was really looking forward to the eggs benedict provencel! Not bad. I should have known to order the ham one since I'm a savory food lover. But it was definitely still a great benedict! The egg was perfectly cooked. Perfectly poached. When I sliced into the egg, the yumilicious gooey center escaped all over the english muffin! Yum! The boyfriend ordered the omlette alsacienne- mushrooms, leeks, smothered in boursin cheese! SO GOOD! I'd say his order was better than mine! We each received a side of breakfast "home-fried" potatoe nicely seasoned stirfried with onions. Ahh...yum. We piggies also ordered a side of pomme frittes. Crispy and served with an aioli dip. Can never go wrong with aioli. So good. Too bad our tummys were not big enough to lick every crumb off our plates! I also ordered a mimosa. Can't go wrong with that either. Everything was $37. Such a great deal!!!! Will be back!

    (4)
  • Alexandra F.

    Great meal for friends. Cozette was a fabulous waitress who made our evening fantastic. Thank you cozette!

    (5)
  • Valerie W.

    $30 for a tini bit of food thas what you feed a baby with ! definity not coming back !

    (1)
  • Kris F.

    I went here with my buddy Zack (a South End local) for dinner. It was a little crowded so we ate dinner at the bar. I had the steak tartare for an appetizer (not as good as Grill 23's), and then had a scallop dish for an entree (very good). It was so dark I couldn't read the menu and was a little on the noisy side. Overall dinner was good but I would not hurry back as there are so many terrific places to eat in Boston.

    (3)
  • Joy Y.

    What up Prix Fix Brunch?! You are awesome and yummy and cheap! And for that I love you. For $9.95, it was a fantastic deal for very good food in a great atmosphere. Aquitaine manages to somehow feel vibrant and cozy all at the same time. Sure, the front door is a bit of a cluster-f with the heavy velvet curtain (don't go bustin' in there, you might just end up taking someone out) and there's not really anywhere to stand, but if that's the biggest complaint I have from the entire experience, well then not too shabby... We were running late for our reservation and called to let the hostess know. She was a bit snippy on the phone, but I suppose that's understandable when there are a million people standing in front of you waiting to be seated. Lucky for us, when we did finally get there we were seated right away. The tables, while not close together (bonus!) were positioned quite close to the booth, so I'm pretty sure if you are any taller than 5'5" then you're screwed. I was already having a hard time figuring out where to put my feet, I can't imagine what someone with more leg would do... The service was fantastic though. Our waiter was funny and engaging, but not all over us, and yet totally on top of things. Not to mention we didn't feel rushed, which is pretty great when you're hoping to have a long leisurely brunch. Brunch comes with a warm cinnamon roll, which was much smaller than I had anticipated, but I suppose I should have expected as much. It was warm and flaky and delicious, although less like a cinnamon roll and more like a croissant. Bottomless coffee is perfect after a long night out and the orange juice definitely tasted fresh squeezed. I ordered the Omelette Basquaise which had ham, gruyere and parsley. It was very good- not the most amazing thing ever, but pretty tasty and well seasoned. When the food came out, I didn't think that the portions were very generous. It was certainly filling though as I could barely finish it (oh, don't worry folks, I did.) The best part? Two brunches=$21.00 Yeah, I know, pretty awesome right? Go there now. I promise you will fall in love too.

    (4)
  • Jas L.

    This is for the south end establishment. so you would go here for a graduation meal, a nice date (probably two weeks in; its pricey), or when you have your mom visit (its nice to take your mom out once and awhile on your bill, she deserves it)..... however, its pretty classy without holding up to the challenge of ambiance. what i mean is, is that it is fancy without charm. It's overly priced, and prudish.... but sometimes that works depending on the situation. its a high end restaurant and really doesn't bring to mind anything from France. drinks are well made, and they have an extensive wine selection. Filet Au Poivre was good, but you wanna make sure you order it medium rare.... seriously its a nice piece of meat; treat it with respect. Escargots De Bourgogne is OK, but i prefer the simplistic version (but mind you it's good). Steak Frites, cooked well, and nice presentation. this is not a bistro, and any french person will recognize the inappropriate usage of this word, its a nice restaurant. One thing! I'd recommend not coming here with a group. it sorta demands a level of intimacy that you wont get from a group. never been here for brunch but heard it's really good. PLEASE keep your little children at home. And make reservations.

    (3)
  • Chris C.

    Great mussels and fries at the tiny bar. A split of champagne, and some very nice dinner companions. Good food and good service. Nice, comfortable vibe.

    (5)
  • Elizabeth S.

    I came here for the prix-fixe brunch exclusively, so I can't comment on dinner. The main meal (omelette) was generous, but boy did we have to wait around for it. Bussers: A. Wait staff: B. The restaurant was cute but a little small. I was quite disappointed when my promised cinnamon bun was replaced with a cranberry nut pound cake. A tiny sliver of a cranberry nut pound cake. When the waiter set down the tiny plate my boyfriend actually laughed at me. Overall: pretty good. Not fabulous. Didn't really get a French vibe, quelle dommage. But the food was quality, so, bon appetit.

    (3)
  • Catherine S.

    Great food, close quarters, and a very talented bartender makes this a nice place to have an off-peak hour dining experience. During regular dinner hours (especially on weekend nights) this place is a zoo. The tables are heavy and very close together - if you're not there on a date, it is a bit too close to be bumping knees and elbows under and across the table. Service was stellar for a busy restaurant. Our waiter checked on us often but didn't hover and kept our water glasses filled. The steak special was perfectly done to my liking (medium = pink but not bloody when you let it sit) and the tagliatelle with pumpkin seed pesto was also very tasty. The pasta was the perfect amount of chewy and the pesto was very distinct in flavor. Dessert was also very good - we ordered the raspberry tart with pastry creme. Just want I needed to round out a very satisfying meal. Overall, food is good but the setting is a little too cramped for my liking.

    (3)
  • Jessie L.

    For $9.95 you get a Cinnamon bun, omelette, home fries, Iggy's toast, coffee, and fresh squeezed juice. Absolutely worth the money! The mushroom and leek omelette was delicious although the boursin was a little too much, I would have preferred a less creamy cheese. The home fries are really great, I normally don't care for home fries but these were well seasoned and delicious. The cinnamon bun was definitely lacking, it was flakey and not yeasty. The coffee was also a little watery for my taste. The service was great and the restaurant has a great brunch atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Regan C.

    I keep kicking myself because I have never been here for lunch, which is apparently legendary, but I have been here for dinner on several occassions and it's about time I write a review for them. As far as dinner goes, I can't say enough good things about their French Onion Soup and their Mussels. I could live off of those alone. My favorite entree there is the Artic Char which is delish. I tried the tagliatelle with duck confit recently, and while the pasta was good, the duck was a little dry. Aside from the dry duck, my only other gripe is that a few waiters don't seem to know the wine pairings as well as I would hope they would. Nonetheless, you will see my hungover ass in there for Sunday brunch soon enough because even if service isn't always top notch, their food gets me everytime.

    (4)
  • diana k.

    Went to Aquitaine this past Sunday and got the Benedict Provencal. It was alright. Not the best hollandaise sauce i've had and one of the English muffins was hard as a rock. It wasn't just mine either. My friend ordered the eggs benedict and one of her english muffins was also hard as a rock. The service was the meal's redeeming quality. My friend and I sat at the bar and the bartender was super nice and friendly. Willing to give brunch another try just bc of her.

    (3)
  • Leighann F.

    Today, I have uncovered what I believe to be a little-known fact. First, the obvious: Aquitaine has an amazing brunch deal, they serve rich, delicious food in an understated yet chic bistro atmosphere that's praised as both a panty dropper and appropriate for parents. The bar is sexy and the wine menu is oenophile-approved. But did you know that they serve a lunch special that includes a sandwich, soup, your choice of pomme frites or a salad, plus a soft drink and coffee...for $12.95?! I almost passed them by. I almost just went to Market in The Square and got a prosciutto sandwich (which would have set me $10 with a beverage), but something caused me to pause at their window and gaze at the menu. With a big TWELVE NINETY FIVE staring back at me for what seemed to be a pretty hefty lunch, how can a girl say no? I don't think there's much of a need to reinforce just how good the food is here...crispy pomme frites, creamy, piping-hot tomato bisque and a sandwich the size of my whole hand stuffed with duck confit and cheese. I could go on, but the point here is that this is a lot of good food for very little money and if you working the South End (or happen to be there for a meeting/visiting a friend/not good reason) you should be taking advantge of this lunch special.

    (4)
  • Manpreet K.

    This is one of the better brunch spots in South End. Went here on a Sunday with a group of 6, even though our reservation was for 5. They were very accomodating, seeing how it was prime brunch hour. The server was forgettable but the brunch fare was pretty darn good with a good amount of variety. I sampled the dishes from my guests at the table, and all in all, everthing was pretty tasty (though the waffles were a bit soggy in the middle because they were left at the food window for a bit with whip cream on top). I had the eggs benedict Provencal & my other half had the leek omelette - really good. The ambience is wonderful & warm and the place is quite happening during brunch hours, so make a reservation. I have a few spots on rotation for brunch in the south end & Aquitaine is getting added to that list.

    (4)
  • Lady S.

    I just recommended Aquitaine to a friend visiting Boston and realized that I've never written a Yelp! review. Here it goes: This is one of my favorite restaurants of all time. The ambiance is warm and cozy, the staff is always friendly, accommodating, smart about the food. The mussels are divine. The cocktails are delicious. We come here for special occasions and it never disappoints. Have not tried the brunch but definitely recommend for a delicious, fresh, tasty dinner. Magnifique!!

    (5)
  • Jayme V.

    Service was slow and erratic (we had a half hour wait even though we made a reservation for brunch) but the food was so amazing and well-priced I didn't care by the end of it. Had the shrimp salad tartine and I'm still thinking about it! Creamy herb dressing smoothed over tender shrimp with avocado, crisp bacon, tomato, and bib lettuce. Served open-face on sourdough toast. It was a complete mess to eat but I was in absolute heaven. My friend loved her Omelette de Maison and said the home fries were excellent, too.

    (4)
  • Colleen H.

    Absolutely the BEST brunch in Boston. Yes, I said it. Okay, so the Prix Fixe menu comes with these adorable little cinnamon buns FRESH orange or grapefruit juice, delicious coffee (hard to come by), and the usual toast and potatoes. But this isn't what makes me yearn for this place. It's the Eggs Benedict Provencal. Oh. My. God. Delicious. If you are a fan of eggs benedict normally, get your butt here. They add avocado, tomato and fines herbes to the mix to make your day start off in the most delicious way possible. Now my roomie used to adore their bloody mary's, but I'm more of a bellini kind of girl... though their other morning cocktail options are quite phenomenal. Seriously, best brunch ever. And here's my secret... if you didn't make a reservation, hang out by the bar, those seats are first come first serve. And honestly, the service is way better.

    (5)
  • Irina M.

    Had a bit of a disappointing meal here during Restaurant Week. For out entrees we had Seared Merlu with Mussel stew. The execution was extremely poor. The fish was so dry, overcooked to a crisp. The white beans were very undercooked, hard and inedible.. The entire dish was extremely salty. It was 9pm on Thursday, and they weren't that busy but somehow the service was so slow that we didn't bother trying to send back our food. On the up side, both our appetizers were amazing (Chilled Corn Vichyssoise + Crab Beignets).. But the dessert was lack luster, I can't remember what we had. I guess I should have read more RW reviews for that place since it seems that we weren't the only ones disappointed.

    (2)
  • B V.

    Solid French fare with great atmosphere. The staff is attentive but not overbearing. Love the escargot and moules frites.

    (4)
  • Erin C.

    The mussels here are fantastic. Really, it is the sauce that takes the cake! My date and I could have eaten several servings of these! I also had the chilled corn soup and was pleasantly surprised at the flavor, texture and the bits of shrimp. Yum-my. Our server was friendly, but not intrusive. Just my style. I look forward to trying their brunch!

    (4)
  • Meridith H.

    My partner & I were in the area, and hungry. This was a place that we chose based on the menu posted in the window; upon walking in, I felt a bit out of place in my jeans and hoodie, but the staff declined to notice. We were seated immediately & given a complimentary appetizer (high end cheesy pastry puffs!). I had a beet salad and the sole and my partner had the french onion soup and a steak; we were both very happy with these choices. My only regret is that we had to be somewhere after dinner and didn't have time to linger over coffee and dessert. I was also thrilled with the level of service; the waitstaff are professionals, not kids. With one visit, Aquitaine has won me over.

    (5)
  • Josephine L.

    I've been to Aquitaine several times and it's never disappointed. Like many other restaurants in the city, it's much more French-inspired American than straight-up French, but unlike many other "French" restaurants in the city, it's actually quite affordable for the value. Things to get: - Mussels: Always fresh and the broth is just delicious! I've never liked mollusks in their natural taste but decided to give the mussels a try one time I was here and boy did I not regret it! Another person in our party once got it too and our dates watched with amusement as we just chowed down on the steaming bowls (we gave them some to try, of course!) - Steak frites/skirt steak: Can you tell I go for the classic French dishes? The truffle vinaigrette is heavenly and the fries are always thin and crisp. For the skirt steak, the dijon potatoes are amazing! - Vanilla creme brulee: Some of the best I've had in the city. They also have a great wine list and I highly recommend the St. Honore 75 and St. Cloud cocktail (the holy ones just taste better, haha). And finally: the restaurant itself. I think it's just gorgeous in the winter, with all the Christmas lights winding around the windows and indoor plants/trees. The space is actually longer and bigger than it first appears, with lots of cozy booths and tables that aren't too close to your neighbor's. The atmosphere begs for casually elegant wear for dinner (think casual slacks, button-up shirt, skirts, non-fancy dresses) and totally casual Old Navy-type wear for brunch. Which is perfect if you're going with a bunch of people who think a polo shirt is dressed up!

    (4)
  • Dave A.

    I just had Sunday Brunch here today, and I really enjoyed it. Now, I'm a pretty simple guy, and I tend to go with meals in a that fall into their specialty, so of course going to a french restaurant for brunch I was going to go with the French Toast! I'm no French Toast connoisseur...but that was excellent! It came with some strips of bacon, whipped cream and some berries on top. My date had the Eggs Benedict, and she said that was really good. the meals were each just $10, so I think that is a pretty good price for a place like that, so five stars it is. As for line references, we got there at about 11:45 the morning after the spring daylight savings time change, so I'm not sure if that affected it, but I was happy that there was no line for just the two of us. The place looked full, but there still wasn't a line when we left either.

    (5)
  • Melissa C.

    Went for the first time last Sunday for their 10-11am brunch special. We sat at the bar. Service was quick and friendly. Didn't even get a chance to put down my empty coffee mug before it was taken and refilled. I remember telling my friend it had a hotel-like atmosphere up by the bar. I was a fan of the high ceilings. Drinks were good. Food was yummy and satisfying but not spectacular. Bottom line I would definitely go again. Neg: only one bathroom means there is always at least a short wait.

    (4)
  • David Z.

    My dinner at Aquitaine was like making love to a cadaver. I suppose. I have done one. I will never do either (again). My credentials are that I live in SF, which takes pride in food, and a year ago precisely I was in Paris eating at bistros. I have fallen to earth. We'll always have Paris. A French restaurant that cannot make sauces. We'll start there. The mussels were fresh and I'm not sick this morning. But the sauce? A sea of cream. Unflavored. No Pernod. No butter. No herbs. Nothing. Halfway through I was slogging through them for the sake of finishing. Mussels are served with bread that is broiled or toasted for "texture," as contrast. Here, you get a flavorless doughy mass, cold, in a cute bag.Attention to detail? After making a big deal over bread with mussels, they brought me some when I was done. Just as well. The place wasn't busy, by the way. The server, was very outgoing and recommended the smussels, any steak and especially the filet mignon ($$$). So I ordered steak au poivre, and it was just as bland. THe meat was flavorless. I think it came from a supermarket. Half the NY cut had somehow been removed. A half -steak at a full price. A blessing as it turned out. The au poivre consisted of five count 'em five peppercorns adrift in a pool of butterscotch-colored cholesterol-laden glop. Like sailors floating in a shark infested ocean. Except sharks have bite. This au poivre had no hint of pepper. No hint of brandy. No hint of anything. Steak au poivre fights back! It has tang or bite it's redolent of...anything. I found myself putting salt and pepper every serving, so it would taste like something. Anything. You'll notice the menu is utterly unhealthy, by the way, and filled with unnecessary butter and cream. If you're going to harm yourself, don't you want to have a good time doing so? They turned the heat on in the restaurant and I was literally broiling like a langouste. Ambient temperature was about 140 where I sat. I moved to the next uncleaned table. The busboy asked what was up, and I invited him to sit in my old hotseat. He remarked, "Oh, this is why everyone always complains." He was out of there as fast as he could move. This attention to detail is what makes Aquitane a great restaurant. I asked up front for wine (which was totally mediocre) on a separate check and didn't get it as such. Spent five minutes redoing the paperwork. $60 for this mess. So, a 40-mile round trip French bistro that cannot make bread, cannot make sauces, cannot, has a meh wines and nothing tastes like anything. It would last one day in Paris, and three in San Francisco. Awful. But a pretty place and nice bags on the bread. The bags were cute. And the most flavorful part of my meal. Jamais plus, mon cadavre.

    (2)
  • Helen G.

    The worst "French" food I've ever had. Croque monsieur looked like a sad fat-dripping hard and over-toasted bread w a thin slice of meat inside. That's it. Waitresses had a lot of attitude and were not welcoming at all.

    (1)
  • Bobby C.

    So far I've been here three times for brunch and five times for dinner. Everyone raves about how great the brunch is. I had the steak and eggs and my friend had the cobbe salad. Food was decent. Service was definitely below par. It's not like it was busy or anything. I think I may just stick with only dinners at Aquitane.

    (3)
  • Jon H.

    Prix Fixe. First off, better than Union Park's prix fixe. You get to choose from five different egg dishes (primarily omelettes), coffee, fresh squeezed grapefruit / orange juice, and a cinnamon bun. Now, sadly, the coffee isn't as good as Union (that coffee is hands down the closest to hot crack you'll ever taste), but the cinnamon bun (sweet and hot, that's what she said), fresh squeezed juice, and the delicious omelettes really take the cake. I usually go for the ham and gruyere, or the bacon and arugula omelettes. The omelette fillings are chock full and amazing, served with nicely cooked potatoes, and delicious toast. Between the two (Union and Aquitaine), you can choose Union for the variety (different types of dishes), but for me (an egg lover) Aquitaine takes the cake....or I should say the egg.

    (4)
  • Graceypoo M.

    Solid 4 stars. Went here for Restaurant Week, but I also tried one of the appetizers off the regular menu. It was my attempt at having a one nice last meal should Hurricane Irene arrive with a wrath on Boston and surrounding areas. The inside of this place is rustic---with studded leather seats, wooden and brick interior. White linen tables with protective paper sheet. They will hang up your coat for you in the back and bring it out for you when you are ready to leave. Amazing customer service forrealz. Wine and water glass and the standard offering of Perrier water (which I refused.... regular tap tap water is fine for me). I was offered 2 cute cheese puffs and even a complementary flute of sparkling white as part of their own in-house Restaurant Week promotion. They also offered these nice crusty rolls (warm and soft inside) and butter. Oh I enjoyed that bread. I indicated I wanted the prix fixe menu: had the tomato tart with basil goat cheese and creme fraiche (the tart shell was a bit too firm for me, but the flavors were nice); Prince Edward Island mussels sauteed in a garlic/herb/parsley/tomato broth with a huge saffron crouton; and the apricot tart tatin with creme fraiche ice cream. Everything were pretty good. The extra appetizer I ordered from the menu, however, was off the chain! It came in one of those mini hermetic glass jars-- this is the description on the menu: "OEUF EN COCOTTE with Truffles, Pommes Purée, Marinated Chanterelles & Brioche" Basically it is some marinated chanterelle mushrooms and slices of black truffles, topped with mashed potatoes, topped with a soft boiled egg, served in a hermetic glass jar.... and two mini brioche sticks for sopping up the goodness inside. Great date spot. =8)

    (4)
  • Kimberley S.

    The best (and spiciest) Bloody Mary I have ever had. Good god, Aquitaine. You sure know how to make me happy. Delish eggs benedict with avocado. Yummy home fries. What more could you ask for?

    (4)
  • Sandy V.

    We went to Aquitaine on a Saturday evening. It was a busy night, but not noisy. I liked the casual French atmosphere. The staff was friendly and our waitress was attentive and helpful. Everyone enjoyed their appetizers and main course. I would recommend this restaurant for a nice night out in Boston. Attire: Business Casual

    (4)
  • Kelsey M.

    Went here today with Brian. The food was decent. Our server was great. Wouldn't really call this a true French restaurant though.

    (3)
  • Coco K.

    Had brunch here today, June 9th after hearing about their affordable options and their pre fix menu for just $9.95. The first thing that caught my eye as I walked in was the small, yet comfortably inviting bar that's decorated with a whole wall of empty wine bottles. Nice French touch! We got a nice table for 2 along the wall and ordered a round of St-Honore cocktails before ordering. It was basically a French 75 and was very light, bubbly and refreshing on such a hot day. For brunch I ordered the salmon eggs benedict (my favorite), and my brunch date ordered the Eggs Piperade. The mini cinnamon roll appetizer was a nice treat. It tasted like a croissant with loads of cinnamon and a nice drizzle of glaze. Thumbs up! The salmon benedict was lacking in the smoked salmon department and the english muffin could have been toasted quite a bit more. On the other hand my eggs were cooked perfectly. The Eggs Piperade were underwhelming on flavor, but we asked for them very soft scrambled and they came out just right. Often times restaurants don't follow through on the soft-scrambling request and Aquitaine did an excellent job in fulfilling our request. Lastly we ordered a round of Bloody Marys and they were very flavorful. I usually like mine quite spicy, but these needed no doctoring up! Overall, the food was just alright, but very affordable. The drinks were definitely the highlight of our brunch!

    (3)
  • Monika M.

    Love, love, love this place! I only eat out once a week and I want to make sure my experience is always top notch. And at Aquitaine it always it! Their food is always amazing and so is the service. Their goat cheese salad is my favorite appetizer. They serve the best steak and potatoes in Boston! (Trust me! And I have a very sensitive body to crap food since I'm on the competition clean diet all year round) They have a couple of yummy desserts; bread pudding is my top choice. Great vibe too!

    (5)
  • Chad T.

    Really I want to give this place 3.5 stars, but it's definitely not 3 stars and the prices are appropriate so I'll round up. While you wait for your party to arrive they do have a small cocktail bar with some very nice drinks. There was an off-menu special called the "Angry Orange", a tequila-based cocktail that's very citrus but with slight hint of coffee flavor. I don't even like coffee but this drink was very smooth. They don't have a very wide menu unfortunately, and the night you choose to come can greatly affect your enjoyment because they have a set menu of specials du jour. One of the reviewers below said that they have a duck confit tagliatelle on Mondays which I was very excited for, but now the Monday special is lame and they don't have the ingredients to make the old ones available unfortunately. So I settled with the plain tagliatelle, which, as the rating says, was good but not amazing. They do have a nice selection of starters though, and we shared the steak tartare (chopped and mixed with a nice mustard sauce), escargot, and my favorite, the chicken liver mousse terrine. The bread actually has salt baked into it so you don't even need to top it with sea salt, which I thought was a really nice touch. Give this place a try if you're in Boston on Monday and dealing with the fact that many of the high-end places here are closed on Monday.

    (4)
  • Dan D.

    French Restaurant, or Italian restaurant wanna-be? First a disclaimer: I used to live and work in France. I know a french restaurant when I see one. Aquataine, frankly, is not one. (I should have known by the "chicken salade" on the menu.) I had lunch there yesterday with two colleagues. Between us, we had Croque Monsieur's, French Onion Soup, Tomato Soup and Salad, and Steak Frites. The tables had a bottle of San Pellegrino - an Italian sparkling water, so I could tell we might be in for trouble. The staff didn't speak any french and weren't familiar with Poutine, that national food of Canada, that my colleague asked for. The lunch menu offers a special having soup, sandwich, and soda/coffee for $12.95. It doesn't mention that it's only half a sandwich. When I asked the staff what they did with the other half, they told me they save it for the next customer who orders the special. That means that half the time you're eating somebody else's warmed leftovers. They should suggest that to McDonalds - not what you'd want or expect from an expensive French restaurant. The French onion soup was fantastic, melted cheese, rich deep flavor, and the expected floating piece of bread. Kudos on getting that right. They never brought bread to our table, which was a surprisingly un-French thing. My friend asked for mayonnaise, and, on a whim, I asked if they made their own or bought it. Turns out they use Hellman's. Again, not what you'd expect from an expensive "french" restaurant. The greatest sin was the croque Monsieur. It was NOT a croque monsieur. It was a panini. It was a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Every french child knows what a proper croque monsieur looks like with the cheese and sauce on the top of the bread broiled to a nice crisp. The taste was ok for a panini, but somewhat greasy. The accompanying salad was of a single green (arugula?) had a vinaigrette dressing and was ok, but not memorable. The accompanying "frites" were your run of the mill ore-ida french fries, not the thin, crisp and delicious fries you'd find. My friend's steak was slightly smaller than a Hersey's bar, and was passable, not not memorable. We arrived at the start of lunch and were the first seated at our booth for the day. The greatest problem was that, after the meal, my friend noticed something "squishy" under his foot at our booth. He looked down and there was a pile of leftover food there, that must have been from at least the day before. After we pointed it out to the waitress, she said she'd clean it up after we left. After all the great reviews of Aquataine, I was truly enthusiastic to go. Now, I can say, I'm just as enthusiastic to never return. The good: Great french onion soup. Excellent location. The bad: Uneducated wait staff. Not a French restaurant. Sanitation problems.

    (1)
  • Valerie W.

    Went here for Valentine's day dinner. We sat in an "L" shaped booth at a round table, so it was quite intimate. I had the oeuf en cocotte to start - it was bangin' The roasted chicken breast was my main course - tres forgettable. There is a whole lot of fish to choose from on the menu, so if that's your thing, I'm sure all of the options are fishy delicious. If fish makes you hurl, you can choose from the Chicken, Steak frites, or the token veggie tagliatelle. I really liked the wait staff. My dinner partner discovered that he doesn't like beets courtesy of the warm beet salad - and I ...accidentally... told the waiter. He ended up leaving it off the bill. I swear I wasn't rude about it. A good time. I don't love the restaurant name embroidered on the back of the wait staff's vests.

    (3)
  • Alana H.

    A great place for breakfast on a Sunday morning. My friend and I got a reservation here for 10 am which fit right into the hour they have their prix fixe brunch. For $9.95 you get a warm cinnamon bun, unlimited coffee, and a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice and your choice of an omelette. I ordered the Omelette de la Maison with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Gruyere Cheese. Don't let the price fool you, the omelette is huge and came with brunch potatoes and seven grain toast. The bacon in the omelette was crisp and the gruyere cheese was gooey and flavorful. The big chunks of roasted potatoes were crisp and a nice addition to the meal. If you want to come here for breakfast on the weekend you MUST make a reservation as this place is busy! Our server was very attentive and really nice, and our food came rather quickly and was warm. Good food, great price, I would definitely return.

    (4)
  • Sarah J.

    Stopped in for brunch at 2 pm on a Sunday. There was a bit of a wait but luckily some seats were open at the bar. I had a St. Cloud cocktail, a beer, and the salmon benedict. Came to $28 + tip. Food and booze were tasty, service was good, place has good atmosphere, definitely a great choice for a date (or after a night of illicit love). The bar is small and they don't have taps, instead the focus is on fancy cocktails and wine.

    (4)
  • Ishpal B.

    AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! I absolutely adore this place. The first time I came to this restaurant was when me bf and his mom were visiting to Boston and we absolutely fell in love. This had become a household name for use and a bi weekly trip. The brunch is amazing. I always get the salmon Benedict for brunch which is only offered Saturday and Sunday morning from opening to 3pm. ALWAYS MAKE A RESERVATION FOR BRUNCH

    (4)
  • Mike G.

    Brunch is much ado about NUTHIN. had the omelet maison. menu said it comes with bacon, smoked tomato & gruyere cheese. well, i didn't see or taste any of it. toast was hard as a rock, potatoes cold, the cinnamon roll seemed factory made. friend's hanger steak special tasted like it was marinated in stale beer. thank god for catsup & tabasco. am ranting 'cuz i've actually raved about dinners here. the saving grace was OJ and service. have people been so seduced by the "cool" factor of aquitaine to rate their brunch so highly? what a racket. cross the street to francesca's for tastier & cheaper eats. it's the same view + better coffee. really.

    (1)
  • Briana T.

    A solid brunch spot. We brought friends from NYC and they enjoyed their meal. Great service & ambience. Good coffee and bloody mary's.

    (3)
  • sarah l.

    We go there every other Week-End for brunch. The prix fixe brunch menu is a great deal and is tasty. Service is excellent. Our waiters Bob and Liz were always eager to please us. Everything we tried so far on the menu was delicious (for brunch or lunch, we never tried aquitaine for dinner).

    (5)
  • zee w.

    Really great french bistro in the South End. Onion Soup was excellent. Filet au Poivre was one of the most tender, perfectly seasoned steaks I can ever remember having. Get a side of the green beans for some buttery goodness. Snug seating, but overall great atmosphere and service.

    (4)
  • Anita L.

    For some reason the word Aquitaine automatically makes me think of Aquaman so it takes some mental effort for me to take this place seriously (not that Aquaman wasn't serious...but yeah). However, the good food, nice servers, and elegant ambiance helps me do just that. I went here recendly with a large group for a birthday dinner. The French Onion soup was by far the star of the evening. It came out hot with delicious, gooey cheese, soaked bread pieces, and lots of delicious onion soup broth. The Arctic Chard was very tender and flavorful although the brussels sprouts on the side were rather bland. I must have eaten 3 or 4 rolls of the addictive bread. Their wine list was very comprehensive and they brought a nice little dessert for my birthday-celebrating friend. The dinner was certainly pricey, but it was worth it for an enjoyable dinner with good company.

    (4)
  • Mark R.

    Aquitaine is bistro cooking done really, really well. Roast chicken with a white bean and asparagus side and roast pork with a parsnip puree and braised cabbage - what's not to like? Toss in an apple tart, a good wine list, great ambiance and the most professional service we've encountered in many, many years and it adds up to a terrific restaurant. Lucky you, Boston!

    (5)
  • Jeff K.

    I love the brunch here! This has always been one of my favorite spots when I am in Boston. Maybe its the memories made here that make it so enjoyable or just that I dream about their croque-madam. Either way, I have never had a bad experience. I personally love getting a spot at the bar to eat. It shouldn't amaze me, but I am always pleasantly surprised at how crowded this space can be.

    (4)
  • Ross H.

    Solid four star restaurant. Big fan of the Brunch special on the weekend ($10 for an omelette and potatoes, mini cinnamon bun, fresh squeezed juice and unlimited coffee). Went for dinner with a few friends and had an equally pleasant experience. If it were a little cheaper, I'd be there more often.

    (4)
  • Erin F.

    I think this place is slightly overrated. I had heard a great deal about this place and was sorely disappointed. Luckily, we had made reservations so we didn't have to wait with the other masses by the door. But when we got to our table, I swear we'd have to be stick figures to fit in there. There might have been half a foot between us and the table next to us. Now, I have no problem sitting with people I don't know. In fact, you meet some of the most interesting people when they just sit down and talk to you. My problem was that there was no way to get in to the booth seat without your hips knocking down someone's coffee. Once we got there, the service was slow. I know it's busy, but we barely saw our server at all. And even when she was there, she hurried us to get on to the next thing she had to do. The selection was very limited. For brunch, the omelets were unimaginative and the prix fixe selection was just meh. I'll have to say that the chorizo that my friend ordered with the french toast (instead of the bacon that it normally comes with) was heavenly. Although her portion was very small. I tried the mac n cheese, which was huge, but not really memorable. The prices were high, especially for what we were getting. It was small, cramped, and busy. And certainly not worth the price or trip.

    (2)
  • Jen B.

    Gay Pride Parade + Brunch at Aquitaine = Best Brunch Date Ever! We were in Boston to support our fellow LGBTQers and also to have brunch! What more could you want in life? What We Ate: Brioche French Toast, fresh homemade cinnamon rolls, eggs piperade, & bellini's! The prix fixe brunch deal- so awesome! We were seated in the window so we could continue to watch the parade going by. The service was great, the food was fantastic, the price was perfect. The table by the window was the icing on the cake. Great dining experience.

    (5)
  • Dennis L.

    The special prix fixe menu is a great value. Choice of egg dish, coffee, juice, and cinnamon bun to start Brunch is always a hassle because you have to brave the cold and wait in long lines to be seated. Not here. We simply made a reservation on OpenTable and got seated promptly. We ordered quickly and kitchen service was almost equally as quick. For the price, it was worth it. Next time, I'll try the other stuff on the menu. I look forward to coming back.

    (4)
  • Barry A.

    This place has been here for years and years, but I haven't. Three of us decided to dine there and we all really enjoyed it. The service was the kind that is attentive but not annoying. The food and wine were excellent, also. And while I did not believe for a second I was in Paris, it was delciously French and the atmosphere appealingly urban. A very nice experience.

    (4)
  • Kemberli P.

    Great place! Made a reservation for 2 for New Years Day @ 11:30am for brunch. We got a flat tire on the way so we called up and were able to move our reservation back to 12pm with no problems at all. Ended up getting there a little before 12 and our table wasn't ready yet - the manager let us know it would be just a bit b/c the table wasn't ready yet which was perfectly ok with us considering we'd gotten there earlier than expected. We waited 10-15mins and he checked in with us at least 4 times during that time. Took our coats, offered to get us a drink from the bar while we waited, was very friendly. Good service is very important and his was excellent. Brunch was DELICIOUS! We got the Brioche French Toast w/ Cream & Berries & bacon and the Eggs Benedict with brunch potatoes. Both were absolutely wonderful. French toast was cooked perfectly as was the bacon. Eggs Benedict was so perfectly delicious, same for the potatoes. Food came out REALLY QUICK. They were on top of our drink refills and clearing our plates once we were done, as well. Brunch is not pricey until you tack on alcohol beverages... Our meals were each $9.95 each. Incredibly reasonable. Perfect sized portions. Wonderful service. Food came our incredibly quickly. Offer to take your coats right away. Very bright with lots of windows. Definitely recommend Aquitaine!

    (5)
  • Megan S.

    With the crowds, chic decor and word-of-mouth, I was expecting a great meal. And I got it. My carnivorous dining companion swears this is the best steak frites in the city. I swooned over the escargot and summer squash tagliatelle. The service was impeccable and the atmosphere comfy. I think I may adopt Aquitane as my corner bistro. Aquitane, mind moving a couple miles to my corner in JP?

    (5)
  • Sarah C.

    So, I'm generally a very reasonable and rational person, but for some reason after a less-than-satisfying brunch experience at the Aquitaine in Chestnut Hill (which, by the way, is apparently relatively separate in all things except name from this location) I decided that Aquitaine wasn't for me. How silly! My boyfriend and I decided on an impromptu dinner in the South End and when he suggested Aquitaine I got a little complainy. But, you know what, he's taking me out, and he's in the industry, so not only is it his choice but I trust him. If you like the french bistro feel, you'll love Aquitaine. They do it right. They have a small bar/waiting area, and the lighting is perfect in the restaurant, with tables spread as much as they should be for privacy, and mirrors abound. The hostess (Alexis, I think) was lovely and warm. We were seated at a corner table (my favorite!) and I was pleased with the cushy-ness of the benches (also my favorite). We were attended to all evening by John, a very kind, friendly, and knowledgable server. He was forthcoming with information and suggestions (as requested), and checked in on us at all the appropriate times. Definitely major points for service - thanks John! My boyfriend was raving to me about the mussels as soon as he mentioned going there. I'm not a big fan of mussels, but I also don't hate them so I was down for a taste. So, to start, I got the beet salad (delicious, btw, though I think it could have used a little more cheese), and he got the mussels. Wow wow wow. Apparently I like mussels...when they're done right! That broth is freakin' phenomenal. In fact, I will likely try to track down the recipe, whether by contacting the manager directly or writing into Bon Appetit. Actually, when I mentioned how awestruck I was by it to John, he kindly rattled off the ingredients. Why didn't I have a pen?! Seriously though, it's really really really really good. I would absolutely go back just for that. And he brought us extra bread to soak it up!! Om nom nom is all I have to say about that. An aside - before the apps we got TWO rounds of amuse bouche. Actually, they were both a bit bigger than your standard ab (yes, i did just abbreviate amuse bouche. suck it). The first was gougeres which were fresh out of the oven and awesome, and the second were some pan seared scallops with orange vinaigrette. The scallops were PERFECT. Really, just excellent. So my boyfriend got the lamb (which he seemed to enjoy as it was gone before i had finished half of my entree), and I got the steak au poivre. It was cooked perfectly (chef's choice, medium rare, mmmm), with a delicious sauce, and an even deliciouser (yes) potato gratin. You know - up until this point the little ratings above this text box had 4 stars highlighted, but upon further reflection I've bumped it up to 5, cause I really can't think of anything wrong that would prevent that 5th star from being awarded. I can't really give the restaurant points for this (except that they did carry it), but I also had the first red wine I've ever truly loved in my life - a 2003 Chateau Neuf de Papes. Holy frakkin frak people. OMG IT IS SO GOOD. So, that pretty much made the night. All in all I would absolutely return to Aquitaine in the South End, and would recommend it to many. And to think, all these years I've been walking by thinking, "meh..." NO LONGER my friends. No longer.

    (5)
  • Carol O.

    The Sunday before Valentine's day a friend and I decided to meet for brunch. We thought that since it wasn't valentine's day yet, we might have an inkling of hope for a decent meal -- especially brunch. Silly us. I don't know if it was the holiday weekend or just standard but Aquitane was a rather large letdown. I ordered the eggs benedict provencal (which has avocado in place of ham) and they ordered the omelette alsacienne (which has boursin, leeks and mushrooms). Let me first say, for the price of under $10 each, the entrees were fine. That said, even given the price I still wouldn't return. My eggs benedict had two hard, very brown (and not just because of air exposure) avocado slices on them. My guest's omelette was dry -- almost as if it had been cooked at least an hour before. Both of our potatoes were overly oily and undercooked or totally overcooked. When my friend asked for jam for his toast, he got a small dish with one type of jam in little packages -- two of which were opened and half used!! When they replaced it, there was a variety. Clearly we just got something off another table. What really peeved me was that when I ordered tea (at $2.75) I received a small cup of hot water and a bag. That's fine if that's what everyone else was getting -- but every other table had small tea pots and lovely glasses. Why pay the same price for less then half as much! I'm actually glad I wasn't there for valentine's day as tables were so close together I can't imagine it would be romantic for anyone! I could literally hear the couple next to me discuss the gentleman's mother's feelings for his girlfriend. So if you don't mind having to listen to amateur psych sessions, deal with used food and lazy waiters in exchange for cheap but okay/eh food, Aquitane may be the spot for you!

    (2)
  • Kristin P.

    Despite my boyfriend protesting my desire to write a review about this place, I can't hold back on sharing my opinion about the 2 most delicious things I've eaten recently. I had the Filet Au Poivre and it was AMAZING. One of the best cooked, seasoned filets I have tasted. It came with pommes au gratin that went so nice together. Please, Please go try this. For dessert we had the Chocolate Bread Pudding. This was my first time eating chocolate bread pudding, so I do not claim to be an expert, but it was delightful. I'm still thinking about it 2 days later. We had a bunch of drinks, and appetizers, I tried some of his trout, and the service was great but it really was the filet and the dessert that made me melt.

    (4)
  • S Z.

    Decent French food, but a bit heavy

    (3)
  • Emmanuel S.

    Great place for brunches. The Steak and Eggs is yummy, with truffle sauce. Brunch cocktails are amazing as well, for a very reasonable price. The only bad things: huge wait usually, especially on week ends, and even if you call and booked something at 2, you might very well wait until 2:30... PS: check the bathrooms with the wine stickers on the wall: beautiful!

    (4)
  • Jane W.

    Still one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Walking in here is like arriving at a great neighborhood restaurant in NYC. The atmosphere is terrific, the food is fabulous and the wait staff are always knowledgeable and attentive. The Steak Frites and Sole should not be missed!

    (5)
  • Ella B.

    We went for dinner on a Thurs night and the place was pretty packed, but we were able to get seated quickly. Great neighborhood, and great ambiance in the restaurant. Our server seemed a little distracted, but otherwise, it was very tasty food served in an elegant presentation. Good selection of wines and beers including local beers. The price is probably in the $$ range as it ran about $45 per person with drinks, dessert and a tip. Great location if you're prepared to be a little spendy.

    (4)
  • Jonathan D.

    Just recently came here for Sunday brunch. We had a reservation at 10am and sure enough were seated promptly. The wait staff were very polite and were on the spot when our coffees, waters, oj's, were 'half full'. They never seemed to carry on conversation, but I'm assuming that's the way they would prefer (very European). For brunch, I had their delicious French toast with fresh blueberry and bacon. If I would make any recommendation, it would be to order this item! The two thick slices of toast were actually very lite and the blueberry really complimented the dish well. I also ordered a side of their brunch potatoes, but found them to be rather bland. Nevertheless, I'll definitely be making a trip back to Aquitaine for another weekend brunch.

    (4)
  • Cristy M.

    Brunch for $9.95 at a restaurant in the South End? Priceless. Just had brunch over the weekend with a friend, and we were shocked at the value and quality. Oh, and the OJ is fresh squeezed. Definitely a nice field trip if you have out of town guests. Not only do you get to enjoy a nice meal, you get a chance to walk through one of Boston's great neighborhoods.

    (4)
  • J B.

    Great spot, more affordable French Bistro, rustic, rather casual with good food. We had a great meal here and I wish I'd been here for the brunch on the weekend. $10 between 10 and 11, I believe, and the place was packed.

    (5)
  • Alex B.

    Took my mom here for dinner, and am sad to say, I wasn't wowed. My main course was excellent (grilled steak), but the Cerviche appertizer, and her entree weren't anything special. From the other reviews, maybe I went on an off night, but doubt I'd ever rather go here over Petit Robert.

    (3)
  • Crystal S.

    So, this was my Valentine's Day Dinner (08) much to my surprise and delight. The service was helpful and kind. My boyfriend even commented that this was a place he had been placed on a waitlist for but they called him back on Tuesday and so, plans changed. Some of the tables are rather too intimate with the couples next to you for my liking and they were the type of tables where the skinnier person tries to slide sideways between your table and a stranger's table to get to the seat along the wall. A little bit of an awkward start, but otherwise the atmosphere was romantic. I ordered the beet salad with chevre as an appetizer and the lemon sole for my entree. Both were delicious! My boyfriend ordered the cured salmon as an appetizer and the lamb chop special. The cured salmon was a bit overpowering and the lamb chop was tender but my boyfriend was not impressed but it wasn't necessarily bad, just not impressive, so I suppose that it isn't the type of place where EVERYTHING on the menu is delicious, but if you get lucky, you'll be very pleased.

    (4)
  • Tracy H.

    I've only been for brunch, but it was super tasty. We did the fixed price brunch and I thought the quality and quantity was good for the price. The restaurant can be a little loud, because it's just so small, but it's not a problem unless you're there with a big group and want to hear someone at the other end of the table. The waiting area is also really small, which is a bit of a pain in the winter, so just be prepared. I recommend reservations. They have always seated up relatively promptly when I'd called ahead. One time we were seated at a table with glasses that were less than clean, and the waiter didn't seem too surprised, which was a little disappointing. I didn't need him to fawn over us, but he asked if I'd like another glass. No - I'm going to drink out of this dirty one, thanks. What?!

    (4)
  • David V.

    Whenever anyone asks about my favorite places to eat in Boston, Aquitaine immediately comes to mind. Namely for one reason - the filet au poivre. You could probably find a better steak if you went to a high-end steak house and paid top dollar, but for $30 you're not going to come close to Aquitaine.

    (5)
  • Jason L.

    Still a solid 3.5 stars and go-to Tremont brunch place. See and be seen here. Their french toast is awesome!

    (3)
  • Mai O.

    Since my darling is French, he has high standard for French food. First of all, he feels that French food abroad (i.e. not in France) is over-priced. And the price doesn't measure up to the quality of the cuisine. So he says he just doesn't feel like going to French restaurants unless he is in France, Quebec, or Belgium. I know how he feels, I feel the same way about Japanese cuisine. He does make exceptions, because once in a while I do get cravings for French food. So we have a few places we do go to in Boston area, and this is one of them. This is not 100% authentic French food, it does mix in other elements like contemporary American cuisine. Pros: I looooooove their Cobb Salad.... Wine list! Drinks! Ambiance... Cons: Why is it so hard to park in South End? If you go there on a bad timing, it's FULL! And no thanks I don't want to eat at the bar.

    (4)
  • Francis D.

    4.5 stars, but I don't feel the wait-staff/ busboys deserve the push to a five star review. But overall, Aquitaine serves fantastic French Fare! I went to Aquitaine last night and was very satisfied with the quality of the food as well as the decor. The ambiance and layout of the restaurant was very charming, with a nice "upscale" French cafe feeling; very similar to some cafes in Paris. The food was also excellent. To start we had the escargots. They were piping hot, very garlicy and delicious, but a little too salty in my opinion. My entree was the scallops. The vegetables in which the Scallops were placed were very fresh; fresh to the extent that it felt like it came straight from a garden. The scallops were also cooked perfectly, lightly seared on the outside but still soft and moist in the inside. Aside from my entree, I also tried the lemon sole as well as the steak frites. The lemon sole was also delicious, and had the traditional French accent of a lot of butter. The steak was pretty good, however since the steak was ordered medium-well (to accommodate my little sister), by the time the steak got to our table it was mostly well-done and no longer as good as it could have been. For dessert I had the chocolate soufflé. Very "chocolately", very rich and very delectable sums up the soufflé. The only reason why this fabulous French bistro doesn't receive five stars is because of the wait staff and busboys. By dining at a 'fine-dining' establishment I expected experienced and respectful wait staff. The waitress wasn't horrible, aside from the lack of compassion and interest in her job. She only told us the specials when we were about to order, she rarely checked up on us and was overall physically and/or emotionally absent during our visit. (credit to the waiters/ waitresses for always folding napkins when we got up from the table). The main problem I had was with the bus-boys. They were in such a hurry to clear the table; so much so, that it felt like we were rushed to finish. They would grab all the plates/ utensils without even asking us if we were finished, and would do so in a quick, and un-sophisticated manner. Rather than gently and politely removing plates from one side of a person, he would go to a side of one person and pick up the plates/ utensils from all the people in the table (all from that one spot). Overall, a great restaurant and great French food. The escargots are a must have appetizer and the soufflé is a great way to end the day.

    (4)
  • Heidi O.

    I immensely love the cheese-buttery-balls, whatever they are called...this is as good as the Chestnut Hill location in terms of knowledgeable servers who truly seemed to enjoy their what they do. Wine-list is superb, perfect Chenin Blanc paired with seafood. Oh and the vegan tomato/basil salad is surprisingly tasty.

    (4)
  • Jared P.

    Their FILET AU POIVRE was the greatest thing I have ever eaten... I love you oh God of Beef!

    (5)
  • Bill Y.

    I'm a sucker for French bistro food so I confess to possibly being a touch soft in my feelings for Aquitane, but even allowing for that this place is a rare treasure. My wife and I were 15 minutes early for our late lunch reservation. The place was very busy but the people at the desk greeted us graciously and led us to a comfortable place to wait. We were served right on the stroke of our reservation. The decor looks like a bistro should (whatever that means) and the menu has all of the standards and some interesting twists. I didn't write them down so you'll just have to take my word. The server was friendly but with an appropriate touch of professional reserve. We were given drinks in the right sequence, given a fair amount of time to review the menu and give our orders. Let me tell you bubba, the chow is wonderful. Onion soup, a standard, was perfect! I had a hanger steak and pom frites and they were perfect. Butchering this cut of meat is crucial and they did it so that it was both flavorful and tender. Cooked right on the button, medium rare. My wife had salmon and she was as enthusiastic about her entree as I was. We split a perfect apple pastry. Boston has a couple of good french bistros but I do believe that Acquitane is the best. I'm a touch rose-colored on this place I'll admit but I don't see how a reasonable person could fail to enjoy this place.

    (5)
  • Emily S.

    OK, so I can't help but be biased just on the basis of Frenchness, and the Frenchitude is fantabulous if you ask me. It's in the South End and it's a great neighborhood so it's a great place to walk to and really does have a sidewalk cafe kind of feel. It has very affordable options and delicious mimosas. Today I went for Saturday brunch with some other yelp ladies for a book club and many enjoyed the prix fixe menu which came with a cinnamon bun. I heard they were perfect without all the usual gloppy icing that other places use. I myself had the eggs bennedict provencale which was a lighter variation, using tomatoes in place of Canadian ham. Cooked perfectly with delicious potatoes on the side. The service when I went was awesome and friendly...and there was even a cute waiter walking around that caught my eye. Fun decor and ambiance, perfect for a nice summer afternoon. Will definitely go back to try a more standard lunch or dinner.

    (5)
  • Natasha A.

    This trendy but comfy South End french restaurant has an amazing wine list and provides french staples with an extra touch. The escargot came covered in a layer of crusty cheese and the broth on the mussles was extra creamy. I really enjoyed the duck ravioli in a rich wine sauce or glaze. The portions and prices (entres in the 20s) are not very big so there is definitely room for a three course meal. Try to avoid sitting right under the AC or else warm up with a kir =).

    (4)
  • Mary C.

    Came here for restaurant week. Beautiful space with nice mood lighting (looks like a good date place, except the tables are thisclosetogether). Mixed greens with goat chese--more goat cheese, please! Roasted cod was swimming with the lentils, and just this side of plain. Dessert was profiterole with vanilla ice cream and chocolate, light and sweet, but short on the wow factor. 3 1/2 stars for the food; plus another 1/2 star because the hostess seated us without a dirty look when we rushed in late for our reservation and as the kitchen was closing.

    (4)
  • william m.

    Wonderful food and a great wait staff makes it almost worth the $16 plus tip valet parking. But, in the Backbay valet parking is essential unless you are ungodly lucky or show up an hour before your reservations and circle the block for an opening. But, on the positive tip valet parking is one price whether it is for 30 minutes or three hours. We arrived, promptly shown to our table and welcomed by a very friendly waiter. The bread was freshly baked and delicious with the sweet cream butter. My bourbon was fabulous. My steak was cooked to a gorgeous ruby medium rare. My friend's order..what did she order? Oh well, I do remember her cleaning her plate and remarking on its exquisite taste. For dessert we enjoyed caramel apple pie with ice cream and hot fudge brownie. Both were excellent. Fresh tasting, warm and not too sweet. Afterwards we went to see our play, The Vibrator Show, and afterward came back to pick up our car. Within 3 minutes our car was ready for us. Not bad for an evening out for dinner and a play in the Backbay. I will return to treat out the ones most important to me.

    (4)
  • John F.

    Had a fantastic dinner here tonight! Food was great and service as always was top notch. Great wine list also!

    (5)
  • carmen l.

    this place is probably the best mix of good food and ambiance i have found so far. amazing to go on a date or with a small group. the seating is comfortable and gives an air of a nice french brasserie. the menu is french with a twist. i tried the Lemon Sole Meuniere and it was perfect. the tanginess of the snap peas mixes perfectly with the puree (mashed potatoes). i must say that my fiances filet au poivre was exquisite. the only thing i would change of the restaurant is the waiting service. although everyone is friendly there is some cache missing.

    (4)
  • Ruth P.

    Sooooo good. This place is expensive, but I think its well worth it. Last time I came here I ordered two appetizers instead of a main course because the appetizers just sounded so darn good. One was a salad with rare sesame tuna, and I'm blanking on the other item unfortunately... but it was a great meal. The waitstaff was very knowledgable and attentive without being overbearing. I would definetly like to come here again!

    (5)
  • Ankita d.

    mmmm those cinnamon rolls are GOOD! and that spicy mayo they put on their burgers...delish! the fruit in the fruit salad was also super fresh...i havent' had berries that good in a looooong time

    (4)
  • Scott B.

    definately would be a repeat customer here - they always seem to have something tastey to eat and a good selection of booze - great for a date or brunch on a sunday - dont try to find parking

    (5)
  • Scott M.

    I was recently taken to Aquitaine on my birthday, but it wasn't my first choice. My partner in crime had suggested it earlier in the week, and honestly, the website didn't excite me much. We made a plan to head in to the South End area and we did have one particular restaurant in mind, but nothing was in stone. We got to said restaurant and were seated, but they had just changed from their summer menu to their fall menu, and nothing on it excited me and damnit, it was my birthday, so we left. We checked out a few restaurants in the area, and one was Aquitaine. It looked crowded and chic. I love French bistro-type places, and this was it. One peek at the menu provided me with two choices that I would have been very interested in, so we decided to eat here. The hostess told us it would be about 20 minutes, and those 20 turned into about 40, and though that irritated me, it was the only snag in the evening. One of the choices I'd liked on the menu was sold out, so I went with my other choice, the reliable chicken, but we'll get to that later. I started with the Pork Rillettes appetizer, and it proved a good choice. The bread served was delicious, and I had a drink called the Montparnasse, (Wasn't that a character in Les Miserables?), which was delicious and included St. Germain, my new obsession. For my main course, I had the chicken which was perfection, and even my companion admitted that he's never impressed with restaurant chicken, but would order this. I assume he'll review this place on his own, so I'll let him tell you about his meal in his review. I concluded my meal with a generous glass of Lillet Blanc and a martini glass filled with 3 samples of sorbet. I was very happy. I love the atmosphere, and have no complaints about our server. I really, really liked it here and look forward to coming back.

    (5)
  • D S.

    Came here for that awkward time between brunch and lunch. Was so sad I missed the brunch... anyway, this is a classy joint and it was reasonably priced. If you are in the South End and and want to eat somewhere sophisticated, check it out. The lunch I ordered was pretty good.

    (4)
  • Jay R.

    food was average but service and ambiance makes up for it.

    (5)
  • Lalin A.

    Aquitaine is always a delightful place: great, warm, cozy atmosphere. It has a "sophisticated" bar. Service is attentive, quick and helpful. Escargots de Bourguignonne is what I'd go for (appetizer). Warm beet salad is simple but delicious. Steak frites is pretty good but if you want steak, I'd recommend going to a real steak place. Try salmon or file au poivre for an entree. They have "Plat du jour" so don't forget to ask for the dish. As a wine appreciator, I found their list to be pretty good: wide range of selection and some breathtaking wine. A great place for romantic dinners.

    (4)
  • J B.

    One of the best dishes in Boston is found on Aquitaine's appetizer menu: Mussels with sancerre, shallots and fresh thyme. And this coming from someone who is not even a huge mussels fan: ABSOLUTELY delicious. The rest of the food on the menu is pretty good too ;)

    (4)
  • Jillian M.

    LOVE IT! Fantastic food, atmosphere and service. One of my absolute favorites in Boston.

    (5)
  • Peter M.

    I really enjoyed this place. I have walked by the South End and Dedham locations, checked out the menu, heard word of mouth reviews and so forth, and as such I was really excited when I had to opportunity to check this place out last night with a couple of friends. First, I cannot say enough about the overall impression the restaurant gives you. From the colors, textures, artwork, lighting, etc. Everything is so well done, the place provides a good atmosphere whether eating with a group of friends or a special someone. Very relaxed mood with a upbeat undertone provided by an excellent and friendly staff and good music in the background. You certainly feel transported to any good bistro in Paris. I love the menu too. The appetizer list is spectacular and the entree list is also very good. I would like to see the addition of one more fish plate there but not an issue. I dined with two others and the dinner served was the filet au poivre, sea scallops and the seafood white bean cassoulet. The filet was thoroughly enjoyed by my friend jon, commenting on the quality of the cut and the execution of the dish. Stacey really liked the scallops the phrase "these are really good" and "mmmm" was heard multiple time. I had the seafood cassoulet as a choice by my server. I could not decided between the sole cassoulet, so I left it to her. It was delicious! A little too much bacon with the beans and I was hoping for a stronger seafood taste but, lets be honest, its bacon. No realm problem with me. Pricing was not too bad either. Yes, its a little on the expensive side for an average night out, but for something a little special it is certainly worth while. The entrees average about $25, appetizers about $8. All parts of the menu: apps, entree, desserts, drinks, etc. all looked really good and I will gladly return to Aquitane in the near future!

    (4)
  • Rob D.

    Very nice. Very French. Very tasty. Aquitaine pulled off the trick of being both intimate and large-scale at the same time. Feels like a bistro, looks like a 4-star. The wine selection is larger than you would expect, and the wait staff is knowledgeable about the wines - as well as the superb food.

    (4)
  • Eri K.

    Rumor on the street has it that this is the best place for brunch in the South End. I have to say, it was mighty tasty! Make sure you make a reservation though! A bit pricey, but lovely atmosphere. I adore the bathroom wallpaper, but wish there were 2 bathrooms. The french toast is sensational. The staff is delightful. I do miss Boston and will be stopping by to try dinner here one day.

    (4)
  • Hilary K.

    I went there for dine out Boston 2015. I ended up ordering off the regular menu bc so many other things looked so great. First off our waitress Stephanie was great. She came over just when we needed her and not too often. Made great recommendations. For dinner I had the duck breast which was amazing! The beet salad left a lot to be desired. The Rex Hill wine I had was perfect and recommended by Stephanie. And finally the creme brûlée for dessert was delicious. Maybe a little too big but I ate it all and regretted nothing. :-) I'll be going back soon.

    (5)
  • Lada L.

    Solid restaurant. Good atmosphere. Attentive staff. Food was well prepared. Nice presentation and great flavors. The cold soup with leeks and cauliflower was delicious. Unlike anything I had before. Only downside was that they only had one unisex restroom.

    (4)
  • Ojus P.

    Came for restaurant week, everything was solid but nothing I'd go back for. Total for 4 people with a carafe of wine and 1 cocktail was $200 so quite pricey. Heirloom tomato and sole were the highlights. Also tried the Cauliflower soup, trout, Cobb salad and a few of the dessert.

    (3)
  • Anthony P.

    Dined alone at the bar which was empty and the bartender could not be bothered to say " hi how are you tonight?" She was extremely unfriendly and acted as if I was bothering her. I am in marketing and also bartend and cannot imagine being so rude to customers. I was so uncomfortable that I could not wait to eat and leave. The wine and bread were good , entree below average. Like many of the other reviews state this place needs some serious customer service training for their employees. No need to go back when we have the fabulous Mistral for French food and they treat each and every customer with respect.

    (1)
  • Diane H.

    I had absolutely no clue I've been here for dinner before, so that must mean dinner wasn't that impressive. Just had brunch here today and the boyfriend very much enjoyed his strong coffee which I never hear from him. My duck confit sandwich was sooo delicious so I must go back and get that. I ordered the salmon Benedict for the boyfriend and that was just okay. Nothing special. The potatoes were eh, just cooked but not fried. I also had a Bellini and the Cannes cooler which were both good but can be stronger- but then it would make me wince the whole breakfast wouldn't it ? Service was good besides the snooty host. All in all this is a good place to have brunch and just to catch up. We had a reservation at 1230 Sunday and were seated right away.

    (4)
  • Johnny A.

    I went here the other day with a bunch of people from the office. They sat us right down at a large table, where everything (including ice water) was already set up for us. I got the truffle cheese burger, and I have to say it was one of the best burgers I have had like that in a long time. The sauce that comes on it was so good, the chef really knows what they're doing. The fries that come with the meal are also some of the best around. The place is a little pricy, but the food was well worth it. This is a fantastic date spot to bring your honey, or a casual meet up for lunch or drinks after work. Good work.

    (4)
  • Christina P.

    I've heard great things about Aquitaine so I came here with really high expectations. Maybe it was due to RW but everything I had really fell short of what I had anticipated. I went on a Saturday evening w/o a reservation, which would have been an hour wait but I opted to sit at the bar that offers a full menu. I had a fruity cocktail that I don't recall the name of and then ordered the rest of my meal off the RW menu. Appetizer - Cremont Goat Cheese Tartine. This was okay, the goat cheese was delicious but the frisee salad was too acidic and the pears were too bland. You'd expect all the flavors to balance when you ate it all together but the acidity from the dressing overpowered the rest of the dish. Entree - Daube Nicoise. This was a solid dish all around. The short ribs fell apart with a touch and the olive-tomato sauce was really good. Came on a bed of "pommes puree robuchon" which is essentially mashed potatoes. Good enough to convince the lady dining next to me to get it too. Dessert - Genoise Chocolate Roulade. Bad. I don't even know.. it was like eating plastic chocolate and the texture and taste were incredibly unappealing. Super disappointing. The food was 3 stars at best. The bartender was a sweetheart though, so that's worth another star. She definitely made my night better. Would recommend not going during RW; every other time seems to be when everyone raves about this place.

    (4)
  • Raina B.

    Came here for RW last week and overall, everything was a hit or miss. I'm completely vegetarian, and I knew there was no entree on the RW menu that was vegetarian, but when I called to see if they'd be willing to do something, the person on the phone assured me that they would make me something. Food: App: Goat cheese tartine - delicious. Entree: I was told that I couldn't substitute with anything off the non-RW menu - meaning I couldn't choose any other vegetarian entree, which is fine - but then told that my only option was the duck confit - without the duck. What I received was a skillet of fava beans, a few green beans, and some bread crumbs. Meh. My friend had the steak - she said it was pretty good. Dessert: Almond financier - pretty good good. The cake was sweet with a little bit of spice and drizzled with honey and fruit. I tried my friend's lime sorbet - pretty good - came with this lime jello-y thing which was interesting. Service: Very slow. We had been there for over an hour before we actually got our food. Overall - meh. The person on the phone was super reassuring that they would make me something - and I've been to French restaurants for RW before and had really good vegetarian food - but if I knew it was going to be a skillet of beans, I would've passed on a $40 dinner.

    (2)
  • Nadine L.

    Great brunch place. We usually get the $11.99 prefix, which includes a (new recipe) delicious cinnamon bun, a choice of omelets or crepes, bottomless coffee and a glass of juice of your choice! Staff is very nice, brunch times can be a little louder but still good for a romantic spot. I'm a regular at this place :)

    (5)
  • Jae P.

    Very friendly staff, good atmosphere. Good food. The most impressive time was when I was pregnant (last year), and I craved A1 sauce. The manager went outside to buy the sauce and served me. I don't know how many restaurants would do that. Thank you.

    (5)
  • Gordon M.

    There were four in my party -- three French and me the American. Two of us had steak frites, one had fish and one had something else. No one was excited about their meal at the end. We all realized that there was a better French restaurant over on Newbury Street that would be our default restaurant from now on. The wait staff was professional but not particularly friendly. A little stiff. The worst part of the restaurant physically was the gaping hole my in the booth seat that my husband and I shared. The hole was so big, It could have held two or three baseballs. For some details. I think for what is offered the restaurant is over-priced. This is particularly true of the wine list. We paid $79 or $89 for a "meh" bottle of wine. If we had gone to the Newbury Street restaurant, we could have got a bottle of premier cru Burgogne wine (pinot noir) for $69 dollars. The Sarazin bottle of pinot noir I am referring to has a bouquet that just about jumps out of the bottle and effortlessly caresses your olfactory system in a manner akin to your mother singing you a lullaby when you were a kid. The wines at Aquitaine aren't of this caliber. Oh, and they were out of our first two choices of wine from their hard-to-read wine list. They need a different font for their dark restaurant. As far as my steak, it came senior citizen style. That is it was steak on a plate but it was already cut for me. Presumably, this is done to ensure that the whole steak comes out rare, or medium rare or medium from the kitchen. I find it un-professional. My inner Neanderthal loves cutting my own steak. Can't their cooks use a thermometer?

    (2)
  • Iris S.

    I came here with my family for Sunday brunch, and enjoyed the food but wasn't blown away by anything. Among three of us, we ordered the salmon eggs benedict, kale and leek gratin, and duck hash and eggs. The salmon eggs benedict was solid, the duck hash and eggs was enjoyable, although the has could have been crispier, and the kale and leek gratin slightly disappointing as it consisted mostly of potatoes than anything else. Overall, the prices are reasonable and food was solid, but I wasn't amazed by anything and the service was a bit slow.

    (3)
  • Floris L.

    Been here for both brunch and dinner. It's really good, the wine list is a huge plus. Highly recommend the Friday Scollops and brunch cinnamon bun.

    (4)
  • Andrea D.

    Great food, a bit expensive and you neeeeed to make reservations- and very classy atmosphere. A good place to recover and chat with friends in the wake of Halloween. Our server wasn't very friendly, but our food was served hot and we got everything we ordered - so not much to complain about there. The truffle bacon burger (I got it without truffle mayo) was delicious and the coffee was actually pretty excellent for bottomless brewed. There's a brunch special menu for $9.99 on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-11am that would have been a better deal but we couldn't get there that early.

    (4)
  • Christine H.

    I came on a Thursday night for restaurant week and it was an amazing experience. My friend and I were sat in the corner booth and were offered these amazing Gruyere cheese cream puffs prior to our bread and butter coming out. The waiter saw that we liked them so much he brought us more with our meal. My friend got the Pate, Duck Cassoulet and Tart. I had the Goat cheese spread, Arctic Char and Chocolate Roulade cake with coffee caramel. Everything was so delicious and beautifully played. The Pate was delicious and the portion was large. The goat cheese spread was rich and paired very well with the sweet poached pear and frisée salad. The Arctic Char was seared and the crispy skin was the best part. I had the perfect bite with every element on the dish on the tip of my fork. The duck was delicious and extremely filling, the crispy bread crumb topping was a great contrast to the creamy beans underneath. The almond tart was a bit chewy, we had to take a knife to it in order to eat it and even then it was tough to break the bottom apart. Perhaps it was the almond flour used, but the flavor was definitively there. The chocolate roulade however was amazing. It was decadently sweet with a rich caramel coffee in the middle. The light and airy dollop of creme fraiche on top helped to cut the richness of the cake. Overall it was a great experience and I look forward to the next time I return soon!

    (5)
  • Sue G.

    Food was no better than my local diner... But the French name makes it seem fancier and tastier than it is. We had omelet and French toast. With that said, their brunch prix fixe is of good value if you want one of four entrees offered. If you want something other than what's offered there, you must order a la carte. Server was very friendly, but slow. He was serving many tables.

    (3)
  • Mary C.

    Acquitaine is a cute restaurant in the South End. I'm sure their dinner is great too, but the brunch experience I had was truly impeccable. I called to make a reservation and was seated immediately. The hostess patiently waited for us to settle down before handing us the menus. They offer a variety of juices and coffees/teas as part of a pre-fixe menu that makes the brunch very affordable. My group ordered a French Onion Soup, the Croque Madame, Malted Belgian Waffle, and the Omlette Alscienne. Everything tasted delicious, especially the side of chips that they homemake, but you can't really mess up brunch food. The highlight of the meal was our waiter, Zac (I believe), who was super patient and friendly the whole time. I will definitely come back to try their dinner menu.

    (4)
  • David G.

    This French Bistro is located in Boston's South End. It sports the trendy unfinished ceiling proudly displaying the HVAC duck work and piping. There was jazz background music to help erase the day's troubles. The mirrors adorning both walls will help expose the vampires trying to masquerade as normal people. I had a tender and juicy braised lamb shank that fell off the bone. It was served on a bed of asparagus and broccoli with a pool of creamy mashed potatoes.

    (5)
  • Jen R.

    I went to Aquitaine for the first time during Restaurant Week last week and was totally turned off from the place. First of all, for a restaurant that boasts being a romantic dinner destination, it could not have been less romantic for us. We were so rushed through our three-course meal, from the time we were seated to when we left the restaurant, less than 50 minutes had passed. The waitress and busboy tried to take my plate before I was done eating during two of my courses, to the point where it was just ridiculous. They were obviously busy, but I didn't get the cocktail I ordered when we first sat down until after I was done with my appetizer. Each of our entrees were well-prepared, although we were rather disappointed in our appetizers (the salad was a bed of lettuce with a few pieces of pear, the soup was a boring crock of mushroom-flavored broth). I have participated in restaurant week for years now and in past years I have felt absolutely pampered by the restaurants we have chosen to dine at. It always felt like a special occasion when dining somewhere during restaurant week in past years, and despite being crowded I always felt that the servers we had were attentive and appreciative for our business. This was the first time restaurant week left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I think it's a shame that this is my one and only dining experience at Aquitaine, but after having such a negative (and still, rather expensive) experience there, I don't think I'll be dying to go back anytime soon.

    (2)
  • Luke A.

    All inclusive weekend brunch ends up being cheapest breakfast in town at super fancy Aquitaine. It's about $10 for all included. Food is amazing, usually a little pricey but the brunch is a great way to eat there on the cheap.

    (4)
  • Vanessa O.

    I went here and had the restaurant week menu, which is always worse than the regular menu, but this one was barely above mediocre. We went without a reservation intending to have dinner at the bar, NOT a good idea. the bar is very small and crowdy...luckily they were able to seat us at a table. Awesome! started with the mussels - awesome but very standard garlic white wine shallot sauce thing. Then we ordered off the restaurant week menu, the salads were OK. I had a charred mackeral salad with baby potatoes in a creamy dressing, pretty much tasteless. We also had a salad with marinated veggies and bibb lettuce - this one was very interesting and much better. The entrees were decent but nothing exciting. I had pan roasted halibut in a "clam chowder sauce". The fish was cooked perfectly and the sauce was good, basic and creamy with a bunch of potatoes. We also ordered the pork schnitzel, which was pretty bad. It was just a deep fried bone-free pork chop with shredded apples and some doughy pasts underneath. It needed a sauce and some flavor. Deserts were my favorite part (though still pretty unexciting) we had brioche bread pudding which was delightfully light and fluffy with a really yummy rich chocolate sauce, and the lemon tarte, both really good. Maybe the regular menu in better (hopefully!), but I found the food very unadventurous and boring, atmosphere was great - very cool space, the staff was friendly and on point, but the food definitely not good enough to bring me back. fail.

    (3)
  • Eli G.

    We came here to break away from a sunny-day walk through the South End. Thought about going for the restaurant week menu, but it was less-than-inspiring. Instead, we chose their lunch special, both going with the same thing: a soup, a duck confit et gruyere sandwich and a petit salade. I had the onion soup and my wife went for the tomato bisque. The latter was excellent, but the onion soup was unnecessarily oily. The petite salade was simple and delicious, with a generous helping of soft, warm goat cheese and cracked hazelnuts. The duck and gruyere sandwich was perfect, even if French-restaurant-salty. The decor is typical bistro (white linen, plenty of plain glass, steel and wood), and service was simple and efficient.

    (4)
  • Vincent P.

    We came on the first day of Restaurant week (March 14). We went for the wine pairings and the 3 course restaurant week menu: We had the mushroom soup (delicious), and the Calamari al carbonara as appetizers. The Calamari was excellent - it is cut into little strips like a fettuccine and served with a carbonara style sauce. It's not as heavy as it would seem. For main course we had the coq au vin, which was good but not spectacular and the Idaho trout with lentils, which was very good. Dessert was the lemon tart (just ok) and the chocolat bread pudding which was superb. Service was great even though they were pretty crowded, as usual.

    (4)
  • Carolyn B.

    The prix fixe brunch is a fantastic deal. Delicious egg dishes, coffee juice and a cinnamon roll. All for a mere 10 dollars. We had wonderful service from our waitress. Our coffee and water were always full. The pace of the meal was just right. I am looking forward to returning.

    (4)
  • Garrett B.

    I was very excited about coming here for brunch because I had read great things on this site. I made reservations for my group, but still ended up waiting until about 15 minutes after our reservation. While this didn't ruin the experience, it irked me because I had made the reservations a week in advance to avoid this. We all had the prix fixe brunch menu which as others have stated in an amazing deal at $9.95. I chose the omelette basquaise which was cooked to perfection and was really really good. The freshly squeezed orange juice was refreshing and delicious. The cinnamon bun was good, but a little too well done. The restaurant was also ridiculously warm. Everyone at my table was sweating and it kind of ruined my appetite. If I had to rate only on food, I'd give a four but these other issues outweighed the food. I would like to go back and get lunch or dinner. I feel like it would be a completely different experience.

    (3)
  • H. A.

    Okay, this is an expensive restaurant. Be prepared to spend lots here, but leave with a happy stomach. Much of the food I've eaten here has been phenomenal. Either steak or filet mignon entree will not disappoint. The bread pudding dessert--CAN'T STOP EATING IT. It's just so delicious. I wasn't into the mussels, though, nor the French onion soup (because it's just average). You probably should make a reservation before you go. Bon appetit!

    (4)
  • Ryan S.

    My only dining experience at Aquitaine (for Easter Brunch last month) was really great, to say the least. The atmosphere is live and inviting.. The service: prompt and attentive. But most importantly, the food was unbelievable. I had a Belgian Waffle and mixed berries with sides of Chorizo and house-cut potatoes (alright; so I went to town.) I can't vouche for the other meals at my table, but the entire family agreed that everything was perfect. And to top it off, the bill was half the total that I'd imagined considering the experience as a whole. In any case, I left Aquitaine feeling grateful for actually taking someone else's advice on where to go for a nice meal.. I honestly have little to compare it to now as everything about it vastly exceeded my expectations. Likely to be my only 5-star review for quite some time..

    (5)
  • Tori O.

    Went here for brunch with my boyfriend. Got seated promptly with a reservation. Unfortunately, our server was having a rough day. He was pleasant and nice but he was all over the place. It looked like they could have all used a little more help. We placed our order and soon realized that alot of time was passing. After everyone got their food around us, even those sat after us, we asked about our food. He realized he never put the order in, but once we finally got our food, mine had meat in the omelette (Im a vegetarian). Despite the mistakes, our server ended up comping a drink and was very apologetic. The food was delicious. The duck sandwich and omellete were excellent. It is also not a great place to go for a intimate experience, the tables are very close together. But pretty good all around despite mistakes but not one of my favorites.

    (3)
  • Julie H.

    I like Aquitaine. It's dependable - you always get a solidly decent meal here. Not particularly creative, but good nonetheless. I do love love love the tagliatelle with mushrooms and asparagus, and find myself disappointed when I go here and end up getting something else. Why do I do that?!? The steak frites is nicely prepared, and the Friday night duck is OK. The atmosphere is great - cozy and relaxing. Love the music. Service is good. Definitely make a reservation if you don't want to wait 90 minutes for a table on the weekend. (helpful hint: it is so not worth it to wait 90 minutes for a table at Aquitaine.) Truth be told, I much prefer Metropolis, which is across the street - better food, better value.

    (4)
  • Christabelle C.

    want an amazing lunch? go here and get the burger!! it's definitely one of the best burgers (the other one being a burger from craigie on maine) i've eaten in boston. i've tried other things on the menu and although they've all been ok, i always finish my meal regretting that i did not order the burger instead. it's just soooo good!

    (4)
  • Abdullah A.

    All I remember eating at Aquitaine was their FABULOUS mussels. Amazing. Worth the trip alone. On both occasions in which I have been there, I sat at the bar. Great ambiance, great service, and great food. Certainly has a very French feel to it.

    (4)
  • Rich T.

    Came here for Restaurant Week dinner with some friends. First course: Tried both the smoked trout and duck liver mousse. They were wonderful. Smoked trout was light but wonderfully seasoned, and it's hard to screw up foie gras. Second course: Beer-braised beef cheek and roasted hake. The fish was utterly bland, and combined with the bland rice and bland sauce, this was almost unappetizing. The beef was the other extreme--really rich and verging on over-salty. Couldn't really taste the contribution of the beer, but the sauce was way too thick, almost sticky (possibly over-reduced?). The cheek was nicely cooked though, but I wished I had more celery puree to go with the big piece of cheek I got. Dessert: Rice pudding and creme caramel. Creme caramel was okay, but the pudding was wonderful, and the hazelnuts that came with the pudding were a nice touch. Service: It was a very busy night but the waitstaff was still attentive. Minor gripe: The table lighting could be brighter. When the beef cheek came it looked like a pile of brownish-black goop, since the meat was dark and the sauce was dark and the dim lighting didn't help at all. They should upgrade the lighting or the chefs should think of better ways to present their food in the dark. Overall impression: 3.5 stars. Appetizers and desserts were nice, but the entrees, which should be the stars of the menu, were not well-balanced in terms of flavor. I would still come back to try their much-praised brunch. Maybe my impression would change the second time around.

    (3)
  • Mark M.

    I enjoyed the food and the location, so I'll get that out up front. I had the steak frites and I found it perfectly well cooked, etc. We had to wait an inordinately long time for our table, but I am willing to overlook the hour PLUS that we had to wait for our table as we 1) added two people at the last minute and 2) they couldn't force the people whose table we were to use to move to just freaking LEAVE already. What got me, however, was that after being charged for $12 for a martini at the bar (on the pricey side, but not completely unreasonable), I decided with my dinner to just get diet soda as I was pretty much down on cash. When I got my bill, I was ready to plunk down maybe a couple of dollars on my sodas. But when I saw this item: Diet Pepsi ( 3 @ 2.50 ) = 7.50 I nearly lost it. That's the cost of several Big Gulps, 2 liters, whatever. And what I had gotten was just a few ounces of soda after one were to remove the ice (I may have had, at most, a CAN'S worth). Since it was my friend's birthday and it was, by then, super late and I needed to catch the T, I just paid it while gritting my teeth. Still, I can't get over how angry I am almost a day later about getting fleeced for having to pay for refills of diet soda as one would expect to buy beers, wines, cocktails, etc. And that bad experience spoiled what could have been a really nice meal with decent service and a pair of hostesses that seemed legitimately sorry for our long wait.

    (3)
  • Jennifer L.

    I had a very enjoyable brunch at aquitaine. The hostess seated us at a great table, the cute corner booth, and we were so intrigued by the menu and dishes being brought out to neighboring tables that we intentionally over-ordered. The food was great...as were the bloody mary's.

    (4)
  • Heather R.

    Great place for French - and good option for both lunch and dinner.

    (3)
  • Tony L.

    I suggested to an old friend of mine visiting from Chicago that we should gather ourselves in the South End for dinner one evening, knowing that we would have a bountiful array of options to choose from. Although I have walked past this restaurant numerous times and once even stopped by for a quick dessert, I had never actually sat down inside Aquitaine for dinner, and honestly did not really know what to expect. As you walk in the main entrance, you are immediately facing an enormous wall filled with bottles of fine wine, and a glance at the wine selection showed a few familiar favorite picks of mine. Unfortunately, due to the previous night filled with long bouts of hard liquor consumption, I was quickly reminded with repulsion that my body was not nearly ready to attempt consuming another alcoholic beverage, indeed not for some time. The menu contained, for the most part, French cuisine, even the infamous escargot as an appetizer. I have never been the type of person to be able to appreciate the delicacy that snails have to offer, at least not at this stage of my life. Instead, I opted for the seared salmon served atop a bed of fettucine, yet again making my love for pasta quite apparent, while my friend ordered the halibut. The venue provides a hip environment with wide open spaces (great for large parties), while simultaneously giving a flair for the romantics, candles lit at every table. The experience overall was pretty good and would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant to any fellow seafood lover.

    (3)
  • Cody H.

    Last night was dining bliss thanks to the unimpeachable service and excellent french food at Aquitaine. Tempted as I was by the regular menu, the waiters enthusiasm for the Restaurant Week menu swayed me to try the calamari cabonara, the coq au vin, and the chocolate bread pudding, each course paired with an outstanding wine. Each dish was exceptional. I snuck a taste of the river trout too--divine. What really made the night, however, was the atmosphere and service. Just right. They really seem to understand how to make the Restaurant Week dining experience pleasant and ensure a higher transition rate from "try it one time" diners to regular diners. They made us feel welcome (none of that subtle disappointment that you sometimes sense at other places when they hear that you're a cheapskate doing the restaurant week menu) and the portions were embarrassingly generous for the money (unlike other places where the restaurant week offerings can be skimpy). We'll definitely go back, as often as we can. And I want that same cozy booth, in the back with the gorgeous view of the Prudential Building.

    (5)
  • Samantha R.

    My boyfriend and I ate here for our 2nd restaurant of Restaurant Week and we both agreed that it was our favorite so far. The food was amazing. I had the mussel bourride to start which was so flavorful and rich and came with a slice of garlic toast slathered in aioli which went perfectly with the broth. For the entree, I had the crispy salmon, which was beautifully cooked. For dessert, it was the chocolate souffle with congac creme anglaise and it was superb, although my boyfriend had the apple tart and I had a bite of that and it was very tasty. The waitstaff was fantastic, the food perfectly timed, and the atmosphere was wonderful. Overall I was very impressed and will definately go back

    (4)
  • Jenny N.

    I went with a bunch of girlfriends for brunch on a drizzly, grey day and stepping into this place just cheered me right up! Brunch here is just fabulous--and surprisingly affordable given the quality and service. However, food service can be slow on weekends since it's generally packed and reservations are a must. But our waiter thoughtfully brought out a plate of fries when we mentioned that we were starving and asked if we could have something small to nibble on (we were thinking toast, but fries are good too!). I had a hard time choosing what to order given the many delicious choices, but I finally settled on the fluffy brioche french toast with fruit compote and it was very yummy. The decor is beautiful, and the atmosphere is intimate and neighborhood-y but still retains a sophisticated feel. Definitely a great date place, but brunch was wonderful too.

    (5)
  • Arestia R.

    Ah, the search for the perfect South End brunch. We all do it, we all have a love/hate relationship with it and we are all critical of it. Still, the Aquitaine prix fix Saturday brunch makes the list! For $9.95, you get bottomless coffee, a glass of fresh squeezed OJ or grapefruit juice, a sticky bun, and an omelette of your choice with potatoes and toast. But, it's only on Saturday, so don't make that mistake! The atmosphere at Aquitaine is cozy and it's lovely, complete with white table cloths. It's ideal. I find the service to be a little off, but it's nothing terrible...just slow and not too attentive, but they are perfectly nice and helpful when you nudge them. I hear dinner is delicious, but brunch is the only advice I can give...for now...I plan to go back for dinner!

    (4)
  • Alexandra C.

    Went here for restaurant week this past Fri (lunch). Seating was prompt (though we had a reservation) and everyone really enjoyed the food (stuffed!!). I particularly loved the mussels. Staff was pretty friendly as well. This was my first restaurant week experience -definitely delicious.

    (4)
  • Jonathan G.

    This place has really delicious French style food. I had a sirloin steak with truffle oil, pomme frites and watercress salad that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The creme brulee was text book and right on the money. I didn't them 5 stars because the service was slow and the euro/techno crap music was too loud.

    (4)
  • heather p.

    I have had dinner and brunch here and for both the service and food was absolutely unbelievable. Everything from the frites to seared scallops were cooked to perfection and extremely flavorful. The waitress was knowledgeable about wine and knew the menu inside and out. Hands down one of the best total experiences I have ever had! I immediately called three of my friends to tell them about how unbelievable it was.

    (5)
  • Dachary C.

    Aquitaine was an interesting experience. I went to the restaurant with a group of 7 on Monday. I was told that it was on the expensive end, and somewhat dressy. I got all spiffied up and ready for an experience. Sadly, it was a disappointing experience. Valet parking was nice (and essential, given the location - difficult to find parking.) We had reservations and so were seated quickly. The wine menu was extensive, the restaurant was cute, and I was prepared for a pleasant meal. Unfortunately, Aquitaine did not meet my expectations from here. An intimate atmosphere is implied by the small, candlelit room, but the restaurant fails to deliver on two counts: the music was *far* too loud for conversation (and much more rock-ish than I expected from an upscale restaurant), and the candlelight only ensured that half our party couldn't read the menu. Many people at the table were literally picking up the candles and holding them up next to the menus, squinting to make out the squiggly letters. Atmosphere? Aquitaine tries, but delivers only headaches. Service was another disappointment. We got the impression that the server was very flustered and unorganized. One of the members of our party had special dietary needs, but instead of making a note of her questions and continuing to take food orders, he vanished repeatedly, leaving the rest of us to wonder whether we would get to place an order or if we were forgotten. The food took a surprisingly long time to arrive. There was another group of 5 in the restaurant, and a few couples, but the restaurant wasn't even half full, so we couldn't figure out what was causing the delay. When the food finally did arrive, some of the dishes were placed in front of the wrong recipients and some of the sides we ordered were never delivered. By the time the waiter reappeared to question him about the sides, the meal was almost finished and so the sides were canceled. And yet they appeared on the bill, so we had to repeat that we had never received the sides and request them to be removed. On the wine side of the service: the waiter did seem to know the wine list fairly well and made some recommendations at the request of our party. However, after examining the recommendations, it turned out that he had simply suggested the most expensive red, white, or desert wine based on our request, regardless of which flavors would appropriately complement the food. The food was good. It's clear that Aquitaine tries to be a nice, upscale place. However, the atmosphere was unpleasant (with music too loud to converse and without enough light to read the menus) and the service was lacking. On the whole, a very disappointing experience. I don't mind paying for an expensive meal if I enjoy the experience, but Aquitaine failed to deliver.

    (3)
  • Kirs P.

    I've thoroughly enjoyed all my dining experiences at Aquitaine. I've had brunch there three or four times, and dinner a couple. It's a little on the pricier end, but I'd much rather come here for brunch. I might pay a few bucks more than if I just went to Mike's, but the food is a thousand times better. The Eggs Benedict Provencal is a vegetarian's breakfast heaven. Pair it with the Mimosa and it's even better. For dinner there is only one veggie option, but both times I've tried it it has been pretty darn tasty (and it's never been risotto or pasta, which I'm eternally grateful for). So, if you want a higher end French dining experience this is your place. The atmosphere is lovely, the waitstaff just the right amount of attentive, and the food is very much above average.

    (4)
  • Vicki A.

    Loved this place! I went here years ago when I lived in the South End and I was pleased to see it was still around - our meal and service reminded me why! The menu had many wonderful dishes to choose from, it was difficult to decide! Their Fettuccine with Wild Mushrooms, Asparagus, Crème Fraiche and Truffles was to die for, my mouth waters just thinking about it!!! Yummy! Seared scallops were also delicious, served with asparagus and a delicious carrot sauce. The service was exceptional and very friendly, we were exploring South End and we were starving but couldn't find a "kid friendly" place and even though Aquitaine caters primarily to adults they were very accomodating to my son (unlike some other more pretentious places we considered first). Wonderful selection of wines. Charming, sophisticated decor. I highly recommend this place!

    (5)
  • Chris F.

    I recently took a client here for lunch and was not impressed. The food was good and the waitstaff were ok. However, it took over an hour after ordering (we all had sandwiches) and me getting up to check with the staff to see what was up before we received our orders. This was at 1:30 PM and the place was mostly empty and came with no explanation, apology, excuse etc... Just take a second to update your guests folks, otherwise it ruins a otherwise good place.

    (2)
  • Sailracer S.

    Aquitaine squeezed a friend and I in for brunch and what a treat it was. Good mimosas, good food and a great atmosphere. I'll definately go back to this very pretty south end spot with tasty food.

    (4)
  • D H.

    Solid french bistro fare. The onion soup was one of the best I've had. Their steak was extremely tough unfortunately, but the waiter was kind enough to let me order their duck special instead, which was excellent. The profiteroles for dessert were well done too.

    (4)
  • Kristin S.

    I'm a brunch hound and I've heard great things about Aquitaine. When an acquaintance last week called it "The Best Brunch in Boston" I said to my husband "Thats it! We're going this Sunday for brunch" We got there a bit early and grabbed a drink in the tiny bar at the front. Intimate is a good word to describe it as I was enjoying my mimosa (unremarkable) with a guy breathing down my neck waiting for my table to be ready so he could have my seat. We were seated at a great corner table exactly at our reservation time. The menu was your traditional brunch fare, nothing terribly creative, and since Eggs Benedict seemed like the thing to get we both ordered it. Much to my surprise our food came out to us in 10 minutes despite the busy busy restaurant. It was just ok. Considering the quick time it took to come out of the kitchen and the fact that it was lukewarm I have a feeling they premake their Eggs Benedict... In fact we had placed our order, were served our food, and ate our food in about 25 minutes. It actually took longer for the check than it did waiting for our food. Overall the experience was very meh. The restaurant itself is small and very loud. The service was good but nothing outstanding. I'm not the type that likes to be hurried through meals as I was here. I'm willing to give it a shot for dinner but to say that it is the best brunch in Boston is inaccurate.

    (3)
  • JP N.

    My girlfriend an I went here for Brunch this last Sunday and I have to say this was one of the best brunches I have had in Boston in my memory. We were able to find street parking nearby without too much hassle. We ate around 10:30 Sunday and there was no wait to get a table. The interior is very nice and reminds me of a classic European bistro. I will caution other diners that tables are very close together and if you are a tall/big guy like me it might be slightly cramped. There was a nice mix of other young couples and families having breakfast and the general atmosphere was very pleasant. There is a prix fixe brunch offered with juice and unlimited coffee and pastry along with a choice of an entree. I had a very nice boursin, leek and mushroom omelette and my girlfriend had waffles with fresh fruit. Service was very attentive without being pushy or annoying. I look forward to going back soon.

    (5)
  • Dave J.

    Came here during Restaurant Week and had a GREAT dinner. The only drawback is that it's a little less convenient than restaurants closer to Boston Common.

    (5)
  • Dara S.

    I cannot praise this restaurant enough. Time after time I come in and have the greatest brunch ever. At this point I have almost tried their whole brunch menu. Never mind the wait, it is always worth it. I think I died and went to hollandaise heaven on Sunday. The smoked salmon eggs benedict was simply perfection. Our server was great, attentive but not invasive. I felt like I was in NYC - and no one does brunch better than ny. (Ok, I may be a little biased...) Their hostess is so friendly and rocks at her job (and she always has such cute outfits!) They even take your phone number down with your reservation so if you are like me and want to wander around the south end while you wait, you won't miss your table. They even have great and creative cocktails. I have not been for dinner, but I have peeked at their menu and it is for sure on my to-do list in the near future.

    (5)
  • Penny B.

    The food was great here. I got the lamb shank and it fell right off the bone and very tender. The service was tops.

    (4)
  • Ben K.

    Really enjoyed this place last night. Great atmosphere, food, and service. The only thing was that the chocolate souflée cake was definitely warmed up in the microwave and not really that hot. The lamb shank was perfectly cooked, but I could've used some more mashed potatoes to sop up all that yummy jus. Overall, will definitely be coming back!

    (4)
  • Donal C.

    Went for restaurant week. Every course was excellent. Wine pairing was great too.

    (4)
  • Alyssa H.

    We hit Aquitaine for our New Year's celebration. I love the dark bistro atmosphere and the small intimate tables. The mussels were absolutly divine - a must have. We had the chicken and the steak frites which were both big hits. For dessert we ordered the apple tart, which was also really delicious. I'd go back for sure, but want to try some new places first. Having the choice between Aquitaine and Metropolis across the street, i'd probably head back to Metropolis .

    (4)
  • Jeffriana S.

    Wow the reviews for this restaurant are really bizarre. I don't mean to sound rude here, but it seems like the reviewers here are trying to experience an expensive restaurant "on the cheap." Although Aquitaine does have a nice enough brunch, the brunch is really only a mechanism to draw in those who come to visit the South End on the weekends. The restaurant certainly should not be judged based on its brunch, as it is primarily a relatively upscale dinner bistro. The steak frites is AMAZING. It has a fantastic truffle vinaigrette on top that differentiates this steak from the many others out there. The duck ravioli is also worth mentioning as well as their salmon entree. For a starter, the french onion soup cannot be beat. Although Aquitaine is by no means a bar, if you are looking for a good glass of wine or a small meal, the cozy bar is quite nice. Other positives include: knowledgeable staff, good service, and, although limited, the wine selection is very impressive. The only real negatives are the fact that you need to make reservations for a Friday or Saturday night a few days in advance and it can be a tad noisy. ALSO, why is this listed under pizza?!

    (5)
  • Little B.

    Went for an anniversary dinner. We requested a good table and got it, the host came over and congratulated us and the server was great as well. The food was perfect and in the scheme of things, cheap, compared to the rest of the South End slop. Even the valet was sweet...they are a;; pros here. They have opened two more in the burbs. Just a perfect warm place, the real deal....

    (5)
  • Melissa F.

    I went to Acquitaine for a girls night out during restaurant week in August. We had reservations for 8pm but they were unable to accomodate us at that time, so we ended up waiting till about 8:30pm for our table to be ready. When it was, the hostess came up and thanked us for being patient and said that the first round of drinks were on them, WOW! is what we all thought, that was worth the wait. We got sat in the back of the restaurant, where we had a view of the entire restaurant. It is so beautiful. We got our menus and can I just say it was amazing! They had a few choices for each entree, but I had a shaved beet root and fennel salad, yummy!!! then I had the hanger steak which was incredible I practically licked the plate clean, and for dessert instead of going with my first instinct which was a lemon ice box cake, I got the grapefruit sorbet and I don't even like grapefruit!!! But I wanted to try something different and I did, wasn't pleased with it but thats a consequence of trying something different. All in all, Acquitaine in the South End was amazing and I'd absolutely go back in a heartbeat! The downfall of this place is that there is only one bathroom/one stall for both men and women, so because it was packed that night, it felt like I waiting in line for a porto-potty at a concert. My only suggestion is to add another bathroom!

    (5)
  • C L.

    Two years ago I would have given Aquitaine an easy 4 or 5 stars. It has slipped over the past 2 years in terms of food and service. The atmosphere is perfect though tables are close together (it wouldn't be difficult to eat off the plates of your neighbors). On my last trip, I brough a friend visiting from Australia. She loved the vibe and we settled in at the bar for cocktails. We were seated 30 minutes after our reservation time and once at the table, we were never given an opportunity to order any wine. Our server simply dropped off our apps and entrees and *poof* he'd be gone. Very frustrating given the previously high service standard here. Scallops weren't as well-prepared as in the past though the roasted chicken was very good. The steak has shrunk with time but just try having one of their frites. Impossible! I'll try Aquitaine again in 2008 but won't rush back. PS: Beware of the gropey older men at the bar who have had 5 too many martinis...

    (3)
  • Selene K.

    I ate here for Brunch and was not impressed. The decor and service was nice, the food was served hot and promptly and the prices were reasonable. However, something was missing. It was busy, in and out without a hello from the server, packed in like sardines just waiting to flip the table. I would not return.

    (1)
  • Allison J.

    GREAT BRUNCH FOR $9.95. Good portions and the service was attentive. Two of us ate brunch and she had coffee and one of the brunch menu items and I had iced tea and orange juice with a cinnamon roll and cut fruit. In total it cost $20 and I left $6 tip. We had a great Sunday brunch for $26. The restaurant is airy and light,... great for a weekend brunch. Don't know what dinner would be like here but I'd totally recommend it for brunch.

    (5)
  • Ashleigh M.

    Went here for brunch it was fantastic! you can't beat $10 for juice, a cinnamon bun (very well done, warm and just the right amount of crispy too), also unlimited coffee or tea and an egg dish. I don't remember what my egg dish was but it involved leeks, mushrooms and this fantastic cheese. I finished the whole entire thing...every last bite! Highly recommend!

    (5)
  • Gabe M.

    For a mid-priced expensive French restaurant, this place is great. The decor, service, and food is all fantastic. Great place to take a double date. Good place for lunch as well.

    (5)
  • Jackie C.

    great place, I have only been here for breakfast and brunch. It is really good!!! love the french looking atmosphere and waiters are really friendly. Good option!!!

    (5)
  • Chris C.

    Was taken here for my birthday by my girlfriend. Prices were great, especially on the drinks. Staff was well...they could use a class or two on hospitality. Now I will say I am a stickler for the details, hostess saying hello and goodbye, waitress introducing herself and so on. Our waitress pretty much walked over took the order and left. Only asked us if we wanted more to drink after we had finished our meal. Cute little place though, food is decent for the money. Mac n Cheese is yummy.

    (3)
  • Sarah S.

    This place is a veritable Boston institution. When people talk about great food, I always hear about Aquitaine. Sadly, it's taken me three years to getting around to making a reservation here. I finally dined at Aquitaine during restaurant week; it seemed like a fitting foray into this ubiquitous, French fare: we'd check out three courses, on the cheap, and really get a feel for what the hype was about. And we did. Like others have reported, the food was great, but with some definite highs and lows. We ordered EVERYTHING from the restaurant week menu--2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and both desserts. I had my work cut out for me. The cheese souffle appetizer was heaven. Nothing that came after it could match its intensity, flavor and indescribability. It was, simply put, so refined and phenomenal. Sweet, tangy cheeses, whipped, baked off--it was airy but buttery, sweet but savory... I could rattle off fifty corny metaphors and still I could not really express the utter perfection. There was a small green salad with walnuts which, pared with the souffle, was made even more orgasmic. The second appetizer was the mussels which was delicious, but also very rich. It was an apt counterpoint to the light, but filling, souffle--this was rich, hearty, warm-your-bones on a wintry night type dish, but it might've been a bit much. There was a honkin' piece of bread with the dish--it reminded me of Texas Toast, with that fake garlic butter spread all over it--and it was also too much. Entrees were good, not amazing: the crispy salmon was good, but I realized the waiter didn't ask how we wanted it cooked. My boyfriend always goes for rare, but I prefer my salmon to be more wedium-well. It was more medium than anything, so they got lucky--but for a restaurant of this status can they be so forgetful of these things? My roast chicken was good, but Hamersley's does it best. A roast chicken as a fall back item on a restaurant week menu I can forgive, but not knocking that roasted chicken right out of the freakin' park, I cannot. I coulda made a better roasted chicken myself. The apple tart was to die for, but the chocolate cake was a little dry, a little too...predictable? Nothing amazing here. The wine list is to fawn over. By the end of it all I was so drunk I'm just now putting the pieces together to this experience. Which reminds me--one absolutely crazy thing did happen. In the midst of our dining, there was a sharp whistle that cut through the dining room like a record screeching. The place fell silent and a man tucked in the back corner stood up and started screaming about how he had been polite, but "they forced him to be mean". He seemed to be crippled--as he later had to be helped out the door--but he stood up and shouted about how he needed help and no one would help him. He was cursing, slurring his words, making this long speech.. no one knew what to do. Two waiters finally helped to escort him out, and there was even an ambulance waiting outside! I had no idea Aquitaine provided free entertainment with their meal. Above everything else, all I need is a little cheese and a good soap opera to keep me hooked. I can't wait to return!

    (4)
  • Jane W.

    had a great sunday brunch there. service was very efficient and food was really good, especially the french toast. would happily go back

    (4)
  • Jared M.

    The prix fixe brunch on Saturday's is great. Good portion sizes and it comes with a delicious, fresh baked cinnamon roll. Coffee and fresh OJ are included. One of the best brunch deals (and meals) I've come across in Boston.

    (4)
  • Ed B.

    Aquitaine is my favorite restaurant in all of Boston for either Brunch or Dinner. I've been there a number of times (with my partner, my parents and with friends for my birthday) over the past few years and have never been disappointed. I admit that at night the restaurant can be a bit dark and you would need to bring the table candle over the menu to read it, but it lends itself to be quite romantic. (it's not like you'll be reading all night). The staff have always been attentative to our needs. Yes, they can get busy, especially during Brunch, but I feel the waitstaff is sincerely trying to do their best. Tables are close to each other, but I find it more comforting and friendly then I do "People-packed on top of each other." You should expect a long wait for Brunch if you don't have reservations. But often being friendly to the staff and manager can give you bonus points. I've been known to have special requests for our dinner's there. Once I had a dozen roses sent to the restaurant in the afternoon and the staff had it placed on our table (yes, we've come to have our own special table at the restaurant) before we sat down. On another occasion I had Hawaiian Leis flown in from Hawaii for a special Valentine's Dinner. The Staff took the leis' out of the box and placed them on our table as requested. Once a friend of mine was being taken there for her birthday by her husband. I called the restaurant and asked if they would mind presenting her with a dessert as a gift from me and they did it for no extra charge. My favorites for brunch are their Macaroni & Cheese, Eggs Benedict and their Pressed Duck Sandwich. My partner and I will usually order two of the three and just split the entrees. We like to have a little of everything. My favorite dessert there is the warm chocoloate pudding cake, best when it is very warm. I have yet to try any other desserts given I always crave that one. Brunch is a casual dress. I've been there for brunch in jeans and t-shirt or athletic pants and sweatshirt. For dinner, I'd recommend dressing up a little bit. But jeans are still fine. Yes, I rave about the restaurant. I've been there many times. There may have been times when it wasn't as great as before or if they were having an "off" day. But my overall impression given how many times we've dined there still warrants a high rating.

    (5)
  • Natalie H.

    A MA ZING this place is unbelievably good. the french toast is TO DIE FOR. when i lived in boston, this is where i took ALL visitors. funky neighborhood and super food. can be pricey but totally worth it

    (5)
  • Daryl S.

    Delicious everything. Highly recommended, especially desserts.

    (4)
  • Dina P.

    Aquitaine is one of our favorite places to celebrate occasions, both big and little. The food is reliably good, the atmosphere is both comfortable yet posh enough to feel like you're really going out for the night. The portions are the perfect size to have a three-course meal and not feel like you're rolling out of the restaurant. I tend to stick to bistro favorites...I love the preparation of the steak au poivre. Their weekend brunch is also very good, especially if you want to entertain out-of-town guests. Only downside is difficulty in parking.

    (5)
  • E D.

    I am a single guy, so I don't know how often I'll be visiting this place. However, if I am lucky enough to get a date, this would definitely be a place I would consider bringing a girl. The atmosphere is simple and not overbearing. It can be as romantic as you want it to be. The waitstaff was attentive, but not overbearing. The waiter I had was also knowledgeable. My date was in the mood for a drink and not wine, so I ordered a beer for myself. When I told him what kind of beer I usually drink, he helped me choose one from the menu that I did not recognize. I was pleased. As for the most important part...the food...I would say it was very good. The salmon was fresh and cooked perfectly. My date ordered the lamb (as per the waiter's suggestion) and it was cooked perfectly as well. In terms of price, it is what you would expect for a restaurant of its type...expect to pay about $50 per person if you get an appetizer, entree, and a drink or two. Conclusion: It's a good place to bring a date or go for a nice night out on the town. The food is good and the waitstaff is knowledgeable, but not overbearing. It can be a little pricey, but it is not more than what you would expect.

    (4)
  • Sofia D.

    Had a great brunch here on a busy Sunday. Service was great and food was delicious

    (4)
  • Nim H.

    I started at the bar (small, probably about five-seven seats), and Matt (the bartender) made me a delicious spicey blood orange margarita, of which I had two before going to work that evening. The restaurant was surprisingly sparse for a Friday night. As far as service goes, the hostess was very accomodating, and the waiter (who seemed a bit green) was still very attentive. We both had the warm beet and melted boucheron (milder goat cheese) salad as appetizers, which was a tasty start to the meal. The entries were not as spectacular given the price and reputation of the place. I had the scallops, some of which were overly seared, and most of which were overly-salted. As eloquent as this sounds, something just didn't work with the dish, perhaps it was the smokiness of the butternut squash broth, which overpowered the actual flavors of the squash, and failed to complement the silkiness of a well-cooked scallop. I can't speak to my father's dish, the lemon sole meuniere, as I only had a small bite, but it it seemed very buttery and well cooked, though from his standpoint something was missing as well. Overall, from this first experience, I'd probably only go back for the margarita, which throws me off given that it's a french restaurant.

    (2)
  • Audrey J.

    Loved the French Bistro ambiance. Came here for lunch and it was good, quick service. I ordered the salmon and my friend ordered the duck sandwich. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the mustard oil added a great flavor to the dish, but there was like 3 vegetables on the plate and I was left a bit hungry. Good thing my friend got the duck sandwich - it was huge and came with a salad and lots of french fries. I had half the sandwich and it was great. Lots of flavor and a big portion for the price. I can't wait to try this place again for dinner! Every time I walk by it smells great and has a good crowd.

    (4)
  • Sam S.

    Very tasty french food...nice atmosphere, a little cramped table arrangement, but the people next to us were nice and we ended up with new friends! mussels broth is the best part, make sure to get some extra bread!

    (4)
  • Deepa C.

    went here for bunch last weekend and was satisfied but not astounded. i liked the decor and atmosphere quite a bit and can def see myself coming back for dinner with a group of friends or just me and my husband. the winter sun really lit the place up and made the place tastefully cozy. the service was good, but a bit pushy at times. our waiter would refill coffee and water after one or two sips, which got a little distracting. i thnk he was new. what my table didnt like, however, was that he tried to upsell us. no means no. the food was solid but nothing amazing. my belgian waffle tasted fluffy and light, but also like the sunday waffles at the tufts dining halls. everyone was pleased with the meal overall. if there is a next time, i will get the eggs.

    (3)
  • Katia M.

    My boyfriend and I went to Aquitaine for brunch on Sunday, getting there just before ten. Apparently it opened at ten, but we got in quickly and were seated almost immediately. It was very busy about fifteen minutes later. I had the Omelette d'Alsace, which was to die for, and he had the mac & cheese, which he loved. We were treated to lots of refills of the tasty coffee and an amiable waiter. The only downside was that the check took forever to come. Other than that, though, the portions were nice, the ambiance is nicer, and it's a great little spot. I'll definitely try it again next time I'm not in the mood for greasy spoon brunch.

    (4)
  • Daniel C.

    I have to agree with Tina S. down there, though I had no idea she was trying so hard to impress me! This place really has Paris nailed (well, the nice parts of Paris, anyway). Their dinner is superb, however I think their brunch is even more phenomenal. They have a nice mix of classic breakfast items, some really great sandwiches, and the best fries I've ever sampled--all at a quite reaonable $8-12 per plate!

    (5)
  • J J.

    Came on a Sunday for a lovely brunch. We had made reservations so were seated right away. The yoiks in the eggs for my eggs benedict were pretty much hard boiled. We sent that back, but the food came out in a few minutes and the eggs were perfectly runny. The Canadian bacon was sliced more thinly than I'm used to. The brioche toast with blueberries, bacon and creme fraiche were GREAT. A bit on the sweet side, so you can probably forego the syrup and some of the creme. Our waiter was excellent.

    (4)
  • Hannah T.

    I was pretty impressed with Aquitaine. All the hype was totally valid. The tall windows and generally Paris-bistro-esque look was spot on and my mother who is particularly snotty about her French themed restaurants, was quite pleased. AND when she spoke in french THE WAITER UNDERSTOOD. Now that was really impressive! C'est Bon! The food was great, the cocktails were so-so, but the place in general is lovely and it's a perfect place for a birthday dinner!

    (4)
  • Paul B.

    I live literally directly above this restaurant. While it is wicked expensive, it's also delicious and appropriately priced for its deliciousness (and service, decor, etc.). Little known secret: cheap and very good Sunday brunch.

    (5)
  • Maurice J.

    I always loved Aquitaine for brunch, forgetting about an aspect that made me crazy. I returned on March 25th after a long absence and although we had a good time, the recurring issue resurface the minute we sat down. PAPER NAPKINS and not the large dinner size, but small, ridiculous and the 100 pak for 2 dollars type. COME ON guys !!! I spent 100 dollars for 3 for lunch and this is the best you can do ????? Discgraceful. !!! I was entertaining 2 guests from 5 star hotels in london and Zurich and felt embarassed that this is what we do in Boston. I remember years ago calling and chatting to the manager about this and may have been given some meaningless reason why, but now will choose to go elsewhere and feel like I am getting more quality for my bucks. The details count and it costs money to be in business.....what bothers me is how accepting most people are of mediocrity and how low their standards are.

    (3)
  • Sarah S.

    Went here for date night recently - a solidly enjoyable experience but not really "wow" worthy in my opinion. First of all, our waiter was great - polite, on point, helpful - no complaints there. Drinks were fine, nothing remarkable, although their beer collection (while small) was good. To start with they brought us these two tiny cheese biscuits which were yummy but the size of quarters. I asked for more and got them, which was nice. Boyfriend was craving red meat and got the filet, with mussels to start with. He was happy with the mussels (I'm not a fan myself), and was content with the filet but wasn't really impressed, also it was a little well-done for his taste. The fillet did come with a potato cheese layered thing that I really liked. I got the half chicken which we both agreed was actually better than the fillet - juicy and flavorful and delicious (although the two pieces of meat didn't really strike me as being worth $25). No desert for us. So, overall, warm nice atmosphere, great service, solid food, but I expect a little something more when I pay that much for dinner...I'd try it again though.

    (4)
  • Grace W.

    I visited Aquitaine for a Monday lunch date. This was a perfect time to go, because it was not crowded and the service was great. My lunch partner and I shared fried salmon that was very flavorful and the skin was crispy, but the middle was still nice and tender. We also shared an excellent Belgian endive salad with rougefort cheese. I was pleased to see that the portions were generous enough to share. We tasted a couple different cocktails. The Chartreuse mojito was especially unique it was pure herbal refreshment. I also liked the fresh blueberry cocktail. We also ordered chocolate mousse and creme brulee for dessert. I loved the mousse, but the creme brulee had been fired for so long and the caramelized shell was too hard.

    (4)
  • Carole C.

    Excellent service. Wonderful seafood fish dishes. Romantic ambiance. Only went there once but would love to go back.

    (5)
  • Tiffany L.

    came here for dinner and LOVED it. the service was phenomenal! i was a little afraid the staff may be pretentious given the decor and look from the outside. but NOT at all. they were so nice! our steak was cooked medium well instead of medium rare. we weren't going to mention it since it was so delicious still. but when i did, the waiter profusely apologized and poured an extra glass of wine. then the hostess came over to apologize as well. we were SO impressed. finally, when the bill came, we realized they had taken the entire steak off the bill! we were shocked! we of course tipped generously (30%) but still felt like they were way too generous. anyway, beyond the service and great atmosphere, the food was excellent! we had the mussels and escargot for starters. then we had the steak frites and filet au poivre. and for dessert, the sorbet - guava, mango, and lychee. everything was SO tasty! i'm going to tell all my friends to go here! and plan my next big group dinner here! HUGE FAN!!!!

    (5)
  • P M.

    I've never been for brunch - only dinner, and i've never been disappointed. I can't say enough about the food here. The mussels sancerre and steak au poivre are my favorites. Also love the venison which they have only on certain nights (I forget when). Service is always friendly and I swear the place glows - or that's just how I leave feeling with the great food and atmosphere.

    (5)
  • Kendra D.

    Can't beat their Prix Fixe Brunch. $9.95 for a cinnamon roll, eggs (I like the "Omelette de la Maison"- tomatoes, bacon and gruyere), potatoes, toast, coffee and juice. (Of course I blow up any semblance of a good value by ordering a couple of $9 bloody mary's during the meal) But hey, it's a French place..so why not get your "joie de vivre" on??

    (4)
  • Anup A.

    While this french-inspired bistro is typically an upscale affair (the service and atmosphere are polished...impeccable), the space becomes more relaxed for weekend brunch...and so do the prices. It is perhaps the best brunch in town, yet astonishingly affordable. I think the fixed-price brunch runs less than $10. Definately worth it. Make a reservation though, as it is no secret. I've met plenty of folks who make the journey from other towns to the north and to the west, just to enjoy this weekend experience.

    (4)
  • buckminster f.

    aquitaine has a nice ambiance but pretty awful service, at least from what i can tell the two times i've been there. the first time i went was for dinner. they have nightly specials. i can't remember what exactly it was that i had, but it was a friday night, and it was some sort of a fish, shellfish, cream medley. they should still have it. very tasty. the bf had a steak au poivre, and it was good. we also shared some sort of a salad, maybe with beets in it, i was satisfied by that as well. the second time i went was for lunch. we started off with some french onion soup, followed by a duck gruyere sandwich. both were delicious. i had a few glasses of sauvignon blanc along with the meal. the bartender poured with a heavy hand. the server was the slowest ever and rude to boot, but i couldn't complain about much else. i should probably go back there.

    (4)
  • Kate P.

    My first time here was for my Mom's birthday dinner and the whole table had a great meal. It was so good that we came back again for my birthday a month later. Unfortunately my sister's fish tasted like it had salt dumped on it, as if a jar of salt fell off the shelf and into her meal, it was inedible. My meal was great, so i didn't let that experience stop me from coming back when my boyfriend and I were looking for a brunch spot. He thought his meal was good, but my french toast wasn't good at all. The egg mixture that the bread should have been soaked in didn't permeate all the way through and therefore I was left with really dry in the middle French toast. It was bad. I haven't been back since because of my bad french toast and my sister's bad fish. It's too bad because when Aquitaine got it right the food was great. The service however in all three trips was inattentive, but that's never really a deal breaker for me, I like to be left alone, unless I need more water.

    (3)
  • Matt M.

    After being lucky to have traveled to the epicenter of cuisine I found that Aquitaine was the only french bistro in town who could hold a candle to that experience. I don't care who you are or who you are taking to dinner. If it is important go HERE. This is where all my favorite dining memories have been placed and occurred. GREAT service. GREAT Brunch! GREAT Dinner. Amazing

    (5)
  • Will E.

    My fiancee and I went there for lunch/brunch last Saturday. The atmosphere was great and we were seated right even though we didn't have a reservation. The food was very good although RICH - we had to have a very light dinner to compensate. I got the eggs benedict and she got the pressed duck sandwich - both were outstanding. I think this place is much cheaper and more casual for lunch/brunch than dinner, but the food is the same!

    (4)
  • Thuy L.

    Went here for brunch after hearing/reading about all the hype. And the hype is true. The brunch was great. The Signature Bloody Mary was good...not as good as Stephanie's, but still Good. I asked our waiter Josh for his recommendation on the Egg Benedicts since it is my favorite brunch item. Without hesitation, he suggested the Egg Benedict with Smoked Salmon and said that it was his favorite. Not only did I take his suggestion but another person in our group did too and we both LOVED it. The egg was poached perfectly, and the salmon was not too strong, it was a great pairing with the hollaindaise sauce. My boyfriend got the boursin burger, and he said that that boursin was great on the burger itself, but the buns were just too hard and he didn't enjoy the burger very much. The fries that came with the burger were pretty good. I highly recommend coming here for brunch and go to picco down the street for some ice cream to cleanse your palette.

    (4)
  • John W.

    i agree with Deepa C's "satisfied but not astounded" review of the brunch. the atmosphere is brilliant - it's easy to imagine you are dining in 1930s Paris. the food is good, but nothing amazing. the service, on the other hand, is a bit spotty. the waiters fall into two categories: oblivious or pushy.

    (3)
  • Julia C.

    Great Place, high celings, wooden moden decor, lovely bar and the menu....mmmmm. I had mussels for starters and a poached fish with herbs really good!

    (4)
  • Sushi Y.

    this place has nice decor, feels like you are in a little french cafe, and cosy booths, which is always a plus for me. came for the saturday set brunch which was so-so. started with cinamon pastry which was a little sweet for me (thank goodness the coffee was flowing), followed by eggs, toast and potatoes. The choice was a little limited- only the potatoes were the stand out- they were slightly colored with a little spice, slight crunch but creamy on the inside- very nice. other than that, it's ok and inexpensive for location and atmosphere. there seemed to be a lot of staff for this small establishment- apparently this place gets really busy in the evenings, but it felt a little over staffed for an easy brunch...... topic of the heated bathroom paper came up every time each of us went. Ok, so its just the heating vent near the toilet seat warming the toliet paper, but it was a great useless novelty for about five minutes, especially as it was the middle of winter... feel welcome to share your ideas on why that could make your visit to the bathroom more of an experience!

    (2)
  • bella c.

    Just went for lunch, everything was really good, i had the endive with blue cheese salad and a turkey club (which had avocado),yummy. went for restaurant week, they had steak and duck as their main dishes, i opted to order off the regular menu but my friend enjoyed her steak and salad that were part of their prefix lunch and i enjoyed her chocolate mousse!!

    (4)
  • Amikam R.

    We live in Seattle and come to Boston twice a year. We have been going to Aquitaine for both dinner and brunch for several years now. This Sunday, October 7, four of us had brunch there. The menu hasn't changed in quite some time and now seems a little pedestrian. But it is the surly service I would like to address. The wait staff seem to change from one visit to the next. No one came to ask us anything after plunking down the food. We had to practically beg for water and coffee refills. The latter was ungraciously splashed into the cups and over the table cover. No one said a word when we were leaving. I think we won't be going again to this overrated restaurant. There are so many great restaurants in Boston, why spend time and money on mediocre food and surly service?

    (2)
  • Marcell S.

    My boyfriend and I took our families here for brunch, at first I was a little nervous that the menu had a small selection but after tasting the food it's obvious that the menu is set small for a reason. The food was delicious. The eggs benedict is delicious!

    (4)
  • Laura O.

    I've only had brunch here but I keep coming back for that brunch. On Saturdays that have a prix-fixe brunch that is only $10 but tastes amazing and leaves you full and satisfied. Ive always found the wait staff friendly and attentive and the ambiance is cozy yet classy. Its a great place for a date, a group, or just to catch up with a friend. Highly recommended!

    (4)
  • So S.

    Beautiful high ceilings, great ambience and very nice wait staff. Oh, nothing beats the the $ 10 breakfast brunch. Bottomless coffee, fresh cinamon roll and a choice of some very good omeletes. I have only been here once, but I wil definitely go back and fill you in later on everything else. So far first impressions are very good.

    (4)
  • Drew E.

    Just ate here with the girlfriend and had a fabulous experience. Sunday night, not crowded, we didn't have a reservation but were seated promptly by the host. Waiter was exceptional, attentive but not overbearing (when someone can fill my wine glass without me knowing, i'm impressed). Had a fantastic meal. Started with the goat cheese salad with hazelnut, perfectly balanced creamy goat cheese with crunchy tasty hazelnuts. Moved on to the main course, she had the steak au poive, which was overcooked slightly (we asked for medium rare, it came out medium) but was still tasty, cognac sauce was great, best thing on the plate may have been the potato side, whih was creamy goodness! I had the pan-seared chicken, which was perfectly seared with a crispy crust and succulent juicy meat on the inside. The au juice was slightly smoky and perfectly complimented the chicken. Both entrees were recommended by the chef. We finished with the bread pudding, which was delicious, though by that point we were stuffed and couldn't finish. Ambience is quaint, warm and on the romantic side. Staff was very pleasant all around and very obviously concerned with pleasing the patrons. Will return in heartbeat!

    (4)
  • Wendy H.

    Had dinner on a Saturday night. The food was outstanding. My Husband ordered the Steak Frites which was tender and delicious. I had the Lemon Sole Meuniere. The fish was moist, the sauce was savory and the potatoes and Snap peas provided a wonderful contrast in flavors and textures. We had the Chicken liver mouse which was tasty and not grainy at all, and the Cheese plate, which had a wonderful combo of cheeses. Desert was the Mouse and Profiteroles. Excellent. Service was friendly and efficient but not overbearing, all in all lovely evening. Can't wait to go again.

    (5)
  • Michael T.

    French/American Bistro done right, period. You want wine? Oh yeah, they got wine. You want the best darn steak and frittes in the city? Oh yeah, they got that too. You want that neighborhood, high ceiling, Parisian bistro, warm and fuzzy feeling? This is the place...did I mention the wine list? Dark, candlelight, and full of all the energy the South End has to offer. This place is great for dates or should I say, "rendezvous avec vous?" The brunch is really, really good too.

    (5)
  • Bretta L.

    I dined at Aquitaine for brunch. The service was pretty awful. We did not receive our drinks until after we had finished our meal. The restaurant had also run out of orange juice. Our waiter took our order and completely disappeared for the rest of our meal. The blinds in the restaurant were broken and we sat in direct sun for our entire meal which displeased us and other diners in the restaurant. The food was actually quite good, but without anything to wash it down with, it took away from the food. I would like to chalk up the experience to one bad waiter, so I am giving it three stars instead of two. The host staff was also not very friendly, however.

    (3)
  • Laurel B.

    The atmosphere is cozy and bistro-y, and the food was good. Well, my food was good. The mussels were delicious, though I thought the cream sauce was perhaps unnecessarily heavy (would have been just as good thinned out with less cream). I had the duck plat du jour, which was done expertly. I will say that my friends loved the frites, but I prefer Chez Papa's (and all the other french frites in San Francisco) (these were a bit thick cut and over oiled when frying for my taste). They had the steak frites, and I thought the sauce was over truffled (as in, by oil, not real truffles). But I think the bistro standards were generally very good, and if you choose well, you'll eat well. An overly French wine list, but there's the East Coast for you. (As a chef-owner of a restaurant in Manhattan told me, people on the East Coast can't wrap their minds around a concept other than "French is good." Which is true. But there' s more to life than that.)

    (4)
  • Whitney C.

    Went here for lunch on a Friday afternoon with my Mom and brother. The service was pretty good, except my brother was late so we ordered for him and that seemed to confuse them a little bit. The food was very good, a little bit salty, but all around pretty good. Nice spot if you are in the South End.

    (3)
  • x x.

    Very good burger. Expensive in general (12.95 for a burger and fries). Nice atmosphere.

    (3)
  • Rebecca Y.

    Everyone I know loves this place. A great meal everytime. I was most recently in for brunch and had a fanastic meal. I had the Omelette d'Alsace and it was superb.

    (5)
  • Jeffrey W.

    The Sunday brunch is excellent. I loved the food but the atmosphere was a little too yuppy for my taste. My friends think it's one of the best in Boston.

    (3)
  • Anna P.

    This is the best brunch place I've found! It has amazing eggs benedict and their pressed duck sandwich is really good as well. It's kind of formal - so it's great for nicer outings!

    (5)
  • Kiki B.

    $10 prix fixe saturday brunch served till 3, with sweet roll, fresh grapefruit juice, unlimited coffee, omelet, and potatoes. yesssss. non-prix-fixe stuff looks great too - will definitely be back.

    (4)
  • Jacqueline P.

    This is a romantic restaurant- great atmosphere that is cozy and artsy, excellent service, and absolutely delicious food that is well worth the hefty price tag!

    (5)
  • Shirley Y.

    i have never been here before for anything else other than a saturday brunch. this is the only place i know in the city that feeds me brunch food and cocktails on saturdays for a great price. the prix fixe fare is definitely the best deal: at $9.95, you can get juice/coffee, a melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon roll [and i'm not a huge pastry person] and three different styles of omelettes to choose from. plus, the hostess is the sweetest girl -- she will seat you relatively swiftly -- i never had to wait for more than 15 minutes. with the trendy atmosphere, it's hard to beat when catching up with friends on a saturday morning in the south end.

    (5)
  • Robert G.

    I went to Aquitaine last night with a few friends and we all agreed that this place is not worth all of the atttention and praise it has received. All of our dishes were mediocre. The duck and risotto special was anything but. the risotto was overcooked and mushy and the duck was just okay. the boursin and bacon burger was dry and without any distinct flavor. the vegetable frittes were forgettable. the only dish that stood out positively was the scallops. the appetizers fared better. the cheese plate contained at least one savory cheese and the mussels were served in a fantastic creamy broth. Service was Aquitaine's real strength. Our waiter was friendly and attentive without being obstrusive. The bartender was gregarious and attentive and mixed a good drink. Regarding layout, the bar is cramped and not suitable for a restauarnt of Aquitaine's size (especially for those with an hour wait). Lastly, the single, unisex rest room located directly outside the swinging kitchen doors is a mistake. They really need to figure out how to get another bathroom in this space. No one wants to leave their friends at the table to go stand on a line outside the kitchen for 5 to 10 minutes, right?? Overall, we wouldn't go back and spend that kind of money for a place past its prime. With so many choices in the South End, look beyond the well-coutured guests in the windows and find a place dedicated to food first, all else second. We passed up Addis Red Sea for this?

    (3)
  • Karen P.

    After reading literally nothing but glowing reviews of the place's brunch, I figured I had to try it. I was a little annoyed "training it" all the way from Somerville only to have to wait outside for 20 minutes after my reservation time, but I was appeased when I got a table in some warm afternoon sunlight streaming through the window. So ... I enjoyed the decor, but found the waitstaff to be attentive but a bit standoffish, which I tend to not like as I am a waitress myself and treat my tables like family (ah, just pickiness, i still left a ridiculous tip, like almost half the bill ... it's an industry thing). but i digress ... the mimosa was standard, and i would have never ordered it had my attention been directed to either the yummy-looking mimosa martini or the ruby red martini. how clever! also i think they should have prix fixe menu for sundays as well as saturdays, because my meal was the same price and coffee/juice/cinnamon bun were not included. i got the eggs benedict provencal with avocado, a vegetarian dish (regrettably one of the only things on the menu that didn't have meat). don't let the name fool you, there was one TINY slice of avocado on the whole plate. now the food itself was delicious and the egg was cooked PERFECTLY, but it just almost wasn't enough and i am not one of those eaters who gorges myself, either. hm. i found the cinnamon bun, at $3, to be a little pricey for something that tasted good but was rather tiny and a bit dry ... but the meal at $10 wasn't too bad. Coffee is good, about $2 and bottomless ... not much else to say. it was a fairly unremarkable experience for me, and even though i did enjoy it to some extent i doubt i will be back. i prefer heartier breakfast fare. anyway, worth a try but a bit too "fru fru" for my liking.

    (2)
  • Melissa B.

    One of the things I love about this restaurant is the cozy little bar in the corner. They stock a lot of fine liquors, some that you don't see often like the aged rum from Trinidad. Oooh, that's good stuff.

    (3)
  • R C.

    Bald gentleman in chef's coat didn't wash his hands after he went to the bathroom. Bloodys were a 5+ but I just can't get over my prior point....

    (2)
  • Seda A.

    Great food, and wine. Cozy and perfect neighborhood restaurant. Steak frites and shrimp bisque are crazy good! You might smell like food after you dine there but it's worth it! Dont forget about the bread pudding after dinner!

    (5)
  • Ilan M.

    I'm from NY, my buddy from Chi town so neither from Boston, but this place came on a recommendation from a Bostonian. We started with the chicken liver....it was decent, definitely not traditional, home made style, but tasty nonetheless. I then had the tenderloin....holy crap. Wow this thing was awesome. And the pureed apple and sauteed spinach was delicious. My friend had the sole which looked appetizing, but he commented that it was dry and bland. I should say that I declined the wine they brought me initially, and the waiter commented that I was the second person to decline that same bottle so I do feel vindicated in my actions. The second bottle he brought out was okay (not great, but I didn't want to push it). All in all, definitely a good choice. Only thing holding it back from being 5/5 was the bland sole.

    (4)
  • Bryan R.

    Excellent place. We made a reservation online for 8:30, showed up at 8:30 and were immediately seated. The cocktail menu is top-notch, on par with No. 9 Park A little crowded, kind of bumping elbows with people next to you but not necessarily uncomfortable All the food was great. Everything was eaten and enjoyed immensely. Crispy tuna was fantastic. Didn't stay for dessert but we were definitely tempted. Some desserts that read very well and came with wine pairings. And it didn't take forever to get our food. We finished our main course just about an hour after we arrived.

    (5)
  • Leesa S.

    Recently had brunch at Aquitaine on Saturday morning. So glad we made reservations because there was a line waiting for tables when we arrived. We were seated on time. The restaurant is very small so if you don't like being elbow to elbow with the next table this place is not for you. The food was very good, service was attentive and we overall enjoyed our experience. Will go back again when we have more time, perhaps for dinner.

    (4)
  • Michael C.

    It tooke me 3 visits to get in here for one of the most hyped Sunday brunches in Boston. I have to say that I would have no problem giving this place 3 stars, their brunch was solid bit nothing too out of the ordinary. I did get the duck confit sandwich, which was also very good. What really set this place apart was the outstanding service by our waitress (would've gave her a shout out if I knew her name), She was just so accomodating, with everything from the food to the drinks.

    (4)
  • Karen B.

    fabulous for brunch. the prix fixe options are very good, but i suggest you veer off course and get the croque madame, which is delicious and big enough to share. great food, cozy environment, friendly service ... you get the gist.

    (5)
  • LuluandDaquan B.

    Update: Second time was the charm!!! We came back courtesy of the manager and we had a great time. We started off with the escargots and some pork belly special that I cannot remember the name off. - Escargots was standard fare but very good. - The pork belly was like a patty and was strangely crunchy and flavorful. It was definitely a rich dish but DQ claimed its one of his favorite things he's tried in a French restaurant. DQ got the lamb special and I got the Filet au Poivre. - My steak was cook medium rare just as I asked and it was a flavorful dish. The only downside was that the amount of pepper was a little overwhelming. I love the potato au gratin on the side, it was rich and delicious. - DQ enjoyed his lamb it was tender and tasty Of course we ended the night with dessert, which was Crispy Chocolate Bread Pudding. It was ok but not very chocolatey and kinda reminded me of fried dough. The service was nice and we enjoyed our food overall! I guess try anything twice isn't a bad adage after all..

    (4)
  • Patrick M.

    Excellent brunch at the bar today. It's great when Aquitaine opens for brunch on odd days like today, the day after Thanksgiving. The cinnamon roll with my tea and the newspaper was a perfect way to start the meal. I had the traditional eggs benedict and everything was cooked perfectly. I really enjoyed the potatoes that accompanied the meal. Too many places burn breakfast potatoes, but these were great. Service was exceptional. Often brunch shifts are loathed by staff and it shows. I'm sure today's lunch/brunch shifts for many servers were tough to 'fake it 'till you make it'. The staff at Aquitaine really did a great job of anticipating customers' needs and making everyone feel welcome and appreciated. What impressed me most about the service was how the staff went above and beyond the call of duty, like the bartender coming out from behind the bar to flag a cab for a customer. There were several other instances of staff members performing tasks outside of their 'normal' job descriptions that made the overall experience more enjoyable.

    (5)
  • C C.

    This review is strictly for their brunch. OMG, this place is the holy grail of brunches. One of the best brunch places I've ever been to. It's right up there with the brunch I had at Clinton East Baking Co. in NYC. I had the salmon benedict and it's to die for. I seriously thought about the flavor for a week straight. My mouth salivating at the thought of it. I've also tried their lobster benedict which was also superb. I still like the salmon benedict better though. Both good choices though the lobster benedict was a special. Their bloody mary was good -not great but good enough. The service was quick and the waiter was attentive. I will definitely be returning.

    (5)
  • Amanda R.

    I love this restaurant! I have come here multiple times and every time the service is great. Beautiful ambience and delicious food. No complaints!

    (5)
  • Florina K.

    Good most of the time. Though sometimes you can go there and the food will be just okay. Though this is a special place this was the first date for me and my boyfriend:) The second time we went there the waitress was a big witch:) Enjoy!!

    (4)
  • stephanie c.

    Great service, cozy intimate ambiance for dates and small parties. Food was top notch from the appetizers and wine, to the entrees and dessert. Quality overall and will definitely be back for more. I should have come to dine here much sooner!

    (5)
  • Krissi H.

    You had me at "French." I met some friends here for brunch before Belgian Beer Fest this year. What an amazing idea! Get the prix fixe deal. $10 for juice, bottomless coffee, an omelette/egg choice, a cinnamon bun, home fries and toast. LOTS of food. I chose the Omlette de la Maison - and it was good, but I would have cooked the bacon separately. No one likes soggy bacon. And, the cinnamon bun was a little bit like a pop-in-the-oven-from-a-can, but it was still a cinnamon roll. It's hard to go too terribly wrong with that (but it could have been better). The waitress was lovely. We were a big party, but she kept on top of everything and made sure we all had full drinks at all times - even filling our glasses when we didn't want more. Also, she was stealthy! All of sudden, I'd look at my glass and it was full again! And we were in and out of there in record time, I'd say. We really didn't have to wait long for anything. The place is cute. I love the big windows. It just felt airy and comfy. It was definitely crowded, though, so make a reservation or be prepared to wait. If I lived in Boston, I'd definitely make this a regular stop. In fact, I think I'll make it a regular stop each time I'm in Boston.

    (4)
  • Yancey L.

    I absolutely bon appetit in this restaurant. Honestly, the way I located this restaurant was not searching iPhone Map but just following the smell! I had a great brunch over their with the melting cheese covered onion soup and duck confit sandwich. The dinning environment is great too, comfy and romantic. It's worth mentioning that their service! Waiters are so friendly and helpful. They have the giant pepper mill which is kinda of scene to see the waiter spilling it on your dish. I should come here for dinner some time soon.

    (5)
  • Paul S.

    Did the Saturday brunch. Made reservations for 12:00 noon and was seated immediately, even though there was a line forming. YAY! Love it when a reservation means something. Loved my croque maigret and my wife thoroughly enjoyed the Aquitaine burger. It was a bit on the well done side, but was still juicy and delish. Pommes frites are awesome! Place was packed, but service remained friendly and attentive. Aquitaine is a keepah!!

    (4)
  • Adam E.

    Aquitaine is a neighborhood staple for solid, classic French cuisine. Not the best, but not the most expensive - you get what you pay for, mostly. Overall, I wish they'd just take a few risks; there are touches here and there, garnishes that really take you off guard, but nothing all that memorable. Though I've been many times for brunch, I never went to Aquitaine for dinner until this week. The evening did not start off well, as we had a reservation and had to wait thirty minutes for a table. However, the host was gracious and ended up giving us free appetizers (mussels and a cheese plate), which was much appreciated. So I can't fault them for being unexpectedly slammed. He was perhaps the best part of the evening. The food in general was fine, but nothing spectacular. The mussels were soggy, and the heavy cream didn't help. I always find myself wondering why Aquitaine is not as good as Gaslight - aren't they owned by the same group, with similar pricing? The food in general was overcooked, or perhaps it sat out for too long - our waitress wasn't the best. Someone else took her place, and he was much better. I ordered the hake, which tasted exactly like the fried flounder I ate growing up. So it was wonderfully nostalgic and nicely paired with an inventive little diced chorizo accompaniment. Delicious, but a petite entree for $27. Others at the table ordered the steak frites, which were better than anywhere else in the South End, but not life-changing, and not the best in Boston. The jus could have simmered juuuust a bit more... But I'm sure I'll be back.

    (3)
  • Nicole W.

    For $10 you get a cinnamon bun, bottomless coffee/tea, orange juice, and an omelette. That's just good value right there.

    (4)
  • Sonia D.

    I had my first brunch experience this past Sunday with a few friends and it was a great one!! I started off with the Aquitaine Blood Mary and it was delicious!!! I ordered the Provencal Benedict because they ran out of the smoked salmon benedict and it was soooo good just wish they had more avocado (definitely asking for extra next time) The bf potatoes were cooked to perfection and I enjoyed every bite. I ordered my second bloody mary and it was better than the first, had the perfect spice to it. We wanted to order dessert but were too full. The waitress we had was great (forgot her name)!! My friend ordered a special drink and was iffy about it and she said if he didn't like it he could order something else. Sure enough it wasn't what he expected and was able to order something else free of charge. Great customer service!! I will definitely go there again for brunch and also want to try their dinner.

    (4)
  • Dennis A.

    Really enjoyed it here. The food was very good. Really, everything I tried was great from the appetizers to entrées, food was cooked perfectly, had great flavor and served exactly how it should be. The service was also very good and I really enjoyed the set up and the overall decor. Really have no complaints. Overall a great experience and a place I would definitely go back to.

    (5)
  • Rachel O.

    Great brunch deal! Delicious, fresh food, upscale feel but totally affordable brunch. We waiting an hour to be seated because of a mix up with the number of people in our party. The host didn't even offer us a glass of water. Despite this, the rest of the wait staff was great and we would go back.

    (4)
  • Susan S.

    I've been wanting to try this place's brunch for a while! I went here last Saturday with a friend with a 2 o clock reservation made online a week in advance. We were running a bit late so I called at 1:50 and told them I would be there at 2:15 and there was absolutely no problem. I really loved the elegant and intimate space inside especially with the way they do seating along the wall with booths. The restaurant itself has this quaint yet classy vibe. The restaurant was packed and the particular table we had was close to where the kitchen window was. We were seated really really close to other tables on both sides, like a half foot away. I didn't mind as I still felt we had our own space. My friend ordered from the prix fixe menu, the Omelette al Sacienne with Mushrooms and I ordered the french toast with berries as I had been eyeing it from their website. I was definitely not too disappointed. My dish was visually appealing as it came with a generous mound of whipped cream with strawberries, blueberries and 2 pieces of bacon on top. In general I liked it and it was solidly good but it could have been slightly better. The bacon was a bit too hard and overdone which made it hard to cut into. The french toast itself I think could have been more rich or more flavored. It fell a little flat. I also wished that the bread pieces were slightly more thick. I think the dish's flaws were well covered by the maple syrup and the toppings. I mean if I came back I would definitely try something else on the menu. I also ordered an iced coffee which I thought the flavor of was lacking. It was okay. My friend's omelette dish came with a lot of food! You would definitely get your moneys worth. I didn't taste the cinnamon bun but it definitely came in a smaller size than I expected. I tried my friend's hash browns and it was pretty tasty in flavor but the texture was slightly too soft for me. She said she liked her dish and she had no complaints. In general I was moreso taken away by the experience of being in the restaurant than the brunch food which I think is still equally important. I really enjoyed being there in the crowd and conversing while we were eating. It was a beautiful experience. Service was also polite and relaxed for us. I liked dining here in general but the food wasn't perfect which is why I give it a 4/5. However I would come back again to try their other items.

    (4)
  • Mary Beth F.

    I love Aquitaine's brunch special. For 9.95 you really cannot beat it. You get an omelet, potatoes, toast, orange juice, coffee, and a small cinnamon roll that is almost like a croissant (yum!). Just make sure to make a reservation first (unlike most places, they do take brunch reservations, and you don't want to have to wait to start brunching).

    (5)
  • James O.

    The 5 stars is based solely on the steak frites that I tried when I went there probably a year and a half ago. My father is a great cook, and his steak is hard to match. But Aquitaine's steak was cooked pretty much near perfect. Medium-rare, juicy, with some tasty crispy fries. Absolute perfection. Because I've only been here once, and a long time ago, I'll keep this as a four star. I'd have to try more of the dishes to give it a full 5. Definitely pricey, but a good piece of meat is always worth the extra dollars!

    (4)
  • H. G.

    I went here for dinner and brunch this summer before I left the 'hood. For dinner, the mussels were excellent, but the steak frites were surprisingly only ok. The price point is too high for only ok... even though the atmosphere feels genuinely Parisian. For brunch, I had the best french toast of my life. Crispy outside, eggy inside. I'm not sure how they did it. The smoked salmon eggs benedict was like the steak frites: also only ok. There was no flavor to the hollandaise sauce, and I can't put my figure on why, but the smoked salmon didn't taste great. As for lunch, they have a special of sandwich, soap and salad for $13. I wish I had tried that before I moved...

    (3)
  • Jeffrey L.

    Lovely brioche French toast. Liked the bacon. wife had the mushroom/leek omelette as part of the fix price brunch at $9.95. Service was prompt and friendly. I reserved a table at 1am on Saturday morning for a 10am seat! No issues! for the price, i would give it a 5-stars. too good to be true! will be coming back again.

    (5)
  • Corona W.

    The brunch menu here is simple- maybe a little too simple for a hike into the South End. I ordered the Salmon Benedict and my friend had an omelette. While the food was good, you can get it almost anywhere. Haven't had dinner here yet so the review is just for brunch and it is just ok.

    (3)
  • Angie K.

    EGGS BENEDICT (my fav). With Canadian Bacon, Hollandaise & Parsley, and Brunch Potatoes. Only $9.95. Can we say, cheap? Not to mention the $9.95 Prix Fixe meal. The portions are hearty, and the ambience is lovely. My eggs benedict was delicious and cooked to perfection. I almost felt bad for paying so little at a lovely venue such as this. WIthout reservations, be prepared to wait at least an hour. If you hate to wait, you can get seated at the bar with almost no wait time.

    (4)
  • Edwin D.

    Vrai gastronomie francaise adaptee pour les americains. Their food is refined, elaborate, elegant-la classe The portions are decent and their wine selection is great. They actually have rouget, a small fish from the Mediterranean that you can't often find in backwater Boston. I retreat here when the Four Seasons Hotel is just too gloomy.

    (5)
  • Jess C.

    Went here on July 4th. First of all I love that they were open on a holiday, second of all, love the decor and cozy feel. Aquitaine has a decently priced brunch menu, so check this out for a South End spot that on the weekends is not toooo bad on the wallet compared to some other places. My friend had the salmon eggs benedict and I had the regular eggs benedict with no Canadian bacon (probably about the only Canadian thing I really don't enjoy..) At first I was a little skeptical because the sauce was yellower than i usually like... but it was pleasantly light and delicious! The bloody marys were perfect, service kind of slow! I'll try it again for dinner for sure.

    (3)
  • Josh C.

    Rebecca: "the clam chowder is the best light chowder i have ever had" Josh: "top notch service"

    (5)
  • Yve H.

    I came here for Sunday brunch. We made reservations, and thankfully so, since there was already a line outside at 10AM. The hostesses were friendly, and sat us even though we were slightly late due to lack of parking around the area. PM ordered the Salmon Benedict, and loved it (but he's biased in opinion, because he loves anything and everything salmon). I tried the prix fixe brunch menu, and had the Omelette Basquaise. The cinnamon bun wasn't warm and tasted a bit stale, which was odd since it was early in the day (may have been left overs from another day). The omelette was filling, and very satisfying. The orange juice and bottomless coffee were great, however, it proved to be more difficult than I imagined when getting a refill. The service was adequate, as in our server was polite, friendly, and well versed in the menu. But he did become quite pushy, insisting we order drinks when I already had orange juice and coffee. At the end of the meal, he seemed quite determined on having us order dessert, even though we were full. But that aside, I did love the decor of the restaurant especially with sunshine pouring into the restaurant on a lazy Sunday. The ambiance was lively, but still quiet enough to hold a conversation without shouting. I think Aquitaine was a good place for brunch, given a few disappointments. However, with so many great brunch menus to try and choose from in Boston, I think it may be a while before we're back again.

    (3)
  • Jillian Y.

    This is a tough one. I imagine that on a different day, with different customers, this might have been a 5-star experience. I'm therefore trying to base my review on the things that really matter -- service, quality of food, and atmosphere -- rather than on our particular experience which was actually no one's fault. Let me explain... We made a reservation for 11:30 via OpenTable, and arrived at approximately 11:34, and checked in. The kind (and very overworked, from what I could tell) hostess told us that it would be just a few minutes. For the next 30 minutes, we stood there squeezed amongst fat people reeking of cigarettes as other parties (including two parties of two, like us) were seated. Finally, the apologetic hostess popped over to us with two fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns, apologized again, and then told us quietly that the table she'd been waiting for had customers that just wouldn't leave. She instead seated us at a tiny, apparently otherwise unused table near the front. I get the conundrum - on the one hand, the hostess could have kept us waiting even longer for the original table, or she could've just sucked it up and seated us there, as she did. Unfortunately for us, this spot was barely a table, crowded between two other (slightly obnoxious) parties, and right in the front window so that the glaring sun was right in my date's eyes. Poor guy didn't even have his sunglasses with him. Sun and tight space aside, the food was delightful, and our server ideal. And the buns, of course, were gratis. I'll come again, but only on a weekday. Saturday brunch is just too insane for my liking.

    (4)
  • Kalun L.

    Met a friend for brunch at Aquitaine this past Sunday. This is the second time I've eaten here, but my first review. My friend and I each ordered the pre fixe menu, which comes with a sweet bun, fresh-squeezed (yay!) OJ, bottomless coffee, one of five omelette choices, wheat toast, and home fries. I got the La Maison omelette (cheese and bacon). The food was delicious and a good value at $9.95 each (tax and tip excluded). Despite the restaurant being packed and my friend and I not having reservations, we were seated quickly. Our server was attentive, but relaxed, without being overly familiar. What made me really happy at 10:30 on Sunday morning was that my coffee cup got refilled without my having to flag down anyone. Really, a good way to start Sunday.

    (5)
  • Wais K.

    Upscale, chic and approachable. Delicious food too! Can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Catherine K.

    Really great spot for brunch! Wonderful food! Great cocktails and really nice ambiance! Would highly recommend this place!!!

    (4)
  • Heather G.

    Came for brunch / book club discussion. We were 7 or 8 people with a reservation for 10:30. They said they couldn't seat us until all parties showed up - pretty standard, but left a crowd of us to be in the way in the small restaurant, blocking the door, the bar, and the register. Once we finally sat, they put us at a table that was too small for our ultimate party-size, leaving some to squish in with half a cheek on the booth bench. The brunch special, though a cheap deal, wasn't a very tasty deal. For $10, you get unlimited coffee, a glass of juice, a mini-cinnamon roll, an egg dish with toast, and homefries. The offering was abundant for the price, but the food came out so quickly (we're talking 5 minutes after all 7 of us placed our order) that I get the impression that this deal + the crowded restaurant + rapid food delivery = the kitchen pre-makes just about everything, not to-order. My suspicions were further supported when I bit into the toasted bread and tasted a crumbly, dry, crunchy mass, as one would expect from toast that had been toasted many minutes ago and left to sit under a heat lamp. Potatoes were dry and mealy, and my egg scramble with ham, peppers, and onions was very tasty, though unremarkable for a restaurant meal. The highlight of the food was my out-of-the-oven cinnamon roll to start, and I would have preferred a few more of these in lieu of my meal. Don't get me wrong, this brunch is cheap, but the restaurant is so small and crowded that I never felt comfortable, and the food tasted so pre-cooked that I didn't particularly enjoy anything I ate. Come for the great deal and people-watching, expect strong and friendly service and qucik food-delivery, but keep brunch-food expectations low, and you'll have a very pleasant morning.

    (2)
  • Mike D.

    I went to Aquitaine for dinner with a small group. The service, setting, and food was excellent. Everything cooked perfectly to order. It is in a nice neighborhood in the South End. It is worth checking out again. I hear that the brunch is amazing so that is the meal I am trying next!!

    (4)
  • Caitlin G.

    We came here for brunch the other Saturday, and I was impressed by lots of good things here: mainly the ambience and location, the quick arrival of our meals, the attentive service, and the complimentary cinnamon roll that comes with your meal. Not to mention the price, which was incredibly affordable. I thought that all of those qualities were spot-on at Aquitaine and I would definitely return for another time, but it probably wouldn't be for brunch. The food besides the cinnamon roll was so-so. I got scrambled eggs and was unaware that they came with American cheese which I would usually enjoy, but the cheese wasn't melted or distributed amongst the eggs very well, thus resulting in an enormous congealed blob on the plate. Not very appetizing. The coffee was weak and the toast and potatoes were both on the stale side, quite dry. Again, I'd like to try this place for drinks and dinner.

    (3)
  • Omar F.

    For those of you coming here for Restaurant Week 2010 -- Here's the lowdown: First round: Get the Chilled Corn Soup. Delicious! My friend tried a bit different one and it wasn't as tasty. Main Entry: Both the steak and the fish were DELICIOUS! Really, you can't go wrong here. Ask for the steak medium-rare and you'll have a juicy, tender steak. Very solid taste. Dessert: There are only two desserts, one of them is a melon soup which is refreshing and all, but definitely not as tasty as the tart with ice cream. IMHO. So, if you want to have a killer restaurant week dinner for the 40ish bucks you'll spend, get the chilled corn, the steak, and the tart, and you'll be happy. Enjoy!

    (4)
  • Julie R.

    A little flair of France in Boston. This place is great for a quality meal at a reasonable price. I made a reservation for brunch and we were seated immediately. The brunch menu offered a vast a vast variety. They even do a special brunch deal on Sundays from 10-11 for like $10. I would go back for that. I was intending to get an omelet of some sort then noticed they had mac and cheese on the brunch menu. I was sold after our server told us that it was very popular. My friend got eggs and my bf got the duck confit sandwich. The food arrived a short time later. My mac and cheese was délicieux. For $8.95 it was one of the best priced one I've had in Boston, with a variety of at least cheddar and parmesan cheese, i think a few more, and a crisp crust. The plate of it was huge too. Other places would charge double for the same thing. Highly recommend! The duck confit gruyere sandwich was enormous. The stone ground mustard on the side accompanied it well. We got chirizo on the side. It was nice and spicy. Along with my mac and cheese it tasted great. I would recommend adding it as a side with it. Friend had no complaints on the eggs. The Bloody Mary was one of the best I've had! We were almost finished with our plates and the busboy asked if he could clear the table. It was a bit abrupt but not a biggie. I think our server caught wind of it and said for us to take our time. I would absolutely return here for brunch again and a full out dinner. I loved the French bistro atmosphere, the menu selection and prices. I also like that they are named after the Aquitaine region of France, famous for countryside chateaux and the finest wineries in the world. I was there last fall and it was beautiful. You see many restaurants focus on Paris region but to see the name "Aquitaine" is special.

    (4)
  • Sarah C.

    Aquitaine in the South End was the site of one of my all time favorite date nights with my hubby in Boston!! The Hubby called me on his way home from work and said "do your hair and put on some heels, I'm taking you out tonite". For all the married ladies out there, you know how amazing it is to hear those words come out of your man's lips. love. In a cute black dress and heels we popped over to the South End to Aquitaine. I'd had a free dessert coupon there from a Girl Scout fundraiser event I attend at Copley, where Aquitaine created a dessert out of Girl Scout cookies (amazing! but that's another review) and been bugging the hubby to get over and use it, finally! The restaurants has a gorgeous french bistro feel. You walk through tall french doors and inviting full front windows into a cozy restaurant. A dark wood bar is tucked off to the side with a beautiful display of wine bottles that ascend to the ceiling. The rectangle room has french art on the walls and a mix of booths and tables scattered about. The tables are a bit close together but the way the room is broken up with dividers creates an intimate vibe. We were greeted and seated by a lovely matradee. He was so professional and accommodating I have to give him a big thank you! He sat us at a little two top that was close to the door, which was fine, but as a waiter brushed past us to clear another table he knocked my purse off our table. The matradee ran up to us apologizing and in the time it took him to snap his fingers the round booth in the window was cleared and reset. We soon found ourselves in what I think is the best seat in the house, the plush round booth in the front window. Avid people watchers, we loved getting to snuggle close to each other while we watched the lights dim on Tremont street. Date night heaven!! FOOD: We started with the escargot, you can't go to a french restaurant and not right? The escargot was savory and melting in your mouth with the perfect combination of garlic butter. We even sopped up the rest of the butter with our bread. That was followed by the chicken liver mousse, creamy and flavorful. For our meals I had the special of the day: whole blue fish with bur blanc sauce while hubby had the short ribs. My fish was to die for, with plenty of my favorite french ingredient; butter, butter, butter! yummm. Let's just say we had clean plates at the end of the meal. Dessert was creme brulee and apple tart with a glass of frangelico. Both were perfect bites of dessert, light and sweet. We felt a little gluttonous when we left but with great service, exceptional french food and a romantic environment we were too happy to care. I haven't been for the brunch- which seems to have gotten mixed reviews but for a date night this place is perfection. Make a reservation call up your hunny and head out.

    (5)
  • Kevin M.

    My first thought is: Don't believe the hype. Aquitaine is one of those places that rides it's reputation. It was like the first time I saw "Rent" - I had heard so much for so long about it.... and the delivery was decent - which results in disappointment. That said, the food was good (again, not amazing) the prices were reasonable and the service was adequate. It is worth a visit to Aquitaine - however, with the number of great restaurants in the South End, I find it hard to justify a return trip to Aquitaine.

    (3)
  • Aboud Y.

    Never had a bad meal here. Also, I'm prepared to say that Aquitaine holds the distinction of "Best Steak Frites in Boston" until proven otherwise.

    (4)
  • Susan N.

    I was the friend (Ki G.) who ordered the soup and sanwich combo of french onion and a duck gruyere sandwich. Well, I don't know about everyone else's meal but mine was just to die for! The french onion soup was extremely tasty, albiet a bit different than it usually tastes. But that's not a bad thing. It was still delicious and knocked the socks off the way oversalted onion soup at Brasserie Jo. The cheese was also perfectly melted and tasty. After devouring my soup, I devoured my duck sandwich. Duck and cheese. Can you really go wrong there? Ok, while not absolutely outstanding, it was damn good. I would surely order it again. The atmosphere was very fitting for a brunch at a French restaurant. Everything just felt right. The only thing that did bother me was an incident that happened with the waitress. It was her first week and except for this one incident, she was really good. I was in the middle of eating my duck sandwich, biting into it, when she removed the plate from underneath. I found this very odd, especially considering she didn't clear anyone else's plate, despite them being done. I don't know if she expected me to hold my sandwich the entire time or what. It was all just very odd.

    (4)
  • Dejan M.

    I've had both dinner and weekend brunch here a couple of times, and it was always excellent. The food is as good as you'd expect, but it's the little extras that I really like. The weekend brunch option is crazy affordable -- I can't believe a great South End restaurant can be that cheap. I've also been treated very well by the staff. Example #1: I arrived earlier than the rest of my party for brunch on a Saturday. I had a reservation, so I mentioned that to the hostess and went outside to wait for my friends. They arrived, and the hostess must have seen that through the window, since the second we were inside, she was already beckoning us to our table, menus in hand. Example #2: I was having tea, and the server accidentally poured coffee in it while she was refilling the cups at the table. Realizing her mistake, she apologized profusely, took away my cup and returned promptly with a new one, plus a fresh pot of tea. I could only say wow, what service!

    (5)
  • Tom F.

    I've come here several times for brunch, and my experiences always leave my stomach with that heavenly feeling . This might seem like an odd thing to say, but the fries were really potatoe-y. And I say this is , as most other fries are overwhelmed by the grease, or crispiness, or are undercooked. These fries were perfectly cooked, though in my first bite, I thought I was about to be disappointed by the level of crispiness, which looked to fall just under my desired crispy threshold. Instead, I noticed a surprising potato taste and texture. The croque maigret is something I always urge others to get. This is delicious. On my most recent visit, the boursin cheese burger was unfortunately cooked a bit more that I had hoped for, but I've had enough of these to know that over cooked or not, it's still one of the best I've had in Boston. The waiter, when asked for bearnaise, requested that some be made specifically for my girlfriend's order.

    (5)
  • Jared T.

    I'd been wanting to go to Aquitaine for a while and finally got around to it earlier this week (thanks to Yelp's Passport to the South End event coupon!). We were seated promptly and our waiter was very polite and helpful. I was coming from class and he offered to take my backpack out of the way for me. I sat dead in front of their giant dessert chalk board on the wall, which made ordering dessert tempting (although we didn't because we were short on time). We started with the pommes frites with basil garlic aioli. The aioli was simple but tasty. It was served on the side and very basil-y. For dinner I had the pork belly with spring vegetables special. The vegetables were my favorite part, and that's not a complaint (hey mom, I ate my vegetables!). They were very fresh tasting and came in a light butter sauce. The pork belly was good but a little watery. Overall it was an enjoyable experience. I'm giving 4 stars because while wasn't blown away, I had a good time and want to go back to try some different entrées. My only complaint was the lighting - it was almost too dark to clearly see the food we were eating. As we were walking out I saw a customer reading his menu using his iPhone as a light, which proves that it wasn't just me.

    (4)
  • Sibel A.

    Great place for a not so expensive and amazing brunch!

    (5)
  • Karen H.

    Aquitaine's brunch is incredibly satisfying for your belly and your wallet. It's a serious steal for the brunch options and the food is incredible. For $9.95, you can pick any choice of style of eggs that is served with potatoes and toast plus a homemade warm fresh cinnabon. I had the Eggs Alsacienne and so did my boyfriend and we both loved the creamy Boursin cheese cooked with mushrooms and leeks, so unique! As a side, we shared a plate of fresh fruits, topped with fresh mint and cream, which tasted great. I recommend the brunch drinks - both our Belini and Mimosa were good. The atmosphere inside the place is wonderful, the space is open with high ceilings and large windows allowing maximum sunlight in. The decor is sophisticated and modern, offering a fine French dining experience with a friendly price point, that is hard to come by in Boston. I can't wait to come back again this summer for more brunch!

    (5)
  • Jessamyn S.

    I was actually kind of surprised by how much I enjoyed the prix fixe brunch. In addiion to my perfectly cooked omelette Alsacienne, I had the Bees Knees cocktail- thyme infused honey? Delicious. Brunch is definitely the cheapeat way to dine at this restaurant.

    (5)
  • Ki G.

    I remember passing by this place the last time I was in Boston and kicking myself for already eating brunch in Sommerville. Well I was in Boston this weekend and I ignored my stomach as much as possible so I could make it down here and try the food. I was so happy that I did. The menu was easy and able to please a wide variety of palettes. Their soup/sandwich combo was incredibly inexpensive and my friend couldn't say no to french onion soup and a duck/Gruyere sandwich. I was still hankering for brunch, so I had their wild mushroom and goat cheese omelet with a side of fries (need potatoes with brunch you know) and it was so perfect. If I lived in the South End, this place would soon become a favorite haunt. The decor was lovely, the service was very prompt and even the testiest diner would be hard-pressed to complain (even though they tried).

    (4)
  • Amanda G.

    **This is a brunch review** My vote for Best Brunch in Boston. Love the feel of this place, which is South End-fabulous, but not stuffy. Brunch on the weekends, prix fixe style, is only 10 bucks. However, if you feel like spending a little more, it's worth it, as I HIGHLY recommend the eggs benedict with salmon, complete only with multiple sides of pommes frites and at least one Bloody Mary. In fact, also my vote for Best Bloody Mary in Boston (to be fair, Best Bloody Mary in Cambridge is Johnny D's.) On a personal note, my family has gone here two years in a row now for New Year's Day brunch and it continues to be our favorite group brunch spot.

    (5)
  • Baking M.

    Love Aquitaine for weekend brunch Omelette A La Maison (bacon and gruyere), cinnamon buns and bottomless coffee. On Saturday's the Prixe Fixe Brunch is $9.95. This is the second time I've been to Aquitaine for dinner, and was flawless. The service, ambiance and food delectable. Shared a warm beet salad, and I had the Thursday evening special Crispy Long Island Duck over farro, fennel, orange and spiced Jus. My dining companion's filet au poivre was the right temperature, and the cognac cream, green peppercorns and pommes au gratin was wonderful. Of course we had to have the Pommes Frites with basil garlic aioli.

    (4)
  • dante c.

    Went there for a date on a slower Monday night. We started with a warm beet salad and the mussels. Both were very tasty. For dinner normally I don't get filets because I think they aren't as flavorful as other cuts but I went for it because I am a sucker for pepper, it was delicious. Slightly overcooked, but still juicy and close enough to m-rare. Lady got the scallops (she is a scallop "connoisseur") and loved them. Service was great. This was my first time here and I normally don't love the whole French thing, but it was great and I would def go again.

    (5)
  • aland f.

    Best Brunch Deal in Boston! I've only been here for the prix fixe brunch on the weekend and it's OUTSTANDING. For $10, you get bottomless coffee (that tastes good), glass of orange juice (that's outstanding), a cinnamon bun, and your choice of omellette (that usually costs $7.95 on its own)... You can't beat this deal in Boston, ANYWHERE. Here's a tip, go on a Saturday morning instead of a Sunday.. Saturdays are far less busy than the Sunday craziness. Try it, i promise you'll love this place!

    (5)
  • Carlos V.

    Food is 5 stars. I had the lobster special and my date had the lamb special. Both were top notch! Ambiance: 4 Star Very tight waiting area. Bar is all of 6 feet long and jammed in a corner. Seating area is tight, but expected in the south end. Valet: -1 Stars Thanks for bringing my car back warm... but why was I empty on gas? Wait, you left my car running for 2 hours? WTF's that crap?

    (4)
  • Lena N.

    Decided to try out Aquitaine for Restaurant Week with my date due solely on the fact that I thought it looked very cute from the window when I walked past it one day. We were seated promptly and the service was excellent. The wines paired with the meal was also great and well thought out. Too bad that my food was so tasteless that the wine could not save it. I like to qualify this by saying that I eat pretty bland food. When my friends cook for me, they flavor it to my liking and then pile on salt onto their own plates after. So there is a huge problem when I have to put salt on my entree of pork chops because it is so bland. It was a huge disappointment to say the least. My date's fish entree was a lot more flavorful and delicious in general. To be honest, I was jealous of her whole meal and kept eating off her plate. Good thing it was not a first date. I hear their brunch is supposed to be pretty stellar. I tried going here for brunch with a bunch of friends and didn't think to make a reservation. The wait was around an hour and a half. So be sure to make a reservation if you plan to go here for brunch because they get super busy.

    (2)
  • Vanessa W.

    Great service - I had mistakenly made a reservation at the Chestnut Hill location on Opentable (like surely so many people before me), and they quickly accommodated me (we were a group of 3) - and gave us a great table by the window. The waiter was also experienced - he knew what he was talking about, never left our glasses empty or our plates in front of us. As for the food... eh. I came for restaurant week, which might've been my first mistake. But I really don't get it - why don't restaurants try harder on Restaurant Week?! This is your opportunity to bring new people in the door... While they gave me and one of my friends a glass of champagne to 'welcome us to restaurant week' (nice gesture), it ended up being a bit awkward because my other friend did not get the restaurant week menu, and therefore did not get a glass. So there we were... two out of three of us, with champagne. And as I've said, I wasn't inspired by the food. The chilled sweet corn soup was alright, and while my veggie entree (again, perhaps my mistake for ordering a veggie option) was flavorful, I felt like I was eating a side. Just not substantial enough. I know how expensive this place is regularly - and if the portion sizes and offerings are similar, then there's really no motivation for me to spend my money there.

    (3)
  • Rebecca Z.

    I don't know what it is with this place but I always get awful service. I went there tonight with my husband. He ordered a gin gimlet and watched as the bartender poured the drink into the wrong type of glass. Then the waiter brought the drink to the wrong table. A few minutes later the waiter realized his error, and returned the drink to the bar. My husband continued to watch as the bartender simply poured the same exact drink into the correct glass and topped it off with some ice before the waiter ceremoniously delivered it to our table. Terrible. I've been here several times before and each time I thought the food was good enough to put up with the lack of attentiveness of the staff. At this point I am over it and I won't return.

    (1)
  • Kelsey P.

    In the South End, a neighborhood known for its fantastic restaurants and brunch options, I've always been disappointed by Aquitaine and felt it gets more credit and attention that it deserves. Overall - standard brunch fare and slow service and unnecessarily long waits for walk-in brunch on the weekends. I've tried a few of their egg dishes (including the eggs benedict) and always felt they were a bit lacking - nothing special about them at all and not particularly stellar executions of traditional plates either. Their champagne cocktails were pretty disappointing also. All in all the food and drink offerings feel like any run of the mill brunch location hyped up because of location and decor. The service has been slow every time I've been there. I've had to often remind the waiter or waitress to bring coffee or juice that's already been ordered. On the positive side - brunch is not too expensive. But I'd go for nearby Gaslight, Union, or Stephanie's any day before Aquitaine.

    (2)
  • Sarah T.

    Brunch was deliciously affordable here. for $10 prix fixe, you can get juice, coffee, small cinnamon bun (deliciously warm and crisp), and your choice of omelette with potatoes and toast. i also tried the pomme frites and the aioli -- mmm i really want to come back to try the tagliatelle (sp?). i love the atmosphere here... on a sunny Sunday morning, its the perfect place to be with friends / family. make a reservation.

    (4)
  • Stephanie G.

    Loved this place! The boy and I went back in September when we were in town for the series. We were looking for a good brunch place and this was recommended to us. It is so quaint and cozy inside...and we were able to get a table without reservations. Everyone was super nice and service was excellent. The drinks were delicious--the adult Pink Lemonade and the Mimosa Martini are sooo tasty. We had the three eggs and eggs benedict--very good!!! It's hard to mess up breakfast though. I just loved how comfortable this place made us feel, even though it was our first time there. We will definitely be back next time we are in town--hopefully next time for dinner!!!

    (4)
  • jim I.

    My brunch reminded me a bit of the film Ratatouille... a bunch of rats running around a kitchen in cluster f*ck fashion with French accents, but in the end its just more over-hyped Mickey-Mouse bullshit - and no, you can't have your money or time back at the end. The only redeeming quality of my meal was that Patton Oswald was not actually on the premises. Don't waste your weekend here. P.S. Not positive, but I think "J.H." may have been my waitress... so you know what to do with that review.

    (2)
  • Ellen F.

    We love Aquitaine and although we live in Somerville take every opportunity to go there, usually for brunch or lunch. The Saturday brunch for $9.95 has to be one of the great deals in town, with superb omelettes and home fries, freshly-squeezed orange juice, fine coffee--and even a pastry. (You can get the same deal on Sunday, but only quite early) They also have a lovely lunch soup and half-sandwich--so much better than that combination is normally. The food is outstanding and the service friendly and considerate. We haven't been there for dinner but will probably try it when we're going to the theater in the South End.

    (5)
  • Mike T.

    Never has a Boston restaurant been more committed to providing an authentic French experience. The way they made my parents and I wait for an hour after our reservation, while seating more fashionable parties ahead of us, brought me straight back to visiting Paris. We never sat down for dinner. We had to leave because they could not find a table for four people. Not even one hour after our reservation. They claimed the weather was making parties leave slower than normal. Yes the weather.....it was the weather! That or they oversold their seats.......like an airline. Airlines oversell their seats and have weather problems, not well run restaurants. I brought my parents here because I had always felt that Aquitaine was a special occasion restaurant. My parents were visiting for the first time from Washington and I thought I would show them the best that Boston had to offer. I chose Aquitaine. In the end it felt alot like being the architect of the Maginot line. All hype with really disappointing results. The food is very good (hence 2 stars) but Boston is fortunate enough to have many excellent French restaurants who don't use The Other Side Cafe as a template for customer service. In short, don't make reservations with a restaurant that makes the commoners wait while letting south end regulars and self important bimbos play leap frog over your reservations. I would have preferred to have reviewed an excellent dinner at Aquitaine and share a 5 star experience with Yelp. Unfortunately, I never had a chance. Update: Check out JH's one and only review on Yelp for Aquitaine. 5 STARS! Thank you JH for including that invaluable link to opentable.com in the first two lines of your review! 5 Stars JH! Very thoughtful review! 5 Stars! Is Aquitaine a Yelp client? 5 STARS! Can we give this place 6 Stars! Now it is 6 Stars! 6 Stars for Aquitaine! Do I hear 7 stars? How about it Yelp? Can we get 7 stars for sponsors?

    (2)
  • Katie V.

    Probably my best brunch experience yet in Boston. Went on a Saturday to take advantage of the $9.95 brunch deal -- egg entree, cinnamon roll, OJ, and bottomless coffee. I made a reservation on Open Table for 1:30 and we were running late -- arrived at about 1:45 and thus had to wait a bit to be seated. But that was our fault, not theirs. I ordered an omelet with boursin cheese, leeks, and mushrooms. It was delicious, perfectly cooked. And man, boursin cheese? That stuff's like crack. More restaurants should get on board with that! I also had a Bloody Mary, which was nice 'n spicy, like I like it. It was a very enjoyable meal -- good, friendly service and lively but not overbearing noise level. I'd like to come back for dinner sometime or sit at their cute, tiny bar with a book and a glass of wine.

    (4)
  • Thien H.

    Steak frites, trout, and chicken liver were all delicious. Server forgot our chicken liver appetizer, unfortunately we didn't get it for free (heehee) but we enjoyed ourselves. We were never rushed and thoroughly enjoyed the evening!

    (5)
  • Sarah D.

    I made a reservation for brunch here in mid-December after hearing good things about the place. On the whole, it was pretty good. Not outstanding, but pleasant. My friend and I visited on a Sunday morning and only had to wait briefly to be seated. They were packed and the weather was terrible and unfortunately, the waiting area is cramped, especially with the curtains they've put up around the door to keep out the draft. We both got the prix fixe which, at $9.95, is incredibly inexpensive. It comes with a cinnamon roll, choice of egg dish, unlimited coffee and a juice. A lot of food. The eggs were fantastic, but the cinnamon roll was a little dry. The most disappointing part of the brunch was the service. Our server seemed irritated throughout our meal and didn't bother to refill my water or check in once she had brought our food. It was a nice brunch, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go here again.

    (3)
  • Joanna L.

    Decent prices for good quality French food, in a warm and cozy setting that makes you feel like you've just had a nice glass of wine. Among these ranks are Gaslight and Petit Robert, which I think both outrank Aquitaine based on value. Still, I enjoy Aquitaine, and it's a great place to take friends. I had shortribs, and onion soup gratinee. Both were very good.

    (4)
  • Betty K.

    I forgot to make a reservation for brunch on a Sunday, but we decided to try out luck in the area, since there were several other good restaurants in the area as well. The hostess said no more than 40 minutes, but we ended up waiting about 60 minutes because the table they had for us was were occupied longer than expected. It's a fancy brunch spot (compared to the Midwestern brunch places I'm used to). We got cocktails (St. Honore was the best) and some version of a croque monsieur, which comes with a side of watercress salad and french fries. Everything was quite good and it was a fun dining experience.

    (4)
  • Milee S.

    My first restaurant for Restaurant Week this August. 5 of us stopped here last night. Easy to find, off the Orange Line. We started with drinks. I had the French Manicure and was a bit nervous because I didn't realize it was a martini and I HATE martinis. But this one was so good, I really enjoyed it. Mix of citrus and raspberry vodkas, but so tasty. Others had riesling, mojitos and an apple martini. All enjoyed their drinks. We were given a cheesy croissant type bread as well as dinner rolls. For the main course, we ordered off the RW menu. The choices this year: Appetizer- corn soup, salt cod cake, red beet tartare. Main Course- orriechiette with raisins, chicken with bacon, and striped bass Dessert- Espresso chocolate pots, plum tarte and kir royale. Between the 5 of us, we got everything but the kir royale. All of us liked our appetizers (although the soup tended to grow on you); my salt cod croquette was very similar to a crab cake but better. For dinner, I had the chicken and it was just so good! Very moist and smoky. Delicious. Friends commented that the bass was bland (even with a pesto sauce) and the orriechiette was too al dente. But we all ate it. Dessert was pretty good too. The tart was something completely different for me and while I enjoyed it, it was a little too cloying (guess the honey ice cream will do that). Those that got the espresso pots really enjoyed it and were really full too! We all liked this place. The kitchen was running slow so the waitress comped ALL of our drinks, including the coffee one ordered after dessert. I liked the atmosphere and the other menu options as well. I really would come back here again.

    (4)
  • Derek B.

    If you've never been to Aquitaine, make a point of trying their prix fixe brunch special on the weekends. Delicious food, healthy portions, amazing service and at a price that you can't beat. The prix fixe (however one pronounces it) is how I learned about Aquitaine over a year ago. Unfortunately, I never made it there for dinner until last weekend and let me just say, as good as brunch is, dinner blows it out of the water. The steak tartar was simply the best I've had in Boston. So, too, were the mussels, which came in a decadently rich (and can't stop eating) cream sauce. We asked for more bread for dipping and even as the other starters were cleared we continued to gorge ourselves on that sweet nectar. BTW - I almost universally don't like mussels, but these were done so well....trust me, try them. Similarly delicious were the scallops and the pomme frites as well as the fillet poivre. I was impressed by our waitstaff's prompt service and recommendations (with only the occasional correction for french pronunciation). I did manage to squeeze in the Apple Tart for desert and while I was stuffed to the gills, I didn't regret a single choice.

    (5)
  • Jamie B.

    To start with the good - this place just simply "feels like Boston" to me. It's definitely not a hidden gem, so make reservations in advance or prepare to wait at least an hour. There's a reliable prix fixe brunch that has the vibe that Boston brunch should have... and decent food to boot. For whatever reason, Aquitaine has always struck me as a somewhat trendy place, with not-too-low-but-not-too-high prices. Perhaps it's the fact that there's consistently a crazy brunch crowd that has made me assume that there must be something inherently great about this place. Which leads me to my next point... that this place has always struck me as maybe just slightly overrated. The food, while good, isn't out-of-this-world amazing or particularly unique in any way - the cinnamon rolls with the prix fixe brunch hit the spot if you're hungry, but objectively speaking, are rather dry and unimpressive. The rest of the brunch entrees I have sampled are 'good' - nothing to rave about, but they do the trick if you're hungry. All in all, this place is worth trying and has a classy city-brunch kind of feel, but doesn't quite make the list of the places that I rush to bring out-of-town friends looking for the best-of-the-best of Boston cuisine.

    (3)
  • Zuzzi E.

    A very beautiful space, but the menu leaves room for desire. Very few vegetarian options. One, to be exact. I had the only vegetarian dish on the menu, the tagliatelle with peas, squash & pistou. There were plenty of peas, but I couldn't find the squash. They have a fabulous drink list, which saved the night. But don't count on sitting at the bar, it's quite small.

    (3)
  • Rose J.

    This is by far my favorite restaurant in the entire world. I go here for birthdays, anniversary celebrations, and whenever I want to have a great time. This place serves delicious food and they are very accommodating. The waiters always get a great tip from me and are extremely polite. The only downside I would mention is the size of the place. It is beautiful, yet small. I wish there was more space, but it is great if you go with a group of friends and get a seat in a booth. This restaurant is amazing. J'aime manger so I would know. Try the mussels if you do decide to go.

    (5)
  • Mike M.

    Ahhh... the joy and beauty of restaurant week. Coaxing out a ardent Cambridgian all the way to the South End on a weekday of all things! Well, armed with a bit of free time and a enthusaistic lunch date (yeah Lauren "Crazy Face" M.!), we trekked to Aquitaine enticed by the RW lunch deals and some great reviews by fellow yelpers. We loved it - totally worth the trip!... and not just for the ability to walk through the South End on the first day in Boston without need for a fluffly parka or rain boots in weeks! We were stoked about the RW lunch menu, but ended up choosing their amazing lunch deal instead - mad props to the uncanny Leighann F. for her alerts to this badass deal! A big, tasty Tomato Bisque, crisp side salad, and scrumptous duck confit and gruyere sandwich w/ a drink for $12.95. Say whaaaaaaa? Yes - for real. Anyway, lunch was awesome - the food and my companion! - we loved the wine label decor in the bathroom and the whole setting was just fantastic - especially when they opened the front doors and allowed a warm breeze to just flow through the restaurant.

    (4)
  • Gizem D.

    Best brunch in Boston, in fact I've been going on Saturdays back to back for a while. *Reservation recommended anytime before 2 but I usually pop over to Francesca's across the street and order myself a raspberry lime rickey before hand if I have to wait. :D *Food is really good. I highly recommend the omlette a la greque or the salmon benedict if you can stomach fish for breakfast.... *Food comes relatively fast and the wait staff is very attentive. *The prices are very reasonable and the decor is chic. Overall, a well managed restaurant with delish food...

    (5)
  • Stewart C.

    Aquitaine is my favorite French restaurant in Boston. I love the food and the service. I often go with my sister. I get the steak frites, she usually gets the steak au poivre. Both are delicious! The service and the atmosphere are both wonderful!

    (5)
  • George M.

    Nice atmosphere. Good service. Great food. Considering the ambiance and food quality, I would expect a pricey menu. $10 brunch prix fixe included all you can drink coffee, a glass of fresh squeezed oj, a fresh cinnamon bun (small yet delicious), potatoes, toast and I had the spinach and feta omelette. The omelette was light, fluffy and tasty. I had them use egg whites and it was really good. I'm picky so this place was good and I would give it 4.5 stars but cheap price bumps it to a 5 instead of a 4.

    (5)
  • Mabel N.

    Egg Benedict and French toast! French toast was DELICIOUS!

    (4)
  • Mykal D.

    I went here last night and was pleasantly surprised. There was no wait at 9pm on a Friday night, and the staff seated us right away. The place is a bit cozy (but what place in the South End isn't). The tables are a good size, but I would recommend the place for 2-3 people max. The food was delicious! These guys definitely know how to make a steak. The half chicken is a tad salty though, so you may want to forgo its crispy crust. The eat part was excellent though: very tender and juicy. The wine list was decent and they have a full bar (something I consider required for a restaurant). The one item I was surprised not to find though was any sort of duck. No roast duck, duck confit, nothing. That said, if everything else on the menu is as good as the steak and chicken, I'd get anything. I'd recommend this place and I' curious to try it again.

    (4)
  • Jonny C.

    Mother's Day brunch was a smashing success thanks to Aquitaine. We made reservations for brunch, which was wise as they were predictably slammed. However, me, the preggers and the young dude in tow found our corner booth both comfortable and convenient. I hadn't been to Aquitaine in some time because we are hard up for quality sitters, and Aquitaine is not the place you bring the toddler during dinner hours...however Mother's Day brunch was safe. I had the fantastic lobster club and a bloody mary. The club and fries were stellar, crisp toast and perfectly done bacon loaded with claw and tail meat , while not swimming in mayonnaise. The avocado was a nice touch. Fries = A+, perfect tweener between steak fries and frites. The bloody was good, but very weak. I like to taste my vodka in a bloody. C'est la vi. The wife and little man shared the Banana Brioche French toast, which was a double stack of toast, topped with bananas drizzled in caramel and crème, and coupled with warm maple syrup. Exceedingly rich, but that is sort of what you are aiming for in a Mother's day brunch. Our service was great (big ups to KC, Casey (sp?) especially for her unsolicited "Let me tell you, I hate kids, but your son is beautiful so well behaved and has the coolest hair!" ) although the busboy did steal a side of bacon assuming we were done and trying to rush us from the table a bit (it was of course replaced). No biggie, there were a number of folks on deck. My few criticisms were for the cocktail selection, somewhat slim menu and the prick of a host(I've seen him before, older gentleman, and he seems to miss the fact that his role in the service industry is to facilitate comfort and be polite, not be a snobby prick in a cliché blazer and cheap looking khakis) Anyhow, overall I was very pleased, and will certainly be back.

    (4)
  • Daniel P.

    LOVE! Yes, I'll have a Croque Maigret with a delicious Bellini and coffee for brunch. And my sister will have the Belgium waffles with brunch potatoes. And we will love all of it. And if the waiter is really friendly, attentive, and not constantly checking on us, we'd appreciate that. You can do that? Excellent! Thank you, Aquitaine, for your perfect location, delicious brunch, and wonderful staff.

    (5)
  • Cami F.

    The food here is always great. You have to get the steak frites! This is a favorite of my Dad's, and while I have been here on a date I think its better for families or a slightly older scene. I should also note my father is a vegetarian and he finds Aquitaine to be very vegetarian friendly! The service can be a little slow, and the tables slightly too close together (don't mind as I hear your entire conversation) but otherwise a very pretty ambiance.

    (4)
  • Brandon H.

    Good food, poor service. Seems to be the theme for this restaurant. Started with the mussles, steak tartar and the escargot. The mussles were excellent the escargot were very good but the steak tartar was just ok, not enough salt and too ground up for my liking. For our mains we got the scallop special with lobster glace and gnocchi and the tagliatelle with duck confit. The scallops were excellent came with six medium size perfectly cooked sweet scallops, but the gnocchi was pretty bad. I've never had gnocchi taste like this, large, not pillowy or fluffy but dense and battery. The tagliatelle was Very well prepared I just wish there was more of the duck. All in all it was just ok took about 15 min for our server to come by and get our drink order and it wasn't until after we placed our order that he told us about the specials. I'll be back but I'm not in any hurry.

    (3)
  • huong n.

    i came here for brunch with a friend on a sunday. their omelettes kicked ass. i had the a la greque and my friend had the basquaise - we both loved our meals. we also enjoyed their apple tart - tasty and not overwhelming. you can never go wrong with this place, when you want to treat a friend. brunch is better on saturday or sunday at 10-11am, because the first glass of orange juice is free and the coffee is bottomless.

    (4)
  • Anna R.

    I wanted to bring my boyfriend out for a special Birthday brunch and wanted to try somewhere new. We made a reservation for 2:30 (last time for brunch orders) on a Saturday. The host was reasonably friendly and there was a short (5 minute) wait. While waiting I was struck by the perfect atmosphere--the bistro really is an immersion experience and you feel like you're in France the minute you walk in the door and through the huge, velvet curtains. We were seated rather quickly, considering it was very busy (MAKE A RESERVATION) but our waitress lacked a lot. She was not very friendly, and seemed to be walking around a lot but not really doing anything. Other than one check up on drinks, we only saw her at the beginning and end of the meal. None of the staff greeted us as we left, even though the cafe was not busy at that point. I got the eggs benedict, and my boyfriend the mac'n'cheese. The eggs benedict had great hollandaise and the brunch potatoes were tender, although not salted. The canadian bacon tasted like it could have been canned though, and the english muffin wasn't really toasted. It was disappointing. :/ The mac'n'cheese was pretty good, but a little weird texture wise (almost grainy). The prices were so good, however, that the quality of food could be forgiven. If not for the atmosphere, I wouldn't be back...but something about this place is too charming to resist and I'm thinking about giving it a second try.

    (2)
  • Jane E.

    Had breakfast with my husband, early in the morning. Yummy breakfast and presented very nicely. For Boston or any other major city, the amount of food that you get is awesome. Service was great, food was delicious and the all inclusive price tag makes this a must for any breakfast on a weekend. Only thing - the tables are kind of small and cramped. I am a petite person, so I had not problems. However, if someone is average size, it will be a bit cramped for you.

    (5)
  • Faye Z.

    The best brunch in Boston! Make a reservation please because it's so popular. I come here all the time with family and friends and this is my favorite brunch spot, even my 5 year old sister loves this place!

    (4)
  • Jessie C.

    Lunch food was very tasty and the drinks were fab! Bartender Matt is a total cutie also. I'll be back for dinner!

    (4)
  • Emily W.

    I've been here on a few special occasions and cannot say enough wonderful things about Aquitaine! My husband lusts over the Filet au Poivre with the melt-in-your-mouth potatoes au gratin. I enjoy the fresh specials and the Tagliatelle! But one thing to remember - always save room for dessert! They have the most delicious bread pudding in the world and the chocolate mousse is amazing. Save your pennies because it's definitely not inexpensive but 100% worth it.

    (5)
  • J R.

    So, this is where you fancy, beautiful people brunch, lunch, dinner and just generally enjoy your wonderful lives. Well, guess what?! Found you! And, now, I want more. "Aquitaine's ambiance echoes the cutting-edge sophistication of a modern Parisian Bistro." That's fancy talk for this place is the bomb. Likes: Warm Beet Salad, with fancy goat cheese, fancy mache greens, toasted walnuts and light vinaigrette. Crisped Salmon with fancy green beans, onions, lemon and a fancy mustard vinaigrette. The Duck breast, was prepared fancily as well, but admittedly, I only had two bites. Brunch Review: Prix fixe brunch runs all day Saturday and from 10-11am on Sunday for $9.95 per person. (FYI - There will be a line.) WARNING: Proletariat prices! PROLETARIAT PRICES! The brunch offers: - warm homemade cinnamon buns, - your choice of 6 or 7 different egg dishes, - potatoes, - toast, - fresh orange juice and, - bottomless coffee. Overall: Fancy at proletariat prices, and to that I say: Viva la France!

    (4)
  • Helen B.

    I used to live across the street from Acquitaine when I lived in Boston. I probably ate here twice a month and when I go back to Boston I always try to eat here. The food and service is always wonderful. It's like Paris tucked away in Boston's most charming neighborhood. You leave the evening feeling full of happiness from food and friends and wine. They still serve one of the best escargots and steak tartare in Boston as well as the only filet au poivre I will eat in Boston.

    (4)
  • David C.

    Wonderful place for brunch. Will be back to try dinner soon. This place has a great ambiance, IMO. I can definitely imagine this to be a good place to take a date. Cozy tables may make it a lite cramped in some areas. Large groups may have a hard time seating. The food was great. Just enough in portions. Everything was fresh, well presented and tasted great. Waitress was very friendly and responsive. Water and coffee never reached 50% before she was back with refills. And we didn't have to hunt her down to get the check. The hostess/manager was great. She was polite, friendly, and efficient. (and gorgeous). I like how she called back a bus-boy and corrected him on the proper way to set the table. She was so boss.

    (5)
  • Susan D.

    On a Saturday afternoon in the South End, we had a good fixe prix brunch here ($10.00!!) which was very generous and tasty. Starts with a small lightly frosted cinnamon roll, fresh squeezed OJ, and coffee, then proceeds to your choice of five or six omelettes with potatoes and toast. My omelette was called Alsacienne I think and came with sauteed mushroom, leaks, and gruyere. Better half's was Greek with fresh spinach and feta. Next time I would ask for mine to be cooked a little less, as it was dryer than I like, but that is a matter of taste. The atmosphere is high-energy and cheerful, and the hostess/manager and serving staff were very nice as well as efficient and professional. We will definitely return for brunch and want to try their dinner menu too - it looks great.

    (3)
  • Stephanie F.

    Love it! You really feel like you are in France in this neat little place (except for the waiters who try their best to pronounce the French cheeses to you). The interior decor is wonderful.. and the food is also yummy! To start we got the cheese plate which consisted of cheese made from cow milk, goat milk and sheep milk. I don't really like blue cheese that much, but I ended up liking the moldy goat cheese the best! It came with a side of watercress and carmelized shallots with walnuts... for an entree I got the steak frites which was very filling (c'mon, steak and fries!) and my boyfriend got the roasted lamb which sat on top of a pea puree mixed with rosemary and mint. The price wasn't bad-- the red wine that we got to accompany it of course threw it off, but it was still awesome. I plan to check this place out for brunch sometime!

    (5)
  • Mike F.

    I'll be brief because I'm tired but want to write this review before I crash. It was valentine's weekend so the place was packed. Wife & I got a drink at the bar before being seated, both delicious and great service. Seated and enjoyed every bite. I ordered the steak tartar and wife ordered escargot. Tartar was delicious, served with spicy brown mustard and pickled cucumber to cleanse the palate. Escargot was hot and in really good hot EVOO, great on its own or on bread provided. For dinner, I got the filet au poivre...AMAZING! Had potatoes au gratin that complemented the pepper steak perfectly. My wife had a scallop special with lobster gnocchi and brussel sprout greens, which all worked well together. Wine was great with dinner too...plenty to choose from. Dessert was great. We split the warm chocolate cake and creme brulee. Each were a great choice for sharing and made to perfection. Only con was I asked our dinners to be wrapped up to take home (would have finished but wanted to save room for dessert), and they were not. Waiter forgot I asked and threw away what would have been leftovers. Luckily it wasn't much, but might have been enough for one person to enjoy for lunch the next day. Still giving 5 stars, but with an * about wrapping up the leftovers. Left pretty late while they were setting up for Sunday brunch, which we're definitely planning on trying in the near future from what others had recommended.

    (5)
  • Tyler C.

    at first glance a little too fancy-appearing for a regular brunch spot, but you can't argue with the quality of the food, or the prices. Well done refined food, very sunny eating area, nice area of Boston to walk around in. Never went in here for dinner so can't comment on that - that is meant to be a pricey, high end meal if I understand things correctly.

    (4)
  • Eric F.

    One of the many gems in the South End, I tried Aquitaine last summer during Restaurant Week and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Great food and good wine pairings. Will be back very soon to check out the pre-fixe brunch!

    (4)
  • Chris F.

    I had a whole day of drinkin moonshine on the levee planned, so I started it off by going to Aquitaine for brunch. I'd heard about their bloody marys from a homeless guy on Tremont, so I had to stop in. Went in there full boar and rocked a croque madame while the busser told me umpteen times to go visit Spain. Clearly, the magic of Jabberjaw had done a number on this man's psyche. After the guy at the table next to me ripped a herculean belch, I downed my last sip of bloody and bolted for the levee. Truly a fine day.

    (4)
  • Julie T.

    I came here about four months ago with some people I work with to celebrate a good move of offices we recently had. I've been meaning to write the review, but have been holding off to let my experience swim around so I could better review it. We arrived right on time with a 7pm reservation on a Saturday night. After hanging around the bar for about 10 minutes, we were seated and our server came over. He was a sweet guy who definitely took care of us. He made sure everything was perfect, but with one flaw: he would always run away once we said something. If we needed some water, he would rush off without hearing any of our other requests which meant that he'd have to run back and forth and back and forth to accommodate us. Of course, he was nice and didn't seem phased at all by it, but it seemed to take up a fair amount of time. Service wise? I'd give Aquitaine 4 stars. When it came to food, there were very high positives and low negatives. To start, my coworker and I shared an order of the mussels. They were fantastic. The broth was sweet and savory with a touch of creme fraiche: it was fabulous. The PEI mussels were tender, not chewy, and perfectly cooked. The mussels in itself was definitely 5 stars. Our server even brought over extra bread for us to soak up the juices. That would definitely earn them a 6th star if possible. That was an incredibly high positive. As for the negatives... The entrees that arrived were a mix of negatives AND positives. I ordered the roasted lamb and the lamb was tender and absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately, the sides were ridiculously overly salted. So overly salted that I could barely eat them and mind you, I eat A LOT of salt. Besides that, the lamb itself was phenomenal. My boss got the special that day which was a fish baked with a crumb topping, I believe. It was again, so overly salted that she was unable to eat it at all. In comparison to my sides though? It didn't seem quite so bad. My coworker got the steak frites and was incredibly pleased with them so it wasn't a complete fail. The ambiance was nice. A bit loud, but it WAS a Saturday night. Service was fantastic and the food, without flaws, was prepared well. Without a doubt, I would give Aquitaine a try again. I would like to think that the salt hand was a bit slippery that night, but no matter. Everything else made up for it.

    (4)
  • Lori A.

    Having just moved to Boston, Aquataine was mentioned by several contacts as a "go to". Having such high expections can be both a blessing and a curse-- but they delievered. Drinks, food and service was spectacular. French food at it's very best. I'll be back!

    (5)
  • Erin P.

    We took my mom here for her birthday. This is a solid upscale restaurant. The service was perfect; these guys are professionals. For starters, the star was the Oeuf en Cocette (a magical jar layered with mashed potatoes, mushrooms, a generous amount of black truffles, and an egg). My favorite entree of the table was the Hake, cooked perfectly and embellished with a balance of flavors including a miracle called "chorizo cider jam". Aquitaine: please bottle and sell that. My favorite part of dining out is eating food that I would never have dreamed of and/or cannot make on my own. That jam meets both. For dessert, the Chocolate Bread Pudding is SUBLIME. This bread pudding is worth a trip to here on its' own. They also serve wine in a carafe size. This is the perfect size to split between two people, and I wish more places did this outside of Italy.

    (4)
  • Timothy A.

    Very good food served in a French bistro style. You walk off the street and into another country. We shared a salad and had steak frites. They offered one of our favorite wines, Quintessence de Chateau Pesquié, a Ventoux wine produced in Mormoiran, near Bedoin and le géant de Provence, le Mont Ventoux. The wait staff was attentive and well informed.

    (5)
  • Sara K.

    Went with a friend for brunch and managed to snag a table even though we went without a reservation. Awesome atmosphere, classy yet casual. Only bad thing was that it was really hot yet there was no AC, just ceiling fans. Food was amazing for the price. Ordered the omelette de la maison for $8, and it was probably one of the top 3 omelettes that I've ever had. Service was good too. Regrettably they didn't have any dessert options that sounded appealing, but that was probably a good thing since I need to lose weight lol. My friend ordered the shrimp salade club and french toast, which she said was really good as well. Would definitely come back for more. Random story: when I was there, a guy just fainted and had mini seizures on the floor.... it was that kind of situation where I didn't really know what to do because he was near our table but already had like his entire family surrounding him... he seemed okay after he regained consciousness, lol not really sure what happened.

    (5)
  • Regina L.

    This is my first time to Yelp a restaurant. First of all I want to warn all of you that they DO NOT have RW menu on Sunday lunch (according to their website, they say that they provide RW menu for lunch and dinner until 3/20, which is a Sunday.) When we arrived, we were told that they only provide brunch. This was the first disappointment. Since we already took our time commuting to the south end, we ordered the brunch menu. The food was pretty good with the price. I wish that there was more cheese in the omelet. Only two bites with cheese...the first two bite... and I'm not exaggerating... my benedict was not bad in general but the english muffin and the ham were both kind of dry tho... the side potato had NO flavor... I needed to eat those with catchup.. which made us kind of disappointed again. The biggest unsatisfactory was our server. Through out the time we were eating, she NEVER came to us to see if we need anything. Our water and coffee were empty and she never refilled those. We wanted butter and jam for the bread... Because she barely paid attention to us, never had eye contact, I would say she never served us beside bring the menu at the beginning and the check at the end. We saw that all of the people were getting surveys with check at the end, and we thought we would have one and decided that we would leave some comment for her to improve. However, she didn't give us a survey card!!! I'm not sure what was the reason she didn't give us one! It might simply be that she forgot, but I doubt. Good food I would say but need to improve their service, at least when I visited.

    (3)
  • Huong P.

    Aquitaine feels and looks like what a little modern French cafe should be--elegant in its furnishings, yet intimate in its arrangement of tables and settings. I wouldn't say necessarily that I am a restaurant snob, but I couldn't help but notice the attractive inner and outer appearances of the building and only wish that more restaurants were like this. A friend and I ventured out to the South End on a lovely, sunny Saturday morning to check out the prix-fixe brunch ($10 for food + beverage excluding tax and gratuities!) offered by this restaurant and headed over to Francesca's Cafe to have some tea while waiting for Aquitaine to open at 10am. Clearly this is a very popular place since a line begins to form around 9:45am and I find out that tables have been booked already. Luckily, we were able to grab a table for two and were immediately offered beverages--her black coffee and me freshly squeeze grapefruit juice. Choosing the prix fixe options, I ordered the omelette alsacienne (with leeks, mushrooms, and boursin cheese) and my friend chose the omelette a la maison (bacon, tomatoes, and gruyere cheese). I enjoyed the prix fixe meal greatly: the morning bun was flaky and a good portion; the omelette flavorful; and the potatoes delightful. Though I wouldn't say this was the best brunch I have ever had, overall I thought the meal was decently good and the price fetching. Despite its beautiful decor and courteous staff, I did not appreciate, however, the lack of subtle finesse our waiter had in serving our food. The table, not very large, was filled and cluttered with glasses of water, coffee, juices, teaware, and silverware, and rather than warning us about the incoming plates of food as we were enjoying our morning bun, he tried to sneakily (though unsuccessfully) place plates of food when there was no space to put them and to add salt, took away the morning bun that I was halfway done with. I understand that he was focused on providing food as it comes out, but there needs to be some sort of consideration and decorum in treating customers such as whether the customers are ready for the next course so as to not rush them in their meal. When I go to restaurants like these ( as opposed to wonderful homey diners like McKenna Cafe in Dorchester), I am going not for the food but for the dining experience. In terms of the experience, however, I found it lukewarm to be best. Nevertheless, Aquitaine has a lot to offer in terms of quality of its offerings and I would surely go again. I just hope that the next time I visit, I would be able to have every single bite of my meal rather than just parts. But maybe that's the big fatty inside me wishing that.

    (4)
  • Jazmine S.

    This review is for the brunch (not prix fixe). Came here for Sunday brunch, New Year's Day. You need to get reservations since the restaurant is tiny and can't accommodate a lot of people. I had the most amazing brioche french toast, topped with Crispy Bacon, Fresh Blueberries, Strawberries, & Vanilla Whipped Cream. Prices are affordable and reasonable for brunch. I heard that the prix fixe lunch is also good. Can't wait to come back here, maybe take the T so as not to stress out with parking. It is also important that even if we were here on a Sunday, it was still very difficult to find street parking.

    (4)
  • Nate Y.

    Just had lunch there, and yes, did the Restaurant Week menu. It was true to it's style, French bistro. Food was simple but tasty. I started with the crispy clams, that's fried clams to you and me. which were fried just right, not oily at all, and lightly salted. The entree I chose was the roasted chicken with watercrest greens and corn. A variety of chicken salad was alright, but I think I would have preferred the beef brisket that one of my co-workers had. I was told by others that the crepes with salmon was good, especially the crepes. The chosen dessert was the fruit tart with vanilla bean ice cream. The tart used nectarines or peaches (in season) on a soft pastry crust. The vanilla bean ice cream was a nice compliment. The service was excellent. The waiter even knew which side to place the dessert spoons for the lefties and righties in our party. Very impressive. I was told that brunch is very good and at very reasonable prices and from the other Yelp reviews it seems this is the place to go on a Sunday.

    (4)
  • Lucy Z.

    Cute brunch place and the prix fixe menu provides great bang for the buck (bottomless coffee, 1 glass of orange or grapefruit juice, a cinnamon bun and a main brunch dish). The food itself didn't stand out compared to the value and service - I like the cinnamon bun, and the omelette I had was pretty standard.

    (4)
  • Shuan L.

    Tips for navigating brunch at Aquitane: 1. Make a reservation. We arrived Saturday at 1:00pm. The place was packed. There was a wait. But we'd made reservations and we seated immediately, gliding past a crowd of envious, hungry onlookers. Win! 2. Lower your expectations. The brunch is decent, but nothing spectacular. The "warm cinnamon buns" are actually not warm, but given that I will eat any kind of cinnamon bun, I overlooked this. The filling inside my omelette was distributed unevenly so that I didn't hit the bulk of the good stuff until halfway through, when I was already starting to get full. And the service is shoddy. When serving coffee, she only filled my cup about 2/3 full and then rushed off. At no point did she come back to check on us. Having said all this, I would still definitely come back - you can't beat a $9.95 prix fixe brunch in Boston! 3. Ration your orange juice! Unlike the coffee, the OJ is not bottomless. We found this out the hard way. :(

    (3)
  • Shannon F.

    This place made my birthday brunch VERY special. I only wish I had thought to make a reservation because they were very busy and we had to wait almost an hour. I feel like it was worth the wait. Prix Fix brunch for 9.95, served promptly with EXCELLENT service in a beautiful atmostphere is exactly what I wanted on my Birthday. Our server also brought me some exquisite chocolate mouse, and I believe she did it without any secret stealthy request from anyone in my party. It was the perfect end, to a nearly perfect meal. I would love to go back here for dinner and maybe I will for Restaurant week!

    (5)
  • Jennifer S.

    Not sure what the negative reviews are about - this is one of my favorite restaurants in the South End. I have been here for a special occasion, and most recently for Restaurant Week. Food was delicious, service was great (our waitress even helped us with a movie trivia question), atmosphere was perfect as always. Reminds me of being in Paris where dinners are an event, and are meant to be enjoyed and not rushed.

    (4)
  • Radu B.

    Came in on the weekend for restaurant week. Was told that the restaurant week doesn't run over the weekend even though the website clearly states differently. Staff was super rude saying '... feel free to leave ', which we clearly did. Doesn't make sense paying 20$ for 3 eggs and get insulted in the process. Will never come again, not worth it.

    (1)
  • Bati K.

    The food is great! The brunch menu is consistently delicious. But you can't come without a reservation which is frustrating (luckily you can make a reservation via yelp!).

    (4)
  • Rosie Z.

    Came here on a Friday night, made a reservation on opentable two days before so it didn't seem too difficult, but when we got there at 7, the restaurant was very full. Food was very good. The mussels has amazing creamy sauce and we keep dipping the crunchy rolls in it. My lamb was very good, one of the better lamb I had, which comes with a (mint?) pea puree and was delicious with the potatoes on the side. Service was very attentive. The only downside was that tables were very close to each other. I wouldn't want to come here for a first date or with anyone I don't feel 100% comfortable with because people next table can hear every word you say.

    (4)
  • Sheila B.

    I have been to this place for dinner, brunch and just drinks. I will say that the restaurant week menu is a good deal but it's not very French at all to me. I would highly suggest going for brunch, which is $9.95, includes an entree, a hot cinnamon bun, coffee, and juice. Really a great deal, the place is always packed, but they have opened two other locations (1) in chestnut hill and the other in (2) Dedham legacy place. I have not tried those two locations bu I am sure it was good. I will say that you definitely need a reservation to eat there, the food is good and priced appropriately, the tables, like other South end restaurants are very close together, I would say it's also very loud too. Keep that in mind when you are making your reservation ! This is definitely a staple place in Boston !

    (4)
  • Betsy C.

    Brunch -- We went here for brunch on a Saturday morning. It was pretty packed, thankgod they take reservations! But, the food was delicious, I got the Prix Fixe meal, 9.95 for endless coffee, a little baby cinnabun which was delicious, and eggs with toast and potatoes. It was very yummy, not the most amazing.. but there's not too much you can do with eggs. My friend got the duck confit sandwich, which looked amazing, with this great dressing. It looked absolutely delicious, buttery, and perfectly crunchy. Definitely a place i'd go again. The atmosphere was cute, definitely not a place you'd want to go with a big crowd. Anything over 6, i'd try some place different.

    (4)
  • Alison C.

    This place was my lucky Bastille Day destination last week. My only real problem with this place started right when we got there. We made reservations. I understand it was Bastille Day, which is like St. Patrick's Day, the remix, in Boston. But we waited over a half hour to be seated. That sucks, especially when it was at 8:30 and some of us have long-ass commutes out of the city. I think the hostess wanted to throw us in front of a bus after we asked "How much longer?" about 21831297 times. When we finally were seated, everything was great. The bread is wonderful. I tried escargot for the first time (loves it), and the waitress was cool about explaining how to eat it. I ordered the Tagliatelle, but I wish I got the Salmon (fantastic). Loved the vibe, loved the bathroom (very important). Everything was great...except for the meaningless reservation.

    (4)
  • Jamie F.

    Every neighborhood has its own brunch joint. In South End, you're supposed to go to Aquitaine. My mom and I ventured to this area to check out the $10 brunch with moderate expectations. After spending a long time looking for parking, we made it just in time for our reservation to a spacious, oval table booth seats by the window. Try to special-request for this - I don't know how the other twosies managed to eat at their tiny tables. I liked the slightly upscale decor yet cozy atmosphere. Patrons appeared to be families, friends, & couples seemingly having heart-to-heart conversations over simple coffee and brunch. The Christmas music was very much appreciated. Service could've been better - we were never checked up on by any of the servers. After finally flagging down a waitress to get butter for our toast, she literally gave us ONE dinky piece of butter to share ... um, The Cheesecake Factory is more generous! Yes, the $10 brunch is a fab deal, generous portion too, but the food was mediocre. Sad to say, but my favorite parts were the OJ and toast. The omelets, potatoes, and coffee just didn't wow us and the cinnamon rolls tasted like microwaved Hostess'. I was actually more interested and admiring my neighbor's brioche french toast... oh well, guess I'll just have to try that next time.

    (3)
  • J C.

    I have been to Aquitaine many times and it is very hit or miss. I am conflicted about giving them three stars, because sometimes they are a four and sometimes they are a one, but they rarely give a simply "average" experience. Sunday brunches and Steak Frites lunches are almost always a hit with groups at Aquitaine. Service has always been exceptionally good: attentive but not pushy. Food preparation is excellent, BUT I have encountered occasional food quality issues that make it impossible to give a better review or star rating.

    (3)
  • Lala I.

    went there with my mom for lunch today. i can't say the food was amazing, but it was decent. i had the stout beer braised beef cheeks, i thought it was mad salty. i don't drink wine, i think the beef cheeks would taste better with wine. desserts were ok, not the best i have ever had. staffs were very friendly and professional.

    (4)
  • Meredith F.

    After trying Aquitaine for both dinner (about 3 years ago) and brunch (just last weekend), I can truly say that not much has changed. The service is lousy, and the food has some bright spots, but mostly is unimpressive. I still remember my steak frites from a few years ago, mostly because it was the most raw piece of meat I have ever eaten that wasn't tartare. (I had asked for medium.) Unfortunately I didn't notice because it was so dark and ate almost half the portion, which was about 3 bites, before I examined my meat more closely to see the cause of that chewy texture. Brunch this past weekend was better executed, but nothing outstanding. I ordered the steak and eggs. (Back on the horse!) The steak, while actually cooked this time, was marinated in some type of A-1 tasting sauce that I wasn't a huge fan of. My eggs were a little over-poached, with barely any runny yolks left. The home fries, while flavorful and packed with onions, were lukewarm and had clearly been sitting around for a while. The cinnamon roll we ordered as an appetizer came with our meal, since the waitress had forgotten it (did I mention the bad service?). It was nice and flakey, but again, tasted like it had been out in the open air for a few hours. The orange juice was absolutely delicious though. I can forgive an underdone steak or an overdone egg, but being ignored by the hostess for nearly 5 minutes upon entering, made to wait about 20 minutes for a table we had reserved, and then receiving bumbling service after that makes this a spot I probably won't be revisiting.

    (2)
  • Renard R.

    Horrible service. can't stress this enough. They wouldn't care about you on a restaurant week at one bit. All they cater is to the people that actually pays 200+ for their meal. Other than that ignored. Money is everything. You don't have money might as well not eat here.

    (1)
  • Joe M.

    Great place for brunch. Good service, wonderful food. The reservations were a snap thru Yelp.

    (4)
  • Dan O.

    One of the best dining experiences I've ever had! My wife and I took my mother-in-law for her birthday. Perfect. Place. High-end food. All meals were perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about the place (apart from maybe add another toilet). Perfect for cozy evenings and romantic meals.

    (5)
  • John S.

    Went to Sunday Brunch with my wife & we enjoyed Aquitaine very much. It was busy & a little cramped but the food & service was very good. We both started with Bloody Marys from the bar & then my wife had Eggs Benedict & I had the Omelet Alcasienne with a side of bacon. Reservations are a must for Sunday Brunch but well worth it.

    (4)
  • Elizabeth Y.

    This review is specifically for Aquitaine's prix fixe brunch, which is probably one of the best value brunches in town. I've been twice for this brunch with family from out of town. This will probably continue to be my go-to spot for brunch with out-of-towners. The cinnamon buns are fantastic and the omelette de la Maison is pretty good. To be clear, this isn't the best omelette I've ever had, but it's quite good. And for 10 bucks, who can beat coffee, juice, cinnamon buns, and and omelette. On top of that, Aquitaine has great decor. It can get a little noisy at times, and definitely come early -- there's usually a long line. Take the T, as parking can be tough.

    (5)
  • Sandy L.

    whenever i think of a recommended brunch place i think long lines but ridiculously good food. this place = awesome because you make reservations and are seated promptly with ridiculously good food. sooo thank you aquitaine for allowing us to sit in your warm and toasty restaurant rather than freezing for hours outside! we did the prix fixe menu which is such a great deaaal. $9.99 you get unlimited coffee, choice of juice, cinnamon bun and one of their egg combo plates. the cinnamon bun was very tasty, the coffee is strong and the eggs are very well made. by the end of the meal i'm a coffee buzzed happily stuffed monster ready to take on the cold! our server was very attentive and the restaurant environment was very pleasant. definitely a great spot to have brunch with friends on the weekend. I RECOMMEND!

    (4)
  • Rose W.

    For $9.95, the Prix Fixe brunch is a solid deal. The cinnamon roll was cute, but I prefer ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls over the dry pastry type. I enjoyed the OJ and the Omelette de la Maison, and the potatoes were good too. Overall, I prefer my go-to brunch places in Inman, Central, or Davis Squares, but I'd come back here again. Not a bad place to go if you're looking for a bit of a NYC atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Steve S.

    Kind of torn here.. Aquitaine is a French inspired restaurant on Tremont St in the heart of The South End with French inspired interior and of course French food The expression you never have a second chance for a first impression seems lost on these folks. Walked in with my girl and was greeted by a woman who seemed more interested talking on the phone. She gave me the one minute finger, and then five minutes later someone else showed me to a table. Strike one and two The food and service, however, were excellent. I had the scallops over lentils, which had multiple textures and flavors. My girls duck was very flavorful as well. I would recommend Aquitane, but if a woman upfront seems disinterested ,on the phone and gives you one moment finger, you might want to respond with a finger of your own

    (4)
  • Kim N.

    Let' keep it short. Service: attentive and pleasant Food: -mussels: the best mussels I've ever had, perfect texture and flavor -fettuccine: simply sublime -duck plat du jour: fabulous -sorbet dessert trio: yuuuuuum and refreshing!! especially loved the strawberry champagne and lychee -porfiteroles: tasty, and huge! -chocolate mousse: also tasty, but fave is still the sorbet Ambiance: classy, can be romantic or go with your quartet of girlfriends ;) FInal word: hope to someday be a patron again if I am ever east side again.

    (5)
  • Cat E.

    Got sick after eating their food....i think we got food poisoning...

    (1)
  • Victor P.

    Dinner is wonderful! I recommend the filet au poive. It was terrific! Very cute and comfortable restaurant. Excellent brunch place but make reservations or you'll be waiting forever. Brioche French Toast . . . the best!

    (5)
  • Mindy L.

    I am going to have to preface this review by stating that I might have been a little intoxicated going into this dinner (thanks to my bf and his roommates having a little "hurricane party" earlier in the day). However, what I do remember was excellent and decidedly better than average. I asked for the drink special that I blurrily read on the sign outside the front door - actually, it might have been pointed out to me but that's besides the point. My favorite drink...a dark'n'stormy was being offered and I'm on a constant search for the one that will sit in my internal #1 list. This one was pretty tasty, not the best, definitely not the worst. After having the boyfriend decipher and translate the menu for me (I had no idea what Filet au Poivre was, but after he told me poivre was pepper...I was in)...I decided to order the steak au pepper and he ordered the tagliatelle. I thought the steak was perfectly cooked and the outside of crusted peppercorns/garlic/and more was absolutely great. It was served with a side of au gratin potatos (awesome!) which was convenient because I needed something to tame the spicy qualities of the steak. I had a few bites of the taglietelle which was definitely delish as well. For dessert, I went for the creme brulee - very yum, but at that point, I was so full that unfortunately 3/4 of it went to waste. All in all, great fun. There were some interesting conversations to be overheard (I'm sure the ones I was staging were quite entertaining as well) given the close proximity of the tables. One star goes unequivocably to the waitstaff who were absurdly professional, attentive and on their game! Kudos to them.

    (4)
  • Bret C.

    Four and a half stars. Aquitaine is classy with an outstanding atmosphere and service that is much of the same. Literally stumbled upon this place, took a chance, and boy was it a place to get a great meal! Relatively upscale food at prices that, as a whole, are lower than that of other restaurants in the area. Sides, for example, are included with meals, rather than the a-la-carte style of many other area restaurants. Easy valet parking if you need it, but it's pricey. A tip from someone at the restaurant: park at the nearby school and save yourself $20.

    (4)
  • Caitlin C.

    Went here last night for a dinner with work colleagues and we had an absolutely wonderful meal. It was a Monday night and we were seated right away sans reservations, which was lovely (even managed to find a choice parking spot less than a block away - lucky lucky). Started out with a tasty glass of Cote du Rhone and kept 'em coming throughout the meal. We were given a cheesey croquette amuse bouche thing which was nice. For my appetizer, I selected the frisee salad with poached egg and bacon. It was perfection. After some deliberation, I went with the Monday night special, Tagliatelle w/ Duck Confit. It was excellent and I highly recommend it if you happen to dine there on a Monday. My colleagues both went with steak and they were quite pleased. Clean plate club all around! I couldn't very well pass on dessert, so I chose the profiteroles and they were delicious. Just as good as the ones we used to get at this pub in France. The creme brulee also looked good, but I was too focused on finishing the profiteroles to even have a taste. Overall, I'm sure I'll be back one of these days (when my wallet is fatter). Would also be a great date night place (there were a lot of cute couples). And I hear brunch is fantastic.

    (5)
  • Simona S.

    I went on what I think was a date here. Yes, you read that right. What started off as two co-workers "just going there" for dinner ended up with me freaking out about my outfit, then me worrying about being late and making a bad impression, then me essentially asking all of the questions (with a pause to order scallops and later dessert), then me ultimately paying for the meal. Uh yea. I wanted to order wine but was scared of getting carded. I should have ordered the wine, it would have eased up my nerves. I don't get nervous easily, or ever really for that matter, but I've also never hung out with a co-worker outside of work before. Lotsa pressure. I didn't even eat the complimentary bread. So I wanted to get the lamb shank but HE ordered the lamb shank and I didn't want to copy so I went with the scallops. I was very excited about the scallops and excited about his shank because I thought he would let me try it. No. So this brings me to a serious question: Is it weird when someone absolutely REFUSES to try your food even though they like what you're eating? Because that's what happened. I kept offering my delicious scallop and he said no. He refused me. He refused me... and my scallop. It looked sad so I just ate it. I didn't even feel good about eating it. And if he didn't take my scallop of course I couldn't ask for his shank. Okay that sounds dirty. But we're just talking about food here. All of that aside, I thought that the service was great except for the very beginning when they took a long time to take our orders. But water was refilled consistently, the place is dim but beautiful and romantic-al, and I liked the bathroom. No but seriously, why didn't he take my scallop?

    (4)
  • Layla P.

    I tried the Brioche French Toast with Crispy Bacon, Fresh Blueberries & Vanilla Whipped Cream and I wished they hadn't put the whipped cream on top for so long because it made it soggy - next time I would order it on the side. We also went there for the fixed price Bastille Day menu - the french onion soup was fabulous and very filling, it's great to dip the starter bread into it. The steak frites was delicious although I wish the fries had more flavor and the pasta dish was flavorful and heavy. The creme brulee was a little too eggy for me, but the crispy topping was delicious. The chocolate mousse was also an excellent dessert - prefect taste and consistency.

    (4)
  • Marilyn T.

    In one word, the place is lovely. The decor is simple but classy, and it has a very French bistro feel to it. Service was ok, but not super attentive. Dishes came out slowly, and I can't say all of them were worth the wait. Potatoes at brunch were done well, but nothing else was too memorable. It's kind of expensive for bistro style food. For the prices, there are other places in south end I'd rather go to.

    (3)
  • Adam E.

    $10 brunch and the best bloody mary I've found in boston.

    (4)
  • Mark W.

    I went with a group of people and it was great. We had bottles of white wine that went really well with the meal. I had the tuesday special of braised pork and it was awesome. The one thing that everyone loved was the fries with aioli. i also went there for their lunch special and it was a good deal. I had the Duck Confit and Gruyere Sandwich and there was plenty of shredded duck and you could taste the richness of it with the gruyere. That with the tomato bisque was awesome. I picked the side salad which had a nice dressing. The endless coffee was a big plus :) For dinner it was packed but for lunch it's not as full. It's somewhat nice to have a nice quiet lunch though. One note is that the restaurant is a little small so you may feel like you're part of the table next to you.

    (4)
  • Raffaella P.

    Excellent atmosphere and nice music. The food was good, even though I expected a bit better especially for the appetizer ( the oeuf en cocotte, was nothing special) and the dessert (sorbet, lime and peach, too sweet). The entrees were remarkably good instead. We had roasted chicken breast & leg crepinette and a very tender beef on baby carrots and baby asparagus. Very tasty les escargots de Bourgogne.

    (3)
  • Andy C.

    Aquitaine provides a very exquisite dining environment. Its bistro-like feel retains class without being pompous, and the decor's darker colors give off a vibrant warmth. The wine selection is very impressive, and my friend and I thoroughly enjoyed their professional tasting process. The two fish entrees we had were both delicious - flaky and moist without being overly seasoned or heavy. The creme brulee dessert definitely had a unique Aquitaine twist to it - I still can't really describe it, but it was creme brulee with a very tasty flair. Paired with the very attentive and friendly service, dining at Aquitaine was definitely a pleasure.

    (5)
  • Suzanne G.

    Popped over for a latish lunch on a Sunday, no reservation. We were told there'd be a 45 minute wait, and since the day was lovely, we wandered around the neighborhood a bit, then went back to wait on the bench outside the restaurant. Soon the hostess came out to get us and took us to our corner booth. We ordered quickly--a carafe of Cote du Rhone, Aquitaine burger for hubby which he requested with bleu cheese instead of Boursin, shrimp salad club sandwich for me. Both with frites, very yummy, no ketchup for us thanks but please bring some dijon mustard which she did. Very good food and service, bad music. The location at Chestnut Hill was being renovated last time we ate there so things seemed a bit off kilter; both are very similar in design and decor, very intimate seating. Nice.

    (4)
  • Gabrielle G.

    Alright, so I did eat here a while back (July) but from what I remember it was nothing short of amazing. I ordered the seared sea scallops which were cooked perfectly and my bf and I shared a goat cheese salad appetizer. We were seated in a comfy booth in the front of the restaurant (perfect for people watching.) It definitely wasn't too crowded (it was Tues or Wed) and the waitress was very helpful. She wasn't acting like we should automatically be familiar with every item on the menu--I've had this happen before. If we're paying $30 a plate, there's no reason the wait staff should be making me feel uncomfortable, but sometimes it's just inevitable that french waiters will come off this way. Luckily this wasn't the case at Aquitaine. 5 stars for food 5 stars for service

    (5)
  • Tracy L.

    I went here with some colleagues on a weekday evening. The food was amazing, and the atmosphere exceeded my expectations! I had the goat cheese salad -- it was incredibly good -- the goat cheese was soft, warm and nut-encrusted. I also had the mushroom linguine -- again -- excellent; and the profiteroles for dessert; this was the only course I'd say was "OK." I think next time -- I'd try the fallen chocolate cake or the apple tart -- others at my table had them -- and both looked very yummy. The location is great; and I enjoyed looking out the large windows onto Tremont. I would definitely go here again.

    (5)
  • yj j.

    I went there for brunch, and honestly I was not that impressed. I mean it's not that the food is bad. it's just that the food is not that great. I really liked the fresh grapefruit juice, but the eggs benedict was honestly kind of bland. I'll probably try it again, but will not be my definite go to.

    (3)
  • Sarah A.

    After coming here a few more times I've definitely learned what to order. BOURSIN BURGER all the way. The creme brulee is also excellent. I would still advise that you stay away from the little salads.

    (4)
  • Keith O.

    I have mixed feelings about Aquitaine - The bar is tiny and the menu rarely changes. The fare is typical French and the servings are small. Now I am not a big plate american who needs to take food home - but they are a little sparing here. The items I have had off the menu were good, but the foie gras terrine was my least liked. I prefer my foie gras warm I guess. I would recommend Metropolis or many of the other restaurant in the South End before Aqua.

    (3)
  • Anthony C.

    Okay. So I am adding back two stars to my review. Why? Well, when the owner responds to your post privately and apologizes for your experience, that is huge kudos in my book. Customer Service is so vital yet an unfortunate dying breed in our society. To see an owner reach out is exceptional! We will go back again to see if it was a one time thing and review.

    (4)
  • Komal B.

    Went here with some girlfriends for my birthday and it was a pretty good meal. The food was tasty, drinks were fun, service was attentive. The only minus was they had run out of what I wanted to order. No harm- I ended up ordering a dish that was great. I dont even remember what the main on the entree was, but the shaved asparagus and snow peas it was placed on were very memorable. If I still lived in Boston, I would return at some point

    (4)
  • Angel S.

    Expensive but tasty french restaurant in south east, Boston. Waitress were very helpful. And the food was really good. I ate the "filet au poivre", it was worth the price.

    (4)
  • Lisa V.

    Hmm, it looks like a French bistro... And we were trying to find another restaurant off Tremont and got a bit turned around. So we ended up right here. A cute corner location with street parking we scored right out front. We started the night with wine & cocktails and ordered the cheese plate. We were all starving and immediately wanted somethign to nibble on. Now in a normal person's world, would a cheese plate only refer to 1 hunk of cheese with some candied apricots? I think not. For $11 that seemed a bit out of my expectations. There were also some crostinis that were loaded in oil & butter. I had the sidecar martini ($11.50) which was very sugary sweet! I guess I should have read the description as it was rimmed in sugar too. Others had a vodka martini ($12) and glass of cabernet ($14.50). Nothing over the top, and we did ask if they had blue cheese olives - they did not. Bummer. I would have to say for service that the waitress was not warm and friendly. It was very matter of fact and we had to hunt her down after our entrees were ordered for more cocktails. They also gave us to start a piece of a bite sized cheese biscuit? It was kind of random, but served warm so that was a nice alternative than using the crostini as a vehicle for the itty bitty piece of cheese I took from the cheese plate. Bummer since we all love cheese so much! We then ordered the roasted chicken ($23), scallops ($28) and the lamb ($28). We also got a order of garlic side spinach ($7). All the entrees looked good, I had the chicken. It was roasted with the leg bone and they did do a good version of it. A bit salty, so my last couple of bites I did take off the skin. I know, I know, but it was a bit much! When we received our bill, they forgot our order of spinach, so we had to hunt her down again for that. She seemed annoyed about it. It was a good dinner, but it was just a waitress where you know she was motivated by our dinner bill and not creating a good experience for dinner. Such a bummer as it had a good neighborhood feel and not what you think for a bistro atmosphere.

    (3)
  • Veronica F.

    Came here on a date during my trip to Boston. Friendly staff, good food, great overall dining experience. The ouef en cocotte was to die for! The only complaint I have about this dish was that is was too small! I also had the roasted chicken breast and braised leg which was remarkably good. The sauce had a gravy like flavor and the veggies soaked it all up. My BF got the steak frites, which came highly recommended by his co-workers, and he was not disappointed. If I lived in the Boston area I would definitely be back....highly recommend this restaurant if you're in the area!

    (4)
  • Molly M.

    I had dinner here with several friends a couple of weeks ago. I didn't find it particularly expensive, considering that quality of food was outstanding. In fact I think 3 stars is not accurate. We had an impromptu meet-up with friends and I had been eating all day. I was stuffed and had just come for the company. I ordered a little bit of food but couldn't stop eating. Delicious!

    (4)
  • Lickety Split N.

    I went for brunch on a Saturday morning with a group of five. It was just after 10 AM, and the restaurant was nearly empty. When three of us first arrived, the hostess asked us if we had a reservation (no), and then told us they *should* be able to seat us when our entire party arrives. Really? You think? You'll find some room for us in your empty restaurant? After the initial absurdity, the experience was actually okay. Our waitress was pleasant (and indeed French) and the food came quickly. A couple of people in my party went with the prix-fixe brunch, and they enjoyed it okay (however, I did try a bite of the cinnamon roll included in the prix-fixe, and I'm pretty sure that they got the recipe from Little Debbie). I ordered the brioche french toast, which included two strips of bacon, whipped cream, and a smattering of fresh berries. Pretty tasty, although I didn't quite expect the bacon to be on top of the french toast, under the whipped cream. I'll probably give Aquitaine another try eventually since I live within throwing distance. For now, I can't really say I'd recommend it.

    (3)
  • Ami R.

    I've been here twice for brunch over the past 4 years. This place offers a solid brunch for a good price. We were able to make reservations that morning prior to going in, which def helped with the wait time. A cinnamon bun to start, really yummy fresh squeezed OJ, bottomless coffee and an egg dish/omelet...all for 9.99!! The ambience of Aquitaine is very cozy. I've never been here for dinner, but this place doesn't have a vegetarian friendly menu. I do however, recommend this place for brunch.

    (3)
  • Jerry H.

    Had not been here for a long time. Excellent meal. Very good service. Good wine list with reasonable prices. Will return soon.

    (4)
  • Hannah L.

    I LOVE AQUITAINE! i had been trying to come and eat for ages and never got around to it and i finally did!!! i didn't even feel like i was in boston anymore, but a faraway city... came for dinner, and was very overwhelmed. i love the huge windows and mirrors, and elegance of it all. in the front is one bartender at this cute little bar area (which they call le petit bar a vin), who also makes all the drinks for patrons eating too! the cocktails were really interesting and tasted awesome (recommend "Bees Knees", "St Cloud", "Belgian Blossom" and "French 75"). I'd go so far as to say that they are the best tasting most interesting cocktails i've had in boston thus far. love the ambiance...dark and sexy! the waitstaff was super polite and nice, even when my date 'ate it' and in the process almost spilled her cocktail on some one in a booth. haha! the food was AWESOME too - tried the Warm Beet Salade (which has hazelnuts in it!), Crispy Salmon and this chocolate yummy thing for dessert. i have no problem dropping $$ here, as it is $$ well spent. the ambiance is very chill, they played thievery corporation the whole time i was there, loved the cocktails and food. can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Leah R.

    I went a few weeks ago during restaurant week. The host was great; my party was about a half an hour late and they accommodated us without any complaints. Service was fantastic. Food was great, although portions were small - not surprising given it was restaurant week. My only complaint was that it was extremely HOT in the restaurant and we had to ask a few times to have the AC turned up. Strangely, my only other visit to this restaurant was about 4 years ago and the one thing I remember about that experience, believe it or not, was that it was really hot inside. I thought maybe it was because that time we were seated by the kitchen, but now I'm thinking maybe they need to check out the efficiency of their AC. I'd love to go back again but I'd be hesitant it would be too hot to be enjoyable. Guess I'll have to wait until January or February when it's cold out.

    (4)
  • Naz S.

    Had an amazing time with my date last weekend! Even it was very busy during dinner time, our food came faster than we expected or it could be the wine (hats off to the wine selection). Aquitaine was a great choice for a date night, Romantic ambiance! My hake was delicious and loved the escargots experience!

    (5)
  • Michelle H.

    I had steak frites and the meat was soooo tough, I couldn't chew it. I liked the presentation and the taste of the black truffle sauce but I couldn't eat it. Husband had the filet and that was nicely done. service was great, dessert was good. Overall...average!

    (3)
  • Shang S.

    Aquitaine makes for great leftovers! You'll see what I mean in a minute... I came here for my one-year anniversary dinner with the boyfriend. We live nearby and have sampled many of the other equally delicious French establishments. We've heard that it's great for brunch, but were very very happy for our dinner experience. We went on a Tuesday night, so it was a lot less crowded than usual and waiter service was attentive without being too nosy. First off, huge props to the BARTENDER ['twas a bald-headed African man, so may be a different bartender than some of the reviews below]. He made a mojito and a French manicure, and I was happy to report that they did not skimp on the alcohol or the flavor. He even sent the waiter to take the mojito back to add more sugar when we had only taken one sip and it didn't register yet in our minds that it needed sugar. Appetizer! We ordered the soft shell crab salad, and only ordered one, but the waitress served it beautifully on two plates! Entree - he got the lamb, I got the steak frites. Excellent taste all around, and generous portions for a French restaurant. Steak was cooked to medium rare, the fries were handcut but thin (very important!). The vegetables that were paired were great, much more exotic than what I'd usually buy in the grocery stores, slightly bitter but a light counterweight to the heavy meat. I even had some steak leftover that I devoured next day for lunch. And thus, Aquitaine also makes for great leftovers.

    (5)
  • Christopher M.

    Really great meal last night. Myself and two buddies got right in at the bar and all were very happy with our food. I had the Plate De Jour for Saturday, which was the Scallops and lobster gnocchi in a lobster glace. Large plate of food and was a super tasty. Also ordered a side of spinach and it was one of the highlights of the meal. Best i can remember ever having. Hostess was super friendly and the bartender was well informed on the neighborhood and gave us really attentive service.

    (5)
  • A S.

    I went to Aquitaine for brunch, and found the food itself tired and solidly mediocre, but not unreasonable if desperate on a New Year's day when everything else is closed. The great surprise was simply how poorly managed the restaurant was, particularly in comparison to other restaurants owned by the group (notably the Union Bar and Grille). We happened to be sitting by the kitchen, and so got to watch the food going off to tables. The restaurant didn't seem to have food runners and the wait staff weren't terribly efficient --- so food seemed to be sitting unloved for a long time before going off to tables. Certainly our dishes were lukewarm at best. Nobody came by to ask how our food was. The coffee was similarly unhappy. But the strangest part was that the toilets had been allowed to run out of toilet paper and soap (I think that the latter is a health violation). I thought of mentioning this to someone, but couldn't find any managers wandering around.

    (2)
  • Amy M.

    Oh, such fond memories from my college days. The steak frites as well as the mussels are to die for. Brunch is great, too... Back in the day, I lived off the French Manicure cocktail, tho I'm not sure if they make it anymore? I still miss those. Cozy and tasty and worth the trip.

    (4)
  • Lea C.

    I love Aquitaine. But I love a good bistro, so it's not wonder. I've only been here twice, but if I lived in the neighborhood, I think I'd be there once a week. Parking can be a pain given that it's Tremont St (there's always valet but it's expensive) and again it's not near the T in any sense of the imagination, but that shouldn't deter you. The great: The mushroom pasta is out of this world. It sells out later in the night, so if you want some, get there before 9:30. And bring a friend or come prepared to take half home, as the portion of that particular entree is huge. I also love the lemon sole--the sauce is lovely, the fish is perfectly cooked, and the chopped haricot vert are some of the best I've ever had. The coq au vin was satisfying and rich, but not too rich. And I love the cheese plate, the accompaniments were well-chosen. The escargot has all the elements I want in it, and was perfectly cooked--kudos for no shells. The onion soup is classic, and exactly what I would expect at a French bistro. A friend of mine loved the salmon so much she literally cleaned her plate. And they once gave us free champagne for a birthday toast. The average: The frites are classic, but nothing spectacular. The chocolate mousse was less mousse and more whipped cream--I like my mousse dense and chocolaty. I think the thing I love the most about Aquitaine is that although it's hearty, traditional French fare, it feels lighter. You never leave feeling the heaviness that rich French food can cause. But you're always full and satisfied. Make sure to end one evening milling around Tremont with dinner at Aquitaine, you won't regret it!

    (4)
  • Kate C.

    This place was tough to rate. We went there for Saturday brunch (they have a really enticing prefix special). They started really strong with quite possibly the best Bloody Mary I've ever had (lots of ground pepper and Worcestershire sauce, spicy but not too spicy). It went down hill from there. The server was kind of an ass. When I asked what was popular he flippantly responded "everything". I ended up not ordering one of the prefix specials and instead ordered the Croque Madam. The portion was huge (too huge) and it was okay, but not great. The French fries, which should be phenomenal at a place like this, were good, but not great, as well. All in all an okay experience, but not off the charts.

    (3)
  • A. D.

    We came here for NYE and it definitely lived up to the expectations. Even though it was crowded when we first arrived, we felt well taken care of from the service, to the food and drinks, and ending with the cherry on top: champagne, hats, and horns at the midnight countdown. Pitch perfect from start to finish. The beautiful decor alone is enough to warrant a stop over, and if you make it for a special ocassion you won't be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Doris K.

    Great Saturday brunch prix fixe menu for only $9.95 which comes with a warm cinnamon bun, choice of entree, home fries, toast, juice, and endless coffee. The omelet was great and filled with flavor and the cinnamon bun was fantastic. My only complaint is on the prix fixe menu there are only three entrees to choose from. I would love to go back some time to try their other dishes. Service was great and not overbearing. Aquitaine is quite a small place though so be prepared to wait on busy nights.

    (4)
  • Kavitha M.

    I have been here for brunch twice and had the same thing- the burger. Both times the burger was tasty. However, the service has ranged from great to just ok. The first time the service was outstanding and really heightened our enjoyment of the meal. There was a small mistake in my order and the waitress not only immediately rectified it, but adjusted the bill accordingly. She was fabulous. The second time, the service was mediocre. Because of its close proximity to my apt, I will probably go again but its not a brunch I crave.

    (3)
  • Jeremy S.

    A very sexy ambiance and delicious food, makes it one of Boston's best (in my mind) date restaurants.The salmon was perfect and was nicely complimented by a flavorful Bordeaux reduction and tender wild mushrooms. Interestingly, Aquitaine has ties to another popular South End spot, Metropolis Cafe. Tip: If you're taking a hot date, see if you can get the window seat for two which allows you to sit next to each other...

    (4)
  • Ina C.

    $9.95 for prix-fixe brunch?? Amazing! My bf ordered the omelette de la maison (delicious) but I ventured off the prix-fixe menu and ordered the French toast with bacon. Where I'm from, bacon goes on the side, but here at this lovely establishment, the bacon goes right on top of the French toast and transforms the entire dish. The whole is definitely more than the sum of the parts. Haha, I'm totally butchering that phrase, huh? Anyway, it was truly one of the best brunches I've had. I love the cozy atmosphere and great service!

    (5)
  • Ashlee C.

    Went here for a birthday dinner with the boy and everything was really wonderful. I am only removing one star because they really cram you in like sardines, but I can look past that for the quality of the food. As this was my first visit, I played it safe and ordered the Steak Au Poivre. The filet was cooked to a perfect medium rare, and the side of haricots verts and potatoes au gratin were also executed to perfection. My companion had a pasta special in a sage butter sauce that was also very tasty. The creme brulee for dessert was one of the best I have ever had. In addition, the service was exactly what I expected from a restaurant of this caliber. The waiter was extremely efficient in explaining everything and was not overbearing in his presence at all. We barely noticed him moving through the tightly crammed tables - highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Morgan F.

    How to eat an Aquitaine Brunch 1. Plan ahead and either make reservations, or be prepare to wait about 10 minutes (aka go hungry, but not blood sugar level dropping hungry) 2. Try to sit in one of the AMAZING red leather booths. If you get a 1/2 table 1/2 booth, you can choose to either melt into the soft leather of the booths or sit neatly in the chairs and peer at yourself during the meal in the mirrors ;) 3. Start with the warm house made cinnamon bun (on Saturday its included in the fix price brunch for $9.95!!) 4. Convince your friends to order as many different options so you can try some of each. Both of the Eggs Benedict (ham or avocado) have perfectly poached and runny eggs. The french toast comes with bacon on-top, being a vegetarian I was not 100% into, but it is amazing! And the boursin cheese omelet is mouth watering! 5. The waiters are very attentive about drink service, so don't forget to get a Bloody Mary, coffee or orange juice! 6. Eat, Drink and be Merry :) 7. Pay check, tip and RETURN AGAIN!

    (4)
  • Sean H.

    If you're looking for a good reliable French place, this is a great spot. The menu isnt going to wow you with its originality, but everything ive ever had has been high quality and well presented. Good wine list and reasonable prices. Attentive but not "all-over-you" staff. I like it.

    (4)
  • Chewie L.

    Came here for Saturday brunch with a friend. Had to wait for a bit but were seated in good time. Although it was crowded and louded, we were still able to have a nice conversation without feeling cramped and needing to scream to hear each other. Wouldn't necessarily call it intimate, but was a good atmosphere. Ordered the Prix Fixe brunch. Cinnamon rolls were non-descript. Tasty but not fresh-out-of-the-oven delicious. Likely re-heated. Omelette (I ordered the bacon with Gruyere Cheese) was satisfactory... not overly stuffed with ingredients like some, but struck a good balance. Home fries were delicious. Some of the best I've had in a while. Grapefruit juice tasted fresh and the coffee, while passable, was not superb to the point that I'd prefer to drink it black. Overall, a decent brunch with nice ambience at a fantastic price: $12 including tax and tip. While no part (asides from the homefries) particularly stood out, taken as a whole, I would definitely come back.

    (4)
  • J H.

    Okay, lets just start this off with me telling you that this was my 3 year anniversary- I made the reservation with OpenTable.com and made a note in there that it was our anniversary. We get there and they kindly take our coats, have us seated at the front of the restaurant in a great table (oval so we can sit next to each other) and there is a note from the staff congratulating us on our anniversary- I melted. Without even being served any food, I was delighted beyond belief. First we order a fromage plate (cheese plate) to get us started with the meal which was delicious and I loved that they had enough carbs for me to keep spreading the cheese on. For an appetizer, I ordered a special which essentially was a seafood stew- it was a little complicated but amazingly rich and multi-layered. The seared sea scallops were out of this world! Okay, now I do have to add in here that upon ordering drinks I let them know that I will not be drinking anything tonight and would be fine with a gingerale- and the waitress insisted I try a concoction from the bar (non-alcoholic of course). It was some sort of grapefruity drink that I did not want to stop drinking. It was awesome- I am glad I did not settle for a gingerale. There was a short moment when I thought that I had made a mistake in telling them it was our anniversary because when the dessert came out, the waitress also brought out two champagne glasses (on the house) and my heart sank- my first thought was- do I drink it to be nice or do I politely decline? I was immediately put at ease when the waitress said that one glass was champagne (for him) and one glass was a sparkling vanilla bean drink (non alcoholic) for me! I was delighted that they put that much thought into it! All in all, I had a pleasant experience and I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Thanks for making my anniversary special.

    (5)
  • Dana T.

    We have been frequent loyal regulars at Aquitaine until last night. We have enjoyed the ambiance and the food for well over a decade but in our last 5 or 6 visits, we have been made to feel ignored and marginalized. On one visit we were made to stand for over an hour past our reservation time. the complimentary glass of wine did not compensate for our discomfort. On another occasion, my reservation for a group of six was arbitrarily cancelled by Aquitaine with no notification to us! Last night we arrived on time for our reservation, were greeted warmly and then promptly ignored. When I asked host how long we had to wait, he said, "I don't know". When I asked why we could not be seated at the empty table in plain view, he said it was reserved for another party who was not even there yet. This is terribly offensive and demeaning. Since our patronage is unimportant to Aquitaine, we shall never return.

    (1)
  • EMH C.

    I came here with my husband for our Anniversary dinner - and it was phenomenal! I had mentioned when making the reservation that we'd be celebrating our Anniversary ... and we were greeted with two flutes of champagne when we came in. We waited for just a few minutes - and that was to ensure we had one of best tables in the restaurant. The hostess and waiter were both lovely - very friendly and professional. The food was amazing, melt in your mouth good. And the wine was some of the best we've had in quite some time. Loved our evening, and will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Juliet P.

    Wow. The hubbers and I just had an absolutely amazing meal here. I might venture to say one of our best meals in Boston. I was reluctant to go here because of all the hype. Hubs was reluctant because it is French and he likes his portions. I am happy to report both of us were delightfully surprised. My main observation was that all of the dishes were very well balanced without being boring. - No flavors jumped out and yelled in our faces after the first bite but by the end I was still looking forward to each bite. We went for a leisurely Friday afternoon lunch and ended up being here for about 2 hours - savoring the flavors, people watching and discussing the pleasurable issues of the day. He had the hanger steak .I had pasta with mushrooms (forgot the official name) and they were both interesting, delicious and fairly portioned. Soups and salads were awesome, dessert was a sweet but not nauseating end to the meal. Thank for a lovely afternoon, Aquitaine.

    (5)
  • Brianna B.

    My roommate and I went here for brunch for their pre fix menu special. It was expecting MUCH bigger portions but then again I should have known it be small. It's a french restaurant. The food was tasty but not extraordinary or horrendous. I'm still not sure if I would recommend this restaurant, at least for the brunch special because for nearly $10 you could receive a much bigger meal elsewhere. I left feeling I'd be hungry within an hour. Maybe I'll try their dinner next time.

    (3)
  • Kristin K.

    Aquitaine used to be my favorite restaurant in Boston, but the last two times that I've been there have been so disappointing, that it is unlikely I will go back anytime soon. The food continues to be good - not amazing anymore, but good. I was there for brunch today and was really put off by the service. We had a 1PM reservation, and were not seated until 1:25. The waiter didn't bother to come over to our table until 1:35, and that was after we flagged him down. There was no apology, but instead he just looked at us as if we were bothering him. We had to ask for drinks. And then we had to ask again when he didn't bring them. Coffee was sloshed all over the table EACH time he poured the coffee - it was really sloppy. Again, once the food finally came, it was fine, but the overall experience was overshadowed by the exceptionally bad service.

    (2)
  • Emma S.

    I loved Aquitaine. I loved the bread, the drinks, the rustic yet chic atmosphere. Yet I did not even like the salmon i ordered. I wanted the pasta, but I was the last of our party to order, and by the time the waiter got to me, all the pasta was sold out! I did taste my boyfriend's pasta, however, and it was magical. My salmon was a poor substitute, but I would most certainly return to Aquitaine for a different order and the cool ambiance.

    (4)
  • Nadia T.

    I took my mom there for her birthday this past weekend. The food was pretty good, Good bloody marys, too! I like the wooden decor, and though they don't have outdoor seating, they sat us in a large window in the back with great day light.The hostess was very warm- though our server was not very good. He didn't smile, didn't introduce himself, mixed up our orders (which would be ok if he didn't blame the cooks or us). I would definitely go back again and just sit in a different section.

    (4)
  • Jonathan Z.

    Went here with a friend for Restaurant week. While this place was in a whole different league than Masa, it still didn't wow me. The good. Everything was pretty good. I decided to skip the restaurant week menu and go for the regular mussel and regular salmon dish. I finished with the creme brule. The mussels were very flavorful and fresh. The salmon was just OK. The portions were right about in line with what I would expect given the price/quality of food. At least they know to heat their espresso cups before serving espresso in them. Moreover the staff were all very professional, friendly, and informative. The bad. Although overall a good experience there were lots of problems. First, the mussels were a bit overcooked (not dry, just overcooked) and therefore tough. I had issues getting some of them out of their shells. Moreover, I wholly agree with some other Yelpers here: that the broth they served them in was far too overpowering and rich. I was still tasting the leeks / garlic 8 hours later. They really needed something lighter. Second, although it was cooked to near perfection, my cut of salmon was less than choice. Third, the creme brule was bland and a little eggy. Fourth, there wasn't any game on the menu. It was really just fish, chicken, beef. The menu itself was not all that impressive. Nothing really jumped out at me from the get-go. Moreover, I gathered from a brief scan of the Yelp reviews that many of the items I saw last night were on the menu months ago. I could be wrong, but perhaps they should cycle their menu a little more. Conclusion. Look, I was pretty happy overall. I'd give it a 4, but given it's current rating I think it really needs to go down a little bit because the food simply didn't impress me enough. There were too many fundamental problems and there wasn't a single dish to really remember. Zagats gives their food a 23. I think 22-23 is where they ought to be.

    (3)
  • Betts C.

    So I have only been to Aquitaine for brunch, and thus I am fully aware that my experience is slightly limited. That being said, the atmosphere is cute, if smallish, and the staff is charming and amusing. I went with two others, and we all (of course) agreed on the prix fixe brunch option. The cinnamon buns were good, but not phenomenal. The omelets were large and good but not incredible. (I will also confess that I am a very particular judge of omelets. I have been to a few, select places that truly blew my mind, and sadly, Aquitaine wasn't one of those.) However, the omelet was the boursin-filled one, and it was creamy and well cooked. The potatoes were also good, and the large amount of toast was a bonus. Basically, I can't say that I have any complaints about Aquitaine's food. It was good. It just wasn't particularly mind-blowing. What was mind-blowing was the medley of Michael Jackson that played throughout our brunch. Honestly, that note of humor and silliness made our experience.

    (3)
  • luke b.

    Did someone say delicious brunch? OUI! With just a couple of visits under my belt, i can say that the brunch here is super-chouette! The food is simple and always good. The serice can be slow but it can get pretty packed in there so i understand. Someday i'll ask them to lock me in a room with 600lbs of their French toast... someday.

    (4)
  • Jason R.

    This is the best brunch place in Boston. Every time I'm in Boston I always make sure to go to Aquitaine for Brunch. I used to go there at least once a month for a while. and don't forget the mimosas. The ambience reminds me of a restaurant located in Soho.

    (4)
  • Hana C.

    I had a wonderful brunch here with my girls last Saturday morning. Our reservation was for 10:30AM and I figured it wouldn't be so busy so early but I was surprised to find that the place was packed! I started off with my memosa (lovely) and had the $10 brunch menu which included the following- freshly squeezed orange juice (with pulp), a warm mini cinnamon bun, bottomless coffee, toast, an omelate of your choice and home fries. The food was delicious and our server was very friendly too. I would definately recommend this place for brunch.

    (5)
  • Jessie K.

    My roommate and I wanted to grab an early (10:30 on a Sunday) brunch, and were trying to decide where to go in the South End (we're North Enders...), and I'm so glad we picked this place. The food was amazing, and we had the prix fixe menu - I had the mushroom, leek and Boursin cheese omelet, and she had the spinach and feta omelet. Both were really good - nothing to complain about on the food side, unless bringing too much bacon is a problem (I ordered it as a side, and she's a vegetarian, so it was a bit much - maybe 6-8 thin slices). The coffee was good, as were the cinnamon buns they bring you while waiting for your main meal. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was the service fell off a bit towards the end - we waited a while before the waitress came back so we could ask for the check (maybe she forgot about us for a bit?), but other than that it was great, and insanely well-priced. I will definitely be making Aquitaine my brunch place of choice from now on.

    (4)
  • V Y.

    Great ambiance... I've been here quite a few times and have had their onion soup, mussles, escargot and fish entrees. The food is a little inconsistent so hence the 3 stars. I would sit at the bar and have a drink or two and apps before a night in town!

    (3)
  • Adam R.

    Came here on a Friday night with 5 other friends and had some of the most amazing service ever. Our waitress did a fantastic job and had the flow down perfect. From our drinks first, the amazing muscles appetizers, and the incredible dinner. I went with the steak frites and was blow away, the meat was juicy and very very tender. Drinks were prepared perfectly, some think a martini is easy to make but to make an exceptional martini takes skill and their bartender has it. Make sure you make reservations as I don't know how you could get into this place without them on a busy night.

    (5)
  • Miguel C.

    I had brunch here one Saturday with two friends. We got our reservation. The food was delicious: we had a great Cobb Salad, a good egg dish (coming with a succulent cinnamon bun), and French toast with bacon (one word: awesome). Our service was a bit rougher, where we didn't get the spoons or knifes we expected with our food until asked. It was also really warm inside, though it got better. Otherwise it's pretty great, if a bit pricey.

    (4)
  • Ashley M.

    I went here for lunch with my parents yesterday. They came in from out of town and are always looking to try somewhere "new & different" when they come to Boston, so without any idea where to take them I headed to the South End in hopes of finding a gem. After reading a few menus outside restaurants we decided on Aquitaine. The lunch menu isn't extensive but still manages to have something for everyone. My bf and I both had the steak frites, which was excellent and just enough for lunch. My parents enjoyed their meals as well. Clean plates all around! The lunch prices are fairly reasonable, around $15 for the steak frites. My only complaint is that they didn't have appetizers offered on the lunch menu, so if your starving I would recommend a snack before heading here for lunch.

    (4)
  • Greg A.

    No doubt that this place has the best brunch in the city. The dinner is fantastic. My partner and I simply LOVE this place and the Aquitaine staff treat us right with our very own table that is logged in their system! Whats better than that? Well, they have great food, great drinks and a nice cozy atmosphere. When I'm not eating where I work, I love to go here!

    (5)
  • Tori G.

    I just went here for dinner, while totally forgetting that it was restaurant week. Everyone in my party was so intrigued by the restaurant week menu that we decided to order from it, with an addition of an extra appetizer from the regular menu--the oeuf en cocotte. That was definitely the scene-stealer, despite the fact that I normally think of runny yolks as being the bane of any successful egg dish. This guy is a poached egg with truffles, pomme puree, marinate chanterelles and brioche slivers for dipping. It is beyond delicious. The restaurant week items were good enough, but none even approached the egg app in quality. The other things we tried were: Tomato tart with creme fraiche. This was the flattest tart I've ever seen. Effectively just crust (which was flaky and delicious) with slices of tomato, and a very large dollop of creme fraiche. Tasty, but unsubstantial. Sweet Corn Soup over ratatouille. The corn flavor of the soup was great and I really liked the sweetness of it, but no one at the table cared for the so-called ratatouille. It was really just a flavorless dice of cold vegetables. Vegetarian "cassoulet". Now, I know that making vegetarian French main dishes is a challenge, but calling this dish a cassoulet was false advertising. It had runner beans instead of cannelini/flageolets, plus a huge pile of arugula, and a goodly amount of butter sauce. The only thing this dish had in common with cassoulet was an ingredient with the word "bean". That said, it tasted good, but definitely wasn't what I was in the mood for. Chermoula-rubbed Ribs. Very very good according to my table-mates, and clearly very tender, given the way the meat fell of the bones. Cherry Clafoutis. Quite tasty. On the custardy side of the clafoutis continuum. Apricot Tart Tartin. 10/10. Parts of the table ordered the $19 wine pairings to go with the RW menu, which were consistently well-paired and high-quality. I'd say that the RW menu doesn't live up to normal Aquitaine expectations. But it was an overall good deal for the money, especially if you go for the wine pairings.

    (3)
  • Janet B.

    Nice Sunday brunch. It was a busy beautiful day but we were seated on time (per our reservation). The food was excellent & the price was perfect. Brunch for 2 at $25!!

    (4)
  • Cindy C.

    I was here for brunch about a week ago. Including me, it was a group of 4. Upon walking into the restaurant, I thought the decor was cute, very french bistro, but also nothing extraordinary. After about 10 minutes, we were seated. Honestly, I was quite disappointed by the selection on their menu, it wasn't very innovative or anything that intrigued me. In the end I settled for eggs Benedict, which can't really go wrong. And it was just that, a dish that didn't go wrong, but didn't have anything "extra" that made it special.

    (3)
  • Jungmin L.

    This review is for the brunch. Experience for dinner was better. The service: WAY too hectic; we had to ask for napkins, jam, water at least twice. We didn't leave that big a tip because the waitstaff did not deserve it. The food: The cinnamon buns are not the soft, steaming, fragrant delicacies that the treat is it touted to be. It's just, um, cinnamon bun. Omelettes and poached eggs are standard, considering the price they're good. I would not go here for brunch again. MUCH better atm and food at Cafe Luna, Sel de la Terre, Eastern Std Kitchen, Flour, Beehive etc etc etc.

    (2)
  • Ethan S.

    We went there for a brunch on Saturday afternoon, and it was packed.. waiting crowd at the entrance and host gave us a wait time of 50 minutes. So we stepped out to get a cup of coffee at across coffee shop (would recommend).. We had the prix fixe brunch (comes with omelet, potatoes, toast, juice and cinnamon brunch)... Overall the brunch was decent and the ambiance was okay. But the coffee was little warm and the chef rushed on cooking the omelet..

    (4)
  • Chris A.

    Amazing food. Solid service. Outstanding bartender. Works for me.

    (5)
  • Byron M.

    If you are tired of going to your local diner for breakfast on the weekend, you could step it up and come to Aquitane. Aquitane is a wonderful place for dinner. They do their food really good and you get exceptional service. Aquitane for brunch is fun and also fairly reasonable too! Somehow the eggs taste better here. Tip: Look for prix fixe menus for brunch. It can save you a bundle.

    (4)
  • Marcus C.

    I really want to like this restaurant more because it's such a great space and should have fantastic food. However, my lunch today - the duck sandwich - was only average. So was the warm beet salad. To top it off, our waitress seemed not to realize we were there, even though only two other tables were occupied at the time.

    (3)
  • wsl l.

    Went here for the first time last week for dinner and I thought the food was good -but not great. Trying to catch a movie around 7: 30PM next door, we decided to head over to Aquitaine for a table for 2 with no reservations at dinner time- We got there around 6pm and entered through the back door from the parking lot. It was COLD outside and though the door was locked, a kind and rather handsome young waiter opened the door for us. We quickly got a table in less than 2 min, but the room filled up just as quickly. The atmosphere is definitely cozy- if your going here on a date- make a reservation and see if you can request a booth table- it is a must. If you get an aisle table you will be packed in like sardines. Example: A waiter will try squeeze through an aisle table and their derriere will be touching the edge of your table and most likely in your face if you look. Great if they have a nice derriere.. not so great if they don't if you like personal space.. which I do. I swear I saw a watercress salad on the menu so when I placed it with the waitress, she said that they didn't have it but would gladly have the kitchen "whip" one up for me. Awfully nice of them to do that, however, when I thought of my imaginary salad I was thinking with a bit more creativity.. at least I imagined it to be colorful with at least -a cherry tomato?. Not just a plate of watercress with some macadamia nuts ?? Besides the horrible salade, I had the salmon and I only remember it being nicely smoked. It was served ontop of something, and I think there was some kind of veggies- just wasn't too memorable. The friend had the stuffed pork which was tasty, but I felt that I could have "whipped" that up myself. I'll give it another try for dinner and I've heard great things about their brunch- I just don't know if it will be anytime soon.

    (3)
  • James F.

    With a French restaurant, you expect a classy, higher priced, longer meal. Aquitaine was just that, and a very good one. For the main course, I had the duck, which was flavored with a very tasty sauce and cooked to tenderness. I wish I could taste more dark meat though. For dessert, try the souffle. REALLY good! The restaurant had a classy, but very noisy atmosphere. The service was average, because our waiter had to run back and forth between the many tables. Still a great date spot, if you can bear the background noise.

    (4)
  • Steven N.

    Nothing special. My Belgian waffle was rather thin and lifeless (what I consider a minimum of brunch competency).

    (3)
  • Amit A.

    We came here for brunch on Saturday around 11:30m, you might want to make reservations prior to coming, the place does get packed. The pre-fixe special is the way to go, you get a lot of food for price. The staff is also very friendly and attentive

    (3)
  • Angelos K.

    I have been here for dinner twice and both times was very pleased. The menu is decent and certainly french in its influences, and the wines are good. The service is pretty good and surprisingly it's easier to find a table here than in some of the other restaurants in the neighborhood. It's always busy, even after 11pm, when most places are shutting down. The steak-frites is outstanding and I also highly recommend the endive salad. A friend had the duck special and was happy as can be.

    (4)
  • KJ W.

    My food was delicious! My pre-fixed brunch included constant coffee refills and delicious spinach feta omelette. My gf had this fancy omelette however, this woman next to us impressively ate like a 4 person portion of food! I like this place!

    (4)
  • Allison C.

    Came here for Easter Brunch...I didn't really see what the hype was about. Aquitaine is good but nothing extraordinary. The venue is pretty small too, probably due to the awkwardly rectangular shaped room. I had the Easter brunch Lobster roll special. It was OK. Maybe I hyped it up too much in my head. The service was a little slow for the waitstaff to patronage ratio, but when they were attentive they were on point. Perhaps I'll revisit on a non-Sunday brunch time holiday.

    (3)
  • Wendy L.

    Awesome food, great decor and ambiance, fabulous service! The food is on the expensive side but well worth the money. The cheese puffs they serve before dinner are so delicious!! I love steak frites, and I think I may have only ever had the steak frites there...! But the steak with the Roquefort butter (I think that's what it is), is so delicious that I've never felt compelled to order anything else. I love the restaurant - the huge windows up front, big booths in the back...strangely, that's where they always put my friends and me (probably so we didn't bother anybody else). For a more reasonably priced way to experience the restaurant, the fixed-price brunch is great. The options are obviously relatively limited, but you still get the great environment of Aquitaine.

    (5)
  • Nicole B.

    The food here is good, but not great. I like the Steak Frites for dinner... not because the steak is great, but because it is swimming in truffle oil. I've had fish here before that I couldn't even taste because it was overwhelmed by salt and pepper. The wine list is good though. For brunch, the $9.95 pre fixe helps, but brunch isn't spectacular. It's nice, but doesn't compare to some of its neighbors. I debated betwen 2 or 3 stars, but ended up at 3 because the restaurant is so darned cute (though if you sit in one the 4 person booths, there tended to be loud thumping against the wall that is distracting)

    (3)
  • Tiffany G.

    super expensive. cute, french atmosphere. for the first hour of service you can get 3 course meal for $30. but only for the first hour!

    (2)
  • Anya C.

    Great brunch deal and a delicious bloody mary. If only the south end wasn't so far, I would definitely visit here more often.

    (4)
  • kevin h.

    Went here for a special evening with my wife. The food, service and drinks were amazing.

    (5)
  • Bill G.

    When to Aquitaine again last night. This is becoming one of our favorite spots. Food is great. Service is outstanding. Very decent wine list. Really good vibe inside. Only drawback is the bar is very small, so pre diner drinks can be tricky.

    (5)
  • Ray c.

    Had dinner in October and it was generally great. Just had lunch there during restaurant week. The lunch menu was interesting. a blue cheese brioche pudding with salad, main dish was a piece of Salmon which was dry overcooked and bland. The chocolate soufle was prepepared and coated with granulated sugar (why?) and too sweet. Pretty dissappointed to say the least. I am hoping this was a fluke and will order from main menu next time.

    (3)
  • Al F.

    Lunch of a nisciose (sp?)salads and a glass of viognior, followed by a creme brûlée. Fantastic

    (5)
  • Samantha G.

    This is a great place. My mother always makes me take her when she visits. The steak frites is really good-the fries in general are amazing. I'm also a big fan of the pate plate. On weeknights they have a theater menu if you get there early (by 6:30) which has nice options for $30. Good drinks too and pleasant atmosphere. The food is much better in house so take out would not be recommended.

    (4)
  • Jenny L.

    I came here for brunch on a rainy Sunday morning. I made reservations in advance and was seated right away at a tiny table crammed in with way too many other tiny tables. Others describe this place as cozy but the fact that you can hear the conversations of the tables next to you make me consider it cramped. I ordered the Broiche French toast, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Blueberries, & Creme Fraiche but removed the Creme Fraiche and substituted the bacon with Grilled Canadian Ham. I didn't realize that all the items listed on the menu were to be stacked on top of each other but I just removed the ham from the french toast and ate it separately. Overall, I thought the food was just average and the place was just average as well. I'm not sure why this place gets such high ratings. The price is definitely reasonable but there are definitely other restaurants in Boston that have similar prices and better food.

    (3)
  • Matt P.

    Their price fixe brunch is probably the best sit down brunch in the area. They have a bunch of omelets with tasty combinations, served with potatoes, toast, a cinnamon bun and juice for $10. Unlimited coffee. Only eggs on the menu, potatoes were a little dry. Need a reservation or be prepared to wait 20+ minutes on the weekend.

    (5)
  • Clifford T.

    Yummy yummy brunch at a very affordable price!

    (4)
  • David D.

    Of their three locations, this one is far above the rest.

    (4)
  • Kristen C.

    I was here with a friend and unfortunately we didn't have a lot of time. We did salads and appetizers, no entrees. We had the cheese plate, the salad, mussels, and I can't remember the third thing! All I know is that is was phenomenal. The food, and our server was amazing.

    (5)
  • Simon D.

    We wanted to really love this place. Been in Boston for 6 months and had still to find our local regular Bistro. With everything we heard this would be it. Then we finally had a night free and tried the place. The menu holds lots of promise, but they failed entirely on execution. Service was really off with lots of errors (wine, 2 apps and 1 desert order where wrong) and interminable waits to get anything sorted. Then there was the food. The amuse bouche was stale, 1 of 3 warm apps where cold and 2 of 4 entrees where cold. And not cold as in luke-warm, cold as in this sat on a cold plate for 15 mins without a heat lamp and is now room temp. So the search for a solid bistro with solid fare and a good bar continues. This place was a severe disappointment. Given the raves here maybe we just hit it on the wrong night.

    (2)
  • Brian F.

    I've always been told that Aquitaine is one of the great brunch spots in the South End-- bustling on Sundays, reasonably priced, with a reliable menu of waffles and eggs. I'm usually not thoughtful enough to book Aquitaine in advance so when I noticed a foot of snow on the porch this morning, I felt a window of opportunity. Aquitaine lived up to expectations. The menu was small and well-constructed-- omelettes, eggs benedict, waffles, sandwiches, and cocktails. What the menu lacked in adventure it made up in quality-- the buttermilk waffles and eggs are exactly what you expect. For me, a four star menu gives way to a five stars experience thanks to the decor-- high ceilings, mirrors, plenty of natural light-- and the reasonable prices. Just remember to book in advance (and check out $10 Saturday prix fixe).

    (5)
  • Nicole R.

    I had to update this because they hit another huge home run with the service!! I ordered a Bloody Mary with the prix fixe brunch, and even by the time entrees had come out, my drink had not. I inquired, and our waitress was so profusely apologetic---she brought it out in minutes and gave it to me on the house!!! Seriously, go to Aquitaine for no other reason than to bask in the amazing care and concern they have for their diners---even the ones paying a wimpy $10 for prix fixe. I just want to come here every day.

    (5)
  • Courtney M.

    Every time I go to the South End I think, "Why don't I come here more often?!?!" One day I'll follow through :) Their Prix Fixe Brunch is fantastic! As many has said, for $10 you get a great meal - including a yummy cinnamon role. Friendly and accommodating staff, maybe a bit slow, but they were VERY busy and we were a party of 10. Their OMELETTE ALSACIENNE is amazing as is their BENEDICT PROVENCAL (vegetarian eggs benedict with tomato and avocado). $4 OJ and cappuccinos are kind of ridiculous - but their entree prices are not bad. There's only one, unisex bathroom and the lighting is low - but that's really he only complaint. I have never been for anything but brunch, but hope to!

    (4)
  • Vanessa C.

    what's with all the hype about their brunch? I have been here several times for brunch - its OKAY but by no means worthy of all the praise it gets. the food is lacking in flavor & tends to be served room temperature. I dont want my eggs sitting around - I want them hot! also the service, while attentive, tends to be slow. I have never been here for dinner since my brunch was so mediocre -not BAD, mind you. not bad at all! just not great. I dont want to waste time or money on food that I could get for half the price at petit robert up the street. nothing spectacular about this place.

    (2)
  • Amie R.

    I went here for Restaurant Week, and I wasn't disappointed! We did have to wait for our table even though we had a reservation, and the service was a bit slow -- but the food made up for it. We had a drink at their cute bar while waiting -- tons of wine bottles on display, very cozy. They have such a good wine selection, from affordable to the more pricey side. I had a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and shared a bottle of their Chotes du Rhone (white). Both were fantastic. There were a lot of small, cramped 2-top tables along the main wall, but we lucked out and got a booth big enough for 4, and there were only 2 of us. Score! The food was great, and pretty decent sized portions. I had the chilled cucumber soup, and tried the shrimp ceviche (good but expectedly tiny). I had the chicken with swiss chard and frites. Really juicy chicken, great flavor. I also tried the steak special they had, which was excellent. They were out of the stone fruit tart, which we both wanted, but the white chocolate mousse was a good substitution! I'd really like to go back and sample more of the wines.... and food, of course.

    (4)
  • Janie W.

    Delicious and well priced brunch spot.their duck confit panini confit was sinfully ruche, as was the shrimp and avocado club. The frites are just about perfect. This place is always packed, and it's nit hard to see why. My only quibbles are that the food is a tad on the salty side for my tastes, and there is only one sad little unisex bathroom.

    (4)
  • Kate A.

    I go to Aquitaine for the brunch special. It's a very good deal ( bottomless coffee, a glass of orange juice, a cinnamon bun, and your entree for $10). I wouldn't suggest it for large groups as there isn't much in the way of seating for them. The wait staff is nice and the food is great, but the hostesses are a little snooty. Also make sure all the meat in your food is cooked because last time we went my friends bacon was raw.

    (3)
  • Aleta R.

    We went for new years eve. We both had steak (steak poivre and steak frites.) The food was good quality but nothing knock your socks off about it. I enjoyed the drink and wine selection. The service was alright, but it was almost midnight on NYE so I don't think that was the best night to judge. They did serve a champagne toast at midnight which was very nice. Overall a quality experience, I would go 3.5 stars if I could. I would like to try it again sometime.

    (3)
  • Te R.

    we went there for $10 prix-fixe saturday brunch. it includes bottomless coffee, fresh orange juice, cinnamon bun, egg dish and home fries. i had omlette de la maison, which is omlette with bacon, tomatoes, and onions, and cheese. it sounds very simple but they made it very nice. my friends got croque madames. i had a bite. it was ok. the decor was french-ish, but it's nice. the overall experience was good. i should have tried their duck confit instead of the brunch though.

    (4)
  • Dan P.

    Exceeded my expectations, which were pretty high. I hadn't been to the South End in a while (I live in Palo Alto) so I was pleasantly surprised by the restaurant's attractive vista and big windows. When I arrived on Sunday evening I learned that my companion would be 45 minutes late, which actually enabled me to have quite an enjoyable time alone. I took my table and studied the wine list (more than the menu). The waiter responded to my curiosity and indecision by giving me samples of several of the wines (all white) until I found one that was right for sipping (a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire but not a Sancerre, actually a Touraine). By the time my companion arrived I was in a fine mood. We both ordered the $33.09 prix fixe dinner, which was an amazing bargain. He started with the corn soup, I with the beetroot and fennel salad. Portion sizes were excellent, even a bit larger than they needed to be, and my salad was properly dressed and delicious both to taste and to chew. His main was the tagliatelle with scallops, mussels, and vegetables, which he polished. I enjoyed the striped bass. I must say, it was cooked just à point and came out immediately and hot. I had been hoping for haddock, which we just don't find in California, but I can't imagine it would have been better than the bass. Our desserts (sorbet and chocolate something) were fine. Service throughout was also fine. The only flaw was that the waiter brought the check to the table, when in fact I had given him my credit card in advance in order to give my companion no opportunity to avoid being my guest. As for the wine, I had a really good time here. At home I drink almost exclusively California wine (mainly zinfandel and petite sirah) with some Oregon pinot gris and lots of Australian shiraz. I never buy French wine, and when I do have a choice of drinking it I opt for Rhône or Alsace, never Bordeaux or Burgundy. Aquitaine's wine list is suitably French, augmented by California bottles, which I was determined to avoid. The nine white wines by the glass (all French) were also available by the carafe and the bottle, at extremely reasonable prices. We chose a grenache blanc from the southern Rhône (Languedoc-Roussillon), which turned out to be a surprising blend that also included chardonnay and viognier, for $34/bottle. This wine can be found retail for as low as $11 so the markup was about 3X retail, but I thought it a very reasonably priced wine for a restaurant this nice and one that was an excellent match for the food. Plus, I will never find that wine where I live, so it was a real treat. Final bill, with both wines, both dinners, tax, and 20% tip on all of that came to less than $140.

    (4)
  • Jaquelina L.

    My girlfriend and I went to this restaurant three weeks ago. The food was delicious. I ordered from the Prix Fixe menu. Appetizer: Salt cod croquettes, saffron aioli, fine herb salade and truffle oil. ( this dish reminded me of a portuguese dish "Pasteis de Bacalhau". I used to eat this all the time when I lived in Macau.) Entree: Pan Seared Blue Cod filet, Melting Zucchini, Native Tomatoes and Sauce Vert. (The cod was very tasty and cooked just right.) Dessert: White chocolate and creme fraiche mousse (it was too sweet for me) The waiter was nice enough to let me pick something else, so, I ordered the Stone fruit almond tart, creme Anglaise and vanilla bean ice cream. (the tart is very good and not too sweet) Overall experience was excellent.

    (5)
  • Tim E.

    Excellent place. Ended up here on accident for dinner with my sister and mom. We had intended to go to the Butcher Shop, which is just up the street, but they were packed with a 40-minute wait. We decided to just take a walk to see what we could see, and on a whim asked what the wait was. Turned out, they could seat is in about 5 minutes. This is a very cozy restaurant that is decidedly French. All of the dishes and wines. I had lamb that was super-tasty. We stayed until closing and has a wonderful time. Appetizers, drinks, entrees and deserts were all fantastic. Thumbs-up.

    (5)
  • Ben Z.

    Aquitaine stands tall in town full of mediocre French cuisine. I enjoy Aquitaine for both dinner and the occasional brunch (can get way too crowded -- don't even attempt without a reservation). For dinner, I started with the mussels with sancerre, shallots & fresh thyme served with crusty bread. The mussels were sweet and the sauce was great for dipping. For the entree, I had their signature steak frites which cooked perfectly medium rare. The steak frites are served with a black truffle vinaigrette which makes for a tasty and bold undertone that doesn't overpower dish--which often occurs when chefs get crazy with truffle. Profiteroles made for a fantastically French ending to my dinner. Aquitaine is an excellent choice for the South End diner. Service can be uneven and be prepared to wait if you don't have a reservation.

    (4)
  • Amy Y.

    This review is strictly for Aquitaine's prix-fixe weekend brunch. I came here with a few girlfriends for a late brunch reservation. It was a beautiful day; such a shame that the restaurant did not have outdoor seating! The restaurant was packed, but quite cozy with lots of natural lighting coming through the full windows in the front. Food: The brunch was mehh but definitely no complaints for $10. Although they claim the cinnamon buns are "house-made," I would have believed you if you told me they were prepackaged supermarket/ convenience store value brand pastries. They weren't served warm and did not taste fresh. I had the Omelette al Sacienne (leek, mushroom, and boursin). I've never had such a combination in an omelette, so kudos for creativity!! Leeks are totally underappreciated. Chefs should incorporate them into menus more, outside of soups and Asian dishes! The subtly sweet leeks went so well with the soft and creamy, herby Boursin. Mmmm. And of course, mushrooms add happiness to any omelette. Unfortunately, there was very little of the filling and wayyy too much egg. Ratio = bad. The potatos were extremely plain and flavorless; they could have been enhanced with some rosemary or at least some pepper. My highlight of the meal was probably the grapefruit juice. Tangy, ice cold, fresh, and not overly sweet. Bottomless tea/coffee was pretty awesome. I would have gotten a bloody mary or mimosa, but too much liquid for me in one sitting, so I held off. Toastiness of toast was quite spotty. My friend's looked slightly burnt and mine looked and felt like they barely touched the toaster. Service: Mehh, had to request for more coffee/tea. Also, we weren't given any butter or jelly (had to request), nor pepper (had to request for as well). Our server could have at least cared to ask whether or not we wanted any, since butter jam and pepper are essentially staples for brunch, no? Does anyone eat toast plain? Okay fine... I know you are out there, but you're numbers are few. Overall a good value and very filling. Pretty decent food if this was at another restaurant, but definitely subpar for South End dining expectations. I won't say no to giving their dinner/lunch menu a try though.

    (3)
  • Wayne D.

    I met a few new friends at Aquitaine for dinner and I have a few things to share. First of all, I felt a bit awkward being in a tee shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap. Compared to the clientel and the way they are dressed I thought I should have been in a sports bar. I am, quite sophisticated in style, however, on this night I met with them for an unexpected dinner. three people at my table had a burger. I thought to myself ...."Self, why would you come to Aquitaine for a burger"? I shruged it off and ordered the salmon. Here's is some guy in a baseball cap ordering salmon while his three friends (dressed all spiffy) are ordering burgers. I almost went for one myself but I knew I would regret it later. In the end, the salmon was a good choice. The food was good. The atmpsphere was good too. I won't take any points off for the weather or for the blood I found on the toilet seat in the co-ed single bathroom. Shivers down my spine at this point. Would I go again? Probably not; at least not on my own. I would go if I was meeting people there but Aquitaine does nothing to really to make a lasting impression on you. 3 stars.

    (3)
  • Thomas E.

    One of the best places in the south end. I went for restaurant week. Very low-key and friendly place, though fancy. You do feel a little bit like your in France, with the big windows and the old-fashioned decor. The food is great. It had a rustic, filling quality. Good solid, comfort food, but, you know, French. Unpretentious, and all about food and a nice atmosphere. A perfect place to go.

    (5)
  • Shannon A.

    I go here for the $9.95 Saturday brunch. You get your choice of three omelets, all of which come with a warm and gooey cinnamon bun, potatoes, toast, bottomless cup o' joe, and choice of OJ or grapefruit juice (go with the latter - it's nice, subtle and not overbearingly sour). Another plus is the waitstaff who have always been really sweet and pleasant. Unfortunately, I've never been for a proper meal, so I can't offer an opinion on dinner. Since this place has been around for ages, though, I'm sure it's great :-).

    (4)
  • Laura M.

    I definitely loved the prix fixe brunch. For $10 you get yoiur choice of 3 omelettes, served with potatoes, toast, coffee, OJ/grapefruit, and a cinnamon bun. The pastry was awesome -- warm and with icing unlike any other cinnamon bun icing I've tried (normally I think the icing is gross, but this was good). My omelette was good too, although I wish they had a non-omelette option for variety's sake, like maybe french toast or something. The eggs were fluffy, the Gruyere, tomato and bacon filling awesome. Coffee was strong but not sour, although it did get cold kind of quickly. OJ was fresh squeezed. By the later half of brunch it wasn't even that crowded so you can probably walk without waiting if you go after 1:00. Service was sometimes absent when we wanted it, but our waiter was very friendly. I'd also like to note that for $9.50 you don't get much mimosa for your buck -- it looked like the Bloody Mary was more generous.

    (4)
  • Greg D.

    This place is good....as in wicked good. Just eat here you fool

    (5)
  • Jeffrey L.

    Lovely brioche French toast. Liked the bacon. wife had the mushroom/leek omelette as part of the fix price brunch at $9.95. Service was prompt and friendly. I reserved a table at 1am on Saturday morning for a 10am seat! No issues! for the price, i would give it a 5-stars. too good to be true! will be coming back again.

    (5)
  • Corona W.

    The brunch menu here is simple- maybe a little too simple for a hike into the South End. I ordered the Salmon Benedict and my friend had an omelette. While the food was good, you can get it almost anywhere. Haven't had dinner here yet so the review is just for brunch and it is just ok.

    (3)
  • Angie K.

    EGGS BENEDICT (my fav). With Canadian Bacon, Hollandaise & Parsley, and Brunch Potatoes. Only $9.95. Can we say, cheap? Not to mention the $9.95 Prix Fixe meal. The portions are hearty, and the ambience is lovely. My eggs benedict was delicious and cooked to perfection. I almost felt bad for paying so little at a lovely venue such as this. WIthout reservations, be prepared to wait at least an hour. If you hate to wait, you can get seated at the bar with almost no wait time.

    (4)
  • Milee S.

    My first restaurant for Restaurant Week this August. 5 of us stopped here last night. Easy to find, off the Orange Line. We started with drinks. I had the French Manicure and was a bit nervous because I didn't realize it was a martini and I HATE martinis. But this one was so good, I really enjoyed it. Mix of citrus and raspberry vodkas, but so tasty. Others had riesling, mojitos and an apple martini. All enjoyed their drinks. We were given a cheesy croissant type bread as well as dinner rolls. For the main course, we ordered off the RW menu. The choices this year: Appetizer- corn soup, salt cod cake, red beet tartare. Main Course- orriechiette with raisins, chicken with bacon, and striped bass Dessert- Espresso chocolate pots, plum tarte and kir royale. Between the 5 of us, we got everything but the kir royale. All of us liked our appetizers (although the soup tended to grow on you); my salt cod croquette was very similar to a crab cake but better. For dinner, I had the chicken and it was just so good! Very moist and smoky. Delicious. Friends commented that the bass was bland (even with a pesto sauce) and the orriechiette was too al dente. But we all ate it. Dessert was pretty good too. The tart was something completely different for me and while I enjoyed it, it was a little too cloying (guess the honey ice cream will do that). Those that got the espresso pots really enjoyed it and were really full too! We all liked this place. The kitchen was running slow so the waitress comped ALL of our drinks, including the coffee one ordered after dessert. I liked the atmosphere and the other menu options as well. I really would come back here again.

    (4)
  • jim I.

    My brunch reminded me a bit of the film Ratatouille... a bunch of rats running around a kitchen in cluster f*ck fashion with French accents, but in the end its just more over-hyped Mickey-Mouse bullshit - and no, you can't have your money or time back at the end. The only redeeming quality of my meal was that Patton Oswald was not actually on the premises. Don't waste your weekend here. P.S. Not positive, but I think "J.H." may have been my waitress... so you know what to do with that review.

    (2)
  • Derek B.

    If you've never been to Aquitaine, make a point of trying their prix fixe brunch special on the weekends. Delicious food, healthy portions, amazing service and at a price that you can't beat. The prix fixe (however one pronounces it) is how I learned about Aquitaine over a year ago. Unfortunately, I never made it there for dinner until last weekend and let me just say, as good as brunch is, dinner blows it out of the water. The steak tartar was simply the best I've had in Boston. So, too, were the mussels, which came in a decadently rich (and can't stop eating) cream sauce. We asked for more bread for dipping and even as the other starters were cleared we continued to gorge ourselves on that sweet nectar. BTW - I almost universally don't like mussels, but these were done so well....trust me, try them. Similarly delicious were the scallops and the pomme frites as well as the fillet poivre. I was impressed by our waitstaff's prompt service and recommendations (with only the occasional correction for french pronunciation). I did manage to squeeze in the Apple Tart for desert and while I was stuffed to the gills, I didn't regret a single choice.

    (5)
  • Jamie B.

    To start with the good - this place just simply "feels like Boston" to me. It's definitely not a hidden gem, so make reservations in advance or prepare to wait at least an hour. There's a reliable prix fixe brunch that has the vibe that Boston brunch should have... and decent food to boot. For whatever reason, Aquitaine has always struck me as a somewhat trendy place, with not-too-low-but-not-too-high prices. Perhaps it's the fact that there's consistently a crazy brunch crowd that has made me assume that there must be something inherently great about this place. Which leads me to my next point... that this place has always struck me as maybe just slightly overrated. The food, while good, isn't out-of-this-world amazing or particularly unique in any way - the cinnamon rolls with the prix fixe brunch hit the spot if you're hungry, but objectively speaking, are rather dry and unimpressive. The rest of the brunch entrees I have sampled are 'good' - nothing to rave about, but they do the trick if you're hungry. All in all, this place is worth trying and has a classy city-brunch kind of feel, but doesn't quite make the list of the places that I rush to bring out-of-town friends looking for the best-of-the-best of Boston cuisine.

    (3)
  • Zuzzi E.

    A very beautiful space, but the menu leaves room for desire. Very few vegetarian options. One, to be exact. I had the only vegetarian dish on the menu, the tagliatelle with peas, squash & pistou. There were plenty of peas, but I couldn't find the squash. They have a fabulous drink list, which saved the night. But don't count on sitting at the bar, it's quite small.

    (3)
  • Rose J.

    This is by far my favorite restaurant in the entire world. I go here for birthdays, anniversary celebrations, and whenever I want to have a great time. This place serves delicious food and they are very accommodating. The waiters always get a great tip from me and are extremely polite. The only downside I would mention is the size of the place. It is beautiful, yet small. I wish there was more space, but it is great if you go with a group of friends and get a seat in a booth. This restaurant is amazing. J'aime manger so I would know. Try the mussels if you do decide to go.

    (5)
  • Ellen F.

    We love Aquitaine and although we live in Somerville take every opportunity to go there, usually for brunch or lunch. The Saturday brunch for $9.95 has to be one of the great deals in town, with superb omelettes and home fries, freshly-squeezed orange juice, fine coffee--and even a pastry. (You can get the same deal on Sunday, but only quite early) They also have a lovely lunch soup and half-sandwich--so much better than that combination is normally. The food is outstanding and the service friendly and considerate. We haven't been there for dinner but will probably try it when we're going to the theater in the South End.

    (5)
  • Carlos V.

    Food is 5 stars. I had the lobster special and my date had the lamb special. Both were top notch! Ambiance: 4 Star Very tight waiting area. Bar is all of 6 feet long and jammed in a corner. Seating area is tight, but expected in the south end. Valet: -1 Stars Thanks for bringing my car back warm... but why was I empty on gas? Wait, you left my car running for 2 hours? WTF's that crap?

    (4)
  • Mike M.

    Ahhh... the joy and beauty of restaurant week. Coaxing out a ardent Cambridgian all the way to the South End on a weekday of all things! Well, armed with a bit of free time and a enthusaistic lunch date (yeah Lauren "Crazy Face" M.!), we trekked to Aquitaine enticed by the RW lunch deals and some great reviews by fellow yelpers. We loved it - totally worth the trip!... and not just for the ability to walk through the South End on the first day in Boston without need for a fluffly parka or rain boots in weeks! We were stoked about the RW lunch menu, but ended up choosing their amazing lunch deal instead - mad props to the uncanny Leighann F. for her alerts to this badass deal! A big, tasty Tomato Bisque, crisp side salad, and scrumptous duck confit and gruyere sandwich w/ a drink for $12.95. Say whaaaaaaa? Yes - for real. Anyway, lunch was awesome - the food and my companion! - we loved the wine label decor in the bathroom and the whole setting was just fantastic - especially when they opened the front doors and allowed a warm breeze to just flow through the restaurant.

    (4)
  • Gizem D.

    Best brunch in Boston, in fact I've been going on Saturdays back to back for a while. *Reservation recommended anytime before 2 but I usually pop over to Francesca's across the street and order myself a raspberry lime rickey before hand if I have to wait. :D *Food is really good. I highly recommend the omlette a la greque or the salmon benedict if you can stomach fish for breakfast.... *Food comes relatively fast and the wait staff is very attentive. *The prices are very reasonable and the decor is chic. Overall, a well managed restaurant with delish food...

    (5)
  • Stewart C.

    Aquitaine is my favorite French restaurant in Boston. I love the food and the service. I often go with my sister. I get the steak frites, she usually gets the steak au poivre. Both are delicious! The service and the atmosphere are both wonderful!

    (5)
  • George M.

    Nice atmosphere. Good service. Great food. Considering the ambiance and food quality, I would expect a pricey menu. $10 brunch prix fixe included all you can drink coffee, a glass of fresh squeezed oj, a fresh cinnamon bun (small yet delicious), potatoes, toast and I had the spinach and feta omelette. The omelette was light, fluffy and tasty. I had them use egg whites and it was really good. I'm picky so this place was good and I would give it 4.5 stars but cheap price bumps it to a 5 instead of a 4.

    (5)
  • Mabel N.

    Egg Benedict and French toast! French toast was DELICIOUS!

    (4)
  • Mykal D.

    I went here last night and was pleasantly surprised. There was no wait at 9pm on a Friday night, and the staff seated us right away. The place is a bit cozy (but what place in the South End isn't). The tables are a good size, but I would recommend the place for 2-3 people max. The food was delicious! These guys definitely know how to make a steak. The half chicken is a tad salty though, so you may want to forgo its crispy crust. The eat part was excellent though: very tender and juicy. The wine list was decent and they have a full bar (something I consider required for a restaurant). The one item I was surprised not to find though was any sort of duck. No roast duck, duck confit, nothing. That said, if everything else on the menu is as good as the steak and chicken, I'd get anything. I'd recommend this place and I' curious to try it again.

    (4)
  • Jonny C.

    Mother's Day brunch was a smashing success thanks to Aquitaine. We made reservations for brunch, which was wise as they were predictably slammed. However, me, the preggers and the young dude in tow found our corner booth both comfortable and convenient. I hadn't been to Aquitaine in some time because we are hard up for quality sitters, and Aquitaine is not the place you bring the toddler during dinner hours...however Mother's Day brunch was safe. I had the fantastic lobster club and a bloody mary. The club and fries were stellar, crisp toast and perfectly done bacon loaded with claw and tail meat , while not swimming in mayonnaise. The avocado was a nice touch. Fries = A+, perfect tweener between steak fries and frites. The bloody was good, but very weak. I like to taste my vodka in a bloody. C'est la vi. The wife and little man shared the Banana Brioche French toast, which was a double stack of toast, topped with bananas drizzled in caramel and crème, and coupled with warm maple syrup. Exceedingly rich, but that is sort of what you are aiming for in a Mother's day brunch. Our service was great (big ups to KC, Casey (sp?) especially for her unsolicited "Let me tell you, I hate kids, but your son is beautiful so well behaved and has the coolest hair!" ) although the busboy did steal a side of bacon assuming we were done and trying to rush us from the table a bit (it was of course replaced). No biggie, there were a number of folks on deck. My few criticisms were for the cocktail selection, somewhat slim menu and the prick of a host(I've seen him before, older gentleman, and he seems to miss the fact that his role in the service industry is to facilitate comfort and be polite, not be a snobby prick in a cliché blazer and cheap looking khakis) Anyhow, overall I was very pleased, and will certainly be back.

    (4)
  • Daniel P.

    LOVE! Yes, I'll have a Croque Maigret with a delicious Bellini and coffee for brunch. And my sister will have the Belgium waffles with brunch potatoes. And we will love all of it. And if the waiter is really friendly, attentive, and not constantly checking on us, we'd appreciate that. You can do that? Excellent! Thank you, Aquitaine, for your perfect location, delicious brunch, and wonderful staff.

    (5)
  • Cami F.

    The food here is always great. You have to get the steak frites! This is a favorite of my Dad's, and while I have been here on a date I think its better for families or a slightly older scene. I should also note my father is a vegetarian and he finds Aquitaine to be very vegetarian friendly! The service can be a little slow, and the tables slightly too close together (don't mind as I hear your entire conversation) but otherwise a very pretty ambiance.

    (4)
  • Brandon H.

    Good food, poor service. Seems to be the theme for this restaurant. Started with the mussles, steak tartar and the escargot. The mussles were excellent the escargot were very good but the steak tartar was just ok, not enough salt and too ground up for my liking. For our mains we got the scallop special with lobster glace and gnocchi and the tagliatelle with duck confit. The scallops were excellent came with six medium size perfectly cooked sweet scallops, but the gnocchi was pretty bad. I've never had gnocchi taste like this, large, not pillowy or fluffy but dense and battery. The tagliatelle was Very well prepared I just wish there was more of the duck. All in all it was just ok took about 15 min for our server to come by and get our drink order and it wasn't until after we placed our order that he told us about the specials. I'll be back but I'm not in any hurry.

    (3)
  • huong n.

    i came here for brunch with a friend on a sunday. their omelettes kicked ass. i had the a la greque and my friend had the basquaise - we both loved our meals. we also enjoyed their apple tart - tasty and not overwhelming. you can never go wrong with this place, when you want to treat a friend. brunch is better on saturday or sunday at 10-11am, because the first glass of orange juice is free and the coffee is bottomless.

    (4)
  • Timothy A.

    Very good food served in a French bistro style. You walk off the street and into another country. We shared a salad and had steak frites. They offered one of our favorite wines, Quintessence de Chateau Pesquié, a Ventoux wine produced in Mormoiran, near Bedoin and le géant de Provence, le Mont Ventoux. The wait staff was attentive and well informed.

    (5)
  • Jazmine S.

    This review is for the brunch (not prix fixe). Came here for Sunday brunch, New Year's Day. You need to get reservations since the restaurant is tiny and can't accommodate a lot of people. I had the most amazing brioche french toast, topped with Crispy Bacon, Fresh Blueberries, Strawberries, & Vanilla Whipped Cream. Prices are affordable and reasonable for brunch. I heard that the prix fixe lunch is also good. Can't wait to come back here, maybe take the T so as not to stress out with parking. It is also important that even if we were here on a Sunday, it was still very difficult to find street parking.

    (4)
  • Anna R.

    I wanted to bring my boyfriend out for a special Birthday brunch and wanted to try somewhere new. We made a reservation for 2:30 (last time for brunch orders) on a Saturday. The host was reasonably friendly and there was a short (5 minute) wait. While waiting I was struck by the perfect atmosphere--the bistro really is an immersion experience and you feel like you're in France the minute you walk in the door and through the huge, velvet curtains. We were seated rather quickly, considering it was very busy (MAKE A RESERVATION) but our waitress lacked a lot. She was not very friendly, and seemed to be walking around a lot but not really doing anything. Other than one check up on drinks, we only saw her at the beginning and end of the meal. None of the staff greeted us as we left, even though the cafe was not busy at that point. I got the eggs benedict, and my boyfriend the mac'n'cheese. The eggs benedict had great hollandaise and the brunch potatoes were tender, although not salted. The canadian bacon tasted like it could have been canned though, and the english muffin wasn't really toasted. It was disappointing. :/ The mac'n'cheese was pretty good, but a little weird texture wise (almost grainy). The prices were so good, however, that the quality of food could be forgiven. If not for the atmosphere, I wouldn't be back...but something about this place is too charming to resist and I'm thinking about giving it a second try.

    (2)
  • Jane E.

    Had breakfast with my husband, early in the morning. Yummy breakfast and presented very nicely. For Boston or any other major city, the amount of food that you get is awesome. Service was great, food was delicious and the all inclusive price tag makes this a must for any breakfast on a weekend. Only thing - the tables are kind of small and cramped. I am a petite person, so I had not problems. However, if someone is average size, it will be a bit cramped for you.

    (5)
  • Faye Z.

    The best brunch in Boston! Make a reservation please because it's so popular. I come here all the time with family and friends and this is my favorite brunch spot, even my 5 year old sister loves this place!

    (4)
  • Jessie C.

    Lunch food was very tasty and the drinks were fab! Bartender Matt is a total cutie also. I'll be back for dinner!

    (4)
  • Emily W.

    I've been here on a few special occasions and cannot say enough wonderful things about Aquitaine! My husband lusts over the Filet au Poivre with the melt-in-your-mouth potatoes au gratin. I enjoy the fresh specials and the Tagliatelle! But one thing to remember - always save room for dessert! They have the most delicious bread pudding in the world and the chocolate mousse is amazing. Save your pennies because it's definitely not inexpensive but 100% worth it.

    (5)
  • J R.

    So, this is where you fancy, beautiful people brunch, lunch, dinner and just generally enjoy your wonderful lives. Well, guess what?! Found you! And, now, I want more. "Aquitaine's ambiance echoes the cutting-edge sophistication of a modern Parisian Bistro." That's fancy talk for this place is the bomb. Likes: Warm Beet Salad, with fancy goat cheese, fancy mache greens, toasted walnuts and light vinaigrette. Crisped Salmon with fancy green beans, onions, lemon and a fancy mustard vinaigrette. The Duck breast, was prepared fancily as well, but admittedly, I only had two bites. Brunch Review: Prix fixe brunch runs all day Saturday and from 10-11am on Sunday for $9.95 per person. (FYI - There will be a line.) WARNING: Proletariat prices! PROLETARIAT PRICES! The brunch offers: - warm homemade cinnamon buns, - your choice of 6 or 7 different egg dishes, - potatoes, - toast, - fresh orange juice and, - bottomless coffee. Overall: Fancy at proletariat prices, and to that I say: Viva la France!

    (4)
  • Helen B.

    I used to live across the street from Acquitaine when I lived in Boston. I probably ate here twice a month and when I go back to Boston I always try to eat here. The food and service is always wonderful. It's like Paris tucked away in Boston's most charming neighborhood. You leave the evening feeling full of happiness from food and friends and wine. They still serve one of the best escargots and steak tartare in Boston as well as the only filet au poivre I will eat in Boston.

    (4)
  • David C.

    Wonderful place for brunch. Will be back to try dinner soon. This place has a great ambiance, IMO. I can definitely imagine this to be a good place to take a date. Cozy tables may make it a lite cramped in some areas. Large groups may have a hard time seating. The food was great. Just enough in portions. Everything was fresh, well presented and tasted great. Waitress was very friendly and responsive. Water and coffee never reached 50% before she was back with refills. And we didn't have to hunt her down to get the check. The hostess/manager was great. She was polite, friendly, and efficient. (and gorgeous). I like how she called back a bus-boy and corrected him on the proper way to set the table. She was so boss.

    (5)
  • Susan D.

    On a Saturday afternoon in the South End, we had a good fixe prix brunch here ($10.00!!) which was very generous and tasty. Starts with a small lightly frosted cinnamon roll, fresh squeezed OJ, and coffee, then proceeds to your choice of five or six omelettes with potatoes and toast. My omelette was called Alsacienne I think and came with sauteed mushroom, leaks, and gruyere. Better half's was Greek with fresh spinach and feta. Next time I would ask for mine to be cooked a little less, as it was dryer than I like, but that is a matter of taste. The atmosphere is high-energy and cheerful, and the hostess/manager and serving staff were very nice as well as efficient and professional. We will definitely return for brunch and want to try their dinner menu too - it looks great.

    (3)
  • Josh C.

    Rebecca: "the clam chowder is the best light chowder i have ever had" Josh: "top notch service"

    (5)
  • Caitlin G.

    We came here for brunch the other Saturday, and I was impressed by lots of good things here: mainly the ambience and location, the quick arrival of our meals, the attentive service, and the complimentary cinnamon roll that comes with your meal. Not to mention the price, which was incredibly affordable. I thought that all of those qualities were spot-on at Aquitaine and I would definitely return for another time, but it probably wouldn't be for brunch. The food besides the cinnamon roll was so-so. I got scrambled eggs and was unaware that they came with American cheese which I would usually enjoy, but the cheese wasn't melted or distributed amongst the eggs very well, thus resulting in an enormous congealed blob on the plate. Not very appetizing. The coffee was weak and the toast and potatoes were both on the stale side, quite dry. Again, I'd like to try this place for drinks and dinner.

    (3)
  • Omar F.

    For those of you coming here for Restaurant Week 2010 -- Here's the lowdown: First round: Get the Chilled Corn Soup. Delicious! My friend tried a bit different one and it wasn't as tasty. Main Entry: Both the steak and the fish were DELICIOUS! Really, you can't go wrong here. Ask for the steak medium-rare and you'll have a juicy, tender steak. Very solid taste. Dessert: There are only two desserts, one of them is a melon soup which is refreshing and all, but definitely not as tasty as the tart with ice cream. IMHO. So, if you want to have a killer restaurant week dinner for the 40ish bucks you'll spend, get the chilled corn, the steak, and the tart, and you'll be happy. Enjoy!

    (4)
  • Julie R.

    A little flair of France in Boston. This place is great for a quality meal at a reasonable price. I made a reservation for brunch and we were seated immediately. The brunch menu offered a vast a vast variety. They even do a special brunch deal on Sundays from 10-11 for like $10. I would go back for that. I was intending to get an omelet of some sort then noticed they had mac and cheese on the brunch menu. I was sold after our server told us that it was very popular. My friend got eggs and my bf got the duck confit sandwich. The food arrived a short time later. My mac and cheese was délicieux. For $8.95 it was one of the best priced one I've had in Boston, with a variety of at least cheddar and parmesan cheese, i think a few more, and a crisp crust. The plate of it was huge too. Other places would charge double for the same thing. Highly recommend! The duck confit gruyere sandwich was enormous. The stone ground mustard on the side accompanied it well. We got chirizo on the side. It was nice and spicy. Along with my mac and cheese it tasted great. I would recommend adding it as a side with it. Friend had no complaints on the eggs. The Bloody Mary was one of the best I've had! We were almost finished with our plates and the busboy asked if he could clear the table. It was a bit abrupt but not a biggie. I think our server caught wind of it and said for us to take our time. I would absolutely return here for brunch again and a full out dinner. I loved the French bistro atmosphere, the menu selection and prices. I also like that they are named after the Aquitaine region of France, famous for countryside chateaux and the finest wineries in the world. I was there last fall and it was beautiful. You see many restaurants focus on Paris region but to see the name "Aquitaine" is special.

    (4)
  • Sarah C.

    Aquitaine in the South End was the site of one of my all time favorite date nights with my hubby in Boston!! The Hubby called me on his way home from work and said "do your hair and put on some heels, I'm taking you out tonite". For all the married ladies out there, you know how amazing it is to hear those words come out of your man's lips. love. In a cute black dress and heels we popped over to the South End to Aquitaine. I'd had a free dessert coupon there from a Girl Scout fundraiser event I attend at Copley, where Aquitaine created a dessert out of Girl Scout cookies (amazing! but that's another review) and been bugging the hubby to get over and use it, finally! The restaurants has a gorgeous french bistro feel. You walk through tall french doors and inviting full front windows into a cozy restaurant. A dark wood bar is tucked off to the side with a beautiful display of wine bottles that ascend to the ceiling. The rectangle room has french art on the walls and a mix of booths and tables scattered about. The tables are a bit close together but the way the room is broken up with dividers creates an intimate vibe. We were greeted and seated by a lovely matradee. He was so professional and accommodating I have to give him a big thank you! He sat us at a little two top that was close to the door, which was fine, but as a waiter brushed past us to clear another table he knocked my purse off our table. The matradee ran up to us apologizing and in the time it took him to snap his fingers the round booth in the window was cleared and reset. We soon found ourselves in what I think is the best seat in the house, the plush round booth in the front window. Avid people watchers, we loved getting to snuggle close to each other while we watched the lights dim on Tremont street. Date night heaven!! FOOD: We started with the escargot, you can't go to a french restaurant and not right? The escargot was savory and melting in your mouth with the perfect combination of garlic butter. We even sopped up the rest of the butter with our bread. That was followed by the chicken liver mousse, creamy and flavorful. For our meals I had the special of the day: whole blue fish with bur blanc sauce while hubby had the short ribs. My fish was to die for, with plenty of my favorite french ingredient; butter, butter, butter! yummm. Let's just say we had clean plates at the end of the meal. Dessert was creme brulee and apple tart with a glass of frangelico. Both were perfect bites of dessert, light and sweet. We felt a little gluttonous when we left but with great service, exceptional french food and a romantic environment we were too happy to care. I haven't been for the brunch- which seems to have gotten mixed reviews but for a date night this place is perfection. Make a reservation call up your hunny and head out.

    (5)
  • Kevin M.

    My first thought is: Don't believe the hype. Aquitaine is one of those places that rides it's reputation. It was like the first time I saw "Rent" - I had heard so much for so long about it.... and the delivery was decent - which results in disappointment. That said, the food was good (again, not amazing) the prices were reasonable and the service was adequate. It is worth a visit to Aquitaine - however, with the number of great restaurants in the South End, I find it hard to justify a return trip to Aquitaine.

    (3)
  • Aboud Y.

    Never had a bad meal here. Also, I'm prepared to say that Aquitaine holds the distinction of "Best Steak Frites in Boston" until proven otherwise.

    (4)
  • Susan N.

    I was the friend (Ki G.) who ordered the soup and sanwich combo of french onion and a duck gruyere sandwich. Well, I don't know about everyone else's meal but mine was just to die for! The french onion soup was extremely tasty, albiet a bit different than it usually tastes. But that's not a bad thing. It was still delicious and knocked the socks off the way oversalted onion soup at Brasserie Jo. The cheese was also perfectly melted and tasty. After devouring my soup, I devoured my duck sandwich. Duck and cheese. Can you really go wrong there? Ok, while not absolutely outstanding, it was damn good. I would surely order it again. The atmosphere was very fitting for a brunch at a French restaurant. Everything just felt right. The only thing that did bother me was an incident that happened with the waitress. It was her first week and except for this one incident, she was really good. I was in the middle of eating my duck sandwich, biting into it, when she removed the plate from underneath. I found this very odd, especially considering she didn't clear anyone else's plate, despite them being done. I don't know if she expected me to hold my sandwich the entire time or what. It was all just very odd.

    (4)
  • Dejan M.

    I've had both dinner and weekend brunch here a couple of times, and it was always excellent. The food is as good as you'd expect, but it's the little extras that I really like. The weekend brunch option is crazy affordable -- I can't believe a great South End restaurant can be that cheap. I've also been treated very well by the staff. Example #1: I arrived earlier than the rest of my party for brunch on a Saturday. I had a reservation, so I mentioned that to the hostess and went outside to wait for my friends. They arrived, and the hostess must have seen that through the window, since the second we were inside, she was already beckoning us to our table, menus in hand. Example #2: I was having tea, and the server accidentally poured coffee in it while she was refilling the cups at the table. Realizing her mistake, she apologized profusely, took away my cup and returned promptly with a new one, plus a fresh pot of tea. I could only say wow, what service!

    (5)
  • Tom F.

    I've come here several times for brunch, and my experiences always leave my stomach with that heavenly feeling . This might seem like an odd thing to say, but the fries were really potatoe-y. And I say this is , as most other fries are overwhelmed by the grease, or crispiness, or are undercooked. These fries were perfectly cooked, though in my first bite, I thought I was about to be disappointed by the level of crispiness, which looked to fall just under my desired crispy threshold. Instead, I noticed a surprising potato taste and texture. The croque maigret is something I always urge others to get. This is delicious. On my most recent visit, the boursin cheese burger was unfortunately cooked a bit more that I had hoped for, but I've had enough of these to know that over cooked or not, it's still one of the best I've had in Boston. The waiter, when asked for bearnaise, requested that some be made specifically for my girlfriend's order.

    (5)
  • Jared T.

    I'd been wanting to go to Aquitaine for a while and finally got around to it earlier this week (thanks to Yelp's Passport to the South End event coupon!). We were seated promptly and our waiter was very polite and helpful. I was coming from class and he offered to take my backpack out of the way for me. I sat dead in front of their giant dessert chalk board on the wall, which made ordering dessert tempting (although we didn't because we were short on time). We started with the pommes frites with basil garlic aioli. The aioli was simple but tasty. It was served on the side and very basil-y. For dinner I had the pork belly with spring vegetables special. The vegetables were my favorite part, and that's not a complaint (hey mom, I ate my vegetables!). They were very fresh tasting and came in a light butter sauce. The pork belly was good but a little watery. Overall it was an enjoyable experience. I'm giving 4 stars because while wasn't blown away, I had a good time and want to go back to try some different entrées. My only complaint was the lighting - it was almost too dark to clearly see the food we were eating. As we were walking out I saw a customer reading his menu using his iPhone as a light, which proves that it wasn't just me.

    (4)
  • Sibel A.

    Great place for a not so expensive and amazing brunch!

    (5)
  • Karen H.

    Aquitaine's brunch is incredibly satisfying for your belly and your wallet. It's a serious steal for the brunch options and the food is incredible. For $9.95, you can pick any choice of style of eggs that is served with potatoes and toast plus a homemade warm fresh cinnabon. I had the Eggs Alsacienne and so did my boyfriend and we both loved the creamy Boursin cheese cooked with mushrooms and leeks, so unique! As a side, we shared a plate of fresh fruits, topped with fresh mint and cream, which tasted great. I recommend the brunch drinks - both our Belini and Mimosa were good. The atmosphere inside the place is wonderful, the space is open with high ceilings and large windows allowing maximum sunlight in. The decor is sophisticated and modern, offering a fine French dining experience with a friendly price point, that is hard to come by in Boston. I can't wait to come back again this summer for more brunch!

    (5)
  • Jessamyn S.

    I was actually kind of surprised by how much I enjoyed the prix fixe brunch. In addiion to my perfectly cooked omelette Alsacienne, I had the Bees Knees cocktail- thyme infused honey? Delicious. Brunch is definitely the cheapeat way to dine at this restaurant.

    (5)
  • Ki G.

    I remember passing by this place the last time I was in Boston and kicking myself for already eating brunch in Sommerville. Well I was in Boston this weekend and I ignored my stomach as much as possible so I could make it down here and try the food. I was so happy that I did. The menu was easy and able to please a wide variety of palettes. Their soup/sandwich combo was incredibly inexpensive and my friend couldn't say no to french onion soup and a duck/Gruyere sandwich. I was still hankering for brunch, so I had their wild mushroom and goat cheese omelet with a side of fries (need potatoes with brunch you know) and it was so perfect. If I lived in the South End, this place would soon become a favorite haunt. The decor was lovely, the service was very prompt and even the testiest diner would be hard-pressed to complain (even though they tried).

    (4)
  • Lena N.

    Decided to try out Aquitaine for Restaurant Week with my date due solely on the fact that I thought it looked very cute from the window when I walked past it one day. We were seated promptly and the service was excellent. The wines paired with the meal was also great and well thought out. Too bad that my food was so tasteless that the wine could not save it. I like to qualify this by saying that I eat pretty bland food. When my friends cook for me, they flavor it to my liking and then pile on salt onto their own plates after. So there is a huge problem when I have to put salt on my entree of pork chops because it is so bland. It was a huge disappointment to say the least. My date's fish entree was a lot more flavorful and delicious in general. To be honest, I was jealous of her whole meal and kept eating off her plate. Good thing it was not a first date. I hear their brunch is supposed to be pretty stellar. I tried going here for brunch with a bunch of friends and didn't think to make a reservation. The wait was around an hour and a half. So be sure to make a reservation if you plan to go here for brunch because they get super busy.

    (2)
  • Vanessa W.

    Great service - I had mistakenly made a reservation at the Chestnut Hill location on Opentable (like surely so many people before me), and they quickly accommodated me (we were a group of 3) - and gave us a great table by the window. The waiter was also experienced - he knew what he was talking about, never left our glasses empty or our plates in front of us. As for the food... eh. I came for restaurant week, which might've been my first mistake. But I really don't get it - why don't restaurants try harder on Restaurant Week?! This is your opportunity to bring new people in the door... While they gave me and one of my friends a glass of champagne to 'welcome us to restaurant week' (nice gesture), it ended up being a bit awkward because my other friend did not get the restaurant week menu, and therefore did not get a glass. So there we were... two out of three of us, with champagne. And as I've said, I wasn't inspired by the food. The chilled sweet corn soup was alright, and while my veggie entree (again, perhaps my mistake for ordering a veggie option) was flavorful, I felt like I was eating a side. Just not substantial enough. I know how expensive this place is regularly - and if the portion sizes and offerings are similar, then there's really no motivation for me to spend my money there.

    (3)
  • Rebecca Z.

    I don't know what it is with this place but I always get awful service. I went there tonight with my husband. He ordered a gin gimlet and watched as the bartender poured the drink into the wrong type of glass. Then the waiter brought the drink to the wrong table. A few minutes later the waiter realized his error, and returned the drink to the bar. My husband continued to watch as the bartender simply poured the same exact drink into the correct glass and topped it off with some ice before the waiter ceremoniously delivered it to our table. Terrible. I've been here several times before and each time I thought the food was good enough to put up with the lack of attentiveness of the staff. At this point I am over it and I won't return.

    (1)
  • Kelsey P.

    In the South End, a neighborhood known for its fantastic restaurants and brunch options, I've always been disappointed by Aquitaine and felt it gets more credit and attention that it deserves. Overall - standard brunch fare and slow service and unnecessarily long waits for walk-in brunch on the weekends. I've tried a few of their egg dishes (including the eggs benedict) and always felt they were a bit lacking - nothing special about them at all and not particularly stellar executions of traditional plates either. Their champagne cocktails were pretty disappointing also. All in all the food and drink offerings feel like any run of the mill brunch location hyped up because of location and decor. The service has been slow every time I've been there. I've had to often remind the waiter or waitress to bring coffee or juice that's already been ordered. On the positive side - brunch is not too expensive. But I'd go for nearby Gaslight, Union, or Stephanie's any day before Aquitaine.

    (2)
  • Sarah T.

    Brunch was deliciously affordable here. for $10 prix fixe, you can get juice, coffee, small cinnamon bun (deliciously warm and crisp), and your choice of omelette with potatoes and toast. i also tried the pomme frites and the aioli -- mmm i really want to come back to try the tagliatelle (sp?). i love the atmosphere here... on a sunny Sunday morning, its the perfect place to be with friends / family. make a reservation.

    (4)
  • Stephanie G.

    Loved this place! The boy and I went back in September when we were in town for the series. We were looking for a good brunch place and this was recommended to us. It is so quaint and cozy inside...and we were able to get a table without reservations. Everyone was super nice and service was excellent. The drinks were delicious--the adult Pink Lemonade and the Mimosa Martini are sooo tasty. We had the three eggs and eggs benedict--very good!!! It's hard to mess up breakfast though. I just loved how comfortable this place made us feel, even though it was our first time there. We will definitely be back next time we are in town--hopefully next time for dinner!!!

    (4)
  • Dennis A.

    Really enjoyed it here. The food was very good. Really, everything I tried was great from the appetizers to entrées, food was cooked perfectly, had great flavor and served exactly how it should be. The service was also very good and I really enjoyed the set up and the overall decor. Really have no complaints. Overall a great experience and a place I would definitely go back to.

    (5)
  • Rachel O.

    Great brunch deal! Delicious, fresh food, upscale feel but totally affordable brunch. We waiting an hour to be seated because of a mix up with the number of people in our party. The host didn't even offer us a glass of water. Despite this, the rest of the wait staff was great and we would go back.

    (4)
  • Mike T.

    Never has a Boston restaurant been more committed to providing an authentic French experience. The way they made my parents and I wait for an hour after our reservation, while seating more fashionable parties ahead of us, brought me straight back to visiting Paris. We never sat down for dinner. We had to leave because they could not find a table for four people. Not even one hour after our reservation. They claimed the weather was making parties leave slower than normal. Yes the weather.....it was the weather! That or they oversold their seats.......like an airline. Airlines oversell their seats and have weather problems, not well run restaurants. I brought my parents here because I had always felt that Aquitaine was a special occasion restaurant. My parents were visiting for the first time from Washington and I thought I would show them the best that Boston had to offer. I chose Aquitaine. In the end it felt alot like being the architect of the Maginot line. All hype with really disappointing results. The food is very good (hence 2 stars) but Boston is fortunate enough to have many excellent French restaurants who don't use The Other Side Cafe as a template for customer service. In short, don't make reservations with a restaurant that makes the commoners wait while letting south end regulars and self important bimbos play leap frog over your reservations. I would have preferred to have reviewed an excellent dinner at Aquitaine and share a 5 star experience with Yelp. Unfortunately, I never had a chance. Update: Check out JH's one and only review on Yelp for Aquitaine. 5 STARS! Thank you JH for including that invaluable link to opentable.com in the first two lines of your review! 5 Stars JH! Very thoughtful review! 5 Stars! Is Aquitaine a Yelp client? 5 STARS! Can we give this place 6 Stars! Now it is 6 Stars! 6 Stars for Aquitaine! Do I hear 7 stars? How about it Yelp? Can we get 7 stars for sponsors?

    (2)
  • Katie V.

    Probably my best brunch experience yet in Boston. Went on a Saturday to take advantage of the $9.95 brunch deal -- egg entree, cinnamon roll, OJ, and bottomless coffee. I made a reservation on Open Table for 1:30 and we were running late -- arrived at about 1:45 and thus had to wait a bit to be seated. But that was our fault, not theirs. I ordered an omelet with boursin cheese, leeks, and mushrooms. It was delicious, perfectly cooked. And man, boursin cheese? That stuff's like crack. More restaurants should get on board with that! I also had a Bloody Mary, which was nice 'n spicy, like I like it. It was a very enjoyable meal -- good, friendly service and lively but not overbearing noise level. I'd like to come back for dinner sometime or sit at their cute, tiny bar with a book and a glass of wine.

    (4)
  • Thien H.

    Steak frites, trout, and chicken liver were all delicious. Server forgot our chicken liver appetizer, unfortunately we didn't get it for free (heehee) but we enjoyed ourselves. We were never rushed and thoroughly enjoyed the evening!

    (5)
  • Sarah D.

    I made a reservation for brunch here in mid-December after hearing good things about the place. On the whole, it was pretty good. Not outstanding, but pleasant. My friend and I visited on a Sunday morning and only had to wait briefly to be seated. They were packed and the weather was terrible and unfortunately, the waiting area is cramped, especially with the curtains they've put up around the door to keep out the draft. We both got the prix fixe which, at $9.95, is incredibly inexpensive. It comes with a cinnamon roll, choice of egg dish, unlimited coffee and a juice. A lot of food. The eggs were fantastic, but the cinnamon roll was a little dry. The most disappointing part of the brunch was the service. Our server seemed irritated throughout our meal and didn't bother to refill my water or check in once she had brought our food. It was a nice brunch, but I wouldn't go out of my way to go here again.

    (3)
  • Joanna L.

    Decent prices for good quality French food, in a warm and cozy setting that makes you feel like you've just had a nice glass of wine. Among these ranks are Gaslight and Petit Robert, which I think both outrank Aquitaine based on value. Still, I enjoy Aquitaine, and it's a great place to take friends. I had shortribs, and onion soup gratinee. Both were very good.

    (4)
  • Betty K.

    I forgot to make a reservation for brunch on a Sunday, but we decided to try out luck in the area, since there were several other good restaurants in the area as well. The hostess said no more than 40 minutes, but we ended up waiting about 60 minutes because the table they had for us was were occupied longer than expected. It's a fancy brunch spot (compared to the Midwestern brunch places I'm used to). We got cocktails (St. Honore was the best) and some version of a croque monsieur, which comes with a side of watercress salad and french fries. Everything was quite good and it was a fun dining experience.

    (4)
  • Sonia D.

    I had my first brunch experience this past Sunday with a few friends and it was a great one!! I started off with the Aquitaine Blood Mary and it was delicious!!! I ordered the Provencal Benedict because they ran out of the smoked salmon benedict and it was soooo good just wish they had more avocado (definitely asking for extra next time) The bf potatoes were cooked to perfection and I enjoyed every bite. I ordered my second bloody mary and it was better than the first, had the perfect spice to it. We wanted to order dessert but were too full. The waitress we had was great (forgot her name)!! My friend ordered a special drink and was iffy about it and she said if he didn't like it he could order something else. Sure enough it wasn't what he expected and was able to order something else free of charge. Great customer service!! I will definitely go there again for brunch and also want to try their dinner.

    (4)
  • Susan S.

    I've been wanting to try this place's brunch for a while! I went here last Saturday with a friend with a 2 o clock reservation made online a week in advance. We were running a bit late so I called at 1:50 and told them I would be there at 2:15 and there was absolutely no problem. I really loved the elegant and intimate space inside especially with the way they do seating along the wall with booths. The restaurant itself has this quaint yet classy vibe. The restaurant was packed and the particular table we had was close to where the kitchen window was. We were seated really really close to other tables on both sides, like a half foot away. I didn't mind as I still felt we had our own space. My friend ordered from the prix fixe menu, the Omelette al Sacienne with Mushrooms and I ordered the french toast with berries as I had been eyeing it from their website. I was definitely not too disappointed. My dish was visually appealing as it came with a generous mound of whipped cream with strawberries, blueberries and 2 pieces of bacon on top. In general I liked it and it was solidly good but it could have been slightly better. The bacon was a bit too hard and overdone which made it hard to cut into. The french toast itself I think could have been more rich or more flavored. It fell a little flat. I also wished that the bread pieces were slightly more thick. I think the dish's flaws were well covered by the maple syrup and the toppings. I mean if I came back I would definitely try something else on the menu. I also ordered an iced coffee which I thought the flavor of was lacking. It was okay. My friend's omelette dish came with a lot of food! You would definitely get your moneys worth. I didn't taste the cinnamon bun but it definitely came in a smaller size than I expected. I tried my friend's hash browns and it was pretty tasty in flavor but the texture was slightly too soft for me. She said she liked her dish and she had no complaints. In general I was moreso taken away by the experience of being in the restaurant than the brunch food which I think is still equally important. I really enjoyed being there in the crowd and conversing while we were eating. It was a beautiful experience. Service was also polite and relaxed for us. I liked dining here in general but the food wasn't perfect which is why I give it a 4/5. However I would come back again to try their other items.

    (4)
  • Mary Beth F.

    I love Aquitaine's brunch special. For 9.95 you really cannot beat it. You get an omelet, potatoes, toast, orange juice, coffee, and a small cinnamon roll that is almost like a croissant (yum!). Just make sure to make a reservation first (unlike most places, they do take brunch reservations, and you don't want to have to wait to start brunching).

    (5)
  • James O.

    The 5 stars is based solely on the steak frites that I tried when I went there probably a year and a half ago. My father is a great cook, and his steak is hard to match. But Aquitaine's steak was cooked pretty much near perfect. Medium-rare, juicy, with some tasty crispy fries. Absolute perfection. Because I've only been here once, and a long time ago, I'll keep this as a four star. I'd have to try more of the dishes to give it a full 5. Definitely pricey, but a good piece of meat is always worth the extra dollars!

    (4)
  • Stephanie F.

    Love it! You really feel like you are in France in this neat little place (except for the waiters who try their best to pronounce the French cheeses to you). The interior decor is wonderful.. and the food is also yummy! To start we got the cheese plate which consisted of cheese made from cow milk, goat milk and sheep milk. I don't really like blue cheese that much, but I ended up liking the moldy goat cheese the best! It came with a side of watercress and carmelized shallots with walnuts... for an entree I got the steak frites which was very filling (c'mon, steak and fries!) and my boyfriend got the roasted lamb which sat on top of a pea puree mixed with rosemary and mint. The price wasn't bad-- the red wine that we got to accompany it of course threw it off, but it was still awesome. I plan to check this place out for brunch sometime!

    (5)
  • Mike F.

    I'll be brief because I'm tired but want to write this review before I crash. It was valentine's weekend so the place was packed. Wife & I got a drink at the bar before being seated, both delicious and great service. Seated and enjoyed every bite. I ordered the steak tartar and wife ordered escargot. Tartar was delicious, served with spicy brown mustard and pickled cucumber to cleanse the palate. Escargot was hot and in really good hot EVOO, great on its own or on bread provided. For dinner, I got the filet au poivre...AMAZING! Had potatoes au gratin that complemented the pepper steak perfectly. My wife had a scallop special with lobster gnocchi and brussel sprout greens, which all worked well together. Wine was great with dinner too...plenty to choose from. Dessert was great. We split the warm chocolate cake and creme brulee. Each were a great choice for sharing and made to perfection. Only con was I asked our dinners to be wrapped up to take home (would have finished but wanted to save room for dessert), and they were not. Waiter forgot I asked and threw away what would have been leftovers. Luckily it wasn't much, but might have been enough for one person to enjoy for lunch the next day. Still giving 5 stars, but with an * about wrapping up the leftovers. Left pretty late while they were setting up for Sunday brunch, which we're definitely planning on trying in the near future from what others had recommended.

    (5)
  • Tyler C.

    at first glance a little too fancy-appearing for a regular brunch spot, but you can't argue with the quality of the food, or the prices. Well done refined food, very sunny eating area, nice area of Boston to walk around in. Never went in here for dinner so can't comment on that - that is meant to be a pricey, high end meal if I understand things correctly.

    (4)
  • Eric F.

    One of the many gems in the South End, I tried Aquitaine last summer during Restaurant Week and had a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Great food and good wine pairings. Will be back very soon to check out the pre-fixe brunch!

    (4)
  • Chris F.

    I had a whole day of drinkin moonshine on the levee planned, so I started it off by going to Aquitaine for brunch. I'd heard about their bloody marys from a homeless guy on Tremont, so I had to stop in. Went in there full boar and rocked a croque madame while the busser told me umpteen times to go visit Spain. Clearly, the magic of Jabberjaw had done a number on this man's psyche. After the guy at the table next to me ripped a herculean belch, I downed my last sip of bloody and bolted for the levee. Truly a fine day.

    (4)
  • Julie T.

    I came here about four months ago with some people I work with to celebrate a good move of offices we recently had. I've been meaning to write the review, but have been holding off to let my experience swim around so I could better review it. We arrived right on time with a 7pm reservation on a Saturday night. After hanging around the bar for about 10 minutes, we were seated and our server came over. He was a sweet guy who definitely took care of us. He made sure everything was perfect, but with one flaw: he would always run away once we said something. If we needed some water, he would rush off without hearing any of our other requests which meant that he'd have to run back and forth and back and forth to accommodate us. Of course, he was nice and didn't seem phased at all by it, but it seemed to take up a fair amount of time. Service wise? I'd give Aquitaine 4 stars. When it came to food, there were very high positives and low negatives. To start, my coworker and I shared an order of the mussels. They were fantastic. The broth was sweet and savory with a touch of creme fraiche: it was fabulous. The PEI mussels were tender, not chewy, and perfectly cooked. The mussels in itself was definitely 5 stars. Our server even brought over extra bread for us to soak up the juices. That would definitely earn them a 6th star if possible. That was an incredibly high positive. As for the negatives... The entrees that arrived were a mix of negatives AND positives. I ordered the roasted lamb and the lamb was tender and absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately, the sides were ridiculously overly salted. So overly salted that I could barely eat them and mind you, I eat A LOT of salt. Besides that, the lamb itself was phenomenal. My boss got the special that day which was a fish baked with a crumb topping, I believe. It was again, so overly salted that she was unable to eat it at all. In comparison to my sides though? It didn't seem quite so bad. My coworker got the steak frites and was incredibly pleased with them so it wasn't a complete fail. The ambiance was nice. A bit loud, but it WAS a Saturday night. Service was fantastic and the food, without flaws, was prepared well. Without a doubt, I would give Aquitaine a try again. I would like to think that the salt hand was a bit slippery that night, but no matter. Everything else made up for it.

    (4)
  • Lori A.

    Having just moved to Boston, Aquataine was mentioned by several contacts as a "go to". Having such high expections can be both a blessing and a curse-- but they delievered. Drinks, food and service was spectacular. French food at it's very best. I'll be back!

    (5)
  • Erin P.

    We took my mom here for her birthday. This is a solid upscale restaurant. The service was perfect; these guys are professionals. For starters, the star was the Oeuf en Cocette (a magical jar layered with mashed potatoes, mushrooms, a generous amount of black truffles, and an egg). My favorite entree of the table was the Hake, cooked perfectly and embellished with a balance of flavors including a miracle called "chorizo cider jam". Aquitaine: please bottle and sell that. My favorite part of dining out is eating food that I would never have dreamed of and/or cannot make on my own. That jam meets both. For dessert, the Chocolate Bread Pudding is SUBLIME. This bread pudding is worth a trip to here on its' own. They also serve wine in a carafe size. This is the perfect size to split between two people, and I wish more places did this outside of Italy.

    (4)
  • Sara K.

    Went with a friend for brunch and managed to snag a table even though we went without a reservation. Awesome atmosphere, classy yet casual. Only bad thing was that it was really hot yet there was no AC, just ceiling fans. Food was amazing for the price. Ordered the omelette de la maison for $8, and it was probably one of the top 3 omelettes that I've ever had. Service was good too. Regrettably they didn't have any dessert options that sounded appealing, but that was probably a good thing since I need to lose weight lol. My friend ordered the shrimp salade club and french toast, which she said was really good as well. Would definitely come back for more. Random story: when I was there, a guy just fainted and had mini seizures on the floor.... it was that kind of situation where I didn't really know what to do because he was near our table but already had like his entire family surrounding him... he seemed okay after he regained consciousness, lol not really sure what happened.

    (5)
  • Huong P.

    Aquitaine feels and looks like what a little modern French cafe should be--elegant in its furnishings, yet intimate in its arrangement of tables and settings. I wouldn't say necessarily that I am a restaurant snob, but I couldn't help but notice the attractive inner and outer appearances of the building and only wish that more restaurants were like this. A friend and I ventured out to the South End on a lovely, sunny Saturday morning to check out the prix-fixe brunch ($10 for food + beverage excluding tax and gratuities!) offered by this restaurant and headed over to Francesca's Cafe to have some tea while waiting for Aquitaine to open at 10am. Clearly this is a very popular place since a line begins to form around 9:45am and I find out that tables have been booked already. Luckily, we were able to grab a table for two and were immediately offered beverages--her black coffee and me freshly squeeze grapefruit juice. Choosing the prix fixe options, I ordered the omelette alsacienne (with leeks, mushrooms, and boursin cheese) and my friend chose the omelette a la maison (bacon, tomatoes, and gruyere cheese). I enjoyed the prix fixe meal greatly: the morning bun was flaky and a good portion; the omelette flavorful; and the potatoes delightful. Though I wouldn't say this was the best brunch I have ever had, overall I thought the meal was decently good and the price fetching. Despite its beautiful decor and courteous staff, I did not appreciate, however, the lack of subtle finesse our waiter had in serving our food. The table, not very large, was filled and cluttered with glasses of water, coffee, juices, teaware, and silverware, and rather than warning us about the incoming plates of food as we were enjoying our morning bun, he tried to sneakily (though unsuccessfully) place plates of food when there was no space to put them and to add salt, took away the morning bun that I was halfway done with. I understand that he was focused on providing food as it comes out, but there needs to be some sort of consideration and decorum in treating customers such as whether the customers are ready for the next course so as to not rush them in their meal. When I go to restaurants like these ( as opposed to wonderful homey diners like McKenna Cafe in Dorchester), I am going not for the food but for the dining experience. In terms of the experience, however, I found it lukewarm to be best. Nevertheless, Aquitaine has a lot to offer in terms of quality of its offerings and I would surely go again. I just hope that the next time I visit, I would be able to have every single bite of my meal rather than just parts. But maybe that's the big fatty inside me wishing that.

    (4)
  • Regina L.

    This is my first time to Yelp a restaurant. First of all I want to warn all of you that they DO NOT have RW menu on Sunday lunch (according to their website, they say that they provide RW menu for lunch and dinner until 3/20, which is a Sunday.) When we arrived, we were told that they only provide brunch. This was the first disappointment. Since we already took our time commuting to the south end, we ordered the brunch menu. The food was pretty good with the price. I wish that there was more cheese in the omelet. Only two bites with cheese...the first two bite... and I'm not exaggerating... my benedict was not bad in general but the english muffin and the ham were both kind of dry tho... the side potato had NO flavor... I needed to eat those with catchup.. which made us kind of disappointed again. The biggest unsatisfactory was our server. Through out the time we were eating, she NEVER came to us to see if we need anything. Our water and coffee were empty and she never refilled those. We wanted butter and jam for the bread... Because she barely paid attention to us, never had eye contact, I would say she never served us beside bring the menu at the beginning and the check at the end. We saw that all of the people were getting surveys with check at the end, and we thought we would have one and decided that we would leave some comment for her to improve. However, she didn't give us a survey card!!! I'm not sure what was the reason she didn't give us one! It might simply be that she forgot, but I doubt. Good food I would say but need to improve their service, at least when I visited.

    (3)
  • Nate Y.

    Just had lunch there, and yes, did the Restaurant Week menu. It was true to it's style, French bistro. Food was simple but tasty. I started with the crispy clams, that's fried clams to you and me. which were fried just right, not oily at all, and lightly salted. The entree I chose was the roasted chicken with watercrest greens and corn. A variety of chicken salad was alright, but I think I would have preferred the beef brisket that one of my co-workers had. I was told by others that the crepes with salmon was good, especially the crepes. The chosen dessert was the fruit tart with vanilla bean ice cream. The tart used nectarines or peaches (in season) on a soft pastry crust. The vanilla bean ice cream was a nice compliment. The service was excellent. The waiter even knew which side to place the dessert spoons for the lefties and righties in our party. Very impressive. I was told that brunch is very good and at very reasonable prices and from the other Yelp reviews it seems this is the place to go on a Sunday.

    (4)
  • Lucy Z.

    Cute brunch place and the prix fixe menu provides great bang for the buck (bottomless coffee, 1 glass of orange or grapefruit juice, a cinnamon bun and a main brunch dish). The food itself didn't stand out compared to the value and service - I like the cinnamon bun, and the omelette I had was pretty standard.

    (4)
  • Shuan L.

    Tips for navigating brunch at Aquitane: 1. Make a reservation. We arrived Saturday at 1:00pm. The place was packed. There was a wait. But we'd made reservations and we seated immediately, gliding past a crowd of envious, hungry onlookers. Win! 2. Lower your expectations. The brunch is decent, but nothing spectacular. The "warm cinnamon buns" are actually not warm, but given that I will eat any kind of cinnamon bun, I overlooked this. The filling inside my omelette was distributed unevenly so that I didn't hit the bulk of the good stuff until halfway through, when I was already starting to get full. And the service is shoddy. When serving coffee, she only filled my cup about 2/3 full and then rushed off. At no point did she come back to check on us. Having said all this, I would still definitely come back - you can't beat a $9.95 prix fixe brunch in Boston! 3. Ration your orange juice! Unlike the coffee, the OJ is not bottomless. We found this out the hard way. :(

    (3)
  • Shannon F.

    This place made my birthday brunch VERY special. I only wish I had thought to make a reservation because they were very busy and we had to wait almost an hour. I feel like it was worth the wait. Prix Fix brunch for 9.95, served promptly with EXCELLENT service in a beautiful atmostphere is exactly what I wanted on my Birthday. Our server also brought me some exquisite chocolate mouse, and I believe she did it without any secret stealthy request from anyone in my party. It was the perfect end, to a nearly perfect meal. I would love to go back here for dinner and maybe I will for Restaurant week!

    (5)
  • Jennifer S.

    Not sure what the negative reviews are about - this is one of my favorite restaurants in the South End. I have been here for a special occasion, and most recently for Restaurant Week. Food was delicious, service was great (our waitress even helped us with a movie trivia question), atmosphere was perfect as always. Reminds me of being in Paris where dinners are an event, and are meant to be enjoyed and not rushed.

    (4)
  • Radu B.

    Came in on the weekend for restaurant week. Was told that the restaurant week doesn't run over the weekend even though the website clearly states differently. Staff was super rude saying '... feel free to leave ', which we clearly did. Doesn't make sense paying 20$ for 3 eggs and get insulted in the process. Will never come again, not worth it.

    (1)
  • Bati K.

    The food is great! The brunch menu is consistently delicious. But you can't come without a reservation which is frustrating (luckily you can make a reservation via yelp!).

    (4)
  • Rosie Z.

    Came here on a Friday night, made a reservation on opentable two days before so it didn't seem too difficult, but when we got there at 7, the restaurant was very full. Food was very good. The mussels has amazing creamy sauce and we keep dipping the crunchy rolls in it. My lamb was very good, one of the better lamb I had, which comes with a (mint?) pea puree and was delicious with the potatoes on the side. Service was very attentive. The only downside was that tables were very close to each other. I wouldn't want to come here for a first date or with anyone I don't feel 100% comfortable with because people next table can hear every word you say.

    (4)
  • Sheila B.

    I have been to this place for dinner, brunch and just drinks. I will say that the restaurant week menu is a good deal but it's not very French at all to me. I would highly suggest going for brunch, which is $9.95, includes an entree, a hot cinnamon bun, coffee, and juice. Really a great deal, the place is always packed, but they have opened two other locations (1) in chestnut hill and the other in (2) Dedham legacy place. I have not tried those two locations bu I am sure it was good. I will say that you definitely need a reservation to eat there, the food is good and priced appropriately, the tables, like other South end restaurants are very close together, I would say it's also very loud too. Keep that in mind when you are making your reservation ! This is definitely a staple place in Boston !

    (4)
  • Betsy C.

    Brunch -- We went here for brunch on a Saturday morning. It was pretty packed, thankgod they take reservations! But, the food was delicious, I got the Prix Fixe meal, 9.95 for endless coffee, a little baby cinnabun which was delicious, and eggs with toast and potatoes. It was very yummy, not the most amazing.. but there's not too much you can do with eggs. My friend got the duck confit sandwich, which looked amazing, with this great dressing. It looked absolutely delicious, buttery, and perfectly crunchy. Definitely a place i'd go again. The atmosphere was cute, definitely not a place you'd want to go with a big crowd. Anything over 6, i'd try some place different.

    (4)
  • Alison C.

    This place was my lucky Bastille Day destination last week. My only real problem with this place started right when we got there. We made reservations. I understand it was Bastille Day, which is like St. Patrick's Day, the remix, in Boston. But we waited over a half hour to be seated. That sucks, especially when it was at 8:30 and some of us have long-ass commutes out of the city. I think the hostess wanted to throw us in front of a bus after we asked "How much longer?" about 21831297 times. When we finally were seated, everything was great. The bread is wonderful. I tried escargot for the first time (loves it), and the waitress was cool about explaining how to eat it. I ordered the Tagliatelle, but I wish I got the Salmon (fantastic). Loved the vibe, loved the bathroom (very important). Everything was great...except for the meaningless reservation.

    (4)
  • Dan O.

    One of the best dining experiences I've ever had! My wife and I took my mother-in-law for her birthday. Perfect. Place. High-end food. All meals were perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about the place (apart from maybe add another toilet). Perfect for cozy evenings and romantic meals.

    (5)
  • John S.

    Went to Sunday Brunch with my wife & we enjoyed Aquitaine very much. It was busy & a little cramped but the food & service was very good. We both started with Bloody Marys from the bar & then my wife had Eggs Benedict & I had the Omelet Alcasienne with a side of bacon. Reservations are a must for Sunday Brunch but well worth it.

    (4)
  • Jamie F.

    Every neighborhood has its own brunch joint. In South End, you're supposed to go to Aquitaine. My mom and I ventured to this area to check out the $10 brunch with moderate expectations. After spending a long time looking for parking, we made it just in time for our reservation to a spacious, oval table booth seats by the window. Try to special-request for this - I don't know how the other twosies managed to eat at their tiny tables. I liked the slightly upscale decor yet cozy atmosphere. Patrons appeared to be families, friends, & couples seemingly having heart-to-heart conversations over simple coffee and brunch. The Christmas music was very much appreciated. Service could've been better - we were never checked up on by any of the servers. After finally flagging down a waitress to get butter for our toast, she literally gave us ONE dinky piece of butter to share ... um, The Cheesecake Factory is more generous! Yes, the $10 brunch is a fab deal, generous portion too, but the food was mediocre. Sad to say, but my favorite parts were the OJ and toast. The omelets, potatoes, and coffee just didn't wow us and the cinnamon rolls tasted like microwaved Hostess'. I was actually more interested and admiring my neighbor's brioche french toast... oh well, guess I'll just have to try that next time.

    (3)
  • Meredith F.

    After trying Aquitaine for both dinner (about 3 years ago) and brunch (just last weekend), I can truly say that not much has changed. The service is lousy, and the food has some bright spots, but mostly is unimpressive. I still remember my steak frites from a few years ago, mostly because it was the most raw piece of meat I have ever eaten that wasn't tartare. (I had asked for medium.) Unfortunately I didn't notice because it was so dark and ate almost half the portion, which was about 3 bites, before I examined my meat more closely to see the cause of that chewy texture. Brunch this past weekend was better executed, but nothing outstanding. I ordered the steak and eggs. (Back on the horse!) The steak, while actually cooked this time, was marinated in some type of A-1 tasting sauce that I wasn't a huge fan of. My eggs were a little over-poached, with barely any runny yolks left. The home fries, while flavorful and packed with onions, were lukewarm and had clearly been sitting around for a while. The cinnamon roll we ordered as an appetizer came with our meal, since the waitress had forgotten it (did I mention the bad service?). It was nice and flakey, but again, tasted like it had been out in the open air for a few hours. The orange juice was absolutely delicious though. I can forgive an underdone steak or an overdone egg, but being ignored by the hostess for nearly 5 minutes upon entering, made to wait about 20 minutes for a table we had reserved, and then receiving bumbling service after that makes this a spot I probably won't be revisiting.

    (2)
  • Renard R.

    Horrible service. can't stress this enough. They wouldn't care about you on a restaurant week at one bit. All they cater is to the people that actually pays 200+ for their meal. Other than that ignored. Money is everything. You don't have money might as well not eat here.

    (1)
  • Joe M.

    Great place for brunch. Good service, wonderful food. The reservations were a snap thru Yelp.

    (4)
  • Sandy L.

    whenever i think of a recommended brunch place i think long lines but ridiculously good food. this place = awesome because you make reservations and are seated promptly with ridiculously good food. sooo thank you aquitaine for allowing us to sit in your warm and toasty restaurant rather than freezing for hours outside! we did the prix fixe menu which is such a great deaaal. $9.99 you get unlimited coffee, choice of juice, cinnamon bun and one of their egg combo plates. the cinnamon bun was very tasty, the coffee is strong and the eggs are very well made. by the end of the meal i'm a coffee buzzed happily stuffed monster ready to take on the cold! our server was very attentive and the restaurant environment was very pleasant. definitely a great spot to have brunch with friends on the weekend. I RECOMMEND!

    (4)
  • Rose W.

    For $9.95, the Prix Fixe brunch is a solid deal. The cinnamon roll was cute, but I prefer ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls over the dry pastry type. I enjoyed the OJ and the Omelette de la Maison, and the potatoes were good too. Overall, I prefer my go-to brunch places in Inman, Central, or Davis Squares, but I'd come back here again. Not a bad place to go if you're looking for a bit of a NYC atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Steve S.

    Kind of torn here.. Aquitaine is a French inspired restaurant on Tremont St in the heart of The South End with French inspired interior and of course French food The expression you never have a second chance for a first impression seems lost on these folks. Walked in with my girl and was greeted by a woman who seemed more interested talking on the phone. She gave me the one minute finger, and then five minutes later someone else showed me to a table. Strike one and two The food and service, however, were excellent. I had the scallops over lentils, which had multiple textures and flavors. My girls duck was very flavorful as well. I would recommend Aquitane, but if a woman upfront seems disinterested ,on the phone and gives you one moment finger, you might want to respond with a finger of your own

    (4)
  • Kim N.

    Let' keep it short. Service: attentive and pleasant Food: -mussels: the best mussels I've ever had, perfect texture and flavor -fettuccine: simply sublime -duck plat du jour: fabulous -sorbet dessert trio: yuuuuuum and refreshing!! especially loved the strawberry champagne and lychee -porfiteroles: tasty, and huge! -chocolate mousse: also tasty, but fave is still the sorbet Ambiance: classy, can be romantic or go with your quartet of girlfriends ;) FInal word: hope to someday be a patron again if I am ever east side again.

    (5)
  • Cat E.

    Got sick after eating their food....i think we got food poisoning...

    (1)
  • Victor P.

    Dinner is wonderful! I recommend the filet au poive. It was terrific! Very cute and comfortable restaurant. Excellent brunch place but make reservations or you'll be waiting forever. Brioche French Toast . . . the best!

    (5)
  • J C.

    I have been to Aquitaine many times and it is very hit or miss. I am conflicted about giving them three stars, because sometimes they are a four and sometimes they are a one, but they rarely give a simply "average" experience. Sunday brunches and Steak Frites lunches are almost always a hit with groups at Aquitaine. Service has always been exceptionally good: attentive but not pushy. Food preparation is excellent, BUT I have encountered occasional food quality issues that make it impossible to give a better review or star rating.

    (3)
  • Lala I.

    went there with my mom for lunch today. i can't say the food was amazing, but it was decent. i had the stout beer braised beef cheeks, i thought it was mad salty. i don't drink wine, i think the beef cheeks would taste better with wine. desserts were ok, not the best i have ever had. staffs were very friendly and professional.

    (4)
  • Mindy L.

    I am going to have to preface this review by stating that I might have been a little intoxicated going into this dinner (thanks to my bf and his roommates having a little "hurricane party" earlier in the day). However, what I do remember was excellent and decidedly better than average. I asked for the drink special that I blurrily read on the sign outside the front door - actually, it might have been pointed out to me but that's besides the point. My favorite drink...a dark'n'stormy was being offered and I'm on a constant search for the one that will sit in my internal #1 list. This one was pretty tasty, not the best, definitely not the worst. After having the boyfriend decipher and translate the menu for me (I had no idea what Filet au Poivre was, but after he told me poivre was pepper...I was in)...I decided to order the steak au pepper and he ordered the tagliatelle. I thought the steak was perfectly cooked and the outside of crusted peppercorns/garlic/and more was absolutely great. It was served with a side of au gratin potatos (awesome!) which was convenient because I needed something to tame the spicy qualities of the steak. I had a few bites of the taglietelle which was definitely delish as well. For dessert, I went for the creme brulee - very yum, but at that point, I was so full that unfortunately 3/4 of it went to waste. All in all, great fun. There were some interesting conversations to be overheard (I'm sure the ones I was staging were quite entertaining as well) given the close proximity of the tables. One star goes unequivocably to the waitstaff who were absurdly professional, attentive and on their game! Kudos to them.

    (4)
  • Bret C.

    Four and a half stars. Aquitaine is classy with an outstanding atmosphere and service that is much of the same. Literally stumbled upon this place, took a chance, and boy was it a place to get a great meal! Relatively upscale food at prices that, as a whole, are lower than that of other restaurants in the area. Sides, for example, are included with meals, rather than the a-la-carte style of many other area restaurants. Easy valet parking if you need it, but it's pricey. A tip from someone at the restaurant: park at the nearby school and save yourself $20.

    (4)
  • Caitlin C.

    Went here last night for a dinner with work colleagues and we had an absolutely wonderful meal. It was a Monday night and we were seated right away sans reservations, which was lovely (even managed to find a choice parking spot less than a block away - lucky lucky). Started out with a tasty glass of Cote du Rhone and kept 'em coming throughout the meal. We were given a cheesey croquette amuse bouche thing which was nice. For my appetizer, I selected the frisee salad with poached egg and bacon. It was perfection. After some deliberation, I went with the Monday night special, Tagliatelle w/ Duck Confit. It was excellent and I highly recommend it if you happen to dine there on a Monday. My colleagues both went with steak and they were quite pleased. Clean plate club all around! I couldn't very well pass on dessert, so I chose the profiteroles and they were delicious. Just as good as the ones we used to get at this pub in France. The creme brulee also looked good, but I was too focused on finishing the profiteroles to even have a taste. Overall, I'm sure I'll be back one of these days (when my wallet is fatter). Would also be a great date night place (there were a lot of cute couples). And I hear brunch is fantastic.

    (5)
  • Simona S.

    I went on what I think was a date here. Yes, you read that right. What started off as two co-workers "just going there" for dinner ended up with me freaking out about my outfit, then me worrying about being late and making a bad impression, then me essentially asking all of the questions (with a pause to order scallops and later dessert), then me ultimately paying for the meal. Uh yea. I wanted to order wine but was scared of getting carded. I should have ordered the wine, it would have eased up my nerves. I don't get nervous easily, or ever really for that matter, but I've also never hung out with a co-worker outside of work before. Lotsa pressure. I didn't even eat the complimentary bread. So I wanted to get the lamb shank but HE ordered the lamb shank and I didn't want to copy so I went with the scallops. I was very excited about the scallops and excited about his shank because I thought he would let me try it. No. So this brings me to a serious question: Is it weird when someone absolutely REFUSES to try your food even though they like what you're eating? Because that's what happened. I kept offering my delicious scallop and he said no. He refused me. He refused me... and my scallop. It looked sad so I just ate it. I didn't even feel good about eating it. And if he didn't take my scallop of course I couldn't ask for his shank. Okay that sounds dirty. But we're just talking about food here. All of that aside, I thought that the service was great except for the very beginning when they took a long time to take our orders. But water was refilled consistently, the place is dim but beautiful and romantic-al, and I liked the bathroom. No but seriously, why didn't he take my scallop?

    (4)
  • Layla P.

    I tried the Brioche French Toast with Crispy Bacon, Fresh Blueberries & Vanilla Whipped Cream and I wished they hadn't put the whipped cream on top for so long because it made it soggy - next time I would order it on the side. We also went there for the fixed price Bastille Day menu - the french onion soup was fabulous and very filling, it's great to dip the starter bread into it. The steak frites was delicious although I wish the fries had more flavor and the pasta dish was flavorful and heavy. The creme brulee was a little too eggy for me, but the crispy topping was delicious. The chocolate mousse was also an excellent dessert - prefect taste and consistency.

    (4)
  • Marilyn T.

    In one word, the place is lovely. The decor is simple but classy, and it has a very French bistro feel to it. Service was ok, but not super attentive. Dishes came out slowly, and I can't say all of them were worth the wait. Potatoes at brunch were done well, but nothing else was too memorable. It's kind of expensive for bistro style food. For the prices, there are other places in south end I'd rather go to.

    (3)
  • Adam E.

    $10 brunch and the best bloody mary I've found in boston.

    (4)
  • Mark W.

    I went with a group of people and it was great. We had bottles of white wine that went really well with the meal. I had the tuesday special of braised pork and it was awesome. The one thing that everyone loved was the fries with aioli. i also went there for their lunch special and it was a good deal. I had the Duck Confit and Gruyere Sandwich and there was plenty of shredded duck and you could taste the richness of it with the gruyere. That with the tomato bisque was awesome. I picked the side salad which had a nice dressing. The endless coffee was a big plus :) For dinner it was packed but for lunch it's not as full. It's somewhat nice to have a nice quiet lunch though. One note is that the restaurant is a little small so you may feel like you're part of the table next to you.

    (4)
  • Raffaella P.

    Excellent atmosphere and nice music. The food was good, even though I expected a bit better especially for the appetizer ( the oeuf en cocotte, was nothing special) and the dessert (sorbet, lime and peach, too sweet). The entrees were remarkably good instead. We had roasted chicken breast & leg crepinette and a very tender beef on baby carrots and baby asparagus. Very tasty les escargots de Bourgogne.

    (3)
  • Andy C.

    Aquitaine provides a very exquisite dining environment. Its bistro-like feel retains class without being pompous, and the decor's darker colors give off a vibrant warmth. The wine selection is very impressive, and my friend and I thoroughly enjoyed their professional tasting process. The two fish entrees we had were both delicious - flaky and moist without being overly seasoned or heavy. The creme brulee dessert definitely had a unique Aquitaine twist to it - I still can't really describe it, but it was creme brulee with a very tasty flair. Paired with the very attentive and friendly service, dining at Aquitaine was definitely a pleasure.

    (5)
  • Suzanne G.

    Popped over for a latish lunch on a Sunday, no reservation. We were told there'd be a 45 minute wait, and since the day was lovely, we wandered around the neighborhood a bit, then went back to wait on the bench outside the restaurant. Soon the hostess came out to get us and took us to our corner booth. We ordered quickly--a carafe of Cote du Rhone, Aquitaine burger for hubby which he requested with bleu cheese instead of Boursin, shrimp salad club sandwich for me. Both with frites, very yummy, no ketchup for us thanks but please bring some dijon mustard which she did. Very good food and service, bad music. The location at Chestnut Hill was being renovated last time we ate there so things seemed a bit off kilter; both are very similar in design and decor, very intimate seating. Nice.

    (4)
  • Gabrielle G.

    Alright, so I did eat here a while back (July) but from what I remember it was nothing short of amazing. I ordered the seared sea scallops which were cooked perfectly and my bf and I shared a goat cheese salad appetizer. We were seated in a comfy booth in the front of the restaurant (perfect for people watching.) It definitely wasn't too crowded (it was Tues or Wed) and the waitress was very helpful. She wasn't acting like we should automatically be familiar with every item on the menu--I've had this happen before. If we're paying $30 a plate, there's no reason the wait staff should be making me feel uncomfortable, but sometimes it's just inevitable that french waiters will come off this way. Luckily this wasn't the case at Aquitaine. 5 stars for food 5 stars for service

    (5)
  • Elizabeth Y.

    This review is specifically for Aquitaine's prix fixe brunch, which is probably one of the best value brunches in town. I've been twice for this brunch with family from out of town. This will probably continue to be my go-to spot for brunch with out-of-towners. The cinnamon buns are fantastic and the omelette de la Maison is pretty good. To be clear, this isn't the best omelette I've ever had, but it's quite good. And for 10 bucks, who can beat coffee, juice, cinnamon buns, and and omelette. On top of that, Aquitaine has great decor. It can get a little noisy at times, and definitely come early -- there's usually a long line. Take the T, as parking can be tough.

    (5)
  • Tracy L.

    I went here with some colleagues on a weekday evening. The food was amazing, and the atmosphere exceeded my expectations! I had the goat cheese salad -- it was incredibly good -- the goat cheese was soft, warm and nut-encrusted. I also had the mushroom linguine -- again -- excellent; and the profiteroles for dessert; this was the only course I'd say was "OK." I think next time -- I'd try the fallen chocolate cake or the apple tart -- others at my table had them -- and both looked very yummy. The location is great; and I enjoyed looking out the large windows onto Tremont. I would definitely go here again.

    (5)
  • yj j.

    I went there for brunch, and honestly I was not that impressed. I mean it's not that the food is bad. it's just that the food is not that great. I really liked the fresh grapefruit juice, but the eggs benedict was honestly kind of bland. I'll probably try it again, but will not be my definite go to.

    (3)
  • Sarah A.

    After coming here a few more times I've definitely learned what to order. BOURSIN BURGER all the way. The creme brulee is also excellent. I would still advise that you stay away from the little salads.

    (4)
  • Keith O.

    I have mixed feelings about Aquitaine - The bar is tiny and the menu rarely changes. The fare is typical French and the servings are small. Now I am not a big plate american who needs to take food home - but they are a little sparing here. The items I have had off the menu were good, but the foie gras terrine was my least liked. I prefer my foie gras warm I guess. I would recommend Metropolis or many of the other restaurant in the South End before Aqua.

    (3)
  • Anthony C.

    Okay. So I am adding back two stars to my review. Why? Well, when the owner responds to your post privately and apologizes for your experience, that is huge kudos in my book. Customer Service is so vital yet an unfortunate dying breed in our society. To see an owner reach out is exceptional! We will go back again to see if it was a one time thing and review.

    (4)
  • Komal B.

    Went here with some girlfriends for my birthday and it was a pretty good meal. The food was tasty, drinks were fun, service was attentive. The only minus was they had run out of what I wanted to order. No harm- I ended up ordering a dish that was great. I dont even remember what the main on the entree was, but the shaved asparagus and snow peas it was placed on were very memorable. If I still lived in Boston, I would return at some point

    (4)
  • Angel S.

    Expensive but tasty french restaurant in south east, Boston. Waitress were very helpful. And the food was really good. I ate the "filet au poivre", it was worth the price.

    (4)
  • Lisa V.

    Hmm, it looks like a French bistro... And we were trying to find another restaurant off Tremont and got a bit turned around. So we ended up right here. A cute corner location with street parking we scored right out front. We started the night with wine & cocktails and ordered the cheese plate. We were all starving and immediately wanted somethign to nibble on. Now in a normal person's world, would a cheese plate only refer to 1 hunk of cheese with some candied apricots? I think not. For $11 that seemed a bit out of my expectations. There were also some crostinis that were loaded in oil & butter. I had the sidecar martini ($11.50) which was very sugary sweet! I guess I should have read the description as it was rimmed in sugar too. Others had a vodka martini ($12) and glass of cabernet ($14.50). Nothing over the top, and we did ask if they had blue cheese olives - they did not. Bummer. I would have to say for service that the waitress was not warm and friendly. It was very matter of fact and we had to hunt her down after our entrees were ordered for more cocktails. They also gave us to start a piece of a bite sized cheese biscuit? It was kind of random, but served warm so that was a nice alternative than using the crostini as a vehicle for the itty bitty piece of cheese I took from the cheese plate. Bummer since we all love cheese so much! We then ordered the roasted chicken ($23), scallops ($28) and the lamb ($28). We also got a order of garlic side spinach ($7). All the entrees looked good, I had the chicken. It was roasted with the leg bone and they did do a good version of it. A bit salty, so my last couple of bites I did take off the skin. I know, I know, but it was a bit much! When we received our bill, they forgot our order of spinach, so we had to hunt her down again for that. She seemed annoyed about it. It was a good dinner, but it was just a waitress where you know she was motivated by our dinner bill and not creating a good experience for dinner. Such a bummer as it had a good neighborhood feel and not what you think for a bistro atmosphere.

    (3)
  • Veronica F.

    Came here on a date during my trip to Boston. Friendly staff, good food, great overall dining experience. The ouef en cocotte was to die for! The only complaint I have about this dish was that is was too small! I also had the roasted chicken breast and braised leg which was remarkably good. The sauce had a gravy like flavor and the veggies soaked it all up. My BF got the steak frites, which came highly recommended by his co-workers, and he was not disappointed. If I lived in the Boston area I would definitely be back....highly recommend this restaurant if you're in the area!

    (4)
  • Lickety Split N.

    I went for brunch on a Saturday morning with a group of five. It was just after 10 AM, and the restaurant was nearly empty. When three of us first arrived, the hostess asked us if we had a reservation (no), and then told us they *should* be able to seat us when our entire party arrives. Really? You think? You'll find some room for us in your empty restaurant? After the initial absurdity, the experience was actually okay. Our waitress was pleasant (and indeed French) and the food came quickly. A couple of people in my party went with the prix-fixe brunch, and they enjoyed it okay (however, I did try a bite of the cinnamon roll included in the prix-fixe, and I'm pretty sure that they got the recipe from Little Debbie). I ordered the brioche french toast, which included two strips of bacon, whipped cream, and a smattering of fresh berries. Pretty tasty, although I didn't quite expect the bacon to be on top of the french toast, under the whipped cream. I'll probably give Aquitaine another try eventually since I live within throwing distance. For now, I can't really say I'd recommend it.

    (3)
  • Ami R.

    I've been here twice for brunch over the past 4 years. This place offers a solid brunch for a good price. We were able to make reservations that morning prior to going in, which def helped with the wait time. A cinnamon bun to start, really yummy fresh squeezed OJ, bottomless coffee and an egg dish/omelet...all for 9.99!! The ambience of Aquitaine is very cozy. I've never been here for dinner, but this place doesn't have a vegetarian friendly menu. I do however, recommend this place for brunch.

    (3)
  • Kavitha M.

    I have been here for brunch twice and had the same thing- the burger. Both times the burger was tasty. However, the service has ranged from great to just ok. The first time the service was outstanding and really heightened our enjoyment of the meal. There was a small mistake in my order and the waitress not only immediately rectified it, but adjusted the bill accordingly. She was fabulous. The second time, the service was mediocre. Because of its close proximity to my apt, I will probably go again but its not a brunch I crave.

    (3)
  • Jeremy S.

    A very sexy ambiance and delicious food, makes it one of Boston's best (in my mind) date restaurants.The salmon was perfect and was nicely complimented by a flavorful Bordeaux reduction and tender wild mushrooms. Interestingly, Aquitaine has ties to another popular South End spot, Metropolis Cafe. Tip: If you're taking a hot date, see if you can get the window seat for two which allows you to sit next to each other...

    (4)
  • Lea C.

    I love Aquitaine. But I love a good bistro, so it's not wonder. I've only been here twice, but if I lived in the neighborhood, I think I'd be there once a week. Parking can be a pain given that it's Tremont St (there's always valet but it's expensive) and again it's not near the T in any sense of the imagination, but that shouldn't deter you. The great: The mushroom pasta is out of this world. It sells out later in the night, so if you want some, get there before 9:30. And bring a friend or come prepared to take half home, as the portion of that particular entree is huge. I also love the lemon sole--the sauce is lovely, the fish is perfectly cooked, and the chopped haricot vert are some of the best I've ever had. The coq au vin was satisfying and rich, but not too rich. And I love the cheese plate, the accompaniments were well-chosen. The escargot has all the elements I want in it, and was perfectly cooked--kudos for no shells. The onion soup is classic, and exactly what I would expect at a French bistro. A friend of mine loved the salmon so much she literally cleaned her plate. And they once gave us free champagne for a birthday toast. The average: The frites are classic, but nothing spectacular. The chocolate mousse was less mousse and more whipped cream--I like my mousse dense and chocolaty. I think the thing I love the most about Aquitaine is that although it's hearty, traditional French fare, it feels lighter. You never leave feeling the heaviness that rich French food can cause. But you're always full and satisfied. Make sure to end one evening milling around Tremont with dinner at Aquitaine, you won't regret it!

    (4)
  • Kate C.

    This place was tough to rate. We went there for Saturday brunch (they have a really enticing prefix special). They started really strong with quite possibly the best Bloody Mary I've ever had (lots of ground pepper and Worcestershire sauce, spicy but not too spicy). It went down hill from there. The server was kind of an ass. When I asked what was popular he flippantly responded "everything". I ended up not ordering one of the prefix specials and instead ordered the Croque Madam. The portion was huge (too huge) and it was okay, but not great. The French fries, which should be phenomenal at a place like this, were good, but not great, as well. All in all an okay experience, but not off the charts.

    (3)
  • A. D.

    We came here for NYE and it definitely lived up to the expectations. Even though it was crowded when we first arrived, we felt well taken care of from the service, to the food and drinks, and ending with the cherry on top: champagne, hats, and horns at the midnight countdown. Pitch perfect from start to finish. The beautiful decor alone is enough to warrant a stop over, and if you make it for a special ocassion you won't be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Doris K.

    Great Saturday brunch prix fixe menu for only $9.95 which comes with a warm cinnamon bun, choice of entree, home fries, toast, juice, and endless coffee. The omelet was great and filled with flavor and the cinnamon bun was fantastic. My only complaint is on the prix fixe menu there are only three entrees to choose from. I would love to go back some time to try their other dishes. Service was great and not overbearing. Aquitaine is quite a small place though so be prepared to wait on busy nights.

    (4)
  • Ashlee C.

    Went here for a birthday dinner with the boy and everything was really wonderful. I am only removing one star because they really cram you in like sardines, but I can look past that for the quality of the food. As this was my first visit, I played it safe and ordered the Steak Au Poivre. The filet was cooked to a perfect medium rare, and the side of haricots verts and potatoes au gratin were also executed to perfection. My companion had a pasta special in a sage butter sauce that was also very tasty. The creme brulee for dessert was one of the best I have ever had. In addition, the service was exactly what I expected from a restaurant of this caliber. The waiter was extremely efficient in explaining everything and was not overbearing in his presence at all. We barely noticed him moving through the tightly crammed tables - highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Morgan F.

    How to eat an Aquitaine Brunch 1. Plan ahead and either make reservations, or be prepare to wait about 10 minutes (aka go hungry, but not blood sugar level dropping hungry) 2. Try to sit in one of the AMAZING red leather booths. If you get a 1/2 table 1/2 booth, you can choose to either melt into the soft leather of the booths or sit neatly in the chairs and peer at yourself during the meal in the mirrors ;) 3. Start with the warm house made cinnamon bun (on Saturday its included in the fix price brunch for $9.95!!) 4. Convince your friends to order as many different options so you can try some of each. Both of the Eggs Benedict (ham or avocado) have perfectly poached and runny eggs. The french toast comes with bacon on-top, being a vegetarian I was not 100% into, but it is amazing! And the boursin cheese omelet is mouth watering! 5. The waiters are very attentive about drink service, so don't forget to get a Bloody Mary, coffee or orange juice! 6. Eat, Drink and be Merry :) 7. Pay check, tip and RETURN AGAIN!

    (4)
  • Sean H.

    If you're looking for a good reliable French place, this is a great spot. The menu isnt going to wow you with its originality, but everything ive ever had has been high quality and well presented. Good wine list and reasonable prices. Attentive but not "all-over-you" staff. I like it.

    (4)
  • Chewie L.

    Came here for Saturday brunch with a friend. Had to wait for a bit but were seated in good time. Although it was crowded and louded, we were still able to have a nice conversation without feeling cramped and needing to scream to hear each other. Wouldn't necessarily call it intimate, but was a good atmosphere. Ordered the Prix Fixe brunch. Cinnamon rolls were non-descript. Tasty but not fresh-out-of-the-oven delicious. Likely re-heated. Omelette (I ordered the bacon with Gruyere Cheese) was satisfactory... not overly stuffed with ingredients like some, but struck a good balance. Home fries were delicious. Some of the best I've had in a while. Grapefruit juice tasted fresh and the coffee, while passable, was not superb to the point that I'd prefer to drink it black. Overall, a decent brunch with nice ambience at a fantastic price: $12 including tax and tip. While no part (asides from the homefries) particularly stood out, taken as a whole, I would definitely come back.

    (4)
  • J H.

    Okay, lets just start this off with me telling you that this was my 3 year anniversary- I made the reservation with OpenTable.com and made a note in there that it was our anniversary. We get there and they kindly take our coats, have us seated at the front of the restaurant in a great table (oval so we can sit next to each other) and there is a note from the staff congratulating us on our anniversary- I melted. Without even being served any food, I was delighted beyond belief. First we order a fromage plate (cheese plate) to get us started with the meal which was delicious and I loved that they had enough carbs for me to keep spreading the cheese on. For an appetizer, I ordered a special which essentially was a seafood stew- it was a little complicated but amazingly rich and multi-layered. The seared sea scallops were out of this world! Okay, now I do have to add in here that upon ordering drinks I let them know that I will not be drinking anything tonight and would be fine with a gingerale- and the waitress insisted I try a concoction from the bar (non-alcoholic of course). It was some sort of grapefruity drink that I did not want to stop drinking. It was awesome- I am glad I did not settle for a gingerale. There was a short moment when I thought that I had made a mistake in telling them it was our anniversary because when the dessert came out, the waitress also brought out two champagne glasses (on the house) and my heart sank- my first thought was- do I drink it to be nice or do I politely decline? I was immediately put at ease when the waitress said that one glass was champagne (for him) and one glass was a sparkling vanilla bean drink (non alcoholic) for me! I was delighted that they put that much thought into it! All in all, I had a pleasant experience and I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Thanks for making my anniversary special.

    (5)
  • Dana T.

    We have been frequent loyal regulars at Aquitaine until last night. We have enjoyed the ambiance and the food for well over a decade but in our last 5 or 6 visits, we have been made to feel ignored and marginalized. On one visit we were made to stand for over an hour past our reservation time. the complimentary glass of wine did not compensate for our discomfort. On another occasion, my reservation for a group of six was arbitrarily cancelled by Aquitaine with no notification to us! Last night we arrived on time for our reservation, were greeted warmly and then promptly ignored. When I asked host how long we had to wait, he said, "I don't know". When I asked why we could not be seated at the empty table in plain view, he said it was reserved for another party who was not even there yet. This is terribly offensive and demeaning. Since our patronage is unimportant to Aquitaine, we shall never return.

    (1)
  • Ina C.

    $9.95 for prix-fixe brunch?? Amazing! My bf ordered the omelette de la maison (delicious) but I ventured off the prix-fixe menu and ordered the French toast with bacon. Where I'm from, bacon goes on the side, but here at this lovely establishment, the bacon goes right on top of the French toast and transforms the entire dish. The whole is definitely more than the sum of the parts. Haha, I'm totally butchering that phrase, huh? Anyway, it was truly one of the best brunches I've had. I love the cozy atmosphere and great service!

    (5)
  • Juliet P.

    Wow. The hubbers and I just had an absolutely amazing meal here. I might venture to say one of our best meals in Boston. I was reluctant to go here because of all the hype. Hubs was reluctant because it is French and he likes his portions. I am happy to report both of us were delightfully surprised. My main observation was that all of the dishes were very well balanced without being boring. - No flavors jumped out and yelled in our faces after the first bite but by the end I was still looking forward to each bite. We went for a leisurely Friday afternoon lunch and ended up being here for about 2 hours - savoring the flavors, people watching and discussing the pleasurable issues of the day. He had the hanger steak .I had pasta with mushrooms (forgot the official name) and they were both interesting, delicious and fairly portioned. Soups and salads were awesome, dessert was a sweet but not nauseating end to the meal. Thank for a lovely afternoon, Aquitaine.

    (5)
  • Brianna B.

    My roommate and I went here for brunch for their pre fix menu special. It was expecting MUCH bigger portions but then again I should have known it be small. It's a french restaurant. The food was tasty but not extraordinary or horrendous. I'm still not sure if I would recommend this restaurant, at least for the brunch special because for nearly $10 you could receive a much bigger meal elsewhere. I left feeling I'd be hungry within an hour. Maybe I'll try their dinner next time.

    (3)
  • Kristin K.

    Aquitaine used to be my favorite restaurant in Boston, but the last two times that I've been there have been so disappointing, that it is unlikely I will go back anytime soon. The food continues to be good - not amazing anymore, but good. I was there for brunch today and was really put off by the service. We had a 1PM reservation, and were not seated until 1:25. The waiter didn't bother to come over to our table until 1:35, and that was after we flagged him down. There was no apology, but instead he just looked at us as if we were bothering him. We had to ask for drinks. And then we had to ask again when he didn't bring them. Coffee was sloshed all over the table EACH time he poured the coffee - it was really sloppy. Again, once the food finally came, it was fine, but the overall experience was overshadowed by the exceptionally bad service.

    (2)
  • EMH C.

    I came here with my husband for our Anniversary dinner - and it was phenomenal! I had mentioned when making the reservation that we'd be celebrating our Anniversary ... and we were greeted with two flutes of champagne when we came in. We waited for just a few minutes - and that was to ensure we had one of best tables in the restaurant. The hostess and waiter were both lovely - very friendly and professional. The food was amazing, melt in your mouth good. And the wine was some of the best we've had in quite some time. Loved our evening, and will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Emma S.

    I loved Aquitaine. I loved the bread, the drinks, the rustic yet chic atmosphere. Yet I did not even like the salmon i ordered. I wanted the pasta, but I was the last of our party to order, and by the time the waiter got to me, all the pasta was sold out! I did taste my boyfriend's pasta, however, and it was magical. My salmon was a poor substitute, but I would most certainly return to Aquitaine for a different order and the cool ambiance.

    (4)
  • Jonathan Z.

    Went here with a friend for Restaurant week. While this place was in a whole different league than Masa, it still didn't wow me. The good. Everything was pretty good. I decided to skip the restaurant week menu and go for the regular mussel and regular salmon dish. I finished with the creme brule. The mussels were very flavorful and fresh. The salmon was just OK. The portions were right about in line with what I would expect given the price/quality of food. At least they know to heat their espresso cups before serving espresso in them. Moreover the staff were all very professional, friendly, and informative. The bad. Although overall a good experience there were lots of problems. First, the mussels were a bit overcooked (not dry, just overcooked) and therefore tough. I had issues getting some of them out of their shells. Moreover, I wholly agree with some other Yelpers here: that the broth they served them in was far too overpowering and rich. I was still tasting the leeks / garlic 8 hours later. They really needed something lighter. Second, although it was cooked to near perfection, my cut of salmon was less than choice. Third, the creme brule was bland and a little eggy. Fourth, there wasn't any game on the menu. It was really just fish, chicken, beef. The menu itself was not all that impressive. Nothing really jumped out at me from the get-go. Moreover, I gathered from a brief scan of the Yelp reviews that many of the items I saw last night were on the menu months ago. I could be wrong, but perhaps they should cycle their menu a little more. Conclusion. Look, I was pretty happy overall. I'd give it a 4, but given it's current rating I think it really needs to go down a little bit because the food simply didn't impress me enough. There were too many fundamental problems and there wasn't a single dish to really remember. Zagats gives their food a 23. I think 22-23 is where they ought to be.

    (3)
  • Betts C.

    So I have only been to Aquitaine for brunch, and thus I am fully aware that my experience is slightly limited. That being said, the atmosphere is cute, if smallish, and the staff is charming and amusing. I went with two others, and we all (of course) agreed on the prix fixe brunch option. The cinnamon buns were good, but not phenomenal. The omelets were large and good but not incredible. (I will also confess that I am a very particular judge of omelets. I have been to a few, select places that truly blew my mind, and sadly, Aquitaine wasn't one of those.) However, the omelet was the boursin-filled one, and it was creamy and well cooked. The potatoes were also good, and the large amount of toast was a bonus. Basically, I can't say that I have any complaints about Aquitaine's food. It was good. It just wasn't particularly mind-blowing. What was mind-blowing was the medley of Michael Jackson that played throughout our brunch. Honestly, that note of humor and silliness made our experience.

    (3)
  • luke b.

    Did someone say delicious brunch? OUI! With just a couple of visits under my belt, i can say that the brunch here is super-chouette! The food is simple and always good. The serice can be slow but it can get pretty packed in there so i understand. Someday i'll ask them to lock me in a room with 600lbs of their French toast... someday.

    (4)
  • Nadia T.

    I took my mom there for her birthday this past weekend. The food was pretty good, Good bloody marys, too! I like the wooden decor, and though they don't have outdoor seating, they sat us in a large window in the back with great day light.The hostess was very warm- though our server was not very good. He didn't smile, didn't introduce himself, mixed up our orders (which would be ok if he didn't blame the cooks or us). I would definitely go back again and just sit in a different section.

    (4)
  • Jason R.

    This is the best brunch place in Boston. Every time I'm in Boston I always make sure to go to Aquitaine for Brunch. I used to go there at least once a month for a while. and don't forget the mimosas. The ambience reminds me of a restaurant located in Soho.

    (4)
  • Hana C.

    I had a wonderful brunch here with my girls last Saturday morning. Our reservation was for 10:30AM and I figured it wouldn't be so busy so early but I was surprised to find that the place was packed! I started off with my memosa (lovely) and had the $10 brunch menu which included the following- freshly squeezed orange juice (with pulp), a warm mini cinnamon bun, bottomless coffee, toast, an omelate of your choice and home fries. The food was delicious and our server was very friendly too. I would definately recommend this place for brunch.

    (5)
  • Jessie K.

    My roommate and I wanted to grab an early (10:30 on a Sunday) brunch, and were trying to decide where to go in the South End (we're North Enders...), and I'm so glad we picked this place. The food was amazing, and we had the prix fixe menu - I had the mushroom, leek and Boursin cheese omelet, and she had the spinach and feta omelet. Both were really good - nothing to complain about on the food side, unless bringing too much bacon is a problem (I ordered it as a side, and she's a vegetarian, so it was a bit much - maybe 6-8 thin slices). The coffee was good, as were the cinnamon buns they bring you while waiting for your main meal. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was the service fell off a bit towards the end - we waited a while before the waitress came back so we could ask for the check (maybe she forgot about us for a bit?), but other than that it was great, and insanely well-priced. I will definitely be making Aquitaine my brunch place of choice from now on.

    (4)
  • V Y.

    Great ambiance... I've been here quite a few times and have had their onion soup, mussles, escargot and fish entrees. The food is a little inconsistent so hence the 3 stars. I would sit at the bar and have a drink or two and apps before a night in town!

    (3)
  • Adam R.

    Came here on a Friday night with 5 other friends and had some of the most amazing service ever. Our waitress did a fantastic job and had the flow down perfect. From our drinks first, the amazing muscles appetizers, and the incredible dinner. I went with the steak frites and was blow away, the meat was juicy and very very tender. Drinks were prepared perfectly, some think a martini is easy to make but to make an exceptional martini takes skill and their bartender has it. Make sure you make reservations as I don't know how you could get into this place without them on a busy night.

    (5)
  • Ashley M.

    I went here for lunch with my parents yesterday. They came in from out of town and are always looking to try somewhere "new & different" when they come to Boston, so without any idea where to take them I headed to the South End in hopes of finding a gem. After reading a few menus outside restaurants we decided on Aquitaine. The lunch menu isn't extensive but still manages to have something for everyone. My bf and I both had the steak frites, which was excellent and just enough for lunch. My parents enjoyed their meals as well. Clean plates all around! The lunch prices are fairly reasonable, around $15 for the steak frites. My only complaint is that they didn't have appetizers offered on the lunch menu, so if your starving I would recommend a snack before heading here for lunch.

    (4)
  • Greg A.

    No doubt that this place has the best brunch in the city. The dinner is fantastic. My partner and I simply LOVE this place and the Aquitaine staff treat us right with our very own table that is logged in their system! Whats better than that? Well, they have great food, great drinks and a nice cozy atmosphere. When I'm not eating where I work, I love to go here!

    (5)
  • Tori G.

    I just went here for dinner, while totally forgetting that it was restaurant week. Everyone in my party was so intrigued by the restaurant week menu that we decided to order from it, with an addition of an extra appetizer from the regular menu--the oeuf en cocotte. That was definitely the scene-stealer, despite the fact that I normally think of runny yolks as being the bane of any successful egg dish. This guy is a poached egg with truffles, pomme puree, marinate chanterelles and brioche slivers for dipping. It is beyond delicious. The restaurant week items were good enough, but none even approached the egg app in quality. The other things we tried were: Tomato tart with creme fraiche. This was the flattest tart I've ever seen. Effectively just crust (which was flaky and delicious) with slices of tomato, and a very large dollop of creme fraiche. Tasty, but unsubstantial. Sweet Corn Soup over ratatouille. The corn flavor of the soup was great and I really liked the sweetness of it, but no one at the table cared for the so-called ratatouille. It was really just a flavorless dice of cold vegetables. Vegetarian "cassoulet". Now, I know that making vegetarian French main dishes is a challenge, but calling this dish a cassoulet was false advertising. It had runner beans instead of cannelini/flageolets, plus a huge pile of arugula, and a goodly amount of butter sauce. The only thing this dish had in common with cassoulet was an ingredient with the word "bean". That said, it tasted good, but definitely wasn't what I was in the mood for. Chermoula-rubbed Ribs. Very very good according to my table-mates, and clearly very tender, given the way the meat fell of the bones. Cherry Clafoutis. Quite tasty. On the custardy side of the clafoutis continuum. Apricot Tart Tartin. 10/10. Parts of the table ordered the $19 wine pairings to go with the RW menu, which were consistently well-paired and high-quality. I'd say that the RW menu doesn't live up to normal Aquitaine expectations. But it was an overall good deal for the money, especially if you go for the wine pairings.

    (3)
  • Miguel C.

    I had brunch here one Saturday with two friends. We got our reservation. The food was delicious: we had a great Cobb Salad, a good egg dish (coming with a succulent cinnamon bun), and French toast with bacon (one word: awesome). Our service was a bit rougher, where we didn't get the spoons or knifes we expected with our food until asked. It was also really warm inside, though it got better. Otherwise it's pretty great, if a bit pricey.

    (4)
  • Janet B.

    Nice Sunday brunch. It was a busy beautiful day but we were seated on time (per our reservation). The food was excellent & the price was perfect. Brunch for 2 at $25!!

    (4)
  • Cindy C.

    I was here for brunch about a week ago. Including me, it was a group of 4. Upon walking into the restaurant, I thought the decor was cute, very french bistro, but also nothing extraordinary. After about 10 minutes, we were seated. Honestly, I was quite disappointed by the selection on their menu, it wasn't very innovative or anything that intrigued me. In the end I settled for eggs Benedict, which can't really go wrong. And it was just that, a dish that didn't go wrong, but didn't have anything "extra" that made it special.

    (3)
  • Jungmin L.

    This review is for the brunch. Experience for dinner was better. The service: WAY too hectic; we had to ask for napkins, jam, water at least twice. We didn't leave that big a tip because the waitstaff did not deserve it. The food: The cinnamon buns are not the soft, steaming, fragrant delicacies that the treat is it touted to be. It's just, um, cinnamon bun. Omelettes and poached eggs are standard, considering the price they're good. I would not go here for brunch again. MUCH better atm and food at Cafe Luna, Sel de la Terre, Eastern Std Kitchen, Flour, Beehive etc etc etc.

    (2)
  • Ethan S.

    We went there for a brunch on Saturday afternoon, and it was packed.. waiting crowd at the entrance and host gave us a wait time of 50 minutes. So we stepped out to get a cup of coffee at across coffee shop (would recommend).. We had the prix fixe brunch (comes with omelet, potatoes, toast, juice and cinnamon brunch)... Overall the brunch was decent and the ambiance was okay. But the coffee was little warm and the chef rushed on cooking the omelet..

    (4)
  • Chris A.

    Amazing food. Solid service. Outstanding bartender. Works for me.

    (5)
  • Byron M.

    If you are tired of going to your local diner for breakfast on the weekend, you could step it up and come to Aquitane. Aquitane is a wonderful place for dinner. They do their food really good and you get exceptional service. Aquitane for brunch is fun and also fairly reasonable too! Somehow the eggs taste better here. Tip: Look for prix fixe menus for brunch. It can save you a bundle.

    (4)
  • Marcus C.

    I really want to like this restaurant more because it's such a great space and should have fantastic food. However, my lunch today - the duck sandwich - was only average. So was the warm beet salad. To top it off, our waitress seemed not to realize we were there, even though only two other tables were occupied at the time.

    (3)
  • wsl l.

    Went here for the first time last week for dinner and I thought the food was good -but not great. Trying to catch a movie around 7: 30PM next door, we decided to head over to Aquitaine for a table for 2 with no reservations at dinner time- We got there around 6pm and entered through the back door from the parking lot. It was COLD outside and though the door was locked, a kind and rather handsome young waiter opened the door for us. We quickly got a table in less than 2 min, but the room filled up just as quickly. The atmosphere is definitely cozy- if your going here on a date- make a reservation and see if you can request a booth table- it is a must. If you get an aisle table you will be packed in like sardines. Example: A waiter will try squeeze through an aisle table and their derriere will be touching the edge of your table and most likely in your face if you look. Great if they have a nice derriere.. not so great if they don't if you like personal space.. which I do. I swear I saw a watercress salad on the menu so when I placed it with the waitress, she said that they didn't have it but would gladly have the kitchen "whip" one up for me. Awfully nice of them to do that, however, when I thought of my imaginary salad I was thinking with a bit more creativity.. at least I imagined it to be colorful with at least -a cherry tomato?. Not just a plate of watercress with some macadamia nuts ?? Besides the horrible salade, I had the salmon and I only remember it being nicely smoked. It was served ontop of something, and I think there was some kind of veggies- just wasn't too memorable. The friend had the stuffed pork which was tasty, but I felt that I could have "whipped" that up myself. I'll give it another try for dinner and I've heard great things about their brunch- I just don't know if it will be anytime soon.

    (3)
  • James F.

    With a French restaurant, you expect a classy, higher priced, longer meal. Aquitaine was just that, and a very good one. For the main course, I had the duck, which was flavored with a very tasty sauce and cooked to tenderness. I wish I could taste more dark meat though. For dessert, try the souffle. REALLY good! The restaurant had a classy, but very noisy atmosphere. The service was average, because our waiter had to run back and forth between the many tables. Still a great date spot, if you can bear the background noise.

    (4)
  • Steven N.

    Nothing special. My Belgian waffle was rather thin and lifeless (what I consider a minimum of brunch competency).

    (3)
  • Amit A.

    We came here for brunch on Saturday around 11:30m, you might want to make reservations prior to coming, the place does get packed. The pre-fixe special is the way to go, you get a lot of food for price. The staff is also very friendly and attentive

    (3)
  • Angelos K.

    I have been here for dinner twice and both times was very pleased. The menu is decent and certainly french in its influences, and the wines are good. The service is pretty good and surprisingly it's easier to find a table here than in some of the other restaurants in the neighborhood. It's always busy, even after 11pm, when most places are shutting down. The steak-frites is outstanding and I also highly recommend the endive salad. A friend had the duck special and was happy as can be.

    (4)
  • KJ W.

    My food was delicious! My pre-fixed brunch included constant coffee refills and delicious spinach feta omelette. My gf had this fancy omelette however, this woman next to us impressively ate like a 4 person portion of food! I like this place!

    (4)
  • Allison C.

    Came here for Easter Brunch...I didn't really see what the hype was about. Aquitaine is good but nothing extraordinary. The venue is pretty small too, probably due to the awkwardly rectangular shaped room. I had the Easter brunch Lobster roll special. It was OK. Maybe I hyped it up too much in my head. The service was a little slow for the waitstaff to patronage ratio, but when they were attentive they were on point. Perhaps I'll revisit on a non-Sunday brunch time holiday.

    (3)
  • Wendy L.

    Awesome food, great decor and ambiance, fabulous service! The food is on the expensive side but well worth the money. The cheese puffs they serve before dinner are so delicious!! I love steak frites, and I think I may have only ever had the steak frites there...! But the steak with the Roquefort butter (I think that's what it is), is so delicious that I've never felt compelled to order anything else. I love the restaurant - the huge windows up front, big booths in the back...strangely, that's where they always put my friends and me (probably so we didn't bother anybody else). For a more reasonably priced way to experience the restaurant, the fixed-price brunch is great. The options are obviously relatively limited, but you still get the great environment of Aquitaine.

    (5)
  • Nicole B.

    The food here is good, but not great. I like the Steak Frites for dinner... not because the steak is great, but because it is swimming in truffle oil. I've had fish here before that I couldn't even taste because it was overwhelmed by salt and pepper. The wine list is good though. For brunch, the $9.95 pre fixe helps, but brunch isn't spectacular. It's nice, but doesn't compare to some of its neighbors. I debated betwen 2 or 3 stars, but ended up at 3 because the restaurant is so darned cute (though if you sit in one the 4 person booths, there tended to be loud thumping against the wall that is distracting)

    (3)
  • Tiffany G.

    super expensive. cute, french atmosphere. for the first hour of service you can get 3 course meal for $30. but only for the first hour!

    (2)
  • Anya C.

    Great brunch deal and a delicious bloody mary. If only the south end wasn't so far, I would definitely visit here more often.

    (4)
  • kevin h.

    Went here for a special evening with my wife. The food, service and drinks were amazing.

    (5)
  • Jerry H.

    Had not been here for a long time. Excellent meal. Very good service. Good wine list with reasonable prices. Will return soon.

    (4)
  • Hannah L.

    I LOVE AQUITAINE! i had been trying to come and eat for ages and never got around to it and i finally did!!! i didn't even feel like i was in boston anymore, but a faraway city... came for dinner, and was very overwhelmed. i love the huge windows and mirrors, and elegance of it all. in the front is one bartender at this cute little bar area (which they call le petit bar a vin), who also makes all the drinks for patrons eating too! the cocktails were really interesting and tasted awesome (recommend "Bees Knees", "St Cloud", "Belgian Blossom" and "French 75"). I'd go so far as to say that they are the best tasting most interesting cocktails i've had in boston thus far. love the ambiance...dark and sexy! the waitstaff was super polite and nice, even when my date 'ate it' and in the process almost spilled her cocktail on some one in a booth. haha! the food was AWESOME too - tried the Warm Beet Salade (which has hazelnuts in it!), Crispy Salmon and this chocolate yummy thing for dessert. i have no problem dropping $$ here, as it is $$ well spent. the ambiance is very chill, they played thievery corporation the whole time i was there, loved the cocktails and food. can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Leah R.

    I went a few weeks ago during restaurant week. The host was great; my party was about a half an hour late and they accommodated us without any complaints. Service was fantastic. Food was great, although portions were small - not surprising given it was restaurant week. My only complaint was that it was extremely HOT in the restaurant and we had to ask a few times to have the AC turned up. Strangely, my only other visit to this restaurant was about 4 years ago and the one thing I remember about that experience, believe it or not, was that it was really hot inside. I thought maybe it was because that time we were seated by the kitchen, but now I'm thinking maybe they need to check out the efficiency of their AC. I'd love to go back again but I'd be hesitant it would be too hot to be enjoyable. Guess I'll have to wait until January or February when it's cold out.

    (4)
  • Naz S.

    Had an amazing time with my date last weekend! Even it was very busy during dinner time, our food came faster than we expected or it could be the wine (hats off to the wine selection). Aquitaine was a great choice for a date night, Romantic ambiance! My hake was delicious and loved the escargots experience!

    (5)
  • Michelle H.

    I had steak frites and the meat was soooo tough, I couldn't chew it. I liked the presentation and the taste of the black truffle sauce but I couldn't eat it. Husband had the filet and that was nicely done. service was great, dessert was good. Overall...average!

    (3)
  • Amy M.

    Oh, such fond memories from my college days. The steak frites as well as the mussels are to die for. Brunch is great, too... Back in the day, I lived off the French Manicure cocktail, tho I'm not sure if they make it anymore? I still miss those. Cozy and tasty and worth the trip.

    (4)
  • Shang S.

    Aquitaine makes for great leftovers! You'll see what I mean in a minute... I came here for my one-year anniversary dinner with the boyfriend. We live nearby and have sampled many of the other equally delicious French establishments. We've heard that it's great for brunch, but were very very happy for our dinner experience. We went on a Tuesday night, so it was a lot less crowded than usual and waiter service was attentive without being too nosy. First off, huge props to the BARTENDER ['twas a bald-headed African man, so may be a different bartender than some of the reviews below]. He made a mojito and a French manicure, and I was happy to report that they did not skimp on the alcohol or the flavor. He even sent the waiter to take the mojito back to add more sugar when we had only taken one sip and it didn't register yet in our minds that it needed sugar. Appetizer! We ordered the soft shell crab salad, and only ordered one, but the waitress served it beautifully on two plates! Entree - he got the lamb, I got the steak frites. Excellent taste all around, and generous portions for a French restaurant. Steak was cooked to medium rare, the fries were handcut but thin (very important!). The vegetables that were paired were great, much more exotic than what I'd usually buy in the grocery stores, slightly bitter but a light counterweight to the heavy meat. I even had some steak leftover that I devoured next day for lunch. And thus, Aquitaine also makes for great leftovers.

    (5)
  • Christopher M.

    Really great meal last night. Myself and two buddies got right in at the bar and all were very happy with our food. I had the Plate De Jour for Saturday, which was the Scallops and lobster gnocchi in a lobster glace. Large plate of food and was a super tasty. Also ordered a side of spinach and it was one of the highlights of the meal. Best i can remember ever having. Hostess was super friendly and the bartender was well informed on the neighborhood and gave us really attentive service.

    (5)
  • Molly M.

    I had dinner here with several friends a couple of weeks ago. I didn't find it particularly expensive, considering that quality of food was outstanding. In fact I think 3 stars is not accurate. We had an impromptu meet-up with friends and I had been eating all day. I was stuffed and had just come for the company. I ordered a little bit of food but couldn't stop eating. Delicious!

    (4)
  • A S.

    I went to Aquitaine for brunch, and found the food itself tired and solidly mediocre, but not unreasonable if desperate on a New Year's day when everything else is closed. The great surprise was simply how poorly managed the restaurant was, particularly in comparison to other restaurants owned by the group (notably the Union Bar and Grille). We happened to be sitting by the kitchen, and so got to watch the food going off to tables. The restaurant didn't seem to have food runners and the wait staff weren't terribly efficient --- so food seemed to be sitting unloved for a long time before going off to tables. Certainly our dishes were lukewarm at best. Nobody came by to ask how our food was. The coffee was similarly unhappy. But the strangest part was that the toilets had been allowed to run out of toilet paper and soap (I think that the latter is a health violation). I thought of mentioning this to someone, but couldn't find any managers wandering around.

    (2)
  • Nicole R.

    I had to update this because they hit another huge home run with the service!! I ordered a Bloody Mary with the prix fixe brunch, and even by the time entrees had come out, my drink had not. I inquired, and our waitress was so profusely apologetic---she brought it out in minutes and gave it to me on the house!!! Seriously, go to Aquitaine for no other reason than to bask in the amazing care and concern they have for their diners---even the ones paying a wimpy $10 for prix fixe. I just want to come here every day.

    (5)
  • Courtney M.

    Every time I go to the South End I think, "Why don't I come here more often?!?!" One day I'll follow through :) Their Prix Fixe Brunch is fantastic! As many has said, for $10 you get a great meal - including a yummy cinnamon role. Friendly and accommodating staff, maybe a bit slow, but they were VERY busy and we were a party of 10. Their OMELETTE ALSACIENNE is amazing as is their BENEDICT PROVENCAL (vegetarian eggs benedict with tomato and avocado). $4 OJ and cappuccinos are kind of ridiculous - but their entree prices are not bad. There's only one, unisex bathroom and the lighting is low - but that's really he only complaint. I have never been for anything but brunch, but hope to!

    (4)
  • Vanessa C.

    what's with all the hype about their brunch? I have been here several times for brunch - its OKAY but by no means worthy of all the praise it gets. the food is lacking in flavor & tends to be served room temperature. I dont want my eggs sitting around - I want them hot! also the service, while attentive, tends to be slow. I have never been here for dinner since my brunch was so mediocre -not BAD, mind you. not bad at all! just not great. I dont want to waste time or money on food that I could get for half the price at petit robert up the street. nothing spectacular about this place.

    (2)
  • Kristen C.

    I was here with a friend and unfortunately we didn't have a lot of time. We did salads and appetizers, no entrees. We had the cheese plate, the salad, mussels, and I can't remember the third thing! All I know is that is was phenomenal. The food, and our server was amazing.

    (5)
  • Amie R.

    I went here for Restaurant Week, and I wasn't disappointed! We did have to wait for our table even though we had a reservation, and the service was a bit slow -- but the food made up for it. We had a drink at their cute bar while waiting -- tons of wine bottles on display, very cozy. They have such a good wine selection, from affordable to the more pricey side. I had a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and shared a bottle of their Chotes du Rhone (white). Both were fantastic. There were a lot of small, cramped 2-top tables along the main wall, but we lucked out and got a booth big enough for 4, and there were only 2 of us. Score! The food was great, and pretty decent sized portions. I had the chilled cucumber soup, and tried the shrimp ceviche (good but expectedly tiny). I had the chicken with swiss chard and frites. Really juicy chicken, great flavor. I also tried the steak special they had, which was excellent. They were out of the stone fruit tart, which we both wanted, but the white chocolate mousse was a good substitution! I'd really like to go back and sample more of the wines.... and food, of course.

    (4)
  • Dan P.

    Exceeded my expectations, which were pretty high. I hadn't been to the South End in a while (I live in Palo Alto) so I was pleasantly surprised by the restaurant's attractive vista and big windows. When I arrived on Sunday evening I learned that my companion would be 45 minutes late, which actually enabled me to have quite an enjoyable time alone. I took my table and studied the wine list (more than the menu). The waiter responded to my curiosity and indecision by giving me samples of several of the wines (all white) until I found one that was right for sipping (a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire but not a Sancerre, actually a Touraine). By the time my companion arrived I was in a fine mood. We both ordered the $33.09 prix fixe dinner, which was an amazing bargain. He started with the corn soup, I with the beetroot and fennel salad. Portion sizes were excellent, even a bit larger than they needed to be, and my salad was properly dressed and delicious both to taste and to chew. His main was the tagliatelle with scallops, mussels, and vegetables, which he polished. I enjoyed the striped bass. I must say, it was cooked just à point and came out immediately and hot. I had been hoping for haddock, which we just don't find in California, but I can't imagine it would have been better than the bass. Our desserts (sorbet and chocolate something) were fine. Service throughout was also fine. The only flaw was that the waiter brought the check to the table, when in fact I had given him my credit card in advance in order to give my companion no opportunity to avoid being my guest. As for the wine, I had a really good time here. At home I drink almost exclusively California wine (mainly zinfandel and petite sirah) with some Oregon pinot gris and lots of Australian shiraz. I never buy French wine, and when I do have a choice of drinking it I opt for Rhône or Alsace, never Bordeaux or Burgundy. Aquitaine's wine list is suitably French, augmented by California bottles, which I was determined to avoid. The nine white wines by the glass (all French) were also available by the carafe and the bottle, at extremely reasonable prices. We chose a grenache blanc from the southern Rhône (Languedoc-Roussillon), which turned out to be a surprising blend that also included chardonnay and viognier, for $34/bottle. This wine can be found retail for as low as $11 so the markup was about 3X retail, but I thought it a very reasonably priced wine for a restaurant this nice and one that was an excellent match for the food. Plus, I will never find that wine where I live, so it was a real treat. Final bill, with both wines, both dinners, tax, and 20% tip on all of that came to less than $140.

    (4)
  • Jaquelina L.

    My girlfriend and I went to this restaurant three weeks ago. The food was delicious. I ordered from the Prix Fixe menu. Appetizer: Salt cod croquettes, saffron aioli, fine herb salade and truffle oil. ( this dish reminded me of a portuguese dish "Pasteis de Bacalhau". I used to eat this all the time when I lived in Macau.) Entree: Pan Seared Blue Cod filet, Melting Zucchini, Native Tomatoes and Sauce Vert. (The cod was very tasty and cooked just right.) Dessert: White chocolate and creme fraiche mousse (it was too sweet for me) The waiter was nice enough to let me pick something else, so, I ordered the Stone fruit almond tart, creme Anglaise and vanilla bean ice cream. (the tart is very good and not too sweet) Overall experience was excellent.

    (5)
  • Janie W.

    Delicious and well priced brunch spot.their duck confit panini confit was sinfully ruche, as was the shrimp and avocado club. The frites are just about perfect. This place is always packed, and it's nit hard to see why. My only quibbles are that the food is a tad on the salty side for my tastes, and there is only one sad little unisex bathroom.

    (4)
  • Kate A.

    I go to Aquitaine for the brunch special. It's a very good deal ( bottomless coffee, a glass of orange juice, a cinnamon bun, and your entree for $10). I wouldn't suggest it for large groups as there isn't much in the way of seating for them. The wait staff is nice and the food is great, but the hostesses are a little snooty. Also make sure all the meat in your food is cooked because last time we went my friends bacon was raw.

    (3)
  • Aleta R.

    We went for new years eve. We both had steak (steak poivre and steak frites.) The food was good quality but nothing knock your socks off about it. I enjoyed the drink and wine selection. The service was alright, but it was almost midnight on NYE so I don't think that was the best night to judge. They did serve a champagne toast at midnight which was very nice. Overall a quality experience, I would go 3.5 stars if I could. I would like to try it again sometime.

    (3)
  • Te R.

    we went there for $10 prix-fixe saturday brunch. it includes bottomless coffee, fresh orange juice, cinnamon bun, egg dish and home fries. i had omlette de la maison, which is omlette with bacon, tomatoes, and onions, and cheese. it sounds very simple but they made it very nice. my friends got croque madames. i had a bite. it was ok. the decor was french-ish, but it's nice. the overall experience was good. i should have tried their duck confit instead of the brunch though.

    (4)
  • Tim E.

    Excellent place. Ended up here on accident for dinner with my sister and mom. We had intended to go to the Butcher Shop, which is just up the street, but they were packed with a 40-minute wait. We decided to just take a walk to see what we could see, and on a whim asked what the wait was. Turned out, they could seat is in about 5 minutes. This is a very cozy restaurant that is decidedly French. All of the dishes and wines. I had lamb that was super-tasty. We stayed until closing and has a wonderful time. Appetizers, drinks, entrees and deserts were all fantastic. Thumbs-up.

    (5)
  • Ben Z.

    Aquitaine stands tall in town full of mediocre French cuisine. I enjoy Aquitaine for both dinner and the occasional brunch (can get way too crowded -- don't even attempt without a reservation). For dinner, I started with the mussels with sancerre, shallots & fresh thyme served with crusty bread. The mussels were sweet and the sauce was great for dipping. For the entree, I had their signature steak frites which cooked perfectly medium rare. The steak frites are served with a black truffle vinaigrette which makes for a tasty and bold undertone that doesn't overpower dish--which often occurs when chefs get crazy with truffle. Profiteroles made for a fantastically French ending to my dinner. Aquitaine is an excellent choice for the South End diner. Service can be uneven and be prepared to wait if you don't have a reservation.

    (4)
  • Amy Y.

    This review is strictly for Aquitaine's prix-fixe weekend brunch. I came here with a few girlfriends for a late brunch reservation. It was a beautiful day; such a shame that the restaurant did not have outdoor seating! The restaurant was packed, but quite cozy with lots of natural lighting coming through the full windows in the front. Food: The brunch was mehh but definitely no complaints for $10. Although they claim the cinnamon buns are "house-made," I would have believed you if you told me they were prepackaged supermarket/ convenience store value brand pastries. They weren't served warm and did not taste fresh. I had the Omelette al Sacienne (leek, mushroom, and boursin). I've never had such a combination in an omelette, so kudos for creativity!! Leeks are totally underappreciated. Chefs should incorporate them into menus more, outside of soups and Asian dishes! The subtly sweet leeks went so well with the soft and creamy, herby Boursin. Mmmm. And of course, mushrooms add happiness to any omelette. Unfortunately, there was very little of the filling and wayyy too much egg. Ratio = bad. The potatos were extremely plain and flavorless; they could have been enhanced with some rosemary or at least some pepper. My highlight of the meal was probably the grapefruit juice. Tangy, ice cold, fresh, and not overly sweet. Bottomless tea/coffee was pretty awesome. I would have gotten a bloody mary or mimosa, but too much liquid for me in one sitting, so I held off. Toastiness of toast was quite spotty. My friend's looked slightly burnt and mine looked and felt like they barely touched the toaster. Service: Mehh, had to request for more coffee/tea. Also, we weren't given any butter or jelly (had to request), nor pepper (had to request for as well). Our server could have at least cared to ask whether or not we wanted any, since butter jam and pepper are essentially staples for brunch, no? Does anyone eat toast plain? Okay fine... I know you are out there, but you're numbers are few. Overall a good value and very filling. Pretty decent food if this was at another restaurant, but definitely subpar for South End dining expectations. I won't say no to giving their dinner/lunch menu a try though.

    (3)
  • Wayne D.

    I met a few new friends at Aquitaine for dinner and I have a few things to share. First of all, I felt a bit awkward being in a tee shirt, jeans, and a baseball cap. Compared to the clientel and the way they are dressed I thought I should have been in a sports bar. I am, quite sophisticated in style, however, on this night I met with them for an unexpected dinner. three people at my table had a burger. I thought to myself ...."Self, why would you come to Aquitaine for a burger"? I shruged it off and ordered the salmon. Here's is some guy in a baseball cap ordering salmon while his three friends (dressed all spiffy) are ordering burgers. I almost went for one myself but I knew I would regret it later. In the end, the salmon was a good choice. The food was good. The atmpsphere was good too. I won't take any points off for the weather or for the blood I found on the toilet seat in the co-ed single bathroom. Shivers down my spine at this point. Would I go again? Probably not; at least not on my own. I would go if I was meeting people there but Aquitaine does nothing to really to make a lasting impression on you. 3 stars.

    (3)
  • Thomas E.

    One of the best places in the south end. I went for restaurant week. Very low-key and friendly place, though fancy. You do feel a little bit like your in France, with the big windows and the old-fashioned decor. The food is great. It had a rustic, filling quality. Good solid, comfort food, but, you know, French. Unpretentious, and all about food and a nice atmosphere. A perfect place to go.

    (5)
  • Shannon A.

    I go here for the $9.95 Saturday brunch. You get your choice of three omelets, all of which come with a warm and gooey cinnamon bun, potatoes, toast, bottomless cup o' joe, and choice of OJ or grapefruit juice (go with the latter - it's nice, subtle and not overbearingly sour). Another plus is the waitstaff who have always been really sweet and pleasant. Unfortunately, I've never been for a proper meal, so I can't offer an opinion on dinner. Since this place has been around for ages, though, I'm sure it's great :-).

    (4)
  • Laura M.

    I definitely loved the prix fixe brunch. For $10 you get yoiur choice of 3 omelettes, served with potatoes, toast, coffee, OJ/grapefruit, and a cinnamon bun. The pastry was awesome -- warm and with icing unlike any other cinnamon bun icing I've tried (normally I think the icing is gross, but this was good). My omelette was good too, although I wish they had a non-omelette option for variety's sake, like maybe french toast or something. The eggs were fluffy, the Gruyere, tomato and bacon filling awesome. Coffee was strong but not sour, although it did get cold kind of quickly. OJ was fresh squeezed. By the later half of brunch it wasn't even that crowded so you can probably walk without waiting if you go after 1:00. Service was sometimes absent when we wanted it, but our waiter was very friendly. I'd also like to note that for $9.50 you don't get much mimosa for your buck -- it looked like the Bloody Mary was more generous.

    (4)
  • Jonathan D.

    Just recently came here for Sunday brunch. We had a reservation at 10am and sure enough were seated promptly. The wait staff were very polite and were on the spot when our coffees, waters, oj's, were 'half full'. They never seemed to carry on conversation, but I'm assuming that's the way they would prefer (very European). For brunch, I had their delicious French toast with fresh blueberry and bacon. If I would make any recommendation, it would be to order this item! The two thick slices of toast were actually very lite and the blueberry really complimented the dish well. I also ordered a side of their brunch potatoes, but found them to be rather bland. Nevertheless, I'll definitely be making a trip back to Aquitaine for another weekend brunch.

    (4)
  • Cristy M.

    Brunch for $9.95 at a restaurant in the South End? Priceless. Just had brunch over the weekend with a friend, and we were shocked at the value and quality. Oh, and the OJ is fresh squeezed. Definitely a nice field trip if you have out of town guests. Not only do you get to enjoy a nice meal, you get a chance to walk through one of Boston's great neighborhoods.

    (4)
  • J B.

    Great spot, more affordable French Bistro, rustic, rather casual with good food. We had a great meal here and I wish I'd been here for the brunch on the weekend. $10 between 10 and 11, I believe, and the place was packed.

    (5)
  • Alex B.

    Took my mom here for dinner, and am sad to say, I wasn't wowed. My main course was excellent (grilled steak), but the Cerviche appertizer, and her entree weren't anything special. From the other reviews, maybe I went on an off night, but doubt I'd ever rather go here over Petit Robert.

    (3)
  • Crystal S.

    So, this was my Valentine's Day Dinner (08) much to my surprise and delight. The service was helpful and kind. My boyfriend even commented that this was a place he had been placed on a waitlist for but they called him back on Tuesday and so, plans changed. Some of the tables are rather too intimate with the couples next to you for my liking and they were the type of tables where the skinnier person tries to slide sideways between your table and a stranger's table to get to the seat along the wall. A little bit of an awkward start, but otherwise the atmosphere was romantic. I ordered the beet salad with chevre as an appetizer and the lemon sole for my entree. Both were delicious! My boyfriend ordered the cured salmon as an appetizer and the lamb chop special. The cured salmon was a bit overpowering and the lamb chop was tender but my boyfriend was not impressed but it wasn't necessarily bad, just not impressive, so I suppose that it isn't the type of place where EVERYTHING on the menu is delicious, but if you get lucky, you'll be very pleased.

    (4)
  • Tracy H.

    I've only been for brunch, but it was super tasty. We did the fixed price brunch and I thought the quality and quantity was good for the price. The restaurant can be a little loud, because it's just so small, but it's not a problem unless you're there with a big group and want to hear someone at the other end of the table. The waiting area is also really small, which is a bit of a pain in the winter, so just be prepared. I recommend reservations. They have always seated up relatively promptly when I'd called ahead. One time we were seated at a table with glasses that were less than clean, and the waiter didn't seem too surprised, which was a little disappointing. I didn't need him to fawn over us, but he asked if I'd like another glass. No - I'm going to drink out of this dirty one, thanks. What?!

    (4)
  • David V.

    Whenever anyone asks about my favorite places to eat in Boston, Aquitaine immediately comes to mind. Namely for one reason - the filet au poivre. You could probably find a better steak if you went to a high-end steak house and paid top dollar, but for $30 you're not going to come close to Aquitaine.

    (5)
  • Jason L.

    Still a solid 3.5 stars and go-to Tremont brunch place. See and be seen here. Their french toast is awesome!

    (3)
  • Chris F.

    I recently took a client here for lunch and was not impressed. The food was good and the waitstaff were ok. However, it took over an hour after ordering (we all had sandwiches) and me getting up to check with the staff to see what was up before we received our orders. This was at 1:30 PM and the place was mostly empty and came with no explanation, apology, excuse etc... Just take a second to update your guests folks, otherwise it ruins a otherwise good place.

    (2)
  • Mai O.

    Since my darling is French, he has high standard for French food. First of all, he feels that French food abroad (i.e. not in France) is over-priced. And the price doesn't measure up to the quality of the cuisine. So he says he just doesn't feel like going to French restaurants unless he is in France, Quebec, or Belgium. I know how he feels, I feel the same way about Japanese cuisine. He does make exceptions, because once in a while I do get cravings for French food. So we have a few places we do go to in Boston area, and this is one of them. This is not 100% authentic French food, it does mix in other elements like contemporary American cuisine. Pros: I looooooove their Cobb Salad.... Wine list! Drinks! Ambiance... Cons: Why is it so hard to park in South End? If you go there on a bad timing, it's FULL! And no thanks I don't want to eat at the bar.

    (4)
  • Francis D.

    4.5 stars, but I don't feel the wait-staff/ busboys deserve the push to a five star review. But overall, Aquitaine serves fantastic French Fare! I went to Aquitaine last night and was very satisfied with the quality of the food as well as the decor. The ambiance and layout of the restaurant was very charming, with a nice "upscale" French cafe feeling; very similar to some cafes in Paris. The food was also excellent. To start we had the escargots. They were piping hot, very garlicy and delicious, but a little too salty in my opinion. My entree was the scallops. The vegetables in which the Scallops were placed were very fresh; fresh to the extent that it felt like it came straight from a garden. The scallops were also cooked perfectly, lightly seared on the outside but still soft and moist in the inside. Aside from my entree, I also tried the lemon sole as well as the steak frites. The lemon sole was also delicious, and had the traditional French accent of a lot of butter. The steak was pretty good, however since the steak was ordered medium-well (to accommodate my little sister), by the time the steak got to our table it was mostly well-done and no longer as good as it could have been. For dessert I had the chocolate soufflé. Very "chocolately", very rich and very delectable sums up the soufflé. The only reason why this fabulous French bistro doesn't receive five stars is because of the wait staff and busboys. By dining at a 'fine-dining' establishment I expected experienced and respectful wait staff. The waitress wasn't horrible, aside from the lack of compassion and interest in her job. She only told us the specials when we were about to order, she rarely checked up on us and was overall physically and/or emotionally absent during our visit. (credit to the waiters/ waitresses for always folding napkins when we got up from the table). The main problem I had was with the bus-boys. They were in such a hurry to clear the table; so much so, that it felt like we were rushed to finish. They would grab all the plates/ utensils without even asking us if we were finished, and would do so in a quick, and un-sophisticated manner. Rather than gently and politely removing plates from one side of a person, he would go to a side of one person and pick up the plates/ utensils from all the people in the table (all from that one spot). Overall, a great restaurant and great French food. The escargots are a must have appetizer and the soufflé is a great way to end the day.

    (4)
  • Bill Y.

    I'm a sucker for French bistro food so I confess to possibly being a touch soft in my feelings for Aquitane, but even allowing for that this place is a rare treasure. My wife and I were 15 minutes early for our late lunch reservation. The place was very busy but the people at the desk greeted us graciously and led us to a comfortable place to wait. We were served right on the stroke of our reservation. The decor looks like a bistro should (whatever that means) and the menu has all of the standards and some interesting twists. I didn't write them down so you'll just have to take my word. The server was friendly but with an appropriate touch of professional reserve. We were given drinks in the right sequence, given a fair amount of time to review the menu and give our orders. Let me tell you bubba, the chow is wonderful. Onion soup, a standard, was perfect! I had a hanger steak and pom frites and they were perfect. Butchering this cut of meat is crucial and they did it so that it was both flavorful and tender. Cooked right on the button, medium rare. My wife had salmon and she was as enthusiastic about her entree as I was. We split a perfect apple pastry. Boston has a couple of good french bistros but I do believe that Acquitane is the best. I'm a touch rose-colored on this place I'll admit but I don't see how a reasonable person could fail to enjoy this place.

    (5)
  • Emily S.

    OK, so I can't help but be biased just on the basis of Frenchness, and the Frenchitude is fantabulous if you ask me. It's in the South End and it's a great neighborhood so it's a great place to walk to and really does have a sidewalk cafe kind of feel. It has very affordable options and delicious mimosas. Today I went for Saturday brunch with some other yelp ladies for a book club and many enjoyed the prix fixe menu which came with a cinnamon bun. I heard they were perfect without all the usual gloppy icing that other places use. I myself had the eggs bennedict provencale which was a lighter variation, using tomatoes in place of Canadian ham. Cooked perfectly with delicious potatoes on the side. The service when I went was awesome and friendly...and there was even a cute waiter walking around that caught my eye. Fun decor and ambiance, perfect for a nice summer afternoon. Will definitely go back to try a more standard lunch or dinner.

    (5)
  • Natasha A.

    This trendy but comfy South End french restaurant has an amazing wine list and provides french staples with an extra touch. The escargot came covered in a layer of crusty cheese and the broth on the mussles was extra creamy. I really enjoyed the duck ravioli in a rich wine sauce or glaze. The portions and prices (entres in the 20s) are not very big so there is definitely room for a three course meal. Try to avoid sitting right under the AC or else warm up with a kir =).

    (4)
  • David G.

    This French Bistro is located in Boston's South End. It sports the trendy unfinished ceiling proudly displaying the HVAC duck work and piping. There was jazz background music to help erase the day's troubles. The mirrors adorning both walls will help expose the vampires trying to masquerade as normal people. I had a tender and juicy braised lamb shank that fell off the bone. It was served on a bed of asparagus and broccoli with a pool of creamy mashed potatoes.

    (5)
  • william m.

    Wonderful food and a great wait staff makes it almost worth the $16 plus tip valet parking. But, in the Backbay valet parking is essential unless you are ungodly lucky or show up an hour before your reservations and circle the block for an opening. But, on the positive tip valet parking is one price whether it is for 30 minutes or three hours. We arrived, promptly shown to our table and welcomed by a very friendly waiter. The bread was freshly baked and delicious with the sweet cream butter. My bourbon was fabulous. My steak was cooked to a gorgeous ruby medium rare. My friend's order..what did she order? Oh well, I do remember her cleaning her plate and remarking on its exquisite taste. For dessert we enjoyed caramel apple pie with ice cream and hot fudge brownie. Both were excellent. Fresh tasting, warm and not too sweet. Afterwards we went to see our play, The Vibrator Show, and afterward came back to pick up our car. Within 3 minutes our car was ready for us. Not bad for an evening out for dinner and a play in the Backbay. I will return to treat out the ones most important to me.

    (4)
  • John F.

    Had a fantastic dinner here tonight! Food was great and service as always was top notch. Great wine list also!

    (5)
  • carmen l.

    this place is probably the best mix of good food and ambiance i have found so far. amazing to go on a date or with a small group. the seating is comfortable and gives an air of a nice french brasserie. the menu is french with a twist. i tried the Lemon Sole Meuniere and it was perfect. the tanginess of the snap peas mixes perfectly with the puree (mashed potatoes). i must say that my fiances filet au poivre was exquisite. the only thing i would change of the restaurant is the waiting service. although everyone is friendly there is some cache missing.

    (4)
  • Jennifer L.

    I had a very enjoyable brunch at aquitaine. The hostess seated us at a great table, the cute corner booth, and we were so intrigued by the menu and dishes being brought out to neighboring tables that we intentionally over-ordered. The food was great...as were the bloody mary's.

    (4)
  • Heather R.

    Great place for French - and good option for both lunch and dinner.

    (3)
  • Vicki A.

    Loved this place! I went here years ago when I lived in the South End and I was pleased to see it was still around - our meal and service reminded me why! The menu had many wonderful dishes to choose from, it was difficult to decide! Their Fettuccine with Wild Mushrooms, Asparagus, Crème Fraiche and Truffles was to die for, my mouth waters just thinking about it!!! Yummy! Seared scallops were also delicious, served with asparagus and a delicious carrot sauce. The service was exceptional and very friendly, we were exploring South End and we were starving but couldn't find a "kid friendly" place and even though Aquitaine caters primarily to adults they were very accomodating to my son (unlike some other more pretentious places we considered first). Wonderful selection of wines. Charming, sophisticated decor. I highly recommend this place!

    (5)
  • Scott M.

    I was recently taken to Aquitaine on my birthday, but it wasn't my first choice. My partner in crime had suggested it earlier in the week, and honestly, the website didn't excite me much. We made a plan to head in to the South End area and we did have one particular restaurant in mind, but nothing was in stone. We got to said restaurant and were seated, but they had just changed from their summer menu to their fall menu, and nothing on it excited me and damnit, it was my birthday, so we left. We checked out a few restaurants in the area, and one was Aquitaine. It looked crowded and chic. I love French bistro-type places, and this was it. One peek at the menu provided me with two choices that I would have been very interested in, so we decided to eat here. The hostess told us it would be about 20 minutes, and those 20 turned into about 40, and though that irritated me, it was the only snag in the evening. One of the choices I'd liked on the menu was sold out, so I went with my other choice, the reliable chicken, but we'll get to that later. I started with the Pork Rillettes appetizer, and it proved a good choice. The bread served was delicious, and I had a drink called the Montparnasse, (Wasn't that a character in Les Miserables?), which was delicious and included St. Germain, my new obsession. For my main course, I had the chicken which was perfection, and even my companion admitted that he's never impressed with restaurant chicken, but would order this. I assume he'll review this place on his own, so I'll let him tell you about his meal in his review. I concluded my meal with a generous glass of Lillet Blanc and a martini glass filled with 3 samples of sorbet. I was very happy. I love the atmosphere, and have no complaints about our server. I really, really liked it here and look forward to coming back.

    (5)
  • D S.

    Came here for that awkward time between brunch and lunch. Was so sad I missed the brunch... anyway, this is a classy joint and it was reasonably priced. If you are in the South End and and want to eat somewhere sophisticated, check it out. The lunch I ordered was pretty good.

    (4)
  • Jay R.

    food was average but service and ambiance makes up for it.

    (5)
  • Lalin A.

    Aquitaine is always a delightful place: great, warm, cozy atmosphere. It has a "sophisticated" bar. Service is attentive, quick and helpful. Escargots de Bourguignonne is what I'd go for (appetizer). Warm beet salad is simple but delicious. Steak frites is pretty good but if you want steak, I'd recommend going to a real steak place. Try salmon or file au poivre for an entree. They have "Plat du jour" so don't forget to ask for the dish. As a wine appreciator, I found their list to be pretty good: wide range of selection and some breathtaking wine. A great place for romantic dinners.

    (4)
  • Eri K.

    Rumor on the street has it that this is the best place for brunch in the South End. I have to say, it was mighty tasty! Make sure you make a reservation though! A bit pricey, but lovely atmosphere. I adore the bathroom wallpaper, but wish there were 2 bathrooms. The french toast is sensational. The staff is delightful. I do miss Boston and will be stopping by to try dinner here one day.

    (4)
  • Peter M.

    I really enjoyed this place. I have walked by the South End and Dedham locations, checked out the menu, heard word of mouth reviews and so forth, and as such I was really excited when I had to opportunity to check this place out last night with a couple of friends. First, I cannot say enough about the overall impression the restaurant gives you. From the colors, textures, artwork, lighting, etc. Everything is so well done, the place provides a good atmosphere whether eating with a group of friends or a special someone. Very relaxed mood with a upbeat undertone provided by an excellent and friendly staff and good music in the background. You certainly feel transported to any good bistro in Paris. I love the menu too. The appetizer list is spectacular and the entree list is also very good. I would like to see the addition of one more fish plate there but not an issue. I dined with two others and the dinner served was the filet au poivre, sea scallops and the seafood white bean cassoulet. The filet was thoroughly enjoyed by my friend jon, commenting on the quality of the cut and the execution of the dish. Stacey really liked the scallops the phrase "these are really good" and "mmmm" was heard multiple time. I had the seafood cassoulet as a choice by my server. I could not decided between the sole cassoulet, so I left it to her. It was delicious! A little too much bacon with the beans and I was hoping for a stronger seafood taste but, lets be honest, its bacon. No realm problem with me. Pricing was not too bad either. Yes, its a little on the expensive side for an average night out, but for something a little special it is certainly worth while. The entrees average about $25, appetizers about $8. All parts of the menu: apps, entree, desserts, drinks, etc. all looked really good and I will gladly return to Aquitane in the near future!

    (4)
  • Rob D.

    Very nice. Very French. Very tasty. Aquitaine pulled off the trick of being both intimate and large-scale at the same time. Feels like a bistro, looks like a 4-star. The wine selection is larger than you would expect, and the wait staff is knowledgeable about the wines - as well as the superb food.

    (4)
  • Bill G.

    When to Aquitaine again last night. This is becoming one of our favorite spots. Food is great. Service is outstanding. Very decent wine list. Really good vibe inside. Only drawback is the bar is very small, so pre diner drinks can be tricky.

    (5)
  • Ray c.

    Had dinner in October and it was generally great. Just had lunch there during restaurant week. The lunch menu was interesting. a blue cheese brioche pudding with salad, main dish was a piece of Salmon which was dry overcooked and bland. The chocolate soufle was prepepared and coated with granulated sugar (why?) and too sweet. Pretty dissappointed to say the least. I am hoping this was a fluke and will order from main menu next time.

    (3)
  • Al F.

    Lunch of a nisciose (sp?)salads and a glass of viognior, followed by a creme brûlée. Fantastic

    (5)
  • Samantha G.

    This is a great place. My mother always makes me take her when she visits. The steak frites is really good-the fries in general are amazing. I'm also a big fan of the pate plate. On weeknights they have a theater menu if you get there early (by 6:30) which has nice options for $30. Good drinks too and pleasant atmosphere. The food is much better in house so take out would not be recommended.

    (4)
  • Jenny L.

    I came here for brunch on a rainy Sunday morning. I made reservations in advance and was seated right away at a tiny table crammed in with way too many other tiny tables. Others describe this place as cozy but the fact that you can hear the conversations of the tables next to you make me consider it cramped. I ordered the Broiche French toast, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Blueberries, & Creme Fraiche but removed the Creme Fraiche and substituted the bacon with Grilled Canadian Ham. I didn't realize that all the items listed on the menu were to be stacked on top of each other but I just removed the ham from the french toast and ate it separately. Overall, I thought the food was just average and the place was just average as well. I'm not sure why this place gets such high ratings. The price is definitely reasonable but there are definitely other restaurants in Boston that have similar prices and better food.

    (3)
  • Matt P.

    Their price fixe brunch is probably the best sit down brunch in the area. They have a bunch of omelets with tasty combinations, served with potatoes, toast, a cinnamon bun and juice for $10. Unlimited coffee. Only eggs on the menu, potatoes were a little dry. Need a reservation or be prepared to wait 20+ minutes on the weekend.

    (5)
  • Clifford T.

    Yummy yummy brunch at a very affordable price!

    (4)
  • David D.

    Of their three locations, this one is far above the rest.

    (4)
  • Simon D.

    We wanted to really love this place. Been in Boston for 6 months and had still to find our local regular Bistro. With everything we heard this would be it. Then we finally had a night free and tried the place. The menu holds lots of promise, but they failed entirely on execution. Service was really off with lots of errors (wine, 2 apps and 1 desert order where wrong) and interminable waits to get anything sorted. Then there was the food. The amuse bouche was stale, 1 of 3 warm apps where cold and 2 of 4 entrees where cold. And not cold as in luke-warm, cold as in this sat on a cold plate for 15 mins without a heat lamp and is now room temp. So the search for a solid bistro with solid fare and a good bar continues. This place was a severe disappointment. Given the raves here maybe we just hit it on the wrong night.

    (2)
  • Brian F.

    I've always been told that Aquitaine is one of the great brunch spots in the South End-- bustling on Sundays, reasonably priced, with a reliable menu of waffles and eggs. I'm usually not thoughtful enough to book Aquitaine in advance so when I noticed a foot of snow on the porch this morning, I felt a window of opportunity. Aquitaine lived up to expectations. The menu was small and well-constructed-- omelettes, eggs benedict, waffles, sandwiches, and cocktails. What the menu lacked in adventure it made up in quality-- the buttermilk waffles and eggs are exactly what you expect. For me, a four star menu gives way to a five stars experience thanks to the decor-- high ceilings, mirrors, plenty of natural light-- and the reasonable prices. Just remember to book in advance (and check out $10 Saturday prix fixe).

    (5)
  • Jen R.

    I went to Aquitaine for the first time during Restaurant Week last week and was totally turned off from the place. First of all, for a restaurant that boasts being a romantic dinner destination, it could not have been less romantic for us. We were so rushed through our three-course meal, from the time we were seated to when we left the restaurant, less than 50 minutes had passed. The waitress and busboy tried to take my plate before I was done eating during two of my courses, to the point where it was just ridiculous. They were obviously busy, but I didn't get the cocktail I ordered when we first sat down until after I was done with my appetizer. Each of our entrees were well-prepared, although we were rather disappointed in our appetizers (the salad was a bed of lettuce with a few pieces of pear, the soup was a boring crock of mushroom-flavored broth). I have participated in restaurant week for years now and in past years I have felt absolutely pampered by the restaurants we have chosen to dine at. It always felt like a special occasion when dining somewhere during restaurant week in past years, and despite being crowded I always felt that the servers we had were attentive and appreciative for our business. This was the first time restaurant week left me with a bad taste in my mouth. I think it's a shame that this is my one and only dining experience at Aquitaine, but after having such a negative (and still, rather expensive) experience there, I don't think I'll be dying to go back anytime soon.

    (2)
  • Luke A.

    All inclusive weekend brunch ends up being cheapest breakfast in town at super fancy Aquitaine. It's about $10 for all included. Food is amazing, usually a little pricey but the brunch is a great way to eat there on the cheap.

    (4)
  • Vanessa O.

    I went here and had the restaurant week menu, which is always worse than the regular menu, but this one was barely above mediocre. We went without a reservation intending to have dinner at the bar, NOT a good idea. the bar is very small and crowdy...luckily they were able to seat us at a table. Awesome! started with the mussels - awesome but very standard garlic white wine shallot sauce thing. Then we ordered off the restaurant week menu, the salads were OK. I had a charred mackeral salad with baby potatoes in a creamy dressing, pretty much tasteless. We also had a salad with marinated veggies and bibb lettuce - this one was very interesting and much better. The entrees were decent but nothing exciting. I had pan roasted halibut in a "clam chowder sauce". The fish was cooked perfectly and the sauce was good, basic and creamy with a bunch of potatoes. We also ordered the pork schnitzel, which was pretty bad. It was just a deep fried bone-free pork chop with shredded apples and some doughy pasts underneath. It needed a sauce and some flavor. Deserts were my favorite part (though still pretty unexciting) we had brioche bread pudding which was delightfully light and fluffy with a really yummy rich chocolate sauce, and the lemon tarte, both really good. Maybe the regular menu in better (hopefully!), but I found the food very unadventurous and boring, atmosphere was great - very cool space, the staff was friendly and on point, but the food definitely not good enough to bring me back. fail.

    (3)
  • Eli G.

    We came here to break away from a sunny-day walk through the South End. Thought about going for the restaurant week menu, but it was less-than-inspiring. Instead, we chose their lunch special, both going with the same thing: a soup, a duck confit et gruyere sandwich and a petit salade. I had the onion soup and my wife went for the tomato bisque. The latter was excellent, but the onion soup was unnecessarily oily. The petite salade was simple and delicious, with a generous helping of soft, warm goat cheese and cracked hazelnuts. The duck and gruyere sandwich was perfect, even if French-restaurant-salty. The decor is typical bistro (white linen, plenty of plain glass, steel and wood), and service was simple and efficient.

    (4)
  • Vincent P.

    We came on the first day of Restaurant week (March 14). We went for the wine pairings and the 3 course restaurant week menu: We had the mushroom soup (delicious), and the Calamari al carbonara as appetizers. The Calamari was excellent - it is cut into little strips like a fettuccine and served with a carbonara style sauce. It's not as heavy as it would seem. For main course we had the coq au vin, which was good but not spectacular and the Idaho trout with lentils, which was very good. Dessert was the lemon tart (just ok) and the chocolat bread pudding which was superb. Service was great even though they were pretty crowded, as usual.

    (4)
  • Carolyn B.

    The prix fixe brunch is a fantastic deal. Delicious egg dishes, coffee juice and a cinnamon roll. All for a mere 10 dollars. We had wonderful service from our waitress. Our coffee and water were always full. The pace of the meal was just right. I am looking forward to returning.

    (4)
  • Garrett B.

    I was very excited about coming here for brunch because I had read great things on this site. I made reservations for my group, but still ended up waiting until about 15 minutes after our reservation. While this didn't ruin the experience, it irked me because I had made the reservations a week in advance to avoid this. We all had the prix fixe brunch menu which as others have stated in an amazing deal at $9.95. I chose the omelette basquaise which was cooked to perfection and was really really good. The freshly squeezed orange juice was refreshing and delicious. The cinnamon bun was good, but a little too well done. The restaurant was also ridiculously warm. Everyone at my table was sweating and it kind of ruined my appetite. If I had to rate only on food, I'd give a four but these other issues outweighed the food. I would like to go back and get lunch or dinner. I feel like it would be a completely different experience.

    (3)
  • H. A.

    Okay, this is an expensive restaurant. Be prepared to spend lots here, but leave with a happy stomach. Much of the food I've eaten here has been phenomenal. Either steak or filet mignon entree will not disappoint. The bread pudding dessert--CAN'T STOP EATING IT. It's just so delicious. I wasn't into the mussels, though, nor the French onion soup (because it's just average). You probably should make a reservation before you go. Bon appetit!

    (4)
  • Ryan S.

    My only dining experience at Aquitaine (for Easter Brunch last month) was really great, to say the least. The atmosphere is live and inviting.. The service: prompt and attentive. But most importantly, the food was unbelievable. I had a Belgian Waffle and mixed berries with sides of Chorizo and house-cut potatoes (alright; so I went to town.) I can't vouche for the other meals at my table, but the entire family agreed that everything was perfect. And to top it off, the bill was half the total that I'd imagined considering the experience as a whole. In any case, I left Aquitaine feeling grateful for actually taking someone else's advice on where to go for a nice meal.. I honestly have little to compare it to now as everything about it vastly exceeded my expectations. Likely to be my only 5-star review for quite some time..

    (5)
  • Tori O.

    Went here for brunch with my boyfriend. Got seated promptly with a reservation. Unfortunately, our server was having a rough day. He was pleasant and nice but he was all over the place. It looked like they could have all used a little more help. We placed our order and soon realized that alot of time was passing. After everyone got their food around us, even those sat after us, we asked about our food. He realized he never put the order in, but once we finally got our food, mine had meat in the omelette (Im a vegetarian). Despite the mistakes, our server ended up comping a drink and was very apologetic. The food was delicious. The duck sandwich and omellete were excellent. It is also not a great place to go for a intimate experience, the tables are very close together. But pretty good all around despite mistakes but not one of my favorites.

    (3)
  • Julie H.

    I like Aquitaine. It's dependable - you always get a solidly decent meal here. Not particularly creative, but good nonetheless. I do love love love the tagliatelle with mushrooms and asparagus, and find myself disappointed when I go here and end up getting something else. Why do I do that?!? The steak frites is nicely prepared, and the Friday night duck is OK. The atmosphere is great - cozy and relaxing. Love the music. Service is good. Definitely make a reservation if you don't want to wait 90 minutes for a table on the weekend. (helpful hint: it is so not worth it to wait 90 minutes for a table at Aquitaine.) Truth be told, I much prefer Metropolis, which is across the street - better food, better value.

    (4)
  • Sailracer S.

    Aquitaine squeezed a friend and I in for brunch and what a treat it was. Good mimosas, good food and a great atmosphere. I'll definately go back to this very pretty south end spot with tasty food.

    (4)
  • D H.

    Solid french bistro fare. The onion soup was one of the best I've had. Their steak was extremely tough unfortunately, but the waiter was kind enough to let me order their duck special instead, which was excellent. The profiteroles for dessert were well done too.

    (4)
  • Rich T.

    Came here for Restaurant Week dinner with some friends. First course: Tried both the smoked trout and duck liver mousse. They were wonderful. Smoked trout was light but wonderfully seasoned, and it's hard to screw up foie gras. Second course: Beer-braised beef cheek and roasted hake. The fish was utterly bland, and combined with the bland rice and bland sauce, this was almost unappetizing. The beef was the other extreme--really rich and verging on over-salty. Couldn't really taste the contribution of the beer, but the sauce was way too thick, almost sticky (possibly over-reduced?). The cheek was nicely cooked though, but I wished I had more celery puree to go with the big piece of cheek I got. Dessert: Rice pudding and creme caramel. Creme caramel was okay, but the pudding was wonderful, and the hazelnuts that came with the pudding were a nice touch. Service: It was a very busy night but the waitstaff was still attentive. Minor gripe: The table lighting could be brighter. When the beef cheek came it looked like a pile of brownish-black goop, since the meat was dark and the sauce was dark and the dim lighting didn't help at all. They should upgrade the lighting or the chefs should think of better ways to present their food in the dark. Overall impression: 3.5 stars. Appetizers and desserts were nice, but the entrees, which should be the stars of the menu, were not well-balanced in terms of flavor. I would still come back to try their much-praised brunch. Maybe my impression would change the second time around.

    (3)
  • Mark M.

    I enjoyed the food and the location, so I'll get that out up front. I had the steak frites and I found it perfectly well cooked, etc. We had to wait an inordinately long time for our table, but I am willing to overlook the hour PLUS that we had to wait for our table as we 1) added two people at the last minute and 2) they couldn't force the people whose table we were to use to move to just freaking LEAVE already. What got me, however, was that after being charged for $12 for a martini at the bar (on the pricey side, but not completely unreasonable), I decided with my dinner to just get diet soda as I was pretty much down on cash. When I got my bill, I was ready to plunk down maybe a couple of dollars on my sodas. But when I saw this item: Diet Pepsi ( 3 @ 2.50 ) = 7.50 I nearly lost it. That's the cost of several Big Gulps, 2 liters, whatever. And what I had gotten was just a few ounces of soda after one were to remove the ice (I may have had, at most, a CAN'S worth). Since it was my friend's birthday and it was, by then, super late and I needed to catch the T, I just paid it while gritting my teeth. Still, I can't get over how angry I am almost a day later about getting fleeced for having to pay for refills of diet soda as one would expect to buy beers, wines, cocktails, etc. And that bad experience spoiled what could have been a really nice meal with decent service and a pair of hostesses that seemed legitimately sorry for our long wait.

    (3)
  • Heidi O.

    I immensely love the cheese-buttery-balls, whatever they are called...this is as good as the Chestnut Hill location in terms of knowledgeable servers who truly seemed to enjoy their what they do. Wine-list is superb, perfect Chenin Blanc paired with seafood. Oh and the vegan tomato/basil salad is surprisingly tasty.

    (4)
  • Jared P.

    Their FILET AU POIVRE was the greatest thing I have ever eaten... I love you oh God of Beef!

    (5)
  • Tony L.

    I suggested to an old friend of mine visiting from Chicago that we should gather ourselves in the South End for dinner one evening, knowing that we would have a bountiful array of options to choose from. Although I have walked past this restaurant numerous times and once even stopped by for a quick dessert, I had never actually sat down inside Aquitaine for dinner, and honestly did not really know what to expect. As you walk in the main entrance, you are immediately facing an enormous wall filled with bottles of fine wine, and a glance at the wine selection showed a few familiar favorite picks of mine. Unfortunately, due to the previous night filled with long bouts of hard liquor consumption, I was quickly reminded with repulsion that my body was not nearly ready to attempt consuming another alcoholic beverage, indeed not for some time. The menu contained, for the most part, French cuisine, even the infamous escargot as an appetizer. I have never been the type of person to be able to appreciate the delicacy that snails have to offer, at least not at this stage of my life. Instead, I opted for the seared salmon served atop a bed of fettucine, yet again making my love for pasta quite apparent, while my friend ordered the halibut. The venue provides a hip environment with wide open spaces (great for large parties), while simultaneously giving a flair for the romantics, candles lit at every table. The experience overall was pretty good and would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant to any fellow seafood lover.

    (3)
  • Cody H.

    Last night was dining bliss thanks to the unimpeachable service and excellent french food at Aquitaine. Tempted as I was by the regular menu, the waiters enthusiasm for the Restaurant Week menu swayed me to try the calamari cabonara, the coq au vin, and the chocolate bread pudding, each course paired with an outstanding wine. Each dish was exceptional. I snuck a taste of the river trout too--divine. What really made the night, however, was the atmosphere and service. Just right. They really seem to understand how to make the Restaurant Week dining experience pleasant and ensure a higher transition rate from "try it one time" diners to regular diners. They made us feel welcome (none of that subtle disappointment that you sometimes sense at other places when they hear that you're a cheapskate doing the restaurant week menu) and the portions were embarrassingly generous for the money (unlike other places where the restaurant week offerings can be skimpy). We'll definitely go back, as often as we can. And I want that same cozy booth, in the back with the gorgeous view of the Prudential Building.

    (5)
  • Samantha R.

    My boyfriend and I ate here for our 2nd restaurant of Restaurant Week and we both agreed that it was our favorite so far. The food was amazing. I had the mussel bourride to start which was so flavorful and rich and came with a slice of garlic toast slathered in aioli which went perfectly with the broth. For the entree, I had the crispy salmon, which was beautifully cooked. For dessert, it was the chocolate souffle with congac creme anglaise and it was superb, although my boyfriend had the apple tart and I had a bite of that and it was very tasty. The waitstaff was fantastic, the food perfectly timed, and the atmosphere was wonderful. Overall I was very impressed and will definately go back

    (4)
  • Jenny N.

    I went with a bunch of girlfriends for brunch on a drizzly, grey day and stepping into this place just cheered me right up! Brunch here is just fabulous--and surprisingly affordable given the quality and service. However, food service can be slow on weekends since it's generally packed and reservations are a must. But our waiter thoughtfully brought out a plate of fries when we mentioned that we were starving and asked if we could have something small to nibble on (we were thinking toast, but fries are good too!). I had a hard time choosing what to order given the many delicious choices, but I finally settled on the fluffy brioche french toast with fruit compote and it was very yummy. The decor is beautiful, and the atmosphere is intimate and neighborhood-y but still retains a sophisticated feel. Definitely a great date place, but brunch was wonderful too.

    (5)
  • Arestia R.

    Ah, the search for the perfect South End brunch. We all do it, we all have a love/hate relationship with it and we are all critical of it. Still, the Aquitaine prix fix Saturday brunch makes the list! For $9.95, you get bottomless coffee, a glass of fresh squeezed OJ or grapefruit juice, a sticky bun, and an omelette of your choice with potatoes and toast. But, it's only on Saturday, so don't make that mistake! The atmosphere at Aquitaine is cozy and it's lovely, complete with white table cloths. It's ideal. I find the service to be a little off, but it's nothing terrible...just slow and not too attentive, but they are perfectly nice and helpful when you nudge them. I hear dinner is delicious, but brunch is the only advice I can give...for now...I plan to go back for dinner!

    (4)
  • Alexandra C.

    Went here for restaurant week this past Fri (lunch). Seating was prompt (though we had a reservation) and everyone really enjoyed the food (stuffed!!). I particularly loved the mussels. Staff was pretty friendly as well. This was my first restaurant week experience -definitely delicious.

    (4)
  • Jonathan G.

    This place has really delicious French style food. I had a sirloin steak with truffle oil, pomme frites and watercress salad that makes my mouth water just thinking about it. The creme brulee was text book and right on the money. I didn't them 5 stars because the service was slow and the euro/techno crap music was too loud.

    (4)
  • heather p.

    I have had dinner and brunch here and for both the service and food was absolutely unbelievable. Everything from the frites to seared scallops were cooked to perfection and extremely flavorful. The waitress was knowledgeable about wine and knew the menu inside and out. Hands down one of the best total experiences I have ever had! I immediately called three of my friends to tell them about how unbelievable it was.

    (5)
  • Dachary C.

    Aquitaine was an interesting experience. I went to the restaurant with a group of 7 on Monday. I was told that it was on the expensive end, and somewhat dressy. I got all spiffied up and ready for an experience. Sadly, it was a disappointing experience. Valet parking was nice (and essential, given the location - difficult to find parking.) We had reservations and so were seated quickly. The wine menu was extensive, the restaurant was cute, and I was prepared for a pleasant meal. Unfortunately, Aquitaine did not meet my expectations from here. An intimate atmosphere is implied by the small, candlelit room, but the restaurant fails to deliver on two counts: the music was *far* too loud for conversation (and much more rock-ish than I expected from an upscale restaurant), and the candlelight only ensured that half our party couldn't read the menu. Many people at the table were literally picking up the candles and holding them up next to the menus, squinting to make out the squiggly letters. Atmosphere? Aquitaine tries, but delivers only headaches. Service was another disappointment. We got the impression that the server was very flustered and unorganized. One of the members of our party had special dietary needs, but instead of making a note of her questions and continuing to take food orders, he vanished repeatedly, leaving the rest of us to wonder whether we would get to place an order or if we were forgotten. The food took a surprisingly long time to arrive. There was another group of 5 in the restaurant, and a few couples, but the restaurant wasn't even half full, so we couldn't figure out what was causing the delay. When the food finally did arrive, some of the dishes were placed in front of the wrong recipients and some of the sides we ordered were never delivered. By the time the waiter reappeared to question him about the sides, the meal was almost finished and so the sides were canceled. And yet they appeared on the bill, so we had to repeat that we had never received the sides and request them to be removed. On the wine side of the service: the waiter did seem to know the wine list fairly well and made some recommendations at the request of our party. However, after examining the recommendations, it turned out that he had simply suggested the most expensive red, white, or desert wine based on our request, regardless of which flavors would appropriately complement the food. The food was good. It's clear that Aquitaine tries to be a nice, upscale place. However, the atmosphere was unpleasant (with music too loud to converse and without enough light to read the menus) and the service was lacking. On the whole, a very disappointing experience. I don't mind paying for an expensive meal if I enjoy the experience, but Aquitaine failed to deliver.

    (3)
  • Kirs P.

    I've thoroughly enjoyed all my dining experiences at Aquitaine. I've had brunch there three or four times, and dinner a couple. It's a little on the pricier end, but I'd much rather come here for brunch. I might pay a few bucks more than if I just went to Mike's, but the food is a thousand times better. The Eggs Benedict Provencal is a vegetarian's breakfast heaven. Pair it with the Mimosa and it's even better. For dinner there is only one veggie option, but both times I've tried it it has been pretty darn tasty (and it's never been risotto or pasta, which I'm eternally grateful for). So, if you want a higher end French dining experience this is your place. The atmosphere is lovely, the waitstaff just the right amount of attentive, and the food is very much above average.

    (4)
  • Kristin S.

    I'm a brunch hound and I've heard great things about Aquitaine. When an acquaintance last week called it "The Best Brunch in Boston" I said to my husband "Thats it! We're going this Sunday for brunch" We got there a bit early and grabbed a drink in the tiny bar at the front. Intimate is a good word to describe it as I was enjoying my mimosa (unremarkable) with a guy breathing down my neck waiting for my table to be ready so he could have my seat. We were seated at a great corner table exactly at our reservation time. The menu was your traditional brunch fare, nothing terribly creative, and since Eggs Benedict seemed like the thing to get we both ordered it. Much to my surprise our food came out to us in 10 minutes despite the busy busy restaurant. It was just ok. Considering the quick time it took to come out of the kitchen and the fact that it was lukewarm I have a feeling they premake their Eggs Benedict... In fact we had placed our order, were served our food, and ate our food in about 25 minutes. It actually took longer for the check than it did waiting for our food. Overall the experience was very meh. The restaurant itself is small and very loud. The service was good but nothing outstanding. I'm not the type that likes to be hurried through meals as I was here. I'm willing to give it a shot for dinner but to say that it is the best brunch in Boston is inaccurate.

    (3)
  • Mary C.

    Came here for restaurant week. Beautiful space with nice mood lighting (looks like a good date place, except the tables are thisclosetogether). Mixed greens with goat chese--more goat cheese, please! Roasted cod was swimming with the lentils, and just this side of plain. Dessert was profiterole with vanilla ice cream and chocolate, light and sweet, but short on the wow factor. 3 1/2 stars for the food; plus another 1/2 star because the hostess seated us without a dirty look when we rushed in late for our reservation and as the kitchen was closing.

    (4)
  • JP N.

    My girlfriend an I went here for Brunch this last Sunday and I have to say this was one of the best brunches I have had in Boston in my memory. We were able to find street parking nearby without too much hassle. We ate around 10:30 Sunday and there was no wait to get a table. The interior is very nice and reminds me of a classic European bistro. I will caution other diners that tables are very close together and if you are a tall/big guy like me it might be slightly cramped. There was a nice mix of other young couples and families having breakfast and the general atmosphere was very pleasant. There is a prix fixe brunch offered with juice and unlimited coffee and pastry along with a choice of an entree. I had a very nice boursin, leek and mushroom omelette and my girlfriend had waffles with fresh fruit. Service was very attentive without being pushy or annoying. I look forward to going back soon.

    (5)
  • Dave J.

    Came here during Restaurant Week and had a GREAT dinner. The only drawback is that it's a little less convenient than restaurants closer to Boston Common.

    (5)
  • Dara S.

    I cannot praise this restaurant enough. Time after time I come in and have the greatest brunch ever. At this point I have almost tried their whole brunch menu. Never mind the wait, it is always worth it. I think I died and went to hollandaise heaven on Sunday. The smoked salmon eggs benedict was simply perfection. Our server was great, attentive but not invasive. I felt like I was in NYC - and no one does brunch better than ny. (Ok, I may be a little biased...) Their hostess is so friendly and rocks at her job (and she always has such cute outfits!) They even take your phone number down with your reservation so if you are like me and want to wander around the south end while you wait, you won't miss your table. They even have great and creative cocktails. I have not been for dinner, but I have peeked at their menu and it is for sure on my to-do list in the near future.

    (5)
  • Penny B.

    The food was great here. I got the lamb shank and it fell right off the bone and very tender. The service was tops.

    (4)
  • Ben K.

    Really enjoyed this place last night. Great atmosphere, food, and service. The only thing was that the chocolate souflée cake was definitely warmed up in the microwave and not really that hot. The lamb shank was perfectly cooked, but I could've used some more mashed potatoes to sop up all that yummy jus. Overall, will definitely be coming back!

    (4)
  • Anabelle D.

    Nice place but the food is mediocre. Completely overrated!

    (3)
  • Matt C.

    I have only been to Aquitaine for brunch but I was impressed both in terms of quality and value. Many restaurants in the South End offer prix fix brunches and Aquitaine is right at the top of my favorites. For around $10 (pre tax/tip) you get bottomless coffee, a cup of juice, a cinnamon roll, and an egg entree. The whole menu looked vast and tasty but we had to go with the price fix and I am glad we did. Although I have had slightly better brunch dishes elsewhere the omelet was great and the extras were stellar. Overall it was a great experience and a price that really can't be beat in Boston or elsewhere.

    (4)
  • Shiqi Z.

    Great experience!! Good deal during the resturant week.

    (5)
  • I G.

    We tried this place again and it was just sublime. It was a busy, wet Sunday morning, and they got us a table within 10 minutes. The service was great and the food was impeccable.

    (5)
  • Meghan H.

    Delish!! We ordered the filet and steak frites, both were amazing. The peppercorn on the filet gives it great flavor and the sauce it is in is so delicious. Our waitress Juliana was very thoughtful and educated on the menu. She gave great wine recommendations and went above and beyond even helping us get a cab in the snowstorm. We will definitely be back!!

    (4)
  • Lillian C.

    I came here for a prix fixe brunch (which is a great deal!) and sat at the bar because a table would have been a 45-60 min wait. I was pretty impressed with the food; our dishes seemed filling but not heavy, and refreshing despite most 'brunch' food being somewhat heavy and oily. I would recommend and come back to try the lunch/dinner!

    (4)
  • Kalun L.

    Met a friend for brunch at Aquitaine this past Sunday. This is the second time I've eaten here, but my first review. My friend and I each ordered the pre fixe menu, which comes with a sweet bun, fresh-squeezed (yay!) OJ, bottomless coffee, one of five omelette choices, wheat toast, and home fries. I got the La Maison omelette (cheese and bacon). The food was delicious and a good value at $9.95 each (tax and tip excluded). Despite the restaurant being packed and my friend and I not having reservations, we were seated quickly. Our server was attentive, but relaxed, without being overly familiar. What made me really happy at 10:30 on Sunday morning was that my coffee cup got refilled without my having to flag down anyone. Really, a good way to start Sunday.

    (5)
  • Wais K.

    Upscale, chic and approachable. Delicious food too! Can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Catherine K.

    Really great spot for brunch! Wonderful food! Great cocktails and really nice ambiance! Would highly recommend this place!!!

    (4)
  • Amanda G.

    **This is a brunch review** My vote for Best Brunch in Boston. Love the feel of this place, which is South End-fabulous, but not stuffy. Brunch on the weekends, prix fixe style, is only 10 bucks. However, if you feel like spending a little more, it's worth it, as I HIGHLY recommend the eggs benedict with salmon, complete only with multiple sides of pommes frites and at least one Bloody Mary. In fact, also my vote for Best Bloody Mary in Boston (to be fair, Best Bloody Mary in Cambridge is Johnny D's.) On a personal note, my family has gone here two years in a row now for New Year's Day brunch and it continues to be our favorite group brunch spot.

    (5)
  • Heather G.

    Came for brunch / book club discussion. We were 7 or 8 people with a reservation for 10:30. They said they couldn't seat us until all parties showed up - pretty standard, but left a crowd of us to be in the way in the small restaurant, blocking the door, the bar, and the register. Once we finally sat, they put us at a table that was too small for our ultimate party-size, leaving some to squish in with half a cheek on the booth bench. The brunch special, though a cheap deal, wasn't a very tasty deal. For $10, you get unlimited coffee, a glass of juice, a mini-cinnamon roll, an egg dish with toast, and homefries. The offering was abundant for the price, but the food came out so quickly (we're talking 5 minutes after all 7 of us placed our order) that I get the impression that this deal + the crowded restaurant + rapid food delivery = the kitchen pre-makes just about everything, not to-order. My suspicions were further supported when I bit into the toasted bread and tasted a crumbly, dry, crunchy mass, as one would expect from toast that had been toasted many minutes ago and left to sit under a heat lamp. Potatoes were dry and mealy, and my egg scramble with ham, peppers, and onions was very tasty, though unremarkable for a restaurant meal. The highlight of the food was my out-of-the-oven cinnamon roll to start, and I would have preferred a few more of these in lieu of my meal. Don't get me wrong, this brunch is cheap, but the restaurant is so small and crowded that I never felt comfortable, and the food tasted so pre-cooked that I didn't particularly enjoy anything I ate. Come for the great deal and people-watching, expect strong and friendly service and qucik food-delivery, but keep brunch-food expectations low, and you'll have a very pleasant morning.

    (2)
  • Mike D.

    I went to Aquitaine for dinner with a small group. The service, setting, and food was excellent. Everything cooked perfectly to order. It is in a nice neighborhood in the South End. It is worth checking out again. I hear that the brunch is amazing so that is the meal I am trying next!!

    (4)
  • Jess C.

    Went here on July 4th. First of all I love that they were open on a holiday, second of all, love the decor and cozy feel. Aquitaine has a decently priced brunch menu, so check this out for a South End spot that on the weekends is not toooo bad on the wallet compared to some other places. My friend had the salmon eggs benedict and I had the regular eggs benedict with no Canadian bacon (probably about the only Canadian thing I really don't enjoy..) At first I was a little skeptical because the sauce was yellower than i usually like... but it was pleasantly light and delicious! The bloody marys were perfect, service kind of slow! I'll try it again for dinner for sure.

    (3)
  • Laura A.

    While our first dining experience at Aquitaine left much to be desired, a kind gesture made by the owner convinced us to give Aquitaine one more try. And we are so pleased that we did! We quickly became big fans of Aquitaine's brunch. My husband had an extremely satisfying omelet, my mother-in-law the most gorgeous looking and tasting brioche french toast, I had the to-die-for Salmon Benedict, and my father-in-law enjoyed the three eggs scrambled with a side of some of the best brunch potatoes I've sampled in a long time. We also enjoyed coffee and fresh orange juice. Our server was very attentive, which was appreciated due to the high volume of people at the peak hour for Sunday brunch, and while there was one small mix-up our server quickly resolved the issue in a seamless fashion. We were so happy that we gave Aquitaine another try, and this brunch was perfect for the occasion of entertaining my in-laws who were visiting from out of town. I am sure we will be back again.

    (4)
  • Ashna K.

    Excellent food and great atmosphere! We got the Eggs Benedict Florentine, the Omelette Alsacienne, and the Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal, and everything was delicious! Definitely make reservations; we went for brunch at 2:30 pm on a Sunday and this place was popping!

    (5)
  • boom b.

    Very satisfying and consistent!

    (4)
  • Jamie R.

    The prix fixe brunch sounds amazing but sadly we arrived too late. Full price brunch was also great! We were there in early afternoon and it was pretty crowded and busy. We had a stroller which made things a little cramped, so be prepared if you have little ones. We did have reservations, I imagine it would be tricky to walk in without them. The service was great, our waitress was very friendly and kindly offered to warm up the baby's bottle (we didn't even ask, she just noticed we were struggling and helped). I got an omelette with ham, gruyere, and parsley: generous with the fillings, and it came with potatoes and toast too. Delicious!

    (4)
  • Donal C.

    Went for restaurant week. Every course was excellent. Wine pairing was great too.

    (4)
  • Alyssa H.

    We hit Aquitaine for our New Year's celebration. I love the dark bistro atmosphere and the small intimate tables. The mussels were absolutly divine - a must have. We had the chicken and the steak frites which were both big hits. For dessert we ordered the apple tart, which was also really delicious. I'd go back for sure, but want to try some new places first. Having the choice between Aquitaine and Metropolis across the street, i'd probably head back to Metropolis .

    (4)
  • Christabelle C.

    want an amazing lunch? go here and get the burger!! it's definitely one of the best burgers (the other one being a burger from craigie on maine) i've eaten in boston. i've tried other things on the menu and although they've all been ok, i always finish my meal regretting that i did not order the burger instead. it's just soooo good!

    (4)
  • Abdullah A.

    All I remember eating at Aquitaine was their FABULOUS mussels. Amazing. Worth the trip alone. On both occasions in which I have been there, I sat at the bar. Great ambiance, great service, and great food. Certainly has a very French feel to it.

    (4)
  • Jeffriana S.

    Wow the reviews for this restaurant are really bizarre. I don't mean to sound rude here, but it seems like the reviewers here are trying to experience an expensive restaurant "on the cheap." Although Aquitaine does have a nice enough brunch, the brunch is really only a mechanism to draw in those who come to visit the South End on the weekends. The restaurant certainly should not be judged based on its brunch, as it is primarily a relatively upscale dinner bistro. The steak frites is AMAZING. It has a fantastic truffle vinaigrette on top that differentiates this steak from the many others out there. The duck ravioli is also worth mentioning as well as their salmon entree. For a starter, the french onion soup cannot be beat. Although Aquitaine is by no means a bar, if you are looking for a good glass of wine or a small meal, the cozy bar is quite nice. Other positives include: knowledgeable staff, good service, and, although limited, the wine selection is very impressive. The only real negatives are the fact that you need to make reservations for a Friday or Saturday night a few days in advance and it can be a tad noisy. ALSO, why is this listed under pizza?!

    (5)
  • Little B.

    Went for an anniversary dinner. We requested a good table and got it, the host came over and congratulated us and the server was great as well. The food was perfect and in the scheme of things, cheap, compared to the rest of the South End slop. Even the valet was sweet...they are a;; pros here. They have opened two more in the burbs. Just a perfect warm place, the real deal....

    (5)
  • Melissa F.

    I went to Acquitaine for a girls night out during restaurant week in August. We had reservations for 8pm but they were unable to accomodate us at that time, so we ended up waiting till about 8:30pm for our table to be ready. When it was, the hostess came up and thanked us for being patient and said that the first round of drinks were on them, WOW! is what we all thought, that was worth the wait. We got sat in the back of the restaurant, where we had a view of the entire restaurant. It is so beautiful. We got our menus and can I just say it was amazing! They had a few choices for each entree, but I had a shaved beet root and fennel salad, yummy!!! then I had the hanger steak which was incredible I practically licked the plate clean, and for dessert instead of going with my first instinct which was a lemon ice box cake, I got the grapefruit sorbet and I don't even like grapefruit!!! But I wanted to try something different and I did, wasn't pleased with it but thats a consequence of trying something different. All in all, Acquitaine in the South End was amazing and I'd absolutely go back in a heartbeat! The downfall of this place is that there is only one bathroom/one stall for both men and women, so because it was packed that night, it felt like I waiting in line for a porto-potty at a concert. My only suggestion is to add another bathroom!

    (5)
  • C L.

    Two years ago I would have given Aquitaine an easy 4 or 5 stars. It has slipped over the past 2 years in terms of food and service. The atmosphere is perfect though tables are close together (it wouldn't be difficult to eat off the plates of your neighbors). On my last trip, I brough a friend visiting from Australia. She loved the vibe and we settled in at the bar for cocktails. We were seated 30 minutes after our reservation time and once at the table, we were never given an opportunity to order any wine. Our server simply dropped off our apps and entrees and *poof* he'd be gone. Very frustrating given the previously high service standard here. Scallops weren't as well-prepared as in the past though the roasted chicken was very good. The steak has shrunk with time but just try having one of their frites. Impossible! I'll try Aquitaine again in 2008 but won't rush back. PS: Beware of the gropey older men at the bar who have had 5 too many martinis...

    (3)
  • Selene K.

    I ate here for Brunch and was not impressed. The decor and service was nice, the food was served hot and promptly and the prices were reasonable. However, something was missing. It was busy, in and out without a hello from the server, packed in like sardines just waiting to flip the table. I would not return.

    (1)
  • Allison J.

    GREAT BRUNCH FOR $9.95. Good portions and the service was attentive. Two of us ate brunch and she had coffee and one of the brunch menu items and I had iced tea and orange juice with a cinnamon roll and cut fruit. In total it cost $20 and I left $6 tip. We had a great Sunday brunch for $26. The restaurant is airy and light,... great for a weekend brunch. Don't know what dinner would be like here but I'd totally recommend it for brunch.

    (5)
  • Ashleigh M.

    Went here for brunch it was fantastic! you can't beat $10 for juice, a cinnamon bun (very well done, warm and just the right amount of crispy too), also unlimited coffee or tea and an egg dish. I don't remember what my egg dish was but it involved leeks, mushrooms and this fantastic cheese. I finished the whole entire thing...every last bite! Highly recommend!

    (5)
  • Gabe M.

    For a mid-priced expensive French restaurant, this place is great. The decor, service, and food is all fantastic. Great place to take a double date. Good place for lunch as well.

    (5)
  • Jackie C.

    great place, I have only been here for breakfast and brunch. It is really good!!! love the french looking atmosphere and waiters are really friendly. Good option!!!

    (5)
  • Chris C.

    Was taken here for my birthday by my girlfriend. Prices were great, especially on the drinks. Staff was well...they could use a class or two on hospitality. Now I will say I am a stickler for the details, hostess saying hello and goodbye, waitress introducing herself and so on. Our waitress pretty much walked over took the order and left. Only asked us if we wanted more to drink after we had finished our meal. Cute little place though, food is decent for the money. Mac n Cheese is yummy.

    (3)
  • Sarah S.

    This place is a veritable Boston institution. When people talk about great food, I always hear about Aquitaine. Sadly, it's taken me three years to getting around to making a reservation here. I finally dined at Aquitaine during restaurant week; it seemed like a fitting foray into this ubiquitous, French fare: we'd check out three courses, on the cheap, and really get a feel for what the hype was about. And we did. Like others have reported, the food was great, but with some definite highs and lows. We ordered EVERYTHING from the restaurant week menu--2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and both desserts. I had my work cut out for me. The cheese souffle appetizer was heaven. Nothing that came after it could match its intensity, flavor and indescribability. It was, simply put, so refined and phenomenal. Sweet, tangy cheeses, whipped, baked off--it was airy but buttery, sweet but savory... I could rattle off fifty corny metaphors and still I could not really express the utter perfection. There was a small green salad with walnuts which, pared with the souffle, was made even more orgasmic. The second appetizer was the mussels which was delicious, but also very rich. It was an apt counterpoint to the light, but filling, souffle--this was rich, hearty, warm-your-bones on a wintry night type dish, but it might've been a bit much. There was a honkin' piece of bread with the dish--it reminded me of Texas Toast, with that fake garlic butter spread all over it--and it was also too much. Entrees were good, not amazing: the crispy salmon was good, but I realized the waiter didn't ask how we wanted it cooked. My boyfriend always goes for rare, but I prefer my salmon to be more wedium-well. It was more medium than anything, so they got lucky--but for a restaurant of this status can they be so forgetful of these things? My roast chicken was good, but Hamersley's does it best. A roast chicken as a fall back item on a restaurant week menu I can forgive, but not knocking that roasted chicken right out of the freakin' park, I cannot. I coulda made a better roasted chicken myself. The apple tart was to die for, but the chocolate cake was a little dry, a little too...predictable? Nothing amazing here. The wine list is to fawn over. By the end of it all I was so drunk I'm just now putting the pieces together to this experience. Which reminds me--one absolutely crazy thing did happen. In the midst of our dining, there was a sharp whistle that cut through the dining room like a record screeching. The place fell silent and a man tucked in the back corner stood up and started screaming about how he had been polite, but "they forced him to be mean". He seemed to be crippled--as he later had to be helped out the door--but he stood up and shouted about how he needed help and no one would help him. He was cursing, slurring his words, making this long speech.. no one knew what to do. Two waiters finally helped to escort him out, and there was even an ambulance waiting outside! I had no idea Aquitaine provided free entertainment with their meal. Above everything else, all I need is a little cheese and a good soap opera to keep me hooked. I can't wait to return!

    (4)
  • Jane W.

    had a great sunday brunch there. service was very efficient and food was really good, especially the french toast. would happily go back

    (4)
  • Jared M.

    The prix fixe brunch on Saturday's is great. Good portion sizes and it comes with a delicious, fresh baked cinnamon roll. Coffee and fresh OJ are included. One of the best brunch deals (and meals) I've come across in Boston.

    (4)
  • Ed B.

    Aquitaine is my favorite restaurant in all of Boston for either Brunch or Dinner. I've been there a number of times (with my partner, my parents and with friends for my birthday) over the past few years and have never been disappointed. I admit that at night the restaurant can be a bit dark and you would need to bring the table candle over the menu to read it, but it lends itself to be quite romantic. (it's not like you'll be reading all night). The staff have always been attentative to our needs. Yes, they can get busy, especially during Brunch, but I feel the waitstaff is sincerely trying to do their best. Tables are close to each other, but I find it more comforting and friendly then I do "People-packed on top of each other." You should expect a long wait for Brunch if you don't have reservations. But often being friendly to the staff and manager can give you bonus points. I've been known to have special requests for our dinner's there. Once I had a dozen roses sent to the restaurant in the afternoon and the staff had it placed on our table (yes, we've come to have our own special table at the restaurant) before we sat down. On another occasion I had Hawaiian Leis flown in from Hawaii for a special Valentine's Dinner. The Staff took the leis' out of the box and placed them on our table as requested. Once a friend of mine was being taken there for her birthday by her husband. I called the restaurant and asked if they would mind presenting her with a dessert as a gift from me and they did it for no extra charge. My favorites for brunch are their Macaroni & Cheese, Eggs Benedict and their Pressed Duck Sandwich. My partner and I will usually order two of the three and just split the entrees. We like to have a little of everything. My favorite dessert there is the warm chocoloate pudding cake, best when it is very warm. I have yet to try any other desserts given I always crave that one. Brunch is a casual dress. I've been there for brunch in jeans and t-shirt or athletic pants and sweatshirt. For dinner, I'd recommend dressing up a little bit. But jeans are still fine. Yes, I rave about the restaurant. I've been there many times. There may have been times when it wasn't as great as before or if they were having an "off" day. But my overall impression given how many times we've dined there still warrants a high rating.

    (5)
  • Natalie H.

    A MA ZING this place is unbelievably good. the french toast is TO DIE FOR. when i lived in boston, this is where i took ALL visitors. funky neighborhood and super food. can be pricey but totally worth it

    (5)
  • Daryl S.

    Delicious everything. Highly recommended, especially desserts.

    (4)
  • Dina P.

    Aquitaine is one of our favorite places to celebrate occasions, both big and little. The food is reliably good, the atmosphere is both comfortable yet posh enough to feel like you're really going out for the night. The portions are the perfect size to have a three-course meal and not feel like you're rolling out of the restaurant. I tend to stick to bistro favorites...I love the preparation of the steak au poivre. Their weekend brunch is also very good, especially if you want to entertain out-of-town guests. Only downside is difficulty in parking.

    (5)
  • E D.

    I am a single guy, so I don't know how often I'll be visiting this place. However, if I am lucky enough to get a date, this would definitely be a place I would consider bringing a girl. The atmosphere is simple and not overbearing. It can be as romantic as you want it to be. The waitstaff was attentive, but not overbearing. The waiter I had was also knowledgeable. My date was in the mood for a drink and not wine, so I ordered a beer for myself. When I told him what kind of beer I usually drink, he helped me choose one from the menu that I did not recognize. I was pleased. As for the most important part...the food...I would say it was very good. The salmon was fresh and cooked perfectly. My date ordered the lamb (as per the waiter's suggestion) and it was cooked perfectly as well. In terms of price, it is what you would expect for a restaurant of its type...expect to pay about $50 per person if you get an appetizer, entree, and a drink or two. Conclusion: It's a good place to bring a date or go for a nice night out on the town. The food is good and the waitstaff is knowledgeable, but not overbearing. It can be a little pricey, but it is not more than what you would expect.

    (4)
  • Sofia D.

    Had a great brunch here on a busy Sunday. Service was great and food was delicious

    (4)
  • Nim H.

    I started at the bar (small, probably about five-seven seats), and Matt (the bartender) made me a delicious spicey blood orange margarita, of which I had two before going to work that evening. The restaurant was surprisingly sparse for a Friday night. As far as service goes, the hostess was very accomodating, and the waiter (who seemed a bit green) was still very attentive. We both had the warm beet and melted boucheron (milder goat cheese) salad as appetizers, which was a tasty start to the meal. The entries were not as spectacular given the price and reputation of the place. I had the scallops, some of which were overly seared, and most of which were overly-salted. As eloquent as this sounds, something just didn't work with the dish, perhaps it was the smokiness of the butternut squash broth, which overpowered the actual flavors of the squash, and failed to complement the silkiness of a well-cooked scallop. I can't speak to my father's dish, the lemon sole meuniere, as I only had a small bite, but it it seemed very buttery and well cooked, though from his standpoint something was missing as well. Overall, from this first experience, I'd probably only go back for the margarita, which throws me off given that it's a french restaurant.

    (2)
  • Audrey J.

    Loved the French Bistro ambiance. Came here for lunch and it was good, quick service. I ordered the salmon and my friend ordered the duck sandwich. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the mustard oil added a great flavor to the dish, but there was like 3 vegetables on the plate and I was left a bit hungry. Good thing my friend got the duck sandwich - it was huge and came with a salad and lots of french fries. I had half the sandwich and it was great. Lots of flavor and a big portion for the price. I can't wait to try this place again for dinner! Every time I walk by it smells great and has a good crowd.

    (4)
  • Sam S.

    Very tasty french food...nice atmosphere, a little cramped table arrangement, but the people next to us were nice and we ended up with new friends! mussels broth is the best part, make sure to get some extra bread!

    (4)
  • Deepa C.

    went here for bunch last weekend and was satisfied but not astounded. i liked the decor and atmosphere quite a bit and can def see myself coming back for dinner with a group of friends or just me and my husband. the winter sun really lit the place up and made the place tastefully cozy. the service was good, but a bit pushy at times. our waiter would refill coffee and water after one or two sips, which got a little distracting. i thnk he was new. what my table didnt like, however, was that he tried to upsell us. no means no. the food was solid but nothing amazing. my belgian waffle tasted fluffy and light, but also like the sunday waffles at the tufts dining halls. everyone was pleased with the meal overall. if there is a next time, i will get the eggs.

    (3)
  • Katia M.

    My boyfriend and I went to Aquitaine for brunch on Sunday, getting there just before ten. Apparently it opened at ten, but we got in quickly and were seated almost immediately. It was very busy about fifteen minutes later. I had the Omelette d'Alsace, which was to die for, and he had the mac & cheese, which he loved. We were treated to lots of refills of the tasty coffee and an amiable waiter. The only downside was that the check took forever to come. Other than that, though, the portions were nice, the ambiance is nicer, and it's a great little spot. I'll definitely try it again next time I'm not in the mood for greasy spoon brunch.

    (4)
  • Daniel C.

    I have to agree with Tina S. down there, though I had no idea she was trying so hard to impress me! This place really has Paris nailed (well, the nice parts of Paris, anyway). Their dinner is superb, however I think their brunch is even more phenomenal. They have a nice mix of classic breakfast items, some really great sandwiches, and the best fries I've ever sampled--all at a quite reaonable $8-12 per plate!

    (5)
  • J J.

    Came on a Sunday for a lovely brunch. We had made reservations so were seated right away. The yoiks in the eggs for my eggs benedict were pretty much hard boiled. We sent that back, but the food came out in a few minutes and the eggs were perfectly runny. The Canadian bacon was sliced more thinly than I'm used to. The brioche toast with blueberries, bacon and creme fraiche were GREAT. A bit on the sweet side, so you can probably forego the syrup and some of the creme. Our waiter was excellent.

    (4)
  • Hannah T.

    I was pretty impressed with Aquitaine. All the hype was totally valid. The tall windows and generally Paris-bistro-esque look was spot on and my mother who is particularly snotty about her French themed restaurants, was quite pleased. AND when she spoke in french THE WAITER UNDERSTOOD. Now that was really impressive! C'est Bon! The food was great, the cocktails were so-so, but the place in general is lovely and it's a perfect place for a birthday dinner!

    (4)
  • Paul B.

    I live literally directly above this restaurant. While it is wicked expensive, it's also delicious and appropriately priced for its deliciousness (and service, decor, etc.). Little known secret: cheap and very good Sunday brunch.

    (5)
  • Maurice J.

    I always loved Aquitaine for brunch, forgetting about an aspect that made me crazy. I returned on March 25th after a long absence and although we had a good time, the recurring issue resurface the minute we sat down. PAPER NAPKINS and not the large dinner size, but small, ridiculous and the 100 pak for 2 dollars type. COME ON guys !!! I spent 100 dollars for 3 for lunch and this is the best you can do ????? Discgraceful. !!! I was entertaining 2 guests from 5 star hotels in london and Zurich and felt embarassed that this is what we do in Boston. I remember years ago calling and chatting to the manager about this and may have been given some meaningless reason why, but now will choose to go elsewhere and feel like I am getting more quality for my bucks. The details count and it costs money to be in business.....what bothers me is how accepting most people are of mediocrity and how low their standards are.

    (3)
  • Sarah S.

    Went here for date night recently - a solidly enjoyable experience but not really "wow" worthy in my opinion. First of all, our waiter was great - polite, on point, helpful - no complaints there. Drinks were fine, nothing remarkable, although their beer collection (while small) was good. To start with they brought us these two tiny cheese biscuits which were yummy but the size of quarters. I asked for more and got them, which was nice. Boyfriend was craving red meat and got the filet, with mussels to start with. He was happy with the mussels (I'm not a fan myself), and was content with the filet but wasn't really impressed, also it was a little well-done for his taste. The fillet did come with a potato cheese layered thing that I really liked. I got the half chicken which we both agreed was actually better than the fillet - juicy and flavorful and delicious (although the two pieces of meat didn't really strike me as being worth $25). No desert for us. So, overall, warm nice atmosphere, great service, solid food, but I expect a little something more when I pay that much for dinner...I'd try it again though.

    (4)
  • Grace W.

    I visited Aquitaine for a Monday lunch date. This was a perfect time to go, because it was not crowded and the service was great. My lunch partner and I shared fried salmon that was very flavorful and the skin was crispy, but the middle was still nice and tender. We also shared an excellent Belgian endive salad with rougefort cheese. I was pleased to see that the portions were generous enough to share. We tasted a couple different cocktails. The Chartreuse mojito was especially unique it was pure herbal refreshment. I also liked the fresh blueberry cocktail. We also ordered chocolate mousse and creme brulee for dessert. I loved the mousse, but the creme brulee had been fired for so long and the caramelized shell was too hard.

    (4)
  • Carole C.

    Excellent service. Wonderful seafood fish dishes. Romantic ambiance. Only went there once but would love to go back.

    (5)
  • Tiffany L.

    came here for dinner and LOVED it. the service was phenomenal! i was a little afraid the staff may be pretentious given the decor and look from the outside. but NOT at all. they were so nice! our steak was cooked medium well instead of medium rare. we weren't going to mention it since it was so delicious still. but when i did, the waiter profusely apologized and poured an extra glass of wine. then the hostess came over to apologize as well. we were SO impressed. finally, when the bill came, we realized they had taken the entire steak off the bill! we were shocked! we of course tipped generously (30%) but still felt like they were way too generous. anyway, beyond the service and great atmosphere, the food was excellent! we had the mussels and escargot for starters. then we had the steak frites and filet au poivre. and for dessert, the sorbet - guava, mango, and lychee. everything was SO tasty! i'm going to tell all my friends to go here! and plan my next big group dinner here! HUGE FAN!!!!

    (5)
  • P M.

    I've never been for brunch - only dinner, and i've never been disappointed. I can't say enough about the food here. The mussels sancerre and steak au poivre are my favorites. Also love the venison which they have only on certain nights (I forget when). Service is always friendly and I swear the place glows - or that's just how I leave feeling with the great food and atmosphere.

    (5)
  • Kendra D.

    Can't beat their Prix Fixe Brunch. $9.95 for a cinnamon roll, eggs (I like the "Omelette de la Maison"- tomatoes, bacon and gruyere), potatoes, toast, coffee and juice. (Of course I blow up any semblance of a good value by ordering a couple of $9 bloody mary's during the meal) But hey, it's a French place..so why not get your "joie de vivre" on??

    (4)
  • Anup A.

    While this french-inspired bistro is typically an upscale affair (the service and atmosphere are polished...impeccable), the space becomes more relaxed for weekend brunch...and so do the prices. It is perhaps the best brunch in town, yet astonishingly affordable. I think the fixed-price brunch runs less than $10. Definately worth it. Make a reservation though, as it is no secret. I've met plenty of folks who make the journey from other towns to the north and to the west, just to enjoy this weekend experience.

    (4)
  • buckminster f.

    aquitaine has a nice ambiance but pretty awful service, at least from what i can tell the two times i've been there. the first time i went was for dinner. they have nightly specials. i can't remember what exactly it was that i had, but it was a friday night, and it was some sort of a fish, shellfish, cream medley. they should still have it. very tasty. the bf had a steak au poivre, and it was good. we also shared some sort of a salad, maybe with beets in it, i was satisfied by that as well. the second time i went was for lunch. we started off with some french onion soup, followed by a duck gruyere sandwich. both were delicious. i had a few glasses of sauvignon blanc along with the meal. the bartender poured with a heavy hand. the server was the slowest ever and rude to boot, but i couldn't complain about much else. i should probably go back there.

    (4)
  • J B.

    One of the best dishes in Boston is found on Aquitaine's appetizer menu: Mussels with sancerre, shallots and fresh thyme. And this coming from someone who is not even a huge mussels fan: ABSOLUTELY delicious. The rest of the food on the menu is pretty good too ;)

    (4)
  • Jillian M.

    LOVE IT! Fantastic food, atmosphere and service. One of my absolute favorites in Boston.

    (5)
  • Kate P.

    My first time here was for my Mom's birthday dinner and the whole table had a great meal. It was so good that we came back again for my birthday a month later. Unfortunately my sister's fish tasted like it had salt dumped on it, as if a jar of salt fell off the shelf and into her meal, it was inedible. My meal was great, so i didn't let that experience stop me from coming back when my boyfriend and I were looking for a brunch spot. He thought his meal was good, but my french toast wasn't good at all. The egg mixture that the bread should have been soaked in didn't permeate all the way through and therefore I was left with really dry in the middle French toast. It was bad. I haven't been back since because of my bad french toast and my sister's bad fish. It's too bad because when Aquitaine got it right the food was great. The service however in all three trips was inattentive, but that's never really a deal breaker for me, I like to be left alone, unless I need more water.

    (3)
  • Matt M.

    After being lucky to have traveled to the epicenter of cuisine I found that Aquitaine was the only french bistro in town who could hold a candle to that experience. I don't care who you are or who you are taking to dinner. If it is important go HERE. This is where all my favorite dining memories have been placed and occurred. GREAT service. GREAT Brunch! GREAT Dinner. Amazing

    (5)
  • Will E.

    My fiancee and I went there for lunch/brunch last Saturday. The atmosphere was great and we were seated right even though we didn't have a reservation. The food was very good although RICH - we had to have a very light dinner to compensate. I got the eggs benedict and she got the pressed duck sandwich - both were outstanding. I think this place is much cheaper and more casual for lunch/brunch than dinner, but the food is the same!

    (4)
  • Thuy L.

    Went here for brunch after hearing/reading about all the hype. And the hype is true. The brunch was great. The Signature Bloody Mary was good...not as good as Stephanie's, but still Good. I asked our waiter Josh for his recommendation on the Egg Benedicts since it is my favorite brunch item. Without hesitation, he suggested the Egg Benedict with Smoked Salmon and said that it was his favorite. Not only did I take his suggestion but another person in our group did too and we both LOVED it. The egg was poached perfectly, and the salmon was not too strong, it was a great pairing with the hollaindaise sauce. My boyfriend got the boursin burger, and he said that that boursin was great on the burger itself, but the buns were just too hard and he didn't enjoy the burger very much. The fries that came with the burger were pretty good. I highly recommend coming here for brunch and go to picco down the street for some ice cream to cleanse your palette.

    (4)
  • Sushi Y.

    this place has nice decor, feels like you are in a little french cafe, and cosy booths, which is always a plus for me. came for the saturday set brunch which was so-so. started with cinamon pastry which was a little sweet for me (thank goodness the coffee was flowing), followed by eggs, toast and potatoes. The choice was a little limited- only the potatoes were the stand out- they were slightly colored with a little spice, slight crunch but creamy on the inside- very nice. other than that, it's ok and inexpensive for location and atmosphere. there seemed to be a lot of staff for this small establishment- apparently this place gets really busy in the evenings, but it felt a little over staffed for an easy brunch...... topic of the heated bathroom paper came up every time each of us went. Ok, so its just the heating vent near the toilet seat warming the toliet paper, but it was a great useless novelty for about five minutes, especially as it was the middle of winter... feel welcome to share your ideas on why that could make your visit to the bathroom more of an experience!

    (2)
  • bella c.

    Just went for lunch, everything was really good, i had the endive with blue cheese salad and a turkey club (which had avocado),yummy. went for restaurant week, they had steak and duck as their main dishes, i opted to order off the regular menu but my friend enjoyed her steak and salad that were part of their prefix lunch and i enjoyed her chocolate mousse!!

    (4)
  • Amikam R.

    We live in Seattle and come to Boston twice a year. We have been going to Aquitaine for both dinner and brunch for several years now. This Sunday, October 7, four of us had brunch there. The menu hasn't changed in quite some time and now seems a little pedestrian. But it is the surly service I would like to address. The wait staff seem to change from one visit to the next. No one came to ask us anything after plunking down the food. We had to practically beg for water and coffee refills. The latter was ungraciously splashed into the cups and over the table cover. No one said a word when we were leaving. I think we won't be going again to this overrated restaurant. There are so many great restaurants in Boston, why spend time and money on mediocre food and surly service?

    (2)
  • Whitney C.

    Went here for lunch on a Friday afternoon with my Mom and brother. The service was pretty good, except my brother was late so we ordered for him and that seemed to confuse them a little bit. The food was very good, a little bit salty, but all around pretty good. Nice spot if you are in the South End.

    (3)
  • x x.

    Very good burger. Expensive in general (12.95 for a burger and fries). Nice atmosphere.

    (3)
  • Rebecca Y.

    Everyone I know loves this place. A great meal everytime. I was most recently in for brunch and had a fanastic meal. I had the Omelette d'Alsace and it was superb.

    (5)
  • Jeffrey W.

    The Sunday brunch is excellent. I loved the food but the atmosphere was a little too yuppy for my taste. My friends think it's one of the best in Boston.

    (3)
  • Anna P.

    This is the best brunch place I've found! It has amazing eggs benedict and their pressed duck sandwich is really good as well. It's kind of formal - so it's great for nicer outings!

    (5)
  • Robert G.

    I went to Aquitaine last night with a few friends and we all agreed that this place is not worth all of the atttention and praise it has received. All of our dishes were mediocre. The duck and risotto special was anything but. the risotto was overcooked and mushy and the duck was just okay. the boursin and bacon burger was dry and without any distinct flavor. the vegetable frittes were forgettable. the only dish that stood out positively was the scallops. the appetizers fared better. the cheese plate contained at least one savory cheese and the mussels were served in a fantastic creamy broth. Service was Aquitaine's real strength. Our waiter was friendly and attentive without being obstrusive. The bartender was gregarious and attentive and mixed a good drink. Regarding layout, the bar is cramped and not suitable for a restauarnt of Aquitaine's size (especially for those with an hour wait). Lastly, the single, unisex rest room located directly outside the swinging kitchen doors is a mistake. They really need to figure out how to get another bathroom in this space. No one wants to leave their friends at the table to go stand on a line outside the kitchen for 5 to 10 minutes, right?? Overall, we wouldn't go back and spend that kind of money for a place past its prime. With so many choices in the South End, look beyond the well-coutured guests in the windows and find a place dedicated to food first, all else second. We passed up Addis Red Sea for this?

    (3)
  • Karen P.

    After reading literally nothing but glowing reviews of the place's brunch, I figured I had to try it. I was a little annoyed "training it" all the way from Somerville only to have to wait outside for 20 minutes after my reservation time, but I was appeased when I got a table in some warm afternoon sunlight streaming through the window. So ... I enjoyed the decor, but found the waitstaff to be attentive but a bit standoffish, which I tend to not like as I am a waitress myself and treat my tables like family (ah, just pickiness, i still left a ridiculous tip, like almost half the bill ... it's an industry thing). but i digress ... the mimosa was standard, and i would have never ordered it had my attention been directed to either the yummy-looking mimosa martini or the ruby red martini. how clever! also i think they should have prix fixe menu for sundays as well as saturdays, because my meal was the same price and coffee/juice/cinnamon bun were not included. i got the eggs benedict provencal with avocado, a vegetarian dish (regrettably one of the only things on the menu that didn't have meat). don't let the name fool you, there was one TINY slice of avocado on the whole plate. now the food itself was delicious and the egg was cooked PERFECTLY, but it just almost wasn't enough and i am not one of those eaters who gorges myself, either. hm. i found the cinnamon bun, at $3, to be a little pricey for something that tasted good but was rather tiny and a bit dry ... but the meal at $10 wasn't too bad. Coffee is good, about $2 and bottomless ... not much else to say. it was a fairly unremarkable experience for me, and even though i did enjoy it to some extent i doubt i will be back. i prefer heartier breakfast fare. anyway, worth a try but a bit too "fru fru" for my liking.

    (2)
  • Melissa B.

    One of the things I love about this restaurant is the cozy little bar in the corner. They stock a lot of fine liquors, some that you don't see often like the aged rum from Trinidad. Oooh, that's good stuff.

    (3)
  • Kiki B.

    $10 prix fixe saturday brunch served till 3, with sweet roll, fresh grapefruit juice, unlimited coffee, omelet, and potatoes. yesssss. non-prix-fixe stuff looks great too - will definitely be back.

    (4)
  • Jacqueline P.

    This is a romantic restaurant- great atmosphere that is cozy and artsy, excellent service, and absolutely delicious food that is well worth the hefty price tag!

    (5)
  • Shirley Y.

    i have never been here before for anything else other than a saturday brunch. this is the only place i know in the city that feeds me brunch food and cocktails on saturdays for a great price. the prix fixe fare is definitely the best deal: at $9.95, you can get juice/coffee, a melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon roll [and i'm not a huge pastry person] and three different styles of omelettes to choose from. plus, the hostess is the sweetest girl -- she will seat you relatively swiftly -- i never had to wait for more than 15 minutes. with the trendy atmosphere, it's hard to beat when catching up with friends on a saturday morning in the south end.

    (5)
  • Ruth P.

    Sooooo good. This place is expensive, but I think its well worth it. Last time I came here I ordered two appetizers instead of a main course because the appetizers just sounded so darn good. One was a salad with rare sesame tuna, and I'm blanking on the other item unfortunately... but it was a great meal. The waitstaff was very knowledgable and attentive without being overbearing. I would definetly like to come here again!

    (5)
  • Ankita d.

    mmmm those cinnamon rolls are GOOD! and that spicy mayo they put on their burgers...delish! the fruit in the fruit salad was also super fresh...i havent' had berries that good in a looooong time

    (4)
  • Scott B.

    definately would be a repeat customer here - they always seem to have something tastey to eat and a good selection of booze - great for a date or brunch on a sunday - dont try to find parking

    (5)
  • Marcell S.

    My boyfriend and I took our families here for brunch, at first I was a little nervous that the menu had a small selection but after tasting the food it's obvious that the menu is set small for a reason. The food was delicious. The eggs benedict is delicious!

    (4)
  • Laura O.

    I've only had brunch here but I keep coming back for that brunch. On Saturdays that have a prix-fixe brunch that is only $10 but tastes amazing and leaves you full and satisfied. Ive always found the wait staff friendly and attentive and the ambiance is cozy yet classy. Its a great place for a date, a group, or just to catch up with a friend. Highly recommended!

    (4)
  • So S.

    Beautiful high ceilings, great ambience and very nice wait staff. Oh, nothing beats the the $ 10 breakfast brunch. Bottomless coffee, fresh cinamon roll and a choice of some very good omeletes. I have only been here once, but I wil definitely go back and fill you in later on everything else. So far first impressions are very good.

    (4)
  • John W.

    i agree with Deepa C's "satisfied but not astounded" review of the brunch. the atmosphere is brilliant - it's easy to imagine you are dining in 1930s Paris. the food is good, but nothing amazing. the service, on the other hand, is a bit spotty. the waiters fall into two categories: oblivious or pushy.

    (3)
  • Julia C.

    Great Place, high celings, wooden moden decor, lovely bar and the menu....mmmmm. I had mussels for starters and a poached fish with herbs really good!

    (4)
  • Drew E.

    Just ate here with the girlfriend and had a fabulous experience. Sunday night, not crowded, we didn't have a reservation but were seated promptly by the host. Waiter was exceptional, attentive but not overbearing (when someone can fill my wine glass without me knowing, i'm impressed). Had a fantastic meal. Started with the goat cheese salad with hazelnut, perfectly balanced creamy goat cheese with crunchy tasty hazelnuts. Moved on to the main course, she had the steak au poive, which was overcooked slightly (we asked for medium rare, it came out medium) but was still tasty, cognac sauce was great, best thing on the plate may have been the potato side, whih was creamy goodness! I had the pan-seared chicken, which was perfectly seared with a crispy crust and succulent juicy meat on the inside. The au juice was slightly smoky and perfectly complimented the chicken. Both entrees were recommended by the chef. We finished with the bread pudding, which was delicious, though by that point we were stuffed and couldn't finish. Ambience is quaint, warm and on the romantic side. Staff was very pleasant all around and very obviously concerned with pleasing the patrons. Will return in heartbeat!

    (4)
  • Wendy H.

    Had dinner on a Saturday night. The food was outstanding. My Husband ordered the Steak Frites which was tender and delicious. I had the Lemon Sole Meuniere. The fish was moist, the sauce was savory and the potatoes and Snap peas provided a wonderful contrast in flavors and textures. We had the Chicken liver mouse which was tasty and not grainy at all, and the Cheese plate, which had a wonderful combo of cheeses. Desert was the Mouse and Profiteroles. Excellent. Service was friendly and efficient but not overbearing, all in all lovely evening. Can't wait to go again.

    (5)
  • Michael T.

    French/American Bistro done right, period. You want wine? Oh yeah, they got wine. You want the best darn steak and frittes in the city? Oh yeah, they got that too. You want that neighborhood, high ceiling, Parisian bistro, warm and fuzzy feeling? This is the place...did I mention the wine list? Dark, candlelight, and full of all the energy the South End has to offer. This place is great for dates or should I say, "rendezvous avec vous?" The brunch is really, really good too.

    (5)
  • Bretta L.

    I dined at Aquitaine for brunch. The service was pretty awful. We did not receive our drinks until after we had finished our meal. The restaurant had also run out of orange juice. Our waiter took our order and completely disappeared for the rest of our meal. The blinds in the restaurant were broken and we sat in direct sun for our entire meal which displeased us and other diners in the restaurant. The food was actually quite good, but without anything to wash it down with, it took away from the food. I would like to chalk up the experience to one bad waiter, so I am giving it three stars instead of two. The host staff was also not very friendly, however.

    (3)
  • Laurel B.

    The atmosphere is cozy and bistro-y, and the food was good. Well, my food was good. The mussels were delicious, though I thought the cream sauce was perhaps unnecessarily heavy (would have been just as good thinned out with less cream). I had the duck plat du jour, which was done expertly. I will say that my friends loved the frites, but I prefer Chez Papa's (and all the other french frites in San Francisco) (these were a bit thick cut and over oiled when frying for my taste). They had the steak frites, and I thought the sauce was over truffled (as in, by oil, not real truffles). But I think the bistro standards were generally very good, and if you choose well, you'll eat well. An overly French wine list, but there's the East Coast for you. (As a chef-owner of a restaurant in Manhattan told me, people on the East Coast can't wrap their minds around a concept other than "French is good." Which is true. But there' s more to life than that.)

    (4)
  • Hilary K.

    I went there for dine out Boston 2015. I ended up ordering off the regular menu bc so many other things looked so great. First off our waitress Stephanie was great. She came over just when we needed her and not too often. Made great recommendations. For dinner I had the duck breast which was amazing! The beet salad left a lot to be desired. The Rex Hill wine I had was perfect and recommended by Stephanie. And finally the creme brûlée for dessert was delicious. Maybe a little too big but I ate it all and regretted nothing. :-) I'll be going back soon.

    (5)
  • Lada L.

    Solid restaurant. Good atmosphere. Attentive staff. Food was well prepared. Nice presentation and great flavors. The cold soup with leeks and cauliflower was delicious. Unlike anything I had before. Only downside was that they only had one unisex restroom.

    (4)
  • Ojus P.

    Came for restaurant week, everything was solid but nothing I'd go back for. Total for 4 people with a carafe of wine and 1 cocktail was $200 so quite pricey. Heirloom tomato and sole were the highlights. Also tried the Cauliflower soup, trout, Cobb salad and a few of the dessert.

    (3)
  • Anthony P.

    Dined alone at the bar which was empty and the bartender could not be bothered to say " hi how are you tonight?" She was extremely unfriendly and acted as if I was bothering her. I am in marketing and also bartend and cannot imagine being so rude to customers. I was so uncomfortable that I could not wait to eat and leave. The wine and bread were good , entree below average. Like many of the other reviews state this place needs some serious customer service training for their employees. No need to go back when we have the fabulous Mistral for French food and they treat each and every customer with respect.

    (1)
  • Diane H.

    I had absolutely no clue I've been here for dinner before, so that must mean dinner wasn't that impressive. Just had brunch here today and the boyfriend very much enjoyed his strong coffee which I never hear from him. My duck confit sandwich was sooo delicious so I must go back and get that. I ordered the salmon Benedict for the boyfriend and that was just okay. Nothing special. The potatoes were eh, just cooked but not fried. I also had a Bellini and the Cannes cooler which were both good but can be stronger- but then it would make me wince the whole breakfast wouldn't it ? Service was good besides the snooty host. All in all this is a good place to have brunch and just to catch up. We had a reservation at 1230 Sunday and were seated right away.

    (4)
  • Johnny A.

    I went here the other day with a bunch of people from the office. They sat us right down at a large table, where everything (including ice water) was already set up for us. I got the truffle cheese burger, and I have to say it was one of the best burgers I have had like that in a long time. The sauce that comes on it was so good, the chef really knows what they're doing. The fries that come with the meal are also some of the best around. The place is a little pricy, but the food was well worth it. This is a fantastic date spot to bring your honey, or a casual meet up for lunch or drinks after work. Good work.

    (4)
  • Christina P.

    I've heard great things about Aquitaine so I came here with really high expectations. Maybe it was due to RW but everything I had really fell short of what I had anticipated. I went on a Saturday evening w/o a reservation, which would have been an hour wait but I opted to sit at the bar that offers a full menu. I had a fruity cocktail that I don't recall the name of and then ordered the rest of my meal off the RW menu. Appetizer - Cremont Goat Cheese Tartine. This was okay, the goat cheese was delicious but the frisee salad was too acidic and the pears were too bland. You'd expect all the flavors to balance when you ate it all together but the acidity from the dressing overpowered the rest of the dish. Entree - Daube Nicoise. This was a solid dish all around. The short ribs fell apart with a touch and the olive-tomato sauce was really good. Came on a bed of "pommes puree robuchon" which is essentially mashed potatoes. Good enough to convince the lady dining next to me to get it too. Dessert - Genoise Chocolate Roulade. Bad. I don't even know.. it was like eating plastic chocolate and the texture and taste were incredibly unappealing. Super disappointing. The food was 3 stars at best. The bartender was a sweetheart though, so that's worth another star. She definitely made my night better. Would recommend not going during RW; every other time seems to be when everyone raves about this place.

    (4)
  • Iris S.

    I came here with my family for Sunday brunch, and enjoyed the food but wasn't blown away by anything. Among three of us, we ordered the salmon eggs benedict, kale and leek gratin, and duck hash and eggs. The salmon eggs benedict was solid, the duck hash and eggs was enjoyable, although the has could have been crispier, and the kale and leek gratin slightly disappointing as it consisted mostly of potatoes than anything else. Overall, the prices are reasonable and food was solid, but I wasn't amazed by anything and the service was a bit slow.

    (3)
  • Raina B.

    Came here for RW last week and overall, everything was a hit or miss. I'm completely vegetarian, and I knew there was no entree on the RW menu that was vegetarian, but when I called to see if they'd be willing to do something, the person on the phone assured me that they would make me something. Food: App: Goat cheese tartine - delicious. Entree: I was told that I couldn't substitute with anything off the non-RW menu - meaning I couldn't choose any other vegetarian entree, which is fine - but then told that my only option was the duck confit - without the duck. What I received was a skillet of fava beans, a few green beans, and some bread crumbs. Meh. My friend had the steak - she said it was pretty good. Dessert: Almond financier - pretty good good. The cake was sweet with a little bit of spice and drizzled with honey and fruit. I tried my friend's lime sorbet - pretty good - came with this lime jello-y thing which was interesting. Service: Very slow. We had been there for over an hour before we actually got our food. Overall - meh. The person on the phone was super reassuring that they would make me something - and I've been to French restaurants for RW before and had really good vegetarian food - but if I knew it was going to be a skillet of beans, I would've passed on a $40 dinner.

    (2)
  • Nadine L.

    Great brunch place. We usually get the $11.99 prefix, which includes a (new recipe) delicious cinnamon bun, a choice of omelets or crepes, bottomless coffee and a glass of juice of your choice! Staff is very nice, brunch times can be a little louder but still good for a romantic spot. I'm a regular at this place :)

    (5)
  • Jae P.

    Very friendly staff, good atmosphere. Good food. The most impressive time was when I was pregnant (last year), and I craved A1 sauce. The manager went outside to buy the sauce and served me. I don't know how many restaurants would do that. Thank you.

    (5)
  • Gordon M.

    There were four in my party -- three French and me the American. Two of us had steak frites, one had fish and one had something else. No one was excited about their meal at the end. We all realized that there was a better French restaurant over on Newbury Street that would be our default restaurant from now on. The wait staff was professional but not particularly friendly. A little stiff. The worst part of the restaurant physically was the gaping hole my in the booth seat that my husband and I shared. The hole was so big, It could have held two or three baseballs. For some details. I think for what is offered the restaurant is over-priced. This is particularly true of the wine list. We paid $79 or $89 for a "meh" bottle of wine. If we had gone to the Newbury Street restaurant, we could have got a bottle of premier cru Burgogne wine (pinot noir) for $69 dollars. The Sarazin bottle of pinot noir I am referring to has a bouquet that just about jumps out of the bottle and effortlessly caresses your olfactory system in a manner akin to your mother singing you a lullaby when you were a kid. The wines at Aquitaine aren't of this caliber. Oh, and they were out of our first two choices of wine from their hard-to-read wine list. They need a different font for their dark restaurant. As far as my steak, it came senior citizen style. That is it was steak on a plate but it was already cut for me. Presumably, this is done to ensure that the whole steak comes out rare, or medium rare or medium from the kitchen. I find it un-professional. My inner Neanderthal loves cutting my own steak. Can't their cooks use a thermometer?

    (2)
  • Floris L.

    Been here for both brunch and dinner. It's really good, the wine list is a huge plus. Highly recommend the Friday Scollops and brunch cinnamon bun.

    (4)
  • Andrea D.

    Great food, a bit expensive and you neeeeed to make reservations- and very classy atmosphere. A good place to recover and chat with friends in the wake of Halloween. Our server wasn't very friendly, but our food was served hot and we got everything we ordered - so not much to complain about there. The truffle bacon burger (I got it without truffle mayo) was delicious and the coffee was actually pretty excellent for bottomless brewed. There's a brunch special menu for $9.99 on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-11am that would have been a better deal but we couldn't get there that early.

    (4)
  • Christine H.

    I came on a Thursday night for restaurant week and it was an amazing experience. My friend and I were sat in the corner booth and were offered these amazing Gruyere cheese cream puffs prior to our bread and butter coming out. The waiter saw that we liked them so much he brought us more with our meal. My friend got the Pate, Duck Cassoulet and Tart. I had the Goat cheese spread, Arctic Char and Chocolate Roulade cake with coffee caramel. Everything was so delicious and beautifully played. The Pate was delicious and the portion was large. The goat cheese spread was rich and paired very well with the sweet poached pear and frisée salad. The Arctic Char was seared and the crispy skin was the best part. I had the perfect bite with every element on the dish on the tip of my fork. The duck was delicious and extremely filling, the crispy bread crumb topping was a great contrast to the creamy beans underneath. The almond tart was a bit chewy, we had to take a knife to it in order to eat it and even then it was tough to break the bottom apart. Perhaps it was the almond flour used, but the flavor was definitively there. The chocolate roulade however was amazing. It was decadently sweet with a rich caramel coffee in the middle. The light and airy dollop of creme fraiche on top helped to cut the richness of the cake. Overall it was a great experience and I look forward to the next time I return soon!

    (5)
  • Sue G.

    Food was no better than my local diner... But the French name makes it seem fancier and tastier than it is. We had omelet and French toast. With that said, their brunch prix fixe is of good value if you want one of four entrees offered. If you want something other than what's offered there, you must order a la carte. Server was very friendly, but slow. He was serving many tables.

    (3)
  • Mary C.

    Acquitaine is a cute restaurant in the South End. I'm sure their dinner is great too, but the brunch experience I had was truly impeccable. I called to make a reservation and was seated immediately. The hostess patiently waited for us to settle down before handing us the menus. They offer a variety of juices and coffees/teas as part of a pre-fixe menu that makes the brunch very affordable. My group ordered a French Onion Soup, the Croque Madame, Malted Belgian Waffle, and the Omlette Alscienne. Everything tasted delicious, especially the side of chips that they homemake, but you can't really mess up brunch food. The highlight of the meal was our waiter, Zac (I believe), who was super patient and friendly the whole time. I will definitely come back to try their dinner menu.

    (4)
  • Danae K.

    Very good! Delicious brunch! Their menu has many options to satisfy every appetite. We tried the Croque Magret (Duck confit with house made potato chips) and the Salmon Benedict (Smoked Salmon, Hollandaise and Lyonnaise Potatoes.) The quality of the food is truly amazing as Aquitaine seems to use excellent quality produce. What I loved was their Glazed Cinnamon Buns as they are truly unique here. Also, they use Pure Vermont Maple Syrup. So what didn't I like? It's way too crowded :( Tables are uncomfortably close to each other with about 8inches apart. It's very hard to squeeze from the inside table seat to the outside. Also, because it's so packed, it feels like a hurried brunch. Not so great. Transportation: on Tremont st. Lot's of buses and a 15 min walk from Back Bay station (orange line)

    (3)
  • Neechi M.

    Summary: I wish I could give it 3.5 stars because I did like it but not enough to give it 4 or 5 stars though it does deserve more than 3 stars (I would consider 3 stars to be average and it was certainly above that). I came with high expectations mostly because of our multiple experiences at the French restaurant Gaslight (same owners) that is not too far away. Overall, food was good but portions were small for what we were paying and the service was slower than it should have been considering the restaurant was about 30-40% full. What We Ordered: We came for brunch and had the Duck Hash and Eggs, Brioche French Toast, and Pommes Frites to start. I cannot recall the drinks we had (the menu had recently changed apparently when we were there a few weeks ago and it does not look like the menu online has been updated) but one was like a Mojito with Pomegranate and the other was their version of a Bloody Mary. Liked: The waitress was very friendly and helpful with descriptions. The food was delicious. The fries were excellent as was the gravy thing it came with. The duck hash was flavorful and tender and the french toast was perfect. Not Liked: Food took long to come out considering the restaurant was not very busy (perhaps -hopefully- they have more staff at peak times). Portions were quite small, particularly the $7 Pommes Frites (think Small Fries McDonalds order). Drinks did not seem particularly strong. Maybe we'll manage to stop in for a different meal and have a better impression but until then, I would skip Aquitaine and head to Gaslight where there is similar but better food with larger portions and seemingly quicker service.

    (3)
  • Sarah M.

    Its always a pleasure coming to Aquitaine. I usually recommend this place for its incredible weekend brunch deal that includes bottomless coffee, juice, a cinnamon bun, and omelette entree for only $11.95. The portions are very generous and the omelettes so flavorful. For a 1 pm Saturday reservation, the restaurant was fairly empty. We got our food seemingly less than 10 minutes. The omelettes were cooked perfectly (I'm picky about my eggs, so that's saying a lot), the roasted potatoes robustly seasoned, and the freshly made cinnamon bun--wow I could eat it all day! Service: The waitstaff are friendly and knowledgeable. Our waitress checked on us several times and refilled our waters and coffee. Seating: I would highly recommend calling in earlier for a reservation. This is not a large restaurant and during their busy hours, the wait-time can be long. Parking: Street parking (if you can find any). We walked from Park Street T station. Its a mere 1 mile walk along Tremont Street.

    (5)
  • L F.

    Last weekend I had a stupendous brunch at Aquitaine! If you are looking for a nice, conveniently located, inexpensive spot for brunch, go to Aquitaine. Their prix fixe menu offers a cinamon bun, coffee, juice and an entree for $11.95! I honestly haven't had a nicer brunch at that price point anywhere else in the city. The ambiance is classy (which adds to its value). Our server was attentive, although a bit confused with our questions regarding menu ingredients. I am looking forward to visiting again soon!

    (4)
  • Catherine H.

    I had a lot of fun here. The ambiance is chill and the giant booth seating is really conducive to a relaxing brunch and good conversation. I really struggled with the number of stars. I really wish I could give 3.5 - but alas yelp does not cater to my whims. The reason for the three rather than four stars is mostly the result of the steel cut Irish oatmeal. It sounded so amazingly delicious, but alas it was not. I love oatmeal. It is one of my favorite foods ever. And I love crème brûlée - but this oatmeal was seriously lacking. Not very delicious at all. Luckily that was just the snack I got along with my brunch and not the only item I ordered. I also ordered the Alsacienne omelette. It was good, however, this is the type of restaurant that does not cook omelette ingredients within the egg mixture. I know a lot of higher end places and hotels make omelettes like this, but I just can't get behind it. The potatoes were really good and the toast was just toast. Service was tip top, the food just wasn't quite my style. Atmosphere is nice. Wait was a bit long, even though we had reservations. Ultimately everyone had a fun morning.

    (3)
  • Amanda R.

    Review for brunch only which I am consistently underwhelmed by. I've been here for brunch roughly 5 times now. Usually the portions are incredibly small and if not small, I've never had an enjoyable meal here. The French toast is deep fried bread - gross. They have a couple of egg bakes which are 90% cream - also gross. The service is usually slow and I've never had particularly good service here. The decor is also fairly dated and ugly. The only redeeming quality of Aquitaine is that the front of the house manager is incredibly friendly and fun. Otherwise I wouldn't recommend going here for brunch at all.

    (2)
  • Milena P.

    I organized a dinner with friends here, 6 of us total, and made a reservation for 8:30. We showed up right on time and the host told us the folks at our table were wrapping up their meal and it should only be a few minutes. We ended up waiting 45 minutes, with the host telling us that they were signing their checks. I'm not sure most people would take 45 minutes to pay and leave, and he said that the party at that table had been eating since 5:30. I was not happy about having to wait for so long when I had a reservation, but what really upset me was that he made no offer to get us drinks or apps on the house while we waited. He did get me a drink, but only after I asked. That should've been his first offer. Our waitress was nice, but she clearly forgot my side dish. She fired it after we were all eating our entrees and it took a while to come, so I was eating my side after my friends were done eating, and after I had eaten most of my entree. She comped it but still, I just felt like it was flub after flub after flub dining here. I asked to speak with the manager but he had left for the night. What a disappointment!

    (2)
  • Damien S.

    Brunch, the other breakfast. As a walk-in party of two, we were surprisingly sat immediately along the brass and mirrored dining area. South End locals dotted the bar and bay window, unabashedly kibitzing, sipping and nibbling (in that order). I'd heard of the lauded Prix Fixe menu (all day Saturday, 10-11a Sunday) and dove in headlong: a starter cinnamon bun, orange juice, coffee and an Omelette Piperade (ample ham, tomato and peppers). Expected only the egg creation, but lo - home fries and toast sided the tri-ova beast. How is this cornucopia of comestibles under $10? Get on it. Service could only be called "delayed" - we found ourselves waiting for everything from a welcome, to beverages to entrees 5-10 minutes longer than was necessary in a small, well-staffed environment. Wasn't obnoxious, but definitely noticeable. A return is definite. It'll be hard to cheat on that winning prix fixe, but the duck hash and eggs is calling my name. Quacking. Quacking my name.

    (4)
  • Skyler J.

    Have to give two stars as the service the last few times we have sat in at Aquataine has been terrible...slow, non responsive, unapologetically so...we eat food from here on take out frequently and it is usually completely unpredictable, though I can predict there will be something prepared badly, either soggy fries, weird over cooked fries, etcetera though we do keep coming back for the basil aioli which we love. All in all, sadly, Aquataine should not be top of anyone's list visiting boston, that's for sure.

    (2)
  • Jen P.

    I ate so much great food that I rolled home and suffered all night. Lol! The lobster bisque was sublime. I now dream about it. I've officially graduated to adulthood with this visit also. The escargot was good enough for me, the pickiest person on earth, to eat four! Noteworthy: they are incredibly rich and filling. I had no idea. Simply put, the place lived up to its reputation I was thrilled to find.

    (5)
  • Jia Ying C.

    It was my first time visiting. My friend and I went for breakfast; we ordered food from the ala carte menu. The truffled bacon burger is pretty good although I still find it a little too greasy, egg Benedict's is also decent. It is definitely a nice place for a relaxing breakfast on a weekend; I really appreciated the service and the environment!

    (3)
  • Jennifer V.

    I remember coming here for restaurant week and I was hoping that the experience would be similar to the wonderful time I had if I took my mother here for a mother's day dinner. I was severely disappointed. It was unbearably hot in the restaurant. I understand it's dinner and the weather is nice but it was a humid 80-some degrees outside and you could feel it in the restaurant. Not something I was expecting but I'll let that slide. Slow service to start Nothing was in the kitchen (no pasta, entree of the day wasnt available and changed to something else, running out if vegetables for sides). I wish our waiter would've told us all the disappointments in one go instead of us finding out by guessing Ran out of some desserts all of this and our reservation was at 7:30. Which I would think would be the time when the kitchen had the most ingredients. Our waiter was very apologetic and even comped our desserts and gave us an order of their sorbet trio which was delicious. Overall not my best experience there, food and service could be better but not bad. I've had better experiences there before. I'll wait a little bit before going back again.

    (2)
  • MacKenzie D.

    SO good!! I love this place, you can never go wrong with any of the food options... but the chilled calamari is honestly one of the best things I have ever eaten... I mean it is seriously amazing. It is almost like a greek salad (with kalamata olives, feta...) but instead of lettuce you have chilled calamari. I could have eaten six plates if I wouldn't have been judged for doing so ha. I have had the escargot, this was actually the first time I had ever tried it escargot, and I was nervous... but oh myyyyyy it was melt in your mouth amazing. seriously so good. The aquitaine salad has a farm poached egg over top (i am drooling even thinking about it) and the green beans are perfectly dressed and delicious. The mussels are in a creamy broth that I couldn't help but order another side of bread so I could do some dipping, I would have drank that stuff.... Lobster bisque and the french onion... both AMAZING. The food here is just phenomenal. A must try. The service is absolutely awesome as well... they are all incredibly professional and very helpful! GO HERE!

    (5)
  • Kim B.

    Since I came here the first time and started a draft of this review, I have now come here a second time. That says something, right? The first time, I came with fellow yelper cray cray rai rai. We wanted a good brunch place, and after searching on Yelp, we really wanted to try here. We made a reservation ahead of time, which thankfully we did because it was packed. I think no matter when you go, you need a reservation. Once Raisa got here, we were seated immediately. Our server was friendly, and somewhat attentive. I think it was just overwhelmingly busy in general. Being the child I am, I asked for Chocolate Milk, which they do not have .She came out and gave me milk, with hot chocolate stirred in. It was utterly disgusting. Thankfully, she realized this and didn't charge me. Note to self, don't try this at home. I got the Brioche French Toast, and it was to die for. It was so sugary, savory, and sweet. The bread was also delicious. Everything about it was spot on. I forget what Raisa got, but it came with a cinnamon bun. I wasn't as impressed with the bun as I thought I would be, but overall I think she had a great meal too. The second time I came, I was in a group of 10. 6 of us were there, and we were waiting for 4 more. The waitress said our table was set, and waiting for us, but literally would not sit us until our whole party was here. Even though we told her that they would be 20 minutes late, they still wouldn't seat us, as we were staring at our table right in front of us. It was really odd, and I don't think I have ever had that happen to us (especially when more than half of us were there). We ended up blocking the entire doorway/entryway, and seemed to be causing a lot of problems by taking up space. It came off as rude and started all of us out on a wrong foot. We all go mimosas, which were fantastic, duh. This time, because it was 2:00, (or 2:45 by the time we sat), I got the mac and cheese. It had great flavor, but could have used quadruple the amount of cheese. It tasted like their was almost nothing on it, and if anything, it was all on the bottom of the pan. As far as mac and cheese's go, it was fair, probably a 6 out of 10, but just lacking the main ingredient. I enjoyed it for the brunch more so than the lunch, but want to come back and try dinner!

    (4)
  • Robyn B.

    The prix fixe brunch is a great deal. The cinnamon buns and the salmon benedict are my favorite.

    (5)
  • Hk M.

    Came for lunch/brunch amazing food and service- luke was great! had the french onion soup which was absolutely delicious. The portions and quality of food are excellent for the price as well.

    (5)
  • Celin W.

    I've only been here once, but was impressed by the affordability of the brunch and quality of the salmon eggs benedict! Seating was slightly cramped but understandably so since it was a Saturday afternoon. Service was also good despite the crowd.

    (4)
  • Craig S.

    The owner of the restaurant contacted me based on my previous review. I really appreciate when owners and managers rake the time to respond to bad or good experiences. I was graciously offered an opportunity to return and given a stipend for my troubles. This time it was much better the server Jon was exceptional, attentive , informative, and efficient. The wine he recommended was really good we had 4 glasses. Unfortunately 3 good apps and one meh sole entree and 4 glasses of wine was over $140. even with the complementary stipend this was an expensive outing for what we got. 2 more stars for management and service but the price differential is just too wide for what we got,

    (3)
  • Stephanie T.

    I've been here only for brunch, but have come several times. The pre-fixe menu with the cinnamon buns is the best choice here. Its a great value and the food is pretty good. The service leaves a little to be desired and the waits can be pretty long, even with a reservation.

    (3)
  • Tucker H.

    Went her back in April and really enjoyed the experience! The wine list was super well balanced and offered lots of pairing options with food items. Obviously a well orchestrated operation here. Server was very knowledgeable and was very helpful! The food itself was excellent. The menu changes with the seasons which is awesome, offering fresh local produce to use while building dishes. Highly recommend

    (5)
  • Amber E.

    Lovely little French restaurant, right on Tremont. We sat in the little bar area, and one of us had lunch; the rest just drinks. Nice ambiance, and the bellinis were very good - not too sweet. Can't really speak to the food, although the brunch menu was reasonably priced, and the truffle fries were tasty (hard to go wrong with those).

    (4)
  • Jenny S.

    Weekend brunch pre fixe is SUCH is an INSANELY GOOD DEAL! $10 gets you a glass of fresh juice, bottomless coffee, a DELICIOUS flaky cinnamon bun, and an egg dish that comes with potatoes AND whole grain toast! the Omelets aren't amazing but again the price is right! ---omelet al sacienne: kind of bland. The Boursin would've been better as a cheese ---omelet de la Maison: much tastier due to the saltiness of the gruyere & bacon Fresh cracked pepper over your meal & Bonne Maman fruit preserves + Cabot butter to spread over your toast the restaurant is very relaxing & a great place to catch up over brunch! one question... can I take some cinnamon buns TO GO? haha

    (3)
  • Gaye B.

    The hubby and I were in Boston for a week long conference and stayed in the South End near this lovely restaurant. Went for brunch on Sunday and they exceeded my litmus test for French restaurants - the foie gras was not only perfectly cooked, but creatively served over roasted grapes. Really luscious! Hubby is a fan of corned beef hash so he had the duck hash (because, honestly, anything with duck confit has GOT to be the best ever, right?) The meal was so good we returned on Friday with friends to try the dinner menu. Between the four of us we had foie gras again, escargot - hubby pronounced them the best he's had outside of Paris, and the warm chèvre salad. This was the only low point of the evening for me as I prefer the cheese to be a small disk coated in crumbs and then sautéed in butter and theirs has no coating. Otherwise they were lovely appetizers. For our entrees, the moules frites was outstanding - best french fries ever!, the sea bass was delectable, the short ribs seemed to be a hit, and the Berkshire pork chop got raves all around. Hurray for the chef. Service also was warm and friend with those little touches of class I so appreciate, like having my napkin folded for me when I stepped away from the table. All in all, it is a friendly neighborhood restaurant with classy service and food good enough that I wish I could move them near me. I would be there at least once a week.

    (5)
  • Joseph F.

    Brunch Review: We were drawn in by their 9.99 deal, which is incredibly cheap. In the end, it was definitely worth it. A solid brunch experience. If you are in the mood for an egg dish or simple omlette, this is definitely the way to go. You are started off with a cinnamon roll. It definitely has a French influence, as it is all butter with a very flaky crust. It was very satisfying. Ordered a Bloody Mary, even though it was not included. It was nice and spicy, and came in a pint glass! For my entrée I had their house omlette. It was flavorful, cheese was nicely melted and it was a good size too. The potatoes they were served were delicious. Loved the thyme, rosemary etc that they seasoned them with. Service was good the entire time. The atmosphere was typical brunch - nice and lively. Great place to go with a group as well.

    (4)
  • Mel K.

    came here for brunch and had the pre-fix (only $10 or something). food was really simple, delicious. will definitely have to come back to try dinner/lunch.

    (5)
  • Anne N.

    Great prix fixe brunch menu, but plan ahead and make reservations. The place was packed on the Sunday AM we went. The only real downside was how anxious they were to turn over our table before we were ready to leave.

    (4)
  • Nahid L.

    Great food and great prices. Before we went here for brunch on Saturday, I saw the $$$ on yelp and thought this must be an expensive place. We were meeting a friend in town and she recommended this restaurant so we got a chance to try it. An omelette is $8 and if u get it Prix Fix for $9.5 it will come with juice, bread, and cinnamon roll which is a great deal. I got the mushroom and leek omelette. It was great. I'm not a big fan of cinnamon roll but their roll was sooo fresh that I didn't leave any of it. Definitely a great value considering the quality and the price. The service was pretty good too.

    (5)
  • Michael R.

    We will never go back. We arrived early for our New Years Eve. dinner reservation but were seated at a nice table in the back. Very close to all the other tables but we know that to be true about Aquitaine so no bother. Then came the wine. Wrong bottle. Yes we should have checked the label more closely but upon taste of it the bottle was not the right bottle. So it took a while to change the bottle. The one we ordered was 105.00. The meal and the service was good. We noticed that right around desert time the waitress and the management we getting little edgy. It appeared that they thought we were staying too long (I had told the waitress that we were in no hurry) At any rate the long and the short of it is that 1 1/2 hours into our meal..while we were finishing the bottle of wine ($150.00) we were asked by management to move to another table because there was another party waiting. "I will buy you desert if you agree to move." Desert really? When pressed management kept saying they were sorry and noticed that my husband and I were really angry at having been asked to uproot ourselves for another party. They finally wrote off the check but not before they got the other party involved in the discussion about how long we had been sitting at the table. They also gave us a 100.00 gift certificate. I returned it on my out and told them we would never return. It was New Years Eve. It was a special night for us and I will not go into it here. Sadly one star just because it is the new year and maybe they did something right.

    (1)
  • Jaclyn S.

    Great vibe when you walk in and wonderful service. Valet parking. Coat check. Small intimate place. As for the food, they claimed to have the best French onion soup in Boston and were 100% correct. Served fresh bread and butter. I had the gnocchi which was phenomenal and my boyfriend ordered the pork tenderloin and was in love with his dish. He even said he "loved" the kale and parsnip. The food was fresh and clean and the flavors all blended well together. $30pp entrees. Wine ranges from $40/bottle+. The service was friendly and didn't hover. There is a small bar in the front of house that you can easily sit at and enjoy a meal or desert. The menu is well rounded. We went for valentine's day and couldn't have had a better, more intimate setting, meal! I would definitely recommend this place.

    (5)
  • S M.

    Hard to argue with a $10 price fixe brunch for an omelet, potatoes, toast, small cinnamon bun, coffee and juice. Food was good, but not great. The cinnamon bun certainly could have been warmed as it seemed like it had been sitting out for a while. Service was excellent.

    (4)
  • Paloma M.

    I went there the other day for brunch because the reviews here were so good that I wanted to try it! I had a reservation and they gave us a table right away, no waiting whatsoever! The place is beautiful and service impeccable! I had eggs benedict with spinach, delicious!! Really really good! My husband had the regular version and said it was also very good! Can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Rudi W.

    After the most egregious lack of professionalism from Grotto, I was HELL bent on not allowing Scott Harritt's surly lying staff to ruin yet another special occasion. We called and told. Jeremy, the GM at Aquitaine of our late dilemma, (please read review from hell of Grottto) We arrived and were treated like ..well thoughtful customers prepared to spend, enjoy, tip, a quality restaurant for honoring their word. After telling Jeremy I was looking for a peaceful! private table (not in the bathroom or at a kitchen entrance), we were seated at the front bay window in a gorgeous private booth. The most delightful energetic women, Cossete, came to take our order. First she came out with some special warmed breads to start and out of the gate began to describe the amazing drink selections made with in-house concoctions of infusions and syrups. The way she praised her fellow staff was a blessing. You could tell she appreciated the place from the ground up. At most places I am AFRAID to let them know of my medically necessary restrictions after being abused at the "front". I don't want to be made ill from the "back" of a restaurant. So after knowing they "will" go out of their way to accommodate and take this seriously, we ordered. Having been frazzled I did not choose as wisely as I should have, I.e. Escargot. A known brine, but it's FRENCH! My husbands liver pate was less salty but if not for my sodium restrictions, they were classic. I ordered a Steak au poivre, it was still salty and the sauce was not made to order.. Low salt. I know it could have been on the side, but as a chef, I know IF they had un-salted stock, a simple reduction or wine sauce could have been made. I could not eat the potatoes au gratin on the side because even the gruyere cheese was not salted enough! the potatoes themselves made my mouth sting, salted to death. Then a 'shared' kale was super salted, and when I sent it back it came out as a steamed dish with no effort. Cossette,m truly wanted to re-plate with sauce on the side, but I was sorry my choice was don't eat it, have it steamed, or no flavor....where is lemon? What about sauté herbs, garlic, reduction...salt is not the only choice in a kitchen. I hope I don't get a bland steamed or broiled mess when I call ahead next time. My husband had short ribs and since sodium is no issue, his plate was perfect and came with seasonal vegetables. The wine selection Cosset made for me was wonderful, but I was really suffering with the salt. She came out with our desert complete with a candle and sweet presentation for my husbands birthday. His infusion drink, the house creation was amazing, and he orders all non alcoholic. They promise that calling in advance would give the chefs an opportunity to prepare a low sodium meal. I hope that's true, because the service was flawless, the atmosphere wonderful, but I don't want to have everything I order that is edible put on the side instead of made for me, or a steamed veggie I could make at home. We tipped extremely well, that was for the service. I hope the chef can do better next time Due to the kindness, the service, and promise of advance special restriction awareness I will give them a chance to do it just right.

    (4)
  • Thomas L.

    This is one of the best French restaurants in Boston, on the more affordable side. I recommend the raclette appetizer and the cocktails. I advise against the creme brulée, they use a slight variation which is too sweet.

    (4)
  • Alexandra M.

    Great food, great drinks, great service, great decor....love it. We came for brunch and I had the Benedict Provencal which was fantastic. Everything was perfectly cooked and perfectly proportioned. For drinks I had a Mimosa which had extra champagne which made it even better than it usually is! I also had a Printemps which was the prefect mix of cucumber, lime and mint. Service forgot someones coffee but was so apologetic that it didn't matter they had to wait another 5 minutes. Before that she even gave someone ice coffee with their prix fixe menu even though it should only come with regular coffee. Very ontop of everything else. Decor was very welcoming and French feeling--fitting to the menu. There were interesting pictures on the wall which were great talking points too.

    (5)
  • Bryan J.

    Best Brunch in Boston, with the most helpful and friendly staff. After a horrendous 'brunch' experience down the street at the poop-show called Masa (during which we literally sat there for an hour with zero service and then understandably left), we strolled in here. The lovely hostess and waitress up front could tell we were irritated---so we told them why---and then they proceeded to treat us like royalty. In other words, the customer service at Aquitaine is so excellent that they even make up for other horrible restaurants' mistakes. They weren't even catty or competitive about it; they simply wanted to make us really, really happy at their place...and they SO did! We're pretty sure they even rushed our orders and drinks out; i.e. they took into account customers' temperaments and accommodated. Awesome. The food is delicious. Specifically, we ordered the mushroom, leek, and boursin omelet; benedict provencal (a veggie eggs benedict); cinnamon buns; and a drink called printemps, a YUMMY concoction of cucumber- and lime-infused vodka, mint, lime juice, and more. Just to make sure these were as good as we thought, we kept ordering and ordering and ordering them. It's SO relaxing inside and not wannabe pretentious at all. After we were happily full and were on our nineteenth printemps cocktail, the awesome waitress and hostess even came to sit with us for a few minutes to give us their fantastic neighborhood suggestions so that we would fall in love with the 'hood just as much as we had with their restaurant and so that we wouldn't have any more awful dining experiences...the last of which we know will never happen at Aquitaine.

    (5)
  • Patti W.

    First, let me start off by saying that I've only been here for brunch. That being said, it was a great experience, and I look forward to eating at Aquitaine again! My friend had recommended a dish that wasn't necessarily my favorite, but their brunch menu had many other amazing choices. I'm excited to go back and try their dinner menu. Definitely worth a visit if in the South End.

    (4)
  • Jennie C.

    You really can't beat the $10 brunch which includes coffee, omelet, juice & cinnamon bun. Yes the bun was small and the dough tasted store-bought, but the rest of the meal was good. I had the alsacienne omelet, which had a good amount of mushroom, leek and boursin cheese. The omelet was a little bit overcooked for my taste but otherwise perfectly enjoyable. The potatoes were well-caramelized and very flavorful, if a tad greasy. Service was very attentive, my coffee cup was always full and I didn't have to wait long for the food or check. Love the effortlessly chic French interior too.

    (4)
  • Ash T.

    Back for brunch, and still just as amazing. At 10:30, I made a reservation for 12:30, and we were seated right away when we arrived. (Note the reservation was definitely a good move, as there was quite the crowd waiting around outside). Now I'm normally not a brunch person. In fact, brunch as a concept pisses me off as it has become a drunken carnival in many cities. Also, I'm not a huge fan of most brunch style food as it seems more like dessert than an actual meal. French toast, I'm looking at you. But alas, I am on vacation, so brunch seemed like a thing to do. I settled on Le Cite omelette, which had Niman Ranch ham and mornay sauce, because I felt like I deserved the protein. It was very likely the best omelette I ever had. The breakfast potatoes were also the best I ever had. Breakfast potatoes usually disappoint. They are usually too greasy and either undercooked or burned. The potatoes here were just right. Heck even the plain wheat toast that came with the meal was really good. Usually I don't bother with the requisite toast that comes on the side of every brunch dish, but Aquitaine found a way to make it more than a garnish. So still five stars and still one of the best places I've eaten at in Boston.

    (5)
  • Mindy T.

    This is a great choice for brunch. I made a reservation for Sunday at 11:30 and the place was packed. We were seated after a few minutes of waiting.. which gave us enough time to order drinks at the bar. The bartender was friendly and made good drink recommendations for us. The bloody mary mix here is delicious. I had the Pressed Duck Confit and Gruyère Sandwiche and my friend had Steak & Eggs. My sandwich had the perfect filling to bread ratio and my friend's steak was cooked to her liking. We also ordered a side of french toast because we wanted something sweet. It came with one piece, which was perfect! Also the basil garlic dipping sauce or whatever it is for the french fries is sooooo good.

    (4)
  • Deborah J.

    Great place for brunch I ate the French toast with bacon, it was yummy The only thing I didn't like was that they didn't give complementary bread. The waitress was ok

    (4)
  • Ashley P.

    Came in here after work one night for a much needed drink. I ordered a daily drink special - Kafir lime and fig mojito - quite possibly the most amazing drink I ever had. I one or two small plates while sitting at the intimate bar and chatting with the bartender. It was a great experience for a restaurant I previously thought might be a bit too stuffy for me. I will have to head back soon to try a full meal here.

    (4)
  • Beth M.

    Finally got here for brunch after meaning to for ages! So great! We arrived at prime brunch hour (11:30ish) and were told it could be 45 minutes...but then got seated in no more than 15! Fabulous. Very friendly hostesses, even in the midst of a flurry of people coming at them from all directions. The prix fixe option is great. Cinnamon bun, check. Variety of egg dishes to choose from with yummy potatoes and toast, check. Juice and coffee, check. All for $10.00ish? Check? Yes. We had such a lovely experience for super cheap, with an attentive adorable server in a lovely setting while sunlight poured in and lit up the pretty decor and all the other happy brunchers and such. Super good times. That and a nice long stroll through the South End to the Copley area to burn off the calories made for a perfect Saturday. I will definitely be back to sample the other tastiness that Aquitaine surely has to offer.

    (4)
  • Elaina L.

    Woke up early on a Sunday morning to come here. We made a reservation for 10am and even with the reservation, we waited around 20 minutes. The hostess was nice though and apologized for the delay. I was excited to try the pre fixe brunch which comes with your choice of an egg dish with potatoes, toast, bottomless coffee, juice (orange or grapefruit), and a cinnamon roll. I got the Omelette de la Maison and enjoyed the bacon bits. Over all, the omelette is good in terms of presentation, but tasted like a normal omelette. The cinnamon roll was surprisingly dry and I didn't end up finishing it. My date got the Eggs Benedict, which I usually enjoy, but this one didn't have a good hollandaise sauce. His potatoes looked like they were cooked in the same batch as mine, but were left in longer as he had some dark pieces of inedible potatoes. I passed on the bottom less coffee and ordered the orange juice (which they serve in a tiny wine glass). That was finished pretty quickly, so I asked for another juice hoping they would substitute it for the bottomless coffee I never ordered, but found out later that they had charged us extra. Ultimately, we had a disappointing experience. The food was mediocre, and despite being polite, the waitress never asked if we wanted anything else and instead, just dropped the check off on our table. At this point, we were recovering from the disappointment of our mediocre food despite waking up early for it, and were still trying to enjoy our experience, but the waitress topped off our decision. Even though we live just a close walk to Aquitaine, we decided that we wouldn't be coming back. Update: Just thought it'd be fair to add that the management contacted me and apologized for my disappointing experience. That's a plus on their end for caring and definitely, just good business practice! I think I'll go back and give them a shot again when the weather gets nicer. Will post a positive update if the food and experience improves this time.

    (2)
  • Amelia A.

    The atmosphere is very dark because of the low lighting. Also, we were a little too close to other tables for my liking, and it was mostly an older crowd. We were definitely the youngest ones there by far. The noise level was pretty low though, which was nice so we didn't have to talk so loudly to be able to hear one another. The service was pretty good as well! I ordered a cocktail, but it was way too strong for my liking. Also, had escargot for the first time, and it was good - very buttery and garlicky! Gnocci was delicious! I wish I could figure out the flavors in this dish, but all I can say is that I loved it. There were some apples and potatoes that along with the sauce, created a great composition. Very flavorful! I wish I could order a bunch of it to take home and have whenever I want!

    (4)
  • Alison C.

    This restaurant is phenomenal! We were told by friends that if you like French food to go here. The atmosphere was romantic and classy. The food was AMAZING. The foie gras was incredible! I had the filet au poivre and my boyfriend had the steak frites; both were incredible. We left in a food coma!

    (5)
  • Flux Doctor I.

    There were four of us for dinner and 2 had the prix fixe dinners and 2 ordered from the main menu. All the food was excellent. The service was very good and the atmosphere pleasant. The noise level was not bad, not the quietest but OK nonetheless, I recommend this place.

    (5)
  • Jenny H.

    This place is absolutely fabulous, it was my favorite meal during my trip to Boston!! I would give them 5 starts but their duck confit panini was too salty although the texture, flavors, etc. were all fabulous. I got their grapefruit rose soda, delicious, light and refreshing. I also got their berries with vanilla bean whipped cream which was also delicious. Their duck conflit panini with gruyuere (Croque Maigret) was the perfect panini- crunchy, thick bread with perfectly melted high-quality cheese and shredded duck. But the duck confit tasted like I was eating mouthfuls of salt, but otherwise, it was a great panini. The dessert was outstanding- I got their Apple Tarte Tatin with Calvados Caramel and Crème Fraiche, it had the perfect caramel flavor and texture and with the creme fraiche melting next to it, created the perfect blend of sweetness. Phenomenal!!!! A fantastic meal overall!! I would come back here in a heartbeat!

    (4)
  • Nina O.

    I go here for brunch and I love the food. They make great drinks and serve freshly squeezed orange juice. The wait is never that long when you just want to show up, and the service is accommodating and very polite. A great place for breakfast/brunch.

    (5)
  • Shea D.

    This is an *awesome* brunch option in a city that seems to have very few good brunch deals/menus (a foreign concept to this New Yorker). For $9.95 on Saturdays and Sundays, though it's only during certain hours so check before you go, you will receive the following through their pre-fixe menu: - bottomless coffee - orange juice - warm cinnamon bun - your choice of an omelette or egg entree - toast and breakfast potatoes And? They take reservations. Splendid! Also, if you are not taken with the pre-fixe option, you can order off the regular brunch menu instead. FOOD: the cinnamon bun was indeed warm and delicious. I ordered the spinach and feta cheese omelette. It was good, but it tasted like they had added salt to a dish that already had plenty of it with the feta (I tested it by just trying a piece of the omelette without any of the feta in it...still salty). The toast and potatoes were good too. Overall, it was tasty but I wasn't overcome with adoration for it either. PRICE: look, it's $9.95 for all of this food at a place like Aquitaine. No it doesn't include a beverage akin to a bellini or mimosa, but for roughly $7-8 you can indulge in one if you'd like. This price is just awesome for what you get. ALCOHOL: I ordered the peach puree and white sparkling wine bellini. It was GOOD. I was thoroughly impressed. Some places water down the wine by putting too much of the puree, but not here. It was an excellent brunch cocktail. SERVICE: I don't know how I feel about this because while it was excellent service overall, I felt pretty rushed and that's now how I imagine brunch. Our food came out almost lightning fast (seriously, maybe 5-7 minutes after we sat down we had our food), and as soon as our plates were empty they were gone. Had there been no empty tables around us I would have understood, but there were several empty tables in our immediate vicinity, so I am unclear as to why they would want to rush us out (if that is, in fact, what they were doing). They weren't aggressive in signaling that they wanted us to leave or anything, but I couldn't help but get that feeling. This is really the only complaint I had about the experience. Overall, I'll be back. For sure. P.S. Unlike many places in New York, this is not a roll out of bed and head to brunch kind of place. If you attempt this, well, don't say I didn't warn you.

    (4)
  • Judith C.

    Great prix fixe deal for brunch. With all the items that you get, it's definitely a bargain and you leave feeling stuffed. It was $9.95 before tax and tip for an egg dish served with seven grain toast and potatoes, a cinnamon roll, which was interestingly made with puff pastry than the typical made with yeast version, orange or grapefruit juice, and bottomless coffee. I also enjoyed that they had small packets of Bonne Maman preserves along with butter to go with your toast. The pre fixe brunch for Sundays only last from 10-11am and my friend and I got seated 5 minutes before 11am. Luckily, the restaurant still allows you to order from the pre fixe menu just as long as you're seated by 11am. I got the Omelette de la Maison which had bacon, tomatoes and gruyere, all ingredients that make a delicious dish.

    (4)
  • Jeanny C.

    Fantastic for Brunch (especially with the girlfriends)! The menu is simple, but the food is amazingly delicious! We ordered almost everything on the menu and shared it, there was 5 of us. We loved everything! The French toast and Belgian waffle was not over the top sweet, it was perfect with taste and texture. It was one of the most memorable dish to me, since I am a big fan of French Toast and Waffles. Parking is a bit hard to find, only street parking. Definitely make reservation, not good for walk-ins at all. Would love to come here again!

    (5)
  • Alexandra F.

    What a cute restaurant. I went here with a girlfriend after work to grab a couple drinks. The bar tender was so sweet and accommodating and covering a lot of ground by herself seeing as it was early afternoon weekday. Food was delicious, we split their homemade chips and I had a delicious mac and cheese. :)

    (5)
  • K- L.

    This place has greatly improved. In October 2013, they didn't wash their lettuce. In May 2014, the food is clean and tasty. The brunch bartender, Ludgie, is professional, courteous and she can pour a very drinkable drink!

    (5)
  • Judy L.

    Salmon benedict! GET IT. It's amazing. :) I usually can't finish brunch serving sizes, but for this sumptuous dish, I devoured it all! Everyone at the table liked what they got as well. We had ordered French Toast and the weekend prix fixe menu. You can't go wrong. Warning though, the wait is ridiculous. So call ahead and save yourself the trouble.

    (4)
  • Karen B.

    Large party of 10 for brunch. Nice decor and ambience, like a Parisien bistro. Service was good. The cinnamon buns were warm and delicious; though smaller than I expected, they're really the right size so you can still enjoy your entree. We ordered a basket of them for the table. The truffle burger was fantastic. Can't comment on other dishes.

    (4)
  • Lisa B.

    Brunch was very yummy and reasonably priced. There weren't any standout dishes at our table, but everyone enjoyed their meal. The restaurant also honored our 11AM reservation which is a HUGE plus in a town where a reservation means nothing. The highlight of our visit was the service! After an awful service experience yesterday (see my review on Sunset Grill in Allston), it was wonderful to have an attentive and kind server. Our coffees and water glasses were always full, mimosas came out quickly, and our server seemed to be genuinely interested in taking care of us. What a great way to start a Sunday.

    (4)
  • Danni S.

    I had a very comical brunch experience here at Aquitaine. I happened to be the only sober/not hung-over member of my party, which I think added to hilarity of the meal. There was a short wait for a table so we decided to sit at the (micro) bar - I have absolutely no idea how the bartender does not suffer from severe claustrophobia back there. The bartender began our brunch with friendly service and suggestions. By the end of brunch, we were on the receiving end of his entire life story and motivational speech. He took us through how he hit rock bottom and how he has turned his life around. Its totally amazing that he is livin' life to its fullest, BUT it was a little early in the morning for such serious talks. I found myself completely overwhelmed by it all, I just wanted to enjoy my eggs! Service aside, the food off the Prix Fixe menu seemed a bit mediocre. I tried some of my friend's Omelette a La Greque which was fine, but nothing impressive. The cinnamon bun was so petit! Call me a glutton, but I would have wanted so much more! I got the Salmon Benedict, and let me tell you that the eggs were perfect. No exaggeration at all. Little pillows of happiness. Perfectly round with a gooey yolk, just the way I like 'em. (it sounds so mundane in writing, but these eggs were some sort of impressive) The drinks were not anything special. We got the special of the day which involved peach, orange, vodka and champagne, maybe? It was a little strong for me, I'm still adjusting to the "brunching" lifestyle which includes day-drinking. Overall, kind of a strange experience but those eggs saved the day! And I am definitely going to go back so that I can give a more well-rounded review.

    (3)
  • Ashley F.

    This Sunday my boyfriend and I tried Aquitaine for the first time. After reading multiple reviews and doing my research I was excited to try this well revered brunch spot in the south end. I was sorely disappointed with the experience overall. We arrived about 15 minutes late for our 11:30 reservation and the restaurant was very acommodating when I called to let them know. They clearly held our table because they sat us right away. The tables in the front are incredibly small and close together, so much so that you are literally on top of your neighbor. I almost knocked things over on the table next to me while trying to shimmy quietly into my seat. Our waitress came by to fill our water glasses, yet never introduced herself, so we originally thought she was a bus boy. She never welcomed us to the restaurant or announced she would be our server. Over all her disposition was aloof and disengaged, so much so that it almost appeared rude. We settled on a bruleed oatmeal, which I was very excited about because the idea of a warm sugary crust on steel cut oatmeal sounds clever and delicious. However, when the dish arrived it was overwhlemingly bad. The top was saturated with granulated sugar and the rest was an overly creamy mess. We were so over sweetened that we sent the dish back to the kitchen. The waitress never apologized or asked if we would like something else instead. She did, however, take it off the bill. The rest of our breakfast was pretty good, but basic. I ordered the eggs benedict which came out somewhat cold, and my boyfriend found the same problem with his salmon benedict. Both dishes were accompanied by very tasty breakfast potatoes. Sadly, that was the highlight of the meal for me. All in all, we will not be returning to Aquitaine. It is far to pricy for such a sub par meal and there are far too many decadent restaurants in the south end to be wasting our time here.

    (2)
  • Elizabeth D.

    Let me start off by saying their sorbet trio is always a hit. Just in case you didn't want to read the rest of this, I just wanted you to know. So far, I've dined once for dinner and once for brunch. Dinner was great, I had the steak frites. To me, they weren't as amazing as at their sister restaurant Gaslight, and I wasn't expecting it to come out already sliced, but it was very good. I usually like chocolate for dessert, but my friend and I saw the sorbet trio leaving the kitchen and I couldn't resist. Great choice! Today, I had brunch with a famiy friend. I ordered the croque madame. Everything on the plate was tasty- the sammie itself, the fries, and the salad! I just couldn't finish it bc I wanted a side of fruit. It came out topped with vanilla whipped cream. Yummy! Of course, we shared a sorbet trio for dessert. Again, I spied someone else's and the green eyed monster forced me to order it. Today it was pear, peach, and pomegranate ::just rolled eyes to back of head:: I definitely want to go back for the BTR (beat the rush) early bird special. See you there?

    (4)
  • Anne W.

    I have such high hopes for this place as it seems like it could be a terrific French restaurant.. it's in the trendy South End.. and it has a good look and feel inside. This place had the shortest wait though on a Saturday night.. so we decided to eat here. This place should be categorized more of an Americanized wannabe French restaurant. The bread is good.. I don't dispute that. Because I didn't like any of their entrees, I got two appetizers. I got the beef tartare which was significantly better than Gaslight nearby. It wasn't a wow dish though... and the second dish I got was the mussels. She asked me if I wanted to make it my entree. Yes, I did.. she charged me double for it. Wow.. what a sneaky waitress. She did the same to my friend who wanted just an endive salad since it was 9:30 pm. Who charges double and doesn't tell you? The mussels I ordered were covered in this cheesy buttery goo.. not good at all. It didn't taste French at all. Maybe RW or brunch is better.. seems like that from the reviews.. but I will not be frequenting here again for anything other than drinks. Those are decent. Update: The manager contacted me to apologize for the service I received. I appreciate that immensely. He also offered me a gift certificate. I will add a star for now and will go back to try again. I appreciate this effort of customer service.

    (2)
  • Harri S.

    Had their lunch special. For $12.95 you get a soup, sandwich and salad (or fries), plus a soda/coffee. I got the french onion and the duck confit with gruyere sandwich opted for the salad and ended up doing takeout (brought my bill down a couple of bucks). Everything was good. While the Sandwich looked more like a pancake than a sandwich the taste all but made up for it. The French onion soup was done well, but definitely would have been better if I'd had it at the restaurant. The salad was a salad. Dunno if it was worth $10.95 (takeout price), but it was definitely worth the experience. Everyone should give it a try.

    (3)
  • Adrian G.

    Let me start off by saying that the food at Aquitaine is delicious. I was there last Sunday to try out their prix fixe brunch...all my friends had been raving about how great it was, so I had to try it. They were correct...I had the most perfectly cooked omelette of my life, paired with an equally delicious cup of coffee. The general atmosphere of the restaurant, as well as the extremely-attentive wait staff, would have made this a brunch date of dreams. Nonetheless, Aquitaine committed a big whoopsie...the biggest in my book. Upon picking up my spoon to dig into the child-portion-sized 'cinnamon bun', I noticed that it was dirty. Now I understand that this is an extremely busy establishment, but I just find it unacceptable. I kindly, and discreetly, let my waitress know of the issue and she immediately brought new silverware. Nonetheless, for a restaurant as highly-regarded as Aquitaine, I expected more.

    (1)
  • Christina R.

    I've been here for both brunch and a large family dinner. The cinnamon rolls at brunch are like small nuggets of butter, sugar, and cinnamon. I mean that in the most flattering way possible. I had my graduation dinner here and while I was worried about bringing a crowd of about a dozen to such a small venue, it was not a problem. We were seated despite having some stragglers. We weren't over-crowded at our table. We had reservations for 7 on graduation sunday and I believe we were the last patrons to leave, but we didn't notice this until we put on our coats - a good indication that the staff did not rush us out at the end of service. I appreciated that. We started with escargot, chicken liver mousse and onion soup - all delicious, especially with the warm bread they serve. The server helped my brother choose a delicious and affordable wine for the table. I can't remember the details of the dozen entrees ordered that night but I honestly think we ordered one of everything and no one was disappointed. I guess the memory I'm left with about 7 months later is just the ease with which I made the reservation (in april, relatively late to book a graduation dinner!), and how relaxed I was during dinner, feeling that the dinner service was in able hands.

    (4)
  • sean g.

    Oh, I have spent many a morning at the intimate zinc bar sipping some amazing martini special eating quite possibly the greatest Breakfast in the entire city of boston.- their Croque Madame with watercress salad makes me weep with joy. you have to try it. nothing in the city can even touch it.

    (5)
  • Armin F.

    Restaurant week part 1. Walked by this place some time ago, and after some yelp research, Acquitaine made it on our list. The atmosphere is really nice, the service was great but not fantastic. All dishes we ate were well prepared and really tasty. We had coq au vain and hake (white fish) as entrees, both really good. The wine pairing with all dishes was also a nice idea for restaurant week. All in all, this place is a solid 4-star restaurant. However, it didn't deliver anything outstanding which would make me a 'regular', also given the price tag which is nothing you want to cough up more than once....worth trying out when it comes to French cuisine I would rate Chez Henri in Cambridge as number 1.

    (4)
  • Jenn H.

    Quality brunch for an awesome price. The wait is never too long, and you can even reserve a table ahead of time. I enjoy it every time!

    (4)
  • Good M.

    Decided to try Aquitaine after a disappointing experience at Gaslight a month prior. When my date and I told our waiter that we weren't going to be drinking any wine, that's when things went downhill. The waiter failed to tell us about the specials, but told the couple sitting next to us. We ordered the french onion soup and escargot as starters. Then my date's short rib entree was bland and my Lemon Sole arrived cold. We also noticed that service from the same waiter was a lot friendlier to our neighboring tables. I'm not sure whether it was the fact that we didn't order wine or that we were the only minority couple dining that evening, but we won't be going back that's for sure.

    (1)
  • Vivian C.

    Took my two sisters here for an early morning brunch. It was raining, but South End was a short walk from our hotel in the theatre district. Cute brassiere Service at the front was seamless, we came with a reservation and were seated quickly. However, once we were seated, it was impossible to get the attention of our waiter. We had to ask several other waiters every time we wanted something--all of whom would say they would look for our server for us. @_@ We were working with a bit of a time crunch, with 40-45 minutes to sit, order, eat, pay, and dash. Three coffee drinking strategists + simple one-page menu = 2 prefix brunches and an order of french toast. Omelette Alsacienne: with Mushrooms, Leeks, and Boursin Cheese--pretty tasty--the cheese was very creamy--I didn't expect it, but it made it more flavorful. Omelette Basquaise: Ham, Gruyere and Parsley--a bit on the drier side, but the eggs were nice and fluffy. French Toast: thick, challah--but a bit charred and eggy (I prefer my french toast either with more structure OR completely custardy). I wasn't a huge fan of the cream they slathered on top--but at the very least, given the bread, it wasn't too heavy. Split amongst 3 people it was manageable. Sidenotes: Cute jam packets in good flavors (apricot, raspberry) :) In retrospect: The prefix is definitely a steal at ~10bucks for a glass of juice (OJ or grapefruit), bottomless coffee (otherwise 2.75/cup), a cinnamon roll (more like a croissant snail with some icing), and your choice of their omelets with breakfast potatoes (average). Next time I'll pass on the french toast and opt for one of their sandwiches (I predict it will be the croque madame or the pressed duck confit & gruyere...) Can't wait to come back!

    (4)
  • John C.

    Every meal has been excellent. The duck was amazing and the service impeccable. Can't go wrong.

    (4)
  • Mark G.

    A definite don't-miss spot for brunch. There's usually a huge wait, so I'm always happy to sit at the bar with a friend, order some cocktails, and enjoy my meal. Everything I've ordered has been impeccable. Still have yet to order the prix fixe $10 brunch, but I'm sure it will impress as usual. Can't argue with the price. Bartenders are super friendly.

    (4)
  • Sophia S.

    Cute place for brunch. BF and I made a reservation for 11 but we got here 10:40 and they seated us right away. It started to get crowded after we placed our order so I do recommend making a reservation before coming here. I got the salmon benedict, the egg was perfectly poached. It came with a side of potatoes and I asked for my hollandaise on the side. It wasn't anything spectacular; just your average salmon benedict. BF got the steak and eggs and the steak was a little over cooked (he got medium rare) and it's also very small portioned. It came with eggs and potatoes on the side. He liked it, I thought it was just average and definitely not the best steak and eggs I've ever tasted. I also got the bloody Mary. The mix is yummy, salty, spicy, but very light on the alcohol. Would probably not come back for brunch though. Also, the hostess, short black hair with bangs, African American, VERY stoic. Never smiled or showed emotion. I walked in, said hi and told her I had reservations for two and all she said was "NAME?". Rude.

    (3)
  • Tim M.

    Wonderful place for dinner. The artwork was great and the staff friendly. We had muscles to start and a filet mignon later on with the sorbet du jour as a dessert. Everything was wonderfully tasty, highly recommended if you're into French cuisine.

    (5)
  • Hina K.

    Had a great experience at Aquitaine. I had a reservation and it was good that I did because when we got there people were getting a wait time of 30-45 mins. We opted for the pre fixe menu and all the things were wonderfully tasteful. I would definitely be returning. The ambiance is great. The only drawback if there was any was that the seats were too close to the neighbouring table but inspite of this I will give it a 5 star rating

    (5)
  • Edi D.

    Loved brunch here. Such a fan. My omelet was only $8 and had scrumptious mushrooms, leeks, and boursin cheese. I dropped some additional dough for them to add in chorizo. It was seriously the best omelet ever. It came with yummy home fries and nice quality toast. I couldn't be happier. The Bloody Mary got my morning started on the right foot :-) Absolutely no complaints. At all!

    (5)
  • Pascal Z.

    We had dinner at Aquitaine last Saturday night. Very nice food, atmosphere, etc. We enjoyed it very much. Pros: good sauces atmosphere Wine selections cons only one bathroom pricey I would recommend this place for a special date night, etc. Very romantic setting.

    (4)
  • Katie Y.

    The food is amazing here! We went for our grandpa's birthday and everything was amazing. The salmon was smoked nicely. The chocolate mousse was quite nice too. Also one thing that we didn't like was when we asked to wait a bit longer(incase he was late) for our grandpa to arrive, we had to push our reservation a bit back by half an hour because the entire group had to be together to enter. Otherwise, we had a very nice dinner with dessert.

    (4)
  • Joel G.

    I have to say, it's amazingly refreshing to go to a restaurant and have two very good courses that are vegetarian. At a French restaurant, it's downright transcendent. Vegetarians who enjoy fine dining are sick to death of salads and pastas, thankyouverymuch. So a job very well done to Aquitaine for their "oeuf en cocotte," a wonderful little pot of poached egg, truffley mushrooms, cheese, herbs and potato puree, with toast points lightly charred for dipping. Easily one of the best appetizers I've had in a very long time. Making this a vegetarian dish may have been an afterthought, because it's perfect as is, but still I very much appreciated that this delicacy is available to me. The "socca crepes," though the only vegetarian main course on the menu, were very good. Mushrooms, savory pastry, onions, and light a bechamel, with a pile of tangy arugula to keep things arugalish. Cocktails were delicious, and wine was easily ordered and consumed. Thanks for a wonderful anniversary dinner, Aquitaine!

    (5)
  • Cody C.

    solid brunch location in the south end. ordered a croque magret (a croque monsieur but with duck confit instead of ham) with two poached eggs..... and actually recieved a croque monsieur with two poached eggs. not a big deal because that was my second choice... and when the bill came - i was charged for the croque monsieur. very tasty meal down to the side salad and the mustard. fries were extra crunchy and sucked up every last drop of the mustard. :). coffee was excellent. breakfast cocktails were well done and loved people watching the characters there for brunch with us. definitely on the rotation for brunch in the south end.

    (4)
  • Chantal G.

    The second you enter the restaurant, the atmosphere wins you over--even the bathroom! The food is also lovely-- I ordered the chestnut gnocci which I thoroughly enjoyed with lots of red wine. For dessert, we loved the bitter sweet chocolate & Chantilly cream. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and the food-- I need to come back and try more of the meat options and the cocktails. They looked really yummy!

    (4)
  • Monica R.

    We went here for brunch on a Sunday morning after the SoWa Holiday Market. They were able to get our party of 6 in within 30 minutes, while every other place in the area was quoting at least 1 hour. 3 of the 6 of us had the duck sandwich (Croque Maigret) - they were really happy with their order. We also had a lobster benedict (also happy with their order) and a french toast. I had the macaroni and cheese - this is the main reason for 3 stars - and it was really mediocre. It didn't really have much cheese flavor, and was under-seasoned (and the pasta wasn't cooked well). The ambiance was nice - our table was tucked into a corner, which was great for us being able to converse and catch up with each other. We also had mimosas and bloody marys (tasty!). I'd come back, just would not order the mac&cheese the next time.

    (3)
  • Kathy A.

    I'm a long time customer at Union, so I wanted to branch of a try one of the other restaurants in the Aquitaine group. The menu here looked great and it had stellar reviews so I was hoping to have a lovely evening here. We also had a birthday to celebrate so we thought this would be a good choice. Unfortunately, I wasn't as amazed as I had hoped. When we arrived at the restaurant there was a nice card at our table signed by the whole staff for the birthday girl in our group. That was a nice touch and a nice start to the dinner. We were seated in a booth and there was a dirty napkin left on the seat so that wasn't the most welcoming thing. Service was fine. Nothing stellar, but they kept our water glasses full and kept things moving at a decent pace. To start we had two different salads. The warm beet salad is excellent. The salade du marche is good, but nothing special. The mussel dish is also good. It is a unique way of preparing the dish and the cream sauce, while good, was a bit heavy and almost like a chowder (at least once you got to the bottom of the pot). The char was an okay dish. The olives overwhelmed the flavors of everything else (so I guess it's a good thing I like olives). But I definitely would have liked being able to taste the other components of the plate more. The fish itself was also cooked a little under my liking, but I don't like to be fussy and send things back unless it's absolutely necessary. Desserts were probably the biggest disappointment. The creme brulee was pretty bland and something was definitely off for the the crispy chocolate bread pudding. It tasted stale, which was really unappealing. I think I would go back to try appetizers again because they seem to do those well, but I feel their other dishes fell short.

    (3)
  • AB H.

    I had a great dinner at Aquitaine during restaurant week. I stared with the pea soup with foie gras. The soup tasted like pureed fresh peas - it was amazing. I also tasted the vegetarian sausage, which was excellent. I then had the veal over potatoes, which was very good. My friend had the vegetarian entree - the bastiila, which I wish I had gotten - it was so good! We then tasted 3 desserts: the peach 'pudding' lacked flavor, and the nuts served with it should have been crisp. the chocolate crepe was AMAZING due to the brandy sauce on the plate, and the pineapple vacherin was very good too, though the pineapple was a but tough and tasteless. We both had delicious cocktails (one made slightly less sweet due to my preference) and enjoyed the bubbly served with dessert for restaurant week. I haven't been here for dinner in awhile, and I was very impressed. I will be back!

    (4)
  • Jeff F.

    Came in for a second visit recently on 10/15 and thought of this more as a 3 star experience. A little disappointing since I was coming off an average experience at Union. The Filet Au Poivre and the Steak Frites were both mediocre - it was essentially cooked meat with borderline bland flavor. This was surprising given on our last visit we were really impressed with the steak frites. Then again, we were impressed with the service last time and grossly underwhelmed on this last visit. From an atmosphere standpoint, Aquitaine still rocks. At the very least, I'd return for cocktails and apps.

    (3)
  • Samantha S.

    So good. The prices are decent and the food was amazing. The only reason why not a 5-star rating is because I save those for places that completely blow my mind!

    (4)
  • Sohini R.

    This is one of those situations where half-stars would help -- I'd say 2.5 stars for service, 3.5 for food overall, and 4 for the bar/bartender. We had a foodie friend visiting Harvard and drove up from PVD to meet her for dinner at Aquitaine; during my years in Cambridge, I hadn't managed to go to Aquitaine, and so was delighted when we got a reservation through OpenTable. The evening was filled with alternating highs and lows, a restaurant roller coaster by the end of it. Low: $16 valet. I will admit that parking in the South End is horrific, and that we are spoiled with all the free valet (gratuity only) in Providence. But $16! Even LA isn't that bad. Add to that that we had to pay before entering, and the young man wanted exact change, it did not make me feel the love from Aquitaine. If you want exact change, at least charge a multiple of $5. High: The bartender was very nice and whipped us up a delicious cocktail and mocktail (the non-alcoholic drink was citrus-y and had mint; really different from the syrup-y virgin drinks one usually gets when needing to abstain). She also recommended a couple dishes for us to try. Low: Slow service. Our waitress was nice but took a very long time to take our order. With Aquitaine's flat menus and no cover, it's hard to indicate that you're ready to order, and the three of us were catching up as old friends are wont to. When she made it over she said how she hates to interrupt a conversation, but I just felt like eating my own arm....this was 20 minutes in and we only had water in front of us. Things speeded up from there, but I will note that at the end of the night a table near us had to walk up to her to give her their credit card. Oy. High: I ordered the endive salad to start and it was the most special thing all night: shredded green apple, endive, roquefort, walnuts. Really a nice salad, both fresh and tangy due to the cheese. Our DC enjoyed her beet salad and we were all polishing off the crusty rolls and butter. Low: The main course was just...OK. Our DC really liked her poule roti, but the Mr. and I weren't happy with our fish. I had the sole and he had the char; I was hoping for more of a crust on the fish, but it was just very mushy and not too flavorful (despite being advertised as lemon sole -- when I order something with lemon in the title, I want to pucker). I did switch out the pommes puree that the fish usually lies on top of for the pommes au gratin. These cheesy potatoes were amazing, and are a great food memory. Combined with silvered snap peas for crunch, and drizzled with beurre blanc, these veggies were so tasty. It cast into relief, though, that the fish felt just a step above airplane food. For the potato switch-out, there was a surcharge; I was warned about this, but I don't understand why it costs more to switch out one side for another when those two sides are the *same price a la carte*. It makes me feel like meals aren't made to order. Low: We ordered the profiteroles for dessert, but these are not profiteroles (which was very sad for our expert baker friend). They are huge, not bite-sized, and have been turned into ice cream sandwiches that need a knife to be eaten (but all we had were spoons and forks). The profiteroles were very eggy too, which added something unpleasant taste-wise to the dish. The chocolate sauce was good, however. Overall I'm glad I went to Aquitaine once. But more than 1.5 Benjamins later I don't want to go there again.

    (3)
  • Chelsea L.

    For a broke college student, Sunday brunch may be the most heavenly meal ever. It's almost never unaffordable and you get to knock out two meals in one sitting? SCORE! So after 3 years of going to brunch at Chinatown for dimsum or to the local pubs for a 7 dollar meal, I thought it was time to expand my horizons. Plus, my mom came to visit from California so I thought it was a perfect time for a change. Cue the hour the night before reading reviews on yelp, searching for a perfect brunch spot that was within walking distance, affordable, and had good reviews. After deciding to go to Aquitaine due to all the rave reviews, I went with my mom and a couple of friends down to the South End, hopeful that these high marks wouldn't let me down. And boy, they sure didn't disappoint. I got the croque madame and my mother decided on one of the omelettes on the menu. My 4 friends (apparently reading each others' minds) decided to order the same thing, the salmon benedict. The waiter was friendly and our food came out in no time. Absolutely delicious! My croque madame was perfect and I just...my mouth is watering just thinking about it. The fries were very well seasoned and the fried eggs were the cherry on top of a scrumptious meal. My friends raved about the salmon benedict as well and in the words of my mother: "I thought an omelette would be just an omelette, but it was actually really really good!" Portions were perfect aka: I didn't feel hungry afterwards yet I didn't eat to the point of hating myself. The space was a little tight so I'm glad that we made reservations, and the prices were very very reasonable for the quality that we got. Thank you, Aquitaine! You have opened my eyes to a new world of classy brunches. Bravo.

    (4)
  • Britt R.

    My boyfriend and I went to Boston for a little getaway over the holiday... this place was recommended by a friend and I am so glad that we went! The food was amazing, the service was great, and the atmosphere was cozy and nice. For all of you dessert lovers out there - highly recommend the chocolate bread pudding! TO DIE FOR!

    (4)
  • sasha h.

    I've been here a few times for brunch and dinner now. In summary, this place is good but never great. The food is tasty but not necessarily presented in a very creative way. Fish is usually a winner and the egg dishes are the weekends are yummy. If you're in the south end, plenty of restaurants to choose from but this would always be a good decision. Ambiance is nice, duos as a good date spot or just a casual dinner with friends.

    (4)
  • Justin T.

    I've gone for Sunday brunch twice now, the first time was several years ago and the second was earlier this month. Overall, my experience was largely the same for both experiences. Despite being a more expensive restaurant, the brunch menu is fairly reasonable priced. Overall, I found the food to be very good and our waitresses were both very attentive.

    (5)
  • Roxana F.

    My family and I went here again for their brunch on Saturday and our experience was completely different than our lunch experience. We ordered two of the prix fixe entrees (the omelette de la maison and the omelette al sacienne) the french toast, and croque maigret. We also got a bloody mary and a bellini, both of which were pretty good. My french toast was outstanding. I was originally going to order the waffle but my waiter suggested the french toast, so I decided on that and boy, was it a good decision. Everyone at the table had a bite and wanted moreeee. My brother loved his croque maigret and it was such a huge portion, he couldn't finish it. I didn't get rave reviews for the omelets but I tasted the omelette al sacienne and it was pretty good but nothing spectacular. It had mushrooms and leeks and I think its only seasoning came from the boursin cheese, which isn't bad but that's why it wasn't anything spectacular. I could have probably made it myself. All in all, I really enjoyed this brunch and will probably go again. The waiters were really nice and really helpful despite how busy it can get for their brunches, and the food was magnificent.

    (4)
  • Kasey E.

    We had a fantastic dinner here on our visit to Boston. The lobster risotto was the most decadent thing I have ever eaten! Every mouthful was practically a religious experience--will never forget this meal! Cocktails were delicious. Our server Cosette was stellar. She had detailed recommendations about dishes and suggested wine pairings, even bringing us several wines to try when we were on the fence. We ended up chatting with her toward the end of our meal when business was slow, and I think I want her to be my new best friend .... What do you say, Cosette? She mentioned that she'll be leaving soon to live abroad--that will be a big loss for Aquitaine! But with such a wonderful menu and talented cooks, there's a lot that will tempt us back here whenever we're in town.

    (5)
  • Deanna D.

    Aquitaine is one of my favorite lunch spots in the South End. The service is always great: friendly and fast. I love the bistro style décor: simple, stylish, and inviting. The menu has lots of options including great salads and sandwiches. The lunch special is awesome: very filling and a great deal! The Onion Soup & Tomato Bisque are both lovely. The Duck Confit & Gruyere sandwich is scrumptious. The fries are addicting and the coffee is great. The reasonable prices, delicious food, and spot on service keep me coming back for more!

    (4)
  • Isabella C.

    The food is very delicious here, one of my favorite French restaurants in the south end. I come here frequently for brunch. The only thing though is that I'd expect better service than they offer considering its a pretty fancy restaurant. It's also on the louder side so if you're on a first date and don't really feel like screaming over each other it's probly not the best place to go.

    (4)
  • Christina P.

    Went to this restaurant last night with a large group. While I appreciate good food and have been to a fare share of French restaurants, this was a little over the cliff. Nothing on the menu seems appeasing at all - the combinations disgusting and flavors contradict. I had the salad with the pumpkin stuff all over it (seeds and whatnot). It was ok but I would have liked to just have a salad without the fanfare. The steak & frites was a very gross cut of steak. The meat was stringy and overburdened with seasoning. If I order steak, I would like to taste steak (or maybe they didnt want me to). The greens that came with the steak, however, were very good! Dessert, chocolate mouse, was commented at the table as 'nothing special' (I did not test it). There are better places in Boston to go than this one. Not worth the money, not worth the wait. The valet is disorganized - the police actually came over and told them to get the cars out of there - not a comfortable feeling. No draft beer. Cocktails have too much seasoning.

    (1)
  • Kelsey C.

    Aquitaine the duchy was ruled by the Lady Eleanor, later Queen Eleanor, one of European history's most admired amazons. Aquitaine the restaurant is ruled by Seth Woods, one of South End history's most admired chefs. Frankly, Aquitaine and its legendary chef are just as glamorous as the duchy and its legendary duchess. LOVE the $12.95 lunch special! The Soupe a L'oignon, Duck Confit & Gruyere Sandwich and Petit Salade are a deadly combination and definitely the whole package. For dinner, the Beat the Rush deal is criminally good. LOVE the Chicken Liver Mousse Terrine LOVE the perigord black truffle vinaigrette topping the Steak Frites If LOVE the Roasted Chicken Breast & Braised Leg LOVE the Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse for dessert (Seeing an emerging theme here?) The food at Aquitaine is nothing short of breathtaking, but it had very little originality, which made it dazzling but not quite exceptional enough to earn its last half-star. It's just a pity that the world has so many restaurants and I have so little time (and so many student loans!) or I'd be back at Aquitaine before you can say Bonsoir.

    (4)
  • Michael S.

    Nice neighborhood, more than once a week, kind of place. Unfortunately the lunch menu is an abbreviated version of the dinner menu. But the mussels were still good and my wife said that the omelet was one of the best she has had. The half bottle of Sancerre went well with everything. I know they are going for the retro/ been around forever look but they should clean up the duct work, etc. above, it all looks a bit dusty and outputting.

    (4)
  • Nicolay S.

    Brunch is overrated, not sure about dinner. It's a good deal at prix fixe $9.95 (between 10 and 11 AM), but the omelet was dry, there was barely any ham in it, and the "Gruyere" tasted like plastic. I had the Omelette Basquaise, but I doubt the rest are any better. It came with a pitiful excuse for a fruit salad, which consisted of previously frozen strawberries, grapes, and canned pineapple. No, thanks. The much-revered eggs benedict were also average at best... they had soaked the bread with the water from poaching the eggs, so it tasted like vinegar. And c'mon, Canadian bacon is not that expensive, you can cut a slice that's thicker than a micron.

    (2)
  • Grace O.

    I was here for Restaurant Week. First things first, the RW menu was a bit of a snooze. Both the man friend and I were extreeeemely tempted to just order from the regular menu since everything sounded far more interesting, but ended up going for the RW instead (what it really boiled down to was that we were greedy and wanted 3 courses). Customer service was very very good. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, rattled off a long list of recommendations. We were served a small amuse-bouche of 2 gougères (quite tasty, slight crisp on the outside) and 2 glasses of very very sweet dessert wine (complementary for RW diners). Appetizers : I got the crab cake, he got the corn vichyssoise. Crab cake was VERY tasty with a generous side of rocket + dollop of romesco. The corn soup was decent, not bad but extremely unremarkable. Mains : I got the seared merlu, he had the roasted pork. The fish was great, mussels were so, SO tasty (slightly smoky, maybe from the chorizo bits) and the broth everything was swimming in was great. Packed with flavour! The pork on the other hand was only so-so, nice texture, tomato salad was nice but again, quite unremarkable. Dessert : I got the sugar plum & walnut cake, he got the peach soufflé glacé. Cake was nice, not too sweet with large chunks of sugar plum and a nice quinelle of chantilly cream to go with it. Soufflé was a disaster - I know it's supposed to be a cold soufflé but this one was rock solid, couldn't get a spoon through it and when we did manage to get in a mouthful it was all ice crystals! Overall a very mixed bag - I was lucky and had 3 great courses while he wasn't so lucky and had a terribly mediocre time. Had to take off 2 stars for inconsistency. Customer service was great though, and we were offered a second walnut cake in place of the failed soufflé (after the very nice manager apologised profusely). +1 star for that... and -1 again for the water we were charged $7 for.

    (3)
  • Ali K.

    Although i really despise parking in the south end, this is a good place for Sunday brunch! Thoroughly enjoyed the Benedict Provençal and of course the little cinnamon buns! Very reasonable, I honestly think I paid like $15 (without the Bloody Mary I bought at the bar while waiting-another plus!). So unless you get a $50 parking ticket like me, you'll walk away spending relatively little for a good breakfast!

    (4)
  • Natasha S.

    Aquitaine will most likely be my new brunch spot! I came here with my mother for Mother's Day brunch and it was very yummy and had superior service. We will definitely return again!

    (5)
  • Elizabeth S.

    I came here for the prix-fixe brunch exclusively, so I can't comment on dinner. The main meal (omelette) was generous, but boy did we have to wait around for it. Bussers: A. Wait staff: B. The restaurant was cute but a little small. I was quite disappointed when my promised cinnamon bun was replaced with a cranberry nut pound cake. A tiny sliver of a cranberry nut pound cake. When the waiter set down the tiny plate my boyfriend actually laughed at me. Overall: pretty good. Not fabulous. Didn't really get a French vibe, quelle dommage. But the food was quality, so, bon appetit.

    (3)
  • Frank D.

    This restaurant is one of those places that has been around for quite a while but, for one reason or another, I have avoided going to. I think the name and the location kind of make it seem like it should be a lot more expensive than it is, but it is reasonable for the level of service and quality of food. I will admit to being slightly in the dark on French cuisine and French restaurants. I cannot speak to the authenticity of the dishes, only whether or not we enjoyed them and had a good time. The answer is a resounding yes on both accounts. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable on the drinks and the dishes, which, although it should be the norm, tends to not be the case. The portion sizes varied depending on the dish that you chose. I had the gnocchi, my friend had the steak frites and the third person the braised short ribs. In all three cases the presentation was fantastic, the food tasted fresh and was well seasoned. The ambience of the restaurant is great for a date and in the winter season feels very quaint. Certain areas of the restaurant are extremely dark and you have to really squint to see the menu and some of the food! All in all, I look forward to returning to this restaurant and I think I'd like to try brunch! Definitely give it a try!

    (4)
  • Connie C.

    Three words: BEST. BRUNCH. EVER! I've heard great reviews from friends and finally got the chance to try it out myself. Great place for brunch on a lazy Sunday. I got the Salmon Benedict which was amazing! Could not believe how delicious it was and no I'm not over exaggerating haha. If you like avocados, then I suggest you add it on to the salmon benedict. It's the perfect touch to that meal. My friend and I shared a side of French Toast and Canadian Ham. They were just average to me. Nothing amazing. Felt like the bread for the french toast was too thick, but I don't mind. I glanced over at what other people were getting and it all looked yummy. I look forward to another brunch date here again! :)

    (4)
  • Coala B.

    Note to self: read reviews carefully and not just count stars. Coming off of the "uber cheap brunch special" Sunday at 1:30pm we got the worst of both worlds - our brunch was 2.5x the price the people at the table before us and we had to wait (despite the reservation in a very seinfeld-esque moment) while they took their time paying and lining up in front of the only bathroom for the whole place... The waitress was irritable as the place is severely understaffed and warmed up to us as the "free lunch" people seeped out of the place.... All-in-all this was not a 4-star experience and I am shocked this place has a solid 4 stars

    (1)
  • Mallory C.

    In a word: BRUNCH. Always delicious, perfectly priced, service is spot on and the space is beautiful. The front and back corner tables are always awesome scores and the ideal people watching spots. Definitely recommend the benedict provencal, brioche French toast and Croque Madame - they are all seriously wonderful. Although Sundays are significantly busier, the Prix Fixe brunch on Saturday is too great a deal to pass up. Dinner is pretty solid as well - steak frites, nom! - but brunch is bit more laid back and has livelier atmosphere. Reservations are an absolute must to guarantee avoiding waits regardless of the meal time.

    (4)
  • Lynn C.

    Eating at a nice restaurant with exceptional food but lousy service is like hanging out with a super fun friend who is always short a few bucks all the time, everywhere you go. At the end of the day, you admit that you had a great day, yet you somehow walk away with a bit of bad taste in your mouth. And then you wonder to yourself whether or not the few dollars you spot your friend with is really worth breaking up the otherwise great friendship. And the question here is, is the lousy service we received today so marring that we won't be coming back---despite the great food and the cheap cheap brunch prices? We made our reservation for 12:30 and arrived promptly. Our server was not rude, but curt, inattentive, and unfriendly. The place was not busy, but every time he looked over at our table, he never bothered to take away the empty glasses or refill our coffee or even just to ask us if we needed anything. When we did call him over the two times to ask for a refill on our coffee and to get the check with a nice smile, he failed to return the smile nor the your welcome after our thank yous. In fact, he barely wanted to look at us. He seemed to be overall displeased with us, despite we were properly attired ( I was in a dress and my boyfriend was in a dress shirt), and was not carrying outside beverages, unlike the two tables on either side of us. What also annoyed me was that he charged me for the iced coffee, which I assumed would have been included in the prixe fixed menu, but never told me, nor offered me hot coffee, which was included in the prixe fixed menu. But beyond the lousy service, the food was exceptional and the price was so beyond great. My boyfriend had the omelette a la maison (bacon, tomatoes and cheese) while I had the Eggs Piperade. $9.99 for the entree + freshly squeezed orange juice+ bottomless coffee+a perfectly sized cinnamon bun (appetizer sizer) is no doubt a bargain. It would have been a rather cheap final bill if we didn't also ordered a mimosa that came out to $8 (ouch), and the iced coffee was another 2.75, which brought our total bill for the two of us to be $40 after tax and tip. Not to say that it wasn't worth it, because it was. The food was phenomenal. I guess I'm going to have to go back to Aquitaine for dinner, and probably brunch again, but just with the expectation that I might need to spot my friend a few dollars and be okay with it. _______________________________ Edit: Sept 26, 2010 I just received an email from one of the partners from Aquitaine, apologizing for their service and an offer for me to contact him for a gift certificate. This is just a single day after I ate there and posted the review. What wonderful and prompt service. Edit: Dec 16, 2010 The owner, Jeff, never got back to us. He also seems to be the guy who msgs people on Yelp who make reviews on restaurants the the South End. I wonder if he's really a "partner" like he says, or a hired gun that monitors Yelp reviews.

    (5)
  • Joseph L.

    The prix fixe lunch menu during Restaurant week was perfect. It was great food and good service for a reasonable price in a nice neighborhood and nicer restaurant. The food was excellent and prompt. I would definitely frequent this location again if in Boston again.

    (4)
  • Annette N.

    Stars are all for food and service. Our experience here last friday began in an unpleasant way, when the hubby and I walked in at 9.08 for a 9pm reservation, and the host barely acknowledged us, looked it up, and said, ok yeah it was for 9.30 and the table would be a small wait. I knew 100% I'd made the reservation for 9pm and found his attitude odd (checked email later and found I was right). Anyway, after 8 minutes or so, we were seated at the worst excuse for a table possible. Literally, it was boxed into a corner next to the entrance, and we kept getting bumped by servers and customers walking to and fro. It was like he took one look at us and decided we weren't worth it, and as brown people, it's hard not to sense discrimination, especially when he smiled broadly at the people that walked in after us. Anyway, food was simply excellent, and luckily we had an absolutely lovely waitress (Cozette). All the French bistro standards are executed perfectly (escargots, moules, Steak frites). We ended with the bittersweet chocolate mousse at our server's recommendation, and it was yummy! Cocktails were okay, not the best quality liquor, but potent. Bottom line, I'd definitely brave the host again for the food and service, and that's saying a lot. Long overdue update: Aquitaine contacted me right after my first review with a very heartfelt apology and offered a gift certificate as incentive to give them another try. While I never replied to take them up on it, that's pretty awesome customer service.

    (3)
  • Alex B.

    Nice looking place. The seats are soft and cozy and has dim lighting which gives Aquitaine a nice romantic setting. There were several couples in there with us. Our waitress was friendly and informed us of the prefixed menu available from 5:30-6:30 daily. The deal is pretty good if you are planning on getting appetizers and desert. However, my GF and I opted to make our own selections. My issue: At the end of the meal the check came and I asked about the yelp passport to the South End. The waitress asked for a physical passport which I didnt have assuming this to be a promotional week for the south end. After two trips back and forth with the asst. manager, I finally asked for the assistant manager to come over. She didn't seem to know much about the offer, and ended up honoring the deal after some resistance. They shouldn't be participating in things like this if their management isn't made aware of what is going on...and now on to the food. The buttered puff that comes out with the bread was very good. We had had something like this on the cape that didn't have nearly as much taste. We ordered escargots (a french restaurant must) as an appetizer. They were warm and very buttery, yumm! They provided extra bread to dip which was good. Drinks: They have pisco sour. Haven't had this since peru so this made me very happy to see it on the menu. Originally I ordered a Scallop dish with a zucchini puree and rhubarb salad. Unfortunately, the waitress convinced me to go with a special that involved trout, clams, roasted potatoes, sardines, and bacon (there was some sort of green too but i forgot what it was). In theory, the dish sounded good, but was actually very salty, almost too salty. My gf got the Thursday Duck special. I love duck and this was very juicy. The orange sauce was a little sweet and went okay with the duck but not great. There was a green sauce that i thought tasted much better when paired with the duck. The duck is served over farro and fennel which i have never had before but tasted very good. The dish could have used a vegetable though. Overall, pretty good food, but expensive. I am glad they ended up honoring the discount.

    (3)
  • Ilya E.

    Well I was really excited to try a new french place after thoroughly enjoying Robert Petit Bistro in Kenmore, sadly not everything was up to par. Especially since they let us eat so late. Ambiance: The place is very cozy - great for first/second dates. Its quiet - despite people at the nearby table talking it felt very intimate. Service: Very good, the food came fast, as I say below, the drinks were given special attention. Drinks: Wine selection was great; the waiter brought us over samples for both wines we ordered - rare even in the nicer restaraunts in Boston (why don't more places do this, it ads a touch of elegance to the evening). Food: First Course: We ordered the escargot (completely drenched in butter and garlic, so we couldn't really taste it, but it felt like it was good texture and cooked well). Not a big fan of snail nor do I know how its 'supposed' to be cooked, but well - it was REALLY garlicky. Main Course: The chicken was mediocre - well cooked but slightly soggy. The rest of the food was not very memorable. Dessert: The chocolate 'thing' I had was very delicious. I'm a fiend for chocolate. End of Meal: We saw a mouse/rodent. Not a night killer/deal breaker, but I had to pretend I didn't see it, thank god my date didn't. Clean up your act Aquitaine. The bill came to 143 (plus tax and tip) for 2 glasses of wine each, plus 2 entrees and 1 appetizer. For that price, honestly I expected more. Once again, bonus points for seating us so late on a weekday night (we showed up at 11pm) and providing us with good service. Worth going to for drinks and a dessert late night, for food I would consider Stella at a much lower price for equal quality food.

    (3)
  • Piyali S.

    Delicious, reliable brunch in the trendy South End that doesn't break the bank! I struggled with whether to give this one 4 or 5 stars but went with 5! Usually I reserve 5 stars for restaurants that score high points on creativity or for combining an unlikely set of flavors that yield something delicious but Aquitaine was none of those things. Aquitaine was a solid, delicious, traditional brunch I know I can count on again. We went for the $10 prix fixe which comes with a cinnamon bun, omelette of your choice and bottomless coffee. I chose the omelette with mushrooms, leeks and boursin cheese with home style potatoes and toast: simple divine and HIGHLY recommended. I like branching out and trying new things but I doubt I ever will here because I found my perfect match on the first try. The portions are just right, leaving you feeling comfortably full without putting you into food comatose. If they had outdoor seating this would be my official summer brunch spot. If you don't love Aquitaine as much as I did you'll at least like it and that's enough to make a reservation this weekend.

    (5)
  • Anna L.

    Positives: Amazing meat!!! Authentic French menu Cozy and tasteful décor Negatives: Long wait (about 30 mins) for brunch, even with a reservation Several times no apology was given for the delay, not even a smile Overall, a very good restaurant. A shame service isn't always up to par with the food.

    (4)
  • William T.

    Consistently good service and food. The lemon sole is delicious. Steak fries are just tight. The beet salad is a great appetizer. The wines are well chosen and fairly priced. I live in the neighborhood and this is always a place I can count on. A real winner.

    (4)
  • Ellie W.

    Alright, so I decided to give Aquitaine a second chance. I figure, if Gordon Ramsay can give contestants a second chance on Hell's Kitchen (yes, i watch garbage reality TV on occassion), it wouldn't hurt to give Aquitaine one more try. And I'm glad I did. The first time around, the bad service and food really irked me and left me with a really sour impression of this restaurant. Also made me want to swear a bit like Gordon Ramsay (that's bad reality TV reference #2!). This time, I had a courteous waitress who was both friendly and attentive, and the food was great. They also serve some pretty tasty cocktails that make you wish you were sipping them while sunbathing on a yacht off Nantucket with a Kennedy. Well, one of the cute ones. Considering my initial bad experience occurred during Restaurant Week, I have a feeling that for the most part, it's rare to see restaurants (Aquitaine being one of them) at their best then. Mostly due to the insane volume of customers rotating in and out of restaurants around that time. So I'd have to recommend that if you want to see Aquitaine at its best and taste all the savory dishes this place has to offer, go for their brunch or dinner during regular hours/weeks. This still doesn't top my favorites list, but it's worth a try to decide for yourself.

    (3)
  • Juliana N.

    The boyfriend and I came here for brunch and I was super excited! One of my guilty pleasures is brunch!! I was really looking forward to the eggs benedict provencel! Not bad. I should have known to order the ham one since I'm a savory food lover. But it was definitely still a great benedict! The egg was perfectly cooked. Perfectly poached. When I sliced into the egg, the yumilicious gooey center escaped all over the english muffin! Yum! The boyfriend ordered the omlette alsacienne- mushrooms, leeks, smothered in boursin cheese! SO GOOD! I'd say his order was better than mine! We each received a side of breakfast "home-fried" potatoe nicely seasoned stirfried with onions. Ahh...yum. We piggies also ordered a side of pomme frittes. Crispy and served with an aioli dip. Can never go wrong with aioli. So good. Too bad our tummys were not big enough to lick every crumb off our plates! I also ordered a mimosa. Can't go wrong with that either. Everything was $37. Such a great deal!!!! Will be back!

    (4)
  • Alexandra F.

    Great meal for friends. Cozette was a fabulous waitress who made our evening fantastic. Thank you cozette!

    (5)
  • Valerie W.

    $30 for a tini bit of food thas what you feed a baby with ! definity not coming back !

    (1)
  • Kris F.

    I went here with my buddy Zack (a South End local) for dinner. It was a little crowded so we ate dinner at the bar. I had the steak tartare for an appetizer (not as good as Grill 23's), and then had a scallop dish for an entree (very good). It was so dark I couldn't read the menu and was a little on the noisy side. Overall dinner was good but I would not hurry back as there are so many terrific places to eat in Boston.

    (3)
  • Joy Y.

    What up Prix Fix Brunch?! You are awesome and yummy and cheap! And for that I love you. For $9.95, it was a fantastic deal for very good food in a great atmosphere. Aquitaine manages to somehow feel vibrant and cozy all at the same time. Sure, the front door is a bit of a cluster-f with the heavy velvet curtain (don't go bustin' in there, you might just end up taking someone out) and there's not really anywhere to stand, but if that's the biggest complaint I have from the entire experience, well then not too shabby... We were running late for our reservation and called to let the hostess know. She was a bit snippy on the phone, but I suppose that's understandable when there are a million people standing in front of you waiting to be seated. Lucky for us, when we did finally get there we were seated right away. The tables, while not close together (bonus!) were positioned quite close to the booth, so I'm pretty sure if you are any taller than 5'5" then you're screwed. I was already having a hard time figuring out where to put my feet, I can't imagine what someone with more leg would do... The service was fantastic though. Our waiter was funny and engaging, but not all over us, and yet totally on top of things. Not to mention we didn't feel rushed, which is pretty great when you're hoping to have a long leisurely brunch. Brunch comes with a warm cinnamon roll, which was much smaller than I had anticipated, but I suppose I should have expected as much. It was warm and flaky and delicious, although less like a cinnamon roll and more like a croissant. Bottomless coffee is perfect after a long night out and the orange juice definitely tasted fresh squeezed. I ordered the Omelette Basquaise which had ham, gruyere and parsley. It was very good- not the most amazing thing ever, but pretty tasty and well seasoned. When the food came out, I didn't think that the portions were very generous. It was certainly filling though as I could barely finish it (oh, don't worry folks, I did.) The best part? Two brunches=$21.00 Yeah, I know, pretty awesome right? Go there now. I promise you will fall in love too.

    (4)
  • Jas L.

    This is for the south end establishment. so you would go here for a graduation meal, a nice date (probably two weeks in; its pricey), or when you have your mom visit (its nice to take your mom out once and awhile on your bill, she deserves it)..... however, its pretty classy without holding up to the challenge of ambiance. what i mean is, is that it is fancy without charm. It's overly priced, and prudish.... but sometimes that works depending on the situation. its a high end restaurant and really doesn't bring to mind anything from France. drinks are well made, and they have an extensive wine selection. Filet Au Poivre was good, but you wanna make sure you order it medium rare.... seriously its a nice piece of meat; treat it with respect. Escargots De Bourgogne is OK, but i prefer the simplistic version (but mind you it's good). Steak Frites, cooked well, and nice presentation. this is not a bistro, and any french person will recognize the inappropriate usage of this word, its a nice restaurant. One thing! I'd recommend not coming here with a group. it sorta demands a level of intimacy that you wont get from a group. never been here for brunch but heard it's really good. PLEASE keep your little children at home. And make reservations.

    (3)
  • Chris C.

    Great mussels and fries at the tiny bar. A split of champagne, and some very nice dinner companions. Good food and good service. Nice, comfortable vibe.

    (5)
  • Catherine S.

    Great food, close quarters, and a very talented bartender makes this a nice place to have an off-peak hour dining experience. During regular dinner hours (especially on weekend nights) this place is a zoo. The tables are heavy and very close together - if you're not there on a date, it is a bit too close to be bumping knees and elbows under and across the table. Service was stellar for a busy restaurant. Our waiter checked on us often but didn't hover and kept our water glasses filled. The steak special was perfectly done to my liking (medium = pink but not bloody when you let it sit) and the tagliatelle with pumpkin seed pesto was also very tasty. The pasta was the perfect amount of chewy and the pesto was very distinct in flavor. Dessert was also very good - we ordered the raspberry tart with pastry creme. Just want I needed to round out a very satisfying meal. Overall, food is good but the setting is a little too cramped for my liking.

    (3)
  • Jessie L.

    For $9.95 you get a Cinnamon bun, omelette, home fries, Iggy's toast, coffee, and fresh squeezed juice. Absolutely worth the money! The mushroom and leek omelette was delicious although the boursin was a little too much, I would have preferred a less creamy cheese. The home fries are really great, I normally don't care for home fries but these were well seasoned and delicious. The cinnamon bun was definitely lacking, it was flakey and not yeasty. The coffee was also a little watery for my taste. The service was great and the restaurant has a great brunch atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Regan C.

    I keep kicking myself because I have never been here for lunch, which is apparently legendary, but I have been here for dinner on several occassions and it's about time I write a review for them. As far as dinner goes, I can't say enough good things about their French Onion Soup and their Mussels. I could live off of those alone. My favorite entree there is the Artic Char which is delish. I tried the tagliatelle with duck confit recently, and while the pasta was good, the duck was a little dry. Aside from the dry duck, my only other gripe is that a few waiters don't seem to know the wine pairings as well as I would hope they would. Nonetheless, you will see my hungover ass in there for Sunday brunch soon enough because even if service isn't always top notch, their food gets me everytime.

    (4)
  • diana k.

    Went to Aquitaine this past Sunday and got the Benedict Provencal. It was alright. Not the best hollandaise sauce i've had and one of the English muffins was hard as a rock. It wasn't just mine either. My friend ordered the eggs benedict and one of her english muffins was also hard as a rock. The service was the meal's redeeming quality. My friend and I sat at the bar and the bartender was super nice and friendly. Willing to give brunch another try just bc of her.

    (3)
  • Leighann F.

    Today, I have uncovered what I believe to be a little-known fact. First, the obvious: Aquitaine has an amazing brunch deal, they serve rich, delicious food in an understated yet chic bistro atmosphere that's praised as both a panty dropper and appropriate for parents. The bar is sexy and the wine menu is oenophile-approved. But did you know that they serve a lunch special that includes a sandwich, soup, your choice of pomme frites or a salad, plus a soft drink and coffee...for $12.95?! I almost passed them by. I almost just went to Market in The Square and got a prosciutto sandwich (which would have set me $10 with a beverage), but something caused me to pause at their window and gaze at the menu. With a big TWELVE NINETY FIVE staring back at me for what seemed to be a pretty hefty lunch, how can a girl say no? I don't think there's much of a need to reinforce just how good the food is here...crispy pomme frites, creamy, piping-hot tomato bisque and a sandwich the size of my whole hand stuffed with duck confit and cheese. I could go on, but the point here is that this is a lot of good food for very little money and if you working the South End (or happen to be there for a meeting/visiting a friend/not good reason) you should be taking advantge of this lunch special.

    (4)
  • Manpreet K.

    This is one of the better brunch spots in South End. Went here on a Sunday with a group of 6, even though our reservation was for 5. They were very accomodating, seeing how it was prime brunch hour. The server was forgettable but the brunch fare was pretty darn good with a good amount of variety. I sampled the dishes from my guests at the table, and all in all, everthing was pretty tasty (though the waffles were a bit soggy in the middle because they were left at the food window for a bit with whip cream on top). I had the eggs benedict Provencal & my other half had the leek omelette - really good. The ambience is wonderful & warm and the place is quite happening during brunch hours, so make a reservation. I have a few spots on rotation for brunch in the south end & Aquitaine is getting added to that list.

    (4)
  • Lady S.

    I just recommended Aquitaine to a friend visiting Boston and realized that I've never written a Yelp! review. Here it goes: This is one of my favorite restaurants of all time. The ambiance is warm and cozy, the staff is always friendly, accommodating, smart about the food. The mussels are divine. The cocktails are delicious. We come here for special occasions and it never disappoints. Have not tried the brunch but definitely recommend for a delicious, fresh, tasty dinner. Magnifique!!

    (5)
  • Jayme V.

    Service was slow and erratic (we had a half hour wait even though we made a reservation for brunch) but the food was so amazing and well-priced I didn't care by the end of it. Had the shrimp salad tartine and I'm still thinking about it! Creamy herb dressing smoothed over tender shrimp with avocado, crisp bacon, tomato, and bib lettuce. Served open-face on sourdough toast. It was a complete mess to eat but I was in absolute heaven. My friend loved her Omelette de Maison and said the home fries were excellent, too.

    (4)
  • Colleen H.

    Absolutely the BEST brunch in Boston. Yes, I said it. Okay, so the Prix Fixe menu comes with these adorable little cinnamon buns FRESH orange or grapefruit juice, delicious coffee (hard to come by), and the usual toast and potatoes. But this isn't what makes me yearn for this place. It's the Eggs Benedict Provencal. Oh. My. God. Delicious. If you are a fan of eggs benedict normally, get your butt here. They add avocado, tomato and fines herbes to the mix to make your day start off in the most delicious way possible. Now my roomie used to adore their bloody mary's, but I'm more of a bellini kind of girl... though their other morning cocktail options are quite phenomenal. Seriously, best brunch ever. And here's my secret... if you didn't make a reservation, hang out by the bar, those seats are first come first serve. And honestly, the service is way better.

    (5)
  • Irina M.

    Had a bit of a disappointing meal here during Restaurant Week. For out entrees we had Seared Merlu with Mussel stew. The execution was extremely poor. The fish was so dry, overcooked to a crisp. The white beans were very undercooked, hard and inedible.. The entire dish was extremely salty. It was 9pm on Thursday, and they weren't that busy but somehow the service was so slow that we didn't bother trying to send back our food. On the up side, both our appetizers were amazing (Chilled Corn Vichyssoise + Crab Beignets).. But the dessert was lack luster, I can't remember what we had. I guess I should have read more RW reviews for that place since it seems that we weren't the only ones disappointed.

    (2)
  • B V.

    Solid French fare with great atmosphere. The staff is attentive but not overbearing. Love the escargot and moules frites.

    (4)
  • Monika M.

    Love, love, love this place! I only eat out once a week and I want to make sure my experience is always top notch. And at Aquitaine it always it! Their food is always amazing and so is the service. Their goat cheese salad is my favorite appetizer. They serve the best steak and potatoes in Boston! (Trust me! And I have a very sensitive body to crap food since I'm on the competition clean diet all year round) They have a couple of yummy desserts; bread pudding is my top choice. Great vibe too!

    (5)
  • Kimberley S.

    The best (and spiciest) Bloody Mary I have ever had. Good god, Aquitaine. You sure know how to make me happy. Delish eggs benedict with avocado. Yummy home fries. What more could you ask for?

    (4)
  • Alana H.

    A great place for breakfast on a Sunday morning. My friend and I got a reservation here for 10 am which fit right into the hour they have their prix fixe brunch. For $9.95 you get a warm cinnamon bun, unlimited coffee, and a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice and your choice of an omelette. I ordered the Omelette de la Maison with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Gruyere Cheese. Don't let the price fool you, the omelette is huge and came with brunch potatoes and seven grain toast. The bacon in the omelette was crisp and the gruyere cheese was gooey and flavorful. The big chunks of roasted potatoes were crisp and a nice addition to the meal. If you want to come here for breakfast on the weekend you MUST make a reservation as this place is busy! Our server was very attentive and really nice, and our food came rather quickly and was warm. Good food, great price, I would definitely return.

    (4)
  • Chad T.

    Really I want to give this place 3.5 stars, but it's definitely not 3 stars and the prices are appropriate so I'll round up. While you wait for your party to arrive they do have a small cocktail bar with some very nice drinks. There was an off-menu special called the "Angry Orange", a tequila-based cocktail that's very citrus but with slight hint of coffee flavor. I don't even like coffee but this drink was very smooth. They don't have a very wide menu unfortunately, and the night you choose to come can greatly affect your enjoyment because they have a set menu of specials du jour. One of the reviewers below said that they have a duck confit tagliatelle on Mondays which I was very excited for, but now the Monday special is lame and they don't have the ingredients to make the old ones available unfortunately. So I settled with the plain tagliatelle, which, as the rating says, was good but not amazing. They do have a nice selection of starters though, and we shared the steak tartare (chopped and mixed with a nice mustard sauce), escargot, and my favorite, the chicken liver mousse terrine. The bread actually has salt baked into it so you don't even need to top it with sea salt, which I thought was a really nice touch. Give this place a try if you're in Boston on Monday and dealing with the fact that many of the high-end places here are closed on Monday.

    (4)
  • Meridith H.

    My partner & I were in the area, and hungry. This was a place that we chose based on the menu posted in the window; upon walking in, I felt a bit out of place in my jeans and hoodie, but the staff declined to notice. We were seated immediately & given a complimentary appetizer (high end cheesy pastry puffs!). I had a beet salad and the sole and my partner had the french onion soup and a steak; we were both very happy with these choices. My only regret is that we had to be somewhere after dinner and didn't have time to linger over coffee and dessert. I was also thrilled with the level of service; the waitstaff are professionals, not kids. With one visit, Aquitaine has won me over.

    (5)
  • Sarah J.

    Stopped in for brunch at 2 pm on a Sunday. There was a bit of a wait but luckily some seats were open at the bar. I had a St. Cloud cocktail, a beer, and the salmon benedict. Came to $28 + tip. Food and booze were tasty, service was good, place has good atmosphere, definitely a great choice for a date (or after a night of illicit love). The bar is small and they don't have taps, instead the focus is on fancy cocktails and wine.

    (4)
  • Ishpal B.

    AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! I absolutely adore this place. The first time I came to this restaurant was when me bf and his mom were visiting to Boston and we absolutely fell in love. This had become a household name for use and a bi weekly trip. The brunch is amazing. I always get the salmon Benedict for brunch which is only offered Saturday and Sunday morning from opening to 3pm. ALWAYS MAKE A RESERVATION FOR BRUNCH

    (4)
  • Dan D.

    French Restaurant, or Italian restaurant wanna-be? First a disclaimer: I used to live and work in France. I know a french restaurant when I see one. Aquataine, frankly, is not one. (I should have known by the "chicken salade" on the menu.) I had lunch there yesterday with two colleagues. Between us, we had Croque Monsieur's, French Onion Soup, Tomato Soup and Salad, and Steak Frites. The tables had a bottle of San Pellegrino - an Italian sparkling water, so I could tell we might be in for trouble. The staff didn't speak any french and weren't familiar with Poutine, that national food of Canada, that my colleague asked for. The lunch menu offers a special having soup, sandwich, and soda/coffee for $12.95. It doesn't mention that it's only half a sandwich. When I asked the staff what they did with the other half, they told me they save it for the next customer who orders the special. That means that half the time you're eating somebody else's warmed leftovers. They should suggest that to McDonalds - not what you'd want or expect from an expensive French restaurant. The French onion soup was fantastic, melted cheese, rich deep flavor, and the expected floating piece of bread. Kudos on getting that right. They never brought bread to our table, which was a surprisingly un-French thing. My friend asked for mayonnaise, and, on a whim, I asked if they made their own or bought it. Turns out they use Hellman's. Again, not what you'd expect from an expensive "french" restaurant. The greatest sin was the croque Monsieur. It was NOT a croque monsieur. It was a panini. It was a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Every french child knows what a proper croque monsieur looks like with the cheese and sauce on the top of the bread broiled to a nice crisp. The taste was ok for a panini, but somewhat greasy. The accompanying salad was of a single green (arugula?) had a vinaigrette dressing and was ok, but not memorable. The accompanying "frites" were your run of the mill ore-ida french fries, not the thin, crisp and delicious fries you'd find. My friend's steak was slightly smaller than a Hersey's bar, and was passable, not not memorable. We arrived at the start of lunch and were the first seated at our booth for the day. The greatest problem was that, after the meal, my friend noticed something "squishy" under his foot at our booth. He looked down and there was a pile of leftover food there, that must have been from at least the day before. After we pointed it out to the waitress, she said she'd clean it up after we left. After all the great reviews of Aquataine, I was truly enthusiastic to go. Now, I can say, I'm just as enthusiastic to never return. The good: Great french onion soup. Excellent location. The bad: Uneducated wait staff. Not a French restaurant. Sanitation problems.

    (1)
  • Valerie W.

    Went here for Valentine's day dinner. We sat in an "L" shaped booth at a round table, so it was quite intimate. I had the oeuf en cocotte to start - it was bangin' The roasted chicken breast was my main course - tres forgettable. There is a whole lot of fish to choose from on the menu, so if that's your thing, I'm sure all of the options are fishy delicious. If fish makes you hurl, you can choose from the Chicken, Steak frites, or the token veggie tagliatelle. I really liked the wait staff. My dinner partner discovered that he doesn't like beets courtesy of the warm beet salad - and I ...accidentally... told the waiter. He ended up leaving it off the bill. I swear I wasn't rude about it. A good time. I don't love the restaurant name embroidered on the back of the wait staff's vests.

    (3)
  • Mike G.

    Brunch is much ado about NUTHIN. had the omelet maison. menu said it comes with bacon, smoked tomato & gruyere cheese. well, i didn't see or taste any of it. toast was hard as a rock, potatoes cold, the cinnamon roll seemed factory made. friend's hanger steak special tasted like it was marinated in stale beer. thank god for catsup & tabasco. am ranting 'cuz i've actually raved about dinners here. the saving grace was OJ and service. have people been so seduced by the "cool" factor of aquitaine to rate their brunch so highly? what a racket. cross the street to francesca's for tastier & cheaper eats. it's the same view + better coffee. really.

    (1)
  • Briana T.

    A solid brunch spot. We brought friends from NYC and they enjoyed their meal. Great service & ambience. Good coffee and bloody mary's.

    (3)
  • Anita L.

    For some reason the word Aquitaine automatically makes me think of Aquaman so it takes some mental effort for me to take this place seriously (not that Aquaman wasn't serious...but yeah). However, the good food, nice servers, and elegant ambiance helps me do just that. I went here recendly with a large group for a birthday dinner. The French Onion soup was by far the star of the evening. It came out hot with delicious, gooey cheese, soaked bread pieces, and lots of delicious onion soup broth. The Arctic Chard was very tender and flavorful although the brussels sprouts on the side were rather bland. I must have eaten 3 or 4 rolls of the addictive bread. Their wine list was very comprehensive and they brought a nice little dessert for my birthday-celebrating friend. The dinner was certainly pricey, but it was worth it for an enjoyable dinner with good company.

    (4)
  • Mark R.

    Aquitaine is bistro cooking done really, really well. Roast chicken with a white bean and asparagus side and roast pork with a parsnip puree and braised cabbage - what's not to like? Toss in an apple tart, a good wine list, great ambiance and the most professional service we've encountered in many, many years and it adds up to a terrific restaurant. Lucky you, Boston!

    (5)
  • Jeff K.

    I love the brunch here! This has always been one of my favorite spots when I am in Boston. Maybe its the memories made here that make it so enjoyable or just that I dream about their croque-madam. Either way, I have never had a bad experience. I personally love getting a spot at the bar to eat. It shouldn't amaze me, but I am always pleasantly surprised at how crowded this space can be.

    (4)
  • Ross H.

    Solid four star restaurant. Big fan of the Brunch special on the weekend ($10 for an omelette and potatoes, mini cinnamon bun, fresh squeezed juice and unlimited coffee). Went for dinner with a few friends and had an equally pleasant experience. If it were a little cheaper, I'd be there more often.

    (4)
  • Erin F.

    I think this place is slightly overrated. I had heard a great deal about this place and was sorely disappointed. Luckily, we had made reservations so we didn't have to wait with the other masses by the door. But when we got to our table, I swear we'd have to be stick figures to fit in there. There might have been half a foot between us and the table next to us. Now, I have no problem sitting with people I don't know. In fact, you meet some of the most interesting people when they just sit down and talk to you. My problem was that there was no way to get in to the booth seat without your hips knocking down someone's coffee. Once we got there, the service was slow. I know it's busy, but we barely saw our server at all. And even when she was there, she hurried us to get on to the next thing she had to do. The selection was very limited. For brunch, the omelets were unimaginative and the prix fixe selection was just meh. I'll have to say that the chorizo that my friend ordered with the french toast (instead of the bacon that it normally comes with) was heavenly. Although her portion was very small. I tried the mac n cheese, which was huge, but not really memorable. The prices were high, especially for what we were getting. It was small, cramped, and busy. And certainly not worth the price or trip.

    (2)
  • sarah l.

    We go there every other Week-End for brunch. The prix fixe brunch menu is a great deal and is tasty. Service is excellent. Our waiters Bob and Liz were always eager to please us. Everything we tried so far on the menu was delicious (for brunch or lunch, we never tried aquitaine for dinner).

    (5)
  • zee w.

    Really great french bistro in the South End. Onion Soup was excellent. Filet au Poivre was one of the most tender, perfectly seasoned steaks I can ever remember having. Get a side of the green beans for some buttery goodness. Snug seating, but overall great atmosphere and service.

    (4)
  • Sandy V.

    We went to Aquitaine on a Saturday evening. It was a busy night, but not noisy. I liked the casual French atmosphere. The staff was friendly and our waitress was attentive and helpful. Everyone enjoyed their appetizers and main course. I would recommend this restaurant for a nice night out in Boston. Attire: Business Casual

    (4)
  • Kelsey M.

    Went here today with Brian. The food was decent. Our server was great. Wouldn't really call this a true French restaurant though.

    (3)
  • Jen B.

    Gay Pride Parade + Brunch at Aquitaine = Best Brunch Date Ever! We were in Boston to support our fellow LGBTQers and also to have brunch! What more could you want in life? What We Ate: Brioche French Toast, fresh homemade cinnamon rolls, eggs piperade, & bellini's! The prix fixe brunch deal- so awesome! We were seated in the window so we could continue to watch the parade going by. The service was great, the food was fantastic, the price was perfect. The table by the window was the icing on the cake. Great dining experience.

    (5)
  • Dennis L.

    The special prix fixe menu is a great value. Choice of egg dish, coffee, juice, and cinnamon bun to start Brunch is always a hassle because you have to brave the cold and wait in long lines to be seated. Not here. We simply made a reservation on OpenTable and got seated promptly. We ordered quickly and kitchen service was almost equally as quick. For the price, it was worth it. Next time, I'll try the other stuff on the menu. I look forward to coming back.

    (4)
  • Barry A.

    This place has been here for years and years, but I haven't. Three of us decided to dine there and we all really enjoyed it. The service was the kind that is attentive but not annoying. The food and wine were excellent, also. And while I did not believe for a second I was in Paris, it was delciously French and the atmosphere appealingly urban. A very nice experience.

    (4)
  • Kemberli P.

    Great place! Made a reservation for 2 for New Years Day @ 11:30am for brunch. We got a flat tire on the way so we called up and were able to move our reservation back to 12pm with no problems at all. Ended up getting there a little before 12 and our table wasn't ready yet - the manager let us know it would be just a bit b/c the table wasn't ready yet which was perfectly ok with us considering we'd gotten there earlier than expected. We waited 10-15mins and he checked in with us at least 4 times during that time. Took our coats, offered to get us a drink from the bar while we waited, was very friendly. Good service is very important and his was excellent. Brunch was DELICIOUS! We got the Brioche French Toast w/ Cream & Berries & bacon and the Eggs Benedict with brunch potatoes. Both were absolutely wonderful. French toast was cooked perfectly as was the bacon. Eggs Benedict was so perfectly delicious, same for the potatoes. Food came out REALLY QUICK. They were on top of our drink refills and clearing our plates once we were done, as well. Brunch is not pricey until you tack on alcohol beverages... Our meals were each $9.95 each. Incredibly reasonable. Perfect sized portions. Wonderful service. Food came our incredibly quickly. Offer to take your coats right away. Very bright with lots of windows. Definitely recommend Aquitaine!

    (5)
  • Megan S.

    With the crowds, chic decor and word-of-mouth, I was expecting a great meal. And I got it. My carnivorous dining companion swears this is the best steak frites in the city. I swooned over the escargot and summer squash tagliatelle. The service was impeccable and the atmosphere comfy. I think I may adopt Aquitane as my corner bistro. Aquitane, mind moving a couple miles to my corner in JP?

    (5)
  • Ella B.

    We went for dinner on a Thurs night and the place was pretty packed, but we were able to get seated quickly. Great neighborhood, and great ambiance in the restaurant. Our server seemed a little distracted, but otherwise, it was very tasty food served in an elegant presentation. Good selection of wines and beers including local beers. The price is probably in the $$ range as it ran about $45 per person with drinks, dessert and a tip. Great location if you're prepared to be a little spendy.

    (4)
  • R C.

    Bald gentleman in chef's coat didn't wash his hands after he went to the bathroom. Bloodys were a 5+ but I just can't get over my prior point....

    (2)
  • Sarah C.

    So, I'm generally a very reasonable and rational person, but for some reason after a less-than-satisfying brunch experience at the Aquitaine in Chestnut Hill (which, by the way, is apparently relatively separate in all things except name from this location) I decided that Aquitaine wasn't for me. How silly! My boyfriend and I decided on an impromptu dinner in the South End and when he suggested Aquitaine I got a little complainy. But, you know what, he's taking me out, and he's in the industry, so not only is it his choice but I trust him. If you like the french bistro feel, you'll love Aquitaine. They do it right. They have a small bar/waiting area, and the lighting is perfect in the restaurant, with tables spread as much as they should be for privacy, and mirrors abound. The hostess (Alexis, I think) was lovely and warm. We were seated at a corner table (my favorite!) and I was pleased with the cushy-ness of the benches (also my favorite). We were attended to all evening by John, a very kind, friendly, and knowledgable server. He was forthcoming with information and suggestions (as requested), and checked in on us at all the appropriate times. Definitely major points for service - thanks John! My boyfriend was raving to me about the mussels as soon as he mentioned going there. I'm not a big fan of mussels, but I also don't hate them so I was down for a taste. So, to start, I got the beet salad (delicious, btw, though I think it could have used a little more cheese), and he got the mussels. Wow wow wow. Apparently I like mussels...when they're done right! That broth is freakin' phenomenal. In fact, I will likely try to track down the recipe, whether by contacting the manager directly or writing into Bon Appetit. Actually, when I mentioned how awestruck I was by it to John, he kindly rattled off the ingredients. Why didn't I have a pen?! Seriously though, it's really really really really good. I would absolutely go back just for that. And he brought us extra bread to soak it up!! Om nom nom is all I have to say about that. An aside - before the apps we got TWO rounds of amuse bouche. Actually, they were both a bit bigger than your standard ab (yes, i did just abbreviate amuse bouche. suck it). The first was gougeres which were fresh out of the oven and awesome, and the second were some pan seared scallops with orange vinaigrette. The scallops were PERFECT. Really, just excellent. So my boyfriend got the lamb (which he seemed to enjoy as it was gone before i had finished half of my entree), and I got the steak au poivre. It was cooked perfectly (chef's choice, medium rare, mmmm), with a delicious sauce, and an even deliciouser (yes) potato gratin. You know - up until this point the little ratings above this text box had 4 stars highlighted, but upon further reflection I've bumped it up to 5, cause I really can't think of anything wrong that would prevent that 5th star from being awarded. I can't really give the restaurant points for this (except that they did carry it), but I also had the first red wine I've ever truly loved in my life - a 2003 Chateau Neuf de Papes. Holy frakkin frak people. OMG IT IS SO GOOD. So, that pretty much made the night. All in all I would absolutely return to Aquitaine in the South End, and would recommend it to many. And to think, all these years I've been walking by thinking, "meh..." NO LONGER my friends. No longer.

    (5)
  • Carol O.

    The Sunday before Valentine's day a friend and I decided to meet for brunch. We thought that since it wasn't valentine's day yet, we might have an inkling of hope for a decent meal -- especially brunch. Silly us. I don't know if it was the holiday weekend or just standard but Aquitane was a rather large letdown. I ordered the eggs benedict provencal (which has avocado in place of ham) and they ordered the omelette alsacienne (which has boursin, leeks and mushrooms). Let me first say, for the price of under $10 each, the entrees were fine. That said, even given the price I still wouldn't return. My eggs benedict had two hard, very brown (and not just because of air exposure) avocado slices on them. My guest's omelette was dry -- almost as if it had been cooked at least an hour before. Both of our potatoes were overly oily and undercooked or totally overcooked. When my friend asked for jam for his toast, he got a small dish with one type of jam in little packages -- two of which were opened and half used!! When they replaced it, there was a variety. Clearly we just got something off another table. What really peeved me was that when I ordered tea (at $2.75) I received a small cup of hot water and a bag. That's fine if that's what everyone else was getting -- but every other table had small tea pots and lovely glasses. Why pay the same price for less then half as much! I'm actually glad I wasn't there for valentine's day as tables were so close together I can't imagine it would be romantic for anyone! I could literally hear the couple next to me discuss the gentleman's mother's feelings for his girlfriend. So if you don't mind having to listen to amateur psych sessions, deal with used food and lazy waiters in exchange for cheap but okay/eh food, Aquitane may be the spot for you!

    (2)
  • Kristin P.

    Despite my boyfriend protesting my desire to write a review about this place, I can't hold back on sharing my opinion about the 2 most delicious things I've eaten recently. I had the Filet Au Poivre and it was AMAZING. One of the best cooked, seasoned filets I have tasted. It came with pommes au gratin that went so nice together. Please, Please go try this. For dessert we had the Chocolate Bread Pudding. This was my first time eating chocolate bread pudding, so I do not claim to be an expert, but it was delightful. I'm still thinking about it 2 days later. We had a bunch of drinks, and appetizers, I tried some of his trout, and the service was great but it really was the filet and the dessert that made me melt.

    (4)
  • S Z.

    Decent French food, but a bit heavy

    (3)
  • Emmanuel S.

    Great place for brunches. The Steak and Eggs is yummy, with truffle sauce. Brunch cocktails are amazing as well, for a very reasonable price. The only bad things: huge wait usually, especially on week ends, and even if you call and booked something at 2, you might very well wait until 2:30... PS: check the bathrooms with the wine stickers on the wall: beautiful!

    (4)
  • Jane W.

    Still one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Walking in here is like arriving at a great neighborhood restaurant in NYC. The atmosphere is terrific, the food is fabulous and the wait staff are always knowledgeable and attentive. The Steak Frites and Sole should not be missed!

    (5)
  • Seda A.

    Great food, and wine. Cozy and perfect neighborhood restaurant. Steak frites and shrimp bisque are crazy good! You might smell like food after you dine there but it's worth it! Dont forget about the bread pudding after dinner!

    (5)
  • Ilan M.

    I'm from NY, my buddy from Chi town so neither from Boston, but this place came on a recommendation from a Bostonian. We started with the chicken liver....it was decent, definitely not traditional, home made style, but tasty nonetheless. I then had the tenderloin....holy crap. Wow this thing was awesome. And the pureed apple and sauteed spinach was delicious. My friend had the sole which looked appetizing, but he commented that it was dry and bland. I should say that I declined the wine they brought me initially, and the waiter commented that I was the second person to decline that same bottle so I do feel vindicated in my actions. The second bottle he brought out was okay (not great, but I didn't want to push it). All in all, definitely a good choice. Only thing holding it back from being 5/5 was the bland sole.

    (4)
  • Bryan R.

    Excellent place. We made a reservation online for 8:30, showed up at 8:30 and were immediately seated. The cocktail menu is top-notch, on par with No. 9 Park A little crowded, kind of bumping elbows with people next to you but not necessarily uncomfortable All the food was great. Everything was eaten and enjoyed immensely. Crispy tuna was fantastic. Didn't stay for dessert but we were definitely tempted. Some desserts that read very well and came with wine pairings. And it didn't take forever to get our food. We finished our main course just about an hour after we arrived.

    (5)
  • Leesa S.

    Recently had brunch at Aquitaine on Saturday morning. So glad we made reservations because there was a line waiting for tables when we arrived. We were seated on time. The restaurant is very small so if you don't like being elbow to elbow with the next table this place is not for you. The food was very good, service was attentive and we overall enjoyed our experience. Will go back again when we have more time, perhaps for dinner.

    (4)
  • Michael C.

    It tooke me 3 visits to get in here for one of the most hyped Sunday brunches in Boston. I have to say that I would have no problem giving this place 3 stars, their brunch was solid bit nothing too out of the ordinary. I did get the duck confit sandwich, which was also very good. What really set this place apart was the outstanding service by our waitress (would've gave her a shout out if I knew her name), She was just so accomodating, with everything from the food to the drinks.

    (4)
  • Karen B.

    fabulous for brunch. the prix fixe options are very good, but i suggest you veer off course and get the croque madame, which is delicious and big enough to share. great food, cozy environment, friendly service ... you get the gist.

    (5)
  • LuluandDaquan B.

    Update: Second time was the charm!!! We came back courtesy of the manager and we had a great time. We started off with the escargots and some pork belly special that I cannot remember the name off. - Escargots was standard fare but very good. - The pork belly was like a patty and was strangely crunchy and flavorful. It was definitely a rich dish but DQ claimed its one of his favorite things he's tried in a French restaurant. DQ got the lamb special and I got the Filet au Poivre. - My steak was cook medium rare just as I asked and it was a flavorful dish. The only downside was that the amount of pepper was a little overwhelming. I love the potato au gratin on the side, it was rich and delicious. - DQ enjoyed his lamb it was tender and tasty Of course we ended the night with dessert, which was Crispy Chocolate Bread Pudding. It was ok but not very chocolatey and kinda reminded me of fried dough. The service was nice and we enjoyed our food overall! I guess try anything twice isn't a bad adage after all..

    (4)
  • Patrick M.

    Excellent brunch at the bar today. It's great when Aquitaine opens for brunch on odd days like today, the day after Thanksgiving. The cinnamon roll with my tea and the newspaper was a perfect way to start the meal. I had the traditional eggs benedict and everything was cooked perfectly. I really enjoyed the potatoes that accompanied the meal. Too many places burn breakfast potatoes, but these were great. Service was exceptional. Often brunch shifts are loathed by staff and it shows. I'm sure today's lunch/brunch shifts for many servers were tough to 'fake it 'till you make it'. The staff at Aquitaine really did a great job of anticipating customers' needs and making everyone feel welcome and appreciated. What impressed me most about the service was how the staff went above and beyond the call of duty, like the bartender coming out from behind the bar to flag a cab for a customer. There were several other instances of staff members performing tasks outside of their 'normal' job descriptions that made the overall experience more enjoyable.

    (5)
  • C C.

    This review is strictly for their brunch. OMG, this place is the holy grail of brunches. One of the best brunch places I've ever been to. It's right up there with the brunch I had at Clinton East Baking Co. in NYC. I had the salmon benedict and it's to die for. I seriously thought about the flavor for a week straight. My mouth salivating at the thought of it. I've also tried their lobster benedict which was also superb. I still like the salmon benedict better though. Both good choices though the lobster benedict was a special. Their bloody mary was good -not great but good enough. The service was quick and the waiter was attentive. I will definitely be returning.

    (5)
  • Amanda R.

    I love this restaurant! I have come here multiple times and every time the service is great. Beautiful ambience and delicious food. No complaints!

    (5)
  • Florina K.

    Good most of the time. Though sometimes you can go there and the food will be just okay. Though this is a special place this was the first date for me and my boyfriend:) The second time we went there the waitress was a big witch:) Enjoy!!

    (4)
  • stephanie c.

    Great service, cozy intimate ambiance for dates and small parties. Food was top notch from the appetizers and wine, to the entrees and dessert. Quality overall and will definitely be back for more. I should have come to dine here much sooner!

    (5)
  • Krissi H.

    You had me at "French." I met some friends here for brunch before Belgian Beer Fest this year. What an amazing idea! Get the prix fixe deal. $10 for juice, bottomless coffee, an omelette/egg choice, a cinnamon bun, home fries and toast. LOTS of food. I chose the Omlette de la Maison - and it was good, but I would have cooked the bacon separately. No one likes soggy bacon. And, the cinnamon bun was a little bit like a pop-in-the-oven-from-a-can, but it was still a cinnamon roll. It's hard to go too terribly wrong with that (but it could have been better). The waitress was lovely. We were a big party, but she kept on top of everything and made sure we all had full drinks at all times - even filling our glasses when we didn't want more. Also, she was stealthy! All of sudden, I'd look at my glass and it was full again! And we were in and out of there in record time, I'd say. We really didn't have to wait long for anything. The place is cute. I love the big windows. It just felt airy and comfy. It was definitely crowded, though, so make a reservation or be prepared to wait. If I lived in Boston, I'd definitely make this a regular stop. In fact, I think I'll make it a regular stop each time I'm in Boston.

    (4)
  • Yancey L.

    I absolutely bon appetit in this restaurant. Honestly, the way I located this restaurant was not searching iPhone Map but just following the smell! I had a great brunch over their with the melting cheese covered onion soup and duck confit sandwich. The dinning environment is great too, comfy and romantic. It's worth mentioning that their service! Waiters are so friendly and helpful. They have the giant pepper mill which is kinda of scene to see the waiter spilling it on your dish. I should come here for dinner some time soon.

    (5)
  • Paul S.

    Did the Saturday brunch. Made reservations for 12:00 noon and was seated immediately, even though there was a line forming. YAY! Love it when a reservation means something. Loved my croque maigret and my wife thoroughly enjoyed the Aquitaine burger. It was a bit on the well done side, but was still juicy and delish. Pommes frites are awesome! Place was packed, but service remained friendly and attentive. Aquitaine is a keepah!!

    (4)
  • Baking M.

    Love Aquitaine for weekend brunch Omelette A La Maison (bacon and gruyere), cinnamon buns and bottomless coffee. On Saturday's the Prixe Fixe Brunch is $9.95. This is the second time I've been to Aquitaine for dinner, and was flawless. The service, ambiance and food delectable. Shared a warm beet salad, and I had the Thursday evening special Crispy Long Island Duck over farro, fennel, orange and spiced Jus. My dining companion's filet au poivre was the right temperature, and the cognac cream, green peppercorns and pommes au gratin was wonderful. Of course we had to have the Pommes Frites with basil garlic aioli.

    (4)
  • Adam E.

    Aquitaine is a neighborhood staple for solid, classic French cuisine. Not the best, but not the most expensive - you get what you pay for, mostly. Overall, I wish they'd just take a few risks; there are touches here and there, garnishes that really take you off guard, but nothing all that memorable. Though I've been many times for brunch, I never went to Aquitaine for dinner until this week. The evening did not start off well, as we had a reservation and had to wait thirty minutes for a table. However, the host was gracious and ended up giving us free appetizers (mussels and a cheese plate), which was much appreciated. So I can't fault them for being unexpectedly slammed. He was perhaps the best part of the evening. The food in general was fine, but nothing spectacular. The mussels were soggy, and the heavy cream didn't help. I always find myself wondering why Aquitaine is not as good as Gaslight - aren't they owned by the same group, with similar pricing? The food in general was overcooked, or perhaps it sat out for too long - our waitress wasn't the best. Someone else took her place, and he was much better. I ordered the hake, which tasted exactly like the fried flounder I ate growing up. So it was wonderfully nostalgic and nicely paired with an inventive little diced chorizo accompaniment. Delicious, but a petite entree for $27. Others at the table ordered the steak frites, which were better than anywhere else in the South End, but not life-changing, and not the best in Boston. The jus could have simmered juuuust a bit more... But I'm sure I'll be back.

    (3)
  • Nicole W.

    For $10 you get a cinnamon bun, bottomless coffee/tea, orange juice, and an omelette. That's just good value right there.

    (4)
  • Erin C.

    The mussels here are fantastic. Really, it is the sauce that takes the cake! My date and I could have eaten several servings of these! I also had the chilled corn soup and was pleasantly surprised at the flavor, texture and the bits of shrimp. Yum-my. Our server was friendly, but not intrusive. Just my style. I look forward to trying their brunch!

    (4)
  • aland f.

    Best Brunch Deal in Boston! I've only been here for the prix fixe brunch on the weekend and it's OUTSTANDING. For $10, you get bottomless coffee (that tastes good), glass of orange juice (that's outstanding), a cinnamon bun, and your choice of omellette (that usually costs $7.95 on its own)... You can't beat this deal in Boston, ANYWHERE. Here's a tip, go on a Saturday morning instead of a Sunday.. Saturdays are far less busy than the Sunday craziness. Try it, i promise you'll love this place!

    (5)
  • H. G.

    I went here for dinner and brunch this summer before I left the 'hood. For dinner, the mussels were excellent, but the steak frites were surprisingly only ok. The price point is too high for only ok... even though the atmosphere feels genuinely Parisian. For brunch, I had the best french toast of my life. Crispy outside, eggy inside. I'm not sure how they did it. The smoked salmon eggs benedict was like the steak frites: also only ok. There was no flavor to the hollandaise sauce, and I can't put my figure on why, but the smoked salmon didn't taste great. As for lunch, they have a special of sandwich, soap and salad for $13. I wish I had tried that before I moved...

    (3)
  • Josephine L.

    I've been to Aquitaine several times and it's never disappointed. Like many other restaurants in the city, it's much more French-inspired American than straight-up French, but unlike many other "French" restaurants in the city, it's actually quite affordable for the value. Things to get: - Mussels: Always fresh and the broth is just delicious! I've never liked mollusks in their natural taste but decided to give the mussels a try one time I was here and boy did I not regret it! Another person in our party once got it too and our dates watched with amusement as we just chowed down on the steaming bowls (we gave them some to try, of course!) - Steak frites/skirt steak: Can you tell I go for the classic French dishes? The truffle vinaigrette is heavenly and the fries are always thin and crisp. For the skirt steak, the dijon potatoes are amazing! - Vanilla creme brulee: Some of the best I've had in the city. They also have a great wine list and I highly recommend the St. Honore 75 and St. Cloud cocktail (the holy ones just taste better, haha). And finally: the restaurant itself. I think it's just gorgeous in the winter, with all the Christmas lights winding around the windows and indoor plants/trees. The space is actually longer and bigger than it first appears, with lots of cozy booths and tables that aren't too close to your neighbor's. The atmosphere begs for casually elegant wear for dinner (think casual slacks, button-up shirt, skirts, non-fancy dresses) and totally casual Old Navy-type wear for brunch. Which is perfect if you're going with a bunch of people who think a polo shirt is dressed up!

    (4)
  • Dave A.

    I just had Sunday Brunch here today, and I really enjoyed it. Now, I'm a pretty simple guy, and I tend to go with meals in a that fall into their specialty, so of course going to a french restaurant for brunch I was going to go with the French Toast! I'm no French Toast connoisseur...but that was excellent! It came with some strips of bacon, whipped cream and some berries on top. My date had the Eggs Benedict, and she said that was really good. the meals were each just $10, so I think that is a pretty good price for a place like that, so five stars it is. As for line references, we got there at about 11:45 the morning after the spring daylight savings time change, so I'm not sure if that affected it, but I was happy that there was no line for just the two of us. The place looked full, but there still wasn't a line when we left either.

    (5)
  • Melissa C.

    Went for the first time last Sunday for their 10-11am brunch special. We sat at the bar. Service was quick and friendly. Didn't even get a chance to put down my empty coffee mug before it was taken and refilled. I remember telling my friend it had a hotel-like atmosphere up by the bar. I was a fan of the high ceilings. Drinks were good. Food was yummy and satisfying but not spectacular. Bottom line I would definitely go again. Neg: only one bathroom means there is always at least a short wait.

    (4)
  • David Z.

    My dinner at Aquitaine was like making love to a cadaver. I suppose. I have done one. I will never do either (again). My credentials are that I live in SF, which takes pride in food, and a year ago precisely I was in Paris eating at bistros. I have fallen to earth. We'll always have Paris. A French restaurant that cannot make sauces. We'll start there. The mussels were fresh and I'm not sick this morning. But the sauce? A sea of cream. Unflavored. No Pernod. No butter. No herbs. Nothing. Halfway through I was slogging through them for the sake of finishing. Mussels are served with bread that is broiled or toasted for "texture," as contrast. Here, you get a flavorless doughy mass, cold, in a cute bag.Attention to detail? After making a big deal over bread with mussels, they brought me some when I was done. Just as well. The place wasn't busy, by the way. The server, was very outgoing and recommended the smussels, any steak and especially the filet mignon ($$$). So I ordered steak au poivre, and it was just as bland. THe meat was flavorless. I think it came from a supermarket. Half the NY cut had somehow been removed. A half -steak at a full price. A blessing as it turned out. The au poivre consisted of five count 'em five peppercorns adrift in a pool of butterscotch-colored cholesterol-laden glop. Like sailors floating in a shark infested ocean. Except sharks have bite. This au poivre had no hint of pepper. No hint of brandy. No hint of anything. Steak au poivre fights back! It has tang or bite it's redolent of...anything. I found myself putting salt and pepper every serving, so it would taste like something. Anything. You'll notice the menu is utterly unhealthy, by the way, and filled with unnecessary butter and cream. If you're going to harm yourself, don't you want to have a good time doing so? They turned the heat on in the restaurant and I was literally broiling like a langouste. Ambient temperature was about 140 where I sat. I moved to the next uncleaned table. The busboy asked what was up, and I invited him to sit in my old hotseat. He remarked, "Oh, this is why everyone always complains." He was out of there as fast as he could move. This attention to detail is what makes Aquitane a great restaurant. I asked up front for wine (which was totally mediocre) on a separate check and didn't get it as such. Spent five minutes redoing the paperwork. $60 for this mess. So, a 40-mile round trip French bistro that cannot make bread, cannot make sauces, cannot, has a meh wines and nothing tastes like anything. It would last one day in Paris, and three in San Francisco. Awful. But a pretty place and nice bags on the bread. The bags were cute. And the most flavorful part of my meal. Jamais plus, mon cadavre.

    (2)
  • Helen G.

    The worst "French" food I've ever had. Croque monsieur looked like a sad fat-dripping hard and over-toasted bread w a thin slice of meat inside. That's it. Waitresses had a lot of attitude and were not welcoming at all.

    (1)
  • Bobby C.

    So far I've been here three times for brunch and five times for dinner. Everyone raves about how great the brunch is. I had the steak and eggs and my friend had the cobbe salad. Food was decent. Service was definitely below par. It's not like it was busy or anything. I think I may just stick with only dinners at Aquitane.

    (3)
  • Jon H.

    Prix Fixe. First off, better than Union Park's prix fixe. You get to choose from five different egg dishes (primarily omelettes), coffee, fresh squeezed grapefruit / orange juice, and a cinnamon bun. Now, sadly, the coffee isn't as good as Union (that coffee is hands down the closest to hot crack you'll ever taste), but the cinnamon bun (sweet and hot, that's what she said), fresh squeezed juice, and the delicious omelettes really take the cake. I usually go for the ham and gruyere, or the bacon and arugula omelettes. The omelette fillings are chock full and amazing, served with nicely cooked potatoes, and delicious toast. Between the two (Union and Aquitaine), you can choose Union for the variety (different types of dishes), but for me (an egg lover) Aquitaine takes the cake....or I should say the egg.

    (4)
  • Graceypoo M.

    Solid 4 stars. Went here for Restaurant Week, but I also tried one of the appetizers off the regular menu. It was my attempt at having a one nice last meal should Hurricane Irene arrive with a wrath on Boston and surrounding areas. The inside of this place is rustic---with studded leather seats, wooden and brick interior. White linen tables with protective paper sheet. They will hang up your coat for you in the back and bring it out for you when you are ready to leave. Amazing customer service forrealz. Wine and water glass and the standard offering of Perrier water (which I refused.... regular tap tap water is fine for me). I was offered 2 cute cheese puffs and even a complementary flute of sparkling white as part of their own in-house Restaurant Week promotion. They also offered these nice crusty rolls (warm and soft inside) and butter. Oh I enjoyed that bread. I indicated I wanted the prix fixe menu: had the tomato tart with basil goat cheese and creme fraiche (the tart shell was a bit too firm for me, but the flavors were nice); Prince Edward Island mussels sauteed in a garlic/herb/parsley/tomato broth with a huge saffron crouton; and the apricot tart tatin with creme fraiche ice cream. Everything were pretty good. The extra appetizer I ordered from the menu, however, was off the chain! It came in one of those mini hermetic glass jars-- this is the description on the menu: "OEUF EN COCOTTE with Truffles, Pommes Purée, Marinated Chanterelles & Brioche" Basically it is some marinated chanterelle mushrooms and slices of black truffles, topped with mashed potatoes, topped with a soft boiled egg, served in a hermetic glass jar.... and two mini brioche sticks for sopping up the goodness inside. Great date spot. =8)

    (4)
  • dante c.

    Went there for a date on a slower Monday night. We started with a warm beet salad and the mussels. Both were very tasty. For dinner normally I don't get filets because I think they aren't as flavorful as other cuts but I went for it because I am a sucker for pepper, it was delicious. Slightly overcooked, but still juicy and close enough to m-rare. Lady got the scallops (she is a scallop "connoisseur") and loved them. Service was great. This was my first time here and I normally don't love the whole French thing, but it was great and I would def go again.

    (5)
  • Coco K.

    Had brunch here today, June 9th after hearing about their affordable options and their pre fix menu for just $9.95. The first thing that caught my eye as I walked in was the small, yet comfortably inviting bar that's decorated with a whole wall of empty wine bottles. Nice French touch! We got a nice table for 2 along the wall and ordered a round of St-Honore cocktails before ordering. It was basically a French 75 and was very light, bubbly and refreshing on such a hot day. For brunch I ordered the salmon eggs benedict (my favorite), and my brunch date ordered the Eggs Piperade. The mini cinnamon roll appetizer was a nice treat. It tasted like a croissant with loads of cinnamon and a nice drizzle of glaze. Thumbs up! The salmon benedict was lacking in the smoked salmon department and the english muffin could have been toasted quite a bit more. On the other hand my eggs were cooked perfectly. The Eggs Piperade were underwhelming on flavor, but we asked for them very soft scrambled and they came out just right. Often times restaurants don't follow through on the soft-scrambling request and Aquitaine did an excellent job in fulfilling our request. Lastly we ordered a round of Bloody Marys and they were very flavorful. I usually like mine quite spicy, but these needed no doctoring up! Overall, the food was just alright, but very affordable. The drinks were definitely the highlight of our brunch!

    (3)
  • Edwin D.

    Vrai gastronomie francaise adaptee pour les americains. Their food is refined, elaborate, elegant-la classe The portions are decent and their wine selection is great. They actually have rouget, a small fish from the Mediterranean that you can't often find in backwater Boston. I retreat here when the Four Seasons Hotel is just too gloomy.

    (5)
  • Yve H.

    I came here for Sunday brunch. We made reservations, and thankfully so, since there was already a line outside at 10AM. The hostesses were friendly, and sat us even though we were slightly late due to lack of parking around the area. PM ordered the Salmon Benedict, and loved it (but he's biased in opinion, because he loves anything and everything salmon). I tried the prix fixe brunch menu, and had the Omelette Basquaise. The cinnamon bun wasn't warm and tasted a bit stale, which was odd since it was early in the day (may have been left overs from another day). The omelette was filling, and very satisfying. The orange juice and bottomless coffee were great, however, it proved to be more difficult than I imagined when getting a refill. The service was adequate, as in our server was polite, friendly, and well versed in the menu. But he did become quite pushy, insisting we order drinks when I already had orange juice and coffee. At the end of the meal, he seemed quite determined on having us order dessert, even though we were full. But that aside, I did love the decor of the restaurant especially with sunshine pouring into the restaurant on a lazy Sunday. The ambiance was lively, but still quiet enough to hold a conversation without shouting. I think Aquitaine was a good place for brunch, given a few disappointments. However, with so many great brunch menus to try and choose from in Boston, I think it may be a while before we're back again.

    (3)
  • Jillian Y.

    This is a tough one. I imagine that on a different day, with different customers, this might have been a 5-star experience. I'm therefore trying to base my review on the things that really matter -- service, quality of food, and atmosphere -- rather than on our particular experience which was actually no one's fault. Let me explain... We made a reservation for 11:30 via OpenTable, and arrived at approximately 11:34, and checked in. The kind (and very overworked, from what I could tell) hostess told us that it would be just a few minutes. For the next 30 minutes, we stood there squeezed amongst fat people reeking of cigarettes as other parties (including two parties of two, like us) were seated. Finally, the apologetic hostess popped over to us with two fresh-out-of-the-oven cinnamon buns, apologized again, and then told us quietly that the table she'd been waiting for had customers that just wouldn't leave. She instead seated us at a tiny, apparently otherwise unused table near the front. I get the conundrum - on the one hand, the hostess could have kept us waiting even longer for the original table, or she could've just sucked it up and seated us there, as she did. Unfortunately for us, this spot was barely a table, crowded between two other (slightly obnoxious) parties, and right in the front window so that the glaring sun was right in my date's eyes. Poor guy didn't even have his sunglasses with him. Sun and tight space aside, the food was delightful, and our server ideal. And the buns, of course, were gratis. I'll come again, but only on a weekday. Saturday brunch is just too insane for my liking.

    (4)
  • Nandanie S.

    I made a reservation for brunch here on a Sunday morning. Beforehand, I emailed the manager of Gaslight because I have gift certificates that were sent to me and wanted to know if they can be used at Aquitaine. In my email, I should have mentioned dinner certificates and not gift certificates. Thus, Diego responded that I could use them at any of the nine restaurants in the group. When we arrived, we were seated. I then asked the manager if I could use the certificates, and she says no because it was just for Gaslight only. Then I realized that I should have specified that it was a dinner certificate in my email as opposed to a gift certificate. She let me use one anyway, which I was totally okay with!! Okay that was that...moving on.... The temperature inside of the restaurant was sweltering and extremely uncomfortable. People around us were sweating and looked uneasy. My husband and I were among those. The front doors were wide open, and the humidity wafting in and out combined with heat from the kitchen made it uncomfortable and so we declined to stay. I felt bad about leaving, but we were uncomfortable with the heat (the temperature outside was a lot nicer - if there was al fresco dining, we'd have taken advantage). We were there for about 5-10 minutes and no one had come by to take our order or anything, so I didn't feel that bad. However it was noticed that the silverware was dirty as well as the wine glasses. We just didn't want to be uncomfortable having brunch. I've been to Gaslight and Aquitaine Dedham. Experiences there were good, and I was just surprised at service at this location, seeing that it's in popular South End of Boston. Hope to give you another chance soon...

    (2)
  • Andrew C.

    This place has to be one of the most over rated restaurants in Boston. I came here for brunch and he service was mediocre and the food was horrendous. My bad experience started when I arrived at the restaurant. Prior to coming here, I had made a reservation for this restaurant. Although we arrived on time, we still had to wait for 20 mins or so for our table to be ready. Service Overall, our waitress was not very friendly. Her service level was a bare minimum. She was quick and efficient in taking our orders and serving our food. But, she did not smile and had a very "snotty" vibe. It seemed like she couldn't care less about how we were doing throughout my meal. I credit her for fulfilling her duties but she absolutely did not go beyond the bare minimum which should be expected at a restaurant of this "caliber" Food I got the Prixe Fixe Brunch Menu and decided to pick the Portuguese French Toast. What I got was the most pathetic 3 pieces of French toast I've ever been served. The serving was so small and the bread tasted stale and uninspiring. On top of that, the sides were burnt and it lacked in any flavor at all. Furthermore, the French toast included a Cinnamon bun which was absolutely horrible. It was dry and also tasted stale. I could've probably cooked a better brunch for myself Moral of the story: Don't bother coming here... especially for brunch. Save yourself some misery and go to a proper diner.

    (1)
  • Silly S.

    Come with friends for the first time. I love crisped chicken legs. The restaurant is quiet and a good place for chatting.

    (4)
  • Divie E.

    I came here with a friend late Friday evening and was not disappointed! The prix fixe we'd read about wasn't available so we made our own. It's not an inexpensive restaurant but we were really happy with the night. The ambiance is a little vintage (and a tad quirky). You immediately get the vibe that this caters to a mature audience (i.e., those who are prepared to spend cash) but it has just a hint of modernness that keeps it current. The food was really good, making the trek to Back Bay worth it! Every dish was solid and very-well executed. They started us off with two mini cheese-filled pastries, which were warm and very tasty. We then shared the Salade Aquitaine, which had the perfect amount of tang in the dressing. The bacon cubes and poached egg really added something to the dish, and the haricots vertes were perfectly cooked. The dinner rolls were crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, and delicious as well. We ordered two main dishes to share: the roasted shrimp and the moules frites. Both were great. I really liked that the shrimp dish was ready to eat, no knife needed. The shrimps were large but out of shell. The gnocchi had a slight crispness to it. The sauce had hints of garlic and made the dish hearty. It was a great twist on pasta. The mussels were great as well: large and in a creamy sauce that brought out their flavor. I didn't love the fries (at first) but they were hot, crispy, and well-seasoned. I found myself eating them all! The dish was actually of Belgian quality. We also shared a carafe of a great red Bordeaux (slightly spicy), which added to our meal. The service was also good overall, taking it up to 5 stars. Our waitress was attentive, efficient, and not pushy. One of the busboys seemed eager to clear our plates, which was a little annoying, but they also let us stay until an hour after closing, which speaks volumes! The entire experience was just that: an experience! It's the kind of experience I'd want on a date - intimate yet fun. Things weren't 100% perfect but my friend and I had such a good time. I look forward to coming back again (especially when they have the cheese plate).

    (5)
  • Chloé R.

    I love that Aquitaine changes the menu with the seasons. Servers are knowledgable and explain the wines and specials with detail. Recommend the onion soup, aquitaine salad, lamb shank, steak frites, and chocolate bread pudding. Clean. Nice ambience.

    (4)
  • Leah K.

    Headed to Aquitaine for dessert after dinner at The Gallows. 4 of us got a seat at the bar, and took a good long look at the dessert menu (and incredible cocktails). The bartender was great an would chime in in helping us make a decision. I went with a calvados cocktail that came in a martini glass, my fiancé had a beer, and our friends ordered sparkling wine and another cocktail. I think we all loved our choices, and they paired well with the desserts. I chose the crème brûlée, and my friends had chocolate mousse and tarte tatin. The bartender laid out napkins as placemats for us, and it set the tone nicely. My crème brûlée was beautiful, perfect in every way. I tried my friend's chocolate mousse, which was thick, dark and delicious. And all of them were around $7...a good price for the quality. It's such a beautiful restaurant with great service, that I will most certainly be back for dessert and cocktails quite soon!

    (5)
  • Karis O.

    You absolutely need to make a reservation in advance on the weekends if you don't want to wait for at least 45 minutes. Sure, we can all go cutesy for Sunday Brunch, get eggs benedict, maybe a little side of fruit, throw in mimosas. But I passed on this. I came in with a game plan, knowing I heard the Truffle Bacon Burger would make me want to sashay out the door and yell from the cobblestones of the South End. One of the best burgers I've ever had. It was so rich and juicy, cooked exactly how my Dad cooked my burgers for me growing up, flavorful with truffle mayo (no skimping out here, folks) and delicious bacon. It also didn't help the fries were also some of the best I've had as well. Aquitaine is constantly busy for a reason. I've also heard their prix fixe brunch is one of the best deals in the city. Another tidbit worth sharing is one of my friends said he'd consider quitting his full-time job if it meant he could have a lifetime supply of their cinnamon rolls. That's saying something- he's got a great job. Fabulous service, lovely, chic decor and funky clear glasses for steaming hot coffee. A true gem in the South End!

    (4)
  • Cindy X.

    Came here for Boston Restaurant Week and the experience was worth the time and money! Aquitaine was one of my favorite restaurants during Dine out Boston. Both the service and food were on point, and I can tell the wine was carefully chose to compliment the course I ordered. The atmosphere is mellow and classy. Simply sitting there makes you feel better. I would love to come back sometime for brunch.

    (5)
  • Reem H.

    This place is great! We went for an Anniversary dinner and it was a great place for a such an event. A bit on the pricey side. It's not a huge place but it was cozy. Situated In the heart of Boston it was very easy to get to by cab (cabs are everywhere and so easy to get) The food was delicious!!! I ordered the peppercorn sirloin and it was delicious but the inside of it was too pink and I didn't finish it. I'm sure you're wondering why I'm raving about it if I didn't eat it all? Well it was cooked but I was full and the parts that were pink I left aside. It wasn't that it was undercooked, in fact my husband are the rest of it. Everyone at our table raved about their meals. They also have a good wine selection. The desserts were great. Try their sorbet!!! You won't regret it..... You're welcome! LOL We had a wonderful waitress, Cossette. She knew her stuff, was attentive and great at her job!

    (5)
  • Antonio B.

    As a New Yorker we expect a a lot. This is a little bit of heaven miss L THE BARTENDER can blend anything to ur pleasure she can read ur mind before u need another one. Haha and as far as the severs John an Cossete love he they always know what to suggest and order with out hesitation. The manager Bryan he always welcomes me as if it was the first time here always and I love that.

    (5)
  • Saacha M.

    Just stopped in again for brunch this Saturday. The Prix Fixe brunch is amazing. $10 and you get coffee, orange juice, a cinnamon roll and an omelette. I think this place actually gets better every time I visit. Next time in Boston, I'm going to get dinner here.

    (5)
  • Rayan D.

    Aquitaine used to be a brunch institution in Boston but since my last visit it's clear that they've been cutting some corners to save on costs. I used to be a frequent patron of their $10 prix fixe brunch that included a delicious cinnamon bun, a glass of orange juice, your choice of one of many sweet or savory dishes, and all the coffee you could drink. A couple of weeks ago, I returned after a several month hiatus and was disappointed as soon as I walked in the door. To start with, the hostess was unfriendly at best as was our waitress who, as soon as she realized we were after the prix fixe weren't ordering drinks, changed her entire demeanor. I also noticed that the place was EMPTY at 10:30 in the morning - if you've ever been there on a weekend in the past you'd know that something must not be right. I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt but the service was atrocious; as soon as she realized we weren't going to be throwing back mimosas at 10AM she stopped smiling and turned cold and gave us the least amount of attention possible. Lets turn to the food - it was HORRIBLE! Those delicious cinnamon buns they used to serve? Gone and replaced with what tastes/looks like something bought in bulk from Costco. They also shrank the menu for prix fixe and now only offer a select few options, all of which fail to meet the standards this restaurant set in the past. I will definitely not choose Aquitaine again unless they make some serious changes. As far as I'm concerned they are a "once was"; I hope that the management sees what has happened to their customer base and improves the service and food.

    (2)
  • Blaire O.

    I have been here for the pre-fixe brunch often. Who could not come for the $9.95 brunch all day Saturday and 9-11am on Sunday? The brunch includes: unlimited coffee, a glass of fresh squeezed juice (Orange or grapefruit) a mini Cinnabon then an omelette. You can chose from the 3. The deal and food is good. My friend and I went for the brunch this morning and had a 10:30 reservation. The tables are extremely close to each other. Barely any room to get in and out on the booth side of the table. The fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee was good along with the warm Cinnabon. We both ordered the omelette piperade (ham, tomatoes and peppers) with mushrooms added. It also had home fries and toast (but we got English muffins). My favorite part was the Home fries. With the tables super close together, it made me feel claustrophobic and it was tough to get out the booth to leave. My gloves went missing. I went back to check the table and it was being cleared. I asked the busboys if they saw them and they weren't helpful. Nor was the hostess. She seemed like she was not happy to help or wanting to be there. I am still waiting to hear back if they found them when the tables next to us are cleared.

    (3)
  • Maey P.

    Made a reservation for 12:30 brunch. Arrived early and ended up waiting until 1 in the very crowded entryway. When we were finally seated we were put in a very awkward set table where not one of us faced each other and decided we would rather wait for a booth. I ordered the salmon benedict which was very average and they were very cheap on the amount of salmon I got. The bloody Mary and other drinks were very tasty on the other hand. Overall i don't think it's worth the hype or price.

    (3)
  • Keuna C.

    I can't believe I waited this long to try the weekend brunch at Aquitaine. It's fantastic!! What a gem. Service: We had a reservation for 4 people for 12:30 on a Saturday. Even though one person got there a bit before the others, she was seated pretty promptly. As soon as 2 or 3 of us were there, the waitress offered us coffee, juice, water. Food: I had the Croque magret, which came on gorgeously toasted bread (that's saying a lot, since I'm really not a carb person) and had incredibly flavorful duck. Two of us had the prix-fixe brunch at the unbelieveable price of $9.95-- small glass of fresh squeezed juice, coffee, mini cinnamon bun, and your choice of omelette. I would give the greek omelette 4 stars instead of 5 for flavor, but the cinnamon bun made up for it (tiny, warm, and just right). The fourth person had the croque monsieur, which I didn't try but he said was pretty good. Ambience: Your typical charming french bistrot feel, in the best sense. Just the right amount of light, not too noisy. Great location right on Tremont. I'm definitely going back for more!

    (5)
  • Nikki W.

    We come here regularly about twice a year and love the food. This time we were a little disappointed in our service though. It was a little bit slower than we were used to compared to the many other times we come here. She had a larger party and then was sat twice quickly afterwards. I'm assuming this was pretty overwhelming. I would suggest timing your reservations better to accommodate servers to give better service. Most annoying was our after dinner drinks were not served at the same time as dessert. They should go as a pairing. Other than that we love Aquataine. Authentic French food. I recommend the Mussels, Escargot, and Filet Mignon.

    (4)
  • Mike J.

    Wah..... what a great place to dine in with a great environment, especially with great service. I always come here with my homies for brunch. U know my name is Mike Jones from Boston.

    (5)
  • Kimmy U.

    Wait a sec. So you're telling me I can get bottomless coffee and juice (mmmmmm grapefruit), toast, potatoes, and an omelet for $10?? YES. Come here for their weekend pre fixe brunch! Saturdays 10-3, Sundays 10-11. Make your reservations now! Their petite cinnamon buns are so flaky and warm! The icing dripping down. ahh heaven Omelette De La Maison was the better of the 2 I shared with the brother. Comes with bacon, tomatoes, and gruyere. And gimme summadat fresh cracked pepper ! The Omelette Alsacienne was just ok- mushrooms, leeks, and boursin cheese. I was so excited to try a new cheese, but of course.. my brother takes the half with ALL THE CHEESE IN IT! pshh Potatoes were nicely cooked, but nothing special They have these jam packets that you cut open and squeeze onto your toast. It was the first time I've seen those.. pretty interesting lol. This is one of the best deals I've seen in Boston, especially at a $$$ restaurant

    (3)
  • Becca L.

    Wow, now I get why Jethro Tull wrote a song about this place! Nothing says "classy" like coffee in clear glass mugs. Of all the many brunch options in the South End, this is by far the best! Although I couldn't pronounce most of the things on the menu, the server was very patient with me, and was spot on with his recommendation of the prix fixe menu (Cinnamon buns are the first course and a must!)

    (4)
  • Alex S.

    Aquitaine is a quaint little bistro located in the heart of the South End and is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. I have only been here for dinner before but have been dying to take advantage of their prix fixe brunch special on the weekends. Because we never have the motivation or energy to make it all the way down to the South End on a Saturday morning, we've never been able to take part in their brunch special. However, because it is only $9.95 for a complete brunch, we finally decided to move our lazy asses and check it out. The brunch special is a pretty sweet deal. For only $9.95, you get a glass of fresh squeezed juice, coffee, a glazed cinnamon bun, and an entree. I know...ridiculousness. These we're some of the best rolls we've ever had. The outside was crunchy and flaky and the inside was soft and moist. And don't even get me started on the icing... For the entrees, we ordered the Omelette Piperade and the omelette with pimento cheese and niman ranch ham. Both were really well made and tasted amazing. It's surprising how something so simple can be so delicious. We both left completely stuffed and craving a nap. And for only $9.95 per person, it's really one of the best brunch deals in Boston. If you are ever in the mood for a good weekend brunch, I would highly recommend checking out Aquitaine in the South End. Check out my blog (complete with pictures and childish humor) for the full review! thesuchef.org/2014/07/19…

    (5)
  • Catherine D.

    First of all, I would like to apologize to my waiter if I was rude at all. I only had almonds for lunch that night and was extremely hungry coming in for dinner. So, if I involuntarily sneered when you said there was no more duck, I'm sorry. So... My partner and I came here for dinner last weekend. The restaurant was a bit understaff, so it took quite a bit of time before the waiter was able to make his way to our table to take our drink orders. Aside from the long waits, dinner here was lovely. The ambiance is cozy and as cute-French feeling as you would expect from a French restaurant. Their escargot is probably the best I have ever had in Boston. For dinner, I had the pappardelle (though I wanted the duck, which they were out of); I imagine the pasta was made in house--I don't know what it say, it was delicious and perfectly balanced. Looking forward to coming back.

    (4)
  • Kate P.

    We were very disappointed with our brunch today. Our reservation was for 12.30 and we were seated at 1.00. We ordered cocktails at the bar while we waited from a particularly unfriendly female bar tender who never cracked a hint of a smile for the duration. We were initially seated at a table with all the chairs in a line on one side, which was very awkward and hopeless for conversation, so we asked to be moved to a booth which we squished in to. The food was unremarkable. The eggs Benedict had a mere drizzle of hollandaise, the sausages seemed like they were the frozen kind that you buy in Bj's. The tea was good though......as were the cocktails. Oh yes and one loo for the establishment... You could miss your entire meal while you waited. No TP and the waste paper basket overflowing.

    (2)
  • Joann C.

    Been here for dinner, been here for lunch... Been here for brunch! Oh let me count all the ways I love thee Great place for affordable French cuisine. The food is always great, wait staff is always courteous, and love the ambience. Oeuf en cocotte and lemon sole for dinner ! Lunch menu is a great deal ! And it's normally not too busy in the day time. Brunch potatoes and homemade warm cinnamon buns are a must !! Coffee ... Anytime of day ... Really! Have it during brunch (of course) but have it after lunch or dinner.

    (4)
  • Reem K.

    I went today for a brunch as I read recommendations of the French Toast they make. My brother ordered an omelet that was so normal. I had the French Toast and I was SO disappointed. It was DRY. Crispy, but not in a good way. It didn't taste good at all. I've been looking at the dishes on the tables around us. And nothing seemed appealing. Defiantly not going there again. Even the people working there weren't helpful enough.

    (1)
  • Juliana K.

    Actually somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. Bad news is -bone marrow was wimpy and not worth getting. -short ribs, while tender, were bland and Unimpressive. Almost like they boiled short rib and put it on some bland broth. -creme brûlée was was extremely disappointing. One of the worst ever. The texture was like pudding. This may be due to the fact that they out WAYYY to much sugar on top. They probably had to fire up the top layer of sugar for a long time and it turned the creme brûlée to melt into pudding as well. Sugar should be a thin layer in order to crack with a spoon. Very poorly executed. My favorite dessert and the worst dish. Good news-- -bread is fantastic. - get the escargot. Big, juicy plump escargot drowned on garlic, herbs and butter. Really WOW. -cauliflower side dish was fabulous. -surprisingly, the chicken dish was the best of the night. Typically, I would never get chicken, but it was moist and the dish was well seasoned and balanced. - filet steak was very tender with a great peppercorn crust. The accompanying potatoes au gratin were a joy. Medium rare= medium here though. - sole fish was good. Perfectly cooked and crispy skin, but didn't blow my mind. - moule frites was very good. Heavy herbed cream sauce was great. - beet salad was nice and lovely especially if you like powerful aged blue cheese. - shrimp bisque had a beautiful presentation which set high expectations that were not met. - french onion soup was awesome. Great depth to the soup. Perfect layer of cheese. We ordered another! -apple tartin was okay. Overly sweet for me. - crispy black bread pudding was very good. Nice crispness and moist. Service was fantastic. Host and service were very polite, friendly, and had great attention to detail. Decor is a dim-lit cosy french restaurant feel. Would definitely return again (but not get creme brulee).

    (4)
  • Cathy Z.

    I chose Aquitaine as a special place for a celebratory lunch and was so, so disappointed. Our waitress was ridiculously nice, but the food was simply not good at all. I was excited about their lunch special, with French onion soup/tomato soup, a duck confit sandwich/croque Monsieur and fries/salad for around $12, but everything was way too salty, barely warm, and not fresh-tasting--I was feeling miserable about eating it. It would have been a great deal if it had been edible. Again, the service was spectacular, but I wouldn't come here again because I was so disgusted by the food.

    (2)
  • Gabriela S.

    We went out for dinner last night, Thursday night. I had expected to wait for a table, but we didn't so that was a nice surprise. The escargot were mega salty, which isn't bad if you're into that. The people I was with liked the bone marrow croquettes because of the cheese they were served with, but I was disappointed that I couldn't taste the marrow in the croquettes. The chicken was tasty, but nothing special. I expected more for the price. Nice presentation though. The sea bass was delicious, beautifully made with lots of herbs. I really liked our waitress. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. Great service. Ambiance was cute, warm and inviting. For being known as the best French restaurant in Boston (According to boston magazine) I had high expectations that were not met. I probably won't go back. I've heard it's good for brunch, but dinner is okay and pricey. I'd be just as happy going to La Madeleine's. :).

    (3)
  • Sarah K.

    I came for sunday brunch - had a lovely time, cozy atmosphere not too busy. We started with the cinnamon rolls (fantastic and just the right size) then I had the nicoise salad and my husband had the avocado benedict. The nicoise salad had big chunks of what seemed like fresh tuna - good but I feel like it's impossible to improve on oil packed canned tuna in nicoise salad. Waiter was great and kept our coffees and waters full. Would definitely come back again next time I'm in Boston.

    (4)
  • Nick B.

    Following the incident described in my previous review regarding the bartender, I was reached out but one of the business managers who apologized for the inconvenience and the poor experience. I sincerely appreciate the service recovery and appeasement. I live in the south end and look forward to going back and giving Aquitaine another try.

    (5)
  • Liz C.

    My husband and I would come here for a classier date night. It has a small and intimate atmosphere although some of the tables for two are very close to each other. The Filet au Poivre is fantastic and the bread pudding is to die for. The service is good, and they bring interesting little things to snack on before your dinner. For my husband's birthday, they let me get the bread pudding as take out to surprise him! Excellent service and excellent food. It's always a great night when we come here.

    (5)
  • Cici A.

    I've been to Aquitaine a bunch of times for brunch & love their shrimp salad sandwich and eggs benedict. I also came in for restaurant week awhile back & really enjoyed their lunch options.

    (5)
  • Kiko P.

    Underwhelmed by the food and the service. Maybe it was our particular server (quite cold and not attentive) or the brunch menu, but I left feeling unsatisfied. The food here is pretty basic. Side note: I'm a picky eater so I got the bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese, but I've seen other places do it better (I got 4 sad pieces of salmon). I could've recreated all the dishes my friends ordered at home with a yummier touch.

    (2)
  • Ryan C.

    Went for a late lunch and the food was great. I got the Ruben Burger which was unbelievably good. Very nice atmosphere and quality service.

    (5)
  • ric d.

    Good food, but mediocre service. Bread delivered with no serving plates. Waiters are spread thin. Is management paying attention to customer service?

    (3)
  • E G.

    I've been here a couple times, the steak dishes are great but if you really want an amazing experience go for the more creative dishes. The Gnocchi are mouth-watering, from the appetizers I had something (forget what it was called) with olives, feta cheese and seafood, simply amazing.

    (5)
  • Susanna L.

    An upscale, French restaurant with very VERY attentive service and great food! We got the escargot, which was delicious and garlicky and buttery, if not a little too salty, and the sea bass. The fish was perfectly cooked and had a nice savory lemony taste. It's a pretty hearty dish for fish. Last but not least, the crispy chocolate bread pudding is AMAZING. The top is crunchy and the inside is soft and chewy, and it's perfectly complemented by the caramel sauce and vanilla icecream. I love bread pudding, but this was definitely one of the best I've ever had. My friends who don't even like bread pudding liked this one!! Highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Anju P.

    Mind your check is the lesson of this review. I dined at Aquitaine a few months ago and it was an enjoyable brunch with good food and service. However, upon close review of my recent credit card bills, there was a grossly inappropriate increase in my gratuity charge...meaning adding more than my entire bill to an already generous tip. My credit card company requested I try to settle with the restaurant. That experience required multiple phone calls and emails over 3 weeks. After the matter was settled, I received an apology that did not seem genuine and an explanation that left me skeptical at best. If you decide to dine here, make sure to save the receipt!

    (1)
  • Ryan S.

    I lived in the South End ten years ago and used to love having brunch at Aquitaine. It's upscale yet comfortable, the food is consistently delicious, and the service (used to be?) helpful and friendly. Unfortunately, on a recent visit with my family I was shocked to discover it wasn't the same warm and friendly place I once loved. Our waitress on Saturday morning was so incredibly rude with us I got anxious every time she came to the table. It was a horrible dining experience and I left feeling embarrassed that I had suggested the restaurant to my parents. Having worked many years in the service industry I kept on explaining to my family "maybe she wasn't supposed to work today and she got called in and is just upset... or maybe she broke up with her boyfriend and just doesn't want to be here..." but then I realized no matter what the back story may have been that morning -- there is simply no excuse for being rude and making guests feel uncomfortable.

    (2)
  • Susan S.

    Friendly with delicious food. Very accommodating to vegetarians, making helpful substitution suggestions. We loved the branzino, the vegetarian gnocchi, the onion soup. The porchetta was a miss (but hey! why is a french bistro serving an italian dish?). We will be back for a second go round!

    (4)
  • Jenn Z.

    Great place for weekend brunch. For about $10, the main course comes with freshly squeezed juice, unlimited coffee, and a small cinnamon bun. The brunch omelettes are pretty substantial in size. If you come in a party of two or less, it might be a good idea to just sit at the bar instead of waiting (~30 mins) for a table.

    (4)
  • Alexandra L.

    Went there for a Sunday brunch. The food was decent, but nothing special. Salmon egg Benedict was tasty enough, though tired looking, Belgian waffle crispy, my 11 year old enjoyed it, the omelette was under par, very generic and over cooked, although we asked for it soft, oatmeal comes with a thick caramel crust; while it sounds good, we skipped it, just a think layer of burned sugar, not terribly appetizing and, certainly, not healthy. Cinnamon buns were excellent. Overall, the meal was satisfying, but nothing special. Go there if you happened to be in the area, otherwise, not worth going out of your way. Not a keeper.

    (3)
  • Nick N.

    I'm new to yelp, but I've been coming here for years. It's a south end favorite - a classic Parisian bistro & wine bar. They have a terrific wine program with selected offerings that cover all of the French wine regions, as well as the classic California wineries. The bar has a beautiful zinc bar, and seats approx 8 or so, with a couple seats next to the window. It's shoulder to shoulder near the bar area on the weekends, but it seems like everyone knows each other. It's a fun vibe, but if you're looking for space, try the dinning room. The restaurant is comprised of booths, which makes for a fun or romantic get-together. Candlelit tables and dim lighting at night. $10 pre-fix brunch (bun, coffee, juice, choice of omelette/eggs, potatoes, toast). Make a reservation if you can! It's packed, but fun and worth the wait. I could go on and on about the food. They switch it up, seasonal and locally sourced. Try their steak au poivré with a cream cognac sauce, grilled scallions, green peppercorns, and pommes au gratin. It's a staple. The mussels are some of the best I've ever had, anywhere. If you're looking for something light, try the Sole, it's delicious. Staff is amazing, some of them have been there 10+ years. True professionals. If you're thinking Valentines day, try making a reservation a few months in advance.

    (5)
  • Hanna G.

    This is a great place for eggs Benedict in Boston! This is authentic French style cooking. Not too large of portions either. The brunch menu also has the option of a fixed price menu, choose your juice, appetizer, main dish, and desert for a set price! My only issue is they only serve brunch 2 days a week, Saturday and Sunday... Make sure you plan ahead because it can get very busy.

    (4)
  • Guillermo M.

    3.5 stars. This place has a lot of positives that we liked: delicious cinnamon buns and the french toast is excellent. If I came back it was for these things. The things I didn't like as much were the salmon eggs benedict (the hollandaise sauce was not very tasty) and a lot of customer service glitches: long wait even though we had a reservation, my plate was not very hot, my friend ordered something specific and they screwed his order. They were nice in compensating with cinnamon buns and a complimentary granola but still you want a good experience especially if the place is not cheap.

    (3)
  • Carmen B.

    I made a reservation for 12pm for Sunday brunch and was excited because I haven't found a great spot for a French brunch yet. We were a little early and seated promptly. The host at the front must have been new and was pretty flustered and new (it wasn't that busy, yet), but the manager calmed his nerves and told him to slow down. There were two of us, and we were seated at those too-close-together tables that are sometimes joined together to seat large parties. The host didn't know to pull the table out so my friend could get to the interior booth. Just inexperience, but unfortunately, because he didn't her coat caught a bottle of Tabasco and it shattered on the floor. The host didn't notice, he had dropped the menus before we were seated, but I caught his arm and asked if we could move to one of the other 3 empty tables next to us so someone could clean the hot sauce up. It was a powerful smell, and right under the table where I would have to put my feet (remember the tables are extremely close). He said we couldn't move, that was our table and the others were reserved. Puzzled, I asked, but they are exactly like this one, and I know it's an inconvenience having worked in a restaurant, but they aren't losing their table and the fact is, I can't sit here with hot sauce on the floor. It took a few minutes to get it all worked out, I think he was inflexible because of his inexperience, but we got settled. To his credit, he did come back after we had ordered and said if the smell was bothering us, he could move us (I'm not sure where, because by this point all the tables were full around us). The waiter was good, but he was a little slow to refill water glasses and check on us after the food was delivered. We didn't get the side of bacon we ordered to be added to the omelet, so my friend was bummed, but he got us a side of bacon immediately. The food was really terrible. The potatoes that come with the omelets were sad and not as good as other Lyonnaise potatoes I've had. The omelet itself was overdone and lacked filling (I think I had 4 slices of mushroom in the mushroom omelet). The cinnamon rolls were very small and tasted stale around the edges. The coffee tasted a little burnt and we weren't offered a refill until after our meal. Some places are very nice for dinner and not so great for brunch. This could be one of those places. But considering my brunch experience, I won't be giving this place a chance to disappoint for dinner.

    (1)
  • Daniela C.

    Went with a group of 9 for brunch after a bachelorette party the evening before. The service was fast, attentive, and personable. The drinks were very good; I enjoyed my Bloody Mary very much. My coffee mug never dropped below half empty. The prix fixe menu is a steal, especially for the area. The cinnamon bun was fresh and delicious. The omelette was good sized and well prepared. Would absolutely return for brunch or to try dinner next time I am in town!

    (5)
  • Graham H.

    We sat at the bar and had apps and wine with the intention of a just quick stop before heading on. However, the food was so good that we ended up staying. Will definitely go back!

    (4)
  • Bill Z.

    While searching for someplace for Sunday Brunch, we happened to walk past Aquitaine at 9:59 a.m., 1 minute before opening, and there was a line of about 15 people waiting to go in. We decided that was a good sign, so we also got in line. It was a good decision. We heard the hostess ask the group in front of us if they had a reservation, and we thought, "Oh, great, no room." But it was not a problem. People with reservations tended to be seated at booths in the back. We got a smaller table near the front, but we had a great view of Tremont St. We divided our brunch selections between items on the brunch menu, and from the prix fixe brunch selections. The prix fixe brunch selections, for $9.95, included juice, a cinnamon bun, and your choice of type of eggs or omelette with potatoes. The brunch omelette al Sacienne was filled with mushrooms, leeks, and Boursin cheese. The leeks were rich in sauteed flavor and were the strength of the omelette. Based on a Yelp tip, I ordered the brioche French toast also at $9.95. It was two 1" thick pieces of brioche nicely browned, covered by 2 perfectly-cooked pieces of bacon, whipped cream with a hint of vanilla, and fresh strawberries and blueberries. I hesitated on the syrup, because I could tell it was not maple, but I eventually poured some on the bottom piece. To my surprise, it was infused with cinnamon and, used sparingly, complemented the flavor of the French toast. Coffee, at approximately $1.60 per person, is a great deal. My cup never got below half, and the coffee was always steaming on refills. Service was casual yet very professional. The bus-staff was practically transparent as they cleared items off our table. No wonder there was a line!

    (4)
  • Kiki P.

    A MUST FOR BRUNCH! Amazing food with VERY reasonable prices! Food: 5/5 Bacon: 4/5 Bloody Mary: 3/5 This is one of my favorite brunch places in all of Boston. The omelettes are prepared perfectly. They are served with brunch potatoes, which are absolutely delicious. I am certainly not a potato girl and this is probably the first time I ate all of my potatoes. The side of applewood smoked bacon is probably the best bacon I've ever had. I ordered it extra crispy and thats exactly how it was prepared. That's some good quality bacon. The french toast is also a great choice. It is served with crispy bacon, fresh blueberries, strawberries, and vanilla whipped cream. The toast is light and fluffy with a great combination of bacon and berries. I was not a fan of the cream which came along with it so I recommend asking for the whipped cream on the side just to be safe. The drinks are also great...from mimosas to beers. You must try Aquitaine in the South End for Brunch!!! (I have been to the other Aquitaine locations and this one is the best by far)

    (5)
  • Rhoda A.

    I visited Boston from Jacksonville over the weekend, and had Brunch on Sunday at Aquitaine Boston. I ordered their waffles which were the best tasting waffles I ever had. I followed up with 2 poached eggs, and a side of chorizo sausages. My friend ordered the salmon eggs Benedict (scrambled). I would love to return and give their dinner menu a try.

    (5)
  • Vivian C.

    Aquitaine was full up on the night we went for Restaurant Week - the only available seats were at the bar. Speaking of the bar, it is a curved structure filled with a variety of bottles in cubbies along the wall, and 7 seats before it, plus an additional 3 seats at the counter by the window. But we had reservations, so the hostess walked us to our prepared table and presented us with the regular menu and a single copy of the RW menu to share. A member of the staff soon offered us our choice of water, and a pair of warm crisp buns and a thin triangle of butter was presented on a single white dish. So yes, crumbs began to abound as we tore the buns open without the convenience of personal bread plates. A glass of a bubbly wine was included in the restaurant week pre-fixe. So it was a good thing we didn't order a separate alcoholic beverage, as two might have done us in. The Chilled Corn "Vichyssoise" with Smoked Bacon & Avocado was a sweet cool rich soup, but I preferred the warm Crispy Blue Crab Beignets with Hazelnut Tomato Romesco, even though it arrived only one beignet (it looked like a crabcake) to an order despite the plural typed "s" on the menu. For our entrees, I overwhelmingly preferred the Seared Merlu with Provençal Mussel stew & Saffron Rouille over the Roasted Berkshire Pork with Sweet Corn Tart, Watercress & Marinated Tomato Salade. Reasons being the hot temperature of the tasty fish dish which lasted the entire time it took for me to consume it vs the cooler temp of the pork dish, the pork's toughness vs the seafood's tenderness, and the rather dry nature of the sad tough corn tart. Too bad since I love all things corn. Both desserts, Peach Soufflé Glacé with Almond Biscuits, and Sugar Plum & Black Walnut Cake with Crème Chantilly, were tasty. However, while the souffle was pleasantly reminiscent in flavor of an almond dessert of my childhood, it was rather melty - which was odd for a souffle. The restaurant itself is rather narrow and deep, so it was a walk down to the back, take a right, and the bathroom is the door to your left inside a dark alcove. It is an individual restroom, but quite sizeable within. My gentleman friend however found the mirror by the toilet seat rather off-putting. Service was fine, however the pork entree and the nearly soupy nature of the dessert rounded this review down to 3 stars.

    (3)
  • Hilary H.

    For brunch in the South End, Aquitane is a great option - nice menu, lovely location, valet parking (at a staggering $16 - woah!), and a beautiful and tres-French feel. So, why the three stars? Here we go... We made reservations far in advance for Easter brunch. A week before, I called to add another person, and the woman on the phone was so snotty and rude, I wanted to hang up on her. I knew it would be entirely possible to add one more, so we showed up for our reservation with the extra person and, lo and behold, there was more than enough room (not to mention a few open tables) to accomodate us all. The menu is interesting with a few unique takes on brunch fare, but I went for the salmon eggs Benedict and opted to add avocado for $1.50. Our waiter was adorable, sweet and friendly and recommended the special Easter brunch cocktail - champagne, St. Germain and lavender - that was divine. However, the salmon on my Benedict was scarce (barely a slice per egg), and extremely salty. The avocado I'd paid extra for was still hard, very pale and totally inedible. I literally couldn't eat it, so there it sat on the side of my plate. The other people in my party enjoyed their brunches and beers, so I can't go below three stars since there were many plusses. I would gladly go back to Aquitane, but I'll avoid the salmon and certainly any avocado they offer me.

    (3)
  • Jenan A.

    I would give this place -10 if it were possible!! Why oh why do you have a table reservation system if you DO NOT honor this? I came with three other girlfriends to celebrate a 60th birthday; I had made a reservation on line and called to confirm. Three of the four arrive on time, but we are NOT seated. "The full party needs to be here before we can seat you" - seriously? what's all that about? There is no waiting room inside, so we have to wait outside, in the cold The fourth friend arrives after 5 minutes; we then have to wait for an additional 35 minutes to be seated. Service was appalling; unfriendly, unattentive, in fact downright rude. One would expect the food to be exquisite to make it worth while all the inconvenience - wrong If you want to have a nice meal and enjoy yourself, don't come here because if you do, it's just reinforcing that it's ok for the staff and management of this establishment to treat their guests badly Disappointed - so so so so disappointed

    (1)
  • Olivia J.

    Make a reservation via OpenTable, and go here for Saturday brunch. Very affordable, delicious food at a fancy restaurant! We went per Grace C.'s recommendation. M and I got the same thing - salmon eggs benedict with avocado. We both finished our plates, squeaky clean. Everything was perfect - the salmon, the hollandaise sauce, the potatoes, the eggs. So good.

    (5)
  • Anthony L.

    I am so excited to finally be out of grad school and work Monday-Friday. Why, you ask? So I can go to brunch on the weekends. I went to Aquitaine for the second time on Saturday, 3/24/2012 and enjoyed their prix fixe brunch (seriously, $9.95, what a bargain!) The brunch comes with a beverage (I opted for orange juice), a cinnamon bun, and an egg dish. I ordered the "Omelette a la Greque with Spinach and Feta Cheese" (which, instead of trying to pronounce that, I just said spinach and feta, please!) What a delight this meal was! The omelet was perfectly made (but it's also a little tricky to screw that up, eh?) with scrumptious (can I stress this again: scrumptious / delicious / out of this world) potatoes on the side. The physical lay out of the restaurant lives up to it's name: a French bistro. Tables are very close together, nice silverware, waiters dressed nicely. It was cute. This time, I ended up sitting at the bar for brunch (as the place was packed!) The bartender was amazing, such great energy and was extremely kind. I liked her. Be careful: this place gets extremely busy during brunch, head there early (10 - 10:30 a.m.!)

    (4)
  • Jenessa C.

    Great spot for brunch. Went in early afternoon on a Saturday & it wasn't too crowded, the cried already came & went. If you want a nice leisurely brunch, this is the place to go. I don't think they have a/c, so I is warm inside. If you select a warm day to visit, don't blame them for your discomfort after you arrive. They did keep the front door open for air to flow though. It reminded me more of a Parisian restaurant that doesn't have a/c, so I actually liked it. It isn't too noisy here either even when the place is more crowded, so it makes for good conversation. Ate a Croque Madame, which was good. Surprised that the egg only came on 1/2 of my sandwich, but it didn't ruin it. The coffee isn't too strong & bitty. It's mild & kind if silky, but I liked that.

    (4)
  • Benson Y.

    On my recent trip to Boston, MA, birthday boy Albert W. suggested Aquitaine for brunch. We were a rather large party, ten people in total. Looking forward to a good brunch (being a huge fan of the meal) I found the look of this restaurant to be perfect. Dark wood, a classic setting that looked like something out of a movie set fifty or so years ago, I immediately took to the visual of the restaurant. However, once we were seated the experience kind of went down a bit from there. First, our party of ten was broken up into two separate tables, which was just odd. If the party is ten, why split them when there was room to fit us all? I shrugged, happy that I got to sit with friends at all and we proceeded to order off the Prix Fixe Brunch menu. I have to say that this menu is more than worth it. $9.95 per person and you get a small cinnamon bun with an egg dish. This includes potatoes, toast, juice and coffee. Seen through this prism, the meal was absolutely worth every dime. Thank goodness, because I'm not sure how I would have felt if I had paid full price. I decided to go with the Omelette Alsacienne (mushrooms, leeks and boursin cheese). Much to my dismay, I found the omelette rather bland. It needed much more seasoning and I wound up putting a healthy bit of ketchup and tobasco sauce on it to make it tasty. The toast was good (warm, still crisp) and the potatoes were perfectly seasoned. The coffee was servicable and the cinnamon bun was tasty but basically looked like something you could buy at the grocery store and heat up. My experience at Aquitaine wasn't bad by any means, it was just very, very average. My standards may be a bit high for brunch (then again I love greasy spoon diner food so take that as you will). A good deal for okay food.

    (3)
  • Steven T.

    It was great going to brunch at Aquitaine this past Saturday..... This restaurant is a lovely gem located in bustling Boston. The music is French, the food is French and the feel is excellently French. The staff was not only attractive, friendly and charming, but effective and efficient. My water glass was filled continuously...never did I ever peep a sound to ask. I had poached eggs on muti-grain toast with steak. I opted for a healthy side of fruit instead of the traditional potatoes. This was all accompanied by a lovely mimosa. There is nothing like having a mimosa at 10:30 in the morning. It was just lovely. Sophie had a traditional Québécois poutine which is french fries covered in gravy, curds and topped with an egg sunny side up. This dish originates in the casse-croûtes of Quebec. C'est si bon, non?? This establishment is clean, well managed and simply adorable with its jams, jellies and European touches of elegance. It was to my surprise that its a small chain. It opens its doors at 10 AM, so make reservations before coming down. Also, there are near by parking garages and metered street parking if you don't already live in the general area. I would recommend this place as a good meeting spot for friends, a date or even a small party. Manger, aimer et rire!!!

    (5)
  • Alice T.

    Love it! Great food and nice modern interior design. although it was quite hot inside that morning with only fans on. Perfect place to chill. Love the brunch menu. Looking forward to taste the dinner menu.

    (4)
  • Tanya Y.

    Disclaimer: This review is solely based on a 25-person work related holiday party! I was pumped when I got the E-vite stating that the annual holiday party would be at Aquitaine. Other than for restaurant week, I'm not typically the type to venture out to higher end restaurants to grab a bite to eat. Therefore, I knew from the start that this would be special. I got to the restaurant late because I spent forever looking for a parking spot along Tremont Street. The parking here sucks butt - if you're lucky enough to find a spot on the street, make sure you fill up your meter and be mindful of your time; the meter maids are very unforgiving and will give you a parking ticket as soon as they get the chance. The lighting of Aquitaine is dim even during the day, setting a romantic-esque atmosphere. Each person in our party was given a paper menu in which we could pick out an appetizer, main course, and dessert. I ended up choosing the soupe a l'oignon with Amontillado Sherry and Melted Aged Gruyere ($7.95) for my appetizer, steak frites with Périgord Black Truffle Vinaigrette, Watercress Shallot Salade & Natural Jus ($24.95), and the Confiture De Lait creme brulee ($6.95) for dessert. The presentation for each course was spot on (refer to my pictures!). The french onion soup was delicious, steak with fries delicious, and creme brulee the absolute best. Even the fresh squeezed orange juice was great. The hosts and waiters/waitresses were polite and professional - I was even more impressed that they were able to keep 25 people's requests all in order. After reading a ton of Yelper's reviews on Aquitaine, I definitely plan on coming back for their prixe-fixe brunch. Warm cinnamon bun? Yes please! Thanks for such great hospitality, Aquitaine!

    (4)
  • Keren R.

    I love eating brunch, and I was excited to try out Aquitaine on a Saturday morning. It was very disappointing, for several reasons. First, we had a reservation, but we still waited about 20 minutes (past the time of our reservation) to be seated. This in itself wouldn't be a huge problem, as I had hoped that it might mean the food was extra delicious, but that was not the case. Then, the service was very slow. We were seated and given menus, but it was another 15 minutes or so before the waiter came back around to take our orders, so we spent a long time just waiting. Finally, the waiter came. We ordered the brioche french toast and the salmon eggs benedict. We ended up waiting another 20 minutes for our food to arrive, and when it arrived, it was cold. The brioche french toast was slightly burnt, and the eggs in the eggs benedict were over-poached, so the yolks were no longer runny. The food was edible, but it was definitely worse than other cheaper brunches we have had at less hyped-up places, so we were pretty disappointed. The waiter also didn't refill our coffees or waters during the entire second half of the meal. Finally, after we finished our food, we waited forever for somebody to come clear our plates and bring us our checks. A manager-looking person ended up coming over to help us, since our server was elsewhere. It didn't look like they were understaffed, but they certainly weren't using their staff efficiently, so their service was very bad. Overall, I was disappointed that this was one of the worst brunches I have had in a restaurant. It was made worse by the fact that we had high hopes. I can't say much about their lunch food or dinners.

    (2)
  • former w.

    Normally love this place, and we usually go here for special occasions or when parents are in town. We will definitely be rethinking that after last night's experience (even though I can literally throw a stone from my living room window and hit the place). No amuse bouche was served; the table next to us, with the same server, received one. After about a half hour-45 minutes from sitting down (there is a difference between relaxed service and being completely inattentive - I waited tables for 3 years and worked in restaurants for 8), I asked our server to take our order and bring some bread. Based on his reaction, it seemed as though he had completely forgotten about our existence. The first order of bread we received was cold and tough and they did not even bring bread plates. When our server refilled the water (upon request), he filled half the table and left the rest unattended. Based on several prior experiences at Aquitaine and its sister restaurants (all great), this server was out of his element. Unfortunately, by the time our order was taken, the kitchen had only one plat de jour left; we had requested two. We were left wondering if this would have been avoidable, if only we had not been ignored. Appetizers took forever and were sitting in the window for some time. I know this because I was able to see the reflection of our food sitting in the mirror, accompanied by the manager(?) in a blue shirt scratching the back of his head prior to bringing my foie gras (gross). Speaking of the foie gras, this used to be a delicious serving of duck liver terrine - now it is pate. Tasty, but not what I expected (in the restaurants defense, I should have noticed the "torchon" indication on the menu). When the appetizers arrived, hour server asked if I wanted another beer for his lone proactive moment over the course of our dining "experience". The only problem was, he clearly forgot to enter the order because 10 minutes later when I asked him for a refill of the tables' water and a status on the beer, he scrambled to the computer. Finally, we said (to the blue shirt head scratching manager) that the service had been subpar and gave some quick examples. He apologized and said our entrees were on the way. Super! Our entrees (lobster, sole muniere, steak frites, moule frite) were nothing to write home about. Frankly, they took so long to arrive to the table we weren't even hungry at that point. There was no checkup, although our server did ask if we wanted another bottle of wine with a lack of regard of how our meal was (but with a clear agenda to pad the bill). By the time we finished our entree, we had been there for 1:45 (we are not slow eaters). Again there is a difference between relaxed and inattentive service. We were offered a dessert as a gesture (a day late and dollar short in my view), but graciously declined. If a business wants to make things right for the guest and instill some good faith, next time offer a modest gift card. To the manager (who clearly did not take Business 101), this serves two purposes - 1) it makes me feel like you actually give a s#!t about my business. 2) it gets me in your restaurant again spending more money. Sorry if any of this sounds like "first world problems", but when people spend $60 a cover at a restaurant (plus tip), it comes with expectations. Like a filled water glass.

    (1)
  • Nikhil P.

    Ahh, so good :) We went on a Saturday night and the atmosphere was very "South End." Buzzing with full tables of people talking, drinking, enjoying. Warm inside, dark lighting, great artwork on the walls, tall ceilings. Candles, wine flowing, great cocktails, great food. GREAT food. We had the: Raclette Pissaladiere - Delicious. Arugula and duck on a pastry-thick base. Great flavors, perfect appetizer. Crispy Chocolate Bread Pudding With Vanilla Ice Cream - Every single positive review about this is entirely true. We'll come back here some day for cocktails and this, alone. Current winner of Best Bread Pudding in the City. Slow Roasted Pork Loin - Delicious puree. Rich, and made the idea of eating a side of cabbage full of awesome. Really good dish, and the pork was prepared perfectly. Kumquat Pisco - Love pisco, and had no idea what a kumquat tastes like. It tastes like something that would go well with pisco. Good choice. The Bartista - If you like the taste of champagne with a strong taste of orange/lemon, this is it. Really refreshing, crisp drink. I also left with a renewed sense of portion control. Even with a big appetite, and "French portion sizes," you leave nice and full. Not roll-to-the-car full, but satisfyingly full. The price was $100 + tip for an appy, two entrees, and two cocktails. Not cheap, but good value. And as much as I dislike the concept of many-tentacled restaurant conglomerates (Aquitaine, Union, Gaslight, Metropolis, Cinquecento...) you can't deny the consistency of quality in this chain. Loved it.

    (4)
  • Paprika F.

    I was so excited to take my dear accomplice out for French food, which is a holiday tradition. I went to Yelp and searched for a French restaurant in Boston that we had not yet tried. I read good reviews about Aquitaine on Yelp. Four stars out of 600-plus reviews. Sign me up! Well, did we go to the same restaurant? Or are we speaking different languages? Aquitaine hit all the right notes in terms of appearance and service. When we first went in, I thought the experience might be similar to Brasserie Jo. My accomplice ordered the wine, and I had a smoky mezcal cocktail. Since I like to pair mezcal drinks with red meat, and my spouse likes red wine and red meat, we immediately gravitated toward the short ribs. Perhaps we were feeling nostalgic for the decadent, soft, tender short ribs from the dearly departed Casablanca's in Harvard Square. Unfortunately for Aquitaine, our short ribs had been boiled to the point where they resembled hot floss. If I pulled a string of short ribs off my tray, I could have performed my evening dental care ritual right at the table. Now, we have worked service, and we know that you never, ever send a meal back unless it is undercooked and might kill you, but I was tempted. We ate our plates like a good little boy and girl because we're not total jerks, but I don't think we'll go back. And if you go, maybe you'll have better luck than we did, but do not order the short ribs.

    (2)
  • Lotus R.

    Food was alright. Pretty congested. Our waiter seemed to do all the work as well. We had smoked salmon, lobster bisque, branzino, rock shrimp, bread pudding.

    (3)
  • Erica R.

    In my last review, I mentioned wanting to come back to Aquitaine to try dinner sometime. Well, after a number of months? I was finally able to get back to Boston, and the friend that I frequently visit while in the city had made sure to make reservations for us to get back - this time for dinner. Yay! We arrived a couple minutes early, but were seated quickly (within 1 or 2 minutes - right after they cleaned the table). Our waiter was incredibly attentive from start to finish as well. We started off with the Escargots De Bourgogne, while my friend ordered the Butter Poached Maine Lobster (the Saturday plat du jour) and I ordered the Filet Au Poivre (because, c'mon, it's the Filet Au Poivre...so how can you go wrong?!). We ended up splitting both dishes, so I guess we made our own surf 'n turf dinner... but we also ordered a side of the Brussels Sprouts to share, since neither of us could pass up some delicious brussels sprouts with bacon lardons. Yum! Everything we ordered was fantastic, and I'm giddy that I was finally able to make it back for the dinner. Portions are perfect, and the food was delectable. My filet was cooked perfectly (I love a good 'medium rare'), which is certainly the way to my foodie heart. Haha. All in all? Aquitaine certainly didn't disappoint, and I can't wait to go back for my next meal - brunch, dinner, or for desserts. :)

    (5)
  • kathleen c.

    I am not sure why this place is touted as "one of the best places in for Brunch." I was totally looking forward to the duck hash with eggs and caramelized onions only to find that 1) it was more onion than hash (as in potatoes) 2) said onions were not caramelized 3) it was actually mostly charred 4) there wasn't that much duck and 5) it was OVERWHELMINGLY bland. Maybe it was a bad day in the kitchen. My friend I went with said that other thing that he and others have gotten were tasty and he even got the cinnamon rolls that he said were tasty, but based on that dish I'd give it a solid 1 star. The rest of the place, however, was fine. We we about 20 minutes late and gave the obligatory-yet-useless phone call to let them know and they seated us right away. Our server was very polite and reasonably attentive. But if you asked me to choose a brunch place again? It would not be here.

    (2)
  • Nicky E.

    We went for Sunday brunch and it was divine. We both got the prix fixe menu, and we were so happy with the value of the meal. Mum got the crepes, I got the Greek omelet and they were tasty and a gustatory gift. They also serve these tiny dollhouse cinnamon buns that I thought were hysterical looking, and when I bit into it - it was warm, gooey, sugary, sticky infatuation. I also got a cocktail that had rum in it (I heart brunch cocktails) and it was the perfect addition to an already wonderful brunch. Also, The waiter was sort of awkward in the most charming way.

    (4)
  • Lynn J.

    frugal, fast, friendly and flavorful... only £9.95 for an all inclusive brunch every Saturday and Sunday in South End Boston! brunch includes all of the following: homemade cinnamon roll, coffee, juice, eggs, toast and homemade home fries. The deal: its always busy, so make a reservation on your phone while you're walking there to eat.

    (4)
  • Jan M.

    Had high hopes for this place based on reviews and went for brunch with a few friends. We had a reservation but still had to wait 10-15min before being seated. The food: nothing special. The omelette was not seasoned so well and potatoes were burnt. Be warned of the Worlds smallest cinnamon roll with the prefixed menu. My friend got the Belgian waffle, which was stale and cold. The service: absolutely terrible. I asked for a coffee when the waiter took our drink orders and got asked 2 more times what we wanted to drink before finally getting a cup of coffee. The waiter spilled orange juice, water, and creamer every time he poured anything for me and didn't bother to give us any extra napkins to clean things up. There are so many wonderful brunch places in Boston, this is definitely not one of them. Don't waste your time and money

    (2)
  • Grace C.

    3.5 stars. Our friends love coming here. We got reservations as it is busy all the time. Plenty parking at this newish outdoor strip mall. Most dinner entrees were $22-30 and appetizers $7-9. Though it's French food, the portions were good sized. I did not love my trout as it tasted like egg covered salmon. But i did like the duck breast and most entrees came w some veggies and grain or starch which were tasty. Creme Brulee was ok. A little boring. I've had better. I did love the semi sweet chocolate mousse.

    (4)
  • Vi H.

    Came here during Restaurant Week and I thought it was good. Not amazing but not bad either. I didn't like the set up of the restaurant too much because it seemed very squished together and crowded. The waitress was extremely nice and helpful when explaining the description of the food. A little pushy on trying to get my friends and I to order some drinks though. I got the Tomato Bisque Provençale, Daube Niçoise, and the Genoise Chocolate Roulade. Overall I thought they were ok but I thought the dessert was delicious. I usually get sick of chocolate easily so I tend to avoid it. But the person next to our table got it and it looked so good I just had to try it. Very happy I did and no regrets because I couldn't get enough of it. It was a little busy but the food came out in a good timely manner! Although I liked it here, I think this will just be a first one time experience only for me.

    (4)
  • Heather W.

    The food is out of this world, every time. Enjoy a classic like the steak frites and French onion soup!

    (5)
  • Tamara W.

    Came here with a $150 gift card fro my land lord in the South End which was a gift & had a good meal. It is real fancy/upscale if that is your thing but I am giving it A-OK quite simply because the food is buttery and heavy. I probably will never go back as its out of my price range (150 just got us dinner and wine) but it was a nice, week day night to dine here. I prefer others in the "family" of restaurants that are less fancy and less French. If you like heavy food and fine dining this probably would be your 5 star jam; but if you are like me and prefer healthier options + cocktails then I suggest another place!

    (3)
  • Joe G.

    Came in here for a quick lunch with friends. The waiting area upfront was a little small and the bar to the right looks like it could only hold 6 people. The wait for a table was short. When we were finally sat at our table, the waitress did not even say hello. It was just kind of "are you read to order?" I had asked for a Pellegrino instead of water and was not asked which citrus I preferred, it was kind of weird, but oh well right? It was not until I was halfway through my first glass, that I noticed all the glasses were dirty. Not just the glasses at our table, but ALL the glasses. The glasses they used for water and glasses for wine (and my Pellegrino) were covered with dish soap, dried citrus and fingerprints. The glasses were not obviously held by the stems or even wiped, disgusting frankly. Even though the glasses were gross, I still wanted to try the Croque Monsieur because I heard they were good. Instead of ordering the lunch special which offered a soup (bisque or french onion) and drink, I tried the full lunch with watercress salad. It did not take the food too long to come out but when it did. After I took my first bite, it was like the clouds opened up and a ray of sunlight was shining on me. The croque monsieur was phenomenal. Even though other people in my party got the lunch special croque monsieur and I got the regular croque monsieur lunch, there was nothing different except they got more food for less the price. It sucked because I thought I would get more because I paid more, not always the case. When we finished eating, it took forever to get our check. I felt like I had to ask the wait staff for everything I needed, when I needed it. They are not good at gauging or reading their customers. Overall: the food was phenomenal, glasses are gross and service was "ok." Will definitely return.

    (3)
  • Christopher C.

    Were my expectations setting me for disappointment? Hmm... most likely. Damn you positive reviews! I first visited this fine french restaurant last Monday in the context of Restaurant week. I went out with friends to have a quiet yet fancy night. Most of us decided to go with the prix-fix + according wine pairing. The options look amazing and the price made this option even more interesting. So, what disappointed me? 1) The waiters were inattentive and even rude when we took a few extra minutes to decide. We had to call them a few times before they would realize that we have not still placed our order 15 minutes after being seated. Also they were not very excited when we requested additional prix-fix menu for all of us to be able to check the menu at the same time 2) Food was good but not as impressive as I was expecting -here goes to reading positive reviews before visiting a new place-. Specially my dessert, I order a ganache that felt some how too jellish for me and that was lacking the chocolate-coffe flavor that I was expecting. Also they brought us the wrong desserts 3) Finally, I might be getting old, but there is a different between dim lighting and needing to bring a flashlight. The decor is very beautiful, but for a restaurant I would like to be able to read my menu without a problem. On the bright side The wine pairing was very well executed and the extra financier that they brought as a mistake was actually very tasty. I might go again with the hope of discovering all the fine food other yelpers have enjoyed in this venue. Unfortunately, this was not the case for me last Monday.

    (2)
  • Charlie B.

    Good prices, good service, great atmosphere. But - kinda ordinary food. We've had fantastic meals at two other Aquitaine Group restaurants this weekend (Cinquecento and Metropolis), so I expected to love Aquitaine as much as ever. We all had the prix fixe brunch. The service was great, and we appreciated the bottomless OJ. And Aquitaine on a Saturday is great fun to be at - jammed with people enjoying themselves. Our friends, happily, liked their Greek omelets very well. But to me, my Basquaise omelet was a bit tough, and overall, ordinary. Hash browns on the side were well cooked but salty. My husband found his french toast just-OK as well. And (this may sound like a nit, but hey, it's a review) altho the prix fixe is priced very well, so that's good, the plates used to come with a bit of adornment - some fruit or something. This time it was just the omelet and the potatoes. Plain-looking. So, not exactly a complaint - we had a great time, were treated very well, and it was a fine breakfast. But not a 4-star one.

    (3)
  • Michelle A.

    Went for brunch for my friend's birthday. I've wanted to try this place for awhile just because I've heard good things about it. There are so many great restaurants in this area you really can't go wrong wherever you go. Reservations are a must because it's not very big. Always a crowd waiting. They squeezed 8 of us into 1 two person table and this small surfboard looking table. Too crowded for the amount of people we had and that was before the food showed up. Waiter was really nice and very attentive considering all of the birthday paraphernalia we had brought with us. lol... I got a Bloody Mary which had way too much pepper and not enough horse radish. And the tomato juice they used tasted off. I couldn't figure out what it was but I was not impressed. Best Bloody Mary I've had is Highland Kitchen in Somerville. PLUG! I also ordered the brioche french toast which was yummy but whipped cream definitely put it over the edge. Prices are surprisingly inexpensive for brunch. Parking can be a pain in the *ss.

    (2)
  • Alisa K.

    I really think this place is overrated for brunch. Yes, their prix fixe brunch is a good deal and their prices are pretty good overall; I just wasn't blown away by the selection or execution. Omelette al Sacienne: Amazing, would highly recommend this. Basil Citrus soda: Worth a try. Cool combo of flavors. Cinnamon bun: Good, but tiny, and more like a mini Danish than a true cinnamon bun. Don't be fooled. I still prefer warm Ikea cinnamon buns. Yup Ikea has them and they're delicious and huge. Creme fraiche and lemon scented waffle: Sounds a lot better than it was. Needs more lemon! Brioche french toast: Tiny, tasty but not mind-blowing. In summary, it was ok, but not amazing. I'm still in search of a great brunch place in Boston.

    (3)
  • Dave S.

    The food was very good. The atmosphere was great and no surprise so was the fine. We went here with a party of eight we had appetizers, entrees (the lemon sole is excellent) and dessert. If you like creme brûlée the save room for it. We had good service as well. The only downfall is the prices could maybe be a little lower.

    (5)
  • David B.

    What a fabulous little corner of the South End. We've passed the restaurant on numerous occasions and an evening of theatre brought us to their door step. Other than being accosted by an obnoxious fellow at the bar while waiting for our table, we had a wonderful meal. We were seated promptly and the waiter made a good recommendation regarding their available red wine. I started with a creamy squash soup, the husband a salad. Both ere good. We moved onto the entree. I had perfectly cooked Arctic Char while the hubbie had a beef concoction. Again, both were delightful. We were seated as soon as they opened and saw it get progressively busier. We appreciated not being rushed on a frenetic Saturday evening as we finished the meal with coffee and tea. We look forward to returning for more!

    (4)
  • Jacob S.

    Pretty disappointing brunch today. We were seated twenty minutes late despite having a reservation, there was flies swarming around me our table during the meal, and the portion for the duck hash was comically small. Overall the most disappointing brunch experiences I've had in the south end. The only upside is that our server was very sweet and pleasant.

    (2)
  • Lia M.

    Aquitaine was OK for brunch. I'm not the biggest brunch fan, especially with Boston brunches for some reason. As much as brunching in the South End always sounds fabulous, wherever I go, I'm never wowed. Seating at Aquitaine is tight and it is quite loud inside. I think our server was new, but what he lacked skill wise, he made up for in enthusiasm, which is much appreciated. Ariela M. and I shared the cinnamon buns. While I'm glad I tried them, I was not amazed, and I would not order again. Plus, I would have preferred them warm. My macaroni and cheese was huge and I thought it was just OK - not good enough to compel me back. I tried some of Ariela's homefries and those were good. She loves Aquitaine, and I was excited to try it with her, but I just don't share her enthusiasm.

    (2)
  • CARLA S.

    My father and I arrived a little early to have a cocktail. I had an amazing - well balanced cocktail called field of dreams. I think that is what it was called. It was pink and had gin. We both did the prie fixe dinner. Dinner was decent.

    (3)
  • Albert L.

    Great service and the food was pretty filling. The egg, ham, and cheese was remarkably filling and great! I would definitely come back again for the atmosphere, service, and food.

    (5)
  • Ralph O.

    The food is good, and they have beautiful venue. Service is very good. Not too pushy. Value/Price might be a little high. Although it is a great location and formal atmosphere.

    (3)
  • jun k.

    5 Stars for BRUNCH. Honestly, you've read what everyone else had to say. Just a wonderful atmosphere. Wonderful service. I came here a bit early with my friend G. We both just got the prix fixe brunches.. and then we just walked around Tremont for a bit. A perfect way to spend a Boston Saturday in the late Spring :)

    (5)
  • Julie B.

    Good food, great ambiance. Love this restaurant

    (5)
  • Megan H.

    For Boston Restaurant week, I decided to gather my girlfriends for a fancy affair. We don't often dine in classy restaurants in Boston, so we figured to give this a try. I made reservations within more than a week in advance over the phone. Whoever the host was, he was a Sweetie Pie. He was so adorably polite. I asked if they offer vegetarian options for a friend. He said, they would be more than willing to accommodate any plate. On the night of our fancy feast, we were graciously welcomed by the host, and just waited a mere few minutes as our table was being cleared. As we sat down, we were greeted by an unnamed waitress. She gave us enough time to decide on what we would like for our meal. By this time, I was unsure if she was in bad mood, or if she just lacked a server's personality. I have yet to see her smile or still give a name. She laid bread on the table, but did not notice that we didn't have any plates to eat upon. We were still confused and tried to determine whether if she was unhappy with us, or if she just blanked. First course came, I chose the Champignon en Papillote... a mushroom mix on a toasted soggy slice of French bread within a parchment paper box. Nothing to write home about. There were umami fragrances, but that was it. Nothing sensational. One of my girlfriends chose the Salade aux Carotte Héritage. Shredded salad, more like slaw. My sample bite: This had to be the best of all three first courses. The vinaigrette was utterly flavorful. It was sparkling! My other girlfriend (who is a restaurant chef) chose the Watermelon Gazpacho. Maine lobster and Crenshaw melon salade. Again, just okay. In my sample taste, it was just very underwhelming. It's a great idea for a summer plate, but I would have expected something more. Also, the lobster was not cleaned thoroughly. My friend nearly cut the inside of her mouth with pieces of lobster shells. Serious NO NO. Second course came. My friends chose the Roasted Berkshire Pork Chop. Unfortunately overcooked and the spinach was overly salty. My Pan Roasted Golden Trout was okay/less than perfect. The skin of the fish was roasted perfectly; crispy and beautifully. The inside was flaky, but bland. I think my favorite part of the plate was the grated potatoes... Kind of like a soggy, loose hashbrown. Still, with $40 out of my pocket, I was not to waste a bite. I think the best part of all was the dessert. In which, I ended my night with the Peach Cobbler. Loved it! Loved the crust! Love the ice cream and toasted almonds. The only two problems were that it melted too quickly and it disappeared too quickly. To sum up: I'm happy I have given Aquitaine a try for my bi-annual splurge on sophisticated restaurants. The food just wasn't balanced right. Under and overwhelming. Table service just lacked enthusiasm. The best that she could do was top off our water glasses with a half-sideways smirk. The best service really goes out to the valet attendants. Great job, guys! Would I go back? -Probably if it wasn't my choice. $40 for tiny plates isn't my ideal way of spending.

    (3)
  • Jenn S.

    I loved the prix fixe menu for brunch and had a great experience with the waiter. My friend and I ordered the omelets and they were excellent. The only downfall was one of the hostesses was completely rude. My friend and I were using the restroom and another hostess was hanging up a coat when I asked if we could go out the back door and she said yes. When we went out the rude hotess yelled out the door that next time we come in we should use the front door. I replied very nicely that we wer sorry but the other hostess said we could exit that way and she slammed the door in my face while I was talking and gave us the dirtiest look. It was very unprofessional and not a way to treat a customer.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Brunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Classy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Aquitaine

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