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Name: Rustic Kitchen
Address: 210 Stuart St, Boston, MA, 02116
Telephone: (617) 423-5700
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.36

Rustic Kitchen

210 Stuart St, Boston, MA, 02116

(617) 423-5700
Store is closed

Rustic Kitchen Menu

Appetizers

Tuna Tartare

Italian Spring Rolls

Arancini

Crispy Fried Calamari

G Lemoncello Shrimp Cocktail

Soup of The Day

Tuna Tartare

Italian Spring Rolls

Arancini

Crispy Fried Calamari

G Lemoncello Shrimp Cocktail

Soup of The Day
Salad

Bistro Salad

Caesar Salad

Baby Spinach Salad

Grilled Pear Salad

Cobb Salad

Chopped Southwest Salad

Bistro Salad

Caesar Salad

Baby Spinach Salad

Grilled Pear Salad

Cobb Salad

Chopped Southwest Salad
Sandwiches & Panini

Grilled Chicken Club

Pastrami Rueben

Roast Beef On Grilled Sour Dough

Grilled Rustic Burger

Lobster Combo

Grilled Vegetable On Sour Dough

Beef Short Rib Bahn Mi

Applewood Smoked Turkey Melt

Beer Battered Haddock Sandwich

Tuna Melt

Buffalo Shrimp Po Boy

Monte Cristo

Grilled Chicken Club

Pastrami Rueben

Roast Beef On Grilled Sour Dough

Grilled Rustic Burger

Lobster Combo

Grilled Vegetable On Sour Dough

Beef Short Rib Bahn Mi

Applewood Smoked Turkey Melt

Beer Battered Haddock Sandwich

Tuna Melt

Buffalo Shrimp Po Boy

Monte Cristo
Pizza on A Paddle

Margherita

Classic Pepperoni

Portobello Mushroom

Sweet Italian Sausage Pizza

Margherita

Classic Pepperoni

Portobello Mushroom

Sweet Italian Sausage Pizza

Healthy Meal suggestions for Rustic Kitchen

Appetizers

Tuna Tartare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Italian Spring Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arancini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

G Lemoncello Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Tartare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Italian Spring Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Arancini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Fried Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

G Lemoncello Shrimp Cocktail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup of The Day [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salad

Bistro Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Spinach Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Pear Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cobb Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chopped Southwest Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistro Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Spinach Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Pear Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cobb Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chopped Southwest Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches & Panini

Grilled Chicken Club [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pastrami Rueben [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Beef On Grilled Sour Dough [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Rustic Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Vegetable On Sour Dough [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Short Rib Bahn Mi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Applewood Smoked Turkey Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beer Battered Haddock Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Shrimp Po Boy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Monte Cristo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Club [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pastrami Rueben [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Beef On Grilled Sour Dough [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Rustic Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Vegetable On Sour Dough [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Short Rib Bahn Mi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Applewood Smoked Turkey Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beer Battered Haddock Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Melt [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Buffalo Shrimp Po Boy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Monte Cristo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pizza on A Paddle

Margherita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Pepperoni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Portobello Mushroom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Italian Sausage Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Margherita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Pepperoni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Portobello Mushroom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Italian Sausage Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Boston Common Coffee Co. ( 97 Salem St )

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Write An Anonymous Review

Jennifer N.

So we have eaten here before, and since I cannot tell you what we had, it was certainly not memborable. So much so that we did not go back for a few years. However, it was date night and we were in the area, and Rustic Kitchen seems to never have a wait, even on a Saturday. So, off we went to this place for a drink an appetizer. And to our surprise, it was good! We sat at the bar, so could really take in the decor. We loved the bar, the wallpaper of old wine bottle art (yes, I am a wine-o), and the pizza oven. We had the arancini which was suprisingly good, though had a bit too much balsamic for me. Balsamic and tomato sauce just dont work together. Good beers on tap, and a good selection of wine. We may actually go back now for dinner, and give Rustic Kitchen another shot.
(3)
Joanna F.

I went to the Rustic Kitchen in Fanueil Hall once and remember being disappointed by the food. But the past two times I've come to this location, I went in solely to get some apps and drinks and it was completely serviceable. The fig pizza is pretty good and they have a large wine and cocktail list. We also had the lobster artichoke dip which was fine. This is an acceptable place to go for a couple drinks post work and some small plates. I would not come for dinner, however, since none of the food is great. Service is generally good although the last time we were there the waitress was pretty vocal about dissing the hostess which left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)
B Y.

Went here for the Cooking Show on a Friday night in June! It was an entertaining dinner show and the food was delicious. It seemed like the crowd were regulars because the chef acknowledged some of the people in the audience. We were told to get there by 6:45 to sign waivers so we showed up early only to have to wait 45 minutes to be seated for the show. Other diners were late and they wanted to seat us all at once. We were starving and they should've seated us earlier so we could've eaten the pizza appetizers while waiting for the show to start. It's a long dinner because they have to re-tape certain parts of the show and have poeple re-ask their questions. They do let you take a bathroom break in the middle of the taping though. It was a fun night and I would definitely go again. Make reservations early because it does sell out.
(4)
Benjamin L.

I don't do a lot of 2 star reviews but after very disappointing experience, I'm sad to say that I'm handing one out to Rustic Kitchen. First off, on a positive note, the food was very good and I enjoyed most everything about it. If I account only for the food, my overall rating would be much better. We sampled a couple of appetizers and I had the Gnocchi which was very good. The menu is very diverse and I was impressed with that. That's where the positives end for me. Now as a general observation, restaurant service in Boston is short and sweet, not as generous and friendly down here as it is in Texas. But even with that in mind, the service here was very disappointing. It started with the hostess when we arrived. I asked if it'd be possible to sit in a booth since the restaurant was only about half full. She looked at me like I was out of my mind and then asked if we had a reservation in an offended tone. I told her no and she said that it was not possible and we'd have to sit in the center of the restaurant at a table. From that point on, the staff basically attended to us as little as possible. Our waitress only stopped by occasionally and our food took far too long to arrive. I pondered to why they possibly could have been so inattentive because we surely did nothing to offend anyone. I did see several comments about the bad decor as well. The decor was fine, it just wasn't my taste and didn't bother me. In the end, I won't be back to visit the Rustic Kitchen. I may not live in Boston but I plan to visit often; it's a city I greatly enjoy. The food was great but is just isn't worth the headache.
(2)
sean g.

Yeah- Gross, Tourist trap. Cannot believe that anyone would actually choose to eat here. Feels like the Worst sort of chain restaurant. Coolest thing about it is the door, and it proceeds rapidly downhill from there.
(1)
Jennifer V.

Went to Rustic Kitchen after work with some friends. This restaurant is inside the Radisson Hotel on Stuart St across from Legal Seafoods, which was a very quick walk from the Financial district. When we walked in the first thing we noticed was the awkwardness of the room. It was just one big room with a bar off to the left which was full of people, then an empty dining room in front of us. The brick oven was way in the back and there were some half booths that had high back stools and the tables were really small. Since we had our choice of what seat we wanted we picked a seat toward the back in front of the brick oven. The server was very nice and very knowledgeable and took the time so that our experience was a good one, which I love. There is nothing worse than someone who doesn't know the answers to your questions or just doesn't have time to deal with them. I started with the Crispy Calamari. I have had calamari in many places and I can honestly say this one is one of the best I've had. It had toasted pine nuts, jalepenos, arugula and lemon pepper aioli drizzled on top, not the average marinara sauce and banana peppers that every other restaurant serves that I am jusy not that crazy about. The squid was nice and plump and meaty. Not like the often paper thin barely there calamari that most places try to pass off. It was delish. My friends got a flatbread pizza to split for their appetizer, which they said was very good. I did not taste that. I was too busy with my Crispy Calamari. For our main course I got the Pan Seared Diver Scallops with golden cauliflower & farm house cheddar risotto, frisee, candied bacon and green apple salad, which was also wonderful. I left a smidgeon of the risotto there trying to save room for the dessert course. One of my friends had the Shrimp and Scallop Spaghettini, which was angel hair pasta with pan seared shrimp and scallops, lemon, white wine and garlic cream sauce. She loved it. I did not taste this. My other two friends had the Grilled Rustic Burger, which came with handcut fries in a silver cup that looked like something you'd put pens in at work and the burger was presented open faced. I thought it was beautifully presented. It looked nice and juicy too. My friends enjoyed it. Just the presentation alone made me want to order the burger. For dessert I ordered my absolute favorite Creme Brulee and I was not dissappointed. This came with fresh berries and some biscotti. One of my friends ordered the Capucchino Cheesecake, which was also very good and in a round shape, which you don't see too often. Usually it is by the slice. If I had one complaint it would be that they don't list the dessert section on the website. A lot of places do that and I think that is a mistake. Over all I had a great experience and would recommend it to anyone. They also informed me they have a cooking show that is filmed on Friday and Saturday nights where if you pay $75, you get all you can eat and drink (wine I guess) That sounds like a great deal and a good time. I'll have to check that out.
(4)
Jen D.

I brought my mother here before we went to see Wicked at the Boston Opera House. We were really early, and sat at a lovely table in the bar area. Our server, Angelica, was prompt, engaging, and timely. The food was excellent. We started with the arancini and the veal meatballs. YUM. The portions are large and I proceeded with the burrata salad. AWESOME. Mom got the gnocchi, very tasty. Park at the Revere hotel and get validated. Thanks for everything. See you soon. One drawback, too bright and music didn't fit the scene. That's just my weirdness.
(4)
Lisa S.

Rustic Kitchen was a perfect beginning to a fabulous night of dinner and theater! Had the filet mignon in a garlic herb butter with truffle fries and garlic sautÃ©ed spinach. DELICIOUS!!!! Friend had the duck with mashed potatoes and sautÃ©ed spinach; she too totally loved her meal as well! Service was excellent, my blueberry martini was the best drink I've had all summer and did enjoy the decor, especially all the cool lights. Thanks Rustic kitchen for a Wicked good night!!
(4)
Jenessa C.

The atmosphere was the most fun, you felt like you were dining in a rustic Italian bread oven. It'd be great for snowy Boston winters. The wines on the wine list are nice. The food was good, but there are better options in Boston. The crowd there was definitely an older crowd, and a bunch of single diners. Though I was there on a week night.
(2)
Elissa K.

I'm visiting Boston from New Jersey and was looking for a great atmosphere to enjoy a delicious dinner. Our dinner was amazing and very tasteful. However, when first greeted we were informed that the restaurant would be closing in 35 minutes and the host wanted us to know not to take too long. I asked if it was a problem if we were there and she said no she just didn't want us not to eat because the kitchen was closing. Uncomfortable!! Our server, Angelica, was very knowledgeable about the menu and had great suggestions. At the end we were informed the kitchen was closed so dessert would not be offered.
(3)
Josh H.

Quaint little place. Modern decor, friendly and attractive wait staff. Coffee was pipping hot and the food delicious!
(4)
sato h.

Took my parents and a 2 year old here who came from Japan. The place was so family/kid friendly! They brought food for the toddler right away, and brought coloring stuff to keep him occupied. Our food was delicious! My parents were surprised by the portions and they felt that they had a "good hearty American meal." Although it's a pretty big restaurant, the whole place gives a warm cozy atmosphere.
(5)
AJ M.

We went for breakfast, so it was not at rustic kitchen itself but right beside it. Hot buffet is soo worth it! Staff were great! Coffee was good. We filled up!
(5)
Claire V.

The veal meatballs are spectacular and the piece of pizza that I tried was also quite good. However, the service was terrible. Aside from being anything but friendly, we did not get a refill even once the entire hour on our water nor were we asked if we wanted anything else to drink. 4 out of 5 glasses we saw around the dining room were also empty.(The place was largely empty too, not in the least bit busy) Furthermore, we made numerous attempts to hail the waitress, including saying "excuse me ma'am" repeatedly as she walked by, but could not get her to acknowledge us. The bartender eventually brought us our check and we left very thirsty (like everyone else there it seemed, other people were clearly also having trouble hailing the waitress). This was only the second time in my life that I left a restaurant leaving no tip whatsoever. So even though the food was excellent, the only way I would return here might be to get some take-out food.
(2)
Joe C.

Came here at 6:00 PM Saturday night and it was fairly quiet. We were promptly seated. The decor here is cool. Really unique lighting fixtures that look like strands of pasta and lamps that look like pasta shells. It is kind of dark and there is a lot of dark wood but done tastefully. Our waiter was very attentive and even noticed that part of my order was missing after it was delivered by the staff and took care of it right away; A+++ The food was just ok. We started with Italian spring rolls which is a really different idea; sausage wrapped in pyhlo dough and served with marinara sauce and fontina cheese bedded with greens. As unique as it sounded it was just ok ($13) . My wife ordered the butternut squash ravioli ($20) and I the burger ($15). The burger is simple enough but have to say i was disappointed, fair sized burger on a semi stale bun and it was ok. (The french fries were very good). Likewise my wife's dish was OK but nothing special. A little too sweet and just kind of bland otherwise. After eating, both of us noticed that we had nasal congestion and had to take allergy pills. Coincidence? Total bill with drinks was $70. In summary, not worth the money and kind of disappointing for a place that is located in downtown.
(2)
Sam F.

Second time here and I wish I lived closer, I'd go every weekend! I had the Handmade Chive Gnocchi with crumbled sausage, broccolini, peporanata, and toasted basil bread crumbs. Normally I wouldn't finish an entire pasta dish, but the this was out of this world! The taste, the texture, everything about it was incredible! I wish I had leftovers because I am still craving it. We also started with the Fried Calamari with peppers and aioli, yummy! And I was already a big fan of their sangria, which is some of the best I have ever had a restaurant. Can't wait to go back again!
(5)
kapish g.

I went for my birthday there with a party of 8. We made reservations before. They put us in a big room in the back of main dining area. There was a huge table there, which meant everyone was sitting really far apart. We asked them to move us to a smaller table or make it smaller but they could not do it. The service was lousy and we have to always go out to call the server. The sangria there is great. The food is very mediocre for the cost. Overall, I was disappointed by rustic kitchen.
(2)
Victoria H.

There are some pretty good restaurants in Boston, this place is one of them. the food makes burtuices look like kindergartens compared to this place. The food was very simple, but yet it was presented as a fancy. The serves was right on the mark. they were very polite and the place looked like some thing from North End It's very nice and it still have very good feel to it However, the room looks very dark, you can't see it. you have to have a flashlight. The food prices was a bit pricey for a food that you could get at other places. However this place is a very nice place to go to with your friends, family, and you boyfriend or girlfriend for either first date or celebrating your life together. This is the place is defiantly the place to go either after a movie or a show, this is the places!
(4)
Diane C.

Excellent service, delicious food. Went to the Rustic Kitchen by chance before a show. Had a wonderful cider-tini, which was yummy! We started with the eggplant appetizer which was fabulous. I had the chicken risotto and am so excited to eat my left overs for lunch tomorrow! My husband had the bolognese, which was great as well. Might try to go on a Friday night for cooking class. We'll be back!
(5)
Chris F.

Recently went here for the first time and took some friends from Spain who were in town for the marathon and were pretty bummed out. Maybe it is a tourist trap or maybe it has gone south since T.E. is no longer involved. The menu is large, unique and varied as you might expect and the waitstaff were great but it ended there. As with other reviews, this place is overpriced for the food. The wine list is also way overpriced for the generic, factory wines offered. The tuna tartare appy looked like they put tuna and avocado in a blender set on pulverize and then used an ice cream scoop to plop it on a plate (ick). We all opted for various fish main courses with mixed "OK" to "What the hell is this?" remarks around the table. My fish couldn't have been drier if I Ieft it out in the sun for a week. I wonder why they didn't let us on the TV show set? Probably not coming back.
(2)
Libby L.

I read all the following reviews after I made the reservation for XMAS Day Dinner - so I was VERY hesitant and I did warn my family about the service and mgmt. HOWEVER, I (we) were pleasantly surprised that the waitress was AWESOME as well as the food. Ordered: BONE-IN RIB-EYE: Well cooked and good portion - comparable to the $$$$$ steakhouses. CHICKEN RISOTTO: Very flavorful and good portion STUFFED CHICKEN: Good portion and not dry BUTTERSCOTCH BUDINO: A bit on the smaller side only because I was sharing but enough and very smooth. CREME BRULEE: Very Smooth and creamy. OVERALL, we would definitely come here again.
(5)
Cindy S.

A friend and I were in Boston last weekend, and we were looking for somewhere to have dinner for the night we were there. We hadn't made dinner plans ahead of time as we'd just decided to wing it. We later discovered that on the way to our hotel, both she and I had noticed a particular restaurant on the way, though she was the one that remembered enough of the restaurant name for me to be able to look it up and find it. It also turned out that the restaurant, Rustic Kitchen, was right next door, almost adjacent, to the hotel we were staying at, so that was very convenient, and a perusal of the menu satisfied us both. We were going to be joined by a new friend for dinner, so I called the restaurant at about 4:30pm, and I made a reservation for 6pm. We walked across the covered valet area to the restaurant and discovered a rather circuitous route to the hostess desk. The main entrance of the restaurant was actually off the street, so we'd really gone in through the side door. There were signs directing us through part of the restaurant to get to the hostess desk, and when we checked in, we discovered our dinner companion had already arrived and had been given a table, though she had made a visit to the ladies room, so we were led to the table as well, where she joined us shortly thereafter. We perused the menu and there were a number of items that sounded really good, but all of that went out the door for me at least when the server came up and told us about the daily specials. I ended up ordering off the daily specials choices. The special soup for the evening was Boston clam chowder with smoked pancetta. Well, I was in Boston - why not some Boston clam chowder, and the addition of the pancetta sounded even better. All three of us ended up starting with the chowder. I then ordered the swordfish with lobster mashed potatoes and broccolini while my companions each ordered an entree salad. Bread was also brought to our table, and it was accompanied by some kind of hummus as a dip (which was delicious) as well as Italian olives, which I loved. We chatted a bit, and then our chowder arrived. It was actually a much more generous serving than I had expected, and it was absolutely delicious. I love having clam chowder that actually has clams as a main ingredient and not simply as an afterthought. It also wasn't very heavy on potatoes, which I like. I like potato chowder too, but I don't like it when potato chowder masquerades as clam chowder. After enjoying our chowder, we had more time for good conversation before our entrees arrive. This time, I decided to spare my dinner companions the inconvenience of photographing their food, but they both enjoyed their salads very much. I also really enjoyed my swordfish. It had a nice texture and flavor and was very moist and tender and flavorful. The mashed potatoes were good, though I didn't finish them because the portion size was pretty generous, and I loved having the broccolini, which I'm partial to anyway, but again, it was a generous portion of vegetable on the dish. With my dinner, I had also decided to enjoy an adult beverage called "Tastes like summer". I can't tell you what it tasted like in comparison to other drinks, but I can tell you that it was pretty yummy. It wasn't particularly crowded when we had arrived, but that was probably earlier than most people normally have dinner. As our evening progressed, the dining room did get full. We didn't end up having dessert at the restaurant partly because we were already full but mostly because we were headed to a show and needed to leave at a certain time. Overall, we had a terrific meal, and the room was very nice and had great atmosphere, and our server was very good as well. He was attentive and available when we needed something, but he wasn't obtrusive as to interrupt our conversation. If I have the opportunity, I'd certainly go back, and I'd definitely recommend it to others. Parking can be a bit tricky in that part of town since there's not much parking available, but there's a lot that serves both the nearby Radisson Hotel as well as Rustic Kitchen.
(4)
jonathan u.

The service here was great, the food was a solid average. I went here with a friend on whim while walking around the commons waiting for a movie to start. We ordered dinner and had some drinks while waiting. Then our server brought out our food. After the first bite, I realized that I hadn't read the menu thoroughly and was allergic to the sauce. Not anaphylactic or anything but I couldn't eat it either. When the guy came back to check, I told him and he apologized(it was completely my fault) and brought me out a brand new one at no charge with sauce I could actually eat. With service like that, he could of brought me Alpo and I would of been OK with it.
(4)
Gina R.

A nice, comfortable place to have a "home cooked-style" meal after seeing a show. The atmosphere is great, with big comfy booths and great lighting. The wait staff is very accommodating, offering tips for the best specials and meals to try. The burger, possibly the least expensive thing on the menu, is excellent. Definitely try the italian spring rolls for an app (although there's really only enough for 2 people), and if you're able to check the place out on a Friday night, do the Cooking Show menu, which includes drinks, dinner and a live cooking show!
(4)
Alyson C.

I should preface this review with disclaiming the fact that I have eaten at Rustic Kitchen many times before, and have been generally pleased with each experience, but am just now writing a review. I had dinner here with some friends last night before a concert and it was amazing. First of all, when you walk into the restaurant, no matter from which door you enter, it's eye-catching. The bar area has great chandeliers and sconces that look almost like giant heads of garlic and cornucopias. The walls are papered with wine bottle labels from various different companies and vineyards. The bar itself is pretty impressive, with fully stocked shelves and jars of fruit-infused vodka, and there's a giant wood-fired oven at the back, from which delicious-looking pizzas and roasted dishes emerge. The hostess was very friendly and escorted us to our table in the main dining room after a short wait at the podium. Our server was very friendly and patient with our indecisiveness over drinks. The place was pretty busy for a Wednesday evening, but she remained calm and collected. After mulling over our drink order, we finally moved on to the dinner menu, only to be completely stumped by what we should order. The menu is extensive and very well thought out. I've always been impressed by the thought and detail that goes into each dish on the menu, and this particular Fall menu was probably one of the best I've seen since I began coming here three years ago. We all ordered a mixture of entrees, appetizers, and salads. Everyone tried a little bit of everyone else's dinner, and I have to say that there wasn't one plate on that table that I found lacking. Each dish was very well balanced with flavors and seasoning, and the ingredients were harmonious together, which is something I appreciate above all else. I ordered the Italian Spring Rolls, which were filled with anise-scented pork sausage and served with provolone fondue and marinara as dipping sauces, as well as the Pear and Gorgonzola Salad, which was served with delectably roasted, gorgonzola-stuffed pear halves and thinly sliced Prosciutto de Parma. Although I was more than satisfied with my ordering decisions, I had ultimate entree-envy when my friend's dinner of Roasted Duck with Duck Confit Ravioli was placed in front of him. I stole a bite of the ravioli and can honestly say that I almost blacked out from pure, gustatory bliss. The waitstaff was very attentive and friendly. Our particular server was very helpful when she offered to give us the check so we wouldn't be late for the 7:30 concert I had mentioned in my reservation on OpenTable.com . I highly recommend Rustic Kitchen for their inventive and tasty menu offerings, professional and attentive service, and astounding decor.
(5)
Cindy C.

stayed at the hotel. good place to grab dinner. love the mussles.
(4)
Don L.

Unassuming exterior hides a jewel. Great food and ambiance. Quiet. You can't go wrong.
(5)
Joy Y.

Every time I come here, I am underwhelmed. I'm not exactly sure what it is. It's a great location and they have a lovely ambiance, but the food is not amazing. I've had a number of different things here (the best being the wedge salad if that tells you anything) and it all feels little bit overpriced and a little bit underwhelming. The service has always been fine and they home made potato chips are pretty tasty, but I guess there is just nothing special about this place. I wish I had more to say but really the only way I can sum up this experience is, "eh, it's okay."
(3)
Julie R.

I used to like this place more a couple years ago when it felt fresh. Now it always seems dead and I'm less inclined to go in for the overpriced pizza and pasta based menu. It's a good spot to go for drinks after work. They have 2 bar areas and a happy hour menu with $5.95 appetizers. It's a good way to put down some drinks and have a cheap tasty bite. One of my favorites, the Caesar salad seems smaller then it used to be. Without the parmesan basket it comes in, its surprising its over $11 for a few pieces of lettuce. I still think the tuna tartare is good for the spicy taste and generous size. Other times I enjoyed the beef carpacio and cheese fonduta. I indulged in the mac and cheese once but it wasn't too memorable to get again. Pizzas are pretty good to split. The combinations are creative. It's cool to watch them being made and fired in the brick oven. They have really good foccacia bread with a hummus like spread. This place never really Wow's me. Even my most recent visit a few days ago confirms. If I'm going to go here I'll plan to make it a stop for drinks and apps before the theater or dessert after.
(3)
Bob G.

We just finished a six day stay at The Revere Hotel in Boston, Ma.. We spent a lot of time in restaurants, from expensive to sandwiche places. Funny as it may seem the best deal for good food, nice atmosphere service, and value, was the Rustic Kitchen, which is attached to the hotel, but i don't think it is associated with the hotel, i mightbe wrong about that. Anyway we had three breakfasts, and three suppers there all were consistantly great. I might also add the bartenders were extremely friendly, and the drinks werevery enjoyable.Next time we visit Boston we will definitely go back to the Rustic Kitchen. We have also told our friends about our great experience at Rustic Kitchen and they really enjoyed it and will go back also. Bob & Judy Gurka Lake Sunapee, N.H.
(5)
Brian K.

Before I go on, I have to say that the food was really good and the portions were healthy. As for the experience, it was less than satisfactory! When we ordered our meal, we had told the server that we were sharing the calamari, followed by our entrees. After waiting for a really long time, our entrees arrive and we are wondering, whatever happened to our calamari? The server apologizes and admits to not putting in the order for the appetizer. What server forgets to put in an order for an app!? We were hungry so we went without the calamari and dug into our entrees. I had ordered the Gnocchi with Lobster. The first few bites were great. I took a bite of what i thought was lobster and realized it was shrimp. So I thought that it was shrimp AND lobster. I searched around for the lobster and did not see any, just pieces of shrimp! Again, we get the server and my dish was sent back. Mind you, this was NOT a special that they may not have been familiar with. Its going to be awhile before we dine there again but the incompetence of this particular server and the kitchen made this an unfortunate experience.
(3)
Kelly H.

The decor certainly reflects the name. I love the warm and intimate atmosphere of this place and so does Alissa Bigelow. Her show "In the Kitchen" is filmed here. I've been to Rustic Kitchen on two occasions. Both for dates. The first time for a very late lunch and the second for a dinner date. We stumbled on this place and keep coming back for more. So, you're asking why four stars and not five? I'm going to quote Jenn K. "not bad service, just not super friendly." Expect Italian American. The menu is filled with breads, pastas and my favorite part of a meal - dessert. I had been searching for an alternative to the fig prosciutto flatbread at Olives and the Fresh Fig Pizza is it. Although it is listed as an appetizer it's a delicious entree for one. I love mushrooms, so the second time around I ordered the Agnolotti Dal Plin. The wild mushrooms are really good. Yelpers rave about the Warm Chocolate Cake deservedly. Yes, it's that good.
(4)
Ashley B.

I was surprised by how empty this place was on a Saturday night. This put me off a little, but once we sat down and were greeted by our friendly waitress, I forgot all abut that. The Italian spring rolls were awesome. I think my boyfriend was jealous he didn't get them. The meatloaf was intense...giant slice of hot, seasoned meat over creamy mashed potatoes. Mmmmmm. I think the whole plate weighed 5 pounds. The atmosphere is really nice. It's very spacious, dimly lit, and gives off a romantic vibe. The drinks were good too. I was in the mood for something watermelon-y, but there was nothing on the menu. The bartender whipped up something that was lime green and delicious. Just what I was in the mood for. Friendly service and surprisingly good food.
(4)
Jenn S.

My fiance and I went to Rustic Kitchen on Saturday night with my friend and her boyfriend. We went for the main purpose of checking out the place for a potential rehearsal dinner space. I was immediately intrigued by the decor - it is, indeed, rustic! It's very homey and comforting, but at the same time, it's sleek and modern. We were seated in a quaint, circular booth (1/2 booth, 1/2 chairs) that makes you feel closed off from everyone else, but still a part of the action. My friend and I had been drooling over the online menu for weeks and were so excited when we finally got there! The bread (which came with olives and a white bean dip - I had to ask what it was otherwise we wouldn't have known) was good. It had what were either cranberries or grapes in it (I think grapes). The bread was soft and fluffy and tasty! We started with both couples splitting the Caesar Salad - I love when places split the salad for you and you basically get 2 full salads. When they first brought the salads to the women, we moved the plates over and the guys dug in. Then they brought their salads! Oops. We all had a laugh and then I stole back some croutons. None of us quite knew what to make of the Parmesan basket (basically a bit, crunchy bit of cheese apparently!) - I had no idea what it was but I ate it all. The croutons were huge and almost fluffy! I couldn't spear them because they kept breaking. Not usually the story with croutons - a very nice change. The dressing was perfect - light, flavorful, garlicky. Mmm. Wow. Didn't realize I could write so much about salads! On the to other appetizer. I had been intrigued all week by the Italian Spring Rolls (which, unfortunately, came right when the salads did - I would have preferred more time in between). These were DIVINE. These were sweet Italian sausage spring rolls with provolone fondue and marinara sauce. I didn't remember what the sauces were when the food came (and the waiter didn't tell us), but I didn't even need the sauces. These things were AWESOME. Everything I thought they would be. It was 2 spring rolls, cut in half, so everyone got a 1/2. Perfect portion-size! For dinner, my fiance and I split the 9-ounce Filet Mignon, which came with a Ratatouille - we opted for the Parmesan-Truffle Fries and the Roasted Garlic Butter sauce (mmm). I'd never had Ratatouille before and I really enjoyed this one. The veggies were soft, full of flavor and all melded together really well. The fries were good but I couldn't taste the parmesan. They tasted like regular fries and the bottom ones were soggy from the Garlic Butter sauce. My friend's boyfriend got the Tagliatelle Bolognese (which the waiter said "had a bit of cream"). It's "a savory meat sauce of beef & pork over rich egg noodles," but there was no red sauce that we could see. I didn't try this, but I think he enjoyed it. The best meal by far, though, was my friend's Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs with mushroom risotto and broccolini. These were SO tender, they almost fell right off the fork! The ribs and the risotto almost melted in your mouth. I sort of wish I'd gotten this instead! Amazing. In terms of service, the hostess knew immediately that we were there to research and was actually the woman I'd been emailing with. Despite being a busy Saturday night, she showed us around and answered our questions (we were there early so we could look around). She even printed me out a menu later in the evening for me to keep. Our waiter was nice, but not overly helpful. My friend asked for a glass of wine with dinner and he ran away before her boyfriend could ask for another drink. He did ask us if were were there for a show, but then said "you're not gonna make it if you are!" Luckily, we weren't. Not bad service, just not super friendly. We are still thinking about it in terms of our rehearsal dinner, mainly because it's not SUPER close to a T stop and parking could be difficult. But I would definitely go back!
(4)
Theresa U.

My husband and I plan on dining here next month when we're in town. I haven't been here since 2005, but I remember it had the best dang mojitos and calamari I have ever had. Can't wait to come again!
(4)
Thy N.

I came here two years ago and had the most phenomenal Veal Saltimbocca ever! It was the first saltimbocca dish I've ever tried. The veal was perfectlt cooked and tender, with crispy prosciutto and a melted cheese on top. However, I came here a month ago to have the same dish and it changed! they no longer add the cheese on top and the veal was so chewy and the prosciutto was soggy! I was very displeased I had to ask the waitress who the chef was that night. If you're going to go to an expensive restaurant, you expect good food for the money spent. How can an experienced chef let me have that extremely chewy veal!? My friends' dishes all came out very good however. Their crab cake or lobster thing was to die for!
(3)
Michele G.

After a job interview, I like to go out to eat to decompress whether it went really well, or just the opposite. I recently bought a BuyWithMe coupon, and we decided to try RK. I made an Open Table reservation, got the coupon and got on the T (Arlington stop). We were seated in a lovely little booth that was a half circle built into the back wall. It was a touch difficult to slide up and into, however. If I was a large lady, it might have proved impossible. The cave decor is kinda cute, it reminds me a bit of Ned Devine's with a brick oven. The drink menu looked creative, and so I ordered both a red sangria and later on, a Blueberry Lemonade. They tasted good but weren't as strong as I would have liked. We started off with the precursory focaccia that came with a white bean dip and what seemed like a tomato sauce dip. The white bean was the better of the two. The Italian spring rolls were a good choice at $13. The crispy rolls were piping hot and filled with provolone and sausage. My BF had the stuffed lobster tail entree which came on a big, deep fried potato cake. A bit too greasy. He thought there may have been crab in the stuffing but wasn't sure what was in there amidst the cheese and the breading. My lobster risotto fared better, but didn't feel like a true risotto, as the rice was leaning a bit more towards the al dente side of the pasta/grain meter. The lobster chunks were good, though not as plentiful as I would have liked. Sweet corn kernels complimented the dish. The next day for lunch, I found several fatty bits of bacon in the risotto, which I found just a little confusing. I hadn't tasted any of it, and it wasn't listed on the menu. Everything was okay until we tried to use the BuyWithMe certificate. Our waitress immediately came back and asked us for the voucher number. Having only used BWM twice before for Dante, I was confused. No one at Dante had asked me for a voucher number on either occasion. The waitress explained that she couldn't use the voucher as payment without the number, even though it was nowhere on the paper. She then asked me if there was a phone number I could call on the paper to get it. There was a number, but since it was after business hours, no one answered. I even tried the merchant option in addition to the customer service option. Sigh. I don't currently have a smart phone, so I couldn't sign into my BWM account to check it out. She brought out another BWE voucher used by a previous customer, and showed me where the number was located. Strangely, it was printed above the outline of the certificate. And nowhere in the fine print does it state that you have to have a number. I've given BWM feedback on this. Since this was a $50 chunk of check at stake, I asked if there was a computer I could use. She left to ask and returned to say no. I thought for a moment, then asked if I could call her once I got home and signed into my BWM account. She acquiesced, and I did just that. A few days later, the charge is for the correct amount, and all is good. I'm glad that we were able to come to this solution, because I may not have returned otherwise.
(3)
Danny B.

This place was GREAT! The only reason they only get 4 stars is that the hostess had an attitude, which put all of us in a funk to start the experience...but our waitress (Lanea?) quickly got us out of that. She was superb!! The bread, dip and olives provided before ordering was the best I've had in a while. The atmosphere was good...pretty classy but not over the top. Prices were expensive, but on par with what you expect in Boston. And the food was impeccable! My step-mom declared the stuffed ravioli to be the best pasta she has ever had...anywhere. And she is very discerning when it comes to pasta and Italian food. My Dad had the pepperoni pizza, which was very good and hit the spot. And I had the grilled pear salad with steak, and it was very fresh, very tasty.
(4)
Amit A.

I really like this place. I came here for lunch a few months back, sat at the bar and order a nice cold Summer Ale that came in a frosted glass mmmm...The crispy fried calamari and arancini are great, cant go wrong at all when ordering these two plates.
(4)
Erick H.

As I did with Bambara, I purchased a Buy With Me coupon without consulting Yelp, and in both cases, I've regretted doing so. I'd walked by Rustic Kitchen a few times, so when it appeared on the group-buying site, I eagerly purchased the offer and promptly forgot about it. On the last day I could redeem the coupon, Jeremy K and I made our way to the restaurant. We were seated promptly, and the experience declined from here. After staring at the menu for at least ten minutes, I settled on the lobster risotto. Generally an indecisive person, the menu's lack of focus only exacerbated my struggle to choose a dish that would reflect positively on the restaurant as a whole. I was also rather wary of choosing a mediocre entree as the bread we received when seated was exactly that: mediocre. Service was prompt and our waitress attentive, but it was clear that the chef was either inexperienced or indifferent to the expectations that the menu's complexity and price impart. The lobster was considerably overcooked and its accompanying risotto lacked any depth of flavor. It was clear that pureed corn accompanied the rice, but it lent little to the dish, and the same is true of the bacon, which was obviously added late in the risotto's preparation. For $24, I expected much more of this notably-bland dish. As evidenced by Jeremy K's review, the chef's apathy extended to the bartender, who complained to another patron about the drink Jeremy ordered. There was nothing particularly complex about the cocktail, but it was nonetheless more involved than the bartender had patience for. Overall, save our waitress, the entire establishment seemed lackluster and I certainly have no plans to return any time soon.
(2)
Jim S.

We went on a Saturday night after seeing Seinfeld at the Wang. The place was pretty packed and we waited for seats at the bar. We were treated really well - service was much better for us than other reviewers on this list. They had both a Sox and Bruins (playoff) game on the big screens and everyone was into it. Good drinks (a tad on the expensive side, but this is Boston). We shared the calamari (yummy), veal meatballs (comfort food), tuna sashima (huge) and creme brulee for dessert. The place cleared out once the games were over, so it probably doesn't have a good vibe late night, but the menu says they're open until 2am... might have to remember that. I'll go back.
(4)
S. J.

I really want to like this place, but my last experience turned really sour by the time the check arrived. The place has a very warmly decorated interior -- ambient lighting, stone, and real woods. The bar looks cozy enough to spend an entire evening with laid-back conversation. When I inquired about the house beer, the server was kind enough to fetch me a sample swig. It was decent, so I gave ordered one.The menu itself is pretty interesting... The Italian Spring Rolls were very good, but it was all down hill from there. Unfortunately, the stuffed lobster tails were disappointing -- I couldn't detect any crab in the "lump crab meat stuffing". The whole thing was a ultra-creamy, buttery pile of mush with the creamed corn and potato cake. Now, here's where this place really turned south. Quite apparently, the restaurant doesn't enjoy coupons. In fact, they went out of there way to refuse the perfectly valid online certificate that we offered while requesting the check. Apparently the certificate didn't display a tracking number -- that's not my fault. It was a straight, complete print-out of the official online certificate after it was paid for. Even after assuring the server that it was a legit, original, unaltered print-out, she and the hiding-behind-the-curtain manager, refused again and again to accept the certificate. It was the whole reason we went out of our way to this part of town and chose a more expensive restaurant for an ordinary weeknight dinner. After pleading and offering to call the online coupon retailer (nobody answered), and using all sorts of logic and reasoning, the server -- or the ghost manager communicating through our server -- finally offered to let us go home, find the tracking number, call back before they close, and get a refund for the certificate amount. And I did just that. What a hassle. What an embarrassing ordeal in the restaurant. What a horrible taste it leaves in your mouth after walking out. What a terrible customer experience. Honestly, this is supposed to be a slightly upscale restaurant and they give you McDonald's-level service? Are you kidding? If you frown upon coupons, certificates, and marketing promotions -- DON'T OFFER THEM! When you make the customer feel like a con artist or a cheap bastard, you're not going to get repeat business. So dear readers, let this be your warning. I'm not a person who needs a discount to dine at a venue like this -- don't go here expecting genuine service or a value of any kind.
(1)
AJ B.

Stuck in Boston (which wasn't a bad thing) during a snow storm and being that this was the restaurant in the hotel i was at, it was convenient. It started off great, the Manager actually sat us and made us feel welcome, then he disappeared and it went down hill from there. Food: sub par; especially for the price Service: they must have been hurting due to the weather be cause this person would not have made the team at Denny's Drinks: the only thing that got us through the meal. They were strong, because they were made by our server, who didnt have a clue. Bottom line: you are in Boston, there are better places to go for your $$
(2)
Erin R.

A little on the pricey side, but it's Boston so what can you do? We kind of popped in here because it was close to where we were walking and there was no wait for a table... We didn't have drinks so I can't comment on that but the food was real nice. We got the arancini app and they were fluffy fried bits of heaven. I didn't have high expectations here, but I was pretty impressed. They oozed cheesy wonderful-ness and the sauce, though pretty basic, was quite yummy. I got the filet mignon, cooked rare after not being able to decide what I wanted and it was like buttah!!! No kidding. Absolutely perfect. My only gripe was that the broccolini were a little undercooked. Don't get me wrong, I like my veggies still crunchy but these were kind of hard to cut even with a steak knife and could've used a few more minutes. They were, however, vibrant and green and nicely seasoned. Garlicky but not overpowering, and not too oily. My husband got the crab-stuffed haddock which was served on the largest mound of mashed potatoes I've seen since Close Encounters of the Third Kind. (The broccolini were quite plentiful too, I actually couldn't finish them). He said his fish was perfectly cooked, the crust on the outside was perfect too, not oily and soggy and falling apart and it was overflowing with crabmeat so you got the stuffing in each and every bite. Service was great as well. The hostess was really pleasant and our waitress was very attentive and paid attention enough to not ask how everything is when we were stuffing our faces, which is always appreciated, was quick to refill our water glasses when needed and all that good stuff. She wasn't hovering but she was visible so she earned herself a nice tip here. Again, a little pricey, but the food and service were great so I would totally eat here again.
(3)
Cassie M.

Meh. That really sums it up. The food wasn't bad, but it was expensive for the quality. It's one of those Boston restaurants that's more concerned with sending out 'artsy' plates than fresh, interesting ones. I understand it's appeal and to be fair, didn't realize until we were seated that it adjoins a hotel, which explains a lot. I suppose this would be a fine place for an office party if the quality of the food isn't the main focus. But for a date night with my husband we were left feeling a bit ripped off, but mostly meh.
(2)
Lynette S.

Everything I drank (white wine was so so and sangria was really great) and ate was deeeeeeeelish except for the lobster artichoke dip appetizer. that was a huge, creamy nightmare. it tasted like cream sauce could not taste much else. i also did not like that it was served with wontons. did not seem to match the food, or my tastebuds....
(4)
Nikki Z.

Mediocre Food. I had the duck breast which was overcooked, yet somehow the skin still wasn't crispy or properly seared. I got the fettucine alfredo as a side and it was bland. The butterscotch budino for dessert wasn't rich - it was gelatinous like jello. Probably one of the worst meals I've had in Boston and I've tried over 150 restaurants in the city.
(1)
Craig S.

Love the Tuna Tartar - best in the city. Pizzas are good and original - and entires are always satisfactory. Service is a little slow but other then that good experience
(4)
Jeannie H.

I've been considering this place for a while when the opportunity presented itself on BuyWithMe.com . I am so glad I had that coupon; otherwise, I'd be even more disappointed with my experience. ATMOSPHERE - I have no idea why people like the ambiance of this place. First off, it's an open dining room with high ceilings, plaster walls and wooden floors. Without any fabric to absorb sound, it was horribly noisy. There was also a bar area that mimics a sports bar with its large television screens. When I hear "rustic," it makes me think of an environment full of warmth and quaintness. Everything about this place felt cheap and cold, which was completely discordant with the price point. Don't take a date here, you won't hear a word he/she says. SERVICE - It was acceptable. Nothing to gripe about but nothing to rave about either. FOOD - The food actually wasn't bad but hardly good. Oysters - I had a 1/2 dozen of Wellfleets, which were of good quality. It was served with a balsamic mignonette, which was lovely with its hint of sweetness. It was also served with tzatziki, which I've never had with oysters before and now I know why. It completely ruined the oyster. Fig preserve pizza - This was the best dish of the evening. It was essentially a flat bread with fig preserve, goat cheese, prosciutto, arugala, and caramelized onions. The caramelized onions were a little too sweet and overwhelmed the other flavours. I also wondered whether blue cheese would have worked better than the goat cheese. Overall, it was delicious. Pan roasted long island duck breast - Overall, the dish was underseasoned. I'm not sure what the Madiera cream sauce was all about but it had no flavour. The duck breast was also cut into 4 large chunks, which made the dish lacking in delicacy. On the plus side, I asked for it medium and it came out perfectly medium. Prime rib - This was the special of the day. It was a prime rib with tomato salad on top (a little strange) and a side of sweet potato fries. The prime rib wasn't rich in beef flavour. In fact, the whole dish was once again underseasoned. We had to ask for a side of steak sauce, which is not something we routinely do. You shouldn't need it if you have a great cut of meat. I thought the food was alright with the highlight of the evening being the fig pizza. However, there is something so "fast food" about the environment that I found it extremely irritating. The atmosphere felt like a mildly elevated Bertucci's. I won't be back.
(2)
Steve S.

They have a cooking class, which I highly recommend. It is entertaining, informative and best of all, you eat massive amounts of food This is a great option for the same old same old.
(5)
Jenn L.

Some co-workers and I went to Rustic Kitchen after work this past week. It was not very busy, but the bar was comfortable, beer selection good and we had some incedible apps. I enjoyed the atmposphere, it was quite the escape. The wine label papered walls were interesting and the main door was made of various pieces of glass (I will take a picture my net time back) The ahi tuna was to-die-for and risotto balls (they had a fancier name) was a fabulous twist on a traditional dinner dish turned app. We also tried the margharita pizza, lobster & artichoke dip and calamari....we all enjoyed every single app down to the last bite. I want to go back to enjoy a meal, but based on my first experience, it was great.
(4)
Marina G.

I passed Rustic Kitchen after a meal at Flemings and loved the decor. Later on it was on BuyWithMe, so I bought a couple and made a reservation for Friday night with the bf. I was surprised that it wasn't more crowded since the reviews looked good and the place is beautiful. So we get seated by a teenager wearing bright green pants..weird but ok. While the bf is in the restroom a guy comes over and fills my water without saying a word, so I assume he's the busboy. A few seconds later he comes back and asks if I want a drink without introducing himself at all, in a very quiet, completely monotone voice. Apparently he is our waiter. I ask about the house-infused vodka. There are 4 flavors, but according to the waiter all but the blueberry are completely bland...ok I guess I'll go with that one. It was delicious, but I'm still wondering about the others. The special of the night is surf & turf, which includes a filet mignon (8 oz I believe), a lobster tail, and 2 sides. It's $40, but we have coups so I order it, already salivating. BF asks about the pasta dishes. Again the waiter suggests one or two, the rest are bland. I'm beginning to see a pattern here. Sidenote, the waiter should seriously consider a different profession. He did not smile once and I swear the looks he gave me made me think he was going to find us and kill us if we didn't tip him enough. Our food comes and I am seriously dissapointed already. The surf&turf special is thrown together. It's all mixed together onto a plate that is clearly too small. The lobster tail is the smallest I have EVER seen and completely dry. The sauteed spinach is barely cooked and has no flavor. I ordered my steak medium rare. I cut into it and it immediately starts bleeding all over my plate. Eventually the waiter comes over and notices the dead animal on my plate from a distance, without me saying a word. He apologizes and asks if I'd like something else. At this point I had already filled up on fries, pasta, etc so I kindly told him I was all set. This is where 1 star became 4. He immediately went over to the manager. I'm assuming he told her that if she didn't comp our entire meal he was going to kill her too because she shyly came over and apologized as well. After making sure I didn't want a replacement she said she would take the meal off of our check. I assumed this meant my entree. That would have been enough for me, but after several more death stares the waiter came back over and told us to have a good night. We ended up with at least an $80 meal for FREE. We tipped him on the full cost, minus terrible attitude, and went home with a full wallet.
(4)
Tricia W.

Here is how to have the RK experience, specific to their Boston Theatre district location: 1) Sit at the bar 2) Order a glass of Montepulciano or sangria 3) Walk around the restaurant and peek behind any closed doors. There's a lot to explore. 4) Yes, you want the bread + olives + chic pea and olive oil and garlic dipping conconction 5) Order calimari and pizza 6) Enjoy. Goes best with friends. Sure -- RK is fine for a date, but it goes best with fellow foodie friends. When people say that they aren't impressed by Rustic Kitchen, I scratch my head. Because I've repeated the above routine at least 3 dozen times and I'm always happier afterwards than when I started. Enjoy!
(4)
Peter B.

I'm glad I didn't read the recent Yelp reviews on Rustic Kitchen before I went, as I would have missed out on a really good meal. We passed RK while looking for Erbaluce. My friend only eats chicken and fish, and didn't want any of the fish on their menu so we went back to Rustic Kitchen. Decor is fine, seats were comfortable. The focaccia was OK and the dip was about the same. I think that offering could really be improved -- really work on making the focaccia flavorful and simplify the dip; simple but good quality olive oil and some herbs would have been fine with me! But here's what was great. Unlike a few other reviews I thought the tuna tartare was great. A nice balsamic, there was a bit of spicy bite in there, but not overpowering the soft tuna. Avacado was nice and soft but not over-ripe. Nicely prepared and good presentation too. We shared it -- it was a generously-sized portion. As my entree I had the Flat Iron Steak. The steak was nicely prepared, maybe a bit over the medium rare I requested, and the sauce and tomato ragu were nicely balanced and really went well together. And a roasted head of garlic as garnish? Genius! I ate most of the garlic combined with giant fork-filled bites of steak, fries and ragu. It was almost a deconstructed Italian version of Lomo Saltado! Had a glass of sangria with the meal which was fine, though my wife makes a killer non-traditional Spiced Rum sangria, so I'm kind of spoiled there. I think I ordered well, as many of the complaints seem to be with dishes I didn't have. I took the leftovers home with me and I'm really looking forward to having them for breakfast! I'd give this place a chance. The custom infused vodka offerings looked really tasty! I would go back again.
(4)
Billy L.

Drinks were great....waiter was awesome.... but the food didn't meet my expectations. It wasn't bad by any means but it wasn't great either.
(3)
Ashley P.

A colleague and I found Rustic Kitchen while wandering the streets in search of a restaurant. The menu posted outside had lots of options so we went for it. The place was empty and the hostess let us choose our seat (which I love). The service was quick and the server was friendly. I have to agree with a lot of these comments, the bread and white bean dip were excellent. Unexpected and very tasty. For my entree I had the stuffed chicken with rustic potatoes. It was served as three pieces, rolls of chicken with the "stuffing" inside. The chicken still had skin...that threw me, and isn't my taste, but I guess there's nothing wrong with it? The sauce that covered the plate was really sweet, made it hard to enjoy the other flavors. My colleague had the hangar steak and let me try some of the fries, which were tasty tasty. Best thing I tried at this restaurant. We would have had an appetizer, but this restaurant charges $4 to split appetizers. My company was paying, but we still passed on principle. Isn't the point of appetizers to share? This place is just ok...with all of the amazing restaurants in this town, I don't see myself ever going back.
(3)
Brent M.

I have been here a couple of times and really like it. The food is really good, and well priced for the portions. The cheese plate is probably the best that I have ever had. They also make really good drinks, and it is a relaxing atmosphere whether you are there just for drinks or staying for dinner.
(4)
stephanie c.

Like most yelpers here...I got the Buywithme coupons and decided to check out Rustic Kitchen. I actually live close by and would pass by it often. The exterior and interior decor actually looks pretty neat. The restaurant itself is HUGE with a 2 large dining rooms, a bar, and cooking kitchen demo room. Too bad it's not that busy in there. Service was just okay. Came here for dinner on a Thur evening and it was pretty empty. A few seemingly out-of-town businessmen and tourist. But definitely wasn't busy. And yet...service was pretty slow. I asked our server for recommendations, wine notes, etc...he never really seemed to know what he was talking about. Just kinda studdered around. Foodwise-big disappointment. I started with the tuna tartare-didnt taste that fresh, and mixed with the avocado looked old, dark, and not very impressive. My gfs had two diff salads.,..just your basic salads, nothing that special. Main courses included duck breast, haddock, and beef short rib. I am a huge fan of duck-absolutely love it. So you know it's bad when I left 2/3 of my duck dish sitting there at the end of the night. The duck which I requested to be Med-Rare was well done, and completely tasteless. Completely! As if there was not even salt/pepper on it. I just ate the asparagus and tomatoes. Sad. Haddock was tough and again unimpressive in flavor. Same with the short ribs. Everything just seemed liked it was cooked without effort or care. I can make those dishes at home with much more flavor. Mind you-Rustic Kitchen is not a cheap place. All in all-terrible. It's a shame because of their great location and decent decor. But goodness, I will not eat here.
(1)
Juliana N.

My friend had a buywithme coupon so we decided to check this place out. I'd have to say... not bad. The restaurant seems to try to boast its "upscale"ness... but its really just another chain restaurant. Someone on Yelp mentioned that it would be comparable to Bertucci's and I think I'd have to agree. So for the FOOD... We ordered the Veal Meatballs. I'd order it again for sure =). They were actually pretty good! Beef Short Ribs Mezzaluna. They're not whole short ribs... They're actually stuffed Ravioli's.. homemade ones =). I thought this was the best dish we ordered!!! SO good. Lobster Risotto. It is a little sweet. I wouldn't order it again, but it wasn't bad. Overall, I'd probably come here again... but I would probably come back for the happy hour @ the bar !!!
(3)
Tinkerbell T.

Rustic Kitchen is a stellar restaurant that often gets a bad rep. If you order the right food and come in when Chef Tom is behind the line, you will leave in a happy food coma. To do this you must come in early in the evening on a weekend night. To maximize your dining pleasure, ask for servers Gustavo, Ana Maria or Raul... or Mario the bartender - if you wish to sit at the bar. They will fill your evening with delightful memories and everlasting joy, guarunteed. P.S. try the veal meatballs : ) yumeeeeeee
(4)
Lindsay C.

Rustic Kitchen is pretty good. I think it's a bit overpriced for what you get but the food is flavorful and decently portioned. My husband took me here for my birthday and I have gone here on luncheons for work. I almost prefer their lunch to the dinner and it's priced better of course.
(3)
Melanie P.

I was so excited to eat here. For months I had been talking about wanting to go to this restaurant. I was happy that my dining experience shared my excitement for wanting to come here initially. There is this eclectic and ostentatious dÃ©cor/ambiance that seems rather intimidating when you walk in but once seated, you feel immediately comfortable. The staff was very friendly. The cocktail menu had a great selection. I ended up only drinking the Cranberry Bog martini (x3) but would suggest trying others on the list. As many mentioned in their other reviews, I was surprised by the bread, olives, and white bean dip. It was very tasty. For starters, we had the tuna tartar. I thought this was excellent and unlike any I have had in the past. I do want t mention that if you are going to share this dish with another person, be aware that it only comes with two large pita chips...I felt that the tuna tartar portion was far more than the two pita chips combined that we were left spooning the rest. I would have preferred having more but the presentation was commendable. For dinner, I chose the swordfish wrapped in prosciutto with lobster mashed potatoes and a side of green beans. I have to admit, I was not crazy about this dish. Personally, I feel that swordfish is already a very salty fish and the prosciutto taste was washed away by the fish taste. It was disappointing because it sounded tasty on paper. Both the lobster mashed potatoes and green beans were delicious. You certainly get what you pay for here because the portions are huge so make sure you come on an empty stomach OR make sure your eyes are not bigger than your stomach. There is a variety of items to choose from on every angle which can be overwhelming but you won't be disappointed...
(4)
Jennifer H.

went with friends...have to say I wasn't impressed. I got the Mac & Cheese. Took forever to come, waitress pretty much ignored us. Oh yeah and it smelled like feet. Not going back!
(2)
Winnie M.

Came here with my boyfriend and we were not impressed. I think the only thing that impressed me was how it looked outside. Inside atmosphere is ok, not the best decor or design. It didn't feel "rustic". I think the only thing might be cool is that there's a live broadcast kitchen. We got seated in a nice half moon booth in the main dining room that could've easily seated 6 people comfortable, possibly 8. It was a bit too big for the two of us. For a Friday night, it was pretty dead. At most the booths on both sides were occupied with people but the center tables which seem like they would have been a cozier choice for a party of two was empty. Anyways, onto the food...which wasn't impressive at all. We decided to share an appetizer, so we opted for the arancini as it sounded interesting based on the description. Although it was the only decent tasting part of our entire meal, we had to play high and seek as a result of a poor plating choice, they were entirely obscured with greens on an oversized plate...it was too busy for the eyes. My boyfriend had the veal meatloaf as an entree and he described it as "horrendously dried out and not flavorful at all". My entree was the shrimp spaghettini which was ok, but not memorable. To end off the night, we tried the chocolate gelato, the flavor was ok however the gelato itself was ruined mostly by the ice shards we kept biting into. Service itself was decent, our waitress was very nice. I think the most unpleasant part of the whole night was when I saw a furry critter scurrying the dining room floor between tables not once but twice throughout the meal.
(2)
Shaina P.

I feel in love with the Rustic Kitchen when it was located in Fanueil Hall and Porter Square. I fell out of love with the Rustic Kitchen when it opened in Stuart Street and I discovered Carmen of the North End. Also, this is an Opentable.com restaurant. FOOD Has been inconsistent. I am fairly stubborn when I find a meal to die for. The first time I ate the shrimp spaghettini dish, I was hooked. The shrimp were plump and flavored well, but the real kicker was the homeade spaghettini. It was garlicky and buttery and tender and tasted homeade. So, being such a fan of this one dish, I continued to get it... Sadly, some days the shrimp was fishy and overcooked. In fact 3 out of 5 times I ordered the dish, it was overcooked. This is not what I consider a good record for the restaurant. I have also tried dishes ordered by friends: the pumpkin ravioli was way too sweet and could have passed for dessert and the veal was unexciting. On the other hand, the agnolotti dal plin is an excellent dish to try and the baked rigatoni will last you a week. The fried calamari is an excellent dish as well. And the pizzas... MENU ISSUES Another thing I noticed is that their online menu is never the same as what they have at the restaurant. Maybe the menu changes at the venue but isn't updated online, who knows. It's just a disappointment when you get excited about a dish that isn't at the restaurant once you get there... MARTINI Their beefeater dirty martini is my favorite in town until I ordered one from Abe & Louies! ATMOSPHERE Accomodates family, friends, large parties, and dates. It's well lit and spacious. Generally a cool place, would be fun for happy hour. There's also some sort of cooking school-like thing in the back, which I'm dying to get more info about. Anyway, haven't been in a while so maybe they've improved?
(3)
David B.

The food tasted great. I was hooked on the olives they give you while you're food is being prepared. Next time, I'll get more. Very nice atmosphere. This place is on my list for date night.
(4)
Craig S.

After a long flight into a fairly new town I walked past and looked into an amazing ambiance of the rustic kitchen. Went in to get a decent glass of wine, at a great price, and was recommended the stuffed roasted chicken. It was absolutely one of the best meals that I've ever had. So gal I stumbled upon this place tonight. I have another 5 nights of meals and look forward to another dinner this week.
(5)
Nicole T.

Food and service were excellent. Italian spring rolls and tuna tartare,were great and they were very big portions. Also a huge fan of the pan seared duck breast with duck confit ravioli.
(4)
S G.

I love this restaurant. Its one of my favorite restaurants in the city. We've been on multiple occasions and have never been disappointed. The service is good, the drinks are better (highly suggest the Grape Santini martini) and the food is delicious!
(5)
Katy F.

I was just thinking about how I wanted to check this place out when a Buy With Me $50 for $25 daily deal showed up in my inbox. A few friends and I scooped them up and set a date. We had a reservation pretty early in the evening on a Thursday and decided to meet at the bar for drinks first before dining. The place was pretty empty, but when the final member of our party arrived we were rushed to our seats. "Can't we just sit here and finish our drink first?" we asked. "I'd really like to seat you now," was the reply. Ok... We were seated at a nice high top table. I really liked the ambiance and decor of this place. But really, that was about it. Actually, I take that back. Our waiter was really nice too, despite service being incredibly slow. I'm not sure if it was the bar or kitchen's fault, but how it takes 20+ minutes and 2 reminders to pour a glass of champagne will remain a mystery to me. We got the Fig Preserve Pizza to start. Delicious. Favorite dish of the night. The bread basket was brought out after our app arrived. Poor timing. It looked tasty but we were too involved with the pizza by that point to pay proper attention to it. Between the four of us we had the Baked Stuffed Cod (looked good, but unexciting), the Lobster Risotto (fine, but didn't knock my socks off), Pan Roasted Duck (I love duck. I get it a lot and I've definitely had better. Most of it was too grizzly to eat.), and the Bolognese. The Bolognese hands down won my Food Envy award for the night. The phrase "it MELTS in your mouth" was uttered at least 5 times. Amazingly delicious, unfortunately my friend who ordered it had some serious stomach troubles later on that night. Was it the bolognese's fault? Who knows. But I probably wouldn't get it again and take the risk. With the BWM coupons we all ate and drank for $30 a pop, which was incredible. And there was no push back on using the vouchers, which I always appreciate. 5 stars for that, but 2 stars for everything else.
(2)
Eric F.

Dropped by for happy hour back on Thursday and it wasn't bad. Interior's quite nicely done and the free chips were fantastic XD Tried the 2007 14 Hands Merlot and 2008 Hall Sauvignon Blanc, both were decent with the latter having a more mineral-y flavor to it than its counterparts. The selection of happy hour appetizers for $5.95 was on the limited side and the mini-burgers and veal meatballs that my friends ordered were nothing out of the ordinary according to them. As for the service, the guy did an okay job though he was a bit sluggish at times. He also seemed to have some trouble realizing that there were four people in my party as he completely overlooked one of us when taking our orders.
(3)
Wally C.

What happened to this place? it used to be so busy and trendy, I brought over people that were visiting from Germany and told them that it was awesome, food was good, service was great but i guess if there wasn't that many people service should be ok, don't know if i will go back, I really think this place will be open for a couple of months only...
(2)
Ligaya T.

Never made it past the bar. And let me tell you, the cocktails are spectacular. My winglady had the 'Cranberry Bog' with vodka and white cranberry and myself the a pomegranate margarita. The bartender was a true alchemist, combining common ingredients that I've had elsewhere with little wow. The whole was def more than the sum of the parts. She also personalized it by doing a half sugar, half salt him. Perfect balance of sweet and sour, given depth by the salt. Ambiance is comfortable, gorgeous fireoven for flatbreads, a beautiful sunlit atrium and an array of lamps that would make Restoration Hardware jealous. Oh and cool stained glass door. Love the wine labels on the wall, wonder who did this first, Les Zyg? Makes me think of the t-shirt that shows a chicken crossing her arms and an egg looking content in bed which reads "I think I did." Forgive my digression. Let's see, important stuff... The hostess was sweet. Large enough to accomate groups. Smelled divine, made me hungry so I came home and devoured a pan of casserole cuz my friend wouldn't eat there with me. I'll be back around to smack my jaws.
(4)
Francisca W.

(review dated 11/07): go there periodically w/coworkers for happy hour. enjoyed their bar, enjoyed their drinks & food, but have had more than one not-too-happy experience w/the people. first time it happened, a bartender was VERY verbally grumpy about having to make apple martini for a patron (my colleague) who ordered it. and just recently we were not feeling very welcomed on premise because: 1). our group size might have gotten too big at the bar which might have disturbed or otherwise inconvenienced their dinner patrons; and 2). later i heard there might have been a dispute on the bill bc there were so many of us ordering from everywhere and on top of it some stranger bought us all a round of drinks which might have complicated the calculation. another thing, one side of the bar (facing the dinner tables) has way too little room to wiggle around. there is literally no place to situate our bags and coats, and merely our behinds. however, if the section by the street w/full-length glass is actually not booked for a party or event, it is indeed a nice place to hang. in any case, with all the bummers, not sure if we would go back still coz i'm personally against bad service. i still love their cranberry bog (martini) though, and sangria is delectable. thin-crust pizza & their risotto balls (arancini?) are also good. :) (updated in 2009) went back a few more times, usually during happy hour. food and drinks still good; service varies. p.s. some pictures posted here (ones on storefront) is NOT on the current location. 210 stuart st is right by the radisson hotel in theater district; pictures posted seem to be near mass ave near symphony.
(3)
Cat S.

Ordered seared ahi tuna salad - pretty good. Hanger steak - pretty damn good. Stuffed chicken - very good & bone in rib eye very good. Lastly butterscotch budino good but very sweet. Good food, definitely would come back.
(4)
Jeff W.

I gotta hand it to this place... I was not sure what to expect making a post show reservation somewhat blindly (allowing yelpers to be my guide). Rustic kitchen definitely has a chain vibe, but the menu was interesting and the quality of the food was surprisingly good. I won't nick pick for what it is, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to a visitor or even if I needed to entertain a family friendly crowd. Service was very attentive and pleasant.
(4)
Cat L.

Stopped in for dinner at Rustic Kitchen the other night, and it turned out to be a pleasant experience. I must say, my friend and I looooved the white bead dip that came with the bread! Super tasty, and a nice change of pace from regular old olive oil. I tried the shrimp spaghettini, which was decent. The shrimps were a good size, but a touch overcooked for me. The pasta was fine. A little creamier that I thought it would be, and I didn't like the addition of cherry tomatoes (they were mealy - eeew). Portions are HUGE, so be prepared for that. My friend's a vegetarian, and they were kind enough to do the gnocchi with just the marinara sauce. Several options for wine by the glass, and a decent beer selection. Service was a little spotty; our waiter seemed to disappear for a while, and it took a bit to actually get our check. While the spoonless bowl is a cute idea, I'm pretty sure I'd rather just have a spoon.
(3)
andrew m.

I would actually give 0 starts if possible since I was never actually waited on! My wife and I sat at the main bar to drag a drink and were completely ignored. We waited for over 10 mins for the bar tender and decided to leave. The bar tender and a bunch of the waitresses were all clustered together at the other corner of the bar having a conversation that was more important than waiting on customers. The worst part is they all made eye contact with us and decided to just keep talking with each other!!
(1)
Bret C.

3.5 stars. Solid focaccia bread to start - awesome! Service was good and the food was solid. Perhaps a bit pricey for what you get and where you are. There are a ton of different things from steak (which was very good - try the jus sauce) to salads to burgers to pizzas to pasta. I'll have to give it another shot and try a few more things. I really like the atmosphere here - different areas of the restaurant have different feels. The main room with the fire really seems to be the best. I'd definitely come back for a second try!
(3)
Angelina C.

Cheesecake factory carnival decor aside, this place is delicious. The pumpkin agnolotti that sat aside my turkey milanese was the most incredible thing I have eaten. . .at least within the past month. I have no idea why the "Home of the Cooking Show" sits mostly empty, but do stop in if you're in the neighborhood.
(4)
Edi D.

I thought this was a great lunch spot on a cold Boston day. It feels very snug and cozy inside. I personally wasn't a huge fan of the club sandwich but that was probably my fault--I don't especially enjoy chicken breast in sandwiches. My cousin ordered a salad and it looked amazing--fresh, big, and creative. The fries were a hit. The prices were reasonable. The waitress was friendly. The ambiance was nice. Everything I could hope for from a leisurely lunch. Also, it was so nice that they validate parking--my cousin drove in from out of town and had a free place to park in the heart of the city!
(4)
Ken M.

We came here on the Friday of restaurant week. I've never been to a restaurant on restaurant week so I didn't really know what to expect. It was my sister's birthday, so there were 8 of us in our party, apparently that was our first mistake, because it means that service went down the toilet for the guaranteed 18% gratuity. Now, we may look kind of young, and maybe this is why we were treated so poorly, but we are all 25 (my sister was turning 25) to 27 years old and all are gainfully employed (what group of 8 20-somethings can you say that about today?), and we were all dressed fairly nicely. So the service was crappy. Fast forward to the food. The antipasti was very good, and the foccacia bread and olives were nice ways to start the meal. Andy's bolognese was very good, and my shrimp were overcooked and a bit fishy. Heather's filet was nice, but one girl didn't get what she ordered, or maybe didn't. She ordered salmon and couldn't figure out if the fish she got was salmon or not...and you should be able to tell. Dessert was a disaster because our waiter just wasn't interested in serving us. I should mention that not one of us ordered off the Restaurant Week menu because it wasn't terribly exciting and we still got poor service.
(2)
Christina A.

So after getting denied from Market for drinks and dessert, we noticed a cute restaurant called Rustic Kitchen. We came inside and were told that we couldn't get a table, those were only for dinner patrons (it was like 10 PM, a bit weird) so we wandered over to the bar. After sitting down, a friendly bartender gave us the drinks and dessert menu. We selected a delicious creme brulee and two martinis--blood orange and white grape. They came out and were delicious--smooth, lightly tangy and chilled. Then another bartender came over and sold us on their infused vodkas--strawberry, blueberry vanilla, pumpkin spice, kiwi-cucumber and grapefruit. We decided to get adventurous at this point and tried the kiwi and pumpkin. So while they were fun ideas, the kiwi tasted like sweet pickles and the pumpkin was a bit too pie-like for me (the strawberry and grapefruit were big improvements). So beyond the denying us a small table after 10 PM, there was one other issue--a mouse. Fortunately I was three martinis in, or I probably would have been a lot less calm about the situation (or eating food I suppose). Little concerning...
(3)
Meredith F.

Rustic Kitchen is a good, dependable Italian chain- I put it on par with Bertucci's. I started at the bar with a delicious strawberry-infused vodka-soda. The vodka was house-made by soaking fresh strawberries in the liquor, and you could definitely taste it in every sip. We got arancini for the table, which were creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside, with a nice thick balsamic drizzle that complimented the salty cheese inside the balls nicely. My entree--hangar steak with roasted garlic and tomato relish--was nicely cooked, if a little lacking in salt. Service was courteous, although our food took a bit long to come out.
(3)
Richard F.

Nothing special. It was expensive and service was slow. Bread was tasty, pasta was solid, and menu had appropriate breadth. Not a bad place to eat, but it doesn't meet the hype. Minor annoyance: by not providing Opentable reservation points. This stinginess, on top of the expensive menu, left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)
Alain L.

I've been walking past this place for a few days now and I just had to give it a shot. Right off the bat the greeter comes off with attitude "Can I help you?"....I'm like "Yeah, can I get something to eat, sweetheart?". Not too much to ask, when walking into a restaurant, right? Unbelievable. I sit at the bar and it's sort of crowded, lots of conversation going on about seeing plays and other "after eating" activities. None of which I wanted to overhear, it's just the atmosphere. Barkeep pops and takes my drink order and I slide in a salad order knowing there may be wait on food, and there was. They mix a decent cocktail, I have to tell you. So know I'm checking out the ambiance and it's not bad. Tastefully done, I liked their "wine labeled" wall near the bar. I ordered the Caesar's Salad, pretty average. I ordered the pasta bowl with pork and beef, VERY tasty indeed. I've been cutting down on the pasta, but this was really good. So outside of the minor gaffe with the greeter I was pretty happy with my experience here.
(3)
Rachael F.

I'm honestly shocked that the reviews here are so mediocre. I came here for dinner last night with my roommates, and it was fantastic. We all loved our food, I thought my pasta in particular was so good that I kept talking about how flavorful it was long after we left the restaurant. I adore the decor. Our server was so attentive and gave us three rounds of the delicious bread, which we found amusing. Yes, it's a little pricey, but I thought it was well worth it. I have no complaints and I will be back again.
(5)
Spencer N.

One day I said to myself, gee, i would love to find a restaurant that has a really contemporary yet old wine cellar ambiance, good Tuscan/light style Italian food and really strong drinks. Of shit. FOUND IT!!! Who knew there is good food in such a...commercialized area(next to legal seafood, Flemming's, etc) Rustic Kitchen is one of my new favorite finds in the downtown area. I have been here twice and never been let down. My parents and I shared an abundance of drinks which were mixed up at lightning speed. Blood orange martini...faboo. The food is pretty simple, rustic Italian food. The boar sauced pasta might just be the best pasta I have had. However, anything on homemade pasta cant be all bad. The flat iron steak comes with truffled french fries, and diner scallops are on a bed of capers, artichoke hearts, and sun dried tomatoes. I was in salt heaven. To top off the dinner, hand made gelato with biscotti like you have NEVER had. Sliced thin, not overly crunchy(Please, no one likes cuttin their mouth on a fuckin cookie. Cookies are NOT mad to hurt people) The pizza oven is really fun to watch as well. Go and enjoy. Really, it will be your new fave. If not...fine. more food for me
(4)
Amanda G.

I went here on a Friday night with a group of friends. I had the shrimp spaghettini which was your pretty standard version of shrimp scampi. Good, but nothing fancy. I tasted a bit of my friend's mac & cheese -- love the truffle oil. That said, the place was dead. Our reservation was for 7, and we were there until around 8. So while it wasn't late night, it wasn't extremely early either. I thought it was kind of weird for a weekend night. Kind of makes you wonder.
(3)
Betty P.

On service alone, this place tonight would have gotten 1 star. Thank goodness, they have a great chef and I have been here before to know this is a fluke!!! I have been to RK several times for dinner, drinks, and events I coordinated for clients. The special events coordinator, Kristen P., is great to work with and the service is always top-notch! The managers are all really helpful too and the owner Jim Cafarelli is always around, usually assisting with the tapings in the kitchen studio. Our server, Jonathan, never introduced himself (only know his name from the check) and brought ONE Restaurant Week menu for a table of six. He did not smile ONCE during the meal which is key to me. You should make people feel warm and welcome at your establishment, not like you'd rather be someplace else and are only doing this job for the tips. One of my friends loved the hummus/olive oil dip and asked for seconds to go with the bread. Well, there are two small pieces of bread left in the basket so you think the server would have known to bring an additional basket to the table with the dip, but no. Hrmm, I guess we can dip our fingers in the dip and eat it off of our hands. Why would we ask for dip if there is nothing to dip in it?!?!?! I recently went to Bertucci's and our waiter there not only brought extra bread as soon as he saw we devoured it, but gave us extra to take home. Surely, RK should be able to match that service. Anyhoooo, again, thank goodness the food redeems itself. From the fresh potato crisps at the bar to the fresh pasta and bread, nothing I have ever had at RK has disappointed me. Tonight, my starter of arancini was DELICIOUS. I've had arancini at many venues, even Fenway Park, and RK's beats out Aramark's dish hands down. The serving was plentiful too! Three huge balls of mozzarella (hey no comments from the peanut gallery) lay underneath a bed of arugula and grapefruit in a decadent mystery sauce. The cheese was melty and gooey and the rice inside the balls was fresh and a good consistency. I won't go into detail regarding all of the courses because I am drooling just thinking about it, but suffice it to say that all 6 of us finished our plates for courses 1, 2, and 3. Not an easy feat when you get such a generous quantity of food! I will definitely come back to RK since the management is great, they handle special events well, and it's a relatively affordable delicious meal. This goes to show you that you need to frequent a place a few times before making a judgment. I would definitely not let tonight scar me and will return to see Jim and my other smiley friends at RK. I will just ask for a different and more competent server next time. I don't recall him even saying thank you at the end of the meal!!! How rude . . .
(4)
Ryan M.

Went to the Rustic Kitchen during the week for lunch and ordered the Smoked Chicken Apple Sausage Pizza [on a paddle]. Best pizza I've had in Boston since moving here a couple years ago. Flavors were balanced, nothing dominated, the crust was crisp, and it's nice to be able to watch the chef cook it at their open pasta bar. I like the ambiance. It's a little chainy, but it blends upscale and rustic pretty well. I didn't have anything else, so 5-stars is just based on the pizza and this one experience. Recommended, though.
(5)
Jamie M.

I am surprised to see such poor reviews! Also, how can you complain about the decor? If it's not your taste, that's one thing, but is it really worthy of complaints? The last time I was here was for a 6 person work holiday dinner. The boss was paying, but wasn't in attendance, so we ordered and ordered. All the apps, drinks, dinners, drinks, desserts and what's that? more drinks...were fabulous. I remember salads, steaks and some great almond biscotti that must have came with dessert. The martinis and wine were flowing. I recently bought two certificates on buywithme.com for RK so am looking foward to heading back to this location (I dine at the Hingham location more often), and seeing how the service/and food is standing up. A report to follow...
(4)
Ami R.

I love this place!! While it sometimes goes under the radar being located in a hotel, this place has all your classic rustic bistro-like italian food in a comfortable setting. The fire oven at the back of the restaurant totally adds to the cozy feeling. Aside from the arancini, (love the arugula and nectarine touch!) I love the flatbreads and the mushroom mac n cheese is to die for!! This is a great place on those cold and rainy nights when you can't enjoy the Boston outdoor seating. P.S. Def try one of their vodka infused drinks.
(4)
andrew s.

I've been here once, and thought the food was great - from the hangar steak to the mac and cheese, everything came out more than acceptable. The vibe does feel a bit mish-mashed from a few different concepts, but it did not seem to bother us at all. Service was not memorable, but not terrible either.
(4)
Jenny W.

I visited Rustic Kitchen with a friend last week. Overall I was very disappointed with the entire meal and am not planning on coming back! I ordered a goat cheese salad and my friend ordered the gnocchi with lobster. Our waitress got my order wrong and brought out tortellini instead of the salad she barely apologized and acted like I was wrong but then brought out the correct meal so it wasn't a big deal. My friend's gnocchi was almost inedible the gnocchi was burnt and the accompanying sauce tasted like pure butter. We both shared the dish and agreed that this was the first gnocchi dish that we had ever had that we didn't like. I had high hopes for Rustic Kitchen but between the service and food we have a very disappointing meal and will not be returning.
(2)
Kate E.

I've been reading other reviews, and I don't understand why they are so low?! I just ate thereast night with my fiancÃ©, and it was delicious!! We had steak and butternut squash ravioli. We LOVED it! We loved it, and the atmosphere so much that we booked our rehersal dinner there! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
jenn r.

We had the bed and breakfast package at the Radisson which included free breakfast here. It was a nice variety of the usual breakfast buffet items. Very fresh, nice and hot food and fruit and bread. They had a nice breakfast egg roll that was spicy and an unusual treat. The service could have been better. The woman told us our meal was not included when it was. The waiter kept forgetting to get us cream. There was a lot fo wait staff just standing around talking instead of filling up water glasses and checking the buffet. Went here for drinks and dessert one night as well. I enjoyed the peanut butter cup martini and the pumpkin cheesecake but it was a little pricey. Bartender was helpful in recommending things for us to do while visiting.
(4)
Allison S.

We had an early dinner here Saturday night preceeding the Seinfeld show at the Wang. Although we were a little late for our reservation, they seated us and helped us get out in time for the show. The waitress we had was very kind, especially with orders such as "Can I have a glass of the red wine that she's having?". She knew exactly what I meant. While we only ordered appetizers, they were amazing and I would definitely go back for a full meal. The decor was very pretty, although it was kind of dark inside. They had a kitchen studio where they apparently film some chef. I'm a big fan of the Food Network, so I don't think they air it on there. I'd be interested to find out where exactly it airs..... Overall, it was a perfect selection for a night at the theater - especially since it's only a block away from the Wang. I would absolutely go back, even if I wasn't headed to see a show.
(4)
Cherise S.

Great warm atmosphere, with fun high top booths for romantic dinners and creative lighting and decor. Bread and tapas and pasta dishes were delicious. Slightly pricey, but overall had a solid experience.
(4)
Brian Z.

Great service. Sub-par ambiance and food.
(2)
Shelley D.

I just went here last night after attending the GDGT conference at the Royale. Tucked away and not very noticeable, my friend and I went here because he had seen it on the travel channel. Our waiter was incredibly polite and gave fantastic service. I ordered a red Sangria and was deleted to find that it was very sweet and very strong. My friend had a glass of chardonnay and because he wasn't too hungry he had an order of the crab cake appetizer on a bed of arugula salad with fresh corn. It came with a mustard dipping sauce and was very good. I asked the server which he liked better the mushroom tortellini or the short rib messulana pasta dish. He said that the short rib dish came in a broth while the tortellini came in a light cream sauce that was slightly sweet and similar to a marsala sauce. I tried the mushroom tortellini and it was superb. When it came out it had been garnished by pine nuts and when I had to send it back (allergy) they were really nice and had new dish in under ten minutes. The taste was amazing, if you are in a mushroom kind of mood then I highly recommend this dish. Overall I was impressed by this little restaurant, it's very quaint and I like the small booth where you can sit and cozy up with your date if you feel like it or sit across from each other. A very quaint and romantic little restaurant, it's the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy a good meal.
(4)
Danielle M.

The Rustic Kitchen franchise is exceptional, and as new hot spots in this town get the restaurant hype, this will continue to be one of my favorites The upscale ambiance coupled with warm hearth of the fire in the pizza stove and gorgeous "rustic" interiors ( stone walls, arched ceilings, dim lighting fixtures, damask draperies and heavy decoration) makes Rustic Ktichen a feast for the eyes as well as the appetite. The cooking shows are a great dining activity for date night, birthday outing,special occasion, or night out with friends; providing a combination of culinary excellence and interactive entertainment for guests. The menu is mediterranean inspired,and variant with its ingredients for each dish. Its sure to please any guest craving a handmade, creative pasta dish (chive gnocchi or orange-scented goat cheese ravioli- Yum!!) a perfectly cooked piece of fish ( I had the roasted mustard encrusted salmon with sauteed spinach, potato cake and dill creme fraiche ) great steaks and a la carte sides, or hot and bubbling pizzas on paddles. A restaurant's calamari is always a point of review for me in itself, and this their calamari was some of the best I've ever had ( lightly breaded with toasted pine nuts, jalapenos and lemon pepper aioli) flavorful from its seasonings equally as its light frying. The martinis are of generous pour, the wine are of great breadth in variety and price points. Service is great. Check it out - seats are good at the bar, at the table, in Park Plaza or in Hingham!
(5)
Chris L.

My family and I had an early dinner here one evening and loved it. The place wasn't busy at all, although by the time we left, it had crowded in a little bit. The wine pours were generous and the menu was varied, making entree decisions a treat. I like to have a lot of options and I settled on an amazing piece of halibut. The other members of my party were equally thrilled with their meals. Everything was hot and the portions were enough that I think each of us went home with something. The decor to the place is interesting, kinda like a cellar restaurant you might find in the back alley of Europe. There is a large brickoven that lends ambiance beyond the bronze lighting. In addition, they have a whole separate room where they put on a cooking show most Fridays I think. We'll have to make reservations for it in the future. The cost of the meal was definitely a splurge for us but thanks to a BuyWithMe coupon, we got a bit of a discount. I have no complaints and would definitely go back in the future.
(4)
Kelly A.

I really loved the Rustic Kitchen that used to be in Porter Square. I think overall I liked it better than the one downtown, but that's not to say I don't like the one downtown. It's actually got a terrific atmosphere. The last time I went there we got to sit at one of the really cool circular booths, underneath a cool-looking giant light fixture. I had the porcini mac and cheese, which is my favorite dish there. It has a bit of truffle oil in it, along with some peas, which makes it a bit unusual without losing the whole comfort food factor. The little pizzas are good too. Rustic Kitchen is a good place to go before or after a show on a special night out.
(4)
Charoline D.

AWESOME PLACE TO BE AFTER WORK FOR HAPPY HOUR! Lizzy and I wound up here after a long, but humorous day of work for some cocktails and ended up ordering off the Happy Hour appetizer menu as well. While we waited they have homemade potato chips which were SO awesomely loaded with salt. We ordered some sliders, one of which was topped with avocado, the other with roasted red peppers, both delicious! Also ordered a small cheese pizza to munch on which was equally tasty, wood fired, perhaps? Sangria was our beverage of choice and it was delicious! Lots of fruit floating amid the ice cubes and wonderfully refreshing for such a hot day. The atmosphere was laid back, warm, and dark. The bartenders were super funny and friendly, the couple next to us was........seemingly a rich old guy and a prostitute? Yeah, seriously. We're pretty sure. Guess that comes with having a restaurant attached onto a hotel. I'll definitely be back to try more of the cocktails!
(4)
Monica N.

It wasn't bad. We came here for an office lunch and the food wasn't bad at all. The decor of the space was very nice. The staff was excellent. Surprisingly it was very quiet during lunch hours, but it was cold our when we went so that might be a factor.
(3)
Jennifer M.

This is the first place I've given 5 stars. I love love loooove this place! Everything about it...from the atmosphere, to the food, to the cocktails, this place does a great job! They have an amazing cheese plate appetizer, which I highly recommend. For $10, you get 4 different cheeses, paired with fruits (strawberries, grapes, blueberries), candied walnuts, fig spread that is delicious, and obviously crackers. It is a ton of food, and it goes great with a nice seasonal cocktail. I always get the filet mignon here, with the horseradish cream sauce, cooked absolutely perfectly...this past time, I went with a side of fettucini Alfredo, which was garlic-y and delicious. So for all that...a 6oz filet mignon, sauce, vegetable, and side, the price is right at $28. They have a great wine selection, too. I absolutely love the atmosphere and decor in this place...it is good for any occasion, be it a girls night out, taking out your parents, or a romantic date night. My boyfriend and I really enjoy this place and will definitely go back (many more times, I hope!)
(5)
Hana C.

Good pizza and service but- pasta... its really not edible. We barely ate our pasta. The noodle was so dry, I'm surprised the waitor didn't even say anything about our barely touched pasta. Don't eat pasta here.
(2)
Stephanie W.

I came to the Rustic Kitchen with my grandparents last night, and it was the perfect place. The food was great (try the baked stuffed haddock) and my grandfather got all the veal he could handle with veal meatballs (YUM) and the veal meatloaf. If I had to describe the place, I'd say it's "upscale comfort food." The restaurant is well-decorated, and there's parking right nearby. My only complaint was our waitress towards the end of the evening; she seemed fairly oblivious to the fact that my grandfather tried about five times to ask her for the check when she passed by him. Otherwise, a good meal, good wine, and a good evening!
(4)
Katharine O.

2.5. We were wicked excited to eat here and were unpleasantly surprised. The meal started off with an intruder who went around from table to table asking for money and shouting that we should support the "pimps and prostitutes" in the world....so that was exciting and nerve wracking. The bread that everyone speaks of was fine to start out with, wine selection was decent as was the martini that was ordered. Calamari was the appetizer-was pretty good, but I've had better. Entrees: -Lobster Tails: reported as good -2 duck entrees: absolutely no flavor-so bland -Cod mac & cheese special: also reported as bland It was like the food was all cooked together and had no distinct flavors, it was so disappointing especially with the potential that duck confit ravioli has. For dessert we had creme brulee and the caramel bomb. Creme brulee is pretty hard to screw up and the caramel bomb was rich and again...blah. The decor in this place is really cute and our server, when he spoke, was personable, unfortunately those times were few and far between. With all of the great restaurants in the theater district, I have absolutely no desire to go to this one ever again...and apparently others feel the same since it was 8 o'clock on a Saturday night and basically dead. Sad sad disappointment.
(2)
Sara G.

I planned a conference at the Park Plaza, so I had to pick a restaurant nearby to take the Faculty. The hotel recommended the Rustic Kitchen, and I could not be any happier with that suggestion. The ambiance was fantastic. We were sitting in the main dining room at a large table. The perimeter was lined with u-shaped booths that looked great for a romantic dinner. There is also a "wine room" (the walls are lined with wine bottles) that would be fantastic for a group dinner of about 10 people. The food was excellent. It is one of the best restaurants I have been to in Boston (the others I had dinner with agreed). I had the Shaved Parma Prosciutto and Homemade Mozzarella to start. It was tasty, but not a great dish to order with a group of people since it is was difficult to eat without making a mess. For my main course I had the Butternut Squash Tortelli with crme fraiche, toasted walnuts, and truffle sauce breadcrumbs ($20). This was AMAZING. I am a huge fan of anything butternut squash and this was definitely the best butternut squash "anything" I have ever had. The toasted walnuts were an excellent touch. Then for dessert we had the standard Warm Chocolate Cake. Warm chocolate cake on its own is amazing, but this really was sinful. All in all I had a great experience and I would recommend the Rustic Kitchen to everyone.
(5)
KATE G.

If the atmosphere created by the organic/ biomorphic lights was not absolutely wonderful - I may have given two stars for predictable high end chain feeling and poor wine service by the waiter. The appetizer was a white been dip with garlic - my boy pointed out it was runny not thick and had no hint of garlic. We went on Friday and the bar which is friendly / nice was not hoping but still lively. They were filming a cooking show with dinners in attendance which is a good sch tick. i had the scallops which were cooked perfectly but small portion with an odd artichoke caper side. Boy got the tuna - very healthy portion and cooked perfectly. The booth in the bar area was great for viewing and intimate conversation but had no back padding????!!!. Will go again for apps and drinks at the bar - but will note drop big bucks for an entree. Cheers - Kate
(3)
Bryan S.

Mezza mezza - the decor is wonderful, the staff were right on (guess I came on the right night after reading the other reviews...). The table was comfortable and very conducive to conversation. I was dining with a friend who just returned from China and we had a relaxed, unrushed experience with ample time to view hundreds of photographs. So, the food... well, not the best not the worst. We split 3 apps - tuna tartare (so so), procuitto with mozzarella (pretty good) and meatballs (veal BTW, so so) and then had the portabello muchroom pizza (pretty good). The pomegrantite martinis were yummy. I won't rush to go back and won't recommend it as a "must do" to out-of-towners but it was a fairly good meal in an above average setting. I guess that I have lived in Boston long enough to find that to be an acceptable evening out.
(3)
Julianne M.

I went here for lunch once and it was beyond awful. Note: This is for the new Park Plaza location. I ordered the cobb salad -- now when you think salad, you think nice round plate or bowl with everything easy to mix up. Well here, you get a salad on a weird, long, glass rectangle plate. It was hard to eat off of and mix the salad, so I ended up just eating a bite of lettuce, then a bite of tomato, etc. I should have ordered the pizza. Secondly, it took forever for us to get our waiter's attention when we needed something and the service was awful. Third, since we were a large group, they added the gratuity, which is fine. But, we had a major problem with playing the requested amount due to the poor service. We asked the waiter if we were required to pay the full amount. He had to check with his manager who we had to wait forever for. We complained to the manager and he was like, umm, sure I can change that. He did not ask, what was exactly was wrong, what can I do to make it right, nothing. Save yourself the time and money and eat elsewhere with better food and better service.
(1)
Becky G.

I went to dinner on Sunday night with my boyfriend and my parents and had a fantastic time here. My father is notoriously value-minded so I wanted to go somewhere with reasonable prices. Our server was over-the-top awesome...very attentive, professional and knowledgeable. Some of the food was amazing, some dishes were just middle-of-the-road, but the experience was overwhelmingly positive because of the atmosphere created by the staff. From the hostess, to server, to the sommelier, everyone seemed genuinely interested in making sure we enjoyed our experience, which we did! Thanks Rustic Kitchen staff, we will be back!
(4)
Allison L.

Have been there couple times for girls night out during weekdays. Beautiful restaurant! It was quiet during weekdays, so we could easily carry on any conversations, no yelling was required. ;-) Must try -- homemade pasta. So fresh, so delicious. Veal meatballs were great. Filet Mignon was perfectly prepared! Early dinner alone, don't feel like sitting at the table??? Well, they have a pretty good happy hour menu at the bar, 4 - 7pm... wait... did I mention they have 2 bars....
(5)
Laureen B.

I dont know why anyone doesnt like this place. I have been there a few times, mostly at the bar which is really nice and sunny too! The drinks arent too exspensive and the pizza is to die for! They also give you home made chips at the bar...SO good! Oh and the bartenders are always really nice and attentive..I loved it!
(5)
R.G. W.

I'm not sure who the intended crowd for this restaurant is. The prices are high enough to keep away most casual diners ($20-$30 for a dinner entree, $10 for a small appetizer or salad), and the wine list is fairly extensive. The staff, and maitre d', are wearing suits. But at the same time, there are also huge LCD screen TVs with American Idol lining the walls. And a PA, blaring drum-heavy 70s rock. The patrons seem confused too. Many are in crisp, business attire. Others look like they just rolled out of bed. I'm not saying this place needs a dress code, but it could benefit from a clearer vision. Anyways, when I walked in, the receptionist asked if I had a reservation (I didn't), and she mumbled something about not being sure if she'd be able to seat me. I looked around and saw the restaurant was about 2/3 empty. Unless they were expecting a HUGE party in just a few minutes (which seemed odd), she was probably bs'ing. I should've taken this as a warning sign. I was seated at a 4-seater booth, and the wait staff seemed annoyed that they had to clear three other place settings, since I was eating alone. On to the food. I didn't feel like wine, so I asked for the cocktail list -- a place with a nice looking bar oughta have some good drinks, I figured incorrectly (their cocktail list is short, and it sucks!) I had the $10 meatball appetizer and a $20 wild mushroom pampadelle pasta. The meatballs were filled with lettuce (weird), and the pasta was very greasy, and luke-warm. I asked my server to warm it back up, but he refused! He barked at me, "that's the way the kitchen made it." Then he walked away, and I never saw him again. I had to have another server get me my check. I asked to speak with the maitre d', but that person had mysteriously disappeared, and I was too mad to wait around. So I put down a $20 bill and left. I'm never going back here again. I had high hopes for this place, too bad it sucks. This is for the Park Plaza location.
(1)
Alyssa H.

Eh- this place is OK. Maybe I'm a little disgruntled because it was advertised on the Daily Candy as a place to watch the Sox game with $4 appetizers. There were no $4 apps and there was no sound on the TVs. The food was pretty good, not amazing for the price. I got a mixed salad - nothing special, and a half portion on the shrimp pasta, which was quite small.
(3)
Jaclyn S.

We made reservations via Open Table for a Friday night. I personally liked the decore, as did the BF. The food was great- we had the Risotto Balls for an app, and they were out of this world... actually, they were the best part of the meal. BF got the lobster mac'n'cheese, which we both agree had a bit too much sausage. It was still tasty, however. I got the prosciutto wrapped swordfish, and it was fantastic. We also had the BWM vouchers that others have mentioned, and we had no issues using them at all. The waiter whisked them away, and brought back the bill with the total adjusted. Great night out, we'll be back again!
(4)
Ashley N.

Came here for a quick drink. Had their bloody mary which was a different kind. It was on the spicier side but I liked it. A fan of it. The vibe of the place was very cute and I would come back here for dinner. Seems like you can have a really chill night here with a friend or take a date on here. I liked the scene.
(4)
Tony V.

Great atmosphere, rustic look represted well with my he name.. Had the tuna which was great but they are known for their pasta.
(5)
Sharada D.

On New Year's Eve, Four of us went for dinner. All of us requested vegetarian variations of the entrees on the menu. We were delighted by the chef's imaginative presentation of the items. The pasta was cooked Al Dente, the sauces were cooked to perfection and the food was very tasty. I suggest that the chef mark the items with a letter V to indicate a Vegetarian option for these entrees. We will definitely come back. Sharada Durvasula
(4)
Monica B.

I took my fiance here for his birthday dinner and had a lovely tasty dinner. We had the apulian style veal meatballs, Lobster Carbonara and Filet Mignon. The meatballs and filet mignon were delicious. My fiance wished the sauce in the carbonara wasn't that thick. My blueberry mojito was very well made and the wine was also very good. Overall, great dinner!
(4)
Anna C.

The homemade pastas are out if this world. The Butternut Squash Mezzaluna was outstanding!!! Best I've ever had. The others at my table were also raving about the beef stroganoff and the other pasta's. The service was pleasant and prompt.
(5)
Brett P.

We took my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, who were visiting from Florida and staying at The Four Seasons a few blocks away, here for dinner. We had made a reservation but being a Tuesday night, it didn't look like we needed one, as there were many empty tables. A complimentary white bean spread with four chunks of focaccia was a welcome and tasty start. The wine list was decent and a Tuscan sangiovese/merlot/cabernet blend was a good choice and not overpriced at $35. I started out with the summer panzanella salad. It was a big portion and pretty heavy with the addition of extra ingredients like corn for what I usually expect to be a light, refreshing, salad, but it was good. I thought it a bit odd that they used larger toasted crostini rather than small pieces of day-old bread, which is the traditional recipe. I am a fresh pasta freak so I zeroed right in on the house-made chive gnocchi as my main dish. They were properly light and toothsome, but suffused with too much crumbled sausage, which overwhelmed the delicate pasta and made for a very heavy dish. My wife had the duck breast and found it pretty decent, but was puzzled with the inclusion of what looked and tasted like a few elongated tater tots as a side. My brother-in-law enjoyed his dish, pesto salmon, as did my sister-in-law, with a petite filet cooked as specified and served with a side of beautiful, lightly-sauteed, bright green broccolini. We finished off the meal with some very good coffee drinks, too full to even consider dessert. Service was pleasant, attentive and prompt, water glasses were kept filled, and plates cleared promptly. The lighting was a bit bright in my opinion for a slightly upscale restaurant, and the too-loud alternative rock being played on the sound system was baffling and seemed out of place, even though I love The Smiths, who were playing as we got ready to leave. It was a decent meal, and not crazy expensive, about $200 for four people, with tip, but I probably would not return. They didn't do anything terribly wrong, but it just wasn't distinctive or memorable enough, or a good enough deal, that I would be interested in another visit.
(3)
Elaine A.

I've never had a good experience here. First time, unnattentive waitstaff. Second time, delivered the wrong order. Third time (my company uses this place for work functions), they literally rolled garbage through the dining room during lunch and the place smelled like garbage the rest of the meal. I had to come back for a social function recently. The mushroom ravioli was okay, but not worth the $2.50 per ravioli proce tag! I ordered the stuffed haddock which was dry, tough, and flavorless. Somehow my asparagus was charred on the outside, and raw on the inside. The mashed potatoes were good but the butter sauce was too rich to even use. There are many good restaurants around, skip this one and save yourselves and your taste buds a bad night.
(1)
R W.

I've been really impressed by the quality of all the food here. There will always be a very hiccups here and there (I've eaten here a lot in the last four months), but they are extremely rare and always graciously remedied. However, the norm is always delicious food, inspired meats, and house made pasta. They keep an awesome staff behind their full bar. Hailey is super great for drinks, and if you want to eat at the bar, she's as good as any waiter, even on busy nights. I'll always definitely number this gem high on my top of the town list!
(4)
Wayne Z.

Solid 3.5 stars, and could easily be better with just slightly better service. I came around 9:30 this past Saturday evening after a show at the theater with 4 others. Quickly got seated but it took a little bit for our waitress to come by for drinks, so we ended up ordering drinks and food at the same time. After that is when things got a little sour for me personally. I had asked for a lime w/my original drink, it didn't come with one. I later asked for one, only to have to wait another 10+ min before waitress came through and realized I'd never gotten it and finally brought me one. Throughout dinner, I had to also ask for water on 2 occasions, which are just basic things I expect of most places I eat, much less slightly more upscale places, especially when they aren't all that busy. All that aside, food itself was very good. Everyone in our party enjoyed our meals, I ordered the veal meatloaf and while the mashed potatoes were a bit meh, the meatloaf itself was quite a delight and one hell of a heaping portion as well. Overall, I'd give this place another shot as it easily could've gotten 4 stars from me.
(3)
Jaclyn S.

I came here with a large group of friends. The place is large, so it's definitely equipped to handle larger parties. We got the eggplant and Italian spring roll appetizers. While I enjoyed both, I preferred the eggplant. Most of my friends ordered from the drink menu, but I stuck with a couple glasses of red wine (Montepulciano). I had the chive gnocchi with crumbled sausage. If you like sausages peppers and onions then you would love this dish. It was a very heavy dish, so much so that I was offering it to others at the table to help finish it. A couple of my friends ordered the veal meatloaf, salmon, hangar steak and wild boar lasagna. Everyone seemed to like their meal. I love Italian food and while this wasn't top of the line compared to some of the places I've gone, I still thought the food was quite tasty. Some of the dishes were so hearty, that I got a comfort food type of vibe. For desserts we shared the tiramisu, some butterscotch thing and a chocolate mousse cake. I didn't care for the tiramisu but loved the other 2. In terms of price, I thought the prices were reasonable. Overall, I really don't have any complaints and would come back.
(3)
V M.

We were a bit surprised that there are no pastas or main dishes on the lunch menu. Once we got over that, we thoroughly enjoyed the thin crust pizza & the grilled pear salad with gorgonzola is to die for. Good service too.
(4)
Kirsten M.

We were concerned because it appeared to be attached to the revere hotel. (Hotel restaurants can be sub par). But, in fact this was fabulous. Spring rolls were amazing, boar lasagna delicious and our kids meals were over the top. The waitress who helped us rocked and overall the experience was one of the best we've had a as a family in a long time!
(5)
Sheila R.

Excellent food and atmosphere! You can see where the food network show is taped right next door. The food was excellent, wine list very nice and kids menu was good too. It's a step away from the Revere Hotel in the Theater District. Highly recommend this establishment!
(5)
Nicole P.

Nice ambiance. Good food. I would go back again. The salmon entree was very very good. Cooked perfectly.
(4)
Rachel R.

Came here without a reservation (last minute dinner idea) for NYE in the city. Staying at the W a minute or two away, it seemed perfect for the dinner we were longing for that night; a bit more up scale, relaxed, and pricey while being a brief walk on account of being bare legged with heels in 20 degree weather. We waited about a half hour inside and the hosts did a great job of trying to find us bar seats, very kind of them. We ended up getting seated in the booth we had wanted, a great view of the whole main room. I had ordered the wedge salad (chicken added) with a delicious, creamy Gorgonzola dressing. It was just amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed this salad, very filling and flavorful. Fresh, crunchy insides of the lettuce, just wonderful. My love had ordered the baked rigatoni with sausage. We watched this get pulled right from the brick oven in a personal little skillet, a very hearty and savory dish this was. Waitress had mentioned the pasta is made fresh daily, that is for sure noticeable upon eating. The bread and the oiled white bean dip was also wonderful, might I add. All over great dining experience. Cannot wait to return to enjoy this salad again, and also the baked macaroni and cheese.
(5)
John M.

This is the third time that my wife and I have come to see Liz marvel us, not only with her charm and infectious smile, but also with her tasty dishes and choices of wine. Last night we took our friends out for the first time and the baby back ribs, white wine and cornbread were all perfect. We will definitely be back again.
(5)
Stacey G.

This is a gem in Boston's theatre district. The decor and atmosphere is warm and romantic. They have a brick oven with dried pasta on display. They also host the "cooking show" so you can see that area set up. The pastas are homemade! The staff is great. When you sit down at the table they bring you bread and a warm white bean hummus dip- must try! I have ordered the roasted lemon pepper salmon here it was good; not the best I've ever had but very good. Next time I am going to try a pasta dish. Overall, 4 stars. I've been here twice- once on a date and once in a group. It's great for both settings and everyone enjoyed the food! I will definitely return soon.
(4)
Steve T.

Sadly a disappointment of almost epic proportions..... Service: slow. Food: mediocre at best. Cost: almost stratospheric. Really poor.
(1)
Sally T.

Had a nice casual dinner here. The place is upbeat with modern music playing in the background. The fried calamari and Cesar salad were delicious and the wine was great. Everyone enjoyed their dinners. The service was exceptional. Overall it was a very good experiences.
(4)
Ron K.

Great food! Service was friendly and efficient and decor was very cool. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!
(5)
Jane D.

I am writing this review only about the bar service. I heard people saying they enjoyed the food and I liked the atmosphere. The bartender was horrible. Does anybody offer water in this city? I had to flag my bartender down for a drink and there were only 4 of us at the bar, so it wasn't busy. I finished my drink and would have ordered more if she ever came to check on me but she didn't.
(2)
AJ M.

Rustic Kitchen is a solid choice for food in the theater district. I visited on a Tuesday night with friends to grab dinner while they were working an event at Emerson College. Despite the high number of restaurants in this area, the number of quality, affordable restaurants is low, making Rustic Kitchen a consistent option. In terms of drinks, avoid the cocktail menu. They have a good selection of wines and the bar is good at drinks to order, but their cocktails were not very inspired nor were they well mixed. My martini with a "splash" of sour mix tasted more like a sour patch kid. For meals my friends ordered the stuffed halibut which they said was very good, they cleaned their plates! I ordered the hanger steak with Parmesan truffle fries and arugula salad. The steak was well cooked and had a decent flavor, very typical American fare. Good, but not memorable. Overall I think Rustic is a great choice for classic American and Italian dishes, with a lovely atmosphere and attentive staff. It's generic, but not heavy, family style eating like most of the chain restaurants in the area.
(3)
Patricia M.

This place is a joke. I ordered the butternut squash soup and some type of pear salad. I figured, can't go wrong... Pretty safe food choices. Nope. The soup was bland and the salad had way too many flavors going on. On top of that, the salad was more like lettuce, cheese, ham and a pear cut in half. I would have thought the pear would somehow be integrated in the salad... Nope. It was not. If I wanted an entire pear, I would have gone to the market for one. I left feeling disappointed.
(1)
Dana W.

Stopped in for a quick bite before heading to a meeting. The place was empty at lunch. Staff is very friendly and attentive and the food came out quickly. Again, I was 1 of 3 tables, and the other parties had their meals, so not sure if the good service was due to lack of clientele. The tuna melt was delicious Not too much mayo/moist and the side of fries was crisp and tasty. It is attached to the hotel where I am staying, so I will likely eat here again. No complaints, just don't think I would search it out with all the other places to try in the Theatre district.
(3)
app P.

I was not expecting much given that it was in a hotel and few of my friends had even heard of Rustic Kitchen. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Great way to start the evening before seeing a show at the Wilbur. To start, my friend ordered the (in-house) infused grapefruit vodka martini, I had the pineapple. Subtle and delicious! We were starving and figured the tuna tartare would make it to the table quickly and it did. Delicious tartare with avocado and some sort of delicious glaze. We then split the Caesar salad and Chive Gnocchi. Oh wow. The Caesar is served in a huge parmesan crisp bowl (saved that for last!) The chive gnocchi was divine -- broccolini, sausage and puffs of gnocchi. Our second and final cocktail was the "El Pepino." Folks, this is the best deal in Boston -- 12 bucks for tequila, cucumber, lime juice .. and a garnish of (jalepeno?) pepper slices. Our waitress kind of snickered when I ordered it and now I know why. Probably the strongest drink I've had in recent memory. (And delicious to boot!) Highly recommend Rustic Kitchen!
(4)
Otis H.

We had an absolutely stellar time here. This was our post-Blue Man Group dinner on a Saturday night. We made reservations through OpenTable and it went through without a hitch. in fact, we ended up there about 35min early and they were still able to get us to our table. I had specifically requested to sit close to the oven because of the raw/cold weather and they didn't disappoint. Service was pleasant, if a bit on the slow side. Food was excellent. We started off with the house made Mozzarella Burrata. It was exceptional. Super fresh with just the right amount of acid and different textures. The mains were not different. The wife got the Beef Stroganoff and I went with the Wild Boar lasagne. It was one of those things where you see the plate come out and you think "I can polish that off in 10min", but was actually a HUGE portion. Flavors were fantastic. Dessert was just OK. Creme Brulee was passable, but the chocolate mousse cake was a bit gritty. Would definitely recommend for the entrees though.
(4)
Kim C.

Excellent meal; the appetizers were filling and could have sufficed for dinner. Everything was delicious and the service was attentive. Have already told my son that this is where I would like to go for my birthday in September!
(5)
M B.

Overpriced and not that great. Sort of wins on location, but otherwise would be out of business.
(2)
Anna C.

Visiting Boston our first night we decided to try out something close by to our hotel. The ambiance was very nice they sat us at quiet and intimate booth. We never felt rushed all throughout dinner which was nice since we were celebrating our anniversary. Our waitress Lina was super nice and attentive. We started off with the burrata and the Italian spring rolls for appetizers. The burrata plate was colorful and full of flavor. The pesto beneath the burrata was so creamy and delicious as was the thinly fried eggplant. The blistered cherry tomatoes went so well with a smear of the burrata on garlicky crostini. The spring rolls said to be a specialty were just ok. The burrata plate is where it's at! For dinner I had the chive gnocchi with crumbled sausage and broccolini - the gnocchi light pillows of pasta in a savory and slightly spicy sauce of toasted breadcrumbs olive oil and peppers. My husband enjoyed his braised short rib stroganoff - Creamy yet light mushroom sauce over ribbons of pasta with fall off the bone short ribs - I had a bite myself and regretted not choosing that dish! Dessert was a trio of gelato and biscotti - simple but a great ending to a wonderful meal. Their cocktails are killer too!
(4)
I. H.

Went there before a show in the Theater District. The food was bland. Completely flavorless with not even a hint of salt. My steak was over cooked. I ordered it medium rare it came to the table well done. My fiance got a pasta dish, also bland. The sauce tasted like canned tomato sauce. And it's all over priced. Not going back.
(1)
Tim M.

Fun, lively, and inviting atmosphere. Good food with healthy portions. Full bar with plenty to offer.
(4)
Ami O.

Love this place!!!! Me and the husband were waltzing around the city looking for a nice place to dine, and happened upon Rustic Kitchen. We were beckoned by its warm glow and seated promptly. Our waitress was charming, she came by the table several times and seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say. The bartender at one point made my drink too strong (imagine nail polish remover strong), so the waitress, knowing his reputation, asked me about it specifically and then asked him to make me a different one with less of a kick OTH. Honestly, the service alone is worth revisiting. The atmosphere was cozy chic, the drying pasta added authenticity to our experience. We opted for a cozy booth and spent a great deal of time enjoying our meal. I had the butternut squash mezzaluna, which was delicious, creamy and makes my mouth water when I think about it to this day. My hubby ordered the mac and cheese and devoured it. We also had the crunchy aracini for our appetizer. A very vegetarian friendly meal. Definitely go there for a nice dinner and friendly service.
(5)
Nathan B.

We tried twice in the same day for a meal here and were greeted both times with such appalling manners that we left. The three hostesses were as friendly as one can ask after having to interrupt them from their personal conversation to get a table. Then, after a second attempt at this place (in their defense, it was 20 minutes before last call), the bartender was so obviously ready to leave that she was purposefully abrasive and offensive. Her words were forcedly polite, but the tone and mannerisms were clearly negative. The menu looks terrific. The smells were promising. The staff is repulsive. Steer clear. Boston is a big city with many options. Don't settle for embarrassingly rude service when you can find 7 other restaurants within a two block radius that will gladly seat and serve you.
(2)
Donna S.

Me and my girlfriends went here for dinner before a show. I had a Harvest Margarita to start. Weeks later I am still thinking about the crisp, not too sweet, potent glass of deliciousness. I could have drunk these like Koolade all night but when I stood up after the second one I realized I might not be able to make it around the corner to the theater if I did. Our waiter Nick was great, attentive but not hovering. We were there over 2 hours eating, drinking and laughing and he didn't hurry us along at all. We made a meal of appetizers and had the veal meatballs, Foie Gras, Arachini, Mozzerella Burrata and Calimari. Everything was prepared perfectly and we didn't leave much on the plates Because we were already splurging we got several desserts to share; creme brulee, mini canollis and of course something chocolate. Again we ate nearly everything. I will be back to try something off the actual dinner menu sometime hopefully soon.
(5)
DezandJohn P.

We ate here twice on our visit to Boston and both times were amazing. The service was good, the ambiance is beautiful. The first night we had the grilled pear salad and the baby spinach salad. Both were filling and delicious. We came back the next night and split a margarita pizza and dessert and loved it! If you are in the area we recommend this place.
(5)
Kim B.

I am ambivalent about my experience here. I am sure it could be great.. but the night we went in something was just very off. We were a group of 3, with one more coming. It was a Thursday night, maybe around 7:30. We walked in, and were greeted with a very warm, beautiful scene. They have private alcoves of booths for those on a date, and a wide open fire where everything- even the pastas- are cooked. It is extremely inviting, upscale, and romantic. There were about 3 tables full, and all others were empty. The hostess said that it was about a 20 minute wait due to reservations.... we were a tad confused since there were SO many tables open. As we waited, we noticed that many of the tables were dirty and had not been cleaned... maybe they were short staffed that night and the turnover was slow.. but she had told us our wait would be due to reservations, not dirty tables. We asked her if we could have a spot close to the fire (there were about 5 tables open near it), and after she rejected that idea, we asked if we could sit in a private booth. She also rejected that. We asked her how we could ever get one of those tables, and she simply said- if we make reservations. Eventually she sat us in the coldest, furthest table. I will note, the restaurant NEVER got even close to full. We got drinks, and split a fig pizza, cheese pizza, and baked rigatoni. The food was absolutely delicious. I will say, I would of loved to try about 209348 other things on the menu. Also, bread ranking =10/10. It was homemade, with bits and pieces of garlic, cheese and peppers in it. We got about 4 baskets of bread. I would like to go back, and hope that it was just that one night where the service was abohorable. The food, bread, and drinks were definitely 5 stars. I just can't rank this higher until I try it again for a service ranking.
(3)
Danielle K.

Full disclaimer: five stars goes to The Cooking Show with Liz, that part of the night was absolutely PHENOMENAL. Such a great set up, perfect food, perfect entertainment. All around five stars. My boyfriend and I bought both of our parents tickets (not cheap by the way) and it was worth every penny. HOWEVER after the show, all six of us headed to the bar for an after dinner drink and this is where everything turned sour. Four of us were sitting at the seats provided by the bar, two of us standing directly behind. The manager came up, and immediately chastised us telling us were breaking fire codes and that we need to clear a path between the seats and those standing. At this point, the bar was empty. At any point, anyone would be able to walk through, but for some reason we were targeted as being "disruptive" to the restaurant. We moved however the manager still continued to belittle us and make us feel unwelcomed. After ONE drink, they came over and asked us to leave because they can no longer serve us (each of us had one glass of wine??) and that we were disruptive to the restaurant. After spending $630 in tickets for the cooking show, we regret every penny we spent here and will absolutely NEVER be back to a place that disrespected me and my guests in this manner. Spend your money elsewhere As to the chef Liz: we encourage you to work for an establishment that respects your costumers as much as we respect you.
(1)
Maricar V.

rustic kitchen was across the hotel were staying at so it was an easy find! this place was cozy so we decided that we would try it out for our first boston meal! at our table: fried calamari grilled chicken club sandwich with fries spinach salad the best part of our brunch was the fried calamari! it was fresh and tender, lightly fried and tossed with a creamy tangy sauce, baby arugula, jalapeÃ±os, and pine nuts. DELISH! .... and to my surprise, it was a really generous portion! there was a lot if calamari!!! the rest of our meal was just ok in comparison... if you happen to be passing by, stop in and check it out -- order the calamari!! my stars in this review are definitely dedicated to them!
(3)
Wini P.

Has anyone ever heard of a Restaurant doing this? Good afternoon Wini, "Hope all is well. I have another group willing to book the Wine Room on Marathon Monday for a $600 Food Minimum. I am giving you the opportunity to match this or we will place your reservation in the Main Dining Room. Please advise, Special Events Manager" I had a business meeting planned for 6 people and we go this email telling us we were out of the space as someone with more money was coming in. Just curious
(1)
Ash T.

A lovely location but.... Visited the rustic kitchen 3 nights ago - this was a visit after being bumped from the hotel we were staying in after they overbooked! The food was of good quality - although I think I was quite overpriced for what you got. We had meatballs to start that we're not seasoned at all & quite a bland tomato sauce. We then had the scallops risotto & lobster carbonara. The carbonara was lovely & the egg perfectly cooked, the scallops nice but the risotto a bit to heavy. Out server was good but no idea re the wines and at $45 + a Bottle we expected better. Overall we left feeling full but underwhelmed & would not have been happy to pay $165+ for the meal. Good but could do better.
(3)
Matthew Z.

Decent food but the 25% markup for the Boston Marathon was uncalled for. Atmosphere is meh.
(2)
Robin A.

Food was great. Expectations were exceeded for this dining experience. Usually the prices are high with portions tiny, but Rustic Kitchen is not the typical downtown tourist trap. Delicious meals at a reasonable price that didn't leave us scrounging for bread sticks. Dinner for 4 with appetizers, drinks and desserts was $225.
(4)
Charlena K.

Review based on bar seating and dining on a Saturday night in February: Good food. Clean restrooms. Reasonable prices. Convenient location, especially if you're a guest at the hotel.
(4)
G Z.

Good pasta for when you just need to eat.
(3)
Kevin H.

Its rare for me to visit a restaurant more than once on a trip but I had to go back to Rustic Kitchen the food was wonderful tbe service phenomenal thank you Nick and Jodie we are coming back to Boston because of you
(5)
Mike H.

Pretty good overall experience here on our overnight stay at the Revere Hotel, but several inconsistencies that weren't expected. Service was, most of all, a disappointment. Very slow, especially in the initial greet time and drink orders, and there weren't many tables occupied. Other tables near us expressed the same concerns. We had the scallops, salmon, and fig & prosciutto pizza for our entrees. Neither fish dish was a bad choice, but they weren't exceptional by any stretch. The fig & prosciutto pizza was slightly problematic; the ingredients were fig preservers (sweet), caramelized onions (burnt sweet), goat cheese (takes on the flavor of other sweet ingredients) and arugula, which should have cut the sweetness, somewhat, if there had been enough of it. The fig preserves with the caramelized onions just set the flavor as nearly too sweet and overpowered the prosciutto, whose saltiness should have cut the sweetness. What sounded like a good idea just didn't, in our opinion, work. (A table adjacent to ours with whom we had struck up conversation during our extended wait times drew the same conclusion about it, sadly.) The decor of the restaurant is really nice. Again, we liked it okay, but the inconsistencies were unexpected. Perhaps it has gotten spoiled because it is attached to the hotel, but it was a little disappointing. I think the menu is ambitious, but someone needs to taste these dishes before deciding they are good ideas. My analysis is that our opinions won't be taken seriously. I'm hoping management will listen here and understand I'm not panning the place. I really wanted to like it. The services and ideas behind the dishes need to catch up with the potential of this place. There are simply too many selections nearby to be dismissively average and ordinary.
(3)
Lene B.

Wow. What a treat. By far the best Italian I've had in a very long time. I ordered the Lobster Carbonara... So fresh and delicious. The bread and white bean dip to start were also wonderful. To drink, I ordered the Pear Martini, the bartender had a heavy pour but I wasn't complaining ;) The drink was still refreshing and tasty. All in all this is a great spot and the ambiance is so classy and quaint!
(5)
John B.

Brought my GF here for her bday and it was a great experience. Started with the Italian spring rolls and they were really good. Had the lobster carbonara and she had a fig and (something) tortellini. We loved our meals. Service was above average (i tipped 35% as it was well deserved) and we had a really great time. Have been raving about it since, cant wait to go back.
(5)
Schardinee F.

I have been here a few times and I always leave satisfied. The food is great. The waitress always is knowledgeable and friendly. The only reason I didn't give all 5 is because I went there once and I had to use the bathroom before we left. When I tried to re enter the restaurant (bathroom is outside of restaurant) all the doors were locked. It worked out in the end when I talked to the guys at valet. That was the only time I was at all displeased.
(4)
Holly S.

A wonderful and delicious restaurant for lunch or dinner. I have been to the hingham location several times and have always left very pleased. The best salmon dinner I have ever have!
(4)
Adam E.

I wasn't expecting a lot from Rustic Kitchen, since it feels a bit like a certain mall chain, but I was pleasantly surprised by a creative cocktail list and enormous, delicious drinks. I had two Blood Orange Martinis and that was plenty. I don't know how many ounces they are, but they are hefty. I tried my date's white sangria and it was lovely too. For pre-theater beverages, this joint's bar is the one to hit, no doubt. The arancini appetizer was ridiculous. Perfectly fried and gooey with cheesy rice, just like they should be. The table next to us ordered the veal meatballs which were definitely drool-inducing. I could've (and maybe should've) just ordered a few appetizers and been thrilled with the meal. And more drinks. But I didn't. I ordered the Bolognese, which is normally one of my favorite meals. Theirs was dry and disappointing. The portion size was generous, but it doesn't really matter. My date's Fetuccini Alfredo with shrimp was outstanding. Her dish wasn't listed on the menu, but she asked our server if the kitchen could put something like that together and he obliged happily. Once we had our meals, our server disappeared. I would've probably ordered another drink (whether or not I needed another), and would've definitely had time to enjoy it at a leisurely pace while we chatted. We had to flag him down to clear our dishes and give us our check. I'm patient, but we were waiting at least 45 minutes more than we should have. We were finished, looking around and clearly ready to leave. You could definitely do worse in the Theater District, and if you order the right thing you might get a truly outstanding meal. But I was not impressed with the main event here. Drinks and apps, that's the way to go. And sit at the bar so you can get out of there when you want.
(3)
Diane H.

This place looks really nice on the inside, very big. They do things very slowly though..very slowly... I think our big group of 7 surprised them with no reservations. It took 3 people to put together 2 tables which resulted in an uncomfortable wait time at the front of the host stand. The pizza we ordered was very delicious and i had high hopes that my lobster combo would be amazing, but sadly no. The lobster bisque was getting saltier by the minute..and the top of my tongue was pretty burnt from it. The lobster sandwich smelled pretty fishy when it came to the table and it wasn't fresh lobster...it was overcooked yucky lobster. I told the waitress at the end the lobster bisque was very salty when she asked me if i was finished, and she was like "yes it is." and proceeded to walk away... err yeah the service left a lot to be desired.
(3)
Amy P.

First time diner at this location. Decor was very pretty and restaurant was very comfortable. I had dinner here on Sunday night and had the short ribs they were fabulous. To die for! However, service was a definite issue. 1 server 1 bartender for entire main dining room. Waited 15 minutes at least for my pear martini which was delicious but come on 15 minutes. My friend was done with her meal by the time she got her second diet coke. Not so much the servers fault as she was probably waiting on 10 tables Def understaffed but felt for the money spent service needs improvement. 4 stars for.food and atmosphere. Server was in over her head with no manager in site. Shame on that GM
(4)
Karen K.

Visiting on business. Just flew in today and weary from travel. My hotel connects and I decided to give it a try. Not bad but nothing special either. I found it interesting when the bartender spoke to me she lost her Boston accent but when speaking to locals it miraculously returned...be real...give me the Boston flair! I had the fig and gorgonzola ravioli...decent but I expected more gorgonzola. The fig was fresh. I was impressed by their house infused vodka as I do that myself. Definitely going to try blueberry and veggie infusions when I get home.
(3)
Lucky D.

Have this one star because there is nothing less. Pasta was bad and under cooked. I love my pasta al dente but this was not that. Also despite my wife telling them she was vegan, they boiled her pasta in fish broth! Fish Broth! Who does that???? Service was good but the kitchen needs to go back to culinary school. Very expensive for such poor quality and flavor profiles.
(1)
Rosie P.

This place is terrible for room service. I ordered a pizza after a long flight and it arrived in my room...cold and totally charred. Room service was great when I spoke to them about this. They took the $33 charge off of my room bill and were very apologetic. I wouldn't recommend Rustic Kitchen for a meal.
(2)
Adriana O.

Best food in Boston! What a great time me and my husband had in here last summer! Highly recommend you to all my friends!
(5)
Penny G.

We had breakfast at the Rustic kitchen more so, we wish we would not have. Usually breakfast is quick, but not here. God help you if you needed anything like butter to help you swallow the petrified bread because it took eternity. The French Toast was dry and nearly flavorless. It was served with cold, undercooked potatoes and chilled bacon. My partner order huevos rancheros it was cold and the ranchero was more like a pomadoro sauce. Once we realized that our dishes were not edible, we decided to pay our bill and choose to leave hungry. Simple enough right? Not a chance. We finally asked the host to retrieve it. I think every restaurant has bad moments, but the fact that no one apologized for the bad service and terrible food was unacceptable.
(1)
Rugby N.

Slow. Slow. Slow. Over cooked my steak as well. Since when is medium pretty much charred? Everything took forever. The mussels app was excellent, however.
(2)
Patrick O.

I am one who doesn't like to try new things or restaurants. I am glad that I stepped outside my comfort zone for Rustic Kitchen. When you walk in there is a warm feeling, bright lights, and good scents. Hailey who waited on us was absolutely phenomenal. Friendly and personable. Always there when we needed her, and not around when we were talking. The food was great, wine list awesome, service will bring us back.
(4)
Ryan O.

Very strange greeting last evening. We were brought into a rather slow dining room with plenty of open tables. We then were lead to a table lacking stemware. The host then asked us to go back to the host station while they set the table, instead of seating us at one of the multiple set tables. I then sat down to a wine glass (that was JUST placed on the table) with food all over it. This is the second time I've been here, and the second time I've had the pan roasted duck. Unfortunately, both times I've been dissapointed. Overcooked, and under seasoned. There was really no balance to the plate, with a very sweet berry sauce, bland mash, and underseasoned greens. The one saving grace was that the eggplant involtini starter was very nicely cooked, and flavorful.
(2)
Matt K.

What struck me as odd about this bar is that it is trying to be rustic in a sleek modern hotel. The two of them don't really work well together. You have to pretend you're nowhere near the hotel I guess. The decor however fails to adequately convey rusticity (is that a word?) We stopped in for drinks. The bartender was very good at what she does, I had a Manhattan, it was well-made. When I suggested making it with a nice bourbon she showed me the single-batch stuff and selected one that she felt was most appropriate. I was so good I had another. The ladies had a fruity special and enjoyed it. Three and a half stars, but not memorable enough for four. There are much more interesting bars in this neighborhood.
(3)
Alicia Y.

Rustic Kitchen has yet to disappoint. Their menu is full of excellent cold-weather comfort foods -- and the food and portions are hearty, so venture elsewhere if you have a light appetite -- and everything I've tried here has been delightful. The baked stuffed haddock is my favorite, perfectly portioned and totally mouthwatering, and every pasta dish I've tried has been wonderful. The atmosphere here is classy but not unwelcoming, too: there are two open-layout dining rooms (one by the bar and another that has booths along one wall) and fireplaces and candles everywhere -- nice ambiance. I've also found that the servers are very knowledgeable and attentive without being overbearing, which is a good balance. Price-wise this place can be a bit of a splurge, especially if you order appetizers and/or drinks, but you'll get quality for your dollar here.
(4)
Catherine F.

Nice place. The bartender was so attentive. The server behaved like she was just disconnected. The pear martini is a no-no. The filet mignon was teeny tiny and over done. We were seated on time and those fresh potato wedges are simply delicious. Maybe a little something to dip them in. Ps. the 'lobster tail' add on for $16 is about the size of my thumb, don't bother. The garlic dip at the table though, yum.
(2)
Curtis H.

I dined here with a group of friends before a night out in the city. I came in slightly skeptical considering a few of the reviews I read, but I walked away a believer. We shared the veal meatballs, arancini, and the fried oysters as appetizers. All were delicious and thoughtfully conceived. I chose the ginger glazed salmon for my entree and was equally pleased. The prices are a little steep, but the portion sizes are certainly large enough to satify the famished diner. I would definitely return.
(4)
Stacy M.

This is the restaurant for the Revere Hotel. It was pretty good for a hotel restaurant. The pizza had a nice thin crust with a bit of char from the oven... The Caesar salad is also nice - especially with grilled chicken. Friends said the hamburger was good as well as the pasta dishes. They make their own pasta - except for the rigatoni. So nothing special really - but certainly solid for a hotel restaurant. The bar area had a nice atmosphere - and was a great spot for dining solo.
(3)
Adam F.

Went here for dinner last night and had a great time. I got the ahi tuna which was probably the best preparation of tuna I've had...flavorful and well composed. Nice decor and service. Will definitely be back soon.
(5)
Gabrielle D.

Sweet staff, delicious food, cool atmosphere and not too pricey- I'd go back! Had a weird experience with another table of guests (long story) but they were very drunk and awkward so the staff made it up to us (which was so not necessary) and the staff apologized like it was their fault!
(5)
Mark W.

Utterly forgettable breakfast. A prefect example of the low-quality, high-cost hotel breakfast. My omelet was bland and uninspired. I'm sure they're better at night, but stay away for breakfast! Definitely not the A-team in the kitchen in the morning.
(2)
Chris M.

Been here several times over the past few years and each time it doesn't disappoint. They are a test kitchen and constantly have new items to try. Very varied menu with something to please everyone. Meats are juicy and portions are decent size with quality.
(4)
Spahky S.

The homemade pasta is amazing here. Forget the North End go here for pasta and get the duck confit raviolis. For an appetizer to share order the fig and prosciutto pizza. I can't stand fig but this pizza is so excellently prepared that the fig doesn't bother me at all. In fact on this pizza fig is delicious. Looking for a great Italian dinner and some delicious pasta then go to the rustic kitchen.
(5)
Lovisa V.

Good service and friendly waitresses. We had breakfast here and the milk was tasting weird and the croissant was stale. However we told the waiter and he apologized and brought in a fresh croissant. The music played is nice and it was a pleasant meal.
(3)
Helen H.

Way overpriced for average food Pizza appetizer is $20! Ahi tuna I'd average Fries are good Decor is cool Service is fine but dumb fire alarm going off
(2)
D K.

Ate here before a show. We were seated perfunctorily by a staff who seemed uninterested to see us, despite a largely empty dining room. Service was abysmally slow--we waited probably 30-35 minutes between courses, and I had to wait 10 minutes for a beer. Appetizers were brought out before our first drinks were. Meanwhile, we sat with an empty table while a be-suited expediter walked with purpose past our table multiple times and--so far as I could tell--never looked at us. The food was passable for Olive Garden, but for what we were expecting, it was a huge let-down.
(1)
Noah C.

It is a downright shame that there have been so many negative reviews for this place. My girlfriend and I just enjoyed a 3 course meal here and could not have had a better experience. The atmosphere is wonderful and the decor is clean and...for lack of a better word, rustic. The servers were attentive, professional, and polite. No complaints at all there. The food was wonderful. We got the prosciutto and mozzarella appetizer to start (4 stars), I got the the seared ahi tuna (absolutely wonderful 5 stars), and my date got the stuffed chicken (jaw droppingly good 5 stars). To finish, we got the seasonal cheesecake, which had a rich, creamy texture and a smooth taste. I will definitely be returning here, and I encourage you all to put aside some of the other, more petty reviews on here and give this place a try.
(5)
PMG M.

RK never disappoints. Ambiance is just right with seating available in the lounge area and main dinning room. Menu selection is outstanding with multiple selections for all palates. Wine, beer & specialty cocktails also offer a plentiful selection. Our table of 4 enjoyed the (2) scallops, chicken & paella dishes. No one was disappointed. Wait staff was friendly & sensitive to our time constraints as we were on our way to a show. Parking in the area is easily accessible with a short walk to the theater district, leaving open the opportunity to return after the show for drinks & dessert!
(4)
Brad R.

Food was great. Cool atmosphere. Seemed a bit understaffed but would definitely go back. The pepperoni pizza appetizer was worth the trip.
(4)
regina l.

We only got salad and drinks here but everything was realllly good ! I'm impressed .. The ambience could have been a little better .. Was unusually bright in there. Our server was great too.. Would def return . (Yummy pear martini and beet salad)
(4)
Jill M.

Rustic Kitchen was a huge surprise. Went there before a show and absolutely fell in love. The decor is great and the staff is so helpful. I was very impressed with the bar and loved the infused vodka selections! If you go try the beef short rib stroganoff. amazing!!
(5)
Cassie P.

3.5 stars We came for lunch during the week. It was pretty quiet. A nice ambiance and great service! Our food was pretty good. The pasta was very fresh and so were the salads. The hit were the housemade potato chips! YUMMMMM! The only negative was that it seemed to take a really long time to get our food considering how quiet it was. But, it was a solid place!
(3)
Michael D.

Is zero stars an option? We decided to give this place a shot since our favorite joint for eating at the bar, Davios, was hosting a private party. We walked in, passed the hostess and a manager who couldn't be bothered to look up, much less greet us. Next, we ambled over to the (still dirty) bar, and took a seat. And waited. After waiting for about 5 minutes, we waited some more. Zero acknowledgment from ANY Rustic Kitchen staff. The bartender didn't even bother to look at us in 10 minutes. Skip this dog.
(1)
Jenni B.

If the service had been better my first visit this could have been a five star. I arrived in Boston during the Nor'easter. It was fricken windy/rainy/haily/disgusting so I brave the elements again after checking in the Revere. A quick check online revealed they have marked gluten free items on their menu. Win. I went. I liked the decor, it felt very homey. I disliked the unfriendly hostess who informed me I would have to wait to be seated when the restaurant was 65% empty. I disliked it more when I got the table right in front of her, especially when after my order was finally taken, my glass of wine finally brought to the table and then my food arriving (note it was not fast), a massive group came in who needed to wait despite a big table being available so they could push alternate tables together and two of the waiting patrons was basically standing over me as I ate. If that's not fucking irritating I don't know what is. My dinner though (the chicken risotto) was incredible and very flavorful/nice. I ended up back there for lunch after getting my bag from the hotel before leaving. Sadly the risotto was not on the lunch menu, but I had the spinach salad and it was very good. I had to wait a few minutes when I walked in as literally no staff were in the front of the restaurant which was annoying. But my server was very good and efficient which I appreciated as I was in a bit of a rush. When I'm in Boston again I will be back for that risotto.
(4)
Abir H.

I really love this place, the ambiance is amazing and the waiters there are great! Ahhhh the food....best rigatoni I've had in a long time. The tuna tartar is probably the best in town. Their salads are unique and really tasty. If they have the butternut squash soup when you're there don't miss it!!!
(4)
M S.

In all honesty this place reminds me of a cheesier version of Olive Garden. Most of the clientele seemed to be made up of tired travelers and people that were carrying out affairs. 2 Stars for having one of my favorite off season beers on draft for a reasonable price and served in a huge glass though.
(2)
Josephine L.

Rustic Kitchen is a fun, casual dinner spot that's more cozy than most Back Bay joints. Think blazing brick-oven fireplace, warm tones and various knick knacks. The crowd is a combination of suits just leaving work, couples on a date and friends gathering for a dinner out. The Veal Meatballs are fantastic. I swear they give you a dozen in one little skillet and it's enough to feed you for two meals. And this is an appetizer! The Baked Rigatoni is quite good although I think it could have used more basil. But I think everything could use more basil. I had the Stroganoff and it was creamy and rich. The beef practically melted from the touch of my knife, it was that tender and well-cooked. Again, the portion was so big, I ended up taking most of it home. Our server was cute and friendly. No complaints on the service. If you're looking for affordable but date-y in the Back Bay, stop by here.
(4)
Karen W.

I don't know why this place gets such good reviews. Food is mediocre. Nothing stood out and much seemed mass produced. It was empty for Sunday brunch--should have been a warning.
(2)
Kate G.

From making the reservation and greetings upon arrival to honoring a request for a specific table the staff offers friendly, courteous, professional service. The decor is casual and warm, includes interesting and eclectic lighting, and features cozy, romantic booths for date night to fun bar-height table dining (kids will love the high tables!). And then... from the kitchen brings comes sublimely prepared home made pasta. I had the angel hair with shrimp: the pasta was discernibly, deliciously home made and perfectly al dente (getting angel hair al dente is apparently a challenge for other kitchens even when packaged pasta is the source!), the shrimp huge and again - grilled to just right and the sauce was light but lovely. My Valentine had the baked rigatoni - again just-the-way-this Italian/American-likes- it: al-dente swimming in a medley of tomatoes and creamy ricotta. The cocktails were fabulous! Vodka seeped in pineapple (there are several infused vodkas to choose from) and a special cocktail that featured gin, blood orange juice, cucumbers and strawberries: creative and successfully scrumptious! Dinner was such a great experience, that we returned for brunch - where the Bloody Mary's didn't disappoint (refreshing with just the right amount of kick and you gotta love a drink that dresses up with 3 olives!). I asked for my eggs with Italian sausage and Fontina to be scrambled softly - and that arrived just as I requested (hubby says he's having my dish on our next brunch date there). His Eggs Benedict (menu offers a choice of Benedict three ways) featured perfectly poached eggs (yolks neither overcooked hard nor undercooked runny) sat on a thick slice of toasted sour dough. Brunch dishes included tasty and lightly dressed fresh greens and a smidge of potatoes, along side an individual serving of ketchup for the spuds. Rustic Kitchen is everything a dining experience should be and has more than earned my highly anticipated repeat business!
(5)
Meghan M.

Even though this manager has published a slanderous comment about my review, I stand by it. I was not asking for a free meal, and I was not informed about anything "numerous times." It is unprofessional of him to try and bully me into holding my tongue, editing or deleting my review. If he wants to negate my review he should focus on service, as I am far from the only low rating for Rustic Kitchen.
(1)
Scott T.

Last minute choice for a quick family dinner. Meals were terrific, especially the ahi tuna & bolognese. Service was adequate. Would definitely recommend for a casual meal w friends or family.
(4)
Rachel P.

Rustic Kitchen has a wonderful ambiance that is warm and inviting. Everything on the menu looked so good it was hard to choose! The appetizer and both dinners my boyfriend and I got were absolutely delicious. Our server Raul was attentive and so kind! I would absolutely come back here!
(5)
Chris B.

Had a really nice experience. All food was excellent! Especially loved the braised short ribs.
(4)
Luke L.

For clarity - this review is for the property at 210 Stuart Street Park Square: We booked on open table for 3 people for a Monday night. Bottom line: the food is really bad here - to the extent that the chef seems to have a lack of understanding of spice and flavor, along with missing technical skills. This was evident from the following: - Salad - figs stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped with prosciutto -- the ham was bone dry, salad buried the five figs, overly large, figs were mush - Bolognese pasta -- Strange taste, the veal seemed old - Calamari appetizer -- soggy batter on calamari, drizzled with a cream, greasy - Bone-in rib eye -- was thin, about 3/8" thick, though was stated as a thick cut -- came rare, ordered medium rare -- sauce (on the side) tasted like butane with cane syrup - inedible - Wine -- The wines shown on their internet menu are not available - according to the waitress "the mgmt has stopped carrying the expensive wines" -- She went to the "owner" and got a bottle of: 2005 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano" which sells for $31 and they sold it to me for $110 (3.5x markup) --- Here's the cellartracker review: cellartracker.com/wine.aâ€¦ The bar had two young groups there on the hunt during dinner hour - about 8-10 guys hovering around two girls - they left in the middle of dinner leaving the bar empty. The waitress had a sort of "yah, the place sucks but the owners are trying to cut costs" attitude. In short - whatever this resto ever had, it's long gone - avoid this place at all costs.
(1)
Kathleen A.

Impressive quality and service at a very unpretentious neighborhood spot. Would be a good before theatre. Go for it! I had the salmon which was perfect. Another person with us had the scallops which were delish.... Another the mushroom tortellini, all great!
(4)
Donna M.

Our second time dining at the Rustic Kitchen did not fail us! Our group of eight was seated promptly and our server was pleasant and well informed of all menu selections. Cocktails were delicious with a wide variety of our favorite infused vodkas. Everyone in our group was happy with their choices. The swordfish special was so tasty! The decor is soothing and inviting. Will someday take advantage of the cooking show that is available on Fridays. This restaurant is a great choice especially if you are headed to the theater as we were.
(5)
Terri Lee S.

Had an early Friday night dinner there. Both food and service were excellent. My husband had the swordfish special and he commented that the combination of the flavors was amazing (sweet potato/green apple/balsmic vinegar). I had the butternut squash mezzaluna (ravioli) which was also fantastic. Not to mention the best cidertini I ever had. The rice ball appetizer could have been my meal it was so good. We will go back and we will bring friends. Hopefully try and get into the cooking show one night in the far away future.
(5)
Jeremy K.

Went there for a dinner and had never heard of this chain. After being seated, I ordered a cocktail which featured muddled mint, vodka and ice tea. The waiter then placed the order at the bar and I overheard the bartender complain about it. Wow, really?! Seriously? Just make it, I'm paying $10+ for it pal. I then proceeded to order the veal saltimbocca with was cooked with sage and which came served with roasted red potatoes & asparagus. The veal was moist, and well cooked, and the sides were ok. The decor in this place is really weird, like nothing I've seen before. I can't put my finger on it. It's like Italy meets a dive bar meets a Las Vegas casino. It seems like the chain is having an identity crisis or something; I'm not sure how the other locations are but this was looked and felt weird. The service was decent, except for that bartender and the place was clean. The food was ok, nothing special, far from great, and not bad. I doubt that I'd ever return but I had a decent time.
(3)
Mike D.

Rustic Kitchen is another great restaurant in the Park Plaza/Theater District. I have been a few times and tried a few pollo dishes as well as the baked Rigatoni. The food and service was consistently good. The atmosphere was a bit louder and less intimate. It's more of a place you go with your family then with a date. Overall, the food and the service are great!
(4)
Dana S.

I've been to Rustic Kitchen at the Derby St. Shoppes in Hingham and it wasn't horrible but it wasn't amazing. BUT, i recently attended "The Cooking Show" at Rustic Kitchen in the Theater district and I can't stop raving about the food! Every 8 weeks the menu for the "Cooking Show"- a live demonstration hosted by a lovely young chef named Elizabeth- changes with the season. This time happened to be a Beef Wellington with duxelle (that's a mushroom stuffing, basically) and roasted vegetables. You're served an appetizer while you watch (this time is was a pizza w/ 4 different toppings) and WINE- lots of wine :) - with dinner. Even though I don't eat red meat it was still so fun to watch. The nice part is, if you don't like what's being presented you can order off the regular menu! Both my fiance and I are not meat-lovers so instead i got a seared tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes and he got a prosciutto-wrapped swordfish with carrots and potatoes. Both were incredibly flavorful and cooked perfectly. I would definitely attend another show and would go back here for a regular meal. Prices are high but I'd consider it a "special occasion" dining experience, plus you're in the heart of the city, so it's expected.
(4)
Jenny L.

I"m a total fan of the food. I also had gotten the buywithme coupon and took 2 of my gf in tow. We got a bunch of plates to share-- the lobster & artichoke dip, calamari, tuna tartare, and spinach salad. The MOUND of tartare was INSANE. Everything was really good- I dont think any of us had super high expectations, so we were pleasantly surprised. We also ordered a carafe of sangria for only $35! I think it poured at lesat 8 glasses. The only reason why I would perhaps not come back is because its not like its a lively atmosphere for a girls night out . It had a touristy feel-- even had some families. But I would def be open to coming back to grab something to eat before a show or before heading to the W!
(4)
Tanvi D.

Went there last december around christmas time on a saturday evening.. We had made reservations and when we got there, the place looked kinda empty. This got us a little apprehensive. But, the moment the food arrived, those apprehensions went out the window.. We got their famed arancini and it did live up to the hype.. And for the main courses we got butternut squash ravioli and margerita pizza. They were both good. Looking forward to going back again.
(3)
Tony L.

I found this restaurant perusing through our options for a place to have dinner with friends visiting from NYC that was located near their hotel in the Theater District. It was pretty empty for a Friday night, so the six of us were seated at a table quickly. I wanted to bring a bottle of wine so I called in advance to ask about their corkage fee, and the person who answered informed me there was no fee. Unfortunately, I was misinformed as the restaurant's manager himself came up to us saying there would be a $30 corkage fee, which I quickly obliged. The tuna tartare appetizer turned out to be really good, but it turned out to be the only good thing going for what I ordered as an entree. I had the steak frites, which was pretty bland. However, I heard the pizza was fairly good, and someone mentioned the veal dish was good as well (personally, I can't handle veal). The decor seemed like a combination of Olive Garden meets Macaroni Grill, nothing really unique or special about it. The service was satisfactory (aside from the bottle service mishap). The next time I come back will probably be if I just happen to be in the area and I can't think of anywhere else to go.
(3)
T D.

Great atmosphere. Because we had a large group of ~18, we were seated in a warm private room. It made me think of what a formal dining room in a house in Long Island or the UES would look like. The walls were intricately lined with slate unfinished bricks. The ceiling was lit by a grand round light encircled with a gold plated rounded roof. And the long table was made of dark wood. The food was nothing special, but the portions were quite large. They ran out of certain vegetables, which I found strange. I'd come back if I had a large party to entertain. Else, there are too many other places that I'd like to sample.
(3)
Megan H.

Very creative dishes that are hard to not love. I tried the beet salad, and it surpassed any expectation I'd ever imagined for a "beet salad!" I had to go back and order it again. The veal pork chops were cooked perfectly and the bartenders are awesome too!
(5)
Allyson R.

One of my top ten meals of all time was eaten last weekend at Rustic Kitchen. We love this place for the ambience, the service, the great food, the fab wine list, and the wicked-cool ice taps at the bar. The arancini are an amazing and delicious appetizer. Served with some greens so you don't feel so guilty about the deep fried goodness. And the focaccia they serve is delish! Now, the last time I ate here, I had the sea scallops that were cooked to perfection and were sweet and delicious. I came close to ordering them again this time, but then the server (Lynn--very awesome service!) told us about the specials, and the chef really hit the nail on the head with this one: sesame crusted tuna steak, cooked perfectly rare with a cool red center and fresh, with wasabi mashed potatoes and seasonal greens. It was HEAVEN! Such a perfect balance of flavors, I ate till it hurt! Husband got the petite filet (which was giant) and he got the regular mashed potatoes...also good. Last time he got the salmon which he loved as well. Defiintely a great place for a date, special occasion, or a girls night out. This is becoming my favorite place!
(5)
Crystal K.

This hasn't been the Todd English Rustic Kitchen since 2003...he turned it over to his former partners in order to settle a lawsuit. There is no connection whatsover to Todd now...different direction, food, chefs, etc. To be honest, I think it's better now! Prices are very reasonable, food is excellent and the decor is great. For a better experience, however, check out the location in Porter Square. Cozier, quieter and less tourists to deal with. It's a great place to meet up with friends. The raw bar is a nice touch. and their wine list is exceptionally nice, with a modest markup. Plus you can find parking right out back!
(4)
Diane R.

Friendly staff, quick, and plenty of selection for their express breakfast buffet
(4)
Catherine A.

drinks are well made--flavorful, not too strong, not too watered down. scotch selection is excellent but the food has a lot to be said for.
(2)
bella c.

CLOSED!! It's gone atleast from this location, I tried to go there last month!
(1)
Katia M.

Okay, I was prepared to dislike this place, but I went here for a Pats game one weekend, and we had a cool bartender, cheap champagne (...of beer:), and the food, though I was rocking a decent buzz by the end, was pretty tasty. It's heavy on meat and cheese, as are many Italian places, but all in all, I'd come here for cheap beer again. Plus, those complimentary potato chips were TO DIE FOR. And oh-so-greasy. Yum.
(4)
Thuy L.

We came here as a group of 15 the Sunday before Marathon Monday. We had 3 runners with us and were looking for a place where they could carbo load while non-runners could be satisfied with non-pasta dishes if desired. Rustic Kitchen was the perfect place to hold such a dinner because 1-they had the space to fit such a large party, 2-were having pasta specials for runners and 3-had a pretty decent menu if you didn't want the pasta. Our reservations were at 5pm but the majority of people showed up around 6pm which turned out to be completely fine. We weren't given that annoying line that you can't be seated until everyone has arrived. We had the entire room to ourselves so it didn't matter. The table was huge and the seats were cushiony, making me feel like I was sinking further down. I felt like a little girl sitting at the adults table for holiday meals and in need of a booster seat. My one complaint: the service could have been a little better. For a party of 15 and knowing that there are hungry runners waiting, the servers should have brought double the number of bread baskets and olive/hummus dishes. They only brought 3 baskets and everything disappeared within seconds. Also, the server never asked if we wanted wine. She just poured the water in the glasses and walked out. Had I not asked about their wine list, she would have never come back for our wine order. And even after I ordered, she never checked with the other end to see if anyone else wanted anything off the wine menu. Now onto the food: 1/5 of the table got the Mac N'Cheese and 100% of the table agreed that it was PHENOMENAL. The mac n'cheese consisted of porcini mushrooms and green peas. The cheese was creamy but not overwhelming. My bf got the hangar steak with bleu cheese & fries (which was pretty tasteless) and the fries were soggy. The rigatoni came in a cast iron pan and had some kind of sausage in it and looked pretty good. All 3 runners got the "carbo load special" which was a choice of 4 pastas, 6 sauces, and different ingredients. 2 of the runners chose the veal meatballs, and they licked the plate clean. To me, it didn't look like there was enough pasta to load up on anything but then again, I didn't have their dish. They said it was good though. On a side note, I did ask the server to bring in a cake of some sort so we could wish a group member a happy birthday. The girl gave me a choice of the desserts, so I picked Molten Chocolate Cake. However, when she came in with the candle on the cake, it defintiely was not molten chocolate anything. It was straight up chocolate mousse. Oh well....so all in all...it was okay. Service could be better, but the Mac n cheese was pretty awesome!
(3)
D. G.

Terrible service at Rustic Kitchen in downtown Boston tonight. My boyfriend and I sat at the bar and watched the bartender serve people who came after us and act like we were invisible. They continued to ignore us even after my boyfriend called attention to the situation with the manager. We are an interracial couple. It felt like a lunch counter protest in the 60's. Very hurtful and sad in this day in age.
(1)
Sarah L.

I came here on a mission, scoping out places for an annual conference of sociologists. Would sociologists find this an interesting place to go? I can safely say: no, they would not. The decor was trying to be interesting but just came off as commercial and chain-y. Space was too big for so few people. The food was so-so, again trying hard but falling short. Similarly, the service was bland and lacked any sort of spice (no smiles, not particularly helpful, a little rushed)...and it took them about 5 minutes to seat us even though 90% of the tables were unoccupied and set for service. So not only was the experience not particularly appealing, but there were also no people there, and without people, can there really be sociology?
(2)
ES P.

I have a bipolar review to offer here. On Sunday night, four of us had a fantastic dinner at the bar, with great food, service and ambience. Tonight, the service inside the restaurant SUCKED so bad, we were driven to laughter at each thing that went wrong. The hostess and waitress were in pissy moods and the waitress even rolled her eye when one of us asked for another drink. Note to a big hotel restaurant that hosts a lot of Boston Marathon runners: add a milkshake on the menu. Better yet, when you confirm that you have gelato, milk and ice, yet can't put them together to make a milkshake...you lose out on more sales and a good review.
(1)
Jezzieo O.

We held our wedding rehearsal dinner here in their Atrium room - it was fantastic! Great food, great service (unobtrusive, but kept the food and drink coming.) Pretty rooms and delicious food - what's not to like?
(4)
Carolyn B.

Decent spot for a weekday lunch. I am in love with the atmosphere, especially the lighting. The place was somewhat empty, music and conversations could easily be heard. Service was just a tad slow, but friendly. The food was pretty good. Bread was served with olives and a white bean dip. The food lives up to the restaurant's name. It is "rustic" food in the sense that most items on the menu can be made quite simply at home, not so much that it reminds me of the Italian country side.
(3)
Heather O.

I've been about 4 times for the Happy Hour menu at the bar. The chips at the bar are awesome and the pizzas and sliders for $3.95 are one of the best Happy Hour deals in town. The bar is very nice and there are lots of flat screen televisions. The drinks are pricey. I did have one very sour experience with some ladies (I use the term loosely) who would not move over one seat at the bar when we asked very politely to accommodate everyone in our party. I guess they wanted us to crowd their space and hover over them the entire 2 hours we were there.
(3)
R G.

Watch your plate at the RK! The waiter tried to take my salad away before it was done and the wait staff actually removed my dinner and threw it away before I was done. I turned my back to talk to a friend and my plate was whisked away in a second! This is not the place to linger for a relaxed dinner as they don't want you to stay - and the place was more than 1/2 empty on a theater night. Now we know why. My complaints received little symphathy from the manager. Won't be back anytime soon.
(1)
David P.

I go here for the brunch. There is never a wait and the food is interesting, well prepared and reasonably priced. Service for brunch has been good to very good. As for lunch and dinner? If this is the offspring of an ill considered liaison between Olives and Olive Garden, it missed the best genes from both. No wonder Todd English disowned it. Nothing we had in our two visits there was bad, but nothing was particularly good either. Price and ambition are up there; execution falls far short. Lunch (twice over a 12 month interval) was painfully slow. The problem was probably more in the kitchen than the dining area, but the wait staff was unconcerned. The only thing memorable about the food was the late arrival.
(2)
Amanda S.

Four stars because I LOVED the food & cocktails, and thought the restaurant itself was very cozy. But, if I were reviewing based on service this would be something more like 2 stars at best. As others have said the bread & hummus/bean dip that it's served with are pretty tasty, and my butternut squash raviolis were outta this world - probably the best I've ever had. And the portion, especially for ravioli, was huge. Pasta dishes ran around $17-$20. What I really didn't like about this place was the bartender. We ate at the bar, and everything was very slow. We sat down, and waited to get a drink menu, had to ask for dinner menus, waited a very long time for drinks, placed our food order and waited, waited, waited. I think he HAD to have forgotten about us, yet he came back 3 times and said the exact same thing, "Sorry this is taking so long, oh, and I didn't forget about your bread." If you didn't forget about it then why didn't you bring it, my friend?! There was also something off about his attitude - I can't put my finger on it exactly, but we definitely got the feel that he was looking down on us, or that he felt we didn't belong there. That being said, the food was good enough that I would go back....and sit in the dining room.
(4)
Liza F.

Completely mediocre. Bland decor and blah staff. Went with a large-ish group (7 people) and they were accomodating about seating us because the reservation was mistakenly made for 5 people. After that it was downhill. Waitress was passive-aggressive to the max. Because there was 7 of us, the bread was gone after we all had one piece. When we ordered our entrees, one of the diners asked for more bread to sop up the sauce from her mussels. The waitress looked put off and exclaimed "Wow, you guys really did a number on that bread!" Obnoxious. There are alot of us and there is no need for comments, ok? Stick to serving. I went with salad and added chicken to it. It wasn't horrible and it wasn't great. Sangria was a bit watered down. No one was very impressed with their entree. This place is so overpriced for what it is. Do yourself a favor and make the trek to the North End for real food. You will end up spending the same amount.
(2)
Kristin F.

Mediocre food, service, and atmosphere, and too much $$ for what you get. I won't be back.
(2)
Paolo D.

More, more, more! This place is faaaaaaaaaaaantastic. Great food, wonderful atmosphere, and a sangria that you can't say no to. Only reason they don't get 5 stars is because they don't validate parking. BIG BANG FOR YOUR BUCK.
(4)
Chris C.

Great food, terrific atmosphere, and incredible service. What more could you ask for?
(5)
Ellyn S.

Stopped in by chance as we were walking around in the neighborhood. Bar was nice and cozy and bartender was friendly and cordial. Had pumpkin martinis, Yum. The four of us were seated at small banquette, very comfy. Ordered calamari salad and artichoke dip; just OK. Dinner was another matter- pasta bolognese and mushroom tortellini and veal parmesan - delicious. Brocolini was crisp and just right on the side. Our server was attentive and honest. I would definitely recommend.
(4)
Meems L.

I too am surprised that this place is getting poor reviews. Ok, not the best Italian restaurant in Boston, but certainly in the upper half. We just had a great birthday dinner there with seven people. The place accommodates large parties easily. We went on a weekday so it wasn't too crowded, but it also was at least 2/3 full. So we didn't feel rushed or crowded in. From the other reviews, I was afraid I would see furry creatures, but the place looked very clean. I was not a fan of the sports bar flat screen TVs, but the rest looked ok. The bread and olives they gave us were above average, and very good. The portions they gave us was generous, so everyone kept stuffing themselves with the bread, using it to soak up leftover appetizesr. The bean dip was ok, but nothing to write home about. Our table ordered several appetizers. We had the fig flat bread pizza with arugula, goat cheese, and prosciutto which could have been a meal in it's own right. I think there were 8 or 10 pieces smallish square pieces. I normally hate sweet tasting pizza but it was a great balance of salty, sweet, and bitter. It was better then the fig pizza at Fig's on Beacon Hill. Everyone around the table enjoyed it. I would go back just for this pizza alone which says a lot for the fig-hater I am. We also ordered the tuna tartare and it was huge. Probably not the best tuna in the market (we only expect that from sushi restaurants), but they mixed in avocado and lime in so our table was very happy with this dish. It was definitely not meant for one or two people. Maybe four...though it fed 7 of us easily. We also ordered the veal meatballs, which were one-inch balls. There was enough for everyone get to get at least one, so I think some may have gotten second. They were tender but the sauce was not spectacular. I don't think we would ordered it again if we come back. We also had the oysters and they seemed pretty good, though pricey (a dozen for $24?). I got a blood orange martini. Other people thought it was good. I liked it but it was more sweet and syrupy than expected--I think it should have been a little bit more sour and tangy to reflect what a blood orange really tastes like. I ordered the tagliatelle bolognese and it was creamy and tasty. Several of my friends tasted it near the beginning and then asked for second tastings midway through the meal (uh, cravings?). I had no issues eating it even though I'm lactose intolerant. Another person got beef short rib mezzaluna and it was reported as very good. Someone else (a risotto fan) ordered the lobster risotto and she finished off her plate easily and seemed very satisfied. It had a strong taste of corn and bacon, and had a lot of cream. I also had some friends who ordered prime rib, and they thought it was ok but not the best they've eaten. There was also a seafood house special with pesto sauce and the scallops were overcooked and not so good. One person also ordered the lobster gnocchi. He seemed ok with it. I thought it tasted a little bit more starchy than usual, so I can't tell if he was just being polite. The waitstaff were super nice. We had brought our own cake. Normally they charge a plating fee of $2, but since there were so many of us, they dropped it as it didn't seem fair that plating would have upped the price of the cake by more than one half. One of the waiters didn't realize we had a cake in the back, so on his own initiative, after he saw the birthday person opening gifts, he presented her with a free ice cream dessert topped with a candle. I used without any problems four buywithme.com coupons for seven of us, and the meal ended up being about $36 a person for six (we paid for the birthday person). If I actually had seven coupons, we probably would have just be under $30 (and then forced to order drinks all around to try to spend the full amount.) So overall, if you get a buywithme.com coupon it is an amazing deal. You'd have to be rolled out in a wheelbarrow considering all the food and drinks you would get. But I do agree that without the coupon, the place is a tad overpriced for the quality and ambiance (can't complain about quantity though). For just a few dollars more, a lot of the menu items are charging Mamma Maria and Taranta prices--and those restaurants have definitely fancier ingredients and preparations, and a more romantic and intimidate atmosphere.
(4)
Lynda M.

If I could give this place and their staff 10 stars, I would. My husband and I hosted our wedding dinner here at their Tuscan Room last weekend. We invited 23 of our nearest and dearest. The room was perfect, intimate seating with backlighting and soft music. The manager Jim, and planner Janelle were exceptional, not to mention the very attentive waitstaff. We had a seating plan and each guest got an individual name tag, and the menus were printed with our names and our event. Very classy!!!!!! We chose a pre-fixed 3 course meal, which included a seared Tuna, a grilled Chicken and Filet Mignon. We added bottles of wine for the tables (a delicious Syrah and Pinot Noir) . The food was AMAZING, my friends are still talking about the creamy polenta, and the filet marinade. It was simply to die for. Throw in a molten chocolate cake, and tiramisu, and all were happy. It made for a very memorable evening, and did not break the bank--VERY affordable. So if you need to throw a private dinner party, this is the place!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Ash T.

very, very ordinary italian food. well what do you expect, it is in fanueil hall.
(2)
Helen L.

I went for lunch. There weren't a lot of people there so it was nice. The inside decor was very unique. It wasn't too upscale nor was as casual as, say, PF Changs. I had their sandwich combo and it was delicious. Although I love sandwiches from Subway so I don't see the point of paying $10-15 for one at Rustic Kitchen. But I can see it being a nice place to go out to eat if you don't want to spend too much money.
(2)
Nic A.

This place had so much potential, and it really wasn't bad, except that they brought me the wrong dish and overcharged us. There's really no excuse for that. I might try it again someday, but for now there are lots of other restaurants in Boston that I prefer.
(2)
anthony l.

I went here Saturday night the drinks were good along with the atmosphere but the food did not live up to my expectations or there price tag my veal and wild mushroom raviolis were more like stale triangles with button mushrooms and one oyster mushrooms with a sauce that could have been a little richer i give it an ehh and so did the 12 people i was with
(2)
Jen R.

Food was better than average. Decor is nice. Waitstaff were friendly and nice. Menu was unusual.
(4)
Jeni F.

The only reason we chose to go to this restaurant is because it was right next to our hotel and it was too cold to walk anywhere farther (yes, I'm so much a baby about cold that I'll forgo my typical restaurant research prior to eating out). It turned out to be a really enjoyable experience. The ambiance is sort of modern Italian and isn't overdone. Sometimes I think the Tuscan theme is taken a little too far in restaurants, but this place did it right and presents a cozy atmosphere. I wanted to try the pizza because of the large wood-fired oven, but I can't go to Boston and not eat seafood, so I ordered the scallops. They were really fresh and perfectly seared. The server was attentive and knowledgeable - he recommended a great wine to pair with my scallops. My dining companions had the tuna and prosciutto-wrapped haddock and I heard no complaints. My only criticism is that the molten chocolate cake was not warm enough and, well, my homemade version is much better. Overall, a great treat.
(4)
jen c.

I don't know why I keep wanting this place to be better. I have gone twice now and the food is decent. For lunch, I had a flatbread pizza that was quite tasty but on the second visit, for dinner, I ordered a forgettable baked rigatoni. The atmosphere and decor is great but the problem is really the service. The wait staff seems to have good intentions but are just consistently awkward and too eager. I actually was presented with a different dish than the one I had ordered. While that's a forgiveable mistake, it was certainly a nuissance as we waited another 15 minutes as my date's entree grew cold!
(3)
Phil D.

whoops, guess reviews have been consolidated. my review refers to the now-closed porter sq. location. It's OK. Definitely overpriced, but the space is nice. I will have to try brunch; I didn't even know they had it! The bread dip is oil and white bean, not cheese (though there may be a touch of cheese in it). It is good though; that's why I asked my server (who was very nice) about it. EDIT: their brunch is great and fairly reasonable. Thanks for the tip!
(3)
Kimby K.

This place was a total shocker- I was expecting 'chain-restaurant' standards. We've now been at least 6x in the last year and take friends all the time. The food is very good, and the prices are reasonable. Good ambience and service. I will warn though that we've been to other locations (ie Hingham) and they were not good at all .. however, Boston is legit. Especially a great option if you're in the theatre district.
(4)
Babs P.

What's the big deal about this place? I went here on a first date and was very disappointed. We ordered the fish special and it was blander than bland, and I felt so bad for my date who was probably trying to impress me with a nice dinner. It's overpriced and overrated.
(1)
L T.

Food is great, a little pricey. Service was good except waiting for drinks and the check at the end for a REALLY long time. We finally tracked her down and handed her the card.
(3)
Ash M.

I wish I could do 2.5 stars. I'll start with the good: the service was very attentive and friendly. We were seated right away, and the location is fantastic. Now the not-so-good: The atmosphere is horrible cheesy (perhaps just not my style), but the lighting (halogen pendant lamps downlighting over every table) is something you never see in true high-end restaurants, it is distracting and creates an atmosphere more suited for business meetings than for a relaxing meal. The food was okay, but should be substantially better for the price. We started with Arancini (described as fried balls of risotto stuffed with mozarella). It wasn't risotto at all- it was plain white rice mixed with shredded mozarella and fried, and then piled on top of some marinara and topped with arugala. Don't call it "risotto" if its just plain white rice, as calling risotto implies a special preparation of rice. I also ordered a porcini mushroom tortellini as my entree, and it was soggy, bland, and the madeira cream sauce was much too sweet. Nobody at our table was thrilled with their meals- the best being just "eh, its okay". Which is fine at Olive Garden prices, but not here, and not in Boston with so many fantastic Italian places to choose from. Again though- I found the service very good, its just unfortunate that the food didn't match up to the service and the prices.
(2)
Greg C.

Okay, let me just say that I'm not hating on this restaurant. I am, however, hating on their macaroni and cheese. It's not that it was bad so much as it was bland. It was like when you burn your tongue on hot coffee and then everything you eat for the rest of the week is like half the flavor that it is normally. That's what it was like. Except I didn't drink any coffee. Aside from that, the place is rather large but is seperated so that it feels small and intimate. Also, there is some model kitchen/sound studio looking area that, while prefectly lit, is not accessible. I kind of wonder what goes on in that room when people aren't dining. Is this where Martha Stewart films her cooking show? If so, where are the arts and crafts tables? To recap, the server we had was a nice, gay man who was uptight in that homosexual server way. Would've been 4 stars but it's way overpriced. Then it would've been only 2 stars, but my water glass was never half empty, as my server was on top of that. Not on top of the glass, on top of keeping it full. It would've broken if he was on top of it. Not to say he was fat, cause he wasn't. But I mean, regardless of weight, you'd probably break a glass if you were on top of it. Right?
(3)
Jackie K.

I went here for a seminar. The wait staff was polite and friendly but passed over giving me water twice. The meal was good, fried calamari was delicious, nicely seasoned and a little kick. The tuna steak was AMAZING. Nice atmosphere but I was not a fan of having to actually leave the restaurant to use the restroom. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Relaxed environment but still good food, I would definitely go again.
(4)
Jen J.

Enjoy a romantic dinner sitting in one of their booths, celebrate with a large group of friends, attend one of their cooking shows, or hang out after work at happy hour. Rustic Kitchen offers a warm and cozy ambience with friendly and attentive service. My friends and I had an early dinner on a Friday night at the Park Square location. We started off with some arancini (rice balls), which were excellent. I had previously tried the Pasta and Clams entree at the Hingham Derby Street location and was sadly disappointed, so I opted for something different, the Wild Boar Ragu with Pappardelle. The pappardelle pasta was a little too thin, but fresh, and the wild boar was much tougher than I expected for something that was slow cooked. However, the flavors of the dish were good. We ended the night sharing a trio of desserts, Black Bottom Creme Brulee, Warm Chocolate Cake, and Tiramasu. The creme brulee was smooth, but a little runny. The chocolate cake was decadent but had the consistency of half-cooked cake batter than actual cake. I'm a big fan of chocolate molten cakes which tend to be extremely moist and fudge-like, but this wasn't the case. Regardless, we finished all the desserts...what do you expect when you put desserts in front of four women!?!
(3)
Denise L.

Had lunch here with my family - food was great!! Service - the worst I have ever had. Waiter could have cared less - forgot our appetizer (place was not busy), never asked us if we wanted more drinks, never asked how our meals were, took a plate away (with food on it) and never asked if they were done, never asked if we wanted dessert, coffee or anything. Hostess was about as bad - I hope the dinner service is better!
(2)
Ashley M.

This is a good sampling of what Todd English can do - but for the real deal check out the more extensive menu at the Rustic Kitchen in Hingham. I promise its worth the drive.
(3)
Anuj S.

I came to the Rustic Kitchen on a Tuesday evening, and it was pretty much empty. However, since there was no hostess there at the time, we still had to wait a little while to get a seat. The decor at the restaurant isn't anything great or special, but still some what comfortable. The waitress (who was great) recommended a really nice bottle of wine, and she started us off with the caesar salad which was also really good (it actually comes in a taco shell type of bowl, which was kind of cool cause it added a nice little crunch to to the salad). I ordered the baked rigatoni, and the chef was nice enough to change up the sauce to give it a little more of a spicey kick when I asked. However, the dish itself was kind of boring. The portions are generous, but I don't think they're worth the price. By the looks of it, I think this would be a much better place to come after work for drinks and a little bit of happy hour food. They have a bar inside the restaurant as well. In general, it isn't a bad place. The food is decent, the portions are generous. However, there wasn't anything about the place that set it apart. Just blah.
(3)
jkhkjh j.

Wow... I think this place is worth a try. I have only been here once but was very pleased. The calamari is excellent and extremely unique. The dip for the bread is also tasty, a mixture of oil & cheese. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable... less than 10 for the app. maybe 15 for the meal? Also, nice setting... very cozy, good for a date!
(4)
Gourmet G.

If it wasn't for this restaurant's prime location - with its constant flow of tourist traffic - it's not likely the place would survive. Unsuspecting out-of-towners are lured by an eclectic menu offering the likes of Gorgonzola-stuffed figs and honey-roasted pears, and a centerpiece wood oven one expects is capable of turning out savory roasted and grilled meats and seafood. The outdoor patio is also appealing in warm weather. What looks good on the surface, however, is a far cry from the reality underneath. The food is mediocre at best. The salad greens were tired, their dressing bland. Salmon was bone-dry and flavorless, its only saving grace the large capers with it. They inexplicably had run out of bread, in an area spittin' distance from some of the best bakeries in the city. Service was excrutiatingly slow and inattentive; it took three requests before water glasses were refilled. And the alfresco dining wasn't much of a treat after all, given the noise of the street performers. It wouldn't surprise me to discover that there wasn't one local among the crowd, because those in the know know enough to stay away.
(2)
Scott T.

Last minute choice for a quick family dinner. Meals were terrific, especially the ahi tuna & bolognese. Service was adequate. Would definitely recommend for a casual meal w friends or family.
(4)
Rachel P.

Rustic Kitchen has a wonderful ambiance that is warm and inviting. Everything on the menu looked so good it was hard to choose! The appetizer and both dinners my boyfriend and I got were absolutely delicious. Our server Raul was attentive and so kind! I would absolutely come back here!
(5)
Chris B.

Had a really nice experience. All food was excellent! Especially loved the braised short ribs.
(4)
Luke L.

For clarity - this review is for the property at 210 Stuart Street Park Square: We booked on open table for 3 people for a Monday night. Bottom line: the food is really bad here - to the extent that the chef seems to have a lack of understanding of spice and flavor, along with missing technical skills. This was evident from the following: - Salad - figs stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped with prosciutto -- the ham was bone dry, salad buried the five figs, overly large, figs were mush - Bolognese pasta -- Strange taste, the veal seemed old - Calamari appetizer -- soggy batter on calamari, drizzled with a cream, greasy - Bone-in rib eye -- was thin, about 3/8" thick, though was stated as a thick cut -- came rare, ordered medium rare -- sauce (on the side) tasted like butane with cane syrup - inedible - Wine -- The wines shown on their internet menu are not available - according to the waitress "the mgmt has stopped carrying the expensive wines" -- She went to the "owner" and got a bottle of: 2005 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano" which sells for $31 and they sold it to me for $110 (3.5x markup) --- Here's the cellartracker review: cellartracker.com/wine.aâ€¦ The bar had two young groups there on the hunt during dinner hour - about 8-10 guys hovering around two girls - they left in the middle of dinner leaving the bar empty. The waitress had a sort of "yah, the place sucks but the owners are trying to cut costs" attitude. In short - whatever this resto ever had, it's long gone - avoid this place at all costs.
(1)
Kathleen A.

Impressive quality and service at a very unpretentious neighborhood spot. Would be a good before theatre. Go for it! I had the salmon which was perfect. Another person with us had the scallops which were delish.... Another the mushroom tortellini, all great!
(4)
Donna M.

Our second time dining at the Rustic Kitchen did not fail us! Our group of eight was seated promptly and our server was pleasant and well informed of all menu selections. Cocktails were delicious with a wide variety of our favorite infused vodkas. Everyone in our group was happy with their choices. The swordfish special was so tasty! The decor is soothing and inviting. Will someday take advantage of the cooking show that is available on Fridays. This restaurant is a great choice especially if you are headed to the theater as we were.
(5)
Terri Lee S.

Had an early Friday night dinner there. Both food and service were excellent. My husband had the swordfish special and he commented that the combination of the flavors was amazing (sweet potato/green apple/balsmic vinegar). I had the butternut squash mezzaluna (ravioli) which was also fantastic. Not to mention the best cidertini I ever had. The rice ball appetizer could have been my meal it was so good. We will go back and we will bring friends. Hopefully try and get into the cooking show one night in the far away future.
(5)
Jeremy K.

Went there for a dinner and had never heard of this chain. After being seated, I ordered a cocktail which featured muddled mint, vodka and ice tea. The waiter then placed the order at the bar and I overheard the bartender complain about it. Wow, really?! Seriously? Just make it, I'm paying $10+ for it pal. I then proceeded to order the veal saltimbocca with was cooked with sage and which came served with roasted red potatoes & asparagus. The veal was moist, and well cooked, and the sides were ok. The decor in this place is really weird, like nothing I've seen before. I can't put my finger on it. It's like Italy meets a dive bar meets a Las Vegas casino. It seems like the chain is having an identity crisis or something; I'm not sure how the other locations are but this was looked and felt weird. The service was decent, except for that bartender and the place was clean. The food was ok, nothing special, far from great, and not bad. I doubt that I'd ever return but I had a decent time.
(3)
Mike D.

Rustic Kitchen is another great restaurant in the Park Plaza/Theater District. I have been a few times and tried a few pollo dishes as well as the baked Rigatoni. The food and service was consistently good. The atmosphere was a bit louder and less intimate. It's more of a place you go with your family then with a date. Overall, the food and the service are great!
(4)
Dana S.

I've been to Rustic Kitchen at the Derby St. Shoppes in Hingham and it wasn't horrible but it wasn't amazing. BUT, i recently attended "The Cooking Show" at Rustic Kitchen in the Theater district and I can't stop raving about the food! Every 8 weeks the menu for the "Cooking Show"- a live demonstration hosted by a lovely young chef named Elizabeth- changes with the season. This time happened to be a Beef Wellington with duxelle (that's a mushroom stuffing, basically) and roasted vegetables. You're served an appetizer while you watch (this time is was a pizza w/ 4 different toppings) and WINE- lots of wine :) - with dinner. Even though I don't eat red meat it was still so fun to watch. The nice part is, if you don't like what's being presented you can order off the regular menu! Both my fiance and I are not meat-lovers so instead i got a seared tuna with wasabi mashed potatoes and he got a prosciutto-wrapped swordfish with carrots and potatoes. Both were incredibly flavorful and cooked perfectly. I would definitely attend another show and would go back here for a regular meal. Prices are high but I'd consider it a "special occasion" dining experience, plus you're in the heart of the city, so it's expected.
(4)
Jennifer N.

So we have eaten here before, and since I cannot tell you what we had, it was certainly not memborable. So much so that we did not go back for a few years. However, it was date night and we were in the area, and Rustic Kitchen seems to never have a wait, even on a Saturday. So, off we went to this place for a drink an appetizer. And to our surprise, it was good! We sat at the bar, so could really take in the decor. We loved the bar, the wallpaper of old wine bottle art (yes, I am a wine-o), and the pizza oven. We had the arancini which was suprisingly good, though had a bit too much balsamic for me. Balsamic and tomato sauce just dont work together. Good beers on tap, and a good selection of wine. We may actually go back now for dinner, and give Rustic Kitchen another shot.
(3)
Michael D.

Is zero stars an option? We decided to give this place a shot since our favorite joint for eating at the bar, Davios, was hosting a private party. We walked in, passed the hostess and a manager who couldn't be bothered to look up, much less greet us. Next, we ambled over to the (still dirty) bar, and took a seat. And waited. After waiting for about 5 minutes, we waited some more. Zero acknowledgment from ANY Rustic Kitchen staff. The bartender didn't even bother to look at us in 10 minutes. Skip this dog.
(1)
Joanna F.

I went to the Rustic Kitchen in Fanueil Hall once and remember being disappointed by the food. But the past two times I've come to this location, I went in solely to get some apps and drinks and it was completely serviceable. The fig pizza is pretty good and they have a large wine and cocktail list. We also had the lobster artichoke dip which was fine. This is an acceptable place to go for a couple drinks post work and some small plates. I would not come for dinner, however, since none of the food is great. Service is generally good although the last time we were there the waitress was pretty vocal about dissing the hostess which left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)
B Y.

Went here for the Cooking Show on a Friday night in June! It was an entertaining dinner show and the food was delicious. It seemed like the crowd were regulars because the chef acknowledged some of the people in the audience. We were told to get there by 6:45 to sign waivers so we showed up early only to have to wait 45 minutes to be seated for the show. Other diners were late and they wanted to seat us all at once. We were starving and they should've seated us earlier so we could've eaten the pizza appetizers while waiting for the show to start. It's a long dinner because they have to re-tape certain parts of the show and have poeple re-ask their questions. They do let you take a bathroom break in the middle of the taping though. It was a fun night and I would definitely go again. Make reservations early because it does sell out.
(4)
Jennifer V.

Went to Rustic Kitchen after work with some friends. This restaurant is inside the Radisson Hotel on Stuart St across from Legal Seafoods, which was a very quick walk from the Financial district. When we walked in the first thing we noticed was the awkwardness of the room. It was just one big room with a bar off to the left which was full of people, then an empty dining room in front of us. The brick oven was way in the back and there were some half booths that had high back stools and the tables were really small. Since we had our choice of what seat we wanted we picked a seat toward the back in front of the brick oven. The server was very nice and very knowledgeable and took the time so that our experience was a good one, which I love. There is nothing worse than someone who doesn't know the answers to your questions or just doesn't have time to deal with them. I started with the Crispy Calamari. I have had calamari in many places and I can honestly say this one is one of the best I've had. It had toasted pine nuts, jalepenos, arugula and lemon pepper aioli drizzled on top, not the average marinara sauce and banana peppers that every other restaurant serves that I am jusy not that crazy about. The squid was nice and plump and meaty. Not like the often paper thin barely there calamari that most places try to pass off. It was delish. My friends got a flatbread pizza to split for their appetizer, which they said was very good. I did not taste that. I was too busy with my Crispy Calamari. For our main course I got the Pan Seared Diver Scallops with golden cauliflower & farm house cheddar risotto, frisee, candied bacon and green apple salad, which was also wonderful. I left a smidgeon of the risotto there trying to save room for the dessert course. One of my friends had the Shrimp and Scallop Spaghettini, which was angel hair pasta with pan seared shrimp and scallops, lemon, white wine and garlic cream sauce. She loved it. I did not taste this. My other two friends had the Grilled Rustic Burger, which came with handcut fries in a silver cup that looked like something you'd put pens in at work and the burger was presented open faced. I thought it was beautifully presented. It looked nice and juicy too. My friends enjoyed it. Just the presentation alone made me want to order the burger. For dessert I ordered my absolute favorite Creme Brulee and I was not dissappointed. This came with fresh berries and some biscotti. One of my friends ordered the Capucchino Cheesecake, which was also very good and in a round shape, which you don't see too often. Usually it is by the slice. If I had one complaint it would be that they don't list the dessert section on the website. A lot of places do that and I think that is a mistake. Over all I had a great experience and would recommend it to anyone. They also informed me they have a cooking show that is filmed on Friday and Saturday nights where if you pay $75, you get all you can eat and drink (wine I guess) That sounds like a great deal and a good time. I'll have to check that out.
(4)
Elissa K.

I'm visiting Boston from New Jersey and was looking for a great atmosphere to enjoy a delicious dinner. Our dinner was amazing and very tasteful. However, when first greeted we were informed that the restaurant would be closing in 35 minutes and the host wanted us to know not to take too long. I asked if it was a problem if we were there and she said no she just didn't want us not to eat because the kitchen was closing. Uncomfortable!! Our server, Angelica, was very knowledgeable about the menu and had great suggestions. At the end we were informed the kitchen was closed so dessert would not be offered.
(3)
Benjamin L.

I don't do a lot of 2 star reviews but after very disappointing experience, I'm sad to say that I'm handing one out to Rustic Kitchen. First off, on a positive note, the food was very good and I enjoyed most everything about it. If I account only for the food, my overall rating would be much better. We sampled a couple of appetizers and I had the Gnocchi which was very good. The menu is very diverse and I was impressed with that. That's where the positives end for me. Now as a general observation, restaurant service in Boston is short and sweet, not as generous and friendly down here as it is in Texas. But even with that in mind, the service here was very disappointing. It started with the hostess when we arrived. I asked if it'd be possible to sit in a booth since the restaurant was only about half full. She looked at me like I was out of my mind and then asked if we had a reservation in an offended tone. I told her no and she said that it was not possible and we'd have to sit in the center of the restaurant at a table. From that point on, the staff basically attended to us as little as possible. Our waitress only stopped by occasionally and our food took far too long to arrive. I pondered to why they possibly could have been so inattentive because we surely did nothing to offend anyone. I did see several comments about the bad decor as well. The decor was fine, it just wasn't my taste and didn't bother me. In the end, I won't be back to visit the Rustic Kitchen. I may not live in Boston but I plan to visit often; it's a city I greatly enjoy. The food was great but is just isn't worth the headache.
(2)
sean g.

Yeah- Gross, Tourist trap. Cannot believe that anyone would actually choose to eat here. Feels like the Worst sort of chain restaurant. Coolest thing about it is the door, and it proceeds rapidly downhill from there.
(1)
Jen D.

I brought my mother here before we went to see Wicked at the Boston Opera House. We were really early, and sat at a lovely table in the bar area. Our server, Angelica, was prompt, engaging, and timely. The food was excellent. We started with the arancini and the veal meatballs. YUM. The portions are large and I proceeded with the burrata salad. AWESOME. Mom got the gnocchi, very tasty. Park at the Revere hotel and get validated. Thanks for everything. See you soon. One drawback, too bright and music didn't fit the scene. That's just my weirdness.
(4)
Lisa S.

Rustic Kitchen was a perfect beginning to a fabulous night of dinner and theater! Had the filet mignon in a garlic herb butter with truffle fries and garlic sautÃ©ed spinach. DELICIOUS!!!! Friend had the duck with mashed potatoes and sautÃ©ed spinach; she too totally loved her meal as well! Service was excellent, my blueberry martini was the best drink I've had all summer and did enjoy the decor, especially all the cool lights. Thanks Rustic kitchen for a Wicked good night!!
(4)
Jenessa C.

The atmosphere was the most fun, you felt like you were dining in a rustic Italian bread oven. It'd be great for snowy Boston winters. The wines on the wine list are nice. The food was good, but there are better options in Boston. The crowd there was definitely an older crowd, and a bunch of single diners. Though I was there on a week night.
(2)
Josh H.

Quaint little place. Modern decor, friendly and attractive wait staff. Coffee was pipping hot and the food delicious!
(4)
sato h.

Took my parents and a 2 year old here who came from Japan. The place was so family/kid friendly! They brought food for the toddler right away, and brought coloring stuff to keep him occupied. Our food was delicious! My parents were surprised by the portions and they felt that they had a "good hearty American meal." Although it's a pretty big restaurant, the whole place gives a warm cozy atmosphere.
(5)
AJ M.

We went for breakfast, so it was not at rustic kitchen itself but right beside it. Hot buffet is soo worth it! Staff were great! Coffee was good. We filled up!
(5)
Claire V.

The veal meatballs are spectacular and the piece of pizza that I tried was also quite good. However, the service was terrible. Aside from being anything but friendly, we did not get a refill even once the entire hour on our water nor were we asked if we wanted anything else to drink. 4 out of 5 glasses we saw around the dining room were also empty.(The place was largely empty too, not in the least bit busy) Furthermore, we made numerous attempts to hail the waitress, including saying "excuse me ma'am" repeatedly as she walked by, but could not get her to acknowledge us. The bartender eventually brought us our check and we left very thirsty (like everyone else there it seemed, other people were clearly also having trouble hailing the waitress). This was only the second time in my life that I left a restaurant leaving no tip whatsoever. So even though the food was excellent, the only way I would return here might be to get some take-out food.
(2)
Joe C.

Came here at 6:00 PM Saturday night and it was fairly quiet. We were promptly seated. The decor here is cool. Really unique lighting fixtures that look like strands of pasta and lamps that look like pasta shells. It is kind of dark and there is a lot of dark wood but done tastefully. Our waiter was very attentive and even noticed that part of my order was missing after it was delivered by the staff and took care of it right away; A+++ The food was just ok. We started with Italian spring rolls which is a really different idea; sausage wrapped in pyhlo dough and served with marinara sauce and fontina cheese bedded with greens. As unique as it sounded it was just ok ($13) . My wife ordered the butternut squash ravioli ($20) and I the burger ($15). The burger is simple enough but have to say i was disappointed, fair sized burger on a semi stale bun and it was ok. (The french fries were very good). Likewise my wife's dish was OK but nothing special. A little too sweet and just kind of bland otherwise. After eating, both of us noticed that we had nasal congestion and had to take allergy pills. Coincidence? Total bill with drinks was $70. In summary, not worth the money and kind of disappointing for a place that is located in downtown.
(2)
Sam F.

Second time here and I wish I lived closer, I'd go every weekend! I had the Handmade Chive Gnocchi with crumbled sausage, broccolini, peporanata, and toasted basil bread crumbs. Normally I wouldn't finish an entire pasta dish, but the this was out of this world! The taste, the texture, everything about it was incredible! I wish I had leftovers because I am still craving it. We also started with the Fried Calamari with peppers and aioli, yummy! And I was already a big fan of their sangria, which is some of the best I have ever had a restaurant. Can't wait to go back again!
(5)
kapish g.

I went for my birthday there with a party of 8. We made reservations before. They put us in a big room in the back of main dining area. There was a huge table there, which meant everyone was sitting really far apart. We asked them to move us to a smaller table or make it smaller but they could not do it. The service was lousy and we have to always go out to call the server. The sangria there is great. The food is very mediocre for the cost. Overall, I was disappointed by rustic kitchen.
(2)
Victoria H.

There are some pretty good restaurants in Boston, this place is one of them. the food makes burtuices look like kindergartens compared to this place. The food was very simple, but yet it was presented as a fancy. The serves was right on the mark. they were very polite and the place looked like some thing from North End It's very nice and it still have very good feel to it However, the room looks very dark, you can't see it. you have to have a flashlight. The food prices was a bit pricey for a food that you could get at other places. However this place is a very nice place to go to with your friends, family, and you boyfriend or girlfriend for either first date or celebrating your life together. This is the place is defiantly the place to go either after a movie or a show, this is the places!
(4)
Diane C.

Excellent service, delicious food. Went to the Rustic Kitchen by chance before a show. Had a wonderful cider-tini, which was yummy! We started with the eggplant appetizer which was fabulous. I had the chicken risotto and am so excited to eat my left overs for lunch tomorrow! My husband had the bolognese, which was great as well. Might try to go on a Friday night for cooking class. We'll be back!
(5)
Chris F.

Recently went here for the first time and took some friends from Spain who were in town for the marathon and were pretty bummed out. Maybe it is a tourist trap or maybe it has gone south since T.E. is no longer involved. The menu is large, unique and varied as you might expect and the waitstaff were great but it ended there. As with other reviews, this place is overpriced for the food. The wine list is also way overpriced for the generic, factory wines offered. The tuna tartare appy looked like they put tuna and avocado in a blender set on pulverize and then used an ice cream scoop to plop it on a plate (ick). We all opted for various fish main courses with mixed "OK" to "What the hell is this?" remarks around the table. My fish couldn't have been drier if I Ieft it out in the sun for a week. I wonder why they didn't let us on the TV show set? Probably not coming back.
(2)
Libby L.

I read all the following reviews after I made the reservation for XMAS Day Dinner - so I was VERY hesitant and I did warn my family about the service and mgmt. HOWEVER, I (we) were pleasantly surprised that the waitress was AWESOME as well as the food. Ordered: BONE-IN RIB-EYE: Well cooked and good portion - comparable to the $$$$$ steakhouses. CHICKEN RISOTTO: Very flavorful and good portion STUFFED CHICKEN: Good portion and not dry BUTTERSCOTCH BUDINO: A bit on the smaller side only because I was sharing but enough and very smooth. CREME BRULEE: Very Smooth and creamy. OVERALL, we would definitely come here again.
(5)
Cindy S.

A friend and I were in Boston last weekend, and we were looking for somewhere to have dinner for the night we were there. We hadn't made dinner plans ahead of time as we'd just decided to wing it. We later discovered that on the way to our hotel, both she and I had noticed a particular restaurant on the way, though she was the one that remembered enough of the restaurant name for me to be able to look it up and find it. It also turned out that the restaurant, Rustic Kitchen, was right next door, almost adjacent, to the hotel we were staying at, so that was very convenient, and a perusal of the menu satisfied us both. We were going to be joined by a new friend for dinner, so I called the restaurant at about 4:30pm, and I made a reservation for 6pm. We walked across the covered valet area to the restaurant and discovered a rather circuitous route to the hostess desk. The main entrance of the restaurant was actually off the street, so we'd really gone in through the side door. There were signs directing us through part of the restaurant to get to the hostess desk, and when we checked in, we discovered our dinner companion had already arrived and had been given a table, though she had made a visit to the ladies room, so we were led to the table as well, where she joined us shortly thereafter. We perused the menu and there were a number of items that sounded really good, but all of that went out the door for me at least when the server came up and told us about the daily specials. I ended up ordering off the daily specials choices. The special soup for the evening was Boston clam chowder with smoked pancetta. Well, I was in Boston - why not some Boston clam chowder, and the addition of the pancetta sounded even better. All three of us ended up starting with the chowder. I then ordered the swordfish with lobster mashed potatoes and broccolini while my companions each ordered an entree salad. Bread was also brought to our table, and it was accompanied by some kind of hummus as a dip (which was delicious) as well as Italian olives, which I loved. We chatted a bit, and then our chowder arrived. It was actually a much more generous serving than I had expected, and it was absolutely delicious. I love having clam chowder that actually has clams as a main ingredient and not simply as an afterthought. It also wasn't very heavy on potatoes, which I like. I like potato chowder too, but I don't like it when potato chowder masquerades as clam chowder. After enjoying our chowder, we had more time for good conversation before our entrees arrive. This time, I decided to spare my dinner companions the inconvenience of photographing their food, but they both enjoyed their salads very much. I also really enjoyed my swordfish. It had a nice texture and flavor and was very moist and tender and flavorful. The mashed potatoes were good, though I didn't finish them because the portion size was pretty generous, and I loved having the broccolini, which I'm partial to anyway, but again, it was a generous portion of vegetable on the dish. With my dinner, I had also decided to enjoy an adult beverage called "Tastes like summer". I can't tell you what it tasted like in comparison to other drinks, but I can tell you that it was pretty yummy. It wasn't particularly crowded when we had arrived, but that was probably earlier than most people normally have dinner. As our evening progressed, the dining room did get full. We didn't end up having dessert at the restaurant partly because we were already full but mostly because we were headed to a show and needed to leave at a certain time. Overall, we had a terrific meal, and the room was very nice and had great atmosphere, and our server was very good as well. He was attentive and available when we needed something, but he wasn't obtrusive as to interrupt our conversation. If I have the opportunity, I'd certainly go back, and I'd definitely recommend it to others. Parking can be a bit tricky in that part of town since there's not much parking available, but there's a lot that serves both the nearby Radisson Hotel as well as Rustic Kitchen.
(4)
Alyson C.

I should preface this review with disclaiming the fact that I have eaten at Rustic Kitchen many times before, and have been generally pleased with each experience, but am just now writing a review. I had dinner here with some friends last night before a concert and it was amazing. First of all, when you walk into the restaurant, no matter from which door you enter, it's eye-catching. The bar area has great chandeliers and sconces that look almost like giant heads of garlic and cornucopias. The walls are papered with wine bottle labels from various different companies and vineyards. The bar itself is pretty impressive, with fully stocked shelves and jars of fruit-infused vodka, and there's a giant wood-fired oven at the back, from which delicious-looking pizzas and roasted dishes emerge. The hostess was very friendly and escorted us to our table in the main dining room after a short wait at the podium. Our server was very friendly and patient with our indecisiveness over drinks. The place was pretty busy for a Wednesday evening, but she remained calm and collected. After mulling over our drink order, we finally moved on to the dinner menu, only to be completely stumped by what we should order. The menu is extensive and very well thought out. I've always been impressed by the thought and detail that goes into each dish on the menu, and this particular Fall menu was probably one of the best I've seen since I began coming here three years ago. We all ordered a mixture of entrees, appetizers, and salads. Everyone tried a little bit of everyone else's dinner, and I have to say that there wasn't one plate on that table that I found lacking. Each dish was very well balanced with flavors and seasoning, and the ingredients were harmonious together, which is something I appreciate above all else. I ordered the Italian Spring Rolls, which were filled with anise-scented pork sausage and served with provolone fondue and marinara as dipping sauces, as well as the Pear and Gorgonzola Salad, which was served with delectably roasted, gorgonzola-stuffed pear halves and thinly sliced Prosciutto de Parma. Although I was more than satisfied with my ordering decisions, I had ultimate entree-envy when my friend's dinner of Roasted Duck with Duck Confit Ravioli was placed in front of him. I stole a bite of the ravioli and can honestly say that I almost blacked out from pure, gustatory bliss. The waitstaff was very attentive and friendly. Our particular server was very helpful when she offered to give us the check so we wouldn't be late for the 7:30 concert I had mentioned in my reservation on OpenTable.com . I highly recommend Rustic Kitchen for their inventive and tasty menu offerings, professional and attentive service, and astounding decor.
(5)
Cindy C.

stayed at the hotel. good place to grab dinner. love the mussles.
(4)
Don L.

Unassuming exterior hides a jewel. Great food and ambiance. Quiet. You can't go wrong.
(5)
Joy Y.

Every time I come here, I am underwhelmed. I'm not exactly sure what it is. It's a great location and they have a lovely ambiance, but the food is not amazing. I've had a number of different things here (the best being the wedge salad if that tells you anything) and it all feels little bit overpriced and a little bit underwhelming. The service has always been fine and they home made potato chips are pretty tasty, but I guess there is just nothing special about this place. I wish I had more to say but really the only way I can sum up this experience is, "eh, it's okay."
(3)
Julie R.

I used to like this place more a couple years ago when it felt fresh. Now it always seems dead and I'm less inclined to go in for the overpriced pizza and pasta based menu. It's a good spot to go for drinks after work. They have 2 bar areas and a happy hour menu with $5.95 appetizers. It's a good way to put down some drinks and have a cheap tasty bite. One of my favorites, the Caesar salad seems smaller then it used to be. Without the parmesan basket it comes in, its surprising its over $11 for a few pieces of lettuce. I still think the tuna tartare is good for the spicy taste and generous size. Other times I enjoyed the beef carpacio and cheese fonduta. I indulged in the mac and cheese once but it wasn't too memorable to get again. Pizzas are pretty good to split. The combinations are creative. It's cool to watch them being made and fired in the brick oven. They have really good foccacia bread with a hummus like spread. This place never really Wow's me. Even my most recent visit a few days ago confirms. If I'm going to go here I'll plan to make it a stop for drinks and apps before the theater or dessert after.
(3)
Bob G.

We just finished a six day stay at The Revere Hotel in Boston, Ma.. We spent a lot of time in restaurants, from expensive to sandwiche places. Funny as it may seem the best deal for good food, nice atmosphere service, and value, was the Rustic Kitchen, which is attached to the hotel, but i don't think it is associated with the hotel, i mightbe wrong about that. Anyway we had three breakfasts, and three suppers there all were consistantly great. I might also add the bartenders were extremely friendly, and the drinks werevery enjoyable.Next time we visit Boston we will definitely go back to the Rustic Kitchen. We have also told our friends about our great experience at Rustic Kitchen and they really enjoyed it and will go back also. Bob & Judy Gurka Lake Sunapee, N.H.
(5)
Steve S.

They have a cooking class, which I highly recommend. It is entertaining, informative and best of all, you eat massive amounts of food This is a great option for the same old same old.
(5)
Brian K.

Before I go on, I have to say that the food was really good and the portions were healthy. As for the experience, it was less than satisfactory! When we ordered our meal, we had told the server that we were sharing the calamari, followed by our entrees. After waiting for a really long time, our entrees arrive and we are wondering, whatever happened to our calamari? The server apologizes and admits to not putting in the order for the appetizer. What server forgets to put in an order for an app!? We were hungry so we went without the calamari and dug into our entrees. I had ordered the Gnocchi with Lobster. The first few bites were great. I took a bite of what i thought was lobster and realized it was shrimp. So I thought that it was shrimp AND lobster. I searched around for the lobster and did not see any, just pieces of shrimp! Again, we get the server and my dish was sent back. Mind you, this was NOT a special that they may not have been familiar with. Its going to be awhile before we dine there again but the incompetence of this particular server and the kitchen made this an unfortunate experience.
(3)
Kelly H.

The decor certainly reflects the name. I love the warm and intimate atmosphere of this place and so does Alissa Bigelow. Her show "In the Kitchen" is filmed here. I've been to Rustic Kitchen on two occasions. Both for dates. The first time for a very late lunch and the second for a dinner date. We stumbled on this place and keep coming back for more. So, you're asking why four stars and not five? I'm going to quote Jenn K. "not bad service, just not super friendly." Expect Italian American. The menu is filled with breads, pastas and my favorite part of a meal - dessert. I had been searching for an alternative to the fig prosciutto flatbread at Olives and the Fresh Fig Pizza is it. Although it is listed as an appetizer it's a delicious entree for one. I love mushrooms, so the second time around I ordered the Agnolotti Dal Plin. The wild mushrooms are really good. Yelpers rave about the Warm Chocolate Cake deservedly. Yes, it's that good.
(4)
Ashley B.

I was surprised by how empty this place was on a Saturday night. This put me off a little, but once we sat down and were greeted by our friendly waitress, I forgot all abut that. The Italian spring rolls were awesome. I think my boyfriend was jealous he didn't get them. The meatloaf was intense...giant slice of hot, seasoned meat over creamy mashed potatoes. Mmmmmm. I think the whole plate weighed 5 pounds. The atmosphere is really nice. It's very spacious, dimly lit, and gives off a romantic vibe. The drinks were good too. I was in the mood for something watermelon-y, but there was nothing on the menu. The bartender whipped up something that was lime green and delicious. Just what I was in the mood for. Friendly service and surprisingly good food.
(4)
Jenn S.

My fiance and I went to Rustic Kitchen on Saturday night with my friend and her boyfriend. We went for the main purpose of checking out the place for a potential rehearsal dinner space. I was immediately intrigued by the decor - it is, indeed, rustic! It's very homey and comforting, but at the same time, it's sleek and modern. We were seated in a quaint, circular booth (1/2 booth, 1/2 chairs) that makes you feel closed off from everyone else, but still a part of the action. My friend and I had been drooling over the online menu for weeks and were so excited when we finally got there! The bread (which came with olives and a white bean dip - I had to ask what it was otherwise we wouldn't have known) was good. It had what were either cranberries or grapes in it (I think grapes). The bread was soft and fluffy and tasty! We started with both couples splitting the Caesar Salad - I love when places split the salad for you and you basically get 2 full salads. When they first brought the salads to the women, we moved the plates over and the guys dug in. Then they brought their salads! Oops. We all had a laugh and then I stole back some croutons. None of us quite knew what to make of the Parmesan basket (basically a bit, crunchy bit of cheese apparently!) - I had no idea what it was but I ate it all. The croutons were huge and almost fluffy! I couldn't spear them because they kept breaking. Not usually the story with croutons - a very nice change. The dressing was perfect - light, flavorful, garlicky. Mmm. Wow. Didn't realize I could write so much about salads! On the to other appetizer. I had been intrigued all week by the Italian Spring Rolls (which, unfortunately, came right when the salads did - I would have preferred more time in between). These were DIVINE. These were sweet Italian sausage spring rolls with provolone fondue and marinara sauce. I didn't remember what the sauces were when the food came (and the waiter didn't tell us), but I didn't even need the sauces. These things were AWESOME. Everything I thought they would be. It was 2 spring rolls, cut in half, so everyone got a 1/2. Perfect portion-size! For dinner, my fiance and I split the 9-ounce Filet Mignon, which came with a Ratatouille - we opted for the Parmesan-Truffle Fries and the Roasted Garlic Butter sauce (mmm). I'd never had Ratatouille before and I really enjoyed this one. The veggies were soft, full of flavor and all melded together really well. The fries were good but I couldn't taste the parmesan. They tasted like regular fries and the bottom ones were soggy from the Garlic Butter sauce. My friend's boyfriend got the Tagliatelle Bolognese (which the waiter said "had a bit of cream"). It's "a savory meat sauce of beef & pork over rich egg noodles," but there was no red sauce that we could see. I didn't try this, but I think he enjoyed it. The best meal by far, though, was my friend's Slow-Braised Beef Short Ribs with mushroom risotto and broccolini. These were SO tender, they almost fell right off the fork! The ribs and the risotto almost melted in your mouth. I sort of wish I'd gotten this instead! Amazing. In terms of service, the hostess knew immediately that we were there to research and was actually the woman I'd been emailing with. Despite being a busy Saturday night, she showed us around and answered our questions (we were there early so we could look around). She even printed me out a menu later in the evening for me to keep. Our waiter was nice, but not overly helpful. My friend asked for a glass of wine with dinner and he ran away before her boyfriend could ask for another drink. He did ask us if were were there for a show, but then said "you're not gonna make it if you are!" Luckily, we weren't. Not bad service, just not super friendly. We are still thinking about it in terms of our rehearsal dinner, mainly because it's not SUPER close to a T stop and parking could be difficult. But I would definitely go back!
(4)
Michele G.

After a job interview, I like to go out to eat to decompress whether it went really well, or just the opposite. I recently bought a BuyWithMe coupon, and we decided to try RK. I made an Open Table reservation, got the coupon and got on the T (Arlington stop). We were seated in a lovely little booth that was a half circle built into the back wall. It was a touch difficult to slide up and into, however. If I was a large lady, it might have proved impossible. The cave decor is kinda cute, it reminds me a bit of Ned Devine's with a brick oven. The drink menu looked creative, and so I ordered both a red sangria and later on, a Blueberry Lemonade. They tasted good but weren't as strong as I would have liked. We started off with the precursory focaccia that came with a white bean dip and what seemed like a tomato sauce dip. The white bean was the better of the two. The Italian spring rolls were a good choice at $13. The crispy rolls were piping hot and filled with provolone and sausage. My BF had the stuffed lobster tail entree which came on a big, deep fried potato cake. A bit too greasy. He thought there may have been crab in the stuffing but wasn't sure what was in there amidst the cheese and the breading. My lobster risotto fared better, but didn't feel like a true risotto, as the rice was leaning a bit more towards the al dente side of the pasta/grain meter. The lobster chunks were good, though not as plentiful as I would have liked. Sweet corn kernels complimented the dish. The next day for lunch, I found several fatty bits of bacon in the risotto, which I found just a little confusing. I hadn't tasted any of it, and it wasn't listed on the menu. Everything was okay until we tried to use the BuyWithMe certificate. Our waitress immediately came back and asked us for the voucher number. Having only used BWM twice before for Dante, I was confused. No one at Dante had asked me for a voucher number on either occasion. The waitress explained that she couldn't use the voucher as payment without the number, even though it was nowhere on the paper. She then asked me if there was a phone number I could call on the paper to get it. There was a number, but since it was after business hours, no one answered. I even tried the merchant option in addition to the customer service option. Sigh. I don't currently have a smart phone, so I couldn't sign into my BWM account to check it out. She brought out another BWE voucher used by a previous customer, and showed me where the number was located. Strangely, it was printed above the outline of the certificate. And nowhere in the fine print does it state that you have to have a number. I've given BWM feedback on this. Since this was a $50 chunk of check at stake, I asked if there was a computer I could use. She left to ask and returned to say no. I thought for a moment, then asked if I could call her once I got home and signed into my BWM account. She acquiesced, and I did just that. A few days later, the charge is for the correct amount, and all is good. I'm glad that we were able to come to this solution, because I may not have returned otherwise.
(3)
Danny B.

This place was GREAT! The only reason they only get 4 stars is that the hostess had an attitude, which put all of us in a funk to start the experience...but our waitress (Lanea?) quickly got us out of that. She was superb!! The bread, dip and olives provided before ordering was the best I've had in a while. The atmosphere was good...pretty classy but not over the top. Prices were expensive, but on par with what you expect in Boston. And the food was impeccable! My step-mom declared the stuffed ravioli to be the best pasta she has ever had...anywhere. And she is very discerning when it comes to pasta and Italian food. My Dad had the pepperoni pizza, which was very good and hit the spot. And I had the grilled pear salad with steak, and it was very fresh, very tasty.
(4)
Amit A.

I really like this place. I came here for lunch a few months back, sat at the bar and order a nice cold Summer Ale that came in a frosted glass mmmm...The crispy fried calamari and arancini are great, cant go wrong at all when ordering these two plates.
(4)
Erick H.

As I did with Bambara, I purchased a Buy With Me coupon without consulting Yelp, and in both cases, I've regretted doing so. I'd walked by Rustic Kitchen a few times, so when it appeared on the group-buying site, I eagerly purchased the offer and promptly forgot about it. On the last day I could redeem the coupon, Jeremy K and I made our way to the restaurant. We were seated promptly, and the experience declined from here. After staring at the menu for at least ten minutes, I settled on the lobster risotto. Generally an indecisive person, the menu's lack of focus only exacerbated my struggle to choose a dish that would reflect positively on the restaurant as a whole. I was also rather wary of choosing a mediocre entree as the bread we received when seated was exactly that: mediocre. Service was prompt and our waitress attentive, but it was clear that the chef was either inexperienced or indifferent to the expectations that the menu's complexity and price impart. The lobster was considerably overcooked and its accompanying risotto lacked any depth of flavor. It was clear that pureed corn accompanied the rice, but it lent little to the dish, and the same is true of the bacon, which was obviously added late in the risotto's preparation. For $24, I expected much more of this notably-bland dish. As evidenced by Jeremy K's review, the chef's apathy extended to the bartender, who complained to another patron about the drink Jeremy ordered. There was nothing particularly complex about the cocktail, but it was nonetheless more involved than the bartender had patience for. Overall, save our waitress, the entire establishment seemed lackluster and I certainly have no plans to return any time soon.
(2)
Wally C.

What happened to this place? it used to be so busy and trendy, I brought over people that were visiting from Germany and told them that it was awesome, food was good, service was great but i guess if there wasn't that many people service should be ok, don't know if i will go back, I really think this place will be open for a couple of months only...
(2)
S. J.

I really want to like this place, but my last experience turned really sour by the time the check arrived. The place has a very warmly decorated interior -- ambient lighting, stone, and real woods. The bar looks cozy enough to spend an entire evening with laid-back conversation. When I inquired about the house beer, the server was kind enough to fetch me a sample swig. It was decent, so I gave ordered one.The menu itself is pretty interesting... The Italian Spring Rolls were very good, but it was all down hill from there. Unfortunately, the stuffed lobster tails were disappointing -- I couldn't detect any crab in the "lump crab meat stuffing". The whole thing was a ultra-creamy, buttery pile of mush with the creamed corn and potato cake. Now, here's where this place really turned south. Quite apparently, the restaurant doesn't enjoy coupons. In fact, they went out of there way to refuse the perfectly valid online certificate that we offered while requesting the check. Apparently the certificate didn't display a tracking number -- that's not my fault. It was a straight, complete print-out of the official online certificate after it was paid for. Even after assuring the server that it was a legit, original, unaltered print-out, she and the hiding-behind-the-curtain manager, refused again and again to accept the certificate. It was the whole reason we went out of our way to this part of town and chose a more expensive restaurant for an ordinary weeknight dinner. After pleading and offering to call the online coupon retailer (nobody answered), and using all sorts of logic and reasoning, the server -- or the ghost manager communicating through our server -- finally offered to let us go home, find the tracking number, call back before they close, and get a refund for the certificate amount. And I did just that. What a hassle. What an embarrassing ordeal in the restaurant. What a horrible taste it leaves in your mouth after walking out. What a terrible customer experience. Honestly, this is supposed to be a slightly upscale restaurant and they give you McDonald's-level service? Are you kidding? If you frown upon coupons, certificates, and marketing promotions -- DON'T OFFER THEM! When you make the customer feel like a con artist or a cheap bastard, you're not going to get repeat business. So dear readers, let this be your warning. I'm not a person who needs a discount to dine at a venue like this -- don't go here expecting genuine service or a value of any kind.
(1)
AJ B.

Stuck in Boston (which wasn't a bad thing) during a snow storm and being that this was the restaurant in the hotel i was at, it was convenient. It started off great, the Manager actually sat us and made us feel welcome, then he disappeared and it went down hill from there. Food: sub par; especially for the price Service: they must have been hurting due to the weather be cause this person would not have made the team at Denny's Drinks: the only thing that got us through the meal. They were strong, because they were made by our server, who didnt have a clue. Bottom line: you are in Boston, there are better places to go for your $$
(2)
Erin R.

A little on the pricey side, but it's Boston so what can you do? We kind of popped in here because it was close to where we were walking and there was no wait for a table... We didn't have drinks so I can't comment on that but the food was real nice. We got the arancini app and they were fluffy fried bits of heaven. I didn't have high expectations here, but I was pretty impressed. They oozed cheesy wonderful-ness and the sauce, though pretty basic, was quite yummy. I got the filet mignon, cooked rare after not being able to decide what I wanted and it was like buttah!!! No kidding. Absolutely perfect. My only gripe was that the broccolini were a little undercooked. Don't get me wrong, I like my veggies still crunchy but these were kind of hard to cut even with a steak knife and could've used a few more minutes. They were, however, vibrant and green and nicely seasoned. Garlicky but not overpowering, and not too oily. My husband got the crab-stuffed haddock which was served on the largest mound of mashed potatoes I've seen since Close Encounters of the Third Kind. (The broccolini were quite plentiful too, I actually couldn't finish them). He said his fish was perfectly cooked, the crust on the outside was perfect too, not oily and soggy and falling apart and it was overflowing with crabmeat so you got the stuffing in each and every bite. Service was great as well. The hostess was really pleasant and our waitress was very attentive and paid attention enough to not ask how everything is when we were stuffing our faces, which is always appreciated, was quick to refill our water glasses when needed and all that good stuff. She wasn't hovering but she was visible so she earned herself a nice tip here. Again, a little pricey, but the food and service were great so I would totally eat here again.
(3)
Cassie M.

Meh. That really sums it up. The food wasn't bad, but it was expensive for the quality. It's one of those Boston restaurants that's more concerned with sending out 'artsy' plates than fresh, interesting ones. I understand it's appeal and to be fair, didn't realize until we were seated that it adjoins a hotel, which explains a lot. I suppose this would be a fine place for an office party if the quality of the food isn't the main focus. But for a date night with my husband we were left feeling a bit ripped off, but mostly meh.
(2)
Gina R.

A nice, comfortable place to have a "home cooked-style" meal after seeing a show. The atmosphere is great, with big comfy booths and great lighting. The wait staff is very accommodating, offering tips for the best specials and meals to try. The burger, possibly the least expensive thing on the menu, is excellent. Definitely try the italian spring rolls for an app (although there's really only enough for 2 people), and if you're able to check the place out on a Friday night, do the Cooking Show menu, which includes drinks, dinner and a live cooking show!
(4)
Craig S.

After a long flight into a fairly new town I walked past and looked into an amazing ambiance of the rustic kitchen. Went in to get a decent glass of wine, at a great price, and was recommended the stuffed roasted chicken. It was absolutely one of the best meals that I've ever had. So gal I stumbled upon this place tonight. I have another 5 nights of meals and look forward to another dinner this week.
(5)
Jeannie H.

I've been considering this place for a while when the opportunity presented itself on BuyWithMe.com . I am so glad I had that coupon; otherwise, I'd be even more disappointed with my experience. ATMOSPHERE - I have no idea why people like the ambiance of this place. First off, it's an open dining room with high ceilings, plaster walls and wooden floors. Without any fabric to absorb sound, it was horribly noisy. There was also a bar area that mimics a sports bar with its large television screens. When I hear "rustic," it makes me think of an environment full of warmth and quaintness. Everything about this place felt cheap and cold, which was completely discordant with the price point. Don't take a date here, you won't hear a word he/she says. SERVICE - It was acceptable. Nothing to gripe about but nothing to rave about either. FOOD - The food actually wasn't bad but hardly good. Oysters - I had a 1/2 dozen of Wellfleets, which were of good quality. It was served with a balsamic mignonette, which was lovely with its hint of sweetness. It was also served with tzatziki, which I've never had with oysters before and now I know why. It completely ruined the oyster. Fig preserve pizza - This was the best dish of the evening. It was essentially a flat bread with fig preserve, goat cheese, prosciutto, arugala, and caramelized onions. The caramelized onions were a little too sweet and overwhelmed the other flavours. I also wondered whether blue cheese would have worked better than the goat cheese. Overall, it was delicious. Pan roasted long island duck breast - Overall, the dish was underseasoned. I'm not sure what the Madiera cream sauce was all about but it had no flavour. The duck breast was also cut into 4 large chunks, which made the dish lacking in delicacy. On the plus side, I asked for it medium and it came out perfectly medium. Prime rib - This was the special of the day. It was a prime rib with tomato salad on top (a little strange) and a side of sweet potato fries. The prime rib wasn't rich in beef flavour. In fact, the whole dish was once again underseasoned. We had to ask for a side of steak sauce, which is not something we routinely do. You shouldn't need it if you have a great cut of meat. I thought the food was alright with the highlight of the evening being the fig pizza. However, there is something so "fast food" about the environment that I found it extremely irritating. The atmosphere felt like a mildly elevated Bertucci's. I won't be back.
(2)
Jennifer H.

went with friends...have to say I wasn't impressed. I got the Mac & Cheese. Took forever to come, waitress pretty much ignored us. Oh yeah and it smelled like feet. Not going back!
(2)
Lynette S.

Everything I drank (white wine was so so and sangria was really great) and ate was deeeeeeeelish except for the lobster artichoke dip appetizer. that was a huge, creamy nightmare. it tasted like cream sauce could not taste much else. i also did not like that it was served with wontons. did not seem to match the food, or my tastebuds....
(4)
Nikki Z.

Mediocre Food. I had the duck breast which was overcooked, yet somehow the skin still wasn't crispy or properly seared. I got the fettucine alfredo as a side and it was bland. The butterscotch budino for dessert wasn't rich - it was gelatinous like jello. Probably one of the worst meals I've had in Boston and I've tried over 150 restaurants in the city.
(1)
Marina G.

I passed Rustic Kitchen after a meal at Flemings and loved the decor. Later on it was on BuyWithMe, so I bought a couple and made a reservation for Friday night with the bf. I was surprised that it wasn't more crowded since the reviews looked good and the place is beautiful. So we get seated by a teenager wearing bright green pants..weird but ok. While the bf is in the restroom a guy comes over and fills my water without saying a word, so I assume he's the busboy. A few seconds later he comes back and asks if I want a drink without introducing himself at all, in a very quiet, completely monotone voice. Apparently he is our waiter. I ask about the house-infused vodka. There are 4 flavors, but according to the waiter all but the blueberry are completely bland...ok I guess I'll go with that one. It was delicious, but I'm still wondering about the others. The special of the night is surf & turf, which includes a filet mignon (8 oz I believe), a lobster tail, and 2 sides. It's $40, but we have coups so I order it, already salivating. BF asks about the pasta dishes. Again the waiter suggests one or two, the rest are bland. I'm beginning to see a pattern here. Sidenote, the waiter should seriously consider a different profession. He did not smile once and I swear the looks he gave me made me think he was going to find us and kill us if we didn't tip him enough. Our food comes and I am seriously dissapointed already. The surf&turf special is thrown together. It's all mixed together onto a plate that is clearly too small. The lobster tail is the smallest I have EVER seen and completely dry. The sauteed spinach is barely cooked and has no flavor. I ordered my steak medium rare. I cut into it and it immediately starts bleeding all over my plate. Eventually the waiter comes over and notices the dead animal on my plate from a distance, without me saying a word. He apologizes and asks if I'd like something else. At this point I had already filled up on fries, pasta, etc so I kindly told him I was all set. This is where 1 star became 4. He immediately went over to the manager. I'm assuming he told her that if she didn't comp our entire meal he was going to kill her too because she shyly came over and apologized as well. After making sure I didn't want a replacement she said she would take the meal off of our check. I assumed this meant my entree. That would have been enough for me, but after several more death stares the waiter came back over and told us to have a good night. We ended up with at least an $80 meal for FREE. We tipped him on the full cost, minus terrible attitude, and went home with a full wallet.
(4)
Craig S.

Love the Tuna Tartar - best in the city. Pizzas are good and original - and entires are always satisfactory. Service is a little slow but other then that good experience
(4)
jonathan u.

The service here was great, the food was a solid average. I went here with a friend on whim while walking around the commons waiting for a movie to start. We ordered dinner and had some drinks while waiting. Then our server brought out our food. After the first bite, I realized that I hadn't read the menu thoroughly and was allergic to the sauce. Not anaphylactic or anything but I couldn't eat it either. When the guy came back to check, I told him and he apologized(it was completely my fault) and brought me out a brand new one at no charge with sauce I could actually eat. With service like that, he could of brought me Alpo and I would of been OK with it.
(4)
Peter B.

I'm glad I didn't read the recent Yelp reviews on Rustic Kitchen before I went, as I would have missed out on a really good meal. We passed RK while looking for Erbaluce. My friend only eats chicken and fish, and didn't want any of the fish on their menu so we went back to Rustic Kitchen. Decor is fine, seats were comfortable. The focaccia was OK and the dip was about the same. I think that offering could really be improved -- really work on making the focaccia flavorful and simplify the dip; simple but good quality olive oil and some herbs would have been fine with me! But here's what was great. Unlike a few other reviews I thought the tuna tartare was great. A nice balsamic, there was a bit of spicy bite in there, but not overpowering the soft tuna. Avacado was nice and soft but not over-ripe. Nicely prepared and good presentation too. We shared it -- it was a generously-sized portion. As my entree I had the Flat Iron Steak. The steak was nicely prepared, maybe a bit over the medium rare I requested, and the sauce and tomato ragu were nicely balanced and really went well together. And a roasted head of garlic as garnish? Genius! I ate most of the garlic combined with giant fork-filled bites of steak, fries and ragu. It was almost a deconstructed Italian version of Lomo Saltado! Had a glass of sangria with the meal which was fine, though my wife makes a killer non-traditional Spiced Rum sangria, so I'm kind of spoiled there. I think I ordered well, as many of the complaints seem to be with dishes I didn't have. I took the leftovers home with me and I'm really looking forward to having them for breakfast! I'd give this place a chance. The custom infused vodka offerings looked really tasty! I would go back again.
(4)
Billy L.

Drinks were great....waiter was awesome.... but the food didn't meet my expectations. It wasn't bad by any means but it wasn't great either.
(3)
Ashley P.

A colleague and I found Rustic Kitchen while wandering the streets in search of a restaurant. The menu posted outside had lots of options so we went for it. The place was empty and the hostess let us choose our seat (which I love). The service was quick and the server was friendly. I have to agree with a lot of these comments, the bread and white bean dip were excellent. Unexpected and very tasty. For my entree I had the stuffed chicken with rustic potatoes. It was served as three pieces, rolls of chicken with the "stuffing" inside. The chicken still had skin...that threw me, and isn't my taste, but I guess there's nothing wrong with it? The sauce that covered the plate was really sweet, made it hard to enjoy the other flavors. My colleague had the hangar steak and let me try some of the fries, which were tasty tasty. Best thing I tried at this restaurant. We would have had an appetizer, but this restaurant charges $4 to split appetizers. My company was paying, but we still passed on principle. Isn't the point of appetizers to share? This place is just ok...with all of the amazing restaurants in this town, I don't see myself ever going back.
(3)
Brent M.

I have been here a couple of times and really like it. The food is really good, and well priced for the portions. The cheese plate is probably the best that I have ever had. They also make really good drinks, and it is a relaxing atmosphere whether you are there just for drinks or staying for dinner.
(4)
stephanie c.

Like most yelpers here...I got the Buywithme coupons and decided to check out Rustic Kitchen. I actually live close by and would pass by it often. The exterior and interior decor actually looks pretty neat. The restaurant itself is HUGE with a 2 large dining rooms, a bar, and cooking kitchen demo room. Too bad it's not that busy in there. Service was just okay. Came here for dinner on a Thur evening and it was pretty empty. A few seemingly out-of-town businessmen and tourist. But definitely wasn't busy. And yet...service was pretty slow. I asked our server for recommendations, wine notes, etc...he never really seemed to know what he was talking about. Just kinda studdered around. Foodwise-big disappointment. I started with the tuna tartare-didnt taste that fresh, and mixed with the avocado looked old, dark, and not very impressive. My gfs had two diff salads.,..just your basic salads, nothing that special. Main courses included duck breast, haddock, and beef short rib. I am a huge fan of duck-absolutely love it. So you know it's bad when I left 2/3 of my duck dish sitting there at the end of the night. The duck which I requested to be Med-Rare was well done, and completely tasteless. Completely! As if there was not even salt/pepper on it. I just ate the asparagus and tomatoes. Sad. Haddock was tough and again unimpressive in flavor. Same with the short ribs. Everything just seemed liked it was cooked without effort or care. I can make those dishes at home with much more flavor. Mind you-Rustic Kitchen is not a cheap place. All in all-terrible. It's a shame because of their great location and decent decor. But goodness, I will not eat here.
(1)
Juliana N.

My friend had a buywithme coupon so we decided to check this place out. I'd have to say... not bad. The restaurant seems to try to boast its "upscale"ness... but its really just another chain restaurant. Someone on Yelp mentioned that it would be comparable to Bertucci's and I think I'd have to agree. So for the FOOD... We ordered the Veal Meatballs. I'd order it again for sure =). They were actually pretty good! Beef Short Ribs Mezzaluna. They're not whole short ribs... They're actually stuffed Ravioli's.. homemade ones =). I thought this was the best dish we ordered!!! SO good. Lobster Risotto. It is a little sweet. I wouldn't order it again, but it wasn't bad. Overall, I'd probably come here again... but I would probably come back for the happy hour @ the bar !!!
(3)
Tinkerbell T.

Rustic Kitchen is a stellar restaurant that often gets a bad rep. If you order the right food and come in when Chef Tom is behind the line, you will leave in a happy food coma. To do this you must come in early in the evening on a weekend night. To maximize your dining pleasure, ask for servers Gustavo, Ana Maria or Raul... or Mario the bartender - if you wish to sit at the bar. They will fill your evening with delightful memories and everlasting joy, guarunteed. P.S. try the veal meatballs : ) yumeeeeeee
(4)
Lindsay C.

Rustic Kitchen is pretty good. I think it's a bit overpriced for what you get but the food is flavorful and decently portioned. My husband took me here for my birthday and I have gone here on luncheons for work. I almost prefer their lunch to the dinner and it's priced better of course.
(3)
Jenn L.

Some co-workers and I went to Rustic Kitchen after work this past week. It was not very busy, but the bar was comfortable, beer selection good and we had some incedible apps. I enjoyed the atmposphere, it was quite the escape. The wine label papered walls were interesting and the main door was made of various pieces of glass (I will take a picture my net time back) The ahi tuna was to-die-for and risotto balls (they had a fancier name) was a fabulous twist on a traditional dinner dish turned app. We also tried the margharita pizza, lobster & artichoke dip and calamari....we all enjoyed every single app down to the last bite. I want to go back to enjoy a meal, but based on my first experience, it was great.
(4)
Theresa U.

My husband and I plan on dining here next month when we're in town. I haven't been here since 2005, but I remember it had the best dang mojitos and calamari I have ever had. Can't wait to come again!
(4)
Thy N.

I came here two years ago and had the most phenomenal Veal Saltimbocca ever! It was the first saltimbocca dish I've ever tried. The veal was perfectlt cooked and tender, with crispy prosciutto and a melted cheese on top. However, I came here a month ago to have the same dish and it changed! they no longer add the cheese on top and the veal was so chewy and the prosciutto was soggy! I was very displeased I had to ask the waitress who the chef was that night. If you're going to go to an expensive restaurant, you expect good food for the money spent. How can an experienced chef let me have that extremely chewy veal!? My friends' dishes all came out very good however. Their crab cake or lobster thing was to die for!
(3)
Melanie P.

I was so excited to eat here. For months I had been talking about wanting to go to this restaurant. I was happy that my dining experience shared my excitement for wanting to come here initially. There is this eclectic and ostentatious dÃ©cor/ambiance that seems rather intimidating when you walk in but once seated, you feel immediately comfortable. The staff was very friendly. The cocktail menu had a great selection. I ended up only drinking the Cranberry Bog martini (x3) but would suggest trying others on the list. As many mentioned in their other reviews, I was surprised by the bread, olives, and white bean dip. It was very tasty. For starters, we had the tuna tartar. I thought this was excellent and unlike any I have had in the past. I do want t mention that if you are going to share this dish with another person, be aware that it only comes with two large pita chips...I felt that the tuna tartar portion was far more than the two pita chips combined that we were left spooning the rest. I would have preferred having more but the presentation was commendable. For dinner, I chose the swordfish wrapped in prosciutto with lobster mashed potatoes and a side of green beans. I have to admit, I was not crazy about this dish. Personally, I feel that swordfish is already a very salty fish and the prosciutto taste was washed away by the fish taste. It was disappointing because it sounded tasty on paper. Both the lobster mashed potatoes and green beans were delicious. You certainly get what you pay for here because the portions are huge so make sure you come on an empty stomach OR make sure your eyes are not bigger than your stomach. There is a variety of items to choose from on every angle which can be overwhelming but you won't be disappointed...
(4)
Winnie M.

Came here with my boyfriend and we were not impressed. I think the only thing that impressed me was how it looked outside. Inside atmosphere is ok, not the best decor or design. It didn't feel "rustic". I think the only thing might be cool is that there's a live broadcast kitchen. We got seated in a nice half moon booth in the main dining room that could've easily seated 6 people comfortable, possibly 8. It was a bit too big for the two of us. For a Friday night, it was pretty dead. At most the booths on both sides were occupied with people but the center tables which seem like they would have been a cozier choice for a party of two was empty. Anyways, onto the food...which wasn't impressive at all. We decided to share an appetizer, so we opted for the arancini as it sounded interesting based on the description. Although it was the only decent tasting part of our entire meal, we had to play high and seek as a result of a poor plating choice, they were entirely obscured with greens on an oversized plate...it was too busy for the eyes. My boyfriend had the veal meatloaf as an entree and he described it as "horrendously dried out and not flavorful at all". My entree was the shrimp spaghettini which was ok, but not memorable. To end off the night, we tried the chocolate gelato, the flavor was ok however the gelato itself was ruined mostly by the ice shards we kept biting into. Service itself was decent, our waitress was very nice. I think the most unpleasant part of the whole night was when I saw a furry critter scurrying the dining room floor between tables not once but twice throughout the meal.
(2)
Jamie M.

I am surprised to see such poor reviews! Also, how can you complain about the decor? If it's not your taste, that's one thing, but is it really worthy of complaints? The last time I was here was for a 6 person work holiday dinner. The boss was paying, but wasn't in attendance, so we ordered and ordered. All the apps, drinks, dinners, drinks, desserts and what's that? more drinks...were fabulous. I remember salads, steaks and some great almond biscotti that must have came with dessert. The martinis and wine were flowing. I recently bought two certificates on buywithme.com for RK so am looking foward to heading back to this location (I dine at the Hingham location more often), and seeing how the service/and food is standing up. A report to follow...
(4)
Ami R.

I love this place!! While it sometimes goes under the radar being located in a hotel, this place has all your classic rustic bistro-like italian food in a comfortable setting. The fire oven at the back of the restaurant totally adds to the cozy feeling. Aside from the arancini, (love the arugula and nectarine touch!) I love the flatbreads and the mushroom mac n cheese is to die for!! This is a great place on those cold and rainy nights when you can't enjoy the Boston outdoor seating. P.S. Def try one of their vodka infused drinks.
(4)
andrew s.

I've been here once, and thought the food was great - from the hangar steak to the mac and cheese, everything came out more than acceptable. The vibe does feel a bit mish-mashed from a few different concepts, but it did not seem to bother us at all. Service was not memorable, but not terrible either.
(4)
Jenny W.

I visited Rustic Kitchen with a friend last week. Overall I was very disappointed with the entire meal and am not planning on coming back! I ordered a goat cheese salad and my friend ordered the gnocchi with lobster. Our waitress got my order wrong and brought out tortellini instead of the salad she barely apologized and acted like I was wrong but then brought out the correct meal so it wasn't a big deal. My friend's gnocchi was almost inedible the gnocchi was burnt and the accompanying sauce tasted like pure butter. We both shared the dish and agreed that this was the first gnocchi dish that we had ever had that we didn't like. I had high hopes for Rustic Kitchen but between the service and food we have a very disappointing meal and will not be returning.
(2)
Kate E.

I've been reading other reviews, and I don't understand why they are so low?! I just ate thereast night with my fiancÃ©, and it was delicious!! We had steak and butternut squash ravioli. We LOVED it! We loved it, and the atmosphere so much that we booked our rehersal dinner there! I can't wait to go back!
(5)
jenn r.

We had the bed and breakfast package at the Radisson which included free breakfast here. It was a nice variety of the usual breakfast buffet items. Very fresh, nice and hot food and fruit and bread. They had a nice breakfast egg roll that was spicy and an unusual treat. The service could have been better. The woman told us our meal was not included when it was. The waiter kept forgetting to get us cream. There was a lot fo wait staff just standing around talking instead of filling up water glasses and checking the buffet. Went here for drinks and dessert one night as well. I enjoyed the peanut butter cup martini and the pumpkin cheesecake but it was a little pricey. Bartender was helpful in recommending things for us to do while visiting.
(4)
Allison S.

We had an early dinner here Saturday night preceeding the Seinfeld show at the Wang. Although we were a little late for our reservation, they seated us and helped us get out in time for the show. The waitress we had was very kind, especially with orders such as "Can I have a glass of the red wine that she's having?". She knew exactly what I meant. While we only ordered appetizers, they were amazing and I would definitely go back for a full meal. The decor was very pretty, although it was kind of dark inside. They had a kitchen studio where they apparently film some chef. I'm a big fan of the Food Network, so I don't think they air it on there. I'd be interested to find out where exactly it airs..... Overall, it was a perfect selection for a night at the theater - especially since it's only a block away from the Wang. I would absolutely go back, even if I wasn't headed to see a show.
(4)
Cherise S.

Great warm atmosphere, with fun high top booths for romantic dinners and creative lighting and decor. Bread and tapas and pasta dishes were delicious. Slightly pricey, but overall had a solid experience.
(4)
Brian Z.

Great service. Sub-par ambiance and food.
(2)
Shelley D.

I just went here last night after attending the GDGT conference at the Royale. Tucked away and not very noticeable, my friend and I went here because he had seen it on the travel channel. Our waiter was incredibly polite and gave fantastic service. I ordered a red Sangria and was deleted to find that it was very sweet and very strong. My friend had a glass of chardonnay and because he wasn't too hungry he had an order of the crab cake appetizer on a bed of arugula salad with fresh corn. It came with a mustard dipping sauce and was very good. I asked the server which he liked better the mushroom tortellini or the short rib messulana pasta dish. He said that the short rib dish came in a broth while the tortellini came in a light cream sauce that was slightly sweet and similar to a marsala sauce. I tried the mushroom tortellini and it was superb. When it came out it had been garnished by pine nuts and when I had to send it back (allergy) they were really nice and had new dish in under ten minutes. The taste was amazing, if you are in a mushroom kind of mood then I highly recommend this dish. Overall I was impressed by this little restaurant, it's very quaint and I like the small booth where you can sit and cozy up with your date if you feel like it or sit across from each other. A very quaint and romantic little restaurant, it's the perfect place to sit back, relax and enjoy a good meal.
(4)
Jim S.

We went on a Saturday night after seeing Seinfeld at the Wang. The place was pretty packed and we waited for seats at the bar. We were treated really well - service was much better for us than other reviewers on this list. They had both a Sox and Bruins (playoff) game on the big screens and everyone was into it. Good drinks (a tad on the expensive side, but this is Boston). We shared the calamari (yummy), veal meatballs (comfort food), tuna sashima (huge) and creme brulee for dessert. The place cleared out once the games were over, so it probably doesn't have a good vibe late night, but the menu says they're open until 2am... might have to remember that. I'll go back.
(4)
Danielle M.

The Rustic Kitchen franchise is exceptional, and as new hot spots in this town get the restaurant hype, this will continue to be one of my favorites The upscale ambiance coupled with warm hearth of the fire in the pizza stove and gorgeous "rustic" interiors ( stone walls, arched ceilings, dim lighting fixtures, damask draperies and heavy decoration) makes Rustic Ktichen a feast for the eyes as well as the appetite. The cooking shows are a great dining activity for date night, birthday outing,special occasion, or night out with friends; providing a combination of culinary excellence and interactive entertainment for guests. The menu is mediterranean inspired,and variant with its ingredients for each dish. Its sure to please any guest craving a handmade, creative pasta dish (chive gnocchi or orange-scented goat cheese ravioli- Yum!!) a perfectly cooked piece of fish ( I had the roasted mustard encrusted salmon with sauteed spinach, potato cake and dill creme fraiche ) great steaks and a la carte sides, or hot and bubbling pizzas on paddles. A restaurant's calamari is always a point of review for me in itself, and this their calamari was some of the best I've ever had ( lightly breaded with toasted pine nuts, jalapenos and lemon pepper aioli) flavorful from its seasonings equally as its light frying. The martinis are of generous pour, the wine are of great breadth in variety and price points. Service is great. Check it out - seats are good at the bar, at the table, in Park Plaza or in Hingham!
(5)
Chris L.

My family and I had an early dinner here one evening and loved it. The place wasn't busy at all, although by the time we left, it had crowded in a little bit. The wine pours were generous and the menu was varied, making entree decisions a treat. I like to have a lot of options and I settled on an amazing piece of halibut. The other members of my party were equally thrilled with their meals. Everything was hot and the portions were enough that I think each of us went home with something. The decor to the place is interesting, kinda like a cellar restaurant you might find in the back alley of Europe. There is a large brickoven that lends ambiance beyond the bronze lighting. In addition, they have a whole separate room where they put on a cooking show most Fridays I think. We'll have to make reservations for it in the future. The cost of the meal was definitely a splurge for us but thanks to a BuyWithMe coupon, we got a bit of a discount. I have no complaints and would definitely go back in the future.
(4)
Kelly A.

I really loved the Rustic Kitchen that used to be in Porter Square. I think overall I liked it better than the one downtown, but that's not to say I don't like the one downtown. It's actually got a terrific atmosphere. The last time I went there we got to sit at one of the really cool circular booths, underneath a cool-looking giant light fixture. I had the porcini mac and cheese, which is my favorite dish there. It has a bit of truffle oil in it, along with some peas, which makes it a bit unusual without losing the whole comfort food factor. The little pizzas are good too. Rustic Kitchen is a good place to go before or after a show on a special night out.
(4)
Tricia W.

Here is how to have the RK experience, specific to their Boston Theatre district location: 1) Sit at the bar 2) Order a glass of Montepulciano or sangria 3) Walk around the restaurant and peek behind any closed doors. There's a lot to explore. 4) Yes, you want the bread + olives + chic pea and olive oil and garlic dipping conconction 5) Order calimari and pizza 6) Enjoy. Goes best with friends. Sure -- RK is fine for a date, but it goes best with fellow foodie friends. When people say that they aren't impressed by Rustic Kitchen, I scratch my head. Because I've repeated the above routine at least 3 dozen times and I'm always happier afterwards than when I started. Enjoy!
(4)
Charoline D.

AWESOME PLACE TO BE AFTER WORK FOR HAPPY HOUR! Lizzy and I wound up here after a long, but humorous day of work for some cocktails and ended up ordering off the Happy Hour appetizer menu as well. While we waited they have homemade potato chips which were SO awesomely loaded with salt. We ordered some sliders, one of which was topped with avocado, the other with roasted red peppers, both delicious! Also ordered a small cheese pizza to munch on which was equally tasty, wood fired, perhaps? Sangria was our beverage of choice and it was delicious! Lots of fruit floating amid the ice cubes and wonderfully refreshing for such a hot day. The atmosphere was laid back, warm, and dark. The bartenders were super funny and friendly, the couple next to us was........seemingly a rich old guy and a prostitute? Yeah, seriously. We're pretty sure. Guess that comes with having a restaurant attached onto a hotel. I'll definitely be back to try more of the cocktails!
(4)
Monica N.

It wasn't bad. We came here for an office lunch and the food wasn't bad at all. The decor of the space was very nice. The staff was excellent. Surprisingly it was very quiet during lunch hours, but it was cold our when we went so that might be a factor.
(3)
Crystal K.

This hasn't been the Todd English Rustic Kitchen since 2003...he turned it over to his former partners in order to settle a lawsuit. There is no connection whatsover to Todd now...different direction, food, chefs, etc. To be honest, I think it's better now! Prices are very reasonable, food is excellent and the decor is great. For a better experience, however, check out the location in Porter Square. Cozier, quieter and less tourists to deal with. It's a great place to meet up with friends. The raw bar is a nice touch. and their wine list is exceptionally nice, with a modest markup. Plus you can find parking right out back!
(4)
Jennifer M.

This is the first place I've given 5 stars. I love love loooove this place! Everything about it...from the atmosphere, to the food, to the cocktails, this place does a great job! They have an amazing cheese plate appetizer, which I highly recommend. For $10, you get 4 different cheeses, paired with fruits (strawberries, grapes, blueberries), candied walnuts, fig spread that is delicious, and obviously crackers. It is a ton of food, and it goes great with a nice seasonal cocktail. I always get the filet mignon here, with the horseradish cream sauce, cooked absolutely perfectly...this past time, I went with a side of fettucini Alfredo, which was garlic-y and delicious. So for all that...a 6oz filet mignon, sauce, vegetable, and side, the price is right at $28. They have a great wine selection, too. I absolutely love the atmosphere and decor in this place...it is good for any occasion, be it a girls night out, taking out your parents, or a romantic date night. My boyfriend and I really enjoy this place and will definitely go back (many more times, I hope!)
(5)
Hana C.

Good pizza and service but- pasta... its really not edible. We barely ate our pasta. The noodle was so dry, I'm surprised the waitor didn't even say anything about our barely touched pasta. Don't eat pasta here.
(2)
Stephanie W.

I came to the Rustic Kitchen with my grandparents last night, and it was the perfect place. The food was great (try the baked stuffed haddock) and my grandfather got all the veal he could handle with veal meatballs (YUM) and the veal meatloaf. If I had to describe the place, I'd say it's "upscale comfort food." The restaurant is well-decorated, and there's parking right nearby. My only complaint was our waitress towards the end of the evening; she seemed fairly oblivious to the fact that my grandfather tried about five times to ask her for the check when she passed by him. Otherwise, a good meal, good wine, and a good evening!
(4)
Katharine O.

2.5. We were wicked excited to eat here and were unpleasantly surprised. The meal started off with an intruder who went around from table to table asking for money and shouting that we should support the "pimps and prostitutes" in the world....so that was exciting and nerve wracking. The bread that everyone speaks of was fine to start out with, wine selection was decent as was the martini that was ordered. Calamari was the appetizer-was pretty good, but I've had better. Entrees: -Lobster Tails: reported as good -2 duck entrees: absolutely no flavor-so bland -Cod mac & cheese special: also reported as bland It was like the food was all cooked together and had no distinct flavors, it was so disappointing especially with the potential that duck confit ravioli has. For dessert we had creme brulee and the caramel bomb. Creme brulee is pretty hard to screw up and the caramel bomb was rich and again...blah. The decor in this place is really cute and our server, when he spoke, was personable, unfortunately those times were few and far between. With all of the great restaurants in the theater district, I have absolutely no desire to go to this one ever again...and apparently others feel the same since it was 8 o'clock on a Saturday night and basically dead. Sad sad disappointment.
(2)
Sara G.

I planned a conference at the Park Plaza, so I had to pick a restaurant nearby to take the Faculty. The hotel recommended the Rustic Kitchen, and I could not be any happier with that suggestion. The ambiance was fantastic. We were sitting in the main dining room at a large table. The perimeter was lined with u-shaped booths that looked great for a romantic dinner. There is also a "wine room" (the walls are lined with wine bottles) that would be fantastic for a group dinner of about 10 people. The food was excellent. It is one of the best restaurants I have been to in Boston (the others I had dinner with agreed). I had the Shaved Parma Prosciutto and Homemade Mozzarella to start. It was tasty, but not a great dish to order with a group of people since it is was difficult to eat without making a mess. For my main course I had the Butternut Squash Tortelli with crme fraiche, toasted walnuts, and truffle sauce breadcrumbs ($20). This was AMAZING. I am a huge fan of anything butternut squash and this was definitely the best butternut squash "anything" I have ever had. The toasted walnuts were an excellent touch. Then for dessert we had the standard Warm Chocolate Cake. Warm chocolate cake on its own is amazing, but this really was sinful. All in all I had a great experience and I would recommend the Rustic Kitchen to everyone.
(5)
KATE G.

If the atmosphere created by the organic/ biomorphic lights was not absolutely wonderful - I may have given two stars for predictable high end chain feeling and poor wine service by the waiter. The appetizer was a white been dip with garlic - my boy pointed out it was runny not thick and had no hint of garlic. We went on Friday and the bar which is friendly / nice was not hoping but still lively. They were filming a cooking show with dinners in attendance which is a good sch tick. i had the scallops which were cooked perfectly but small portion with an odd artichoke caper side. Boy got the tuna - very healthy portion and cooked perfectly. The booth in the bar area was great for viewing and intimate conversation but had no back padding????!!!. Will go again for apps and drinks at the bar - but will note drop big bucks for an entree. Cheers - Kate
(3)
Bryan S.

Mezza mezza - the decor is wonderful, the staff were right on (guess I came on the right night after reading the other reviews...). The table was comfortable and very conducive to conversation. I was dining with a friend who just returned from China and we had a relaxed, unrushed experience with ample time to view hundreds of photographs. So, the food... well, not the best not the worst. We split 3 apps - tuna tartare (so so), procuitto with mozzarella (pretty good) and meatballs (veal BTW, so so) and then had the portabello muchroom pizza (pretty good). The pomegrantite martinis were yummy. I won't rush to go back and won't recommend it as a "must do" to out-of-towners but it was a fairly good meal in an above average setting. I guess that I have lived in Boston long enough to find that to be an acceptable evening out.
(3)
Julianne M.

I went here for lunch once and it was beyond awful. Note: This is for the new Park Plaza location. I ordered the cobb salad -- now when you think salad, you think nice round plate or bowl with everything easy to mix up. Well here, you get a salad on a weird, long, glass rectangle plate. It was hard to eat off of and mix the salad, so I ended up just eating a bite of lettuce, then a bite of tomato, etc. I should have ordered the pizza. Secondly, it took forever for us to get our waiter's attention when we needed something and the service was awful. Third, since we were a large group, they added the gratuity, which is fine. But, we had a major problem with playing the requested amount due to the poor service. We asked the waiter if we were required to pay the full amount. He had to check with his manager who we had to wait forever for. We complained to the manager and he was like, umm, sure I can change that. He did not ask, what was exactly was wrong, what can I do to make it right, nothing. Save yourself the time and money and eat elsewhere with better food and better service.
(1)
Becky G.

I went to dinner on Sunday night with my boyfriend and my parents and had a fantastic time here. My father is notoriously value-minded so I wanted to go somewhere with reasonable prices. Our server was over-the-top awesome...very attentive, professional and knowledgeable. Some of the food was amazing, some dishes were just middle-of-the-road, but the experience was overwhelmingly positive because of the atmosphere created by the staff. From the hostess, to server, to the sommelier, everyone seemed genuinely interested in making sure we enjoyed our experience, which we did! Thanks Rustic Kitchen staff, we will be back!
(4)
Jenny L.

I"m a total fan of the food. I also had gotten the buywithme coupon and took 2 of my gf in tow. We got a bunch of plates to share-- the lobster & artichoke dip, calamari, tuna tartare, and spinach salad. The MOUND of tartare was INSANE. Everything was really good- I dont think any of us had super high expectations, so we were pleasantly surprised. We also ordered a carafe of sangria for only $35! I think it poured at lesat 8 glasses. The only reason why I would perhaps not come back is because its not like its a lively atmosphere for a girls night out . It had a touristy feel-- even had some families. But I would def be open to coming back to grab something to eat before a show or before heading to the W!
(4)
Tanvi D.

Went there last december around christmas time on a saturday evening.. We had made reservations and when we got there, the place looked kinda empty. This got us a little apprehensive. But, the moment the food arrived, those apprehensions went out the window.. We got their famed arancini and it did live up to the hype.. And for the main courses we got butternut squash ravioli and margerita pizza. They were both good. Looking forward to going back again.
(3)
R.G. W.

I'm not sure who the intended crowd for this restaurant is. The prices are high enough to keep away most casual diners ($20-$30 for a dinner entree, $10 for a small appetizer or salad), and the wine list is fairly extensive. The staff, and maitre d', are wearing suits. But at the same time, there are also huge LCD screen TVs with American Idol lining the walls. And a PA, blaring drum-heavy 70s rock. The patrons seem confused too. Many are in crisp, business attire. Others look like they just rolled out of bed. I'm not saying this place needs a dress code, but it could benefit from a clearer vision. Anyways, when I walked in, the receptionist asked if I had a reservation (I didn't), and she mumbled something about not being sure if she'd be able to seat me. I looked around and saw the restaurant was about 2/3 empty. Unless they were expecting a HUGE party in just a few minutes (which seemed odd), she was probably bs'ing. I should've taken this as a warning sign. I was seated at a 4-seater booth, and the wait staff seemed annoyed that they had to clear three other place settings, since I was eating alone. On to the food. I didn't feel like wine, so I asked for the cocktail list -- a place with a nice looking bar oughta have some good drinks, I figured incorrectly (their cocktail list is short, and it sucks!) I had the $10 meatball appetizer and a $20 wild mushroom pampadelle pasta. The meatballs were filled with lettuce (weird), and the pasta was very greasy, and luke-warm. I asked my server to warm it back up, but he refused! He barked at me, "that's the way the kitchen made it." Then he walked away, and I never saw him again. I had to have another server get me my check. I asked to speak with the maitre d', but that person had mysteriously disappeared, and I was too mad to wait around. So I put down a $20 bill and left. I'm never going back here again. I had high hopes for this place, too bad it sucks. This is for the Park Plaza location.
(1)
Alyssa H.

Eh- this place is OK. Maybe I'm a little disgruntled because it was advertised on the Daily Candy as a place to watch the Sox game with $4 appetizers. There were no $4 apps and there was no sound on the TVs. The food was pretty good, not amazing for the price. I got a mixed salad - nothing special, and a half portion on the shrimp pasta, which was quite small.
(3)
Jaclyn S.

We made reservations via Open Table for a Friday night. I personally liked the decore, as did the BF. The food was great- we had the Risotto Balls for an app, and they were out of this world... actually, they were the best part of the meal. BF got the lobster mac'n'cheese, which we both agree had a bit too much sausage. It was still tasty, however. I got the prosciutto wrapped swordfish, and it was fantastic. We also had the BWM vouchers that others have mentioned, and we had no issues using them at all. The waiter whisked them away, and brought back the bill with the total adjusted. Great night out, we'll be back again!
(4)
Tony L.

I found this restaurant perusing through our options for a place to have dinner with friends visiting from NYC that was located near their hotel in the Theater District. It was pretty empty for a Friday night, so the six of us were seated at a table quickly. I wanted to bring a bottle of wine so I called in advance to ask about their corkage fee, and the person who answered informed me there was no fee. Unfortunately, I was misinformed as the restaurant's manager himself came up to us saying there would be a $30 corkage fee, which I quickly obliged. The tuna tartare appetizer turned out to be really good, but it turned out to be the only good thing going for what I ordered as an entree. I had the steak frites, which was pretty bland. However, I heard the pizza was fairly good, and someone mentioned the veal dish was good as well (personally, I can't handle veal). The decor seemed like a combination of Olive Garden meets Macaroni Grill, nothing really unique or special about it. The service was satisfactory (aside from the bottle service mishap). The next time I come back will probably be if I just happen to be in the area and I can't think of anywhere else to go.
(3)
T D.

Great atmosphere. Because we had a large group of ~18, we were seated in a warm private room. It made me think of what a formal dining room in a house in Long Island or the UES would look like. The walls were intricately lined with slate unfinished bricks. The ceiling was lit by a grand round light encircled with a gold plated rounded roof. And the long table was made of dark wood. The food was nothing special, but the portions were quite large. They ran out of certain vegetables, which I found strange. I'd come back if I had a large party to entertain. Else, there are too many other places that I'd like to sample.
(3)
Megan H.

Very creative dishes that are hard to not love. I tried the beet salad, and it surpassed any expectation I'd ever imagined for a "beet salad!" I had to go back and order it again. The veal pork chops were cooked perfectly and the bartenders are awesome too!
(5)
Allyson R.

One of my top ten meals of all time was eaten last weekend at Rustic Kitchen. We love this place for the ambience, the service, the great food, the fab wine list, and the wicked-cool ice taps at the bar. The arancini are an amazing and delicious appetizer. Served with some greens so you don't feel so guilty about the deep fried goodness. And the focaccia they serve is delish! Now, the last time I ate here, I had the sea scallops that were cooked to perfection and were sweet and delicious. I came close to ordering them again this time, but then the server (Lynn--very awesome service!) told us about the specials, and the chef really hit the nail on the head with this one: sesame crusted tuna steak, cooked perfectly rare with a cool red center and fresh, with wasabi mashed potatoes and seasonal greens. It was HEAVEN! Such a perfect balance of flavors, I ate till it hurt! Husband got the petite filet (which was giant) and he got the regular mashed potatoes...also good. Last time he got the salmon which he loved as well. Defiintely a great place for a date, special occasion, or a girls night out. This is becoming my favorite place!
(5)
Thuy L.

We came here as a group of 15 the Sunday before Marathon Monday. We had 3 runners with us and were looking for a place where they could carbo load while non-runners could be satisfied with non-pasta dishes if desired. Rustic Kitchen was the perfect place to hold such a dinner because 1-they had the space to fit such a large party, 2-were having pasta specials for runners and 3-had a pretty decent menu if you didn't want the pasta. Our reservations were at 5pm but the majority of people showed up around 6pm which turned out to be completely fine. We weren't given that annoying line that you can't be seated until everyone has arrived. We had the entire room to ourselves so it didn't matter. The table was huge and the seats were cushiony, making me feel like I was sinking further down. I felt like a little girl sitting at the adults table for holiday meals and in need of a booster seat. My one complaint: the service could have been a little better. For a party of 15 and knowing that there are hungry runners waiting, the servers should have brought double the number of bread baskets and olive/hummus dishes. They only brought 3 baskets and everything disappeared within seconds. Also, the server never asked if we wanted wine. She just poured the water in the glasses and walked out. Had I not asked about their wine list, she would have never come back for our wine order. And even after I ordered, she never checked with the other end to see if anyone else wanted anything off the wine menu. Now onto the food: 1/5 of the table got the Mac N'Cheese and 100% of the table agreed that it was PHENOMENAL. The mac n'cheese consisted of porcini mushrooms and green peas. The cheese was creamy but not overwhelming. My bf got the hangar steak with bleu cheese & fries (which was pretty tasteless) and the fries were soggy. The rigatoni came in a cast iron pan and had some kind of sausage in it and looked pretty good. All 3 runners got the "carbo load special" which was a choice of 4 pastas, 6 sauces, and different ingredients. 2 of the runners chose the veal meatballs, and they licked the plate clean. To me, it didn't look like there was enough pasta to load up on anything but then again, I didn't have their dish. They said it was good though. On a side note, I did ask the server to bring in a cake of some sort so we could wish a group member a happy birthday. The girl gave me a choice of the desserts, so I picked Molten Chocolate Cake. However, when she came in with the candle on the cake, it defintiely was not molten chocolate anything. It was straight up chocolate mousse. Oh well....so all in all...it was okay. Service could be better, but the Mac n cheese was pretty awesome!
(3)
D. G.

Terrible service at Rustic Kitchen in downtown Boston tonight. My boyfriend and I sat at the bar and watched the bartender serve people who came after us and act like we were invisible. They continued to ignore us even after my boyfriend called attention to the situation with the manager. We are an interracial couple. It felt like a lunch counter protest in the 60's. Very hurtful and sad in this day in age.
(1)
Diane R.

Friendly staff, quick, and plenty of selection for their express breakfast buffet
(4)
Catherine A.

drinks are well made--flavorful, not too strong, not too watered down. scotch selection is excellent but the food has a lot to be said for.
(2)
bella c.

CLOSED!! It's gone atleast from this location, I tried to go there last month!
(1)
Katia M.

Okay, I was prepared to dislike this place, but I went here for a Pats game one weekend, and we had a cool bartender, cheap champagne (...of beer:), and the food, though I was rocking a decent buzz by the end, was pretty tasty. It's heavy on meat and cheese, as are many Italian places, but all in all, I'd come here for cheap beer again. Plus, those complimentary potato chips were TO DIE FOR. And oh-so-greasy. Yum.
(4)
Sarah L.

I came here on a mission, scoping out places for an annual conference of sociologists. Would sociologists find this an interesting place to go? I can safely say: no, they would not. The decor was trying to be interesting but just came off as commercial and chain-y. Space was too big for so few people. The food was so-so, again trying hard but falling short. Similarly, the service was bland and lacked any sort of spice (no smiles, not particularly helpful, a little rushed)...and it took them about 5 minutes to seat us even though 90% of the tables were unoccupied and set for service. So not only was the experience not particularly appealing, but there were also no people there, and without people, can there really be sociology?
(2)
ES P.

I have a bipolar review to offer here. On Sunday night, four of us had a fantastic dinner at the bar, with great food, service and ambience. Tonight, the service inside the restaurant SUCKED so bad, we were driven to laughter at each thing that went wrong. The hostess and waitress were in pissy moods and the waitress even rolled her eye when one of us asked for another drink. Note to a big hotel restaurant that hosts a lot of Boston Marathon runners: add a milkshake on the menu. Better yet, when you confirm that you have gelato, milk and ice, yet can't put them together to make a milkshake...you lose out on more sales and a good review.
(1)
Jezzieo O.

We held our wedding rehearsal dinner here in their Atrium room - it was fantastic! Great food, great service (unobtrusive, but kept the food and drink coming.) Pretty rooms and delicious food - what's not to like?
(4)
Carolyn B.

Decent spot for a weekday lunch. I am in love with the atmosphere, especially the lighting. The place was somewhat empty, music and conversations could easily be heard. Service was just a tad slow, but friendly. The food was pretty good. Bread was served with olives and a white bean dip. The food lives up to the restaurant's name. It is "rustic" food in the sense that most items on the menu can be made quite simply at home, not so much that it reminds me of the Italian country side.
(3)
Heather O.

I've been about 4 times for the Happy Hour menu at the bar. The chips at the bar are awesome and the pizzas and sliders for $3.95 are one of the best Happy Hour deals in town. The bar is very nice and there are lots of flat screen televisions. The drinks are pricey. I did have one very sour experience with some ladies (I use the term loosely) who would not move over one seat at the bar when we asked very politely to accommodate everyone in our party. I guess they wanted us to crowd their space and hover over them the entire 2 hours we were there.
(3)
R G.

Watch your plate at the RK! The waiter tried to take my salad away before it was done and the wait staff actually removed my dinner and threw it away before I was done. I turned my back to talk to a friend and my plate was whisked away in a second! This is not the place to linger for a relaxed dinner as they don't want you to stay - and the place was more than 1/2 empty on a theater night. Now we know why. My complaints received little symphathy from the manager. Won't be back anytime soon.
(1)
David P.

I go here for the brunch. There is never a wait and the food is interesting, well prepared and reasonably priced. Service for brunch has been good to very good. As for lunch and dinner? If this is the offspring of an ill considered liaison between Olives and Olive Garden, it missed the best genes from both. No wonder Todd English disowned it. Nothing we had in our two visits there was bad, but nothing was particularly good either. Price and ambition are up there; execution falls far short. Lunch (twice over a 12 month interval) was painfully slow. The problem was probably more in the kitchen than the dining area, but the wait staff was unconcerned. The only thing memorable about the food was the late arrival.
(2)
Amanda S.

Four stars because I LOVED the food & cocktails, and thought the restaurant itself was very cozy. But, if I were reviewing based on service this would be something more like 2 stars at best. As others have said the bread & hummus/bean dip that it's served with are pretty tasty, and my butternut squash raviolis were outta this world - probably the best I've ever had. And the portion, especially for ravioli, was huge. Pasta dishes ran around $17-$20. What I really didn't like about this place was the bartender. We ate at the bar, and everything was very slow. We sat down, and waited to get a drink menu, had to ask for dinner menus, waited a very long time for drinks, placed our food order and waited, waited, waited. I think he HAD to have forgotten about us, yet he came back 3 times and said the exact same thing, "Sorry this is taking so long, oh, and I didn't forget about your bread." If you didn't forget about it then why didn't you bring it, my friend?! There was also something off about his attitude - I can't put my finger on it exactly, but we definitely got the feel that he was looking down on us, or that he felt we didn't belong there. That being said, the food was good enough that I would go back....and sit in the dining room.
(4)
Liza F.

Completely mediocre. Bland decor and blah staff. Went with a large-ish group (7 people) and they were accomodating about seating us because the reservation was mistakenly made for 5 people. After that it was downhill. Waitress was passive-aggressive to the max. Because there was 7 of us, the bread was gone after we all had one piece. When we ordered our entrees, one of the diners asked for more bread to sop up the sauce from her mussels. The waitress looked put off and exclaimed "Wow, you guys really did a number on that bread!" Obnoxious. There are alot of us and there is no need for comments, ok? Stick to serving. I went with salad and added chicken to it. It wasn't horrible and it wasn't great. Sangria was a bit watered down. No one was very impressed with their entree. This place is so overpriced for what it is. Do yourself a favor and make the trek to the North End for real food. You will end up spending the same amount.
(2)
Kristin F.

Mediocre food, service, and atmosphere, and too much $$ for what you get. I won't be back.
(2)
Paolo D.

More, more, more! This place is faaaaaaaaaaaantastic. Great food, wonderful atmosphere, and a sangria that you can't say no to. Only reason they don't get 5 stars is because they don't validate parking. BIG BANG FOR YOUR BUCK.
(4)
Allison L.

Have been there couple times for girls night out during weekdays. Beautiful restaurant! It was quiet during weekdays, so we could easily carry on any conversations, no yelling was required. ;-) Must try -- homemade pasta. So fresh, so delicious. Veal meatballs were great. Filet Mignon was perfectly prepared! Early dinner alone, don't feel like sitting at the table??? Well, they have a pretty good happy hour menu at the bar, 4 - 7pm... wait... did I mention they have 2 bars....
(5)
Laureen B.

I dont know why anyone doesnt like this place. I have been there a few times, mostly at the bar which is really nice and sunny too! The drinks arent too exspensive and the pizza is to die for! They also give you home made chips at the bar...SO good! Oh and the bartenders are always really nice and attentive..I loved it!
(5)
Chris C.

Great food, terrific atmosphere, and incredible service. What more could you ask for?
(5)
Ellyn S.

Stopped in by chance as we were walking around in the neighborhood. Bar was nice and cozy and bartender was friendly and cordial. Had pumpkin martinis, Yum. The four of us were seated at small banquette, very comfy. Ordered calamari salad and artichoke dip; just OK. Dinner was another matter- pasta bolognese and mushroom tortellini and veal parmesan - delicious. Brocolini was crisp and just right on the side. Our server was attentive and honest. I would definitely recommend.
(4)
Meems L.

I too am surprised that this place is getting poor reviews. Ok, not the best Italian restaurant in Boston, but certainly in the upper half. We just had a great birthday dinner there with seven people. The place accommodates large parties easily. We went on a weekday so it wasn't too crowded, but it also was at least 2/3 full. So we didn't feel rushed or crowded in. From the other reviews, I was afraid I would see furry creatures, but the place looked very clean. I was not a fan of the sports bar flat screen TVs, but the rest looked ok. The bread and olives they gave us were above average, and very good. The portions they gave us was generous, so everyone kept stuffing themselves with the bread, using it to soak up leftover appetizesr. The bean dip was ok, but nothing to write home about. Our table ordered several appetizers. We had the fig flat bread pizza with arugula, goat cheese, and prosciutto which could have been a meal in it's own right. I think there were 8 or 10 pieces smallish square pieces. I normally hate sweet tasting pizza but it was a great balance of salty, sweet, and bitter. It was better then the fig pizza at Fig's on Beacon Hill. Everyone around the table enjoyed it. I would go back just for this pizza alone which says a lot for the fig-hater I am. We also ordered the tuna tartare and it was huge. Probably not the best tuna in the market (we only expect that from sushi restaurants), but they mixed in avocado and lime in so our table was very happy with this dish. It was definitely not meant for one or two people. Maybe four...though it fed 7 of us easily. We also ordered the veal meatballs, which were one-inch balls. There was enough for everyone get to get at least one, so I think some may have gotten second. They were tender but the sauce was not spectacular. I don't think we would ordered it again if we come back. We also had the oysters and they seemed pretty good, though pricey (a dozen for $24?). I got a blood orange martini. Other people thought it was good. I liked it but it was more sweet and syrupy than expected--I think it should have been a little bit more sour and tangy to reflect what a blood orange really tastes like. I ordered the tagliatelle bolognese and it was creamy and tasty. Several of my friends tasted it near the beginning and then asked for second tastings midway through the meal (uh, cravings?). I had no issues eating it even though I'm lactose intolerant. Another person got beef short rib mezzaluna and it was reported as very good. Someone else (a risotto fan) ordered the lobster risotto and she finished off her plate easily and seemed very satisfied. It had a strong taste of corn and bacon, and had a lot of cream. I also had some friends who ordered prime rib, and they thought it was ok but not the best they've eaten. There was also a seafood house special with pesto sauce and the scallops were overcooked and not so good. One person also ordered the lobster gnocchi. He seemed ok with it. I thought it tasted a little bit more starchy than usual, so I can't tell if he was just being polite. The waitstaff were super nice. We had brought our own cake. Normally they charge a plating fee of $2, but since there were so many of us, they dropped it as it didn't seem fair that plating would have upped the price of the cake by more than one half. One of the waiters didn't realize we had a cake in the back, so on his own initiative, after he saw the birthday person opening gifts, he presented her with a free ice cream dessert topped with a candle. I used without any problems four buywithme.com coupons for seven of us, and the meal ended up being about $36 a person for six (we paid for the birthday person). If I actually had seven coupons, we probably would have just be under $30 (and then forced to order drinks all around to try to spend the full amount.) So overall, if you get a buywithme.com coupon it is an amazing deal. You'd have to be rolled out in a wheelbarrow considering all the food and drinks you would get. But I do agree that without the coupon, the place is a tad overpriced for the quality and ambiance (can't complain about quantity though). For just a few dollars more, a lot of the menu items are charging Mamma Maria and Taranta prices--and those restaurants have definitely fancier ingredients and preparations, and a more romantic and intimidate atmosphere.
(4)
Lynda M.

If I could give this place and their staff 10 stars, I would. My husband and I hosted our wedding dinner here at their Tuscan Room last weekend. We invited 23 of our nearest and dearest. The room was perfect, intimate seating with backlighting and soft music. The manager Jim, and planner Janelle were exceptional, not to mention the very attentive waitstaff. We had a seating plan and each guest got an individual name tag, and the menus were printed with our names and our event. Very classy!!!!!! We chose a pre-fixed 3 course meal, which included a seared Tuna, a grilled Chicken and Filet Mignon. We added bottles of wine for the tables (a delicious Syrah and Pinot Noir) . The food was AMAZING, my friends are still talking about the creamy polenta, and the filet marinade. It was simply to die for. Throw in a molten chocolate cake, and tiramisu, and all were happy. It made for a very memorable evening, and did not break the bank--VERY affordable. So if you need to throw a private dinner party, this is the place!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Ash T.

very, very ordinary italian food. well what do you expect, it is in fanueil hall.
(2)
Helen L.

I went for lunch. There weren't a lot of people there so it was nice. The inside decor was very unique. It wasn't too upscale nor was as casual as, say, PF Changs. I had their sandwich combo and it was delicious. Although I love sandwiches from Subway so I don't see the point of paying $10-15 for one at Rustic Kitchen. But I can see it being a nice place to go out to eat if you don't want to spend too much money.
(2)
Nic A.

This place had so much potential, and it really wasn't bad, except that they brought me the wrong dish and overcharged us. There's really no excuse for that. I might try it again someday, but for now there are lots of other restaurants in Boston that I prefer.
(2)
anthony l.

I went here Saturday night the drinks were good along with the atmosphere but the food did not live up to my expectations or there price tag my veal and wild mushroom raviolis were more like stale triangles with button mushrooms and one oyster mushrooms with a sauce that could have been a little richer i give it an ehh and so did the 12 people i was with
(2)
Jen R.

Food was better than average. Decor is nice. Waitstaff were friendly and nice. Menu was unusual.
(4)
Steve T.

Sadly a disappointment of almost epic proportions..... Service: slow. Food: mediocre at best. Cost: almost stratospheric. Really poor.
(1)
Sally T.

Had a nice casual dinner here. The place is upbeat with modern music playing in the background. The fried calamari and Cesar salad were delicious and the wine was great. Everyone enjoyed their dinners. The service was exceptional. Overall it was a very good experiences.
(4)
Ron K.

Great food! Service was friendly and efficient and decor was very cool. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!
(5)
Jeni F.

The only reason we chose to go to this restaurant is because it was right next to our hotel and it was too cold to walk anywhere farther (yes, I'm so much a baby about cold that I'll forgo my typical restaurant research prior to eating out). It turned out to be a really enjoyable experience. The ambiance is sort of modern Italian and isn't overdone. Sometimes I think the Tuscan theme is taken a little too far in restaurants, but this place did it right and presents a cozy atmosphere. I wanted to try the pizza because of the large wood-fired oven, but I can't go to Boston and not eat seafood, so I ordered the scallops. They were really fresh and perfectly seared. The server was attentive and knowledgeable - he recommended a great wine to pair with my scallops. My dining companions had the tuna and prosciutto-wrapped haddock and I heard no complaints. My only criticism is that the molten chocolate cake was not warm enough and, well, my homemade version is much better. Overall, a great treat.
(4)
jen c.

I don't know why I keep wanting this place to be better. I have gone twice now and the food is decent. For lunch, I had a flatbread pizza that was quite tasty but on the second visit, for dinner, I ordered a forgettable baked rigatoni. The atmosphere and decor is great but the problem is really the service. The wait staff seems to have good intentions but are just consistently awkward and too eager. I actually was presented with a different dish than the one I had ordered. While that's a forgiveable mistake, it was certainly a nuissance as we waited another 15 minutes as my date's entree grew cold!
(3)
Phil D.

whoops, guess reviews have been consolidated. my review refers to the now-closed porter sq. location. It's OK. Definitely overpriced, but the space is nice. I will have to try brunch; I didn't even know they had it! The bread dip is oil and white bean, not cheese (though there may be a touch of cheese in it). It is good though; that's why I asked my server (who was very nice) about it. EDIT: their brunch is great and fairly reasonable. Thanks for the tip!
(3)
Kimby K.

This place was a total shocker- I was expecting 'chain-restaurant' standards. We've now been at least 6x in the last year and take friends all the time. The food is very good, and the prices are reasonable. Good ambience and service. I will warn though that we've been to other locations (ie Hingham) and they were not good at all .. however, Boston is legit. Especially a great option if you're in the theatre district.
(4)
Babs P.

What's the big deal about this place? I went here on a first date and was very disappointed. We ordered the fish special and it was blander than bland, and I felt so bad for my date who was probably trying to impress me with a nice dinner. It's overpriced and overrated.
(1)
L T.

Food is great, a little pricey. Service was good except waiting for drinks and the check at the end for a REALLY long time. We finally tracked her down and handed her the card.
(3)
Ash M.

I wish I could do 2.5 stars. I'll start with the good: the service was very attentive and friendly. We were seated right away, and the location is fantastic. Now the not-so-good: The atmosphere is horrible cheesy (perhaps just not my style), but the lighting (halogen pendant lamps downlighting over every table) is something you never see in true high-end restaurants, it is distracting and creates an atmosphere more suited for business meetings than for a relaxing meal. The food was okay, but should be substantially better for the price. We started with Arancini (described as fried balls of risotto stuffed with mozarella). It wasn't risotto at all- it was plain white rice mixed with shredded mozarella and fried, and then piled on top of some marinara and topped with arugala. Don't call it "risotto" if its just plain white rice, as calling risotto implies a special preparation of rice. I also ordered a porcini mushroom tortellini as my entree, and it was soggy, bland, and the madeira cream sauce was much too sweet. Nobody at our table was thrilled with their meals- the best being just "eh, its okay". Which is fine at Olive Garden prices, but not here, and not in Boston with so many fantastic Italian places to choose from. Again though- I found the service very good, its just unfortunate that the food didn't match up to the service and the prices.
(2)
Greg C.

Okay, let me just say that I'm not hating on this restaurant. I am, however, hating on their macaroni and cheese. It's not that it was bad so much as it was bland. It was like when you burn your tongue on hot coffee and then everything you eat for the rest of the week is like half the flavor that it is normally. That's what it was like. Except I didn't drink any coffee. Aside from that, the place is rather large but is seperated so that it feels small and intimate. Also, there is some model kitchen/sound studio looking area that, while prefectly lit, is not accessible. I kind of wonder what goes on in that room when people aren't dining. Is this where Martha Stewart films her cooking show? If so, where are the arts and crafts tables? To recap, the server we had was a nice, gay man who was uptight in that homosexual server way. Would've been 4 stars but it's way overpriced. Then it would've been only 2 stars, but my water glass was never half empty, as my server was on top of that. Not on top of the glass, on top of keeping it full. It would've broken if he was on top of it. Not to say he was fat, cause he wasn't. But I mean, regardless of weight, you'd probably break a glass if you were on top of it. Right?
(3)
Jackie K.

I went here for a seminar. The wait staff was polite and friendly but passed over giving me water twice. The meal was good, fried calamari was delicious, nicely seasoned and a little kick. The tuna steak was AMAZING. Nice atmosphere but I was not a fan of having to actually leave the restaurant to use the restroom. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Relaxed environment but still good food, I would definitely go again.
(4)
Jen J.

Enjoy a romantic dinner sitting in one of their booths, celebrate with a large group of friends, attend one of their cooking shows, or hang out after work at happy hour. Rustic Kitchen offers a warm and cozy ambience with friendly and attentive service. My friends and I had an early dinner on a Friday night at the Park Square location. We started off with some arancini (rice balls), which were excellent. I had previously tried the Pasta and Clams entree at the Hingham Derby Street location and was sadly disappointed, so I opted for something different, the Wild Boar Ragu with Pappardelle. The pappardelle pasta was a little too thin, but fresh, and the wild boar was much tougher than I expected for something that was slow cooked. However, the flavors of the dish were good. We ended the night sharing a trio of desserts, Black Bottom Creme Brulee, Warm Chocolate Cake, and Tiramasu. The creme brulee was smooth, but a little runny. The chocolate cake was decadent but had the consistency of half-cooked cake batter than actual cake. I'm a big fan of chocolate molten cakes which tend to be extremely moist and fudge-like, but this wasn't the case. Regardless, we finished all the desserts...what do you expect when you put desserts in front of four women!?!
(3)
Denise L.

Had lunch here with my family - food was great!! Service - the worst I have ever had. Waiter could have cared less - forgot our appetizer (place was not busy), never asked us if we wanted more drinks, never asked how our meals were, took a plate away (with food on it) and never asked if they were done, never asked if we wanted dessert, coffee or anything. Hostess was about as bad - I hope the dinner service is better!
(2)
Ashley M.

This is a good sampling of what Todd English can do - but for the real deal check out the more extensive menu at the Rustic Kitchen in Hingham. I promise its worth the drive.
(3)
Anuj S.

I came to the Rustic Kitchen on a Tuesday evening, and it was pretty much empty. However, since there was no hostess there at the time, we still had to wait a little while to get a seat. The decor at the restaurant isn't anything great or special, but still some what comfortable. The waitress (who was great) recommended a really nice bottle of wine, and she started us off with the caesar salad which was also really good (it actually comes in a taco shell type of bowl, which was kind of cool cause it added a nice little crunch to to the salad). I ordered the baked rigatoni, and the chef was nice enough to change up the sauce to give it a little more of a spicey kick when I asked. However, the dish itself was kind of boring. The portions are generous, but I don't think they're worth the price. By the looks of it, I think this would be a much better place to come after work for drinks and a little bit of happy hour food. They have a bar inside the restaurant as well. In general, it isn't a bad place. The food is decent, the portions are generous. However, there wasn't anything about the place that set it apart. Just blah.
(3)
jkhkjh j.

Wow... I think this place is worth a try. I have only been here once but was very pleased. The calamari is excellent and extremely unique. The dip for the bread is also tasty, a mixture of oil & cheese. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable... less than 10 for the app. maybe 15 for the meal? Also, nice setting... very cozy, good for a date!
(4)
Gourmet G.

If it wasn't for this restaurant's prime location - with its constant flow of tourist traffic - it's not likely the place would survive. Unsuspecting out-of-towners are lured by an eclectic menu offering the likes of Gorgonzola-stuffed figs and honey-roasted pears, and a centerpiece wood oven one expects is capable of turning out savory roasted and grilled meats and seafood. The outdoor patio is also appealing in warm weather. What looks good on the surface, however, is a far cry from the reality underneath. The food is mediocre at best. The salad greens were tired, their dressing bland. Salmon was bone-dry and flavorless, its only saving grace the large capers with it. They inexplicably had run out of bread, in an area spittin' distance from some of the best bakeries in the city. Service was excrutiatingly slow and inattentive; it took three requests before water glasses were refilled. And the alfresco dining wasn't much of a treat after all, given the noise of the street performers. It wouldn't surprise me to discover that there wasn't one local among the crowd, because those in the know know enough to stay away.
(2)
Monica B.

I took my fiance here for his birthday dinner and had a lovely tasty dinner. We had the apulian style veal meatballs, Lobster Carbonara and Filet Mignon. The meatballs and filet mignon were delicious. My fiance wished the sauce in the carbonara wasn't that thick. My blueberry mojito was very well made and the wine was also very good. Overall, great dinner!
(4)
Wayne Z.

Solid 3.5 stars, and could easily be better with just slightly better service. I came around 9:30 this past Saturday evening after a show at the theater with 4 others. Quickly got seated but it took a little bit for our waitress to come by for drinks, so we ended up ordering drinks and food at the same time. After that is when things got a little sour for me personally. I had asked for a lime w/my original drink, it didn't come with one. I later asked for one, only to have to wait another 10+ min before waitress came through and realized I'd never gotten it and finally brought me one. Throughout dinner, I had to also ask for water on 2 occasions, which are just basic things I expect of most places I eat, much less slightly more upscale places, especially when they aren't all that busy. All that aside, food itself was very good. Everyone in our party enjoyed our meals, I ordered the veal meatloaf and while the mashed potatoes were a bit meh, the meatloaf itself was quite a delight and one hell of a heaping portion as well. Overall, I'd give this place another shot as it easily could've gotten 4 stars from me.
(3)
Stacey G.

This is a gem in Boston's theatre district. The decor and atmosphere is warm and romantic. They have a brick oven with dried pasta on display. They also host the "cooking show" so you can see that area set up. The pastas are homemade! The staff is great. When you sit down at the table they bring you bread and a warm white bean hummus dip- must try! I have ordered the roasted lemon pepper salmon here it was good; not the best I've ever had but very good. Next time I am going to try a pasta dish. Overall, 4 stars. I've been here twice- once on a date and once in a group. It's great for both settings and everyone enjoyed the food! I will definitely return soon.
(4)
Brett P.

We took my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, who were visiting from Florida and staying at The Four Seasons a few blocks away, here for dinner. We had made a reservation but being a Tuesday night, it didn't look like we needed one, as there were many empty tables. A complimentary white bean spread with four chunks of focaccia was a welcome and tasty start. The wine list was decent and a Tuscan sangiovese/merlot/cabernet blend was a good choice and not overpriced at $35. I started out with the summer panzanella salad. It was a big portion and pretty heavy with the addition of extra ingredients like corn for what I usually expect to be a light, refreshing, salad, but it was good. I thought it a bit odd that they used larger toasted crostini rather than small pieces of day-old bread, which is the traditional recipe. I am a fresh pasta freak so I zeroed right in on the house-made chive gnocchi as my main dish. They were properly light and toothsome, but suffused with too much crumbled sausage, which overwhelmed the delicate pasta and made for a very heavy dish. My wife had the duck breast and found it pretty decent, but was puzzled with the inclusion of what looked and tasted like a few elongated tater tots as a side. My brother-in-law enjoyed his dish, pesto salmon, as did my sister-in-law, with a petite filet cooked as specified and served with a side of beautiful, lightly-sauteed, bright green broccolini. We finished off the meal with some very good coffee drinks, too full to even consider dessert. Service was pleasant, attentive and prompt, water glasses were kept filled, and plates cleared promptly. The lighting was a bit bright in my opinion for a slightly upscale restaurant, and the too-loud alternative rock being played on the sound system was baffling and seemed out of place, even though I love The Smiths, who were playing as we got ready to leave. It was a decent meal, and not crazy expensive, about $200 for four people, with tip, but I probably would not return. They didn't do anything terribly wrong, but it just wasn't distinctive or memorable enough, or a good enough deal, that I would be interested in another visit.
(3)
Elaine A.

I've never had a good experience here. First time, unnattentive waitstaff. Second time, delivered the wrong order. Third time (my company uses this place for work functions), they literally rolled garbage through the dining room during lunch and the place smelled like garbage the rest of the meal. I had to come back for a social function recently. The mushroom ravioli was okay, but not worth the $2.50 per ravioli proce tag! I ordered the stuffed haddock which was dry, tough, and flavorless. Somehow my asparagus was charred on the outside, and raw on the inside. The mashed potatoes were good but the butter sauce was too rich to even use. There are many good restaurants around, skip this one and save yourselves and your taste buds a bad night.
(1)
Jane D.

I am writing this review only about the bar service. I heard people saying they enjoyed the food and I liked the atmosphere. The bartender was horrible. Does anybody offer water in this city? I had to flag my bartender down for a drink and there were only 4 of us at the bar, so it wasn't busy. I finished my drink and would have ordered more if she ever came to check on me but she didn't.
(2)
Jaclyn S.

I came here with a large group of friends. The place is large, so it's definitely equipped to handle larger parties. We got the eggplant and Italian spring roll appetizers. While I enjoyed both, I preferred the eggplant. Most of my friends ordered from the drink menu, but I stuck with a couple glasses of red wine (Montepulciano). I had the chive gnocchi with crumbled sausage. If you like sausages peppers and onions then you would love this dish. It was a very heavy dish, so much so that I was offering it to others at the table to help finish it. A couple of my friends ordered the veal meatloaf, salmon, hangar steak and wild boar lasagna. Everyone seemed to like their meal. I love Italian food and while this wasn't top of the line compared to some of the places I've gone, I still thought the food was quite tasty. Some of the dishes were so hearty, that I got a comfort food type of vibe. For desserts we shared the tiramisu, some butterscotch thing and a chocolate mousse cake. I didn't care for the tiramisu but loved the other 2. In terms of price, I thought the prices were reasonable. Overall, I really don't have any complaints and would come back.
(3)
V M.

We were a bit surprised that there are no pastas or main dishes on the lunch menu. Once we got over that, we thoroughly enjoyed the thin crust pizza & the grilled pear salad with gorgonzola is to die for. Good service too.
(4)
Rachel R.

Came here without a reservation (last minute dinner idea) for NYE in the city. Staying at the W a minute or two away, it seemed perfect for the dinner we were longing for that night; a bit more up scale, relaxed, and pricey while being a brief walk on account of being bare legged with heels in 20 degree weather. We waited about a half hour inside and the hosts did a great job of trying to find us bar seats, very kind of them. We ended up getting seated in the booth we had wanted, a great view of the whole main room. I had ordered the wedge salad (chicken added) with a delicious, creamy Gorgonzola dressing. It was just amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed this salad, very filling and flavorful. Fresh, crunchy insides of the lettuce, just wonderful. My love had ordered the baked rigatoni with sausage. We watched this get pulled right from the brick oven in a personal little skillet, a very hearty and savory dish this was. Waitress had mentioned the pasta is made fresh daily, that is for sure noticeable upon eating. The bread and the oiled white bean dip was also wonderful, might I add. All over great dining experience. Cannot wait to return to enjoy this salad again, and also the baked macaroni and cheese.
(5)
John M.

This is the third time that my wife and I have come to see Liz marvel us, not only with her charm and infectious smile, but also with her tasty dishes and choices of wine. Last night we took our friends out for the first time and the baby back ribs, white wine and cornbread were all perfect. We will definitely be back again.
(5)
AJ M.

Rustic Kitchen is a solid choice for food in the theater district. I visited on a Tuesday night with friends to grab dinner while they were working an event at Emerson College. Despite the high number of restaurants in this area, the number of quality, affordable restaurants is low, making Rustic Kitchen a consistent option. In terms of drinks, avoid the cocktail menu. They have a good selection of wines and the bar is good at drinks to order, but their cocktails were not very inspired nor were they well mixed. My martini with a "splash" of sour mix tasted more like a sour patch kid. For meals my friends ordered the stuffed halibut which they said was very good, they cleaned their plates! I ordered the hanger steak with Parmesan truffle fries and arugula salad. The steak was well cooked and had a decent flavor, very typical American fare. Good, but not memorable. Overall I think Rustic is a great choice for classic American and Italian dishes, with a lovely atmosphere and attentive staff. It's generic, but not heavy, family style eating like most of the chain restaurants in the area.
(3)
Patricia M.

This place is a joke. I ordered the butternut squash soup and some type of pear salad. I figured, can't go wrong... Pretty safe food choices. Nope. The soup was bland and the salad had way too many flavors going on. On top of that, the salad was more like lettuce, cheese, ham and a pear cut in half. I would have thought the pear would somehow be integrated in the salad... Nope. It was not. If I wanted an entire pear, I would have gone to the market for one. I left feeling disappointed.
(1)
Dana W.

Stopped in for a quick bite before heading to a meeting. The place was empty at lunch. Staff is very friendly and attentive and the food came out quickly. Again, I was 1 of 3 tables, and the other parties had their meals, so not sure if the good service was due to lack of clientele. The tuna melt was delicious Not too much mayo/moist and the side of fries was crisp and tasty. It is attached to the hotel where I am staying, so I will likely eat here again. No complaints, just don't think I would search it out with all the other places to try in the Theatre district.
(3)
app P.

I was not expecting much given that it was in a hotel and few of my friends had even heard of Rustic Kitchen. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Great way to start the evening before seeing a show at the Wilbur. To start, my friend ordered the (in-house) infused grapefruit vodka martini, I had the pineapple. Subtle and delicious! We were starving and figured the tuna tartare would make it to the table quickly and it did. Delicious tartare with avocado and some sort of delicious glaze. We then split the Caesar salad and Chive Gnocchi. Oh wow. The Caesar is served in a huge parmesan crisp bowl (saved that for last!) The chive gnocchi was divine -- broccolini, sausage and puffs of gnocchi. Our second and final cocktail was the "El Pepino." Folks, this is the best deal in Boston -- 12 bucks for tequila, cucumber, lime juice .. and a garnish of (jalepeno?) pepper slices. Our waitress kind of snickered when I ordered it and now I know why. Probably the strongest drink I've had in recent memory. (And delicious to boot!) Highly recommend Rustic Kitchen!
(4)
Sharada D.

On New Year's Eve, Four of us went for dinner. All of us requested vegetarian variations of the entrees on the menu. We were delighted by the chef's imaginative presentation of the items. The pasta was cooked Al Dente, the sauces were cooked to perfection and the food was very tasty. I suggest that the chef mark the items with a letter V to indicate a Vegetarian option for these entrees. We will definitely come back. Sharada Durvasula
(4)
Otis H.

We had an absolutely stellar time here. This was our post-Blue Man Group dinner on a Saturday night. We made reservations through OpenTable and it went through without a hitch. in fact, we ended up there about 35min early and they were still able to get us to our table. I had specifically requested to sit close to the oven because of the raw/cold weather and they didn't disappoint. Service was pleasant, if a bit on the slow side. Food was excellent. We started off with the house made Mozzarella Burrata. It was exceptional. Super fresh with just the right amount of acid and different textures. The mains were not different. The wife got the Beef Stroganoff and I went with the Wild Boar lasagne. It was one of those things where you see the plate come out and you think "I can polish that off in 10min", but was actually a HUGE portion. Flavors were fantastic. Dessert was just OK. Creme Brulee was passable, but the chocolate mousse cake was a bit gritty. Would definitely recommend for the entrees though.
(4)
Kim C.

Excellent meal; the appetizers were filling and could have sufficed for dinner. Everything was delicious and the service was attentive. Have already told my son that this is where I would like to go for my birthday in September!
(5)
M B.

Overpriced and not that great. Sort of wins on location, but otherwise would be out of business.
(2)
Anna C.

Visiting Boston our first night we decided to try out something close by to our hotel. The ambiance was very nice they sat us at quiet and intimate booth. We never felt rushed all throughout dinner which was nice since we were celebrating our anniversary. Our waitress Lina was super nice and attentive. We started off with the burrata and the Italian spring rolls for appetizers. The burrata plate was colorful and full of flavor. The pesto beneath the burrata was so creamy and delicious as was the thinly fried eggplant. The blistered cherry tomatoes went so well with a smear of the burrata on garlicky crostini. The spring rolls said to be a specialty were just ok. The burrata plate is where it's at! For dinner I had the chive gnocchi with crumbled sausage and broccolini - the gnocchi light pillows of pasta in a savory and slightly spicy sauce of toasted breadcrumbs olive oil and peppers. My husband enjoyed his braised short rib stroganoff - Creamy yet light mushroom sauce over ribbons of pasta with fall off the bone short ribs - I had a bite myself and regretted not choosing that dish! Dessert was a trio of gelato and biscotti - simple but a great ending to a wonderful meal. Their cocktails are killer too!
(4)
I. H.

Went there before a show in the Theater District. The food was bland. Completely flavorless with not even a hint of salt. My steak was over cooked. I ordered it medium rare it came to the table well done. My fiance got a pasta dish, also bland. The sauce tasted like canned tomato sauce. And it's all over priced. Not going back.
(1)
Tim M.

Fun, lively, and inviting atmosphere. Good food with healthy portions. Full bar with plenty to offer.
(4)
Ami O.

Love this place!!!! Me and the husband were waltzing around the city looking for a nice place to dine, and happened upon Rustic Kitchen. We were beckoned by its warm glow and seated promptly. Our waitress was charming, she came by the table several times and seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say. The bartender at one point made my drink too strong (imagine nail polish remover strong), so the waitress, knowing his reputation, asked me about it specifically and then asked him to make me a different one with less of a kick OTH. Honestly, the service alone is worth revisiting. The atmosphere was cozy chic, the drying pasta added authenticity to our experience. We opted for a cozy booth and spent a great deal of time enjoying our meal. I had the butternut squash mezzaluna, which was delicious, creamy and makes my mouth water when I think about it to this day. My hubby ordered the mac and cheese and devoured it. We also had the crunchy aracini for our appetizer. A very vegetarian friendly meal. Definitely go there for a nice dinner and friendly service.
(5)
Nathan B.

We tried twice in the same day for a meal here and were greeted both times with such appalling manners that we left. The three hostesses were as friendly as one can ask after having to interrupt them from their personal conversation to get a table. Then, after a second attempt at this place (in their defense, it was 20 minutes before last call), the bartender was so obviously ready to leave that she was purposefully abrasive and offensive. Her words were forcedly polite, but the tone and mannerisms were clearly negative. The menu looks terrific. The smells were promising. The staff is repulsive. Steer clear. Boston is a big city with many options. Don't settle for embarrassingly rude service when you can find 7 other restaurants within a two block radius that will gladly seat and serve you.
(2)
Donna S.

Me and my girlfriends went here for dinner before a show. I had a Harvest Margarita to start. Weeks later I am still thinking about the crisp, not too sweet, potent glass of deliciousness. I could have drunk these like Koolade all night but when I stood up after the second one I realized I might not be able to make it around the corner to the theater if I did. Our waiter Nick was great, attentive but not hovering. We were there over 2 hours eating, drinking and laughing and he didn't hurry us along at all. We made a meal of appetizers and had the veal meatballs, Foie Gras, Arachini, Mozzerella Burrata and Calimari. Everything was prepared perfectly and we didn't leave much on the plates Because we were already splurging we got several desserts to share; creme brulee, mini canollis and of course something chocolate. Again we ate nearly everything. I will be back to try something off the actual dinner menu sometime hopefully soon.
(5)
DezandJohn P.

We ate here twice on our visit to Boston and both times were amazing. The service was good, the ambiance is beautiful. The first night we had the grilled pear salad and the baby spinach salad. Both were filling and delicious. We came back the next night and split a margarita pizza and dessert and loved it! If you are in the area we recommend this place.
(5)
Kirsten M.

We were concerned because it appeared to be attached to the revere hotel. (Hotel restaurants can be sub par). But, in fact this was fabulous. Spring rolls were amazing, boar lasagna delicious and our kids meals were over the top. The waitress who helped us rocked and overall the experience was one of the best we've had a as a family in a long time!
(5)
Sheila R.

Excellent food and atmosphere! You can see where the food network show is taped right next door. The food was excellent, wine list very nice and kids menu was good too. It's a step away from the Revere Hotel in the Theater District. Highly recommend this establishment!
(5)
Nicole P.

Nice ambiance. Good food. I would go back again. The salmon entree was very very good. Cooked perfectly.
(4)
Ashley N.

Came here for a quick drink. Had their bloody mary which was a different kind. It was on the spicier side but I liked it. A fan of it. The vibe of the place was very cute and I would come back here for dinner. Seems like you can have a really chill night here with a friend or take a date on here. I liked the scene.
(4)
Tony V.

Great atmosphere, rustic look represted well with my he name.. Had the tuna which was great but they are known for their pasta.
(5)
Kim B.

I am ambivalent about my experience here. I am sure it could be great.. but the night we went in something was just very off. We were a group of 3, with one more coming. It was a Thursday night, maybe around 7:30. We walked in, and were greeted with a very warm, beautiful scene. They have private alcoves of booths for those on a date, and a wide open fire where everything- even the pastas- are cooked. It is extremely inviting, upscale, and romantic. There were about 3 tables full, and all others were empty. The hostess said that it was about a 20 minute wait due to reservations.... we were a tad confused since there were SO many tables open. As we waited, we noticed that many of the tables were dirty and had not been cleaned... maybe they were short staffed that night and the turnover was slow.. but she had told us our wait would be due to reservations, not dirty tables. We asked her if we could have a spot close to the fire (there were about 5 tables open near it), and after she rejected that idea, we asked if we could sit in a private booth. She also rejected that. We asked her how we could ever get one of those tables, and she simply said- if we make reservations. Eventually she sat us in the coldest, furthest table. I will note, the restaurant NEVER got even close to full. We got drinks, and split a fig pizza, cheese pizza, and baked rigatoni. The food was absolutely delicious. I will say, I would of loved to try about 209348 other things on the menu. Also, bread ranking =10/10. It was homemade, with bits and pieces of garlic, cheese and peppers in it. We got about 4 baskets of bread. I would like to go back, and hope that it was just that one night where the service was abohorable. The food, bread, and drinks were definitely 5 stars. I just can't rank this higher until I try it again for a service ranking.
(3)
Danielle K.

Full disclaimer: five stars goes to The Cooking Show with Liz, that part of the night was absolutely PHENOMENAL. Such a great set up, perfect food, perfect entertainment. All around five stars. My boyfriend and I bought both of our parents tickets (not cheap by the way) and it was worth every penny. HOWEVER after the show, all six of us headed to the bar for an after dinner drink and this is where everything turned sour. Four of us were sitting at the seats provided by the bar, two of us standing directly behind. The manager came up, and immediately chastised us telling us were breaking fire codes and that we need to clear a path between the seats and those standing. At this point, the bar was empty. At any point, anyone would be able to walk through, but for some reason we were targeted as being "disruptive" to the restaurant. We moved however the manager still continued to belittle us and make us feel unwelcomed. After ONE drink, they came over and asked us to leave because they can no longer serve us (each of us had one glass of wine??) and that we were disruptive to the restaurant. After spending $630 in tickets for the cooking show, we regret every penny we spent here and will absolutely NEVER be back to a place that disrespected me and my guests in this manner. Spend your money elsewhere As to the chef Liz: we encourage you to work for an establishment that respects your costumers as much as we respect you.
(1)
Maricar V.

rustic kitchen was across the hotel were staying at so it was an easy find! this place was cozy so we decided that we would try it out for our first boston meal! at our table: fried calamari grilled chicken club sandwich with fries spinach salad the best part of our brunch was the fried calamari! it was fresh and tender, lightly fried and tossed with a creamy tangy sauce, baby arugula, jalapeÃ±os, and pine nuts. DELISH! .... and to my surprise, it was a really generous portion! there was a lot if calamari!!! the rest of our meal was just ok in comparison... if you happen to be passing by, stop in and check it out -- order the calamari!! my stars in this review are definitely dedicated to them!
(3)
Wini P.

Has anyone ever heard of a Restaurant doing this? Good afternoon Wini, "Hope all is well. I have another group willing to book the Wine Room on Marathon Monday for a $600 Food Minimum. I am giving you the opportunity to match this or we will place your reservation in the Main Dining Room. Please advise, Special Events Manager" I had a business meeting planned for 6 people and we go this email telling us we were out of the space as someone with more money was coming in. Just curious
(1)
Ash T.

A lovely location but.... Visited the rustic kitchen 3 nights ago - this was a visit after being bumped from the hotel we were staying in after they overbooked! The food was of good quality - although I think I was quite overpriced for what you got. We had meatballs to start that we're not seasoned at all & quite a bland tomato sauce. We then had the scallops risotto & lobster carbonara. The carbonara was lovely & the egg perfectly cooked, the scallops nice but the risotto a bit to heavy. Out server was good but no idea re the wines and at $45 + a Bottle we expected better. Overall we left feeling full but underwhelmed & would not have been happy to pay $165+ for the meal. Good but could do better.
(3)
Matthew Z.

Decent food but the 25% markup for the Boston Marathon was uncalled for. Atmosphere is meh.
(2)
Robin A.

Food was great. Expectations were exceeded for this dining experience. Usually the prices are high with portions tiny, but Rustic Kitchen is not the typical downtown tourist trap. Delicious meals at a reasonable price that didn't leave us scrounging for bread sticks. Dinner for 4 with appetizers, drinks and desserts was $225.
(4)
Shaina P.

I feel in love with the Rustic Kitchen when it was located in Fanueil Hall and Porter Square. I fell out of love with the Rustic Kitchen when it opened in Stuart Street and I discovered Carmen of the North End. Also, this is an Opentable.com restaurant. FOOD Has been inconsistent. I am fairly stubborn when I find a meal to die for. The first time I ate the shrimp spaghettini dish, I was hooked. The shrimp were plump and flavored well, but the real kicker was the homeade spaghettini. It was garlicky and buttery and tender and tasted homeade. So, being such a fan of this one dish, I continued to get it... Sadly, some days the shrimp was fishy and overcooked. In fact 3 out of 5 times I ordered the dish, it was overcooked. This is not what I consider a good record for the restaurant. I have also tried dishes ordered by friends: the pumpkin ravioli was way too sweet and could have passed for dessert and the veal was unexciting. On the other hand, the agnolotti dal plin is an excellent dish to try and the baked rigatoni will last you a week. The fried calamari is an excellent dish as well. And the pizzas... MENU ISSUES Another thing I noticed is that their online menu is never the same as what they have at the restaurant. Maybe the menu changes at the venue but isn't updated online, who knows. It's just a disappointment when you get excited about a dish that isn't at the restaurant once you get there... MARTINI Their beefeater dirty martini is my favorite in town until I ordered one from Abe & Louies! ATMOSPHERE Accomodates family, friends, large parties, and dates. It's well lit and spacious. Generally a cool place, would be fun for happy hour. There's also some sort of cooking school-like thing in the back, which I'm dying to get more info about. Anyway, haven't been in a while so maybe they've improved?
(3)
David B.

The food tasted great. I was hooked on the olives they give you while you're food is being prepared. Next time, I'll get more. Very nice atmosphere. This place is on my list for date night.
(4)
Katy F.

I was just thinking about how I wanted to check this place out when a Buy With Me $50 for $25 daily deal showed up in my inbox. A few friends and I scooped them up and set a date. We had a reservation pretty early in the evening on a Thursday and decided to meet at the bar for drinks first before dining. The place was pretty empty, but when the final member of our party arrived we were rushed to our seats. "Can't we just sit here and finish our drink first?" we asked. "I'd really like to seat you now," was the reply. Ok... We were seated at a nice high top table. I really liked the ambiance and decor of this place. But really, that was about it. Actually, I take that back. Our waiter was really nice too, despite service being incredibly slow. I'm not sure if it was the bar or kitchen's fault, but how it takes 20+ minutes and 2 reminders to pour a glass of champagne will remain a mystery to me. We got the Fig Preserve Pizza to start. Delicious. Favorite dish of the night. The bread basket was brought out after our app arrived. Poor timing. It looked tasty but we were too involved with the pizza by that point to pay proper attention to it. Between the four of us we had the Baked Stuffed Cod (looked good, but unexciting), the Lobster Risotto (fine, but didn't knock my socks off), Pan Roasted Duck (I love duck. I get it a lot and I've definitely had better. Most of it was too grizzly to eat.), and the Bolognese. The Bolognese hands down won my Food Envy award for the night. The phrase "it MELTS in your mouth" was uttered at least 5 times. Amazingly delicious, unfortunately my friend who ordered it had some serious stomach troubles later on that night. Was it the bolognese's fault? Who knows. But I probably wouldn't get it again and take the risk. With the BWM coupons we all ate and drank for $30 a pop, which was incredible. And there was no push back on using the vouchers, which I always appreciate. 5 stars for that, but 2 stars for everything else.
(2)
Eric F.

Dropped by for happy hour back on Thursday and it wasn't bad. Interior's quite nicely done and the free chips were fantastic XD Tried the 2007 14 Hands Merlot and 2008 Hall Sauvignon Blanc, both were decent with the latter having a more mineral-y flavor to it than its counterparts. The selection of happy hour appetizers for $5.95 was on the limited side and the mini-burgers and veal meatballs that my friends ordered were nothing out of the ordinary according to them. As for the service, the guy did an okay job though he was a bit sluggish at times. He also seemed to have some trouble realizing that there were four people in my party as he completely overlooked one of us when taking our orders.
(3)
Nicole T.

Food and service were excellent. Italian spring rolls and tuna tartare,were great and they were very big portions. Also a huge fan of the pan seared duck breast with duck confit ravioli.
(4)
S G.

I love this restaurant. Its one of my favorite restaurants in the city. We've been on multiple occasions and have never been disappointed. The service is good, the drinks are better (highly suggest the Grape Santini martini) and the food is delicious!
(5)
Ligaya T.

Never made it past the bar. And let me tell you, the cocktails are spectacular. My winglady had the 'Cranberry Bog' with vodka and white cranberry and myself the a pomegranate margarita. The bartender was a true alchemist, combining common ingredients that I've had elsewhere with little wow. The whole was def more than the sum of the parts. She also personalized it by doing a half sugar, half salt him. Perfect balance of sweet and sour, given depth by the salt. Ambiance is comfortable, gorgeous fireoven for flatbreads, a beautiful sunlit atrium and an array of lamps that would make Restoration Hardware jealous. Oh and cool stained glass door. Love the wine labels on the wall, wonder who did this first, Les Zyg? Makes me think of the t-shirt that shows a chicken crossing her arms and an egg looking content in bed which reads "I think I did." Forgive my digression. Let's see, important stuff... The hostess was sweet. Large enough to accomate groups. Smelled divine, made me hungry so I came home and devoured a pan of casserole cuz my friend wouldn't eat there with me. I'll be back around to smack my jaws.
(4)
Francisca W.

(review dated 11/07): go there periodically w/coworkers for happy hour. enjoyed their bar, enjoyed their drinks & food, but have had more than one not-too-happy experience w/the people. first time it happened, a bartender was VERY verbally grumpy about having to make apple martini for a patron (my colleague) who ordered it. and just recently we were not feeling very welcomed on premise because: 1). our group size might have gotten too big at the bar which might have disturbed or otherwise inconvenienced their dinner patrons; and 2). later i heard there might have been a dispute on the bill bc there were so many of us ordering from everywhere and on top of it some stranger bought us all a round of drinks which might have complicated the calculation. another thing, one side of the bar (facing the dinner tables) has way too little room to wiggle around. there is literally no place to situate our bags and coats, and merely our behinds. however, if the section by the street w/full-length glass is actually not booked for a party or event, it is indeed a nice place to hang. in any case, with all the bummers, not sure if we would go back still coz i'm personally against bad service. i still love their cranberry bog (martini) though, and sangria is delectable. thin-crust pizza & their risotto balls (arancini?) are also good. :) (updated in 2009) went back a few more times, usually during happy hour. food and drinks still good; service varies. p.s. some pictures posted here (ones on storefront) is NOT on the current location. 210 stuart st is right by the radisson hotel in theater district; pictures posted seem to be near mass ave near symphony.
(3)
Cat S.

Ordered seared ahi tuna salad - pretty good. Hanger steak - pretty damn good. Stuffed chicken - very good & bone in rib eye very good. Lastly butterscotch budino good but very sweet. Good food, definitely would come back.
(4)
Jeff W.

I gotta hand it to this place... I was not sure what to expect making a post show reservation somewhat blindly (allowing yelpers to be my guide). Rustic kitchen definitely has a chain vibe, but the menu was interesting and the quality of the food was surprisingly good. I won't nick pick for what it is, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to a visitor or even if I needed to entertain a family friendly crowd. Service was very attentive and pleasant.
(4)
Cat L.

Stopped in for dinner at Rustic Kitchen the other night, and it turned out to be a pleasant experience. I must say, my friend and I looooved the white bead dip that came with the bread! Super tasty, and a nice change of pace from regular old olive oil. I tried the shrimp spaghettini, which was decent. The shrimps were a good size, but a touch overcooked for me. The pasta was fine. A little creamier that I thought it would be, and I didn't like the addition of cherry tomatoes (they were mealy - eeew). Portions are HUGE, so be prepared for that. My friend's a vegetarian, and they were kind enough to do the gnocchi with just the marinara sauce. Several options for wine by the glass, and a decent beer selection. Service was a little spotty; our waiter seemed to disappear for a while, and it took a bit to actually get our check. While the spoonless bowl is a cute idea, I'm pretty sure I'd rather just have a spoon.
(3)
andrew m.

I would actually give 0 starts if possible since I was never actually waited on! My wife and I sat at the main bar to drag a drink and were completely ignored. We waited for over 10 mins for the bar tender and decided to leave. The bar tender and a bunch of the waitresses were all clustered together at the other corner of the bar having a conversation that was more important than waiting on customers. The worst part is they all made eye contact with us and decided to just keep talking with each other!!
(1)
Bret C.

3.5 stars. Solid focaccia bread to start - awesome! Service was good and the food was solid. Perhaps a bit pricey for what you get and where you are. There are a ton of different things from steak (which was very good - try the jus sauce) to salads to burgers to pizzas to pasta. I'll have to give it another shot and try a few more things. I really like the atmosphere here - different areas of the restaurant have different feels. The main room with the fire really seems to be the best. I'd definitely come back for a second try!
(3)
Angelina C.

Cheesecake factory carnival decor aside, this place is delicious. The pumpkin agnolotti that sat aside my turkey milanese was the most incredible thing I have eaten. . .at least within the past month. I have no idea why the "Home of the Cooking Show" sits mostly empty, but do stop in if you're in the neighborhood.
(4)
Edi D.

I thought this was a great lunch spot on a cold Boston day. It feels very snug and cozy inside. I personally wasn't a huge fan of the club sandwich but that was probably my fault--I don't especially enjoy chicken breast in sandwiches. My cousin ordered a salad and it looked amazing--fresh, big, and creative. The fries were a hit. The prices were reasonable. The waitress was friendly. The ambiance was nice. Everything I could hope for from a leisurely lunch. Also, it was so nice that they validate parking--my cousin drove in from out of town and had a free place to park in the heart of the city!
(4)
Ken M.

We came here on the Friday of restaurant week. I've never been to a restaurant on restaurant week so I didn't really know what to expect. It was my sister's birthday, so there were 8 of us in our party, apparently that was our first mistake, because it means that service went down the toilet for the guaranteed 18% gratuity. Now, we may look kind of young, and maybe this is why we were treated so poorly, but we are all 25 (my sister was turning 25) to 27 years old and all are gainfully employed (what group of 8 20-somethings can you say that about today?), and we were all dressed fairly nicely. So the service was crappy. Fast forward to the food. The antipasti was very good, and the foccacia bread and olives were nice ways to start the meal. Andy's bolognese was very good, and my shrimp were overcooked and a bit fishy. Heather's filet was nice, but one girl didn't get what she ordered, or maybe didn't. She ordered salmon and couldn't figure out if the fish she got was salmon or not...and you should be able to tell. Dessert was a disaster because our waiter just wasn't interested in serving us. I should mention that not one of us ordered off the Restaurant Week menu because it wasn't terribly exciting and we still got poor service.
(2)
Christina A.

So after getting denied from Market for drinks and dessert, we noticed a cute restaurant called Rustic Kitchen. We came inside and were told that we couldn't get a table, those were only for dinner patrons (it was like 10 PM, a bit weird) so we wandered over to the bar. After sitting down, a friendly bartender gave us the drinks and dessert menu. We selected a delicious creme brulee and two martinis--blood orange and white grape. They came out and were delicious--smooth, lightly tangy and chilled. Then another bartender came over and sold us on their infused vodkas--strawberry, blueberry vanilla, pumpkin spice, kiwi-cucumber and grapefruit. We decided to get adventurous at this point and tried the kiwi and pumpkin. So while they were fun ideas, the kiwi tasted like sweet pickles and the pumpkin was a bit too pie-like for me (the strawberry and grapefruit were big improvements). So beyond the denying us a small table after 10 PM, there was one other issue--a mouse. Fortunately I was three martinis in, or I probably would have been a lot less calm about the situation (or eating food I suppose). Little concerning...
(3)
Meredith F.

Rustic Kitchen is a good, dependable Italian chain- I put it on par with Bertucci's. I started at the bar with a delicious strawberry-infused vodka-soda. The vodka was house-made by soaking fresh strawberries in the liquor, and you could definitely taste it in every sip. We got arancini for the table, which were creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside, with a nice thick balsamic drizzle that complimented the salty cheese inside the balls nicely. My entree--hangar steak with roasted garlic and tomato relish--was nicely cooked, if a little lacking in salt. Service was courteous, although our food took a bit long to come out.
(3)
Richard F.

Nothing special. It was expensive and service was slow. Bread was tasty, pasta was solid, and menu had appropriate breadth. Not a bad place to eat, but it doesn't meet the hype. Minor annoyance: by not providing Opentable reservation points. This stinginess, on top of the expensive menu, left a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)
Alain L.

I've been walking past this place for a few days now and I just had to give it a shot. Right off the bat the greeter comes off with attitude "Can I help you?"....I'm like "Yeah, can I get something to eat, sweetheart?". Not too much to ask, when walking into a restaurant, right? Unbelievable. I sit at the bar and it's sort of crowded, lots of conversation going on about seeing plays and other "after eating" activities. None of which I wanted to overhear, it's just the atmosphere. Barkeep pops and takes my drink order and I slide in a salad order knowing there may be wait on food, and there was. They mix a decent cocktail, I have to tell you. So know I'm checking out the ambiance and it's not bad. Tastefully done, I liked their "wine labeled" wall near the bar. I ordered the Caesar's Salad, pretty average. I ordered the pasta bowl with pork and beef, VERY tasty indeed. I've been cutting down on the pasta, but this was really good. So outside of the minor gaffe with the greeter I was pretty happy with my experience here.
(3)
Rachael F.

I'm honestly shocked that the reviews here are so mediocre. I came here for dinner last night with my roommates, and it was fantastic. We all loved our food, I thought my pasta in particular was so good that I kept talking about how flavorful it was long after we left the restaurant. I adore the decor. Our server was so attentive and gave us three rounds of the delicious bread, which we found amusing. Yes, it's a little pricey, but I thought it was well worth it. I have no complaints and I will be back again.
(5)
Spencer N.

One day I said to myself, gee, i would love to find a restaurant that has a really contemporary yet old wine cellar ambiance, good Tuscan/light style Italian food and really strong drinks. Of shit. FOUND IT!!! Who knew there is good food in such a...commercialized area(next to legal seafood, Flemming's, etc) Rustic Kitchen is one of my new favorite finds in the downtown area. I have been here twice and never been let down. My parents and I shared an abundance of drinks which were mixed up at lightning speed. Blood orange martini...faboo. The food is pretty simple, rustic Italian food. The boar sauced pasta might just be the best pasta I have had. However, anything on homemade pasta cant be all bad. The flat iron steak comes with truffled french fries, and diner scallops are on a bed of capers, artichoke hearts, and sun dried tomatoes. I was in salt heaven. To top off the dinner, hand made gelato with biscotti like you have NEVER had. Sliced thin, not overly crunchy(Please, no one likes cuttin their mouth on a fuckin cookie. Cookies are NOT mad to hurt people) The pizza oven is really fun to watch as well. Go and enjoy. Really, it will be your new fave. If not...fine. more food for me
(4)
Amanda G.

I went here on a Friday night with a group of friends. I had the shrimp spaghettini which was your pretty standard version of shrimp scampi. Good, but nothing fancy. I tasted a bit of my friend's mac & cheese -- love the truffle oil. That said, the place was dead. Our reservation was for 7, and we were there until around 8. So while it wasn't late night, it wasn't extremely early either. I thought it was kind of weird for a weekend night. Kind of makes you wonder.
(3)
Betty P.

On service alone, this place tonight would have gotten 1 star. Thank goodness, they have a great chef and I have been here before to know this is a fluke!!! I have been to RK several times for dinner, drinks, and events I coordinated for clients. The special events coordinator, Kristen P., is great to work with and the service is always top-notch! The managers are all really helpful too and the owner Jim Cafarelli is always around, usually assisting with the tapings in the kitchen studio. Our server, Jonathan, never introduced himself (only know his name from the check) and brought ONE Restaurant Week menu for a table of six. He did not smile ONCE during the meal which is key to me. You should make people feel warm and welcome at your establishment, not like you'd rather be someplace else and are only doing this job for the tips. One of my friends loved the hummus/olive oil dip and asked for seconds to go with the bread. Well, there are two small pieces of bread left in the basket so you think the server would have known to bring an additional basket to the table with the dip, but no. Hrmm, I guess we can dip our fingers in the dip and eat it off of our hands. Why would we ask for dip if there is nothing to dip in it?!?!?! I recently went to Bertucci's and our waiter there not only brought extra bread as soon as he saw we devoured it, but gave us extra to take home. Surely, RK should be able to match that service. Anyhoooo, again, thank goodness the food redeems itself. From the fresh potato crisps at the bar to the fresh pasta and bread, nothing I have ever had at RK has disappointed me. Tonight, my starter of arancini was DELICIOUS. I've had arancini at many venues, even Fenway Park, and RK's beats out Aramark's dish hands down. The serving was plentiful too! Three huge balls of mozzarella (hey no comments from the peanut gallery) lay underneath a bed of arugula and grapefruit in a decadent mystery sauce. The cheese was melty and gooey and the rice inside the balls was fresh and a good consistency. I won't go into detail regarding all of the courses because I am drooling just thinking about it, but suffice it to say that all 6 of us finished our plates for courses 1, 2, and 3. Not an easy feat when you get such a generous quantity of food! I will definitely come back to RK since the management is great, they handle special events well, and it's a relatively affordable delicious meal. This goes to show you that you need to frequent a place a few times before making a judgment. I would definitely not let tonight scar me and will return to see Jim and my other smiley friends at RK. I will just ask for a different and more competent server next time. I don't recall him even saying thank you at the end of the meal!!! How rude . . .
(4)
Ryan M.

Went to the Rustic Kitchen during the week for lunch and ordered the Smoked Chicken Apple Sausage Pizza [on a paddle]. Best pizza I've had in Boston since moving here a couple years ago. Flavors were balanced, nothing dominated, the crust was crisp, and it's nice to be able to watch the chef cook it at their open pasta bar. I like the ambiance. It's a little chainy, but it blends upscale and rustic pretty well. I didn't have anything else, so 5-stars is just based on the pizza and this one experience. Recommended, though.
(5)
Charlena K.

Review based on bar seating and dining on a Saturday night in February: Good food. Clean restrooms. Reasonable prices. Convenient location, especially if you're a guest at the hotel.
(4)
G Z.

Good pasta for when you just need to eat.
(3)
Kevin H.

Its rare for me to visit a restaurant more than once on a trip but I had to go back to Rustic Kitchen the food was wonderful tbe service phenomenal thank you Nick and Jodie we are coming back to Boston because of you
(5)
R W.

I've been really impressed by the quality of all the food here. There will always be a very hiccups here and there (I've eaten here a lot in the last four months), but they are extremely rare and always graciously remedied. However, the norm is always delicious food, inspired meats, and house made pasta. They keep an awesome staff behind their full bar. Hailey is super great for drinks, and if you want to eat at the bar, she's as good as any waiter, even on busy nights. I'll always definitely number this gem high on my top of the town list!
(4)
Anna C.

The homemade pastas are out if this world. The Butternut Squash Mezzaluna was outstanding!!! Best I've ever had. The others at my table were also raving about the beef stroganoff and the other pasta's. The service was pleasant and prompt.
(5)
Mike H.

Pretty good overall experience here on our overnight stay at the Revere Hotel, but several inconsistencies that weren't expected. Service was, most of all, a disappointment. Very slow, especially in the initial greet time and drink orders, and there weren't many tables occupied. Other tables near us expressed the same concerns. We had the scallops, salmon, and fig & prosciutto pizza for our entrees. Neither fish dish was a bad choice, but they weren't exceptional by any stretch. The fig & prosciutto pizza was slightly problematic; the ingredients were fig preservers (sweet), caramelized onions (burnt sweet), goat cheese (takes on the flavor of other sweet ingredients) and arugula, which should have cut the sweetness, somewhat, if there had been enough of it. The fig preserves with the caramelized onions just set the flavor as nearly too sweet and overpowered the prosciutto, whose saltiness should have cut the sweetness. What sounded like a good idea just didn't, in our opinion, work. (A table adjacent to ours with whom we had struck up conversation during our extended wait times drew the same conclusion about it, sadly.) The decor of the restaurant is really nice. Again, we liked it okay, but the inconsistencies were unexpected. Perhaps it has gotten spoiled because it is attached to the hotel, but it was a little disappointing. I think the menu is ambitious, but someone needs to taste these dishes before deciding they are good ideas. My analysis is that our opinions won't be taken seriously. I'm hoping management will listen here and understand I'm not panning the place. I really wanted to like it. The services and ideas behind the dishes need to catch up with the potential of this place. There are simply too many selections nearby to be dismissively average and ordinary.
(3)
Lene B.

Wow. What a treat. By far the best Italian I've had in a very long time. I ordered the Lobster Carbonara... So fresh and delicious. The bread and white bean dip to start were also wonderful. To drink, I ordered the Pear Martini, the bartender had a heavy pour but I wasn't complaining ;) The drink was still refreshing and tasty. All in all this is a great spot and the ambiance is so classy and quaint!
(5)
Adam E.

I wasn't expecting a lot from Rustic Kitchen, since it feels a bit like a certain mall chain, but I was pleasantly surprised by a creative cocktail list and enormous, delicious drinks. I had two Blood Orange Martinis and that was plenty. I don't know how many ounces they are, but they are hefty. I tried my date's white sangria and it was lovely too. For pre-theater beverages, this joint's bar is the one to hit, no doubt. The arancini appetizer was ridiculous. Perfectly fried and gooey with cheesy rice, just like they should be. The table next to us ordered the veal meatballs which were definitely drool-inducing. I could've (and maybe should've) just ordered a few appetizers and been thrilled with the meal. And more drinks. But I didn't. I ordered the Bolognese, which is normally one of my favorite meals. Theirs was dry and disappointing. The portion size was generous, but it doesn't really matter. My date's Fetuccini Alfredo with shrimp was outstanding. Her dish wasn't listed on the menu, but she asked our server if the kitchen could put something like that together and he obliged happily. Once we had our meals, our server disappeared. I would've probably ordered another drink (whether or not I needed another), and would've definitely had time to enjoy it at a leisurely pace while we chatted. We had to flag him down to clear our dishes and give us our check. I'm patient, but we were waiting at least 45 minutes more than we should have. We were finished, looking around and clearly ready to leave. You could definitely do worse in the Theater District, and if you order the right thing you might get a truly outstanding meal. But I was not impressed with the main event here. Drinks and apps, that's the way to go. And sit at the bar so you can get out of there when you want.
(3)
Diane H.

This place looks really nice on the inside, very big. They do things very slowly though..very slowly... I think our big group of 7 surprised them with no reservations. It took 3 people to put together 2 tables which resulted in an uncomfortable wait time at the front of the host stand. The pizza we ordered was very delicious and i had high hopes that my lobster combo would be amazing, but sadly no. The lobster bisque was getting saltier by the minute..and the top of my tongue was pretty burnt from it. The lobster sandwich smelled pretty fishy when it came to the table and it wasn't fresh lobster...it was overcooked yucky lobster. I told the waitress at the end the lobster bisque was very salty when she asked me if i was finished, and she was like "yes it is." and proceeded to walk away... err yeah the service left a lot to be desired.
(3)
Amy P.

First time diner at this location. Decor was very pretty and restaurant was very comfortable. I had dinner here on Sunday night and had the short ribs they were fabulous. To die for! However, service was a definite issue. 1 server 1 bartender for entire main dining room. Waited 15 minutes at least for my pear martini which was delicious but come on 15 minutes. My friend was done with her meal by the time she got her second diet coke. Not so much the servers fault as she was probably waiting on 10 tables Def understaffed but felt for the money spent service needs improvement. 4 stars for.food and atmosphere. Server was in over her head with no manager in site. Shame on that GM
(4)
John B.

Brought my GF here for her bday and it was a great experience. Started with the Italian spring rolls and they were really good. Had the lobster carbonara and she had a fig and (something) tortellini. We loved our meals. Service was above average (i tipped 35% as it was well deserved) and we had a really great time. Have been raving about it since, cant wait to go back.
(5)
Schardinee F.

I have been here a few times and I always leave satisfied. The food is great. The waitress always is knowledgeable and friendly. The only reason I didn't give all 5 is because I went there once and I had to use the bathroom before we left. When I tried to re enter the restaurant (bathroom is outside of restaurant) all the doors were locked. It worked out in the end when I talked to the guys at valet. That was the only time I was at all displeased.
(4)
Holly S.

A wonderful and delicious restaurant for lunch or dinner. I have been to the hingham location several times and have always left very pleased. The best salmon dinner I have ever have!
(4)
Karen K.

Visiting on business. Just flew in today and weary from travel. My hotel connects and I decided to give it a try. Not bad but nothing special either. I found it interesting when the bartender spoke to me she lost her Boston accent but when speaking to locals it miraculously returned...be real...give me the Boston flair! I had the fig and gorgonzola ravioli...decent but I expected more gorgonzola. The fig was fresh. I was impressed by their house infused vodka as I do that myself. Definitely going to try blueberry and veggie infusions when I get home.
(3)
Lucky D.

Have this one star because there is nothing less. Pasta was bad and under cooked. I love my pasta al dente but this was not that. Also despite my wife telling them she was vegan, they boiled her pasta in fish broth! Fish Broth! Who does that???? Service was good but the kitchen needs to go back to culinary school. Very expensive for such poor quality and flavor profiles.
(1)
Rosie P.

This place is terrible for room service. I ordered a pizza after a long flight and it arrived in my room...cold and totally charred. Room service was great when I spoke to them about this. They took the $33 charge off of my room bill and were very apologetic. I wouldn't recommend Rustic Kitchen for a meal.
(2)
Adriana O.

Best food in Boston! What a great time me and my husband had in here last summer! Highly recommend you to all my friends!
(5)
Penny G.

We had breakfast at the Rustic kitchen more so, we wish we would not have. Usually breakfast is quick, but not here. God help you if you needed anything like butter to help you swallow the petrified bread because it took eternity. The French Toast was dry and nearly flavorless. It was served with cold, undercooked potatoes and chilled bacon. My partner order huevos rancheros it was cold and the ranchero was more like a pomadoro sauce. Once we realized that our dishes were not edible, we decided to pay our bill and choose to leave hungry. Simple enough right? Not a chance. We finally asked the host to retrieve it. I think every restaurant has bad moments, but the fact that no one apologized for the bad service and terrible food was unacceptable.
(1)
Rugby N.

Slow. Slow. Slow. Over cooked my steak as well. Since when is medium pretty much charred? Everything took forever. The mussels app was excellent, however.
(2)
Patrick O.

I am one who doesn't like to try new things or restaurants. I am glad that I stepped outside my comfort zone for Rustic Kitchen. When you walk in there is a warm feeling, bright lights, and good scents. Hailey who waited on us was absolutely phenomenal. Friendly and personable. Always there when we needed her, and not around when we were talking. The food was great, wine list awesome, service will bring us back.
(4)
Ryan O.

Very strange greeting last evening. We were brought into a rather slow dining room with plenty of open tables. We then were lead to a table lacking stemware. The host then asked us to go back to the host station while they set the table, instead of seating us at one of the multiple set tables. I then sat down to a wine glass (that was JUST placed on the table) with food all over it. This is the second time I've been here, and the second time I've had the pan roasted duck. Unfortunately, both times I've been dissapointed. Overcooked, and under seasoned. There was really no balance to the plate, with a very sweet berry sauce, bland mash, and underseasoned greens. The one saving grace was that the eggplant involtini starter was very nicely cooked, and flavorful.
(2)
Matt K.

What struck me as odd about this bar is that it is trying to be rustic in a sleek modern hotel. The two of them don't really work well together. You have to pretend you're nowhere near the hotel I guess. The decor however fails to adequately convey rusticity (is that a word?) We stopped in for drinks. The bartender was very good at what she does, I had a Manhattan, it was well-made. When I suggested making it with a nice bourbon she showed me the single-batch stuff and selected one that she felt was most appropriate. I was so good I had another. The ladies had a fruity special and enjoyed it. Three and a half stars, but not memorable enough for four. There are much more interesting bars in this neighborhood.
(3)
Alicia Y.

Rustic Kitchen has yet to disappoint. Their menu is full of excellent cold-weather comfort foods -- and the food and portions are hearty, so venture elsewhere if you have a light appetite -- and everything I've tried here has been delightful. The baked stuffed haddock is my favorite, perfectly portioned and totally mouthwatering, and every pasta dish I've tried has been wonderful. The atmosphere here is classy but not unwelcoming, too: there are two open-layout dining rooms (one by the bar and another that has booths along one wall) and fireplaces and candles everywhere -- nice ambiance. I've also found that the servers are very knowledgeable and attentive without being overbearing, which is a good balance. Price-wise this place can be a bit of a splurge, especially if you order appetizers and/or drinks, but you'll get quality for your dollar here.
(4)
Catherine F.

Nice place. The bartender was so attentive. The server behaved like she was just disconnected. The pear martini is a no-no. The filet mignon was teeny tiny and over done. We were seated on time and those fresh potato wedges are simply delicious. Maybe a little something to dip them in. Ps. the 'lobster tail' add on for $16 is about the size of my thumb, don't bother. The garlic dip at the table though, yum.
(2)
Curtis H.

I dined here with a group of friends before a night out in the city. I came in slightly skeptical considering a few of the reviews I read, but I walked away a believer. We shared the veal meatballs, arancini, and the fried oysters as appetizers. All were delicious and thoughtfully conceived. I chose the ginger glazed salmon for my entree and was equally pleased. The prices are a little steep, but the portion sizes are certainly large enough to satify the famished diner. I would definitely return.
(4)
Stacy M.

This is the restaurant for the Revere Hotel. It was pretty good for a hotel restaurant. The pizza had a nice thin crust with a bit of char from the oven... The Caesar salad is also nice - especially with grilled chicken. Friends said the hamburger was good as well as the pasta dishes. They make their own pasta - except for the rigatoni. So nothing special really - but certainly solid for a hotel restaurant. The bar area had a nice atmosphere - and was a great spot for dining solo.
(3)
Adam F.

Went here for dinner last night and had a great time. I got the ahi tuna which was probably the best preparation of tuna I've had...flavorful and well composed. Nice decor and service. Will definitely be back soon.
(5)
Gabrielle D.

Sweet staff, delicious food, cool atmosphere and not too pricey- I'd go back! Had a weird experience with another table of guests (long story) but they were very drunk and awkward so the staff made it up to us (which was so not necessary) and the staff apologized like it was their fault!
(5)
Mark W.

Utterly forgettable breakfast. A prefect example of the low-quality, high-cost hotel breakfast. My omelet was bland and uninspired. I'm sure they're better at night, but stay away for breakfast! Definitely not the A-team in the kitchen in the morning.
(2)
Chris M.

Been here several times over the past few years and each time it doesn't disappoint. They are a test kitchen and constantly have new items to try. Very varied menu with something to please everyone. Meats are juicy and portions are decent size with quality.
(4)
Spahky S.

The homemade pasta is amazing here. Forget the North End go here for pasta and get the duck confit raviolis. For an appetizer to share order the fig and prosciutto pizza. I can't stand fig but this pizza is so excellently prepared that the fig doesn't bother me at all. In fact on this pizza fig is delicious. Looking for a great Italian dinner and some delicious pasta then go to the rustic kitchen.
(5)
Lovisa V.

Good service and friendly waitresses. We had breakfast here and the milk was tasting weird and the croissant was stale. However we told the waiter and he apologized and brought in a fresh croissant. The music played is nice and it was a pleasant meal.
(3)
Helen H.

Way overpriced for average food Pizza appetizer is $20! Ahi tuna I'd average Fries are good Decor is cool Service is fine but dumb fire alarm going off
(2)
D K.

Ate here before a show. We were seated perfunctorily by a staff who seemed uninterested to see us, despite a largely empty dining room. Service was abysmally slow--we waited probably 30-35 minutes between courses, and I had to wait 10 minutes for a beer. Appetizers were brought out before our first drinks were. Meanwhile, we sat with an empty table while a be-suited expediter walked with purpose past our table multiple times and--so far as I could tell--never looked at us. The food was passable for Olive Garden, but for what we were expecting, it was a huge let-down.
(1)
Noah C.

It is a downright shame that there have been so many negative reviews for this place. My girlfriend and I just enjoyed a 3 course meal here and could not have had a better experience. The atmosphere is wonderful and the decor is clean and...for lack of a better word, rustic. The servers were attentive, professional, and polite. No complaints at all there. The food was wonderful. We got the prosciutto and mozzarella appetizer to start (4 stars), I got the the seared ahi tuna (absolutely wonderful 5 stars), and my date got the stuffed chicken (jaw droppingly good 5 stars). To finish, we got the seasonal cheesecake, which had a rich, creamy texture and a smooth taste. I will definitely be returning here, and I encourage you all to put aside some of the other, more petty reviews on here and give this place a try.
(5)
PMG M.

RK never disappoints. Ambiance is just right with seating available in the lounge area and main dinning room. Menu selection is outstanding with multiple selections for all palates. Wine, beer & specialty cocktails also offer a plentiful selection. Our table of 4 enjoyed the (2) scallops, chicken & paella dishes. No one was disappointed. Wait staff was friendly & sensitive to our time constraints as we were on our way to a show. Parking in the area is easily accessible with a short walk to the theater district, leaving open the opportunity to return after the show for drinks & dessert!
(4)
Brad R.

Food was great. Cool atmosphere. Seemed a bit understaffed but would definitely go back. The pepperoni pizza appetizer was worth the trip.
(4)
regina l.

We only got salad and drinks here but everything was realllly good ! I'm impressed .. The ambience could have been a little better .. Was unusually bright in there. Our server was great too.. Would def return . (Yummy pear martini and beet salad)
(4)
Jill M.

Rustic Kitchen was a huge surprise. Went there before a show and absolutely fell in love. The decor is great and the staff is so helpful. I was very impressed with the bar and loved the infused vodka selections! If you go try the beef short rib stroganoff. amazing!!
(5)
Cassie P.

3.5 stars We came for lunch during the week. It was pretty quiet. A nice ambiance and great service! Our food was pretty good. The pasta was very fresh and so were the salads. The hit were the housemade potato chips! YUMMMMM! The only negative was that it seemed to take a really long time to get our food considering how quiet it was. But, it was a solid place!
(3)
Jenni B.

If the service had been better my first visit this could have been a five star. I arrived in Boston during the Nor'easter. It was fricken windy/rainy/haily/disgusting so I brave the elements again after checking in the Revere. A quick check online revealed they have marked gluten free items on their menu. Win. I went. I liked the decor, it felt very homey. I disliked the unfriendly hostess who informed me I would have to wait to be seated when the restaurant was 65% empty. I disliked it more when I got the table right in front of her, especially when after my order was finally taken, my glass of wine finally brought to the table and then my food arriving (note it was not fast), a massive group came in who needed to wait despite a big table being available so they could push alternate tables together and two of the waiting patrons was basically standing over me as I ate. If that's not fucking irritating I don't know what is. My dinner though (the chicken risotto) was incredible and very flavorful/nice. I ended up back there for lunch after getting my bag from the hotel before leaving. Sadly the risotto was not on the lunch menu, but I had the spinach salad and it was very good. I had to wait a few minutes when I walked in as literally no staff were in the front of the restaurant which was annoying. But my server was very good and efficient which I appreciated as I was in a bit of a rush. When I'm in Boston again I will be back for that risotto.
(4)
Abir H.

I really love this place, the ambiance is amazing and the waiters there are great! Ahhhh the food....best rigatoni I've had in a long time. The tuna tartar is probably the best in town. Their salads are unique and really tasty. If they have the butternut squash soup when you're there don't miss it!!!
(4)
M S.

In all honesty this place reminds me of a cheesier version of Olive Garden. Most of the clientele seemed to be made up of tired travelers and people that were carrying out affairs. 2 Stars for having one of my favorite off season beers on draft for a reasonable price and served in a huge glass though.
(2)
Josephine L.

Rustic Kitchen is a fun, casual dinner spot that's more cozy than most Back Bay joints. Think blazing brick-oven fireplace, warm tones and various knick knacks. The crowd is a combination of suits just leaving work, couples on a date and friends gathering for a dinner out. The Veal Meatballs are fantastic. I swear they give you a dozen in one little skillet and it's enough to feed you for two meals. And this is an appetizer! The Baked Rigatoni is quite good although I think it could have used more basil. But I think everything could use more basil. I had the Stroganoff and it was creamy and rich. The beef practically melted from the touch of my knife, it was that tender and well-cooked. Again, the portion was so big, I ended up taking most of it home. Our server was cute and friendly. No complaints on the service. If you're looking for affordable but date-y in the Back Bay, stop by here.
(4)
Karen W.

I don't know why this place gets such good reviews. Food is mediocre. Nothing stood out and much seemed mass produced. It was empty for Sunday brunch--should have been a warning.
(2)
Kate G.

From making the reservation and greetings upon arrival to honoring a request for a specific table the staff offers friendly, courteous, professional service. The decor is casual and warm, includes interesting and eclectic lighting, and features cozy, romantic booths for date night to fun bar-height table dining (kids will love the high tables!). And then... from the kitchen brings comes sublimely prepared home made pasta. I had the angel hair with shrimp: the pasta was discernibly, deliciously home made and perfectly al dente (getting angel hair al dente is apparently a challenge for other kitchens even when packaged pasta is the source!), the shrimp huge and again - grilled to just right and the sauce was light but lovely. My Valentine had the baked rigatoni - again just-the-way-this Italian/American-likes- it: al-dente swimming in a medley of tomatoes and creamy ricotta. The cocktails were fabulous! Vodka seeped in pineapple (there are several infused vodkas to choose from) and a special cocktail that featured gin, blood orange juice, cucumbers and strawberries: creative and successfully scrumptious! Dinner was such a great experience, that we returned for brunch - where the Bloody Mary's didn't disappoint (refreshing with just the right amount of kick and you gotta love a drink that dresses up with 3 olives!). I asked for my eggs with Italian sausage and Fontina to be scrambled softly - and that arrived just as I requested (hubby says he's having my dish on our next brunch date there). His Eggs Benedict (menu offers a choice of Benedict three ways) featured perfectly poached eggs (yolks neither overcooked hard nor undercooked runny) sat on a thick slice of toasted sour dough. Brunch dishes included tasty and lightly dressed fresh greens and a smidge of potatoes, along side an individual serving of ketchup for the spuds. Rustic Kitchen is everything a dining experience should be and has more than earned my highly anticipated repeat business!
(5)
Meghan M.

Even though this manager has published a slanderous comment about my review, I stand by it. I was not asking for a free meal, and I was not informed about anything "numerous times." It is unprofessional of him to try and bully me into holding my tongue, editing or deleting my review. If he wants to negate my review he should focus on service, as I am far from the only low rating for Rustic Kitchen.
(1)

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Address : 210 Stuart St
Boston, MA, 02116
Phone (617) 423-5700
Website https://www.rustickitchen.biz
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :6:30 am - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Rustic Kitchen

210 Stuart St, Boston, MA, 02116

Rustic Kitchen Menu

Appetizers

Salad

Sandwiches & Panini

Pizza on A Paddle

Healthy Meal suggestions for Rustic Kitchen

Appetizers

Salad

Sandwiches & Panini

Pizza on A Paddle

Jennifer N.

Joanna F.

B Y.

Benjamin L.

sean g.

Jennifer V.

Jen D.

Lisa S.

Jenessa C.

Elissa K.

Josh H.

sato h.

AJ M.

Claire V.

Joe C.

Sam F.

kapish g.

Victoria H.

Diane C.

Chris F.

Libby L.

Cindy S.

jonathan u.

Gina R.

Alyson C.

Cindy C.

Don L.

Joy Y.

Julie R.

Bob G.

Brian K.

Kelly H.

Ashley B.

Jenn S.

Theresa U.

Thy N.

Michele G.

Danny B.

Amit A.

Erick H.

Jim S.

S. J.

AJ B.

Erin R.

Cassie M.

Lynette S.

Nikki Z.

Craig S.

Jeannie H.

Steve S.

Jenn L.

Marina G.

Tricia W.

Peter B.

Billy L.

Ashley P.

Brent M.

stephanie c.

Juliana N.

Tinkerbell T.

Lindsay C.

Melanie P.

Jennifer H.

Winnie M.

Shaina P.

David B.

Craig S.