Really solid tasting menu! I was full by course three, which isn’t a bad thing, but the portions could be balanced a bit better. I enjoyed the meal overall, some courses were great, though a few didn’t quite wow me as much as I expected. Still, interesting flavors and a good experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Gabbie Kim
Lenox Sophia was one of the best restaurants we visited in Boston! We went for our first anniversary after seeing it listed in the Michelin Guide, and it did not disappoint. Chef Shi Mei is incredibly talented - he creates flavor combinations I’ve never tasted before, and somehow they all work beautifully together.
The first course, the Seafood Toast, looked like a baguette-style toast topped with mussels, octopus, and sofrito. He uses a paste he makes himself, and it was absolutely divine. The custard that followed was also unique and memorable. I also enjoyed the beef course, which reminded me of a beef bourguignon but with a hint of curry, making it fresh, unexpected, and delicious.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had food that tasted this good and looked this beautiful. The chef was also incredibly kind. He surprised us with a special dessert for our anniversary, which was a thoughtful touch.
I tend to eat a bit more, so the five-course portion felt a little small for me personally, but I think the size is intentional to match the pace of a couple enjoying a bottle of wine together. Honestly, I would have happily enjoyed a seven-course menu. For the precision and quality of the cooking, the price for the five-course tasting felt very reasonable.
Overall, it’s an amazing tiny restaurant where you can truly feel that one chef is cooking for you. It was a special, intimate experience, and I’m excited for Chef Shi Mei’s future. I can’t wait to go back soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Despina Charalambous
Even simple dishes tasted extraordinary.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Edwin Ortega
Amazing food, the curd is still my favorite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mel Swain
Sit at the counter and enjoy the best food in BOSTON and a show! This local chef is whipping up creative dishes in an immaculate kitchen that runs like a well oiled machine but with a laid back cool chill vibe. Hey Michelin this place should 100% be on your Bib Gourmand list!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dave M
My fiancee and I are Bostonians, both vegetarians, and were looking forward to dining at Lenox Sophia. It turned out to be a (shoulder-shrugging) *just okay* and a somewhat underwhelming and disappointing experience. FYI - we ordered the vegetarian menu, and my comments below pertain to this experience.
Some info: The restaurant only has 2 prix-fixe menu options (vegetarian and standard/omnivore). At the time of this writing, the price for either is $109 per person (no drinks included). The restaurant does not have an alcohol license, so you can BYOB. We both ordered the vegetarian option, with a couple of bottles of sparkling water (extra charge), and our check with gratuity (and an added kitchen service charge) was approximately $350. Was this experience worth it? Not really, and certainly not for this amount, and we will not be repeating it.
Atmosphere: The restaurant is on a quiet non-descript street, on the ground floor of a residential (?) building. It is very cramped, about the size of an apartment living room - with very small wooden cafeteria-style tables. It seats about 16 people or so. Seating was uncomfortable, and very next-to-each-other (we had to hear conversations of both tables on either side, and the conversations were not particularly loud). Staff consisted of 3 people (owner, another chef, and a single waiter who attended to all 16 people - there was no place for another waiter - premises were small as I noted!). With that said, the waiter was friendly and courteous.
Meal: It was alright. One of the risks with a prix-fixe menu is that not all of the dishes may be to your liking. It's saying something when I note that the dessert was the best out of the 5! Portions may be small for the average person. We tend to be light eaters, and so were okay. The first course - some raw vegetable dish - was very forgettable. The second course - a sweet pea gelatin - was not good at all for us; the seasoning (or lack of) was off, and there an unpleasant aftertaste that persisted for a while. The main third course was pasta - it was okay, nothing special, but we had expected something more inspired than linguine could be easily replicated at home! The next main was a chickpea panisse, which was well-presented and fine, though lacking in flavor and a bit too mushy/soggy. Dessert was a flourless chocolate tart/cake, and was delicious.
Service: As I noted above, the waiter was friendly, polite, and attentive. A glaring thing is that the table next to us was receiving preferential treatment from the chefs, extra dishes and samplings... This is totally understandable, but in a restaurant of this size - where we are pretty much right next to each other where everyone could witness this - it was quite off-putting. It would also have been nice if we were asked if there were any dishes we did not like or enjoy, and were given an option to substitute away (similar to the table next to us).
If the restaurant is going to only serve 16 or so people each evening from a prix-fixe menu, making it feel as if we are dining in someone's home with a chef-prepared meal - we would expect more attentive service from the owner and chef at this price, better ambience and seating, and a more innovative menu. There was a disconnect between what the restaurant is trying to be vs. what it delivered.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Ben Shirtcliff
Prefix sends you on a fullfilling taste journey. With very few tables, it's like having a personal chef lead the way. Highlight of our trip to Boston and one of my top five restaurants.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dara Behjat
Excellent dining experience. The pea dish was an absolute show stopper and the lamb was a 10/10. Service was great and the atmosphere is very cool as you practically feel like you're hanging in the chefs elevated living room. Overall the food is amazing. Could nit pick a few things from a couple dishes, scallops seemed a bit low quality and the dish flavors didn't mesh well, the duck was a bit chewy, but nit picks for what was overall an excellent dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stephanie
Loved this place- really enjoyed our meal and overall experience at Lenox Sophia. The service was impeccable and dishes were unique and flavorful. Especially loved the squid ink pasta, scallops, duck, and dessert. Presentation was on point, and the pricing is well worth what you get. Cozy atmosphere and was very busy on a Saturday evening. Would highly recommend a visit here, can’t wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Osher Perry
Best restaurant in the greater Boston area, by wide margin.
An unforgettable dining experience at Lenox Sophia with Chef Shi! Every dish showcased its own unique flair and creativity, but the roasted duck breast truly stole the spotlight—perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. From start to finish, the meal was exceptional. We’re already looking forward to our next visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Graham Sager-Gellerman
I think this restaurant is a gem. Unassuming, it feels comfortable yet refined. The dishes were eclectic, providing creative spins on traditional ingredients. It’s easy to see how much the cooking and serving teams care about their craft. Thank you for a great meal!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexander Giotis
Always an amazing experience at Lenox Sophia. The duck press was incredibly impressive—both in presentation and in flavor. It’s rare to find a restaurant that blends classic French techniques with such elegance and creativity. Every course was executed with precision, and the ingredients were clearly top-tier. The ambiance is intimate yet modern, and the service is thoughtful without being overbearing.
Lenox Sophia is truly a gem and a must-visit for anyone who appreciates amazing food done right.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anna C
Definitely worth trying at least once or for a special occasion, but don’t come too hungry.
I am loathe to give anything less than 5 stars because the service we received was simply outstanding and considerate, but I’m a reviewer who weights the food more heavily than other elements.
Regarding the outstanding service: The restaurant staff stayed late because our group simply couldn’t stop chatting plus they let a member of our group who has celiac join us to eat even though he couldn’t participate in the tasting menu.
On the food: We had some very delicious bites but not every dish hit. The scallop amuse bouche was very delicious, as was my hake (fish) main. Unfortunately, some of the other dishes such as the seafood squid ink pasta tasted bland and the dessert and pea puree dishes were forgettable. Reflecting on the meal, I also feel that it lacked some cohesion between dishes. Another thing to note: portions are modest, so don’t come very hungry. My partner heated up a TJ‘s meal when we got home.
All in all, I would still suggest giving it a try because it’s a unique concept in Boston (esp with BYOB) despite the fact that the meal as a whole didn’t knock my socks off.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Vikram Agarwal
Food was good and staff was nice and all...I just can't honestly say it was worth >$300 price tag for 2...overpriced for what it was, better off finding other restaurants for the price
Really solid tasting menu! I was full by course three, which isn’t a bad thing, but the portions could be balanced a bit better. I enjoyed the meal overall, some courses were great, though a few didn’t quite wow me as much as I expected. Still, interesting flavors and a good experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Lenox Sophia was one of the best restaurants we visited in Boston! We went for our first anniversary after seeing it listed in the Michelin Guide, and it did not disappoint. Chef Shi Mei is incredibly talented - he creates flavor combinations I’ve never tasted before, and somehow they all work beautifully together.
The first course, the Seafood Toast, looked like a baguette-style toast topped with mussels, octopus, and sofrito. He uses a paste he makes himself, and it was absolutely divine. The custard that followed was also unique and memorable. I also enjoyed the beef course, which reminded me of a beef bourguignon but with a hint of curry, making it fresh, unexpected, and delicious.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had food that tasted this good and looked this beautiful. The chef was also incredibly kind. He surprised us with a special dessert for our anniversary, which was a thoughtful touch.
I tend to eat a bit more, so the five-course portion felt a little small for me personally, but I think the size is intentional to match the pace of a couple enjoying a bottle of wine together. Honestly, I would have happily enjoyed a seven-course menu. For the precision and quality of the cooking, the price for the five-course tasting felt very reasonable.
Overall, it’s an amazing tiny restaurant where you can truly feel that one chef is cooking for you. It was a special, intimate experience, and I’m excited for Chef Shi Mei’s future. I can’t wait to go back soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Even simple dishes tasted extraordinary.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food, the curd is still my favorite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sit at the counter and enjoy the best food in BOSTON and a show! This local chef is whipping up creative dishes in an immaculate kitchen that runs like a well oiled machine but with a laid back cool chill vibe. Hey Michelin this place should 100% be on your Bib Gourmand list!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My fiancee and I are Bostonians, both vegetarians, and were looking forward to dining at Lenox Sophia. It turned out to be a (shoulder-shrugging) *just okay* and a somewhat underwhelming and disappointing experience. FYI - we ordered the vegetarian menu, and my comments below pertain to this experience.
Some info: The restaurant only has 2 prix-fixe menu options (vegetarian and standard/omnivore). At the time of this writing, the price for either is $109 per person (no drinks included). The restaurant does not have an alcohol license, so you can BYOB. We both ordered the vegetarian option, with a couple of bottles of sparkling water (extra charge), and our check with gratuity (and an added kitchen service charge) was approximately $350. Was this experience worth it? Not really, and certainly not for this amount, and we will not be repeating it.
Atmosphere: The restaurant is on a quiet non-descript street, on the ground floor of a residential (?) building. It is very cramped, about the size of an apartment living room - with very small wooden cafeteria-style tables. It seats about 16 people or so. Seating was uncomfortable, and very next-to-each-other (we had to hear conversations of both tables on either side, and the conversations were not particularly loud). Staff consisted of 3 people (owner, another chef, and a single waiter who attended to all 16 people - there was no place for another waiter - premises were small as I noted!). With that said, the waiter was friendly and courteous.
Meal: It was alright. One of the risks with a prix-fixe menu is that not all of the dishes may be to your liking. It's saying something when I note that the dessert was the best out of the 5! Portions may be small for the average person. We tend to be light eaters, and so were okay. The first course - some raw vegetable dish - was very forgettable. The second course - a sweet pea gelatin - was not good at all for us; the seasoning (or lack of) was off, and there an unpleasant aftertaste that persisted for a while. The main third course was pasta - it was okay, nothing special, but we had expected something more inspired than linguine could be easily replicated at home! The next main was a chickpea panisse, which was well-presented and fine, though lacking in flavor and a bit too mushy/soggy. Dessert was a flourless chocolate tart/cake, and was delicious.
Service: As I noted above, the waiter was friendly, polite, and attentive. A glaring thing is that the table next to us was receiving preferential treatment from the chefs, extra dishes and samplings... This is totally understandable, but in a restaurant of this size - where we are pretty much right next to each other where everyone could witness this - it was quite off-putting. It would also have been nice if we were asked if there were any dishes we did not like or enjoy, and were given an option to substitute away (similar to the table next to us).
If the restaurant is going to only serve 16 or so people each evening from a prix-fixe menu, making it feel as if we are dining in someone's home with a chef-prepared meal - we would expect more attentive service from the owner and chef at this price, better ambience and seating, and a more innovative menu. There was a disconnect between what the restaurant is trying to be vs. what it delivered.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Prefix sends you on a fullfilling taste journey. With very few tables, it's like having a personal chef lead the way. Highlight of our trip to Boston and one of my top five restaurants.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent dining experience. The pea dish was an absolute show stopper and the lamb was a 10/10. Service was great and the atmosphere is very cool as you practically feel like you're hanging in the chefs elevated living room. Overall the food is amazing. Could nit pick a few things from a couple dishes, scallops seemed a bit low quality and the dish flavors didn't mesh well, the duck was a bit chewy, but nit picks for what was overall an excellent dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved this place- really enjoyed our meal and overall experience at Lenox Sophia. The service was impeccable and dishes were unique and flavorful. Especially loved the squid ink pasta, scallops, duck, and dessert. Presentation was on point, and the pricing is well worth what you get. Cozy atmosphere and was very busy on a Saturday evening. Would highly recommend a visit here, can’t wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best restaurant in the greater Boston area, by wide margin.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
An unforgettable dining experience at Lenox Sophia with Chef Shi!
Every dish showcased its own unique flair and creativity, but the roasted duck breast truly stole the spotlight—perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. From start to finish, the meal was exceptional. We’re already looking forward to our next visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I think this restaurant is a gem. Unassuming, it feels comfortable yet refined. The dishes were eclectic, providing creative spins on traditional ingredients. It’s easy to see how much the cooking and serving teams care about their craft. Thank you for a great meal!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Always an amazing experience at Lenox Sophia. The duck press was incredibly impressive—both in presentation and in flavor. It’s rare to find a restaurant that blends classic French techniques with such elegance and creativity. Every course was executed with precision, and the ingredients were clearly top-tier. The ambiance is intimate yet modern, and the service is thoughtful without being overbearing.
Lenox Sophia is truly a gem and a must-visit for anyone who appreciates amazing food done right.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Definitely worth trying at least once or for a special occasion, but don’t come too hungry.
I am loathe to give anything less than 5 stars because the service we received was simply outstanding and considerate, but I’m a reviewer who weights the food more heavily than other elements.
Regarding the outstanding service: The restaurant staff stayed late because our group simply couldn’t stop chatting plus they let a member of our group who has celiac join us to eat even though he couldn’t participate in the tasting menu.
On the food: We had some very delicious bites but not every dish hit. The scallop amuse bouche was very delicious, as was my hake (fish) main. Unfortunately, some of the other dishes such as the seafood squid ink pasta tasted bland and the dessert and pea puree dishes were forgettable.
Reflecting on the meal, I also feel that it lacked some cohesion between dishes.
Another thing to note: portions are modest, so don’t come very hungry. My partner heated up a TJ‘s meal when we got home.
All in all, I would still suggest giving it a try because it’s a unique concept in Boston (esp with BYOB) despite the fact that the meal as a whole didn’t knock my socks off.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Food was good and staff was nice and all...I just can't honestly say it was worth >$300 price tag for 2...overpriced for what it was, better off finding other restaurants for the price
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...