Always an excellent meal, service is always spot on. Last night was the first time I've seen ceviche on their specials board and it was outstanding. We split it as an appetizer, but should've just gotten two orders and made it our main course. This needs to be on the regular menu. We both had tacos and they were delish. The swordfish taco had a nice smoky/char flavored, although a little heavy handed on the pickled onions. Only issue last night was we were not offered a wine chiller as I saw other tables had, the bottle of white was just left on the table. Otherwise an excellent meal!
syandvy
Let me start by saying I love this restaurant. Best seafood with good value. However we were seated at the chefs table and, while it was interesting to see the whole preparation process, we basically had no service other than recitation of the specials and taking our order. We also felt the octopus appetizer was tasty but the octopus was over cooked and tough. It may have been a one off night but it was a mild weather Friday evening so you would have thought the A team would be there and on their game. Thought it was just us that were disappointed but when we spoke with the couple next to us they concurred that service has been sliding. This is not to scare anyone away from going here rather a shout out to the owners. We love what you do but staffing is lacking.
The food was really delicious. The only reason I didn't give it a five is because I don't think a $40 plate should have scallops cut in half. I got the seafood risotto and it was delicious like I said but they cut a scallop in half and gave me two pieces, so essentially, I got one scallop. Not a good look.
Great food...calamari appetizer and Bronzino special. Gracious wait staff but service was very slow out of the kitchen even for a Saturday. Will go back on weekdays as I usually have done. Food just too good and staff so nice.
CindyZ
It was only my second time there and my husbands first. We ate at the high tops looking over the kitchen. We really enjoyed that and the kitchen staff work so hard, it was really impressive to watch. We had the jumbo lump crab and avocado “cannelloni for our appetizer. No exaggeration, probably one of the best appys I've ever had. So fresh and tasty and different. We also had the flounder and shrimp scampi and a snapper hash special. Both were excellent. Great service with fantastic suggestions on what to order. We will certainly be back.
EmilyB
Food on February 10 was excellent. Swordfish at medium was still juicy. I asked for no salt and it was delicious. I did not need to add salt from the shaker either! Asparagus was amazingly crisp yet tender, thicker stalks (better) instead of the thin baby stalks. Corner high table for five people (birthday) was tucked into the corner and almost felt apart from the rest, which was a great semi-private experience. Waitress was smiling all the time (Lexi) which I wish all the waitresses did. She made us feel important and happy. She is the best waitress I've had over at least six visits over the years to the restaurant for dinner. Food arrived timely and spaced. She provided stem glasses for our bubbly! And a winer cooler for our wine. Thank you Lexi, for making the evening special, relaxed, and satisfying.
Ekadad
This place is a gem for amazing, creatively prepared, fresh fish and is one of Somerville's best. Reasonably priced, generous portions, and mostly healthy. Parking can be a pain but this place is worth circling for.
ChrisD
Some miscommunication with the server/manager on pricing for just the steak and not the full surf & turf meal. The manager seemed disinterested when we brought it up and only took $5 off our tab. We left disappointed in the service and our experience here.
SandraR
The food is fantastic--the service is very nice and consistent. The one thing is if you are a party of 2 you can be placed in this sequence of 4 tables slammed up against the wall. I get it to maximize space. I even requested different locations in my reservation but when we arrived the hostess said this was it. It's my biggest deterrent when choosing this place. If they just relocated one table it would make the dining experience so much more desirable.
JRHH
Outstanding service and very large portions. The only issues were with the fish sandwich ordered by a member of our party. The first one brought out was fried on the outside but absolutely raw on the inside. The staff seemed horribly embarrassed and quickly brought a replacement which was cooked perfectly, although I will always think brioche buns are silly: they fall apart immediately, especially with a sandwich so robust like this one. The piece of fish is enormous! We commented that it would be better without the bun. We will definitely be back, mostly because of the outstanding service!
We LOVE the chef's counter at Boulevard and the specials never disappoint. The fish is always fresh and the service is top-notch. The reason for 4 and not 5 stars is we wish the prep chefs wore protective gloves when preparing food, especially in front of the guests. The chefs always do but, unfortunately, the bare hand prep is a disappointment and leaves us hesitant to return.
KristiR
First time at this place. So impressed. We had a high top but opted to sit at the “ bar “ which faces kitchen. Cool experience. Food was amazing -fresh , unique and portions were generous. It's byob which we love. They definitely have attention to detail with the food. Can't wait to go back
Seated on time. Instead of bread...corn fritter was served. A nice touch. Calamari appetizer was was very good and tasty with 2 different dipping sauces. My wife's dinner -pokey bowl was plentiful but would have preferred raw tuna. She said the tuna was slightly cooked...so a little crunchy. Not that big a deal. I had the mussels with pieces of bacon. Very good. A dish piled high with mussels. Brought half home. Fries were good and crunchy. I would go back. First time here. Plus walking Main Street area in Somerville after dinner was nice.
Google user
Had an excellent lunch at the cafe! Quick stop, everything was very flavorful and I really enjoyed my food. Would recommend!
Lilli Ruano
Had an excellent lunch at the cafe! Quick stop, everything was very flavorful and I really enjoyed my food. Would recommend!
Always an excellent meal, service is always spot on. Last night was the first time I've seen ceviche on their specials board and it was outstanding. We split it as an appetizer, but should've just gotten two orders and made it our main course. This needs to be on the regular menu. We both had tacos and they were delish. The swordfish taco had a nice smoky/char flavored, although a little heavy handed on the pickled onions. Only issue last night was we were not offered a wine chiller as I saw other tables had, the bottle of white was just left on the table. Otherwise an excellent meal!
Let me start by saying I love this restaurant. Best seafood with good value. However we were seated at the chefs table and, while it was interesting to see the whole preparation process, we basically had no service other than recitation of the specials and taking our order. We also felt the octopus appetizer was tasty but the octopus was over cooked and tough. It may have been a one off night but it was a mild weather Friday evening so you would have thought the A team would be there and on their game. Thought it was just us that were disappointed but when we spoke with the couple next to us they concurred that service has been sliding. This is not to scare anyone away from going here rather a shout out to the owners. We love what you do but staffing is lacking.
The food was really delicious. The only reason I didn't give it a five is because I don't think a $40 plate should have scallops cut in half. I got the seafood risotto and it was delicious like I said but they cut a scallop in half and gave me two pieces, so essentially, I got one scallop. Not a good look.
Great food...calamari appetizer and Bronzino special. Gracious wait staff but service was very slow out of the kitchen even for a Saturday. Will go back on weekdays as I usually have done. Food just too good and staff so nice.
It was only my second time there and my husbands first. We ate at the high tops looking over the kitchen. We really enjoyed that and the kitchen staff work so hard, it was really impressive to watch. We had the jumbo lump crab and avocado “cannelloni for our appetizer. No exaggeration, probably one of the best appys I've ever had. So fresh and tasty and different. We also had the flounder and shrimp scampi and a snapper hash special. Both were excellent. Great service with fantastic suggestions on what to order. We will certainly be back.
Food on February 10 was excellent. Swordfish at medium was still juicy. I asked for no salt and it was delicious. I did not need to add salt from the shaker either! Asparagus was amazingly crisp yet tender, thicker stalks (better) instead of the thin baby stalks. Corner high table for five people (birthday) was tucked into the corner and almost felt apart from the rest, which was a great semi-private experience. Waitress was smiling all the time (Lexi) which I wish all the waitresses did. She made us feel important and happy. She is the best waitress I've had over at least six visits over the years to the restaurant for dinner. Food arrived timely and spaced. She provided stem glasses for our bubbly! And a winer cooler for our wine. Thank you Lexi, for making the evening special, relaxed, and satisfying.
This place is a gem for amazing, creatively prepared, fresh fish and is one of Somerville's best. Reasonably priced, generous portions, and mostly healthy. Parking can be a pain but this place is worth circling for.
Some miscommunication with the server/manager on pricing for just the steak and not the full surf & turf meal. The manager seemed disinterested when we brought it up and only took $5 off our tab. We left disappointed in the service and our experience here.
The food is fantastic--the service is very nice and consistent. The one thing is if you are a party of 2 you can be placed in this sequence of 4 tables slammed up against the wall. I get it to maximize space. I even requested different locations in my reservation but when we arrived the hostess said this was it. It's my biggest deterrent when choosing this place. If they just relocated one table it would make the dining experience so much more desirable.
Outstanding service and very large portions. The only issues were with the fish sandwich ordered by a member of our party. The first one brought out was fried on the outside but absolutely raw on the inside. The staff seemed horribly embarrassed and quickly brought a replacement which was cooked perfectly, although I will always think brioche buns are silly: they fall apart immediately, especially with a sandwich so robust like this one. The piece of fish is enormous! We commented that it would be better without the bun. We will definitely be back, mostly because of the outstanding service!
Restaurantji Recommends
We LOVE the chef's counter at Boulevard and the specials never disappoint. The fish is always fresh and the service is top-notch. The reason for 4 and not 5 stars is we wish the prep chefs wore protective gloves when preparing food, especially in front of the guests. The chefs always do but, unfortunately, the bare hand prep is a disappointment and leaves us hesitant to return.
First time at this place. So impressed. We had a high top but opted to sit at the “ bar “ which faces kitchen. Cool experience. Food was amazing -fresh , unique and portions were generous. It's byob which we love. They definitely have attention to detail with the food. Can't wait to go back
Seated on time. Instead of bread...corn fritter was served. A nice touch. Calamari appetizer was was very good and tasty with 2 different dipping sauces. My wife's dinner -pokey bowl was plentiful but would have preferred raw tuna. She said the tuna was slightly cooked...so a little crunchy. Not that big a deal. I had the mussels with pieces of bacon. Very good. A dish piled high with mussels. Brought half home. Fries were good and crunchy. I would go back. First time here. Plus walking Main Street area in Somerville after dinner was nice.
Had an excellent lunch at the cafe! Quick stop, everything was very flavorful and I really enjoyed my food. Would recommend!
Had an excellent lunch at the cafe! Quick stop, everything was very flavorful and I really enjoyed my food. Would recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5