Piattini Wine Cafe

Recommends

GotJeep

Joined 4 years ago

Great food, great wine, great service. I always enjoy Piattini. The food is great and the staff is always prompt and friendly. I can not reconmend Piattini enough.

Doesn't Recommend

SeacoastDiner

Joined 4 years ago

Disappointing from our first step through the door.. We selected this venue for small plates based on the location, calling in advance to make reservations for later in the night. As we were seated by the door (on the coldest night of the year yet) we inquired if there might be another more comfortable table available only to hear the staff mumble "you're lucky to even get a table". Not about to let a rude remark get in the way of our dining experience, we proceeded to select several small plates from the menu and order a bottle of wine.

The cold plates took too long to come out for what they were and we were incredulous that apparently the chef had the audacity to serve CANNED vegetables (you know the kind that has that "tinny taste") for the beet salad and antipasto platter. It didn't get much better when the hot plates came out and it became further clear that the tomato sauce used in the Italian dishes was prefabricated as well, tasting very similar to that of Chef Boyardee.

Thumbs down folks. There are plenty of restaurants in Boston, skip this one.

Doesn't Recommend

lolo64

Joined 6 years ago

cute place, good food....BAD service. we were very disappointed with this place, because it could have easily been one of our favorite places to eat. from the minute we entered the place, our waiter was cold and rude. maybe he was just having a bad day? we initially felt rushed, our waiter even told us that he had a reservation in 1 hour and a half for OUR table. (the place was relatively empty and it was a tuesday night, so we didn't understand why our table was the one being reserved for the 8pm reservation). that was fine, we didn't plan on lingering and we figured the small plates that we ordered and the salad for 2 people should not take too long to prepare. well it took a LONG time. and again, our waiter rushed us when our food finally arrived. but to give him credit, he offered to move us to another table once the party w/ the reservation arrived. well the couple w/ the reservation arrived and they were seated at another table. so we really didn't understand the need to make us feel so rushed.

the food was good and the place was was really cute, however, there's no way i would ever return or advise anyone to go here solely b/c of how we were treated.

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jenneyd

Joined 6 years ago

Fine food- my Ivy Villa!. Recently dined here with my husband this past weekend...wow! The food was inexpensive and delicious! We had the house special eggplant with smoked mozzarella, so yummy!!

The wine list was great, a lot to choose from under $35 a bottle and the waitress was delightful.

The Ivy decor on the wall out back reminded me of a Villa in Italy. Dont walk run... you will love it!

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mcourt83

Joined 10 years ago

Poor management response to a poor dining experience. Our first experience at Piattini was for drinks only. We stopped in for a glass of wine and, based on our positive experience, we decided to return at a later date for dinner.

Several months later we did just that. My meal (pasta bolognese) was quite good but, unfortunately, my partner's chicken dish was not. Every restaurant has an off night, but what made this particular evening such a disappointment is that our waitress never returned to check on us. In the end, I ate my meal alone, while my partner sat there staring at an uneaten, substandard dish. Dining out isn't just about the food; it's about enjoying a meal together. When we spoke to the manager, she was apologetic, but also defensive. She comped one of our entrees and invited us to return for another meal. She wanted another opportunity to show us, of course, that Piattini is capable of "getting things right."

Our initial response was to decline her offer. On one hand, it would have been nice to have a second meal as guests of the manager. On the other hand, there are too many better restaurants in town that get things right on the first try--and every try. Ultimately, sanity prevailed and we made arrangements to return.

Tonight, we had our second meal at Piattini. The manager greeted us at the beginning of the evening and, in contrast to our first visit, she was most welcoming and not at all smug or defensive. Our meal and service were superior to that of our first visit.

And then the check arrived.

Our server explained that she understood that our last experience wasn't up to par and, therefore, the manager had comped ONE OF OUR ENTREES. We fully expected to pay our bar tab and to tip our server generously. We had no idea that management's good will gesture was so limited.

As a result, the difference between a postive review (and another return visit) and a negative review (and an experience that we'll share with anyone who'll listen for weeks to come) is a mere $50.

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meggo79

Joined 7 years ago

Great Lobster Ravioli and Wine List. I have been to this Piattini location a few times, and it is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. It is not too chi chi, but you still get a great dinner in a cute atmosphere. I absolutely love the lobster ravioli. I have never had to wait for a table, and the wine list and wine pairings are great. I think the portion sizes are appropriate, as are the prices.

One warning, I have been to the other Piattini location on Stuart Street, and the food was not nearly as good. I was told that they have totally different chefs, and although the menu items are the same, the way they prepare them are quite different.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Exceptionally cramped quarters deter from an adventurous wine list and an interesting Italian take on tapas.. The Scene
Tucked just below sidewalk level in the middle of Newbury Street lies one of the city's more challenging dining environments. As many petite tables as possible are crammed into a tiny dining room with low ceilings and limited floor space. When the restaurant is packed, expect to overhear your neighboring table's conversation while contemplating stowing your bread basket on the floor. The young waitstaff does its best to help diners negotiate the affordable, mostly Italian wine list.

The Food
While some patrons opt for a conventional salad-entree experience, most choose from the menu's 30-plus hot and cold piattini (small plates). Much like tapas, the plates provide an inexpensive way to sample the multi-regional menu's many options, including fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil salad, delicate tuna carpaccio and sugary butternut squash ravioli. Desserts include a so-so chocolate mousse and a rich tiramisu.

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shir932

Joined 8 years ago

Cute patio area, but horrible quality. This review is for my experience during lunch. I can't review dinner, b/c there could be different waitresses and a different menu.

I understand that Newbury street is supposed to be overpriced, but I honestly could have made better food myself. I don't usually expect much out of an affordable, middle range meal but this was horrible! The chicken i had with my pasta was extremely overcooked, and lead me to believe that it was actually defrosted poorly. Also, the pace of the meal was slow and very painful to sit through, especially during the most rushed part of the work week. Overall the experience was bad, except for the wonderful patio and the apologetic wait staff.

I would not suggest this place. I took the time to write this review so that other people would not have to suffer.

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ewitt

Joined 9 years ago

Delicious food, but noisy and crammed.... Tried Piattini for the first time... Both my boyfriend and I thought the food was terrific. I had the spicy shrimp salad and he had chicken w/ fontina cheese (we didn't try the small tapas dishes) and both were very delicious! I wouldn't say this place is 'inexpensive'... the pasta entrees are at least $16. But I think the prices are fair for the quality of food. The thing I didn't like is the atmosphere and the small, crammed space. The restaurant was about half-full when we went, and it was still too noisy -- can't imagine eating there when it's packed. Our table was very small which was a little uncomfortable. The service was prompt in the beginning, then our waitress disappeared for a long time when we wanted to get the check.

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crewgirlkristin

Joined 9 years ago

incredible.... I stumbled upon Piattini one day while walking along Newbury...after one experience it became my favorite restaurant. It is so romantic and relaxing, especially during lunch. At night it does get crowded but the atmosphere created is quite nice. The food is not expensive but it is delicious, and the amount they give you is just enough. It tastes like home cooked italian food, better than anything I have had in the north end. They also do take out so if you want an amazing meal at home its yours. Absolutely wonderful...