Lucca Back Bay

Twenty foot windows offer stunning street views while Tuscan hues create an elegant ambiance, all inside the cavernous space that was once Blackfin Chop House and Ambrosia on Huntington. Couples sit at the swanky, candlelit bar in the lounge area while diners enjoy attentive service in the main dining room. Lucca's menu features a different region of Italy each season; highlights include a rabbit leg confit with polenta and wild mushrooms, ricotta pyramids with wild boar, and red snapper with whipped potatoes and haricot verts. – – High Marks – "...real difference is the…

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Editor's Tips

When to Go:: A late-night menu of starters and pastas is served nightly until 1:30am.
Parking:: With few metered spots within walking distance, the restaurant's valet service ($16) is a necessary evil for most patrons.

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User Reviews (23)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“As fans of the heralded Lucca, it seems as they just took the same simple mediocre food, upped the price, and took away the cozy ambiance.” “You can have dinner and just hang out and enjoy the atmosphere.” “Great bar, lots of fun!” “know their other restaurant Lucca very well always busy with a really great atmosphere.” “The lounge is very comfortable and they cocktail waitress was very good!)” “decor and ambiance are nice and all, but when everything is accounted for, this place just isn't my cup of tea.”
drinks	81.25% positive	“Great bar, lots of fun!” “The bar area is great and the food is always amazing.” “The red wine I had with dinner was also very warm and tasted flat.” “Our server was great, and very knowledgeable about the food and wine selection, and we even had a table visit from one of the owners who were there, Ted Kennedy.” “only one bar tender (there was a second, but he was busy making drinks for the tables), so right off the bat, had to wait 10 minutes for a drink at the bar (in the spirit of full disclosure, i was waiting for my girlfriend, not b/c our table was not ready” “The waiter told me the bar has a good scene later because they serve until 2.” “In fact, the best experience was the Vodka promotion night and that was only because drinks were free.” “decor and ambiance are nice and all, but when everything is accounted for, this place just isn't my cup of tea.”
food quality	84.72000122070312% positive	“parisien martini, on the other hand, was delicious.” “There is really great food in Boston these days and I definitely include this restaurant, but the real difference is the staff.” “The food is completely different I was blown away by the veal appetizer with polenta and the baked pasta with lobster was a great dish.” “Looked authentic, but then the waiter poured the small portion of soup on top -- a light yellow dollop of room temperature bean puree that looked like a Gerber baby vegetable, but had less taste.” “If I don't eat at Sasso on a regular basis I get withdrawals the food is that good.” “We keep hoping that the experiences would get better, as the service is usually what kept us coming back, but it only covered up the fact that the food, just really isn't that good.” “The food is spectacular and the waiter had a great personality, he made us feel totally welcome.” “The service was great and the food absolutely dynamite.” “Our server was great, and very knowledgeable about the food and wine selection, and we even had a table visit from one of the owners who were there, Ted Kennedy.” “The food is always fantastic and presented perfectly.” “so now i'm left without cheese, as my warm food begins to get cold again.” “In my opinion, its the same overpriced, average food, and poor service that existed with the prior tenant in this space, Black FIn.” “Very very good meal” “Well, the sauce was decent, but the pasta and cheese on top were dry -- left under the heat lights too long I presume.” “Try the Gnocchi appetizer amazing and I had the pork chop, out of this world.” “The bar area is great and the food is always amazing.” “had the augula salad and the scallop dish presentation was great and the flavors were outstanding.” “fantastic food and service” “liked many things about Sasso, the food was tasty, I had the crudo misto for appetizer and the braised wild boar for my entree, and they were as good as I had hoped for.” “The food was very good I had the arugula salad great flavor and then I had the baked pasta with lobster.” “My delicious rigatoni arrived cold , it had to be sent back as with the other person who got the rigatoni , and the portion was really small.” “The food was absolutely amazing.” “As fans of the heralded Lucca, it seems as they just took the same simple mediocre food, upped the price, and took away the cozy ambiance.” “We were not offered fresh grated cheese for the food, I suppose the dry mass on top of the dish was supposed to suffice.”
menu variety	66.66999816894531% positive	“Best bartenders in Boston, late night menu is awesome.” “Our server was great, and very knowledgeable about the food and wine selection, and we even had a table visit from one of the owners who were there, Ted Kennedy.” “An EXTREMELY rude general manager then lectured me as to how Sasso was a "chef-driven" restaurant, and it was his decision to remove that item that night, despite the fact it was on the full menu.”
overall	100.0% positive	“This is my new favorite restaurant in the city.” “best undiscovered restaurant in boston” “wow great place” “My new favorite Italian restaurant awesome awesome” “new favorite restaurant” “decor and ambiance are nice and all, but when everything is accounted for, this place just isn't my cup of tea.” “There is really great food in Boston these days and I definitely include this restaurant, but the real difference is the staff.” “Do yourself a favor and check out what I think is the best new restaurant to open in Boston for years” “eat at Lucca a lot, it is my favorite North End restaurant.”
return potential	100.0% positive	“Given the number of excellent Italian restaurants in Boston, i will never return.” “Such a great experience i decided i wanted to go back for my birthday this past week.”
service	79.31000232696533% positive	“Our server was great, and very knowledgeable about the food and wine selection, and we even had a table visit from one of the owners who were there, Ted Kennedy.” “Friendly attentive staff, great addition to the Back Bay” “Hostess was awesome smiling and friendly.” “fantastic food and service” “Best bartenders in Boston, late night menu is awesome.” “waiter was friendly yet professional, service was great.” “The lounge is very comfortable and they cocktail waitress was very good!)” “Once in the dining room, our server was professional and had a great personality.” “The food is spectacular and the waiter had a great personality, he made us feel totally welcome.” “The service was super attentive without being over the top.” “The flavor combinations were amazing and the service was great and not to stuffy.” “An EXTREMELY rude general manager then lectured me as to how Sasso was a "chef-driven" restaurant, and it was his decision to remove that item that night, despite the fact it was on the full menu.” “We keep hoping that the experiences would get better, as the service is usually what kept us coming back, but it only covered up the fact that the food, just really isn't that good.” “The waiter told me the bar has a good scene later because they serve until 2.” “This continued with the waiter who was extremely attentive” “Extremely polite and friendly staff” “The service on all visits has been very good attentive but not pushy.” “The service was great and the food absolutely dynamite.” “There is really great food in Boston these days and I definitely include this restaurant, but the real difference is the staff.” “The place had a good crowd, however when I mentioned it to other people they hadn't heard of it.” “Efficient friendly service not stuffy.” “Overpriced for the quality and poor service.” “Don't know if I was there on an off night or what, but the service was probably the worst I've ever had.” “Looked authentic, but then the waiter poured the small portion of soup on top -- a light yellow dollop of room temperature bean puree that looked like a Gerber baby vegetable, but had less taste.” “Seated by a very nice hostess.” “The service was poor.” “In my opinion, its the same overpriced, average food, and poor service that existed with the prior tenant in this space, Black FIn.” “Wines are very fairly priced, again service has been good.” “Ive been there a few times now and really am amazed at how great the staff is.”
value	50.0% positive	“In my opinion, its the same overpriced, average food, and poor service that existed with the prior tenant in this space, Black FIn.” “As fans of the heralded Lucca, it seems as they just took the same simple mediocre food, upped the price, and took away the cozy ambiance.”
wait time	16.670000553131104% positive	“Well, the sauce was decent, but the pasta and cheese on top were dry -- left under the heat lights too long I presume.” “only one bar tender (there was a second, but he was busy making drinks for the tables), so right off the bat, had to wait 10 minutes for a drink at the bar (in the spirit of full disclosure, i was waiting for my girlfriend, not b/c our table was not ready”

05/26/10

Pathetic Dining Experience

by Nancy D08 at Citysearch

Eating at Lucca, Back Bay, was one of the worst dining experiences I have had to date in 30 years of living in Boston. From the pre-dinner cocktail to the main course, everything was consistently disappointing. I had the pomegranate martini, which was weak and wasn't chilled - it tasted like a juice box. The red wine I had with dinner was also very warm and tasted flat. The bread (foccacio and Italian) was doughy and dense -- supermarket Italian bread has more flavor.

It was served with a bland spread (believe it was made with chick peas) - basically no texture or taste.

Even the water was mediocre -- they offered still or sparkling, so we took the latter. Well, it too was flat and overly warm. We found out they make it at the restaurant with a special "machine". Seltzer from the soda gun would have been far better...

On to the appetizers. I had the Caesar salad ( modern style). It consisted of two tiny sections of Romaine hearts, not cut off from the stem. There was one piece of soapy tasting Parmesan cheese on top, with a pathetic strip of marinated red pepper with an anemic looking anchovy shoved to the side. The dressing was watery and bland -- it tasted like a bottled light dressing. My fiance had the bean soup. It was served in a large bowl that had a layer of oil on the bottom. Looked authentic, but then the waiter poured the small portion of soup on top -- a light yellow dollop of room temperature bean puree that looked like a Gerber baby vegetable, but had less taste.

And finally, the main course. We both had the rigatoni Bolognese, one of their signature dishes. Well, the sauce was decent, but the pasta and cheese on top were dry -- left under the heat lights too long I presume. We were not offered fresh grated cheese for the food, I suppose the dry mass on top of the dish was supposed to suffice.

All in all I would never go here again, and I suggest that Chef Anthony Mazzotta should check in on his Back Bay business soon...

Cons: Mediocre food, noisy atmosphere

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05/30/08

Great place to entertain clients

by trentfarmer at Citysearch

I don't usually write reviews, however I thought Sasso deserved a special mention. I am in pharmaceutical sales and dine out with larger groups at least twice a week. Sasso has become my go to place to hold important events. The management are focused on making sure the evening goes smoothly so you can relax and entertain your clients. At other restaurants I am constantly leaving my seat to check on things. I think the staff at Sasso are exceptional. The food is always fantastic and presented perfectly. If you have an important event or dinner I would strongly suggest you try them out.

Pros: excellent for large parties

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05/30/08

fantastic food and service

by wesley44 at Citysearch

I have been to Sasso four times now. I am slowly working through the menu. The scallops over oxtail is my favorite followed closely by the duck over green garlic rissotto. The service on all visits has been very good attentive but not pushy. I would highly recommend Sasso

Pros: excellent

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05/18/08

Great experience....not so great experience....

by brandoke at Citysearch

I take business very seriously being a business owner myself. I stumbled into Sasso a month ago looking for a place to eat and was completely blown away. The atmosphere was modern but comfortable. The service was great and the food absolutely dynamite. Such a great experience i decided i wanted to go back for my birthday this past week. The experience wasn't as pleasant unfortunately. The service was poor...the waitress was MIA (missing in action) half the meal. My delicious rigatoni arrived cold , it had to be sent back as with the other person who got the rigatoni , and the portion was really small. When it came back warm...not hot... the food was dropped and the food runner took off....so now i'm left without cheese, as my warm food begins to get cold again. I waited for the phantom waitress to arrive but she never did ...so i had to get up and walk to the front desk to ask for cheese. Just crappy service. and we had to wait 20 minutes to be seated after making a reservation ahead of time. I do like the place. I know that all business can have an off moment.. but my Sasso buzz was definately annihilated after my second visit...i would recommend it....I'll go back but if i don't have an experience like the first one i had ,i'll never go back again.

Pros: atmosphere....food
Cons: inconsistency

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04/12/08

not my class

by freewilly7 at Citysearch

went for restaurant week; wouldn't have gone otherwise.

cocktail: didn't like that ginger (peach?) bellini. doesn't taste like anything. parisien martini, on the other hand, was delicious.

prima: risotto is good, w/the chopped pistachios and all. some didn't like it for being a bit on the chewy side, though.

secondo: i had the arctic char w/beluga lentils, it was alright. others had the beef short ribs but complained that it was too dry. it looked good and came w/a good portion, though.

dessert: johnny cake (which isn't really a cake) looked light and crisp. i had the chocolate bread pudding instead; it was nothing like a bread pudding. looked, felt, and tasted more like a brownie w/soaked walnut instead. too sweet, too. (note: in the rare occasion, i couldn't finish my dessert.) looked at their original dessert menu just now; can't help but wonder why none of those seemingly delicious items was offered.

waiter was friendly yet professional, service was great. impressed when witnessing the boss/manager stepping up to take people in at the reception--when it wasn't even very busy. decor and ambiance are nice and all, but when everything is accounted for, this place just isn't my cup of tea. food wasn't exceptional to make me go again, restaurant week or not. regular menu looks enticing in the antipasti and desserts sections; entrees, not so much.

Lucca Back Bay

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What People Are Saying About Lucca Back Bay

Gerrish Lopez

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Editor's Tips

05/26/10

Pathetic Dining Experience

by Nancy D08 at Citysearch

05/30/08

Great place to entertain clients

by trentfarmer at Citysearch

05/30/08

fantastic food and service

by wesley44 at Citysearch

05/18/08

Great experience....not so great experience....

by brandoke at Citysearch

04/12/08

not my class

by freewilly7 at Citysearch

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