Lucca Back Bay

Pathetic Dining Experience. 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...…

Great place to entertain clients. 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.…

fantastic food and service. 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…

Upscale Italian fare makes for a decadent dining experience near the Prudential Center.. 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 staff...friendly, know the menu, very cool. The best bartenders in Boston." (jissacson44, Citysearch user)

"...the bar has a good scene later because they serve until 2am..." (rammyone, Citysearch user)

"The flavor combinations were amazing and the service was great and not too stuffy...do yourself a favor and check out this hidden gem." (haciendagordo, Citysearch user)

Low Marks
"We had to wait 20 minutes to be seated after making a reservation ahead of time..." (brandoke, Citysearch user)

"...we found ourselves still lost in the cold, vast dining room." (330xidriver, Citysearch user)


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