Giacomo's Restaurant
Boston, MA 02116-5958
Phone: (617) 536-5723
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Pembroke Street
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 5pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm, Sun 5pm-9:30pm
Editorial Review for Giacomo's Restaurant – by Citysearch Staff
The Scene
Countless patrons consider Giacomo's a second home, regularly bringing in family and friends to feast on large plates of antipasto and classic pasta dishes. Tables are almost always in demand; reservations are essential on weekends. With a slightly larger dining room and a mostly local clientele, visitors can expect a more relaxed environment here than at the restaurant's North End location. Still, on busy nights, prepare for obtrusive noise levels and harried service.
The Food
Every night is pasta night here. The kitchen keeps things simple, allowing diners to create their own entrees by choosing one each from a list of seafoods, sauces and pastas (try the shrimp and scallops in pesto over linguine). Diners with heartier appetites can turn to large, thick steaks or seared salmon filets. For dessert, share a creamy tartuffo or some devilish tiramisu. Prices are reasonable, given the menu's consistently high quality.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Know Before You GoYour checks and credit cards are no good here. Don't worry: There's an ATM one street away to the left of the restaurant.
What to DrinkThe restaurant boasts one of the city's most affordable wine lists: A good bottle (try the crisp Danzante Pinot Grigio) can be had for $15.
ParkingNon-residential spaces are frustratingly scarce in this stretch of South End; the restaurant's $10 valet parking service is a hassle-saving bargain.
User Reviews for Giacomo's Restaurant
07/08/2008 Posted by goforut
I ate here 5 or 10 times in 2003-2007, but had not been back for a while until I took some co-workers last night. We were seated promptly (exactly at our reservation time) and the service was good. Unfortunately, it was so loud that we had to lean forward and shout to be heard - even at 7:30 on a Monday night. My veal parm was bland and nothing special at all. My colleagues had tuna and steak. They both said their food was ok, but they certainly did not rave. I've been recommending this restaurant to new arrivals and visitors to Boston, but now I'm disappointed that I'll have to find a new place to recommend from now on- this just won't cut it.
Pros: Atmosphere is good except for the volume. Fairly inexpensive.
Cons: Too loud. Food ok but no longer exceptional. Cash only.
05/13/2008 Posted by ThaHandsomeAnthropologist
Trendy folks don't go to Giacomo's. Folks who think they're trendy do. That was my first impression when I walked into this small, cramped, begging-to-be-cool restaurant. First off, they "kinda" take reservations. They say they don't, but they encourage you call 30 minutes before you come just to see what's up. That's what I did, but by the time my party of 6 got there they wanted me to wait 90 minutes to eat. 90 minutes? It's a restaurant with lots of customers who all started eating at different times... how could it take 90 minutes? Anywayz, I heard a lot about this place so I slipped the hostess a 20 and got a table in 10 minutes. The Food --- below decent. I got the Lemon Fettucine. And it was bland. Barely lemon. It was like drinking some of your mom's lemonade concentrate out of the frozen can, only she poured too much water in the pitcher. People in my party ordered the pumpkin tortellini, and the beef tenderloin. Those were a little better, but definitely nothing worth waiting in a line for more than 10 seconds for. Look, when I go out to eat, I'm trying to experience food and flavors that I can't make at home. If you boil some tortellini, or pour lemonade over fettucini... big deal. I can do that in my kitchen - where it's quieter. There's better food in the north end. Go there. But if you're cheap, and lazy, and don't want to buy a $2 package of pasta and a $3 can of tomato sauce, then Giacomo's on Columbus is the perfect place for you!
Pros: It's busy, and that will make you feel like part of the "in" crowd...
Cons: Um, the food. It's nothing you couldn't whip up in 15 minutes at home.
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