Sweet Basil
(781) 444-9600
942 Great Plain Ave
Needham,
MA
02492
42.2801
-71.2356
What People Are Saying About Sweet Basil
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Since reservations aren't taken and space is more than tight, the restaurant has asked many a diner wait on the sidewalk for a table. Colorful waiters don't have to go far; the exposed kitchen is nestled in the back of the dining room. Lunch, served weekdays except for Mondays, provides a far less hectic atmosphere than dinnertime.
The Food
Starters tend to be more adventuresome than entrees; baked gouda wrapped in filo dough with fresh berries and pistachios is as wild as it sounds, while warm spinach salad with sauteed sea scallops and apricots is guaranteed to toy with your taste buds (in a good way). But Sweet Basil is known for made-to-order pastas--and rightfully so. Pasta dishes are served in massive, colorful bowls. Gulf shrimp scampi comes swimming in garlic, parsley, basil and wine, while rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta and asparagus in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce speaks for itself.
User Reviews
peoniapink
January 30, 2009
We went on the most frozen night of the winter. All streets were either complete ice or 6 inch puddles. It was my birthday and several friends including my 90 year old mother was with us. We could not find a way to get her into the restaurant - the ice - the puddles - and she can't breathe easily. Dave, the owner, got into the car with us, helped us find a place near a door, and practically carried my mom into the restaurant. What a doll! In addition, he moved my car so it would be in a better place for us to leave. The food was delicious - the freshest bread and pesto to die for. The veggie lasagna will serve 4 - along with the beet and goat cheese salad. We all shared. Everything was delicious. The waitress we had could have been a little nicer at first, but 'chilled' after a few minutes - and actually was really friendly and great toward the end of the meal. It wouldn't stop me from going there again in a heartbeat. It was my first time and wasn't a busy night because of the weather. I understand there might be lines at other times. JUST DELICIOUS!
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kaffine14
August 06, 2008
I went here with my boyfriend, his brother, brother's girlfriend, and their parents. We arrived around 5 PM on a Saturday night and were seated right away. We also brought a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine to have with dinner and they were immediately taken from our hands, uncorked (which is a $5 uncorking fee), and placed on the table. We also were brought an incredible bread basket with olive oil for dipping and the most incredible freshest pesto I have ever tasted!!! I ordered the Rosemary chicken with crispy pancetta and asparagus in a garlicky parmesan cream sauce with ziti, best decision I have ever made. It was fresh from the pan, crispy asparagus and pancetta, the combination was extraordinary and is probably one the best pasta dishes I have ever tasted. I still taste it in my mouth and it is making my mouth water as I am writing this! The three men had chicken parmesean and they thought it was just decent, his Mom had the same as I did and she LOVED it as well, and his brother's girlfriend had the ravioli which thought was very good. I would go back in a heartbeat!
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WWMike
April 05, 2008
My wife and I had heard about this place from family friends but had heard it was extremely busy on weekend nights making it difficult to get in so went there one Sunday evening with another couple just after 4pm. Food and service were both excellent, prices were right on par with the food. We all thought the meals were closer to authentic Italian than most places in the North End. It reminded me of a similar experience to the one I had at The White Boar in Florence. When the weather warms up were going to see how it is on weekend night.
read full reviewThe Details on Sweet Basil
Know Before You Go:
With portions so huge, it should disappoint no one that coffee and dessert are not offered.
Save Money:
Diners can bring their own beer and wine (there is a $5 corkage charge).
The Extras:
If the wait is too long, remember that Sweet Basil does a strong take-out business.
Category:
Payment Methods:
Restaurant Special Features:
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
