01/23/09

Worst I have ever been treated in a restaurant

by hmattison

I seldom write restaurant reviews, but do rely on them. Today I felt compelled to share my experience. I am 60 years old. I have never been treated so poorly as I was at Dalia's. My husband and I had dined there 4-5 times because it is local. On my last visit we told the waitress when we ordered that we had a meeting to attend and could she please take that into consideration. She said she would tell the kitchen. We ordered a salad and when the entrees had not arrived 30 minutes later, we asked her if our food could be packed to go. We were not loud; we didn't make a scene; we didn't ask to complain to anyone. After we paid including a tip, someone came out from the kitchen with our food and told me (my husband had gone to get our car) not to come back. She said, "We are a fine dining restaurant; take your business elsewhere." I was dumbfounded and must have looked it and she repeated that we were not welcome there. Never in my life have I been thrown out of any business establishment. We did nothing that deserved that kind of rudeness. Certainly at other restaurants over the years because of theater tickets or other obligations, we have occasionally asked to have service expedited and either told it was not possible or accommodated, but no paying customer desires to be treated like this at a 'fine dining' establishment or any business that cares about its reputation. I would strongly recommend that people stay away from this restaurant if they want a pleasant experience.

• Pros: food is creatively prepared
• Cons: service is slow and rude

01/10/09

Great Rehearsal Dinner

by PiperRose

I worked with the chef, Gina, for over a year in preparing my May 2008 rehearsal dinner at Dalia's. It was really one of the best nights of my life -- great service, great food. Highly recommended.

11/19/08

What all "Bistros" should strive for

by Gary0324

My wife and I are pseudo regulars at Dalia's. We live at least 25 minutes away, but make the trip about every other month. We have eaten all over the world and usually dine at higher end restaurants and find Dalia's is as good as the most expensive we have been to(and the prices are so reasonable). Don't expect a large doggy bag as the portions are what should be served, though we Americans don't realize that yet. With the rich sauces and finely seasoned food you will leave contented.

The wait staff is always attentive, but let you enjoy a nice relaxed dinner without hovering. We like to relax and enjoy the meal without being rushed out, but have requested expedited meals due to time constraints and were out in about a half hour. We are always amazed that the restaurant is not packed. It is a "hidden jewel" where you mainly find college kid fare. We have had many dishes and have not been disappointed yet.

Sit back, relax and enjoy some wine and your meal in a comfortable restaurant.

• Pros: Delicious food very reasonbly priced, Mediterranean style dining(not rushed), very cozy, comfortable temperature
• Cons: parking sometimes(not so much after Beacon St. improvements)

07/29/08

Fun neighborhood gem, great staff, fantastic food, good wine selection

by GeriNicole97

I had been cuirious about Dalia's for years and finally went in last Friday night to check it out. I went with a friend and we wanted to hang out at the bar and have some dinner. The bartenders were fantastic. They allowed me to taste the wines because I was not sure what I wanted and really listened to what I liked. Good variety of wines by the glass, including one of the best dessert riesling I have ever had. The food was great. It was pretty empty, but we went in late and the staff said it is typically busier earlier and that many people come right off the T and go for a drink after work. There is outside seating available as well. While the menu is limited, both dishes ordered were excellent. I loved it so much, I made a reservation for Restaurant Week the next day. If you live in Washington Square, try it out! It's a great alternative to Publick House if you are looking for a bit of quiet and some great wine.

• Pros: Great wine selection, quiet, good food
• Cons: no TV. If you want to sit alone and eat, bring a book...

05/06/08

really warm cozy place, but food is only mediocre

by melody782

The place is really cute, warm and cozy with pillows at the booth. The decor is really pleasing to the eyes and you feel calm and at ease. However, we waited quite a while for our food to come. For some reason, the people at the next table came into the restaurant after us but got their food first. The plating was nice, but taste was bland. The pork tenderloin doesn't have much taste, and they put too much lemon and caper on the pan seared salmon. The waitress is attentive tho. Overall, the place is nice and service is not bad, but the food needs a lot of improvement.

• Pros: the restaurant setting
• Cons: food was bland

03/13/08

Love it!

by perry2

I just had to write a review after reading the post from 9/10/07. First of all 80 dollars for a Friday night dinner with all you had is nothing. If you wanted cheap then go for fast food. And you were there on Labor Day weekend..HELLO, maybe that is why it was slow. I know for a fact that all food is made to order and the freshest you will ever get. So 6 people in the dining room and a 2nd waitress was needed? You obviously needed too much attention and were probably a pain and just got aggravated is all. You don't even know how to spell restaurant or stomach and expect people to take your review seriously? And you said you tipped low even after you said the waitress was nice, that is not cool.

I am a regular at Dalias and the food is always above par and so is the service. You get what you project so maybe don't have an attitude and you will be happy.

• Pros: Food Quality, wines by the glass
• Cons: none

10/25/07

Cozy ,sweet, reasonably priced spot with good food and wine

by caxelrod

I've been a regular since it opened years ago. This is a neighborhood place that everyone should have in their neighborhood! Attentive service, cozy room, good food and wine. And prices that make it an excellent standby for a casual mid-week dinner or a weekend with your honey. This is a special Brookline secret that deserves to be let out to the world!

• Pros: Comfortable, warm, delicious
• Cons: Parking can be a challenge, but the train stops right at the door!

09/10/07

Worst dining experience in my life

by dcattia

I read the other 9 reviews before heading to this place and was excited to hear it was a lot of people's current "fave". The place is small very cozy and the atmosphere is great. The waitress/hostess/bartender was very nice and sat us immediately but the place is clearly understaffed. No matter how small the place is, a second person in the dining room wouldn't have been too much to ask for.

The wine glasses were good but overpriced. The cheese platter apetizer was just OK and priced alright.

The entrees were abysmal. That's the only word to describe that awful food I forced myself to eat. I had the salmon it was drenched in a mediocre tomato sauce and served with tasteless veggies. The salmon was overcooked and mushy. My girlfriend had the scallops. They were unseasoned and had no taste whatsoever. The cream sauce, polenta and bacon serve with it were all tasteless and tepid. I seriously think this food was prepared ahead of time and warmed up. Worst part about that is... the entrees took a good 40 minutes to arrive after we had been served the cheese platter. Absurd, given we were one of 3 tables of 2 when we were eating. I should have guessed a restairant with 6 ppl in it at 8pm on a afriday night is not worth while.

I STRONGLY disagree with these reviews as this was the worst restaurant food in my entire life. I actually felt a little sick to my stomache after my salmon. And get this: 2 glasses of wine (cheapest on the menu), cheese platter apetizer, 2 entrees, with a ridiculously low tip as I was furious: $80.00!!! I could've had the meal of my life with a drink each at a much better place than this!

• Pros: Cozy Atmosphere
• Cons: Everything else especially the quality of the food!!!! Worst ever!

10/18/06

just overall good!

by beansbean

we went on a thursday and were lucky enough to have a jazz ensemble come in at the end of dinner. the service was good without being overbearing. i LOVED my chicken dish with maple sauce, bacon and brussel sprouts! my boyfriend enjoyed his veal also. the wine was a good choice, and so was the port afterwards. my bf got an apple tart that was just delicious. great place for a relaxing night out with a loved one.

• Pros: ambience, food, quiet
• Cons: parking, kind of expensive

10/13/06

Washington Square's most romantic bistro serves satisfying Mediterranean cuisine in an intimate setting.

by Contributor

The Scene
After enjoying a meal in this restaurant's cozy dining room (think relaxing jazz tunes, candlelight and silver velvet banquettes), patrons may wish they were on a date, regardless of the company. The ten-stool mahogany wine bar presents an intriguing, varied selection that complements the menu's Mediterranean-tinged appetizers, entrees and intermediate "bistro plates." Most diners match the friendly waiters' wardrobe selection (a button-down shirt and jeans).

The Food
Chef Brian Sheehan, formerly of Sonsie, spreads plenty of garlic, olive oil, lemon and fresh herbs throughout his menu of inviting bistro fare. After starting with a bowl of steamed mussels in Dijon garlic cream or a flavorful Portobello mushroom and leek tart, move on to delicious pan-seared beef tenderloin served with a smoky red wine demi-glace. Leave room for exceptional homemade desserts, like a delicate fruit tart with vanilla bean cream and kiwi sauce or sinful molten chocolate cake with raspberry puree.