12/04/08

Great Little Spot...

by endiamo

....we decided to check out Artu/ Charles St. after having a nice time at the North End location, the place is much smaller, cozy seats about 30,serves beer/wine and cordials (no full liquor or bar area). We waited about 10 mins to be seated which was cool as we got to see the chef in action (open kitchen) and they gave us a crostini while we waited. Place was full, especially for a Tuesday.

My wife had the lobster ravioli, I went with zuppe de pesce (fish stew) and we had vegetable antipasto. We went with a white wine( Falanghina), our server Todd recommended. The huge fireplace (doubles as a winerack), open kitchen, size and location made it a very different experience from the North End, but the clean,simple food and friendly service made it equally enjoyable. Take a stroll down Charles St. either before or after your meal, love the neighborhood.

We took an after dinner walk down Charles St., towards the Common

10/05/08

Terrible customer service

by sommelier34

My girlfriend and I had gone here for a bottle of wine. We were charged for the wrong bottle and when we asked the 20/30-something bartender, she accused us of trying to scheme her. She was very rude to us and extremely unsympathetic, pouncing on us saying she would go get the camera and audio to let us hear ourselves what we had asked for. Never in my life have I been treated like this when out for a drink or dinner. The type of customer service this restaurant portrays is that of a trashy, dive bar. I let her know that we would no longer be coming back thanks to her attitude. I saw another review talking about anyone under 50 isn't treated with respect. I would absolutely agree with this. STAY AWAY from here unless you are over 50 and don't mind paying for something you didn't order!

• Pros: wine selection
• Cons: attitude from the bartender

05/20/08

3 hour wait and no food

by rittiluechai

My wife and I spent three hours waiting to be seated. The hostess at the beginning of the evening told me that the wait to be seated will take less than an hour for two people. Every time that we inquired about the seat after the first hour we were told another 20 minutes. Everyone at the bar was seated. Walk-in's that arrived after us were seated.

The only positive employee of this establishment was the bartenders. They did everything they could to accommodate my wife and I. The small appetizers that the bartenders brought to us were okay. So I can?t really comment on the food.

This review is really aimed at the level of service provided by the hostess. All that I ask in a hostess is if I will not be seated at the restaurant because of reservations than please let me know so I can go elsewhere. We left at 10:30 without eating and pretty upset. This dinner was to celebrate our fifth anniversary. Instead of enjoying an evening with my wife, I had the worst experience in a restaurant of my life. If this review helps prevent one person from experiencing what we did, then it was worth it.

• Pros: Bar
• Cons: Service

02/23/08

Molto Bene

by mbear88

This is my first boston review. I discovered this little underground restaurant while walking down Charles Street in the fall. For an Italian, finding pasta cooked al dente is almost impossible without paying too much. Artu on Charles is small and there will probably be a wait, but every time I have been here--well over 6 times--the food was excellent. We love the Pasta Fagole--very authentic and delicious. Be experimental. Their daily specials are of course the best and their wine selection is really great. I have tried the lobster stuffed ravioli twice and they were excellent. My only recommendation would be to skip the bread basket--which is so-so, and dive into the dinner! Buon appetito!

• Pros: ambiance and food
• Cons: only 10 tables

09/13/07

Avoid - poor customer service

by glovesgiants

I had the worst experience at this restaurant. My girlfriend and I waited for 30 minutes while another large group walked in and were seated right away. I overheard the waitress call my girlfriend and I kids. We are both close to 30 years old and were offended by this comment. We are both young professionals who enjoy a nice night out after a long day of work. I would not recommend going to this restaurant unless you are over 50 years old. Anyone younger might be treated as we were.

05/19/07

Great food! great service

by antonellam

Been down here once and the service was amazing. i pass by everyday and sneak a peak into the kitchen through the window and you can tell that all the vegetables and such as all fresh. Love it!

02/16/07

very good

by fromboston

My fiance and I ate here and we liked it very much. I had the pasta with shrimps, aspharagus and artichoke and he had the veal and it was both yummy.

as an appetizer we had the veggies.

highly recomended.

• Pros: yummy food
• Cons: none

Smartly dressed Beacon Hill couples head below street level for outstanding Italian dining in a homey, functional setting.

by Contributor

The Scene
This popular offshoot caters to a mostly older local crowd--a stark contrast to the bounty of tourists that constantly fill the original Artu, in the North End. Exposed-brick walls, low ceilings and a busy open kitchen create an exceptionally homey environment. But cramped quarters mean overheard conversations are the norm. Save for the many patrons who dart in for takeout orders, most everyone enjoys selections from the limited, but wisely chosen, wine list. Congenial waiters treat everyone, even first-timers, like regulars.

The Food
Befitting a true rosticceria, the comforting menu is heavy on meats (cured and grilled) and fire-roasted vegetables. Excellent antipasti options include the popular house variety, with flavorful smoked mozzarella and sweet roasted red peppers. Well-seasoned, slow-roasted lamb, or a juicy half-chicken fresh off the rotisserie grill prove deeply satisfying entrees. Dessert options, though limited, include a light, homemade tiramisu made with rum-soaked ladyfingers.

10/10/04

Overpriced, Under-Served

by beantown02215

At first, this establishment looks nice - low and cozy, rustic feel. But after the abrubt server (yes, only one server for 10 tables!) pushes past you, you realize this place is merely a cheap take over of what once was a great place. The server skipped our table, forgot our drinks and finally when the food came out, it was weak and bland. To top it off, the bill for a simple meat and potatoes with a sode for two people came to $53! Artu is quite a waste. We do not recommend it to anyone. There are plenty of other great place around the area.

• Pros: Good location
• Cons: , Bland food, Way over-priced