Cottonwood Cafe

03/02/09

tasty food, very sub-par service

by foodietoodie at Citysearch

I'm a local, and took my parents who are from out of town to Cottonwood. Having been around Boston restaurants for years, I've gotten used to a bit of gruffness, some inattention but overall having pleasant experiences from place to place.

This experience was not pleasant. The food was quite good, which thankfully saved the evening. The waiter was abyssmal. Host was very nice, sat us, and it all started well. But, after an inital hello and some water, we waited 10-15 minutes for the waiter to come back, he had walked by a few times and never made eye contact - I finally went to the host not wanting to be pushy and kindly asked for the waiter to come to our table to order. Other people who sat after us already had salads. It took a few more minutes after that. When he came back I mentioned the delay and he said "I thought you said you needed a minute". Inappropriate. He also forgot a glass of wine after that, and got my order wrong. That pretty much did it. Everyone else started eating without me while I waited. Ther was an apology from the waiter about the food mix up. I know waiting table is the worst job because I did it. This waiter wasn't mean, just bad - but it really put a kink on the whole dinner, and that's enough to make me not want to go back.

• Pros: good food
• Cons: service service service!

01/06/09

I love the food and drinks here

by kasha22 at Citysearch

The food that I have ordered there has always been very good and their margaritas are awesome-not like the sugary sick inducing or overly sour ones that are often served at bars and restaurants. I have been going there almost once a week for the past two years and it is still one of my favorite restaurants in Boston for meals under $ 20 per person. Service has never been spectacular and there are a couple of male servers who i think go to work to socialize, and I myself have had my meals "mixed up" in the kitchen, but whatever...it's affordable, good drinks and the after work scene is good.

• Pros: Great margaritas, enchilda verdes, zuni roll, nachos, chips and salsa
• Cons: unattentive servers

08/01/08

Colorful Southwestern outpost rewards Back Bay palates in Copley Square.

by Eric Grossman at Citysearch

The Scene
Whether they're drawn to the award-winning Southwestern cuisine or the comfortable decor (think warm colors and a calming desert motif), a steady crowd of Back Bay workers and tourists keep business at the Cottonwood strong. Diners in the lengthy, window-lined dining room and the seasonal outdoor patio enjoy colorful views of the Hancock Tower's busy entrance, while the casual bar area features its own menu and an exceptional tequila selection.

The Food
To the layman, this is Tex-Mex with a twist. Snakebites (fried shrimp-stuffed jalapenos) and cowboy pot stickers (chicken and herb dumplings served with four-chili dipping sauce) are just two of the tasty appetizer choices, while flavorful salmon and black Angus steaks arrive sizzling off the kitchen's open grill. Desserts, including sinful chocolate nachos (white- and dark-chocolate mousses served with chocolate-dipped butter cookies), are not to be missed.

09/26/06

Great margaritas and fresh fish specials

by ccirricione at Citysearch

I dine at the Cottonwood Cafe everytime I visit Boston and have done so since my daughter attended BU in the early 90's. Although I peruse the menu on every visit, I invariably order their fresh fish of the day with the wonderful sauces that accompany the dish. Bartenders and service people are personable and efficient. Although we researched other venues for our daughters's wedding reception, we held it there and all of the guests said it was the best wedding reception they had ever attended.

• Pros: Friendly atmosphere
• Cons: Can be noisy

09/24/06

A really great time

by jedigman at Citysearch

I had a really great time at the cottonwood last night. I was promtly seated and my server was there to greet me within minutes. I started with a traditional margarita, and some snakebites. They were excellent (maybe the best appetizer ever invented). I then had the chicken diablo. It was somewhat spicy, and very flavorful. To top it off I finished with the chocolat nachos. Yum. I had a really great time. THe food was awsome and affordable. I would reccomend the cottonwould to any one looking for a fun time with great food.

• Pros: Margaritas, food, ambience and definetly the snakebites
• Cons: I can't think of any

09/23/06

Horrible Service

by mikej77 at Citysearch

We have been regulars at Cottonwood for the past four years, recently the service has gone downhill to the point where we had our last dining experience. We went on Saturday night and were seated with no problems. The restaurant was only about half full. As we sat and waited, we noticed our waitress standing at the table next to us chatting with the couple there. At this point, I looked at her and she saw us waiting. I decided to time her to see when she would at least approach us to take our drink order. I did this because on our last trip, it took over 25 minutes to get service. After 15 minutes of listening to the waitress talk to the other couple about her last vacation, we simply got up and left. It really is unacceptable considering paying customers are there to relax and enjoy a nice dinner. This was the last time we would dine at Cottonwood.

• Pros: Margaritas
• Cons: Service

09/23/06

Great for functions

by klaus1974 at Citysearch

My office staff loves margaritas. Clients coming into town, and I suggested a margarita tasting party. The booking was for 75 people, which sometimes it's not easy to handle. The night was great we had different tables with three kinds of margaritas with various tequila's, with authentic South Western appetizers.The staff was so friendly, and knowledgeable. There was a party next for the clients in upscale hotel and no one wanted to leave the Cottonwood to go there. The CEO of my company was there and insisted we book again for next year, and we did. Highly recommended.

• Pros: Food, Service, Margaritas

06/26/06

Don't believe the hype! Cottonwood Never Again!!!

by mainechef at Citysearch

So once we were finally approached by a waitress, 15 minutes into our visit, we were rudely greeted. Not a great impression! The drinks were then ordered and they too took forever. (2 strikes) once we ordered aps and entrees the misery grew yet again, as everything we had was sub-par and some had to be sent back. I guess next time we know better.

Cottonwood Never Again!!!

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Everything once you enter the door

01/05/06

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

by moretti28 at Citysearch

Excellent food and great margaritas!! The Fire and Spice, wow! Chocolate nachos are delicious! I would definitely recommend this restaurant to my friends. Great for small groups too, you'll get a nice atmosphere, a lot of fun and it's not overpriced like a bunch of so called "fancy" restaurants, where you eat eat a little and you pay a lot!! The free parking lot downstairs is also very convenient, specially in Back Bay.

• Pros: great margaritas, good parking, good service

12/18/05

good time

by eraclito at Citysearch

My friend and I had a great time at Cottonwood , the server was very funny, a woman, and very professional at the same time, the margaritas were wonderful and food was great, the chocolate nachos left us begging for more.