Aquitaine

06/28/08

BRUNCH - Don't bother!

by northshorefoodies

Of all the brunch options in the South End, I suggest putting Aquitaine at the bottom of your list. I've been there for dinner and have always enjoyed it. Brunch seems to be a different story. First, the price: $8-$15 entrees (for eggs?!) and $9.50 mimosas? Come on. Secondly, I don't mind higher prices if the quality is there. Unfortunately, Aquitaine just did not deliver. I ordered "Eggs Benedict Provencal" ($9.95) with heirloom tomatoes, avocado and herbes fines. Sounds yummy, huh? What I got: english muffin with two skinny slices of Roma tomato (like you'd find at Stop-n-Shop), two HARD-poached eggs, one tiny sliver of (browning) avocado, a goodly amount of delicious hollandaise, and a sprinkling of parsley. Hardly what I expected! I considered sending it back, but I didn't want to ruin brunch with my friends AND the food took so long I was starving! All in all, I would have to say it was a huge miss for me.

• Pros: Nice room, friendly staff!
• Cons: Not good value, not attentive service.

01/02/08

Great food, wonderful service....

by travellingboston

Aquitaine is one of Boston's premier restaurants, the restaurant / French bistro currently holds an award winning wine list that boasts both French and American wines. The food is outstanding, and the kitchen is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, what?s not to love? I hear that Aquitaine on Tremont has been in business for over ten years now, and I for one can't stay away. For wine connoisseurs and food aficionados, this romantic restaurant has a classy atmosphere of both a classic and contemporary French bistro. Above all, the service is great, and their prices are astonishingly reasonable.

Bon Appetit!

• Pros: great service, wonderful food, exquisite wine list, romantic atmosphere
• Cons: parking (but they have valet), not really kid friendly on a weekend night

11/24/07

NOT GOOD! BEWARE!

by gilliangem

Where do I begin? Our server was beyond rude; rolling her eyes when we asked for rolls, sighing when we asked for anything (i.e. for our bottle of wine to be placed on the table and not at the server station, rolls), pouring the entire bottle of wine in our glasses before we were done with appetizers, and then disappearing when we needed her. Just when you think the service could not be worse, the food was beyond belief. I had the marseillaise boulibaisse (which was supposed to be the special of the day); for $26 I received six lame mussels, two small shrimp, and a small blob of alleged haddock. My sister's received six small scallops for at least $22, and her husband's meal had the flavor of a cardboard box, and he sent the thing back after one bite. The manager, albeit gracious in the face of our complaints, did nothing to redeem the debacle that had just happened. Do yourself a favor, DON"T GO! I may be a picky Manhattanite, but why should you have to pay Manhattan/Boston prices for limp, tasteless food and low-grade, low-class, sour service?

• Pros: Lovely Decor & LIghting
• Cons: Food, Service - Need I Say More?

08/18/07

Bring over the wine kid

by foodshowx

Goodness do my wife and I loath restaurant week! Our lovely South End and indeed much of the rest of Boston being inundated with people who seem to be dead set on ruining the evening of anyone dining after them just drives us around the bend. Really, how long DOES it take to eat three courses? We would fancy ourselves as almost-regulars between Union and Aquitaine and frequently find ourselves just walking in one or the other off the street. As noted in a previous post months ago about Union, Aquitaine is our favorite wine restaurant in the Woods/Gates empire, but it still needs help. My wife and I consider ourselves at least mildly wine-savvy and at the least we know what we like and don't like. But boy are the waiters at Aquitaine in need of some oenological training, not only was the wine service sloppy (our server managed to slosh wine all over the table cloth and down the sides of the glasses) but there was just no interaction, even though we had no questions to ask the gentleman gave us no real indication that such an exchange would even be possible. We hope that the "powers that be" within the great Aquitaine management company will send Kelly (the talented and astonishingly young wine director at Union) over to help these guys out. Of course, it was restaurant week and we really do give them the benefit-of-the-doubt but it just seems like the whole list and service procedures might need a little sprucing up. This is not at all a bad review, we love Aquitaine and will return as long as it's there and we can chew, this is just a tiny cry, a good-spirited plea for help. The company has a great resource in their young "wine guy" (a transplant from my wife's home state of Colorado!) as he was first introduced, and we hope to see him around another of our favorite South End haunts soon. Thanks Aquitaine and Union for keeping it up!

-X and Wife

• Pros: Food is always very tasty, service is always wonderful, they have a token French hostess
• Cons: tables for two are VERY close together, only one bathroom, not much bar seating, a nightmare for those dining with kids (but I'm sure the staff prefers it that way)

07/24/07

one of my favorite restaurants in Boston

by jetgrrl

I've had dinner twice and brunch once at Acquitaine; all three times I've enjoyed it immensely. The brunch is a great value for excellent food. Yes, the menu is limited, but not absurdly so. Dinner is simply divine. Definitely very pricey but well worth it for a special occaision (which is why I've only been twice!) and I've found the waitstaff helpful, knowlegable and unpretentious. I like to start off with a visit to the butcher shop across the street but their own appetizers are also excellent.

05/25/07

I've never had a bad meal here

by pullingmyhairout

The few people that have written bad reviews here must've had an absolutely unusual experience. Aquitaine is just the right place for any occasion. I've gone here for a nice date (anniversaries and such). I've taken my folks here, when they're in town. But, at the same time, it feels just so comfortable and warm. The food is wonderful and their wine selection is near-perfect (a mix of some rather fine bottles and everyday ones, as well). If you haven't tried it yet, I'd advise that you give it a shot. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

03/07/07

Fabulous food

by merryx

Eggs were prepared exactly as I asked (well done; no ham). Everything tasted wonderful (eggs, cinnamon bun, waffle, and fruit). Attentive service from both waiter and host.

• Pros: Excellent food. Very hip atmosphere.
• Cons: Sometimes long wait. Tables are *very* close together.

02/17/07

Poor Phone Service

by tippy007

I called looking for a reservation. They told me I could have a certain time for brunch (10:30AM). Then put me on hold for 10 minutes. Then a different person came on the phone and informed me that the restaurant did not have a reservation before 1PM. Honestly I don't usually care about that sort of thing, but this place always does this sort of thing. I just don't need the flipping attitude from some wannabee restaurant. Maybe the food is good, but I'll probably never eat their now. I'll take my business to 1 of the 1000 other restaurants in the South End.

02/05/07

One of the South End's most beloved bistros serves award-winning new French cuisine in the most stylish of settings.

by Contributor

The Scene
Drawn by the feel of an upscale Parisian neighborhood bistro, local jet-setters fill up banquettes and bar stools night after night. The dining room's French artwork and floor-to-ceiling windows make for a romantic setting, though on most nights a quiet conversation's out of the question. Harried servers do their best to appease the crowds.

The Food
The menu covers its bases by offering both classic French standards and interesting fusion dishes. For an excellent starter, try the salty house-smoked salmon, which is complimented by a rich herbed-mustard crème fraîche. While not typical bistro fare, the picture-perfect spicy seared tuna steak benefits from a tangy roasted tomato vinaigrette. Calorific desserts include a decadent chocolate pudding cake and a super-sweet caramel banana bread pudding. Impressive daily specials include a seven-hour lamb confit and freeform chicken ravioli.

10/31/06

Super Sun Brunch

by lillo

I went here for the first time last Sunday for the brunch and it was great! The atmosphere was awesome, I felt like I was in a Parisian cafe. Food was excellent, service was good...reservations a must.

• Pros: Fast service great food
• Cons: na