Aquitaine — Restaurant in Boston

Hi Mark! I was the lucky person sitting right next to you during your recent ordeal in Aquitaine, and I just wanted to personally thank you for your unforgettable performance. Truly—few can manage to be so scandalized by a 6-year-old quietly watching Peppa Pig on an iPhone. I mean, the horror! A pig with a British accent in a French restaurant and absolutely no bar tab? Disgraceful.

For the record, my Goddaughter wasn't kicking anyone’s legs. But I did catch her almost smiling at you—so I understand how that could’ve felt aggressive.

As someone who actually ate and enjoyed brunch (without needing a parade in my honor), I found the atmosphere to be warm, inclusive, fun, and human. GM Willbert checked in everyone with a smile and the staff— Giordani at the bar nailed the service and Fabio, Santiago, and Adriana worked that floor like hospitality superheroes—they were all beyond gracious, making everyone feel welcome, and running the whole business very smoothly.

About that $200 “possibly” lost meal from you? Wow. I hope the restaurant recovers someday from the emotional and financial toll of your drink-only protest.

As for the 3% kitchen appreciation—you’re right. How dare they transparently support the folks sweating it out over stoves to make your potential $200 meal taste like magic? Wild concept: people valuing their coworkers and inviting guests to join in. I hear there’s a place up the street where no one smiles and the fries are frozen. You might feel more at home there.

I couldn’t help but take a peek at your other reviews—pure poetry, really. It seems that children merely existing, young employees doing their jobs, drinks that don’t knock you flat, music you didn’t personally curate, and the very idea of “ambiance” all make you clutch your pearls with Olympic speed. You even took offense at coffee served in paper cups at coffee shops. Iconic.

Oh, and that gem about Salvation Army being overpriced—because yes, how dare a thrift store that funds charitable work not meet your luxury expectations? I know, life is cruel and unrelenting.

At this point, I’m not entirely sure what you're looking for when you go out but I’m guessing it involves silence, zero humans under your age, and ideally, just you… and a mirror.

Anyway, thanks for the entertainment. Next time, I’ll be sure to bring headphones for my goddaughter and for you—maybe something soothing, like whale sounds, and a few Peppa Pig episodes. You might enjoy it. 🐳 🐷📱

Cheers from a South End resident and an Aquitaine regular (highly recommended). Wishing you fewer leg assaults from children, the strength to endure another restaurant’s outrageous kindness, and less offensive generosity at...

Aquitaine – Boston, MA – 8/1/2016

This is my fourth Aquitaine group restaurant location visit. Each locations décor is a bit different however one common thread shared by all is exceptional customer service and Attention To Detail… At this point I have a certain level of expectation and these people exceeded it. The Boston location just underwent a major renovation. As you walk up to the front of the restaurant you see a beautiful building. The glass front showcases the spectacular interior… A large bar on the left side with lots of shimmering glass and beautifully set white linen table service runs front to back… I was greeted at the front by manager; Anthony who showed me to my table.

My server tonight was Jon, a 16 Year veteran with the group… Jon was extremely personable and made some recommendations...

Soon after seating Jon brought out the fresh from the oven warm cheese puffs… I could eat a case of these they were so good!

Next out a mini warm loaf of bread… although everyone in the Boston metro area seems to get their bread from Iggy’s, theirs tends to have a uniquely Aquitaine shape… I'll give up other carbs during the week to make up for what I had here this evening. It's that good!

The Chef sent out an Amuse Bouche for me… Seared Scallop… Cauliflower Puree… Maitake mushroom… to name but just a few of the wonderful ingredients. The flavour was matched by the plating… Spectacular!

Based on high recommendations I had the She-Crabe Bisque… it was like a creamy broth loaded with the primest of prime chunks of Crab meat… Just the right amount of everything… Cream Sherry, Saffron, “Old Bay” & local Jonah Crabe…

The main this evening… The Duck A L’Orange over a Cauliflower Mousseline, Swiss Chard and Sauce Big… Perfectly prepared and nicely plated… So much so I almost felt guilty taking it apart… Fork by fork…Its one thing to prepare delicious tasting food but when the chef combines flavour with artful food sculpting, now there's talent!

Although I wasn't planning on having dessert, Jon’s passionate portrayal of the Crispy Chocolate Bread Pudding made it impossible to say no. The only way I can describe it is to relate it to the diner scene in “when Harry met Sally”… OMG! You need to watch it on YouTube to understand if you're not old enough to remember the movie!

And as with all my dinners, I finish with my signature Cappuccino… This, like everything else was yet another perfectly executed endeavor.

Aquitaine… Impeccable service… scrumptious cuisine, visually and flavorfully choreographed into something really special... These are two of the reasons I love coming here. I've just added it to my “must go back to” list! You...

Aquitaine, Boston. You walk in, and it’s got that effortless Parisian elegance—the kind of place where the lighting is just dim enough, the brass fixtures glow just right, and the hum of conversation rolls over you like a warm tide. The kind of place where people linger over wine, where the food isn’t just served—it’s delivered with quiet confidence.

Start with a drink, because that’s what you do here. A cosmopolitan—balanced, crisp, not the syrupy mess you’d expect from a lesser bar. A gin and tonic—simple, but precise. It’s the kind of cocktail that reminds you why the classics are classics.

Then there’s the escargot. If you’ve never had them, this is where you start. These aren’t just snails drowned in garlic butter; they’re little vessels of flavor, bathed in parsley, Pernod, and enough butter to make you question your life choices in the best way possible. Rich, decadent, and just unfamiliar enough to make you feel like you’re somewhere else—Paris, maybe, if you squint past the South End streets outside.

Dinner lands, and it’s the kind of meal that lingers in your mind long after you’ve left. The Seared Ricotta Gnocchi—light, delicate, kissed by brown butter, with butternut squash and crispy sage playing their parts in a perfectly orchestrated bite. And then the Truffled Duck Risotto—a dish so rich it ought to come with a disclaimer. Tender duck confit, roasted shiitakes, truffle butter, Parmesan. It’s indulgence without pretense, the kind of plate that reminds you why butter, cheese, and patience are the holy trinity of good cooking.

The portions? Maybe a touch on the restrained side, but that’s the trade-off when quality takes the lead over sheer volume. And let’s be real—if you’re here, you’re not here for quantity. You’re here for an experience.

Service is tight—attentive without hovering, the kind of polished but unforced hospitality that elevates a meal. If there’s one gripe, it’s the seating. Near the entrance, near the bar—fine for some, but not for me. I like a seat further in, where you can absorb the full rhythm of the restaurant, where the experience washes over you in waves.

Aquitaine is a place for a night out that means something—a date, an occasion, a dinner that lingers in your memory like a song you can’t stop humming. It’s not cheap, but it’s not meant to be. It’s a restaurant that delivers exactly what it promises: bold, well-executed flavors in an atmosphere that knows exactly what it’s doing. You come here for the kind of meal that reminds you why dining out is one of life’s great pleasures. And you leave already planning...