Bar Mezzana — Restaurant in Boston

Took a friend for her birthday. The food was lovely (memorable, return worthy). The wine was great. But two things were rather problematic- 1. They forced the appetizer, salad, and mains to be ordered at the same time. Server assured us it would be timed but it all arrived back to back. (Dessert of course can be ordered later). 2. We walked exactly 3 minutes away (not even beyond view of restaurant) and friend realized she left her birthday gift at the table. It was the end of the night (no one seated at the table) and they had thrown away the obviously tissue wrapped gift (And tried to hide that fact). Rather than apologizing they insisted it was normal practice. Honestly, the lack of apology really left the entire evening just a little too salty. My friend was reasonably disappointed that it was gone, but the insistence of the girl Claiming to be the manager (while the manager was actually seated next to the chef) that she wasn’t sorry nor embarrassed, but rather that we were just wrong made this rather unforgivable. Thank you for the business card Ashley... but I’d prefer you offer to find the missing item and work toward a resolve... or more professionally, apologize.

10/10/20- *update since I can’t respond to the below response. Dear Heather, your response indicates that the lack of empathy starts at the top. This is clearly not a training issue as I might have previously thought. With regard to the timing of the food, Covid adds much stress to the food industry (believe me I know- I work in it, so your “education” was unnecessary). The first comment was that the timing of the food once it was in fact all ordered was not as promised (it basically all came at once). The requisite grace for the ordering system in place Bc of covid procedures was already extended to you and the feeling about it’s untimely arrival stands. The second issue is much larger. To keep people safe and throw things away is understood. However there was some weight to this obvious gift bag- it was a cactus after all. And if you’re staff had said “hey I’m sorry it’s what we have to do, it sucks, we’re in this together” we would have said “oh man, we’re sorry too”. But the argument falls apart when that did not happen. Your staff looked at my friend like she was dumb and then returned parts and pieces from the trash completely out of their wrapping. If it was tossed “Bc of covid” than it would not have been opened and in one tossed bag that no one wanted to touch... not loose unwrapped items placed in another food bag. Please ask questions rather than attacking. In fact please extend the empathy you’re requesting in return. This is not a “covid problem”. This is a lack of ownership problem. The best food in the world can easily be spoiled by adequate service delivered with a...

My Last Supper in Boston: A Love Letter to Bar Mezzana

After five years of calling Boston my second city – the place that taught me to love lobster rolls, New England weather, and the stubborn charm of a town that never apologizes for being itself – there was only one restaurant worthy of my Last Supper: Bar Mezzana. It’s the sort of restaurant that doesn’t just feed you; it welcomes you, wraps you in good olive oil, sprinkles you with Maldon salt, and assures you that everything is going to be just fine. It always does.

On this bittersweet final night, I brought along my dear mother, a true food connoisseur who can spot a dry scallop at twenty paces. Together, we ordered the dishes that over the years have become more comforting than a hug from an old friend: the shimmering salmon and tuna crudo, like precious jewels on a plate; the lobster paccheri, as rich and satisfying as a win at the roulette table; and the king-sized scampi shrimp, a dish that reminds you why the gods chose to live by the sea.

At Bar Mezzana, restraint is a mistake. The “chicken under a brick” is essential for any first-timer, the sort of dish that shows you exactly how good simple food can be when treated with devotion: blistered, juicy, faintly smoky, and seasoned with something even greater than salt – skill, confidence, and care.

The magic of Bar Mezzana is not only on the plate. The staff are in a league of their own, striking that impossible balance between professional and warmly familiar. They know exactly when to appear, exactly when to step back, and exactly when you need that one extra glass of wine to stretch the night just a little longer. Dining here feels like being invited to the best kind of dinner party – the kind hosted by someone with a world-class kitchen and a sixth sense for hospitality.

The atmosphere hums with a rare alchemy: lively but never overwhelming, chic but never pretentious. Every visit feels like coming home, whether it’s your first night in Boston or your last for a while.

Walking away from Bar Mezzana that night brought a pang of sadness, but mostly a sense of deep gratitude. Knowing this restaurant exists, knowing it will still be there waiting – that’s the kind of comfort that makes goodbyes a little easier.

Some places aren’t just restaurants. They’re rituals. They’re anchors. They’re proof that no matter where you go, you can...

The short version — you're reading this to decide if you should eat here. The answer is emphatically yes.

The long version: Having lived in the South End for years over at Troy, I loved seeing the neighborhood develop and having access to all the hot new restaurants that popped up in the Harrison corridor. One of those gems was Bar Mezzana; the trendy high-end Italian spot that set the bar for dining in this part of town. I loved popping in and grabbing a bite and a drink after work, or meeting people coming into town on the weekends. After a move to the West Coast, I had been away from Boston for far too long (SEVEN YEARS!) and found myself back in town for a wedding, staying next door at the AC. The agenda was obvious; there was no way I could skip a dinner at Bar Mezzana. Immediately on entering the front door, the vibes were vibing; we got a seat outside with a view, and the nostalgia came crashing in like the ocean. My sweet wife tolerated me saying the phrase "Oh man, I remember..." at least a dozen times over the course of the next 90 minutes.

Two things you need to know about this place. The first is that the food is on point. The gin is smooth, the gnocchi is fluffy, the tagliolini is rich, and the meatballs – THE MEATBALLS. How do they get so light and perfectly tender? You must order them. This is more of a demand than a suggestion. The second thing you need to know is the hospitality is unmatched. We were taken care of by Lisa, who was a phenomenal energy to match my enthusiasm – and we shared dog photos, so obviously top marks. We also had a chance to speak with Heather for a while (who honestly probably got more of my backstory than asked for), but she gives you the feeling of catching up with an old friend and is just a delight.

Bar Mezzana remains a must-visit in the South End. If I still lived in the area I would be spending enough money here to become a partner. If you are still reading this, your attention span is commendable, and I suggest you stop reading and...