Desnuda cocina & bar — Restaurant in Boston

Solid Latin American restaurant/bar with great food and drinks.

Last Sunday, we finally made our way to Desnuda for dinner. While the buzz around the downstairs bar was tempting, we decided to skip the scramble of first-come, first-served seating and opted for the regular dining room instead.

Desnuda, like its siblings under the MAZI group, stayed true to a formula: classic dishes with straightforward flavor profiles. Here, the focus was on Latin American and Peruvian cuisine, with a few whispers of fusion flair. Though some diners have noted Asian influences, these touches were subtle, appearing in only a dish or two.

From the traditional flavors, Desnuda Ceviche was a bright and zesty start. It was on par with the good ceviches I’ve had in Miami —though the portions leaned on the smaller side. The Mini Jalea was essentially crispy calamari/octopus drizzled in that signature ceviche sauce. The standout for me was the Anticuchos Pork: tender, smoky roasted pork belly crowned with chimichurri. While the occasional charred bits brought a touch of bitterness, the sweet avocado purée tied everything together.

The entrées continued the theme. The Chaufa and Arroz Con Pato (Duck Confit) were solid. In the latter, the duck was juicy and tender, but the rice beneath it was less successful. The Arborio rice landed somewhere between porridge and risotto, so its texture felt slightly out of place.

The most “fusion” moments on the menu were the Cod Miso and the Miso Eggplant. The cod, which was actually bass, had a soft, tender texture but lacked the punch of miso flavor—its interior felt bland and unseasoned. The eggplant, however, was covered in a thick, rich miso sauce, and it worked beautifully to elevate to umami when paired with the Chaufa.

Overall, a solid meal. Not sure if I would return solely for the food, but I would be interested in returning for...

If you’re handicapped or impaired dont go here. Yesterday my cousin and I ventured out for dinner after hearing great things about this restaurant. I have been recovering from Hip surgery and was excited to finally sit down comfortably at a restaurant. I was wrong. I am never above enjoying my meal at the bar and I have staked out seats at my fair share of bars but never have I been treated so condescendingly by a restaurant’s management. I expressed interest in trying out items from both kitchens because I genuinely didnt have the energy to go downstairs to order from the downstairs menu. One man in a suit who I would later find out wasn't a manager or maybe shadowing, told me “ill let the bartenders know.” Then a woman who I later learned was the real manager told me “ let me see what my kitchen can do, I wouldn’t want you to walk up and down since you had hip surgery.” I assumed she was being genuine and accommodating towards my disability, boy was I wrong. Management never once followed up with me, checked on how I was enjoying (or not) my meal and in the end was forced to schlep downstairs to eat two subpar crispy rice and nigiris from the lackluster downstairs menu. It is very disappointing to see that in 2025 a manager of a restaurant has very little empathy or couth towards a patron who openly expressed and declared...

I'll admit, I was initially hesitant about Desnuda Cocina & Bar due to their $25 per person cancellation/no-show fee, which isn't usually my preference. However, I am SO glad we went! The entire experience absolutely made up for any initial apprehension. We visited for a Sunday brunch, and the food was fantastic – genuinely impressive, especially considering the Boston dining scene. Everything we ordered was delicious and well-prepared. What truly elevated the experience from great to exceptional was the service, particularly how they handled my friend's birthday. They truly went above and beyond, surprising us with celebratory birthday shots and bringing out a complimentary cake complete with a candle. It showed such wonderful attention to detail and made my friend feel incredibly special. That level of thoughtfulness is rare and deeply appreciated. While the experience was absolutely 5-star worthy, if I were to offer tiny suggestions for perfection, revisiting the cancellation fee policy would be welcome. Also, expanding the coffee menu slightly (perhaps with a creative option like an horchata espresso?) would be the cherry on top. Despite these minor points, Desnuda delivered a memorable and delightful brunch. The outstanding food and incredibly thoughtful service absolutely earned this 5-star rating. Highly...