Estella Restaurant — Restaurant in Boston

A Memorable Dining Experience at Estrella in Boston

Recently, I had the pleasure of dining at Estrella, a charming restaurant located in the heart of Boston. The experience left me thoroughly impressed, not just because of the incredible food, but also due to the exceptional service provided by our server, Ari. It’s not often that a dining experience is elevated by the service to such a remarkable degree, but this visit to Estrella proved that it is not just about the food, but also about the people who make your time at the restaurant unforgettable.

From the moment we walked in, Estrella had a warm and welcoming ambiance. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, with soft lighting and a modern, yet rustic décor that set the stage for a relaxed and enjoyable evening. But, as much as the setting was pleasing, it was the food that really stole the show. The menu at Estrella offers a variety of delicious, beautifully prepared dishes that cater to a wide range of tastes, and every single plate we ordered was absolutely fantastic. The flavors were bold and well-balanced, with fresh ingredients that showed the care and expertise of the chefs in the kitchen. Each dish was a delightful combination of textures and tastes, leaving us all satisfied and happy with our choices.

However, what truly made our visit stand out was our server, Ari. While the food alone was impressive enough to warrant a return visit, it was Ari’s exceptional service that truly made the experience unforgettable. From the very beginning, she greeted us with a warm smile and a genuine enthusiasm that made us feel welcome and valued. Her attentiveness throughout the meal was impeccable—she knew exactly when to check in on us without being overbearing, ensuring that we had everything we needed at just the right moments. She made sure our drinks were always full, cleared our plates promptly, and asked thoughtful questions about how we were enjoying the meal. Her timing and attention to detail were flawless, and it was evident that she cared about providing the best possible experience.

What truly stood out was Ari's patience and kindness. My family and I tend to take our time when dining out, often discussing our food and making choices slowly. Ari was incredibly patient, never rushing us or making us feel pressured to make a decision quickly. She allowed us the time we needed to enjoy the meal at our own pace, and this made the evening feel relaxed and comfortable. It’s rare to encounter a server who can balance professionalism with such a genuine and friendly demeanor, but Ari did so effortlessly, making us feel as though we were her only table for the evening. Her service was so personable, it made the entire dining experience feel more like a gathering with friends than a night at a restaurant.

In an era where dining out can sometimes feel transactional, Ari’s service reminded me of the importance of human connection in the hospitality industry. Her kindness, patience, and intuitive service made all the difference in our experience at Estrella. It’s easy to be impressed by great food, but it’s the people who serve you that can elevate an ordinary meal into an extraordinary memory. Ari did just that, and as a result, our night was made 100 times better.

In conclusion, while Estrella’s food was outstanding, it was the exceptional service provided by Ari that turned a simple dinner into a memorable experience. Her kindness and attention to detail made all the difference, and it’s safe to say that her efforts will keep me coming back to Estrella for years to come. It’s rare to find someone in the service industry who goes above and beyond in such a genuine and thoughtful way, and for that, I am...

I made reservations for a party of 7 for a birthday celebration on a Thursday night. It was our first time here and we decided to try this place out based on reviews and pics. It's right in the middle of downtown crossing so I was a little hesitant because of parking, but they provide a discount rate to park at the Lafayette parking lot around the corner. We were greeted warmly when we arrived by the hostess and she took us straight to our table. There was no wait and not many ppl at the restaurant. As we were walking to our table I was observing the aesthetics. The front is very narrow were the bar is and a little dark. There's a couple of small tables on the sides and a couple of nice chandeliers. As we kept on walking to the back were they sat our party, it got very boring and plain. It didn't feel like we were in a high end restaurant. Our waitress came right over and she was very nice and attentive. We began placing our orders for appetizers and food and were praying it didn't disappoint. Let me tell you the food saved the overall experience for us! There were only a couple of misses, but overall many hits. We ordered yuca fries, calamari and chicken wings for appetizers. The yuca fries were very crunchy and flavorful but a bit too oily for my liking. We ordered plain chicken wings and Thai chicken wings. The Thai chicken wings were way better. The plain ones lacked flavor. The Thai calamari was very good and a hit! For entrees we ordered chicken pesto, short ribs, mac and cheese, burgers, a salad and 2 surf and turfs. My husband absolutely loved the surf and turf and said the lobster was probably the best most flavorful and juicy lobster he's ever ate. He praised the steak as well. My chicken pesto was also great. I couldn't finish it because the plates are very big. My kids loved the burgers and the mac and cheese was one of the best we have ever tasted. In all we were all satisfied with the food! I would return for the food.

My only recommendation is sprucing up the back a little. Maybe adding some flush chandeliers to spice up the back and not have it feeling so plain. The menu prices are definitely not cheap so I expected a higher end feeling. The waitress took me upstairs to the mezzanine and it was cute and cozy up there. Next time I would prefer to sit in the mezzanine instead...

Reply to Owner: I am a woman. My name and photo reflect a woman. Why you would address me as “Mr.” in your generic reply that you give to all other bad reviews is beyond me. If you, as the owner, can’t even spend 2 seconds paying attention to whom you’re writing to would explain why your managers and staff treat guests the way they do.

Hands down the WORST dining experience I've ever had! Had a 5 pm dinner reservation and noted in the reservation - and told everyone we had a 7 pm showtime to make. We were seated upstairs and told immediately they were short-staffed, with only one server upstairs. Drinks and apps came within 20 minutes. But, then ALL SERVICE STOPPED for 90 minutes. Every time we asked for not only our food but for even just WATER, we were told, "just a minute" or "I'll check on that" - but nothing. It was just apology after apology - even from the manager - but, no food, no water, no check - after asking multiple times for all. Finally got food at 6:40 pm - couldn't even choke it down because the filets, lamb, and chicken were all undercooked, and one of the $38 filets was legitimately rotten - food poisoning that evening confirmed it. It was all inedible. At that point, we literally had to YELL across the EMPTY dining room for water - since we still couldn't get that. Through all this, our server NEVER ONCE CAME TO THE TABLE. There was never any honesty from the manager either - multiple excuses of "system trouble," "shortstaffed," and someone "didn't speak English" - even though all other tables were served, and checked out, all while we waited. We left, hungry, with nothing but empty apologies, excuses, and food poisoning. Never, ever, ever again will I eat here, or recommend this restaurant. The people in management have NO business being in those positions. I am a regular on the Boston theatre circuit, and a pre-show dinner is a must - always looking for new restaurants to try. Some are hits, some are misses - this is the first time I have ever felt compelled to go online and leave a WARNING - STAY AWAY FROM ESTELLA - not worth the money, aggravation, or potential pain...