Mistral — Restaurant in Boston

The table I’ll miss the most.

After five years in Boston, my family and I are packing up and moving on. As we make our list of what we’ll miss: the parks, the stubborn pride in local identity, the city’s pulse that beats loudest each April on marathon day. One thing keeps coming up over dinner: Mistral.

We’ve had many great meals in this city, but Mistral is the only place we all agree on without hesitation. It’s not just good. It’s the one. The restaurant that quietly worked its way into our routine and then, almost without us noticing, into our affections.

There’s something deeply reassuring about Mistral. Maybe it’s the European undercurrent. The elegant, Mediterranean flavors that feel like home to anyone who’s spent time on the other side of the Atlantic. Or maybe it’s the sense that everything here has been done properly, with purpose, for a long time. Nothing trendy, nothing forced, just timeless, confident cooking.

Take the foie gras on brioche. It’s the dish that announces, in hushed tones, you’re in the right place. Rich, velvety, perfectly seared and perched on sweet, toasted brioche. It’s luxury in edible form, yet somehow not showy.

Then comes the half duck. Crisped skin, tender meat, and that subtle hit of sweetness that makes you pause and appreciate how well-balanced it all is. It’s the kind of dish that stops the conversation mid-sentence – until someone says, “This is ridiculous,” and everyone nods with their mouths full.

The braised beef rib might be the most comforting thing on any menu in Boston. It’s slow-cooked and deeply flavored, falling apart on the plate like it just gave up resisting. This isn’t food that asks for attention. It earns it.

And the crab ravioli? That’s the dish I’ll be thinking about when we’re settling in back home. Silky pasta, sweet crab, and a sauce that should frankly come in jugs. It’s elegant and indulgent all at once.

But what truly sets Mistral apart is the staff. They’re the kind of team that doesn’t need to be flashy. They just get it right. Every time. There’s a calm confidence to the service, a genuine warmth, and an attention to detail that elevates the whole experience without ever trying too hard.

Leaving Boston is bittersweet. There’s a lot we’ll miss. But knowing Mistral will still be here. Calm, elegant, quietly excellent, makes it easier. It’s a restaurant we’ll come back to, hopefully sooner rather than later. And when we do, I know it’ll feel like...

Mistral has been in business for almost 20 years, which speaks volumes to its quality and reputation for exceptional dining experiences. That being said, when I hear people tell me that this is their favorite restaurant in Boston and for some their favorite in the world, I cry a little tear on the inside for them. Mistral is a VERY GOOD restaurant, but it is not quite great and there are a several other options in Boston which I would consider to be better. I took my wife here for her birthday and we both agreed that it was very good, but given the prices it didn't really wow us....

We started with a special appetizer, salmon tartare with an avocado salad base. It was very good. My wife got the halibut for her main course and was a little underwhelmed by the lack of flavor. Although it tasted good, there wasn't enough going on to make it a very dynamic dish. I had the sirloin, which was also really really good, but not the best steak I've ever had. Actually one of the best steaks I've ever had was at Mistral's sister restaurant, Mooo. The sirloin here looked like the exact same cut of meat that I got at Mooo, but the French style of cooking/seasoning just didn't hit the same magic meat spot for me.

I had the chocolate cake for dessert which was great. My wife had the carrot cake which was a little over spiced for her. I thought the carrot cake was good, but given the use of spice I could understand how someone might be disappointed if they were expecting a traditional carrot cake.

The service was attentive and generally pretty solid. They weren't too overbearing and we never found ourselves waiting/wanting for anything except for wine when my wife couldn't find the right wine to pair with her halibut (go with the gruner).

We had a full meal here: 1 app, 2 entrees, 2 desserts, 2 wines each and one port each. Our tab came out to $220. You don't have to spend $200 here if you don't want to. We're thinking of coming back again to have a salad each and split an entree (I'm sure our waiter will love that).....

PRO TIP: #1. If you are having a special meal here, request a corner table. #2. If you live or are staying in Boston proper call ahead to request their "complimentary" car service (you still should tip...

We visited this fine French restaurant with a beautiful, quiet atmosphere that immediately set high expectations. We went for a dinner of two. The service was equally impressive - especially the manager, who was professional and truly cared about our experience. The presentation of each dish was exquisite, like artwork on a plate. Unfortunately, the taste didn’t live up to the visuals.

We ordered duck with mushroom risotto and white fish for the main, escargots and pea soup for appetizers. The escargots were rubbery and difficult to chew, something I’ve never experienced before, in any other French restaurants. The pea soup was served cold, it was refreshing and flavor is okay.

The duck dish was the most disappointing. While the skin was crispy as I expected, the meat was dry and tough. The mushroom risotto it came with lacked flavor entirely - more like plain oatmeal than a savory side. This was especially frustrating as duck and escargots are usually my go-to favorites, and I know how good they can be when properly cooked. The fish and risotto were a bit better, the risotto had flavor, and while the fish was slightly dry, it was okay, though not quite justifiable for the price.

To their credit, the staff handled everything with grace. After I returned the duck, the manager personally came over, listened attentively, and offered a replacement dish. I appreciated the gesture but declined to avoid wasting more food. They did not charge us for the duck and escargots.

For the dessert I ordered mint tea and a strawberry tart, and both were exceptional. The tea was loose-leaf and served in a charming little kettle. The tart was fresh, perfectly balanced, and clearly made by someone with a real talent for desserts. I give this place 4 stars only for the care, atmosphere and dessert.

With a chef truly skilled and knowledgeable in French cuisine, this restaurant could...