Sorellina — Restaurant in Boston

In the heart of Boston’s Back Bay, where cobblestone streets whisper tales of charm and elegance, Sorellina stands as a beacon of Italian culinary artistry. My partner and I recently embarked on an evening journey to this acclaimed restaurant, eager to explore its renowned offerings and bask in its sophisticated ambiance.

As we entered, we were greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, where contemporary decor harmonizes with classic Italian influences. Soft lighting and elegant furnishings created an intimate setting, perfect for a romantic dinner or a special celebration. The air was rich with the tempting aromas of fresh herbs and simmering sauces, hinting at the culinary delights that awaited us.

We began our meal with the Sautéed Calamari, tender and perfectly seasoned, served with a zesty marinara that danced on the palate. Each bite was a delightful blend of textures and flavors, setting the stage for the exquisite dishes to come. For a second starter, we indulged in the Brussels Sprouts, roasted until caramelized and tossed with crispy pancetta—an unexpected yet delightful combination that left us wanting more.

For the main course, I chose the Pasta Bolognese, a dish that embodies the essence of Italian comfort food. The handmade pasta was al dente, enveloped in a rich, savory sauce that spoke of hours of careful preparation. Every forkful was a warm embrace, lovingly crafted and bursting with flavor. My partner opted for the Grilled Branzino, a whole fish grilled to perfection and adorned with a vibrant salsa verde. The fish was flaky and tender, each bite enhanced by the bright notes of the sauce, evoking the freshness of the Mediterranean.

Throughout our dining experience, the service was attentive and knowledgeable, with our server guiding us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm. They offered thoughtful wine pairings that complemented our dishes beautifully, enhancing the overall experience. However, there were moments of delay between courses as the restaurant filled with eager diners, which slightly interrupted the otherwise smooth flow of our evening.

To conclude our meal, we couldn’t resist the allure of the Tiramisu, a classic Italian dessert that arrived beautifully presented. Each spoonful was a heavenly blend of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone, leaving us in a blissful state of contentment.

In conclusion, Sorellina is a culinary gem that captures the heart of Italian dining with its creative dishes and inviting atmosphere. While there were minor moments of delay, the quality of the food and the warmth of the service shone brightly throughout the evening. As we stepped back into the enchanting streets of Back Bay, we carried with us the flavors of a memorable meal and a longing to return to this exquisite haven of...

Classic Italian fine dining restaurant that is decent for celebrating special occasions.

Stepping into Sorellina to celebrate a friend's birthday, we were disappointed by our initial reception. We found ourselves seated right by the kitchen, at a table with the heaviest foot traffic. This was a recurring experience I have noticed across CHG’s restaurants, including Ostra and Mistral, where we’ve found non-Caucasian patrons often relegated to less desirable spots. Despite Sorellina’s classy ambiance, the hectic surroundings made it challenging to focus on the meal during the first hour. The service, however, improved as the evening unfolded, making up for the rocky start.

From the appetizers, the Carpaccio emerged as a highlight. The subtle sweetness of the Vidalia onion jam, zesty lemon, grated Parmigiano, and crunchy croutons created a pleasing balance in flavors and contrasting textures that was undeniably satisfying. While the Bronzino crudo and Foie gras were enjoyable, they lacked the wow-factor we expected.

Our pasta exploration yielded two clear winners: the Gnocchi and the Ravioli. Both dishes exhibited impeccable textures. The gnocchi, with its enjoyable chewiness, and the perfectly textured ravioli, easily climbed to the top of our favorites list.

However, the main courses told a different story. Only the Ribeye managed to capture our interest. Seated on a bed of Vin Cotto sauce, the steak was a succulent spectacle of tenderness and flavor, superbly complemented by the fresh heirloom tomatoes and punchy gorgonzola picante. Regrettably, the Chicken and Veal Milanese fell short of our expectations.

Overall, our experience at Sorellina was a mixed bag - an acceptable choice for special occasions with a handful of stellar dishes, but balanced by its fair share of disappointments. Given the abundance of exceptional Italian restaurants in Boston, I'm uncertain if a return visit to Sorellina is...

Booked a reservation here for my parents' anniversary dinner on a Sunday evening and I'd say it was a sub-par experience. We got seated fairly quick since we had a reservation and our waitress came by within the first 10 minutes to take our order except we weren't ready. She then didn't come by again until around 25-30 minutes after that. It was actually super frustrating because we also didn't see her walking around and couldn't flag her down. Finally, she came by and took our orders. About 10 minutes later, she comes back and asks us for our orders again, presumably because she forgot. Our orders didn't arrive until probably another 30 minutes after that interaction.

We ordered truffle fries, maccheroncelli, lumache, gnocchi, ribeye, roasted mushrooms, and tiramisu for dessert. Truffle fries were great. Maccheroncelli was very underwhelming and I actually prefer store-bought meatballs to the ones in this dish. Lumache was too al dente for me personally but the bolognese with bone marrow butter was well done. Gnocchi was good and had a decent amount of lobster chunks although the dish was small for the price. Ribeye could've been plated better as it was just individually placed on a plate with two quarters of a tomato on a separate plate as accompaniment. A dollop of mashed potatoes would be a better combo. Roasted mushrooms were delicious to me but not worth the price tag. Dessert was tasty but nothing extraordinary.

Overall, whole experience was just very meh. I booked this place because it had a lot of great reviews on Yelp and I was trying to find someplace special to take my parents but I was generally pretty disappointed. I would personally not come back again. The two stars is for the truffle fries, gnocchi, and the classy interior. If you do decide to visit, note that valet parking is...