TABLE — Restaurant in Boston

How do I even begin this review? I sit here, just an hour after returning home from this epic culinary adventure, trying to make my food coma brain find words. Anyone who reviews this as anything short of 5 stars should be checked in the head.

First, the service was a downright delight from moment one. I super wish I was better with names to mention them here, but we'll just sat Mr. Sassy Pants and Miss Cutie Pie were just top notch. Everyone is SO professional, kind, funny and personable. We were greeted and seated in the intimate 32 seat room. The evening was not sold out, so we actually had the end of the table mostly to ourselves.

They started by serving the MOST impressive rosemary garlic focaccia bread with a whole bulb or roasted garlic. I'm not one to wax poetic about bread, but THIS bread was next level delicious! We had to beg ourselves to stop eating it, knowing what was coming. Then they brought the Burrata dish. That was also amazing, fresh, and light. The grilled eggplant was to die for, and this from 2 people who dont like eggplant. After that, they brought the Octopus dish. I love octopus, from raw, to sushi, to grilled, everything. The BF hates octopus. This octopus was PERFECTLY cooked, tender and delicious! I could have eaten a whole bowl of that garlic white bean puree. Next they brought the seared shrimp with limoncello white wine sauce and crispy capers. What are crispy caper, you ask? Little balls of yum! That's what they are! This dish was INSANE! The large shrimp were cooked perfectly, and the sauce was really something else. I'm not a limoncello fan at all, but this sauce was mild and well balanced.

Next up....the lemon sorbet for plate change. Oh. My. God. I dismissed this palate cleanser and I shouldn't have. I'd eat a whole gallon of that.

The next course were the award winning meatballs. I've had good meatballs. I've had great meatballs. These have won awards for a reason! I've never had meatballs more fall apart fork tender. The sauce was better than all the sauces I had in Italy. That good.

Next course was the pasta pillow pockets filled with cheese. They were good. This dish was my least favorite, but my BF loved it. I was likely just way too full to eat it by that point.

The desert was shifted from the lemon olive oil strawberry cake to a Fall cake with candied apples and caramel with their homemade Gelato. Now. I wish beyond everything that I hadn't eaten so much of that DAMN good bread! I could only manage 2 bites of the desert and had to call it quits. It was EPIC.

All in all this is a culinary epic masterpiece. The chef clearly knows her flavors. We are big foodies who have been all over the world and this is Top 3 dinners we've ever had. She has collected a killer staff and while this isn't a cheap night, it is WELL worth the ticket price. It's not one of those places where you pay a lot for pretty food, then leave hungry. This is a special place. Thank you for...

I had a most unpleasant experience at Table. Earlier this week, I was informed by Resy that Table had an opening for two people this Friday. I booked a reservation—I did not know much about the restaurant or its format but had heard good reviews.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, I was surprised that it had community-style dining—you essentially sit elbow to elbow with 20-30 people in a picnic-style table setting. I would be completely fine with such a seating arrangement; however, I was dining with my father on this particular night. He is an elderly individual in his 70s with various medical problems, including an immunology disorder. He is very sensitive about being close to strangers, especially during cold/flu/covid season. The table at the restaurant was very cramped, with only middle seats available. As we were sitting down, it became apparent would mere inches from several different strangers, one of whom appeared to have a cough/cold. My father, given his medical condition, was uncomfortable with the situation, and we informed the waitress and left the restaurant.

A few minutes after we left, the waitress called me and said we had been charged the full amount of the dinner ($230) because our departure was viewed as a last-minute cancellation. I said this was inaccurate—we drove to the restaurant, went inside, and were uncomfortable with the setup, given my father's medical condition. She said that the communal seating is disclosed on the website and that I should have "read the website" when I made the reservation. While it is true that the restaurant's webpage discloses the communal dining style, on its Resy page, you have to scroll three screen lengths to find a short sentence about the communal seating format. I again told her about the situation—we had made a good-faith effort to come to the restaurant, but we were not comfortable with the dining, given my father's condition. I asked if I could come back another night (with another person), to which the waitress said she would contact the owner (Jen, I believe). A few minutes later, the waitress called me back and said that the owner viewed this as a cancellation and that I would be charged the full amount without an option to come back another evening. She said I should have read about the restaurant first and suggested that my father stay home and not ever dine out. The waitress's and owner's rudeness, lack of compassion, and condensation was painful. They made me feel as if I was in the wrong for deciding to take my elderly father elsewhere because he did not feel comfortable.

I lived in the North End for three years and ate at many restaurants. Most are great, generally warm, hospitable, and with good customer service. My experience at Table was the exact opposite—I was charged s $230 cancellation fee (even though I showed up) and was treated with rudeness and condensation for making a health-based, wellness decision on behalf...

A Culinary Masterpiece in Boston's North End: Chef Jen Royle's Table

Nestled amidst the cobblestone streets and historic charm of Boston's North End, Table, the brainchild of the incredibly talented Chef Jen Royle, stands out as a beacon of culinary excellence in this Italian enclave. From the moment you step through the door, you are welcomed into a warm and inviting atmosphere that perfectly complements the exquisite flavors that await you.

Chef Jen Royle's innovative approach to traditional Italian cuisine is nothing short of a gastronomic adventure. Each dish at Table tells a story, a tale of passion, creativity, and a deep understanding of the art of cooking. What sets Table apart is Chef Jen's unwavering commitment to using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, which shine through in every bite.

The menu at Table is a celebration of Italian culinary traditions, reinvented with a modern twist. Start your culinary journey with one of the many courses including a heavenly combination of homemade foccacia bread followed by a salad and the new octopus dish that sits on a bed of white bean puree topped with frisee and fennel. The homemade pasta dishes are a true revelation, showcasing Chef Jen's skill and mastery of the craft. The meatballs are out of this world and swim in a flavorful sauce that will transport you straight to the Italian coastline.

The desserts at Table are equally impressive, with the zeppoles and new apple pie gelato being a crowd favorite; it's a sweet conclusion to an unforgettable meal.

Beyond the delectable dishes, Table offers an extensive wine & cocktail list featuring carefully curated Italian wines that complement the flavors of the menu perfectly. The staff, knowledgeable and passionate, is always ready to recommend the ideal pairing to enhance your dining experience.

What truly sets Table apart, however, is the personal touch that Chef Jen Royle brings to her restaurant. Her presence in the dining room, interacting with guests and ensuring their satisfaction, adds a genuine and heartfelt element to the overall experience. It's evident that Chef Jen pours her heart and soul into every aspect of Table, and it results in a dining adventure that lingers in your memory long after the meal is over.

In summary, Chef Jen Royle's Table in the North End is a culinary gem that captures the essence of Italian cuisine with a modern flair. Whether you're a local food enthusiast or a visitor to Boston, a dining experience at Table is not just a meal; it's a culinary journey that will leave you enchanted, satisfied, and eager to return for more. Bravo, Chef Jen Royle, for creating a dining destination that truly stands out in Boston's vibrant culinary scene. We will...