Ten Tables — Restaurant in Boston

My previous dining experiences at Ten Tables were very positive, but last night was different. We went for a wedding anniversary dinner on a Wednesday evening. Perhaps my expectations were too high but I felt disappointed with the meal. We were seated in the room with the kitchen which was too warm, definitely over 80F. Another party asked that the door be opened to let in outside air, which helped, but it was still stuffy. Another couple moved from that dining room into the other room with the bar. We ordered the vegetarian tasting menu for 2 with a wine pairing. The servers were friendly but we had at least 4 different servers bringing food, drinks and clearing, which added an unwelcome element of chaos to the meal. The first course was a salad with strawberries, cashews and smoked gouda cheese. It looked appetizing but when we tasted it, the salad dressing was massively over salted which made the salad inedible. We were given replacement salads which were better but the lettuce tasted a bit gritty as if it hadn't been properly washed. The next course was zucchini fritters with a romanesco sauce. The sauce was fine but the fritters were plain and not at all crispy which left the dish without any textural contrast. The main dish was brown rice, burrata cheese and a white bean puree, a rather strange combination of elements which again lacked any textural contrast. Also, the brown rice was extremely bland and neither myself nor my wife ate virtually any of the rice. The wine pairings for the meal were just fine and the server who presented the wines was friendly but had difficulty pronouncing the names of some of the wines. She made up for it in my mind by giving us an extra digestif for dessert that she concocted from banana liqueur and coffee infused vodka, rather strong but interesting. We were served 2 different desserts which was a nice touch for a couple: chocolate terrine with basil ice cream and creme brulee with fruit and cookies. The chocolate terrine was good but didn't match with basil ice cream and that dish also lacked any textural contrast. The creme brulee with fruit was good, if not original, but the cookies were a bit soggy rather than having the snappy crunch that was seemingly intended. The desserts rescued the meal somewhat but I won't be returning to Ten Tables any time soon and certainly can't recommend it. I can only hope that Ten Tables was having an off night and that others have a better...

Ten Tables is a very enjoyable, homey, comforting experience but the price point suggests something a little more intellectual or surprising. We came here on a Saturday evening right when they opened at 5:30pm and were greeted a little strangely -- like they were surprised to see us. The restaurant was empty of customers but it was also definitely past their opening time, so I was confused by the polite if bewildered reception.

No matter -- we grabbed some high-top tables in the first room when you enter. We ordered the lavender cocktail ($14) and a glass of rose (somewhere in the same realm) and while the rose was thoroughly forgettable, the cocktail was nice. It was as close as I've ever gotten to drinking a lavender-scented drink without feeling like I've buried my nose in a pile of soap. It was pisco-style, and the froth on the top of the cocktail was nice.

For food, we got the shrimp dip, the TT burger, and the orecchiette. The shrimp dip was a little too salty but otherwise perfectly comforting -- creamy and cheesy to pair nice with crisp crostini. The TT burger was yummy as well, topped with crisp lettuce, two pieces of fatty bacon, a sauce that resembled McD's special sauce, and a big hunk of a patty cooked medium as I requested. The orecchiette also tended to saltiness although the pasta was nicely al dente. Wish there had been more mushrooms and kale, though.

Finally, for dessert we ordered the blueberry upside down cake. The ice cream (vanilla or sweet cream) was practically melted by the time we got the dessert, but the cake itself was nice, jam-packed with blueberries and sort of crispy on the top.

Overall, we paid $125 for the meal. Their entrees run $30 per (except the TT burger) and most appetizers run $10-20, with sides running $8. Cocktails are expensive at $14 each. I think Ten Tables is a great, homey restaurant -- it serves up comfort food, sort of like what you'd want a REALLY awesome pot luck where everyone just nails their home cooking to taste like. It just doesn't really blow me away, and with $30 entrees I might go to some place more innovative or off the beaten...

Came in for Sunday pre fixe; the prosciutto and spaghetti were both incredible appetizers. We both had filet mignon for the entree, mine rare and the other medium rare. I've had great filet mignon before that you could cut with a butter knife because it was so tender. The steak I got was very tough and hard to cut and chew. Although the kitchen already slices it for you, even they were not able to cut through the entire steak themselves. The other steak, however, was easy to cut and chew, overall much more tender. I let our server, Eren, know and she was so sweet and understanding. She did not make me feel uncomfortable whatsoever and was happy to offer me a different steak.

The dining area is open to the kitchen and I will say that all three kitchen staff were glaring me down which made me VERY uncomfortable. I have been a server before and know that the kitchen can take it very personally and get nasty if someone sends food back. I expect better at a place like this and it's the only reason for knocking a star off.

Daniella who I think was the hostess was very nice and sweet as well and also added to a positive experience. The second steak was perfect and Wren was happy to pack up what I didn't finish. Both the chocolate terrine and creme brulee were perfect, although I would ask for extra fruit for the brulee to balance it out.

Overall, great service and the food was incredible. Eren and Daniella were great, but the kitchen should not be staring down...