Tresca — Restaurant in Boston

Being Italian I have VERY high standards for Italian restaurants, but this wasn't the reason it's taken so long to finally get to Tresca for dinner, living out of state really makes it hard to get there. Chef Rich is a master of the kitchen presenting meals that can be considered masterpieces even Picasso would be jealous of and they taste even better than the presentation. Our evening started with a very warm welcome by the hostess who brought us to our table. We dined on the second floor and were seated at a perfect table for 3. Once seated we were greeted in a timely fashion by one young man who took a drink order, returning promptly with a bottle of water along with a basket of their warm delicious focaccia bread & oil we were enjoying this when our main waiter came over greeted us with warm pleasantries as he introduced himself to us. He asked if we had dined at Tresca before, which my husband & I explained it was our first but Maureen had been there many times. Even though Maureen had been there he still took the time to discuss the daily specials with us, giving great suggestions for my husband who could not decide between the numerous fish specials and the vast list on the standard menu, his knowledge of the menu helped all of us decide on our meals he excused himself to give us a few minutes to discuss & determine what we were all going to try. I wanted to be able to taste a little bit of everything so my choices were all small saving room for Chef Rich's tiramisu, my favorite Italian dessert, my husband finally decided on the lobster ravioli alfredo with a lobster tail, scallops and shrimp and our friend Maureen chose a classic chicken parmesan with angel hair pasta and I the chicken parmesan egg roll. While we waited for our meals we enjoyed the focaccia bread & oil and Chef Rich sent us an ordered of his famous stuffed meatballs, the seasoning was spot on and melted in our mouths, the tomato basil sauce they were presented in was so sweet and tasty it made even this Italian smile in enjoyment. Chef Rich came to check on us a couple times to see how we were enjoying our evening. Our meals arrived, you know the food is delicious when the table conversation is minimal. Dave's ravioli had the perfect amount of sauce, ravioli & fish, Maureen's chicken filled her dish & I was so jealous of how perfect the cheese was melted with a golden brown to it and my chicken parmesan egg roll was not disappointed, spot on just like the meatballs. Did I mention all of their pasta is made in house? We all enjoyed our meals talking, laughing and having a great time. We all brought boxes home with us as the portion sizes reminded me of Sunday family dinner growing up as a child. Once everyone was done we were asked about coffee, after dinner drinks and of course dessert. The moment I had been dreaming of. Maureen got coffee, Dave & I shared an espresso martini while Maureen & I agreed to share the tiramisu. OMG it was worth everything I didn't eat as a meal. It was presented with a sliced deep red strawberry and homemade whipped cream. I wanted to make the tiramisu last as long as I could so I started with two pieces of the strawberry with some of the whipped cream. The strawberry pieces were so sweet and juicy, the whipped cream just as sweet. I couldn't hold out any longer I took a sip of water so I could enjoy the first taste of the tiramisu. It was pure heaven!!! The check was dropped off, we sat enjoyed the end to a great meal with great company and finally realized it was well after 7:00 and had spent over 2 hours enjoying an exceptional evening. The only negative to the evening was of my own fault. I did not make a note of each of the wonderful young men's names who were our serves for the evening because they each deserve their own recognition. Dave and I can hardly wait to visit Tresca again. Maureen lives closer and has the pleasure of visiting...

I am sitting here writing this review because I am beyond furious at the absolute disaster of a meal I just endured. From start to finish, this place has been nothing but a colossal disappointment, and I am fuming. I started with the calamari—it was fresh and tasty, but covered in an unnecessary heap of peppers. Fine, I thought, maybe they’ll redeem themselves with the main course. So I ordered the linguine and clams, and the presentation looked promising. But the first bite? Flavorless, bland, a complete waste. I tried to salvage it with salt and pepper, but that was the least of my problems.

The clams were filthy, filled with sand, making every bite gritty and disgusting. I could barely stand it, but I pushed through until I bit down on a sharp fish bone. At that point, my annoyance turned into actual fear. I needed to know if I was safe, and I wanted my server immediately.

And guess what? She was nowhere to be found. No one checked in, no one cared. When I finally got her attention and explained my concerns, her response was jaw-dropping: “What do you want me to do?” Are you serious? I just bit into a fish bone, I’m legitimately concerned for my health, and I get sarcasm and attitude instead of concern? This level of disregard is infuriating.

Then, to make things worse, she had the audacity to ask if I wanted coffee or dessert—as if I hadn’t just endured the worst dining experience of my life. The manager eventually shuffled over, barely addressed my concerns, and only seemed interested in taking the plate away, probably hoping I wouldn’t snap a picture or report them to the Massachusetts Department of Health. It was obvious they wanted to brush this under the rug, offering me nothing but vague assurances and an empty apology.

And the real insult? This disaster didn’t just ruin my evening—it ruined my friend’s too. The experience was so awful that he couldn’t even finish his own meal. We left angry, with empty stomachs, and in utter disbelief at how unprofessional and careless this restaurant was.

Never again. This place deserves nothing but scorn. Save yourself the money, the frustration, and the ruined night—don’t come here until your health is not your...

Tresca – A Disappointing Experience with Serious Service Issues

I had high hopes for Tresca in the North End, but unfortunately, our experience left a lot to be desired. While the ambiance had potential, the constantly flickering lighting throughout the meal was distracting and irritating. It felt like we were dining under a faulty strobe light, which definitely didn’t add to the charm.

The food? Decent but completely forgettable. Nothing we ate stood out as remarkable, which is disappointing given the prices. However, the real issues of the night weren’t with the food—but rather with the service and overall experience.

The owner Richard is extremely friendly, which I can appreciate, but he also has a serious cologne problem. And by that, I mean he bathes in it. It was so overpowering that when he stood next to our table, it was all we could smell—and consequently, all we could taste. Not exactly what you want while trying to enjoy a meal.

But the worst part of the night? Our server, Felipe. He was pushy, rushed us through the entire meal, and, worst of all, was extremely touchy. I’m not talking about casual, polite touches—I’m talking about hands-on-shoulders, back pats, and at one point, he even squeezed my wife’s shoulder. She was completely creeped out by it, and rightfully so. It was unprofessional and downright inappropriate.

To top it all off, while we were still enjoying our desserts—after spending over $400 on dinner—Felipe unceremoniously dropped the bill in the middle of the table and informed us that he needed the table for another party. Excuse me? For that price, we should have been able to sit and enjoy our meal without being rushed out the door like an inconvenience.

The owner may think he’s running a great establishment because he chats with guests, but he clearly has no idea that his cologne is a major issue or that his server is making guests feel uncomfortable. Tresca has potential, but with forgettable food, an intrusive server, and an overall uncomfortable dining experience, I can’t see myself coming back—or recommending it to...