ZURiTO — Restaurant in Boston

Best meal I had in Boston this year.

For years, Boston's tapas scene has felt like it was missing a crucial piece. Most options here play it safe—either sticking to mainstream Madrid-style classics or veering into fusion territory with a nod to Asian influences, typically Japanese or Korean. At Zurito, BCB3 took inspirations from San Sebastián, the pintxo capital of the world. While it doesn’t completely reinvent the wheel, Zurito sets itself apart with a focus on seafood and an impressive variety of ingredients and provides an experience that feels both unique and immersive.

Zurito effortlessly channels the spirited charm of a traditional Basque tapas bar. With a central bar and standing tables, the front half of the restaurant hums with energy and practically begs you to linger, pintxo in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. When we arrived for dinner, however, we opted for the quieter, more serene ambiance of the back dining area.

Chef Jamie’s execution of Basque cuisine was a perfection. The Pintxos section stayed simple and authentic, offering bites that felt like they’ve been plucked straight from San Sebastián. Each creation stroke a delicate balance—seasoning that’s neither too bold nor too shy. All these small bites were pure bliss, but two stood out as unforgettable: Tosta Matrimonio and the Surimi Eel toast.

The Basque-inspired theme carried seamlessly into the “Raciones”, with a lineup that was simple and satisfying. Dishes like the Stewed Tripe and Seasonal Mushrooms captured the comforting, rustic essence of the region. The tripe and beef cheek were meltingly tender, while the mushrooms, crowned with a golden egg yolk and a touch of salt, became the perfect companion to the ribeye we ordered later.

The evening reached its crescendo with dishes that showcased intricate, layered flavors. Take the Gambas, for instance—at first glance, they seemed like your standard chili-oil shrimp. Yet, the shrimp’s smokiness was bold and unmistakable, and it harmonized beautifully with the gentle heat of the chili oil and the sil gochu. And then, the Iberico Pork Shoulder: an off-menu treat that we were fortunate to be offered. Perfectly cooked, the meat was juicy and tender, with just enough marbled fat to amplify its natural umami. But the magic didn’t stop there. The romesco sauce added a warm, nutty heat; the pickled diced apple delivered a burst of tangy sweetness; and the scallion oil tied it all together with a savory depth. Without a doubt, this was the best dish of the night that lingered in our minds long after the meal ended.

Hands down my new favorite restaurant in Boston. Can’t wait to come back and work my way through the rest of the menu.

Personal note: Huge thank you to Babak, Nader, Jamie, and the entire BCB3 team for the warm welcome and exceptional...

The Basque breeze you didn’t know you needed

There are few greater joys than spending an evening eating too much with someone who knows the fine art of dining out. In this case, it was my mother — a woman with enough Boston restaurant mileage to make most sommeliers weep — and we had come to Zurrito on Charles Street to test its promises of Basque pintxos bliss.

Now, Charles Street is already stuffed with eateries waving menus at you like eager prom dates, but Zurrito doesn’t shout. It murmurs. Step inside and the first thing you notice is the atmosphere: a certain hum, a rightness, as if the tables themselves are in on a secret you’re about to be told. It’s polished but unfussy, like your cool cousin who wears linen shirts unironically.

The staff? Blessedly competent — that rarest of breeds — and disarmingly knowledgeable without ever once using the phrase “elevated dining experience” (thank the gods). They suggested dishes not just with enthusiasm but with tactical cunning, steering us through the small plates as if assembling a symphony: lighter here, richer there, a foie gras crescendo to finish.

Speaking of which: the foie gras was the kind of thing that makes you question your own morals, served perfectly warm and quivering, like it had just been whispered into existence. The asparges — thick, proud spears — were treated with such reverence that I half-expected a priest to bless them before they hit the table. And the star of the evening, the speciality Iberico pork, was a reminder that not all pigs are created equal: tender, deep, and nutty, as if the pig had spent its life doing yoga and eating acorns while listening to Miles Davis.

There are moments when a bite of food can bring you back to somewhere else entirely. For us, it was San Sebastián: cobbled streets, too many glasses of txakoli, the clatter and song of a Basque bar at full tilt. Zurrito captured that snap of memory and plated it for us with precision.

This was our first time here — a surprise, given the many dining escapades my mother and I have had in Boston — but it certainly won’t be the last. I’ll be sending word out to my circle of food-obsessives: If you need me, I’ll be at Zurrito, glass in hand, grinning like a man who just remembered why eating out can be pure,...

What a wonderful experience. Wife and I came down from Atlanta and were pleasantly surprised that there was a Basque restaurant in Boston. My father is from San Sebastián, and I’ve spent a good amount of time in the Basque region, including our honeymoon, so we were really excited when we saw the menu online. It did not disappoint. We tried several of the pintxos, and they were all good, but it was the Raciones that truly shined. The hongos y setas temporada gave us flashbacks to a bar in San Sebastián and is a must-have if you love mushrooms. Can’t go wrong with any of their sardine or anchovy dishes either, but the two standouts were the foie gras (always hits when done perfectly) and cabacero Ibérico (incredible). To round things off, they have a good cocktail menu and list of Basque classics (sidra, txacoli), highlighted by some nice white and red vermouths, which are popular in the Basque region for a good reason. Lastly, the service was excellent. Beebee was our main server and gave great recommendations, while being knowledgeable and genuinely friendly. Jennifer also was incredible with a true spirit of hospitality and is a wonderful soul. How much did we enjoy it? Well, we went to Zurito our first night in Boston, traveled up the coast for a few days, and made sure we capped our vacation on a high note by going back to Zurito our last night up north. We’ll be back the next time...