La Morra — Restaurant in Brookline

A Dream Dinner at La Morra – A New Favorite in Brookline

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of dining at La Morra, and we can wholeheartedly say it was one of the finest meals we've ever experienced. From the very first bite to the final spoonful of dessert, every course reflected La Morra’s motto: “Simple Ingredients. Time-honored Techniques.” They don’t just claim it—they live it.

We began with a salad of strawberry, hazelnuts and greens that was nothing short of graceful. The balance of flavors was delicate and delightful, with a salad dressing that didn’t overwhelm but gently brought everything together in harmony. Next came a beautifully executed risotto—al dente perfection—paired with fresh pea greens and earthy mushrooms that made each bite a joy.

The main course, Bistecca Alla Griglia, featured a wood-grilled hanger steak that was deeply flavorful and perfectly cooked to medium-rare as requested. But what truly stole our hearts was the porcini polenta—creamy, rich, and utterly “to die for.” The grilled asparagus alongside it was crisp-tender and seasoned just right.

And just when we thought the evening couldn’t get better, dessert arrived: Bomboloni—Italian donut holes—served with a smooth, sweetened mascarpone that we’re still dreaming about.

To accompany the meal, I ordered a Manhattan—and I must say, the bartender prepared the best, most flavorful version of this classic cocktail I've ever had. Perfectly balanced, richly layered, and impeccably crafted, it set the tone for everything that followed.

But as exceptional as the food was, what truly elevated the experience was our server, Mike B. In all our years of dining, we can say without hesitation that Mike is the best server we’ve had. Gracious, friendly, prompt, and deeply professional, Mike brought warmth and attentiveness to every part of the evening. He struck the perfect balance—never overbearing, always thoughtful, and even took time to ask about our visit to Boston. His knowledge of the menu and genuine enthusiasm added so much to the atmosphere. Thanks to Mike, we didn’t just have dinner—we had a memorable evening.

As Mike mentioned, some menu items and preparations rotate with the seasons, and that alone is reason enough for us to return—again and again. Honestly, we could eat at La Morra every evening. If you're anywhere near Brookline, do yourself a favor and make a reservation.

La Morra is a gem. Bravo to the kitchen, the staff, and especially to Mike B. for an...

Two Years Ago: We and our guests had an excellent dinner that included: Tuscan meatballs; surprisingly tender wood-grilled hangar steak, with roast yukons; perfectly grilled herb-crusted veal with acorn squash and creamy polenta; and a bourbon-infused almond panna cotta. The 'freebee" wood-fired mushrooms were also delicious. And .... the services was friendly and accommodating. Overall: underrated by Zagat reviewers.

Two years later: HER CHOICES:: The Tuscan meatballs with porcini and prosciutto ("Polpette") were too overwhemed by pepper; the fried mozzarella and anchovy sandwich ("Encarozza") was good but lacked the anchovy accent; the risotto with wild mushrooms was nicely rich and flavorfull; the mascarpone cheesecake with lemon yuzu curd and a ginger cookie was excellent. MY CHOICES: the risotto with razor clams, fresh herbs and lemon zest ("Risotto con Cannolichi") was comprised of mostly tender clams and modestly flavored risotto---pretty good; the wood-grilled, brick-splayed cornish hen with smoked vidalia onions, gigante bean ragu and rosemary carrots ("Pollo al Mattone con Cippolla Vidalia Agro Dolce") was generally beautifully executed but for a tad too much salt; the Piedmont Arneis white was nicely appropriate, though slightly underchilled. Both of loved the on-the-house sage polenta with parmesan. Service was very friendly, slower than desirable, on a...

I’m really frustrated with every course of our “Dine Out Boston” meal. Both of our salad courses, the celery and the kumquat salads had so much vinegar that the salads were bitingly acidic and uncomfortable to eat. Next, our pasta courses, the carbonara and the ragu were so shockingly salty that we did not finish them. My hangar steak dish of the the course was smoked and had not been described that way on the menu. If it has I would’ve opted for another main. The beef was so smoked that it tasted like an andouille sausage and nothing like steak. Even the broccoli rabe underneath was smoked. My partner found his hen dish okay enough because he likes smoked flavor profiles. Finally, we opted for the espresso caramel cake. Neither of us were able to get this dessert down. Nothing about it fit the description. Instead, it tasted like an almond cake, then soaked in amaretto. It was pretty terrible. I guess if someone like amaretto, they might enjoy this cake.

All in all, for a meal that was $217, it feels like it was a complete waste of money and time. I would not recommend this place, nor would I ever go back and I’m disappointed to say this bc I was excited about checking...