What a surprise! A friend recommended meeting at Scutra for some drinks and nibbles at the bar. Always the foodie, I went online and checked out the menu before hand. Eeek.... the menu struck me as.... wrong. So wrong. Muscles with cheese. Foie gras stuffed meatloaf? What are these people thinking. Heading in figuring I'm there for the company, not the food, I figured oh well. I'm sure I've had worse. Well, what a surprise! The three of us sat at the bar. I went with a malbec by the glass, and the bartender offered me a taste before I selected it. Classy touch. I think the malbec was $9 a glass, and it was a very reasonably price for a nice pour. Our bartender was certainly one of the highlights of our evening. One person in our party has a nut allergy, but can do peanuts and pine nuts. The bartender made sure the pesto in the pizette only had pine nuts that night. He also checked on each dish we wanted to order and confirmed she could eat that, or said, no, that has nuts. He took her allergy issue seriously and his service was impeccable. So, what did we end up with? The pizette of the day -- which had artichokes and mushrooms (I think) and it was excellent. We also went with the garlic baked mussels with pecorino cheese. I'm a believer that seafood and cheese is wrong. But wow, this dish could change my mind. The dish came extremely hot, served in an iron dish like escargot woud be served in (little indentations for the individual mussels). The cheese was minimal and the garlic was aromatic, warm and all that is good with garlic. Having just a small taste at Scutra, I can't wait to go back and try the entrees and the desserts. I briefly considered sticking around after my friends left, and ordering dessert on my own. Maybe next time.
(4)
Tim S.
I had the sesame encrusted pan seared ahi tuna and it was ambrosia. The waiter was prompt and knowledgeable.
(5)
Colleen B.
A few nights ago we were there and they offered a dish with butternut squash raviloli, scallops and shrimp in a shallot cream sauce...orgasmo! That is pretty much a bowl with every food item I treasure. Though it was a little heavy on the shallots and cream sauce. The other apps we tried included a potato soup that was drizzled with a rich balsamic vinegar. It was like, like the totally best thing I've ever tasted. How bold to put vinegar on a cream soup! And get this there was a hollowed out potato next to it with a more cheddar-like soup....what a treat. The other apps included the beautifully presented salad and exquisitely delicious pulled pork involtini with tangy spicy peanut sauce. Desserts were sumptuous and lite and included different fruit tarte tatins and chocolate yumminess! They even had fancy candy decorations that made you feel like you were at a 5 star restaurant. The service was outstanding and the room was aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. Finally they were running a pricing special that made you feel like you were totally getting a gourmet experience for a real bargain.
(5)
Stacy M.
We started off with the best of intentions. We *were* going to order different dishes and offer them up for everyone to share. But no sooner did the plates of veal scaloppini, garlic mussels, and pot roast hit the table, it was every man for himself. Everything we had was very good: appetizers (garlic mussels, wonton-crusted shrimp salad, and an apple/potato salad) and entrees (pot roast w/ mashed potatoes, striped bass w/ israeli couscous, and veal scaloppini w/ risotto). Desserts were mixed- the eggnog cheesecake was absolutely scrumptious, but the trio of mini desserts (creme brulee, chocolate mousse cake, and lemon tart) were just o.k. But at that point, we were so stuffed, we truly didn't care. Service was friendly and efficient. My only criticism there is timing- I felt a bit rushed through the meal. I don't think it was their intention- they were just being attentive. Plus, (from what I've experienced of the Arlington dining scene) I'm assuming most people prefer to be in and out quickly. I highly recommend the place. To entice you to check it out before the end of the year, all entrees are $20.08 this month!
(4)
Ken P.
I ended up going here last night with my fiance and another couple, and I really enjoyed it. It's really an unexpected gem in Arlington. It has an unassuming storefront that real hides the quality of the restaurant. The food is all Mediterranean, with a gourmet flair. The vegetarian entree is really impressive. It's unique to the particular customer and is essentially what the chef decides to throw together although it's usually some sort of 'tower' (so they stack that broccolini high). The seafood looked tender and every dish was well composed. There were a ton of specials... And the wine list was top notch. I had this bottle of Syrah that is now one of my favorites. The only negative thing that happened was that a waiter knocked over my glass of wine, but it didn't get on anyone's clothing. They quickly mopped it up and BAM new bottle of wine. And, as I said above, it was a good bottle. So, I ended up getting kinda trashed and enjoyed the food. A win all around.
(5)
Nancy L.
I would have never thought that Arlington would have this kind of an intimate upscale dining experience. Scutra is an excellent restaurant that serves delicious European cuisine in a beautifully decorated cozy room with a great wait staff and wine list. The ingrediants are fresh and the chef is able to combine them effortlessly into something novel and comforting at the same time. Since Scutra has less than ten tables, make reservations since it can fill up easily. The menu gets updated according to the season or available ingrediants. I highly recommend Scutra as a treat to yourself or for special occasions.
(5)
Jason J.
While our waiter was excellent, the food was simply satisfactory. I had the the duck breast special and my girlfriend had the lamb. Both were tasty but for the price, the portions a were amiss. If the price per meal was 75% of what they were charging, I would have given this place 4 stars.
(3)
HyunJoo K.
Delicious!!!! I didn't expect to really enjoy the food, as the menu online did not quite appeal to me (I typically like the simple un-fancy foods). But the 'Summer Special' was very good and enjoyed every bite. (Summer Special: On Monday through Thursday evenings from June 19 through August 30, enjoy a three course menu for just $21.99! Choice of appetizer, entree, and dessert (excludes take-out)) Seeing that today is the last day for this special, I am planning on attending again tonight! I had a split green pea soup for appetizer (2 options, the other was salad), grilled salmon on top of a yellow sticky rice with summer veggies embedded in between (versus the other option of a flank steak with a side), and then touch off with a dessert, 2 layer cake with a tarty lemon frosting. All of the dishes were very well presented and the portions were on the smaller side, but better off that way with a 3 course meal so that one can finish the meal. I will have to try another entree to expand the fancier side of foods ... maybe I will be able to appreciate it (in general)! Hope you visit this venu! It's definitely a hidden jewel!
(5)
Crystal K.
This is the cutest little European restaurant tucked off the beaten path in Arlington. It really is a hidden find. The dining area is pretty tiny so if people start to discover it I expect the lines to quickly be out the door! The garlic mussels were tasty tasty and the grilled pork chop was plain mouth watering. The prices are extra-reasonable, especially for the quality of the food. High high recommend.
(5)
Aaron B.
We drove by Scutra for almost a year and heard rave reviews from others in town before we finally made the time to go. Atmosphere and menu were both European, though many of the dishes showed a fusion with Eastern cuisine. Service was was definitely. Courteous, prompt, attentive service. I was impressed by the beer selection -- something Boston restaurants, especially higher-end ones, tend to phone in. Nice mix of imports and features a Belgian or two. The food, on the other hand, was a mixed bag. My wife's appetizer (squash soup) was amazingly rich and she wishes she could have had it as a main dish. On the other hand, her entre (roasted chicken) was rather dry and tough. My appetizer (duck tamales with wild mushrooms) sounded amazing, but was ruined by the quality of the duck meat (tough and full of gristle). My entre, though, was a fantastic medley of seafood and is up there among the better meals I've had in the last year. So you can see why it's hard for me to judge the place. Normally, I'd give the place four stars, but given the cost of a plate, the hit-or-miss nature of the food we got was especially disappointing. I probably need to give Scutra another try, and I'm definitely willing to go back to do so.
(3)
Ryan W.
I went to this restaurant with a friend of mine for an early dinner on a Friday night...around 5:30pm. The host explained they were still preparing for service, we were seated and welcomed immediately. They took our drink order and since we were in no rush we told the server to take his time as we looked over the amazing menu. The menu was Mediterranean, also the restaurant had a great wine and cocktail list too. I started with a appetizer with duck confit, breaded buffalo mozzarella, served on cornbread was simply amazing. For entree I feasted on the Pepper Berry rubbed Bistro streak served with a large sea scallop, along with aioli mashed potatoes and beats. The beef was cooked to the proper temperature as I requested. Never wanting to skip dessert I had a Limoncello cream tart was wonderful way to finish off the meal. Not even the coffee missed the mark...the coffee was rich and smooth, definitely was a strong European blend. I can't wait to come back to this restaurant to see what else I can enjoy on their menu! Scutra gets the 5-stars because nothing at the restaurant missed the mark, great food, friendly service.
(5)
Cyndi R.
We visited Scutra for the first time on a Saturday night and had a wonderful dinner from start to finish. We had appetizers, main dish and desserts. Everything was delicious and we thought the appetizers and main dishes were unique-- not something you'd find everywhere else. We'll definitely return.
(5)
Emma F.
Now, I must admit that we did not have any dessert and perhaps that would have saved the review. However, though the ambiance was nice, the wine (Billy Billy Shiraz) was excellent, everything was overpriced for the value of the item (including the wine). Though the mole sauce was good, my pork was overcooked, almost to the point of being rubbery. The one time the waitress came by to check to see if we liked our food, she didn't really wait around for an answer. Basically, she looked like she was managing too many tables. I tend to drink a lot of water and I think we had one refill the whole night. I must say that the duck appetizer was very good, but again, I didn't see the value for the price. My fiance's steak was cooked well, but the sauce was lacking. All in all, an okay experience, but we do not plan to return.
(2)
Holly S.
Came here for New Year's Eve and was super-excited to check out a new (to me) restaurant. Now, my parents have always moaned and groaned about restaurants on holidays and how they always seem to have special (read: limited menus). And I always used to think, "quit your moaning and groaning." Well, now I am moaning and groaning. I understand you're busy. I understand no substitutions. Fine. But when your menu says (something to the effect of) that you'll accomodate food allergies and my grain/starch-free boy requests no mashed potatoes on his plate--and then you bring him mashed potatoes on his plate--that's not cool. We get that you weren't able to swap those mashed potatoes for an extra serving of veggies. But no potatoes means no potatoes. Really, we're not big on complaining in restaurants, but he shouldn't have had to flip over his piece of fish and scrape off the potatoes while you watched from the waiter station right behind me. I give you two stars (I'd throw in another half if I could) because my meal was pretty tasty--but the service left a LOT to be desired, for us. Plus (and maybe it was because it was a holiday), the place was replete with old folk. If we want to hang with the blue hairs, we'll go to Grassfield's.
(2)
Ashley L.
A+!!!! From wine to dessert. Yumm. Osso Bucco is divine.
(5)
Lisa R.
What is the problem? This place is GREAT! Service was first class attentive, entertaining and professional. The meal was first class from the bread, to the warm spinach salad, to the absolutely frickin' outrageous baked stuffed lobster...OMG. If I lived in Arlington this place would definitely be on my go-to list!
(5)
Meredith K.
We ate here a few years ago before their expansion and had some of the best soft shell crab I've ever tried. Then Scutra went through a renovation and doubled the size of the restaurant. We had not yet been back since the renovation. Tonight we decided to check it out and it did not disappoint. The new doubled space has a great decor and nice flow to it. The service was as great as I remembered from our previous visit. And we had another fantastic meal. The appetizer (crab cake with greens) was excellent, and the entrees were equally great (Chilean Sea Bass with beets and wild rice, and Pork oso buco). Servings were generous which left us with extra to take home. Dessert was also good (apple tart) as was the wine (Pinot Noir from Oregon). Overall it was a fantastic meal and we will definitely be going here again.
(5)
Matt n Chris M.
Found this restaurant by reading reviews on yelp and decided to give it a try. This place is warm and comforting, and the staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I don't know how our waitress could remember the long list of ingredients in the daily specials. That alone impressed the crap outta me! We shared a warm goat cheese and apple salad. Yum! and then proceeded w/ dinner. I had a fish plate that hmmm.. was Ok. But I'm not the biggest fish fan so that was my fault for ordering something I don't really love. My hubby got some vegetarian sampler. I was annoyingly hovering over his plate & he had to swat me away like a fly. Next time I'll just get that.
(4)
Meng M.
As an addendum to my last review, it turns out escolar can give people the runs, especially in larger quantities: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Es… And my gf seems pretty sensitive to it. So for that we can't fault Scutra. Though it makes you wonder why restaurants continue to serve it.
(2)
Patryce S.
Very nice restaurant...food is amazing and creative. Been here quite a few times and never had any complaints. Havent been here in a while defiantely due to go back :)
(5)
Ian S.
Scutra is very good. This was my second trip to Scutra and I think I was more fond of the food than I was previously. Our appetizer was excellent and so were both entrees. The bread they give you before the meal is amazing. I thought everything was cooked well and tasted good. I would like to give 5 stars but I was not particularly happy with the service we had. We were sitting at the bar on a relatively not busy weeknight but I had to wait for drinks a number of times and he was not particularly attentive. It did appear as though he knew one of the other couples at the bar and they were getting most of his attention. I almost have to rate Scutra 3stars because of that but I don't think it is a fair representation of the restaurant as a whole and I hope that this is not a common occurrence. Overall, very good food, nice atmosphere, no hassle of going in to the city. Also, the price is definitely right. Most entrees were under $20 which for a high end restaurant in the Boston area is almost unheard of (Hungry Mother). I will be back to Scutra I'm sure
(4)
Danielle J.
Surprisingly, VERY disappointed - If you like getting what you order, you might reconsider eating at Scutra. I was actually really looking forward to trying Scutra for the first time because of the Zagat review and because some of the items on the menu really appealed to me. I primarily eat vegetarian food, with the exception of chicken, so I was happy to see a chicken dish AND a vegetarian dish. I opted for the chicken dish though because I didn't like the sound of BBQ tofu, which was one of the 4 components that made up the vegetarian dish; however, my friend ordered the vegetarian dish. We both had apps which were pretty good - no complaints there. I was surprised by the service at Scutra. For the price we were spending on food, I expected the service to be above average but it was not. For example, when our main entrees came out, we were still working on our appetizers and felt a little rushed to eat the last bite so they could clear for the main course. Also, when the entrees came out, we were both a little surprised by what we found. First off, the vegetarian dish, instead of having the 4 items listed on the menu: tofu, risotto cake, leek egg roll, and squash emulsion, it was missing the leek egg roll and instead had two risotto cakes. Apparently they were out of the egg rolls but they didn't inform us of this ahead of time. Because of this, I was happy that I ordered the chicken instead of the vegetarian dish, because to me, the most exciting part of the vegetarian dish was the leek egg roll, but it turns out that I would have been much happier with the vegetarian option because my chicken dish came with an unexpected "surprise." Although my chicken dish mentioned nothing about bacon, it came out with a sauce that was dripping with chunks of fatty bacon "lardons." Since I had no idea it was there, I started eating my entree and didn't realize it until a few bites in. As someone who doesn't like the flavor of bacon and especially doesn't like fatty globs of it, I was totally grossed out! When I informed my waitress of the discovery, she apologized stating that they had just come out with a new menu and simply forgot to include that ingredient in the description of the dish. She took the dish away and I said I'd be happy with just some risotto and vegetables, something that wouldn't take a long time since my friend was already eating her meal. The waitress came back with the same piece of chicken, just with a different sauce, over risotto. I ate some of the risotto but the chicken still had a bacon flavor and I had pretty much lost my appetite by this point. Although the waitress apologized for the mistake, I was surprise by her nonchalance. I've waited tables in the past at pricey, fine dining establishments, and I would have been horrified if this had happened to one of my customers and very apologetic. Although she compted our $10 desert, I wouldn't have even ordered dessert if I had been happy with my $25 entre, which in my opinion, should have been taken off the bill! I don't think I'd ever go back to Scutra - it was too pricey for its lack of reliability.
(2)
Laura R.
We came here on New Year's Eve without a reservation and managed to score the last table in the restaurant. We had the lamb chop lollipop and a bitter greens salad for appetizers, the rib eye and Chilean sea bass for entrees, and the creme brule and trio sampler for dessert. The lamb chop was amazing, the rib eye was so tender that i could pull it apart without a knife, and the trio sampler made my eyes roll back in my head! The food was superlative and the service impeccable. My only complaint was that when we first arrived, they were playing 80s pop/rock music (Blondie, White Snake, Michael Jackson, George Michael, etc), which was way out of sync with the atmosphere of the restaurant. One of the staff must have realized after about 45 minutes and the music switched over to a more appropriate "restaurant background music". Other than the music, we had an amazing dinner, and we'll DEFINITELY return.
(5)
Kate W.
I have eaten at Scutra twice now in 5 years and it has been a real disappointment both times. The latest meal was this week. The onion soup gratinee was good but my entree actually left me feeling ill. It was steak with frites (handcut....NOT). The chef is from Belgium so I had high hopes for the fries - sigh. It was the steak that was really inedible though - it tasted livery. I asked my dining companions to taste it (without revealing my opinion) and their reaction was identical. The restaurant is not worth the money at half the cost.
(1)
Derek S.
Pretty ok food. Customer service is bad. We sat at a table for 30 minutes with no one offering a drink or even a hello. The specials never change. Try elsewhere lots of better resturants down the street on Mass ave.
(1)
Susan W.
My daughter took a year off between high school and college and worked as an au pair in suburban Paris. I visited her and we took a train trip through Brittany (in search of monoliths and Breton, but that is another story). We had a meal at a tiny local restaurant in Quimper that was the culinary highlight of the trip (I ended up cooking most of the time!). This is one of two American restaurants -- both in Arlington -- that remind me of that place. I dined there recently with a friend, both of us celebrating finally having full time jobs after years of scrounging. The food and the wine and the desserts were wonderful. I actually had seen the place for years and avoided it: the exterior verges on run down and the street on which it is located is definitely down-at-the-heels. This restaurant is anything but. There is a dearth of real, neighborhood restaurants in chain (read for the great-unwashed, a figure of speech that desperately needs resurrecting) dominated America. While some might argue that the food here is too expensive for the designation neighborhood (and I lean toward agreeing) there is no reason why a fine dining experience requires a commute.
(5)
Hareesh K.
Very solid meal. Had the duck special. My wife's only criticism was that the menu seemed more "wintry", rather than the hot july night we went. Good wine, nice service, quiet setting.
(4)
Zak B.
This place was amazing!!!! I took my wife there for a nice dinner out. Small but creative wine list as well. The food was phenomenal. I had a pork tenderloin stuffed with lobster over an amazing Parmesan risotto. The chef stopped by our table as we were eating to make sure that everything was how we wanted, and the wait staff was on top of it without hovering. The menu changes daily, based on what the chef finds is the freshest. I recommend Scutra as an excellent date place!
(5)
Matt M.
Wow. I ordered two specials, the soft shell crab appetizer, and the duck for my entree. The crab was fantastic, and It may have actually been the best duck I've ever had. Kudos.
(5)
Eileen M.
quaint .....sort of a bristo feel.....menu is different.....waitress ....eeeeh would definitely go again......and make it one of our family monthly restaurants dessert was tiny
(4)
J. J.
We went in August 2006. It's a small place, and even though we were there on a Monday night, it was packed. There was a table of 5-6 drunk women being really loud. Of course, we were seated next to them. They were out-of-place in the cozy, intimate atmosphere of Scutra. The food is decent, but there's not much choice if you're a vegetarian (small menu). Service is good, too, but it's hard not to be good at service when there aren't many tables. I'd go again. Please don't bring your screaming babies or loud bachelorette parties here.
(4)
Martin F.
Have been there several times over the last few years, including after the remodel. Consistently 3 or 4 stars, so I rounded up. However, I won't go back again until the TV is removed. Very downscale, especially for people who like to sit at the bar for food, conversation and drink.
(4)
Sara W.
Everything was great - wine, appetizers (Scutra salad & Cioppino soup), entrees (Swordfish special in tomato basil sauce & Halibut Putanesca), dessert (lava cake & their special cheese cake)
(5)
R T.
We went to Scutra last night based on Yelp reviews, and we were not disappointed. We had the pumpkin apple cider bisque soup and a salmon-shrimp filo dough wrap for appetizers; both were amazing, full of subtle flavors. The chocolate lava cake we shared for dessert was also remarkable; it was just enough and not too sweet. My only criticism is largely avoidable: make your reservations several days in advance to get the time you want. Otherwise, it was fantastic. We will definitely be going back.
(5)
Ellen S.
We finally made it to Scutra! We had a GC that we had been meaning to use. This place was worth the wait - we had a great meal, great wine and exellent service. The entrees are in the $20+ range a piece but the portions are BIG and the food is expertly prepared. We will no doubt be back for another visit soon.
(4)
Leslie M.
Love this place. Small but the food is awesome and the vibe is great. Knowledgeable staff. Perfect place for a date or a get together with the girls!
(5)
Allison J.
I went here in the middle of March '06 and it was awesome. Great, cozy restaurant with good attentive service. A friend of mine recommended this place to me and it was everything he said it would be. I started with a Mussel appetizer which was about 15 mussels roasted in the oven with garlic, butter, and parmesan. I HIGHLY recommend this dish. As an entree I had a pistachio crusted sea bass with a buttery rissotto that had a hint of truffle oil. I think the veg that came with it was broccoli but I can't remember. The fish was light, flakey and succulent. It was the special for the evening so I don't know if any Yelpers go that this dish will be available. For dessert the lemon tart was AWESOME. It was perfectly sweet and tart for the ending to a great meal. I would come back here in a heartbeat. The price worked out to be about $50/ person (with tip included in this total) for dinner and well worth it. I think for the food we got, we would have paid a 1/3 more if we were in Boston center. This place is not good for big groups but a party of 4 or less is fab. I'm sure you could rent out the place for an event though. My guess is that the place doesn't fit more than 40 or 50 people in one sitting.
(5)
Mark B.
What a fantastic hidden gem. Clearly family run, and their reputation hangs on the line with every patron. The space is inviting, the people more so, and the food is just outstanding. We've recruited numerous people to go here rather than the typical candidate restaurants that you think of (either because you pass them or because they are in vogue). This place is all of that, only better, because "nobody else" knows how good it is. Go ahead, ruin it for the rest of us and go!
(5)
Mike S.
Went here last night for Valentine's Day for the first time! I was excited because I read the reviews here and in the Zagat guide. I was not disappointed! The food was FANTASTIC. It's flavorful, creatively served, and the prices are very reasonable. Since it was V-Day, we went all out and had three courses. The appetizers were great and reasonably priced....about $8 each. We had the wonton-wrapped shrimp and one of the specials, mixed greens with chopped pistachios, cranberries, feta and a lemon-dill dressing. SOOO GOOD. The entree was out of this world and all of them were $20.09. We both had the sirloin with a smoked gouda potato cake and salsifris. For dessert we had the creme brulee, which was good, but not really different than most creme brulees and the cheesecake with lemon butterscotch sauce and it was awesome. The dessert was delicious, but definitely overpriced at $10 each. The wine list was sufficient and had a good variety of inexpensive bottles. The atmosphere was trendy with nice music playing. The service was good....a 7 on a 1 to 10 scale. Also, I noticed that several people said this place either has no bar or offers beer and wine only....that's not true, they have a full bar! I really loved this place and will be back soon.
(5)
Patty W.
I went to Scutra yesterday and it had a fun fixed price italian style buffet. I must say that the buffet was very good, but kind of ordinary....pasta, salad, dessert.Monday- Thursday they have this buffet for $23.50..if you like to sample this is great!..I really enjoyed the decor however, I kind of felt like I was in the movie Cocoon. I went to dinner at 6:30pm on a Wednesday and have to say I think that we were the youngest party there. I know that 6:30pm is early for dinner but not "early bird special" early.....The place is really cute and the service was fabulous! I recommend it and maybe I will change my rating when I try there regular menu.
(4)
S S.
Arlington's Finest!!! I live around the corner from this place yet it took me years to try this out ?? Its tucked on the corner of mill and summer street. I like the fact that when you park your car you see the kitchen! fun! The place is cosy (ok small!) , when i walked in i was almost looking for the other half of the restruant. Hey, but size doesnt matter!! (who are you kidding!)It kinda does when the waiters have to squueze by in between tables and if you are one of those people who use their hands while talking the poor waiters wait (no pun intended) patiently untill you are done waving your hand just to get by. Ok, i guess at this point I should talk about food. This place is medeiterranian and east asian fusion (go figure!) and the chef is belgian. He is actually a big burly beligan.But can he cook!! OMG the food was awesome here. Unforutnately, i could only eat vegetarians food yetserday.(Dont' ask me , its an Indian thing!) But the Gorgonzola - Artichoke and Eggplant Involtini over Tomato Olive Stew ...yum...and the chef came out to ask me if i could eat goat cheese. My entre was the Vegetable Cake with Seasonal Starch,thats the name of the dish and the only one veg option available on the menu, it was nicely presented and really i am not a green eating person but it tasted really good. My friend ordered a shank of a (pig!) that really did fall of the bones, I am sorry i cant even look at red meat...makes me queazy but i guess it was really good cos he and the people on the next table couldnt stop raving about it. In addition to all this eating, we got a 20% off on our cheque for some cutomer appreciation thing. Great Experience!
(4)
Arlington M.
I love this hidden gem. I live in Arlington, and it is refreshing to have a warm and inviting eatery with a great menu and a decent wine list. I have eaten here many times, and been pleased each and every time. As for price, I happen to think it's a bargain compared to similar restaurants in Cambridge or Boston.
(4)
Lynda M.
I ate here a few years ago when they first opened. A very welcome addiation to the area. The food is delicious and I love the atmosphere. It can be hard to find but well worth looking for!
(4)
Melissa G.
Our party of six had mixed reviews of our dining experience (the vegetarian entry had no starch or protien, tilapia disappointing and menu choices slim) but this restaurant is getting a poor review from me because I called the restaurant to share this feedback with the owner and shouted at for almost 10 minutes. Even tho I told him that I personally adored my own meal, he ignored my compliments and said that clearly my party "weren't the type for Scutra" and would be better off eating elsewhere. Next time we will spend our $200 elsewhere.
(1)
Kelly S.
Not the cheapest bite you can find in town but a nice, small and high-end Italian restaurant out of view. The food was very good and their vegetarian menu though limited was very interesting and tasty. For the price you would however expect better service (mixing two bottles of wine in the same glass when the glass is not even finished...). Beats a trip to the North End.
(4)
Darren J.
On its best days, Scutra is hands-down the best restaurant in Boston. It should get five stars for the food, but there has been some inconsistency that has snuck in during the last 2 years. Unfortunately, where it used to be the case that you were guaranteed fabulous food every time you walked in, now it's a "likely" outcome but you are not assured of it. Still, I would rather eat at Scutra than almost anywhere else. While the owner/chef Didier does many things well, I think he is at his very best with fish and seafood. The home-made bread is FANTASTIC. Appetizers are generally very good too, especially the mussels and the salads. My one major complaint about Scutra is desserts. It's not that they aren't wonderful, but over the years portion sizes have become smaller and smaller, while the prices have gone up. If one needs to charge higher prices for dessert, fine, but if there's not enough on the plate to satisfy, then I'm just not interested, and it's for this reason that I have not ordered dessert the last 6 times or so I've gone to Scutra, even though I *wanted* to have dessert. Memo to Scutra's owners: At least at my table, you are losing out on revenues by skimping on dessert portions. It's embarrassing to pay $8 or more and get three bites' worth out of something.
(4)
P D.
It took me four years to try this place. Shame on me. From the outside, doesn't look like much. But inside you're in the chef's kitchen. In fact, sometimes his wife and kids are there too to help out. It really is a family-run place. The food is fantastic-- very heavy on the fish. Great desserts too. Nice for a romantic dinner for two in the burbs.
(4)
Rich L.
Not sure if we just hit them on a bad day or if they're going downhill, but our maiden voyage to Scutra bore no resemblance to the rave reviews here. The dismissive maitre'd lost our reservation, but managed to reluctantly "squeeze us in". The waiter, though seemingly omnipresent, could not remember to deliver the drinks. The dressing on the salad appetizer was almost inedibly sour, and the chicken smothered in very bland mozzarella just struck me as a fast-food approach to fine dining. The whole experience was noisy, loud and uncomfortable. It wasn't absolutely horrible, but the place is not cheap and I felt you could get just as good a meal at Not Your Average Joe's around the corner for a whole lot less $$.
(2)
Justin O.
Overall, good. However nothing special. The atmosphere is nice, but the menu reads better than the food tastes. The artichoke appetizer and stuffed quail are ok.
(3)
Hubert H.
It's been a while, but I wasn't super impressed. I remember having a risotto and some seafood dishes - the mussels weren't all that fancy, and perhaps too buttery. Otherwise the atmosphere was fairly pleasant and a nice place to have a nice meal.
(3)
Imogen d.
We were excited to find such a nice restaurant within walking distance of our new home. Scutra has a romantic and warm ambiance and the staff are all friendly and attentive. We have two kids under 5 so it's often tough to find somewhere that we enjoy eating but where the kids are also welcome. Everyone at Scutra went above and beyond to make us all feel welcome, from bringing little bowls of berries for the kids to snack on while they waited; to our server getting down other level as he explained the specials to us so they felt included. The chef even made sure that our youngest sons meal was cut up into smaller pieces so it was easier for him to eat. The food doesn't disappoint either, we had a fantastic meal with some really tasty wine and beer pairings and look forward to coming back and trying many other things on the interesting menu.
(5)
Seth K.
On our first visit the food was delicious and service was horrible. On our second visit the food was okay and the service was okay. For the price, very poor value.
(2)
K H.
A decent place. Our experience was mixed. The service was good and my meal, the trout, was very good. My wife's fish was overcooked. Wine choices were decent but the Pinot noir I ordered was warm. For $80 I expected it to be a little cool.
Love this place! Such a great, classy atmosphere. I ordered the mussels which are on special every Wednesday and they were EXCELLENT. I highly recommend Scutra.
(5)
Al K.
In my efforts to help local businesses in the aftermath of never-ending blizzards and sidewalk construction, I had the chance to enjoy a wonderful meal here tonight. I ordered the shrimp and phyllo appetizer, the short ribs ravioli, and the cheesecake. Everything was excellent. I usually don't even like restaurant cheesecake, but this particular one was in a class of its own. The waiter and all of the other staff people were also excellent, and I can safely say that at long last, I have a favorite restaurant in Arlington. The only reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is that the prices are a tad high, but I will certainly be back as often as possible.
(4)
Dave A.
Sat down with a speaker over our head and the music was loud, not only that, a very poor choice in music. Asked if they could turn the music down and they did and 15 minutes later what do they do, turn the music back up. They really didn't give a damn at all. Really bothersome, right over our heads while we were trying to talk and dine. And, I'm a musician. Even my 19 year old son was bothered by it. The decor is outdated too. 90's Food is very good though but we are not going back again (3 times there) the music ruined our meal, really loud and we are trying to talk and dine. The atmosphere is not what it use to be, not at all. To many other great places to eat now.
(1)
Sarah M.
My husband and I love this restaurant. We love sitting at the bar and making a meal out of a variety of appetizers and some evenings we'll both split two entrees. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. We have always had a great meal.
(5)
alyce m.
We have been to Scutra twice and both times we left with the "Meh, we've experienced better" The food was OK, service was OK and prices too high for what we had. Drinks were the best thing.
(2)
John D.
My wife and I went here on a Saturday night. We heard good things about Scutra from several people. The food was VERY good but the portions were very small for the price you pay..30 dollars for a small beef tenderloin with risotto. The service was amazing and the restaurant itself was great. The 3 stars was due to the prices being on the high side and the portions being rather small. Be prepared to spend 60-65 dollars per person for drinks, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and dessert.
(3)
Frank S.
You're being warned.... 4 of us went on a Saturday night! Odd waiter & he had on a dirty shirt! Small - VERY small portions, quality is just okay. 4 of us had two salads, bacon truffle popcorn, crab cakes, mussels Entrees - Paella - had squid, not mentioned on menu & the scallops were missing! It was served at room temperature! Beef tenderloin was served rare, ordered medium rare, and lamb scaloppini was so thin it was like a strip of leather - we should have sent it back. The dishes were so small, they could have been served on a bread dish. First time in many years, went home without leftovers, and was still hungry! YUK!
(1)
Mark S.
This place was a wonderful surprise to my fiance and I! The prices were EXTREMELY reasonable for food that was not only delicious but also clever and original. We had crab wrapped in eggplant, limincello squid, PORK OSSO BUCO, and VEAL MEATLOAF. Each meal was plated beautifully and had numerous layers of taste that blended perfectly. I can easily say that the food here was better then a restaurant at the Elephant Walk level and almost as good as a place like Rendezvous. I believe the reason this restaurant isnt more popular is all because of its location. It is in Arlington but NOT on Mass Ave and therefore I dont think anyone knows its there unless they find it online. If this place was in Cambridge it would be more popular! Also, from the outside you cant tell how nice of a place it is inside. Its a great place to grab a drink or bring someone for a schmancy dinner. As an added bonus it is GREAT for people with a gluten allergy! Many options and all marked on the menu.
(5)
Becky Z.
Mediocre food and exceptionally poor service for a high price. Years ago this used to be a great local spot, but has since gone downhill. I definitely wouldn't recommend it anymore. Tried to give them the benefit of the doubt a few times as I used to like them, but have been continually disappointed and don't plan to go back.
(2)
Mark D.
I agree with Becky Z. This used to be one of the best restaurants in the area, but it's gone drastically downhill over the years. My wife and I were last there a few days ago, and we won't be going back. The food was bland and poorly prepared, and even our two glasses of wine were mediocre, compared to what we get elsewhere. On top of that, the waiter was weird and unfriendly, which made for a thoroughly uncomfortable experience. We felt bad about paying $100 for what we got.
(1)
AnneDee T.
Biggest dining mistake ever.... Went here with my husband, son and daughter. When we were greeted at the door by the hostess/server (blondish short hair), the look of dispair with a child in a bucket and 6 year old were ice cold. Overall, we were treated like we did not exist. They don't have a children's menu for starters. They offer pasta for $8... fine, no big deal. I have food allergies, and the server was annoyed and told me I should have called the day before... ?? wtf? really? If you can't accomodate food allergies, you need to get out of the restaurant industry! My requests were mainly no butter, and plain cooked vegetables. It's not like I asked for my allergies sweetie! You don't have to make me feel like sh$t because I have them! And make me feel like sh$% she did. I was horrified.... call in a day in advance to notify you of allergies? Sorry, since when does the guest accomodate the restaurant? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Get your head out of the clouds!! The half a$$ed (again, short blond hair) server never checked back on us... we waited quite awhile to get the hell out of there... The food btw was actually pretty decent, my son and husband liked their meals, and the bus staff was incredibly attentive with water, but our server needs to find a new profession. She clearly hates people and can't be bothered. Food and bus stafff bring this place from 1 star to 2... I'm trying to be fair here. It's amazing how your interaction with staff can make or break a place even if the food is pretty good... I wouldn't return here... nope, never!
(2)
Margaret W.
Disappointing all around. Super noisy room, like eating in a cafeteria. Our beet salad had exactly two beet slices. My Parmesen gnocchi came out cold, and very soupy, and pretty flavorless. After his Chicken and eggplant parm, my husband was hard pressed to recall where the parmesan was in the dish. The menu strikes me as bizarre; my husband called it 'precious,' like they were doing it all just to be different and for the attention. Grilled cheesecake? Fried artichoke gnocchi? We won't be returning. On the plus side, our server was quite attentive, and our (cold) dishes came out quickly.
(2)
Stephanie M.
I've never written a review on Yelp, nor do I go around bashing restaurants or telling people to avoid certain places because I may have had a bad experience. However, the experience I had today at Scutra was appalling. My boyfriend's family rented out the entire restaurant after we were at the funeral for his grandmother...a FUNERAL. The food was served buffet style and there were waiters periodically going around to the tables and asking if anyone needed their drinks replenished. It was apparently the bartenders time to make rounds of the tables, so I asked him politely, "May I have a diet coke?" to which the response was "What do you say?" Thinking that there may be a language barrier or the noise level was too loud, I repeated myself "May I have a diet coke?" After the same response was given to me, it suddenly dawned on me what he was fishing for. I looked at him, confused, and said "Please?" and as he turned his back to me he responded with "Maybe you'll get one now." I'm sorry...ARE YOU F@$#(@ KIDDING ME? I have had my fair share of smart-aleck waitstaff and I am always willing to play along. Ask anyone, my favorite thing to do is give a sarcastic remark IN JEST. And yes...I will gladly take the blame for not saying the word "please." I suppose I could see where he was coming from if I was rude to him whatsoever...but believe me, I was not. If this was some attempt of being coy...save it. I was left embarrassed and utterly shocked in front of my boyfriend's family at a funeral reception. I was in the food service industry for 8 years and could never imagine having the ego to say that to a customer. I'm imagining the staff reading this review and laughing about it. If that's the case then good. If the staff is reading it, then potential customers must be reading it too. I'm hoping this review can sway anyone to STEER CLEAR of this place. It does NOT deserve your business.
(1)
Jon B.
This place is as good as it gets and epitomizes the term hidden jewel. It is in a small unassuming building on Summer St in Mass Ave and has a small free parking lot in front, but it is worth every bit of effort to find it. Louis is one of the best, most passionate and knowledgeable servers we have had anywhere and truly makes every visit an extra special experience for my wife and I. They have incredible weekday multi-course specials for only $20, and global wine and food evenings that are to die for. I have been here about a dozen times since they opened and look forward to returning again soon as they never disappoint.
(5)
Lina F.
I called tonight hoping that I could get a gift certificate for my mom on her birthday, OR better yet, on the off chance that she was there (I was hopeful since I knew it was her favorite restaurant), then I would cover her bill. The Manager was so wonderful. Just as I was finishing up giving him all my details for the gift certificate he said, "a couple matching your description just walked in the door" and as luck would have it, it was them. My mom was so thrilled! I cannot thank Scutra and its manager enough for being so kind!!
(5)
John I.
My wife and I had dinner tonight and we were so disappointed. We had been looking forward to eating at Scutra all week. Our server was pleasant. Our appetizers were tasty, I had the fried oysters (although I only received two) and my wife had the beet salad. The crab and shrimp rav's were tasty and the sauce very flavorful. However, the pork ossobucco with cherry sauce was bland and gamey.Just terrible.Even extra sauce did not help because it too, was incredibly tasteless.So,I tried the ribeye .It came out too rare,fatty and grizzly.I have had better at the Outback.The twice baked potatoe had to have been frozen.The top was hot and the inside cold.By now I was so aggravated I just want to go home. Support staff unpolished.Busboy(man) waltzing through the restaurant with a bucket full of dirty dishes and a soiled apron,a stained shirt and then re-appears with a fresh plate of food.No gloves while transporting the dirty dishes.Doubt he washed his hands between trips to the kitchen. I would give one star but Jessica worked hard and was not responsible for the mediocre meal.
(2)
Robin R.
Four of us had dinnet a few weeks ago. Our server, i cant remember his name, was extremely helpful, & very informative about the menu. Loved the little cheesecake & ice cream pops. Perfect size, & beautifully presented. My gps in car sent us on a round about way to get there, but it wasn't hard to find. If you have reservations on the early side of the evening, parking lot is right at restaurant. Will definitely return.
(5)
Mister M.
The quality of the food is four stars. The service is three stars. The portions compared with price is one star. We ordered Paella for a meal which is a typical large spanish dish with an assortment of meat, shellfish, chorizo, etc. We counted 2 pieces of chorizo, and mostly one of everything else (a single clam, etc) in a very small bowl fit for a children's portion for an appetizer maybe. And it was expensive. Don't go here.
(2)
DayTripper D.
ACMi's board had a fantastic holiday meal at Scutra on 12/5. The waiter was masterful at handling orders, dealing with questions, and genuinely related to every one of about 18 at the tables set around in a square formation. The only downside was that the configuration did not allow for much conversation except for the person next to you or across the corner. But that was more the fault of the size of our group than the restaurant. My stuffed flounder was superb, healthy ingredients, and just the right temperature. Water and wine was filled, sides and entrees arrived on time; everything was perfect. And I DO recommend the pumpkin bread pudding (shared with spouse). Best to go to Scutra before they finish the condos right in back on Mill Street; likely much more difficult to get a reservation after those several hundred hungry dwellers catch on to the treasure nearby!
(5)
Frank B.
appetizer: Wilted Baby Spinach Salad [hold the Bacon], Onions and Mushrooms Warm Raspberry Cider Vinaigrette main: Parmesan Gnocchi Primavera with parmesan pressed gnocchi, roasted Vegetables, and butternut squash cream. with Scutra side-card: Conjure Cognac-Cointreau-Peach Puree-Fresh Lime The gnocchi had good texture, and the roasted vegetables were seasoned well. The cocktails were quite pleasant and seemed to be a showcase for the restaurant. Our service was prompt and efficient. I have dined here once.
(4)
Andrew H.
I think 'meh' describes the experience completely. New to Arlington (from Cambridge), my wife and I are trying out all the local joints one by one. So far, we've been pretty happy (though Little Q Hot Pot still wins hands down in the all around competition). I had heard good things about Scutra so we wanted to try it out. Rainy Friday night and I planned ahead and made a reservation. Dropped my wife off at the door to get out of the rain while I parked. The hostess spent 5 or 6 minutes with my wife standing there gabbing with another couple. Not a good start. Good thing we made a reservation - the place was packed. The waitress was super super nice and chipper though she was clearly working too many tables by herself and therefore service was a touch slow (took 10 minutes to get cocktails after we'd order them). Got the calamari appetizer which came out in these odd fried 'sticks'. It wasn't really good, wasn't bad, but I guess when is regular fried calamari really good so I let it go. My wife got a steak frites, I got veal marsala on top of mushroom risotto. My wife's steak was truly bizzarre. The meat was totally bland and had an odd texture to it (like it had been previously frozen then thawed). Plus it was undercooked. She ate a quarter of it and thought it best not to push through. Figured it wasn't worth sending back as what we'd get back would probably be worse than where we started. My marsala was no better than Olive Garden - esqe. The whole dish was literally drowning in oversalted oversweeted marsala sauce. And it was thick - almost syrupy. The meat itself was in shreads and was no more than 1/8" of an inch thick. It had no flavor other than 'fried'. And the risotto - you know when you make risotto and maybe you cook it too long, then let it sit (in a fridge) and then heat it up again and it has than clumply starchy thing going on - exactly. It was just a mound of starch. Plus the mushrooms defintely didn't seem like portobellos like the menu said. I had no clue what they were. Not awful, but defintely not good, and definitely not worth $100 for two people I really really want to like and try local places, but we won't be back. On the other hand, given how packed this place is it certainly won't matter to their business. But (not to sound too snotty) for others whose standards are based on Boston or Cambridge, don't waste your time.
(2)
Roger M.
I do not know why people like this place.
(2)
Shawn A.
I went here on date night and the evening started great. The place was full and the atmosphere was loud and vibrant. Our apps were very good (chicken drumsticks wrapped in bacon & apple sausage with rabe) as were our mixed drinks. All good so far. The meal went off the rails with when the mains arrived. My date ordered the Tile fish special with crab topping. It was awful. The fish was not fresh at all. Smelled fishy and did not taste good. She sent it back and order the salmon entree off the menu. It also was not that good. She has a couple bites and pushed it aside. On the positive, my entree was also a special, but a beef dish so perhaps just stay away from the fish at this place. The service was mediocre & we won't be back.
(3)
Greg T.
We had a really great meal at Scutra recently. We went on a weekday night, and it was pretty empty, but I was not surprised by that. I am willing to bet Wed-Sun the place is jammed based on the taste of their food alone. We started with a few apps that were really good. One was off the special menu that consisted of some shrimp and cheese in phyllo dough that was delicious. We also had the garlic mussels that live up to their name. They were garlicky, but this is not a bad thing. They were baked with lots of cheese and garlic, and the leftover cheese and oil tasted even better on a little slice of bread (save some from the bread basket or ask for more!). We also had the croquettes which were crispy and tasty. The mango sauce was the perfect pair for them. So far, so good... Then the entrees came, and live got better. We had a few of the pan roasted chicken dishes that hit the mark, and a veal chop off the specials list. The veal was my choice and it was gone shortly after it hit the table. It was a perfect medium rare and tender as can be. They provided a steak knife, but it was barely needed. I found myself nawing on the bone to get the last few bits off, and I was a happy man. I thought it couldn't get any better than the veal, but then dessert came. The special K brownie was crunchy and tasty, as was the grilled cheesecake. The cheesecake was just a little warm which made it melt in your mouth. It was a toss up between which one was better. Both were really good. All in all, we had zero complaints about Scutra. The staff was very helpful and attentive, and the space is quaint and trendy. We will be back for sure next time we are in town. Great meal! PS: I am not sure why this place is listed at $$$ for price. Its closer to $$. Starters were between 8-10 and I didn't spot any entrees over $28ish. Therefore, I am giving it $$ for price. 3 of us ate with 8 cocktails and 2 coffee drinks for less than $200. I think that's a worthy price for the quality and taste of the food.
(4)
Florina K.
I like this place, the food was pretty good, the atmosphere is a good date atmosphere, and the service was attentive! I would go there again!
(4)
Cheryl F.
Charming interior. Friendly, attentive and knowledgable service. The beef stew I ordered was very tasty. The shared flatbread pizza appetizer was delicious. Most entrees are $22 and under. Portions are on the small side but all entrees ordered were enjoyed by my dining partners. Overall - Scutra offered a very nice dining experience.
(4)
Robert R.
Although our waitress seemed distracted and nervous at times, the service was friendly. The food was not. We ordered bottled sparkling water and it arrived open and nearly flat. (Who has not experienced that ripoff before?) For appetizers, my "special" was a fila wrapped apple balsamic compote with gorgonzola cheese. It was a bad way to start. The only thing special was that the fila dough was burnt black in parts. There were actually charred black edges on top like the end of a burnt matchstick. I had to pick off the black parts. Why would you even serve that? It never should have come to the table. The onion soup appetizer was also unremarkable and bland. My entree of flat iron steak was boring. It was supposed to have a mushroom marsala jus. It was drowned in a brown sauce with no trace of mushrooms and very little seasoning. Not even any black pepper flavor. How do you miss that? The asparagus was good, perfectly cooked green and firm. The frites (fries) tasted and smelled as though they were fried in the same oil as a batch of fish. They were bland, neither crisp nor mushy, but had just enough salt. The Chilean sea bass came with the skin very thick and slimy on one side. Overall, it was so-so. The long list of fresh garden ingredients that accompanied actually buried it and cooled it down too much. The fresh baked bread served with dinner is excellent. At least someone knows how to bake bread well. What I took away from this first visit to Scutra is that they must have known that what they were giving us was not good. When I mentioned to our waitress that my appetizer was burned, she made no offer to replace it or to compensate for it. (As I said, she seemed distracted even though we were the first and only customers in the restaurant this night.) I had the feeling that this restaurant doesn't care if a few customers don't like what comes out of their kitchen. You don't serve a customer burnt food or flat water if you are trying to please. We kept putting off going to this restaurant because we had not heard people raving about it. Now I know why. It looks better on the outside than on the inside and the food did not satisfy. There are better restaurants in Arlington. We are checking this one off our list.
(2)
Lynette S.
-Food was okay (some yummy some gross so 3 stars for an average rating.) -We had bad service. it sounds like other yelps mention bad service too. -I got the vegetarian plate and it was 1/2 good and 1/2 gross. it came in 4 separate sections and 2 were real
(2)
Me B. M.
This place has slipped considerably. The food is now hit or miss, perhaps because they have not been able to keep up quality following the expansion. Sometimes under-seasoned sometimes over-seasoned, sometimes over-cooked. The bar and TV have really knocked it down a peg or two as well.
(3)
Elizabeth S.
I love the food here, and the service is friendly. My husband and I went for an anniversary dinner. It's a little on the pricey side, but totally worth it for a treat.
(5)
Manny L.
I'll say first that I have not eaten at Scutra, and that's simply because I never got past the host's station. Based on my experience there, if I could give Scutra zero stars, I would. Gladly. I went in last night, my first visit. I hoped to get a couple of seats at the bar - no luck - so I waited to ask the hostess whether a table for two might be available. With the exception of two couples, the dining room was empty, so my chances seemed good. As I stood in front of the hostess, she spoke with a couple who had arrived ahead of me. She looked over her computer screen, then seated them.. The phone rang. A young woman - a server? - came over to answer it, looked over the reservations, finished the call, then walked away. A young man - a bartender? a server? - stepped up to the host's table, did the same as the woman before him, and walked away. Three people, and not one of them made eye contact or said a word to me. Not "hello," not "we'll be right with you," not "we don't give a rat's ass whether we get your business or not." If the way I was treated at the door is any indication of the way I would be treated beyond the door, Scutra doesn't deserve my business. (After I left, my companion said that he's a regular at Scutra, and that service at the door has always been a problem.) And for the record, we went instead to TRYST and had an amazing dinner with attentive service. Now THAT is a restaurant deserving of your time and money.
(1)
Carter W.
My favorite place to eat in the area! The always evolving menu and wine list keep my wife and I on our toes. The quality of the food is top shelf. The bone in ribeye they offer for 30$ cost $65 at Grill 23 (and it comes from the same place). The garlic mussels are my favorite appetizer, and the grilled cheesecake is to die for. The owner I was told, was a pasrty chef over in France, and this is evident by his desserts. When my wife I first started dating, Scutra is where I would take her. Fast forward 3 years, throw in a wedding, and we still try and come here at least once a month. I am new to yelp but after reading such terrible reviews I had to join yelp to inform people about the quality of the food, wine, and service at Scutra. It seems some people are not cultured when it comes to portion sizes in fine dining, while others think that being seated right away in a small boutique restaurant will always be the case. There is a wait for a reason, the food is amazing! On top of that Brian, Bati, and Louie are some of the best servers I have stumbled across in my food journeys. If you had a bad experience here I would advise you to try Scutra again. In the dozens of meals my wife and I have had at Scutra, none have been sent back or been sub par. In fact we just tried to make a rservation for this weekend and they are booked solid. The word is out, Scutra is back, and is a force to be reckoned with. Keep an open mind, and enjoy the mix of old world French cuisine bred with an American twist. Chhers!
(5)
Elizabeth K.
I assume the people who highly rate this restaurant have never been out of the suburbs. This is bland, poorly cooked food pretending to be fancy. We go the duck appetizer - it was sooooooo dry and overcooked and accompanied by cucumbers and tomatoes - a pairing that made no sense. I followed that with steak frites, medium rare. My steak was well done and, the fries that were described as "hand salted" needed like a jar of table salt to be edible. It gets an extra star for having attentive, friendly staff that totally belong at must better establishments.
(2)
Joanna F.
My boyfriend and I came here for my birthday dinner on a whim. I had been looking for new restaurants to try and I love Arlington, so we headed here. The service was, to say the least, confusing. Our hostess was also our waitress. Some guy who brought the water over read us the specials, but couldn't read all of them because our waitress could "explain one of them better". It was kind of a mess. We didn't get to place our drink orders until we had already been sitting for 15 minutes. The reason this place gets four stars is for the food. We started with the pulled pork involtino. It was SPECTACULAR. Pulled pork and peanut sauce together?? Who knew it would work so well. I got one of the specials (the lamb osso bucco). It was fall of the bone delicious, served with parmesan risotto and asparagus. My boyfriend got the sirloin special covered in a goat cheese crust, also with risotto. We shared a piece of the lava cake for dessert. It wasn't the best I've had, but it was still tasty. The price was pretty good for the quality. I'm not sure I would be back here anytime soon though.
(4)
Natalie M.
I want to give this place more stars because the food was absolutely amazing. At the same time, I want to give it fewer stars because the service was atrocious. Ultimately, the food would have spoken for itself, but the end experience left a very sour taste in my mouth.
(3)
Local E.
This is a passable dining experience in fine-dining clothing, so to speak. Warm, cozy interior and friendly staff. Our experience (our second) matched our first - enticing menu, full of items and themes one finds at a fine restaurant. Somehow, though, the execution was below our expectations. My coffee-encrusted fish - served in the usual "tall cylinder of food" - was so overcooked that large sheets of it were impenetrable; similar to how crazily overdone chicken becomes "wooden." It also didn't work with the presentation; a bland fava-bean polenta, swirled with a ? pomegranate or tomato ? sauce, with hard fish on top, covered in EVOO salad greens. My wife's sea bass was less overdone, and served with a gentler tomato mix with enough citrus to balance the dish. Our appetizers (Scallops, French onion soup) were a real miss. At least, for this price range they were merely acceptable. Ah, well. Friends rave about Scutra, but unfortunately I think it leaves much to be desired. Perhaps they need to review the evenness of their seasoning and the "done-ness" of their dishes. We have a remaining Groupon for it, but I'm not looking forward to returning.
(2)
Kyrie R.
Really not sure why this place gets so many 4 and 5 star ratings. I read all the reviews before we went, and I did notice a fair number of 1-3 star ratings all saying the same thing -- well, I agree with them. We tried the scallops over polenta, the striped bass over couscous, the strudel appetizer, and a salad. All were very beautifully plated, but tasted mediocre. It's as if the chef went around to other restaurants and made note of all the trends (grapefruit in salad! balsamic vinegar! sun-dried tomatoes! frisee! Limoncella!). But the resulting combinations don't actually taste like anything special or good. A good chef & restaurant brings together different flavors & textures in satisfying, sometimes surprising, sometimes comforting ways. The food at Scutra just seemed like a blah jumble on the plate. My other big reason for giving it only 2 stars has to do with the small portion sizes. I watch my calories, and I am not someone who wants a platter of ribs enough for 4 people, but I think the teeny tiny portion sizes that some restaurants go for (while charging $23 for an entree) are equally appalling. My scallops entree came with only 4 medium scallops, a tiny 1/2c of polenta, and some sprouts and grapefruit garnish. I was starving afterwards. The strudel appetizer that my father ordered was about 3 bites. Lastly (and this may be a nit), I noticed their wine list had only 3 token wines from California/Oregon/West Coast. And none were from the better or more interesting wineries. Nothing inspired me. Bottom line - I won't be going back, and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. There are better places, in Arlington and beyond.
(2)
Rachel K.
Went here after passing it by for the last year. Great to have a nicer restaurant close to home and didn't need reservations for a Thursday evening, although we did take the last table available and the last parking spot available at the time. Our waiter was occupied the first 10 minutes that we were seated, but we could see him at another larger table so we understood. Would have been nice to have some one else pop over with water or bread though. Our server also become much less attentive as the evening progressed, never actually checking on us after our entrees were served and we had to ask for the dessert menu and check. My warm salad was a little too warm, but had great flavor. The other apps at the table were enjoyable, lobster risotto and duck tostada/pizza. I really enjoyed my dinner of a delicious risotto and steak with demi glaze and asparagus. However, the 3 star rating comes from the displeasure that my companions experienced with their entrees (extremely overcooked meat in the "special kabobs". We were not impressed with their dessert choices that evening, so we took a pass on those. I would give them a try one more time...
(3)
Janet J.
It's a hit or miss. The drinks and apps are fantastic, especially the mussels. The entrees are a hit or miss. I've been to Scutra many times. The last time was early September when they offered the $20 app and entree special. Again, the app was delicious, but my cioppino entree was bland. No spices, pasta was overcooked. My friend ordered the minute steak. Again, hers was bland. The waitress was non existent. When she did come around, she had a rude attitude. The bus-girl wouldn't leave us alone. She kept asking if we were finished. We clearly were not finished,especially with our utensils in our hands.
(3)
Zadie B.
Really good food, really tepid service. The dishes are inventive and well seasoned and there's a nice choice of wine. Unfortunately, our waitress was a dysthymic library science grad student who seemed to think playing hard to get was the key to good service. When she first came to the table she leaned with her bare palms on the opening of the water pitcher. Maybe she just washed them, but it looked vaguely unsanitary and a tad bizarre. Service was always two beats behind leisurely, and after she brought the check she stood at the bar with her back to us and chatting with another waitress for about 15 minutes. We finally had to go get her and ask her to take our credit card. Again just odd. I know I sound like a bitter narcissist, but this kind of lameness can really put a damper on a nice meal.
(3)
Colleen M.
We love Scutra. We originally discovered this place a little over 3 years ago when I lived in Arlington and my husband (then boyfriend) was on a very restrictive diet. We almost never went out to restaurants and when we did, he was usually reduced to ordering a side of dry broccoli. We really wanted to go somewhere nice for a special occasion and Scutra's menu looked somewhat promising. After calling the restaurant, we found they would be willing to accommodate my husband's diet. And they did. The chef, Didier, came out, talked to us, and worked out what dishes he could make. We liked everything so much that we kept returning, even after my husband went back to eating regular food. Each time, we really enjoyed our meals. When we started thinking about our wedding, the very first detail we decided on was that we wanted to take our small group of wedding guests to dinner at Scutra after the ceremony. We met with Didier initially to get an idea of pricing and options. Unfortunately we didn't solidify the date properly (I guess) because when we called a few months later to talk about the menu, they had no record of us and had already booked another large party that night. However, Didier was willing to open an hour early so that we could get in and out before the other party. We met with Didier again just to make sure everything was solid and ended up talking with him for almost an hour about his thoughts on owning a restaurant and what it means to share a meal with others. It was really interesting and we really enjoyed getting to hear about his passion for food. He also told us that if we gave him everyone's orders ahead of time, we could have everyone order from the menu instead of giving them only two or three options. This made us really happy because we really wanted everyone to have their choice of the whole menu. He was also willing to make special meals for the vegan and children we had in our party. The day of the wedding, everything at Scutra went off wonderfully. Everyone really enjoyed their food and the service was great. The restaurant was mostly empty even up until the time we left, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. It was exactly as nice of an experience as we had hoped.
(5)
Stephanie G.
This is a great restaurant! I think the last time I was at this location I was in middle school and whatever restaurant it was focused on plain pasta. Imagine my surprise when I entered to discover a truly upscale and lovely restaurant. First of all, there are two parking lots you can use - I know you suburbanites love that stuff. There were people waiting - we had a reservation but ended up waiting a little, which is fine. The waitress was very attentive and I can't help but be impressed by someone who recites the specials with so much clarity. Although, it might have also been how amazing the specials sounded. Meats with veggies cooked certain ways to perfection....I wanted all of it. They had coquille St. Jacques!! Do you know how it is to find that in Boston! I got it as an appetizer and it was delicious! I think my whole family got fish for dinner - they had a lot of seafood, including fish from Austalia and Chile. Whoa! This was one of the few restaurants I have been to where I could consume an appetizer, a main meal, and a dessert. This might have been a function of the small entree, but really I would say that it was the right amount of food, all around.
(4)
Jonathan M.
Not bad, but certainly not the fine dining place it trys to be. Cocktails are poor and food was average at best.
(3)
Martha L.
We had a terrific meal here. Full disclosure, we had been avid fans of Scutra, then had a pretty "meh" meal here a while back, but we decided to give it another shot, and boy, am I glad we did. We had the pumpkin soup and mozzarella salad for starters, which were good, but the entrees were exceptional: beef tenderloin wrapped in bacon, short ribs with homemade gnocchi - which came in the form of a stew which I wasn't expecting but the sauce was exceptional. My son had the salmon with blueberry sauce which made me raise my eyebrows a bit but it was really good. The desserts were really creative, we had fried lemon cheesecake, banana crepe with chocolate sauce but the winner was the pumpkin bread pudding. Also, I have to add that we had just gotten back from France where we drank a lot of coffee but the coffee I had at Scutra was better than any we drank over there! Yes, it was turbo, but it was my kind of turbo! All this to say, if you haven't been there, go, if you had a so-so experience, give it another shot. The staff was delightful.
(5)
Martin N.
I am sorry to say that last night (March 23, 2013), we had a surprisingly poor experience at Scutra, where our experiences in the past have been quite good. The food was delicious as always, but the service was so bad that we will think long and hard about going again. We had an 8:15 p.m reservation, but had to wait over 1/2 hour to be seated; then we had to wait another almost 25 minutes before our order was taken (so that didn't happen until after 9:00 p.m.). I ordered a salad that was described in the menu as: "Wilted Baby Spinach, Onions and Mushrooms, with Warm Raspberry Cider Vinaigrette" (note, no cheese listed). Despite the description, the salad came loaded with cheese on top; since I don't like cheese on salad I sent it back; it then took 15-20 minutes to prepare one without cheese. I spied our waiter holding the remade salad in one hand while chatting with people at another table; I literally tried to take the salad away from him--I was that hungry by that point! The service throughout was terrible--our waiter vanished for long stretches of time, and then it appeared would do anything that came up rather than actually pay any attention to us. As I say the food was really delicious, but the service--from the long wait to be seated to our uncaring waiter--was so awful that, but for the good company at dinner, we would have had a truly miserable experience. This place just has to get its act together if it wants to avoid seriously alienating its clientele.
(2)
Jeff P.
we eat at Scutra about twice a year.last week I had the striped bass and my wife had the steak and a warm spinach salad. all of these were excellent.I did not like the wine 1 I ordered and they switched it without charge. service and ambiance are very comfortable.
(4)
Susan C.
Went to Scutra last night having been there before and wanted to try again. After three times eating at Scutra my opinion has not changed. The food is either bland or so spicy you can't eat it. The service was very slow and not terribly professional. I know it is the burbs but it still should be professional. Nothing was good even the dessert was just sort or thrown together. Everything is premade and just warmed up. The chef came out and was very nice but it didn't help the food. Only good thing is free parking.
(2)
denis s.
Scale 1 = poor, 5 = outstanding CUSTOMER SERVICE: 3 -- We happened to have an "over the top" waiter -- he would periodically quiz us during his explanation of the meals ("now what was my name again?"). This likely goes over great with the Arlington blue-hairs, but should be dialed down. Made us think "Disney World". We didn't try any dessert. FOOD: 2.5. My food (Pork Osso Buco) was unremarkable and lukewarm. My white wine was even room temp. My wife's salmon was fine but overcooked (when asked for rare, we were told "this is not sushi-grade salmon"). AMBIANCE: 3. It's in a strip mall but actually nice inside. VALUE: 2 -- absolutely overpriced for what they serve. I hate to slam this place because I used to live in Arlington and I think it's nice that they have some kind of nicer alternative dining option. But it's just not that great. My wife said it best: "if this were $40 cheaper it would be 3 stars".
(2)
Michael C.
Went here a few months ago with my dad. We had a great time, the service was very friendly and the food was good. I can't recall any of the specific dishes we had except for these mussels we ordered that were apparently only a special that day. Worth checking out.
(4)
Kerry M.
A group of us dined here for a birthday dinner despite some mixed reviews. This was our first Scutra experience and it was really good--everything from the service, to the decor, to the interesting and delicious meals--were top notch. Is it pricey? Yes. Are the portions small? Sort of but not really... the types of dishes served are not suited to take home and reheat. Quality over quantity. It was all about flavor and texture with a richness that left me (and the other diners in the party) entirely satisfied. The bread (as other Yelpers noted) was fabulous and the brie and fig app. I split with my sister was absolutely heavenly. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars were the "martini" drinks. They were super tasty but not strong enough to be labeled a martini. If you order wine you won't be disappointed. All in all, a very nice dining experience.
(4)
Susie B.
Not at all impressed. Though the appetizers (mussels) and dessert were very good, the Cobia fish special was undercooked and the scallop schnitzel a bit weird and underwhelming. Couldn't believe the chef was proud of the sauces; in both cases they were a milky, bland mess. Okay service from our waiter, but not impressed with the rest of the staff.
(2)
Emerson O.
Meh, I wasn't impressed with this place. Previous restaurants at this location struggled and failed, but this one is holding on. It's overly fancy as if it were in downtown Boston, while sitting in the middle of blue collar Arlington. Maybe that's its appeal? The food and service was excellent, but the prices show that. Good place for a first date or anniversary if you want to impress. Otherwise seek out one of the more "local" restaurants a few blocks away in Arlington center. You'll save a buck and have a better time.
(3)
Joel O.
Driving by, you'd never know that one of the best places to eat in the Boston area is tucked into this little nook. The food here is absolutely scrumptous and the service has always been good. On several occasions we've been lucky enough to be offered a sample of one of the chef's latest creations. I'm happy to be a guinea pig knowing that there's a good chance I'll come back looking for what we're about to be served. That's one of those personal touches that gets missed by so many of the upscale restaurants in Boston. My only complaint - parking can be hard to come by.
(5)
Angelos K.
This place has tremendous promise but suffers a lot in the execution of their dishes which are creative but never satisfying. For example, the tuna roll entree is a skimpy wafer thin slice of tuna surrounding vinegary 'kimchee' with 'purple sticky rice' which is actually garlicky (and i mean potent) black wild rice. My friend who ordered this simply could not believe what she got on her plate. My lamb special was fatty and the mashed potatoes had raw garlic in them as well. As for dessert, the chocolate ravioli, interesting as a concept, but impossible to eat as they were slippery and the fork barely fit in the plate where they were served drowned in whipped cream. Now that i think of it, it was a two star experience with a bonus star for creativity. I may go back again in a year to see how they have evolved.
(3)
Hannah W.
Here's the thing about Scutra. So much about it is great, but a fair number of things were disappointing. My bf and I went here because he had a gift certificate. Immediately, the atmosphere made a good impression on us. It was quiet, intimate and well-appointed. The service was flawless: our waitress was well-informed, recommended a great wine, and spoke intelligently about the chef's specialties. The arugula and duck prosciutto special salad was terrific. Wined, with great bread and a great salad, we had high expectations for the entree... ... which were not quite met. The beef short ribs themselves were fantastic, but the broccoli rabe was bizarrely bitter (my boyfriend agreed) and the accompanying risotto was underdone. If it weren't for the sides this would have been an enthusiastic 5-star review, though, and I'll probably give it another chance because of the great service and the great apps.
(4)
Ira B.
My wife and I dined here last night. It was a Saturday night and it was busy. The service was excellent. The waiter was attentive and informed. My wife is Vegan and this often presents a problem. Not this time. The spring rolls appetizer is vegan and my wife said these were the best spring rolls she had ever tasted. The vegan entree was modified from the regular menu. It was a gnocci with spinach, eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini. She said it was delicious. In fact, the chef came out to ask my wife some questions regarding the ingredients- very considerate. I had a tomatoe salad with grilled feta cheese followed by the parmasan crusted veal. The salad was OK though the presentation was beautiful. The Veal was tender, nicely spiced. Dessert was a beautiful and delicious plum tart tatin with vanilla ice cream. All in all an excellent choice and we'll definitely add it to our regular haunts. Its always great to find a fine restaurant that can accomodate vegans. Lastly, we thought the prices were very reasonable. The entrees ran about $18 each and I typically see conpareable restaurants charging in the $25-$30 range.
(5)
Stephen M.
Moved to the burbs and gave this place a try one night for takeout. Loved it. Since have gone back a few times and each time it is great. Nice room, very good service, great menu and quality food. Definitely a hidden gem.
(4)
Laura S.
Outstanding service, small/cramped location, and tiny portions. Our waiter had to be one of the best I've ever had anywhere! He really knew his stuff and was energetic and enthusiastic about the offerings. Portions were small and I wouldn't consider the tortellini app anything special. My friend raved over the mussels and both myself and one other who tried the goat cheese mushroom thought the goat cheese was too runny. Boston cream pie dessert was fantastic and we all enjoyed our drinks.
(3)
Wayne B.
Food is tasty but a guest in are group summed it up best by sayning "this place was recommended by Weight Watchers". Portions are small
(3)
Patricia H.
The food is good, and recently there have been some lower price specials that allow patrons to have a meal that's not horribly expensive. The bread is wonderful. My main course this time was a risotto with small pieces of chicken, asparagus, and squash, in a creamy sauce; it was tasty but didn't need to have quite so much cream. The service continues to be weird -- my place was set with a spoon, fork, and regular dinner knife, but just before the main course arrived, the waiter took away the spoon and dinner knife, and added a steak knife. I ignored the strange knife situation (has anyone ever encountered the small pieces of chicken in a risotto tough enough to need a steak knife to cut up?) and addressed the removal of the spoon. I told the waiter that I WANTED a spoon for my main course (I'd prefer one in most cases anyway, but especially if I'm being served a soupy risotto). He said he would bring another spoon (couldn't have he just left the one he had in his hand? Maybe that violates some kind of precious waitperson's code). And of course he never did bring another spoon. I was with a group, and the person next to me let me have her spoon. But because I was with a group, there was an obligatory 20% tip, which left me feeling rather grumpy under the circumstances. If I ever go there again I will grip my spoon in my hand and not allow its removal.
(3)
Mike L.
Great meals I had lamb osso bucco Jacki had tuna both were excellent
(4)
MB G.
Thanks for the rec, Yelp! This place is right down the road from us and I never thought about going there before. Everything was excellent! Portion size was perfect; great pinot noir; yummy chocolate lava dessert. I highly recommended the tuna roll with purple sticky rice--SOO good. I had no complaints--neither did hubby. edit: I forgot to mention the service. I noticed a few others had complaints, but our waitress was very attentive and friendly
(5)
Pito S.
I live in Arlington and have been to Scutra many times. I had forgotten how good it was but recently I went again after having been to Flora, another 'high end' restaurant in Arlington. Scutra wins: It's awesome. Delicious. Much better than Flora!.
(5)
Ryan S.
This was the second time we went to Scutra. The first time was several years ago, and the only good things I remembered were an excellent lobster bisque and delicious bread that accompanied it. Everything seemed overpriced. This time I was taken there for my birthday, so it was hard to say no. We ordered the butternut squash cannelloni as an appetizer. We predicted it would be small. When it came out, we laughed. It was served in a large bowl, and there were two miniature cannalloni. It should say "individual appetizers" on the menu. They were good and not terribly expensive, but they were gone before I could remember much what they tasted like. The bread was as good as I remember, but the lobster bisque was not on the menu, and there was no way of knowing when it would be back on the menu. My fiance ordered the French onion soup. The bowl was warm; the soup was not. It was also reasonably priced, but it was sent back to be reheated. I ordered the swordfish which came with one scallop. Both were cooked well. As someone else mentioned, if there was just a little bit more portion size for the price paid, things would have been much better. The waitress was very nice and informed. The wine list was good and reasonably priced, but very limited. We heard a list of desserts given to another table while we waited for our food. They all sounded great, but by the end of our meal we opted to go somewhere we knew we'd get a great dessert for our money. We will probably not go back to Scutra. There are too many other places worth the price.
(2)
Colleen C.
I went to Scutra last Fri night. Our waiter, Louis, offered suggestions about different entrees and apps and we went with his suggestions (ravioli, rib eye steak, and the bread pudding.) Everything was SO amazing. The service was great and the food was really delicious. I don't usually write reviews but I had to because Scutra is a great find!
(5)
Sven A.
I love the food at Scutra. The food was great but the wait was CRAZY over an hour for a reservation was a bit too much. Overall great food recommend, just go early as parking is a problem.
(4)
Logan I.
I ate at Scutra the other night with my wife and a couple of our friends who live in Arlington. The food was definitely tasty and our waiter was friendly and funny and yet un-pushy. We got a table in the back corner where it was nice and quiet and we were able to have a very nice meal. Not much of the food stood out, though. My stuffed pork was passable and my wife's vegetarian plate was sadly lacking. If I could give 3.5 stars I would, and if they had a better vegetarian dinner option, it'd be an easy 4 stars. But the mascarpone cheesecake is to die for.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Kelley K.
What a surprise! A friend recommended meeting at Scutra for some drinks and nibbles at the bar. Always the foodie, I went online and checked out the menu before hand. Eeek.... the menu struck me as.... wrong. So wrong. Muscles with cheese. Foie gras stuffed meatloaf? What are these people thinking. Heading in figuring I'm there for the company, not the food, I figured oh well. I'm sure I've had worse. Well, what a surprise! The three of us sat at the bar. I went with a malbec by the glass, and the bartender offered me a taste before I selected it. Classy touch. I think the malbec was $9 a glass, and it was a very reasonably price for a nice pour. Our bartender was certainly one of the highlights of our evening. One person in our party has a nut allergy, but can do peanuts and pine nuts. The bartender made sure the pesto in the pizette only had pine nuts that night. He also checked on each dish we wanted to order and confirmed she could eat that, or said, no, that has nuts. He took her allergy issue seriously and his service was impeccable. So, what did we end up with? The pizette of the day -- which had artichokes and mushrooms (I think) and it was excellent. We also went with the garlic baked mussels with pecorino cheese. I'm a believer that seafood and cheese is wrong. But wow, this dish could change my mind. The dish came extremely hot, served in an iron dish like escargot woud be served in (little indentations for the individual mussels). The cheese was minimal and the garlic was aromatic, warm and all that is good with garlic. Having just a small taste at Scutra, I can't wait to go back and try the entrees and the desserts. I briefly considered sticking around after my friends left, and ordering dessert on my own. Maybe next time.
(4)Tim S.
I had the sesame encrusted pan seared ahi tuna and it was ambrosia. The waiter was prompt and knowledgeable.
(5)Colleen B.
A few nights ago we were there and they offered a dish with butternut squash raviloli, scallops and shrimp in a shallot cream sauce...orgasmo! That is pretty much a bowl with every food item I treasure. Though it was a little heavy on the shallots and cream sauce. The other apps we tried included a potato soup that was drizzled with a rich balsamic vinegar. It was like, like the totally best thing I've ever tasted. How bold to put vinegar on a cream soup! And get this there was a hollowed out potato next to it with a more cheddar-like soup....what a treat. The other apps included the beautifully presented salad and exquisitely delicious pulled pork involtini with tangy spicy peanut sauce. Desserts were sumptuous and lite and included different fruit tarte tatins and chocolate yumminess! They even had fancy candy decorations that made you feel like you were at a 5 star restaurant. The service was outstanding and the room was aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. Finally they were running a pricing special that made you feel like you were totally getting a gourmet experience for a real bargain.
(5)Stacy M.
We started off with the best of intentions. We *were* going to order different dishes and offer them up for everyone to share. But no sooner did the plates of veal scaloppini, garlic mussels, and pot roast hit the table, it was every man for himself. Everything we had was very good: appetizers (garlic mussels, wonton-crusted shrimp salad, and an apple/potato salad) and entrees (pot roast w/ mashed potatoes, striped bass w/ israeli couscous, and veal scaloppini w/ risotto). Desserts were mixed- the eggnog cheesecake was absolutely scrumptious, but the trio of mini desserts (creme brulee, chocolate mousse cake, and lemon tart) were just o.k. But at that point, we were so stuffed, we truly didn't care. Service was friendly and efficient. My only criticism there is timing- I felt a bit rushed through the meal. I don't think it was their intention- they were just being attentive. Plus, (from what I've experienced of the Arlington dining scene) I'm assuming most people prefer to be in and out quickly. I highly recommend the place. To entice you to check it out before the end of the year, all entrees are $20.08 this month!
(4)Ken P.
I ended up going here last night with my fiance and another couple, and I really enjoyed it. It's really an unexpected gem in Arlington. It has an unassuming storefront that real hides the quality of the restaurant. The food is all Mediterranean, with a gourmet flair. The vegetarian entree is really impressive. It's unique to the particular customer and is essentially what the chef decides to throw together although it's usually some sort of 'tower' (so they stack that broccolini high). The seafood looked tender and every dish was well composed. There were a ton of specials... And the wine list was top notch. I had this bottle of Syrah that is now one of my favorites. The only negative thing that happened was that a waiter knocked over my glass of wine, but it didn't get on anyone's clothing. They quickly mopped it up and BAM new bottle of wine. And, as I said above, it was a good bottle. So, I ended up getting kinda trashed and enjoyed the food. A win all around.
(5)Nancy L.
I would have never thought that Arlington would have this kind of an intimate upscale dining experience. Scutra is an excellent restaurant that serves delicious European cuisine in a beautifully decorated cozy room with a great wait staff and wine list. The ingrediants are fresh and the chef is able to combine them effortlessly into something novel and comforting at the same time. Since Scutra has less than ten tables, make reservations since it can fill up easily. The menu gets updated according to the season or available ingrediants. I highly recommend Scutra as a treat to yourself or for special occasions.
(5)Jason J.
While our waiter was excellent, the food was simply satisfactory. I had the the duck breast special and my girlfriend had the lamb. Both were tasty but for the price, the portions a were amiss. If the price per meal was 75% of what they were charging, I would have given this place 4 stars.
(3)HyunJoo K.
Delicious!!!! I didn't expect to really enjoy the food, as the menu online did not quite appeal to me (I typically like the simple un-fancy foods). But the 'Summer Special' was very good and enjoyed every bite. (Summer Special: On Monday through Thursday evenings from June 19 through August 30, enjoy a three course menu for just $21.99! Choice of appetizer, entree, and dessert (excludes take-out)) Seeing that today is the last day for this special, I am planning on attending again tonight! I had a split green pea soup for appetizer (2 options, the other was salad), grilled salmon on top of a yellow sticky rice with summer veggies embedded in between (versus the other option of a flank steak with a side), and then touch off with a dessert, 2 layer cake with a tarty lemon frosting. All of the dishes were very well presented and the portions were on the smaller side, but better off that way with a 3 course meal so that one can finish the meal. I will have to try another entree to expand the fancier side of foods ... maybe I will be able to appreciate it (in general)! Hope you visit this venu! It's definitely a hidden jewel!
(5)Crystal K.
This is the cutest little European restaurant tucked off the beaten path in Arlington. It really is a hidden find. The dining area is pretty tiny so if people start to discover it I expect the lines to quickly be out the door! The garlic mussels were tasty tasty and the grilled pork chop was plain mouth watering. The prices are extra-reasonable, especially for the quality of the food. High high recommend.
(5)Aaron B.
We drove by Scutra for almost a year and heard rave reviews from others in town before we finally made the time to go. Atmosphere and menu were both European, though many of the dishes showed a fusion with Eastern cuisine. Service was was definitely. Courteous, prompt, attentive service. I was impressed by the beer selection -- something Boston restaurants, especially higher-end ones, tend to phone in. Nice mix of imports and features a Belgian or two. The food, on the other hand, was a mixed bag. My wife's appetizer (squash soup) was amazingly rich and she wishes she could have had it as a main dish. On the other hand, her entre (roasted chicken) was rather dry and tough. My appetizer (duck tamales with wild mushrooms) sounded amazing, but was ruined by the quality of the duck meat (tough and full of gristle). My entre, though, was a fantastic medley of seafood and is up there among the better meals I've had in the last year. So you can see why it's hard for me to judge the place. Normally, I'd give the place four stars, but given the cost of a plate, the hit-or-miss nature of the food we got was especially disappointing. I probably need to give Scutra another try, and I'm definitely willing to go back to do so.
(3)Ryan W.
I went to this restaurant with a friend of mine for an early dinner on a Friday night...around 5:30pm. The host explained they were still preparing for service, we were seated and welcomed immediately. They took our drink order and since we were in no rush we told the server to take his time as we looked over the amazing menu. The menu was Mediterranean, also the restaurant had a great wine and cocktail list too. I started with a appetizer with duck confit, breaded buffalo mozzarella, served on cornbread was simply amazing. For entree I feasted on the Pepper Berry rubbed Bistro streak served with a large sea scallop, along with aioli mashed potatoes and beats. The beef was cooked to the proper temperature as I requested. Never wanting to skip dessert I had a Limoncello cream tart was wonderful way to finish off the meal. Not even the coffee missed the mark...the coffee was rich and smooth, definitely was a strong European blend. I can't wait to come back to this restaurant to see what else I can enjoy on their menu! Scutra gets the 5-stars because nothing at the restaurant missed the mark, great food, friendly service.
(5)Cyndi R.
We visited Scutra for the first time on a Saturday night and had a wonderful dinner from start to finish. We had appetizers, main dish and desserts. Everything was delicious and we thought the appetizers and main dishes were unique-- not something you'd find everywhere else. We'll definitely return.
(5)Emma F.
Now, I must admit that we did not have any dessert and perhaps that would have saved the review. However, though the ambiance was nice, the wine (Billy Billy Shiraz) was excellent, everything was overpriced for the value of the item (including the wine). Though the mole sauce was good, my pork was overcooked, almost to the point of being rubbery. The one time the waitress came by to check to see if we liked our food, she didn't really wait around for an answer. Basically, she looked like she was managing too many tables. I tend to drink a lot of water and I think we had one refill the whole night. I must say that the duck appetizer was very good, but again, I didn't see the value for the price. My fiance's steak was cooked well, but the sauce was lacking. All in all, an okay experience, but we do not plan to return.
(2)Holly S.
Came here for New Year's Eve and was super-excited to check out a new (to me) restaurant. Now, my parents have always moaned and groaned about restaurants on holidays and how they always seem to have special (read: limited menus). And I always used to think, "quit your moaning and groaning." Well, now I am moaning and groaning. I understand you're busy. I understand no substitutions. Fine. But when your menu says (something to the effect of) that you'll accomodate food allergies and my grain/starch-free boy requests no mashed potatoes on his plate--and then you bring him mashed potatoes on his plate--that's not cool. We get that you weren't able to swap those mashed potatoes for an extra serving of veggies. But no potatoes means no potatoes. Really, we're not big on complaining in restaurants, but he shouldn't have had to flip over his piece of fish and scrape off the potatoes while you watched from the waiter station right behind me. I give you two stars (I'd throw in another half if I could) because my meal was pretty tasty--but the service left a LOT to be desired, for us. Plus (and maybe it was because it was a holiday), the place was replete with old folk. If we want to hang with the blue hairs, we'll go to Grassfield's.
(2)Ashley L.
A+!!!! From wine to dessert. Yumm. Osso Bucco is divine.
(5)Lisa R.
What is the problem? This place is GREAT! Service was first class attentive, entertaining and professional. The meal was first class from the bread, to the warm spinach salad, to the absolutely frickin' outrageous baked stuffed lobster...OMG. If I lived in Arlington this place would definitely be on my go-to list!
(5)Meredith K.
We ate here a few years ago before their expansion and had some of the best soft shell crab I've ever tried. Then Scutra went through a renovation and doubled the size of the restaurant. We had not yet been back since the renovation. Tonight we decided to check it out and it did not disappoint. The new doubled space has a great decor and nice flow to it. The service was as great as I remembered from our previous visit. And we had another fantastic meal. The appetizer (crab cake with greens) was excellent, and the entrees were equally great (Chilean Sea Bass with beets and wild rice, and Pork oso buco). Servings were generous which left us with extra to take home. Dessert was also good (apple tart) as was the wine (Pinot Noir from Oregon). Overall it was a fantastic meal and we will definitely be going here again.
(5)Matt n Chris M.
Found this restaurant by reading reviews on yelp and decided to give it a try. This place is warm and comforting, and the staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. I don't know how our waitress could remember the long list of ingredients in the daily specials. That alone impressed the crap outta me! We shared a warm goat cheese and apple salad. Yum! and then proceeded w/ dinner. I had a fish plate that hmmm.. was Ok. But I'm not the biggest fish fan so that was my fault for ordering something I don't really love. My hubby got some vegetarian sampler. I was annoyingly hovering over his plate & he had to swat me away like a fly. Next time I'll just get that.
(4)Meng M.
As an addendum to my last review, it turns out escolar can give people the runs, especially in larger quantities: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Es… And my gf seems pretty sensitive to it. So for that we can't fault Scutra. Though it makes you wonder why restaurants continue to serve it.
(2)Patryce S.
Very nice restaurant...food is amazing and creative. Been here quite a few times and never had any complaints. Havent been here in a while defiantely due to go back :)
(5)Ian S.
Scutra is very good. This was my second trip to Scutra and I think I was more fond of the food than I was previously. Our appetizer was excellent and so were both entrees. The bread they give you before the meal is amazing. I thought everything was cooked well and tasted good. I would like to give 5 stars but I was not particularly happy with the service we had. We were sitting at the bar on a relatively not busy weeknight but I had to wait for drinks a number of times and he was not particularly attentive. It did appear as though he knew one of the other couples at the bar and they were getting most of his attention. I almost have to rate Scutra 3stars because of that but I don't think it is a fair representation of the restaurant as a whole and I hope that this is not a common occurrence. Overall, very good food, nice atmosphere, no hassle of going in to the city. Also, the price is definitely right. Most entrees were under $20 which for a high end restaurant in the Boston area is almost unheard of (Hungry Mother). I will be back to Scutra I'm sure
(4)Danielle J.
Surprisingly, VERY disappointed - If you like getting what you order, you might reconsider eating at Scutra. I was actually really looking forward to trying Scutra for the first time because of the Zagat review and because some of the items on the menu really appealed to me. I primarily eat vegetarian food, with the exception of chicken, so I was happy to see a chicken dish AND a vegetarian dish. I opted for the chicken dish though because I didn't like the sound of BBQ tofu, which was one of the 4 components that made up the vegetarian dish; however, my friend ordered the vegetarian dish. We both had apps which were pretty good - no complaints there. I was surprised by the service at Scutra. For the price we were spending on food, I expected the service to be above average but it was not. For example, when our main entrees came out, we were still working on our appetizers and felt a little rushed to eat the last bite so they could clear for the main course. Also, when the entrees came out, we were both a little surprised by what we found. First off, the vegetarian dish, instead of having the 4 items listed on the menu: tofu, risotto cake, leek egg roll, and squash emulsion, it was missing the leek egg roll and instead had two risotto cakes. Apparently they were out of the egg rolls but they didn't inform us of this ahead of time. Because of this, I was happy that I ordered the chicken instead of the vegetarian dish, because to me, the most exciting part of the vegetarian dish was the leek egg roll, but it turns out that I would have been much happier with the vegetarian option because my chicken dish came with an unexpected "surprise." Although my chicken dish mentioned nothing about bacon, it came out with a sauce that was dripping with chunks of fatty bacon "lardons." Since I had no idea it was there, I started eating my entree and didn't realize it until a few bites in. As someone who doesn't like the flavor of bacon and especially doesn't like fatty globs of it, I was totally grossed out! When I informed my waitress of the discovery, she apologized stating that they had just come out with a new menu and simply forgot to include that ingredient in the description of the dish. She took the dish away and I said I'd be happy with just some risotto and vegetables, something that wouldn't take a long time since my friend was already eating her meal. The waitress came back with the same piece of chicken, just with a different sauce, over risotto. I ate some of the risotto but the chicken still had a bacon flavor and I had pretty much lost my appetite by this point. Although the waitress apologized for the mistake, I was surprise by her nonchalance. I've waited tables in the past at pricey, fine dining establishments, and I would have been horrified if this had happened to one of my customers and very apologetic. Although she compted our $10 desert, I wouldn't have even ordered dessert if I had been happy with my $25 entre, which in my opinion, should have been taken off the bill! I don't think I'd ever go back to Scutra - it was too pricey for its lack of reliability.
(2)Laura R.
We came here on New Year's Eve without a reservation and managed to score the last table in the restaurant. We had the lamb chop lollipop and a bitter greens salad for appetizers, the rib eye and Chilean sea bass for entrees, and the creme brule and trio sampler for dessert. The lamb chop was amazing, the rib eye was so tender that i could pull it apart without a knife, and the trio sampler made my eyes roll back in my head! The food was superlative and the service impeccable. My only complaint was that when we first arrived, they were playing 80s pop/rock music (Blondie, White Snake, Michael Jackson, George Michael, etc), which was way out of sync with the atmosphere of the restaurant. One of the staff must have realized after about 45 minutes and the music switched over to a more appropriate "restaurant background music". Other than the music, we had an amazing dinner, and we'll DEFINITELY return.
(5)Kate W.
I have eaten at Scutra twice now in 5 years and it has been a real disappointment both times. The latest meal was this week. The onion soup gratinee was good but my entree actually left me feeling ill. It was steak with frites (handcut....NOT). The chef is from Belgium so I had high hopes for the fries - sigh. It was the steak that was really inedible though - it tasted livery. I asked my dining companions to taste it (without revealing my opinion) and their reaction was identical. The restaurant is not worth the money at half the cost.
(1)Derek S.
Pretty ok food. Customer service is bad. We sat at a table for 30 minutes with no one offering a drink or even a hello. The specials never change. Try elsewhere lots of better resturants down the street on Mass ave.
(1)Susan W.
My daughter took a year off between high school and college and worked as an au pair in suburban Paris. I visited her and we took a train trip through Brittany (in search of monoliths and Breton, but that is another story). We had a meal at a tiny local restaurant in Quimper that was the culinary highlight of the trip (I ended up cooking most of the time!). This is one of two American restaurants -- both in Arlington -- that remind me of that place. I dined there recently with a friend, both of us celebrating finally having full time jobs after years of scrounging. The food and the wine and the desserts were wonderful. I actually had seen the place for years and avoided it: the exterior verges on run down and the street on which it is located is definitely down-at-the-heels. This restaurant is anything but. There is a dearth of real, neighborhood restaurants in chain (read for the great-unwashed, a figure of speech that desperately needs resurrecting) dominated America. While some might argue that the food here is too expensive for the designation neighborhood (and I lean toward agreeing) there is no reason why a fine dining experience requires a commute.
(5)Hareesh K.
Very solid meal. Had the duck special. My wife's only criticism was that the menu seemed more "wintry", rather than the hot july night we went. Good wine, nice service, quiet setting.
(4)Zak B.
This place was amazing!!!! I took my wife there for a nice dinner out. Small but creative wine list as well. The food was phenomenal. I had a pork tenderloin stuffed with lobster over an amazing Parmesan risotto. The chef stopped by our table as we were eating to make sure that everything was how we wanted, and the wait staff was on top of it without hovering. The menu changes daily, based on what the chef finds is the freshest. I recommend Scutra as an excellent date place!
(5)Matt M.
Wow. I ordered two specials, the soft shell crab appetizer, and the duck for my entree. The crab was fantastic, and It may have actually been the best duck I've ever had. Kudos.
(5)Eileen M.
quaint .....sort of a bristo feel.....menu is different.....waitress ....eeeeh would definitely go again......and make it one of our family monthly restaurants dessert was tiny
(4)J. J.
We went in August 2006. It's a small place, and even though we were there on a Monday night, it was packed. There was a table of 5-6 drunk women being really loud. Of course, we were seated next to them. They were out-of-place in the cozy, intimate atmosphere of Scutra. The food is decent, but there's not much choice if you're a vegetarian (small menu). Service is good, too, but it's hard not to be good at service when there aren't many tables. I'd go again. Please don't bring your screaming babies or loud bachelorette parties here.
(4)Martin F.
Have been there several times over the last few years, including after the remodel. Consistently 3 or 4 stars, so I rounded up. However, I won't go back again until the TV is removed. Very downscale, especially for people who like to sit at the bar for food, conversation and drink.
(4)Sara W.
Everything was great - wine, appetizers (Scutra salad & Cioppino soup), entrees (Swordfish special in tomato basil sauce & Halibut Putanesca), dessert (lava cake & their special cheese cake)
(5)R T.
We went to Scutra last night based on Yelp reviews, and we were not disappointed. We had the pumpkin apple cider bisque soup and a salmon-shrimp filo dough wrap for appetizers; both were amazing, full of subtle flavors. The chocolate lava cake we shared for dessert was also remarkable; it was just enough and not too sweet. My only criticism is largely avoidable: make your reservations several days in advance to get the time you want. Otherwise, it was fantastic. We will definitely be going back.
(5)Ellen S.
We finally made it to Scutra! We had a GC that we had been meaning to use. This place was worth the wait - we had a great meal, great wine and exellent service. The entrees are in the $20+ range a piece but the portions are BIG and the food is expertly prepared. We will no doubt be back for another visit soon.
(4)Leslie M.
Love this place. Small but the food is awesome and the vibe is great. Knowledgeable staff. Perfect place for a date or a get together with the girls!
(5)Allison J.
I went here in the middle of March '06 and it was awesome. Great, cozy restaurant with good attentive service. A friend of mine recommended this place to me and it was everything he said it would be. I started with a Mussel appetizer which was about 15 mussels roasted in the oven with garlic, butter, and parmesan. I HIGHLY recommend this dish. As an entree I had a pistachio crusted sea bass with a buttery rissotto that had a hint of truffle oil. I think the veg that came with it was broccoli but I can't remember. The fish was light, flakey and succulent. It was the special for the evening so I don't know if any Yelpers go that this dish will be available. For dessert the lemon tart was AWESOME. It was perfectly sweet and tart for the ending to a great meal. I would come back here in a heartbeat. The price worked out to be about $50/ person (with tip included in this total) for dinner and well worth it. I think for the food we got, we would have paid a 1/3 more if we were in Boston center. This place is not good for big groups but a party of 4 or less is fab. I'm sure you could rent out the place for an event though. My guess is that the place doesn't fit more than 40 or 50 people in one sitting.
(5)Mark B.
What a fantastic hidden gem. Clearly family run, and their reputation hangs on the line with every patron. The space is inviting, the people more so, and the food is just outstanding. We've recruited numerous people to go here rather than the typical candidate restaurants that you think of (either because you pass them or because they are in vogue). This place is all of that, only better, because "nobody else" knows how good it is. Go ahead, ruin it for the rest of us and go!
(5)Mike S.
Went here last night for Valentine's Day for the first time! I was excited because I read the reviews here and in the Zagat guide. I was not disappointed! The food was FANTASTIC. It's flavorful, creatively served, and the prices are very reasonable. Since it was V-Day, we went all out and had three courses. The appetizers were great and reasonably priced....about $8 each. We had the wonton-wrapped shrimp and one of the specials, mixed greens with chopped pistachios, cranberries, feta and a lemon-dill dressing. SOOO GOOD. The entree was out of this world and all of them were $20.09. We both had the sirloin with a smoked gouda potato cake and salsifris. For dessert we had the creme brulee, which was good, but not really different than most creme brulees and the cheesecake with lemon butterscotch sauce and it was awesome. The dessert was delicious, but definitely overpriced at $10 each. The wine list was sufficient and had a good variety of inexpensive bottles. The atmosphere was trendy with nice music playing. The service was good....a 7 on a 1 to 10 scale. Also, I noticed that several people said this place either has no bar or offers beer and wine only....that's not true, they have a full bar! I really loved this place and will be back soon.
(5)Patty W.
I went to Scutra yesterday and it had a fun fixed price italian style buffet. I must say that the buffet was very good, but kind of ordinary....pasta, salad, dessert.Monday- Thursday they have this buffet for $23.50..if you like to sample this is great!..I really enjoyed the decor however, I kind of felt like I was in the movie Cocoon. I went to dinner at 6:30pm on a Wednesday and have to say I think that we were the youngest party there. I know that 6:30pm is early for dinner but not "early bird special" early.....The place is really cute and the service was fabulous! I recommend it and maybe I will change my rating when I try there regular menu.
(4)S S.
Arlington's Finest!!! I live around the corner from this place yet it took me years to try this out ?? Its tucked on the corner of mill and summer street. I like the fact that when you park your car you see the kitchen! fun! The place is cosy (ok small!) , when i walked in i was almost looking for the other half of the restruant. Hey, but size doesnt matter!! (who are you kidding!)It kinda does when the waiters have to squueze by in between tables and if you are one of those people who use their hands while talking the poor waiters wait (no pun intended) patiently untill you are done waving your hand just to get by. Ok, i guess at this point I should talk about food. This place is medeiterranian and east asian fusion (go figure!) and the chef is belgian. He is actually a big burly beligan.But can he cook!! OMG the food was awesome here. Unforutnately, i could only eat vegetarians food yetserday.(Dont' ask me , its an Indian thing!) But the Gorgonzola - Artichoke and Eggplant Involtini over Tomato Olive Stew ...yum...and the chef came out to ask me if i could eat goat cheese. My entre was the Vegetable Cake with Seasonal Starch,thats the name of the dish and the only one veg option available on the menu, it was nicely presented and really i am not a green eating person but it tasted really good. My friend ordered a shank of a (pig!) that really did fall of the bones, I am sorry i cant even look at red meat...makes me queazy but i guess it was really good cos he and the people on the next table couldnt stop raving about it. In addition to all this eating, we got a 20% off on our cheque for some cutomer appreciation thing. Great Experience!
(4)Arlington M.
I love this hidden gem. I live in Arlington, and it is refreshing to have a warm and inviting eatery with a great menu and a decent wine list. I have eaten here many times, and been pleased each and every time. As for price, I happen to think it's a bargain compared to similar restaurants in Cambridge or Boston.
(4)Lynda M.
I ate here a few years ago when they first opened. A very welcome addiation to the area. The food is delicious and I love the atmosphere. It can be hard to find but well worth looking for!
(4)Melissa G.
Our party of six had mixed reviews of our dining experience (the vegetarian entry had no starch or protien, tilapia disappointing and menu choices slim) but this restaurant is getting a poor review from me because I called the restaurant to share this feedback with the owner and shouted at for almost 10 minutes. Even tho I told him that I personally adored my own meal, he ignored my compliments and said that clearly my party "weren't the type for Scutra" and would be better off eating elsewhere. Next time we will spend our $200 elsewhere.
(1)Kelly S.
Not the cheapest bite you can find in town but a nice, small and high-end Italian restaurant out of view. The food was very good and their vegetarian menu though limited was very interesting and tasty. For the price you would however expect better service (mixing two bottles of wine in the same glass when the glass is not even finished...). Beats a trip to the North End.
(4)Darren J.
On its best days, Scutra is hands-down the best restaurant in Boston. It should get five stars for the food, but there has been some inconsistency that has snuck in during the last 2 years. Unfortunately, where it used to be the case that you were guaranteed fabulous food every time you walked in, now it's a "likely" outcome but you are not assured of it. Still, I would rather eat at Scutra than almost anywhere else. While the owner/chef Didier does many things well, I think he is at his very best with fish and seafood. The home-made bread is FANTASTIC. Appetizers are generally very good too, especially the mussels and the salads. My one major complaint about Scutra is desserts. It's not that they aren't wonderful, but over the years portion sizes have become smaller and smaller, while the prices have gone up. If one needs to charge higher prices for dessert, fine, but if there's not enough on the plate to satisfy, then I'm just not interested, and it's for this reason that I have not ordered dessert the last 6 times or so I've gone to Scutra, even though I *wanted* to have dessert. Memo to Scutra's owners: At least at my table, you are losing out on revenues by skimping on dessert portions. It's embarrassing to pay $8 or more and get three bites' worth out of something.
(4)P D.
It took me four years to try this place. Shame on me. From the outside, doesn't look like much. But inside you're in the chef's kitchen. In fact, sometimes his wife and kids are there too to help out. It really is a family-run place. The food is fantastic-- very heavy on the fish. Great desserts too. Nice for a romantic dinner for two in the burbs.
(4)Rich L.
Not sure if we just hit them on a bad day or if they're going downhill, but our maiden voyage to Scutra bore no resemblance to the rave reviews here. The dismissive maitre'd lost our reservation, but managed to reluctantly "squeeze us in". The waiter, though seemingly omnipresent, could not remember to deliver the drinks. The dressing on the salad appetizer was almost inedibly sour, and the chicken smothered in very bland mozzarella just struck me as a fast-food approach to fine dining. The whole experience was noisy, loud and uncomfortable. It wasn't absolutely horrible, but the place is not cheap and I felt you could get just as good a meal at Not Your Average Joe's around the corner for a whole lot less $$.
(2)Justin O.
Overall, good. However nothing special. The atmosphere is nice, but the menu reads better than the food tastes. The artichoke appetizer and stuffed quail are ok.
(3)Hubert H.
It's been a while, but I wasn't super impressed. I remember having a risotto and some seafood dishes - the mussels weren't all that fancy, and perhaps too buttery. Otherwise the atmosphere was fairly pleasant and a nice place to have a nice meal.
(3)Imogen d.
We were excited to find such a nice restaurant within walking distance of our new home. Scutra has a romantic and warm ambiance and the staff are all friendly and attentive. We have two kids under 5 so it's often tough to find somewhere that we enjoy eating but where the kids are also welcome. Everyone at Scutra went above and beyond to make us all feel welcome, from bringing little bowls of berries for the kids to snack on while they waited; to our server getting down other level as he explained the specials to us so they felt included. The chef even made sure that our youngest sons meal was cut up into smaller pieces so it was easier for him to eat. The food doesn't disappoint either, we had a fantastic meal with some really tasty wine and beer pairings and look forward to coming back and trying many other things on the interesting menu.
(5)Seth K.
On our first visit the food was delicious and service was horrible. On our second visit the food was okay and the service was okay. For the price, very poor value.
(2)K H.
A decent place. Our experience was mixed. The service was good and my meal, the trout, was very good. My wife's fish was overcooked. Wine choices were decent but the Pinot noir I ordered was warm. For $80 I expected it to be a little cool.
(3)Kiki P.
It was my Dad's 55th birthday so we decided to celebrate the special occasion at Scutra. Unfortunately, my experience at Scutra was extremely disappointing. PLEASE do not waste your money or time! There's better out there... Appetizers: I tried the red beets and arugula greens salad with fried artichoke gnocchi as well as the Halibut strudel, which was a special for the night. Both of these were good, but small portion sizes. They were certainly both unique dishes. For dinner, I ordered the scallops served on couscous. This dish was served cold. It was so annoying. I had to ask them to reheat the dish so I ended up getting the dish back when some of my family members nearly finished their meals. It was certainly nice of them to substitute the risotto for couscous since I am lactose intolerant. The scallops were fresh, but some of the spices in the dish such as the ginger were overpowering. My dad ordered the braised cod served with vegetables and ginger sticky rice. I was thinking about ordering this dish but decided to try the scallops instead. I tried some of this dish from my dad and was immediately filled with happiness solely because of the fact that I did not order the dish. The fish was overcooked and extremely chewy. I could barely swallow my bite. We sent the dish back and ordered the chicken and eggplant parmesan served with mozerella and pesto sauce. This dish was not any better. The chicken was extremely bland. I felt horrible because my dad did not like it at all. He struggled to eat a portion of it. Considering we came to Scutra to celebrate his birthday, I was rather frustrated. Dessert: I ordered the warm chocolate soufflé. This time I asked for it to actually be served warm and it was warm indeed. The dessert was about average...good enough to satisfy my sweet tooth this is only satisfied by chocolate Service: Excellent service. The reason I am giving this restaurant two stars instead of one star is solely because of the amazing service. They were very accommodating of my dietary restrictions. They were very friendly and patient. Overall, I do not plan to visit Scutra again. If you are looking for a great Mediterranean cuisine, my suggestion is Oleana, which is a couple of miles away in Cambridge and similarly priced.
(2)Paolo T.
Love this place! Such a great, classy atmosphere. I ordered the mussels which are on special every Wednesday and they were EXCELLENT. I highly recommend Scutra.
(5)Al K.
In my efforts to help local businesses in the aftermath of never-ending blizzards and sidewalk construction, I had the chance to enjoy a wonderful meal here tonight. I ordered the shrimp and phyllo appetizer, the short ribs ravioli, and the cheesecake. Everything was excellent. I usually don't even like restaurant cheesecake, but this particular one was in a class of its own. The waiter and all of the other staff people were also excellent, and I can safely say that at long last, I have a favorite restaurant in Arlington. The only reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 is that the prices are a tad high, but I will certainly be back as often as possible.
(4)Dave A.
Sat down with a speaker over our head and the music was loud, not only that, a very poor choice in music. Asked if they could turn the music down and they did and 15 minutes later what do they do, turn the music back up. They really didn't give a damn at all. Really bothersome, right over our heads while we were trying to talk and dine. And, I'm a musician. Even my 19 year old son was bothered by it. The decor is outdated too. 90's Food is very good though but we are not going back again (3 times there) the music ruined our meal, really loud and we are trying to talk and dine. The atmosphere is not what it use to be, not at all. To many other great places to eat now.
(1)Sarah M.
My husband and I love this restaurant. We love sitting at the bar and making a meal out of a variety of appetizers and some evenings we'll both split two entrees. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. We have always had a great meal.
(5)alyce m.
We have been to Scutra twice and both times we left with the "Meh, we've experienced better" The food was OK, service was OK and prices too high for what we had. Drinks were the best thing.
(2)John D.
My wife and I went here on a Saturday night. We heard good things about Scutra from several people. The food was VERY good but the portions were very small for the price you pay..30 dollars for a small beef tenderloin with risotto. The service was amazing and the restaurant itself was great. The 3 stars was due to the prices being on the high side and the portions being rather small. Be prepared to spend 60-65 dollars per person for drinks, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and dessert.
(3)Frank S.
You're being warned.... 4 of us went on a Saturday night! Odd waiter & he had on a dirty shirt! Small - VERY small portions, quality is just okay. 4 of us had two salads, bacon truffle popcorn, crab cakes, mussels Entrees - Paella - had squid, not mentioned on menu & the scallops were missing! It was served at room temperature! Beef tenderloin was served rare, ordered medium rare, and lamb scaloppini was so thin it was like a strip of leather - we should have sent it back. The dishes were so small, they could have been served on a bread dish. First time in many years, went home without leftovers, and was still hungry! YUK!
(1)Mark S.
This place was a wonderful surprise to my fiance and I! The prices were EXTREMELY reasonable for food that was not only delicious but also clever and original. We had crab wrapped in eggplant, limincello squid, PORK OSSO BUCO, and VEAL MEATLOAF. Each meal was plated beautifully and had numerous layers of taste that blended perfectly. I can easily say that the food here was better then a restaurant at the Elephant Walk level and almost as good as a place like Rendezvous. I believe the reason this restaurant isnt more popular is all because of its location. It is in Arlington but NOT on Mass Ave and therefore I dont think anyone knows its there unless they find it online. If this place was in Cambridge it would be more popular! Also, from the outside you cant tell how nice of a place it is inside. Its a great place to grab a drink or bring someone for a schmancy dinner. As an added bonus it is GREAT for people with a gluten allergy! Many options and all marked on the menu.
(5)Becky Z.
Mediocre food and exceptionally poor service for a high price. Years ago this used to be a great local spot, but has since gone downhill. I definitely wouldn't recommend it anymore. Tried to give them the benefit of the doubt a few times as I used to like them, but have been continually disappointed and don't plan to go back.
(2)Mark D.
I agree with Becky Z. This used to be one of the best restaurants in the area, but it's gone drastically downhill over the years. My wife and I were last there a few days ago, and we won't be going back. The food was bland and poorly prepared, and even our two glasses of wine were mediocre, compared to what we get elsewhere. On top of that, the waiter was weird and unfriendly, which made for a thoroughly uncomfortable experience. We felt bad about paying $100 for what we got.
(1)AnneDee T.
Biggest dining mistake ever.... Went here with my husband, son and daughter. When we were greeted at the door by the hostess/server (blondish short hair), the look of dispair with a child in a bucket and 6 year old were ice cold. Overall, we were treated like we did not exist. They don't have a children's menu for starters. They offer pasta for $8... fine, no big deal. I have food allergies, and the server was annoyed and told me I should have called the day before... ?? wtf? really? If you can't accomodate food allergies, you need to get out of the restaurant industry! My requests were mainly no butter, and plain cooked vegetables. It's not like I asked for my allergies sweetie! You don't have to make me feel like sh$t because I have them! And make me feel like sh$% she did. I was horrified.... call in a day in advance to notify you of allergies? Sorry, since when does the guest accomodate the restaurant? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Get your head out of the clouds!! The half a$$ed (again, short blond hair) server never checked back on us... we waited quite awhile to get the hell out of there... The food btw was actually pretty decent, my son and husband liked their meals, and the bus staff was incredibly attentive with water, but our server needs to find a new profession. She clearly hates people and can't be bothered. Food and bus stafff bring this place from 1 star to 2... I'm trying to be fair here. It's amazing how your interaction with staff can make or break a place even if the food is pretty good... I wouldn't return here... nope, never!
(2)Margaret W.
Disappointing all around. Super noisy room, like eating in a cafeteria. Our beet salad had exactly two beet slices. My Parmesen gnocchi came out cold, and very soupy, and pretty flavorless. After his Chicken and eggplant parm, my husband was hard pressed to recall where the parmesan was in the dish. The menu strikes me as bizarre; my husband called it 'precious,' like they were doing it all just to be different and for the attention. Grilled cheesecake? Fried artichoke gnocchi? We won't be returning. On the plus side, our server was quite attentive, and our (cold) dishes came out quickly.
(2)Stephanie M.
I've never written a review on Yelp, nor do I go around bashing restaurants or telling people to avoid certain places because I may have had a bad experience. However, the experience I had today at Scutra was appalling. My boyfriend's family rented out the entire restaurant after we were at the funeral for his grandmother...a FUNERAL. The food was served buffet style and there were waiters periodically going around to the tables and asking if anyone needed their drinks replenished. It was apparently the bartenders time to make rounds of the tables, so I asked him politely, "May I have a diet coke?" to which the response was "What do you say?" Thinking that there may be a language barrier or the noise level was too loud, I repeated myself "May I have a diet coke?" After the same response was given to me, it suddenly dawned on me what he was fishing for. I looked at him, confused, and said "Please?" and as he turned his back to me he responded with "Maybe you'll get one now." I'm sorry...ARE YOU F@$#(@ KIDDING ME? I have had my fair share of smart-aleck waitstaff and I am always willing to play along. Ask anyone, my favorite thing to do is give a sarcastic remark IN JEST. And yes...I will gladly take the blame for not saying the word "please." I suppose I could see where he was coming from if I was rude to him whatsoever...but believe me, I was not. If this was some attempt of being coy...save it. I was left embarrassed and utterly shocked in front of my boyfriend's family at a funeral reception. I was in the food service industry for 8 years and could never imagine having the ego to say that to a customer. I'm imagining the staff reading this review and laughing about it. If that's the case then good. If the staff is reading it, then potential customers must be reading it too. I'm hoping this review can sway anyone to STEER CLEAR of this place. It does NOT deserve your business.
(1)Jon B.
This place is as good as it gets and epitomizes the term hidden jewel. It is in a small unassuming building on Summer St in Mass Ave and has a small free parking lot in front, but it is worth every bit of effort to find it. Louis is one of the best, most passionate and knowledgeable servers we have had anywhere and truly makes every visit an extra special experience for my wife and I. They have incredible weekday multi-course specials for only $20, and global wine and food evenings that are to die for. I have been here about a dozen times since they opened and look forward to returning again soon as they never disappoint.
(5)Lina F.
I called tonight hoping that I could get a gift certificate for my mom on her birthday, OR better yet, on the off chance that she was there (I was hopeful since I knew it was her favorite restaurant), then I would cover her bill. The Manager was so wonderful. Just as I was finishing up giving him all my details for the gift certificate he said, "a couple matching your description just walked in the door" and as luck would have it, it was them. My mom was so thrilled! I cannot thank Scutra and its manager enough for being so kind!!
(5)John I.
My wife and I had dinner tonight and we were so disappointed. We had been looking forward to eating at Scutra all week. Our server was pleasant. Our appetizers were tasty, I had the fried oysters (although I only received two) and my wife had the beet salad. The crab and shrimp rav's were tasty and the sauce very flavorful. However, the pork ossobucco with cherry sauce was bland and gamey.Just terrible.Even extra sauce did not help because it too, was incredibly tasteless.So,I tried the ribeye .It came out too rare,fatty and grizzly.I have had better at the Outback.The twice baked potatoe had to have been frozen.The top was hot and the inside cold.By now I was so aggravated I just want to go home. Support staff unpolished.Busboy(man) waltzing through the restaurant with a bucket full of dirty dishes and a soiled apron,a stained shirt and then re-appears with a fresh plate of food.No gloves while transporting the dirty dishes.Doubt he washed his hands between trips to the kitchen. I would give one star but Jessica worked hard and was not responsible for the mediocre meal.
(2)Robin R.
Four of us had dinnet a few weeks ago. Our server, i cant remember his name, was extremely helpful, & very informative about the menu. Loved the little cheesecake & ice cream pops. Perfect size, & beautifully presented. My gps in car sent us on a round about way to get there, but it wasn't hard to find. If you have reservations on the early side of the evening, parking lot is right at restaurant. Will definitely return.
(5)Mister M.
The quality of the food is four stars. The service is three stars. The portions compared with price is one star. We ordered Paella for a meal which is a typical large spanish dish with an assortment of meat, shellfish, chorizo, etc. We counted 2 pieces of chorizo, and mostly one of everything else (a single clam, etc) in a very small bowl fit for a children's portion for an appetizer maybe. And it was expensive. Don't go here.
(2)DayTripper D.
ACMi's board had a fantastic holiday meal at Scutra on 12/5. The waiter was masterful at handling orders, dealing with questions, and genuinely related to every one of about 18 at the tables set around in a square formation. The only downside was that the configuration did not allow for much conversation except for the person next to you or across the corner. But that was more the fault of the size of our group than the restaurant. My stuffed flounder was superb, healthy ingredients, and just the right temperature. Water and wine was filled, sides and entrees arrived on time; everything was perfect. And I DO recommend the pumpkin bread pudding (shared with spouse). Best to go to Scutra before they finish the condos right in back on Mill Street; likely much more difficult to get a reservation after those several hundred hungry dwellers catch on to the treasure nearby!
(5)Frank B.
appetizer: Wilted Baby Spinach Salad [hold the Bacon], Onions and Mushrooms Warm Raspberry Cider Vinaigrette main: Parmesan Gnocchi Primavera with parmesan pressed gnocchi, roasted Vegetables, and butternut squash cream. with Scutra side-card: Conjure Cognac-Cointreau-Peach Puree-Fresh Lime The gnocchi had good texture, and the roasted vegetables were seasoned well. The cocktails were quite pleasant and seemed to be a showcase for the restaurant. Our service was prompt and efficient. I have dined here once.
(4)Andrew H.
I think 'meh' describes the experience completely. New to Arlington (from Cambridge), my wife and I are trying out all the local joints one by one. So far, we've been pretty happy (though Little Q Hot Pot still wins hands down in the all around competition). I had heard good things about Scutra so we wanted to try it out. Rainy Friday night and I planned ahead and made a reservation. Dropped my wife off at the door to get out of the rain while I parked. The hostess spent 5 or 6 minutes with my wife standing there gabbing with another couple. Not a good start. Good thing we made a reservation - the place was packed. The waitress was super super nice and chipper though she was clearly working too many tables by herself and therefore service was a touch slow (took 10 minutes to get cocktails after we'd order them). Got the calamari appetizer which came out in these odd fried 'sticks'. It wasn't really good, wasn't bad, but I guess when is regular fried calamari really good so I let it go. My wife got a steak frites, I got veal marsala on top of mushroom risotto. My wife's steak was truly bizzarre. The meat was totally bland and had an odd texture to it (like it had been previously frozen then thawed). Plus it was undercooked. She ate a quarter of it and thought it best not to push through. Figured it wasn't worth sending back as what we'd get back would probably be worse than where we started. My marsala was no better than Olive Garden - esqe. The whole dish was literally drowning in oversalted oversweeted marsala sauce. And it was thick - almost syrupy. The meat itself was in shreads and was no more than 1/8" of an inch thick. It had no flavor other than 'fried'. And the risotto - you know when you make risotto and maybe you cook it too long, then let it sit (in a fridge) and then heat it up again and it has than clumply starchy thing going on - exactly. It was just a mound of starch. Plus the mushrooms defintely didn't seem like portobellos like the menu said. I had no clue what they were. Not awful, but defintely not good, and definitely not worth $100 for two people I really really want to like and try local places, but we won't be back. On the other hand, given how packed this place is it certainly won't matter to their business. But (not to sound too snotty) for others whose standards are based on Boston or Cambridge, don't waste your time.
(2)Roger M.
I do not know why people like this place.
(2)Shawn A.
I went here on date night and the evening started great. The place was full and the atmosphere was loud and vibrant. Our apps were very good (chicken drumsticks wrapped in bacon & apple sausage with rabe) as were our mixed drinks. All good so far. The meal went off the rails with when the mains arrived. My date ordered the Tile fish special with crab topping. It was awful. The fish was not fresh at all. Smelled fishy and did not taste good. She sent it back and order the salmon entree off the menu. It also was not that good. She has a couple bites and pushed it aside. On the positive, my entree was also a special, but a beef dish so perhaps just stay away from the fish at this place. The service was mediocre & we won't be back.
(3)Greg T.
We had a really great meal at Scutra recently. We went on a weekday night, and it was pretty empty, but I was not surprised by that. I am willing to bet Wed-Sun the place is jammed based on the taste of their food alone. We started with a few apps that were really good. One was off the special menu that consisted of some shrimp and cheese in phyllo dough that was delicious. We also had the garlic mussels that live up to their name. They were garlicky, but this is not a bad thing. They were baked with lots of cheese and garlic, and the leftover cheese and oil tasted even better on a little slice of bread (save some from the bread basket or ask for more!). We also had the croquettes which were crispy and tasty. The mango sauce was the perfect pair for them. So far, so good... Then the entrees came, and live got better. We had a few of the pan roasted chicken dishes that hit the mark, and a veal chop off the specials list. The veal was my choice and it was gone shortly after it hit the table. It was a perfect medium rare and tender as can be. They provided a steak knife, but it was barely needed. I found myself nawing on the bone to get the last few bits off, and I was a happy man. I thought it couldn't get any better than the veal, but then dessert came. The special K brownie was crunchy and tasty, as was the grilled cheesecake. The cheesecake was just a little warm which made it melt in your mouth. It was a toss up between which one was better. Both were really good. All in all, we had zero complaints about Scutra. The staff was very helpful and attentive, and the space is quaint and trendy. We will be back for sure next time we are in town. Great meal! PS: I am not sure why this place is listed at $$$ for price. Its closer to $$. Starters were between 8-10 and I didn't spot any entrees over $28ish. Therefore, I am giving it $$ for price. 3 of us ate with 8 cocktails and 2 coffee drinks for less than $200. I think that's a worthy price for the quality and taste of the food.
(4)Florina K.
I like this place, the food was pretty good, the atmosphere is a good date atmosphere, and the service was attentive! I would go there again!
(4)Cheryl F.
Charming interior. Friendly, attentive and knowledgable service. The beef stew I ordered was very tasty. The shared flatbread pizza appetizer was delicious. Most entrees are $22 and under. Portions are on the small side but all entrees ordered were enjoyed by my dining partners. Overall - Scutra offered a very nice dining experience.
(4)Robert R.
Although our waitress seemed distracted and nervous at times, the service was friendly. The food was not. We ordered bottled sparkling water and it arrived open and nearly flat. (Who has not experienced that ripoff before?) For appetizers, my "special" was a fila wrapped apple balsamic compote with gorgonzola cheese. It was a bad way to start. The only thing special was that the fila dough was burnt black in parts. There were actually charred black edges on top like the end of a burnt matchstick. I had to pick off the black parts. Why would you even serve that? It never should have come to the table. The onion soup appetizer was also unremarkable and bland. My entree of flat iron steak was boring. It was supposed to have a mushroom marsala jus. It was drowned in a brown sauce with no trace of mushrooms and very little seasoning. Not even any black pepper flavor. How do you miss that? The asparagus was good, perfectly cooked green and firm. The frites (fries) tasted and smelled as though they were fried in the same oil as a batch of fish. They were bland, neither crisp nor mushy, but had just enough salt. The Chilean sea bass came with the skin very thick and slimy on one side. Overall, it was so-so. The long list of fresh garden ingredients that accompanied actually buried it and cooled it down too much. The fresh baked bread served with dinner is excellent. At least someone knows how to bake bread well. What I took away from this first visit to Scutra is that they must have known that what they were giving us was not good. When I mentioned to our waitress that my appetizer was burned, she made no offer to replace it or to compensate for it. (As I said, she seemed distracted even though we were the first and only customers in the restaurant this night.) I had the feeling that this restaurant doesn't care if a few customers don't like what comes out of their kitchen. You don't serve a customer burnt food or flat water if you are trying to please. We kept putting off going to this restaurant because we had not heard people raving about it. Now I know why. It looks better on the outside than on the inside and the food did not satisfy. There are better restaurants in Arlington. We are checking this one off our list.
(2)Lynette S.
-Food was okay (some yummy some gross so 3 stars for an average rating.) -We had bad service. it sounds like other yelps mention bad service too. -I got the vegetarian plate and it was 1/2 good and 1/2 gross. it came in 4 separate sections and 2 were real
(2)Me B. M.
This place has slipped considerably. The food is now hit or miss, perhaps because they have not been able to keep up quality following the expansion. Sometimes under-seasoned sometimes over-seasoned, sometimes over-cooked. The bar and TV have really knocked it down a peg or two as well.
(3)Elizabeth S.
I love the food here, and the service is friendly. My husband and I went for an anniversary dinner. It's a little on the pricey side, but totally worth it for a treat.
(5)Manny L.
I'll say first that I have not eaten at Scutra, and that's simply because I never got past the host's station. Based on my experience there, if I could give Scutra zero stars, I would. Gladly. I went in last night, my first visit. I hoped to get a couple of seats at the bar - no luck - so I waited to ask the hostess whether a table for two might be available. With the exception of two couples, the dining room was empty, so my chances seemed good. As I stood in front of the hostess, she spoke with a couple who had arrived ahead of me. She looked over her computer screen, then seated them.. The phone rang. A young woman - a server? - came over to answer it, looked over the reservations, finished the call, then walked away. A young man - a bartender? a server? - stepped up to the host's table, did the same as the woman before him, and walked away. Three people, and not one of them made eye contact or said a word to me. Not "hello," not "we'll be right with you," not "we don't give a rat's ass whether we get your business or not." If the way I was treated at the door is any indication of the way I would be treated beyond the door, Scutra doesn't deserve my business. (After I left, my companion said that he's a regular at Scutra, and that service at the door has always been a problem.) And for the record, we went instead to TRYST and had an amazing dinner with attentive service. Now THAT is a restaurant deserving of your time and money.
(1)Carter W.
My favorite place to eat in the area! The always evolving menu and wine list keep my wife and I on our toes. The quality of the food is top shelf. The bone in ribeye they offer for 30$ cost $65 at Grill 23 (and it comes from the same place). The garlic mussels are my favorite appetizer, and the grilled cheesecake is to die for. The owner I was told, was a pasrty chef over in France, and this is evident by his desserts. When my wife I first started dating, Scutra is where I would take her. Fast forward 3 years, throw in a wedding, and we still try and come here at least once a month. I am new to yelp but after reading such terrible reviews I had to join yelp to inform people about the quality of the food, wine, and service at Scutra. It seems some people are not cultured when it comes to portion sizes in fine dining, while others think that being seated right away in a small boutique restaurant will always be the case. There is a wait for a reason, the food is amazing! On top of that Brian, Bati, and Louie are some of the best servers I have stumbled across in my food journeys. If you had a bad experience here I would advise you to try Scutra again. In the dozens of meals my wife and I have had at Scutra, none have been sent back or been sub par. In fact we just tried to make a rservation for this weekend and they are booked solid. The word is out, Scutra is back, and is a force to be reckoned with. Keep an open mind, and enjoy the mix of old world French cuisine bred with an American twist. Chhers!
(5)Elizabeth K.
I assume the people who highly rate this restaurant have never been out of the suburbs. This is bland, poorly cooked food pretending to be fancy. We go the duck appetizer - it was sooooooo dry and overcooked and accompanied by cucumbers and tomatoes - a pairing that made no sense. I followed that with steak frites, medium rare. My steak was well done and, the fries that were described as "hand salted" needed like a jar of table salt to be edible. It gets an extra star for having attentive, friendly staff that totally belong at must better establishments.
(2)Joanna F.
My boyfriend and I came here for my birthday dinner on a whim. I had been looking for new restaurants to try and I love Arlington, so we headed here. The service was, to say the least, confusing. Our hostess was also our waitress. Some guy who brought the water over read us the specials, but couldn't read all of them because our waitress could "explain one of them better". It was kind of a mess. We didn't get to place our drink orders until we had already been sitting for 15 minutes. The reason this place gets four stars is for the food. We started with the pulled pork involtino. It was SPECTACULAR. Pulled pork and peanut sauce together?? Who knew it would work so well. I got one of the specials (the lamb osso bucco). It was fall of the bone delicious, served with parmesan risotto and asparagus. My boyfriend got the sirloin special covered in a goat cheese crust, also with risotto. We shared a piece of the lava cake for dessert. It wasn't the best I've had, but it was still tasty. The price was pretty good for the quality. I'm not sure I would be back here anytime soon though.
(4)Natalie M.
I want to give this place more stars because the food was absolutely amazing. At the same time, I want to give it fewer stars because the service was atrocious. Ultimately, the food would have spoken for itself, but the end experience left a very sour taste in my mouth.
(3)Local E.
This is a passable dining experience in fine-dining clothing, so to speak. Warm, cozy interior and friendly staff. Our experience (our second) matched our first - enticing menu, full of items and themes one finds at a fine restaurant. Somehow, though, the execution was below our expectations. My coffee-encrusted fish - served in the usual "tall cylinder of food" - was so overcooked that large sheets of it were impenetrable; similar to how crazily overdone chicken becomes "wooden." It also didn't work with the presentation; a bland fava-bean polenta, swirled with a ? pomegranate or tomato ? sauce, with hard fish on top, covered in EVOO salad greens. My wife's sea bass was less overdone, and served with a gentler tomato mix with enough citrus to balance the dish. Our appetizers (Scallops, French onion soup) were a real miss. At least, for this price range they were merely acceptable. Ah, well. Friends rave about Scutra, but unfortunately I think it leaves much to be desired. Perhaps they need to review the evenness of their seasoning and the "done-ness" of their dishes. We have a remaining Groupon for it, but I'm not looking forward to returning.
(2)Kyrie R.
Really not sure why this place gets so many 4 and 5 star ratings. I read all the reviews before we went, and I did notice a fair number of 1-3 star ratings all saying the same thing -- well, I agree with them. We tried the scallops over polenta, the striped bass over couscous, the strudel appetizer, and a salad. All were very beautifully plated, but tasted mediocre. It's as if the chef went around to other restaurants and made note of all the trends (grapefruit in salad! balsamic vinegar! sun-dried tomatoes! frisee! Limoncella!). But the resulting combinations don't actually taste like anything special or good. A good chef & restaurant brings together different flavors & textures in satisfying, sometimes surprising, sometimes comforting ways. The food at Scutra just seemed like a blah jumble on the plate. My other big reason for giving it only 2 stars has to do with the small portion sizes. I watch my calories, and I am not someone who wants a platter of ribs enough for 4 people, but I think the teeny tiny portion sizes that some restaurants go for (while charging $23 for an entree) are equally appalling. My scallops entree came with only 4 medium scallops, a tiny 1/2c of polenta, and some sprouts and grapefruit garnish. I was starving afterwards. The strudel appetizer that my father ordered was about 3 bites. Lastly (and this may be a nit), I noticed their wine list had only 3 token wines from California/Oregon/West Coast. And none were from the better or more interesting wineries. Nothing inspired me. Bottom line - I won't be going back, and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. There are better places, in Arlington and beyond.
(2)Rachel K.
Went here after passing it by for the last year. Great to have a nicer restaurant close to home and didn't need reservations for a Thursday evening, although we did take the last table available and the last parking spot available at the time. Our waiter was occupied the first 10 minutes that we were seated, but we could see him at another larger table so we understood. Would have been nice to have some one else pop over with water or bread though. Our server also become much less attentive as the evening progressed, never actually checking on us after our entrees were served and we had to ask for the dessert menu and check. My warm salad was a little too warm, but had great flavor. The other apps at the table were enjoyable, lobster risotto and duck tostada/pizza. I really enjoyed my dinner of a delicious risotto and steak with demi glaze and asparagus. However, the 3 star rating comes from the displeasure that my companions experienced with their entrees (extremely overcooked meat in the "special kabobs". We were not impressed with their dessert choices that evening, so we took a pass on those. I would give them a try one more time...
(3)Janet J.
It's a hit or miss. The drinks and apps are fantastic, especially the mussels. The entrees are a hit or miss. I've been to Scutra many times. The last time was early September when they offered the $20 app and entree special. Again, the app was delicious, but my cioppino entree was bland. No spices, pasta was overcooked. My friend ordered the minute steak. Again, hers was bland. The waitress was non existent. When she did come around, she had a rude attitude. The bus-girl wouldn't leave us alone. She kept asking if we were finished. We clearly were not finished,especially with our utensils in our hands.
(3)Zadie B.
Really good food, really tepid service. The dishes are inventive and well seasoned and there's a nice choice of wine. Unfortunately, our waitress was a dysthymic library science grad student who seemed to think playing hard to get was the key to good service. When she first came to the table she leaned with her bare palms on the opening of the water pitcher. Maybe she just washed them, but it looked vaguely unsanitary and a tad bizarre. Service was always two beats behind leisurely, and after she brought the check she stood at the bar with her back to us and chatting with another waitress for about 15 minutes. We finally had to go get her and ask her to take our credit card. Again just odd. I know I sound like a bitter narcissist, but this kind of lameness can really put a damper on a nice meal.
(3)Colleen M.
We love Scutra. We originally discovered this place a little over 3 years ago when I lived in Arlington and my husband (then boyfriend) was on a very restrictive diet. We almost never went out to restaurants and when we did, he was usually reduced to ordering a side of dry broccoli. We really wanted to go somewhere nice for a special occasion and Scutra's menu looked somewhat promising. After calling the restaurant, we found they would be willing to accommodate my husband's diet. And they did. The chef, Didier, came out, talked to us, and worked out what dishes he could make. We liked everything so much that we kept returning, even after my husband went back to eating regular food. Each time, we really enjoyed our meals. When we started thinking about our wedding, the very first detail we decided on was that we wanted to take our small group of wedding guests to dinner at Scutra after the ceremony. We met with Didier initially to get an idea of pricing and options. Unfortunately we didn't solidify the date properly (I guess) because when we called a few months later to talk about the menu, they had no record of us and had already booked another large party that night. However, Didier was willing to open an hour early so that we could get in and out before the other party. We met with Didier again just to make sure everything was solid and ended up talking with him for almost an hour about his thoughts on owning a restaurant and what it means to share a meal with others. It was really interesting and we really enjoyed getting to hear about his passion for food. He also told us that if we gave him everyone's orders ahead of time, we could have everyone order from the menu instead of giving them only two or three options. This made us really happy because we really wanted everyone to have their choice of the whole menu. He was also willing to make special meals for the vegan and children we had in our party. The day of the wedding, everything at Scutra went off wonderfully. Everyone really enjoyed their food and the service was great. The restaurant was mostly empty even up until the time we left, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. It was exactly as nice of an experience as we had hoped.
(5)Stephanie G.
This is a great restaurant! I think the last time I was at this location I was in middle school and whatever restaurant it was focused on plain pasta. Imagine my surprise when I entered to discover a truly upscale and lovely restaurant. First of all, there are two parking lots you can use - I know you suburbanites love that stuff. There were people waiting - we had a reservation but ended up waiting a little, which is fine. The waitress was very attentive and I can't help but be impressed by someone who recites the specials with so much clarity. Although, it might have also been how amazing the specials sounded. Meats with veggies cooked certain ways to perfection....I wanted all of it. They had coquille St. Jacques!! Do you know how it is to find that in Boston! I got it as an appetizer and it was delicious! I think my whole family got fish for dinner - they had a lot of seafood, including fish from Austalia and Chile. Whoa! This was one of the few restaurants I have been to where I could consume an appetizer, a main meal, and a dessert. This might have been a function of the small entree, but really I would say that it was the right amount of food, all around.
(4)Jonathan M.
Not bad, but certainly not the fine dining place it trys to be. Cocktails are poor and food was average at best.
(3)Martha L.
We had a terrific meal here. Full disclosure, we had been avid fans of Scutra, then had a pretty "meh" meal here a while back, but we decided to give it another shot, and boy, am I glad we did. We had the pumpkin soup and mozzarella salad for starters, which were good, but the entrees were exceptional: beef tenderloin wrapped in bacon, short ribs with homemade gnocchi - which came in the form of a stew which I wasn't expecting but the sauce was exceptional. My son had the salmon with blueberry sauce which made me raise my eyebrows a bit but it was really good. The desserts were really creative, we had fried lemon cheesecake, banana crepe with chocolate sauce but the winner was the pumpkin bread pudding. Also, I have to add that we had just gotten back from France where we drank a lot of coffee but the coffee I had at Scutra was better than any we drank over there! Yes, it was turbo, but it was my kind of turbo! All this to say, if you haven't been there, go, if you had a so-so experience, give it another shot. The staff was delightful.
(5)Martin N.
I am sorry to say that last night (March 23, 2013), we had a surprisingly poor experience at Scutra, where our experiences in the past have been quite good. The food was delicious as always, but the service was so bad that we will think long and hard about going again. We had an 8:15 p.m reservation, but had to wait over 1/2 hour to be seated; then we had to wait another almost 25 minutes before our order was taken (so that didn't happen until after 9:00 p.m.). I ordered a salad that was described in the menu as: "Wilted Baby Spinach, Onions and Mushrooms, with Warm Raspberry Cider Vinaigrette" (note, no cheese listed). Despite the description, the salad came loaded with cheese on top; since I don't like cheese on salad I sent it back; it then took 15-20 minutes to prepare one without cheese. I spied our waiter holding the remade salad in one hand while chatting with people at another table; I literally tried to take the salad away from him--I was that hungry by that point! The service throughout was terrible--our waiter vanished for long stretches of time, and then it appeared would do anything that came up rather than actually pay any attention to us. As I say the food was really delicious, but the service--from the long wait to be seated to our uncaring waiter--was so awful that, but for the good company at dinner, we would have had a truly miserable experience. This place just has to get its act together if it wants to avoid seriously alienating its clientele.
(2)Jeff P.
we eat at Scutra about twice a year.last week I had the striped bass and my wife had the steak and a warm spinach salad. all of these were excellent.I did not like the wine 1 I ordered and they switched it without charge. service and ambiance are very comfortable.
(4)Susan C.
Went to Scutra last night having been there before and wanted to try again. After three times eating at Scutra my opinion has not changed. The food is either bland or so spicy you can't eat it. The service was very slow and not terribly professional. I know it is the burbs but it still should be professional. Nothing was good even the dessert was just sort or thrown together. Everything is premade and just warmed up. The chef came out and was very nice but it didn't help the food. Only good thing is free parking.
(2)denis s.
Scale 1 = poor, 5 = outstanding CUSTOMER SERVICE: 3 -- We happened to have an "over the top" waiter -- he would periodically quiz us during his explanation of the meals ("now what was my name again?"). This likely goes over great with the Arlington blue-hairs, but should be dialed down. Made us think "Disney World". We didn't try any dessert. FOOD: 2.5. My food (Pork Osso Buco) was unremarkable and lukewarm. My white wine was even room temp. My wife's salmon was fine but overcooked (when asked for rare, we were told "this is not sushi-grade salmon"). AMBIANCE: 3. It's in a strip mall but actually nice inside. VALUE: 2 -- absolutely overpriced for what they serve. I hate to slam this place because I used to live in Arlington and I think it's nice that they have some kind of nicer alternative dining option. But it's just not that great. My wife said it best: "if this were $40 cheaper it would be 3 stars".
(2)Michael C.
Went here a few months ago with my dad. We had a great time, the service was very friendly and the food was good. I can't recall any of the specific dishes we had except for these mussels we ordered that were apparently only a special that day. Worth checking out.
(4)Kerry M.
A group of us dined here for a birthday dinner despite some mixed reviews. This was our first Scutra experience and it was really good--everything from the service, to the decor, to the interesting and delicious meals--were top notch. Is it pricey? Yes. Are the portions small? Sort of but not really... the types of dishes served are not suited to take home and reheat. Quality over quantity. It was all about flavor and texture with a richness that left me (and the other diners in the party) entirely satisfied. The bread (as other Yelpers noted) was fabulous and the brie and fig app. I split with my sister was absolutely heavenly. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars were the "martini" drinks. They were super tasty but not strong enough to be labeled a martini. If you order wine you won't be disappointed. All in all, a very nice dining experience.
(4)Susie B.
Not at all impressed. Though the appetizers (mussels) and dessert were very good, the Cobia fish special was undercooked and the scallop schnitzel a bit weird and underwhelming. Couldn't believe the chef was proud of the sauces; in both cases they were a milky, bland mess. Okay service from our waiter, but not impressed with the rest of the staff.
(2)Emerson O.
Meh, I wasn't impressed with this place. Previous restaurants at this location struggled and failed, but this one is holding on. It's overly fancy as if it were in downtown Boston, while sitting in the middle of blue collar Arlington. Maybe that's its appeal? The food and service was excellent, but the prices show that. Good place for a first date or anniversary if you want to impress. Otherwise seek out one of the more "local" restaurants a few blocks away in Arlington center. You'll save a buck and have a better time.
(3)Joel O.
Driving by, you'd never know that one of the best places to eat in the Boston area is tucked into this little nook. The food here is absolutely scrumptous and the service has always been good. On several occasions we've been lucky enough to be offered a sample of one of the chef's latest creations. I'm happy to be a guinea pig knowing that there's a good chance I'll come back looking for what we're about to be served. That's one of those personal touches that gets missed by so many of the upscale restaurants in Boston. My only complaint - parking can be hard to come by.
(5)Angelos K.
This place has tremendous promise but suffers a lot in the execution of their dishes which are creative but never satisfying. For example, the tuna roll entree is a skimpy wafer thin slice of tuna surrounding vinegary 'kimchee' with 'purple sticky rice' which is actually garlicky (and i mean potent) black wild rice. My friend who ordered this simply could not believe what she got on her plate. My lamb special was fatty and the mashed potatoes had raw garlic in them as well. As for dessert, the chocolate ravioli, interesting as a concept, but impossible to eat as they were slippery and the fork barely fit in the plate where they were served drowned in whipped cream. Now that i think of it, it was a two star experience with a bonus star for creativity. I may go back again in a year to see how they have evolved.
(3)Hannah W.
Here's the thing about Scutra. So much about it is great, but a fair number of things were disappointing. My bf and I went here because he had a gift certificate. Immediately, the atmosphere made a good impression on us. It was quiet, intimate and well-appointed. The service was flawless: our waitress was well-informed, recommended a great wine, and spoke intelligently about the chef's specialties. The arugula and duck prosciutto special salad was terrific. Wined, with great bread and a great salad, we had high expectations for the entree... ... which were not quite met. The beef short ribs themselves were fantastic, but the broccoli rabe was bizarrely bitter (my boyfriend agreed) and the accompanying risotto was underdone. If it weren't for the sides this would have been an enthusiastic 5-star review, though, and I'll probably give it another chance because of the great service and the great apps.
(4)Ira B.
My wife and I dined here last night. It was a Saturday night and it was busy. The service was excellent. The waiter was attentive and informed. My wife is Vegan and this often presents a problem. Not this time. The spring rolls appetizer is vegan and my wife said these were the best spring rolls she had ever tasted. The vegan entree was modified from the regular menu. It was a gnocci with spinach, eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini. She said it was delicious. In fact, the chef came out to ask my wife some questions regarding the ingredients- very considerate. I had a tomatoe salad with grilled feta cheese followed by the parmasan crusted veal. The salad was OK though the presentation was beautiful. The Veal was tender, nicely spiced. Dessert was a beautiful and delicious plum tart tatin with vanilla ice cream. All in all an excellent choice and we'll definitely add it to our regular haunts. Its always great to find a fine restaurant that can accomodate vegans. Lastly, we thought the prices were very reasonable. The entrees ran about $18 each and I typically see conpareable restaurants charging in the $25-$30 range.
(5)Stephen M.
Moved to the burbs and gave this place a try one night for takeout. Loved it. Since have gone back a few times and each time it is great. Nice room, very good service, great menu and quality food. Definitely a hidden gem.
(4)Laura S.
Outstanding service, small/cramped location, and tiny portions. Our waiter had to be one of the best I've ever had anywhere! He really knew his stuff and was energetic and enthusiastic about the offerings. Portions were small and I wouldn't consider the tortellini app anything special. My friend raved over the mussels and both myself and one other who tried the goat cheese mushroom thought the goat cheese was too runny. Boston cream pie dessert was fantastic and we all enjoyed our drinks.
(3)Wayne B.
Food is tasty but a guest in are group summed it up best by sayning "this place was recommended by Weight Watchers". Portions are small
(3)Patricia H.
The food is good, and recently there have been some lower price specials that allow patrons to have a meal that's not horribly expensive. The bread is wonderful. My main course this time was a risotto with small pieces of chicken, asparagus, and squash, in a creamy sauce; it was tasty but didn't need to have quite so much cream. The service continues to be weird -- my place was set with a spoon, fork, and regular dinner knife, but just before the main course arrived, the waiter took away the spoon and dinner knife, and added a steak knife. I ignored the strange knife situation (has anyone ever encountered the small pieces of chicken in a risotto tough enough to need a steak knife to cut up?) and addressed the removal of the spoon. I told the waiter that I WANTED a spoon for my main course (I'd prefer one in most cases anyway, but especially if I'm being served a soupy risotto). He said he would bring another spoon (couldn't have he just left the one he had in his hand? Maybe that violates some kind of precious waitperson's code). And of course he never did bring another spoon. I was with a group, and the person next to me let me have her spoon. But because I was with a group, there was an obligatory 20% tip, which left me feeling rather grumpy under the circumstances. If I ever go there again I will grip my spoon in my hand and not allow its removal.
(3)Mike L.
Great meals I had lamb osso bucco Jacki had tuna both were excellent
(4)MB G.
Thanks for the rec, Yelp! This place is right down the road from us and I never thought about going there before. Everything was excellent! Portion size was perfect; great pinot noir; yummy chocolate lava dessert. I highly recommended the tuna roll with purple sticky rice--SOO good. I had no complaints--neither did hubby. edit: I forgot to mention the service. I noticed a few others had complaints, but our waitress was very attentive and friendly
(5)Pito S.
I live in Arlington and have been to Scutra many times. I had forgotten how good it was but recently I went again after having been to Flora, another 'high end' restaurant in Arlington. Scutra wins: It's awesome. Delicious. Much better than Flora!.
(5)Ryan S.
This was the second time we went to Scutra. The first time was several years ago, and the only good things I remembered were an excellent lobster bisque and delicious bread that accompanied it. Everything seemed overpriced. This time I was taken there for my birthday, so it was hard to say no. We ordered the butternut squash cannelloni as an appetizer. We predicted it would be small. When it came out, we laughed. It was served in a large bowl, and there were two miniature cannalloni. It should say "individual appetizers" on the menu. They were good and not terribly expensive, but they were gone before I could remember much what they tasted like. The bread was as good as I remember, but the lobster bisque was not on the menu, and there was no way of knowing when it would be back on the menu. My fiance ordered the French onion soup. The bowl was warm; the soup was not. It was also reasonably priced, but it was sent back to be reheated. I ordered the swordfish which came with one scallop. Both were cooked well. As someone else mentioned, if there was just a little bit more portion size for the price paid, things would have been much better. The waitress was very nice and informed. The wine list was good and reasonably priced, but very limited. We heard a list of desserts given to another table while we waited for our food. They all sounded great, but by the end of our meal we opted to go somewhere we knew we'd get a great dessert for our money. We will probably not go back to Scutra. There are too many other places worth the price.
(2)Colleen C.
I went to Scutra last Fri night. Our waiter, Louis, offered suggestions about different entrees and apps and we went with his suggestions (ravioli, rib eye steak, and the bread pudding.) Everything was SO amazing. The service was great and the food was really delicious. I don't usually write reviews but I had to because Scutra is a great find!
(5)Sven A.
I love the food at Scutra. The food was great but the wait was CRAZY over an hour for a reservation was a bit too much. Overall great food recommend, just go early as parking is a problem.
(4)Logan I.
I ate at Scutra the other night with my wife and a couple of our friends who live in Arlington. The food was definitely tasty and our waiter was friendly and funny and yet un-pushy. We got a table in the back corner where it was nice and quiet and we were able to have a very nice meal. Not much of the food stood out, though. My stuffed pork was passable and my wife's vegetarian plate was sadly lacking. If I could give 3.5 stars I would, and if they had a better vegetarian dinner option, it'd be an easy 4 stars. But the mascarpone cheesecake is to die for.
(3)