Chianti Cafe
285 Cabot St, Beverly, MA, 01915
Chianti Cafe Menu
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Address :
285 Cabot St
Beverly, MA, 01915 - Phone (978) 921-2233
- Website https://www.chiantibeverly.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Kat H.
I have heard RAVING reviews from most of my friends--and then there's all the 5-star reviews here, so maybe my expectations were too high, but we certainly let down as we walked out of the front door. We were there for my husband's birthday, and there was an already-served party of 8 or so in front, and a couple on the patio. We decided to sit in the atrium. Lovely, simple decor back there with the little white lights, Tuscan faces on the crossbeams, and gently warming mini-oil lamps in oiled paper wraps. We perused the menu for a while; I got the Pollo di Chianti and my husband had the veal dish; we got the pumpkin tortellini as take-out for a pregnant friend (we've heard SO MANY times how it's supposed to send over-due women into labor). And then we waited. And waited. Another couple came in. They got waited upon. Their food came. We waited some more. The waitress came out to tell us that our food was being "plated." And then we waited again. By this point, there's only 4 couples in the whole restaurant, and we were the only ones unserved. Does it really take close to an *hour* to get two simple dishes when we're practically the ONLY ONES there? I think my husband got the best dish, but he wasn't raving about it--nice sauce, but then they threw this weird leek-carrot relish on top that he didn't appreciate, and they mixed up his vegetables and roasted potatoes with the abundant sauce. For mine, it was a slightly undercooked boneless chicken breast with a roasted red pepper, prosciutto, and a wine sauce. OK, but just not quite right, and especially not for $16.00. Then, we opened the Pumpkin Tortellini just to see what they were like...and it literally smelled like the Catskill Game Farm. Ew, ew. We each had one, and the taste was better than the smell, but still...I would never eat them unless I was SERIOUSLY overdue. After all that, we're pretty leery about going back--it's not like I never would, but with the Wildhorse and Soma around, you have to be pretty good to get our business.
(3)Kylie H.
My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate an occasion and I have to say I am disappointed. We wanted Italian food and this menu was actually very hard to order from. There were only a few entrees that looked good. The bread was also a disappointment and the dipping sauce was saturated with onions and I think just plain ol butter would have been better. We were impressed with the bosc pears with proscuitto, however the large order seemed more like a small order and I wondered what a small order would have consisted of. I had an angel hair marina and my boyfriend had the penne and veal. I could have probably made the same dinner at home and the plates were nothing special. Not bad, but nothing special. The service was good and the cosmos were good as well. If we ever come back we will stick to just have drinks at the bar. The bar area was very nice.
(2)Jessica T.
Love this place. The food is ok (not stellar but fine) but it more than makes up for this with atmosphere. They have live music almost every night of the week and in my experience, it's always good. This place is such a gem and I feel lucky to live near enough to frequent it.
(4)Elizabeth m.
Awesome! I have been here a few times and have yet to have a bad meal. I am actually having my rehearsal dinner here before the wedding. My dad's band, Whose muddy shoes, plays on Sundays. So if you like great music and excellent food I would check it out.
(5)Carolyn P.
I've been a fan of Chianti's since the start. The food is superb, so fresh and refreshing. It's so nice to not have typical Italian food. They have a great wine selection, great staff and the owner is amazing. My family has been coming here for years and I plan on coming back here for many more.. A true gem in downtown Beverly...
(5)Debra C.
Pleasantly surprised! I was not expecting the zuchallini to be so tastey and satisfying. This is the perfect dish for the vegitarian or someone who is carb conscious or if someone is looking for a delicious alternative to pasta. You got to try it.
(5)Abby P.
I went to Chianti to get the legendary pumpkin tortellini - it was delicious. Also - their bread is AMAZING!
(5)Jamie L.
I really enjoyed myself here! My pasta was perfectly cooked, the bread was amazing, my cocktail was delicious and strong, my server was friendly, the music was the best, and when I met the owner he was totally cool and down-to-earth. I'll look forward to my next visit!
(4)s d.
This place is great - cozy and romantic. They have a nice wine selection and I love how they serve bruschetta as a starter instead of just a basket of bread. It was yummy and different. They have a great selection of Italian dishes (we loved the fried artichoke appetizer) and even have zuchillini - spaghetti made from zuchini! It was totally delicious and a rare find. I'll definitely come back here for the Jazz music sometime soon.
(5)Kathy C.
The jazz bar puts the icing in the cake. Rusty Scott Trio played some real nice jazz. The waiters gave us a couple free extra desserts by accident, and their service was good. The desserts are delicious. The food looked good too, though I didn't try it. It's worth dropping another visit here when they've got another good jazz band playing.
(4)R C.
We really love Chianti. I've looked through the reviews here and am surprised at the comments about service--it has always been excellent for us whenever we have gone. We went last night for our anniversary and had a marvelous meal with a great waiter--I mean really great: personable, funny, helpful, and efficient. We didn't want to order everything at once, but order one dish at a time and figure things out as we went, which is a real pain in the butt for a waiter, but he rolled with it. I wish I knew his name so I could mention him personally. If you feel you didn't have good service, try again. Everybody has an off night once in a while. Food: The calamari are pretty special, as are the pumpkin tortoloni. Last night the pears were not really ripe in that dish, but it IS late October, and they still tasted good--the gorgonzola sauce is fantastic. There do seem to be a lot of cream sauces on the menu, (it's Northern Italian) but they all have rich complex flavors that we love. Even the filet has a cream sauce, and though I'm not generally a fan of steak with a sauce, I make an exception here--it's delicious. We also have always enjoyed the salads; the Sienna Salad with crumpled Italian blue cheese, caremelized hazelnuts, and raspberries is wonderful. The pasta dishes we have tried are also good, like the gnocchi and the Ravioli ai Funghi. The zucchini spaghetti is surprisingly good, as well. You can get a half order as a first course (which I always do!). Music: Last night the music kicked in about 9:15; just in time for desert and port. They were out of canoli, which was sad for my wife, but she ordered the tirami su and loved it. I went for the chocolate volcano: warm chocolate cake filled with chocolate, topped with gelato. Chocolate craving satisfied: CHECK!. The music was top notch and there are TV monitors in the various rooms so you can watch the band without being in the bar. The cuban jazz was tight and professional. Chanti gets really wonderful musicians to play there (looking forward to Joe Pino's next visit!) and we are lucky to have this club right in the downtown. I've had some magnificent meals in Boston and New York that could trump the food at Chanti (for a lot more money!). I've also had many that should have been better given their reputation and cost. But for a small restaurant on the North Shore, Chianti really is a great place to enjoy an evening--and it's just down the street. Highly recommended.
(5)Paul M.
We sat in the sunroom addition for Valentine's Day dinner. There was a jazz combo playing in the middle room. You are served bruschetta and bread when you sit down. Unlike a previous reviewer, I thought it was good. We ordered dirty martinis (which were delicious) and the perre/prosciutto appetizer, which had a tasty gorgonzola sauce. For entrees, the lady had a pasta dish with ground pork and beef in creamy tomato sauce, and I had vitello in the same sauce, served with roasted potatoes and green beans. Both were very good, but not truly outstanding. We had a nice bottle of chianti with dinner--the wine list is well-chosen. When we were halfway through dinner, an accordion player stopped by our table and played an Italian love song. We split the panna cotta for dessert; it was served in heart-shaped portions. All in all, a pleasant, tasty and romantic evening.
(4)Geoff M.
This is a fantastic little Italian restaurant hidden in plain sight on Cabot Street in downtown Beverly. Megan and I had dinner here a while back and were both extremely pleased with our meals. Service is extremely attentive, perfect really, and food was superb. Good wine selection, fresh salads, tasty appetizers and fantastic entrees. Staff was extremely friendly and the owner was present and definitely wanted to know how our experience was. Chianti is expensive, but you get what you pay for. It was worth every penny. Highly recommended. Good for date night, or other romantic occasions.
(5)Hungry C.
The vinaigrette served with the bread was inedible- diced tomato and raw onion in pure vinegar. We did have a couple of nice apps, including the pumpkin tortellini with gorgonzola cream sauce; and the prosciutto-wrapped bosc pears slices. The entrees though, were nothing special. The proteins and veggies were under seasoned and lacking any interesting or especially complementary flavors. We found ourselves finishing our meals more out of obligation than enjoyment. Dessert, tiramisu, was adequate. For the money, we could have eaten a lot better in Beverly. Did Chianti just stop trying when the new restaurants came to Cabot Street? It certainly seems that way. The awning is an eyesore. The framed celebrity headshots in the window have been so sun-bleached that Bill Cosby and his variegated sweater are now as white as Kenny Rogers. The menu covers are as shredded as an old vinyl chair. It's easy to see that, once upon a time, Chianti was the place to eat for local suburbanites unwilling to trek into Boston, but with so many in-town options now, Chianti needs to decide if they want to participate in the restaurant renaissance or capitulate and fade away. *Update April 8, 2008: We returned to Chianti this evening and had a terrific four-course meal. The dilapidated menus had even been replaced. Did we just visit on an off night last time? Perhaps. Everything we tried tonight was delectable. Note to self: avoid the meat entrees and everything will be okay. Adding a star.
(3)Rachael K.
Awesome bar for live music. Great decor, intimate space (it doesn't take much to pack the place), and the owner is super friendly. The food I tried was good but I just ordered wine so I can't comment on the drinks. Will definitely be back.
(5)Chris M.
On Tuesday nights in the summer they have a great raw bar. We've been here a few times, sometimes for the raw bar, other times for dinner and sometimes just for drinks and dessert. Each occasion was terrific. One time the waitress accidentally sent our raw bar order to another table that had a similar order, but she more than made up for it by comping us a pitcher of margaritas!
(5)Shane F.
My girlfriend and I were in Beverly last night and we dined at Chianti Cafe. The experience was excellent, turning our evening from a chore into a vacation. It was a little difficult to find as the sign is pealing so much that I had difficulty reading it even when I was standing on the sidewalk not five feet from the curling letters. Upon entering we were pleasantly surprised to discover a jazz duo playing in the dining room. There was a sign explaining that the pianist is there every Thursday and Friday with different accompaniment. The dishes we tried that came with cream sauce were delicate and delectable. The fried artichoke appetizer was wonderfully crispy and creamy even though it lacked a strong artichoke flavor. The artichoke and spinach ravioli special was delicious as well with superbly blended flavors. The Misto salad was unremarkable, (that's what I expect from a green salad with vinaigrette). However, the capellini pomodoro was quite a disappointment. Far from the blossoming sweet blended sensation I expected, the sauce was almost bitter and somehow managed to put the tomato and the basil in conflict, leading to abrupt and jarring changes of flavor. It wasn't awful but it was a long, long way from the bar set by the ambiance, the artichokes, the ravioli and the price. In conclusion, I recommend Chianti Cafe for romance, jazz with dinner and delicate cream sauces that compliment and enhance their dishes.
(4)Adam G.
So I'm sitting here looking over my yelp reviews and was shocked and appalled that after coming to Chianti more times than I can remember, I still haven't given it a review. So here we go... This place is effing awesome! Literally every time I've come here, I've had an amazing meal. They always start you off with some bread that was baked fresh that morning and it comes with...like a bruschetta topping to scoop on to it, anyhoo, I'm pretty sure they season that topping with crack because I can't stop eating it and when I run out, I need more. Everytime I come I get whatever one of the specials are and everytime it's incredibly delicious, whether it be Chilean Sea Bass or Pork Loin, it just...I have no words, just drool. When it comes to desserts, the Panna Cotta is literally the best I've ever had, not only that but it's made my list of top 5 desserts of all time, I get it every time I go there...and still have room for dessert. To top it all off the wine list is awesome, the owner is one of the nicest guys I've ever met, and they have this band "Whose Muddy Shoes" play every Sunday and they effing rock! I haven't been since they've re-modeled and to be honest I'm not quite sure if they've finished but I do know just from seeing the area that's being re-done, once it is finished the place is going to be even more kick ass than it already is. Seriously, for top notch Italian food outside of the North End, or anywhere for that matter, Chianti is the bee's knees!
(5)Brian D.
Chianti had Bruce Bartlett performing tonight and the show was excellent. Just had a couple of drinks but friends had food and everything was simply amazing. Very classy establishment!
(5)Brad D.
Great food last time, however, looks like a dump during construction.
(4)Kelly S.
I rarely get a chance to eat North of Boston and this small restaurant was a pleasant surprise. First I must say the owner is very friendly. The service is professional without being too formal. The room is nicely appointed and uses low light to set a romantic mood. They put a lot of effort into their presentation. Though I wasn't particularly thrilled with my main dish (pumpkin tortellini in a gorgonzola cream sauce with caramelized walnuts) this was more of a personal taste dilemma than a result of their cooking. The appetizers were quite good and so was my wife's entre. The homemade tiramisu was good though a little too sugary. This place would not be the best restaurant in the North End but it would certainly have its place there.
(4)Stephanie K.
I love Chianti. The owner, Richard, is one of the friendliest and most professional restaurateurs I've ever met and took the time to learn our names...he still greets my family and me by name whenever we walk in. The pumpkin tortellini is amazing. I love their desserts and their wine selection. I also love the cozy atmosphere. Every time I eat at Chianti I am impressed! It's definitely one of my favorite restaurants, Italian or otherwise.
(5)Warren J.
Loved it! The only improvement is training our waiter etiquette on politely interrupting conversations. Overall outstanding experience.
(4)Lyndsay B.
I completely agree with Josie M. about this restaurant. One thing to add... They have a great four-member band that plays folk/accoustic music on Sundays. They also have live music on Fridays, but I am not sure of the nature of that music.
(5)Steve N.
had been a couple of times and while the food was OK it didn't leave a lasting impression of Yumminess. our waitress was very small and moved with cat-like stealth. she startled Us often.
(3)Salvadore D.
The great reviews here are consistent with what I have heard about Chianti. I went once. I found it bland and over-priced and the service snooty and inept. I'd also like them to clean up the front of the restaurant. It is beginning to look like abandoned squat.
(2)Andy H.
Great decor! I just love Italian eateries that remind me of the Godfather. While my friend and I were going through our mediocre dinner: salty catch of the day, asa boco, prosciutto wrapped pears, and dessert for two, I can't help but replay the Godfather theme song in my head and wished that someone whack another gangster in the restaurant. Like the scene in Godfather 1 when Michael gets up to go to the bathroom and comes back with guns blazing. Then you'll notice a scared asian guy hiding underneath his table sucking his thumb (referencing myself).
(2)Mary R.
Great music. Super nice staff, and tasty food.
(4)Dottie P.
I've have been here many times in the past, before the expansion. Yes, it was dark, yes the plants were dead, yes the china was mismatched and cracked, yes there was an old first communion dress hung on the wall. BUT, the owner was so friendly and knowledgeable about the food, the waitstaff was top notch and the kicker? The food was amazing! Now fast forward to a Friday night summer 2010... The only bright spot of the night was the new bar and the bartender, Stacey, who was fast, friendly, and great at what she does. Then we moved to our table in the new jazz room. It was brighter than the old part but the decor: plastic wrapped photographs mounted in an old cooler? Strange. The tables are slick granite topped and the seating is crowded. The china is the same, but alas, the waitstaff is so bad. One server did our drink order (he said many more would wait on us, he wasn't "our" server) and we never saw him again. We were pretty much ignored for some serious stretches of time. Once our food order was placed, the visits were sporadic and no one seemed to know what the last person had accomplished when there. So the appetizers came (calamari and scallops). They were good, but no real care was taken in presentation. The entrees came, mine was wrong and was sent back. Three different servers came to apologize. Now more drinks arrive and the rest of my companions are eating, because they have all been served. Finally my correct dish arrives, the zucchilini with a gorgonzola pear sauce, which again is good (although I never found a pear), but looks like something I would make in a rush, no flourish. The owner delivered it to me, he is still very friendly. No effort was made to keep empty dishes cleared, silverware replaced. It was just bad, bad service from the get -go. We brought our own cake to celebrate a birthday, so I didn't get to compare to what I remember to be fabulous, authentic, fresh italian desserts. I will not go back.
(1)Rachel L.
I tried the pumpkin tortellini and was disgusted. The sauce it came in was bland, the tortellini tasted awful and the bread I got with it was not fresh. I don't know who thought it was a good idea to mix walnuts and apples in with tortellini. I'm disappointed with what you get for the money, so not worth it.
(1)Kate L.
We went here for dinner 2 weeks ago with another couple. The redesign could use some better signage, because we stood in the new part for a few minutes before we went over to the other side and found the hostess there. We were seated quickly and service remained great throughout the meal. We got the carpaccio, the proscuitto wrapped pears and the artichokes for apps...the carpaccio was plated earlier in the day and refrigerated, which is not awesome, but the other two apps were outstanding! We were all using bread to mop up the gorgonzola sauce that came on the pear app. We ordered a mezze of the pumpkin raviolis which I thought were so great!! My husband got the lamb for his entree, the other couple got the veal and the pumpkin ravioli (they were that good!) and I got the filet for my entree. The food was all excellent. We skipped dessert but the menu certainly looked great. Oh, I almost forgot! I LOVE a good sidecar. It's my favorite cocktail. I ordered one, surprised to see it on the menu. It came on the rocks, in a rocks glass, and I think it was just Brandy and Cointreau, no lemon or simple syrup. Don't get me wrong, I drank it, but it wasn't what I was expecting. Could be that that's their style, could be that the bartender didn't know how to make one...either way, other than that the meal was great!
(4)Karen G.
Have been twice- sorry I had not found this place sooner. The music drew us in the first time (and second) but the food was a great addition. We sat in the bar to eat and enjoy the live entertainment. We all had a decent meal- there are some very different Italian dishes you do not see on Italian menus around Boston. The Spiedini was a great appetizer that also makes a good light meal. The calamari dish was far too strongly flavored- a good idea gone awry. It is butterflied, then breaded in parmesan and fried. The light lemon aioli was good idea but the parmesan was far too strong- if you order it definitely share it. The zucchini pasta is a great alternative and my friend loved it. Have to say that both times I have been the service has been slow. We had to go to the bartender to get our drinks since the waitress never really came over. Same with the check. The entertainment is top notch- they say they have been voted one the top 50 Jazz rooms in the country and I could agree. The room is intimate and the musical experience was wonderful.
(4)D A.
Our first visit to Chianti was quite disappointing. We were waiting for a couple of other people to join us so we ordered drinks and a couple of appetizers to start off. Things started out on the wrong foot when a couple of the women in our group sent back Sangria because it was terrible. We had the buffalo chicken meatballs which were okay and the olive plate which was just a plate of mediocre olives swimming in tasteless oil. Of the dishes at the table nobody had a really good meal. It was a mix of okay and bad. The worst of the bunch was the Eggplant Paradiso (Eggplant Parmesan variation), that any chain Italian restaurant could outperform. The Chicken Bosciola, (chicken with mushrooms and pasta in a wine sauce) was also quite bad. Most plates went back half full and when the waitress asked if anyone wanted the rest wrapped up it was a chorus of no's. This is usually a good signal for the server to recognize that the meals were not good. She had never come back to ask so that would have been her only way to know. The service was also quite poor. Our waitress disappeared for long periods of time and our glasses stayed empty. The highlight was definitely the band that went on around 9 PM. I might go back for a drink and the entertainment but not for the food.
(2)Keira L.
A great place to relax, have a cocktail and listen to jazz/blues. I like that the jazz lounge is separate from the regular dining room. The staff is always friendly and attentive. Food and drinks are always good.
(4)Paul D.
This used to be one of my favorites but recently has become rather mediocre in menu, preparation and especially wait staff, who seem bored, unenthusiastic and poorly trained. With all The other choices near by I'd choose another.
(3)Lily G.
Best service ever, and the food was out of this world. Don't let the decor fool you, this spot is a total gem.
(5)Jessica C.
Fantastic!!! Great choice for vegans as they have a zucchini pasta on the menu. If you call a few days in advance and let them know you are a vegan they will coordinate with the restaurant across the street and bring you vegan desserts etc. also there is live music! Great place to eat as a vegan with non-vegan friends!
(5)Lana M.
Mouth watering food, exceptional service, and amazing jazz; all in 1 place! I've been going to Chianti for 20 years. It's always fabulous. Highly recommended!
(5)Deborah G.
Great service! great jazz! great food!
(5)Jim M.
Great vibe and ambiance (love the veranda in the back). Wine list is small but good. Appetizers, especially the calamari, are great. Main dishes and service? Eh. I ordered the bolognese, which tasted extremely acidic and almost a bit sour. I asked the waitress what was in it, and she replies "bolognese is in it". Um, ok. I asked her again, then she fumbles for the menu to read off the description. I could have done that. I asked her, finally, to check with the chef. She comes back and says, "he told me he makes it like he always makes it". Still not an answer to the question "what is in this?" She took it off the bill, without me asking, which I'll giver her credit for. But she was overall a bit gruff. We also asked her about the hazelnut cake that is posted on the restaurant's yelp page. She replied, "I've never heard of that, we've never had that as long as I've been here, and we only have what's on the menu". Again, it's one thing to not have the item, but you could at least acknowledge that it exists as it is the FIRST PICTURE ON YOUR YELP PAGE!!!!! I'd go back and sit at the bar for a glass of wine and that ethereal calamari. And maybe, just maybe, I'll find out what was in that weirdly-tasting bolognese as well as try the mysterious hazelnut cake.
(3)Nicole B.
I was here a couple weeks ago with my mother for dinner. I've been before but mostly for snacks and drinks with the music. First I love the energy and ambiance. The service is amazing, we had Sarah who is amazingly sweet, attentive and with good suggestions yet not overbearing. Major kudos. We started with burrata cheese tomato dish which was delicious. I had the New York jazz smash or someone like that for a cocktail. I know they had bourbon and a red wine floater, f-ing amazing. My mother said they made one of the best dirty martinis she has had out. My mom had the chicken piccata on special, and I had the pumpkin tortellini in a Gorgonzola cream sauce with pears and walnuts. Both were epic. Great spot. The live jazz is amazing too. Cute date spot (go to the bar or bar area have drinks and test out a first date here live music and drinks perfect).
(5)JasparLamar C.
This once exceptional restaurant in downtown Beverly has surely lost it. Food that had always been highly flavorful has fallen in taste to the point of being bland and a recent visit turned out to be one of the lousiest dining experiences imaginable. The service was so slow it became comical highlighted by a 25 minute wait at my table nursing a glass of water before ordering a first drink. My meal, a pretentious chicken dish murdered by thousands of mushrooms, needed a lot of salt before it became even remotely tasty. It had been about two years since I'd been to Chianti. As I left this time, I couldn't help but wonder "what went wrong?"
(2)Rob E.
You will certainly leave feeling fortunate to see some incredible musicians performing here. It's too bad they aren't in charge of the kitchen. The menu is a bore and the food lacks taste & talent. It's a shame. I can't imagine his often things are sent back. Drinks are good. Service is sub par if not indifferent.
(2)Sara W.
Ambience - love it Prices- very very expensive Food - good, but not excellent for the price Parking- tough on Cabot, recommend Judson st lot. I think for 2 pasta dishes with 2 beers each it was just shy of $100.
(2)Alex W.
Great apps, friendly staff, live jazz )
(4)Michael M.
This has a formal restaurant side and a bar side that features live music. Both sides have the same dinner menu. My wife and I joined friends for dinner on the bar side for dinner as their son was performing that evening. I have eaten at Chiant's about 8 times in the past year. The food is very average in terms of flavor and presentation even though the descriptions on the menu make the dishes sound more exotic. I had a chicken dish with pasta, The pasta was greatly undercooked and the chicken was bland and rubbery. I was shocked by the blandness as it was covered in a marinara sauce. With prices for pasta dishes in the $15-$20 range one might expect large portions but while I didn't eat most of my meal, I didn't see any leftover food among the other 4 couples we were with. On the plus side, the server was excellent. He was attentive an easy to talk to while handling our large group as well as several other diners and drinkers. Also, the live music was a nice touch.
(2)Rebecca B.
Absolutely fantastic and friendly servers. The music was phenominal. The ambiance is perfect. I went there for my birthday dinner last night and I had the best experience. The food took a little long to come out and I would have given it four stars but the food was to die for. I had the pumpkin ravioli. I 100% recommend this restaurant.
(5)Em B.
I ordered a custom order, simple enough-- grilled chicken, on a bed of pesto ziti. Very helpful manager, quick service (I got take out) but a little overpriced. Will return again.
(4)shelby o.
So we are leaving after an hour and a half without dinner...why you may ask? Upon entering a mostly empty restaurant seating area around 7:30, we first had an appetizer never show up- seems it wasn't put in...then after another hour plus watched nearby tables who came in long after us Get served dinner while the table next to us who were seated with us attempted to pay for their meals...this was a similarly long and unsuccessful process that had us bonding with our fellow patron. Our waitress conveyed to us on two occasions that she thought it had taken at least an hour and that she continued to ask the cooks where our food was. At this point, we decided to cut our losses and my trying of the popular "labor meal" and leave to head to Firenze in Salem- which I highly recommend. They attempted to bring us our meals in to go packages, but we left them to the waitress as we left. Apparently, the manager sent his apologies, but never actually came to say so in person...overall, not impressed and won't be going back.
(1)Dawn R.
I held a wedding rehearsal dinner for my son and fiance this weekend, with 36 people. We were in the main room which although small, worked perfectly, tables were set very nicely etc. I love the decor, brick walls etc. Not stuffy. Just what I wanted. Guests had choice of 5 entrees. They had printed up a nice menu for us. Everyone had a great time, enjoyed the food, and it was a great choice of venue for my group and a great place for a dinner the night before the wedding. (very different atmosphere than the wedding, which is what I wanted). The wait staff were very nice, attentive, and checked in with me through out the evening. It was not inexpensive, but I could have kept cost lower based on what food and alcohol I chose. If I was in the area, I would go again for dinner and music. (we left after our dinner so unfortunately didn't experience the music that night). Thanks to the staff for providing the group with a very nice pre-wedding event. It really got our weekend off to a great start.
(4)Chucky B.
awesome food ,,service ,,and always great entertainment ,,,,just a comfortable ,relaxing, charming atmosphere,,,,i choose to go once or 2times a week ,,great walkable downtown location A MUST TRY rose phillips (chucky b)
(5)Vincent D.
Many items to choose from. I has their live bagel, the works. Looks small to the eye but fills you up quickly. Also had the corn chowder, unbelievably good. It had a nice thickness and taste to it. Lastly had the Live hazelnut cake to top it off. The waitress said it takes 12 hrs to make. This is a must desert!
(5)Chaper B.
We got last minute reservations for dinner and because it was Valentines Day (Eve) got roped into a fixed menu. They did not inform us of this when we placed the reservation. We were happy to try the meal however, because we had a good experience eating here a few years ago. Boy do I feel ripped off. The meal was amateur. I had the duck and it might as well have been microwaved. The vegetable was boiled, as were the potatoes. There was nothing savory or flavorful. The meal was also not hot. I sent it back to warm it up, but the staff was mostly interested in getting us through our meal and out of there. Really disappointed. I want my money back!
(1)nancy g.
Had dinner before the Music Theatre. Food and service was excellent! Waitress was very careful to get us finished in the time frame we had.
(4)Liz L.
What I like about Chianti. The live music never disappoints. It's not a huge "scene" just a relaxed atmosphere and people looking for a fun night out. What I love... I stopped in on New Year's Eve and not only was there no a cover charge, but they were handing out complimentary champagne. On Valentine's day the bartenders were handing out roses toward the end of the evening. Sometimes it's the little things that keep you coming back. Unfortunately, the food has been hit or miss. I was promised the best tiramisu I've ever had and sadly it turned out to be just about the worst. Tiramisu should not have sugary syrup poured over it. I have a sweet tooth, but it was so sugary it made my teeth ache. I have however had some other really good dishes. The zucchini pasta was inventive, could use a little punch of spice or mushrooms or something to liven it up, but a fresh twist for someone trying to avoid carbs. Salads are great and some of the seafood dishes were winners. The only other downside is one of the female bartenders. She always seems to have a hair across her ass. Maybe she thinks she's in Boston, but here in the burbs people appreciate a friendly bartender. The dark haired male bartender is always quiet pleasant. If you're looking for a great Beverly bar experience go across the street to Soma, but if you're looking for great music with no cover Chianti is a must.
(4)Scott S.
How the Mighty Have Fallen (or lost focus) This has been our favorite restaurant for over a decade. We've been with Rich (the owner) through the expansion, the creation of the Jazz club and more. And Rich has been the spirit of Chianti; he's made sure the experience was memorable. After all of these years, we've had 5 horrible experiences over the past few months and now have Chianti off of our list. I don't know what happened, but it's interesting that I've not seen Rich there for any of our visits. Here are some specifics: - The menu is a fraction of it's previous self. It was never a long menu, so taking out a number of items is a loss. I do miss the caesar salad and the wider range of fresh pasta. - The food is bland at best. I ordered Ravioli ai Funghi last month when one of my daughters was home. The pasta was undercooked and the entire dish lacked seasoning. We had trouble getting our waitperson back to even get more parmesan which still didn't add enough. So we asked for salt which took another five minutes, they didn't bring the pepper with it (which is the norm in even average establishments), and the salt shaker was clogged, so we finally just took the top off. What happened to quality? - We had the mista salad which was always a favorite. The salad was brown in spots. the dressing was non-descript and bland. We left over half of our salads on our plates and the server never asked a word. - On another visit in January, we were the only ones in the large dining room on a Thursday night. The wait staff was terrible. We could never get our water filled, they were slow, once again we had bland food and it took 5 minutes to get the salt as they were spending all of their time in the jazz bar. I don't think it was the same salt shaker as previously mentioned, as it was also clogged, but we cleaned it with an extra fork. I ordered the salmon medium rare which came well done. It was another long wait for the waiter who did take the fish back. It was funny (not really) when it came back, and the new piece was at least as well done as the first. At this point I just ate it. ----- Again, this was a wonderful place to dine. Maybe they should just be a jazz bar now. I know we're done for dinner. And we're sad.
(1)Rose G.
(FIRST REACTION): My boyfriend and I came here on a Monday night. The place seemed kind of empty, even for a Monday, but the ambiance and overall atmosphere was very nice, romantic, and cozy. We were seated right away in the room to the left of the bar. There was a little bit of live jazz music playing in the other room which was nice, and it wasn't too loud at all. (SERVICE): My boyfriend and I are waiters so we understand how things work in restaurants. Our waiter never introduced himself which we hadn't realized until afterwards, and he also forgot to bring out our bread until we were already eating our entrees. And he also never cleared our dirty dishes from our appetizer, so they were on the table the whole night, something that we would forgive if it were busy, but again, we were the only table he had. However, he was very friendly, he made a joke or two, knew the menu well when I asked him about the Zuchillini and the mushroom raviolis and which of the two he recommended. (He even made it a point to ask if I'm vegetarian, which I am, and told me that mushroom raviolis were cooked with chicken stock but could be made without). (FOOD): Upon looking at the menu, the food is pretty pricey, but nothing I didn't expect for the way it looked and it's location. We ordered the calamari for an appetizer. Our waiter explained to us that's a non traditional calamari and it seemed pretty good. It's a 9$ dish which is about what you would pay for calamari anywhere. But when it came out there were only four pieces. It didn't make a dent in our hunger, and it wasn't really "wow" like I was expecting. I would have preferred traditional calamari. I ordered the mushroom raviolis and my boyfriend ordered a pasta dish with red sauce and goat cheese. Mine was pretty good, but kind of skimpy on the portions, and not very filling, my boyfriends was definitely good, seasoned well, good flavours, but a hefty portion, he took more than half home. The bread (which came out during our meals after we asked about it) was kind of burnt, cold, and wasn't brought out with butter or oil. We were never asked if we wanted to get dessert or look at a dessert menu, which we probably wouldn't have gotten but I always like to look. All in all, I'd give it a 6.8/10. I was disappointed because it looks so great and ambiance is so important to me.
(3)M A.
Great value, excellent service, nice intimate atmosphere. Nice chsnge of pace. My new "go to:" in Beverly.
(4)Britney B.
My boyfriend and I love the food here! We always sit at the bar! they have live music often and its great!
(5)Kristin W.
OK menu and food - nothing special, but not bad either. The appeal is definitely the live music and jazz dive bar feel. Order yourself a nice Cabernet and settle in ... Side note: I may be turning into my parents a little bit... usual crowd is 40+.
(3)Keith S.
Went to Chianti's with 3 others for a spur of the moment dinner on a Friday. Its a nice, casual place that is cozy. The food was pretty good for Italian American. Drinks were delicious. Service was great. My gnocchi dish was pretty dry, I thought it would be coated in more of a sauce, rather than a pesto paste. Gnocchi are pretty "gummy" to begin with. Also with no salt at the table, I figured the food would be generously seasoned, but again I was mistaken. Apps were yummy (pears wrapped in prosciutto and Parmesan calamari). I would definitely go again, things were good, but not amazing.
(3)Amy O.
We decided to try a new place to celebrate my birthday. Unfortunately for me, that means celebrating with the Valentine's Day crowd, as I was almost a Valentine's baby. Because of this, I don't know if Chianti was busier than normal because of others celebrating the weekend after Valentine's Day (there was a huge blizzard last weekend, too) or if our experience was typical there. We had an 8 p.m. reservation, which is late for us, but we had earlier plans in the day that made this our only option and other weekends wouldn't work. I don't generally like eating late, but this wasn't too bad. We were promptly greeted by a very friendly gentleman, who may have been the owner, who said that they were running a few minutes behind, but we could sit at the bar and have a drink if we'd like. We did and had a drink. And then we waited, and waited and waited for our table. We didn't opt to have another drink at the bar because I was hungry and another drink would have been a very bad idea. We weren't shown to our table until after 8:30 p.m. I was frustrated and starving. We had a wonderful and friendly waitress whose name I didn't catch. We opted for their bruschetta and just salad before our meals because, as I said, I can't really eat too late. A multi-course meal just was no longer an option. Our salad plates were cleared and we waited quite a while for our entrees to arrive. At this point I sent a text to our sitter and said it was unlikely we'd be home by 10, as I thought we'd be. I sent that text at 9:25 and our meals didn't arrive until 9:40. My husband got the Osso Buco and I got the mushroom ravioli and we were pleased with the food, but we inhaled it because we were hungry and tired. I never finish meals in restaurants, but the portion size was ok and the food was delicious. At this point it was approaching 10 p.m. and as much as I wanted to treat myself to dessert and had been looking forward to a nice dessert, I couldn't do it. I just wanted to get home. When the waitress came to our table to get our plates, she asked if we were having dessert and when we said no, her friendly demeanor disappeared. She said "Ok", took our plates, and curtly brought our check. She seemed to be done being extra friendly. When we'd asked earlier if it was always this busy (aka. Is it always this slow?) she said that they'd been featured on Phantom Gourmet that day and that it was Saturday night. I understand that it was Saturday night, but we usually only go out on Saturday and other restaurants are usually prepared for the Saturday night craziness. We might give this place another chance because I have learned that it is hard to judge a restaurant by any experience we have the weekend before or after my birthday, but if we have slow service like this on another Saturday night, that will be it. Because of the slow service, they lost out on making more money because we would have ordered more if we hadn't waited so long!
(2)Alan M.
My wife and I had a terrrific meal here on a recent Sunday evening. We started with fantastic cocktails - a mojito and a "Gentleman's," which was basically a more complex bourbon Manhattan flavored with Cynar. Delicious! We each had a salad to start and between the two of us sampled 3 different pasta dishes, of which our favorite was the pumpkin tortellini with pears and candied walnuts (Tortelloni di Zucca on the menu). Everything was fresh-tasting and yummy. For dessert we had the Venetian cheesecake and the panna cotta, which I'd always been curious to try. Both were good, but I don't think I'd get the panna cotta again. It's apparently a special dessert in Italy, but it's just a large, cone-shaped lump of flavored, congealed cream (yes, I know I sound like a Philistine right now, but there were other choices on the menu I wish I had tried instead). The service was great, and we'll definitely be back.
(5)Martin M.
The vegetarian antipasto was put together with leftovers.The eggplant was flavorless and the mushroom ravioli had no mushroom flavor. The chef is not very ambitious.
(2)MK P.
I went here for restaurant week with a friend. I had the zucchini "pasta" with lemon and oil and cheese. Then gelato for dessert. It was VERY good. My friend had the seafood pasta dish and she really enjoyed hers as well.
(5)Lukas R.
Great Ambiance, Great service. Prices, excellent. Had a great bottle of wine. Food a little off. Begin with the bruschetta. Great topping, bread was, shall we say "typical Tuscan"? ie, not very good, no salt. Difficult to spread the topping on as well. Seasonings in the dishes not what they 'should be' or what is typically expected in Italian cusine. Odd number of dishes in a limited menu with cream sauces.Carciofi - interesting. Never had it in a cram sauce. Crespelle Florentine - eggy, dense and flavorless. Frutti di Mare ok, had an off taste, semi-sweet, maybe a little like a cinnamon note. Special of tortellini and peas didn't have the peas, or perhaps wasn't described correctly. Tomato sauce insipid, lacking. Drink menu looked good, love the idea of the jazz, but wont be back for the food. A few too many other Italian restos in the area preparing much better.
(2)Kathleen H.
I was here at Chianti again tonight, with a crew of people some of whom are raw food vegans, and some of whom can be turned with sufficient pressure. Chianti, with a little advance notice - fed them very admirably with stuff that I actually found pretty tasty too. Zucchini spaghetti w sun dried tomato and basil pesto was very good - the zucchini pasta with bolognese sauce made with nuts etc was a little more of a stretch. I heard that it was usually made with Nut meat balls instead of the nuts mixed throughout, and with a little more advance notice this could have been done. eh. The pesto dish tasted like it was supposed to be like that, the bolognese tasted like it was trying to be something it wasn't. I also got the chilean sea bass special with capers and oysters, which was excellent, and took great pleasure in eating it and sharing with those who were willing. Creme caramel for dessert, which was a little rubbery round the edges. But I didn't have too much trouble with it, nonetheless. Vegans and vegetarians should keep this place in mind - though if you are a raw vegan and/or super persnickety, they will need a couple days to get ready for you.
(4)Andy B.
I need to split this up into two sections: food and service. We went to Chianti because my sister and her boyfriend live in Beverly and our families were meeting for the first time. They go to Chianti all the time for food and jazz and had great things to say about it. Let's start off with food. It was just ok. Although the bread and veggie "topping" we were given was incredibly bland, I liked the wine and beer selection. It wasn't overbearing but the selection was varied. The pasta dishes were great and most of the entrees were tasty if unremarkable. Both my mother and my sister's boyfriend's mother ordered the Pollo al Chanti (chicken); my mother's chicken was burned on the bottom and the other lady's chicken was so overpowered by rosemary that she couldn't taste anything else. Neither could stomach more than a couple of bites of their meal. The salmon portion was small though savory. All of that may have been forgivable if it wasn't for the service. We were seated right on time at 6:30. Our drink orders were taken and we had the bread/topping at the table. The next time we saw our server was AN HOUR LATER at 7:30 when she came with our drinks and to take our food orders. The time went by quicker than usual because our families were meeting, chatting, etc. but an hour is unacceptable. The server took our orders and left. The next time we saw her? AN HOUR LATER THAN THAT, at 8:30, when we were promised that the food would be coming soon. Fifteen minutes later we had our food, which I've described above. We didn't get our bill until 9:30 and we didn't get our credit card receipts to sign until nearly 10pm. You may be asking yourselves, "why in the hell did you stay that long?!" Well, we were a large group, there were older people among us, and the conversation was lively even as we were famished. I didn't want to have the parents in the group pack up and head somewhere else without a reservation. I let the server know that if there had been fewer of us or if we'd all been closer in age, we would have walked out long before we received our food. So our dinner, which was a chance to get to know new friends, turned into a three-and-a-half hour ordeal. I know there have been a lot of great reviews and I'm sure my experience isn't the normal operating procedure for this establishment but I won't be coming back to see what this place "has to offer".
(1)Kim B.
Service was excellent. Sat at the bar. Ordered different food items and drinks over a few hours. All was excellent!
(5)Liana K.
First upon entering this dark jazz lounge, you notice these containers that look like the morgue with dead bodies with them. Theres pictures of jazz musicians or maybe bodies enclosed upon the doors of these morgue cabinets. But back to the meal and entertainment. I would love to give this place a 5 star review. I was originally going to rate it as a 4 star because i want to like this place enough though its a 3.5 in my heart. However, as the night progressed and there was no sight of our waitress, I demoted to a 3 star. We started the night with dinner. I got the seafood pasta dish. I asked the waitress if the dish was creamy and heavy as I indicated I am not a fan of cream/cheese base dishes. She said, no its a very light sauce. Upon this answer I ordered the dish which came out in a cheesy sauce. Although unexpected and not where I thought I'd go with the meal, it tasted okay enough. However, my pasta was cold. Had it been a busy night, maybe i could understand how I could get served a cold dish but we were the only table eating in the whole place. As I'm eating my slightly cold and "not creamy" cream sauce dish, I also notice the seafood is a bit chewy and either overcooked or ill prepared in other manners. For a $22 pasta dish outside of Boston with only a few sprinkles of seafood I guess i might have expected slightly better. We got the gelato flute dessert. I loved the pistachio and vanilla but thought the blueberry one was too syrupy but that could have just been my taste as the BF liked all flavors. Although we weren't ordering rounds upon rounds, after the waitress took our first drink order she did not come back once for the next two hours. I guess we could have called her over but we were lazy, the music was good and its not like it was packed since there were not that many people in attendance that night. This was the point that made me decide that besides the music there was very little I liked about this place besides the idea of it.
(3)Christina P.
Underwhelming to say the least! Impromptu Sunday night visit, snagged two bar seats and immediately were turned off by how ridiculously loud it was. The draft from the door was annoying and freezing as well. It took a good ten minutes to get drinks, even though there were two or three bartenders talking to the few other customers at the bar. The food was the most disappointing. The bread and bruschetta looked good, but the bread was cold and hard and the bruschetta bland. The house made mozzarella was surely store bought and of low quality. The crepes were eggy and heavy. A very long time passed in between apps and us ordering dinner. We were so disappointed with the bread and apps, rather than order a full meal we opted to split the pumpkin tortellini dish, which was good. About a 100 dollar tab for mediocre service and less than acceptable food. With so many other restaurant options nearby it is unlikely we will return. Very disappointed!
(2)Jeff S.
Excellent Jazz, lovely ambiance, terrific Owner, and reasonably good food that's better than the typically poor food served at most Jazz venues. My qualifications: I've dined at a ton of Restaurants multiple times in the Boston area and its suburbs, so I know a great establishment and good food when I sample it. I also attend alot of Jazz concerts in the Boston area and am a former Saxophone player, so I know good musicianship and Jazz when I hear it. My numerous experiences give me a perspective which allows me to be fair, and I neither issue 1-star nor 5-star reviews for minor differences. So, to be short and sweet, I issue the following number of stars in several categories. 1. LOCATION - 4 STARS - A bit far from Boston, but an easy drive. 2. PARKING - 5 STARS - If there isn't parking on the street nearby, there's more than ample free municipal parking right across the street. 3. OVERALL AMBIANCE - 5 STARS - Very lovely, intimate, upscale, classy, romantic, and not too loud. 4. DINING ROOM SIZE - 4 STARS - Fairly spacious room in back to the left, plus a small room straight ahead. 5. JAZZ ROOM SIZE - 3 STARS - Very small room with only several dining tables and matching chairs, plus other seating to the right against the wall. My guess is that it houses only 35 people. However, the adjacent bar has a dozen seats, plus standing room for another dozen people, all with a great view of the Jazz stage. The room has a lovely ambiance, great acoustics, and unobstructed view. 6. BAR - 5 STARS - Trendy and hip, Chianti's attracts a very nice crowd in their 30's, 40's, and 50's. Sometimes 20-somethings show up, and they're well-behaved and appreciative of great Jazz. 7. FOOD - 3.5 STARS - The food ingredients are of high quality, but the menu is a bit short and the food preparation could be better. However, the Food is way better compared to most other Jazz Clubs, with the exception of Scullers. 8. SERVICE - 4 STARS - Service is timely and performed fairly well, and no one rushes you to leave after you've eaten. You may stay at your table as long as you like to listen to the great Jazz. 9. PRICES - 4.5 STARS - Entrees are only a couple of dollars higher than usual, which is an incredible bargain if you stay for the FREE Jazz which I wholeheartedly encourage you to do. 10. JAZZ - 5 STARS - The Jazz is all local Boston performers, but the quality of Jazz in the Boston area is very high these days. Better yet, Rich the Owner is a musician (bass guitar and stand-up bass) and knows good Jazz, and Chianti's is so nice that many of the great Boston Jazz bands love to play there. 11. RICH THE OWNER - 5 STARS - As mentioned earlier, Rich couldn't be nicer or more accommodating. It's his attitude that stands far above other Restaurant Owners. 12. OVERALL RATING - 4 STARS - The mathematical average of the above 11 categories is 4.3 stars, but since food is the single most important aspect of any Restaurant, the overall rating is 4 stars.
(4)Katie M.
Love love love!!! Perfect romantic dinner date. We were seated in the back room near the patio with nobody else around. The server was very attentive, but may I add a little bit on the weird/awkward side. The food....mmmmMMMM!!!! We tried the pumpkin tortellini for an appetizer and then I had the vegetable risotto for dinner. I didn't think my belly could be happier but then I ordered the tiramisu. Fantastic! I was surprised at how large the restaurant was and how many different seating areas there are. I'd love to go back when there is live music or during the summer when the outdoor seating is open. Highly recommended!
(5)Joy O.
We hadn't been here in many years, but decided to give it another try. Very loud because of the jazz so we sat in the farthest room. Service was pleasant but, extremely slow starting w/the water. Long wait for our drinks; long, long wait for our food! We were excited to try the Crispele Florentine which was supposed to be delicate egg crepes filled with ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, and served in a tomato cream sauce. For $8/14 lg, it was nothing special, & crepes were not house made and somewhat rubbery. The Osso Bucco, $25, was inedible. Very disappointed in this place! --Too expensive & waited way too looooong for food that wasn't very good. Definitely not for kids. Maybe go for the jazz, but we're not fans.
(1)Joseph P.
Our first time at Chianti's proved to be one well worth the night out. The restaurant has a very nice winter feel to it, with subdued lighting, tin ceilings and brick walls. Appetizers were prosciutto wrapped pears in a Gorgonzola sauce for me and a nice salad for my wife. Martini and wine pours were respectable and no complaints from either me or my wife. Our meal consisted of Veal Osso Bucco for me and Salmon for my wife. Both meals were done perfectly. The seasonal roasted vegetables were a perfect accompaniment. Even for us, the service was a bit slow but not so much as to take away from the overall experience. My only issue was that a double espresso ordered by myself came without the requested lemon twist. Rather than waiting for the lemon, which I was told several times was on its way, I finished my espresso. Our waitress came over with another double and the requisite lemon, apologizing for the error. While the additional espresso was greatly appreciated, I was so jacked that I felt I could run home. Overall, a very enjoyable evening.
(4)Lauren D.
Adorable little hidden gem. Great music. I love that it is cozy and quiant and not too crowded. They get great bands in and don't even charge a cover. I wish I had a place like this closer to were I live. It would definitely be my watering hole
(5)Jessica W.
I really loved Chianti. It is not the best place for large groups I'd say. I would stick to small groups or just a date night. Very intimate atmosphere. The music was really great. I have only been here for drinks; no dinner, so I can't attest to the food. I had a really fantastic wine though and I would really recommend giving this place a look.
(5)Erin E.
In a word: divine! I went here with my boyfriend on a Sunday night to hear our friend's jazz quartet perform (The Yulia Musayelyan Quartet). Our previous jazz bar experience consisted solely of Ryles (which we're not fans of), so our hopes were not too high for this place that billed itself as a "Tuscan Restaurant and Jazz Lounge." But we were totally blown away by Chianti and will definitely be coming back even when our friend isn't playing! The atmosphere is much more conducive to appreciation and enjoyment of the music than a place like Ryles because the lounge itself is small (maybe 10 tables plus a small bar with seats). You can sit right next to the stage if you want! And you can tell the patrons and staff here really appreciate and love musicians because they do everything they can to be respectful while taking orders, bringing food, and clearing plates. The food itself...words cannot do it justice! Your meal starts with complimentary bread and freshly made bruschetta--which was so good I started just eating the bruschetta by itself and forgot about the bread. We then split a half portion of their gnocchi in pesto sauce, and it was the best gnocchi (and pesto) I've ever had in all my years of gnocchi noshing. For the main course, I had the Vegetarian Risotto and my boyfriend had the Filet Mignon. Again, superb! We finished off with dessert, blackberry cabernet sorbet for me and panna cotta for him. Despite being full before starting, both of us cleared our dessert plates in record time. The staff is super friendly, although you might wonder where your waitress has gotten to sometimes. But as she was the only one working a full room, it was totally understandable. What started out as just another outing turned into one of our best (unexpected) date nights in recent memory!
(5)Katie K.
I only recently moved to Beverly and found Chianti when looking for a place with live music. We loved it! I wasn't thrilled with the asiago-crusted calamari (very salty from the asiago after the first couple of bites), but the Carciofi, was as delicious as it sounds - lightly fried artichoke hearts topped with a roasted red pepper and thyme cream sauce. I had the Frutti di Mare, which was very good but had a slightly fish taste (full disclosure: I'm extra sensitive to fishy flavors). I tried my friends dishes - of course: the Ravioli ai Funghi was VERY tasty and the Insalata Arugola (steamed arugula with artichoke hearts, lemon & capers, sautéed shrimp) was a great light alternative to the heavier pasta dishes. Advice: I recommend sitting in the lounge to get a great front row seat to the live music. They have an impressive list of events!
(4)Herb Z.
I used to give this place a 4 star, but it dropped to barely 3. Since the makeover, it is harder to get in. Food quality has suffered as well, and the portions are about 1/2 of what they used to be. I left hungry last time even after having apetizers and desert, and that never happens to me. Way too expensive for the area as well. Staff is OK.
(3)R. C.
I really enjoyed this restaurant last night. Going there was the result of an impromptu decision, driven by the desire to try somewhere we hadn't been before in the local area. Food: My husband and I shared the prosciutto wrapped pear appetizer, and we both thought it was lovely. We ordered the large, but might have been slightly happier with a smaller portion, as it was a generous amount. As my entree, I ordered the Penne Bolognese, which was enjoyable overall, although the pasta was slightly too tender. My husband ordered the vegetarian risotto and was very pleased with it. Service & Environment: We seemed to have a lot of people waiting on us, and they were all very polite and extremely professional, which made a very favorable impression on me. I also very much liked the decor/ambience of the dining room where we ate; the charming tin ceiling and dark wainscoting and moldings gave the room a cozy, historical charm. All in all, it was a satisfying restaurant experience & I will gladly return!
(5)Christalee G.
Chianti is one of my favorite local spots because of the delicious food at a decent price, and the fabulous entertainment. The bar /lounge side had a recent makeover and looks absolutely beautiful! Chianti hosts musical artists, primarily jazz, tuesday through sunday here. I have seen some great artists here. Who wouldn't want to sip wine and savor delicious Italian food while listening to some sexy italian jazz! The last group I saw here was amazing. The band played on a piano, a sax, drums, and had a talented Italian/ Portuguese vocalist. They have a music calendar online you can check out for In the summer months there is outdoor seating. The staff is always pleasant. I am so glad to see that Chianti won the Best Italian in the Northshore award in 2011! Dinner begins with freshly baked bread and a bruschetta spread made of fresh tomatoes, basil, onions, tossed in a balsamic dressing. For an appetizer we ordered the Carciofi, Lightly fried artichoke hearts topped with a roasted red pepper and thyme cream sauce. These were amazing! I have never had anything like it. For dinner the many times I have been here I have ordered Tortelloni di Zucca . It's a Homemade pumpkin tortelloni served in a gorgonzola cream sauce with diced pear and caramelized walnuts. I love this dish because the flavors are so unique. My friends have ordered the Frutti di Mare and equally enjoyed it. The tiramisu is a great finish to the meal here , but beware it is a huge portion! but I am not complaining! If you're not in the mood for dinner and just want to enjoy the jazz while sipping a martini, their drink list is great. I have tried thed the pumpkin , espresso and pear martinis here, all were fabulous.
(5)nikita p.
Great place for live music. Rich makes you feel like your a guest in his home.
(5)Danie R.
I haven't been to Chianti in a few years, but I remember loving it. I'm trying to recall this place from my memory a bit more, but we will see how it goes. My friend called a few days in advance so we could get the raw vegan meal. It was several courses and each one was a delight to the eyes and mouth. One of the plates was a mini caprese thingy... but instead of mozzarella, it was fresh coconut meat. I was so surprised when I ate it because it legitimately looks like it is mozz. These was also a delicious pasta dish made from squash (I think?) and it was awesome. I'm usually not a fan of most squash shaped vegetables (like zucchini and eggplant) but I really liked this pasta. I believe there was another course too, but I can't remember right now. I want to go back!
(5)