Over the last 2 years, my girlfriend and I have dined at Allora's several times, for both dinner and lunch - it was a favorite of ours. A little pricey, but excellent food and service. Things now seem to be trending in the negative direction (check the dates on the reviews). Dinner this past Saturday was disappointing. The fresh oysters appetizer was a mess - the oysters where not shucked properly and cut free of the shell. Ruins everything, because now you have to tug at the oyster, you lose half of it as well as the cocktail sauce. A mess. The veal piccata was tender and tasty, and almost enough was served on a huge amount of linguini to feed a four-year-old. At these prices, I expect a reasonable portion of veal. This was my girlfriend's meal, and she is a very petite women and light eater, and there was not enough veal for her. That has NEVER happened before anywhere else. The duck breast I had was tough and chewy. Ordered an Irish Coffee for dessert, and a black coffee with whiskey is brought to us - I had to tell that server that a proper Irish Coffee includes cream. She took it back and returned with the cup topped with ReddiWhip. They don't have real, proper whipped cream in this place? The bread pudding dessert was excellent. The service was also excellent. I do have to wonder if they're going down. This was prime-time Saturday night. The place was moderately busy, but not packed. In any event, I do not think we will be going back. Too much money to spend and take a chance again. Adios Allora.
(2)
Renata C.
Good stuff- I mean the 495 belt is pretty sparse- so I am grateful for FOOD- in general. I loved my meal- but the interior is pretty bleak and uninspiring- and makes you think of grandma's basement. So food- GREAT- ambiance-- blaaaahhh
(4)
Ilo L.
I had such a great time at Allora last night. Nice cold beer overlooking the water put me in such a relaxing mood. The staff was very pleasant and attentive the food was amazing! I will definitely be going back soon.
(4)
Sam E.
Never terribly impressed with the food here. The bread and doing oil are pretty good, but the mussels were overcooked, tiny, and chewy. The risotto was too mushy, almost like mashed potatoes and the pasta dishes can be had for cheaper down the street at Linguini's. However, the service is always good and it is the best outdoor seating in the region.
(3)
Catherine W.
Went here for Mother's Day buffet like previous reviewer, venue was chosen primarily for attractive mid-point location for 3 different families and because we've gone here for business lunches before with decent experience. For just this Mother's Day buffet event, I am giving 2 stars with similar complaints as the previous review. Service was very slow by 12noon; it seemed like they didn't space the reservations apart enough. They were running out of entree plates at the buffet station, and so people were waiting in line for dishes to get their food. The buffet trays were placed on top of the bar, which posed a problem for shorter members of our party. Food itself was overall average, and included frittata, bacon, sausage, penne vodka, herbed chicken, roasted vegetables, salad, and prime rib (the lone excellent dish). There were also 2 musicians playing live jazz which was nice. There was also a modest dessert table. The hostesses and wait staff seemed really stressed out during the service, and had trouble attending to our needs. Would probably not return for this kind of special event.
(2)
Steve S.
Great service - excellent food. Steamers special appetizer tonight - great! Great crowd out on the deck tonight. I'll be back for sure the next time I'm in Marlborough.
(4)
Tom B.
Went for Mother's Day, buffet was almost constantly empty. The food was mediocre at best. Food was bland, bagels & pastries were stale, no chocolate fountain (they said it broke). Very disappointing, 2nd time here, will be the last.
(1)
David K.
So I came here on a business dinner with colleagues. The waitstaff get a big star for taking care of us - really busted their tails. They get another star for the incredible meatball that I had with my meal - very well seasoned. However, the incredible long wait time to get our order was awful!! It took almost two hours to get our meal. Just PAINFULLY slow. My pasta was over cooked - I can microwave better!! The 'homemade' sausage was dry and tasteless. The single meatball was the most promising thing on my plate. I'm really surprised that this place is able to stay in business - it seems from the reviews that it is either 'hit or miss'. I would not recommend or ever go back.
(2)
Ray C.
Sat at the bar on a Tuesday night. Beers served quickly, but the oysters were slow and not icy cold. Salmon was a bit overcooked, but tasty. Tuna special was spot on. I've been here a few times and my opinion is the same: overpriced, good, not great food, and OK service. The ambiance and outside deck overlooking the lake are the best features.
(3)
Michael P.
Decent food. A little pricey. Nice patio. Service is up and down. Nothing to special to write home about. Will go back only for the patio.
(3)
Maggie C.
Allora is a weird place. Guests eating here range from intimate couples dressed up for a romantic date, to families in jeans and t-shirts. So if you are looking for atmosphere this may not be the most reliable option, but if you are looking for good food - you are in the right place. Secret tip? Get take out, park the car in a romantic spot, and relive your teenage years. :) We've eaten here a bunch. Favorites are the Bruschetta - crisp & crunchy thick bread topped with tomatoes & mozzarella, spiced just right. The fried mozzarella is nicely fried and not too greasy. And the Truffle fries with truffle oil & parm are tasty to snack on. (Although nothing beats the delicious atrocity that they used to serve - waffle cut fries with gorgonzola sauce & cracked pepper. Dear god - please bring that appetizer back!!) The pastas are good - I like the gnocchi the best. I'm vegetarian so I can't personally speak for the meat dishes, but I don't think anyone in my party has ever had an issue with any of the meat, chicken, or fish. My partner in crime usually goes for one of the salmon or tuna dishes and says that it is cooked & seasoned well - not overdone, not greasy, etc. Food quality & quantity is good for the price. I consider Allora to be a very reliable place for decent food.
(4)
richard m.
Love the atmosphere, cozy and friendly. The service was attentive and my blackened swordfish was very good. I just gave a problem with the prices. For the money it should be something special and it wasn't.
(3)
Mike C.
Great food Had the sword fish . It was blackend and placed on spinach with mash around . It was a big piece of fish and the spinach was balanced will against the saltiness of the blackend fish . Ate at the bar and it was a little stuffy. Seemed to be a more local crowd. The menu is not extensive and there are a lot of pasta dishes. No eggplant Parmesan or chicken Parmesan though.
(4)
Joe S.
have been looking for a great local italian place since we moved to the area over a year ago but this isn't it... high prices for mediocre food. the last time we ate here the pasta was one of the worst pastas we've had which I didn't think was possible to screw up.
(1)
Lauren H.
Our company moved to Marlborough this week. I'm sampling restaurants (not a lot of choices in Marlborough) but this was close so we thought we'd give it a try. If i was rating solely on service, I'd give it 1 star. If i was rating on food and drinks, I'd give it 4.5 (if I could give an extra half point) We arrived, were seated on the patio, and waited. And waited. And waited. Stopped a passing server to ask if someone was going to wait on us. Received a curt/quick response that someone would be by soon. And we waited. We finally ordered cocktails. And we waited. And waited. No joke. It took at least 30 minutes from the time we were seated to receive our drinks. However, I will say the hot and dirty martini was so good! Finally took our food orders, I was stuck between two choices, he recommended the Bolognese. It took a long time for the food to come out and the waiter only passed once to ask if we wanted more drinks, with no comment on the food delay. Food arrives and they are sooooo lucky it was awesome. We all enjoyed our food. My bolognese had fresh pasta (I think!). It was perfect. We did not have time for dessert so we paid and left. I would go back when I have time and patience because the food was so good and I am in love with that martini. I recommend you try it, if you have the time.
(3)
Tom C.
My wife and I went in for the first time with another couple. We had heard good things and wanted to check it out for a while. The place is very nice. Great spot, clean, and inviting. We were greeted and sat right away. We started with fried calamari, arugula salad and the humus plate. The calamari was cooked perfectly-crispy and tender. the arugula salad was great. the combination of he pecan dressing, figs and blue cheese was wonderful. the humus was very tasty as well. for entrees we had chicken parmesan, beef short ribs, spaghetti with clams and grilled tuna. everyone enjoyed everything. the waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. we didn't have room for dessert but the waitress said that they are all homemade so we will be sure to save room next time-we will be back!
(4)
John S.
Lunch was late for us, 2:30pm, and soups, both ham & bean and "Italian wedding" excellent, salads fresh greens. Veal parmigiana typical and OK. Meatball sub was among the best I've ever had. Service was very good but food came to table not all at the same time, even though only a few people in the restaurant at the time, all in all OK. Meatball sub I had really hit the spot, with an perfect toasted roll with great parmesan with perfect moisture, 5-star meatball in my opinion. Try the meatballs here, another in our party had meatballs with marinara on the side and also raved. I'll be back.
(3)
Brandy S.
I've been here several times with groups from work and with my husband. I've had salads, sandwiches, pasta, drinks, and dessert. They were all prepared well, made with fresh ingredients, and delicious. This is a great restaurant for large groups. The menu has something for everyone, the staff is adept at handling groups, and it's a fairly large restaurant that also has a lovely patio for diners to enjoy when the weather is nice. The decor is a little outdated and could use some freshening up. The main dining room feels a little gloomy. The seating on the patio and in the bar area is much lighter and feels less outdated. The staff are very friendly, helpful, and accommodating. If you're planning a function, they won't let you down.
(4)
Bob W.
I ordered Frutti De Mare, which is pasta in a marina sauce. I was surprised by the presentation since none of the seafood was removed from shell, but more disappointed that the marina sauce was a marina soup and practically tasteless. Not a single group in our party was impressed by their dish in a party of 10 and I thought the server was extremely inexperienced. A member of our party was gluten intolerant and served food that he could not consume. Overall, unimpressed and would not return.
(2)
Sarah C.
I wish I could give a 2.5. I tried this place on a Friday night with a couple girls I use to work with. We got here around 7 and the place was not that busy.... is that not strange for a Friday night? In the beginning our waitress was quick and very attentive but that quickly wore off... and she was hard to find at some points to just get another drink. The one thing really peaked my interest on the menu was the risotto... guess what the first thing the waitress says - we are all out of risotto tonight. really?! I ordered the pan seared cod with lemon oil. The cod was not seared at all... it looked like it came out of the oven. There was no lemon oil. and no flavor or seasoning whatsoever on the fish - just bland out of the oven white fish. The asparagus however was cooked perfectly. And the roasted cherry tomatoes oddly enough were divine! - the seasoning and olive oil they used on them was perfect. (never thought I would refer to a tomato as divine...) The girls I was with all seemed to enjoy their meals and the portion sizes were a little bigger than what I expected. We ordered creme brulee and cannolis for dessert. The creme brulee was delicious and the cannoli cream was very good. The after dinner cappuccino was weak but the biscotti on the side made for a good accompaniment. For the prices of their meals I am not sure I will be coming back here any time soon. If you can't wow me the first time than why would I consider coming back?
(3)
Natalie V.
Dinner at Allora in Marlborough tonight, place was a little quiet Staff was very friendly. They offer a gluten free pasta which is great. I got the penne pasta with shrimp. This is a great place in the summer with the view of the lake.
(3)
Chuck E.
A little pricey. Portions are solid-- if not then a little less than solid. Quality of food is phenomenal. App was superb. Quality wine list. I had a lemon glazed swordfish- great. Lady had the lobster chowder -- must try. Overall it was good not great.
(4)
Jess B.
I went here last night with three other people. We got there around 5:45, and actually weren't sure if the place was open because we were the only car in the parking lot. By the time we left, the place was about half full. I'm sure a lot of this had to do with the fact that it's a holiday week. The menu selection was fairly extensive, and there was more than just typical Italian food as well. I did decide to go slightly off-menu though, and the waiter took it all in stride. The food was fantastic, and the portions were really big. I love it when I get two meals out of one! Our waiter was good-- attentive and polite but not overly-so. The only reason I give it four stars instead of five is because the price was on the steep end. It is a very nice restaurant, but for the area, I still think that it's a little steep.
Just finished linguini with clams , very good. But I should have stuffed myself with bread because the portion was pretty small.
(4)
Anne S.
For some reason, Yelp did away with my review for this restaurant a few days after I wrote it and does not display it any more. YELP- 0 (ZERO) stars to you for this!! Here's the review again: Once is more than enough for this place. We were there for lunch yesterday. We had the mushroom frites which was one portobello mushroom sliced up, breaded and fried for $7 (I can make them at home for maybe a dollar), a hangar steak with fries $19 (nothing spectacular) and a chicken Milanese with one thin sliced chicken breast (about a dollar at local supermarket)breaded and fried over a handful of arugula (few cents)with two slices of tomatoes (few cents again) and about 4 raw onion rings. No drinks/soda, no dessert $51 with taxes. Senselessly overpriced and not worth it for average food. Now for the service: we ask waiter how many pieces in mushroom frites? His answer " maybe 7, maybe 8 but don't quote me on it". Next hubby orders the steak with fries and waiter repeats it as steak frites. Nope not the steak frites but the steak and fries. Finally, as he serves up my plate of the pathetic milenese, he knocks off my focaccia with his bare hands and doesn't even BOTHER to ask if he can get me another one from the kitchen! Was he expecting me pick it up and eat it? Unprofessional. Completely! One star for location only and zero for food and minus points for service. Never going back there and will advise friends and family to stay away as well.
(1)
Melissa R.
Three to three and a half stars for the food - solid, tasty, not blow-you-out-of-the-water, and also for the patio. I work in Marlborough and come here sometimes with coworkers for lunch. It's great in the spring and summer to have a place where you can sit outside and have a drink. Sandwiches are tasty, sangria and cocktails are good too. Service is okay - sort of slow as others have said. Solid choice, though, especially given the options in the area.
(3)
Carolyn W.
Wanted a place to relax and have a glass of wine, and this fit the bill perfectly!! Nice patio until rain moved in - efficiently and pleasantly moved indoors, servers made sure I was taken care of. Just had appetizer, was wonderful and prompt. Nice wine selection by the glass. I'm an out-of-tower but next time in the neighborhood I'll be back for full dinner. TVs in bar if you want a cocktail without the noise. From hostess to server to bartender everyone friendly and helpful.
(5)
Karen S.
We love this place. The food is always top notch. The patio is also great in the summer. Highly recommend it!
(5)
Heather B.
I have been to Allora @ 7 times and last night was the last. I think they have new owners or managers and the prices on the menu have changed and they are outrageous!! $39 for a pork chop special???? $42 for a halibut special??? We are not in a fancy restaurant in Boston. This is far out western suburbs!!!.. The frutti de mare is $37, filet mignon is $45... Need I go on... I pulled 6 whole garlic cloves out of my bolognese and left them on the side of my plate. The manager was very nice and took the cost of my entree off of the bill but in the long run, the place has gotten too big for their britches.
(2)
Cindy B.
Since Marlborough is lacking in good places to eat, I have to give this place 4 stars on food alone. The restaurant inside is pretty pedestrian, nothing special, but we love the patio area when it's open. I've not had a bad meal here once. The scallops were cooked perfectly - the Italian dishes are always good, they make a great sauce . The only knock I'll give is on the homemade sausage that has a strange consistency. It is a little on the pricey side, but the food is good and is pretty consistent, service is good. I am going to try the place down the road Dave L referred to, haven't been there yet!
(4)
Suzy L.
After driving by it a bunch, I've now been to Allora a few times for dinner with my parents (because I always prefer the swanky places when my dad's credit card is the one going down on the table). Each time has been a solidly good experience. The bread basket is pretty awesome, and almost always results in my taking food home! For appetizers, the fried mozzarella is really nice, not greasy at all. For entrees, I've had the ricotta stuffed eggplant which is great, but what was really to die for was the lobster mac and cheese. It's billed as a side, but I got it for my meal and oh my, it's delicious. And for drinks, definitely get the sangria. Service is always very friendly and efficient. The dining rooms can be a litte loud on busy nights, but not enough to spoil the experience. Can't wait to try out the deck sometime this summer!
(4)
Eliot P.
My fiance and I were trying to find a good place for our wedding rehearsal dinner between Framingham and Worcester, and decided to give Allora a try. In a nutshell, it wasn't bad, but nowhere NEAR worth the price. The atmosphere was nice, the decorations were simple but elegant, and the hostess and our waiter Arnie were EXTREMELY friendly and helpful. Everything was delivered in a timely fashion and when I couldn't decide what to get, Arnie weighed in and helped me make a decision, which was nice. Unfortunately, we went there for the food, and that is where we were disappointed. We started with bruschetta, which was flavorful enough, but they had heaped a ton of tomatoes on top of the bread, and the bread had gotten really mushy. I was super excited when Arnie brought out focaccia because I freaking love carbohydrates, but the bread was not warm or soft; the crust was so hard I had to use two hands to pull it apart with my teeth. I felt like they tried to make up for that by dumping spices all over it; there was so much rosemary and salt on it that I could hardly taste the bread. I had opted for the soup du jour which was Italian wedding soup. Dipping the focaccia bread in it was pretty nice, even if it was some sort of horrible faux pas. (I wouldn't know.) The soup was very flavorful, the vegetables were crisp, and the meat was tender. For an entree, I got the chicken marsala (at Arnie's recommendation) and my fiance got the chicken frances. The chicken marsala was pretty good...the sauce was a little watery (whereas I prefer mine a bit thicker) but it was flavorful enough. The chicken was a little dry, but pretty tasty. The chicken frances was alright...the chicken itself was pretty flavorful albeit a little dry, but the pasta tasted really overwhelmingly of lemon, the point that the lemon flavor overpowered pretty much every other aspect of the dish. I am not a picky eater; if the food had been $10 or $15 less per plate, I would have been pleasantly surprised, but the bill came out to over $100, and I have had much better food for much less money. The staff were absolutely delightful, but their service alone won't save this restaurant. Allora will have to step their game up in the food department (or lower their prices) if they want to stay in business. I can't speak for other customers, but I would much rather drive the extra half-hour west to Worcester (perhaps Via) or east to Boston (perhaps Fiorella's in Newton Center) to have food that is twice as good for half the price.
(2)
Super M.
I had a delicious meal hear from appetizer to desert. The prices are too astronomical for me to eat here again though ~$200 for 2 people for a 3 course meal.
(4)
Dawn E.
Sometimes the measure of a place is based on what you have to compare it to, and since sampling some other of what Metrowest has to offer, I am far less impressed. Also, I would not recommend them for events - at all. I attempted to have a company event here and the whole affair was ripe with miscommunication (and/or false promises) and we ultimately ended up with another venue that not only exceeded our needs, but did so on short notice. I'll pop into Allora now and then, because it's not only near my house, it's even nearer to my office, and I find everything satisfactory but just.
(2)
Charles G.
Terrible food over cooked 45 minutes to get a steak when we told Them it was overcooked They took it back to the kitchen And came back with the same two steaks And told us the light was better in the kitchen and they looked ok we said no they weren't ordered medium rare and these had no pink at all waited 20 minutes still no food told waitress we were leaving to Give us the bill She put the two steaks on the bill that we never received She asks to see if we wanted to wrap it and take it home with us We told her no just the bill would be fine When we look at the bill the steaks are on the bill I tell her we're not paying for steaks we never received And that she has to take them off the bill She says yes to talk to the manager who never shows up at our table We wait another 20 minutes while they discuss it We wait over an hour and a half and can't get two steaks from this place Terrible terrible terrible stay away
(1)
Brendan R.
Been here for lunch, been here for dinner, been here for drinks. This place is great for lunch. Decent sized menu and you'll be in and out real quick. Dinner has a huge menu and the staff will have no problem giving you an honest opinion about a dish if you find yourself to be indecisive. All in all I am a big fan of their food, but I expect a lot more for a place that charges the prices they charge. Their bar area is cool, but again....overpriced. I think this place hits the spot if you're looking for a single drink and split an appetizer with a friend. Until this place decides to tone down on their entree pricing, its not worth giving a shot. You'll be disappointed once you see the bill
(3)
Jay B.
We had a business function for 12 people. They handled it extremely well. I had the meatball and sausage fusilli and it was excellent.
(4)
Catie C.
I came here for lunch today not expecting much of it. I drove by this place so many times, and today I finally stopped in to give it a try on this gorgeous day. The perfect patio dining day! The moment I sat down, I felt very relaxed with the view of the lake at a distance. The waitress was pleasant and attentive. I ordered a Caesar salad, appetizer of mussels and a side of fries. She kindly asked me if I had an order preference. I'm not Italian so I did salad first and then the mussels with fries next. The salad dressings are homemade which is the reason I ordered a salad. The Caesar salad is creamy, not your normal vinaigrette style. I personally liked their dressing which was not too salty. I'm not particularly into salty foods so this is perfect for me. The mussels in wine sauce was also a delight. The sauce was subtle so I can still taste the mussels. It was cooked perfectly - tender and fresh!! 2 clams snuck in which was juicy. The fries were good, but could be better. They look/taste like fresh cut fries so that is as good as it gets. By the time I finished my meal, I looked at the dessert menu. I seriously could not fit anymore in me besides that nothing appealed to me. I don't like desserts in general but there are a few that I would eat which wasn't on the menu. For a moment, I was pondering to see if they can give me a scoop of vanilla ice cream; but I can get homemade ice cream down the street from where I live. I will definitely come back and try other menu items to see if they can live up to 5 stars!
(5)
Colleen H.
This is one of the best restaurants Marlborough has to offer. It's got a great selection of Italian food, and the service is always wonderful. They really did a nice job with the decor, which sometimes is a little hard to find in the suburbs, so it's well appreciated! The wines are fantastic, both by the glass and the bottle. My only complaint is the antipasto has a terribly boring cheese selection, and they never change the menu. Exciting specials would go a long way!
(4)
Tanya M.
So bummed.. Work down the street and have been wanting to get lunch here for the longest time. Finally made plans and headed there to do so. Met a friend and we asked for patio seating. Sat for 15 minutes- I finally asked a server who went by if there was someone who would take us, she said she'd check and be right back. Ten minutes later she came back and said she'd take our order. We had a question about the sangria, said she'd ask the bartender, came back and said bartender had no idea - as it's the evening person who makes the sangria, so he doesn't know what goes in it. We ordered our meals and drinks. About a half hour after we've been sitting, another server greets us and asks how we're doing - I think she was our real server, we told her we were taken care of already... Drinks took another 15 minutes... no garnish, no straw. By this point we had been sitting for 45 minutes. Food was excellent at least.. on a side note, another server dropped an entire tray of food - that table had to take it to go. Food was alright, we just ordered salads. Service, on the other hand, horrendous. I think to have to take a lunch break that runs well over an hour and a half is ridiculous. I feel bad for the server because she did pick our table up and it was the mistake of the other girl, but I think there should be better communication between host/manager/serving staff.
(2)
Richard T.
This was my 3rd trip to Allora in the last few years as a guest of others, while the other two visits were acceptable I suppose, this one was the one that will keep me from going back. I begged my guest to take me to the 99 as it is comparable in taste at about 1/3 the cost. Staff is certainly nice but have a MetroWest "simpleness" to them if you know what I mean. Allora is trying to be " Boston" but does not have the skills, wildly overpriced. Go to the 99 for dinner and then to Allora for a drink on the patio afterwards.
(1)
Peter R.
Just sat at the bar for a quick treat. First time here and had the fried calamari. Perfectly cooked! Bartender was friendly and attentive.
(5)
Elfie C.
Service and bread was great but the food is only ok for the price they charge you. Also sodas were like $3.50 and they charge for a second one when my daughter wanted one.
(2)
Bruce M.
Allora's location, its lakeside patio, and the friendly, accommodating service were the highlights of my meal this past Saturday night. The food--which, after all, is why one goes to a restaurant (unless it's Manhattan, where one goes to be seen)--was disappointingly unremarkable. Following two generously poured Martinis (highly recommend the lemoncello iced martini--it's like a margarita, only with vodka), I started my meal with a eggplant appetizer stuffed with ricotta and smothered with a dull marinara sauce and a too-generous dollop of mozzarella. The marinara and mozzarella combination overwhelmed the eggplant, which when I did taste it seemed limp. My partner ordered the sesame-encrusted tuna and I chose the Osso Bucco on a bed of saffron-infused parmesan risotto. Our server, Chris, graciously accommodated my partners' request to substitute spinach for the hand-cut french fries which normally accompany the tuna. The food arrived in a timely manner. We hungrily dug in. To my disappointment, the Osso Bucco was flaccid and tasteless, salvaged only by the delicious risotto. Served alone the risotto would be a excellent choice, but layered with the Osso Bucco it loses some of its delicate flavor. The tuna was acceptable but the bed of limp spinach upon which it was served diminished its appeal. The hand-cut fries also arrived, along with a crisp marinara dipping sauce: A surprising and pleasant alternative to ketchup. Hoping to salvage the meal and still in search of That Perfect Tiramisu, I ordered a tiramisu for dessert. Garnished with anemic whipped cream and a sliced strawberry, it was served too cold, sundae-style and disappointed. For $150 (two drinks, appetizer, two entrees, two glasses of wine, and a dessert, tip included), there are better investments in the area for your Italian restaurant dollars: Arturos and Il Forno jump to mind. If you're looking for consistently good Italian fare, you may want to try those before you go to Allora.
(2)
Paul S.
Had a great meal at Allora. Decor is slightly dark/dated, but the food was really great. And great service. The lobster tank right in the entry way is a little strange, but other than that it's all around good. Phenomenal fruitta di mare. Good drinks. I'll be back.
(4)
Rob M.
Service was friendly and professional. Was very happy with the wine selection, caprese salad, fried oysters (special) and short ribs. Yes, it's not an inexpensive menu, but if you're looking for an elegant experience along with good food, this is one of the best in the area. Well done Allora!
(4)
Ed L.
Stopped in for a quick lunch and was pleasantly surprised.... Staff was very quick and attentive. Best calamari appetizer I've had in a while (with olives and garlic - a nice twist on the typical preparation). I opted for the Insalata for One - a great choice, while my 'date' went with the Prosciutto Pannini... Both were very good. Yes, a bit pricey but we found it worth the extra couple of bucks.
(4)
Kim B.
Highly recommend for quality Tuscan-Italian dining. The excellent thing about this place is that it's fancy, but you can wear jeans if you want. Also, check out the cooking classes, they're great!
(5)
Doug M.
Went last night and glad we finally got to try it. Got there around 8pm, so we got a nice table on the patio. We started with apps of fried clams (very good) and lobster mac & cheese (average). We all had salad - the Caesar was very good. For dinner - I had the Risotto Di Mare - the shrimp, scallops, mussels were excellent, thought the risotto was just ok. My wife had the Rib Eye, which was perfect. Our friends had Lobster Fra Diavolo and Pan Seared Scallops, which they really liked. For dessert, my wife & I split the Creme Brulle - which was very nice. I'm a big coffee guy - and I was really glad that they had excellent coffee. Overall - an excellent dinner, the view of the lake is nice (though it got dark not too long after we arrived), and service was very good. Though dinner was a little pricey, we'll definitely be back again.
(4)
Jane E.
The restaurant's menu is high caliber - bringing many elements into their culinary delights. While the food sounds good, it isn't good. Compounding that, the place is always dimly lit so the food looks good. I illuminated my food with my phone's light, it didn't look to appetizing. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat at this place - but if you are in the mood for wineing and dining your business partners, this place might do the trick. The prices are inflated, the food sounds complex (yet tastes blah), and the location across the reservoir seems nice. It's worth a try.
(3)
Amanda L.
ONE OF THE BEST IN METROWEST. This restaurant was a great evening out for me and the man. Dim lighting and Italian/ mediterranean food, we were excited by the menu and couldn't decide what to get. BF settled on the short rib which was DIVINE. My lamb was definitely VERY tasty but I had wished that I had gotten the short rib; so did BF probably because I ate a lot of his. ;) Definitely one of the classiest meals you'll get in Marlborough, MA that is for sure.
(4)
Nicole R.
I've been to Allora once for dinner with my parents and my boyfriend. We all found the food to be decent, but not spectacular, and the prices seemed rather high. Our table was in a dark corner of the bar area, which didn't help the dining experience as we felt like we having dinner during a power outage. We did, however, amuse ourselves by eavesdropping on the obvious first date going on at the next table (from the looks of things, there wasn't going to be a second date). The outdoor patio looks nice, so I'd be willing to give Allora another shot for lunch, but I don't think I'll be shelling out the cash for dinner there again anytime soon.
(3)
Justin M.
Bar none the worst service by the least professional wait staff I have ever encountered. The mildly good cuisine is overshadowed by the unreasonable prices. Stay away.
(1)
S M.
I had dined at Allora several years ago with my wife and was impressed, however a recent dinner visit left me disappointed. The food was still decent and the outside patio does have a nice view, however its positive attributes end there. The food was overpriced for what it was, the service was courteous but slow, and my wife's $9 margarita was served in a Budweiser glass. I will not eat here again, and from the emptiness of the main dining room on a Friday night, it appears local patrons have made a likewise assessment.
(2)
PMG M.
Party of 6...appetizers, salads, entrees & desserts all excellent without one miss. Shrimp cocktail & steamed cheery stone clams to start both excellent. Scallops, Chicken Parm, Filet Mignon, Swordfish, & Haddock entrees all bountiful and bursting with flavor. Not one complaint at the table. Substitutions were accommodated upon request. Waiter was attentive & allowed us to sit back, relax & take our time as we chatted. We sat outdoors since the weather permitted, deck seating was vibrant & comfortable. Wine list could use some updating with additional choices, bottles were a bit pricey. Beer & drink menu had plenty of choices. Large bar area & inside tables were empty, not sure about inside atmosphere we will have to re-visit in the cooler months.
(4)
Tiff D.
AMAZING! I have been there several times. The atmosphere is a little above casual. The service is always great. The best item on the menu is the Swordfish Piccatta. TO DIE FOR. They also make a kick @** tirimisu. I have tried serveral tirimisus in and around boston and I have to say that this one is one of the best. It comes individually made in a martini glass with fresh rasberries ontop. HIGHLY recommended My only complaint is the free bean dip...not so great.
(5)
Amy C.
My fiance and I went to Allora a few weeks ago to celebrate me landing my dream job (success!!) and we had a mostly enjoyable time. Pros: -Large outdoor deck with view of a lake -Great food- I had THE BEST steak I have EVER eaten in my entire life! -Right off Rt. 495 and Rt. 20 -Decent beer selection Cons: -A bit pricey...expect to spend around/over $100 for two people (an app, two entrees, and four drinks) -The waitress we had was a bit slow. Also, I sent my $40 steak back because it was WAY overcooked (was grey/brown on the inside when I ordered it medium) and she returned to tell me that I was in fact wrong, and that it was prepared medium. She then told me that I must have wanted medium rare, but that another steak would be out shortly. Ummm, excuse me? I know the difference between medium and medium rare from years of serving while I was in college, so please don't tell me what I "must have meant" and just accept the fact that it was left on the grill a few minutes too long. It really was no big deal until she acted like it was my mistake. -No manager visit when the new steak came out. Again, from being in the industry, it is customary at nice restaurants for the manager to be notified when a customer sends their food back so that he/she can go apologize. The second steak was phenomenal, but I would have appreciated a manager visit to my table. All in all, we would probably go back and hope for another server.
(3)
Miki F.
Great ambiance...Nice and quiet...Tasty food...Will come back again.
(4)
Meghan M.
Okay, I'm spoiled. I need to preface my review/rating by disclosing that I've lived in the city (where there are tons of restaurants) since I moved to Massachusetts a few years ago but I have dined qutie a bit in Marlborough and the surrounding areas since I worked out there for almost 3 years. Allora was a nice addition to the neighborhood. I actually really like to go there for drinks and appetizers. I've been to many a happy hour on their outdoor patio in summer months and it's lovely. I have to say, though, that I'm not overly impressed with dinner. The prices seem a bit out of whack for what you're getting. The portions are huge though. And I mean HUGE. I guess that makes it a bit of a better value. At my last dinner there, I ate less than half of my meal (and I assure you, I can EAT). The dinner was a little disappointing (a bit bland and greasy) and my co-diners both didn't even finish a quarter of their meals (they both got Seafood Allora and claimed it was overcooked). But, as I said, the appetizers I've had were great (calamari, oysters, bruschetta, etc) and the drinks are really good so I'll be back soon for sure!
(3)
David G.
It was rather hard to pick a rating - I'm probably being overly harsh with a two but it just wasn't A-OK (a three). I had gone here on a first date at the suggestion of the datee. She had suggested Bertucci's at first. Then changed her mind and wanted to go here. The quality of the meal was on par with Bertucci, larger portions but when the bill came I thought I was at Davio's in Boston. The waiter slammed our main course down while we were not even halfway finished with our appetizers. Which in my eyes is the cardinal sin of serving, the next step down would be to ask us to get our meals ourselves. This makes it easier for me to give a two. The patio deck is nice and I might give this place another try if it wasn't so pricey. But the chances of me driving to Marlboro when I pass the North End and drive another 30 minutes to eat here is about zero.
(2)
Alana K.
We stopped around 8 on a Friday night because it is pretty close to 495. There were plenty of seats, but it was so loud because of the parties that were there. We could barely hear ourselves think with the people around us. We ordered drinks to start, a chocolate milk for my child, a raspberry lime Ricky $9 and a coke. The chocolate milk had a very strange flavor and my child would not drink it, the $9 lime Ricky had about 3 sips in it and was very weak. It was a total rip off! The meals that were ordered were chicken parm, chicken piccata over risotto and kids pasta and a meatball. It took quite a while to get our food, bread and dipping sauce was brought after a long wait. The chicken piccata was over linguini, not what was ordered. I didn't feel like waiting any longer so I just ate it. It was ok, not worth ordering again. The chicken parm was good. The pasta and meatball was also good. There is a lot that needs to be done to make a meal at Allora worth the prices and wait. When the bread is the best part of the meal things need to change. The decor needs an update as well, the fake fire is so tacky and the extra large mirrors are too large for the space and let you see what people are doing at the tables seated in front of them, which is weird.
(2)
Cesar S.
I have eaten here many times. Lunch on the deck overlooking the lake is nice when the weather cooperates. Love the panini and fruit lunch plates. The spinach and artichoke dip is great, too. I do find it to be slightly more expensive than it should be here. High end version of Olive Garden. Does not compare to the North End.... But, I am giving it 4 stars because I like the outdoor seating so much...
(4)
Rita V.
Eh... We may be in suburbia, but there is absolutely Tuscan in the area - Tomasso. Allora is Sicilian Italo-American, overpriced and poor service. Food is Eh, ok. Fantom gourmet likes it... Fantom fell out of graces in my book. It's ok. There are much better choices in the area for casually elegant meal... And fresh lighter approach. Tavolino in westborough is also better and much more affordable and better service. Just because a restaurant branches from the north end, doesn't make it leggit. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind Italo-American, well prepared. But when you drench fried calamari with black KALAMATA olives and toss with the subpar olive oil, it makes for an unappealing greasy mess. Food is heavy, not "hearty". I question the chefs thought process? Tables are decorated with oil jars. The majority of them had CLOUDY olive oil = rancid and not the heart healthy kind. That tells me how badly they underestimate their clients. The red sauce with the calamari was home made, doesn't taste "canned", but not good enough to overcome the greasy feel of the calamari. :( it was lunch time and my son wanted a burger - greasy flavorless. Fries were very greasy AND undercooked. Pasta - mush, overcooked... Bad rendition of a Sicilian nonninas cuisine, AND the restaurant is dark and smells bad. Bottom line - expensive, greasy, unappealing food, bland service. Not good at all. Should've gone for Bertucis pizza at the mall!!! Its Archies fault! All we really wanted was a GOOD hot dog!
(1)
Florina K.
Phenomenal outdoor seating!!! The food could be better!
(3)
Katie M.
I really like Allora. I work nearby so this is a nice place to visit after work for dinner or a few drinks. They are a little too slow for a quick lunch, but if you have extra time...this place is great. The atmosphere is casual but still classy. In the summer, it's wonderful sitting outside with a view of the lake across the street. The sangria is VERY good as is the hummus appetizer! Portions are very reasonable as is the price of the food. Drink prices are however a little on the higher side. Service is great and very friendly. Another random point is that they have free wi-fi so, if you need to come here and talk business over lunch or dinner...internet access is available to you.
(4)
jpe j.
The waffle fries with Gorgonzola cream sauce were "awesome" -- probably the best potato-based appetizer we've had anywhere. The service was excellent and attentive. However the main courses were so heavily salted, they were almost inedible (and I LIKE salt)! Prices aren't cheap (which they shouldn't be in a good restaurant), however my wife and I spent $110.00 (incl tip). We split the appetizer, both had a salad and main course. We skipped desert and our beverages consisted of only 1 glass of wine and coffee (combined).
(3)
Connie M.
I really enjoy this place! The food is superb; I stick to seafood so can't speak for the other items. I am not as impressed with the restaurant as I am with the bar area service. My husband and I sit at the bar for dinner and are never lacking service or drinks with fresh ingredients. The Allora Cosmo is the best Cosmo I've had in a very long time. No fake mixes used in any drink. I eat there at least twice a week for dinner.
(5)
Brian M.
Fantastic Menu...a tad pricey, but we got what we paid for...Great food, service and atmosphere... I went here with my wife and daughter and we had a great evening...Bearing in mind it was a fancier than most restaurant we sat down just before 5pm when the diners w/ kids tend to go...there were at least 3 other tables with children under 8 and all were luckily as well behaved as ours. I would say that this is not a jeans and t-shirt dining room. I would suggest at least nicer footwear and at least 3 buttons... The menu was extensive with several very attractive choices....glancing around at other diners plates we could see the portion sizes were on par with the price. I had the Tenderloin of Pork Au Poivre. It was very good...tender and tasty...cooked perfectly. The sauce was a perfect flavor with the pork and potato. I really didn't want to eat all 3 tenderloins but I didn't want to have to microwave it later and ruin the consistency of the meat. It was a simple dish with 4 components...Pork, Sauce, Potato, Veggie... My wife had the Spicy Pork Cutlets. They came with a huge amount of tortellinis. They had a sort of chinese style food taste to them. She loved it but there was no way she was ever finishing it. They have a great children's menu. There are both the simple, grilled cheese with fries, and the authentic...chix parm over penne or rav's with meatball...My daughter had the ravioli with meatball..which is her new staple meal. I always have to test it out...just in case...and it was a very good meatball. Enough meat, not a lot of filler and a good authentic meatbally taste. It came with at least 5 or 6 large raviolis...The meatball was about the size of a baseball so if your kid is finishing this meal you might want to keep an eye on their waist... Desserts...another outstanding feature was the desserts. Again, by checking out others we could see the desserts were absurdly large. Cake slices were easily appropriate for 4 people...not kidding. My wife had the pumpkin brownie with ice cream thingy...and the kids meals came with a hot fudge sundae... The only negative for me was the Pepsi products...I'm a Coke guy :) Check out the menu on their site before you go...otherwise you may spend 20min trying to decide... They also had a great promotion going. At the end of dinner they presented us with a sealed envelope. If we return for dinner by March 31st they open the envelope and we could get between $10 to $100 off...cool! Game show dinner :)
(5)
Rob T.
Really 4.5 I guess. The allure ;) of this place is the outdoor seating overlooking a lake. The food is very good, lunch or dinner I've been there for both. Portions are reasonably sized for the price. I've never left feeling hungry. Mostly I've been for lunch. They have some really great panini. I've only been for dinner once and have to say I don't think I've ever been served Linguini with Clams that had more clams than what Allora served me the other night. The wine list is very good, with a reasonable range of wines to hit almost everyones taste and budget.
(4)
Courtney D.
Let me preface this review by saying, I didn't actually eat anything at Allora because I left 5 minutes after I sat down. My husband and I were looking for an upscale dining experience in the area without having to venture to Providence, Worcester or Boston. I had seen ads for Allora and checked out their menu and decided to make a reservation. Based on the menu, I was really expecting a fine dining experience as their entree prices ranged from $20-$40 with appetizers in the mid-upper teens. I was floored by the lack of atmosphere in this place. Carpeted floors, dated decor, an open dining room with really no appeal and a very casual and loud crowd. I would have stayed if I was paying $15-$20 per entree, but for a $40 steak or seafood dinner, I'll go to one of one hundred other places. For me, dining out isn't just about the food, but the overall experience. This restaurant has no business charging what they do in MARLBOROUGH with zero atmosphere. Drive down to Franklin and go to Incontro if you want to stay in the metro west area without venturing too far. Not impressed!
(2)
J. W.
Absolutely delicious dinner at Allora, thanks to Yelp reviewers. The restaurant is centrally located near numerous hotels, it's very nicely decorated without being stuffy. I enjoyed dinner at the bar, the service was professional and timely. I began with a very nice Stone Porter that the bartender let me try before ordering. Based on a previous review, I tried the spicy pork cutlets with a side salad. The salad was very fresh and had a nice mix of greens, it was accompanied by some delicious homemade foccacia. The dinner was great, it was rich without being too heavy. It had a nice spicy flavor that was complimented by balsamic vinegar and the tortellini was delicious. I'll be back tomorrow night, my only regret is that I didn't find Allora on my first night in Marlborough.
(5)
Netta L.
Ate here twice in the same week. Both times ate lunch on their lovely outdoor patio. Service could be better-the first day the waiter was absent for loooong stretches. The second visit, the waitress was overly gratuitous and a bit annoying. Food was AMAZING!!! The best chicken salad I've had in years! The second lunch I had was a chicken panini-delicious and served with fresh fruit. Yum! The inside seems a little dank and stuffy. I don't know if I'd eat here in the winter.
(4)
Dee H.
I was thinking how pretty it was while walking into the restaurant. Once in, we were given the option of dining inside or out on the deck. It was beautiful out, yet the charming atmosphere of the interior was just as appealing. However we opted for outside, and we ended up enjoying the good food, the company and the nice view of the lake. The service was very pleasant, moving at a relaxed pace. Just delightful.
(4)
Bob M.
I've been here a few times now and have not been disappointed. The calamari appetizer is out of this world and highly recommended. It's not chewy like most places. I've also had Chicken Parmesan, Seafood Fra Diavolo & Baked Stuffed Lobster. The Lobster Macaroni and Cheese is absolutely delicious. I look forward to my next visit and trying something else. If you're looking for Italian and are in the area, Allora is a must.
(5)
Gregory J.
After passing by Allora many times I finally decided to make a reservation. It was the last time I was ever going to have dinner with my girlfriend or it was going to be memorable enough that we would decide that we both loved each other and get back together...just to set the mood of the evening. We sat outside on what was a beautiful summer night and I couldn't ask for better service. We decided to split a number of appetizers and was overwhelmed by their size. The food was great, the company better but alas the meal was better than the result of the evening. Although I could never go to Allora again because of the memories I recommend everyone else in the universe take in the atmosphere and the sumptuous food!
(4)
HM H.
Excellent, upscale Italian restaurant (though not so upscale that they wouldn't let me in with my spikes). We ate outside on the patio and it was a *perfect* day for it, so I can't comment too much on the atmosphere inside although it seemed quite nice. Our waiter was very good and very attentive. I certainly never felt as though we had been forgotten about! The food, though, was the best part (as well it should be!) Excellent calamari, and I am very picky about calamari. My entree was a lobster mac 'n' cheese -- no kidding! -- which was terrific. Desserts were good as well although I have to confess, I have had better chocolate cake. Otherwise everything was outstanding!
(5)
Sean M.
3.875 stars This was a dinner visit and it was far too cold to sit outside. Even so the interior was very homey and inviting, we called ahead less than 20 minutes in advance and received a good table for 5 people on a slowish Monday night. They have a decent amount of seafood on the menu and there is a Lobster tank. The cuisine is certainly a cut above the "Red Sauce" line. It was very auspicious start. They brought focaccia with 3 condiments, roasted pealed garlic, white bean spread and olive oil with pepper flakes and balsamic vinegar. The white bean spread was good but not great. I'm sorry to say that most of what we tried was in that category. My wedding soup had a delicious broth and was not just escarole, but that was a detractor, it was too busy and not enough escarole. The Osso Bucco was served on a bed of polenta, it was tender but slightly dry, the polenta and the sauce missed the mark. The tenderloin was cooked to perfection, the chicken piccata was good but not a standout. My sons ordered slightly redundant appetizers, crisp ravioli and fried mozzarella, not my thing but I sampled both and they were better than average. I'd rank Allora well above Vinny T's and slightly below Arturo's. * median priced wine list, more values by the glass. * generous portion sizes * it was a slow night but I thought the service was efficient and friendly * desserts were dead on, especially the creme brulee and tiramisu, chocolate cake was slightly less moist than I like it. * I would consider this place for work related function, nice side room for that purpose. * Via Alto 27 in Clinton is still atop the hill for Italian in Central MA.
(4)
Lindsay M.
Outstanding! I love this place. I have been here three times already, am going again tonight and I love it so much I am having my wedding rehearsal dinner here. The food is fantastic, the drinks and perfect and the dessert delicious! The servers are friendly and warm. I love the Italian decor, it is done in a clean classic way not overbearing like many Italian restaurants. So far the manager Ralph has been nothing but great with the plans for the dinner. I am so impressed, I cannot wait to share Allora with my loved ones!
(5)
Eugenie P.
I have been here a couple of times. The food is great but the service is consistently slow. If you want to do a quick business lunch, this is not the place
(2)
Carol G.
My hubby and I recently visited the Allora on a non-busy Monday night. This was our first encounter with this establishment. The atmosphere is posh but friendly. Our waiter was a bit snooty and when asked for menu recommendations he ever so obliged by pointing out several of the most expensive items on the menu. We ended up ordering the Lasagna and the Chicken Francaise. To our disappointment, none of the entrees come with a salad or soup. Just two pieces of bread each. The Lasagna was very good. It included two pieces of sausage and one meatball on the side. The Chicken Francaise was very bland with hardly a taste of lemon which is the main ingredient next to the chicken. It was served on a bed of very hard linguini. Our meal including one glass of wine and one draft beer came to $70.00.
(3)
Mike G.
The food is very inconsistent. The Veal Parmesan tasted like bread and the pasta was overcooked.
(2)
Jo D.
Let be realistic. The only thing this place has going for it is the patio and view of Lake Williams. The food quality is just okay. They recently updated the menu which was a great idea, lots of variety. However, given the quality of the food, I am not sure where they get off over charging for every item on the menu !!! I have eaten at other restaurants in the Metro West area that exceed in food quality and do not need to overcharge their customer's. This place can also improve the cleanliness of their bar glasses and silverware. Next time I go might just be for a beer and an appetizer in the Summer on the patio.
(2)
Rob B.
Great place to hang out after work on their deck BUT the food is horrible! I work right down the street and my office has tried this place on a few occasion and always had the same reaction - 'Why did we go here, again?' The food has no taste and is not prepared well. I'd not recommend Allora to anyone, I'd rather eat at Wendy's then have another meal at Allora.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes 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 : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Jim M.
Over the last 2 years, my girlfriend and I have dined at Allora's several times, for both dinner and lunch - it was a favorite of ours. A little pricey, but excellent food and service. Things now seem to be trending in the negative direction (check the dates on the reviews). Dinner this past Saturday was disappointing. The fresh oysters appetizer was a mess - the oysters where not shucked properly and cut free of the shell. Ruins everything, because now you have to tug at the oyster, you lose half of it as well as the cocktail sauce. A mess. The veal piccata was tender and tasty, and almost enough was served on a huge amount of linguini to feed a four-year-old. At these prices, I expect a reasonable portion of veal. This was my girlfriend's meal, and she is a very petite women and light eater, and there was not enough veal for her. That has NEVER happened before anywhere else. The duck breast I had was tough and chewy. Ordered an Irish Coffee for dessert, and a black coffee with whiskey is brought to us - I had to tell that server that a proper Irish Coffee includes cream. She took it back and returned with the cup topped with ReddiWhip. They don't have real, proper whipped cream in this place? The bread pudding dessert was excellent. The service was also excellent. I do have to wonder if they're going down. This was prime-time Saturday night. The place was moderately busy, but not packed. In any event, I do not think we will be going back. Too much money to spend and take a chance again. Adios Allora.
(2)Renata C.
Good stuff- I mean the 495 belt is pretty sparse- so I am grateful for FOOD- in general. I loved my meal- but the interior is pretty bleak and uninspiring- and makes you think of grandma's basement. So food- GREAT- ambiance-- blaaaahhh
(4)Ilo L.
I had such a great time at Allora last night. Nice cold beer overlooking the water put me in such a relaxing mood. The staff was very pleasant and attentive the food was amazing! I will definitely be going back soon.
(4)Sam E.
Never terribly impressed with the food here. The bread and doing oil are pretty good, but the mussels were overcooked, tiny, and chewy. The risotto was too mushy, almost like mashed potatoes and the pasta dishes can be had for cheaper down the street at Linguini's. However, the service is always good and it is the best outdoor seating in the region.
(3)Catherine W.
Went here for Mother's Day buffet like previous reviewer, venue was chosen primarily for attractive mid-point location for 3 different families and because we've gone here for business lunches before with decent experience. For just this Mother's Day buffet event, I am giving 2 stars with similar complaints as the previous review. Service was very slow by 12noon; it seemed like they didn't space the reservations apart enough. They were running out of entree plates at the buffet station, and so people were waiting in line for dishes to get their food. The buffet trays were placed on top of the bar, which posed a problem for shorter members of our party. Food itself was overall average, and included frittata, bacon, sausage, penne vodka, herbed chicken, roasted vegetables, salad, and prime rib (the lone excellent dish). There were also 2 musicians playing live jazz which was nice. There was also a modest dessert table. The hostesses and wait staff seemed really stressed out during the service, and had trouble attending to our needs. Would probably not return for this kind of special event.
(2)Steve S.
Great service - excellent food. Steamers special appetizer tonight - great! Great crowd out on the deck tonight. I'll be back for sure the next time I'm in Marlborough.
(4)Tom B.
Went for Mother's Day, buffet was almost constantly empty. The food was mediocre at best. Food was bland, bagels & pastries were stale, no chocolate fountain (they said it broke). Very disappointing, 2nd time here, will be the last.
(1)David K.
So I came here on a business dinner with colleagues. The waitstaff get a big star for taking care of us - really busted their tails. They get another star for the incredible meatball that I had with my meal - very well seasoned. However, the incredible long wait time to get our order was awful!! It took almost two hours to get our meal. Just PAINFULLY slow. My pasta was over cooked - I can microwave better!! The 'homemade' sausage was dry and tasteless. The single meatball was the most promising thing on my plate. I'm really surprised that this place is able to stay in business - it seems from the reviews that it is either 'hit or miss'. I would not recommend or ever go back.
(2)Ray C.
Sat at the bar on a Tuesday night. Beers served quickly, but the oysters were slow and not icy cold. Salmon was a bit overcooked, but tasty. Tuna special was spot on. I've been here a few times and my opinion is the same: overpriced, good, not great food, and OK service. The ambiance and outside deck overlooking the lake are the best features.
(3)Michael P.
Decent food. A little pricey. Nice patio. Service is up and down. Nothing to special to write home about. Will go back only for the patio.
(3)Maggie C.
Allora is a weird place. Guests eating here range from intimate couples dressed up for a romantic date, to families in jeans and t-shirts. So if you are looking for atmosphere this may not be the most reliable option, but if you are looking for good food - you are in the right place. Secret tip? Get take out, park the car in a romantic spot, and relive your teenage years. :) We've eaten here a bunch. Favorites are the Bruschetta - crisp & crunchy thick bread topped with tomatoes & mozzarella, spiced just right. The fried mozzarella is nicely fried and not too greasy. And the Truffle fries with truffle oil & parm are tasty to snack on. (Although nothing beats the delicious atrocity that they used to serve - waffle cut fries with gorgonzola sauce & cracked pepper. Dear god - please bring that appetizer back!!) The pastas are good - I like the gnocchi the best. I'm vegetarian so I can't personally speak for the meat dishes, but I don't think anyone in my party has ever had an issue with any of the meat, chicken, or fish. My partner in crime usually goes for one of the salmon or tuna dishes and says that it is cooked & seasoned well - not overdone, not greasy, etc. Food quality & quantity is good for the price. I consider Allora to be a very reliable place for decent food.
(4)richard m.
Love the atmosphere, cozy and friendly. The service was attentive and my blackened swordfish was very good. I just gave a problem with the prices. For the money it should be something special and it wasn't.
(3)Mike C.
Great food Had the sword fish . It was blackend and placed on spinach with mash around . It was a big piece of fish and the spinach was balanced will against the saltiness of the blackend fish . Ate at the bar and it was a little stuffy. Seemed to be a more local crowd. The menu is not extensive and there are a lot of pasta dishes. No eggplant Parmesan or chicken Parmesan though.
(4)Joe S.
have been looking for a great local italian place since we moved to the area over a year ago but this isn't it... high prices for mediocre food. the last time we ate here the pasta was one of the worst pastas we've had which I didn't think was possible to screw up.
(1)Lauren H.
Our company moved to Marlborough this week. I'm sampling restaurants (not a lot of choices in Marlborough) but this was close so we thought we'd give it a try. If i was rating solely on service, I'd give it 1 star. If i was rating on food and drinks, I'd give it 4.5 (if I could give an extra half point) We arrived, were seated on the patio, and waited. And waited. And waited. Stopped a passing server to ask if someone was going to wait on us. Received a curt/quick response that someone would be by soon. And we waited. We finally ordered cocktails. And we waited. And waited. No joke. It took at least 30 minutes from the time we were seated to receive our drinks. However, I will say the hot and dirty martini was so good! Finally took our food orders, I was stuck between two choices, he recommended the Bolognese. It took a long time for the food to come out and the waiter only passed once to ask if we wanted more drinks, with no comment on the food delay. Food arrives and they are sooooo lucky it was awesome. We all enjoyed our food. My bolognese had fresh pasta (I think!). It was perfect. We did not have time for dessert so we paid and left. I would go back when I have time and patience because the food was so good and I am in love with that martini. I recommend you try it, if you have the time.
(3)Tom C.
My wife and I went in for the first time with another couple. We had heard good things and wanted to check it out for a while. The place is very nice. Great spot, clean, and inviting. We were greeted and sat right away. We started with fried calamari, arugula salad and the humus plate. The calamari was cooked perfectly-crispy and tender. the arugula salad was great. the combination of he pecan dressing, figs and blue cheese was wonderful. the humus was very tasty as well. for entrees we had chicken parmesan, beef short ribs, spaghetti with clams and grilled tuna. everyone enjoyed everything. the waitress was friendly and knowledgeable. we didn't have room for dessert but the waitress said that they are all homemade so we will be sure to save room next time-we will be back!
(4)John S.
Lunch was late for us, 2:30pm, and soups, both ham & bean and "Italian wedding" excellent, salads fresh greens. Veal parmigiana typical and OK. Meatball sub was among the best I've ever had. Service was very good but food came to table not all at the same time, even though only a few people in the restaurant at the time, all in all OK. Meatball sub I had really hit the spot, with an perfect toasted roll with great parmesan with perfect moisture, 5-star meatball in my opinion. Try the meatballs here, another in our party had meatballs with marinara on the side and also raved. I'll be back.
(3)Brandy S.
I've been here several times with groups from work and with my husband. I've had salads, sandwiches, pasta, drinks, and dessert. They were all prepared well, made with fresh ingredients, and delicious. This is a great restaurant for large groups. The menu has something for everyone, the staff is adept at handling groups, and it's a fairly large restaurant that also has a lovely patio for diners to enjoy when the weather is nice. The decor is a little outdated and could use some freshening up. The main dining room feels a little gloomy. The seating on the patio and in the bar area is much lighter and feels less outdated. The staff are very friendly, helpful, and accommodating. If you're planning a function, they won't let you down.
(4)Bob W.
I ordered Frutti De Mare, which is pasta in a marina sauce. I was surprised by the presentation since none of the seafood was removed from shell, but more disappointed that the marina sauce was a marina soup and practically tasteless. Not a single group in our party was impressed by their dish in a party of 10 and I thought the server was extremely inexperienced. A member of our party was gluten intolerant and served food that he could not consume. Overall, unimpressed and would not return.
(2)Sarah C.
I wish I could give a 2.5. I tried this place on a Friday night with a couple girls I use to work with. We got here around 7 and the place was not that busy.... is that not strange for a Friday night? In the beginning our waitress was quick and very attentive but that quickly wore off... and she was hard to find at some points to just get another drink. The one thing really peaked my interest on the menu was the risotto... guess what the first thing the waitress says - we are all out of risotto tonight. really?! I ordered the pan seared cod with lemon oil. The cod was not seared at all... it looked like it came out of the oven. There was no lemon oil. and no flavor or seasoning whatsoever on the fish - just bland out of the oven white fish. The asparagus however was cooked perfectly. And the roasted cherry tomatoes oddly enough were divine! - the seasoning and olive oil they used on them was perfect. (never thought I would refer to a tomato as divine...) The girls I was with all seemed to enjoy their meals and the portion sizes were a little bigger than what I expected. We ordered creme brulee and cannolis for dessert. The creme brulee was delicious and the cannoli cream was very good. The after dinner cappuccino was weak but the biscotti on the side made for a good accompaniment. For the prices of their meals I am not sure I will be coming back here any time soon. If you can't wow me the first time than why would I consider coming back?
(3)Natalie V.
Dinner at Allora in Marlborough tonight, place was a little quiet Staff was very friendly. They offer a gluten free pasta which is great. I got the penne pasta with shrimp. This is a great place in the summer with the view of the lake.
(3)Chuck E.
A little pricey. Portions are solid-- if not then a little less than solid. Quality of food is phenomenal. App was superb. Quality wine list. I had a lemon glazed swordfish- great. Lady had the lobster chowder -- must try. Overall it was good not great.
(4)Jess B.
I went here last night with three other people. We got there around 5:45, and actually weren't sure if the place was open because we were the only car in the parking lot. By the time we left, the place was about half full. I'm sure a lot of this had to do with the fact that it's a holiday week. The menu selection was fairly extensive, and there was more than just typical Italian food as well. I did decide to go slightly off-menu though, and the waiter took it all in stride. The food was fantastic, and the portions were really big. I love it when I get two meals out of one! Our waiter was good-- attentive and polite but not overly-so. The only reason I give it four stars instead of five is because the price was on the steep end. It is a very nice restaurant, but for the area, I still think that it's a little steep.
(4)Uncle A.
Easter "brunch". Our waitperson (also the barkeep) was excellent. Nice guy, friendly, not obnoxious, appeared when you needed him. Poured Guinness correctly, thank you. I had a Caesar salad that was fresh and sized right BUT there were no anchovies nor hint that they were included in the dressing. Thus, it was NOT a Caesar salad. My companions ordered a salad to share and requested a second plate for that reason. For the effect that this place is trying to pull off and at those prices, I would have thought that the kitchen would have divided that salad and served it on two plates. Nope. We had to split it in half at the table. I selected the roasted lamb Easter Special entrée (for $29.00) which was served on a bed of tasty risotto (I think). Three slices of lamb that I had to saw through with a butter knife (no steak knife in sight) and had to chew. And chew. And chew. One of my dining companions opted for the sea scallops. Four, maybe five, scallops also on a bed of risotto. Palatable but not cooked completely. My other companion got the lasagna (that had obviously been frozen). It wasn't bad but for the price and in an Italian place, I would have expected "kick ass good". Nope! I can make better. On the plus side, the sausage and meatball that accompanied her meal were quite good. What really turned me off and ended up turning out to be a portent of the meal to come was upon sitting down to our table. There, flanking the vase with the real and fragrant stemmed rose, was a large pepper mill and a large salt mill with bold letters reading "Kirkland". Looking quickly around at the other tables, it was readily apparent that EVERY table had the Kirkland spice mills. If Allora Ristorante buys THOSE from Costco (Kirkland is the Costco house brand), one hopes that the high-priced food they serve isn't also procured at Costco! So much for "a classy restaurant". Three people. $140.00 plus tip. Not worth it. Once was enough for this guy.
(2)Carl H.
Just finished linguini with clams , very good. But I should have stuffed myself with bread because the portion was pretty small.
(4)Anne S.
For some reason, Yelp did away with my review for this restaurant a few days after I wrote it and does not display it any more. YELP- 0 (ZERO) stars to you for this!! Here's the review again: Once is more than enough for this place. We were there for lunch yesterday. We had the mushroom frites which was one portobello mushroom sliced up, breaded and fried for $7 (I can make them at home for maybe a dollar), a hangar steak with fries $19 (nothing spectacular) and a chicken Milanese with one thin sliced chicken breast (about a dollar at local supermarket)breaded and fried over a handful of arugula (few cents)with two slices of tomatoes (few cents again) and about 4 raw onion rings. No drinks/soda, no dessert $51 with taxes. Senselessly overpriced and not worth it for average food. Now for the service: we ask waiter how many pieces in mushroom frites? His answer " maybe 7, maybe 8 but don't quote me on it". Next hubby orders the steak with fries and waiter repeats it as steak frites. Nope not the steak frites but the steak and fries. Finally, as he serves up my plate of the pathetic milenese, he knocks off my focaccia with his bare hands and doesn't even BOTHER to ask if he can get me another one from the kitchen! Was he expecting me pick it up and eat it? Unprofessional. Completely! One star for location only and zero for food and minus points for service. Never going back there and will advise friends and family to stay away as well.
(1)Melissa R.
Three to three and a half stars for the food - solid, tasty, not blow-you-out-of-the-water, and also for the patio. I work in Marlborough and come here sometimes with coworkers for lunch. It's great in the spring and summer to have a place where you can sit outside and have a drink. Sandwiches are tasty, sangria and cocktails are good too. Service is okay - sort of slow as others have said. Solid choice, though, especially given the options in the area.
(3)Carolyn W.
Wanted a place to relax and have a glass of wine, and this fit the bill perfectly!! Nice patio until rain moved in - efficiently and pleasantly moved indoors, servers made sure I was taken care of. Just had appetizer, was wonderful and prompt. Nice wine selection by the glass. I'm an out-of-tower but next time in the neighborhood I'll be back for full dinner. TVs in bar if you want a cocktail without the noise. From hostess to server to bartender everyone friendly and helpful.
(5)Karen S.
We love this place. The food is always top notch. The patio is also great in the summer. Highly recommend it!
(5)Heather B.
I have been to Allora @ 7 times and last night was the last. I think they have new owners or managers and the prices on the menu have changed and they are outrageous!! $39 for a pork chop special???? $42 for a halibut special??? We are not in a fancy restaurant in Boston. This is far out western suburbs!!!.. The frutti de mare is $37, filet mignon is $45... Need I go on... I pulled 6 whole garlic cloves out of my bolognese and left them on the side of my plate. The manager was very nice and took the cost of my entree off of the bill but in the long run, the place has gotten too big for their britches.
(2)Cindy B.
Since Marlborough is lacking in good places to eat, I have to give this place 4 stars on food alone. The restaurant inside is pretty pedestrian, nothing special, but we love the patio area when it's open. I've not had a bad meal here once. The scallops were cooked perfectly - the Italian dishes are always good, they make a great sauce . The only knock I'll give is on the homemade sausage that has a strange consistency. It is a little on the pricey side, but the food is good and is pretty consistent, service is good. I am going to try the place down the road Dave L referred to, haven't been there yet!
(4)Suzy L.
After driving by it a bunch, I've now been to Allora a few times for dinner with my parents (because I always prefer the swanky places when my dad's credit card is the one going down on the table). Each time has been a solidly good experience. The bread basket is pretty awesome, and almost always results in my taking food home! For appetizers, the fried mozzarella is really nice, not greasy at all. For entrees, I've had the ricotta stuffed eggplant which is great, but what was really to die for was the lobster mac and cheese. It's billed as a side, but I got it for my meal and oh my, it's delicious. And for drinks, definitely get the sangria. Service is always very friendly and efficient. The dining rooms can be a litte loud on busy nights, but not enough to spoil the experience. Can't wait to try out the deck sometime this summer!
(4)Eliot P.
My fiance and I were trying to find a good place for our wedding rehearsal dinner between Framingham and Worcester, and decided to give Allora a try. In a nutshell, it wasn't bad, but nowhere NEAR worth the price. The atmosphere was nice, the decorations were simple but elegant, and the hostess and our waiter Arnie were EXTREMELY friendly and helpful. Everything was delivered in a timely fashion and when I couldn't decide what to get, Arnie weighed in and helped me make a decision, which was nice. Unfortunately, we went there for the food, and that is where we were disappointed. We started with bruschetta, which was flavorful enough, but they had heaped a ton of tomatoes on top of the bread, and the bread had gotten really mushy. I was super excited when Arnie brought out focaccia because I freaking love carbohydrates, but the bread was not warm or soft; the crust was so hard I had to use two hands to pull it apart with my teeth. I felt like they tried to make up for that by dumping spices all over it; there was so much rosemary and salt on it that I could hardly taste the bread. I had opted for the soup du jour which was Italian wedding soup. Dipping the focaccia bread in it was pretty nice, even if it was some sort of horrible faux pas. (I wouldn't know.) The soup was very flavorful, the vegetables were crisp, and the meat was tender. For an entree, I got the chicken marsala (at Arnie's recommendation) and my fiance got the chicken frances. The chicken marsala was pretty good...the sauce was a little watery (whereas I prefer mine a bit thicker) but it was flavorful enough. The chicken was a little dry, but pretty tasty. The chicken frances was alright...the chicken itself was pretty flavorful albeit a little dry, but the pasta tasted really overwhelmingly of lemon, the point that the lemon flavor overpowered pretty much every other aspect of the dish. I am not a picky eater; if the food had been $10 or $15 less per plate, I would have been pleasantly surprised, but the bill came out to over $100, and I have had much better food for much less money. The staff were absolutely delightful, but their service alone won't save this restaurant. Allora will have to step their game up in the food department (or lower their prices) if they want to stay in business. I can't speak for other customers, but I would much rather drive the extra half-hour west to Worcester (perhaps Via) or east to Boston (perhaps Fiorella's in Newton Center) to have food that is twice as good for half the price.
(2)Super M.
I had a delicious meal hear from appetizer to desert. The prices are too astronomical for me to eat here again though ~$200 for 2 people for a 3 course meal.
(4)Dawn E.
Sometimes the measure of a place is based on what you have to compare it to, and since sampling some other of what Metrowest has to offer, I am far less impressed. Also, I would not recommend them for events - at all. I attempted to have a company event here and the whole affair was ripe with miscommunication (and/or false promises) and we ultimately ended up with another venue that not only exceeded our needs, but did so on short notice. I'll pop into Allora now and then, because it's not only near my house, it's even nearer to my office, and I find everything satisfactory but just.
(2)Charles G.
Terrible food over cooked 45 minutes to get a steak when we told Them it was overcooked They took it back to the kitchen And came back with the same two steaks And told us the light was better in the kitchen and they looked ok we said no they weren't ordered medium rare and these had no pink at all waited 20 minutes still no food told waitress we were leaving to Give us the bill She put the two steaks on the bill that we never received She asks to see if we wanted to wrap it and take it home with us We told her no just the bill would be fine When we look at the bill the steaks are on the bill I tell her we're not paying for steaks we never received And that she has to take them off the bill She says yes to talk to the manager who never shows up at our table We wait another 20 minutes while they discuss it We wait over an hour and a half and can't get two steaks from this place Terrible terrible terrible stay away
(1)Brendan R.
Been here for lunch, been here for dinner, been here for drinks. This place is great for lunch. Decent sized menu and you'll be in and out real quick. Dinner has a huge menu and the staff will have no problem giving you an honest opinion about a dish if you find yourself to be indecisive. All in all I am a big fan of their food, but I expect a lot more for a place that charges the prices they charge. Their bar area is cool, but again....overpriced. I think this place hits the spot if you're looking for a single drink and split an appetizer with a friend. Until this place decides to tone down on their entree pricing, its not worth giving a shot. You'll be disappointed once you see the bill
(3)Jay B.
We had a business function for 12 people. They handled it extremely well. I had the meatball and sausage fusilli and it was excellent.
(4)Catie C.
I came here for lunch today not expecting much of it. I drove by this place so many times, and today I finally stopped in to give it a try on this gorgeous day. The perfect patio dining day! The moment I sat down, I felt very relaxed with the view of the lake at a distance. The waitress was pleasant and attentive. I ordered a Caesar salad, appetizer of mussels and a side of fries. She kindly asked me if I had an order preference. I'm not Italian so I did salad first and then the mussels with fries next. The salad dressings are homemade which is the reason I ordered a salad. The Caesar salad is creamy, not your normal vinaigrette style. I personally liked their dressing which was not too salty. I'm not particularly into salty foods so this is perfect for me. The mussels in wine sauce was also a delight. The sauce was subtle so I can still taste the mussels. It was cooked perfectly - tender and fresh!! 2 clams snuck in which was juicy. The fries were good, but could be better. They look/taste like fresh cut fries so that is as good as it gets. By the time I finished my meal, I looked at the dessert menu. I seriously could not fit anymore in me besides that nothing appealed to me. I don't like desserts in general but there are a few that I would eat which wasn't on the menu. For a moment, I was pondering to see if they can give me a scoop of vanilla ice cream; but I can get homemade ice cream down the street from where I live. I will definitely come back and try other menu items to see if they can live up to 5 stars!
(5)Colleen H.
This is one of the best restaurants Marlborough has to offer. It's got a great selection of Italian food, and the service is always wonderful. They really did a nice job with the decor, which sometimes is a little hard to find in the suburbs, so it's well appreciated! The wines are fantastic, both by the glass and the bottle. My only complaint is the antipasto has a terribly boring cheese selection, and they never change the menu. Exciting specials would go a long way!
(4)Tanya M.
So bummed.. Work down the street and have been wanting to get lunch here for the longest time. Finally made plans and headed there to do so. Met a friend and we asked for patio seating. Sat for 15 minutes- I finally asked a server who went by if there was someone who would take us, she said she'd check and be right back. Ten minutes later she came back and said she'd take our order. We had a question about the sangria, said she'd ask the bartender, came back and said bartender had no idea - as it's the evening person who makes the sangria, so he doesn't know what goes in it. We ordered our meals and drinks. About a half hour after we've been sitting, another server greets us and asks how we're doing - I think she was our real server, we told her we were taken care of already... Drinks took another 15 minutes... no garnish, no straw. By this point we had been sitting for 45 minutes. Food was excellent at least.. on a side note, another server dropped an entire tray of food - that table had to take it to go. Food was alright, we just ordered salads. Service, on the other hand, horrendous. I think to have to take a lunch break that runs well over an hour and a half is ridiculous. I feel bad for the server because she did pick our table up and it was the mistake of the other girl, but I think there should be better communication between host/manager/serving staff.
(2)Richard T.
This was my 3rd trip to Allora in the last few years as a guest of others, while the other two visits were acceptable I suppose, this one was the one that will keep me from going back. I begged my guest to take me to the 99 as it is comparable in taste at about 1/3 the cost. Staff is certainly nice but have a MetroWest "simpleness" to them if you know what I mean. Allora is trying to be " Boston" but does not have the skills, wildly overpriced. Go to the 99 for dinner and then to Allora for a drink on the patio afterwards.
(1)Peter R.
Just sat at the bar for a quick treat. First time here and had the fried calamari. Perfectly cooked! Bartender was friendly and attentive.
(5)Elfie C.
Service and bread was great but the food is only ok for the price they charge you. Also sodas were like $3.50 and they charge for a second one when my daughter wanted one.
(2)Bruce M.
Allora's location, its lakeside patio, and the friendly, accommodating service were the highlights of my meal this past Saturday night. The food--which, after all, is why one goes to a restaurant (unless it's Manhattan, where one goes to be seen)--was disappointingly unremarkable. Following two generously poured Martinis (highly recommend the lemoncello iced martini--it's like a margarita, only with vodka), I started my meal with a eggplant appetizer stuffed with ricotta and smothered with a dull marinara sauce and a too-generous dollop of mozzarella. The marinara and mozzarella combination overwhelmed the eggplant, which when I did taste it seemed limp. My partner ordered the sesame-encrusted tuna and I chose the Osso Bucco on a bed of saffron-infused parmesan risotto. Our server, Chris, graciously accommodated my partners' request to substitute spinach for the hand-cut french fries which normally accompany the tuna. The food arrived in a timely manner. We hungrily dug in. To my disappointment, the Osso Bucco was flaccid and tasteless, salvaged only by the delicious risotto. Served alone the risotto would be a excellent choice, but layered with the Osso Bucco it loses some of its delicate flavor. The tuna was acceptable but the bed of limp spinach upon which it was served diminished its appeal. The hand-cut fries also arrived, along with a crisp marinara dipping sauce: A surprising and pleasant alternative to ketchup. Hoping to salvage the meal and still in search of That Perfect Tiramisu, I ordered a tiramisu for dessert. Garnished with anemic whipped cream and a sliced strawberry, it was served too cold, sundae-style and disappointed. For $150 (two drinks, appetizer, two entrees, two glasses of wine, and a dessert, tip included), there are better investments in the area for your Italian restaurant dollars: Arturos and Il Forno jump to mind. If you're looking for consistently good Italian fare, you may want to try those before you go to Allora.
(2)Paul S.
Had a great meal at Allora. Decor is slightly dark/dated, but the food was really great. And great service. The lobster tank right in the entry way is a little strange, but other than that it's all around good. Phenomenal fruitta di mare. Good drinks. I'll be back.
(4)Rob M.
Service was friendly and professional. Was very happy with the wine selection, caprese salad, fried oysters (special) and short ribs. Yes, it's not an inexpensive menu, but if you're looking for an elegant experience along with good food, this is one of the best in the area. Well done Allora!
(4)Ed L.
Stopped in for a quick lunch and was pleasantly surprised.... Staff was very quick and attentive. Best calamari appetizer I've had in a while (with olives and garlic - a nice twist on the typical preparation). I opted for the Insalata for One - a great choice, while my 'date' went with the Prosciutto Pannini... Both were very good. Yes, a bit pricey but we found it worth the extra couple of bucks.
(4)Kim B.
Highly recommend for quality Tuscan-Italian dining. The excellent thing about this place is that it's fancy, but you can wear jeans if you want. Also, check out the cooking classes, they're great!
(5)Doug M.
Went last night and glad we finally got to try it. Got there around 8pm, so we got a nice table on the patio. We started with apps of fried clams (very good) and lobster mac & cheese (average). We all had salad - the Caesar was very good. For dinner - I had the Risotto Di Mare - the shrimp, scallops, mussels were excellent, thought the risotto was just ok. My wife had the Rib Eye, which was perfect. Our friends had Lobster Fra Diavolo and Pan Seared Scallops, which they really liked. For dessert, my wife & I split the Creme Brulle - which was very nice. I'm a big coffee guy - and I was really glad that they had excellent coffee. Overall - an excellent dinner, the view of the lake is nice (though it got dark not too long after we arrived), and service was very good. Though dinner was a little pricey, we'll definitely be back again.
(4)Jane E.
The restaurant's menu is high caliber - bringing many elements into their culinary delights. While the food sounds good, it isn't good. Compounding that, the place is always dimly lit so the food looks good. I illuminated my food with my phone's light, it didn't look to appetizing. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat at this place - but if you are in the mood for wineing and dining your business partners, this place might do the trick. The prices are inflated, the food sounds complex (yet tastes blah), and the location across the reservoir seems nice. It's worth a try.
(3)Amanda L.
ONE OF THE BEST IN METROWEST. This restaurant was a great evening out for me and the man. Dim lighting and Italian/ mediterranean food, we were excited by the menu and couldn't decide what to get. BF settled on the short rib which was DIVINE. My lamb was definitely VERY tasty but I had wished that I had gotten the short rib; so did BF probably because I ate a lot of his. ;) Definitely one of the classiest meals you'll get in Marlborough, MA that is for sure.
(4)Nicole R.
I've been to Allora once for dinner with my parents and my boyfriend. We all found the food to be decent, but not spectacular, and the prices seemed rather high. Our table was in a dark corner of the bar area, which didn't help the dining experience as we felt like we having dinner during a power outage. We did, however, amuse ourselves by eavesdropping on the obvious first date going on at the next table (from the looks of things, there wasn't going to be a second date). The outdoor patio looks nice, so I'd be willing to give Allora another shot for lunch, but I don't think I'll be shelling out the cash for dinner there again anytime soon.
(3)Justin M.
Bar none the worst service by the least professional wait staff I have ever encountered. The mildly good cuisine is overshadowed by the unreasonable prices. Stay away.
(1)S M.
I had dined at Allora several years ago with my wife and was impressed, however a recent dinner visit left me disappointed. The food was still decent and the outside patio does have a nice view, however its positive attributes end there. The food was overpriced for what it was, the service was courteous but slow, and my wife's $9 margarita was served in a Budweiser glass. I will not eat here again, and from the emptiness of the main dining room on a Friday night, it appears local patrons have made a likewise assessment.
(2)PMG M.
Party of 6...appetizers, salads, entrees & desserts all excellent without one miss. Shrimp cocktail & steamed cheery stone clams to start both excellent. Scallops, Chicken Parm, Filet Mignon, Swordfish, & Haddock entrees all bountiful and bursting with flavor. Not one complaint at the table. Substitutions were accommodated upon request. Waiter was attentive & allowed us to sit back, relax & take our time as we chatted. We sat outdoors since the weather permitted, deck seating was vibrant & comfortable. Wine list could use some updating with additional choices, bottles were a bit pricey. Beer & drink menu had plenty of choices. Large bar area & inside tables were empty, not sure about inside atmosphere we will have to re-visit in the cooler months.
(4)Tiff D.
AMAZING! I have been there several times. The atmosphere is a little above casual. The service is always great. The best item on the menu is the Swordfish Piccatta. TO DIE FOR. They also make a kick @** tirimisu. I have tried serveral tirimisus in and around boston and I have to say that this one is one of the best. It comes individually made in a martini glass with fresh rasberries ontop. HIGHLY recommended My only complaint is the free bean dip...not so great.
(5)Amy C.
My fiance and I went to Allora a few weeks ago to celebrate me landing my dream job (success!!) and we had a mostly enjoyable time. Pros: -Large outdoor deck with view of a lake -Great food- I had THE BEST steak I have EVER eaten in my entire life! -Right off Rt. 495 and Rt. 20 -Decent beer selection Cons: -A bit pricey...expect to spend around/over $100 for two people (an app, two entrees, and four drinks) -The waitress we had was a bit slow. Also, I sent my $40 steak back because it was WAY overcooked (was grey/brown on the inside when I ordered it medium) and she returned to tell me that I was in fact wrong, and that it was prepared medium. She then told me that I must have wanted medium rare, but that another steak would be out shortly. Ummm, excuse me? I know the difference between medium and medium rare from years of serving while I was in college, so please don't tell me what I "must have meant" and just accept the fact that it was left on the grill a few minutes too long. It really was no big deal until she acted like it was my mistake. -No manager visit when the new steak came out. Again, from being in the industry, it is customary at nice restaurants for the manager to be notified when a customer sends their food back so that he/she can go apologize. The second steak was phenomenal, but I would have appreciated a manager visit to my table. All in all, we would probably go back and hope for another server.
(3)Miki F.
Great ambiance...Nice and quiet...Tasty food...Will come back again.
(4)Meghan M.
Okay, I'm spoiled. I need to preface my review/rating by disclosing that I've lived in the city (where there are tons of restaurants) since I moved to Massachusetts a few years ago but I have dined qutie a bit in Marlborough and the surrounding areas since I worked out there for almost 3 years. Allora was a nice addition to the neighborhood. I actually really like to go there for drinks and appetizers. I've been to many a happy hour on their outdoor patio in summer months and it's lovely. I have to say, though, that I'm not overly impressed with dinner. The prices seem a bit out of whack for what you're getting. The portions are huge though. And I mean HUGE. I guess that makes it a bit of a better value. At my last dinner there, I ate less than half of my meal (and I assure you, I can EAT). The dinner was a little disappointing (a bit bland and greasy) and my co-diners both didn't even finish a quarter of their meals (they both got Seafood Allora and claimed it was overcooked). But, as I said, the appetizers I've had were great (calamari, oysters, bruschetta, etc) and the drinks are really good so I'll be back soon for sure!
(3)David G.
It was rather hard to pick a rating - I'm probably being overly harsh with a two but it just wasn't A-OK (a three). I had gone here on a first date at the suggestion of the datee. She had suggested Bertucci's at first. Then changed her mind and wanted to go here. The quality of the meal was on par with Bertucci, larger portions but when the bill came I thought I was at Davio's in Boston. The waiter slammed our main course down while we were not even halfway finished with our appetizers. Which in my eyes is the cardinal sin of serving, the next step down would be to ask us to get our meals ourselves. This makes it easier for me to give a two. The patio deck is nice and I might give this place another try if it wasn't so pricey. But the chances of me driving to Marlboro when I pass the North End and drive another 30 minutes to eat here is about zero.
(2)Alana K.
We stopped around 8 on a Friday night because it is pretty close to 495. There were plenty of seats, but it was so loud because of the parties that were there. We could barely hear ourselves think with the people around us. We ordered drinks to start, a chocolate milk for my child, a raspberry lime Ricky $9 and a coke. The chocolate milk had a very strange flavor and my child would not drink it, the $9 lime Ricky had about 3 sips in it and was very weak. It was a total rip off! The meals that were ordered were chicken parm, chicken piccata over risotto and kids pasta and a meatball. It took quite a while to get our food, bread and dipping sauce was brought after a long wait. The chicken piccata was over linguini, not what was ordered. I didn't feel like waiting any longer so I just ate it. It was ok, not worth ordering again. The chicken parm was good. The pasta and meatball was also good. There is a lot that needs to be done to make a meal at Allora worth the prices and wait. When the bread is the best part of the meal things need to change. The decor needs an update as well, the fake fire is so tacky and the extra large mirrors are too large for the space and let you see what people are doing at the tables seated in front of them, which is weird.
(2)Cesar S.
I have eaten here many times. Lunch on the deck overlooking the lake is nice when the weather cooperates. Love the panini and fruit lunch plates. The spinach and artichoke dip is great, too. I do find it to be slightly more expensive than it should be here. High end version of Olive Garden. Does not compare to the North End.... But, I am giving it 4 stars because I like the outdoor seating so much...
(4)Rita V.
Eh... We may be in suburbia, but there is absolutely Tuscan in the area - Tomasso. Allora is Sicilian Italo-American, overpriced and poor service. Food is Eh, ok. Fantom gourmet likes it... Fantom fell out of graces in my book. It's ok. There are much better choices in the area for casually elegant meal... And fresh lighter approach. Tavolino in westborough is also better and much more affordable and better service. Just because a restaurant branches from the north end, doesn't make it leggit. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind Italo-American, well prepared. But when you drench fried calamari with black KALAMATA olives and toss with the subpar olive oil, it makes for an unappealing greasy mess. Food is heavy, not "hearty". I question the chefs thought process? Tables are decorated with oil jars. The majority of them had CLOUDY olive oil = rancid and not the heart healthy kind. That tells me how badly they underestimate their clients. The red sauce with the calamari was home made, doesn't taste "canned", but not good enough to overcome the greasy feel of the calamari. :( it was lunch time and my son wanted a burger - greasy flavorless. Fries were very greasy AND undercooked. Pasta - mush, overcooked... Bad rendition of a Sicilian nonninas cuisine, AND the restaurant is dark and smells bad. Bottom line - expensive, greasy, unappealing food, bland service. Not good at all. Should've gone for Bertucis pizza at the mall!!! Its Archies fault! All we really wanted was a GOOD hot dog!
(1)Florina K.
Phenomenal outdoor seating!!! The food could be better!
(3)Katie M.
I really like Allora. I work nearby so this is a nice place to visit after work for dinner or a few drinks. They are a little too slow for a quick lunch, but if you have extra time...this place is great. The atmosphere is casual but still classy. In the summer, it's wonderful sitting outside with a view of the lake across the street. The sangria is VERY good as is the hummus appetizer! Portions are very reasonable as is the price of the food. Drink prices are however a little on the higher side. Service is great and very friendly. Another random point is that they have free wi-fi so, if you need to come here and talk business over lunch or dinner...internet access is available to you.
(4)jpe j.
The waffle fries with Gorgonzola cream sauce were "awesome" -- probably the best potato-based appetizer we've had anywhere. The service was excellent and attentive. However the main courses were so heavily salted, they were almost inedible (and I LIKE salt)! Prices aren't cheap (which they shouldn't be in a good restaurant), however my wife and I spent $110.00 (incl tip). We split the appetizer, both had a salad and main course. We skipped desert and our beverages consisted of only 1 glass of wine and coffee (combined).
(3)Connie M.
I really enjoy this place! The food is superb; I stick to seafood so can't speak for the other items. I am not as impressed with the restaurant as I am with the bar area service. My husband and I sit at the bar for dinner and are never lacking service or drinks with fresh ingredients. The Allora Cosmo is the best Cosmo I've had in a very long time. No fake mixes used in any drink. I eat there at least twice a week for dinner.
(5)Brian M.
Fantastic Menu...a tad pricey, but we got what we paid for...Great food, service and atmosphere... I went here with my wife and daughter and we had a great evening...Bearing in mind it was a fancier than most restaurant we sat down just before 5pm when the diners w/ kids tend to go...there were at least 3 other tables with children under 8 and all were luckily as well behaved as ours. I would say that this is not a jeans and t-shirt dining room. I would suggest at least nicer footwear and at least 3 buttons... The menu was extensive with several very attractive choices....glancing around at other diners plates we could see the portion sizes were on par with the price. I had the Tenderloin of Pork Au Poivre. It was very good...tender and tasty...cooked perfectly. The sauce was a perfect flavor with the pork and potato. I really didn't want to eat all 3 tenderloins but I didn't want to have to microwave it later and ruin the consistency of the meat. It was a simple dish with 4 components...Pork, Sauce, Potato, Veggie... My wife had the Spicy Pork Cutlets. They came with a huge amount of tortellinis. They had a sort of chinese style food taste to them. She loved it but there was no way she was ever finishing it. They have a great children's menu. There are both the simple, grilled cheese with fries, and the authentic...chix parm over penne or rav's with meatball...My daughter had the ravioli with meatball..which is her new staple meal. I always have to test it out...just in case...and it was a very good meatball. Enough meat, not a lot of filler and a good authentic meatbally taste. It came with at least 5 or 6 large raviolis...The meatball was about the size of a baseball so if your kid is finishing this meal you might want to keep an eye on their waist... Desserts...another outstanding feature was the desserts. Again, by checking out others we could see the desserts were absurdly large. Cake slices were easily appropriate for 4 people...not kidding. My wife had the pumpkin brownie with ice cream thingy...and the kids meals came with a hot fudge sundae... The only negative for me was the Pepsi products...I'm a Coke guy :) Check out the menu on their site before you go...otherwise you may spend 20min trying to decide... They also had a great promotion going. At the end of dinner they presented us with a sealed envelope. If we return for dinner by March 31st they open the envelope and we could get between $10 to $100 off...cool! Game show dinner :)
(5)Rob T.
Really 4.5 I guess. The allure ;) of this place is the outdoor seating overlooking a lake. The food is very good, lunch or dinner I've been there for both. Portions are reasonably sized for the price. I've never left feeling hungry. Mostly I've been for lunch. They have some really great panini. I've only been for dinner once and have to say I don't think I've ever been served Linguini with Clams that had more clams than what Allora served me the other night. The wine list is very good, with a reasonable range of wines to hit almost everyones taste and budget.
(4)Courtney D.
Let me preface this review by saying, I didn't actually eat anything at Allora because I left 5 minutes after I sat down. My husband and I were looking for an upscale dining experience in the area without having to venture to Providence, Worcester or Boston. I had seen ads for Allora and checked out their menu and decided to make a reservation. Based on the menu, I was really expecting a fine dining experience as their entree prices ranged from $20-$40 with appetizers in the mid-upper teens. I was floored by the lack of atmosphere in this place. Carpeted floors, dated decor, an open dining room with really no appeal and a very casual and loud crowd. I would have stayed if I was paying $15-$20 per entree, but for a $40 steak or seafood dinner, I'll go to one of one hundred other places. For me, dining out isn't just about the food, but the overall experience. This restaurant has no business charging what they do in MARLBOROUGH with zero atmosphere. Drive down to Franklin and go to Incontro if you want to stay in the metro west area without venturing too far. Not impressed!
(2)J. W.
Absolutely delicious dinner at Allora, thanks to Yelp reviewers. The restaurant is centrally located near numerous hotels, it's very nicely decorated without being stuffy. I enjoyed dinner at the bar, the service was professional and timely. I began with a very nice Stone Porter that the bartender let me try before ordering. Based on a previous review, I tried the spicy pork cutlets with a side salad. The salad was very fresh and had a nice mix of greens, it was accompanied by some delicious homemade foccacia. The dinner was great, it was rich without being too heavy. It had a nice spicy flavor that was complimented by balsamic vinegar and the tortellini was delicious. I'll be back tomorrow night, my only regret is that I didn't find Allora on my first night in Marlborough.
(5)Netta L.
Ate here twice in the same week. Both times ate lunch on their lovely outdoor patio. Service could be better-the first day the waiter was absent for loooong stretches. The second visit, the waitress was overly gratuitous and a bit annoying. Food was AMAZING!!! The best chicken salad I've had in years! The second lunch I had was a chicken panini-delicious and served with fresh fruit. Yum! The inside seems a little dank and stuffy. I don't know if I'd eat here in the winter.
(4)Dee H.
I was thinking how pretty it was while walking into the restaurant. Once in, we were given the option of dining inside or out on the deck. It was beautiful out, yet the charming atmosphere of the interior was just as appealing. However we opted for outside, and we ended up enjoying the good food, the company and the nice view of the lake. The service was very pleasant, moving at a relaxed pace. Just delightful.
(4)Bob M.
I've been here a few times now and have not been disappointed. The calamari appetizer is out of this world and highly recommended. It's not chewy like most places. I've also had Chicken Parmesan, Seafood Fra Diavolo & Baked Stuffed Lobster. The Lobster Macaroni and Cheese is absolutely delicious. I look forward to my next visit and trying something else. If you're looking for Italian and are in the area, Allora is a must.
(5)Gregory J.
After passing by Allora many times I finally decided to make a reservation. It was the last time I was ever going to have dinner with my girlfriend or it was going to be memorable enough that we would decide that we both loved each other and get back together...just to set the mood of the evening. We sat outside on what was a beautiful summer night and I couldn't ask for better service. We decided to split a number of appetizers and was overwhelmed by their size. The food was great, the company better but alas the meal was better than the result of the evening. Although I could never go to Allora again because of the memories I recommend everyone else in the universe take in the atmosphere and the sumptuous food!
(4)HM H.
Excellent, upscale Italian restaurant (though not so upscale that they wouldn't let me in with my spikes). We ate outside on the patio and it was a *perfect* day for it, so I can't comment too much on the atmosphere inside although it seemed quite nice. Our waiter was very good and very attentive. I certainly never felt as though we had been forgotten about! The food, though, was the best part (as well it should be!) Excellent calamari, and I am very picky about calamari. My entree was a lobster mac 'n' cheese -- no kidding! -- which was terrific. Desserts were good as well although I have to confess, I have had better chocolate cake. Otherwise everything was outstanding!
(5)Sean M.
3.875 stars This was a dinner visit and it was far too cold to sit outside. Even so the interior was very homey and inviting, we called ahead less than 20 minutes in advance and received a good table for 5 people on a slowish Monday night. They have a decent amount of seafood on the menu and there is a Lobster tank. The cuisine is certainly a cut above the "Red Sauce" line. It was very auspicious start. They brought focaccia with 3 condiments, roasted pealed garlic, white bean spread and olive oil with pepper flakes and balsamic vinegar. The white bean spread was good but not great. I'm sorry to say that most of what we tried was in that category. My wedding soup had a delicious broth and was not just escarole, but that was a detractor, it was too busy and not enough escarole. The Osso Bucco was served on a bed of polenta, it was tender but slightly dry, the polenta and the sauce missed the mark. The tenderloin was cooked to perfection, the chicken piccata was good but not a standout. My sons ordered slightly redundant appetizers, crisp ravioli and fried mozzarella, not my thing but I sampled both and they were better than average. I'd rank Allora well above Vinny T's and slightly below Arturo's. * median priced wine list, more values by the glass. * generous portion sizes * it was a slow night but I thought the service was efficient and friendly * desserts were dead on, especially the creme brulee and tiramisu, chocolate cake was slightly less moist than I like it. * I would consider this place for work related function, nice side room for that purpose. * Via Alto 27 in Clinton is still atop the hill for Italian in Central MA.
(4)Lindsay M.
Outstanding! I love this place. I have been here three times already, am going again tonight and I love it so much I am having my wedding rehearsal dinner here. The food is fantastic, the drinks and perfect and the dessert delicious! The servers are friendly and warm. I love the Italian decor, it is done in a clean classic way not overbearing like many Italian restaurants. So far the manager Ralph has been nothing but great with the plans for the dinner. I am so impressed, I cannot wait to share Allora with my loved ones!
(5)Eugenie P.
I have been here a couple of times. The food is great but the service is consistently slow. If you want to do a quick business lunch, this is not the place
(2)Carol G.
My hubby and I recently visited the Allora on a non-busy Monday night. This was our first encounter with this establishment. The atmosphere is posh but friendly. Our waiter was a bit snooty and when asked for menu recommendations he ever so obliged by pointing out several of the most expensive items on the menu. We ended up ordering the Lasagna and the Chicken Francaise. To our disappointment, none of the entrees come with a salad or soup. Just two pieces of bread each. The Lasagna was very good. It included two pieces of sausage and one meatball on the side. The Chicken Francaise was very bland with hardly a taste of lemon which is the main ingredient next to the chicken. It was served on a bed of very hard linguini. Our meal including one glass of wine and one draft beer came to $70.00.
(3)Mike G.
The food is very inconsistent. The Veal Parmesan tasted like bread and the pasta was overcooked.
(2)Jo D.
Let be realistic. The only thing this place has going for it is the patio and view of Lake Williams. The food quality is just okay. They recently updated the menu which was a great idea, lots of variety. However, given the quality of the food, I am not sure where they get off over charging for every item on the menu !!! I have eaten at other restaurants in the Metro West area that exceed in food quality and do not need to overcharge their customer's. This place can also improve the cleanliness of their bar glasses and silverware. Next time I go might just be for a beer and an appetizer in the Summer on the patio.
(2)Rob B.
Great place to hang out after work on their deck BUT the food is horrible! I work right down the street and my office has tried this place on a few occasion and always had the same reaction - 'Why did we go here, again?' The food has no taste and is not prepared well. I'd not recommend Allora to anyone, I'd rather eat at Wendy's then have another meal at Allora.
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