Porcinis Italian Restaurant
68 School St, Watertown, MA, 02472
Porcinis Italian Restaurant Menu
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Pastas
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Entrees
Healthy Meal suggestions for Porcinis Italian Restaurant
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Pastas
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Entrees
Visit below restaurant in Watertown for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Watertown for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
68 School St
Watertown, MA, 02472 - Phone (617) 924-2221
- Website https://www.porcinis.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Ahmed A.
This is a nice little Italian restaurant away from the hectic Boston (North End). When we arrived we were instantly greeted and was seated outside in the back.They have a nice selection of seafood platters. I ordered the pasta with the mix of seafood, including shrimp, calamari, oysters, scallops, etc. The pasta was delicious and the sauce had a nice taste to it. It was great to dip bread in as well. My friends and girlfriend ordered the chicken Parmesan and the steak with blue cheese crumbles. They were huge portions and they were satisfied. We ordered the chocolate mouse desert to finish everything off and it was very good; I absolutely love chocolate. The only issue with the dessert is it was 9.50$, which I feel as is good it is a rip off. My only small complaint was I feel the waitering staff was a bit slow, however very friendly and professional. And the best part is I was able to park right on the street and not have to wait hours for a good meal. Come here if you like Italian and do not want to get annoyed the the Boston congestion.
(4)Mark S.
My wife and I ate there recently and it was a delicious Italian meal. We started with the wild mushroom strudel which was as awesome as it sounds. The pasta was obviously homemade and left us 110% satisfied.
(5)Linda B.
Warm ambiance, delightful staff, awesome food, from appetizer to entrée's- seafood, veal, pasta- definitely a notch above the rest - 2nd visit - this is a hidden gem!
(5)Saen H.
Wow! We were in Boston on business and did not know what restaurant to choose. We found this one on yelp walked in and were blown away by the flavors, ambulance and mostly the service and overall experience. Go here!
(5)Paul W.
Had a great night out with my wife and grandparents here! Eggplant Roletini for app, really well done. My main course was Chicken Piccata which is always one of my favs in general but their version had some crisp asparagus and tomatoes for an extra pleasure, highly recommended! Ended it off with some tiramisu and cappuccino and a delightful evening of good food and conversation, this restaurant is a must in the Cambridge/Watertown area!
(5)Robin P.
The food was awful, there was no art or delicacy to the cooking. The soup was so spicy I could not eat it, my husbands caesar dressing tasted like mayonnaise. In a town like Boston where there are so many great restaurants, pass on this one, overpriced and lousy. I guess you can't believe yelp, or I guess I can't believe the reviews, I am a chef and I know food.
(1)Cory B.
Went back to Porcini's for another incredible dinner tonight and I can say hands down they still have the best chicken parm in or around Boston! On top of that our waitress, Cheryl, was phenomenal! She has a gift for being attentive, cheerful, and so genuine and nice.
(5)Caroline M.
Wonderful food and a friendly staff! I will definitely be back.
(4)Deb E.
Have been going here regularly for a few years. The food is outstanding, the atmosphere is awesome and I absolutely LOVE Porcini's! Check it out if you want the best food, great drinks, and people who always make your experience a 10 out of 10! FABULOUS
(5)Esther J.
Parking was easy even after the fourth blizzard of the year or maybe because of it since I can't imagine a lot of people trying to go out to eat on days like this. Lovely, clean (including large private bathroom), mood setting ambiance. Can be for both couple or family. Not loud inside at all. Service (waitress) was very attentive and friendly. She did a great job working/managing the entire floor (4-5 parties). Food was good. Not bad but not the best I've tasted. Not cheap but not over the top. Might be a tad overpriced. Calamari (unbreaded) was delicious. Had a spicy kick and a warm, savory sauce. The ice cream was amazing. Wish I had more. Wonderful night.
(4)Nick W.
Just had an amazing, Tuesday evening dinner here with my fiancé. We were originally drawn in because we were recently given a Phantom Gourmet gift card and they were on the list of restaurants. We were SO PLEASED to find a truly amazing little spot. Bridge, the Manager happened to serve us and was an absolute delight. Accommodating, pleasant, friendly and so welcoming. She took extra time to share a bit about the place, it's owners, history and core values. It was refreshing to speak to someone who is passionate about what they do. The food was INCREDIBLE. Everything is made from scratch. It's an open kitchen concept, which I love because of the level of transparency it provides, and it gave us a glimpse at how spotless the cooks maintained their workspace, and how organized they were. The food was fresh, perfectly prepared, and well seasoned. The prices are not cheap (entrees ranged from 18-29), but were not outrageous when you consider the time, thoughtfulness and effort that goes into the menu... as they say, you get what you pay for. I had veal Osso Bucco, which is typically a risky early-week item to order because often it was prepared on Friday or Saturday for the weekend, and what wasn't served that weekend stretches in to the early part if the week. I was so pleased to find that the meat was the perfect consistency and the flavor was spot on leading me to believe that it was far fresher than I had worried. I understand that it can very busy here, so I would recommend a reservation on the weekends, but don't be afraid to go in a weeknight because it appeared that both the manager and head chef were both there on a Tuesday. We will be back!
(5)Rosalind M.
Here, I get to talk with the chef and staff that I now consider friends while enjoying an amazing drink and spectacular dinner... what's not to love??? Chef Rodney is brilliant. The specials are just that - special. Bridget at the door is delightful and quick with a joke. But what I like most is the feeling of being welcome - whether at the bar, by the fire in the dining room, or on the porch out back in the summer... ah, I must go tonight!! The appetizers are good - personally I like the mussels, eggplant, or strudel... oh the strudel! For a main course, I often get salmon or chicken parm or scallops. BUT be sure to look at the specials sheet!!! i rarely make it to dessert, but they look good. This location is perfect if you don't want to drive into Boston for a high quality meal!
(5)Amy H.
What a charming place! Everyone was incredibly friendly, and I felt at home as soon as I walked in. I had the eggplant rollitini appetizer that I loved because it had a ton of spinach. I also had the scallops with a pine nut risotto that was fantastic. I thought the prices were very reasonable. I will definitely come back here again.
(5)Nanci M.
Great place. Atmosphere is okay, but the food and staff are great. Nice little Italian bistro hidden away. Highly recommended.
(5)Sarah S.
Spontaneously went here for dinner one night, months after a random stranger on the T raved about it. Street parking wasn't difficult to find once we hit a side street. We were greeted and seated immediately. Service was quick and friendly. I ordered a glass of wine (delicious and very reasonably priced) and one of the specials - butternut squash ravioli. The ravioli was fantastic. My husband ordered a beer and the penne bolognese. I of course tried some of his too and it was also fantastic. I would definitely come here again, and highly recommend it.
(4)Melisa C.
I came here with a friend on a Tuesday around 5 pm. It opens at 5 so we were one of the first parties seated. The waitress was very friendly and talkative. By the time we had received our drinks the waitress hadn't brought any bread to our table, so we assumed that they didn't give out free bread. I had an inkling that they may not give it to us until after we ordered (especially appetizers!), and that's exactly what they did. We were a disappointed that they did this, but I get it, they do it so people order appetizers. I do have to say that the hummus spread that came with the bread was delicious. We also ordered the bruschetta, and that was a variation of bruschetta that I've never had before. For starters it included chicken and a ton of goat cheese. I'm used to bruschetta being on the lighter side with the airy tomato mix, so this was definitely different. Not terrible, but I wouldn't order it again. I ordered the porcini mushroom ravioli, and my friend ordered the three cheese ravioli. We were pleased with our dishes and left content. The music on the stereo was old school Motown, so that was fun. I will be back!
(4)Jay G.
My girlfriend and I went to Porcinis for the first time tonight. The decor was old and a little strange but that didn't stop us. The food was pretty good - and the drinks were also good. What is stopping us from dining there in the future is the service. Our waitress was awful! She was nice enough but spent all her time chatting with the locals and didn't spend anytime checking in with us. We would have drank more if she didn't take 15 minutes to get us our drinks... And trust me, this place was not busy! I said something to the host about her inattentiveness and his response was "we have a lot of regulars." Clearly, Porcinis doesn't understand that when the regulars move away or die they will quickly go out of business. I had to preemptively ask for our bill to get away from there... too bad for them because our bill came to $95 and if service was better we would have spent another $30 on two more drinks and dessert. Yelpers, trust me, this place is worth it for takeout but not if you want to eat out...especially if you get the redhead waitress.
(2)Paul C.
It was a mixed bag - the sauces and vegetables were great, but the chicken was not interesting at all to me. Overall, I didn't think my experience was worth the price.
(2)Dianne L.
I ate here on a weekend. It was super crowded but we still had very good service. I was happy with the meal I had with a seasonal ravioli. The sauce was just right, not too heavy. The only complaint i had was it was a little cold. It my have but been that they were busy. It did not seem to come out on time. It was especially good the next day when I heated it up at home.
(4)Lisa B.
I want to update my review because things were a little different when we went here last week. Prices went up, portions went down, and the decor ( including the sign outside) became .....ugly and cheap in my opinion. Another thing, minor and stupid, but it bothered me.....the pasta bowls are are tacky with pictures of macaroni on them! I don't know what is going on to my favorite restaurant ...they need an image consultant big time. Food is still great, but Porcini's is not our first choice anymore.
(2)Caitlin G.
Just went to Porcini's last night and I have to say I was blown away! This place is a hidden gem of amazing Italian cuisine far better than what I have experienced in most of Boston's North End. As we sat down on the table, we got this great bread accompanied by a homemade humus -- so flavorful - sitting in a drizzle of olive oil. I had the: caprese salad -- supper light, fresh, melts your mouth wonderful! mushroom strudel - rich and creamy with a great earthy flavor! lobster ravioli - the most adorable red and white pastas with great hunks of lobster. The perfect portion size with enough to take some home that night. The restaurant itself is warm and inviting -- small enough to be considered cozy and welcoming. We were tucked away in table by the window and my guest and I enjoyed some quality time catching up in this quiet corner. The staff is the life blood of this place! The host was the perfection combination of equal parts professional and bubbly and welcoming! You never want a host that is too much of either -- and she was absolutely wonderful! Even the Executive Chef came over to our table to see how we were enjoying the meal. He was polite, professional and oh so humble about his AMAZING food! We thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of our meal and are really looking forward to returning soon!
(5)Frannie Z.
I've been a couple of times with fellow Yelper Barbara both with and without a Groupon. Our summer visit we sat outside but asked to be moved in because it was a bit warm and there was music from a neighbor that was distractingly loud. The waitress didn't seem to mind too much. The bread and dip are lovely, I always overdo them! The drinks I've have have been well made, not too strong not too weak. Though I know I have enjoyed my dinners here and I wasn't disappointed, I will say that now, when I sit down to finally write this review, nothing sticks out in my mind. The problem, I think, is that I got the veal saltimbocca and I compare all against my all time favorite - which isn't fair. Parking can be a bear and as another Yelper mentioned, seating is awkward.
(3)Kateryna P.
For those of you wanting to get straight to the point, the food here is great, service is great, but the redhead hostess with British accent made us feel cheap for using an Eversave promotion, totally missing the point that these deals are meant to attract new customer to the restaurant. For a more details, read on: My boyfriend T and I discovered Porcini restaurant because of an Eversave deal (we bought 2 Eversaves at the same time). The restaurant had good ratings on Yelp, so we decided to give it a try. We were seated on a patio, which was decorated like a countryside yard and had a very nice cozy feel to it. Our waitress (also hostess) was a redhead with a British accent. She was polite and clearly took pride in restaurant and her job, and it was very nice to see. T ordered a glass of wine and a tomato-based risotto with meatballs, while I had a roasted half chicken with veggies in a simple sauce. The risotto was not what T expected, and he did not finish it. I am not a fan of risotto at all, but I tried a meatball and it was delicious. My chicken was just perfect! Flourless chocolate cake with white chocolate layer was good. When we asked for the bill, T opened his mouth to say we have a coupon, but the redhead interrupted him with a snappy "Oh, yes, I know, I could tell as soon as you walked in the door". WHAT?!? What exactly is that supposed to mean?!? We were caught totally off guard with this unexpected turn of generally pleasant and attentive service, and both felt very offended. We are not the kind of people that repay rude attitude with same, so we just paid the bill (which had 20% gratuity automatically added because of the coupon) and left. If the restaurant does not want customers to use Eversaves , why would they participate in the program in the first place? Restaurants get exposure and, hopefully, new customers through such program. This is their chance to attract clients that may not have ever discovered or tried that restaurant otherwise. It's their chance to earn our loyalty! Well, not with that kind of attitude! I said I'll never go back there, and we should just get rid of the second coupon to that place, but T suggested we give them another chance, and at least get some entertainment out of the redhead's antics. We went back two weeks later, and, surprise-surprise, the redhead greeted us at the door with "Oh, do you have another coupon"? Me, tongue-in-cheek: "Yes, could you tell as soon as we walked through the door?" Redhead: "There aren't that many people using coupons, so I could guess who has them from our list". T and I exchanged a look of guilty accomplices and giggled - how much worse can it get? The redhead did not disappoint: "I don't expect you will be back after using this coupon". T: "What makes you think that?". Redhead:"Oh, I just have a feeling". T: "Well, if the food is great and the service is pleasant, then why not?" Clearly, she did not get this hint. Despite numerous empty tables we got seated right next to the kitchen and cash register, where there is a lot of noise from the kitchen and constant waitress traffic. The redhead left us and a lovely Andrea brought us water. We asked to be reseated in a more cozy area, and she obliged. The phylo pastry appetizer with wild mushrooms and cream cheese was heavenly, and I had a glass of Rose. T got another special of chicken breast with capers and artichokes, and it was a bit tangy for his palate, but still good. My steak with blue cheese and grilled vaggie was cooked perfectly medium-rare and was absolutely deliggtful! Throughout our meal I watched redhead buttefly between all other tables chatting up the customers, joking, taking pictures and laughing. I overhear dher saying the she recently got promoted from a waitress to a hostess because of her people skills. Bwa-ha-ha!!! Guess which table she did not stop by? Yes, ours. That was ok, as Andrea was attentive and pleasant, with no trace of redhead's attitude. At the end our our bill was only discounted by $20 instead of full $40 value of Eversave, but Andrea quickly corrected that. In summary, we could have recommended this restaurant to "full-price-paying" customers on the basis of excellent food and good service from Andrea. However, if you have a coupon of any kind, be prepared for the redhead to make you feel cheap and unwelcome. We are certainly not planning on being back there, since the redhead has clearly missed the point of earning new customers through promotions. Condescending attitude can spoil even the most amazing food!
(2)Pam Z.
We come here at least once a month. Chef Rodney's food is amazing, consistently awesome. My personal favorite is the Osso Bucco. We mostly sit at the bar and chat with Melissa, the bartender, who is the most knowledgeable bartender we've seen in a long time. Her Creamsicle martini is to die for. She is very friendly and extremely efficient, taking care of all the bar patrons as well as the waitstaff. Bridget is so welcoming, it feels like we are coming home for a meal at the end of a long day! Kudos to all of Porcini's!
(5)Beth B.
Amazing food!! They had traditional Italian and Mediterranean food, so you cannot go wrong if your not sure what to choose! Also, the service was great! I cannot wait to go back!!
(5)Karen P.
First time eating here and it was a great experience. Our table for 5 was ready when we arrived at 7:00 p.m. Our waitress Cheryl was great. She made recommendations, was very progressional and made us feel very comfortable. Food was great - service was excellent and prices were good. Everything I look for in a night out for dinner was met and we will definately be back.
(4)Alyssa W.
been here numerous times and I havent been disappointed yet! Everything I have ever ordered here has always been great. The chefs are accomodating if you dislike an ingredient in the dish and the waitresses are always super nice! The atmospher is nice. the bar is seperated from the dining area, but only by a wall and they have an open kitchen.
(5)Erik F.
My wife and I returned to Porcini's where we used to go out to eat in the 90's when we lived in the area. We were both happy with the service, food and the ambience. I had the steak tips and my wife had the Sole. I would recomend this if you are looking for a somewhat upscale Itallian dinner.
(4)Michelle R.
Went here a few weeks ago on a Sunday night after a long drive home, what a FANTASTIC hidden gem. It's my new fav Italian place. Our waitress was super attentive, new the menu inside/out, offered great recommendations and was great to chat with. She had an Irish accent I believe, either way - she was great and made the overall experience even better. On to the FOOD! App: eggplant.. oh. my. gosh. One of the best things I've ever eaten. GET IT! Dinner: Chicken parm.. my favorite dish and they cooked it fabulously, perfect portion (leftovers!) and the pasta was perfect. Friends got the salmon (which was to die for, I was skeptical at a place like this but they delivered according to her) and a special butternut squash/eggplant thing which was again.. to die for. Ok so you get it, I am obsessed with this place and can't wait to go back. The wine was good, too!
(5)Barbara A.
After a hard week, my neighbor and friend took me out here to hang at the bar and unwind - yay! The blueberry gimlet was phenomenal - light and not too sweet; just right for a hot and steamy July night. We decided to nosh a little, since we needed to drive home at some point - my friend opted for the mussels off the appetizer menu and I got the Bruschetta. SO YUMMY! I can not speak for the mussels because she was bogarting them but the bruschetta was a meal unto itself -- grilled chicken, goat cheese, roma tomato, onions all atop grilled focaccia (see my picture). I think for an appetizer it could have been just as good without the chicken, but I appreciated the twist. A side note - the bread is homemade and you can tell and it comes with a chickpea concoction (they were keen to point out that it was not hummus). Double yum ... no that is triple yum because I forgot the gimlet (perish the thought :)
(4)Kathleen H.
Just had the Fra Diavolo with a glass of Lost Angel Pinot Noir and it was out of this world amazing!!!!
(5)Karyn V.
I have driven by Porcini's many times, but I was always skeptical. One of my co-workers told me it was one of her favorite places so my fiancé and I decided to try it out on a Sunday night. The restaurant itself is very outdated. It has plastic vines stuck onto a terrace on one wall and the other walls have framed paintings of Italy. The restaurant is dark: brown carpets, brown tables and chairs, yellow/brown walls, and a black ceiling. It does have a working fireplace which I am sure is nice in the winter time and an outdoor patio which would be nice in the summer. For my entree, I had the walnut and gorgonzola salad with chicken ($12.) I really enjoyed my salad, particularly the presentation of the dish and pancetta. My fiancé ordered the chicken Parmesan ($23.) He thought that the dish was average. It would have been better if the cook hadn't burnt the chicken. Our waiter was very nice, but she wasn't quick to refill our water glasses or take the empty bread plates off our our table. At one point, we did have to flag her down to get a refill of iced tea. All in all, we felt that Porcini's was good, but their dishes are a tad overpriced. It also isn't a place that I would suggest to friends only because the restaurant is so dark and outdated.
(3)Matt D.
I've been to Porcini's a few times, the food never disappoints. As other reviewers have already noted, the atmosphere is a bit outdated and the seating arrangements are a bit awkward. Friendly hostess and wait staff and low noise level overall. Solid wine list with reasonably priced bottles. I didn't order an appetizer during my most recent visit. The entrees (I ordered the beef tenderloin special and my wife ordered the scallops) were excellent. Each entree was only about $25. Well worth every penny. Ordered the flourless chocolate torte for dessert (very rich, but delicious as well). The rest of our group seemed rather impressed as well. Service was a bit slow, but we enjoyed our night out. Will definitely be going back.
(4)Catie F.
This place is right across the street from my office, and I hadn't really noticed it until I saw the Groupon offer - glad I did! Topline: Incredible food, pleasant atmosphere, a bit pricey. Went in a group of six, which was genius because we got to try a variety of items. The bread and hummus/dip that comes out to start off is very good and tasty... but don't overdo it because the food gets better as you go on. For apps we had the bruschetta which came with chunks of chicken and was good (but I'm not huge on bruschetta so can't comment farther). The calamari was fanstastic - well cooked, in a slightly spicy red sauce and the portion size was large and came with two big crostinis too. I love that it was NOT fried like it is everywhere else you go. We also go the eggplant/spinach/ricotta app and I'm pretty sure we licked that bowl clean - even the people who did not like veggies were in love with it. I would consider it as an entree with a side of pasta in the future. I had the whole wheat linguine with squash, peas, tomatoes, mozzarella and some other veggies. Good, light sauce and healthy but flavorful feel overall. One friend had the gemelli with shrimp and scallops which actually sounded like the best thing on the menu but was slightly disappointing to me. The sauce was a brandy-gorgonzola, which was GOOD and quite unique but a little watery for the dish. I would have liked them to thicken it up a bit. Two friends got the chef's special risotto for the night and everyone was SUPER impressed with it. Good portion size, perfect al dente, incredible flavor and lots of beautiful ingredients. Excellent choices. Another friend got the penne with chicken, sundried tomatoes, olives, and I forget what else. This sounded plain on the menu but was actually quite good. I think it was my favorite thing on the table! Overall our dining experience was great and we all really liked the food. Only thing is that the bill could be high if going back without coupns - especially for Watertown.
(4)Anne-Marie A.
I'm almost afraid to share a review of this little Italian restaurant for fear that it'll become so popular that we no longer will be able to get in when we want to. Great risotto, great grilled calamari, amazing Bolognese -- just really great food, great creative menu (love Chef Rodney!), intimate bar, lovely atmosphere and I think the Irish manager has the best style and personality around. Try it -- you'll definitely go back. If you want expensive and frou-frou, this place is not it. If you want great food at reasonable prices, trust me -- you'll love Porcini's.
(4)P R.
Have been to this little place twice now. Awesome is not adequate enough to describe the food and service. Rodney, the chef, has a wonderfully varied menu. Bridget, the manager, is very friendly, welcoming, and helpful with suggestions. This is a small, quaint, Italian restaurant with a lot of atmosphere.
(5)Markey-Mark M.
I went to Porcini's recently having heard that some friends of mine loved it; perhaps I went at a bad time (sunday eve), but I thought it was just ok. In fairness, I think this was primarily due to our server. The food was good (I had the 3 cheese ravioli with cream sauce which was heavy, but there weren't a ton of veggie options), and the fact that they put bread and hummus out on the table before was really nice (delicious), hardly anywhere does that anymore. Sangrias were pretty weak; 2 glasses in I could barley tell I'd had a sip, and I'm generally tipsy after just one drink. Our server kept on forgetting to bring things out for the group though, and made a comment about "letting the cake fee slide this time" right in front of the birthday girl, even though the cake had been arranged secretly when we arrived and bday girl didn't know we had one. She heard the comment. Service was also relatively slow, though the restaurant was by no means particularly busy. They were very accommodating at taking a reservation for a large group at short notice, which I appreciated, but over all I really wasn't blown away by this place, and especially not by the price.
(3)Sabrina R.
Porcini's is such a lovely place to eat...good food, great wine list, but most importantly a friendly atmosphere that makes it a perfect place to end a stressful work week. Bridget's welcoming smile, Gary deftly handling the bar, and Rodney par excellence in the kitchen -- what more could you want? We shared the special of the day, a lobster risotto, as well as the pasta bolognese. Both were delicious, comforting, authentic, and exactly what we needed on a cold Friday night. The wine list is ridiculous -- Dei Vino Nobile di Montepulciano for under $50?! By all means give this place a try, it will become your new neighborhood haunt.
(5)Carol W.
We (with husband and toddler daughter) came here on Father's Day 2015 for dinner. We live close by and were able to get there around 5:30PM to beat the dinner rush. It was our first time here. We enjoyed the experience and will most likely return in the future. Being true foodies, my husband and I almost always check the menu prior to trying a restaurant. I noticed that seafood fra diavolo, my husband's favorite, was on their specials for tonight. That was enough to get my husband excited about going. I ordered the veal piccata. None of the appetizers really jumped out at us, so we passed. I usually get a salad but skipped this time and later regretted it! Prior to our main meals coming out, we received complimentary bread with hummus. Our entrees were truly delicious. My piccata was beautifully plated and had a few drizzles of balsamic glaze on the plate. I could tell that there was definitely some thought put into the flavors on the plate as everything seemed well balanced. My daughter really enjoyed the veal and kept asking for more beef! Honestly, I wish there was more veal and pasta on my plate. I'm used to going to places (usually Asian establishments) that give larger portions, so I left feeling a little hungry. I think this is one of those places where you should do the full experience, meaning order drinks, appetizer, salad, and dessert, in order to leave feeling fully satisfied. My husband's seafood fra diavolo was very tasty and had a deep seafood flavor. It's actually inspiring me to try to make it at home now. We skipped dessert as my husband wanted ice cream. Next time, I will definitely get salad and dessert!
(4)N A.
I'm not one of those whiny patrons that expects the restaurant to treat me like my mom does and cater to me like I was the Pope. I can tolerate bad service and the usual things you have to deal with at a restaurant. But one thing I can't tolerate is bland-tasting food. I wonder if the chefs taste the food they prepare? And at an average of $20 a plate ($27+ for the special of the day), you'd expect the food to taste better than most food does. It's just unacceptable. And there's no delicacy in making the food. Order the bruschetta and what you'll get is something that resembles a messy Spanish tapas plate. Order any of the entrees that have pasta and it looks like a Chinese plate made in a wok. The service is friendly and you're attended promptly. There are no free refills on soft drinks or juice. After Grappa closed down I was expecting this to be the go to restaurant in Watertown. But this is the Olive Garden only way more expensive. Oh well.
(1)India D.
The menu is impressive and authentic. Every time I go, I try something new and I'm never disappointed. The atmosphere is casual but classy and the drinks are made wrk perfection! If I could afford to eat here every night, I would. Porcini's is my little Italian treat when I want to get away! A little on the spendy side, but every meal has been exquisite. Bridget, the waitress, is so wonderful and takes care of you like she's your own. I highly recommend you pop over to Porcini's if you're for a delicious meal!
(5)Zoe L.
Wonderful staff, mouth watering food, and nice atmosphere. The manager is very personable. And the chef was very accommodating, which is hard to find. Oh, and about the past posts regarding an outdated look. They are about to renovate a bit. The manager spoke to us about it. The bathrooms have to be the best I've Ever been in! Beautiful, spacious, and even a nice smell candle. And a young man with us told us the mens room was just as nice. There was 7 of us and we were all delighted. Even a picky teenager who dislikes just about everything ate every bite! We can't wait to go back!
(5)Brian K.
Hadn't been in years. Food and ambiance are still great and a great value. Service is friendly, attentive and casual even though atmosphere is relatively upscale - intimate and cozy (fireplace and outdoor seating in summer) but not at all stuffy. The staff even remembered me and my family even though I hadn't been there in 5 years. I will certainly go back - even an informal evening at the bar (like tonight) was a pleasure and very welcoming. Highly recommended.
(5)Zachary W.
I'm giving this 3 stars based on the merits of the food, which I'll start with first: I had the grilled scallops and risotto with julienned vegetables, and my friend had the margherita angel hair pasta. The ingredients were all fresh and everything was cooked beautifully. My only complaint about the main course was that the julienned vegetables did not stand up to the rest of the dish. Perhaps roasted vegetables would have been better? We topped it off with a passion fruit crème brulée, which erred more on the side of mousse with carmelized sugar. But, I saw this as a positive, rather than a negative. However, the strawberry it came with was rather under-ripe. The staff was also very friendly, though the restaurant was rather empty. But the bar was VERY FULL. The decor and lighting leaves quite a lot to be desired. It's also a bit strange that they were playing Shostakovich's 8th string quartet and Tchaik's piano concerto over the raido. I love those works, but it's a bit intense for dinner! That being said with a low(er) priced wine, this was a $86 meal *before* tip. Considering the location, decor, and the food (albeit good); this is overpriced. The pricing is about the same as Vinoteca di Monica in the North End, but doesn't deliver on the same level. Here is what the pricing was and what I thought it should be: Wine (Malbec) $32 -- definitely should be $27 Scallops $23 -- acceptable! but a nice deal would be $21 Plain margherita pasta $15 -- should be $11 Crème Brulée $8 -- should be $6 anyhow, that's about $11 overpriced.
(3)Todd F.
I've not the biggest fan of Italian food, having had it most of my life. For me, an Italian restaurant has to either do it different or really well. Porcini's does both. The meal starts with an amazing bread that has a wonderful texture and a nice herb seasoning to it. Add to that a roasted red pepper and sun dried tomato hummus, and you've got an incredible start to the meal. For starters we had the antipasto plate (amazing quality and variety) and the mushroom strudel (jaw droppingly good, even for someone who doesn't like mushrooms). Dinner was the Disrutto; perfectly cooked pasta in a light garlic cream sauce with chicken, sun dried tomatoes, and olives. This dish wasn't heavy, but it was incredibly flavorful. My wife had the gemini with three seared scallops, grilled shrimp, and a nice cream sauce. Dessert was a light, yet tasty Tiramisu, while the wife had the new chocolate creme brule. We were both incredibly happy. Service was fast, friendly, and helpful as I found myself hard pressed to decide between dishes. If I had one complaint, it's the outside. The sign is old and dated and the place is dark and uninviting. Inside the decor is warm and comfortable, but they need to do something about the exterior. I'll definitely be returning to Porcini's!!! UPDATE 8/31/2012: I returned to Porcini's last night and ate on their patio. What a great night. The patio is a perfect, quiet little spot in the back that feels like someone's backyard...only nicer. And the food and service again exceeded expectations. I was glad to see that they are, in fact, consistently good. I'll definitely be returning here again and again.
(5)Stacia M.
Delicious! We were very impressed with the food. Will be back!
(5)Len E.
My Paella Valenciana with shrimp, mussels, chicken, clams, and sausage was to die for. Great food, friendly service in a comfy setting.
(5)Janet P.
I have been going to Porcinis for years as I love to frequent local, hidden jewels and this place falls into that category. Good Italian food...a nice mix of the expected like Chicken Parmagiana and the unexpected like Shrimp and Scallop Gemelli in a brandy, gorgonzola sauce. I was hesitant about that last item but my friend had it and really loved it. I had the grilled calamari appetizer which is in a pommodoro sauce with my favorite add in...kalamata olives. I could live on that app! The mediterranean salad was big and good and combined with the app I was very satisfied. Love sitting outside in the warm weather. And the hostess is high energy, very friendly and really sets the tone for the place.
(5)Amanda H.
Love this place! We go all the time! You have to try the risotto of the day sometime but I also love their lobster ravioli and my husband is a big fan of their Osso Bocco. Plus, they have very tasty cocktails. We like the cucumber one and also the Porcinitini. I even enjoyed this place when I was pregnant! It is a cute place and their outside space is also sweet. Hidden gem
(5)Laura V.
This place is delicious! I have been to Italy four times and frequent much fancier Italian restaurants in Boston and I have to say, this food rivals most Italian places in the Boston area. Their hummus/white bean dip that they bring with the bread is so amazing and I always get the risotto of the day, which I have never been disappointed with. The portions are large enough that I always have something to take home with me and the staff are very friendly. They also have a great wine list and their prices are very reasonable. I would highly recommend it!
(4)Leslie M.
Went to Porcini's the other night during the storm and enjoyed an incredible meal. The atmosphere was wonderful and staff accommodating and fun to interact with.
(5)Maren C.
We have driven by Porcini's hundreds of times. When I saw a Groupon I thought, why not give it a try? So we drove on over and were seated promptly. We had $50 to spend. So we got an appetizer, the eggplant rollitini, which was a-ok. I prefer a bit thinker slice of eggplant with a bit more ricotta but either way it was fine. Then we got the gnocchi. Which was really strange. It was also extremely salty. There was squash, peas and tomato sauce on the gnocchi and it was topped with breadcrumbs and cheese. Weird combination of flavors but they were overpowered by the salt. We also got the Distrutto, which was better. It was like the food was from two different restaurants. The cream sauce here was light enough and the sun-dried tomatoes and kalamata olives complimented each other. I would have liked a bit less salt here as well but it was not nearly as salty as the gnocchi. So all done, we get our check. Its 49 dollars. I have to spend the extra dollar. Fine, add a cannoli. Ok, cannoli added. $8. Let me repeat $8. Now granted there was two small ones and they were good. But $8? Fine. We were not allowed to change our order when we realized how expensive these little gems were. Restaurants should practice keeping the customers they have gotten in the door happy, so that they come back. It's common sense. But now that we have left, my suggestions are to lay off the salt and charge a reasonable price for a cannoli. Until then, ciao.
(2)C K.
I should have read the reviews on Yelp before even going here. I had purchased a Groupon which we had been waiting to use. Called ahead at 5:00 pm to make a reservation and was told that they are not seating until after 9:00 pm. So, what does that mean? Do they have reservations for the next 4 hours? Couldn't get a straight answer from the hostess and was put on hold for 10 minutes while she "checked". We were in the area so decided to go by and see for ourselves. Got the same response when we arrived even though only 2 tables were occupied in the dining room. I asked if we could sit at the bar and the hostess said okay, but then turned around and ignored us, not offering us menus or anything. As we proceeded to sit down, another woman approached us (I assume she was the manager) and told us we could not sit there because our son was with us. I once again asked if they could accommodate us at a table. She said all tables were reserved and that they only take reservations on Friday and Saturday nights. Rather than ask us if we could return later, or if we would like to make a reservation for the following evening, she began to rant about her kitchen staff being overworked and how busy they were, even though the place was virtually empty. She was extremely rude and told us that she would not seat us as she basically pushed us out the door. Needless to say, we took our appetite elsewhere, and will never return to Porcini's. As an added note, there is no disclosure on the Groupon or on Porcini's website about required reservations. Based on other reviews, it looks like even if we had made a reservation, it would not have made much of a difference since they apparently have a habit of overbooking tables and keeping their customers waiting, along with a history of rude and defensive management staff. Obviously, they don't want your business.
(1)AM S.
Not a good first time. Walked in for 730 pm reservation at 733 pm on a friday , saw no hostess and watched as 12 people queued up behind us. By 745, there had been no hostess acknowledging us. Finally so frustrated we sat in empty seats at bar and ate. Decent steaks, that's about it. Bartender was good. No place should leave hostess stand empty for 10+ minutes with no acknowledgement.
(1)Robo T.
A few of us spontaneously decided to go here one weekday evening. The service was attentive and friendly. The waitress was very forward with recommendations and had extensive knowledge about the menu. The rigatoni bolognese was delicious albeit a little too salty. Other people in my party enjoyed the veal piccatta and the lobster ravioli. Effort goes into plating and presentation - dishes are contemporary and additional flair such as a balsamic reduction drizzle garnish are visually enticing. The decor is fine but below my expectation for a restaurant of this price point. However they do have an open kitchen which brings a nice addition to the overall experience. The food was good....but expensive. The price does not quite match the overall quality of food. The price definitely does not match the ambiance and interior. Regardless, I'll probably come again and try a couple of the other entrees.
(3)Mike F.
Porcini's is never disappointing. Great at the bar solo or in the dining room. Food is great with many good choices and a top notch wine list and bartenders who may be the best knowledgeable around
(4)Morgan R.
Ok I face it, I'm a tough one to please. I was skeptic of this place because that's in my nature. There was an instant Groupon so I figured I would try it out. It was very small yet cute inside. The bread came with some hummus/olive oil concoction which was AMAZING, I'd never tried anything like that before. The calamari.....GREAT. For the main course, there are usually one or two things I'm stuck between. Here, there were about 5 different things I wanted. The menu had a wonderful spread, I had the Margherita with shrimp and it was delicious! MmM thinking about it now makes me want to go back. Overall, good Italian spot in Watertown and I'm sure I'll be back for more.
(4)Big S.
this place is great! the food is great and the outdoor patio is a nice place in the nice weather. we had a large group. the drinks were good and food was awesome. the veal dish was quite tasty, would certainly go back!
(5)Cindy O.
Wow I guess I am on another planet because I have been here before and the last time was a few days ago. It was a group of us. It was pretty consistent that the service was very slow and the food was less than average. I had the osso bucco and requested the mashed potatoes be replaced with pasta with garlic and olive oil on the side so they served it with on the plate and topped it with spinach and tomatoes. There was not garlic, the pasta was overcooked and it was flavorless, no garlic. The osso bucco I ended up not eating. It had no flavor. Another person in our group didn't eat theirs as well. One person had the scallops and said they were terrible so she at only 2 of them. Another had the chicken and said it was very dry and hard to cut. Another had chicken parm and said it was not great. All of these people are foodies and eat at restaurants all the time. I am Italian and have to say between the appetizers, main course and the desserts, just glad I wasn't paying for it. I remembered it being better. Will not go back. Very disappointed. Oh, sat on the patio and there was a random horrid odor like horse$%$% that all of us smelled so we found there is a dumpster on the other side of the fence. Yummy.
(1)Andrew F.
We brought my father out to eat here on his Birthday. Great service, nice wine selection and a menu of Italian food that is sure to please everyone. If you are looking for the American standards or some more traditional Italian dishes, you will find them here. I am a huge fan of seafood, and the Seafood Diavolo special did not disappointed.
(4)Clyde L.
I have been to Porcini's many times and the food never disappoints. Sure it might be slightly outdated but it is great food in a great atmosphere for conversation. I had the Scallops which were fantastic. We had a Groupon and had no problem. Very good food at a reasonable price for a nice restaurant.
(5)Lee H.
The coupon was expiring, so my wife and I headed to Watertown for some italian food. Porcini's is a homey little place, with a dark ambience. The smell of garlic greets you when you walk in. A good sign. The waitress was friendly and attentive. I had a chicken marsala special, my wife had a vegetarian gnocchi. My chicken was tasty, although considering the rich look of the sauce I would have expected the flavors to be bolder. My wife's gnocchi was better, the red sauce being a standout. We finished with a chocolate flourless cake which was quite good. Overall we really enjoyed our dinner. If I were the owner, however, I'd drop the prices about $5/plate and increase the portion size slightly (they're somewhat small), so there's something to take home. This is not a swanky restaurant, rather a cozy neighborhood place. Serving the food on square plates just doesn't fit the atmosphere. With those changes, I'd bet the place would be packed all the time.
(4)Tammy R.
A hidden gem of a place, with excellent food and great service. I found the mussels to be a welcome change from the usual overly wine-y mussels in many places; with tomato and garlic in a mustard/rosemary cream sauce, they are almost a meal in themselves! The risotto was perfectly creamy the first time I went, and I returned for more. The chef sources everything locally, and the staff was well-versed in the menu's offerings and very helpful with my special requests. Highly recommend for a romantic dinner, or even a large party!
(5)Karen D.
Don't let the outside fool you. Inside awaits some delicious cuisine. I went there for my anniversary and the food was great. First we chanced the mushroom strudel and I was afraid it would be typical dry phyllo appetizer you usually get at the office party, but it was not that at all. It had a great sauce and which we mopped up with the bread although the bread comes with olive oil and hummus. We shared the walnut and gorgonzola salad and everything was fresh and tasty. For dinner I got the scallops and risotto and my boyfriend got the shrimp and scallop pasta. Mine was perfect. Add a bottle of Burgess Cabernet and it was a feast. We would have opted for the flourless white chocolate cake, but we were way to stuffed. If I had any criticism it's that there are too many things with peas with them. My boyfriend's dish had a lot of them.
(4)Ronald R.
I LOVE Porcini's! The food is wonderful, the atmosphere is lovely and the service is warm and friendly. AND they make a fabulous espresso martini!
(5)Roscoe R.
I finally tried Porcini's last night and it was decent, though not as good as I had hoped. SERVICE. Service started out really strong, but at end of the meal -- when the restaurant was much more crowded -- we waited for long periods of time and had to flag down our server. He was good, though -- polite and knowledgeable. FOOD. Bread and a red pepper/olive oil spread are delivered to every table. The bread was fresh and tasty, and so was the spread. Great stuff! I started w/the Caesar Salad (anchovies on the side). It was a decent Caesar, not bad but nothing distinctive. The Crab Cake appetizer was the high point of the meal. Specifically, the lemon-garlic aioli and the saffron sauce (tasted kinda like hollandaise to me) were really well spiced and flavorful. The two crab cakes themselves were large, moist, and tasty. This appetizer is a "must-get." We split a Beef Tenderloin Risotto, just because this sounded interesting to me. Unfortunately, beef doesn't seem to go to well in risotto. It would've been great except the beef was just weird in there. Otherwise, the risotto was perfectly cooked and really tasty. We then split 2 entrees: Chicken Parmigiana and Pork Tenderloin. The Chicken Parm was spiced lightly, cooked nicely, and was a decent size. The linguini was done well too -- not too al dente, but not overcooked. I really like the red sauce here -- it's thick and rich, a bit like tomato paste (that's how I like my red sauce). The Pork Tenderloin wasn't that good. Although the pork itself was a nicely cooked piece of meat, the balsamic was way too strong and totally overpowered the dish. It was served on top of really bad mashed potatoes -- watery, with zero spice (tasted like boxed mashed potatoes after too much water was mistakenly added). So I'd stay away from that dish. We didn't get dessert or coffee. Overall, Porcini's is decent, but for the price (especially in a relatively low-rent location), you can probably do better. I'd go back there if I was with someone who really wanted to return there, but I wouldn't suggest it on my own.
(3)Ann L.
I just got home from a wonderful work dinner! We had a reservation for 5:30 and were seated promptly. Bridget, our lovely server was attentive, knowledgable about the menus and was so kind to help make suggestions. She was a true treasure, and our group of 10 was pleased and delighted with service. As for the meals- they were beautifully presented with such care. You can tell the kitchen puts effort and care in to each dish. I had the autumn ravioli and it was delicious. Others had pork tenderloin, Angel hair pasta, ( I forget the rest..)- each meal was perfection. We were very happy with out meals and apps. Dessert was also fabulous! What else can I say? Give them a call, make a reservation and enjoy! As for the groupon reviews that have been left, I'm dissapointed with the reviewers. As an avid groupon user, I know that if I am late for a reservation- be it a facial or dinner, and I have not called to let the establishment know, chances are I lose my slot or table. That happened in every establishment, groupon or not. It should not be taken out on the establishment nit the staff. It's your error and mistake, so own it. Don't give the groupon folks a bad name.. This was my 1st time at Porcini's but it won't be my last! Well done Porcini's in Watertown.. I have a new favorite resturant! Thank you!
(5)M R.
This is a true hidden gem! Location: Watertown's business zones are incredibly diverse and integrated (it's our version of charm, and we like it), much like our people and their homes - if you don't like that the restaurant is next door to an auto body shop (never open during dinner hours, so it doesn't matter) and the like, then you're in the wrong town for you, and we won't apologize for where we live. The al fresco dining patio in back is a great new addition. The restaurant's interior is thoughtfully decorated, yet casual, and kept fresh. As for the food and service: My wife and I have been going here for years, and are always treated respectfully. The food is consistently of high quality, and the homemade sangria is excellent. It's important to note that many of the poor reviews here also mention Groupon. I don't know why this is, but if you look at some other "mom and pop" restaurants' reviews in which Groupon is mentioned those reviews seem to be among the lowest. Perhaps some people aren't reading fine-print about the amount they need to spend on food (not alcohol), making last minute plans to beat the Groupon deadline and panicking when they have to wait too long for a table without a reservation, or are expecting to be treated like royalty the one and only time they walk into a place, but something's up with many of those reviews. To the person on here who claims to have been a regular and complained about Bridget's accent: if you don't like a moderate (it's certainly NOT heavy) Irish accent, then perhaps you shouldn't live in the Boston area. One of the nicest things about this area is it's large Irish connection (no, I'm not Irish), and hearing a pleasant European accent is just a bonus of going to Porcini's.
(5)Steve G.
OK, not fine dining but very good. Crab cake appetizer consisted of two large cakes, shredded, not lump. They were good, not great. Our entree, the scallops (three huge) and pork loin were very good and large portions. We should have taken some home, but we didn't. No way was there room for dessert. Service was friendly. All in all, a good, homey place. Very good food and a solid value.
(4)Sushiman S.
Believe it or not, it was my first time!! And you always remember your first time! Pretty darn good.......I am not a huge fan of Italian style food, but a friend suggested that we go there and celebrate something or other. I think it was just an excuse for me to take her to dinner, but what the heck... the company was good and the food excellent. I think we made a mistake on focussing on the app's though, because by the time our main courses came, we were not hungry anymore...but the leftovers were wonderful the next day. I think though I need to focus on the app's... the mussels... a huge portion for an appatizer, so tasty and just the right amount of garlic. The mushroom pillow dealies.... OK, VERY rich, but such good finger licking sauce...but to me, the hit of the app's was the traditional antipasto.... just the right amount of everything. I would have appreciated some hairy little fish, but forgot to ask for them. Our entrees were tasty, portion size...huge (seafood fra diablo and osso bucco).The wine list is pretty reasonable and moderately priced. The service was wonderful, attentive, engaging and "just right" Apparently they have periodic wine tasting dinners too... just got an invite... multi-course, multii wines for $60.00... can't go wrong there. I'll be back!
(5)Caitlin A.
Deciding it was time to try another Watertown spot, I got a 50$ Groupon for Porcini's. We made a reservation for a Monday night around 7:30, when we got there, there was maybe two other tables. But it was a warm and inviting space, with candles on each table. It took a while for a server to come by to get our drink orders, and when someone finally did come, it was a manager with our waitress trailing a few seconds behind. Essentially we gave our drink order to two people. Weird. We ordered water with lemon. After what seemed liked quite some time, we got our water and some bread with a fantastic red pepper hummus with olive oil dip. It really was very nice, especially with the fresh bread. For an appetizer, we got the Crab Cakes. They were the best part of the meal. Two nice sized cakes with a crispy batter on the outside, but fall apart fresh crabbiness in the middle. The aioli that came drizzled on top and on the side was also very good, but the cakes didn't need it. For dinner I got Veal Saltimbocca. It was okay. The veal cutlet was cooked well and the thick pieces of prosciutto were delicious, but the sauce was just okay and the pasta was really unappealing. (I may be jaded from the fresh pasta I have been unable to get enough of lately - L'Impasto in Cambridge). Overcooked, definitely not fresh. The boy got the Special Risotto that night. It had sausage and mushrooms, and Gouda cheese and some other really yummy sounding things. He doesn't like mushrooms so they made his order without. It was good and creamy, but ridiculously heavy. Too much of the cheese in our opinion. So the food was not bad by any means, everything was "good", aside from the crab cakes which were outstanding, but it was overpriced. For 25$ a meal I want fantastic/authentic/fresh Italian food. On a side note: Neither the waitress or manager came by to check on us after giving us our food, and we had been done eating for a good 15 minutes before anyone came over to take our plate and offer dessert. Mind you: there were only three other tables at this point. They offered a dessert tray, we got the "No Flour Chocolate Cake", which was also overpriced but not disclosed until the bill came. The cake was VERY rich, a smaller, lesser priced piece would have been sufficient for the two of us to share. I ended up spending an extra 30$ on top of my 50$ groupon, and I don't think it was entirely worth it.
(3)Mike D.
We've been going to Porcini's since it opened and this is by far our favorite local restaurant. They held a wine/food pairing event on Monday and it was fantastic. Their chef is amazing and there are always a few specials which keeps the menu fresh. The staff here is very attentive and only when it is extremely busy have we found the service a little slow, but not worth worrying about. Quaint atmosphere.
(5)J B.
Well worth the ride. The eggplant appetizer was fantastic. The wheat pasta w/ butternut squash, peas, and mozzarella was surprisingly really good. Wish they had beer on tap but no big deal, the sangria was good. Service was top notch.
(4)denis s.
Scale 1 = poor, 5 = outstanding CUSTOMER SERVICE: 1. Here's what happened. We walked in without a reservation and the hostess was incredibly polite and we took her up on her offer to have a glass of wine while waiting for a table. She alerted the bartender, and he gave us wine menus. Even the bar was full so we were standing behind seated patrons. We then stood there for 10 minutes without ever being acknowledged again, even after making eye contact. I'm not saying he should have served us by then (although in this case I do think he could have based on the flow at the bar) -- but I am saying he should have acknowledged us. Just a simple "I'll be with you folks in a minute" -- ANYTHING -- and we would have stayed. Here's a perfect example of how a restaurant is an interconnected system -- one weak link can ruin them regardless of the other links in the system. Hostess was great and for all we know the food would have been great. But we left to eat elsewhere and we'll never go back. FOOD: N/a AMBIANCE: N/a VALUE: N/a
(1)Bob J.
Went here with my wife a couple of weeks ago. We wanted to go to a place down the street but there is a long wait so we decided to go here. The place is half empty on a saturday night at 7 pm. I got the veal chop and she got the risotto. My veal chop was ok but lacks flavor. She risotto is inedible taste weird and way undercook. Has to sent in back and she got a bolognese pasta instead. The pasta didn't come until 10 min after I finish my meal. We didn't go to a nice restaurant to take turn looking at each eat. The waitress didn't apologize for anything and look as my wife like she don't know how to eat risotto.
(1)Helen A.
We ate on the patio on a hot night and as soon as the food arrived, we were accosted by several flies. Chose to shoo them away because we liked the outside ambiance. Suddenly a fly landed in the sauce of my scallops appetizer and got stuck. I pulled out the fly and told the manager who replied "The fly must have really liked the food." Nothing more. Although we have eaten happily at this restaurant over the years, we will never return.
(1)Amanda A.
My husband and I went here last night for the first time, I had an Eversave coupon which was due to expire (today)! We ordered the Antipasto salad for an appetizer, it was delish, with a nice mix of cheeses, meats and peppers. The pita served with this was extra tasty, it had that smoked flavor to it. For entrees I ordered the Sirloin Steak (served with mashed potatoes and vegetables and a bleu cheese sauce), my husband ordered one of their Specials - lamb chops over mashed sweet potatoes. The size of the meat served was very generous. Previously, I was a fan of the steaks at Longhorn because they are tasty and reasonably priced. The meats at Porcini's are much better though, a lot more flavor, and much more juicy. Staff was very friendly. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that I ordered my meat medium well and it came out very rare. I do not mind the taste but am fearful of getting sick from eating the raw meat though. Thankfully, I am fine! We will definitely be returning to this restaurant, possibly for my Birthday which is right around the corner:-)
(4)S Z.
**Update** After my original review we decided to give Porchinis another chance and went back again for a Friday night dinner. Yet again, bad. Everything was horrible. The waitress came to take our orders and to bring the bill. Other than that- nothing. I sat for 25 minutes with an empty glass waiting for her to stop and ask to bring me another and did not once. I literally had NOTHING to drink my entire dinner with. We ordered the bruscesetta for an appetizer and it was soggy and bland. Waste of money. Then I ordered the veal and my husband one of the specials for the night- braised short ribs. His were bland and tasted like they had been sitting for a while. Mine were just bland and kind of mushy. With a $75 bill there should have been at least SOMETHING remotely worth eating. After two bad meals and some very bad service I will not be returning to Porchinis and suggest you find another place for dinner as well. I trust the Phantom Gourmet. The show has never steered me wrong, so when it says that a restaurant is good, I trust it. The service at Porcini's was good, so was the bread and dipping sauce, but that was about it. My husband has the veal scallopini and I hand the osso bucco, and both were mediocre. Literally three entire bites of my osso buco were straight fat. Disgusting. The rest of the plate was bland and mushy. My husbands veal was similar in lack of quality. We ordered the creme brulee to share and found it to be nothing like any quality brulee we have ever hand. It was sweet and lemony, tasted nothing as a traditional creme brulee, and lacked the traditional sugar layer on the top of the custard. Again, disappointing. With a house bottle of chianti the bill totaled to $86, although it should really not have been any more than $60. This was a disappointing visit, and surprised me since the Phantom had given it such a great review. Maybe it was just a bad night at Porcinis, I would hope that was the reason for such a mediocre meal.
(2)Alice M.
My girlfriend and I purchased a Groupon for this restaurant recently and were very excited to try it, however, we had overlooked the fact that the fine print said "dine in onlly";. We ordered takeout without realizing our mistake and when we went to pick up the food an incredibly rude hostess pointed out that we could not use it for our purchase. When I explained to her that my girlfriend and I had not planned on dining in the restaurant tonight she rudely informed me that "you can leave" without any attempt to resolve the situation in a satisfactory manner for both parties. Terrible first experience with this restaurant, but I can thankly say it will be my only experience! I will not return and would rather rip up my groupon and lose $25 than be spoken to as if I was trying to rip them off. I've never experienced such a rude interaction!
(1)Cheryl L.
Just terrific - can't get enough. Reasonable prices, very tasty food all of the time. Been going here for years.
(4)Zadie B.
Dining at Porcini's was one of the weirdest experiences ever. I had a groupon and made a reservation for 8 pm on Saturday. That in itself was difficult as they don't do online reservations and when you call, a cross woman answers and says she'll try to give you a reservation, but she usually doesn't answer the phone and that's not her job. Sorry to bother you miss. When you get there, a busty teen-age hostess fails to acknowledge you, darting aimlessly around the restaurant and doing everything she can to avoid making eye contact with any of the hordes of customers waiting to let her know they've arrived. As I mentioned, we had an 8 pm reservation, and we didn't get to announce our presence until 8:45. Oddly, we were seated a minute or two later. This was the case for several other parties as well, and there was a great deal of griping in the foyer. Meanwhile the restaurant was almost empty. The food and actual food service were fine, pretty good even, but we were told they had run out of water glasses, so we could not have water until the glasses were washed. Apparently using another glass was out of the question. I never actually got angry about any of this nonsense because it was so utterly bizarre I assumed it could be attributed to a diagnosable mental illness on the part of management. Someone probably thought, "people hate to wait for a table, but if we pretend they're not there they won't notice that they're waiting." As another reviewer mentioned, this is the kind of place that shows up on Kitchen Nightmares and will eventually close down because the manager's version of reality is just too far from the one most humans share.
(1)michael G.
Just had a great meal. Nice atmosphere and very good food.
(4)Kimberlee B.
This was delish! I shared a Caesar salad with my friend to start. They brought this amazingly delicious homemade bread with a hummus dip. WOW. I ordered chicken Marsala because it is a dish I like to try at Italian places. I had to do all to keep from licking the plate, it was so good. My only complaint is that the portions were a little small for the price. It was a really nice Italian restaurant and I can tell they used the finest ingredients, but I wanted more! That could also be a tribute to how good the food is. I think this place is worth the drive. Oh, and save room for dessert. Their chocolate moose cake was great.
(4)Jody M.
i've only eaten at porcini's a few times but each time it's been great! service is good, nice room (if a bit warm with the fireplace on), good wine selection (from what people tell me). they do really good salads - especially the gorgonzola and walnut, mm mm good! you could make a meal out of a couple of appetizers. the entrees are generous and so good! haven't tried a dessert yet - but they look incredible. pricy yes - but worth it. we were going to go to legal seafood (which we both love) tonite and then decided on porcini's for a change. glad we did!
(4)Ashima S.
Porcini's is a great restaurant but in a not-so-great location. It's off of Arsenal on School with no foot traffic and nothing nearby but a small pizza delivery place and a car wash. This is the only reason I can think that this place seems never to be full. But the food is great. The bread and hummus are a very tasty start, and both the Mediterranean Salad and the Beet and Goat Cheese salad alone are worth coming for. The grilled scallop dish is excellent. Find it and give it a try!
(4)Lynne C.
Overpriced food. Unimpressive decor. We started with the non-traditional bruschetta (chunks of dry chicken, too chunky tomatoes & onions). It wasn't worth finishing. For entrees, we tried veal saltimbocca (not tender) and the gnocchi (a pricey $20). The best gnocchi I've ever had melted in my mouth and so did it's accompaniments. Porcini's gnocchi were dense and accompanied by crunchy sugar snap peas and whole cherry tomatoes. This combination just didn't work for me. The same vegetables were used in the pasta accompanying the veal, which tells me the chef isn't focused on refining flavors and textures to each dish. The red sauce was delicious, but not well suited to the gnocchi. The waitstaff was friendly and attentive, but the interior lacks ambiance. The fireplace is oddly positioned so only a handful of tables can even see it. In general the decor needs an update. It is not as upscale as the prices on the menu.
(2)Lisa O.
Great Mediterenean food..off the beaten path! I always look for calamari cooked in ways other than fried and theirs was very good! They could have gone even easier on the red sauce although the red sauce was excellent. The scallop appetizer was perfect and I never felt rushed and enjoyed the atmosphere. Will definitely go again. Just as good as North End but easier to park.
(4)Tai Z.
Our appetizer was okay. We didn't like the bread, but both of our entrees were excellent! The reason I'm giving three stars instead of four is because of the desserts. They don't have a dessert menu, they show you samples. It turned out that our desserts cost EIGHT dollars each. I'm sorry, but for a place like this I think that is outrageous. They wouldn't have asked $8 on a menu because almost nobody would order them. I feel tricked. Oh yes, my dessert was good, but my wife's tiramisu was so-so and not very big.
(3)Melissa M.
This place would get a 5 if it was a little cheaper, they do overprice some of their entrees. Their hummus and bread they give out for free just never tastes right, I think they have some spice in there that just does not work. They do offer a nice wine selection and have a good amount of entrees to choose from. This place is very small so it can and will fill up fast at night. They close early...9pm so make sure you show up by at the latest 7:30pm or else! Not a bad place to go when you are thinking of a place that has Italian/Pseudo-Mediterranean.
(3)jeff h.
Sat outside on the patio, great little area. Bruchetta amazing, entrees large, filling, and delicious. Good sangria and special cocktail (Ginger Mojito). Would definitely return! Cool open-air kitchen inside
(4)Samantha B.
This place is alright. Some of the dishes are really quite good, but on the whole I find this place to be a little snotty and overpriced. I've gotten the eggplant parmesan two times, and both times it was good (not great). My friend got the bruschetta and only finished half--that says something. The boyfriend got pasta that was just average. The drinks are priced well--7 or 8 dollars I think. The service was a little intense, but decent. I live about three blocks from this restaurant and would love to have it as a go-to restaurant...but, after living here for a year, we've only been twice. I'd rather go to Strip-T's.
(3)Lisa W.
I just adore this place. Their food is amazing...healthy, decent portions (but not grossly huge), and oh so delicious. Their Mediterranean salad is to die for. The vibe is welcoming...the wait staff are always helpful and the bartenders are friendly and attentive (if you want to just eat at the bar, which I sometimes do). In the summer, there's a lovely patio out back for al fresco dining as well. I can't speak to the wine list except that the wines by the glass are always very good. The only thing that is keeping me from giving it 5 stars is the decor. The chairs are a bit uncomfortable and the atmosphere could use some updating.
(4)Jerry J.
Can't say enough about this restaurant for general purposes. Back porch is great ambience for a date night. Wine selection is pretty good for its stature and price. Service is always great. One thing stirs me to grumps: though the food is fabulously delicious, it's all too salty. None the less, my compliments to the chef!
(4)Greg J.
We had never heard of Porcini's until it showed up on Groupon. It was reasonably near, so we decided to try it. I'm very, very, glad we did. The food and service were both great. We shared a caesar salad and bean soup (both very good), and had short ribs (which were *excellent*) and salmon and shrimp risotto (delicious). Definitely will return.
(4)Julie A.
I really like this place! It is a little expensive, but I have had constantly great food. It's cozy, with a fireplace, nice decor, good lighting, super friendly wait staff and big tasty menu! The wine tasting nights are a really good deal and a chance to experiment. They have a great wine list, a little overwhelming to me, but everything they have recommended has been top notch! You'd never think to find a place like this in this neighborhood, but it's damn fine dining!
(4)Joseph G.
The food is excellent, one of my favorite comfort foods is osso buco and Porcini's does an excellent job. Also try Chef Rodney's Porcini Risotto, al dente perfection. I love coming here in the summer where you have the choice to dine Al fresca. And when it gets cold outside they stoke up the fireplace which makes it comfy and cosy. I would have given it 5 stars, but a night out in H2Otown should not cost as much as dining in the city and the waitstaff is what you would expect at a chain restaurant, slow and unattentive.
(4)Andrew C.
Great hidden jewel of a place. If you didn't know to look for it you would be sure to miss it. Tucked away near the Arsenal Mall in Watertown I found this place by accident and am always happy to go back for the pasta bolognese. The prices are a bit high for the area but the food is always been good, I've had two birthday dinners there and everyone has enjoyed their meals. I especially enjoy the always changing hummus type spread they give you with your bread. I would give it 5 starts but the prices are a bit high and I once had an issue with a lost reservation, they did find us a table but my parents were visiting and it was stress I didn't need.
(4)Ladyjane S.
Unfortunately this place has started to go downhill. My last meal here was severely sub-par and the service was spotty at best. I ordered a seafood pasta dish, which obviously is going to be a tad salty, but this thing was loaded with salt. I didn't want to complain so I asked my dining companion to try it to see if I was just being picky but she agreed (and nearly spit out the food). I told the waitress about the saltiness and they offered to re-make the meal and I accepted. However the replacement meal was just as salty (if not more) and the pasta came back mushy. Her chicken marsala was OK but nothing special. Basically a very blah experience, when it is usually a superb experience. I wonder if the management and/or chefs have changed...
(3)Becka D.
One Monday night a month, Porcini's does a wine tasting dinner in which they close off the restaurant and have a fixed-price menu (which includes all the wines, hors d'oeuvres, 3 entrees and dessert). They also have someone from the local wine shop there to walk you through all the wines you are tasting and to answer any questions. I have only been once, and it was only for a wine-tasting dinner, so I have never even seen the menu of this place. But I was a huge fan of the tasting dinner, and I would definitely go back more often if I made more money. This place is an endulgence, but it's one that it totally worth it.
(4)John C.
Great food and nice place. The service was a little slow, but they were serving someone, and since we just were enjoying the wine and dinner there was no issue there. I'd definitely go again.
(4)Hannah M.
I'm torn about my star rating and here's why. The food was delicious (albeit overpriced)..... ...spending the majority of the night in the bathroom with said delicious food coming out both ends was not so fun. And the hostesses reaction when I called the next day to report food poisoning was rude, dismissive and unexcusable. She told me that it couldn't have been from their restaurant as food poisoning takes 24 hours.... Um, not possible really, the food is out of your system within 24 hrs. At any rate, despite our initial impressions, we will not be going back. Addition - the manager sent us a gift certificate since the hostess was so nasty and I had food poisoning - we'll give 'em one more chance.
(2)Lou C.
Always a favorite place to go for special occasions! The service, atmosphere and food are always EXCELLENT! Prices are VERY reasonable considering the quality food they offer! This is our "preferred" dining spot and has been for years! Dress up, dress down, casual, yet friendly, romantic, yet great for girls night out too. Always greeted warmly. Experience is SUPERB from start to finish.
(5)Samantha S.
Fantastic food! Seems a bit overpriced and the atmosphere is a bit weird, but overall my boyfriend and I were very pleased to have found such a gem right down the road.
(4)Katie L.
Well the food was pretty good but I feel it wasn't worth the price... When paying $35 for risotto, I except it to be mouthwatering good but instead it was okay... I wasn't overly impressed with the wait staf eitherf. Our waitress pretty much ignored our table and there were only 3 other couples in the restaurant. I'm unsure if I will return as I felt it was really overpriced.
(3)R. T.
Like others have said, this is a hidden jewel. It has a warm, family style atmosphere and consistently good food. Try the bruschetta, which comes heaping with vegetables and chicken. Good drinks. The only downside is that it seems a little bit expensive.
(4)Astro J.
This place was great. My parents were visiting and I had a dozen errands to run so we ended up here by accident - and they didn't seem that enthusiastic from the outside (it looks like it could use a facelift) but the food was really great - the best we had all weekend from all the places we went. The backyard patio was super nice and it helped it was a perfect 70 degree night. I was full from the appetizers by the time the food came...Baked Eggplant Rollatini (which I ate the whole portion of - and it was huge but very good so I kept eating it), and then a salad, and then I split Bruschetta - which had chicken on it which I thought was weird but turned out to be really good actually. For entrees - The chicken parm was perfect - not dry, rubbery, etc...whatever...i've had a million chicken parms and this was top 10% (big, juicy, good sauce). Gnocchi are notoriously hard to cook but these were literally perfect. Something was a tad sour in the dish that I can't put my finger on (vinegar?)... otherwise that dish was near perfect. I didn't try the other entree but my dad seemed happy. The bill was a little high considering we had no alcohol, but we got a lot of food & it was the only night I didn't fight with my parents during their trip. Bonus! Oh the waitress was very nice too - don't remember her name but she said she'd been there for a long time & sounded slightly Irish. I would go back if I was in that area again.
(4)Aron A.
Enjoyed a nice dinner at Porcini's this evening. It was our first visit after finding this restaurant on Yelp and Open Table. Very nice menu, excellent service, and an enjoyable neighborhood restaurant. Butternut squash soup was tasty. Ravioli main course was excellent. Veal and eggplant dish was delicious. We look forward to a return visit.
(4)Tracey M.
I hosted a bridal shower at Porcini's this past Saturday. As stressful as planning one of those is, I have to say that Bridgid and Rodney made it a wonderful and easy experience. Since the bride is a lasagna lover to say the least, the shower had to be at an Italian restaurant and I wanted it to be outside. After looking at every Italian place in the area and having them not be flexible to my needs (some restaurants dont do buffets?? $4,000 to use a patio? ?are you kidding?) -- I was running past Porcinis (Never eaten there before) and decided to go in and check out the patio. I was greeted by Bridgid who promptly showed me the GORGEOUS patio that gave me goosebumps and reminded me of my al fresco dining when in Italy two years ago. She and Rodney sat with me that following Friday night and we put together a menu together that was what I wanted and pretty damn close to my budget ---impossible to do anywhere else. Rodney even made a special lasagna for my friend that is not on the menu--- it was absolutely outstanding. They opened the restaurant for us on a Saturday afternoon (they usually open at 5PM) . Although we ended up moving the party inside due to the heat, it was still amazing. We had the whole place to ourselves, set up how we wanted. The Shrimp Cocktail was so good, and everyone was saying how huge and delicious it was, the bruchetta was gone in a second. The Caesar Salad was a big hit as well. The main dishes of lasagna, gnocchi, and the special pasta/vegetable dish got so many raves. The champagne drinks that were purchased had a huge strawberry with them. She was so nice, so accomodating, and put up with all of my phone calls to her about every little detail. Not ONCE did we feel rushed out of there at all that afternoon, nor was I rushed to pay . Without me asking, they packed up the leftovers for us to take home. They had the place cleaned up in a flash (feather boa feathers and all). I truly am grateful to have Rodney, Bridgid, and the kitchen/ waitstaff at Porcini's as a part of this planning. This place is a gem. Half of the experience is food, but when you get phenomenal food AND phenomenal service the day is just overwhelmingly special and memorable. Get your butt over there.
(5)Peter F.
Very unimpressed.......I ordered a steak which was served to me already cut, so the juices completely leaked out onto the plate, leaving the steak very dry and very chewy. I did not know you could mess up a skirt steak, i just throw them on the grill and forget about them. The side dishes were not bad, but they were nothing special at all, similar to frozen vegetable packages you find at Trader Joe's and throw in the microwave. Respectable but small wine list, which I was not allowed to sample because I had forgotten my ID. All in all, thumbs down.
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