4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
La Padrona — Restaurant Review
What were your first impressions when you arrived?
With the grand staircase entrance to the second floor dining area inside of Raffles Boston, La Padrona has carved out its own sceney corner of Stuart Street. This classic yet contemporary Italian spot is complete with a cosmopolitan old-meets-new vibe that would feel at home in New York or Miami, completed by the (probably packed) stunning central bar resembling a massive, fringed chandelier that plays host to the action.
What's the crowd like?
Couples celebrating special occasions, a high rolling after-work crowd, and stylish locals or guests of the fabulous hotel—this is a reservations-recommended spot where the bar can accommodate walk-ins, too, so it's both lively and dining-focused; a balance that can feel hard to strike in Boston's sometimes stuffy culinary scene. This shiny new spot (opened in 2024) is a breath of fresh air for the tony Back Bay neighborhood, especially.
What should we be drinking?
One of the expertly crafted martinis—options range from a house classic and a vesper to their renditions of an espresso and a pornstar. Or spring for one of the lighter spritzes—this is a regional Italian spot by Jody Adams and A Street Hospitality (the team also behind nearby Porto and Trade), so you know every inventive concoction is going to be a balanced twist on a classic. The wine list packs the exact punch you want when the shared pasta plates roll around, and even the mocktails are balanced and unexpected—with one faux-pisco and egg white option that will make you forget you're not indulging in the real thing.
Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss.
A plate for every corner of Italy, but also something for every palate. There's the crowd pleasers (a cacio e pepe and the creamy tagliatelle with punchy Emilia-Romagna balsamic, added table-side) that are perfect for sharing—as well as less-expected deliciousness, like the decadent charred cabbage perfect for vegetarians and meat lovers alike, a succulent seared halibut swimming in lemony tomatoes and pesto, and the mushroom-adorned beef filet. Even more colorful are the New England ingredients incorporated into the menu; Nantucket bay scallops with bright saffron butter, a lobster-laden swordfish fra diavolo, and even a martini (truly, they beckon) crafted with oyster vodka sourced from nearby Rhode Island and a house-made mignonette.
And how did the front-of-house folks treat you?
Warm and welcoming, with a cool and collected air that mirrors the swanky space. There's little fussing over you, but a lot of attention to detail, many recommendations based on what you're already ordering (a welcome and dying art in restaurant service, if you ask me) and the always-speedy delivery of a round of cocktails from the buzzing bar top.
What's the real-real on why we're coming here?
For a debonair Boston space the city's been missing—and in one of the most exciting new hotels on the scene, no less.
