The ritzy Italian spot La Padrona made waves almost instantly after opening in the Back Bay hotel Raffles in May 2024. It was Eater Boston’s Best New Restaurant in 2024 and was included in the New York Times’ 2025 restaurant list. Spearheaded by chef Jody Adams, who spent 20 years at the helm of Rialto in Cambridge, the menu fuses Italian classics prepared with precision and seasonal New England flavors.
Calling all extra filthy martini lovers: The salty truffle martini ($24) is an ice-cold glass of black truffle-infused vodka and olive brine that makes for a perfectly salty, tangy treat. It’s elegantly served with a cocktail pick full of ricotta-Parmigiano and black truffle-stuffed olives resting on their own little chilling tray.
This is a splurgy, special occasion restaurant if there ever was one.
Go early to snag a walk-in seat at the bar or to experience a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. The restaurant gets busier as the night goes on and veers sceney later in the week. An earlier Monday night dinner will feel romantic, and a later Thursday night meal has more of a nightlife vibe.
Dining and Cooking