One of the toughest reservations in Boston, Contessa, which is part of Major Food Group’s endlessly growing portfolio (Carbone, The Grill, Parm, etc.), opened in 2021 and is still (predictably) a top spot for celebrity sightings like Emily Blunt, Chris Hemsworth, and Robert Downey Jr., just like its NYC, Dallas, and Vegas counterparts.
Sitting on the rooftop of the Newbury Hotel, at the corner of the Public Garden, the glitzy Italian spot is an easy restaurant to enjoy, with views of the city that sparkle at night, consistent and friendly service, and a menu that’s been dialed directly to crowd-pleasing.
Opulent booths and velvet-covered chairs line the room, which is essentially a glass box on top of the building. Soft lighting and low chatter make the room inviting, like you’ve stepped into a very exclusive party that you were personally invited to.
If there’s a black truffle-topped pasta on special, it’s worth ordering for the tableside truffle shaving, which — like everything else at Contessa — is exciting and dramatic.
Dining and Cooking