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Dali Restaurant & Tapas Bar

4.5 star rating
based on 223 reviews

Categories: Spanish/Basque, Tapas Bars  [Edit]

415 Washington St
Somerville, MA 02143
(617) 661-3254
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
  • Parking: Street
  • Attire: Casual
  • Good for Groups: Yes
  • Good for Kids: No
  • Takes Reservations: No
  • Delivers: No
  • Take-out: No
  • Waiter Service: Yes
  • Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
  • Outdoor Seating: No
  • Good for: Dinner
  • Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only

223 Reviews for Dali Restaurant & Tapas Bar

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Photo of Eric K.

 

1

21

Eric K.

Cambridge, MA

4 star rating
08/12/2008

The ambiance is great and the interior design is wonderful. The tapas were great, but the sangria is the best.

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2

12

James M.

Quincy, MA

4 star rating
08/18/2008

I went here on a saturday night. It is a smaller sized restaurant and was packed. Wait for table was 40 mins and we settled for bar which they said would be 15 minutes. We ended up waiting 40 minutes for a seat at the bar to eat. Generally when you get an experience like that you are put off by a restaurant. It would have to be just ridiculousely awesome to turn it around.

HOWEVER, when we got the food it completely changed that sentiment around and then some. This place is truly authentic and you can tell the staff and owner put their soul into it. Tappas (which are small dishes) Food orders came within 5 mins. We ordered like 5 tappas including lobster ravioli, lamb with mint essense, quail wrapped in bacon, short ribs. It was some of the best food i've ever had especially the lobster ravioli. Everything was done just perfect with the herbs and spices.

I highly recommend and will probably go again on a day where we can make reservations.

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Elite '08

13

89

Joanna K.

Winthrop, MA

5 star rating
08/19/2008

Mmmmm... it was like being transported into another world filled with sangria and music and casual elegance and mouthwatering delectable treats that made you want to burst into song.

I love the ambiance - with their twinkle lights, and two seater "booths" that give a measure of privacy to their diners. More for the couples on dates (which the host seemed to place with precision), and cozy tables laid out for the rest of us. :) I was greeted in a flurry of air kisses and a "where have you been??" by the host, who was charming and over the top with his effort to make us feel at ease. We were swept into the dining room, and were seated and greeted by our server who dashed off to bring us sangrias (delicious!) and ice water.

Our tapa of rabbit was braised in a fruit sauce (plum?) - that made the rabbit fall off the bone delicious, and we were scraping the last of the fruity goodness with our spoon. The squid in it's own ink... MMMMMM... SO GOOD. It was dark, and meaty, and just... mysteriously delicious. If I could have a love affair with food, this dish would be my perfect companion. The broccoli and cauliflower and cheese puffs weren't as airy as I would have liked, but more like hush puppies... which were still excellent. The sliced sirloin with artichokes were garlicky and good, and we sopped up the rest of the sauce with the sliced bread.

We indulged in dessert with churros with chocolate sauce, that ended our night on a perfectly sweet note.

Service was impeccable, the food was absolutely delicious, and we left this magical world of Dali completely satisfied.

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Elite '08

22

41

Jennifer B.

Quincy, MA

3 star rating
08/10/2008

My partner and I were both excited to try tapas for the first time. After reading some reviews on Yelp, I chose Dali. When we first entered we were immediately amazed at how spacious the place was. I loved the pans on the walls, the chefs laughing and singing love ballads, and the overall vibrant and lively atmosphere of this place.

Once seated and I had an opportunity to take everything in, I realized how cozy, intimate and romantic this place was. All the tables had fresh rose petals and candles lit up and we were quietly serenaded with Spanish ballads in the background. We started off with some virgin sangrias which delighted our palate.

As I picked up the menu, I had this overwhelming feeling because everything described sounded tongue tickling. We ordered seven different tapas:

Garlicky chicken
Garlicky shrimp
Beef, red peppers on toast
Fried broccoli and cheese puffs
Fried Spanish cheese with honey and sweet onions
Lobster-stuffed raviolis
Goat cheese with tomato sauce and basil

The food came out surprisingly fast. Everything smelled so delicious and I was amped to dig in. My favorites were the garlicky chicken (tasty and moist), the fried broccoli puffs, and the cheese with the honey and onions. Wow--what a combination. That was one of the most unique combinations I have tried in a long time.

As far as the rest of the tapas-- the beef on the toast was tough, under-seasoned, and undercooked. The shrimp were just douched with garlic and tons of oil--they could have been seasoned better. The raviolis were a tad hard and too spicy for my personal taste, and the cheese with tomato and basil was less than memorable.

I ordered the dessert of the month-poached wine-infused pairs with a side of lemon and strawberry sorbet. Quite heavenly. The boo ordered a flan, but he said he's had better, and the portion was very scarce.

When the bill came, it was $82, so with tip, $100 bucks! Considering both of us had ravenous appetites and were hungry two seconds after we left, I did not think the amount of food was worth the price.

Overall, it was a very pleasant and romantic evening. I'm very happy that I finally tried the tapas--I would go back just for the broccoli and cheese puffs, the chicken and the cheese with honey and onions.

A definite must go to again!

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Elite '08

169

314

Cara P.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
08/07/2008

GO HERE, NOW!

I came here with my mom. She told me there used to be black bras hanging from the ceiling years ago! Truth? I am sure ...I figure this place has evolved from Cuchi Cuchi over the top to a very chill, rustic and eccentric Tapas place.

We ordered a litre of Sangria - YUMMMM So good. Not too sweet, not too tart. Just enough for 2 1/2 glasses each! Or maybe I had a bit more than my mom?

We ordered
The  Egg/Potato/Onion Omelette
Squid in its own ink
Baked Goat Cheese w/Tomato & Basil
Pork Tenderloin w/Blue Goat Cheese & Mushrooms  

Of course, the portions are small, as with all Tapas Americana, but our order was just enough to eat and not be too full. We got to experience different tastes and we were surrounded by an amazing atmosphere.
The service was spot on and never without a smile!

Take a look around. Everyone from an older couple with canes, to a group of 20 and 30 somethings coming for after dinner drinks.  More importantly this place is perfect to take someone special. From the furniture to the walls, from the dimly lit candles or the crazy decor - this place screams...ROMANTIC DATE...or time with your mom.

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Elite '08

113

296

ericalynn g.

Brookline, MA

5 star rating
07/14/2008

What's the Spanish word for idiot?

I can't believe I thought this place was an Indian restaurant, and thus, passed it by for years without giving it a second thought.

It's a la-la-lovely place to bring a date or a best friend, have a quiet, private moment by string lights in the corner, or celebrate your birthday with serenading waiters and bubbles and cake.   The food gets more and more delicious with every little bite, and the Sangria?  Worth every drop and then some.

The decor and food and ambience could have easily stood on their own and achieved the highest of ratings, but that did not stop the staff from being sweet, friendly, and clearly proud to be there with you, as if they are inviting you into their beautiful home and sharing with you their juiciest secrets.

Oh, Dali, I simply cannot wait to be with you again!

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0

5

Brian M.

Cambridge, MA

3 star rating
07/25/2008

The food was fine, but the service left a little to be desired. Wonderful decor, though.

Like previous posters, it's a bit noisy - Wouldn't recommend it for business luncheons, break-up talks, or philosophical conversation.

Get the squid.

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1

5

Mandy H.

Allston, MA

4 star rating
08/12/2008

I went there on a date this weekend and, although it was about 7:30 on a Saturday night, we were seated  immediately.  The hostess and our waiter were friendly (and had fun outfits on, which always wins a point or two with me) and I really liked the decor: lots of bright colors and tons of art without looking overdone or cheesy.  I agree with other yelpers that it was a little loud, but the festive vibe was contagious, and I liked feeling like I was in a nicer-than-usual restaurant without feeling like I had to be on my best behavior.

we ordered:
- sangria: tasty.  I'm no sangria expert, but I thought it was pretty enjoyable, and that the spiffy straws were a nice touch.
- salmon balls with caper sauce: yummmmmmmmmmmmm.  I could have eaten a million of these.
- chicken stuffed with... salmon? I forget, some sort of fish, it was one of the specials: the breading and stuffing were tasty, but I wish there had been more sauce.  The breading and stuffing were not enough on their own to make it interesting.
- baked goat cheese with tomato and basil: DELISH.  Of course, I like pretty much anything involving goat cheese, so perhaps my opinion is a little unreliable on this one.
- scallops in saffron cream: tasty, but missing something.  Maybe a little too sweet for me?
- sauteed artichoke hearts: wow!  I don't even like artichokes that much and I gobbled these down.  The pine nuts definitely added something, although I wish there had been just a few more.

Overall, I really enjoyed it there and really liked the relaxed atmosphere -- I hate feeling rushed out of a dining experience.  Good for a date, for sure.

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Photo of Lauren F.

 

5

20

Lauren F.

Salem, MA

4 star rating
07/22/2008

I headed to Dali last week for a girls' night out with two of my friends. I've been there before, and it was just as I remembered.

I'm prevented from leaving 5 stars by a few things: they will not seat you until your entire party arrives, which is too bad for them because instead of buying a drink I was sitting on a bench outside; the bill can add up quickly; and it can be quite loud.

These factors are nicely balanced out by the tapas, which is delicious, and the staff, who are attentive and friendly. I ordered baked goat cheese with tomatoes and basil; lamb meatballs with lentils; and chicken croquets. The baked goat cheese is exquisite, and I always get it when I go to Dali or Tapeo, a sister restaurant on Newbury St. The lamb meatballs had a delicious meaty flavor and were served in a hearty bowl of lentils and carrots. The croquets were slightly disappointing as I felt they should have been cooked a little bit more. Whenever I have something bound with egg (croquets, crab cakes, etc.) I don't like when the middle is too runny - yuck!

The staff make you feel very welcome and bring the food out promptly. My friend who spilled her water was quickly comforted by an older waiter with a giant Ernest Hemingway-type beard while the other two of us laughed.

For dessert I ordered the 10 year tawny port and the Ubiquitous Flan (that's really what it's called). I had made the choice of the 10 year over the 20 as I knew we were spending a bundle at that point, and it was still very good, with a warm caramel finish that complemented the flan.

I will revisit Dali, and I recommend it, just bring money!

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Elite '08

71

184

Carrie E.

Chelsea, MA

4 star rating
06/16/2008

Fried strawberries for dessert - you must go now!

Seriously, the dessert special right now (which goes on until the end of June-ish) are these GIANT strawberries in a sherry batter that are deep fried. They were heaven on a plate that came with a tiny scoop of chocolate ice cream.

Our server was excellent, Edward C, and totally explained food, gave us bits of info, etc. Like the garlic soup, which was delicious, is dairy free and uses bread as part of the base to thicken it. I love learning about what I'm eating!

The sangria of course was delicious. As were the four tapas we tried, and the other dessert. You can't go there without getting the baked goat cheese. And save room for multiple desserts, it was totally worth it!

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2

41

Meghna S.

Boston, MA

4 star rating
07/14/2008

I would day ditto too all the poeple who call this one of the most romantic retaurants in the Cambridge/Boston area. After having eaten here many many times, I think Dali deserves a review. They have a great selection of tapas and yummy sangria. Their waitstaff is really friendly too. I am giving it four stars because it is always a bit too noisy.

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Photo of Michele s.

 

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3

Michele s.

Melrose, MA

1 star rating
08/02/2008

I REALLY wanted to like the food here. My Husband and I took note of all the good reviews and feedback and were armed and ready to go and get some amazing dishes.
Unfortunatly, we did not find any.  We ordered 4 Topas- Garlic Chix, Basil and cheese, Onion and Cheese, and  the Short Ribs. We were very disapointed with the flavors of these meals. We tried to salvage the dinner with ordering 2 desserts. We had high hopes for the flan and the figs. I have never had bad flan - until now. It was as if someone out back tipped over a bottle of purfume in the dish. It was not  good. The figs were just as disapointing- and the liquid that they were sitting in was reminisient of apple sauce. The waitress noticed that we were less then happy and offered a " oh you didn' like the food- sorry I can't take anything off the bill because the manager won't let me" We never asked, nor complained about the food or the bill. We won't be coming back here.

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16

10

Alex C.

Somerville, MA

3 star rating
06/10/2008

I'm kind of 'meh' on Dali. I went on a Friday night; it was packed, but we only had a short wait for our table. Our waitress was cheerful and polite, but could have been more attentive. Several times we saw her standing by a doorway hanging out, but we couldn't get her attention. The food was hit-or-miss. The lamb was superb, but I found gristle in my croquettes.

I want to try Dali again on a week night, to see if another experience matches the experiences of others. For now, I still prefer Tasca, even though it's much further from me.

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1

6

Gery A.

Cambridge, MA

4 star rating
07/10/2008

My gosh, i just really dig this place. Love the staff. Though the entrees are kind of superfluous, the Tapas are so good you barely notice you're drinking overpriced mediocre table wine with them. Dali has just the right combination rustic/eccentric vibe for the neighborhood. Duck with blackberries? How can you go wrong with that? I'll have two, thank you.

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3

Lee C.

Cambridge, MA

4 star rating
07/09/2008

Went on a Monday night having never heard of the place (just moved around the corner and was looking for a place to take a friend). Was very pleasantly surprised. Very good Tapas, some less traditional (Rabbit, mussels with guac), and good cheap sangria. They have a weird b-day ritual, but I didn't mind. Overall a solid place: not the best Spanish food you'll have, but a good friendly vibe, inventive menu, and enough solid favorites to make want to go back.

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1

10

Christopher S.

Somerville, MA

3 star rating
05/28/2008

Good but not THAT good. This place seems to have achieved near mythical reputation, which I think is just due to its crummy location. Worth a visit but not worth the wait in line.

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0

5

Nikki M.

Cambridge, MA

4 star rating
07/23/2008

Dali gets credit because even though it was packed, I had to wait about 90 seconds for a table for two.

For all the hype and all the amazing reviews, I was a little let down.  The atmosphere is lively, but it was the noisiest restaurant I've ever been to.  I was with my boyfriend in a corner, and we were close together but we had to scream at each other to be heard.

There's a lot of varieties of food, but the dishes we ordered were eh.  The duck, which I saw was recommended by another user, didn't taste like duck at all, but turkey!  The artichoke hearts were very sour.

The garlic chicken was amazingly delicious though.  Moist and juicy and so good, as were the Spanish sausages.  Really smoky flavor.

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Elite '08

218

406

Melissa M.

Allston, MA

4 star rating
05/22/2008

SANGRIA ALERT.... AND IT IS MUY BUENO!!  Yo me gusta Sangria.  And, I don't even speak Espanol.  But, you'll be saying Aye Aye Aye Caramba after your first glass.  After your 12th glass, you probably should have someone else drive you home.  I am only reviewing their sangria because I don't remember what I ate for dinner.  I will volver soon to Dali.

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Elite '08

18

94

andrew h.

Washington, DC

2 star rating
05/28/2008

A nice stop for tapas, but in my opinion, a bit pricy and not as good as all that.  

If you want great Spanish food in the US, visit Casa Mono or Mercat in NYC, Mercat a la Placha in Chicago, Taberna del Alabardero in Washington or Rioja in Houston.

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28

alex l.

Boston, MA

5 star rating
05/31/2008

this place is so great. My husband took me here when we were dating and it is very romantic. I have only been there once but will be going back within the next month.  The tapas were absolutely delicious, the sangria as well.  I don't think they take reservations which can make things tricky.

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Elite '08

12

58

Dessa R.

Cambridge, MA

4 star rating
06/18/2008

I've been meaning to go to Dali for months, having heard great things. Somehow it always got out prioritized until last night.As expected, they offered a wide variety of tasty little tapas in a dimly-lit and romantic space. With the knowledge that Dali is the sister restaurant of the fabulous Cuchi Cuchi, I couldn't resist doing a comparative analysis.

Here are my findings. Dali has more dishes and offers more kinds of unconventional proteins- duckling, pheasant, rabbit, squid, etc. The flavor combinations are equally as creative as Cuchi, but there are just more options for food. On the cocktail front, Cuchi takes the trophy, no question. I ordered one of Dali's Sangria Cavas, which is a sangria made with champagne. It was fizzy, and not too sweet. Very nice. I also had some kind of almond mojito, which was a little strange.

After our dinner dishes, we splurged and had the aforementioned deep friend strawberries in sherry batter. I had never tried anything like it. The strawberries were enormous and plump- and steaming hot, covered in a sweet alcoholic batter. Impressive.

The service was engh. Nice waiter, but slow and inattentive, as other yelpers have pointed out in their reviews.

I feel it is significant to mention that I got violently ill when I got home later, but I have no real evidence that it was the food. I will say only this- no matter how many times I brush, I can still taste saffron in my mouth.

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Elite '08

4

96

nick h.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
06/02/2008

Best tapas (no I didn't say topless) restaurant/bar around Boston. Years of consistently excellent food and good times here elevates Dali to my "favorite restaurants of all time" list (admit it, you have one too).

Stepping into this place is stepping into another world far away from Somerville MA. The first thing you notice is an elegant and funky blue-tiled bar that looks like it was plucked right out of Spain. The second thing you'll notice is the friendliness and good humor of the servers and staff. The third thing you'll notice is an absolutely enticing menu of tapas and larger platos principales, seasonal specials, and an excellent reasonably-priced wine selection including a great list of Riojas. The fourth thing you'll notice is that this is some of the best food around Boston with influences not just from Spain but also France and Italy as well. Lastly, you will leave here feeling like you just ate one of the best meals ever, like you had an amazing time, and quite possibly like you are drunk.

Favorites? Pork sausage and figs, duck breast in berry sauce, gambas al ajillo, paella, and any rioja off the wine list.

If you liked this place try Tapeo and Cuchi Cuchi, which are both by the same owners as Dali.

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Melissa D.

Boston, MA

4 star rating
05/15/2008

I absolutely LOVE this place!  It is  high energy, always packed to the gills, and a great date idea!  The sangria (red OR white) is delicious and I always drink copious amounts of it. The tapa list is pretty varied (rabbit, pheasant, quail oh my!), and obviously not very vegetarian friendly- but who cares about vegetarians anyways?!  Oh, and if it's your birthday, they will dim the lights, blow bubbles in your face, and sing to you in Spanish!  LOVE IT!
p.s. I always experience above average service at Dali as well.

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5

299

Jennifer D.

Oak Park, CA

4 star rating
07/25/2008

This place is not for a quite, romantic moment.  It's pretty loud and festive here.  The wait staff are really fun and entertaining.  The hostesses were dancing with each other at one point.  The rooms are decorated with an eclectic assortment of fun junk, and not so junk--well mostly junk, but it really works out to create a festive feel.

The Sangria was good.

The fresh anchovies were really good.

I loved the scallops in a creamy saffron sauce.

The rabbit was a little dry.

The pheasant was just OK.

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Kat R.

MA

4 star rating
06/18/2008

Pretty/interesting interior & menu.   I'm not much of a 'risky' eater, but I've tried some funky dishes here & they usually do not disappoint.  My favorite was some type of honey/cheese/onion dish.  Highly recommend it! YUMMMM... when isn't cheese good? But I digress...
Everytime I go to Dali I try to get there shortly after they open- no lines, no waiting.  I've driven past there later in the evening and you can see people waiting outside.  The desserts are OUTSTANDING!  So be sure to save room!

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6

13

Stacy A.

Somerville, MA

3 star rating
05/15/2008

I was so excited about coming to eat at Dali after hearing such great things about it.  I was immediately struck by the cozy decor and lovely service.  Given all this,  I really, really wanted to like my food... especially since I hadn't had good tapas since moving away from my favorite place, Jaleo, in D.C.

We tried 6 different tapas in all, and it seemed that each dish had a little something that kept it from succeeding.

We ordered:

Rioja- served cold, kinda strange for a red wine.

Cod Croquettes -  tasty, but a bit chewy for fish.

Patatas bravas- would have been great with more sauce, less salt.

Pasta w/ pesto and asparagus (spring special) - The asparagus was placed on top of the pasta rather than mixed in, both my boyfriend and I remarked that it seemed like an afterthought.

Shrimp- batter just didn't have much taste.  Sauce was delish.

Braised Short ribs- had been cooking way too long in a not-so-flavorful sauce.

Chorizo- a bit too smokey tasting.

Dali seems like a great place to have a glass of sangria.  I just won't be rushing back for the food.  Jaleo, when are you coming to Boston? :(

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29

Sara F.

East Watertown, MA

5 star rating
07/26/2008

Love the atmosphere -- really creative and eclectic and fun. Excellent sangria and the tapas are best in Boston. Great place for a date or special occasion dinner, birthdays especially. The waiters are friendly and interesting, and overall the service is very good. One of my favorite places.

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77

Mabel C.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
06/11/2008

This place is beautiful and the food is tasty.  I had frog legs for the first time and I really liked it.

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7

Cynthia S.

Cambridge, MA

4 star rating
07/14/2008

My husband and I went to Dali for the first time this past weekend.  We recently honeymooned in Barcelona and thought it would be cute to go there.  We were pleasantly surprised when the food tasted as good as it did in Spain! I highly recommend the patatas bravas and the lomitos with blue cheese.  There was an hour long wait for two on Friday night, however.  We will definitely go again, but not on a busy night.

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Ellie W.

Boston, MA

4 star rating
05/23/2008

Dali is one of my favorite places for tapas (and sangria, 'course). It's very cozy inside, with a nice, intimate atmosphere and great food. Makes a great date spot. It's alwayyyyyyyyyyys packed, though, so be prepared to wait a bit. I'm a bit torn between Dali and Toro as my favorite tapas destination, but either way, you can't go wrong.

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261

Julia F.

Cambridge, MA

5 star rating
04/28/2008

What a beautiful place this is! It's sparkling, romantic, dimly lit, with a huge personality, and that is before you interact with any of the staff.

My friend and I ate here a few weeks ago, it must have been the busiest night for birthdays cause we heard them sing for people about half a dozen times!

Our waiter was REALLY good. He answered all our questions, suggested drinks, and gave us plates so we could try each other's choices. We had goat cheese with honey and something else, and the other dish was quail stuffed with bacon and seared in something tasty.

I desperately want to go back here and settle in for a bigger meal with more people. Grab a pitcher of the very good sangria and soak it all in. Nothing about our experience was bad! This doesn't even seem like the kind of place where it is ok to go outside and smoke and then come back in for the rest of your drink, but we asked and they said it was ok, only the hostess raised an eyebrow.

I think I'm in love!

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11

Kim M.

Boston, MA

5 star rating
06/02/2008

Dali is the perfect date restaurant; the atmosphere is eclectic and romantic, the food delicious, and the sangria good enough that you'll be making giggly, drunk conversation no matter whom you're with.

When you walk into Dali, you immediately feel that you've been transported to a tiny restaurant in Spain.  The bar is decorated with Spanish tile, the lights are dim, and the warm colors make the space feel cozy and intimate.

Tapas here present the ideal opportunity for any diner to taste a little bit of everything.  Most everything is tasty, but for cold tapas, try the traditional tortilla espanola and the aceitunas alinadas.  Both will present unique, but vibrant flavors.  Want to heat things up?  The chorizo a la plancha. off the hot tapas list, adds some spice.  The baked goat cheese with tomato and basil is creamy, and the braised rabbit with red wine, juniper, and garlic presents a perfect flavor combination.  Meat lovers will swoon over the beef tenderloin with pimiento on toast, but the vegetarians out there can take refuge in the delicate puffs of cauliflower, broccoli, and cheese in the bunuelos de verdura.  

Dali does have a wine list, but I wouldn't think of ordering anything but the sangria.  It's wonderful and fruity, with hardly a hint of alcohol in the taste.  

To top off the incredible dining experience at Dali is the service, which is impeccable.  The servers know their stuff, and they know how to make a couple feel special.

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Evan L.

Somerville, MA

4 star rating
07/19/2008

Very romantic lighting and atmosphere.  The decor inside is very unique, but not overwhelming.  The food - oh, man - the food is fantastic.  Tapas can get a bit pricey, but go with a few people and leave happy.

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S C.

Boston, MA

3 star rating
07/07/2008

This was my first time eating tapas, so I really didn't know what to expect. Our waiter was very friendly and the service was attentive (we went on a Sunday night, less people, no wait). The food was either really good or okay, that's why I'm giving it a 3

The good:
Order from their special menu, it's great! We had this fried zucchini with cheese that was great. Also highly recommend the lamb meatballs. On the regular menu, loved the braised rabbit w/red wine, the lobster/crabmeat ravioli, and sauteed artichoke hearts

The okay:
Mind you, these were still good, but probably just not really my taste.
Roast duckling w/berry sauce - duck hard to cut, and sauce too sweet. Sangria - not really that special. Pork tenderloin - great mushroom & cheese sauce, but not tender enough. And their rice pudding - thought the rice could have been finer. The bread they served was also a bit too densely packed and cold, but it did help fill us up.

For 4 people we ordered 7 tapas. Their suggestion of 3 tapas per person is a bit too much unless you really eat a lot.

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Jason C.

Boston, MA

4 star rating
05/05/2008

The food, decor and sangria are amazing.

I would have given the place 5 stars, but the wait can be way too long and the bar area gets way too crowded.

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Elite '08

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Dana B.

Medford, MA

5 star rating
04/24/2008

I loved this place.

The decor is fantastic. They really seemed to capture the essence of what a tapas restaraunt should be.

The staff is great. Our server was knowledgeable, patient and accomodating. Despite the place being insanely busy, he was very attentive and hardly never out of site.

The food was amazing. We ordered this Sweet Potato Pie with beef. Heavenly!! The potatoes were crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The pork filled apple was a little iffy, but I don't like pork, so thats my plight.

Despite the close seating, the place is noisy enough that you can still have a conversation with the person you're with and not the people in your area.

This, by far, was my best tapas experience. I look forward to coming back with a larger group and sharing a ton of their dishes.

My only gripe is that their sodas come in a tiny glass bottle. I don't really drink so I love that I can get all the soda in the world at most places for $1.50. I probably shouldn't have coke with tapas anyway though...again, thats my plight.

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Elite '08

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283

Kerri O.

Maynard, MA

5 star rating
04/02/2008

Jeez, this is one of those places that's been around so long, you don't think to review it.

I think I came here, the first time, when I was eight.

What's great is they got it right back then, and have continued it.

The best place near Harvard Square, to bring a prospective Sweetie.
It's a Romantic heaven, though not too over the top.  It's natural, and sweet, and intimate.

Note to the Boys:  If you really like a girl, bring her here. It's really Romantic.

The Sangria and Tapas are fantastic, as well.

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Leiana K.

Cambridge, MA

4 star rating
06/19/2008

Well, if you can get a table at this place...you will certainly enjoy yourself. The interior is quirky, romantic, Spanish--with drying meats, garlic, and stuffed animals hanging from the bar ceiling, and little nooks with cozy tables. This place is a great for a date---but not a first date as the food can be too adventurous for some.  The sangria always pleases and can be ordered by the pitcher or half pitcher in addition to by the glass. The scallops are to die for. The shrimp come whole with the heads on and are too good not to finish.  The rabbit is so moist and tender and the pheasant is fantastic! The Spanish cheese and honey dish is also amazing. The regular ensalata mista has hearts of palm, caper berries, radishes, egg, grapes, and all kinds of interesting additions with a very tasty and yet light vinaigrette. The truffles come in crazy flavors like cayenne pepper! All and all, it is one of my favorite restaurants in Somerville! I would suggest going early or during the week, as it is almost impossible on a Friday and they don't take reservations.

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Elite '08

45

111

Kara S.

Somerville, MA

5 star rating
03/09/2008

Ohh Dali Dali Dali!   Thank you for being a five minute walk from my house; thank you for the ample bar and the friendly bartenders, and thank you for the delicious sangria.  

Dali is the perfect mellow bar to just sit with friends and chat ithe night away.  Most people think of it as solely a dining destination, but it's a great bar in it's own right.   We went last night and drank ourselves silly on sangria and shared one of my favorite dishes of all time, which really should have been the very first entry on my 'favorite dishes' list.  (I  have no idea what on earth I was thinking leaving it off!)

Drum roll please...

Queso Rebozado con Miel | Fried Spanish Cheese w/Honey & Sweet Onion

Absolutely heaven on a plate.  No matter how hungry you are, push that complimentary homemade hummus away from you and save that bread so you can smear it with the delicious cheese, honey and caramelized onions mixture.  

Also, I once had a big birthday party here and it was amazing.  With big groups, the poron is a must.  Just ask your waiter about it.  And they blow bubbles for you and sing to you and bring you a lucky frog candle!    I love the Spanish!  Si.

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Elite '08

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91

Mary R.

Somerville, MA

5 star rating
03/09/2008

I can't believe I haven't reviewed Dali before. I love tapas - the atmosphere is especially great at Dali and the Sangria is always excellent. I celebrated my birthday dinner here back in December and had a fabulous time.

I returned last night with two friends right before 11for a pitcher (or two) of sangria -- can you really just have one? and the best dish I've ever had. It's cheese with honey and caramelized onions and it would be a MUST on the menu for my last meal.

Dali is perfect for a group dinner, a romantic drink at the bar or to catch up with a group of girlfriends. And the best part is it's within walking distance of my place, so I never have to worry!

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