- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Caffe Boa
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Italian Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch American (New), Italian, Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
398 S Mill AveTempe, AZ 85281
(480) 968-9112
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 10 pm
Thu-Fri 11 am - 11 pm
Sat 10 am - 11 pm
Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
263 reviews for Caffe Boa
Review Highlights
"But the wine list is superb and the food is unique."
(in 26 reviews)
"my new favorite happy hour place."
(in 53 reviews)
"I ordered VooDoo Penne, and she had Fava Bean Raviolo."
(in 14 reviews)
Loading...
263 reviews in English
-
Review from Mandy J.
2/5/2012 1 Check-in Here
WOW! WOW! WOW!
If someone forced me to write a three word review for Caffe Boa, the above is what I would write. But luckily Yelp let's me babble on all day about my favorites and this restaurant just got added to the list.
Caffee Boa is beyond surprising, it is tantalizing. The wine is organic, so you not only feel warm and cozy from it's effects, you also feel warm and fuzzy knowing you are going natural.
Pasta was first class... Homemade noodles, a sauce that gave me the chills. We ended up putting in a second order we were so impressed with the first. -
Review from Angela U.
Chicago, IL
12/30/2011
This place was amazing. Wish we lived closer to this restaurant.
We tried it on a whim.
The flatbread was perfect. The caprese salad wonderful.
I tried the Cape Cod ravoli, chicken,with cranberry...mmmm!
Dessert was the BEST. A greek yogurt pie with fresh berries. Delicious...
They had Croatian wines on the menu, which we had to try. Lovely wines.
The drink suggested was Anatasia, strawberries with basil and vodka, quite tasty. -
Review from Serena Y.
Glendale, AZ
12/21/2011
As others have pointed out, the menu has changed drastically, but I didn't actually have a problem with the change. The food we ordered came out fine. Not anything to write home about, but certainly a touch above mediocre.
The problem was the waitress. We were sitting outside and it was quite chilly. She convinced us to order some spiced tea to warm ourselves up and did a good job selling the idea. But the tea never came and the waitress never checked in on us. We didn't even get any waters or the chance to flag her down. Another server dropped off our food in about twenty minutes and we had to ask him to get us some water. How is this acceptable at all? The waitress stopped by and said the bar didn't get the tea together and apologized, promising that she'd send the manager over. The manager never came over and it took another fifteen minutes after we finished eating to get the check and to pay.
This place isn't cheap, but even if it was, I would expect better service than what my friend and I received. -
Review from Stephen M.
Phoenix, AZ
2/4/2012
my most appreciated spot on Mill for wine and dine :) it'a all about quality here and taste, plus presentation. seems like there's a TOP CHEF back there
-
Review from Angela J.
Tempe, AZ
12/10/2011
Is the owner over it or something? This place used to be awesome. Every once and a while, my friends and I will come in to see if it's shaping up to what it used to be. Nope. I have a feeling his employees will be forced to start job hunting soon.
To all of you looking for an upbeat experience with good italian food, the Parlor OR Cibo in Phoenix is where it's at.
Sorry, Boa. It's not me-it's you. -
Review from Lee T.
Phoenix, AZ
12/26/2011
Our first visit and it was Christmas Eve, and our Anniversary.... truely a wonderful find. Gwen was wonderful, and both owners were engaging and thoughtful. I had a dish that wasn't on the menu or special board. It was something that the owner/chef had just made!! Peirogis!! This was extra special for me being Polish, it was a bit of family memories on Christmas. They were great... cooked in butter and onions just like my family has always made them.
My husband had the spaghetti and meatballs, his go to dish, which he enjoyed. Would have been nice to have some bread with it though. We also had the Tarimasu and coffee for dessert... great cup of coffee!! The whole experience was enjoyable, and yummy. -
Review from Amyn N.
Beverly Hills, CA
1/11/2012
Fabulous atmosphere. Fabulous place. Great staff. Very Euro!
-
Review from lisa c.
Phoenix, AZ
1/10/2012
Happy hour is great.
If you're a vegetarian, skip dinner. Your choice is basically just pasta and it's too much to pay for just pasta. I mentioned lack of vegetarian options to owner who said that they can make any pasta dinner without the meat. Clearly, he doesn't understand that a good restaurant should be able to prepare entrees that celebrate vegetables. Just removing the meat doesn't make a dish appealing. -
Review from Jim K.
Buffalo Grove, IL
1/27/2012
This place is a gem. The wait staff were all personable and helpful. Our wait person, Seneca, was especially outstanding. The wine recommendations, the outstanding spaghetti and meatballs, deserts, and attention to detail contributed to a great visit. Great little bar, happy hour a place to visit again and again.
-
Review from alan r.
Cupertino, CA
12/18/2011
We had a great graduation dinner set up here that was full of great wine and food. Short ribs were a little dry which is why the review was not a 5 but apps and other entrees were wonderful. The service was great on a busy night thanks for making it a special night
-
Review from ben h.
Updated - 9/27/2011
So, we've been back a couple times since we last visited, and the food/service has been pretty hit-or-miss. Most disappointingly, the last time we went, we ordered two of our previous favorite dishes - the shrimp adriatico was abysmal. 6 small, withered things, swimming in a sauce that lacked the punch or zest of the previous chef's days, arrived with the toast burnt. Not just over-crisped, but straight up blackened.
The mussels were also poorly prepared, limp and lifeless.
Sad! Hopefully this Mill institution gets back on its feet.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
10/27/2010
I never wrote a review of Caffe Boa before Payton Curry took over, because I didn't have much to… Read more »
-
-
Review from George L.
Updated - 9/29/2011 5 Check-ins Here
I haven't gone for dinner at Caffe Boa in some time and since then they've switched chefs and changed the menu up a bit. I still miss the milk fed chicken with the black emperor rice (hint, bring that back Caffe Boa!) but the food I had last night at a dinner with some friends, was excellent!
We started with a bottle of Prosecco, which was light, fizzy (as it should be) and had a wonderful light honey aftertaste. I think the bottle was about $40 and well worth it. We had the Prosecco with a 3 item charcuterie and artisan cheese board with Berkshire Pancetta and Lardo and for the cheese, Burrata, which is a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream. I had it in its more traditional format when I was in Rome (solid cheese on the outside, a softer mix of cream and cheese in the middle) and this was the soft cheese mixture by itself but so wonderful on the bread (which seemed to be very lightly toasted, nice touch).
The waitress, Meg, who was on her very first shift with the restaurant, and who was wonderful by the way, recommended the Lardo and wow, I've heard about it but never had it. It is literally cured back-fat and such great flavor. The menu says the cured meats are home-made and if so, they do a great job. You also get various little items like small pickled papers, some whole grain mustard, a dab of chutney, and some pickled onions, along with a clump of arugula, which I guess is for color. One thing I would do, ask for extra bread with the order. It came with three pieces, you want about four or five slices.
Oh, and we also ordered the fries, the lovely, lovely fries of Caffe Boa! Meg, said they blanch and brine the potatoes so had to try them and they come to the table in the now traditional paper funnel and they are lightly dusted with spices and a nice mix of crispy and softness and not greasy at all. Along with the fries you get a dipping tray with a spicy aoili, honey mustard and what they refer to as a secret sauce. I liked the sauces but would go with all Spicy aoli and it would be nice if it was in a dish that was no so flat. You can't so much dip the fries as smudge them into the sauce so that sort of lowers the experience a bit.
For dinner I had the Pici di Tropea, which is pasta with brocollini and a house-made Nduja sausage, which is basically a spicy spreadable pork sausage and it is pretty spicy so pair your wines accordingly. It would go well with a Riesling but I had an Italian white wine that was a bit dryer and seems like the Riesling might have been a better pairing. The one thing about Caffe Boa, you do get European size portions so you don't get a lot but what you do get is really good. Another friend had the voodoo Penne pasta with chicken and it was good though a bit salty. My other friend has a burger and I have to tell you, it looks like they make a really good burger and they serve it on some great breach which looked grilled, always a plus, and a little side of fries.
Dessert was, I think, Ricotta Panna Cotta, which is sort of a creamy sweet cheese and it was lightly sauced with fresh passion fruit, which complimented it well. I had it with a Cafe Americano which was REALLY good, not bitter at all.
I did notice that they now offer several different hand made cocktails that look really interesting and those would be worth a try if you go there. The only thing I would like to see, fresh-brewed iced tea. If they had that I would go there more often for lunch but I've literally found myself saying "I like Caffe Boa but let's go somewhere with fresh brewed iced tea. They do have it in the bottle but for me, not the same. Other than that, a great dining experience but just realize you pay for the experience, it is not a cheap place to go to dinner.Listed in: Best Stuff near Mill Avenue…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/7/2010
As many others have noted, I have seen a number of changes with the switch to the new chef. In… Read more »
-
-
Review from Megan R.
Paradise Valley, AZ
9/23/2011
First of all, let's acknowledge how sweet my boyfriend is for taking me here for dinner instead of some crowded bar full of ASU/Mizzou fans. It was the night of that game and Mill was poppin...Boa was a safe haven for me.
Delicious pinot grigio. We split their California salad & I'm so glad we did. It had an incredibly light dusting of champagne vinaigrette dressing. I despise tons of dressing on salad...this one just added the little punch of taste. The tomatoes in that salad were the best tomatoes I've ever eaten. I usually won't just eat a plain tomato...I savored these (luckily the boy wouldn't even try them - big baby).
I could rave for DAYS about my entree. I will pretty much eat anything that includes the words, "goat cheese." As soon as I saw goat cheese ravioli on the menu, I was set. (My mouth is watering.) Crispy sage leaves and hazelnuts topped the raviolis and they were in a slightly tangy, buttery, almost citrusy light sauce. GAAHH. So yum.
I love the interior too...& the little rosemary sprig they tuck in the twine wrapped around your napkin. I love that aesthetic.
I want to go enjoy their patio with bottomless mimosas next :) -
Review from Stephanie P.
Scottsdale, AZ
9/11/2011
I have never been disappointed with the food here. Caffe Boa is part of the "slow food" movement so everything you order is supposed to be fresh and local, which I love. Today we were in the area early in the morning and hankering for a patio to sit and enjoy some drinks. They opened at 10am for brunch with bottomless mimosas, bellinis, and sparkling wine for $18. We had already eaten breakfast earlier but after several bellinis my belly needed some brioche french toast.
Our server was prompt on the drink refills, and kept our water glasses filled as well. This is always a big plus in my book.
Their patio has a nice, secluded feel, covered with bougainvillea vines and off the main Mill Ave strip. It was a nice relaxing way to spend the morning. -
Review from Margie T.
Scottsdale, AZ
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Just returned from my last visit to Cafe Boa. Let me describe the experience. I arrive and am seated outside. It's lovely out, so, that is a bonus. I sit down to a filthy, paper menu. Not so good. Then I pickup my silverware wrap off my bread plate and the plate is dirty. The waitress asks me for my drink order and I ask for sweetner with my tea. She brings my tea and 2 packages of sugar. I tell her I don't want sugar and she gives me some snide remark about it being the only thing they have and "it is all natural." All I wanted was some lousy Sweet'N Low. Never got any bread and the waitress never noticed that I moved the dirty bread plate to the side of the table to get it replaced. Oh well! Next I order a salmon caesar salad. It arrives and the salmon is dry and flavorless. I'm done. The best part about the meal was the company. I won't go there again. I continue to wonder how they stay in business??????
-
Review from Colby L.
Tucson, AZ
9/17/2011
Yuck. That was a wasted groupon, at least I did not pay full price for this place. I will never return to this place. Slow service, food was bland, and was way overpriced.
The only reason this place gets 2 stars is because of the interior. I think the space itself creates a nice atmosphere. I had the Agnolotti Boa, a ravioli dish. Unfortunately for $16 this left me hungry and craving some flavor. I appreciate the use of fresh and organic ingredients, but this just lacked everything.
There are better options in neighboring Scottsdale or even in Tempe. Skip this place. -
Review from MIchael W.
Tempe, AZ
10/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
All restaurants seem to have their ups-and-downs. If not the economy, it's vendor issues, chef turn-over, or management loss of focus. But ya gotta have faith in the "blue chip" local stars.
Case-in-point: Our Sunday brunch/happy hour last week was simple, low-key, but perfect. Server John expertly recommended the sparkling Sangria (at only $15, half price!). The refreshing pitcher of it was perfect with the creamy Shrimp Adriatico, and TWO orders of Carlsbad Mussels. Make sure you get plenty of bread too, to wipe up every last bit of the juices here. Keep it up Jay! -
Review from Rich B.
Chandler, AZ
8/7/2011
Thought the food would be better.....We had a reservation for 7PM and my wife and I showed up a bit early and got sat right away at a great table. It was a 4 top for just the 2 of us, which I really liked.
We started off by ordering the Sangria and Wheat Beer, which both of us really liked (We better at $6/each).
To me, here is where it got a bit frustrating. Our server was nice, but I had to ask for water (usually when i go to a restaurant, they just bring water out to the table without asking for it). Then, I see other tables getting bread, so I asked for the Bread which took quite a while to get to our table. Once again, I shouldn't have to ask for bread if its complimentary and you are SUPOSE to get it. The bread came out as one lump round with a knife, which i had to smoosh a bit to break off pieces. *Glad I was not on a first date or business meal, as someone touching my smooshed bread would not be too happy.
My suggestion to them: When placing bread at a table, please pre-cut it and offer a side of olive oil for dipping.
Our 2 main entrees came out which were:
Mussels and French Fries & the Chicken Scallopini
My wife ordered the "Chicken Scallpini" which she referred to as a chick fillet. The piece of chicken seemed to be well breaded and fried too long. Overall, she was not impressed with her meal.
I had the "Mussels and French Fries", which was just a weird combination. The Mussels by themselves were good, as they came in a small bowl. In the bowl with the mussels came a few very small pieces of sausage and a nice broth that I really couldn't enjoy. The broth would have been great if they would have offered a side of bread with it instead of french fries or an addition too. The fries were OK, but it was just way too big and seemed to be the center piece of the meal instead of the Mussels.
Overall, the ambience was good but the food was not that good and for the Money we are not going to come back. It just missed the mark on too many things for us to want to take a gamble again. -
Review from Stephanie D.
Phoenix, AZ
Updated - 8/4/2011
So Chef Peyton Curry has parted ways with Caffe Boa. He probably got tired of dealing with the owner.
There doesn't appear to be anyone at the helm in the kitchen right now, and the service is slower than ever UNLESS you're sitting in the bar.
Caffe Boa remains a great choice for happy hour: great drinks, great wine selection, great apps. But I wouldn't come here for dinner--the service is slow and the kitchen is unpredictable.Listed in: The Places I Go Out, Done Teaching and Ready to Get…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/9/2011
Don't confuse this restaurant with the one in Ahwatukee--they're nothing alike, thank goodness.… Read more »
-
-
Review from Andrea L.
Mesa, AZ
9/2/2011
It pains me to write this, because I have been going to Boa for a LONG time... like way back when it was in its old location. And at that time, it was unbelievably good in every way.
Now it ranges from not-so-great to okay. The menu has changed a few times, and for a while, they got rid of the thing I used to order every single time: the Agnolotti Boa. Most recently, they put it back on the menu, but it didn't taste nearly as good as it used to.
And the service pretty much sucks. It's slow and inconsistent and generally not what I expect from a place where lunch for 2 can easily be over $50.
I'm not saying I'll never go back... but I won't be nearly as excited about it as I used to. -
Review from Wayne K.
Phoenix, AZ
5/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was my first time at Cafe Boa and I happened upon it while looking for a late morning breakfast place. Bread brought out with the meal was hard and dry. No butter or jam was offered. We had to ask for it.
One of my big pet peeves: memorizing orders. I'd rather you write it down than try to impress me when you eventually screw it up. Of course our server did. He forgot our orange juice and I had to ask for it. I was really in the mood for what was advertised on the menu as "Fresh Squeezed OJ". A large glass of OJ was brought to the table but if it was Tropicana, they'd be doing at least better than they were. It wasn't fresh squeezed. I asked our server about it and he seemed to fumble for some feeble explanation about the bartender, etc. and sounded surprised. Big mistake to be blaming others. So he finally brings back fresh squeezed and it's a glass about a third the size of of the original.
The food overall was tasty and hot. No complaints there. Service seems to be on par with the other reviews. Our chucklehead was no exception. When he did bring the bill, it was only a total and no itemized bill. Had to ask for that too. I wonder if he'll figure out he'll save himself a lot of work by doing it right the first time? -
Review from sunny b.
Updated - 5/19/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I took advantage of the groupon and took a party of 7 for lunch today. The menu online stated "CHOOSE ANY 2 ITEMS, COMBINATION OF SOUP, SALAD, PASTA FOR $9.95" Of course when we got there that was no longer on the menu. We were looking at $16 pastas once again.
Not one person in my group was pleased with their meal. I ordered the burger and it was burnt to a crisp as was the bun, my friend ordered the same burger medium and it was burnt on the outside and bloody in the center. I could actually take the burger and only use half of the bun the amount of meat was so small. The pasta salad it was served with was bland, the vegetable sandwich was the ass end of the veggies. All in all everything was less than acceptable.
I gave you another chance Boa, and while you boast of fresh quality ingredients you don't deliver on quality food or realistic prices. Sadly I won't be back.Listed in: Sangria!, Best Happy Hour
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
5/6/2010
Café Boa you've lost me. I vow to never return (except for happy hour). I was disappointed at my… Read more »
Comment from Jay and Christine W. of Caffe Boa 5/6/2010
Since we are all in the mood to post public comments, we… More » -
-
Review from Richard R.
Scottsdale, AZ
7/31/2011
Caffe Boa offers up a really good meal, but a couple of things fell shy of making it great. Still, my girlfriend and I enjoyed a lovely dinner with another couple. The quality of the food is pretty high, which means the prices are as well, but we had a local dine (http://www.localdines....) giving us $20 off of $40. Great deal.
We started with a pitcher of Sangria and a three cheese plate. The Sangria was half price, but very disappointing. The fruit and wine were mixed at the table. That means the fruit was not soaked in the wine and it didn't have an ample opportunity to absorb its flavor. The cheeses were fantastic. All were served at the right temperature and the bread they were served with was amazing. The waitress also screwed up and bought out a wrong cheese, so we got an extra. Score.
I had the chicken scallopini Milanese. It was perfectly breaded, and served with a wonderful garlic bean puree. It was also covered with arugula, goat cheese, red pepper and cucumber. It was kind of like a greek salad covering a schnitzel. Good, but not really Italian. My girlfriend had the agnolliti boa. Ravioli stuffed with mushrooms and covered in an awesome tomato cream sauce. I didn't try them, but the voodoo penne and goat cheese ravioli were ordered, and there weren't any complaints.
We tried a tiramisu for dessert. A board on the wall with the specials said it was "award winning," but much like the Sangria, it was very disappointing. Too much coco powder on top and more of a bitter than sweet flavor. A less than stellar dessert is forgivable, but it should be a crime for an Italian restaurant to serve a bad tiramisu.
The ambiance is also good, but a little off. The wall decorations and the brick go together quite well. But then there is an out of place table dead center of the restaurant where pictures of water are sitting out. I get that this makes it easy for servers to get water to the tables. But it just looks so odd. And that board on the wall looks like a chalk board, which takes away from the high class ambiance.
Caffe Boa is just a couple of flaws away from being as good as it gets. But despite those flaws, I highly recommend it. -
Review from Christy T.
Tempe, AZ
Updated - 4/10/2011
Really, Caffe Boa, you know better. You know better than letting me stand outside for 15 minutes waiting for your hostess, while you are less than 1/4 full for brunch. You know better than charging me $14.00 for an eggs benedict that comes with nothing more than 2 eggs on an english muffin.
I'm here for the organic, sustainable, impeccable food and I can afford it, but where is it?
You know better than giving me a server that knows nothing about your product. Yes, I do want to know if your meat is local, organic, sustainable. I'm paying $14 a head for beakfast, so bring on the knowledge. I'm eating here because you say you serve an organic sustainable product, show me you do. Also, you know better than giving me a server who looks like they just rolled out of bed in their grubby, stained black pullover. I appreciate the attempt at a black uniform but make it clean next time as well. Finally, if I order two glasses of sparking, don't charge me $18 for the all the can drink, when charging me $8 a glass would have been cheaper. Seriously, is this any better than panhandling?
So, where the hell is the Caffe Boa of dinner fame. The food, the knowledge, the attempt to prove to me that what I was paying for was worth it. Where is that Caffe Boa? Because it sure didn't show up for brunch today.Listed in: Tempe is my 'hood!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
2/15/2010
Caffe Boa does not disappoint. It is a wonderful friday afternoon, while away the week with a lovely… Read more »
-
-
Review from Christine L.
Gilbert, AZ
8/19/2011
After reading all these reviews, we were expecting the worst. We had a groupon that needed to be used, so we proceeded with caution. We were pleasantly surprised with the great service and delicious food. We started off with the street corn and blistered shishito peppers which were both tasty. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his meal which was the fettucini
bianca and I had the lasagne and meatball. It started to get quite busy while we were there and we experienced no disruption in service. My hubby drinks water like a freakazoid and they kept his glass full the whole time. I know there are many bad reviews on here, but hopefully you will give this place a chance like we did. -
Review from Catherine H.
Tempe, AZ
6/8/2011
Loved the food and the white sangria. The service on the other hand was just... ehhh.
We went at around 3 p.m. on a Thursday and sat on the patio. It was pretty empty but we there on a leisurely afternoon of day-drinking so I can't really complain. The pitcher of white sangria was AMAZING! But the food took forever for a mostly empty place. I was a little underwhelmed by the lunch menu, but I did like the 1/2 salad and pasta. But next time I think i'll skip the food and just order the pitcher. -
Review from Amy D.
Phoenix, AZ
6/29/2011
OK...this is a very specific review for their white sangria. The food here is good, the ambiance, OK, but lemme tell you, go and get a pitcher of their white sangria. Half price on sundays, but worth the full price any day.
I have never been this enthusiastic about a pitcher of booze. Maybe it's because we've hit 114 in phoenix, and all I want to do is hang out under misters and sip on a refreshing icy beverage that will take my mind off the heat.. Maybe it's just the most incredible white sangria ever, I don't know...all I can say is y.u.m. -
Review from Vero V.
Chandler, AZ
5/23/2011
We visited this location for the first time this weekend (had been to the Caffe Boa on Elliot, but there is no relation -anymore- and the menus are completely different).
We decided to take advantage of a Group On and ate from their weekend brunch menu. The menu seemed a bit limited at first (due to the time of day and only brunch being available) but it ended up being the yummiest and more original eats we've had in a while! We ate the Mediterranean Omelet and Friuli Bennedict and both tasted GREAT! Everything was apparently made with fresh and quality ingredients! We also had a pitcher of their fantastic white sangria!
The waitress was extremely helpful, friendly and service was overall an A+! We will definitely be returning, GroupOn or not. :) -
Review from Meschelle H.
Phoenix, AZ
5/28/2011
My girlfriend I and had both enjoyed meals here before, so we were happy to return for some tasty food and great service.
Let's just say it's not quite what we remembered. We were seated and it took several minutes for a server to come our way. We were looking over the menu and decided to both get their lunch combo with the idea of ordering a couple of desserts later. I chose the borscht and an arugula salad that was to come with shallots, cheese and preserved lemon (my favorite!) and my girlfriend chose a pasta and a salad.
So, after some time our food arrived and I looked at my salad...no preserved lemon anywhere:( I was trying to find our server, but she was MIA. I ate it anyway, and I might add it was good, as was my gf's food.
Then we ordered the house-made mozzarella with candied green garlic, mushrooms and the option, for two dollars more, to add a fried egg. When it came out, it was topped with a pickled egg, purslane, almonds, balsamic vinegar and came on top of toast. None of the ingredients matched what we read. When we were finally able to get our server's attention, she didn't even know what was going on. Bummer.
At last, we decided to order dessert. I picked the strawberry tart with vanilla gelato and my gf picked some type of chocolate mousse that sounded divine. Somewhere around 15-20 minutes later, our server came up to our table and said "I've gotta be honest with your girls, the health inspector just got here and the kitchen isn't sending out any food while they're here." I'm a server...have been for 8 years, and I've never heard of a restaurant halting service due to a health inspection.
All in all it was a pretty disappointing experience, given what I have seen from this place in the past. The food was good, but the service was lackluster at best. Better luck next time! -
Review from Al C.
Mesa, AZ
2/25/2011
Although inept, the staff was friendly, went there as part of a reservation for a large party and they were completely unprepared even though the event was at 1pm in the afternoon on a wednesday. the food took about 2 hours to get there, everything about this experience was disappointing and flavorless.
the food was overpriced, ridiculously (hours) late, cold, under-portioned and flavorless, I had the crap cold cheese covered oatmeal vomit looking tuscan farro risotto with crispy (more like effing burnt) prosciutto (i imagine cheese covered oatmeal vomit actually has more flavor than this crap dish). I've had water with more flavor than the green tea I ordered. the staff missed or got multiple orders wrong, some never came at all. I would have understood if this was because we may have just appeared being a large party and the restaurant had been slammed, BUT we had made reservations AND we were the only people there for that entire time (now we know why, probably because it sucks and we didn't get the memo)
there was no excuse for them to be so flakey, unfocused and disappointing, for the price of the food I would have been happy if at least the food came to me hot (or at least warm) within a normal period of wait (not over an hour and a half or more) and with some flavor. but no.. I paid 30 bucks (I tipped 20% cuz i'm not an asshole like the cook at this place even though the service sucked, however I later found it it came to be actually about 40% because the gratuity had already been added to my bill but I didn't read the damn fine print because I had already been at that restaurant for a total of 3 hours doing nothing but nibbling on some burnt toast with cherry tomatoes and piss green tea and wanted to get the hell out of there ASAP.
don't recommend this place to anyone..
here is a link to the picture of my vomit looking risotto
http://img.photobucket... -
Review from Sean S.
2/14/2011
Scale of 1-10 (single visit):
6 Food
8 *Drinks*
5 Service
10 Atmosphere
4 Value
Holy shit, thank god I had a Groupon for this one.
As such, note that the above 2-star rating is *generous*.
To start off on the good: The space is really really cute & comfortable. The patio has lights and trellised flowers and the indoors is perfectly lit and just feels good. The drinks were also really tasty, and the service was pleasant.
However, despite all the pleasantness in the world, competence wasn't on the menu last night. Among other things, i expect servers to a) take my order correctly, and b) know what menu items they are out of.
Well, no such luck.
Strike 1: Our server had to go check with the bar to see which "winter drinks" they were no longer making. It was 7:30pm. Do that before your shift starts, or maybe mgmt should update the menus, even if it's just with a sharpie.
Strike 2: He almost brought me the wrong drink. The only reason he didn't is because of the extra trip he made to tell us which drinks were actually available. "Okay, so I'll go put in your X, and your Y [from his first trip] is in as well." -- "Um, I ordered a Z." -- "Oh, I'll go change that."
Strike 3: When the appetizer came out, it didn't have the fried egg on top like we ordered. It looked much different than I expected (which isn't a bad thing) so once I realized it was eggless, the food runner was gone, and 3 minutes passed and no sight of our server, so we just ate it. He apologized and didn't charge us for the egg, which I don't expect took much effort because I doubt it was ever rung in in the first place.
Strike 4: After taking our food order, he returned to the table to tell my girlfriend that they were out of the Fettuccine. For the love of god, know that shit *AT* the table!! This turned out to be a problem, because there aren't many vegetarian options on their menu.
Which leads me to the food. Why are there so few veggie options? I'm not a veggie, but you should have a healthy selection of veggie options. Some people need them, and some people just want them. After getting my food, I was also amazed at how underwhelming it was considering the price. People used to bitch that PastaBar was overpriced for what they got. Have they ever been to Caffe Boa? Caffe Boa's food was less filling, less flavorful, and more expensive than PastaBar's ever was.
The only exception was dessert: a Tangelo & Honey Twinkie. This tasted excellent... but was still an astounding $9.
I was hoping that Caffe Boa would give me another reason to go to Mill, which I enjoy the liveliness of, but unfortunately not. Thank god I had that Groupon.... -
Review from Brevemike C.
Chandler, AZ
3/10/2011
Lunch - 1 salad, 1 soup, 2 entrées, 2 desserts = $80 !!!
For lunch ?!?!?
$10 for an appetizer size bowl of soup is absurd.
$9 for a basic Caesar salad?
The kicker? $25 for a *lunch* portion of fish!
The food was all good, but terribly overpriced.
Would return for the food, but not at these prices. -
Review from Natasha Y.
Phoenix, AZ
7/10/2011
Would it be an overstatement to say this is the best food I have had in the Valley?... No.
Caffe Boa is nestled in a historic building off Mill and 4th Ave. Don't be thrown off by the college town location though; this place is definitely a hidden gem. The food selection here includes Mediterranean, Slavic, and Italian influences, emphasizing the Adriatic region.
With a menu that boasts local produce, dairy, bread, meat, and even olive oil from nearby Queen Creek, high-quality ingredients are abound. Oh, and did I forget to mention that their wine list is unparalleled, with over 500 selections from around the world? Boa has dubbed this season the "Summer of Acid", amending their wine menu to selections with higher acidity. These wines tend to cut through food and complement hot Phoenix days oh-so-perfectly.
WHITE SELECTION: Try the Colle Stefano Verdicchio for a light, crisp taste with notes of apple and a little kick at the end.
RED SELECTION: Go with the N2 Pinot Noir from Napa Valley if you're not afraid to try wine on-tap. (No seriously, these wines come out of steel barrels, leading the way in wine innovation and reducing environmental impact!!)
I haven't even dusted off the cuisine... Charcuterie is a must. Choose 5 and go with the:
*Pate (Meat spread made from rabbit and pork meat)
*Pancetta (similar to bacon)
*Burrata (rich, soft cow mozzarella with a creamy center)
*Taleggio (semi-soft, washed rind cheese from northern Italy with a mild flavor and fruity finish)
*Bresaola (air-dried, salted beef fillet which is aged 3 months then thinly sliced... comparable to Prosciutto)
FIRSTS: classics include the Shrimp Adriatico and Bruschetta. For a simmering Tempe night though, I say go with the Street Corn or Prosciutto and Peaches.
MAINS: the Halibut and Butler Steak are staples for the "meat and potato" type, but don't overlook the Vongole e Patate for unforgettable clams with a sweet and spicy zing.
PASTA: the Braised Kid Stracci outdoes itself with quality ingredients like Fossil Creek Goat Cheese and Maya's Purslane (local, small-leafed green with a somewhat bitter taste and tons of Omega-3). Summer Squash Ravioli is great for just that: Summer; and Voodoo Penne is a classic dish with a mild Cajun Cream sauce.
What else can I say? The menu is seasonal, so don't bet on my picks, but definitely test out the occasional frog leg. Make sure you leave room for Dessert (varies as well) for a great homemade tiramisu, sorbet, or pannacotta.
Whether it's a first date, 6 month anniversary, grad celebration, or family dinner, Caffe Boa will never fail you!! -
Review from Ruthie C.
Phoenix, AZ
5/15/2011
I had lunch with my family at Caffe Boa before my graduation ceremony. Our server was kind enough to warn us that there was a large party in the restaurant & did was she could to get our order in before there's. Besides that, the service was slow and our server was a little awkward and inattentive.
The food, however, was fantastic - very flavorful. My father works in the wine business & he was very impressed with the wine list.
I'd try Caffe Boa again, but maybe not during such a busy time. -
Review from Travis B.
9/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
after a look around the 9-11-01 memorial at tempe town lake, we perused mill ave. which is very quiet at 9am. so when 10am rolled around, we headed to cafe boa for a drink.
we didn't plan on staying long, but one refreshing mimosa/bellini after another, and before you know it, we were having second breakfast.
the mimosa's and bellini's are "bottomless" for sunday brunch at 18 bucks a person. which you have to drink at least 3 to get your money's worth, so we played it safe and had several more. then we tore into some brioche french toast and it was delicious. very fluffy and light, with a hint of crunchy edges and some nice butter and syrup to wash it all down.
we had the whole patio to ourselves but the inside had a few more folks in it. nice little joint. -
Review from Shannon B.
Glendale, AZ
3/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Excited to try out Cafe Boa with a Groupon I got a while back but also curious based on the mixed Yelp reviews. Made a reservation but didn't want to sit outside so we waited about 15 minutes for a nice, intimate table inside, and to the back. Was immediately helped by a really nice bar back asking if he could take our drink order. Super prompt, super friendly and gave great drink recommendations.
Once seated to our table, again, really warm and friendly service with our server (Shout out to JUSTIN!). Fantastic recommendation on an appitizer Charcuterie & Artisan Cheese. LOVED IT! Great pairings of cheeses and meats.
I dont have a sophisticated palate and the dinner entree selections were very eccentric and refine from duck to rabbit to quail. I was very aprehensive about trying it. The server didn't make me feel silly about my reservation (which I totally appriciated) and I took his recommendation on a pesto pasta dish (I think it was a special because I don't see it on the menu) and substituted chicken (originally came with rabbit or quail I think). It didn't taste like pesto and the flavor was a little bland. My date got the Pork Osso Bucco felt it was ok, but that there was probably something else he could have picked and liked better. And like many Yelpers mentioned, the portions were small relative to the expense of the dishes.
We were there two hours (which in retrospect was a REALLY long time for dinner) but because of the company and no pressing plans after, we didn't mind the how long it took to recieve our dinner.
All in all, I would probably go back if I were in Tempe because of the ambiance, service and appitizers/drinks but probably would skip dinner and make sure I was open to leasurely spend the evening there. -
Review from Daniel K.
Fresno, CA
5/9/2011
Would have liked to give this place a better rating but after their service and prices egh the rating is going to stay at two.
Food takes forever to arrive, bread not refilled nor water.
18 dollars + 6 dollars for meat for my pasta dish. Was quite good
but the portion was a pittance. 11 dollar fries did not arrive either.
Maybe the place is understaffed but I've had less wait times for food and service in Europe which is usually a very leisurely pace but compared to Caffe Boa was downright prompt.
All in all a lack luster experience. -
Review from Kari J.
Phoenix, AZ
10/22/2011
My husband and I decided to venture down to Mill Ave to spend a Thursday evening and had a pretty good experience at Caffe Boa. I have been to Caffe Boa a few times in their old location and always loved their food. The new location has great ambiance and we enjoyed the atmosphere. Our server, Garrison (I think), was great. He provided great service, was pleasant, and always kept our drinks full (always a sign of an attentive server). The food was good, but not as great as I remember. We started with the heirloom caprese and we really enjoyed it and would recommend it. Our entrees consisted of the Rigatoni Puttanesca and Pici di Tropea (a fairly spicy dish). The entrees were smaller than I remember, especially for the price. However, we would probably return to Caffe Boa and try different dishes.
-
Review from Sara B.
4/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Not the great Italian I remember from the former location. I'm probably not spelling this correctly, but they used to have this yummy dish, anglianotti (ok, I KNOW this isn't the correct spelling) which had these wonderul mushrooms inside and served with a creamy tomato sauce. It's long gone, according to the hostess (boo...it was awesome).
I had the Salad Nicoise, and it was very average.
In their defense, we went the day of the Tempe Arts Festival, and they had a modified menu...and not much appealed to me.
The restaurant has a great feel to it, and it's very pretty inside, in a victorian/rustic sort of way.
I may go back to try it with the normal menu, but the food used to be superb... -
Review from Danielle S.
Scottsdale, AZ
1/18/2011
I was really looking forward to going to Caffe (Cafe?) Boa on Mill yesterday. I loved that they try to buy local and sustainable foods/products, so major kudos for that. I also loved the atmosphere. Exposed brick walls, tall windows, good lighting, cute patio.
So why the low stars? For the price I just expected better. I had the risotto, which sounded really good, but I didn't really enjoy it. Also, my friend is a strict vegetarian and was told that the chef will not make any substitutions or changes to menu items, not even putting an item on the side. That just annoys me. I get that some chefs view their dishes as works of art and are insulted at the idea of altering (plus changes can definitely mean extra work for the kitchen). But i know people who have worked in the food industry who say that they want their customers to have a pleasant experience and enjoy their food and are happy to adjust as needed.
I'd be open to giving Caffe Boa another shot, but so far it's a "meh" on my list.
