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Pomodoro
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
24 Harvard StBrookline, MA 02445
Neighborhood: Brookline Village
(617) 566-4455
- Nearest Transit:
-
Harvard St @ Pierce St (66)
Harvard St @ Kent St (66)
Harvard St @ Linden St (66)
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
A wonderfully crafted 3-course menu for only $39! A wide & delicious selection of appetizers, entrees, and desserts from the regular menu.
137 reviews for Pomodoro
Review Highlights
"The only drawback was the cash only policy."
(in 34 reviews)
"I highly recommend the bread pudding."
(in 16 reviews)
"Their mint-and-lemon water is lovely."
(in 4 reviews)
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137 reviews in English
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Review from Jeff G.
Boston, MA
12/5/2011
Wonderful restaurant. The setting is very nice. Perfect for a date or a nice night out with friends. The staff was friendly and accommodating. The first dish was the calamari which was well cooked and the pomodoro sauce was a great compliment.
We ordered 3 dishes. Shrimp scampi, meatballs with linguine, and scallops. All three were well portioned and tasted great. The scallops were grilled perfectly and the meatballs were tender. The linguine was cooked al dente. All three dishes were presented well.
For dessert the table had tiramisu. I am usually not a fan but it was excellent and I ate more than I expected.
The restaurant was excellent and I highly recommend it. It is not big which makes it intimate but I would recommend calling ahead to avoid any wait. -
Review from Epicurean G.
Dorchester, MA
1/31/2012
Italian comfort food with a gourmet twist.
Delicious food, great service, intimate atmosphere--dimly lit with candles. I liked the lighting but my dinner companion complained that she could not see her food, or the menu. I agree but I'm a sucker for the low-light thing....so if you're reading this review, figure out where you stand.
Some dishes we liked and some we did not. Our faves over two visits: liver crostini (OMG the pinacle of joy if you like liver), fresh squeezed cranberry juice in the cocktails, the spaghetti and meatballs (they know how to make meatballs like my Italian grandmother) and the creamy decadent risotto with egg, cheese and mushrooms.
Our disappointments, and the only reason I'm taking away one star: The Caesar salad (overdressed and mayonnaise-like which is not how we like our Caesar), the arugula salad (they are really really pouring on that dressing), the fisherman's soup (we didn't expect a diavolo spicy-style, though maybe we just couldn't read the menu so we missed that info.).
I'll definitely attend again, but will order my faves. The eggplant dish I saw at a neighboring table looked good too, as did the lamb appetizer. -
Review from Kathleen C.
Chicago, IL
12/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
What started out as a 5-star review quickly dwindled to a 2-star review.
Visited Pomodoro for dinner and expected a perfect evening based upon the reviews. It started out well, as we were seated almost immediately for our reservation. However, then, things started going downhill.
First of all, it is cold out...as it's winter. However, every time the door opened, we got a blast of freezing air - which finally required me to put on my down coat for the meal. When the door wasn't open, it was boiling hot in the restaurant. So, half of us were basically having hot/cold flashes, while the other half of the table was boiling. Not the most relaxing temperature.
Then, we were seated at a table for 2, but there were 4 of us...so, a bit cramped. Fine, I understand the restaurant only has about 10 tables....but there were 2 open tables for 4 when we showed up...
Ok, on to the menu...which was impossible to read. A quick glace around the restaurant showed each table in various quandaries trying to figure out how to get enough light to read the menu...The table next to us...asked for extra candles. One over...they used their cell phones...I have good vision, so I was ok, but I admit, I had to hold the menu up a bit to even see what the options were.
I ordered a salad and appetizer (meatballs). I will admit that the salad was delicious. This was the best part of the meal. Everyone else at the table insisted upon some of it, so I lost about a quarter of it, but oh well..I didn't need it anyway.
The drinks were pretty good and the flavored water was a nice touch.
However, the rest of the food was just so-so...I don't think any of us were that impressed. We asked for additional bread, which was supposedly in the oven, but it took at least 30 minutes to get it delivered.
The waiter, while nice, was never anywhere to be found and it took another 30 min for him to clear the table when we were done and then 20+ to get the bill after we asked for it. Since the spot was busy, you would have thought he'd be pushing us out...but we had to flag him down. While you may say, "sure, this spot is busy, expect to wait...", my argument is this: There were 2 servers for approximately 10 tables. At most restaurants (even busy ones), this is a normal sized work load...
I thought the spot was rather cute, however, it is super cramped and really loud. We couldn't really talk because it was so loud. Also, there were people milling about who were not at tables who were blocking the aisles and knocking in to diners. This isn't acceptable...and I'm not sure who can help them with their manners as this wasn't really the restaurant's fault (though, after it kept happening, you'd think someone would ask those folks to move on over to the bar or something....).
So, go for a drink and maybe an app, but there are better spots in the area for dining. -
Review from Ann G.
Somerville, MA
12/11/2011
What a romantic spot for a date - cozy interior, very warm on a chilly night, with candles everywhere. The service was wonderful. Our waiter stealthily refilled water glasses and gave us plenty of time between courses. He kindly let us sit and chat a while after giving us our check.
I've never had to leave a comment about the table water before, but it is awesome! I believe we had a cucumber-mint situation going on and it was fabulous! So refreshing! The arancini was delicious, but I think the lemon aioli really made that dish. My pork chop was absolutely enormous. When it arrived it seemed that the largest pig ever known to man had been butchered for my dish. We both really enjoyed our food and there were plenty of leftovers.
To top it off, free tiramisu at the end. What a great place! -
Review from Janet C.
Brookline, MA
2/7/2012
Delicious!!!! Went there with a party of 7 (2 kids). Waitress was very nice. We ordered Calamari Fritti and Steamed Local Mussels, those were great. I ordered the chicken breast which I thought was a little dry. Others ordered Shrimp Scampi , Seared Salmon, and Bisteca. Which they said was good. The waitress even brang out a bowl of pasta for the kids to enjoy which I thought was very nice. Dessert was delicious...vanilla ice cream with hot fudge (excellent) and something like apple pie with vanilla ice cream and tirmusu (which was good too). The reason for not a 5 star is parking (on street parking) and cash only and I thought it was dark. A couple across form us used a flash light to read the menu.
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Review from Ashley M.
Portland, ME
1/25/2012
Great Italian food, romantic setting, nice wine selection. We've been for both lunch and dinner and every dish has been thoughtful and delicious. When we went for dinner, we asked about their vegetarian selection for my boyfriend and although there were options on the menu, they offered to make a special dish for him made with fresh pasta and lots of vegetables fresh from the farmers market. I had the sea scallops with polenta and chorizo and it was incredible. When we went for lunch we had a mushroom pizza that was exceptional. The water comes with lots of mint leaves and orange slices, they bring fresh bread and excellent olive oil to start with. The only thing that detracts from my appreciation of this restaurant is their cash only policy.
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Review from Sandra K.
Brookline, MA
1/23/2012
The linguini with clam sauce was sublime. And they were happy to do a half portion for me. I will be back.
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Review from Snuffles B.
Boston, MA
11/18/2011
This is the first time I've ever wanted to go back to a restaurant for the water. THE WATER! Orange and mint, constant stealthy refills as if the glass magically self-repletes.
Great cozy/warm/homey/but still can be romantic atmosphere and service.
Bread and arancini were all some of the best in Boston so far. Good calamari and linguini w/ clams and solid spaghetti/meatballs despite not begin fresh pasta.
Oh crap! Cash only - but its OK, 2 ATMs just down the street save the day. -
Review from Yaniv K.
Brookline, MA
11/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
As usual, great place. Ambient atmosphere. Accept only cash.
It would be difficult to find such a great Italian restaurant. -
Review from Howe L.
Cambridge, MA
10/24/2011
My 5 star list is small, so I'm definitely excited to add another top-notch place. I'm a huge fan of so many aspects:
-the bathroom decor and smell was awesome
-incredibly genuine service. just friendly, down-to-earth hospitality. we had a friend come late, and they even recooked the entree for him
-the dark, intimate setting - perfect for a date
-freeee?! (and delicious) dessert
-although the place is cash only, the first time we were here, we didnt have enough to pay, but the server let us off the hook (and hence forfeited his own tip)
-the food: pricey, but pretty big portions and i loved everything we ordered: the crispy porkchop, warm, lightly cheesy bread, perfectly fried ricotta cheese fritters, fresh seafood pasta, and moist swordfish -
Review from Dawn O.
Boston, MA
12/8/2011
I have to admit, being raised by an Italian mother who can cook like she was raised in the North End has given me an aversion to trying anything in Brookline that poses to be an Italian neighborhood restaurant. However, my husband got a $100 gift card to Pomodoro in Brookline Village as a gift, so we tried it out. Ho-ly shnikies, in the words of the late Chris Farley.
The ambiance alone made me want to drink a bottle of wine and go home and take my clothes off. The bartender looked like a young Dustin Hoffman and was a guy you just want to chat with the whole time. Talk about cool.
And the food? Absolutely superb. I had an amazing pasta dish (pancetta makes anything taste good) and my husband had the carbonara. He is a super picky eater, to the point of annoying, but he was practically bathing in this stuff the whole time. I have never heard him discuss food or any of its qualities like my foodie brethren do, but he would not shut up about the carbonara. I was very, very pleased.
The place is small and moody, and they pay attention to the details, e.g., glass pitchers with ice water, sprigs of mint and lemons floating throughout. If you care that much about dressing up your tap water, then imagine the care that goes into the food prep. Yum.
One caveat: CASH ONLY. Make sure your wallet is full, and save room for dessert. -
Review from Christina Z.
Winthrop, MA
10/4/2011
8 of us for a friends birthday, and we brought the cake. Apparently this is illegal because our waiter initially refused to serve it - then agreed to store it - then agreed to serve it for $5/person. I was a tad miffed, and I think he could tell, because at the end of the night he knocked it down to $2.50 per person. And brought us 2 orders of free calamari and caesar salad. I wasn't THAT mad! Maybe my face revealed otherwise.
Overall, we enjoyed our food - typical comfort Italian. I tried to find something a little off-the-beaten path, but I wasn't down for big slabs of meat that night, so I got the carbonara and was satisfied.
My friends adored their Italian margaritas, and my prosecco hit the spot.
I loved this place for the ambiance. Small little establishment, bar in the middle, cozy and dark and relaxed. Cash only! -
Review from S C.
Oak Park, IL
12/28/2011
Not from the area, we researched where to go for dinner. From the glowing reviews, we thought we'd try Pomodoro. We all wanted to like this restaurant, but it missed the mark. First of all, it is so dark in there that you can barely read the menu - people were taking out their phones for light and putting the candle up next to the menu to read. Of course, that also makes it nearly impossible to see your food - food needs to be visually appealing, not invisible in the dark. The food was ok, not great - except for the Caesar salad. There is bread on the table, with olive oil for dipping. Welcome but not extraordinary. Parmesan cheese on the table would have lifted it up a notch.
The main dishes were nothing memorable - and we had four different chances to be wowed. The noise level is unbelievably loud, so much so that you cannot
hear someone next to you. The tables are crowded together. One women decided to visit people at the next table...because it was so loud, she had to bend down to hear. Due to the closeness of the tables, that meant that her derriere was practically in our faces. Sorry, not welcome. The waiter started out well, but when it got busier, he was missing in action. We waited too long for the bill, which was surprising because there were people waiting for tables. There is no waiting area, and also no barrier against the cold weather, so when people are walking in and out, it gets cold. All in all, I wish we had skipped Pomodoro and ordered a pizza. Dining out should be far more delicious and pleasurable. I do not like to review a restaurant less than positively, because I know it is a tough business with many areas that can go wrong even at the best of times. However, there were just too many negatives at every turn. -
Review from Brooke W.
Cambridge, MA
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Our server was amazing, very friendly and relaxed.
I love this atmosphere, it couldn't be more comfortable, yet never lacks on the quality of food. They always surprise the guests and enjoy people who want to relax and that love food....
We've refused dessert twice now (as I almost always do when eating Italian) and both times we were brought their FABULOUS bread pudding... how good can bread pudding be? Well you'll have to try it! The chocolate ganache that comes with it is a perfect pairing, bitter and rich, a great contrast to the sweet and creamy pudding....
Quality ingredients
Relaxed feel
Authentic Italian recipes
Amazing drinks from the bar... always changing and always FRESH and delicious
NOTE: CASH ONLY -
Review from Dave G.
Brookline, MA
11/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
A true gem in Brookline Village - You actually forget you're in Brookline when dining here, feels more like a swank city restaurant. Pomodoro is a great for date night or dinner for a night out with friends. The food is superb and the waitstaff are great. Only downside: cash only.
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Review from Jill F.
6/18/2011
Lovely little place in Brookline Village. During the Fall, there are leaves that blow in from the outside and fall on the rustic wooden floors that my friend and I like to think, add to the Italian kitchen aesthetic of the restaurant.
All the food here is delicious and really yummy. I have had some fabulous dessert and delicious appetizers here with lots of wine and good company. I have to knock it down to a 4th star just because it's kind of pricey, but totally worth it for a nice night out with parents or a date. Have any of the great bartenders make you a drink and just relax for a rustic meal in a quaint environment. -
Review from Erin H.
4/11/2011
Well, color me surprised at this amazing little spot 5 minutes from my job!
I came here for dinner with Mairead N. to discuss my trip to Ireland! We got cozy right at the bar, and friendly with the bartender Sam, what a nice guy!!
He made her some sort of beautiful handcrafted drink, and I had a glass of Prosecco with an Orange rind in it :) Heaven!
I had an order of the Arancini. The last time I had Arancini somewhere was back in high school, and it was a very large portion. These were little bite sized balls of amazing-ness. They were perfectly crispy on the outside, and perfectly warm and gooey with asparagus inside, holy cow!
I also sampled one of Mairead's meatballs, and those too were quite delicious.
And because Sam overheard my plotting and planning about Ireland, we got a couple Irish breakfast tea's at the end of dinner, it was the perfect touch.
This place is so small, but that really adds to the charm. The bar doesn't sit more than 10 people, if that. It has just a few tables, but the staff and food really speak for themselves at this place! -
Review from Mel F.
Jamaica Plain, MA
7/3/2011
Good cocktails, great food and nice, shareable portions of pasta. What more can you ask for? Yes- delicious dessert and excellent service.
We had the arancini, calamari, shrimp scampi and the chocolate fig pudding. Can't wait to go back and try more food.
The only con: Cash Only! But there is an ATM close by. -
Review from Kimberlee B.
Brookline, MA
10/28/2011
OUTSTANDING! I came here with a group before an event and this place could not be any better. We ordered the arugula salad which was fantastic. It tasted extremely fresh and was perfectly dressed. The water tasted like happiness--they put oranges and mint in it.
I ordered the pasta bolognese and this was stupendous. It was a bottomless bowl of homemade pene with perfectly sweet tomato sauce with meat in it that fell apart as my fork touched it. My only wish is that I didn't load up on the bread and oil before my dish came. That was tasty too, but the dish was so good that I had the rest to go. Reliving the meal the next day was also tasty.
We debated getting dessert and decided against it, but the staff had a different idea. They brought out perfect tiramissu. It was like a bread pudding and cake got married and had a delicious baby. The other people in my party were frustrated that they do not serve decaf anything, however when they caved and got the coffee, they said "we can't argue with this woman, she can just tell us how to eat our stuff."
Can't wait to go back! Warning--bring cash because that's what they take. If they told me they only took Euros, I'd go to the bank now. That's how good they are. -
Review from Toni M.
Lynn, MA
6/16/2011
The food here is amazing amazing amazing.
-Risotto fritters are heavenly
-Fried Calamari with pomodoro sauce is yummy
-The pasta and lobster dish was a different yet wonderful
-The Crispy Eggplant parmesean was not crispy but delicious
-The lavender chocolate mouse/pudding is heavenly
The bad:
-The swordfish over couscous was bland and the couscous was rubbery. It was sweet though, they knew we didn't enjoy it so they gave us free dessert.
-Salt and pepper are left out in small cups and not changed each time a new guest is seated. Basically, you're using salt or pepper that has been touched by other people. Their food doesn't need it anyways I suppose.
I will be going here many more times I'm sure. -
Review from molly b.
Brookline, MA
6/14/2011
Love this place! Took my parents here for my birthday and was very pleased. They really take good care of you here and the staff is terrific. The menu is extensive, there's really something for everyone. The best dishes were the Fra Diavolo and Pasta con Vongole. The Orchiette was somewhat bland.
I have also been here for brunch and it was great! There was even a jazz trio.
Notes: make a reservation! and bring cash! (no cards accepted). -
Review from Kara B.
Norwell, MA
3/4/2011
Had a lovely day after Valentine's dinner here with the dude. Got anrancini. One of the house red's was a great pinot like red.
Not so many options left over if you don't eat seafood, but the boulangaise was great. Think the dude had rabbit and it was good - very mild and not at all gamey.
We had trouble choosing a dessert but went with the pudding. They brought out our 2nd choice on the house. Great dining experience. -
Review from Thuy L.
1/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pros: Great service, tasty cocktails (esp the gimlet) and the lamb fondue appetizer (W.O.W--my mouth is watering at the thought of the fondue). I really loved how the servers did not rush us to finish our meal and the atmosphere was very relaxing and enjoyable.
Cons: Pasta dishes were just okay, nothing spectacular. A step up from Maggiano's. Even with reservations, we were waiting at the bar for a table to open up, it is a very intimate restaurant. Cash only. The restaurant will point you in the direction of two ATMs, but if you don't have an ATM card, you're SOL'd.
I would definitely try it again. -
Review from Katie W.
Boston, MA
12/29/2010
Love this place for both lunch and dinner! I love their orange and mint infused water and they have a great olive sampler to go with the bread they provide.
Awesome pasta, and REALLY REALLY good sandwiches at lunch. Great romantic cozy vibe at dinner--a perfect date spot! -
Review from Catherine L.
Framingham, MA
12/4/2010
We had the meatball appetizer which was just okay. However, the entrees were excellent. I had the linguine and clams, which was very flavorful and delicious. The sauce was the perfect consistency. The clams were big chunks too!
The sausage pizza was pretty good - just not as good as the clams :)
The only complaint was that this is totally not a baby friendly place at all. We went for lunch with some friends who had a baby with them. The baby seat they provided was not sturdy at all. It would have been easier to just leave the baby in the stroller but the restaurant insisted that we take the stroller away and put it in the back. Note that there was no one in the restaurant at this time so the stroller wouldn't be bothering anyone. We ended up leaving the baby in his seat and putting that seat on the sofa chair. -
Review from ZZZZ T.
Boston, MA
1/5/2011
I'd recommend a reservation, as it seems perpetually packed, but they graciously sent us over to the neighboring Matt Murphy's and fetched us when our table was ready.
It was a delicious dinner. Good basic Italian food, albeit with a limited wine list, although the bartender makes some pretty good cocktails. The servers really make you feel at home (having given my name when I checked in, they kept referring to me by name throughout dinner) and the free salad course as well as an additional free desert they gave us was the icing on the cake.
I don't think you can take it for granted that you'll get a free additional course or two, but both times I've eaten here, our table has been comped at least a few delicious plates we didn't order.
I highly recommend the bread pudding! -
Review from Jill D.
Brookline, MA
9/20/2010
After a million "we really need to try that place"s, we finally wound up at Pomodoro on a quiet Sunday evening. The service was fast, helpful, and friendly, and the food was delicious.
We split the arancini app, which tasted like heaven in little fried spheres. For dinner, I had the fra diavlo. It was spicy without being too much so, and my husband had the lobster pasta, which came with a surprisingly generous amount of lobster. The pasta in both of our dishes was al dente perfection. Dessert was a semifreddo cause I can't turn down anything in the ice cream genre, and they comped us free chocolate budino. After that, I was in love.
We will definitely be back. And soon. -
Review from Dan H.
Brooklyn, NY
7/31/2011
Excellent Sunday brunch. Very good service and not too expensive (though they have raised their prices a bit). Nice neighborhoody feel to the place, with jazz combo to round it out. I've only gone once on a non-Sunday and it was good, but the brunch is seriously the best.
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Review from Corry B.
Dorchester, MA
1/10/2008
Get ready y'all. Imabout to hate on this place:
I loathe it here. It is the most pretentious, annoying, overpriced Italian restaurant I know. Which is sad because the overpriced, Irish Matt Murphy's next door is owned by the same folks and there they have a really hard time being pretentious. But this place- UGH.
I was waiting for my family to show up (for some reason, my uncle likes it here). And although we had a reservation (because 5 people is a lot in a such a small place) they wouldn't let me wait at the empty table. They kept pushing me to sit at the bar and have a ($9) drink, and when I told them, that was okay, I'd stand and wait (hovering right next to the damn empty table) they f*cking insisted I sit at the bar and the hostess and the waiter kind of seemed worked into a tizzy and told the bobbed male waiter too that I didn't want to wait at the bar either and they all stood in the back looking at me irritatedly and I started to feel quite unloved until I just said "screw it" and waited for my fam. outside.
Once we were all there, they seated us and apparently I chose the wrong seat because they came over to tell me that I had to move because I was in traffic. So I suggested that they take that particular chair and place setting away... (aren't those indicators of a place to sit? am I wacky?) then we tucked into the Everything Is Over $15 Most Things in the $25 Range dinner menu (because pasta costs so much? all that flour and egg and expensive drops of water?).
The one star is for the complementary olives and the Italian bread. And I guess all the pretty crap floating in the water is a nice touch.
The funky focaccia stuff in the bread basket tastes like it came from one of those frozen Steuffer's garlic bread aluminum bags in the freezer section. And the salt and pepper are sitting in these pretty little bowls but with no spoons or spouts or anything so everyone has to dip their sticky olive oil fingers in there. Ick.
And what is up with the wierd curtained off table? Is that where they practice sticking their noses up in the air???? -
Review from Christine G.
Boston, MA
4/17/2011
My father is the biggest critic of food in the Boston area. Being from NJ, he doesn't come up here much. I've been living up here for nearly a decade, so every time I come to visit, I try to bring him to a great restaurant. This journey has led me to such adventures as parking a Ford F-350 in the North End, getting confused looks about Italian tapas, and being asked why restaurants insist on making their own ketchup. But I really think I hit a home run when I brought him and his fiance to Pomodoro.
The restaurant is really beautiful. It's pretty small, but they have an impressive number of tables for the space available. I love the bar in the center of the restaurant, the booth and wicker seating, and the light fixtures. Their mint-and-lemon water is lovely. The bread is a wonderful combination of crispy and chewy, and is perfect for sopping up their rich extra virgin olive oil. They have a list of about 8 or 10 specialty cocktail, a handful of wines by the glass (many more by the bottle), just one beer, and a pretty extensive menu that showcases Italian classics and lots of seafood.
It was a busy Sunday night, but we were sat within 5 minutes. Our server was a little quirky, but very friendly. I asked him what the most popular dish was, which he reported to be the bolognese. I love a good bolognese. My father got the crispy eggplant parm, and his fiance had the shrimp scampi. Everything was delicious. My dad's fiance was blown away by her cocktail, which was something like an Italian mojito. At the end of the meal, my dad uttered the magic phrase: "that was excellent." It's pretty much the highest complement you can get from him. And as I've mentioned, he is difficult to please.
I wish that I found this place years ago. Although I would prefer to have a more extensive wine list, Pomodoro has done everything right. Just be informed that it is cash only, and you will have a wonderful experience. I've heard that their brunch is fantastic, so I can't wait to go back for that.
Oh, and get the bread pudding. You will not be sorry. -
Review from Brandon O.
Brookline, MA
11/7/2010
Cozy quarters make reservations a good idea; although we arrived without reservations, we were nonetheless well accommodated at the bar (standing-only) with assurances that we would soon be seated. While waiting, we were served water and an antipasto of olives, bread, and garlic-infused oil. The negroni cocktail kept us in good spirits while we waited for our table.
The pasta was well prepared in a light, flavorful sauce and the steak was good, too. A little pricey, but no more so than expected given the well-appointed atmosphere.
Bottom Line: A rich and romantic atmosphere with quality food; if you're in the neighborhood, this is one of your best shots. -
Review from Debra L.
5/15/2008
I'm not sure I've seen another restaurant with such inconsistent reviews. There are probably as many 1 and 2 star reviews and there are 4 and 5's? I'm upping the average with another 5.
I met up with an old friend from college - we reconnected via Facebook. I had a glass of red and she had a gorgeous looking dirty Martini. Props to the Pomodoro in Brookline for serving hard alcohol (the North End one doesn't). This one has a bar too which the North End one could really use (but has no room for).
Their rustic bread served with a plate of olive oil and cured olives was delicious and could have served as a meal itself. And the water pitchers for the table looked like a work of art filled with citrus fruit and mint leaves.
We shared the Antipasti to start and this was the only mediocre part of our meal. It wasn't bad - just not what I was expecting. The Pomodoro in the North End used to serve an Anitpasti that I would dream about, often. It had fried artichokes and squid salad and white bean salad and roasted red peppers and potatoes and meats and cheeses. This one did not. While it did have your standard Italian meats (we sampled all but the Mortadella because it looks too much like the Bologna from my childhood) the rest of the items were a bit disappointing. And, none of them were particularly identifiable. I think there was a spring pea salad with parmesan and a lentil salad and some hummus and maybe a pate'? There was also a gelatinous concoction that neither of us was brave enough to try.
For our entree we split the whole cooked trout over risotto and it was incredible. I read another review where someone was put off by the look of the whole trout. I can see how that could happen. Fortunately, we had told the waitress we were splitting the entree so the kitchen split it up on 2 plates for us. I got the tail end and my friend got the head. Plus, it was dark in the restaurant so I didn't have to worry about being eye to eye with a fish head. The trout was cooked perfectly and the flavor was really delicate. It was served over a bed of delicious seafood risotto. I wish I hadn't filled up on bread because I wanted to eat more of it.
Now, for the reason I gave this 5, instead of 4 stars. We were full and declined the offer for dessert - but dessert arrived anyway! Now, I'm sure the kitchen had made too many that night and it would have gone to waste. But you have to love a place that gives it to you for free. It was a warm bread pudding served with a chocolate sauce on the side, for drizzling. We each only had a couple of bites and Oh My God, it was good. If I hadn't been sitting across from a Yoga & Pilates instructor in incredible shape I might have been tempted to keep going. But when she put her fork down, so did I.Listed in: Just a random list of…
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Review from Annie P.
Cambridge, MA
3/24/2008
Can I eat here all the time please?
Pomodoro was beginning to look like a mirage trickery that would never happen ever since two Summers ago... so to finally make it here .. YES!
Be ready to put on your pretty put together smile after you spread open the curtains to the dining room a.k.a whole restaurant.
Darkly lit -- perfect volume of chill lounge music (sorry Binney street you lose to this one) -- tables set apart enough not to be too intrusive --REAL candles (not the fake flickering ones everyone is using.. that they switch out when it blows out) -- and yes.. freshly cut/picked fruits/mint leaves in your tap water (makes you feel like you are on a picnic).
Service was very ninja like. Total silence and efficiency. Everything from taking our orders, pouring refills, replacing silverware, wiping down table after clearing plates.. skillzzz.
Linguine with Lobster. Generous Lobster in with the Linguine. Worth the price... sauce was rich and creamy.
Umm.. we're still not sure as to why but an extra plate of salad, two desserts (tiramisu with mint powder? heck yes?) and complimentary tea/coffee were served to our table. Happy Easter to you too? i love christ?
CASH ONLY.Listed in: Death In Beantown
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Review from Nicky N.
Boston, MA
4/27/2008
I had just eaten at the Pomodoro in the North End and was expecting something along the same lines: slightly above average, traditional Italian fare served by a burly waiter. I was surprised by the more innovative menu and more modern interior. Minus one star for the arrogant wait staff.
I got the whole trout, and for some reason was repulsed (what did i expect??) when the whole trout arrived, looking slimy from head to tail, glaring at me through beady black eyes, overstuffed with broccoli rabe and calamari. After recovering from the shock I was pleased with how fall-apart tender the trout was and how deliciously the stuffing melded with the fish. YUM.
My friend got the pork chops which were just the thickest and juciest chops I have ever tasted...and I've had my share of chops. Can't wait to go back to try some of the other items on their menu.
PS- As the above review mentioned...we also got free tiramisu, not sure why, but NO COMPLAINTS! -
Review from Diego S.
Marlborough, MA
4/19/2010
I trusted you guys!!! This place has such good reviews that I was never ever expecting it to be so bad!!! I was surprised by how weak the food was, It was completely tasteless!! I ordered the rabbit and I don't even have words to describe the lack of substance!! I have to say the service was good (I totally fell in love with the waitress), and my dad, who ordered the mussels as an appetizer, said that they were probably one of the best he has ever had in his life, so that's why I'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1. The tiramisú was nothing out of the ordinary, it was just like any other one you can get at any other average restaurant.
I know most people here at yelp have liked this place but honestly I feel there's nothing especial about it. -
Review from Peench P.
Cambridge, MA
3/26/2008
Why haven't I been here before?. The entrance can be a little tricky because you can find yourself fighting with the curtains a little bit, once you pass through them, you're good to go. The first thing I noticed was the exposed brick wall - love it, the ambiance is very nice, dark enough, nice music playing and what not.
We were treated great, our waitress was very attentive and nice, without being intrusive, I think she knew we were talking about last week's important affairs around the world and the interwebs. We were surprised when we were given an extra Caesar salad, not sure why, but we felt special.
My seafood dish was everything I wanted and then some, the spicy marinara sauce was excellent and the linguini was perfect. My party was happy with their dishes, mussels, lobster and some pasta.
We decided to skip dessert since some of us were trying to be careful with our food consumption, but...oh...hey surprise!, here...+ 500 calories for you to eat. fine, who is counting the calories anyways, not a big fan of sweets? Well, I guess I could try today. We were wondering why we were given these treats, the salad was one thing,but desserts, coffee and tea?. Was it because the waitress was really into someone from our party?, perhaps, perhaps.
Oh, one little thing, this place is CASH ONLY, so make sure to hit the ATM beforehand, there is one across the street, but I wouldn't recommend going in there, even though this wasn't in Central the smell inside was very Central-like ;). -
Review from Cara P.
Cambridge, MA
12/5/2007
"HEY! Don't push me out of the chair!"
"Let's GO Cara!"
Tear. I put my Boody Mary down.....
Yes, folks. It is true. My friend had to literally dump truck me out of my chair the last time we had brunch at Pomodro. I didn't want to leave. Heck why should I?
I just tipped my incompetent waitress some good money (note cash only) on our $10 entrees (qty of 3), $3 coffee and tiny smurf size glass of O.J...Oh don't forget my bloody Mary...Strong, spicy and tongue numbing-just the way I like it. Just ONE more minute??? I wanted to finish hearing the song the Jazz band was playing. Is that too much to ask for??
Despite some flaws, such as their slow and absent minded service and coffee/juice situation, Pomodoro's has the best Sunday Jazz brunch ever. Their lively jazz band, coupled with their chill, romantic and non pretentious atmosphere is THE place to be.
I'm always impressed with my friendly dining neighbors (it matters greatly here-it is very small, so your neighbors can either make or break your meal), inexpensive yet simple brunch menu and strong bloody Mary's (read: rocket fuel). Swoooooon. Perfect combination. The only thing that would push this off the charts, would be if we rolled my Queen Size bed in the corner and my lazy ass could crawl under the covers for the remainder of brunch .....at least for the rest of the music.
Screw Sound bites Russian Roulette table wait .........Move over IhOP...... I'm a Big girl now!
I don't know many other places with such luscious food around $10 where you can be entertained by a Jazz band. Sausage, eggs, toast or even petite filet mignon !!! Oh and their eggs are not just any eggs. Fluffy and perfectly married by the addition of the freshest herbs ( I never would have used myself) and juiciest tomatoes....(Note to self: Don't judge couples anymore. Some just work.)
Sure, you have to tackle your waitress for a refill on your water. Yeah, ok...there WAS a glassy look in her eyes. OK, ok.... so every time I ordered a Bloody Mary she brought over an extra....(Don't worry hunny.) My friend DID drink it...All excusable. Nothing major.
Sure it's cash only....Who gives a flying fuck? Stop your lazy ass at an ATM-stop paying by credit.
As your elected official (by myself) brunch whore of Pomodoro's, I am here to tell you , that not only is it an unbelievable destination for dinner, but their brunch on Sunday is one of the best kept secrets in Boston. -
Review from John C.
Brookline, MA
Updated - 3/28/2011
Went back here this weekend, still just as good. Entrees, drinks, dessert and service were all top of the line. Only complaint is that I was so full, I had to be rolled home.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/9/2010
I have to admit that I found this place with a friend by accident. We had been turned away by long… Read more »
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Review from Patty P.
Jamaica Plain, MA
5/15/2010
The atmosphere of the restaurant/bar was very relaxed and comfortable. The wait staff was kind and helpful when we were choosing our menu items. I am a vegetarian so there are not many options for me, but the waiter helped me choose a great Lentil Soup and also provided me a special salad so I would not feel left out! The waiter also gave us a dessert at the end of the night and was very accommodating, providing us water whenever we needed it. The water, fresh mint and lemon (or orange?) was extremely refreshing and the salad was very well seasoned. My lentil soup without sausage was filling and very flavorful! It is a tad expensive but it is worth it!!!
Check out this restaurant! -
Review from Kate W.
Scottsdale, AZ
1/8/2010
Pomodoro makes my top 10 favorite restaurants. I dined here as often as I could while I lived in Brookline. I love their decor and setting. The food is phenomenal and I don't recall a meal in which either an appetizer or dessert was thrown in free. Their pre-meal bread is the best and I love their mint and lemon water. On top of it all, prices are great for what you receive in quality and service. I suggest their calamari app, their risotto, the pomodoro panini for lunch, and always get the bread pudding!
Highly recommend making a reservation, especially if you're a larger group as it's a small space so they'll need to accommodate you.
