Since 1969, restaurant, hotel, travel & other witty reviews by a handpicked, worldwide team of discerning professionals—and your views, too.

Grotto

37 Bowdoin St. (Beacon St.) Send to Phone
BostonMA 02114
617-227-3434 | Make Restaurant Reservations
This superb little Italian joint on Beacon Hill's backslope strikes a balance between culinary creativity and comfort. Grotto Restaurant is one of our | Top 10 Boston Sexy Restaurants |

Cuisine

Open

Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly

Features

* Click here for rating key

Dining room at Grotto, Boston, MAJe ne sais quoi: It may be a French phrase, but it applies to this little Italian joint, hidden away on---or, rather, in---Beacon Hill's backslope. Though it remains just under the mainstream's radar, the small, subterranean space, painted tomato-red and strewn with decorative accents both romantic and quirky, fills nightly with couples who know and love cucina italiana as much as chef-owner Scott Herritt clearly does. His passion shows in wonderfully rich yet simple signatures such as fonduta with grilled steak tips, spaghetti and meatballs done right (look, mamma, no glop), and banana bread pudding with intense caramel ice cream---as well as in their relative value. Seasonal specials, meanwhile, possess both oomph and depth---take summertime’s mixed shellfish grill with creamy, lemony salmoriglio, or the intense, earthy truffled garlic soup with Parmesan and toasted bread crumbs that pops up come cool weather. The wine list, too, strikes a balance between accessibility and curiosity.

User Ratings & Reviews for Grotto
 
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