Excellent food and service, warm environment since the beginning at the door, till the end.. we had dinner at the table and we finish at the fireplace with the famous espresso martini! Very attentive the managers, they were always around helping..the oysters bar look incredible w the master guy shucking the oysters. We definitely be back! Great experience
Mand
Excellent dinner date :) Went here with a girlfriend - great for girl dates or romantic dates. I got the tagliatelle with black truffles and lobster. I appreciate that this dish was affordable, because it came with a modest amount of lobster, but very reasonable for the price and flavor. Our server was attentive without being overbearing, and very accommodating to us. Very cool indoor firepits to sit near, in a group or on a date. We will be back!
WickedNice
The food was really spectacular. We started with oysters (excellent), the burrata and the Hamachi crudo...both were amazing. The entrees were all perfect as were the cocktails. My only complaint is the damn "club music" that was booming on the speakers. The volume level was too loud and completely unnecessary. Dance club music? Seriously? I'll go back in the summer if we can sit outside...we were yelling at each other to have a conversation. Totally unnecessary and unfortunate.
Aaron P.
We had an incredible dinner here to celebrate my fiancée's birthday and surprise engagement. We were here for a week and ate here our last night and it was a wonderful cherry on top of the trip. Food was delicious, our waitress was fun and knowledgeable, and the bartender makes a wicked espresso martini. This is a great spot for a date night, girls night, or even a solo appetizer hang. You won't be disappointed
Heather S.
While the food was delicious, we enjoyed the scallops and short rib appetizer, lobster bisque, arugula salad, and stuffed lobster. We asked for these items to be coursed once I asked for a server to take our order. I asked the 4 individuals who worked at Mare if we could order after we were sat and had not one but two orders of bread provided by a busser (the four 'servers' were standing talking between the main dining and the covered patio. After we ordered and got our cocktails, we asked about our first course and he said the kitchen was closing so he didn't know which would come out first. We asked for the items to come out as they were ready since it had been over 35 mins. All the food (three courses were brought out) and within 5 mins the stuffed lobster arrived. The server who took our order asked how our food was after everything arrived and then went to stand with his colleagues. When we finished eating, one of our group had to ask for our bill while the staff stood talking to each other. When I left a minor tip with a note about the lackluster service the waiter started walking around the restaurant to show his colleagues. When I asked if there was a manager I was confronted by an individual who was not at all interested in hearing about the service issues. I attempted to explain the reason and the manager allowed his server to respond that I had only been sat for one minute before he took our order and we were not understanding of his job. Overall excellent and impressive culinary expertise but your front of house staff explains the limited clientele.
cb8it
Last night: 6:30 Rez for drinks that we were somehow able to convert to a dinner for 4 table, thanks to the excellent host staff: welcoming, professional, even during the super busy vibe of Restaurant Week. So grateful to Mare staff for creating an excellent experience for us last evening. Shout out to the bartender, the oyster bar-ista, and the kitchen for the awesome Prix-Fixe menu. Cuisine was what we expect from Mare: fresh, local, expertly prepared and served by a professional waitstaff. Bravo, Mare!
We came during Boston restaurant week. Our first time at Mare ever. We had a reservation. They sat us at a table in the corner next to an exit door and right next to the main walkway to the dining room. They didn't offer up the “dine out” prefix menu, we had to ask for it. Fine. We had the truffle arancini, tuna crudo, swordfish, and we ended with the chocolate soufflé. The arancini lacked in flavor, but was generally fine. The tuna crudo was okay quality but a very small, thin sliced portion of tuna. The swordfish was our favorite part of the meal and was prepared well. The dessert was the worst part. They brought us out a minuscule portion of a “chocolate soufflé.” It was grainy and runny. We sent it back. They then brought us out the “regular menu” chocolate soufflé. At least this one was cooked. It tasted similar to the chocolate cake you would bake in an Easy Bake Oven. We ordered two glasses of wine each. Only one of the second rounds' glasses arrived. They didn't check on us and it felt like they dismissed us the moment we said we wanted to try the dine out menu. I was so excited to go to Mare and had wanted to go for years. I highly doubt I'll be back again with the service being bad on top of it all. I really wanted to love it.
MB9600
Meh there was nothing awful but I was disappointed. We had a table directly in front of the door and everyone was so crammed together that when a new table sat down next to us they couldn't help but almost knock over glasses on our table. The food was mediocre in my opinion. I had lobster zucchini blossoms and lobster ravioli and couldn't perceive lobster in either. Our waiter seemed to be a trainee who was trying hard but didn't have much expertise so didn't understand the drink my colleague was trying to order. It all just didn't live up to expectation.
Keri D.
I went to Mare during dine out Boston week, I loved everything about it. Food was amazing,service great!atmosphere beautiful,can't wait to go back.!!
Emmanuel M.
Came in for a late dinner with a group of five. The place was okay, with nice vibes, but no one took our order for nearly 15 minutes and the place was not too crowded. We shared some foods: bibb salad, calamari, seafood soup, gnocchi, crab cocktail, lobster, and a lot. Received the food after 25 minutes, it had generous portions but our pasta was overcooked and the salad was a bit bland. Overall, not worth the long wait.
We really enjoyed the food and the service was excellent. Only two things that I would change is that it's a little too dark in there and I wouldn't get the drinks again, not for the price they charge at least.
Everything was great!!! We didn't get the best seats as we were seated by the door and had to deal with the cold every time time someone entered. Other than that, everything was outstanding.
Shane S.
We took our friends here on their last night during their visit from California. Partly for them to experience the north end but also because we had a gift card. We made reservations and were sat right away. Initially we thought the seating was great. It was upstairs in a smaller dining room. It was quiet and we were ready to have a nice evening, but then a large party of drunk middle aged professionals were sat next to us...They were extremely loud and obnoxious. We started to get a headache due to the noise and couldn't even hear our own thoughts. Luckily our waiter, a real gentleman and a scholar, asked the manager if we could be moved to a different table. The manager agreed but said we would have to wait ~20 minutes. During this time we did enjoy the shrimp cocktail, single serving of a 6-7 per/lb shrimp, ~12.99, several oysters , and a burrata salad. All of the appetizers were delicious. Our friends also had a couple of glasses of wine which they enjoyed. We were then moved to a table downstairs that was open when we first arrived. I had the Frutti de Mare, which I really liked, but I did find that I am not the biggest fan of gnocchi which comprises ~60% of the dish. My wife got a tomato based pasta, which was served in large pan. We were all amused by the plating because it looked like you were eating out of the same pan they cooked it in. Our friends got the Cacio e pepe and a lobster roll. They also liked their food, but my friend did mention that he prefers lobster rolls cold as this one is served hot. Overall a good experience aside from the other drunk patrons.
Kface Rides
This was one of my favorite places to go whenever in Boston or in the north end but after my last experience, I will no longer be eating at this establishment due to poor treatment. When was checking in for a reservation I walked in as I was, checking in the person I was dining with was no longer able to make it on time so I was gonna dine alone and then I was told they would find me a table. As the gentleman went and seated, the people behind me that had no reservation, then took his sweet time to come back and chitchat with the lady at the reservation desk, and then she came and asked me if I was still. Waiting for someone like I didn’t already tell her that I will be dining alone then they give me excuse. Unfortunately I’m only one person I would have to wait until a seat at the bar is available so I just turned around and left. The treatment was very cold. I’ve dine. Here of times by myself never encountered this. They could’ve simply said. we can’t honor your reservation and I would’ve kindly left
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell, Lobster Ravioli
ASCAL
Amazing food experience- went during restaurant week which is perfect time to sample a varied menu at a very reasonable price. Surf and turf appetizers were outstanding- short rib over truffle mashed with a seared diver scallop. I had filet perfectly cooked and tender, other guest had mussels and clams vongole over pasta. We were stuffed but made room for chocolate soufflé and bread pudding as well as a fabulous expresso martini! Great service.
Excellent food and service, warm environment since the beginning at the door, till the end.. we had dinner at the table and we finish at the fireplace with the famous espresso martini! Very attentive the managers, they were always around helping..the oysters bar look incredible w the master guy shucking the oysters. We definitely be back! Great experience
Excellent dinner date :) Went here with a girlfriend - great for girl dates or romantic dates. I got the tagliatelle with black truffles and lobster. I appreciate that this dish was affordable, because it came with a modest amount of lobster, but very reasonable for the price and flavor. Our server was attentive without being overbearing, and very accommodating to us. Very cool indoor firepits to sit near, in a group or on a date. We will be back!
The food was really spectacular. We started with oysters (excellent), the burrata and the Hamachi crudo...both were amazing. The entrees were all perfect as were the cocktails. My only complaint is the damn "club music" that was booming on the speakers. The volume level was too loud and completely unnecessary. Dance club music? Seriously? I'll go back in the summer if we can sit outside...we were yelling at each other to have a conversation. Totally unnecessary and unfortunate.
We had an incredible dinner here to celebrate my fiancée's birthday and surprise engagement. We were here for a week and ate here our last night and it was a wonderful cherry on top of the trip. Food was delicious, our waitress was fun and knowledgeable, and the bartender makes a wicked espresso martini. This is a great spot for a date night, girls night, or even a solo appetizer hang. You won't be disappointed
While the food was delicious, we enjoyed the scallops and short rib appetizer, lobster bisque, arugula salad, and stuffed lobster. We asked for these items to be coursed once I asked for a server to take our order. I asked the 4 individuals who worked at Mare if we could order after we were sat and had not one but two orders of bread provided by a busser (the four 'servers' were standing talking between the main dining and the covered patio. After we ordered and got our cocktails, we asked about our first course and he said the kitchen was closing so he didn't know which would come out first. We asked for the items to come out as they were ready since it had been over 35 mins. All the food (three courses were brought out) and within 5 mins the stuffed lobster arrived. The server who took our order asked how our food was after everything arrived and then went to stand with his colleagues. When we finished eating, one of our group had to ask for our bill while the staff stood talking to each other. When I left a minor tip with a note about the lackluster service the waiter started walking around the restaurant to show his colleagues. When I asked if there was a manager I was confronted by an individual who was not at all interested in hearing about the service issues. I attempted to explain the reason and the manager allowed his server to respond that I had only been sat for one minute before he took our order and we were not understanding of his job. Overall excellent and impressive culinary expertise but your front of house staff explains the limited clientele.
Last night: 6:30 Rez for drinks that we were somehow able to convert to a dinner for 4 table, thanks to the excellent host staff: welcoming, professional, even during the super busy vibe of Restaurant Week. So grateful to Mare staff for creating an excellent experience for us last evening. Shout out to the bartender, the oyster bar-ista, and the kitchen for the awesome Prix-Fixe menu. Cuisine was what we expect from Mare: fresh, local, expertly prepared and served by a professional waitstaff. Bravo, Mare!
We came during Boston restaurant week. Our first time at Mare ever. We had a reservation. They sat us at a table in the corner next to an exit door and right next to the main walkway to the dining room. They didn't offer up the “dine out” prefix menu, we had to ask for it. Fine. We had the truffle arancini, tuna crudo, swordfish, and we ended with the chocolate soufflé. The arancini lacked in flavor, but was generally fine. The tuna crudo was okay quality but a very small, thin sliced portion of tuna. The swordfish was our favorite part of the meal and was prepared well. The dessert was the worst part. They brought us out a minuscule portion of a “chocolate soufflé.” It was grainy and runny. We sent it back. They then brought us out the “regular menu” chocolate soufflé. At least this one was cooked. It tasted similar to the chocolate cake you would bake in an Easy Bake Oven. We ordered two glasses of wine each. Only one of the second rounds' glasses arrived. They didn't check on us and it felt like they dismissed us the moment we said we wanted to try the dine out menu. I was so excited to go to Mare and had wanted to go for years. I highly doubt I'll be back again with the service being bad on top of it all. I really wanted to love it.
Meh there was nothing awful but I was disappointed. We had a table directly in front of the door and everyone was so crammed together that when a new table sat down next to us they couldn't help but almost knock over glasses on our table. The food was mediocre in my opinion. I had lobster zucchini blossoms and lobster ravioli and couldn't perceive lobster in either. Our waiter seemed to be a trainee who was trying hard but didn't have much expertise so didn't understand the drink my colleague was trying to order. It all just didn't live up to expectation.
I went to Mare during dine out Boston week, I loved everything about it. Food was amazing,service great!atmosphere beautiful,can't wait to go back.!!
Came in for a late dinner with a group of five. The place was okay, with nice vibes, but no one took our order for nearly 15 minutes and the place was not too crowded. We shared some foods: bibb salad, calamari, seafood soup, gnocchi, crab cocktail, lobster, and a lot. Received the food after 25 minutes, it had generous portions but our pasta was overcooked and the salad was a bit bland. Overall, not worth the long wait.
Restaurantji Recommends
We really enjoyed the food and the service was excellent. Only two things that I would change is that it's a little too dark in there and I wouldn't get the drinks again, not for the price they charge at least.
Everything was great!!! We didn't get the best seats as we were seated by the door and had to deal with the cold every time time someone entered. Other than that, everything was outstanding.
We took our friends here on their last night during their visit from California. Partly for them to experience the north end but also because we had a gift card. We made reservations and were sat right away. Initially we thought the seating was great. It was upstairs in a smaller dining room. It was quiet and we were ready to have a nice evening, but then a large party of drunk middle aged professionals were sat next to us...They were extremely loud and obnoxious. We started to get a headache due to the noise and couldn't even hear our own thoughts. Luckily our waiter, a real gentleman and a scholar, asked the manager if we could be moved to a different table. The manager agreed but said we would have to wait ~20 minutes. During this time we did enjoy the shrimp cocktail, single serving of a 6-7 per/lb shrimp, ~12.99, several oysters , and a burrata salad. All of the appetizers were delicious. Our friends also had a couple of glasses of wine which they enjoyed. We were then moved to a table downstairs that was open when we first arrived. I had the Frutti de Mare, which I really liked, but I did find that I am not the biggest fan of gnocchi which comprises ~60% of the dish. My wife got a tomato based pasta, which was served in large pan. We were all amused by the plating because it looked like you were eating out of the same pan they cooked it in. Our friends got the Cacio e pepe and a lobster roll. They also liked their food, but my friend did mention that he prefers lobster rolls cold as this one is served hot. Overall a good experience aside from the other drunk patrons.
This was one of my favorite places to go whenever in Boston or in the north end but after my last experience, I will no longer be eating at this establishment due to poor treatment. When was checking in for a reservation I walked in as I was, checking in the person I was dining with was no longer able to make it on time so I was gonna dine alone and then I was told they would find me a table. As the gentleman went and seated, the people behind me that had no reservation, then took his sweet time to come back and chitchat with the lady at the reservation desk, and then she came and asked me if I was still. Waiting for someone like I didn’t already tell her that I will be dining alone then they give me excuse. Unfortunately I’m only one person I would have to wait until a seat at the bar is available so I just turned around and left. The treatment was very cold. I’ve dine. Here of times by myself never encountered this. They could’ve simply said. we can’t honor your reservation and I would’ve kindly left
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Oysters on the Half Shell, Lobster Ravioli
Amazing food experience- went during restaurant week which is perfect time to sample a varied menu at a very reasonable price. Surf and turf appetizers were outstanding- short rib over truffle mashed with a seared diver scallop. I had filet perfectly cooked and tender, other guest had mussels and clams vongole over pasta. We were stuffed but made room for chocolate soufflé and bread pudding as well as a fabulous expresso martini! Great service.