I think I set my expectations too high and possibly the restaurant had an off day. Old fashion lacked an orange peel and served in martini glass, odd. Monkfish dinner was good, needed more seasoning in my opinion. Felt "chic", not what I was looking for.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Thomas
Our meal, from app to desert was outstanding. We started with the cheese board, then grilled octopus. We bath had the halibut dinner special as our main entree. The chocolate tort was exceptional. Service was excellent. We will return to dine here again.
DrDay
Truely amazing! Monkfish was a spiritual experience–I didn't know food could taste this devine—comes with cannellini beans, and I fortunately had a veg side of mostly cauliflower, which was also a perfect match. Blonde Oysters are amoung the best I've had. Tuna Tartare delicate and delightful. Only three reserve wines available by Coravin system at time of dining, the Burgundy was a special journey of aromas and flavours. Mostly excellent personable service.
JeffP
Simply the best seafood in the North East. Great presentation, consistently high quality, great flavors. The ambience is chic and it's always hopping. Service is friendly and helpful. The prices are very high but you get what you pay for.
Yvonne Ford
Had dinner on Wednesday night at Ostra. Everything was good until we ordered the cornish hen which was shockingly bad. It was like deep fried cardboard. Didn't eat one bite of it. Took it home for the dog. Dog sniffed it, licked it and then walked away....and this is a dog that ate a dead sparrow it found on Commonwealth Avenue. If Mistral can do a good cornish hen, why can't you guys? It was over fried, tasteless, no sauce or gravy, chopped up into four pieces and splayed out onto mashed potatoes. We love this restaurant . Please do something about this.
Donavelle Jace De Castro
Pictures of Sea Bass Tartare, Crisp Snow Pea, and Roasted Cornish Game Hen are halved portions (shared between two people). Tartare was very flavorful. Snow pea was refreshing with subtle vinaigrette. Game hen was simple, yet the most delicious with almost sweet jus and crispy skin. Monkfish saddle was good, but very salty crust. Sorbet (blood orange, coconut-yuzu, and mango) was perfect to conclude the night. Snow egg was mostly sugar, but basil and raspberries go well. Food was plenty for two people.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Sea Bass Tartare
Anna Shchetinina
It was decent. The menu isn’t especially creative, but service was very welcoming. The taste of dishes is good, however portions are quite small. There are better options in Boston within this price range, but overall pleasant experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
George Holler
We loved the fresh oysters and fish. Had a couple of service blips (minor stuff) and as a result the comp’d about half the bill. They really had no need to do that, but they insisted. Way to ensure the customer is happy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
SusanP
Another dinner at the bar, great chatting with Ella, comparing pics of our dogs while eating a delicious risotto with crab. Beautiful, delicious, and great hospitality from the front desk to the lovely person behind the bar (Ella).
Everything was amazing! I'm not a food expert so I won't go into it, but it's a must go. MY ONLY issue, was the lack of force for the dress code. When telling my girlfriend we were going somewhere nice and there is a dress code, to be seated next to a guy in a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers. Like come on, don't mention there is a dress code and to not follow through with said “rule”, it's annoying. Now I know to show up in sweatpants and a hoodie, thanks!
I sat at the bar, very attentive service. The best. branzino I've ever had. I enjoyed the atmosphere, the menu was inventive, healthy, beautifully plated and delicious (checked out with my neighbors on both sides. A def. recommend. Also, a single woman dining on her own, the service isn't always comparable, not a miss here...could really see the equity in how all visitors were being greeted and treated.
ATEH
Was excellent service and food. We had the Mediterranean salted, crusted Bronzino, which was amazingly fresh and fragrant! Best in town if not, the USA. What makes it extra special  are the fresh herbs that they from parsley, to fresh oregano!
Sarah zzyoung
My partner & I did the hamachi crudo, the ricotta gnocchetti, & the salt crusted branzino. We also did the snow egg & the panna cotta for desserts. We did the Island Smash w Rum + Maiden Sway for drinks. Bread + butter & oil, & the after dinner chocolates were amazing too. Everything was so good. Tasty, well-executed, & beautiful presentations. Really enjoyed the overall experience. Made for a very cute romantic date.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Hamachi Crudo, Salt Crusted Branzino, Panna Cotta
Nikolay Germakovski
had a fabulous dinner with my daughter. We started with Grilled Spanish Octopus, followed by Paella “Valenciana Style” and topped by Snow Egg.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Isaac
This place is what seafood should be. Lobster. Crab. Monkfish. Bread on the side. I am very happy with what we got. My only regret is getting the crab instead of more lobster. If you have the money, go for it.
I think I set my expectations too high and possibly the restaurant had an off day. Old fashion lacked an orange peel and served in martini glass, odd. Monkfish dinner was good, needed more seasoning in my opinion. Felt "chic", not what I was looking for.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Our meal, from app to desert was outstanding. We started with the cheese board, then grilled octopus. We bath had the halibut dinner special as our main entree. The chocolate tort was exceptional. Service was excellent. We will return to dine here again.
Truely amazing! Monkfish was a spiritual experience–I didn't know food could taste this devine—comes with cannellini beans, and I fortunately had a veg side of mostly cauliflower, which was also a perfect match. Blonde Oysters are amoung the best I've had. Tuna Tartare delicate and delightful. Only three reserve wines available by Coravin system at time of dining, the Burgundy was a special journey of aromas and flavours. Mostly excellent personable service.
Simply the best seafood in the North East. Great presentation, consistently high quality, great flavors. The ambience is chic and it's always hopping. Service is friendly and helpful. The prices are very high but you get what you pay for.
Had dinner on Wednesday night at Ostra. Everything was good until we ordered the cornish hen which was shockingly bad. It was like deep fried cardboard. Didn't eat one bite of it. Took it home for the dog. Dog sniffed it, licked it and then walked away....and this is a dog that ate a dead sparrow it found on Commonwealth Avenue. If Mistral can do a good cornish hen, why can't you guys? It was over fried, tasteless, no sauce or gravy, chopped up into four pieces and splayed out onto mashed potatoes. We love this restaurant . Please do something about this.
Pictures of Sea Bass Tartare, Crisp Snow Pea, and Roasted Cornish Game Hen are halved portions (shared between two people). Tartare was very flavorful. Snow pea was refreshing with subtle vinaigrette. Game hen was simple, yet the most delicious with almost sweet jus and crispy skin. Monkfish saddle was good, but very salty crust. Sorbet (blood orange, coconut-yuzu, and mango) was perfect to conclude the night. Snow egg was mostly sugar, but basil and raspberries go well. Food was plenty for two people.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Sea Bass Tartare
It was decent. The menu isn’t especially creative, but service was very welcoming. The taste of dishes is good, however portions are quite small. There are better options in Boston within this price range, but overall pleasant experience.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
We loved the fresh oysters and fish. Had a couple of service blips (minor stuff) and as a result the comp’d about half the bill. They really had no need to do that, but they insisted. Way to ensure the customer is happy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Another dinner at the bar, great chatting with Ella, comparing pics of our dogs while eating a delicious risotto with crab. Beautiful, delicious, and great hospitality from the front desk to the lovely person behind the bar (Ella).
Everything was amazing! I'm not a food expert so I won't go into it, but it's a must go. MY ONLY issue, was the lack of force for the dress code. When telling my girlfriend we were going somewhere nice and there is a dress code, to be seated next to a guy in a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers. Like come on, don't mention there is a dress code and to not follow through with said “rule”, it's annoying. Now I know to show up in sweatpants and a hoodie, thanks!
Restaurantji Recommends
I sat at the bar, very attentive service. The best. branzino I've ever had. I enjoyed the atmosphere, the menu was inventive, healthy, beautifully plated and delicious (checked out with my neighbors on both sides. A def. recommend. Also, a single woman dining on her own, the service isn't always comparable, not a miss here...could really see the equity in how all visitors were being greeted and treated.
Was excellent service and food. We had the Mediterranean salted, crusted Bronzino, which was amazingly fresh and fragrant! Best in town if not, the USA. What makes it extra special  are the fresh herbs that they from parsley, to fresh oregano!
My partner & I did the hamachi crudo, the ricotta gnocchetti, & the salt crusted branzino. We also did the snow egg & the panna cotta for desserts. We did the Island Smash w Rum + Maiden Sway for drinks. Bread + butter & oil, & the after dinner chocolates were amazing too. Everything was so good. Tasty, well-executed, & beautiful presentations. Really enjoyed the overall experience. Made for a very cute romantic date.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Hamachi Crudo, Salt Crusted Branzino, Panna Cotta
had a fabulous dinner with my daughter. We started with Grilled Spanish Octopus, followed by Paella “Valenciana Style” and topped by Snow Egg.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is what seafood should be. Lobster. Crab. Monkfish. Bread on the side. I am very happy with what we got. My only regret is getting the crab instead of more lobster. If you have the money, go for it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5