Aquitaine

Went there for my anniversary and it was great. The place was buzzing and it was great to be there in that organized madness. The waiter was very kind and did a great job serving us. The food, nothing but top notch. I finally got to try some creme-brulee for dessert! The only bad thing, but hey it's Boston, was the parking situation. Had to pay I believe was $15, but the time there was worth it. more

I went to Aquitaine for the Prix Fixe Sunday Brunch with a close friend. We started out with coffee and water, then went on to the real drinks, a Bloody Mary and a Martini!! (Sunday morning, why not?) Their Bloody Marys are spicy! The Prix Fixe started with a cinnamon roll, which looked a bit small, it ended up being the perfect size and uber delicious. (I love cinnamon rolls, so I was in heaven.) Next we got our main course, eggs, toast, and home fries (potatoes also spicy!). We both liked it, but wasn't over-the-top amazing. Overall, we both thought the food was good, but not spectacular. The $9.95 was a good price for the Prix Fixe, but considering the drink prices, the price is doubled, for sure. Still, a nice way to spend a Sunday morning! :) Pros: Nice ambience Cons: Not as delicious as other brunch spots in/around the city more

I had wanted to try this place for quite awhile. Making a reservation was definitely the right way to go for brunch on a Saturday. While our table was being cleared we sat at the bar (tiny but nice) and had delicious bloody mary's. Once we were seated (and a bit squished between the other tables)- was excited to eat as I'd already checked out the menu! I ordered the eggs benedict that came with tomato and avocado- i liked that the egg wasn't too runny or too hard- but i got one sliver of avocado for both halves of my english muffin. by the time i ate the first half with its egg- i had no avocado for the second half. Obviously this isn't a big deal but for the prices- eh- it's overrated! Pros: food was delivered quickly, bloody mary was excellent Cons: server was pretty aloof, food was tasy but portion wasn't more

Of all the brunch options in the South End, I suggest putting Aquitaine at the bottom of your list. I've been there for dinner and have always enjoyed it. Brunch seems to be a different story. First, the price: $8-$15 entrees (for eggs?!) and $9.50 mimosas? Come on. Secondly, I don't mind higher prices if the quality is there. Unfortunately, Aquitaine just did not deliver. I ordered ""Eggs Benedict Provencal"" ($9.95) with heirloom tomatoes, avocado and herbes fines. Sounds yummy, huh? What I got: english muffin with two skinny slices of Roma tomato (like you'd find at Stop-n-Shop), two HARD-poached eggs, one tiny sliver of (browning) avocado, a goodly amount of delicious hollandaise, and a sprinkling of parsley. Hardly what I expected! I considered sending it back, but I didn't want to ruin brunch with my friends AND the food took so long I was starving! All in all, I would have to say it was a huge miss for me. Pros: Nice room, friendly staff! Cons: Not good value, not attentive service. more

Aquitaine is one of Boston's premier restaurants, the restaurant / French bistro currently holds an award winning wine list that boasts both French and American wines. The food is outstanding, and the kitchen is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner, what?s not to love? I hear that Aquitaine on Tremont has been in business for over ten years now, and I for one can't stay away. For wine connoisseurs and food aficionados, this romantic restaurant has a classy atmosphere of both a classic and contemporary French bistro. Above all, the service is great, and their prices are astonishingly reasonable. Pros: great service, wonderful food, exquisite wine list, romantic atmosphere Cons: parking (but they have valet), not really kid friendly on a weekend night more

Where do I begin? Our server was beyond rude; rolling her eyes when we asked for rolls, sighing when we asked for anything (i.e. for our bottle of wine to be placed on the table and not at the server station, rolls), pouring the entire bottle of wine in our glasses before we were done with appetizers, and then disappearing when we needed her. Just when you think the service could not be worse, the food was beyond belief. I had the marseillaise boulibaisse (which was supposed to be the special of the day); for $26 I received six lame mussels, two small shrimp, and a small blob of alleged haddock. My sister's received six small scallops for at least $22, and her husband's meal had the flavor of a cardboard box, and he sent the thing back after one bite. The manager, albeit gracious in the face of our complaints, did nothing to redeem the debacle that had just happened. Do yourself a favor, DON""T GO! I may be a picky Manhattanite, but why should you have to pay Manhattan/Boston prices for limp, tasteless food and low-grade, low-class, sour service? Pros: Lovely Decor & LIghting Cons: Food, Service - Need I Say More? more

I have only come for brunch, but the food is imaginative and the atmosphere is excellent. The staff is... more

I have only come for brunch, but the food is imaginative and the atmosphere is excellent. The staff is knowledgeable. Very, very tasty and a great ... more

Goodness do my wife and I loath restaurant week! Our lovely South End and indeed much of the rest of Boston being inundated with people who seem to be dead set on ruining the evening of anyone dining after them just drives us around the bend. Really, how long DOES it take to eat three courses? We would fancy ourselves as almost-regulars between Union and Aquitaine and frequently find ourselves just walking in one or the other off the street. As noted in a previous post months ago about Union, Aquitaine is our favorite wine restaurant in the Woods/Gates empire, but it still needs help. My wife and I consider ourselves at least mildly wine-savvy and at the least we know what we like and don't like. But boy are the waiters at Aquitaine in need of some oenological training, not only was the wine service sloppy (our server managed to slosh wine all over the table cloth and down the sides of the glasses) but there was just no interaction, even though we had no questions to ask the gentleman gave us no real indication that such an exchange would even be possible. We hope that the ""powers that be"" within the great Aquitaine management company will send Kelly (the talented and astonishingly young wine director at Union) over to help these guys out. Of course, it was restaurant week and we really do give them the benefit-of-the-doubt but it just seems like the whole list and service procedures might need a little sprucing up. This is not at all a bad review, we love Aquitaine and will return as long as it's there and we can chew, this is just a tiny cry, a good-spirited plea for help. The company has a great resource in their young ""wine guy"" (a transplant from my wife's home state of Colorado!) as he was first introduced, and we hope to see him around another of our favorite South End haunts soon. Thanks Aquitaine and Union for keeping it up! Pros: Food is always very tasty, service is always wonderful, they have a token French hostess Cons: tables for two are VERY close together, only one bathroom, not much bar seating, a nightmare for those dining with kids (but I'm sure the staff prefers it that way) more

I've had dinner twice and brunch once at Acquitaine; all three times I've enjoyed it immensely. The brunch is a great value for excellent food. Yes, the menu is limited, but not absurdly so. Dinner is simply divine. Definitely very pricey but well worth it for a special occaision (which is why I've only been twice!) and I've found the waitstaff helpful, knowlegable and unpretentious. I like to start off with a visit to the butcher shop across the street but their own appetizers are also excellent. more

The few people that have written bad reviews here must've had an absolutely unusual experience. Aquitaine is just the right place for any occasion. I've gone here for a nice date (anniversaries and such). I've taken my folks here, when they're in town. But, at the same time, it feels just so comfortable and warm. The food is wonderful and their wine selection is near-perfect (a mix of some rather fine bottles and everyday ones, as well). If you haven't tried it yet, I'd advise that you give it a shot. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. more

Eggs were prepared exactly as I asked (well done; no ham). Everything tasted wonderful (eggs, cinnamon bun, waffle, and fruit). Attentive service from both waiter and host. Pros: Excellent food. Very hip atmosphere. Cons: Sometimes long wait. Tables are *very* close together. more

I called looking for a reservation. They told me I could have a certain time for brunch (10:30AM). Then put me on hold for 10 minutes. Then a different person came on the phone and informed me that the restaurant did not have a reservation before 1PM. Honestly I don't usually care about that sort of thing, but this place always does this sort of thing. I just don't need the flipping attitude from some wannabee restaurant. Maybe the food is good, but I'll probably never eat their now. I'll take my business to 1 of the 1000 other restaurants in the South End. more

I went here for the first time last Sunday for the brunch and it was great! The atmosphere was awesome, I felt like I was in a Parisian cafe. Food was excellent, service was good...reservations a must. Pros: Fast service great food Cons: na more

This is our go to place. Our friends and I eat out all the time and this is by far our favorite. Anyone who doesn't like Aquataine doesn't have a clue. This is a place for people who have a taste for truely good food. You wont be dissapointed (to all those that would not recommend this place, maybe you should try Burger King). Pros: EVERYTHING Cons: Its always busy (because its that good) more

We were 7 going for dinner at Aquitaine, and I was presently surprised with the welcoming and accommodating service we received. The food was outstanding, the Cheese Plate appetizer proved to be only the first great meal of the night. I will go back for the Filet au Poivre, which was the best meal I have had for a long time. The Duck Ravioli was also amazing, and we had a very enjoyable experience, finishing off with cocktails and coffee. Pros: Food!!, Service, Ambiance Cons: Only one bathroom more

Attended during Restaurant Week. Choice of 2 dishes only and meal luke warm. Service was awkward - made no suggestions on wine when found that what we had ordered was out of stock, brought us our coats while we were still eating dessert and then brought us our check without asking if we wanted coffee or after-dinner drinks. It's not like there was anyone waiting for our table! Worse still was the seating. If you sit along the wall there is nowhere to put your feet unless you sit askew to the table or have the table a long way away from you. Our waiter told me to put one foot either side of the enormous table base - not exactly the way any lady was taught to sit when wearing a skirt! Have to ask yourself why this restaurant was empty during restaurant week when others were absolutely buzzing. Cons: Service, Food more

This place is excellent and always feel authentically like a corner bistro in Toulouse or Lyon. The staff are busy but not hurried, the drinks are perfect and the wine list is excellent. I take people there to impress them! Pros: location, real french food Cons: always busy, irresistable food more

After living for several years in Boston and moving away, I decided to try Aquitaine, having desired to visit since they first opened. I love French food and the restaurant's best characteristic was definitely this. The food was delicious, authentic, and fresh. The escargot was delightful and the foie gras everything I would expect. The only thing lacking was the server, who apologized near the end of the night for being new. I suppose this is a reasonable excuse, I just wish they would better train their staff before unleashing them on the customers. Other than that, it was great, and recommended! Pros: Food, Ambience, Wine List Cons: Service, Mistake on Receipt more

Aquitaine boasts a wonderful ambiance--great big windows in a grand room. Unfortunately the biggest problem is that much of the food appears to have been previously frozen...very evident when you order salmon, duck, etc... On the weekends the service is just OK because it's busy. Brunch is to avoid altogether...limited offerings. At the prices that Aquitaine charges one could expect better value. Pros: ambiance Cons: not great value, loud more