I saw some write ups about this restaurant and finally got the time to check it out. I was there for a weekday lunch, and found it to be a great place. It was very simple, with a California type... More

I saw some write ups about this restaurant and finally got the time to check it out. I was there for a weekday lunch, and found it to be a great place. It was very simple, with a California type of feel to it, which is such a difference for anything around Boston. It is located next to a great store, a little expensive, but great quality clothes and other accessories that you don't seem to find anywhere else around here. The service was great and attentive. I thought the food was delicious. I had the Gazpacho, very yummy, and my friend had a sandwich. The chocolate dessert was to die for! It was a very relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. It was an easy place to hang out while catching up with a friend, and I didn't feel rushed. I will definitely go back and check out dinner soon!
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Where do I start? Ok, decor: Minimalist.... this means Ikea cheap junk. All the charm of a walk in closet with bad food stored inside. Waitstaff: Minimalist.... this means incompetent and... More

Where do I start? Ok, decor: Minimalist.... this means Ikea cheap junk. All the charm of a walk in closet with bad food stored inside. Waitstaff: Minimalist.... this means incompetent and scatterbrained. I saw people being seated out of order because they knew the waitstaff. Table: Lousy. This weird 4 person table tucked in a back corner, so you're staring at a WALL. You gotta see this one. THEN! We were told we had to move because it was a 4 person table, and we were only two people. Appetizers/bread: Tasteless/oily. Menu: incomprehensible, it's in Italian (or pig latin, who knows) Meal: Bland, tasteless, chef-boy-ardee. After it took 3 attempts to get acknowledgement that I needed a drink (I'm very polite, in spite of my current diatribe) I asked for the bill, and left. This place deserves to go bankrupt. Pros: The lights work Cons: Everything else.
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We rarely make it out to eat outside of our South End-North End-Back Bay comfort zone and were rather hesitant when friends invited us to join them at Pava in Newton Center. We thought it might be... More

We rarely make it out to eat outside of our South End-North End-Back Bay comfort zone and were rather hesitant when friends invited us to join them at Pava in Newton Center. We thought it might be another suburban horror with bored couples eating anything grateful to be away from their 2.6 children and Volvo for the night...but we were very pleasantly surprised. The decor is a little stark but for the space is welcoming and stylish- as was the hostess and the owner who made a point of greeting us. The menu is brief but we were impressed by the deep complex flavors of the duck and the smelt appetizers and the lamb and sole entrees. The wine list is decent and the mark ups bearable- we had an enjoyable pinot noir without feeling we were being fleeced. The wait staff were attentive and friendly without being intrusive. We did not have room for dessert but will definitely be back. Highly recommended. Pros: Decor, waitstaff, menu Cons: Its in Newton
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Where to begin, the incredibly high prices, the incredibly small portions, or the mediocre waitstaff? how about just the owner, who shows extreme favoritism to her friends? upon going in and being... More

Where to begin, the incredibly high prices, the incredibly small portions, or the mediocre waitstaff? how about just the owner, who shows extreme favoritism to her friends? upon going in and being told that there were no tables, and deciding to eat at the bar anyway, i was amazed to see another couple come and sit down at the bar and be told that a table had opened up for them. turns out they were friends of tess' - surprise, surprise. the waitstaff could not remember which customers had ordered what, and went around asking who should get the lamb. she later asked me about my wine in order to describe to another customer, since she had no knowledge of the short wine list. i also saw the owner holding forks from the tong end with bare hands (not the level of cleanliness i would expect). Though i guess i should have expected this, based on the counter full of dishrags, empty bottles, and coffee grounds. don't waste your time or money.
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Obviously i won't be back. While the food was good, it isn't any better than Oleana, Craigie Street or any reasonable bistro-esque spot in Cambridge or Brookline. The service however, is HORRIBLE.... More

Obviously i won't be back. While the food was good, it isn't any better than Oleana, Craigie Street or any reasonable bistro-esque spot in Cambridge or Brookline. The service however, is HORRIBLE. While we had our appetizers on time, our entrees took almost 45 minutes to show up while tables all around us were served. The owner/hostess is quite simply rude beyond belief - how about apologizing? - which doesn't help when the kitchen screwed up the orders which happened to not 1, not 2, but 3 tables around us. The other waitstaff would be better served working at a Quizno's sub shop - dense and not so fast on their feet. The restaurant also constantly ran out of things - and basic items too, like cheese, bread. I'd keep going the 5 miles down the Pike to get to Boston and have a decent meal with decent service. (note to owner: people eating at your restaurant are your guests, they pay the bill, when they pay it helps keep you in business, it might be smart to treat them accordingly) She hasn't learned lesson 101 of restaurant hosting. Pros: pasta is good Cons: service and waiting for your food is BADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
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I had high hopes for this bistro - my husband & I went and had a high school student for a waiter. He could not describe or decipher any of the unique dishes. My husband had the chicken which was... More

I had high hopes for this bistro - my husband & I went and had a high school student for a waiter. He could not describe or decipher any of the unique dishes. My husband had the chicken which was fatty and the presentation was lacking (it cost $24 for a leg quarter with two pieces of celery). I had a spinach pizza that was good but very oily. The coffee was cold but I did not complain because I could see our waiter was overwhelmed. It cost us $50 without wine or dessert and we left hungry. I would skip this one and go to Cabot's instead. Pros: Cool Decor Cons: Poor Service and cold coffee
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Having been to Pava 4 times over the course of it's "life" since the middle of the summer, I just have to say that the food has been consistantly great. Susan Regis is an excellent chef, and... More

Having been to Pava 4 times over the course of it's "life" since the middle of the summer, I just have to say that the food has been consistantly great. Susan Regis is an excellent chef, and everything I have tried on my visits there, most memorable being the beet pasta, and the pork, have been truly noteworthy. I think the comments on service in the past reviews are obviously somewhat subjective. What someone considers "good service" (i.e. lots of suggestions/help) someone else may consider to be annoying. I think the important thing about Pava is that in my experience the food has been consistantly very good to excellent, and that both the owner and the waitstaff try to ensure the best experience possible. If you are looking for good food without have to go downtown, give Pava a try! Pros: Location! No expensive parking! Cons: Small restaurant
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I went out to this place for dinner with a few friends the other night. We were looking for something different from the usual boston restaurants. This place had a very unique look to it, very... More

I went out to this place for dinner with a few friends the other night. We were looking for something different from the usual boston restaurants. This place had a very unique look to it, very minimal in decor. Every one I took there loved it. We are even thinking about booking the place for a birthday party in the near future. After we ate we found out that the chef is very well known. Oh and Tess came over and introduced herself to all of us and made sure everything was all set. I highly recomend checking this place out. Pros: Great food and service, very different Cons: kind of small
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When I frist went to PAVA back in the summer. It was there 3 week, Well In the last 3 months its like they just opend. Frist Whats up with Tess???? If I was getting something next door ok, But she... More

When I frist went to PAVA back in the summer. It was there 3 week, Well In the last 3 months its like they just opend. Frist Whats up with Tess???? If I was getting something next door ok, But she does not need to be iIN YOUR FACE. I can read thank you. What happend to the staff???? When I was there in the Summer there was some nice waitstaff . Two youngmen a helpfull Mag ??? the service was NOT GOOD I COULD GET BETTER SERVICE AT THE STARBUCKS down the st. When I ask the server, where the Tall Tan genltmen was she said he was no longer with PAVA. Back in the summer the service was the best thing at PAVA . it was a fun place to get a drink NOT THE FOOD. Pava get back your staff put Tess next door . If you want to get drink sit at the bar and watch Tess runaround like a chicken with her head cut off thats all PAVA is good for. Sorry I think you need more time let us know when you get it together.
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These were my first thoughts on entering Pava. I too had high expectations for this restaurant but was seemingly let down. The place is run like a zoo. No one seems to have a clue as to what they... More

These were my first thoughts on entering Pava. I too had high expectations for this restaurant but was seemingly let down. The place is run like a zoo. No one seems to have a clue as to what they are doing. The waitstaff, although some what friendly, did not have a clue as to what wines compliment what dishes. For these prices I would expect them to be at least well trained. The food, well that left a lot to be desired. The dishes were either bland or it seemed like they tired to over compensate by adding far to much salt. Also, what is with the cement floor? I don't know what that is all about ,but honestly there is no welcoming atmosphere whatsoever! Not to mention the fact that the retail store next door is practically pushed in your face. If they are trying to duplicate the Armani Cafe they really blew it. I would not go back if the food was free!
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