Restaurant Pava

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. more

Where do I start? Pros: The lights work Cons: Everything else. 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 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. 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. Pros: pasta is good Cons: service and waiting for your food is BADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD 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 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. Pros: Location! No expensive parking! Cons: Small restaurant 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 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. 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! more

A first visit in August was enjoyable. On a recent Sept. visit the noise level was so loud my dinner partner and I couldn't carry on a conversation. (How about a carpet?) Wine by the glass could be more reasonably priced. And, most disappointing of all, foods that were intended to be hot (scallops) were cold. more

This place really needs to spend some time working on the TASTE of their food and stop worrying about the funky/mod/stark atmosphere. They also should send their waitstaff to some type of training on opening bottles of wine. It's always very awkward to watch a waitress fumble her way through this. And this is Italian food? I could seriously make this in my own house and it would taste better - not just 6 tortellinis with a little parmesean cheese. Sure, the staff is smiley and apologetic but c'mon people - get it together. Put out a good meal, efficient service and at a nice price and you'll have repeat business. Sorry Pava, I did have high hopes. Pros: unusual atmosphere Cons: service, food, prices more

I was a bit uncomfortable from the very beginning. ""Do you have a reservation?"" was the first statement murmured by the hostess. My friend and I said, ""No,"" as we looked around the empty, overly-lit retail diner. Clearly there was no wait. We were escorted to a table and handed sleek paper menus that were attached to a clipboard (of sorts). As a graphic designer, I appreciate things like this, but the back of the paper had food stains all over on it. They should really consider laminating them. But thats the least of their problems. Onto the meal... The inexperienced waitress fumbled with two bottles of wine before we told her to try to open it at the bar away from our table. It just made us uncomfortable. We were comped a bottle of wine because of it. For dinner, I ordered the special. Some type of canaloni? Let's just say I hardly touched it. Not so special. The hostess/waitress noticed and insisted I order something else ""on the house."" She brought out a sampler, which was very nice of her, but again, we were not impressed. We could have made the same thing in our own kitchens...very quickly. The Boudoni dessert was good. Probably the highlight meal of the night. Overall, the sheek, mod stylings of PAVA is definitely the most memorable part of the experience, except for the memorable moments of displeasure. This place is WAY TOO overpriced as well. $110 for a meal for 2 that was blah. I dont expect this place to last too much longer. I give it to November. Pros: atmosphere Cons: over-priced, inexperienced waitstaff, bland food more

I've found the service at Pava to range anywhere from relatively non-offensive to horrid, but certainly nothing approaching ""fabulous"". There is just a certain air of unprofessionalism that just cannot help but distract from one's enjoyment of the food (e.g. inability to open wine, failure to be able to describe dishes, etc.). Pros: Food Cons: Service, Ambience more

This review is in response to the one written by emersonresearch. First, I think that it is rather tacky that you would ever put someones name in a review that was not positive. Second, I have eaten at this restaurant a hand full of times and my service was always exceptional. Considering that the restaurant has only been open for three weeks you can not expect everything to run smoothly. Thirdly, I have been a loyal customer at the Tess and Carlos store for years and Tess is the most helpful women. I do find it quaint that she is in her restaurant on a nightly basis working hard. She is the type of women who values her clients and only wants the best for them. I think her suggestions are fabulous. She suggests wonderful clothing and food. Perhaps you were annoyed because she was not chatting with your table. She has made myself and my family feel very welcome everytime we eat at her restaurant I have brought my three children and she always accomodates us with the booth and makes sure my children have crayons and paper. Over all Restaurant Pava is a great addition to Newton Center. more