Pomodoro

My boyfriend made a reservation for us on Valentine's Day. The restaurant was so romantic; candles everywhere, and great sinatra tunes in the background. Our wine was fabulous and the antipasti appetizer was a great selection of cheeses and meets. Our entrees were great, and the desserts we had, tiramisu and the bread pudding on the house for valentines, were amazing. Perhaps one of the better tiramisus I've ever had including in my many trips to Italy. Server was not exactly a great people person, but he did the job just fine. The food is classic Italian food without alot of the frills many chefs have in Boston today. If you haven't tried Pomodoro I recommend that you do so. Be aware: Cash Only!! more

I've never been to Pomordoro for lunch or dinner, so I can't respond to the comments about the ""rude"" owner, ""tasteless"" food, or ""dark"" atmosphere. I HAVE, however, been to the restaurant for their Sunday Jazz brunch (11-2). You heard it hear first: IT'S THE BEST IN BOSTON. PERIOD. The menu is 12 items or so, and ranges from outright breakfast (e.g. toast, sausage, and eggs) to late lunch (e.g. petite filet mignon) entrees. They're all good. The staff, Sam et. al, are always very friendly and attentive; the service FAST. Oh! - did I mention that all entrees are $10! ALL OF THEM! Every time I go there, I feel like I'm stealing from the place. THAT'S how good it is. And if you're asking yourself whether this brunch (which features, by the way, a live three-piece jazz ensemble) is suitable for a first - or 50th! - date, the answer is a resounding ""YEAH!"" Pros: price,decor,food Cons: None to speak of more

Reading these reviews, I am both smiling knowingly and incredulous that I wasted any time here. We, a young Brookline family, were looking forward to a great Italian meal. We went to Pomodoro at 5:45 as we have a young son. The restaurant ostensibly welcomes children and offers highchairs. A nice, unfortunately-employed man, told me to put my stroller in a nook by the restroom. As I lay the stroller on a pile of junk, I was yelled at by the later-identified owner to leave the stroller outside the restaurant on the sidewalk or I would not be served. Too stunned to be angry, I tried to politely explain which yielded more yelling. YELLING. We left, moods soured, but had a great meal at the lovely and authentic Sichuan Garden around the corner. We have taken our son to many restaurants in New York, Miami, Boston, Palm Beach and never been treated with less than a smile. Diners, we all work hard for our money-- don't waste your time or cash on this crude place. (ps per my hubby, bread was stale, not promising) more

My girlfriend and I have been to this place a few times. I like the menu and the food, but the service is awful. The owner has been rude to us everytime we have been there. The prices are a little high for the area and they don't take credit cards. I like the food and the flavors, but it is not for everyone. Pros: Unique Menu Cons: The service is horrible more

My local italian joint. Love the service, always buzzing, great gin/thyme gimlets with excellent olives and bread.\r The staff really do it for me..... prompt, attentive and there are often little unexpected treats that the owner throws in because she is a charmer. Love ya Sh...... more

Read other reviews. It appears some folks had good nights and some bad. We had a great night. Cozy, friendly, prompt. I had the Scallop Risotto; the seafood was perfectly cooked. To top off the evening, after we had called for our check, our server (the owner?) brought out three scrumptious desserts on the house. Great way to end the evening. Would have no problem becoming a regular. Pros: Good Italian fare, ambience Cons: Slightly expensive more

I would have to disagree with some of the negative reviews. The ambience is highly romantic and very cozy. The bar is centrally located in the middle with seating around. The service was exemplary and our waiter was knowledgeable as to the wine we ordered. Our food came out promptly and was delicious. The linguine and red clam sauce is highly recommended. The rabbit lasagna was also delicious but on the salty side. The highlight of the meal was definitely the home made tiramisu, best I've had in Boston - great texture and flavor. Unfortunately, we could not get a cappuccino to top off the meal as the steamer was broken. Also, the restaurant is cash only. Nonetheless a wonderful dining experience right in Brookline. Pros: Great food, great service, great ambience more

The service at this place is inconsitant at best. I wish I could recommend this place but after a recent experience, I have to say that this is one of the worst dining experiences in Boston. Stay away. more

Very modern and elegant Italian food is simple and satisfying. Portions are perfectly-sized, and though dishes aren't packed to the brim with fifteen trendy ingredients (like you might see at other restaurants), quality is high and everything is delicious. \r \r Though the place is small and the wait can be very long, servers are very friendly despite being obviously very busy. One one occaision, our table was even given appetizers and desserts on the house. \r \r Cocktail menu is very special - if limited - with unique drinks you wouldn't see elsewhere in Brookline (Bloodorange bourbon smash is my favorite). The only drag is that they do not accept credit cards. Prices are pretty reasonable, though, so no need for more than $40/person unless you're planning to order a ton. \r \r I think this place has gotten so many negative reviews because it wasn't what people might had been expecting. This is not really a large, family-friend Italian place like you might find in the North End. Pomodoro has more character than you'd expect for boring Boston, but you need to be willing to put up with the quirks. The restaurant is definitely not somewhere I'd want to go with a large group, but with stylish decor and good food, it makes a perfect spot for dinner and drinks prior to a night out. Pros: Beautiful room, good food, a very pleasing feel overall Cons: Long waits, *no credit cards* more

A restaurant that tries too hard on the wrong things. The food is marginal at best, and the service very poor. Too many tables shoved into a space that can't support it. Cons: crowded, expensive, poor service more

I rarely write reviews but I had to this time. Whoever is writing the horrible reviews is clearly out to get this place, and for no reason. I'm a ""foodie"" and have lived in big cities for 20 years. This place is fantastic! The food is top notch and the staff are extremely attentive, fun and just plain nice. The owner who has to juggle a very busy restuarant on a busy saturday night knew exactly what was going on at every table. I was impressed to say the least. And for the record, I don't know any of the staff and have visited Pomodoro Brookline only twice. If you haven't been, you must! more

Our experience here was terrible. The waitstaff was rude, and the food inedible. I had the whole fish (terrible) special. It tasted fishy and old. Even the bread had a strange burnt taste. The dessert was a huge pass -- how can you really screw up chocolate molten cake? A $200 waste. Go elsewhere. There are plenty of other better restaurants in the area. Pros: Easy to park, Convenient location Cons: Service, Food, Loud & Crowded more

Four of us arrived with great expectations. Seated at a bad table we asked to move to two free tables, owner said now. Asked why she was being so rude to us the owner said ""I'm the owner, waiter and greeter and if you don't like it that's the way it is."" We decided to leave after just having drinks. On the way out we told her we were surprised that for a fine dining restaurant we would get such rude service. She said ""let's get one thing straight, this is not a fine dining restaurant; it's a casual trattoria."" Fine, for your crappy restaurant you still have awful service. Don't waste your time. She also owns Matt Murphy's next door. Sadly that's now off our list too! Pros: Brian - Best waiter Cons: Owner/service, Owner/service, Owner/service more

My experience in Pomodoro was utterly disappointing. Not only the food did not taste Italian at all, but the services and the feedback that we got after we complained about it was beyond any reasonable expectation. My fish did not have any flavor, not even a touch of olive oil, a pretty basic Italian ingredient. My friends stake was even worst -totally raw and flavorless. However, not even the bland food can compare with the rude comments of the owner of the restaurant. She did not even apologize for the bad food and really did not care that they spoiled our experience there. So the ultimate question is why pay a $100 bill for an unsavory dinner which only ingredients are a really long wait and a rude service on top of it? Pros: Ambience Cons: Really long wait, Bland food , Rude service more

I was told my table would be 5 minutes, after 25 minutes I was then told loudly and rudely told: ""you can either eat at the bar or get up a leave."" I left. Cons: Owner more

Been going way to much, over ten times already and its been only open a few months, the staff are fantastic, Sam , Kirsty, are fast fun and very refreshing to the old humbrum waiters most of us are used to, and the Chef Terri is fantastic, sometimes she even comes out to ask how the meal is and have a polite little chat, the room has had a lot of thought with design from the owner, its like walking into a klimpt painting, I've had everything on the menu, have not been disappionted once, if you want more you will have to come yourself, Im hooked, enjoy. Pros: Staff, Room, Food Cons: Small wine list, cash only, Addiction to Pomodoro more

This fabulous restaurant is a gem. We have been there many, many times since it opened. Lunch and dinner fantastic. Food is presented beautifully, tastes even better. Staff is very friendly and professional. Should have reservation at night but for groups more than 4 a must. Lighting is romantic and soft music is playing. Pomodoro's is getting rave reviews by word of mouth. Deserts mouth watering!! WOuld be great if larger. Always busy. Pros: Great food, pleasant ambiance, wonderful staff more

Looking forward to a real Italian experience, we headed to Pomodoro's new location in Brookline. Reservations weer honored and we were seated immediately to enjoy mint and lemon infused water. Minutes later, we were graced with a calamari app (which we had not ordered) - but it was tasteless. The zuchini linguine was not very tasty, though the chicken looked brown and appetizing. The bread basket was plentiful and assorted, and our waitress brought us another surprise - chocolate torte - which was a bit sweet for our taste buds - but was a really nice touch on her part. I would not run back to Pomodoro based on the food, though the service was nice. Pros: location, nice room, ambiance Cons: tasteless food, small menu more

Pros: Nice drinks although they only make 5. The room for Brookline is rather elegant. Cons: The room is tiny and the bar is very busy with people waiting for a table. The bar seats about 5. We waited 35 min. THEY DO NOT TAKE CASH. This is not a cheap meal either.....they really should take Credit. The Menu bland and boring. To me having two lasganas and a pasta with meat sauce is not ""original italian offerings"". Thats out of about 5 pasta dishes on the menu. Most upsetting was watching the owner scald one of her workers 5 feet away. really we would avoid going back. Pros: nice room, drinks at the bar Cons: cash only, long long wait, food isnt original more

Siobhan does it again! Loved the food ,the atmosphere everything do not miss! more