Vinoteca di Monica

As a resturant owner I found it almost comical that this place can survive. I guess when your clientel is mostly from out of town you dont have to concern yourself with repeat bussiness. Do yourself a favor and read the reviews of this place and believe every word of the bad ones. Pros: Good food Cons: Better service at Cracker Barrel more

I'm not sure where the other reviewers are coming from, but Monica's is one of the best restaurants in the North End by far. And I'm a foodie. The food is excellent, not the plain old Italian fare you find at most places in the North End. \r George and his staff are great and innovative chefs. My experience with the staff is that they are friendly, and very attentive. Take it from a long-time resident from the North End...Monica's is easily one of the best restaurants in Boston!\r Bobby, North End Boston Pros: Great food & Service! Cons: None! more

If I could have selected ZERO stars I would have! This place won't last. Pretentious & rude people with no restaurant/service experience run this place. When I arrived, I held the door open for a woman pushing a baby carriage and 3 other women on their way out. The host (who is an incredibly rude, no class man) literally yelled at me to shut the door. Seconds later, we told him we had reservations and he said ""well you are going to have to wait at least 15 minutes"" - we waited at the bar and couldn't even order a drink for 20 minutes because the bartender was moving in slow motion. We are convinced she was sleeping. Finally we order 2 glasses of ""house"" chianti and the bill was $25.50. The chianti was awful! (in fact the entire wine list is all poor quality wine at $12 plus a glass). About 45 minutes later were retrieved by the disgruntled host and brought to the dining room. He went to seat us at a table and a female server yelled ""they can't sit there! my people are going to sit there."" so we had to stand in the middle of the dining room while they wiped of a table to seat us at which was basically on the 'runway' from the dining room to the kitchen. We sat there for 10 minutes and the server came over and said ""Oh! now you are sitting here?"" and left us sitting there for another 15 minutes. I finally asked for some water and he brought it over but said nothing else to us. I happened to be facing the window and noticed a very nice, quaint restaurant across the street called ""Village Franscesca"". My husband decided to run across the street to see if they could take the 2 of us for dinner. He came back and told me that they could take us across the street in 20 minutes. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR! and make reservations at Village Franscesca across the street in the first place and avoid this chaotic, rude MONICA'S. it's like the people from 'Celebrity Rehab' work here!! I am sorry we wasted our time (about an entire hour from the host stand to the table WITH a reservation). Before we left to head across the street, we observed people all around complaining about the food/service. The girl next to us order some sort of pasta and the sauce was a watery mess. So glad we left! People throughout the restaurant were popping their heads up like ground hogs with worried looks on their faces. Still not sure why these people were sticking around. Save yourself and steer clear of this place. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!! Cons: Bad Service, Bad Host, Bad Wine, Lousy Bartender more

I wouldnt think twice about returning here if this was the last place on earth to eat. Service is horrible. Food took forever to come. I think after waiting about an hour and a half for a table, we only had to wait another 40-45 mins for our food to arrive. I would strongly suggest another place to dine, unless you have all night to kill and you dont mind waiting forever for anything! Cons: service, cost, food more

I dined with 7 friends of mine the night of Sept. 19 2009 at Monica's Restaurant in the North End. After a dinner with extremely poor service (grant it it was a busy night) we decided that the ""20% auto-grat"" on the bill was a little ridiculous. We paid the bill for the food and drinks in full and did not pay $10 of the $80 or so tip. I received a phone call half an hour later (they had my number from the reservation) that we had shorted them $20 on the bill and if they could charge that amount on a credit card. I told the caller that I would come back to the restaurant to explain (I was just around the corner). When I reached the restaurant the extremely rude hostess presented me with the bill saying we had shorted them $20 not $10 as we originally had. I explained to the hostess that the service we received that night was horrible and that we felt that the included 20% tip was excessive. She said we had no choice and we needed to pay it. A minute later a man appeared from the back and started verbally harrasing and threatening myself and my friend who had accompanied me back to the restaurant. He started swearing and telling us to ""F*ck Ourselves"". He said we must pay for what the bill stated. I calmly tried to explain that the service was not worth the 20%, simple as that. He began yelling in our faces and quite frankly scared me. I asked him who he was (as I figured I would call the restaurant and talk to the owner about this completely absurd, innapropriate and unprofessional encounter- I thought they needed to know this happened). The man looked at me and said he WAS the owner- I was in disbelief. I told him I had been coming to the restaurant for years (which is true) and that if that was true, that he was the owner and was treating me the customer this way, I would never ever return. He said he didnt care and that he didn't want ""to see us there ever again"". He repeated his offensive language and was yelling and getting all red in the face during this encounter. I honestly was completely taken back and just paid the $20 to get out of there, I was afraid he would do something awful. He had already grabbed my friends arm during all of this. His behavior is unacceptable and I will NEVER dine there again or the trattoria on Prince Street- he's awful! Now that I read other reviews I am finding im not the only one who has dealt with him, tooo bad, the food was good, but there are many other places... Pros: Nothing Cons: The owner and staff more

There is nothing unique or special about Monica's. The staff is completely full of themselves with their phony Italian accents, lack of wine expertise (especially when detecting faults is a wine), and the food is less than adequate. This is the last time I speak of Monica's! Pros: Nothing Cons: A restaurant that aims to ruin your night out more

Great restaurant. I had the mushroom risotto and it was exquisite. My cousin had the pumpkin ravioli and everyone at the table loved it. I esp... more

Great food. I've been there three times, and it's been consistently amazing. Top notch preparations, and an excellent wine list as well. I think I'... more

We looked forward to eating at Monica's as it came recommended by a friend who enjoyed the food. We called ahead & made a reservation for 8:00 pm. They said we were late when we arrived even though we thought we were early as they had the res. for 7:00. This was the start of our evening. We were seated & the waitress was excellent. We ordered a bottle of Prosecco, 2 appetizers, which were delicious, & asked about the risotto, one of my favorite dishes. The risotto was so salty that I couldn't eat it. The waitress asked me if I was enjoying my food & I had to say ""no"". It was sent back & I ordered a pasta dish to take it's place. At the end of the meal we received our bill. They charged us 38.00 for the pasta replacement & also for the risotto which my husband wasn't enjoying but didn't have the heart to send back. We were shocked but paid the bill. On the way out we checked the posted menu & the most expensive item was a steak for $28.00. I guess they took us for a ride. I wish we had gone back in and questioned the bill. I felt like I had already drawn enough attention to ourselves by sending back the dish. I know that any decent restaurant with those price points should be gracious and charge the price of what a pasta or rice dish was listed on the menu & not take advantage of us because we were out-of-towners. We could have ordered the fixed price meal for $40.00 which included my replacement dish plus 2 others. We are from the S.F. Bay area so we know about food. My brother is an executive chef & he told me that it wasn't the chef who was offended by sending the dish back but the ""front of the house"". I hope this is helpful information to those visiting & wanting a good meal in the North End. If the cost of the meal is of any concern to you be sure & ask how much the specials are as they didn't tell us. They apparently called our dishes ""specials"". They were specials all right! Pros: appetizer's were good, Prosecco good Cons: over-priced, didn't tell us price of ""specials"", reservationist wrote down wrong time,reservation placed but listed a more

I have been to Monica's a few times and the food was terrific! From the salads to the sweet sausage appetizer they were all so good. I have also thoroughly enjoyed the Linguine with white clam sauce. I frequently order this at restaurants and am usually disappointed. Monica's was some of the best i've had! This restaurant isn't always mentioned as the staple north end restaurants but i'd definitely recommend it! Pros: food! more

Food was good here, but the service ruined the entire experience. We had to wait even though we had reservations--that wasn't a big deal, but the host was very curt when addresing us when we entered. During the meal, the wait staff treated us like we were dumb even when we were asking conversational questions (""yes, we ONLY serve Italian wines...""). After the meal was over, the host started shouting and cursing (!) at a member of our party when our party member requested to see the owner to ask about the service - the host told the member of our party to ""get out"", so our friend had to leave--and that was even before our check came, while we were trying to enjoy the last of our ITALIAN wine. Would never go back here or recommend it to anyone--no matter how good food is, you can't enjoy it if you have to deal with staff that shout, curse, and demean customers. Pros: Decent food Cons: Service, staff more

We had a geeky waiter that acted like he was true ""I'talian"" ,think his name was Matt. \r Outside his annoying way all was good. Joe Pesce young school. \r He acted old beyond his waiter years.......what next Joe P ?\r His own worst comic......give it up gramps. Just serve the food. Pros: Table Cons: ""Speal ""from Waiter more

This restaurant is truly a jewel in Boston. Friendly service, excellent food, great vibe. I've been dining at Monica's for several years and have never had a bad meal or bad experience there. It is a go-to place for out-of-town visitors and local friends. The tajarin pasta is consistently fabulous, as is the pumkin ravioli. The waitstaff is friendly and knowledgeable. The only downside has been mentioned in other reviews - the prices on specials can be high, and you shouldn't have to ask. But that pasta with truffles was heavenly. more

This has to be the WORST restaurant I have been to in all my years in Boston. The food was ok, but overrated. The portions were quite small and not everything listed on the menu was available that night. Yet, the waiter failed to tell us until we were ready to order, and so half of us had to re-look at the menu and order again. The service was lousy, and it started from the beginning when although we had a reservation, we also had to wait 45 minutes and the host was extremely, EXTREMELY rude (both in tone and with what was actually said) and felt threatening to me. The waiter was ok overall though. I did however ask for ketchup for the french fries that came with the steak, and the waiter told me no and that they do not have ketchup available. Haha, I find that incredible. The wine selection was not bad, though overpriced. Oh, and for such a ""high-end"" (only because of the prices), my wine glass was chipped, badly. Pros: Descent (though overpriced) Italian food Cons: Service is the lousiest I have ever encountered. Overpriced, lack of parking, waiting time more

I reserved at Monica's for dinner to take family members from out of town to the North End. \r I had an 8pm reservation for 7 people - and we were not seated until 10 minutes to 9pm. More annoyingly than waiting so long to be seated - I was shocked about how RUDE the personnel were - and the situation got ugly when after dinner (aside from my guests) I spoke to the owner to mention the extremely rude host - the owner instead of being polite and apologetic - actually could care less - he actually said he didn't care that we were so disappointed because he has a full house anyway! The owner continued to use foul language - I have never experienced such bad customer service - I will NEVER go back - and will never recommend this restaurant to anyone! Cons: horrible customer service more

I recently made reservations for a large surprise birthday party on a Saturday night, 2 weeks in advance, and was told that the reservation was confirmed. I called 2 days before the event to confirm the 6 PM reservation. The night of the event, the party started arriving 10 minutes before 6 and was told that all members had to be the at the restaurant prior to being seated. When all but 4 were there (including the birthday girl - this was to be a surprise after all) by 6, they were told at 6:10 that if the remainder of the party did not arrive momentarily, the reservation would be canceled due to the fact there was another large party scheduled for 7 PM. Who gives a party of 15 an hour to eat??? And this is suppose to be an ""elegant"" restaurant?? Luckily, there was a charming restaurant directly across the street that accommodated us and moved patrons around so we could all be seated together. And guess what - the table next to us had patrons from Monica's who had the exact same issue we did!! The host staff was incredibly rude, they never called me directly to inform me of the situation. I will never recommend this place again! Pros: Absolutely None! Cons: Service staff was extremely rude! more

Great Italian speaking waiters (who can be a little slow sometimes but all the waiters are more than happy to help you). The ambience is cozy yet updated. It feels like you are in an old diner - where the front door opens into the middle of the restaurant - that has been updated with warm yet contemporary furnishings and lighting. Plenty of the customers are European and you will hear multiple different languages while sitting in your seat. There are big open windows opening up onto the sidewalk for people watching so be sure to ask for a window seat if it's nice out. We went there last night and this is now officially my favorite restaurant in Boston. My only complaint was slightly slow service. Pros: Ambience and Food Cons: Slow Service more

I went to this restaurant on a first date - we had reservations at a touristier place on Hanover but they made us wait 45 mins so we just walked out and found this spot - what a great find! The ambiance was trendy but warm & romantic, the service was excellent - naming many specials, recommending a good wine, and giving feedback on what to order. We had some seafood pasta dishes that were on the specials list and they were absolutely fresh and deliciuos. I also ordered a very interesting wine - I wish I remember the name but it was the waiter's recommendation and it was delicious! There is a bar area that looks like a great spot for an appetizer and casual glass of wine - overall, this restaurant was lovely and a great place for a date or a small group. Pros: huge wine list, great service, delicious food, romantic setting Cons: hm...not sure more

Great restaurant in the north end. The food was wonderful and the ambiance was perfect. We had a little table at the window which I think made the experience that much better. Our server was from Milan and although he did a great job overall, he was a little slow with the service. But if you aren't in hurry, then it's worth the time. more

Went to this restaurant with a party of 8 on a Saturday night at 5:00 p.m. Decided to go early as we had two children, ages 4 and 6 with us..We understand that many people like to go out and enjoy a peaceful dinner, so we decided to go very early in the evening due to having children with us. We also had two teenagers, age 13 and 14. When we arrived to the restaurant, I asked ""before"" we sat down if they are kid friendly and have a kids menu. Answer was no to the kids menu, but not to worry as the kids could order sides of pasta...we thought that was just perfect as we do not believe in spending $26.00 for a bowl of pasta/butter for a 4 year old. The host\r sat us down and from that minute on, the service was poor, the attitude was not nice and mind you, the restaurant was empty at that time. It was only 5:00 o'clock. The sides came and there were 11 pieces of penne pasta in each bowl. We had figured at the price of $8.00 for the side, maybe there would be more pasta. Well, the kids were hungry still, we then asked to order another bowl of plain pasta with butter for each for them, but larger this time...we got $10.00 bowl of pasta which they ate, small amount again..so at a total of $18.00 each child and an attitude from the wait staff we havenever encounter in all our dinners in the North End. We paid our bill, and as we left I asked the hostess about this, and her attitude was worse than the wait staff and the manager that was on that evening. They refused to even listen. This was one of the worst dining experiences, the quality of the food, portions of the food, adult menu speaking was just average...bread was good, they did not have a good wine menu. Not recommended at all and we have enjoyed all our dining experiences in the North End..This was one not to ever repeat. Attitude adjustments needed with ""All"" of the Staff. Cons: not friendly at all, attitude adjustments needed with all the staff.... more