A stunning room, a bar worth arriving early for and desserts we’re still thinking about. The mains, though, didn’t always keep up.
Contessa sits on the 17th floor of The Newbury Boston, and it makes an impression before you even reach a table. You step off the elevator into a dark, moody arrival space with rich tones, decorative details and warm light. It feels like the start of a proper night out.
We visited on Tuesday, November 3, with an 8:30 p.m. reservation booked on Resy two days earlier. On this visit, entry was through the hotel elevator; the restaurant’s separate side entrance was closed.
A rocky check-in, handled well
We arrived about five minutes early. The table wasn’t ready, so the host invited us to wait at the bar and said they’d let us know when it was. Twenty minutes passed with no update.
When we went back to the desk, the system showed our party as already seated. We weren’t. For a restaurant at this level, that’s a frustrating miss. The recovery was gracious, though: a team member who appeared to be supervising offered to cover our bar drinks and asked for a few more minutes. We sat down at about 8:55 p.m., 25 minutes after our reservation.
The bar is a destination on its own
The wait did show us one of Contessa’s best features. The bar is all veined marble, brass, warm lamps and shelves of spirits. It’s elegant but lively, and the staff were polished and friendly.
We ordered Negronis, a Margarita and a mocktail, and every one was excellent. The Negronis came in short glasses over generous ice with an orange garnish. If you’re going, consider booking a little early just to have a drink here first.
A room with character, not excess
Once seated, things settled into a much smoother rhythm. Our round table was spacious and nicely set, and a server greeted us right away with food and drink menus. The room was buzzing but never too loud to talk.
The lighting deserves a mention. It’s dim enough to feel intimate while still letting you see the surrounding buildings through the rooftop glass. From our table, something blocked the view straight down, but the skyline further out was still visible. With greenery, patterned floors and soft table lamps, the design feels stylish rather than over the top.
Starters: the strongest part of the meal
A complimentary plate of bread, olives and Parmigiano Reggiano with balsamic glaze set a generous tone. We had champagne and a nonalcoholic drink at the table.
The appetizers were among the best dishes of the night. The whipped ricotta was creamy, well seasoned and perfect with bread. When we asked for more, buttered and toasted slices showed up almost immediately. The Meatballs Aldo came in sauce under a bright pile of finely shredded red vegetables. Both were fresh and very good.
The octopus was fresh and flavorful too, but it arrived around 15 minutes after the other starters. Shared plates should land together, and tighter timing would help here.
Mains: the most uneven chapter
The main courses were less consistent. The branzino was a generous, nicely plated portion with a strong garlic note, but the flavor was average. The Fusilli Genovese was fine, just not memorable after such a strong start.
There were highlights. The Tortellini en Brodo was very good, and its broth was the star. The scallops were excellent, though the garnish didn’t match the quality of the seafood. Nothing was badly cooked; the kitchen’s best ideas just didn’t show up on every plate.
Desserts that steal the show
Dessert brought the night back up. We shared the Crema de Boston, a layered dessert topped with chocolate shavings, and the Apple Budino, served with a scoop of ice cream and a crunchy crumb. Both were spectacular, beautifully plated and a perfect way to finish.
Service that goes the extra mile
The sommelier, servers and support staff were attentive and professional without feeling stiff. One small moment stood out: after we finished a bottle of 2018 champagne, the sommelier pointed out we could continue by the glass instead of opening another bottle.
The hospitality continued after we left. The next day, Contessa emailed to thank us and invited us back through a private booking link, with the option of a more personal touch next time. It felt like an extension of the service, not just another marketing email.
The verdict
Contessa is easy to recommend, with a few caveats. The rooftop setting, the bar, the cocktails and the service make it a great pick for a special night out, and the starters and desserts are real highlights. The check-in mix-up, the late octopus and the uneven mains show the experience isn’t seamless yet.
Go for: the bar, the whipped ricotta, the Meatballs Aldo, the scallops and both desserts. Good to know: book ahead on Resy, arrive early for a drink at the bar, and check in with the host if your table runs late.
Bzzpost visited Contessa independently. Bar drinks were covered by the restaurant after the reservation delay.
