Toscano Harvard Square

Review summary

1. A

   Alison

   Greater Boston

   37 reviews

   1.0

   37 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   Food is not good, which is especially frustrating at this price point. Everything we ordered was the blandest possible version of an Italian dish...under-seasoned sausage, watery risotto, gristley steak, over cooked potatoes, mushy peas...yuk. And with all the other quality restaurants in Harvard Square, I'm shocked this place is so bad, yet was packed. Service was fine although a bit aggressive. Spend your money somewhere else.
   

   Toscano Harvard SquareResponded today

   Alison, First, I want to apologize and say I am very sorry to hear you had a disappointing experience with us. I appreciate you bringing this issue to our attention. We have always set a high standard for ourselves, and we are sorry to hear this was not met with your last visit with us in Cambridge. Our goal is to deliver a great dining experience, and are truly upset when we do not meet expectations. We will use all your feedback to make us better and to ensure this does not happen again. Toscanos would appreciate another chance to earn your patronage. Please call me or email me if you would like to visit us again. We will be sure it is a memorable experience. Richard Hayes General Manager Toscano Restaurant / Harvard Square 52 Brattle street, Cambridge Ma 617-354-5250
   

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2. A

   Annie

   Greater Boston

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   How can Toscano's charge these ridiculous prices for such utterly mediocre food? Sadly, I have to go there at least once a month due to friends, but yesterday was really the bottom of the barrel. $28 for a plate of average pasta with overly oily pesto. Not even a pine nut on top. $45 for a few scallops. The bread is worse than what they used to serve which was already awful. $8.50 for a bottle of sparkling water. Usually the wait staff are good, but not yesterday. Please Harvard Sq, get some good restaurants. This place needs to close and get replaced. Heck, even a Burger King would be better.
   

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3. D

   David

   Greater Boston

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I was standing outside the restaurant about 30 minutes prior to opening because I was early traveling down from Maine. It was a cold breezy day. A few minutes later it’s very nice. Manager came to the door and offered me to come stand inside. I went in and then she said well I can sit at your table if you’d like I said thank you that would be great, then she and offered me coffee, tea or water prior to opening, I said I was good. Then our server came over and offered beverages I said I was good , then she was kind of brought me water anyway. Our server was great today. She’s very pleasant very accommodating. I had a bouquet of flowers for my lunch guest. The server brought over a container, but the flowers could sit in while we’re enjoying our meal. Service was outstanding!!!!
   

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4. L

   Linda S

   VIP

   Greater Boston

   34 reviews

   1.0

   34 reviews

   Dined on 9 January 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 5

   The worst Italian restaurant meal of my life. This was a huge disappointment! We brought out of town guests here based on the reviews. I could not be more unhappy. It started with the barbine rosse(beets salad) It arrived with wilted greens, dry, with a dollop of Gorgonzola that looked like it was scraped from the bottom of a barrel. In an attempt to salvage it, I asked for some Caesar dressing. They returned with a small pitcher of bottled dressing. If I were not with guests I would have sent it back. The rolls were store bought, cold. I asked for butter. A small triangle appeared, I needed to ask twice to have enough for the roll. Really? Then the entree, the branzino, nicely filleted and cooked with no taste. The sauce, no taste, the potatoes raw! The desserts: crème caramel was very tasty and the only highlight of the evening. The frutti di bosco was not a zabaglione which is made with mascarpone cheese. I was happy when the evening came to an end since I recommended the restaurant. I will never return and will never recommend. What is shocking to me based on the number of favorable reviews that I read prior to making my reservation.
   

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5. D

   David

   VIP

   Greater Boston

   80 reviews

   2.0

   80 reviews

   Dined on 8 January 2025

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   Food and wine were outstanding. Service was mostly excellent, but he disappeared for some very long stance a few times and there wasn’t anyone else to even ask to go get our waiter. 
   

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6. G

   George

   VIP

   London

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 7 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Always a great choice for dinner (or lunch). We've never had a bad meal or experience here. Everything--food, staff, service, ambience--is outstanding. Prices have ticked up, but that's happening everywhere.
   

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7. P

   Paul

   New York City

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 5 January 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Good experience and good food. Thank you Will go back
   

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8. A

   Alex

   Greater Boston

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 3 January 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   Pricey, but good value -- especially at a late lunch hour when it wasn't crowded and thus noise levels were minimal.
   

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9. AC

   ACKfoodie

   VIP

   Greater Boston

   40 reviews

   5.0

   40 reviews

   Dined on 2 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   As always, the food and service were excellent.
   

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10. S

    Sarah

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on 1 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    The service was slow but the waitstaff very congenial. The food was excellent!
    

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