Boston Italian Restaurant Contessa Is Celebrity-Studded and Glitzy | Eater Boston

"One of Boston’s toughest reservations since opening in 2021, this glitzy Italian rooftop spot from Major Food Group draws celebrity sightings (Emily Blunt, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr.) and delivers sparkling city views at night, consistent and friendly service, and a menu tuned for crowd-pleasing. Perched atop the Newbury Hotel at the corner of the Public Garden, the room is a glass box lined with opulent booths and velvet-covered chairs; soft lighting and low chatter create the feeling of a very exclusive party. Start with the butternut squash carpaccio—thin toasted squash layered and topped with arugula, crunchy pumpkin seeds, and a sweet agrodolce, the greens kissed with excellent olive oil and pepper—and the tonnato crudo, where hunks of juicy red raw tuna get a satisfying salty crunch from artichoke hearts and anchovies. Salt-pressed buttery San Daniele prosciutto comes with fresh seasonal fruit (recently thinly sliced pears). The spicy lobster capellini doesn’t run hot, but its rich, creamy sauce with a mild peppery flavor and a decadent amount of lobster meat more than compensates. Insider tip: if there’s a black truffle-topped pasta on special, it’s worth ordering for the tableside truffle shaving—exciting and dramatic, like everything else here." - Tanya Edwards