"Why is Ryan Gosling hanging out in the bathroom of Asta on Mass Ave? We’re not sure we’ll ever find out since he exists only in movie poster form, but we suspect he likes it because it’s the rare fine dining restaurant that also feels casual and cool, just like him. This is a tasting menu place with dishes like peaches and beets with smoked fish relish and striped bass. And while it’s correspondingly expensive (seven courses for $120), it manages to feel like a comfortable neighborhood spot thanks to walk-in-ability, a lively counter overlooking the kitchen, and playful touches like aforementioned Gosling poster and a mural of Thor in the dining room (the real one, not the Hemsworth one)." - joel ang, dan secatore