Aquitaine

I came here for lunch with colleagues, and unfortunately, the experience was disappointing from start to finish. It took an unusually long time for a server to even acknowledge us after we were seated. The tap water tasted off—like cardboard—and none of us could drink it. Our server seemed irritated from the moment he approached us, with no clear reason. We waited about 15 minutes for our drinks, and another 15 for our food, which was just average at best—definitely not worth the steep prices (they charged $15 for a lemonade!). The server never checked in on us during the meal. One of my colleagues ordered mussels and didn’t even get a spoon for the broth. Despite trying to flag someone down multiple times, we were unsuccessful. When we finally got the check—10 minutes after asking—we realized the reason for the lackluster service: an automatic 20% gratuity had been added, along with a 3% “kitchen fee” that wasn’t mentioned on the menu. We were a party of five, not a large group, so this felt sneaky. Worse, they taxed and tipped on top of that fee (see the receipt attached to this review). Would not recommend. There are plenty of better spots in the South End where the food, service, and pricing are more honest and enjoyable.

Another place I have tried for brunch. I’ve tried the skillet scramble, the avocado tartine, and the french toast, and they are all delicious. The skillet scramble with the boursin might be the best scrambled eggs I have ever had in my life, and the taste makes up for the small portion size. The avocado tartine and the french toast were good sizes, and the french toast was especially delicious. The ambiance of the restaurant was also very cute and felt classy and refined. I am curious to try this place for dinner as well, and will definitely try to come back here at some point!

Loved the ambience of Aquitaine. Our server was able to recommend some wines for us to try before deciding which bottle to get. The escargot was the highlights of my meal. The duck breast was also very good. Chocolate chip bread pudding was to die for.

Beautiful seating and ambience. Great for lunch and dinner. The service and food was excellent. The bacon arrived a little overcooked and they replaced it immediately. The croque Madame was very filling. Too heavy for me. We prefer the malted Belgian waffle and french toast.

I went here recently with a friend, and everything was absolutely amazing. To the service, the ambience and the food, everything all around was great. I got the steak frites and it was cooked to perfection and my friend got the duck that I got to try and it was amazing as well. Savannah was our server and she was so sweet and very attentive. She recommended me a gin based cocktail that I loved. Will be back soon!:)

Cute French bistro in South End with great ambiance, but overpriced dishes. The best dish was the bread pudding, it was crispy yet soft and moist inside, the warmth melting the vanilla ice cream on top. The steak was good but not thoroughly seasoned and not worth the price tag. Fries a little soggy. Duck was tender but the sauce was quite salty.

The experience at Aquitaine is always top notch. The servers are extremely attentive and professional. The food is simple, delicious, and high quality. I’ve been twice for dinner and will be back for brunch!

Amazing waiting staff by a lovely lady with a Frida Kahlo mask They missed to mention it was restaurant week as I would have adjusted my choices I had to find out in the restroom I personally did not appreciate the clubby music for a restaurant with fine dining Steak au poivre market price was $80 I also like their county pate from before better than the creamy pate they had now Lastly I ordered a side of fries and it was a small bowl with unfortunately only short (1 cm) long fries Lastly I would expect a more real chocolate sauce on the profiteroles

The service here has always been nice and attentive. The restaurant feels spacious, even when it gets busy for dinner time. It's pretty empty for lunch time. I think they need to finish the construction outside this restaurant because the entrance is kind of hidden. Duck confit was good. My friends liked their burgers. Fries were okay. The poke bowl was yummy, but it was not filling at all - I feel like it was missing a grain.

Stopped in on the early side on a dreary winter night for some French onion soup, salad, and a glass of wine. It was quiet enough that there were only 3 other people at the bar when I arrived. The food was fine, but the bartender was pretty inattentive. I had to ask for a menu, I had to ask for a fork for my salad; she never checked in on me after my food arrived. I probably would have stayed for a second glass of wine, had it felt more welcoming. Also, totally not the fault of Aquitaine, but the woman sitting near me at the bar was chewing ice cubes the entire time - annoying AF! Too bad - I'm a huge fan of Metropolis, owned by the same people. Probably wouldn't bother to go back here though.

I had a yummy brunch at Aquitaine! My dad and I ordered the shakshuka, and it was very flavorful. I liked that Aquitaine added their own twist to shakshuka with the olives, chickpeas, and spinach. The portion was also very generous. In terms of service, it was good - our food came out quite quick, and the staff were accommodating. The restaurant itself is nice and chic with simple and clean decor. I enjoyed my brunch in Aquitaine and I'm glad I tried it.

The ambiance, service and our dinners were all thoroughly enjoyable. Valentine's Day attracted a young crowd; we enjoyed watching the "fashionistas" and were pleased with the overall warmth and attention. Our waitress, the only female waitstaff, was excellent. The French onion soup, vegetable tarte, veal stew, fresh baguette and chocolate chip-bread pudding were all excellent....and very filling! The cost of our 1/year indulgence matched our enjoyment (ie: high), yet was less than a trip to to France!!

Aquitaine was a lovely brunch spot. It was very cozy and it set up nicely. The food was good too! The omelette was good but the portions are small. My espresso martini was okay, not my favorite though. The server was great and friendly too! If looking for a good brunch check this place out!

This was just about the only place open at almost 9 on a Thursday evening so we ended up at the bar. The escargot was not the best but it was still escargot so no real complaints. The sides were all so good though. The Brussels has great flavor and a nice crisp. The truffle frites were so crispy and flavorful. The green beans were perfectly cooked but still nice and crisp. The mocktails were delightful. Staff was fine. Nothing out of this world but very solid. I would definitely go again even if it wouldn't be my first choice.

Restaurant was very cool with a great vibe. Went for brunch and the food was fantastic, tried the shakshouka and it was great. Service was good for an all around good experience.

Decent French-inspired brunch food. Came here for brunch the other weeks with some friends. The ambience is lovely, looks like a chic, French cafe. The service was prompt and friendly and the food decent. I ordered the Duck Hash and Eggs. As expected it was a bit greasy (it's duck confit after all), but delicious and came with a fried egg on top and some toast. I also ordered the creme brûlée which had good flavor but not the right consistency, it was pretty soupy. I expect better from a French restaurant. However, the french onion soup, which my friends all ordered, looked and tasted fantastic. Food: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Ambience: 5/5 Extra mention of subpar crème brûlée

Had a fancy Friday night dinner with some buds to kick off the new academic year, and my goodness did we kick it off... This was truly one of the best dining experiences I've ever had in my life. The prices are fair and the portions are reasonable. The only thing is that they charge you for what seems to be complimentary San Pellegrino, so be cautious about that. We dropped $40 on two bottles. We ordered a charcuterie board and escargot to start off with and both were truly delicious. The escargot was silky and not too strong, and the board had 3 really tasty cheeses and jams to pair with the toast. I enjoyed the pickled blueberry jam, which was new to me but ended up being a great compliment to the board. I wish we got a bigger piece of honeycomb, but other than that it was amazing. For the main course I ordered the truffle burger which came with French fries for a reasonable price of $24 and it was probably one of the best burgers I've ever had. I always order my red meat to be well done, which is risky flavor wise, but this burger came with such high reward. It was incredibly juicy and paired so nicely with the truffle. The truffle was not overpowering at all. The fries were piping hot and there was a generous serving. To top it off, we finished the night with some crème brûlée, which was silky and had a beautiful custard taste. The bill came out to about $160 with tip for 3 people which included 2 bottles, 2 appetizers, 3 entrees and a dessert. This was VERY reasonable for an upscale restaurant. I can't wait to come back...

Really cute inside! Nice friendly service and fair prices for somewhere in the heart of the south end! Portions were a little small but I don't mind. I had the skillet scramble and it was pretty good. I'm looking forward to going back and trying other menu items!

We've come to really love this neighborhood place. The interior is stunning and the service has always been professional. I think they do both duck and steak frites beautifully, if you're not sure what to start with. During the weekends the food can be a bit slower to come out. Be sure to make a reservation on a busier night!

All I can say is wow. I had an afternoon reservation today for Brunch, and I can definitely say that a reservation is the way to go, as it was quite full for Sunday brunch. I particularly appreciated their flexibility as we arrived five minutes late (thank you to the chaos that is the Green Line...). We were greeted and served by Alexis super quickly, who worked efficiently to make sure we had drinks and food ready in a timely manner. She was very personable and made our experience unique! As for food, my girlfriend and I could have ordered the entire menu. We looked at the menu beforehand, but we were both still in between options after we arrived - everything looked absolutely delicious! I ended up with the Croque Madame while my girlfriend got the crispy chicken sandwich and truffle fries. The croque madame was the best one I have had so far outside of literal France itself. It was packed with flavor and came with a light, refreshing side salad. My girlfriend's truffle fries were to DIE for, and I found myself periodically grabbing a few. We couldn't finish out our anniversary brunch without dessert, and after a difficult time choosing between the entire dessert menu, got the chocolate mousse. This was the BEST way to finish off our Aquitaine experience, with fresh whipped cream and dark chocolate that was the perfect level of sweetness. We're both college students, and so the reasonable prices for an upscale restaurant in the South End were the icing on the cake. After taxes and tip, the total was $70 for drinks, entrees, and dessert. Aquitaine, I will DEFINITELY be back. In a perfect world, Aquitaine would be my regular brunch fix!

The perfect neighborhood spot for brunch! It was quiet around 11am on a Sunday. I got the brioche French toast, which was classic and delicious.. It was soft inside and crisp outside with a nice breading. A big portion that also came with bacon. I had a bite of my friend's duck hash, which was also good but didn't contain that much duck. Good service and really reasonable prices for brunch (~$15/dish).

The servers were really sweet. I got a croque Monsieur, and it was excellent and everyone really seemed to enjoy their dishes. The ingredients tasted very fresh. Three stars because they did not have any paper/physical menus. I love the QR code menus, but I was with my grandmothers who were struggling so I asked for a paper menu at the hostess stand and they didn't have any.

Awesome place for a group brunch with immaculate vibes. I came here on a Sunday morning in a group of 5 and got seated in the round table near the front of the restaurant. In a cold winter day, it felt extremely cozy and homey. The food was really enjoyable and they do a great job of adding a French twist to the classic American breakfast dishes. I would definitely plan on coming back here!

I think this place is alright, lack in flavor and a pricey menu. I don't think I'll be back

This French brunch restaurant is beautiful. There is a bar, and the interior design is lovely. The service was good and the food came out delicious. For drinks, we got the lavender and elderflower spritz and bellini. I highly recommend the bellini lavender and elderflower spritz. It is very refreshing and went well with brunch. For food, we got avocado tartine, omelet alsacienne, and aquatine burger. The food was all very good. Anyone ordering the omelette comes with sides. I requested truffle fries, and they added a side of toast. The ingredients used to feel really good quality and food feel very healthy. The only complaint, if any of the truffle fries, was good, but it is the mayo truffle sauce.

Wow, this place was delicious! They had a variety of tasty cocktails, I enjoyed the one with blueberry purée. We shared the escargot, it was very tasty plus you get bread to sop up the extra buttery goodness. I also sampled the French onion soup, it was definitely one of the more flavorful soups I've tried. I had the sole for dinner. It was delicious with a crispy outside. The green beans were cooked to perfection. I sampled the duck breast which was very yummy. Overall, a very tasty dinner, I'd definitely recommend stopping here!

Got dinner here with a friend on a rainy Thursday night. The ambiance was much fancier than had anticipated and service wasn't the best, but we were in no rush. They were participating in Restaurant Week so we ordered items that weren't on their regular menu, and it was delicious. Wine selection was great too. I would recommend this spot if you're looking for a nice dinner spot!

I came to Aquitaine with my partner on a Sunday evening to celebrate his birthday, and this little French restaurant was the perfect place for us. It was a nice day, so unfortunately all of the outdoor dining was already taken, so we were seated at a small table inside. We started off with some drinks - I ordered their house sangria which was strong and sweet. We also ordered some appetizers (escargot and french onion soup) which were absolutely delicious. The escargot especially was some of the best that I've ever had. The garlic and butter mixed with the saltiness of the escargot was the perfect balance, paired with some complimentary bread. For main dishes, we ordered the steak frites Aquitaine and Sole Meunière, which were also both delicious. I would come here over and over again just for their steak. It was a perfectly cooked medium rare which completely melted in your mouth. Besides just the food, the service and restaurant atmosphere here was also above many other places I've visited. It felt very comfortable and cozy here, and was perfect for a small birthday celebration as a couple.

Haven't been there for a year. There's been a change. Menu was not great. Chef obviously different. I had escargots. Bad. Steak frites. Had to send it back as simply not edible. Sorry to say as I have air bb places. Cannot recommend. They were kind enough to not charge me for the steak. But... Lots of restaurant choices in Boston. Bad outing. Bad meal. Everyone in my party agreed. Skip it.

You're greeted and treated warmly throughout the dining experience here. The mussels, salade boûcheron and escargot were terrific appetizers. Then Truffle burgers were the go-to for us, and they did not disappoint. Delicious, hot & crisp frites. All around no complaints, and the restaurant is as we remember from years ago.

Such a cute French restaurant. The vibe is upscale and the interior is beautiful. Food-wise, everything is done well. Tried their Rainbow Trout and it was pretty good. The fish was moist & tender, potatoes weren't too great. Escargot was exactly as expected: piping hot, salty & buttery. Service was good overall. Would like to come back and try their brunch menu sometime.

It's a gorgeous spot that 100% evokes Paris. It's actually a lot like one of those bistros you'll find in the 2eme or 6eme that has a lot of Americans in it. Nice to look at but the food is overpriced and a bit bland. Service is fine. It's a gorgeous spot, just don't set your expectations too high on food and expect a fairly large bill for the quality.

Not good. This used to be a great restaurant. While the cuisine is still excellent, they have serious and unacceptable problems with staffing and service. Sad, but not going back anymore.

Food was great and server was super nice and attentive! Ambiance was chill even during Brunch on Father's Day. Lighting is bright and natural with cool fixtures! Very much reccomend.

The brunch food here and ambiance was decent, but definitely very overpriced. The service was subpar.

I'd thought of coming here for a while now, and finally did for my mother's birthday. We arrived quite early and they were able to seat us 15 minutes before our reservation, which was greatly appreciated. We both ordered the endive salad to share and then each the roasted duck for $38. Being European and having eaten in many French restaurants both in and out of France, both dishes were very mediocre. The duck itself: the meat was tender but the skin not crispy at all. The peas and greens were undercooked (this might be American style). The potatoes were far and few between. No grown man would be full after this. The endive salad had been split, which we appreciated, but they forgot the Roquefort cheese, which is a main component. The apple was invisible in this, making this salad tasteless. When we told the waitress the cheese was missing, she brought a clump of it on the side (it's difficult to crumble unless you really put your hands in it). The whole salad should have been redone without asking. We did not have any wine or alcohol, and the waitress seemed to want us to order a drink, mentioning non alcohol options as well. The atmosphere is very beautiful, the host and the bus staff are very kind. The quality of the cuisine is simply lacking.

TLDR: cute date spot Great service and a wonderful French menu awaits at Aquitaine. Came here for a birthday and we had a wonderful time and was perfect for a celebration. Inside was cute, and there's also outdoor sitting.

This intimate, lovely, Parisian bistro serves very good, well prepared dishes. The interior ventilation system has been substantially improved, enhancing the already delightful ambiance. While the food is still very good, (the sole, and salad were as delicious as ever and the salmon was good), the mussels and steak were not as flavorful as they once were. The chef still prepares most dishes with great care and expertise (the sole, the sole!) The potatoes accompanying the entrees were also expertly prepared and tasty. Sadly, Aquitaine's service has slipped quite a bit from the utterly flawless service to which we had become accustomed. Gone is the truly impeccable, gracious and polished service that elevated Aquitaine to the next level. While the hosts were welcoming and charming, on this trip, our server was sub par. While she was pleasant enough and apologetic for her mishaps, she was woefully inattentive, scattered and completely lacked polish and professionalism. Thankfully, the bus staff was attentive and pleasant. It once was that every meal at Aquitaine was underscored by delicious food and wholly stupendous service. ...........excellence we had come to expect at this restaurant. Despite the marked decline in service (and a VERY slight decline in food) Aquitaine is still a very good Boston restaurant that is worth a visit!

A super quaint and vibey french restaurant in the heart the South end! I came here a few months ago with my gf and a few friends for dinner. I was instantly hooked by the interior design. As you walk in you're greeted with a warm round lights, large bar area and retro-like booths. Although, it felt a little narrow I didn't mind at all. The food was also very tasty. We shared a classic french onion soup and crème brûlée but, the roasted duck dish absolutely blew me away. It was savory, rich, and had a crunchy exterior. I'll be back just to have the duck once more . I've included a picture too because it was cooked to perfection!

Went there on a late Friday night away from home looking for a nice French dinner. I sat at the bar, Nikki was serving me, great service, very friendly. The ambiance is nice and has a nice French bistrot vibe. I put 4 stars for the food, it was excellent but a little pricey overall. The tarte tatin was really good

A beautiful, French style restaurant. Our waitress was very cordial and provided the best service that she could, considering her table load. The bread for dipping came after the escargot, which we needed to ask for... Not the end of the world, but! Drinks were good! The food was mixed but hot. The steak was seasoned perfectly but the fries should hv been hot n crisp, they were soggy n warm, definitely just sitting! The least expensive item really detracted from the meal. My cod was tasty but my side of vegetables were greasy and again, tasted as if they were hanging around. A large one to me, especially in a fine, French restaurant, is to de-crumb the table at least once before desert but preferably twice, especially on a very messy table. Neither was performed, and again, this really detracted fro the experience as a whole. To end our stay, the desert was excellent!

This used to be my favorite spot in the South End. They had a ~$12 off-hours prix fixe brunch that was the best deal in the city. That is no longer available, but I don't blame them for optimizing their prices and I'm glad they are still in business. The food is pricey, but all very good. There is no kids menu, but they can make a butter pasta, which our kids were happy with. The desserts were big enough for 2 people to share.

Stopped here for brunch. Overall above average but I'm not sure it's a place I'd enthusiastically recommend. I got the breakfast burrito. The burrito was solid. Flavorful and full of good ingredients. It wasn't the biggest breakfast burrito I've ever had, but I wouldn't say it was small. The side salad it came with was...interesting. Really just some greens thrown on a plate. No dressing or anything. Can't say I was a huge fan. The pomme frites were pretty average. They weren't that hot when they came out. My girlfriend got the shakshuka. I enjoyed this. Very rich in flavor and decent sized dish. As for the service, it's pretty on par with the rest of Boston--not great. Our server was very friendly but seem confused with what I was ordering even though it was fairly basic. That same order ended up getting messed up. The staff was very quick to fix it, though. The prices aren't too bad. One thing I did find insane was that I was charged $5 for a Diet Coke? What a steep price to pay for some hangover cure potion. I didn't even get a refill. Overall, worth trying out. The interior is cool and food is good, but I wouldn't go out of your way.

Always a pleasure to go to Aquitaine! The food is great and the service is always efficient and friendly. So nice to feel like you are in a French bistro!

This is the second time I have visited this restaurant and it doesn't disappoint! I had the escargot served with toasted baguette which was so good I didn't take a picture until it was all gone. Also the French onion soup was to die for! All topped off with a delicious French Pinot Noir.

So delicious! Can't recommend the mac and cheese and shrimp Caesar enough. We went on a Sunday for brunch and it wasn't busy at all so staff was great

If you're vegetarian, you won't enjoy this place. However, if you're not, it is fantastic. The escargot was savory, buttery, and goes very well with the bread. I absolutely enjoyed the truffle burger. The meat was tender and juicy, the truffle flavor was on point, and the French fries are great to compliment to the burger. The drinks were also delicious. I had been there before, but the service that night was extraordinarily great. Our server lady was very friendly and willing to stop by and chat, she also give good suggestions on drinks. I'll definitely go back again. If you like a restaurant experience choose a table not the bar, it's completely different experience I promise.

The food was delicious and the service was awesome. We loved the French onion soup, mussels, steak frites and escargot. Would recommend!

It occurs to me that I should have written about your restaurant before today. I cannot remember ever having a bad experience here or a bad cocktail or a bad meal. Today's Aperol Spritz and Breakfast Americaine were once again delights. Your restaurant always makes me feel like I belong--so cozy. The service is attentive but not overbearing. I appreciate this. I am consistently grateful how earnest everyone is and willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure that we all have a memorable experience. My memory is not what it used to be, but Alexis and Monica stand out as making this a great place to celebrate life. Thank you--and Happy New Year!

We were sat in the more private room area in the corner. Delectable food. We were both happy with our choices for fish and the duck. Service staff were attentive to our needs.

First off, the service was great and the ambiance. However, the food (brunch) was a 1 star. It really seemed like a breakfast you would get at Dennys. I ordered a latte which was not a latte at all, just hot coffee with some moldy hot milk. And I never heard the espresso machine come to think of it. The whipped feta app was completely over salted to the point of inedible. My eggs Benedict was bland and the potatoes seemed like they were from a frozen food bag. Too bad. I was looking for a new spot.

Parking is chaotic! The restaurant didn't answer the phone as I kept calling trying to find the valet stand (nonexistent on a Monday night), even though when I finally got in, found the restaurant to be quiet empty! I drive around the block for over 20 mins before finally finding a spot. The food and dining service was fine, but the problem with parking, and the restaurant not answering their phone, left a sour taste in my mouth. I'm an out-of-towner and even tried to call them that afternoon to check on parking options, and phone wasn't answered even then.

We had the most incredible dinner here. Not only is the french onion soup the best we've ever had, but the rest of the food is just as good. We will be back just to see Walter. Not only was he the most wonderful host, but he was knowledgeable, attentive, and personable. Thank you, Walter.

We were looking forward to a wonderful experience at Aquitaine but left totally unimpressed. The restaurant seemed noisily cramped with small, crowded tables and unremarkable decor. The "Sweet Corn & Ricotta Ravioli", $30, barely covered the bottom of a small plate. I shouldn't really complain because it was definitely not to my taste. The "Potato Gratin" could easily have been taken from a Stouffer's package. Up and down the line, the prices were extraordinarily high, even for a French restaurant in Boston. (My recent meal at Bistro Du Midi was less than half the cost.) The server worked extra hard to upsell additional courses. Requests (e.g., splitting a salad) were at an additional charge. And, atop stratospheric prices, there was the three percent "Kitchen Appreciation" fee. Hard pass in the future.

Great ambiance and even greater food. This is such a comfortable and classy place to eat, and every single thing that they served us was incredible. The service was also excpetional. They were polite and well timed. I came here with high expectations and they still managed to impress me.

They have brunch till 3pm on Saturdays for $12! I've come here a few times for dinner and it's a bit pricey for a casual night. I was looking at the regular menu online and noticed the brunch menu! I stopped by last weekend and we were seated immediately. Service was great and the food was awesome! It's a perfect brunch for a great price. Both of us had the omelette de l'ouest. Delicious and cooked perfectly. It had ham and peppers/onions - I don't really remember but it was good! We got juice, a mini cinnamon bun, and the food came with potatoes/toast. I haven't seen a better brunch deal besides their sister restaurant (gaslight). Great spot to bring a date or friends!

Great seafood spot with nice ambiance. Highly recommended for new comers and visitors