Eva
Mediterranean restaurant · Back Bay ·
Mediterranean restaurant with a gigantic patio, creamy garlic mussels
Mediterranean restaurant with a gigantic patio, creamy garlic mussels
"If see-and-be-seen patios are your thing, Eva’s is hard to beat. The Mediterranean restaurant boasts a gigantic outdoor patio that unfolds along Newbury Street, allowing diners to hang out under oversized umbrellas and watch passersby while digging into plates of creamy garlic mussels, lamb burgers, and salmon and squid ink risotto." - Eater Staff
"A modern American restaurant installed in a converted Cafeteria space with a very large patio; it comes from the same owners as the prior tenant but aims to be a distinct, updated concept rather than a direct revival of the previous spot." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal
"Taking over the Back Bay space that housed Cafeteria, this modern American restaurant from Cafeteria owner George Aboujaoude opened for dinner on April 22 and replaces all-day dining with distinct meal services and menus. Tiffany Barqawi Design has overhauled the formerly white interior in verdant greens and serene blues, adding hand-woven raffia light fixtures, natural wood accents, and a leafy wall covering for an earthy, outdoorsy feel. Chef Luis Figueroa (formerly of Committee) presents crowd-pleasing sharable plates — notably tuna tartare with soy and citrus over crunchy fried wontons and lamb meatballs — along with entrees like braised short-rib gnocchi and lamb with mint chimichurri and creamy garlic labneh, plus brick-oven pizzas including a pepperoni, sausage, and mushroom pie named for the chef’s daughter, Anasofia. A few throwbacks from the previous tenant (spinach-and-artichoke dip and a tuna burger) appear, but the menu is largely new; lunch and brunch will be added later with dishes such as French toast with berries, whipped cream and Nutella, grilled sourdough burrata, and green tomatillo shakshuka. Current dinner hours are Sunday–Thursday 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 5:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m." - Stephanie Carter
"Owner George Aboujaoude is revamping the former Cafeteria into Eva, a modern American restaurant with a very attractive facelift and menu overhaul that’s expected to preserve some Cafeteria favorites such as the tuna burger, the Bolognese, and the spinach artichoke dip." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal
"Opening in late winter 2022 at 279A Newbury St., this new restaurant — slated to replace Cafeteria, which closed in 2020 after 13 years — will offer a modern American menu that brings back favorites such as the spinach artichoke dip, Bolognese, and tuna burger while placing a strong emphasis on cocktails. The two-level space with a large, people-watching patio is undergoing a full redesign by Tiffany Barqawi Design, featuring natural wood tones, blues, greens, and leaf-like decor; the patio is expected to be ready for spring 2022. Owner George Aboujaoude, who also co-owns other Boston restaurants including a Greek spot in the Seaport, says the general concept will remain similar to the prior operation but with a refreshed look, energy, and a small increase in seating. Planned hours are weekday lunch and dinner, weekend brunch and dinner, with typical closing times of 11 p.m. on most nights and 1 a.m. on weekends. The restaurant’s name honors the owner’s children’s initials, and updates will be posted to its Instagram account." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal