Mistral

French restaurant · Back Bay

Mistral

French restaurant · Back Bay

3

223 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

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Highlights

French-Mediterranean bistro with acclaimed cuisine & refined ambiance  

Featured in Eater
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223 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116 Get directions

mistralbistro.com
@mistralrestaurant

$100+ · Menu

Reserve

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223 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116 Get directions

+1 617 867 9300
mistralbistro.com
@mistralrestaurant

$100+ · Menu

Reserve

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Last updated

Aug 14, 2025

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@eater

Boston’s Best French Restaurants | Eater Boston

"This longstanding French-inspired restaurant in the South End offers excellent versions of classics like sole meunière, as well as fresh takes on other classics, like tuna tartare." - Celina Colby

https://boston.eater.com/maps/best-french-food-boston
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@eater

A Takeout and Delivery Guide for Dine Out Boston Summer 2020 | Eater Boston

"Longtime South End French/Mediterranean restaurant Mistral is participating in Dine Out Boston with a $38 dinner menu. Sample courses: chilled summer corn soup with crab meat, cilantro, and jalapeno oil; chicken Milanese with summer corn polenta; Valrhona chocolate pot du crème with pistachio biscotti Order: (617) 351-2618 [takeout]" - Rachel Leah Blumenthal

https://boston.eater.com/maps/dine-out-boston-summer-2020-restaurant-week-takeout-delivery
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@eater

The Spring 2018 Restaurant Opening Guide: Boston Proper - Eater Boston

"The newest restaurant from the Columbus Hospitality Group (Mistral, Mooo...., Ostra, etc.) will feature Lyonnaise cuisine, from duck confit to saucisson, complemented by an all-French wine list." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal

https://boston.eater.com/2018/4/2/17136580/new-restaurants-boston-opening-spring-2018
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Nilou Yaar

Google
The Caesar salad was very delicious. The drinks were fine, but nothing exceptional. Their bread was also delicious. I had the carpaccio, which was truly excellent, and the Cornish hen was especially good—we loved it. The pizza with tenderloin and mashed potato was new and delicious. The highlight of the our order was salad and hen.The ambiance was lovely.We paid more than 200 dollars for our order, and I can't tell if it worth it but we enjoyed everything truly.

Marco Ugolotti

Google
First time and definitely I will go back again. Great atmosphere and very good host and service. The food is tasty and relatively French authentic but delicious. Appetizers were good and a good size as well as the entries. This is a place where you leave and you are still hungry, portions are generous. I was expecting a little more choices for wine by the glass and actually better selection. Many options to select from the menu, and not the usual “Boston menu” finally.

Rick Morse

Google
The vibe, the service and the food all come together to deliver a wonderful special occasion dining experience. Really appreciated how coordinated the team was to make our evening special. Loved the traditional escargot and surprised by the "lazy man" mussels - the broth had smoky, creamy and such depth to it. Veal Milanese won the presentation and according to my son, the flavor award for our entrees. I enjoyed his dover sole, especially the spinach and sauce, while my wife's fish was very good too. The side of polenta had us all raving . . . and it was just a side! Show stopper was the chocolate mousse that we all shared: best ever and boy does that pastry chef earn their money!

Sae

Google
Great food and service. The meats and ingredients were incredibly fresh and generously portioned—definitely come hungry! In addition to the main courses, the appetizers were outstanding. My favorites were the escargot and the foie gras on brioche, both rich and flavorful. One small drawback: I wish the dishes came with more side vegetables. Most plates didn’t include any unless we specifically ordered a salad. Overall, a delicious experience with thoughtful preparation and quality ingredients. The restaurant was also a little too loud as a fine-dining but I guess this is hard to change given the size.

Matthew

Google
Have not been here for a long long time. Showed up for a 530pm reservation at 528pm, they told me to wait at the bar and have a drink. Went to bar and ordered wine, hostess came over and was a bit pissed we were not ready to be seated, told her we were told to come have a drink and to wait 30 seconds for the bar tender to finish pouring them. Seated, we noticed the wine glasses were super dirty. They were nice and apologized said the wine was on the house. Bread was super delicious and the highlite. I ordered the duck, but dry and not great. My friend got a steak filet, it was pretty good and mashed were yummy. Neither of us finished , the dishes were just ok, bland nothing great. Deserts were strawberry rhubarb tart and chocolate mousse. My favorite desert in the world is chocolate mousse, I ate three spoonfuls and switched to the tart that was yummy. Mousse disappointing and I was up all nite with a stomach ache I think from the mousse. Vibe is great and place was crowded for a Thursday. Service was pretty slow, I had to finally get a busboy to find my waiter for a check, then waited longer to pay. I would say after desert we waited 30+ to pay etc. check came without wine comps, had to ask for that, don’t like doing that but it was the point since the manager came over to our table to say wine was comped sorry for the dirty glasses, but wine was still on bill. Nice of them to do, but don’t like having to go back and beg for what they offered. Wish I could say more positive things.

Vivien Tran

Google
Beautiful restaurant and super elegant ambience. Lamb chops were tender and juicy and the sauce complimented the lamb so well; prob best lamb chops I’ve ever had. Beef tenderloin pizza was unique and crust was super thin and crunchy, which I liked. Truffle mac and cheese was also really unique with a really rich sauce. Overall really good food.

Cooper Sellers

Google
Went to Mistral for our 23rd anniversary dinner. Out server was impeccable, his recommendations were excellent, the food was fantastic, the ambiance and environment were wonderful. The dinner was one of our best dinner experiences and I couldn't recommend Mistral more.

Nadine Zaytoun

Google
I came here with a friend of mine. The French onion soup is as good (if not better) than the ones I’ve had in Paris. I got the duck and my friend ordered the lamb. Both were delicious. The profiteroles were absolutely delicious, paired with pistachio icecream and chocolate.
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Adam R.

Yelp
Beautiful dining room, stellar service, and amazing food Complimentary bread was awesome. Much better then the bread that you have to pay for at other restaurants. Come with butter and a garlic spread. Crunchy outside and soft inside 5/5 Chilled Corn Soup with Jumbo Lump Crab- Delicious. Some.of the best corn soup Ive had. Not to thick or thin. Just perfect. Very freshing with a delicate sweet forward taste and some savoryness. Good amount of super fresh crab as well 5/5 Roast Rack of Colorado Lamb- high quality lamb perfectly cooked. Very tender and full of flavor. Sauce is very rich and delicious. Vegetables on side are awesome too. Worth the $98. 5/5 Blueberry tart- this was good. Wish there was a bit more tartness with the blueberries. Nothing mind-blowing, but a nice way to end dinner. 4/5 I will come here about and suggest if you haven't to defiantly give this place a shot 5/5!
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Lin W.

Yelp
This is a great place to go if you're feeling fancy and want to get dressed up. We came here on a Saturday night with friends. The lighting is dimmer than most places, kind of a candlelight vibe, but it's a nice open space with tasteful decor. We got the grilled mushrooms and white pizza for the table. A friend was obsessed with their bread, although they said it had been toasted better last time they came here. It came with regular butter and garlic and rosemary butter. The service was a bit slow--we had to ask for the butter twice, but the food was very good. I enjoyed the French Zero cocktail, which is nonalcoholic. I split the sirloin with my partner, which was excellent, and the roasted vegetables that came with it were very good. We also got a side of roasted asparagus because I was craving vegetables, but honestly, I don't think it's worth paying $16 for roasted asparagus when you can literally roast it yourself and it would taste the same haha. My friends are vegetarian, and though there were some vegetarian options, for the entrees, there's only one vegetarian option, but between the mushrooms, pizza and spaghetti, it was a good variety. For dessert, we split the creme brulee and chocolate torte with ice cream. An enjoyable experience!
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Linda R.

Yelp
For me, this is a guaranteed excellent meal. This was our birthday and anniversary dinner restaurant for years, like 15 years! But somehow we stopped coming- hadn't been in many years. Decided we were way over due so back we came. It was as wonderful as we remembered. A beautiful dining room with tall windows, gorgeous, comfortable seating. The servers are all professional and provide great service in a friendly, welcoming manner. The tuna appetizer is amazingly fresh and perfectly balanced. I also love the mussels but couldn't get all my faves! The manager heard we had been long time patrons and were back again, he stopped by our table. A nice touch. We had the profiteroles for dessert. Delicious as remembered. There is weekend valet parking but we opted for a nearby garage and a short walk. Happy to be back!
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Thuy-Linh P.

Yelp
Our Easter dinner at Mistral, a French cuisine restaurant in Boston, was nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. The star-studded menu, filled with delectable dishes, transformed our evening into an unforgettable gastronomic journey. The Salmon Tartare (special of the day) was a sublime introduction to our meal. It was expertly crafted, offering a symphony of flavors and crunchy texture that danced on our palates. It set the stage for a sensational dining experience that only escalated as the evening progressed. Next, we indulged in the Half Whole Roasted Duck accompanied by an Exotic Mushroom Risotto and Dried Cranberry Gastrique. The duck was cooked to perfection, its succulent flavors wonderfully accentuated by the earthy notes of the mushroom risotto. The dried cranberry gastrique added an unexpected, but welcome, tangy twist, turning the dish into a harmonious blend of flavors. Finally, the Classic Crème Brûlée Raspberries Palmier was the grand finale to our meal. The dessert was a sweet serenade, its creamy texture and raspberry notes creating a memorable melody of sweet indulgence. It was a fitting end to a flawless dining experience. A massive thank you goes out to the entire team at Mistral for their exceptional service and for curating a menu that is a testament to the art of French cuisine.
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Dave K.

Yelp
Downgrading due to recent experience with food, noise, and service. We came back for a post-graduation dinner and the place was jammed, noisy, hard to move in between the tables only to find that our party of 8, big people, were seating at a six-top with two extra chairs jammed in. That's straight not OK for a restaurant of this class and prices. The service was OK, the rack of lamb undercooked in two instances, but those fairly major flaws aside, it was pretty good. But restaurants are all about trust and I can longer trust this place to deliver a first-class experience.
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Lan T.

Yelp
I went to Paris twice this year and had been missing escargot so much so when I had a chance to dine out with my friends, it was a no brainer to choose this restaurant as one of the reviews said they have the best Escagot in Boston. First of all, in term of the atmosphere, it was beautiful! The restaurant is gorgeous, and classic. There was construction in front of the restaurant so we couldn't see the beautiful architecture at the front door, but overall I love the vibes! The service was top notch!! Our server was friendly and attentive! A friend of mine spilled red wine on her white dress, and when she was trying to deal with it, a staff came over and asked if she needed help and then gave her the stain remover specifically to treat wine stain. That worked wonder and my friend was very happy!! I had the escargot which was as good as my Paris version. The bread was so good! Great start for a French dinner! I personally had the Cornish hen and it was amazing!! We had a side order of mushroom and I loved it so much!!! As you see on the picture, there was 2 types of lamb that we ordered - the lamb rack and the boneless one. That was because at first my friend ordered the boneless one which wasn't what she expected and the restaurant did everything to make it right!! The manager was very nice and professional! He remembered my friend who went there for dinner a couple weeks ago! She wasn't a regular customer just happened to dine in there a couple weeks before our dinner. That showed how much he cares about the guests that come.
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Mohib Q.

Yelp
Mistral is easily one of the busiest and popular restaurants in Boston for their upscale fare, and perfect for any small business, group or two-person meal. Parking can be either available through valet or on the street. I recommend doing the valet to save time. Foie gras - this is what you expect and done to perfection. What you will find is a small amount of bread or crackers to add this to, and you may need to ask for more. The texture glides and is as creamy as it gets. I definitely recommend this above all other small bites. Escargot - also cooked just right, the escargot is delivered perfectly in oil and garlic, and holds a soft texture that goes down easy. I would recommend this as well, and it is served up quickly. Duck - the duck option is plentiful, and cooked so very well that you won't get the typical oily or gamey texture. You can tell that they take their time to make this dish, and it is glazed to perfection with a nice light reduction. They were able to split the dish and it turned out to be perfect at this juncture even for two people, or one hungry person. You can't really go wrong here, and the service will be steadfast. The patrons may not be your cup of tea if you're looking for a diverse enclave, but you will find a modern French meal that will be superb.
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Lydia Y.

Yelp
It's slightly more upscale here with fancy wine lists and a more mature vibe. Great for celebratory dinners and bigger groups The food is spot on (and not salty)!!! We started with the foie gras parfait served with mini brioche and apple butter. The escargot is super yum too - use the comp bread to dip in the wine & garlic butter sauce. Can't go wrong with these two To balance out all the richness, we got the market greens. Loved the simple dijon/herb vinaigrette dressing and picked mushrooms. The duck is a MUST! Perfectly roasted and just so tender. It's served on top of a gorgeous wild mushroom risotto of my dreams Keep in mind the entree portions are huge. The pictured duck (and salad) is a single order split into two and it was honestly a lot. Kinda expensive on paper but it rly isn't once you see the food. foie gras parfait $28* garlic butter escargot $20* market greens $17 roasted duck $49* 요즘 프렌치에 꽂힌듯 보스턴에서 먹었던 프랜치는 다 추천할만함. 저번에 갔던 Aquitaine은 비스트로 스타일이고 Mistral은 좀더 고급스러운 다이닝 느낌이다. 분위기가 차분해서 기념일에 오기도 좋고 가족이랑 와도 굳! 음식도 완전 만족스럽다 적당히 느끼하고 안짬!!! 클래식하게 시켰으니까 이대로 먹으면 될것 같구..... 특히 오리!! 완전 촉촉하고 맛있고 같이 나온 버섯 리조또가 존맛 앙트레는 양이 엄청 많으니까 2명당 1디쉬 시켜서 나눠 먹으면 된다. 사진에 나온 오리랑 샐러드는 1인분을 2개로 나눠준 양이다!!
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Kristen S.

Yelp
Came on Christmas Eve-wow, wow,wow. Insanely delicious. This place is a gem. Our server was fantastic and the food out of this world. The tall ceilings and large windows just make the space feel so huge. Love it here. Will definitely be trying their sister restaurants in the future.
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Nick B.

Yelp
The good is the food! The kitchen is amazing and the ambiance is what you would expect of a restaurant of this price range. Our server was poor, bad not accommodating at all. At times he felt passive aggressive and told me if I wanted another drink it would take 10 minutes for my "liver to digest the first one" it was my second cocktail

Chuck D.

Yelp
Probably our favorite restaurant in the city. 4/5 times a year. Always end up getting the same things most of the time . Appetizers 1. Crab ravioli is the best ( we usually get 2 orders , the broth is also delicious and swept up with the great bread they give you . 2. The mussels also is a staple and delicious . For dinner I always get the beef tenderloin with the asparagus and whipped potato . It's great but it seems to have gotten a little smaller and the price has increased a bit .. wife jumps around on the menu and for the most part enjoys all her choices .that's the only real complaint here the prices are getting steep . Valet is high also . Even the mixed drinks are more than 18$ .
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Wendy C.

Yelp
Highly recommend making a reservation as they are always pretty packed. This is starting to be our anniversary spot. We always have a very enjoyable experience and excellent service here. For appetizers- - Parfait of Hudson Valley Foie Gras (the jam is seasonal, today was mandarin orange), between the 2 Foie Gras on the menu, this is still our favorite. If you like it more spreadable, then this is for you - Classic Escargot burgundy style with red wine & garlic butter, this was very tender and the garlic sauce makes a great dipping sauce for the bread given at beginning Entrée- - Pan Roasted East Coast Halibut with seafood paella risotto with tiny clams, I get this one almost every time we come. The halibut is fresh and not overcooked, the paella is very flavorful and plenty of seafood - Pan Roasted Cornish Game Hen is moist and not dry. Very large portion. Enough for 2 (if you eat the bread given and ordered appetizers) When it came time for dessert, we were tempted but was way too full. We told our server next time. But he was so sweet and brought us out a light sorbet dessert anyways. He said he couldn't let us celebrate our anniversary without a dessert! He knew we were full so he picked a sorbet for us. That's above and beyond! Rarely get this level of thoughtful and caring service anymore. Very attentive throughout our meal. Next time we come, we'll be sure to ask for Leni again!
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Holly K.

Yelp
I had really high hopes about this restaurant, but felt pretty disappointed when I left. Sat at the bar for dinner, and ordered the most popular dishes- the tuna tartar (with crispy wontons and soy), the housemade pappardelle (with mushrooms and black truffle cream), and the beef tenderloin pizza (with mashed potato, caramelized onion, and white truffle oil). None of the dishes were "great" (definitely not worth the hefty price tag). They all had weird textures, lacked seasoning, and were cold (the pizza was the biggest let down of them all). The inside of the restaurant appeared old and outdated- dark, mustard yellow color, with the dining room tables veryyy close together. Service, even sitting at the bar, was lacking. It was hard to get the attention of the bartender (fully engaged with other staff members in conversation) and she was not very friendly. I was hoping Mistral was simply having an off day, since so many people had recommended to come here (not to mention the previous reviews that are ranting and raving about it), but it's too expensive to want to give it a second chance. I will stick to their phenomenal sister restaurants- Ostra & Mooo.
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S A.

Yelp
We celebrated my husband's birthday dinner at Mistral, attracted by its beautiful ambiance and courteous staff. The restaurant's aesthetic is indeed stunning. However, our dining experience was mixed. We tried the white cheese pizza, cornish hen, and fish specials for the night. Unfortunately, the food was only average; the cornish hen was notably too salty for our liking. Dessert, chocolate profiteroles with pistachio ice cream, fell below our expectations. Despite this, the ambiance and vibe of the place are undeniably charming.
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H S.

Yelp
Overall a nice experience.Restaurant was crowded and busy so service was a touch spotty. Gave us two menus for eight people and gave me an odd look when I asked for menus for everyone. Is that not normal ? Crispy duck looked excellent. I had the steak which was great. Clean up and bus boys did great . Food came all at once and was attractively presented.
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Erika S.

Yelp
Made reservations for a Sunday evening and we were seated within minutes of arriving. The bread to start was perfect. We started with the French onion soup and the pappardelle. Both were amazing. I ordered the halibut and my husband ordered the Cornish hen. The halibut was cooked to buttery perfection but it was a tad on the lemony side for me. The Cornish hen was perfect. Service was great, we would love to come back.
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Rob C.

Yelp
4.5 same restaurant hospitality group as Ostra. classic French items or we just went with what sounded good. truffle pasta special with mushrooms -- great French Style Onion Soup with Gruyère, "En Croûte" Maine Crab Ravioli, Rock Crab, Thyme & Tomato Broth Beef Tenderloin, Mashed Potato, Caramelized Onion, White Truffle Oil rectangle pizza flat bread Pan Roasted Halibut with Shrimp & Fennel Risotto, Shrimp Nage & Fines Herbs Warm Valrhona Chocolate Torte, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
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Callahan B.

Yelp
Food is always delicious here. I will never go without getting the tuna tartare. It's UNBELIEVABLE and I have been getting it for years. The service is always fantastic. Definitely a busy restaurant but beautiful inside and always a 10/10 experience!
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Amanpreet S.

Yelp
Lovely place, great atmosphere. Food is great! I tried the duck and it was delicious. Pizza is a must try, very different than the regular pizzas. The staff were very warm and helpful and guided us well. We ordered the easy sway for drinks, it wasn't too great, but in the non alcoholic options, this one seemed the best. We ordered the beef tenderloin pizza, the thin crust was lovely and truffle oil added richness to it. The beef on top was well cooked and tasted great. For entree we ordered the roasted duck and it didn't disappoint. It was well cooked with the skin on which made it crispier. The risotto base tasted great too.
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Peter Q.

Yelp
Food, service, and ambiance were all Excellent. Every table with guests yet quiet enough for a conversation. Price was high. Lingered after dinner with no one pushing us out. $30 valet parking.
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Jaleesa T.

Yelp
I went to Mistral to celebrate my birthday, and the food did not disappoint! We started with Maine Crab Ravioli as an appetizer, and the broth was so rich. We also ordered the Sushi Grade Tuna Tartare. It was good, but I should've started with that. For my entree I got the Branzino with potatoes and broccolini. And dessert I ordered the Chocolate Torte and they brought it out with a birthday candle and message. I ordered the Rose Colored Glasses cocktail (gin), and the rosemary was a great fragrant
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Ken L.

Yelp
I have been meaning to Post a review for months (from Feb 2023) for this extremely posh and wonderful restaurant Mistral. I last dined here when they opened years ago and loved it. I was thrilled when I was able to get back to beantown with my 17 yr old daughter (college tours) who has a sophisticated and adventurous palate. The service is spot on and 5 star. Food is beyond 5 star. Room is minimalist and reminds me of Jean George in NYC. We had the Carpaccio pizza wow it had mashed potato and truffle and then Truffle Mac and cheese. Escargot pretty good too ...I could have eaten this all night. Mac and cheese was one of the best and unique versions I have encountered. We had a Foie Gras over brioche and a cherry jam . ( It's refreshing to eat where foie gras is on the menu ) The Entrees , daughter DP Had filet w vin rouge. I had an amazing Duck w risotto and and cranberry gastrique. Life changing. Desert was also a must - had a Warm Vahlrona chocolate torte w vanilla ice cream and a rhubarb tart w crème fraiche ice cream. This is a special restaurant that I can't wait to return to.
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Min K.

Yelp
Amazing duck confi. A bit busy and and had to wait a bit but the food made it all with the wait. A bit tight inside and had to get a bit intimate with the folks next to my table.
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Shaarif Z.

Yelp
I booked a table for two on Valentine's Day for a date, and after how disappointed she was with the food, I might never hear back from her again!!! The ambiance of this place is great - upscale, faux french. The tables are very close to each other just like Paris. The food is not out of the world for the price you are paying. We ordered a Branzino with lemon and capers, which was not good - paying $50 for something like that which you can get at any American place. Also, this was recommended by our server. I ordered a steak which was decent but was marked at 70$, which seems overpriced for a tenderloin. The free bread was the best part of the meal. The profiteroles for dessert was half decent. Our server was very hospitable, no complains there! Overall verdict, place is good for a date if your daye do not care for money or food.
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Jessica H.

Yelp
I've had dinner twice at Mistral and it was 5 star food and service. The lamb chops are to die for.
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Tulsa H.

Yelp
Maybe not as good as Ostra but a very decent restaurant nonetheless. We recommend coming here every few months or so. Food is delicious.
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Anna M.

Yelp
Came here for my first time in oh my gosh was I so glad I did!!! The food here is so amazing and literally everything on the menu was so delicious. I got the Parfait of Hudson Valley Foie Gras with brioche and the apple sauce.. boy did those flavors go together so well! The brioche was also so soft that it all melted in my mouth. I would highly recommend this dish. I then got the half duck over mushroom risotto. The flavors in this also went together so well. A must try is also their escargot appetizer dish. It is flavorful and definitely unique in a good way. Last but not least their lava cake was great to finish it off. Inside was nice and runny, the outside was crispy. Wow I would definitely come back!
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Chris M.

Yelp
Is 6 stars an option? Mistral has long been a special occasion & date night spot for us, and always impresses. We started with the tuna tartar, which is the best in the business, and a special salmon tartar. As a table, we consumed even the garnishes. Probably could be embarrassing but I'd drink the tuna tartar soy drizzle. For dinners we went Dover sole, the beef tenderloin, cod special, and salmon. Honestly, ordering the salmon was difficult for me as the duck and wild mushroom risotto are epically good. Tenderloin reduction sauce is made with magic, and the sole is phenomenal. The salmon was good, but sides were not my favorite. But comparing with the wild mushroom risotto leaves anything else in the dust. Cod looked great and plate went back empty. For dessert we split the flourless chocolate torte, and was a sweet bite for each of us. About two hours later I remarked that I was maybe a little hungry. The group agreed that in general we probably eat too much and that Mistral just has perfect portions. I probably should have just eaten all the dessert myself! Service was attentive and frequent, but sort of seamless and invisible at the same time. A glass was always half full and, as a group, we enjoyed everything and wanted for nothing. Reasonably perfect in all respects.

Patricia S.

Yelp
What an experience. Beautiful atmosphere and our server was very attentive and informative about the menu. The food was spot on. (Half whole roasted duck & wild mushroom risotto is definitely a must try.) Pan roasted prime sirloin was very flavorful and cooked to perfection. We enjoyed every bite and we loved it here so much. If you are looking for a 5 star restaurant in Boston, this is the one!!
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Megan H.

Yelp
Mistral is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. The food is wonderful, but the ambience and service make it a truly memorable experience. This time around, we had a limited time for dinner and it was a very busy nice. We were concerned we might not make it back in time for the babysitter, but mentioned it to the server, and he he ensured we were done with time to spare! And it didn't feel rushed - such great service. We've never had a bad dish, but our favorites are the duck and the crème brûlée - get them every time we visit. Mistral is pricey, but absolutely work it, in my opinion. If you need a place to go for a special occasion, make it Mistral.
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Madeleine B.

Yelp
Food, service, and ambiance was good. We got the tuna tartare which was good but very one dimensional with a very strong sauce. I had salmon which was perfectly cooked, marsala sauce was a bit too sweet paired with delicious squash, two of my mushrooms had a grainy crunch, probably needed to be washed off more, my partner got the lamb which was good, the goat cheese polenta was delicious. We got creme brulee for dessert which was very good although raspberries were flavorless, would have been better to use an in season fruit. Overall it's a good restaurant with good food but for the $$$ was hoping for better value. Personally would not return.
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Melanie W.

Yelp
I made a reservation on Tuesday at 5:30 which they just opened. Not too busy. The ambiance and service were excellent. It is funny that nearly half of the diners use flashlights to see the menu. The appetizers are delicious, especially the foie gras. The seared Hudson valley foie gras, confit of duck in brioche with dried cranberry gastrique was tasty and the parfait of Hudson valley foie gras, apple buttle, and toasted brioche was bland and on the sweeter side. Their classic escargots, burgundy style with red wine & garlic butter, semolina toast was not my favorite. I prefer garlic butter itself, the red was too strong and the escargot is small. The Maine crab ravioli, rock crab in thyme & tomato broth were delicious since they used real crab meat. We ordered the beef tenderloin, mashed potato, and caramelized onion with white truffle oil was one of the most delicious thin-crust pizzas in a fancy restaurant although I am not a big fan of truffle oil. Because of the truffle oil, I could not really taste the mashed potato and caramelized onion. Also, we ordered the half-roasted duck with wild mushroom risotto with dried cranberry on top which was a huge portion even though they split the dish in half since we are sharing. The skin is crispy and the meat is juicy. The risotto was not really my favorite even the mushroom are good but the risotto is sweet. For dessert, we ordered creme brulee and the chocolate profiteroles with pistachio ice cream with dark chocolate sauce and pistachio croquant. Creme brulee was okay, not the best and the chocolate profiteroles with pistachio ice cream were okay as well. The ice cream lacks pistachio flavor and is too much much dark chocolate covered on top. Nice atmosphere but since I try most of the items that I want to try on the menu, I probably won't be coming back. I rather go to other restaurants.
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Kenneth C.

Yelp
Last time coming here. Was treated like garbage by the server who schooled me when I asked how one of the menu items was -- a staple on the menu that I had never had. The restaurant itself needs a major refurbish and the staff could tone down the arrogance and turn up the hospitality. For 100+ per person, I'd expect a lot more.
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Lizzy O.

Yelp
Went here for my moms surprise birthday dinner. The hosts were so helpful with planning!!! For appetizers, we got the tuna tartare, mushroom carpaccio, and the crab ravioli. They were all super tasty. I highly recommend getting the tuna tartare. For my entree I got the duck. Very tender and the mushroom risotto underneath was incredible. It was a HUGE portion of meat. Definitely worth the value. I was able to eat the rest of the duck for lunch the next day. I would say skip the dessert if you come here though.
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Rosemary S.

Yelp
The service, the ambiance, and the food were all excellent. The decor was elevated and suited for a special occasion but didn't feel snobby or intimidating at all. The hostesses and our waiter were extremely attentive and welcoming. All the staff seemed passionate about the menu. The meal starts out with free bread with butter and chickpea oil that they offered to refill. Usually the free bread appetizer is pretty generic but this bread was warm and very fresh. The birthday dessert was also complementary. The squash bisque was delicious, as were the half duck entree (a menu staple) and the very generously portioned market greens salad appetizer. This is certainly not one of those upscale restaurants where portion size is sacrificed for flavor. Everything we ordered was generously sized. Mistral has hospitality down to a science. I will definitely be back!

Letyamil L.

Yelp
First time I visit this restaurant and since we arrived everything was awesome. The people are very friendly and makes you feel welcome. The food was delicious. The decor and environment is breathtaking. Will definitely come back. One of the things that we liked is that is definitely not a noisy restaurant so that's a top for us.
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Miko B.

Yelp
The ambiance at Mistral is pretty typical of any upscale classy French restaurant. Service is courteous and accommodating despite the restaurant being fully booked that evening. Quite surprising given the pandemic! Although Mistral mentions that it enforces a proper dress code, this was definitely not the case. You might get rejected if you roll in wearing flip-flops, but some folks were just dining in t-shirts. As for the food, I would foremost recommend the tuna tartare appetizer. It was unanimously the best bite of the evening. The mushroom risotto that came with the duck entree clocked in at second place. The other dishes that I tried -- the Cornish game hen, the semolina bread and butter, and the chocolate ice cream -- were all quite good, but nothing to write home about.
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Umair I.

Yelp
First off, the hosting staff, and the server, Kyle, were incredibly welcoming and wonderfully impeccable! The food was absolutely unbelievable! Words cannot do justice to how the lime and rosemary in the sauce complemented the spinach and roasted Cornish hen. The onion soup was an excellent burst of flavors! But the true testament to the chefs' talent was the perfectly torched creme brulee and the divine palmier it was served with! A truly amazing experience!
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Daniel C.

Yelp
The last time I ate at Mistral was over 20 years ago and this restaurant ages beautifully. We ate here on a warm Saturday night and the only table available through the Opentable app was a 9pm outdoor spot. But when we rolled up on our bikes we realized that dining to the sounds of big rigs on the Mass Pike was a most un-Mistral experience, and the lovely staff graciously snagged us a two-top inside. We were underdressed (I was wearing shorts and sandals, eg) but that was not a problem. You read a lot about the elegance of Mistral's dining room but nothing prepares you for the wow factor of actually being there. Soaring ceilings, luminous lighting fixtures, soft instrumental music, table cloths, attentive wait staff--Mistral gets it right. Pro seating tip: ask for one of the two tops with corner seating where you are seated catty corner from your companion, which gives you both great views of the restaurant. Food and drink were superb. I had a vodka gimlet and my wife had a cosmo, both of which were the best examples of these classics that we could remember. The trademark boule loaf with garlicky hummus was a crispy crust wrapped around warm sourdough. I ordered the half roasted duck on mushroom risotto ($42), a huge portion of food which combined a richness of savory and sweet flavors (the sweetness from what was described on the menu as "dried Wisconsin cherry gastrique") that was pretty much indescribable. My wife's Maine crab ravioli ($23-an appetizer which she ordered for dinner) was wonderful as well We each had a glass of Avalon Cabernet ($15) with the meal. Not a cheap dinner, we came away spending about $150 with tip, but in my opinion worth every penny. We won't wait 20 years to return this time.
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Liz N.

Yelp
Amazing staff was willing to accommodate allergies and heavy traffic in Boston due to the Jpm marathon. The food was tasty and ambience was fancy romantic and sophisticated. The place could be more lit with more light. The staff was attentive and courteous! We had the white asparagus, some cocktails, the Cornish hen, salmon and haddock. All were amazing! We also had the strawberry tart which was also delish!
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Jacqueline B.

Yelp
Best escargot in Boston. I constantly come here just for the escargot, truffle Mac & cheese, the tenderloin pizza and the tenderloin medallions. It does have a very date-night feel/vibe to it which is great for if you want a nice date night. A little too formal feeling for when my friends and I just want to go for good French food in Boston but we still go anyway since I've yet to find anyone else in Boston with a comparable escargot
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Yvonne O.

Yelp
Wow. It's been a minute since I was in town and the last time I was my husband and I ate at Moo, which is from the same restaurant group. I was taken here by others and it was definitely a high end, but non pretentious experience. Our waiter, Kyle, was fantastic. He brought us a table lamp and was very well-versed on the wine offerings. I tried the lambs leaf salad to start (yum!) and had the duck for the main. The people I was with had steak and everyone enjoyed their meals. The place is loud and dark, but again, they have little lamps available and it's not so loud that you can't hold a conversation. You never feel rushed and I felt like the menu has something for any taste.
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Ariel L.

Yelp
Mistral NEVER disappoints! We've made it a point to eat here every time we visit Boston and we're so thankful the front-office staff was able to squeeze us in at the last minute on such a busy Saturday night to celebrate the last night of our honeymoon! (Yes, we honeymooned in Boston in December ). The food is always superb, the service is always top-notch, and it's just such a great experience every time we go. It's one of our favorite parts of visiting Boston and we can't wait for the next time!
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Rob B.

Yelp
Lots to love here! The foie gras is sinful, if that's your thing - get it! We loved the decor and seamless service that is indicative of any restaurant from the Columbus group. The mushroom bisque was beautiful but was not a bisque expect some full shrooms under the "hood." The $70+ Dover Sole was nice but should be better for what it commands. A hot, side, soufflé dish of bubbling Buerre Noisette would have been nice. The spinach bed for the Sole was over seasoned. The filet of beef accompanied by mash and vegetables for some reason came on three plates? Don't miss dessert, the apple was particularly good. Kudos for Lagunitas IPNA !
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Eric L.

Yelp
one of the finest dining experiences in Boston. Transports you to Cote d'Azure with food and wine. Maine crab ravioli is light and fresh. Classic escargot is perfectly garlicky and herbaceous. Dover sole special off the menu is a perennial favorite. Branzino is grilled to perfection, duck is prepared as a half, not carved so the moisture is sealed in until arriving to you at table, wine list is extensive. One of the best Truffle fries if you are just having drinks at the bar. Classic French desserts to top off the meal. Impeccable service and environ, always a good time.

Sarah Z.

Yelp
Some of the best service I've received at. restaurant. My friend and I wanted to share the food we ordered and they split the food and gave us each a plate. The tuna tartare was decent although the sauce a bit too tangy, the foei gras was a bit too strong with the amount of bread i'd came with, but the beef tenderloin was great. The environment with the interior design and lighting were amazing.
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David R.

Yelp
Great service, great food, great ambiance. Reasonable prices and the perfect balance of fancy without being stuffy.
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Rachel E.

Yelp
Such a luxurious dining experience! We came here for our anniversary and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is simple but beautiful and had an exciting "buzz" without being overly loud. It felt busy but intimate all at once. Kyle was our server and was so accommodating, patient and smart! We had the beef carpaccio and tuna tartare to start - both delicious, but the tuna was our fave. For entrees we shared the short rib and the sirloin pizza. Both of which, very literally melted in your mouth. To finish, we enjoyed the chocolate tort which was a perfect portion size of something sweet to send us off! We were here for 2.5-3 hours and would recommend to anyone looking to have an elite dining experience with some delicious food. It's not cheap, but you get what you pay for and it is worth it.
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Joseph K.

Yelp
The aesthetic of mistral was very nice. It felt fancy but not overly so. It said something about a strict dress code but that did not seem to be enforced. The staff were all very nice and accommodating. Onto the food. The appetizers were all delicious. The foie gras was our favorite. It was a decently large piece that was very tender and flavorful. Went well with the bread and sauce. The next favorite was the carpaccio. The slices of meat were very thin yet packed a lot of flavor. The sharp Parmesan really stood out and added to it, as well as the sauce drizzled on top. The escargot was also fantastic. Though it wasn't as garlicky as others I have had. It was a different sauce and flavor that I can't quite put a handle on. The sauce was still great to dip bread into after eating the escargot. Lastly was the gnocchi, it was very much more on the soft side, did not have much of a bite to it, which some at the table did not like. Other than that the mushrooms and sauce went well with it. The entrees were more mixed. The half duck was nice, moist and well cooked. The skin was a little crispy which was nice and the mushroom risotto was a great complement. The lamb was also cooked very well. The seasoning went well with the gameyness of the meat. The sides were alright with it, a little too much mash potatoes. We also got the beef tenderloin and halibut, both of which ended up being over cooked, dry and a bit chewy. The sides of the halibut were still good but the sides of the beef tenderloin seemed bleh. Mash potatoes on top of big chunk of baked potatoes seemed like an odd choice. The drinks were good. I initially wasn't really inspired by any of them because the menu makes them seem sort of simple, but none of the ones I got disappointed. The gimlet and sidecar were very good. Would come back for the ambience, drinks and some of the food, but would avoid the tenderloin and halibut.