Jea Kim
Google
New Italian restaurant with a nice waterfront view of the Charles River.
Recently took a visit for dinner, drawn by the newest venture from Chef Seth Greenberg, who also manages Columbus Hospitality restaurants. Given the pedigree, I had high expectations. Like most Columbus Hospitality spots, Monteverdi sticks to a “less is more” philosophy, offering classic Italian fare with a casual twist. The menu featured familiar dishes you'd find at North End restaurants, but with a bit more flair.
We initially had a hard time picking appetizers as the menu didn’t have many intriguing options. Eventually, we settled on the whipped ricotta and pepper-crusted beef carpaccio, and both turned out to be excellent choices. The whipped ricotta, served with a side of smoky grilled bread, paired beautifully with the natural sweetness of silan (date honey). Meanwhile, the beef carpaccio, carved fresh from the kitchen, was a classic dish topped with fried capers, arugula, parmesan, and lemon. It was a refreshing and enjoyable dish—definitely worth the wait.
From the entrees, we opted for the Linguine Vongole, Pork Milanese, and the Truffle Polenta. The first two were just okay. The Linguine Vongole had a highly acidic flavor from the wine sauce and lemon, leaving a taste somewhat reminiscent of cheese, which I wasn’t a huge fan of. The Bone-in Milanese was thicker towards the bone and thinner at the edges, resulting in uneven cooking—the meat near the bone was perfectly juicy and tender, while the edges were a bit overcooked.
Surprisingly, my favorite dish from the entrees was the Truffle Polenta. The medley of vegetables, from pearl onions and cauliflower to mushrooms and baby carrots, paired smoothly with the creamy polenta. While the truffle flavor was barely noticeable, the occasional burst of garlicky goodness from the garlic chips made it interesting enough.
Despite its grand opening a few weeks ago, Monteverdi hasn’t attracted a lot of crowds. The food here is good and simple, but perhaps not quite on par with Greenberg's other upscale Boston restaurants . The menu prices are very reasonable (except for the pasta), so I’ll definitely come back for brunch once they open.
