SRV
Italian restaurant · South End
569 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Highlights
Housemade pastas, small plates, and a patio at this casual-chic spot
Housemade pastas, small plates, and a patio at this casual-chic spot
"Until you’ve eaten a crostini with blood orange and pancetta on the string-lit back patio at SRV, you can’t really say your summer has started. This is a house that was built on pasta, but the green garlic risotto is a load-bearing beam. Last year, the restaurant stopped taking reservations for the patio, meaning a casual drop-in is always an option." - tanya edwards
"SRV is a small plates wine bar that sticks to just that, so don’t come here looking for pizza or a huge plate of veal parm. The service is warm, and the menu focuses on stuff like smoked trout toast, rabbit agnolotti, and a lobster risotto that isn’t too rich. It’s all served in an airy space that never feels too crowded, and their twinkly light-covered back patio is one of the best outdoor spots in town." - tanya edwards, joel ang, dan secatore
"It’s no small feat to keep a restaurant alive and well for nearly ten years and one pandemic. But the Venetian-inspired SRV — which stands for the Serene Republic of Venice — isn’t merely still standing after all that time in the South End. The restaurant keeps giving us reasons to return again and again. The chefs are always adapting the Italian menu to showcase fresh ideas (but they don’t overdo it; old favorites stay on for a reason), and the staff’s hospitality is second to none. It’s no surprise that so many diners keep coming back here for a consistently outstanding meal. Insider tip: Can’t decide what to order? Try the restaurant’s $65-per-person Arsenale option, a shared tasting menu for the table that pays homage to Venice." - Erika Adams
"The pasta is not to be missed at Venetian-style restaurant SRV, but the smaller, snacky side dishes — including arancini, salt cod, and saucy meatballs — are just as worthy of your attention. Or, better yet, go for the pre-set Arsenale tasting option and take a tour through the whole menu for $65 per person." - Erika Adams
"Once you’ve been to Coppa and Bar Mezzana, come to SRV - a spot on Columbus that focuses on pasta and has great small plates - and decide once and for all which place deserves the title of best Italian restaurant in the South End. Although come to think of it, maybe deciding once-and-for-this-week is a better option, that way you can re-evaluate and do it again a few days later." - dan secatore
