The Cottage Chestnut Hill

We waited over 35 minutes from the time we ordered a lamb burger and tuna melt - both were mediocre. Throughout the wait we wished we had just grabbed a burger at shake shack. This place has gone downhill since I first went 2 years ago, and my wife and I are in full agreement about never going back. You can see my sad lamb burger with nothing on it and the wilted arugula side.

Food is good, albeit slightly overpriced for what it’s worth. Went with a group, and the buttermilk chicken And nachos were very tasty. Was considerable wait time between appetizers and entrees. Did see a mouse scurry in the corner. Our waiter was excellent, but the hostess who initially seated us was not very friendly.

The Cottage in Chestnut Hill is a nice place to meet friends and family for a meal. The restaurant has a casual southern California feel to it, a feel you might expect while dining near the beach. That said, the service is very professional, friendly, and efficient. I have mostly been here for brunch, and they tend to get very busy on weekends so I recommend calling ahead for a table. The food is light and refreshing, not typical diner food which tends to be heavier and fried. The prices are a bit higher, but are pretty average for this part of town.

Great place for a nice quick lunch or dinner. Their nachos are really good, as is the chicken sandwich. In the summer they have outdoor seating and some good refreshing beverages. I usually come off hours so I'm not sure if there is a huge wait or not but always good service when I do go.

You want to get a reservation on busy nights. The staff is always very friendly, accommodating, great with kids, they have s kids menu and the food is very good. My favorites are the chicken picatta with artichokes and the chicken Milanese which is such a magical combination of flavors that you will keep ordering these every time you come back. I usually like to complement my meal with a cop of the tortilla soup. It has the right amount of salt and soccer to open your appetite.

The food was good, however the place was filthy and needs major cleaning, hopfully the kitchen was cleaner than the dining area. The seats in the booths were ditry cracked and torn, the cloth seat backs need cleaning and the cushions on chairs are also dirty, a little soap and water would go long way! The door to the men's room was so filthy I didn't want to touch it. The cloth panels on the walls are also dirty as is the fireplace hearth. It's too bad this was a nice place and has been let go. Soap and water is cheap and would go a long way as well as new apolstry on booths, would make all the difference!

We tried this place just because it was convenient, and we were very pleasantly surprised! We tried two of their Massachusetts draft beers, which were good, but the real winner was the Modern Nachos. They were topped with fontina and cotija cheese, grilled corn salsa, mango guacamole, and lime crema. Despite the unconventional ingredients, these were possibly the best nachos I have ever had. The flavors were mature yet delicious, and there was the perfect ratio of chips to toppings. At $10.95 for the plain nachos without meat, they were also reasonably priced. I'm trying to think of excuses to be back in Newton so I can go to The Cottage again!

Great option for lunch or brunch in the Chestnut Hill area. They offer great cocktails, such as white peach sangria and blood orange margarita. Highlights include their avocado stuffed with tomato, quinoa, lemon-basil vinaigrette, and chicken salad, BBQ tenderloin tips with truffled tater tots, and chicken tortilla soup.