A Taste of Elegance
I had been eagerly tracking the opening of La Padrona in the Raffles Hotel, Boston from the initial whispers to the grand opening. During my recent trip to Boston, I tried every trick in the book to snag a reservation but ended up on the outside looking in. Enter my friend, Sergio, who casually drops, “I know one of the owners. Want me to reach out?” I practically shouted, “Do it now!” And just like that, we had a reservation for early Friday evening. It felt like winning the lottery.
Dressed to the nines, my friends Rob, Sergio, and I waltzed in like kids in a candy store. The moment you step into the downstairs area, you get hit with a wave of belonging and importance. We were escorted upstairs to a scene of breathtaking beauty and design that struck the perfect balance between high-end and approachable. The lighting is gorgeous, the seating sumptuous, and the center bar seemed to whisper, “Come, sit a while.” Fun fact: even the bar requires a reservation, but there’s a lovely cocktail lounge downstairs for pre- or post-dinner cocktails if you fancy.
We were seated at a curved booth table, affectionately known as the Hollywood tables, with a full view of the entire restaurant. Our excitement was palpable. Our waiter, Clara, embodied both professionalism and fun. Throughout the evening, various members of the management, including one of the owners, stopped by our table, a gesture they seemed to extend to nearly every patron, making everyone feel like a VIP.
We began with cocktails while we browsed the menu, which was a smorgasbord of temptation. Before we could decide, a plate of Cacio e Pepe bread arrived. Let me tell you, this bread is next-level—seriously amazing.
our dishes
On Clara’s recommendation, we shared the Bucatini Alla Napoletana, a pasta dish with red and green tomatoes, stracciatella, and basil. It was delicious.
For our mains, we went our separate ways. Rob chose the Swordfish Fra Diavolo, a symphony of lobster, spicy peppers & tomatoes, capers, Calabrian chili, and oregano. It was so good it either left you speechless or had you babbling non-stop. Sergio went for the Pan Seared Beef Tenderloin Piedmontese with joyberry farm mushrooms, black garlic, and porcini butter. Sergio’s eyes glazed over with joy as he declared the beef perfection. I was equally smitten—by his mushrooms, which I shamelessly stole. I picked the Seared Black Cod, served with braised tomatoes, nettle pesto, and lemon. This dish was so indulgent the cod practically melted in my mouth.
Sergio, our resident dessert aficionado, insisted on the Chocolate Cake, a decadent devil’s food cake with chocolate ganache, mascarpone, and almond feuilletine. The restaurant surprised us with Summer Berries & Cream—whipped crème fraîche, rum-soaked vanilla sponge, and brown sugar crumble. It whisked me back to my childhood and the delight of English Trifle. We also received a creamy vanilla gelato and a little glass of Limoncello each.
Our evening stretched close to three hours, and every minute was memorable, from the exquisite space to the impeccable service and incredible food. Thank you, La Padrona, for a night to remember!
