Ribelle - Brookline

I had been wanting to try this restaurant for some time, but I was a bit disappointed by the food - nothing really stood out to me. The tables were also quite close together. It's a charming place with diverse menu options, but for the price, I would prefer to dine somewhere with more memorable dishes.

The dinner was excellent, with enjoyable main courses that were well-sized and made with high-quality ingredients. The wine was also delicious, and the waiter did a great job helping us choose the perfect pairings. However, we were disappointed with the desserts. The petite fours were small and odd-tasting, and the cheesecake had an unappetizing layer on top. If we were to return, we would probably skip dessert next time. This experience may make us think twice about coming back, as the final course was a letdown and a waste.

The service was incredibly slow (but friendly). In two and a half hours they managed to prepare 2 tables on each side of us in the time that it took to prepare about 10 ounces of food for our meal (the production of an appetizer, 2 entrees, and a dessert). The food was very good when it arrived, but for the price and size of the portions there is no way to go back.

Overall very good experience. You have to get comfortable with the limited menu and the spin on Italian cuisine, but the food is really good. Definitely have a pasta dish or two. Cocktails are great and the beer and wine menu is limited but well equipped. Staff is friendly. We sat at the bar and really enjoyed it. Our first experience had one hiccup with an entree being not so good but we gave it a second chance and we are glad we did. It's worth checking out if you are in to food and the greater Boston restaurant scene.

Ok, true confession I 've not reviewed Ribelle because I 'm selfish and want to be able to get a table. Brought 2 friends to Ribelle to show it off Friday night, and I couldn 't be happier with the food and service. I 've been here quite a few times sometimes with a gilt city voucher, sometimes not. You have to come with an open mind knowing that the food may have some unusual flavor combinations. Personally I love chefs that experiment, and much prefer creativity to those who rarely change menus and pretty much rest on their laurels. Ribelle has a distinctly asian influence, but it 's subtle, with a few asian ingredients thrown into pasta dishes and desserts. We started our meal with 3 appetizers: ½ dozen old cove oysters apple horseradish mignonette; hokkaido milk bread, and a king crab salad. The oysters and crab salad are from heaven. (The bread was good others in the party could better speak to that dish, though, cause I 'm not a bread person. For main courses I can recommend the boar agnolotti and the pappardelle bolognese, (previous visit being superb, and the crème caramel is a lovely finish. The servers are fabulous so friendly and ready to 'interpret ' the menu, without attitude (you know what I mean . One of my favorite things is the 'I need a minute ' $3 wine pour so clever; when you don 't want too much wine, but would like a little more than a single glass with your meal. OK so it can get a little loud. We had such a great time, it didn 't matter; anyway, it meant that we were surrounded by equally happy diners! Please ignore this review and do not take my table at Ribelle.