Ecco Boston

My friend and I had dinner here on Friday evening, and I found myself saying «This is my new favorite restaurant!» Great ambiance, great food, friendly service, and off-​street parking. We had planned to sit on the patio because the weather was nice, but the interior has such great ambiance, I changed my mind. I can’t really describe it – part European bistro, part speakeasy. But totally comfortable, casual, and not too loud (so you can talk without shouting). Our favorite dish was the lamb lollypops appetizer, though everything was good. Service was a bit slow, but when we got close to when I had to leave, the server graciously put my dessert in a to-​go container and expedited our bill. My friend and I vowed to go back for regular girls’ dinners. Diana, the manager, stopped by our table to ask how everything was. When we gushed, she asked for a review, and I’m happy to oblige!

Um… Ecco what happened?! Ate here recently twice, sat on the back deck both times, both times bad service. First time the waitress couldn’t give a $&#^*, last time the waiter didn’t get to our table for 10 minutes, the bar lost our drink order… another 20 minutes, and then I was brought the wrong drink. Twice. We should have left after they lost the first drink order. The restaurant was busy and I think our waiter had a ton of tables. Come on! I’ve had great experiences here in the past but you may have lost my business

Food was good but service was extraordinary. our waiter, Alex, was personable, friendly and made our whole group feel special. Would definitely go back.

My boyfriend and I come here all the time, it’s definitely one of our favorite spots in East Boston. We particularly like the late night menu and the ‘hangover brunch’ (both have deals on oysters, $ 1.25 I think). Cocktails are delicious, Alex the bartender is super attentive and awesome at mixing you exactly what you want.

Came here for Sunday brunch and other than good food, thus the 2 stars, everything else is bad. Bad service, long wait time for the food to come out, and once we got our bill, the prices on the bill were hiked up. If we hadn’t noticed & asked the prices to be corrected, we would have paid more than the actual prices listed on their menu.
Not coming back!

The halibut special was delicious. The fresh made bread came in a cigar box that was a unique touch. Martinis were top notch. Lobster risotto was creamy and flavorful. Waitress was lovely and very helpful in choosing menu items. Definitely a must go to!

This place is delicious! The cocktail menu makes you want to order one of everything, we got a Mango rum drink which was to die for! The food was just as amazing as the drinks. I recommend buying a groupon voucher for this restaurant while it lasts! They didn’t have any issue with us using a groupon. Steve was our waiter, he was funny and had great customer service skills! Amazing night out with my boyfriend.

First visit to Ecco and was not impressed by the service or attentiveness to customer service in general. I will say the food was tasty (french toast and fried plantains). However, part of the point of going out to eat and paying for someone else to cook your meal is that they will accommodate your taste buds and especially, food allergies.
I went with a group of friends and despite the fact that the restaurant offers gluten free options for dinner, there were none for brunch. The waitress was kind enough to ask the kitchen about what options there were, but it seemed like the kitchen staff had no idea what to do or give with such a request. There was a lot of going back and forth and ultimately they offered more fruit and more arugula salad. Anyone could make that at home and pay less.
We also used groupons ($ 40 worth of food for $ 25). The fine print states not valid with alcoholic drinks, coffee, and juice, which sucks because all their drinks are ridiculously expensive. I guess this is more of a pet peeve, than an actual problem with the restaurant, but come on, juice and coffee excluded is a little much.
Parking is very convenient, the atmosphere is nice, bathrooms need a little bit more cleaning and maintenance.
I would consider coming back if I found another cheap deal and or someone else paid for the meal.

Came in for dinner on Saturday night at 8 without a reservation and was able to snag a table immediately. The inside is nice and has lots of seating and a big long bar, definitely the nicest restaurant in this part of Eastie.
Overall the drinks and food were good, service was good. My friend and I shared the small plate meatballs and arancini. The serving was really small, the arancini came in a cream sauce that was good, the meatballs were okay but tiny and unremarkable. We also split the gnocchi, they were nice enough to split it for us. It was also good but not anything special. There wasn’t anything too great about the food we had but nothing was bad either! I personally thought it was a little overpriced compared to what you could get in the north end but it’s not a bad choice for Eastie!

The sexiest place for cocktails in East Boston (and good food too).
[Not to mention, a private parking lot!]

Went for valentine’s brunch, and it was perfect. Perfect music and setting. Had a great time. Food WAS AMAZING!!! Best french toast I’ve ever had! DEFINITELY will be back. Thank you for a great experience!

It is very elegant and not your average restaurant, the music selection is lovely. I was impressed by the food, very good. The atmosphere was relaxing and intimate. I’d like to go again, I’ve had a great experience. Friendly staff and attentive. I rated 5.0

This place is pretty terrible. I’ve given it many chances before, so I’m sad to say I have to give it such a low review.
I’ve come for brunch and dinner a handful of times, each experience has been just as average. I think the reason I kept coming back because the first time I had two dishes I actually really enjoyed, while everyone else complained. I couldn’t understand why. The salmon and arepitas the first time were actually quite great. The second time I ordered the arepitas, they were flavorless and the bready party was just super oily and lacked a single drop of flavor.
The arugula salad I had last time was way over salted, while everything else just lacked flavor. I’ve tried the burger, the tacos, the mac and cheese, all were mediocre at best. I’ve tried a few other items, picking off people’s plates and they were also just as bland or not worth the price.
On top of it the service is dreadfully slow. I understand it’s a sit down restaurant… however if you only order three items it shouldn’t take two hours to receive them. Especially when the place is usually pretty empty.
Tl;Dr: Overall, I tried and tried to give it a chance. but Ecco just never came through. Food is bland and service is slow. Haven’t been remotely satisfied with a meal since the first time I went. Inconsistency in food get low rates in my book.

Friday night and my boyfriend came home starving. we decided to head over and have a quick late night dinner. the menu after certain hours is very very limited and the last call for food its at 11:30pm. My boyfriend did loved the spot and how nicely yet casual decorated its. They have two TVs and a really nice bar to seat around. Love it as a casual yet intimate spot for a couple of drinks and a nice talk. Oh by the way, my blood orange mimosa was AMAZING!!!

A good option if you’re in the area. We had a business group of 8 and were able to walk to the restaurant from our hotel. The drinks were interesting and the appetizers were good for sharing. The Lobster Mac & Cheese was very good.

First time dining there. Had a great experience. Cocktails were delicious, bread was warm and fresh with delicious olive oil for dipping, and our entrees were also amazing — we both cleaned our plates! Staff was attentive and checked in on us but we never felt rushed. Definitely plan on going back!

So glad I found this place! My family was droppingme off at the airport and we needed a place to eat before my flight and this place worked out.
To start, our server, Natalia, had lots of energy and was attentive — she brought our drinks over quickly which was nice!
There were a lot of tapas style foods which I love. Please note that the Arepetas are separate — chorizo, chicharrones, avocado, queso frito, short braided ribs. We thought they would have all the ingredients mixed together but they didn’t so make sure you share with each other!
The lobster and grilled corn chowder was mmmmmgood! Large chunks of lobster and a delicious sherry flavor!
Our meals were delicious but I definitely suggest sharing so you can try multiple things!
And I am not one to order dessert but the mango cheesecake with a carmalized top was so delicious!!! I most definitely suggest ordering it!!!

If your looking for a cool, elegant yet contemporary vibe, look no further because this is the place! The staff are really friendly. My server, Jalen, was very polite and accommodating to my every request. Even the manager, swung by my table and brought me a bite of one of their many great appetizers on the house. They made me feel very comfortable and welcome. Their margaritas are just plain AWESOME! Best ones I’ve had in a long time. While there, I had their shrimp scampi. If I can sum it up in one word, HEAVENLY! I will definitely be returning with all my friends. Bravo Ecco, bravo! :)

I took my brother here since it’s in East Boston, so close to our house. We used a Groupon for 3-​course dinner for two. The décor and ambiance inside looks really nice.
For appetizers, we had the lamb and the tuna tartare. Tuna tartare was good but different from how I usually have it. The lamb was so delicious. My brother really loved it!
Then came the entrees — lobster risotto and steak! My brother fell in love with the lobster risotto. The steak was also tender and juicy. We got so full after these two courses we decided to bring desserts home. Unfortunately the crème brûlée cannot be taken out if the ramekin so we had to finish it at the restaurant. Overall, very great dinner! Service was attentive as well.

I just moved to Eastie and I was looking for a upscale bar and restaurant. This place fit the bill perfectly. I really liked the atmosphere and the music, and both pasta dishes we ordered were very very good. The drinks were plentiful and cold, the staff was amazing. Great evening, I’ll definitely go back.

Although we’ve been coming here for a number of years, Saturday will be our last visit to Ecco. I made a res for 6:30 requesting a booth and specifically requesting that we not be seated at the table that they consider a booth which is really just a table at the back. Second visit for which we made that request. Second time that we walked in to find lots of empty tables and no booth available. Only the «not a booth». Or a table.
Then they offered is the big booth but only if we could order/​drink and eat before the 8 pm res came in. Which would not exactly be a relaxed dinner.
So my question is, why could they put a reserved sign on THAT table and not one on our requested booth?
It’s a puzzlement and one that I have no desire to solve at this time.
Goodbye Ecco!

Went a few weeks back and it was good, but not good enough for me to want to go back and try more. Shout out to our server Jay though, who was excellent.
Now, onto the food.
Started with the beet salad. This was my favorite part of the meal. It was a great ratio of beet, cheese, and arugula. The crispy cheese ball provided a nice textural element.
For my main dish, I had shrimp scampi. Serving was small. Ok for me but I bet men would leave hungry. I think it had 3 – 4 shrimp. The flavor wasn’t great either. I rarely like a pasta dish when out, not sure why I keep trying. I’ve only ever been happy with pasta at Rino’s, Bistro 5, and several restaurants in Italy.
For dessert I got the cannoli which was a HUGE disappointment. They were tiny, which wouldn’t bother me if I had more filling. It was maybe 3 Tablespoons of unimpressive filling. Skip dessert here.

I read so many great reviews about the place and the menu looks fantastic but i was slightly disappointed with the food here.
our waiter was very friendly and pretty attentive considering there was a Pats/​Giants game going on.
My boyfriend and I started with the lobster and grilled corn chowder and a tuna tartare with fried plantains. the lobster and grilled corn chowder was by far the best I’ve had. there were good chunks of lobster in there and it wasn’t too thick. The consistency was very good. The Tuna tartare looked way better on their online menu then it was presented. The dish was a little more on the dull side and not as vibrant but was good. It sat on a bed of seaweed salad and white rice on the bottom. it also had two thinly but crispy slices of plantains on top.
He ordered the Chicken Broccoli Alfredo and I had the steak with truffle mashed potatoes and grilled veggies (i asked them for no carrots which they accommodated). The chicken was too dry and bland. the broccoli was slightly overcooked and seemed previously frozen. The three cheese crème sauce was very runny.
The steak was good. It had a bit of fat on it but it was grilled nice and medium rare as i asked. The veggies consisted of cubes of zucchini and mushroom which had very good flavor.
For dessert he had the Affogato (a double expresso with two scoops of vanilla ice cream and almond biscotti). espresso poured on top of the ice cream at the table and i had the Panna Cotta Alle Fragole. The panna cotta was very good.
One thing though — usually when we go to restaurants like this — in the same price range) they often bring out bread and oil or whatever condiments but we didn’t get anything. We sat there for awhile with just our drinks while waiting for the appetizers to come out, and again awhile for our entrees to come out. Though slow, it’s definitely deserving of 3.5 stars and I’d give this place a 4 star if the chicken broccoli was better and at least a half more the wait wasn’t so long between meals. We weren’t in a rush so it was fine but we also sat with an empty table most times.

Been here many times and yet to be impressed by the food or service. However, the martinis are always on point, some of the best around. My favorite is the espresso martini. If you come here stick to the drinks unless you want to wait an hour for them to screw up your order.
Also, a tip to the management — change the slow music and turn the lights up a bit. No matter what time it puts me to sleep. This place has a lot of potential its nicely decorated just needs a few changes.

Came here on a random weeknight after seeing some pictures of their food online. The restaurant had a nice vibe to it and I loved how the bread came in cute cigar boxes. We started out with the grilled corn, which was amazing. The pappardelle with short rib was alright, but a tad dry. My friend seemed to enjoy the pan-​seared salmon. The torta al cioccolato that we finished off with was decent. Though some dishes were better than others, the staff was friendly and the restaurant atmosphere was nice to hang out in. The next time I’m in Boston, I might try to swing by and try the braised pork belly appetizer and panna cotta alle fragole, both of which sound really good.

Let me start that I came here with a groupon and wish I could give this place less then 1 star.
First impressions weren’t the best. We had an 8pm reservation and although the restaurant wasn’t full they had us wait an additional 15 mins although we were early. This is on top of the fact that no one greeted us for almost 5 mins after we walked in.
I started with the mango drink it was not good, it tasted like the old school tang drink mixed with sunny d, hated it then hate it now. The service is frustratingly slow and very forgetful. It wasn’t that busy compared to places downtown as the restaurant is small but our server kept telling us how busy it was. I believe she was new as another patron complained about how she mischarged their bill. My boyfriend asked for a lime and after 3 times he went to the bar and grabbed it himself.
For an app we got the lobster mac and cheese and the mussels. Both are pretty forgettable. The lamb chops are okay and the saving grace is the mashed potatoes. A little heavy on the truffle but the only thing worth getting. For dessert we got crème brûlée and it was like biting into a campfire it was so torched and crunchy.
To make matters worse, our server charged us double for the apps because we shared it.
Not going to come here again.

The atmosphere is cozy, almost romantic. The lighting is friendly and the service is attentative. I had a ½ bottle of Cab, and a dozen oysters — fantastico!
The bartender was accomodating, informative and professional. A nice mix of all ages and people… my kinda joint!
The walk there was slightly sketchy for the average couple, but once inside, you’ll feel like you’re in a safe zone, and I mean safe from your worries.
Every plate of food that passed by me was well presented, aromatic and asthetically pleasing.
As a nightcap, I tried there Barrel Aged Cocktail — Cangrejo Royal, stirred, not shaken. It was a well spent $ 11 dessert. Next time I’m in Boston, near the airport, I’ll be coming back!

Nice ambiance, bad location for driving but they do have a parking lot. Be prepared to wait a LONG time between each meal!
Apps– We started with an appetizer each. The arrancini and the arepitas, they were both good and would recommend.
Entrees– I got the lobster and corn risotto, it was very bland and lacking both corn and lobster, texture was good but disappointed for overall dish considering the price. My friend had the short ribs and they melted off the bone. It came with mashed potatoes, asparagus and a veggie medley.
Dessert — I have the panna cotta and it was good, not great but good. My friend had the perfetorole (wrong spelling) and she said it was good, it had vanilla ice cream between a shell with choc sauce and nuts on top. It took over 30 minutes to get our dessert after our entrees and the place wasn’t teally packed.
The wait staff were nice and friendly. Our waitress, don’t remember her name wa honest about the food we should and shouldn’t get which was great.
I would give 3.5 stars if I could overall for everything!

Came here on a Thursday evening to celebrate a birthday. I made reservations on their website thru open table. I requested a table for a party of 10, unfortunately upon our arrival there was only place settings for 8. (Good thing there were only 9 and were able to squeeze in!)
The establishment itself is not enormous but is spacious enough. Once you walk in there is a decent sized bar area to your left. There is also an outside patio if you choose. It does have a very romantic vibe with décor that sets the mood.
Meals were decent. Prices are a bit high given the portion sizes. The apps and small plates were on the smaller side. I’d suggest you order 2 or 3 of the same items if you have a big group. The Tuna Tartare was a big hit, highly recommend! Dinner plates were also on the smaller side. (My guess is they are trying to fit in that mold of a «Boston» eatery.) I was kind of disappointed with my Lamb Chops since it was not cooked medium well. It was still very bloody when I had cut into it, but it was still pretty good. A couple of our members in our party was not too fond of the 12 oz Sirloin Steak. It had a lot of fatty cuts and was kind of tough. The Short Ribs, Salmon, and Chicken Parmesan were seasoned and cooked very well. The truffle fries were also pretty good! The desert sample was good, very small portions though.
Service was great! Our waitress did a wonderful job attending to us. She was very accommodating, turning the TV on for the men who wanted to watch the game. She was also very understanding when members of our group were running late. Other wait staff members also attended to us. As far as I could tell, they looked like a cohesive team.

Went out to a Sunday brunch with mom. The whole restaurant from the music to the menu to the employees has a strong Latin theme, as do a lot of the restaurants in East Boston. So what sets Ecco apart is more the atmosphere and the price. It wouldn’t look out of place if it was dropped somewhere on Newbury St. or Boylston St. in the Back Bay. I had the arepitas, which were arepas (sweet corn patties) stuffed with chicharron, cheese, pork belly, avocado, sausage, served over coleslaw ($ 15) and for a drink, a peach bellini ($ 9). The name is kind of misleading, as I thought each arepa would be stuffed with all of that, but it turns out you get 5 mini arepas and each one is served with one of the mentioned fillings. It was served on a long wooden plank dish with two bits of sweet plantain at each end. Mom had the lobster benedict ($ 17.50), a coffee ($ 2.50) and a peach bellini ($ 9) making the total bill $ 56.71. She said her lobster benedict was excellent, the coffee strong, but the bellini just ok (which I agreed with). The restaurant as well as its bathroom were spotlessly clean, and the servers attentive and hospitable. Normally I would be okay with paying more for such high quality food, as everything did taste so, but at the end of the meal I was still hungry, which is a pet peeve of mine. Note, they do have outdoor seating in a back patio, which is a bit small, but it’s a great option to have for spring/​summer.
Atmosphere: ⁵⁄₅
Food (presentation + taste): ⁵⁄₅
Service/​Staff: ⁵⁄₅
Hygiene/​Cleanliness: ⁵⁄₅
Price (did I feel it was worth what I got): ⁴⁄₅
Overall feeling at the end of the meal: ⁴⁄₅