Buona Vita

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Buona Vita
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Buona Vita

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Address:
450 Massachusetts Ave
Arlington, MA 02474

Neighborhood:
Arlington

Getting there ›
Cuisine:
Italian

Price: $30 and under

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More Details ›

Buona Vita Details

Dining Style: Casual Elegant
Website: http://www.buonavitaarlington.com
Email: buonavitaristorante@gmail.com
Phone: (781) 641-4734
Hours of Operation: Dinner: Mon- Thu:4:30pm-10:30pm,Fri-Sat:4:30pm-11:00pm,Sun:4:30pm-9:30 Brunch from 11-3 Sat and Sun
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Italian
Executive Chef: Francesco Martini
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar Dining, Beer, Counter Seating, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wine, Wine Bar

Getting there

Public Transit: Mass Ave Bus Lines
Parking: Private Lot
Parking Details: Free parking lot in back of restaurant. The driveway is just to the right of the restaurant and is for customers only.

A word from Buona Vita

Buona Vita!cucina italiana in the heart of the town of Arlington MA at 450 Massachusetts Ave. Chef-owner Francesco Martini, former executive chef at Mare in the North End of Boston, is welcoming his guests and offering a traditional Italian cuisine using the best ingredients at affordable prices.… Chef Martini has an ample experience in the culinary world. He has worked with well known chefs in Italy and Spain. Buona Vita features wine from all of 16 Italian regions. Our wine master Mariana Larrosa has carefully chosen quality wines like Chianti, Primitivo, Soave and Pinot Grigio among others, at the best price. Buona Vita is a typical Italian trattoria, just as romantic and welcoming as the little restaurant you find in Rome walking out of Piazza Navona. Egidio de Martino our maître d’ will take care of you and feel you make part of our Italian family. If you are looking for a unique experience in Italian cuisine, come to see us. Grazie e buona vita!Continued

Buona Vita

4.2

114 $30 and under restaurant

Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerNeighborhood Gem

Featured Reviews

More Reviews ›

Reviews from OpenTable Diners Learn More

121 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

121 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Food

(Outstanding) 4.3 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 4.4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

Filter Reviews By:

Diners classify this restaurant as:

neighborhood gem(95)
fit for foodies(50)
special occasion(40)

romantic(32)
good for groups(5)
kid-friendly(3)

Current OpenTable.com Diner Reviews (121)

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Very authentic Italian food-homemad

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/07/2012

2006

Dined on 04/07/2012

2006

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Very authentic Italian food-homemade pasta,fresh seafood flown in daily.lamb ,chicken veal-very extensive menu and lovingly prepared. Excellent service."

Dined on 04/07/2012

2006

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

Since I did not receive any

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/07/2012

2004

Dined on 04/07/2012

2004

Food

(Poor) 1 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Since I did not receive any Open Table points for my visit, there should be no reason for me to rate my experience."

Dined on 04/07/2012

2004

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Food was great and the sevice

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/07/2012

2009

Dined on 04/07/2012

2009

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"Food was great and the sevice was outstanding."

Dined on 04/07/2012

2009

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

We discovered this place when

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/07/2012

2008

Dined on 04/07/2012

2008

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"We discovered this place when our son was at Tufts and have continued to come here for many years and always find the service and food to be excellent. Great Italian spot, ethnic and delicious. The main waiter is personable,knowledgeable and remembers you. There is parking in the back, a big plus. Whenever we want to celebrate something special, we head to Buona Vita."

Dined on 04/07/2012

2008

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Wonderful meal, very attentive

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/06/2012

2012

Dined on 04/06/2012

2012

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Wonderful meal, very attentive staff. food was servred right from the kitchen, no wait, and was delevered quickly after ordering. Portions allowed lefotvers to be used for next day lunch. would go back anytime. noted it got very busy on this Friday nite starting at about 6:30. would recommend reservations, as small number of tables."

Dined on 04/06/2012

2012

Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

My wife and I returned to

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/03/2012

2011

Dined on 04/03/2012

2011

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"My wife and I returned to Buona Vita hoping for a great meal with service to match, and we weren't disappointed. We started with the Frittura di Positano, a full dish of shellfish in a delicious tempura batter, accompanied by a tasty marinara dipping sauce. Not only was this starter delicious, but it was much more generous than expected.
My wife had the chicken saltimbocca,and was surprised again, not only at the flavor of the dish but at the generous portion of the plate. I had the assorted shellfish over linguine, and it, too was delicious and generous in size. We both had enough to provide leftovers for lunch the next day.
Our wine and dinner were served by Phillipo, a young, attentive waiter who was courteous, helpful and charmi"

Dined on 04/03/2012

2011

Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

A bit on the expensive side

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/29/2012

2008

Dined on 03/29/2012

2008

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Quiet

"A bit on the expensive side for a tiny, local eatery. My entree was $39, but it was well worth it. Fabulous food and personalized service. Buona Vita is a small eatery where seasonal favorites are cooked to perfection and the staff go the extra mile to make sure the patrons feel "at home". Overall a great evening. I"

Dined on 03/29/2012

2008

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Very small restaurant. Noise

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/30/2012

2007

Dined on 03/30/2012

2007

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Very small restaurant. Noise level is quite high. The food is very good though and worth it."

Dined on 03/30/2012

2007

Special Features: neighborhood gem

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Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Don't miss out

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/24/2012

2010

Dined on 03/24/2012

2010

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

"Excellent. We've been to Italy many times and our meals reminded us of the authentic food and recipes in Italy. Simply prepared with the freshest ingredients. Staff was extremely helpful and knowledgeable like in Europe. Will definitely go back. A true gem. Loved it."