FloraWould have liked the liveWould have liked the live bar music to be lower volume. Made it difficult to have a conversation in the dining room6/13/2013 12:00:00 AMBeware of very small portions!Food quality is quite good, though, and they offer an interesting selection of cocktails and mocktails.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AM70th BirthdayFlora is a restaurant we go to regularly, but particularly for special occasions. For my 70th birthday dinner, Flora came through with flying colors. The mussels and fries middle plate, an unusual pairing, had succulent, plump mussels and crispy fries. The asparagus and potato vichyssoise with crabmeat was beautifully complex and satisfying. My miso-glazed Scottish salmon fillet, ordered rare, was cooked to perfection with crunchy skin and the complimentary tastes and textures of Chinese sausage and lightly cooked Asian greens. A full, moderately priced Rioja topped off this memorable meal. Thank you Flora.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother lovely dinner at Flora'sWe went to Flora's to celebrate an accomplishment and had a wonderful time. Our group particularly liked the salad with shrimp and avocado appetizer. The pork chop dinner was delicious as was the past bolgnese and chicken dinner. Chocolate cloud cake is a perennial favorite that was terrific again.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat eveningOur group had a lovely time at Flora. The maitre d' was extremely courteous and helpful as several of us straggled in late. We were seated towards the end of the room which offered a good view of the room while being a little isolated from the rest of the group. The cocktails were very interesting. Service was attentive yet unobtrusive. I had the special salad - arugula with picked shallots, shrimp and a chivee dressing. It was tasty, although the shrimp could have used a tad less cooking time. The rest of the meal was solid, with minor quibbles. Our group loved the decor and all of us would like to go back soon.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMI had a half-chicken whichI had a half-chicken which I thought was excellent. The service was prompt and efficient.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMFlora has been excellent forFlora has been excellent for a long time. Warm setting. Good for lounging over a lovely dinner or dashing to the Capital for a movie.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was impeccable.Everything was impeccable. The food was amazing, the portions just right, some good wine choices. The service was prompt and efficient, it could have been a little friendlier. The restaurant itself had a nice elegant atmosphere, but just a touch of snootiness. I absolutely adored everyone in my party and not everybody had been to a restaurant of Flora's caliber and I think, with a more understanding and patient server the experience would have been even more memorable.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMFood and service were excellent,Food and service were excellent, though the artichokes served with my lamb (so tender i needed a spoon, not a sharp knife!) were woody and did not go well with the flavors.
Free champagne on Mother's Day was a real treat, as was the dark chocolate mousse at the end!
Side room (we were seated in the back) felt lonely: it is neither pretty nor cozy.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent as alwaysFlora continues to shine as an excellent restaurant in Arlington, MA. Our family has been dining there since Flora opened; our most recent experience was as good as ever. Very highly recommended.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMPoor Service but Excellent FoodThe food is outstanding but the service is so bad it's hard to come here as often as we would like because the hostess and servers are not attentive.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food..The food was excellent, our waiter was friendly and personable just wish the tables werent so close to others. We could hear every word the guests at neighboring tables said. Took my gf there to celebrate her birthday and was hoping for a more romantic setting. Not very romantic when your table neighbors are all into your conversation!! Also not very fond of the random wedding photos all overte restaraunt, seemed very strange...5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic Find!Three daughter took two mothers out for dinner and a play to celebrate Mother's Day. Flora was a fantastic way to start the evening. Theo was our server and was very friendly, fun and professional! We all started off with martinis which were made exactly to order and perfectly mixed. The appetizers/small plates were delicious. We ordered the roasted beets, mussels and soft shell crab. My mother and I had salmon for dinner. The salmon was cooked perfectly and had the skin on top which was very crispy. Typically, I do not eat the skin but it was so delicious that I ate every bite! the vegetables and homemade sausage that lines the plate was also very tasty and complimented the fish nicely. I would definitely return to Flora soon!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother Memorable Meal at FloraI live in Arlington and have eaten at Flora many times. It never disappoints. This time was no different. My friend and I were seated at a small table in the corner, which was perfect for quiet conversation. Our server was delightful. He greeted us with a huge smile and despite the fact that the dining room was packed by time we left and he was very busy, the smile and his very attentive and calm and friendly service continued throughout our meal. The food was outstanding, from the "simple salad" to the the seafood entree that I had, which was cooked perfectly. I couldn't have asked for a more relaxing or satisfying dining experience.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAll five of us had a differentAll five of us had a different meal- no complaints- constantly good every time we have been5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMSo much potentialThe place is super romantic, it was our first time there and we went for our 4th wedding anniversary. But the menu does not match the ambience. It is extremely limited (only five entrees to choose from), and tasted good, but not worthy of the price. Maybe a better place for a drink and some dessert. The bar on the other side looked cool.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMA perfect dining experienceDelicious, exceptional dinner. The waiter's suggestions were knowing and full, as were his responses to questions about this new menu. The challenging tasks of timing, managing a fairly full house, connecting with us diners and giving full attention to the required tasks were managed superbly not only by our waiter, but by the service team; seldom have I seen such seamless team work and shared support of the general goal of providing diners with an all around excellent experience. A team member who'd served me 5 weeks ago remembered that I like water without ice! I am still smiling from the overall experience—and that superb meal.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was very good, we allFood was very good, we all shared middle plates. The noise was a bit loud to even hear our own conversation.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMFlora, as always, was wonderful.Flora, as always, was wonderful. One of the few restaurants in Boston where you can actually hear and hold a conversation with your dinner companions4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food & drink were comprehensiveThe food & drink were comprehensively excellent. (Actually, I didn't think the pinot gris went with the trout.)
I love Flora, my only wish being that the tables be spaced less close together.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMI loved our dinner. My troutI loved our dinner. My trout was to die for. It was a comfortable, lovely evening, full of good conversation and food and drink.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was very good. RestaurantFood was very good. Restaurant tends to be noisy. Service was OK but could have been more attentive.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMWe both had different beefWe both had different beef dishes that were excellent. I also had the Kale soup which was delicious and spicy.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWe will be back!!!!!It was fabulous. We really enjoy the whole evening. The food the service the ambiance!!Thank you. We will be back!!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMOriginal cocktail with elderflowerOriginal cocktail with elderflower liquor
Excellent asian green saladNew
Chai crème brûlée Is a must if you like chai AND crème brûlée
Friendly service4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful experience. ManagerWonderful experience. Manager is charming and witty. Would highly recommend.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMEaster BrunchI love the feel of restaurant. The staff as well as the cliental all seemed very happy and relaxed. I enjoyed my meal which consisted of a green salad, fish follwed by fresh. I was especailly happy when I was allowed to order an appetizer for desert. The restaurent is a little pricy for its location.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was an excellent meal asIt was an excellent meal as we have come to expect over the years.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMCompetent, professional waitCompetent, professional wait staff Reliably delicious very well imagined, presented, and expertly cooked food. Usually a personal, connected, utterly satisfying experience. Better when it is not restaurant week, and the staff is less overloaded.They aim high and usually achieve their mark. This meal was marred by a cold vegetable that caused the plate to be sent back and set the diners eating on different schedules. It was handled gracefully and quickly. This is the only time such a thing has happened in many visits, and I chalk the glitch up to restaurant week pressure. I'll be back soon.Thanks!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time diners.RestaurantFirst time diners.Restaurant was busy,but service was prompt.The menu for restaurant week offered many choices.Food was flavorful and plentiful.Warm and welcoming environment.We would definitely go back to Flora.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is always excellent andFood is always excellent and the service attentive.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent == as always. RestaurantExcellent == as always. Restaurant week menu was varied with excellent choices. I had the smoked salmon salad and bluefish, both exceptional3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMOur latest visit to floraOur latest visit to flora was during Boston's restaurant week. They managed to create some very original food and offerings with a fixed price menu. We return every year at restaurant week as well as other times. A local favorite.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMWhile the mussels & friesWhile the mussels & fries were good, the fries got too soggy- they need their own dish. Great wine & salads & service.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMdinner was nice. our partydinner was nice. our party of three went during restaurant week thus they had special pricing. all three of us enjoyed our meal. decor is very nice, service was unobtrusive, host seated us right away. the gluten intolerant diner had plenty of choices to choose from. the server was knowledgeable about gluten intolerance thus was able to assist the diner.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMRestaurant for a special eveningThis was my first visit to Flora, and it was during restaurant week. A friend lives within walking distance. The food and service were excellent. Restaurant week prices increased and I'm not sure we really saved much on restaurant week over their regular pricing to try Flora. For a special evening, I would recommend.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMElegant Introduction to Fine DiningI took two teenagers for dinner during Restaurant Week, and had a wonderful meal. The girls were not particularly bold eaters, but enjoyed the citrus salad, perfectly cooked steaks and the fabulous chocolate cloud cake. It was an excellent introduction to a high end, gourmet dinner! I thought the salmon was perfectly cooked, and the gingered vegetable a great accompaniment. Service was unusually good, even for Flora's (!) and we all really enjoyed the meal.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWe booked a table for 4 atWe booked a table for 4 at Flora not realizing that it was restaurant week. It was such a nice surprise. There is a rule in our family that no one can get the same dish thus we were able to try most of the selection on the menu. We didn't receive a bad dish amongst all that were ordered. The best dish of the house was spicy shimp over grits or so we were told since the person who order this small plate meal didn't allow anybody else a taste. My favorite was porcini bread pudding but then again I am a semi-vegetarian so I am biased. The chicken dish fell apart and the stuffing in it was delicious. Even though we were all full from our first two courses there wasn't a forkful of dessert left they all were too decadent to waste any.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMService was a bit slow atService was a bit slow at end, and my dessert was brought on a plate while I had requested that it be packed to go.
The initial service was fine, and the food was great, but I had come early and didn't want to stay a long time, so slowness at end was regrettable.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a lovely birthday celebratioWe had a lovely birthday celebration at Flora. Always a pleasure. The fish swimming looked beautiful too.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMVery diverse menu. ImaginativeVery diverse menu. Imaginative combinations. Chef was willing to substitute items for someone who had some dietary restrictions.
Service was excellent. The waiter and the support staff were very attentive but not intrusive.
They did not rush us despite being busy. They allowed us to linger over coffee and dessert.
Definitely would return.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have eaten here many timesWe have eaten here many times and enjoyed it every time. There aren't that many items on the menu, but there are often excellent specials and we have almost always found something delicious for each of us. The servers are friendly and (almost always) knowledgeable. The main dining room is an old bank and very attractive.3/2/2013 12:00:00 AM