Nico

got seated 50 minutes after reservation time but food was outstanding

We had a reservation for 10 people at 7:30 this past Saturday. In my initial request, I asked that someone call me because I had some questions that I would like addressed. After a couple of days of no response, I reached out to the restaurant and left a voicemail. No one called me back, so I called again and finally answered, though they were not able to answer my questions (e.g., was it possible to order family style salads, could they do something special for our guest of honor, etc?).

Our reservation was at 7:30 (we arrived at 7:15) and were not seated until 8:30 (we had show tickets at 10:00 PM). They did not compensate us in any way for this (they did not apologize, nor did not send us appetizers or take anything off of the bill). They promised a special dessert for our guest of honor and did not follow through with this request.

The hostess was incredibly rude, snappy and hid downstairs for most of the evening (I saw her when I went to use the restroom) to avoid answering to guests whose reservations were also very late. She pointed to the table where we would be seated on the main floor and then seated another party there when the table was finally available. When I asked her about it, she said, "I never said that, we're putting you downstairs." (6 of our 10 guests saw this interaction and were appalled by her inconsistency and by her rude treatment of me). We spent over $500 on this meal, ordered a lot of food and wine, and were in and out in less than 75 minutes and barely made it to our show.

The positives: the waitstaff was lovely, friendly and helpful and the food was absolutely delicious. We wish we could have enjoyed the food and atmosphere but the above complaints tainted our experience of what was supposed to be a very special evening.

Excellent service from Alex on a v busy Saturday night. Buffala arugula salad was delicious and fresh. We got seafood over pasta in alfredo sauce that was super rich but every bite delicious, and spaghetti with hot peppers and seared calamari.

Running behind and had to wait half hour past our reservation. However the food and service is always worth the wait!

They were overbooked by a lot and had people waiting inside and outside. The reservation time was not honored and we were seated 50 minutes after our reservation time - as were many others. Since they were rushed the usually good food was like warm on arrival to the table. Then we were clearly being rushed so they could get the table back. Even when leaving it was packed at the bar with people waiting. They need to manage flow better.

Great food! The restaurant was packed but the server managed ok. The restaurant is small but that is typical for the North End. I had the mushroom ravioli which was delicious! Highly recommend.

Had to wait an additional 35 minutes after having made a reservation. They didn’t seat us until we were leaving to go elsewhere. The menu on Opentable is not accurate. Prices are much higher than on Opentable menu. Ordered a bottle of wine for $105 and they brought the wrong year. We had a bottle of wine, two pastas and a caprese salad and with tip it was over $200. Overall, with so many great dining choices in North End, we would not go back to Nico.

Nico's is a small restaurant in the North end among many other Italian places to eat. We were seated promptly with our reservation. Our server was attentive and very helpful as we asked for a paced experience. The appetizers were delicious, especially the Burrata. The sausage and rigatoni had some heat and the past was cooked pefectly. We finished with a cannoli. We would have liked a decaf cappuccino or latte with our dessert, but that was not available. The noise level is high and the tables fairly close, but that is too be expected and would not deter us from going back. In fact, we have gone to Nico's almost every time we are in town.

Wonderful dinner celebrating our anniversary. The food is amazing and the service authentic Italian! James was a kind and attentive waiter and even offered to take an anniversary pic of us. This was not our first time at Nico’s and won’t be our last! Highly recommend!

Went for restaurant week.. Prosciutto and melon course was just alright (quality of prosciutto was not very good). The chef's pasta entree was decent as was the tiramisu. Not worth the value of the regular menu pricing in my opinion.

The restaurant was nice and waiter very good but my husband’s chicken was very thick and hard to cut. He didn’t want to finish it. The limoncello was great !

Great food, superior service, small cozy restaurant. Server was very good. I highly recommend Nico and we will be back.

Our server, James, was wonderful, as usual! We always come back bc of the service, atmosphere, and food—we never go wrong with spaghetti and meatballs. ♥️

Delicious food in a small setting. We will certainly be back. The lobster ravioli was amazing.

Always pleased when we come to Nico's . Food is fresh, well prepared and flavored to our liking

Great staff and service. Highly recommend the mushroom ravioli!

I would absolutely recommend Nico! The service is impeccable and the food is just simply amazing! I love the atmosphere--it is a little 'cozy' but it works! My favorite place for a splurge dinner!

Our favorite restaurant in the North End. Food, service and atmosphere are just right!

Had a great time. Food was delicious! Would have given 5 stars for service but we felt a little rushed to put in drink orders immediately!

The food was great as was the ambiance/ atmosphere ( except for the tv in the downstairs dining area). We were however rushed to order and given the sense they wanted us to leave as quickly as possible which pretty much ruined the experience.

Great food, service and overall experience. Fav spot in the north end!

Was sat 45 minutes after reservation then completely rushed out of there. Appetizer came 3 mins after ordering then entrees came the second we finished with the app. Not a relaxing dinner at all was in and out in 45 mins. Best part was the round of drinks we had at the bar before dinner the bartender decided to give herself a much bigger tip. Called 3 times to talk to a manager but still haven’t received a call back or an apology.

Tried it randomly and it was fantastic. Our waiter Alex was excellent.

Other then being a little small, warm and not having a full liquor license we loved it

Downstairs is crammed and cold. Specials are expensive. Small place food is “so-so”

We waited in an overcrowded restaurant that had clearly taken too many reservations. Everyone was complaining and had been waiting over an hour to be seated. The hostess was extremely rude. Our reservations were for 9 pm , and had been confirmed the night before. I requested the bar, and was told that would be fine. The hostess said I would have to jump into a seat if one became available. Jump into a seat? What happened to my reservations ? We drove an hour to go to this restaurant , and it became very clear that we wouldn’t be seated for at least another hour... we left. Extremely disappointed.

Sat at the bar on Valentines Day! Great food and great service...

Went on Valentine’s Day. Booked a dinner reservation nearly a month in advance. Showed up early and wasn’t seated until almost an hour after our reservation time- there were at least 6 other parties waiting outside in the cold waiting to be seated as well. We had to wait around because we never would have found a seat anywhere else that late. Ended up being seated in a tiny corner in the basement. The food was great, but what’s the point of taking a reservation if you can’t honor it? Wouldn’t risk another special occasion dining here.

Over crowded, and cramped. It was Valentine’s Day so it’s understandable but we sat cramped between everyone packing inside to wait for a table and the couple sitting within an arms length away. Food and service were good, it was the limited space and the fact we didn’t sit for our 7:30 reservation until about 8:15 that ruined it. Still recommend Nico as long as it’s not Valentine’s Day.

We came for Valentines day and though it was extremely busy, the staff was still in high spirits and energetic and so sweet! Please keep it up. Will be regulars after tonight :)

Had a 7:00pm reservation and was not sat down until 8:30pm with no apology by host/waiter or offering of free drink / meal.

1- it was Valentines Day, and apparently Nico is a prime destination. It was loud and crowded, but things ran quite well.

2 — we declined to sit near the door (it was COLD), and while we waited (perhaps 10 minutes) for another table to appear, the manager gave my wife and I complementary glasses of Prosecco. We hadn’t complained or said anything. Very nice touch.

3 — the special Burrata appetizer was terrific. Our main courses (veal Marsala and veal parmiagana) were very good. Service was a bit slow/erratic, but it was a madhouse on Valentines Day.

4 — they gave my wife a rose when they brought the check to the table

Overall, two big thumbs up.

Nice little place, the food was good and not overpriced, will go back. My meatball was not to my liking but most aren’t as I can make much tastier ones myself. It tasted as if it had taken on the flavor of the pot it was cooked in.

Great fresh food - loved the meatball!

The food and wait service were good enough quality for what our party paid and what we were expecting. The noise level in the restaurant was very high, which is to be expected for a Saturday night at a restaurant in Boston's North End. What was easily the most frustrating part of the entire experience, however, was the wait time.

I made a 7:45 pm reservation for a party of five and confirmed the reservation earlier in the day. Our party arrived around 7:40 pm and were told there would be about a 10 minute wait. Fair enough, that's how this stuff goes sometimes. They said we could wait outside or in the bar area. While the rest of my party waited outside, I tried to find a place at the bar area for us but was unable to because of 1) how packed the bar area was and 2) how the bar area bled right into the actual restaurant. The bar area was 3-4 people deep, all presumably waiting to be seated for what were their delayed reservations.

I went outside to be with the rest of my party and decided to check in with the hostess after 10 minutes since that was the time guidance she provided; I was told it would be another 5-10 minutes. This proceeded to happen FOR AN HOUR. About 40 minutes after our 7:40 pm arrival time, we weaseled our way inside and found a spot close enough to the bar so we didn't have to wait in 20 degree weather. We were seated approximately an hour after our reservation time, and they comped us two appetizers.

TL;DR - Waited for over an hour after we had confirmed our reservation the day of. Comped two appetizers.

I'm a patient guy and totally understand the restaurant industry is challenging and hectic. This was complete garbage, though. The value of the two comped apps wasn't even close to the value of any group of five human beings' time. As one man, I know my review won't give Nico nearly the retribution it deserves for putting all of their customers through this experience Saturday night. I will, however, never go back.

I would recommend this place, except we waited for an hour despite having a reservation. I think something went wrong, but it felt like a "what was the point of a reservation even" situation. They did their best, the food was good, and they were clearly having a tough night (even gave those of us who were in the same boat free apps - and there were MANY parties that waited a hour), but standing outside in 28 degrees for a hour certainly didn't make it...fun.

food excellent but weren't seated for our 715 reservation until 815. granted we were 10min late but still quite a wait.

Not good. Requested a Bloody Mary but was told the bar did not have Vodka? Restaurant was overbooked so even though we made a reservation it was not honored and we waited an hour for a mediocre table.. Food was just average. With dessert, I asked for a cup of coffee but was told the machine was not working for a week or so? Will not be returning.

Very loud, but expected that on a Saturday night. Food was excellent as usual.

Unfortunately, we were never sat for dinner. This is one of our favorite restaurants but waited 30 minutes for our reservation and left. Amazing food but this is the second time we’ve had this happen. Hopefully they improve their reservation practice!