Sel De La Terre

This was my second visit to Sel De La Terre. First experience was positive. True, a bit pricey as can happen in Boston. The main course and the wine were wonderful. However tonight we decided to order a couple of appetizers and split a bottle of wine. $15 for two scallops? $15 for 1/2 doz oysters the size of a quarter each? $6.95 for six overcooked asparagus stalks? What a disappointment. I've worked and dined in Boston for more than 25 years. Unlikely Ill return to Sel De La Terre.

Pros: ambiance and service

Cons: are they kidding with their prices/portions?

I organized a christmas eve dinner for 10 people, and Rob was seriously very helpful in with getting the reservation done, especially as I kept calling to change the reservation.

The food was really excellent, especially for a prix fixed christmas eve dinner, and really good value for money compared to other christmas eve dinners that night. We all really enjoyed ourselves and the service was good. I would definitely recommend it and am coming again.

After arriving at 11:30 for brunch with out of town guests, our meals finally arrived at 1:30! The server apologized but there was no excuse. It was an awful wait and I will not go back to this restaurant. To top it off, the food was cold! the quiche for brunch was terrible and the omelette was passable but way too small for the $14 price.

I have tried this restaurant in the past and have enjoyed the bar, but my last two times eating there were bad experiences with either rowdy crowds or bad service.

Maybe the management is distracted because they are opening another restaurant in Back Bay, but I would recommend that you go to Legal around the corner or any restaurant in Fanueil Hall. These guys do not know how to run a restaurant.

Cons: terrible service; can't handle crowds

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday because he knows how much I love classic French food ever since I studied abroad there during college. And, let me tell you, I was reminded of just how much I have missed the rustic flavors of Southern France with every bite, and it's a good thing I'll be able to savor a slice of Provence at Sel de la Terre without ever leaving the city!
Must, must, must try the steak frites (even if it's just a bite off your neighbor's plate), never had better!
And feel free to ask about wine pairings - waiters always have good suggestions, and you might just get lucky like my boyfriend and I did, and get a personal recommendation from the chef!

A business colleague invited me to lunch here....we had reservations and were seated almost immediately. That was the best part of the lunch. After that, service was non-existent while we noticed that the server's other tables (all of which consisted of male or male/female parties) were receiving better service. I usually don't notice things like this, but it was so horrendous that it was difficult not to. As others have commented: save the large plates and nouveau presentation and invest it in more substantial portions. Definitely not a place I'd ever return to with some many other great venues in Boston.

Pros: Seated on time during lunch

Cons: Food, prices, service, service, service

When reviewers complain about the small portion size of over-reaching restaurants, this is the place they mean. Sel de la Terre is sometimes referred to as a ?moderately? priced place, but it is not. First, there is no such thing at the bar as a glass of wine under $10, apparently, and the glass is only half-full, and mixed drinks are even more. 20 minutes at the bar before seating cost $68. Appetizers averaging $11 were served on oversized plates which only dramatized how incredibly meager the portions were: one came to $5.50 per scallop (got 2!). Since this didn?t even whet the appetite, more were ordered. You just spent $70. Main courses (app $25) were tempting and perfectly prepared and cooked, and, while size isn?t supposed to matter, in this case, compared to the appetizers, there was plenty. The steak frite is Bistro-perfect and hefty, and the braised lamb was exactly right. Desserts were terrible. The ?Warm biscuit with vanilla pastry cream, brown sugar streusel and rhubarb compote? was washed out. Outstandingly bad is the misnomered special menu Profiteroles, which was a) not pastry, more like stale tough bread, b) dark-colored funny-tasting bread at that, and c) filled with a tasteless cream slime. If you are serving French or Provencal food, and one orders a classic dish, doesn?t the chef have an obligation to at least ?approximate? the original? If you had ordered the Creme Brule, would you pay for the jello they served you? In a recent Top Chief competition, a team was thrown out because they were told to prepare a certain dish, and their imaginative, edgy, creative, innovative result?didn?t taste like the requested dish. Goodbye! Advice: Have your drinks elsewhere, skip the appetizers, drink water, focus on the very good main courses, and finish with coffee. You?ll have a good time. Dinner (only) for four: $324

Pros: Service and seating good

Cons: stick to main courses, ignore appetizers and desserts

With new locations opening (Natick and Boston Pru) my secret is out! This is my favourite restaurant in Boston period (and the new location at the Natick collection continues the culinary excellence). You simply can not go wrong here. When you visit the boulangerie for that quick morning coffee and pastry or maybe an on the go lunch special you'll be amazed at the quality and professional service for a take-out window. Sit at the bar and have a cocktail and some Petits GoUters and I tell you it takes a strong man or woman not to have dinner too! The dining room is a restful space with well orchestrated and attentive staff. The menu provides options for everyone. I recommend this place for lunch to visiting business people because your party can choose from a range of a gourmet sandwich all the way to a three course prix fixe! Where can you get that range of a selection?? Plus in Boston they have a late night dining menu. Fab wine tasting events are held on Wine Wednesdays. Private parties are done with great attention to detail. My partner Didier's mother was treated to a special birthday celebration complete with personalized menu cards for the entire party (and all the other diners were made aware of the milestone birthday celebration and joined us in complimentary birthday cake. You just can not to any better than this gem @ 255 State Street in Boston. The Natick location holds its own as well and I am excited to see what will take place when the next location opens at the new Mandrian Oriental Hotel. Only good things I am certain! Manger bien !

Pros: All regions represented on the menu. Fresh offerings, engaging staff - Service A+

Cons: None

Absolutely horrible. My wife and I actually walked out on dinner (with leaving payment of course) due to many reasons. First off we live in Boston and have heard many mixed reviews from friends and as well family. We love trying all different restaurants everywhere and incredibly easy going however tonight there was an exception. We first arrived and gave our name to the reservation which we had booked several days in advance. Upon waiting an older, very rude and ?snooty? couple attempted to get a table however they had no reservations, hostess gave several options to either sit at bar, lounge, (which all serve full menu) and that wasn?t good enough so they sat them before us. No problem. We sat and had two glasses of Champaign that without doubt was the flattest, warmest champing I have ever tasted. We didn?t mention a thing. Forty five minuets after our reservation we were seated to at first a very nice server which instantly lost that charming attitude for no reason. Once again we said nothing about complaints, were very nice to him etc. We ordered appetizers which I must say were just fine. Moving on to dinner- It took exactly one hour to receive our main course after our appetizers had been cleared. We never once complained. Main course: horrible. Our plates were dropped before us, presentation completely destroyed, (ok not a big deal) but my wife?s fish special was disgusting, scales all throughout filet and to top it off a long black hair mixed with her beautifully drizzled glaze (yum) and for my lamb? dryer and tasteless beyond words a. I say no more. Our reservations were for 8pm and we walked out at 11:00 with our plates hardly touched and the check signed. Thanks Sel de la Terre!

Pros: Great way to ruin your evening!

Cons: Everything!

We reserved lunch on Sunday for the restaurant week almost two weeks prior to the restaurant week start. I saw the menu on the web site well (there are no indications of no lunch nor dinner on Sunday on any websites including official, non official website of restaurant week and the Sel Dela Terre web site). We were very excited about this opportunity. However I received confirmation call from the restaurant on Sat night and they mentioned that they don?t participate on the restaurant week on weekend. When I called Sunday morning, they mentioned that they prepared for the dinner since they found discrepancies between the websites, so they decided to proceed on the dinner but not lunch. Their attitude was ?If you don?t like it, leave?. I guess famous restaurants can indicate to participate and back out anytime. I was very disappointed on the customer service over the phone and I would not go there any more. I can imagine what kind of customer service and management policy from the restaurant.Disappointed Restaurant Week

Pros: N/A

Cons: Poor management

I've heard positive things about this place but when I brought my mother and her friend, who were both visiting from Japan, there for wine and appetizers, we encountered the WORST service I've ever experienced in a restaurant of that caliber. To begin with, the two hostesses did not greet us at all. I had to request a table. They gave me a look as if I had asked if I could let my dog urinate on the bar. The hostesses were busy discussing something and seemed like they did not want to deal with customers at all. They pointed us in the direction of the bar, did not budge or smile, and said no more. When I inquired about sitting outside, one of them said nastily that I had to order food to do so. Mind you, it was about 3pm on a Wednesday and there was no one sitting outside and few people inside. We walked toward the bar. It's not easy for two older women with bad backs to sit on the high bar stools and when I asked the bartender to kindly see if we could sit with our feet solidly on the ground, he was confused. Thank god there was a Legal Seafoods around the corner where we promptly went and had a wonderful meal and superb overall dining experience. Our money was well-spent at Legal Seafoods. I will absolutely never go to Sel de la Terre or recommend anyone to go there for a meal. How could I ever enjoy my food with such terrible service?!

Cons: Service was terrible from the get-go. Hostesses did not even smile let alone seat us, but pointed to the bar.

I can always count on Sel de la Terre for a great meal. Last time i ordered the antipasto, which was fantastic. It took a long time for our entree (they were very busy since it was the weekend) but they didn't charge us for it and gave us a selection of desserts (the salted caramel icecream was delicious). Love it. Such a great menu I never know what to order but the mushroom truffle soup is a must (i'm so happy its back on the menu)!

Pros: everything

Cons: parking

The staff can sometimes be swamped by the weekend crowds, but I never found them to be consciously rude or negligent. The harried sommelier (Mr Meagher) found time to discuss the 'Limited' selections offered on the wine list and recommend a pinot noir from the Vendee -- hardly an obvious wine region. On a second visit, we were not seated till almost half an hour past our reservation, but the maitre d' strove to reassure us throughout our wait, and eventually obtained for us a choice corner table. To make amends he also offered complimentary aperitifs and a couple of amuses-bouches ...so the wait was readily forgiven. As to the cuisine, one could never accuse Sel de la terre of serving bland food. If anything the flavours can seem a bit overeager, the individual ingredients so pronounced they threaten to come out of balance. Nevertheless, anyone looking for vigorous bistro cooking should certainly book a table -- just be ready for a certain degree of bedlam at the weekend.

Pros: Exuberant bistro cuisine, unflagging staff

Cons: Bit of a scrum at the weekend

I've been here once and fell in love with it. The food is spectacular, very yummy. I like the ambiance very much - there's just enough conversation/music going on, but still very private eventhough you're side by side with other people dining there. The diners here were not condescending nor snooty; sometimes if you dress to casual other tables would start looking at you, but it wasn't the case here - it was very relaxed.
The waitstaff were very attentive and food came exactly when you were craving your next morsel. Glass was never empty.
Overall I will definitely return to Sel de la Terre..

Pros: Ambiance, food

My friends and I had a great time and the food was fab. You have to get what I think were chickpea fries. I wish we had had room for dessert.

Pros: I know people there

Cons: none really

I've never had a bad meal at Sel de la Terre. I have always thoroughly enjoyed the food there. And the dining room is lovely. The quality of the service has waned a bit over the years. During my most recent trip to the restaurant, we waited a long time at our table before we were greeted or offered water. And my sister's wine glass arrived with lipstick stains on the rim. She didn't drink it; rather, she politely asked the waitress for a replacement and the waitress politely agreed. But then we watched from our table as the bartender examined the glass by holding it up to the light and then poured the wine into another glass which was then brought to our table. Is it too much to ask for fresh wine as well as a fresh glass? I would expect much more from a restaurant of this caliber. I have been a big fan or Sel de la Terra, but this incident left a sour taste in my mouth (pun intended).

Sel de la Terre has amazing pomme frites. I'm willing to take a $25 cab ride from Cambridge just for those fries. They're absolutely delectable and every guest whom I have brought to this restaurant with me agrees. On top of that, sel de la terre has great prices for what you great. Their breads are amazing as well. The main entrees are done well. I've come here many times, and enjoyed lunch and dinner. They have a good wine selection. The only negative is their bar menu, which is mainly just sandwiches. It's hard to get to as well since its out by the Aquarium, but its never hard to find a cab since the Marriott is right next door. I undoubtedly reccommend sel de la terre. It's a presentable, classy place for any guest and has a tasteful menu at a great price.

Pros: pommes frites, waiting staff, bread, atmosphere is lowkey yet nice and romantic.

Cons: dining area can sometimes get loud, hard to get to (by Aquarium)

We got here well before our reservations, and found very cozy leather seats in the lounge area. We ordered some yummy cocktails, and an okay appetizer (the taste was good, just not sure if it was worth the price). Our table was ready early, and the waitstaff was wonderful. We easily transitioned over to the dining room, then had plenty of time to finish enjoying our cocktails and apps before placing our dinner order. We wanted a relaxing, long evening out (kids were with grandparents), and didn't feel rushed at all. Our entrees were amazing!! We had the lamb and venison (we ordered both meats with the sides that usually come with the venison on our waitress's recommendation). Our waitress was very friendly and informative as well. The only negative part about the meal was the dessert. I would definitely recommend going elsewhere for the dessert... Overall, we had a great time and will be back.

Pros: delicious entrees, fun, relaxing elegant atmosphere (but loud, in a very happy way)

Cons: dessert; not for kids (I wouldn't have a wanted a kid there, as it is the kind of place I would go to when I have a sitter)

It's diifficult to find quality food when dining late in Boston. Sel de la Terre features late night dining hours, Wed. - Sat. from 10:00 to 12:30 pm, which is a godsend in Boston. I'm wondering if this works against them. We arrived around 9 pm last night (Friday) and were greeted effusively by the hostess. Things went downhill from there. The dining room was packed and service staff taxed. Our order wasn't taken for 20 minutes and was only taken after my husband spoke to the hostess. We were in a prominent section of the restaurant, not in some hidden corner. One of our orders didn't arrive, which was fine since we were full. The goat cheese tartlet and forest mushroom soup was fabulous (the soup was very salty, though). My husband raved about the Eva's salad. I asked to see a dessert menu after we ordered our entrees, nothing came until our plates were cleared away and another 20 min. passed. The dining room thinned out and still service flagged. Another waiter came to ask about dessert, gave us the menus I requested earlier, but was very rude when we placed our order for dessert and coffee/tea. At that point, I decided not to spend another dime (or in this case $15) or 20 minutes. I had heard that the food was fabulous but wasn't prepared for the poor service so I am truly disappointed.

Pros: wonderful food

Cons: rude servers

So I was lucky enough to go to Sel de la Terre twice in 2 weeks, once for lunch, once for dinner.
Their lunch prix fixe is the best value in town ($19 for 3 courses) and the rest of the a la carte menu sounded most appetizing. We thought service was knowledgeable and efficient, I loved that they managed to get us in and out in under an hour so we could get back to the office, without making us feel rushed...
Dinner was a different pace, slower but not too slow, we had plenty of time to enjoy the great cocktails, wine and food and we were not pressured to leave so they could turn the table. Every question we had about the food or the wine were answered by the very courteous and knowledgeable waitstaff, and we appreciated that the manager checked up on us even though we weren't vips.
In both cases, I found the food to be amazing, full of flavors without being overpowering, delicate and rustic at the same time. And that bread! Oh that bread! The hostess told us that the bread they make in-house is actually sold to other restaurants and is retailed in some of the local Whole Foods stores.
All in all, both experiences were great and I will definitely go back to try their other menus and events.

Pros: Food, service, everything!

Cons: nope

My friends and I have eaten at this restaurant several times, and we love it every time! You feel like you have taken a step into Provence with the ambience and delicious cuisine. We can't get enough of the fabulous breads, tempting cocktails, and exceptional entrees. The food is extemely flavourful but not over the top. It is rustic, hearty and cooked with perfection. We have had excellent service every time. I would highly recommend Sel De La Terre if you are looking for an unforgetable meal in a comfortable, beautiful restaurant.

Pros: Delicious food, great service, beautiful ambience

I had a very nice time previously when a friend took me to one of the Wine Tasting Wednesdays. Dinner, however, was an entirely different experience. The waitstaff was condescending and rude. One of the main course dishes was okay, the other had no taste or seasoning whatsoever and wasn't prepared as ordered. I felt ill a four or five hours after dinner. It seemed like a good idea because the Wine Tasting Wednesdays are usually great, but I certainly wouldn't recommend this place for anything else.

Pros: nice wine selection

Cons: waitstaff, food

I spent 2 hours at this restaurant. We never did get our food, because we had to walk out due to the unbelievably bad service. It was 30 minutes before anyone came to take our drink order, for example. We tried and tried to get some attention from the staff, but to no avail. The worst part was that neither the waiter, nor the manager nor anybody else seemed to care that they were totally ignoring us. We complained numerous times but they did nothing about it, offered no explanation and no apology. It was unbelievable.

Pros: can't think of any

Cons: horrendous service, rude manager

I suggested a post-aquarium family dinner including two young children, crossing my fingers that it would work out. It was so good, we've been back five times already, both with the kids and without. (They serve dinner late, so it makes a nice after-kid-bedtime place.) We showed up once without reservations, with kids, and they pushed together some bar tables to make us a little enclave -- though I wouldn't recommend showing up like that unless you're dining early. Our waitress from our first visit has recognized us on other occasions and drops by to say hello.

The food (sort of french, with modern touches) is both comfortable and exciting, which is hard to do. We always have to hold back on the bread before the meal, because it's delicious and we'd fill up on it given a chance. And we've barely scratched the surface of the wine list.

Pros: friendly waitstaff, wine list, breads

Cons: loud (vibrant?)

I am not sure what happened to the previous reviewer, but I have eaten at Sel de la Terre many times, some of which included my child. It does get very very busy there and they do recommend reservations. Perhaps it had nothing to do with the children, but everything to do with the fact that they were a large party? In any case, I always have the Nicoise salad when I go for lunch, and it is near perfect. The french fries are nirvana. Just heaven on a plate.

This restaurant would not sit us (4 adults and 4 very well-behaved) children. First we were told that it would take a few minutes to set a table for us. After 20 minutes of waiting and no one near us, we dared to ask the hostess how much longer we'd have to wait for our table. The hostess at first pretended she had never seen us before (we were standing in front of her for 20 minutes) and then said that it's very busy and she cannot accomodate us. This was something we have never experienced in any other place in the world - being denied access because we had children.

Pros: None

Cons: Rude, Not suitable for kids, Pompous

I've been for the wine Wednesdays with a few friends and a weekend dinner with the boyfriend and had a wonderful experience both times. The service, food and atmosphere were all well above average. I highly recommend this restaurant! Though we didn't utilize it, there's also apparently parking nearby for those who want to drive.

Pros: atmosphere, wait staff

I was there during dinner time but I wanted a nice french sandwich on a fresh crisp baguette, but lunch was already over a while ago. The waitress and the chef were very accomodating and offered to prepare my sandwich anyway. And it was so fresh, so crisp, so flavorful. I stole some french fries off my date's plate -- best I have ever tasted. I would love to go back to that place. The service staff is nice, but be nice back! Parking stinks, but what's new?

Pros: nice friendly staff, great food, not very crowded

Cons: parking

Another couple was seated 20 minutes after us, and received their food, ate, and paid their bill before our entree was even served. The waitress was unbelievably rude and inefficient. The name means "salt of the earth", but eating here was like pouring salt in a wound.

Pros: menu selection

Cons: , rude service, location

I stopped in for the brunch several weeks ago, and was quite pleasantly surprised. I didn't expect much from a restaurant in such a touristy area, but the excellent breads, perfectly poached eggs and wonderfully flavorful but restrained hollandaise sauce made me a convert. The ambiance is also a definite plus. It was very reasonably priced for an a la carte brunch, too. I can't wait to try dinner here!

Pros: Best brunch around!, nice atmosphere

Cons: Weekend service slow

No one expects a good meal near the Aquarium as it's filled with tourist traps. Except Sel de la Terre will surprise and amaze. The food is tasty and interesting (better than saying flavorful and complex).

Pros: Food, Atmosphere

Cons: Parking, Small bar

Sel de la Terre is one of the best French restaurants I have been to in the US. The appetizers and the main dishes were exquisite, and they had a great selection of wine and cheese.
One of the best things about Sel de la Terre was the service. People were very polite and prompt. I had a great time there.

Pros: Great Service, Great atmosphere

room stinks, bathrooms are great. Eat at the bar if you get the right guy it will be wonderful. Food is pretty good.

Excellent service combine with roomy tables and very good food to make Sel de la Terre a thoroughly enjoyable dining experience. As a European living in the Boston area I would pick this restaurant as my favourite for a relaxed lunch or informal dinner.

My only compliant is the inconsistent supply of Badoit!

I went to Sel de la Terre last night with friends. The host was wonderful, very friendly and accommodating. While waiting for a member of our party at the bar, we had the unpleasant experience of dealing with a VERY surly bartender. Although the drinks were excellent (tasty lemon martini), his customer service skills were horrible. When we finally made eye contact with him after a good 7 to 10 minutes, he snapped that he would be right with us and was very testy when we asked that our drinks be sent over to our table. Beyond our bar experience, the restaurant service was excellent.

Pros: great food, good location

Cons: cranky bartender

My family took me to Sel de la Terre for a graduation celebration dinner and I can't say one bad thing about the place. We started with some drinks at the bar, all amazing. The bartenders were funny, efficient, and made great drinks!! Our waiter was attentive to everything we asked for, even noting on our order that 2 people in our party had nut allergies. The food was great. When my steak arrived a little too rare, it was quicky recooked and the plate returned with the sides all refilled. Dessert is something you should not miss. I had the creme brulee which was great. They also have a sampler dessert that give you a mini-portion of all the desserts they offer. I highly recommend Sel de la Terre for a special occasion or just a nice dining experience!!

Pros: attentive service, nice ambience

Cons: parking stinks there