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Pensiero Ristorante Reviews List
Pensiero Ristorante
Located in the historic Margarita European Inn, Pensiero Ristorante offers contemporary Italian fare in an elegant, urban setting. Our seasonal menu is expertly prepared with locally sourced and organic ingredients, artfully presented, and served to you by a professional and friendly team. A sommelier driven wine list adds another level to your experience.
Pensiero is the perfect venue for a special occasion or just come in and enjoy delicious food in a sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere.
You might also plan an event in one of our private rooms. And, when the weather permits, enjoy al fresco dining in our cozy garden patio.
Pensiero...Everyday Italian.
See more Pensiero Ristorante details
Pensiero is the perfect venue for a special occasion or just come in and enjoy delicious food in a sophisticated but relaxed atmosphere.
You might also plan an event in one of our private rooms. And, when the weather permits, enjoy al fresco dining in our cozy garden patio.
Pensiero...Everyday Italian.
19 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Rating Breakdown 19 reviews
5 stars
(7)
4 stars
(5)
3 stars
(3)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(2)
Food
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(9)
- romantic(8)
- special occasion(8)
- fit for foodies(7)
- notable wine list(5)
- good for groups(4)
Pensiero Ristorante Reviews List
Review 1 for Pensiero Ristorante
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
We've been to Pensiero and
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We've been to Pensiero and its predecessor Va Pensiero many times over the years. We keep hoping it will live up to our past experience, but their execution is not there. We had 3 issues - Prosecco (enjoyed in the past) that was ordered was substituted with a Chandon sparkling wine- because of a menu change (we were given an old menu) -not noted till after delivery, very disappointing. Second, the entrees were lukewarm at best. Third, the signature Tagliatelle was not prepeared tableside and was not prepared in the same manner with the same flavor - not worth the premium price charged for this pasta. I doubt we will return in the nezr future. A lot of potential, but they are missing the mark in execution."
Dined on 03/01/2013
2003
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Review 2 for Pensiero Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very, very good, not great
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Very, very good, not great meal. Excellent, classic cocktails, good and interesting wines by the glass. The boar bolognese with homemade pappardelle pasta was fantastic and a pretty great bargain and the short ribs were surprisingly original with the flavor combinations involved for a place that doesn't seem built around originality. Really nice meal, all around."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Pensiero Ristorante
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Service very slow and room
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Service very slow and room was noisy!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: special occasion
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Review 4 for Pensiero Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This place is a quiet place
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This place is a quiet place for a romantic dinner. The wine list is impressive. It has excellent food. Moderately expensive."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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Review 5 for Pensiero Ristorante
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Disappointing meal
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I was really disappointed in my meal here. A vegan carrot soup of the day, finished with olive oil, sounded interesting. Unfortunately, it was bland and watery, and the oil had separated and floated to the top. I had a simple insalata della casa in replacement and this was ok, but there were some greens that had bad spots. The tagliatelle al tartufo is their signature dish, and was quite alright - the mushrooms, pistachios and parmesan are an incredibly delicious and decadent combo. However, the tagliatelle were a little soft and overcooked for me. The noodles were all sticking together too. I tried a housemade carrot ice cream for dessert, but there were ice crystals in it and the cookie it came with weren't good either. I won't be back."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2007
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Review 6 for Pensiero Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Pensiero Fantastico
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Housed in the small Margarita European Inn, this elegant but understated establishment excels in creating a wonderful dining experience. We have dined here several times before, and each visit is a gem in itself. The food is amazing, the menu choosing high quality amd innovation over quantity of items. Our appetizers were a sausage dish and eggplant cannoli, both distinctive and terrific. My wife chose pork belly and I took the duck; both we so good, I couldn't vote one over the other. The wines are fairly priced, and there is a selection of old school classic cocktails. Service is fantastic, and everyone there is so nice."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 7 for Pensiero Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great North Shore Restaurant!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Excellent! The food delicious and the service superior. We ordered a number of recent additions to the menu. The new bet salad was not only delicious but the presentation was masterpiece. The second new salad was a variety of fresh oranges and shaved fennel, it was refreshing and again beautifully presented. We shared our entrees of pork belly and beef short ribs. Both were flavorful, hearty and were perfect comfort food for a snowy winter evening. We saved room for dessert which was a perfect ending to our delicios meal, homemade banana chocolate ice cream with a side sugar cookie. This has become my favorite quiet North Shore restaurant!"
Dined on 02/07/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 8 for Pensiero Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This was great. tho there
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"This was great. tho there is a smallish menu the choices are varied and the food is excellent!!. A lovely place and resonably priced. The reincarnation of this restaurant is completely successful. GO!
."
."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 9 for Pensiero Ristorante
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We started with carrot soup
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We started with carrot soup (2) and cannoli (1 split order). Both just right for starters. There was a hint of vanilla in the soup--very nice mix of flavors.
Two of us had the short ribs, which were superb, and two had the tagliatelle. The pasta was tender, the mushrooms dense and earthy. It was a very cold night, so the restaurant was not crowded. At first our server was a bit too eager to take our orders while we were busy talking, but he was perfectly pleasant about giving us more time and very informative about the menu. The menu itself is small and interesting and lent itself to some questions. Pricing is very reasonable given the quality of the food.
All in all, a very pleasant experience and one we will definitely repeat."
Two of us had the short ribs, which were superb, and two had the tagliatelle. The pasta was tender, the mushrooms dense and earthy. It was a very cold night, so the restaurant was not crowded. At first our server was a bit too eager to take our orders while we were busy talking, but he was perfectly pleasant about giving us more time and very informative about the menu. The menu itself is small and interesting and lent itself to some questions. Pricing is very reasonable given the quality of the food.
All in all, a very pleasant experience and one we will definitely repeat."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 10 for Pensiero Ristorante
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Still Great
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had the opportunity to dine there again with out of town friends who were staying at the lovely inn upstairs. Other reviewers were correct, it was not crowded on a Saturday night. Service was attentive and not invasive and the food was outstanding."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Pensiero Ristorante
Based on the average of (9) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate