Restaurant Reviews 01 | MIDA

A cozy family dinner night

Feb 17, 2025

by Traci Crugnale on February 17th, 2025

Mida is a contemporary Italian restaurant in Boston's South End, known for its intimate ambiance and reputation as the perfect date-night spot. While only a few family members had visited before, it was the ideal place to celebrate our dad’s 59th birthday, additionally because Mida had long been on Gabby’s must-visit list. With its charm and cozy setting, the South End location was our first choice to bring the whole family together for a memorable dinner.

Ambiance

The ambiance at Mida is truly unique, with a sleek bar stretching through the main area and bistro tables that create a lively yet intimate atmosphere. The restaurant buzzed with energy, every table filled and guests smiling, while the music played at the perfect volume—social yet not overwhelming. Surrounded by windows on three sides, Mida offers an ideal people-watching experience, nestled in the middle of the city but shielded from any exterior disruptions.

Apps

To kick off the celebration, we each selected a drink and shared a variety of appetizers and small dishes. Our family enjoys sampling an array of different flavors, so we couldn’t resist trying the Arancini, Meatballs, and Crispy Polenta. The arancini, though delicious, were cheesier than typical, which Gabby and our dad noted. The meatballs, a mix of berkshire pork, san marzano tomato, grana padano, parsley, were irresistibly flavorful, and the crispy polenta—unexpectedly sweet with a refined, golden crust—was a delightful new experience that stood out among the dishes.

Entrees

For our main courses, I opted for the Braised Pork Tagliatelle, Gabby chose the Paccheri Bolognese, our dad went with the Gnocchi Cacio e Pepe, and our mom enjoyed the Roasted Chicken. Each dish was a standout, with everyone raving about their choice. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and the execution was flawless — every plate exceeded expectations and left us all thoroughly impressed.

Desserts

For dessert, our server surprised us with a special birthday treat, and it was absolutely delightful! We were presented with a Tiramisu, adorned with an 'M,' and paired with pistachio gelato. The gelato was unlike any I’ve ever tasted—though I’m not usually a fan of pistachio, it completely changed my perspective. Its flavor was incredibly rich and vibrant, leaving a lasting impression. I’ll definitely be ordering it again on my next visit. As for the Tiramisu, it was a classic, expertly crafted and the perfect end to our meal.

Drinks

Throughout the meal, we each enjoyed a variety of drinks. I opted for two Negronis, which provided the perfect bold start to the evening and complemented our entrée course beautifully. A negroni is my go-to cocktail so I had to give it a try when I saw they had it as a classic on their drink menu. Gabby chose a martini, while our parents sipped on a bottle of Nebbiolo, a wine that struck a perfect balance between sweetness and dryness. Gabby and I both ended the meal with espresso martinis—an Italian classic that never disappoints, especially in the hands of a skilled bartender.

Overall Experience

4/5

Overall, our experience at Mida was a solid 4 out of 5. Every dish we tried was thoughtfully crafted with perfect flavors, making it an ideal choice for a night out with family. Our dad thoroughly enjoyed his Cacio e Pepe, thought the wine pairing was spot on, and was absolutely delighted with the dessert.

Mida is a must-visit, whether it’s for a romantic date, a fun night out with friends, or an intimate family dinner. The diverse menu and exceptional culinary experience make it a versatile and memorable spot that everyone should experience.