It takes a lot for me to 1. Look forward to an Italian restaurant and 2. Be wowed by restaurant Italian food but my dining experience at La Padrona did not disappoint. Located inside the Raffles hotel and recent winner of Boston’s best of 2024, I expected the restaurant to impress.
While at La Padrona, which translates to “Lady boss,” we had the opportunity to mean the Lady Boss herself, Jody Adams, executive chef and 2x James beard award winning chef. She was unassuming and genuinely eager to speak to the many tables.
To start, we shared the flatbread, a balanced combination of salt, rosemary and quality olive oil to accompany their homemade bread. We then moved on to the whipped ricotta, honey, and pepper starter. The ricotta was delicious and easy to devour but did not knock my socks off.
The Tuna Crudo, however, left me debating ordering a second plate. A thoughtful combination of flavors and textures; combining yogurt, lemon, dill, and potato with Tuna, left me impressed by the unique and complex flavor profile.
The biggest draw to the night was a combination of the ambiance, music and attentive service that guided the evening. The staff was excellently trained, attentive, and personable, which greatly added to the experience.
With an extensive wine, cocktail and dessert menu I would gladly return back to repeat favorite dishes or to try other intriguing items on the menu.