Bastia Reviews

It is incredible what they have achieved architecturally and ambience-wise with this boutique hotel and restaurant deep in working class Fishtown converted from an historic women’s asylum. We went for a friend’s birthday and dined cocktail party style near the pool. The apps and small plates we had were all top-end including a really delicious burger. The cocktails are really high end and the service was very kind. The negative was its density and sound level.

Two couples enjoyed 3 appetizers, 4 pastas 3 mains and 2 deserts and had a blast. The bread service was unimpressive, and set expectations low, but it was all straight uphill. The grilled sardines, beets, and radicchio salad were all outstanding apps. The wild boar pasta was the table favorite, with lots of love for the dumplings stuffed with sweet potato and the seafood pasta. The only near miss of the night for us was the ricotta dumpling.. they were more like a vegetarian ‘meatball’ than we expected. The whole grilled fish (filleted), osso bucco and swordfish kebobs did not disappoint, but the fish was the knockout. Olive oil cake and panne cotta followed for desert. This sounds like a lot.. and it was.. but the portions are relatively small. The menu is designed for passing and sharing and the attentive staff bring fresh plates and flatware periodically. The cocktail menu is creative.. the drinks (especially the martini) are short for the price, but good. It was an excellent way to celebrate a birthday!

A wonderful dining experience except for the blaring electro music piped throughout the restaurant and forces the clients to speak louder in order to understand each other. When will the US restaurateurs understand that music ( except soft classical music ) is an hindrance to enjoy one’s meal. The focus should be solely on the dishes that are being served and not on the environment. Thank God the new trend is absent in most european restaurants. That being said, I highly recommend this restaurant whose chef is very creative and the service is impeccable.

We read good things about this place and decided to head up to Fishtown on a Saturday morning for brunch. It is in a quaint boutique hotel and is bright and airy. The food and table service were spot on. We chose the multi-course menu and loved everything we ate. From the flat bread and spreads, savory sides, perfectly made scrambled eggs and our entrees.