Restaurant Review: Mistral (Boston, MA.)
Upscale French bistro located in the South End neighborhood of Boston.
Mistral has captivated Boston diners for over 20 years. The service is excellent and the ambiance is supportive of dining in recovery. Most of the tables facilitate intimate conversation and the noise volume is moderate. The lounge area is also a fun spot to grab an appetizer (or drink, if you're so inclined). The majority of diners are enjoying a meal, which translates to a more supportive (and less heavy drinking) clientele. Food quality is excellent and the selection changes by the season to offer the freshest ingredients. The dover sole is my go-to.
There are also a variety of "seasonal" cocktails. Unfortunately, very little attention is paid to the non-alcoholic selection...there's certainly no seasonality to the non-alcoholic IPA and a cucumber basil lemonade. I've been to Mistral 3 times in the last 6 months, and the signature mocktail hasn't changed. I had hoped for more intention and imagination from a restaurant of Mistral's caliber. Its location on Columbus Ave is nestled between Back Bay and the residential areas of the South End. While there is one bar on the block, a Mistral patron is unlikely to encounter too many nightlife goers outside the restaurant.
Meal: Dinner, Weekend
Dining Area: Main Dining Room
Price: $$$$
Overall Score: 4.1/5
February 2022
Learn more about Mistral.
Supportive Service: 4/5
Venue & Crowd*: 4/5
Non-Alcoholic Offerings: 3/5
Food Quality & Value: 5/5
Restaurant Location*: 4/5
Individuals struggling with mental health concerns, especially those in substance use recovery, are often hesitant to dine-out and travel due to the often tempting and unsupportive environment of many restaurants and hotels. Recover Hospitality helps individuals locate supportive and fun dining environments by conducting recovery-focused reviews. Celebrating venues' efforts and opportunities to improve by assessing: service, atmosphere, beverage offerings, food quality, value, and location.
Recover Hospitality also offers consulting services designed for restaurants and hotels interested in offering an environment attractive to the recovery community and others focused on health & wellness.
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*note: the clientele and elements of a restaurant's location often vary by season and day of the week, which may lead to a change in rating outside of the restaurant's control.