Adam Palmer

Review of Toro Restaurant

One of my favorite meals I've had in Boston. I wen...

One of my favorite meals I've had in Boston. I went to Spain for the first time this past April and Toro brought me back.

AMBIANCE: it's a small, dimly-list restaurant but very lively. We arrived at 8 PM and it was bustling with every chair in the restaurant filled. At 9 PM, there is a distinct music genre shift which gives off more of a party vibe. Though you are very close to everyone dining around you, you can easily have intimate conversations without fear of being overheard.

SERVICE: always friendly. Attentive when you want them to be, aloof when it's clear you want to focus on your conversation...everything that you would expect out of a well-regarded place like Toro.

FOOD: I wish I could try everything on the menu but there was only 2 of us so it just warrants another trip back:

Marcona Almonds: oiled up and salted, the perfect snack before a meal

Setas y Huevos: amazing mushrooms in this really rich sauce, topped with an egg yolk that makes it even more rich

Calamar y Caracol: probably my favorite thing we had. Squid and snails in black squid ink. I wish we had bread to sop up all the extra sauce with. Be forewarned that your mouth will turn black but nothing that can't be fixed with a swig of water.

Calabaza a la Parilla: squash with hot chili oil. My least favorite thing they had but still yummy.

Filete a la Plancha: hanger steak with oyster mushrooms and chimichurri. Can't go wrong with those 3 ingredients. I was told it's been on the menu for a long time and it makes sense why!

Paella de Verano: I was dining with a pescatarian so we tried the vegetarian paella which I'm told is even better than the meat paella. It's spiced perfectly and the fall version has squash, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, broccolis, and carrots (the vegetables change with the seasons). The best part is the rice you scrape off the paella pan! It's even better the second day too (if there are any leftovers).

DRINKS: we each got a glass of red wine...the wine by the glass list is small but well-curated (and sourced mostly from Spain).

OVERALL: Toro earned its 5 stars which I don't give out often. I want to come back and try some other things on the menu as well...I could have a completely different meal and be happy.

Do note they do not take reservations typically so you should plan to come put your name in ahead of time (but it's worth the wait).