Scampo

Had a late reservation at 8:00 on a Saturday night. Entered through the front of the hotel which had a club vibe going. The place wasn’t very busy, maybe 30% full. We were seated quickly and crunchy breadsticks were dropped off right away. Green sauce was ok, but not very flavorful. The waitress was nice and very personable and the other waiter at the table next to us seemed the same. Food was tasty and pretty decent quality. Only real complaint was the waiters quickness to refill drinks and get the bill. Getting the bill took a while, but on the plus side we didn’t feel rushed out.

This restaurant has received rave reviews for several years during Dine Out Boston Weeks, but I honestly thought it was just average…seriously overrated. Bread Sticks: Surprisingly, the bread sticks served before the meal were the best. Very crispy, and the pesto provided a rich yet mild pine nut aroma. Whole Duck Leg Confit: The flavor profile was fine; the plum sauce was refreshing and helped cut through the richness. However, the duck leg was a bit dry and tough, especially the edges, clearly overcooked. My favorite part was the cool, sweet touch of fresh fig. Crisped Haddock: A huge plate, the portion size was impeccable. The haddock was generally tender enough, but layering it with fried green tomatoes and grit made it overwhelmingly heavy and greasy…I was completely overwhelmed by the end. Pistachio Gelato with Cassis: Using pistachio for a light and restrained flavor, with the sweet and sour cassis syrup as the main taste, is also a good approach. The latter, however, was too sweet and strong, almost completely masking the former, and it became a bit cloying towards the end. Cappuccino: The light milk foam and gentle coffee aroma somewhat redeemed it for an Italian restaurant. Finally, let's talk about the service. Although there weren't many diners, the welcoming area was completely empty; I had to go and ask a waiter to be seated. The duck confit arrived less than two minutes after I ordered, but the bread hadn't even arrived yet, making me suspect it was reserved for other tables. After waiting a while, I had to ask a waiter to get the bread. The plate holding the ice cream cup had obvious stains. While I was eating, the next table experienced problems such as the wrong dish being served, dessert being forgotten, and an unidentified black powder in their water… Compared to winter, the Dine Out Boston summer felt much less appealing, which is a trend that has become increasingly apparent in recent years. Overall, most of the menus and dishes were edible, acceptable but unremarkable, resulting in a mediocre four-star rating. I decided to try this restaurant because I saw its consistently positive reviews on RedNote for many years, but I didn't expect it to be like this again... While the prices during Dine Out Boston are certainly affordable, if you can't get the care and experience that matches the restaurant's reputation, then such an event seems to have lost its original purpose and value.

Scampo was a pleasant surprise. The atmosphere is lively without being too loud, and the service was attentive throughout the meal. We started with the burrata, arugula salad, and the coal fired garlic bread. All three were well prepared and a great way to begin the evening. For our mains, the salmon and swordfish were both generous portions and nicely cooked. I’d happily rate both a solid 4 out of 5. The pasta dishes, however, were a little confusing. The “small” portion was actually larger than the “large,” just served on a different shaped plate. Our aglio e olio also had a noticeable bitterness, which I suspect came from garlic that had been cooked a little too long. One thing worth mentioning for Marriott Bonvoy members: although Scampo is located inside the Liberty Hotel, you can’t charge your meal to your room, so you won’t earn Bonvoy points on your dining spend. Overall, a very enjoyable dinner with good food, a welcoming atmosphere, and attentive service. A couple of inconsistencies kept it from being outstanding, but I’d certainly consider returning.

I went here on my last night in Boston during my stay at Liberty Hotel. This place has by far the best pasta I have ever tasted in my life. Pictured is the large plate Cacio e Pepe and it is to die for. I will definitely be back!