Jody Adams La Padrona in the Raffles Hotel

We recently visited Jody Adams’ new high-end Italian restaurant inside the newly opened Raffles Hotel in Back Bay. It's a place that's been on Bryan's radar for awhile. After all, we've always been fans of Rialto, and Bryan just loves Italian food. Additionally, La Padrona recently was recommended by the Michelin Guide.

The space is striking the moment you walk in — dark tones, soaring ceilings, and an overall atmosphere that feels more like a modern steakhouse than a traditional Italian spot.

Still, once the food started coming, it reminded me immediately of Jody Adams’ cooking — consistent, well-executed dishes with thoughtful flavors. The concept is a bit like an Italian take on a steakhouse: shared pastas, sides, and appetizers, plus a few large-format meats/seafood. It’s the kind of menu that works well for groups because you get to try a little of everything.

Surprisingly Packed on a Monday

This place is busy, and getting a reservation may not be that straightforward, especially last minute. This was a Monday night, yet the dining room was completely packed. Its location probably helps. The restaurant sits right in the middle of Boston’s Back Bay, near Copley and the Prudential, so it’s easy to get to and draws a steady crowd.

Good Food, Premium Prices

The food was very nice — rustic pastas, shareable vegetable dishes, and hearty meats. But the prices were noticeably higher. Bryan commented that the cost and the sleek, steakhouse-like interior didn’t quite align with the more casual, family-style approach to the food. He felt there was a slight mismatch between the vibe and the menu.

But he must be in the minority, because people continue to flock to this place.

And admittedly, the food was very good.

Antipasti

Pastas

Secondi

Sides

Dessert

La Padrona Boston - General Thoughts

With the economy feeling uncertain and so many restaurants struggling or closing post-pandemic, it's heartening to see a Boston restaurant doing this well. It's been a tough several years for the F&B industry in Boston post-pandemic. And regardless of how we each felt about the pricing or the concept, it was encouraging to see such strong support for a new restaurant in the city.

All in all, we had a great time here. The food is good, the environment is certainly lively, and the location is excellent. Yes, it's pricy, but it's also a safe option if you need to entertain a large group of people, since the food is very friendly and appeals to a wide audience. I would feel very comfortable hosting clients or organizing work dinners here.

And again a super congrats Jody Adams on the Michelin recommendation! I feel like I've been a fan of her restaurants since the early days. Just for fun, here's a photo of us from 2011 (!) at her original restaurant Rialto.