Caffe Boa

We recently went here for a casual anniversary dinner during their happy hour. If you sit by in the bar area (there are high tables and low tables), you can order from their happy hour menu that includes both drinks and food. It was such a good deal given the price and portion. We had the happy hour calamari and mussels. The calamari was lightly battered and paired with a tangy and creamy sauce. The mussels were well seasoned although they were a bit too savory to my taste. We had two whiskey cocktails as our round 1 drinks. The presentation for my drink was worth a picture if not a video. The bartender came to my table and lit a fresh bunch of rosemary on fire and placed it on top of the glass. The drink was good but I prefer to have a spirit-forward taste instead. My partner's drink on the other hand was not that great. It was super sour for some reason, almost like tasting white vinegar. He had a Belgian dark beer to finish the meal, which was definitely better than the cocktail that he got. We also ordered the voodoo penne, which was amazing. I did not expect it to be this good at first, but the sauce was creamy and flavorful. We had to dip the bread that came with the mussels into the pasta sauce, which was a genius move. I also tried dipping the calamari into the sauce, which was another smart combination. The ambiance of this place was cozy while classic. It felt like an authentic European restaurant when you first walked in. But as you sat down and took a look at the decorations around you, it felt young, lively, and inviting. We are excited to come back for their wine and charcuterie boards!

I was in town for business and made a reservation through Rezy. Dinner was on a Monday night so a reservation wasn't necessary but it's always nice to have just in case.Our server, Chris J (according to the receipt), was very friendly and attentive. There was live music! On a Monday! I was impressed. The band played laid-back jazz consisting of a piano player, upright bass and I couldn't see what the other musician was playing from my vantage point.Anyways, the food...Calamari (4/5) - lightly battered and covered in garlic and parsley. It was a bit oily but still tasty. Served with a spicy aioliSoCal Salad (4/5) - light tasty dressing. I loved that the tomato slices were seasoned and not just thrown on the plate for garnish only. Chris knew we were sharing the salad and split it on separate plates for us.Sicilian Cioppino (4/5) - i don't get this often so i don't have much to compare it to but it was so tasty. Filled with seafood and ground Italian sausage.

The food was excellent. The flavor of the Congilio was scrumptious and the rabbit was tender and not too gamey. The halibut was cooked to perfection. We were a little disappointed with the server. Many misses. Did not tell us about specials until we asked after overhearing from the other server. Same with free dessert if going to Gamage. We overheard and asked. Then proceed to ask about 4 times during our meal what we wanted. When we did she brought it when we were not done with our delicious meal so the ice cream melted by the time we were done. We asked for a replacement which she did. But should have noticed not done with meal so why bring the dessert. During our time we felt rushed even though we were not in a hurry nor was there a line waiting.

We came here before going to a show at Gammage Auditorium. This must be a frequent stop for people on their way to Gammage, because as soon as we entered and got seated, the server asked if we were headed to a show there. We said yes, and she promised to get us out in time. Caffe Boa has a great atmosphere with lots of dark wood and exposed brick. We sat in the little sunroom separated from the dining room with our doorways. It's brighter in there. There's a separate bar and a glassed off room for more private dining. One of the best things about this place is the great art posters, all having to do with wine.The food here is fantastic. Hubby had the spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs were delicious, although I admit I love all meatballs. I did like the red sauce, which I can be a little picky about, and would definitely order anything with the red sauce. I had the steak salad, which was very large. It was dressed greens with sliced steak on the side, and I could hardly finish it. I did, because it was soooo good, but I left feeling stuffed.Caffe Boa is a really great place in general, but especially Great for a pre-event dinner in Tempe.

Holy S*****. Yup. Pasta guy.Get here. That voodoo pasta is REAL good. Spice yes. Flavor. Yes. Cool bar - but the pasta outshines it all. Eat up yelpers. Again and again.

Ambiance was different, was dead on a Wednesday evening. Sat at the bar and just got the vibe something was off. No music so super quiet. I ordered a glass of wine and the butternut squash ravioli. I was disappointed in the portion of my meal.... It was very good though. I was pleasantly surprised when I got my bill though, it was like $22 for my wine and meal. Had I known the prices I would have ordered more and likely been satisfied.

I love stopping by this place every time I am in Tempe. It has an amazing vibe. Its centrally located and close to the shopping. I like to come here on the weekends to grab food or drinks before heading out to a bar or club. The service is always amazing, especially at the bar. The wine list is extensive and you'll have no issues finding something you like. I lean more towards cocktails so i usually get something off the specialty cocktails menu. I don't even like gin but the Queen's Gambit is my favorite drink. The fettuccine is amazing, its a must have and the tiramisu is a perfect way to end the night. I definitely recommend this place. The food is delicious, the service is amazing and the restaurant is clean and well taken care of.

The dining experience at Caffe Boa was absolutely wonderful! I met with a group of girlfriends at Caffe Boa for lunch and, oh my goodness, we left with full bellies and happy hearts! The staff was so fun and so kind. The menu options were fabulous and the food we ordered was fantastic! We had the opportunity to meet Jessalyn Italiano, the owner of this highly-recommended restaurant, and she was absolutely lovely. I highly, highly recommend coming here for lunch with friends, an intimate dinner, and a group event. Ask for JJ to take care of your party. He's so great! Be sure to order the charcuterie boards! They have beautiful salads and mouth-watering pasta dishes with a gluten free option! I will be sure to come back!

This place is the best!We called ahead for a large party reservation (over 10 people). In my experience, many restaurants will charge table minimums for groups this size. Caffe Boa allowed us to call a month in save the table with no added fee (note: there are options for private rooms here, which are available for a charge, but we were ok with being seated in the common area). The server was wonderful and was able to provide excellent food and drink recommendations. We ordered the Conglio and Fettuccine Bianca - both 10/10. This place also has great cocktails and mocktails. We ordered a fresh strawberry lemonade, the 398, queen's gambit, and black Anastasia. The server also offered us a complimentary dessert for our celebration. Strongly recommend this place.

Came here with friends before going to Gammage. *Make sure you get your free dessert if you are seeing a show!! Overall bright and sleek atmosphere. The tables felt a little close together and had to talk loud to be heard over the music. Sometimes it felt like we were part of other group's conversations. I forget the name of the drink that I got but it was delicious and pink. We started with a salad that was mostly arugula and other mixed greens. I had the Pollo entree. The sauce with it was perfect. My friends had the Voodoo Pasta and the Fettuccine. Both friends loved them. Will probably return again to try a pasta dish next time.