Review of Beneventos

We went here for Valentine’s Day after reading so many good reviews. We arrived 10 minutes early and waited outside for 20 to be seated, but I understood it was Valentine’s Day so they were busy. They seemed to be more attentive to the Uber eats drivers than to the people standing in the cold waiting for tables. Once seated, I notified my waitstaff that I had celiac and asked for a gluten free menu. She told me that I can have anything I want and they would substitute the pasta for a gluten free version. This was a little concerning as I know that some things wouldn’t likely be gluten free. There was no further explanation on options, no gluten free menu, and nothing labeled FF on the regular menu. We were not offered the option to order appetizers; the waitress only asked what we wanted for entrees. After ordering, we waited for an hour for our food. In the meantime, I used the restroom and while waiting my turn, I saw a staff member preparing food with her bare hands after shuffling around in a fridge. This made me uncomfortable, especially during an ongoing pandemic. When the food arrived, my food was not marked gluten free and no one stated that it was when they placed it in front of me, further adding to my anxiety. I ordered the chicken Marsala and thankfully, did not get sick. It was tasty but very watery. The chicken was extremely dry and tough. I was never asked if I wanted a refill on my drink and was never asked if we needed anything during the meal. When we were done eating, the waitress asked if we wanted anything else. I asked if they had any gluten free desserts, to which she responded, “we don’t have any desserts.” The bill came and it was over $100 (not including tip) for a mediocre meal with poor service. As I was leaving I noticed that the staff were not even Italian. When I come to the north end, my expectations are high that I get a quality, safe, authentic Italian meal. I will not be returning to this restaurant when so many others offer so much more.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Most/All

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Average

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for takeout