Summa @ North Hill

865 Central Ave, Needham MA 02492
$ American

Reservations

Business Info

  • Address: 865 Central Ave, Needham MA 02492
  • Cross Street: -
  • Cuisine: American |
  • Cost: | Very Inexpensive
  • Category: Private Venue
  • Star Rating:
  • Reservations: Recommended
  • Dress Code: Business Casual
  • Meals Served: Dinner |
  • Parking: Car Park |
  • Payment Options: VISA | MasterCard |
  • Corkage Fee: N/A
  • Phone: 781-433-6293
  • Features: Takeout Available,
  • Occasion: Romantic Dining, Quiet Conversation, Special Occasion, Date Night,

Photos

Summa @ North Hill - Summa

Business Hours

Reservations Available
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
Closed
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
False

Customer Reviews & Ratings

4.59 out of 5 stars based on 500 votes

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 17, 2022
Jim and Allie L.
Some food portions are much to large. Otherwise, wonderful to eat in Summa.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 26, 2022
Marie H.
I have no complaints.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 21, 2022
Wendy B.
A WONDERFUL menu this week. Excellent and pleasant service. Our waiter Brandon never rushed us.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 04, 2022
Peter B.
No complaints

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Apr 28, 2022
Jean C.
The haddock with hazelnut sauce on a Tuesday special was delicious! Considering the limitations of staff the Summa does a remarkable job serving as many as it does. Tables for 5 would be nice to reserve on line.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 22, 2022
Peter M.
Top quality: great food, pleasant staff, bright cheery elegant setting. A first class restaurant.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 6/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 13, 2022
Joseph S.
The noise level is too high

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 12, 2022
Francis P.
The food was delicious, and our server Vivi was lovely, attentive and very pleasant. The dining area is very attractive, making our dining experience a “10” all the way around.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 07, 2022
Donald S.
The food is great, with so much choice. The staff, young and old, tries so hard!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jan 05, 2022
Mary Beth M.
Superior!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 19, 2021
Barbara Clymer C.
The server was also great.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 16, 2021
Peter B.
Everything is going very well. Barbara Dunne is very responsive and helpful, especially in arranging for the Friday night Forum to have a large table beforehand.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 04, 2021
Harriet W.
Everything was great, from the appearance to the last of the food!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 26, 2021
Lorraine G.
Server was gracious and very professional.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 3/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 06, 2021
Sue S.
Gaspatcho and shrimp were delicious. Veal was very good

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Nov 04, 2021
Irene G.
It was excellent!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 31, 2021
John G.
Could not cancel or modify a reservation

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 25, 2021
Leah R.
All good

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 16, 2021
robert b.
great!!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 16, 2021
Joe D.
Thursday was day 2 for our waiter Kyle - he did a terrific job - positive, responsive, and polite! Please consider expanding the menu soon!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Oct 15, 2021
Elizabeth C.
10 star all around

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 21, 2021
janet d.
I gave everything a 10, because it really was just a fine experience. The staff was so eager to please and just plain fun to have with us. A few minutes ago I noticed the menu under my door with the news of future delivery of meals to apartments. Well, we certainly know how to do this, but I hope it will not be too, too hard for you all!! Janet Dickason

Overall: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Sep 19, 2021
Carol S.
it would be better if we had a few more days in advance to schedule a date/time for dinner...

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 19, 2021
Sandra K.
It was a very pleasant experience.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 12, 2021
Howard J.
Cordiality of staff is noteworthy ! Food is consistently good.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 10, 2021
Nanettte E.
All was very good, food, service and general ambiance. It was a pleasure to share dinner with friends. Making a reservation was easy. Having a reservation eliminated the long wait for a table. Too bad we have limited space so relatively few of so can enjoy being together in an evening.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 5/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 10, 2021
David B.
Waitstaff was attentive and eager to serve and to make dinner pleasurable. The food was excellent. Acoustics could be imoroved.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 09, 2021
Tobias H.
Congratulations on this amazing transition, done so smoothly and perfectly. Everything was beautifully orchestrated, and the wait staff were polite, attentive, and efficient, as they have been for the past three evenings we have dined in Summa/The Heights. Wishing you continued success - Judy Hoberman

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Sep 08, 2021
Prte R.
Very happy with the situation and the Needham high school students are doing a great job

Overall: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Aug 27, 2021
Wendy B.
We were celebrating a birthday. They kept the cake hidden away until dessert, just as we asked! The staff is always cheerful and courteous. They’re willing to adjust options on a meal which is extremely helpful! They’ve done an exceptional job during Covid-19. Thanks go to all the staff for the efforts they make!

Overall: 10/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 06, 2021
Sandra L.
It was lovely to be back in Summa again. All the staff was very helpful and friendly ---beginning with the hostess who seated us and carrying on through the waitperson who circled back during our meal to see that all was well---which it was. One suggestion--with the interesting vegetarian meal that night---the pancake could have been a bit more ample.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
May 14, 2021
Linda G.
Booking was easy! My veal was extremely tough, I’m sorry to report. I had the veal and polenta...The polenta was good. Service, and all else was okay. I’d love sherbet or ice cream possibilities for dessert.

Overall: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
May 05, 2021
Virginia B.
Delicious polenta.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Jul 07, 2022
Henry S.
Service was excellent. Steak on special was tough and not easy to chew. Otherwise we had a good experience.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Jul 04, 2022
Carol D.
A very happy surprise to find fried clams as the special--and they were good and hot! Realized afterwards that he server had forgotten to bring my salad but didn't notice it at the time.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 11, 2022
Phyllis G.
It would be nice to be able to make corrections on reservation before you send it. Now you have to essentially star all over again. That is annoying.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Feb 18, 2022
Rickey E.
I had a guest who ALSO ENJOYED HIS MEAL. I HAD TO REMIND THE WAITRESS ONLY ONCE THAT WE HAD A SHORT WINDOW OF TIME IN ORDER TO GET TO THE MEETING AT 7:30

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 7/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 01, 2021
Betty G.
It was good, especially since nice waiter had a lot of people to take care of.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 7/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Oct 29, 2021
SANDY N.
Could you add some pineapple & melons for the people who have diet restrictions with sugar? Also adding cookies could be another dessert suggestion. When will you be resuming the Sunday brunch? The wait staff is trying very hard but could use some coaching for a while. Will we be going back to not needing dinner reservations soon?

Overall: 9/10
Food: 3/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 5/10
Value: 5/10
Oct 28, 2021
page o.
We had a little older waitress, who was superb. The menu was poor, but we ordered omlettes which were delicious. Now that we are striving to get back to normal, could you improve the menu. Now there is too much duck, lamb, veal.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 8/10
Sep 15, 2021
Beverly C.
Service is improving all the time as our servers gain experience. Had a quiche on Monday evening this week that was excellent and deserves to be repeated.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Sep 10, 2021
Carol R.
After enjoying a superb chlled asparagus soup about two weeks ago, I was disappointed to find it very watered down and not very cold on this particulat night. Have noticed other soups of this type much thinner than before. Also never find any almonds on the delivered chilled peach soup!

Overall: 9/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Jun 28, 2021
Sandy N.
Some of the food is coming out on the cool side. I would like some garden salads with Boston or romaine lettuce. I also think we should have fruit and desserts for people with diabetes or other dietary problems. The new wait staff is very cordial & friendly and are tending to our needs very well (like bringing oil & vinegar etc.) I think some people want bread & rolls also. Many of us want to have the great Sunday buffet with the omelette man as well

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 12, 2021
Lorraine G.
Server was excellent; food was well prepared, nicely presented, and delicious.

Overall: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Jun 10, 2021
Leila K.
I had the cod loin and it was delicious. Service by Samuel was very good. Sorry they had run out of the special pizza. It looked excellent.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Apr 09, 2022
Mary Lou T.
Would like wait staff to refill water glasses when needed. Waiter did not offer bread so we asked after soup and salad served.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Jan 06, 2022
Hadwig G.
I do not like the choice of seating !!!

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Dec 29, 2021
Marilyn A.
Given the shortage of staff well done on all fronts. Sometimes food without so many infusions would be nice.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Oct 27, 2021
Debby R.
debby and Andy Rempis

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Oct 21, 2021
Norman S.
Not being able to speak with a live person in order to obtain a reservation is more than frustrating. Each time that you are told that the requested time is unavailable you are required to start over. If on the first request the desired time is not available it would help if the available times were then listed. The current system is frustrating. Food choices are of lesser quality than was the case before the pandemic when I think both service and quality was first rate. I would have given the pre pandemic ratings as all a ten.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 6/10
Service: 7/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 7/10
Sep 15, 2021
Mary Lou T.
Asked for ice tea - did not bring. Little follow-up by server after food served. Finally asked another staff member for tea. Halibut was very dry, perhaps overcooked - finally asked another server for lemon. She brought it. Perhaps server should ask if lemon is desired with fish dish. If original server had checked if we needed or wanted anything else after serving entree, we would have asked for lemon. Companion enjoyed her omelet with melon.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 7/10
Sep 11, 2021
John F.
Would like to see the cocktail table surrounded by chairs restored in summa for waiting. The lineup of chairs against the wall does not engender chatting. It;s l like waiting n a doctor;s office. Thank. You.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Sep 10, 2021
Bill K.
Corn on the cob the sweetest of the season. As so frequent, too much quantity of main course (steak tips).

Overall: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 7/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 7/10
Jul 06, 2021
Margaret K.
It was a treat to have freshly cook food. The meatballs were soft and delicious. The ambiance was not the same as the old Summa in full operation, but nice.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 4/10
Ambience: 7/10
Value: 8/10
May 18, 2021
kendall v.
The staff does an amazing job under the circumstance shut wait staff need training in the basics of table setting, placement of dishes and removal, checking back to resolve missing item sets. This is a basic responsibility of dining managers and NIT. the fault of the new wait staff. Managers need to provide such training and ivremrsufht, otherwise wait staff will become frustrated and quit. Customers will vent their frustrations wherever sbdctobwhomever they can.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 9/10
May 14, 2021
Howard J.
Would like more menu options as it was before. Also, missing the ice cream. Otherwise, it was apparent that the wait staff was being very diligent about their making the dinner a wonderful experience for all of us.

Overall: 8/10
Food: 6/10
Service: 9/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
May 08, 2021
HENRY S.
NICE TO BACK IN SUMMA. WINE - NICE, NO BREAD, SALT AND PEPPER ON REQUEST, COD NOT HOT, OR EVEN WARM. WE ASKED TO ORDER OR BUY A CAKE TO CELEBRATE A 93RD BIRTHDAY. COULD NOT DO - CAKE WAS ALREADY ON THE MENU. CAKE WITH 1 CANDLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE TABLE AND HAPPLY BIRTHDAY SUNG. WE KNOW THIS WAS FIRST WEEK BUT . . . MAYBE BREAD, ICE CREAM AND A 'SPECIAL' AS OFFERED IN BISTRO ARE COMING. WILL TRY AGAIN A WEEK OR TWO.

Overall: 7/10
Food: 9/10
Service: 6/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Mar 27, 2022
Guus D.
Server needs more training on placing orders in front of diners and removing dishes.

Overall: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 7/10
Sep 13, 2021
june h.
Excellent service Lovely table food looked appetizing Vegetable meal had to be returned as being tasteless. Was done by wait staff very helpfully My jumbalaya was tasty and the shrimp was fine

Overall: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 10/10
Ambience: 10/10
Value: 7/10
Sep 12, 2021
Thomas and May C.
Wait staff are extraordinary in the face of increased volume and turnover, Sam n particular is an absolute delight and so responsive and efficient! The dinner was very tasty and cooked just right. Love having bread, again. A couple of suggestions to improve quality of food in general: (1)veggies continue to be over cooked (example: on Sat, roasted asparagus limp, wrinkled, no color). (2) too much gravy over main dish (example, Sat barley and Cornish hen drowning in gravy) (3) increase variety of entrees, on w/e in particular.. “Make your own hamburger” would be a great change on Sun delivered menu: currently chili, dry staler chicken, lamb etc like eating in cafeteria food.

Overall: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 9/10
Value: 7/10
May 12, 2021
Carol R.
Sent some comments to Rob Fox.