authentic italian in Newton

[meathad]

I heard mentioned that there is a small Italian restaurant in Newton that is quite "authentic" (whatever that means). Unfortunately I missed the name. Any ideas?

[silver queen]

Exactly. But I was with a couple of people who wanted to eat there, and I didn't want to make a fuss and make everybody leave, so I was stuck.

I have also heard that they will refuse to put cheese on seafood pastas, if asked. I have heard that Italians don't think that is proper (although I was served sauteed fish atop parmesan rice in Bellagio), but shouldn't the customer be allowed to make that decision for themself?

Sorry for the non-food talk. It does bug me though, because I really do like the food there! But apparently, I'm not going hungry by eating elsewhere..

[missykins]

Yeah, it's either a bad service policy or there is something "wrong" with their tap water - in which case, should you be eating the food there?

I don't know where the no cheese on seafood thing comes from but I like my zuppe di pesce covered in grated cheese. Within reason, you shouldn't really be "refused" anything when you're paying THEM, right? If they physically didn't HAVE cheese on the premises, then fine!

[hiddenboston]

I've heard of restaurants not giving tap water in New York City, but never in Boston. I doubt it's a legal issue, though.

But if a waiter/waitress told me they didn't serve tap water, I'd walk out in a heartbeat. It's kind of an insult, in my opinion.

[Ali G]

Maybe Maria Di Napoli? I have not eaten here but my girlfriend's family has ordered large pans of food from here for parties and say it's very good. They are also off the boat. From the looks of the place, it's counter service, but I could be wrong.

[silver queen]

It is probably Vecchia Roma. It's good and authentic, but their "no tap water" policy really bugs me, so I don't think I'll be back. You have to pay for bottled water, or you get no water. They absolutely will not give you a glass of tap water.

Yeradi's is Italian American and cheap. It's fun to drink and play bocce in their patio out back. The food is not usually horrible or great. The fried calamari with vinegar peppers can be good. The pasta is always overcooked, but stuff like lasagne is OK.

[Joanie]

Is that legal to not give someone tap water if they want it?

[galleygirl]

That's what I thought, too....

[silver queen]

I would think so. But they won't. I went a few years ago, and the waiter said they had issues with the tap water (??!) but gave us a bottle of Aquafina. I went again this spring thinking that surely the 'issues' had been settled. But they just wouldn't give me a glass of water. I had to pay $2 for a bottle or nothing.

I don't want to patronize a place with that attitude, but the food is good and it does seem popular, so apparently that doesn't bother some folks. I thought about asking the city of Newton about that, but then again, why bother? I'm not going back.

[gourmaniac]

The one time we went to Yerardi's, it was awful and as you mentioned, the pasta was way overcooked. I had half a chicken parm sandwich from Victor's in medford in the car, that we devoured AFTER dinner.

[jessicar]

As someone who recently visited Italy for the first time, I can tell you that at least the "no tap water" thing IS authentic, heh. :)

It was a bit of a culture shock for my traveling companion and I, but NO restaurants in Italy server tap water...you've got to pay for bottled water no matter where you go.

(Note, I am not defending this place. This is Newton, not Italy, for crying out loud. Give the patrons some darn water.)

[Blumie]

Tartufo

[Chickpea]

Vecchia Roma?

[gourmaniac]

I remember when Vecchia Roma opened and did only lunch, It seemed quite authentic and very good value. It's now a much bigger menu and not so authentic but still a nice place. I've passed Francesca's but not tried it. What's good there?

[piglet3]

it is a menu of basics which they do very well (veal parm, marsala, piccata), and the specials are usual very good. In addition, my Dad is addicted to their homemade soups in the winter.

[gourmaniac]

Thanks. Though i'm Street is de Pasquales a nice italian deli that cuts mortadella and proscuitto nice and thin for antipasto. They also have dePasquales sausage for sale when the main sausage store on Watertown street is closed.

[piglet3]

Francesca's on Adams Street. Consistently good.

[hiddenboston]

Appetito? Fiorella's? Yerardi's? I haven't been to any of them, but I'm thinking it's one of these three...

[cmd]

I like Appetito, but it's pretty open about being Cal-Ital (I think the phrase used to be on the menu). Yerardi's got horrible recommendations from a co-worker (whose opinion I respect), so I never went. I don't know Fiorella's at all :).