Spaghetti dinner - Wakefield Area?

[tryanything]

After so many years of going to different places I'm drawing a blank if asked to recommend a place that does the basics well - good sauce, meatballs, cutlets or sausage. I'm still surprised by how many places use the frozen meatballs we can all get at Costco.

Can anybody think of a place they consistently go to if they just want a basic spaghetti dinner done well? Thanks

[powerfulpierre]

These are some great posts!. I agree that Molise is "good enough to get by" but not great. Gaetano's and Angelo's are very good, but Angelo's is a bit light on the ambiance.
Little Italy used to be on Albion Street in Wakefield. I'm not sure if it is still there but my two experiences were very good.
Our local italian comfort food place is Polcari's on Montvale Ave. in Woburn. It's not like Polcari's in the North End but it is consistent and very enjoyable.
If you want to take a 15 minute ride, and believe me it's worth it, go to Vinny's on Broadway in Somerville. Just off Rt 93. During the day they have the best subs in the world, and nights they open the back room for the most wonderful homemade style Italian food.

[chompie]

meffababe, which place are you talking about?

[tallullah]

She responded to saridt, so I would guess she's talking about Ristorante Molise.

[saridt]

Ristorante Molise in Wakefield has always been very good --I love their chicken cutlets & sauce. I must admit, I never bother ordering meatballs anywhere because I will never like them as much as my own (or my mom's or grandma's!)

[gini]

I didn't love Ristornte Molise when I ate there last November. Thought everything was good enough to get you by, but not good enough to return again. The pastas fared much better than the appetizers and salads.

[tryanything]

I have to admit, I forgot about Molise. If you had a bad experience there, I'd urge you to give it another chance because every meal I've had there has always been much better than average and often exceptional. I would add that they are also very good people and very charitable to every cause that knocks on their door. I know it's not a food factor, but it is part of the equation in my mind when I patronize places.

[chompie]

Early bird at Molise is good too.. I was looking for Italian in the area too.. its hard to come by.. We ended up at Capri in Reading. Its a nice, casual , comfy place with standard Italian and very nice waitstaff. I think the prices have gotten out of hand for what they are.. eg eggplant parm for 13$ but I guess thats getting to be the case for regular old Italian. They took my favorites off the menu and I havent tried some of the new pastas. Hubby likes the red sauce a lot but its a bit piquant for me.. not sure if its just tart tomatoes or what. The pizza is decent old fashioned italian pizza. Once again, the sauce is the issue. If you like a saucy pizza, heavy on the oregano and a crust that can be a bit chewy, you will like it a lot. Pretty much like trhe pizza we all mostly grew up on. I tend to like pizza lighter on sauce and crust, but depends on your taste. So do the European owners still own Gaetanos? Oh, also in Stoneham, theres a place called Bruschetta which is very casual, a take out place with some seats and a tv, although they have a bit of decor and they have a pretty good menu and decent standard italian and pizza. Otherwise you can do ok further north at Nick and Tonys in Danvers (same company as Luigis in Bedford/Waltham and Jimmys steakhouse, and very good food a bit more upscale at Toscana in Peabody. Very nice owners and really good homemade meals and complimentary after dinner cordials. Calitri makes good homemade pasta, especially the angelhair. I have loved them consistently for pizza and italian, but last couple times were a bit iffy so not sure now, but worth a check out. Tony Pillas in the holiday inn in woburn is actually better than you might think. Kind of heavy handed cooking, huge portions but everything is fresh. Kind of feel the same way about Vinny Testas in the Lib Mall. If you want funkier Italian, try La Strega Nona (Fiorentino) in Woburn. Crazy gourmet expensive menu. Love their bruschetta which is often given out as their bread. I am still trying to find the perfect sauces around here... Actually my favorite red sauce right now is Spinellis take out on Rte 1 in Lynnefield. Its really tasty, non acidic, mild and addictive. Bring some home and grab a pastry while you are there, although I think those look better than they taste.. they're ok. Of all the places, i think the eggplant parm is best at Toscanas and Felicias (been a while though) and the eggplant sub at Sam and Joes in Danversport is great, but not big on their other stuff.

[BostonBarGuy]

Yes, The European owners still own Gaetano's.

[Trixie Too]

La Strega Nona? Is that La Stanza Diva? On Main Street? Or is it a different place?

[chompie]

sorry, yes La Stanza Diva..
Also, thanks tallulah, i didnt even realize that it says who the replies are for on our posts!! So i could be Molise or Georgie D, since sardit mentioned both! We just went back to Toscanas in Peabody and I still think its a great place. The pizza can vary a little but it was at its Regina-like best and they are so nice and accomodating. They made me shrimp and broc w/ angelhair and cream sauce(just added 3 bucks to sub lots shrimp for chicken and penne dish). and the entertainment is a nice bonus..

[MeffaBabe]

I have to agree with this pick. This place is great and the portions are huge... great fresh ingredients... a must try.

[tryanything]

I'm telling you - the people on this site are the best. Thanks for the recommendations.

[hiddenboston]

Hmmmm, maybe head down to Medford to Giuseppi's or Pasta Lina's? They do the basics really well.

Or head over to Stoneham to Felicia's. A few people I know love the place, though I haven't been yet.

Or you could go to Kitty's in North Reading (I personally wouldn't, though!). Kitty's takes old-school to a new extreme, so it's definitely not for everyone.

[tryanything]

Thank you. I've appreciated your help before. I'll check out Medford. I've hesitated to go back to Felicia's since I didn't enjoy my one experience there a few years ago. Probably unfair on my part, everybody can have a bad night. As for Kitty's - I go often just for the antipasto, which is one of the best. Pizza is ok, but that's as far as I would go with the menu. Everything else leans to the greasy side which I think means lower quality meat.

[BostonBarGuy]

Have you tried Gaetano's in Stoneham. The owners used to own the European in the North End.

[mcel215]

Try Angelo's in Stoneham. Make sure you go on the casual side, great pizza, cutlets, sauce and spaghetti.
Also E & G sells a bucket of homemade spaghetti and meatballs(take-out) for $10.
I haven't been since they moved over to the corner of Main & Forest (I think it's Forest), but I am sure they still have it.

[RoyRon]

I second Felicia's in Stoneham for good basic Italian American fare. In addition to the usual spaghetti and meatballs I really like their Zuppa de Vongole which is a large bowl of cherrystone clams steamed in marinara sauce. The clams are always nice and fresh and sopping up the sauce with bread after the clams have been steamed in it is treat. There is also a brand new place also in Stoneham called Georgie D's which is on Rte 28 (Main St.) about 1/2 mile beyond Felicia's. I haven't tried it yet but it always looks very busy when I drive by.

[saridt]

My cousin had Georgie D's cater our Easter dinner yesterday & what I had --antipasto, eggplant parm, asparagus salad --was very good.