Trattoria Toscana - rez policy and web site??
We were hoping to try Trattoria Toscana on Saturday night for Mr. Rabbit's birthday. However, I read on another board that they don't take reservations... and I can't find a web site. So:
1) does TT have a web site?
2) what is their reservation policy?
3) if indeed they have a no rez policy how long should we expect to wait on a Saturday night?
Bonus questions:
We're admittedly not very good at standing in line (and especially on his birthday I'd rather not spend 45 minutes crammed into a crowded vestibule)... so would the wait be worthwhile? And if you think not, can anyone suggest a similarly delicious and charming Ital alternative?
Many thanks in advance -
Rab-bit!
-
BostonZest
Jan 20, 2009 06:39 AM
We don't mind dining early so we go at opening and often meet a group of friends there at 5 pm. They had some new desserts on Saturday- a chocolate cake and a panacotta. We had the cake and were pleased.
Wouldn't it be great if the new Thai place (going in where Brown Sugar was) has a bar? Then we could wait across the street.
›3 Replies-
re: BostonZest
justbeingpolite
Jan 21, 2009 09:18 AM
They don't have a website, but here's a link to the menu, can't vouch for its age:
http://www.menupix.com/menudirectory/...-
re: justbeingpolite
MC Slim JB
Jan 21, 2009 09:57 AM
That menu looks very close to one I saw at TT just a few weeks ago, prior to their holiday break.
-
re: justbeingpolite
BostonZest
Jan 21, 2009 01:38 PM
That one is a little behind. I have the Fall 2008 menu posted on BostonZest
-
-
-
MC Slim JB
Jan 20, 2009 05:12 AM
I think it's worth the wait. If I happen to go at a particularly busy time, I will put my name in, get an estimate on the wait (they're pretty good at it), and walk over a couple of blocks to the bar at Church to wait it out with a glass of wine or a cocktail. Much nicer than the curb in this weather.
›10 Replies-
re: MC Slim JB
finlero
Jan 20, 2009 06:55 AM
I absolutely love Trattoria Toscana. Tuscan food in the States is so often made into an Event that it's a pleasure to find an unpretentious neighborhood storefront turning out real, soulful, regional Italian.
--BUT--
Having said that, if you're not familiar with this regional style of cooking, or are expecting an all-out dining revelation, you may be disappointed, especially if you have to wait a long time. Here, for example, is a link to a post by a self-proclaimed "Italian foodie" who made the trek from Western MA, expecting the sun and stars and finding him/herself disappointed:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/523192
I respectfully disagree with a lot of the content of the post, but my point here is that actual mileage may vary.
One alternative I might suggest is Gran Gusto in Huron Village, Cambridge. The menu skews a bit more Neapolitan, but the price point is similar, the cooking is prodigious (the pizze are perhaps the best I've had outside Italy), they take reservations, and there's free parking.
-
re: finlero
MC Slim JB
Jan 20, 2009 10:50 AM
That Hound's big point seemed to be that because the menu includes some dishes that aren't Tuscan (as in most of the pastas), it fails all around as a Tuscan restaurant. I frankly wasn't impressed by the alleged familiarity with Tuscan cuisine that poster displayed. I like to compare Tuscan cuisine with Cantonese: you praise the chef for restraint and willingness to let quality ingredients shine on their own.
Based on my own limited experience, I'd say Kociaj gets the Tuscan dishes exactly right. Stretching a bit beyond that geography for some dishes doesn't sap the authenticity of the actual Tuscan ones, in my book.
-
re: MC Slim JB
finlero
Jan 20, 2009 01:01 PM
I completely agree. Regardless of the dreaded authenticity question (and I'm with you, I think it's pretty darn authentic), I certainly consider Trattoria Toscana one of the most chowish Italian restaurants in town; it's small, tucked-away, reasonably priced, distinctive, and consistently delicious.
Rabbit's "would the wait be worthwhile" question is a little tougher to answer. I'm sure there are people who would drive across the city, wait 90 minutes for a table, and love it. Personally, although I'm not quite there, it just about epitomizes my idea of a perfect weeknight dinner out.
-
-
re: finlero
we really enjoyed dining at TT, but we haven't been in years now. we would almost certainly go much more often if they took reservations. it's a pain to get to via public transit from where we are, and parking in that neighborhood is terrible, so it's really hard to get motivated to make the plans & commitment to go and then face a really long line. in fact, we say we're going probably once every 3 months or so, and then change our minds the evening of for essentially this reason.
if it were the only game in town, that would be one thing--but, good and charming as it is, that's just not the case.
-
-
-
re: finlero
-
-
-
re: jajjguy
galleygirl
Jan 20, 2009 04:46 PM
Ah, I was wondering... Had some fabulous pizza from there, and saw a few sit-down tables where people were getting some surprisingly well-drawn dishes from what is basically a little storefront...
-
re: galleygirl
beetlebug
Jan 21, 2009 05:27 AM
Village Kitchen is standard takeout for us. It's pretty good for what it is but not worth a special trip. But, if you're in the neighborhood already and need a place to sit and eat (v. takeout at Formaggio), it hits the spot.
I'm also partial to their eggplant parm sandwiches.
-
-
-
-
-
-
