Pescatore Seafood - Somerville

[typhoonfish]

For my mother's birthday we decided to head to Pescatore Seafood in Somerville. Boston magazine named it best inexpensive seafood restaurant. We were also excited because my mother's maiden name is Pescatore and her family is originally from Somerville.
It's in Ball Square and there is limited parking. Add to the fact that there were a number of people outside speaking italian and we had a great feeling that we found a local authentic italian seafood restaurant.

The dining room itself was fine except they have big door looking right outside onto an old fence and the back kitchen area. You'd think they'd throw up two big curtains so you wouldn't have to look at that back messy area. They room probably holds 15 tables so it's cozy. The wine list is very inexpensive. We ordered a Barbaresco for $44 and another white for around the same price. The Barbaresco would've been $80 elsewhere.

For appetizers we ordered Antipasto for 6 people and two orders calamari. The antipasto came out and was very very good. We were wondering what happened to our calamari. The waitress came running out after 15 minutes with our first order of calamari and was very apologetic. By this time we knew that our entrees would be out soon so we had to cancel our second order. Why wouldn't you have done both orders of calamari at the same time?

A few minutes later our first entrees started trickling out. First came the pasta eaters. Some of the group didn't eat seafood. The pasta was cold, obviously they had plated it early and waited for some of the other entrees. Then a few fish dishes came out and 15 minutes later the final dish came out. 15 minutes is unacceptable. The waitress was really nice. She knew the kitchen had screwed up and she hustled every time another entree came out. The
seafood main courses were enjoyed by everyone. The swordfish salad was fresh and the haddock Pescatore was good. The pasta eaters were not impressed. In hindsight they should have sent them back but they were afraid to lose another 15 minutes . I'd give it one more try, it's similar to the average North End places but it's half the price.

The Good
The cheap wine list
The waitress - she hustled.
The cheap entree prices

The Bad
They obviously couldn't keep up with a packed restaurant
The food was average. Better than the North End average places for half of the price.
Parking was tough (although free)

[Bob Dobalina]

Thanks for the report. I have been there a bunch pre-expansion and once since the expanded dining room opened. I have to admit that I was concerned that the place would not be able to keep up with the bigger headcount, and I am sorry to hear that was your experience. I have to say that the food for me has been above average - which pasta dishes did you order? I think the seafood amalfi with the tomato sauce is my favorite dish, but if it came out cold, obviously, would not be good.