Mezzo Mare
265 Nantasket Avenue, Hull, MA 02045
(781) 925-0584
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Picture an intimate Italian bistro in an old sea shack, complete with a stone fireplace, three weathered old rooms (plus a tiny private area), and a mix of Northern and Southern Italian entrees that are fresh, satisfying, and reasonably priced. Now try to picture walking into such a place on a Saturday night without reservations. Impossible to picture? Believe it or not, there is a cozy little Italian restaurant in Hull that fits this description. It is called Mezzo Mare, and it is undoubtedly among the most well-hidden dining spots featured on Boston's Hidden Restaurants.
The seaside town of Hull, MA has quite a history; it more or less went from a bustling resort in the early twentieth century to a near ghost town not too long ago. However, many people don't realize that Hull is making an impressive comeback, with an oceanfront hotel and a smattering of new businesses. Interesting restaurants have been opening up along the main strip and elsewhere in town, yet they seem to be mostly unknown. Mezzo Mare is one of these under-the-radar places, which is a shame in a way, since it really is a special dining spot. It resides in an area of town that is easy to overlook, but once inside, it is easy to fall in love with this charming eatery.
The food at Mezzo Mare is on par with some of the best Italian restaurants in the North End of Boston, but with much easier parking (there is a parking lot out back) and prices that are lower than many similar spots in the North End. Some standouts here include the delicious fig, prosciutto, baby spinach, and gorgonzola appetizer that sadly is not offered all the time; a pollo greco plate that includes white-meat chicken and a zesty mix of lemons, tomatoes, basil, olive oil, onions, feta cheese, and pasta; a wonderful seafood risotto with lobster, scallops, and shrimp (this is another dish offered only as a special on some nights); a nicely-textured, creamy, and bright-tasting gnocchi pesto with prosciutto that is yet another item on special, and one that is well worth getting when available; a rich-tasting gorgonzola ravioli with chicken; and a pasta and seafood plate that has scallops, shrimp, prosciutto, and linguine mixed with herbs and spices. A few steak and veal dishes are offered on the menu as well. Beer and wine are available at Mezzo Mare, with the beer list being just a bit limited, while the wine list has a few good choices, including the decent house pinot grigio. A few desserts are offered here, but it is very difficult to leave room for them, as the portion sizes tend to be rather large.
If you don't want to fight the Providence or Boston restaurant crowds on a Saturday night, yet want some outstanding Italian food, you might want to head down to Hull and check out Mezzo Mare. The restaurant is an ideal place to come to on a warm summer night when the sea salt is in the air and the breezes are coming in off the water. It is places like this that help make the coastal sections of the South Shore so appealing to diners.
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