Sophia's Grotto
22 Birch Street, Roslindale, MA 02131
(617) 323-4595
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Roslindale is certainly one happening place these days. This Boston neighborhood has had its downtown spruced up to the point that it now has one of the most attractive centers in all of Boston. And one outcome of these changes is an influx of top restaurants that rival the best dining spots in Boston. From the outstanding Village Sushi to the quirky Birch Street Bistro to the highly-rated Italian restaurant Delfino, this neighborhood has become a true destination for lovers of fine food.
Add to the list one more Roslindale restaurant that should be on your short list of places to dine: Sophia's Grotto is the fun, intimate, cozy type of trattoria that is an equally good choice for a first date, a night out with friends, or an evening with the kids. This Mediterranean restaurant, which tends to place a slight emphasis on Northern Italian cuisine, shares a courtyard with several other restaurants, including the aforementioned Birch Street Bistro and Village Sushi. Indeed, the only way in to Sophia's Grotto is through the courtyard, so it is quite easy to overlook. The interior of the restaurant is all exposed brick, with dark nooks for quiet conversation, and views of the courtyard, which is a great spot on a warm summer night (and is mostly protected from the wind by the surrounding buildings).
While the atmosphere alone is enough for one to fall in love with Sophia's Grotto, the food here gives you yet another reason to consider this a special restaurant. The Boston lettuce salad, for instance, has a tremendously complex mix of sweet, savory, salty, and zesty tastes coming from the golden raisins, walnuts, blue cheese, and apple cider vinaigrette; the paella is hearty and delicious, with a richly savory red sauce that gets soaked up by the rice; the ziti boscaiola has fresh prosciutto, just the right combination of garlic and mushrooms, and a number of tasty spices; and the wood-fired pizzas have a slight char on the bottom of the crust from the high heat, and some of the topping combinations are simply wonderful (the Torino pizza, for instance, has an earthy mix of oyster, shitake, and portabella mushrooms along with truffle oil and fontina and mozzarella cheese). Sophia's Grotto also features a number of small plates, including bruschetta, artichoke hearts, mixed olives, meatballs made with pork, veal, and beef, and poblano peppers stuffed with ricotta cheese. The restaurant has a decent wine list for those of you who like a bottle of red or white with your meal, and some outstanding beers, including Chimay and Duvel. Desserts include tiramisu, cannoli, and chocolate mousse.
Roslindale Village has certainly come a long way over the years, and suffice it to say, it has some real destination spots for restaurants, including Sophia's Grotto. Make sure you give this restaurant a try before the rest of the world finds it.
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