Allora Ristorante
139 Lakeside Avenue (Route 20), Marlborough, MA 01752
(508) 485-4300
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The terms "upscale Mediterranean" and "suburban Boston" don't usually seem to go hand-in-hand, but there is a restaurant in Marlborough that may just change that. Allora Ristorante, a lakeside dining spot located just west of the city center, indeed seems like the kind of place you might find in the South End of Boston or perhaps one of the more restaurant-rich neighborhoods of Cambridge or Brookline. But no, this dining spot is found near the intersection of Routes 20 and 495 about 45 minutes west of Beantown. Don't let the location of Allora fool you, though; this is a place with seriously good eats.
Allora Ristorante is a good-sized restaurant (in this respect, you can tell that you're not dining in Boston proper) and it is made even larger in the warmer months thanks to a comfortable outside deck that affords views of Lake Williams across the street. The waitstaff is both professional and personable, making the rounds through both the classy-looking indoor dining area and the outdoor deck, bringing homemade dishes to patrons that include mostly Mediterranean, Italian, and New American cuisine.
Some of the items that can be found on the menu at Allora include some excellent soups and salads for starters, with the sweet-flavored wedding soup with homemade meatballs being a can't-miss item. The Caesar salad is another dish to consider, as it has a slightly heavier than usual anchovy flavor that goes nicely with the greens and the garlic-flavored croutons. For entrees, the wonderful homemade sausage rapini has loads of flavor (though not much heat) due to the complex mix of herbs and spices. And a gooey, creamy lobster macaroni and cheese can also be ordered at Allora, though be forewarned; it is so filling that you shouldn't expect to save room for dessert. Other dishes of note include hand-rolled ricotta gnocchi, osso bucco (veal chop), grilled lamb, swordfish puttanesca, Mediterranean stuffed salmon, and pork tenderloin medallions over risotto. The beer and wine list is excellent, and desserts are fresh and worth saving room for.
Allora is a terrific option for those in the Metrowest area. It may not have the name recognition that some of its fellow Mediterranean restaurants in Boston proper have, and the prices may seem a bit high to those who are used to paying prices more typical of dining spots in the western suburbs, but for those who love freshly made food served in an upscale environment, Allora Ristorante is certainly an excellent choice for anyone who happens to be in or near Marlborough.
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