-- Boston's Hidden Restaurants --

Bocelli's

374 Main Street, Medford, MA 02155
(781) 396-7070 Find location!

Photo of Bocellis, Medford, MA When DePasquale Brothers in South Medford closed its doors awhile back, Medford lost a true classic; this was an Italian restaurant that looked like it was out of a movie set, with red and white tablecloths, photos of Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Rocky Marciano, and others adorning the walls of the basement room, and heaps of old-fashioned Italian food like you might find at home. Yes, it seemed like yet another unique Boston restaurant was gone for good. Fortunately, however, another terrific restaurant has taken over DePasquale's old location, and not only has Bocelli's kept the old-world atmosphere, but it has quite possibly surpassed DePasquale's in food quality. It is once again a happy day in the wonderful old close-knit neighborhood of South Medford.

Walk into Bocelli's and you will find a similarly intriguing layout to DePasquale's. The main floor looks like a pizza place (perhaps because it is!), fooling many a patron into thinking that Bocelli's is a simple sub shop. Not so...if you look to the right when entering, there is a steep, winding staircase that leads to a cozy, romantic basement dining room, where full Italian dinners are served. And what dinners they have at Bocelli's; simply amazing veal saltimboca, delicious chicken parmigiana, and, yes, superior Italian-style pizza. Bocelli's also offers huge Caesar salads, and hearty Italian soups such as pasta fagioli. The meals at Bocelli's are very full plates, so be prepared to take half of your meal home.

This writer has many sentimental memories of DePasquale's, including countless family dinners and many trips from work during lunch hour. All I can say is, thanks, Bocelli's, for maintaining the special atmosphere of your predecessor, while somehow upping the quality of the cuisine to a level that should have lovers of old-fashioned Italian food take notice.