-- Boston's Hidden Restaurants --

Pescatore

158 Boston Avenue, Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 623-0003 Find location!

Photo of Pescatore, Somerville, MA The neighborhoods near the Somerville/Medford border are home to a number of Italian restaurants, including some good ones in South Medford Square, Magoun Square, and Ball Square. This last spot, however, might cause some to scratch their heads, as upon first glance there does not seem to be an Italian restaurant anywhere in the neighborhood. Look again, though, and you may just see a nearly invisible dining spot on a mostly residential side street that is actually an extension of Boston Avenue, a thoroughfare that cuts through both Medford and Somerville. This restaurant--Pescatore--is indeed one of Somerville's best-kept secrets, and one that even some locals don't know about.

Pescatore really doesn't look like much from the outside, and in fact may be mistaken for a takeout joint, as the section of the restaurant that is first seen is just that. But a small sign points to the right, where there is a separate entrance leading to a small dining room that is actually rather appealing with pastel colored walls, warm lighting, a tiled floor, white tablecloths, and soft music in the background. The dining area only has a handful of tables, but since Pescatore is such an unknown spot, it isn't all that difficult to get seated right away, especially on a weeknight.

The menu at Pescatore leans a bit more toward seafood than other Italian restaurants nearby, but also has plenty of pasta, veal, chicken, and steak dishes. Appetizers include a wonderfully light arancini dish which includes two lightly fried arborio rice balls filled with mozzarella cheese, meat sauce, and peas and served with an outstanding marinara sauce. There are also several salad options (including a mesclun and a caesar), clam chowder, and shrimp scampi. For entrees, the haddock Americano is tough to beat; the rather substantial piece of haddock is sauteed in a nice mix of olive oil, white wine, and garlic, and is topped with lots of breadcrumbs. For those who wish for something other than seafood, the fettuccine bolognese includes tender and slightly chewy egg noodles that are made from scratch, and served with a delicious homemade meat sauce. Other dishes include seafood risotto, linguini with clams, gnocchi, grilled swordfish, steak tips, veal toscana, chicken picatta, and calamari. Sides include a bitter but tasty broccoli rabe as well as sauteed spinach, grilled veggies, and porcini mushroom risotto. Several desserts can also be ordered at Pescatore, including tiramisu and sorbet. Prices for most items on the menu are extremely reasonable, with nearly all entrees costing under $20.

Pescatore would have been in the running for best Italian restaurant of 2008 on our site had it been reviewed just a little earlier. But as it stands, this friendly little spot will certainly be in the running for best Italian restaurant sometime in the future, based on the outstanding food, low prices, and "hidden" factor. It may be an unknown place outside of Ball Square, but Pescatore is undoubtedly a place worth seeking out if you love Italian food, or seafood for that matter.