-- Boston's Hidden Restaurants --

Sophia's Grotto

22 Birch Street, Roslindale, MA 02131
(617) 323-4595 Find location!

Photo of Sophia's Grotto, Roslindale, MA 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 intriguing American bistro NuVo to the highly-rated Italian restaurant and Delfina, 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 a 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 easy to overlook. The interior of the restaurant is all exposed brick, views of the courtyard, and dark nooks for quiet conversation. In fact, Sophia's Grotto has what we consider one of the nicest interiors of all dining spots on Boston's Hidden Restaurants.

While the atmosphere alone is enough for one to fall in love with Sophia's Grotto, the Mediterranean food here gives you yet another reason to consider this a special restaurant. The paella, for instance, is hearty and delicious; and the ziti boscaiola has fresh prosciutto, just the right combination of garlic and mushrooms, and a number of tasty spices. And Sophia's has a decent wine list for those of you who like a bottle of red or white with your meal. Desserts? We don't know, as the portions were fairly substantial, but there's always next time or the time after that. Suffice it to say, Roslindale has yet another winner in Sophia's Grotto; make sure you give this restaurant a try before the rest of the world finds it.