Antonia’s Italian Bistro
37 Davis Sq
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 623-6700
While menu at this Davis Square trattoria is as small as the establishment itself, don’t let that fool you because the food is as good as what you’d find at any Northend eatery without paying for parking. While not an actually “open” the glass partitioned kitchen not only makes the restaurant feel bigger but lets you watch the chefs as the fool around while cooking your food. Even though its small, this is a great date place especially if you go on a non-weekend night when its less crowded. Regardless of what night you go, I encourage you to and then stop by for a little dessert at its next door neighbor, J. P. Licks
While the ambiance may get you in the door, the food is what will keep you coming back for more. With its small size, Antonia’s defines intimate eating as on its busier nights you really feel as if you’re sitting on your neighbors. The open kitchen and the amusing antics of chefs create a little dinner entertainment and make the small restaurant feel larger than its 12 tables.
The Food
What defines this restaurant is its attention to detail in the food it prepares. By focusing on the real reason why you walked in the door, good homemade Italian fare, they’ll have you coming back for more and soon. So when you do make sure you check out the following dishes:
Lobster Ravioli
The Lobster Ravioli has more meat than many twin lobster specials I’ve enjoyed. Wrapped in a vodka cream sauce, the ravioli balances between light fare and full blown carbo-load. Many restaurants stuff their ravioli with more breadcrumbs than lobster or worse still use imitation lobster, but not here.
Stuffed Shrimp
Although its another “stuffed” dish, the premise behind the Stuffed Shrimp is the same,
