B-Day Wine & Dine @ Antonio’s Cucina Italiana

We celebrated my wife’s __th birthday @ Antonio’s Cucina Italiana, a little known, (to me anyway) but Zagat rated restaurant in Boston.  I say little known, because  it is not in the North End – if you know Boston at all you know that Boston’s North End is also referred to as Little Italy.  No, Antonio’s is located on Beacon Hill, actually at the foot of Beacon Hill, literally downhill from the State House, in a neighborhood known more for its Federal-style row houses, than its restaurants.

As a party of 6 with a reservation for 5, our table suited for 4 was cramped – but we had the best one in the house with a view of Cambridge Street and Mass General Hospital.

We started with a round of apetizers:  proscuitto, mozzarella, tomatoes, pickled peppers and mushrooms;  Artichocke Principese and a Cesar Salad.   All delicious and washed down nicely with a generous flow of water and a 2007 Farnese Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.   This heavier side of light bodied wine had the aroma of cherries and crabapples – slightly sour, but not an off-putting nose.   The garnet colored wine was fruity on the palate with a touch of spice, and a subtle tartness that provided some balance.  Slick tannins made for a smooth ride down.  This easy going and flowing affordable Italian table wine went nicely with our appetizers and entrees and paired particularly well with cold mozzarella, prosciutto, salami and pickled vegetables.

For the main courses, we had pasta with shrimp and scallops, shrimp cacciatore over linguine and a savory chicken/sausage, vinegar peppers and potatoes dish.  The wine blended pleasantly with the entres like an ingredient.   By the time we ordered dessert the wine was gone, but the food was not – each entre could have fed three!

I have to commend my eldest daughter for selecting the restaurant and making the arrangements.  Not only was the food and company excellent, the bill was reasonable – definitely an affordable night out for a special occasion.

The next time you’re in Boston and have a craving for Italian food, skip the North End and head for the foothills of Beacon Hill and down to Antonio’s.

Salute!