Trattoria Toscana Review - Tuscan in Fenway

Trattoria Toscana is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Boston. Well Tuscan to be specific. The only downside is that they don't take reservations and the wait can get pretty long. Just go early or on a weekday (like we did last week)!

The interior is cute and cozy as you can see in the photo below (L). We started off with a caprese appetizer (R).



The food here is generally homey and casual but delicious. The pasta isn't drenched in oil and the portions are just the right size. European? For mains, I got the cod fish spaghetti while P got the tripe dish. The spaghetti was so al dente. I loved it. I know it's not hard to make al dente pasta, but few restaurants get it just right. I also liked stealing pieces of tripe. It seems to have been stewed for hours and was melt in your mouth yummy!



They don't have much of a selection for desserts on weekdays so we passed. The only option available on Thursday was tiramisu though I've heard it's good!

Chomp Meter:
Highly recommended in my books. This is a great authentic place for Italian food (not Italian American). The atmosphere is romantic and the prices are cheap too at about $15-$20 a dish. Eat well and date well in this down economy! hehe

Trattoria Toscana
130 Jersey St
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 247-9508

Dinner at Petit Robert Bistro - Fall Menu Review

I read on The Passionate Foodie about Petit Robert Bistro's new fall menu. The foie gras and frog legs really caught my eye so another visit was in order. We usually go to the Fenway location when the Red Sox aren't playing at home.

To start off, we shared the pan seared foie gras with grape appetizer. This dish was decadent, absolutely delicious, and went perfectly with the grapes! (The last time I had foie gras was at Clio which was frankly quite disappointing.)

For mains, I got the frog legs and P got the scallops. Both were good though I think they forgot to add salt to my frog legs. It wasn't a disaster for me however since the other flavors were good and it was easily fixed with some salt. I find that I am little more forgiving when the prices are reasonable and Petite Robert fits the bill ;) Mains run between $15 and $20.

Dessert was the Petite Robert Chocolate Gâteau with the cute Eiffel Tower. We've been here several times and for some reason have never gotten the cake. I had to this time, more for the novelty of a chocolate Eiffel Tower than anything!

Top: Foie Gras (L) Golden Brown Florida Frog’s Legs Provençale (R)
Bottom: U10 Scallops Parisienne in their Shell (L) Chocolate Gâteau Petit Robert (R)




Chomp Meter:
Good food, reasonable prices!

See an older review of Petite Robert Bistro.


Petit Robert Bistro (Fenway)
468 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA02215
617-375-0699

Petit Robert Bistro (South End)
480 Columbus Avenue
Boston MA 02118
617 867 0600

Leisurely Brunch Places

I resisted merging my Blogger with Google Account to the detriment of this blog. Turns out I really didn't have a choice...

Anyhoo my latest obsession is slow weekend brunches where you can sip a latte or mimosa (if you're in the mood) and chill with friends or catch up on the week's news. Here are my favorite finds, coincidentally all French. There're no long lines so you won't feel the pressure to leave!

---Gaslight---
Gaslight is in the South End. You can take a stroll after breakfast here to the cute little stores around. And the other great part is there's free parking in a big lot next to the restaurant. This is my favorite of the three!

Oeufs Poches Vignerrone with red wine sauce, jambon cuie and mushrooms. This was good but a tad too vinegary.

Yum, especially the fries. Croque-Monsieur with ham, gruyēre and bechamel:

Gaslight
560 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
617 422 0224

---Petite Robert---
There're 2 locations now. One in the South End and the original in Kenmore Square. Save room for dessert!

Petite Robert Bistro
468 Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02228
(617) 375-0699

---Eastern Standard ---
I would not recommend going to Eastern Standard when there's a Sox game since it's near Fenway. Great place otherwise with outdoor seating in the summer. Here's a photo of my yummy poached egg salad with sweet breads. The only complaint about this place is portions run small.

Eastern Standard
528 Commonwealth Avenue
Kenmore Square
Boston, MA
617 532 9100

Chomp Meter: I'll definitely be back to any of these places. Would love to try dinner at Gaslight too!

Fenway Restaurant Guide

It's summer time and the Red Sox are playing! Where does one go before or after the game for a good meal? On the other hand, f you are looking to avoid the crowds, don't head to these restaurants if a Sox game is on. Parking will also be hard to find.


Eastern Standard - French bistro food and yummy cocktails! Get the roasted bone marrow. Yum!


Petit Robert Bistro - Similar french bistro spot.

Trattoria Toscana - Small restaurant that serves great Tuscan (Italian) food! They don't take reservations so go there early if you don't want to wait. SO had an extremely unpleasant experience with the service here, so just a warning :P