Pasta al fresco at Piattini Wine Cafe
Whenever I visit Boston, I make it a point to leave room in my schedule for a stroll up and down Newbury Street in the Back Bay neighborhood. It's so easy to lose yourself when you're surrounded by the eclectic mix of shops and restaurants housed in the beautifully historic 19th-century brownstones that line the street. For a brief time, I can imagine that I really do live in my favorite city.
When Stephen and I went to Boston back in May, we checked into our hotel and then walked over to Newbury Street in search of a late lunch/early dinner before heading to Fenway Park for the Red Sox game. It was an absolutely gorgeous afternoon, so we focused on the restaurants that offered al fresco dining so we could enjoy the weather and get in some people-watching. Before long, we found ourselves sitting outside at a table at Piattini Wine Cafe.
As usual, I had a little trouble deciding what to eat. Everything on the lunch menu sounded delicious, from the assortment of hot and cold piattini ("small plates") to the variety sandwiches to the extensive list of pasta dishes. I saved myself from analysis paralysis by making furtive side glances at the plates on the tables near us.
What was everyone else eating?
It appeared as if at least one person at each table was eating the Ziti con Pollo ($7.95). Generous pieces of sauteed chicken and broccoli were tossed with ziti and then dressed with a lemon garlic white wine cream sauce. The chicken was moist and had tremendous flavor from being seasoned in its own right, and the broccoli was cooked just the way I like it -- tender with a satisfying crunch. The freshness from the lemon juice kept the sauce surprisingly light, which I wholeheartedly appreciated since I was about to spend the next few hours sitting in the ballpark. Paired with a glass of crisp white wine, the Ziti con Pollo made the perfect meal.
Our trip to Boston was off to a good start.
If only the Red Sox had managed to pull out the win...
Piattini Wine Cafe
226 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 536-2020 | Map
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