Alfresco

[buckturgidsen.livejournal.com]

Quick plug for Alfresco, the Italian restaurant in the former 'Out of the Blue' location on Highland Ave (Cutter St, near When Pigs Fly). I ate there for the first time this weekend, taking my wife and two kids, and was very pleasantly surprised. I say 'surprised' mainly because whenever I walk past it never looks like they're doing a ton of business. I hope more people give it a chance, it's a great little place!

Brief review: It's a small, low-key, no-nonsense, relatively cheap, family restaurant. The food is tasty, the staff is nice, they serve wine and beer, and it's a great value for the money. A lot of people (see www.yelp.com/biz/alfresco-somerville) have raved about the brunch -- I've never tried it but my wife tells me it's better than Sound Bites. It's definitely not gourmet food (try Craigie St Bistrot or Oleana) and -- like the old Out of the Blue -- it's a bit lacking in atmosphere/charm. But for people looking for a nice, straightforward neighborhood restaurant to add to the rotation, definitely give it a try.

Comments

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

Another (perhaps temporary?) benefit to the brunch is that, for some unknown reason, they don't seem to be as busy with a line out the door on weekends like Soundbites--from what I've heard, getting seated is relatively quick.

I've only heard good things about this place...

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Ooh, even more reason to try it soon. beowabbit and I go to The Burren when we don't want to wait. This gives us another no-line option, at least temporarily.

[duffless2323.livejournal.com]

I'm a firm believer that the greatest breakfast in all of somerville is the Breakfast sandwich at Magnificent Muffin in Teele Sq. It's not sit down, but DAMN!

[georgy.livejournal.com]

I got seated very quick the one time I went there for brunch, but it took FOREVER for the (very good) food to come out. And the servers weren't very attentive. I went there for dinner once when they had only recently opened and found it alright. I'd go back, though, definitely.

[duffless2323.livejournal.com]

I don't understand the appeal of Sound Bites, especially to locals. Sure the food is good, but getting treated like crap by the owner is not my idea of customer service. The "soup nazi" like charm doesn't do anything for me, and from my understanding his business practices have been described to me as unethical at best. Sorry Sound Bites, no money from me!

[ronhaha108.livejournal.com]

I haven't had the "soup nazi" treatment since they moved from the old location...