Vecchia-Roma

Small portions? Try the Zuppa di Pesce. My wife and I always take half home and split it for lunch the next day. I've never seen so much seafood in a bowl for one. The food is excellent, and offers Boston diners a more Italian dining experience than what they would typically find in the North End. This explains both the ban on tap water and what Annabella found as small portions. Perhaps a request for toasted bread crumbs on the seafood might fall favorably on the ears of the chef, although I have not tried this. He's really a jovial sort who puts up with my feeble Italian (and really appreciates any attempt). The first time we went, a small glass of peach grappa came with the check for each of us. I keep forgetting to ask him where I can find some of that--although my wife's suspicion is that it was homemade. They expanded the restaurant into the space next door a few months back, so there is a lot more seating. This hasn't affected the service as far as we have seen. One side affect is that we do see less of the chef than we used to, but the new staff are quite competent and helpful. We've never had to wait when we made reservations. The desserts are typically Italian, in that most little trattorias and such in Italy serve premade confections from Bindi. They have a nice selection at Vecchia Roma, but someone at the table should get the tiramisu--it's homemade. If you have to go to the North End, try the Maloreddus at Maurizio's. But you don't have to go that far. more

I'm Italian-American, married into an Italian family, and travel to Italy frequently. People think I'm nuts, but I really do not like the North End and think it is very difficult to find a good Italian dinner in Boston (Providence is much better). Vecchia Roma, however, does not disappoint. Yes, the portions are sometimes a little small. Yes, it's annoying that they refuse to give you tap water (very much like in Italy). And yes, it is super duper annoying that they will not allow you to put grated cheese on your seafood (I KNOW Italians don't put cheese on seafood, but I still think it tastes better this way). Their seafood risotto is superb (I like to have leftovers so I can take it home and put my own cheese on it). The gnocchi are very good (so many places mess those up), as are the ravioli. The meat specials are always good. Desserts vary on different days, but they are often excellent. The place is very small, so there is often a long wait, especially for a table for two. I give the place 5 stars for the food, but 3 stars for the experience (the wait and the cheese issue), so a 4 overall. more