There are things in this life you can count on. There are incontestable, irrefutable laws in this universe that you must trust, like the existence of gravity, that you will lose one of your socks in the dryer, and that the best Italian food in the world is at Mom and Pop restaurants named after a man or a woman.
In Somerville, within site of the towering Scraffts building, stands a small, unassuming supermarket called Vinny's Superette. A yellow sign that proclaims 'Vinny's' was still lit at 9:30pm and the only real evidence that inside this dim store front was culinary greatness. With the steal door gate still left open, we approached with caution, and after opening the door we found not just a jewel but a treasure chest. I COMPLETELY credit the Phantom Gourmet TV show for this most excellent tip. Vinny's at Night is a true testament to the fact that good food and a loyal dining public can lead to success. In this closed convenience mart or 'superette' was some of the most sumptuous Italian food we had ever had. The backroom at Vinny's is a small OLD SCHOOL restaurant, long and thin, and full of fantastic smells and tastes.
App:
Antipasto Salad: Mmmmmmmmmmm...Is there anything you cant pickle? The antipasto was a delicious assortment of artichoke, yellow and red roasted tomatoes, red and orange peppers, mozzarella in herbs, prosciutto, and small onions that had been marinated in balsamic vinegar. The crusty bread was great for sopping up the left over oils and vinegars sliding around the big platter. For the money, it would be tough to find such a high quality appetizer for two people in any North End establishment I know of.
Entree:
Pork Sausage with Rabi on Homemade Fusilli- I chose to have the tomato and basil sauce on this dish. The hardy homemade sausage tasted the way fresh sausage always should, bold with spice and meat flavors. I love a good Italian sausage, and I mean love it. I usually prefer it hot, but this dish didn't need it. The broccoli rabe was tart and bitter, still crunchy and it was such a great contrast to the fresh fusilli. Al dente, yet tender, the fusilli was fresh and held the thin sauce around its coils. It filled me up AND left enough for an entire 2nd meal in leftovers!
Beef Bracciola on Homemade Fusilli - Every once in a while I will take a bite of food, and I will simply forget about everything in the world. It may sound cheesy, but its the damn truth. Good food transcends everything and leaves you happy and fulfilled.
You didn't have to chew the meat, merely allow it to melt in your mouth and let the flavors take over your taste buds. This slow cooked beef was almost impossibly tender. The Marinara was hearty and fresh and its flavors came through in the beef. This was the best Bracciola (pronounced Bra-jgol) we had ever had...and I have to say that I was jealous of my lovely date's meal. I liked my sausage dish very much, but the Bracciola was the kind of signature dish that you suggest along with the restaurant.
Price:
Vinny's at Night was totally reasonable for two people. The Entrees were from 11 to 18 dollars. All told, tax and tip, bottle of wine, appetizer and two entrees cost less than $40 a head.
OVERALL - This is the best 'out of the way' restaurant I have ever found in Boston. If I thought anyone actually read this blog, i wouldn't even tell you what it was really called...but since you all seem to be my nearest and dearest I am happy to let you in on this one.
Like minded eateries:
Pomodoro, North End, Boston
Carlo's Cucina, Brighton, MA
more