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Cavatelli Bolognese from La Cucina Italiana

Cavatelli Bolognese

Cavatelli Bolognese

Upon entering La Cucina Italiana, the hostess warmly welcomed us. The right side of the restaurant featured the kitchen, take-out area, and some display cases. We were seated in the dining room, which was decorated with a collection of old doors with pictures hanging on them.

From the moment we arrived, the staff was friendly and helpful. Our server ran through the specials and then brought us wine glasses because it’s a BYOB restaurant.

After looking through the menu and specials, we commented on how reasonable the prices were. Ultimately I decided to order the Cavatelli Bolognese. My large portion of Cavatelli Bolognese served in a large shallow bowl came out quickly. The perfectly cooked Cavatelli was covered with a nice meaty Bolognese sauce, parmesan cheese, and parsley. This great value was enough to feed two people. I even took home a healthy portion of leftovers.

Our server Erin was helpful and friendly. The entire staff was quick to bring wine glasses and water. There was a definite family atmosphere about the restaurant and among the staff, which made the dining experience enjoyable and relaxed.

Overall La Cucina Italiana managed to create a warm and friendly atmosphere where good food and great value come together. The friendly staff paired with the BYOB option make it the perfect neighborhood place to have a delicious meal without a big bill.

La Cucina Italiana is a welcome addition to the Grafton Hill area and is worth a repeat trip.

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New Italian BYOB Addition to Worcester

Cavatelli Bolognese from La Cucina Italiana on Hamilton Street in Worcester, MA

Cavatelli Bolognese from La Cucina Italiana on Hamilton Street in Worcester, MA

La Cucina Italiana is a new addition to Worcester’s food scene in an area where we are seriously lacking places to eat: the Hamilton Street/Grafton Street area. Closer to Lake Ave. than downtown Worcester and sharing a building with Shaker Cafe, La Cucina Italiana is a fantastic casual dining option. For a Tuesday night, it was bustling with various families coming in and out for some traditional Italian fare.

At first glance, the menu seemed pretty basic but tripe caught my eye for the adventurous eaters. They have many traditional pasta dishes, salads, soups, and pizza. I went with one of the eight specials that night: the Cavatelli Bolognese. They were great in accommodating my lactose intolerance. The dish came quickly in a large serving bowl of al dente cavatelli and home-made sauce. The best word to describe the meat sauce is delicious. On top of that for only $12.95, it was more than one meal.

We enjoyed great service from the moment we entered the restaurant until we left with full bellies. I never felt rushed and never had to wait for anything, which is rare for such a large group.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a nice addition to Worcester’s collection of Italian restaurants. When you are looking for casual, hearty Italian food, be sure to check them out. As an added bonus, it is BYOB.