Tag: Hamilton Street

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Porchetta with a Side of Penne

Porchetta with a Side of Penne from La Cucina on Hamilton Street in Worcester

Porchetta with a Side of Penne from La Cucina on Hamilton Street in Worcester

Take a short jaunt down Hamilton Street and you’ll find an Italian staple: La Cucina Italiana. This small BYOB restaurant opened earlier this year. The interior is quaint. It’s divided between two different dining areas with some small booths for quick dining on one side and a full dining room on the other side. The walls are adorned with black and white photos hung on antique doors that look like they’re straight out of Goodfellas.

The menu was complete with all of the Italian classics you could ever want: lasagna, chicken parm, meatballs, and various pasta dishes to satisfy the hungriest appetites. Everything was priced amazingly well too. Items ranged from $8 to about $12.

While almost everything sounded, looked and smelled amazing, I couldn’t help but order the Porchetta off of the board of specials. I opted for a side of penne and gravy, or red sauce–not to be confused with the brown stuff you smother on your Thanksgiving turkey. The Porchetta was fork-tender. It was stuffed and rolled with ham, salami, a mixture of cheeses, and vegetables then covered in a dark, mushroom gravy. The different cuts of meat and cheese added a good texture and flavor. The veggies were tender and cut nicely too. I only wish the outside skin of the Porchetta had been crispier. I found that it was slightly chewy.

Our server was one of the most attentive, happy and energetic waitresses I have seen in a long time. She always had a smile on her face and was always available when we had a question, or wanted a water refill. It appeared as though she truly enjoyed what she was doing.

La Cucina Italiana is a great alternative for someone looking for homemade classics that are off the commonly traveled Shrewsbury St. You can bring a bottle of your favorite wine from home and enjoy a great meal at a fantastic value, while not feeling pretentious or uncomfortable.

The warmth of the waitstaff, the character of the building, the décor, and the quality of the food can really be felt from the moment you enter the building. An inspiring quote was written on the chalkboard, “People who love to eat are always the best people”. This quote holds true for us and for anyone else who dines at La Cucina. It’s a great choice!

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Red Clam Sauce at La Cucina Italiana

Red Clam Sauce at La Cucina Italiana on Hamilton Street in Worcester, MA

Red Clam Sauce at La Cucina Italiana on Hamilton Street in Worcester, MA

In English, the meaning of La Cucina is “the kitchen” and this is exactly the feeling you get when you step into this family-run establishment. You feel like you’re in a warm and homey Italian kitchen. The specials were on a very large blackboard visible to every seat in the dining area.

On this night, of course, I had to try the Red Clam Sauce with Linguine because it’s one of my favorite Italian dishes.

Before I ordered my dish, I asked the server if the clams were fresh. She indicated that they were canned clams. I hesitated. Then I thought, “A good chef should be able to transform these canned clams into something fresh–like it’s from the ocean.” I certainly was not disappointed with the preparation. Though there could have been a bit more clams, they were tender and the pasta was cooked perfectly. The Italian red sauce was fresh and authentic. A few shakes of grated cheese and red pepper flakes really made the sauce scrumptious.

Our servers were very informative and attentive. They were continuously aware of our needs at our table. Also, our delightful servers seemed to be right there, at the right time, every time!

I had a very pleasant experience at La Cucina Italiana. You can feel the passion they have for satisfying their diners. I especially enjoyed the family atmosphere. The prices are great and the portions are large, like most Italian family-style dishes. My leftovers were packed up and I enjoyed my Red Clam Sauce with Linguine all over again the next day!