Tag: parmigiano

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Pappardelle alla bolognese

Pappardelle alla bolognese

I was excited to try the new restaurant, Mare e Monti Trattoria, on Wall Street as I had loved their previous restaurant.

I started with the Arancini di riso which were 2-3rice balls filled with beef ragu, green peas and a small amount of fontina and parmigiano cheeses which had been lightly breaded and fried served with a fresh marinara sauce. I liked that they were only lightly fried which gave them a good texture but kept me from feeling too full before my main meal came.

For my main meal it was a tough decision as they have an extensive menu ranging from pastas, gnocchi, grilled meats and salads. After hearing that they made their own pappardelle noodles I went with the Pappardelle alla bolognese. What clinched the decision was after telling our waitress that I could not eat cream based items she told me since each meal was made fresh they could accommodate me by making an adjustment in the bolognese sauce since many restaurants make this sauce with cream in it. When the main dish arrived it was piled high with the homemade pappardelle (which are wide pasta noodles) and home made bolognese sauce (which is ground veal, pork and beef) and a small assortment of tiny diced vegetables. I was anxious to dig into the steaming hot pasta dish especially knowing the noodles were homemade. The pasta was excellent and good to the right level of tenderness. I admit I was disappointed in the bolognese as it was a tad too salty. I think since they tried to accommodate me by taking out the cream it left the sauce with too much salt without the cream to balance it out. Overall a good meal and I will go back and try the many other dishes that they have.

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Melanzane alla Parmigiana

Melanzane alla Parmigiana from Mare E Monti Trattoria on Wall Street in Worcester, MA

Melanzane alla Parmigiana from Mare E Monti Trattoria on Wall Street in Worcester, MA

Pasta…only second to chocolate, is one of my favorite indulgences. But like chocolate, it must be limited in my diet because once I start eating…quite frankly, I can’t stop…especially when it is as delectable as my MELANZANE ALLA PARMIGIANA: Baked eggplant layered with homemade pomodoro sauce, parmigiano and mozzarella cheese served with linguine from Mare E Monti Trattoria on Wall Street in Worcester.

I had been looking forward to this Foodie outing since the date and location was set over one month ago. Having been to Mare e Monti Trattoria when it first opened, I could not wait to return. All day long my mouth watered with anticipation. I knew what I wanted to order, eggplant parmesan, because my friend had ordered this dish on my previous visit to the establishment and I just had to have it for myself.

The dish arrived piping hot. The plate, mounded with perfectly cooked al dente linguine, thin, crisply slices of flavorful eggplant, smothered in true Italian “gravy” that rivaled my mother’s homemade sauce. The stringy mozzarella cheese was melted throughout the dish and provided a creaminess that cut through the acidity of the sauce. I loved how thinly the eggplant was cut (not to mention tender and delightful). There is nothing more unappetizing than thick, watery rounds. I honestly don’t think I said 2 words after my dish arrived because I was too busy stuffing my face (not ladylike I realize, but an honest portrayal of my ingestion).

The atmosphere, attentive service, and most definitely the quality and authenticity of the dishes make Mare E Monti Trattoria, in my opinion, the BEST Italian restaurant in the city. I plan on returning as soon as I need to fulfill one of my frequent indulgent cravings for true Italian.