Tag: tomato

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Chicken Gorgonzola from Chioda’s Trattoria

Chicken Gorgonzola from Chioda’s Trattoria on Franklin Street in Worcester, MA

Chicken Gorgonzola from Chioda’s Trattoria on Franklin Street in Worcester, MA

It is very rare that you find a restaurant that is perfect in every way; sometimes the food is amazing, but the restaurant lacks service, or other times, the service is great and the food is only ok. Chioda’s Trattoria was a true exception to the rule. This hidden gem, located tucked away on Franklin Street in Worcester, was perfect. The restaurant was cozy and warm. The dim lightly and warm colors made for a authentic Italian restaurant feel, and the staff was friendly and inviting. Our waitress was lovely and very attentive, especially considering the size of our party. She welcomed us with a smile and greeted the group like family coming over for dinner.

NeapolitanThe menu, much like the service, was also incredible. With a selection fit for anyone’s taste buds, it was truthfully quite difficult for me to make a decision on what I wanted. As a starter I opted for the Neapolitan appetizer. Bar none of my favorite appetizers I ever had in a restaurant and all of the fresh ingredients were delicious! The portabella mushroom was my favorite part of the appetizer, as it certainly provided a lovely, meaty contrast to the tomato and balsamic dressing. It was all topped with fresh mozzarella and prosciutto, which hello?! I would eat all day every day if I could.

For dinner, knowing Chioda’s had an Italian menu, I originally prepared myself for meatballs or lasagna, but with so many choices like lobster ravioli or a meal branded “The Taste of Italy,” I found myself examining each meal closely. Normally I can see a menu and pick something I want instantly, Chioda’s was different; everything sounded so irresistible. The restaurant, recognized for its true Italian dining, honestly had one of the biggest menus I had ever seen for such a quaint little spot. At last minute I went with the Chicken Gorgonzola which ended up being perfect for me. What really sold me were the potato gnocchi and the creamy gorgonzola sauce. The rich and luscious dish was delightfully combined with sundried tomatoes and chicken, of course! The sundried tomatoes definitely were a surprise in the dish. Their acidic, sweetness paired well with the salty cheese and pasta blend. Each bite was an explosion of all my favorite flavors. The potato gnocchi was tender and with the gorgonzola coating the chicken perfectly, this quickly reminded me of why I love comfort food so much. My plate came out at the ideal temperature, and I even had plenty leftover for a second meal the next day. It was amazing, but definitely not the lightest meal! Each meal is also made to order, so you can expect to pay more than you would at any other restaurant, but Chioda’s was definitely not “any other restaurant.”

Chioda’s Trattoria went above and beyond all of my Italian restaurant expectations. It is the perfect little spot for any occasion and I definitely plan to visit again soon!

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Tour of Italy

Tour of Italy from Chioda's Trattoria on Frankling Street in Worcester

Tour of Italy from Chioda's Trattoria on Frankling Street in Worcester

During another snowy and blustery evening, one we have grown accustomed to in this never ending winter, the Foodies ventured out to Chioda’s Trattoria on Franklin Street. Just a stones throw away from Vincent’s, Chiodas overlooks Shrewsbury Street and the train yard for CSX. Upon entering, you are immediately transported to an old-style Italian eatery with tight quarters, rustic walls and Italian décor that surrounded you. The décor was stereotypical Italian restaurant that it was almost a cliché, but it reminded you of being at home, about to be served a nice home-cooked meal.

To start the meal, we decided on the Neopolitan. This delightful appetizer was composed of layers of fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, portobello mushroom & prosciutto topped with balsamic vinegar dressing. Think of a stacked bruschetta with the addition of portobello mushrooms and salty prosciutto. This was a wonderful way to start the meal…the mozzarella was creamy, while you got some bite and tang from the tomato and the balsamic vinegar. The portobello mushroom was a wonderful addition as it added a meaty taste to the dish, while being complemented by the salty Italian ham.

For my main attraction, I decided to order the Tour of Italy, which came with a side salad. This was a compilation of Chiodas greatest hits all on one plate and smothered in a sweet, but tangy red sauce. The Tour of Italy consisted of two stuffed shells, a small portion of eggplant parmigiano, a small portion of chicken parmigiano, a spicy sausage and a house-made meatball. The rectangular plate that was presented in front of me looked amazing, and smelled even better. The two shells were cooked al dente and the ricotta cheese filling was partially melted on the inside. The chicken and eggplant parm had a delicate breading on them that crisped up nicely when they were fried. It was not too heavy or overpowering, and the eggplant almost had to taste and texture of something more meaty and substantial than a vegetable…delicious! The sausage was slightly spicy and had good snap to it when you bit into it. It was a nice mellow heat that lingered as you continued eating. Probably the best part of the meal was the house-made meatball. You could tell that they used at least two different meats in making the meatballs when you cut it in half and had a chance to look at the cross-section. There were different colors imparted by the different meats, while studded with herbs and other seasonings. It was juicy and flavorful.

This meal is everything you could want from your classic Italian restaurant; personalized service, friendly wait staff, fabulous food, huge portions and a great value. If you are ever in the mood for great Italian food, and want to get away from the hustle and bustle that the main streets of Worcester tend to have, I would highly recommend making the trip to Chiodas. You will not be disappointed and you will not leave hungry.