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

Haven eaten at Mare E Monti Trattoria once before, I was excited to return with our Foodies group to see if my second experience would be as good as my first experience.

We were greeted by one of the owners and seated immediately in the large, open dining room. For anyone who remembers the Caffe Espresso Trattoria, previously located at this address, you won’t recognize what they have done inside. First off, the atmosphere is very inviting with a casual, relaxed yet upscale feel and the high ceilings, elegant wall decor and distressed wooden floors add to the ambience.

My “go to” meal is chicken parmesan, having ordered it all over Worcester I was anxious to try the Pollo alla Parmigiana at Mare E Monti Trattoria. I also ordered a side of meatballs. Not the most adventurous choices I admit, but I challenge the chef by asking it to be prepared extra crispy, no sauce on the chicken, pasta al dente and add some spice to the sauce. When my meal was served it met every expectation…two large chicken breasts were pan fried with fresh herb breadcrumbs, crispy on the outside while moist and tender on the inside and served over penne pasta al dente. My side order of meatballs was outstanding, two large, moist and flavorful meatballs served in a rich sauce that finished with a spicy kick. The meatballs seemed to be a mixture of beef, pork, cheese and spices and were a great side dish which I shared with my dining partner.

The evening was combination of delightful food, sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere and great service making Mare E Monti Trattoria an outstanding choice!

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.