Foodies LVIII: La Cucina | Page 2 of 6

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!

Chicken Parm at La Cucina Italiana on Hamilton Street in Worcester, MA

Walking into La Cucina Italiana is like walking into a friend’s kitchen. The dining area is warm and inviting with close tables to give diners a family experience. With sweet aromas of tomato and spices in the air, the roar of laughter filled the small space. Along the walls they used antique doors to hang black and white pictures. I assume the photos depict generations of their family members, who created and tasted the same recipes being used today.

For my main course, I decided to order a traditional Chicken Parm with fettucini. I was torn between a few menu items, but I figured this was a nice classic dish after a long Tuesday at work. While waiting for my meal, I nibbled on the endless supply of fresh Italian bread served with olive oil.

One of La Cucina Italiana’s best perks is that they are BYOB. This seems to be catching on in some of the smaller restaurants and I personally think it’s a wonderful idea because it’s a big money saver. When you consider how much money you spend on drinks going out and how much a big bottle of wine at a package store costs, the savings is fantastic.

My meal arrived on a large plate covered with a huge pile of pasta and two large pieces of breaded chicken smothered in sauce and cheese. As delicious as my dinner looked, it was only average as far as taste. The breading on the chicken was not as crispy as I would have hoped and I was left with a bit of a metallic aftertaste, which may have come from reusing a frying pan. The temperature of the food was also a little on the cool side. The sauce and cheese, however, were delicious! The Parmesan cheese added a nice salty complement to the rich and flavorful sauce.

Although the meal for me was average and I would rather have Chicken Parmesan from another restuarant, I would go back to try something else. The menu offered so many different options. Their pizza looked especially appealing. It’s also tough to beat the portion size. My meal was only $8.95 and I had enough to give my boyfriend leftovers the next day, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

I would also HIGHLY recommend their Blueberry Mascarpone Lemon Cheescake. This huge slice of heaven was only $4.25! The homemade creamy mascarpone was a dream and the tartness of the lemon balanced well with the sweetness of the graham-cracker crust. I split this with my boyfriend, but I will definitely get my own next time.

The service at La Cucina Italiana was wonderful. Our waitress was very vibrant and energetic. Her positivity was a highlight of the dinner and made for a very enjoyable experience. Everyone was attentive and helpful in refilling waters and the bread bowl as well as reviewing the daily specials.

Overall, I would say that La Cucina Italiana is a nice restaurant for a night out when you don’t want to spend too much money on a home-cooked Italian meal. There is a small off-street parking lot, which is a nice benefit because Hamilton St. can be kind of busy. I would recommend calling ahead to ensure availability. And don’t forget to bring your favorite wine!