Restaurant Pescatore
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It’s been a while since we reviewed a restaurant. We have so many choices available to us in Somerville yet it is difficult to pick out just one place that you can recommend. I have had my eye on RESTAURANT PESCATORE in Ball Square, for some time. I never want to review a restaurant until it has settled down and found the right grove. Sure enough, RESTAURANT PESCATORE has achieved a very positive buzz, and for good reasons.

The restaurant is located in Ball Square at 158 Boston Ave. with the main entrance around the corner at 126 Rogers Ave. As you know, Pescatore means fisherman and the establishment is, indeed, made from the remnants of a well known fish store (Ball Square Fish aka “Frankie Fish”) that sold fresh fish and fried fish for many years.

RESTAURANT PESCATORE is one of those hidden gems that you would not know existed because the main dining room is out of sight from the main streets, Boston Ave. and Broadway. The dining room is a wonderful reclusive space that is warmly lit at night and is very inviting. It also features outdoor dining for fair weather and warmer temps.

The service is prompt and professional, with just the right touch of familiarity and hospitality. The wine list is competent and appropriate with most bottles in the $25 -$45 range. The Italian wines are well chosen and well represented. The accompanying artisan bread basket with butter, oil, salt, peppers and a small plate of Tuscan olives adds just the right touch when taken with a well chosen Chianti or dry white wine.

The menu reflects the fish store heritage, as they still sell all their menu items to go from the original front door of the fish shop on Boston Ave. A varied assortment of fish and Italian specialties is available for starters.

For those of you of the vegetatarian persuasion, will not be disappointed as there are many choices. The Tuscan Plate offers grilled veggies along with garlic crostini along with a Caprese plate and other choices.

Of course, you might indulge in all the various Italian and seafood delights. They are all well executed. They even offer chowder and my chowder taster tells me it is “very good” (which is really a compliment because he never rates anything as “very good”).

The main courses are generous sized plates and platters of various specialties. The salads are excellent and the pastas are particularly good. There are many Pescatore favorites: Fusilli Amalfi with shrimps, lobster, sea scallops and rabe in marinara sauce or your choice of agli olio with white wine or Fra Diavolo, Lobster Ravioli, Linguini Fruiti di Mare, Pappardelle Capri or Tartufo, Linguini Vongole, on and on. The fish takes center stage with gorgeous platters of fried fish and clams, etc.

The Italian specialties go on with very credible chicken, veal and eggplant dishes along with daily specials make a very intensive menu. The desert menu was short but sweet and the coffees and espressos were just as ordered.

Pescatore is not just another Italian restaurant. It achieves a whole new dimension, with fish specialties that are unmatched, even in the North End. RESTAURANT PESCATORE – a pescatorial delight!

Dinner Hours
Sunday 4 – 9 p.m., Tuesday — Saturday 4- 10 p.m.

Brunch Hours
Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Closed on Monday

Tel: 617-623-0003

— Ross Blouin