Cuisine:

• American
• Italian
• Others

Grotto Description:
Contemporary Italian and American inspired bistro cuisine in a funky basement location on Beacon Hill.
Je ne sais quoi: It may be a French phrase, but it applies to this little Italian joint, hidden away on---or, rather, in---Beacon Hill's backslope. Though it remains just under the mainstream's radar, the small, subterranean space, painted tomato-red and strewn with decorative accents both romantic and quirky, fills nightly with couples who know and love cucina italiana as much as chef-owner Scott Herritt clearly does. His passion shows in wonderfully rich yet simple signatures such as fonduta with grilled steak tips, spaghetti and meatballs done right (look, mamma, no glop), and banana bread pudding with intense caramel ice cream---as well as in their relative value. Seasonal specials, meanwhile, possess both oomph and depth---take summertime's mixed shellfish grill with creamy, lemony salmoriglio, or the intense, earthy truffled garlic soup with Parmesan and toasted bread crumbs that pops up come cool weather. The wine list, too, strikes a balance between accessibility and curiosity.


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