Barcino is a legacy restaurant…a second visit December 28 underscores the point.
The new owners understand why Stellina, the restaurant that previously occupied the space, was so special and had such a loyal and discriminating following that it took a massive culture changing pandemic to force it to it knees and close in August 2020.
LINK
https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/watertown-tab/2020/08/26/stellina-restaurant-in-watertown-closes-after-34-years/114686390/
The look and feel and feel remain generally in place. How do you describe VIBE?
Start with service and the servers. Attentive, knowledgeable, and genial. Their responses to my questions made me think that they’ve tasted every item on the menu. They don’t rave, they describe preparations, flavors and textures. They know how to steer a patron with a food allergy to an appropriate item on the menu. Based on replies to our questions, I’ll bet they’ve tried every dish on the menu, the same way servers at Stellina used to do back in the day.
Tonight, my dining companion, not hungry enough for an entrée, ordered the Tuscan Kale Salad ($12), after being assured it was served with goat cheese that she can tolerate. Her eyes widened when she was served this mountain of fresh greens.
My orecchiette (little ears), roasted chicken, broccolini pesto, confit tomatoes, with aged provolone, lemon-herb breadcrumbs ($20) was a satisfying medley of tastes and textures. Served piping hot, the bite sized broccoli florets were crunchy, the pasta al dente, and the breadcrumbs drizzled with enough lemon that gave it a satisfying clean-palate finish.
The nearly 4-inch- high square of tiramisu sprinkled with cinnamon ($10) floated on its dish like a cloud . This was the second visit to Bar’cino. It’s now my go-to fave for lunch and dinner.
Watertown has several; family-owned diners and restaurants and one small chain eatery, Not Your Average Joe’s, a small enough number so they generally complement rather than compete with each other. The public parking lot behind Joe’s and Barcino is a plus.
The restaurant sets a high bar of excellence in Watertown's wide range of eateries.
Google https://www.restaurantji.com/ma/watertown/ for an impressive list of restaurants, diners, ethnic restaurants and markets in the area.
Orecchiette roasted chicken, broccolini pesto, confit tomatoes, with aged provolone, lemon-herb breadcrumbs...orecchiette Italian for "little ears".
Tuscan Kale Salad
Clean lines layout
Entrance on Main Street
in the door...r
relaxed scene at the bar...
Adios...
Photos by Paul A. Tamburello, Jr.
Asks
In the past few days, I have received requests for contributions from every non-profit and business I have ever used or contributed to...just sayin'...
December 31, 2023 in Commentaries | Permalink