La Cucina Italian Eatery - Somerville

I loved this place. Amazing cuisine. I ordered a pasta and was delicious,also the waiters were really kind and friendly, would definitely recommend it!

Elevated food, gracious staff, and great vision. As a resident of the ever more popular and expanding Assembly Row it is a treat to have such high end Italian restaurant right next door. Save the trip into the North End of Boston and enjoy all Assembly has to offer. When you 're done shopping make sure to try La Cucina for traditional Italian food. First, as you walk in you will notice the size of the space, long bar, comfy seats, a loft with additional seating, and event space. The space is well utilized and the theme works. Upscale Italian brought from Boston to Assembly Row, as should be expected from Jeff Malloy who has worked for a long time in successful North End restaurants. It is a perfect blend of the two concepts as they truly embrace the history of Assembly Row and it 's days as a Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant. Whether it is the hand tools as beer taps, the Ford blue leather chairs, or the Ford emblem painted on the wall, it all just works. Despite having just opened, last night was my second time dining at La Cucina for dinner. While Assembly Row is great for families La Cucina for dinner is the perfect place to spend quality time with someone special. There is a fantastic wine menu, incredible cocktails, and some great local beers to unwind with after a stressful day at work... or shopping. The staff is very knowledgeable of the menu and quick to recommend some of their favorites on a menu that is admittedly a bit intimidating due to how much of it is written in Italian. However, you should have no fear as everything on the menu has been splendid. To start off the meal we had arancini with braised pork shoulder and traditional meatballs topped with slices of fresh mozzarella. When you are deciding on your entree, make sure to ask for the bar menu as that is where they list all of their flatbread pizza selections, which they make in their own brick oven. While their 'North End Favorite ' Rigatonia Bolognese was great, I can 't recommend the Squid Ink Risotto with Scallops enough (pic below). The staff was super accommodating for my girlfriend who asked for no tomato sauce with her shrimp and prawn pasta dish. They even offered to make it into a bit more of a conventional shrimp scampi dish which was fantastic. As the meal came to an end we enjoyed fresh vanilla gelato and chocolate cake served with espresso as the General Manager checked in on our night and told us about some of the exciting plans they have coming in the future. The most exciting of which, is their plan for a pasteria next door which will focus on quick service Italian take away dining. We are all to excited for that to open, and will be taking advantage of this for dinners on hectic weekdays. I think that employees and shoppers alike of the stores and businesses at Assembly Row, will enjoy a quicker dining alternative that the other restaurants in the area don 't seem to offer yet. Additionally, he was telling us that the lunch service they plan to offer will have more americanized Italian fare such as chicken parmigiana, perfect for families looking to have a sit down meal together on the weekends. Overall while the staff is still figuring out how to work in the new space they do so with a smile on their faces, and the managers are quick to solicit your feedback. We look forward to see La Cucina continue to grow alongside the rest of Assembly Row.

I found the food very good. The ordering system is actually quite good once you work out how to use it properly. Perhaps some clearer instructions would help make it more obvious. I think that’s going to become more common as places cut costs if they can make ordering systems like this more streamlined. Not sure what you are supposed to do for tips now as the wait staff are just bringing plates and removing them later and not really doing any “service”. If the place was organized too have the kitchen bring plates near the table I’d have been happy to complete the last few feet myself and save 20%. The robot future is almost upon us, and it’s a good thing!

I had a wonderful experience at this restaurant for dinner. The drinks and food were fantastic, and the service was friendly. Although they were quite busy, which caused a slight delay in receiving our meals, I completely understand given the current circumstances. The chicken for their chicken parmesan was surprisingly hearty—more like a chicken steak! I noticed that the menu was different from what’s listed on their website, but everyone in my group enjoyed their choices. Be sure to ask your server about the specials. The tiramisu was light and ample for sharing. I would definitely return!

**Decor:** The restaurant boasts an interesting layout with five distinct areas: outdoor seating, a lounge, a bar, dining tables, and an upper floor. Each zone has its own unique atmosphere. **Service:** Our waiter was attentive and friendly, enhancing our dining experience. **Food:** The food was delicious. While the beef tartare was somewhat small in portion, it paired excellently with the chips. We were particularly impressed with the pasta, which is often a point of skepticism for us. My husband ordered the veal chop, which was also very tasty. We indulged in desserts as well, and both were outstanding. We will definitely return, and I highly recommend this restaurant to others.