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Alia Ristorante
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
495 Shirley St(between Underhill St & Sturgis St)
Winthrop, MA 02152
Neighborhood: Winthrop
(617) 539-1600
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 12 pm - 10 pm
Sun 8 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
40 reviews for Alia Ristorante
Review Highlights
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"My favorite part of the night, though, was the BYOB thing." In 10 reviews -
"This restaurant is a great neighborhood gem." In 3 reviews -
"BYOB, but there is a liquor store around the corner." In 2 reviews
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40 reviews in English
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Review from Paul B.
Boston, MA
9/10/2009
Nice size restaurant, not over powering with fancy decor
A real nice intimate restaurant, the food was absolutely great
And so wasn't the service.
I would recommend anything that the owner wants to make for you.
I typically don't go out for Italian food but I would go back to this
Restaurant again and again, I liked everything about it.
Check it out you won't be disappointed.
I -
Review from Kelsey C.
5/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went to Alia for my birthday dinner, and believe me, there is no better way to celebrate getting old. There was nothing old about the fresh plate of Caprese we started with - some of the best mozz I've had yet!
IMHO, one of Alia's more endearing qualities is that the staff are so accommodating. Alia is equally eager to please, and they make custom pastas using whatever your heart desires that their stock can meet.
I desired Orecchiette with a spicy vodka sauce. Little al dente ears with prosciutto and veggies, no peas, and I got exactly what the doctor ordered. My only regret is that I didn't ask for sausage, which would have completed my pasta...and my life...but that's clearly what I'll remember for next time. And there better be a next time. The b/f has gnocchi with creamy pesto and lots of veggies. I swear if United Colors of Benetton suddenly became an advocate for diversity of vegetables, our pastas would be their logo.
Oh, and the Tiramisu was the best EVER...almost as good as the BYOB policy, and almost as good as the wine we brought.
Few Bostonians know about Alia so if you're trying to escape the city and you're up for the drive, Alia will blow you away like a sailboat on a hot summer day. -
Review from andy r.
Oakland, CA
7/15/2011
Perfectly delicious, simple italian food in a dark, somehwat
Strange little restaurant in the town of winthrop. Terrific food, happy service, gregarious owner. Definitely recommended! -
Review from Christina Z.
Winthrop, MA
8/24/2011
You make me vodka penne with shrimp, you make me love you. I will gladly BMOB, most likely a bathtub full of sangria.
The owner is quite the good time.
Winthrop has been needing one of these. Jackpot. -
Review from LisaMarie M.
Winthrop, MA
12/9/2011
Delicious Italian food! Great for dates as it is very dark and romantic. Great eclectic decor! Great service too! BYOB!!
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Review from Maura C.
9/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
This restaurant is a great neighborhood gem. We are lucky to have friends that recently moved to Winthrop and they took us to Alia for dinner when we visited over the summer. First of all, let me say that waitress (owner or relative, i think) worked her BUTT off!!! Given that she does it all, the service was a tad slow; however, they more than made up for it with the fresh baked warm bread brought to our table and the BYOB. She was also extremely
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Review from Beth E.
Atlanta, GA
1/10/2009
This was a great place for dinner, on a snowy and blustery night!
The atmosphere is intimate and relaxing (we sat by the window) and the menu was great! I am a vegetarian and often find limited choices whenever I am out, but there were a number of choices from which to choose.
The restaurant does not serve alcohol (town ordinance), so be sure to bring your favorite wine if you so choose!
Our proprietor was very friendly and timely with our meals. The bread was very good and my pasta dish was excellent! I was here with my brother, but this would be a great spot for a romantic evening night out (first date/anniversary), as well as a special occasion.
Support your local business! -
Review from Sean M.
4/27/2009
I was in town for the Boston Marathon and since I didn't have a car, I ahd to go somewhere within walking distance of the hotel. When I got there, there was one couple, otherwise it was empty. I decided to sit by the window and relax with my book. The owner came by once to greet me and then the server. Both were nice and not pushy. I ordered the chicken parm which came very hot, sitting on top of spaghetti. Both were very tasty and it went down very well. The bill was around 10 bucks, incredibly cheap for what I ate. I was impressed. I did take away one star because it wasn't the best parm I've ever eaten, but pretty close!
I felt very safe walking around Winthrop and thought the people were really nice.Listed in: Things I really miss about New…
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Review from Dan G.
6/5/2008
Alia is awesome, and I am glad its a short walk away! The owner(s) are super friendly and the chef says if he has the ingredients he will make whatever you want. They have a few morrocan foods but its pretty much all italian. I wish they would expand on the middle eastern foods though!
Its a really comfy place to be in the heart of a cute cute town. The dippin oil is fantastic as well. Definitely worth the try!!Listed in: The Throp (Winthrop)
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Review from keith w.
Winthrop, MA
7/2/2008
Ever wonder what it would be like to be rich and famous? Sure the mansions, private jets, and bidets in every bathroom would be great, but the one luxury I always wanted was a personal chef.
Enter Alia Ristorante. I've been several times and can't wait to go again. Fifteen bucks will get you a substantial entrée that would be twice as much downtown.
Yesterday, I was walking by and saw the owner sitting outside. We started chatting and then I began to consider my options for dinner. There were several: the freezer full of Healthy Choice microwavable dinners, a turkey sandwich from the local sub shop, or an Italian feast customized especially for me.
Decisions...
Despite the allure of a frozen Salisbury steak, I decided to see if the owner of Alia could fix me something to go. No menu needed. I told him I wanted something with seafood and then he asked me a bunch of questions focusing on what flavors and ingredients I liked.
Fifteen minutes later I had an individualized entrée.
As "Baby" aka "Birdman" from the Cash Money Millionaires would say: Alia is a "5 STAR STUNNA". -
Review from Dan S.
Cambridge, MA
11/14/2008
We popped in here for lunch today. Was out on business and just happened across this place by chance - I'm glad we went in! The owner was waiting tables, and wow does he have some energy. He zoomed around the place and served everybody attentively. His energy is almost overwhelming or offputting except that he is amazingly friendly and positive.
I had their signature salad and my coworker had the chicken marsala. Both were awesome and we cleaned our plates. We were also floored by the price - with drinks, the bill was just under $20. This food could easily have cost twice as much and we would have thought it a reasonable price.
We had a little chat with the owner before we left - didn't catch his name - and he said business is decent, although they don't advertise. His philosophy on food was to take it slow and prepare the food properly - we spend so much time rushing around, that mealtimes were an important time to relax and enjoy life. I couldn't agree more! I promised a positive review on Yelp and he got really happy and shook my hand.
It's clear that this restaurant means a lot to the people who run it and their effort shows in delicious food and a fun dining experience. I wish I lived closer so I could go back over and over again. Do yourself a favor and support a local gem!
Two minor complaints: the glasses were a little dirty, and the door was open which made the place pretty cold on a rainy Friday in November. To be fair the owner quickly noticed our chilliness and offered to close the door immediately. These are offset by the fact that the path to the restroom gives you a clear view into the small kitchen. It is nice and clean and you can see that everything is attentively prepared by hand. -
Review from Lindsay P.
Pepperell, MA
9/23/2011
If you want something not on the menu, he will make it for you. The owner and his female part owner both work here, every day, every night. They will sit down at your table and chat with you or if you call a few days ahead they can make you something special that isn't on their amazingly ecelectic menu. We go here all the time with family and friends and fill up the small restaurant with loud Boston accents but its like home. He makes me a vegan version of a pasta plate I love and remebers that my mom is in love with his eggplant rollatini. Food is always ridiculously fresh which I always notice if veggies are good and they def are! Just an fyi its BYOB and alcohol, no liqour license here but it cuts down on the costs for wine drinkers, etc! There are liquor stores close by so no worries.
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Review from Sandra S.
Winthrop, MA
1/11/2012
Loved it here....my friend Tracey and I went and we had never been before. It's BYOB, they serve and open the wine. The owner came and sat with us and went over the menu and made the dish to our likings as we were both on diets! The food was hot, and the dipping oil is delish and super hot!!!! Def give it a try if your ever in Winthrop!
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Review from Joanna K.
1/24/2010
I had been wanting to try this place since reading the great reviews and hearing my neighbors rave about it! Seriously - the best Italian in Winthrop.
I normally do not like spaghetti (I prefer fettuccini!), as it tends to get mushy and overcooked, but Alia's did it PERFECTLY. My chicken parm was also perfection. And the portions was great (I wasn't bursting, but I was FULL).
Don't forget your wine (I absolutely love BYOB's), and the owner is super friendly (he got me a dish of hot peppers once I told him I love all things spicy!). Service was attentive, and the food was delicious. You have to love this 4 star restaurant in the tiny town of Winthrop! -
Review from Lee C.
Boston, MA
8/20/2010
This is a real neighborhood gem!
BYOB (there is a liquor store around the corner as well as one down the street in Winthrop Sq.).
Plan on a relaxing meal - service is slow - only one waitress for the entire room! But the real joy is the owner table hopping and helping out all night long. You really feel like you're eating in his home!
Our party enjoyed a wonderful plate of Fried Calamari, and Veal/Eggplant Parm, Chicken/Egglant Parm and tortellini with prosciouto and peas in a parmesian cream sauce. All delicious and fresh! The Parm dishes were quite generous with a little left to bring home. -
Review from Lenny D.
Newburyport, MA
9/23/2009
Nice place. Great food. Very talkative owner. Not stuffy, not overly decorated in the typical red-and-white checkered tablecloths with candles-in-a-chianti-bottle. My favorite part of the night, though, was the BYOB thing. I love packing my own cooler into places like this! I brought some of my favorite beverages, and a bottle of good wine for the Missus' and the owner came out, opened and poured the wine, and actually went into my cooler, opened a frosty, and poured it in my glass. Now, normally, I have a major problem with anyone sticking their hands in my cooler, and it usually causes a tussle, but I was good with this one. It was a cool thing.
The food was fresh, hot, and a bunch of it, too, except the sauce tasted a little too much like Spaghetti-O's for me. The place was pretty deserted, but it was really late, and there were no biker chicks to be seen anywhere (dammit). The decor is kinda' sparse, but you go for the food and not the decorations, I guess. Its a little out of the way, in Winthrop, and the neighborhood is a little seedy, but it was overall a really good experience. Go here...you'll like it.
Ride Safe. -
Review from Christopher G.
Charlotte, NC
7/22/2011
This place was GREAT! Don't let its outter appearance steer you away. Once we sat down we were greeted by some of the nicest people on Earth. They treated us wonderfully and had some really great food. We have a ~2 year old and they couldn't have been better with him. If you are reading this head on over to Alia Ristorante!
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Review from Jocelyn G.
Boston, MA
10/3/2008
Went here for dinner because the boy had a craving for Italian. Easy to find, lots of street parking and apparently a lot that we drove by. We were the first people in and pleasantly greeted by the owner and seated in the window.
The servers were attentive and quick, the food quite good (though the portions were a bit smaller than expected), and the bill not too bad. I did get chastised for not telling the staff that I didn't like mushrooms...they are willing to customize your meal for you if you don't like something.
Definitely going back :) Oh! And don't forget to bring your own bottle of wine, BYOB -
Review from Michael B.
Boston, MA
11/14/2010
We went here at 8:30 on a Sat Night, The place was packed , but we lucked out and got seated right away. The service was awesome, and the food was spot on. the salads were crisp, ice cold and dressed perfectly.
we ordered the combo chicken/eggplant which was hot and perfectly spiced. We also had the tortellini and was totally impressed. This is another neighborhood gem..we will go back again -
Review from Karen B.
Buda, TX
1/24/2009
Okay, so I understand that my rating may not be fair because I have not actually ever eaten there but they upset me a great deal so I give it a one star.
I am from Austin, TX. I heard so many great things about this place that I had to go here. We were going to New York. So we decided to rearrange a few things so we could spend a couple of days in Boston and visit Winthrop so that we could check out the "fabulous" Alia Ristorante.
We planned to go for dinner our second night there. Of course we were going to check out Boston so we planned to tour Boston first and then have a late dinner. We planned dinner for 8:30. I checked out their hours and got directions- made sure everything was good to go. When I called to confirm their hours- I was told they were open til eleven! That did not seem right because all directories online said they closed at ten. So I clearly double, triple, and quad checked that he said eleven and there was no error. He was positive. It did not really matter because we were planning on getting there at 8:30. We ran into some delays. First, we were running a little bit behind. It was not a big deal, we just planned on getting there at nine. Second, we did not realize that part of the silver line that we had to take to get there was actually a bus. A bus that runs like every half hour or so. The bus stop is also very scary at night. But finally, we arrived at Alia.... I was so frustrated with the journey but it was so happy to finally get there. My mouth was salivating. The damn restaurant was closed! I looked at my watch- it's before ten (not eleven, but ten). It was obvious that they were not in the process of closing but instead they had been closed for a while. All the lights were off, chairs were on top of the table. I was so disappointed.
Then we were approached by a relatively decent looking gentleman who said it was not safe for us to be walking around. Then we had to call a cab to take us back to the train because the bus had stopped running. I guess the gentleman was right because shortly after that, as we were waiting for a cab, a car drove by and stopped in front of us and starred at us. Waiting.. Calculating his next move. Luckily another cab happened to drive by and was able to pick us up before we were mugged or murdered.
By the time we got back to the North End. We could only find one restaurant that was open and not serving bar food. We ate there the food was not good and the place smelled like fresh paint (in fact, they had painted that day).
That is the only Italian food experience I brought back to Texas with me.
I cried.
Thanks Alia -
Review from Jason M.
Rochester, NY
11/3/2010
Great place with great food and prices. They make anything for you, just ask.
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Review from Marcus D.
8/27/2010
Friends of mine are regulars here and chose to have their wedding rehearsal dinner here last night and it was an excellent choice. Alia's closed down specifically for us. The food, though buffet, was very good: caprese, chicken, ziti and broccoli, calimari salad, chicken and shrimp margarita, etc. Would definitely like to come back for dinner.
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Review from suzanne s.
Winthrop, MA
10/12/2011
This is the best food in Winthrop. The staff is wonderful, everything is made fresh, the clientele are regular nice people and the ambiance is roomy yet cozy and comfortable. If you haven't been here yet...do yourself a favor and plan a night out.
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Review from Amanda J.
Boston, MA
7/27/2009
My bf and I just moved to Winthrop and so have been trying to check everything out. We ate at D'Parma's last week and were quite impressed. We walked by this past Sunday evening and thought - let's try 'that other place'. Boy, are we glad we did. There was 1 other table occupied and a patron outside telling us we had to go in. The service was amazing - the owner pulled up a chair and chatted with us, the waitress was attentive but not annoying. The food was incredible. We recommend this place for sure and expect that we will become regulars.
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Review from Betsy B.
Winthrop, MA
10/20/2010
There is no way I could possibly express how much I love this restaurant. First, it's not often that my carnivorous husband and I - a 15 year vegetarian - find a restaurant that we *both* adore. The food is nothing short of spectacular, and my husband swears he will never eat lamb anywhere else again. Second, Sayid (the owner - I hope I spelled your name right, buddy!) is the most driven, enthusiastic, eager-to-please restaurateur that I've ever met. He will make food custom-order for you, and it never fails to amaze and satisfy the taste buds in ways you'd never expected.
They've just started a lunch menu, and might be dipping into breakfast too. The lunch I had once was just as good as the dinners, but I haven't tried the breakfast.
Do your entire digestive system a favor and give Alia a try. The prices are stellar for the quality of food you get, and the Moroccan-Italian theme is spectacularly delicious.
Oh, and as others have said it's BYOB.
Nom! -
Review from Kathleen L.
Winthrop, MA
6/23/2009
First off--the neighborhood is fine-I am sorry someone scared the the other poster.
As for Alia's-it was good. My partner is Italian American and a wonderful cook it is difficult to go go t a restaurant and say --wow that is great! My calamari, was a bit chewy. The `risotto' was really just rice. True Italian risotto is quite different.
Don't get me wrong the food was good-salad, bread, tortellini-in a spicy red sauce. Nice and spicy like i like.. And while it is a mile from my home -I probably wouldn't go again because my honey cooks as well if not better. -
Review from Allison S.
Bridgeville, PA
6/14/2011
Yum. We stayed down the street at a local hotel in the interesting town of Winthrop and didn't feel like driving back into the city for dinner. After reading reviews, we cruised down the street to Alia. What a great place. Early on a chilly Tuesday night, there was not much of a crowd. We loved the olive tapenade and bread that they served as a starter. We then enjoyed our dishes -- the gnocchi and the tortellini. If I were eating my gnocchi at home, I would have licked the plate. With friendly service, great food and very affordable prices, I would eat here all the time if I lived close.
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Review from M B.
Boston, MA
9/26/2010
This place is a GEM!! It is BYOB! They give you the perfect amount of food and I am always surprised at the bill (in a good way), whenever I dine here.
I come here about once a month and love the owner Said!! I never feel rushed and can stay here for hours and sometimes, Said will sit down with you.
Said will literally make you whatever you want and you can call ahead if you want him to make something extra special!
Try the eggplant rollitini and save room for their Amazing Tiramisu
LOVE LOVE LOVE ALIA!!! -
Review from Jeff A.
Wakefield, MA
7/26/2011
This was our second visit but it was so hot and uncomfortable that the ice in our water melted almost within minutes. If you want to attract diners in the heat of the summer you gotta provide adequate air conditioning! The bathroom was clean but again..a sauna! No real complaints with the food..always fresh and delicious but Congress and Obama can reach an agreement quicker than the food can be served here! Seriously...I hate asking for bread but baking as you go..just doesn't work. Probably won't return anytime soon. It's a shame because the food is very good.
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Review from Rich H.
Revere, MA
7/11/2008
Food was excellent, however the portions were very small. The entrees didn't come with salads, which I thought was odd given the price of the menu. The olive oil that comes with the fresh warm bread was blah, just tasted like oil. I also didn't understand why they offered no ice with the water they served. The service was not very attentive considering the number of people in the restaurant. The waitress took my plate "assuming" I was finished while in the middle of conversation. The owner was terrific, I felt bad for him because you could tell his heart and soul were invested in his establishment. Overall, I would recommend this restaurant to someone to try for themselves, hoping they will work out there kinks over time, plus the actual meal itself was delicious.
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Review from Paul D.
Boston, MA
Updated - 3/16/2009
whoever told that lady from austin, tx that winthrop was dangerous to walk around at night, has got to be shitting me...fuckin winthrop? really? careful lady, dont walk around winthrop at night, people might stare at you to death....
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/6/2008
I work 5 minutes from the north end and have eaten at about 80 percent of the restaurants over… Read more »
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Review from Kelly A.
2/2/2008
Alia is a great addition to Winthrop. D'Parma and Cafe Rossetti, the two other Italian options in Winthrop, are both good but definitely lacking in the atmosphere department. Alia takes care of that, with gorgeous tapestries in the windows and a tasteful decor that is very soothing and nice. It's BYOB, as are many of the other restaurants in Winthrop, so that's a plus. And the food is great. To start, everyone gets an assortment of olives and fresh hot bread served alongside an interesting dipping oil with Moroccan spices. The eggplant rollatini is a great appetizer, probably the best version of it that I've ever had. My husband and I are vegetarian, so we've only tried a limited selection of menu items, all of which have been great. One of my favorite dishes is the Ravioli Greca, cheese ravioli in a parmesan sauce topped with spinach and walnuts. The arrabiata sauce is also really good. If you have room for dessert, try the tiramisu. It's homemade, and it's sooo good. The owner of Alia is extremely friendly and will make a point of visiting every table and chatting for a couple of minutes. He's super accomodating and a very interesting guy. Definitely check this place out!
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Review from Morgan W.
Winthrop, MA
4/3/2008
If you're looking for a good BYOB restaurant (or just a good restaurant), Alia is a MUST! Great ambiance, friendly service, and amaaazing food. Don't waste your time going to D'Parma's. It's overrated and sketchy (keep reading). Last time I went there I dropped my wallet on the way out, and when I went back to get it...half the cash was gone! Did the waitress not like her tip?? I don't know...but what I do know is that Alia is much better, and it's right down the street. Go here, and you'll be happy you did!
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Review from m b.
Boston, MA
6/27/2011
look, this place isnt that great. yes- the owner is great- lots of enthusiasm, really nice, etc.- but fact is- the food is average. chicken marsala was average at best, lacked prosciutto (as listed) in any meaningful way; i found a couple bits & pieces. lentil soup was pretty good. dessert (tiramisu) was excellent. similar to other "neighborhood gems"- you want to love this place- but if youre honest with yourself- youll admit its just average. in my experience- neighborhood gems are 50/50.
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Review from C L.
Winthrop, MA
11/6/2010
Fantastic experience. After hearing about this place for years my spouse and I decided to give it a go. Why hadn't we come here earlier! LOVED it! Although the interior is unassuming, it is the food and the owner who made this place memorable. Said is unbelievably warm and welcoming- He sat at our table and chatted with us for quite a bit. Within a few minutes, we were putty in his hands and we trusted him to create a wonderful meal for us. We weren't disappointed. Amazing salad, wonderful bread, and a tureen (lamb, vegetables, and couscous) that I still dream about. (BYOB, but there is a liquor store around the corner).
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Review from Sarah S.
Suffolk, MA
3/26/2010
Wow. We've been living in Winthrop for almost 3 years and we'll be moving out of Winthrop in about a month, and are absolutely heartbroken we didn't find this place earlier! We LOVE it here!!
The decor is unassuming, but it has a uniquely home-like and warm atmosphere. The tables are frequently rearranged to accommodate large groups (which there were many when we went, at least 2 groups with over 12 people per group!). It wasn't the quietest restaurant, but each table seems to feel private and although it was a bit boisterous at times, it was a fun place and everyone was enjoying themselves so much, you could feel such a positive energy!
The service was OK, they were so busy, but seemed to handle it well. It took a while for our waitress to come over, but the owner/manager welcomed us and brought us water and bread with olives and dipping oil while we waited. Once we ordered, the food came out pretty fast. We shared a Caesar salad, which was one of the most authentic and delicious Caesar salads I have EVER had in my life (and it is my favorite salad, so I order it everywhere). My husband got pasta (linguine?) with shrimp and calamari in a red sauce with olives and capers. The red sauce had a bit of a kick, which my husband loved, and he said the shrimp and calamari were perfectly cooked and seasoned. I got cheese ravioli in a cream sauce with spinach and walnuts. It was incredible! The cheese sauce was so creamy and delicious (a LOT more flavor than your run-of-the-mill alfredo type sauce) and the walnuts and spinach were such an unexpected but perfectly modern addition. The food definitely fit into the category of high-end italian food.
At the end of our meal, the manager sent us a free homemade tiramisu dessert to apologize for our wait earlier in the dinner (even though we really didn't wait long at all, and we didn't make a stink at all, we just said "no problem" and we weren't bothered in the least bit!!!!) but it was still so nice that he thought of that. Then, we were SHOCKED by the bill... with one salad and two entrees, it came to only $25. WHAT?!?! That's incredible. Of course, we only drank water (we brought our own wine) and the dessert was free, but still, that's amazing. Especially for food that is so amazing, better than anything I've ever had in Boston's North End.
A lot of people come here with coolers filled with drinks, and that's totally OK with them. If you bring your own wine, they will even open it for you and provide you with wine glasses. What a great place for a fancy and delicious dinner that won't break the bank!!!!! LOVE IT! -
Review from Gary K.
North Tonawanda, NY
7/22/2010
I went there last night for dinner and it was fantastic. I asked the server what she recommended and she asked if I like clams. OF COURSE! She gave me a dish of clams, shrimp and calamari over pasta with a home made spicy tomato sauce that wasn't on the menu. It was fantastic!!! The food is excellent. Btw...it's BYOB.
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Review from Ben S.
West Newton, MA
4/9/2010
Alia Ristorante is my favorite Italian restaurant, and I don't mind driving the extra distance to go there. The owner is a fantastic host, and food is authentic and homemade. My favorite dish is veal saltimbocca. You have to have their tiramisu. They have a great lunch too.
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Review from Kay M.
Winthrop, MA
3/3/2009
Love this restaurant. Food is great and can be made to order. It is an Italian/Morroccan restaurant - which may sound odd - but its a perfect combo. It is one of the best restaurants in Winthrop. The owner is a very nice man named Said. The first time we went in there it was my birthday and we (my husband and our friend) were ravenous. Said talked with us for a very long time. A little too long (about class issues in his homeland - about making a soccer ball out of newspaper and a plastic bag) - but its because he loves his place, his customers and what he serves you. He wants you to feel at home. It is BYOB - a Winthrop eccentricity (and I'm local - so I can say that with pride!). We went back again with friends and Said talked a lot again. The man is very kind and very talented, but sometimes I just want to be left alone to have my night out with friends. I probably sound like a jerk, but I'm a new Mom and don't get out much. I know some people get turned on by that whole "I'm homeys with the owner" thing, but I don't. I will go back to Alia because it is one of the best. But Said, if you are reading this, back off a little bit. I'm not in your living room - I am in your place of business. Peace.
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Review from Matt M.
Boston, MA
6/7/2010
Well, I've waited a bit too long, but I'm finally getting around to writing a glowing endorsement of Alia Ristorante. I've been coming to this place regularly for about a year now and the restaurant is among my favorites. The owner is exceptionally friendly, will make candid recommendations about what's freshest or other offerings that aren't on the menu, and can accommodate special requests and will even create "custom" dishes for his customers. In a neighborhood/area with MANY Italian restaurants, Alia is truly a breath of fresh air with their unique take on classic dishes as well as Moroccan and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. It'd really be hard to make a poor choice on the menu - everything is really pretty good. The FREE fresh baked bread and dipping oil with olives and peppers is great. Also make sure you save room for their homemade tiramisu which is very light and the best I've ever had. The restaurant is BYOB and a nice dinner for two with two entrees, desert, and coffee usually runs about $60 with tip included - I think that's a great deal. Not that this is a negative, but I've notice that Alia has really "caught on" with the local crowd, so you might encounter a wait for a table if you have a large group or come at a peak time. Keep this in mind if you're in a hurry, since the restaurant isn't very big and the owner and his staff offer great service and do not rush their patrons in order to turn tables quicker (unlike some other places). Check out Alia, you won't be disappointed.
