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I'm giving this four starts instead of five for the service that we had. I went with a friend from out of town because I had heard in passing that it was phenomenal. It was in Waltham so I figured I would be fine in what I wore to work, apparently not. The server was extremely rude pulling the whole, "the two full meals you ordered isn't enough food bit" and then repeatedly telling me that they had "wine by the glass". The only reason he changed his tune was when my friend name dropped a business owner she knew well and then it was all, "where are you from, etc." This was unfortunately because I would have been able to enjoy my overpriced dinner much more if it wasn't awash with arrogance.
So end of story dress properly if you are to enjoy your meal and be treated with respect. The food was good though I ordered one of the pasta dishes with a cured meat I can't recall. The sauce was perfectly seasoned and the shape of the pasta made the whole dish killer. I also split a pizza with figs, gorgonzola, and duck which was pretty good but is no match for the fig and bacon pizza I tried at the Milky Way in JP before it moved to the new location. In the end we couldn't even finish all of the food that we ordered. I'm glad I didn't cave in to the pressure of the pushy server.
I got suckered into a group dinner date with two of my buddies and their respective women. I had no clue as to where I was going, what to expect, or even how to dress.
We ate outside, ordered a full course appetizer-dessert meal with wine and I must say, it was pretty delicious. I couldn't find anything wrong with any of the food. Naturally, meals were shared occasionally and even my company's meals were delightful.
Service was great. Our waiter was kind, very timely, and had sympathy for my complete lack of propper etiquette when ordering my food or drinking my wine. I am not so good of a fine food connoisseur so I look like a deer in the headlights when asked how I want my food prepared. I've been snubbed by waiters that do not tolerate this kind of ignorance, so I appreciated his friendly demeanor. It made me feel comfortable.
Anyways, food was great, service was outstanding, and the atmosphere was nice. Their outdoor seating is very cute. The owner was outside popping a champagne bottle with a couple that was celebrating their 50th anniverserary. It was cute and gave the place a lovely personality.
It was very expensive. This is the only reason I am not giving it a full 5 stars. But it's what you'd expect out of such a fine Italian establishment.
There's something wrong with this place...I called a day in advance to make a reservation for this special reunion dinner for my 30-year-ago roommate and myself. Ran into traffic on Route 128 (backed up from the end of Route 3 south from New Hampshire ALL THE WAY to Exit 48 [g-r-r-r!]). So, I called the restaurant to let them know I would be delayed. No reservation...ugh! I hate that!!! Hostess did have a table, though, and she promised we could have it (gee, thanks).
That was the beginning of my first visit to this restaurant... My roommate and I re-clicked instantly and probably made the waiter a little "bugged," shall we say, because we just wanted to chat and took our time ordering our meals. We were having so much fun that it took me awhile to notice that my (rare) steak had an odd texture and appearance: like red sawdust. Don't know what it was, but that instantly took away my appetite. Could not eat another bite! Over-tenderized???
The final nail in the coffin was that the waiter, after we paid the check, just picked up the tab and walked off (with the 20%+ tip and never a "Thank you for joining us this evening."
We were well behaved. had only one glass of wine apiece, had good table manners, were dressed appropriately. We weren't loud, we weren't obnoxious. What should we have done to make our server happier so he would be glad to see us return?
I guess we will never find out...
Went here for a holiday party and was extremely impressed. Noticed some reviewers complained about service--We rented out the restaurant so service wasn't an issue. Food and wine were amazing!!!Would definitely recommend this for a romantic night out!
I have eaten here several times in the past four years and have never ordered a single thing I have not liked. The produce is always fresh and the cheese amazing. They get fantastic seafood-I have had great scallops on several occasions.
Last time I was there I ordered an asparagus appetizer which claimed to have a poached egg on it. While the dish was good, the egg was overcooked. I also had the lamb, which was incredibly tender and flavorful.
Any chocolate lover should order the souffle.
Amazing food, attentive and friendly service. Right down the street, too!
I absolutely adore the atmosphere and the decor. Not stuffy, but not entirely casual either. The interior has great character.
The menu is a bit typical, but the execution was perfect. I remember I stuffed myself last time because of their fantastic desserts. Wonderful gem in Waltham.
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie,
"That's Amore"
When the star seems to shine like you had too much wine,
"That's Amore"
It was inviting to walk into this charming establishment on Main Street humming that tune on a crisp autumn evening with it's Tuscany country side theme escape (only you're not in the country side, it's just Waltham).
We took a seat at it's many bar nooks (so much cozier than the actual table I think) and proceed with the wine list. If you're a wine lover then you'll love that they offer fine wine by the glass from the ranking of the Wine Spectator. What a gem!
We had the pan seared foie gras and yellow fin tuna (a la tartare) along with the grilled beef tenderloin (with grilled king oyster mushroom, black truffle "carpaccio") *OMPH* is right. The meal was exquisite. Oh and of course I'm not going to leave out the hot chocolate soufflé with an extra heaping of vanilla bean gelato (which has to be ordered 30 minutes or so in advance so leave room for dessert).
I had never had dinner on my own before but won't mind heading to this oasis after a long hard day of paper shoveling and hauling arses!
Now that's Amore!
Sit in the front porch/covered area; great in the summer/early fall. Food is good, lots of wine. Great place for "date night".
This is a very nice Italian restaurant tucked away off Main Street in Waltham. I went here for dinner with a colleague. The dinner area decor is sooo cute, it looks like a family owned, quaint restaurant in Italy. The fresh red tulips at every table really enhanced the decor. The waiter was kind of cute too which made ordering that much more pleasurable :-). He was very knowledgeable about the menu and had good recommendations. I had the prosciutto wrapped asparagus which was incredible!!
My main pasta dish was good, but OKAY compared to other restaurants that have done it better. We ordered tea afterwards and I was a bit disappointed with the size of our teapot, but that is a mute point in this whole experience.
This is a good place to come solo, with a date/friend, or with a group for the atmosphere, and quality of food.
I had my rehersal dinner here for 10 people and it was an outstanding experience and I would gladly go back anytime for any occasion. The restaurant is casual but elegant, the food is well prepared, amazingly presented, and priced right for what your getting. It's a little hidden gem that's just an amazing experience. As good if not better than most North End restaurants, an affordable wine list that will blow the socks off any wine lover, it's just as close to a perfect dining destination as it comes minus any stuffy attitude. I can't say enough about this place, it made my wedding rehearsal a complete success.
I highly recommend the pan seared foie, the veal chop and the duck/venision entree. Do not miss dessert under any circumstances.
This is the best restaurant in the suburbs of Boston. Several people will tell you that even in Waltham, Il Capriccio is better. This just isn't the case.
The ingredients, wine list, execution, and atmosphere make this my vote for the best restaurant in the burbs. I would also say that it is in the top 10 in the whole state.
Had another amazing meal here, out waiter was so amazing. He guided us right through the whole meal, starting off with some comped arancini, moving on to some sauteed calamari with cherry peppers and grilled bread, through to some artichoke, olive, and caper pasta, and finishing with our mains. That was the only thing I actually selected - had the lamb rack again, was dynamite, again. The waiter just brought everything else. Great food all of it.
Excellent food, and to me, probably the best Italian in the Boston area. The decor is simple,… Read more »
We went to dinner here on a random Thursday night, were seated immediately and proceeded to ogle the wine list. Neither of us are well-versed enough to know what we're looking at, but the sheer size of the list was pretty impressive!
After much discussion, we decided to split the "lazy man's mussels" as the waitress called them, as an appetizer. Already shelled mussels in a slightly spicey tomato-y sauce left us wishing we had more bread to dip. (Sure, we could've asked, but a part of us knew to leave room for the main meals.)
We had to commit to a dessert, which I didn't LOVE. But apparently the two desserts offered take over a half hour to prepare, so we decided on the peach cobbler. More on that in a moment.
For entrees we got crab ravioli and a steak which were both specials, I think. While there weren't very many ravioli, they were well filled and tasty. The steak was excellent and prepared precisely as requested.
That dessert that we committed to? We were torn. I thought it was neither tangy or sweet. For a peach cobbler, I found it pretty bland. The boyfriend on the other hand, loved it. I didn't think it was flavorful at all, he thought it was perfect. Eh. Agree to disagree I guess.
I am so glad that Italian food this good is in the area and I can't wait to go back and try again...we'll be checking out the chocolate dessert instead though :op
Never again! Absolutely awful service. We made reservations well in advance and weren't offered a table until almost 45 minutes after we got there.
I can think of many places in the Boston area that have both impeccable food and service. I won't likely bother spending my hard earned money on this establishment again.
This place can be expensive but well worth it. The Service and flavors you will experience are like nothing outside of Tuscania. They have nailed the last nail in the Capricio coffin. I have eaten in the North end on many occasions and have yet to find something coming even close to La Campania. Wine list is superb. I had the duck and it was delicious!! The pasta's are all extremely fresh and the desert was also wonderful. Don't look at the bill just enjoy the gastronomic getaway!!
I picked this restaurant because the made to order chocolate souffle on the online menu sounded amazing. We were out celebrating my birthday on a friday night. Everything from wine selection to the dessert was phenomenal. Our watier was very attentive without being annoying - he helped us select a wonderful wine and also gave suggestions on appetizers and clued us into a pasta sampling for an appetizer that wasn't on the menu. We were each able to try small portions of 3 different pastas and it was so worth it. Our dinners were also outstanding and the chocolate souffle at the end of the meal was well worth it!
The atmosphere here was cozy and comfortable but also really special. I know we'll be back!
I was a little nervous to try La Campania because of the look from the street. It's not in a super cute part of town and, for some reason, I felt like the outside looked like it was thrown together with things from a garage sale. I was pleasantly surprised when we headed inside and even more pleasantly surprised with the food. I had an appetizer of asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and parmesean drizzled in a balsamic reduction...SO good. The asparagus were cooked perfectly (which is not easy). For dinner, both of our meals were stand-out...I had a fish dish and my friend had pasta. The wine list was also impressieve. The service was attentive and the ambiance was cozy but the prices were a little steep for a restaurant in the 'burbs, in my opinion. I would definitely return, though.
continuing with my review of waltham's quad Italian eats....
La C for my money was better then II C, so use that for reference. I went with the wifey for my Bday a few years ago. I did like the decor better the II C and the menu had a lot more going it. what i recall about this place is that i got the fish and it came out full of bones, i thought it would have been a fillet and easy to eat. not so much and I sent it back because it wasn't listed on the menu as bone in, it actually sounded like a fillet, so they gave me a second plate, which was also tasty.
it was a hair cheaper then II C and I felt like it was more worth it in the long run.
again, no rush to go back, but if needed i would.
Quite possibly the best meal I've ever had. Took the wife here for her birthday, and everything was excellent. The service was attentive without being annoying and he made some great recommendations. I had an oyster app special that was unbelievable. Also, the waiter overheard me mention that we were celebrating a birthday, and when he brought out our sorbet it had a candle in it and happy birthday written in chocolate. Without being asked! Worth the price, and a great high end alternative to heading downtown. Perfect.
We ate at La Campania on a special night for us. We had lots to celebrate, and the food and wine paired magnificently well with our celebration.
After we each finished our glasses of white wine, my fiancee had the pan-seared fresh porcini mushroom "insalata" with baby arugula, warm gorgonzola, drizzled with 20-year-old balsamic glaze, all in a crispy parmiggiano basket. He loved it. Meanwhile, my choice, the figs stuffed with bleu cheese and drizzled with a balsamic glaze, was devine. The figs' clean, sparse presentation was sophisticated on the whie rectangular platter.
For the entree, I chose one of the specials, and I am so happy I did: the braised shortribs with parmesan polenta. How heavenly! The meat was so tender, I didn't need a knife, and it melted in my mouth. He chose slowly simmered lamb "Osso Bucco" with saffron and English pea risotto, sauteed Swiss chard, with a lamb demi-glace reduction.
We paired our entrees with a 1997 Barbaresco that was not on the wine list. We found out about it by speaking with the wine director and encourage diners to strike up a conversation with any restaurant's sommelier. That's what they are there for, to help you choose the best wine possible to go with your meal, and price range, of course.
For dessert, we chose the baked-to-order hot chocolate souffle with vanilla bean gelato and hot chocolate ganache. Heavenly, especially with our dessert wines. No need to say more.
It's tough to compare this restaurant to the other chic Italian restaurant in Waltham, Il Capriccio. The decor in both restaurants is different: La Campania is homier and more rustic; Il Capriccio is more upscale and swank -- although both styles are lovely and boast a romantic atmosphere. The food is slightly different as well. However, we do prefer the wine list at Il Capriccio, because it doesn't show Wine Spectator ratings and offers many more descriptions of the wines as well as their histories and bios of the winemakers.
But all that isn't a worry for us, because we did have a great dining -- and wining -- experience at La Campania. Like I said, it was a very special night for us, so I'm sure we'll want to visit again.
I live in boston but work in Waltham. Whenever my boyfriend and I look for a good place we always look to Boston. My bf's birthday fell on a weekday this year and between both our schedules, a boston dinner was looking pretty difficult. One of my co-workers recommended this place so we thought we'd give it a try.
We loved it! You are totally deceived by the exterior and location. You walk in and it feels like you're in a different world; in italy! The service was wonderful; very attentive staff but now bothersome by any means. The food selection was fantastic; it was hard to decide since everything looked great. The wine selection was great (ranges from affordable but great to pricey and rare finds). We pre-ordered the chocolate souffle and it was worth it.
I'd love to go back soon and recommend this place to anyone looking for a nice intimate setting, great wine, and great food. The quality is there and you can tell it's run by professionals that truly care about the business.
My girlfriend and I went to La Campania for her birthday last week. We went on a Wednesday night, and I have to say I was pretty blown away by the food. Our appetizers were good, in particular the arancini (fried balls of rice and cheese). I had a frankly mind-blowing pasta with a veal and pork rag which was the meatiest, tastiest pasta dish I've ever eaten. My girlfriend had the hand-made gnocchi which they definitely do make in-house at the restaurant: you can taste the difference, and the waiter confirmed it. The much-hyped baked-to-order desserts were ehhhhhh, okay. I had a nectarine and cranberry tart, and she had a chocolate souffle. Both were good, but not great.
Speaking of the waiter, the service is the main reason I'm giving this place five stars. We asked for a wine that might complement what we ordered, and his response was essentially, "It's all good." Gee, thanks. He also seemed like he was alternately ignoring us and rushing us. He was definitely more concerned with the several large parties in our room. I understand that he'll probably get a bigger tip from those tables, but that's no excuse to the folks at a two-top feel unwanted.
I can't say enough about this place. Favorite choice for a special occasion or for a nice night out. The entrees are pricey but SO worth it, but you can also go and sit at the "bar" (cozy room with a view of the beautiful open kitchen) and have pizza and appetizers. Great wine list, great service, great owners. The food is heavenly, and the whole restaurant is warm and cozy...especially in the winter. Far, far better than Il Capriccio in my opinion.
Great place to go for a special occasion. Love the food, and there's a good wine list, nice atmosphere. Find a rich friend or a co-worker on an expense account and get them to take you here!
Our favorite restaurant for years and years! Amazing food and atmosphere and people! Reservations are a good idea! We like to go during the week, sometimes choosing to sit at the grill area for lighter food, or a table for a very romantic setting. We like to celebrate our wedding anniversary there!
One of my top 3 favorite restaurants in Boston, hands-down. Everything is so delicious and flavorful, you can't go wrong. I have a hard time not ordering the tomato and mozzarella salad (WHERE do they get that mozzarella? or do they make it? amazing) and the mushroom gnocchi, but everything else is incredible too. The bronzino, if available, is very distinct and a great fish preparation that you don't see too often. If you're a chocolate fiend, or even if you're not, do not pass up the souffle, it's life-changing. Absolutely worth the trip out to the burbs if you can swing it.
With the possible exception of Il Capriccio, this is the best food in Waltham. The atmosphere is pleasant and quietly romantic, and it has a more relaxed feel that Il Capriccio. You can frequently get reservations at the bar on relatively short notice.
To celebrate a job change, I went here for dinner. I'll admit that my expectations were quite high based on the Yelp reviews and some word of mouth. I booked a reservation for 7pm on a Tuesday and was surprised to see it was relatively busy. When approaching the building we noticed a quaint slightly hidden outdoor patio, since it was raining, we opted to eat indoors. The décor was so cute. Pastel creams, golds, and warm wine tones lined the walls that were adorned with kitchy Italian regalia. It was beautiful, wine bottles on the walls, the flowered old world tablecloths, and fresh fruit on the table. Seriously, there were peaches on the table, whole. Kinda cool, I liked it. And the peach cobbler they were offering as a dessert special seemed like the perfect fit! Our dinners were pricey but this seems like a special occasion kind of place. The quality of the food was unparalleled and I was really thrilled with my meal. It was tasty, decent portion, the pasta was fresh, and the bread was delectable. A classy yet low-key place that I must visit again....and again....and again.
Italian at its best in this romantic restaurant. Great wine list and you do not have to go downtown Boston for a great meal! Specialties include gnocchi with sauted wild mushrooms and truffle oil and sun-dried pesto marinated beef tenderloin. P.S. For those who do not know Campania is region of Italy,
Let me start this review by saying absolutely AMAZING!
We ate here last night after touring several of the other Waltham Italian restaurants. Being a bit of a food snob (and a proud Italian), I've yet to find anything outside the North End that meets my expectations. La Campania is the marked exception.
We each started with a perfect foie gras, unbelievable tender & paired with the perfect cheese and seared apple compliment. The only other restaurant that I've found that comes close is Valentino in Las Vegas.
This was followed by a wonderful venison tortellini (for me) & cavatelli (for my wife). Words can not express how fresh each of these pastas were. It's very clear that great care is given to the daily creation of the short list of fresh pastas & sauces. The venison was flavorful and juicy, the sauce was a very light cream with pancetta & figs. My wife's cavatelli was in a rich sausage ragu and had the perfect hint of spice. They have taken al dente to an art form.
Our entrees were equally unbelievable. I had the beef short ribs & my wife had the rack of lamb. It is so rare to find a restaurant that prepares meat to such exacting temperature specifications - even in the multitude of Boston's fine steakhouses. The short ribs were fork tender and so flavorful that I wanted to cry. Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration but I wanted to convey my point. The rack of lamb was also amazing. The accompaniments were a potato puree & pan seared potato cake, respectively. My potato was a bit over done but the potato cake was perfect.
Neither of us had dessert as a wonderful truffle cake was awaiting us at our home but the dessert menu did seem a tad limited. I assure you though, the chocolate souffle smelled decadent. .
In regard to the service, we were extremely apprehensive based on others reviews. I am extremely pleased to say that we had a great experience. We were seated within 5 minutes of our Saturday 8:30 reservation. The waiter was, without being overwhelming, readily available to top off a shallow wine glass. True, he may have arrived as soon as the food was presented but he was sure to follow-up within a few minutes to ensure that we did not have any needs.
I am pleased to rate this gem of a restaurant, 5 stars:
Ambiance: 5 stars
Service: 4.5 stars
Food: 5+ Stars
Wine List: 5 stars
Price: $$$ (can be quite expensive if you treat yourself but worth EVERY penny)
I love it here. My boyfriend and I went for Valentine's Day and had an amazing experience. They had a special menu for the night- I had the duck and it was delicious. The tables were set with tulip arrangements and it all came together for a very special experience. The dining room we were in was very intimate but it was nice since it was mostly couples so there were mostly quiet conversations going on. In fact, a couple right near us got engaged as we sipped our wine and waited for our dinner. I can't wait for our next visit.
La Campania is a lovely little dining spot on Main Street on the outskirts of the main area of Waltham. It is cozy, tastefully decorated, and very intimate. The service is impeccable and the food is carefully crafted. The asparagus appetizer was so exquisite. I highly recommend this sweet little Italian place. It would be an excellent place for a romantic dinner for two.
This place is not cheap, but the food is outstanding, and it has one of the better wine lists in the area.
Waltham, MA
Category: Italian
Waltham, MA
Category: Italian
Newtonville, MA
Category: Italian
Newton, MA
Category: French
Waltham, MA
Category: Italian
