WORCESTER — You know what gets me excited about an Italian restaurant? It’s the little things that don’t have to be spectacular — but when they are, they’re unforgettable.
That’s where Mare E Monti excels, and why I named it one of Worcester’s 11 top restaurants.
The complementary pre-meal bread? Spectacular, with a bowl of garlic-rich olive oil.
The fried calamari appetizer? Flavorful and vibrant, with hot peppers adding depth and elevating the flavor to a place I didn’t know the simple app could reach.
The meatball? Miraculous. I love this meatball. I would help this meatball move. I would gladly drive this meatball to the airport at 5 a.m.
Mare E Monti has a great aesthetic, a loyal local following and free valet parking. They have a spectacular midweek service where they cook up pasta tableside in a wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Heck, they’ll even flambé it.
Despite being a hidden gem, it has everything it needs to catch your attention. It’s still excellent anyway.
A look inside the dining room at Mare E Monti in Worcester.(Nick O’Malley/MassLive)Mass. Hidden Gems: Mare E Monti Trattoria
Mare E Monti is one of those restaurants that’s well-known by locals. So when I call it a “hidden gem,” I do so knowing I’m going to get blasted by Worcester residents in the Facebook comments.
Since opening in 2013, it’s built a reputation as one of the best Italian restaurants in Central Mass.
But for those who aren’t in the know, it can literally be hidden.
Mare E Monti, whose name translates to “Sea and mountain” in Italian, is far removed from the usual culinary hotspots in Worcester. Instead, it’s tucked away in a residential neighborhood off of Grafton Street.
Surrounded by triple-decker housing, it’s not the sort of setting you’d expect from an Italian restaurant of strong local repute.
But as soon as you pull up, it’s apparent that there’s much more to this spot than meets the eye.
If you’re going during the dinner rush, you’d better have a reservation. Otherwise, you’ll be elbow-to-elbow with everyone else who’s angling for a table.
Once inside, you’re greeted by a chic bar that gives a glimpse of Mare E Monti’s solid drink lineup. Up the ramp to the left, you’ll find the dining room, which is buzzing and dimly lit.
One side, you’ve got a rustic bulwark of exposed brick, which blends nicely with the exposed beams and dark-metal aesthetic. The elaborate mural on the opposite wall sets the tone for the eating experience, painting a literal picture of a kitchen that draws from both land and sea.
Maiale Saltimbocca – A seared pork chop with prosciutto, sage and fontina cheese, topped with a mushroom brandy sauce.(Nick O’Malley/MassLive)What’s good on the menu?
I’m always a fan of ordering the chicken parm and tiramisu. Those are awesome.
But I was really impressed by the way Mare E Monti elevates some of the less-exciting mainstays of Italian-American dining.
I wanted to start out by diving into the “Mare” end of the menu, so I grabbed their fried calamari, which comes served amid a bright, spicy tangle of onions and pickled peppers.
The added acidity and heat really elevated each forkful into a delicious, explosive bite that brought out the best elements of the seafood — and was even better when dipped in the side of sauce.
Speaking of sauce, the marinara sauce at Mare E Monti is exceptional. It’s a rich, red tomato lava that’s fresh from an Italian-flavored volcano.
That much was evidenced when I tried the linguini with a combination of meatball and sausage. A simple bite of pasta twirled in sauce is enough to bring a smile to your face.
Things only get better from there. The meatballs packed a potent pop of nutty parmesan and savory meats. The sausage has a pleasantly balanced kick of pepper and haze of fennel.
Going beyond the red sauce, the pork chop (topped with prosciutto, cheese and mushroom brandy sauce) felt like it could fuel me for days in body and soul.
What to know when visiting Mare E Monti
1) Get a reservation — I went on a Saturday evening and the place was slammed. Reservations are available online via Resy.
2) Wine novice-friendly — I don’t know a ton about wine. But our waitress deftly handled my fumbling attempts to find the right drink for my meal.
3) Use the valet parking — Given the location, you’re going to have trouble self-parking. I recommend using the free valet parking that’s provided. The staff was pleasant and efficient moving my car to and from a nearby off-street lot.
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Check them out — Website | Facebook | Instagram
What’s the address? — 19 Wall St., Worcester, MA 01609
What’s the parking situation? — Mare E Monti offers complimentary valet parking. Otherwise, there is limited parking, as the restaurant is surrounded by residential buildings.
When are they open? — Here are the listed business hours at the time of writing.
Monday: ClosedTuesday: 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.Wednesday: 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.Thursday: 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.Friday: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.Saturday: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.Sunday: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
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Mass. Hidden Gems is a series highlighting restaurants and other businesses across the Bay State that we think deserve more attention. You can check out the rest of the series here.
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Dining and Cooking