Neighborhood: Jamaica Plain
Price range: $$
Dish to order: The perfectly chewy-to-crisp focaccia pies with your pick of smart toppings
This JP (that’s Jamaica Plain) spot is consistently packed with locals and out-of-towners alike who heard the buzz and came running (once they were able to snag a rare reservation, of course) for pillowy sheet-pan pizzas, decadent-yet-light handmade pastas, and a smattering of aperitivo and natural wines in a cozy residential-neighborhood joint where the food truly blows you away. The duo behind nearby (and deeply beloved) Spanish tapas spot Tres Gatos opened Tonino, their second Centre Street bolthole, in 2022 with chef-owner Luke Fetbroth to rave reviews that eventually sounded as far as the New York Times’ inaugural best restaurants in Boston list. The hype? Perfectly chewy-to-crisp focaccia pies, served with smart toppings ranging from ‘nduja suasage to hot-honey and eggplant, that make this elevated-slices spot something truly unique from the rest of the city’s broad, often boring range of Italian options. But it’s hardly just pizza; don’t miss the smart slew of sides and small plates (they’re half the party, after all) like the guanciale-laden clams, a kale caesar with cured egg yolk, anchovy-butter bucatini, and—most importantly—a truly out-of-this-world taleggio cappelletti drizzled with punchy aged balsamic.
Address: 669a Centre St, Boston, MA 02130
Dining and Cooking