Pastalina's - Medford

Yeah, best kept secret. Service exceptional Caitlin, our waitress, was so great! We felt so welcome even though we had no reservations. Eat bellisimo! Billy Costa has to visit.

We have visited this place in the last 2 years a few times, each time with a groupon (like the other cartridges around us). It is a cozy place, but as we had to make reservations, there were always places when we arrived. The atmosphere of the place is romantic with naked brick walls and tea light candles. The serving sizes of the dishes are huge. It is quite much expected that it will wrap up the remains. We liked the care to arrange the ingredients of the antipasto. The main dishes were very good overall, even if they had eaten as leftovers the next day.

Reserved a table for 8:30, then had to wait about ten minutes after arrival because they said they were after. After waiting, they accompanied us to one of about five tables that were empty. Was asked what pasta do you want with your meal? then invoiced $3 for the pasta (which was not in any place price). Our waitress was dressed in movement clothes like all others, and did a lot back and forth between every order. We only ate our ducks an hour after our arrival. At the time we finished, the other three or so tables were left and we were treated to a screaming game between two waitresses, as she knows how to raise her child, while some creepy guys stared through the window. Wine was BYOB. Very cool.

I've been regularly at Pastalina for almost 10 years and it's always great. Simply put, this is a cozy, BYOB Italian place with minimal ruffles and great food. We usually get the Dicasa salad that is slightly big enough for two. Typically, I roll with the chicken salt imbocca, the chicken parm or the chicken grain blue. I saw one of the other reviewers published something about Chef Rocco shopping for Ragu next door and that's just crazy conversation. The red sauce in this place is great and its certainly not from a can. A little fair warning for new customers: This is not the Olive Garden, you will not be in and out in half hour with your plate Pasta. The owner cooks all the food and a meal in Pastalina's is usually something of an evening affair (if you catch my meaning). But if you have good wines, good company and good food, it's not as if there is any need to jump to the next, you know? Very recommended.

I live around the corner and this place can't be beat for classic Italian food. The veal picata is fantastic, so is the chicken cordon Bleu and eggplant rollotini. I have no idea what the negative reviewers are talking about or where they eat that they think is significantly better. I routinely eat in the north end for business but come to Pastalinas for myself.