Little Italy popped on the scene in Watertown in mid-July, and it has been on my list to try ever since. The restaurant is occupying a space previously known as Deeg’s Bar & Grill. Deeg’s had been a part of Watertown for over 30 years, so I was just as interested in the design of the space as I was in the new cuisine.
The Atmosphere
It was clear right away that the restaurant had undergone a major transformation. In fact, I didn’t find anything recognizable from the old space. It is bright, welcoming, and includes thoughtful details in the décor. I’m a fan of the greenery on the walls. We dined early, so the sun brought in a lot of natural light.
The Food
My dining partners opted for the bruschetta for a starter. They gave it rave reviews. It was described as having classic flavors and was made to perfection.
Pastas and dinner entrees come with the choice of soup or salad. Two of our table-of-three opted for tomato basil soup with our dinner. I will be talking about this soup for a long time! It was rich and creamy, and everything tomato basil should be. It was piping hot, and came with a warm breadstick, brushed with garlic butter. The bowls are half the fun as they are shorter on one side, which is hard to pick up on a photo. Our third diner opted for a house salad. A generous portion of fresh greens, carrots, cheese, and tomato was served with a bread stick on the side.
We each tried a different main dish. I opted for the classic lasagna. The noodles were cooked to perfection, and smothered in marinara. The meat in the dish was flavored well and stood out in every bite. The portion was generous, and I happily took half of the dish home. It reheated well and dare I say was even better the second day.
Another diner in our group opted for chicken parmesan. Two perfectly breaded chicken patties were smothered in marinara and topped with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese. While the menu stated the chicken came on spaghetti marinara, it showed up on fettuccini alfredo. We didn’t ask if that was the norm, or if a substitution was made. Half was enjoyed at dinner, and the other half went home as leftovers.
The third diner in our party opted for the garden risotto and found it to be made with fresh ingredients and light on sauce. The numerous veggies were crisp and the cheese on top added a kick of flavor. The dish makes for a perfect option when looking for lighter fare.
During our dinner, the waiter asked if we would like more breadsticks. We asked for one more each, and enjoyed another warm breadstick with our entrée.
Alcohol is available at the restaurant and includes flavored margaritas, mojitos, and more. We opted for wine and enjoyed our selections.
The Service
We were overly excited to catch up with each other, so our waiter had to visit several times before we were ready to order. He was patient and knowledgeable, and his timing was always just right when checking in on us.
We had a great, social dining experience at Little Italy. There’s a lot more menu to explore, and I look forward to trying new dishes in the near future.
About the Author: Robin Kaufmann
