Sapori Cucina & Bar

Chestnut St.

Quincy, MA 02169

saporiquincy.com

Almost always, our dining experience begins with some wonderful friends wanting to get together. Our common ground revolves around Quincy, so this is where we searched for a restaurant that none of us had been to before. Debbie had heard good things of a new Italian restaurant called Sapori Cucina & Bar, so we decided to give it a try. When trying to figure out the location, we realized it was in the same place that previously held a café and gelato place. What we didn’t know and found out once we arrived is that it is actually the same owners just with a new vibe in their space. Cleber, who owns the restaurant with his wife, explained their transition to this new venture to us. They wanted to expand their menu and hours and decided that a full dinner restaurant was the way to do that. Cleber’s wife is Italian, so it made sense to go in that direction.

Ambiance

Sapori is great for a casual get together with friends. The restaurant has a comfortable feel with Italian decor with an industrial feel. Our table of 6 was tucked in a little alcove on one side of the restaurant, so it was very quiet (other than being across from the bathrooms which brought some traffic). Other tables and bar seating were on the other side of the restaurant. There was even bar height seating over the chest housing the gelato – yum.

Service

Cleber waited on us himself and was very enthusiastic about the drink and food menus, explaining each option, even showing us pictures of the specials on his phone. The menu had the classic Italian dishes, chicken parm, chicken marsala, piccata, Bolognese, gnocchi, meatballs, arancini, but also had some specialty pizzas and burgers.

Food

We started with bread that was brought to the table – it was more like beignets, rectangular cooked dough pieces served with olive oil with garlic, red pepper flakes and herbs. We started with the Sapori salad that was quite good. It came with arugula, shaved parmigiano, pear, and thinly sliced almonds topped with a lemon vinaigrette. We also got the burrata with pesto served cherry tomatoes, balsamic drizzle and bread points (pizza dough cut into triangles). These two appetizers were more than adequate for the 6 of us.

Carol and I each ordered the linguini frutti di mare that came with scallops, shrimp, mussels and calamari in a fra diavlo sauce that they made to each our spice level requests. Jim tried the rigatoni cacio e pepe which is a white peppery sauce. Debbie opted for the pumpkin tortellacci which were large pumpkin tortalinis in a brown butter sage sauce and topped with a crumbled amaretto cookie crumble. Steve got the Bolognese. John ordered the chicken marsala, but it came over pasta even though he specified that he needed gluten free. I do think there was a breakdown in communication regarding this, but we did later have a discussion with Cleber regarding the importance of offering and specifying gluten free options for those who attempt to dine with a gluten allergy, especially at an Italian restaurant. All the choices were very good, particularly the Bolognese and pumpkin tortellacci.

We love dessert and again found it very hard to pick from all of their house made desserts. We all decided, however, to try two gelato trios to share as this is a gluten free option. We ended up trying 6 out of their 10 different types of gelatos. The chocolate was very rich and delicious! As usual, we always forget to photograph the dessert before eagerly digging in.

Cocktails

Patti got wine to start while Deb and Carol ordered limoncello spritz which were so amazing Patti ordered that next. The guys got their traditional old fashioned. The drinks were very good but were a bit pricy – $17 for an old fashioned. The guys ended the night with grappa, which is an Italian digestive sipper that is not for the faint of heart. Cleber coached them through ordering the one that was not too harsh, then brought out a sample of a grappa that he said is more traditional and very harsh. That was nice of him to do.

Recommendation

is obvious that Cleber and his wife have a passion for sharing the flavors of his wife’s Italian heritage through their restaurant. Sapori’s Cucina & Bar in Quincy, MA is definitely worth trying. We all decided that we would be back and that you should try it as well!!