Good food makes life great but great food cheap makes life amazing. One of the things that I adore Boston for is the abundance of unique eateries that foodies and penny-pinchers alike can revel in. Every other week I will write on a restaurant that marries the things I love most: great food, good prices, and interesting neighborhoods.
A staple when I want to eat out is D’Parma Ristorante in East Boston which offers Italian standards unlike many run of the mill renditions you’ve tried. Two seductively lit rooms in the evening, with a wooden bar and open kitchen in the first and more private tables in the second, are perfect for date night or a large group. Appetizers are sized to share and include classics like Antipasto ($9.95) and interpretations like spicy sausage stuffed mushrooms in a cream sauce with baby spinach and tomatoes ($7.95 and to die for!) will whet your appetite.
The main course offers something for everyone. Vegans and vegetarians can savor the Risotto with vegetables and white wine sauce ($10.95) or the scrumptious Gnocchi in tomato sauce ($7.95). Specialty veal or chicken dinners combine huge portions with seven delectable options and a side salad with heart-stopping-amazingly-delicious dressing ($13.95 and $11.95, respectively).
Ravioli, tortellini, and other paste dinners are exquisite with homemade sauces. The Linguine Frutti D’Mare ($12.95), which is almost impossible to devour in one sitting, is teeming with mussels, clams, calamari, and shrimp. If you’re looking for a true comfort food the Ziti with Tomato Sauce ($6.95) is unbeatable. Grilled options are available and come with a salad and side.
Every month there are new specials added to the menu so it is perfectly likely that you can order a new appetizer/entree combo even if you go two or three times a month (like me!).
If a night out is out of the question D’Parma Ristorante is open for lunch. Perfect for a business meeting or afternoon escape sun comes streaming in through the stained glass windows to really brighten things up. The full menu is available as well as massive subs like the D’Parma #2 with prosciutto, pounded breaded chicken, mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and roasted red peppers ($6.95) and the everyday turkey and cheese ($4.95).
Last but certainly not least they offer an unbelievable $10 buffet from 11am-6pm on Sundays. This includes two types of salad, soup, three or four appetizer options, pasta, and three entrees. There is also a fruit salad for a light desert.
Every time I walk into D’Parma Ristorante it feels like going home. The wait staff is always friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed and intimate with décor from the Italian countryside. Steps from Maverick station and street parking are clutch for easy accessibility. Grab a glass of the house wine ($7.95) and enjoy a meal you will never forget.
D’Parma Ristorante
182 Sumner St.
East Boston, Ma 02128
617-567-9670
