A Boston meal will make your soul go to Naples 🇮🇹

🍝 La Campania: Waltham’s Hidden Neapolitan Gem—A Taste of Southern Italy in Boston I love Boston for this: after four years of (at least 1-2 spots weekly), there are still restaurants that knock me off my feet—places that linger in your memory all weekend. This weekend’s stunner? La Campania, a tiny spot in Waltham that feels like a teleport to a southern Italian village. It’s the kind of meal that fulfills a half-formed dream of Italy. 🌟 The Dishes That Stole the Show Fig and Duck Confit Pizza: 🦆 A match made in heaven. I fell for fig pizza at Ciao, but this takes it up a notch. Sweet, juicy figs balance rich, tender duck confit, while Gorgonzola (that pungent, creamy blue cheese) adds a bold, funky depth. Fair warning: if blue cheese isn’t your thing, skip it—but if you love it, this is euphoric. Bucatini: 🍝 A masterclass in simplicity. Thick, chewy bucatini tossed with slow-cooked pork cheek, crispy shallots, and a shower of Parmesan. It’s proof that great food transcends borders—rich, savory, and comforting in a way that feels universal. Every twirl of pasta soaks up the sauce, and the pork cheek melts like butter. Duck 41: 🦃 The standout. Confit duck leg (solid, but not life-changing) takes a backseat to the seared duck breast—tender, pink, and completely non-gamy. In all my years of eating duck, I’ve never had a breast this juicy, this perfectly seasoned. I’d drive back to Waltham just for this. House Bread & Olive Oil: 🥖 Mind-blowing. The bread is crusty, warm, and pillowy—but the oil? Infused with herbs, it’s bright, fragrant, and so flavorful, dipping bread feels like a luxury. No exaggeration: this might be the best olive oil I’ve ever had with bread. Rack of Lamb 58: 🐑 Even after carb-loading, this shone. Tender, pink lamb chops with a crispy exterior, seasoned just enough to let the meat’s natural sweetness shine. Juicy, not gamey, and worth saving room for. ✨ Why It Feels Like Italy It’s not just the food—it’s the vibe. Cozy, unpretentious, with the kind of warmth that makes you feel like you’re dining in a family-owned trattoria in Naples. The flavors are bold, authentic, and unapologetically Neapolitan—no fusion, no compromises. Budget-Friendly Score: 4.5/5. So close to 5, but the wine list felt underwhelming (the only letdown). At ~$70 per person, it’s splurgy but justified. La Campania isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a time machine. One bite, and you’re in a sunlit Italian village, fork in hand, savoring every moment. For a food lover, that’s pure magic. 📍 La Campania 504 Main St, Waltham, MA 02452 #WalthamEats #NeapolitanFood #BostonHiddenGems