This Italian restaurant in Boston reminds me of Florence
đ Tonino: Bostonâs Italian GemâWhere Flavors Cross Continents This little Italian spot is nothing like Bostonâs flashy (Instagram-famous) Italian joints. Itâs got soul, personality, and dishes that feel like a love letter to both Italian tradition and unexpected global twistsâthink flavors that bounce between Southern Italyâs coasts and Chinaâs southwest. Trust me, itâs magic. đ The Must-Orders Pizza Bianca with Eggplant Caponata: đ Life-changing. The crust is crispy outside, pillowy insideâso good, it might make âancestors of flatbreadâ jealous. The eggplant topping? Garlicky, tangy, and suspiciously similar to Sichuanese eggplant dishes (Iâm convinced Marco Polo smuggled this recipe west). Itâs earthy, savory, and perfect for sopping up sauces. Countneck Clams: đ A pleasant shock. Plump, juicy clamsâworth every pennyâtossed with crispy pork lard (think ďźSichuanese pork cracklings). Itâs wild: briny seafood meets smoky, crunchy pork, like dining on a Southern Italian beach one second and a Miao village the next. Pair it with the pizza bianca to soak up the brothâchefâs kiss. đ The âMehâ Special Pork & Mushroom Ravioli: đĽ A miss. The filling tastes like âcheese-heavy pork,â and the pasta is thick and doughy. Stick to their regular menu pastasâtheyâre bound to be better. Tiramisu: âď¸ Homestyle, not factory-made, which is nice. But the mascarpone layer is a bit runny, and the ladyfingers lack that light, soaked texture. Itâs fine, but not memorable. đˇ The Drink to Try Scarpa Bianco Vermouth: đĽ Recommended by our server, and itâs a winner. Fruity, smooth, and slightly sweetâno harsh alcohol burn. Perfect for aperitifs, even if youâre not a big drinker. ⨠Why It Stands Out Global Heart: This isnât âstrictly Italianââitâs Italian food with wanderlust, borrowing flavors that feel familiar (to Chinese palates, at least) without losing authenticity. It reminds me of those tiny, unforgettable spots in Florence or Milanâcozy, unpretentious, and full of character. Budget Score: 4/5. Clams are a splurge, but the pizza and vermouth offer great value. Tonino is a hidden treasure. Itâs not fancy, but itâs full of soulâand thatâs the best kind of Italian food. đ Tonino 669a Centre St, Boston, MA 02130 #BostonItalian #JamaicaPlainEats #GlobalFlavors