A group of friends made plans for a get-together, and we discussed getting pizza for our evening. The question was, what style of pizza did our group prefer? The consensus, Neapolitan style. I said, I know just the place!

Located just steps from the Ball Square T stop, this hole-in-the-wall pizza and pasta restaurant is serving up Neapolitan-style pizza and handmade pastas. I tried three pizzas. First off, the crust was pillowy soft, but stood up to the toppings and had a fantastic wood-flavored char and a great chew. All must-haves in this style of pizza. I consider myself a traditionalist when it comes to pizza; my preference is the Margherita. However, the Salsicca with the house-made fennel sausage, mozzarella, and Calabrian chilies had a hint of sweetness and a spicy kick. The Burrata was similar to the Margherita but was covered with fire-roasted cherry tomatoes and creamy burrata, which was a nice touch. Everyone was very happy and raved about how great the pizza was, especially the Prosciutto di Parma; the whole top of the pie was completely covered with prosciutto and had a salty, sweet flavor with fig jam, peppery from the arugula, and an earthy flavor profile with the Gorgonzola.

The next week, I decided to try the pasta. Let’s just say it did not disappoint. I tried the bucatini all’Amatriciana. The pasta was cooked perfectly, al dente. The tomato sauce was rich with pieces of guanciale scattered through, giving a smoky, salty bite. I also tried the Milanese chicken pasta dish, spaghetti aglio olio in a rich broth with roasted cherry tomatoes. The chicken was lightly breaded and fried, and was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Last, but not least, the Caesar salad was fresh, crisp, and was tossed in enough dressing so as not to compromise the integrity of the romaine. Topping it all off were small, perfect-sized, crispy, and quite flavorful croutons. For the record, they also have paninis and desserts. Beer, wine, and coffee are also available. I look forward to trying more items on the menu in the near future. Please see the webpage for additional information, along with online ordering.

Ciao
688 Broadway
Somerville, MA 02144
617-764-1108
Mon-Thurs 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sat 12 – 10 p.m.
Sun 12 – 9 p.m.
$12– $28
ciao-somerville.com