| There is a nice looking little Italian "bistro" around the corner from
Bruegger's Bagels in downtown Andover, maybe it's that place? I've walked passed
it and looked in the window and at the menu. It looked nice, but pricey. There
was a fairly positive restaurant review posted on the window (Why would they
post a bad one?).
Also within walking distance at the other end of the street is Vincenzo's and in
the plaza in the square is Pasta Villagio. A few blocks down the main street is
a small Bertucci's.
I actually liked Pasta Villagio a lot. It was written up in the Globe's "Cheap
Eats" with a very good review. I thought it was very good; reasonable prices and
good food, decent wines. Not fancy. There's a separate note for Pasta Villagio
in here somewhere.
There's also a Starbuck's downtown, but I'm not sure how late it's open.
-Jeff
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| Cafe La Fortuna is on the street that is flanked (on Main Street) by Enzio's and
Underground Records. I'm told the name of this street is Post Office Avenue.
The restaurant is, indeed, a small Italian bistro with a very interesting menu.
Their regular menu has some delicious-sounding pasta items (like pumpkin-stuffed
totelloni) and an assortment of chicken, veal, beef, and seafood dishes with
unusual sauces and other ingredients.
The bread is heavenly. It is very definitely "homemade" -- a chewy crust,
inside has an almost spongey texture and a wholesome, grainy flavor. I have
heard it said that the quality of the bread is an indication of the quality of
the restaurant. Based on the bread, I was looking forward to an outstanding
meal.
For specials last night they offered a tuna steak in a white wine sauce with
capers and tomatoes (which both I and and my companion had), salmon in a mild
tomato sauce (with other flavorings that I can't remember), and a filet mignon
with porcini mushrooms in a red wine sauce. They also offered lobster ravioli
as an appetizer (which sounded divine) but we decided to eat light and have just
the salad that comes with the meal. The salads were *excellent*, by the way --
a variety of fresh, crisp, greens lightly graced with a marvelous honey dijon
dressing. (They also offer Caesar salad.) The tuna steaks were cooked
perfectly to order (my companion likes his "sushi style" in the middle) and were
accompanied by a generous slice of moist polenta (lightly sprinkled with grated
parmesean and herbs) and a bit of steamed potato and broccoli.
We each had a glass of a nice Chianti before dinner. I had to leave, so we
didn't partake of coffee or dessert. (The armoa of the coffee was wonderful,
though. I was sorry to have to miss out.)
The bill was $44, which I think is pretty steep for two glasses of wine, salads,
and tuna dinners. But I would like to return to try their pasta (which is more
reasonably priced but still expensive, when you get right down to it. The past
dishes, as I recall, were around $12.95-$14.95.)
The atmosphere is cozy but classy, and the waiter was very pleasant and helpful.
I recommend the place for a special night out.
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