Award-winning restaurant featuring authentic, unique, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
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You walk in stressed from the week, wondering if this place will actually deliver on its promises. Within minutes, you’re settled into an elegant atmosphere where live saxophone music sets the mood and the aroma of perfectly grilled steaks fills the air.
Your evening transforms from ordinary to extraordinary. Each bite of our signature bone-in veal chop or premium beef tenderloin reminds you why you chose to invest in quality over convenience. The attentive service means you never wait for anything, and the carefully curated wine selection elevates every course.
By the time you leave, you’ve experienced something you can’t get anywhere else in Carlisle, MA. This isn’t just dinner – it’s the kind of evening that becomes a cherished memory, whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or finally treating yourself to the exceptional dining experience you deserve.
Since 2004, we’ve earned our reputation as the premier destination for discerning diners seeking authentic Italian steakhouse cuisine. Founded by Anna and Ted Mountzuris, our award-winning restaurant brings the rare flavors of Italy’s Abruzzo region to Carlisle, MA.
What sets us apart isn’t just our extensive experience – it’s our commitment to ingredients and preparation that most restaurants simply won’t invest in. We source organic meats, fresh seafood, and specialty items like the rare truffle mushrooms that give our restaurant its name.
Our location serves Carlisle residents who understand that exceptional dining requires both skill and dedication. While other restaurants chase trends, we’ve spent nearly twenty years perfecting the art of combining premium steaks with authentic Italian techniques, creating an experience you simply can’t find elsewhere in the area.
Your experience begins the moment you make a reservation. Our team prepares for your arrival by ensuring your preferred seating – whether you choose our elegant upstairs dining room with chandeliers and golden drapes, or our newly renovated downstairs space with its expansive bar and modern ambiance.
When you arrive, you’re greeted personally and seated without delay. Our servers, many with over a decade of experience, guide you through our menu of premium steaks and signature Italian specialties. Each steak is hand-selected and prepared to your exact specifications, while our Italian-trained chefs apply authentic Abruzzese techniques that enhance rather than mask the natural flavors.
Throughout your meal, live saxophone music creates the perfect backdrop for conversation. Your server anticipates your needs without being intrusive, ensuring your wine glass never empties and each course arrives at the perfect temperature. The result is an evening where everything flows seamlessly, allowing you to focus entirely on your companions and the exceptional food.
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Your dining experience includes access to both our intimate upstairs dining room and our casual yet elegant downstairs space. The upstairs features crystal chandeliers, large windows with golden drapes, and an atmosphere perfect for romantic dinners and special celebrations. Downstairs, you’ll find our expansive bar area with elegant table settings and mirrors that create a more modern, spacious feeling.
For Carlisle, MA residents, this means you have a true fine dining destination just minutes from home. No need to battle Boston traffic or settle for chain restaurant experiences. Our proximity to major routes makes us easily accessible while maintaining the intimate, neighborhood feel that regular guests have come to love.
We also offer private event hosting for up to 45 guests in our dedicated upstairs space, complete with full bar service. Whether you’re planning a business dinner, anniversary celebration, or family gathering, our experienced team coordinates every detail. Many Carlisle families have made us their go-to venue for milestone celebrations, knowing that our combination of exceptional food, attentive service, and elegant atmosphere creates memories that last long after the evening ends.
We combine premium steakhouse dining with authentic Italian cuisine from the Abruzzo region, something you won’t find anywhere else in Carlisle, MA. We’ve been perfecting this unique approach for nearly 20 years, earning awards and building a loyal following among discerning diners.
Our steaks are prepared using traditional Italian techniques that enhance the natural flavors, while our signature dishes like the bone-in veal chop stuffed with prosciutto and fontina cheese showcase the culinary expertise that sets us apart. The intimate atmosphere, complete with live saxophone music on select evenings, creates an experience that goes far beyond just excellent food.
Unlike chain steakhouses, we’re locally owned and operated, with owners who are personally invested in every guest’s experience. This means consistent quality, personalized service, and the kind of attention to detail that only comes from genuine pride in what we do.
Absolutely. Our experienced kitchen team can accommodate various dietary preferences while maintaining the quality and flavor you expect from a premium steakhouse. We work with guests who have specific needs, whether that’s gluten-free preparations, dairy restrictions, or particular cooking methods.
For steak preparations, our chefs are trained in multiple techniques and can adjust seasonings, cooking methods, and accompaniments to meet your preferences. We use only natural ingredients and can modify our signature sauces and sides as needed. Many of our regular guests have specific preferences that we remember and accommodate automatically.
We recommend mentioning any dietary needs when making your reservation so our kitchen can prepare accordingly. Our goal is ensuring every guest has an exceptional experience, regardless of dietary restrictions. The key is communication – our servers are knowledgeable about ingredients and preparation methods, so don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions about any dish.
Our pricing reflects the premium quality of ingredients, authentic preparation methods, and exceptional service that define the Tartufo experience. Entrees typically range from the mid-20s to mid-40s, with our signature steaks and specialty dishes at the higher end of that range.
What you’re investing in goes beyond just the food – it’s the entire experience. From our hand-selected, organic meats to our Italian-trained chefs, extensive wine selection, and intimate atmosphere with live music, every element is designed to create value that extends far beyond the meal itself. Many guests tell us that the experience rivals Boston’s top steakhouses at a fraction of the hassle and often at better value.
We also offer ways to make exceptional dining more accessible, including special pricing on certain weeknight menus and our extensive wine list that includes options at various price points. For special occasions, our private dining options provide exceptional value for groups looking to celebrate in style.
For weekend dining, especially Friday and Saturday evenings, we recommend making reservations at least one to two weeks in advance. Our intimate dining rooms have limited seating, and weekend slots fill quickly, particularly during peak dining times between 6:00 and 8:00 PM.
Special occasions like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and New Year’s Eve require even more advance planning – often a month or more ahead. Many of our regular guests book their anniversary dinners or special celebrations months in advance to secure their preferred dates and seating.
If you’re planning a last-minute dinner, we always recommend calling even if our online system shows no availability. Sometimes we have cancellations or can accommodate guests at our bar area, which offers the same exceptional food and service in a more casual setting. Our staff works hard to find solutions for guests, especially those celebrating special occasions.
Yes, our upstairs dining room serves as an elegant private event space that accommodates up to 45 guests for seated dinners or up to 55 for cocktail receptions. This space features the same sophisticated atmosphere as our main dining area, complete with chandeliers, large windows, and full bar service.
We coordinate every aspect of your event, from custom menu planning to service coordination, making the process stress-free for hosts. Many Carlisle families and businesses choose us for milestone celebrations, corporate dinners, and special occasions because of our combination of exceptional food, attentive service, and elegant atmosphere.
Our event team works with you to create a customized menu that fits your group’s preferences and budget. Whether you’re planning a rehearsal dinner, anniversary celebration, or business event, we handle the details so you can focus on enjoying time with your guests. The private setting ensures your group can celebrate without distractions while still receiving the same award-winning cuisine and service that defines the Tartufo experience.
Our approach combines premium steakhouse dining with authentic cuisine from Italy’s Abruzzo region, a coastal area known for its exceptional seafood and unique preparation methods. This isn’t fusion cooking – it’s authentic Italian technique applied to premium steaks and fresh ingredients.
The Abruzzo region specializes in dishes that most Italian restaurants never attempt, including our signature use of truffle mushrooms that give our restaurant its name. Our chefs are trained in these traditional methods, which means your steak is prepared with techniques passed down through generations of Italian culinary masters. The result is flavors and textures you simply won’t find at typical steakhouses.
What makes this especially valuable for Carlisle diners is that you’re getting an authentic taste of a specific Italian region without traveling to Boston’s North End or Italy itself. We’ve spent nearly 20 years perfecting these techniques and building relationships with suppliers who can provide the authentic ingredients necessary for true Abruzzese cuisine. This dedication to authenticity, combined with our commitment to premium steaks, creates a dining experience that’s truly unique in the area.
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