Award-winning restaurant featuring authentic, unique, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
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You’ll discover why discerning diners choose our authentic Italian seafood over chain alternatives. Every dish showcases the finest ingredients from the Abruzzo region, prepared by our chefs who understand that true Italian seafood cuisine requires both tradition and excellence.
Your evening transforms into something special when you experience our fresh lobster ravioli, perfectly grilled calamari, and seafood risotto crafted with techniques passed down through generations. This isn’t just dinner—it’s the kind of meal that reminds you why quality matters.
The difference is immediate. Fresh, sustainably-sourced seafood prepared with organic ingredients and served in an atmosphere that makes every occasion feel important.
Since 2004, we’ve been Ashby’s destination for authentic Abruzzese seafood cuisine. Founded by Anna Mountzuris, our award-winning restaurant specializes in the coastal Italian traditions of the Abruzzo region, where seafood isn’t just an ingredient—it’s an art form.
What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity. We often hire chefs directly from the Abruzzo region, ensuring that every seafood dish reflects genuine Italian coastal cooking techniques. Our name comes from the rare truffle mushroom found only in Abruzzo, which we incorporate into signature dishes.
You’ll find us more convenient than traveling to Boston’s North End, yet we offer the same caliber of Italian seafood excellence that discerning diners expect. Nearly twenty years of serving the community has earned us loyal customers who return not just for special occasions, but whenever they want truly exceptional Italian seafood.
Your experience begins with our commitment to sourcing the finest seafood and organic ingredients. We work directly with trusted suppliers who share our standards for freshness and sustainability, ensuring every piece of seafood meets our exacting requirements.
Our chefs prepare each dish to order using traditional Abruzzese techniques. Whether you’re enjoying our signature grilled calamari, lobster linguini, or seafood risotto with scallops and shrimp, every element is crafted with the attention to detail that Italian coastal cuisine demands.
You can expect dishes that arrive at optimal temperature and presentation, from our kitchen to your table. Our service team understands that great seafood requires perfect timing, so your meal flows seamlessly from appetizers through our carefully curated wine pairings to dessert.
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Your dining experience includes access to our full menu of Abruzzese seafood specialties, from delicate crudo preparations to hearty seafood pastas. We offer both intimate dining in our main restaurant and private event space for up to 45 guests, perfect for celebrations where exceptional seafood takes center stage.
Our extensive seafood menu features everything from traditional linguini alle vongole to innovative dishes like our lobster ravioli in vodka pink sauce. Each preparation showcases different aspects of Italian coastal cooking, whether you prefer the simplicity of grilled branzino or the richness of our seafood risotto.
For Ashby residents seeking authentic Italian seafood without the drive to Boston, we provide the perfect solution. Our location offers convenient parking and the kind of warm, elegant atmosphere that makes both casual dinners and special celebrations memorable. Live saxophone music on select evenings adds to the authentic Italian dining experience.
Our seafood comes from authentic Abruzzese traditions, which focus specifically on coastal Italian cuisine from the Abruzzo region. Unlike restaurants that treat seafood as just another menu category, we specialize in the techniques and preparations that have defined this coastal region for generations.
We often hire chefs directly from Abruzzo to ensure authenticity in every dish. This means our grilled calamari, seafood risotto, and pasta preparations reflect genuine Italian coastal cooking methods, not generic interpretations.
The difference shows in details like how we prepare our seafood sauces, the specific combinations of herbs and seasonings we use, and our understanding of which seafood pairs best with different pasta shapes and cooking techniques.
We source our seafood through carefully selected suppliers who meet our standards for freshness and quality. Every piece of seafood is evaluated for freshness before it enters our kitchen, and we prepare dishes to order to ensure optimal taste and texture.
Our commitment to quality means we work with suppliers who understand the difference between seafood that’s acceptable and seafood that meets Italian coastal standards. This includes proper handling, storage, and transportation that preserves the natural flavors and textures.
You’ll taste the difference immediately in dishes like our lobster ravioli or seafood risotto, where the natural sweetness and delicate textures of properly handled seafood shine through our traditional preparations.
Absolutely. Italian coastal cuisine naturally offers many options for different dietary preferences, and we’re experienced in adapting traditional preparations when needed. Our chefs understand how to modify recipes while maintaining the authentic flavors that define Abruzzese seafood cuisine.
For gluten sensitivities, we can prepare many of our seafood dishes without pasta or with gluten-free alternatives. Our grilled seafood preparations, seafood salads, and risotto dishes work well for various dietary requirements while still delivering authentic Italian flavors.
We’re always happy to discuss specific needs when you make your reservation. Our kitchen team has nearly two decades of experience accommodating special requests without compromising the quality and authenticity that defines our seafood cuisine.
Our signature grilled calamari is a must-try dish that showcases our Abruzzese preparation techniques. The lobster ravioli in vodka pink sauce with crab meat and arugula represents our approach to elevated Italian seafood pasta, while our seafood risotto with scallops, shrimp, and mussels demonstrates traditional risotto techniques.
For first-time visitors, we often recommend starting with our seafood appetizers to understand our style, then choosing between our pasta preparations or whole fish dishes depending on your preferences. Our linguini with mixed seafood offers a comprehensive taste of our approach to Italian coastal cuisine.
Each dish tells the story of Abruzzese coastal cooking, so you really can’t go wrong. Our servers are knowledgeable about preparations and can guide you based on your preferences for lighter versus richer dishes, or familiar versus more adventurous options.
Yes, our second-floor dining room accommodates up to 45 guests for seated dinners or 55 for cocktail-style events. We specialize in creating custom seafood-focused menus for celebrations, business dinners, and special occasions where exceptional Italian cuisine sets the right tone.
Our private dining experience includes dedicated service staff and the ability to customize the menu around your preferences and any dietary requirements your guests might have. Whether you want a multi-course seafood tasting or family-style Italian coastal dishes, we can design the perfect experience.
We handle all the coordination and planning, so you can focus on your guests while we ensure every detail of the seafood preparation and service meets our standards. Many clients choose our private dining specifically because they want their guests to experience authentic Italian seafood in an intimate, elegant setting.
You can make reservations by calling us directly or through our online reservation system. For regular dining, we typically recommend booking a few days to a week in advance, especially for weekend evenings when our seafood specialties are most popular.
For special occasions, private events, or larger parties, we suggest booking several weeks in advance to ensure availability and allow time for menu customization if desired. Our busiest times are Friday and Saturday evenings, when many guests come specifically for our seafood preparations and live music atmosphere.
Same-day reservations are sometimes available, particularly for lunch or early dinner seating. However, given our reputation for authentic Italian seafood and our intimate dining room size, advance planning ensures you get the date and time that works best for your special dining experience.
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