Award-winning restaurant featuring authentic, unique, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
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You walk away from dinner feeling like you’ve experienced something truly special. The kind of evening where every detail—from the first warm bread to the final sip of wine—reminds you why fine dining matters.
This isn’t just about filling your stomach. It’s about celebrating life’s important moments in a setting that matches their significance. Whether you’re marking an anniversary, closing a business deal, or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary, you deserve an experience that honors the occasion.
The difference shows in everything: handcrafted pasta that melts on your tongue, fresh seafood prepared with techniques passed down through generations, and service that anticipates your needs without hovering. You leave knowing you’ve tasted something you couldn’t recreate at home, no matter how skilled you are in your own kitchen.
We’ve been earning the trust of discerning diners throughout Reading and the greater Boston area since 2004. Founded by Anna and Theodore Mountzuris, our award-winning restaurant brings authentic Abruzzese and Mediterranean cuisine to Massachusetts with the kind of consistency that builds lasting relationships.
Twenty years in business means something in the restaurant world. It means weathering economic storms, adapting to changing tastes, and consistently delivering experiences that keep guests coming back. Our 4.5-star reputation isn’t accidental—it’s the result of sourcing the finest ingredients, maintaining exacting standards, and treating every guest like family.
Reading’s dining scene has evolved significantly over the past two decades, but Tartufo has remained a constant: the place locals recommend when out-of-town guests ask where to find truly exceptional Italian food. That’s not marketing speak—that’s earned trust.
Your experience begins the moment you make a reservation. Our staff prepares for your arrival, ensuring your preferred table is ready and any special dietary needs are noted. No rushing, no confusion—just smooth coordination that lets you focus on what matters.
Upon arrival, you’re greeted by name and seated in an atmosphere that balances elegance with warmth. Our menu features both time-honored classics and seasonal specialties, each dish prepared to order using traditional techniques and the freshest ingredients available. Your server guides you through options, answers questions about preparation methods, and helps pair wines that complement your selections.
Our kitchen operates with precision timing, ensuring courses arrive at the perfect temperature and pace. You’re never waiting too long between dishes, never feeling rushed to finish. The goal is simple: create space for conversation, celebration, and the kind of unhurried enjoyment that makes dining memorable.
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Fine dining means more than expensive ingredients—it’s about the complete experience. At Tartufo, that means handmade pasta crafted daily, fresh seafood sourced from trusted suppliers, and signature dishes like our renowned Grilled Calamari and perfectly prepared Veal Chop that have become local legends.
Our service style reflects old-world hospitality adapted for modern expectations. Our servers are knowledgeable about ingredients, preparation methods, and wine pairings, but they’re not pretentious about it. We understand that great service enhances the meal without overwhelming it. Live saxophone music on select evenings adds atmosphere without drowning out conversation.
Reading diners appreciate authenticity, and that’s exactly what we deliver. Our upstairs private dining room accommodates groups up to 45 for special celebrations, while our main dining room provides an intimate setting for couples and smaller parties. Gluten-free options are available and prepared with the same attention to detail as traditional dishes, ensuring every guest feels welcome and well-cared for.
We combine authentic Abruzzese cuisine with 20 years of local experience, creating a dining experience that feels both sophisticated and genuinely welcoming. Unlike restaurants that focus solely on presentation, we emphasize traditional preparation methods and family recipes that have been refined over generations.
Our commitment to made-to-order cuisine using all-natural ingredients sets us apart from establishments that rely on pre-prepared components. You’ll taste the difference in dishes like our signature Veal Chop and house-made pasta, which are crafted using techniques that honor Italian culinary traditions while meeting contemporary expectations for quality and service.
Our atmosphere strikes a unique balance—elegant enough for special occasions, yet warm and inviting enough that you feel comfortable celebrating with family or enjoying an intimate dinner for two.
For weekend dinners and major holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and New Year’s Eve, we recommend booking 2-3 weeks in advance. These dates fill quickly, especially for preferred seating times between 6:30-8:30 PM.
For private dining events in our upstairs room, which accommodates up to 45 guests, booking 3-4 weeks ahead ensures you have the best selection of dates and can work with our team to customize the menu for your celebration. Our private dining space is particularly popular for milestone birthdays, anniversaries, and business gatherings.
Weeknight reservations typically offer more flexibility, often available with just a few days’ notice. However, if you have specific seating preferences or dietary requirements that need special preparation, calling ahead gives our kitchen team time to ensure everything is perfect for your visit.
Fine dining represents an investment in a complete experience, not just a meal. At Tartufo, dinner for two typically ranges from $120-180, depending on your selections of appetizers, entrees, wine, and dessert. This reflects the cost of premium ingredients, skilled preparation, and attentive service that defines the fine dining experience.
The value becomes clear when you consider what you’re receiving: handcrafted pasta made fresh daily, carefully sourced seafood and meats, wines selected to complement your meal, and service that ensures every detail of your evening is handled professionally. Many guests find that the experience justifies the cost, especially for special occasions where the setting and service are as important as the food.
For those seeking a more accessible introduction to our cuisine, lunch service and early dinner specials offer the same quality preparation at more moderate price points, typically $15-25 per person for entrees.
Absolutely. We take dietary restrictions and food allergies seriously, with kitchen protocols designed to prevent cross-contamination and ensure safe preparation. When making your reservation, inform our staff of any allergies or dietary needs so our kitchen can prepare accordingly.
We offer excellent gluten-free pasta options that maintain the same quality and flavor profiles as traditional preparations. Vegetarian and vegan modifications are available for most dishes, and our kitchen staff is experienced in adapting recipes to accommodate various dietary requirements without compromising taste or presentation.
For severe allergies, our chef personally reviews preparation methods and ingredient lists to ensure your safety. This attention to detail extends to wine selections as well—our staff can recommend options that align with dietary restrictions, including organic and biodynamic wines for guests with sensitivities to sulfites or other additives.
We excel as a business dining venue, offering the professional atmosphere and reliable service that important meetings require. Our reputation for consistency means you can confidently bring clients, knowing the experience will reflect well on your business relationships.
Our dining room layout provides tables with appropriate spacing for confidential conversations, while the noise level remains comfortable for discussion throughout the evening. Our staff understands business dining etiquette, ensuring service is attentive but unobtrusive, allowing you to focus on your guests and conversation.
Our upstairs private dining room is particularly valuable for larger business gatherings, client appreciation events, or company celebrations. The dedicated space allows for presentations if needed, while our full-service bar and customizable menu options help create an impressive experience that strengthens professional relationships and demonstrates your commitment to quality.
First-time guests often find the most satisfaction by allowing our server to guide their selections, especially regarding wine pairings and signature dishes that showcase our strengths. Start with our Grilled Calamari, which has earned a devoted following, then consider our Veal Chop or one of our house-made pasta dishes that represent our commitment to traditional preparation methods.
Arriving slightly early allows you to enjoy the atmosphere and perhaps a cocktail at our bar, where you can observe our kitchen’s attention to detail and our staff’s professional coordination. This helps set expectations for the paced, unhurried service style that characterizes fine dining.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion, mention it when making your reservation. We take pride in making celebrations memorable with thoughtful touches that enhance your experience. Many first-time visitors become regulars after discovering how consistently we deliver exceptional food and service that justifies the investment in fine dining.
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