Award-winning restaurant featuring authentic, unique, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
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You know the difference between good seafood and exceptional seafood. It’s in the sourcing, the preparation, and the respect for tradition that turns a simple dish into something memorable.
At Tartufo, we transform fresh catches into signature dishes that reflect authentic Abruzzese coastal cuisine. Our grilled calamari isn’t just tender—it carries the smoky char and Mediterranean flavors that define this coastal Italian region. The lobster ravioli arrives with crab meat and arugula in a vodka pink sauce that balances richness with brightness.
This isn’t seafood for the sake of having seafood on the menu. Every dish represents techniques passed down through generations of Italian coastal cooking, executed with ingredients that meet our standards for freshness and quality.
Since 2004, we’ve served Arlington families and visitors seeking genuine Italian cuisine that goes beyond the typical red-sauce expectations. Founded by Anna Mountzuris, we specialize in Abruzzese cuisine—the coastal Italian region known for its sophisticated seafood preparations.
We often bring chefs directly from Abruzzo to ensure our techniques remain authentic. This isn’t about recreating what people think Italian food should be; it’s about honoring what it actually is in its homeland.
Arlington residents appreciate having access to this level of Italian dining without the drive into Boston’s North End. We serve families celebrating milestones, couples on date nights, and anyone who understands that exceptional food requires exceptional ingredients and proper technique.
Our seafood arrives fresh and gets prepared using traditional Abruzzese methods that highlight natural flavors rather than masking them. The linguini frutti di mare combines shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, and calamari with garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and a touch of spicy cherry tomato sauce—each component timed perfectly so nothing overcooks.
For our signature dishes like the pan-seared scallops with pappardelle pasta, we start with dry-packed scallops that sear properly, creating that golden crust. The pasta gets made fresh, and the vodka mascarpone pink sauce brings everything together without overwhelming the delicate seafood.
The grilled calamari that regulars return for gets its distinctive flavor from high-heat grilling that creates char while keeping the interior tender. These aren’t techniques you can rush, and they require ingredients that can handle this level of preparation.
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Your meal includes more than just the food. The dining experience reflects the Italian approach to hospitality—attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about wine pairings, and accommodating for dietary needs or special requests.
Arlington diners appreciate our upstairs dining room for quieter conversations and special occasions, while the main dining area offers the energy of an active Italian restaurant. Live saxophone music on select evenings adds to the atmosphere without dominating conversation.
We maintain a full bar with Italian aperitifs, digestifs, and an extensive selection of Italian wines chosen to complement our seafood-focused menu. Private dining accommodates up to 45 guests for celebrations, business dinners, or family gatherings that require more space and privacy.
Our location in Arlington provides convenient parking and easier access than downtown Boston restaurants, while maintaining the quality and authenticity that draws people to established Italian neighborhoods.
We specialize in Abruzzese cuisine, which comes from Italy’s Adriatic coast where seafood is the foundation of traditional cooking. This regional focus means our techniques and flavor profiles are specifically designed for seafood rather than adapted from other Italian regions.
Our chefs often come directly from Abruzzo, bringing authentic methods for preparing dishes like our signature grilled calamari and lobster ravioli. The difference shows in details like our frutti di mare, where each type of seafood gets added at the precise moment to maintain its texture and flavor. Most Italian restaurants in the area focus on meat-based dishes with seafood as an afterthought—we built our reputation on getting seafood right.
We source our seafood from established suppliers who understand our standards for freshness and quality. Our scallops are dry-packed rather than treated with preservatives, which allows them to sear properly and develop the caramelized exterior that defines our pappardelle dish.
The variety in our frutti di mare—shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, and calamari—requires different handling and preparation timing. We don’t compromise on quality to hit lower price points because seafood that isn’t properly sourced can’t be properly prepared. Our 20-year reputation in Arlington depends on consistency, which starts with ingredient selection.
The grilled calamari consistently tops our most-ordered list because of the char and tenderness balance that’s difficult to achieve. Our lobster ravioli with crab meat and arugula in vodka pink sauce offers richness without heaviness, making it popular for special occasions.
The linguini frutti di mare appeals to diners who want to experience multiple types of seafood in one dish, prepared with the garlic, olive oil, and spicy cherry tomato sauce that defines Abruzzese coastal cooking. Our pan-seared scallops with pappardelle and vodka mascarpone sauce draws regulars who appreciate the technical execution—properly seared scallops require high heat and timing that many restaurants can’t achieve consistently.
We work with dietary needs and preferences, though some modifications depend on the specific dish and restriction. Our seafood preparations can often accommodate gluten sensitivities by substituting pasta types, and we can adjust sauce preparations for dairy restrictions in many cases.
For shellfish allergies, we can recommend fish-based dishes that don’t involve cross-contamination risks. Our kitchen staff understands the importance of avoiding allergen contact, especially with seafood where reactions can be severe. We recommend discussing specific needs when making reservations so our kitchen can prepare appropriately rather than making last-minute modifications that might compromise safety or quality.
Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings when our dining rooms fill quickly. You can book through our website, call directly, or use reservation platforms like OpenTable for real-time availability.
For special occasions or larger parties, calling directly allows us to discuss seating preferences—our upstairs dining room offers a quieter atmosphere, while the main floor provides more energy. If you’re planning to celebrate with dessert or have specific timing needs, mentioning this during booking helps our staff coordinate your evening properly. Walk-ins are welcome when space allows, but weekend availability without reservations is limited.
Our focus on Abruzzese coastal cuisine provides authenticity that many Boston Italian restaurants don’t offer, since most concentrate on Northern or Southern Italian regions rather than this specific coastal tradition. The convenience of dining in Arlington rather than navigating Boston traffic and parking adds practical value.
Our pricing reflects the quality of ingredients and preparation methods required for proper Italian seafood cooking. While you’ll pay premium prices, the portion sizes, ingredient quality, and technical execution match or exceed what you’d find in Boston’s North End. Many of our regular customers are people who previously made the trip into the city but found our combination of accessibility and authenticity more appealing for frequent dining.
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