Award-winning restaurant featuring authentic, unique, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
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You walk into most seafood places and get the same frozen, reheated disappointments. Not here. Every piece of fish, every scallop, every strand of pasta gets the attention it deserves.
Our kitchen doesn’t cut corners. When you order our signature Linguini with shrimp, rock shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari, and scallops, you’re getting seafood that was swimming yesterday, not sitting in a freezer for months. The difference hits you with the first bite.
This is what happens when Italian tradition meets New England’s freshest catch. You get dishes that make sense—flavors that work together instead of competing, portions that satisfy without overwhelming, and an experience that reminds you why you started loving seafood in the first place.
Since 2004, we’ve been serving Shirley, MA and the surrounding communities the kind of Italian seafood that keeps families coming back. Not because we’re trendy, but because we’re consistent.
Anna Mountzuris founded Tartufo with a simple concept: organic meats, fish, vegetables, freshly baked bread and desserts, all prepared in the authentic Italian tradition. No shortcuts, no compromises. Twenty years later, that philosophy hasn’t changed.
You’ll find us treating every dinner service like it matters—because it does. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, hosting a business dinner, or just want a meal that doesn’t disappoint, we understand what’s at stake. That’s why locals trust us with their special occasions and why visitors leave planning their return trip.
First, we source our seafood daily from trusted suppliers who understand our standards. No frozen substitutes, no “market price” mysteries. You know what you’re getting before you order.
Our kitchen team prepares each dish to order. Your Pan seared scallops with pappardelle pasta, spinach, and portabella mushroom in vodka mascarpone pink sauce isn’t sitting under heat lamps. It’s being crafted while you’re settling in with your wine.
Service moves at the right pace—attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable without being pretentious. We’ll recommend wine pairings that actually complement your seafood choice, not just push the most expensive bottle. And if you need accommodations for dietary restrictions or special requests, we handle it without making it a production.
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Our seafood menu spans the spectrum from approachable classics to sophisticated preparations. The Grilled Calamari that put us on the map, Tagliatelle with half lobster in garlic and plum tomato sauce, and our signature Veal Chop stuffed with prosciutto and fontina cheese topped with mushrooms and port wine reduction.
Shirley residents appreciate that we maintain the same quality standards whether you’re ordering our famous lobster ravioli or trying something new from our seasonal selections. The Mystic River region’s dining scene demands consistency, and we deliver it every service.
We accommodate parties from intimate dinners for two to corporate events for 45 in our private dining room. Live saxophone jazz on select evenings adds atmosphere without overwhelming conversation. And yes, we handle the parking situation so you don’t have to circle the block looking for a spot.
Our signature dishes include the Grilled Calamari that customers drive from across the region to try, Linguini loaded with shrimp, rock shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari, and scallops in a lightly spiced cherry tomato sauce, and our house-made Lobster Ravioli in vodka pink sauce with crab meat and arugula.
The Pan seared scallops with pappardelle pasta, spinach, and portabella mushroom in vodka mascarpone pink sauce consistently ranks as a customer favorite. We also offer traditional Italian preparations like Tagliatelle with half lobster, garlic, plum tomato, basil, and crushed red pepper that showcase both our Italian roots and commitment to fresh New England seafood.
Each dish reflects our philosophy of letting quality ingredients speak for themselves rather than masking them with heavy sauces or unnecessary complexity.
We source our seafood daily from suppliers who meet our standards for freshness and quality. This means the scallops in tonight’s special were likely harvested yesterday, not weeks ago from a freezer.
Our kitchen staff inspect every delivery to ensure it meets our criteria before it goes on your plate. We don’t accept substitutions or “close enough” alternatives. If our supplier can’t deliver the quality we require for a particular item, we remove it from that day’s menu rather than compromise.
This approach costs more and requires more planning, but it’s the difference between seafood that tastes like the ocean and seafood that tastes like disappointment. Twenty years of repeat customers tells us the extra effort is worth it.
Our second floor private dining room accommodates up to 45 people for seated dinners and up to 55 for cocktail receptions. We coordinate the entire event planning process to reduce your stress and ensure everything runs smoothly.
Whether you’re hosting a corporate dinner, celebrating a milestone birthday, or organizing a wedding reception, we create custom menus tailored to your group’s preferences and dietary requirements. Our catering service can also bring our authentic Italian seafood cuisine to your off-site location.
The key is giving us advance notice so we can reserve the space, plan the menu, and ensure our service team is properly staffed for your event. We’ve handled everything from intimate anniversary dinners to large corporate functions, and we understand that every detail matters when you’re hosting something important.
The atmosphere strikes a balance between elegant and comfortable—upscale enough for special occasions but welcoming enough for regular family dinners. Our dining room features warm tones and maritime-themed décor that reflects our commitment to quality seafood without feeling stuffy or pretentious.
Live saxophone jazz on select evenings, particularly Tuesday nights, adds sophistication without overwhelming conversation. The sound level allows for intimate discussions and business meetings while maintaining the energy of a thriving restaurant.
We accommodate both romantic date nights and family celebrations equally well. The lighting, music, and service style adapt to the occasion rather than forcing every dinner into the same mold. Whether you want a quiet corner table or prefer the energy of our main dining area, we can usually accommodate your preference.
The main difference is our focus on authentic Abruzzese and Mediterranean cuisine combined with New England’s finest seafood. While many Italian restaurants in the area serve predictable dishes with frozen ingredients, we maintain traditional preparation methods using fresh, daily-sourced seafood.
Our twenty-year track record in Newton Centre speaks to consistency that newer establishments haven’t had time to prove. We’ve built relationships with suppliers, refined our recipes, and trained our staff to deliver the same quality experience whether you visit on a Tuesday or Saturday night.
The combination of authentic Italian techniques, premium seafood, and experienced service creates an experience that’s difficult to replicate. Our customers often tell us they’ve tried other Italian seafood restaurants in the area but keep returning to us because we deliver what we promise every time.
First-time visitors should expect a warm welcome from our hostess staff and a server who knows the menu well enough to make genuine recommendations based on your preferences. We don’t rush you through the meal or push expensive add-ons you don’t want.
The menu offers both familiar Italian-American dishes and more authentic preparations, so you can stay in your comfort zone or try something new. Our servers can guide you toward dishes that match your taste preferences and spice tolerance rather than just reciting specials.
Plan for a leisurely dining experience—we’re not a quick-turnaround operation. The food is prepared to order, so allow time to enjoy the atmosphere, wine selection, and conversation. Most first-time visitors leave with reservations already made for their return visit, which tells you something about the experience you can expect.
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