Restaurant Review - Artu
Janet Mapa M'08 and Lisa Opanasets M'08
Address: 89 Charles St Boston, MA 02114 (617) 227-9023 Price range: Under $20 Charming, delectable, affordable -- Artu is definitely THE place to go when in Beacon Hill. This quaint, underground Italian bistro is a must for all Italian lovers out there! Tasty antipastos, savory pastas and sweet desserts, the food at Artu is fresh, flavorful and all around delicious. We started off with a grilled vegetable medley of crisp, tender eggplant, zucchini, and yellow onion that was perfect to nibble on as we began to relax from a hectic day at school. From a menu whose tantalizing offerings would rattle the decision-making capabilities of the most weathered ER doc, we finally decided upon a pasta dish and a meat dish to share. The gnocchi were freshly made, like all of Artu's pastas, and baked with just enough gorgonzola, fontina and parmesan to gently blanket the dish without overwhelming it. The grilled rosemary chicken, accompanied with braised vegetables and mashed potatoes (we substituted broccoli), was prepared with equal care. As for dessert, a slice of chocolate mocha cake taken for the road retained its rich chocolaty coolness when this reviewer arrived home a half-hour later and dug in. The dessert menu included several other homemade cakes, along with gelato and sorbet. Exposed brick walls, low ceilings and dim lighting make Artu perfect for a hot date or a night out with friends or family. The attentive wait staff and open kitchen give Artu a warm, cozy, homey, Italian touch. Prices are fairly reasonable (for Beacon Hill standards anyway) with antipastos costing $8-13 and pasta dishes ranging from $11-21. Unlike the touristy, original Artu in the North End, the Beacon Hill restaurant attracts more of a local crowd. Expect attractive young couples, smartly dressed professionals, and cute medical students. Clearly, this delightful, Italian trattoria is worth a visit.