Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Restaurant Review: Trattoria 89 Centrale & Valentine's Day

On Friday night Dave and I along with our friends Julia and John went to Trattoria Bar 89 Centrale in Milford, MA. Growing up in the metro-west area of Boston, I didn't know much about Milford until a few years ago when some of our friends moved there.  I really like the town and it has plenty of awesome restaurants.  One of them being Trattoria Bar.  Dave and I are huge fans of Italian food.  I wasn't always but now that I married an Italian I have to get used to it!  Generally when Dave and I go out to eat, 9 out of 10 times it's for Italian. So when John suggested this place, we were pretty excited.
The restaurant was a little hard to find since it's in the basement of a building.  
 
 
But the ambiance is very similar to what you'd see in the North End of Boston.  Welcoming hostess, the owner of the place at the door greeting us and seating us right away.  There are two areas in the place- the bar area and the dining area.  
 
 The whole restaurant has rock walls which adds to the appeal.  Once seated, our waitress quickly came over to get us some drinks. She was extremely friendly and you could tell she really loves the place and the food.  John and Julia come here a lot and they eventually want to be regulars- they want the owners to know their name : )
I ordered a Pomegranate Martini and everyone else ordered
a nice bottle of Red from Argentina.  I wish I was more of a wine girl, but it's just not my thing.  I'm a vodka girl : )
After perusing the menu for a few minutes, we decided to order the Antipasto della Casa - mixed platter of cured prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, provolone cheese, sweet peppers, olives and baby greens for $9.
Everything in this Antipasto plate was delicious and fresh.  It was a perfect starter.

For dinner, Dave ordered the Linguine ai Frutti di mare - linguine with mussels, calamari, and shrimp in a light seafood sauce - your choice of red or white sauce for $18.
And I ordered a special that isn't on their online menu.  But it was prosciutto chicken over a bed of spinach.
Dave and I shared both these dishes and still had a ton leftover.  It was seriously one of the best meals I've had in awhile.  And in the 'burbs!  We will DEFINITELY be back! If you are ever in the area- you should totally check out Trattoria 89. 

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Speaking of delicious meals... it's almost Valentine's Day.  Are you going out? Staying in?  If you plan to cook for your significant other, I have some recipes for you!  In case you missed it, last year I made two special dinners: Valentines Day Part I and Valentines Day Part II.

For Part I, I made Thai Style Mussels, Potato Risotto, Steamed Lobster and Creme Brulee.
And for Part II, I made Crab Stuffed Filet Mignon with Whiskey Peppercorn Sauce and a Fire-Roasted Tomato and Bread Salad.  Both recipes were TO-DIE-FOR.  If you want to make something special for your significant other, MAKE THIS!
You can find all the recipes here: Valentines Day Part I and Valentines Day Part II.

This year I am planning on making Lamb Chops and I'm still deciding on the sauce.  I'm also going to make curried sweet potato puree and an Arugula, Avocado and Blood Orange Salad. Can't wait.  I'm also leaning towards this for dessert- Cookie Dough Cream Pie from Love & Olive Oil.

Been to any amazing restaurants lately?  Are you cooking for Valentines Day?

18 comments:

  1. I grew up in Milford! Your photos of the bomb shelters bring back memories. We had those at my elementary school. They definitely didn't have this restaurant when I lived there. It looks so amazing. If I end up in Milford when I come up in July to visit (we will be staying in the cape) I'll have to try it out!
    We have tons of amazing restaurants down here...it's hard to pick one. Not sure what I'm doing for V-day yet!

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  2. That restaurant sounds great. I love Italian food. Your chicken with proscuitto would be just my thing. I'm definitely staying in for V-Day. I'm so over going to crowded restaurants for a completely unromantic experience. I may be cooking lamb chops as well... it's between that and duck... or possibly beef tenderloin.

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  3. That's not too far from me. I'll have to check it out!

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  4. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! Foxy and I always cook dinner for Valentines day so I will definitely be checking out your recipes in greater detail ;)

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  5. That's an awesome home cooked meal! I should copy you, we usually go out to dinner.

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  6. what an adorable little spot. much cheaper than the north end I'm sure ;) can't beat large portions of tasty Italian food.

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  7. What a cute restaurant! And your Valentine's menu surely puts my "I have no plans" to shame! You're such a good wifey :)

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  8. Sad, I'll be cooking a vday feast alone. Although, I sent some of the perfected granolas to dan the man for vday. That reminds me, I need to update the recipe on the blog!

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  9. Milford is so close! I need to check this place out. Adam and I both love Italian food, so I know he'd be game for a dinner there. Thanks for the review!

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  10. I LOVE going out for Italian food too! It's my favorite kind of food by far. Looks like a great dinner!
    We don't have plans for Valentine's Day yet, might end up not doing much, but your dinner looks fabulous!

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  11. ohhhh this makes me soooo excited for valentines day...i havent been out to a delicious fancy dinner in forever!
    all your dishes look fabulous!
    i hope youve been having a great week!
    xoxo!

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  12. Good to know about a great restaurant outside of the city! The hubs and I have had both sub-par and fantastic meals since moving out to the 'burbs (Wellesley, to be specific). Blue Ginger, Alta Strada, Singh's Cafe, and Blue Ribbon BBQ have become quick favorites... and I won't name the disappointing restaurants ;).

    Your Valentine's Day meals look stunning, by the way! John is making dinner for me on Sunday night (I have no idea what!) and I'm making Ina Garten's lobster macaroni and cheese for him on Monday night, per his request.

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  13. Your Valentine's meals look so delicious and beautiful :) We don't have any Valentine's plans yet this year nor did we last year. HA, we will probably just cook ourselves dinner and relax. I think I am going to have to try your filet recips, it is making my mouth water.

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  14. Well, I am a serious Italian food whore. Lover. I mean lover.

    And that chicken with prosciutto on it looks amazing! Maybe that is what I want to cook for dinner this week...

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  15. Italian food is my absolute favorite!! I'm going to have to make a trip into boston to check that place out. :)

    Also, I was wondering if you could maybe cook me a Valentine's Day dinner this year?? Your meals always sound so amazing, and I could really go for some cookie dough cream pie. ;)

    See you tonight!!

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  16. I love learning about really great restaurants in the suburbs! This place looks really nice!
    I am cooking V-day dinner at home, just not sure what!

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  17. mmmmmm that antipasto is calling my name!

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  18. Mmmm!!!! DELICIOUS looking food!!

    I came wandering over from Jess-Blonde Ponytail! So glad I did!! I need all the help I can get in the cooking/recipe department!

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