Fine Italian ...Deli?

Vinnie's in Somerville is an eatery suffering from an identity crisis. The sign on the outside may say 'Subs and Deli', but once inside, you can't help noticing that in addition to the standard deli counter, there is a full on Italian restaurant in the back of the store, complete with red curtains and wrought iron scrollwork at the "entrance".



In fact, once 6 o'clock hits, the deli counter closes down and the joint turns into Vinnie's at Night, a Zagat rated hidden gem with a menu that could rival any restaurant in the North End.


Heavy on old school Italian classics like pasta al forno, veal marsala and a lasagne stuffed so thick with their very own home made sausage, the food is both unexpected and divine. The restaurant even makes fresh fusili and linguine daily, an uncommon and authentic touch, which you can have with any of the house sauces. The effect is food that tastes as home-made as if someone's Italian grandma was cooking for you. Seafood lovers will not be dissapointed either, with appetizers like littleneck clams in garlic oil, and main courses that include scallops in rich cream sauce on some of that fresh fusili. Deserts are the usual suspects in any fine Italian restaurant: tiramisu, cannolis, and limoncello sorbet to name a few.

The best part is that only locals know about it, so it's not overcrowded. The entire ad campaign for Vinnie's at Night consists of a sheet of white paper pasted to the entrance of the deli notifying patrons of the restaurant's summer hours. Patrons inside give off the easy vibe of neighborhood regulars who've been in-the-know for years, although trendy young couples occasionally saunter in. This delectable, unexpected little restaurant is definately a hidden gem worth checking out.