Trattoria Pulcinella

2 couples on Friday 1/4/2008 with reservations. This place is very cute and was busy and almost full when we visited. The menu is very tiny print so, if you go after this review, bring glasses and a flashlight. Service was busy and a little abrupt, and it took some time for the food. The specials were unpriced; one was boar's meat with coca sauce (sounded a little sweet?), another risotto with seafood, another snapper. Three out of four of us thought the food was unappetizing. The liver and a pasta dish were inedibly salty. The snapper in tomato sauce was tasteless; it seemed to be missing the sauce. (Our fourth didn't weigh in on taste.) The wine list is extensive, unless you ordered the low-end house wine, which was mysteriously unavailable. I would not recommend this restaurant, and would not return. If you must, I suggest you order the simplest traditional pasta dishes, and see if they are good at that. The venue might be popular because it is cute and appears authentic (and in traditional areas might be) and also because it is located conveniently in the middle of the cambridge/harvard residential neighborhood. Pros: cute looking, polite clientele Cons: food is tasteless more

A terrific little trattoria off the beaten track in Cambridge, over by Fresh Pond. Family owned and operated, the atmosphere is cozy and rustic, and the service is old school traditional (I was even gently scolded for not removing my hat after being seated!)...The way the smooth 1950s jazz and classic aroma of garlic cooked in olive oil commingled in the air, I knew right away that I was in for a very pleasurable dining experience.\r \r Salads made with wonderfully fresh, simple ingredients, homemade pasta cooked to perfection (i.e. 'al dente'), a tantalizing variety of seafood and lean meats - plus a wine list with everything from select yet affordable table wines to the most extravagant Barolos and Brunellos, this place is really everything you could want in an authentic home style trattoria: vibrant, healthful, flavorful food, honestly and skillfully prepared in the Italian tradition. Bravissimo! Next time I'll make sure to get dessert! Pros: Superb Italian cuisine, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Cons: None! more

This is a great place for authentic Italian cuisine. It beats going to the North End and fighting for a parking spot. Dont get me wrong the NE restaurants are awesome but this place ranks right up there with them. The staff was friendly and very helpful. If you love Italian you need to try this place. Pros: Great food, atmosphere Cons: na more

At first taste was the phone call trying to get directions to the restaurant, which proved to be very difficult and frustrating, as I was told ""why don't you just ask somebody where it is"" when I was unable to have him explain our destination. We did manage to find our way there with hestitation!\r During the specials when I asked for more detail it was like pulling teeth ( language barrier)?\r So with saying that, I ordered from the existing menu, I chose the risotto which to tell you truth I could have prepared it better myself at home in my non-Italian kitchen! \r \r Pros: Cute little place...... Cons: everything more

The first thing that strikes about this restaurant is its environment and its cozyness. The service is impeccable and the owners are friendly and willing to give further description of the daily specialties. The food is truly Italian, non ""pasta alfredo"" style. I suggest asking for the daily specials, as they reserve good surprises, such as wild boar with espresso coffee sauce, one of my favorites. Try the pear wrapped with prosciutto and gorgonzola cheese sauce. The atmosphere is unique, it looks like Tuscany or some other Italian place. Do not be scared of trying some things you've never heard of, they usually deserve your courage. I suggest reserving your table during weekends, as is usually busy at those times. Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Service Cons: , Price more