Cafe Picasso

CAFE PICASSO
81 West Main Street, Somerville
908-429-8850;
cafe-picasso.com

Hours: Mon–Thurs, 10:30 am–10:30 pm; Fri and Sat, 10:30 am–11:30 pm; Sun, 11 am–9 pm

Price: $$

Style: Open brick with tawny yellow stucco-like walls conjure a Mediterranean mood. Picasso reproductions hang throughout. Seating is ample and the kitchen is open.

Don’t Miss: Calamari alla Calabrese ($14.95) is a table-pleasing starter. The plump, fried squid rings are tossed with roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, scallions and a punchy, not-too-sweet balsamic demi-glace. Salads ($8.95–$14.95) skew classic—Caesar, tricolore—while others offer add-ins like olives, artichokes and prosciutto. All come with crisp greens in generous portions. The pasta (some of which is house made) and chicken dishes won the most favor from our group. Try gnocchi Allessandra ($18.95), with onions, tomatoes, basil and a garlic pesto, white-wine sauce topped with mozzarella. Another good pick is pollo alla cacciatora ($24.95), in which juicy pan-seared chicken is graced with sweet Italian sausage, chunky portobellos, caramelized onions and bell peppers in a pomodoro sauce. There’s also a wide selection of fish and veal.

Heads Up: BYO; espresso bar and daily selection of pastries and desserts.

The Scoop: Weekly specials include half-priced pasta dishes Monday and Tuesday and half-priced chicken on Wednesdays.