Spring is a perfect time to explore culinary destinations outside your regular stops. This season of renewal brought me to Tre Monté, located at 397 Main St. in Woburn. Italian for “three mountains,” Tre Monté proved to be a successful discovery in culinary delights. And the cocktails aren’t bad, either. I’d highly recommend starting your dining experience with an Angel Food Martini.
“It’ll bring the devil out in you,” says Rose, our witty and knowledgeable server who knew the Melanzana would be a hit as an appetizer. This breaded eggplant is layered with tomato basil sauce and mozzarella cheese, then baked and served over a basil pesto Alfredo sauce ($9.99). For someone who doesn’t care much for eggplant, I tasted a few bites, courtesy of my dining companion, and can’t wait to go back to Tre Monté and order this antipasti for myself. And if you’re thinking, “pesto?” Know that the pesto complements this dish, even when you can’t imagine it would.
It’s always great to order the special of the day, especially when you’re in an Italian restaurant --- and the special always includes homemade pasta. On a pretty crowded Wednesday night, the special was homemade manicotti with sausages and red sauce that turned pink from the ricotta cheese. Delicious doesn’t begin to cover what your taste buds will experience. And add to this a glass of Chianti – I was in heaven. The pasta is made with perfection, and the combination of ricotta, sausage slices and red sauce is beyond what you bargained for – a luxurious experience for your palette, for sure. But, be warned that you should be very hungry when you order this dish, or at least plan to eat the other half for lunch or dinner the next day. Servings are plentiful, courtesy of chef/owner Anthony Contarino, who made a smart choice in renovating his restaurant about three years ago. The former waiting area allows no more waiting --- with more tables and space in another part of the elongated dining area in a restaurant with street parking AND a parking lot around the corner, just in case. In a crowded restaurant, a table of 16 is seated nearby, yet the noise level was not at all overwhelming.
If you order an entrée, such as rack of lamb, grilled and drizzled with a rosemary brandy jus ($23.99), you’ll get a choice of two sides. Be sure to order the potato gratin with fontina cheese chives and prosciutto --- out-of-this-world delicious! The creamy herb-scented polenta is also a great choice for those in the mood for this comfort dish – with sauce of the side so you can really taste the polenta.
Saved room for dessert? If you do, know that the desserts aren’t made on-site, but they are worth a taste. The lemon ricotta cake is the way to go, with a cappuccino to wash it all down.
Comments