CARLO'S CUCINA ITALIANA

When the moon hits our eye for red sauce Italian-American, we're at CARLO'S CUCINA ITALIANA in Allston. It's not every day you think "romantic" and "Brighton Avenue," but along this busy byway, the dimly lit, snug restaurant is a cozy date spot. Then again, our grandma was once so happy here, she smooched the waiter. Why? Plates of melanzane ripiene, a creamy eggplant and ricotta rollatini to end them all; delicate stracciatella, the soup named after the torn-rag effect of dropped eggs; pillowy gnocchi dressed in sweet, light marinara; and house specialties like veal layered with artichoke, prosciutto, provolone, and explosive cherry tomatoes.

CARLO'S CUCINA ITALIANA | 131 Brighton Avenue, Allston | 617.254.9759