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“A first time success”
Review of Massimo's Ristorante - CLOSED

Massimo's Ristorante
Cuisines: Italian
Restaurant details
Reviewed 1 October 2016

We were dining with friends, who had chosen this restaurant because it had a Groupon and none of us had been there. When we drove up, we were somewhat concerned as the restaurant sits behind Wakefield center, at the back of a parking lot under what appears to be a two family house. We walked in and waited to be seated and after a few minutes, someone took us to our reserved table and left us with bread, butter and water. We got a little concerned when after about 20 minutes we still had not placed a drink order or seen a waitress. Eventually, we snagged a woman who was helping another table and asked her if we had a waitress. She apologized profusely and when to check the schedule and then came back and apologized again, explaining that they were short staffed and she would get someone to serve us immediately. After a few minutes she was back and she was our waitress and that started an amazing meal!
We chose rice balls and toasted ravioli as appetizers, both of which were delicious, hot and served with red sauce. In error we were brought an amazing hot oil, pesto and garlic dipping bowl and we devoured the dip and the bread, along with the appetizers. Our waitress was amazing - funny, attentive but not hanging on us and checking back to ensure we had what we needed. Our meals came with salads which were fresh and cold. The house dressing was good, with lots of balsamic vinegar (perhaps a bit too much for some folks).

Our dinners were chicken francaise for two, chicken broccoli and ziti with red sauce (not the usual and very good I'm told) and veal, white pesto and fusilli pasta, which was enormous and more than enough for two more meals. Each of us took home at least 1/2 of our meals.

When it was time to order dessert, we couldn't make up our minds between the ricotta cake and tiramisu - she brought us one of each - amazing - which we shared among the four of us.

Although it was almost 3 hours from start to finish, it never dragged, the waitstaff was fun and the owner's father in law even stopped at the table to ask if everything was good. Althought the atmosphere isn't necessary chic as my dad used to say, you can't eat the atmosphere, so.... We would definitely go back again and again - and ask for the same waitress every time! As we were leaving, two waitresses apologized again and thanked us for our patience. We thanked them for making our night the best!

Date of visit: September 2016
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2  Thank Atraveler110
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviews (55)
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27 - 31 of 55 reviews

Reviewed 13 September 2016

We dined at Massimos in Wakefield on Sunday evening, . We were there (20 miles outside of Boston) courtesy of Groupon and of a purchaser (me) who failed to pay attention to the fact we were buying a Groupon for Massimos not Massiminos (North End) The restaurant gives new meaning to the term "unpretentious" Unlit christmas tree bulbs adorned the window sill of windows that gazed out onto the parking lot adjoining the restaurant. A television in one of the rooms featuring some talk show at low volume.. When we drove up, my dining companion half jokingly said we should just order take out

The first hint that all would not be doom and gloom came when the waitress advised us that all the restaurant had for non alcoholic beer was Beck. (not too shabby) We then had egglplant rotini (delicious). My companion had chicken & eggplant parmiagiana that was appetizing looking and wonderful. Ziti, chicken and broccoli came out so hot you had to be careful not to burn the roof of your mouth.

Service was casual and delightful. The price for a meal for two was $62.00

We will have to wrestle with the fact that it is quite a hike from Boston but is the only reason we could give for why we would not visit this place on a regular basis.

Date of visit: August 2016
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1  Thank Charles M
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 23 August 2016

I had Veal Saltibocca which is one of the best I've had. My wife had Clams fradiavolo.
There was enough for us to have for lunch the next day.
This is not the only time there and will go again.

Date of visit: August 2016
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1  Thank choff410
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 12 August 2016

Ate here with my Calabria-born Dad. Casual, cozy atmosphere. Our waitperson was pleasant and attentive. We ordered veal entrees: Marco Polo and stuffed chop. Remarkably tender and enormous portions. We took home about half of our meals and enjoyed the leftovers the next couple days. Will definitely return!

Date of visit: August 2016
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1  Thank babaganoosh666
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 3 August 2016

I bought a Groupon for this restaurant which had to be used Sun - Thurs. It is hidden away in a very deceivingly sized place. It looks tiny from the outside. A long time Chinese restaurant use to be in this location. Massimo's had a location in Malden center for years but moved to Wakefield. The waitress was very talkative and pleasant. I ordered the Chicken Coloseum which was a stuffed chicken breast served in a butter sauce with pasta. It was enough food for 3 meals. My husband ordered Veal Pesto served over past as well. Both were excellent. We started our meal with an eggplant roulade appetizer that was very tasty. We will definitely be back to this hidden gem.

Date of visit: July 2016
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1  Thank strawberrypip71
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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