Bertucci’s – Versatile and Very Accommodating!
Written: Jan 30 '05
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Pros: versatile menu, friendly servers, the servers are flexible and happy to accommodate special needs
Cons: sometimes the restaurant is noisy and there is no sound absorption
The Bottom Line: The Bottom Line has ordered one of every kind of pizza. I didn’t know the Bottom Line could eat that much!
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Bertucci's Brick Oven Pizzeria |
I love pizza. I really, really love pizza. But I also like variety. I admit that the first Bertucci’s pizza I saw had me squinting at it in disbelief. It was the strangest looking pizza I had ever seen. The crust was ultra-thin, and the pizza had no traditional looking toppings, and what were those globby mounds of cheese doing all over it? But now that my pizza taste-buds have expanded, I can truly say that I am a Bertucci’s Restaurant fan.
The Cast of Characters
Most of the time when I dine at Bertucci’s, I am with two friends. We are a trio of writers, all writing novels. Through trial and error, we learned that Bertucci’s (versus other area restaurants) didn’t mind us sitting in a booth for three or four hours while we dined and reviewed each other’s manuscripts. No glowering looks or delicate hints to “push off”. The restaurant personnel is always courteous and eager to accommodate. Of course we always leave a very generous tip, aware that our prolonged table usage cuts into a server’s potential income.
The Menu
Bertucci’s doesn’t just sell pizza. Their menu is varied and interesting. I always make sure to save room for dessert, too. The server begins by setting table with fresh bread (often warm from the oven) with a plate of olive oil for dipping. If requested, butter is provided.
Appetizers
Normally, we do not indulge in appetizers. However, once when two of us were waiting for the third person in our party, we enjoyed Bertucci’s version of garlic bread. We did not eat the appetizer out of hunger. We did it for self preservation. A woman in the party seated near us was wearing an overpowering perfume that had our eyes watering. Since no other tables were available, we requested extra garlic on the bread, which helped mask the perfume.
Pizza
My favorite pizzas include: Lestina (white mushrooms, Romano and mozzarella cheese, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes – Large $17.99), Sporkie (sweet Italian sausage, mozzarella and ricotta cheese – Large $17.99) ... or a custom-made pizza with the choice of a variety of toppings. The menu includes 17 Bertucci pizzas such as the Lestina or Sporkie. If you make your own pizza, there is a choice of 24 toppings. The pizzas are served piping hot, too. The crusts are thin and delicious with a generous amount of toppings per pizza.
Salads & Soups
I also make it a point to order an Insalata (leaf lettuce, mozzarella cheese, Lombardi peppers, red onions, plum tomatoes, black olives and mushrooms). With the pizza, a small salad is only an extra $1.99 – and the house salad dressing is great. My friends have tried the Caesar and Chicken Bruschetta salads and have enjoyed them. One friend prefers her salad dressing on the side, and the server happily brought the dressing on the side. Once, when the server forgot and added the salad dressing to the salad, he insisted on exchanging the salad for one with dressing on the side. Full-size salads are also available for between $6.00 and $9.00. One of my friends sometimes orders a cup of minestrone soup, which she says is wonderful ($2.79 a cup, a bowl for $4.49, or with a salad for $5.99).
Pasta
Bertucci’s offers an array of pasta dishes. Between us we have probably eaten most of the pasta dishes offered and enjoyed them all. I’ll add a caveat here. Every time I have eaten a pasta dish with seafood in it, I have either hated the meal, or it has made me feel sick. So I avoid dishes with seafood when dining at Bertucci’s. However, the other pasta dishes are great. The Chicken and Tortellini is served in a light cream sauce with tri-colored pasta ($11.29), and the Rigatoni Abruzzi with sweet Italian sausage and roasted peppers ($10.99). I enjoy the Four-Cheese Ravioli for $10.49. The Lobster Ravioli, which I have had at other restaurants and love, was terrible ($14.99). With the first few bites, I knew I would not finish it. When the server discovered this, she insisted on replacing my meal and did not charge me for the Lobster Ravioli.
Specials & Other Dishes
There is always a list of specials to choose from. If you wish side dishes ($2.99 each), Bertucci’s offers Spinach and Artichokes, Broccoli Roma and Rosemary Potatoes to name a few. There is also a limited selection of Calzoni ($8.79 each). I have not tried these, though have been tempted. Once one of my friends ordered the Chicken and Rosemary Ham Calzone. She said is was okay but has never ordered it again.
Dessert
When I dine at a restaurant, I always leave room for dessert. Bertucci’s does not disappoint chocolate lovers with their Chocolate Torta (light chocolate mousse sandwiched between layers of chocolate cake). The Chocolate Torta comes on a plate that is drizzled with raspberry coulis. Not being a lover of raspberry, I ask them to substitute the raspberry for chocolate sauce, and they always do so with a smile. A friend loves the Berries and Cream Nuvola, an assortment of berries and lemon cream in a semolina cake bowl. The last time we dined at Bertucci’s, we ordered the Dessert Trilogy, which features Tiramisu, Italian Tartufo and Chocolate Torta. However, we learned that the Italian Tartufo is served with hazelnuts, and one of us is allergic to nuts. The server happily agreed to swap the Tartufo for a delightful lemon dessert. We shared the trilogy, enjoying a large bite of everything, and it was perfect for the three of us. As a side note, I’m not fond of Tiramisu, yet this piece was wonderful. One of my friends commented that every time she ate Tiramisu at a Bertucci’s restaurant, it tasted different. We were satisfied and not too full after indulging in this trilogy and will order it again. Desserts cost between $4.29 and $4.99, with the Dessert Trilogy at $6.99.
Beverages
Bertucci’s offers free refills on soda and coffee. Sometimes I will order a soda and request no ice in the glass. One time the server forgot and brought me the drink with ice in the glass. A friend pointed out that there was ice in the glass, and before I could blink, the server whisked the drink away and replaced it with what I had ordered. Glasses of water are served with your choice of lemon or lime if desired. The coffee is okay but not out-of-this-world. Sometimes my friends have indulged in a glass of wine, and were satisfied with the variety of red and white wines offered. Bertucci’s also serves a selection of beer brands such as Sam Adams, Budweiser, Coors and Michelob Ultra as well as some imported beer like Heineken, Amstel Light, and St. Pauli Girl (a non-alcoholic beer). On occasion, in place of dessert, my friends have ordered special coffees. When one of my friends wanted a special decaf-coffee, we were told that the special coffees are not decaf.
Brick Ovens
Bertucci’s uses brick ovens. According to their literature, they roast most everything in brick ovens at 850-degrees. Bertucci’s says that baking in a brick oven locks in the flavors of food. I can attest to the fact that the food definitely has a unique taste from being cooked in a brick oven. I especially notice the brick-oven flavor in the pizzas.
Our Experiences
Our writing group has been meeting at Bertucci’s once a month during the last two years. I have also eaten there on my own with family and other friends. While Bertucci’s does not take reservations, I have called ahead to alert them that our party will be arriving at a certain time. I can also request a booth so that they know our needs. Most times when I arrive, I have to wait about ten minutes for a table to clear, but I also usually arrive when the restaurant is congested. One great feature is that Bertucci’s will seat you even if only one of the party has arrived. I have been to some restaurants where the entire party has to arrive before anyone is allowed to sit at the table.
The wooden tables are always clean with coat racks right beside the booth. There is only one time this caused a problem. My new coat was hung with care, and a server brushed the sleeve with a pizza as he catered to another table. The server called over the manager who offered to pay the dry cleaning expense for the coat. Not only that, but when the check arrived as reimbursement, there was also a letter offering $10.00 off my next visit. When I returned, sure enough, they were happy to take $10.00 off the bill.
Whenever we eat at Bertucci’s the restaurant is clean. There is always a dessert and drinks menu on the table with salt, pepper and condiments. If extra napkins are desired, you have to ask for them. The servers are mostly at hand, topping off water or asking if everything is okay. On occasion when the restaurant is extremely busy, sometimes the servers aren’t as available.
I don't think Bertucci's is known for its decorating. The restaurants are plain, hard floors, wooden tables and chairs. The booths have large wooden tables and benches. There are no tablecloths or linen napkins.
In case you are wondering, I have seen all types of diners at Bertucci's. Everyone from business people, those dating, to friends and family. Bertucci's has special chairs for young children, too. The restaurant can become quite loud since there is nothing to absorb sound.
We tend to frequent two different Bertucci’s restaurants in the Massachusetts Metrowest area. Both offer free parking, though one lot could be bigger. The restrooms are clean, though very small only offering a couple of stalls.
Payment, Coupons, Gift Cards
Bertucci’s accepts cash as well as credit cards. They accept: American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. Even though you can order gift cards on their website, and they take Diner’s Club cards on the website, Bertucci’s restaurant staff told me they do not accept Diner’s Club cards in the restaurant.
Often coupons will appear in the local paper for $5.00 off either a take-out or dine-in order. Make sure your coupon reads “dine-in” if you are eating in the restaurant. I confused my coupons one time, and Bertucci’s would not accept the “take-out” coupon when I ate in the restaurant.
Gift cards are also for sale. When I inquired about them, I was told the gift cards are available in any amount. On Bertucci’s website, the gift cards start at $25.00 and go as high as $100.00 with a maximum order of $500.00 in gift cards. A friend gave me a $25.00 rewards card once (she received it free in the mail as a promotional offer). The rewards card gave me $5.00 off for five visits.
Summary
Our writing trio has found a home in Bertucci’s restaurants. The staff are always friendly and happy to accommodate special needs. We enjoy the food and the variety of meal options. When we are finished, have paid the bill and left a tip, many of the servers wish us a good night as we leave the building.
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
Bertucci’s
www.bertuccis.com
Bertucci’s also offers a catering menu. Visit their website for restaurant locations.
Please read my other reviews.
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Betty Crocker Online Catalog
Cooking.com Online Store
Buy.com Online Store
Hogwild Online Store
Sewing and Quilting Expo
Keepsake Quilting Online Store
Joann.com Online Store
The Cook’s Garden Online Store
Johnny’s Selected Seeds Online Store
Park’s Seed Online Store
Dutch Gardens Online Store
Copyright 2005 Dawn L. Stewart
This review is part of the Challenge Yourself 2005 is Here! writeoff sponsored by captaind. The object of the writeoff is to write a review in a category that is new for you. This is my first restaurant review.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Best Suited For: Friends
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