Massimo Fiume's traditional Italian restuarant right on Main Street may be new, (it was founded in 2009) but it has already made a name for itself as an upscale yet casual eatery with authentic old world dishes rivaling the big boys in the North End.  Born and trained in Italy, Fiume knows how to whip up a carbonara or some ravioli. Everything served in the restuarant is house made and the seafood is bought fresh every day. There is an extensive wine list and a full bar to compliment the steaming plates.  Under soft lighting, white table cloths and glistening flatware fill the intimate …

Down on Main Street under a few red awnings you can find Aroma Café, a safe bet for a quick latte or a relaxed brunch stretching into the afternoon, with modern jazz on the stereo and soft light throughout. Inside, expect lots of wood dining services, slick lighting and long glass cases full of freshly baked buttery goodness. These guys hand press every espresso, latte and cappuccino and bake all of their pastries, like muffins and scones fresh daily.  After six years of crafting breakfasts and steaming cups each morning, Aroma Café has built a steady following of locals. There is a full …

Inside the massive and extravagant Jordan’s Furniture, among an IMAX and the trapeze artists whizzing overhead, is perhaps the last place you would expect to find an ice cream store stocked with cartons of handmade creations sourced from a 300 year old, continuously family run dairy farm. However, under a ceiling of faux-scoops you can find Richardson’s rows of sweet treats.  Way back in 1695, David Richardson founded a dairy farm in what is now Middleton Massachesettes, and every day since (about 115,000 days in a row), one Richardson or another has milked cows on this land. In 1952, Ben and…

If one afternoon you cave to a chocolate craving, head over to The Chocolate Truffle on Main, where artisan chocolate is crafted in house.  Founded in 1990 and purchased by the current owners Erin Calvo-Bacci and Carlo Bacci in 2006, this place engineers crazy offerings like chocolate pizzas, chocolate Twinkies and Skyy Vodka truffles. They have received national attention for crafting specific chocolates to help market the Sex and the City 2 movie, and were featured on Rachel Ray. The Truffle did so well in fact, that they opened two more storefronts in Lynnfield and Winchester and even …

If the bright morn has arrived and you find yourself in desperate need of a caffeine jolt or some buttery baked good to help ease the day by, head down to the diminutive Hot Spot on Haven Street. This joint was founded back in 1995 and is owned and operated by Anna ‘Ace’ Foulds.  A down home kind of place, there are only four tables, its cash only and coffees are shockingly cheap at only $2 for a tall. Don’t miss the small nook in the corner with books by local authors. The coffee options are classic and simple, hot and cold, caffeine or none. There is a specialty flavor that changes each day…

If dinner time has rolled around and—despite your best intentions to have crafted a hearty, family size dinner for your whole brood—there is nary a dish prepared, head down to Harrows where ready-to-heat or ready-to-eat chicken pot pies await. Founded back in ’38 and still owned and operated by a family, Harrows cooks each and every chicken overnight and whips up their signature gravy from scratch each day. This temple to comfort food hasn’t changed location or menu in all of its seven decades of existence. Harrows cooks  ‘basic comfort food that has stood the test of time’ says owner Wally. …

If you’re interested in high-end Asian cuisine and don’t want to leave Reading, head to Walker’s Brook Drive. Oye’s offers diners a selection of dishes ranging from sushi to Japanese grill to kim chi to Chinese-style dishes that most Americans have become familiar with. The menu also includes fusion cuisine, a gluten-free menu and an oyster bar.  On the subject of bars, Oye’s boasts a selection of drinks that you probably can’t find at any other restaurant in town—including hot and cold sake and plum wine. If you’d like something more familiar, Oye’s offers a selection of bottled and draft …

Most restaurants specialize in either delivery or in-house dining; if they happen to have both, one tends to be an add-on to the other, but Café Capri is different This Main Street restaurant offers an array of food typically thought of as take-out—including pizza and sandwiches—alongside a selection of dishes that you’d probably prefer to eat immediately, before they’ve had time to sit in a take-out container. The latter list includes bruschetta, grilled swordfish, barbecue and traditional pasta dishes, but items from either list can be shipped to your home or enjoyed in Café Capri’s dining …

Need a quick, healthy bite at the Reading Depot? Check out the Green Tomato. This quaint take-out spot has earned a growing history in Reading by bringing a different idea to quick meals. Owner John Ryan focuses on providing healthy and fresh ingredients in his on-the-go bites; the ingredients are purchased daily from local markets, and the food is made fresh when ordered. The menu boasts salads, sandwiches and wraps as well as several types of pasta dishes in addition to daily specials. Specials tend to be home-cooked traditions such as roasted turkey, American chop suey, baked eggplant, and…

Hugh O’Neill’s Restaurant and Pub — For one of those occasions on which  no one would blame you if wanted some comfort food, check out Hugh O'Neill's menu; it's chock full of Irish home fare. For a real treat, try the Beef Stew, which is made in part with Guinness beer. And for every hearty stew, you need a hearty brew. Try a can of Old Chub’s Scottish Ale, a full-bodied dark beer without the hoppy bitterness of other, lighter ales.    The atmosphere inside is relaxed and charming, with rough wood finishes and tables tucked into corners for maximum privacy. 45 Pleasant St., Malden 781-338-…

The Gulu-Gulu Café is your go-to spot if you're on the prowl for great atmosphere and food. Are you in the mood to hammer out some work? Perhaps you're looking to enjoy a beer or crepe while watching Salem pass you by at the café window. Maybe a battle royale against your girlfriend in Connect Four is more your thing. Whatever you're after, Gulu has you covered. Situated on the corner of Essex and Washington streets in Lappin Park, Gulu offers a selection of breakfast foods, crepes, sandwiches, beer and other tasty "munchies, teasers and tidbits." If you're a diehard vegan check out "The …

Looking for a place to grab a bite and can’t decide if you are in the mood for sushi or Kung Pao chicken? Why not head to Golden Ginger and have both? Located in the Staples Plaza across from Market Basket, Golden Ginger is a very reasonably priced restaurant that specializes in Chinese and Japanese cuisine.  They have both a large dining room and a bar area so it’s the perfect place to have drinks after work with friends or enjoy a lovely dinner for two. The staff is friendly, the décor is welcoming and the food is excellent. Try the shrimp and lobster sauce over the house fried rice with a …

By Denise Taylor Ok, I’ll say it. Often, when a vegan restaurant opens, only those who prefer to dine animal-product-free have much cause to rejoice. Not so with True Bistro, an upscale vegan eatery that opened in Somerville’s Teele Square this fall. Here, dietary principles don’t trump flavor. A foodie runs the kitchen, and the result is that even the most skeptical carnivore will likely never miss the meat. Add to that a spare, gray-on-white décor so calming that it’s spa-like and reasonable prices, and you could go either way here: it’s elegant enough for a special night out and affordable…

Why venture to the North End and fight Boston traffic when we have a little slice of Italian heaven in nearby Stoneham? Felicia's of the North End, owned by father-son team Fred and Paul Puorro, offers an extensive Italian menu. The Felicia’s website hints at the restaurant’s North End roots: “For over half a century (and three generations) (Felicia's) has hosted entertainment celebrities, sport figures, politicians and tourists visiting the North (End) of Boston, and a multitude of neighbors and friends. Although she has inspired many imitations, Felicia’s remains the original. We are proud …

Need a warmup before summer gets here? Take a quick trip to Mexico—Mexico Lindo, that is. Inside, find splashes of bright décor, food as hot as you can handle, and drinks that will cheer you right up. All at reasonable, mid-ranged prices. Run by the Moreno family, friendly wait staff happily welcome you. The vibrant colors of sunshine yellow, orange, sky blue, teal green, and hot pink on the walls and tile cheer you up instantly. Once seated, warm, freshly made nacho chips are served with two types of salsa—plain or spicy--while you await your meal. Mexican music plays in the background and …

Overview: A blend of Chinese cuisine and Japanese Sushi, the menu at Taipei Tokyo Café is both approachable and exotic. If you want to kick things up a notch, Taipei Tokyo allows patrons to bring their own beer and wine to complement their meal. Decor: A mix of modern and oriental, the open space offers a comfortable dining experience. Beverages: If you decide not to bring your own beer or wine, you can choose from their modest selection of sodas or an Oolong tea, complete with decorative pot and tea cup, to have with your meal. Appetizers: Start off your dining experience with some Sushi Bar…

These days everyone is in a hurry. There is so much to do and so little time in which to do it.  So tonight, why stress over what to make for dinner or feel guilty about feeding your family from the drive-thru menu again when you can stop at Elia’s Country Store? Elia’s Country Store has been family owned and operated for over fifty years. They have a full service butcher shop where you will find everything from filet mignon and porterhouse steaks to marinated chicken, pork, turkey and lamb. They have homemade side dishes ready for you to grab and go. With just one quick stop you can pick up …

The Red Rooster Deli, at Centre Court just off Main Street, boasts hearty and delicious lunch and take-out dinner options, many of which are Italian specialties. Chicken parmigiana cutlets, deli and Panini sandwiches, and soups and salads are among the many available options on any given day. Comfort food classics like macaroni and cheese and the chicken salad reflect the eatery's commitment to home-cooked taste and quality. Customers are encouraged to call in advanced to reserve take-out meals. The Red Rooster also offers catering services, offering dishes that range from pizza to various …

Are you craving amazing Indian food, but assume you have to go into Boston or Cambridge to find it? Not so, with Rang Indian Bistro located at 6 Central Square. Since opening in 2005 with owner Paramjit Singh of Somerville, Rang Indian Bistro has provided customers with a wide range of Indian cuisine. In Hindi, the term Rang means "colors." Colors are of dual importance to the restaurant: inspiring both the décor of the space and also the selection of foods which includes specialties from both northern and southern India. Rang offers a large variety of vegetarian, poultry, lamb, seafood, and …

Welcome to Bites Nearby, our weekly column that gives you a look at dining options in Reading and nearby towns. Check back with us each Thursday afternoon for ideas on places to eat for the weekend. This week, we take you to Swissbakexpress. The breakfast and lunch establishment at the Reading Train Depot offers a standard selection of deli sandwiches in addition to a handful of unique items that you likely won’t find anywhere else. For something different—and tasty—try their pretzel rolls, which is basically a croissant made of pretzel dough. The establishment, owned by a couple who recently…