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What? A Good Restaurant Between Porter and Harvard Squares?

Chef Pagliarini, with good things in store.
Chef Pagliarini, with good things in store. Photo: Star Chefs

Hello! We’re back from a tasty San Francisco vacation during which we sampled the wares at State Bird Provisions, Mission Chinese, and the lovely SFO airport. Imagine our delight this morning when we opened our e-mail to read that Giulia, from Via Matta alum Michael Pagliarini and his wife, Pamela Ralston, will open on Mass Ave in mid-October. This is happy news, because with a few exceptions, those blocks between Porter and Harvard are sad, sad, sad.

Per a release, Giulia will showcase a wide selection of handmade pasta—and, yes, gluten-free options will be on offer. Also look for a “Pasta Table” adjacent to an open kitchen used for rolling n’ shaping during the day and a chef’s table by night. Also on the menu: antipasti, meats, local seafood, and an all-Italian wine list. Pagliarini’s family is originally from Umbria, so this will influence the menu.

The 70-seat restaurant takes over the old Rafiki space at 1682 Mass Ave, which used to be the much-loved, late, lamented Forest Cafe.

What? A Good Restaurant Between Porter and Harvard Squares?