Boston - February 16, 2007

Italian Stallion

Sagra Opens

Dining dilemma: You want to meet friends for a drink and some serious gossip; your S.O. wants a flat-screen and the game.

Want to have it all? Try Sagra, chef Robert DeSimone’s new Davis Square restaurant. With help from Marisa Iocco (the two worked together at Bricco), he’s brought a quaint Italian touch to the casual space. Two bars, 140 seats, flat-screens, and big black leather banquettes ensure that there’s enough to satisfy you, your beau, and your appetites.

What’s on the menu? Red-wine flavored pasta matched with a bold meat sauce, salads, soups. Oh, and antipasti like green olives stuffed with meat and spices and crocchette al latte (light-as-latte egg and cheese fritters topped with grated caciocavallo cheese). A bounty of pizzas and tasty entrees rounds out the list.

Sagra blends that Somerville edge with true North End flavor.

Which is to say, it’s the perfect solution.

Sagra, 400 Highland Avenue, Davis Square, Somerville (617-625-4200 or sagrarestaurant.com).