Good food, great price in Maplewood
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Malden - Sometimes you just stumble upon a good restaurant when you least expect it. I used to enjoy eating at Facia Bella, an Italian restaurant in Malden’s Maplewood Square. I went there for dinner one night, and although it had been several months since my last visit, was surprised to find that it was gone. Ristorante Serena, a new Italian restaurant, had taken its place.

Knowing nothing about Ristorante Serena, I decided to give it a chance. By the end of dinner I was very pleased. I have returned a few times since to dine there again. The interior was redecorated and it is simple and spacious. It’s a casual restaurant, but with a touch of elegance. It seats about 40 people so it is a bit more intimate.

Ristorante Serena only serves beer and wine. The wine list has about 26 choices in all, 22 reds, 9 whites and 3 sparkling. Most of the wines are Italian with a few others from California, Chile and Australia. Prices are very reasonable with glasses for $4.50 to $5.50 and most of the bottles selling for less than $25. Their Montepulciano by the glass ($4.50) is a nice, easy drinking wine with plenty of fruit. They also have some decent Chianti available by the bottle.

The menu has a good selection of appetizers, soups, pasta dishes and entrees. In general, the food is plentiful, fresh and delicious. While waiting for your food, Ristorante Serena servers bring you a basket of fresh, warm bread. The slices are thin with a nice crusty exterior, and they will always bring you more if you ask.

Appetizers generally range from $4.50 to $8.95. I would recommend the Italian Antipasto ($8.95), which is big enough to share and consists of prosciutto, salami, capicole, tomato, mozzarella and peppers. The Zuppe di Cozze ($7.50) is a large bowl of tender mussels in a delectable white sauce with tomatoes and garlic, although you can get them in a red sauce as well. Even my companion who was not a big fan of mussels loved these. And the sauce is great for dipping your bread.

The Cozze Gratin ($6.95), baked stuffed mussels, was also very good. The Polpette ($1.50 each) is a fried meatball, in a long oval shape, and it comes with a marina sauce. The exterior of the meatball is a bit crunchy while the interior is moist and meaty. It’s an intriguing variation on the traditional meatball.

Pasta entrees generally range from $8.95 to $16.95 and the other entrees generally range from $13.95 to $18.95. There are many traditional dishes as well as some more creative options available. There is steak, lamb, seafood, pork chops, veal and chicken. I should note that the entrees take a little extra time to be served as they are made to order. I don't mind a little extra wait when the quality is as good as it is here.

The Chicken Parmigiana ($14.50), which comes with a side of pasta, is huge, tender and flavorful. I also very much enjoy their marinara sauce. My ziti was cooked well and there was freshly grated cheese to spoon atop it. The Homemade Lasagna ($13.95) is another good choice and you receive quite a large piece of thick lasagna. Another evening I tried one of their specials, a Chicken Saltimbocca ($17.95) that was stuffed with ham and mozzarella in a marsala sauce. My dish had two big chicken breasts, atop pasta, in a mild and slightly sweet marsala sauce. Tender, white meat in an excellent Marsala.

For dessert, you have several traditional options, from cannolis to gelato. I highly recommend the Tiramisu ($6.50), which is served in a small glass bowl. It is layered within the bowl, with all the usual ingredients, and was excellent. It’s just the right combination of ingredients so no one flavor overpowered the rest. It’s creamy, smooth and deliciously decadent.

Service at Ristorante Serena is excellent and the servers are friendly, gracious and helpful. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food you receive. This is a restaurant that takes pride in what it serves to its customers. You definitely should check it out sometime and I am sure you will enjoy.