Authentic Italian dining at popular restaurant chain

Papa Razzi, located within the Cambridgeside Galleria, is a needle in the haystack of area Italian restaurants. From bakeries to high-class restaurants, Italian food is something Boston is known for. But harder to find in this town than an Italian restaurant is a good Italian meal at a restaurant chain. That's where Papa Razzi comes in.

An Italian aura pervades the entire restaurant, with soft lighting, a candle upon each table, soft Italian music playing in the background, and the scent of Italy that hits you upon entering. Adding to the eatery's authentic ambiance is its design; as is the custom at Trattoria bars, the kitchen is visible from the dining area.

The restaurant makes its uniqueness known from the beginning. Rather than serving a basket of typical dinner rolls to patrons while they decide what to order, Papa Razzi provides tasty focaccia bread with spicy olive oil for dipping. If the bread doesn't suit your taste, the restaurant also offers breadsticks and butter for you to snack on while you peruse the menu.

Whether you're in a rush or looking to enjoy a leisurely sit-down meal, Papa Razzi's menu offers options that suit everyone's needs. If you're looking to make it a quick eat, the Ziti Pomodoro ($9.99) is ideal. Not only is the price one of the most reasonable on the menu, but the dish requires only ten minutes of preparation time. It is a simple dish of pasta with tomato sauce, topped with some fresh, grated parmesan cheese, that is delicious enough to sell for twice the price. Another bonus to the dish is that the serving size is enough for two.

If you're in the mood to take your time and splurge a little, the Bistecca alla Braccia ($22.00) is an excellent choice. This sirloin steak, served with braised spinach and crispy potatoes, is prepared to perfection. It is easily one of the better steaks available in the Galleria area.

Another must try dish is the pizza. There is a list of eight or so different varieties, but you absolutely cannot go wrong with the Mezzaluna ($9.99). Be prepared: this isn't your regular Domino's pizza. It isn't deep dish or even thin crust. Served with prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula, and balsamic tomatoes, Mezzaluna is a tower of these delicious ingredients. It is like nothing else you have ever seen or tasted.

Despite the fabulous Mezzaluna, the pizza section is not without its hidden traps. The Californian is described as being served with fresh tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, mozzarella, and fresh basil. It sounds tasty, but you might find yourself regretting your choice. This pizza is a bit soggy, and has way too much feta cheese. It does not compare to the quality of the rest of the food available at Papa Razzi.

The dessert menu is perhaps the only thing really lacking variety and flavor at this Italian eatery. There are several choices, but none are too impressive. You can choose from ice cream, canolis, cappuccino, and other simple desserts, but none really suffice. This is without a doubt the one major downside to the restaurant. After a great meal, there's no better way to cap off the experience than with a tasty dessert. Maybe this is why the meal portions are so well-sized that there's little point to leaving room for a large dessert.

In addition to offering a wide variety of dishes and prices, Papa Razzi is a convenient dining option. The 80 bus, which goes down Boston Ave and then turns on to College, will get you there in 20 minutes and costs only $.75.

Adding to the convenience of the trip is the added bonus of the shopping mall itself _ if you aren't ready to eat after the thirty minute trip to the restaurant, you can walk around the mall, which offers stores ranging from Victoria's Secret to Best Buy. Other locations (Brulington, Hamilton, and Newbury St.) are not as accessible but worth the trip, as each Papa Razzi maintains a unique atmosphere. The Cambridgeside locale is the most open, whereas the one on Newbury Street is more isolated. It feels almost as if you are in a wine cellar. The different atmospheres make eating at Papa Razzi a new experience every time, another characteristic distinguishing the restaurant from other typical chains.

All in all, there is something for everybody at Papa Razzi, from simple pasta to extraordinary pizza to top-of-the-line steak. You can't go wrong. It is a great place for romantic outing to dazzle that special someone or simply to relax away from campus. Either way, you cannot miss with Papa Razzi.