Arancini

I used to come here all the time for byob dinners when it was Sam's Kitchen, but this is the first time I've been back since Sam's Kitchen moved down the street and eventually got a liquor license.It is now called Arancini and is still byob (legal). The new owner is Brazilian, but has many years experience in restaurants, including Italian in Brazil and the US.If anything, the food is even better than it was in Sam's day. The crispy fried calamari was really well prepared. The steamed mussels were enjoyable, although not knock your socks off.The standout for me was the bolognese, which usually comes with rigatoni, but they let me swap for spaghetti. The sauce was really flavorful. I tried to get the owner to tell me which of the several famous recipes that everyone knows do they use, but no dice lol.I skipped desserts, but they looked good.The interior is small, causal, pleasant, with tables that have a decent amount of space between them. Not very loud. There are a couple of 2-tops on the sidewalk in front.Service is very good, quick and friendly. One of us had to deal with a Debby-induced flight delay and they changed our reservation and held the table for us.There are 6 or 7 parking spaces down the alley to the left and behind the restaurant (don't park in the one spot reserved for a homeowner), but there's a good chance they are full. This is a popular restaurant. Street parking isn't too hard. Well worth driving out of your way if you enjoy your own wines with your dinner (note, Woburn has some limits on the number of bottles/couple, so inquire about that). House glasses are serviceable but not particularly thin if you care (I brought my own glasses).

I love this place. I did have a different experience the 2 times I went.Domenic Mcfarlin

Service was superb. The food was delicious. We had the salmon which came with risotto and asparagus. Also had the caprese salad which was so fresh. The serving portions were very generous. We came in a group of 4 and were seated right away. The food came fast. They accommodated us very well. We shall be back.

What a dinner party! Laughter, singing & cake! There were two large reservations, one of which was celebrating two sisters' birthdays a year apart w/identical large cakes. They generously offered their delicious cake to anyone that wanted a slice. The owner's wife was there tonight. They served their guests together like a well choreographed dance. We enjoyed a Christmas gift of Pinot Noir with our appetizer of meatballs, ricotta & grilled bread, which would have made any Nonna proud! Their thin & crispy eggplant parm and scallops w/risotto were both divine!

Intimate place with great food and attentive service. BYOB!Eggplant was fantastic, arancini are huge and filled with goodness.

Simply put, there are not enough stars. This quaint restaurant is delicious. With few tables, plan ahead. Late Thursday night after a long day if traveling, Arancini was able to accommodate my party of 3 and it was wonderful. Albeit a little loud due to the size of the dining room and people competing to be the loudest voice (people, use your inside voice), the service and food made it worth the visit. Appetizer was eggplant rollatini- 1000% get this. Only 3 per serving...could have eaten my weight. Delicious! A+Our table had a lamb chop special, and staples eggplant parm and spaghetti and meatballs. Every dish was outstanding and the house bread was perfect. I'm not a fan of food photos so seldom post pics of plates. However, sometimes a photo is worth 1,000 words.

What a hidden gem. This place is so intimate and the service is stellar. The food and presentation are amazing. I had the scallops over a bed of risotto with asparagus and sweet orange peppers mixed in them drizzled with balsamic glaze. So delicious! My husband had short ribs over gnocchi in a marinara sauce with shaved parmigiana. He enjoyed the marriage of mouth watering flavors. For desert we had the tiramisu and cannoli's. All the menu deserts were homemade.

I walked in without a reservation on a busy Saturday night at 6:30 PM. I asked the friendly Maitre'D if she had a table for one as my usual companion was in for the night, and despite not having a reservation she offered me a table before her next reservationI had eggplant Parmesan over a bit of spaghetti with a side garden salad, and fresh bread Everything was delicious and the service was great It is bring your own beverage and I didn't have any

Excellent food and excellent service! Can't recommend them highly enough. Never had a bad meal.

Another great meal tonight. Arancini consistently provides excellent food and service. Finally had the Bistecca. Been wanting to try it for a while. Ordered it rare... perfectly cooked and prepared. Other entree was the scallops, which we've both had before. Always a great choice, but everything on the menu is excellent. Started with calamari. Very tender and delicious as well. This is our favorite restaurant, hands down.