Zucca Italian Restaurant

We just got back from here on a Saturday night. It is 630 reservation. We got there, and we're seated in a table for two literally in the aisle of the restaurant. If I turned my head, my ear hit the bar. So we asked to be moved. Lol.We were moved to a table by the window. Much more room for people to size like us.The waitress was nice. Took her a while to come over to get us drinks, but we ordered drinks and an appetizer of calamari to start.The drinks came right away. The calamari? About 15 minutes later. Happy was almost done with his drink at that time.She then asked what we wanted for meals and I ordered shrimp scampi and he got the veal Puccini.And that's where the fun kind of ended.It was so loud in the restaurant. And I get that it was a small restaurant, but the large table behind us, and the large table in front of us made it literally impossible for us to hear each other.we were seated promptly at 6:30. Our meals still hadn't come out at 7:50pm. I had to ask the waitress if she could check on them. She came back about 10 minutes later and told us that they were on their way out.We got them. Very ample portions on both meals.However, I don't actually think I got shrimp scampi. Both of us had asked for the fusilli on our meal which is homemade. The waitress did not tell us. It was an up charge, but knowing from other restaurants in the area, I was well aware they probably would be. Three dollars extra each meal? Not a big deal. And the food was amazing.My shrimp scampi? I would bet with any local book that they used Marsala wine instead of the white wine they were supposed to because the sauce in the bottom of my bowl was dark. I've never had a shrimp scampi that had dark sauce. It's white wine, garlic, lemon, and Parmesan cheese most of the time.I even questioned it from the waitress? And she said absolutely that it was. It had a sweet taste with a little lemony aftertaste. Not garlic in anyway. So, I will still stand on my ground to say it was not what I ordered.I will say the food was flavorful. It was a very large portion, with a lot of shrimp, and it was tasty. But it was not what I ordered.Would we go back?. I think if we were seated closer to the front of the restaurant where were there were tables of two all around and not large parties, it would be better and we be able to hear each other. A little bit more of an intimate setting.And I don't think we would go on a Saturday night.You can be the judge.

The food and service were very good- the appetizer special along with the haddock and veal dishes were very good with the right size portions- will be back for another visit

What a great Italian restaurant! Found this with the help of fellow Yelpers! My husband and I are in Massachusetts for the Boston Marathon. We were looking for Italian that wasn't inside the City to avoid traffic and crowds. We saw the great reviews and saw how easy to make a rsvp o Yelp.We ordered the appetizer special, zucchini balls. They were delicious and filled w hot mozzarella. We got the carbonara (without pancetta bc we are vegetarians) and penne alla vodka. DELICIOUS! And the dishes were piping hot. Large portions. Service was excellent. The table comes w complimentary bread. Issac (I believe the owner) introduced himself to us and made us feel at home. Our waitress was friendly and had great service. Come for delicious food, with a warm and intimate setting. Free street parking.

A superb dining experience. Our waiter was the restaurant's owner, who also owns Half & Half, the breakfast and lunch place next door, and who had been at work since 6:30AM! He never showed it, though, as his service was friendly and attentive. The food was excellent. My wife had a haddock special, and I had a scallop risotto dish. We also shared roasted veggies and fusilli in a creamy white sauce. We were there mid-week, and the place was fairly quiet.A home run, to be sure. We'll be back!

We had a reservation on a very busy Friday night. Table was not ready on time, we were offered a drink while we waited. Would have been nice if there were seats on the sidewalk. The resturaunt is small and cozy, situated on a corner. We had the eggplant rollatini and Cesar salad. Our waiter asked if we like surprises and he brought us two dishes of his choice. He did ask if we had allergies or food preferences. My husband had a generous lamb chop that he loved. I had fresh fusilli with summer vegetables in a plum tomato sauce. Everything was so good., fresh and flavorful. Looking forward to our next visit and trying the owners new breakfast place a few does down!

We always go here for our wedding anniversary! Awesome drinks and food! Small and cozy! Very attentive staff! Food portions are perfect. A gem of a restaurant located in downtown Reading, MA!

Great Italian food alwaysService is greatCalamari crispy yet tenderEggplant rollotini. PerfectHad 2 specialVeal chop with a mushroom onion delish Salmon piccata not dry and fresh

Three Siblings at the TableThe service at Zucca was impeccable. Our server, Isaac, was professional and personable. He really added to the the enjoyment of our evening. We all loved our dinners which included the evening's lamb dinner special, homemade fusilli with spicy red sauce and sausages, and a pasta and scallop dish. The appetizers, desserts, and cocktails were also very good. The complimentary limoncello shots at the end of dinner were much appreciated.Zucca is small, but not crowded, and the noise level is fine. A very pleasant experience. We hope to return soon.

The food was mediocre at best. Portions were small for the price. The lobster fra diavolo required "work" to crack the lobster - very poor choice by the restaurant to present the entree this way.Our waiter was "in our face" most of the meal - very touchy, feely. It made us very uncomfortable. Additionally, when taking our drink orders, our waiter asked me, "don't you drink?" after I ordered a non-alcoholic beverage. I said, "no," and he responded with, "how can you live?" Talk about an inappropriate response!Needless to say, our visit was a "one and done."

Food was wonderful and the service was excellent. Nice little italian restaurant that's worth a visit, you won't regret it.