Geppetto Review: A Relaxed and Beautiful Dining Experience | Arts

Right next to Lechmere Station in Cambridge Crossing is Geppetto, a quaint Italian-inspired restaurant. This dinner-only establishment opened in 2021 and offers high-quality Italian cuisine with innovative techniques. Led by two chefs—Chef Will Gilson in charge of the kitchen and Chef Brian Mercury as pastry chef—Geppetto is sure to provide guests with something to satisfy their cravings.

The staff eagerly awaits the arrival of customers and promptly seats them. The walls are a deep teal green, the seats are light pink leather, and the establishment is accented with a light gold wood grain. This particular color palette has the potential to be disastrous, but Geppetto does the exact opposite. With vases and frames full of faux foliage accentuating the empty spaces between booths, the visual weight of the restaurant is as cohesive as it is dazzling.

The artificial lighting consists mainly of paper pendant lamps, interspersed with a few small gold lamps perched on the square black and white marble tables. Floor-to-ceiling windows line two of the walls, letting a plethora of late afternoon light into the space. Light, lively jazz plays in the background over the murmur of patrons. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, but not too casual—the kind of place to take anyone, from friends to colleagues to dates.

The evening begins with a glass bottle of water, left at the table for diners to refill empty glasses at their leisure. Food-wise, the rigatoni bolognese stands out as a particularly delectable option on the menu. Within 15 minutes of ordering, the entrée arrives at the table, the plate warm to the touch. The dish is topped with a generous sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan and a garnish of rosemary. This dish is enough to please the eye, and the taste lives up to expectations. The pork is tender and the sauce is well-balanced. Additionally, the underlying notes of fennel are nicely complemented by the soffritto. However, the sauce is a bit oily—partly as one would expect from a bolognese—and it loses some of its spicy flavor to the fattiness of the pork. The overall texture of the dish is preserved by the noodles, which are cooked to al dente perfection. The size of the dish itself is enough to fill you up, leaving some room for dessert – and when the waiters offer you the dessert menu after the starter, take it.

Geppetto’s dessert menu features traditional Italian options like gelato, espresso, and affogato (espresso with ice cream) with a twist: a full selection of dessert drinks on the other side. These liqueurs range in flavor from balanced to sweet and sour and include two dessert wines. The Averna—a caramel liqueur infused with Dr. Pepper, orange, and spices—is a bit strong, as the liqueur overshadows some of the desired flavor profiles. Overall, its sweetness, hint of spice, and subtle complexity can only be explained by the Dr. Pepper.

One of the flavors on offer is quite unique: elderflower. This base flavor, colored a beautiful pale purple, is topped with cubes of red-orange candied rhubarb. Courtesy of Gabrielle A. David

A cool, refreshing sorbet, a fruit-based dessert similar to ice cream without the dairy, rounds out the meal. One of the flavours on offer is quite unique: elderflower. This base flavour, coloured a beautiful pale purple, is topped with cubes of reddish-orange candied rhubarb. The flavour is subtle and floral, complemented by the sweet and sour rhubarb. Its texture is smooth and creamy, making it melt in your mouth immediately. It’s a small portion for the price, but the flavour combination is unique and satisfying, making it well worth trying.

Geppetto offers a comfortable dining experience for all guests. The space remains intimate and welcoming despite its large size, and the ambiance reflects that of a beautiful home where one is invited for a casual sit-down event. Not to mention, the staff is on top of everything: fast, efficient, and incredibly kind.

The Northern Italian influence is evident throughout the menu, blending perfectly with a local New England twist. The flavors blend well in the appetizers, despite slight imperfections. Whether you’re looking for a new spot for a date night or want to escape to a unique, welcoming place, Geppetto is the place to go.

—You can reach Gabrielle A. David, editor-in-chief, at the following address: [email protected].