A Night at Vinny's

A standout restaurant hidden in the back of an Italian grocery store

idden by curtains in the back of a well-stocked Italian grocery store and deli, Vinny's at Night is worth the hunt. Everything is made from scratch, including exotic options such as rabbit, tripe, and ostrich. And while you can't go wrong with the Italian standards, the specialties are just that—very, very special—including the homemade sausage, lamb osso bucco, and double-cut pork chops. It's all served in a small but homey setting on red-checkered tablecloths with a wide selection of Chiantis and a full bar populated by chatty regulars. (How did they fit all this in here?) The symbol of Sicily hangs on the wall, letting you know you’re getting the real deal. Another secret: You can grab the same great food to go from the deli in the store.

Shhhh! A cat wanders from table to table.

Shhhh! The Trinacria, the head of a woman
with three legs bent at the knee, derived from
the fact that Greeks who first explored Sicily noted
it had three capes that formed a triangle.

Shhhh! Owner Vinny Migliore, who was born in Sicily, makes 30 to 40 gallons of marinara sauce every day.

Shhh who knew

Now one of the most densely settled neighborhoods in America, East Somerville was once part of Charlestown, where Charlestown residents pastured their cows.