Sweet Basil Sweet Basil

Sweet Basil

942 Great Plain Ave. (Highland Ave.)
Needham, MA 02492
781-444-9600
Map
Cuisine: Italian
Just when you thought suburban restaurants couldn’t compete with city eateries, along comes Sweet Basil.
Openings: Lunch Mon.-Sat., Dinner nightly

Features


Sweet Basil Restaurant Review:


Walking along Great Plain Avenue in Needham, you may not take a second glance at this nondescript storefront, but step inside to find an energetic, colorful scene. Chef/owner Dave Becker has an artful flair, which is evident in his grandfather’s paintings that line the walls and his own pottery that’s used for dinnerware. In the kitchen, he crafts dishes that showcase his creativity, such as beet pasta or braised chicken with port wine, balsamic-glazed pepper, tomatoes and mushrooms tossed with strozzapreti. Start with a sampling of baked Gouda wrapped in flaky phyllo, topped with sweet berries and presented on a bed of greens. Calamari fritti were lightly fried and paired with a nice spicy chili sauce, while the hearty Bolognese made with beef, sausage and mushrooms is served over house-made pappardelle. Becker’s ravioli could put any North End eatery to the test: ricotta, Romano, mascarpone and goat cheeses complemented by a tasty basil marinara. Simplicity is the name of the game at this BYOB, where credit cards are not accepted (there are no desserts available either).