• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

MEZZO MARE, HULL

Written by MARC HURWITZ Posted August 23, 2017 Filed Under: Eats, GTFO, LIFESTYLE

Photo via Mezza Mare

 

A less-beachy beachside option south of Boston

 

Believe it or not, summer is quickly winding down, but there will still be plenty of days (knock wood) to hit the beach—and for those who like to stay close to Boston, one of the best options is historic Nantasket Beach in Hull, which was once home to the legendary Paragon Park and still has all the tacky and cheesy stuff that beachgoers tend to love. And while Nantasket still has places to play arcade games, eat junk food, drink cheap beer, and listen to live music, sometimes it’s just nice to enjoy a relaxing meal and some peace and quiet at a pleasant full-service sit-down restaurant. Hull does have a handful of such places, with one of the better ones being Mezzo Mare, a borderline upscale spot that features the type of Italian food you might expect to see in the North End, and with a move by the restaurant that took place awhile back, the eatery now has more modern digs and feels a world away from the sights and sounds of the ocean across the street.

 

The old location of Mezzo Mare on Nantasket Avenue certainly had its charm, with its two quiet rooms and fireplace making for a nice date spot, but it did feel a bit tired and worn, and its location just off the main drag in a strip of small businesses rendered it nearly invisible. The restaurant’s “new” space (as in a few years old) a couple of blocks south continues the romantic feel and old-world charm of the old location, with a pleasant bar off to the left, a main dining area to the right, and an “overflow” room in the back that has slightly dimmer lighting and a fireplace. The exterior of Mezzo Mare really isn’t much to look at, and as was the case of the older location, it is very easy to drive right by the squat structure without even knowing it is there, which tends to keep the dining spot a bit of a secret to all but Hull residents even though it is right in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in town.

 

 

Because Mezzo Mare is within sight of Nantasket Beach—and because Hull itself tends to be a low-key and unpretentious beach town—you might think that an Italian eatery here would be a casual cheap-eats spot that is more geared toward the takeout crowd. This is definitely not the case, however, as the dining spot goes well beyond the basic pasta and meatballs and chicken marsala dishes (though you can find both of those here) and is in fact only open for dinner, so don’t expect a quick midday snack between beach sessions. The menu tends to be ever-changing here (and it also has nightly specials), but a few options might include bruschetta with grilled bread, meatballs, and baby spinach; savory arancini stuffed with peas, cheese, and Italian meats; house-made mozzarella sticks that are stuffed with pepperoni; a classic appetizer of asparagus with prosciutto and mozzarella; a penne and broccoli dish that comes with spicy Italian sausage; a seafood lover’s risotto dish with lobster, scallops, and shrimp included; a moderately garlicky gnocchi pesto; a rich and creamy gorgonzola ravioli with chicken; and a wonderful version of veal piccata. Mezzo Mare has a few beer options, though wine may be the better way to go here, and a rotating list of desserts includes a rich and decadent German chocolate cake. Prices tend to be more in line with Italian restaurants in Boston than in the suburbs, but even though they are a tad higher than average, you can certainly get dishes for around $20—especially among the pasta options.

 

Mezzo Mare has been around for a number of years, but it still gets overlooked even within the town of Hull, perhaps because Hull does seem to be all about burgers, hot dogs, lobster rolls, beer, and sweets, especially during the summer months when the beach is packed. If you want a change of pace from the more typical beach food, however, this little restaurant is indeed a very nice option, and its slightly upscale vibe doesn’t include any kind of dress code, so unless you plan to have dinner while wearing swim trunks or a bikini, you will be more than welcome here.

 

MEZZO MARE. 245 NANTASKET AVE., HULL.

MARC HURWITZ

Marc is the founder of @hiddenboston, a textbook editor, a hike leader for @AppMtnClub, and a food and travel writer and commenter for DigBoston, NBC/NECN, WBZ, WMFO and indie617.

More from author
  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    GHOST STORY: VIRTUAL KITCHENS APPEAR TO BE THE NEXT BIG THING, BUT AT WHAT COST?
  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    RESTAURANTS PERSEVERE WHILE HANGING ON A THREAD
  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    GREAT HIKES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, FROM DORCHESTER TO MEDFORD
  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    CALLING IT AN EARLY NIGHT

Filed Under: Eats, GTFO, LIFESTYLE Tagged With: beach, beach eats, beach food, Food, foodie, GTFO, Hidden Boston, HULL, Marc Hurwitz, MEZZO MARE, Nantasket Beach

WHAT’S NEW

SOULDIER STORY: JOEL MASSICOT ON MIXING MARTIAL ARTS, DANCE, AND MILITARY INFLUENCES

SOULDIER STORY: JOEL MASSICOT ON MIXING MARTIAL ARTS, DANCE, AND MILITARY INFLUENCES

THE END OF THE WORLD IN AN AIRBNB

THE END OF THE WORLD IN AN AIRBNB

MEETING THREATS WITH HOPE AND COURAGE

MEETING THREATS WITH HOPE AND COURAGE

TITANIC SHIFTS: DEMS SWAP DECK CHAIRS AMIDST GOP-PROVOKED TSUNAMI

TITANIC SHIFTS: DEMS SWAP DECK CHAIRS AMIDST GOP-PROVOKED TSUNAMI

NEARLY A YEAR INTO PANDEMIC, MASS CATS ARE STILL SHORT ON FOOD

NEARLY A YEAR INTO PANDEMIC, MASS CATS ARE STILL SHORT ON FOOD

STATE WIRE: PEACE ADVOCATES PRESENT HOPES FOR FUTURE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS POLICY

STATE WIRE: PEACE ADVOCATES PRESENT HOPES FOR FUTURE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS POLICY

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • APPOINTED SOMERVILLE OFFICIAL SPURS OUTRAGE WITH TWEETS FROM DC MOB SCENE by MARC LEVY
  • Aerial View Parkman Bandstand at Boston Common. CC BY-SA 4.0 2017 by AbhiSuryawanshi. NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 PROTEST ON BOSTON COMMON, 4 PM by MATTHEW ANDREWS
  • VIDEO: COP WHO BRAGGED THAT HE HIT PROTESTERS SHOWS HOW BAD APPLES THRIVE IN BOSTON by CHRIS FARAONE
  • PRISON HORRORS BY THE NUMBERS by SARAH BETANCOURT
  • IT’S HARDER THAN EVER TO FIND A BATHROOM IN BOSTON. WHAT’S THE CITY DOING ABOUT IT? by ZACK HUFFMAN

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 1.9 – 11/26/20

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG Year End 2020

Footer

digbos

“We were all caught pretty off guard when the pa “We were all caught pretty off guard when the pandemic hit, but I think that using the resources that we have available to us we have been able to meet the demand at every step.” https://digboston.com/handling-the-herd-how-boston-built-its-massive-covid-testing-apparatus/ #politics #Boston #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
Republican Gov. Charlie Baker started the new year Republican Gov. Charlie Baker started the new year by vetoing a sweeping #climate change bill. https://digboston.com/titanic-shifts-dems-swap-deck-chairs-amidst-gop-provoked-tsunami/ #politics #news #Democrats #GOP #Boston #Massachusetts #USA #veto
“Trump was voted out. However, this is not a man “Trump was voted out. However, this is not a mandate for #Biden and #Harris.” https://digboston.com/photos-recap-no-honeymoon-for-biden-rally-in-boston/ #photo #rally #march #left #protest #inauguration #Boston #Massachusetts
OPINION: IS DISSENT ANTI-NATIONALISM OR PATRIOTISM OPINION: IS DISSENT ANTI-NATIONALISM OR PATRIOTISM? #Boston #protest for Indian farmers, Saturday 1/23/21, 12-1 pm at the #Massachusetts State House https://digboston.com/opinion-is-dissent-anti-nationalism-or-patriotism/ #India #politics #food #farmer #protest #justice #solidarity @monica_gill1
HOW ONE MASS TOWN TOOK EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO A HOW ONE MASS TOWN TOOK EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO APPEASE A CONTROVERSIAL COP https://digboston.com/no-justice-how-officials-in-one-mass-town-took-extraordinary-measures-to-appease-a-controversial-cop/ #ArlingtonMA #police #reform #cop #racism #controversy #BlackLivesMatter #Massachusetts
Ghost kitchens simply don’t have a need for host Ghost kitchens simply don’t have a need for hosts, servers, bartenders, bussers … What happens to those #jobs if virtual kitchens continue to flourish? https://digboston.com/ghost-story-virtual-kitchens-appear-to-be-the-next-big-thing-but-at-what-cost/ #restaurant #labor #work #Boston #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
“I don’t think we’re going to wake up on Jan “I don’t think we’re going to wake up on Jan. 7 in the same country we went to bed in on the 6th.” https://digboston.com/former-mass-gubernatorial-candidate-predicted-violence-before-assault-on-capitol/ #politics #Massachusetts #national #Capitol #WashingtonDC #MAGA
RADICAL AND RELEVANT: THE LIFE OF HARRY BRILL http RADICAL AND RELEVANT: THE LIFE OF HARRY BRILL https://digboston.com/radical-and-relevant-the-life-of-harry-brill/ #obituary #organizer #radical #sociologist #democracy #politics @UMassBoston @BklynCollege411 @UCBerkeley #Boston #Massachusetts #NewYorkCity #Berkeley #California
NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 #PROTEST ON BOSTON CO NO HONEYMOON FOR BIDEN: 1/20 #PROTEST ON BOSTON COMMON, 4 PM https://digboston.com/no-honeymoon-for-biden-1-20-protest-on-boston-common-4-pm/ #opinion #progressive #left #action #inauguration #Boston #Massachusetts
Light and sweet and hoppy, we’re loving this lat Light and sweet and hoppy, we’re loving this latest incarnation of a #beer that’s been in the making for months. https://digboston.com/video-jacks-abby-x-boston-celtics-pride-and-parquet-hoppy-lager-unboxing-tasting/ #fun #video #review #Boston #Massachusetts
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]