Sportello

In Italian, Sportello means counter service.  And Sportello is a stylish and sleek lunch and dinner counter located in the Fort Point Channel area of South Boston. 

South Boston’s own Barbara Lynch  – No. 9 Park, B&G Oyster, the Butcher Shop  – added a new addition to her restaurant family with the birth of Sportello late last winter.  Designed with Brigham’s in mind – Lynch worked at Brigham during high school – the decor is clean and bright with backless stools and slick white u-shaped counters.  The menu is simple and filled with hearty Italian dishes.  There is also a bakery counter for you to take-out a quick sandwich or coffee and cookies.

I recently went to dinner at Sportello.  I sat at the counter with my friend and was greeted by a pleasant and sweet server.  We each order a glass of red wine while we looked over the menu.  Minutes later a plate holding whipped ricotta, olive oil, fig preserves and freshly baked bread way placed in front of us.  It was like a little bit of heaven.  We ate our snack and sipped on our wine and then ordered our meals

What we ordered

I ordered the spicy tomato soup ($9) for an appetizer and the potato gnocchi ($17) for a meal.  My friend ordered the fennel and celery salad ($8) and the swordfish ($23).  My soup arrived piping hot with a tiny grilled cheese on the side.  It was tastier twist on the tomato soup of your childhood.  My friend’s salad was fresh and delicious. 

Our entrees arrived and my pasta was served in a big bowl and was tossed with porcini mushrooms, peas and cream.  It was rich and hearty and very delicious.  My friend’s swordfish was prepared with eggplant, tomato and capers. It was thick and not at all dry and extremely tasty. 

Between, the bread and ricotta, the soup and salad, we both had plenty leftover to take home with us.  We were too stuffed for dessert but they looked amazing.

I really enjoyed my meal at Sportello.  I would go there again for sure.  I like it so much I picked up a gift certificate for a Christmas gift!  Sportello was great for dinner for two due to the counter set-up.  But they do have a few four tops for larger parties.  I recommend Sportello and I give it 4 stars.  Try it yourself!