One Of Boston's Best Spots For Pasta Is Also Recognized For Its Warm Stuffed Focaccia

There's no shortage of traditional Italian food in Boston, but if you're on the hunt for some good focaccia then there's actually a sit-down pasta restaurant you need to visit: Fox & The Knife. Located right next to the Broadway T stop in South Boston, Fox & The Knife is a traditional Italian restaurant with lots of modern flair. There's moody signs and seasonal cocktails, but also classic dishes like milanese di maiale, or crispy pork milanese, and spaghetti con vongole.

The highlight, however, is the taleggio stuffed focaccia, which consists of a warm handmade bread loaded with mozzarella, rosemary, and olive oil. The appetizer is the brainchild of chef and owner Karen Akunowicz, who was recognized with a James Beard award in 2018. Having previously lived in Modena, Italy, Akunowicz knew that there were some dishes she just had to have on the Fox & The Knife menu, and focaccia di recco was one of them.

Focaccia di recco is the crispy, cheesy version of the famous Italian bread, but Akunowicz wanted to make it even cheesier. So she baked it in a pie pan with both taleggio and mozzarella for the ultimate pull-apart power, and an instant hit was born. The dish has become a signature item on the menu –- so much so that even the Michelin Guide, which honored the restaurant with a Bib Gourmand recognition, recommends ordering it.

Customers on Yelp have said that the stuffed focaccia from Fox & The Knife was "the star of the meal" — but there are a lot of other hits on the restaurant's menu too. The broccoli alla griglia, or the broccoli "Caesar," is a big one, as are the raviolo carbonara and the tagliatelle Bolognese. This isn't your standard Boston Italian fare, however. The tagliatelle Bolognese is made with wild boar, the pepe e cacio is drizzled in goat butter, and the tortelli di pastinaca comes with a gorgeous brown butter and blue cheese topping — all the kinds of twists you should expect from Karen Akunowicz, who's known as "Boston's Queen of Pasta." 

The former "Top Chef" contestant has written her own cookbooks, appeared on numerous TV shows, and been recognized by publications and award bodies nationwide — but her debut restaurant, Fox & The Knife, remains her proudest achievement. It's known for being a welcoming environment fit for locals and visitors alike, and room is always saved for walk-ins. If you get there, just make sure to order the taleggio stuffed focaccia as well as a main dish. After all, Tasting Table recognized Fox & The Knife as one of the best restaurants for pasta in Boston for a reason.