Hockomock Swamp Supper Club & Desserts Emporium

For People Who Love to Eat Good Food at South of Boston Restaurants

Hockomock Swamp Supper Club & Desserts Emporium

For People Who Love to Eat Good Food at South of Boston Restaurants

Swampland Survey

Chef Series with Brett Williams of Orta Trattoria Italian Restaurant in Kingston MA

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What goes on behind the scenes of a restaurant, what inspired your favorite chef or owner to get into the restaurant business!  What’s their favorite tool and what do they LOVE for comfort food!

Today we meet Brett Williams  a local Kingston chef owner of   Orta Trattoria  a hidden gem in the South Shore town in Kingston, MA. Their principle restaurant Orta Ristorante in Pembroke gave birth to this sister location and with that, the Williams family has brought their expertise of central and northern Italian fare to the new location of Orta Trattoria. A blend of casual comfort food with a slightly elevated ambiance. Orta will transcend your senses and immerse you in a world of comfort and relaxation. Enjoy a dinner at one of our tables or relax and unwind with cocktails in our bar or Lounge area. Orta is a place where you can celebrate a special occasion or just celebrate the end of a long work day. We look forward to taking care of you

When did you become interested in cooking?

I grew up in Quincy living with my grandfather Paul Lombardo. He was the chef/owner of Lombardo’s in east Boston and instilled an early interest in cooking with me.

What was your first restaurant job?

The Strawberry Parfait in Cohasset when I was in high school was my first job in a restaurant setting. Working for Jimmy and Joanie Burke.

 

What culinary training do you have?

I went an unconventional route and placed myself under the best chefs I could find and studied under them. I also staged in Florence Italy for six months, working in high end Italian restaurants. I also studied for 3 months in Piedmont Italy working in an Osteria and winery.

 

How long have you been a chef/ owner?

20 years in the industry, 11 years as an owner

What ingredient could you not live without?

Salt, proper use of salt is something that separates a good chef from a great one. Some chefs are too timid when it comes to seasoning food. You need to find the balance of flavors and learn to season in layers.

What tool of the trade could you not live without?

(other than a knife)
Tongs, spoons, or a good Japanese mandolin. All are like extensions of your hands.

What is your current specialty of the house?

Our Bolognese, it’s a constantly evolving recipe that just gets better through the years and is my favorite item to make.

What is your biggest selling item?

Either the Bolognese or the Braised Short Ribs, both take time and patience to make well, and the result is amazing.

Do you cook at home?

Yes, when there is time or a special occasion but mostly, we eat out on my days off and see what other restaurants are doing.

What is your personal favorite comfort food?

I’m a pizza fanatic. I could eat it every day and not get tired of it.

Here is the Swampie buzz on

Went to Orta in Kingston last night, we had reservations but it wasn’t very crowded, I don’t know why. The food was amazing. I had been the night before with a friend and it was so good, I had to come back with my husband the next night and have him try it! The bread and oil were delicious, the bread was so soft. We started with the crispy eggplant appetizer, and it was as described, wonderfully crispy, and the whipped goat cheese was creamy and delicious. Michael ordered the short rib & gnocchi and I ordered the rigatoni bolognese – since we couldn’t decide what to get we decided to split the meals. The short rib was tender, not a bit of fat on it absolutely delicious; the gnocchi was plentiful and soft and yummy! The bolognese was also plentiful, and I liked that it wasn’t overwhelmed with rosemary, it was just right. Desserts are not made in-house but the molten lava cake with mint gelato was so good! The previous night I ordered the honey glazed salmon with citrus spaghetti squash and heirloom cauliflower with a caper remoulade. The citrus sauce was a bit much, I would ask for a bit less sauce or none at all, but other than that I loved it, salmon was cooked perfectly, crispy outside, flaky and very tender inside. I think this is our new favorite place! The martinis were good too!

Went to Orta Trattoria and Lounge in Kingston last night for the first time and was surprised to see it wasn’t very busy for a Saturday night. We started with the gluten free short rib and fig flatbread which was REALLY good as most gluten-free crusts are mediocre at most. He had the salmon and I had the mushroom and pea pasta both were delicious and I have leftovers for lunch. Cocktail menu was creative though I wanted both my martinis to have a smidge more simple syrup. There were plenty of local beers on the menu and a cider for my gf guy. GF flatbreads and pastas as well as other entree options. Nice atmosphere, easy to get to on Rt 3A

 

Last night we ventured out to the new Orta location in Kingston, right off of exit 9  3A. It is easily the best meal I’ve had on the south shore in YEARS. I never finish my meals at restaurants (portions are out of control) but I practically licked my plate clean. Fans of the original location in Pembroke will find a lot of the same items on the menu, but something about the presentation and the dishes themselves seemed a little more refined. Their cocktail menu was awesome- I literally couldn’t decide what I wanted most, and ended up making a last minute decision on the Caravella, which was a vodka/limoncello/elderflower cocktail. My boyfriend settled on the aperol spritz. Both were unbelievably good!
For meals, I got the linguine carbonara and my boyfriend got the short rib. As mentioned above, we both practically licked our plates clean. This was the best carbonara I have literally ever had. Even the poached egg on top was cooked perfectly, and breaking it apart to mix into the sauce really made the dish. I could have eaten another full portion. We never, ever get dessert but decided to treat ourselves since everything was so good. We got the tiramisu to split, with an espresso martini for the boy and a little flute of limoncello for me. It was so light, so fluffy, and so delicious that I kind of wished I got one of my own.
I’m so glad that Chef Williams was able to open this new location, which is actually closer to us so we’re thrilled. The inside is super cute and inviting, and the food and the service were out of this world. And even with three cocktails, a glass of wine, a limoncello, a salad, two entrees, and dessert-
I highly, HIGHLY recommend Orta for a date night! They take reservations online

We had dinner at Orta Trattoria and Lounge last night. Food & service were incredible. I am gluten free so we all decided to order gluten free entrees to share. My son got the diced pepperoni gluten free flatbread. It was so fresh, crispy and the sauce is delicious. We also got the hanger steak & chicken and broccoli. The gluten free pasta is delicious…the best I’ve ever had. The steak was delicious, I ordered medium (I like medium rare but my fiancé likes medium well); it was closer to medium rare than medium. We ended with a flourless chocolate torte with vanilla gelato; incredible texture and nice balance. They have wine on tap and it’s delicious. My son gave it two thumbs up and said we have to come back. The service was paramount. Our server was friendly, attentive and on top of everything.

this restaurant has gone above and beyond for my boyfriend and I. Orta Trattoria and Lounge on rt 3A in Kingston, is a small place but has such wonderful food. Both times I have come it has been empty, spare a table or two, and the service has been great. It is around average pricing for a nicer Italian place. Every portion of the meal has been delicious. 

Orta is  fantastic, my wife and I are regulars there, we have never had a bad meal there, and the entire staff is warm and friendly!! I highly recommend this restaurant, make sure you try the crispy eggplant appetizer!!!!

 

 

HOURS & LOCATION
Orta Trattoria and Lounge

114 Main St,
Kingston, MA 02364
Call Orta Trattoria and Lounge by phone at (781) 936-2410

Sunday-Thursday
4:00PM – 9:00PM

Friday and Saturday
4:00pm – 10:00PM

Closed Tuesdays

Thanks to Brett Williams   for taking time to answer our questions! Are you a local restaurant owner and want to have you or your chef answer questions please Send email

Check out our other recent chef series

 

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