La Stalla

Rustic Italian food building roots in Newtown.
By Alina Makhnovetsky

At La Stalla, the family-style Italian restaurant in Newtown, the atmosphere as much as the food, plays a major role in elevating the dining experience. Luckily, the Tuscan flavors on the menu do steal the spotlight from the stunningly historic setting, at least temporarily. Here, the owners are proud their two main ingredients mix so easily for their extended family-the customers.

Once known as the Lovett Barn and housing dozen of dairy stalls, the structure is now the perfect setting for this rustic Italian eatery, evoking a sense of tradition with every bite. Artifacts of the once operational farm remain delicately scattered throughout the property as the understated décor, while the beamed ceiling and stone pillars are as welcoming as the aroma of the food.

Taking over the restaurant just six years ago, Vince Masso and his son Marc Masso “didn’t want to mess with a good thing,” instead the new owners chose to emphasize the familial setting, expanding the outside area and serving dishes family style. In turn, the Masso family is hardly new to the industry, as their family tree spans four generations along the restaurant and food business, “We wanted to re-create what an Italian dining experience should be,” says Marc Masso. “Italian is not meant to be ultra fine dining, a white gloved service doesn’t fit with Italian style, we want our customers to feel like the extension of our family,” explains Masso. The service reflects the laid back style of the owners, its attentive and fun without a hint of pretentious and with bocce, the Italian bowling game set up on the lawn, dinner at La Stalla is like going to your aunts house for a relaxing afternoon, that is if your aunt is a master Italian chef.

For, the food here is certainly at center stage. Patrons are encouraged to share their selections, reminiscent of Tuscan family gatherings. For starters, Masso recommends Mozzarella en Carozza, one of the owner’s favorites as the fresh mozzarella is accented with light marinara sauce and capers. Calamari Fritti, tender and lightly floured, is one of the most popular choices, and Stalla Toscana is the famed antipasto assortment chosen by the chef for the day. Masso suggests Penne Amatriciana, pasta over a white wine sauce with grape tomatoes, pancetta and onions, for the second course. Lastly, Masso also raves about the Pollo La Stalla, the chef’s special recipe for chicken on the bone seasoned to perfection.

For an exclusive dining experience, there is also La Stalla’s Wine Room, where seated at the roundtable sans menus you can indulge in a multi-course gourmet meal, family style, of course, prepared by the head chef. “Italian food is simple,” says Masso. La Stalla’s choice of fresh and the best quality ingredients along with an authentic Italian chef on the line, are the reasons Masso is confident in his product. “The best judges of food are our guests,” Masso surmises.

This year La Stalla continues its tradition of bringing families and friends together by introducing brunch to their menu. The buffet style feast includes a wide selection, including omelets, Italian pasta and seafood dishes. “It’s a traditional brunch menu, but with an Italian twist,” explains Masso.

Evenings at La Stalla are also memorable, with music every Friday night, half priced bottles of wine on Monday’s and Tuesday’s kids dine for free. Once the spring and summer season approaches, take advantage of La Stalla’s huge outdoor space with a recent addition of a wrap around bar area.

La Stalla, like the barn it inhabits has simplicity at its core. This family owned and operated restaurant works by sticking to its rustic roots, Italian food. And here it’s done simply well.

La Stalla is located in the Village of Newtown South Barn at 18 Swamp Road in Newtown. For more information, call (215) 579-8301 or visit www.lastallarestaurant.com.

Alina Makhnovetsky is a freelance writer and lives in Philadelphia, PA.