I admit that I’m a snob when it comes to Italian food since my mom’s from Italy, but there are two places that I love in Watertown Square, one for family and one for date night.

Stellina is one of our favorite restaurants, hands down. You don’t want to take the kids here, since it’s the kind of experience you want to savor. It’s a romantic, intimate kind of place, with low lighting and jazz music in the background. Their menu is always a treat to read, since it changes by the week and includes info about the food and its producers. They buy a lot of local farm items during the growing season. We will have to go in at the end of the summer for their heirloom tomato plate. Their entrée categories include pasta, meats, and fish, and they often have newer spins on the traditional Italian meals. I had a bolognese sauce once with venison and ostrich that was delicious. I’ve also had grilled quail, grilled ostrich, roasted lamb, and many pasta dishes. Their appetizers and desserts are also outstanding. Pumpkin brulee and chocolate fondue for two are some desserts that stand out in my memory. A wonderful place. They take reservations, which I highly recommend.

For family night, go around the corner to the Verona Restaurant. It gets busy, too, so go early. This is an Italian restaurant with the traditional menu – eggplant parmigiana, lasagna with meat sauce, scampi, calamari. They have an excellent meat sauce, and they have homemade pasta, something that’s hard to find, even in the North End. Personally, I love the homemade fettucini with bolognese sauce, and the meatballs are great, almost as good as my mom’s. The prices are reasonable, too.

Stellina, 47 Main Street, Watertown, MA

Verona Restaurant, 18 Mt. Auburn Street, Watertown, MA