As kids, we recognized Fantasia as a great Walt Disney movie, but also knew that there was nothing "goofy" about the Fantasia Restaurant at Fresh Pond in Cambridge, Mass.
Looking back, Fantasia might have been the epitome of an old school restaurant: large-sized, carpeted dining and functions rooms (the latter slightly tacky in a 60s/70s sort of way), beautiful music in the background, a personable "Hi honey" wait staff, and tasty chicken, steak and seafood dishes that never failed.
I remember my Dad would go here with his teacher and school administration friends; they found the setting perfect for good conversation and laughs. Although the Fantasia food was quite good, the service was even better. An established wait staff rarely slipped up and knew many of their customers. This paved the way for being confident that you could experience here a great ideal family dinner, graduation, wedding and reception, Bar Mitvah, birthday party, Communion, etc. It was always nice to have a near-retirement, kind waitress focused on the customer instead of some "I'll take-any-job" employee being totally fixated on, say, what Lovin' Spoonful album to buy at Music Land after work.
Interesting to note, too, that Fantasia was only minutes from the war protests and various counter culture elements in Harvard Square in the 1960s, but felt like a warm, safe placed a million miles away from a changing world. Fantasia really felt like the restaurant version of "Leave it to Beaver!"
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My Grandfather's cousin owned this restaurant. We lived with him in Bridgeport, CT and didn't know much about his family. Is anyone else related? His name was Pietro Fantasia.
ReplyDeleteI am! It was my Great Grandfathers restaurant, Ralph Fantasia.
DeleteI have been doing my family history and learned that my grandfather’s family is related to the Fantasia’s who owned this restaurant and my parents were blessed to have their wedding reception held there.
DeleteMemories come flooding back, of meals at Fantasia, Igos in Porter Sq. and Joyce Chens, right beside Fantasia. Brings back all the wonderful dishes we enjoyed, in addition to all the the folks no longer with us, with whom we enjoyed them. Thanks for the memory.
ReplyDeleteI loved Fantasia, many memories there. Does anyone have any photos of it?
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see comments about Fantasia's Restaurant. I ran the plant for Continental Can Company for 5 years, right behind the Restaurant and we shared the parking lot with Ralph. All visitors to our plant were taken to Fantasia's for lunch, and they loved it. Joyce Chen opened her restaurant right across the small street that entered our industrial park. All gone now, but the memories are still alive.
ReplyDeleteI used to waitress there. The food was awesome. Great chicken pie and the scampi was to die for. We had a lot of great times there and were always up to something.
ReplyDeleteI used to waitress there. The food was awesome. Great chicken pie and the scampi was to die for. We had a lot of great times there and were always up to something.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad took us there once a year for about 5 years in a row. Only thing I remember as I was very young was how good the mashed potatoes were...lol. Grew up in Belmont
ReplyDeletebut can't remember what year it closed.
Wow! What a blast from the past. I used to work there in the late 60's. Started as asst salad chef and worked up to the line, just before going in the service. My Dad did some architectural work for them in the kitchen area. That is where my love of Italian cooking started. Big place if I remember plus their famous "Lido" rooms. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteCan you share the shrimp scampi recipe here?
DeleteI worked there from 1976to 83 . Some of the best times of my life. I still hang out with Chef Arthur's son
ReplyDeleteIf you could, pass along my hello to Arthur Jr.....Ralph & Olympia were my grandparents.....
DeleteHey how are you my name is Frank Bonanno I hope you guys remember me I love to Chef Arthur D’Agostino and I know arther Junior and Phil cotoni
DeleteI used to go there with my boss for lunch back in the late 70's and 80's. Scrumptious Shrimp Scampi.Fond memories.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have photos of Fantasia Restaurant? We are celebrating my in-Laws 50th wedding anniversary this month and have been trying to locate a picture or postcard.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Ellen
Hi Ellen, I'm looking for a picture of Fantasia Restaurant. I ran the plant for Continental Can Company right behind it for five years. We shared a parking lot. Please let me know if you find anything.
DeleteThanks, George
This was my grandfather’s restaurant. My parents had their wedding reception there (as did many others!) I worked there, in the kitchen, during summers in high school, around 1974-77. My younger brother Seth, and our cousin Chris also did time there..... great memories!
ReplyDeleteDawn Chester who was the band that played as Fantasia restaurant in Cambridge for all their weddings events and dinner and dance from the time they open to the time they close John Chester was the only band that played at Fantasia restaurant he is my dad
DeleteMy father says he remembers dawn Chester playing for the band at Fantasias, my father is chef Phil he is the nephew of Authur Dagastino
DeleteMy father had a regular booth reserved for him. We used to meet for lunch there often. One time I cam and he had forgotten!!! The hostess and the wait staff took first class care of me and I signed the check and left. I bought a Fantasia ashtray and some glassware when it was auctioned off. I miss those wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteI worked at Fantasia's for about 6 months in 1970/1. I basically did the desserts and assisted the chef when needed.
ReplyDeleteI also bowled in Central Square with Peter or Ralph or both - don't recall exactly - around 1970. We held some of our bowling banquets at Fantasia's restaurant too.
ReplyDeleteFantasia earned Respect-Yes-I was about 20-had a Jag etype-traded it in Lynn for a new Dodge Polara-No taxes on trade-upon arriving home-My Dad handed me his credit card and said Nice-You can go to Fantasia and have a dinner on me! My mother looked on with vibe of well-we'll be going this weekend--G don't we wish to continued now- With my respect--Thank you Much to those that Made it happen!
ReplyDeleteMy father’s cousin was Authur Dagostino, the head Chef for mor than 25 years
ReplyDeleteI worked there in the early seventies while I was in HS and college. Started by making salads and eventually worked my way through the different prep and cooking stations
I cherish the cooking skills taught to me by Chef Authur
I think of him every time I make his shrimp scampi...It is the best scampi recipe....
Hey how are you?, Do you mind me asking what was you fathers name? My father is Phill Cotoni worked at the Fantasia's restaurant for many years he is a nephew of chef Arthur Dagostino
DeleteRalph Fantasia was my uncle. I enjoyed many memorable meals at Fantasias and many holiday invites to the Fantasia home in Belmont and Lexington. I have an original brochure showing the restaurant inside and out along with some shot glasses from the bar. I will will be happy to download pictures if I can figure out how to do it. Joe Simeone jrsimeone@yahoo.com
DeleteThis must be Phil hey Phil it’s Frankie wow I can’t believe all the cool stuff on here
DeleteMy Grandfather, Henry Del Bono worked there in the 60's. Anyone remember him? he was a cook/chef and also worked at the Parker House and Joe Teccis in Boston. Also looking for a picture or postcard of the restaurant. Thanks to all! Great website!!!
ReplyDeleteMy mom worked as waitress in 60s 70s
ReplyDeleteMy Mother was a waitress there in the 60’s and I had my wedding reception there in 1972! It was a great restaurant!
ReplyDelete