Our favorite spot in the north end. Food is fresh, staff are engaging, and the place is perfect…read morefor date night, group dining or families.

Some restaurants serve great food…read more A few become part of your family's story. Eight years ago, we left Boston for Los Angeles. Of everything my daughter missed, there was one dish she talked about more than any other: the Penne Gorgonzola at Carmelina's. Not friends. Not the Red Sox. Not even Boston itself. The penne. We recently returned to work the Feast of Saint Joseph, and before we unpacked, before we did anything else, our first meal had to be at Carmelina's. The look on my daughter's face after that first bite was worth the trip. She ordered her long-awaited Penne Gorgonzola. I stuck with my longtime favorite, the Brasato. Then the friend we brought along ordered the Bolognese Fettuccine, and despite repeatedly calling it "bolo-ga-knees" and bleeding my ears, accidentally introduced me to my new favorite dish on the menu. The addition of whipped ricotta completely changes the bolognese, adding a richness I never knew it needed. We finished with limoncello, a very happy daughter, and the best kind of dinner bill... ...one paid by someone else. Is there a better ending? Eight years later, Carmelina's is still my favorite restaurant in Boston and comfortably sits among my top five restaurants anywhere in the country.

The most authentic Italian I've yet to have. Feels like you escaped to Italy through the authentic…read morecuisine and friendly Italian staff. Ordered the prosciutto and pea linguine in the garlic cream and it was the most delicious pasta I've ever had! My husband ordered the veal in the white wine and continues to still talk about it.

We ate here over New Year's while visiting Boston, and our first experience was excellent--the food…read morewas great, which is why we were excited to return during our visit this past weekend. Unfortunately, the customer service during our second visit was a complete disappointment. We arrived around 5:00 p.m., and the restaurant was only about half full. From the start, the service from an older waitress was rude enough that we almost walked out. I had forgotten my reading glasses at home and was having trouble reading the small print on the menu, so I looked at the menu displayed on the wall instead. The waitress suddenly took the menu from our table and repeatedly pointed to the paper menu, insisting that I use it instead. I explained that I couldn't see the small print, and only then did she drop the issue. When our food arrived, it felt like it was simply dropped on the table with no warmth or courtesy. We also witnessed another waitress respond to a customer who was unsure where they were seated by saying loudly, "Do we need to put up directions?!" in a sarcastic and embarrassing tone. It's unfortunate because the food is genuinely very good. However, no meal is worth being treated this way. There are many great Italian restaurants in Boston, and next time we visit, we'll be choosing one of them.

The food was soooo good! We stopped in here for a late Fathers Day lunch and it was amazing! Highly…read morerecommend!!!

Absolutely wonderful Italian dining experience. It's unusual to start a review by talking about the…read morefree bread, but honestly -- it was amazing, and from there everything just kept getting better. We tried the house specials along with a few other menu items, and every single dish was outstanding. The desserts were on another level entirely. Both the creme caramel and the tiramisu tasted like they came from another world -- rich, balanced, and perfectly prepared. Service was excellent throughout, attentive without being intrusive. I'm definitely recommending this place.

I called the restaurant shortly before 1PM on a Wednesday to see if they had any open tables for a…read moresolo diner. As it turns out, they had plenty of open tables and I opted to sit outside on a whim since it was sunny and gorgeous out. I ordered the Clelia's Penne and a glass of the Hess Chardonnay. The chicken was browned beautifully, pasta was cooked perfectly, the micro greens and squash also brightened up the dish. And when ordering this, it doesn't hurt to top it with some more cheese! Don't be fooled by size of the serving plate, the look is light & delicate - but I was seriously stuffed after this lunch special. I had just enough room for a light dessert. So I asked for a single scoop of the mango gelato. I saw people a few tables down getting as many as 3 scoops, perhaps I'll follow suit the next time I'm visiting Boston. I came for lunch, but if I'm ever in the area again - I'd seriously consider ordering their truffle ravioli for dinner.

As a wine lover, I was excited to try Piattini after several of my friends in Boston highly…read morerecommended it, and it definitely lived up to the hype! We ordered two glasses of Merlot, the shrimp scampi, and the garlic bread. Everything was delicious. The food was flavorful, well-prepared, and the portions were generous. We chose to sit on the outdoor patio and enjoyed the lovely weather with a nice breeze. My only small complaint is that the patio feels a bit cramped. There are quite a few tables in a relatively small space, so it can feel a little tight when it's busy. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and will definitely be back.

Amazing food. I also loved the ambience. It was reminiscent of the Mediterranean…read more The plates, plating, and serving ware were tastefully chosen. The service fast attentive and friendly. I'd definitely be back when on vacation again. The orange honey cake was mind blowing

Generally a positive experience though this most recent time we had a few odd moments that took…read moreaway from the experience. We dined indoors. There were a number of flies/ gnats that joined us for dinner, which was not our favorite. We requested an open table by the door but were informed it was only for parties of 3- but then, several other groups of 2 were seated there during the period of time we were there. It's one thing if those tables were specifically reserved- that's fine- it just felt a bit dishonest. Also a note that if you have leftovers, they may not package the entirety of it (though I am not sure why..). For example, we had leftover tiropita rolls but the Greek honey butter (an essential component of the dish) was not packed. Similarly we had a lot of the chicken souvla left, but the roasted garlic yogurt was also omitted? Well worth a try, but less impressive on this visit.

Wow! This kitchen is on fire! We were happy to find Mida open on the 4th of July! We were in Boston…read morefor a week and had some excellent food and this was our favorite restaurant of the trip. The service was amazing from the kitchen. We had a food party and shared all items. Pizza, fritto misto, braised beef on cauliflower puree ( no picture it was so good I forgot) Caesar salad and meatballs (also forgot to shoot a picture). Food was absolutely amazing. One note that I would normally score down on service when I order a drink before dinner I should at least get the drink and be able to consume it before all the food comes! Mida missed an opportunity here in timing the food and lost some liquor sales as a result. We gave this feedback to our server. Food was totally worth it and the vibe of the space was nice. Thanks Mida for a greata meala!

Moody, classy interior that's perfect for a night out !…read more Spacious with plenty of seating (had no trouble making a last minute reservation) and great service all-around. Ordered the sausage pizza and mushroom pappardelle. 10/10 pizza--crispy crust with spicy peppers that balance out the sausages. Not to mention, most of the pizzas had reasonable prices for this area. Pasta was very mild (great if you're looking for a 'butter noodle' vibe) but personally wish it had more flavor. Highly recommend overall and would be a great choice for groups !

I will always support SRV... currently the best Italian restaurant I've had in Boston. Specializing…read morein Venetian cuisine. Focaccia: What an amazing focaccia!! The bread had large air pockets, visibly soft, with a rich aroma of salt and milk; the olive oil was smooth and mellow, with a full-bodied fragrance, and the aftertaste even included a subtle, restrained hint of tea. Even knowing it's a calorie bomb, I couldn't resist dipping it in more. Baccala Mantecato: Classic Venetian flavor. The salted cod was tender and delicate, almost like a light foam, somewhere between raw silk and mousse; the dark bread was simple yet not coarse, perfectly balancing the saltiness of the cod. The most surprising thing was the refreshing aroma of celery leaves that emerged in the aftertaste, lingering and persistent. Lumache: When looking at the menu, seeing "chili butter, Jonah crab, breadcrumb," I never expected such a distinct citric acidity. The subtle acidity was gently enveloped in the fatty aroma of chili butter, perfectly complementing the umami and sweetness of the crab meat with just the right amount of spiciness. The lumache were firm and chewy, the sauce rich and smooth, and the breadcrumbs light and crisp, creating a rich and distinct texture. The portion was generous; even after microwaved the next day, the sauce had naturally broken down and the lemon's tartness had dissipated, but the noodles mixed with chili oil still had a unique flavor. Tiramisu: Highly renowned, and the staff were quite confident. The surface was covered with a thick layer of crispy cocoa nibs, the cake itself is incredibly soft and moist, and digging inside reveals an "underground river" of coffee liquid, while its bitterness was perfectly balanced by the sweet Marsala. The overall flavor was sweet and mellow, less bitter than typical tiramisu, with more layers of complexity. Actually, I was hoping for a slightly bitter version. Even on a weekday, it was packed with customers; by 5:10 PM, only one bar seat was left. Reservations are highly recommended. However, the bar was in a good location, with the bartenders being the easiest servers to find. It was a pleasant conversation with them.

Pros: The prices are a lot more reasonable than most places in Boston, portions on the main courses…read moreare big (enough to take leftover). The service is so friendly and seamless which in itself makes for a lovely evening. Highlights were the mussels, which were very fresh and delicious. The service here was attentive with the waiters offering more bread for the mussels. Most dishes are a little spicy, so if you don't like spice, make sure to note that with the waiter. The miso gelato is one of the most delicious savory/sweet desserts, and has lots of nice crunchy accents of the sesame crumble. Cocktails are fabulous, very smooth, as well as the mocktails. Cons: The crostini was nothing really special, and one of them came without the oyster butter. The meatballs, which were tasty but had a slightly hard texture on the outside. The prawn risotto was pretty one-note in flavor, and the prawn heads tasted overcooked and slightly off. The radiatore was spicy and nicely plated. The Cremoso al Cioccolato had a strange flavor profile that didn't quite fit, and had such a large salted chocolate-truffle section that we did not finish it (which is saying something)! Overall, if you are looking for a solid dinner in Boston that will guarantee be a nice experience because of the atmosphere, this is a good place.

My coworkers and I had an amazing experience at The Salty Pig in Boston!…read more From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was lively and inviting. You can immediately tell this place takes pride in what they do, especially when you see the chefs in action. Watching them work with the freshly made dough and expertly handle the pizza oven added such a fun and authentic touch to the experience. The food was absolutely incredible. The pizza was hands down one of the best we've had--perfectly crisp crust, fresh ingredients, and full of flavor in every bite. We also ordered the cucumber salad, which was refreshing, light, and the perfect complement to the richness of the pizza. Everything about our visit felt thoughtfully done, from the quality of the food to the energy of the space. If you're in Boston and looking for a spot with amazing pizza, fresh ingredients, and a great vibe, The Salty Pig is a must-visit. We'll definitely be back! We had just arrived to Boston and we were starving so I didn't take photos.

We ended up coming here after grabbing drinks and appetizers somewhere else because we wanted an…read moreactual meal, and I'm so glad we did. I ordered the bolognese, and it was absolutely amazing. That being said... the second I saw the pizzas coming out of the wood fired oven, I immediately had food envy I'll definitely be ordering a pizza next time. What really made the experience, though, was our waitress. She had the funniest personality. She was cheeky and a little snarky in the best possible way, and somehow made the whole table laugh without ever coming across as rude. She was genuinely one of the best servers I've had in a long time, and I'd honestly go back just hoping she's working. Great food, great atmosphere, and even better service.