Villa Francesca

Me and my husband came here after our wedding and it was amazing!!!! Such kind staff & amazing…read morefood. Meatballs to die for, delicious chocolate gelato & my husband said the tiramisu was the best on the block. thank you for making our night wonderful Limoncellos!!!

We were a table of 6 with two toddlers. The standard buttered penne pasta and house meatballs was…read morethe go to for the children, they ate it right up. We ordered a couple veal parms, lobster ravioli and the roset (house special). All were amazing and cooked to perfection. The veal parm was probably the best veal I've ordered from a restaurant, so kudos there. The bread service and olives were also a nice touch. Pleasant environment outside. It feels like you're on the set of Friends or something.

Interior

Chicken Parmesan

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Exterior

Cafe Amaro

4.4(87 reviews)

Great food and cozy little spot! We got the gnocchi, chicken parm, and vodka pasta. All delicious!read more

Most amazing pizza in Boston and even Italy. We had the fig and prosciutto pizza. WOW!read more

Kitchen area

Prosciutto and Fig pizza

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Broccoli rabe pizza

Bricco

4.0(1.6k reviews)

Decent, not bad, so many options here in Boston, this was a rec from the rental car guy haha…read more Espresso martini was bomb probably best thing we got 9/10 strong and flavorful Berry cocktail was ok, 7/10 prob would skip next time Ricotta pillows were good! Wish it had more protein solid 8.5/10 Filet minon valid, 8.5/10 Oysters were yummy wish they gave more haha 8.5/10 Fries were delicious and crispy Cheesecake was ok! The food took SO LONG. I won't lie. We got here around 7:45/8 and didn't get our food until like 9pm. Parking is TERRIBLE after 6pm omg. Permits or $40+ valet only, their website has parking garage suggestion tho so we did that!!! Overshoot your time to avoid a late fee

Bricco missed several marks and will not be added to my list of locations to return to…read more We made a reservation for later in the evening knowing that we wanted to experience the "must try" espresso martinis and notated in the comments that we were coming for drinks. When we pulled up our reservation to confirm the time, we found that it had been cancelled without any communication at all. After calling the restaurant to see if something had happened, the host commented that the manager decided to cancel because we had notated we were coming in for drinks. No where on the website or OpenTable app does it say this is not allowed. Nor did the manager reach out via text or call to confirm or follow up before cancelling. We had already decided we would be getting appetizers and possible dinner as well so they did allow us to rebook when we called to inquire. The waiter was attentive and the waters were kept filled which we appreciated. It is worth notating that the Ceaser salad is not a traditional salad and their version just shows you why it's a classic for a reason. The bibb lettuce was wilted and the heavy pour/toss of dressing did nothing but weigh the salad down and make it slimy. The "crispy ricotta polpettes" while great in theory, missed the mark of complimenting the salad and instead seemed like a cold hush puppy that was more cornmeal forward than ricotta. The real reason we came, the espresso martini still held our attention and we were hoping that the best was yet to come. We each ordered an espresso martini and while our preferences range when it comes to the perfect cocktail, we all agreed this was not the way to do it. This is more reminiscent of a liquid mudslide than an espresso martini (calling it that, is taking very creative liberty). Despite the glass being rimmed with espresso powder, the cocktail lacked the espresso profile we were looking for and the different alcohols used were all fighting to be tasted above the other. A disappointing experience and lack of professionalism by the manager.

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Now Pouring Wine Bar

4.3(10 reviews)

0.4 mi•West End

Located in Hub Hall, we stopped at Now Pouring Wine Bar for some drinks after spending the day in…read moreSalem. It's small but just right. We sat on bar stools, chatted, and drank some beer and cider. No complaints. Loved the ambiance of the place, especially seeing as it was right next to Mike's Pastry. It was easy to get a cannoli and a drink all in one go.

I will say I'm biased - I have been coming here for 3 years. I'm utterly obsessed with the staff…read morewho are attentive and hardworking & the drinks they create! Just got a mango margarita - but I highly recommend looking at their drink menu. There is something for everyone!

Drinks.

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Trattoria Il Panino

3.8(798 reviews)

Just fine. Pastas were under seasoned and carbonara had cooked egg whites in it. Service was not…read morethe best. Table was too tiny as well can't have any room to actually eat.

Came in for a lunch after being recommended by our tour guide. This place is homey, full of…read morecharacter with original grandma recipes, modern hospitality and an old world charm. Stand outs was the eggplant Parmesan, spaghetti carbonara and the tiramisu. Friendly and professional service.

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Haley Henry Wine Bar

4.3(248 reviews)

0.5 mi•Downtown

I've been a loyal fan of haley.henry for years and have recommended this spot to countless friends,…read moreso I was really excited to finally bring a new coworker here. Unfortunately, this most recent visit didn't live up to the high standards I've come to expect. While a few dishes hit the mark, the majority of our order was a letdown: Tinned Octopus: Surprisingly chewy and lacked seasoning. Mushroom Toast: The texture was rubbery, and the flavor was completely drowned out by an aggressive amount of balsamic. Beets: Had a very overwhelming cumin flavor that threw the dish out of balance. Roast Beef Slider: Served cold and felt a bit uninspired. It's such a cute, intimate space, and I've had so many wonderful nights here in the past, but the execution was just off this time around. I'm hoping it was just an off night, but it was definitely disappointing given how much I usually love this place!

Haley Henry Wine Bar is a solid spot for a relaxed but elevated wine night. I went on a Wednesday…read moreevening without a reservation and had no problem getting seated right away for a table of two, which was a great start. The wine selection is excellent and thoughtfully curated -- whites, reds, bubbles, orange wines, and more, so there's truly something for every palate. My friend and I both ordered a red, and it was absolutely perfect. Our server was super friendly and attentive, and she even offered a few samples so we could try before committing to a full glass, which we really appreciated. For food, we shared the hot dog with fried oysters to pair with the wine, and it was surprisingly delicious and a fun, elevated bar bite. Overall, the experience was fantastic -- great wine, great service, and a comfortable atmosphere. Pricing is definitely on the higher end, with wine glasses around $20 and the hot dog at $14, but the quality and experience justify it. I'd absolutely come back for another wine night.

Inside

Cheese & charcuterie - the pistachio butter is unreal

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Cheese & Charcuterie - such a perfect small bite!

Casarecce

4.3(499 reviews)

I just had the best chicken parmigiana I've ever had in my life…read more I've been living for 23 days in the Boston area and have had a lot of Italian food. We were a little nervous as they weren't busy like some other restaurants in the North End, but my family and I were pleasantly surprised with how just solid food the food was! They make their pasta fresh in-house and it's just amazing. Their chicken parmigiana was not dry or overcooked. Their spaghetti and meatballs was classic but not basic tasting. We had 4 of us eating dinner and it was all so good! Their menu isn't very big but they rocked everything we ordered. PLUS - they are one of few places in the North End that are actually pretty handicap accessible. There's a ramp to go in the front door (most have a ledge or stairs) and the restroom is on the same level, not downstairs like other places. My child is in a wheelchair so we take note and appreciate the efforts.

This is a cute place in little Italy in Boston and a great spot if you are looking for a small,…read morecozy dinner. This place had some of the best Italian food I have had. I had the mushroom ravioli and it was delicious. So fresh, so flavorful and the pasta was delicious. The staff was attentive and helpful. We ate here on a Friday night and had a reservation which I highly recommend as it was packed. We had to squeeze by folks to get to our table and the back of my chair was hitting the person behind me. It made for a high energy environment with a lot of hustle and bustle, but if you are looking for a quiet, intimate dinner than this may not be the place. Overall though the food was really good and I still think this is a solid option in Boston.

Cozy but delicious!!!

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Pasta time

Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

4.1(4.5k reviews)

0.1 mi•North End

You might accidentally walk past this cute Italian ristorante...and you would regret it. I walked…read morearound the area for a while before settling at a table by the window in Giacomo's. I was quickly greeted and informed that they were cash-only dining. But fret not, for just inside the doorway is a perfectly placed ATM. It took only a few seconds for me to pinpoint the exact item on the menu that my stomach was craving and my eyes fixed upon...Antipasto for an appetiser and chicken Marsala for the entree. The antipasto dish arrived very quickly and was a beautiful layout. Of course I desired to save some room for the entree but ended up eating about 3/4 of the appetiser before it arrived. The chicken marsala was absolutely perfect, still steaming on the plate as she placed it before me. I told myself I would only eat half the dish and take the rest back to my hotel for snacking later. However, my taste buds are not allow me to stop feasting on this Italian delicacy. If you're ever in the area, don't worry about the other Italian restaurants in the downtown, although I am sure that they are well and good, but Giacomo's is well worth your consideration. My only regret is that I only have one more night here to try another one of their delectable dishes.

Wait wasn't too long on a Friday night…read more I enjoyed the texture of the fusilli and it certainly was a hearty bowl of pasta. Beyond that though, nothing remarkable. Portion size was decent although prices are not cheap (just entree alone will be minimum $30). They specialize in seafood so the only protein options that weren't seafood were chicken or veal. There weren't too many apps that caught my eye, particularly lacking veggies. Service is on the ruder side. They automatically add 20% tip to your bill.

More menu

Frutti di Mare Linguine

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Open dining room

Panza

3.8(1.6k reviews)

0.1 mi•North End

First time at panza excellent food and service. Great portions and prices were good. I would make…read morereservations. I'm going back again.

I just had one of my worst experiences at a restaurant in a very long time. Unfortunately, we were…read morelate for our reservation, but I had called 10 minutes ahead of time and kept the restaurant up-to-date the entire time. At no point did the restaurant indicate that us being late was going to be an issue. Ever. I know how hard it is to get a reservation in Boston so I was being very conscious about making sure they knew and apologizing profusely. They could have cancelled. Or told me they had to move the time They never did. When I got there, I was told the Wait wpuld be a few minutes.. fine That makes sense. 20 minutes later, I had to ask how long it would be to get a table and that I was met with a woman named Stephanie who then told me we don't hold tables and it was nice of you to call but we can't hold a table for with that information on a Friday night in the north end of Boston. She was soooooooooooooooooo Nasty about it. I could've easily made another reservation at several other restaurants. Or walked across the street instead of standing there. Due to her unnecessary behavior and the lack of communication from the restaurant, we went to a restaurant on the corner, which we could've done at Any given point had anyone communicated with me the way I communicated with them. Line out the door and I did not see them talking to anyone in line. , shame on them for having such attitude Don't go here they're rude After 6 hours on a plane And a car ride that was supposed to be 20 minutes that turned into 40 That's not how you treat a customer that truly went out of Their way to communicate and give the restaurant courtesy. Their communication should have been up front from the beginning. This woman was so nasty. We left. Went somewhere else. Which we could had done earlier. Do better

Interior

Bruschetta

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Cheers to spending time with my son!

Artu

3.5(521 reviews)

0.1 mi•North End

An amazing taste of Italy right in the heart of Boston!…read more Overwhelmed by all of the different food choices for a late lunch, we remembered a recommendation to go to Artu. A quick bite of homemade meatballs and lobster ravioli with some wine really hit the spot. Our server was very helpful with explaining to us a few of the wines we were considering and what they would pair best with.

Yum yum yum!!! The hype of the north end Italian certainly includes Artu. The portion sizes were…read moregreat, food is amazing, the chicken parm with vodka sauce is a must. We got sat near the window and the ambiance was wonderful. My one critique would be our server was a bit slow in coming to take our order, bring the check etc. but overall a 9/10 for me.

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Meatball App

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23 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

D S.

17 years ago

I have been reading some pretty awful reviews of this place, along with "tourist trap" again and again, but last night I had a really wonderful dinner at this place, so I guess I got lucky! We started dinner pretty late, just before 10 pm, and the place was full, but not over packed, on a Mon night, we ordered Oysters (as fresh and sweet as I have tasted), I had a Chianti Classico that was just average, a Caprese salad that was perfect (esp. sweet tomatoes) perfectly and simply dressed, delicious bruscetta, just like I like it, and a Spaghetti with clam sauce (choice of wine or tomato sauce) that was perfect, not swimming in "Olio" or shriveled as this dish has often been served to me, and we finished with a small-ish cappucino, that was also just OK, but served me well. A fellow guest had a lovely looking lobster, and another diner had the veal stuffed with crab, that he raved about, but the plate was a little fussy looking to me, too "Architectural" with a wedge of polenta and I just don't like fussy looking plates, esp. at an Italian place. I like "family/rustic" whenever I eat Italian. The most eye-opening thing about this place is the price for some standard fare items, around 25-30 dollars, and I suspect that is behind some of the bad reviews, because when eating Italian, I often like to eat several courses and it adds up quickly here, so I don't like that you need to be thinking of the bill when you are dining here, but the food was really good, so I will try this again. read more

Lisa M.

14 years ago

I had dinner last night with a friend from the North End. She's never tried Villa Francesca although she lives there but to be fair to go through each restaurant would probably take years. We both ordered the Seafood prix fixe dinner. With so many choices on that menu it was almost a shame not to try. She ordered the lobster ravioli as a first and her entree was shrimp fettuccine. It's made with delicious fresh basil but not being a fan of basil the waiter made sure to not include it in her dish. She loved it! I've eaten at Villa before and have always enjoyed it. Last night I tried the filet of sole which was absolutely delicious. It was served with escarole and cannellini beans (my favorite) and roasted potatoes. The food was not overly salted which I really enjoyed because I could taste the freshness of the fish and the flavors. I made a great choice! A gentleman across from us ordered the frutti di mare with lobster. The platter was absolutely enormous. My DC was shocked. She jokingly asked are you going to eat that all? He laughed- of course! It was a cold night but the place had a number of diners. Alot of business after work dinners and a few couples. Overall it was a great experience. I recommend it, especially if you love seafood. read more

Irina N.

14 years ago

Went here last night with a few good friends to give a Californian girlfriend visiting a taste of North End Italian class.... and I think Villa Fancesca showed it just right! We must have gotten in just in time (around 7:45pm) before the place was completely filled. Got sat, offered water, bread, got special explained. Our server was sweet, spoke English well enough, answered the questions about the menu as well as given recommendations on the dishes. Food arrived promptly. Suggested garlic bread (mixed with salsa and no salsa option) as an appetizer was delicious. My Fettucine Con Gamberi (shrimp fettuccine) with basil in creamy light tomato sauce was amazing! Wine was poured right on the dot as needed. Portions were big. Dishes cleaned from mussels my friend ordered and offered new one as it got filled. The dessert was great as well (im sorry don't remember the name of it but it was like a cannoli with cream filling and fruit over it). Overall i think we were able to experience the cozy little Italy feeling North End has with so many restaurants to choose from. Food was great, prices are I would say on a higher spectrum but it felt and tasted worth it. read more

Mark A.

8 years ago

Went there this past weekend with a large group of people and was utterly shocked by the level of service we were given. We arrived to the restaurant at the time of our reservation and I simply inquired how long the anticipated wait would be and was given an extremely condescending, rude response by the male host: "what have you been waiting for like 2 minutes?!" I was taken aback by such a rude, undeserving response for such an innocuous question, which I asked extremely politely. I understand that this place probably caters to the touristy clientele, but I am a local and will never frequent this establishment ever again. Customer service is a bare minimum in the restaurant business and if you don't at least have exceptional food to back it up, there is no reason to ever visit. The food at this place is adequate at best and the prices are on par with much better establishments just around the corner. I would save your money for those restaurants with better food and customer service. read more

Alyssa P.

12 years ago

Went last night with a large group of girls, Everything went fairly well, food was good, although they were very slow on water refills and never offered us parmesan cheese for the meals, we had to ask. We all chose the Dine Out Boston menu and never even looked at the regular menu. When the bill came 5 of us wanted to use credit cards to pay our portion of the bill, and the waiter came up to us and told us that they only accept 3 credit cards for each bill. We were never informed of this and he told me that it said it on the menu and rudely brought over a menu. We never looked at the menu because we chose the Dine Out Boston menu, and it did NOT say anything about 3 cards on the dine out menu. We asked for a manager and there was no manager there of course. So in the rain, girls walk to the ATM to get money to pay the bill..... that is just wrong, it is the 21st century. I will never go back. read more

Lanmi Y.

14 years ago

Went to this place the second time yesterday evening. Got two groupons, so couldn't altogether waste them. The first time, the food was very mediocre. Vegetarian options very minimal, two to three things to choose from. Had to order the same two entrees twice (were asked if we had a groupon, and were told there was a 2 entree minimum for using the groupon). The pasta was not handmade, and for 17 dollars per entree, I'd expect not to have something that I could buy for a dollar at the supermarket. My girlfriend is a good cook, and she said that if she made the tomato sauce that went over the pasta, she wouldn't be very proud of it. The spinach and cheese ravioli was very mediocre too. Even with the groupon we paid a sizable bill. For half that price, we know of other places in North End that would have offered a far better experience. read more

ximena g.

16 years ago

This is the right place to have an excellet diner along with a good service. This past saturday my husband and I have a dinner reservation at Villa Francesca with my parents and my husband family. Our relatives came from different states and they could not believe how delicious the food was. As soon as we arrive with a party of twelve the hostess direct us to a beautiful cozy dinning room, three more people show up latter and we did not know what to do because the place was full but, we ask the manager for some extra chairs and he was so nice that he order the busboys to add another table. The manager "Thomas" did an excellet job recommending us the best appetizers of the house and the perfect wine to enjoy dinner. I really recommend this beautiful restaurant. read more

Cesca B.

Elite 10

189

19 years ago

Wow -- the reviews for this place really run the gamut! But I have to say that I had a great experience there. I might be a little biased because of the fact that the restaurant has the same name as me, but whatever. I thought the escarole and the lobster ravioli were fantastic. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. The entire ambiance of the restaurant is very pleasant. Unlike most North End restaurants, Villa Francesca actually has a large enough space to accommodate all the patrons it attempts to house. You're not sitting on top of other restaurant-goers and being forced to endure their conversations unlike every other restaurant in the North End. It was a Friday night but we were sat downstairs where it was nice and quiet. I had a great time! read more

Ryan W.

282

14 years ago

Went here about 6 years ago and had a great meal. However that level if quality is long gone. Recently took my girl for a Sunday night date and was severely disappointed. Ordered the melon and prosciutto which was ok because it's hard to mess up. The entrees however were much worse. For $30 I would expect more than canned mushrooms and BLACK olives from a can. The salty Marsala and non-existent anchovies ruined a perfectly well cooked veal. And for my girlfriends entree, she wasn't to critical of her linguine and artichokes, but was disappointed that to add shrimp would cost another $20 in top of the $20 for a simple pasta dish. Overpriced and disappointing to say the least. read more

Selenia A.

10 years ago

Just left this place, absolutely loved it! Of course on a Saturday night they were busy and there was a 45 minute wait - but so worth it! We started with the bruschetta and the calamari which is sautéed in a delicious red sauce. I had the Veal Francesca as my entrée, while my boyfriend had the Chicken Parm (which is not on the menu but they do make). We ended our three course meal with the tiramisu - hands down one of the best we've ever had! Our server was awesome and did not disappoint with her recommendations! All in all, great food and service. We will definitely come back! read more

Derrick G.

13 years ago

We ordered out because our one year old was not in the mood for dining out. I had the swordfish in lemon sauce with capers. It was really good and it was a good size portion. However, it did not come with anything and it was quite pricey. I noticed that most other restaurants in the are had lines out the door and around the street corner but this one did not (just an observation). The food was good but for the price I would probably not go back until I tried something else in the area. read more

Brett F.

8 years ago

This place has extremely mediocre food for the prices. We ordered ravioli that was served in a very watery sauce with very little flavor. Also, the service was pretty awful. This place appears to overbook reservations and run really behind on actually seating you. Do not rely on your reservation slot. Also, the staff was very rude and had 0 customer service. This is a definite tourist trap. There are much better places in the North End. read more

Caroline S.

17 years ago

Villa Francesca is exactly what you're looking for during a visit to the north end. The valet service was convenient and helpful. The wine list was great, the food was priced decently (and delicious!) and the service was excellent. The atmosphere was warm and comfortable and the live music made me feel like I was on vacation. I wouldn't suggest ordering desert, however; there are many bakeries, pastry, and gelato shops close by. read more

Janine L.

14 years ago

Food OK, service terrible! I went here because of a "daily deal". I got the Fettucine Calamari, I could have made this better at home, it was very bland. thank goodness for the grated parmesan cheese. The Insalata Francesca was very good, I liked the dressing. The waiter had an attitutude like he was doing me a favor by being there. I won't be returning and wouldn't recommend this to anyone. read more

Christina S.

16 years ago

AMAZING!! The food here is fantastic, service is great. We picked this restaurant for our anniversary night out and it was great! Very romantic atmosphere (we had table by the open window). Best lobster ravioli I've ever tried. Great wine selection. And they also making cannoli right in front of you at the table! Thank you for making our night special! We will be back! read more

Mark A.

6 years ago

Extremely subpar italian food with expensive prices. The restaurant overbooks reservations (mostly tourist reservations) and so you're actual wait time can be 45 minutes or longer. After all this, they were super rude and seated us in the dungeon like basement. I would never go back. This place screams tourist trap! read more

Richard M.

15 years ago

I went there this past saturday night for dinner. The food was so good!!!!! they gave us a window seat, I never expected I would get a window seat, I asked and the manger thomas did this for me. It was a first date night out for me and they went the extra mile for me. the service was excellent!!!! read more

erlinda j.

14 years ago

Went here with 7 people. Wine selection is good, food was amazing. I had the Frutti di Mare and it was excellent, seafood was very fresh. Everyone was happy with food. We wait around half an hour to be seated but it worth the wait. Definitively we are all coming back to this place. read more

Viviana T.

3 years ago

Fui hace pocos dias con dos amigas a cenar. Pedimos la pasta con calamari, la pasta carbonara y la pasta portobello, todo estaba delicioso. El personal del servicio fue muy amable. read more

William G.

11 years ago

Typical american italian bland sauce kind of place. seems nice from outside with flowers and such but the place definitely shows its age inside. read more

Villa Francesca - italian - Updated September 2026

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I stopped in for a luncheon meal. I had a gift card to use up. It was my first visit to this…read morelocation . I ordered the meatballs and pasta. The salad with pear. 2 Peroni beers and over 70 bucks add tip ... 85 bucks ... wasn't worth the cost The bread was fresh with a ranch dipping sauce . The Salad was 18 bucks and few walnuts, a few slices pear. I need more dressing which was very good . I would have like romaine lettuce instead. The pasta in red sauce with meatballs wasn't worth 28 bucks. Pasta didn't taste homemade . Meatballs small and didn't have flavor . The blend with pork didn't go well with the red sauce .. a vodka or Alfredo would have been better. Draft Peronis beers were 11 bucks each. Nice bar atmosphere The server female bartender was very hospitable .

We went there for New Year's Eve dinner. It was an absolutely fabulous experience…read more First off you need a reservation, this place was filled and then some. As a side note, they had plenty of staff to manage the diners. The ambiance was very professional and positive. All the staff were happy and positive. We were sat at our table promptly, offered our choice of water and bread. The bread is home made, and divine. Drink order taken and served quickly -- a delicious prosecco. We went to our go to appetizer -- bruschetta. Perfect blend of tomatoes, arugula, cheese and bread. Onto dinner, I ordered the mushroom ravioli and she the shrimp scampi. This was ordered off menu and the kitchen prepared this dish superbly. She said the best scampi she's ever had. The mushroom ravioli was the best I have had in over 35 years. Perfectly prepared and sauced. Dessert was bread puddling and Creme Brule. She said the bread pudding was totally yummy. Ended with expressos. A perfect dinner to bring in the new year.

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TreMonte Restaurant & Bar

4.4

(193 reviews)

Well, there had to be a first and this was it! I went here EXCLUSIVELY because of its YELP rating,…read moreand boy was I disappointed!!!!! It's located in Boston on a street with dozens of restaurants. Initially, I went there to go to Neptune's seafood, but the line was too long and I did not want to wait. So I opened my Yelp app and check out all the other restaurants in the immediate area. Tremonte had the highest rating out of the restaurant in the area, so I decided to give it a try. As the saying goes "never judge a book by its cover", I should have judged this book by the cover. The Restaurant, the only one I passed by, had only one diner in it. I trust yelp and have never been disappointed so I thought I would give it a try anyway. As big as the restaurant was, the one person running the Front of the House sat me right next to the only other person in the restaurant. It was initially extremely awkward, but we struck up a conversation that lasted our entire stay there. I ordered a Caesar Salad as an appetizer and a Chicken Parmesan as my entrée. The Caesar salad could not have been any more generic. Just a head of Romain, cut up, with croutons and their Caesar dressing. No whole pieces of Parmesan cheese and I really really doubt that the Caesar dressing was homemade. It was seriously no difference than I can make it home. Fresh cracked black pepper or extra Parmesan cheese was not even offered. It should have been free. The chicken Parmesan was also pretty nasty. The chicken texture itself was not like the chicken one would expect, but rather like a pencil erasers, for those who know what that is. The actual chicken itself, was black, because it was overcooked, which may be the reason for the texture of the chicken. The other disappointment was the pasta that was accompanying it. It was a very generic rigatoni in tomato sauce. The shocking fact of the pasta was that half the bowl was actually filled with water. So they either did not properly drain the pasta or their tomato sauce is more water than anything else. My beer was cold. I left there extremely disappointed and could never in good faith. Recommend this restaurant to anyone. The shocking part is that there were only two people in the restaurant, NO excuse for not serving awesome food!!

I thought the pasta was very well cooked, but I thought mine was pretty watery (Fusili Norche). The…read moreEveryone else enjoyed their meal thoroughly, I especially liked the Tagliatelle Amatricicana because the flavor was very good and the sauce stuck to the pasta well

Assaggio

(257 reviews)

If you are looking for an authentic Italian experience in the North End without the tourist-trap…read morefeel, Assaggio is the spot. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, inviting, and smelled absolutely incredible. The Food We started with some wine and dove straight into the mains. The Carbonara was rich, creamy, and executed perfectly, exactly how you'd hope for in Boston's Italian district. We also ordered the Lasagna, which was a massive portion of pure comfort. You can tell the pasta is fresh and the sauce has been simmering for hours. The Service What really took our night from great to unforgettable was our waitress, Alina. She truly went above and beyond for us. She was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and had such a bright energy that made us feel like regulars. It's rare to find service this genuine and seamless! Pro Tip: Definitely make a reservation if you're heading there on a weekend, as it fills up fast! Bottom Line: Amazing food, cozy vibes, and world-class service. We will definitely be back and asking for Alina's section!

I'm not saying I'm a Pasta Carbonara connoisseur... but I've eaten enough Carbonara to know when…read moreI've been personally offended by one. Sadly, the Carbonara at Assaggio was, without question, the worst I've ever had. The sauce tasted like it came straight from the "Just Add Water" collection, the pancetta seemed to have skipped the whole "meeting the frying pan" step, and the seasoning apparently called in sick that day. It also took about an hour for a few simple pasta dishes to arrive, which gave us plenty of time to lower our expectations. The portions were surprisingly small--perhaps to match the amount of seasoning. As for the service... let's just say the automatic 20% gratuity felt less like a convenience and more like a witness protection program for the waitstaff. Overall, if you're looking for authentic Carbonara, keep looking. If you're looking for a memorable experience, congratulations--you've found one.

Casarecce

4.3

(499 reviews)

Lucia Ristorante

3.6

(912 reviews)

We ordered the limoncello spritzes, the caesar salad (not gluten free) the mare e monte, and the…read moregluten free chicken parm. All was excellent the gluten free pasta was chewy and delicious and the chicken part was definitely the star of the show! The server, Grace Lyn was absolutely lovely and attentive to us and communicative about dietary restrictions and allergies. Lastly, we sat outside and the music from the nearby park and general ambiance was just lovely! Definitely recommend as a north end spot!

I came here with my travel companions after a long and exhausting day at our mushroom endive…read moreconvention at the Marriott Copley Place (review coming soon, avoid like the bubonic plague. I'll also be contacting the CDC regarding what appeared to be a Stachybotrys chartarum infestation) We arrived hungry, tired, and hopeful. We were seated and initially greeted by a kind server who, unfortunately turned sinister. We ordered our cocktails and a caprese salad to start. I blinked, and suddenly our appetizer had arrived... practically splattered on my lap and face. Our server walked by and practically launched the caprese salad onto our table with such force that the plate landed with a sound that could only be described as Hiroshima. Tomatoes scattered. Mozzarella shifted. My travel companion, who was recently diagnosed with cerebral palsy, sat there in stunned silence trying to process what had just occurred. Boston has approximately 47 Italian restaurants per square foot, so there is absolutely no reason to subject yourself to this one. Pasta can be found elsewhere. Mozzarella can be found elsewhere. Shut it down. Signed BOSS & CEO

Nico Ristorante

(761 reviews)

For years I have dined in the North End and somehow never eaten at Nico's…read more A small resturant right on Hanover Street, so parking is a premium. You should make a reservation if its a weekend night. We went on a Saturday, were seated promptly at a glorious table. Service was beyond outstanding. The server, I think his name was Gerard, was outstanding. The meal moved smoothly. When we finished with the appetizers, those plates went away and the entrees came. Very professional. We ate the eggplant stack as an appetizer. Very well contructed. The eggplant was crisp and nicely seasoned. For entrees I had the cacio e pepe prepared at the table. The pasta was divine. Creamy, with a bite of pepper. Exquisitely prepared. My friend had eggplant parm, the portion was huge and was enough for three meals. As with many restuarants they do not serve desserts but Mike's is down the street. The ambiance is lively, and on a Saturday night, a bit loud. Overall, 5 stars -- if you want excellent service and food -- run to Nico's. Superb.

So I can't start this review without talking about Phil! He is THE BEST! What a sweet man! He made…read moreus feel welcomed the second we arrived. I was in Boston for a week on vacation. Phil recommended an appetizer, and we trusted his recommendation without looking at what it was on the menu. Let me tell you... Wowzers! It was fantastic! We got the Sacchetti. It is a stuffed shell with four cheeses in a cream sauce with a balsamic glaze and this dried fruit thing on top. I'm telling you... order this immediately! And ask for an extra side of bread to use to soak up all the extra sauce. We also ordered the appetizer meatball and it was the size of a softball. Also, very good. For our meal we got the Cacio e Pepe. Which is fresh spaghetti made in a large Parmesan wheel and as they turn it around in the wheel in making a cheese creamy sauce. It's made tableside. Then they drizzle olive oil on top with more fresh Parmesan grated on top. Literally chefs kiss times a million! So fresh and delicious! We even went back to this restaurant two days later because it was so good and we wanted to try another entree. Which was the Rigatoni alla Vodka. Superb! The small restaurant is perfect and even though the tables are close together it gives off a quaint Italian family style vibe that you can't help but love.

Pappare Ristorante & Bar

4.4

(81 reviews)

Ate here for the first time the other night with some friends who were visiting from California,…read moreand we all loved it! The service was perfect and the food even better. We all loved the appetizers (meatballs, chicken parm eggrolls (!) and La Caprese), our entrees (Cod Margherita, Lasagna, and Lobster Ravioli) and desserts (Volcano Chocolate Cake and Warm Cranberry Bread Pudding). There are a lot of places to eat on Hanover Street, but I highly recommend Pappare for the excellent food and service.

Tried Pappare for the first time a few weeks ago and very happy with the decision. We wanted to try…read morea new spot, and we happened to land on this one. Portions are just right in my opinion. Everything tasted fresh. Started arancini and bruschetta - both were tasty! Chicken parm with house-made pasta hit all the right notes. Shrimp scampi was very good, not overly garlicky, good size shrimp. Chicken risotto came with a generous portion of risotto and chicken cutlets in a marsala sauce. Saved room for dessert amazingly, and couldn't pass up the cranberry bread pudding, which was fantastic. Perfect balance of sweet and tart, with vanilla gelato to tie it all together. Will definitely return in the future to sample other menu items.

L'Osteria

3.5

(528 reviews)

This place was even better than I remembered!…read more We went on the Saturday of St. Anthony's Feast and made reservations for 6:00 p.m. To be honest, I was expecting that we might have to wait, but when we arrived, we were seated right away. Warm Italian bread was immediately brought to our table, which was a great start! Our waitress was super nice, attentive, and very helpful when I was trying to decide what to order. The fried calamari and Caesar salad did not disappoint! My husband opted for the Chicken Parmigiano, and I ordered the Veal Teresa. Both plates were huge and absolutely delicious--right down to the very last morsel! We each had two alcoholic beverages, and, to our surprise, the bill was not even that expensive. We have definitely paid more at restaurants closer to home. We had such a wonderful experience and are already looking forward to coming back for dinner with friends in the future. Great food, great service, generous portions, and reasonable prices--what more could you ask for? We will definitely be back!

This was recommended by a local so we had high expectations. Half our party arrived about 10 min…read morebefore the other half did which was nice that there was no issues. Look at bit for our server to come over and when she did, boy did she have an East coast harsh attitude. Our food was alright. I had the lasagna and it was pretty good but not anything I would order again. My mom got shrimp lemon pasta and it was pure butter and oil and she ended up sending it back. The manager came and talked to her and still was a bit on the harsher side of restaurant etiquette and made my mom feel even more guilty than she already did. At the end of the meal the manager was outside yelling at a customer. It was wild and unprofessional. Again wasnt a place I would rush back to.

Bricco

(1.6k reviews)