Boston waterfront Italian
Jul 26th, 2016, 02:11 PM
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Boston waterfront Italian
Will be in Boston for a couple of days in Sept. Looking for a good Italian restaurant near the waterfront. I have searched the forum, but can't find a recommendation in the waterfront area. Thanks for your recommendations.
Jul 26th, 2016, 02:51 PM
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What do you mean by "waterfront"? If you mean the South Boston Waterfront, then Sportello is the best option, though it certainly doesn't have water views or anything, and is more Fort Point than Waterfront. Also consider Babbo Pizzeria. For over-the-top tackiness, Strega Waterfront is also an option.
Jul 26th, 2016, 05:06 PM
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North End
High price, Northern Italian: Mamma Maria, worth every penny. Formal, dress well.
Low price seafood: Daily Catch (Calamari Cafe). cash only
High priced seafood: Neptune
Low priced, mostly Northern Italian: Artu's
In its own class: Ralph's (the sign says Humberto's Rosticceria) lunch only, dirt cheap, Southern Italian specialties. Two lines: one for pizza dough and takeout food ordered over the phone; the other line is to order and buy to eat in house. When the food runs out, Ralph shuts down. Cash only.
High price, Northern Italian: Mamma Maria, worth every penny. Formal, dress well.
Low price seafood: Daily Catch (Calamari Cafe). cash only
High priced seafood: Neptune
Low priced, mostly Northern Italian: Artu's
In its own class: Ralph's (the sign says Humberto's Rosticceria) lunch only, dirt cheap, Southern Italian specialties. Two lines: one for pizza dough and takeout food ordered over the phone; the other line is to order and buy to eat in house. When the food runs out, Ralph shuts down. Cash only.
Jul 26th, 2016, 05:21 PM
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If you're looking for Italian you definitely should go to the Italian Neighborhood known as Boston North End. To bad your missing the Italian Feasts that take place every weekend in August but St. Lucy may be in the beginning of September 1 or 2.
Any way the north end is fun and know for great Italian bakeries, cappuccino cafes, restaurants and gelato. Also you can catch some historic Sites Paul Revere House and Old North Church. Have fun!
Any way the north end is fun and know for great Italian bakeries, cappuccino cafes, restaurants and gelato. Also you can catch some historic Sites Paul Revere House and Old North Church. Have fun!
Jul 27th, 2016, 02:39 PM
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Have heard negatives about the Daily Catch near the Courthouse in past. The one in the North End is beyond tiny, but excellent.
Note that my experience has been that great waterfront views and great food tend to be mutually exclusive, in Boston and other locales.
Will second Ackislander's North End recommendations, though have to say I did not do well when I went to Artu (some like it, though). Will also highly recommend Prezza, for me as good as the top-notch Mamma Maria. Also liked Maurizio's, Pagliuca's, and Antico Forno, plus the original Pizzeria Regina is there. And for a cannoli and espresso, consider Caffe Vittoria for a sit-down experience, or for less formal try Modern Pastry, Maria's, or Mike's. Galleria Umberto (this is probably Ack's "Ralph's") is terrific for a cheap lunch, but they're only open from 11 am until the food runs out (often around 1:30 or so) and the line at the counter can be long -- secret's been out there for years.
Note that my experience has been that great waterfront views and great food tend to be mutually exclusive, in Boston and other locales.
Will second Ackislander's North End recommendations, though have to say I did not do well when I went to Artu (some like it, though). Will also highly recommend Prezza, for me as good as the top-notch Mamma Maria. Also liked Maurizio's, Pagliuca's, and Antico Forno, plus the original Pizzeria Regina is there. And for a cannoli and espresso, consider Caffe Vittoria for a sit-down experience, or for less formal try Modern Pastry, Maria's, or Mike's. Galleria Umberto (this is probably Ack's "Ralph's") is terrific for a cheap lunch, but they're only open from 11 am until the food runs out (often around 1:30 or so) and the line at the counter can be long -- secret's been out there for years.
Jul 28th, 2016, 02:39 AM
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My waterfront/value equation is similar to bachslunch's. I think the Daily Catch on Hanover is significantly better than their Courthouse or Brookline restaurants, if less spacious.
Artu's can be uneven, and we have had problems with screechy girls night out groups, but it has both eggplant parmigiana and veal parmigiana that are so light that they can float off the plate, and the fusilli with sausage and broccoli rape is a dish I dream of.
I also liked Antico Forno a lot when we lived on the Waterfront and our son lived on Salem Street, but I haven't made the into town to eat there.
I could criticize a lot of places in the North End on various grounds, but I won't.
Artu's can be uneven, and we have had problems with screechy girls night out groups, but it has both eggplant parmigiana and veal parmigiana that are so light that they can float off the plate, and the fusilli with sausage and broccoli rape is a dish I dream of.
I also liked Antico Forno a lot when we lived on the Waterfront and our son lived on Salem Street, but I haven't made the into town to eat there.
I could criticize a lot of places in the North End on various grounds, but I won't.
Jul 28th, 2016, 06:48 PM
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We enjoyed Pizza Beach at Rowe's Wharf but I can only vouch for the pizza since that's what we had. They offered a full menu of pastas etc though. Note that I'm not as picky as most when I'm traveling, we usually plan the days around our events and attractions, & end up finding something quick nearby whenever we get hungry.
Jul 28th, 2016, 11:31 PM
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Re the North End, not sure I'd say most places are bad. There are several eateries where in my experience one can get a good meal and fair treatment besides the best places mentioned already, including Taranto, Euno, Carmen, Lucca, Trattoria de Monica, Vinoteca de Monica, Rabia's, Pomodoro, La Summa, Assaggio, Pushcart Pizza, and Dino's. But there are plenty of subpar to bad spots as well, and a few of these where you may encounter things like funny business with the bill or refusal to serve tap water followed by hard pushing to buy a beverage. Examples of spots to avoid in my experience include La Famiglia Spagnuolo, Dolce Vita, La Famiglia Giorgio, Ida's, Piccolo Venezio, Trattoria il Panino, and Piccolo Nido. Doing one's homework is wise here.
