We are looking for the best Italian food in Boston. WE LOVE ITALIAN FOO!! My wife likes red robust saucy cheesy dishes. I like light seafood with angel hair pasta dishes. Children must be welcome, and we are looking for great food, not neccessarily the fanciest places.

Dom,

We loved Ciao Bella's on Newbury St. It was wonderful! We ate inside but they have tables outside as well. Also got cannoli from Mike's Pastry on Hanover St. in the North End. Mangiare!

Saraceno's in the North End - out of this world.

I'm sorry that I can't remember the name, but there was a GREAT Italian place just off the Freedom Trail across and up the street a little from Paul Revere's house

THe North End of Boston is filled with all kinds of Italian restaurants. Our favorites include Mamma Maria's, Cantina Italiana, Calimari Cafe, Maurizio's and Monica's.

Ask 20 different people the best restaurant in the North End and you will get 20 different answers! Most of theestaurants are wonderful and you really can't go wrong! Enjoy!

Just go to Hanover St. in the North End and walk around. Look for the crowds waiting outside and you can't go wrong.

A personal favorate is Giacomo's.

Nearby is the Aquarium, Fanuiel Hall, Quincy Marketplace.

We went to Cantina Italiana as well. It would be a great place to bring children. But do follow it up with a "Lobster Tail" (whipped/ricoota cream and pastry) from Mike's as well as the delicious cannoli. they sell out early in the evening, so you should stop by before you go to dinner and pick one up.

Gail raises an important point- we NEVER eat dessert in the restaurant.

We leave after coffee and walk around the North End a bit just enjoying the sights & smells. We will duck into one of the pastry shops or caffes on Hanover Street for dessert there after making a little room for dessert by walking!

It's a fun way to do things and get to enjoy a different experience. Caffes: Caffe Grafitti, Caffe Vittorio (our favorite) and Caffe Pardisio.

ALL are wonderful!

Giacomos is small and the line is usually long but it is hands down the best! Although they are all pretty good. MMMM the north end.

The restaurant that "The Name??" is trying to remember is Mamma Maria's.

While in Boston last week we ate at Prezza, just off Hanover in the north end. Absolutely fantastic!!! But defintatly expensive.

Also enjoyed lunch at Florentine Cafe on Hanover. Very nice place to sit when they have the windows open to the street and you can watch everything that is going on.

And of course Mike's for cannoli after!