Best Italian Restaurant in Boston?
 

What is the best restaurant in the Italian section of Boston? Do we need reservations on a Sunday night? Also, how do I get to the Museum of Fine Arts from the Marriott Copley? (don's want to drive) How far is it from the hotel?

There are so many good restaurants in the North End, and you probably won't need reservations for a Sunday night. I would just go and look around and pick one that looks good to you. They have pretty much been around for many years, so most of them a very good. <BR> <BR>I worked at the Museum while in College at Northeastern. The Museum is next to Northeastern on Huntington Ave and is walkable from your hotel. But hit the T station a copley square and get on the green line out to Huntington Ave and you can get off right at the Museum. Also walk a block to the "Fens" a nice garden area just behind the museum. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful trip. <BR> <BR>tweedy

Just to add to tweedy's 'T' directions: There are 4 green line train lines that go through Copley. The one you want that goes along Huntington Ave is the "E" train. <BR>Boston's italian section is called the North End. Plan on taking the 'T' there also. Driving and parking in The North End is a hastle. From Copley, take the Green Line to Haymarket. From there, there is a sidewalk that takes you through "the big dig" into the North End. Have a great trip!

Best bet in the North End is to walk around, peruse menus, and peek inside. All different variations of "Italian" specialties, so it's best to find one most appealing to you. Our favorite Italian restaurant in Boston, though, is Pignoli, a Lydia Shire gem. If you turn right leaving the main entrance of the Copley Plaza, it's just past Arlington (a little over two blocks). Kudos to Betsy for noting the correct Green Line...

Betsy thank you for the update on the train, it has been a few years since I lived in Boston. <BR> <BR>The Museum of Fine Arts is a wonderful place to visit. There are usually some spectacular special showings, so you might check and see before you get there. Don't know if special tickets for exhibits might be needed. <BR> <BR>Also I asked recently about Brighams, and the demise of so many stores, but found out that there are a few left and there is a website. So we'll be heading to Boston next week and will be heading to Kelly's and Brighams. <BR> <BR>tweedy

It's definitely prudent to obtain tickets in advance for special exhibitions at the MFA. Those expecting to "walk right in" to the Monet exhibition were advised tickets had been sold out for weeks. I'm not sure whether the current Van Gogh exhibition is as popular, but if you're headed to the MFA just for that, and don't want to be disappointed, best get tickets ahead.

What is Kelly's and Brighams? Thanks for the T line info. You are great. Also thanks for the advise about calling ahead for tickets to the museum. I thought I could just walk into the Van Gogh exhibit. Thank you everyone.

Here's another slight update on the T information...the Copley T station has two entrances, one for inbound and one for outbound, and they're not connected the way all the other are. So, you'll need to enter the OUTBOUND station which is on the north side of Boylston Street in order to take the E train to the MFA. The Inbound station (to ride to the North End) is under the Boston Public Library. <BR> <BR>Another idea is to board the E train at the Prudential stop behind the Prudential Center. It's much closer to your hotel. Ask the hotel's information people exactly how to get there. I'd say that stop is probably within a block of the hotel, and the only green line train which stops there is the E. <BR> <BR>

Forgot to add that Brighams=Ice Cream and Kelly's=Roast Beef! Both Boston institutions. Brighams used to be nearly as common as Starbucks, but over the years most have closed (still have the product in grocery stores, but not the same) and true fans seek out the real ice cream parlors that are left. Kellys is a Revere Beach institution with a few branches. One north of the city and one in Framingham at Jordan's Furniture (really! it's amazing). Best Roast Beef sandwiches in greater Boston.

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The website for Brighams is www.brighams.com and the listing is there of stores that are still open. <BR>If you have never had a Brighams "Chocolate Frappe", (that's a Chocolate Shake to the rest of the world), they are THE best. <BR> <BR>Kelly's has been around for a lONG time and now there are 3 locations that I know of, Revere Beach, Rt 1 in Saugus, and Framingham. The sandwiches there are great or a plate of fried clams. <BR> <BR>Again, have a great time while you are in Boston. <BR> <BR>tweedy

For what it is worth: the Van Gogh has received not-so-great reviews; I was unimpressed.

I think what has disappointed some folks concerning the Van Gogh exhibit at the MFA is that it only deals with his portraits, no still-lifes, no landscapes. Just portraits. On the other hand, since he's most famous for his landscapes, etc. it's very nice to concentrait on this other aspect of his work. The audio tape guide is very well done and worth the extra $5.

Mama Maria's in the North End has been voted best Italian Restaurant year after year. It's in an old mansion right in the center of the North End. It's definately worth the visit-reso's are a must. <BR>

Mama Maria's "ain't what it used to be."