I have a friend visiting, and would like to take her out to dinner in Bostons North End. She is in a wheelchair, so I need a good restaurant that is accessible to the handicapped. Any suggestions?? Thanks!

I did a quick search on excite for "Boston North End Handicap Access" and came up with at least 6 Italian restauarnts in the North End.

If she's coming soon, then getting her TO the restaurant will be a challenge, too, since the snow cleanup is progressing slowly in the most congested areas. Many sidewalks are impassible for even able-bodied pedestrians. The city is handing out thousands of tickets with $50 fines for not clearing sideawlks -- but in many places there's just noplace to put the snow, or the path that is shoveled is very narrow. Today's rain is helping a lot, but soon whatever is left will freeze solid.

Thanks for the Excite tip..I'll check it out. I know that it's a bad time to be out and about in a wheelchair..but her air reservations are already made, so we'll have to make the best of it!

For what it's worth, 90% of the North End eateries are storefronts at street level, and should be fairly easy to access. However, many have very close quarters, which could make wheelchair negotiation tricky. The North End is often difficult to get around in during the winter, due to the narrow streets and large piles of snow - a cab ride up to a plowed out sidewalk access would be your best bet. Don't even consider parking a car!

Check out www.chowhound.com at the Boston link..they will tell you exactly which ones are accessible..

The snow mostly melted in the rains of yesterday - now you might face some ice, but curb cuts should be open, at least (until it snows again Sunday).

I would still call any restaurant that claims it is accessible - sometimes places consider themselves accessible but when you call they say things like - "we only have one step". Also, when you call, find out where bathrooms are - sometimes even in accessible restaurants they are downstairs or otherwise inaccessible.

If your friend has a moveable handicapped car placard (such as the kind that hangs from rear view mirror rather than a license plate), she should bring it, as you can use it semi-legally in your car and get parking more favorable to those with disabilities.

If you are in North End and looking for something else to do, the shops and restaurants of Quincy Market are all accessible.

Thanks so much for all your replies...I'll post after our dinner, and let you know how everything went. Now, the worry will be about her flight that is scheduled to take off in Sundays snow!!