Would Mamma Maria Italian Restaurant be a good choice for dinner for my husband and I and our 12 year old daughter?

Thank you for any help.

Well that depends whether you all like fancy Italian restaurants with excellent gourmet Italian food! Mamma Maria is one of my favorite fancy places to go on special occasions. I actually haven't been in a couple of years, but it's a really good high-end restaurant.

If you were planning on popping in off the Freedom Trail while wearing shorts for a a quick, casual meal, then maybe this isn't the place. It also might not be a good idea if you, your husband, or your daughter are picky eaters (meaning that you or they would rather go to a family-style mom-and-pop, spaghetti-and-lasagne place).

But if you want to dine at a very nice place at a relaxed pace in an elegant setting, where the menu and service are first-rate, then it'd be a good choice.

In addition to Mamma Maria, there are dozens of other great choices in the North End, many with more casual atmospheres, more familiar menu choices.

We had a disappointing dinner there in January--food, service, even the temperature of the room. Since you will have your daughter with you, I'd head for the center of the North End to get a better "flavor" (sorry for the pun) for that part of the city.

Thanks for your replies. If we do feel like a more casual Italian place (we are not picky eaters - we like both northern and southern Italian cuisine - meat and seafood), do you have any recommendations?

Living in Boston, we enjoy Piccilo Venezia on Hanover Street, right in the middle of the North End. Excellent, varied menu. Nothing fancy - just good Italian food. Any place that's small and has a line outside in the summer is probably a great bet too - there are too many to name.

A couple of years ago, a group of us (8 or 10) happened upon Maurizio's at 364 Hanover Street; it was early, about 5 PM, but they took us in spite of our number and their size (small!). We had a wonderful dinner; I hope it hasn't changed. Other restaurants that have been recommended (I keep a list) but we haven't yet tried are Saraceno's and Terramia; perhaps someone else has something to say about them.

Wow, sorry to hear about the bad review for Mamma Maria.

Other places I like:

"Artu" You walk past the chefs when you go to the dining area. The sights of all the vegetables and the aroma get you in the mood for a great meal. Just down the street from Mamma Maria

"Il Villagio" Small place on Hanover St. Been there once. Liked it.

"Cibo" Also on Hanover. Great saltimbocca.

"Calamari Caffe" also called The Daily Catch. Very small, green awning on Hanover st. Sicilian style seafood, featuring calamari, of course. Great, but often hard to get a table.

"Giacomos" on Hanover. This place is great, and very popular. Great daily specials. Often has a line.

I hope that helps.