North End restaurant help
 

I know everyone has their favorite, but hoping I can get some help narrowing down my options for a special dinner for a group of 6 in the North End -- that takes reservations! I'm looking for a moderately priced place with some atmosphere and not too noisy. Interesting pastas, not just red sauce, are a plus! I've only been to one on my list.

OpenTable's search filters were helpful for filtering by "Authentic", "Cosy", "Charming" - so I came up with these:

Nico
La Galleria 33 (I've been here)
Trattoria Il Panino
Al Dente
Saraceno
Pomodoro
Quattro
L'Osteria
Vinoteca di Monica
& Maybe: Filippo, Mother Anna's Lucia, Gennaro's & Toscano in Cambridge

Thank you!

We always rerurn to Saraceno. The food is delicious and authentic. Often there are tables where only Italian is being spoken.

Mama Maria's is one of our favorites. They do take reservations - they are even on Open Table.

I have had two bad experiences at losteria

Thank you for the help. I just found out our guests tend towards more upscale, but we need to,stay on the "moderate" budget range. I think that means no Mama Maria's for us but maybe Saraceno. Saraceno sounds like a match for our family but would it suffice for those more upscale?

Mamma Maria or Prezza would be my choice, both Northern Italian. For Southern Italian, would recommend Pagliuca's, Maurizio's, or Saraceno's (at this last, stick to classic basics). Would have recommended Daily Catch, but the place is tiny.

Although both are great restaurants bachslunch, I don't think they fit into the modest budget of the host.

The atmosphere is many North End restaurants is very different on days that something is going on at Boston Garden and days there is not - especially if it is Bruins or Celtics and the restaurant is close to Garden. On game days, going after start of game gives you a nice relaxed dinner; going before it will be crowded, rushed, and they will try to churn you in and out.

We hosted a large special event in their private dining room. It was certainly upscale enough!

Maurizio's. It's Sardinian cuisine. No frills but excellent food. Old school. Call and make a reservation. You won't be disappointed.