BostonFoodGuy

Archive for the ‘Italian’ Category

Wow – that’s what I said when I stepped out of Mare.  Frank DePasquale knows what he’s doing.  If you are a seafood lover – there are only two places to go in the North End – Neptunes and Mare.  Mare certainly is more upscale – with lovely atmosphere.  I almost felt like I was underwater with the very tasteful decorations and lighting.  It’s amazing what good lighting does for the mood.  Anyway, the wine list is top notch as you would expect, and the food – just fantastic.

Apparently Mare was Boston’s first all natural organic restaurant – that’s cool I guess.  I mean, I only care if it tastes great and it does.  We started with the pan seared scallops – cooked perfectly with a nice subtle flavoring.  I took a chance on the fennel halibut – I love halibut but typically I’m not a big fennel fan, but this was divine.  Again it was very light – but filled with almost a rustic flavor – wonderful.

The service was also quite good – always ready to help which is what I like when I go to a nice restaurant.  Anyway as you can tell I am a huge fan of Mare – and I know it’ s not all the surprising as other critics have lavished it with praise since it opened in 2005, but trust me you won’t be disappointed.

This hot spot is one of the most beautiful and exciting restaurants you can go in the North End.  I say exciting because the blend of contemporary dished infused with traditional favorites allows you to experience dishes that you thought you knew – in a whole new way.  One of the best examples of this is their simple – yet elegant antipasta – which allows you to taste all the different meats and cheeses for what they are – wonderful ingredients of top notch quality – without being all blended together in a messy pile.  All of the meals that I have had their have been wonderful, from veal and lamb to their gnocchi.  While service for some reason always seems be slow – the waitstaff is always there to please.  This is a wonderful date destination and they throw a wonderful private party as well.

This downtown crossing lunch spot is not a bad spot for a quick bite of Italian food.  Nothing here will wow you, but for the price you get a pretty good deal.  The lines always look intimidating – but they know how to quickly move a crowd.  The baked zita is one of their better items, as well as the chicken parm.  Again, this is Italian food cooked for a large hungry lunch crowd – don’t expect something you’ll get in the North End.  The sitting area is what you’d expect with the basic tables squeezed together – with lots of loud noise from the folks on their lunch break.  The pizza is underwhelming.  But if you need some Italian and find yourself in Downtown Crossing, eh give Rico a shot.

If you go to Nebo’s and don’t order both the Mussels for an app – and the Nebo pizza – you’re missing out on two of the hidden gems in the North End. The mussels served at Nebo’s in this fantastic – thick and flavorful broth might be the best BFG has ever tasted – they are always cooked fantastic and the bread they serve with it goes just perfectly. It’s a little bit of heaven in a bowl.

Then you get to pizza with an egg on top… yea it sounds gross – but it’s really good. The friendly service at Nebo’s adds to it’s charm, and if you are lucky you might even seen a Celtics player or two. Check out Nebo’s for a different take on the North End.

More toppings than you expect and more slices to go around at this thin-crusted pizza hidden gem in Newton. The combination of toppings and varieties they offer make this a more gourmet-style place, but you wouldn’t know it by the prices. The old-fashioned pizza is as good as it gets for the fans of a thin crust, but so are the off-the-mark toppings. The crust was cooked perfectly and the service was excellent as well – if I ever am in Newton again and am craving a slice, I know where I’m going. (No delivery??)

We got lucky here. First-timers and got a seat at the bar. So if you’re like us, and just want a good meal and a place to eat it, Pomodoro was a home run. For those looking to impress, or just have a table to sit at with a waitress – make a reservation and you won’t be disappointed. The menu is not extensive, but they change it often, if not daily, and everything is amazing. The pasta is homemade, so even the simplest of dishes make you want to lick the bowl. Don’t fill up on the bread, even though you’ll want to, and definitely save room for dessert. And by dessert, I mean Tiramisu. The romantic atmosphere of Pomodoro is also very warm and comfortable, but it’s tiny as well. So I mean it when I say make a reservation. This is worth the trip and what I hear is a better spot than their other place in the North End.

I guess I just don’t get it. There is this weird obsession with Upper Crust with a lot of people, like it’s the only good pizza in Boston. Yea it’s good, good but not fantastic. I like the whole thin crust part, and the fresh tasting sauce – but has anyone had the pizza delivered to them hot? Has anyone else been a bit disturbed by their attitude there? Plus the price, jeepers. Listen, Upper Crust is a status pizza but not the best pizza. It’s like driving a Acura – better than most cars but not quite as good.