I’m in town for the weekend for a show at the City Winery, and was thinking of having dinner first in the North End. Any recommendations for Italian restaurants in the North End?
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It’s not Italian, but Neptune Oyster is my favorite spot in the north end.
I haven’t been to either since before covid, but Prezza and Carmelina’s were good Italian spot in the north end.
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We love Neptune Oyster, and it is sort of Italian. Very small, no reservations. Try to go off hours.
The last time we were at City Winery, we ate at Alcove, near the Garden. The walk over was not too bad. And the food was really good. Not Italian, but a nice spot, especially sitting at the bar.
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I haven’t been in a long time, but we have always loved The Daily Catch on Hanover St. for Sicilian seafood, especially calamari. Very small, might still be cash only, and restrooms across the street.
Recent review
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Out of curiosity, is The Daily Catch still open? Haven’t been in that area since pre-pandemic, and generally haven’t dined in the North End even longer. Most of my DCs complain about the parking, so we usually opt else where. This came up in a meeting with a few of out of state vendors this week, and the vendor mentioned wanting to come back to this place when he makes his way to Boston in 2023.
Devra First reviewed The Daily Catch in early November as part of her return-to-starred reviews, all 5 star review series. I provided the link.
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I think you and I must’ve crossed paths. I loved that cozy corner at the bar that was perfect for 2-3 friends. Friends used to love that oozy egg ravioli thing-y but I can’t stand eggs and would get terrorized by them (in a jovial way). I haven’t been in ages and didn’t know it had survived the stoopid ass pandemic.
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I like Prezza, too.
Our Northend Dinner group used to enjoy Prezza’s table for 8 up in front of the windows & Mamma Maria’s 2nd floor corner room overlooking North Square for a larger group - all pre-pandemic, sigh.
We loved the hospitality at Alcove when we stopped in before a City Winery show, prepandemic. Charles Draghi, who is highly regarded for his now-closed Erbaluce, is now Alcove’s executive chef. Alcove is not an Italian restaurant as you note, but do I see that Draghi’s carbonara is on the menu at Alcove.
If the OP doesn’t find a table/reservation in the North End that suits, perhaps Alcove may appeal.
The food and beverage offerings at City Winery itself felt expensive to us for what you get, so that’s one option I myself would not suggest.
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Thanks. I used to eat at the DC a lot when I lived in Boston. I’ve been back occasionally, and agree that it’s still excellent. We were looking for something a little more classic on this occasion.
Hi, Kobuta, Yep, they’re still there. I ate there last year, and it was pretty much as always, i.e. very good, similar menu.
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I will preface this by saying that I don’t really like the North End that much and very much fall in the lines of ‘this is a touristy area with overpriced everything in most instances’ but there’s still a few spots that are worth going to including the absolutely awesome Salumeria Italiana which might be the best Italian deli in the greater Boston area, surpassing Bob’s in Medford.
For restaurants, Table from Jen Royle is worth trying out if you can handle family-style. I’ve had decent meals at Strega, as long as you overlook the fact that the waiters and staff will try to more or less scam you by adding lobster to dishes where it doesn’t belong, all in hopes of surcharging you for your meal.
Cantina Italiana is kind of fun if you want a classic that’s been around since 1931. Trattoria Il Panino is also pretty good.
Honestly if you want Italian food, your best bet is still to venture out of the North End and head to spots like Rino’s in East Boston or Gran Gusto in Cambridge
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