Phaedra H. wrote:
Someone wrote:
: How about the one in the North End? The Frugal Gourmet recently went there and
: raved about several dishes including the polenta and the salt cod. Does anyone
: have a review or recent experience at the North End site? I was thinking of
: treking in from Sturbridge and trying it.
It's in the North End (Hanover street is the main drag in the North End)
And I have to say that if I knew
the Frug had been there and liked it, I really would have steered clear.
I don't agree with him on anything except his choice of a garlic press.
Well, I should listen to your (Phaedra's) comments more, because I agree:
Piccola Venezia does nothing for me. Kind of bland, boring red sauce
Italian. What's the big deal? Spend a few bucks more, and get a _much_
better meal at Pomodoro, Giacomo's, even Daily Catch or La Conte.
As for other North End restaurants, I had a positively horrible meal at
Felicia's, and was unimpressed with the decor, service, etc.
As for other non-North End Italian restaurants, I had a meal at Ristorante
Toscano (on Charles St., Beacon Hill) recently which was pretty good, but
more expensive than it really should have been. A little bit on the snooty
side I thought -- if I want to spend that much money, there are other
restaurants where it would be better spent.
I also recently went to Figs in Charlestown, which is sort of the sister
restaurant to Olive's. It was extremely good -- the bread was incredibly
good, the antipasto was the best I've ever had, and the pizza was also the
best I've ever had. Also, it was fairly cheap: the meal probably cost as
much as going to Piccola Venezia, but was a real dining experience. On the
down side, it was too dark, too crowded, too noisy, and very over-run by
yuppie types. But we'll definitely be going back.
Finally, what do people recommend for Italian bakeries? I've been to
Bova's and Mike's in the North End ... anyplace else people like?
-AndyBoston, MA
Italian Restaurants was Re: Piccola Venezia--review
One of my favorite North End restaurants is Bella Vista on Hanover Street. Great pasta dishes and a wonderful grilled lamb and sausage dish. Reasonable prices and nice decor. For dessert there is always the huge selection at Mikes but I like the smaller and always delicious baked items at Modern Bakery. It's on the opposite side of the street from Mikes and down a bit towards town. Donna Sullivan sullymathworks.com
Someone wrote:
Phaedra H. wrote:
Someone wrote:
: : How about the one in the North End? The Frugal Gourmet recently went there and
: : raved about several dishes including the polenta and the salt cod. Does anyone
: : have a review or recent experience at the North End site? I was thinking of
: : treking in from Sturbridge and trying it.
: It's in the North End (Hanover street is the main drag in the North End)
: And I have to say that if I knew
: the Frug had been there and liked it, I really would have steered clear.
: I don't agree with him on anything except his choice of a garlic press.
[snip re: North end restaurants (synopsis: Piccola Venezia mediocre,
Pomodoro, Giacomo's, Daily Catch, La Conte good, Felicia's bad)]
My $0.02 in here: I had a lovely meal at Pagliuca's on Parmenter Street a
week ago. Nothing fancy or elaborate, but apparently they have homemade
fusilli every day, and it was GOOOOOOOD! Nice chewy firm macaroni -- I'm
sold.
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Mary Malmros Very Small Being [email removed]
The tree of liberty is fed with the blood of the Fastpath.