20
must-try dishes from the North End’s best
eateries
Parmigiana di Melanzane |
Cantina Italiana,
346 Hanover St., 617-723-4577: As one
of the oldest restaurants in the North End,
Cantina Italiana has had over 70 years to
perfect traditional Italian recipes like its
creamy Parmigiana di Melanzane ($19). The
dish—an eggplant parmigiana layered with
white besciamella sauce, topped with tomato
sauce and baked with mozzarella—comes
expertly prepared by chef (and Italy native)
Fiore Colella.
the Blueberry Martini |
Florentine Café,
333 Hanover St., 617-227-1777: In
addition to its delicious food, Florentine
Café’s open-air environment makes it a great
stop for people-watching on Hanover Street,
preferably while sipping a tasty blueberry
martini ($11), an extra chilled, straight-up
martini with a sugar rim, made from pureed
blueberry juice, Stirrings Wild Blueberry
and blueberry vodka.
Marco Polo
|
Lucia,
415 Hanover St., 617-367-2353:
Lucia’s Marco Polo ($23.75) satisfies
seafood lovers’ appetites with a fresh
assortment of delights from the Atlantic.
The dish combines shrimp, clams, mussels,
fillet of sole, calamari and scallops
together in a marinara sauce over linguini
for a delicacy that would make Neptune
himself weep with joy.
Arancini and
Calzones |
Galleria Umberto
Rosticceria,
289 Hanover St., 617-227-5709:
Arancini—a deep-fried rice ball filled with
meat, peas and cheese—or a stuffed calzone,
both for $3.50 or less, make for an
affordable lunch from this popular take-out
spot. But get there early because lines can
get long, and when they run out of food the
doors are shut.
Calamari
|
Mamma Maria’s,
3 North Sq., 617-523-0077: Few
appetizers are more popular in the North End
than that mouthwatering mollusk, calamari.
Mamma Maria’s calamari appetizer ($10)
offers a fresh, modern take on the classic
dish: the marinated squid is grilled instead
of deep-fried, creating a clean taste which
is accented by roasted fennel and other
savory herbs.
Rigatoni Al
Cinghiale |
Lucca,
226 Hanover St., 617-742-9200:
Described as a sort of “Italian pulled
pork,” this unique dish ($23) is actually
wild boar shoulder served with rigatoni
pasta, peppers and onions in tomato sauce.
Fried Cod Cheeks
|
Marco, 253 Hanover St.,
617-742-1276: Named by Food & Wine
magazine as one of the 10 best new chefs,
owner Marc Orfaly spices up Marco’s menu by
accenting Rome’s traditional cuisine with
flavors from around the world. We recommend
the Mediterranean-influenced fried cod
cheeks. Served with crispy prosciutto and
hot cherry peppers, these salty and savory
delights ($12) are sure to pop in your
mouth.
Cannoli
|
Maria’s Pastry Shop,
46 Cross St., 617-523-1196: No stop
in the North End is complete without an
award-winning cannoli ($2) from the
family-run pastry shop Maria’s. The fried
dough shell is freshly stuffed with
chocolate cream, vanilla cream or Ricotta
cheese the moment you order it. Competitor
Mike’s Pastry may attract throngs of
tourists, but Maria’s is truly a hidden gem
beloved by locals.
Torrone
|
Modern Pastry,
257 Hanover St., 617-523-3783: Not
craving a cannoli? Then, stop in to Modern
Pastry and try one of their famous honey
almond dessert nougats, or torrone ($4.75).
Choose from flavors like the cappuccino
torrone—dipped in distinctive milk coffee
chocolate and a blend of espresso beans—or
the white torrone, a fluffy vanilla nougat
with roasted almonds.
Lemon Slush
|
Polcari’s Coffee,
105 Salem St., 617-227-0786: Blend in
with the locals by ordering the coolest
treat on the street at Polcari’s Coffee.
Although the frosty drink scooped from a
barrel outside the shop’s front door is
really more of a lemon slush, locals have
renamed it “lemonade” ($1-1.50.) While
there, check out this venerable shop’s large
stock of coffee, tea and spices.
Pizza
|
Pushcart Pizzeria,
117 Salem St., 617-523-8123: Make
sure to grab a slice of pizza from Pushcart
Pizzeria, especially on Monday nights, when
you get free slices with the purchase of a
drink. Pushcart tends to get fairly crowded
with people stopping in for a slice ($2.50 &
up) or a full pie ($9–14), but even when
busy, the vibe remains casual.
Maiale
|
Terramia,
98 Salem St., 617-523-3112: Enjoy a
private dinner at intimate Terramia, where
the delicious Maiale—a fillet of pork
tenderloin with a honey walnut crust, served
with parsnip puree, baby spinach and dried
California prune sauce ($29)—is one of the
most popular dishes on the menu.
Lobster Ravioli
|
Limoncello
Ristorante,
190 North St., 617-523- 4480: Served
in a creamy crabmeat and cherry tomato
sauce, Limoncello’s version of what’s now a
staple of many North End menus is rich and
filling without being overwhelming, and at
just $15, is surprisingly affordable.
Prosciutto
Bocconcini e Peperoni |
Strega Ristorante,
379 Hanover St., 617-523-8481: Before
the main event, Italians like to start with
an antipasti, or light appetizer. Long a
popular choice of local and visiting
celebrities, Strega offers a perfect one:
homemade mozzarella wrapped inside thinly
sliced prosciutto and topped with roasted
red peppers ($14.95).
Stuffed Veal Chops
|
Massimino’s Cucina
Italiana,
207 Endicott St., 617-523-5959:
Here’s the ultimate insider tip: the special
stuffed veal chops ($31.95)—served in a wild
mushroom port reduction with fontina cheese,
pancetta, fresh basil, and roasted red
peppers—isn’t even on the menu, but it is a
house specialty they’ll be happy to cook for
you on request.
Saltimbocca di
Pollo |
Antico Forno,
93 Salem St., 617-723-6733: Antico
Forno’s brick oven makes it one of the
neighborhood’s best bets for pizza and
rustic dishes like the traditional Italian
saltimbocca with chicken ($17). The
dish—seared chicken breast topped with Parma
prosciutto and fontina cheese in a Madeira
mushroom wine sauce with sautéed garlic
spinach—simply melts in your mouth.
Chicken Parmigiana
and Meatball Paninis |
Artu Trattoria and
Rosticceria,
6 Prince St., 617-742-4336: There’s
nothing that curbs mid-day hunger pangs like
a sub, and no one makes them better than
Artu. Indulge in a classic panini from
Artu’s take-out counter, including a killer
chicken parm for $6.25, or the meatball
panini made with homemade meatballs served
for $5.95.
Bolognese Sauce
|
Assaggio,
29 Prince St., 617-227-7380:
Bolognese sauce, a meat-based light tomato
sauce, is a staple of Italian cooking, and
Assaggio has it mastered. Try it on any of
the pastas for about $13.95 or sample
Assaggio’s lasagna, layered with Bolognese,
for $14.95.
Frozen Cappuccino
|
Caffe Graffiti,
280 Hanover St., 617-227-1562: Revel
in the open air seating of Caffe Graffiti as
you sip a frozen cappuccino and watch the
hustle and bustle of Hanover Street. A
perfect spot to chill and chat with friends,
Graffiti also boasts imported Italian
pastries and creamy gelato.
Tiramisu and
Espresso Corretto |
Caffe Vittoria,
296 Hanover St., 617-227-7606: Open
late on Friday and Saturday nights, Caffe
Vittoria is the spot to indulge in an after
dinner coffee and dessert. Try the Espresso
Corretto, a mix of espresso and Sambuca
($4.20) and of course, no Italian meal is
complete without that decadent dessert,
tiramisu—a mix of Mascarpone cheese,
espresso, ladyfingers, liquor and cocoa
($3.94).
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