Date published: August 22, 2011

NORTH END A TO Z
Panorama’s guide to Boston’s beloved Italian neighborhood
by Josh B. Wardrop, Emily Lacy and Emily O’Donnell

Assaggio Ristorante Italiano: In a neighborhood brimming with authentic Italian cuisine, it can be difficult to decide where to go.We suggest Assaggio Ristorante Italiano. Assaggio, meaning “taste” in Italian, stands out with its extensive wine and cocktail menu, in addition to traditional Italian dishes like pollo all’Assaggio cooked to perfection.

Breakfast: Anyone looking to start their morning in the North End will be delighted by the delicious banana pancakes at Anthony’s Café On theWaterfront (252 Commercial St., 617- 742-2987). If you’re a true Italian food connoisseur, try the Italian sausage provolone omelet at Theo’s Cozy Corner (162 Salem St., 617-241-0202), or the lobster benedict at the North Street Grille (229 North St., 617- 720-2010).

Caffe: Any self-respecting Italian will tell you about the importance of a good cup of coffee.Why not head over to Caffe Pompei for a great waffle and cappuccino deal? Caffe Graffiti (64 Cross St., 617-367- 3016) offers strong espresso, or, if you want a kick in your coffee, Caffe dello Sport (308 Hanover St., 617-523-5063) offers hot mixed drinks with imported Italian coffee.

Drink: Wine is the drink of choice in the North End, but for all the liquor lovers out there, The Living Room has a specialty martini menu that allows customers to drink like Frank Sinatra.With a liquor list that goes on for days, Stanza dei Sigari (292 Hanover St., 617-227-0295) gives North Enders a place to smoke cigars and drink without judgment.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the start of an authentic Italian dish. In the North End, you can find any ingredient, including E.V.O.O., to make your own Italian feast. Check out J. Pace & Sons (42 Cross St., 617- 227-9673), Polcari’s (105 Salem St., 617-227- 0786) and Salumeria Italiana (151 Richmond St., 617-523-8743) for specialty items, sauces, spices,meats and cheeses.

Feasts and Processions honoring various Catholic saints fill the streets of the North End almost every weekend during the summer. The festive events start with parades during which statues of patron saints are carried down the street, and feature vendors selling delicious food, cooking demonstrations and live entertainment. One of the summer’s biggest festivals is scheduled for August 26–28. Saint Anthony’s Feast—”The Feast of all Feasts” organized by the San Antonio Di Padova da Montefalcione Society—is a celebration of Italian faith, tradition and culture, and has enlivened the streets of the North End since 1919.

Gelato: Italians take gelato very seriously.Gigi Gelateria (272 Hanover St., 617-720-4243), for example, boasts the best gelati in the North End with more than 30 flavors available, but locals swear by the sorbetto at CaffeVittoria. Not to be outdone, Caffe Paradiso (255 Hanover St., 617-742-1768) sells its original zuppa inglese gelato, along with its award winning cappuccino flavor.

Historic Houses: A prime attraction on the Freedom Trail, the Paul Revere House is Boston’s oldest domicile, and one-time home to the Revolutionary War legend. Lesser known, but worth scoping out, is the Skinny House (44 Hull St.). The four-story home is just 10 feetwide at its widest point—and currently occupied!

Il Villaggio: Because of the amount of Italian spots in the North End, it would be easy for a restaurant like Il Villaggio (230 Hanover St., 617-367-2824) to get lost in the shuffle.However, the restaurant stands out because of its authentic feel and yummy homemade pasta dishes. Try the butternut squash ravioliwith creamsauce and a salty slice of prosciutto.

Joking Around: Improv Asylum is the North End’s top spot for chuckles and belly laughs, where talented comedians put on improvised shows that change nightly thanks to audience participation.

Kids: Summer is the perfect season for family outdoor fun. Why not burn some calories at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End? Kids can cool off in the spray fountain, or run through the trellis-lined lawns. Farther along The Harborwalk is Langone Park, where children can explore the huge jungle gym while parents play bocce on one of the three available courts.

Lunch: Want prime Italian food without having to take a nap afterward? Head to the North End for lunch. The lobster fra diavolo at Bella Vista and the antipasto medio evale at Filippo Ristorante are great light lunch options, while Dino’s Cafe (141 SalemSt., 617-227-1991) subscribes to the opposite philosophy—its menu boasts delicious subs that are 16 inches long!

Mike’s or Modern? The eternal battle rages over which bakery serves the best cannoli. Mike’s Pastry (300 Hanover St., 617-742- 3050) is the most famous, but The Modern Pastry Shop (257 Hanover St., 617-523- 3783) boasts antique charm with its old school neon sign. It’s hard to go wrong with either of them, so try them both!

North End Market Tour: Exploring the North End for the first time can be daunting. That’s why Michele Topor’s North End Market Tours allow newcomers to discover the best places to buy meat, produce, baked goods and other tasty delights without breaking the bank.

Osso Bucco: Attention meat lovers! You need to get a taste of this Italian staple. Osso bucco (“hollowed bone” in Italian) is comprised of a crosscut veal shank braised with vegetables and wine topped with a mixture of parsley, garlic and lemon zest called gremolata. Terramia and Mamma Maria (3 North Square, 617-523-0077) serve incredible versions of this rich, tasty dish.

Pizza: Because foodies from all over the world come to the North End for pizza, competition among pizza joints is fierce. Many consider the original Regina Pizzeria to be the Pizza King, but Ernesto’s (69 Salem St., 617-523-1373) has a foundation of loyal fans who love the shop’s oversize slices. Still, Bostonians with more upscale tastes enjoy the brick oven pizza from Antico Forno . Explore the North End today and decide for yourself.

Quick Eats: Scarfing down an artfully prepared Italian dish is hardly recommended, but sometimes busy Bostonians don’t have the time to sufficiently savor their food. Thankfully, the North End has plenty of places to grab a quick bite. Mangia Mangia (147 Endicott St., 617- 523-1768) makes a mean meatball sub at only $3.75 and the calzones at Il Panino Express (227 Hanover St., 617-720-5720) are perfection, but the shop only takes cash.

Restaurant Week: From August 21–26 this summer, hungry Bostonians are given the chance to dine at the city’s highest-rated restaurants at significantly reduced prices. During Boston Restaurant Week, participating North End spots include Mare, Strega and Taranta (210 Hanover St., 617-720-0052).

Shopping: The North End plays host to some great specialty stores. High Gear Jewelry features contemporary, custom-made pieces, while replicas of vintage bling are available at Filthy Rich Celebrity Jewelry. Also, popular boutiques Shake theTree (67 Salem St., 617-742-0484) and Twilight (12 Fleet St., 617-523-8008) offer trendy clothing, while The Velvet Fly (28 Parmenter St., 617-557-4359) boasts a more vintage flair.

Treats: No trip to the North End is complete without a stop for something sweet. Whether you prefer chocolate bombes at Bova’s (134 Salem St., 617-523-5601), cannoli at Parziale’s (80 Prince St., 617-523-6368) or the famous olive oil cake at Aragosta (3 BatteryWharf, 617-994-9001), there are plenty of places to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Under the Radar: The North End is a huge visitor attraction, especially during the summer months. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, stop by the neighborhood’s lesser-known spots for a more authentic experience. Ida’s (3Mechanic St., 617-523-0015) is a super-small, family owned place with excellent red sauces and a homey feel, while Vinoteca di Monica (143 Richmond St., 617-227-0311) is a local up-and-coming watering hole with a $20 prix fixe lunch menu.

Volle Nolle (351 Hanover St., 617- 523-0003) is not your average sandwich shop. Its creative paninis are flavorful and cater to a variety of tastes.With options like Rockin’ Sockin’ Salmon or chicken Milanese, you won’t find your basic turkey club here. To sweeten the deal, each order comes with a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie.

Wine: Whether your preference is red or white, by the glass or by the bottle, Lucca, Massimino’s and Ristorante Saraceno offer extensive wine lists suitable for even the most knowledgeable wine enthusiasts.

X-hale: Amidst the energy of the locals, delicious food and shopping, take a moment to “x-hale” at St. Leonard’s Peace Garden (Hanover Street). This calming space offers a reprieve from the excitement of the North End. Take in the beauty of the garden in one of the area’s best-kept secrets.

Yoga: After inhaling pizza and pasta dishes, a little physical activity is called for. Luckily, the neighborhood has its own yoga studio where you can rediscover your chi while breaking a sweat. North End Yoga is located on the third floor of 256 Hanover St. (617-227-9642).

Zuccherati: Tired of cannoli? Bite into a zuccherato for a sweet treat. A zuccherato is a donut-shaped sweet bread covered in glaze and cinnamon-sugar. This traditional Italian pastry can only be found at Maria’s Pastry Shop (46 Cross St., 617-523-1196), one of the neighborhood’s most authentic sweet shops.