Need two recs for restaurants Boston Italian south end, one pizza, one semi-upscale

Parent Cafe
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<p>Hi:</p>

<p>Anyone know a good recommendation for great pizza in Boston’s Italian south end neighborhood? Also, looking for a medium priced restaurant for hubby & I date night…we need to be up in Boston for a few days…one night to treat 3 teenaged boys to a great pizza resturant and another night for just H & I to go out somewhere where the food is good but not over the top pricey…also where would we park? Do any of these restaurants have parking lots or are we better off taking the T? Thanks! :)</p>

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<p>Oops. I stand corrected. I think the Italian neighborhood is in Boston’s north end, not south.</p>

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<p>I do not have a restaurant suggestion…but I would NOT suggest driving. Take the T.</p>

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<p>Take the T or walk (or run, like I did :)). Parking will eat a good chunk out of your budget. </p>

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<p>I haven’t been there in thirty years, but this used to be the best: <a href=“http://www.reginapizzeria.com/location_detail.php?location_id=38&Brick%20Oven%20Pizza%20-%20North%20End%20-%20The%20Original%20-%20Boston%20-%20Boston”>http://www.reginapizzeria.com/location_detail.php?location_id=38&Brick%20Oven%20Pizza%20-%20North%20End%20-%20The%20Original%20-%20Boston%20-%20Boston&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>Trattoria il Panino is a classic spot in the North End. Both nights, skip dessert and see if Mike’s Pastry is open for cannoli or sit at one of the little gelato shops for a while. </p>

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<p>OP–are you just looking for recommendations in the North End or are you open to other areas? </p>

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<p>Giacomo’s is the place in the north end - noted by the 1-2 hour wait and the line that wraps around the corner. Food is excellent, simple and reasonably priced. The place is tiny and accepts cash only. 355 Hanover St. Take the T - there is no parking anywhere in the north end.</p>

<p>After dinner go down the block to Mike’s for the best cannoli in the world.</p>

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<p>If you take the T get off at North Station. If you drive, most restaurants have valet service. I would recommend the following and I am pretty choosy about Italian food.
Dolce Vita (get the Gnocchi)
Fiore (get the bombalati (sp?) with lobster.
Al Dente (This is our "go to slightly fancy but not very, excellent food and reasonable prices)
Taranta (Italian, Peruvian fusion. It is outstanding!!! A bit pricey. Good for date night)
Benedettos for Pizza</p>

<p>Whatever you decide, get reservations. An alternative to Mikes Pastry that is much less crowded is Vittoria’s. Yummy.</p>

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<p>A few years ago we visited Boston. Our strategy was to pick a place in the North End with a fairly short line. DH and DS picked up pastries while I held our place in line. We went to the restaurant and liked it - <a href=“http://www.yelp.com/biz/piccolo-nido-boston”>http://www.yelp.com/biz/piccolo-nido-boston&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If you don’t have reservations, go early. While I was waiting, a large group checked out the place and decided 20 minutes was too long. Later they came back and got at the end of the line when wait had stretched to 45 min. </p>

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<p>Wow, thanks everyone for their great suggestions! Okay, okay, we’ll take the T! :wink:
Bromfield, we are staying in Somerville, so we are definitely open to other areas besides the north end. It’s just that every time we go up to Boston, we seem to choose restaurants in the 'burbs and I thought it would be fun to eat in the heart of the city. Wherever we end up, we will try to make reservations.</p>

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<p>FYI - I just found out that the Government Center T stop is closed for 2 years. The website clearly defines your options and several new “end” stops for the various green lines. This may help you with your travels.</p>

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<p>I’m starting to google everyone’s suggestions. EPTR: did you mean Beneventos? Looks like that’s near Mike’s pastry…yum.</p>

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<p>^^ooh, MAB222: good to know. What website were you referring to? Thanks.</p>

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<p>My D and her boyfriend(now husband) lived in the South End for four years–I’m out in the burbs but we would go into town and have dinner with them fairly often. We liked Coppa and Cinquecinto in the South End (Italian). Also like Sorellina near Prudential/ Copley. Scampo (in the Liberty Hotel) is fun. Davio’s (also near Copley/Prudential) would be better for you and your husband. It’s a little pricey but has great atmosphere. </p>

<p>There’s also a place in Medford, which is right by Somerville, that I really enjoy–Bistro 5. Small Italian place–you can park on the street. It’s close to Tufts. Also–two really good restaurants in Cambridge, which aren’t Italian but have good food, are: Oleana and Bondir. </p>

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<p>^^Thanks for the suggestions, Bromfield. We may try going into the North end this trip, but we’re less than 2 hours away, so these suggestions could be good for another visit. Btw: my S1 will be graduating from Tufts next May, so any of these restaurants good for a graduation dinner? Thx</p>

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<p>My D and her husband graduated from Tufts. I think Bistro 5 would be fun for a graduation dinner. If you really want to splurge and have an amazing celebration dinner go to Menton or L’espalier. You should probably make reservations as soon as you know the date of graduation. Warning: both are high end but worth the price.</p>

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<p>Yes, it is Beneventos. It is on Salem Street in the North End. It is owned by the same owner as Al Dente which is next door. Al Dente is a bit more special occasion that Benevento’s which is more of a bar atmosphere with TVs etc. Both have excellent food but if it’s a special occasion I prefer Al Dente. </p>

<p>Another thought, if you are coming in the summer months. Check the schedule of Feasts in the North End. It is so much fun to be there during a feast night as they have processions and street fairs set up. If you do go on a Feast night, be sure to get reservations ahead as it is a popular thing to do. Here you go!</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.northendboston.com/visit/feasts/”>http://www.northendboston.com/visit/feasts/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I would go to the Chowhound Boston forum and search and ask. </p>

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<p>My daughter lives in the North End. My suggestions- Regina’s for pizza; Daily Catch for seafood ( long lines, communal tables, wine in plastic cups but amazing) and a cannoli in the shape of a lobster tail from Mike’s.</p>