Best of the North End- Boston, MA

“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that’s…”

Ciao seguaci! Hi followers! Welcome to this special blog post featuring what I believe to be the best spots in the North End of Boston for all the Italian things! We have multiple categories detailing my top choices for items from pizza to cannolis to grocers. Let’s jump right in!

Best Arancini: Galleria Umberto serves up lots of Italian classics, but their fried rice balls are the best. Right on Hanover Street, it’s quiet and almost secretive front makes it almost hard to spot unless you’re looking closely. You definitely don’t want to walk by this place!

Best Bar: While the restaurant is now something different, the little white awning just up the street from Paul Revere’s house is where the best little bar is, North Square Oyster Bar. The white countertop only sits a small amount of people, but the ambiance and sense of secrecy and seclusion is what makes this bar extra special.

Best Bread: While it is also a restaurant, part of the DePasquale North End moguls, the Bricco Panetteria is hands down the place to get fresh bread. Just down a tiny alley to the right of the restaurant is where you’ll find a narrow staircase, adjacent to their salumeria, down to bread heaven. Crispy and nicely golden on the outside, yet fluffy and pillowy on the inside is what makes this the best bread.

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Best Cannoli: Ah. The coveted title. This was quite possibly the hardest category to narrow down. There are several places that have been awarded the title of best cannoli over the years, but my favorite belongs to Parziale Bakery. The shell wasn’t soggy and held its crispiness and supported the sweet and delicate flavor of the filling. I bit into this cannoli and immediately shouted “this is the best filling I’ve ever had”. It’s that good.

Honorable Mentions- Caffé Paradiso, Modern Pastry, Mikes’s Pastry

Best Cappucino: Caffé Vittoria is quite possibly one of the cutest places to enjoy coffee on Hanover Street. Known as Boston’s first Italian cafe, they have an incredible menu featuring all sorts of options, but their cappucino is where it is at. Strong, bold flavors that are presented in its truest form.

Best Espresso Martini: Because this has to be its own category. You can get this martini just about at any restaurant or bar on Hanover or Salem Street, but along with their great cannoli’s and gelato Caffé Paradiso serves scrumptious espresso martini’s. The people there make this place quite possibly my favorite spot all around, their drinks the icing on the cake! Indulge in their cannoli’s, gelato, or tiramisu too because you honestly can’t go wrong with anything here.

Best Grocer: Salumeria Italiana is just off of Hanover and is the spot for all the delectable Italian cured meats, cheeses, and products. From their ghost pepper salami and cotto ham to their amazing pesto and arrangement of San Marzano tomatoes and Calabrian chiles, the Salumeria is truly the best, especially when paired with the best bread 😉

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Best Higher End Restaurant: I will admit that I have not eaten let alone stepped foot in every restaurant in the North End. But of the places I’ve been one restaurant stands out…Mamma Maria. After eating here three years ago it is still the place I have a desire to go back to. It is definitely on the higher end spectrum, but let me tell you it is worth it. You can check out more about my experience here to see what I thought of the meal, but in a nut shell it was brilliant.

Honorable Mentions- Prezza, Massimino’s

Best Pizza: Another category that spikes controversy. Pizza is practically the official language of the North End and everyone has their own personal favorite. I’ve tried a few different pizzas in the NE but I always come back to Antico Forno. The crust is chewy and thin, always cooked to perfection, the toppings are fresh, the cheese always melty and gooey. Their list of pizzas is practically endless, some of my faves are the tradizionale, al quattro formaggi, and their margherita (plus pepperoni!)

Best Produce: You may not be going to the North End for fresh produce, but if you’re looking to round out a meal with meats, cheese, and bread be sure to grab some fresh stuff at Alba Produce. A small storefront on Parmenter Street you may miss it, but it’s there and the delicious fruit and fresh veggies will have you coming here instead of the other markets!

Best Whole Bean Coffee: When I’m home in Boston that honestly means one daily thing: amazing coffee. We all have our boujee thing in life and for some people freshly ground, spectacular, robust coffee is theirs. If I’m speaking your language then there is no other place than Polcari’s Coffee to get your whole bean coffee. But that’s not all, Polcari’s carries an array of teas, spices, extracts, grains and more. The smell of coffee upon entering hugs you and then owner Bobby Eustance greets you with the best smile and biggest hello (even with a mask on!). Polcari’s is all about family down on good ol’ Salem Street and you instantly feel like part of the family as you walk out with a handful of goodies.

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That’s the list! This is totally biased and everything listed is of my own opinions, but I hope it serves as a base level of the places I love in the North End… maybe some secret nuggets you never knew about included (you’re welcome for sharing 😉) There is an endless amount of exploring to do in Boston and the North End specifically, and certainly you can’t go wrong just about anywhere. But these places aren’t just about the products they serve and produce, but about their purpose and message. What they create and share with the community is what makes each of these places my favorites…but it doesn’t hurt that they know what they’re doing, too!

Leave a comment if you’ve been to these places or which ones you hope to get to soon! What are some of your favorites that I should check out? Several of these establishments are open, just don’t forget your mask and hand sanitizer!

Pearl- Wellfleet, MA

Wellfleet is killing the outdoor dining game! We ventured back, blinders up heading for yet another stop at the Bookstore Restaurant, when we let them down and noticed the deck above this restaurant on a beautiful day overlooking the harbor. We couldn’t ignore our curiosity and decided to dine at Pearl.

Literally just down the street from the Bookstore sits Pearl, right on the curve of Commercial Street at the dock. They have a beautiful deck where you can overlook Duck Creek, which is fed from Wellfleet Harbor. Boasting “an ample selection of beer, wine, and cocktails” and fresh seafood with a view, Pearl also keeps to the historical Cape exterior with a modern twist to it.

When we went, we were still under outdoor dining only orders, but it worked out as it was a gorgeous day begging us to sit outside! What made it better was our service, our waiter was running up and down those stairs delivering food and drinks and working his butt off! In these crazy times it is nice to see hardworking citizens, gaining valuable life experience along the way. Our drinks came quick and our food not long after ordering either.

Local Hog Island Brewery Summer Ale

Amid the restrictions of COVID, Pearl still offers a nice menu of fresh, local classics. We started off with calamari, which had banana peppers, marinara, and lemon pepper aioli. This calamari was nice and crispy, not too heavy on the coating, and cooked beautifully. The aioli was tangy and a little sweet, offering a nice addition and balance to the bite.

One entree we devoured was the South Up North Burger, boasting a mighty 8 ounce beef patty, their house pimento cheese, root beer caramelized onions, and the classic additions of BL&T. The burger was uber juicy with all of the elements melding together nicely for a great bite every time. With that we enjoyed their house chips which were crispy and crunchedy!

The fish tacos were also superb, fresh and lightly fried cod with pico de gallo, baja fish taco sauce, and coleslaw. Again the seafood was heavenly fried, the baja sauce was sharp and added a nice pungent flavor. The bed of coleslaw added a good crunch element, maybe a little mayo heavy, but nice nonetheless. Their french fries were also irresistible, nice and crispy yet fluffy. And if you can’t tell from the pictures all of the portions were generous, as well!

While we may not have embarked on the journey to go to Pearl initially, it ended up being the exact meal we needed. So let’s toast to summer with a cool Hog Island Summer Ale and scrumptious fish tacos to new adventures and the future.

Wellfleet Bookstore and Restaurant- Wellfleet, MA

Well hi there. It’s been a while. I’m sorry it’s been about 4 months since I’ve last posted but you know…it’s a crazy time (unless you’ve been living in denial or under a rock).

But we’re back. And things are opening and starting to go back to normal(ish). So with that being said I WENT TO A RESTAURANT. A REAL LIFE OUTDOOR DINING EXPERIENCE. It’s a place I’ve been to many times and I love it so much…The Bookstore in Wellfleet.

Sitting back in Wellfleet Bay near Mayo Beach is the Bookstore Restaurant. I can remember coming to this area for the playground (currently blocked off) and the nice little beach across the street. With an actual bookstore in the rear, three generations of the same family since 1964 have overseen this spot boasting dishes that “have become classics on the Outer Cape”. In these times, they are lucky to have a downstairs uncovered patio plus two porch like decks downstairs and upstairs (which follows all CDC guidelines for outdoor dining during the coronavirus pandemic).

The view from the top deck looking over the bay. To accommodate guidelines, air flow is a must so at least one screen must be open.

Like I said earlier I’ve been here many times and every time I get the same thing. The Bookstore Reuben (aka Cape Cod Reuben) is a twist on the classic sandwich. Fried cod on grilled marble rye with Swiss cheese and coleslaw…what could be better! The fish is lightly fried and not heavy, the size of the sandwich and fish solid, filling you up to just the right amount of fullness. The coleslaw was plentiful, giving a nice tang and brightness. With a side of fries you are set with this classic Cape Cod delicacy! Pair it with one of the restaurants many house-infused martinis or classic (and accurate!) cocktails! With a couple of different drinks using Twenty Boat Spiced Rum from Truro, I thoroughly enjoyed the Parrot Head – the rum with black raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice. Their Mai Tai is also delicious and true to its original recipe!

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Also pictured and enjoyed was the pan seared scallops with peach risotto. I need to get that risotto recipe! I was not expecting to like it as much as I did, the peaches came in small chunks in the risotto but didn’t make the dish overly sweet. It was well balanced and served with perfectly seared scallops, it was a perfect match!

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I was giddy as could be to be going to sit in a restaurant. These are hard times for everyone, but it certainly means the world to small businesses to have local support. Restaurant prices may be going up, but everyone is working incredibly hard and they’re appreciative and attentive. Our waiter was respectful, hardworking, and accommodating; everything you need during these times. I employ you to keep supporting our restaurants and local shops, especially here on Cape Cod. It’s time to band together and support as best we can.

Stay safe and healthy and be sure to follow me on Instagram, @critiquingcarnivore to see even more content!

Mamaleh’s- Cambridge, MA

Happy New Year, readers!

It has been kind of a hot sec since I’ve been on here! I’ve been fairly active on the Instagram (give me a follow, @critiquingcarnivore!) especially with the start of my own little stories series “Wife Me”. I started it on my personal instagram and my friends loved it so I’m starting to transfer all the content over to the blog now! It’s a good laugh, be sure to check it out!

Back to today’s blog post…as I said it’s the new year which means I’m home with the fam in Boston and since I’m an avid Bon Appétit follower I had a new list of places I had to check out from BA highlights. One of these places is over in Cambridge with piping hot matzo ball soup and beautifully cured meats. We’re trekking out to Mamaleh’s!

I don’t know if it’s solely because it was on BA’s Top 50 Best New Restaurants of 2017 or because watching the new season of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” had me craving Jewish classics, but either way I was really looking forward to some traditional Jewish dishes from Mamaleh’s.

When walking in, it looks like a fancier version of your neighborhood deli. They have a full bar, something a little extra, but they have a walk up counter with bagels and lox galore, and a sit down dining area all of which surrounds the kitchen located in the back. We were able to be seated right away, we went on a Friday for lunch, and while it wasn’t packed it was still popping. I could see how this would be a favorite lunch spot among Cambridge folks working in the area.

When we sat down our waiter got right to it. We maybe looked at the menu for two minutes (let’s be real, I’ve been looking at the menu for the last month) asking us for our drink orders. I didn’t even have a chance to comprehend half of the options let alone figure out what questions I had. I didn’t know what an egg cream was, or whether I wanted one of their fancy sodas. But with that aside, the team effort among the wait staff was admirable. Everyone came by checking on us, taking our food orders throughout our dining experience.

As I said I’ve been looking at this food menu for a while and pretty much a clear idea of what I wanted to try. First thing that was a must was the matzo ball soup. If you’re unfamiliar with what matzo balls are it’s a Jewish dumpling made from matzo meal. This was my first time having it and I was definitely curious about the texture, since I know some people aren’t big fans of it. I enjoyed the soup, it was essentially just a chicken soup base with the matzo balls. It was very rich in flavor and not too salty and the matzo balls had an even texture and form to them.

The next item I knew we had to get was the latkes. The traditional Hanukkah dish is just grated potatoes fried in a fat of some kind. They are a delicious crispy potato pancake and are traditionally served with applesauce and sour cream. Mamaleh’s latkes did not disappoint. They were so crispy; they weren’t overly salty and the fat they were fried in gave them a flavor kick the potatoes wanted. They were packed tightly and had a nice height to them! On top of that the presentation of everything was visually pleasing, so much so I got a plate to bring home.

This next menu item my handy dandy helper (dad) picked out. A tradition knish is a Jewish snack food that is usually a baked or fried potato filled dough. At Mamaleh’s they have both plain potato as well as a meat filled one. We opted for the meat knish which is the savory pastry filled with potatoes and onions along with their corned beef and pastrami. The knish was baked exquisitely, when you cut into it it cut clearly without the flakiness crumbling. The potato filling was so light and fluffy it was like eating clouds. It was yet another dish proving that the kitchen understands how to season just enough, the meat adding saltiness without being overpowering. It was a dish I wasn’t expecting to enjoy as much as I did. It surpassed the simple matzo ball soup in my book.

Now for the star standout entree. Pastrami and corned beef are both Jewish deli favorites and I wanted the chance to have both. Mamaleh’s well thought-out menu fulfilled my needs with the 50/50 hand sliced sandwich. Half corned beef, half pastrami served on seeded rye bread with deli mustard. Thank you deli sandwich angels. When this sandwich was placed on our table my eyes lit up. From the color of the bread, to the height of the sandwich, to the very simple and straightforward plating I couldn’t wait to get this sandwich in my stomach.

The bread was so springy and had wonderful structure to it, a nice bite and flavor. The mustard was your classic Dijon type with a nice tangy kick. The hand sliced meats melded together gracefully, the brine coming through and the hints of spices tingling your taste buds. It made for a crisp clean chew that was oh so satisfactory. And don’t forget about the height of the sandwich, layers and layers of the juicy brined meats.

While all this food left us full we had just enough space to manage a slice of chocolate babka. It shouldn’t need explaining, the pictures can speak for themselves, but the dense and thick slice was everything you wish a chocolate croissant was. Packed with chocolate, the sweet yeasted dough had lovely pockets of air that made the density less of a highlight. The bake on the outside was almost crunchy in the best bakery way possible.

Mamaleh’s made me feel like a character out of Mrs. Maisel. I just wanted to become family with the staff, learn to make all these homemade meals, and yell Yiddish to everyone. The biggest takeaway for me was just how perfectly seasoned everything was. I was secretly prepared for everything to be so salty I’d loose all taste, but they proved me wrong. It all could’ve leaned that way, with cured meats and chicken soup sodium can make itself the star ingredient, but the kitchen magicians at Mamaleh’s let everything else stand out. Everything came out super fast and the waitstaff kept things moving for us. Coffee cups were never left even the slightest bit empty.

If you’re in Boston you should make the walk (yes, walk!) to Cambridge and make a stop here. I certainly see why they ended up on BA’s Top 50 list and I’m sure you’ll end up verklempt with nachas. 😉

*please be kind at my attempt to use Yiddish words…Mamaleh’s website has a fun dictionary of words to check out!*

North Square Oyster- Boston, MA

ATTENTION – UPDATE: North Square is now just their Oyster and Wine bar located in North Square steps from Paul Revere’s House.

Ah, to be back home in Boston once again. After taking just, you know, a little trip to the Bahamas for New Years being back in Boston is nice…even if it is -13 with the wind chill. Any-who, its become a sort of tradition now that when I’m home my parents and I treat ourselves to a fancy North End meal. I mentioned this in my Mammamaria post, but treating yourself to a special meal is fun and well worth it. This time we tried Mammamaria’s neighbor, North Square Oyster.

Located directly across the street is North Square, a lovely older building where the restaurant takes up two floors overlooking the square and an adorable little bar next door. The building is timeless, beautiful ceilings that look foreign in comparison to newer buildings in the area. Chairs and booths situated in the rounded out windows make for a cozy feel when sitting there and mood lighting certainly does, well, set the mood!

As we looked over the menu it is not the typical Italian one is expecting. It’s up there with Mammamaria in terms of how upscale and sophisticated the menu is. You won’t find classic rigatoni with sauce, but items like mushroom risotto and gnocchi in a sweet broth. All the items sound superb and any choices we made that night would have left our taste buds feeling a sense of expansion.

The first dish we ordered was actually a special that evening. Gnocchi in a sweet, sour broth. The gnocchi was definitely homemade, perfectly cooked and absolutely divine. The broth was delicious, a different sweetness to it than you’d expect. Not the typical gnocchi dish one would be expecting, but certainly a delicious one.

The next dish we got was the NY strip steak with caramelized onions, trumpet mushrooms, and pommes purée (mashed potatoes). Okay, first of all, I know mashed potatoes are just potatoes and butter, but these pommes purée were insane. So rich and buttery and seasoned perfectly. There really is nothing like good steak and potatoes. The steak was really juicy and had good flavor to it and was cooked well. The onions were so fragrant and had a strong taste to them, certainly fresh and I’m sure picked at the market that morning. 

Lastly, and certainly the best of the three dishes, was the mushroom risotto. I like getting risotto when I go out if I can (and feel like it) because risotto is a rice that needs time, not something chefs on “Top Chef” like to make. This mushroom risotto was just incredible. With pickled chanterelles, maitake and cepes, and pumpkin spiced almonds it was out of this world. So creamy and warm, the flavors coming together between the mushrooms and pumpkin almonds. I guess, and I could just not be paying attention, but I never thought of mushrooms and pumpkin spice together! What a combination! It truly took the risotto up a notch with that hint of spice. 

North Square is a higher end kind of place, being in the same square as Mammamaria you kind of have to be. Both restaurants have a bit of a reputation of serving superb Italian food and I can honestly say that it’s true. Different vibes, but one common goal…to serve incredible, high end, innovative Italian food. As you tour the Paul Revere house when you’re in Boston, think about just going up the street. Whether it be for drinks at North Square’s cute little bar or having dinner there, it’ll be worth every penny…your taste buds will thank you. 

Mamma Maria- Boston, MA

Pasta is most likely one of the most popular dishes to make, for all ages. From macaroni and cheese to lasagna, kindergarten well into ones adulthood pasta is just universal across the board. I think we can all agree, however, that everyone cooks pasta differently. Some people prefer it to be al dente meaning a firmer bite, others like it to be soft to the point that it practically disinigrates in your mouth. No matter how you cook it though, there is a correct way to cook pasta where its firm yet is still melt in your mouth. It can be hard to tell what that should taste or feel like, but if you go to Mamma Maria they’ll demonstrate how to do it perfectly. 

The North End is obviously flooded with delicious Italian restaurants, but you can feel the difference when you go into higher end restaurant like Mammamaria. The ambiance inside makes you feel like you’ve just walked into a movie scene, beautifully placed utensils and exquisite, Italian inspired design plates. Tables placed fairly close together makes it feel like a cozy trattoria. The staff are both inviting and professional, the waiters filling water glasses and clearing plates as often as they can. The beautiful decor makes for a lovely ambiance inside and hearing the room filled with laughter makes for a wonderful evening. 

The select evening menu was filled with all the delicious classic Italian dishes made with local New England products. For our antipasti, or appetizer, we selected the cheese sampler, three different cheeses with fresh colorful tomatoes and drizzle of olive oil. Local ricotta and mozzarella from Massachusetts and bufala mozzarella from Naples are all melt in your mouth on top of the fresh bread. The bufala was the best by far, so creamy and milky, bursting with flavor.

For the main course the menu was full of innovative and different combinations, but I wanted to judge Mamma’s by the classic Italian, bolognese. And Mamma Maria was this bolognese good. The meat was seasoned and cooked perfectly, the sauce delicious with a tangy taste almost and flavorful with every bite. The pasta, as discussed in the opening, was cooked as it is meant to be cooked. Not too soft, not too stiff. A good bite too it and cooked throughout, not a single strand of pasta out of line. Garnished with fresh Parmesan grated right from the block and you are beginning to feel Italian. 

Another notable menu item was the summertime squash ravioli. Filled with green and yellow squash and corn, the filling was very refreshing as well as flavorful. The ravioli pasta was done just right and you can tell delicate hands in the kitchen sculpted the tiny pillows of cheese heaven. 

Finally, a meal like this isn’t complete without a homemade, warm Italian dessert. From a list that made the decision extremely hard, this menu item was a standout. A warm puff pastry that held a mixture of delicious crisp apples and cinnamon spices topped with freshly whipped cream and chocolate and caramel drizzles. Each bite was like a new sensation of the flavors coming together in harmony, the sweet cream, tartness of the apples, and crunch of flaky pastry. 

It is the place to enjoy a spectacular Italian meal, a meal that may be as close as it gets to being in Italy. Meals like this perpetuate meaningful conversation, as you’re huddled together discussing the food as well as family conversation. One thing to point out is that a meal like this doesn’t come cheap, but its a meal few and far between. Savor, enjoy, and love meals like this. Go for it, you can figure out finances down the road, but a meal like this is worth every penny. Not just for the food, but for the memories. 

Laurino’s- Brewster, MA

Home. A lot of people think of their family when they think of home. The atmosphere, the people, the food. The same goes for restaurants. Yes, you remember the food if you’ve been to a great place, but many of us also remember the experience we had. Were the waiters/waitresses nice? Did the hostess greet you cheerfully? Were you told a wait time that fit the means of a normal time frame? Those are things that can make or break a restaurant just as much as the food being good or not. Laurino’s checks off everything and does it with love. 

Just off Route 6A sits Laurino’s, a humble and welcoming establishment on Cape Cod. We came here as a second choice actually, after our first choice treated us less than spectacular. We learned our lesson and know to make Laurino’s our first choice. From being greeted with a smile, to delicious food, to seeing hardworking people work together, you feel better knowing your money is going towards a restaurant like that than one with snotty hosts. 

The vibe at Laurino’s is that of home, with fun posters and pictures all around and a community feeling. They welcome all, seeing that we’ve taken my autistic sister here and seeing an autistic boy the night we went. Our waitress was bubbly and happy, exuding vibrant colors that made us feel cheerful and happy to be there. She made our experience amazing and we noticed all the waitstaff helping each other, from running plates to cleaning and turning over tables. True teamwork.

The food, on top of everything else, was superb. The SOB Burger was juicy and delicious, all the ingredients cooked perfectly. The specials that evening made it difficult to decide what to get, but one special that night screamed incredible. Scallops with tortellini in a red pesto sauce was just too good not to get. The tortellini had to have been homemade, with ample filling and tasty pasta. The scallops cooked to perfection, complimenting the tortellini in a delicious sauce that popped with flavor and spice (and everything nice).

From now on Laurino’s is the place, where everyone is welcome to enjoy drinks, food, and company. Ultimately that’s what matters when you go out to eat, not necessarily where everyone else goes, but the place that leaves you feeling bright and your tummy full. 

Monument- Charlestown, MA

If you’re from Boston then you know all the buzz about Monument in Charlestown. Charlestown is on the map, millennials are taking over, moving outside of Boston across the river to once rough Charlestown. Monument is only feeding into that with a vibe similar to Brewers Fork on the other side of town. Having only been open for a week, I got the chance to check out the new place.

Some people don’t know this, but there is a history here. Remember that adorable, lovely neighborhood trattoria Paolo’s? Monument replaced it. Same owner, but they decided to change it up. To be fair Paolo’s was never full, but it was great food and perfect for a date night or for families. The staff was family and to the owners credit they rehired all the Paolo’s staff, but I miss our little trattoria. Monument has the opposite feel to it, which is good and bad! Monument is definitely a gastropub, basically meaning a fancy pub. We went on the busiest night and they are still figuring out kinks, but the bar was loud and full as well as tables. They expanded the space, so looking over to the Paolo’s side you can only miss it. Talking to a waitress from those days whom we’re friendly with only agreed, but is excited for this next chapter. I think us regulars can agree.

Upon looking at the menu it’s different and interesting, really great ingredients and combinations. And they kept the pizza oven so we only assumed the pizza would be Paolo’s pizza. Although front of the house was maybe flustered, telling us a thirty minute wait that would only turn into an hour, the kitchen was firing food and getting it out at a good speed…especially since it was so busy. The staff was doing their best though and once we did get seated our waitress was bubbly.

We started with two appetizers, short rib poutine and calamari. Both were great, the poutine had a nice gravy and I liked how they used mozzarella curds. The meat was a little cold, but it was tender and had nice flavor. The calamari was really good, the fry was perfect and cooked nicely. The pairing of it with the pickled cucumbers and feta was delicious and the tzatziki sauce brought it all together. 
Now onto the entrees, let’s start with the pizza. Imagining that they wouldn’t try to fix something that isn’t broke, I assumed the pizzas would be that of the Paolo days, but when we order the soppressatta pizza our waitress told us that it’s a different dough from before. I got a little nervous, but was optimistic. When it came I knew immediately it wasn’t going to be great. The crust was huge and doughy and when I bit into it it had a sweetness to it that my tastebuds weren’t prepared for. And you’d think with the North End right there a restaurant would get soppressatta super easy, especially since Paolo’s had a really delicious one. This stuff was pepperoni and it may have been the saltiest pepperoni I’ve ever had. It was not soppressatta, I kept saying to my parents “it’s like having a pizza in Fort Worth”. The cheese made up for it all though, a nice bake and taste to it.

Even though the pizza was a little disappointing, the main entrees were superb. First we got the baked gnocchi that was cooked perfectly with a pink vodka sauce sausage bolongnese and taleggio cheese. It came to the table in an iron skillet, the aroma of melted cheese and sausage filling the air. The sausage was seasoned very well and this dish is what is going to bring me back here.

The other entree we got was the seared scallops with sweet potato purée and assorted vegetables, including snap peas and carrots, in a lemon beurre blanc (which translates to “white butter”) and topped with crumbled bacon. This entree was perfection with the scallops cooked and seared beautifully. The vegetables and sauce complimented each other harmoniously. It wasn’t overly salty and all the flavors came together, and obviously bacon. This scallop entree is another reason I would go back to Monument. 

Overall Charlestown is going to have a different feel to it as the new restaurant draws people from all over Boston, full of young singles and couples making the trek north to check out the new hot spot. It’ll be good for Charlestown to reach that demographic, but that doesn’t mean we’re not going to miss our little trattoria. Lots of memories have happened at Paolo’s and I’m sure new ones will happen at Monument…once they work out the kinks, like any new restaurant. 

Rapscallion- Acton, MA

My one and only request to my parents when I came home for the holidays was to go to Acton. Not to Lexington, not Concord, Acton. Why you may ask? We’re going back to Table and Tap.

For those of you who may not have seen my previous post about Rapscallion should go read it now. It will help you better understand why this place is so incredible. Aside from the fact that the restaurant is housed in a farmhouse from the 1700s and that they make and serve their own beer, the food is out of this world and the staff is like family. 

The hospitality level at Rapscallion is truly amazing. They take care of you and make your dining experience special. They don’t just take your order and go on with their day, they talk to you and engage in conversation. They always make sure you have a drink and check in to make sure you’re enjoying your time, and not just by your one waiter/waitress. Several people, including  co-owner Peter Daniel, took the time to make sure our dining experience was memorable. This is one of the many reasons we go back to Rapscallion and recommend it to everyone. Peter and all of the wait staff are passionate about what they do and what they represent, that’s what sets Rapscallion above everywhere else. 

Along with the amazing service is the food! Everything coming from farm to table, from local farms, makes it much more special. I say we dive right in, I’ve got my crisp, light flagship Honey ale in front of me and ready to devour all the deliciousness. 

Now in my previous post I talked about the poutine, and it’s still a family favorite of ours, but we also decided to try the Fried Brussel Sprouts. Let me just say tasty. The brussel sprouts were cooked perfectly and the fry was spot on, it wasn’t heavy at all. It came with a maple cranberry aioli that only enhanced the vegetable. It was such a great combination of flavors and it didn’t take long for them to disappear. 

Now onto the main courses. Grab an Acton Ale and sit down because we have a Mac and cheese battle tonight readers! Lobster vs. Beef. 

First on judges table is the Pulled Beef Mac and cheese. What we have is Rapscallion’s Honey Ale BBQ beef, smoked white cheddar and  yellow cheddar with scallions and jalapeños topped with buttery breadcrumbs. I know, try to control yourself. It really was insane. The beef is on the sweeter side, due to their Honey ale braise, but this sweetness combined with the smoky savory cheeses was harmonious. The waitress had asked if I wanted extra jalapeños or the dish as it’s served and I should have asked for extra. There wasn’t a lot, which from a chefs perspective is smart because you don’t want to overpower the dish or the customers mouth. So, if you like spicy and are adventurous ask for extra jalapeños. The beef was tender and with the yellow and white cheddars the flavor combinations were delectable. 

Second up is the Lobster Mac and cheese. They are quite clever at Rapscallion, they took their lobster grilled cheese (love, read about it in my previous post!) and turned it into a more hearty choice. A great move because the reason we were first drawn here from the start was because of that menu item! I almost started crying again. Thanks to Table and Tap fontina and lobster is my new favorite combo. With that being said, this item has lobster cream as its base and herbed cream cheese in there too, and of course topped with breadcrumbs. They must have made their own lobster stock because the lobster cream enhanced the lobster flavor and it came across when you tasted the cream by itself. The cheese blend was out of this world and there were chunks of lobster throughout. I couldn’t stop eating it, it was like the grilled cheese, “I never wanted the taste to leave my mouth.”

Shall I reveal my favorite Mac and cheese now? Let’s keep reading to find out because we had to have dessert too! Rapscallion is probably the only restaurant I’ll get dessert from because I know it’s that good. Just like their dinner menu, the desserts are all homemade. We had trouble deciding what to get so we asked our sweet waitress her opinion, “chocolate mousse hands down” she said. “It’s a recipe that was left from the previous restaurant and we’re happy they left it with us.” Chocolate mousse it was then. And oh my gosh if you could take fudge and make it into a soft mousse this is it. It didn’t seem possible, it was so chocolatey and rich like fudge, but it wasn’t dense, it was light! Thank goodness for the previous restaurant and for chef Ian Michaud and sous chef Ryan Flisher for perfecting it.

Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten while my mouth’s been watering. It’s time to reveal my favorite Mac and cheese! I’m sure you could guess, but hands down Lobster wins. Trust me you should get both and share with the family, but it was creamier and just that much more flavorful. 

At the end of the meal Peter Daniel came by again to thank us and talk to us, he seemed to recognize my parents from the many times they’ve been. Even if he didn’t he was incredibly gracious and eager to share his passion for Rapscallion Brewery (located in Sturbridge, MA) and Table and Tap. Once I came up with the courage to tell him about my extracurricular activity of blogging, he was curious and wanted to know more about it! He said the staff loves hearing good feedback and I know from day job it’s the best feeling, too. It was really cool, me being a quiet blogger, to have an owner curious about my blog and getting the opportunity to talk about food with him! 

So to everyone and the Daniel brothers at Rapscallion thank you, you’ve done it again. I can’t wait for March when I’ll be back in New England again, because Rapscallion Table and Tap will be the first thing on my to do list. I hope some readers take my advice and head up to Acton to experience the wonderful hospitality of the Rapscallion family.

Galleria Umberto- Boston, MA

It’s the holiday season which means this blogger is home in Boston. And that means lots of delicious foods, from Italian to seafood. Naturally anyone’s first day in Boston should consist of espresso, cannoli, and pizza from the North End. Today we’re diving into arancini at Galleria Umberto.

Arancini is an Italian rice ball that consists of meat, cheese, and peas. It is covered with breadcrumbs and deep fried. Galleria Umberto makes these classic arancini as well as other Italian staples. 

You walk in to this old school restaurant, a cash only counter and hot case greet you straight ahead. Posters of famous Italian cities dress one wall, the opposite a mural of the homeland Italia. You know it’s good when you hear locals speaking Italian, and typically the line is out the door. 

The food is just incredible, a Sicilian influence is apparent in the pizza. All that really means is that it has a bit of a thicker crust rather than thin, although don’t be thinking you’re having deep dish or anything! It’s still got a nice thin crust. Grandma must be in that kitchen because it tastes homemade, like Sunday after church and grandma is rapidly cooking for the familia. The crust of the pizza isn’t amazing, a little doughy, but the cheese makes up for it. Whatever blend they use it’s delectable. Pockets of bubbles and crispy tops are heaven to your taste buds. 

The arancini lives up to its expectations of being one of the best. The rice is cooked and fried perfectly with the meat and cheese oozing out as you cut into it. It’s full of flavor and heart, a true Italian obviously cooked these.

It becomes more and more clear that it’s hard to get a bad meal in the North End, but now it’s all about eating with the locals at the best of the best. Galleria Umberto is on that list. Be sure to try and pick up some Italian or Boston gossip while waiting in line. And it’s definitely worth the long wait when there is one because once you see the case of food, bite into pizza and arancini, you’ll be going back again and again with your familia.