Lasagna in the North End?

[Ali G]

My mom's birthday is coming up and she would like to go out for Italian. I don't think she has ever been to the North End despite living 15 mins away her whole life. Anyway, I thought it might be nice to take her in and grab dinner. She likes very basic red sauce type dishes (veal parm, chicken parm, lasagna), so no Bricco, Sage, Mama Maria's...it would be lost on her and she would just complain that I'm spending too much.

Any suggestions for good, casual, red sauce joints? Lasagna would be a plus since she has mentioned it as would manicotti, stuffed shells, ravioli...you get the idea. Antico Forno maybe?

[twentyoystahs]

Some good suggestions but if I were you here are the spots I'd consider (in order of my recommendations):

La Summa (yes, esp good b/c you can make a rez)
Al Dente (Salem Street)
L'Osteria or LoConte's, both right next door to each other on Salem Street and both classic red-sauce Italian spots
Artu (Prince St)

I'd also recommend Il Panino but since you said you'd been there and wanted to try something else, the others above are all good --you should be able to find the classic and traditional red-sauce dishes at all of them. Enjoy.

[lypp]

You could also try Marco's Sunday supper - not sure if they have lasanga but on Sunday they do a family style meal that's supposed to be out of this world.

[halaluia13]

Artu on Prince Street has a great Lasagna....Now I do not eat lasagna outside of my mother's house but this one is great..It is made with frah pasta sheets, layered with ricotta and ground beef & pork!!!

[Ali G]

Thanks for the replies. Some good places to consider. I've been to Il Panino a bunch of times, so I may skip it for my own selfish reason of wanting to try soemplace new. I think I also wandered into La Summa for lunch one Sunday (location sounds familiar). We were drawn in by the special of 2 entrees and a bottle of wine for like $20. Didn't intend to drink, but who can pass that up? We walked out with our bellies full and a slight buzz. Great Sunday afternoon.

[vccs1]

Despite having lived in the North End for 4 years, I have only tried the lasagne at one restaurant - Cantina Italian. It was out of this world delicious! I think that Cantina is a sure bet for red-saucy Italian. I highly recommend it!

[hiddenboston]

Al Dente on Salem Street has good lasagna.

Actually, now that I think of it, the best lasagna I've had in the North End is at Pagliuca's on Parmenter Street. Pagliuca's is an old-school red-sauce joint with really good pastas. Might be worth checking out!

[frankie Imbergamo]

for a great lasagna in the north end i would go to Lucia's on hanover street.
they really make a great lasagna i have had it several times and it is awsome!!

enjoy the day with your mom at lucia's!
also enjoy the Lasagna!!
Frankie Imbergamo

[Food4Thought]

I'm a big fan of Dom's on Salem street. I'd put Dom's in between a typical red sauce joint but below the upper scale places which you mentioned. I know you specifically mentioned lasgna but Dom's has a wonderful dish called Girello, fresh pasta layered with seasoned ricotta, spinach and fresh prosciutto cotta then rolled up. The slices of this roll are then baked and topped with a creamy tomato bechamel sauce. They also have the other usual suspects that you mentioned.

I don't see too much about Doms on this board, but I have a soft spot for it. It's also nice that one of the owners Dom or Mauricio will usually sit down with you to explain the menu, make reccomenations, or answer any questions. I'd say it's pretty moderately priced as well.

I'd also give a nod to Antico Forno and Il Pannino trattoria. Unfortunately I wouldn't reccomend Mother Annas, I've been dissapointed there too many times.

[Bostonbob3]

I bet you'd both love Il Panino (The Trattoria, not the "Express"). They definitely serve lasagne, as well as other well-prepared Italian classics.

[mwk]

My favorite place for exactly what you want is La Summa, on Fleet St., just a block off of Hanover. They make their own pasta, the red sauce is very tasty (not overly sweet like some), the portions are nice sized, and the prices very reasonable. The other nice thing is that they take reservations.

[cmd]

I like Mother Anna's for classic red sauce. I also like Antico Forno, but I'd confirm there is lasagna on the menu--I don't remember seeing it, but that doesn't mean it's not there!

[Bostonbob3]

I eat at Antico Forno quite a bit, and don't remember seeing lasagne on the menu. That's not to say they don't have it as an occasional special. I'd call first though.