La Brace , No.End... la so-so !

[Buddernut]

Why the heck is there just no Wow factor for North End Italian anymore. Except for the few exhorbitantly priced places. Wanted to grab a nice dinner on the way home from work. I don't want to pay $45 buck for a weeknite.. I don't want a boring dining menu, I just want something decent for about $20 for pasta. I frequent Artu, Antico, Assagio, and La Summa. Sometimes I hit Ida's, Monica's.... The routine gets boring. I just wanted somethng different. Four of us Went to La Brace. One other table with one dude sitting there. We all order one glass house wine which was decent enough. A couple Bibb salads w/camabert were decent. But why the heck it took 25 minutes to get 2 salads which were litterally just the bibb lettuce w/ one slice of cam cheese ?? I wanted to try gnocchi w/little meatballs, but coming from a family that only makes homemade, I just can't stand the frozen. I asked if they were homemade and was assured "yes". Companions order Rigatoni Bolongnese, and a Ravioli. Well, 40 minutes later, food finally arrives. Why so long with just 5 people in the place ??? Very firm gnocchi... not at all like a homemade delicate little pillow I would expect. I get very suspect of the term "Homemade" when I see too many perfect tine marks in gnocchi. Like they were mfgd. on a machine. These were definitely Not homemade. The little meatballs in the dish were freezing cold.. almost like a refrigerated texture and taste. The Rigatoni was tasty, nicely al dente. The Ravioli eater just said they were okay. These were very small portions. It looked like a scant weight-watchers diet plate. What I can just never get over in these places is the assurance of a homemade pasta when it clearly is not the case (deceptive). I've discovered this line of bull at other places to learn they get the gnocchi from a pasta supplier who makes it homemade. I guess I need to start asking if its house made. All in all, this was a very non-descript experience..... Another deflated night.

[tamerlanenj]

It seems to me that people who have better experiences at La Brace getting the chops or meat dishes. They probably have the pasta on the menu because its the North End and people expect it, but I'm very anxious to try their Veal Chop.

[Buddernut]

The meats may tend to be the better choice. But its pretty sad that it takes 40 minutes to get a pasta dish. That said, if the meat turns out good, I hope you don't have to wait 80 minutes for your food !

[Monty]

Yeah, I had high hopes for La Brace after dining there soon after they openend. Despite some rough spots ( why do so many norhend restaurants not train servers in the basics? And nothing like seeing your server and owner dragging on a butt in front in between courses) ) the food was unique and exciting. But my next two experiences proved disappointing...service the same and declining food quality and prep. I've written them off for awhile.

[Buddernut]

That's hysterical about the butt smoking, because that's exactly what went on when we there there. And to top it off, the marlboro stench followed them around the restaurant afterwards. I figured it would have been anal for me to critique that, but apparently Monty felt the same as me and my buddies. I'm checking Marco next. Thanks.

[phatchris]

Give Marco a shot they have a great bolongnese for 20$.

[BostonCorkDork]

try terramia on salem street. i've always had good food there and it's moderately priced. i love the atmosphere and they have a small north and central italian focussed wine list that fits nicely with the menu.