389775 Mon Apr 09 06:31:49 -0700 2007 4 12 Boston Area 0 2462773 We went to Ricardo's on North Street in the North End on Saturday night (thanks for mentioning this place, MC Slim, and thanks to everyone else for giving me some ideas for casual Italian in the North End that I haven't been to yet). The place was pretty quiet for most of the evening, perhaps because it isn't on Hanover or Salem Street, and it's just far enough down from North Square so that people don't know about it. A shame, because the meal we had there was fabulous, with some of the best mussels you'll find in the North End (they came in a tremendous tomato-based sauce) and a meat lasagna that was a big step above your basic Southern Italian lasagna dish, as the pasta was fresh, the meat was high quality, and the "gravy" was homemade and wonderful. I also tried the soup of the day, which was a lentil/green pea soup, and it was very good, too. Wines were mostly good; the basic Pinot Prigio was too mild, but the Cabernet Sauvignon Trinchero was amazing, with hints of plum, other fruits, and herbs, and the Insolia Cusumano was nearly as good, with a vibrant apple-peach flavor. The atmosphere at Ricardo's was pretty nice, with lots of elbow room, dark colors, giving it a cozy feel, and carpeting that helped keep the noise level down. It is definitely a good place to take a family or large group, and it seemed like many of the people there were North End locals. Personally, I think I still like Rabia's a little better, and the Chicken Creation at Mother Anna's might still be my favorite of all the meals in the North End (not counting pizza at Regina's), but I'll definitely be going back to Ricardo's in the near future. Mon Apr 09 06:31:49 -0700 2007 14771 hiddenboston 1 2464494 try the roasted veal special at Ida's. Mon Apr 09 14:13:09 -0700 2007 2462773 89308 abbij 1 2467091 I haven't been in a while, but I was pleasantly surprised the couple times I was there too. Nice involtini, nice people. Tue Apr 10 10:31:31 -0700 2007 2462773 11106 tatamagouche 1 2467163 Jeez, can't believe I've never been. What are the prices like? Tue Apr 10 10:46:44 -0700 2007 2462773 16490 Bostonbob3 2 2467283 Prices are pretty good, though some of the wines and apps are a bit on the pricey side for a place like this. Figure about $12-18 for pasta, and $16-25 for most other dishes. I had heard about the place about a year ago when I was checking restaurants out for Valentine's Day, but it slipped my mind until a few days ago when MC Slim mentioned it. Tue Apr 10 11:15:27 -0700 2007 2467163 14771 hiddenboston