Cappuccino in the North End ?
Where is the best Cappuccino in the North End? Not looking for the cheapest but the one that will satisfy and keep you coming back. It wouldn't hurt to also have a nice meal at the same place but doesn't have to be. Thanks ahead of time !
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finlero
Jun 25, 2007 08:56 AM
Oh what the heck, up with contrarianism...I'm partial to the cappuccino at Caffe Paradiso on the other side of Hanover St. I tend to prefer the darker espresso roast they use, and the steamed milk is usually a little heavier than Vittoria as well.
Personally, I also prefer the atmosphere. It's a little darker, RAI is always on the TV, and tables are usually filled with the requisite old men drinking from tiny cups and speaking Italian with thick southern New England accents.
I believe you can grab a post-prandial Fernet Branca there as well.
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re: finlero
itaunas
Jun 25, 2007 09:09 AM
Caffe Paradiso is better particularly in the morning when Luis is working there. At other hours the coffee can vary, plus they don't remember how _every_ patron likes their coffee. Their food isn't that great, but if you are nice to the staff, they might let you bring in food from Umberto's particularly if you offer to pick up their order (only a few more days until Umberto's summer vacation). Most of their desserts are from bindi (whose apricot croissants that they serve in the morning are tasty) and they make some of the gelato.
Graffiti is enjoyable for conversations, waiting for a dinner table, staring at the tourists, but their coffee isn't as good. Vittoria is most enjoyable for a night cap and later coffees. So I tend to do Paradiso morning or lunch time, graffiti afternoon or before dinner, vitoria at night.
My overall favorite closed many years ago -- Caffe Roma....
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re: itaunas
Thanks for all of your replies, my wife is from Germany and what you get there at a Cafe is most of the time better than anything you will find here, that is why I am looking for the best, especially with the Tiramisu and some fresh breads or something. I will try them all eventually and develop my own opinions but I am sure they all have thier little nitches in the market.
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re: Jimbosox04
finlero
Jun 25, 2007 02:21 PM
If you're willing to venture outside the North End, you might want to check out Caffe Italia in Eastie. I love both their cappuccini and their homemade tiramisu.
Their dinner menu is also very good, straightforward southern Italian. I have yet to try their Neapolitan-style pizza, but it is rumored to be one of the better offerings in the city.
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re: gini
MC Slim JB
Jun 25, 2007 07:50 PM
Have to agree that the espresso at Caffe Italia might be the best among Italian caffes in town. Great atmosphere, too.
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re: itaunas
Paradiso is my go-to. The coffee is too roasty for my tastes. However, it's prepared nicely, like a ristretto with a thick crema. I'd definitely rather have an espresso at Simon's. But I really like the atmosphere at Paradiso, especially international sports on the televisions. Also it's nice to have good liquor options (grappa, Campari, etc.). And the guy who works there is awesome.
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iheartveggies
Jun 25, 2007 08:33 AM
Agreed with many others -- Cafe Vittoria is the only place I'll get a capuccino.
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Add a vote for Cafe Graffiti, pretty much across from Vittoria on Hanover. I love the atmosphere - especially in the summer with the open windows in the front. They don't do food (some desserts), but do have a full bar.
Beware that they do Italian coffee drinks. They will not be what you think of if you're used to West coast style coffee from the chains.
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MC Slim JB
Jun 24, 2007 05:46 PM
Caffe Vittoria is also my favorite just on atmosphere, and the fact that you can get a post-dinner Fernet Branca there, but at the risk of heresy, I think the coffees, including the cappucino, are better at Boston Bean Stock on Salem St. They also serve sandwiches, but I've never eaten there.
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re: MC Slim JB
I enjoy the cap at Vittoria. Actually, at home when I make caps, I keep two old fashioned salt and pepper shakers... one filled with Droste Cocoa mixed with a little turbinado sugar... and the other with cinnamon and sugar. Makes it all easy to top the caps. Soooo, I'm in Vittoria one day thought the chocolate on top was sweet. So i figure they must mix in a little surgar like I do. So I ask and say "gee, its sweet like Nestle's Quick" Well, the gal says, it should taste like Quick because it is Nestles' Quick. Somehow, I was deflated and my cap lost the magic. I would at least think one of the oldest cafes in town would spring for Ghiradelli or some facsimile thereof rather than Semi-fake chocolate.
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