452182 Fri Oct 19 00:21:42 -0700 2007 10 12 Boston Area 0 3048726 I finally got to Antico Forno for the first time after reading the many raves here. I've also sent people I know there based on the board's reports, and they've loved it. I thought it was okay, but I don't think I'd go back. We had a reservation, but the hostess looked around the full room confused when we arrived. She was very nice and accommodating, and said we could have the table for 4 right in front of the door. It wasn't to the side of the door, but smack dab in front, so the door itself came one inch from the back of my chair when it opened. Plus, there was no possible way around this table for anyone fatter than a bookmark, and I didn't want to have peoples' butts in my face all evening as they tried to squeeze by. Luckily, a couple against the wall next to us left 10 minutes later, and the hostess was happy to move us. Ah, time to relax with a glass of Prosecco after the trip from the airport. The don't offer anything sparkling by the glass, disappointing but understandable for a small joint, so I got a beer instead. The white Italian bread dipped in tasty olive oil hit the spot. We split the Focaccina Con Caprino to start: mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, grilled zucchini and goat cheese on slices of herbed flatbread. The veggies were fresh and delicious, and the bread was flavorful, but so hard it was impossible to cut with a knife. Nonetheless, a good dish, and BIG. For entrees, I had Fusilli al Tegamino, with egglpant, peppers, zucchini, tomato sauce, and goat cheese. The pasta was cooked just right, and the oven made it crispy on top, which I like. The sauce tasted like a cacciatore, which I like, but I would have preferred a more substantive, thicker, sweeter sauce. It was a pretty good dish, but not what I'd hoped. My DC's gnocchi were lighter than the dense, gummy ones I've had at Taranta and La Campania, but could have been lighter still. The sauce was by far the worst part of the meal. I couldn't believe that it tasted like Chef Boyardee, but it did. How can this be at a place that's so beloved? The service was brusque. They got our orders right and the pacing was good, but the server never looked at us, and could never get away from the table fast enough. We are clean and attractive enough, so I don't think it was us. The good part was the bill. We did leave stuffed for $47 for 1 app, 2 entrees and a beer, the cheapest date I've ever had in the North End except for Regina's. Many of the restaurants in the North End were empty or close to it at 6:30 on a Thursday night, but Antico Forno was slammed. Could it be that all the buzz has led them to be overwhelmed and to go down hill? So, where should I try next for a moderately-priced dinner in the North End? I thought this would be my go-to place, but no go. I love Mamma Maria and Prezza, but just can't afford them with every trip to the airport! Region doesn't matter; I prefer northern, but like southern, too. Atmosphere does matter. I prefer a charming, cozy place, and liked Antico Forno on that front, although the noise level was almost unbearable. We are not soft-spoken, and had to lean over and yell at each other throughout the meal. We occasionally took breaks of silence just to rest. We walked by Euno, which was well-populated, and I liked the look of it. It's gotten some good talk on the board lately. How does it compare to Antico Forno? Anything else you'd recommend with great food, moderate prices and charm? Fri Oct 19 00:21:42 -0700 2007 105892 pollystyrene 1 3048926 I was not impressed with the place either. I experienced the same "reservation" thing and i knew it was going to happen as the person taking them on the phone didnt even want a name. I insisted on giving one. Also found the woman (owner?) waitress to be just as you describe and very pushy with the wine, salads, apps, etc... Apparantly it is not acceptable for 2 people to share a pizza there and a entire pizza is considored one persons entree. So after being made to feel cheap/stupid/etc.. i ordered a chicken dish i didnt really want. Found the pizza meh... Would much rather have had reginas. Same with the chicken dish. Oh well. Fri Oct 19 05:41:54 -0700 2007 3048726 10597 hargau 2 3051494 The pizza there has a very good thin crust, but the sauce is rather watery and will soak through it very quickly. The first few minutes are great, but after that it becomes really soggy. Fri Oct 19 19:49:15 -0700 2007 3048926 10076 limster 1 3048967 I'm a fan of Antico Forno, but I know it can get tight quarters at times. On more than one occasion I've had to get up to allow an enough room for the patron sitting next to me to get out. So, now I tend to go in around 2:00 on a Saturday or Sunday, just when the lull starts, and problem solved. As for the pizza, well it's not the same style as Regina's so I don't really think you can compare it. I happen to like both, but I really love the pizza at the Waterfront Cafe which is quite different from either Regina's or Antico Forno. Give it another try, go for the chicken parm or the pasta dish with the seafood cooked in the parchment -- I really don't think you'll be dissapointed. Fri Oct 19 06:04:59 -0700 2007 3048726 26213 Pegmeister 2 3048990 i've been to AF twice. the first time (awhile back now) i had a risotto that was out of this world good, and a ribbolita soup that was very well done as well. last time we got pastas and chicken parm. the pastas were quite good, but did not rise to the out-of-this-world level, and i suppose chicken parm is what it is wherever you get it. we did not have reservation problems even though it was a jam packed friday night, and our server was friendly and helpful, at least to the extent possible given how busy they were. i like AF and would certainly go back--tops on my list to try are their pizzas (i agree w/pegmeister--people's opinions on pizza vary dramatically, more so than for most foods, apparently) and the seafood cooked in parchment. and their risotto. is it the best italian i've ever had? no. but is it a really good value for good-to-very-good italian? in my book, yes, it is. Fri Oct 19 06:17:45 -0700 2007 3048967 22634 autopi 1 3049151 Although Antico Forno isn't on my personal top ten for Boston area Italians, it's one of my go-to compromise choices for larger groups, out-of-towners (especially if they have kids), and chow-neutral friends. The atmosphere is fun, it's not too expensive, and the food is solid, with plenty of accessible, not-weird options. I wouldn't ask to be taken there for a birthday dinner, nor would I suggest it as a top Italian rec to a fussy fellow chowhound, but I value it as an above-average populist choice. Fri Oct 19 07:29:41 -0700 2007 3048726 11344 finlero 1 3049167 It was good to read I was not the only one unimpressed. I’ve gone several times, but have to agree with you about the sauce. And the gnocchi. Yet, it still gets raves on this board. Maybe we’re missing something. Of late, when we visit, we’ve switched back to Artu. You might give them a try. Fri Oct 19 07:34:10 -0700 2007 3048726 12929 shopgirl 2 3049185 I wasn't a huge fan of Antico Forno either. I really just didn't like the atmosphere. I went with my cousin and her kids when they were in town having heard it would be a good spot for kids, but the parents at the table were not happy that the kids had to wait so long to eat while food was brought out for the adults. That being said the kids were not happy about this either and made this quite clear. I sedated myself with wine. Fri Oct 19 07:39:14 -0700 2007 3049167 12702 lissy 3 3049299 I hit up Antico fairly frequently... servers/owners/hostess are not warm and fuzzy, but I've never experienced rude either. One nite I went out of my way to engage them a bit, and I did get a laugh and smile out of Mrs. Owner ! I happen to be a big fan of their pizza. I have family that comes from Italy and am much more used to pizza without a ton of mozzarella. That being said, I tend to order the pizza at antico that just has fresh crushed tomato, garlic and oregano.... Its a flavor explosion. With that I get salad or broccoli rabe. There usually are two or three of us and I've never seen a wince on sharing pizza. Go figure. For the "OP" I wandered in Galleria 33 ( a block up from Antico and on the same side of Salem St.) one nite when Antico was mobbed. I loved it. It could have been that I only ordered a simple pasta dish (i.e. an Amatriciana)... but it was excellent and very reasonably priced. Just beware of wines by the bottle as I thought they were priced a bit high, but I found food prices spot on, or cheap by comparison to most NE joints. Pleasant atmosphere... great waitstaff... very comfortable and not cramped. There were three of us and all meals were excellent. I would give them a try... I am definitely going back with the great hope that Galleria 33 is truly a gem and not a one-hit wonder. Fri Oct 19 08:23:00 -0700 2007 3049185 54569 Buddernut 4 3049599 When LaGalleria 33 first opened, I was singing their praises so much I realized I had to stop!! It's the type of place where you can feel really comfortable, never rushed, the owner and staff are great and the atmosphere is lovely. Open kitchen, nicely spaced tables etc. I've enjoyed their veal chop, the canneloni and a wonderful special of open face lasagna with seafood. The only thing I didn't care for was their stuffed mushrooms. Antico Forno on the other hand can be loud and it's true the staff is more down to business then warm and fuzzy. However, they pay more attention to you then you think. The waiter always remembers my wine preferance, and that I like to linger for a little before ordering, and he makes dining there a pleasure. Fri Oct 19 09:41:57 -0700 2007 3049299 26213 Pegmeister 5 3051387 Thanks, guys. I will try Artu and Galleria 33, along with Euno. It's strange how palates differ. After being let down by Taranta, Oleana, and now Antico Forno, I wondered what my problem was. But there have been many more Chowhound finds that I've liked or loved, and I've never been sorry that I've tried a place, even if it's not what I'd hoped. Fri Oct 19 18:36:57 -0700 2007 3049599 105892 pollystyrene