Help me decide in the North end!

[lmuller]

Hi,

I am looking for a place to go with my girlfriends this Friday night. We are all in our late 20's/early 30's and I am interested in good food, good ambiance, and reasonable prices. I have been to lots of places in the North End over the years but would like to try someplace new. I am trying to decide between some recommendations that friends have given me for: LoConte, Limoncello, or Galleria 33. The other option would be Giacamo's but we would probably go to the South End since the NE doesn't take reservations. Does anyone have any opinions on any of the above restaurants?

Thanks!

[lmuller]

Thanks for everyone's help! We ended up at Panza and it worked out great. Everyone liked their food, the service was wonderful, and it didn't break the bank. I would definitely go back there in the future. Got some pastries after dinner and then headed to Bricco for cocktails. Yum!

[lmuller]

Well... any other input? We are going tonight!

Also, and at this point probably for future reference, are there any places that have large circle tables instead of long rectangular ones?

[mtm7654]

Hmmmmmmmm, maybe you should have started your research earlier. How 'bout the new place on Causeway-Ducali Pizzeria and Bar? I've never been but the price point and atmosphere could be what you're looking for.

http://www.ducalipizza.com/

[pemma]

Cantina Italiana on Hanover is a good reliable mostly red-sauce Italian. They have one large circular table, but I don't know how many it sits.

[phatchris]

If you'd rather spend a few more bucks I'd hit Prezza for a more memorable experience, or even Taranta.

[lmuller]

There are about 8-10 of us so I think that it is too many to try to move around on a Friday night. I looked at Prezza and Taranta but don't want to ask my friends to pay that much. It is MY birthday. I will look into Monica's and Rabia's.

[lmuller]

So the menu at MOnica's looks too small for our crowd. Rabia's looks pretty good. What about Saraceno? Massiminos? Panza? Help!

[pasuga]

Are you looking at the menu for Monica's restaurant on Richmond Street or the lower-end Monica's pizza place on Salem? If it's the first, I've had two work-related dinners there that were just great - 12 or more people both times - and the food and service were terrific, but from your original post I thought it might be a little pricier than you wanted for you and your friends.

The menu for Monica's Prince St. place is much more limited and the place is so small it probably wouldn't much fun for a night out.

Saraceno could definitely take care of your group, they have four floors. You might want to ask to eat on their glassed-in roof deck. Again I've had a couple group meals there - the food was absolutely fine and so was the service. Not memorable, but we all had a great relaxed time. I haven't eaten there for a couple years though, so you might want to search the board for more recent reviews.

Massimino's is a small restaurant and they pack people in - food again very good, but I wouldn't recco for a crowd your size.

[greenzebra]

I'll second (third?) Monica's on Richmond St. Ate there about a month ago and didn't think the menu was limited at all -- lots of great pasta options, plus secondi, and a three course prix (antipasti, primi, secondi) if you are interested (not sure if that was an every night thing, or just a Sunday night special though). Nice decor, not too crowded, looked like there would be plenty of room for a group.

[hotoynoodle]

panza is pretty small inside, but they do very nicely with their pasta dishes and prices are reasonable. it may be a bit subdued for partying it up. it's an easy walk if you wanted any of the other places that have a bar to move there for drinks.

[hotoynoodle]

i'm kinda meh on all your places. why not do a crawl? how many ladies are you?

drinks at lucca or bricco, share apps at taranta, have wine and pasta at prezza...

[greenstate]

I am always a fan of Monica's. Had dinner there last week and it reaffirmed my dedication. The pastas are amazing and it is never crazy-crowded, like some others (Giacamo's) with food that is not nearly as good. Neptune would be the best food and most fun but good luck getting in.

[MeffaBabe]

I like Rabia and they do take reservations.

[macadamianut]

I do too MeffaBabe. I had a nice dinner there when Neptune could not fit me in. A few doors down from Neptune. Neptune is amazing.

[MenuPorn]

I am "meh" on Limoncello...the food is just eh and the ambiance is not great.

I recommend Taranta or Prezza. Great food, nice atmosphere and both take reservations.

[Taralli]

2nd bar at Prezza.

[Ralphie_in_Boston]

Limoncello for lunch is good (I've never had dinner there) even if the service isn't particularly speedy. I've had their rosetta pasta (very rich, but yum!), a glass of wine for lunch and very unproductive afternoons at the office trying to stay awake.

[9lives]

Count me in the Limoncello fan club. We had our usual lunch order. The rosetta pasta for Ms 9 and veal saltimbocca for me. Very good bread and olives. A really nice "individual" apple pie and limoncello on the house for dessert.

Quality far better than many of it's NE neighbors.

One of the better lunch options in the NE.

[barleywino]

very nice lobster corn ravioli for lunch at Scampo (even tastier than Prezza's)--- and they still have fresh ss crab...

[pollystyrene]

I didn't like La Galleria 33 the one time I went about two months ago. The tomatoes in the $13 caprese salad were light pink, and I can't remember what I had for an entree, so it wasn't memorable. Also, the service was coarse and amaturish.

Two nights ago I was at Monica's for the first time, and I'll be back. The caprese was one of the best I've had, all their pastas are made fresh daily, and both the pasta bolognese and the pumpkin-tarragon ravioli were delicious. The space is very pleasant, with white table cloths, vibrant, stylish colors, and big, open windows weather permitting. Prices are reasonable.

[CreativeFoodie42]

I went to La Galleria 33 this weekend and it was an interesting experience. Two of my DCs had the caprese salad and also found fault with the tomatoes. They thought it was over-ripe. The service was unbelievably inconsistent. One appetizer was served way before the other and then the entrees came out right after the second appetizer. I wasn't impressed.

I also went to Rabia's a few months ago and I definitely enjoyed it. I had the butternut squash ravioli and could not get enough, especially since it seemed to be a small portion. Its also pretty cheap - a bottle of wine, an appetizer and two entrees came out to $79. But, like many places in the North End, the tables are crammed together. Others on the Board complain about their rushed service but I didn't experience it.

[pasuga]

Never been to Galleria 33. LoConte - meh - I'd go to L'Osteria two doors down any day if given the choice, same price range, better atmosphere and service, much better food. Limoncello is good, been there a couple times and was never disappointed - do you know the story behind that restaurant? The guy who owns it was a waiter in the North End for many years. He won a huge lottery and instead of sitting back, he bought his own place. He's been there for over 10 years now, so must be doing something right.

When I lived in the North End I was on the Salem Street side of Hanover, and the two places where I used to consistently spot my Italian neighbors when they were out and about were Massimino's and L'Osteria.

Wherever you end up, have fun, and give us a review!

[phatchris]

I respectfully disagree about the food and service being better at Losteria than Locontes. I've eaten at both numerous times and put Locontes and Galleria at the top of moderately priced places. L'Osteria's service is about as clueless as they come. I.E. they treat everone like they are tourist from the middle America.