Quick dinner for 1 in or very near the North End

[tlk]

Hi, all.

I'm going to be in the North End one night a week for the next month or so for a recurring meeting, and I wonder if you have suggestions for a place where I can have a quick dinner. I'll be a little pressed for time (only about an hour), and the fact that a lot of places could be mobbed with an after-work crowed presents a problem. For instance I tried to go to Silvertone for a beer and a quick dinner this week, and not only was the bar full, but there was a line 5-people-deep just to talk to the hostess.

Thanks for your help!

[tlk]

Thanks, again, everyone for this list. I had a nice quiet early dinner of oysters and stout at Neptune last night. I just walked in at 6 and had a seat at the bar. I can't wait to go back when I have more time (and money!) to dig into the entrees!

Next up, the bar at Artu.

[Pegmeister]

If you're going to Artu's you really should give their pizza a try. Their version has a crispy thin crust and the shrimp scampi is loaded with garlic, delicious. I also like the potato with prosciutto version or the sausage and broccoli rabe.

[pasuga]

All great suggestions... Neptune is my favorite restaurant in Boston.

If you're in the mood for good red-sauce comfort food I'm sure you could get in and out of L'Osteria in an hour. Or Regina's pizza at that time of day. They do have seats at the bar and it's generally regarded as one of the top pizza places in Boston.

Il Panino Express - their prosciutto sub with mozzarella is particularly good.

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L'Osteria
104 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113

Il Panino
266 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

[tlk]

These are exactly what I was looking for, thanks everyone!! I'm especially excited to hear (read?) that Neptune is a valid option.

I had dinner at Billy Tse's last night, and it was pretty great! I'll definitely add it to my North End repertoire.

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Billy Tse's
240 Commercial St Lbby 1, Boston, MA 02109

[lypp]

Glad you enjoyed - I dined there last night as well. The food is great, the service is so nice, and they are always willing to accommodate my food requests (usually extra spicy please).

[Joanie]

Bar of Prezza.

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Prezza
24 Fleet St., Boston, MA 02113

[The_SBK]

I second Prezza, great wine selection too if that's your thing

Katie
www.OnceUponASmallBostonKitchen.blogs...

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Prezza
24 Fleet St., Boston, MA 02113

[bgavin]

they have a deal on Wednesday evenings...$2 shrimp and $13 carafe of wine: http://ow.ly/1Q6yQ

[lypp]

Billy Tse's on Commercial Street has great Asian food - not your typical N. End restaurant but quick, friendly, and delcious.

Neptune before 6 for 1 should be fine. You should be able to get a seat at the bar. Same with Vinoteca di Monica.

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Vinoteca di Monica
143 Richmond St., Boston, MA 02109

Billy Tse's
240 Commercial St Lbby 1, Boston, MA 02109

[Pegmeister]

Artu's has a take out window, or you could inside and sit at the bar. Their service is pretty quick.

[ilovedessert]

Yes, take-out from Artu is a great option! Get the roasted lamb (or pork) sandwich and take it to the Greenway if it's nice out. Don't forget to get a treat at Maria's!

[bgavin]

Second the Artu...was going to bring it up myself. If you have an hour, go in, have a glass of wine and relax.

[Allstonian]

Dino's (141 Salem Street, at the corner of Salem and Prince) has terrific (and enormous!) subs and a variety of pastas. They seem to do a brisk takeout business but have very few diners-in at that time of day - I can vouch for the fact because Barmy and I ate there just last Wednesday, before a 6:30pm circus performance.

[catsmeow]

Pagliucas has an express type restaurant on the corner of Parmenter and Hanover St(they have a more formal sit down restaurant around the corner). It's counter service but they have a really nice dining area that opens to the street for great people watching. Good food too!

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Pagliuca's
14 Parmenter St, Boston, MA 02113

[Bob Dobalina]

I think you might be confusing Il Panino Express with Pagliuca...

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Pagliuca's
14 Parmenter St, Boston, MA 02113

Il Panino
266 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

[catsmeow]

You're right. It is Il Panino Express. Thanks for the correction.

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Il Panino
266 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

[kate used to be 50]

Not sure what time you will be dining, but I was going to suggest Neptune Oyster on Salem Street in the NE. Great dining place for one person. They have a great bar to sit at and enjoy. Sel de la Terre is next to the Aquarium and again good single dining.

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Neptune Oyster
63 Salem St Ste 1, Boston, MA 02113

Sel de la Terre
1245 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760

[tlk]

I'll be dining just before 6. I thought about Neptune but thought that they were always slammed. That will definitely be one of the places I try next time.

[purple bot]

If you go before 6 you should be fine.