We are pleased to offer this new source for your dining experience … the Favorite Dishes for Chefs and Restaurant Owners in our North End neighorhood.  Every week or so, the “favorite” dish will change.  Be sure to check back regularly.

Who knows … their Favorite Dish just might become yours.

This week we highlight Lucca

Lucca Restaurant is situated on bustling Hanover Street and the historic Freedom Trail in Boston’s North End.

Named for the Tuscan town renowned for its extra virgin olive oil, Lucca offers Northern Italian classics, combined with creative innovations that are sure to tantalize the most discriminating palate.??Its attention to detail and focus on superior service make Lucca Restaurant the desired destination for an intimate dinner, business meeting, or casual gathering. Four elegant function rooms render Lucca a popular meeting place for large groups and family gatherings. Upon entering Lucca, the mood is set by stylized music, Italian granite floors, and alluring candlelight. The mahogany bar displays an award-winning array of exotic liquors, Port wines, grappa, and more. This, combined with the century-old granite walls and stained glass, lends the room an aura of warmth and intimacy.

Thanks to culinary inspiration derived from his regular trips to Italy, Lucca’s executive chef Ed Hoffey presents acclaimed regional Italian cuisine, homemade breads, authentic pasta dishes and of course succulent desserts. Time spent in the region has taught him the value of the freshest produce and ingredients. Chef Hoffey works closely with local farmers and the finest purveyors in the Northeast to ensure that nothing but the highest quality components enter his kitchen. His commitment to providing the most enticing Italian dishes is what makes Lucca Restaurant one of Boston’s finest dining experiences.

Now as to a favorite dish …  Sean Williams, one of the owners, has cited the Rigatoni.  Fresh rigatoni pasta, slowly braised wild boar, sweet and sour tomato ragú, ricotta salata.  

We are pleased to offer this new source for your dining experience … the Favorite Dishes for Chefs and Restaurant Owners in our North End neighorhood.  Every week or so, the “favorite” dish will change.  Be sure to check back regularly.

Who knows … their Favorite Dish just might become yours.

This week we highlight Tresca

Spend your evening in a Tuscan styled villa with its cozy wood bar, exceptional meals and a glass of wine from one of the North End’s most extensive wine lists.  And if the ambience needs that little something extra for you, try their second floor balcony.  The combination between the atmosphere and the food is divine.

Meet Jake Pease, Executive Chef.

Now the owners, the General Manger and other friendly helpful staff keep the restaurant top-notch and humming.  But … who do you think get’s the credit for the food, glorious food …   why Jake of course.

Now as to his Favorite?    It’s the Tagliatelle Bolognese, Tresca’s signature dish.   … a traditional northern style veal and pork ragout enriched with pancetta and tomatoes.

As they say in this neighborhood, mange, mange.

We are pleased to offer this new source for your dining experience … the Favorite Dishes for Chefs and Restaurant Owners in our North End neighorhood.  Every week or so, the “favorite” dish will change.  Be sure to check back regularly.

Who knows … their Favorite Dish just might become yours.

This week we highlight Fiore

So as the folks at Fiore will tell you ….

“When Fiore was a boy, his mother would have him keep an eye on the sauce while she went to work picking tomatoes at the neighboring farm. It was not long before Mrs. Collela would come home to increasingly flavorful and satisfying meals. Fiore’s touch elevated family dinners to a new level and soon family and friends would insist that Fiore do the cooking.”

They really mean it when they say “Welcome to Ristorante Fiore, where a lifetime of cooking experience and passion goes into every meal. Fiore can still be found by the stove preparing dishes people crave. If you ask Fiore what keeps him going, the answer is: you. His greatest joy is pleasing the palates of friends, family and the stream of regulars. Fiore’s soul satisfying Italian cuisine is inspired by you.”

Meet Fiore … and you’ll be happy to learn  he has a gift. “When Fiore meets somebody he can sense what they would like to eat. Sometimes he knows before they do. From his Carpaccio di Manzo to his Costata di Vitello he has the gustatory masterpiece that will satisfy all your senses. So, if Fiore says you look like a fish or maybe a little duck, it’s not an insult. He’s just sizing you up for the meal of a lifetime. Fiore cooks with you in mind.”

Now as to his Favorite Dish?    It’s the Costata di Vitello … a grilled Veal T-Bone, finished in a truffle sauce, served with caramelized onions and served with truffle mashed potatoes.

As they say in this neighborhood, mange, mange.

We are pleased to offer this new source for your dining experience … the Favorite Dishes for Chefs and Restaurant Owners in our North End neighorhood.  Every week or so, the “favorite” dish will change.  Be sure to check back regularly.

Who knows … their Favorite Dish just might become yours.

This week, we highlight Pauli’s

Pauli’s is located at 65 Salem Street.  (857-284-7064)  They have a large menu of what many would call comfort food.  It’s satisfying, tasty and it is served up by a friendly, neighborly staff.  You can sit in the restaurant and savor one of the day’s special deals, order takeout, or hire them to cater your next get-together.  Are you all set for the Super Bowl?  How about that next ‘working’ lunch.  Pauli’s is a great idea.

Now, here’s Pauli.   On Pauli’s website he says:  ”I started working in the North End in my family’s food businesses when I was just eight years old. Back then, the North End was a neighborhood where everybody actually knew your name, and “freshness, quality and value” weren’t just trendy catch phrases—they were simply expected.

Today, Pauli’s is based on that same philosophy. We believe you deserve food that’s always served wicked fresh, that always tastes crazy good and that doesn’t cost a lot of money. At Pauli’s, you’ll find the comfort food you crave, the healthy options you want and the variety you need, all for an excellent value.  So come on in. We’d love to get to know you by name.”

Now as to his Favorite Dish?  It’s the Vito’s Sub.  (We had it for lunch the other day and agree that it’s quite delicious.)  Vito’s Sub is a chicken cutlet, imported ham, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, roasted red peppers and chipotle mayo.  (yum).

Please consider dropping by Pauli’s and tasting one of his specials.  Let the man know you’re a local … or at least that you want to be … now that you’ve tasted one of his sandwiches.

We are pleased to offer this new source for your dining experience … the Favorite Dishes for Chefs and Restaurant Owners in our North End neighorhood.  Every week or so, the “favorite” dish will change.  Be sure to check back regularly.

Who knows … their Favorite Dish just might become yours.

This week, we highlight Maurizio’s

Maurizio’s owners, Linda and Maurizio Loddo  serve fabulous comfort food prepared by a proud and passionate chef whose Sardinian roots and love for his craft is apparent in every dish he prepares.  It is where you can come to for a delicious meal prepared by The Master, and feel like you are dining in the home of your favorite friends.

They’re located at 264 HANOVER STREET.   Reservations available by phone 617-367-1123 or you can  reserve online.

Dinner:  Sunday – Thursday 5:00 – 10:00;  Friday and Saturday 5:00 – 10:30
Lunch:  Saturday 12:00 – 3:00
Valet Parking is available. ($20) .  Validated Parking is also available at the Parcel 7 Garage located next to Haymarket Station (Sudbury Street Entrance).  -$1 for 1 hour; $3 for 3 hours maximum

Well it was inevitable that two people who care passionately about their restaurant and food would eventually disagree on what they would describe for us as their “favorite.”  One said it was their “Frutti di Mare,” and the other said it was their “Lobster Chowder.”

So, we decided to showcase them both.

LINGUINE AI FRUTTI DI MARE

Shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels and calamari served in a spicy lobster based tomato sauce and tossed with linguine

The LOBTER CHOWDER …. well it has all the ingredients one believes should be in a lobster chowder, and spiced “just so.”

Linda and Maurizio invite you to try both of their favorites on your next trip to the North End.  And as Linda has been heard to say, “Grazie di tutto e buon appetito!”

For more “Favorites,” go to the “search” box and type in “favorites.”

We are pleased to offer this new source for your dining experience … the Favorite Dishes for Chefs and Restaurant Owners in our North End neighorhood.  Every week or so, the “favorite” dish will change.  Be sure to check back regularly.

Who knows … their Favorite Dish just might become yours.

 This week, we highlight Bricco
….. TO VISIT BRICCO, CLICK HERE>>> 

BRICCO, restaurateur Frank DePasquale’s popular and praised venture in Boston’s North End, serves sophisticated “boutique” Italian cuisine offering a modern interpretation of regional Italian dishes.

They’re located at 241 HANOVER STREET.   Reservations available by phone 617-248-6800 or you can  reserve online with OpenTable.

Dinner is served daily beginning at 4pm.
Wood oven pizzas are served from 11pm until 2am, Tuesday – Sunday.
Valet parking • $20.

Owner •  FRANK DEPASQUALE
Executive Chef  •  GIANNI CARUSO
Manager/Wine Director  •  NICK J. VATISTAS

Let us introduce Gianni Caruso, Executive Chef.  His favorite?  The 16oz  Certified Angus Beef Rib Eye.  We had the pleasure of tasting this marvelous meal recently and we agree wholeheartedly with his choice  … (of course we readily admit that we couldn’t choose a “favorite” from all the many options) …  and this choice is absolutely delicious, including the option of spreading a thin layer of the bone marrow on fresh bread.

It is grass-fed, beef from Dakota Farms.  35 day dry-aged, Certified Angus Beef, and served with the bone-in.

For more “Favorite Dishes” go to the “search” box and type in “favorites.”

Who knows … their Favorite Dish just might become yours.

 This week, we highlight Villa Francesca.

Villa Francesca is located at 150 Richmond Street in our North End neighborhood. When you click on their logo to the left, it will take you to their website so you can read their entire menu. As you read, you’ll note that they believe in “creating amazing Italian food that can cater to all your Boston events needs.  Enjoy an intimate candlelit night, come by for lunch, or order from our special events menu and bring the whole office and we will make your experience a time to remember.  You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Tuscany restaurant.  Don’t just take our word for it; check out our Prix Fixe 3-course menus available every night!”

Let us introduce Ferrnando Peveira, Executive Chef. If you see him while dining, be sure to stop him, say hello and share your thoughts on own meal.

Ferrnando Peveira’s Favorite Dish at Villa Francesca: CIOPPINO:    A mixed seafood of clams, mussels, calamari, fish and shrimp in a marinara sauce.

Be sure to check back in several weeks and look for Villa Francesca’s Cioppino in our column “Virtual Table.”  We’ll share his receipe.

For more “insider” information on dining in the North End, please visit our “Virtual Table.”  We’ll be sharing “meals” with courses from multiple restaurants, plus pictures and the recipes.  While you may or may not want to try some of them at home, we believe that understanding what goes into your meal, may just enhance your dining experience.  Mange!

For more “Favorite Dishes” go to the “search” box and type in “favorites.”