Literally Little Italy
Literally little italy
By Anna Chalupa and Molly Dehaven
Traditional. Authentic. Intimate. On Wednesday night, we took a celebratory trip to Boston's North End, eating at two popular Italian restaurants. Located less than five minutes from each other, the spots offered the perfect dinner and dessert pairing.
First, we ATE at Trattoria Il Panino, a small restaurant on a quieter side street of the North End. We had made a reservation a week in advance, but upon entering, we were seated right away with no note of our booking. Despite it being 9 pm on a Wednesday, the restaurant was still decently busy. After walking through a dark but cozy dining room, we were led to a table for two on the covered patio. This area was significantly larger and held the majority of their seating. The table was wooden and unassuming, decorated with salt, pepper, olive oil, and a small battery-operated candle. Our server helped us almost immediately and had both the drinks and food out quickly. Despite a few questionable comments and a general lack of enthusiasm, our server was efficient and accurate. Other table staff who helped us were very polite and helpful.
After our dinner, we ATE at Bricco, a larger Italian restaurant with a modern spin. Located on Hanover Street, this restaurant is in the middle of the North End chaos, which is evident by the energy inside. Most of the formal tables were empty by our 10 pm arrival, but we were lucky enough to snag the last two seats at their main bar. Our two bartenders were lively and amicable, navigating the bar with satisfying ease– they clearly do this every night. The clientele around us were obviously regulars at the establishment, joking with each other and the staff. We were soon invited into conversations with these strangers, whether about astrology signs, baby names, or dog stealing, building a strangely comfortable and homey environment. After telling our bartender at the very last minute that we were celebrating a birthday, she quickly produced a candle (and a strawberry to hold the candle up) and led the bar in singing Happy Birthday. She apologized for not knowing earlier, claiming she's usually "very good at eavesdropping." Our counter neighbor/new friend even took pictures during the endeavor. The animated and engaging service made Bricco not only enjoyable but truly memorable.
We started our meal at Trattoria Il Panino with the Mozzarella Caprese from the appetizer menu. A classic rendition, alternating wedges of mozzarella cheese and tomatoes were adorned with small sprinkles of spices, sprouts, and a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar. The appetizer tasted fresh– the tomatoes crisp and the mozzarella sweet– which is important when getting such a simple appetizer. Making only two main ingredients memorable is a challenge, but Trattoria was able to execute this. It was also a great addition to the bread and olive oil we had brought out to us. Overall, a light, well-selected appetizer to start our meal with.
MOLLY: For dinner, I got the Mezzi Paccheri ai Frutti di Mare, an assortment of seafood served over large, round noodles in a red sauce. I'll admit, I'm guilty of ordering seafood pasta at almost every Italian restaurant I find myself in, but it was the perfect dish to base my impressions on. The pasta was picturesquely served in a silver pan with a gorgeous amount of green garnishes on top. The noodles had a homemade quality, which was a relief considering the menu marketed it as "The World's Best Pasta." The freshness and simplicity of the sauce made it obvious that they used a base of real tomatoes. The tang and earthiness of the sauce meshed perfectly with the silky yet salty taste of the mixed seafood. A beautiful blend of land and sea took place in that silver pan. I will warn that the noodles were the same shape as the calamari, but there are worse things than each bite being a toss-up between my two favorite foods. I also noted that this was one of the only interpretations of this dish I've had that used miniature shrimps. I actually preferred this to full-size shrimp because it distracted less from the other ingredients. After trying yet another Frutti di Mare, it once again proved to be the right choice.
Score: 6.4/8
ANNA: I ordered the Tortelli Panna e Prosciutto: cheese-filled tortellini smothered in a creamy sauce and small squares of ham. If you're lactose intolerant… look away. This dish was decadent, velvety, and probably heart attack-inducing, but it was hard to put it down. I don't know if I'd call it the world's best pasta… but it was pretty damn good. Perfectly al dente and packed with the perfect cheese-to-pasta ratio, the tortellini itself was magnificent, eliciting the same visions as Remy the Rat trying strawberries and cheese for the first time. My only hesitation comes from the heaviness of the sauce. While well-seasoned and flavorful, I was a little too aware I was eating straight cream. After the first few (glorious) bites, I reverted to wiping some of the sauce off of the tortellini. Overall, a lovely dish, but be conscious of what you're ordering– this dish truly is ham and cream.
Score: 5.3/8
After dinner, we made our way to Bricco for a whole new ordeal: dessert. We landed on Bricco's Deconstructed Tiramisu. A classic Italian dessert doubling as a late-night pick-me-up, tiramisu can be interpreted in many different ways. Each restaurant typically has its own "take" on the dish, and Bricco was no exception. The tiramisu came out in three separate plates, truly deconstructed, and we were treated to an elaborate construction production by the bartender. Pouring their house espresso martini mix onto a layer of sponge cake, topping it with a layer of mascarpone, and finishing with a dusting of cocoa powder, she truly formed it before our eyes. We got an extra treat with our candle holder/strawberry, which is not typically included, but was more than appreciated. A considerable layer of thicker-than-usual mascarpone was added. We will warn that the cream sometimes makes an overwhelmingly sweet combination with the sponge cake. Other than that, the coffee liquor was a great addition to the base and was a creative way to incorporate the espresso aspect of the dessert.
Score: 5.1/8
Definitely on the higher side of pricing, Trattoria Il Panino's main courses ranged from $25-$50. Most pasta dishes hovered around the $30 range, while appetizers were around $20. Far too expensive for an everyday outing, but the ambiance, quality of food, and service make the establishment perfect for special occasions, celebrations, and formal dates (or if your family visits and offers to pay for dinner).
Bricco is traditionally expensive, with the tiramisu originally costing $16. With Bova's nearby costing almost half the price, you truly are paying for the restaurant ambiance. This being said, after leaving we noticed our bartender had applied a 50% discount, likely an act of birthday goodwill. Unexpected and unacknowledged, this was the cherry (strawberry) on top of the cake (tiramisu) that truly made Bricco unforgettable.
Both spots allow reservations (whether they will remember or not- we don't know), but a nice additive for peace of mind if you plan a night out. Trattoria Il Panino may not be at the top of a North End tourist list, but it's a nice place to escape the typical hustle of the area and still experience an authentic Italian meal. Bricco is an enjoyable spot to appreciate the nightlife side of the North End, with its festive bar and convenient location. Both establishments are more than worth your visit if you find yourself craving something homemade, filling, and fun.