A Guide to Boston, Italian-style

Ohhh Giacomo’s. Your lobster ravioli haunts my dreams. Your chicken parm beckons me from across town. And you’re not expensive – how can this be?! You are evil, Giacomo’s, you are just plain evil.

The wine list, the portions, the coziness, the cuisine – AH! Consistently rated as a five-star, this is the kind of place you want to go for a cozy date night. The service is great without being obtrusive and you can certainly down a few appetizers while you wait for the main course.

So I live about as far from the North End as you can get (unfortunately). Therefore, I was lucky to discover Sabatino’s. Barely a hole in the wall, with uncomfortable bench seating, you wouldn’t think much of this place were you to just stroll by. But order the pesto chicken tortellini special and you’ll get it. Order ANYTHING and you’ll get it. Sabatino’s is special.

In case you’re as far out as West Roxbury (or um, you live there), check out Comella’s. It may not be North End, but it’s not North Carolina either.

So Prezza is expensive. Moving beyond that fact, you must eat here. The wine list – book, rather – is unbelievable and not one meal on the menu will disappoint you. You probably want to wear elastic pants when you come here – get some sneaky ones, or a skirt (even better!)

Mmmmmmmm. That’s really all I need to say, but I’ll say this also: cannoli. And: espresso. There’s always a line out the door. Always.

With nightly lasagna specials and a bar that just begs to be sat at, Anchovies is the kind of place that makes the South End. It’s completely laid-back, with no frills, and plenty of beer and pasta dishes. My kind of spot.

Get this: Affordable Italian on Beacon Hill. Really? Yes, really. Last time I was here, the server pulled out my seat, refilled my water glass multiple times, and basically was more attentive than you could ever expect in the (cough) North End. So you’d think the food wouldn’t be as authentic as a payoff? Wrong. Authentic to the nines.