Little Sage - Review - North End - Boston - The Infatuation

"Old school locals may remember Sage, a beloved Italian spot known for housemade pastas that closed in 2009. Now it’s back in a slightly smaller North End space with favorites from the old menu and pasta so reminiscent of the 90s original it might convince you rollerblading is back (it’s not). Little Sage fits right into the North End of 2025, as the packed tables can attest, but it’s also a place to go when you want to remember the before-times, when the neighborhood was cut off from the rest of downtown by I-93 and felt more insular and isolated. Start with the ciabatta and olives served in warm olive oil that tastes like a bite of grass (complimentary), and the savory sweet lamb skewers. The potato gnocchi is arguably the dish that put the original Sage on the map, and the new version, served under chunks of buttery lobster and stracciatella, should be on your table. Food Rundown Baked Fazoletti With Short Ribs This fazzoletti looks more like phyllo dough than pasta, and tastes like it, too. To be clear, that’s a good thing. The short rib is rich and beefy and the pasta has delightfully crisp edges from the bake. photo credit: Little Sage Spanish Octopus A big tentacle with a nice char sits on top of a pile of potatoes swimming in olive oil. Roasted baby peppers cut the oil and fat with sweet vinegar. It’s the sort of simple dish you’ve probably had before, just prepared much, much better than you’ve had before. photo credit: Little Sage Potato Gnocchi We’re reasonable people, happy to compromise on a lot of things. This gnocchi is not one of them. Order it and take a moment between bites of lobster and cheese to be grateful that you exist at the same time and place as this gnocchi. photo credit: Little Sage" - Tanya Edwards