Aqua Pazza

It was our first time there. Beautiful restaurant and each and every employee was so nice, kind and helpful. Incredible cocktails and oysters. Loved the spaghetti and meatballs. The lobster bow tie special was exceptional. We enjoyed excellent wine and amazing deconstructed Tiramisu. We can’t wait to go back.

The most lovely dinning experience with beautiful food and top-notch service. The oysters, charcuterie, carpaccio, seafood risotto and lobster pillows were all phenomenal.

Service was great, loved the low lit atmosphere. Server’s recommendations were solid choices, and included the clam spaghetti we came in for. Rated food -1 star at 4 as the clam spaghetti was a bit salty vs others we’ve had elsewhere. All other food was WOW!

When my wife and I were walking by Aqua Pazza we decided to stop in for an early dinner. Food was tasty and we really enjoyed the pasta sampler special they had. Main reasons I would not give the restaurant 5 starts include: seating was very tight/uncomfortable, restaurant was extremely hot inside, and the bathrooms were not clean. We might return in the future. Worth trying for the food

We booked a reservation for a Thursday night just a few hours before. We came in to what the hostess referred to as the best seat in the house - and it most definitely was. We were seated at a cute two person window at the corner of the restaurant. All the street facing walls are huge windows, giving a lovely view outside and likely a beautifully naturally lit atmosphere during the day. Outside the window next to us, we were able to see the street corner and the lights of the skyscrapers next to us. We started with the half seafood tower, absolutely devouring all the seafood they placed in front of us. Our lovely waiter let us know which oysters we were according to the name card they provided. I wish they gave us a tool to crack open the large lobster claw, but we got in there with a fork 😋 There was a lot of extra lobster meat hiding away in there! We also ordered the grilled Positano style octopus which came with an eggplant caponata and burrata which. Everything on this plate was absolute delicious. The burrata was so so good, that we ended up adding the burrata appetizer to our order. The burrata at this place just melts in your mouth and it tastes so fresh. The burrata appetizer came with a homemade tomato jam that paired so flawlessly. We also ordered the Pappardelle al Cinghiale which was made with wild boar, red wine, and porcini mushrooms. I was really craving a pasta dish with wide noodles so this menu item called out to me. The sauce was rich with lots of shredded wild boar meat and slices of mushroom. To wrap up the meal we had a deconstructed tiramisu which the server carefully poured the coffee liquor over and spread the mascarpone cream on top. We really loved this dish; the sponge cake was soft and the mascarpone cream was the perfect consistency. We also had an Italian Coffee and the Sicilian Coffee. They were cuter than I expected arriving in big glasses with whipped cream on top. We particularly loved the flavor of the amaretto which gave it a yummy almond taste. This was also a great place to enjoy a variety of Amaro. We ended up trying 3: a Sicilian amaro that was incredibly smooth, a powerful herbal amaro (which my boyfriend ended up loving even though I typically love the herbal ones), and one made from artichokes (which I found to be shockingly amazing).

Stumbled across the little gem and so glad we did. Ivan, our server provided exceptional service making great suggestions and very attentive. The braised octopus was outstanding and the 7 Spice brick chicken was one of the most moist and tender dishes I’ve ever had. Highly recommend this cozy and inviting restaurant.

Right from the start everything was perfection! The meatballs and ricotta were devoured so quick by my son I didn’t have a chance to try them. Great selection of oysters and the charcuterie board has a great selection of meats it could use more cheese though. The gnocchis were amazing! The servers were all attentive and our drinks were always filled! We’ll definitely be back!

The oysters, particularly the Ichabods, were delicious and flavorful. The main courses, Seafood risotto and Aqua Pazza were amazing! The risotto was out of this world delicious. Not really sure why ice water seemed difficult. I definitely wouldn’t hesitate to go back!

Was able to get a reservation for two about two hours before on a Wednesday night at 7:15. Showed up ten minutes early, was promptly seated. Service was great throughout the meal. Bread with pesto - really enjoyed the pesto, ate very light and bright Calamari starter - this was very good and a fairly large portion, we were still picking at it while we waited for our mains and were unable to finish it. This is big enough for a party of 4 to share comfortably. 5/5. GF got the seafood risotto which she really liked. Did not eat very heavy. 5/5 I got the spaghetti with clams, again very good. 4/5. Split a bottle of wine, passed on desert as we were pretty full from dinner.

I cannot recommend this place. Unlike Umbria, you will not be dragged in to the wine cellar and beaten within an inch of your life. I came in for a simple dinner on a Saturday night, because I was down in the North End for a show at Improv Asylum (more on that in my next review today). Even the bar was very crowded, and no tables were available for a walk-in, but unlie unlike the executive staff at Umbria (the owner himself dragged me into their wine cellar, along with 4 mafioso GOONs and proceeded to beat me to a pulp (they then chased me knocked me down on the curve and tried to continue their "work" until I went into Improv Asylum (ie, no dinner for Stu last night) and locked myself in a bathroom for three hours, until the police came, to escort me to South Station, whereI then took the T home. I am still limping from the after effects of my beating last night. Totally different story at Aqua Pazza - the manager greeted me warmly and escorted me to the remaining seat at the bar, telling my neighboring diners to make room for me (I usually do that myself, politely, but to his credit, he knew how to treat a customer). Now, to the food. I had a vegan pesto pasta (I am extremely lactose intolerant IBS, but can still eat as much as I want of the aged cheeses, like parmesan, romano, asiago, cheddar, etc.). I had the minestrone, a goat cheese salad, and the entree. All were top notch. I hope that Umbria goes out of business (but I know that their "best practices" will continue to be implemented. An enormous hats off to Aqua Pazza. The North End is notoriously spotty for consistency of quality service and food, but you cannot go wrong with Aqua Pazza - they excel in both. 'Nuff said.

I came here with my friend that lives in Boston. We wanted to try something new that she hadn't been to before. The restaurant was empty the entire time we were there, which maybe was a sign. We ordered the salmon crudo, the passionfruit salad, eggplant parmigiana, and a pasta trio that came with pappardelle, lobster pillows, and cacio e Pepe. We all agreed that the appetizers were better than the main pasta. The pasta was a little too Al dente for our preference. The cacio e pepe was super salty and the other two pastas weren't particularly notable. For the price, I had higher expectations.

As a vegetarian, there weren't too many dishes for me to try. However, the ones that I did saved this review. I ordered the pesto pasta and it was amazing. I think about it a lot. The ambiance was very fancy and it really felt like fine dining. The view from the window felt like a movie. One day when I return to Boston, I will make sure to stop by.

Really enjoyed Aqua Pazza the first time I came here, easily would have been 5 stars. However, the second time really tarnished my overall experience here, and because of that visit, I won't be back here again. First time here: Great service, most likely because we were one of the few tables here. Drinks were tasty yet strong. Food was so beyond amazing, and the complimentary bread came out piping hot with a delicious side of pesto. Calamari and the homemade spaghetti vongole was cooked to perfection. Everything was so great, that we decided we wanted to bring the rest of our family here. Now onto the second time.... HORRIBLE service from the get-go. Reservations were made in advance but pointless. We had to wait 40 minutes after our reservation time in order to finally get a table, and they brought us to a tiny table they insisted we must squish in. Bread was cold and hard like a rock. Felt like they took it out of the fridge and served it to us. When we asked about it, they said they didn't have time to warm it up. Shouldn't quality be the same every time regardless of when you dine at a restaurant? The food was quite average this time. It seems that they sacrifice on quality when there's a higher demand for quantity. So if you are planning to dine here, I'd recommend choosing a day when they're not busy.

Absolutely amazing experience and meal. They were able to seat our party of 7 with no reservation or wait. They accept credit cards. Everything on our plates was delicious, fresh, and authentic. Standouts were wild boar pasta and lobster pillows!

Came here for dinner with family. One of the best restaurants I've had the pleasure of trying in the North End. We started the the oysters and the octopus appetizers. Although, I did not try either, my family really enjoyed it. I did try the eggplant bursts that were served with the octopus and it was delicious. The complimentary bread was also so good: the pesto tasted so fresh. I love that all the pasta is freshly made. The gnocchi melted right away and was delicious. The restaurant has dim lighting and is very intimate, making it the perfect date night place. I do wish the entrance/waiting area for the estuary was a bit larger, but aside from that my experience was excellent!

My husband and I recently had our wedding rehearsal dinner at Aquapazza. It was a tremendous experience. From the moment we met Matt many months before the event through the dessert being served, the service was exceptional. Matt took pride in every aspect of planning the dinner and it could not have been better. The food was delicious and served timely for our large party. Every element of the evening was executed with class and care. Matt and the staff at Aquapazza made our guests feel so comfortable and they are still raving about the food today. We would absolutely recommend Aquapazza for any sort of large group dinner. It was a 10/10 experience!

Food was amazing. The bread, which you could tell was fresh, was served with one of the best pesto I have had in Boston. The diners at the table next to ours had ordered the spaghetti with clams, and it looked and smelled so good that it made our order decision very easy. We left no crumbs on the plate. The flavor profile of the dish was perfect. Aqua pazza does not get five starts because our server, while very professional, brought us our check without even asking if we wanted dessert. Bear in mind that we were in no way overstaying our welcome, as we had been in the restaurant for 40 minutes at that point. Simply thought it was rude and put a bit of a damper on the experience.

Had a reservation for 8, they sat a couple with no reservations ahead of my party of 4 a and we ended up leaving by 8:30 as we did not see the possibility of getting seated anytime soon Would not recommend as reservations are not honored

Everything was perfect! They didn't have a table available but immediately offered us the bar. The bartender was amazing: professional, attentive, great honest recommendations. We had 6 oysters and they were perfect: prepared correctly so they came out of the shell easy, very fresh. Then we had the charcuterie board which I would not recommend as it didn't have a lot of cheese or bread or crackers and most of the meat was mortadella. Then we had the fettuccine Alfredo which was the best I have ever had, obviously fresh pasta and a true Alfredo taste, not the goopy jarred flavour. Great ambience, packed to the brim but we like the small and busy feel.

Everyone was super friendly, and the manager helped us go over the menu. He recommended the special dish which was the monkfish and it was phenomenal. Atmosphere is nice and the food came out in a very timely manner. All around amazing spot. Highly recommend.

Absolutely magic meal. In town for a weekend with my wife and did not know that one should have reservations for fine Italian... We were fortunate to get a seat at the bar. Wonderful ambiance. Great vibes... Super friendly staff yet professional. And the food was to die for. You know that meal when you say to yourself, "I am going to remember this particular moment for the rest of my life..." It was that meal. I had the Seafood Risotto and my wife had the Lobster Pillows (ravioli). The bread and pesto was amazing. And trust me. Get the Parmesan. Highly recommended.

The restaurant is pretty small but the food was so good! I would definitely come back to this place if I was in the area. The pesto pasta was my favorite thing here. The wait time was not bad at all too. I came on a Saturday evening and they were able to sit 9 people right away. Overall, I recommend this place if you are in the area.

Went to Aqua Pazza for a birthday tonight and have been a few times before. Service, food, drinks, and atmosphere were all incredible. The staff was attentive and did a birthday celebration for dessert. The appetizers were good portions which I find is rare, the entres were just what we wanted, and drinks were strong. Would recommend.

The kampachi tartare was a real standout dish. One of the best dishes I've had in a long time. We also got chicken parm and pappardelle al cinghiale which were both good. Atmosphere is nice.

Hands down the best Italian food I have ever had, coming from someone who grew up eating Italian food frequently in an Italian family. We were in Little Italy and the wait for most places was about 2 hours. We came across this place and were able to be seated immediately. There was no need for a reservation and we finally weren't turned away. We got to sit by the window and enjoyed some drinks. They were out of many beers since it was so busy. The service was incredible and everyone who worked here was actually Italian - all of the servers and waitresses spoke Italian and/or were from Italy. The food was incredible - best gnocchi I have ever had. It was an expensive dinner but it was just what we were looking for. I would gladly go back here thanks to the warmth and hospitality that everyone who worked here showed us. For a hustle and bustle tourist trap, this place was a refreshing authentic place that was down to earth and an enjoyable atmosphere for us all!

My husband and I tried Aqua Pazza for the first time this weekend. As a vegetarian, I was a little worried it might smell fishy, but it didn't. I tried the eggplant parm, which was pretty good, and not deep fried (possibly the same from sister restaurant Quattro), and pasta nerano (zucchini sauce). It was a bit peppery and maybe would have tasted more like zucchini in season. My husband enjoyed the meatballs with ricotta as well as lobster pillows (ravioli). We also tried the tiramisu made table side. It's a whole spectacle with very good vanilla bean mascarpone cream, but I'd like it better if it had time to set and get cold. I did find the restaurant to be quite loud, but our service was really good!

Italian seafood in the north end...always looking for somewhere good that we can get a reservation! So we tried aqua pazza! First the food--I can say their seafood risotto was tremendous. My wife loved the bolognese as well. But...the hamachi crudi had balsamic on it which was not a good flavor combo ; the octopus was fried, which was tasty but strange; and the halibut was significantly over cooked. They're supposed to have valet parking , but when we drove up in our rental suv, they said that's too big and then We had to go searching g for parking --which SUCKED. It was a quaint place and I did like the risotto but....not sure it's the top of my north end list

Very overrated. The menu execution was off. Lobster pillows were underwhelming and the fish was overcooked. Raw bar was good, but you can get great oysters anywhere in Boston.

Service was IMPECCABLE. Food was DELECTABLE. So incredibly enjoyable. I highly recommend if your looking for fresh lobster and don't want to settle for a lobster roll. The lobster had this delicious smokey flavor I couldn't get enough of. Yummm....

Superb meal! We were caught in traffic from the airport and they kindly kept our reservation for 30 minutes. The spaghetti and meatballs were devoured by my daughter. The sea bass with carrot purée and bok choy was delicious. We'd return!

Stumbled across the little gem and so glad we did. Ivan, our server provided exceptional service making great suggestions and very attentive. The braised octopus was outstanding and the 7 Spice brick chicken was one of the most moist and tender dishes I've ever had. Highly recommend this cozy and inviting restaurant.

Our family was in Italy a year ago and we can say, without a doubt, this was the best meal we've had since then. Not only was the service amazing, but the food there was incredibly light, clean, and delicious. If you're looking for somewhere to eat on the north end, I cannot recommend Aqua Pazza enough!!!

Excellent oysters, octopus, bread, and wine--plus great service from Wilfred. Tried a few wines and all nicely paired. Oh and the tiramisu is actually prepared at the table, which I'd never seen done before--really cool touch. Thank you!

There's good reason why this is a 4.5 restaurant. Food is incredible - everything from the bread and the pesto sauce that accompanies it - to the linguini and clams dish that I had. Service was impeccable as well. Would definitely return if I'm ever back in the area.

Amazing food and drinks. Offered a complimentary 'shot' of a chocolate amaro with the check that was fabulous. The service was great as everyone pitched in to help with the full restaurant. I would absolutely go back.

Everything was absolutely perfect. The service, food, and ambiance could not have been better. Both the chicken parmigiana and short ribs were perfect. The portions were large and delicious.

Man the portions here are very small so if you have a big appetite, you will be hungry after. Tuna crudo was super thinly sliced, lacking flavor. We did love the squash blossoms! The short rib was the only thing I say worth coming here for! Interesting choice to go with polenta but it works! we also had gnocci which wasn't too bad either! Service was outstanding 5/5!

We ate here this evening with high expectations, we were extremely disappointed. My manicotti was terrible. it was inconsistently cooked, gummy in some parts, raw and hard, burnt in others. don't let the pics fool you. I am going to look up what other restaurants they own to avoid them. very disappointing. small, crowded dining area playing horrible 80s-90s rap, hip hop. not Italian at all!

Unfortunately I didn't like the food as much, I give it 3.5 stars. The best dish was the octopus appetizer as far as cooked food. The Aqua Pazza entree was a mix of seafood in a tomato broth but it has very little flavor so the fish didn't taste much like anything. As for dessert, they make your tiramisu at the table which is pretty cool but the mascarpone filling is foamy and not very tasty. My keylime pie was a tart made of cookies crust and a very think cheese filling, almost like a paste. Not impressed with any of them. Maybe their pasta is great but I didn't try it.

Aqua Pazza is an okay choice for Italian in Boston. Vibe: it's a tiny restaurant with tables close together and an unassuming feel. There are plenty of wait staff and barely any room for them to stand away from the tables. Food: they started us off with complimentary bread and pesto and my dining companions and I shared the Burrata which was delicious. I would definitely order that again. We also ordered Gnocchi, wild boar Pappardelle, and the chicken parmigiana. We all tried about of each other's dishes and all came to the same conclusion- the wild boar was the best of the 3 entrees and was quite good. Next up the chicken parmigiana- it was okay- a classic, middle of the road chicken parmigiana. Last, the gnocchi- I really wanted to like this. It was not good. None of us liked it. It was VERY smoky and almost tart. I also thought it was slightly pricey for what we were getting. Service: Our server was attentive but his accent was so think it was challenging at times to understand and not overly friendly.

There are so many restaurants in North End that have delicious Italian foods. We decided to stop by Aqua Pazza because we were in the seafood mood. Not disappointed one bit. Everything we ordered was delicious. Very good seafood! Best item here in my opinion was the lobster pillows. Our server Fabio did a great job. Give them a try!

Let's start with the bad. I was an idiot and didn't trust my wife's choice in dinner reservations that night. Long short after many apologies I have to give my wife all the credit and say she picked one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to. This includes dinners on 5 trips to Italy as well. No description of the food will do Aqua Pazza justice. From cocktails, oysters, appetizers, entrees, wine and desert exceed my expectations. If your reading this review to the end stop now and make a reservation. You will not be disappointed.

Girls night in.... A new mom amongst us with soy/dairy allergies. She called restaurant for guidance and not only was the hostess prompt in getting the chef to speak to her, but the chef went over and above to create something for her, including fresh baked bread especially for her! When we told them we were ordering via door dash they took our name to ensure we got the right allergy-friendly meal as part of our door dash order. As for the food - it was absolutely delicious. For vegetarians I strongly recommend the eggplant parmigiana (deceptively small portion) and the zucchini fries (nothing like I've ever had - so good!).

Gorgeous food by gorgeous people for people who are gorgeous but may have forgotten to dress up and look like sweaty messes. Where to begin? The space is bright, clean and cool. All staff look like Mediterranean movie stars. It was also over 90 degrees. Sweat sploshed from my scalp and neck. These kind angels gave me water and understood my confusion from heat exhaustion. I'm not going to lie: this place is expensive. Is the expense worth it? YES. Massachusetts, Massachusetting again, has different grades of liquor licenses (who knew), so I couldn't order my normal hot weather cocktail, and went with their delicious Negroni cocktail. Delightful! Oysters we enjoyed: Aunt Dotty (melt in your mouth), Duxbury (Old Reliable), and First Encounter (loved the champagne finish). Oh, Baby! Fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with ricotta and served with slices of fried zucchini. It's vegetables, therefore healthy, and absolutely the stuff of Gods. Had been craving calamari and these beautiful people over-delivered. The most tooth friendly and buttery rings I've ever encountered. Included a bit of shrimp and scallop - also divine. Didn't find any of the peppers (would have been nice, unfried on the side). Served with a refreshing tartar sauce that had a citrus bite. (I know it's summer but would have like the option of a marinara...I'm old.) Ooooh! Do not overlook the table BREAD! Perfect. Hard crust, spongy loaf. Gorgeous pesto drinking sauce...I mean, dipping sauce. Cannot wait to visit for dinner. Fabulous and elegant. Mangiare!

Just had an amazing meal here on our Boston trip. Everything was exceptional. The Caesar was probably the best I've ever had in a restaurant. Creamy burrata like I had in Italy. Our table had Carpaccio, Shrimp cocktail, Short Ribs with dreamy polenta, Lobster Pillows, Eggplant Parm and Shrimp Scampi. You can't go wrong here. Terrific service. Can't wait to come back with my guy to try the oysters.

Very solid Italian in the North End. We stopped by on July 4th and opted to get takeout vs dine in, which turned out to be quite solid. The portions here are definitely European vs American and meant to serve one. We ordered at the counter and got our food in about 15 minutes after walking around the North End. The seating inside looks pretty comfortable and they have plenty of outdoor seating complemented by heat lamps. The staff were pretty helpful and friendly even in the midst of the hectic crowds of a holiday, and made sure that we got our food (and extra bread) quickly when we arrived for pickup. Some highlights: 1. Aqua pazza: The fish of the day was Halibut braised in a light broth with clams, mussels, tomatoes, and diced fingerling potatoes. The tomato and clam-based broth was savory, light, and just bursting with umami. I used the bred to soak up every last drop. 2. Spaghetti vongole: Very solid clam pasta with plenty of fresh clams sauced with al dente spaghetti in a light garlic, chitarrine, and wine sauce. This was light yet bursting with flavor. Usually I prefer a linguine with my clam pasta but was very pleasantly surprised by the spaghetti. 3. Seafood risotto: Perfectly cooked al dente arborio rice in a tomato-based broth with halibut, calamari, and a langoustine. This was robust yet still light and the calamari was perfectly tender and with a nice bounce. Overall, a solid option for Italian and seafood in the North End that won't leave you in a food coma. Every dish was flavorful without feeling the least bit heavy. We will definitely be back next time we are in Boston to eat in!

Absolutely FANTASTIC! Food, drinks, service and atmosphere were all superb. Elias was our server for the evening and truly went above and beyond to make sure that our experience exceeded expectations. At first I was worried that it would be a little stuffy or pretentious because both the food and ambiance were exuded sophistication but within minutes, we were made to feel right at home. We also had a 5 year old and a 6 year old with us and they too had a great time. Thank you to the entire staff for making us feel so welcome.

Four of us went here tonight. The good: the pesto and the olive oil with the bread were excellent. In the seafood tower, the shrimp was wonderful and the oysters were very good. The lobster was fine. The bad: The Alaskan king crab legs were salty as heck and were extremely disappointing. If you order king crab legs as your meal, they charge you $99 for ONE leg!!!!! They need to warn you if they plan to charge $99 for one leg! And it was like eating salt with a touch of crab. We left feeling very ripped off... like we were taken advantage of...

Very nice, white linen tablecloth restaurant tucked away in the North End, away from the bustling Main Street. My friend and I ordered the Spaghetti Vongole and Lobster Pillows (both really delicious in their own way!). Portions are smaller than what you would usually find in the North End so it's good to order your own entree. The restaurant is part of the Despaquale group, which owns other North End institutions like Bricco, Mare, and Trattoria Il Panino. I think I still prefer the aforementioned restaurants overall, but I would definitely recommend Aqua Pazza for a date night or a night out with family!

It was okay... obviously going on a Saturday night when it's packed is not such a good idea. I made reservations on open table and when I walked in there were no tables. 5 minutes later a huge crowd comes in and still no tables. My boyfriend and I found some seats at the bar and sat there. Like many places in the north end, it's small and packed. The staff and guests kept smashing against me. The bartender didn't tell us the specials they had and we heard it from the waitress right next to us telling her customers. We Ended up getting the special and it was okay. The oysters were yummy and the Tatarstan outstanding. Entrées were mediocre the pasta didn't taste fresh, hard and meh . Not planning a trip there anytime soon.

Dishes were delicious. Make a reservation because it's a popular spot! So many flavors in the homemade pasta entrees. My favorite was the Chicken Parmagania and Meatballs with Ricotta! Recommend getting the calamari for starters. My date had the Pappardelle Pasta dish with Wild Boar. Come hungry!!!

I loved the wild boar pappardelle! It was so good. The service was great as well as the food. I'll be back!

Epic dining experience last night! While the food was excellent, the kindness, attentiveness, and genuine warmth of the entire staff sets this restaurant apart. What an amazing team! To Sydney (the hostess), Jesus (our waiter), the manager (sorry, I forgot your name), and the entire kitchen staff, thank you for an amazing dining experience. One we will never forget! Saluti! - Ricardo

Aqua Pazza is an easy favorite in the north end! Everything from the starters, to the pasta, to the entrees are delicious. The lobster ravioli and the wild boar & mushroom pasta were amazing! I've been in the summer & winter times and both offer great atmosphere, wether it's the large open windows in august or the cozy soft lighting in December you can't go wrong. The GM, Matt, will make sure you're taken care of like family!

We had an ok experience. The food wasn't BAD. The service wasn't BAD. But can only rate middle of the road based on the fact that this is a higher end place in a neighborhood chock full of great Italian restaurants! I had homemade spaghetti which was ok, but not very flavorful overall. Small portion. Good selection of gluten-free choices for wife but she chose the 1/2 lobster, which was undercooked (not inedible, but not great). Son had the chicken which he enjoyed. We sat outside which was nice. Service was ok, but we really wanted a refill on our sodas as there was probably only 4 ounces of liquid in our ice packed glasses. Didn't get the refills until we were paying the bill and shouldn't have been surprised that we paid $4 each for that second round. Ugh. Eaten at some great restaurants in the area which I'd return to. This is not one of them.

The food here was amazing. Excellent bar service. Cute little restaurant at a great location on the freedom trail. The owners were sitting at the bar with us and got us drinks. Thank you so much!! I've never had smelts before, but these were delicious. I ate the whole thing - head to tail. Crispy and delicious with the accompanying sauce. The salmon poke was very interesting. It wasn't my favorite dish of the night, but the chunks of fish was delicious. It was mixed with grapes, which I didn't care for. The orata was perfect. No bones, perfectly cooked, great sauce. Loved the artichokes too. It was a pretty big portion, but I am grateful because it was so good!! I would love to come back here and try more dishes.

Recently paid a visit here with the fam on Mother's Day and overall, it was pretty decent. I didn't know at the time that this was the old Mare spot for those who are familiar. Ambiance was intimate with sleek and modern accents and surprisingly, it wasn't packed for such a huge dining holiday at 7pm. Now onto the good stuff. Per our usual, we went nuts ordering and why the heck not? It's Mother's Day! We showered our table with orders of the Seafood Tower, Bruschetta Trio, crab cakes, salmon crudo, wagyu meatballs, octopus, seafood arancini and caci arancini. Out of the above, I'd recommend all besides the crab cakes as it had a little too much breading for my personal liking. Raw bar was fresh and nicely chilled, octopus was flavorful and tender and we all enjoyed the crispy arancini balls of goodness (both the seafood and the pepper varieties). Our dinners were a bit of a mix. I had quite the long exchange with the owner/chef since my mom wanted something that resembled a Seafood Fra Diavolo which they didn't offer on the menu that night but they ended up whipping something fabulous and it was the most delicious dish of the night. Aqua Pazza - If you happen to be reading this post, please consider putting it on your menu so all these other folks can taste the awesomeness that was in that dish. My seafood risotto was also a gorgeous sight to behold and equally lived up to expectations. The only dish that fell a little short (per my brother and hubby who both ordered it) was the Whole Pig Bolognese entree. Both remarked that it was on the bland side but they aren't complainers and made do with it as is. When we finished, the server surprised us with 2 complimentary desserts for the moms - Nice touch! All in all, it was a wonderful spot to celebrate a relaxing family din din in the North End :) Parking tip: You can get a validation for the Parcel 7 garage but you will have to go to Bricco (sister restaurant) to get it stamped.