Urban Safari: Boston’s North End
Paul Revere would be stunned... and probably thrilled!
The pandemic pummeled the restaurant and service industry everywhere. We did our part to keep our local favorites afloat by ordering from them when we could. In the end, only the return of open commerce will allow any of them to really get back on their feet.
Once restaurants were able/allowed to offer HBS (Human Being Service), the City of Boston granted many dining establishments the right to set up tables outside on city property (sidewalks, streets, etc). This was a BIG change from the past – outside dining was almost unheard of in Boston, until now.
Some locals argued against it, their concern being that the narrow, busy streets of Boston would be impassible to car traffic. And that parking spaces would be eaten up by the the outside dining. And that’s an issue in the North End, one of the oldest parts of the Hub.
RainyDayMagazines would love to say, “Close the streets to cars entirely and make them pedestrian only!” but we don’t live there and don’t want to shove our ideas in anybody’s face…
Outdoor dining in the North End of Boston on a warm Summer’s night…pretty perfect.
The North End
Boston’s North End is the city’s oldest residential community. (Non-Indigenous) People have lived there since the early 1600s (Paul Revere grew up there!) and became home for Jewish and Italian immigrants starting in the early 20th century.
Today a lot has changed in the North End—paved over, built on, and priced out. What has stayed the same, though, is the density of the neighborhood and people coming from every other Boston neighborhood (and further afield) for the Italian bakeries, cafes, and restaurants! How do you say delicioso in Italian? Oh wait, I already have!
LEFT: Freshly-made pasta being made. RIGHT Freshly-made pasta being scarfed.
The streets in the North End are close, narrow, and difficult to navigate by car. When restaurants in the other neighborhoods set up outdoor dining, the neighborhood thinking was: “No way can that work in the North End!”
Still looks the way it did fifty years ago – only they don’t hang the laundry out to dry any more.
Fast-forward to Summer of 2022: not only is the North End alive with outdoor dining, the place never felt more vibrant, alive, cosmopolitan, and European. Yes, the streets are even narrower, but fire trucks still manage to get through. Cars move slower and with more care, but that’s a good thing, right?
Europe? Nope – Boston’s North End.
The North End is so much more alive with outdoor dining! And “I was here” photography.
Monica’s Trattoria
As a rule we always let someone else cook on DateNite, and on this Friday night it was Monica’s Trattoria, serving us Frutti di Mare, Spaghetti Porcini w/shaved truffles, and Blood orange margaritas.
Monica’s Tratoria – Special indeed.
The highlight was not, as you might think, feeling the warm breeze of a summer’s night while dining outside, it was…trying to eavesdrop on Daniel Day Lewis‘ conversation two tables away. Seriously, he was right there, enjoying the night just like the rest of us.
Everything in this image: delicioso! Wow learning Italian is so easy – when everything tastes so good.
No, we didn’t hear anything interesting (actually, we didn’t hear anything). No, we didn’t ask for a selfie or even acknowledged his presences, because this is Boston.
Paul, we still love ya, but…I gotta eat my pasta now.
Safari Summary:
For those looking for terrific outdoor dining with old-world charm and hundreds of years of history, one cannot do better than the North End of Boston.
We took the MBTA to Haymarket, walked a couple of blocks (seriously, we’re talking two) to the North End. It is the easiest way in and out. No parking, a lovely stroll before and after the meal, and a lot of history between the T-stop and dozens of incredible restaurants.
“Buon appetito!!!” (More Italian!)
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