Eating Your Way Through Boston

Boston is a great city. Lots of interesting things to do. Historical sites there go back hundreds of years. I recommend any number of things to see and do while you are there.

But if you go, please, please, please make sure you visit the North End section of town. This is where the most amazing Italian restaurants are found.

Regina Pizzeria (top picture) is, well . . . I'm not going to put a lot of words together to describe it. Words fail. Best pizza I've ever had. Not going to say anymore (it wouldn't do any good).

The next pic is from another restaurant in the North End. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the name of the restaurant. Since our Boston trip, I have began keeping very detailed journals of our trips, to remember things. But I have no idea what this is called. I know it is on a major road going through that area, so I'm guessing it's on Hanover St.

I came across it while walking by. I wanted seafood; and this seemed to fit the bill. And if I remember correctly, a local on the street recommended it (that's usually a great way to find good food). What you see in the pic is the entire size of the restaurant. That's it: one room. All the cooking, serving, eating, everything is done in that tiny room. There is one more table besides what you can see in the pic; and that's all the seats.

I was looking for good service that day. Unfortunately, that's not what you find here. Seats are limited, so they try to get you in and get you out. The food was good. But unfortunately, I, without realizing it, ordered octupus. Not much they can do with an octupus. There was, however, other sides that came along with it. And they were very tasty. Another interesting thing about this place is that you eat out of what they cook the food in. I ate my food in the very same pan it was cooked in. As you can imagine, all the juices and seasonings that were found in the pan also made it into my mouth. Very nice.

As you will find in so many other places, what goes hand-in-hand with food in making a place memorable is the people. For example, I remember looking for a particular restaurant during our stay and having a difficult time. We were walking down a side street, feeling very lost. A construction worker across the road was really giving it to a fellow worker, cussing him and up and down. As soon as he finished his profanity-laced rant, he looked up and saw us, asked if we needed help, and proceeded to give us the most welcoming and friendly directions you could imagine.

Interesting people and amazing food: quite a combination.