Gallery-cafe with an unbelievably hip atmosphere. I was intrigued by the filmy red curtains in the window and the warm glow inside. The owner saw my curiosity, and came outside to greet me. Apparently the curtains are only there for events (loved it) but nonetheless as soon as I stepped inside, I knew that I had found something unique. Low cushioned benches were pushed up against the walls, against each other and circling coffee tables. The place gave the impression of an exotic den. Smooth music pulsed, the lighting was low, and contemporary artwork covered the walls. Amazing, and even better the WiFi is free.

Michele Topor has lived in Boston's North End for over 35 years. You could say she knows the ins and outs of her neighborhood. She is also a professional chef and she developed her tour to share her wisdom about Italian cuisine as well as to help visitors find the best places for ingredients and the Italian culinary experience in the North End. Each tour is 3 hours long. Learn how Italians eat and how their food traditions were adapted to this country; glean insider cooking tips and gain resources on how to identify and where to buy the very best ingredients. At nearly every stop, you'll enjoy small tastes of specific ingredients so that you may experience benchmark flavors to incorporate into your own cooking and dining adventures. You’ll discover the pasticceria, the greengrocer, the deli, an enoteca, and spice and confection store that stock the ingredienti that can make your meals memorable. As you will see, gli ingredienti veraci – authentic ingredients – are the key to la bellissima cucina italiana. Along the way you will experience the colorful sights, chaotic sounds, and the tantalizing aromas as you get an ‘insider’s view’ of one of the premier food neighborhoods in the country. It’s like visiting Italy—no passport required! Tours take place Wednesdays & Saturdays 10am-1pm or 2pm-5pm as well as Fridays from 10am-1pm and 3pm-6pm.

Nicknamed 'The Front' by the locals. This is a nice little neighborhood pub, where you will be happy to warm up your feet on a cold night and camp out for a while to watch the game on the large screen TV (or any of the 10 others scattered around the place). It's all about the burgers and bar food that you wash down with a good beer. Be on the lookout for the owner, he's a dead ringer for The Gas Man from Dumb & Dumber, it's uncanny. I hear that the new bouncer is a real jerk, avoid him and your stay will be an extremely pleasant one. Bonus: Stella on draft served in official Stella glasses.

Free pizza slice on Mondays when you order a drink, even if it's a diet soda. Need I say more? The pizza menu has a few options as well as make your own. The calzones are $10.50 with the choice of 4 ingredients/toppings in each. Beer and wine are served in a casual atmosphere replete with a bar and small tables. The windows of the restaurant open onto busy Salem St. Enjoy the relaxed bar scene, appetizers, and try the espresso martini.

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Frank sometimes shows up, but this place is mainly run by his son John. Great fish market, some of the local restaurants purchase this fish.

Cute little North End market and bodega offering everything from grocery items, deli meats and cheeses, prepared foods, smoothies, and salads. A neighborhood jewel, but do not expect them to have alot of options: space is small. Amidst all of the restaurants, you'd think that the grocery selection for residents of the North End would be more plentiful. With this in mind, Going Bananas is exactly what's needed when the gourmet chops are closed or simply don't have what you need. This is a small grocery store that sells many different cheeses, herbs and product of good quality, if just a little pricey. The smoothies are a recent addition, and the sandwiches are first rate. The guy making the sandwiches is a perfectionist, and the prosciutto & mozzarella is one of the best in town.

This is a teeny tiny place packed with cold cuts and cheeses, and Harry is just about the nicest guy with a cleaver in his hand that you could ever meet in your life! His prices are very reasonable, and the cheeses are lined up on the left as you walk in, with prices on the wheels. Don't be intimidated by either the greatness of the cheese, or by his gruff exterior. If you ask questions, and he will gladly give you samples and make suggestions. When you have made your decision, he wraps the cheese you have selected in wax paper, like the old days.

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