A North End Standout: Prezza

Cozy-fancy Prezza (24 Fleet St.) (map) (dinner only) is considered by many as one of the North End’s best restaurants. Chef/owner Anthony Caturano nails rustic Italian cuisine with a menu that draws heavily from his ancestral Abbruzzi region with dishes like eggplant rollatini with goat cheese and a lamb ragout ($15) and homemade meatballs, sausage, ribs and polenta ($25). Both are lusty dishes that represent “peasant” fare at its very best.

There are inspired offering too- including a grilled quail with chestnut risotto ($15) and a memorable ravioli di ouvo ($10) which features one (!) ravioli stuffed with ricotta and a whole egg yolk tossed with butter and sage. All the pastas here are house made. The gnocci “a la Bolognese” ($28) is deftly done. Love that all the pasta choices are also available as an appetizer portion for $15. The crispy pork chop with vinegar peppers, potatos, and a red wine sauce ($26) is a can’t miss entree choice. You might also try the excellent seafood dishes like the seared scallops with chanterelles and dumplings ($28). The wine list is extensive, made mostly of Italian and European labels, is well chosen and priced fairly. Many of the wines are available by the glass and (even better) by the half bottle.

All the desserts ($10) are house made as well. Try the seasonal bread pudding or the tiramisu with Kahlua and espresso with for a sweet finish. If you are celebrating, the Prezza dessert sampler ($38) allows you to choose a combination of any four desserts, beautifully plated for sharing-just be sure to ask for extra forks.

Image Credit: Prezza

Note: iStopOver Boston received a complimentary meal to review.