Trattoria Il Panino

kimmie23 

on Citysearch

18 years ago

Reservations not honored – Do not plan on this restaurant acknowledging reservations made. My husband called on a Tuesday to make a reservation for a Thursday night, a night that was one of the best spring nights yet. We when got there we saw many patrons waiting for tables and located the host. He looked at a sheet of lined paper, barely acknowledged us and said I don't have your name. We stated we called on Tuesday and asked about their reservation book, he pointed to his piece of lined paper, which was clearly for the nig... read more

samlizjaker 

on Citysearch

19 years ago

Mistake to eat here – What a mistake it was trying this place. While the hostess who stands on the street trying to lure (seduce??) customers into the restaurant seems nice, once you are seated, forgettaboutit, thats the end of the service we received. I asked for plain old tap water, and the waiter brings a bottle that mysteriously appeared on the bill, when i told him we wanted regular water. The wait for the bread was interminable, everyone around us seemed to get it before we did (and they sat down after us). Was the poo... read more

jp2000 

on Citysearch

19 years ago

Unbelievable food! – I have been going here for 12 years and though I've tried nearly everywhere else with similar prices, I ALWAYS come back here. The food is fantastic, the people are great, the atmosphere is completely authentic. It is wonderful. Il Panino has grown with the times too as they now take credit cards and reservations which they did not used to do and they added outdoor space this year. I agree that having to buy water is annoying but who drinks water with Italian? Order a bottle of wine. They have gone back ... read more

Contributor 

on Citysearch

19 years ago

Italian-food institution in the North End that has spread across Boston. – The Scene At the original, least gentrified and most affordable location of the well-known area chain, expect long waits and plenty of tourists. (Or be smart: Make a reservation.) Ground level and basement dining rooms are overseen by Italian-American waiters, most of whom are bilingual, which brings an old world charm to the proceedings. The Italian wine list features several inexpensive table wines. A 48-seat giardino (little garden) is open when th... read more

dynamopix 

on Citysearch

19 years ago

Average Italien food – I dined here recently on a warm spring night, it was on the later side so there wasn't a wait at all. We were able to sit outside on the patio, the atmosphere outside was nice. The food was average, I had the lobster ravoli's which were a bit bland. The service was fine but a little on the slow side. I wasn't impressed with the bread or the lack of olive oil and cold butter options. The reason why I wouldn't go back though is because they don't serve tap water, so you have to buy bottled water. I thoug... read more

milo200 

on Citysearch

20 years ago

Excellent Food, Average Service – The food is what draws me to this North End favorite time and time again. While the service and ambiance are slightly sub-par, the food makes it worth the trip. The pasta is always cooked to perfection and the sauces - delicious. 

wdraike 

on Citysearch

22 years ago

Skip It – I made the mistake of taking my wife to this restaurant. No table clothes, paper napkins, bread pre-wrapped butter cubes instead of olive oil and poor service. Had to pay for a glass of water. Food was poorly plated and uninteresting. For the average $20+/entree walk further down Hanover Street... there are many better options. 

RosaAntonia 

on Citysearch

22 years ago

An Italian Jewel – I have been going to the North End since early childhood, and this is my absolute favorite restaurant. The ambience is measurable to stepping into an Italian Trattoria in Italy and the food is absolutely divine. A true Italian jewel in the North End. 

pratsa 

on Citysearch

23 years ago

Simply Excellent – The food blew me away. The place is small; sort of a bar/tavern on the main floor, and a cozy room downstairs. As folks say, it's noisy and close, but the food is insanely delicious. The best Italian food I've eaten in a very, very long time.