Casarecce Ristorante

I don’t go to the North End often. It’s hard to get there, hard to park, and always crowded. But I happened to go last weekend, and based only on a glance inside from Hanover Street and a sandwich board outside reading “Fresh Pasta” I decided to have lunch at Casarecce Ristorante.

Casarecce is a small place with only about ten to fifteen tables depending on how they are pushed together. It was full but not crowded and tables turned over rather quickly. The service was warm and friendly and the atmosphere charming.

I started with an Aperol Spritz, a favorite in the North End. They also brought warm bread with olive oil and parmesan cheese. We ordered meatballs. Three to an order, they were a delicious blend of pork and beef in a tomato sauce with shaved parmesan and a small piece of garlic toast that should be an appetizer on its own.

Of course, we went for the fresh pasta. I ordered the Spaghetti Vongole, heavenly fresh pasta in a white wine and garlic sauce topped with clams. It was fantastic. My wife got the lobster ravioli, made with fresh pasta and stuffed generously with lobster. It was topped by an incredibly rich mascarpone veloute.

I’m not going to become a North End regular, but I would deal with the parking and the crowds to eat at Cassarecce again.

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