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Categories: Desserts, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
Neighborhood: North EndHaymarket (Orange)
Aquarium (Blue)
North Station (Orange, Green)
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Love your iced coffee.
Love your breakfast sandwiches.
Love you.
P.S. If you're a soccer fan and looking for a place to watch games where everyone is really excited to be watching soccer, look no further.
So we stopped in here with a friend from out of town while in the North End for some gelato and really didn't enjoy it at all.
Our friend ordered gelato. The wife ordered gelato and a water. I began ordering and it went like this:
"I will have a water too, and chocolate gela..."
The waitress cuts me off because clearly 3 orders of gelato and 2 waters was beyond her capabilities and says "hold on one second", and asks everyone to order again. After having us all order again, she gets a look on her face like I just insulted her and says "you have to go to the bar to get waters, I cannot bring them to you", and walks away.
After finishing we got our bill, it was around $21. For 3 orders of gelato. It was decent gelato, but not amazing. Also nothing on the menu has a price.
Not going back. Ever again. Despite all the soccer scarves on the ceiling.
8am on Thursday. Hanover St. is quiet and groggy, a far cry from the culinary and cafe madness that ensues as night falls, or that you can find any given weekend.
Popping into this unassuming cafe in search of my usual morning pickup, who woulda thought my caffeinated pickup would be the only non-alcoholic one.
Yep, that's right. 3 guys at the 'bar' in the back, and upon approach i realize they're all juicing on beer and spirits.
BAR-ISTA-TENDER: 'What can i get for ya, buddy?'
ME: 'Let me have a Spanish Latte.'
RANDOM BAR PATRON: 'Spanish Latte? How about an Italiano!!!'
RANDOM BAR PATRON #2 (raising a beer, toasts the bar-ista-tender)
ME: (obviously in withdrawal without my usual sludgy hyper-strong Spanish Lattes from Urth Cafe in L.A.) 'oh yea, gimme a Cappuccino, pls'
So i'm the only one who's not saucing it up. I feel like a wuss.
Did i mention it's 8am?
ONLY IN BOSTON!
Cappuccino was pretty good. The joint was full o' fuckin' hilario chatty doods who know how to live. and get it going. EARLY.
God bless.
And
DONE.
People thought this was:
I was hesitant to walk into an italian cafe with Euro techno coming from speakers positioned amongst 5 TVs all showing different soccer games, and sports paraphernalia covering the walls -- but alas, my friends' curiosity trumped my hesitance.
My rating: One star for good coffee. One "awh" for only 2 scoops of gelato in a big bowl beckoning to be filled. One "gadzooks" for a $6.50 charge for the gelato, since none of the prices were listed on the menu. And one "f you" for the waitress refusing to give me a glass of water, since serving water is "against Cafe Paradiso's policy."
I won't be back here!
People thought this was:
Stumbled in here while the U.S. soccer team was beating Spain. The place was packed but we were able to get a table and squeeze in. The crowd was great and we just happened to be the right place at the right time.
Had lemoncellos with water on the side. The lemoncellos were pretty good but not quite like I am used to in Italy. The bottled still water was very minerally and they wouldn't serve tap water. I would have paid for it just to have some regular tasting water.
After dinner, we asked our waitress where she would go for the best cannolis this late in the North End. She directed us to Caffe Paradiso. Not Mike's, not Modern, not even Vittoria. I thought it was an interesting pick so we hustled over there and ordered a cannoli each and some decaf Irish coffee. Both were sweet, satisfying and served by an adorable waitresses who, even this late at night, were so pleasant and welcoming.
Things that pass the test so far at Caffe Paradiso:
-cannoils (that are stuffed right in front of you as you order them!)
-iced lattes
-gelato
-irish coffee
-service
People thought this was:
A gem of a place, tucked into the North End, that looks like as if it was plucked right from a… Read more »
I think I like this location almost better than Vittoria, because it isn't such a "big name" in the area. Wandered in fairly late at night, and there were quite a few other people there. Had a Cappucino and the Chocolate Hazelnut Cake. The cake was a really generous piece, and the cake was a tiramisu consistancy (so fluffy) with layers of hazelnut and a thin chocolate frosting. So good at 12:30 at night (at least I think that's what time it was... it was a good evening!)
Definitely my favorite cafe in the North End. The tiramisu is just to die for. You stick your fork into the tiramisu to break off a piece, and the whole cake literally squishes to half it's size just from the force of the fork--meaning that it is THAT fluffy and delicate. Not to mention that you get big portions...and the lady fingers are not soggy at all...wow, really, this is the best tiramisu I've ever had.
The coffees are pretty great too...I like to go with a simple espresso or latte, but the boyfriend swears by the mochas and tried one of the coffees with liqueur in it too.
Boyfriend likes the gelato as well as some of the other pastries. I've never tried the cannolis (given the choice, I prefer tiramisu all the time), but they do look great.
The atmosphere is pretty cool--soccer games on and lots of soccer gear on the walls. I'm not really a fan of soccer, but it definitely gives the place a European feel. I've never seen anyone get their order taken at the table, but I certainly don't have a problem ordering at the counter (they do bring your food/drinks out to you).
I'm glad I don't live closer, because I would be broke and fat if I did! Now, it's just a special treat, so whenever I'm near the North End I go grab a latte and some tiramisu.
Unfortunately, after having been here many times and always holding this place in high esteem, I have to downgrade my opinion of this establishment considerably. In other words: I'm not likely to ever be back.
My husband and I went today for an espresso (he'd never been here before and I suggested it because I always liked this place). After sitting down we are told that there is no table service and we have to order at the bar, which struck me as strange because (a) this wasn't the case during my previous visits, and (b) the waiter served the Italian girl sitting next to us some pastry a few seconds after having told us that there wasn't table service... So I thought, well, maybe for some strange reason this just applies to drinks or something, but alas, after I go up and order our two espressi, pay, and bring them to our table myself, an Italian family walks in and sits down, upon which the waiter immediately sets out to take their orders (they ordered some coffee, too) and serve them at the table. WTF???
Guess I'll find my coffee elsewhere from now on...
People thought this was:
Pretty authentic, cool Italian bar. Not the most cozy place, but a type of sports bar that you could… Read more »
Went it there with my wife to order a coffee. After waiting sometime the waiter walks past and says there is no table service, and we should go order from the counter. So we do. Then some Italians walk in and they get immediate table service. My wife has been there before and got service, so the message seems to be if you are a single woman or Italian service will be ok, but don't go as a non-italian couple.
The espresso was a bit burnt, and over priced. Music was kitsch and annoying after a few minutes.
People thought this was:
We snagged a table for a quick gelato and coffee break over Labor Day weekend. Clearly, the whole area was packed with tourists and locals alike coming by for the feast (I think it was St Anthony's, but as a Jew it's hard to keep other people's religious icons straight).
I love the hazelnut gelato here (I am not even going to try to spell it out in Italian), and the Parisienne coffee is fantastic too (coffee with Grand Marnier). The only downside is the prices - for 2 coffees and 2 gelatos it was close to $30! Holy cow!
People thought this was:
Let me first mention football (not American football). This place played ALL of the recent Africa Cup of Nations games to a crowd of mostly Moroccans, Egyptians, West Africans and us. Unfortunately I had to leave for Kenya halfway through and I'm worried my reputation for being a 'true' soccer fan might have suffered as a result.
Yes, fabulous cappuccino (don't even try Modern or Cafe Vittoria after this one), yes, fabulous tiramisu. Also try the crema catalana, which is like a creme brulee or flan but better.
The staff are sometimes friendly but more often not so much. Also $10 credit card minimum, which can be a pain if you're on your own, just want a cappuccino and don't usually carry cash.
People thought this was:
I phoned my favorite Washingtonian at the Nine Zero Hotel and requested he bring back cannolis from his business trip to Boston. Not only did he oblige me, he even went to two different shops to accomplish the mission. The cannoli he brought me back from Caffe Paradiso was every bit as delicious as the Bostonian who recommended it claimed it would be. And this is after being carried in a rucksack through the airport and otherwise manhandled for 10+ hours before I could devour it.
The filling was only a touch sweet, allowing the creaminess to shine through. Dipped in dark chocolate, this dessert was about as good as you can get. My first stop the next time I'm in Boston? Caffe Paradiso!
People thought this was:
UPDATE: 8/4/2006 - I went back this afternoon, and had a cappuccino & the tiramisu. The tiramisu is as wonderful as everyone says. It was hands-down the best tiramisu I've had.
-----
Wandered in here while walking around Boston and through the North End. I hadn't yet had any coffee that day. Had a biscotti and a cappuccino. Has to have been the best cappuccino I've ever had: no sugar necessary. Perfecto.
The tiramisu was hard to resist as was the gelato. Now that I know they are both homemade I will have to make a point of making a second stop here before I leave!
People thought this was:
I only got take-out pastries and gelato from this shop, but it didn't disappoint. The atmosphere certainly seems pleasant, and the man behind the counter was friendly and helpful.
My party ordered a slice of the chocolate cake, a slice of the cappuccino cake, a cup of vanilla gelato, and a cup of hazelnut gelato. All were delicious, especially with a small glass of Averna back at the apartment!
The chocolate cake is rich, dense, and a bit dry, with an intense chocolate flavor. It isn't overly sweet, but it is certainly rich. It is coated on top with a sticky, gelatinous layer of dark chocolate, which definitely adds to the richness.
The cappuccino cake was much lighter, with layers of mousse interspersed between ultra-moist cake layers. The coffee flavor is not overwhelming, but is a wonderful combination with the rich chocolate cake.
Unfortunately, I did not try the hazelnut gelato, but the vanilla gelato was some of the best I have had. It had a perfect consistency, stickier than ice cream, with a great vanilla flavor.
This was my first dessert venture in the North End, and it did not let me down. I can't wait to return!
People thought this was:
I can't complain at all about the food and coffee (I had a little bit of everything -- tiramisu, creme brulee, gelato, cake, and a latte), but I very nearly vomited up these lovely indulgences when the bill came. Yo -- more expensive than dinner. Seriously. What the eff is with not listing prices anywhere? I suspect the charges are arbitrary, and heavily influenced by how well you talk FUTBOL! Bone up before you go and report back to me.
People thought this was:
Awesome cafe/bar that makes you feel like you're in Europe. Fantastic espresso, good selection of grappas and other spirits, excellent staff. The best place to watch a soccer game in Boston.
Well, I've been kind of overhyping this place. The grappas and wine are too expensive for the quality. This doesn't nearly match the quality of wine bars in Italy.
Ok but back to five stars. I enjoy the atmosphere a lot. It's a bit overpriced, but it's fair to pay for the opportunity to linger there. This cafe is far better than Vittoria.
Best Espresso, cappuccino , dessert and gelato in town. The gelato is homemade as it is the tiramisu'. The place is like an Italian cafe!
It is the place to be seen in the North End!
This is a great place to take an aperitivo.. and do it the italian way.. is really nice for a 5 oclock drink or coffee or dessert or anything..
People thought this was:
This has to be my favorite North End cafe. The cappuccino is perfect, seriously perfect, and the desserts delectable. On summer nights, you can watch real live Italians with large pieces of gold jewelry passing leisurely hours over coffee and cordials.
People thought this was:
Best Caffe in Boston. European atmosphere, great cappuccino, coffee and they make hands down the BEST cannoli I've ever tasted. These are real Itallian pastries - fresh and made to order. I'd also like to state that anyone attempting review Starbucks D&D or any other chain generic coffee shop should be banned from using Yelp and potentially castrated.
I went here with a friend and we really enjoyed our tiramisu... until we got the bill! They charged us up the wazoo! Really disappointing since this is one of few places in the North End where you can sit and sip your coffee in peace.
People thought this was:
I came here with a lady friend recently. It felt like I was in Europe which there really are not too many places in Boston that offer a unique European experience even though many may claim to do so. I had an espresso and a pistachio gelato. My lady friend had a cappuccino and chocolate cake. The espresso was strong but went down real smooth. It had its desired effect of taking care of the gluttony I just experienced with dinner by making me feel less stuffed. The gelato was sweet and creamy. The service was very fast and friendly with the waiter giving us suggestions.
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