Giacomo's
355 Hanover St
(between Bennet St & Clark St)
Boston, MA 02113 (617) 523-9026
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 5:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Sun 4:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. - Menu: MenuPages
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: No
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
105 Reviews for Giacomo's
Someone in your party must get the
*butternut squash ravioli
*lobster ravioli
*gnocchi with veal
You will not be disappointed. You will wait in line. Send a friend to get
you a pastry from Mike's and have a sweet appetizer while you wait. :)
CASH ONLY!!!!!
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Yes, you will wait for a long-ass time, and yes, it's cash only, and no, they don't take reservations, but it is so worth it!
My friend took us here while we were visiting Boston from California. She insisted that we bear the wait in the cold (probably in the 30s that night, and no, that's not really cold if you live in Boston, but yes, it is very cold if you are used to California weather) and that it would be totally worth it -- she even missed some event she was supposed to go to to wait with us.
After about a 30-minute wait in the freezing cold, even with a homeless man pestering the couple next to us (and pestering us on occasion, except we just completely ignored him -- we're accustomed to that in Berkeley), we got in and quickly put in our order. We started with the calamari -- hands-down the best calamari I have ever had in my life. My friend got the butternut squash ravioli, I can't remember what J got, and I got that Giacomo's house sauce (a creamy tomato-based red sauce) fettuccine with shrimp. All of it was so, so amazing.
The restaurant itself is a bit crowded inside, but if you just ignore that and concentrate on the food, you'll enjoy it that much more. And who cares if the waiters are a little rude? It's the best damn Italian food in the world.
Here's another spot I tried based on the reviews fellow Yelpers. I got there around 6:30P and braced myself for the wait. There was already a line outside, but that is because the place is very small compared to the joints I eat in Los Angeles. Even if they did get a bigger spot, there still would be a line. Actually, it was my first time in the North End, so I enjoyed looking at the surroundings, so the wait didn't seem that bad. For starters, my friend and I had the calamari. It was one of the best calamari I had. I don't like a lot of batter on my calamari and Giacomo's prepped perfectly....light, but crispy batter. There were also fried peppers with the calamari that was a nice touch to the dish. For the entree, I had the special which was 1/2 lobster, mussells, clams, shirmp, and scallops on pasta with the Giacomo sauce (marinara w/ a hint of cream) and my friend had the butternut squash ravioli. All were excellent! The seafood was cooked perfect, tender and full of flavor. The butternut squash ravoli was interesting...I liked it, but it can get a little sweet. This place was awesome so much character, it was worth the wait and wished Italian food on the West Coast was just as good.
Great food, great prices, and friendly service...three things that are always present when dining at Giacomo's. The line can be long, so get there super early or super late to avoid standing outside the restaurant.
Once inside, Giacomo's has a family sort of feel. Dining is less than intimate, but reminds me of dining in Italy...where sometimes you're forced to sit next to a total stranger.
As I mentioned, the food here is great. I've been twice, and enjoyed both entrees. The first time I got the lobster ravioli, which was up there with the best I have ever tasted, despite that it only cost approximately $15. The next time I got the fettuccine with salmon and sun dried tomatoes in a tomato cream sauce, and it was also delicious and at an unbelievably reasonable price. The portion sizes are also huge.
The food at Giacomo's is delicious, but it is certainly not fine dining..and doesn't claim to be. The food is good in the way that mom would make it, not in the gourmet way Ken Oringer would. Unlike the majority of the restaurants in the North End, the prices are reasonable...which makes it a favorite spot for those dining in the area.
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The Good:
The calamari at this location is much better than that of the South End location.
Lobster ravioli is awesome.
Atmosphere is cute.
The Not-So-Good:
My only reason for subtracting one star--the potentially insane lines (think Pasta Mia in D.C.) and no-reservation policy.
The Curiosity-Inspiring:
The butternut squash ravioli--I am totally getting this next time I go. Two of my D.C. friends say it's the best ravioli they've ever had. If it's better than the lobster ravioli, I will be converted to the ways of the butternut forever.
The frutti di mare--sometimes the prospect of shells in my food turns me off from seafood entrees, but Giacomo's version looks quite enticing.
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Yeah, there's a line. How many crappy restaurants have lines outside of them? While we waited at least 4 people passed commenting on the line and why it was there. Comments ranged from quizzical to judging, there definitely was on Rachel Ray mention and one gentleman seemingly commented "Please, it's like eating in a kitchen". It was like eating in a kitchen, a truly fantastic and delicious kitchen.
Quarters are tightly packed, we sat at a table for two which was 4 inches from the other table for two to our right. But, if you get over your space issues you can easily have one of the most delicious and economical meals you can probably find.
We waited approx. 45 minutes which seems to be a pretty standard wait time. Once we got seated a no-nonsense waitress detailed the lay of the land and the menu, she was fantastic throughout with recommendations and well wishes. They have a system and they move fast, it's probably related to how they keep the menu so economically priced. You can easily spend two hundred up and down Hanover St, but this spot will net you a delicious dinner for around $75 (for 2)...all for a wait outside.
Everything was delicious, Started with the calamari, delicious and made better by the fried peppers. The butternut squash ravioli were unique and delicious as were the plate of homemade fusili in Giacomo sauce.
Reservations are a hassle wait in line and enjoy.
I should preface this by saying, "I am not a big seafood eater." I hear Giacomo's seafood dishes are wonderful, and I am certainly not going to dispute that because I have only eaten non-seafood fare at this restaurant. If you're not a fan of all things that come from the sea, then ditch the massive line that winds around the block and go across the street to Cibo for pasta (Giacomo's and Cibo are owned by the same family).
Ok, so to be fair, it's been a while since I've been here, but I'm really hungry right now and sometimes you just get that craving for a good plate of pasta.
I really enjoy this place. It's small, it's fairly authentic, there's a crapload of food, and it's reasonably priced - especially for what you get.
Remember to have cash on you, and if it's nice out, be prepared to wait for a while outside, but it's definitely worth it. Mmm... I could really go for a plate of pasta right about now...
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I have a designated homecoming restaurant for each of my favorite cities. They are must-stop places where I can relax and stuff my face with the best comfort food there is till I have to secretly loosen my belt, maybe even unsnap the button if I'm in tight jeans.
Giacomo's is that kind of place. It's a ritual each time. I'd either skip or have a very light lunch just to prepare for the homecoming meal. Yeah, there's a bit of a wait especially in the NE location. I don't mind talking to strangers in line for 40 minutes or so (if I'm alone) because that's also part of the ritual. I know in the end I'll be stumbling out of there completely satisfied without exception every fcuking time.
It is appropriate that they don't serve dessert because there's never any room left for dessert right after a meal of giant tender calamari and the best pasta you can find on this side of the Atlantic.
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Giacomo's claim to fame is hosting and subsequently being recommended to the masses by Rachael Ray. My foray to this esteemed Italian establishment, however, was prompted by the raves of a colleague. I thought the service was good naturedly no nonsense, yet the food left a lot to be desired. Like Rachael Ray, I ordered the pumpkin tortellini, which consisted of slightly over al dente rings of pasta swimming in a deep pool of oil. I didn't enjoy the calamari either, but that had more to do with my aversion to stuffing tentacles in my mouth than the quality of the food. All in all, overrated, especially considering that this is supposed to be the epitome of Boston's reputed Italian cuisine.
Honestly, I drank too much before sitting down to eat here. At first I couldn't tell if it was amazing because I hadn't eaten all day and was drunk but then I realized after having the Butternut Squash ravioli that this place was just damn amazing. THE END. the server was extra friendly too.
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Food was great. Butternut squash ravioli was top notch. Even the garlic broccoli was incredible.
Our waitress was very friendly. My new favorite Italian place in Boston.
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I went to Boston with a list of Restaurants, and out of all of them, Giacomo's was the BEST! Definitely a must do in Boston.
The food and the people are incredible, and the prices are just right!
The butternut squash ravioli is yummy. Try it as an appetizer to share!
Best Italien Food! Coming from an Italien family, I've had my fair share of amazing home-cooked italien food. I have only been to two resteraunts in my whole like that could match the quality I was feed at home: a place in NYC in the Village AND GIACOMO'S!
I have always had to wait in line for their food (and yes, it is annoying when a party of 6 behind you in line gets seated just because a large table opened up) BUT WHO CARES! Have your partner/s hold your space in line and go and buy some canolis from Mike's Bakery 1 block away for after dinner. I promise you it is worth the wait.
The wait staff is extremely friendly also. Always rushing around, but very friendly.
Be patient and look forward to your food and you will have a great time. And do not come starving and grouchy or else you will have a horrible experience.
And lastly: Don't be a jerk and wait in the doorway/vestibule. Wait out side, in line. This is so the waiters/waitresses can look and see the groups and how many and plane accordingly. Not to mention you are in everyone's way! The people can't leave and you might get overlooked. Suck it up and deal with it like everyone else.
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Ridiculously good italian food. Prices were very reasonable, and the wait was acceptable. (1 hr wait at 5:45p on a rainy Saturday night) The mood is very merry, even in April. We ended up chatting with some folks which made the line go quickly.
Our table got an order of calimari (~$9) which was solid, but not amazing. My main meal was the lobster ravioli (~$16) with the house specialty tomato based dressing. It went just great with their regular Chianti (~$15).
Having enjoyed Italian in Italy for a month, and previously living in the Bay Area, I can say that this place provides the best value of the bunch.
Giacomo's is a true classic--a restaurant that transcends its category, transcends the norms of the fine dining rat race--the chasing of trend after trend. It's a place that can celebrate its quirks and oddities and downright stubborn limitations. If you take the time to play along, you will celebrate with your tastebuds, and your heart.
You don't come to Giacomo's to be impressed by the creativity of the chef, or the beauty of the dining room, or the finer points of the service.
You come to Giacomo's to experience a restaurant that is all about the food, and just the food; the food and the eating of it are the only things that matter.
I absolutely treasure places like this and am so, so glad we came here rather than some other newfangled, fusion place.
If you read enough in this list of reviews you will know the drill, but they bear repeating: Cash only. You are going to wait in line. The luck of the draw in terms of which tables open up will determine how fast your group gets seated. When you finally get to enter, you need to enter the doors one at a time, like an airlock, so as not to freeze your fellow diners when you enter with a wintry blast from Hanover Street.
Once inside, I hope you are waited on by the sassy and savvy Rosemarie, a lovely lady who brooks no nonsense but wants you to enjoy every bite and appreciates customers who appreciate good food.
Your first move is obvious: large calamari, please. To pass these up is criminal, and I come from a part of the country where calamari are caught by fishermen by the tons. You will quickly find yourself addressing a plate of perfectly breaded, perfectly fried, perfectly tender calamari accented with little chunks of fried sweet red and spicy jalapeno pepper rings.
After ordering your appetizer, focus on the big chalk boards, and order up a plate of pasta with seafood. I picked a special, lobster and shrimp on homemade fusilli with Giacomo's spicy, creamy house red sauce, a lovely savory combination.
When you are face down in that pasta you will forget that the wine list is just mundane, and there is no dessert to be had here--Mike's is across the street with the cannoli of all cannolis, so why would you even think about dessert here? Finish up, there are hungry people out there standing in line. Share the wealth, share the warmth.
I hope Giacomo's is open forever, and those who don't really get it don't clutter up the line. The rest of us will cherish places like this.
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Yeah so I've heard about Giacomo's. Been there before. and as you probably know from going yourself or from reading other reviews that they've got a handle on the fast cheap north end seafood dinner thing.
I went last Thursday, first real nice day of the year, and it did not disappoint. In fact it went above and beyond what I had remembered. You know the story, no calling ahead, waiting in line outside. Looking through the windows trying to see what meals looked good and who was almost done with their meal. Making small talk to the people in line with us. Table for 2? Yes please. Sit down. Really nice waitress comes over, tells us without telling us that their calamari is the shit and we should probably get it. Small order please and a bottle of red wine. The wine list? Oh the wine list is phenomenal. One of every kind of wine. All priced at 15.99. My goal was to drink 2 bottles between the two of us. We'll see how that turns out. Order dinner, I got Scallops and Shrimp with Giacomo sauce, Sarah got Clams and Mussels with Giacomo sauce. The specials looked really good, and next time I will be getting one of those, but they do seafood and I wanted seafood so I ordered seafood.
Calamari comes, wow it is good. Best I've had in a long time. Can we get extra marinara? Of course! When you go, just get the calamari. don't play the whole 'trying to watch what I eat' game. You'll be sending me comments to thank me.
Calamari is gone, pasta's come quickly. How much cheese do you want? One scoop (for rookies), Two scoops (for the ladies) or three scoops for a man like me. Dominated the pasta. Actually couldn't finish is all but finished all the shrimps and scallops. The second bottle of wine was nonsense. What was I thinking. Instead we said thank you, tipped big for being awesome, and walked off one of the best meals I've had in a while.
If you haven't been, you should probably go, it's one of those places with a lot of charm and FAN-TASTIC food
5 stars!
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After hearing rave reviews from many sources, I was so happy to finally experience Giacomo's for myself. We started with calamari (yum) and the antipasto platter (good, but eh). I had lobster ravioli. It was absolutely amazing. The sauce was creamy but not too heavy, but very heavy on the garlic (just the way I like it). I had the leftovers for lunch the next day and was so happy to wreak like garlic for two days straight. Don't expect to have a sophisticated bottle of wine with your dinner (wine list? what wine list?) but their food makes up for it.
I'm going to have to keep going back until I try every single thing on the menu.
If it isn't good, people wouldn't wait in line to get in.
There's really no comparison of Giacomo's to any other Italian Restaurant unless you need reservation and a romantic ambiance. It's got the best Italian food I've ever had in any Italian restaurants. (maybe except for Maggiano's all-you-can-eat, since... I... eat a lot and Maggiano's can fill my need to eat until I can't walk properly)
The portions are huge, the prices reasonable, and the type of fish I ordered were always cooked to perfection.
I know it sucks that there's always a line -- but if you try like after 8 pm on a weekday, it's actually not so bad.
Alright. Let's get this out of the way: the food was good. Butternut squash ravioli was fresh and flavorful with a nice sweetness. The broccoli was cooked a little longer than I prefer, but it was quality veggie with garlicky goodness. The garlic bread was more like toast and had a lot of butter; I wouldn't recommend it. The fresh bread on the table was quite good.
On to the experience. Isn't it cool when the waiter hassles you as you wait in the vestibule, figuring out who will go to the ATM for cash? Don't you enjoy it when they rattle off bank names as though you are wasting his time even though no one else is waiting and there is an empty table?
Ain't it wacky when the server rushes you to make a decision and 'playfully' yanks your hair when you turn away from him to look at the menu board on the wall that he just directed you toward? Me either.
Isn't it quirky fun when he rushes you to order wine, then brings you a different wine, opening it as he says "this replaces that wine; they just didn't change the menu," never asking if the substitution is okay? Or when he stands by the table next to you to take your order, shouts it to the kitchen, then reaches through you to pour wine, never leaving his spot by the other table, balancing precariously with red wine? Or how about the way he never gets close enough to the table (it is a tight fit, but really) to serve you, instead reaching toward you with plates, telling you to pass it to whomever ordered it?
And oh, isn't it hilarious when he points to your last ravioli and says, "eat that" so that he can clear your place?
Yeah, I didn't find any of it funny, either. Our server was annoying and decidedly unfunny. So who cares how the food tasted. I'm going somewhere else.
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I'm not sure I have ever actually entered this place sober. What's nice about the location of this place is there is a liquor store next door. You will be waiting in line for dinner, outside. Small place, and no reservations here!
This place serves up some delicious food and is fantastically affordable. I always get pasta here, and I have to say, the Giacomo sauce is amazing! I typically get a dish with linguine, the yummy sauce, and a variety of seafood, including half a lobster. This dish is ~$15 (I think, but remember, not sober). Caesar salad is fantastically garlicky and huge enough to share. Wines are nice and quite affordable.
Staff is sweet, but you'll be packed in like sardines, so choose your seat wisely, you're not getting up. One "table" for two is even set up at the bar--probably nice because you can watch them cook everything there. Giacomo's is definitely a place to hit when you are in North End, just be prepared for the wait and try not to get too upset when you are crammed in next to all of the other patrons, you're in for a delicious meal!
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It may be something of a miracle, but I actually didn't wait a single minute for a table here. Showing up right when they open helps a lot; the long line outside forms soon after. I also appreciated that we got our food very quickly.
I tried my mom's butternut squash ravioli since everyone in the world had recommended it and it was, indeed, pretty stunning. A nice consistency and a good sauce. I had a great fettucine; all the ingredients are of good quality and the chicken was excellent.
Will definitely return to try other things on the menu and check out the appetizers.
Staff were very efficient and quick, but pleasant. No complaints about the service. I'm sure they appreciate it when people help make their jobs easier when there are people waiting in the rain outside.
It's a very small space, and it WILL be cramped, no two ways about it, but I thought it was a fun atmosphere, though it won't be for everyone. And the prices aren't super-low, but given the high quality of the food, it's worth it.
i'm torn between 3 and 4 stars.
it's good. don't get me wrong. it's delish. however, is it better than fiore? no. is it better than taranta? no. do they take reservations? no.
too many no's for me. it's a small place. however, too small for the amount of customers they get. i had great service and the food was good. but the fact that they don't take reservations bother me, especially because other places that are equally good, with equal service, and simmilar menus take reservations in the north end.
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This place is great. No, it's not a 5 diamond restaurant and no, they don't have a diverse wine list (it's pretty much red or white) and yes, they servers will give you crap.
BUT THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE GREAT!
I go out to have a good time, not to be serious. I like getting made fun of and I understand that a small establishment doesn't make the kind of margins that allows for there to be a credit card machine.
The food is good, you can talk to the people at tables near yours (which is every one) and they have a great birthday song.
I will come here on a regular basis and now it's my go-to place in the North End for affordable dining.
I like it when a server will tell you what's good, what you should order and what you shouldn't. Every restaurant has plates that are better than others. If a server tells you otherwise, they are lying.
$5 glasses of decent wine and an $18 half lobster are unheard of prices. On top of it, you will have friends and the employees will remember you when you come back.
Yay for the North End!
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I came here after hearing a ton of great things about it. We got there relatively early - around 5:45 and didn't have to wait in the line outside. We crammed into our table and the waitress came over and explained the menu/specials.
We ordered a small calamari and Caesar Salad to share, the calamari was the best I ever had. If you're going, you have to get it. The salad was very good also.
For my entree I ordered the special with the Giacomo Sauce - it's linguine with mussels, clams, and 1/2 a lobster. It was ok. I definitely liked my appetizer and salad more. The lobster was overcooked but I think it's impossible not to when you make it this way. The mussels were good, the pasta was cooked right but I thought the sauce I ordered would be more creamy.
We both decided next time we go we'll go at the same time to avoid the line (they don't take reservations) and we'll order something different. I noticed the butternut squash ravioli AFTER I ordered! It wasn't too expensive and had a nice atmosphere even though it's tiny. Worth a try!
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Best calamari I've had, the fried hot peppers took it to a new level. My ravioli was fresh and cooked to perfection, the Giacomo sauce (lobster-based red + bechamel) was delicious and deadly. Top all that off with friendly and fast service and low prices -- what more could you want?
So my birthday is in April. This year I turned 30. I went to dinner with a bunch of friends, but some of my work folk couldn't make it. One of those work friends has been saying all along that we should go out again to "celebrate" and so it was that I came to be having my 2nd 30th birthday dinner at Giacomo's nearly 7 months after my actual birthday.
I had heard a lot about Giacomo's, but had never been. I heard the food was good, that there was always a line out front. For some reason I was envisioning something a little more fancy, and definitely something bigger. We showed up, and yes, there was a line, but we got there just as the first seating of diners were finishing up, so our wait wasn't that long. I was surprised at how small this place is, but I like the intimate feel. After seeing the size of the place, the line out front make a little more sense.
Our party of 5 was seated, and the waitress came over. She worked with purposefulness. She was matter-of-fact, and friendly, and moved with the efficiency of someone who's been working there for decades. Specials are up on the wall, oh, and here they are handwritten and laminated as well. That's a detail that made me smile.
The food comes, and after tasting not only my own dish, but others, the line outside makes even more sense. My butternut squash ravioli were amazing. I even tried the fried calamari appetizer, and up until that point, I always commented that eating fried calamari was like eating rubber bands. That's not the case here. Apparently I had just never had good calamari.
This little place is cash only, though when you're the "birthday" girl , no cash is necessary. Not when you have friends like mine. I'll definitely be back.
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best italian food ever.
and they keep things real by not taking credit cards.
Um, Hi... can you say "pillows of heaven"? That's how my friend Jenny friend described their Butternut Squash Ravioli, and she is 100% correct! They are light, soft, a little sweet, and melt in your mouth! I dont even remember anything else we had that night.. the butternut squash overshadowed everything else in comparison.
We waited an hour (or more) in line, but it was so worth it!!!
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This was the destination of our first Valentine's Day in Boston last year, and it was a DELIGHT. The butternut squash ravioli is divine. The pumpkin ravioli kicks booty. The calamari has just the right amount of kick and crunch.
Go expecting a line, (unless you show up at 5pm) to pay in cash, a small- if not tiny- dining area, your food to be dished up fast, helpful and fun(ny) wait staff, and not to sit and chat for hours at your table- save that for the next little coffee/pastry shop you go to in the North End that evening.
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This is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston and by far my favorite in the North End. I have been going here for 4 years and have never had a bad experience! I usually wait in line for about 30 minutes and get crammed into a tiny table where my arms are brushing up against the patrons next to me. The servers are not super friendly and there are no desserts or coffee. However, the food speaks for itself and the atmosphere makes for an incredible time.
The lobster ravioli is made with delicious fresh lobster and the buttery flavor is to die for. The pastas are home made and their sauces are simple but delicious. I always order the calamari and its crisp with fried jalepenos and the calamari melts in your mouth. The menu is short and has the usual italian classics but each dish is fresh and made perfectly. Also, the lack of dessert means we have time to find a cafe and get coffee and gelato elsewhere.
My date and I always end up making friends with the table next to us or the people waiting with us in line and if you go there enough (like I do) the waiters get to know you and it starts to feel like home. If you expect a restaurant to treat you like royalty, this place is not for you. If you are looking for amazing food and a cozy, relaxing experience, then this will be one of the best restaurants you'll find.
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Went with a party of 5 on Tuesday night around 8:30pm. Seated immediately. It's nice but intimate enough with the open kitchen to feel almost 'down-home.' The sauces were delicious and I nearly licked the plate. Ambiance was somewhat jovial, though noisy and the manager was bombastic but keeps mood lively. This is my go-to place in the North End now; I've been around 7 times in 2 months! The only thing I'd change is the fact that if your party is less than 3, you will most likely be seated directly adjacent to another couple, privy to their entire conversation. It's a bit awkward but that's the time where you say lots of outrageous stuff and then they request another table.
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Love it love it. Have to second Lauren E. on the butternut squash raviolo. Unreal. If there is a wait, wait! It is definitely a place to be in the North End, especiall y in the summer time.
YUM.
All I can say is: fusilli with lobster meat (!!) in a lobster-base beschemel creme sauce. huge dish, I got full, which is saying a lot.
This place is Boston's saving grace.
Cash only, make sure you have money. It's worth the wait outside. Bring a jacket. Save room for a canolli at mike's pastries afterwards!
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Another fav place I always try to hit up when I'm back in town.
I hate the cold so it's absurd that I've stood outside to wait for a spot at this tiny restaurant. But that just shows how good the food is.
WHAT? Yelp says they have another location?!? So there.
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Love the roasted red pepper stuffed gnocchi and fried calamari. Yes...the lines are long, but a waitress brought out some some garlic bread while we were waiting. My boyfriend has been dying to return ever since we went, but we're trying to round up others that will tackle the wait to get inside!
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Wow. This place is marvelous. We waited outside on a brisk fall night for what seemed like eternity, but it was totally worth it. The food was amazing. I had the ziti with chicken and broccoli in a garlic cream sauce and I was in heaven. There's a lot of seafood on the menu, but there's also delicious-sounding things like pumpkin tortellini. This is some of the best Italian food I've ever had. It's cash only, cramped, and there's usually a wait, but still, Giacomo's is not to be missed!
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One of the best in the North End, do not miss this place! Awesome homemade pasta dishes for very affordable prices. The portions are great and the atmosphere is loads of fun. The place is tight and always packed full...get here early any day of the week but especially weekends. Experienced customers will grab a beer from the store nearby and drink from a brown bag while waiting in line, which tends to be a long one. It's kind of a hassle, so don't plan on coming unless it's a beautiful day and you don't mind waiting outside.
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One the best Italian restaurants that I have ever been to. We found this restaurant through Rachel Ray's $40 a day book. When we first got there, the line was about an hour wait since the restaurant was compact which was the only downside to it. When we finally got seats, we started with the mussels and calamari. The calamari at Giacomo's the best one I have ever had so far. I loved so much at I requested a second serving of it. After the calamari lovefest, we went to the main dish in which I ordered the fettuccine with salmon, sun dried tomatoes and their special giacomo red sauce. It was so good of a dish that I had to take the rest to go because I could not finish it since the calamari consumed the hell out of me. If you live in the Boston area, you guys are lucky to have a restaurant as good as this and if you planning to travel to Beantown make the effort to go here.
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I went here a while ago while my mom was in town, and I got the butternut squash ravioli. I have. never. tasted. any. ravioli. that. good. The sauce complemented the sweet ravioli perfectly. Like our server said, it's like dinner and dessert all rolled into one.
My mom and her boyfriend had seafood dishes, and while they were also good, my ravioli and fried calimari were definitely better.
