LoConte always aims to please. Whether you are there on a date and eating like a bird (with a full wine glass to boot) to loosening the old belt for the famous chicken parm or gnocchi and short ribs, you will always get a bang for your buck at this Salem Street staple. With a fresh bread basket awaiting you at the table, to decadent desserts as you leave, this Italian fare should not be missed.

If you have friends or family visiting from out of town, this is the place to go if you want to show them what the North End is all about. It's also the kind of place to go on a first date, low lit and not pretentious. The Italian music adds to the ambience. When you walk in, there are a bunch of old fashioned photos, and the whole atmosphere is very mellow and welcoming - not trendy at all. They pamper you a bit, chat, and make you feel like part of the family the moment you enter. A popular dish that you might want to try: arancini.

Mix an eclectic taste in music, a choice location in the North End, a fun, young clientele, and an authentic Italian menu and staff, and—voila! Rabia's. Nestled on a cozy street, Rabia's is a simple yet tasty choice for Italian and Mediterranean dining. The glass vineyard ceiling, complete with illuminated crystal grapes, and a large window front that opens during the warmer months, give the classy interior a romantic touch without overdoing it. Thankfully, the prices won't cause your wallet to feel outdone either. Traditional pastas average $13, and more elaborate meals run $16-27, including the seafood dishes, such as lobster ravioli ($19) and shrimp and clams linguini ($18). A small selection of desserts helps redefine paradise, offering a truly phenomenal tiramasu ($8). Show up early to avoid long waits on weekend nights; couples stand a better chance at getting a table first than large groups, even if you have reservations.

This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Budget-minded diners can cut back on their bill by skipping a second appetizer and indulging in complimentary bread, olive oil and imported olives.

A small and intimate restaurant that serves modern Italian dishes. Popular choices include the open-faced scallop and lobster ravioli and the pan-roasted filet mignon. It has a wonderful wine list, and you are likely to have the same server on each visit. Terramia is not your typical mom-and-pop restaurant in the North End and a great place for a romantic dinner. Decor is gorgeous. Comfortable, stylish and modern. I wish every room in my house looked this good. If there is a wait for a table (which there often is) they suggest you grab a drink at the bar in Bacco Ristorante, a restaurant just across the street. The hostess will come and get you in Bacco once your table is ready.

Forget Hanover Street. While tourists flock to the North End hotspot to sample traditional Italian staples and soak in its rustic charm, hardcore foodies know that just a cannoli's throw away is one of the oldest -- and most culturally vibrant -- blocks in Boston. La Galleria 33 typifies the kind of reasonably priced, more-bang-for-your-buck eateries that line Salem Street. This place has a bit of rustic appeal. Exposed brick and an open hearth kitchen give two candlelit rooms a soft, warm glow. Glass doors in the summertime open onto the street. Co-owned by Rita Moran and her sister Lisa Cerundolo, La Galleria 33 is a nice alternative for a date and won't empty out your wallet the way some of these North End restaurants can.

Bacco, in Boston's North End, is a neighborhood restaurant as well as a dining hotspot for the rest of the city. Inside there are 2 floors of dining and bars, with windows opening onto the streets below. The menu is Northern Italian with Mediterranean influences and the wine list is extensive, and predominately Italian. There are usually great happy hour deals with half price appetizers.

Opened in 1931, this is the oldest restaurant in the North End. They offer classic Italian fare in a casual and laid back atmosphere. Headed by local North End chef FIORE COLELLA, who cooks in the tradition of his Italian home village, Avellino.

Don't let the waiters' military-style uniforms (complete with Italian-flag epaulets—or is that Mexico?) fool you, the mood at this North End standby is anything but regimented. From the moment you enter the warm, candlelit, romantic dining room off Hanover St., owner Franco Graceffa will cajole you into having a good time, whether you're on a quiet date or a blocking group party. The food here shines, too, with a menu that covers traditional Southern Italian dishes and some regional specialties. Start with the involtini di Melanzane ($10), an eggplant rolatini that continues to be a crowd favorite, and the fried calamari ($10). Move on to massive portions of chicken, veal, and pasta, making sure to sample the chicken braciolettini ($20) and mozarella, portabello, and spinach-stuffed veal ($30). One caveat: even with reservations (highly recommended), you may have to wait a bit to get a table, especially with big groups. That said, once you've cooled your heels at the bar and joined in one of Graceffa's boisterous sing-alongs, you'll be ready to take on the delights Dolce Vita has to offer. Life here is indeed very, very good. Entrees $15-30. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

It's kind of funny, but this place has gotten some fairly limp reviews about both the food and the service. However, when I visited and spoke to one of the chefs, he was very engaging and obviously had a great deal of pride in the restaurant. They have an open kitchen, a fireplace downstairs, and a cozy space overall. They use the freshest local ingredients, and their most popular dishes are the specials. If you don't see a dish on the menu, they will prepare what you want to order. This isn't the sort of place where you will get rushed out. If you want to sit back to chat and reminisce with old friends and drink wine for 2-3 hours, you're more than welcome to do so. They tried a little hard with the faux-exposed brick, but if you're enjoying yourself, who cares? Tip: For a more intimate dinner, request a table for 2 downstairs.

Along bustling Hanover Street in the North End, another Italian restaurant comes to the scene. Ristorante Damiano, located close to Cafe Vittoria and Mike's Pastry is Sicilian owned and operated. It offers small plates, moderate prices, and several wines by the glass.