Taranta

If the North End first date seems like a tired cliché, you clearly haven't been to Taranta. The minute a helpful waiter seats you in one of the 3 high-ceilinged, brick-walled dining rooms, explains the specials, and presents you with a paper cone full of fresh, moist focaccia, you'll know you're in for a treat. Try the shrimp ravioli with Peruvian mint pesto ($17) or the sumptuous braised veal shank on saffron risotto ($28). For dessert, share the delicate hazelnut mousse drizzled in dulce de leche ($7) with your date, and you'll be gazing dreamily into each other's eyes in no time. The North End never tasted so good. Reservations recommended. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.