Antico Forno
Reasonably priced gourmet Italian cuisine, prepared in traditional brick-oven style.
(617) 892-4301
93 Salem St
(at Parmenter Street)
Boston,
MA
02113
42.3637
-71.0556
Neighborhoods: North End, Central
Hours:
Sun-Thur 11:30am-10pm
Fri-Sat 11:30am-10:30pm
Price:
$$
Last updated 4.30.09
What People Are Saying About Antico Forno
The Owner
Antico Forno
Owner
Antico Forno is well known for their brick oven pizza but offers an extensive Italian menu to suit every palate. The open layout and new bar area provides a setting for both large groups and intimate dinners. Located on Salem St a short walk from both Commercial and Hanover Streets, Antico Forno escapes the traffic and noise which adds to the relaxing environment and dining experience.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
Most everything on the rustic menu is cooked in a burning brick oven, as the restaurant's name implies (antico forno means "old oven"). The diminutive dining room hosts a mix of loyal locals and tourists, and can get quite noisy when full. Thin-crust pizzas (toppings include homemade sausage, imported buffalo mozzarella and sautéed shrimp) and baked pasta dishes emerge from the oven piping hot. Fresh salads, wood-grilled seafood and homemade pastas round out the menu.
User Reviews
mochi82
March 14, 2009
Woah! What a horrible dining experience!!! I have never written a review on a restaurant, but tonight I feel inspired. North End on a Saturday night is very busy so we found one restaurant with no wait....no wonder! Initially, we were happy they seated us right away. Too bad the table was put there as a mere afterthought....between the bar (which doubled as a waiting room), kitchen, and the restroom. Between hungry customers, drinking patrons, waiters with dirty dishes, people in a rush to the bathroom, servers with dishes of food....I felt lucky if I wasn't bumped every 10 seconds. I told the hostess. Instead of moving our seats, she scolded the waiters in front of me ordering them to walk ALL the way around the entire restaurant to the kitchen. Yes, blame the waiters trying to do their job...and make the customer feel worse. To make matters worse, she would ignore her own order and she would pass and bump my chair about 6 more times after this incident. I put an extra chair next to me as a mini barricade against the waiters, customers, busboys, hostess, servers...and whoever else wanted to pass. I was then reprimanded because I would cause a nuisance for the the waiters wanting to go to the kitchen. And the hostess, literally flung the chair against the wall behind me. I have never had a dining experience where hostess single-handed made me feel guilty and embarrassed. Then we finally got our food. Maybe, I was biased by this point...but the food was mediocre. A little salty. Very similiar to the Olive Garden but more expensive. Hopefully, your experience will be different...but would you want to risk it?
read full review
Agalag
July 28, 2008
I was expecting authentic Italian food, got bad Italian-American food instead. I'm sorry to see a wood-burning stove wasted in such bad pizza. The risotto was even worse. On the plus side the place was packed and everyone else was enjoying their meal. Every other restaurant in the North End area was packed as well. Very nice area to walk. When I go back to Boston I'll stick to clam chowders and the like.
read full review
isabeljo
April 21, 2008
Four of us visited on Sat. of marathon weekend. Boston was CRAZY that day. Arrived just about 5:00PM . No wait. Cordial staff. Water and bread brought immediately.( just white loaf bread but there was a cheese dipping sauce instead of olive oil that was tasty). Wine list was reasonable. Ordered Calamari and Caprese. Calamari was breaded lightly, tender and plentiful. Mozzarella was fresh and tomatoes jumbo but soft. Rigatoni Alla Boscaiola, Rigatoni Salsiccia e Ricotta, Chicken Parm, and Mussels. All were absolutely fantastic! The room filled up fast after being seated but we never felt rushed or forgotten. Dishes were removed discreetly, water filled promptly, and leftovers bagged without hesitation. We could not have enjoyed the experience more. We now have a new favorite North End eatery. Not a real romantic or quiet place but delicious food. We have tried several times before to get in but long lines deterred us. Never again.
read full reviewThe Details on Antico Forno
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Travelers Check
Restaurant Special Features:
General Info:
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
Message from Antico Forno
- Large parties are welcome
- Full Bar
- Great Date Spot
Antico Forno is well known for their brick oven pizza but offers an extensive Italian menu to suit every palate. The open layout and new bar area provides a setting for both large groups and intimate dinners. Located on Salem St a short walk from both Commercial and Hanover Streets, Antico Forno escapes the traffic and noise which adds to the relaxing environment and dining experience.
