Message from Taranta
Eclectic, outstanding Southern Italian cuisine spices up the North End.
- Cooking Classes
- Private Rooms
- Unique Cuisine
Taranta is still quite young in the eyes of Boston's famous North End, yet it has managed to make possibly the biggest mark in the oldest part of Boston. After having a previous history with other famous and well respected restaurants in "Little Italy."
Taranta is the result of a marriage between Southern Italian Cuisine and Peruvian Cuisine, and it's success is due to its quality of food and service, and having a strong personality really helps. Taranta cooks and lives Southern Italian cuisine with a Peruvian twist. Chef-Owner Jose Duarte and wife Anna, have focused on this massive feat and the critics agree, Taranta Cucina Meridionale has done it, better than ever.
Editorial and merchant content by Citysearch
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Editorial Description by Citysearch
The Scene One of the neighborhood's most-expansive restaurants, Taranta splits its vast dining space between three levels. Tambourines dangle from rustic, exposed-brick walls in tribute to the Tarantella, the traditional Southern-Italian dance from which the restaurant takes its name. At peak hours, the high ceilings don't help the noise levels in the otherwise mellow, romantic setting. Jovial, unobtrusive and enthusiastic service is faultless. A somewhat limited but well-chosen wine list and impressive selection of after-dinner liqueurs highlight the drink options.
The Food Taranta's seasonal menu meshes Latin American ingredients with Italian fare, yielding dishes like cassava root gnocchi or ravioli stuffed with duck confit and lucuma fruit. Homemade pasta dishes (artisan-made fusilli with pancetta, onion, smoked sweet peppers and roasted tomatoes, all baked in parchment paper) are not to be missed. Pan-roasted baby chicken with Peruvian asparagus in a sauce of drunken plums, roasted shallots and panca chili personifies the kitchen's unique approach.
Rated 8.0 out of 10 by Citysearch.
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Restaurants, Seafood Restaurants, Italian Restaurants
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35 Reviews of Taranta
in Boston
Have experience with this business? Write a review
best pork chop 4
By C. T.
| Insider Guru
| Rank: 986
Taranta
I've been here twice and been very happy both times. Taranta is a nice change from the standard Italian places in the north end. The space is small and intimate, if not a bit cramped. The food is incredible (they make the best pork chop I have ever eaten), and they have a great wine list. I would recommend trying Taranta if you're looking for something a little different in the north end.
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Best place for client dinner with awesome food and service
By MinPinMom1
I was looking for a restaurant for my boss ( we are in Charlotte, NC) to take clients while in Boston. Often times I find this to be a challenge since reviews are often not true. I went out on a wing when I picked Taranta for my boss to take her clients too. When I arrived at work the following morning I received an email from my boss who was still in Boston raving about the food, the presentation of the food, the wait staff which was awesome and the lovely table Chef Duarte had set for them on the Patio.
Today, she came back into the office with the others who went with her to attend the meeting with our big client. All of the attendees raved about the food. The awesome pork chop that one attendee ate, the lobster ravioli and most of all the service, I could go on and on.
My recommendation would be to take a chance and select this restaurant, I am hoping to go to Boston soon and when I do I am going to go to Taranta.
Thank you Chef Duarte for making me shine from Charlotte, NC 8>)
Posted 08/06/08
Great fusion of Italian and Peruvian cucina. A must in Bosotn!
By master_confucius
This small italo-peruvian restaurant located in the heart of the North End knows exaclty what its doing. The cozy atmosphere is perfect for the food they server. There is a undisputable knowledge of both food styles that are blended with perfect synergy. Added to this, the service was superb. Our waiter was very good with wine and food suggestions. Even thou the wine list is very small they have some good choices in a wide range of prices.
If eating something different than linguini carbonara, spaghetti frutto di mare, or ?oqui four cheeses is what you are looking for this is the right place. Do not hesitate to try Taranta. This place definitely has lots of Soul.
Posted 01/13/08
Great food and customer service
By perchdogg
I chose to take my girlfriend here in celebration of her birthday and was very pleased. We arrived 15 minutes before our scheduled reservation time but were seated promptly anyways. It's worth noting that this was a Wednesday night around 8 pm. Our waitress was eager and informative when it came to answering any questions we had on the menu, drinks, etc. She gave us ample time to decide on our food, explained some of the finer details of our choices, and let us be. The food was excellent - I recommend the pan-seared tuna dish of this season and especially their signature pork chop dish. The staff was extremely helpful when it came to me secretly requesting a piece of their chocolate tort with a candle for my girlfriend's birthday (the tort was also delicious). Also worth noting that their mixed drinks were tasty, creative, and strong, and complimented our meals elegantly. I will definitely be returning; this quality of food coupled with knowledgeable as well as friendly service is a real treat.
Pros: Service and food were excellent, very friendly staff.
Cons: I felt a bit crowded in the dining room
Posted 05/23/07
Great food!
By dysphoricmango
I went here with a few of my friends a couple of weeks ago and the food was absolutely amazing. The portions were huge but I can't complain because everything was so delicious. Our waiter was a little too eccentric for my taste but he provided excellent service despite how crowded it was. We arrived a little before our reservation so we went to LuLu's Bake Shoppe nearby (which I highly recommend!). The host was also apologetic for keeping us waiting, even though we had gotten there early. Great experience!!! If you are looking for a dessert, the limoncello flute was great!!! Definitely somewhere I will be going to again.
Make sure to visit LuLu's as well. They had this chocolate mousee type dessert in a chocolate cup that is one of the most AMAZING things I have ever eaten.
Pros: Wonderful food, wonderful service, friendly staff....
Cons: none
Posted 03/24/07
be prepared to mill your own pepper
By linds2
I, too, joined Goldfly for what we had hoped to be a fabulous dinner in the North End. As aforementioned, the service was slow, unfriendly, and unprofessional. If you prefer to avoid a night filled with negativity, I suggest not asking for bread, which will only result in a 2 min. lecture on when it will be received, ( only AFTER the order has been placed). In addition, one should not dare to request salt and pepper for their last then flavorful meal. Halfway through my luke warm chicken, the waitress finally came to the table, took the salt shaker and the pepper mill, thrust both at me, and told me to, "have fun." Then, after waiting for over 25 minutes for her to come collect our charge card, she failed to thank us, say goodbye, or even tell us to have a good night. But then again, why would she care, considering her guaranteed 20% tip off our 7 person party. She could have spilled our meal on us and still gotten her undeserved tip. In conclusion, we all agreed, a 25 cent Whopper at Burger King would have been more enjoyable- at least they would have made it our way.
Pros: nothing
Cons: everything
Posted 03/11/07
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