Antico Forno

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?

Pros: not sure.

Cons: terrible service. bad food.

Posted 03/13/09

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.

Posted 07/27/08

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.

Pros: delicious food, open for lunch

Cons: small dining room

Posted 04/20/08

This place is awesome! My husband and I returned from our honeymoon in Italy and ate here a few days later. The food is incredible, the service is great and the atmosphere reminded us of Italy. Not many places make gnocchi that can compare to Italy, but this restaurant does. The fettucini Positano is fabulous as well!! Highly recommended!

Pros: Off of Hanover, all around a great place

Posted 05/24/07

I went to this restaurant alone on a Monday night. Not being a Boston native, I walked and walked, finally found it, and was told there would be a 15-20 minute wait. I said "ok!" and was then told I would have to "go outside." That's right - I was not allowed to wait inside the restaurant. I said "it's Little Italy - if I walk around outside I'll find another Italian place to eat!" I was about to leave, when some incredibly nice folks from New Orleans let me sit with them at their table. How awesome is that? Good thing they did, because the trifolata pizza was the best gourmet pizza I've ever had. Amazing. The decor was great, too, as was the wine. Will I go back? Yes, with a reservation. But if it weren't for that pizza, not a chance.

Posted 01/10/07

Calamari appetizer is excellent, and the antipasto is very nice. The pizzas are very good, although I recommend getting them well done as they are loaded with toppings which can cause them to be a little soggy on the bottom ifthey don't leave them in the oven a little longer. The baked fusilli dish is really good if you like sweet tomato sauces. Service was so-so. Prices are very reasonable for the North End.

Pros: Value, pizza

Posted 07/15/06

this restaurant came highly recommended in the North End. We found the food to be very bland and the service was horrible. There were only 2 servers and not a manager to be seen anywhere. We had put our dirty plates and silverware aside(stacked) from our appetizer and they put them back in front of us(very dirty) for our entrees. I will not recommend this restaurant to anyone or go back. Not a good value.

Pros: location

Cons: servers not trained, food bland

Posted 11/06/05

best thin crust pizza u can have in boston, cozy real italian pizzeria. go and see yourself

Posted 09/01/05

real italian thin crust pizza , like in Napoli, best pizzeria in boston.

Posted 06/16/05

i think Antico Forno has the best food and desserts in the world.......Yea i love the place what do u say they have made good food...******

Pros: good waitress, good food, good people

Posted 06/08/05

very good pizza , one of the best thin crust pizza I've ever had. Try Carciofi Porcini etc...

Posted 01/11/05

The wood fired pizza is great for the money you pay, I recommend ordering it with as many toppings as you can stand. Also the linguine with the egg sauce is excellent, though i cant recall it's name.

Pros: not very crowded

Cons: distance from subway

Posted 03/09/03