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Name: Nico Ristorante
Address: 417 Hanover St, Boston, MA, 02113
Telephone: (617) 742-0404
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.99

Nico Ristorante

417 Hanover St, Boston, MA, 02113

(617) 742-0404
Store is closed

Nico Ristorante Menu

Antipasti E Insalate

Arancini

Bruschetta Al Gamberoni

Polpetta Di Mamma Rosetta

Pepata Di Cozze E Vongola

Antipasto All' Italiana

Prosciutto E Parmigiano

Fritto Di Calamari

Caprese

La Romana

Insalata "nico"

Peperone Ripieno

Parmigiana Alla Siciliana

Capesante Al Pesto
Primi Piatti

Fusilli Con Gamberoni

Spaghetti Con Polpetta

Rigatoni Con Carciofi E Salsiccia

Ravioli Ai Funghi Porcini

Linguine Alle Vongole Veraci

Gnocchi Sorrentina

Spaghetti E Calamari

Ravioli All'aragosta

Rigatoni Alla Sal

Risotto Del Giorno

Fettuccine Alfredo Con Pollo

Crespelle All'aragosta

Fettuccine Carbonara
Specialita' Della Casa

Pollo / Vitello Alla Parmigiana

Pollo Primavera

Pollo Arrosto

Pollo / Vitello Al Marsala

Bistecca Delmonico

Costata De Maiale

Filetto Al Brandy

Costata Di Vitello

Chilean Sea Bass

Aragosta Ripiena

Healthy Meal suggestions for Nico Ristorante

Antipasti E Insalate

Arancini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta Al Gamberoni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Polpetta Di Mamma Rosetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pepata Di Cozze E Vongola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Antipasto All' Italiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prosciutto E Parmigiano [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fritto Di Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

La Romana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Insalata "nico" [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peperone Ripieno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Parmigiana Alla Siciliana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Capesante Al Pesto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Primi Piatti

Fusilli Con Gamberoni [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Con Polpetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rigatoni Con Carciofi E Salsiccia [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli Ai Funghi Porcini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguine Alle Vongole Veraci [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gnocchi Sorrentina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti E Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ravioli All'aragosta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rigatoni Alla Sal [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Risotto Del Giorno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Alfredo Con Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crespelle All'aragosta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fettuccine Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Specialita' Della Casa

Pollo / Vitello Alla Parmigiana [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Primavera [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Arrosto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo / Vitello Al Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bistecca Delmonico [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Costata De Maiale [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filetto Al Brandy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Costata Di Vitello [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chilean Sea Bass [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aragosta Ripiena [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Boston Common Coffee Co. ( 97 Salem St )

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Write An Anonymous Review

Meaghan Z.

My new favorite restaurant, hands down. We went to Nico last night for a birthday dinner, and couldn't have been more impressed. From the host at the front door, to Angelo, our superb waiter, we felt welcomed from the moment we walked in. A bottle of wine and the calamari appetizer started off our night. The calamari was incredible - the taste, the chipotle sauce, and the enormous portion was perfect. For dinner, Joe had the special, zuppe de pesce, which again, we were astonished by the sheer size of the dish. Little necks, mussels, calamari, shrimp, pasta and then a half lobster - the claw alone had to be at least a pound! I had trouble deciding on a dish, after talking with Angelo, he suggested a lobster crepe choice, which was a lighter dish, even though it was with a plum sauce and chock full of chucks of lobster meat. I was grateful for that, seeing as I was somewhat full from all the calamari I ate just a few minutes before. When it came to dessert, Joe preferred the tiramisu, while I usually go for a creme brulee, after a minute of back and forth between us, we asked for the tiramisu. To our surprise and delight, he brought out both our order and a complimentary creme brulee for Joe's birthday. We will absolutely be returning - and asking for Angelo again!
(5)
Stephen W.

Excellent food and service. We had a party of 10 and our table was ready right on time.
(5)
Johnny Y.

Absolutely the best Italian food ever! I had the Veal Marsala with mushrooms and veggies ~ mashed potatoes, asparagus, and roasted red peppers. WOW! a delightful presentation and the flavors were outstanding. The bread is wonderful too, so get a extra batch to scoop-up the bits! The deserts are to die for. BTW, the pasta is made fresh to order! The service is fantastic and cater to our every wish without being overbearing. Parking is a bitch so pay the $20 bucks to park ~ it'll save you from having a nervous breakdown! Relax, enjoy the atmosphere and savor the wonderful exciting flavors that this eatery produces.
(5)
City P.

It was a blisteringly hot day on July 4th, and we'd been giving my in-laws their first tour of Boston, walking the Freedom Trail for 4+ hours. Tired and hungry in the North End, we were poring over the menus outside of a promising looking prospect on Hanover Street. The host from next-door Nico's spotted us and strolled over to invite us to his establishment. The host, Bruno, is a good looking young buck with big mirror-shaded sunglasses and a tasteful amount of jewelry. He didn't give us a hard-sell; he mentioned that the place was connected to Strega, which was more traditional, and that Nico's was trying to be a little more adventurous. We were all so beat from the heat, and Bruno was so ready to accommodate us, that really, our only question was, "Do you have air conditioning?" And he said, "Absolutely!" Which was a lie, hahaha. There was a fan blowing in there, and it was a few degrees cooler than outside, but not by much. Ahhh, well. You'll notice I'm still rating this place 5 stars. The interior is not your typical North End interior -- the theme is black and white, and the chandeliers have clear & black beads on them. It looked a bit art deco. I liked it, but worried the menu was going to be a huge departure. It wasn't. A person can still get spaghetti and meatballs. All is not lost! I'm a former vegetarian who has just started eating seafood. I will say there are very few vegetarian items on the menu, but I know that any vegetarian who walks in there will get whatever kind of sauce they want on any kind of pasta they want *spoon-fed* to them if need be. Nico's is ready to grant your every wish. I read some of the earlier reviews here, and it seems there used to be a disco theme. That was not present on this occasion -- there was no sign of a disco ball, and disco music was not playing. Instead, traditional Italian popular music bleated unobtrusively through the speakers, allowing us to have a conversation. Fast-forward to the food! We started with salads, and everyone ordered Traditional Caesar ... except me. I loved the description of the Caprese salad's "backyard tomatoes" that I was willing to pack on the added calories of the buffalo mozzarella. Our waiter -- our fabulous, young, incredibly professional and friendly water -- sidled up to me to tell me he had another Caprese-like salad that wasn't on the menu that he was sure I would like. Young sir did not lie -- it was a heavenly concoction of fresh tomatoes, arugula, and roasted artichokes, topped with a mound of brie-textured mozzarella that was so fresh, so creamy, so exotic, that I thought they must have milked a cow right in the kitchen. Or a buffalo, whatever. It was that fresh. I tasted my partner's Traditional Caesar, and while I'm not an expert on Caesar salads, I believe it was expertly prepared, the dressing clinging to romaine leaves perfectly. Taste details: Rigatoni alla Sal: Shrimp, Scallops, Peas, Wild Mushrooms in Black Truffle in a Cream Sauce. I almost ordered this myself. I had a taste of my partner's dish; he gave me a scallop and a rigatoni. The scallop was fresh, and melted like butter in my mouth. I've had the occasional tough/fishy scallop, enough to appreciate when I am getting a top-notch piece. This was top-notch. It was hard for me to assess the cream sauce, because my dish had a bright tasting pink sauce, and I think it overwhelmed my palate. However, both my partner and his mother were extremely pleased with this entree. Lobster Ravioli: World Famous Lobster Ravioli Finished in a Light Crabmeat Sauce. The father-in-law ordered this one, and I had a small taste. Very good, although it was perhaps not the star of the table. But if you love lobster ravioli, go ahead and order this, you will not be disappointed! My partner and I reviewed our notes afterward; I thought the lobster was fresh and the pink crabmeat sauce was very good; my partner thought this was a good tasting dish, but not a superlative one, and that there should have been more lobster in the ravioli. It is still a terrific dish, and I thought there was plenty of lobster in it; it all comes down to personal taste, and there are enough customers who return for this dish, so if you want it, go for it! Fusilli: Shrimp, Zucchini and Fresh Ricotta in a Tomato Pink Sauce, with Homemade Fusilli. This was my dish, and I loved it. What a taste-explosion of textures and flavors, all with a traditional Italian backbone to it. Homemade fusilli: starchy and fresh. Shrimp: slathered in pink sauce, fresh, white as white can be, cooked to perfection. Zucchini: roasted or grilled; deep, flavorful; added fun for the palate. Fresh Ricotta: a nice polite dollop of it in the corner of the dish; you can add as much or as little as you like to the rest of the plate. Finishing notes: Our table was gifted with a complimentary round of limoncello shots. What a lovely gesture! I would return to Nico's. Great staff, great food. Una magnifica esperienza!
(5)
Elaine A.

This restaurant is excellent. We've been here a few times and the service and cuisine are top notch and consistent. As good as you'll find in the North End. Have I had better Italian food? Yes, last year when I was in Venice. Their homemade pastas, especially the gnocci, are awesome. Typical Italian entrees, i.e. saltimbocca, are...above average but not outstanding. Their strong point is their cold apps. Their mozzarella, proscuitto, olives, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, artichokes, etc. are out of this world, not to be missed. Always fresh and packed with flavor, the best part of the meal.
(5)
Tommy B.

I took my fiance here for her Birthday. She had Shrimp and Clams and they tasted as though they fished them out that day. That's how fresh it tasted. I had the veal parm. It was good BUT I expected better. The price for Nicco was surprisingly descent. I felt as though I got a bargain. I will definitely return to Nicco SOON. I want to eat downstairs next time
(4)
Anna B.

I went to Nico with my boyfriend for his birthday. I wanted to take him out for a nice treat, and Nico was the perfect place! We had an early reservation and we were seated right away. The waiter was superb, very friendly and explained the specials and the menu very well. We started off with the meatball appetizer as well as some bread. The bread they have us came with this really good olive oil that was seasoned perfectly. The meatball was amazing! It was probably the best I have ever had! For dinner my boy friend got the filet mignon and I had the veal parmigiana. The filet was excellent. He ordered it medium and it was cooked perfectly, with just the right amount of pinkness on the inside. The filet came wrapped in prosciutto, and served with hearty portions of asparagus and mashed potatoes. It was garnished with some delicious mozzarella filled peppers. I had the veal parmigiana which was just as incredible. First of all the portion of the veal was huge! I was not expecting such a big piece. The sauce was also very tasty, as well as the fusili pasta. I would recommend Nico to anyone who is willing to pay for good food. The prices were a bit steep (I am a college student) but it was well worth it! Not only, the atmosphere of the place is very cozy.
(5)
Alphonse C.

NICO is a new concept in Dining which I admire. It not your typical restaurant in the North End. It's unique in many ways, one the fact that it's main entertainment is Disco Music and a Disco Ball!! Yes a beautiful Disco ball spinning the night away as you inhale giant delicious meatballs and sip some vino with a smile on your face. Why? Cause smiles bring smiles. As soon as you enter NICO someone is there greeting you with a happy attentive smile weather it's Nicky the owner or Allie the bartender or Joe Shmoe picking up your dishes (watch out for joe shmoe he may own the place some day) everyone is happy there! I was born in 1981 and I even appreciate this place and I don't even really like Disco but once I step into NICO with a few friends were bound for a few laughs and a great time. Stayin alive, Stayin alive, oh oh oh, Stayin alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yaaaaaaaaa!
(5)
Ezra E.

This is the new restaurant from Nick Varano, the owner of Strega. It's got a 70's disco theme complete with disco balls, disco music, neon, and flat screen TV's showing disco videos (I never knew such a thing existed). The service was very good and the staff was very attentive. The manager (I assume he was the manager) came by a few times to make sure everything was okay and stopped by to joke around with us and the waitress a bit too. The food was good, my roommate had the spaghetti and meatball (don't be fooled it was at least as big as a softball) which was very good - the meatball, despite it's size, was light and fluffy and probably one of the best meatballs I've ever had. I had the chicken parmigiana which was very good as well. The portions were huge and we both were able to take home enough for a second meal. The prices were in line with a high-end Hanover Street restaurant - approx. $20+ for entrees
(3)
Theresa C.

Nico deserves top ratings for atmosphere, food, drinks and service! I've brought visitors from out of town here twice and both times we've had a great time! While the dress code is listed as dressy we were dressed casually on both visits and it really didn't seem to matter! The white sangria is to die for...even my mom who quit drinking a number of years ago had two glasses and is now going to start making it at home! They were kind enough to share their recipe :) yum! The food is great and what you would expect in the North End. I've had the Spaghetti and Meatball (very large but still tender and flavorful) and the Veal Parmesan. Both meals were tasty and done just right. The atmosphere is what I enjoyed most about Nico. Once it was dark the disco balls were spinning and the dancing began; even the waitstaff joined in on the dancing! The male waiters are very easy on the eyes making this the perfect "girls night out" venue. I can't wait to come back...
(5)
Karen N.

Went last night with a Groupon to try it out. Excellent. I had homemade fusilli with shrimp in a tomato cream sauce--pasta was excellent, with huge perfectly cooked shrimp. Husband had Saltimbocca, also good. Nice special salad with burrata, artichoke hearts, arugula, although pricey at 19 bucks. Good service, although the waiter was a bit overbearing with the "bella, bella, buon appetito" stuff. Reminded me of a Saturday Night Live skit.
(4)
J B.

As soon as we saw where they wanted to sit us (in the stinky, fly inhabited, ugly basement with a loud tv on the ugly wall) we left. The waitstaff was cheesy and looked like they came out of an early 90s slutty mob movie. I can't rate the food and I never will be able to- will never, ever, go back to this place.
(1)
Marcus A.

Continuing my tour of North End restaurants, my dinner companions and I noshed at Nico on Hanover St. The tiny eatery has a pleasant ambiance with a color scheme of red walls with black accents. Mirrors on the wall, red draperies partitioning the room and ornate chandeliers add to the soothing atmosphere. My one caveat would be the flat screen tvs at the bar. They detract and distract in the small room (although one television was showing some type of Italian mobster/restaurant themed movie. Fitting or cliche' ?, you decide). Initially I thought the place only had 24 seats, however, those in my group who went downstairs to use the restroom informed me that there was a second dining area below, equivalent in size. Our waiter was warm, friendly and informative, suggesting a bottle of wine and explaining the night's specials in great detail. The food....exceptional. The green olives in EVOO they serve with bread prior to ordering were like buttah.The modest portion origionally brought out was followed by a larger bowl when we informed our waiter how much we liked them. For an appetizer, I ordered the salata Nico which consisted of baby arugula, grilled pear, gorgonzola cheese and walnuts dressed in a pomegranite vineagrette. Quite tastey and not overly filling. A good way to start off.....especially if you'll be ordering a filling pasta dish as your entree. A "small sampling" dish of fried calamari turned out to be a full platter. This calamari has to be one of the best fried calamari I've had. Perfectly cooked so as to be tender, not chewy and the lightly seasoned batter had a perfect crunch. The chipotle dressing sent it over the top. It's accompanied with hot peppers, which are also deep fried. Mmm Mmm good. I'll put my cardiologist on speed dial. Even one of my dinner companions who doesn't like calamari sampled a generous portion. For my entree, I had the Rigatoni ala Sal, which consisted of homemade rigatoni, sauted shrimp, scallops, wild mushrooms and peas in a black truffle cream sauce. Gastronomic nirvana. My friends were equally pleased with their selections as well which consisted of various pasta and shellfish dishes with a fra diavlo sauce and a mushroom ravioli in a cream sauce. Portion sizes are realistic...not skimpy but not three meals worth either. After dessert (which I didn't have) our waiter topped our meal off with a complimentary shot of a creamed limoncello (Think lemon flavored creamsicle.....yum). Very satisfying evening out. Definately recommended. A quick update to the review......to my great dismay, I discovered that the Rigatoni ala Sal does NOT reheat well. Alas, when I nuked the leftovers for lunch the next day, the cream sauce had separated leaving clumps of clotted cream floating in oil. A sad, tragic ending for an amazingly tastey dish. Eat all you can at the restaurant while it's fresh and decadent. Fat and calories be damned!
(5)
Robin B.

I went to Nico's with three other people on Aug 24,2013. We made a dinner reservation online and someone from Nico's called to confirm. We actually arrived over half an hour early and were invited to sit t the bar if we'd like while waiting for our table. Twice the hostess checked on us. Dinner: All agreed was memorable ! My husband had the lamb special ;which our most excellent and attentive waiter Bruno warned "it is so tender it falls off the bone". Another person in our group had the seafood special with lobster. It was EXCELLANT! Three of us ate from his plate and we still didn't finish it! I had lobster ravioli which had chunks of lobster meat in it. Very good! Our other friend had veal Parmesan ,which she stated was tender and delicious ! FYI. The specials are gigantic in portion size and the two that were purchased in my group paid $42 and $44 for their dishes, although they said it was well worth it! We all agreed Nico's may just be our go to restaurant in Boston.
(5)
Andy H.

I came here in a large party ( about 8) in January. The atmosphere was great, albeit we were a little cozy at our table, but not too bad for 8 people in a small place. Since it was a while ago, I can't remember much, as we were also drinking quite a bit of wine. I remember everything being on par, nothing that stood out. My only complaint was the mussels. I had never had them before, and my two glasses of wine before we ordered made me fell adventurous. I ordered their seafood special, which was a half of lobster and a mixed bag of clams shrimp mussels and scallops. It came in a tomato wine broth. The lobster was meh, a little on the tough side. The mussels however were awful. It was the first and last time I had mussels for months, until I tried some a few weeks ago that were delicious. These were sandy, gritty, and were not at all fresh. They all had that very distinct, strong taste that I now recognize as a sign that they were probably being tossed at they end of the night. I did leave there full however, so other than that the meal was just a par, as are most of the touristy North End places these days.
(3)
Shelby O.

whatever you do.. try the lobster ravioli! so amazing!!! mmm yumm! just thinking about this food makes me hungry!
(4)
Danielle S.

Went here for valentines dinner this past Saturday night. Playing it safe, we made a later reservation for 9. Since Nico is owned by the same people who own Strega, they can call Strega for that valet service to park your car. It was well worth the $20 since it was freezing that night. The restaurant was packed (was about 8:40, we were early) so we got a glass of wine at the bar. Found out later it was the bartenders 4th night ever bartending and you could tell. I made eye contact with her about 10 times before she realized that I needed something. She also didn't understand proportionality. The red wine glasses were larger than the white, so they ended up getting more wine than us. Whatever. At this point (already after 9) we were just hungry and wanted to eat. We were told there were still 3-8:30 reservations that needed to get sat before the 9 p.m. reservations could be. It was around 9:15 at this point. This was all due to parties who were sat at 7 and were STILL lingering around. I mean I get it, you want a nice night out on the town, but its valentines weekend. Do you NOT see the SWARM of people in the bar area??? Some of us had to spill out into the dining area on the main floor, which obviously is annoying for the other customers. The main culprit we could see (and hear) was a Fran Drescher stand in. She was making buddy-buddy with the couple at the table next to them. We had to watch them gossip for probably 45 minutes. Get a freaking room people. If you all like each other THAT much, go to a bar!! You have people frothing at the bar waiting to get sat, and suzie mcdrunkalot wants to socialize?!?! UGH annoying. Nico's wait staff was also visibly upset. Now those tables aren't getting turned over, we are getting impatient, its just an all around bad situation. Not like we could have left to go anywhere else, it would have been a wait any other place as it is. Finally at 10 we got a table. Next to us was a foursome where there was a ridiculously annoying guy. Loud, obnoxious, taking over the conversation to the max. He also had the most annoying accent (from medford/somerville as he stated a thousand times) and had to drop every possible hint he was Sicilian/Italian. We get it buddy, now just get a life. The best part of the night was not just getting our food (which was seriously AMAZING) but was when HE got HIS food. FINALLY some silence! Stuff your face and shut the eff up. Ugh. (PS I'm also Sicilian, which makes it doubly annoying to hear someone boast to others; he is the reason Italians have a bad rap!) We did get a comped dessert which was a nice gesture for the night we started out with. Appetizers were arancini and stuffed peppers which were both delightful. I had the veal saltimbocca and the boy had chicken marsala. Both were amazing; they came with veggies and mashed potatos (much rather have than pasta) and all in all it was a very reasonable meal. Though it was a freakshow of a night with Fran and Joe Pesci, it ended up being quieter in the end because we were one of the last people seated. We will be back, maybe during the week so we can have a peaceful dinner.
(4)
Joe A.

Excellent food, value, and service. The portions are perfect and quality top notch. Everything I've tried on the menu is great, but my favorites are the rigatoni alla sal and the spaghetti and meatballs. The staff is always friendly and on top of things. Never much of a wait either, but always a good crowd.
(5)
Hannah L.

nico was really fun to go to! i was intrigued with the concept of disco and meatballs. as soon as you walk in, you see disco balls, disco/music-y posters on the wall, and hear disco classics like "don't rock the boat." i even got to meet the famous nick varano, as seen on phantom gourmet...haha. it was quite exciting. some entrees were $35, which was a little outrageous considering it's not a fancy restaurant. i got mushroom ravioli, and it was realllly good. some qualms: i wish the downstairs was better decorated. it was kind of plain and cheesy. not all of the music they played was disco (some random music like celine dion and other muzak). i wish they played up the disco theme more...more kitschy, more themed, not just like some posters and a disco ball. i wish they brought it to a higher level. it seems unfinished for some reason. but other than that, it's fun to go to and the food is good!
(3)
Katie M.

The service was great, everyone there acted like they really wanted your business, and wanted to make your visit there extra special. The drinks were delicious and the atmosphere was nice with the windows open and intimate setting. Food was good too!! Loved the calamari and the warm, soft, delicious complimentary food.
(4)
Bill G.

Good stuff. I had a lobster and pasta dish, it was good. My date melted over the salad, which was ok in my book. Decor was a bit off but that's a personal thing. Try it!
(3)
Judy S.

Rigatoni, melt-in-your-mouth sea scallops, enormous shrimp, peas, and wild mushrooms in a black truffle cream sauce - incredible! If I lived in Boston I would be very sorry that tonight was Nico's last night in business. As it is, I'm just happy that we had one opportunity to eat there. Not much point in raving about the service or the food...but it was all good!
(5)
Ro M.

Delicious food, friendly service, reasonable prices. They were kind enough to split an entree between my two kids at no extra charge. The olive oil had true olive flavor and is served with olives in the dipping. We all enjoyed our food: fettuccine Alfredo, spaghetti with marina and brick chicken. Yeah, I know we're in Boston and not eating seafood!
(5)
Ken C.

I love disco. I love meatballs. Have I found my mecca??? Well, not quite. Great idea, but the execution leaves quite a bit to be desired (typical Boston). NICO promises to be a "disco themed" italian restaurant, but other than the disco ball and occasional appropriate song (actually I heard mostly 80's dance pop.... since when is Hall and Oats considered disco?) you'd probably never know that was the intention. They even have the ubiquitous jumbo-TV with whatever current Boston sports event happening right there in your face. As a matter of fact, they have 4 or 5 other TV's(!) lined up playing everything from John Travolta in Grease, music videos, even scenes from Animal House (????) What is going on here? Gid rid of the damn TV's and throw up some cool pictures of The Bee Gees and Tavares and Donna Summer and maybe hang up some platform shoes or something to pull the theme together more. How about make the floor light up like the dance floor in Saturday Night Fever? Speaking of which....no dance floor? The place is really small, certainly not what I expected. Too bad, like I said, great idea....... Anyway - the food. Actually quite good. I've been to numerous places in the North End and this is pretty much right in the middle quality wise. The bread and olive oil our server brought out was really good. As was the glass of Chianti ($9.50). The appetizer, a roasted red Italian pepper stuffed with sausage and cheese was very tasty. Nice balance of flavor, although there was way more stuffing than pepper. Next we moved onto the signature dish, which consisted of a large meatball (made with veal and mushrooms) and wide linguini pasta in a tomato sauce, and a dollop of ricotta cheese ($17.95). Great meatball (I do love veal, although I try to avoid it) really soft on the inside and nicely browned on the outside. Pasta perfectly done, and the tomato sauce was good (very rich) but I thought there was a bit too much of it (the pasta was really swimming in it). It became slightly overpowering. Still, very satisfying and perfect amount for me and the lady. Our server mentioned that they were really "not a dessert place", so we passed on the two options (I was really full anyway) The service was great, and the clientel was spectacular - we were just about the only non-goombas in there. That was cool and fun. All in all I'm glad I went, it was fun and I certainly left full, but I don't think I need to go back. If it was a little cheaper, put in a dance floor and stepped up the schtick a lot more, it could be a frequent destination for diners/clubbers looking for something a little different.
(3)
Suzanne G.

Went to Nico's this past weekend for a friends birthday. We walked into Strega and it was booked for the night. The owner recommended we try his other restaurant Nico just one block down. He promised it would be great and it was. We were greeted immediately by a nice hostess and she seated us upstairs right away. The waiter was very nice and attentive. He recommended some different wines and dishes for us. The Caprese salad was the best salad I have ever had. Absolutely delicious. We tried veal, chicken and seafood. They were all amazing. The food was great and with good portion sizes too. The waiters sang Happy Birthday and gave us a yummy dessert on the house. All in all it was a great experience and I would go back in a second!
(4)
Nicola P.

I went here with a girlfriend to have meatballs and music, and sadly I really got neither. The music was OK, not fantastic want to get up and dance disco that, not to mention seriously a little overdone, not what real disco is. The windows look RIGHT INTO the fire station where I am sure the firemen have good laugh gazing right in at you. Be aware of the $12 drinks, they don't have a REAL liquor licence so they can only use "flavored" liquors and don't really taste like anything more than juice. The service is TOP NOTCH and extremely friendly, hospitable, thorough, consistent and attentive, truly some of the best service I have experienced. We got the arancini and meatballs to share. The timing was great on the delivery since we were sharing both plates and wanted them separately. Now, being a true Italian, you are always partial to your grandma's sauce, but this was just disgusting. I think they used too much sugar and the consistency was grainy and lumpy and strangely had NO flavor (and i am NEVER the type of person to say food has no flavor) the arancini was bland, and warm at most in the center and lacked any consistency. The meatball, was in fact the size of a softball and tasted just like one. It was Styrofoam painted black and thrown on a plate of ketchup. GROSS!!!! Just way too much sauce and not enough flavor. They need to focus on quality not quantity because it could really be fun place, maybe manageable sized meat balls so you dont end up dancing with it on your lap..
(2)
c h.

We made a reservation for a Friday night. Got there early, they sat us right away. We weren't very hungry, and ended up ordering one plate for two of us. The waiter was more than happy to do that, and didn't seem to be upset. Brought out the dish on two plates. SUPER fast service. I think we were in and out in thirty minutes...
(4)
Kimby K.

We were excited to try Nico- as we love Strega, owned by the same person. We had an 8pm reservation for 8 people, and were left waiting for 40 minutes without even an apology. When we asked ,a couple of times how much longer we got an attitude from the hostess. Although our waiter was very nice, service was very extremely slow. Appetizers were tasty but overpriced, and I ordered Brick Chicken which was terrible. I've ordered this at many places and Nico has no idea what Brick Chicken is supposed to taste or look like. We will definitely not go back.
(1)
Enrique D.

tacky tacky tacky. whats with the the year round xmas lights? its the north end..i get it...sometimes gaudy... works. not here. this is just cheap looking...to be honest... the staff is rude and really class-less. what a about a "full bar" that only offers low level and almost no name vodkas??? its like whatever falls off a truck makes it in the back door...and then they sell it like its premium. 12 for a martini ? no problem... buttttt.... you better give me grey goose, belvedere, kettle one, etc.... not some low budget crap i wouldnt...and havent ever had the BA**S to serve at a dive bar. this place should just do the north end a favor and close. make room for a real restaurant /bar to enjoy.
(1)
Cody H.

Exploring the North End the other night, we settled on Nico for the atmosphere and welcome greeting. Nico delivered a fun, if boisterous, environment and delicious quality Italian food. The service was excellent--every single staff person (and there was plenty of help to ensure quick attention) was friendly and struck just the right tone. My only disappointment was the lack of a full bar--but I don't hold that against the restaurant, it seems to be the policy of this crazy city to make it difficult for restaurants to get liquor licenses. God forbid people moderate their drinking with food...better to grab a bottle at the liquor store and stumble around the streets. I'll save that complaint for hiz'onnah--Nico's get's my vote.
(4)
Sarah C.

This review is based only on their service since we were never given a table even an hour after we arrived for our reservation. We made 9 o'clock reservations on open table and arrived at 8:50 only to be told that they were running about 15 to 20 minutes behind. We said no problem we will walk around and just call us when you have a table available. 25 minutes later I got a call saying that they were still running 25 minutes behind and I said you already told me 25 minutes ago you were running behind....since it was a busy Saturday night we didn't have any other choice but to wait. As we were waiting outside with my mother who is in a neck brace the hostess continued to be rude even when we asked if there was one seat for her at the bar. Finally at 9:30 we decided to ask the restaurant next door if they could accommodate us and they could so we went there. It wasn't until 9:50 that I received a call from the hostess saying that she was letting us know that it shouldn't be too much longer that there were some tables that had their bills and they were just waiting for them to get up...THAT WAS AN HOUR after we arrived for our reservation. I understand that things get busy but that is absurd and the hostess was extremely rude. We will never go back to even give them a second chance.
(1)
marlene f.

This restaurant is definitely unique for the North End. Very modern, but comfortable. Loud disco music constantly plays so if you want a quiet dinner this is not the place for you. I'd suggest making reservations as I went on a Saturday night and had to wait 45 mins to an hour and there's not much standing room near the bar. Drinks were delish! Service VERY friendly, but food was not the greatest. Atmosphere makes up for the food, but I've had better. I got the fra diavlo sauce and my friend got a pasta w/a cream sauce, both just OK. People do dance and have fun so I would recommend it. Also, if you want to dance with the cute waiters this is your place!
(4)
Tucker P.

After hearing nice reviews, we decided to try Nico's one Saturday evening. We had an 8pm reservation for 4, for which we only had to wait for about 20 minutes or so...not too bad as it allowed us to have a drink at the bar, which is lined with three flat screen tv's. The milf wanna be at the bar was a bit brisk, which was fine as she was busy, however the pomegrante martini ordered was made to be poured down the sink, not to be enjoyed. We were seated downstairs, no problem, as there was only one t.v., which was partially blocked by the shower curtain thing hanging from the ceiling. OK, let's get on to dinner. Apps were just ok, rice balls a bit mushy though. The veal saltimbocca was not good. Lacked any real flavor, almost as though it was precooked veal, drizzled with a little sauce, an inexpensive piece of prosciutto and topped with with Kraft cheese, barely warmed in an oven and served. I simply thought it was terrible. My wifes order, shrimp, scallops, clams, lobster, and squid in a fradiavolo sauce was fair...if it weren't for the squid, clams and scallops...all of which were either fishy or tasted like they had been sitting in ammonia. The service was not pleasant either. Think Jersey Shore-esque guidos who are pushy and simply trying to turn the table. I could never recommend this restaurant. Prospective diners should look into the ratings, as the average rating seems fair, the rating trend(which I wish we had looked at!) is far from desirable.
(1)
Nicole J.

A solid 4 stars for this place. Making a reservation for a group of 7 people on a friday night? No problem. While waiting for friends, we grabbed drinks at the bar. Excellent chianti. Then we headed downstairs to our table. Started off with fried calamari (excellent) and meatballs (moist, juicy, beyond excellent!). Our table decided to order a pitcher of sangria, which was excellent as well. When I couldn't decide between the lobster ravioli and the gnocchi, our handsome and charismatic server suggested that I have gnocchi with lobster pieces mixed in. Sold. The dish itself was ehhh. Not spectacular, and I wish I ordered something else. I was having serious food envy at my friends' dishes, however. One ordered the veal saltimbocca, another two split the chicken saltimbocca, another had the lobster ravioli and another had the steak. All seemed happy with their food. For dessert, we had the tiramisu and creme brule Word to the wise, order 2 creme brules!! I am obsessing over it to this day. Overall, a great experience, and would definitely go back again!!
(4)
Rick L.

Still and always my favorite restaurant in the North End. I love this town, I love the North End and love Nico's! When family and friends visit I always take them to Nico. We have always been lucky enough to have Tyler help us out and he is the man. I think the food here is incredible...I love the specials and the fresh pasta. It isn't a large space, but the kitchen is amazing in how they push everything out perfectly. I'm more of a bar seating patron so go a little bit later in the evening. If you want a prime time seating or choice seat call the restaurant in advance to make that happen. Again, what makes this restaurant beyond the food is the staff. Isn't it amazing how that happens...great food and staff truly make a restaurant. Honestly if you are in Boston call ahead and make a reservation at Nico.
(5)
Shani T.

Nothing wins me over quicker than a good Italian restaurant. Nico reminds me of a diner for whatever reason--but not in a bad way. Tables are slightly closer together and you can hear chatter from every side of you as you dine. It's homey. We started with the meatball (yes, it is just one large meatball) and were not disappointed. The meat was tender to the point that the meatball would crumble a little. The cheese and the sauce were well seasoned. I wish it came with more than one! Service was quick for the appetizers and I was extremely pleased. My boyfriend ordered the lobster ravioli, which tasted very fresh. I ordered the fettuccine carbonara and enjoyed it a lot, though it was very filling due to the sauce. I needed some help finishing it, as it was a bit heavy for me. Cocktails we tried included the Italian Sunrise (a bit too strong on the coconut flavor, but I'm not a big fan of coconut) and the North End Mojito. Drinks were strong, which earned another nod of approval. It kind of bothered me how pink the Italian Sunrise was though. I spilled a little and the tablecloth was literally pink from the artificial coloring. I can't say Nico will be my go-to Italian restaurant in the future, but I left happy and content with the experience.
(4)
Ryan R.

Went here with my friend and his parents for a night out. They had made a reservation so we were seated right away in the downstairs level. After hearing the specials and getting drinks, they ordered a couple of appetizers--buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto, both of which were pretty good. For my entree, I decided to go with the carbonara as it is one of my favorite Italian dishes. Unfortunately, this rendition was pretty bland and lacked many pieces of prosciutto or peas that are generally found in a carbonara. The portion size was decent for the price, but I was extremely underwhelmed by the flavor. Overall, this place has a nice vibe and the service was friendly enough, but the food was not memorable.
(3)
Vivian C.

A voucher brought me to Nico's doorstep as in it I spotted an opportunity to try one of their four more extravagantly priced entrees of either $32.95 or $37.95. After briefly considering the Delmonico Steak, Filet Mignon, Veal Chop, and Chilean Sea Bass, we uniformly agreed on the fish. Since I noticed that they make their own pasta, I suggested that we select one of their Primi Piatti offerings. After my dc picked the calamari as the appetizer, I realized that we had ended up with an all seafood meal! The bread they started us off with was pretty good and accompanied by a small dish of a variety of olives swimming in a pool of olive oil. The Fritto Di Calamari $13.95 fried fresh calamari with sliced cherry peppers served with a chipotle sauce (on the side, per our request) was all rings and no tentacles. This made me sad since I'm partial to the fun crispy tangles of legs. But while we found the fried pepper pieces not to our taste, we did enjoy the lightly crisp tender rings. My dc figured that given the preciousness of the table top real estate that perhaps the kitchen was waiting for us to finish up with the appetizer before sending out our entrees. With a bit of juggling, we managed to fit both entrees on the table along with a pair of small plates since we were sharing. The Chilean Sea Bass $32.95 sea bass pan seared with white wine, cherry tomatoes and garlic was the fish as it ought to be. It was a nice thick piece of the fish previously known as Patagonian Toothfish, all tender and fatty as it should be. The mashed potatoes were quite good, and the twin asparagus cooked just right. Though a relatively thick stalked specimen, I found it tender rather than fibrous. We savored each bite of the fish. Also tasty was the Rigatoni alla Sal $24.95 sauteed shrimp and scallops with wild mushrooms and peas in a black truffle cream sauce. The sea creatures numbered 3 apiece and were good sized. The scallops were cooked perfectly, though the shrimp was a tad overcooked. The sauce was really good as well. We ate so heartily that we had no room for any of the desserts which were then recited to us. Service was fine, but when they go over the specials or the desserts, I wish they'd mention the prices. Space is indeed tight and noise carries, so this is not the spot for the more intimate of conversations. We also had a reservation, but they needed another party to leave before they could seat us, so we stood awkwardly in the miniscule space between the door and the bar area as we waited. Alternatively, my dc observed that we could wait outside and salivate over meal set before the couple by the window. No validation, but $20 valet service is available at their sister restaurant Strega located two short blocks towards the Greenway. Accessibility: 2 steps to enter, 1 step up to the single unisex bathroom located down a flight of stairs in the basement, where there is also additional seating. I'd be up for returning to sample some of their more affordably priced entrees even sans voucher such as: Gnocchi Sorrentina $14.95 Fusilli con Gamberoni $21.95 Vitello alla Parmigiana with Homemade Fusilli Pasta $17.95
(4)
Christopher S.

My wife and I went to Nico for our anniversary and it was a great evening. I had emailed the staff about our anniversary and they treated us like VIPs, whisking us to a quiet table downstairs, and greeting us with glasses of prosecco. The staff was charming and gracious, but not overbearing. The food and wine were excellent. We had arancini, scallops over pesto, and veal marsala, all of which were delicious. Nico and its staff made this an anniversary to remember.
(5)
Melinda N.

Whenever my boyfriend and i are in the mood for Italian this is our go to restaurant. We come here usually Sunday nights around 9PM. The pasta dishes NEVER disappoint. He always finishes what he gets and OOOs and AHHs over each bite. For a picky eater, that's a good sign. The sauce is fabulous. It's not acidic, not sweet, you taste the tomatoes but it's so flavorful without being salty. The pasta is perfectly cooked and I eat and chew slowly to savor each morsel! We have been able to get the seat for two by the window with the view of the fire house across the street. It's a lovely restaurant with great service. They don't have a full bar but have aperitifs and the bartender is willing to work with you to get you something similar to what you want.
(5)
Laura O.

Giving the benefit of doubt I will give four stars. We didn't have reservations on a Saturday night and because we were there early enough, we were seated right away which was lovely. The waitstaff was charming. My girlfriend got rigatoni alla Sal (shrimp and scallops with homemade pasta and lovely peas). It was served piping hot and she couldn't have been happier. I got the Vitello saltimbocca--it was served with beautifully arranged, but (sadly) not hot, mashed potatoes, a slice of Red pepper and a piece of fresh, blanched, cheese dipped cauliflower that was fried. Unfortunately, the veal was thick, tough and had gristle running through it. The prosciutto was also very thick and tough. I was disappointed. However, because the ambience was nice, the service was good even when it got very busy and my girlfriend was extremely happy, I would try it again. Hopefully I will be able to give a better review for my dish. I would hope that polenta would be served instead of mashed potatoes. I love my potatoes but not if they're not served hot regardless of presentation.
(4)
Sonia N.

We were wildly happy to score a Groupon to try out this restaurant while living temporarily in the North End. I took my daughter there this week and our experience lived up to our expectations. I called ahead and the hostess was immediately able to secure a reservation for us with less than an hour notice. Upon arrival, we did wait a few minutes but nothing too crazy. We started out with the Capesante Al Pesto appetizer and the scallops were perfectly seared. I also enjoyed the generous serving of pine nuts that were added to it but the dish itself was a tad too salty. If they ease up on the salt, this would be a 5 star app. For our entrees, my daughter had their plain Spaghetti with butter and grated cheese and I had their awesome Chilean Sea Bass. One bite into her pasta and I quote, my daughter said "It's like the best pasta EVER!!". I laughed and said "Yeah, they do it very well in this neck of the woods" ha ha. My sea bass was just as amazing. It was upwards to about 12 ounces worth of savory flaky yumminess. The whipped potatoes were super light and fluffy while the asparagus was fresh and crunchy. It's offered at a hefty price tag but definitely worth it if you're a sea bass fan. Servers and buss staff were very attentive and came by often to make sure we were well taken care of. We left as a duo with two very wide smiles.
(4)
Mary C.

This was my first time eating at the North End, and I can say that I was genuinely impressed by the neighborhood and Nico Ristorante. Authentic and tiny Italian restaurants flood the North End, so it's a hard job finding the perfect one to eat at. My friend and I made a reservation ahead of time. Please try to make a reservation for any restaurant in the North End to avoid a wait. When we arrived, we were seated promptly. The tables were tiny, and the space was cramped, but I was fine with it because it made the restaurant feel more intimate. Our waiter was attentive the whole night, but I wouldn't call the service spectacular. What really defines the restaurant is its food. We ordered the clams and mussels as an appetizer, and the sauce and the seafood were delicious and fresh! Finally, our entrees were delicious as well. Nico made the classic dishes, linguine with clams and spaghetti with meatballs, taste home-like and unique. Very generous portions too! I usually feel like many Italian restaurants taste the same, but this restaurant proved me wrong. Finally, they have an affordable wine selection too. Yay to good food and good wine.
(4)
Yidan S.

Overall four star rating is a combination of Five stars food and Three stars service. Three of us ordered a arugula salad as appetizer, like the pomegranate dressing and requested the blue cheese to be aside cuz I don't like blue cheese.... We ordered two pastas and one entree. -Meatball spaghetti in tomato sauce: came with one giant meatball and the tomato sauce was delicious and my friend finished all the sauce. -rigatoni with sautÃ©ed shrimp and scallops in black truffle cream sauce! THIS IS MY FAV!!! Very cream sauce and you can taste the black truffle for sure. And they have three giant shrimps and three scallops in really good quality. And rigatoni is cooked perfectly -we've also got the chicken breast with white wine Demi-glaze. Chickens breast is still a bit dry and with great flavor. The chefs def know how to make awesome sauce. We've got groupon deal for Nico which turned out to be a great steal. The waiters were pretty rush, rush to get our orders and take our plates. So I only gave three star for service. Will come back for their pastas for sure.
(4)
Geoffrey I.

I've been here a couple times now. The place is dark and tiny. The food is ok. I have had a bad time every time I've went here, something about the staff. The last time I went the waiter dropped my used knife in my shirt, didn't offer anything in apologies, didn't offer to pick up the dry cleaning bill. Nothing. I think there's a bad omen there.
(2)
Coleman M.

Food was delicious , though extremely rich, service was excellent,(with an Italian accent). Place is small though cosy. Felt like an Italian meal in the north end should feel like
(5)
Kathleen D.

There were a few things I didn't like so much about Nico. It began when we arrived for our 6:30 p.m. reservation. We were told that "our table was signing their check." Fine, okay. So we go outside to wait and there was nowhere for me to stand that wasn't in the way since the restaurant is on the main strip of Hanover Street. Therefore, I ended up half-standing in a plant for 20 minutes while our table "signed a check." I was next to the photos of owner-Nico with celebs that he has plastered next to the outdoor-menu. Wahoo -- he's cool! Then, no one comes out, but the host says our table is ready. We walk past what looks like a nice dining area, but she takes us down into this dark basement with a splattering of tables and shows us not one, but TWO empty tables, and says we can pick which one we like better. Okay, what? We were waiting when there were two available tables? Again: what? At this point, I was peeved, but so ready for food. We ordered Rieslings and I chose the chicken under a brick. Bread came out first with a side of olives. I really enjoyed both. My chicken was tender, but I made the mistake of not asking what type of vegetables came with it so the red pepper taste (one of my least favorite vegetables) unfortunately took over the mashed potatoes. Our server was also extremely professional and always knew when we were ready for the next stage of our meal. We didn't, however, like how other staff hovered over our table. They stood right next to it for the majority of our meal thanks to the layout of the basement. Apparently, we picked the wrong table when we had the choice. Oops. Would I go back? Nope. Was the food bad? Nope. But there are absolutely better places to visit in this area.
(3)
Erika J.

Since leaving our review, we were offered a refund of the $10 meatball. A very nice gesture and shows that they care about customer satisfaction.
(3)
Jeff D.

Came here as result if a Groupon, and man was I impressed. I thought it would be another run of the mill North End expensive restaurant. I couldn't have been more wrong. First off, our server Tyler was excellent. He was engaged, friendly, and very knowledgeable. Even though we were his last table for the night, he brought the energy and made it great. Ask for him! The food itself was spectacular. Fantastic eggplant Parmesan with buffalo mozzarella that melted in my mouth. A solid bottle of wine for only $35 and free bread. Everyone loves free bread! I personally ordered the chicken Parmesan and it was delicious! Very hearty and the pasta that came with it was just as good. The lady got an Italian spired gnocchi and it was amazingly soft! Very delicious. The owner of this is the same as Strega. Come here for Strega quality at a much lower price! A much quieter, more romantic atmosphere. As someone who has visited Strega, I enjoyed this much more!
(5)
Lori P.

Great atmosphere, cozy but pretty. Great food, wine & desserts. Great service. I loved it here.
(5)
Michelle V.

Ambiance is perfect and food is spectacular -- quaint small and just the perfect size for some great food.
(4)
Lacey H.

Excellent! I had the Lobster crepes. They were not stingy with the lobster. The crepes were absolutely stuffed! My husband had the veal and enjoyed it as well.
(5)
Nancy S.

One of the BEST Italian meals we've ever had. Service was outstanding in every way especially our server, Hakim! We had reservations but needed to wait at the bar for about 15 minutes. No big deal. The bartender was professional and fun to talk to. I didn't realize they didn't serve hard liquor, such as gin but will serve flavored vodka. Confusing. Now for the food....OMG! For appetizers we had the meatball appetizer, the jumbo shrimp with lemon and garlic sauce with Tuscan bread. If you don't like mushy bread, like I do, the shrimp would not be for you. For dinner, my daughter had the lobster ravioli. I had the sauteed shrimp with scallops, peas and a wild mushrooms with black truffle cream sauce. My hubby had the veal special which was a veal chop stuffed with prosciutto and fontina cheese, mashed potatoes and veggies. We barely spoke because we were too busy eating! The next night we went to Atlantic Fish and wished we had gone back to Nico! The North End is a blast to walk around at night, even on a Tuesday night.
(5)
Rich G.

Finding a great Italian restaurant on Boston's north end is a daunting task requiring a lot of time on Yelp AND a lot of luck. If you read this, you need go no further. My wife and I have eaten Italian all over Italy and Little Italy and the rest of the "greats" in NYC. But NEVER in our 70-plus years have we had a meal to compare to Nico's. From a caring job by our waiter Hakim, to unbelievable food. THIS IS THE PLACE! My wife had the porcini stuffed ravioli in a truffle sauce that had her groaning with delight after each bite. I had a dish that I have never seen before, rigatoni with sausage meat and artichoke hearts in a plum tomato sauce. I can tell you that the sauce for each of these dishes was absolutely out of this world. To top it all off Hakim brought us this sugar coated crime brÃ»lÃ©e that my wife said was THE best she has ever eaten. We would give this place six or seven stars if we could
(5)
Robin Z.

Fabulous! Portions were huge! Go hungry or plan to share a pasta...especially the gnocchi! But the food is delicious. Our server was great. A table of three, we shared the calamari (very good). I had a glass of red wine, an Aglianico. Much more difficult to find in the US, then say other Italian reds, especially by the glass. Then we each had Caesar salads (I should have passed on salad and saved room for the pastas). We each got a pasta but shared them all. Gnocchi with a meatball, lobster ravioli and truffle risotto with scallops. All were amazing but I'm a sucker for great gnocchi and this didn't disappoint! And did I say the portion size was huge. We didn't manage to finish any of the dishes but walked out very full with big smiles on our faces! Definitely recommend!
(5)
Ross G.

Came here on a groupon, got a last minute reservation no problem. The food was actually outstanding. I had spaghetti and clams which was incredible. Also parts of the shell of the clams did break off which could have been an issue. Other than that my meal was very good. We also got arancini for an appetizer. Also amazing, and topped it off with a canoli for dessert. We were at a pretty cramped basement table, but given the circumstances it is what it is. Would definitely come back based on quality.
(4)
Dan D.

For those scanning reviews, my biggest takeaway about Nico is that the food is generally of high quality, of average to generous portions, and offered at a very reasonable price point. However, the lobster ravioli dish is none of these, and I would pass it by. It's their tourist special, and we found that other choices, like Rigatoni alla Sal, were far superior. Back Story: My wife and I selected Nico as one of our dinner locations as part of our recent long weekend in Boston with my stepson to celebrate his 21st. There are many, many Italian restaurants in Boston's north end and it was a difficult choice, but we were pleased with the selection. Nico offers seating on two levels, with another floor below the room you can see from the street. We used OpenTable for a reservation and we were seated within 20 minutes, finding three seats at the bar as we waited. The hostess, bar and wait staff were generally friendly and attentive. I particularly enjoyed discussing the "etiquette" of wine service with our server, who was generally very effective. The wine list, like the dinner menu, offered value at a reasonable price point. In sum, Nico is well worth the few extra steps to get there on Hanover St, though in winter YMMV on this. Highly recommended.
(5)
Amy A.

Well we wanted authentic Italian food from the north end when we visited Boston, and that is exactly what we got. It was the best Italian food any of us had ever had. I had the basic spaghetti and one single, very large, meatball. My husband had a chicken pasta dish. I don't know if anyone was able to finish their meals. It was a neat dining experience. We were not dressed up but didn't feel out of place. The staff was very friendly.
(5)
Allen T.

I had a linguine vongole and the flavor was great and pasta cooked just right (Al dente). We had a nightly special salad which was excellent. The crusty bread was great. My colleague had the Pollo Primavera and he liked it. It looked great - nothing like I expected (I'm usually not expecting a lot with chicken dishes).
(5)
Nikki I.

The chicken parmigiana was the best I've ever had. We also got a buffalo mozzarella, tomato, artichoke and arugula salad to start which was delicious!
(5)
Melissa F.

Got to try another restaurant in the North End! Luckily Nico goes on my good list :) My friend was visiting from FL and asked me to pick an Italian place for dinner. Granted I've already been to about half the restaurants in the north end, but I wanted to try somewhere new and decided on Nico. Despite the fact we were a little late due to traffic we were seated right away. The bread and olive oil was fantastic! Yes we were hungry but the basket was so good we finished all the bread haha. He had the spaghetti with meatballs and I had the veal parm. Can I just say ummm the red sauce!?!?!? Holy amazingness you could cover a hockey puck in that sauce and I'd probably eat it. My veal parm came with a side of homemade fusilli that was just divine. The veal was pounded nice and thin and had a generous amount of melted cheese on top. Good selection of wine, and the prices weren't too steep either. The waiters were attentive enough but left us alone to catch up and talk. Good spot in the north end that isn't a tourist trap, and is actually worth your money
(4)
A P.

The restaurant is smallish but there are a few more tables downstairs. Can be noisy when full but our party of 4 still managed to have good conversation. The specials are worth trying. The buratta is well made and seasoned. Definitely add the prosciutto as recommended by waiter. The wine selection is ok. Not too many wines to choose from but probably enough variety that you're likely to find something you like. Full bar. Valet parking is recommended if you have your own car. We were there on Friday night so it was quite busy. We had reservations and those are recommended for the usually busy nights like Friday and Saturday. Service is prompt, professional and friendly. Food is absolutely delicious! Definitely coming back again!
(5)
Jim D.

Quick trip to Boston to see our NY Rangers play the Bruins. Bad news is the Rangers lost, good news we found this great Italian place in the North End. What a shock... An Italian restaurant in the North End. Being Italian and from NY, it was going to take something extra to impress us, but this place did. Great, friendly service, an impressive array of Italian wines, and really good food. Burrata appetizer with artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and arugula was a great start. We followed up with great main dishes. My wife had a fantastic Cioppino. Lobster, clams, shrimp, scallops in a fantastic white wine broth was an excellent choice. I had the classic Sunday pasta entree. Homemade rigatoni in a classic marinara sauce with braciola, meatball, and sweet sausage was just like home. I even asked for and received with a smile some homemade ricotta to top it off. Great service and our Chianti hit the spot salvaged the Rangers tanking vs. the Bruins. If in Boston and in the North End, we will revisit! Ps. Too full for dessert
(4)
D. G.

Excellent restaurant. Great food, service and atmosphere and reasonably priced. Our party of 6 dined at Nico on a Saturday night in September for a special occasion and was very pleased. Made reservations through Open Table well in advance and requested a window seat in the main floor dining area. They have additional seating in the basement where the restrooms are. There are no windows in the basement...if you can request to sit upstairs. Our party of 6 was all very pleased with their food. For Apps the calamari was good and served with a chipotle sauce (no tentacles though...bummer). Caprese salad ..excellent and the Arancini which was awesome. Dinners ranged from rigatoni, fettucini alfredo, lobster ravioli, scallops and risotto and swordfish...all were excellent. Service was impeccable and they even brought some complimentary desserts to help celebrate my wife's 50th. The only little beef I have is that they put an auto gratuity on my bill which was 20% and appeared to be calculated on the total after tax. Truth is I would have left at least that much but I didn't like the fact that it was 20% and calculated on the after tax total. Overall though....spectacular experience at Nico.
(5)
Mary T.

I had a great dining experience at Nico. This restaurant is small and cozy, but most restaurants in the North End are like that. The service was great. They were very attentive. Our server came to our table a couple of times to see if we were done with the appetizer so they can serve us the entrees. I got the fritto di calamari for the appetizer and I loved it. The batter was perfectly seasoned and it was not too thick. The calamari was soft and tender. I like how there was a peppery/chili flavor because of the jalapeÃ±os that they added. For the entrees, I tried their rigatoni alla sal and linguine alle vongole veraci. I liked the rigatoni alla sal more than the linguine alle vongle veraci. The vongole (clams) were too "clammy" for me. It would have been better if they used more white wine or lemon juice to cook the dish to mellow out the strong seafood flavor. Other than that, I thought the dish itself was not bad. The rigatoni was exactly how I imagined it to taste though. I really liked the infusion of the truffle flavor in the dish. The parmesan cheese shaving paired well with and also enhanced the truffle taste. The scallops could be cooked for a shorter time because some of them were rubbery. However, the shrimp was good though. If you like wine, they have an extensive wine list. I don't know if it actually gets super busy on the weekends because I went on a week night and it wasn't that busy. The restaurant is located far down on Hanover St. so there might not be as much foot traffic on the weekends either. I think it is a good place to check out if the restaurants that you usually go to are packed during the weekends.
(4)
Michelle B.

I had a great experience here. I went with a large party for dinner and we received exceptional service. Our glasses were never empty and the daily specials were announced so enticingly that I could hardly decide on one! I ordered the Frutti di Mare. This huge plate of the finest available seafood satisfied my seafood portion for the month! The bowl has plentiful calamari, clam, scallion, shrimp and mussels, with a half-lobster placed right on top, claw hanging out because it could not fit in its bucket-sized home. They offer two sauces for the seafood; one is vodka-based and the other is a spicy marinara-type. I tried the vodka sauce. It was just light enough to compliment the seafood and not detract from its flavor. I also tried their meatball & mozzarella appetizer which is surprisingly big enough to share. From what I gathered, the daily homemade pasta special and gnocchi were exceptionally good. I'll try either of these when I go back!
(5)
Judi M.

Definitely a good choice in the NorthEnd for sure! It's a charming little restaurant with a nice wine list and good food. I highly recommend the eggplant...it was melt in your mouth. My dining partner raved about the veal and the homemade pasta. The service was exceptional. It is a very small place and I am happy to have been seated on the first level. If you do not enjoy being *this close* to your fellow diners, this might not be the place for you. Definitely a spot to return to!
(5)
Darcy W.

My favorite Italian restaurant on the north end... It's pretty simple the food, the service, and the wine are top notch! It has a cool vibe because it could be considered romantic, but they also have a few big screen TV's at the bar which most of the time have a fun movie on unless there is a big game. To start the bread and olives always hit the spot! Love the antipasto appetizer. The pasta is fresh and delish. The seafood is also a favorite! Honestly, you MUST order a meatball! We order with everything! The service is why I love this place! The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, and have turned us on to a few great wines. You cannot go wrong with Nico! Btw it's the sister restaurant to Strega.
(5)
Aimee H.

What a great spot in the North End! Of all the places you have to choose from in the area, we defiantly picked one of the best! We were planning to have an epic last night out on our Honeymoon in Boston. Starting at Nico's was a great idea! The food was amazing! I had the Chilean Sea Bass with mashed potatoes and asparagus, and my husband had the Carbinara. Both were fantastic. His pasta was so fresh I couldn't stop stealing bites from his plate. The service was impeccable, we never needed anything, they were on top of it all! They have a great wine list as well. You might see some crazy lines out front of some of the other spot on this block, but this one is defiantly where you want to be! I even let the secret out to some of those people in the crazy lines, that they needed to reconsider their choice and go to Nico's haha Enjoy!
(5)
Megan K.

The food here is consistently good and the service is great, always feel welcomed and always have a great time.
(5)
Jenn G.

I'm updating because I have been here several times since my initial review, and its proved to be my favorite restaurant in the North End. While I've steered away from getting the chicken aldredo, I've tried many other dishes here that were incredible. It's always great service, great food, and just a good experience overall! Also, one of my friends has a gluten allergy, and she is always accomodated (I think they have gluten free pasta, but also their non-gluten dishes are carefully handled). I always look forward to coming here!
(5)
Nina S.

My husband I had dinner here tonight and we are loving it !!! We ate before at Strega and Strega Waterfront which are not bad -- but Nico is the best so far from Verano group restaurants. We had deal from Groupon .. My husband had veal parm & I had Rigatoni alla Sal -- both were AMAZING!!! We also had tiramisu and cheesecake which were delicious .. Our waiter Hakim was really pleasant. Definitely looking forward to come back here soon :)
(5)
Heather L.

Nico was okay. I wasn't blown away and I wasn't disappointed. However, it didn't "hook" me. The prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is authentic. There are just so many other places to go that I don't know that I will be back. Although I have known other people that rave about it -- it just didn't stand out to me.
(3)
John S.

It wasn't a terrible experience by any stretch, but I spent the whole meal waiting for some definitive moment that never materialized. The service was fine (the manager recognized that we weren't happy to be standing by the bar for a half hour for our 6 o'clock reservation and checked in a couple times), but nothing stood out as exceptional service. The food was fine as well, but I wanted some secret spice to add a new dynamic to the classics. My lobster ravioli was cooked well, but bland. The veal parmesan was of good quality, but nearly identical to any other "good quality" veal parmesan I've ever had. The ambiance was, you guessed it, fine. A touch cramped but not miserable. Overall, I ate a meal that wasn't disappointing but was entirely forgettable. I don't think I'll be back, unless I forget I've already been here and try it again for the first time.
(3)
Elaina O.

Just go. It's fantastic. I sat at the bar and Vanessa was a wonderful bartender/server. I started with the burrata special and the meatball. The meatball. It was so tender and perfectly seasoned. The olives/olive oil and bread were wonderful as well. For my entree, I enjoyed the mushroom Ravioli in truffle sauce. Incredibly rich but absolutely worth it. Delicate and with absolute finesse. For dessert, the nutella mousse and an espresso hit the spot. Oh, and have Vanessa make you her nutella martini. Or two. Perfect dessert cocktail. Comfortable and cozy atmosphere with impeccable service and delicious food.
(4)
Amanda O.

Had a fantastic dinner here yesterday! There were 7 of us, 3 vegetarian, and all left extremely satisfied with our food and the service. Our waiter, Hakim, was the highlight with his fantastic customer service. Once he heard we had vegetarians, he offered to create a custom vegetarian bruschetta for us, as well as a custom chefs choice vegetarian pasta dish with a delish truffle sauce (which many thought ended up being the best dish on the table!). The food came out quickly and it was all amazing. Highlights were the lobster ravioli, spaghetti con polpetta (best meatball I've ever had!), and the vegetarian special from above but all of the pastas were perfectly cooked! You MUST try dessert here. We didn't order any buy Hakim surprised us and brought out miniature versions of the tiramisu (again, best I've had!) and chocolate mousse (tasted like a Ferrari Rocher!) which were to die for. We got Mikes Pastry on the way home but it paled in comparison and all we could talk about were the desserts from Nico's! Definitely recommended, and will definitely come back every time I'm in Boston!
(5)
Amanda D.

You need to come to this place if you've never been before. Food and service are an A+. Atmosphere is a bit small and crowded but you BEARLY even notice this. My boyfriend and I stared off with the anti-pasta and it was some of the absolute best I've ever had- they're Salami was out of this world. I had the lobster raviolis and they were amazing. My boyfriend had the veal parm and it was out of this world. I highly recommend this place and will be back as soon as I can.
(5)
Beverly S.

Only fair. Best part was the olives in the bread dipping oil! My spouse had the carbonara, which while it was good tasting was most definitely NOT the classic dish Spaghetti Carbonara. It was Fettuccini Alfredo with a sprinkling of a bacon-like substance. There should not be any cream in Carbonara. My Lobster Ravioli in a pink sauce might have benefitted from some more cream. The tomato sauce was more acidic than it needed to be; it overwhelmed the lobster ravioli, which while tender, did not have much lobster flavor. We were seated in the cramped basement far, far away from the attractive tables near the windows that were open on a beautifully mild Boston evening. We had a half hour wait beyond our reservation time for this much less than desirable table and never heard word one about any specials. Other than that the service was adequate. We were in town on business and will come back to Boston on business again, but we will NOT return to Nico.
(2)
Mark R.

Real gourmet Italian food. I had the Veal Parmesan and it was excellent. Service was good and the waiter was very helpful. I would definitely recommend it for those visiting the North End.
(5)
F M.

We tried Nicos for the first time. We found it to be good, not great. I had the rigatonni with the dark truffle cream sauce. The dish was a little bland. My main complaint was that the scallops weren't cleaned well enough and had sand in them. I will try a different place next time I'm in Boston.
(3)
Meredith M.

Wow. We haven't had service or food this good in a very long time. I was fortunate enough to have a gift card but I will be back again for sure. My date and I enjoyed the arancini and mussels to start. If you are a fan of arancini, you must try these big delicious gooey balls of cheese :). The mussels were soaked in a spicy red suace. I had never had anything like them before, so good. For our entrees we had the veal parmesean and the lobster ravioli. Classic, comforting, delicious and big enough portions to have some to take home. The chocolate ganache cheescake was insanely rich. We loved our servers. It was nice to have someone focusing on refilling the glasses and clearing the plates while the waiter gave us recommendations. We will be back for sure!
(5)
Jocelyn K.

I was stuck in traffic trying to get through Boston, so I decided to stop in the North End for dinner. It was a very busy night, so trying to find someplace to eat wasn't easy. I was able to get into Nico and sit at the bar. The bartender was most welcoming and polite. I ordered the home made fusilli with shrimp and zucchini. It was served with a vodka sauce. The shrimp were enormous! The meal was exquisite and I will definitely be back!
(5)
Katharine F.

Amazing! My boyfriend and I went here for date night. Great food, great service, great night! We will definately be back here again.
(4)
Josh G.

The food and service was superb. Nice small restaurant atmosphere. Would highly recommend and will be heading back soon!
(5)
Adeline H.

I came here on a slow Sunday afternoon with my boyfriend, who specifically wanted to find a good risotto place. We were seated immediately as we were the only ones there, which was nice, but a bad sign. The service was okay nothing special. The decor was a bit tacky with the red curtains, and the downstairs is a basement with some tables. Not the nicest restaurant on this street. The main reason for the 1 star is because of the food and the fact is I wouldnt recommend this place to anyone or come back. He had the scallop truffle risotto, and I had the clam linguine with white wine sauce, which is pretty simple. Both dishes were big portions so we didnt finish, and they came out pretty fast. The risotto rice is cooked perfectly and very hot. The scallops were undercooked inside but you do get plenty of big ones. There was an overall sourness to the dish maybe from the canned mushrooms? Not sure. Waited till it cooled down and the taste just got worse so eat it while its burning hot. Not the best risotto but its passable. Bread was cold and stale. My linguine noodles were cooked perfectly, and I mostly just ate that. There was a ton of clams that I didnt eat, which just made the dish too clammy/fishy tasting. I think their downfall is the lack of fresher ingredients rather than technique. If you want a good clam linguine Eastern Standard's is very good and Cuchi Cuchi in Cambridge has the best risotto Ive had. This is just a passable restaurant.
(1)
Belinda M.

The food here is just great! I had the best lobster raviolis and my bf had the linguine a la vongole... Awesome... Highly recommended
(5)
Kylie C.

I LOVE THIS PLACE. I had their pasta and butter. You probably think that is nothing but they use fresh homemade pasta. I would come here every day if I could. The service here is so polite. I give this place five stars because this place is awesome.
(5)
Terry H.

If wasn't for the pasta, I probably will give this place a two stars for the following reasons 1. the hostess is just flat out rude, no greeting, no smile from her when we walk in 2. wine glasses were wet with water drops inside and out as if they just got rinse under the faucet and didn't even bother to dry them. 3. fried calamari was overly fried. 4. no specials and no dessert were mention by the waiter. we have to ask for them. 5. tiramisu is by far the worst I've ever had in an Italian restaurant. doesn't taste fresh. one good thing I would say about this whole dining experience is that pasta dishes are delicious. But I probably will only order the pasta dish as take out instead of dining in due to poor service. If you are looking for a place to dine at north end, I would probably pick somewhere else since there are a lot of other good choices with better price and way better service in the area.
(3)
Bryan Z.

So hear me out.. the restaurant has a great ambiance, very nice location on Hanover St and the food is great. The problem lies with eating the food that you ordered. The service let's say for lack of better word - less than par. For starters, I had made a 8 pm reservation on opentable.com and we arrived at 7:50 to see if our table would happen to be ready yet... which it was not but no big deal because we were early anyway. However, as we are sitting outside patiently, there must have been 4-5 parties that just walked in and sat right down. We did not get seated for another 20 mins after I had to bug the hostess and another waiter. Then we sit down. The hostess forgets to give us a wine list and it took us nearly 20 mins for our waiter to come over to us. Finally we were able to place our orders - I ordered the VEAL Parmigiana and my girlfriend ordered gnocchi. Of course Hollywood waiter does not need to write anything down because he remembers everything... and guess what happened.. CHICKEN Parmigiana was brought out to me. Don't get me wrong, it was delicious but I came to the north end to get great veal that I can not make at home, not chicken which I can make in my boxers while watching TV. And until we received the check, that is about the only time we saw the waiter. I guess he was a little too busy chatting it up for 45 mins with another family. Regardless, I had a great night and I would recommend this place because the food is great but be prepared to be disappointed with the service.
(3)
Jasmin M.

In love with this place. Great service. Every time I go there it gets better. Delicious!!! Will go back again and again and again. You should too..
(5)
Katie D.

Went to Nico last night for dinner and had an amazing experience. We started with the burrata appetizer and it was incredible! It was served over arugula and tomatoes with roasted artichoke hearts and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The mozzarella was creamy and delicious. I got the pasta with sausage and artichokes in a red sauce. It was a filling dish with a perfect combination of flavors. My husband got the fusilli with zucchini and shrimp in a pink sauce - he loved his dish. As good as the food was, and it was fantastic, the service we received was phenomenal. Every staff member was attentive and friendly, but our waiter, Alessandro, was simply outstanding. He was extremely personable, gave great recommendations without being pushy, and he made sure we wanted for nothing. We had a wonderful evening and will certainly be back!
(5)
Adam G.

Went here on a Friday night. Busy but not crazy. I've yet to have a bad meal in the north end. Service was excellent. Calamari was one of the best I've ever had. Gnocchi was good but I've had better. A little pricey but worth a visit. Quieter than many north end places good spot for a date.
(4)
Matt L.

North End Italian should be a no brainer, however several restaurants in this area have mixed reviews and it is almost a hit or miss if you are going to get a good meal or not. This place is not one you have to worry about. This is probably one of the best if not the best in the North End start to finish and worth every penny. If you research the restaurants before trying them out like me, do yourself a favor and pull the trigger on this place, you won't regret it. This is not a large place as many of the places down in this neighborhood are small and quaint. This place has maybe 10 tables upstairs and 10 tables downstairs and it is jammed from what I can see, on a regular basis with customers eating and at the bar. It sits toward the end of Hanover so it is easily accessible from the Boston Waterfront Hotel and parking lots in that area. Not sure what other reviewers were talking about because the service was impeccable start to finish from a friendly waitstaff. Sure there was a few slow points toward the end of the meal, however they gave you breathing room and it stretched the meal out a bit which was actually pleasant. We were seated on time and no complaints. The place is tight and the TV playing an Italian movie in the background with subtitles was actually interesting. The menu contains loads of selections from pasta to seafood and steak. Unlike other Italian restaurants outside of the North End neighborhood that have a tiny menu, this menu was quite large, plus they had specials to top it off. We decided to order the Eggplant Parmigiana and Arancini rice fritter/mozzarella/beef for appetizers which were both delicious. A nice bottle of Chianti to accompany the meal from the extensive wine list. For entrees we ordered the lamb shank special with a lobster pasta and also a seafood pasta mix with clams and littlenecks and finally a Gnocchi Sorrentina. Every dish was a nice size portion and the lamb fell off the bone like butter and was done beautifully. The pasta was exquisite and melted in my mouth and the gnocchi was delightful. I could not get enough and it was one of those rare times you wanted to savor every bite and almost lick the plate clean. Everything was perfect and we topped the meal off with dessert of tiramisu and a chocolate custard flan both equally delicious. This was just a great meal and one to remember. Prices were as expected high, but well worth it. I would highly recommend this place if you are searching for excellent Italian food and a great night out!
(5)
Christine D.

I came here last night on a whim because I was craving some authentic Arancini - wow what a treat I was in for! Their aranicini here is THE best I've ever had anywhere in Boston, it was stuff with delicious mozzarella, beef, rice fritters, and beef and toasted on the outside to perfection and served in a delicious tomato sauce. For an entrÃ©e me and my girl shared the Fettuccine Alfredo and Veal Parmesan- both were so delicious I completely cleared my plate! For dessert we had an amazing chocolate mousse cake and tiramisu- the presentation was just as amazing as the sweet savory taste. The wait staff was extremely on point- constantly refilling my drinks. Also, I really enjoyed the bottle of wine I had my waiter select for me. All around 5 star service from the wait staff, food, drink, and atmosphere. Highly recommended.
(5)
Steve L.

The only Italian restaurant you need to go to in the North End. The shrimp w/ a dollop of rigot if you like, but their star plate is the Rigatoni Alla Sal. As a former North Ender Italian American, please do yourself a favor and order it, it'll taste like your grandmother's cooking.
(5)
Amanda B.

Everything we had here was amazing! Fabulous service too! I had a mushroom scallop truffle risotto that was perfection. Definitely make reservations.
(5)
Allison C.

Wonderful little restaurant on Hanover a few short blocks from the busy-ness of Giacomo's, Mike's, and whatnot. I've been here twice now because I am happy with my experience at this restaurant. SERVICE: The staff is very accommodating for both walk-ins and reservations. We used OpenTable to make a reservation for a Thursday graduation dinner recently, and the restaurant was happy to meet our request to sit in the street-level dining area. Each time I've been here, the bartender, host, waitperson, and bus person were kind, knowledgeable, and very helpful in that they were able to make recommendations and replacements as necessary. FOOD AND DRINK: Very filling, yummy portions on all the appetizers and main dishes, which average $10 and $20 respectively. Of the two vegetarian options I've had (the porcini ravioli and potato gnocchi), the ravioli are better-tasting, but both are solid choices. Regarding seafood, the frutti di mare dish is only a daily special: lots of shellfish, including a lobster (that was slightly overcooked, and therefore too tough a meat); the lobster ravioli dish is a regular menu item, and is a very manageable, palatable portion. Then, in regards to meat, the double pork chop dish is apparently "the best pork chop" my father has ever had, even better than his own at-home creation; he credits Nico's savory sauce for its tastiness. As far as appetizers go, the calamari are very light and is drizzled sensibly with a chipotle sauce. Finally for drinks, they have an ample wine and cocktail selection, including a house sangria that's just a'ight. AMBIENCE: Cute to boot place! The TVs on the bar play on silent (no closed captions) classic Italian (American) films, including Cinema Paradiso and the Godfather series. There is a small dining area on street level as well as a dining area downstairs as well. As most of the restaurants in the North End go, the tables are quite close to one another, but you manage.
(4)
Rudy K.

Stuffed veal chop best I ever had. Italian food in Boston should be exactly like it is at Nico. Small cozy atmosphere. Great staff. Great bar. Fantastic all around. What stands out is the stuffed veal chop special. Perfectly cooked. Juicy. Succulent. And plenty of it. We went with a large group and everyone ended up ordering the stuffed veal and everyone raved about it. Add a family side of pasta carbonara and you have a meal fit for a king!
(5)
TJ C.

We totally enjoyed this dining experience. I've never had better stuffed lobster. The personnel were friendly and knowledgeable about the food. The burrata appetizer was amazing. The ristorante was clean, and the tables were dressed in white linens. It was a great birthday treat. The ristorante opened at four. We had a reservation for 4 o'clock. We arrived early, and they received us warmly. We were grateful because it was raining.
(5)
Karen S.

Went with just a little time to spare prior to a Garden event and Nico got us fed and to the show on time. Bruno was attentive and friendly to each of the diners seated in the intimate lower area. The antipasti appetizer was well-sized for two and probably would have been good for 3 or 4 as a true appetizer. The artichokes were some of the best we've had. My date had the risotto of the day which had shrimp and some other seafood on it. But I think my fettucine carbonara was the winning dish! Such a creamy sauce! Especially when combined with the antipasti this was a filling dish and I could have brought half of it home. We'll definitely be back when we're not as rushed.
(4)
Jennifer S.

Delicious! We enjoyed a great dinner here tonight...cozy atmosphere, professional service and fresh, flavorful food. We shared the prosciutto & parmesan and the burrata with arugula, artichoke hearts and tomatoes with olive oil to start. I enjoyed the lobster ravioli as my entree and my fellow diners tried the seafood medley, risotto with mushrooms and scallops and the rigatoni...all amazing! We shared the 3 chocolate mousse with nutella and it was a hit! I highly recommend the seasonal pumpkin martini too...delicious!
(4)
Zachary R.

What a great little restaurant! Everything about this restaurant was excellent. The service was great, everyone I came into contact with was very friendly and charismatic. The ambiance is very Italian and was very warm and inviting, yet elegant. The bread on the table had a crunchy outside and a soft inside, absolutely fantastic; the olive oil was flavored with actual olives in it and was great. My appetizer (calamari) was crispy with a delicious chipotle sauce. As a main course I had their spaghetti and meatball. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the flavors in the meatball were delicious. For dessert, I was prepared (off the menu) and chocolate and hazelnut ganache cake that was absolutely delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed this dinner!
(5)
Sara M.

We came here last week for a birthday dinner and although it was just three of us, we had a great time! The staff was accommodating even though we walked in around 9:30pm or so and almost every other place was closed. Our server was straight up from Italia, accent and all. He was knowledgable about the menu and helped out with gluten and dairy allergies for one of my dining companions. Hello, gluten free pasta! We started with decent bread and nice olives, as well as the mussels. Nice spicy kick but I wish they were more plump. I had the risotto special with scallops, mushrooms, and truffle oil. Normally, I'm not wild about this dish but I stuffed the entire contents of my plate into my gaping yaw. The earthiness of truffles pairs so well with its related fungi brethren and the scallops were rich, meaty, sweet. I would order this every time, although the stuffed veal chop sounded amazing as well. Everyone enjoyed their meals and we washed it down with a reasonably priced Brunello. The year was off by one and when I mentioned it, I don't think he understood that we wanted the earlier season. The only real mess up but I could have pressed harder. We ordered the creme brÃ»lÃ©e and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert, the latter being almost perfect in that the only fault was I wish it was the size of my head. They also gave us complimentary limoncello, which is something I experienced in Italy and is a lovely gesture. The price was as expected for a pretty stellar dining experience and most importantly, the birthday boy had fun!
(4)
Dana B.

The place is a bit small even for the neighborhood and it can be hard to get a reservation but the best food in the North End in my opinion
(5)
Jason L.

My dinner group had a very nice meal here. The food was awesome, service was excellent, and the atmosphere was pretty nice. Maybe it was a mistake to come during the feast of St. Anthony, but we're all new to Boston and didn't know any better, so we found ourselves in the middle of a more giant than usual crowd on Saturday night. It was ok though, because someone tried a cannoli for the first time ever (40 years old and no cannoli? what?!), I bought a really nice cigar, and we marched along with the procession, and the weather was perfect. We sat in the tiny downstairs area, which was nice enough, but a bit strangely had a big TV showing some Italian-American themed movie. For a place with white linen tablecloths and a rather expensive menu, I thought the service fell a little short, but it wasn't a problem or anything. Here's how it went down: we sat down and were greeted by someone who poured us glasses of water with no ice. We waited a while, maybe about ten minutes, until our server came over and introduced himself but didn't take drink orders. A few minutes later, he came back and finally took drink orders. After the initial bumps, service was good. Initial courses came out promptly, and wine came out very quickly. Good stuff, but not quite polished enough for the price. Anyway, the food was great. I had the lamb shank with homemade linguine. My companions had clams, lobster ravioli, mussels, and chicken, all of which they raved about. My lamb was tender and slow-cooked with a great generous helping of sauce made from the lamb cooking process all over the meat and the pasta. I just kind of tasted the pasta, and it was tremendously delicious, obviously homemade, nice and eggy and tender. The main problem we had was the large table of young bros next to us. Two of them were at a table with three women, and the bros were loudly peacocking for the entire meal. For their part, the women each ordered the most expensive and elaborate seafood dish on the menu, and continued to order bottles of wine, all of which they forced the bros to pay for. Their bank broken by the extravagance of all this, the bros couldn't afford to eat themselves. But as they drank, they grew increasingly loud and tiresome, and by the end of the meal I couldn't wait to escape. Overall this was a good experience, and the food was great, but I felt that it was a bit expensive considering the service and the ambiance. This would be a great place for a date, maybe on a less crazy day of the week.
(4)
Jessica Y.

I love this Italian restaurant located deep in the North End. I've been here twice and got the same entree. Since I'm a sucker for pesto and truffle oil, I got the capesante al pesto (seared scallops on a dollop of pesto sauce) and rigatoni alla sal (rigatoni with shrimp and scallops in black truffle cream sauce). The scallops were fresh and seared to perfection. And with the pesto sauce, it was just heavenly. The entree dish was rich with the mushroom taste and smell, which kept me going back for more. I just couldn't stop eating and was making sure everything - pasta and seafood - were soaked evenly before entering my mouth. Even so I couldn't finish it all by myself. The seafood was generous and big. I didn't mind taking it home and enjoying my leftover later....The date got the spaghetti con polpetta. Traditional spaghetti with a homemade gigantic meatball. It was good as well, but not as good as what I've ordered =P
(5)
jeff B.

Stopped in to grab a drink while walking around the north end. I liked the ambiance and the hostess was very friendly. I asked the bartender Vanessa what her best drink was and she said Nutella Martini. I hesitated because I don't like my drinks too sweet but I gave in to temptation because my love for Nutella is like none other. Omg, this drink was amazing. Not too sweet but very tasty. The Nutella rim was also great. I did not eat because I was enjoying the drinks too much. Will def go back for dinner. Probably on a Tuesday to see Vanessa.
(5)
Duy L.

I had high hopes for this restaurant. My girlfriend and I were here for our anniversary and it wasn't what we thought it should be. First, our waiter was very rude, we order and were served. We were with one wrong dish and it took us so long to get our waiter'a attention. When we did and told him the situation he was very rude and walked back to check the receipt. We told him that it is okay we will accept this because just wanted to get out if there. After the meal our waiter realized that he didn't treat us well so he brought us dessert. Food wise 3/5 Fried Calamari was good, but there's nothing special about it. Entree was very bland, no favor. Overall, I think the service very effected our taste bud. Dessert - free because of the bad service? It was too sweet. Service - solid 1/5.
(2)
D S.

My caprese salad was good. The calamari was different and good. The kids' spaghetti and meatballs was apparently good. My husband ordered a seafood dish and spent the entire meal removing shells and tails from his food in an extremely hot dish. By the time he finished prepping his meal, he no longer wanted to eat. The waiter didn't return to ask if he wanted more to drink either. It is across from an old fire station though which was cool!
(3)
Joe C.

Went here tonight and in full discloser we had a groupon. We chose to sit at the bar and eat. Bartender was right on us asking what we needed. I didn't catch her name but she was amazing!! Told us about her favorites. We ended up going with the eggplant app which was amazing we should have gotten 2 !! My girlfriend got the fussili shrimp dish she loved it!!! I got the chicken saltenbocca. I have to say I get it everywhere I go and this was hands down the best I have ever had!! The gravy was amazon. I would go back in a heart beat!! Best place and service I have had in the north end!!
(5)
Kim P.

Loved absolutely EVERYTHING about this restaurant . Took my boyfriend out for his birthday and there's not one thing I can say that was wrong with this place . The food, the ambiance, and the service was great . Our server Hakeem made us feel at home . Totally recommend Nico's to anyone who's looking to have an amazing italian dinner.
(5)
Keri S.

I went to dinner at Nico with my family because of a Groupon deal this spring. We hit traffic and were running about an hour late for our reservation - with a simple call, the staff changed our reservation without trouble. It might have been a bit easier since it was a Thursday and not a prime dinner-out night, but we were really impressed by their efforts to make sure we were accommodated, especially when we were the ones running late! We were seated immediately in the downstairs area. The restaurant is very cozy, and there were a few large groups in our area, so it was a bit loud - but the restaurant was very comfortable and we were happy with our table. The service was incredible - our water and bread were refreshed quickly, and our food was brought out very promptly. We had read reviews of mediocre service here, so we weren't expecting much - but we were absolutely blown away by the quality of service. Everyone was friendly and efficient! Our group ordered the polpetta (giant meatball), lobster ravioli, and fettuccine carbonara at one table, and the delmonico steak and fettuccine alfredo at the other table. Everything was well-made, well-plated, and delicious. The texture of the meatball was perfect - tender and tasty. The lobster ravioli came with a pink sauce which has just a bit of extra tomato flavor, which was excellent. The steak was perfectly cooked and the fettuccine alfredo was wonderful. But by far our favorite was the carbonara - it was cheesy, rich, and full of delicious pancetta that was fresh and well-cooked. Everything we ordered was excellent, and we would highly recommend all of it! We finished off our meal with desserts - tiramisu and orange mascarpone custard. Both were a bit small, but well-priced, and were perfect for finishing off such a rich meal. The flavor of both was very good. I particularly enjoyed the orange mascarpone custard because the light flavor of the blood oranges was a good complement to the heavier meal. Overall, I would highly recommend Nico to anyone looking for a comfortable atmosphere, good service, and yummy food!
(5)
Todd B.

The first time I've ever been disappointed by a meal in the North End. Everything at our table was terribly overcooked and as soon as we finished our meal they asked us to leave because they wanted to turn the table. Subpar food and poor service.
(1)
Aman S.

Great Italian place in the north end with amazing fettuccine carbonara and spagetti and meatballs!
(5)
Dan G.

Wish I could give 3.5 stars. Major plus was the staff's flexibility in seating a party in which 2 people were quite late due to a T breakdown and traffic gridlock. We had a variety of antipasti, which were uniformly excellent, and the pasta dishes (main courses for several in the party) were well-liked. Mains: The pork chop was enormous but drowning in sauce (nonetheless tasty). But the chicken cooked under a brick was seriously overcooked -- very dried out -- and the one major disappointment of the evening.
(4)
Natasha S.

Good spot, but I was not blown away. The service was great, although it was a little confusing as to who our server was. One guy took our drink order, then another guy was our waiter, but there was no explanation about that. We ordered the salad with bleu cheese, walnuts, and pomegranate dressing -- my friend was a fan, but for me the bleu cheese crumbles were very overpowering. We got chicken parm, which was delicious, but I would have preferred to have been asked what type of pasta I prefer.
(3)
Annette A.

I'm so glad that Groupon introduced me to this restaurant because it is now one of my North End favorites. This restaurant has a classy and romantic atmosphere - not over-the-top Italian like some of the neighboring restaurants with cheesy decor. The food was very good and priced fairly. The service was very friendly. I'd love to bring a date here. For dress, I'd advise at least business-casual. Jeans are okay, but don't come in with a sweaty Red Sox shirt. :)
(5)
Phil O.

This place does NOT have premium Italian food. The food was inexpensive, but the pasta dishes that my sister and I ordered were overly salted. The pasta and red sauce also did not appear to be homemade. Go somewhere else if you have the money.
(3)
Greg T.

Excellent service, food and wine. Went for my wife's birthday. Would recommend in the future. Definitely a place to check out.
(5)
Georgina C.

I have visited Nico several times and have always had a wonderful experience. Not only is the service impeccable, the food is absolutely delicious with generous portions. The space is definitely a clean and cozy one where you will feel right at home. During one of my meals there the chef actually came out to check to see hour our meal was (I think we had ordered one of the specials.) I was astounded. I also love the limoncello shots we indulge in from time to time. Growing up in a large Italian family, Nico is like having dinner with La Famiglia each time I visit. Definitely pop by and start with one of their delicious starters, the waiters also always do a wonderful job recommending the perfect bottle of wine. Some people have complained about the parking but the guys that valet are incredibly accommodating!
(5)
Terrance G.

By far one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. Every facet of the dining experience, hostess, waiter, to the bartender were on top notch. I have dined at this restaurant 4 times prior to writing this review. I recommend getting anything the waiter or waitress recommends you will not be dissappointed.
(5)
Lauren M.

DELICIOUS. I was born and raised in Boston, still living here and believe it or not, I have never had Italian in the north end. I just always saw it as a tourist spot and I steered clear of the area. I went to Nico with my sister and a few friends for her birthday. Dinner was amazing. I can say that it was THE BEST Italian I have ever tasted. Fresh pasta and fresh herbs. I had the chicken parmesan and my sister had the chicken alfredo, both dishes were great, I would definitely recommend coming here if you're in the north end. Our waiter also gave my sister a little birthday surprise, tiramisu and ganache. Everything tasted home made and authentic, it was fantastic. Go there!
(5)
Xiao Z.

Groupon Review: I took my parents here for a mini-celebration and was quite impressed with the food, and service. Located in the far ends of North End, I was almost on the verge of losing hope before I was welcomed by a giant vertical sign calling for our patronage. While the food was certainly terrific, I think the best features of the restaurant are their great services and ambiance. The entire place screams "date" and I strongly recommend any and all couples to give this place a try...although I'd recommend bringing a lot of extra padding for your wallet because this place is quite expensive. Foodwise, I had the arancini and the mozzarella w/artichoke for appetizers, with a wild-mushroom scallop risotto, gnocchi and chicken primavera for the meal meal. The arancini was a bit soggy and overcooked, but the grilled mozzarella was amazing and well garnished with the artichokes and fresh greens. The risotto was excellent as well, but could have used some more scallops, other than the four that are used for artistic garnishing. I am particularly biased towards gnocchi (so I can't really say anything bad about it), and the chicken primavera was fork-n-knife licking good (and the cheapest meat dish there). Overall, I think the food alone makes this place a 3 star Italian establishment in the North End, but the frequent and friendly staff made this place stick out just a little bit more in my memories. Food: 3 stars Service: 4 stars Price: 2 stars
(4)
Jim W.

Ive eaten here twice and both times its been decent. I'm partially tempted to give it 3 stars but I'll be generous. I had the little necks and linguine last time and it was rather small but good. I wished there was more of the delicious pasta and the little necks were the smallest I've ever seen. All the food tastes good and the service is outstanding. The atmosphere is good I would just like to see more food for what I pay
(4)
Keleigh Q.

I really enjoy this place. The Carbonara is fantastic, and the people I dined with also raved about the Veal Marsala and Spaghetti and Meatballs. The Specials always sound great, too. It is a small space, but I have had great luck with Open Table and love the little tables by the windows. The service is incredible and the prices are reasonable.
(4)
Keiko W.

Based on the generally positive reviews for food here I went here last night for a late birthday dinner. Reservations were made on OpenTable for 7pm a week or so in advance. Unlike some reviews below, we were seated right away. We were seated on the main floor, but right next to the staircase, so I felt like the staff were constantly hovering or squeezing right by. The restaurant is fairly small and packed tightly, and on a Saturday night it feels like the waiters are just running all around you. They also have giant TVs right behind the bar, further detracting from the ambiance. Apparently this was better than being seated downstairs, just based on the other reviews I read. So if you like crowded, loud, uncomfortable dinners, this has you covered. As far as the staff goes, the greeter was friendly, but our waiter was absolutely terrible. We were seated, given our menus, then he left. He came back about 5 minutes later to ask for drinks. Fine. No mention of any specials (which I heard were good) or suggestions. When he came back we ordered lobster ravioli and spaghetti carbonara. Then he came back THREE times to confirm our order. I'm not sure if it was the noise level here, but 3 times is excessive for a table ordering two dishes. From the very beginning until the end of our meal were were treated like an after thought. As a disclaimer, my boyfriend and I are in our early/mid 20's, so they might have assumed that we were not going to spend a lot on our meal and that they were better off getting us out quickly. And to be quite honest, I would have stayed longer and bought another drink or dessert if I was offered, but they didn't even give me that courtesy. I was appalled by server's behavior. Our server NEVER checked in on us and then just gave us our bill when we were done. No "thank you for coming" and no offer for additional drinks or desserts (and I know they have desserts, we saw a slice of cake go by to another table). Oh, and the food. To echo a couple below that coincidentally ordered the same thing as us, the lobster ravioli was acidic and had little/no lobster flavor and the pasta carbonara was heavy with cream. To top it all off, around 10pm my stomach was turning that night. Maybe I was unlucky with my order and my table placement. But I saw many other couples get much better service than us. I might have given it a second try despite the so-so food, but after my terrible customer service I will not be returning here again. There are many other Italian restaurants in the area where we have been much treated better and have had much better food.
(2)
AL R.

Nico is good, it's not 5 star good but it's still pretty good. The service is always great and the atmosphere is nice but a little cramped. Groupon has had a few deals for this place and it's def worth picking one up. Nico is part of the same restaurant group as Strega which is more expensive but I'm assuming has the same product. We got the antipasto to start which was very good and a good size for the price my chicken parm was delicious. My bf got the linguine vongole and loved the flavor but the portion was small and the clams were tiny. The lobster ravioli is very very good, I would suggest that as well.
(4)
Victor N.

I went to dinner last night at Nico with my wife. We live in the South End and don't often venture into the North End mostly because Italian food is not my favorite ( I don't hate it but its simply not my favorite) . Well, last night we were in the mood for Italian food. I love the location of the restaurant! The area is vibrant, full of people and gives you several options for places to eat. Nico was a good choice. We had reservation for 8 pm but arrived about 10 min late because we drove and had a hard time finding parking. We finally found a public parking lot about 5 min walk away. Nico has valet parking at a sister restaurant 3 blocks away for $20 but to me valet means I dont have to walk 3 blocks and if thats the requirement then any public parking close by will do, specially if its way cheaper. The staff was very nice and accomodating! The main floor is cosy or let's call it like it is tiny. Then again most restaurants in the area are about the same size so its not a real negative. We were promptly seated in a very tight spot. That was the only seat available on the main floor and it was ok with us. They offered to move us once some of the other tables cleared but we didnt see the need to. It was definitely tight but we're not big complainers and it didnt bother us that much. But kudos for them for trying on several occasions and making sure we were comfortable! We ordered the scallops for appetizer. They came on a bed of eggplant and were drizzled with pesto sauce and pine nuts: supper yummy!!! for the main dishes, my wife ordered the mushroom ravioli. It was cooked perfectly and she loved it. I ordered the lobster ravioli. It was overcooked and a little bit dry. We had a glass of cab sauvignon which was ok. Desert was the chocolate mousse which was super delicious! Our glasses of water were promptly refilled and the server stopped by often to check on us. So overall it was a nice experience and I would recommend the restaurant! When you see how the entire staff interacts with different customers, you can tell that they care and are trying to do their best!
(4)
Steven C.

I absolutely love Nicco! I had homemade pasta, bolognese sauce, meatball, and sausage. The best I have ever had. The caprese salad was so fresh, the cheese was like no other. Go , if you get the opportunity.
(4)
Jessica S.

The spaghetti and meatballs here was good. Very good service. The decor is a bit dated and I really hate when places try to be both a nice restaurant and a sports bar by having a tv in the room. Pick a theme and stick with it. Nix the beads off the lighting. It has potential with nice floors and a nice bar area but not quite the atmosphere I like
(4)
Neal M.

I love this place. It is very small and can get busy. I LOVE the Capesante Al Pesto. The scallops were seared beautifully and the baby eggplant is great (I'm not even a huge fan of eggplant). The stuffed veal chop was incredible. The gravy for the veal was very rich.
(4)
Tony N.

I'm pretty picky when it comes to Italian food and I am even more critical when it comes to dining in the North End because there is so much crap there. Nico more than passes muster. Sure parking is a nightmare but that is what you have to expect in that neighborhood. If you must drive just put a $20 in your pocket and valet your ride. Once you enter Nico you will be treated with a friendly smile by the hostess and/or bartender. I have never had to wait for my reserved table, though I have always dined somewhat early for the North End, around 6:30/7:00. Waitstaff immediately comes over with water, menus, and bread but don't confuse immediate service with being rushed, you are encouraged to take your time to review the menu and enjoy your bread and olives with oil. Waitstaff is simply great. The management really has done a fat job training and retaining good people. One occasion I ordered the fried calamari to start. It was cooked perfectly and tasted fresh. The entrees however are where it's at so I might suggest skipping appetizers/antipasto and going straight to the large and in charge entrees. It also makes your pocket feel a little better as this place is not mega expensive but it is far from cheap. (But here you do get what you pay for). The menu is quite expansive and they have always had at least four entree specials. Unlike some other places in the North End I have been to the specials are not more heavily priced than the regular menu items. The portions are quite decent. You will also find that of their menu all of their pasta, expect for the ravioli is fresh in house made. THANK YOU. I can't believe how many places in the North End don't make their own pasta. I look forward to going back soon....now I just need to get my butt to Strega!
(4)
Candace W.

There are a lot of little gem restaurants in the North End of Boston and Nico is definitely one of them. My family went there an earlier dinner before going to a Celtics game. The restaurant was very busy but our reservation made sure our table was waiting for us when we arrived. The restaurant is two levels, we ate upstairs and it was a little cramped - not a lot of elbow room between tables. Our Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. We started off with two appetizers on the table to share. The Caprese salad with Buffalo Mozzarella, basil leaves and tomatoes was delicious. Our waiter even gave us a little extra Mozzarella for someone at the table who was avoiding the tomatoes and just eating all the cheese. We also shared the Farm Raised Mussels and Littleneck Clams. Both appetizers were delicious and enjoyed by all. My husband and I both got the veal parmigiana which was a heavy meal (we could have split it) but very good. Also on our table was the Parmigiana Alla Siciliana (Eggplant Parmigiana) which is on the appetizer menu, but it was a good meal size and a Bruschetta Al Gamberoni, a.k.a. Shrimp sauteed in White Wine and Lemon over pasta. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. The house wines were wonderful. I had a Kris Pinot Noir that I now looking to find a bottle to buy. The biggest complaint aside from the tight quarters of the restaurant is the high prices on the menu. The food is delicious but this is not for someone watching the bottom line.
(4)
Young Bae K.

My husband and I had lunch here and it was fantastic. First, they take reservations, because we do not like to stand in line for a long time, which can happen around here. For the North End, the size of the restaurant was roomy. We were seated by the open window, and were treated to the beginning of a parade, bagpipes. the whole deal. We were only the third party in the restaurant at 12:00, which is the first seating. By the time we left at 1:00, the restaurant was packed. We had the special appetizer: prosciutto, arugula, grilled artichokes, tomatoes, mozarrella: delicious! It was really a large portion, so for two people I would only order one to share, and then entrees, which were also a hearty portion. I had the spaghetti and calamari, and he had the special frutti di mare with pasta. Service and food excellent. I would definitely try to to back for dinner.
(5)
Melody N.

We went with a friend using a Groupon. My husband was looking for parking and dropped me and my friend at the restaurant. The hostess said she couldn't sit us at the first level without the whole party being there but then a minute later said she could seat us at the lower level with just my friend and I. The lower level is more spacious than the first level and quieter. The decor is nice with lots of flat screens everywhere. There were playing the game, which was appreciated by husband(and the servers!). After the game was over, they played a movie with no sound, but some scenes in the movie were a little awkward to watch while dining. When we were finished dining there was a scene with teenage boys jerking off because they were watching a dirty movie. Don't really want to see that when I'm eating....My advice to the people picking the movie to play - if you can watch the whole thing with your great-grandma(or can imagine watching it with her), you can play it. Conclusion- nicely decorated but slightly strange background visuals. The food portions were impressively large. We had lobster crepes, lobster ravioli, and cioppino(which was one of the specials). My husband was a little disappointed with the lobster ravioli and felt that the filling needed more flavor. I appreciated the large chunks of lobster meat in the sauce and inside the crepes. I didn't care much for the grill marks imparted on the crepes which gave off a bitter taste to the dish. My friend's cioppino was gigantic and had scallops that almost the size of my palm and half of lobster. The seafood were fresh and cooked well. The noodles in her dish were fresh but weren't coated with the sauce leaving them bland. I wished the server advised to share the cioppino especially due to it's size and its price($44). My friend and I went home with leftovers. I might try this place again but I think I would wait around for another groupon as this place was very expensive!
(3)
Sharon O.

The food was absolutely excellent. From the bread to the meatball appetizer to the rigatoni de sel (nice big shrimp, scallops cooked the way they are supposed to be, excellent sauce). Our waiter was very kind. The restaurant was absolutely packed and we had to wait past our reservation time to be seated... although they accepted our reservation for 10... this number of people is ill-advised for many a small restaurant in the North End! Regardless, we had a wonderful dinner. The only kind of discomforting thing was that we sat in a small basement room directly under a flat screen tv. The waiter told us the flat screens are there to promote a casual atmosphere... all they succeeded in doing for our visit was annoy us with flashing light and content. Wish there was another way.
(4)
Kim K.

I'm really torn on this review - on the one hand, the food was delicious, reasonably priced, and in great portion sizes. On the other hand something was just *off* about Nico - we waited 25 minutes for a table even though we had a reservation, the staff were all a bit too smarmy for my liking, the owner had not one but TWO pictures of himself in the menu, The Godfather was playing on the TVs over the bar - I don't know, it's was all just too much. Too much faux grandiosity. If you want to impress me, deck the place out - instead the walls are bare. Have a really sleek modern bar - instead it was run down looking and kind of dirty. Have your staff be on point - instead of trying to charm me out of being annoyed by the mediocre service. Spend some money on lux tables and chairs - instead of trying to pass off furniture that is falling apart. And take some WD40 to the freaking kitchen door. I listened to it squeak open and closed all night long. Nico just misses on every mark. Will not be returning any time soon.
(2)
Harold F.

After numerous trips to this restaurant, it is safe to say it has become my favorite in the north end. The space inside is cozy but not cramped, the wine list is excellent and the food is second to none. I will continue to come to Nico to get my monthly pasta fix.
(5)
Jeff C.

The atmosphere, food and service is excellent. Staff are very friendly, and portions are just right!
(5)
Lindsay B.

I'm so disappointed to write this review! I love Nico and always come back to eat here when I'm in town. Last time may have been the last. We were seated over an hour after our reservation, our waiter seemed disinterested in us and taking our orders, and bringing our check. They did send over glasses of limoncello after the meal. The food was excellent, as usual, but I was so disappointed in the service and wait.
(2)
CW W.

For Christmas I got a Phantom Gourmet gift card. Went looking for Italian and picked this one. We had reservations so were promptly seated. Like all restaurants in the North End lots of tables cramped into a little space with not a lot of room but that is expected. Our service started off well, the waiter greeted us promptly with a smile on his face and the bus boy brought over water and bread. The bus boy was very diligent after we first sat down, replenishing our water, clearing away plates but towards the end of the meal when our water glasses were empty he never came by again. He was clearly not busy as we could see him standing doing nothing, so that was disappointing. Our waiter however was very pleasant. He took our order and we were served our appetizer in good time as well as our entrees. Onto the food . We ordered the risotto balls arancini and they were not that great at all. The risotto inside tasted overcooked and the outside shell wasn't very crispy. Overall they just tasted soggy and like they had been under a heating lamp for awhile. Entrees were the gnocchi and the daily special risotto with scallops and mushrooms. The gnocchi was a let down, they tasted 'old' but the sauce was ok. Sadly the risotto was also a let down. It came with 5 scallops which were all overcooked but the risotto itself with the mushrooms was ok. We didn't stay for dessert, they only had 4 options anyway. Glad we had a gift card as would have been even more disappointed had we paid full price. Like I always say, never take my word and try it yourself.
(2)
Kay D.

Out of all the many, many Italian restaurants in the North end, we chose this one. The Good: service was fairly prompt, food was very good but not fantastic. Now the Bad: Water glass was filmy and smudgy but from my vantage point with a setting sun shining on all other tables, so were all the glasses. So we didn't squabble. I was with my 18 yr. old son. Don't know if that had any effect on the service given but we were only given menus. I had to inquire about the risotto of the day, which I ordered. So when another waiter prattled on about numerous specials at the table next to us, we initially credited it to our waiter being inexperienced or tired (it was only 6pm ???). However our very own waiter recited a whole list of specials to a family of 4 next to us. Perhaps one of those specials might've appealed to us. Who knows? In any case the place wasn't extremely busy so we took our time savoring the meal, maybe an hour start to finish. But my son was asked four times if he was finished, like they wanted to turn the table. One odd thing is that they had "Il Postino" playing on a loop on all four TVs behind the bar. Not the best experience so we won't revisit especially given the number of Italian restaurants in the neighborhood.
(3)
Francis B.

Wow - been there twice and both times was a OUTSTANDING! When you eat there Carbonara you think you are sitting in front of the Pantheon. Great service. Outstanding wine list. Reasonable (for the area) pricing. Call out to Tyler - he was great to us on Father's Day. Ask for a window table on a nice day and watch the people walk by.....AMAZING.
(5)
Pilar B.

Fabulous meal! Delicious calamari. Great meatballs. Sat by the window and looked at Paul Revere in the sunset. So lovely.
(5)
Harumi U.

After I completed the freedom trail with a lightening speed, I was ready to eat. As I entered the restaurant, I was promptly seated. Given that I was by myself, they offered a bar seating and I took that option. The bartendress was such a friendly woman who just kept tending my needs without it overwhelming and kept just enough conversation going. And she definitely knew her food as I asked a few questions. One of my pet peeve is wasting food, so while I love eating a lot of different things, I want to make sure that I order just enough. I am glad I followed her advice and skipped appetizers and just took a main course. I can tell you that you will not leave here hungry. They also provide bread with great olive oil - in the oil, they provide a few different olives. For my food, I ordered rigatoni alla sal with the hugest shrimps and scallops I have seen in this kind of dish and very very generous serving of truffle sauce which was so addictive. Even after I was completely full, I caught myself eating sauce with bread! One thing I must mention - rigatoni was cooked a bit more than I would have done if I was cooking. Maybe they do that to make sure that the pasta can absorb as much of that sauce as possible. i walked out happy and full with just that dish!
(4)
Laura W.

Had a great night there with cm some friends. From college. Food was great- stuffed red peppers, caprese, and rice fritters to start and then i had the sea bass- best fish dish ever. Server helped pair wine with each course although not a very extensive wine list. Looking forward to returning.
(4)
Teddy S.

Read the reviews ahead of time and made sure we sat upstairs or at the bar. We sat at the bar and Vanessa was working. Friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. We shared an antipasto (good but the veggies had a very strong vinegar taste). Went with chicken parmesan and an order of homemade pasta with sausages and artichokes. Great taste and large portions. Finished with chocolate moose with nutella cookie. To top off the night, Street Magic came by and sang a couple of songs. Tuesday nite is arcapella nite at strega. The guys come by Nico for a set (about 730). Food was good and would be 3 stars but the addition of street magic & Vanessa raised the experience.
(4)
Clinton W.

Nico is a small Italian restaurant located near the far end of Hanover Street, kind of away from the hustle and bustle. It is a small place, but so are most of the places in the North End. We had a 6:30 reservation, and we were seated right away upon our arrival at 6:15. We had a nice open window seat, which was great because the weather was perfect. The service, food, and noise level was perfect. Our party left there with smiles, and the feeling that we would be back again someday.
(4)
Sarah B.

This place was so good. Chicken parm was HUGE & marinara sauce was perfection. I could go back every night.
(5)
Toby T.

Amazing Italian food; had a seafood sampler, Chilean Seabass, and Lobster Ravioli - all were quite delicious.
(5)
Derek A.

I literally just went back and forth between three and four stars about five times before diving into writing this review, and will probably go back and think about it again before submitting. Here's the good: the food, which is clearly the most important. We started off with paper-thin prosciutto and Parmesan cheese drizzled with EVOO and enjoyed some of their signature cocktails. One of them has become a popular one at home (Jack Daniels Honey with Cranberry juice). For dinner I had lobster ravioli after much debate, and my wife had the seafood fra diavolo. We could have just ordered her dish for the two of us - an entire half lobster, about six shrimp, six scallops, and six mussels over pasta. If we weren't in a hotel room and three hour drive home, we would have had enough for at least one more meal. It was all delicious and showed a great deal of respect for the natural flavors of the seafood. We also were treated extremely well by the waitstaff - though we had made reservations for a table, once we walked in we decided to sit at the bar - we love a bar with a nice little corner nook, which is exactly where we sat. The host checked on us several times and really made sure we were enjoying ourselves - it might have even bordered on too much. The biggest complaint is that there are simply too many TVs for such a small, intimate space. I can completely see having one in there, but four? It is a really weird decision that takes away from the whole experience, which is otherwise very positive. Oh - one important note... they have beer, wine, and cordials, but no straight gin, vodka or whiskey. Just an FYI.
(3)
Jeremy F.

Food was good, a little pricey. Went on a rainy day, place was empty.
(3)
Ilana O.

Terrible customer service. Rude and not helpful staff. So this was my boyfriend and my second time. Actually third TRY technically. And we didn't end up even eating. We went once with a groupon, it was good, so we got another and tried to go again on a weekday. I was late to meet him and he waited at the bar with drinks for almost an hour. When I got there they told us they couldn't seat us anywhere but the bar because they were booked. Not even giving my poor boyfriend any kindness considering he'd been sitting there forever and ordering drinks while waiting. So we left and ate somewhere else- the groupon expiration date was that Saturday so we decided we would go then because we were busy otherwise. We come back Saturday, this time with reservations. We decide to make them on time we will not take the T but a cab. Apparently there was a sox game and that took twice as long. We called the restaurant and told them we would be late and asked them to hold the table. When we get there, first thing we do is ask about our groupon- today's the last day we want to make sure it is all set. The host tells us Fridays and Saturdays are blackout days, even though the last day is today. He can't help us. Why would the last date they chose be a day you can't use it? AND THEN he is incredibly rude and tells us because we are late our reservation is gone. He has to help other people. He cannot tell us how long it will take. He will come back when he has helped other parties and give us an accurate time. Usually he would save the reservation, but people are usually only 10 minutes late. WELL SIR THATS WHY WE CALLED AND ASKED. The host could not have been more rude or less helpful. Waste of time and money, this place.
(1)
Linda L.

Our waiter was charming. Just here a month from Italy and took great care of us. Recommended an excellent Italian wine. The food was really fresh. The antipasti was delicious and my husband said the meatball app was the best and he is very particular about his meatballs. We were celebrating my 50th birthday and the waiters sang happy birthday beautiful. Made my night!
(4)
Lauren L.

I made a reservation for Saturday night at 6 for 5 of us, my parents and two relatives. We had a great table, the service was excellent and the food was great delicious. The only sad part was that I ordered just linguine with red sauce, (which wasn't explicitly on the menu) and my portion was reaaalllllly small.... it looked like a side-portion, while everyone else's meal was ENORMOUS. Other than that, it was good! My linguine was delicious (albeit VERY small).
(4)
Chris S.

We went to Nico based on recommendations from Yelp. We were not disappointed. The portions are good value for the price. The food came hot to the table and were both tasty and filling. I had the stuffed peppers to start and it was almost like a main course. My wife had the soft mozzarella with grilled artichoke and it was delicious. She followed that with the spaghetti with meatballs and couldn't finish it. I had the rigatoni with scallops and shrimp which was well prepared and filling. The service was very good so we really felt we got value for money. I would definitely recommend this place. Not cheap but good value.
(4)
Leah D.

Sangria was delicious! The antipasto was AMAZING! There was SO much food for your money & it was SO fresh. We stopped in here on a whim after a day of walking around. We sat at the bar & ordered drinks & appetizers expecting just a basic fare. The bartender had a full bar and still stopped to talk to us & was very sweet. We tried a few drinks suggested by the bartender that she made for us & she really took the time to make, muddle and garnish them. Wish we could have come back for dinner! It was a bit awkward because there was no one there to eat at a table and 3 servers standing around talking about their personal lives. It is a two story place that I bet gets packed at night!
(5)
Rakiesha C.

Took my husband to Nico for his birthday. Love, love, loved it! The place is a bit cramped, but still comfortable. We were seated in the downstairs area. They were playing one of the Godfather movies on the TV, and then switched to the Bruins game. The TV was muted, so I didn't really mind. Our server (Bruno) was the best. He gave suggestions, had a sense of humor, and was just all around helpful and attentive. He was even willing to work with my dietary restrictions. The food was very good. We had a salad with homemade mozzarella, lobster ravioli and shrimp pasta dishes. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Using a Groupon was very easy as well. I was shocked to get such great service. The prices are a bit high, but for the area and quality of the experience, I think it's totally worth it. Would definitely check them out again.
(4)
Sheri G.

I visited my home town while on a business trip and wanted to try someplace new in the North End that would please a variety of coworkers, so I decided on Nico. It ended up being a good decision; everyone raved about the food and the quaint yet contemporary feel of the restaurant. The lobster ravioli, shrimp fusilli, burrata, and eggplant parm were excellent. The calamari was so-so. Good service although they did spill my friends half glass of malbec near the end of the night and didn't give her a refill. Tsk Tsk. The pasta dishes may be a few dollars higher than what you'd typically find in a more traditional North End restaurant, but the food was worth it. This would be a good date spot too, especially the downstairs dining area.
(4)
Terry S.

The restaurant was full and we were an hour late for our reservation due to traffic. They accommodated us and got us right in. The food was outstanding! This is a must visit restaurant in the North End.
(5)
Megan M.

Went to Nico a few weeks ago with my boyfriend. We started upstairs- but the AC was broken so requested to be moved downstairs. The downstairs is your typical crowded north end atmosphere, nothing glamourous, but cozy. They were very accommodating and every server/hostess we met was fabulous. The downstairs was packed, lots of groups, and it seemed like a lot of italians, always a good sign. We started with cocktails and calamari, both were fabulous. Both of us wanted to change up the pasta dishes on the menu, making small changes, and again they were very accommodating and we both loved our meals. The food was good, but i've never had a bad meal in the north end. The highlight for me was definitely the staff. I will be back!
(4)
Debi W.

Don't be fooled by the stock pictures shown on yelp....likely provided by the restaurant. Seating at street level is very limited, and on a busy night do not be surprised if they seat you in the cramped, dingy, smelly, windowless BASEMENT! Yes that's right...the basement. They never tell you about this when you make the reservation, nor do you have an option when you arrive. NEVER go to this place when there are so many fine italian restaurants to chose from. Food - Average at best..kinda like a Olive Garden Service - Not as good as an Applebees Ambiance - Like a dungeon ! Leaving as Quick As We Could - Priceless! Go at you town risk....you have been warned!!
(1)
steve g.

I live i NY and we have some of the best Italian restaurants in the world. Nico is probably one of the best Italian meals I have had. Food was very fresh and not to heavy. Sometimes Italian restaurants add lots of oils and cheeses to their dishes making it really heavy, but this was perfect. Wait staff and service was excellent as well. Check it out if you are ever in the North End section of Boston MA.
(5)
Owen C.

Pricey but tasty. Small place and gets busy, so reservations help. TVs have local sports teams playing also... added bonus :)
(4)
Jeffrey G.

My wife and I were looking to enjoy a last dinner in the North End on Sat 7/7 before our early morning flight back to SoCal. We chose Nico in the Hot + New group. One of our best meals ever! Great service and delicious food cooked to perfection. This is a traditional North End location so expect tight quarters, aka Italian family style.
(5)
Pink Peony P.

We went here for dinner last night and we were quite impressed by the delicious food and with an amazing good Groupon deal. The real statement about "big Italian dinners" is proven at Nico. We were amazed by the generous portion of each dish! We couldn't even finish half a dish of the calamari ... and it was delicious. My mushroom raviolis were incredible (by far, the best I have had recently) My boyfriend's rigatoni dish was favored well and nicely presented. I never thought to say this, but Nico got me at the first "hello" with their bread and olive oil. We made reservation for 8pm, but didn't get seated until 8:20pm. The table for the two of us was very small, so we couldn't fit all our dishes and the waiter had to sweep all our food into one plate to make room for the rest. I felt enclosed in my seat and wish that there was some room to breathe a bit. That's why they lost 1 star from me. Overall, a great place!
(4)
Pasha C.

Much to my horror shortly after we got here an a Capella group started singing... Non stop! So much for conversation or any hope of a nice meal. One song would have been survivable, but it went on for a long time. By the time the meal came, I wasn't interested anymore.
(1)
Laura K.

After reading a lot of favorable reviews, I decided to purchase the Groupon to Nico. Of course, I waited until the last day I could redeem it, and I was very pleasantly surprised! I've been to last day Groupon rushes before, where we've been treated rudely, the restaurant has been very stressed and therefore rude. However, you couldn't tell that this was the last Groupon day. We got a reasonable reservation, were seated promptly, and everyone was very friendly. Being in the North End, it's a fairly small restaurant, but it's very nice inside - I would definitely enjoy coming on a date here. Our server, Hakim, was very nice and helpful in suggesting what to order. We started with the eggplant (something I never try to make at home) which wasn't over oiled, and was delicious! I had the lobster crepes, which were literally bursting with lobster, and had an amazing sauce to go with the homemade crepes. I was also amazed at the portion size - I had a good amount left over, and despite my hesitation on warming up seafood leftovers on the 2nd day, were excellent still! My friend decided to be difficult and custom ordered pasta, shrimp/scallops, and fra diavlo sauce, which he also said was excellent, and again a good portion. We'll be back!
(4)
Eric C.

Nico's had great food, an intimate north end atmosphere and top notch staff. I had a party of 4 at the last minute and the staff were very accommodating. After talking with the bartender Vanessa, I decided to have her clear some space at her bar for my party and we ended up having a wonderful time. Vanessa was very attentive, and treated my mother and cousin like she knew them for years.
(5)
Yiwen G.

1. Food: good, they have house made pasta, brutta was good with hearty artichoke and bright balsamic drizzle, eggplant parm was good , really good! 2. Service: good. attentive. But i don't like the fact they don't tell you the price of the daily special, we ordered the Burrata , which turned out to be $18! Although it was good, it definitely was not the best Burrata i have ever had , other fancier restaurant charged less for it than them. and other daily special entree we didn't order, and I come back to yelp, and read about they were all like $40+ , $50+, ( they are not dry aged steak with truffle , neither other fancy ingredients). feel like the restaurant is not honest and try to make money by cheat a little bit. 3. Environment: cozy, romantic
(4)
Christopher F.

In continuing my tradition of trying a new restaurant each time I go to the North End, I found myself at Nico a few months back. Made a reservation (which was simple enough online), and upon arrival was seated at a table right by the window. The service was excellent. Our waiter was friendly, conversational, and always readily available. He was also very knowledgeable about food and wine. The food was delicious and had that special, indescribable North End flavor. Specifically the meatball appetizer may have been the best I've ever eaten. The one qualm I had was that the restaurant is located directly across the street from a fire station, and with the windows wide open, as they are on summer nights, you will hear the loud sirens of a fire engine if it happens to leave the station. Overall, definitely worth trying this restaurant. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
Philip M.

Mehhh. Solid three-star experience but there's definitely better in the North End, especially for the price. Also don't appreciate being lied to about the price of a special. I came here with my boyfriend to use our groupon deal on a Tuesday night around 7pm. We were seated promptly, bread/olive oil was brought out quickly, and the service for the night was nearly perfect. Only bad thing about the service was when I asked for the price of one of the specials I was told it was $32 when it ended up being $44 at the end of the meal. Quite frustrating. Food was pretty good but nothing to write home about and surely not worth the prices. For an appetizer we ordered the Shrimp Bruschetta, which was quite good and a highlight. Then again it was $18 for 4 shrimp and a slice of bread. For the main dishes, my boyfriend ordered the pork chop and it was alright. The meat was tougher than we expected, although the sauce it was cooked in was good. I got the veal which was alright as well. Definitely not worth the $32 OR the $44 price tag. We were also expecting a more romantic experience and the decor and feel fell short on that measure as well. Bathroom was really gross too, hopefully the staff isn't using that same one.
(3)
Mrs. G.

Nico is a nice little spot. We had a small holiday party here and it was intimate and the waiter was very friendly. The decor was nice and they had valet services. The food was also very yummy. We had bruschetta, gnocci and we were offered a very nice wine selection. This would be a nice spot to take a date.
(4)
Ama N.

ehh:-/ I wish I could say this was an amazing meal but this really didn't knock my socks off. I got the rigatoni in a sausage bolognese and it was definitely mediocre. It didnt have me wondering whose grandmother was in the back cooking as it did at their sister restaurant Lucca. We also got the cheese and meat spread and the prosciutto and parmigiana as an appetizer. One would think no two appetizers would be the same, but these two are. The cheese and meat plate was amazing but had just as much prosciutto as the prosciutto and parmigiana appetizer although we are meat people and devoured every tasty morsel. My friend got the lobster ravioli wish left her hungry :-/ The tiramisu and the cream puff desserts were just ok. oh and the martinis! all sugar no actual liquor so dont waste your money. overall what saved the meal was our charming Moroccan waiter Akim and the $60 off groupon deal! #word but def try Lucca, you will die!!!!!!!!
(2)
Christina C.

Very expensive for the food you get and the quality of service. 2 stars is slightly generous, but hey there's a lot worse out there. We read reviews on yelp before my boyfriend and I tried Nico. Went in with high expectations, but left really disappointed! First, the space is cramped...I could hear the person at the next table breathing. Awkwardly close. Our prosciutto appetizer came drenched in olive oil. We were waiting for our waiter to check in so we could send it back, but of course no one came by until our entrees were served. Did they ask about our uneaten app? Nah, just bussed it. Nothing terrible about the entrees but certainly nothing remarkable. In terms of service, our waiter took our orders and was never seen again. Also, the hostess was wearing leather hot pants. Like a train wreck.
(2)
Katie S.

We had a large group of people where we had to accommodate different diets -- a vegetarian, a pescetarian and someone with a gluten allergy. Nico was able to provide fantastic meals for everyone in our group and we had a blast! The food was excellent, the wine was great (though a little pricey) and the service is some of the best in the North End. Our group was made up of Boston natives and out of towners and everyone agreed that this was one of the best meals they had had in a while. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. The one thing I would suggest is to request a table downstairs if you are looking for a quieter meal -- the upstairs was packed with people at the bar and people waiting for their tables and it was very loud and crowded (it was a Saturday night). The downstairs space is really nice and better for dinner.
(4)
Chelsea C.

I went here on a girl's night out date a few weeks ago at the recommendation of one of our co-workers. It's a little bit further up Hanover St. than other restaurants along this strip, but this is actually nice because you're able to get past all the drunken bros stumbling along the street. We made our reservation for 8:30 and arrived a few minutes past our reservation, We were given the option of sitting upstairs or downstairs, and we chose downstairs to avoid the cold air being right by the door. The decor of the restaurant is very nice, and the seating is pretty spacious for a small place in the North End. Our waiter was very attentive and brought us water and bread with olive oil (and olives in the olive oil). We ordered a bottle of wine and he had us taste it before pouring it for us to ensure it was what we wanted, which I know is typical of a nicer restaurant, but it's still new to me so I was impressed! Our food was amazing, I ordered the pasta carbanera sans pancetta, and my friends ordered alfredo and linguine with clams. The alfredo was a little chicken heavy in that there was waaaaaay more chicken than pasta, but overall everything was delicious. The service was impeccable, from our waiter to our bus boy to the rest of the staff we encountered. The service combined with the food will definitely keep me coming back!!
(5)
Erin H.

Expensive and non-impressive. I ordered short ribs special and it was $42 and just very bland and not close to worth what was paid. My husband ordered the gnocchi which again was okay. Would not ever come back or suggest it.
(1)
Robert B.

Only came here for an app, but was quite happy with our decision to go with the arancini. Atmosphere was Cozy with a twist, as the Godfather played above the bar on all the TVs. The waitstaff was amazing. attentive, and eager to give advice on the menus.
(5)
Jess B.

Great atmosphere. Has that cozy North End charm. Extensive wine list, and nice cocktail menu. Ordered some apps at the bar and the staff was more than attentive. Great service and the food was delicious. Definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Anna T.

Really really really good Italian food here. Fun, noisy upstairs with an open bar area and a more quiet, intimate, dimly lit downstairs. I went here with 2 girlfriends for dinner on a Friday night and there wasn't a line out the door waiting to get in but we definitely made reservations to be safe, it is the North End after all. I had the linguini with littleneck clams in a Fra-Diavlo sauce, SO DELICIOUS!! The sauce was a great level of spicy and the clams were fresh and obviously the pasta was perfect. We split a bottle of wine (which was a fantastic choice price wise) and it was equally as tasty as the meal. The price is very decent for not only the North End but Boston in general, especially for the quality of the ingredients. I would highly recommend this place and will definitely be back soon! Also, check Groupon frequently for great deals here!
(4)
Alex B.

After researching great restaurants in the North End, we decided to try Nico Ristorante. We got a reservation on the same day we contacted them, and were seated 15 minutes before our slot. The servers are Italian, with great accents. They have a deep knowledge of the menu, are helpful and attentive, and highly professional and friendly. I ordered the Rigatoni alla Sal, at the recommendation of a fellow reviewer, who said she would like to have this as her last meal on earth. I would not hesitate to agree! The shrimp and scallops were perfectly cooked, the rigatoni was al dente, and the black truffle cream sauce was heavenly. The portion was generous, but still left room for dessert. A wonderful experience! I can't wait to return.
(5)
Mike C.

This was absolutely, hands down, the worst dining experience of my life. My wife and I made reservations for 7, and were seated on time. We were there for a little over an hour, finishing up a bottle of wine. The server came by and comped us two glasses of limoncello. I'm thinking, wow this place is great! A few minutes later, the hostess with a bad attitude came to our table and "asked" if we would mind finishing our wine at the bar. Before we even had a chance to respond, she was clearing our glasses. She moved us to the bar, but there were no open seats! She put our drinks right on the serving station. The whole time we were standing there, trying to avoid getting in the staff's way, there was an open table for 2 right in front of us. I have no idea why she kicked us out when she had another table available. When we left, she didn't even acknowledge us. No apology whatsoever. Judging by the other reviews, this place clearly has a problem with table management. They shouldn't be accepting reservations at all if they're going to operate this way. Also, the hostess has no business working in the service industry with such a terrible attitude. She's the main reason for the 1 star.
(1)
Alyssa P.

Had a fantastic experience here. We made a reservation and got sat right away at this really cute table in the front overlooking Hanover, my only complaint that people were ontop of us standing at the bar, but its the North End, its all crammed. The food was fantastic (arancini, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken parm) and our waiter was wonderful which made the experience better! I would go back.
(5)
Filipina M.

My bf thought the food was okay but wasn't all that. We made reservations because of the groupon deal of paying only $30 for $60 worth of food. We ate the lobster stuffed crepe which had wonderful good sized lumps of lobster but the crepe itself wasn't the flavorful. We ate the pork chops which had more chunks of fat attached to it than I was used to so that was a bit disappointing. But the seasoned potatoes and sauce that came with it was delicious. We ate the teramisu which I thought was good. We would go back there only if we had another groupon deal to use but if there was no offer going on then we would try elsewhere. The menu is very limited so choose wisely. Oh and you are about a foot away from your neighbor so if you are closterfobic then this place is not for you. The portions are huge so an entree will definitely fill you up.
(3)
Amir K.

amazing
(5)
Brenton T.

I haven't written many reviews on here, but I had to for Nico Ristorante. I can't say I've ever had service like this before. The manager, Bruno, made us feel like we were their only customers, catering to our every need and going above and beyond to ensure our satisfaction. This is the level of customer service you hear your grandparents boasting about that I thought didn't exist anymore. The food was delicious. Great atmosphere. I'll definitely be going back.
(5)
Florina K.

The food here is pretty good!! The veal parm. was good. And veal saltabocca was good as well! The dessert we had tiramisu was just okay... and the fried calamari was a bit disappointing because it was mostly the hot peppers...not as much calamari. The atmosphere here is good if you get a good table... otherwise it can feel cramped, and cold if you sit by the door during the winter time. If you are looking to have nice dinner and watch a good game this is the place.
(4)
Marlee B.

Went here for my boyfriends birthday and had a great time! It was further down hanover street so there weren't too many crowds of people. The restaurant was small and intimate (which I enjoyed a lot). The waiter was friendly and explained all the food very well and he was very attentive during our whole meal. The food was great. My portion was huge and there were plenty of leftovers. Also, on Tuesdays they do accapella night. The group was awesome and they even sang happy birthday to my boyfriend. Also the waiter put our dessert on the house! It was a great experience and I defiantly suggest dining there.
(5)
Sam G.

I thought the meal, overall, was very good. I split the special appetizer, which was a caprese salad with artichoke and had veal saltimbucca for dinner. The veal was fantastic and came with a good side of veggies that are usually left out at other restaurants. The app was pretty good, and different because of the artichoke, but not the best starter I have had in the north end. Although I did like the meal quite a bit, the prices were a bit higher than what other restaurants charge for the same or better quality food. I think if I was getting treated to a great dinner, I would not hesitate to come back. However, I'm not sure I would come back if I had to pay myself.
(4)
Irissa N.

Great restaurant in the North End. We sat downstairs but they do have an open air seating upstairs. The only downside is the fire station across the street. I had the seafood pasta with lobster, clams, calamari, mussels and shrimp over linguini. It was so delicious in the tomato broth. We shared the caesar salad for an appetizer and it was good. i would recommend this restaurant for someone wanting to try something new.
(4)
Shane B.

Bruno & crew are 100% top notch! Always welcoming with a smile and a Welcome!! Giana (Bella) is knowledgeable and lively...always an amazing experience... Both atmosphere and cuisine.
(5)
yusi g.

the food was good, we really enjoyed the food. The service was so annoying. the shrimps were cooked perfectly, and the scallop was very tasty. the bread was tasty so was the olive oil which was served with olives. I would go again for the food but I don't think I would ever go again because I really didn't like the service. The hostess wasn't welcoming at all, didn't even smile once. The waiter we had was so annoying, trying to talk with an italian accent when it was very clear that he wasn't italian. i just didn't understand why he would do that? it was very irritating. he also kept on tapping my back every time he came to check on our table. This is incredibly inappropriate; we are not friends please don't touch me! I have NEVER been to a restaurant for the first time, and was tapped on my back by a waiter who is the same age group as me! I was asking the waiter- who thinks he's Italian- for advice on wine, it shortly became obvious that he had no idea what he was talking about, but kept on talking and pretending to know much- just say I don't know, or I've seen ppl enjoy this or that, or offer a taste, or ask the bar tender! Don't BS!! (also was only recommending the most expensive saying: if you like dry wine then you need to choose more expensive wine!" So annoying and also surprising since the restaurant is also a wine bar. lastly, the most irritating part of the night was when we were approached 4 times in the span of 10 mintues by the hostess, the bus boy, the waiter, and the person who was serving bread asking: is everything ok? IT WOULD BE, IF YOU LEAVE ME ENJOY MY DINNER AND NOT INTERRUPT MY CONVERSATION EVERY TWO MINTUES! oh, i also forgot, I asked for ice water.. oops.. the person serving it DID NOT LIKE WHAT I ASKED FOR. Unfortunately, it was not a good experience for me. I enjoyed the food, and hated everything else. If you're thinking of trying the place, you should though. I would recommend the bottom floor, in case they have less annoying service.
(2)
Lisa Z.

Well, this was just excellent, dungeon like atmosphere of the basement aside. Nico was sort of at the end of the line of the North End, so we were starting to get hopeless when everything else had a crazy line. And then when Nico didn't, we were like, well it must be bad. But we were wrong! This was great. It was somewhat of a carb-loading meal, as I had a 19 mile training run the next day. We got an appetizer salad that had barrata and artichoke and it was stupendous. Then the pasta I got, which had sausage and artichoke was also great. And boy did I run well the next day. Some day I am going to qualify for the Boston Marathon and boy do I hope I can eat that as my prerace meal!
(5)
Jessie H.

Great little place in North End to eat at, if you are heading to the Improv. We needed a place that took reservations since there were 8 of us, and then had the show to catch. Nico's was the perfect place for this. I personally started off with the calamari, that enjoyed thoroughly (as did the rest of the table). The peppers in it, really made it extra good. My husband and I each had the veal parm & chicken parm. Honestly, I am not sure which one was better. Both were absolutely delicious. From sauce to the pasta, we really enjoyed it. The rest of the table loved their meals as well - Spaghetti, alfredo, caprese salad, etc... Bruno out waiter was very nice, and made the evening enjoyable. The restaurant is very tiny and only has 1 bathroom. I think that was my only complaint! Then is was only a few blocks to walk to our show!!
(4)
Rich H.

I was in Boston to give a lecture and ended up eating at Nico. I had the shrimp appetizer, and the lobster ravioli. The shrimp were very good but it was served with pieces of bread, which appeared to be soaked in oil, which I did not like. The lobster ravioli was great. You get six large pieces of ravioli, and I could not finish it so I saved them for my flight home to LA the next day. It was the best food I have ever had on an airplane!
(4)
Andrew N.

I was searching for a place to eat with some friends along Hanover around 10:30 pm after a Red Sox game. Most of the places were closed or no longer serving food. Luckily, we found Nico's down the street. The cool thing about this place is it's open later than the other Italian joints along Hanover Street. In terms of the pasta, the food was just average, maybe even below average in comparison to the food available during normal business hours in the area.
(3)
Anthony M.

A quaint eatery, with gorgeous interior and decor, great wine list, and personalized service. The menu looked great, even though we just popped in for a glass of wine (which was a hard task given so many great selections). Moderately priced, friendly service, and great location. As far as food is concerned, we didn't order but if you want to stop in for a glass of vino...get the Nero D'Avola.
(4)
Marc W.

I came here for a late night after work dinner. We chose the place a bit randomly. We were greeted by a very friendly maitre d' who looked like a bruiser mafioso out of central casting. You could put this guy amongst the Sopranos and he would fit right in. After being seating one I was a bit overwhelmed by the several flat screen TV's all showing various mafioso movies like Good Fellas, A Bronx Tale, God Father, etc. Fortunately the sound was off all of them. Great movies but not the right while at a nice restaurant. I was on a budget so I had to abstain from all the wonderful appetizers that I saw. So I ordered only a main course and a glass of wine. For my meal I had mushroom ravioli in a mushroom cream sause. The sauce did not skimp on the mushrooms. And the pasta was very obviously well crafted. It was thick and chewy and had good taste unto itself. The wine was a very delisious Italian rose. I left a good tip and made sure that I complimented the mafiosi like maitre d' on my way out. I wanted him to be happy. I didn't want any problems if you know what I mean.
(4)
Lauren G.

Despite living a half a block away, I only just tried Nico for the first time this week! This review is for takeout, so it's solely based on the food. We called to order a quick dinner on a Tuesday night and were so pleasantly surprised at home quick and yummy the food was. We had a Phantom Gourmet gift card and finally got to use it here. I ordered the Gnocchi Sorrentina and my boyfriend got the Chicken Parm. It was shockingly ready in 15 minutes! The portions were very big, and surprisingly not too pricey for an upscale place ($35 total for both, including tax). The Gnocchi was delicious, perfectly cooked with great sauce, baked with mozz, and topped with fresh basil. The Chicken Parm itself was just okay - a bit overcooked and the chicken cutlet was definitely fried, which isn't my favorite, but the fresh pasta served with it was really amazing! They have an awesome barbeshop quartet that sings here on Tuesday, which is an added bonus. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying out the restaurant itself.
(4)
Kevin B.

Was thrilled that Nico took our large reservation with only a few days notice. Service was outstanding but food was just OK. Probably won't be back with so many options nearby.
(3)
Jon D.

This is a much better alternative to Strega...and you won't have to wait nearly as long for a table. It has the same owner, so you basically get the same great food at a slightly cheaper price. One of the best places on Hanover. Arancini were delicious...they had some beef and peas which were a nice twist. Caprese- nice big, juicy and ripe tomatoes...very good Meatballs- authentic and also pretty good Fried calamari- calamari is either great or crappy, there is little room in between...the calamari at Strega was great Gnocchi sorrentina- delicious, freshly made gnocchi in a simple, unadulterated tomato sauce that was not over-seasoned Veal marsala- well executed, cooked well...the flavors were there. Service was pretty good too. A good place for a date, or even a group.
(4)
Radhika M.

Came here with my friends because we got a GroupOn, but liked it enough to bring my family here the same week. Got seated at the same table both times too, which was funny. Service was great, and everyone was pretty satisfied with the food. I especially liked the lobster ravioli.
(4)
Michelle B.

We came to this spot by chance. The place is great and the service and food are excellent! We got calamari, carbonara, saltimbocca, and a steak special. All of it was really tasty and well prepared. The waiters were gracious and spoke Italian which added to the ambiance. They had the game on at the bar and a couple could have a romantic dinner in the dining room. I highly recommend checking it out if you are headed to Boston.
(5)
Daman K.

The service was GREAT. They made us feel like a part of their family. The food however was subpart compared to the other italian joints in the north-end BUT the Tiramisu was really light, fluffy yet creamy; just the way I like it.
(3)
JH J.

Efforts to try new venues (well, new to me!) in the North End are continually made easy with great offers from Groupon: I purchased a voucher from Nico offering $30 for $60 worth of food. Money well spent! Our server, Akeem, was great and very attentive -props to him. Our tradition is to order several items and tonight was no exception. The appetizers (shrimp bruschetta and eggplant & mozzarella) were amazing and definitely perfect for sharing. We did order the Nico salad, too -nothing overly special but good. Akeem had told us of the specials when we first arrived, and he was able to save us an order of the short rib and lobster pappardelle. It was scrumptious. Melt in your mouth kind of meal. Unfortunately, it made the Chilean sea bass we ordered look weak. That, and 2 of us thought that the sea bass tasted a little on the fishy-side. Clearly, my eating efforts were focused on the pappardelle special... My only complaint about the venue itself is that since it's a relatively smaller sized place, the acoustics were horrible. I could barely hear my 2 friends because there was a party of 8 right next to us who were having their holiday party dinner. Once they left, it was easy listening. Looking forward to a second visit soon!
(4)
Ross G.

Sometimes my girlfriend and I like to just go to the North End and find a place, although I tend to have my favorites. This night we were going to go to a restaurant a friend referred us to, but it was packed so we kept walking down Hanover looking at menus. We stopped at Nico and the matradee was outside selling the menu very well. Although I am not one to fall for that, he was quite good, and they had a good menu with reasonable prices. We each had a glass of wine less than $10 each, and we had a Seafood Fra Diavlo and the Double Cut Pork Chop. Both were outrageous. The Fra Diavlo was succulent, and you could tell the pasta was made that day. The Double Cut Pork Chop came with sweet mini peppers and potatoes with a burgundy demi glace that was rich and balanced. Highly recommended for a North End dinner away from the hustle and bustle of tourist traps.
(5)
Rhonda K.

Great find in the North end! Fresh olives come to the table ..just like in the old country! Great wine list , fair prices and the food was delicious. Generous portions too!
(5)
Ann L.

We came here last night for a girl's night out and did not have any expectations for the restaurant as it was our first time. We made reservation at 8pm and were a bit early. Luckily, there were three empty seats for us to occupy. The atmosphere was excellent and it set our mood straight after a long day of work. My party really enjoyed Nico, the food was great and the drinks were amazing. I have to give a big shout to our waiter, Moreno, who ultimately made our experience wonderful. Moreno was very sweet and informative. Be warn, this place is very small even with two floors. Overall, we will definitely come back.
(5)
Greg H.

We were really disappointed. When we arrived for our Open Table reservation, the hostess said she had a quiet table for us downstairs. She squeezed us into a tiny two-top between two other tiny two tops with barely enough room to side-step between the table. I've had more intimate seating at Waffle House. That said, after reading all the accolades from other reviewers, perhaps we simply ordered the wrong meal. It was one of the nights specials. Lobster tail, calamari, scallops and fish served in a large bowl with a tomato broth base. The lobster tail/claw was terrible. The tail meat was dry, tough and flavorless. Although the tail shell was large, there was practically NO meat. We each got one small bite and try as I might, just couldn't find the hidden meat. It actually made us laugh as we searched for the disappearing lobster tail. We had to wait after it was served for nearly 10 minutes for our waiter to return so we could ask for silverware. He brought us two forks, no spoons or knives. Would have been nice to at least have spoons so we could eat the broth, though in actuality, it was so bland that it wasn't a big deal. We had a bottle of wine for $60 and shared the seafood entree. Probably should have asked the price of the entree. With a 20% tip, our total bill was over $150. I think if we had chosen a more traditional meal I could give Nico three or four stars. One of these days I'll go back and give them another chance. Maybe.
(2)
Rene' Y.

I saw a deal on Groupon so I decided to give it a try and take my boyfriend out for a romantic dinner, despite that it takes an effort to go to the North End in Boston (parking and traffic...etc). The restaurant is small, which is not what I've expected, but it is quint. We were a few minutes late (yup, trying to find parking...) and waited a few minutes before we were seated. Did I mentioned the place is small? There is not a destinated waiting area so we have to wait "around" the bar until our table was ready, I was not so thrill because I made a reservation few days prior via OPEN TABLE. Anyhow, we were seated by the window, tucked away in a little corner, which I am very pleased. Our server Tyler was very friendly and very knowledgeable of the menu and specials of the day, he was also able to recommended a right portion of appetizer so the two of us can share. Food was delish, and the server was attentive. Pricing was reasonable for a restaurant in the North End. There are certain restaurants that we visit frequently, over and over. Now I will certainly add Nico to one of them on my list. I wanted a nice, quint dinner with my boyfriend with good food and good wine, and I got one last night. My birthday is coming up, I think I would like to come back to Nico to celebrate~~only if I can get the same table again.
(5)
Greg T.

Was this the best place I have been to in the North End? Not by a long shot... Will I go back in the near future? Probably not... Was it a good meal? It was, but nothing to write home about... I am on the fence about this place. I think that Lucia next door is better, and at a lesser price. The food itself was good, but nothing special. We had a great time, so I cannot say that it was a bad restaurant, I guess I was just expecting more and didn't get it. The employees were great and really made you feel comfortable, and will cater any dish to your liking. But all in all, I am not sure I would return or recommend to a friend. There are much better places in the area, and even next door for similar or less money.
(3)
Brian S.

Damn, this place is good. I came here with my girlfriend on Sunday on a Gilt City coupon, and we really enjoyed ourselves. The meal would have been $95, but was $65 with the coupon, and included two appetizers, two entree, and two glasses of wine. They had a separate menu for those using the coupon, but Nico definitely proved itself, despite my initial disappointment at being unable to order their caprese salad. Service: Fantastic! We came about 20 minutes before the reservation, but were seated right away, right next to the open front. Our waiter (I forget his name, possibly Alex) made it a special evening for us. After a minute or two of talk (he mentioned that he worked at MIT as a mechanic), he took our order, which was out right on schedule. My water glass was filled no less than seven times throughout the meal, and we weren't there for long. At the end, our waiter gave us an MIT pen and said it was a little souvenir for us! It's a small gesture, but it really meant a lot. Food: Oh my holy zombie Jesus, the food was delicious. They first brought out a large basket of bread. For only two people, there were 6-8 pieces of bread, with very good olive oil. For an appetizer, I had the arancini di riso, and it was so delicious that I wished the whole meal would consist of these succulent fried balls of rice. My girlfriend had the Insalata Nico, which I tried a bit of. It was good, especially the grilled pears, but I preferred my delicious arancini. (Which she stole some of!) For an entree, the portions were large, and the food was utterly delicious and very very rich. I had their linguine with clams in a scampi sauce--simply fantastic. I managed to eat all of the clams, but couldn't finish all of the linguine, despite my mouth protesting that it wanted more! The pasta itself was perfectly cooked, and I definitely believe that it was homemade, as it said on the menu. My girlfriend had their mushroom ravioli, which was the best mushroom dish I've ever had, hands-down. I've never been a huge fan of mushrooms, but the fried mushroom caps that were on top of the big pieces of ravioli were so delicious that they may have completely changed my long-held prejudices. Of all the food, this was probably my favorite dish, and is probably what I'll order if/when I find myself here again. Drink: With our coupon, we chose either red or white, and the wine was "chef's choice." While it wasn't the smoothest pinot grigio I've ever had, the glasses were about twice as large as I expected, the wine went very well with my entree, and I suspect that it went well with my girlfriend's meal as well. Overall: 5/5, I would absolutely recommend as a date.
(5)
Will S.

Solid experience. Walked in off the street 4 people, no reservation, was told it would be 15 min, but ended up getting seated right away. Never having been, expected it to be as expensive / not an enourmous value as Strega, but the prices actually weren't outrageous. Food: highlights of our table was the Veal Saltimboca and Rigatoni alla Sal. Wine: First bottle Mezzacorona Cab Sav $34 on menu (retails for about $10). So-so. Second bottle: a more expensive cab sav @ 45 bucks forget the brand but was infinitely better. At the end everyone was stuffed, we passed on dessert, and they were nice enough to drop a round of limoncello on the house. Walking out got the nice warm and fuzzy from the dining room manager with the handshake thanking us. A great touch. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Karen O.

We ate here on Saturday night. I thought I had made reservations when the person on the phone had said to come between 830-845, but when we arrived, he said he remembered talking to me, but that we did not have actual 'reservations' - but luckily, another reservation I guess had not shown, so he seated us within a few minutes. We were lucky since the place is one of those small restaurants on Hanover and the 'main' floor has 'maybe' enough seating for 2 dozen guests? I recommend making a reservation in advance and make sure to get the main floor otherwise, the 'ground level' feels like you're in a basement level dining room, while nicely decorated, we were lucky to be seated upstairs. We LOVED the appetizer special they had that night it was literally the BEST mozzarella we'd both ever had. Supposedly it is a special mozzerella brought in from the Naples, Italy area. Our entrees were amazingly delicious as well (photos of both posted). I was torn between the spaghetti and rigatoni, our waiter offered to include the meatball from the spaghetti entree to my rigatoni dish. Well come to find that it was $10 'extra' to add that meatball once we saw the bill, but by that point, we didn't care, it was delicious! my husband had the linguini w/ clams in a white wine sauce. I saw other comments about the TVs above/behind the bar, we barely noticed it since were in awe of our delicious food, good wine, and conversation! I don't know if the volume on the TVs was even on? The service was great too. The 'feel' of the restaurant is more 'modern' than say one of the other older restaurants that are more traditional in decor. If we go back to Boston, I could see us going back there again.
(4)
Kelly F.

I would say it was a pretty solid restaurant, maybe on the pricey side. We had the burratta with proscuitto . The cioppino and I had a chicken dish. The food was good the staff was friendly. I would go again if the place I really wanted to go to had a line. Also, I'm contemplating taking a star off because we had a lot of leftovers that I was looking forward to the next day, but everything tasted not so great. Should a place be judged on how the leftovers taste the next day???? I'm starting to think so!!!!!
(3)
Danielle R.

We arrived at Nico's and began the ever so fun task of valeting the car on Hanover. For those of you who aren't familiar with Hanover, it's a very narrow street that is always congested with cars trying to get to the many restaurants located on it. After we sorted out the valet ($20) we were promptly greeted by the friendly host, who had been waiting outside, and were quickly seated at one of their window tables. Our waiter brought us our menu and wine list, and shortly after we were ordering a bottle. As they poured us our wine the waiter went over a list of specials, some of which I struggled to understand because of his thick accent, however the accent also helped to make what we could understand sound absolutely mouth watering. We ended up ordering two appetizers, meatballs in sauce with ricotta cheese, and burrata with prosciutto, tomatoes, and artichokes. Up until this point I had only read about burrata in cook books so I was very excited to finally try it. Burrata is essentially mozzarella cheese encasing creamy ricotta cheese. Let me just say... it exceeded my expectations of how good it was. This appetizer was amazing, exactly what an app should be. The tomatoes were fresh, the meat was tasty, and the burrata was nice and creamy. My only comment would be that I wish there was more cheese!Our other appetizer was an individual meatball with a dollop of ricotta cheese. It was delicious - It was a calabrese meatball with ground veal and wild mushrooms. The meat was extremely tender, the sauce was amazing, and the cheese was super creamy. For dinner I ordered Linguine with Clams. The meal was homemade linguine sauteed with clams in a fra diavolo sauce. This dish was straightforward, and overall very tasty. I don't normally order spicy food, but I guess Chris has been rubbing off on me, because this was spicy and I loved it. My only complaint was that the clams were a little gritty, and a few times I chomped down on a hard piece of shell, or sand, or something that shouldn't have been there. Chris ordered one of his favorites, Veal Parmesan. The veal was served with a spicy red sauce, over a bed of homemade pasta, with tons of creamy mozzarella cheese on top. Although very messy to eat, this was a really well done dish. On a side note, after eating at Nico's I have officially been inspired to start making my own pasta.... there is just no comparison. Dennis ordered the Veal Saltimbocca for his dinner. It was topped with prosciutto, fontina cheese, and sage, finished in a demi-glaze, served with a side of red peppers, asparagus, and creamy mashed potatoes. Dennis mentioned how much he loved this dish, although the portion was so large he couldn't possibly finish the whole thing. Last but certainly not least, Jan ordered the risotto of the day, which was risotto with scallops and mushrooms. This is how risotto should be done. It was creamy, delicious, and had overall a great flavor. Risotto should be made with a lot of love and attention, and you can tell that this one was. I would be excited to see what other risottos they have to offer! As we were finishing dinner we were stuffed. Chris and I had inhaled our food because of how hungry we were, so the thought of ordering dessert seemed blatantly out of the question. However, our waiter came over and told us that he would make us a special dessert, compliments of him. After we attempted to politely decline (we were seriously filled to the brim), we realized that we should just accept our fate, and we waited for the dessert to arrive. The plate, as you can see, was a deconstructed cannoli, served with fresh fruit, strawberry sauce, and chocolate sauce. Although we all were almost too full to try it, the filling had a great taste, and the fruit was extremely fresh. We all ate as much as we could of it, paid the bill, and headed home to pass out. Our entire meal was amazing. The food was great, the service was great, and the company I was with was perfect. It was the best place they could have taken two extremely hungry fatties who had just traveled for 7+ hours... so thank you Jan and Dennis! And by the way, absolutely go to Nico's! The prices were extremely reasonable for the quality and amount of food we got (Around $20 for a pasta dish and $20 - 37 for a meat dish), and the service was impeccable! For more restaurant reviews: theloveofpasta.com
(5)
Matthew B.

Amazing dinner and outstanding service. I came to Nico based off of the great Yelp reviews and was not disappointed. Our waiter, Bruno, was amiable and helped answer any questions we had. There is a nice upstairs with a bar that looks out onto historic Hanover street, as well as basement seating. The area is small and intimate, but that is nothing different from the rest of the restaurants in the North End. As for the food, the specials for the day were particularly outstanding. They start every table off with bread and olive oil (with actual olives in it). We then had the fried calamari that has a spicy mayo sause, which was outstanding with the breading of the calamari. The homemade pasta is delicious. As many other reviewers have said, the servings are huge. I had the osso buca for the main dish (a special that night), which was a veal shank with a wide, flat pasta noodle covered in chunks of lobster. Unbelievable. It was a little pricey, but no more than you would expect from a meal of this caliber. All in all, one of the best meals I have had in the North End.
(5)
Laura H.

I am a bit torn about this place. Although the romantic ambiance and service is there, the food was just not right for me. I went there on a Sunday night, and fortunately, we were seated right away. My friends and I ordered: a bottle of wine, burrata appetizer, scallop risotto and seabass. The food was okay, but definitely not exceptional. Seabass is one of my favorite fish, but I felt it just didn't have the freshness of a local caught fish. All and all, not disappointed I tried this place but wouldn't really recommend it for future outings.
(3)
James S.

Can't say enough good things about Nico - we've been twice in the last two months, and both times the service was fantastic! First time we went, it was just my fiancee and I, and our waiter gave us some great suggestions, including swapping out our appetizer for the burrata special. He also helped us navigate the wine list to find something in our price range. As entrees, we got enough food for four people and both were incredible! I had a bolognese type of dish with sausage, while my fiancee had the lobster crepes. Honestly can say I had never had lobster in a crepe, but I was clearly missing out! The second time we came back for a birthday celebration for a big group and the service was no less impeccable. We did end up in the darker downstairs area, but that also gave us an opportunity to be a bit louder. This time around I got a prosciutto-stuffed veal chop, which was absolutely perfect - the thing was also about the size of a small porterhouse! There's so many restaurants up in the North End that fail to deliver legitimately good Italian cooking; it's worth a bit further walk up Hanover to get to Nico. In a lot of ways, it has all the great things about its sister Strega restaurants (especially service) but in a bit less flashy, more cozy environment.
(5)
Ashley P.

I am updating to 5 stars because I have been here 3 more times and everything continues to boggle my mind. The food is DELICIOUS... the best in the North End. And the service is outstanding. I am looking forward to going back! :)
(5)
Aaditya S.

It is a good place for dine and wine. I loved the service, people are very kind.
(4)
Jen O.

Nico is very nice. It's cozy. The staff are VERY friendly and attentive. If this were not in the N. End, I have a feeling it could be less expensive. If it were less expensive, I might give it a higher rating. The food was somewhat bland and not inventive for the price. It reminded me of what I would get in an upscale Italian chain as opposed to a family owned N End experiential restaurant. I don't know why, but the fact that the salad dressing was just drizzled over the greens as opposed to mixed to cover every piece bothered me a lot. Petty? Probably. Also, the Fra Diavolo sauce was not spicy in the least. I had to add pepper to it. I like things hot, but this was bland -- tasty, but bland. I might come back, but I would have a different, less expensive dish. I don't consider this a dinner spot -- more snacks before another experience, a show or something. But, again, the staff were very friendly. The ambience was nice. Give it a shot for smaller plates/cheaper dishes.
(3)
Judith S.

Fine, but pasta wasn't special. Whole olives in the olive oil dish for dipping and bread was nice.
(3)
Arianna F.

This is my go to place in the North End. I love the food, love the waiters, love the environment, love the drinks. This is a very small restaurant... but that is what you are getting in the north end. It is perfect for everyone we have brought here and continue to go here with our friends and family.
(5)
Richard C.

Nico is one of the more reasonably priced restaurants in the north end. The menu included many of the core Italian dishes and the the food was overall pretty good. Our server was very attentive and pleasant. The decor was nice but the place is very small and it seems like the tables are right on top of each other. You feel like everyone is listening to your conversation, and the wait staff is brushing up against you.
(3)
Liv K.

Everything about our experience at Nico was great. We went on a Sunday afternoon because we had a groupon there. Our waiter, Alex, was so incredibly nice the entire time. We chatted not only about the specials of the day, but also about many other things. I ordered a special of the day, which was a veal chop stuffed with fontina cheese, proschuitto and spinach, and mashed potatoes with veggies. The veal chop was huge and very flavorful. My Husband ordered the steak domenico, and his portion was also very large and delicious. Their prices are very high, so I don't think we'd go back without a groupon. The waiters (especially Alex) are incredibly attentive, and kept coming around to make sure our waters were constantly filled and that we were enjoying ourselves.
(4)
Jeffrey S.

Like all the North End restaurants in the area, the space is small but you don't feel cramped. The food was excellent. Atmosphere was great. Service was good as well except for one small problem. Our waiter did not offer us the specials! I wondered why I couldn't find the surf n turf on the menu! Partially my fault for not asking when the waiter took our order. $100 for 2 glasses wine, 2 apps and 2 entrees. Left full, no room for dessert!
(5)
Chip S.

Nico is what you would expect in the north end. We sat in a very tight spot near the hostess station. The food was very good. We had a fresh pasta dish with sausage that was filling, well priced and very tasty. We also had the suppa de pesce. Loaded with shrimp, scallops and a 1/2 lobster in a fra diavlo sauce. Very well done. The chianti was excellent as well. The fire station was busy across the street and they hustled us out of there as it was a Saturday night and it was jammed.
(4)
Mary B.

Service was excellent. Food mediocre . Our appetizer , the mozzarella , artichoke, arugula salad was by far the best part of the meal. The arachini were disappointing, heavy and very overpowered by tomato sauce. I ordered the risotto special. the scallops and mushrooms were cooked nicely but the risotto had the taste and texture of white rice. The accompanying lobster tail was charred, dried out and tasteless. My guest had rigatoni with shrimp and scallops in a delightful light sauce. We visited on a quiet evening but I can imagine the place is quite noisy being open to the bar with many flat screen TVs on a busy night. Tried it on a groupon, wouldn't return.
(2)
Karen D.

Perfect! Nice small and authentic restaurant in the north end! Service was impeccable and the food delicious! Hakim, our waiter, was very attentive and helped us with the menu choices and specials. Great wine selection and atmosphere! Definitely will return. Very nice evening and staff!
(5)
Christopher W.

I've been living in the North End for 8 months now, and I've been systematically demolishing menus up and down Hanover. I haven't made it to a few of the big spots (mostly due to crowds or cost), but so far Nico is my go-to spot. The atmosphere borders on trendy, which deterred me at first, but the staff was warm and friendly. I've been in a few times now, and they always start off by telling me that if I want something that's not on the menu, to just ask for it. What a great start to a meal, right? Sold. The menu is relatively limited for those that are looking for some simple, stereotypical Italian dishes (which I'm not). The appetizers are simple, but to die for; the meatballs are phenomenal, salads are fresh and I'm told they use as much neighborhood ingredients as possible. I highly recommend the veal saltimbocca if you're not against eating baby animals (which I'm not).
(4)
Julie C.

My husband and I were visiting Boston 2 weeks ago. His cousin had highly recommended Nico's for dinner while we were in town. The three of us showed up for dinner without reservations and we were immediately seated. Half way through dinner my wine was knocked over by another customer and landed all over my dinner. A waiter was standing behind me and saw the whole thing. He quickly rushed over to remove my ruined dinner and clean off the table. He brought me a new glass of wine and informed that he was having my dinner prepared again. I told him that wasn't necessary since I was half done with it anyway (the portions were huge). Ten minutes later I had a fresh salad and a new dinner sitting in front of me. They boxed up my dinner to go and topped it off with free dessert for the three of us. The waiter was so apologetic all the way to door. I will always come back to Nico's if visiting Boston. They were truly awesome through the entire dinner and not to mention, the food was fabulous.
(5)
Will T.

Came here after a Red Sox game. It was late (10pm-ish) and this place was opened so big ups for that. Food is a bit expensive. Quantity is decent. But they give free bread! +1 on that. I saw a range of pasta served to my table. They all "look" good, but we were just so hungry that anything will do. Quality may not be the best around the Little italy area. Don't get the caesar salad. My friend got it and I have never seen a man not finish a salad. Too salty and cheesy. Nothing stood out to me except the fact that the TVs were playing the show starring the owner of the restaurant. I guess there isn't great late night shows in Boston...
(3)
K P.

I LOVED Nico's! I'm a bit picky about my Italian food (raised on the food from my Italian grandmother, I often find Italian food at restaurants just okay) but this food was fantastic. I ordered the Rigatoni with Shrimp, Scallops, Wild Mushrooms and Peas in a Black Truffle Cream Sauce. It was excellent! The largest scallops I have ever seen! I'm not usually one for cream sauce (I find it too heavy and too much on the dish), but when I noted this to our server, he made sure the kitchen put just the right amount of sauce on it, and added some tomatoes to cut the heavy cream flavor. The meal was unbelievable! My friend got the Lobster Crepes, and while she was concerned the lobster filling and lobster pink sauce being be too rich, her concerns proved unfounded and her meal was amazing. (I took a bite and would definitely order that dish myself!) Our server was Angelo, and if you are planning to eat at Nico's, I highly recommend asking for him. He made our night so much fun! He was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. And when we asked if Mike's was the place with the famous cannoli, he said he could make a cannoli better than Mike's (he was from Sicily and as he said, the cannoli came from Sicily). So he went in the back and personally made us a cannoli. I have never been a cannoli fan, but I would have licked that plate if it wouldn't have made a scene. And at the end, he brought us each a small glass of limoncello. Overall, the experience was perfect. The place is small and intimate, which I prefer because we felt we were getting special attention from both the servers and the kitchen and aren't just part of an assembly line. We didn't feel we were overcrowded by the small space, and there were plenty of people at the bar and we didn't feel it was too loud to talk. I could see that if the place was packed and really jamming, it might be a little loud, but I don't see how that could be overcome in any of the Italian restaurants in the North End. And they even had a really nice bathroom! I will definitely be returning to Nico's and bringing my friends and family there too! And remember - ask for Angelo. You won't regret it!
(5)
Boon K.

This was such a fun place to come with a brunch of girlfriends. They played disco music so there are some group dancing by their table. The food was good too. You can't go wrong a Giant Shrimp with bruschetta. I love the lobster ravioli. It was a great experience and the wait staff was so friendly, they even gave us a club music CD with our left over.
(4)
Brooke M.

I remember when Nico used to be disco themed, thank god it's not anymore. If you are looking for that ma and pa hole in the wall, this is not it (to be honest, they are rare to find in the North End now a days) but the small, modern, tastefully designed atmosphere and delicious food will bring us back. I was pleasantly surprised with the portions and how tasty the food was. We devoured chicken Marsala and Spaghetti with Calamari and both enjoyed every bite.
(4)
Randy W.

I love going to this great Italian restaurant in the North End. Tight seating (normal for this area) but great service and great food. Had the stuffed veal chop special. Awesome. Excellent wine list and great options for pasta. Had the oil and garlic pasta as a side dish. Great flavor.
(5)
Wonder Woman M.

Seriously? What's not to like when there are at least 5 waiters fawning all over you and making your every culinary wish come true? My husband had a business dinner tonight elsewhere, so I had to venture out on my own. Nico looked good and they had risotto, (which for us gluten free people, is one of the only Italian foods we can eat). OMG! The special appetizer was buffalo mozzarella, arugula, tomatoes and roasted artichoke hearts. To die for! Then I had the special risotto...scallops, mushrooms, and truffle oil. Be still my heart! Rounded out the meal with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc with the app. and Pinot Grigio with the main course. Just a decaf coffee for desert because really, I had just eaten 5 lbs. of cheese. Hands down, one of the best meals I have ever had. Sure, it was pricey, but I am on vacation, so what the heck!
(5)
Dani S.

While the menu is a bit small, the dishes are fabulous. This place has the best meatballs I have tasted in the Boston area. The service could be better - they are extremely nice, but not very attentive, they seem to be more wrapped up in talking with each other a lot. Otherwise, I would recommend checking it out - for the food definitely - and in summer the windows are open, adding a whole new dimension to the atmosphere. More calm at lunch time. Almost better to go for lunch.
(4)
michael l.

My girlfriend my best friend and I headed to Nico to celebrate my birthday, and boy was it worth it. When we first arrived it was about 10 minutes before our reservation time, and the hostess said that we could wait by the bar and she would come get us in a few minutes. She came back just after 8 and apologized that the table ahead had just ordered dessert but that she would seat us as soon as she could. We were eventually sat about 35 minutes after the reservation time, but you could tell she was genuinely sorry and hustled to get the table clean. We started with the calamari, which was fantastic. Not greasy at all, perfectly battered. The sauce on top was good as well, and the cherry peppers added a nice little kick. Bruno, our server was fantastic at helping us all find dishes that we were in the mood for. I think his line was 'You don't need those menus, i'm the facilitator. Tell me what you like and i'll get it for you". He really knew the menu inside and out, and helped us all find dishes we were thrilled with. I had the rib eye, which was possibly the largest steak I have ever seen. My girlfriend had the gnocchi, and my best friend the chicken alfredo. All the dishes had a lot of flavor, and were cooked perfectly. They even brought me out a dessert, and had the entire crowd of people in the restaurant sing me happy birthday (maybe we shouldn't have mentioned why we were there...). All in all a great experience, the food, the service, the atmosphere were all incredible. I will return as soon as I can.
(5)
Fong N.

Been here twice with friends.. Highly recommend. Our waiter Moreno was great! Friendly, he remembered us from just one time and was suggesting really good food.. Here's one not on the menu that we fell in love with.. Scallops in grand marnier sauce.... I almost licked the plate clean! Friendly service from everyone in the restaurant! Food was totally awesome! Tried the seafood pasta, veal chop and the surf n' turf - everything was cooked to perfection! Will go back with my other posse... : )
(5)
Shannon G.

I would actually give this 4.5 stars if I could. It made laugh reading another review that said they walked out when they tried to put them downstairs when my party was really happy to when they took us down there -my dad was in heaven to be at a nice restaurant with a big TV showing sports! It was really noisy upstairs so the downstairs worked much better for us. The waiters were sorta dressed like guido prom but it didn't matter. Our waiter Bruno was top notch -my sister was so impressed by his Italian that she asked him if he was fluent. He's actually from Portugal and can speak 4 languages and is taking Italian in school, interesting! He was on top of things, refilling our wine glasses and being very personable (unlike the waitstaff at another North End joint we tried that was of the hurry hurry here you go style.) Another fella who came by our table to take our plates and told us he was going to visit Texas soon because he'd met a girl from Austin and we were like awww. It was friendly service without being annoying, which is perfect. The food was good. I really liked the olive oil dip for the bread with the olives in it, very tasty. I had rigatoni dish with a light cream sauce, truffled mushrooms, peas, and seafood. It was a good cream sauce, very light with an abundance of really yummy mushrooms and giant, delicious scallops. One of my sisters had the lobster risotto special. She is usually very health conscious and doesn't eat huge portions of creamy carby stuff but she practically licked that plate clean so it must have been good. My dad got spaghetti and meatballs...or rather, one big meat ball resting on top of the noodles. He seemed to like it fine (although he is not one to fuss over food) but the presentation was certainly pretty. It was Friday night in the North End so all the restaurants were bustling so the fact that we weren't rushed out was a nice way to end the evening. The food was indeed pretty damn tasty but the ambiance was what made it really nice.
(4)
Kim N.

I was extremely disappointed! I did my research on Nico's restaurant and read all the reviews online, however it was not up to part with there five star review. I made a dinner reservation for my step mothers birthday ( a very special woman, she had an extremely bad year do to medical reason) and a group of friends. First off we all were seated in a room were it was scattering hot, so everyone was uncomfortable. Throw out the dinner I had to constantly repeat my orders for they were forgotten, example we order three appetizers but only two appetizers came. The third appetizer came during dinner. I order a second round of beers for everyone, it was prolonged do to the reason " they ran out", it took awhile before the drinks finally arrived. These are just some examples. I gave this place a star because the food was great it made up for the hot room that we were in, and the second star went to the server for personality, he was extremely kind and responsive. For the amount of money I spent, I wish I made dinner plans somewhere else that was more up scale! I do regret making reservations at Nico, I will not be returning there. I rather see my money being utilized better. Very disappointed:-(!
(2)
Joe G.

Took a date here. Service was so so. Food was pretty good. Nothing amazing
(3)
Julie M.

Went to Nico Restaurant last night for the first time. It was quiet w/ only 1 other couple in the dining room. Service was good, attentive w/o being overbearing. But the food...?? Not so good! We started w/ the Arancini balls for an app and they were warm, not hot and rather bland. The bread was warm, crisp and fresh, but the oil and olives...again bland.. For our main course we ordered the lobster ravioli in a pink sauce. This dish was well prepared and delicious. We also ordered the seafood special Fra Diavolo. TERRIBLE! The muscles had a funky..almost rancid smell and the broth was bland, bland, bland...isn't this supposed to be a spicy dish? And for a $44.95 price...we expected more..far more. Hard to believe Nico is part of the Strega family. Needless to say we will not be dining at Nico anytime soon. Very dissapointed!
(1)
Lauren A.

My husband and I are in LOVE with Nico! We had our wedding reception dinner here after our ceremony this past Friday. In total eleven people. The staff was amazing! They were able to fit us into a long table in front of the windows on the main floor. The restaurant didn't even have a problem with a cake being brought in. As for the food, my father said that the meat balls were the biggest he's ever seen, My mother loved her lobster, and my new father in law approved of the wine list! All of our guests were commenting on how great and prompt the wait staff was too! They are so attentive there. Thank you so much, Nico Ristorante! We will be coming back!
(5)
Big L.

My favorite restaurant in the North End and most likely Boston. Bruno and staff are fantastic and the food is amazing. They offer different specials and all are good. I have been 15-20 times and it's always always good. I live in the North End and have been to many good restaurants buys Nico is the absolute best.
(5)
Catherine M.

They were playing the Godfather during lunch; it was hard to eat while watching people get shot up into bloody messes. The waiter was haughty--pretentious. The food was good was overpriced. Only one of three dishes was very good. The Trader Joe's frozen gnocci is better than theirs. While other tables were given free limoncello at the end of their meal, we were not. It was not a memorable experience.
(2)
Boston F.

The good, small, intimate, good service, excellent menu & wine list (limited beer). The food was average and uninspired though the portions were large. The famous meatballs weren't as good as the chicken meatballs at Trade on Atlantic Avenue. As far as recommending, I'm neutral. Considering the cost it should be very good.
(3)
Kristin G.

I'd give 4.5 stars if I could. I went here tonight for a belated bday dinner for my sister. We had an (early, last-minute) reservation for 5:00 and were seated promptly. The service was fantastic. Totally attentive without being overbearing. My sister and I split a bottle of wine and calamari, which was delicious. Our entrees were also delicious- she had some kind of pasta with seafood and I had pasta with artichokes and sausage- amazing. The food was great and so was the service. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Casey H.

Solid experience. I had the chicken parm which I thought was very good. Burrata appetizer was just ok. I also had a taste of the eggplant parm, which was very good. Service was also solid. I would go back to this place.
(4)
Erin M.

Run-of-the-mill romantic dinner place with very friendly staff. I went here looking for a quick, relaxing bite to eat with my boyfriend and that's exactly what we found. The hostess lured us into the restaurant by explaining all the good food they have when we stopped to look at the menu outside. We sat at the bar and the bartender was chatty/friendly but might have gotten annoying if we'd stayed longer. We split the lobster ravioli, which was tastey (although not the best I've had), and had a delicious sauce that we scooped up with the very very good bread that they gave us. The olive oil that the bread came with had olives in it, which I really enjoyed. We split the bill on our credit cards, but the bartender charged each card the full amount, which we didn't realize until an hour later and had to go back so we wouldn't be charged twice. Hits the spot for decent Italian food and great service, but isn't super special. I'd go back, but there are just so many other North End restaurants to chose from!
(3)
Jon H.

Nico is a very comfy cozy small italian restaurant on the end of Hanover that offers awesome comfort italian food. We stopped in on a warm Sunday afternoon for a light lunch to share and were seated next to the open window with a great breeze and watching the Yankees - Twins game. Ordered the Caprese (with homemade creamy mozzarella cheese and fresh juicy huge tomatoes), and the Spaghetti and Meatball. The noodles were PERFECLY al dente and the meatball was huge and flavorful. The sauce is Prego x 100. A tad on the expensive side ($15 for caprese, $18 for spaghetti), but great friendly service, good food, and great cozy atmosphere. Definitely give it a try.
(4)
Jenna H.

I LOVE Nico! I have dined here a few times over the past year and always have a great experience. Service is stellar - friendly, helpful, and fun! My favorite dish is the eggplant, yum... The best in the north end. The sauce is perfect and the eggplant is cooked to the perfect consistency. My other favorite dish is the Rigatoni alla Sal - shrimp and scallops with mushrooms and a truffle cream sauce. The caprese salad is a great starter option. Drinks are quality too - I recommend the Raspberry Mojito's. I prefer to sit upstairs, they have great open air windows in the front. If a table is not available they have a great bar too.
(5)
Livin'lavida L.

When the bar at Strega was full after our Valentine's dinner, the hostess called over to Nico and had 2 seats saved at the bar for my boyfriend and I. We walked over and got right in. The bartender and hostess were great, as well as Sergio who was so accomodating when the valet took 45 minutes to get our car back to us. Turns out, there was a snag in the communication that we had moved locations to Nico. The bartender took care of us the whole time while we waited, and in the end, we didn't mind the wait.. Great place to go for cocktails!
(5)
Kelly B.

It's not Nico's fault that Boston's Restaurant Week happened to fall on one of the summer feasts... it's our fault for choosing to dine in the North End on Restaurant Week... and for not taking the T. Parking was a bear. Normally, you can find decent city parking, but on the evening that concludes Fisherman's Feast, well, not so much. Had we realized we could have valeted with the restaurant next door, that would have saved us $5 and a good deal of frustration & time. We ate off the Pre-Fixe Menu, 3 courses. I enjoyed the prosciutto & melon with balsamic glaze, then the Pollo a la Romana (with artichokes, sun-dried tomato, mushrooms, etc.) and a cannoli. The food was outstanding. Truly a lovely set of choices for the pre-fixe and worth a visit on another occasion. The wine list was minimal, with only one true rose by the glass. But we shared a bottle of decent Sav Blanc. The sangria was mediocre, we'll save our love of sangria for the tapas places & a few select Mexican restaurants. The service was outstanding, each of the overly kind young men showering us with profuse "bella" and "bellissima" at every refilling of water glasses. I truly felt that I was not just in the heart of the city, but in the heart of their neighborhood, almost trapped in a beautifully shot movie of the independent variety that gave us a glimpse into the life of the Italian neighborhood. Romance, food, love - and this was while sitting with 3 other ladies. It's a great date location for sure. The manager was very accommodating as we waited for our party of four to come together and we never felt for a moment that we were being pushed out or that they needed to turn the table. The atmosphere was that of a bustling city. I am one who loves the idea of opening the windows wide to the street - it adds an al fresco experience, especially in a cosy place like Nico... that said... I could have done without the half dozen or so second-hand smoker experiences we had while eating there. It wasn't patrons going outside to smoke, it was a lingerer or two hanging just outside the open windows, watching the baseball game on the flatscreen from the sidewalk... or maybe watching as the parade went by. This too, is on Nico's fault and on another day and certainly in another season would likely be a non-issue. Overall, we had a lovely night, shared fantastic food, & if the question is would I go back, the answer is yes. But not on a feast night.
(4)
Jessica F.

THEY DO NOT DEAL WELL WITH FOOD ALLERGIES. I told my waiter I couldn't have wheat or gluten and he said what I ordered was fine. I asked him to speak to the chef to make sure. He claimed he spoke to the chef and that my meal was available without wheat. It WASN'T. I got very sick! So if you don't have food allergies it's awesome. If you do don't go. If you can eat everything go - the meal tasted good and my friend's really enjoyed their meals.
(2)
Elizabeth B.

I had an amazing experience at Nico's! The waitstaff were super nice and engaging as well as attentive. The food was amazing. I had the gnocchi while my friend has the chicken parmesan, both were perfect. The prices are a little high but nothing unusual for the food of Hanover street. I am definitely planning on returning.
(5)
Tiffany Q.

Great food, the waiter was AMAZING (think his name is David) and just like every other place in the North End it was small and quaint. Had the eggplant rolatine, gnocchi and seafood special and all were awesome! My reason for only 3 stars is because we were sat downstairs where there are 3 tables. One large party table and two smaller. At the very bottom of the stairs (literally) was the table we were sat at. We were a party of 5 so had to have someone on the end which was in the way of people walking to the table behind us. The table DIRECTLY behind us to the point where my chair and the chair next to me were literally butted up against the chairs behind us. The only thing separating us was a hanging shower curtain of some sort. On the other end of our table was another curtain that separated us from the waiter station and the bathroom.
(3)
Jack L.

We had gone to a concert at Fenway Park. Just craving pasta we hustled to the North End. There was only a couple of restaurants open and Nico looked like the pick. The food,the service,the atmosphere, were all so great. I just loved the sauce.!!!
(5)
Jon M.

We began our adventure to Nico by paying $15 to park in a lot about a block over from Hanover street which is not a problem unless your lazy. We got there at around 1pm and we where the only ones there (by the time we left it was packed) which meant we got all the attention. Our waiter was one of the top three waiters I've ever had and I've eaten at a lot of places; he spent a lot of time listening to the menu choices we where trying to decide between and offering his opinion, he even let my sister and I try some truffle oil as we had never had it before. For drinks I had a glass of cab and my sister got a glass of sangria; for appetizers we got the aricini and the prosciutto/ Parmesan cheese plate both where very good. For entrees I choose the filet wrapped in prosciutto with a brandy sauce with a side of whipped potatoes, the filet was tender and the prosciutto gave it a punch of flavor, it was fantastic; my sister had the mushroom stuffed ravioli with truffle oil, she described it as "pure deliciousness". We ended our meal with a chocolate mousse (which to our surprise our waiter left off the bill) it was one of the best deserts I've ever had; rich, creamy with an interesting crunch. It is a small venue (but most is in Boston) but is initiate and cozy; when we got our bill our waiter even surprised us with a round of lemon liqueur shots compliments of him!!! Awesome!! Will be back.
(5)
Samuel S.

I went with my boyfriend and a friend. The host was very attractive and friendly and our server was friendly. That was about it. The food was below average. Honestly I would have been ashamed to serve that quality of food in my own home if i had guests. For me and my friends Nico did not live up to all the hype.
(2)
Lisa A.

I had dinner here last night for my birthday and was super impressed. We had standing reservations and upon our arrival we were whisked to our table and treated like VIP's. The manager, Pina, was extremely sweet and helpful. She made sure we had everything we needed without hovering. For a Wednesday night, the place was full-every seat was filled but we still had enough room and didn't feel like we were sitting right on top of everyone. The food was really, really delicious. We ordered the Antipasto-the meat on the plate was fantastic and I would have liked more. My boyfriend had the Lobster Manicotti and said it was delicious-the crepes looked a little overcooked to me, but he thought they were fine and since I didn't taste them, I can't really tell you they were bad. I ordered a special-Lobster Tortelloni in a tomato cream sauce. Amazing! So delicious-and PACKED with lobster. Because it was my birthday, they brought out a heavenly dessert. It was a bowl of the creme they use for cream puffs (!!!) topped with a layer of chocolate ganache. They submerged 3 cream puffs inside of it. I'm not sure we took a breath while eating it. To top off the night, they give everyone a shot of lemoncello as a digestive. Delicious and a nice surprise. We left thoroughly happy with our service, experience and meal. I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could afford it. As an aside-the owner was there and the manager was telling one of the guests that "his heart is as big as he is". I'm not sure that matters to everyone, but I like knowing that I'm giving money to someone who treats others with respect.
(4)
Jay S.

Never again, that's for sure. This place is more interested in being a "scene" than serving quality food. We had an 8:30 reservation but were bumped because a walk in group knew the owner who looks like Jo-Jo the Whale in Bronx Tale. The doorman/host was apologetic, but we weren't seated until 9:30. I'd read about the place online and much was made of the fun atmospere and the meatballs. It was not fun, I definitely did not get it. Maybe I suck, maybe you love tacky disco and overdone wish-they -were cougars at the bar. The food was average at best. Shared the caprese salad and meatballs as an app. Ummm, the caprese salad was good, meatballs were mushy and bland. My main course was the veal chop which was awful. Bad cut and fatty. Good news is the place is small enough that they probably can get by suckering in the tourists and catering to their buddies. There are 200 choices within walking distance, and I'll visit them all before I go back. All except Strega which apparently is owned by the same guy.
(1)
Sharon L.

EXTREMELY dissapointing. I cannot comment on the food, as i never got to taste any. Made a reservation for 8 pm on a friday night for my 2 year anniversary, confirmed 2 hours beforehand. My boyfriend and I got there exactly at 8. Understandably even with a reservation there can be a wait, but not for an hour! We sat at the bar and had a drink, and the hostess did not even try to seat us until 9 pm. There was another group that came in after for an 830 reservation and they were even seated before us. The hostess was not apologetic at all. Absolutely rediculous for a restaurant that is supposed to be high end. I am from the area and eat in the north end all the time but have never had such poor service. Will not be coming back and will certainly tell all of my friends not to either.
(1)
Rick L.

Still and always my favorite restaurant in the North End. I love this town, I love the North End and love Nico's! When family and friends visit I always take them to Nico. We have always been lucky enough to have Tyler help us out and he is the man. I think the food here is incredible...I love the specials and the fresh pasta. It isn't a large space, but the kitchen is amazing in how they push everything out perfectly. I'm more of a bar seating patron so go a little bit later in the evening. If you want a prime time seating or choice seat call the restaurant in advance to make that happen. Again, what makes this restaurant beyond the food is the staff. Isn't it amazing how that happens...great food and staff truly make a restaurant. Honestly if you are in Boston call ahead and make a reservation at Nico.
(5)
Shani T.

Nothing wins me over quicker than a good Italian restaurant. Nico reminds me of a diner for whatever reason--but not in a bad way. Tables are slightly closer together and you can hear chatter from every side of you as you dine. It's homey. We started with the meatball (yes, it is just one large meatball) and were not disappointed. The meat was tender to the point that the meatball would crumble a little. The cheese and the sauce were well seasoned. I wish it came with more than one! Service was quick for the appetizers and I was extremely pleased. My boyfriend ordered the lobster ravioli, which tasted very fresh. I ordered the fettuccine carbonara and enjoyed it a lot, though it was very filling due to the sauce. I needed some help finishing it, as it was a bit heavy for me. Cocktails we tried included the Italian Sunrise (a bit too strong on the coconut flavor, but I'm not a big fan of coconut) and the North End Mojito. Drinks were strong, which earned another nod of approval. It kind of bothered me how pink the Italian Sunrise was though. I spilled a little and the tablecloth was literally pink from the artificial coloring. I can't say Nico will be my go-to Italian restaurant in the future, but I left happy and content with the experience.
(4)
Ryan R.

Went here with my friend and his parents for a night out. They had made a reservation so we were seated right away in the downstairs level. After hearing the specials and getting drinks, they ordered a couple of appetizers--buffalo mozzarella and prosciutto, both of which were pretty good. For my entree, I decided to go with the carbonara as it is one of my favorite Italian dishes. Unfortunately, this rendition was pretty bland and lacked many pieces of prosciutto or peas that are generally found in a carbonara. The portion size was decent for the price, but I was extremely underwhelmed by the flavor. Overall, this place has a nice vibe and the service was friendly enough, but the food was not memorable.
(3)
Vivian C.

A voucher brought me to Nico's doorstep as in it I spotted an opportunity to try one of their four more extravagantly priced entrees of either $32.95 or $37.95. After briefly considering the Delmonico Steak, Filet Mignon, Veal Chop, and Chilean Sea Bass, we uniformly agreed on the fish. Since I noticed that they make their own pasta, I suggested that we select one of their Primi Piatti offerings. After my dc picked the calamari as the appetizer, I realized that we had ended up with an all seafood meal! The bread they started us off with was pretty good and accompanied by a small dish of a variety of olives swimming in a pool of olive oil. The Fritto Di Calamari $13.95 fried fresh calamari with sliced cherry peppers served with a chipotle sauce (on the side, per our request) was all rings and no tentacles. This made me sad since I'm partial to the fun crispy tangles of legs. But while we found the fried pepper pieces not to our taste, we did enjoy the lightly crisp tender rings. My dc figured that given the preciousness of the table top real estate that perhaps the kitchen was waiting for us to finish up with the appetizer before sending out our entrees. With a bit of juggling, we managed to fit both entrees on the table along with a pair of small plates since we were sharing. The Chilean Sea Bass $32.95 sea bass pan seared with white wine, cherry tomatoes and garlic was the fish as it ought to be. It was a nice thick piece of the fish previously known as Patagonian Toothfish, all tender and fatty as it should be. The mashed potatoes were quite good, and the twin asparagus cooked just right. Though a relatively thick stalked specimen, I found it tender rather than fibrous. We savored each bite of the fish. Also tasty was the Rigatoni alla Sal $24.95 sauteed shrimp and scallops with wild mushrooms and peas in a black truffle cream sauce. The sea creatures numbered 3 apiece and were good sized. The scallops were cooked perfectly, though the shrimp was a tad overcooked. The sauce was really good as well. We ate so heartily that we had no room for any of the desserts which were then recited to us. Service was fine, but when they go over the specials or the desserts, I wish they'd mention the prices. Space is indeed tight and noise carries, so this is not the spot for the more intimate of conversations. We also had a reservation, but they needed another party to leave before they could seat us, so we stood awkwardly in the miniscule space between the door and the bar area as we waited. Alternatively, my dc observed that we could wait outside and salivate over meal set before the couple by the window. No validation, but $20 valet service is available at their sister restaurant Strega located two short blocks towards the Greenway. Accessibility: 2 steps to enter, 1 step up to the single unisex bathroom located down a flight of stairs in the basement, where there is also additional seating. I'd be up for returning to sample some of their more affordably priced entrees even sans voucher such as: Gnocchi Sorrentina $14.95 Fusilli con Gamberoni $21.95 Vitello alla Parmigiana with Homemade Fusilli Pasta $17.95
(4)
Christopher S.

My wife and I went to Nico for our anniversary and it was a great evening. I had emailed the staff about our anniversary and they treated us like VIPs, whisking us to a quiet table downstairs, and greeting us with glasses of prosecco. The staff was charming and gracious, but not overbearing. The food and wine were excellent. We had arancini, scallops over pesto, and veal marsala, all of which were delicious. Nico and its staff made this an anniversary to remember.
(5)
Melinda N.

Whenever my boyfriend and i are in the mood for Italian this is our go to restaurant. We come here usually Sunday nights around 9PM. The pasta dishes NEVER disappoint. He always finishes what he gets and OOOs and AHHs over each bite. For a picky eater, that's a good sign. The sauce is fabulous. It's not acidic, not sweet, you taste the tomatoes but it's so flavorful without being salty. The pasta is perfectly cooked and I eat and chew slowly to savor each morsel! We have been able to get the seat for two by the window with the view of the fire house across the street. It's a lovely restaurant with great service. They don't have a full bar but have aperitifs and the bartender is willing to work with you to get you something similar to what you want.
(5)
Laura O.

Giving the benefit of doubt I will give four stars. We didn't have reservations on a Saturday night and because we were there early enough, we were seated right away which was lovely. The waitstaff was charming. My girlfriend got rigatoni alla Sal (shrimp and scallops with homemade pasta and lovely peas). It was served piping hot and she couldn't have been happier. I got the Vitello saltimbocca--it was served with beautifully arranged, but (sadly) not hot, mashed potatoes, a slice of Red pepper and a piece of fresh, blanched, cheese dipped cauliflower that was fried. Unfortunately, the veal was thick, tough and had gristle running through it. The prosciutto was also very thick and tough. I was disappointed. However, because the ambience was nice, the service was good even when it got very busy and my girlfriend was extremely happy, I would try it again. Hopefully I will be able to give a better review for my dish. I would hope that polenta would be served instead of mashed potatoes. I love my potatoes but not if they're not served hot regardless of presentation.
(4)
Sonia N.

We were wildly happy to score a Groupon to try out this restaurant while living temporarily in the North End. I took my daughter there this week and our experience lived up to our expectations. I called ahead and the hostess was immediately able to secure a reservation for us with less than an hour notice. Upon arrival, we did wait a few minutes but nothing too crazy. We started out with the Capesante Al Pesto appetizer and the scallops were perfectly seared. I also enjoyed the generous serving of pine nuts that were added to it but the dish itself was a tad too salty. If they ease up on the salt, this would be a 5 star app. For our entrees, my daughter had their plain Spaghetti with butter and grated cheese and I had their awesome Chilean Sea Bass. One bite into her pasta and I quote, my daughter said "It's like the best pasta EVER!!". I laughed and said "Yeah, they do it very well in this neck of the woods" ha ha. My sea bass was just as amazing. It was upwards to about 12 ounces worth of savory flaky yumminess. The whipped potatoes were super light and fluffy while the asparagus was fresh and crunchy. It's offered at a hefty price tag but definitely worth it if you're a sea bass fan. Servers and buss staff were very attentive and came by often to make sure we were well taken care of. We left as a duo with two very wide smiles.
(4)
Mary C.

This was my first time eating at the North End, and I can say that I was genuinely impressed by the neighborhood and Nico Ristorante. Authentic and tiny Italian restaurants flood the North End, so it's a hard job finding the perfect one to eat at. My friend and I made a reservation ahead of time. Please try to make a reservation for any restaurant in the North End to avoid a wait. When we arrived, we were seated promptly. The tables were tiny, and the space was cramped, but I was fine with it because it made the restaurant feel more intimate. Our waiter was attentive the whole night, but I wouldn't call the service spectacular. What really defines the restaurant is its food. We ordered the clams and mussels as an appetizer, and the sauce and the seafood were delicious and fresh! Finally, our entrees were delicious as well. Nico made the classic dishes, linguine with clams and spaghetti with meatballs, taste home-like and unique. Very generous portions too! I usually feel like many Italian restaurants taste the same, but this restaurant proved me wrong. Finally, they have an affordable wine selection too. Yay to good food and good wine.
(4)
Yidan S.

Overall four star rating is a combination of Five stars food and Three stars service. Three of us ordered a arugula salad as appetizer, like the pomegranate dressing and requested the blue cheese to be aside cuz I don't like blue cheese.... We ordered two pastas and one entree. -Meatball spaghetti in tomato sauce: came with one giant meatball and the tomato sauce was delicious and my friend finished all the sauce. -rigatoni with sautÃ©ed shrimp and scallops in black truffle cream sauce! THIS IS MY FAV!!! Very cream sauce and you can taste the black truffle for sure. And they have three giant shrimps and three scallops in really good quality. And rigatoni is cooked perfectly -we've also got the chicken breast with white wine Demi-glaze. Chickens breast is still a bit dry and with great flavor. The chefs def know how to make awesome sauce. We've got groupon deal for Nico which turned out to be a great steal. The waiters were pretty rush, rush to get our orders and take our plates. So I only gave three star for service. Will come back for their pastas for sure.
(4)
Kathleen D.

There were a few things I didn't like so much about Nico. It began when we arrived for our 6:30 p.m. reservation. We were told that "our table was signing their check." Fine, okay. So we go outside to wait and there was nowhere for me to stand that wasn't in the way since the restaurant is on the main strip of Hanover Street. Therefore, I ended up half-standing in a plant for 20 minutes while our table "signed a check." I was next to the photos of owner-Nico with celebs that he has plastered next to the outdoor-menu. Wahoo -- he's cool! Then, no one comes out, but the host says our table is ready. We walk past what looks like a nice dining area, but she takes us down into this dark basement with a splattering of tables and shows us not one, but TWO empty tables, and says we can pick which one we like better. Okay, what? We were waiting when there were two available tables? Again: what? At this point, I was peeved, but so ready for food. We ordered Rieslings and I chose the chicken under a brick. Bread came out first with a side of olives. I really enjoyed both. My chicken was tender, but I made the mistake of not asking what type of vegetables came with it so the red pepper taste (one of my least favorite vegetables) unfortunately took over the mashed potatoes. Our server was also extremely professional and always knew when we were ready for the next stage of our meal. We didn't, however, like how other staff hovered over our table. They stood right next to it for the majority of our meal thanks to the layout of the basement. Apparently, we picked the wrong table when we had the choice. Oops. Would I go back? Nope. Was the food bad? Nope. But there are absolutely better places to visit in this area.
(3)
Erika J.

Since leaving our review, we were offered a refund of the $10 meatball. A very nice gesture and shows that they care about customer satisfaction.
(3)
Jeff D.

Came here as result if a Groupon, and man was I impressed. I thought it would be another run of the mill North End expensive restaurant. I couldn't have been more wrong. First off, our server Tyler was excellent. He was engaged, friendly, and very knowledgeable. Even though we were his last table for the night, he brought the energy and made it great. Ask for him! The food itself was spectacular. Fantastic eggplant Parmesan with buffalo mozzarella that melted in my mouth. A solid bottle of wine for only $35 and free bread. Everyone loves free bread! I personally ordered the chicken Parmesan and it was delicious! Very hearty and the pasta that came with it was just as good. The lady got an Italian spired gnocchi and it was amazingly soft! Very delicious. The owner of this is the same as Strega. Come here for Strega quality at a much lower price! A much quieter, more romantic atmosphere. As someone who has visited Strega, I enjoyed this much more!
(5)
Geoffrey I.

I've been here a couple times now. The place is dark and tiny. The food is ok. I have had a bad time every time I've went here, something about the staff. The last time I went the waiter dropped my used knife in my shirt, didn't offer anything in apologies, didn't offer to pick up the dry cleaning bill. Nothing. I think there's a bad omen there.
(2)
Coleman M.

Food was delicious , though extremely rich, service was excellent,(with an Italian accent). Place is small though cosy. Felt like an Italian meal in the north end should feel like
(5)
Nancy S.

One of the BEST Italian meals we've ever had. Service was outstanding in every way especially our server, Hakim! We had reservations but needed to wait at the bar for about 15 minutes. No big deal. The bartender was professional and fun to talk to. I didn't realize they didn't serve hard liquor, such as gin but will serve flavored vodka. Confusing. Now for the food....OMG! For appetizers we had the meatball appetizer, the jumbo shrimp with lemon and garlic sauce with Tuscan bread. If you don't like mushy bread, like I do, the shrimp would not be for you. For dinner, my daughter had the lobster ravioli. I had the sauteed shrimp with scallops, peas and a wild mushrooms with black truffle cream sauce. My hubby had the veal special which was a veal chop stuffed with prosciutto and fontina cheese, mashed potatoes and veggies. We barely spoke because we were too busy eating! The next night we went to Atlantic Fish and wished we had gone back to Nico! The North End is a blast to walk around at night, even on a Tuesday night.
(5)
Rich G.

Finding a great Italian restaurant on Boston's north end is a daunting task requiring a lot of time on Yelp AND a lot of luck. If you read this, you need go no further. My wife and I have eaten Italian all over Italy and Little Italy and the rest of the "greats" in NYC. But NEVER in our 70-plus years have we had a meal to compare to Nico's. From a caring job by our waiter Hakim, to unbelievable food. THIS IS THE PLACE! My wife had the porcini stuffed ravioli in a truffle sauce that had her groaning with delight after each bite. I had a dish that I have never seen before, rigatoni with sausage meat and artichoke hearts in a plum tomato sauce. I can tell you that the sauce for each of these dishes was absolutely out of this world. To top it all off Hakim brought us this sugar coated crime brÃ»lÃ©e that my wife said was THE best she has ever eaten. We would give this place six or seven stars if we could
(5)
Robin Z.

Fabulous! Portions were huge! Go hungry or plan to share a pasta...especially the gnocchi! But the food is delicious. Our server was great. A table of three, we shared the calamari (very good). I had a glass of red wine, an Aglianico. Much more difficult to find in the US, then say other Italian reds, especially by the glass. Then we each had Caesar salads (I should have passed on salad and saved room for the pastas). We each got a pasta but shared them all. Gnocchi with a meatball, lobster ravioli and truffle risotto with scallops. All were amazing but I'm a sucker for great gnocchi and this didn't disappoint! And did I say the portion size was huge. We didn't manage to finish any of the dishes but walked out very full with big smiles on our faces! Definitely recommend!
(5)
Lori P.

Great atmosphere, cozy but pretty. Great food, wine & desserts. Great service. I loved it here.
(5)
Michelle V.

Ambiance is perfect and food is spectacular -- quaint small and just the perfect size for some great food.
(4)
Lacey H.

Excellent! I had the Lobster crepes. They were not stingy with the lobster. The crepes were absolutely stuffed! My husband had the veal and enjoyed it as well.
(5)
Dan D.

For those scanning reviews, my biggest takeaway about Nico is that the food is generally of high quality, of average to generous portions, and offered at a very reasonable price point. However, the lobster ravioli dish is none of these, and I would pass it by. It's their tourist special, and we found that other choices, like Rigatoni alla Sal, were far superior. Back Story: My wife and I selected Nico as one of our dinner locations as part of our recent long weekend in Boston with my stepson to celebrate his 21st. There are many, many Italian restaurants in Boston's north end and it was a difficult choice, but we were pleased with the selection. Nico offers seating on two levels, with another floor below the room you can see from the street. We used OpenTable for a reservation and we were seated within 20 minutes, finding three seats at the bar as we waited. The hostess, bar and wait staff were generally friendly and attentive. I particularly enjoyed discussing the "etiquette" of wine service with our server, who was generally very effective. The wine list, like the dinner menu, offered value at a reasonable price point. In sum, Nico is well worth the few extra steps to get there on Hanover St, though in winter YMMV on this. Highly recommended.
(5)
Amy A.

Well we wanted authentic Italian food from the north end when we visited Boston, and that is exactly what we got. It was the best Italian food any of us had ever had. I had the basic spaghetti and one single, very large, meatball. My husband had a chicken pasta dish. I don't know if anyone was able to finish their meals. It was a neat dining experience. We were not dressed up but didn't feel out of place. The staff was very friendly.
(5)
Allen T.

I had a linguine vongole and the flavor was great and pasta cooked just right (Al dente). We had a nightly special salad which was excellent. The crusty bread was great. My colleague had the Pollo Primavera and he liked it. It looked great - nothing like I expected (I'm usually not expecting a lot with chicken dishes).
(5)
Nikki I.

The chicken parmigiana was the best I've ever had. We also got a buffalo mozzarella, tomato, artichoke and arugula salad to start which was delicious!
(5)
Melissa F.

Got to try another restaurant in the North End! Luckily Nico goes on my good list :) My friend was visiting from FL and asked me to pick an Italian place for dinner. Granted I've already been to about half the restaurants in the north end, but I wanted to try somewhere new and decided on Nico. Despite the fact we were a little late due to traffic we were seated right away. The bread and olive oil was fantastic! Yes we were hungry but the basket was so good we finished all the bread haha. He had the spaghetti with meatballs and I had the veal parm. Can I just say ummm the red sauce!?!?!? Holy amazingness you could cover a hockey puck in that sauce and I'd probably eat it. My veal parm came with a side of homemade fusilli that was just divine. The veal was pounded nice and thin and had a generous amount of melted cheese on top. Good selection of wine, and the prices weren't too steep either. The waiters were attentive enough but left us alone to catch up and talk. Good spot in the north end that isn't a tourist trap, and is actually worth your money
(4)
A P.

The restaurant is smallish but there are a few more tables downstairs. Can be noisy when full but our party of 4 still managed to have good conversation. The specials are worth trying. The buratta is well made and seasoned. Definitely add the prosciutto as recommended by waiter. The wine selection is ok. Not too many wines to choose from but probably enough variety that you're likely to find something you like. Full bar. Valet parking is recommended if you have your own car. We were there on Friday night so it was quite busy. We had reservations and those are recommended for the usually busy nights like Friday and Saturday. Service is prompt, professional and friendly. Food is absolutely delicious! Definitely coming back again!
(5)
Jim D.

Quick trip to Boston to see our NY Rangers play the Bruins. Bad news is the Rangers lost, good news we found this great Italian place in the North End. What a shock... An Italian restaurant in the North End. Being Italian and from NY, it was going to take something extra to impress us, but this place did. Great, friendly service, an impressive array of Italian wines, and really good food. Burrata appetizer with artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and arugula was a great start. We followed up with great main dishes. My wife had a fantastic Cioppino. Lobster, clams, shrimp, scallops in a fantastic white wine broth was an excellent choice. I had the classic Sunday pasta entree. Homemade rigatoni in a classic marinara sauce with braciola, meatball, and sweet sausage was just like home. I even asked for and received with a smile some homemade ricotta to top it off. Great service and our Chianti hit the spot salvaged the Rangers tanking vs. the Bruins. If in Boston and in the North End, we will revisit! Ps. Too full for dessert
(4)
D. G.

Excellent restaurant. Great food, service and atmosphere and reasonably priced. Our party of 6 dined at Nico on a Saturday night in September for a special occasion and was very pleased. Made reservations through Open Table well in advance and requested a window seat in the main floor dining area. They have additional seating in the basement where the restrooms are. There are no windows in the basement...if you can request to sit upstairs. Our party of 6 was all very pleased with their food. For Apps the calamari was good and served with a chipotle sauce (no tentacles though...bummer). Caprese salad ..excellent and the Arancini which was awesome. Dinners ranged from rigatoni, fettucini alfredo, lobster ravioli, scallops and risotto and swordfish...all were excellent. Service was impeccable and they even brought some complimentary desserts to help celebrate my wife's 50th. The only little beef I have is that they put an auto gratuity on my bill which was 20% and appeared to be calculated on the total after tax. Truth is I would have left at least that much but I didn't like the fact that it was 20% and calculated on the after tax total. Overall though....spectacular experience at Nico.
(5)
Mary T.

I had a great dining experience at Nico. This restaurant is small and cozy, but most restaurants in the North End are like that. The service was great. They were very attentive. Our server came to our table a couple of times to see if we were done with the appetizer so they can serve us the entrees. I got the fritto di calamari for the appetizer and I loved it. The batter was perfectly seasoned and it was not too thick. The calamari was soft and tender. I like how there was a peppery/chili flavor because of the jalapeÃ±os that they added. For the entrees, I tried their rigatoni alla sal and linguine alle vongole veraci. I liked the rigatoni alla sal more than the linguine alle vongle veraci. The vongole (clams) were too "clammy" for me. It would have been better if they used more white wine or lemon juice to cook the dish to mellow out the strong seafood flavor. Other than that, I thought the dish itself was not bad. The rigatoni was exactly how I imagined it to taste though. I really liked the infusion of the truffle flavor in the dish. The parmesan cheese shaving paired well with and also enhanced the truffle taste. The scallops could be cooked for a shorter time because some of them were rubbery. However, the shrimp was good though. If you like wine, they have an extensive wine list. I don't know if it actually gets super busy on the weekends because I went on a week night and it wasn't that busy. The restaurant is located far down on Hanover St. so there might not be as much foot traffic on the weekends either. I think it is a good place to check out if the restaurants that you usually go to are packed during the weekends.
(4)
Michelle B.

I had a great experience here. I went with a large party for dinner and we received exceptional service. Our glasses were never empty and the daily specials were announced so enticingly that I could hardly decide on one! I ordered the Frutti di Mare. This huge plate of the finest available seafood satisfied my seafood portion for the month! The bowl has plentiful calamari, clam, scallion, shrimp and mussels, with a half-lobster placed right on top, claw hanging out because it could not fit in its bucket-sized home. They offer two sauces for the seafood; one is vodka-based and the other is a spicy marinara-type. I tried the vodka sauce. It was just light enough to compliment the seafood and not detract from its flavor. I also tried their meatball & mozzarella appetizer which is surprisingly big enough to share. From what I gathered, the daily homemade pasta special and gnocchi were exceptionally good. I'll try either of these when I go back!
(5)
Judi M.

Definitely a good choice in the NorthEnd for sure! It's a charming little restaurant with a nice wine list and good food. I highly recommend the eggplant...it was melt in your mouth. My dining partner raved about the veal and the homemade pasta. The service was exceptional. It is a very small place and I am happy to have been seated on the first level. If you do not enjoy being *this close* to your fellow diners, this might not be the place for you. Definitely a spot to return to!
(5)
Ross G.

Came here on a groupon, got a last minute reservation no problem. The food was actually outstanding. I had spaghetti and clams which was incredible. Also parts of the shell of the clams did break off which could have been an issue. Other than that my meal was very good. We also got arancini for an appetizer. Also amazing, and topped it off with a canoli for dessert. We were at a pretty cramped basement table, but given the circumstances it is what it is. Would definitely come back based on quality.
(4)
Darcy W.

My favorite Italian restaurant on the north end... It's pretty simple the food, the service, and the wine are top notch! It has a cool vibe because it could be considered romantic, but they also have a few big screen TV's at the bar which most of the time have a fun movie on unless there is a big game. To start the bread and olives always hit the spot! Love the antipasto appetizer. The pasta is fresh and delish. The seafood is also a favorite! Honestly, you MUST order a meatball! We order with everything! The service is why I love this place! The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, and have turned us on to a few great wines. You cannot go wrong with Nico! Btw it's the sister restaurant to Strega.
(5)
Aimee H.

What a great spot in the North End! Of all the places you have to choose from in the area, we defiantly picked one of the best! We were planning to have an epic last night out on our Honeymoon in Boston. Starting at Nico's was a great idea! The food was amazing! I had the Chilean Sea Bass with mashed potatoes and asparagus, and my husband had the Carbinara. Both were fantastic. His pasta was so fresh I couldn't stop stealing bites from his plate. The service was impeccable, we never needed anything, they were on top of it all! They have a great wine list as well. You might see some crazy lines out front of some of the other spot on this block, but this one is defiantly where you want to be! I even let the secret out to some of those people in the crazy lines, that they needed to reconsider their choice and go to Nico's haha Enjoy!
(5)
Megan K.

The food here is consistently good and the service is great, always feel welcomed and always have a great time.
(5)
Jenn G.

I'm updating because I have been here several times since my initial review, and its proved to be my favorite restaurant in the North End. While I've steered away from getting the chicken aldredo, I've tried many other dishes here that were incredible. It's always great service, great food, and just a good experience overall! Also, one of my friends has a gluten allergy, and she is always accomodated (I think they have gluten free pasta, but also their non-gluten dishes are carefully handled). I always look forward to coming here!
(5)
Nina S.

My husband I had dinner here tonight and we are loving it !!! We ate before at Strega and Strega Waterfront which are not bad -- but Nico is the best so far from Verano group restaurants. We had deal from Groupon .. My husband had veal parm & I had Rigatoni alla Sal -- both were AMAZING!!! We also had tiramisu and cheesecake which were delicious .. Our waiter Hakim was really pleasant. Definitely looking forward to come back here soon :)
(5)
Heather L.

Nico was okay. I wasn't blown away and I wasn't disappointed. However, it didn't "hook" me. The prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is authentic. There are just so many other places to go that I don't know that I will be back. Although I have known other people that rave about it -- it just didn't stand out to me.
(3)
John S.

It wasn't a terrible experience by any stretch, but I spent the whole meal waiting for some definitive moment that never materialized. The service was fine (the manager recognized that we weren't happy to be standing by the bar for a half hour for our 6 o'clock reservation and checked in a couple times), but nothing stood out as exceptional service. The food was fine as well, but I wanted some secret spice to add a new dynamic to the classics. My lobster ravioli was cooked well, but bland. The veal parmesan was of good quality, but nearly identical to any other "good quality" veal parmesan I've ever had. The ambiance was, you guessed it, fine. A touch cramped but not miserable. Overall, I ate a meal that wasn't disappointing but was entirely forgettable. I don't think I'll be back, unless I forget I've already been here and try it again for the first time.
(3)
Elaina O.

Just go. It's fantastic. I sat at the bar and Vanessa was a wonderful bartender/server. I started with the burrata special and the meatball. The meatball. It was so tender and perfectly seasoned. The olives/olive oil and bread were wonderful as well. For my entree, I enjoyed the mushroom Ravioli in truffle sauce. Incredibly rich but absolutely worth it. Delicate and with absolute finesse. For dessert, the nutella mousse and an espresso hit the spot. Oh, and have Vanessa make you her nutella martini. Or two. Perfect dessert cocktail. Comfortable and cozy atmosphere with impeccable service and delicious food.
(4)
Amanda O.

Had a fantastic dinner here yesterday! There were 7 of us, 3 vegetarian, and all left extremely satisfied with our food and the service. Our waiter, Hakim, was the highlight with his fantastic customer service. Once he heard we had vegetarians, he offered to create a custom vegetarian bruschetta for us, as well as a custom chefs choice vegetarian pasta dish with a delish truffle sauce (which many thought ended up being the best dish on the table!). The food came out quickly and it was all amazing. Highlights were the lobster ravioli, spaghetti con polpetta (best meatball I've ever had!), and the vegetarian special from above but all of the pastas were perfectly cooked! You MUST try dessert here. We didn't order any buy Hakim surprised us and brought out miniature versions of the tiramisu (again, best I've had!) and chocolate mousse (tasted like a Ferrari Rocher!) which were to die for. We got Mikes Pastry on the way home but it paled in comparison and all we could talk about were the desserts from Nico's! Definitely recommended, and will definitely come back every time I'm in Boston!
(5)
Beverly S.

Only fair. Best part was the olives in the bread dipping oil! My spouse had the carbonara, which while it was good tasting was most definitely NOT the classic dish Spaghetti Carbonara. It was Fettuccini Alfredo with a sprinkling of a bacon-like substance. There should not be any cream in Carbonara. My Lobster Ravioli in a pink sauce might have benefitted from some more cream. The tomato sauce was more acidic than it needed to be; it overwhelmed the lobster ravioli, which while tender, did not have much lobster flavor. We were seated in the cramped basement far, far away from the attractive tables near the windows that were open on a beautifully mild Boston evening. We had a half hour wait beyond our reservation time for this much less than desirable table and never heard word one about any specials. Other than that the service was adequate. We were in town on business and will come back to Boston on business again, but we will NOT return to Nico.
(2)
Mark R.

Real gourmet Italian food. I had the Veal Parmesan and it was excellent. Service was good and the waiter was very helpful. I would definitely recommend it for those visiting the North End.
(5)
F M.

We tried Nicos for the first time. We found it to be good, not great. I had the rigatonni with the dark truffle cream sauce. The dish was a little bland. My main complaint was that the scallops weren't cleaned well enough and had sand in them. I will try a different place next time I'm in Boston.
(3)
Meredith M.

Wow. We haven't had service or food this good in a very long time. I was fortunate enough to have a gift card but I will be back again for sure. My date and I enjoyed the arancini and mussels to start. If you are a fan of arancini, you must try these big delicious gooey balls of cheese :). The mussels were soaked in a spicy red suace. I had never had anything like them before, so good. For our entrees we had the veal parmesean and the lobster ravioli. Classic, comforting, delicious and big enough portions to have some to take home. The chocolate ganache cheescake was insanely rich. We loved our servers. It was nice to have someone focusing on refilling the glasses and clearing the plates while the waiter gave us recommendations. We will be back for sure!
(5)
Amanda D.

You need to come to this place if you've never been before. Food and service are an A+. Atmosphere is a bit small and crowded but you BEARLY even notice this. My boyfriend and I stared off with the anti-pasta and it was some of the absolute best I've ever had- they're Salami was out of this world. I had the lobster raviolis and they were amazing. My boyfriend had the veal parm and it was out of this world. I highly recommend this place and will be back as soon as I can.
(5)
Jocelyn K.

I was stuck in traffic trying to get through Boston, so I decided to stop in the North End for dinner. It was a very busy night, so trying to find someplace to eat wasn't easy. I was able to get into Nico and sit at the bar. The bartender was most welcoming and polite. I ordered the home made fusilli with shrimp and zucchini. It was served with a vodka sauce. The shrimp were enormous! The meal was exquisite and I will definitely be back!
(5)
Adeline H.

I came here on a slow Sunday afternoon with my boyfriend, who specifically wanted to find a good risotto place. We were seated immediately as we were the only ones there, which was nice, but a bad sign. The service was okay nothing special. The decor was a bit tacky with the red curtains, and the downstairs is a basement with some tables. Not the nicest restaurant on this street. The main reason for the 1 star is because of the food and the fact is I wouldnt recommend this place to anyone or come back. He had the scallop truffle risotto, and I had the clam linguine with white wine sauce, which is pretty simple. Both dishes were big portions so we didnt finish, and they came out pretty fast. The risotto rice is cooked perfectly and very hot. The scallops were undercooked inside but you do get plenty of big ones. There was an overall sourness to the dish maybe from the canned mushrooms? Not sure. Waited till it cooled down and the taste just got worse so eat it while its burning hot. Not the best risotto but its passable. Bread was cold and stale. My linguine noodles were cooked perfectly, and I mostly just ate that. There was a ton of clams that I didnt eat, which just made the dish too clammy/fishy tasting. I think their downfall is the lack of fresher ingredients rather than technique. If you want a good clam linguine Eastern Standard's is very good and Cuchi Cuchi in Cambridge has the best risotto Ive had. This is just a passable restaurant.
(1)
Belinda M.

The food here is just great! I had the best lobster raviolis and my bf had the linguine a la vongole... Awesome... Highly recommended
(5)
Kylie C.

I LOVE THIS PLACE. I had their pasta and butter. You probably think that is nothing but they use fresh homemade pasta. I would come here every day if I could. The service here is so polite. I give this place five stars because this place is awesome.
(5)
Terry H.

If wasn't for the pasta, I probably will give this place a two stars for the following reasons 1. the hostess is just flat out rude, no greeting, no smile from her when we walk in 2. wine glasses were wet with water drops inside and out as if they just got rinse under the faucet and didn't even bother to dry them. 3. fried calamari was overly fried. 4. no specials and no dessert were mention by the waiter. we have to ask for them. 5. tiramisu is by far the worst I've ever had in an Italian restaurant. doesn't taste fresh. one good thing I would say about this whole dining experience is that pasta dishes are delicious. But I probably will only order the pasta dish as take out instead of dining in due to poor service. If you are looking for a place to dine at north end, I would probably pick somewhere else since there are a lot of other good choices with better price and way better service in the area.
(3)
Bryan Z.

So hear me out.. the restaurant has a great ambiance, very nice location on Hanover St and the food is great. The problem lies with eating the food that you ordered. The service let's say for lack of better word - less than par. For starters, I had made a 8 pm reservation on opentable.com and we arrived at 7:50 to see if our table would happen to be ready yet... which it was not but no big deal because we were early anyway. However, as we are sitting outside patiently, there must have been 4-5 parties that just walked in and sat right down. We did not get seated for another 20 mins after I had to bug the hostess and another waiter. Then we sit down. The hostess forgets to give us a wine list and it took us nearly 20 mins for our waiter to come over to us. Finally we were able to place our orders - I ordered the VEAL Parmigiana and my girlfriend ordered gnocchi. Of course Hollywood waiter does not need to write anything down because he remembers everything... and guess what happened.. CHICKEN Parmigiana was brought out to me. Don't get me wrong, it was delicious but I came to the north end to get great veal that I can not make at home, not chicken which I can make in my boxers while watching TV. And until we received the check, that is about the only time we saw the waiter. I guess he was a little too busy chatting it up for 45 mins with another family. Regardless, I had a great night and I would recommend this place because the food is great but be prepared to be disappointed with the service.
(3)
Jasmin M.

In love with this place. Great service. Every time I go there it gets better. Delicious!!! Will go back again and again and again. You should too..
(5)
Katie D.

Went to Nico last night for dinner and had an amazing experience. We started with the burrata appetizer and it was incredible! It was served over arugula and tomatoes with roasted artichoke hearts and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. The mozzarella was creamy and delicious. I got the pasta with sausage and artichokes in a red sauce. It was a filling dish with a perfect combination of flavors. My husband got the fusilli with zucchini and shrimp in a pink sauce - he loved his dish. As good as the food was, and it was fantastic, the service we received was phenomenal. Every staff member was attentive and friendly, but our waiter, Alessandro, was simply outstanding. He was extremely personable, gave great recommendations without being pushy, and he made sure we wanted for nothing. We had a wonderful evening and will certainly be back!
(5)
Adam G.

Went here on a Friday night. Busy but not crazy. I've yet to have a bad meal in the north end. Service was excellent. Calamari was one of the best I've ever had. Gnocchi was good but I've had better. A little pricey but worth a visit. Quieter than many north end places good spot for a date.
(4)
Matt L.

North End Italian should be a no brainer, however several restaurants in this area have mixed reviews and it is almost a hit or miss if you are going to get a good meal or not. This place is not one you have to worry about. This is probably one of the best if not the best in the North End start to finish and worth every penny. If you research the restaurants before trying them out like me, do yourself a favor and pull the trigger on this place, you won't regret it. This is not a large place as many of the places down in this neighborhood are small and quaint. This place has maybe 10 tables upstairs and 10 tables downstairs and it is jammed from what I can see, on a regular basis with customers eating and at the bar. It sits toward the end of Hanover so it is easily accessible from the Boston Waterfront Hotel and parking lots in that area. Not sure what other reviewers were talking about because the service was impeccable start to finish from a friendly waitstaff. Sure there was a few slow points toward the end of the meal, however they gave you breathing room and it stretched the meal out a bit which was actually pleasant. We were seated on time and no complaints. The place is tight and the TV playing an Italian movie in the background with subtitles was actually interesting. The menu contains loads of selections from pasta to seafood and steak. Unlike other Italian restaurants outside of the North End neighborhood that have a tiny menu, this menu was quite large, plus they had specials to top it off. We decided to order the Eggplant Parmigiana and Arancini rice fritter/mozzarella/beef for appetizers which were both delicious. A nice bottle of Chianti to accompany the meal from the extensive wine list. For entrees we ordered the lamb shank special with a lobster pasta and also a seafood pasta mix with clams and littlenecks and finally a Gnocchi Sorrentina. Every dish was a nice size portion and the lamb fell off the bone like butter and was done beautifully. The pasta was exquisite and melted in my mouth and the gnocchi was delightful. I could not get enough and it was one of those rare times you wanted to savor every bite and almost lick the plate clean. Everything was perfect and we topped the meal off with dessert of tiramisu and a chocolate custard flan both equally delicious. This was just a great meal and one to remember. Prices were as expected high, but well worth it. I would highly recommend this place if you are searching for excellent Italian food and a great night out!
(5)
Christine D.

I came here last night on a whim because I was craving some authentic Arancini - wow what a treat I was in for! Their aranicini here is THE best I've ever had anywhere in Boston, it was stuff with delicious mozzarella, beef, rice fritters, and beef and toasted on the outside to perfection and served in a delicious tomato sauce. For an entrÃ©e me and my girl shared the Fettuccine Alfredo and Veal Parmesan- both were so delicious I completely cleared my plate! For dessert we had an amazing chocolate mousse cake and tiramisu- the presentation was just as amazing as the sweet savory taste. The wait staff was extremely on point- constantly refilling my drinks. Also, I really enjoyed the bottle of wine I had my waiter select for me. All around 5 star service from the wait staff, food, drink, and atmosphere. Highly recommended.
(5)
Katharine F.

Amazing! My boyfriend and I went here for date night. Great food, great service, great night! We will definately be back here again.
(4)
Josh G.

The food and service was superb. Nice small restaurant atmosphere. Would highly recommend and will be heading back soon!
(5)
Steve L.

The only Italian restaurant you need to go to in the North End. The shrimp w/ a dollop of rigot if you like, but their star plate is the Rigatoni Alla Sal. As a former North Ender Italian American, please do yourself a favor and order it, it'll taste like your grandmother's cooking.
(5)
Amanda B.

Everything we had here was amazing! Fabulous service too! I had a mushroom scallop truffle risotto that was perfection. Definitely make reservations.
(5)
Allison C.

Wonderful little restaurant on Hanover a few short blocks from the busy-ness of Giacomo's, Mike's, and whatnot. I've been here twice now because I am happy with my experience at this restaurant. SERVICE: The staff is very accommodating for both walk-ins and reservations. We used OpenTable to make a reservation for a Thursday graduation dinner recently, and the restaurant was happy to meet our request to sit in the street-level dining area. Each time I've been here, the bartender, host, waitperson, and bus person were kind, knowledgeable, and very helpful in that they were able to make recommendations and replacements as necessary. FOOD AND DRINK: Very filling, yummy portions on all the appetizers and main dishes, which average $10 and $20 respectively. Of the two vegetarian options I've had (the porcini ravioli and potato gnocchi), the ravioli are better-tasting, but both are solid choices. Regarding seafood, the frutti di mare dish is only a daily special: lots of shellfish, including a lobster (that was slightly overcooked, and therefore too tough a meat); the lobster ravioli dish is a regular menu item, and is a very manageable, palatable portion. Then, in regards to meat, the double pork chop dish is apparently "the best pork chop" my father has ever had, even better than his own at-home creation; he credits Nico's savory sauce for its tastiness. As far as appetizers go, the calamari are very light and is drizzled sensibly with a chipotle sauce. Finally for drinks, they have an ample wine and cocktail selection, including a house sangria that's just a'ight. AMBIENCE: Cute to boot place! The TVs on the bar play on silent (no closed captions) classic Italian (American) films, including Cinema Paradiso and the Godfather series. There is a small dining area on street level as well as a dining area downstairs as well. As most of the restaurants in the North End go, the tables are quite close to one another, but you manage.
(4)
Rudy K.

Stuffed veal chop best I ever had. Italian food in Boston should be exactly like it is at Nico. Small cozy atmosphere. Great staff. Great bar. Fantastic all around. What stands out is the stuffed veal chop special. Perfectly cooked. Juicy. Succulent. And plenty of it. We went with a large group and everyone ended up ordering the stuffed veal and everyone raved about it. Add a family side of pasta carbonara and you have a meal fit for a king!
(5)
TJ C.

We totally enjoyed this dining experience. I've never had better stuffed lobster. The personnel were friendly and knowledgeable about the food. The burrata appetizer was amazing. The ristorante was clean, and the tables were dressed in white linens. It was a great birthday treat. The ristorante opened at four. We had a reservation for 4 o'clock. We arrived early, and they received us warmly. We were grateful because it was raining.
(5)
Karen S.

Went with just a little time to spare prior to a Garden event and Nico got us fed and to the show on time. Bruno was attentive and friendly to each of the diners seated in the intimate lower area. The antipasti appetizer was well-sized for two and probably would have been good for 3 or 4 as a true appetizer. The artichokes were some of the best we've had. My date had the risotto of the day which had shrimp and some other seafood on it. But I think my fettucine carbonara was the winning dish! Such a creamy sauce! Especially when combined with the antipasti this was a filling dish and I could have brought half of it home. We'll definitely be back when we're not as rushed.
(4)
Jennifer S.

Delicious! We enjoyed a great dinner here tonight...cozy atmosphere, professional service and fresh, flavorful food. We shared the prosciutto & parmesan and the burrata with arugula, artichoke hearts and tomatoes with olive oil to start. I enjoyed the lobster ravioli as my entree and my fellow diners tried the seafood medley, risotto with mushrooms and scallops and the rigatoni...all amazing! We shared the 3 chocolate mousse with nutella and it was a hit! I highly recommend the seasonal pumpkin martini too...delicious!
(4)
Zachary R.

What a great little restaurant! Everything about this restaurant was excellent. The service was great, everyone I came into contact with was very friendly and charismatic. The ambiance is very Italian and was very warm and inviting, yet elegant. The bread on the table had a crunchy outside and a soft inside, absolutely fantastic; the olive oil was flavored with actual olives in it and was great. My appetizer (calamari) was crispy with a delicious chipotle sauce. As a main course I had their spaghetti and meatball. The pasta was cooked perfectly and the flavors in the meatball were delicious. For dessert, I was prepared (off the menu) and chocolate and hazelnut ganache cake that was absolutely delicious. I thoroughly enjoyed this dinner!
(5)
jeff B.

Stopped in to grab a drink while walking around the north end. I liked the ambiance and the hostess was very friendly. I asked the bartender Vanessa what her best drink was and she said Nutella Martini. I hesitated because I don't like my drinks too sweet but I gave in to temptation because my love for Nutella is like none other. Omg, this drink was amazing. Not too sweet but very tasty. The Nutella rim was also great. I did not eat because I was enjoying the drinks too much. Will def go back for dinner. Probably on a Tuesday to see Vanessa.
(5)
Sara M.

We came here last week for a birthday dinner and although it was just three of us, we had a great time! The staff was accommodating even though we walked in around 9:30pm or so and almost every other place was closed. Our server was straight up from Italia, accent and all. He was knowledgable about the menu and helped out with gluten and dairy allergies for one of my dining companions. Hello, gluten free pasta! We started with decent bread and nice olives, as well as the mussels. Nice spicy kick but I wish they were more plump. I had the risotto special with scallops, mushrooms, and truffle oil. Normally, I'm not wild about this dish but I stuffed the entire contents of my plate into my gaping yaw. The earthiness of truffles pairs so well with its related fungi brethren and the scallops were rich, meaty, sweet. I would order this every time, although the stuffed veal chop sounded amazing as well. Everyone enjoyed their meals and we washed it down with a reasonably priced Brunello. The year was off by one and when I mentioned it, I don't think he understood that we wanted the earlier season. The only real mess up but I could have pressed harder. We ordered the creme brÃ»lÃ©e and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert, the latter being almost perfect in that the only fault was I wish it was the size of my head. They also gave us complimentary limoncello, which is something I experienced in Italy and is a lovely gesture. The price was as expected for a pretty stellar dining experience and most importantly, the birthday boy had fun!
(4)
Dana B.

The place is a bit small even for the neighborhood and it can be hard to get a reservation but the best food in the North End in my opinion
(5)
Duy L.

I had high hopes for this restaurant. My girlfriend and I were here for our anniversary and it wasn't what we thought it should be. First, our waiter was very rude, we order and were served. We were with one wrong dish and it took us so long to get our waiter'a attention. When we did and told him the situation he was very rude and walked back to check the receipt. We told him that it is okay we will accept this because just wanted to get out if there. After the meal our waiter realized that he didn't treat us well so he brought us dessert. Food wise 3/5 Fried Calamari was good, but there's nothing special about it. Entree was very bland, no favor. Overall, I think the service very effected our taste bud. Dessert - free because of the bad service? It was too sweet. Service - solid 1/5.
(2)
D S.

My caprese salad was good. The calamari was different and good. The kids' spaghetti and meatballs was apparently good. My husband ordered a seafood dish and spent the entire meal removing shells and tails from his food in an extremely hot dish. By the time he finished prepping his meal, he no longer wanted to eat. The waiter didn't return to ask if he wanted more to drink either. It is across from an old fire station though which was cool!
(3)
Jason L.

My dinner group had a very nice meal here. The food was awesome, service was excellent, and the atmosphere was pretty nice. Maybe it was a mistake to come during the feast of St. Anthony, but we're all new to Boston and didn't know any better, so we found ourselves in the middle of a more giant than usual crowd on Saturday night. It was ok though, because someone tried a cannoli for the first time ever (40 years old and no cannoli? what?!), I bought a really nice cigar, and we marched along with the procession, and the weather was perfect. We sat in the tiny downstairs area, which was nice enough, but a bit strangely had a big TV showing some Italian-American themed movie. For a place with white linen tablecloths and a rather expensive menu, I thought the service fell a little short, but it wasn't a problem or anything. Here's how it went down: we sat down and were greeted by someone who poured us glasses of water with no ice. We waited a while, maybe about ten minutes, until our server came over and introduced himself but didn't take drink orders. A few minutes later, he came back and finally took drink orders. After the initial bumps, service was good. Initial courses came out promptly, and wine came out very quickly. Good stuff, but not quite polished enough for the price. Anyway, the food was great. I had the lamb shank with homemade linguine. My companions had clams, lobster ravioli, mussels, and chicken, all of which they raved about. My lamb was tender and slow-cooked with a great generous helping of sauce made from the lamb cooking process all over the meat and the pasta. I just kind of tasted the pasta, and it was tremendously delicious, obviously homemade, nice and eggy and tender. The main problem we had was the large table of young bros next to us. Two of them were at a table with three women, and the bros were loudly peacocking for the entire meal. For their part, the women each ordered the most expensive and elaborate seafood dish on the menu, and continued to order bottles of wine, all of which they forced the bros to pay for. Their bank broken by the extravagance of all this, the bros couldn't afford to eat themselves. But as they drank, they grew increasingly loud and tiresome, and by the end of the meal I couldn't wait to escape. Overall this was a good experience, and the food was great, but I felt that it was a bit expensive considering the service and the ambiance. This would be a great place for a date, maybe on a less crazy day of the week.
(4)
Jessica Y.

I love this Italian restaurant located deep in the North End. I've been here twice and got the same entree. Since I'm a sucker for pesto and truffle oil, I got the capesante al pesto (seared scallops on a dollop of pesto sauce) and rigatoni alla sal (rigatoni with shrimp and scallops in black truffle cream sauce). The scallops were fresh and seared to perfection. And with the pesto sauce, it was just heavenly. The entree dish was rich with the mushroom taste and smell, which kept me going back for more. I just couldn't stop eating and was making sure everything - pasta and seafood - were soaked evenly before entering my mouth. Even so I couldn't finish it all by myself. The seafood was generous and big. I didn't mind taking it home and enjoying my leftover later....The date got the spaghetti con polpetta. Traditional spaghetti with a homemade gigantic meatball. It was good as well, but not as good as what I've ordered =P
(5)
Joe C.

Went here tonight and in full discloser we had a groupon. We chose to sit at the bar and eat. Bartender was right on us asking what we needed. I didn't catch her name but she was amazing!! Told us about her favorites. We ended up going with the eggplant app which was amazing we should have gotten 2 !! My girlfriend got the fussili shrimp dish she loved it!!! I got the chicken saltenbocca. I have to say I get it everywhere I go and this was hands down the best I have ever had!! The gravy was amazon. I would go back in a heart beat!! Best place and service I have had in the north end!!
(5)
Kim P.

Loved absolutely EVERYTHING about this restaurant . Took my boyfriend out for his birthday and there's not one thing I can say that was wrong with this place . The food, the ambiance, and the service was great . Our server Hakeem made us feel at home . Totally recommend Nico's to anyone who's looking to have an amazing italian dinner.
(5)
Keri S.

I went to dinner at Nico with my family because of a Groupon deal this spring. We hit traffic and were running about an hour late for our reservation - with a simple call, the staff changed our reservation without trouble. It might have been a bit easier since it was a Thursday and not a prime dinner-out night, but we were really impressed by their efforts to make sure we were accommodated, especially when we were the ones running late! We were seated immediately in the downstairs area. The restaurant is very cozy, and there were a few large groups in our area, so it was a bit loud - but the restaurant was very comfortable and we were happy with our table. The service was incredible - our water and bread were refreshed quickly, and our food was brought out very promptly. We had read reviews of mediocre service here, so we weren't expecting much - but we were absolutely blown away by the quality of service. Everyone was friendly and efficient! Our group ordered the polpetta (giant meatball), lobster ravioli, and fettuccine carbonara at one table, and the delmonico steak and fettuccine alfredo at the other table. Everything was well-made, well-plated, and delicious. The texture of the meatball was perfect - tender and tasty. The lobster ravioli came with a pink sauce which has just a bit of extra tomato flavor, which was excellent. The steak was perfectly cooked and the fettuccine alfredo was wonderful. But by far our favorite was the carbonara - it was cheesy, rich, and full of delicious pancetta that was fresh and well-cooked. Everything we ordered was excellent, and we would highly recommend all of it! We finished off our meal with desserts - tiramisu and orange mascarpone custard. Both were a bit small, but well-priced, and were perfect for finishing off such a rich meal. The flavor of both was very good. I particularly enjoyed the orange mascarpone custard because the light flavor of the blood oranges was a good complement to the heavier meal. Overall, I would highly recommend Nico to anyone looking for a comfortable atmosphere, good service, and yummy food!
(5)
Todd B.

The first time I've ever been disappointed by a meal in the North End. Everything at our table was terribly overcooked and as soon as we finished our meal they asked us to leave because they wanted to turn the table. Subpar food and poor service.
(1)
Aman S.

Great Italian place in the north end with amazing fettuccine carbonara and spagetti and meatballs!
(5)
Dan G.

Wish I could give 3.5 stars. Major plus was the staff's flexibility in seating a party in which 2 people were quite late due to a T breakdown and traffic gridlock. We had a variety of antipasti, which were uniformly excellent, and the pasta dishes (main courses for several in the party) were well-liked. Mains: The pork chop was enormous but drowning in sauce (nonetheless tasty). But the chicken cooked under a brick was seriously overcooked -- very dried out -- and the one major disappointment of the evening.
(4)
Natasha S.

Good spot, but I was not blown away. The service was great, although it was a little confusing as to who our server was. One guy took our drink order, then another guy was our waiter, but there was no explanation about that. We ordered the salad with bleu cheese, walnuts, and pomegranate dressing -- my friend was a fan, but for me the bleu cheese crumbles were very overpowering. We got chicken parm, which was delicious, but I would have preferred to have been asked what type of pasta I prefer.
(3)
Annette A.

I'm so glad that Groupon introduced me to this restaurant because it is now one of my North End favorites. This restaurant has a classy and romantic atmosphere - not over-the-top Italian like some of the neighboring restaurants with cheesy decor. The food was very good and priced fairly. The service was very friendly. I'd love to bring a date here. For dress, I'd advise at least business-casual. Jeans are okay, but don't come in with a sweaty Red Sox shirt. :)
(5)
Phil O.

This place does NOT have premium Italian food. The food was inexpensive, but the pasta dishes that my sister and I ordered were overly salted. The pasta and red sauce also did not appear to be homemade. Go somewhere else if you have the money.
(3)
Greg T.

Excellent service, food and wine. Went for my wife's birthday. Would recommend in the future. Definitely a place to check out.
(5)
Georgina C.

I have visited Nico several times and have always had a wonderful experience. Not only is the service impeccable, the food is absolutely delicious with generous portions. The space is definitely a clean and cozy one where you will feel right at home. During one of my meals there the chef actually came out to check to see hour our meal was (I think we had ordered one of the specials.) I was astounded. I also love the limoncello shots we indulge in from time to time. Growing up in a large Italian family, Nico is like having dinner with La Famiglia each time I visit. Definitely pop by and start with one of their delicious starters, the waiters also always do a wonderful job recommending the perfect bottle of wine. Some people have complained about the parking but the guys that valet are incredibly accommodating!
(5)
Terrance G.

By far one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. Every facet of the dining experience, hostess, waiter, to the bartender were on top notch. I have dined at this restaurant 4 times prior to writing this review. I recommend getting anything the waiter or waitress recommends you will not be dissappointed.
(5)
Lauren M.

DELICIOUS. I was born and raised in Boston, still living here and believe it or not, I have never had Italian in the north end. I just always saw it as a tourist spot and I steered clear of the area. I went to Nico with my sister and a few friends for her birthday. Dinner was amazing. I can say that it was THE BEST Italian I have ever tasted. Fresh pasta and fresh herbs. I had the chicken parmesan and my sister had the chicken alfredo, both dishes were great, I would definitely recommend coming here if you're in the north end. Our waiter also gave my sister a little birthday surprise, tiramisu and ganache. Everything tasted home made and authentic, it was fantastic. Go there!
(5)
Xiao Z.

Groupon Review: I took my parents here for a mini-celebration and was quite impressed with the food, and service. Located in the far ends of North End, I was almost on the verge of losing hope before I was welcomed by a giant vertical sign calling for our patronage. While the food was certainly terrific, I think the best features of the restaurant are their great services and ambiance. The entire place screams "date" and I strongly recommend any and all couples to give this place a try...although I'd recommend bringing a lot of extra padding for your wallet because this place is quite expensive. Foodwise, I had the arancini and the mozzarella w/artichoke for appetizers, with a wild-mushroom scallop risotto, gnocchi and chicken primavera for the meal meal. The arancini was a bit soggy and overcooked, but the grilled mozzarella was amazing and well garnished with the artichokes and fresh greens. The risotto was excellent as well, but could have used some more scallops, other than the four that are used for artistic garnishing. I am particularly biased towards gnocchi (so I can't really say anything bad about it), and the chicken primavera was fork-n-knife licking good (and the cheapest meat dish there). Overall, I think the food alone makes this place a 3 star Italian establishment in the North End, but the frequent and friendly staff made this place stick out just a little bit more in my memories. Food: 3 stars Service: 4 stars Price: 2 stars
(4)
Jim W.

Ive eaten here twice and both times its been decent. I'm partially tempted to give it 3 stars but I'll be generous. I had the little necks and linguine last time and it was rather small but good. I wished there was more of the delicious pasta and the little necks were the smallest I've ever seen. All the food tastes good and the service is outstanding. The atmosphere is good I would just like to see more food for what I pay
(4)
Jessica S.

The spaghetti and meatballs here was good. Very good service. The decor is a bit dated and I really hate when places try to be both a nice restaurant and a sports bar by having a tv in the room. Pick a theme and stick with it. Nix the beads off the lighting. It has potential with nice floors and a nice bar area but not quite the atmosphere I like
(4)
Keiko W.

Based on the generally positive reviews for food here I went here last night for a late birthday dinner. Reservations were made on OpenTable for 7pm a week or so in advance. Unlike some reviews below, we were seated right away. We were seated on the main floor, but right next to the staircase, so I felt like the staff were constantly hovering or squeezing right by. The restaurant is fairly small and packed tightly, and on a Saturday night it feels like the waiters are just running all around you. They also have giant TVs right behind the bar, further detracting from the ambiance. Apparently this was better than being seated downstairs, just based on the other reviews I read. So if you like crowded, loud, uncomfortable dinners, this has you covered. As far as the staff goes, the greeter was friendly, but our waiter was absolutely terrible. We were seated, given our menus, then he left. He came back about 5 minutes later to ask for drinks. Fine. No mention of any specials (which I heard were good) or suggestions. When he came back we ordered lobster ravioli and spaghetti carbonara. Then he came back THREE times to confirm our order. I'm not sure if it was the noise level here, but 3 times is excessive for a table ordering two dishes. From the very beginning until the end of our meal were were treated like an after thought. As a disclaimer, my boyfriend and I are in our early/mid 20's, so they might have assumed that we were not going to spend a lot on our meal and that they were better off getting us out quickly. And to be quite honest, I would have stayed longer and bought another drink or dessert if I was offered, but they didn't even give me that courtesy. I was appalled by server's behavior. Our server NEVER checked in on us and then just gave us our bill when we were done. No "thank you for coming" and no offer for additional drinks or desserts (and I know they have desserts, we saw a slice of cake go by to another table). Oh, and the food. To echo a couple below that coincidentally ordered the same thing as us, the lobster ravioli was acidic and had little/no lobster flavor and the pasta carbonara was heavy with cream. To top it all off, around 10pm my stomach was turning that night. Maybe I was unlucky with my order and my table placement. But I saw many other couples get much better service than us. I might have given it a second try despite the so-so food, but after my terrible customer service I will not be returning here again. There are many other Italian restaurants in the area where we have been much treated better and have had much better food.
(2)
AL R.

Nico is good, it's not 5 star good but it's still pretty good. The service is always great and the atmosphere is nice but a little cramped. Groupon has had a few deals for this place and it's def worth picking one up. Nico is part of the same restaurant group as Strega which is more expensive but I'm assuming has the same product. We got the antipasto to start which was very good and a good size for the price my chicken parm was delicious. My bf got the linguine vongole and loved the flavor but the portion was small and the clams were tiny. The lobster ravioli is very very good, I would suggest that as well.
(4)
Victor N.

I went to dinner last night at Nico with my wife. We live in the South End and don't often venture into the North End mostly because Italian food is not my favorite ( I don't hate it but its simply not my favorite) . Well, last night we were in the mood for Italian food. I love the location of the restaurant! The area is vibrant, full of people and gives you several options for places to eat. Nico was a good choice. We had reservation for 8 pm but arrived about 10 min late because we drove and had a hard time finding parking. We finally found a public parking lot about 5 min walk away. Nico has valet parking at a sister restaurant 3 blocks away for $20 but to me valet means I dont have to walk 3 blocks and if thats the requirement then any public parking close by will do, specially if its way cheaper. The staff was very nice and accomodating! The main floor is cosy or let's call it like it is tiny. Then again most restaurants in the area are about the same size so its not a real negative. We were promptly seated in a very tight spot. That was the only seat available on the main floor and it was ok with us. They offered to move us once some of the other tables cleared but we didnt see the need to. It was definitely tight but we're not big complainers and it didnt bother us that much. But kudos for them for trying on several occasions and making sure we were comfortable! We ordered the scallops for appetizer. They came on a bed of eggplant and were drizzled with pesto sauce and pine nuts: supper yummy!!! for the main dishes, my wife ordered the mushroom ravioli. It was cooked perfectly and she loved it. I ordered the lobster ravioli. It was overcooked and a little bit dry. We had a glass of cab sauvignon which was ok. Desert was the chocolate mousse which was super delicious! Our glasses of water were promptly refilled and the server stopped by often to check on us. So overall it was a nice experience and I would recommend the restaurant! When you see how the entire staff interacts with different customers, you can tell that they care and are trying to do their best!
(4)
Steven C.

I absolutely love Nicco! I had homemade pasta, bolognese sauce, meatball, and sausage. The best I have ever had. The caprese salad was so fresh, the cheese was like no other. Go , if you get the opportunity.
(4)
Neal M.

I love this place. It is very small and can get busy. I LOVE the Capesante Al Pesto. The scallops were seared beautifully and the baby eggplant is great (I'm not even a huge fan of eggplant). The stuffed veal chop was incredible. The gravy for the veal was very rich.
(4)
Leah D.

Sangria was delicious! The antipasto was AMAZING! There was SO much food for your money & it was SO fresh. We stopped in here on a whim after a day of walking around. We sat at the bar & ordered drinks & appetizers expecting just a basic fare. The bartender had a full bar and still stopped to talk to us & was very sweet. We tried a few drinks suggested by the bartender that she made for us & she really took the time to make, muddle and garnish them. Wish we could have come back for dinner! It was a bit awkward because there was no one there to eat at a table and 3 servers standing around talking about their personal lives. It is a two story place that I bet gets packed at night!
(5)
Tony N.

I'm pretty picky when it comes to Italian food and I am even more critical when it comes to dining in the North End because there is so much crap there. Nico more than passes muster. Sure parking is a nightmare but that is what you have to expect in that neighborhood. If you must drive just put a $20 in your pocket and valet your ride. Once you enter Nico you will be treated with a friendly smile by the hostess and/or bartender. I have never had to wait for my reserved table, though I have always dined somewhat early for the North End, around 6:30/7:00. Waitstaff immediately comes over with water, menus, and bread but don't confuse immediate service with being rushed, you are encouraged to take your time to review the menu and enjoy your bread and olives with oil. Waitstaff is simply great. The management really has done a fat job training and retaining good people. One occasion I ordered the fried calamari to start. It was cooked perfectly and tasted fresh. The entrees however are where it's at so I might suggest skipping appetizers/antipasto and going straight to the large and in charge entrees. It also makes your pocket feel a little better as this place is not mega expensive but it is far from cheap. (But here you do get what you pay for). The menu is quite expansive and they have always had at least four entree specials. Unlike some other places in the North End I have been to the specials are not more heavily priced than the regular menu items. The portions are quite decent. You will also find that of their menu all of their pasta, expect for the ravioli is fresh in house made. THANK YOU. I can't believe how many places in the North End don't make their own pasta. I look forward to going back soon....now I just need to get my butt to Strega!
(4)
Candace W.

There are a lot of little gem restaurants in the North End of Boston and Nico is definitely one of them. My family went there an earlier dinner before going to a Celtics game. The restaurant was very busy but our reservation made sure our table was waiting for us when we arrived. The restaurant is two levels, we ate upstairs and it was a little cramped - not a lot of elbow room between tables. Our Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and wine list. We started off with two appetizers on the table to share. The Caprese salad with Buffalo Mozzarella, basil leaves and tomatoes was delicious. Our waiter even gave us a little extra Mozzarella for someone at the table who was avoiding the tomatoes and just eating all the cheese. We also shared the Farm Raised Mussels and Littleneck Clams. Both appetizers were delicious and enjoyed by all. My husband and I both got the veal parmigiana which was a heavy meal (we could have split it) but very good. Also on our table was the Parmigiana Alla Siciliana (Eggplant Parmigiana) which is on the appetizer menu, but it was a good meal size and a Bruschetta Al Gamberoni, a.k.a. Shrimp sauteed in White Wine and Lemon over pasta. Everyone really enjoyed their meals. The house wines were wonderful. I had a Kris Pinot Noir that I now looking to find a bottle to buy. The biggest complaint aside from the tight quarters of the restaurant is the high prices on the menu. The food is delicious but this is not for someone watching the bottom line.
(4)
Young Bae K.

My husband and I had lunch here and it was fantastic. First, they take reservations, because we do not like to stand in line for a long time, which can happen around here. For the North End, the size of the restaurant was roomy. We were seated by the open window, and were treated to the beginning of a parade, bagpipes. the whole deal. We were only the third party in the restaurant at 12:00, which is the first seating. By the time we left at 1:00, the restaurant was packed. We had the special appetizer: prosciutto, arugula, grilled artichokes, tomatoes, mozarrella: delicious! It was really a large portion, so for two people I would only order one to share, and then entrees, which were also a hearty portion. I had the spaghetti and calamari, and he had the special frutti di mare with pasta. Service and food excellent. I would definitely try to to back for dinner.
(5)
Melody N.

We went with a friend using a Groupon. My husband was looking for parking and dropped me and my friend at the restaurant. The hostess said she couldn't sit us at the first level without the whole party being there but then a minute later said she could seat us at the lower level with just my friend and I. The lower level is more spacious than the first level and quieter. The decor is nice with lots of flat screens everywhere. There were playing the game, which was appreciated by husband(and the servers!). After the game was over, they played a movie with no sound, but some scenes in the movie were a little awkward to watch while dining. When we were finished dining there was a scene with teenage boys jerking off because they were watching a dirty movie. Don't really want to see that when I'm eating....My advice to the people picking the movie to play - if you can watch the whole thing with your great-grandma(or can imagine watching it with her), you can play it. Conclusion- nicely decorated but slightly strange background visuals. The food portions were impressively large. We had lobster crepes, lobster ravioli, and cioppino(which was one of the specials). My husband was a little disappointed with the lobster ravioli and felt that the filling needed more flavor. I appreciated the large chunks of lobster meat in the sauce and inside the crepes. I didn't care much for the grill marks imparted on the crepes which gave off a bitter taste to the dish. My friend's cioppino was gigantic and had scallops that almost the size of my palm and half of lobster. The seafood were fresh and cooked well. The noodles in her dish were fresh but weren't coated with the sauce leaving them bland. I wished the server advised to share the cioppino especially due to it's size and its price($44). My friend and I went home with leftovers. I might try this place again but I think I would wait around for another groupon as this place was very expensive!
(3)
Sharon O.

The food was absolutely excellent. From the bread to the meatball appetizer to the rigatoni de sel (nice big shrimp, scallops cooked the way they are supposed to be, excellent sauce). Our waiter was very kind. The restaurant was absolutely packed and we had to wait past our reservation time to be seated... although they accepted our reservation for 10... this number of people is ill-advised for many a small restaurant in the North End! Regardless, we had a wonderful dinner. The only kind of discomforting thing was that we sat in a small basement room directly under a flat screen tv. The waiter told us the flat screens are there to promote a casual atmosphere... all they succeeded in doing for our visit was annoy us with flashing light and content. Wish there was another way.
(4)
Kim K.

I'm really torn on this review - on the one hand, the food was delicious, reasonably priced, and in great portion sizes. On the other hand something was just *off* about Nico - we waited 25 minutes for a table even though we had a reservation, the staff were all a bit too smarmy for my liking, the owner had not one but TWO pictures of himself in the menu, The Godfather was playing on the TVs over the bar - I don't know, it's was all just too much. Too much faux grandiosity. If you want to impress me, deck the place out - instead the walls are bare. Have a really sleek modern bar - instead it was run down looking and kind of dirty. Have your staff be on point - instead of trying to charm me out of being annoyed by the mediocre service. Spend some money on lux tables and chairs - instead of trying to pass off furniture that is falling apart. And take some WD40 to the freaking kitchen door. I listened to it squeak open and closed all night long. Nico just misses on every mark. Will not be returning any time soon.
(2)
Harold F.

After numerous trips to this restaurant, it is safe to say it has become my favorite in the north end. The space inside is cozy but not cramped, the wine list is excellent and the food is second to none. I will continue to come to Nico to get my monthly pasta fix.
(5)
Jeff C.

The atmosphere, food and service is excellent. Staff are very friendly, and portions are just right!
(5)
Lindsay B.

I'm so disappointed to write this review! I love Nico and always come back to eat here when I'm in town. Last time may have been the last. We were seated over an hour after our reservation, our waiter seemed disinterested in us and taking our orders, and bringing our check. They did send over glasses of limoncello after the meal. The food was excellent, as usual, but I was so disappointed in the service and wait.
(2)
CW W.

For Christmas I got a Phantom Gourmet gift card. Went looking for Italian and picked this one. We had reservations so were promptly seated. Like all restaurants in the North End lots of tables cramped into a little space with not a lot of room but that is expected. Our service started off well, the waiter greeted us promptly with a smile on his face and the bus boy brought over water and bread. The bus boy was very diligent after we first sat down, replenishing our water, clearing away plates but towards the end of the meal when our water glasses were empty he never came by again. He was clearly not busy as we could see him standing doing nothing, so that was disappointing. Our waiter however was very pleasant. He took our order and we were served our appetizer in good time as well as our entrees. Onto the food . We ordered the risotto balls arancini and they were not that great at all. The risotto inside tasted overcooked and the outside shell wasn't very crispy. Overall they just tasted soggy and like they had been under a heating lamp for awhile. Entrees were the gnocchi and the daily special risotto with scallops and mushrooms. The gnocchi was a let down, they tasted 'old' but the sauce was ok. Sadly the risotto was also a let down. It came with 5 scallops which were all overcooked but the risotto itself with the mushrooms was ok. We didn't stay for dessert, they only had 4 options anyway. Glad we had a gift card as would have been even more disappointed had we paid full price. Like I always say, never take my word and try it yourself.
(2)
Kay D.

Out of all the many, many Italian restaurants in the North end, we chose this one. The Good: service was fairly prompt, food was very good but not fantastic. Now the Bad: Water glass was filmy and smudgy but from my vantage point with a setting sun shining on all other tables, so were all the glasses. So we didn't squabble. I was with my 18 yr. old son. Don't know if that had any effect on the service given but we were only given menus. I had to inquire about the risotto of the day, which I ordered. So when another waiter prattled on about numerous specials at the table next to us, we initially credited it to our waiter being inexperienced or tired (it was only 6pm ???). However our very own waiter recited a whole list of specials to a family of 4 next to us. Perhaps one of those specials might've appealed to us. Who knows? In any case the place wasn't extremely busy so we took our time savoring the meal, maybe an hour start to finish. But my son was asked four times if he was finished, like they wanted to turn the table. One odd thing is that they had "Il Postino" playing on a loop on all four TVs behind the bar. Not the best experience so we won't revisit especially given the number of Italian restaurants in the neighborhood.
(3)
Francis B.

Wow - been there twice and both times was a OUTSTANDING! When you eat there Carbonara you think you are sitting in front of the Pantheon. Great service. Outstanding wine list. Reasonable (for the area) pricing. Call out to Tyler - he was great to us on Father's Day. Ask for a window table on a nice day and watch the people walk by.....AMAZING.
(5)
Pilar B.

Fabulous meal! Delicious calamari. Great meatballs. Sat by the window and looked at Paul Revere in the sunset. So lovely.
(5)
Harumi U.

After I completed the freedom trail with a lightening speed, I was ready to eat. As I entered the restaurant, I was promptly seated. Given that I was by myself, they offered a bar seating and I took that option. The bartendress was such a friendly woman who just kept tending my needs without it overwhelming and kept just enough conversation going. And she definitely knew her food as I asked a few questions. One of my pet peeve is wasting food, so while I love eating a lot of different things, I want to make sure that I order just enough. I am glad I followed her advice and skipped appetizers and just took a main course. I can tell you that you will not leave here hungry. They also provide bread with great olive oil - in the oil, they provide a few different olives. For my food, I ordered rigatoni alla sal with the hugest shrimps and scallops I have seen in this kind of dish and very very generous serving of truffle sauce which was so addictive. Even after I was completely full, I caught myself eating sauce with bread! One thing I must mention - rigatoni was cooked a bit more than I would have done if I was cooking. Maybe they do that to make sure that the pasta can absorb as much of that sauce as possible. i walked out happy and full with just that dish!
(4)
Laura W.

Had a great night there with cm some friends. From college. Food was great- stuffed red peppers, caprese, and rice fritters to start and then i had the sea bass- best fish dish ever. Server helped pair wine with each course although not a very extensive wine list. Looking forward to returning.
(4)
Teddy S.

Read the reviews ahead of time and made sure we sat upstairs or at the bar. We sat at the bar and Vanessa was working. Friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. We shared an antipasto (good but the veggies had a very strong vinegar taste). Went with chicken parmesan and an order of homemade pasta with sausages and artichokes. Great taste and large portions. Finished with chocolate moose with nutella cookie. To top off the night, Street Magic came by and sang a couple of songs. Tuesday nite is arcapella nite at strega. The guys come by Nico for a set (about 730). Food was good and would be 3 stars but the addition of street magic & Vanessa raised the experience.
(4)
Clinton W.

Nico is a small Italian restaurant located near the far end of Hanover Street, kind of away from the hustle and bustle. It is a small place, but so are most of the places in the North End. We had a 6:30 reservation, and we were seated right away upon our arrival at 6:15. We had a nice open window seat, which was great because the weather was perfect. The service, food, and noise level was perfect. Our party left there with smiles, and the feeling that we would be back again someday.
(4)
Sarah B.

This place was so good. Chicken parm was HUGE & marinara sauce was perfection. I could go back every night.
(5)
Toby T.

Amazing Italian food; had a seafood sampler, Chilean Seabass, and Lobster Ravioli - all were quite delicious.
(5)
Derek A.

I literally just went back and forth between three and four stars about five times before diving into writing this review, and will probably go back and think about it again before submitting. Here's the good: the food, which is clearly the most important. We started off with paper-thin prosciutto and Parmesan cheese drizzled with EVOO and enjoyed some of their signature cocktails. One of them has become a popular one at home (Jack Daniels Honey with Cranberry juice). For dinner I had lobster ravioli after much debate, and my wife had the seafood fra diavolo. We could have just ordered her dish for the two of us - an entire half lobster, about six shrimp, six scallops, and six mussels over pasta. If we weren't in a hotel room and three hour drive home, we would have had enough for at least one more meal. It was all delicious and showed a great deal of respect for the natural flavors of the seafood. We also were treated extremely well by the waitstaff - though we had made reservations for a table, once we walked in we decided to sit at the bar - we love a bar with a nice little corner nook, which is exactly where we sat. The host checked on us several times and really made sure we were enjoying ourselves - it might have even bordered on too much. The biggest complaint is that there are simply too many TVs for such a small, intimate space. I can completely see having one in there, but four? It is a really weird decision that takes away from the whole experience, which is otherwise very positive. Oh - one important note... they have beer, wine, and cordials, but no straight gin, vodka or whiskey. Just an FYI.
(3)
Jeremy F.

Food was good, a little pricey. Went on a rainy day, place was empty.
(3)
Ilana O.

Terrible customer service. Rude and not helpful staff. So this was my boyfriend and my second time. Actually third TRY technically. And we didn't end up even eating. We went once with a groupon, it was good, so we got another and tried to go again on a weekday. I was late to meet him and he waited at the bar with drinks for almost an hour. When I got there they told us they couldn't seat us anywhere but the bar because they were booked. Not even giving my poor boyfriend any kindness considering he'd been sitting there forever and ordering drinks while waiting. So we left and ate somewhere else- the groupon expiration date was that Saturday so we decided we would go then because we were busy otherwise. We come back Saturday, this time with reservations. We decide to make them on time we will not take the T but a cab. Apparently there was a sox game and that took twice as long. We called the restaurant and told them we would be late and asked them to hold the table. When we get there, first thing we do is ask about our groupon- today's the last day we want to make sure it is all set. The host tells us Fridays and Saturdays are blackout days, even though the last day is today. He can't help us. Why would the last date they chose be a day you can't use it? AND THEN he is incredibly rude and tells us because we are late our reservation is gone. He has to help other people. He cannot tell us how long it will take. He will come back when he has helped other parties and give us an accurate time. Usually he would save the reservation, but people are usually only 10 minutes late. WELL SIR THATS WHY WE CALLED AND ASKED. The host could not have been more rude or less helpful. Waste of time and money, this place.
(1)
Linda L.

Our waiter was charming. Just here a month from Italy and took great care of us. Recommended an excellent Italian wine. The food was really fresh. The antipasti was delicious and my husband said the meatball app was the best and he is very particular about his meatballs. We were celebrating my 50th birthday and the waiters sang happy birthday beautiful. Made my night!
(4)
Lauren L.

I made a reservation for Saturday night at 6 for 5 of us, my parents and two relatives. We had a great table, the service was excellent and the food was great delicious. The only sad part was that I ordered just linguine with red sauce, (which wasn't explicitly on the menu) and my portion was reaaalllllly small.... it looked like a side-portion, while everyone else's meal was ENORMOUS. Other than that, it was good! My linguine was delicious (albeit VERY small).
(4)
Chris S.

We went to Nico based on recommendations from Yelp. We were not disappointed. The portions are good value for the price. The food came hot to the table and were both tasty and filling. I had the stuffed peppers to start and it was almost like a main course. My wife had the soft mozzarella with grilled artichoke and it was delicious. She followed that with the spaghetti with meatballs and couldn't finish it. I had the rigatoni with scallops and shrimp which was well prepared and filling. The service was very good so we really felt we got value for money. I would definitely recommend this place. Not cheap but good value.
(4)
Rakiesha C.

Took my husband to Nico for his birthday. Love, love, loved it! The place is a bit cramped, but still comfortable. We were seated in the downstairs area. They were playing one of the Godfather movies on the TV, and then switched to the Bruins game. The TV was muted, so I didn't really mind. Our server (Bruno) was the best. He gave suggestions, had a sense of humor, and was just all around helpful and attentive. He was even willing to work with my dietary restrictions. The food was very good. We had a salad with homemade mozzarella, lobster ravioli and shrimp pasta dishes. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. Using a Groupon was very easy as well. I was shocked to get such great service. The prices are a bit high, but for the area and quality of the experience, I think it's totally worth it. Would definitely check them out again.
(4)
Sheri G.

I visited my home town while on a business trip and wanted to try someplace new in the North End that would please a variety of coworkers, so I decided on Nico. It ended up being a good decision; everyone raved about the food and the quaint yet contemporary feel of the restaurant. The lobster ravioli, shrimp fusilli, burrata, and eggplant parm were excellent. The calamari was so-so. Good service although they did spill my friends half glass of malbec near the end of the night and didn't give her a refill. Tsk Tsk. The pasta dishes may be a few dollars higher than what you'd typically find in a more traditional North End restaurant, but the food was worth it. This would be a good date spot too, especially the downstairs dining area.
(4)
Terry S.

The restaurant was full and we were an hour late for our reservation due to traffic. They accommodated us and got us right in. The food was outstanding! This is a must visit restaurant in the North End.
(5)
Megan M.

Went to Nico a few weeks ago with my boyfriend. We started upstairs- but the AC was broken so requested to be moved downstairs. The downstairs is your typical crowded north end atmosphere, nothing glamourous, but cozy. They were very accommodating and every server/hostess we met was fabulous. The downstairs was packed, lots of groups, and it seemed like a lot of italians, always a good sign. We started with cocktails and calamari, both were fabulous. Both of us wanted to change up the pasta dishes on the menu, making small changes, and again they were very accommodating and we both loved our meals. The food was good, but i've never had a bad meal in the north end. The highlight for me was definitely the staff. I will be back!
(4)
Keleigh Q.

I really enjoy this place. The Carbonara is fantastic, and the people I dined with also raved about the Veal Marsala and Spaghetti and Meatballs. The Specials always sound great, too. It is a small space, but I have had great luck with Open Table and love the little tables by the windows. The service is incredible and the prices are reasonable.
(4)
Debi W.

Don't be fooled by the stock pictures shown on yelp....likely provided by the restaurant. Seating at street level is very limited, and on a busy night do not be surprised if they seat you in the cramped, dingy, smelly, windowless BASEMENT! Yes that's right...the basement. They never tell you about this when you make the reservation, nor do you have an option when you arrive. NEVER go to this place when there are so many fine italian restaurants to chose from. Food - Average at best..kinda like a Olive Garden Service - Not as good as an Applebees Ambiance - Like a dungeon ! Leaving as Quick As We Could - Priceless! Go at you town risk....you have been warned!!
(1)
steve g.

I live i NY and we have some of the best Italian restaurants in the world. Nico is probably one of the best Italian meals I have had. Food was very fresh and not to heavy. Sometimes Italian restaurants add lots of oils and cheeses to their dishes making it really heavy, but this was perfect. Wait staff and service was excellent as well. Check it out if you are ever in the North End section of Boston MA.
(5)
Owen C.

Pricey but tasty. Small place and gets busy, so reservations help. TVs have local sports teams playing also... added bonus :)
(4)
Jeffrey G.

My wife and I were looking to enjoy a last dinner in the North End on Sat 7/7 before our early morning flight back to SoCal. We chose Nico in the Hot + New group. One of our best meals ever! Great service and delicious food cooked to perfection. This is a traditional North End location so expect tight quarters, aka Italian family style.
(5)
Pink Peony P.

We went here for dinner last night and we were quite impressed by the delicious food and with an amazing good Groupon deal. The real statement about "big Italian dinners" is proven at Nico. We were amazed by the generous portion of each dish! We couldn't even finish half a dish of the calamari ... and it was delicious. My mushroom raviolis were incredible (by far, the best I have had recently) My boyfriend's rigatoni dish was favored well and nicely presented. I never thought to say this, but Nico got me at the first "hello" with their bread and olive oil. We made reservation for 8pm, but didn't get seated until 8:20pm. The table for the two of us was very small, so we couldn't fit all our dishes and the waiter had to sweep all our food into one plate to make room for the rest. I felt enclosed in my seat and wish that there was some room to breathe a bit. That's why they lost 1 star from me. Overall, a great place!
(4)
Pasha C.

Much to my horror shortly after we got here an a Capella group started singing... Non stop! So much for conversation or any hope of a nice meal. One song would have been survivable, but it went on for a long time. By the time the meal came, I wasn't interested anymore.
(1)
Laura K.

After reading a lot of favorable reviews, I decided to purchase the Groupon to Nico. Of course, I waited until the last day I could redeem it, and I was very pleasantly surprised! I've been to last day Groupon rushes before, where we've been treated rudely, the restaurant has been very stressed and therefore rude. However, you couldn't tell that this was the last Groupon day. We got a reasonable reservation, were seated promptly, and everyone was very friendly. Being in the North End, it's a fairly small restaurant, but it's very nice inside - I would definitely enjoy coming on a date here. Our server, Hakim, was very nice and helpful in suggesting what to order. We started with the eggplant (something I never try to make at home) which wasn't over oiled, and was delicious! I had the lobster crepes, which were literally bursting with lobster, and had an amazing sauce to go with the homemade crepes. I was also amazed at the portion size - I had a good amount left over, and despite my hesitation on warming up seafood leftovers on the 2nd day, were excellent still! My friend decided to be difficult and custom ordered pasta, shrimp/scallops, and fra diavlo sauce, which he also said was excellent, and again a good portion. We'll be back!
(4)
Eric C.

Nico's had great food, an intimate north end atmosphere and top notch staff. I had a party of 4 at the last minute and the staff were very accommodating. After talking with the bartender Vanessa, I decided to have her clear some space at her bar for my party and we ended up having a wonderful time. Vanessa was very attentive, and treated my mother and cousin like she knew them for years.
(5)
Yiwen G.

1. Food: good, they have house made pasta, brutta was good with hearty artichoke and bright balsamic drizzle, eggplant parm was good , really good! 2. Service: good. attentive. But i don't like the fact they don't tell you the price of the daily special, we ordered the Burrata , which turned out to be $18! Although it was good, it definitely was not the best Burrata i have ever had , other fancier restaurant charged less for it than them. and other daily special entree we didn't order, and I come back to yelp, and read about they were all like $40+ , $50+, ( they are not dry aged steak with truffle , neither other fancy ingredients). feel like the restaurant is not honest and try to make money by cheat a little bit. 3. Environment: cozy, romantic
(4)
Christopher F.

In continuing my tradition of trying a new restaurant each time I go to the North End, I found myself at Nico a few months back. Made a reservation (which was simple enough online), and upon arrival was seated at a table right by the window. The service was excellent. Our waiter was friendly, conversational, and always readily available. He was also very knowledgeable about food and wine. The food was delicious and had that special, indescribable North End flavor. Specifically the meatball appetizer may have been the best I've ever eaten. The one qualm I had was that the restaurant is located directly across the street from a fire station, and with the windows wide open, as they are on summer nights, you will hear the loud sirens of a fire engine if it happens to leave the station. Overall, definitely worth trying this restaurant. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
Philip M.

Mehhh. Solid three-star experience but there's definitely better in the North End, especially for the price. Also don't appreciate being lied to about the price of a special. I came here with my boyfriend to use our groupon deal on a Tuesday night around 7pm. We were seated promptly, bread/olive oil was brought out quickly, and the service for the night was nearly perfect. Only bad thing about the service was when I asked for the price of one of the specials I was told it was $32 when it ended up being $44 at the end of the meal. Quite frustrating. Food was pretty good but nothing to write home about and surely not worth the prices. For an appetizer we ordered the Shrimp Bruschetta, which was quite good and a highlight. Then again it was $18 for 4 shrimp and a slice of bread. For the main dishes, my boyfriend ordered the pork chop and it was alright. The meat was tougher than we expected, although the sauce it was cooked in was good. I got the veal which was alright as well. Definitely not worth the $32 OR the $44 price tag. We were also expecting a more romantic experience and the decor and feel fell short on that measure as well. Bathroom was really gross too, hopefully the staff isn't using that same one.
(3)
Mrs. G.

Nico is a nice little spot. We had a small holiday party here and it was intimate and the waiter was very friendly. The decor was nice and they had valet services. The food was also very yummy. We had bruschetta, gnocci and we were offered a very nice wine selection. This would be a nice spot to take a date.
(4)
Ama N.

ehh:-/ I wish I could say this was an amazing meal but this really didn't knock my socks off. I got the rigatoni in a sausage bolognese and it was definitely mediocre. It didnt have me wondering whose grandmother was in the back cooking as it did at their sister restaurant Lucca. We also got the cheese and meat spread and the prosciutto and parmigiana as an appetizer. One would think no two appetizers would be the same, but these two are. The cheese and meat plate was amazing but had just as much prosciutto as the prosciutto and parmigiana appetizer although we are meat people and devoured every tasty morsel. My friend got the lobster ravioli wish left her hungry :-/ The tiramisu and the cream puff desserts were just ok. oh and the martinis! all sugar no actual liquor so dont waste your money. overall what saved the meal was our charming Moroccan waiter Akim and the $60 off groupon deal! #word but def try Lucca, you will die!!!!!!!!
(2)
Christina C.

Very expensive for the food you get and the quality of service. 2 stars is slightly generous, but hey there's a lot worse out there. We read reviews on yelp before my boyfriend and I tried Nico. Went in with high expectations, but left really disappointed! First, the space is cramped...I could hear the person at the next table breathing. Awkwardly close. Our prosciutto appetizer came drenched in olive oil. We were waiting for our waiter to check in so we could send it back, but of course no one came by until our entrees were served. Did they ask about our uneaten app? Nah, just bussed it. Nothing terrible about the entrees but certainly nothing remarkable. In terms of service, our waiter took our orders and was never seen again. Also, the hostess was wearing leather hot pants. Like a train wreck.
(2)
Katie S.

We had a large group of people where we had to accommodate different diets -- a vegetarian, a pescetarian and someone with a gluten allergy. Nico was able to provide fantastic meals for everyone in our group and we had a blast! The food was excellent, the wine was great (though a little pricey) and the service is some of the best in the North End. Our group was made up of Boston natives and out of towners and everyone agreed that this was one of the best meals they had had in a while. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. The one thing I would suggest is to request a table downstairs if you are looking for a quieter meal -- the upstairs was packed with people at the bar and people waiting for their tables and it was very loud and crowded (it was a Saturday night). The downstairs space is really nice and better for dinner.
(4)
Chelsea C.

I went here on a girl's night out date a few weeks ago at the recommendation of one of our co-workers. It's a little bit further up Hanover St. than other restaurants along this strip, but this is actually nice because you're able to get past all the drunken bros stumbling along the street. We made our reservation for 8:30 and arrived a few minutes past our reservation, We were given the option of sitting upstairs or downstairs, and we chose downstairs to avoid the cold air being right by the door. The decor of the restaurant is very nice, and the seating is pretty spacious for a small place in the North End. Our waiter was very attentive and brought us water and bread with olive oil (and olives in the olive oil). We ordered a bottle of wine and he had us taste it before pouring it for us to ensure it was what we wanted, which I know is typical of a nicer restaurant, but it's still new to me so I was impressed! Our food was amazing, I ordered the pasta carbanera sans pancetta, and my friends ordered alfredo and linguine with clams. The alfredo was a little chicken heavy in that there was waaaaaay more chicken than pasta, but overall everything was delicious. The service was impeccable, from our waiter to our bus boy to the rest of the staff we encountered. The service combined with the food will definitely keep me coming back!!
(5)
Erin H.

Expensive and non-impressive. I ordered short ribs special and it was $42 and just very bland and not close to worth what was paid. My husband ordered the gnocchi which again was okay. Would not ever come back or suggest it.
(1)
Robert B.

Only came here for an app, but was quite happy with our decision to go with the arancini. Atmosphere was Cozy with a twist, as the Godfather played above the bar on all the TVs. The waitstaff was amazing. attentive, and eager to give advice on the menus.
(5)
Jess B.

Great atmosphere. Has that cozy North End charm. Extensive wine list, and nice cocktail menu. Ordered some apps at the bar and the staff was more than attentive. Great service and the food was delicious. Definitely recommend this place.
(4)
Anna T.

Really really really good Italian food here. Fun, noisy upstairs with an open bar area and a more quiet, intimate, dimly lit downstairs. I went here with 2 girlfriends for dinner on a Friday night and there wasn't a line out the door waiting to get in but we definitely made reservations to be safe, it is the North End after all. I had the linguini with littleneck clams in a Fra-Diavlo sauce, SO DELICIOUS!! The sauce was a great level of spicy and the clams were fresh and obviously the pasta was perfect. We split a bottle of wine (which was a fantastic choice price wise) and it was equally as tasty as the meal. The price is very decent for not only the North End but Boston in general, especially for the quality of the ingredients. I would highly recommend this place and will definitely be back soon! Also, check Groupon frequently for great deals here!
(4)
Alex B.

After researching great restaurants in the North End, we decided to try Nico Ristorante. We got a reservation on the same day we contacted them, and were seated 15 minutes before our slot. The servers are Italian, with great accents. They have a deep knowledge of the menu, are helpful and attentive, and highly professional and friendly. I ordered the Rigatoni alla Sal, at the recommendation of a fellow reviewer, who said she would like to have this as her last meal on earth. I would not hesitate to agree! The shrimp and scallops were perfectly cooked, the rigatoni was al dente, and the black truffle cream sauce was heavenly. The portion was generous, but still left room for dessert. A wonderful experience! I can't wait to return.
(5)
Mike C.

This was absolutely, hands down, the worst dining experience of my life. My wife and I made reservations for 7, and were seated on time. We were there for a little over an hour, finishing up a bottle of wine. The server came by and comped us two glasses of limoncello. I'm thinking, wow this place is great! A few minutes later, the hostess with a bad attitude came to our table and "asked" if we would mind finishing our wine at the bar. Before we even had a chance to respond, she was clearing our glasses. She moved us to the bar, but there were no open seats! She put our drinks right on the serving station. The whole time we were standing there, trying to avoid getting in the staff's way, there was an open table for 2 right in front of us. I have no idea why she kicked us out when she had another table available. When we left, she didn't even acknowledge us. No apology whatsoever. Judging by the other reviews, this place clearly has a problem with table management. They shouldn't be accepting reservations at all if they're going to operate this way. Also, the hostess has no business working in the service industry with such a terrible attitude. She's the main reason for the 1 star.
(1)
Alyssa P.

Had a fantastic experience here. We made a reservation and got sat right away at this really cute table in the front overlooking Hanover, my only complaint that people were ontop of us standing at the bar, but its the North End, its all crammed. The food was fantastic (arancini, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken parm) and our waiter was wonderful which made the experience better! I would go back.
(5)
Filipina M.

My bf thought the food was okay but wasn't all that. We made reservations because of the groupon deal of paying only $30 for $60 worth of food. We ate the lobster stuffed crepe which had wonderful good sized lumps of lobster but the crepe itself wasn't the flavorful. We ate the pork chops which had more chunks of fat attached to it than I was used to so that was a bit disappointing. But the seasoned potatoes and sauce that came with it was delicious. We ate the teramisu which I thought was good. We would go back there only if we had another groupon deal to use but if there was no offer going on then we would try elsewhere. The menu is very limited so choose wisely. Oh and you are about a foot away from your neighbor so if you are closterfobic then this place is not for you. The portions are huge so an entree will definitely fill you up.
(3)
Amir K.

amazing
(5)
Brenton T.

I haven't written many reviews on here, but I had to for Nico Ristorante. I can't say I've ever had service like this before. The manager, Bruno, made us feel like we were their only customers, catering to our every need and going above and beyond to ensure our satisfaction. This is the level of customer service you hear your grandparents boasting about that I thought didn't exist anymore. The food was delicious. Great atmosphere. I'll definitely be going back.
(5)
Florina K.

The food here is pretty good!! The veal parm. was good. And veal saltabocca was good as well! The dessert we had tiramisu was just okay... and the fried calamari was a bit disappointing because it was mostly the hot peppers...not as much calamari. The atmosphere here is good if you get a good table... otherwise it can feel cramped, and cold if you sit by the door during the winter time. If you are looking to have nice dinner and watch a good game this is the place.
(4)
Marlee B.

Went here for my boyfriends birthday and had a great time! It was further down hanover street so there weren't too many crowds of people. The restaurant was small and intimate (which I enjoyed a lot). The waiter was friendly and explained all the food very well and he was very attentive during our whole meal. The food was great. My portion was huge and there were plenty of leftovers. Also, on Tuesdays they do accapella night. The group was awesome and they even sang happy birthday to my boyfriend. Also the waiter put our dessert on the house! It was a great experience and I defiantly suggest dining there.
(5)
Sam G.

I thought the meal, overall, was very good. I split the special appetizer, which was a caprese salad with artichoke and had veal saltimbucca for dinner. The veal was fantastic and came with a good side of veggies that are usually left out at other restaurants. The app was pretty good, and different because of the artichoke, but not the best starter I have had in the north end. Although I did like the meal quite a bit, the prices were a bit higher than what other restaurants charge for the same or better quality food. I think if I was getting treated to a great dinner, I would not hesitate to come back. However, I'm not sure I would come back if I had to pay myself.
(4)
Irissa N.

Great restaurant in the North End. We sat downstairs but they do have an open air seating upstairs. The only downside is the fire station across the street. I had the seafood pasta with lobster, clams, calamari, mussels and shrimp over linguini. It was so delicious in the tomato broth. We shared the caesar salad for an appetizer and it was good. i would recommend this restaurant for someone wanting to try something new.
(4)
Shane B.

Bruno & crew are 100% top notch! Always welcoming with a smile and a Welcome!! Giana (Bella) is knowledgeable and lively...always an amazing experience... Both atmosphere and cuisine.
(5)
yusi g.

the food was good, we really enjoyed the food. The service was so annoying. the shrimps were cooked perfectly, and the scallop was very tasty. the bread was tasty so was the olive oil which was served with olives. I would go again for the food but I don't think I would ever go again because I really didn't like the service. The hostess wasn't welcoming at all, didn't even smile once. The waiter we had was so annoying, trying to talk with an italian accent when it was very clear that he wasn't italian. i just didn't understand why he would do that? it was very irritating. he also kept on tapping my back every time he came to check on our table. This is incredibly inappropriate; we are not friends please don't touch me! I have NEVER been to a restaurant for the first time, and was tapped on my back by a waiter who is the same age group as me! I was asking the waiter- who thinks he's Italian- for advice on wine, it shortly became obvious that he had no idea what he was talking about, but kept on talking and pretending to know much- just say I don't know, or I've seen ppl enjoy this or that, or offer a taste, or ask the bar tender! Don't BS!! (also was only recommending the most expensive saying: if you like dry wine then you need to choose more expensive wine!" So annoying and also surprising since the restaurant is also a wine bar. lastly, the most irritating part of the night was when we were approached 4 times in the span of 10 mintues by the hostess, the bus boy, the waiter, and the person who was serving bread asking: is everything ok? IT WOULD BE, IF YOU LEAVE ME ENJOY MY DINNER AND NOT INTERRUPT MY CONVERSATION EVERY TWO MINTUES! oh, i also forgot, I asked for ice water.. oops.. the person serving it DID NOT LIKE WHAT I ASKED FOR. Unfortunately, it was not a good experience for me. I enjoyed the food, and hated everything else. If you're thinking of trying the place, you should though. I would recommend the bottom floor, in case they have less annoying service.
(2)
Lisa Z.

Well, this was just excellent, dungeon like atmosphere of the basement aside. Nico was sort of at the end of the line of the North End, so we were starting to get hopeless when everything else had a crazy line. And then when Nico didn't, we were like, well it must be bad. But we were wrong! This was great. It was somewhat of a carb-loading meal, as I had a 19 mile training run the next day. We got an appetizer salad that had barrata and artichoke and it was stupendous. Then the pasta I got, which had sausage and artichoke was also great. And boy did I run well the next day. Some day I am going to qualify for the Boston Marathon and boy do I hope I can eat that as my prerace meal!
(5)
Jessie H.

Great little place in North End to eat at, if you are heading to the Improv. We needed a place that took reservations since there were 8 of us, and then had the show to catch. Nico's was the perfect place for this. I personally started off with the calamari, that enjoyed thoroughly (as did the rest of the table). The peppers in it, really made it extra good. My husband and I each had the veal parm & chicken parm. Honestly, I am not sure which one was better. Both were absolutely delicious. From sauce to the pasta, we really enjoyed it. The rest of the table loved their meals as well - Spaghetti, alfredo, caprese salad, etc... Bruno out waiter was very nice, and made the evening enjoyable. The restaurant is very tiny and only has 1 bathroom. I think that was my only complaint! Then is was only a few blocks to walk to our show!!
(4)
Rich H.

I was in Boston to give a lecture and ended up eating at Nico. I had the shrimp appetizer, and the lobster ravioli. The shrimp were very good but it was served with pieces of bread, which appeared to be soaked in oil, which I did not like. The lobster ravioli was great. You get six large pieces of ravioli, and I could not finish it so I saved them for my flight home to LA the next day. It was the best food I have ever had on an airplane!
(4)
Andrew N.

I was searching for a place to eat with some friends along Hanover around 10:30 pm after a Red Sox game. Most of the places were closed or no longer serving food. Luckily, we found Nico's down the street. The cool thing about this place is it's open later than the other Italian joints along Hanover Street. In terms of the pasta, the food was just average, maybe even below average in comparison to the food available during normal business hours in the area.
(3)
Anthony M.

A quaint eatery, with gorgeous interior and decor, great wine list, and personalized service. The menu looked great, even though we just popped in for a glass of wine (which was a hard task given so many great selections). Moderately priced, friendly service, and great location. As far as food is concerned, we didn't order but if you want to stop in for a glass of vino...get the Nero D'Avola.
(4)
Marc W.

I came here for a late night after work dinner. We chose the place a bit randomly. We were greeted by a very friendly maitre d' who looked like a bruiser mafioso out of central casting. You could put this guy amongst the Sopranos and he would fit right in. After being seating one I was a bit overwhelmed by the several flat screen TV's all showing various mafioso movies like Good Fellas, A Bronx Tale, God Father, etc. Fortunately the sound was off all of them. Great movies but not the right while at a nice restaurant. I was on a budget so I had to abstain from all the wonderful appetizers that I saw. So I ordered only a main course and a glass of wine. For my meal I had mushroom ravioli in a mushroom cream sause. The sauce did not skimp on the mushrooms. And the pasta was very obviously well crafted. It was thick and chewy and had good taste unto itself. The wine was a very delisious Italian rose. I left a good tip and made sure that I complimented the mafiosi like maitre d' on my way out. I wanted him to be happy. I didn't want any problems if you know what I mean.
(4)
Lauren G.

Despite living a half a block away, I only just tried Nico for the first time this week! This review is for takeout, so it's solely based on the food. We called to order a quick dinner on a Tuesday night and were so pleasantly surprised at home quick and yummy the food was. We had a Phantom Gourmet gift card and finally got to use it here. I ordered the Gnocchi Sorrentina and my boyfriend got the Chicken Parm. It was shockingly ready in 15 minutes! The portions were very big, and surprisingly not too pricey for an upscale place ($35 total for both, including tax). The Gnocchi was delicious, perfectly cooked with great sauce, baked with mozz, and topped with fresh basil. The Chicken Parm itself was just okay - a bit overcooked and the chicken cutlet was definitely fried, which isn't my favorite, but the fresh pasta served with it was really amazing! They have an awesome barbeshop quartet that sings here on Tuesday, which is an added bonus. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying out the restaurant itself.
(4)
Kevin B.

Was thrilled that Nico took our large reservation with only a few days notice. Service was outstanding but food was just OK. Probably won't be back with so many options nearby.
(3)
Jon D.

This is a much better alternative to Strega...and you won't have to wait nearly as long for a table. It has the same owner, so you basically get the same great food at a slightly cheaper price. One of the best places on Hanover. Arancini were delicious...they had some beef and peas which were a nice twist. Caprese- nice big, juicy and ripe tomatoes...very good Meatballs- authentic and also pretty good Fried calamari- calamari is either great or crappy, there is little room in between...the calamari at Strega was great Gnocchi sorrentina- delicious, freshly made gnocchi in a simple, unadulterated tomato sauce that was not over-seasoned Veal marsala- well executed, cooked well...the flavors were there. Service was pretty good too. A good place for a date, or even a group.
(4)
Radhika M.

Came here with my friends because we got a GroupOn, but liked it enough to bring my family here the same week. Got seated at the same table both times too, which was funny. Service was great, and everyone was pretty satisfied with the food. I especially liked the lobster ravioli.
(4)
Ann L.

We came here last night for a girl's night out and did not have any expectations for the restaurant as it was our first time. We made reservation at 8pm and were a bit early. Luckily, there were three empty seats for us to occupy. The atmosphere was excellent and it set our mood straight after a long day of work. My party really enjoyed Nico, the food was great and the drinks were amazing. I have to give a big shout to our waiter, Moreno, who ultimately made our experience wonderful. Moreno was very sweet and informative. Be warn, this place is very small even with two floors. Overall, we will definitely come back.
(5)
JH J.

Efforts to try new venues (well, new to me!) in the North End are continually made easy with great offers from Groupon: I purchased a voucher from Nico offering $30 for $60 worth of food. Money well spent! Our server, Akeem, was great and very attentive -props to him. Our tradition is to order several items and tonight was no exception. The appetizers (shrimp bruschetta and eggplant & mozzarella) were amazing and definitely perfect for sharing. We did order the Nico salad, too -nothing overly special but good. Akeem had told us of the specials when we first arrived, and he was able to save us an order of the short rib and lobster pappardelle. It was scrumptious. Melt in your mouth kind of meal. Unfortunately, it made the Chilean sea bass we ordered look weak. That, and 2 of us thought that the sea bass tasted a little on the fishy-side. Clearly, my eating efforts were focused on the pappardelle special... My only complaint about the venue itself is that since it's a relatively smaller sized place, the acoustics were horrible. I could barely hear my 2 friends because there was a party of 8 right next to us who were having their holiday party dinner. Once they left, it was easy listening. Looking forward to a second visit soon!
(4)
Ross G.

Sometimes my girlfriend and I like to just go to the North End and find a place, although I tend to have my favorites. This night we were going to go to a restaurant a friend referred us to, but it was packed so we kept walking down Hanover looking at menus. We stopped at Nico and the matradee was outside selling the menu very well. Although I am not one to fall for that, he was quite good, and they had a good menu with reasonable prices. We each had a glass of wine less than $10 each, and we had a Seafood Fra Diavlo and the Double Cut Pork Chop. Both were outrageous. The Fra Diavlo was succulent, and you could tell the pasta was made that day. The Double Cut Pork Chop came with sweet mini peppers and potatoes with a burgundy demi glace that was rich and balanced. Highly recommended for a North End dinner away from the hustle and bustle of tourist traps.
(5)
Rhonda K.

Great find in the North end! Fresh olives come to the table ..just like in the old country! Great wine list , fair prices and the food was delicious. Generous portions too!
(5)
Michelle B.

We came to this spot by chance. The place is great and the service and food are excellent! We got calamari, carbonara, saltimbocca, and a steak special. All of it was really tasty and well prepared. The waiters were gracious and spoke Italian which added to the ambiance. They had the game on at the bar and a couple could have a romantic dinner in the dining room. I highly recommend checking it out if you are headed to Boston.
(5)
Daman K.

The service was GREAT. They made us feel like a part of their family. The food however was subpart compared to the other italian joints in the north-end BUT the Tiramisu was really light, fluffy yet creamy; just the way I like it.
(3)
Greg H.

We were really disappointed. When we arrived for our Open Table reservation, the hostess said she had a quiet table for us downstairs. She squeezed us into a tiny two-top between two other tiny two tops with barely enough room to side-step between the table. I've had more intimate seating at Waffle House. That said, after reading all the accolades from other reviewers, perhaps we simply ordered the wrong meal. It was one of the nights specials. Lobster tail, calamari, scallops and fish served in a large bowl with a tomato broth base. The lobster tail/claw was terrible. The tail meat was dry, tough and flavorless. Although the tail shell was large, there was practically NO meat. We each got one small bite and try as I might, just couldn't find the hidden meat. It actually made us laugh as we searched for the disappearing lobster tail. We had to wait after it was served for nearly 10 minutes for our waiter to return so we could ask for silverware. He brought us two forks, no spoons or knives. Would have been nice to at least have spoons so we could eat the broth, though in actuality, it was so bland that it wasn't a big deal. We had a bottle of wine for $60 and shared the seafood entree. Probably should have asked the price of the entree. With a 20% tip, our total bill was over $150. I think if we had chosen a more traditional meal I could give Nico three or four stars. One of these days I'll go back and give them another chance. Maybe.
(2)
Rene' Y.

I saw a deal on Groupon so I decided to give it a try and take my boyfriend out for a romantic dinner, despite that it takes an effort to go to the North End in Boston (parking and traffic...etc). The restaurant is small, which is not what I've expected, but it is quint. We were a few minutes late (yup, trying to find parking...) and waited a few minutes before we were seated. Did I mentioned the place is small? There is not a destinated waiting area so we have to wait "around" the bar until our table was ready, I was not so thrill because I made a reservation few days prior via OPEN TABLE. Anyhow, we were seated by the window, tucked away in a little corner, which I am very pleased. Our server Tyler was very friendly and very knowledgeable of the menu and specials of the day, he was also able to recommended a right portion of appetizer so the two of us can share. Food was delish, and the server was attentive. Pricing was reasonable for a restaurant in the North End. There are certain restaurants that we visit frequently, over and over. Now I will certainly add Nico to one of them on my list. I wanted a nice, quint dinner with my boyfriend with good food and good wine, and I got one last night. My birthday is coming up, I think I would like to come back to Nico to celebrate~~only if I can get the same table again.
(5)
Greg T.

Was this the best place I have been to in the North End? Not by a long shot... Will I go back in the near future? Probably not... Was it a good meal? It was, but nothing to write home about... I am on the fence about this place. I think that Lucia next door is better, and at a lesser price. The food itself was good, but nothing special. We had a great time, so I cannot say that it was a bad restaurant, I guess I was just expecting more and didn't get it. The employees were great and really made you feel comfortable, and will cater any dish to your liking. But all in all, I am not sure I would return or recommend to a friend. There are much better places in the area, and even next door for similar or less money.
(3)
Brian S.

Damn, this place is good. I came here with my girlfriend on Sunday on a Gilt City coupon, and we really enjoyed ourselves. The meal would have been $95, but was $65 with the coupon, and included two appetizers, two entree, and two glasses of wine. They had a separate menu for those using the coupon, but Nico definitely proved itself, despite my initial disappointment at being unable to order their caprese salad. Service: Fantastic! We came about 20 minutes before the reservation, but were seated right away, right next to the open front. Our waiter (I forget his name, possibly Alex) made it a special evening for us. After a minute or two of talk (he mentioned that he worked at MIT as a mechanic), he took our order, which was out right on schedule. My water glass was filled no less than seven times throughout the meal, and we weren't there for long. At the end, our waiter gave us an MIT pen and said it was a little souvenir for us! It's a small gesture, but it really meant a lot. Food: Oh my holy zombie Jesus, the food was delicious. They first brought out a large basket of bread. For only two people, there were 6-8 pieces of bread, with very good olive oil. For an appetizer, I had the arancini di riso, and it was so delicious that I wished the whole meal would consist of these succulent fried balls of rice. My girlfriend had the Insalata Nico, which I tried a bit of. It was good, especially the grilled pears, but I preferred my delicious arancini. (Which she stole some of!) For an entree, the portions were large, and the food was utterly delicious and very very rich. I had their linguine with clams in a scampi sauce--simply fantastic. I managed to eat all of the clams, but couldn't finish all of the linguine, despite my mouth protesting that it wanted more! The pasta itself was perfectly cooked, and I definitely believe that it was homemade, as it said on the menu. My girlfriend had their mushroom ravioli, which was the best mushroom dish I've ever had, hands-down. I've never been a huge fan of mushrooms, but the fried mushroom caps that were on top of the big pieces of ravioli were so delicious that they may have completely changed my long-held prejudices. Of all the food, this was probably my favorite dish, and is probably what I'll order if/when I find myself here again. Drink: With our coupon, we chose either red or white, and the wine was "chef's choice." While it wasn't the smoothest pinot grigio I've ever had, the glasses were about twice as large as I expected, the wine went very well with my entree, and I suspect that it went well with my girlfriend's meal as well. Overall: 5/5, I would absolutely recommend as a date.
(5)
Will S.

Solid experience. Walked in off the street 4 people, no reservation, was told it would be 15 min, but ended up getting seated right away. Never having been, expected it to be as expensive / not an enourmous value as Strega, but the prices actually weren't outrageous. Food: highlights of our table was the Veal Saltimboca and Rigatoni alla Sal. Wine: First bottle Mezzacorona Cab Sav $34 on menu (retails for about $10). So-so. Second bottle: a more expensive cab sav @ 45 bucks forget the brand but was infinitely better. At the end everyone was stuffed, we passed on dessert, and they were nice enough to drop a round of limoncello on the house. Walking out got the nice warm and fuzzy from the dining room manager with the handshake thanking us. A great touch. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Karen O.

We ate here on Saturday night. I thought I had made reservations when the person on the phone had said to come between 830-845, but when we arrived, he said he remembered talking to me, but that we did not have actual 'reservations' - but luckily, another reservation I guess had not shown, so he seated us within a few minutes. We were lucky since the place is one of those small restaurants on Hanover and the 'main' floor has 'maybe' enough seating for 2 dozen guests? I recommend making a reservation in advance and make sure to get the main floor otherwise, the 'ground level' feels like you're in a basement level dining room, while nicely decorated, we were lucky to be seated upstairs. We LOVED the appetizer special they had that night it was literally the BEST mozzarella we'd both ever had. Supposedly it is a special mozzerella brought in from the Naples, Italy area. Our entrees were amazingly delicious as well (photos of both posted). I was torn between the spaghetti and rigatoni, our waiter offered to include the meatball from the spaghetti entree to my rigatoni dish. Well come to find that it was $10 'extra' to add that meatball once we saw the bill, but by that point, we didn't care, it was delicious! my husband had the linguini w/ clams in a white wine sauce. I saw other comments about the TVs above/behind the bar, we barely noticed it since were in awe of our delicious food, good wine, and conversation! I don't know if the volume on the TVs was even on? The service was great too. The 'feel' of the restaurant is more 'modern' than say one of the other older restaurants that are more traditional in decor. If we go back to Boston, I could see us going back there again.
(4)
Kelly F.

I would say it was a pretty solid restaurant, maybe on the pricey side. We had the burratta with proscuitto . The cioppino and I had a chicken dish. The food was good the staff was friendly. I would go again if the place I really wanted to go to had a line. Also, I'm contemplating taking a star off because we had a lot of leftovers that I was looking forward to the next day, but everything tasted not so great. Should a place be judged on how the leftovers taste the next day???? I'm starting to think so!!!!!
(3)
Danielle R.

We arrived at Nico's and began the ever so fun task of valeting the car on Hanover. For those of you who aren't familiar with Hanover, it's a very narrow street that is always congested with cars trying to get to the many restaurants located on it. After we sorted out the valet ($20) we were promptly greeted by the friendly host, who had been waiting outside, and were quickly seated at one of their window tables. Our waiter brought us our menu and wine list, and shortly after we were ordering a bottle. As they poured us our wine the waiter went over a list of specials, some of which I struggled to understand because of his thick accent, however the accent also helped to make what we could understand sound absolutely mouth watering. We ended up ordering two appetizers, meatballs in sauce with ricotta cheese, and burrata with prosciutto, tomatoes, and artichokes. Up until this point I had only read about burrata in cook books so I was very excited to finally try it. Burrata is essentially mozzarella cheese encasing creamy ricotta cheese. Let me just say... it exceeded my expectations of how good it was. This appetizer was amazing, exactly what an app should be. The tomatoes were fresh, the meat was tasty, and the burrata was nice and creamy. My only comment would be that I wish there was more cheese!Our other appetizer was an individual meatball with a dollop of ricotta cheese. It was delicious - It was a calabrese meatball with ground veal and wild mushrooms. The meat was extremely tender, the sauce was amazing, and the cheese was super creamy. For dinner I ordered Linguine with Clams. The meal was homemade linguine sauteed with clams in a fra diavolo sauce. This dish was straightforward, and overall very tasty. I don't normally order spicy food, but I guess Chris has been rubbing off on me, because this was spicy and I loved it. My only complaint was that the clams were a little gritty, and a few times I chomped down on a hard piece of shell, or sand, or something that shouldn't have been there. Chris ordered one of his favorites, Veal Parmesan. The veal was served with a spicy red sauce, over a bed of homemade pasta, with tons of creamy mozzarella cheese on top. Although very messy to eat, this was a really well done dish. On a side note, after eating at Nico's I have officially been inspired to start making my own pasta.... there is just no comparison. Dennis ordered the Veal Saltimbocca for his dinner. It was topped with prosciutto, fontina cheese, and sage, finished in a demi-glaze, served with a side of red peppers, asparagus, and creamy mashed potatoes. Dennis mentioned how much he loved this dish, although the portion was so large he couldn't possibly finish the whole thing. Last but certainly not least, Jan ordered the risotto of the day, which was risotto with scallops and mushrooms. This is how risotto should be done. It was creamy, delicious, and had overall a great flavor. Risotto should be made with a lot of love and attention, and you can tell that this one was. I would be excited to see what other risottos they have to offer! As we were finishing dinner we were stuffed. Chris and I had inhaled our food because of how hungry we were, so the thought of ordering dessert seemed blatantly out of the question. However, our waiter came over and told us that he would make us a special dessert, compliments of him. After we attempted to politely decline (we were seriously filled to the brim), we realized that we should just accept our fate, and we waited for the dessert to arrive. The plate, as you can see, was a deconstructed cannoli, served with fresh fruit, strawberry sauce, and chocolate sauce. Although we all were almost too full to try it, the filling had a great taste, and the fruit was extremely fresh. We all ate as much as we could of it, paid the bill, and headed home to pass out. Our entire meal was amazing. The food was great, the service was great, and the company I was with was perfect. It was the best place they could have taken two extremely hungry fatties who had just traveled for 7+ hours... so thank you Jan and Dennis! And by the way, absolutely go to Nico's! The prices were extremely reasonable for the quality and amount of food we got (Around $20 for a pasta dish and $20 - 37 for a meat dish), and the service was impeccable! For more restaurant reviews: theloveofpasta.com
(5)
Matthew B.

Amazing dinner and outstanding service. I came to Nico based off of the great Yelp reviews and was not disappointed. Our waiter, Bruno, was amiable and helped answer any questions we had. There is a nice upstairs with a bar that looks out onto historic Hanover street, as well as basement seating. The area is small and intimate, but that is nothing different from the rest of the restaurants in the North End. As for the food, the specials for the day were particularly outstanding. They start every table off with bread and olive oil (with actual olives in it). We then had the fried calamari that has a spicy mayo sause, which was outstanding with the breading of the calamari. The homemade pasta is delicious. As many other reviewers have said, the servings are huge. I had the osso buca for the main dish (a special that night), which was a veal shank with a wide, flat pasta noodle covered in chunks of lobster. Unbelievable. It was a little pricey, but no more than you would expect from a meal of this caliber. All in all, one of the best meals I have had in the North End.
(5)
Laura H.

I am a bit torn about this place. Although the romantic ambiance and service is there, the food was just not right for me. I went there on a Sunday night, and fortunately, we were seated right away. My friends and I ordered: a bottle of wine, burrata appetizer, scallop risotto and seabass. The food was okay, but definitely not exceptional. Seabass is one of my favorite fish, but I felt it just didn't have the freshness of a local caught fish. All and all, not disappointed I tried this place but wouldn't really recommend it for future outings.
(3)
James S.

Can't say enough good things about Nico - we've been twice in the last two months, and both times the service was fantastic! First time we went, it was just my fiancee and I, and our waiter gave us some great suggestions, including swapping out our appetizer for the burrata special. He also helped us navigate the wine list to find something in our price range. As entrees, we got enough food for four people and both were incredible! I had a bolognese type of dish with sausage, while my fiancee had the lobster crepes. Honestly can say I had never had lobster in a crepe, but I was clearly missing out! The second time we came back for a birthday celebration for a big group and the service was no less impeccable. We did end up in the darker downstairs area, but that also gave us an opportunity to be a bit louder. This time around I got a prosciutto-stuffed veal chop, which was absolutely perfect - the thing was also about the size of a small porterhouse! There's so many restaurants up in the North End that fail to deliver legitimately good Italian cooking; it's worth a bit further walk up Hanover to get to Nico. In a lot of ways, it has all the great things about its sister Strega restaurants (especially service) but in a bit less flashy, more cozy environment.
(5)
Ashley P.

I am updating to 5 stars because I have been here 3 more times and everything continues to boggle my mind. The food is DELICIOUS... the best in the North End. And the service is outstanding. I am looking forward to going back! :)
(5)
Aaditya S.

It is a good place for dine and wine. I loved the service, people are very kind.
(4)
Jen O.

Nico is very nice. It's cozy. The staff are VERY friendly and attentive. If this were not in the N. End, I have a feeling it could be less expensive. If it were less expensive, I might give it a higher rating. The food was somewhat bland and not inventive for the price. It reminded me of what I would get in an upscale Italian chain as opposed to a family owned N End experiential restaurant. I don't know why, but the fact that the salad dressing was just drizzled over the greens as opposed to mixed to cover every piece bothered me a lot. Petty? Probably. Also, the Fra Diavolo sauce was not spicy in the least. I had to add pepper to it. I like things hot, but this was bland -- tasty, but bland. I might come back, but I would have a different, less expensive dish. I don't consider this a dinner spot -- more snacks before another experience, a show or something. But, again, the staff were very friendly. The ambience was nice. Give it a shot for smaller plates/cheaper dishes.
(3)
Judith S.

Fine, but pasta wasn't special. Whole olives in the olive oil dish for dipping and bread was nice.
(3)
Arianna F.

This is my go to place in the North End. I love the food, love the waiters, love the environment, love the drinks. This is a very small restaurant... but that is what you are getting in the north end. It is perfect for everyone we have brought here and continue to go here with our friends and family.
(5)
Richard C.

Nico is one of the more reasonably priced restaurants in the north end. The menu included many of the core Italian dishes and the the food was overall pretty good. Our server was very attentive and pleasant. The decor was nice but the place is very small and it seems like the tables are right on top of each other. You feel like everyone is listening to your conversation, and the wait staff is brushing up against you.
(3)
Liv K.

Everything about our experience at Nico was great. We went on a Sunday afternoon because we had a groupon there. Our waiter, Alex, was so incredibly nice the entire time. We chatted not only about the specials of the day, but also about many other things. I ordered a special of the day, which was a veal chop stuffed with fontina cheese, proschuitto and spinach, and mashed potatoes with veggies. The veal chop was huge and very flavorful. My Husband ordered the steak domenico, and his portion was also very large and delicious. Their prices are very high, so I don't think we'd go back without a groupon. The waiters (especially Alex) are incredibly attentive, and kept coming around to make sure our waters were constantly filled and that we were enjoying ourselves.
(4)
Jeffrey S.

Like all the North End restaurants in the area, the space is small but you don't feel cramped. The food was excellent. Atmosphere was great. Service was good as well except for one small problem. Our waiter did not offer us the specials! I wondered why I couldn't find the surf n turf on the menu! Partially my fault for not asking when the waiter took our order. $100 for 2 glasses wine, 2 apps and 2 entrees. Left full, no room for dessert!
(5)
Chip S.

Nico is what you would expect in the north end. We sat in a very tight spot near the hostess station. The food was very good. We had a fresh pasta dish with sausage that was filling, well priced and very tasty. We also had the suppa de pesce. Loaded with shrimp, scallops and a 1/2 lobster in a fra diavlo sauce. Very well done. The chianti was excellent as well. The fire station was busy across the street and they hustled us out of there as it was a Saturday night and it was jammed.
(4)
Mary B.

Service was excellent. Food mediocre . Our appetizer , the mozzarella , artichoke, arugula salad was by far the best part of the meal. The arachini were disappointing, heavy and very overpowered by tomato sauce. I ordered the risotto special. the scallops and mushrooms were cooked nicely but the risotto had the taste and texture of white rice. The accompanying lobster tail was charred, dried out and tasteless. My guest had rigatoni with shrimp and scallops in a delightful light sauce. We visited on a quiet evening but I can imagine the place is quite noisy being open to the bar with many flat screen TVs on a busy night. Tried it on a groupon, wouldn't return.
(2)
Karen D.

Perfect! Nice small and authentic restaurant in the north end! Service was impeccable and the food delicious! Hakim, our waiter, was very attentive and helped us with the menu choices and specials. Great wine selection and atmosphere! Definitely will return. Very nice evening and staff!
(5)
Christopher W.

I've been living in the North End for 8 months now, and I've been systematically demolishing menus up and down Hanover. I haven't made it to a few of the big spots (mostly due to crowds or cost), but so far Nico is my go-to spot. The atmosphere borders on trendy, which deterred me at first, but the staff was warm and friendly. I've been in a few times now, and they always start off by telling me that if I want something that's not on the menu, to just ask for it. What a great start to a meal, right? Sold. The menu is relatively limited for those that are looking for some simple, stereotypical Italian dishes (which I'm not). The appetizers are simple, but to die for; the meatballs are phenomenal, salads are fresh and I'm told they use as much neighborhood ingredients as possible. I highly recommend the veal saltimbocca if you're not against eating baby animals (which I'm not).
(4)
Julie C.

My husband and I were visiting Boston 2 weeks ago. His cousin had highly recommended Nico's for dinner while we were in town. The three of us showed up for dinner without reservations and we were immediately seated. Half way through dinner my wine was knocked over by another customer and landed all over my dinner. A waiter was standing behind me and saw the whole thing. He quickly rushed over to remove my ruined dinner and clean off the table. He brought me a new glass of wine and informed that he was having my dinner prepared again. I told him that wasn't necessary since I was half done with it anyway (the portions were huge). Ten minutes later I had a fresh salad and a new dinner sitting in front of me. They boxed up my dinner to go and topped it off with free dessert for the three of us. The waiter was so apologetic all the way to door. I will always come back to Nico's if visiting Boston. They were truly awesome through the entire dinner and not to mention, the food was fabulous.
(5)
Will T.

Came here after a Red Sox game. It was late (10pm-ish) and this place was opened so big ups for that. Food is a bit expensive. Quantity is decent. But they give free bread! +1 on that. I saw a range of pasta served to my table. They all "look" good, but we were just so hungry that anything will do. Quality may not be the best around the Little italy area. Don't get the caesar salad. My friend got it and I have never seen a man not finish a salad. Too salty and cheesy. Nothing stood out to me except the fact that the TVs were playing the show starring the owner of the restaurant. I guess there isn't great late night shows in Boston...
(3)
K P.

I LOVED Nico's! I'm a bit picky about my Italian food (raised on the food from my Italian grandmother, I often find Italian food at restaurants just okay) but this food was fantastic. I ordered the Rigatoni with Shrimp, Scallops, Wild Mushrooms and Peas in a Black Truffle Cream Sauce. It was excellent! The largest scallops I have ever seen! I'm not usually one for cream sauce (I find it too heavy and too much on the dish), but when I noted this to our server, he made sure the kitchen put just the right amount of sauce on it, and added some tomatoes to cut the heavy cream flavor. The meal was unbelievable! My friend got the Lobster Crepes, and while she was concerned the lobster filling and lobster pink sauce being be too rich, her concerns proved unfounded and her meal was amazing. (I took a bite and would definitely order that dish myself!) Our server was Angelo, and if you are planning to eat at Nico's, I highly recommend asking for him. He made our night so much fun! He was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. And when we asked if Mike's was the place with the famous cannoli, he said he could make a cannoli better than Mike's (he was from Sicily and as he said, the cannoli came from Sicily). So he went in the back and personally made us a cannoli. I have never been a cannoli fan, but I would have licked that plate if it wouldn't have made a scene. And at the end, he brought us each a small glass of limoncello. Overall, the experience was perfect. The place is small and intimate, which I prefer because we felt we were getting special attention from both the servers and the kitchen and aren't just part of an assembly line. We didn't feel we were overcrowded by the small space, and there were plenty of people at the bar and we didn't feel it was too loud to talk. I could see that if the place was packed and really jamming, it might be a little loud, but I don't see how that could be overcome in any of the Italian restaurants in the North End. And they even had a really nice bathroom! I will definitely be returning to Nico's and bringing my friends and family there too! And remember - ask for Angelo. You won't regret it!
(5)
Boon K.

This was such a fun place to come with a brunch of girlfriends. They played disco music so there are some group dancing by their table. The food was good too. You can't go wrong a Giant Shrimp with bruschetta. I love the lobster ravioli. It was a great experience and the wait staff was so friendly, they even gave us a club music CD with our left over.
(4)
Brooke M.

I remember when Nico used to be disco themed, thank god it's not anymore. If you are looking for that ma and pa hole in the wall, this is not it (to be honest, they are rare to find in the North End now a days) but the small, modern, tastefully designed atmosphere and delicious food will bring us back. I was pleasantly surprised with the portions and how tasty the food was. We devoured chicken Marsala and Spaghetti with Calamari and both enjoyed every bite.
(4)
Randy W.

I love going to this great Italian restaurant in the North End. Tight seating (normal for this area) but great service and great food. Had the stuffed veal chop special. Awesome. Excellent wine list and great options for pasta. Had the oil and garlic pasta as a side dish. Great flavor.
(5)
Wonder Woman M.

Seriously? What's not to like when there are at least 5 waiters fawning all over you and making your every culinary wish come true? My husband had a business dinner tonight elsewhere, so I had to venture out on my own. Nico looked good and they had risotto, (which for us gluten free people, is one of the only Italian foods we can eat). OMG! The special appetizer was buffalo mozzarella, arugula, tomatoes and roasted artichoke hearts. To die for! Then I had the special risotto...scallops, mushrooms, and truffle oil. Be still my heart! Rounded out the meal with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc with the app. and Pinot Grigio with the main course. Just a decaf coffee for desert because really, I had just eaten 5 lbs. of cheese. Hands down, one of the best meals I have ever had. Sure, it was pricey, but I am on vacation, so what the heck!
(5)
Dani S.

While the menu is a bit small, the dishes are fabulous. This place has the best meatballs I have tasted in the Boston area. The service could be better - they are extremely nice, but not very attentive, they seem to be more wrapped up in talking with each other a lot. Otherwise, I would recommend checking it out - for the food definitely - and in summer the windows are open, adding a whole new dimension to the atmosphere. More calm at lunch time. Almost better to go for lunch.
(4)
michael l.

My girlfriend my best friend and I headed to Nico to celebrate my birthday, and boy was it worth it. When we first arrived it was about 10 minutes before our reservation time, and the hostess said that we could wait by the bar and she would come get us in a few minutes. She came back just after 8 and apologized that the table ahead had just ordered dessert but that she would seat us as soon as she could. We were eventually sat about 35 minutes after the reservation time, but you could tell she was genuinely sorry and hustled to get the table clean. We started with the calamari, which was fantastic. Not greasy at all, perfectly battered. The sauce on top was good as well, and the cherry peppers added a nice little kick. Bruno, our server was fantastic at helping us all find dishes that we were in the mood for. I think his line was 'You don't need those menus, i'm the facilitator. Tell me what you like and i'll get it for you". He really knew the menu inside and out, and helped us all find dishes we were thrilled with. I had the rib eye, which was possibly the largest steak I have ever seen. My girlfriend had the gnocchi, and my best friend the chicken alfredo. All the dishes had a lot of flavor, and were cooked perfectly. They even brought me out a dessert, and had the entire crowd of people in the restaurant sing me happy birthday (maybe we shouldn't have mentioned why we were there...). All in all a great experience, the food, the service, the atmosphere were all incredible. I will return as soon as I can.
(5)
Fong N.

Been here twice with friends.. Highly recommend. Our waiter Moreno was great! Friendly, he remembered us from just one time and was suggesting really good food.. Here's one not on the menu that we fell in love with.. Scallops in grand marnier sauce.... I almost licked the plate clean! Friendly service from everyone in the restaurant! Food was totally awesome! Tried the seafood pasta, veal chop and the surf n' turf - everything was cooked to perfection! Will go back with my other posse... : )
(5)
Shannon G.

I would actually give this 4.5 stars if I could. It made laugh reading another review that said they walked out when they tried to put them downstairs when my party was really happy to when they took us down there -my dad was in heaven to be at a nice restaurant with a big TV showing sports! It was really noisy upstairs so the downstairs worked much better for us. The waiters were sorta dressed like guido prom but it didn't matter. Our waiter Bruno was top notch -my sister was so impressed by his Italian that she asked him if he was fluent. He's actually from Portugal and can speak 4 languages and is taking Italian in school, interesting! He was on top of things, refilling our wine glasses and being very personable (unlike the waitstaff at another North End joint we tried that was of the hurry hurry here you go style.) Another fella who came by our table to take our plates and told us he was going to visit Texas soon because he'd met a girl from Austin and we were like awww. It was friendly service without being annoying, which is perfect. The food was good. I really liked the olive oil dip for the bread with the olives in it, very tasty. I had rigatoni dish with a light cream sauce, truffled mushrooms, peas, and seafood. It was a good cream sauce, very light with an abundance of really yummy mushrooms and giant, delicious scallops. One of my sisters had the lobster risotto special. She is usually very health conscious and doesn't eat huge portions of creamy carby stuff but she practically licked that plate clean so it must have been good. My dad got spaghetti and meatballs...or rather, one big meat ball resting on top of the noodles. He seemed to like it fine (although he is not one to fuss over food) but the presentation was certainly pretty. It was Friday night in the North End so all the restaurants were bustling so the fact that we weren't rushed out was a nice way to end the evening. The food was indeed pretty damn tasty but the ambiance was what made it really nice.
(4)
Kim N.

I was extremely disappointed! I did my research on Nico's restaurant and read all the reviews online, however it was not up to part with there five star review. I made a dinner reservation for my step mothers birthday ( a very special woman, she had an extremely bad year do to medical reason) and a group of friends. First off we all were seated in a room were it was scattering hot, so everyone was uncomfortable. Throw out the dinner I had to constantly repeat my orders for they were forgotten, example we order three appetizers but only two appetizers came. The third appetizer came during dinner. I order a second round of beers for everyone, it was prolonged do to the reason " they ran out", it took awhile before the drinks finally arrived. These are just some examples. I gave this place a star because the food was great it made up for the hot room that we were in, and the second star went to the server for personality, he was extremely kind and responsive. For the amount of money I spent, I wish I made dinner plans somewhere else that was more up scale! I do regret making reservations at Nico, I will not be returning there. I rather see my money being utilized better. Very disappointed:-(!
(2)
Joe G.

Took a date here. Service was so so. Food was pretty good. Nothing amazing
(3)
Julie M.

Went to Nico Restaurant last night for the first time. It was quiet w/ only 1 other couple in the dining room. Service was good, attentive w/o being overbearing. But the food...?? Not so good! We started w/ the Arancini balls for an app and they were warm, not hot and rather bland. The bread was warm, crisp and fresh, but the oil and olives...again bland.. For our main course we ordered the lobster ravioli in a pink sauce. This dish was well prepared and delicious. We also ordered the seafood special Fra Diavolo. TERRIBLE! The muscles had a funky..almost rancid smell and the broth was bland, bland, bland...isn't this supposed to be a spicy dish? And for a $44.95 price...we expected more..far more. Hard to believe Nico is part of the Strega family. Needless to say we will not be dining at Nico anytime soon. Very dissapointed!
(1)
Lauren A.

My husband and I are in LOVE with Nico! We had our wedding reception dinner here after our ceremony this past Friday. In total eleven people. The staff was amazing! They were able to fit us into a long table in front of the windows on the main floor. The restaurant didn't even have a problem with a cake being brought in. As for the food, my father said that the meat balls were the biggest he's ever seen, My mother loved her lobster, and my new father in law approved of the wine list! All of our guests were commenting on how great and prompt the wait staff was too! They are so attentive there. Thank you so much, Nico Ristorante! We will be coming back!
(5)
Big L.

My favorite restaurant in the North End and most likely Boston. Bruno and staff are fantastic and the food is amazing. They offer different specials and all are good. I have been 15-20 times and it's always always good. I live in the North End and have been to many good restaurants buys Nico is the absolute best.
(5)
Catherine M.

They were playing the Godfather during lunch; it was hard to eat while watching people get shot up into bloody messes. The waiter was haughty--pretentious. The food was good was overpriced. Only one of three dishes was very good. The Trader Joe's frozen gnocci is better than theirs. While other tables were given free limoncello at the end of their meal, we were not. It was not a memorable experience.
(2)
Boston F.

The good, small, intimate, good service, excellent menu & wine list (limited beer). The food was average and uninspired though the portions were large. The famous meatballs weren't as good as the chicken meatballs at Trade on Atlantic Avenue. As far as recommending, I'm neutral. Considering the cost it should be very good.
(3)
Kristin G.

I'd give 4.5 stars if I could. I went here tonight for a belated bday dinner for my sister. We had an (early, last-minute) reservation for 5:00 and were seated promptly. The service was fantastic. Totally attentive without being overbearing. My sister and I split a bottle of wine and calamari, which was delicious. Our entrees were also delicious- she had some kind of pasta with seafood and I had pasta with artichokes and sausage- amazing. The food was great and so was the service. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Casey H.

Solid experience. I had the chicken parm which I thought was very good. Burrata appetizer was just ok. I also had a taste of the eggplant parm, which was very good. Service was also solid. I would go back to this place.
(4)
Erin M.

Run-of-the-mill romantic dinner place with very friendly staff. I went here looking for a quick, relaxing bite to eat with my boyfriend and that's exactly what we found. The hostess lured us into the restaurant by explaining all the good food they have when we stopped to look at the menu outside. We sat at the bar and the bartender was chatty/friendly but might have gotten annoying if we'd stayed longer. We split the lobster ravioli, which was tastey (although not the best I've had), and had a delicious sauce that we scooped up with the very very good bread that they gave us. The olive oil that the bread came with had olives in it, which I really enjoyed. We split the bill on our credit cards, but the bartender charged each card the full amount, which we didn't realize until an hour later and had to go back so we wouldn't be charged twice. Hits the spot for decent Italian food and great service, but isn't super special. I'd go back, but there are just so many other North End restaurants to chose from!
(3)
Jon H.

Nico is a very comfy cozy small italian restaurant on the end of Hanover that offers awesome comfort italian food. We stopped in on a warm Sunday afternoon for a light lunch to share and were seated next to the open window with a great breeze and watching the Yankees - Twins game. Ordered the Caprese (with homemade creamy mozzarella cheese and fresh juicy huge tomatoes), and the Spaghetti and Meatball. The noodles were PERFECLY al dente and the meatball was huge and flavorful. The sauce is Prego x 100. A tad on the expensive side ($15 for caprese, $18 for spaghetti), but great friendly service, good food, and great cozy atmosphere. Definitely give it a try.
(4)
Jenna H.

I LOVE Nico! I have dined here a few times over the past year and always have a great experience. Service is stellar - friendly, helpful, and fun! My favorite dish is the eggplant, yum... The best in the north end. The sauce is perfect and the eggplant is cooked to the perfect consistency. My other favorite dish is the Rigatoni alla Sal - shrimp and scallops with mushrooms and a truffle cream sauce. The caprese salad is a great starter option. Drinks are quality too - I recommend the Raspberry Mojito's. I prefer to sit upstairs, they have great open air windows in the front. If a table is not available they have a great bar too.
(5)
Kelly B.

It's not Nico's fault that Boston's Restaurant Week happened to fall on one of the summer feasts... it's our fault for choosing to dine in the North End on Restaurant Week... and for not taking the T. Parking was a bear. Normally, you can find decent city parking, but on the evening that concludes Fisherman's Feast, well, not so much. Had we realized we could have valeted with the restaurant next door, that would have saved us $5 and a good deal of frustration & time. We ate off the Pre-Fixe Menu, 3 courses. I enjoyed the prosciutto & melon with balsamic glaze, then the Pollo a la Romana (with artichokes, sun-dried tomato, mushrooms, etc.) and a cannoli. The food was outstanding. Truly a lovely set of choices for the pre-fixe and worth a visit on another occasion. The wine list was minimal, with only one true rose by the glass. But we shared a bottle of decent Sav Blanc. The sangria was mediocre, we'll save our love of sangria for the tapas places & a few select Mexican restaurants. The service was outstanding, each of the overly kind young men showering us with profuse "bella" and "bellissima" at every refilling of water glasses. I truly felt that I was not just in the heart of the city, but in the heart of their neighborhood, almost trapped in a beautifully shot movie of the independent variety that gave us a glimpse into the life of the Italian neighborhood. Romance, food, love - and this was while sitting with 3 other ladies. It's a great date location for sure. The manager was very accommodating as we waited for our party of four to come together and we never felt for a moment that we were being pushed out or that they needed to turn the table. The atmosphere was that of a bustling city. I am one who loves the idea of opening the windows wide to the street - it adds an al fresco experience, especially in a cosy place like Nico... that said... I could have done without the half dozen or so second-hand smoker experiences we had while eating there. It wasn't patrons going outside to smoke, it was a lingerer or two hanging just outside the open windows, watching the baseball game on the flatscreen from the sidewalk... or maybe watching as the parade went by. This too, is on Nico's fault and on another day and certainly in another season would likely be a non-issue. Overall, we had a lovely night, shared fantastic food, & if the question is would I go back, the answer is yes. But not on a feast night.
(4)
Jessica F.

THEY DO NOT DEAL WELL WITH FOOD ALLERGIES. I told my waiter I couldn't have wheat or gluten and he said what I ordered was fine. I asked him to speak to the chef to make sure. He claimed he spoke to the chef and that my meal was available without wheat. It WASN'T. I got very sick! So if you don't have food allergies it's awesome. If you do don't go. If you can eat everything go - the meal tasted good and my friend's really enjoyed their meals.
(2)
Tiffany Q.

Great food, the waiter was AMAZING (think his name is David) and just like every other place in the North End it was small and quaint. Had the eggplant rolatine, gnocchi and seafood special and all were awesome! My reason for only 3 stars is because we were sat downstairs where there are 3 tables. One large party table and two smaller. At the very bottom of the stairs (literally) was the table we were sat at. We were a party of 5 so had to have someone on the end which was in the way of people walking to the table behind us. The table DIRECTLY behind us to the point where my chair and the chair next to me were literally butted up against the chairs behind us. The only thing separating us was a hanging shower curtain of some sort. On the other end of our table was another curtain that separated us from the waiter station and the bathroom.
(3)
Jack L.

We had gone to a concert at Fenway Park. Just craving pasta we hustled to the North End. There was only a couple of restaurants open and Nico looked like the pick. The food,the service,the atmosphere, were all so great. I just loved the sauce.!!!
(5)
Jon M.

We began our adventure to Nico by paying $15 to park in a lot about a block over from Hanover street which is not a problem unless your lazy. We got there at around 1pm and we where the only ones there (by the time we left it was packed) which meant we got all the attention. Our waiter was one of the top three waiters I've ever had and I've eaten at a lot of places; he spent a lot of time listening to the menu choices we where trying to decide between and offering his opinion, he even let my sister and I try some truffle oil as we had never had it before. For drinks I had a glass of cab and my sister got a glass of sangria; for appetizers we got the aricini and the prosciutto/ Parmesan cheese plate both where very good. For entrees I choose the filet wrapped in prosciutto with a brandy sauce with a side of whipped potatoes, the filet was tender and the prosciutto gave it a punch of flavor, it was fantastic; my sister had the mushroom stuffed ravioli with truffle oil, she described it as "pure deliciousness". We ended our meal with a chocolate mousse (which to our surprise our waiter left off the bill) it was one of the best deserts I've ever had; rich, creamy with an interesting crunch. It is a small venue (but most is in Boston) but is initiate and cozy; when we got our bill our waiter even surprised us with a round of lemon liqueur shots compliments of him!!! Awesome!! Will be back.
(5)
Samuel S.

I went with my boyfriend and a friend. The host was very attractive and friendly and our server was friendly. That was about it. The food was below average. Honestly I would have been ashamed to serve that quality of food in my own home if i had guests. For me and my friends Nico did not live up to all the hype.
(2)
Lisa A.

I had dinner here last night for my birthday and was super impressed. We had standing reservations and upon our arrival we were whisked to our table and treated like VIP's. The manager, Pina, was extremely sweet and helpful. She made sure we had everything we needed without hovering. For a Wednesday night, the place was full-every seat was filled but we still had enough room and didn't feel like we were sitting right on top of everyone. The food was really, really delicious. We ordered the Antipasto-the meat on the plate was fantastic and I would have liked more. My boyfriend had the Lobster Manicotti and said it was delicious-the crepes looked a little overcooked to me, but he thought they were fine and since I didn't taste them, I can't really tell you they were bad. I ordered a special-Lobster Tortelloni in a tomato cream sauce. Amazing! So delicious-and PACKED with lobster. Because it was my birthday, they brought out a heavenly dessert. It was a bowl of the creme they use for cream puffs (!!!) topped with a layer of chocolate ganache. They submerged 3 cream puffs inside of it. I'm not sure we took a breath while eating it. To top off the night, they give everyone a shot of lemoncello as a digestive. Delicious and a nice surprise. We left thoroughly happy with our service, experience and meal. I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could afford it. As an aside-the owner was there and the manager was telling one of the guests that "his heart is as big as he is". I'm not sure that matters to everyone, but I like knowing that I'm giving money to someone who treats others with respect.
(4)
Jay S.

Never again, that's for sure. This place is more interested in being a "scene" than serving quality food. We had an 8:30 reservation but were bumped because a walk in group knew the owner who looks like Jo-Jo the Whale in Bronx Tale. The doorman/host was apologetic, but we weren't seated until 9:30. I'd read about the place online and much was made of the fun atmospere and the meatballs. It was not fun, I definitely did not get it. Maybe I suck, maybe you love tacky disco and overdone wish-they -were cougars at the bar. The food was average at best. Shared the caprese salad and meatballs as an app. Ummm, the caprese salad was good, meatballs were mushy and bland. My main course was the veal chop which was awful. Bad cut and fatty. Good news is the place is small enough that they probably can get by suckering in the tourists and catering to their buddies. There are 200 choices within walking distance, and I'll visit them all before I go back. All except Strega which apparently is owned by the same guy.
(1)
Sharon L.

EXTREMELY dissapointing. I cannot comment on the food, as i never got to taste any. Made a reservation for 8 pm on a friday night for my 2 year anniversary, confirmed 2 hours beforehand. My boyfriend and I got there exactly at 8. Understandably even with a reservation there can be a wait, but not for an hour! We sat at the bar and had a drink, and the hostess did not even try to seat us until 9 pm. There was another group that came in after for an 830 reservation and they were even seated before us. The hostess was not apologetic at all. Absolutely rediculous for a restaurant that is supposed to be high end. I am from the area and eat in the north end all the time but have never had such poor service. Will not be coming back and will certainly tell all of my friends not to either.
(1)
Meaghan Z.

My new favorite restaurant, hands down. We went to Nico last night for a birthday dinner, and couldn't have been more impressed. From the host at the front door, to Angelo, our superb waiter, we felt welcomed from the moment we walked in. A bottle of wine and the calamari appetizer started off our night. The calamari was incredible - the taste, the chipotle sauce, and the enormous portion was perfect. For dinner, Joe had the special, zuppe de pesce, which again, we were astonished by the sheer size of the dish. Little necks, mussels, calamari, shrimp, pasta and then a half lobster - the claw alone had to be at least a pound! I had trouble deciding on a dish, after talking with Angelo, he suggested a lobster crepe choice, which was a lighter dish, even though it was with a plum sauce and chock full of chucks of lobster meat. I was grateful for that, seeing as I was somewhat full from all the calamari I ate just a few minutes before. When it came to dessert, Joe preferred the tiramisu, while I usually go for a creme brulee, after a minute of back and forth between us, we asked for the tiramisu. To our surprise and delight, he brought out both our order and a complimentary creme brulee for Joe's birthday. We will absolutely be returning - and asking for Angelo again!
(5)
Stephen W.

Excellent food and service. We had a party of 10 and our table was ready right on time.
(5)
Johnny Y.

Absolutely the best Italian food ever! I had the Veal Marsala with mushrooms and veggies ~ mashed potatoes, asparagus, and roasted red peppers. WOW! a delightful presentation and the flavors were outstanding. The bread is wonderful too, so get a extra batch to scoop-up the bits! The deserts are to die for. BTW, the pasta is made fresh to order! The service is fantastic and cater to our every wish without being overbearing. Parking is a bitch so pay the $20 bucks to park ~ it'll save you from having a nervous breakdown! Relax, enjoy the atmosphere and savor the wonderful exciting flavors that this eatery produces.
(5)
City P.

It was a blisteringly hot day on July 4th, and we'd been giving my in-laws their first tour of Boston, walking the Freedom Trail for 4+ hours. Tired and hungry in the North End, we were poring over the menus outside of a promising looking prospect on Hanover Street. The host from next-door Nico's spotted us and strolled over to invite us to his establishment. The host, Bruno, is a good looking young buck with big mirror-shaded sunglasses and a tasteful amount of jewelry. He didn't give us a hard-sell; he mentioned that the place was connected to Strega, which was more traditional, and that Nico's was trying to be a little more adventurous. We were all so beat from the heat, and Bruno was so ready to accommodate us, that really, our only question was, "Do you have air conditioning?" And he said, "Absolutely!" Which was a lie, hahaha. There was a fan blowing in there, and it was a few degrees cooler than outside, but not by much. Ahhh, well. You'll notice I'm still rating this place 5 stars. The interior is not your typical North End interior -- the theme is black and white, and the chandeliers have clear & black beads on them. It looked a bit art deco. I liked it, but worried the menu was going to be a huge departure. It wasn't. A person can still get spaghetti and meatballs. All is not lost! I'm a former vegetarian who has just started eating seafood. I will say there are very few vegetarian items on the menu, but I know that any vegetarian who walks in there will get whatever kind of sauce they want on any kind of pasta they want *spoon-fed* to them if need be. Nico's is ready to grant your every wish. I read some of the earlier reviews here, and it seems there used to be a disco theme. That was not present on this occasion -- there was no sign of a disco ball, and disco music was not playing. Instead, traditional Italian popular music bleated unobtrusively through the speakers, allowing us to have a conversation. Fast-forward to the food! We started with salads, and everyone ordered Traditional Caesar ... except me. I loved the description of the Caprese salad's "backyard tomatoes" that I was willing to pack on the added calories of the buffalo mozzarella. Our waiter -- our fabulous, young, incredibly professional and friendly water -- sidled up to me to tell me he had another Caprese-like salad that wasn't on the menu that he was sure I would like. Young sir did not lie -- it was a heavenly concoction of fresh tomatoes, arugula, and roasted artichokes, topped with a mound of brie-textured mozzarella that was so fresh, so creamy, so exotic, that I thought they must have milked a cow right in the kitchen. Or a buffalo, whatever. It was that fresh. I tasted my partner's Traditional Caesar, and while I'm not an expert on Caesar salads, I believe it was expertly prepared, the dressing clinging to romaine leaves perfectly. Taste details: Rigatoni alla Sal: Shrimp, Scallops, Peas, Wild Mushrooms in Black Truffle in a Cream Sauce. I almost ordered this myself. I had a taste of my partner's dish; he gave me a scallop and a rigatoni. The scallop was fresh, and melted like butter in my mouth. I've had the occasional tough/fishy scallop, enough to appreciate when I am getting a top-notch piece. This was top-notch. It was hard for me to assess the cream sauce, because my dish had a bright tasting pink sauce, and I think it overwhelmed my palate. However, both my partner and his mother were extremely pleased with this entree. Lobster Ravioli: World Famous Lobster Ravioli Finished in a Light Crabmeat Sauce. The father-in-law ordered this one, and I had a small taste. Very good, although it was perhaps not the star of the table. But if you love lobster ravioli, go ahead and order this, you will not be disappointed! My partner and I reviewed our notes afterward; I thought the lobster was fresh and the pink crabmeat sauce was very good; my partner thought this was a good tasting dish, but not a superlative one, and that there should have been more lobster in the ravioli. It is still a terrific dish, and I thought there was plenty of lobster in it; it all comes down to personal taste, and there are enough customers who return for this dish, so if you want it, go for it! Fusilli: Shrimp, Zucchini and Fresh Ricotta in a Tomato Pink Sauce, with Homemade Fusilli. This was my dish, and I loved it. What a taste-explosion of textures and flavors, all with a traditional Italian backbone to it. Homemade fusilli: starchy and fresh. Shrimp: slathered in pink sauce, fresh, white as white can be, cooked to perfection. Zucchini: roasted or grilled; deep, flavorful; added fun for the palate. Fresh Ricotta: a nice polite dollop of it in the corner of the dish; you can add as much or as little as you like to the rest of the plate. Finishing notes: Our table was gifted with a complimentary round of limoncello shots. What a lovely gesture! I would return to Nico's. Great staff, great food. Una magnifica esperienza!
(5)
Elaine A.

This restaurant is excellent. We've been here a few times and the service and cuisine are top notch and consistent. As good as you'll find in the North End. Have I had better Italian food? Yes, last year when I was in Venice. Their homemade pastas, especially the gnocci, are awesome. Typical Italian entrees, i.e. saltimbocca, are...above average but not outstanding. Their strong point is their cold apps. Their mozzarella, proscuitto, olives, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, artichokes, etc. are out of this world, not to be missed. Always fresh and packed with flavor, the best part of the meal.
(5)
Tommy B.

I took my fiance here for her Birthday. She had Shrimp and Clams and they tasted as though they fished them out that day. That's how fresh it tasted. I had the veal parm. It was good BUT I expected better. The price for Nicco was surprisingly descent. I felt as though I got a bargain. I will definitely return to Nicco SOON. I want to eat downstairs next time
(4)
Anna B.

I went to Nico with my boyfriend for his birthday. I wanted to take him out for a nice treat, and Nico was the perfect place! We had an early reservation and we were seated right away. The waiter was superb, very friendly and explained the specials and the menu very well. We started off with the meatball appetizer as well as some bread. The bread they have us came with this really good olive oil that was seasoned perfectly. The meatball was amazing! It was probably the best I have ever had! For dinner my boy friend got the filet mignon and I had the veal parmigiana. The filet was excellent. He ordered it medium and it was cooked perfectly, with just the right amount of pinkness on the inside. The filet came wrapped in prosciutto, and served with hearty portions of asparagus and mashed potatoes. It was garnished with some delicious mozzarella filled peppers. I had the veal parmigiana which was just as incredible. First of all the portion of the veal was huge! I was not expecting such a big piece. The sauce was also very tasty, as well as the fusili pasta. I would recommend Nico to anyone who is willing to pay for good food. The prices were a bit steep (I am a college student) but it was well worth it! Not only, the atmosphere of the place is very cozy.
(5)
Alphonse C.

NICO is a new concept in Dining which I admire. It not your typical restaurant in the North End. It's unique in many ways, one the fact that it's main entertainment is Disco Music and a Disco Ball!! Yes a beautiful Disco ball spinning the night away as you inhale giant delicious meatballs and sip some vino with a smile on your face. Why? Cause smiles bring smiles. As soon as you enter NICO someone is there greeting you with a happy attentive smile weather it's Nicky the owner or Allie the bartender or Joe Shmoe picking up your dishes (watch out for joe shmoe he may own the place some day) everyone is happy there! I was born in 1981 and I even appreciate this place and I don't even really like Disco but once I step into NICO with a few friends were bound for a few laughs and a great time. Stayin alive, Stayin alive, oh oh oh, Stayin alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yaaaaaaaaa!
(5)
Ezra E.

This is the new restaurant from Nick Varano, the owner of Strega. It's got a 70's disco theme complete with disco balls, disco music, neon, and flat screen TV's showing disco videos (I never knew such a thing existed). The service was very good and the staff was very attentive. The manager (I assume he was the manager) came by a few times to make sure everything was okay and stopped by to joke around with us and the waitress a bit too. The food was good, my roommate had the spaghetti and meatball (don't be fooled it was at least as big as a softball) which was very good - the meatball, despite it's size, was light and fluffy and probably one of the best meatballs I've ever had. I had the chicken parmigiana which was very good as well. The portions were huge and we both were able to take home enough for a second meal. The prices were in line with a high-end Hanover Street restaurant - approx. $20+ for entrees
(3)
Theresa C.

Nico deserves top ratings for atmosphere, food, drinks and service! I've brought visitors from out of town here twice and both times we've had a great time! While the dress code is listed as dressy we were dressed casually on both visits and it really didn't seem to matter! The white sangria is to die for...even my mom who quit drinking a number of years ago had two glasses and is now going to start making it at home! They were kind enough to share their recipe :) yum! The food is great and what you would expect in the North End. I've had the Spaghetti and Meatball (very large but still tender and flavorful) and the Veal Parmesan. Both meals were tasty and done just right. The atmosphere is what I enjoyed most about Nico. Once it was dark the disco balls were spinning and the dancing began; even the waitstaff joined in on the dancing! The male waiters are very easy on the eyes making this the perfect "girls night out" venue. I can't wait to come back...
(5)
Karen N.

Went last night with a Groupon to try it out. Excellent. I had homemade fusilli with shrimp in a tomato cream sauce--pasta was excellent, with huge perfectly cooked shrimp. Husband had Saltimbocca, also good. Nice special salad with burrata, artichoke hearts, arugula, although pricey at 19 bucks. Good service, although the waiter was a bit overbearing with the "bella, bella, buon appetito" stuff. Reminded me of a Saturday Night Live skit.
(4)
J B.

As soon as we saw where they wanted to sit us (in the stinky, fly inhabited, ugly basement with a loud tv on the ugly wall) we left. The waitstaff was cheesy and looked like they came out of an early 90s slutty mob movie. I can't rate the food and I never will be able to- will never, ever, go back to this place.
(1)
Livin'lavida L.

When the bar at Strega was full after our Valentine's dinner, the hostess called over to Nico and had 2 seats saved at the bar for my boyfriend and I. We walked over and got right in. The bartender and hostess were great, as well as Sergio who was so accomodating when the valet took 45 minutes to get our car back to us. Turns out, there was a snag in the communication that we had moved locations to Nico. The bartender took care of us the whole time while we waited, and in the end, we didn't mind the wait.. Great place to go for cocktails!
(5)
Elizabeth B.

I had an amazing experience at Nico's! The waitstaff were super nice and engaging as well as attentive. The food was amazing. I had the gnocchi while my friend has the chicken parmesan, both were perfect. The prices are a little high but nothing unusual for the food of Hanover street. I am definitely planning on returning.
(5)
Marcus A.

Continuing my tour of North End restaurants, my dinner companions and I noshed at Nico on Hanover St. The tiny eatery has a pleasant ambiance with a color scheme of red walls with black accents. Mirrors on the wall, red draperies partitioning the room and ornate chandeliers add to the soothing atmosphere. My one caveat would be the flat screen tvs at the bar. They detract and distract in the small room (although one television was showing some type of Italian mobster/restaurant themed movie. Fitting or cliche' ?, you decide). Initially I thought the place only had 24 seats, however, those in my group who went downstairs to use the restroom informed me that there was a second dining area below, equivalent in size. Our waiter was warm, friendly and informative, suggesting a bottle of wine and explaining the night's specials in great detail. The food....exceptional. The green olives in EVOO they serve with bread prior to ordering were like buttah.The modest portion origionally brought out was followed by a larger bowl when we informed our waiter how much we liked them. For an appetizer, I ordered the salata Nico which consisted of baby arugula, grilled pear, gorgonzola cheese and walnuts dressed in a pomegranite vineagrette. Quite tastey and not overly filling. A good way to start off.....especially if you'll be ordering a filling pasta dish as your entree. A "small sampling" dish of fried calamari turned out to be a full platter. This calamari has to be one of the best fried calamari I've had. Perfectly cooked so as to be tender, not chewy and the lightly seasoned batter had a perfect crunch. The chipotle dressing sent it over the top. It's accompanied with hot peppers, which are also deep fried. Mmm Mmm good. I'll put my cardiologist on speed dial. Even one of my dinner companions who doesn't like calamari sampled a generous portion. For my entree, I had the Rigatoni ala Sal, which consisted of homemade rigatoni, sauted shrimp, scallops, wild mushrooms and peas in a black truffle cream sauce. Gastronomic nirvana. My friends were equally pleased with their selections as well which consisted of various pasta and shellfish dishes with a fra diavlo sauce and a mushroom ravioli in a cream sauce. Portion sizes are realistic...not skimpy but not three meals worth either. After dessert (which I didn't have) our waiter topped our meal off with a complimentary shot of a creamed limoncello (Think lemon flavored creamsicle.....yum). Very satisfying evening out. Definately recommended. A quick update to the review......to my great dismay, I discovered that the Rigatoni ala Sal does NOT reheat well. Alas, when I nuked the leftovers for lunch the next day, the cream sauce had separated leaving clumps of clotted cream floating in oil. A sad, tragic ending for an amazingly tastey dish. Eat all you can at the restaurant while it's fresh and decadent. Fat and calories be damned!
(5)
Judy S.

Rigatoni, melt-in-your-mouth sea scallops, enormous shrimp, peas, and wild mushrooms in a black truffle cream sauce - incredible! If I lived in Boston I would be very sorry that tonight was Nico's last night in business. As it is, I'm just happy that we had one opportunity to eat there. Not much point in raving about the service or the food...but it was all good!
(5)
Ro M.

Delicious food, friendly service, reasonable prices. They were kind enough to split an entree between my two kids at no extra charge. The olive oil had true olive flavor and is served with olives in the dipping. We all enjoyed our food: fettuccine Alfredo, spaghetti with marina and brick chicken. Yeah, I know we're in Boston and not eating seafood!
(5)
Robin B.

I went to Nico's with three other people on Aug 24,2013. We made a dinner reservation online and someone from Nico's called to confirm. We actually arrived over half an hour early and were invited to sit t the bar if we'd like while waiting for our table. Twice the hostess checked on us. Dinner: All agreed was memorable ! My husband had the lamb special ;which our most excellent and attentive waiter Bruno warned "it is so tender it falls off the bone". Another person in our group had the seafood special with lobster. It was EXCELLANT! Three of us ate from his plate and we still didn't finish it! I had lobster ravioli which had chunks of lobster meat in it. Very good! Our other friend had veal Parmesan ,which she stated was tender and delicious ! FYI. The specials are gigantic in portion size and the two that were purchased in my group paid $42 and $44 for their dishes, although they said it was well worth it! We all agreed Nico's may just be our go to restaurant in Boston.
(5)
Andy H.

I came here in a large party ( about 8) in January. The atmosphere was great, albeit we were a little cozy at our table, but not too bad for 8 people in a small place. Since it was a while ago, I can't remember much, as we were also drinking quite a bit of wine. I remember everything being on par, nothing that stood out. My only complaint was the mussels. I had never had them before, and my two glasses of wine before we ordered made me fell adventurous. I ordered their seafood special, which was a half of lobster and a mixed bag of clams shrimp mussels and scallops. It came in a tomato wine broth. The lobster was meh, a little on the tough side. The mussels however were awful. It was the first and last time I had mussels for months, until I tried some a few weeks ago that were delicious. These were sandy, gritty, and were not at all fresh. They all had that very distinct, strong taste that I now recognize as a sign that they were probably being tossed at they end of the night. I did leave there full however, so other than that the meal was just a par, as are most of the touristy North End places these days.
(3)
Shelby O.

whatever you do.. try the lobster ravioli! so amazing!!! mmm yumm! just thinking about this food makes me hungry!
(4)
Kimby K.

We were excited to try Nico- as we love Strega, owned by the same person. We had an 8pm reservation for 8 people, and were left waiting for 40 minutes without even an apology. When we asked ,a couple of times how much longer we got an attitude from the hostess. Although our waiter was very nice, service was very extremely slow. Appetizers were tasty but overpriced, and I ordered Brick Chicken which was terrible. I've ordered this at many places and Nico has no idea what Brick Chicken is supposed to taste or look like. We will definitely not go back.
(1)
Danielle S.

Went here for valentines dinner this past Saturday night. Playing it safe, we made a later reservation for 9. Since Nico is owned by the same people who own Strega, they can call Strega for that valet service to park your car. It was well worth the $20 since it was freezing that night. The restaurant was packed (was about 8:40, we were early) so we got a glass of wine at the bar. Found out later it was the bartenders 4th night ever bartending and you could tell. I made eye contact with her about 10 times before she realized that I needed something. She also didn't understand proportionality. The red wine glasses were larger than the white, so they ended up getting more wine than us. Whatever. At this point (already after 9) we were just hungry and wanted to eat. We were told there were still 3-8:30 reservations that needed to get sat before the 9 p.m. reservations could be. It was around 9:15 at this point. This was all due to parties who were sat at 7 and were STILL lingering around. I mean I get it, you want a nice night out on the town, but its valentines weekend. Do you NOT see the SWARM of people in the bar area??? Some of us had to spill out into the dining area on the main floor, which obviously is annoying for the other customers. The main culprit we could see (and hear) was a Fran Drescher stand in. She was making buddy-buddy with the couple at the table next to them. We had to watch them gossip for probably 45 minutes. Get a freaking room people. If you all like each other THAT much, go to a bar!! You have people frothing at the bar waiting to get sat, and suzie mcdrunkalot wants to socialize?!?! UGH annoying. Nico's wait staff was also visibly upset. Now those tables aren't getting turned over, we are getting impatient, its just an all around bad situation. Not like we could have left to go anywhere else, it would have been a wait any other place as it is. Finally at 10 we got a table. Next to us was a foursome where there was a ridiculously annoying guy. Loud, obnoxious, taking over the conversation to the max. He also had the most annoying accent (from medford/somerville as he stated a thousand times) and had to drop every possible hint he was Sicilian/Italian. We get it buddy, now just get a life. The best part of the night was not just getting our food (which was seriously AMAZING) but was when HE got HIS food. FINALLY some silence! Stuff your face and shut the eff up. Ugh. (PS I'm also Sicilian, which makes it doubly annoying to hear someone boast to others; he is the reason Italians have a bad rap!) We did get a comped dessert which was a nice gesture for the night we started out with. Appetizers were arancini and stuffed peppers which were both delightful. I had the veal saltimbocca and the boy had chicken marsala. Both were amazing; they came with veggies and mashed potatos (much rather have than pasta) and all in all it was a very reasonable meal. Though it was a freakshow of a night with Fran and Joe Pesci, it ended up being quieter in the end because we were one of the last people seated. We will be back, maybe during the week so we can have a peaceful dinner.
(4)
Joe A.

Excellent food, value, and service. The portions are perfect and quality top notch. Everything I've tried on the menu is great, but my favorites are the rigatoni alla sal and the spaghetti and meatballs. The staff is always friendly and on top of things. Never much of a wait either, but always a good crowd.
(5)
Hannah L.

nico was really fun to go to! i was intrigued with the concept of disco and meatballs. as soon as you walk in, you see disco balls, disco/music-y posters on the wall, and hear disco classics like "don't rock the boat." i even got to meet the famous nick varano, as seen on phantom gourmet...haha. it was quite exciting. some entrees were $35, which was a little outrageous considering it's not a fancy restaurant. i got mushroom ravioli, and it was realllly good. some qualms: i wish the downstairs was better decorated. it was kind of plain and cheesy. not all of the music they played was disco (some random music like celine dion and other muzak). i wish they played up the disco theme more...more kitschy, more themed, not just like some posters and a disco ball. i wish they brought it to a higher level. it seems unfinished for some reason. but other than that, it's fun to go to and the food is good!
(3)
Katie M.

The service was great, everyone there acted like they really wanted your business, and wanted to make your visit there extra special. The drinks were delicious and the atmosphere was nice with the windows open and intimate setting. Food was good too!! Loved the calamari and the warm, soft, delicious complimentary food.
(4)
Bill G.

Good stuff. I had a lobster and pasta dish, it was good. My date melted over the salad, which was ok in my book. Decor was a bit off but that's a personal thing. Try it!
(3)
Nicola P.

I went here with a girlfriend to have meatballs and music, and sadly I really got neither. The music was OK, not fantastic want to get up and dance disco that, not to mention seriously a little overdone, not what real disco is. The windows look RIGHT INTO the fire station where I am sure the firemen have good laugh gazing right in at you. Be aware of the $12 drinks, they don't have a REAL liquor licence so they can only use "flavored" liquors and don't really taste like anything more than juice. The service is TOP NOTCH and extremely friendly, hospitable, thorough, consistent and attentive, truly some of the best service I have experienced. We got the arancini and meatballs to share. The timing was great on the delivery since we were sharing both plates and wanted them separately. Now, being a true Italian, you are always partial to your grandma's sauce, but this was just disgusting. I think they used too much sugar and the consistency was grainy and lumpy and strangely had NO flavor (and i am NEVER the type of person to say food has no flavor) the arancini was bland, and warm at most in the center and lacked any consistency. The meatball, was in fact the size of a softball and tasted just like one. It was Styrofoam painted black and thrown on a plate of ketchup. GROSS!!!! Just way too much sauce and not enough flavor. They need to focus on quality not quantity because it could really be fun place, maybe manageable sized meat balls so you dont end up dancing with it on your lap..
(2)
c h.

We made a reservation for a Friday night. Got there early, they sat us right away. We weren't very hungry, and ended up ordering one plate for two of us. The waiter was more than happy to do that, and didn't seem to be upset. Brought out the dish on two plates. SUPER fast service. I think we were in and out in thirty minutes...
(4)
Ken C.

I love disco. I love meatballs. Have I found my mecca??? Well, not quite. Great idea, but the execution leaves quite a bit to be desired (typical Boston). NICO promises to be a "disco themed" italian restaurant, but other than the disco ball and occasional appropriate song (actually I heard mostly 80's dance pop.... since when is Hall and Oats considered disco?) you'd probably never know that was the intention. They even have the ubiquitous jumbo-TV with whatever current Boston sports event happening right there in your face. As a matter of fact, they have 4 or 5 other TV's(!) lined up playing everything from John Travolta in Grease, music videos, even scenes from Animal House (????) What is going on here? Gid rid of the damn TV's and throw up some cool pictures of The Bee Gees and Tavares and Donna Summer and maybe hang up some platform shoes or something to pull the theme together more. How about make the floor light up like the dance floor in Saturday Night Fever? Speaking of which....no dance floor? The place is really small, certainly not what I expected. Too bad, like I said, great idea....... Anyway - the food. Actually quite good. I've been to numerous places in the North End and this is pretty much right in the middle quality wise. The bread and olive oil our server brought out was really good. As was the glass of Chianti ($9.50). The appetizer, a roasted red Italian pepper stuffed with sausage and cheese was very tasty. Nice balance of flavor, although there was way more stuffing than pepper. Next we moved onto the signature dish, which consisted of a large meatball (made with veal and mushrooms) and wide linguini pasta in a tomato sauce, and a dollop of ricotta cheese ($17.95). Great meatball (I do love veal, although I try to avoid it) really soft on the inside and nicely browned on the outside. Pasta perfectly done, and the tomato sauce was good (very rich) but I thought there was a bit too much of it (the pasta was really swimming in it). It became slightly overpowering. Still, very satisfying and perfect amount for me and the lady. Our server mentioned that they were really "not a dessert place", so we passed on the two options (I was really full anyway) The service was great, and the clientel was spectacular - we were just about the only non-goombas in there. That was cool and fun. All in all I'm glad I went, it was fun and I certainly left full, but I don't think I need to go back. If it was a little cheaper, put in a dance floor and stepped up the schtick a lot more, it could be a frequent destination for diners/clubbers looking for something a little different.
(3)
Suzanne G.

Went to Nico's this past weekend for a friends birthday. We walked into Strega and it was booked for the night. The owner recommended we try his other restaurant Nico just one block down. He promised it would be great and it was. We were greeted immediately by a nice hostess and she seated us upstairs right away. The waiter was very nice and attentive. He recommended some different wines and dishes for us. The Caprese salad was the best salad I have ever had. Absolutely delicious. We tried veal, chicken and seafood. They were all amazing. The food was great and with good portion sizes too. The waiters sang Happy Birthday and gave us a yummy dessert on the house. All in all it was a great experience and I would go back in a second!
(4)
Enrique D.

tacky tacky tacky. whats with the the year round xmas lights? its the north end..i get it...sometimes gaudy... works. not here. this is just cheap looking...to be honest... the staff is rude and really class-less. what a about a "full bar" that only offers low level and almost no name vodkas??? its like whatever falls off a truck makes it in the back door...and then they sell it like its premium. 12 for a martini ? no problem... buttttt.... you better give me grey goose, belvedere, kettle one, etc.... not some low budget crap i wouldnt...and havent ever had the BA**S to serve at a dive bar. this place should just do the north end a favor and close. make room for a real restaurant /bar to enjoy.
(1)
Cody H.

Exploring the North End the other night, we settled on Nico for the atmosphere and welcome greeting. Nico delivered a fun, if boisterous, environment and delicious quality Italian food. The service was excellent--every single staff person (and there was plenty of help to ensure quick attention) was friendly and struck just the right tone. My only disappointment was the lack of a full bar--but I don't hold that against the restaurant, it seems to be the policy of this crazy city to make it difficult for restaurants to get liquor licenses. God forbid people moderate their drinking with food...better to grab a bottle at the liquor store and stumble around the streets. I'll save that complaint for hiz'onnah--Nico's get's my vote.
(4)
Sarah C.

This review is based only on their service since we were never given a table even an hour after we arrived for our reservation. We made 9 o'clock reservations on open table and arrived at 8:50 only to be told that they were running about 15 to 20 minutes behind. We said no problem we will walk around and just call us when you have a table available. 25 minutes later I got a call saying that they were still running 25 minutes behind and I said you already told me 25 minutes ago you were running behind....since it was a busy Saturday night we didn't have any other choice but to wait. As we were waiting outside with my mother who is in a neck brace the hostess continued to be rude even when we asked if there was one seat for her at the bar. Finally at 9:30 we decided to ask the restaurant next door if they could accommodate us and they could so we went there. It wasn't until 9:50 that I received a call from the hostess saying that she was letting us know that it shouldn't be too much longer that there were some tables that had their bills and they were just waiting for them to get up...THAT WAS AN HOUR after we arrived for our reservation. I understand that things get busy but that is absurd and the hostess was extremely rude. We will never go back to even give them a second chance.
(1)
marlene f.

This restaurant is definitely unique for the North End. Very modern, but comfortable. Loud disco music constantly plays so if you want a quiet dinner this is not the place for you. I'd suggest making reservations as I went on a Saturday night and had to wait 45 mins to an hour and there's not much standing room near the bar. Drinks were delish! Service VERY friendly, but food was not the greatest. Atmosphere makes up for the food, but I've had better. I got the fra diavlo sauce and my friend got a pasta w/a cream sauce, both just OK. People do dance and have fun so I would recommend it. Also, if you want to dance with the cute waiters this is your place!
(4)
Tucker P.

After hearing nice reviews, we decided to try Nico's one Saturday evening. We had an 8pm reservation for 4, for which we only had to wait for about 20 minutes or so...not too bad as it allowed us to have a drink at the bar, which is lined with three flat screen tv's. The milf wanna be at the bar was a bit brisk, which was fine as she was busy, however the pomegrante martini ordered was made to be poured down the sink, not to be enjoyed. We were seated downstairs, no problem, as there was only one t.v., which was partially blocked by the shower curtain thing hanging from the ceiling. OK, let's get on to dinner. Apps were just ok, rice balls a bit mushy though. The veal saltimbocca was not good. Lacked any real flavor, almost as though it was precooked veal, drizzled with a little sauce, an inexpensive piece of prosciutto and topped with with Kraft cheese, barely warmed in an oven and served. I simply thought it was terrible. My wifes order, shrimp, scallops, clams, lobster, and squid in a fradiavolo sauce was fair...if it weren't for the squid, clams and scallops...all of which were either fishy or tasted like they had been sitting in ammonia. The service was not pleasant either. Think Jersey Shore-esque guidos who are pushy and simply trying to turn the table. I could never recommend this restaurant. Prospective diners should look into the ratings, as the average rating seems fair, the rating trend(which I wish we had looked at!) is far from desirable.
(1)
Nicole J.

A solid 4 stars for this place. Making a reservation for a group of 7 people on a friday night? No problem. While waiting for friends, we grabbed drinks at the bar. Excellent chianti. Then we headed downstairs to our table. Started off with fried calamari (excellent) and meatballs (moist, juicy, beyond excellent!). Our table decided to order a pitcher of sangria, which was excellent as well. When I couldn't decide between the lobster ravioli and the gnocchi, our handsome and charismatic server suggested that I have gnocchi with lobster pieces mixed in. Sold. The dish itself was ehhh. Not spectacular, and I wish I ordered something else. I was having serious food envy at my friends' dishes, however. One ordered the veal saltimbocca, another two split the chicken saltimbocca, another had the lobster ravioli and another had the steak. All seemed happy with their food. For dessert, we had the tiramisu and creme brule Word to the wise, order 2 creme brules!! I am obsessing over it to this day. Overall, a great experience, and would definitely go back again!!
(4)

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Address : 417 Hanover St
Boston, MA, 02113
Phone (617) 742-0404
Website https://www.nicoboston.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:00 pm - 11:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Garage, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Tue, Wed, Sat
Coat Check : Yes
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Nico Ristorante

417 Hanover St, Boston, MA, 02113

Nico Ristorante Menu

Antipasti E Insalate

Primi Piatti

Specialita' Della Casa

Healthy Meal suggestions for Nico Ristorante

Antipasti E Insalate

Primi Piatti

Specialita' Della Casa

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Stephen W.

Johnny Y.

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Tommy B.

Anna B.

Alphonse C.

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Danielle S.

Joe A.

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Bill G.

Judy S.

Ro M.

Ken C.

Suzanne G.

Nicola P.

c h.

Kimby K.

Enrique D.

Cody H.

Sarah C.

marlene f.

Tucker P.

Nicole J.

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Shani T.

Ryan R.

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