The bites have been taken and the stomachs are full after the first annual “North End Best Meatball” competition held at this weekend’s Fisherman’s Feast. Hundreds of attendee votes brought the thirteen entrants down to five for the final round judged by local food celebrities, Joe Faro of Tuscan Kitchen, Dave Andelman of Phantom Gourmet and Joe Crugnale of Bertucci’s. Angela Peri of Boston Casting was on hand to emcee the public tasting event.
And the winner is … Tony & Elaine’s, a new Italian concept opening in October 2018 in the former Amici location at 111 N. Washington Street. Accepting the award was Chef Eric Buonagurio with restauranteur Nicholas Frattaroli and Manager Mike Wyatt. Although not open yet, the team is already well known for serving up its food and drinks. Frattaroli also operates Ward 8, North Square Oyster and Bodega Canal. Tony & Elaine’s is still a ‘working name’ for the new restaurant which may open under a different banner.
Participating restaurants in the meatball competition included: Antico Forno; Aria Trattoria; Bricco; Carmelina’s; La Famiglia Giorgio’s; La Summa; North Street Grille; Prezza; Riccardo’s; Limoncello; Strega; Tony & Elaine’s; and Tresca.
Hey ! Not fair……they aren’t even in the North End yet. North End’s Best Meatball Trophy — NORTH END.
Just for clarification, the same owner and chef were coming into this contest as Ward 8 which is in the northend but asked if they can use there new name. So either wAy the same owner, same chef, and most important the same meatballs were entering either under ward 8 or the new name.
I think if you had to ask residents that frequent all these restaurants in the No. End, LIMONCELLO’ s wins
hand down. Limoncello’s is better than any home made meatballs most people have ever had in their lives,
including their mother’s. The restaurant owners that might go in Limoncello’s when they are not eating in their
own restaurants can attest to this. Heather you are so right, another incident of UNFAIRNESS.
Wouldn’t it make sense that if limoncello has the best meatballs they would have won? Does not seem like the rest of the bunch were in it to win it. So unfortunate. Cant wait to try Tony and Elain’s once they open!!
Just for clarification, the same owner and chef were coming into this contest as Ward 8 which is in the northend but asked if they can use there new name. So either wAy the same owner, same chef, and most important the same meatballs were entering either under ward 8 or the new name.
^ Agreed
What restaurant was table #10?
What number was Tony and Elaine’s?
Unfair not even a restaurant at this time.
Just for clarification, the same owner and chef were coming into this contest as Ward 8 which is in the northend but asked if they can use there new name. So either wAy the same owner, same chef, and most important the same meatballs were entering either under ward 8 or the new name.
Just my humble opinion but I think there are “bigger fish to fry” when it comes to issues that affect the residents of the NE than the debate of whether the winner of the best meatball in the NE competition was eligible to compete or was the voting on the up and up.
Kudos MichaelD, No truer words were ever spoken. Rats are running rampant all over the neighborhood
not the Meatballs.
JOAN OF ARC, wait until they start the bridge renovation the water rats will join the buffet.
La SUMMA has the best meatballs in the neighborhood!!
MichaelD I guess we will have to send all the pics we can to Mayor Marty Walsh & instead of Meatballs we can
start serving Rotisserie Rat on City Hall Plaza.