Taste of the North End Offers Guests a Taste of Italy
Celebrate the 21st anniversary and elect the best bite in the North End
WHAT: The Taste of the North End – one of Boston’s most popular festivals of food, charity, and the rich history of the neighborhood – is taking place on May 2nd this year. Guests can sample from more than 35 popular North End eateries showcasing a wide array of delectable appetizers, cheeses, entrees and desserts, and sip on refreshing libations from area wine and beer distributors. There will also be a high-end silent auction with hotel and restaurant packages, Boston sporting tickets, memorabilia, and more.
All proceeds from the event are split between multiple non-profit organizations in the North End including elderly, education and health programs to help better then entire community- last year over $100,000 was raised. This is the fourth year that North End Waterfront Health has partnered with the Frattaroli family to put on and host the event.
WHO: This year’s event co-chairs are event founder Donato Frattaroli, owner of Lucia Ristorante, and James Luisi, CEO of North End Waterfront Health. The Master of Ceremonies for the 16th year is KISS-108 and NESN’s “The Dining Playbook” personality Billy Costa.
This year’s participating restaurants: Al Dente, Antico Forno, Aragosta, Artu, Bricco, Cantina Italiana, Carmelina, Ducali, Filippo, Fiore, Gennaro’s 5 North Square, Trattoria il Panino, J. Pace, La Summa, Lucca, Lucia Ristorante, Mamma Maria, Massimino, Mercato del Mare, Mike’s Pastry, Modern Pastry, Neptune Oyster, Pagliuca, Paul W. Marks, Piantedosi Baking, Quattro, Regina Pizza, Taranta, Terra Mia, Tresca, and Ward 8.
WHERE: DCR Steriti Memorial Ice Rink
561 Commercial Street
Boston, MA 02109
WHEN: Friday, May 2, 2014 from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.
OTHER: Tickets are $79 and can be purchased in advance at www.tasteofthenorthend.org or by calling 617-643-8105. Tickets are $99 after April 26th.
About Taste of the North End
The Taste of the North End was founded by Donato and Nancy Frattaroli in 1993 as a benefit for Casa Monte Cassino. The Frattarolis became aware of Casa Monte Cassino when a family from Italy came into their North End restaurant. The family was staying at the CMC while their four daughters received medical attention at Boston’s Children’s Hospital Boston. The Frattarolis were touched by their story and inspired by the mission of the Casa; to provide a place to stay for impoverished families from around the world while their children receive serious medical attention in Boston. Over the next few weeks, as the Frattarolis developed the idea for the Taste of the North End to raise funds to help Casa Monte Cassino provide its invaluable services.
The Frattarolis, with the support of the North End restaurant community, held the First Annual Taste of the North End in the basement of St. John’s School. That first year, guests were able to try dishes from fifteen North End eateries. The success of the event has been incredible. What started in St. John’s moved to the local Coast Guard Base, the New England Aquarium, and finally to the DCR’s Steriti Rink on Commercial Street. The Taste of the North End currently features over 35 restaurants, bakeries and distributors. Since its inception, the Taste of the North End has raised over $600,000 for Casa Monte Cassino and other local North End charities.
# # #
