Everyone knows North End Italian — but the North End is approximately a thousand miles away and parking is impossible. Yes, there’s always the MBTA, but… well… the T is the T.

So why not think about Dorchester Italian, a delicious alternative that is right in the neighborhood? Consider Tavolo and Via Cannuccia.

I’ve already written many times about Tavolo, so just a word about one new item (new to Barbara and me, not new to the menu). That’s the Panzanella Salad, described on the menu as “pecans, roasted beets, dried cranberries, apple, mixed greens, house croutons, lavender vinaigrette.” Being allergic to tree nuts, I can’t eat it, but Barbara reports that it was delicious.

Yesterday we had brunch at Via Cannuccia, our (relatively) new authentic Italian restaurant-bakery combo, with outstanding house-made baked goods. In the photos below you’ll see the four items we chose:

• Blueberry danish.
• Apricot danish (yes, those are apricots, not sunny-side-up eggs).
• Crostata Romana Carbonara (“savory tart, pancetta, onions, eggs, parmigiana, caciotta cheese, mixed greens, roasted potatoes”).
• Italian Cròc Monsieur (”baked bread with cotto ham, mozzarella, besciamella sauce, mixed greens”).

Categories: Dorchester/Boston, Food & Restaurants