Tuesday night Adam and I were joined by my sister and her boyfriend for a Restaurant Week double date night. Leah selected Vinoteca di Monica because in addition to the restaurant week menu looking scrumptious they offer a wine pairing with each course for $48. In lieu of the traditional restaurant week courses (appetizer, entrée, dessert) Monica's offers a more fitting Italian menu with an appetizer, a pasta course and a hearty entrée course. The North End is bustling with pastry shops and gelaterias from which to enjoy dessert and I know a lot of restaurants like to encourage business to them!
Dinner began with a rustic bread basket and white bean hummus spread. For my appetizer I chose the Caprese di Bufala Mozzarella ~ Imported Buffalo Mozzarella layered with vine ripened tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and basil. 
The creamy buffalo mozzarella was sandwiched between robust salty tomatoes topped with a chiffonade of basil and cracked pepper, plated over a pool of high quality olive oil. This was a standout as far as Caprese salads go. This course was paired with a delicate Pinot Bianco.
Tray and Adam both choose the Bruschetta ai Pecorino ~ Grilled rustic bread, tomato oil, baby arugula, shaved Pecorino Romano for their appetizer and the Fettuccine con Salsiccia ~ Fettuccini pasta with sausage ragout for their pasta course. They raved equally about both choices. 
Leah and I chose the same pasta course, the Panzotti di Spinaci e Ricotta ~ Spinach and ricotta cheese ravioli with tomato and basil sauce. 
I thoroughly enjoyed the paper thin ravioli triangles filled with sweet ricotta and warm spinach bathing in a light tomato basil sauce, topped with shaved slices of Parmesan. This was a simple dish that was executed perfectly. The drizzle of olive oil ring around the ravioli was a lovely presentation. 
For my third course, along with Leah and Adam, we chose the Filleto di manzo ~ Beef tenderloin medallion, garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach.
The third course proved to be an incredible finale of meat and potatoes served with a full bodied Sangiovese. 
The beef tenderloin was bathed in a luxurious and flavorful garlic and caramelized onion sauce. The mashed potatoes were a complimentary side, nothing overly exciting but they served their purpose. The sautéed spinach a welcome compliment to the heavier elements on the plate. 
Tray was the only one to choose the Caposante alla griglia ~ Grilled diver scallops, white bean salad. He loved it!
Post three course meal, we were not too stuffed to pass on cannoli and grabbed a box to-go from Modern Pastry.
Lust inducing homemade cannoli hand filled on the spot; where chocolate coated edges are busting at the seams with sweet ricotta cream and topped with a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar. The best way to wrap up a night in the North End is with the best cannoli in the North End. Modern's will surely not disappoint!
Dinner began with a rustic bread basket and white bean hummus spread. For my appetizer I chose the Caprese di Bufala Mozzarella ~ Imported Buffalo Mozzarella layered with vine ripened tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and basil. The creamy buffalo mozzarella was sandwiched between robust salty tomatoes topped with a chiffonade of basil and cracked pepper, plated over a pool of high quality olive oil. This was a standout as far as Caprese salads go. This course was paired with a delicate Pinot Bianco.
Tray and Adam both choose the Bruschetta ai Pecorino ~ Grilled rustic bread, tomato oil, baby arugula, shaved Pecorino Romano for their appetizer and the Fettuccine con Salsiccia ~ Fettuccini pasta with sausage ragout for their pasta course. They raved equally about both choices. Leah and I chose the same pasta course, the Panzotti di Spinaci e Ricotta ~ Spinach and ricotta cheese ravioli with tomato and basil sauce. 
I thoroughly enjoyed the paper thin ravioli triangles filled with sweet ricotta and warm spinach bathing in a light tomato basil sauce, topped with shaved slices of Parmesan. This was a simple dish that was executed perfectly. The drizzle of olive oil ring around the ravioli was a lovely presentation. The pasta course was paired with a classic Chianti.
For my third course, along with Leah and Adam, we chose the Filleto di manzo ~ Beef tenderloin medallion, garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach.The third course proved to be an incredible finale of meat and potatoes served with a full bodied Sangiovese. 
The beef tenderloin was bathed in a luxurious and flavorful garlic and caramelized onion sauce. The mashed potatoes were a complimentary side, nothing overly exciting but they served their purpose. The sautéed spinach a welcome compliment to the heavier elements on the plate. Tray was the only one to choose the Caposante alla griglia ~ Grilled diver scallops, white bean salad. He loved it!Everything at Vinoteca di Monica tonight was impressive. Dishes were executed with an attention to detail and prepared with fresh high quality ingredients. I felt we truly got our monies worth for restaurant week, to boot. Our waiter was extremely personable, he made us feel welcome by cracking jokes here and there while possessing a keen knowledge of the dishes and the wine pairings.
Our cozy table next to the windows overlooking quaint Richmond Street felt like the best seat in the house. However, plenty of open air window side dining exists here. The scene at the dimly lit intimate wine bar makes for a lovely evening as well (my only previous encounter.) Vinoteca di Monica is surely a worthy contender for the daunting task of deciding which restaurant to eat at when you visit Boston's North End.
Post three course meal, we were not too stuffed to pass on cannoli and grabbed a box to-go from Modern Pastry.
Lust inducing homemade cannoli hand filled on the spot; where chocolate coated edges are busting at the seams with sweet ricotta cream and topped with a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar. The best way to wrap up a night in the North End is with the best cannoli in the North End. Modern's will surely not disappoint!143 Richmond Street
Boston, MA 02109
257 & 263 Hanover St
Boston, MA 02113
definitely drooooooooling
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