Good Food, Less Money

Looking for good food in the North End is not hard, but finding it for a decent price can be a challenge. Lots of menus are listed outside the doors which can help you to decide on a particular restaurant and price range, but it's still not easy to decide.

I recently went to Al Dente with my cousin who was visiting, both of us on a budget that hits home for many college students. We checked out the pricing on the door and it was very reasonable, between $9-$13 for a lunch. The food also sounded very appealing, so we decided to eat it for ourselves.

Walking in, the atmosphere was quaint in the old world sense and very cozy, in a good way. We were seated immediately by the hostess who waits on the sidewalk for you, in case you have questions before you come in. The waitress was entertaining, polite, and quick on the ball. It was late afternoon so we had the place pretty much to ourselves, which was nice.

The sauce choices many, as were the pasta ones, and you can add chicken, veal, or beef for a small additional price. Or you can choose an already proportioned meal and save yourself some hassle. I had the vodka tomato sauce over chicken and fettuccine, which was absolutely mouth-watering. Fresh onions and peppers mixed in with the creamy red base, it took much self control not to eat like a starving woman. My cousin had the chicken, broccoli ziti in an alfredo sauce, I had a bite and it near melted in my mouth.

The portions were large, enough to take home for the next day, and served with very freshly grated cheese if you wanted it. The bread on the table was fresh, soft in the middle with a crunchy crust, and they had a great wine selection as well. Definitely worth checking out if you want some good eats for less money!

Al Dente is located on Salem Street in the North End.