Reviewing restaurants for TasteBUds, Boston University's online food publication, has awakened the food critic in me, so I'm going to include reviews in my blog, too.
Recently, visiting friends treated me to Panza, having discovered it the night before and wanting more. It is a relatively small North End restaurant on Hanover Street. The entrance was crowded, even for a Monday night, but our reserved table was ready on time. Panza is decorated simply with a quiet, intimate atmosphere of white tablecloths and low lighting. I loved the white stone walls and rustic decor.
We were quickly greeted with bread and olive oil. Goat cheese and wild mushroom spring rolls and grilled Italian greens arrived on warm plates. These delicious appetizers were what brought my friends back a for a second night. The spring rolls came with a honey thyme sauce, which added just enough delicate sweetness to balance out the goat cheese flavor. If you need only one reason to come here, these spring rolls are it.
The greens, served over soft polenta that had been sauteed enough to give it a crispy bottom, were equally praiseworthy. These were served with a well-balanced gorgonzola and balsamic sauce.
I ordered the Penne Amatriciana, which came with a flavorful, fresh tomato sauce, pancetta and eggplant.
The generous portion of pasta was perfectly cooked. The pancetta was chopped and added a great crispy element to the texture. I also loved the large chunks of tender, fresh eggplant.
My friend let me try her butternut squash tortelloni, another repeat order that also lived up to its praise. Extra bits of butternut squash topped the dish, along with a rich cinnamon butter sauce that had a dessert-like sweetness.
The service, while a little rushed, was overall very friendly and helpful. Our water glasses were never empty and everything arrived at the appropriate time.
Grateful to my friends for introducing me to Panza, I plan to return soon, eager to try the rest of the menu. Boston's North End never disappoints, but this is a new favorite.
Recently, visiting friends treated me to Panza, having discovered it the night before and wanting more. It is a relatively small North End restaurant on Hanover Street. The entrance was crowded, even for a Monday night, but our reserved table was ready on time. Panza is decorated simply with a quiet, intimate atmosphere of white tablecloths and low lighting. I loved the white stone walls and rustic decor.
We were quickly greeted with bread and olive oil. Goat cheese and wild mushroom spring rolls and grilled Italian greens arrived on warm plates. These delicious appetizers were what brought my friends back a for a second night. The spring rolls came with a honey thyme sauce, which added just enough delicate sweetness to balance out the goat cheese flavor. If you need only one reason to come here, these spring rolls are it.
My friend let me try her butternut squash tortelloni, another repeat order that also lived up to its praise. Extra bits of butternut squash topped the dish, along with a rich cinnamon butter sauce that had a dessert-like sweetness.
The service, while a little rushed, was overall very friendly and helpful. Our water glasses were never empty and everything arrived at the appropriate time.
Grateful to my friends for introducing me to Panza, I plan to return soon, eager to try the rest of the menu. Boston's North End never disappoints, but this is a new favorite.
Panza
(617) 557-9248
326 Hanover St.
Boston, MA 02113
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