Little Italy, Boston | Carmelina's pasta 🍝

🍝 Carmelina’s: North End’s Italian Gem—Fresh Pasta That Lives Up to the Hype After craving authentic Italian-made pasta for ages, I finally booked a spot at this North End staple—and it delivered. Fresh pasta truly makes a difference, and while not every dish wowed, their signature Alfredo is a must-order. 🌟 The Standouts Crazy Alfredo ($22): 🧀 The star. Billed as a “spicy” Alfredo, ours was mild—instead, it’s all about the red bell peppers, which add a sweet, smoky depth to the rich cream sauce. Think: Alfredo meets pizza flavor (in the best way). Tossed with wide noodles and chunks of chicken, sausage, or ham (we mixed chicken and sausage), it’s indulgent but balanced—you won’t want to stop eating. House Bread: 🍞 Warm, crusty rolls with a soft interior—served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. Proof that good carbs make any meal better. Carbonara ($20): 🥓 A classic done right: crispy guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino, egg, and black pepper tossed with thin spaghetti. Creamy, salty, and rich—too rich, honestly. A few bites are heavenly, but by the end, it’s cloying (I’ll need months before craving it again). Still, if you love carbonara, it’s worth trying for its simplicity. 😐 The “Meh” Garlic Shrimp ($18) : 🦐 Five plump shrimp sautéed in garlic butter—tasty, but basic. The flavor is exactly what you’d expect (garlicky, buttery), but $18 for five shrimp feels steep. Skip it and save room for more pasta. Regular Alfredo ($22): 🥛 Fine, but forgettable next to the “Crazy” version. Without the bell peppers, it’s just a standard creamy sauce—rich, but lacking that extra oomph. ✨ Why It Works Fresh Pasta: The texture is unbeatable—chewy, springy, and far more satisfying than dried noodles. You can taste the care in every strand. Vibe: Cozy, old-school Italian spot in Boston’s Little Italy—casual enough for a laid-back meal, but with that “special occasion” feel. Carmelina’s is worth the hype, especially for the Crazy Alfredo. Just pace yourself with the carbonara, and skip the shrimp to splurge on more pasta. 📍 Carmelina’s 307 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113 #BostonItalian #NorthEndEats #FreshPasta