Lo Conte’s Restaurant — Restaurant in Boston

Was a good meal at an affordable price - but I've had much better in the North End so probably won't be coming back anytime soon. The pasta in tomato basil sauce was delicious and wine offerings were affordable but not much to choose from. We had the bruschetta appetizer that was good but yet disappointing - more like garlic cheese bread with a few tomato cubes on top instead of the crusty thin bread topped heavy with a tomato/basil/oil combo I'm more accustomed to - pizza appetizer was large yet not much flavor - same with the seafood dish and the lasagna - it was a Saturday night so I expected their A team in the kitchen and not an off night from the back-up team. Place next door had a line and this place didn't, so that says something. So the pluses of good price and great pasta would have me here again if needed but I would not stray off the menu for much more. One other note - the waiter pushed hard for tip in cash, not overly aggressive, but made it clear both verbally and with a note on the check about tipping in cash - not sure if they split tips with back of the house or if the hostess (owner) takes a cut or just likes the tax break of cash - but still put me...

Easily the worst dining experience I've ever had in the North End - and I'm a native of Boston. I'm convinced the only reason this place stays open is due to the overflow from nearby great restaurants and people who get tired of waiting in their lines. The bland bolognese was mostly a bowl of pasta; very little sauce and a tiny amount of meat. The chicken parm was a flattened piece of unseasoned chicken in a tangy red sauce with a weird aftertaste. We started with "bruschetta" which to me is grilled or toasted bread with tomatoes, olive oil, etc. Here, it's essentially garlic bread with melted cheese and something red under the cheese, maybe prosciutto. Server was unfriendly to say the least. I asked to have a taste of a wine which was available by the glass and bottle, since we were thinking of ordering the bottle. He refused to offer a sample. We should have left right then. I've never been refused a taste of wine anywhere, unless it's only available by the bottle. The restaurant never filled up. It was mostly parents with young kids heading to the Celtics game, who probably think the Olive Garden is good Italian. Seriously, stay away...

Over the past 15 years I've gone to Lo Conte's on and off. It used to be really great! Last time, kind of questioned the food. But after tonight, I'm done. While we got there with no wait at 4ish on a Sunday, holiday Monday, and could seat 6 right away, it started off on a sour note. Walked in to the host/waiter sitting and just pointing towards a bench. The mussels app in red sauce were almost all open all the way and tasted fishy, urine?, slightly rancid smell. The garlic bread with cheese looked like it came from a box. Pretty sure the carbonara had an inch of oil at the bottom, we returned it (they did take it off the bill at least). Tuscan Chicken risotto, bland and no flavor. Veal gnocchi, the gnocchi was great. The veal, not soft, not tender, not flavored. Did it come out of the freezer and get microwaved? Now even the pasta and meatballs for the kids, how do you f' up a meatball or the flavor. Hey, at least my 2 glasses of Cab were good. Now that I made it back home, think I'll write this review while having some microwave popcorn and a margarita, which quite honestly are better, so I can forget one of the worst meals I've had...