| Rating |
Date Attended [v] |
Reviewer |
Gender |
Age |
Where From? |
Group Type? |
|
Very informative food/history tour
|
| Sat, Jul 25, 09 9:00 AM |
dianageiser |
Female |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| The North End Market Tour conducted by Mr. Miele was a font of information about the differences between Italian and Italian-American cuisine and culinary practices, especially those unique to Boston's North End. His description of the cultural, social and economic factors that influenced the local Italian dining and food markets was fascinating. As a history buff, I found his discussion of the evolution of Boston Italian cuisine quite interesting. There was also sufficient opportunity to taste different items, many of them fresh at the local markets that supply the neighborhood and restaurants. We later ate at three of the restaurants in the North End and were more than satisfied with our meals. We returned later to buy genuine aged olive oil and balsamic vinegar as well as other dry food products, based on Mr. Miele's suggestions. He provided us with handouts of a number of restaurants, grocers, and other specialty shops in the North End which we referred to when we returned later. My husband and I appreciated that he did not push or promote any particular establishment, but gave us the facts of what to look for in quality food and its preparation, which led us to our own choices about what to purchase. This was an all-around excellent tour, particularly if you savor not only the remarkably fresh and tasty food samples but also the rich history of Italian-American culinary culture distinct to Boston's North End. |
|
|
excellent and informative tour
|
| Fri, Jul 24, 09 3:00 PM |
joannesm |
Female |
40-49 |
Local |
Other |
| My brother and I joined 11 others and our guide for this informative tour. It was more than I anticipated in terms of truly highlighting the less touristy "gifts" of the North End and the variety of delicacies in that area. The historical background of the North End was also an excellent education. Thank you very much! |
|
|
Absolutely Great
|
| Fri, Jul 24, 09 10:00 AM |
JerryShea |
Male |
50-59 |
Local |
Family Without Children |
| This tour has been the highlight of our summer. It was fun, informative, and just the right amount of time. |
|
|
A Fantastic Activity
|
| Fri, Jul 24, 09 10:00 AM |
beth328 |
Female |
50-59 |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
| I really enjoyed Michele Topor's North End Market Tour. Our guide, Jim, was a former chef who gave all sorts of insights both on Italian cooking and the history of the North End. I look forward to trying one of the other tours on my next visit to Boston |
|
|
Fantastic!
|
| Wed, Jul 22, 09 2:00 PM |
BlueDawg |
Male |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| Our guide Jim, a former chef, was extremely knowledgeable. The tour was the highlight of our visit to Boston. I highly recommend it! |
|
|
Better than expected experience
|
| Wed, Jul 22, 09 2:00 PM |
Cryder16 |
Male |
30-39 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| My wife and I really enjoyed this tour. We had gone on the Seattle Market Tour last year on vacation and expected something very similar, but our guide (a former chef) exceeded these expectations. We did not go to restaurants, but went to the source for the foods and flavors such as a deli, grocery, pastry shop and wine store to learn about the Italian heritage and style of food preparation. We not only learned the foods, but how history (especially related to immigration from italy to america) changed the ingredients and cooking methods. Our guide also gave us a great historical background on the North End and it's residents over time. I highly recommend this tour and plan on going to the Chinatown counterpart to this tour next time in Boston. |
|
|
Exceeded my expectations
|
| Sat, Jul 18, 09 2:00 PM |
lgreenberg |
Female |
50-59 |
Local |
Group of Friends |
| This tour had been highly recommended to me by a friend. Although we had neither of the tour leaders mentioned by my friend, our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and very passionate about Italian food, the shops we entered and the North End in general. I learned as much about the North End and its history as I did about Italian food and where to eat and buy it. She had a warm relationship with all the store owners and we were treated to many items to taste at each of the vendors. I was also pleased to be able to leave with thorough descriptions of the stores we entered as well as a valuable list of recommended restaurants one of which we tried at the end of the tour. I now feel empowered to return to the North End on my own. |
|
|
A Wonderful Experience
|
| Sat, Jul 18, 09 2:00 PM |
janmbrill |
Female |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| My husband and I recently spent a few days in Boston's North End. Growing up in an Italian household, I was interested in taking the Market Tour so that I can experience the Italian traditions of the area. It wasn't my husband's first choice, but he graciously accompanied me on the tour. Beth, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable about authentic Italian traditions and cooking, and the tour inspired me to try new ingredients in some of my recipes. My husband enjoyed the tastings that were given to us in each store and will benefit from my new-found creativity. Without the tour, we would never have discovered some of the hidden gems in the North End. Thanks for providing such a wonderful experience! |
|
Fun, but not value packed.
|
| Sat, Jul 18, 09 1:00 PM |
ginarichard |
Female |
40-49 |
Local |
Family Without Children |
| We enjoyed ourselves on this tour, but didn't feel it was value packed. We traveled to San Fransisco about 7 months ago and took a similar tour, which is what made us search and find this tour. Our Tour guide was very knowledgable and friendly, there are no complaints there, the issue is with the merchants. They just didn't seem to really want us in their stores. It always felt as though we were intruding or in the way and samples were very limited. In contrast to the tour we took in SF, we left that tour feeling as though we were special, seeing behind the scenes in many shops, meeting and talking with the staff and having loads of foods to try. I would not disuade someone from this tour. The knowledge of certain foods and the quality you can get from some of these small shoppes was wonderful. We just didn't feel that our business was appreciated. |
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|
great fun for locals & tourist foodies
|
| Sat, Jul 18, 09 10:00 AM |
mfishbane |
Female |
30-39 |
Local |
Other |
| my best friend came to town and as she's been here before, we wanted something fun to do that was a little different...she's a huge foodie & loves to cook so when i found this tour we were very excited...and we were not disappointed. we learned a lot about the north end, italian life and cooking--our guide Beth did a great job. what a fun and different way to explore a city! the best part about it, we found great places to pick up things to bring home for a fabulous italian dinner later that night with our husbands. |
