Michele Topor, Inc.

We have been to the North End before but this tour made it special. Our guide was very informative not only about food but the history of the area. The shop owners were all very friendly and helpful - even when we returned after the tour to stock up on ingredients. Most tours can tell you something new but this tour inspires you to do something new! I can't wait to use what I learned and try some of the recipes!

Jim was a fantastic guide, that was key. He's led so many tours, and yet the information was delivered with energy, enthusiasm, and authenticity. We learned some great cooking and ingredient tips, and although I've always loved the North End, I never knew the best places to go for ingredients, or for a meal. And now I do. I toured with my 25 year old son and my 82 year old mother, and we all equally loved the day. Thank you for a great experience.

Can't rave enough about your tour! Jim was so knowledgeable and really entertained us as he quided and taught us through the neighborhood. My husband wasn't sure about going on this tour, but quickly changed his mind. We've already started making plans to take the tour again with our friends and are thinking of taking the China Town tour. We ate at Monica's later in the day:chosen from resturant recommendation list. Absolutely fabulous! Our ideas of Italian food have really been opened up, can't believe what we were missing.

Tour guide Beth was knowledgeable and I enjoyed the tour very much. Next time I am in Boston I will take the Chinatown tour.

Very informative (and delicious!) about the evolution of Italian food in America. The guide was very knowledgeable about the culinary arts and the neighborhood. Space in some of the shops was VERY tight, so leave large backpacks at home!

My husband and I received this tour from our son for Christmas, we had never heard of it before so we waited until the warm weather to enjoy it. Our guide was so knowledgeable and the experience was so great we went back to some of the shops to buy certain products the guide showed us on the tour. She was really great guide and I would highly recommend requesting her.

The tour guide was wonderful and well informed!

Beth is VERY knowledgeable, easy-going and passionate about food. We were a sizable group of 14, and she made everyone, even my 11 year-old niece, feel like she was there to share all that she knew about the North End, Italy, food, and culture in a way that was very accessible. She is dynamic in her own way and has a generous spirit. She made the tour a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend this tour to any 'foodie,' chef, or the casual consumer! Well done!

My husband and I have used Zerve to book 3 food tours in New York (Greenwich Village, Meatpacking District, and SoHo). We felt that the Boston North End tour was subpar to those tours. There was little history provided on the neighborhood. For the New York tour, a bottle of water was provided. On this tour it was not and there was only one place to buy water at the first stop of the 3 hr tour (which we did not know). Also, there was no bathroom break during the three hours. There was not much food offerred on the tour - it was more of an ingredient lecture. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable however, I did not appreciate the constant comment that the "red sauce" restaurants and balsamic vinegar on a Caprese salad were not true Italian cooking. The food we sampled was good but I am very dissappointed for what we paid and what was received.

This is our second tour; we did one last year. This year, we came with a group of friends and knew that they too would love the tour. It is a wonderful combination of culinary delights and a real understanding of the ethnic and cultural background of this special neighborhood. Jim, our guide, demonstrates real understanding and love of this wonderful place.

Our group of 7 enjoyed this tour tremendously. Michele's knowledge of Italian cooking and customs gave us all in unique insight into the Italian life style. We all felt that we should possibly take the tour again with notebook in hand to record the many suggestions, observations, and recommendations he gave us. He really did open our eyes to a side of Italian life and cooking we didn't know existed. If we return to Boston, we will take another tour and insist upon Michele as our guide.

So informative and yummy! Being of Italian background didn't make this tour any less educational. We learned so many interesting things about the neighbourhood, the store owners and the foods including interesting ways to prepare and serve them. Tasting food that has been prepared by truly caring and talented people makes all the difference.

This was by far the highlight of our trip! Jim was extremely knowledgeable, patient, sensitive to everyone's needs. We learned so many things. We went back to several of the places we toured and purchased items mentioned during the tour. The information given helped us to determine places to go and eat and they were all good. I would recommend that you use the restroom before leaving on the tour. It is a few hours.

Our tour was a gift given to us by our children. This was a great way to experience the history, ambiance, and flavor(s) of the North End. We highly recommend it.!

This is a great tour if you enjoy to cook or want to learn more about Italian/American food.