Michele Topor, Inc.

Although we live in the South End of Boston we had not familiarized ourselves with the restaurants and purveyors of food in the North End. We are very enthusiastic about returning to take advantage of the shopping there. We far prefer access to a green grocer - a bakery - a fish market - a delicatessen - a cheese store - than to supermarkets, no matter how acceptable the quality. After the tour we bought the ingredients for a wonderful antipasto, which was unexpectedly superior to the fine meats and cheeses we can buy in our own neighborhood.

We've done a tour like that in NY last year and we really tought that this one would be similar... but no. This one is more about culinary advice then a food tour... We taste very good food but not enought for 50$... In NY it cost $35-$40 and they advise us not to eat before because we try so much good place that we're not hungry anymore after this. Market tour, we first don't have the time to buy stuff, or if so, you have to do it instead listening to the tour... We we're SO hungry!!!!! Second, the guy in NY tour speak during the walk, and everybody can heard..... about the area we're passing true, the history, adress to know, stars that live there, and we taste a lot of food. Small part but at the end it was perfect. Market tour, was interesting but.... it can be better if we go true more places, less culinary advice, less time at the same place and give us the recepies on the papers that you gave us at the beginning. Also, 50$ it's a little bit expensive for little family or youngest person.... when we look at the person in the tour : 50 and over, classy, ''snob''. Thankyou and I hope this note will be taken helpful.

We enjoyed ourselves. We learned some new things. We got to know where some very nice stores are in the North End. The host was very nice and had a great amount of knowledge. Good time.

The tour guide was great- her energy -sense of humor and enthusiam carried the AM. The places we visted were unique and very acceoting of the group. The tour is aimed at providing information re the North End its food its stores etc.- and it hit it on the head. I would highly recommend this to anyone with a love for Italy- its culture and Italian food- here in thre US

Our tour was a Christmas gift, and my wife and I didn't know what to expect. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, well spoken, and seemed to really enjoy providing his knowledge to us. He had a great rapport with the shop employees and they all made us feel very welcome. We have recommended this tour to many of our friends.

Were given lots of information about Italian cuisine and ingredients, history of the different ethnic groups that have lived in the North End. Most shops were small, crowded. Lots of standing in each shop - that got tiring. Actual walking distance was not great. Appreciated the opportunity to sample different products from the shops.

Really enjoyed it. learned quite a bit. Well worth the time and money.

This was our second tour with Jim Becker. We find him informative to the max, definitely educated in his field, personable and great company! We felt transported across the seas rather than in our own state capitol. In Chinatown color rules, from the brightly painted buildings to the expertly decorated cakes in the two wonderful bakeries we toured. The dim som lunch was the best!!! Try eating with those chopsticks!!! What fun! Learning all about real Chinese cuisene, not that chow mein stuff was an eyeopener too. All in all, we wish there were lots more Michele Topor tours throughout the city. Come on Michele, we know you can think of at least one more for next year!! Thanks again for the experience. Don and Pat Beaulieu

We enjoyed the tour, the tour guide and all the places that we visited including all the information that was given. What a wonderful experience.

It was a long tour - 3 hours. Lots of standing and being spoken too (lecturing/informative) I am a school teacher and this is exactly how we are told not to "teach" children. For the price I would have liked more samples of food ~ it would be in the BEST interest of the merchant. Maria's Bakery would benefit if they offered the small groups a complete cookie sample.....seriously. I did go back to Maria's and make further purchases of my own - but I was still tainted by the bite size samples that were offered. Why wouldn't I go to the bakery on Hanover Street???? Another suggestion would be for the tour guide not to mention that the owners of the shops we are entering are "nasty" and we have to go to the back room....and be quiet. Again - isn't this partially for the benefit of the merchants possibly gaining additional customers??? The handouts were helpful and will be used in the future - The positive of the tour was that it weeded out the touristy traps and the ins and outs of The North End. It wasn't entirely worth the price and or time. Possibly shorter, less expensive or offer more food samples. Either way - you'll win positive feedback and verbal exposure. :) Thank you.

My wife and I ave been on culinary tours in New York City, Toronto, and now Boston, and we both agree that this tour and Jim's knowledge & presentation of the material was second to none. Despite the somewhat inclement weather, we had a great time tromping around the North End and benefiting from Jim's experience as a restaurateur, tour guide, and neighborhood "regular". We learned a lot, sampled many different foods, and got a great feel for the rich heritage and history of the areas we visited. I would recommend this tour (and our tour guide) to all visitors to Boston. We look forward to taking the Chinatown tour when we return. Thanks - Rob V. Pittsford, NY

We are from NH and it was a afternoon our from kids and this tour suprised us both. it was great to learn all the ins and outs of the North End and history etc. We can't wait to go back on our own and take our time exploring more. I only wish we had actually gone into a restaurant or two that would be the only difference.

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the North End. Our guide was personable and knowledgeable. Thanks to him, I feel quite confident about returning to the neighborhood to shop since we live within an hour's drive and would not hesitate to do so. Would definitely take the tour again-this time with friends. Worth it for the samples alone. Lots of fun.

I didn't know what to expect when my partner mentioned that he read about this tour in one of his cooking magazines. But I enjoyed it tremendously. And so did he. We got to know the North End and tried a lot of samples. I were explained how this or that food item is produced and I also started to appreciate the hand made quality knowing that it entails a big ticket price. But it's a 3 hour long walking tour and for those of you who is not in good physical shape I think it would be a little hard.

we were four local people taking the tour and loved it. it's a wealth of information and just the right amount of tasting combined with humor and fun.