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Mare

135 Richmond St.
Boston, MA 02019

Phone: 617-723-6273

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Website: mareorganic.com

The neon-colored walls at this North End restaurant may seem more South Beach than southern Italian. And the menu—designed by chef-owner Marisa Iocco—is far more sophisticated than the neighborhood veal Parmesan. But we’d be shocked if anyone complained. Organic seafood done this well is a rare find. Seafood is the specialty ("mare" means “sea” in Italian) and most of the dishes are simple and satisfying. The barbecue octopus is rich and smoky, the lobster spaghetti, with its chunks of lightly buttered meat, is divine, and the scallops—oh, the scallops!—are as large and juicy as small plums. Even the fish-free pastas, such as the tagliolini with pea tendrils, basil, and heirloom tomatoes, are a treat. So while locals complain the décor is out of place, Mare wows where it counts: on the plate.