“Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” – Federico Fellini

Vermilion awnings augur the mélange of magic and pasta that enliven this charming North End trattoria. Recently named one of the top five traditional Italian restaurants by Boston.com’s A-List, Terramia Ristorante is laden with accolades from discerning outlets like Zagat and Esquire. Helmed by Abruzzo-native Chef Marissa Iocco, to whom gourmet cuisine grants a far vaster range of expression than does either her native Italian or adopted English, Terramia is at once a bastion of classic Italian cuisine and one of its savviest innovators.

Invite a fellow epicure for a gastronomic giro d’Italia opening with a classic antipasta with a seasonal twist like the Caprese Autunnale: local, hand-crafted burrata and fried green tomatoes in lieu of buffalo mozzarella and sliced tomatoes make for a toothsome variation of this traditional appetizer. Arriving at the primi and secondi, even decisive cibo connoisseurs will suffer a moment’s indecision in the face of bold flavor profiles like that of the Raviolone Aperto, an open-faced rendition of the time-honored pasta paired with sea scallops, shrimp and seared zucchini, bathed in a lobster mascarpone red sauce. With such a savory dining experience, dessert may require the Italian imperative “Pancia mia, fatti capanna!”—roughly, “Tummy of mine, make room for more!”

• Quaglia alla Griglia | Grilled quail paired with fennel, orange, and arugula, dressed with jalapeño vinaigrette
• Agnolotti di Melanzane | Roasted eggplant ravioli with mint and basil pesto
• Saltimbocca di Agnello | Lean lamb loin cutlets wrapped with fontina and prosciutto, drizzled with trabbiano wine sage reduction
• See full menu.

4 stars and 62 reviews on Yelp

"We ordered a lovely bottle of the Chianti Riserva "Alta Classe", Rufina (Toscana) and the Burrata Caprese to share. I am not even sure I have words to explain how absolutely amazing the Buratta (mozzarella and cream) was." - Yelp Reviewer Tracey F., Boston, MA, 7/18/2011
Read more on Yelp

"My favorite restaurant in the North End, hands down. Their filet mignon with blue cheese butter melted into the top on a bed of mashed sweet potatoes is breathtaking." - Yelp Reviewer Bonnie R., Cambridge, MA 7/9/2011
Read more on Yelp

"This place was delicious! ... The food was excellent... I had some scallop pasta amazingness and my boyfriend has rissotto which he loved. Service was great as well." - Yelp Reviewer Ashley P., Boston, MA, 5/9/2011
Read more on Yelp

"I wish I could learn how to make their pork tenderloin that melts in your mouth - unbelievable! I will be dreaming of the pink sauce on the seafood ravioli when I return to Los Angeles ... Don't leave the city without eating here." - Yelp Reviewer grace a., Culver City, CA, 4/1/2011
Read more on Yelp