I stopped in to grab coffee and catch up on my Hungry?City blogs, but now that I’ve got my hands on a menu; I think its time to do some research. This espresso bar and Creperie has a fantastic assortment of crepes, paninis, and fresh salads. On the French side of the menu, the crepes touch on both sweet and savory. There is caramel apple crisp, chocolate strawberry, mushroom and caramelized onion, pesto chicken, and crab and avocado to name a few. Then there are paninis including the Blue Mushroom complete with sautéed portabella mushroom caps, baby spinach, tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese and balsamic glaze or the Panino Panini, with Caprese and thin slices of imported brusciutto.

I opt for the Zesty tuna melt with its signature tuna recipe, cheddar, tomatoes, and romaine lettuce. Nothing hits the spot more than this warm crispy melt on freshly toasted multigrain bread. The house made tuna has a nice kick to it complimented by the sharp cheddar and tomato, it is simple and perfect served with a side of greens and sweet balsamic dressing.

A friend was in town for the night and as we tooled around the Quincy market area, the red aura of Red Sky beckoned us in for a bite. Without much hesitation we decided it was the ideal place for appetizers and cocktails.

Wine and gourmet Mac and Cheese became our company for the night as we were the only people in the dark restaurant. But a couple of smooth glasses of merlot quickly put us in a quaint little Red Sky bubble where the empty surroundings seemed trivial. Not to mention the fact that the Mac and Cheese was no Velvita box creation. The dish was made with freshly baked bread crumbs and truffle oil covering the thickest and creamiest cheese noodle masterpiece I’ve ever experienced.

Glance over the rest of the dinner menu and you will find everything from the loaded Red Sky burger and filet mignon to vegetable hummus and pan seared crab cakes. Amanda’s recommendation for the upcoming holiday season… stroll through Quincy Market where the epic Christmas tree lights up the night, and let the amber glow of Red Sky soothe your soul with its gourmet spins on classic American cuisine.

Italy never tasted sweeter with a freshly baked canola and a hot cappuccino topped with cocoa powder. This sub-forty Boston day, giving baystaters their first taste of winter, is beginning to look up.

I’m new to the Little Italy scene, but the vibe of this cafe sings Italia from front to back. Italy vs. Argentina glide across soccer field on the café’s two flat screen TV’s while the life sized espresso machines hum in the background. A huddle of thick leather clad men nosh on canoli’s in the back while the rest of the café is populated by a mix of young and old Italian Americans enjoying gourmet coffee and freshly baked goods after work.

The menu is not one for sustenance but if it gets any colder I’d certainly dive into they’re “specialty coffee drinks”. The “Caffe Vittoria” crowns the menu as it is comprised of coffee with kahlua, brandy, and tiramisu liquor. It’s if canoli’s and tiramisu aren’t enough there’s also yellow cream savoi, vanilla caked with Bavarian cream and almonds, or twenty different flavors of gelato.

While Boston is a small city, one of the qualities that sets it apart is the essence of each of its neighborhoods. Every area has its own flavor, and the North End’s Italian sector is a refreshing change from the pubs of Blackstone. Grazi Caffe Vittoria, I shall certainly be back.