Antico Forno   

Dinner in Boston's North End used to be an easy affair with a small number of excellent restaurants to choose from, but that was before its restaurant scene exploded. If you find your head spinning from an overload of choices, head straight for Antico Forno. This restaurant specializes in Tuscan fare that's cooked to perfection in a large, domed wood-burning oven, gently watched over by a blessed statue of St. Rocco (a patron saint of bachelors and dogs). While the restaurant can't make promises that a bachelor will go home lucky, it does offer a menu to fall in love with and portions that could get you a doggie bag. Entrees include such favorites as Fusilli al Tegamino (fusilli pasta, sauted eggplant, zucchini, roasted peppers in a plum tomato sauce topped with goat cheese and basil), Gnocchi di Patate (homemade potato dumplings with plum tomato sauce), and a full line of pizzas including the Vesuivio (fresh imported mozzarella, roasted peppers, ricotta cheese, cherry tomatoes, fresh sliced prosciutto). For such a small place, Antico Forno also offers an ample wine list. If you find it daunting, ask a waiter to suggest a bottle that pairs nicely with your meal. While open for lunch, Antico Forno becomes extra special in the evenings. The candlelight, the fire from the brick oven, and the terracotta colored walls kind of bathe everything in a warm glow, including you. If you're an established couple or on a first date, one of the best tables to covet is the one by the window -- a private nook with a charming view of Little Italy.