"Sometimes it seems like every suburban family celebrating a birthday from Framingham to Canton is inside of Mamma Maria, but it’s hard to blame them. This white-tablecloth spot in a multi-level brownstone overlooking North Square gives you old North End romance without the kitsch, along with a menu that, with things like clam and bay scallop pasta, is definitely a step above most of the neighborhood’s lazier red sauce joints." - dan secatore