Contemporary Italian fare meets a hip, urban hangout in the heart of the North End.

The Scene
Visitors to this popular Italian restaurant and wine bar may think they've taken a wrong turn (the North End is home to countless family-style, red-sauce joints). How else to explain such modern touches as a live ''kitchen-cam'' that allows patrons and passers-by to see chefs at work, or a hip bar area that stays open late to cater to a cosmopolitan, international crowd? Efficient servers deliver selections from an impressive Italian wine list.

The Food
While the handsome dining room's window-seats are among the area's best people-watching spots, Bricco's top draw is its extensive, adventurous Italian menu. Socially minded diners can make a meal of the many small plates and appetizers available (try the zucchini-blossom tempura with fresh mushroom puree). Entrees feature top-shelf ingredients like pistachio-covered Kobe beef and Parmigiano-crusted Australian lamb. For dessert, don't miss the tangy lemon-polenta cake.