There are few absolutes in the world, but this is one: there can never be too many Italian restaurants in the North End. They run the gamut of class and authenticity, but La Brace (pronounced la-BRA-chay) is on the high end of both. And it should be -- its owner spent 20 years waitressing in neighborhood restaurants before finally opening one of her own.

The décor is simple, as is the cooking style. Unlike some other North End restaurants, most plates arrive with little seasoning or sauce, to let the natural taste of the grilled meats show through (after all, "La Brace" is Italian for "The Grill"). Noted favorites are the pancetta-wrapped chicken and the ribeye steak. The homemade pasta is also mouth-watering and the risotto makes a meal of itself. Considering the location, prices are very reasonable. -- Melanie Miller (Photo: Melanie Miller for AOL CityGuide)