Carmen's Kitchen in East Boston

I went to Carmen's Kitchen this evening to finally check out the neighborhood restaurant I've heard a lot about. I had heard they don't have a liquor license so I picked up a bottle of wine on the way there. It turns out upon arrival that they did recently get a license to sell wine and cordials, but the "best" thing they had was Blackstone merlot. So I opted for water which was plastic bottles of dasani. All that being said, everything from that point on was absolutely amazing.

For appetizers we got mussels tossed in red sauce and split pea soup with shaved pork shoulder on top. Both were outstanding. The mussels were huge and the soup was the best I've ever had in a restaurant.

For entrees we got rigatoni with vodka suace and one of the nightly specials a bone in porkloin with a port sauce, mash potato and juliened vegetables. Both entrees were big, perfectly cooked and delicious.

While the food was great they definitely were lacking in some atmospheric touches. The lights were a bit bright and the music was too quiet. Two things that are easily fixed. The place was pretty empty which was surprising for how good the food was. Definitely worth your time if you live in the neighborhood. I have had so many mediocre meals in the North End that I had almost given up on Italian food in Boston.