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Phantom Gourmet: Mare Oyster Bar In Boston's North End

BOSTON - Hidden away down an alley off Hanover Street in the North End, overlooking a tunnel, and surrounded by fire pits, there's a restaurant the likes of which Boston has never seen before; a place where you can get Maine lobster, Ipswich fried clams, oysters from all over the East Coast, and authentic Italian pasta. And the atmosphere is just absolutely stunning.

"I wanted to make a restaurant that the inside was the outside, and the outside was the inside. Just one restaurant that was wide open, so that people could enjoy that al fresco feel, whether they were sitting inside or outside," explained legendary restaurateur Frank Depasquale.

The restaurant is named Mare Oyster Bar. Ten years ago it started out as a small seafood eatery on the corner of Richmond and North Streets. But when Depasquale had the opportunity to take over this under-utilized piece of property, he jumped at the chance to turn Mare into the seafood spot of his dreams.

"This is an area that people overlooked. When I got back here, I gave it a wow! I saw one of the most beautiful views of the skyline of Boston. I said, 'This view is as good as going over the Mystic River Bridge. This is something that I really want.' And what's just below us, believe it or not, it's the Callahan Tunnel."

Rita D'Angelo is Mare's General Manager, overseeing the operation inside and out.

"The location is amazing," she declared. "Who would think we have a restaurant on top of the exit to the tunnel? We have cars going by. We have the view of the city, and then there's the fire pit."

"We bought a pergola and a glass wall from Florence, Italy," Depasquale said. "This pergola is perfect because it shows the whole view of the city, and it has the sides that go up and down, and it has a retractable awning. It gives you outdoor seating all year round."

The kitchen is helmed by Chef Nello Caccioppoli, who brings the flavors of his home in Italy's Amalfi coast, to some of New England's favorite seafood dishes, especially lobster.

Mare Oyster Bar, Phantom Gourmet
Tagliatelli with lobster at Mare Oyster Bar (Image: Phantom Gourmet)

There's handmade tagliatelli pasta with fresh lobster, shaved black truffles, and cherry tomatoes; Zeppolini di Mare featuring golden fried balls of dough stuffed with lobster and shrimp; an incredible plate of fried Zucchini Blossoms mixed with lobster and ricotta cheese; an impressive two pound baked lobster stuffed with scallops, shrimp, crab, and even more lobster. Plus, Mare makes one of the biggest and best lobster rolls anywhere in Boston, served on a brioche roll that's made fresh daily at their sister bread bakery, Bricco Panetteria.

"I haven't weighed it, but I would say it's like half a pound of lobster, if not more," Rita said. "It's just so much of it and it tastes so delicious."

Mare Oyster Bar, Phantom Gourmet
Lobster Roll at Mare Oyster Bar (Image: Phantom Gourmet)

The kitchen also gets it right when it comes to the crispy, whole belly, fried clams served with housemade tartar sauce. The raw bar features a selection of up to 20 types of oysters every night, and if you're up to the splurge, you can shuck your way through an entire shellfish tower, featuring Alaskan king crab, chilled lobster, and jumbo shrimp.

Mare Oyster Bar, Phantom Gourmet
Seafood Tower at Mare Oyster Bar (Image: Phantom Gourmet)

You'll also find a variety of Italian-style crudo, along with hard-to-find fish like Dover Sole and whole roasted Branzino. If you're not in the mood for seafood, there's hearty Wild Boar Pappardelle, Black Angus Filet Mignon with a black truffle demi, and an outstanding upscale burger topped with aged cheddar and Applewood smoked bacon on a pepper brioche bun.

Desserts are pretty special here as well, like the delicately sweet Pineapple Carpaccio topped with Fruit Sorbet, or the Delizia al Limone, a sponge cake recipe straight from the Amalfi Coast that's smothered in a lemon cream icing.

Mare Oyster Bar, Phantom Gourmet
Pineapple Carpaccio at Mare Oyster Bar (Image: Phantom Gourmet)

From the food, to the fire, to the retractable roof, Mare has become the signature restaurant from Boston's most passionate restaurateur.

"I wanted to challenge all the best restaurants, not only in the United States, but also in Europe. We're trying to make this a place where everyone's gonna get a hug and a kiss as they come in and as they leave," he said. "My whole life is passion. Whether it's the love of my family, or whether it's a dish that we're doing, or whether it's interior design. My passion starts when I go to sleep because I dream of it. And when I wake up I try to accomplish it. Passion is what it's all about."

You can find Mare at 3 Mechanic Street in Boston at online at mareoysterbar.com.

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Watch Phantom Gourmet on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 and 11 a.m. on myTV38.

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