History of the
Taste of the North End
This year, the Taste of the North End will benefit the North End Community Health Center, continuing the tradition of the North End restaurant community supporting North End charities. Proceeds will support the variety of programs and services offered by the health center.
The Taste of the North End was founded by Donato and Nancy Frattaroli in 1993 as a benefit for Casa Monte Cassino. The Frattarolis became aware of Casa Monte Cassino when a family from Italy came into their North End restaurant. The family was staying at the CMC while their four daughters received medical attention at Boston's Children's Hospital Boston. The Frattarolis were touched by their story and inspired by the mission of the Casa; to provide a place to stay for impoverished families from around the world while their children receive serious medical attention in Boston. Over the next few weeks, as the Frattarolis developed the idea for the Taste of the North End to raise funds to help Casa Monte Cassino provide its invaluable services.
The Frattarolis, with the support of the North End restaurant community, held the First Annual Taste of the North End in the basement of St. John's School. That first year, guests were able to try dishes from fifteen North End eateries. The success of the event has been incredible. What started in St. John's, moved to the local Coast Guard Base and finally to the New England Aquarium. The Taste of the North End currently features over fourty five restaurants, bakeries and distributors. Since its inception, the Taste of the North End has raised over $450,000 for Casa Monte Cassino and other local North End charities.
