Toscano

Toscano on Charles Street is a sit-down Italian dinner with plenty of reasons to start at the pasta section. Rigatoni Norcina comes with house-ground sausage and black truffle cream, while spinach-and-ricotta ravioli is served with duck sauce. Gnocchi with tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil gives you a simpler alternative to the richer dishes.

The Beacon Hill restaurant also serves pizza, risotto, seafood and grilled meats, so the whole table doesn’t have to agree on pasta. You can start with a cheese board and take your time choosing wine. Book this branch when your plans involve Charles Street or the Public Garden; Toscano has another restaurant in Harvard Square, and the two locations have separate reservation details.