Haute Secrets: Restaurateur Donato Frattaroli Dishes On His Favorite Spots In Boston

Donato Frattaroli is a well known man around town, especially when it comes to Boston’s North End dining scene. After all, he owns three of Boston area’s hottest restaurants – Artu, Captain Fishbones and il Molo.

Frattaroli moved to Boston from the Abruzzo region of Italy when he was just 14 years old and got his start in the restaurant industry when there were only a handful of Italian restaurants in Boston’s North End. Today, the North End is highly regarded for serving up Boston’s best Italian fare with nearly 100 restaurants and bakeries to choose from. Frattaroli and his family continue to stand out among the competition serving up standout dishes like line caught swordfish puttanesca, seafood stew and steak frites featuring  grass fed sirloin.

Photo Credit: Donato Frattaroli

We caught up recently with Frattaroli to find out what he loves most about Boston.

Where were you born: Sulmona, Italy

How long in Boston:  46 years, I immigrated in 1971!

Neighborhood: East Boston / North End

Occupation: Restaurateur

Favorite Restaurant: il Molo or Kowloon

Best Sushi: Fugakyu

Best Italian: Artu

Best dessert: The Coconut Cake at il Molo

Best place for a romantic date: Top of The Hub

Best Sunday brunch: Brunch at The Langham Hotel

Best place for a power business meeting: Brasserie Jo

If you have out of town guests, which hotel would you recommend? The Colonnade

Favorite shopping venue/boutique: Barney’s

Favorite place to buy jewelry/watches: E.B. Horn

Best Spa: Exhale at Battery Wharf

Favorite Charity Event: Taste of The North End

Favorite Cultural Event: All of the North End Feasts!

Favorite Cultural Institution: Dante Alighieri Society

Best Steakhouse: The Bancroft

Best Pizza: Umberto’s

Best Lunch: Artu

Best Gym/Athletic Facility: Beacon Hill Athletic Club

Best Massage: Exhale at Battery Wharf

Best Limousine/Driving Service: Uber

Best Museum/Exhibit: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Describe Boston in three words: Authentic, Innovative, Embracing.

Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore: Fenway Park

All-around favorite spot in Boston: North End

Best Aspect of Boston: Multi faceted, Boston is a city that allows people from all cultures and backgrounds to succeed and achieve dreams.