In Search of Good Italian Cuisine

Boston's North End Comes to CR 210 West

by Lori Allen
​My Wandering Fork

Lori Allen is a local who moved from the Boston area to attend Flagler College and never left. She is a family person that loves the beach, football, working out and finding new places to try.  Her love for food comes from her northern background and her love of cooking as well as meeting new and interesting people. She has never met a stranger nor has she ever been afraid to try an intriguing place. (Check out all her reviews on stjohnsmag.com)

Lori now has her own instagram page -check it out at mywanderingfork

Appetizer from Al Dente

The North End or otherwise known as Little Italy has come to our little slice of the world on County Road 210!  Being from Boston and a frequent visitor of the North End as well as NYC, I have been known to search out the best Italian joints around town. I am so excited now to have two great choices right here in our own backyard!


Poppy's Italiano
104 Ashourian Ave, Ste 101.
St. Augustine, Fl 32259
904-679-3657


Poppys Italiano is a family owned no-nonsense Italian comfort food restaurant with a full bar and a drive thru for easy pickup. A favorite is their pasta combo sure to fill your Italian cravings! It is a combination of creamy cheese and meat lasagna wrapped in pasta layers, cannelloni stuffed with ricotta and spinach for a different take, seasoned meat stuffed ravioli and baked rigatoni all covered in their rich homemade marinara sauce smothered with a blanket of Mozzarella then baked in the oven. This dish comes out piping hot with all of its ooey, gooey deliciousness.  There are tons of dishes to choose from that celebrate all of the Italian classics and more!  I love that they have early bird specials from 3pm to 5:30pm Monday thru Saturday and from 12pm to 5:30pm on Sunday. These specials come with soup or salad and even a glass of wine or beer if you choose. What a deal!
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At Poppy's, you're there to eat, drink , relax and enjoy authentic Italian Cuisine that will leave your belly full and your heart wanting to come back for more!


Al Dente Ristorante Italiano
90 Shops Blvd Unit 60,
St Johns, FL 32259 (
904) 217-3255


Mounsif Ghninou owner of Al Dente’s Ristorante Italiano, started his culinary journey in 1983 working in Boston’s North End as a chef in an authentic Italian restaurant and decided to bring the flavors of Boston’s North End to our neighborhood.  One of my favorites is their Bruschetta which is lightly toasted garlic bread topped with fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, crisp red onion, salty sweet prosciutto and creamy fresh mozzarella finished off with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette glaze. Its so fresh and light yet fulfilling. Their garlic shrimp that are just soaking in this garlicky white wine sauce are so good that you will want extra bread to sop up the extra goodness.


One of the best happy hours around with their 1/2 off appetizers along with their drink specials, 4$ drafts, 5$ wines, 6$ wells served Mon-Fri 2pm-6pm/Sat-Sun 3pm-5pm. At Al Dente you will enjoy great authentic Northern Italian dishes along with a fun atmosphere and warm friendly faces enticing you to always come back again.