Monica's is one of my favorites in the North End. My boyfriend and I have both enjoyed it on several occasions. It is great for a cozy dinner for two, but they also accommodate larger dinner parties without much trouble. The elegant atmosphere (white tablecloths and light blue walls) lends itself well to any occasion you may want to celebrate, even if that occasion is only celebrating the fact that it's Thursday.
On our first visit, I ordered the gnocchi marinara, which was awesome, and my boyfriend had a pork roast on a bed of mashed potatoes with apple ravioli, which he said was one of the best meals he'd ever eaten. The sauces and ingredients here all taste like they were prepared the instant you ordered them, as everything tasted very fresh and was delicious.
Though it's sometimes difficult to get a table during tourist season, this restaurant’s staff is always polite and professional. They never make diners feel rushed to complete their meal and are on top of their service game, topping off glasses of wine and checking up on their guests with a smile, even when they are super crowded. The large picture windows in front of the restaurant that look out over Richmond Street make this a good place for patrons to leisurely people-watch, but the view to the inside of the restaurant is what probably attracts most passersby to stop in for a meal. Reservations are recommended for extremely busy nights (Friday and Saturday). Otherwise, they might not be able to seat you for an hour or so.
Prices here are a bit much, but are extremely worth it. The average price of an entrée is about $30, with the specials on the more expensive side. Be prepared to fork over about $100 for a dinner for two, but you shouldn't mind if your dinner was as good as mine have been in the past at Monica's.