The handful of tables and exposed-brick walls of the narrow room make Carmen about as intimate and romantic a trattoria as you’ll find in the North End, yet it’s easy to locate because the Freedom Trail stripe runs past the door. (The Paul Revere House is a neighbor.) For tapas-style snacking, sit at the bar, sip a nebbiola d’Alba, and enjoy olives marinated with cherry peppers and orange or a plate of grilled squid. Among the full dinner entrées, seared scallops fit the bill for light eaters, while hearty crespelle stuffed with wild mushrooms and topped with a meaty Bolognese sauce can stave off the strongest hunger pangs.

Carmen Information:

• Mediterranean menu. Lunch, dinner. Closed Mon. Bar. Casual attire.