Cocktails & Cannoli met at the Tony DeMarco statue found at the south end of Hanover Street - easy to find and right next to Mother Anna's if you'd like to arrive a little early and pre-game. I wouldn't eat or drink too much, however - save room for all the treats yet to come.
Our tour guide (and tour owner) Patrick was right on time and we began with a short walk to our first stop, Parla. Patrick lives in the neighborhood and is extremely knowledgeable about places to see, things to do and where to eat. This proved invaluable as on this particular day we found ourselves in the middle of the 100th anniversary of the Feast of Saint Andrew and a few audibles were called to keep things moving - unpredictable and fun!
As the tour meandered through the streets and alleys of Little Italy, Patrick regaled us with tales of the "great cannoli war", American Revolutionary history and the scarcity of parking as we enjoyed delicious and unusual cocktails as well as tasty treats guaranteed to exceed the recommended daily caloric intake. It was decadent.
Some practical tips - wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers. I'm not sure how far we walked, but it wasn't challenging in the least as there were plenty of stops and few stairs or inclines to navigate. The tour lasted all of 2.5 hours and Patrick dropped us off within 100 yards of our starting point. Last, but not least - do yourself a favor and ask Patrick for recommendations on great, out of the way places to enjoy some of the North End's finest Italian fare.
Don't hesitate - sign up and enjoy!