Specializing in Italian & Mediterranean cuisine, Rabia's is a North End gem located at 73 Salem Street. The atmosphere exudes allure and enchantment, where large open windows draw you in with grape vines covering the ceiling and low hanging branches beckoning like something out of a storybook or perhaps an exotic wine cellar.
When my Mom visited one weekend back in November, we spent a rainy afternoon at the Institute of Contemporary Art and then walked back to the North End, where Rabia's was a warm welcome in from the cold damp city streets. 
We did not have a reservation, but we were dining early enough where one was not essential. On any given night, the tiny space fills up, so I would recommend one if you are dining at peak hours. Rabia's features original seafood plates ranging in price from $21-$28. Their pasta creations made fresh daily look solid at $18 a plate. They offer from a plethora of classic Italian appetizers addition to numerous daily specials and a raw bar. 
We decided on a bottle of red wine to start, a Mark West Pinot Noir which was recommended by our helpful waitress. We shared a salad off the specials menu, a creation which boasted a warm spinach base piled with beets, roasted red peppers, portabello mushrooms, prosciutto and a heaping portion of goat cheese with a balsamic dressing. The flavors and textures melded to create blissful bites. The crisp fresh spinach enveloped that creamy goat cheese, while the sweetness lent from the beets contrasted nicely with the saltiness of the prosciutto. 
For the main courses, Mom and I were deliberating between a few Pesce dishes, but the pasta was not up for debate. Enter the Butternut Squash & Pumpkin Ravioli ($18) featuring a creamy gorgonzola sauce drizzled in a balsamic reduction glaze. 
This dish was savory with hints of sweetness and most importantly lots of comforting fall flavors. The handmade hexagon shaped ravioli was cooked perfectly and added a tasteful element to the presentation.
That would be my "I spent the day at a museum" attire. No frills, no makeup. I felt a bit under dressed! For the second dish we decided on the Risotto alla Pescatore ($24) where shrimps, scallops, clams, calamari, and mussels are sauteed with shallots in a garlic white wine sauce and served over creamy risotto.
Here is my Mom looking cute as ever!
Cheers! 
Please note it is still very early in the evening, the place was packed full about five minutes after this photo was taken. 
In the two instances I have dined here, I was lead each time through the aforementioned enchanting vine canopied room, and actually seated at the same exact table! The second room boasts russet orange colored walls with tree like structures growing from the floor. Interesting artifacts, such as an antler light fixture which hangs from the ceiling, looks more like it belongs in a ski lodge. The two separate dining spaces don't seem to mesh accordingly. (Edited to note - this dining room has since been re-decorated!)
The second outing to Rabia's came to be on one of the many girls weekends. I actually did not allow any bias on my part, I simply sent out an email of restaurant website menu links and let the girls choose. The menu here speaks for itself. Another similarity I hadn't realized (until now) is the gals who chose the wine, ordered the same bottle Mom and I ended up drinking. This Mark West is a popular guy. Nothing beets a full bodied Pinot Noir to wash down some fine Italian cuisine.
Cheers, once again. Girls nights are the best!
My entree this time was chosen off the specials menu and consisted of Chicken Medallions and Potato Ravioli in a Gorgonzola cream sauce with roasted butternut squash and figs
The group of us received a creamy pesto gnocchi dish on the house, delivered because someone in the kitchen thought we didn't have enough pasta on the table. It was delicious, many thanks to the chef! I never did leave room for the dessert course. The first time around Mom and I decided we'd get pastries on the walk home, and the girls and I had a long night of dancing ahead of us. Third times a charm? Maybe then I'll even be seated in the unpictured room which drew me to Rabia's in the first place.
Same spot, larger tableThe warm, friendly and accommodating waitstaff never linger too long but were always close by, keeping the wine glasses full and the bread and fresh grated Parmesan cheese in abundance. I often reccomend Rabia's for consistently good food and service. With an inventive pesce menu, a raw bar and pastas handmade fresh daily; the food is comforting and the dishes are well executed. The intimate setting, though a few odd artifacts here and there, would be ideal for a date. And as you've seen pictured, just as ideal to catch up with anyone, including but not limited to Mom and the ladies.
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