What was the first Italian restaurant in Boston? 

A number of sources claim that it was Vercelli's, an Italian and French restaurant, which allegedly opened on Boylston Street in 1868. However, is that actually true? Is there evidence to prove Vercelli's was the first Italian restaurant? The sources making the claims about Vercelli's didn't offer any evidence or references to prove the veracity of the claim. My own in-depth research indicates Vercelli's wasn't the first Italian restaurant in Boston, and that it probably wasn't actually established until around 1881, not 1868.

So, let's take a look at the early history of Italian restaurants in Boston, from their origins, around 1867, until 1919. From 1920 and onwards, Boston, and especially the North End, would start to see some of its famous Italian restaurants open, some of which still exist today, such as Pizzeria Regina, The European and Cantina Italiana. In the near future, I'll expand on this history to cover the decades from 1920 and on.