Is there anywhere good to eat in Boston?
I used to live there about 6 years ago. Going back next week for work, and would love to eat well. Not interested in run of the mill stuff, which I remember Boston excelling at, such as crappy Italian red sauce joints, fried seafood and chowder shacks, or lame roast beef sandwich places. I am not looking for pizza, ice cream or burgers either. I'm looking for exceptionally good, inventive and refreshing food. Something on the same creative level as Momofuku, but not necessarily fusiony. Boston is so stodgy, I'm dreading this trip. I know there's got to be something good there though. Sorry for the pessimistic tone, but seriously. Impress me.
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20 Comments:
I moved away two years ago, so my info's slightly out of date, but here goes: Baraka Cafe (http://barakacafe.com/). Tiny little hole-in-the-wall, cash-only Tunisian restaurant in Central Square. Be prepared for slow service (they make everything to order, and the waitress isn't really familiar with American customer service norms), and the best frakkin' food you'll ever eat, at ridiculously reasonable prices. Since there are so few tables, it's best to go a little on the early side. Must-haves are the Bedenjal Mechoui, a smoky eggplant dip, Jbinet with Berber Karmous, a plate of middle eastern cheeses with fig compote, and Cherbat, which is lemonade with rose petals, mint leaves, and spices. For an entree, everything's absolutely incredible, especially the meat dishes, but if you call 36 hours ahead you can have the unique pleasure of their Bastilla, which the website describe as "filo pastry layered with almonds, cinnamon, saffron, parsley, marinated squab or free-range chicken with figs, mint, parsley, orange blossom infusion." For dessert, the seven-spice flourless chocolate torte is well worth the struggle to find a few extra square inches of room in your stomach.
Since you used to live in Boston, I'm sure I don't have to tell you to make sure you get your tuchis to L.A. Burdick in Harvard Square for some hot chocolate, or to Finale for dessert.
Oh, and foodandwine.com has a list of several hot restaurants in North America, several of which are in Boston: http://www.foodandwine.com/golist/2008/list.cfm?label=us-canada
tacroy80 at 9:49PM on 04/14/08
Lemme guess ... you moved from Boston to New York?
kjgibson at 10:16PM on 04/14/08
I recently moved to Boston myself and haven't had a chance to try these out, but they are suppose to be really good and have been recommended to me...
Oleana Restaurant - www.oleanarestaurant.com
Kashmir Restaurant - www.kashmirrestaurant.com
Troquet - www.troquetboston.com
Tangierino - www.tangierino.com
jmfors at 10:30PM on 04/14/08
I also moved away from Boston, about 2.5 years ago, but there is so much good food to be had there. I haven't been to all the top places due to not being rolling in the cash, but yum... (re the list above, I'd skip Kashmir, I love Indian and don't love that one). Some of my favorites:
Upstairs on the Square http://www.upstairsonthesquare.com
Sel de la Terre http://www.seldelaterre.com
Dali http://www.dalirestaurant.com
Fugakyu http://www.fugakyujapanese.com
and if you can get out to Wellesley
Blue Ginger http://www.ming.com/blueginger
It's just not the same restaurant culture as New York, but food just as delicious can be had.
wellred at 11:20PM on 04/14/08
Clio
A lot of the other places, folks have already suggested. Boston is full of great food. It's hardly "stodgy", unless all your other eating experiences have only centered around the tourist traps.
Amandarama at 7:11AM on 04/15/08
In addition to all the good suggestions above, I'd add Ken Oringer's restaurants (Clio, Uni Sashimi Bar, La Verdad,) Great Bay (especially the Island Bar) at the Commonwealth Hotel, and my personal favorite: Tresca on Hanover St. in the North End.
SSMom at 7:11AM on 04/15/08
Craigie St. Bistro in Cambridge
SSMom at 7:13AM on 04/15/08
Thank you all for your suggestions. A lot of these sound great. I've heard of a few, and been to some, and your suggestions seem to be on par with what I'm looking for. I'd actually love to make it out to Blue Ginger even though it's an old war horse at this point, I just love Ming Tsai, he kicks ass.
Amanda, stodgy is not inaccurate, but maybe provincial would have been a better choice in this context. I lived there for 6 years and most certainly did not hang out in tourist traps, my opinion is well formed. But I'm not trying to pick a fight, and I do thank you all again for your ideas.
simon at 10:14AM on 04/15/08
I second the suggestion of Oleana.
Also new in the past year is Douzo (excellent japanese and sushi)
I have not been but Ken Oringer's new place Toro is gettting great reviews.
And Simon, I feel bad for you that you didn't experience better food when you where here. I grew up in NYC but I find that Boston has many fine places to eat!
potroast at 1:36PM on 04/15/08
It's been a few years but I had a delicious meal at Great Bay. I remember the menu was full of creative takes on classic dishes. The desserts were fantastic and I think the wine list was great as well. Enjoy your trip!
http://www.gbayrestaurant.com/
jhoefl88 at 2:01PM on 04/15/08
Many of the places listed above are great. I write a Boston food blog and you can click on "BFW Favorites" to see my most favorite places of all.
http://www.bostongoodandwhine.blogspot.com
Top 5 for me (currently and in no particular order)
1. Oleana (Cambridge)
2. Clio (Back Bay)
3. Metropolis (South End)
4. Meyers + Chang (South End)
5. Tangierino (Charlestown)
Places I haven't been to yet, but are supposed to be very good: Oishii, O ya, Clink, Legal Test Kitchen, Pigalle, Rialto, Sage & Vlora.
Have fun while visiting!
tschuetz at 3:04PM on 04/15/08
For Mexican, Casa Ramero off Newbury St. is a must - I say Mexican but it's not your typical burritos and enchiladas. The huitalacoche (Aztec mushroom) appetizer is incredible, and the garlic chicken tenderloins are also fantastic. I've really never had anything I don't like here (they also make a mean margarita and good sangria)
For great Italian, Strega in the North End (eggplant rollatini better than my nonna's!). Also Baccho can be good, depending on which chef is there!
Whatever you do DON'T go to the Top of the Hub. Since you've already lived there you've probably already gone, but it is probably the most overrated restaurant I've ever been to.
embolini9 at 3:12PM on 04/15/08
The brunch at Metropolis is awesome. I love their homemade granola but I dream about their huevos rancheros. The best I've had anywhere.
Jacquie at 3:33PM on 04/15/08
Radius in the Financial District is one of the best places to eat in Boston.
Sol Azteca In Brookline is great, authentic Mexican Food.
Lumiere in Newton is Fantastic.
Brasserie Jo in the Colonnade Hotel is great Bistro Fare.
Oishii in the South End has the best Sushi ever.
MarkinBoston at 3:57PM on 04/15/08
Whenever I'm in Boston I always end up at Tavern on the Water at Pier 6 in Charleston Navy Yard. Nothing fancy, always great service and good food for fairly cheap. Very good chowder (how can you not when in Boston?)
hungrysailor at 4:54PM on 04/15/08
I think you'll be pleasantly surprized with the number of new/hip restaurants in Boston. Here are a few that haven't been mentioned:
--Marco in the North End (Hanover Street) - small, intimate, wonderful
--Sage in the North End - actually a little better than Marco for your stated requirements (better make reservations pronto)
--Mistral (Columbus Ave) - not to be missed for quirky cocktails, impressive bar and decor, great food, and above all else, the cosmopolitan scene (probably won't be able to get in at this late date)
If you're willing to travel a little outside of Boston (and its comfort zone), both the Ashmont Grill (you'll mistake it for a NY eatery on the inside) and Blarney Stone in Dorchester offer up creative fare in hip new settings.
Enjoy and let us know of your favorites!
SandraA at 7:07PM on 04/15/08
I second the Ashmont Grill recommendation. Excellent food. Another Dorchester restaurant I would add is dBar. Gourmet food at reasonable prices (for Boston).
dhdav66 at 8:55PM on 04/15/08
Toro in the South End is by far the most consistently satisfying meal that I've found here. The salt cod fritters with fried lemon rings... so delicious.
Also not to be missed:
Tamarind Bay for some excellent regional Indian food (not your run of the mill selection) - Harvard Square
Oishii (South End) or O Ya (Leather District) if you're looking to splurge on beautiful, meticulously crafted sushi.
B&G Oyster for seafood - South End
Oleana, already mentioned by many - Cambridge (Hampshire St?)
I've heard really great things about Ten Tables in Jamaica Plain, but haven't been yet. Also, don't forget that there are great lunch/pastry places like Hi-Rise bakery in Cambridge! Hope you have a good trip!
darjeeling_tea at 10:26PM on 04/15/08
A little outside Boston in Needham - try Sweet Basil. Great rustic Italian food located on Great Plain Ave. It's BYOB and cash only.
anneforsox at 11:16AM on 04/21/08
O Ya is getting tons of national attention from the food press. I would definitely check it out if you're a Momofuku fan.
AshinCambridge at 12:35PM on 04/21/08