i'm shooting in boston all week this week for the cookbook. -i'm sorry I've neglected you! i have a few more nights here and am STARVING --in need of dining recommendations, please!
I would recommend going to Toro which is a Spanish tapas restaurant-everything on the menu is wonderful. Also, for really good authentic Italian food, got to Prezza in the north end. You won't be disappointed. As stated above, you really need to go to Mike's pastry especially if you like cannoli's.
Anywhere in the North End Legal Seafood (best chowdah) Durgin Park (New England flavor--food and waitresses) Emma's Pizza (Cambridge) Fire & Ice in Harvard Square Anna's Taqueria Boca Grande
Sofra (Mediterranean) Just west of Harvard Campus on Mt. Auburn. Some of the best wraps I've ever had.
In Harvard Square, Bartley's a favorite tourist spot. It's a fun place to go eat and the burgers aren't bad. Try the sweet potato fries. RF Sullivans in Somerville has great burgers. Try their onion rings.
Dali has fun tapa's plus great atmosphere, and Moody's in Central Square has Chicken Shawarma to swoon over.
But my biggest suggestion is buy local cheese. The goat cheese from Vermont is really wonderful.
This is the go to list that I send to people visiting:
Craigie on Main. It is by far my favorite restaurant in Boston. (Even though it's actually in Cambridge.) You can eat in the bar- not the kind of bar you're thinking of. Best burger in Boston. East Coast style. Nothing like In-n-Out. Everything on the menu is just great. The chef is awesome too.
Sofra is a Middle Eastern Bakery. Try the mezze platter. Oleana is the sister restaurant, which is also in Cambridge and also amazing.
There are a bunch of options in Brookline. Dok Bua for thai, Matt Murphy's for traditional Irish food (fish and chips). Dorado Taco is also great, but you have plenty of great mexican options in Cali so you might want to opt for something else.
There is also Blue Ribbon BBQ, which has locations in Newton and Arlington.
Franklin Cafe and Sage are both in the South End and are great too. Flour Bakery is the best in the city and is also in the South End. They have great sandwiches.
Since you're in Weston, Dominic's in Waltham has amazing sandwiches. They make their own bread. The tonno (tuna with artichokes) is my favorite sandwich ever.
Finally, go to Formaggio Kitchen. They have two locations. One in Cambridge (the original) and the other in the South End. Tons of samples out and generally lots of great stuff.
Everything that Ellen said. She knows everything about Boston. I only know her by reputation - we have several mutual friends - but I've benefitted from her vast Boston knowledge.
The Paramount is WONDERFUL! It's on Charles street and Mt Vernon. Close to the T and everything on the menu is delicious. http://www.paramountboston.com/
I can't believe no one has said Anthony's Pier 4. Its on Northern Ave. AMAZING steak. I also think you should go down to Newport RI while you're right there (it's like an hour south of Boston).. it's my hometown, but there is also some awesome food there too. I gain 5 pounds whenever I go home.
Agree with Blue Ribbon for BBQ, or Red Bones in Davis Sq.
Also, Border Cafe is so fun for cheap texmex- in Harvard Square.
You MUST have seafood in Boston- many excellent suggestions have already been posted. PEI mussels are particularly good right now. Summer Shack is another good option for this.
Also second Formaggio, Henrietta's Kitchen, and Bartley's.
But the biggest thing no one has mentioned is ice cream! Boston is home to a catalogue of some of the most remarkably delicious ice cream stores on earth and you must avail yourself of them at least daily. Herrell's in Harvard Sq is closed, but I'm not sure about the one in Brighton; there is also Rancatore's in Belmont and Lexington, a number of Toscannini's across the Cambridge area, Christina's in Cambridge, and JP Licks in Boston and Cambridge. Get thee to a legit ice creamery, and stat!
Regina's Pizza - I believe that's on the North End too - Best Pizza Ever! I'll second the ones about Mike's Pastry too...delicious cannolis :) Have fun! I LOVE Boston!
Oh, my favorite! I miss it so much. Here's where I go when I'm back:
1. The Helmand (Cambridge) - Afghani food. Amazing.
2. Lucca (North End) - Best Cinghale outside of Tuscany. A little pricier, but worth every penny.
3. No. 9 Park (Downtown) - A definite splurge, but the tasting menu there is one of my all time favorite eating experiences. Also good people watching.
4. FuGaKyu (Brookline) - amazing sushi and they serve late (open until 2a).
5. Ten Tables (JP) - very small, but very worth a trip on the green line to centre street.
6. Anna's Taqueria - yum. cheap.
7. Dessert: Sweet (for cupcakes), JP Licks (for ice cream - I recommend the Oreo Cakebatter), Mike's (Cannoli).
The Helmand in Cambridge. Hands down the best meal I've ever eaten. It's Afghani food - very authentic. The restaurant was started by the president of Afghanistan's brother when he was in exile. It is TO DIE FOR.
Second the Mike's Pastry. You won't go wrong with a cannoli.
I'm so glad you posted this Nicole. I've been trying to find some good spots ever since I moved here. Now I'll know just where to go.
Rancatore's in Belmont is kind of a hole-in-the wall, but their ice cream is so good. The bittersweet chocolate and chocolate cinnamon are my favorites.
I second Emma's for pizza. Figs (the one in Charlestown) is a great inexpensive place with delicious bread pudding. Olive's is good but pricier. Elephant Walk has great french-cambodian. Mr. Bartley's in Harvard Square is a great burger joint. Sel de la Terre is also quite tasty. If you are up for a nice meal (and are willing to pay a bit more), Mistral is my favorite nice restaurant. I love food and Boston is a great city for eating delicious meals.
Don't know what kind of food you are looking for but some suggestions:
ReplyDeleteSunset Grill & Tap on Brighton Ave
Awesome!!
Also, Anna's Taqueria on Harvard Ave in Brookline.
Those are the 2 places I miss most...
toro on washington st (south end) is THE best in boston. was there a couple weeks ago. the beet salad will take you by surprise. have fun!
ReplyDeleteThe urbanspoon application on my iPhone helped alot while we were in Philly last weekend.
ReplyDeleteYou should try it out!
My favorite place to eat in Boston is Mike's pastries in Little Italy, just North of Quincy Market.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I heard a rumor that they overnight their food to the White house. And I believe it!
Mike's Pastry is a MUST--chocolate chip cannoli all the way!
ReplyDeleteGiaccamos in the north end, there will be a line but its worth it!
ReplyDeleteI would recommend going to Toro which is a Spanish tapas restaurant-everything on the menu is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAlso, for really good authentic Italian food, got to Prezza in the north end. You won't be disappointed.
As stated above, you really need to go to Mike's pastry especially if you like cannoli's.
Try the Naked Fish. Excellent Cuban Food. I highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteTake care!
ooh, this is a tough one. definitely check out the north end for delicious italian food. but ive heard icarus is fabulous.
ReplyDeleteMassimino's Cucina Italiana!
ReplyDeleteDelicious!
Anywhere in the North End
ReplyDeleteLegal Seafood (best chowdah)
Durgin Park (New England flavor--food and waitresses)
Emma's Pizza (Cambridge)
Fire & Ice in Harvard Square
Anna's Taqueria
Boca Grande
Boston is a good eating city!
Sofra (Mediterranean) Just west of Harvard Campus on Mt. Auburn. Some of the best wraps I've ever had.
ReplyDeleteIn Harvard Square, Bartley's a favorite tourist spot. It's a fun place to go eat and the burgers aren't bad. Try the sweet potato fries.
RF Sullivans in Somerville has great burgers. Try their onion rings.
Dali has fun tapa's plus great atmosphere, and Moody's in Central Square has Chicken Shawarma to swoon over.
But my biggest suggestion is buy local cheese. The goat cheese from Vermont is really wonderful.
Have fun here!
75 Chesnut on Beacon hill or Stella in the south end. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI second the North End. La Suma on Fleet Street is one of our fav's!!!
ReplyDeleteAlso The South End Buttery. And then you can walk down the street to the Polka Dog Barkery for a treat for Molls!
This is the go to list that I send to people visiting:
ReplyDeleteCraigie on Main. It is by far my favorite restaurant in Boston. (Even though it's actually in Cambridge.) You can eat in the bar- not the kind of bar you're thinking of. Best burger in Boston. East Coast style. Nothing like In-n-Out. Everything on the menu is just great. The chef is awesome too.
Sofra is a Middle Eastern Bakery. Try the mezze platter. Oleana is the sister restaurant, which is also in Cambridge and also amazing.
There are a bunch of options in Brookline. Dok Bua for thai, Matt Murphy's for traditional Irish food (fish and chips). Dorado Taco is also great, but you have plenty of great mexican options in Cali so you might want to opt for something else.
There is also Blue Ribbon BBQ, which has locations in Newton and Arlington.
Franklin Cafe and Sage are both in the South End and are great too. Flour Bakery is the best in the city and is also in the South End. They have great sandwiches.
Since you're in Weston, Dominic's in Waltham has amazing sandwiches. They make their own bread. The tonno (tuna with artichokes) is my favorite sandwich ever.
Finally, go to Formaggio Kitchen. They have two locations. One in Cambridge (the original) and the other in the South End. Tons of samples out and generally lots of great stuff.
Have fun!
Everything that Ellen said. She knows everything about Boston. I only know her by reputation - we have several mutual friends - but I've benefitted from her vast Boston knowledge.
ReplyDeleteAnd Anna's Taqueria is fabulous.
The Paramount is WONDERFUL! It's on Charles street and Mt Vernon. Close to the T and everything on the menu is delicious. http://www.paramountboston.com/
ReplyDeleteI can't believe no one has said Anthony's Pier 4. Its on Northern Ave. AMAZING steak. I also think you should go down to Newport RI while you're right there (it's like an hour south of Boston).. it's my hometown, but there is also some awesome food there too. I gain 5 pounds whenever I go home.
ReplyDeleteI think the best places are Henrietta's Table in Cambridge and Olives...
ReplyDeleteDitto on Giacomo's Ristorante!
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for Giaccamos! And afterwards you can head across the street to Mike's for a canoli!
ReplyDeleteYay Boston - you're so close!
ReplyDeleteAgree with Blue Ribbon for BBQ, or Red Bones in Davis Sq.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Border Cafe is so fun for cheap texmex- in Harvard Square.
You MUST have seafood in Boston- many excellent suggestions have already been posted. PEI mussels are particularly good right now. Summer Shack is another good option for this.
Also second Formaggio, Henrietta's Kitchen, and Bartley's.
But the biggest thing no one has mentioned is ice cream! Boston is home to a catalogue of some of the most remarkably delicious ice cream stores on earth and you must avail yourself of them at least daily. Herrell's in Harvard Sq is closed, but I'm not sure about the one in Brighton; there is also Rancatore's in Belmont and Lexington, a number of Toscannini's across the Cambridge area, Christina's in Cambridge, and JP Licks in Boston and Cambridge. Get thee to a legit ice creamery, and stat!
There's great eating in Boston- have so much fun!
you need to check out Quincy Market!!
ReplyDeleteRegina's Pizza - I believe that's on the North End too - Best Pizza Ever! I'll second the ones about Mike's Pastry too...delicious cannolis :)
ReplyDeleteHave fun! I LOVE Boston!
Oh, my favorite! I miss it so much. Here's where I go when I'm back:
ReplyDelete1. The Helmand (Cambridge) - Afghani food. Amazing.
2. Lucca (North End) - Best Cinghale outside of Tuscany. A little pricier, but worth every penny.
3. No. 9 Park (Downtown) - A definite splurge, but the tasting menu there is one of my all time favorite eating experiences. Also good people watching.
4. FuGaKyu (Brookline) - amazing sushi and they serve late (open until 2a).
5. Ten Tables (JP) - very small, but very worth a trip on the green line to centre street.
6. Anna's Taqueria - yum. cheap.
7. Dessert: Sweet (for cupcakes), JP Licks (for ice cream - I recommend the Oreo Cakebatter), Mike's (Cannoli).
Enjoy! I'm jealous!!!
The Helmand in Cambridge. Hands down the best meal I've ever eaten. It's Afghani food - very authentic. The restaurant was started by the president of Afghanistan's brother when he was in exile. It is TO DIE FOR.
ReplyDeleteSecond the Mike's Pastry. You won't go wrong with a cannoli.
O Ya has Beantown's best sushi!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this Nicole. I've been trying to find some good spots ever since I moved here. Now I'll know just where to go.
ReplyDeleteRancatore's in Belmont is kind of a hole-in-the wall, but their ice cream is so good. The bittersweet chocolate and chocolate cinnamon are my favorites.
Good luck and happy eating!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAll excellent suggestions. Don't forget to try Burdicks near Harvard Square. BEST hot chocolate!
ReplyDeleteZaftigs in Brookline - best Jewish deli I know!
ReplyDeleteSonsie or 29 Newberry both located on Newberry St.
ReplyDeleteI second Emma's for pizza. Figs (the one in Charlestown) is a great inexpensive place with delicious bread pudding. Olive's is good but pricier. Elephant Walk has great french-cambodian. Mr. Bartley's in Harvard Square is a great burger joint. Sel de la Terre is also quite tasty. If you are up for a nice meal (and are willing to pay a bit more), Mistral is my favorite nice restaurant. I love food and Boston is a great city for eating delicious meals.
ReplyDelete390 Post in boston -- the best! (Corner of Stuart & Clarendon)
ReplyDeleteSantarpio's Pizza..it's the best I've ever had!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.santarpiospizza.com/
mijke's pastry. don't get in line, there isn't one. just walk up and yell whatever it is you want. pistachio cookies. canolis. whatever.
ReplyDelete