Boston restaurant help needed

[SeaSpray]

Hi everyone:

DH and I will be spending a weekend at the Seaport Hotel in Boston in early June. I need some ideas on where to eat dinner and lunch.

Just for some background info, DH likes seafood, I hate it, but can usually find something to eat at a seafood restaurant. We've been to Legal Seafood before but DH wasn't impressed.

I love the Hard Rock Cafe but we've been there many times and I'm hoping to find someplace new.

For an example, here are the places we love eat at Disney World....(We definitely don't like "gourmet" food)... We loved 50's Primetime Cafe, Kona Cafe, Afternoon Tea at the GF, dinner at the castle, etc. We also like the Outback Steakhouse, mainly because we love the salads they have, and the steaks are consistently decent.

I guess we just like good basic meals with some nice atmosphere. Price isn't a big factor.

Keeping all this in mind, does anyone have any suggestions? We'll be eating 2 lunches and 1 dinner out. The other dinner we'll be having aboard the Spirit of Boston dinner cruise. We'll have room service for breakfast both mornings.

Thanks!

 

[December99]

One of my fav places is Maggiano's Little Italy (we have several here in the Chicago area) and the food at the one in Boston was just as great as the food here. It's by the Legal Seafoods near the Boston Plaza Hotel.

Other than that - I'll let the experts tell you!

 

[gemmie214]

The Union Oyster House is a possibility and Durgan Park is always fun for lunch.
I love wondering in the North End and just picking a place to try. I have never had a bad meal doing this either

 

[Jenzebelle]

If you're interested in good beer and pub food, definitely try the Elephant & Castle.
It's in the Financial district - not too far from Fanueil Hall.

 

[anniet]

I must second Gemmie214's choices...Durgin Park is fun, but it's set up where you could be seated with others, but that's often FUN!

They don't serve bad meals in the North End...they're Italian!!!!

 

[outahere]

The last time I ate there (a couple of years ago) Jimmy's Harborside had pretty good seafood, as well as a lot of other choices on their menu. If you really want to splurge.... the Bay Tower Room is excellent and has a great view as well.

 

[SeaSpray]

Please tell me more about Durgin-Park! I just found their website and the dishes on the menu look great! And it's right in Quincy Market.

Can some of you tell me more about the atmosphere? I think I just read somewhere (not on the official web page) that the waiters are supposed to be rude??? LOL

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Durgin Park is old Boston... not real fancy... waitresses are quick with the food and I would say the food is plentiful and adequate...I would not say it is my favorite in Boston.. there are others I like much more.. but I would say it is definitely Old New England.. they may sit you with someone else at a banquet type table.

We like to eat at Kansas City in Faneuil Hall, always consistently good food..

Did you know that the Seaport Hotel is owned by Fidelity Investments.. I just thought I would share that with you.. They have some decent restaurants... we ate breakfast there and it was nice..

PS.. also.. I am not sure if it is still open, but Todd English, the owner of Olive's (supposedly one of the best restaurants in Boston, actually Charlestown) has a fish restaurant in Faneuil Hall.. I have not eaten there but have heard it is good..

 

[KaterBell]

Dick's Last Resort - near Prudential Center Mall... Good food -BBQ, burgers, etc... waiters/waitresses are supposed to be "rude" and funny... No plates, food is served in a bucket! I think they have a few other ones around the country... I've been to the one in Dallas, TX as well...

Just my $0.02! Have a fab trip to Boston!

 

[outahere]

Durgin Park can be a very interesting experience! As Mackey Mouse pointed out, the food is plentiful and usually pretty good. The wait staff is the show..... they can be very rude, almost to the point of being obnoxious. You almost always end up at a table with other people. Definitely not a quiet, romantic meal!

Not exactly my kind of place, but maybe worth going one time.

 

[SeaSpray]

Ok I checked out the web site for the Elephant and Castle, and that looks really good too!

Mackey, is Kansas City the name of the restaurant? I just did a search and couldn't find anything at all in Boston by that name.

I am planning on eating breakfast at the Seaport, we'll check out their restaurant, I know it's called "Aura" or something like that. What did you think of the hotel in general? I really like what I've read about it, I found some web sites where people wrote reviews and they really liked it. Excellent service and beautiful rooms, from what I've read.

Do you know where Todd English's is? That restaurant sounds vaguely familiar.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

This is what I did I went to Google.com and typed in restaurant, Todd English and there is more reading there than you can shake a stick at.. he has one called Rustic Kitchen in Faneuil, he has Figs in Charlestown, which is a cab ride away, but no reservations.. and also Olives and no reservations accepted..

One of my very favorite restaurants in Boston, but pricey, and yet wonderful is 9 Park Street, I think I mentioned that one before to you.. self taught chef and she is just incredible.. food and service is not to beat.. but pricey..

and the full name for the Kansas City restaurant is

Plaza III The Kansas City Steakhouse..good steak..although I am not a beef eater.. I usually do chicken which is excellent as well... We go there before events at the Fleet.. good service, good food.

We have only eaten at the Seaport, we did look into it for our daughter's wedding but decided to have it more in the Copley Sq. area of Boston.. I think it is quite good looking inside, there is some building going around it.. Just an FYI..

 

[aprincessmom]

Durgin Park is not a favorite of mine, food wise. The food isn't all that good...it's a good atmosphere, touristy place.

I am not sure if it is still open, but Todd English, the owner of Olive's (supposedly one of the best restaurants in Boston, actually Charlestown) has a fish restaurant in Faneuil Hall.. I have not eaten there but have heard it is good..

That's Kingfish and it is terrific. It gets really busy so going during an off-time might enhance the atmosphere.

I like Euno's in the North End -- fabulous food, very romantic setting, wonderful waitstaff. I think they are only open for dinner, though.

Some of the places I like -- Via Matta, Radius, Les Zygomates -- may be a little too adventureous but I have friends who like a basic meal and have been able to find things to eat at all of them. Maybe they could send you out a menu or something to peruse ahead of time.

Looking for more of a steak thing try Abe&Louies. I've never been disappointed there.

One of my very favorites for special dining is Aujourd'hui, in the Four Seasons. They treat you like royalty. Another favorite is Lala Rohk -- persian based cuisine to please even the most picky eater. Heavenly.

All are fun for getting out and dining with special with a spouse.

If you are willing to venture to Harvard Square, I recommend Sandrines. Just fabulous -- great food, charming atmosphere, skilled waitstaff, good wine list.

For a more casual time, venture in to Harvard Square or Back Bay and hit Fire and Ice, a great place where you collect your own stir fry ingredients and they cook them up for you. Their fruit-infused alcohols are great, too.

 

[cinmell]

The Elephant and Castle is pretty good. I used to go there often for lunch during work. If you like Irish music, The Black Rose in Fanuiel Hall has live entertainment on Saturday afternoon's and the food is good. I also used to go to the Black Rhino which has good food and great nachos! That is off of State St. just a minute or two away from Fanuiel Hall.



**Mackey Mouse, do you work for Fidelity or SeaPort? I was just wondering b/c I used to work for Fidelity but left in Febuary to stay home with our daughter. I used to park at the Seaport hotel and take the shuttle into State Street. Just wondering.

Which reminds me, Seaspray, there is a shuttle provided by Boston Coach that runs from the Seaport Hotel to State Street, which is just minutes away from Fanueil Hall and about a block away from the Elephant and Castle. (there are also shuttles to South Station and North Station) I know it runs frequently during the week, I'm not sure of the weekend schedule. I know it is for Fidelity employees but I also believe Seaport guests can use it as well. It is free and I would look into it when you check in to see if it runs on the weekends.

 

[mtemm]

The Kingfish in Faneuil Hall is excellent. Love Grill 23. Abe and Louis is good, too, but I'd pick Grill 23 over it.

Not a fan of Durgin Park

 

[Kteacher]

I ate at kingfish last summer when I was visiting friends- it was incredible! Durgin Park is , well.... interesting. Lots of traditional N.E. fare like lazy lobster. The waitresses look like they have all been there since the place opened Sounds like you have a great trip planned!

 

[rbuzzotta]

I love Prezza in the North End. Italian food of course and a great selection of wine. Very quaint and romantic. They do not rush you out. Reservations are a must!!! and soon...........

 

[SPAGo 98]

I've never been there, but I've heard that No Name Restaurant is great for seafood.

 

[TLinden16]

Anthony's Pier 4 is supposed to have good seafood (and I've had some good meals there at conferences). It's very close to the Seaport, right on the waterfront.

A fun place to go is Fire & Ice. It's on Berkley Street a block from FAO Schwartz. Basically, you pick out the meat, veggies, and sauce you want, and the chefs cook it for you. There are dozens of veggies, at least ten kinds of meat (steak, chicken, sausage, pork, turkey, seafood), and about 10 different sauces to choose from. It cost about $17 and it's all you can eat.

If you like Chinese, P.F. Chang's is really good.

Karen