Boston Restaurants

[RadioFanatic]

I'm going with dh for his bday next weekend and would like some restaurant recommendations. We love pretty much everything. We're going to the Bruins game Saturday night and Celtics game sunday night. Saturday night is dh's birthday. Thanks!

 

[kpm76]

My parent's love Legal Seafood in the Prudential and we absolutely love Giacomo's in the North End....they don't take reservations and it's very popular. It's nothing fancy inside but the food is outrageous. There are just sooo many choices in Boston but these are two good ones...

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Pretty much most Italian restuarant in the North End. You can also try the Union Oyster House on Union Street, just down from Faneuil Hall.

 

[mtemm]

what kind of food/what kind of price range? My favorite (but pricey) steakhouse is Grill 23. Can't beat it, but again, pricey. Definitely go to the north end if you like Italian food. If its nice out, just stroll around the neighborhood (start on hanover street) and check out menus. I don't think many take reservations, but could be wrong. We rarely do ressies in the north end, we prefer the stroll and decide when we get there. A stop at Mike's pastry is also highly recommended.

will be happy to come back with more recommendations once you clarify food/price. there are so many good options in boston!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

legal seafood the one at the pru or across from the aquarium
or jor di
olives
anything in the north end
the julien at the le meredian hotel
the tea room at the four season
there used to be a place called davios on newbury st i think its gone but the food is great

 

[RadioFanatic]

price isn't an issue. I was thinking Italian one night and seafood another. also, any good places for sunday brunch? we're staying downtown.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

You could do the brunch at The Hampshire House. They have jazz playing and it's an elegant old brownstone on Beacon St. right near the State House (golden dome). It is upstairs from "Cheers". Stuffed french toast was great. Very nice and relaxing.

Legal Seafood is great for seafood.

 

[mtemm]

Legal Seafood is wonderful. Kingfish Hall, in Faneuil Hall, was very good the one time we went. The Union Oyster House has a really good raw bar, but is such a tourist trap I almost hesitate to mention it.

For Italian definitely go to the North End. You can't go wrong. Does anybody know of a bad restaurant there? If there is one, I have yet to come across it. Look for busy with a good menu...that usually is a good indicator.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[KingsFanInRI]

I know it's not in either category you mentioned, but The Fours is almost literally outside the entrance to the Fleet Center (Sorry, I don't care how much TD BankNorth paid for the right, that place is NOT the Gahden) and is one of my personal favorite restaurants.

As for your stated interests, you can go anywhere in the North End and the Italian food will be great; sorry I can't help you with the other one, I don't do seafood

 

[bicker]

I find Legal Seafoods to be a bit plain and predictable. For better seafood, try Skipjacks.

 

[beattyfamily]

Here's my choices....

Going to the North End to eat Italian is great but some restaurants have lines out the doors...so many to choose from. Maybe you could see if they will take a reservation. That would help in the line department. The North End has a website at North End.

Then, I also have very much enjoyed:

Maggiano's in the Back Bay area...on Columbus Avenue near the Theater District, Boston Common and across from the Park Plaza hotel. Here's their website. Their food was amazing and plentiful. Huge servings!

Fire & Ice is GREAT fun. You pick out all your food raw from buffets and then they grill it while you watch. Lots of fun and great variety of choices.

That's it for me!

Have fun!

 

[kirstyfly]

Don't know if it is still there as haven't been to Boston since 2003.

but a great place that does desserts only in Cambridge near Harvard called from memory Felinnes (not to sure about the spelling but had the same name as that famouc basment sale place). Is a place you should check out.

 

[liamsaunt]

The dessert restaurant mentioned above is called Finale, and there is another branch of it in Park Plaza (Arlington stop on the green line) which would be closer to you if you are staying downtown.

In the North End, my personal pick would be Pomodoro if you want something casual. They have good fried calamari, and their pastas are tasty. They don't take reservations and the space is very small. If you want something more upscale, Prezza is excellent. It is expensive, and they do take reservations. Carmen is another good choice, though again it is very small.

For seafood, you really can get good seafood at a lot of places in Boston--you don't have to go to a seafood specific place. Legal's fish is very good and fresh, but their side dishes are kind of boring, and the atmosphere is just OK.
Finally, if you do go to the Union Oyster House, make sure to sit at the bar. If you sit in the restuarant part, the oysters are pre-shucked.