BOSTON: What ONE restaurant should I find? UPDATE PG.2

[gypsydoodlebug]

I'm going to Boston to visit a couple of pizzerias (for those of you who don't know, I manage a national pizza magazine). DH is tagging along, and we have ONE free day in Boston to play.

Tell me where I HAVE to eat (please...no pizza!! ) and what to order.

 

[DawnCt1]

Durgin Park at Fanuel Hall. Its been opened since 1827 and its an interesting place to stop. I like the cod fish cakes and the prime rib.

 

[marlasmom]

Legal Seafoods (they have several locations) or Anthony's Pier 4.

 

[nile455]

Legal Seafoods (they have several locations) or Anthony's Pier 4.

Anthony's is incredible, but Legal has declined IMO. Also, it's a chain now and there are locations in Washington DC and a few in Florida, so if the OP wants something special to Boston that wouldn't be a great choice.

For food, Atlantic Fish Company on Boylston Street gets my vote.

For the view at night, Anthony's Pier 4 hands down for sure.

For something truly special, try Union Oyster House. The food is decent, but just the fact that it is American's Oldest Restaurant should be enough to make it an interesting choice.

There are some great Italian places in the North End, but I am assuming if you're doing Boston you want seafood.

OP, you wouldn't by any chance be visiting Little Steve's Pizza would ya?

 

[2angelsinheaven]

OMG, I'm jealous! You have to try http://www.kowloonrestaurant.com/, it's soooo good. It's been around since the 50's. Haven't been in years but the same family still owns it, it's about 10 miles outside downtown Boston in Saugus, MA. It's pretty well known and lots of celebs visit there. It was always a treat for us, we drove 2 hours to eat there when we lived in MA. GREAT Chinese. If you go let me know how it was, I'm jonesing for some Kowloons.

 

[Muffy]

Legal Seafood in Kendall Square. If you go, try the award winning clam chowder!

 

[psammie1025]

OMG, I'm jealous! You have to try http://www.kowloonrestaurant.com/, it's soooo good. It's been around since the 50's. Haven't been in years but the same family still owns it, it's about 10 miles outside downtown Boston in Saugus, MA. It's pretty well known and lots of celebs visit there. It was always a treat for us, we drove 2 hours to eat there when we lived in MA. GREAT Chinese. If you go let me know how it was, I'm jonesing for some Kowloons.

Oh my gosh! I'm grew up in Saugus & love, love, love KOWLOON's! Me & my kids are going up to Tewskbury next week for my brothers wedding & my kids are wondering how we can work a side trip in to go to Kowloons! I'm betting we'll get there & I'll let ya know how good it is!
~paula

 

[snowwite]

OMG, I'm jealous! You have to try http://www.kowloonrestaurant.com/, it's soooo good. It's been around since the 50's. Haven't been in years but the same family still owns it, it's about 10 miles outside downtown Boston in Saugus, MA. It's pretty well known and lots of celebs visit there. It was always a treat for us, we drove 2 hours to eat there when we lived in MA. GREAT Chinese. If you go let me know how it was, I'm jonesing for some Kowloons.

We live 10 mins away and hardly ever eat here. When we go to the comedy shows there we eat at Bisuteki first! When I was a kid Kowloon was a treat but now it just an old run down chinese restaurant. I dont get it.
Best for Boston meals-
Border Cafe Harvard square-Tex/Mex and Cajun. I LOVE the French Quarter chicken.The lemon pepper sauce is soooo wicked good! The Jose's rice from the Mex side goes better with it than some of the Cajun choices. My sis likes the Fried catfish in this sauce and DH loved Crwfish E toufee(not sure spelling)
The Cheesecake factory in Cambridge galleria has best desserts.
Legal seafoods is a chain with good chowder and not much else that is any better than anyplace else IMHO.
Any place in North end is great for Italian cooking. Even just dessert and coffee is nice. We used to love la famiglia giorgio in Boston but I take a cab and have no idea how to get you there.I thi k it may be Newbury street.

 

[LiteBrite]

I spent a week in Gloucester earlier in May, visiting my best friend. While I was there I think I ate chowder 5 different times, including once at the Legal Seafood in Logan Airport. It was all right, but definitely not at the top of my list. That honor went to some take out chowder my friend's hubby brought home one night from some little Portugese place there in Gloucester. Sooooo good!

 

[noodleknitter]

Durgin Park has prime ribs that you would see on the Flintstones! We also like the Union Bay Oyster House (We only get there every few years, so THINK I have the name right!)

 

[mtemm]

If you want Italian, head to the north end. there are so many wonderful restaurants there, honestly I have yet to go to a bad one.

If you want steak, I love Grill 23. Mmmm....soo good.

Legal Seafood is wonderful. Can't say enough about it.

Will be curious to here where you end up!

hmmm...now which pizzarias are you visiting? Even if you don't want Pizza for your one meal, if you don't hit Santarpios, try to squeeze it in. They have the best pizza I've ever had and a visit is kind of an adventure. lol.

 

[mtemm]

Best for Boston meals-
Border Cafe Harvard square-Tex/Mex and Cajun. I LOVE the French Quarter chicken.The lemon pepper sauce is soooo wicked good! The Jose's rice from the Mex side goes better with it than some of the Cajun choices. My sis likes the Fried catfish in this sauce and DH loved Crwfish E toufee(not sure spelling)

Border cafe is no longer in harvard square. we just moved back to boston area and were horrified to learn this. thankfully the one on route one still exists.

 

[Boo'sMom]

Walk down Salem Street in the northend and follow your nose. You can't go wrong!!!!

 

[campinggal]

Border cafe is no longer in harvard square. we just moved back to boston area and were horrified to learn this. thankfully the one on route one still exists.

Hmm- I just walked by it last Wednesday. It is very much still in operation in its same location on Church Street. By the smell of the garbage that was being picked up by the garbage truck- they had a great Tuesday night!

I'd second the Atlantic Fish Company on Boylston Street. If it is a beautiful day- Newbury Street (parallels Boyslton) and Boylston Street are great streets to walk, shop and people watch. Many restaurants have sidewalk patio seating.

Have a GREAT day!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Well if you have a day you want to spend then go to Rockport if you are a lobster fan. There is a little fish store down town that cooks lobster and lets you sit on thier porch outback and lets you eat the freshly boiled lobster with butter etc. while sitting on lobster traps. I cannot remember the name but it is a man's name. You cannot miss it it is the only fish store on Dock Square.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

Ooo! So many choices! I'm printing this one out for DH to peruse. We're staying at the Omni Parker House downtown. Are any of these within walking distance?? We have a rental car, but I'm not so good at driving.

 

[liamsaunt]

Boston is a very walkable city. You should not drive--it is not worth the hassle. We have a subway system too, which is decent, but really, you can walk most places.

I am wondering what kind of food you are looking for--I'd be happy to recommend a few places near your hotel if I knew what cuisine you like.

After reading this thread, I have to tell you, though, that I do not recommend Legal Seafoods. I used to really like them, but in my opinion, they have really slipped in quality over the past few years, both in food and in service. Our most recent trip there (about a week ago--I know, why do I keep going back!) had many problems, including multiple service issues, the largest of which was our entrees being brought before the wine, an order of fishy, fishy softshell crabs that were not properly cleaned (a real shocker for Legal, as they are known for their quality product.), and ice cold onion strings.

If you do want to stop in at Legal, sit at the bar for their chowder and a glass of wine if you like wine. That's it, though, in my opinion!

 

[mtemm]

Hmm- I just walked by it last Wednesday. It is very much still in operation in its same location on Church Street. By the smell of the garbage that was being picked up by the garbage truck- they had a great Tuesday night!

Have a GREAT day!

really? my husband swore he it wasn't there when he was in town the other day. good to hear it is!

 

[snowwite]

Border cafe is no longer in harvard square. we just moved back to boston area and were horrified to learn this. thankfully the one on route one still exists.

We just ate there on motghers day weekend.It was open.It is on church st near Fire and ice.

 

[Lynn CC]

I'm in Boston at least 2X a week year round so I get around when it comes to eating out! I think my absolute favorite is Spire on Tremont Street. It's in the Nine Zero Hotel. It's perfect for a couple and the food and service can't be beat. It's something special, so if that's what your looking for I'd say you won't be disappointed. www.spirerestaurant.com
It's easy to get to right across the street from Park Street T station (red line) if your traveling the T or they have Valet Parking for $15(which is a bargain in Boston).
Enjoy!