Need Awesome Restaurant In Boston..

[gypsydoodlebug]

I'm talking cash-only, "Soup-Nazi", no-name-but-still-FAMOUS-type places. DH and I have concurrent business trips in Boston that requires my mom to watch DD, so we better make it good DH is at a conference, while I have some interviews to conduct.

A word of caution -- I'm managing ed. of a national pizza magaine, so I'm looking for some authentic New England cuisine, not anything Italian. Any help??

I'm staying at the Omni Parker House downtown....

 

[kathyk2]

I would suggest checking out this website phantomgourmet.com. You can look up restaurants by type of cuisine and location.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

DH and I went to Boston about 5 years ago. We wanted to try some very Bostonian restaurants. We went to Ye Olde Union Oyster House, which is the oldest restaurant in the country. I wasn't sure about it because I hate seafood, but they have all kinds of New England Fare. We thought it was really good. We also went to Durgin Park, which we liked also. One thing that surprised us here is that people are seated at long tables and other people, strangers, are seated right next to you at the same table. It was unexpected, but fun talking to new people. The food was traditional New England. It was good. I remember having things like Boston Baked Beans and Indian pudding.

Here's a brief description of each from Travelocity Destination guide for Boston (these restaurants are featured under "Best dining bets"):

Best Raw Bar: After just a few moments of gobbling fresh seafood and being hypnotized by the shuckers at Ye Olde Union Oyster House, 41 Union St. (tel. 617/227-2750), you might find yourself feeling sorry for the people who wound up with the pearls instead of the oysters.

Best Place for a Classic Boston Experience: Durgin-Park, 340 Faneuil Hall Marketplace (tel. 617/227-2038), has packed 'em in since 1827. From tycoon to tourist, everyone is happy here except the famously crotchety waitresses. It's a classic, not a relic.

Hope that helps.

 

[bsmcneil]

best **** place to eat in boston: Fire+Ice

 

[cherylp3]

Ask on the chowhound.com message board for Boston

http://www.chowhound.com/newengland/boards/boston/boston.html

 

[TLinden16]

I was going to suggest Fire & Ice as well. It's like a Mongolian grill. You pick out the ingredients you want in your meal, bring it up to the grill, and they cook it for you. It's excellent.

 

[LisaB]

Durgin Park is awesome. My favorite resturant is Anthony's Pier 4. Yeah I know it is expensive and sometimes not great but I have never had a bad meal there and the popovers are to die for. It is just nostalgic with the old pictures on the wall of actors and actresses with Anthony. Reminds me of the fealing of the Brown Derby in Florida.

 

[wallyb]

looking for some authentic New England cuisine,

No!Not Fire and Ice it's about one step away from a chain.

I'd go to Summer Shack If you want that New england thing
We have lots of great foodie type places in Boston's South End a bit more on the posh side and not New England per say.

 

[mtemm]

I'll second the Summer Shack. Omg, so good. Another thought if you have a car and want something shack like is Woodmans . Its not in the city, but is worth the trip:

Kelly's on revere beach is also a big hit, and much closer to Boston.

 

[AllyandJack]

Ugh, stay away from Revere Beach. If you want Kelly's, go to the one on Route 1 in Saugus. Revere Beach is nasty.

Every place I know is Italian....I grew up in Eastie, it's what I ate.

Top of the Hub is good. They have GREAT clam chowder, a great view, and a dessert called Plate of Cookies. I have dreams about Plate of Cookies. It's pricey, but it's a really nice dinner out.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I'll second Top of the Hub - wicked nice, but pretty pricey. Anthony's is really good too.

DH and I always like walking around Fanueil Hall and just grabbing whatever smells good at the time.

Have a good time!

Jen

 

[liamandcaili]

The only place I agree with here is Summer Shack. The other places are tourist traps. Summer Shack is in Back Bay and then there is the original near the Alewife T Station. The atmosphere is very casual (no plastic silverware, but close, but not plastic silverware prices) but the food is great. The fried clams are the best I've had...and I've had a lot. The pan-seared lobster is really rich, but delicious, and their raw bar is always good.

The other place I like is East Coast Grill. It's owned by Chris Schlesinger and is in Inman Square Cambridge. I don't think they take reservations, so get there early. Not all the food is traditional New England, although they do offer a lot of seafood dishes and you can get raw bar (delicious!). They also have barbeque. One New Year's Eve I had an oyster stew here that was so wonderful, DSis and I told the waitress we couldn't wait to find out if the recipe was in an upcoming cookbook. She went over to Chris Schlesinger and he wrote out the recipe for us.

 

[wallyb]

The other places are tourist traps. .

I'm so glad you said it first.
Sorry but Top of The Hub and Anthony's Pier 4


Woodman's in Essex is cool.

 

[goofy4tink]

Just checked with dh...says...Summer Shack, Grill 23, Union Oyster House. Asked about Top of the Hub...he says it can be streaky but right now it's a great choice. He also like Legal Seafood...know it's a chain, but a good one, especially if you want good seafood.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Are you planning on just staying in Boston ...Smith and Wollinski (chain but good_),

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I know many restaurants in Boston, but am not sure what you are exactly asking for. Do I understand you correctly....you do not want it to be high end (signature)? If you did, I would recommend No. 9 Park., not far from the Parker House. In Charlestown, there is a restaurant called the Warren Tavern.....it is a landmark in the area and quite old, decent food, and you get a flare of Boston people eating there. I know it is near the Freedom Trail and here is some history on the tavern:

http://www.warrentavern.com/history.htm

Here is some info on Boston restaurants:

http://travel.explorenewengland.com/restaurants-browse-ma-boston~.htm

 

[wallyb]

if you're not wed to New England fare -
Spire - funky cool hip
Stella - hottest table in town right now and great
Sibling Rivalry - also great

 

[mtemm]

if you're not wed to New England fare -
Spire - funky cool hip
Stella - hottest table in town right now and great
Sibling Rivalry - also great

I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Sibling Rivalry. I would love to get there sometime (easily said than done with 3 little ones at home).

 

[DEO]

I'm talking cash-only, "Soup-Nazi", no-name-but-still-FAMOUS-type places. DH and I have concurrent business trips in Boston that requires my mom to watch DD, so we better make it good DH is at a conference, while I have some interviews to conduct.

A word of caution -- I'm managing ed. of a national pizza magaine, so I'm looking for some authentic New England cuisine, not anything Italian. Any help??

I'm staying at the Omni Parker House downtown....

They have a nice bar at the Parker House.. Many people like Durgin Park (a Boston original) apparently years ago they did a thing where the waiters and waitresses were purposely rude to you but I think they stopped that. Probably worth a look... The Crab House is a pretty earthy place which is more in line with what you were talking about it is in the seaport area and you sit on picnic tables and can crack your crabs/lobster with a rock. I personally like Legal Seafood (a small local chain) but verry good seafood. I am also a fan of the Chart House and Todd English's Bonfire restaurant at the Park Plaza.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I'm talking cash-only, "Soup-Nazi", no-name-but-still-FAMOUS-type places.

How about the No Name Restaurant? It serves up some good fresh sea food and it's just south of downtown.