Boston is a small, charming city with many wonderful places to eat. I spend a good deal of time there on business, exploring the interesting neighborhoods, and uncovering dining gems. Wanted to share my discoveries, as well as the well-known places, with you.
My favorite restaurants:
- Alden & Harlow – 40 Brattle St. Cambridge, 1617-864-2100 – serves “thoughtfully sourced, honest American food” in a relaxed space. Chef Michael Scelfo, known for his vegetable forward dishes, his infamous smoky burger, and a great cocktail list.
- Aquitanine – 569 Tremont (Claredon / Darthmouth), 1617-424-8577 – elegant French Bistro that is one of my regular fallbacks.
- Asta – 47 Massachusetts Ave. 1617-585-9575 – choose from the three, five or eight course-tasting menu starting at $50. A real bargain for this quality of food.
- B&O Oysters – 550 Tremont St. 1617-423-0550 – casual, warm and friendly with great oysters, seafood, salads and pastas. Don’t miss it.
- Banyan Bar + Refuge (previously Hamersley’s Bistro) – 553 Tremont St. (Claredon), 1617423-2700 – this South End fixture was transformed into one of the hottest restaurants in Boston. Chef Phillip Tang is at the helm, and cooking up Asian based cuisine with touches of many other cultures. Do not miss the NY strip with scallion pancakes, ssamjang, and kimchi butter.
- Bistro du Midi – 272 Boylston Street, 1617-426-7878 – Provencal French bistro with Chef Robert Sisca (Le Bernardin alum) cooking land and sea dishes to impress the most jaded diner. Coming from Le Bernardin, of course do not miss the seafood! Took one of my clients to dinner here and they are still raving. The atmosphere is lovely and relaxing, service friendly and helpful and food…so delicious. Don’t miss the Spanish Octopus, Tuna Tartare, Salmon, and any of the specials (we were lucky to have fresh pasta with wild mushrooms and white truffles as the special when we were there, YUMMM).
- Bondir – 279A Broadway Cambridge, 1617-661-0009 – true farm to table food where Jason Bond serves up dishes with ingredients from his own farm, Carlisle. Changing dishes that highlight the bounty of the season.
- Deuxave – 371 Commonwealth Ave., 1617-517-5915 – Modern French, in a romantic space, serving sophisticated dishes. You will be happy to return again and again.h
- L’Espalier – 774 Boylston St., 1617-262-3023 – may be the top restaurant in town (with prices to match), elegant English / New French prix fixe menu. Chef Frank McClelland has been cooking here for quite a while and the food is worth every penny.
- Mistral – 223 Columbus Ave, 1617 -867-9300 – brings you back to the wonders of Provence in this gracious, refined restaurant that treats you like an old friend.
- Sorellina – 1 Huntington Ave, 1617-12-4600 – Eat some of the best modern Italian food in a lovely environment in Back Bay. Chef Jamie Mammano makes the food so lovely it is a shame to eat it, but you will be happy you did.
- Toro – 1704 Washington St 617-536-4300 – feels like I am back in Barcelona with the great tapas / small plates. No reservations taken, but the wait and is a great atmosphere to be hanging out in.
- Waypoint – 1030 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, 617-864-2300 – they describe themselves as “coastally inspired” and yes, they do have a raw bar but that is the only thing in common with others who claim the same thing in New England. Chef Michael Scelfo’s food is edgy but it works. As he states “everything we do here is contrary to restaurants that are built around rapid-fire small plates…this place is all about dishes to linger over”. And that says it all.
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