Boston Restaurants
To no-ones surprise, Boston has become a major hot-spot for exciting and varied dining experiences. Older restaurants continue to thrive, and new restaurants seem to burst on to the scene weekly. Some of the newer dining eateries are reviewed here. Many others can be visited by category through the restaurant index on the left. With so many to check-out, Bostonman.com is on a never-ending search to find fresh restaurant options and worthwhile dining possibilities for your consideration. While we continue to expand on our recommendations list, if you hit some new spot and do not see it listed send me your review. we'd be more than happy to include your comments on this page.
Boston's Winter Restaurant Weeks March 14-19 & March 21-26Reservations are now being taken at more than 100 of Boston's hottest restaurants during this annual two-week "prix fixe" dining event. Those in the know, know it's the ideal way to enjoy some of the best dining Boston has to offer. Two-course lunches priced at $15.10, 3-course lunches are $20.10 and 3-course dinners are $33.10. To find participating restaurants and reservation instructions visit the Greater Boston Visitor and Convention Bureau's 2010 Boston Restaurant Week web site.
Bistro du Midi
Finally got around to visiting one of the Hub's newest eateries and have to report that it was an outstanding experience. Formally Excelsior and Biba before that, the newest incarnation on Boylston Street is inviting and comfortqble. A more casual bar area on the first level and a more formal dining room on the second.with a glowing fireplace and a view over the Public Garden. The food is influenced by the Midi region in Souther France's Provence...and executed nicely by chef Robert Sisca, formerly of Le Bernadin in Manhattan. You won't find as tasty and well prepared sea food dishes as those at this Bistro. I'd recommend the marinated bay scallops to start and for your main course, you won't go wrong with either the pan-roasted cod or the grilled sea bass. Seafood is their specialty The menu is varied enough to offer a wide choice of meat dishes as well And for dessert, a choice of either chocolate or Grand Marnier souffle or froaen almond and orange cake was a perfect closing. Yo u don't have to travel to the South of France to experience great Seafood dishes., they're right in our own backyard.! The service is attentive and non-intrusive. The wait staff is knowledable and are there to give full explanations of the various items on the extensive menu. I can't wait to return to give some of the other dishes a try. Make this one a must on your restaurant circuit.
Bistro du Midi 272 Boylston S., Boston
617 426 7878
Looking Ahead to Spring!!!
This spring, the temperatures aren't the only thing rising – check out these three openings sure to heat up the Boston food-and-drink scene.
Jacky Robert and Loic LeGarrec, the two Frenchmen who brought us Petit Robert Bistro, will open Chez Jacky, a family-style French bistro, later this spring in Brighton's former Zocalo space (1414 Commonwealth Ave.).
Bergamot, a “progressive American” named after the citrus fruit used in Earl Grey tea, will be taking over the old EVOO space in Somerville. The power team behind the restaurant, chef/co-owner Keith Pooler (Harvest, Scampo) and GM/co-owner Servio Garcia (Craigie on Main), is aiming to open its doors mid-March (118 Beacon St.).
Finally, Rebecca Roth (The Biltmore Bar & Grille) will be taking over the South End space that was previously Sage to create what sounds like another great pub, The Gallows. No opening date has been set yet (1395 Washington St.).
Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale
Reviewed by Michael Goodell
Hearkening back to a bye-gone era of Boston dining, Stoddard's serves a distinctive dinner menu of updated American classic dishes. Equally impressive is Stoddard's extensive and well-developed drink menu. Trust me, it will require some time to explore all of your options. Boasting of 55+ mixed cocktails you won't lack for libation selections to quench your thirst.
Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale
48 Temple Place
Boston, MA
(617) 426-0048
Taberna de Haro
Reviewed by Michael Goodell
Muy beuno. Muy beuno.While Taberna de Haro has been serving their inspiring Spanish tapas since 1998, I've just made my first visit and let me just say right off the bat- Taberna de Haro is one of those "off the radar" gems we all go in search of and if you haven't been, you need to put on your coat and get there. This place is the real deal! A great place to meet family and old friends (or as we did, make new ones), whether it's for a quick stop or an extended stay, Taberna de Haro's authentic Spanish warmth is one you won't soon forget.
Taberna de Haro does not take reservations -but an FYI, they do accept en-route calls to reduce your table wait time.
Taberna de Haro999 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA
(617) 277-8272
www.tabernaboston.com
Woodward
Reviewed by Michael Goodell
Calling it "New England centric", Chef Mark Goldberg's menu creatively links a wide and diverse selection of regional ingredients and brings wonderfully inventive dishes to the table...dish after dish. Woodward offers a shared dish concept. A "wandering-fork" practitioners’ dream come true!
Found at the junction of State, Washington, and Court Streets, at the recently opened Ames Hotel, Woodward serves a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Reservations for dinner are strongly advised.
Woodward1 Court Street
Boston, MA
(617) 979-8200
Market
Reviewed by Michael Goodell
Open just weeks...Market, at the W Hotel Boston, can immediately take its place at the head table of Boston's best-in-class restaurants. Guided by the creative vision of internationally renowned chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Market delivers on its pledge to provide "...cuisine to suit every taste", with a fresh, imaginative and diverse dinner menu that is innovative, layered, visually entrancing and positively; palette pleasing.
All that said, Market is a restaurant where a quickly mystified diner, like myself, mixes easily with the most sophisticated epicurean. Appetizer favorites included a delectable Arctic Char Sashimi, a Foie Gras Brulee and a table pleasing Crisp Clams w/Basil and Salt. Counted among the plate clearing entrees were the Stripped Bass w/Nut and Seed Crust, and Grilled Lamb Chops w/Smoke Chili Glaze. For a side dish, you must consider ordering the Roasted Cauliflower w/pistachios or the Truffle Mash Potatoes...Yum!
To cap-off our experience, we were bowled over with heaven sent desserts such as the Creme Fraiche Cheesecake w/Glazed Figs and Concord Grapes and the Market's decadent Warm Chocolate Cake.
Located in the heart of Boston's Theater District at the aforementioned W Hotel, Market's interiors carry through the hip urban vibe of the hotel with a decor scheme crossing from metal edgy to Zen reflection. Market is a moderately expensive dining experience. However, if you can make a reason or excuse, it will be well worth the visit. Reservations are recommended. Market is also open for breakfast and lunch.
Market100 Stuart Street (on the corner of Stuart and Tremont Ave.)
Boston, MA
(617) 310-6790
Fairly New:
Bistro du Midi
The airy, rustic Bistro du Midi in the Back Bay serves a classic, midpriced French menu of small plates, entrees and housemade pâtés in the two-story space that once housed Excelsior; downstairs boasts exposed ceiling beams, a zinc bar and floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto outdoor seating (and views of the Boston Public Garden), while upstairs, past the glass-enclosed wine cellar, there’s a semi-open kitchen and a dining room with a cozy fireplace.
272 Boylston St.; 617-426-7878
Post 390
Executive chef Eric Brennan cranks out moderately priced American classics from two shining exposed kitchens at Post 390, a saucy urban tavern in the Back Bay from the Himmel Hospitality Group (Grill 23, Harvest). The bi-level space features black glazed columns, wood-slatted walls, a four-sided fireplace, a bar downstairs, private dining and views of bustling Copley Square all around.
406 Stuart St, 617-399-0015
Ginger Park (formerly Banq)
NYC expat chef Patricia Yeo has brought her Southeast Asian street food to the South End at Ginger Park, which takes over the space formerly occupied by Banq to offer a midpriced menu of small plates accompanied by wine and sake; the expansive, elegant setting has stayed the same – including the undulating wood ceiling sculpture – except for the bar, where the back wall has been removed to offer a view of the bustling cityscape.
1475 Washington St. Boston's 10 Best New Restaurants of 2009
Coppa: 263 Shawmut Ave. (the former "Dish"). Italian menu (wood-grilled pizzas, small plates of pasta and wine bar) from Ken Oringer and his partner Jamie Bissonette, one of the newest eateries in the South End.
Tupelo: Southern-style food fans will like this casual neighborhood-friendly Inman Square eatery. Fried oysters, beef daubes and hot cornbread.
1193 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
il Casale Cucina Italiana and Bar
With the same chef/owner team that runs Dante in Cambridge, this de Magistris production graciously bestows delicate housemade pastas and exceptional Italian style food. It's become one of the hot suburban destinations.
50 Leonard Street, Belmont, MA 02478
Ten Tables Cambridge
The second location for the popular and also tiny Jamaica Plain eatery now occupies the former home of Craigie bistro. Chef David Punch is in charge of the seasonal serious menu that is a gourmet delight.
5 Craigie Cir, Cambridge, MA 02138
Sensing
Located in the Fairmont Battery Wharf, a luxury hotel/condo complex adjacent to the North End and overlooking Boston Harbor, the restaurant is now open, marking the end of years of work on a concept that has been stalled by a hotel flag change and other issues. Modeled after his Sensing in Paris, which opened in 2006, Three star Michelin Chef Guy Martin’s new venture has a similar Contemporary French menu but also leaves room for his “cuisine without borders." The first Sensing restaurant opened in Paris in 2006 near the Jardin du Luxembourg. With 80 seats plus a 40-seat terrace overlooking Boston Harbor, the Boston location is Guy Martin's first restaurant in the US.