[Scorched Palate]

We used to come to Boston for business every summer for years, but it's probably been 10 years since we've been back, so we need some help getting back up to speed.

We'll be spending 2 nights in Boston at the end of June, on our way to a wedding in Concord, NH. (We're also open to dining recs along the route!) We're staying at the Fairmont Copley; no car planned for the Boston days, but we're very transit-friendly.

I've dug through the old threads and I'm finding repeated references to Khao Sarn, Sichuan Garden, Summer Shack, Pizzeria Regina... anything else we shouldn't miss?

[Rose]

This is not firsthand info but I have family in Boston and the Japanese resto in the Elliot Hotel, Uni has a very fine reputation. I think it's Mass Ave at Commonwealth. Kinda fancy though.

[Scorched Palate]

Fancy's OK.

[9lives]

Highly recomment Uni..it's a sashimi bar in the restaurant Clio, Hotel Eliot. Sit at the bar...They often have very unusual items. Clio itself is 1 of Boston's best..both are also at the top end; price wise.

For a good breakfast, walk a few blocks to the South End...Charlies Sandwich...sort of an urban diner on Columbus..great turkey hash..place has been there for like 80 years and never remodeled ...closed Sunday.

Also in the South End, I like B & G Oyster. 1 of Barbara Lynch's places. She's a well known local chef who also owns 9 Park (great)..and Butcher Shop..across from B & G..not a favorite of mine..but probably worth a stop if you're in the area. Aside from #9, the others are more casual eateries to me..great for snacks..not ful meals.

For a real old world Boston experience, the Oak Bar in your hotel is definitely worth a stop..This is your chance to feel like a Boston Brahmin I remember sitting next to then gov Ed King. The restaurant is more steak house than cutting edge but the bar and dining rooms are gorgeous.

Tamarind Bay..a short cab ride to Harvard Sq...excellent Indian food..mid priced.

Second the Khao Sarn, Sichuan Garden, Regina's (original North End location only)..no mall clones all very T (our version of BART) accessible.

You have such good Italian in SF, so I'm reluctant to mention any here.

Boston has a few Portuguese restaurants in Cambridge. Atasca or O'Cantino are the usual recommendations..short cab.

I'd probably pass on Summer Shack; though I do eat at the branch at Logan...whenever I pass by.

If you want a lobster fix, try Barking Crab...not the city's best seafood(lobster, clam chowder or fried clams are fine)...but a great outdoor spot with a view of the city/harbor..urban clam shack.

If you want to be very adventurous, take the Blue Line to Revere Beach..Floating Rock is a Cambodian storefront with wonderful food..open for lunch or early dinner x Tues

If you let me know more specifically what you feel like eating..high/low end, etc, let me know and I'll try to be more helpful.

You're really in the heart of everything.

[Scorched Palate]

Wow, thanks 9lives! Once we get closer to the trip, I'll bump up the thread with any particular cravings we're having. We'll have just come from 5 nights in NYC, so we may be sick of high-end. But I haven't even started planning those meals yet.

We'll be spending LOTS of time at Logan (long story!) so maybe we'll hit Summer Shack there.

What a great list to start from... thanks again!

[Shrike]

9Lives list is good. Ditto on Uni & 9 Park, order the Prune Gnochi & cocktails are great. Lunch at Louis Cafe on Newbury is a treat. Best cuban sandwhich at Chez Henri in Cambridge, Shepard St. The Harvest in Harvard Sq. is a classic but I feel a bit over priced these days. Summer Shack is Jasper White's casino concept, not bad but better for the airport. I will be up there this weekend to check out any new spots.

[yumyum]

I'd recommend Neptune Oyster (North End) over B&G. The bivalves are great, (a nice variety of local species plus some from the PNW) the wine list is friendly and they make some mean pastas. It gets crowded so go early.

Also in the North End is Pizzeria Regina -- Boston's original spot for pie. I have many an out of town friend who dream about that place.

And I need to do a shout-out to the East Coast Grill in Cambridge (short cab ride). Fun, funky, grilled fish and BBQ place. I've yet to be disappointed taking visitors there.

[Abbylovi]

I visit Boston several times a year and usually leave my fate in the hands of yumyum, galleygirl and 9lives. They never steer me wrong. There are a two places that I must go to whenever I visit. They are:

1. Floating Rock. I love this place and given when I know about you, I think you'd love it too. I wish that NYC had a good Cambodian restaurant.

2. East Coast Grill. I don't know why we don't have a thread on it but this must be changed. The tuna tacos are life-changing. They comprise of raw seared tuna, avocado, cilanto, and other items I am forgetting. Sit at the bar, order those tacos, some oysters and perhaps some other meaty item.

[galleygirl]

They're all right, of course

If you are spending a lot of time at Logan, you might consider the Floating Rock concept to break up the time; it's a short cab ride away, as is Rincon Limeno, a good stop for Peruvian and ceviche....

[yumyum]

Abbylovi, on Mar 6 2006, 12:55 PM, said:

East Coast Grill. I don't know why we don't have a thread on it but this must be changed. The tuna tacos are life-changing. They comprise of raw seared tuna, avocado, cilanto, and other items I am forgetting. Sit at the bar, order those tacos, some oysters and perhaps some other meaty item.

The tuna tacos are freaking legendary for a reason -- your memory is good, only forgot the cool crunchy jicama and the slightly sour tamarind vinaigrette. Oh God, Oh God.

Should you decide to go Anita, the meaty item to order is a "wet bone" which can be ordered by the each. Sitting at the bar, washing this down with a couple of their very good margaritas it's one of my favorite meals on earth.

[cabrales]

Clio (main restaurant), for the type of meal described above (at that type of price).

[Scorched Palate]

Wow, what a huge assortment of options! Now you're making me wish we were staying longer.

We really are going to be at Logan a lot. The itinerary looks like this:
- Fly into Boston (late PM) and stay overnight at Logan Hilton.
- Meet up with sister-in-law and niece the next morning, and catch flight to NYC together.
- Stay in NYC 4 nights.
- Fly back to Logan, get sis and niece settled into their rental car, and send them on to family CT.
- Cab into Boston, stay 2 nights.
- Pick up rental car at Logan, and drive to NH for wedding.
- After wedding, drive from NH to CT family, meeting up with sis again. Stay 2 nights in CT.
- Drive from CT to Boston with sis and kid; drop rental car at Logan and stay overnight (July 4) at the Logan Hyatt with a view of the fireworks!
- Fly home (via Logan, of course!) July 5.
- Pass out!

So, yeah, too much time at Logan. Since my sister-in-law is travelling solo with a 2-year-old, we're going to have to help her schlep gear (and kid), or else she'd never make it, hence the convoluted treks and airport-hotel stays.

~A

(ps: Abby/Rose, I'll be hitting you up for NYC recommendations soon. )

[omnivorette]

Where is the family in CT?

[Shrike]

In that case there is also Santarpios in East Boston, Pizza plus... right by the Sumner tunnel, less than 5 minutes from the hotel.

[Scorched Palate]

omnivorette, on Mar 8 2006, 10:10 AM, said:

Where is the family in CT?

They'll either be in Groton, if they finish the remodel of the beach house, or in Simsbury if they don't.