Hungry?
Seafood
Legal Sea Foods (Map 3, 6, 26) has the highest profile among local fishmongers and deserves its good reputation, despite its high prices. For the best New England clam chowder, it’s an even toss up between Warren Tavern (Map 8) and Union Oyster House (Map 2). Worth the trip to Inman Square is East Coast Grill & Raw Bar (Map 28), which also excels at barbecue. For something cheaper in Cambridge, try Dolphin Seafood (Map 27); in Somerville, Out of the Blue (Map 22). For lovers of Chinese food, some of the best seafood dishes can be found at Peach Farm (Map 4). In the summer, get out of the city and eat your seafood by the seashore.
Italian
Boston is blessed with numerous outstanding Italian restaurants. In the North End, Mamma Maria (Map 2) and Bricco (Map 2) are two among many standouts. Or, if you’re tight on cash and can make it to the North End on a weekday afternoon, check out Galleria Umberto (Map 2). For a fine Italian meal elsewhere in Central Boston, reserve a table at Teatro (Map 3) or Grotto (Map 1). Brookliners should look into La Morra (Map 17). On the other side of the river, Vinny’s at Night (Map 25) dishes out Southern Italian to a loyal following who swear the food is better than anything in the North End. And Roslindale’s Delfino (Map 30) has legions of local fans.
Pizza
Few foods inspire as much passion (and contentiousness) as pizza; as such, identifying Boston’s best pizza is a filling but thankless task. Our favorites? In no particular order: Penguin Pizza (Map 15), Pizzeria Regina (Map 2), Santarpio’s (Map 9), Emma’s (Map 28), Upper Crust (Map 1, 4, 6, 7, 15, 19, 20, 29), Cambridge, 1 (Map 20), Stone Hearth Pizza Co. (Map 23), and Leone’s (Map 24).
East Asian
As with the North End and its Italian food, Chinatown has scads of high-quality restaurants. If you’re looking for full-on dim-sum craziness, try China Pearl (Map 4) or Hei La Moon (Map 4) for weekend brunch. If you want more sedate surroundings in Chinatown, try King Fung Garden (Map 4), Hong Kong Eatery (Map 4), or Peach Farm (Map 4). Want Thai? Try Ronnarong Thai Tapas (Map 24) or Dok Bua (Map 17). Korean? Try Koreana (Map 28). Sushi? Try Oishii (Map 7) or O Ya (Map 32). Cambodian? Try Elephant Walk (Map 16, 22). Vietnamese? Try Pho 2000 (Map 32) or Ba-Le (Map 32). If you can’t decide, go for fusion, like Myers + Chang (Map 7).
South Asian
Central Square (home to reliable standby India Pavilion (Map 27)) is no longer the only place to get good Indian food. Consider trying Brookline’s Rani Indian Bistro (Map 17), Harvard Square’s Tamarind Bay (Map 20), Jamaica Plain’s Bukhara (Map 14), Dorchester’s Shanti: Taste of Indian (Map 32), or Kenmore Square’s India Quality (Map 16). If you want top notch Indian food for dirt cheap, check out Punjabi Dhaba (Map 28). For something different (and pleasant), try the Afghan cuisine at East Cambridge’s Helmand (Map 26).
Bars
Better known as drinking and meeting spots, but also serving damn good grub, are The Asgard (Map 27), Bukowski’s (Map 5, 28), Blarney Stone (Map 32), Grendel’s Den (Map 20), James’s Gate (Map 14), PJ Ryan’s (Map 22), Miracle of Science (Map 27), The Paradise (Map 19), Other Side Cosmic Café (Map 5), and Silvertone Bar & Grill (Map 3).
Grease
Diner enthusiasts should try Mike’s City Diner (Map 7), Breakfast Club Diner (Map 19), or Rosebud Diner (Map 22). For a big breakfast, consider Sound Bites (Map 23), Broken Yolk (Map 23), Neighborhood Restaurant & Bakery (Map 24), or the slightly more civilized Trident Bookstore & Café (Map 5).
Top-End
Want to celebrate a special occasion? Have your concierge reserve a table downtown at Mantra (Map 3), No. 9 Park (Map 3), or Radius (Map 4), in the South End at Hamersley’s Bistro (Map 7), or Masa (Map 7), around Back Bay at Mistral (Map 6), Grill 23 (Map 6), or Clio (Map 5), or over the river at Harvest (Map 20), Craigie on Main (Map 27), Oleana (Map 28), or Henrietta’s Table (Map 20).
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Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Posted By:
Joan Hill
Photo:
Joan Hill
Algiers
The Algiers Coffee House has been a main-stay in Cambridge for decades, and shows it's age, but in a very charming manner. Locals and students sit closely at Moroccan tables sipping tea by the pot, eating their truly yummy falafel platters, and enjoying unique salads in a funky, laid-back atmosphere. Service is friendly and unhurried. Entrees are $8-16 while desserts are $4-8. Try the fresh basbousa (semolina cakes with syrup) for a simple, satisfying sweet with your coffee. The Algiers is not wheelchair accessible, and serves beer and wine.
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Friday, April 09, 2010
Posted By:
Patrick Hellen
Photo:
Patrick Hellen
St. Alphonzo's Kitchen
You know how every neighborhood has that little hole in the wall spot, locals only, that makes amazing food and always seems to fly under the radar? Alphonzo's seems to be that place for Southie, but for some reason it also seems to be one of those spots that local chefs eat at when they're not behind their own stoves.
Originally named Potbellies when they first opened up four years ago, Alphonzo's has been steadily gaining buzz and Best of Boston awards ever since, but it's the steady draw of the local cooks that has me the most fascinated. I can no longer count how many people in the industry seem to be filling this spot whenever I head in for a bite, but if your peers find you delicious enough to grab dinner, then most diners would do well to follow.
If you're coming in from outside Southie, parking is pretty easy right on Broadway, and if you're in need of a suggestion or two, you really can't go wrong with either the Cuban or the Flat Iron Steak. Be forewarned, it's absolutely tiny. That can be a bad thing if you are dying for a table, or a great thing if you're there on a date.
So stop in, grab a table for two, pop a bottle of wine, and try out that local joint you've always wanted to stumble on. Just consider me your stumbling block.
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Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Posted By:
Charlie O'Brien
Photo:
Charlie O'Brien
Devlin's Bistro & Bar
Devlin's definitely brings downtown style, atmosphere, and culinary excellence to Brighton Center. Appropriate for business, social, or family dining, its cuisine mixes traditional and innovative American fare with a touch of international flavor and an expansive wine list. They offer both a seasonal menu and year-round upscale comfort food (including their exceptional thin-crust pizza). Critics rave about the lush setting and the delicious homemade desserts, but after the meal is when this restaurant really heats up: the tables are cleared away and the dance floor opens for dancing to music provided by live DJs. The patio at Devlin's fills up fast each night (open May-Oct), so get there early if you want outdoor seating. The patio is also the perfect spot for hosting your next function--Devlin's experienced and professional staff will make it a surefire success. Devlin's also offers full catering services for off-site events, individually tailored to your party's needs.
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Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Posted By:
Emily Doutre
Photo:
Emily Doutre
Trina's Starlight Lounge
By all accounts, I really should be sick of this whole retro bar and restaurant trend that's been popping up the last few years. But I'm not, because each new place keeps putting its own spin it. After studying the beer list at the hip '40s Southern diner that is Trina's Starlight Lounge, I was at first unimpressed. (Yeah, Miller High Life is ironic and hip, but it also tastes like battery acid so you’re going to have to try harder to win over this beer snob.) Then I realized that I was looking for the cool in all the wrong places. I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried a cocktail instead: the Adirondack, with butter infused bourbon and maple syrup. Then I ate the cheese fries, the chicken and waffles with hot pepper syrup, and the apple cheddar press. And I get it now! Any dum dum can get good street cred with a retro décor and a big, hip beer list. But the real winners are the ones that know what they’re doing both with the cocktail shaker and in the kitchen. And Trina is one of these winners.
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Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Posted By:
Joan Hill
Photo:
Joan Hill
Shawarma King
Shawarma King Restaurant is a family operated business which has thrived In the heart of Coolidge Corner for over 18 years by serving authentic Lebanese cuisine in a low-key and friendly atmosphere. The shawarma is top notch; always lean and juicy, and served piping hot. Sharing combined appetizer plates, either vegetarian or meaty, is a great way to try some of their other truly tasty homemade items.
Their falafel is superb; crunchy outside, fluffy and aromatically flavorful inside, especially yummy when dipped in their super creamy hummous. Daily specials are shared on the board in Lebanese and English, and the friendly staff loves to describe the enticing offerings on display in the steam table. Everything is freshly made and the portions are generous.
Ask to see their catering menu book with hundreds of photos of special meals that they have prepared over the years, it's a joy to behold!
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