Boston City Limit » Where to Eat

Grezzo: A North End Vegan Beacon

Jeremy — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:45:46 +0000

Grezzo = Raw (in Italian)

Located in Boston’s north end, chef-owned Grezzo serves up uncooked dishes of organic, locally sourced ingredients paired with biodynamic wines and sake.

Rustic-themed, the warm hues and copper tables cast the room with a romantic glow.

Grezzo
69 Prince Street
(857) 362-7288
grezzorestaurant.com

Sensing

Jeremy — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:45:52 +0000

Chef Guy Martin, multiple Michelin stars for his restaurant in France, is the purveyor of this hotel based bistro.

The menu is seasonal, mostly local, and small in a good way. There is a “Sensing snacking platter,” which contains six small bites; five starters; four fish and four meat entrees; some cheese and four sweets. The meal is pricey and flavored with a dash of whimsy and dinner theater with a few culinary tricks.

Expect to pay a pretty penny.

Sensing, at the Fairmont Battery Wharf
3 Battery Wharf
(617) 994-9001
sensingrestaurant.com.

Sportello: Cuisine Over a Counter

Jeremy — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:00:53 +0000

We recommend Sportello for the perfect lunch, it’s counter-style space (“Sportello” is Italian for “counter”) makes it ideal for mid-day often harried eating.

In spite of the bustle and hustle, there’s plenty of space for you to enjoy a slow glass of wine over the strozzapreti (“priest stranglers”), little twists of pasta served with bits of braised rabbit, green olives, and a sauce made with rabbit jus and rosemary or a dish of gnocchitini, baby dumplings graced in a light seafood-and-tomato sauce with mussels.

Bella pasta!

Sportello
348 Congress Street
(617) 737-1234
sportelloboston.com.

Neptune Oyster, Just off the Freedom Trail

Jeremy — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:36:37 +0000

From the window you’ll catch a glimpse of groups noshing on chilled oysters and your belly will rumble for a cocktail and chaser.

Neptune Oyster is the perfect place to go for fresh, and well-prepared seafood. Charming (meaning small and cramped) with no room to spare, you’ll have to be tolerant of elbow-to-elbow dining. Daily specials are listed on chalkboard and mirrors, and you’re encouraged to try something unfamiliar to your well traveled palatte: cod cheeks, sea urchin, and more.

63 Salem St, Boston, MA
617/742-3474
www.neptuneoyster.com
Main courses $13-$34; lobster market price

Mantra

Jeremy — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:23:24 +0000

Nestled between the Theatre District and Downtown Crossing and serves French-Indian cuisine and boasts a stylish late-night bar scene. You’ll nibbled on appetizers like the tandoori stuffed quail at Mantra, a Downtown Crossing boîte. Most of the action revolves around the red-suede banquettes, chain-mail curtains, and twenty-foot, woven-wood cocktail den.

52 Temple Place, Boston MA 02111
617.542.8111
www.mantrarestaurant.com

Bin 26 Enoteca

Jeremy — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:18:00 +0000

Bin 26 Enoteca, oozes ambiance. Resting in Beacon Hill, this quintessential Italian wine bar, serves homemade cocoa tagliatelle with porcini ragout in a room festooned with decoupaged wine labels and wine-cork coat pegs.

A neighborhood favorite, locals stop in to sip wine and slurp pasta. But, when in Rome, you’ll be able to drink German rieslings, Spanish tempranillos, and South African chenin blancs.

26 Charles St.
Boston, MA 02114
617.723.5939
www.bin26.com

Southie: Rocca Kitchen & Bar

Jeremy — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:07:09 +0000

Rocca Kitchen & Bar is tucked into an alley off Harrison Avenue, but for a few hours you’ll feel that you are at home in Italy’s Liguria region surrounded by cork walls, slate floors, and hammered bronze. However, if your inner free spirit desires outdoor eating and the evening weather is fair and welcoming, take your pasta, marinated sardines and twice-cooked artichokes out on the courtyard patio.

Rocca
500 Harrison Avenue
South End, Boston MA 02118
Phone 617.451.5151

www.roccaboston.com

Union Oyster House

Jeremy — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:26:23 +0000

Union Oyster House, 41 Union Street, (617) 227-2750, www.unionoysterhouse.com, is around the corner from Faneuil Hall. Yes, it’s old (open 1826, it bills itself as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the nation), and very touristy. But kids can visit the Freedom Trail room to spot the carvings and displays of the main stops on the trail and chow down on a fish filet sandwich ($7.95) or hot dog ($4.95), while adults enjoy a bowl of creamy clam chowder ($5.50).

Locke-Ober Café

Jeremy — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:18:56 +0000

Locke-Ober Café
3 Winter Place, (617) 542-1340

Locke-Ober Café is just off Boston Common is classic Boston with a twist. The largely male clientele includes many politicos from Beacon Hill, who meet here to cajole and twist arms over lunch – keep an eye out for the likes of John Kerry and Mitt Romney.

Jackets are recommended. Think dark wood, gold chandeliers, worn mosaic tile floor, stained glass and the famous nude painting of “Yvonne,” much of it dating back to 1875 when the cafe was founded.

The menu, which changes weekly, includes a collection of old and new – grilled bluefish and salmon luncheon entrees swim between traditional poached eggs with roast beef hash and the calf’s liver with bacon and onions. Lunch appetizers are $13 and entrees range from $15 to $25. Dinner entrees start at $25.

Sage Restaurant (North End)

Jeremy — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:17:31 +0000

Sage
North End, 69 Prince Street, (617) 248-8814

If you love authentic and hearty Italiam, Sage is hard to beat. The menu, which changes often, can include intimate savory dishes like rabbit, veal and lobster. Sage is tiny (28 seats maximum) and easy to miss from the street, while inside, it’s simply adorned, but comfortable. Reservations are recommended. Open for dinner only. Appetizers are $10, entrees $18 to $30.

Save room for torrone nougat ($4.75) at the Modern Pastry Shop around the corner at 257 Hanover Street.