So it has been awhile since I’ve been to what I would call Boston (Proper) and we will be there for a week this summer though staying out in Brookline near the Green line. During that time will also be my wedding anniversary, so I’m looking for good local places that work for a family of 3 (child is 11 but can be picky) and also one place that would be good for an anniversary but doesn’t necessarily require special dress. I’ve looked a few of the familiar spots like Copa, Bar Volpe, Giulia, Row 23 and some others. I personally would like to eat foods that are well done regionals (in this case NOT lobster rolls).
So if clam strips in Boston are vastly different than what you can get in mid Atlantic and South Eastern towns, then I’m looking at that. If there is a spot that you’d recommend for desserts, take out, noodle bars, or unique experiences let me know. If you need to know, what our current plans are in general to give recommendations for various areas that is fine too. At this point, I believe we are doing the Science Museum, Zoo, Aquarium and Ducks. At some point, I want to take the family CandlePin bowling and I know we have tix to see the Sox. We will not be using a car. What else woudl help answer questions?
So big clue here is clam strips… 
(I kid, I kid…)
In Boston - and New England - you’re not likely to find clam strips on many seafood place menus, unless it is for kids or catering to those who don’t enjoy clams much. Fried clams will be whole belly clams, and they are fantastic and fabulous, if you’ve never had them before. If you want to get good fried clams without heading out to a clam shack, Courthouse Seafood is not far from where you’ll be when you’re at the Museum of Science. Note that it’s a seafood market, and then half the space is an eat-in counter service cafe. Not even close to fancy by any means.
If you want a restaurant that focuses on New England cuisine, take a look at Puritan & Co. They are in the middle of Cambridge, so reachable via the T (maybe a 11-15 min walk from 2 nearest T stops.
Also adding that since you may be by Fenway Park, another good option is Eventide for different seafoods. Their raw bar is fantastic. It is an outpost of the very popular restaurant in Portland, Maine.
If you want great croissants/breads/desserts for noshing you can’t go wrong with Clear Flour on Thorndike Street. On weekends, the line can be long, but it moves fast. They have opened a coffee bar next door and offer pre-made sandwiches and other snacky bits, including tinned fish. Prairie Fire in Coolidge Corner mixes high and low and uses a wood fired oven for many of their dishes. Merai and Mahaniyom are run by the same people and get raves for Thai. The Abbey and Stoked Pizza are my go tos in Washington Square.
Seconding @kobuta’s recommendation of Puritan & Co. for a lovely but not stuffy celebratory meal with a heavy New England emphasis.
Depending on what time you do the Museum of Science, it’s a nice walk from there through North Point Park and then through the Navy Yard. That gives you the option of sandwiches from the Dovetail Shop - which you can take and eat along the water - or dinner inside Dovetail OR a continued walk (maybe another 1/2 mile) to Brewer’s Fork for excellent oysters, pizza, and beer menu. Both options are kid-friendly without being kid-centric.
There is also a Stoked location in Harvard Square that is a nice addition to a visit to the Harvard museums and Kemp playground (which may interest even an 11 year old!). You can easily hop on the red line from there to other downtown spots or the 1 bus back into Back Bay.
We recently had two 10 year olds visit and they loved the huge climbing structure at the City Hall playground, followed by Boston Public Market (my favorites: George Howell coffee and a fish sandwich from Red’s Best; my kids’: Union Square Donuts).
Have a great trip!
