Reminder: We’re looking for recommendations in Boston and the surrounding areas (willing to travel for a memorable meal). We’ve never been to the area before. We’re taking a redeye that gets to Logan around 6 am so probably will want a breakfast spot that morning – ideally one near one of the many universities (we’ll take a walking tour of a campus, doesn’t matter which one, to show our oldest son). Then we head to Albany and eventually Cooperstown for a baseball tournament before returning to Boston at the back end.
There are 4 of us (two boys ages 16 and 12 who are both good and adventurous eaters). We have three days but only two dinners in Boston as we’re catching the Sox-Dodgers on Saturday night. Looking for lunch and dinner suggestions. From review of prior posts, Row 34, Neptunes Oyster and Belle Island Seafood seem like contenders for good seafood. Row 34 and Peach Tree Farm appears to be a solid Chinese option. We’re open for anything, preference would be for regional cuisine and ethnic options (we’d probably avoid Korean and Thai because we such good options in Los Angeles). And anything interesting around Fenway Saturday night is a bonus. Thanks in advance and I will report back after our trip.
The Friendly Toast is in Harvard Square and opens at 7:30. It’s part of a small local breakfast/brunch chain with some unusual offerings in addition to standard breakfast. Mamaleh’s is a delicatessen also in Cambridge, Kendall Square near MiT, opens at 8 am. Harvard and MIT are geographically close, one Red Line subway stop in between them.
Lunch at Tufts (Medford) could consider Semolina Kitchen. Pizza, pasta from a local pasta shop, good sandwiches and salads. A dinner not far from Tufts in Somerville: Sarma, which many consider one of the best restaurants in the Boston area. Very popular, may be easier to get a reservation in the summer. If the menu appeals, book ASAP. They do accept walk ins beginning at 5. I’ve been told that if you get there somewhat before 5, getting in on the first wave is likely.
We love Neptune Oyster. It is very popular, very small, doesn’t take reservations, in the North End. In the past, I’ve had luck mid afternoon. One person could hold your place in line while the others explore the North End. The former chef at Neptune opened Select Oyster in Back Bay, which does take reservations. He didn’t take the dishes he developed at Neptune, and that experience can’t be replicated, but he is an excellent chef so that could be an alternative. Upscale, very different from Belle Isle where you order at the counter and recent reviews are uneven.
Sweet Cheeks barbecue is near Fenway. I’m from NC and find Boston’s barbecue options mediocre. Except for Sweet Cheeks. The pulled pork is by far the best I’ve had in Boston, the biscuits are legendary, and the traditional southern sides are all excellent, including fried okra, which is hard to find in Boston. Also fried chicken.
The late seafood chef, Jasper White, opened Summer Shack, a large, casual restaurant across the street from the Alewife T-station. The dining room looks like a high school cafeteria with an open kitchen. Huge, steaming cauldrons churn out individual seafood boils and other shellfish. It is pricey but worth every penny. Jasper’s Pan-Roasted Lobster belongs on pescatarians’ bucket list. Given the addictively buttery herbed sauce, the recommended serving is one per lifetime. You can comfortably dress, and freely share your plates. One of the best things I have ever eaten was their mashed parsnips (again, butter). Simple pound cake was gently toasted before being topped with ice cream and maple syrup. The chalkboard menu changes according to availability of freshest produce but the JPRLobster is always a choice.
You didn’t say when you’ll be in Boston but I’d recommend making dinner reservations in advance as far as possible. The better restaurants are often fully booked weeks in advance.
Fancy a Spanish tapas bar/restaurant? Taberna de Haro is very good and is not far away from Fenway Park - easily walkable.
Eastern Standard, a brasserie, is even closer. Historically it has been a Boston favorite but I have not been to its new location since it reopened a year or so ago.
Suggestion for a 'different" but wonderful breakfast - Sofra Bakery & Cafe in Allston but just across the Charles River from Harvard University. Turkish/mid-eastern cuisine, like nothing else in the area - so good! Counter service with tables, opens at 8 am. Breakfast menu is about halfway down the on-line menu. And has off-street parking. (would also work for lunch after a Harvard tour…)
Moeca is a seafood-oriented restaurant on the edges of Harvard Sq. I have eaten there twice, the first time was terrific, the second time still good but service was mediocre. I would still recommend it.
Time Out Market is near to Fenway Park and has several dining options. It also has a full bar.
Recommend Row 34 for seafood and they do take reservations.
Also recommend The Daily Catch , it has been around for about 50 years and is something of an experience.
I think there are only 2 locations open at this point and only one takes reservations.
It has been quite a while since I’ve eaten there (North End location), it was good but maybe someone with more recent experience could chime in?
Oh, thanks for the reminder that Sofra in Allston very close to Harvard is open and has much more seating than the first locale on the Belmont line in Cambridge. Sofra is a sister restaurant to the highly regarded Sarma in Somerville that I mentioned before, and also to Oleana in Cambridge.
I haven’t been to The Daily Catch, unfortunately, for too many years but enjoyed it many times in the past, especially the garlic/spicy squid ink pasta creations. The one in the North End is cash only.
You have only 3 days so I would try to maximize the activity-to-food ratio. In which area are you staying?
Some ideas:
Sounds like you are a baseball family as we are (I, my hubby, and our 10-year-old son). The Bleacher Bar is a hoot. It’s located under the bleachers out in centerfield. If you go, you and your sons must use the men’s room; I’ll leave it at that. Basic pub food which is probably not what you’re looking for but maybe stop for a beer or soda and a snack?
A walk around MIT might be interesting. And you can stroll down Memorial Drive (Bostonians call it “Mem Drive”) on the Charles. If you walk over Harvard Bridge, look for the Smoots. Look for Smoot 34 (Big Papi’s number). On campus, I don’t know if the buildings are still open to the public these days, but the Infinity Corridor is neat (enter at the big dome). There are interesting restaurants in nearby Central Sq. The MIT museum is cool but I don’t know if you want to do museums.
Harvard Sq. is sadly a shell of itself (it is very corporate now) but your kids might find it interesting. The area around the Harvard MBTA stop (or simply the “T”) which used to be called the pit is now under construction and not very attractive. I don’t know what food is good around there these days. The old-school places, such as Grendel’s, Charlie’s Kitchen, or Bartley’s may not be interesting because they’re just pubs/burger joints. I’ve heard Wusong Tiki Bar is fun but we haven’t been.
It would be easier to suggest a breakfast place if we knew in what area you’re planning to stay and if there’s a specific college you plan to tour. An early arrival might complicate checking into your hotel or b&b. Drop your stuff, grab breakfast, tour the campus, return to hotel, take a nap and have dinner close by. Don’t rent a car until you leave for Albany, though.
I have been. It’s a great place for delicious tiki drinks and very good (maybe not super-great, but certainly really good) Chinese food. I wouldn’t go there with my kids though, because it’s all about the tiki drinks.
There is a newish Smoot Standard cafe/bar/restaurant in Central Square Cambridge. Worth checking out the website at least to read about the Smoot story.
I agree that Harvard Square is a sad shell of what used to be (I first arrived in 1973, so I go back a long time in sadness). However, there are interesting bookstores (only a few left), Harvard museums (art museum is free), the campus architecture.
Charlie’s Kitchen is a complete dive at this point, even more than before, to be avoided. Bartley’s is still there, and there is a more upscale version of Grendel’s, called the Sea Hag, owned by the same family (interesting decor), near the Harvard Bookstore and the Lampoon Building, that has decent food for weekday lunch specials. In addition to the Friendly Toast breakfast/brunch place I mentioned earlier, which also has interesting decor.
Yes, public transportation works well for the most part and since this is your first trip to Boston, it would be hard for to imagine how difficult parking and driving here is.
Sad that Harvard Square has lost its character. At one point in the 80s I counted 13 bookstores. The idiosyncratic restaurants have largely gone away, too. There is still good food to be had, at Harvest (which has a lovely terrace) and Bar Enza in the Charles Hotel. Tony Susi recently moved from Bar Enza to his new venture Little Sage in the North End but Lydia Shire is now at the helm. Haven’t been since she took over but I have no doubt it will continue to excel.
I dunno — I can see kids liking the experience, but maybe that’s just us. This past weekend, my 10-year-old told his cousins all about about the virgin pina colada he had in Puerto Rico this past April so I think he would enjoy non-alcoholic tiki drinks in fun glassware.
Prezza in the North End for Italian. My good friend’s family is from Prezza, and he recommended it. It serves somewhat modernized Italian American food.
For an upscale seafood place that takes reservations, I liked Select Oyster Bar.
I’m keen on historic and regional food trivia. I made a point to visit the Omni Parker House Hotel, where Parker House rolls and if I recall correctly, the Boston Cream Pie, were invented. It wasn’t a great Boston Cream Pie that they served, but I checked it off my list.
I also tried Boston Baked Beans on one of my first visits, at a fairly touristy restaurant.
Chef Michael Serpa at Select Oyster opened his own restaurant after moving from Neptune Oyster.
I’m so glad you liked Tatte and Flour, both excellent local bakery small chains that also serve good sandwiches and brunch/lunch dishes.
A historic tavern in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston, right at Bunker Hill, is the Warren Tavern. The food is better than most located near tourist attractions, and there are always a lot of locals there. Very atmospheric, low ceilings, etc.
And nearby, a restaurant that serves brunch every day as well as dinner. Very good food, very popular with locals, charming atmosphere, quite loud. Difficult to park somewhat for non locals except on Sunday, when you can park anywhere without local resident parking permit. https://www.waverlycharlestown.com/
