Summer in the city [Boston]

Regional Dining Discussions Boston, New England
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July and August may be hot, but traffic, parking, and reservations all are easier. Saturday the 5th we decided to walk the Rose Kennedy Greenway. It’s a pleasure to see it thriving in all senses of the word - landsacping has matured and is varied and interesting, and people have embraced the fountains, swings, and beer gardens. We parked in the Haymarket garage above Boston Public Market (3 hours parking for $3 if you make a purchase in the Public Market). After walking the length of the Greenway and back we were hungry and willing to brave the line (even in July) at Neptune Oyster. After a 30 minute wait we ordered a dozen assorted oysters, scallop crudo, white anchovies, soft-shell crab, and lobster panzanella. Just the right amount for the three of us, but the service was a bit…disjointed. Everything but the oysters came out and when we asked what their status was, and our waitress said only that “the oysters come from a different place”. They finally arrived but our enjoyment was diminished (erased?) by the lingering flavors from the crab, panzanella etc. While the soft-shell crab, scallop crudo and panzanella were all excellent, we think the inversion of our order (oysters last) would never have happened at Row 34, Select, Saltie Girl,…

On Sunday we decided to visit SOWA Market, with a stop first at Bar Mezzana for brunch. Street parking was a bit challenging, probably because of SOWA Market, but with persistence I landed a spot a short walk from Bar Mezzana. My spouse and daughter had Bloody Mary’s, I had a refreshing basil/lime mocktail from their extensive list. Yellowtail crudo with grapefruit and chili, and burrata with grilled stone fruits and prosciutto made an excellent start. Duck confit hash, mortadella egg sandwich, and eggs in purgatory with crumbled sausage were wonderful mains. Not busy at all at 11:30 when we arrived (perhaps one or two other tables; we were alone outside on the terrace) but it began to get busier by the time we departed.

SOWA Market was lively as ever, with many more food options than our last visit (last summer). The outdoor section is sweltering in the sun - a shade structure like the one covering the Ithaca farmer’s market would be a big help. The vintage market (indoors, downstairs) is always fun to peruse, and offers a welcome repite from the heat.

Looking forward to several more low-stress weeks of summer. I think Moecca is up next.

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Oysters coming last at Neptune? Granted, it’s been unfortunately years since I’ve been, but it’s hard to believe that would have happened in the past! Former Neptune chef Michael Serpa, now chef and owner at Select Oyster, would have been aghast.

A few logistical questions as I try to plan a visit: what time did you arrive on Saturday? You still have to wait in line, they stopped talking phone numbers year ago, correct? And can one of your party hold the place in line while other(s) go elsewhere for a bit? I ask because with my three joint replacements, it’s going to be hard for me to stand up for 30 minutes or more.

That Boston Public Market parking is a bargain; we did it the last time we went to Neptune. Thanks for reminder about SOWA Market, which I hope to do once high summer blends into early autumn.

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We arrived a bit before 4pm. The line was twice as long when we left a bit after 5. They’re not taking numbers. I stood line duty while my spouse and daughter wandered around the North End. There are some stoops that give an occasional respite from standing.

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Thanks, that’s really helpful. My most successful, least waiting time visits to Neptune in years past were arriving between 2:30 and 4:30. And during or just after snowstorms. Once we tried to park on the street and amazingly nabbed a spot right in front of Neptune…in January, on MLK day when the resident only permits were not in effect.

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Now that’s good parking karma :sunglasses:

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There is a lot at 39 Traveler St that seems to be empty whenever we go to that area. I think it’s like $10 during the weekend.