1,000 Places to Eat Before I Die: The Boston 10
I've already got the books 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and 1,000 Places (U.S.A. and Canada) to See Before You Die. While I'd be lucky to make it through even half of each book in my lifetime, I'm still determined to see... and eat... as much as possible along the way.
Whenever I've vacationed at home, in the states or in foreign lands, one of the very first things I research is Where. To. Eat. I love trying new foods, new wines, new restaurants, new cafes, new hot dog stands, you name it. Of course, they're all only new to me, so I have to figure out what the hype of a place is about, if there is any hype at all.
I'm proud to say that I've already dined at many of Boston's finest and best restaurants, but there are still many more to try, and new ones cropping up all the time.
Kicking off my own sort of culinary bucket list, here are 10 spots in Boston I have tried or have yet to try that I think other people may want to put at the top of their must-eat lists. Clearly, the rest of my 1,000 places will be found outside the Boston city limits. Foodie Chick may have to go international!
10 Places to Eat Before I Die... in Boston
No. 9 Park: Whenever I think to go to this Beacon Hill Barbara Lynch estalishment, it's too short notice and every seat in the house is reserved. You can usually get very early or very late reservations on weeknights at the last minute. Weekends, forgettaboutit. The seats here are coveted -- and for good reason I understand. The Italian-French menu and European setting are said to be superb. (No. 9 Park is at 9 Park Street in Boston.)
Hamersly's Bistro: One of the best meals I've ever had in Boston, and on my 30th birthday no less, was at this laid-back, classy, French bistro in the South End. Yet somehow I never wrote it up! I must have been recovering from the transition. You'll never find a better, more buttery chicken or more friendly waitstaff than the one at Hamersly's. (Hamersly's is at 553 Tremont Street in Boston.)
Locke-Ober: Decadence meets history meets rich French excellence. That's the impression I already have of Locke-Ober, and I haven't even dined there yet. I hoping to step back in time and reminisce a bit about Paris when I finally do. I already know what I'd order, starting with the escargots. (Locke-Ober is located at 3 Winter Place in Boston.)
Mamma Maria: There are many, many North End Italian eateries to choose from, a few of which I recommend are Taranta (if you can forgive the condescending waiters) and Maurizio's. However, there's one that every tourist must visit, which is probably the only reason why I still have yet to go! Eating at Mamma Maria is like taking a Duck Tour -- every one in Boston must do it at least once. I'll finally get there and review it, one of these days. (Mamma Maria is at 3 North Square in the heart of Boston's North End.)
The Met Burger Bar: You can't always afford, nor do you always want, a four-star meal in the city. So the next time I'm craving a big juicy burger and have a hankering to spend some money at the mall, I'll be hitting up the Met Burger Bar at the Natick Collection. The special grill they built to flame sear the burgers on both sides at once is reason enough for me to want to check it out. (The Met Burger Bar is at 1245 Worcester Street in Natick, Mass.)
Radius: One of the other best meals I've ever had in Boston was at this fine Financial District establishment, where Chef Patrick Connolly was recently named Best Chef in the Northeast by James Beard Foundation . I'll have to make a return visit, sooner than later. If you want a fun and adventurous evening, order a tasting menu and just wait-and-see what the chef cooks up for you. (Radius is at 8 High Street in Boston.)
Sound Bites: I've tried quite a few brunch and breakfast menus in my day, seeing as it's one of my favorite meals of any day, but Sound Bites has topped nearly all of them. It's by far, so far, my favorite breakfast spot in the Boston area. I have yet to get past the omelets on the menu, but that Fluffy Challah French Toast has my name all over it. Your breakfast will even come with a fresh fruit plate. It's a get-your-own coffee sort of place, so don't expect anything fancy here. Just simple goodness. (Sound Bites is located at 704 Broadway in Somerville, Mass.)
T. Anthony's Pizzeria: Anyone who knows me knows I had to include a pizza place. I love pizza, New York pizza, which makes for a challenge in Boston. However, T. Anthony's is about as close as you can get to New York-esque pizza in the area, and it's a bastion of cheap dining for Boston University students, which you'll find in flocks at all hours of the day and night. Go in the summer time, when all the kids have left town. Or sneak in for a slice and try it for yourself. Mmm, doughy, cheesy Italian pizza goodness. (T. Anthony's Pizzeria is at 1016 Commonwealth Ave. in Boston.)
Tremont 647 Pajama Brunch: I have actually been to 647 a dozen times for its great food and drink specials, great food and drink in general, and great staff. Fun-seeker and owner Andy Husbands himself certainly sets the tone for this upbeat South End spot. All that said, I've never been for its famous brunch! One of these days I'm going to have a gluttonous Sunday and dive into that lobster mac n' cheese, and a few other things. (Tremont 647 is right where you think it is -- at 647 Tremont Street in Boston.)
T.W. Food: When I recently told another Boston foodie about FoodieChick.com, while we enjoyed a sunny lunch at Bouchee on Newbury Street, she immediately remarked, "You MUST go to T.W. Food!" Owned by young couple Tim and Bronwyn Wiechmann (33 and 29), I must say I was impressed already. Now I just have to get to this Huron Village "American Bistro Luxe" ASAP for the seven-course tasting menu, all made with fresh local ingredients, an Oyster Shooter and the artisan bread made by United States Baking Team Finalist Michael Rhodes. I can already tell it's going to be a fantastic review. (T.W. Food is located at 377 Walden Street in Cambridge.)
Union Oyster House: While it may not win the best clam chowder (I think Legal Seafoods does) and it may attract tourists like a bear to honey, it is still a must-eat before you die. It's the oldest restaurant in Boston, the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the U.S., since 1826, and they still serve some fabulous oysters and clams. Dining here, you'll feel like you just stepped off of a tall ship, if you overlook the I Heart Boston T-shirts. For another spot with fewer tourists and rave reviews, try Neptune Oyster in the North End. (Union Oyster House is at 41 Union Street in Boston.)
I realize I included 11 places on this list. I could have excluded one of the more casual spots, but didn't have the heart to do it. So much for my editing skills! Just consider one of them an extra side dish.
Happy dining!
FC
Whenever I've vacationed at home, in the states or in foreign lands, one of the very first things I research is Where. To. Eat. I love trying new foods, new wines, new restaurants, new cafes, new hot dog stands, you name it. Of course, they're all only new to me, so I have to figure out what the hype of a place is about, if there is any hype at all.
I'm proud to say that I've already dined at many of Boston's finest and best restaurants, but there are still many more to try, and new ones cropping up all the time.
Kicking off my own sort of culinary bucket list, here are 10 spots in Boston I have tried or have yet to try that I think other people may want to put at the top of their must-eat lists. Clearly, the rest of my 1,000 places will be found outside the Boston city limits. Foodie Chick may have to go international!
10 Places to Eat Before I Die... in Boston
No. 9 Park: Whenever I think to go to this Beacon Hill Barbara Lynch estalishment, it's too short notice and every seat in the house is reserved. You can usually get very early or very late reservations on weeknights at the last minute. Weekends, forgettaboutit. The seats here are coveted -- and for good reason I understand. The Italian-French menu and European setting are said to be superb. (No. 9 Park is at 9 Park Street in Boston.)Hamersly's Bistro: One of the best meals I've ever had in Boston, and on my 30th birthday no less, was at this laid-back, classy, French bistro in the South End. Yet somehow I never wrote it up! I must have been recovering from the transition. You'll never find a better, more buttery chicken or more friendly waitstaff than the one at Hamersly's. (Hamersly's is at 553 Tremont Street in Boston.)Locke-Ober: Decadence meets history meets rich French excellence. That's the impression I already have of Locke-Ober, and I haven't even dined there yet. I hoping to step back in time and reminisce a bit about Paris when I finally do. I already know what I'd order, starting with the escargots. (Locke-Ober is located at 3 Winter Place in Boston.)Mamma Maria: There are many, many North End Italian eateries to choose from, a few of which I recommend are Taranta (if you can forgive the condescending waiters) and Maurizio's. However, there's one that every tourist must visit, which is probably the only reason why I still have yet to go! Eating at Mamma Maria is like taking a Duck Tour -- every one in Boston must do it at least once. I'll finally get there and review it, one of these days. (Mamma Maria is at 3 North Square in the heart of Boston's North End.)The Met Burger Bar: You can't always afford, nor do you always want, a four-star meal in the city. So the next time I'm craving a big juicy burger and have a hankering to spend some money at the mall, I'll be hitting up the Met Burger Bar at the Natick Collection. The special grill they built to flame sear the burgers on both sides at once is reason enough for me to want to check it out. (The Met Burger Bar is at 1245 Worcester Street in Natick, Mass.)Radius: One of the other best meals I've ever had in Boston was at this fine Financial District establishment, where Chef Patrick Connolly was recently named Best Chef in the Northeast by James Beard Foundation . I'll have to make a return visit, sooner than later. If you want a fun and adventurous evening, order a tasting menu and just wait-and-see what the chef cooks up for you. (Radius is at 8 High Street in Boston.)Sound Bites: I've tried quite a few brunch and breakfast menus in my day, seeing as it's one of my favorite meals of any day, but Sound Bites has topped nearly all of them. It's by far, so far, my favorite breakfast spot in the Boston area. I have yet to get past the omelets on the menu, but that Fluffy Challah French Toast has my name all over it. Your breakfast will even come with a fresh fruit plate. It's a get-your-own coffee sort of place, so don't expect anything fancy here. Just simple goodness. (Sound Bites is located at 704 Broadway in Somerville, Mass.)T. Anthony's Pizzeria: Anyone who knows me knows I had to include a pizza place. I love pizza, New York pizza, which makes for a challenge in Boston. However, T. Anthony's is about as close as you can get to New York-esque pizza in the area, and it's a bastion of cheap dining for Boston University students, which you'll find in flocks at all hours of the day and night. Go in the summer time, when all the kids have left town. Or sneak in for a slice and try it for yourself. Mmm, doughy, cheesy Italian pizza goodness. (T. Anthony's Pizzeria is at 1016 Commonwealth Ave. in Boston.) Tremont 647 Pajama Brunch: I have actually been to 647 a dozen times for its great food and drink specials, great food and drink in general, and great staff. Fun-seeker and owner Andy Husbands himself certainly sets the tone for this upbeat South End spot. All that said, I've never been for its famous brunch! One of these days I'm going to have a gluttonous Sunday and dive into that lobster mac n' cheese, and a few other things. (Tremont 647 is right where you think it is -- at 647 Tremont Street in Boston.)T.W. Food: When I recently told another Boston foodie about FoodieChick.com, while we enjoyed a sunny lunch at Bouchee on Newbury Street, she immediately remarked, "You MUST go to T.W. Food!" Owned by young couple Tim and Bronwyn Wiechmann (33 and 29), I must say I was impressed already. Now I just have to get to this Huron Village "American Bistro Luxe" ASAP for the seven-course tasting menu, all made with fresh local ingredients, an Oyster Shooter and the artisan bread made by United States Baking Team Finalist Michael Rhodes. I can already tell it's going to be a fantastic review. (T.W. Food is located at 377 Walden Street in Cambridge.)Union Oyster House: While it may not win the best clam chowder (I think Legal Seafoods does) and it may attract tourists like a bear to honey, it is still a must-eat before you die. It's the oldest restaurant in Boston, the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the U.S., since 1826, and they still serve some fabulous oysters and clams. Dining here, you'll feel like you just stepped off of a tall ship, if you overlook the I Heart Boston T-shirts. For another spot with fewer tourists and rave reviews, try Neptune Oyster in the North End. (Union Oyster House is at 41 Union Street in Boston.)I realize I included 11 places on this list. I could have excluded one of the more casual spots, but didn't have the heart to do it. So much for my editing skills! Just consider one of them an extra side dish.
Happy dining!
FC
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