Despite my extreme self deprivation pre pageant, my real passion is food. There's nothing I won't try; really anything from alligator to bull tongue!
Living in LA we ate out for nearly every meal and rarely stopped at the same spot twice, so more blog posting to come on my LA musts. In Boston, my budgets a little tighter so I haven't experienced it all, but I'll still give you the run down.
Breakfast:
Okay, well you can't beat the Taj brunch on their rooftop terrace overlooking the city. And the Four Seasons brunch is definitely a close second. Both hotels outdo themselves, with carving stations, make your own omelet, raw bar, dessert after dessert, and flowing champagne -- but you do pay for what you're getting, and it's not cheap. Both brunches run around 50-60 per person. J Paces and Sons makes the most incredible bacon egg and cheese on a bagel or croissant, they literally are so mouth-watering.
Friendly Toast - honestly, this may be my favorite spot ever. Located in Kendall Sq. the joint is littered with bizarre antiques and signs that give it an almost fun-house feel. This is far from romantic, but it's the perfect morning after date or place to go with a big group of friends. I could never order anyhing besides The King Cakes (2 pancakes with bananas and choc chips inside, peanut butter between, encircled by bacon) but their menu is rediculously fun and imaginative. It reminds me of the Griddle in LA, but possibly better! I've also tried the cayenne cheddar toast (delic), herb omelette (ok, but there is way better on the menu), kitchen sink quesadilla and shrimp (4 fried coconut shrimp and a quesadilla illed with spiced pecans, jalapeno jack and cheddar, spinach, fried onions, sweet potato fries and topped with mango sour cream and balsamic-- Odd combination, I know.. but this dish is A.ma.zing), and cheese fries with strawberry habenero dip. NOTE: if you had ADHD, take an extra dose of ridalin before picking up their menu; it's overwhelming -- but everything tastes so fabulous that you'll already be planning what you're getting on your next visit before you've even ordered your Red Bull frappe. Best part - they only fry in safflower oil and everything is trans fat free. bliss.
Steaks:
Of course I am a fan of the "chain" staples like Capital Grille: go for lunch and get the steak sandwich with havarti, you'll save money and be so pleasantly surprised you'll never have a power lunch anywhere else. The atmosphere is very business professional, not romantic.
The Palm: Steer clear of their specials, and opt for the signature dishes like lobster tails, crabmeat cocktail, chicken picatta (ask for capers), chicken parm, ribeye, and filet. This is a good place to go get steaks with the guys or a bunch of friends, the graffiti-esque walls give a laid back vibe.
Del Friscos: In the same category as my all time favorites Maestros and Cut (in LA). Honestly this place gets five full stars! Not only is it romantic with a breath taking view, huge comfortable black couches with chandeliers and recessed lighting ..but they have a serve yourself jelly bean bowl at the hostess desk. The sunken bar, lounge and make-shift wine cellar are also nice touches. In terms of food, don't go if you don't plan on getting the crab cake appetizer, most amazing one i've ever had. No bread crumbs just crab, peppers and spices in some tarragon heaven sauce. I got the three petite filets with different sauces on each one as my main course and I was giddy with happiness. the blue cheese is extremely flavorful and the candied scallop was out of this world delicious finished with a bernaise. The third sauce had crabmeat and a red cab demi glaze and was also impecable. I ordered carmalized onions to accompany my steak and I also got the brussel sprouts - both were good, but my eye was on the mac & cheese which i cannot wait to go back and try. Although the steak and crab were fabulous, the real diamond here is the banana bread pudding. Trust me. Best part, sign up for their emails and they'll send you a hand written letter saying thank you for coming in to eat with them. Perfect touch.
Abe and Louies - Love em! Such a Boston staple. Foods all very good, no better than any of the other ones listed above aside from that I always prefer a unique Boston staple over chains.
Newbury:
Met Bar: The one on Newbury has a great feel. Their outdoor seating is great and summer salads & cold plates are delightful. The inside atmosphere is almost even better, I love the big booths and the clean white. Don't get the cod lettuce cup - they're drenched in a not so tasty sauce. Do get brussel sprouts, short rib tacos, and any burger.
Sonsie: The pizzas and drinks are good, but their main courses are poorly presented and overpriced. Great place to go and split apps or a pizza and people watch from the extremely small and uncomfortable window seating. Their lunch menu is even less appealing.
Stephanis on Newbury: Best summer spot ever. Breakfast? Get the pulled pork scramble and CEO mimosas. Then go walk it off and come right back for lunch/dinner. Their lobster and truffle mac and cheese is indescribly delicious. They also have the best ahi tuna I have had to date, and I've had my fair share of ahi tuna tartars.
Cafeteria: Amazing Sangria, possibly the best I've ever had. Get the white and the red. Actually get a pitcher of both and sit outside on a lazy spring or summer day and enjoy every fruity crisp sip. The menu is limited and food is sub par. I'd save the calories and just go for one of their salads or split an app, the entrees are far from impressive and quite overpriced.
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Stephanie's on Newbury
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Lounges/Bars:
Drink Just all around best. This hidden gem is my favorite bar in Boston. You just tell them what you like..what you feel like, etc. and the bartenders (i feel like they should have a fancier name -- like how starbucks calls their coffee pourers baristas) create a delicious and unique concoction. It has this inviting speak-easy, relaxed feel that makes you want to engage in pensive discussions on the meaning of life. The apps are good, but will leave you hungry. I'd go for the olive mix and the bacon flavored nuts, then head upstairs to sportella for something of more substance. Don't go here if you're looking for fast service, the bartenders even chop their own ice cubes off of an enormous block, which takes about 5 minutes but is worth every second.
Playwright: if you must go out in Southie, this is a better bet than stats but nothing to write home about. Great place to pick up recent college grads with entry level jobs.
Back Bay Social Club: Great drink menu and they have meat candy (candied kilbasa), but the basements depressing and the crowd is rather stuffy and old.
Pour House, Dillons, Rattlesnakes, Whiskeys - Go ahead go on the Boylston bar crawl! Hungry for bar food, whiskeys has good buff tenders, pour house has good fries and Dillons has really inexpensive bar apps.
Hotel Bars:
Langham. Bond is the best place to impress friends/clients. It's fabulously decorated and so regal with a delightful cocktial menu. Don't eat any of the desserts, no matter how good you think the cheesecake lolipops sound, take my work they're horrific. The foods subpar as well.
Liberty Hotel. Amazing. No better place in the summer to enjoy a cocktail after work. Limited seating and overpriced, but so worth it.
Mandarin Oriental. Lychee martini with champagne and grapefruit? yep. Sure its a splurge at 18 dollars, but it really is that good. Plus they give roasted nuts and olives to munch on at the bar. This is a great place to find yourself in a deep conversation with a worldly traveler. Older crowd and plenty of cougars, but I alway have a great time.
....I justified returning to the Mandarin bar & ordering the lychee martini on the grounds that it was blog research. It really is that good I couldn't even wait to guzzle it before picture snapping!
Seaport Hotel: ok, who goes to a bar and gets brussels sprouts? i SWEAR these are the tastiest, most delicious brussels sprouts, or even vegetable, I have ever had. If you must go early just to order them at the bar before the crowd comes in, then do it -- it's worth it! They have a changing drink menu with some pricey, but inventive, drinks. I'd go for wines, their list is impressive.
Diners:
In my opinion, you'd have to drive an hour west to hit up Worcester for some real box car greasy delights. but South Street Diner has bomb buffalo tenders and omelets with really fresh ingredients. It's not necessairly dirt cheap, but they have healthy options (which actually makes me not like them as a diner) and they're incredibly efficient, even with a packed house of drunks at 4AM. Charlies on Dartmouth Street attracts local celebrities. The owner is a jolly guy who works hard to make his diner efficient and welcoming to regulars and newcommers alike. Greasy and border-line dirty, the atmosphere is perfect. Everyone raves about the turkey hash scramble, but unless you're looknig to waste 4 times your normal fat intake on mediocre flavorless food, I'd opt for a breakfast sandwich.
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