CityGuide: Boston
Submitted by SharpMan Editorial Team on Tuesday 12th October 2010- Dining out.
- Nightlife.
- Day Trips.
Boston is a historic town full of colonial architecture and Revolutionary monuments. Today’s modern city has been built on and around this colonial framework, making for an interesting combination of new and old. Sure, some of the roads are too narrow, and there’s only enough parking for half of the Brady Bunch on any given workday, but you gotta love it.
Things to Do
Boston is a beautiful city. Particularly in the summer and spring, the focus is on outdoor activity. The listings below give some districts that are especially suited to a nice daytime stroll.
A Word of Warning About "The Big Dig"
Much of downtown is currently being excavated in a process known to Bostonians as "The Big Dig." Particularly if you fly into Logan Airport, "The Big Dig" will likely be the first thing you see in Boston. Fortunately, public transit in Boston is very reliable and fairly convenient. If you’ll be staying inside Boston proper or Cambridge, I recommend foregoing the rental car and choosing a hotel within walking distance of the "T," the metropolitan area’s subway.
Faneuil Hall
Mostly a shopping district, Faneuil Hall consists of three main buildings. The North and South Markets are full of eclectic shops while the center building, Quincy Market, features close to 50 carryout restaurants. An easy walk from the Harbor, Quincy Market is a great place for a quick lunch.
Location: Downtown, near the Harbor; walk from blue line Government Center T-stop or from the Harbor.
Harbor Area
Hotels, boat tours, whale watching, the aquarium, and tons of little seafood restaurants clutter this part of town. Definitely a place to see in Boston, you can also catch a ferry here to Provincetown.
Location: Blue line to Aquarium T-stop.
Boston Commons
Boston’s largest and best-known public park is also the starting point for many tours. One tour company, Duck Tours, even features an amphibious vehicle that drives on city streets and motors down the Charles River. A short walk from the Theater District and Boylston and Newberry Streets, the Commons is bordered by many shops and restaurants.
Location: Downtown, green line to Tremont or red line to Park.
Boylston and Newberry Streets
Cafés and boutiques line these two trendy streets. Several good bookstores mix with upper-end clothing stores and the restaurants range from bar and grill to fine dining. Overall, the area has a nice mix of stores for browsing.
Location: Downtown off of the commons, green line to Copley, Boylston, or Arlington.
Harvard Square
The area surrounding Harvard campus is a blend of upscale shops and student-friendly hangouts. The Harvard bookstore is particularly good. The Brattle Theater features foreign, art, and cult films with a schedule that changes daily.
Location: Cambridge, red line to Harvard Square.
Visitors Bureau
For more information on Boston’s many historical monuments, cultural centers and museums, call the Visitors Bureau. www.bostonusa.com. 617-536-4100
Dining Out
Over the past few years, Bostonians have become more and more obsessed with food. The restaurant scene in and around Boston has exploded. New restaurants are opening at an astonishing rate and their chefs are some of Boston’s biggest celebrities. Ultimately, food is entertainment in Boston. Where to eat is one of the biggest topics of conversations, and evenings are planned around your dinner reservations rather than reserving a table around your plans.
"Destination Chic"
For when you feel like dressing to the nines and people watching…
Blue Ginger
Food Network Chef Ming Tsai serves up what he calls "East meets West" cuisine in his restaurant in the northern suburbs. The food is inspired by French, Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Indian cooking techniques and ingredients. A refreshing change of pace, this excellent food is some of the best in the Boston area (and some of the most moderately priced fare, as well). However, expect to wait for quite a while if you don’t make reservations one month in advance for weekend dining.
Location: 583 Washington St., Wellesley, (781) 283-5790
Clio
Situated within the Eliot Hotel, this elegant restaurant provides a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. The food always delights and the service is impeccable. While the à la carte menu provides ample selections with a French bias and New American twist, Chef Ken Oringer’s tasting menu is a true gem. Consisting of up to twelve delectable courses, the chef’s menu is a stunner best saved for special occasions and celebrations.
Location: 378 Commonwealth Ave., (617) 526-7200
Hammersly’s Bistro
Set in Boston’s trendy South End district, Hammersly’s Bistro consistently ranks among Boston’s top two or three restaurants. Country bistro fare is cooked to perfection and served in a warm, cozy setting. The chef takes care to cater to vegetarian guests with elegant vegetable selections and often an entirely vegetarian tasting menu.
Location: 553 Tremont St., (617) 423-2700
Number 9 Park
The restaurant has a dining room and a more casual café. The menu tends toward French fare with a nice wine list and the city’s best cheese course. Dining room dining is great for special occasions and romantic dinners. The café is a place to meet, chat, and relax, and serves fun, playful fare such as fondue and raw oysters.
Location: 9 Park St. (near red line Park St. T-stop), (617) 742-9991
Olives
Chef Todd English is perhaps Boston’s best-known chef. In addition to his flagship restaurant, Olives, Chef English also has several pizza restaurants throughout the city, Figs, and a brand new restaurant, Kingfish Hall, in Faneuil Hall. Olives features rich, Mediterranean fare that is overwhelmingly decadent. The food is truly a marvel, if a bit heavy-handed. A favorite of locals and tourists alike, Olives is a place to be seen. Of course, you will most likely be seen waiting in the bar as the restaurant’s no reservation policy ensures a long wait for most patrons.
Location: 10 City Square, Charlestown, (617) 242-1999
"Table for Two"
Quiet and cozy, but sure to impress…
Icarus
Located in the South End, Icarus has breathtakingly beautiful, yet simple and elegant décor. A nice spot for good food and excellent service, Icarus is perfect for an intimate evening of fine dining and quiet conversation.
Location: 3 Appleton St. (near orange line Back Bay T-stop), (617)426-1790
Truc
Chef Amanda Lydon was recently featured in Food and Wine magazine. Her cuisine is French country bistro with a touch of New American style. The food is straightforward, well prepared and delicious. The flavors are crisp and fit together nicely. The restaurant is small and charming with a glass-encased room that overlooks a small garden. Dinner here will provide a memorable experience for you and your SharpWoman.
Location: 560 Tremont St. (near orange line Back Bay T-stop), (617) 338-8070
UpStairs at the Pudding
The décor is an eclectic blend of glitz and tradition. The food is a blend of French and Northern Italian. Recently honored by Wine Spectator Magazine, the wine list is one of Boston’s best. What makes this restaurant truly remarkable, however, is its spring and summer rooftop herb garden terrace. Dinner for two by candlelight under the stars surrounded by climbing vines and colorful flowers will make your SharpWoman’s heart skip a beat.
Location: 10 Holyoke St., Cambridge (near red line Harvard Square T-stop), (617) 864-1933
"Just Plain Good"
When your stomach is growling, but you don’t want to break the bank…
Dali
Spanish tapas, a loud and boisterous atmosphere, and the city’s best sangria combine to make Dali a favorite place for casual dining. Good food, good drink, good company; what more do you want?
Location: 415 Washington St., Cambridge, (617) 661-3254
eat
This thoroughly unpretentious restaurant doesn’t believe in capital letters, punctuation, matching place settings, or overpriced food and wine. The food is simple, but very good with casual, warm service. Decorated like a small family house, it is very easy to relax and enjoy yourself at eat.
Location: 253 Washington St., Somerville (near orange line Sullivan Square T-stop), (617) 776-2889
East Coast Grill
One of the best brunches in town, Sundays come alive with an excellent raw bar and a make-your-own Bloody Mary buffet. The menu is always good, with lots of seafood and island spice. Watch for their Hell Nights every month or so featuring the hottest food you’ve ever tasted!
Location: 1271 Cambridge St., Cambridge, (617) 491-6568
East Ocean City
One of many excellent Chinese restaurants in Chinatown, East Ocean City is open extremely late (until two or three most nights). This makes it a great spot for eats after dancing. If you’re particularly daring, try the live shrimp sashimi.
Location: 25 Beach St. (near orange line Chinatown T-stop), (617) 542-2504
Ginza
In addition to being the area’s best Japanese and sushi restaurant, Ginza is open until the wee small hours of the morning. Bought fresh every day, the raw fish is outstanding as is their selection of sake (Japanese rice wine). Both locations are equally good, but Chinatown provides a more entertaining atmosphere.
Location: 16 Hudson St. (near orange line Chinatown T-stop) (617) 338-2261 or 1002 Beacon St., Brookline, (617) 566-9688
Redbones
Real southern barbecue and a great bar with over 20 beers on draft, Redbones has the city’s biggest portions. The bartenders make a mean margarita with many specialty tequilas. If you want to be up to your elbows in booze and barbecue sauce, this is the place to be. Stop by the ATM first, though, because they only take cash.
Location: 55 Chester St., Somerville (near red line Davis Square T-stop), (617) 628-2200
Nightlife
Clubs abound downtown. There is a least one venue for every musical taste. A free weekly publication called Stuff @ Night features the most up-to-date listing of dance club and musical venues. You can pick up a copy at many hotels, restaurants, and in newspaper-style street boxes throughout the city. Boston.com has an Arts and Entertainment section with a complete calendar of events. You can search by date or type of event. Below are a few reliable venues that always seem to have something going on:
Wang Theater
Home to the Boston ballet, touring Broadways shows, and many other types of performances, this theater is set in the heart of downtown. Some kind of performance happens most nights and same day tickets are often available.
Location: 270 Tremont St. (near green line Tremont T-stop), (617) 482-9393
Ryles Jazz Club
A great place for live music, Ryles also have several weekly themed dance nights. Salsa is popular, and a big band for swing is featured weekly.
Location: 212 Hampshire St., Cambridge, (617) 876-9330
House of Blues
A thoroughly decent restaurant is on the first floor, with the concert hall on the upper floor. The venue is on intimate and cozy. Check out the calendar at http://www.hob.com.
Location: 1014 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge (near red line Harvard Square T-stop), (617) 497-2229
Comedy Connection
Monday nights are slow in Boston, but the Comedy Connection, fortunately, has an open-mike Comedy Showcase every Monday. The show is emceed by a local favorite or celebrity and is usually very entertaining. Big name comedians are featured on the weekends.
Location: Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Middle Building, 2nd Floor (near blue line Government Center T-stop), (617) 248-9700
Daytrips
These last few require a drive, but if you have a car, they make for a great day time escape:
Westport Rivers Winery
Visit a local winery and vineyard. Tasting and tours are seasonal so call in advance.
Location: 417 Hixbridge Rd., Westport, (508) 636-3423
Cape Cod
Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard are both a two to three hour drive from Boston. The drive is scenic, mainly along the water and there are plenty of quaint, historic towns, such as Plymouth, to stop at on the way.
Walden Pond
Located in Concord, which is a short drive from Cambridge, Walden is the historic pond made famous by Thoreau. The woods surrounding the lake are beautiful and suitable for hiking or trail biking, and Walden Pond is the area’s best natural swimming hole. Route 2 West from Cambridge is the best way to get there and several farm stands line the road.
This article last updated on Tuesday 12th October 2010