BostonFoodGuy » Seafood

Mare

bostonfoodguy — Fri, 28 May 2010 01:00:52 +0000

Wow – that’s what I said when I stepped out of Mare. Frank DePasquale knows what he’s doing. If you are a seafood lover – there are only two places to go in the North End – Neptunes and Mare. Mare certainly is more upscale – with lovely atmosphere. I almost felt like I was underwater with the very tasteful decorations and lighting. It’s amazing what good lighting does for the mood. Anyway, the wine list is top notch as you would expect, and the food – just fantastic.

Apparently Mare was Boston’s first all natural organic restaurant – that’s cool I guess. I mean, I only care if it tastes great and it does. We started with the pan seared scallops – cooked perfectly with a nice subtle flavoring. I took a chance on the fennel halibut – I love halibut but typically I’m not a big fennel fan, but this was divine. Again it was very light – but filled with almost a rustic flavor – wonderful.

The service was also quite good – always ready to help which is what I like when I go to a nice restaurant. Anyway as you can tell I am a huge fan of Mare – and I know it’ s not all the surprising as other critics have lavished it with praise since it opened in 2005, but trust me you won’t be disappointed.

Neptunes

bostonfoodguy — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:43:32 +0000

Is this really it, have I really found my favorite seafood place in Boston? Can it really be in the North End? I mean, why isn’t in Southie or someplace overlooking the water? But the service, the feel of this place. The fantastic tin roof, the small and cramped buy stylish booths and tables. The fact that they have Harpoon UFO on tap and fantastic oysters.. it’s almost heaven.. maybe it is heaven. This certainly isn’t the most inexpensive place you can go for seafood in Boston, but it’s worth the trip. The service is top notch, the oysters are probably the best in the city, and the seafood from the HOT lobster roll – yes hot lobster roll dripping in butter is worth the extra money. Everything tastes so fresh here that I think that Roger Berko… (you know who) guy should pike up some pointers. Fantastic all around, the swordfish was perfectly cooked and my friend’s salmon was flaky… Go there now.

Value
Food
Service
Atmosphere

The No-Name Restaurant

bostonfoodguy — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:13:35 +0000

What is there to say about the No Name that hasn’t already hasn’t been said in it’s what 93 year history? It’s still owned by the same family too, the Contos family which makes it even more special. But what about the food? Fresh and fantastic. No – you’re not getting white linen tables – paper cups are the norm here, but you will get perfectly cooked seafood – that is quick – priced just right and perfect for the whole family. The must try dish is the fish chowder – it goes perfect on a cold winter day with a Bud (dip the bread – magic!). The scallops are always tasty and cooked just right – not a lot of extra toppings to effect the flavor – just pure good fish. Plus you can never go wrong with a fried seafood plate – heaping with fish.

Value
Food
Service
Atmosphere

Oceanaire

bostonfoodguy — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:02:00 +0000

This might be my all time favorite after work hangout. I know I know, it’s not a ‘Boston’ seafood place. I don’t care. The oysters rival Neptunes (thought I might still give the edge to Neptunes) and the atmosphere is fantastic. The best part is the bar menu. The service is always top notch which matters to a guy like me, and the whole place just oozes with class. The waitstaff and bartenders are alwasy polite and professional even if you’re just having a few beers and oysters – I love it. Anyway, at the bar you can get $1.50 oysters, a fantastic $3 dollar cup of chowder and a $8 place of friend calamari at the bar menu – plus more. I will say the King Crab legs might have been the best I have ever had… Anyway, check it out, I know you can go to an Oceanaire in most major cities – but why not here? It’s worth it.

The Salty Dog

bostonfoodguy — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:06:21 +0000

So what can I say about this outdoor dining spot in the middle of the tourist hotspot fanueil hall and Quincy market that hasn’t already been said? Maybe that it’s one of the better after work spots in Boston for a quick beer and 6 Island Creek Oysters – good deal on those oysters too. I guess for some reason this place gets overlooked and that’s too bad. The salmon BLT was cooked very well, and had a generous portion of fries, the chowder is decent nothing great but on the better side and everything from their fried clams to swordfish come out fine. The prices are decent – all in all a good pick for a great people watching, good cold beer and good seafood and good prices.

Anthony’s Pier 4

bostonfoodguy — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:58:50 +0000

What can you say about a Boston classic? How about tired and dated? When will someone do a little makeover of this place, the food is still good but you feel like you’re sitting in a restaurant that has seen it’s better days. So I ordered the Cod, which was flaky and cooked perfectly. A real treat however are the popovers that are delivered to you piping hot, make sure to grab one they are yummy. The wait staff was only so-so, they seemed a little bored and he wasn’t really trying hard to please, granted it was a very slow night. Luckily the prices at Anthony’s seem as old as the décor and actually isn’t a bad value anymore. The view from Anthony’s could really be good if the windows were a little cleaner (ok a lot cleaner).

Anthony’s still seems to be a hot spot for some of Boston’s cheapest politicians to host really lame fund raisers.

I will give Anthony’s another try this summer, maybe they’ll get new tables and chairs and not feel like I’m eating in a museum.