Restaurant Reviews, Boston Cheap Eats, Boston Places to Eat

Locke Ober is old Boston at it’s finest. Superior service in an elegant setting.  The menu has all of the best classics with some being tastefully updated with  modern touches. The lobster savannah is well worth the price – and while ordering please – ask for the Ward 8 cocktail as well as the lobster stew. I mean for those of us who see a visit to Locke Ober as a special event, why not go all out? For dessert make sure to get the baked Alaska. It’s to die for. Please understand that Locke Ober certainly isn’t inexpensive, but it does rate well on value – and that goes to show how great not only the food is, but the service is impeccable. The wait staff  is always present, but not hovering, and they never make you feel rushed. I could not have been happier.

Wine list is ample. Oh – and ask to see the Kennedy room it’s worth it.

And yes they did have Island Creek Oysters when I went.

This old time Jamaica Plain watering hole is a political spot for the ages.  You feel like at any moment a Mayor Flynn or Billy Bulger might walk in and order a point.  While the charm is still there – Doyles itself is showing it’s age.  The pints still flow – and the food – well the food is what you expect.  They have the basics down – the fish and chips – a burger- but what sells the place is the vibe.  It’s a walk down history lane with the Menino Room and some great pictures on the wall.  Anyway, Doyles has always had a special place in our hearts and it always will.

This hot spot is one of the most beautiful and exciting restaurants you can go in the North End.  I say exciting because the blend of contemporary dished infused with traditional favorites allows you to experience dishes that you thought you knew – in a whole new way.  One of the best examples of this is their simple – yet elegant antipasta – which allows you to taste all the different meats and cheeses for what they are – wonderful ingredients of top notch quality – without being all blended together in a messy pile.  All of the meals that I have had their have been wonderful, from veal and lamb to their gnocchi.  While service for some reason always seems be slow – the waitstaff is always there to please.  This is a wonderful date destination and they throw a wonderful private party as well.

This is probably my favorite spot for lunch in Boston. Everyone always calls this a “brunch spot,” but I’m not exactly sure why because the sandwiches are the real draw. Friggin good sandwiches I might add. If you’re a total foodie, you’ll fall for this place too – they get their sandwiches from other chefs in the city. There’s only about a dozen on the menu, so you have to be a little adventurous to love it like I do, but it’s well worth it. They have added new things to their menu recently, but the Zuni Roll is my favorite. It’s delicious! Visiting the Parish Cafe also wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the outdoor patio either – best spot in the city. If you go on a nice Saturday afternoon, be prepared to spend some time waiting for an outdoor table, but in that case, try one of their funky drinks – that menu is one of the best around as well!

This downtown crossing lunch spot is not a bad spot for a quick bite of Italian food.  Nothing here will wow you, but for the price you get a pretty good deal.  The lines always look intimidating – but they know how to quickly move a crowd.  The baked zita is one of their better items, as well as the chicken parm.  Again, this is Italian food cooked for a large hungry lunch crowd – don’t expect something you’ll get in the North End.  The sitting area is what you’d expect with the basic tables squeezed together – with lots of loud noise from the folks on their lunch break.  The pizza is underwhelming.  But if you need some Italian and find yourself in Downtown Crossing, eh give Rico a shot.

If you go to Nebo’s and don’t order both the Mussels for an app – and the Nebo pizza – you’re missing out on two of the hidden gems in the North End. The mussels served at Nebo’s in this fantastic – thick and flavorful broth might be the best BFG has ever tasted – they are always cooked fantastic and the bread they serve with it goes just perfectly. It’s a little bit of heaven in a bowl.

Then you get to pizza with an egg on top… yea it sounds gross – but it’s really good. The friendly service at Nebo’s adds to it’s charm, and if you are lucky you might even seen a Celtics player or two. Check out Nebo’s for a different take on the North End.

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.

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.

Yes, this place may get packed with a lunch and after-work crowd, but it’s worth it. The menu isn’t extensive, and you can’t get bottles of wine at a table, but the food is quality. The macaroni-and-cheese and burgers are two of the best dishes I’ve had in Boston, and the price isn’t bad either. It’s a small place, so be prepared to wait, but it’s worth it. I would also recommend sharing a few dishes among friends – there’s always enough to go around.

More toppings than you expect and more slices to go around at this thin-crusted pizza hidden gem in Newton. The combination of toppings and varieties they offer make this a more gourmet-style place, but you wouldn’t know it by the prices. The old-fashioned pizza is as good as it gets for the fans of a thin crust, but so are the off-the-mark toppings. The crust was cooked perfectly and the service was excellent as well – if I ever am in Newton again and am craving a slice, I know where I’m going. (No delivery??)