We promised our readers a list of the restaurants where we dined on out two-week vacation in Boston. We began strong but switched to take-out along the way when a couple of nasty head colds slowed us down. However, with outstanding places for quick bites and take-out we still maximized our dining experiences.
Our choices were a mix of old favorites, places we don't get to often enough, with a few places we hadn't tried before. We'll write more about some of these in the weeks ahead.
Tarantar (North End)
This
was our first visit. The signature pork chop is worth the price and
worth the trip. And we picked up a loaf of B & R bread around the
corner at Salumeria to enjoy the next day.
www.tarantarist.com
Upstairs On the Square (Cambridge)
An old favorite. We love lunch at the Monday Club Bar. Ed had their burger and I had shrimp tacos.
www.upstairsonthesquare.com
Central Kitchen (Cambridge)
We
hadn't been back in a while but are pleased to report that the food
(chicken fricassee especially) and the service (at the bar) are as
great as ever.
www.enormous.tv/central/
Trattoria Toscana (Fenway)
This tiny gem is one of our all time favorite restaurants and they have the cod ragu on the summer menu.
No website - Here's a post with more information
http://www.bostonzest.com/2008/11/trattoria-toscana-menu---fall-2008.html
L' Aroma Cafe (Back Bay)
A
wonderful little cafe with great coffee, sandwiches and salads. We
stopped for a quick bite after attending an auction preview at
Skinners. We love the Caffe Umbria coffee beans they carry.
www.laromacafe.com
Taberna de Haro (Brookline)
This
is another place we'd like to visit more often. Small plates are our
favorite way to eat, and they do it well. The wine list is fabulous.
Bring a group of friends and enjoy!
http://www.tabernaboston.com/
Tamarind Bay Indian Coastal Kitchen (Brookline)
A
friend who is from London added this to our list. Our first visit here
will not be our last. The Butter Chicken Curry was wonderful.
www.tamarind-bay.com/coastal
Craigie on Main (Cambridge)
We
already reported on our brunch at Craigie. It is part of our regular
restaurant rotation. We love it and recommend it highly for anyone who
wants to experience the best of what a chef can do with fresh local
ingredients.
www.craigieonmain.com
Here's our report: http://www.bostonzest.com/2009/07/craigie-on-main-brunch.html
Pad Thai Cafe (Back Bay)
Another
vacation discovery. Friends with great knowledge of Thai food sent us
here and even wrote out what they suggested we order. It is now on our
"quick supper take-out" list. Tip: Order your items Thai style for more
flavor and heat.
No website - 1116 Boylston St. Boston, MA 02215- (617) 247-3399
James Hook & Co. (Waterfront)
This
was the source of a fabulous crab feast for one of our stay-in nights.
We steamed up a pile of Dungeness crabs and had a leisurely evening of
crab pickin'.
www.jameshooklobster.com
Bina Osteria (Downtown)
Another
favorite place for us to dine at the bar. Ed had a perfectly cooked
loin of lamb that was one of the outstanding meals of the vacation.
www.binaboston.com
L'Espalier (Back Bay)
A
reservation here a is passport into a more civilized world. You are
welcomed, pampered, extremely well fed, and the only regret is that the
experience has to end. Even a visit to the Salon for a cheese course
will give you a taste of the L'Espalier experience.
www.lespalier.com
India Samraat (Back Bay)
This
is our regular Indian food take out spot. Be sure to check the specials
menu. Excellent food that they are happy to spiced to exactly your
comfort level.
www.indiasamraat.com
Union (South End)
It's
one of those places that can be taken for granted and it shouldn't be.
Wonderful food, great service, and cornbread! Our meals here bumped
this up to a higher spot in our regular rotation.
www.unionrestauraBoston
Toro (South End)
For a return visit without the
night time crowds, noise and scene, we had lunch at Toro. The
sandwiches (Bocadillas) were memorable with great matches from the wine
list.
www.toro-restaurant.com
Pazzo (Back Bay)
We
were looking for Italian comfort food in the neighborhood the night we
tried this. It looks as if we found a place that has it. A fine
addition to the Back Bay.
www.pazzoboston.com
Details:
Photos: © 2009 Penny Cherubino
