Boston Dining

Seafood rules in Boston, enticing visitors with lobster, chowders and such, followed by popular Yankee boiled suppers. Beacon Hill is known for its intimate, romantic dining enclaves. Newbury Street is filled with ethnic restaurants, cafes, and nouvelle establishments. Some of the city’s finest Italian places are near Paul Revere’s home along the Freedom Trail. The South End has Vietnamese outposts, bistros and upscale dining. Nightclubbers often close their evenings at Chinatown eateries, open late. Across the Charles River, Cambridge has plenty of pub grub, aided and abetted by a collegiate crowd that makes draft beer more popular than martinis.

Anthony’s Pier 4 at 140 Northern Avenue (617-423-6363), established by Anthony Athanas in 1963, is one of a quartet of Athanas family restaurants. Spectacular views accompany traditional favorites such as Lobster Bisque, Oyster Stew, Finnan Haddie and Boston Scrod, paired with more innovative dishes like Bouillabaisse a la Marseillaise, Escargots Bourguignonne, Thai Basil Shrimp and Sashimi. Desserts include Chocolate Soufflé with zabaglione sauce and Anthony’s Bread Pudding.

Durgin-Park at 340 Faneuill Hall Marketplace (617-227-2038), a Boston landmark operating since 1827, caters to marketers in white aprons, business executives, celebrities, tourists and students. Boston Baked Beans is prepared in crocks on premises. Lunch options range from the Poor Man’s Roast Beef and Homemade Fishcakes to Chicken Livers, and beyond. For dinner, specialties include Prime Rib, Clam Chowder, Indian Pudding and Strawberry Shortcake.

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Grand Chau Chow at 41-45 Beach Street (617-292-5166) is small and far from fancy, but the menu is extensive with all the usuals, plus: The Chau Chow House Special, for the fish lover, and Duck’s Blood Rice Congee, Swatowes Dumplings, Pan-Fried Whelk, Boiled Squid, Stewed Sea Bass, Flounder Ball, and Singapore Curry Rice Sticks.

Casablanca at 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge (617-876-0999), first opened in 1955 and inspired by the film classic, has décor embellished by David Omar White’s 25-foot murals. North African influences for lunch include Lamb Pie with yellow raisins, macomber turnips and couscous. Dinner highlights include Osso Buco with pancetta dumplings. Side options are Fried Polenta, Grilled Escarole, and Turkish Meze Spreads.

Ciao Bella at 240A Newbury Street (617-536-2626) is within walking distance from major hotels and the Convention Center and is known for a varied Italian menu that stars fresh fish, veal chops and baby lamb chops. Other main courses range from Veal Parmiagiana to Prime Rib.

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Dick’s Last Resort at the Prudential Center, 55 Huntington Avenue (617-267-8080) sometimes called the Shame of Boston (despite equally shameful spots in San Diego, Dallas, Chicago, and Myrtle Beach), serves big, sloppy buckets of grub, mostly ribs, chicken, catfish and shrimp, with live music, no dress code, and free salt and pepper. Cheap plastic bibs help keep a lid on dignity. Dick’s Picks include Mae West boneless chicken breast, Burnin’ Loins pork medallions with pepper gravy, and Snooty Filet Mignon. Big-Ass Beer orders let patrons keep glasses.

The Elephant Walk at 900 Beacon Street (617-247-1500) serves French and Cambodian cuisine in an atmosphere of sophisticated intrigue with banquettes upholstered in elephant print fabric. Cambodian spring rolls and soft shell crab appetizers can be followed by seared, grilled and broiled entrees, or several vegetarian options including Curry de Legumes (with Asian eggplant) and Organic Tofu Citronnelle, flash fried and sautéed in lemongrass sauce. (In Cambridge, a second Elephant Walk is at 2067 Massachusetts Avenue.)

Jimmy’s Harborside at 242 Northern Avenue (617-423-1000) is a long-favored family owned spot, run by three generations over 75 years. Specials include Lobster Fantasia with sautéed gulf shrimp, sea scallops and sundried tomatoes. The Classic Greek Rice Pudding, unchanged at Jimmy’s for nearly three-quarters of a century, is topped with fresh whipped cream and cinnamon.

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L’Espalier at 30 Gloucester Street (617-262-3023) combines a special occasion setting in late Victoriana with professional staffing to accompany French fare on degustation menus (either standard or vegetarian) with possibilities from foie gras with apple or white truffle and cauliflower soup to the Grand Dessert Sampler.

Rowes Wharf Restaurant at 70 Rowes Wharf (617-439-3995) has a spectacular Sunday brunch to accompany the water view. Dinner menu offerings include Carpaccio of Peppered Venison, Fricassee of Lobster and Chorizo and Pan Seared Atlantic Halibut, with Medjool Date and Mascarpone Mousse Napolean for dessert.

The Federalist Restaurant at 15 Beacon Street (617-670-2515) is a 70-seat enclave in a boutique hotel close to Boston Common and features a mix of Continental dishes and New England classics, along with an impressive wine list, many offered by the glass. Possibilities include Grilled Swordfish, Grilled Filet Mignon on Brioche, Braised Lobster, Roasted Rack of Lamb, and for dessert Lemon Cheesecake or Hot Chocolate-Banana Brioche Pudding.

Union Oyster House at 41 Union Street (617-227-2750) since 1826 on the Freedom Trail (and one block from Faneuil Hall) is Boston’s oldest eatery and the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the U.S. JFK feasted privately in an upstairs dining room -- his favorite booth dedicated to his honor. Besides oysters galore, lunch possibilities include Pan Seared Haddock, Scallops and Mushroom Casserole and Boston Scrod. A dinner favorite is the Union Special Lobster, baked and topped with claws.

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