Teachers with one night in Boston

[Deven Black]

We're from all over the country and we have one evening in Boston, next Thursday if it makes a difference. Ethic of any sort is fine, but there must be a vegetarian option as well. We will be free in Boston for two hours only, so we don't want to go too far afield. We're teachers, so price is a consideration. The group could be anywhere from two to thirty, but smaller numbers are more likely. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Deven Black]

Thank you for all your interesting ideas. I'll see what I can talk my new friends into (I suspewct I'm a more adventurous eater than most of them) and report back if we eat somewhere worth talking about.

[limster]

In Chinatown, I'd consider New Shanghai for Shanghainese appetizers (main dishes don't seem as good imho). Try: steamed meatballs coated with glutinous rice (listed on the white board over the host stand); kaofu/gluten with peanuts, liliy bubs; pan fried shanghainese dumpling/shen jian bao; chive piesl jellyfish with radish; Shanghai style rice cakes/nian gao with prok and wild vegetables; vegetarian duck or chicken; sweet rice dumplings in rice wine sauce with osmanthus flowers/tang yuan for dessert. Should settle both meat eaters and vegetarians, especially if you add a stir fried veg of the day.

The North End is likely to be close enough. I'd look into Carmen (lots of antipasti that are vegtarian).

[gourmaniac]

You are very close to a chowhound favorite, Grotto, on Bowdoin Street. Great creative Italian with a $35 fixed price three course menu that you choose from their regular menu. If this is a little pricey, Silvertone in the ladder district for tasty pub fare or a 10 min walk to Chinatown. Along Charles street on Beacon Hill, Paramount ((American) or Artu (midpriced Italian) Peach Farm (on Tyler) is excellent and less than $20 per person. Have them set up a 10 course banquet for you for slightly more. All of the above should be doable in two hours.

[MichaelB]

That's a terrific list. Depending on your budget, you might also look into Lala Rokh, a Persian restaurant on Beacon Hill (about 5-10 minutes walk). Wonderful flavors at prices lower than the rather elegant atmosphere would suggest. Their website has information on prices, private rooms, etc.
http://www.lalarokh.com/experience_fr...

[missykins]

Since you only have 2 hrs your choices will depend entirely on your location. Where will you be when that 2 hrs become available?

[Deven Black]

Good point. I think we'll be at the Shaw Memorial at Boston Common. Places within walking distance would be great, but a quick ride on public transit would work, too.