Fun Place for Celebration Dinner Near T tonight

[Autumneppy]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good (casual or business casual) place to go tonight up to $40 per person. We were planning to go to a restaurant week place to celebrate my sister's engagement (9 people), but that isn't going to work out....

She was thinking to try someplace new to us like McCormick and Schmidt's b/c in faneuil hall and there is stuff to do around there

or someplace Japanese/Korean where you can cook the food at your table

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[kewpie]

make your evening a traveling courses party happy hour at mcormicks for oysters and scallops and then to the north end for dinner and dessert red sky is a poor choice IMHO better food in the north end

[Bostonbob3]

BTW, be sure to report back with a review. Otherwise, the consequences could be dire.

[Bostonbob3]

I think you'll really like it. It's fairly small (but not teeny-tiny), very laid-back, a lot of fun. I HIGHLY recommend that rib-eye, creamed spinach and rosemary fries entree. (Actually, the rosemary fries rival Sol de la Terre's. Be sure to get sides of them for the table.)

One caveat: I believe they still have a wine and beer only license. If you want a mixed drink before or after though, there are TONS of great places a 30-second walk away.

[Autumneppy]

Thank you, we'll try it!! ....I haven't been to this site in a while but I'm so glad I remembered...It has a lot nicer look now too...thanks everyone!

[Autumneppy]

One more question if anyone is still around...I was searching for more reviews about the Grille and noticed a lot of posts complaining of poor venilation/smell....does anyone know if this is still a problem? Should I call back and request a table by the door/windows?

Thanks again!

[Dax]

Supposedly. I've only eaten there once so far and I didn't really notice a smell but others here constantly report that you'll leave smelling of fryolater. Not sure if the windows open. Call ahead.

[Bostonbob3]

Well, I've never personally noticed any odd smells there. (Maybe that's because the scent was coming from me???) Perhaps those comments were made before the place was upgraded with new ownership, cuisine and renovation in, what, 2004?

[Autumneppy]

Ok, thank you, I won't worry about it then...we'll see when we get there...and if it does smell I don't think my family will mind the smell of fry oil too much, cigarette smoke, yes, but fry oil they probably won't mind, they like fried foods :-)

[Bostonbob3]

Fry oil isn't an odor, it's sweet, sweet perfume. :)

[yumyum]

I've only been once (and really enjoyed it, this is a great rec!) and didn't notice any ventilation problem. I think you'll have a good time. The fries are GREAT as is the raw tuna appetizer with seaweed. mmmmm

[Bostonbob3]

Oooh, here's an excellent idea for you then (and one of my neighborhood favs when I'm not in the mood for Italian): The North Street Grille in the North End. they serve excellent meat, seafood, and poultry dishes. Here's their entree menu:

Truffled Lobster Risotto
sweet peas, parmigiano reggiano, chives
16

Grilled Ribeye Steak**
classic creamed spinach and hand made salt and rosemary fries & ketchup
19

Charred Rosemary Lamb
warm salad of crushed fingerling potato, eggplant & sweet onions
18

Marinated & Roasted Chicken Breast
wild Mushrooms, wilted arugula, thyme butter
15

Apple Cider Brined Pork Tenderloin
mac n' gruyere cheese, grilled asparagus
17

Seared Long Island Striped Bass
fava beans, farro, asparagus
18

Braised Hudson Valley Duck Leg Confit
brussel Sprouts. handmade pancetta, sweet apples & vinegar'd mustard
16

The prices are quite reasonable, and the food is really good. Here's their info:

North Street Grille
229 North Street
Boston, MA 02113
[phone]

[tamerlanenj]

wow, $19 for a ribeye and creamed spinach. Great rec.

[Autumneppy]

That sounds sooo good, I think everyone would like those choices...what is the atmosphere like?

[tamerlanenj]

I just took anoter look at Naked Fish's menu and I think it might work for what you're looking for. The portguese steak I've heard is rather good, and under $20, plus all the seafood options, and it's right next to M&S. If time and location are a real constraint, it might be your best bet.

[Joanie]

Naked Fish has been gone for a while, it's now Red Sky. Which would actually work for the OP. Fun, loungey, decent food that's fairly well priced. Not great but you can get some good plates for a good price.

[tamerlanenj]

actually, now that I think about it, The North End is only a five minute walk from Faneuil Hall. I would give Antico Forno a try, if Italian will suit you.

[tamerlanenj]

McCormick and Shmick is certainly not terrible, but it's a typical chain atmosphere and you can probably do better, especially for new england seafood. Unfortunately, East Coast Grill is not near the T, but if you REALLY want to be in Faneuil Hall, then right near McCormick is Naked Fish, which is probably a more interesting and fun bet. Most of the options in that area are pretty execrable.

I don't think there is a Korean BBQ anywhere near the T: I can only think of Koreana, a 10 minute walk from the central stop, but I have never been.

For $40 a person, a great meal can be a tough find, but I would reccommend Petit Robert Bistro, near the Kenmore T stop. A lot of hounds aren't fans, but I think it's the best bargain in the city.

[Autumneppy]

I love Koreana's bulgogi and kalbi, but people tonight will probably be taking the T or looking for someplace very easy to get to (they rearely drive around Cambridge/Boston so aren't very familiar with getting around)

Italian might work, but I think a good piece of meat is what they are wanting....(their first choice for restaurant week was Ruth's Chris, but they aren't doing dinner and it's too pricey if we pay full price)

I went to McCormick's once and true I wasn't impressed by them at all, but I'm running out of time :-)

[tamerlanenj]

It can be tough to find good meat for not outrageous prices, but Flemings is the cheapest of the prime steakhouses, and is actually as good as most of them, I think.

[tamerlanenj]

Actually, let me bring it back to Petit Robert. Convenient to the subway, and they have a really nice skirt steak entree that is about $19, plus OUTSTANDING beef bourgingon for around $15. Again, some Chowhounders might disagree, but I like it a lot.

[Bostonbob3]

Well, if you're going to be around Faneuil Hall, why not make the 2-minute walk to the North End? $40 per person will get you an excellent, fun meal at places like Antico Forno or Rabia's. As for those "cook at your table" places, one word: blech.