Looking for Top quality near Back Bay for this Friday?

[briang1]

I have a quick weekend in Boston lined up. I'm looking for something within 10 minutes of our Hotel in Back Bay. Would love a good italian, seafood or new-american place. I've been recommended Sibling Rivalry and a couple of Italians in the North End. Expense isn't an issue. Also, any good places for a nice bowl of chowder? Thanks.

[emilief]

Second Sorellina. Such a beautiful space,lovely food and great service. This is one of the few places in Boston that can compare to the great restaurants of NY.

[BBHound]

For Italian, Via Matta in Park Plaza would work well. For new American, Excelsior on Boylston would be good. Ironically, both restaurants are in the same building - but on opposite sides.

[wontonton]

Consider looking up Locke Ober. It's a quintisential "Old Boston" restaurant and the JFK oyster stew is really good. You could even just stop in for drinks and order it up at the bar.

[Alcachofa]

That's a LOBSTER stew.

[wontonton]

you're RIGHT.

[C. Hamster]

Legal's chowder is not at all "muddy thick." It's actually quite good, IMO, though I think their fish chowder is better.

Brian G. there are loads of great places to eat near where you are staying or within a decent walk or quick cab ride.

#9 Park, Clio, L'Espalier, Lock Ober, Troquet, B and G, Hamersley's, Via Matta, and loads more.

At least 5 good steak places.

What are you looking for?

[Bostonbob3]

Maybe "muddy" isn't the right word. But it sure is WAY too thick for my taste.

[C. Hamster]

I actually like a thinner chowder too and object to thick floury ones (yuck), but I eat Legal's all the time (like maybe every 2 weeks) and think the consistency is fine. It's thinner than Skipjacks (not recommended) and about the same as McCormack and Schmick. Have only done oysters and fish at B and G and not chowder.

I hate to go there but No Name's chowder is like white milk broth.

[Bostonbob3]

True. There's a difference between thin-ish and watery.

[briang1]

No steaks. I live in NYC and I have steaks once a week for work. I'm going with my wife and would like something a bit classy. A good new american or italian always works. As an example, 2 of our favorite spots in NY are Gramercy Tavern and Craft.

[Spike]

If money is no object and you want something classy, Sorellina definitely fits the bill.

Won't be as creative as Jean Georges or WD-50 in NYC, but very good. If you're into the strange obsession w/ foam nowadays, you might want to try out Clio as well. Check out this site for some pics of dishes at various restaurants around here:
http://www.bostonchefs.com

You have steak once a week for work?!? Any job openings? I've been dying to find out of Peter Luger's is as good as they say ;-)

[briang1]

Luger's is great if you like a perfectly seasoned and cooked porterhouse. If your preference is anything else, try elsewhere. As for all the Luger clones, Wolfgang's is the closest to Luger's in terms of quality.

[Bostonbob3]

I am drooling. I eat at Luger at least four times a year.

"Steak for four, creamed spinach, hash browns."

[chownoob]

Neptune is great, but it may be a little further then he wants to travel. If in the area..I still stick with Legal...maybe mccormicks? I forget what it tastes like.

[Blumie]

Great chowder at B&G. And when they have it, the best lobster bisque I've ever had.

[Bostonbob3]

Yeah, considering where you're stayng, Sorellina is a great choice.

Don't agree with the Legal idea for chowder, though. Muddy-thick. I like Neptune Oyster's (North End) and even Kingfish Hall's (Quincy Market) better.

Unless you like it thick as cement and unauthentic. :)

[heathermb]

I second the recommendation for Neptune's chowder - it's delicious and actually tastes more like oysters than like cream.

[chownoob]

for a cup of chowda...i'd go with legal seafood. although its a chain...its still a good cup of chowda. there are 2 locations in backbay. one in the prudential mall. the other in copley mall.

for dinner...i highly recommend Sorellina. Its located across the street from the copley mall on the marriot side. its a new italian restaurant and i think its one of the best additions to back bay in years. food, service and atmosphere have been wonderful everytime i've gone.