cheap seafood and great place to stay this long weekend

[chefmom]

looking for lobster steamed lots of it and cheap maybe with clams, shrimp. Also great calamari at different place. looking for possiable bed and breakfast great food nice room hot tub. first visit to Boston what should we not miss seeing(Kids are staying home)

[chefmom]

THANK you we had a great weekend except for the cold rain! Daily Catch was great, my husbands favorite of the weekend
JHook's lobster roll yum Peach Farm all the fish sooo fresh
great burgers at a place across from Harvard Mr.H(something) looks like it's been there for ever we also went to Bankok City for Thai Not so good, pad thai to sweet chicken and shrimp overcooked A great find was Modern Bakery we went Twice for their Torrone so fresh I wish i could have more NOW. we found all the people we talked to and asked for directions were very friendly and helpful I'm looking foreward to visiting Boston again Soon Thank You for all your in put

[Blumie]

The burger place is Mr. Bartley's, my favorite burger in Boston (but let's save that debate for all the burger threads!).

[chefmom]

the Nantucket scallops were THE BEST scallops I have EVER had well worth the price

[ByeByeBaby]

Howdy to all Boston area chowhounds; I just wanted to thank you guys for your input on this thread. I was in town for 24 hours this past Saturday/Sunday, and was originally planning on asking you guys a cheap seafood question, when chefmom beat me to it. Living in Calgary, a thousand km from the nearest ocean, as I told Customs, my purpose for going to Boston was "to take a lot of pictures and eat a lot of seafood".

I wound up heading out to Belle Isle and getting a fried seafood platter, which was just fabulous. A bit of a hike from the T station, but worth it. (I used my GPS to find the place -- that's chowhounding.)

I also followed the general consensus from another thread on this board to visit Maria's for cannoli. I'm still raving about it to my coworkers.

Supper Saturday night was originally going to be Daily Catch, but there was a lineup and I was entirely too tired to stand around waiting, so I went to somewhere nearby whose name I've already forgotten for a largely unremarkable plate of carbonara.

Sunday, I had an 11 AM flight, but I grabbed a cup of Legal clam chowder at the airport, which rated okay in my books. I didn't care for the chowder all that much, but the clams themselves were excellent. And it was a real privilege to be served by the surliest human being on the entire East Coast; with all the millions of people there, I managed to get #1!

Anyways, thanks for the posts, guys.

[Joanie]

I hate when Boston comes off like the unfriendly place others assume it is. I don't think we're that bad (and if you were looking lost, I'd be the first person over with directions) but folks like that Legal server perpetuate the stereotype.

Still need to get to Belle Isle, good exploring on your part.

[greenstate]

I buy the larger lobsters, up to 5 lbs, when I am serving lazy lobster or lobster salad. They are as good as any smaller bugs I've eaten. There is less work involved in shelling and getting the meat. I agree with MC Slim that overcooking is the problem. Thread drift - sorry.

[The Chewy Kid]

3 lbs?? What?!? Anyone who knows anything about lobster would NEVER order a 3 pounder. Once you get over 1.5 pounds, the meat is just not as succulent and sweet.

Order two 1.3 pounders, that's the way we do it.

[mellospice]

I grew up eating lobster and I have to say that the 2lb. lobster at Abe& Louie's is quite sweet and not dried out...Enough lobsta to take home or share with someone...I have no idea about the 3 pounder.

[Dax]

I disagree with this. I have eaten plenty of 2+ lb lobsters and the meat was just as sweet as the meat from a chick.

[MC Slim JB]

I think the notion that bigger lobsters (2 lbs. and up) are tougher and less sweet is a myth: the problem usually is overcooking. I'm one of many folks who believe that the older monsters are actually tastier.

[mellospice]

Abe & Louies offer 2 or 3 lb. lobsters...stuffed or boiled...Expensive, but a lot of lobsta...

[hargau]

For $70 you could get all you can eat lobster and other things at the Nordic Lodge in RI, however they are closed for the season. Personally I cant eat enough to justify the price.

[chefmom]

i agree

[hargau]

Your not going to find 2 pounders in the average pub your better off eating two 1-1/4 pounders then finding a 2. They charge a premo for the big ones. At a place like Legals a 2 pounder could cost you in the $50-60 range im guessing.

[JudyHP]

The only cheap lobster deals I know about are the pubs all around Faneuil Hall.

[chefmom]

less than $22 for 1 &1/4 pounder? and are they fresh? any pub better than others? I'm looking for about 2 pounders

[hargau]

Just for kicks i just callen the No-name to see what they offer.

They serve a 1-1/4 pound boiled lobster with corn, butter, and a side of fried shrimp/scallops for $22

[hargau]

You keep saying "cheap" what is your expectation? I have found that lobsters in Boston are no cheaper then most other places in the country. Where are you coming from?

Also not everyone likes lobster rolls. Personally im not a fan. I prefer my lobster fresh out of the shell. I remember in college going to maine with a girl who had never had one, she ordered it thinking it was going to be some sort of fried eggroll type thing. She was very unhappy when it came out!

[chefmom]

I have great memories of eating fresh catch lobsters in Maine on a pier, picnic table, paper plates,THE BEST! I usually boil them at home but they are certinally not fresh catch. We are comming from near Niagara Falls, NY

[chowfamily]

Excellent Quincy/Milton seafood on the Red Line but less expensive than Boston if that is your issue.

This was a reply but became a new post.

This is a very local post and I confess pristine shellfish are my addiction!

Little Q in Quincy has excellent lobster and/or shrimp in broth.

Burke's Seafood, also in Quincy, have excellent lobsters steamed to go. Well worth any detour.

Rocky Neck Fish Co. in East Milton have Nantucket scallops now, which are worth every penny of their high price. The season is almost over..

Just so you know. the scallops are $29.95 a pound, so don't be bashful if you ask them to count them out by the quarter, half or full pound- everyone else does - and it is worth having less to experience the best...

p

[chefmom]

ok so steamed might be hard to find but plain boiled LOBSTER with lots o butter and cheap is great at No Name and Bell Isle and calamari @ Daily Catch on Hanover St. are these places open Sun. night? We will be staying near Back Bay/orange line How far of a drive or train to Bell Isle? What is a lobster roll? who votes for Peach Tree or East Ocean Wealth for lunch on this Sat.

[Bostonbob3]

You can take the Orange Line to the Haymarket stop, and it's a very short walk from there to the Daily Catch on Hanover Street in the North End.

What is a lobster roll??? Uh, just order one and enjoy. Belle Isle's is cold and mayo based (and HUGE), while a place like Neptune Oyster (also in the North End, on Salem Street) is hot and butter-based.

I vote for Peach Tree over East Ocean Wealth.

To get to the No Name, you can take the Orange Line to Downtown Crossing, transfer to the Red Line, go to South Station and take a pretty short cab ride from there (not nearly as complicated as it sounds, believe me). Or walk from South Station if it's not freezing.

To get to Belle Isle, you need to take the Blue Line to the Orient Heights Stop in East Boston. From there you can take a walk or cab it (depends on the weather). Here's a map that shows Orient Heights in comparison to where Belle Isle is:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=1267+Saratoga+Street&city=east+boston&state=ma&zipcode=

And if you haven't checked it out yet, here's the MBTA site with all the stops and stations and such:

http://www.mbta.com/

Hope you have a great time. Let us know how it goes.

[Chris VR]

Actually, for the No Name, the Silver Line from South Station to World Trade Center stop might be better than a cab.

[Bostonbob3]

True. I've just never actually taken the Silver Line. It still bothers me that it's called a subway line when it's a bus.

I suspect a cab would be about $4 from South Station to The No Name, right?

[jajjguy]

It's also a nice walk (weather-depending), with oceanviews.

[MC Slim JB]

Actually, Neptune Oyster does both hot-butter (Connecticut style) and cold-mayo (Eastern New England) versions, but as I posted recently, it's the one thing I've had there (two things, as we tried both) that I didn't like.

[Blumie]

You didn't like either the hot or the cold lobster roll at Neptune? I've only had the hot, and did not like it nearly as much as the roll at B&G. I have not tried Neptune's cold roll yet, though.

BTW, is a cold lobster roll usually served cold, or at room temperature. I prefer the latter, but I don't know how places deal with what I suspect are strict regulations about refrigeration from the health dept.

[MC Slim JB]

Should have posted this with the prior reply, my recent post on the Neptune lobster roll:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/359766

[Blumie]

Very funny. We may disagree on Mistral, but you and I had very similar reactions to Neptune. Here's my report from a couple of months ago:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/342408

[MC Slim JB]

Judging from the responses to your post, you and I aren't the only ones who think "plainer is better" for the rolls in lobster rolls. It'll be interesting to see what Doc's (new waterfront restaurant coming to Long Wharf) does: their pitch to the city in part revolved around offering a superior lobster roll.

And yes, I am a rare Mistral detractor here. I guess it just deflated me after a while. I can remember being wowed by it very early on, when its prices were lower, and gradually losing my enthusiasm as it got steadily more expensive. Same thing happened to me at the Iocco-era Bricco, and Clio, and Hamersley's. I don't blame these folks for milking their success, but once they get into that suburban-crowds mode, I feel compelled to move on to better values.

[galleygirl]

Some grocery stores will steam 'em for you; I know Shaw's does, as well as a bunch of others...

[chowfamily]

Agree about the shrimp, and if you can find a place with a kitchen, splurge on the hard-shelled lobsters, and cook them yourselves! If you are interested, Little Q on Hancock Street in Quincy, has excellent broths in which to cook very tasty lobster and/or shrimp at very descent prices. Hooks on Atlantic Avenue has great lobsters. Unfortunately none of it is "cheap", but those who do it well make it worth the price. If you can get Nantucket scallops while you are up here, blow the budget - you will remember it for a long time

[galleygirl]

For shrimp, this time of year, yu can't do better than a pile of Gulf of maine shrimp to eat raw, like sashimi, dippig them in soy sauce and wasabi. They should run about $5.99 or less in fish markets; ask them to let you try one, to make sure they're fresh and sweet. They're even affordable at Whole Foods...

[kbw18]

Don't forget Legal Seafoods. They know how to do lobster right (even though some other things are debatable). Steamed is different than boiled - not all places actually do steamed. I don't think that Barking Crab does.

A second for No Name. Like Legal they're not a top restaurant, but have fresh lobster and know how to cook it.

If the weather is still warm when you get here, a treat is a lobter roll from J. Hook and Co. on the corner of Atlantic Ave. and the Old Northern Ave. bridge. Find somewhere to sit overlooking the water (on either side of the bridge) and enjoy.

[Bostonbob3]

You know, despite all the haters, I tend to like The No Name, too. Although I have to say, it's REALLY hit-or-miss. If you get it on a "hit" day though, it's an excellent bargain for good, simple seafood.

[jajjguy]

Yes! get a roll from Hook. It is a lobster warehouse/factory with a little fridge case and cashier up front. Pretty neat.

[The Chowhound Team]

Folks, please help us keep this board focused on finding good chow in Boston. Discussions of where to stay are off topic for our site. Thanks.

[Blumie]

www.flyertalk.com is a good place to inquire about places to stay. (They discuss chow over there, too, but not very well, IMHO!)

[The Chewy Kid]

Dailuy Catch is great but it's mostly a calamari joint as I recall.
This place is on the wharf and have been eating there for 20 years.
Cheap, great, The classic Boston Seafood joint.

No Name Restaurant

15 Fish Pier Street West
Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2008

[C. Hamster]

Sorry, but I would never recommend No Name. Too touristy and the food, IMO, is just average.

Same for Union Oyster but food downgraded to poor.

Village Catch in Brookline is good and cheap but has only seafood no non-fish alternatives. The Barking Crab is fun and the food is actually pretty good.

[Bostonbob3]

For quantity and LOW prices, trek out to Belle Isle in East Boston. Certainly a far cry from fancy, but you'll get your fill of really fresh fish and shellfish.

[eLizard]

Don't forget Belle Isle is cash only. And I once got an "off" lobster there.

[chefmom]

thanks for the $ info how many times have you had good lobster at Belle Isle?

[a l i c e]

Well, we indirectly know the owner and he is a good hard-working person (definitely a family-run joint). If any *bad* lobsters/food are being served, that is purely unintentional.

[tallullah]

You don't mention when you are coming, but the best places for steamed lobster are up north. Chauncey Creek in Kittery Point, ME being my favorite.

My fav seafood place in Boston is Neptune Oyster in the North End. They don't do steamed lobster (I've never seen it on the menu), but they have amazing fried clams and a stellar raw bar.

[Chickpea]

Chauncey Creek is closed for the winter. I don't think they re-open until Mother's Day weekend.

[tallullah]

That's right.
I didn't notice the 'this long weekend' in the topic title.

[jajjguy]

Neptune is great, but NOT cheap. If you can resign yourself to spending lots before you even walk in, it will be worth it, but not otherwise.

[gourmaniac]

There is a B&B on Charles Street (Beacon Hill) for less than $100 that is quite nice but can't recall name. Nearby is Artu for the rosat lamb and eggplant sandwich or light pasta dishes and the Paramount for breakfast. For steamed lobster clams etc,the Barking Crab is convenien to downtown and OK and near the new Institute of Contemporary Art. Also would recommend Peach Fram in Chinatown for excellent Chinese preparations of seafood. Calamari is everywhere these days, but Daily Catch in the North End is good.

[Taralli]

Depends if you're looking for NE steamed lobster or w/ginger & scallions at a place like Peach Farm or East Ocean Wealth in Chinatown, where you'll probably find the most reasonable prices for seafood & where you can pick out your choices still swimming. Calamari is good there too, but for an Italian prep, I also say,try the Daily Catch on Hanover Street in the Northend. B&B, La Capella, in the Northend would be fun place to base yourself.

[Bostonbob3]

Yeah, I happen to really like Daily Catch on Hanover Street for calamari (superior to the other DC locales).