548330 Wed Aug 13 11:14:55 -0700 2008 14 12 Boston Area 0 3953737 I am from Portland Oregon and will be staying on Arlington in the Back Bay from 14-17 Sept. I am looking for foodie and just plain good restaurant recommendations on the company dime which is not unlimited every night, but ya know! Thanks! Wed Aug 13 11:14:56 -0700 2008 48005 Cognac 1 3953867 A quick search gets these discussions: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/527896 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/515723 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/435091 Wed Aug 13 11:39:50 -0700 2008 3953737 14253 Joanie 1 3953923 Generally, Back Bay restaurants are not fabulous. You will probably have to walk or take the T to better places. So help us a bit. What kind of food do you like? What will your company think is reasonable? Will you have a car? Will you be dining alone? Where on Arlington St? The more info the better. Wed Aug 13 11:51:02 -0700 2008 3953737 11052 BBHound 2 3954361 Being from the NW I like fresh and local for one. I like everything from Thai to Indian to Mexican to Italian to standard simple fair when done well. That being said my company doesn’t care, but I am dining mostly alone maybe one picky college friend night where she will pick something. I don’t want to have to travel far since I have long business days. Wed Aug 13 13:37:22 -0700 2008 3953923 48005 Cognac 3 3954622 a 10 minute t or cab ride will get you to a lot of great spots. taberna de haro (very auth spanish) in brookline. oleana in cambridge which is turkish/arabic med food locally grown focus and one of the most unique and excellent dining spots. also in cambridge is ole mexican. duk bua in brighton for thai. for fresh seafood either neptune oysters in the north end or b&g oysters in the south end. just a few thoughts. back bay is pretty vanilla for restaurants Wed Aug 13 14:44:55 -0700 2008 3954361 28475 bowmore36 3 3954658 also... be aware that newbury street dining is pretty appauling. lots of praise on here but nothing of interest from a food standpoint Wed Aug 13 14:55:36 -0700 2008 3954361 28475 bowmore36 1 3955186 La Voile (Mediterranean French). http://www.chowhound.com/topics/490552 Vlora (Albanian). http://www.chowhound.com/topics/485525#3362239 Tapeo (Spanish, though this place is mostly dissed on this board). Parish Cafe, if you're looking for an interesting sandwich and a good beer. And if you're willing to walk a few blocks, the corner of Berkeley and Tremont Streets in the South End is home to a number of fine eateries, including Butcher Shop/B&G Oysters (two places from the No 9 Park empire), Hammersley's Bistro, Sibling Rivalry. All extensively discussed and findable on simple seaching. Wed Aug 13 17:59:16 -0700 2008 3953737 14650 Dr.Jimbob 2 3955857 I'd add one more to Dr.Jimbob's great list: Sorellina. Thu Aug 14 02:01:58 -0700 2008 3955186 105892 pollystyrene 1 3956224 Casa Romero in the Back Bay is good for authentic Mexican food. It's on Gloucester St. Above that (literally upstairs) is L'Espalier for fine French cuisine. It's expensive, but it is worth it if you're looking for a more upscale night with guaranteed wonderful food. If you're looking one night just for apps and drinks, Cottonwood Cafe would fit the bill. It's Southwestern and they have a patio so you can sit outside if it's nice. Parish Cafe is good too for sandwiches and a drink. They too have outdoor seating available. They're open late too (I believe they serve until 1:30am). For an Irish pub type place, Solas at the Lenox Hotel is good. Nothing fancy, but decent pub grub and of course Guinness. Thu Aug 14 06:54:08 -0700 2008 3953737 15632 BackBayGirl 1 3956345 Dr. Jimbob's list is indeed excellent. Also L'Espalier is closing its location on Gloucester St.at the end of August and reopening at trhe new Mandarin Oriental Hotel in mid-September. When dining alone, I like to eat at the bar. Bar dining is good at Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square (but not if the Red Sox are playing at home which they are on the 14th). In the South End, the bar at Union on Washington St. is good. Near your hotel, the bar at Davio's is good but most of the other places in that neighborhood are not memorable. Thu Aug 14 07:34:25 -0700 2008 3953737 11052 BBHound 1 3956554 You have a really great list of option here. Just let me add Hamersley's Bistro to the mix. That might be for a night when you want a great comfort food meal. Then go and order the chicken. It will soothe you. Thu Aug 14 08:30:47 -0700 2008 3953737 21331 BostonZest 1 3957010 Piattini on Newbury is wonderful! Just went there last week. http://www.piattini.com/ www.carrotsncake.com Thu Aug 14 10:47:17 -0700 2008 3953737 204985 carrotsncake 1 3957578 As many warned, stay away from Newbury street unless you want some action and unimaginative and pricey food. Limited budget- Franklin Cafe http://www.franklincafe.com/ Consitently excellent dishes at a reasonable price. Smaller place with about 8 tables. The chefs just know how to create flavorful dishes with simple fresh ingredients. It is similar in its style and execution to the Spotted Pig. I've been going there for ~10 years and am always surprised that it is rarely recommended. The best part of it is the food, but the second is that it is one of the last truly local (no suburban housewives on a night out) places around. Karen will take care of you at the bar on Monday and Tuesday nights if you get there late and have to wait for a table (no reservations) Unlimited budget- No 9 Park. http://www.no9park.com/ I don't go there as often as Franklin but Barbara Lynch cooks some amazing dishes that are actually worth the price. It's not Per Se but it's definitely Boston's best. Both places are a short walk or cab ride away. Thu Aug 14 13:24:38 -0700 2008 3953737 194174 Bridge66 2 3960798 I was staying last year on Newbury and it was three nights of awful food! just awful! So I appreciate all that people have recommended on this board. No mistakes this year! Fri Aug 15 14:51:47 -0700 2008 3957578 48005 Cognac 3 3961933 Do let us know what you think -- I'll be curious if my list holds up, for one thing. Sat Aug 16 06:51:11 -0700 2008 3960798 14650 Dr.Jimbob