Recos Needed Please!

[amanda3571]

Hello Boston folk....

Heading from CT & in need of a couple recos for the wknd of 10/10.

We're going to a show at the Boston Opera House on Friday night. Is there somewhere close to the Opera House that is cheap, tasty, fresh? We'll probably be in a rush as we're usually late everywhere we go :)

Also, looking for a nicer meal on Sat night (my choice, my birthday :). I desperately want to try No 9 Park, but am curious....is it a place we can wear dressed up jeans? Is it too late to get a reservation there? Is there somewhere else you would recommend over No 9? We'd be in for a leisurely delicious meal, but not looking to get all fancied up.

Also, any lunch and brunch recommendations welcome as well. We'll be all over the city - we're staying at the Seaport which, as I understand, is a bit removed from everything.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[heypielady]

For your birthday dinner consider taking a cab over the river to Central Sq. and try Salts on Main Street in Cambridge (www.saltsrestaurant.com). I just had the tasting menu there on Thrusday ($75 pp/ +$30pp if you pair with wine) and it was excellent. They are not on open table which in some ways makes it easier to get a reservation.

First, the food is excellent. The tasting menu there is sort of the best of what's on the regular menu with a couple of surprises. (we had an heirloom tomato salad, seared fluke served with new zealand clam (it was sort of a deconstructed clam chowder), ballotine of chicken, beef sirloin with chantrelles and potatoes, plum cake, and amazing chocolate truffle with candied cashews. With the tasting you will not go home hungry.

The service is also some of the best I've had. Attentive, polite, friendly and informative without ever putting on airs.

I think it fits your bill well for great dining but not too fancy atmosphere. It IS Cambridge so dressed up jeans would be fine. People were dressed nice in there but not like they were going to a wedding or anything.

[amanda3571]

This looks great! I will put it on my list.

Was also thinking about Neptune Oyster Bar. One of the former chefs from this place came down to Norwalk, CT (where I live) and opened up a really great resto. I see from searching this is a CH favorite.

[amanda3571]

Thanks to all who responded. Looks like we're going to Ivy Friday night & Salts on Saturday night.

[heypielady]

Please report back on your experiences at Ivy and Salts!

[amanda3571]

heypielady, quick question for you on Salts....do they have a bar area where we can eat? With tvs? My SO is a die hard Sox fan and now that they're in the championship series, I am sure he will want to watch the game.

[Joanie]

Salts is tiny, no bar or TVs.

[heypielady]

Yeah as Joanie said: no TV. I don't know what time your reservation is for but there are plenty of bars in Central Sq. (Miracle of Science and Asgard probably closest) where you could catch part of the game before or after dinner.

[amanda3571]

Might need to scratch no 9, just checked opentable and the only times available are 5:45 or 9:30. Too early & too late.

Any thoughts on L'espalier at the Mandarin Oriental? Other ideas?

[professor shorthair]

I suggest Fajitas and Rita's for an inexpensive place near the Opera House.
For breakfast try, My Place on A St in South Bsoton. You can walk there, under a mile from the Seaport Area. You are coming in on Columbus Day weekend so reservations may be tough to get for the hihg end restaurants..

[pollystyrene]

You could call No. 9. Sometimes you can get a reservation that way even if there are no openings on Open Table. Prezza in the North End will be equally difficult to get into, but that would be my next choice for what you seek.

[yummy2184]

ALWAYS call a restaurant if there are no reservations on opentable...90% of restaurants do not put all their availability online..to allow their own flexibility... given the current economic slump i can hardly imagine no 9 is full up

[professor shorthair]

Two more optiions near the Opera House. Both on Bromfield St: Silvertones and IVY.
The food is good I hear. Both are known for reasonably priced wines.

[amanda3571]

Ivy looks perfect! And right around the corner from the Opera House....thank you much!