Your top spots in Boston

[RTM]

The popular food blog, Eater, does an essential 38 restaurants for NYC, SF, LA, MIAMI, and PDX, and thought it would be cool to gather up a list of Boston's essential restaurants. Let's keep the list to 20 and mainly to Boston, Cambridge, and close suburbs. High-End, low-end, dives, ethnic, whatever you feel defines the Boston dining scene. What do the Boston area chowhounds think?

[ecwashere7]

Craigie
Via Matta
Toro
Green Street
Brown Sugar Cafe (BU location)
La Verdad (late night tacos)
Coppa
Erbaluce
East Coast Grill (one of the best brunches in town)
Radius

[ChickenBrocandZiti]

1. Toro
2. Coppa
3. East Coast Grill
4. Redbones
5. Picco
6. Angela's
7. Taquria Lupita
8. Galleria Umberto
9. Myers + Chang
10. Ashmont Grill
11. Ali's Roti
12. Speed's
13. Regina
14. Oishii Boston
15. Lord Hobo (only because I think there should be one beer bar)
16. India Quality
17. Peach Farm
18. Dok Bua
19. Douzo
20. Mike and Patty's
This list is limited to the places I have been I know there are accolades out there for places like Helmand and Hungry Mother but I haven't gotten to them yet. My wish list is long and ever growing but these are my favorite 20, right now. Ask me again in 20 minutes.

[kimfair1]

Craigie On Main
Gallaria Umberto
Regina's (North End)
Santarpios
No 9 Park
O Ya
Hungry Mother
Shanghai Gate
Carlos Cuchina Italiana

Just quickly off the top of my head.

[pollystyrene]

From a vegetarian who doesn't like Asian food:

Parish Cafe
Grotto
No. 9 Park
Eastern Standard
Mamma Maria
Prezza
Pizzeria Regina (North End only)
Vinoteca di Monica
Hamersley's
Gaslight
Helmand
Friendly Toast

[BostonZest]

Thanks for the ( North End Only) on Regina. I've noticed that on their own site they call the North End "Regina Pizza" and the mall locations "Regina Pizzeria." I'm trying to remember to do that myself but that really won't help a newcomer. Maybe it's legally a different name or they are trying to distinguish the two.
http://www.reginapizzeria.com/locations.php

Location How could I forget Hammersley's - That chicken is a must and it is a Boston Hall of Fame restaurant. Must put that on an upcoming dining date.

A list from a vegetarian is always helpful. I'm going to take notes.

Penny
http://www.bostonzest.com/

[pollystyrene]

Interesting. And I thought it was Pizzeria Regina. There's no way I'll remember Regina Pizza is the original, so I guess it will always be "Original Regina's" or "Regina's-North End Only" for me.

I think I've noticed a bit of an increase for vegetarian requests on the board lately, so I thought a list of veggie-friendly places would be useful even if it omits a lot of favorites like Speed's and Neptune. I've had repeated success ordering delicious vegetarian dishes at all the restaurants I listed, with the exception of No. 9, where I stick to the great cheese selection and cocktails. I've had them prepare vegetarian versions of some dishes for me, but I guess the prune gnocchi minus the foie just isn't what it's cracked up to be.

[pollystyrene]

Same here. I felt kind of embarrassed not including supposed greats like Erbaluce and Gran Gusto, but they're still inching their way up my To Try list.

Edit: Oops, this should have been re: ChickenBrocandZiti.

[BostonZest]

Pollystyrene, thanks to you we had dinner at Hamersley's last night. The cassolulet was as good, if not better, than ever and the roasted cauliflower appetizer was so deep in flavor.

Penny
http://www.bostonzest.com/

[pollystyrene]

I'm jealous. I could really go for their garlic and mushroom sandwich right now.

[BostonZest]

Essential for someone coming here. Funny, one of my food editors was in Boston recently and I would have taken him to different places than his friends did.

If I had guided his trip he would have eaten at:

L'Espalier
Speed's Hot Dog Wagon
Trattoria Toscana
Craigie on Main
Bartley's Burger Cottage
Regina Pizza
Neptune Oyster
Modern Pastry
Gran Gusto
Toro
Coppa

I'm sure I'll add more later but those where the first ones I had in mind.

Penny
http://www.bostonzest.com/