One Night Only- Where to eat?

[Maderan]

Coming in for a conference next week from New Orleans. Looking for a great dining experience. Best place in Boston type of deal. Am staying at the Ritz Boston Common. Will have to take a taxi. Not worried about price.

[Maderan]

Didn't like the grilled oysters at Dragos? Different strokes for different folks I guess cause I love them.
Thanks for the advice, I love Nobu so I guess I will give O-YA a try but Craigie's menu looks great too.

[kimfair1]

Either would be great, but make a reservation for either, it will be difficult if not impossible to just walk into either.

[Maderan]

It will be on a Wednesday night and just me. Do you think I need a reservation for then?
Is the omakase menu the way to go here? How much does that run? Just curious as a comparison in price to Craigie's tasting.

[justbeingpolite]

I think definitely the way to go, great sampling of the menu. IIRC it will run you around $150 without sake, much more than Craigie.

[Maderan]

Thanks. From what I read it is worth it. How long does it take to get through the omakase? My plane lands at 7 pm and am worried about getting the whole experience in if I have an 8:30 reservation.

[kimfair1]

I would get a reservation regardless of date. Both are two of the most popular and hard to get into restaurants in Boston. As others have said the omakase at O Ya will run about $150. It's about $85-90 for the six course tasting at Craigie, plus wine or (even better) cocktail tastings. You should have enough time at O Ya for an omakase, even with the 8:30 start time.

[Maderan]

8:30 at O-Ya confirmed. They said it takes about 2 1/2 hours for the omakase so I will go that route.
Reading reviews and looking at their menu has me pumped. I can't wait, trips with the chance to go to a great restaurant are like Christmas for me.

[barleywino]

you might consider also eating a la carte there rather than letting them choose what items to give you...you won't spend any less but you'll at least be choosing according to your likes/dislikes, and probably finish sooner

[jajjguy]

I would have had trouble making good choices my first time there. The flavor combinations are unusual, confusing, wonderful. Better to let them make the choices first time around, I think.

[CreativeFoodie42]

I went there last month and instead of doing omakase, I ordered a la carte. I did my research on what people recommended as stand-outs and also obviously chose menu items that were appealing to me and it worked out great.

[kobuta]

Second O-ya for something in Boston. My other recommendation would be Craigie on Main in Cambridge, and opt for either the 6 or 10 dish tastings (need to give them heads up on that, if you're going for a tasting).

[justbeingpolite]

Third O Ya omakase. Or walk across the common to Number 9 Park (it's still there, I believe?)

[kimfair1]

You only really need to give them a heads-up at Craigie for the 10 course tasting. I've ordered the 6 course many times and have never told them that in advance. I would also say for one dinner in Boston, price non-important I would go to either Craigie on Main, or O Ya.

[RoyRon]

If money is no object and you enjoy Japanese style food then try O-Ya but be sure to make a reservation. Excellent sushi and other Japanese dishes and certainly one of the best in Boston. Another favorite is Scampo in the Liberty Hotel, Mistral or Sorellina too.

[gyppielou]

Well since I had raw and grilled oysters and Drago and hated them really left left 8 of the 12 behind, as we each only tried on of each. . .

I think you should go to Legal Seafood in Park Square for a lite bite of 6 oysters for $6 before 6pm - try the Wellfleets!!!!

Then move on to. . . . .

[Joanie]

"Well since I had raw and grilled oysters and Drago and hated them really left left 8 of the 12 behind, as we each only tried on of each. . ."

Can you translate that please?

[pollystyrene]

Apparently the cocktails were very good, if not the oysters.

[Bob Dobalina]

Hilarious! Looks like gyppie is referring to http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/

[justbeingpolite]

Nice detective work!!
Agree that Maderan should sample a New England oyster. Consider going to the North End for your meal at Neptune Oyster.