cost no object

[dbock]

I'll be visiting Boston next month, and wonder what would get suggested as the best fine dining establishment there, cost no object?
thanks,
D

[kelly001]

Finest: L'Espalier.

Most unique (and arguably one of the best restaurants in the city): Oleana.

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L'Espalier
774 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199

Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

[dbock]

I wanted to keep it in Boston so all the Cambridge places were out. Ended up at L'Espalier, which was excellent. Thanks for all the recommendations!

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L'Espalier
774 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199

[conor610]

Salts, in Cambridge, is really wonderful--upscale French(ish) food, perfectly executed, with a great atmosphere--small and romantic. I've only been once but will be going again whenever I'm back in Boston (I'm a transplant to LA). While the food at Salts may not be quite as refined as at Providence (though it's not far), I actually thought the flavors were deeper and more satisfying.

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Salts Restaurant
798 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139

[RoseWethersfield]

When I was at Menton, Barbara Lynch recommended Salts to me. I recommend Menton. Amazing.

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Menton
354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

[conor610]

But I'm confused: did you like Salts? I've not been to Menton, but will definitely try it when I'm back in town.

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Menton
354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

[Beach Chick]

love love love Locke-Ober!

[whs]

Since OP is from LA, Locke-Ober might be the right combination of extravagance: Lobster Savannah is sublime, and history, which is something in short supply on the west coast. The grill room is a vision to behold, and Lydia Shire has done a good job updating the menu. http://www.lockeober.com/

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Locke-Ober
3 Winter Place, Boston, MA 02108

[Beach Chick]

whs..
you hit the nail on the head that us Southern Californian's have no idea what old is...we think before 1940 is super old..and you get some sort of historic ranking..lol

That's what I love about Locke-Ober besides the excellent food and drink!

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Locke-Ober
3 Winter Place, Boston, MA 02108

[whs]

Though Musso and Frank is pretty redolent of old Hollywood...

[nsenada]

L'Espalier should be up there on the list

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L'Espalier
774 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199

[Bobthechow]

By far "Oleana" in Cambridge is the best restaurant in Boston. Chef/owner Ana Sortun of Topchef masters is one of the top chef in the country. It's not stuffy like Sona or Providence but it's beautiful space with amazing food and service.

[teezeetoo]

Respectfully, I disagree. I don't care for Oleana and don't like the space at all. Of the ones mentioned: O Ya, L'Espalier, Sorellina, Clio and I'd add Meritage and Number 9. Less expensive, but among my favorites, Erbaluce, Rendezvous. I have found Rialto can be very good, but also can disappoint.

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L'Espalier
774 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199

O Ya
9 East Street, Boston, MA 02111

Meritage Restaurant
70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110

Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

Sorellina
1 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116

Erbaluce
69 Church Street, Boston, MA 02116

[ScubaSteve]

with yah.

Oleana is good, sometimes very good, but 'The Best'? nope, not even close.

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Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

[StriperGuy]

I love Oleana and Ana Sortun, but not even close to top chef in the country, and probably only in the top 15 or so in Boston.

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Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

[gansu girl]

Second L'Espalier. Locke-Ober is fantastic and historic, but I don't like the choices as much - but that's a personal thing. Oleana is definitely one of my favorites, but the room is horrid - seating is very cramped. I think Ana Sortun is a super star in the kitchen, but that her design talents leave something to be desired (see Sofra!).

GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com

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L'Espalier
774 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199

Locke-Ober
3 Winter Place, Boston, MA 02108

Sofra
1 Belmont St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

[kimfair1]

Have not been to Menton, and so far have been able to resist the Lynch-pods in general, but if price is no object, then O Ya would be my first choice and the second would be Craigie on Main, specifically the ten course blind tasting.

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O Ya
9 East Street, Boston, MA 02111

Craigie on Main
853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139

Menton
354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

[MC Slim JB]

What do you consider a worthy cost-no-object restaurant where you come from, dbock?

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[dbock]

@ home in LA: Providence first, Sona second, Spago third
Vegas: the Mansion, L'Atelier, etc

Menton looks like a contender........

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Menton
354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

[barleywino]

i would put the tasting at Clio (in Boston) in the category of the places you mention (except the Mansion, which is arguably a half-notch higher)..think of O Ya as a meal made entirely of amuse-bouches

[9lives]

If you like creative Japanese, go to Oya. French/Italian..Menton.

Lots of writeups on the board

[StriperGuy]

Menton, really.

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Menton
354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

[nsenada]

She got to you, didn't she...did she promise you a full service patisserie, or something? Ask the construction workers where their dollar drafts are, and the south end where its friendly neighborhood discount meats have absconded to, before crossing over to dark side.

[MC Slim JB]

Fell asleep next to some odd oversized pod at B&G.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[nsenada]

Yes, its disguise was probably elegant yet understated, and threw him off.

[StriperGuy]

She should have named the place "mentirosa" which is Spanish for liar.

[joshekg]

Go to Locke-Ober for the quintessential Boston experience, hopefully someone on this board will comment as it's been 5 years since I've been in Boston.

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Locke-Ober
3 Winter Place, Boston, MA 02108

[toitoi]

3, make that 4, cheers for Locke-Ober.

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Locke-Ober
3 Winter Place, Boston, MA 02108