Looking for Boston restaurant that has great food, small plates and vibrant scene.
My wife and I will be in Boston next week for a long weekend. We really enjoy taking our time ordering lots of small plates and taking in the scene. We particularly love sitting at bars in front of open kitchens.
As of now, the plan is O Ya on Thursday night and Toro on Friday night. I'm looking for a recommendation for Saturday as well as any criticism of my current choices.
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O Ya
9 East Street, Boston, MA 02111
Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
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Coppa looks great though I'm not sure if we will be up for another no reservation restaurant after Toro. It's menu reminds me of our current San Francisco favorite, A16.
After Toro on Friday, we will probably not want to do more Spanish food on Saturday- Estragon or Taberna de Haro.
Bistor du Midi's menu looks very good. After big meals Thursday and Saturday night, not to mention lunches, bistro food might make sense.
Eating at the bar at Craigie on Main could also present a long wait. The bar menu is a bit limited. Can you get dining room food in the bar?
Any have opinions about Meritage? The food looks very interesting. I cook a lot so I'm always interested in eating food that I either can't cook or don't cook because of the work involved. O Ya fits this perfectly, as did Clio during our last visit in 2006.
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O Ya
9 East Street, Boston, MA 02111Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118Meritage Restaurant
70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110Craigie on Main
853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139Coppa
253 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118›2 Replies-
re: T.bone
You can order off either menu in the bar at Craigie. Just beware that the bar is small and fills up immediately - best if you can get there early or late, I've found.
As for Meritage, I've never been but various friends who have were underwhelmed. By the food, at least - I've heard service and views are great.
Another place to consider is Scampo in Beacon Hill. Food's not as interesting as O Ya or Toro but still very good, definitely a vibrant scene, a cuisine that doesn't overlap with what you've got, and they take reservations. Or if you would consider another no-reservations place you might hit Neptune Oyster, which is small but spectacular. Though I guess neither of these really fulfill your food you can't/don't cook requirement. Maybe the tasting menu at Menton?
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O Ya
9 East Street, Boston, MA 02111Neptune Oyster
63 Salem St Ste 1, Boston, MA 02113Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118Scampo
215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114Meritage Restaurant
70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110Menton
354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210 -
re: T.bone
greenzebra
May 23, 2010 06:03 PM
If you don't feel like waiting for a spot at the bar itself, you can make reservations for the tables in the bar area at Craigie, where you can order off either the bar menu or the regular menu.
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Eatin in Woostah
May 23, 2010 06:28 AM
O Ya is a great choice.
How about the bar at Craigie on Main?
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O Ya
9 East Street, Boston, MA 02111Craigie on Main
853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139 -
