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Depends on what you're looking for.
If by seafood you mean the city's best clam chowder, some of its best friend calamari, and perfectly cooked fish, I hate to say it, but Legal Sea Foods (a chain of all things) is actually amazing. The clam chowder is a special knockout - been served to 4 presidents, wins all the awards, etc.
As for Italian, I can't say much - it's not my thing here.
A Hangover lunch, though, for cheeseburgers. We don't have many good cheeseburger joints in the city open during that time, but try Toro. It's open for lunch only during weekdays, and it serves its small 5 oz. burger only during that lunchtime. It's the city's best tapas bar, too, meaning that if you get sick of burgers, you can always snack on a couple extras at the same time.
Anyway, hope that helps.
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Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118 -
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Ignore the North End for Italian and go to Erbaluce in the Back Bay/Theater district. But definitely do Neptune for lunch. Toro's burger is great (get it messy) plus they have a few of their standards on the lunch menu (corn on the von, patatas bravas, etc).
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Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118Erbaluce
69 Church Street, Boston, MA 02116›4 Replies-
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re: Gabatta
Isn't that subjective? Quiet dining room, low light, candles on the table and great food and wine. I'd say the atmosphere is on par with Marco and most in the north end, plus the menu is a little more thought out. You probably won't see your typical tomato and mozarella salad, tuna tartare, red sauce.
Besides, when you're looking for a romantic place are you really going to be staring at the artwork on the walls?
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re: BeanTownGolfer
I was talking commenting on the room and OP's request for romantic, not the food.
Certainly it is subjective, and IMO the room at Erbulace is clearly it's weakest point. The bar has a hint of cozy atmosphere, however the dining room is like eating in a finished basement. I don't consider it romantic at all. If the OP wants romantic, I think Erbulace is just a bad steer. YMMV
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re: BeanTownGolfer
MC Slim JB
Mar 22, 2011 08:14 AM
I agree that Erbaluce has amazing food, one of my favorite Italians in Boston, a unique and original take on Northern Italian cuisine. I also agree that the dining room is on the plain side.
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Erbaluce
69 Church Street, Boston, MA 02116
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Beachowolfe
Mar 21, 2011 03:42 PM
If you're doing Neptune in the north end for lunch (and you should) I'd suggest heading somewhere else for dinner- maybe Sorellina or Grotto.
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re: Beachowolfe
neptune's is not romantic and does not take reservations so be aware that you can expect to wait if you're coming on a weekend. If you don't want to wait, Island Creek Oyster Bar would be my choice. re: Italian, Mamma Maria is definitely romantic. not so romantic but perhaps more innovative: prezza, via matta, erbaluce. There are lots of posts on whose hamburger gets the win: I'd go to Radius or Sel de la Terre but you should check the board for the burger discussions.
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Mamma Maria Restaurant
3 North Sq, Boston, MA 02113Sel de la Terre
774 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199-
re: teezeetoo
Neptune is my favorite restaurant in the North End, and my favorite seafood restaurant in Boston, It just happens to be in the North End, They will take your phone number after you put your name on the list and call you when your table is ready. You can take a short stroll down the street in either directions and grab a drink and sit down while you wait. I have never waited longer than 45 minutes.
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re: Beachowolfe
ecwashere7
Mar 22, 2011 08:06 AM
I agree with the Sorellina recommendation for fancy/romantic Italian. It's certainly not authentic, but quite delicious. Mamma Maria is a great choice too for food/romance and it certainly has food that is more of what people think of when they think Italian.
James
http://pursuefat.com-----
Mamma Maria Restaurant
3 North Sq, Boston, MA 02113Sorellina
1 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116
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I agree with Neptune, Mamma Maria/Marco, and would add Lucky's as a hangover brunch option. It's walking distance to your hotel, I like the atmosphere and it has a good hangover menu.
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re: Teraesa22
MC Slim JB
Mar 21, 2011 10:46 AM
I don't think you'll find universal acclaim here for Mamma Maria. I think a lot of Chowhounds find it a bit stiff, not so innovative, and pricey for what it is. If you understand what it is going in, I think you'll be satisfied.
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Mamma Maria Restaurant
3 North Sq, Boston, MA 02113-
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re: Teraesa22
BostonZest
Mar 21, 2011 04:38 PM
I do like Marco on Hanover street. And, if you would like to do the pure food choice, Trattoria Toscano on Jersey street in the Fenway. That will be like a short trip to Tuscany in the middle of your Boston Trip.
Penny
http://www.bostonzest.com/-----
Trattoria Toscana
130 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215Marco
253 Hanover St., 2nd Flr., Boston, MA 02113-
re: BostonZest
MC Slim JB
Mar 22, 2011 08:10 AM
Just note that it's Trattoria Toscana (with an "a"), not to be confused with the much pricier and far less interesting Toscano Restaurant on Beacon Hill. And it's a great recommendation.
If you wanted to stay in the North End for Italian, my favorites there include Prezza, Marco and Taranta, all of which take reservations.
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Trattoria Toscana
130 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215
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hiddenboston
Mar 21, 2011 08:08 AM
1) Neptune Oyster
2) Euno in the North End
3) 75 Chestnut in Beacon Hill-----
Neptune Oyster
63 Salem St Ste 1, Boston, MA 0211375 Chestnut
75 Chestnut St, Boston, MA 02108›1 Reply-
re: hiddenboston
Alcachofa
Mar 21, 2011 08:21 AM
The 75 Chestnut burger is a pale imitation of its former (pre-remodeling) self.
I'm sorry, I've been on this soapbox before, but I really don't think the 75 Ches burger is worth recommending! It's OK, I've had it several times and maybe get it again. But even Harvard Gardens' burger is better (in the same neighborhood). Admittedly, I had 75's pre-remodeling version, and that was fantastic, so maybe it colors my opinion of the current version.
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C. Hamster
Mar 20, 2011 08:22 AM
There is simply nothing better fir a hangover than East Coast Grill's make-it-yourself Bloody Mary bar!
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East Coast Grill and Raw Bar
1271 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139›1 Reply -
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MC Slim JB
Mar 20, 2011 07:16 AM
Waterfront view is a compromise in Boston; there are always better places without a view. So I concur with Neptune as a first choice, but if you need that view, I'd recommend Rowes Wharf Sea Grill at the Boston Harbor Hotel, just a couple of blocks from your hotel. It doesn't suck.
Many options for romantic Italian in Boston. I like the Mamma Maria rec, too: see if you can request the two-person dining room overlooking North Square. It's white tablecloth Northern Italian, a little stuffy and expensive, but reliable. Another option that's a little less formal and pricey is Carmen, also in the North End, a brick-walled enoteca with a more Southern-leaning menu.
Tough to beat The Bristol for a classy hangover brunch, even if the burger is $20. Another option is to cab to the South End, which is brunch central in Boston. A few places there offer fine burgers on their brunch menus (as well as good eye-openers), including Coda Bar & Kitchen, Pops Restaurant, and The Gallows (which does a nice brunch patty melt).
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Mamma Maria Restaurant
3 North Sq, Boston, MA 02113 -
BostonZest
Mar 20, 2011 06:46 AM
Neptune Oyster on Salem Street for Lunch. I can't think of any restaurant on the water in Boston that I would go to on purpose.
Romantic Italian dinner, Mamma Maria's North End
Cheese burger - the Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons.
Penny
http://www.bostonzest.com/-----
Neptune Oyster
63 Salem St Ste 1, Boston, MA 02113Bristol Lounge
200 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 -
