Visiting solo 2 days, 2 nites in July> Looking for suggestions on quintinsential Boston/New England eats

[mick]

Going to be staying around Copely and going to a day game at Fenway one of the days. Need breakfast, lunch and dinner recs. Doesn't have to be around Copely but convienent if it is.Anything worth stopping at before or after the game. Also any great eats in general but keep in mind solo and enjoyt sitting and eating at restaurant bars. Thanks for your help.

[mvi]

Near Fenway, both Island Creek Oyster Bar and Eastern Standard offer good options for the solo diner at the bar. Both will be packed before and after the game. The best Italian in the city is Carlos Cucina Italiana. Not far from Fenway. I'm not a fan of Legal Seafood.

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Carlo's Cucina Italiana
131 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134

Eastern Standard
528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

Island Creek Oyster Bar
500 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

[johnblacksox]

Quintessential Boston would be eating at Legal Seafood; finding a popular Irish bar/pub and eating/drinking beer there; walking through the North End and finding an Italian restaurant, or maybe having lemon ice or espresso after.

[mick]

I've seen things on Legal Seafood back home. I know sort of a Boston institution but seems could be wrong to be more upscale? Love the recs so far how about Italian, coming from SF and going to NY get enough creative, innovative Italian Restaurants that are casual and good such as Delfina, A-16 and so forth in SF, and in NY Inocteca, Po for examples> Recently in NY went to Scarpetta and Maialino loved Maialino but anyway would like some suggestions for good, classic old school Italian that most people would agree on if thats possible. Good lasanga, red sauce place etc. Thanks

[barleywino]

Legal Seafood is not upscale but i would avoid it unless you like your fish overcooked. For something before or after the game, there's also Eastern Standard, although it can get crowded during those times.

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Eastern Standard
528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

[emannths]

For "red sauce italian" without the overcooked pasta and dull, paste-driven sauce, try Giacomo's. Also Carlo's Cucina in Allston.

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Carlo's Cucina Italiana
131 Brighton Ave, Boston, MA 02134

Giacomo's Restaurant
355 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113

Giacomo's Restaurant
431 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA 02116

[opinionatedchef]

Many CHs love the Trattoria Toscana right near Fenway; small, trad italian, no reservations, VERY popular neighborhood spot.Also do a search under North End for many comments.

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Trattoria Toscana
130 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215

[mick]

Checked out Ic02139 post a wealth of info. So to be more specific I'm coming from Northern Cal San Francisco and Napa Valley based. Very open to all types of food. Since I'm solo and do enough of it anyway want to stay clear of high end "formal" places. Enjoy sitting at a bar and eating although it doesn't have to be, take out ok as well.
Would like some place or rec that is "only in Boston".Like rustic casual good Italian food. Love oysters, fish and chips basic fresh simply prepared seafood. Like dives if food is good and fresh.A great steakhouse to enjoy a martini and steak. Pizza, sandwiches.
What appealed to me on the post was Pizzeria Regina,sam la grassa for sandwiches(how does that compare to Parish cafe) . Island oyster sound great again ( how does that compare to Neptune) . La Verdad outside Fenway sounds great.
I'm staying in next to Copley Place so anything close is a bonus but for a great seafood dinner matching my criteria, Italian food or steakhouse willing to travel Thanks again.

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La Verdad
1 Lansdowne St, Boston, MA 02215

[Pegmeister]

When I'm heading to Fenway I generally stop at Bukowskis. It's in the Copley area, around the corner from the Hynes Convention Center. I like their sweet potato fries, burgers or mac & cheese. It's divey but comfortable. If you want oysters you can stop at Summer Shack, next door, Island Creek Oyster Bar is getting absolute raves on this board so it's on my list to try. I don't think they open until 5 though. If you get to the North End, you will not be disappointed with a stop at Neptune Oyster. For that matter, you could stop their for oysters and head on to Regina's for a pizza. My choice for a steak house, especially solo would be Abe & Louies, also right in your area. They have a wonderful bar and the atmosphere is not stuffy. Have fun!!

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Neptune Oyster
63 Salem St Ste 1, Boston, MA 02113

Summer Shack
310 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Bukowski's
1281 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Abe & Louie's
793 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

Island Creek Oyster Bar
500 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

[lc02139]

I can't take the credit, opinionedchef did all the work, all I did was point you to the link. I just hope with the added information that the great people on this board give you great tips. Please don't forget to post a summary of your trip when you get back home. Have a great time in Boston. lc

[emannths]

Take a look at those "visiting Boston" threads. But everything I've heard seems to indicate that sitting at the bar at Island Creek Oyster Bar should be at the top of your list.

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Island Creek Oyster Bar
500 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

[emannths]

Oh, and if it's a nice evening in July, it's hard to beat walking down Newbury St. with a scoop of Emack & Bolio's in hand...

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Emack & Bolio's Ice Cream
290 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

[lc02139]

Check out this post http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/781155, do some search on this board and let us know what kind of things interest you. Let us know where you are from and what kind of types of food you like, price range, if you will have a car etc so we have more information to guide you.