Looking for "can't miss" food spots in Boston

[luegar]

I'm currently staying in dowtown Boston and looking for the best food spots within a 3 mile radius. Breakfast lunch and dinner suggestions are greatly appreciated. I'm not into fancy, i'm into good even if its a dive. Please help.

On saturday i will go to Salem for the day. Any suggestions there will also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Luegar

[opinionatedchef]

How long are you here? Sunday(brunch)? Are you from Arizona and is this your first time and are you a seafood fan? I can be more helpful after your answers.

so glad you're going to Salem; fantastic architecture and museum. 62 Wharf is our fav there for dinner. do a CH search for North Shore or Salem for lunch recs other than the bakery. If you wanted a really unique local experience and weren't too exhausted to drive 1/2 hour for dinner , the Clam Box has what many CHs consider (me too) the best fried clams in MA.

Here are some threads that you might find useful. The first has recommended restaurants by area.

ONE CHOWHOUND’S GUIDE to Boston areas and restnts:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/781155

Boston Food Profile:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/781156

Ideas for Food Souvenirs;

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/781171

May is a particularly beautiful month here; welcome !

[luegar]

I'm from Arizona ans it is my first time. I love sea food so that is a yes. I'm also craving some real italian with fresh pasta....any suggestions?

[lc02139]

Are you driving to Salem or taking the train or the ferry boat?? The ferry will give you a good view of Boston, salem , marblehead hah bahs If you are driving Essex seafood or JT farnums might be an alternative to the clam box, they don't have a clasic building shaped like a clam box though. Vinny's at night in somerville usually has a home made pasta on the menu and is a good Italian place and it is in the back of a sub shop.

[teezeetoo]

prezza, da vinci, erbaluce three different styles of very good italian. mike and patty's near you for breakfast. deluxe tavern for good local food, no frills.

[opinionatedchef]

how long are you here for? any other planned activities that you want to eat near?

[gorboduc]

In Salem, A&J King Artisan Bakery for breads/pastries/coffee. They also have a small but good menu of sandwiches for lunch.

If you'll still be in Salem for dinner, 62 Restaurant and Wine Bar, in among the shops at Pickering Wharf.

[prima_donna87]

A&J King Artisan Bakery looks really good,I will have to check it out!

[Taralli]

What's your budget?

[cambridgedoctpr]

chinatown: peach farm, east ocean seafood
back bay: Clio/Uni
south end: Toro, Coppa,
north end: Neptune (no reservations)
Cambridge central square (near the red line): Craigie on Main
Cambridge Harvard square (near the red line): Rialto, Om, Tamarind Bay

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Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Tamarind Bay
75 Winthrop St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Craigie on Main
853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139

Coppa
253 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

[luegar]

Thanks! I've heard a lot about New Shanghai...what are your thoughts? Also I walked by many good loking italian restaurants today. Which one do your recomend I hit if I was to have only one italian meal?

[lc02139]

Don't be fooled by the name of New Shanghai under it's current ownership it is doing good to great sichuan food if you like the heat go there. Peach farm and east ocean are good for fresh seafood think of live picture menus. I hear Peach farm has fresh softshell crabs on the menu this week. Search this board for the names and you will find tons of posts.
Here are some general info of what to find in boston.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/467053
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/781155

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New Shanghai Restaurant
21 Hudson St, Boston, MA 02111