One night in Back Bay
Heading to a Sox game on Sunday afternoon and spending the night at the Sheraton on Dalton St. We want to stay within walking distance.
Prefer fish and *casual* Sat night (after the ballgame) followed by a casual, but calm (not full of screaming yahoos) place to have a beer.
Monday our flight leaves Logan at 430. Would like to walk a bit (maybe the Library/Trinity Church) and have a French bistro type of lunch (ie cheese/pate, Croque monsieurs). Preferably with outdoor seating (if the weather holds out).
We thought Atlantic Fish Co for dinner. Not sure where best for beer. Then either La Voile or Brasserie JO for lunch. Which do folks prefer?
Does this itinerary sound okay?
Sara
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Atlantic Fish Co
761 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
La Voile
261 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
Brasserie JO
120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
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Just wanted to report back. We ended up at Legal Seafood (Prudential), Bukowski's for beer, and La Voile for lunch.
I don't get what the big deal is with Legal Seafood. (This wasn't my choice--the group decided for me.) I thought it was overpriced and sort of bland. Nothing I couldn't get in any other city. The clam chowder, however, was excellent and lived up to it's reputation. I was impressed by the wine list, which was very reasonable ($40 for Sonoma-Cutrer chardonnay). I had the surf and turf. The steak was grainy and did not have that delicious high heat crust. The shrimp was nothing spectacular. My Dad had the grilled scallops, which were better, but again, nothing great.
Bukowski's is the bomb. The exact place we were looking for and just across the road from the hotel. We stumbled into an Irish bar just around the corner (on Boylston) and immediately left when a bell started ringing, shots were poured and people started screaming. Bukowki's was quiet, seats at the bar and appropriately dark. Wide range of beers on tap.
We absolutely LOVED La Voile for lunch. As someone mentioned it was a perfect location after visiting the library and Trinity Church. Liked sitting outside and people watching. It is very French--slightly surly service with cramped tables. Perfect! The wine list wasn't very balanced--tended towards the expensive side. We had a bottle of champagne, and shared a delicious haricort verts/blue cheese salad, 3 cheeses and pate/terrine. Great way to end our trip.
Had a great trip to Boston. Even got a foul ball at Fenway! Thanks for all the advise.-----
La Voile
261 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116Bukowski's
50 Dalton St Ste 4, Boston, MA 02115›1 Reply -
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Good beer options in the area include Bukowski's, Otherside Cafe, and Lower Depths. Otherside and Lower Depths both have outdoor seating. I find Buk's and LD to be a little pricey, but the convenience is probably worth the extra buck or two. I haven't visited any of these places later in the evening, so maybe others can comment on the late-night vibe.
Another option for a beer might be at the bar at the Eastern Standard. Not much on draft, but a good (if pricey at times) bottle list, as well as the option to sit outside. Not sure if they ask you to order food if you sit at a table or not thought.
I say try your best to get into ICOB for dinner.
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Eastern Standard
528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215Other Side Cafe
407 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115Bukowski's
1281 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139Lower Depths
476 Commonwealth Ave Ste 1, Boston, MA 02215›1 Reply-
re: emannths
The Other Side Cafe might be more of the type of atmosphere the OP is looking for. Unless Bukowski's PA system is broken, it will be looouuddd in there.
Despite the nutty/crunchy vibe of the Other Side, I like the place - very relaxing and always has something on tap with fair prices that I want to drink .
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Other Side Cafe
407 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115Bukowski's
1281 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139
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Island Creek Oyster Bar in Kenmore Square would be great for your dinner, if you can get a reservation. Maybe the hotel can help. Atlantic Fish would be OK for a backup.
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Island Creek Oyster Bar
500 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215›7 Replies-
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re: Ricardo Malocchio
ICOB is great but, if no reservations, I would prefer Legal Seafood or Summer Shack to Atlantic Fish. La Voile has fine bistro food (the sweetbreads are outstanding), Brasserie Jo is pretty good, Sel de la Terre more upscale and also an option.
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La Voile
261 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116Summer Shack
310 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210Sel de la Terre
774 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199Brasserie Jo
120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116-
re: teezeetoo
BobB
Jun 2, 2011 07:11 AM
I'll second La Voile for your Monday lunch - it's conveniently near the library and Trinity. The decor is more a Hollywood set designer's idea of French bistro than the real thing, but the food is actually quite good and you can get many of the standard bistro dishes. No outdoor seating though.
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La Voile
261 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116-
re: BobB
opinionatedchef
Jun 2, 2011 10:05 AM
i still have a coupon left for la viole. if you contact me via my member pg. i'll send it to you, as we do not plan to return there.
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opinionatedchef
Jun 1, 2011 11:47 AM
Welcome in advance sara. Hope this might prove helpful:
Guide to Boston by Areas and Restaurants:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/781155For post-game, i would suggest Sonsie for excellent food/ very broad menu of small and large plates/ comfortable bistro/ excellent bar. It's a 15 min walk from the ballpark, which gets you to a less crowded area (though Newbury St and Sonsie both are HAPPENIN' places) and 5 minutes to your hotel. I am NOT a La Voile fan. Brasserie Jo is very popular w/ CHs.
sonsie:
www.sonsieboston.com-----
Sonsie - Boston
327 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115Brasserie Jo
120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
