Durgin Park lately?
I'm going on a Red Sox road trip wth some folks who have never been to Boston before. They've heard about Durgin Park and want to go for lunch. I haven't been there in about 30 years, but why not?
The lunch menu onlne list items such as chicken pot pie, short ribs (with creole sauce what's that like?) yankee pot roast and something called potted beef (what's that?).
Appreciate your thoughts on what's good for lunch. Thanks!
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Durgin Park
1 Faneuil Hall Sq, Boston, MA 02109
By TrishUntrapped
on Jun 13, 2011 11:14 AM
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A food-sophisticated Montreal visitor recently went and loved the baked beans, lobster, and Indian Pudding (dessert and a Must-Have) .Stick w/ trad. Boston food.I would not likely recommend a non trad-Boston dish (i.e.creole sauce). Hers is the only mention I have seen of DP in many years, but you might want to do a CH search. Do tell us how you liked it so we can tell future yous.
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Well, that "creole sauce" might be inspired by Boston's own Fanny Farmer: "Cook two tablespoons chopped onion, two tablespoons chopped green pepper, one tablespoon chopped red pepper, or canned pimentoes, and four tablespoons chopped fresh mushrooms, with three tablespoons butter, five minutes. Add two tablespoons flour, one cup tomatoes, one truffle thinly sliced, oneāfourth cup sherry wine, and salt to taste."
In any event, the DP prime rib has traditionally been one of the best value-quality deals in Boston since, well, you know.... Fish stew, Indian pudding, et cet. It's not nouvelle anything. Generally, it does well and simply what it is. Something that many more adventurous foodies have had to go through many years of gourmandism to get back to.....
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Lunch is the way to go. Almost everything is available. Fish is a good bet. I do the chicken liver lunch or the franks and beans followed by indian pudding (a must).
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Thanks I'll report back. I googled images of potted beef.... not for me.
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From Roadfood: http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overv...
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boy trish, i dunno now. i looked at the reviews on taralli's link to roadfood.com- and many feedback comments said it was really dreadful. i don't think i'd venture it. But if you do, best of luck and do report back!
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It turns out the day we are going (tomorrow) is Red Sox Nation Day at Fenway Park, and if we get swallowed up in activities there, this lunch might be tabled. Stay tuned.
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Fenway Park
82 Lansdowne Street, Boston, MA 02215
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It's more reasonably priced for lunch. I sometimes go in the winter when the market is empty.
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My go-to lunch there is always Fish Chowder (NOT Clam -- those are tough) and Indian Pudding.
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My only thought is why would you go to DP if you did not have to. There are so many wonderful "Boston" restaurants. If it needs to be in that area and have an old Boston feel, try the Union Oyster House. At least the service is congenial and the food can be quite good.
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Union Oyster House
41 Union Street, Boston, MA 02108
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Thanks for the rec but I am allergic to seafood and the non-seafood items are limited at Union Oyster House. Not sure what will happen, may be playing the day by ear a little after we stop in at Fenway first.
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Actually, Union Oyster House is quite broadly considered absolutely horrible by most posters on the boards. Food not good and WAY overpriced.
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Union Oyster House
41 Union Street, Boston, MA 02108
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I just read the lunch menu at the Oak Room at the Fairmont Hotel, for $12 you get two courses. Sounds like a good deal to eat in a very nice looking room, plus it's walkable from our hotel. Seriously thinking of ditching the Durgin idea.
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Oak Room
138 St. James Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
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The Oak Room is nothing special for lunch. What is exactly that you are looking for? Classic Boston, close to your hotel, cheap price? If you narrow it down it would help. DP and Oak Room are apples and oranges so pinpointing what you will like is tough.
We took clients to lunch at DP at their request, and everyone was very happy. That said it is not a must visit, and probably not worth going out of your way for.
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I'm back. And we dined pretty well. Because of the Bruins parade, we changed our plans and took a regular Fenway Park Tour on Friday. We wanted lunch closer to our hotel and opted for the Oak Room at the Fairmont. At $12 I thought it was a decent price for good food. I had the chicken and vegetable soup and ceasar salad. Others had the prime rib sandwich (declared delicious) the Kobe Beef Burger (not part of the $12 special) also declared delicious and the eggplant panini (declared good).
After taking the tour we decided to stay at the park and eat there as well. One of my friends found quesadillas which she liked. I found some pastrami which wasn't bad. Others ate dogs, sausage, pizza, burgers... I brought my own snacks and water. A beer and a pretzel will set you back $12.75, and I did not partake.
Saturday, parade day, the city was a Bruins experience. We grabbed some lunch at the food court in Prudential near our hotel. We took a batting practice tour of Fenway (different from the previous day's, but sadly more expensive and not better) and afterwards had dinner at Citizen Public House. It was good and reasonably priced. I really liked the BBQ Beef Rib. The guys in the group found the humungous burgers and accompanying fries quite satisfying and my daughter liked the delicate French onion gnochetti soup. Someone at our table ordered the fried pickles. Friendly service.
Sunday, Father's Day, we had breakfast at Brasserie Jo. Good crepes, waffles, croissants, fruit, and coffee.
Below are pictures from Brasserie Jo.
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Oak Room
138 St. James Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
Brasserie Jo
120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
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I went during my visit. Got the beans, the Scrod, the cornbread, the Clam Chowder, and the Indian Pudding. All, save for the dry and gritty cornbread, were actually quite excellent.
http://uhockey.blogspot.com
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Keep in mind that DP is one of those places that the kool kids around here bash to look hip.
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