Celebratory lunch on Friday --need ideas

[twentyoystahs]

So...it's my Dad's birthday and my sister & I want to take him out to lunch (he loves dining out, so much so that he is all booked up for dinner on his birthday and a bunch of days before and after, so we have been relegated to lunch.) ;)
Where can we go? I tend to go out for dinner more and so I'm not sure what is open for lunch. Neptune Oyster could be an option, but he's been there, would love to try someplace new or off the radar.
Sel de la Terre is another spot that I know will be good but again, he's been.
Does Radius serve lunch? That's a possibility. I know Locke ober gets mixed reviews but I've never been and thought this might be a great opportunity --looks like they aren't serving lunch anymore.
We love good food, doesn't usually have to be fancy at all but since this is somewhat of a special occasion it would be nice to bring him somewhere just a bit nicer. Any thoughts?

Thanks so much.

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

Sel de la Terre
774 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199

[JudyHP]

We recently had a celebratory lunch at Eastern Standard - it was wonderful. Service was non-rushed, and the food was excellent. I also love those comfy booths they have inside. Also the HOtel Commonwealth will valet your car.

-----
Eastern Standard
528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

[opinionatedchef]

20, lunch is a tough call. i do know that i would not rec radius ever. ever. Some thoughts:

--new Legals Harborside. i have not eaten at a Legals in prob 20 years, but the location/view sounds celebratory and a number of CHs have recommended it in recent months.

--Aquitaine. classy room, great service and exc bar, consistent food.

-- Myers and Chang- very fun and certainly unique menu; exc. inventive drinks too

-- Toro- fun extensive tapas menu http://toro-restaurant.com/menu.html

--Market is elegant hotel space; has had both meh and good reviews.

also this from a CH Lunch thread:

robwat36 Jul 26, 2011
"In addition to those already mentioned, Via Matta, Bistro du Midi, Scampo, Aquitaine, Market, Oishii, Grotto, Eastern Standard, Sel de la Terre, Sportello, Coppa, B&G, Butcher Shop, and L'Espalier are a few examples of places convenient to downtown that serve weekday lunch. It's not actually all that uncommon."

-----
Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

[CocoDan]

All very good suggestions, except I think BdM only has a bar menu at lunch. Still very good, but limited. Very good martinis.
Enjoy,
CocoDan

[twentyoystahs]

I actually found that CH lunch thread so yes, was working a bit off of that list but was wondering if there was anything I missed. I noticed that Bistro du Midi mostly just has sandwiches and a few salads....think we'll pass on that tho' i have always had good experiences for dinner.

Anyone else want to chime in on Radius? I know the burger is "in"famous and I'm guessing at least one of us would want to try it. I haven't been there in YEARS, so curious as to thoughts on nay or yay for lunch.

Toro is an option and I guess they have a good lunchtime burger too. He's been there, but maybe lunch would be a bit different.

How about Sportello? Ihave never been and neither has he.....thoughts for lunch?

And Legals Harborside...hmm. I'll check out the menu, wondering if there's anything different than the standard fare.

TIA.

-----
Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Sportello
348 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02110

Bistro du Midi
272 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116

[opinionatedchef]

you must have seen it by now, but Legal Harborside is the feature review of Devra First in today's Globe.

we finally tried Eastern Standard a month ago. While I really like the food and room at ICOB, we were both v. disappointed at ES.

[twentyoystahs]

i DIDN'T see it. thanks for the heads-up!

[opinionatedchef]

so where did you end up?!