Catch me up on the last 6 months of Boston dining

[hsquare2southend]

Due to the impending addition of a couple more babies to our family, the hsquare2southends and had to pack up and head out of SoWa for the 'burbs (Newton) in May. It's only been about 5 months, but it seems that there have been so many openings since we left. We used to be pretty on top of the dining scene up until then. Babies were born 2 months ago, and we are now getting a chance (with the help of a great sitter) to get into the city a bit more. Would love some suggestions for new places (within the last 6 months) that we could try for date nights, as well as with friends. Open to Cambridge in addition to all neighborhoods of the city. Thanks!

[MC Slim JB]

http://www.hiddenboston.com/closings-openings.html

The Seaport and Area IV blew up. A dozen upscale Yanqui-Mex joints with 100 tequilas opened. A bunch of nightclubby type places with food opened. We got Sri Lankan food. Southie got a few more places that aren't fake-Irish pubs.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Lucymax]

Hi MC Slim,

Can you explain a bit what "seaport and Area IV blew up" means? Would like to get your recommendations (and warnings) about the Seaport area. And what do you think about the new Legal Seafoods over there?

[MC Slim JB]

By "blew up", I mean "were the locations of a flood of new restaurant openings".

In the Seaport, I think most of the places are pretty, with stunning waterfront views, but don't think the food is extraordinary. Been to Sam's (not super-new), Strega Waterfront, Del Frisco's, and Temazcal. None of them wow me, and only Sam's was terrible, but it has since gotten a new chef (haven't retried it). Legal Harborside floors 1 and 3 are definitely worth a look, the same food and drinks you know in a really beautiful setting. The prices at Level 2 are shocking: doubt I'll get there without an expense account, too big a gamble for any kind of Legal, however elevated, in my book.

In Area IV, I absolutely love Bondir (though it isn't new-new, either) and think highly of Area Four. Have yet to try Catalyst, Abigail's, FireBrand Saints, and Meadhall. More new ones on the way there, too.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

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Bondir
279 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139

Temazcal
250 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Meadhall
4 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142

Area Four
500 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139