New years eve dinner to wow my girlfriend

[Scharn]

I need ideas =)

ps: we will be staying in the South End.

[mkfisher]

My wife and I always do New Years at Toro (it used to be the one night per year they take reservations). This year they're doing a private party. Tickets are being sold through Gilt City.

[Bob Dobalina]

A word of advice - be within walking distance or willing to walk a distance, because cabs are extremely hard to come by from about 1am on.

An enterprising person could make a lot of money shuttling drunk partygoers from the South End to Cambridge, Brighton, etc. at a premium.

[pollystyrene]

Color me enterprising. Thanks for the idea. It might just fund my first dinner at O Ya on a less insane night.

[Bob Dobalina]

Just make sure you don't pick up the ones that are too drunk, if you know what I mean...

[emannths]

What's "wow" for you guys? Trendy, happening scene at a place that gets written up in magazines? Totally unique food? O Ya might fit both of those. Fitting into neither of those is Hamersley's in the South End, which consistently serves awesome food in a very nice atmosphere.

-----
O Ya
9 East Street, Boston, MA 02111

Hamersley's Bistro
553 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116

[opinionatedchef]

my suggestions for 'wow' food:

Oleana (cambr.,need taxi but so worth it, such a unique menu- Turkish/Mediterranean

O Ya - Japanese and fusion; VERY expensive

Clio - Japanese and fusion, elegant, expensive.

Craigie on Main- Cambr., famous for creative snout to tail, but seafood too. V expensive.

Erbaluce - Piedmontese; So. End

Neptune Oyster incl lunch- No.End, trad and v creative food; almost always a line, and no reservations

Island Creek Oyster Bar- open late; vibrant scene, a real CH fave if you do a search

Deuxave

EVOO

Rendezvous
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Brunch:

East Coast Grill, Cambr.- fun, loud, crazy; Latin, seafood, BBQ, oysters, Bloody Mary bar.........

Mistral- french high end

Aquitaine - french bistro

Neptune Oyster
-------------------

Boston Magazine 11/11 issue: 50 Best Boston Restnts. This list is a very comprehensive and convenient reference list for brief restnt. descriptions, essential info, website links of the 50:

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/scripts...
-------------------------------------------------
Guide to Boston by Areas and Restaurants:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/781155
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hope you'll report back!

[libertywharf]

Why not dine close to the harbor and then check out the fireworks. The Boston harbor hotel always does a nice impression.

[opinionatedchef]

if you are speaking of Meritage, we had such a dreadful /mediocre experience there 3 thanksgivings ago- that i would never refer anyone there at a holiday time.

[Scharn]

Thanks for all the ideas!

With respect to the fireworks, where is the best place to be around midnight? That bar (Top of the Hub?) in Prudential building, or some place near the Harbor, or maybe one of the boats that cruise the harbor?

[tartandfit]

Avoid Top of the Hub. View is nice, food is not.