Nice dinner before or after Holiday Pops?

[lmuller]

Hi all,

I read the thread below about quick dinners near Symphony Hall but am looking for a step up from that. We are going to the Pops on Friday evening and will want to grab dinner either before or after. What are some nicer places in that area? We are not fans of French food so Brasserie Jo is out and it doesn't seem like there is too much else nearby. Thanks!

[BostonZest]

What type of food are you trying to find or it is just atmosphere that you are seeking. Are you coming by car or public transportation?

Island Creek Oyster Bar and Eastern Standard along with the lovely new Hawthorn are not that far away. You could park near Kenmore and come back for dessert after the Pops.

You could park in the South End and do the same thing at Toro, or Hamersley's.

To the west, you could stop on the way into Boston and enjoy a lovely meal at Taberna de Haro or La Morra in Brookline.

Penny
http://www.bostonzest.com/

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Eastern Standard
528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Taberna De Haro
999 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446

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

Island Creek Oyster Bar
500 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

The Hawthorne
500 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

[lmuller]

Thanks for your suggestions. We will have a car and don't have a particular food preference in mind at this point. I do always love Eastern Standard and haven't been to Hamersley's in ages so those are good suggestions. I guess I was just wondering if there was anything right down near Symphony Hall... but maybe the answer is just no.

[BostonZest]

Food service in the Symphony area seems to be geared to the student population and is mostly ethnic, chains and downscale. I think you will have to go out of the area to find a bit more refinement.

In a recent post I did on Dining around Symphony, I suggested parking at the Pru and then going in any direction from there.

http://www.bostonzest.com/2011/12/hol...

Is Sel de la Terre too French for you. They have a pleasing menu. You could try to find a bar seat at Clio and enjoy part of your meal before and dessert after there.

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Clio
370-A Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

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

[ChinaCat]

So I'm a little surprised that you love Eastern Standard, but don't want to try Brasserie Jo. While I think ES is better, the menus have some similarity, as both are that sort of American take on a French brasserie. Steak frites, mussels, roast chicken and those sorts of things.

The other option thats not too far away is Summer Shack, but not sure thats nice enough.

There is a new-ish Italian restaurant, as mentioned by Pemma...I haven't been there yet but will probably try that next time I'm headed down to Symphony Hall.

[pemma]

Isn't there a relatively new Italian restaurant, Lucca, on Huntington in the bottom of the mall, offshoot of North End restaurant? I can't recommend or not recommend since I haven't been to either, but may be worth checking out.

[CocoDan]

New Capitol Grille location at Boylston & Dalton. Short walk.
Enjoy,
CocoDan

[dlin2007]

How about Deuxave? It's right at Mass Ave and Comm Ave, and I've heard nothing but good reviews!

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Deuxave
371 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

[opinionatedchef]

what dlin said. very lovely innovative menu and space. 5 min cab ride. ICOB also has great but Deuxave more elegant, refined.

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Deuxave
371 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02115