Where to eat when someone else is paying up to $200?

[the_G_list]

I've been comped up to $200 dollars to spend for a dinner with my boyfriend (I have the best PM who recognized my hellish week!). I'd like to find a restaurant that is worth the money -- a place I wouldn't necessarily go without this treat.

I've previously been to O Ya (when a friend of mine had a similar situation) and it was the best meal of my life. I'm totally up for going back there but it's booked for the next month, except for odd time slots.

So before I decide to eat a fancy meal at like 5pm, I wanted to see if anyone has any other suggestions or recommendations.

The last caveat is that I need a place that will accomodate some tricky dietary needs -- no meat, no dairy, no gluten, no shellfish (but yes to fish). I know, it's a doozy! Think vegan plus fish. I figure nice places will be able to accomodate if I give advance notice, but I'd like to factor this into my decision making.

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

[Boston_Otter]

I'd seek out a place with a tasting menu: Bergamot, Ten Tables, or my recent favorite, Journeyman; they're all veggie/vegan friendly and can work with you.

[enhF94]

I can certainly understand why it's not popular, but I love 5pm: quiet restaurant, staff gives you their best service, kitchen staff are fresh and un-rushed.

[MC Slim JB]

Two meals at Myers & Chang, with some good sake. They can knock your restrictions down.

I like the Uni suggestion, too: they just redid the space, the cocktails there are exceptional, and it can be O-Ya-special in feel. (Cushman was famously accused of biting Uni's recipes.)

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[the_G_list]

These give me some really good choices! Thanks everyone. I'll have to start making some calls.

[opinionatedchef]

except for jgg, you have some excellent suggestions below.

[BobB]

I'd give Craigie on Main a call and let them know your restrictions. I bet Tony Maws can put something together that will knock your socks off.

[Madrid]

If it were me,I'd go to oleana and order every veg mezze plus great wines and fish. But that's me. I'd also consider the fish without shellfish and meat dishes at Neptune Oyster, but again me. And given this is St Pat's weekend, I'd go on Monday!

[gourmaniac]

Tough list. Oleanna could work given their strength in vegetarian and fish and relative absence of dairy and wheat based starches. If it's $200 per person, Espalier is great and they may be able to design something. Omakase at one of the better sushi places (Oishii?)

BTW what's a PM?

[jgg13]

Project Manager?

[the_G_list]

Project manager is correct!

[Bob Dobalina]

Uni? Oleana, maybe?
Or how about an omakase at Sushi Island?
The vegan thing is tough, at that price point. You could have a couple of dinners at True Bistro.

[emannths]

How strict is the gluten restriction?

[the_G_list]

Not severely strict; I don't have celiac's but have a gluten sensitivity. If there's cross contamination in things, I can live with it, but I definitely avoid as much of it as I can.

[jgg13]

I'd go to Newtown Grille and eat the hell out of pizza & pitchers.