Lunch on the Freedom Trail

[Harters]

Our plan for the day was simply to walk the Trail, stopping for eats as and when needed. We knew Modern Pastry on Hanover Street was a place for cannoli but that was all we knew of it. When we got there, around lunchtime, we realised that they were not into savoury items. And we needed savoury. Piccola Venezia, next door, looked OK for the required sandwich. And so it was. And “Italian Coldcuts” was fine – mortadella was good, provolone a bit underwhelming. Much better, was the Italian sausage with peppers and onions. Sausage with a good fennel predominance, peppers and onions cooked through but still with a hint of bite to them. Oh, and some great photographs of Venice on the walls – I sat looking at one of the Bridge of Sighs and recalled that I took the exact same shot just a few weeks ago.

And then it was next door for cannoli. Wonderful stuff – crisp pastry, a rich cream, sweetened, perhaps flavoured with something. Deservedly popular.

[StevesTravelGuide]

If your doing the Trail, historic restaurants are where it's at - I mean, why not? None are fine dining, but all at least decent.

You can find lobster specials at lunch on the Blackstone Block between Faneuil Hall and the Paul Revere House (Green Dragon and Union Oyster are on the Blackstone Block).

1654 – Green Dragon Tavern (not this one, but the original around the corner)
1742 (perhaps 1713) – Union Oyster House
1760 – Chart House (John Hancock's counting house - on Long Wharf)
1780 – Warren Tavern (Charlestown - good stop between the Navy Yard and Bunker Hill)
1827 – Durgin Park
1875 – Café Marliave (by the Province House Steps)

Here is a link to a Google Map with all the restaurants above and the trail.
http://goo.gl/maps/LhFI

PS - if your doing old world Italian, I like La Summa on Fleet Street. Food is very good, not a flashy place, and a superior value. They also support Restaurant.com coupons, at least for now.

Sounds like a great trip, enjoy!

[Jenny Ondioline]

But, really,why eat at Union Oyster House when you have the option of eating somewhere good?

You can't eat architecture.

[StevesTravelGuide]

Depends on what you are after - the Freedom Trail experience or the grub. Agree that UOH is mediocre at best.

[Harters]

Thanks - we also ate at Durgin Park and Marliave.

Was very impressed about how many old buildings there were in New England towns and cities. We really just don't have them in Britain (apart from churches).

[amidalailama]

Since Saus moved in on the strip of bars near Haymarket, that's my favorite place to stop for lunch---then I take guests to explore the North End part of the Freedom Trail and we pick up cannolis and treats on the way back.

The other student-priced sandwich I go for is the proscuitto/mozz/tomato panini at Il Panino Express; it's not gourmet, but for the price, it's perfect. (be warned, it's cash only, just like Modern)

[bear]

Hey, Harters, thanks for all the fun and detailed reports. I love your posts on Homecooking, and it's fun to experience our neck of the woods through your eyes. Sounds like a great trip!

[Harters]

Thanks, bear. We've been visiting America since 1980 but this was the first trip to New England. Enjoyed ourselves considerably. However, must now concentrate on the diet!