Brunch/Lunch Brookline or Boston, The Fireplace?

[TrishUntrapped]

Looking for some suggestions. My husband and I are coming to Boston in a couple weeks for Red Sox games and my daughter and her boyfriend want to take us to a couple nice spots for either brunch/lunch. They recently had brunch at The Fireplace in Brookline. My daughter really liked it, her boyfriend thought it was meh.

Since they want to take us out because it is a special celebration for us and we can't do dinner because of the games, what would your recommendations be for a nice brunch/lunch spot, non-seafood, where we could wear our Sox colors if necessary (may not need to, depends on timing). Thanks!

[TrishUntrapped]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! We have reservations for Eastern Standard for Saturday 8/4 later in the afternoon so we can eat in our colors and then go directly to the game. Teezeetoo, I looked at Mistral's brunch menu and loved it! So made a reservation at Mistral for Sunday brunch.

On another note. We will be bringing Garrett's popcorn (I am having it shipped to me from Chicago) to snack on at Fenway. The last time we were at Fenway I bought my daughter a bag of Kettle Corn which in the past was very good. But it was so wretched and burnt that I took the time from the top pavilion level to go downstairs and walk halfway around the park just to get a refund. My sister later told me the vendor who used to make the kettle corn told her he was not renewed because Fenway wanted to sell it themselves and make money. Sad.

[L2k]

Be aware that they may take away any food you try to bring into Fenway with you. Also water bottles that are open will be taken away from you, so bring sealed ones to save the $4 they charge for the 16 ounce Poland Springs that they sell.

[Fly]

They will not take away any food. You can walk in with whatever you want, no problem.

Liquids, they only allow 1 16oz sealed water bottle. No soda, no open bottles.

[Berheenia]

I always bring my own aluminum water bottle and recently I have been asked if I had vodka in it. Of course I said yes and the attendant and I had a good chuckle and in I went.

[C. Hamster]

They have never taken food away. Even right after 9/11. I always bring my own food becasue the food inside the park is terrible.

If you like sausages, try Dr. Pepper's stand near Game On.

They wont let you in with any sealed bottles that are larger than 16 ounces and they only allow water in. This is new. They used to not let you bring liquids of any kind in.

[TrishUntrapped]

Thanks for the Fenway food tips. I've had no problem bringing in food in the past either. We do like sausages so we'll check out Dr. Pepper's.

[C. Hamster]

Regarding the sausages, I am spacing out on the name and color of the stand( there are 5 or 6) (CH'rs will help!). but you need to specifically ask for Inner Beauty sauce ( assuming you like hot) and a dust ( of dry spices).

Wrap it up and bring it in!!

[BrettLove]

There was a time, many moons ago, when smuggling a couple of 16 oz. "tall boys" of one's favorite macro-brew (unless you made your own, a craft/micro beer wasn't really an option back then) into the bleachers would be met with a "nudge-nudge, wink-wink" if you happened to be discovered. I think they allowed the BPD detail officer who broke up the brawls later on in the game to worry about the legality of it all.

[tartandfit]

The Abbey, which is across the street, would be a good choice.

[CookieLee]

Across the street from The Fireplace in Brookline.

[teezeetoo]

ESK as noted above is fine, zaftig's is an over-inflated deli and not elegant, Washington Square Tavern also across from the Fireplace is fine, but if you want an elegant and special occasion brunch Mistral would be my choice. go on line and look at their menu.

[cookfood]

check out eastern standard-right in kenmore, you can almost see fenway. (1st choice)
also Zaftigs in coolidge corner is great-but not as nice, a little more casual but you can get the whole menu all day. (3rd choice)
sonsie on newbury is another suggestion-not tooo far from fenway (2nd choice)