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Legal Seafood
With a reputation and now-national empire built on the motto 'If it's not fresh, it's not Legal,' Legal Seafood has few rivals. The menu is simple: every kind of seafood, broiled, steamed, sautéd, grilled or fried. Some think Legal's clam chowder is New England's best. This outlet on the waterfront is one of many around town.
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Les Zygomates
This late-night Parisian bistro serves up live jazz music alongside classic but contemporary French cuisine. Daily prix-fixe menus and Tuesday-night wine tastings (around US$30 ; ) attract a clientele that is sophisticated but not stuffy. Dinner is definitely pricey; but the tempting selection of starters and cocktails make it a perfect pre- or post-theater spot.
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Locke-Ober
According to an 1883 guide to Boston: 'The leading French restaurant of the city is Ober's, on Winter Place….It is most patronized by the possessors of long purses.' The description still rings true. Many 19th-century artworks and architectural details have survived in the sumptuous dining rooms. Chef-owner Lydia Shire has brought Locke-Ober into the 21st century while maintaining a traditional menu and elegant atmosphere. Reservations required.
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LTK Bar & Kitchen
LTK stands for Legal Test Kitchen: this is where Legal Seafood is exploring 'dining in the 21st century'. The idea is to incorporate technology into the dining room, offering computerized menus, wireless internet access and iPod docks. Foodwise, LTK has incorporated multicultural cuisine into the menu, like sushi, pho and tempura. This all takes place in a sleek, pared-down setting, a contrast to Legal's traditional dining room.
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Mare
Mare, meaning 'ocean,' is where all of your favorite creatures of the sea are prepared in creative, contemporary ways, like pan-seared scallops served over lemon angel hair pasta, or rock shrimp tossed with zucchini over spinach gnocchi. The kicker is that almost all of the ingredients are organic, from the first-press olive oils to the unpasteurized cheeses to the impressive wine list.
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Maria's Pastry
Maria Merola believes she is one of the few people who know how to make a sfogliatelle (layered, shell-shaped pastry filled with ricotta). Presumably she has passed this secret on to her successors, as three generations of Merola women are now working to bring you Boston's most authentic Italian pastries. Maria's has survived the Big Dig and now has a prime location on the Cross St plaza.
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Midwest Grill
Carnivores will be in seventh heaven at this authentic Brazilian churrascaria . Skewer after skewer of beef, pork, lamb and sausage are served rodizio-style, which means they just keep coming until you can eat no more. A buffet of roasted vegetables is also included, but this is not a vegetarian-friendly place. Connoisseurs recommend the roasted chicken hearts. Live Brazilian music adds to the atmosphere.
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Mike's City Diner
Start the day with a big breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and other old-fashioned goodness, topped with a bottomless cup of coffee. Or if you need to refuel at lunchtime, go for classics like meatloaf and mashed potatoes or fried chicken and biscuits. Service is friendly and fast, part of the appeal of this South End institution.
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Milk St Café
This is a favorite lunchtime spot of the suit crowd. Pastas, salads, soups and sandwiches include lots of vegetarian options. The park location is pleasant in summer, when café tables are set out and diners spill onto the greenery. There is a second location (minus the garden seating) on Milk St near the Old South Meeting House.
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Modern Pastry
While crowds of tourists and suburbanites are queuing out the door at Mike's Pastry across the street, pop into the Modern Pastry, where the local folk come for dessert. The place has recently expanded to accommodate a seating area, which detracts from the feeling that you have stumbled upon a hidden treasure; but the Italian cookies and cannoli are still divine.
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Montien
Popular with neighborhood residents and theater patrons, this quiet Thai restaurant is perfect for grabbing a bite before the show. Regulars ask for the authentic Thai menu, as opposed to the Americanized version that most visitors see. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with the red curry or tried and true pad thai. Montien has another newer outlet in Inman Sq.
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Mr Bartley's Burger Cottage
Packed with small tables and hungry college students, this burger joint has been a Harvard Sq institution for more than 40 years. Bartley's offers at least 40 different burgers; if none of those suits your fancy, create your own 7oz juicy masterpiece with the toppings of your choice. Sweet potato fries, onion rings, thick frappes and raspberry-lime rickeys complete the classic American meal.
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Neptune Oyster
Neptune's menu hints at Italian, but you'll also find elements of Mexican, French Cajun and old-fashioned New England. The daily seafood specials and impressive raw bar (featuring three kinds of oysters, plus littlenecks, crabs and mussels) confirm that this newcomer is not your traditional North End eatery. The retro interior offers a convivial - if crowded - setting. The marble bar is an excellent option for solo diners.
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No 9 Park
Set in a 19th-century mansion opposite the State House, this swanky place tops many fine-dining lists. Chef-owner Barbara Lynch has been lauded by food and wine magazines for her delectable French and Italian culinary masterpieces (featured in a daily changing tasting menu, around US$140 with wine) and her first-rate wine list. Reservations usually required.
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No Name
Another no-frills fish restaurant, this one on the fish pier. The location lends credence to the motto 'Where the fish are so fresh, they jump out of the water and onto your plate.' This place has lost some of its charm since being discovered by outsiders, but that doesn't stop dock workers from showing up for fried clams and fish chowder.
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Oleana
Foodies sing the praises of this Mediterranean masterpiece in Inman Sq. Ana Sortun's exotic yet still accessible cuisine evokes Greece, Morocco and Turkey. Grilled lamb with fava-bean moussaka is a perennial favorite, while the meat-free will appreciate the vegetarian tasting menu (around US$40 ). Like the menu, the setting changes seasonally, with a roaring fire in winter and a delightfully fragrant patio in summer.
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Osteria Rustico
Open only for breakfast and lunch, this family-run Italian joint is one of Boston's best-kept secrets. But those in the know keep coming back for more - staff seem to know everyone by name, or at least by favorite sandwich. Seating is in short supply, but everything is available for take-out. Pastas, salads and subs are all highly recommended: you can't go wrong with a simple antipasto or a panini 'Rustico' (prosciutto, mozzarella and tomato).
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Other Side Cosmic Café
The 'other side' refers to the other side of Massachusetts Ave, which few strollers crossed before this place opened. 'Cosmic' alludes to its funky, Seattle-inspired style and 20-something crowd. The first floor is done in cast iron, while the second floor is softened by velvet drapes, mismatched couches and low ceilings. Vegetarian chili, sandwiches, fruit and veggie drinks and strong coffee are the order of the day.
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Panificio
It's not easy to snag a spot in this cozy, sun-filled bistro. By day, regulars stop in for fresh soup and sandwiches, buttery pastries and piping hot coffee. In the evenings, the menu expands to include homemade pastas and hot entrées. Don't miss the weekend Italian brunch, featuring toasted bread with decadent toppings.
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Paramount
Not what you'd expect on tony Charles St, this old-fashioned cafeteria is a favorite neighborhood hangout. Basic diner fare includes pancakes, steak and eggs, burgers and sandwiches, and big, hearty salads. For dinner, add table service and candlelight, and the place goes upscale without losing its down-home charm. The menu is enhanced by homemade pastas, a selection of meat and fish dishes and an impressive roster of daily specials.
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Paris Creperie
The 'Paris' part is a misnomer, as the crêpes at this little café are more inventive than authentic. Savory entrées include Asian stir-fry, chicken burritos and many vegetarian options, all disguised as a French pastry. Dessert options range from traditionally French (with butter and sugar) to modern American ('smores' with marshmallow and Nutella). The place feels comfortable, with mismatched furniture and well-read magazines scattered about.
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Parish Café & Bar
Sample the creations of Boston's most famous chefs without exhausting your expense account. The menu at Parish features an impressive roster of sandwiches, each designed by a local celebrity chef, including Lydia Shire, Ken Oringer, Barbara Lynch and Jasper White. Despite the creative fare, this place feels more 'bar' than 'café.' The long bar - backed by big TVs and rich red walls - attracts a lively after-work crowd.
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Peach Farm
Popular wisdom says that if you don't know where to eat in Chinatown, you should ask some locals where they like to eat. Chances are they will direct you to the Peach Farm, a Chinatown haunt where the focus is on the food. It's not much to look at, but fried noodles and rice, moo shi and Szechuan dishes are plentiful and cheap.
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Penang
Serves Malaysian fare in a festive, tiki-bar atmosphere. Some items are listed with the admonition 'Ask your server for advice before you order!!!' Fortunately, most of Penang's menu items are delightfully different, but not too intimidating. Regulars rave about the roti canai, crispy pancakes with a curry dipping sauce.
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Petit Robert Bistro
Chef Jacky Robert has reapplied his considerable talents to this welcoming, working-class bistro. The French fare is straightforward and hearty, with daily specials posted on the blackboard. The surroundings are casual chic, including a tiny patio. Happily, prices are not prohibitive; the trade-off is that service is not always particularly professional.
