Boston

[LoriB]

Cape Chef,

Oh boy is your wife lucky! Have a great time in beantown! Just off the top of my head my #1 pick would be Rialto in Cambridge, it is known as one of the more "romantic" places, though $$$. Another is Biba. If you go to boston.com I believe you can get menus, directions, ratings etc. The Boston Globe reviews restaurants weekly, I think you can look up the rating at the same web site. If any others come to mind after I think more about it, I'll let you know right away. I would choose to have Sunday brunch at the Harvest, also in Harvard Square Cambridge. just a very short subway ride from Boston so don't let hat turn you off! The square is also a great place to walk around, go down to the river, walk along and hold hands. Ok, I'm getting carried away. You might want to take in a show - also check boston.com. What is her taste?

I went to that show last year - quite a spectacle! She will like it!

Lori

[cape chef]

LoriB,

Thank you so much for your post.
Those are some great idea's.
I am really looking forward to going!!
Thanks again
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[shroomgirl]

Stan Frankenthaler was supposed to open a new one in Boston, I talked to him last Fall and he closed Salamander in Cambridge and was building a place in Boston....don't know what he was going to call it...guess it's time to talk to him again. When are you going?
OH Yeah there is also Aura...they are a high end hotel/restaurant that composts....in the middle of Boston. I thought it was so cool I'd like to see it happen here.

[Isa]

The aquarium in Boston is outstanding, not only the fish are amazing but the display is extraordinary. If you have a few hours to spare don't miss it. And if you're hungry afterward there is a great sushi restaurant near by...

[cape chef]

Thanks Sisi
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CC:

But don't make your own sushi from the denizens of the acquarium.

[cape chef]

Hi Guy's

For my wifes 40th birthday in March I am suprising her with a long weekend in beantown.She is a floral designer,so I am getting tickets to the internatial flower expo at the civic center for the 17/18 of march. I'm sure we'll hit Quincy market etc,But it's been over 10 years since we have been to Boston. I was hoping anyone who lives in Boston or around boston can reccomend a restaurant or two and maybe some special attractions etc. Any help would be much appreciated.

TIA
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[cape chef]

Has anyone eaten at Evoo ? I have been hearing some good comments.
How about Todd English? Or is he over the hill?
Lidia Shire, I think I would include Biba
Thanks for all your help folks
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[LoriB]

Lydia Shire at Biba has a good reputation, they had a big fire not too long ago, but have re-opened and I believe are doing fine. Jody Adams is the chef at Rialto - still one of my favs - I'm personally really tired of Todd English - I'm really sick of his face (did I say that?). Talk about chefs spreading themselves too thin .....but he has such a fat head, it probably balances out. I'm not being nice, I know. L'Espalier at the Four Seasons is REALLY nice, and $$$, Maison Robert is the place for French food. Legal Seafood is well know for - what else, really fresh fish. The Bay Tower Room is the place to go for a breathtaking view.

How many places can you hit in one weekend? I expect the full report when you return![/IMG]

[cape chef]

Thanks LoriB,


I feel the same way about English. He has a place in my area called Miramar. I have heard mixed reviews. anyway, I did check out boston.com today and got some good imfo. I did not see anything on Rialto though!! I will check again. I figure one nice dinner will do for Jill and I, The rest of the time I think we would be happy to just enjoy the city. It's funny when I went to J&W 78/80 I had freinds who went to B.U and B.C and we would head in to the city and party and just hang out in cambridge or Thanuiel Hall (sp)
That was a long time ago.
Lori...Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it.

I'll report in when we come back
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[LoriB]

Cape Chef,

I remember running into this problem with another friend visiting from out of town. At Boston.com you have to specifically look under Cambridge to find Rialto - ditto for Harvest. Faneuil Hall is fun. If you can get the Thursday Boston Globe anywhere near you, it has a calendar section with oodles of things going on for the upcoming weekend. Cheap Eats in that section features less well known, but notable restaurants.

If I were you...I wouldn't plan on driving around Boston - the Big Dig is a real pain. Public transport or walking is the way to go. Don't forget it's windy here, so bundle up. (am I excited that your coming to "my" city? YES!!!!)

[cape chef]

I think it will be walking for us.
We are staying at the swiss hotel,is there parking near by? I will go to boston.com on thursday and check out the globe. thanks for your help Lori!! I can't wait to visit "your town"
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CC - What a great way to celebrate a 40th!

A few thoughts: My own all-time favorite in the city is Julien in the Meridian Hotel. The dining room is the former meeting room of the Federal Reserve Bank and is truly magnificent, with a high vaulted ceiling. The service is impeccable - the waiters obviously view their work as a profession, not a job. And in a world where I can make better food and put together a better wine list in my home than most restaurants, I find dishes at Julien that I have no idea how they made and wines that I've never seen before. Very French, of course.

The restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel is Au Jour D'hui (I'm sure I haven't got that spelled correctly) - it gets most everyone's vote as the best in town. I haven't eaten there, I'm ashamed to say, or it might get mine too.

L'Espalier is a small restaurant in the Back Bay that was started by the famous Moncef Meddeb but is now run by Frank McFarland (or (something like that) - elegant in its way but not in the style of a big-room kind of place. They have a prix fixe menu that runs about $75, more with the selected wines. We've been several times and if you get seduced by the wine list you can soar up toward $500 per couple quite easily. My wife and I both agree that it's wonderful, but finally decided that it's not worth that kind of money.

Frankenthaler is back in business as of a few weeks ago under the same name (Salamander) at 25 Huntington, near the Prudential Center in the Back Bay.

Rialto is wonderful - it doesn't seem to get the reviews it once did, but we still like it.

A couple of places for big views - the Bay Tower Room was already mentioned and another would be David Bruce's place at the Boston Harbour Hotel, which overlooks the Harbor (natch). Walk softly and carry a big wallet.

As a chef, you might appreciate (Gordon) Hamersley's Bistro, which has an open kitchen (or maybe you see enough kitchens every day!). We were just there and the magic has never left the place.

And one recommendation out of left field, if you're not absolutely committed to Boston: Silks at the Stonehedge Inn - built recently to resemble a French country mansion - in Tyngsboro, just northwest of Lowell. Elegant beyond description, with tables so far apart you almost don't know there's anyone else in the restaurant. The best wine list I've ever seen with well over a thousand listings and many more that aren't on the list. Brandy and cigars in front of the open fireplace in the lounge afterwards - ah, life is good.

[KC]

CC, I stayed at the Swisshotel a few years ago, and I believe they had an underground parking garage. The Rialto is located at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, and their website is www.thecharleshotel.com, where you should be able to get info re: reservations.

[cape chef]

Dick,lori,KC...You guy's are great.

I really have some super options to consider.
Thank you all for your help!!! I'm sure Jill and I will have a few memorible meals.
I don't think a weekend will do though...Might have to make several journys to beantown
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