By Alan H. Brock
Boston resident, seminar presenter, firm owner, and Speed and Realtime competitor Alan H. Brock, RDR, CRR shares his favorite Boston restaurants.
The Boston/Cambridge restaurant scene is one of the best in the country. Reservations can be hard to come by at prime hours, so a little bit of planning is in order, particularly for groups larger than four or more. Most restaurants have bars that can accommodate one or two diners before 7 and after 9. And there are a fair number of last-minute cancellations, so a call around 3 p.m. can often secure a reservation, especially if you have some flexibility about time.
All listed restaurants have exceptional wine lists; the lists specifically noted are truly amazing.
Restaurants located in Cambridge are noted. Most of the Boston restaurants are within a 15-minute walk or five-minute cab ride; the Cambridge restaurants require only a ten-minute cab ride.
To find out more, take a look at the restaurants’ websites.
The Temples of Cuisine
Radius. Contemporary French restaurant, very restrained, beautiful service. www.radiusrestaurant.com
No. 9 Park. Highly refined versions of Italian and French food of rustic origin. In a city of superb wine lists, its is notable. www.no9park.com
Clio. Practitioners of “molecular gastronomy,” in pursuit of world-class achievement. Main focus is the seven-course tasting menu, not a la carte. www.cliorestaurant.com
L’Espalier. Modern French, in a beautiful Back Bay townhouse. www.lespalier.com
Great Restaurants, A Bit More Casual
(but still a big deal)
Hamersley’s Bistro. French-American. One of the Boston standard-bearers. The best roast chicken in the country. www.hamersleysbistro.com
Troquet. French, with outstanding food meant to accompany the remarkable wine list, which has many older, rare bottles at extraordinarily reasonable prices. www.troquetboston.com
Salts (Cambridge). Modern American, French-influenced. One of ten winners of Food & Wine magazine’s Ten Best New Chefs. www.saltsrestaurant.com
Om (Cambridge). Asian fusion. Beautiful food, beautiful room. www.omrestaurant.com
Seafood
B&G Oysters. Smallish South End neighborhood restaurant. By the chef/owner of No. 9 Park. Superb, but reservations only taken the same day, and only for groups of four or more. www.bandgoysters.com
Great Bay. By the chef/owner of Radius. Superb local fish, done up in high style. www.gbayrestaurant.com
Neptune Oyster. Very small North End restaurant. Call the day of about seating availability. http://neptuneoyster.com
Italian
Via Matta. Traditional Northern Italian food, immaculately prepared. Very stylish (and loud) room. By the chef/owner of Radius. www.viamattarestaurant.com
Sage. Modern Italian restaurant, low-key but smart ambience. www.sagerestaurant.com
Rialto (Cambridge). Another local standard-bearer. Beautiful food, dressy crowd and room. www.rialto-restaurant.com
Prezza. Excellent North End stalwart, with high-style execution of food of rustic origins. www.prezza.com
Sushi/Sashimi
Oishii. Superb food, beautiful room. Can accommodate larger parties with reservations. www.oishiiboston.com
O Ya. Small, jewel-like room, for serene contemplation of the astounding food. No website. 617-654-9900
Uni. Cutting-edge sashimi. By Clio’s chef/owner. www.cliorestaurant.com (See upper right side of the opening Web page.)
Steakhouses
KO Prime. Modern steakhouse, very high-end beef, great cocktails. By Clio’s chef/owner. www.koprimeboston.com
Grill 23. A Boston institution. Traditional steakhouse, grand room. www.grill23.com
Very Casual, Great Food
Rendezvous in Central Square (Cambridge). Mediterranean fare. Relaxed, low-key excellence. www.rendezvouscentralsquare.com
Toro. Outstanding tapas, convivial atmosphere, deep Spanish wine list. No reservations; get there by 5:40 or be prepared to wait (and wait). No website. Menu at http://boston.menupages.com
East Coast Grill (Cambridge). Nationally famous for barbecue and grilled fish. Reservations Sun-Thurs only. http://eastcoastgrill.net