Part of the fun of traveling is trying new foods and new restaurants! Who doesn't agree with that? Before visiting a new place, I always spend some time online checking out recommended restaurants. I create a list but use it merely as a jumping-off point. Once I arrive in a place, I like to ask the locals for their recommendations. Sometimes I find that their favorites are on my list. There are also times when I just see a place and take a chance; these risks often pay off. In a big city like Boston, I had an additional food goal; I wanted to sample foods from various ethnic groups. Below are the results of research, interviews, and luck. Enjoy!
Tasca Tapas Restaurant
This was a Spanish restaurant on Commonwealth Avenue very near our hotel. We went here based on its proximity to the hotel and by recommendation of the desk staff at the hotel. I have never eaten in a Spanish restaurant before and had no expectations. The food selection was very seafood heavy, which I guess should not have surprised me. The waitress was kind and helpful, assisting me with the menu selections. We ordered patatas bravas, potatoes with a highly seasoned cream sauce, and fideos con mariscos, a seafood stew over pasta. (pictured below) The courses were brought out individually and seemed slow until I realized that I was looking at it from an American viewpoint. I remembered that Europeans eat at a much slower relaxed pace. Overall, I enjoyed the experience. I am not personally crazy about squid, especially when I can see and feel the tentacles. The food was all well-prepared and affordable, and the restaurant staff was attentive. I would recommend it if you are on the west side of town. Tasca Tapas Restaurant
Legal Sea Foods Restaurant
There are several satellites of this restaurant. We ate at a big one on Long Wharf. It was actually on my original list and was recommended by the crew of our whale watch cruise. It was also extremely convenient since we got off the ferry, walked about 100 yards and were at our table. Since it is a type of chain restaurant, (There are 37 in 6 states and Washington, DC.) one might think the food tasted canned. It was actually delicious! We ate at an outside table and had a very attentive waiter. I ordered a cup of clam chowder; he misunderstood and brought me a bowl but only charged me for a cup. The chowder was scrumptious, as was the hot lump crab dip. I also got Caesar salad which was just so-so. Emma ordered fried shrimp which she loved. This was a great place to relax, eat, and watch people in a busy area. This was actually one of my favorite places we ate in Boston. Legal Sea Foods
Warren Tavern
The day we visited the Bunker Hill Monument we had no idea of where we would eat. We were so tired after climbing to the monument's pinnacle that we did not want to walk far before eating lunch, so we asked a park ranger at the monument. He recommended Warren Tavern. This small intimate tavern was the perfect place to have lunch in such a history-rich locale. Named for Dr. Joseph Warren, a Revolutionary hero who died in the Battle of Bunker Hill, it sits a very short walk from the monument. The menu choices are reasonably priced and taste good. The ambience was delightful. I ordered the pretzel stick appetizer (yummy) and the beer steamed pastrami sandwich. I highly recommend this spot, frequented by both tourists and locals. Warren Tavern
La Famiglia Giorgio's
Boston's North End is famous for its Italian food. I know that is true, but I should have been more selective in my particular choice of North End restaurant. We had to wait 30 minutes to get in here on a Tuesday night for dinner which should have been a good sign. Upon being seated and having our order taken, we were kind of forgotten. Also, the food was not that impressive. I got linguini with meatballs, and would have gotten the same thing for a much cheaper price at Olive Garden and gotten salad with it. I felt like this place was over priced, the food unimpressive, and the service mediocre.
Cityside Restaurant
This is an O'Charley's type place with an outside balcony area. (If you are from Meridian, think Weidmann's.) Emma and I just happened upon it for lunch our first day in Boston as we were exploring the area around Boston College and getting our bearings. The atmosphere out on the balcony was fun. We enjoyed people watching and bird watching. The waitress was very sweet and attentive. The food was just okay. We got some good artichoke and spinach dip and also ordered rattlers which turned out to be a fancy name for quesadillas cut into little pieces. Cityside Bar and Grill
Hennessey's Restaurant
In my attempt to sample several ethnic food groups, I had a desire to eat at an Irish Pub. The one on by original list turned out to be the one where we ended up, not exactly intentionally. We had finished up with Paul Revere's House and the Old North Church and then went in search of a pub for lunch. The first one we thought we located turned out to be just a bar, and the bartender sent us to Hennessey's about a block away. We went in and were seated amidst several empty tables, only one other table in the restaurant being occupied. After looking over the menu, I selected the Irish sampler and was told that was no longer being served. (Side note -- it is still on their online menu; I just checked.) I then ordered shepherd's pie. The food was very good, but the service was awful. Our drinks were never refilled, and we had to get someone's attention to finally bring our check when we had clearly been finished for a while. I was extremely disappointed. I mean, there was no one else in the whole place except for two guys at another table! Maybe it was just an off-day for them, or maybe our waitress was having a bad day; I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt. Let me know if you have had a different experience there. I do have to add again that the food was good. Hennessy's
Quincy Market
For other meals we mostly ate at Quincy Market which I remembered as having amazing choices from my earlier Boston visit 30 plus years ago. My memory did not disappoint me. The choices were myriad and abounding. You can choose an ethnic food and find it at Quincy Market. It's awesome. (It's also the best place to buy souvenirs or t-shirts and to see street performers.) Quincy Market
If you have some other great Boston restaurant recommendations, please leave them for other readers by commenting below.
Hi it is Morgan! My mom and I love reading your blog and hearing about the swan boats. We love all of your pictures and trivia.We love your blog!
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