Boston Restaurant Tips by rids

Bell in Hand Tavern
They say this is the oldest continuously operating pub in America. It dates from 1784.

Favorite Dish: We only had drinks here, too! One cannot eat everywhere, but one can certainly pop in for a drink in innumerable places. :)

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Theme: Other

Directions: 55 Union Street, next to the Green Dragon and Union Oyster House.
Other Contact: Dancing in the evenings to a DJ

Jacob Wirth
German immigrant Jacob Wirth started serving hearty food to Bostonians since 1868; he moved his restaurant to this location several years later. His family maintained the tradition, and the cuisine and atmosphere have changed little over the years. The late 19th century interior remains virtually intact. Built in 1845, the buildings are the only survivors of the bow-front Greek Revival rowhouses that once dominated the area. In 1889, Wirth expanded next door, adding the storefront that unites the properties today.

Favorite Dish: Grilled Weisswurst, Rotkohl, Fish & Chips (yes I had fish & chips--after all, this is Boston).

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Theme: Other

Address: 31 Stuart Street. Arlington T.
Other Contact: tel (617) 338-8586. Moderate pri

The Green Dragon Tavern
Here is some info from the placemat: It first opened in 1657. During the time of the American Revolution, the tavern was a *hotbed* meeting place for Boston Revolutionaries. It was deemed *the headquarters of the Revolution* by Samuel Adams, Daniel Webster and Paul Revere. The Sons of Liberty held meetings there and discussed plans for resistance to the acts of the British Crown and Parliament.

Favorite Dish: We just had drinks here.

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Theme: Other

Address: 11 Marshall Street.
Other Contact: (617) 367-0055

Papa Razzi Trattoria
Good ambience, excellent service. They don't have a fit if you want to order one course at a time, as is customary in Italy.

Favorite Dish: Spaghetti Carbonara, thin-crust brick-oven pizza

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Theme: Other

Address: 271 Dartmouth Street, at the corner of Newbury.
Other Contact: Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Restaurant Name: Pho Lemongrass Vietnamese Cuisine

The food and huge menu are super!!

Favorite Dish: Cari Ga (Lemongrass Curry Chicken Soup) Pho (15 different kinds), Tom Rang Man (Saigon Shrimp—spicy garlic sauce), Cua Lot (fresh soft-shell crab), Dau Hu Xao Sa Ot (Lemongrass Tofu—with Asian basil, celery, onion and pepper in lemongrass sauce, topped with roasted peanuts). I could go on and on—the menu is HUGE. I get so hungry just reading it, and want to try everything.

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: 239 Harvard Street (Coolidge Corner), Brookline
Directions: Brookline suburb - the T (subway) goes there.

Mantra
The design is incredible. Anyone interested in architectural design should look at this restaurant (and this includes the bathrooms on the lower level).

Favorite Dish: Didn't have time to eat here--just had martinis in the bar lounge. The menu looked fabulous (and expensive). Chef Thomas John trained in India. The food is French/Indian inspired. More information about him and the food is on their website.

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Theme: Other

Directions: 52 Temple Place. It is not too far from Filene's, so it is a good place for husbands or boyfriends to have a martini at the bar while waiting for shoppers to escape Filene's.
Other Contact: (617) 542-8111. If you'd like to

Union Oyster House
The oldest continuously operating restaurant in America has two big claims to fame: French King Louis-Phillipe lived over the tavern during his youth, and the toothpick was first used here (wonder how they know that?). The food looked good too, and there were a lot of people eating oysters, at what they say is 'one of Boston's best raw bars.'

Favorite Dish: We didn't eat here, but I would have had clam chowder and raw oysters. We get great Gulf oysters in Texas all the time, and during happy hour they are only 25 cents each, so I wasn't anxious to pay $2.95 EACH.

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Theme: Other

Address: 41 Union Street. Government Center or State T.
Other Contact: tel 227-2750. Expensive.

Pizzeria Regina
Nothing unique about this location, but their restaurant in the Italian North End is the oldest brick-oven pizzeria in Boston (75 years).

Favorite Dish: Thin-crust brick-oven pizza.

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Theme: Other

Directions: Faneuil Hall Food Court, and 11-1/2 Thatcher Street.
Other Contact: Telephone for North End location

Brasserie Jo
Authentic French cuisine by internationally-renowned chef Jean Joho, who runs the five-star 'Everest' in Chicago. 40's Paris Bistro decor, some areas with soft lighting and windows looking out on the street. Reasonable prices. A huge variety of martinis.

Favorite Dish: Plateau de Fruit de Mer (shrimp, stone crabs, three kinds of oysters, clams and escargot), Duck a L'orange, Braised Skate Wing

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Theme: Other

Directions: The Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Avenue (across from Prudential Center).
Other Contact: Open for breakfast, lunch and di

Abe & Louie's
Very hip bar scene – crowded, people are friendly.
Wear anything, but preferably dressy casual, as long as it is black.

Favorite Dish: The best bone-in prime rib I have had since leaving California 9 years ago! Also had delicious sautéed mushrooms, and sautéed fresh spinach with garlic.

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Theme: Other

Directions: 793 Boylston Street (across from Prudential Center).
Other Contact: Fri-Sat 11:30am-12:00am, Sun-Thu