Boston Restaurant Tips by moirholj

Restaurant Name: O'Leary's

I really cannot say a bad thing about this place. I lived across the street from O'Leary's and ate there at least once a week for two years. All the waitstaff is from Ireland, and as sweet as you please. The food is excellent!On Friday, Sat. and Sunday nights there is live music in the front. O'Leary's is a small narrow restaurant that is a local favorite. You won't find it in any guidebooks, but it really is a hidden treasure. Very cozy! This was my favorite place to have a leisurely meal, read a book, or write in my journal. enjoy!

Favorite Dish: If you only go there once, have their special Irish stew. If you go back twice, have the Chicken Marsala or the fish and chips. Finish the meal off with and Irish coffee!

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Theme: Pub/Brewery
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: 1010 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA
Directions: Technically it's in Brookline, but it's right over the Boston/Brookline boarder. O'Leary's is nestled between a Dunkin' Donuts and an Ace hardware store. It is directly on the St. Mary's T-stop on the C line (cleveland circle line).
Website: http://www.waterboat.com/olearys/

Restaurant Name: Pizzeria Regina

Regina's is just awesome on many levels. The food, the atmosphere, the waitstaff, the location - it's the best.

The first fun thing about Regina's is the actual getting there. I've been there more times than I can count I still get lost. It's a corner restaurant buried in the twisting turning maze that are the brownstone lined streets of downtown Boston. Your best bet is to map is out on Yahoo Maps or MapQuest before you try to go and just hope that the most recent Big Dig construction hasn't popped up in your path! haha.

Once you get there (particularly on Thursday, Friday or Saturday night) be prepared to wait for a seat. Waiting, however, does not take place in a roomy sitting area. This is Boston where most cool places are crammed into old school brownstone buildings. You will be doing your waiting in a line full of locals that forms outside the door and goes down the block. Doing this particular activity during a true Boston Winter will leave you with a taste of what real Bostonians do. No tourist pampering here!

When you get into Regina's you will be led to your seat by one of the most colorful waitresses Boston has to offer. These ladies rock. They are funny, sarcasitic, helpful, but most of all - they are in a hurry because this place is packed with a line out the door! No, they will not rush you out of the place, or rush your order, but you will get a kick of watching everyone bustle around.

Finally the food. The specialty here is obviously the Pizza! Cooked to perfection in their own brick oven (with its own history) you can't find better pizza.

Most important tip I can give you:
DO NOT EAT REGINA'S PIZZA ANYWHERE BUT AT THE 11 1/2 THATCHER STREET LOCATION.
Recently they put a Regina's in the Qunicy Market/Fanuiel Hall area. FORGET IT. It's a total tourist trap and you will really not get the experience I am talking about.

Favorite Dish: Pomodoro
Formaggio
Fresh chopped tomatoes along with the four cheeses - Mozzarella, Ricotta,
Pecorino Romano, and Parmesan. Sprinkled with fresh basil and Regina’s
garlic and oil sauce.

If you love Garlic be sure to order an extra side of their special Garlic and Oil sauce.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: 11 1/2 Thacher St., Boston, MA
Directions: North End

DO NOT GO TO ONE IN QUINCY MARKET/FANIUEL HALL AREA.
IT IS NOT THE SAME THING.
Website: http://www.pizzeriaregina.com/Regina/locator.htm

Restaurant Name: Bull & Finch Pub (Cheers)

I am aware that the Bull&Finch Pub is a restaurant as well as a pub, but I have to tell you that I have not eaten there. I can only comment on the bar area - so here it is.

Firstly, if you are a huge fan of the TV show 'Cheers', then yes, you must go here and enjoy a brew or two. However, I just want you to know that although this very pub was the inspiration for 'Cheers', it truely looks nothing like the TV set. 'Cheers was INSPIRED by this establishment, not copied from it. If you are a real fan of the show, this will probably not matter, but I thought I should mention it.

Secondly, because of the pub's popularity with tourists (because of the whole 'Cheers' connection) the price of a pint of beer is higher than in most places. A round for you and a friend is going to cost you more than $10, and that's before you tip your bartender. Remember, I'm not saying you shouldn't visit here, I'm just saying going there, taking a picture and drinking ONE beer at 'Cheers' is probably all you really need to do here to get the full effect.

Beyond all that, the atmosphere was decent and the service equally as acceptable. Enjoy the TV show memorabilia lining the walls.

Favorite Dish: Forget the Bud Light, have a beer brewed in Boston while you are visiting The Hub.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 617-227-9605
Address: 84 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108
Directions: Near Boston Common and Charles Street.
Website: http://www.cheersboston.com/

Restaurant Name: Boston Beer Works


Favorite Dish: BEER WORKS ?INFAMOUS? GIANT NACHOS
Blue & yellow corn chips piled high with jack & cheddar cheese, jalapenos, olives, tomatoes & scallions. Served with sour cream & salsa. Available with: Ground Beef, Chicken, Chili, Guacamole

The nachos here are very good, but what you're really going to Boston Beer Works for (if you couldn't figure it out already...) is the BEER!

All the beers served here are brewed on the premises and are quite good if you ask me. The most original, and a favorite of first timers at this watering hole is the Blueberry Beer. Blueberry Beer is a tasty treat featuring a crisp and light blueberry flavored beer that is accented with actual blueberry floating around in it! I know it sounds odd, but it is very good. Added bonus: The blueberries float all around the glass give the drink a familiar lava lamp look.

Another favorite is Pumpkin Ale. It is a seasonal beer though, so they may not always have it on tap.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 617-5362337 (Fenway)/617-8962337
Address: 112 Canal St or 61 Brookline Ave
Directions: Canal St is right beside North Station, in the shadow of the Fleet Center, while the other location is right beside Fenway Park.
Website: http://www.beerworks.net/html/home.html

Restaurant Name: Cactus Club

The Cactus Club is your one stop place for great 'Tex-Mex' and an endless variety of Margaritas. They continue to make the 'Best of Boston' list year after year, so they must be doing something right.

The is a lively place, loudly decorated in a southwestern theme - complete with stuffed buffalo over the bar (no joke). There is a medium size bar when you first walk in with tall tables and stools for a seat-yourself type set up. The dining area is in the back along with the restrooms.

I've been here plenty of times and was always satisfied with the service and the food. I'm not a huge margarita drinker, but even I was enticed by the triple flavored, layered margarita that they serve. It didn't disappoint.

If you are going for lunch you should be fine showing up anytime in the afternoon without much of a wait. However, Friday and Saturday nights get really packed and you should get there early to secure a good seat in the bar area, or a table without the wait in the dining room.

Enjoy!


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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 617-236-0200
Address: 939 Boylston Street, Boston MA
Directions: Green Line - Hynes - 3 block(s) from stop
Exit station and take a left onto Mass Ave. Walk over the highway and take a left onto Boylston Street. You'll see the Cactus Club down a couple of blocks on your left.

Restaurant Name: Tapeo

This upscale restaurant, located on trendy Newbury street, boasts Spanish cuisine in a lively atmosphere. The specialty here: Tapas... in other words, small dishes which provide 'just a taste' of many different culinary delights. Going out for Tapas and wine is all the rage in Boston, and what may once have been a sampling of food for an inbetween meal, has now become a full dining experience.

Like I mentioned before, this is an upscale sort of place so you would want to dress for a nice dinner out. Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights during peak dinner hours, this place is packed so you will either want to call for reservations, or make plans to get there early in the evening.

There are two dining rooms inside, and and outdoor seating area on Newbury Street. Although the indoor decor is wonderful, I've eaten outside on a night with beautiful weather and found it quite nice.

Favorite Dish: There are so many choices of hot and cold Tapas that I can't remember what I had. For a look at their full menu, visit their website which I have listed below.

Very memorable however, was the Sangria. Do yourself a favor and order a glass (or a pitcher!) and enjoy.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (617) 267-4799
Address: 266 Newbury Street, Boston MA 02116
Website: http://www.tapeo.com/

Restaurant Name: Union Oyster House



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Theme: Seafood
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 617-227-2750
Address: 41 Union St., Boston, MA
Directions: Near Faneuil Hall
Website: http://www.unionoysterhouse.com/

Restaurant Name: My Brother's Place

You wouldn't go out of your way to get to this pizza place if you were just in town visiting Boston on vacation. However, if you spend much time in or around the Boston University campus,(specifically south campus) this is a great place to stop for the best pizza in the neighborhood. This family owned pizzeria serves great food, fast and hot. The service is great... always a friendly face...plain and simple. If you're in the area, stop by for lunch!

Favorite Dish: Large plain pie.

Meatball subs.

Italian subs.

Yum!

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Theme: Pizza
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: 27 Buswell Street, Boston MA 02215
Directions: Off of park street... a little way after you cross over the bridge in front of the BU Chapel.

Restaurant Name: Grendel's Den



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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 617-491-1160
Address: 89 Winthrop St., Cambridge, MA 02138-4929
Directions: Red Line Harvard Square stop.
Website: http://www.grendelsden.com/
Other Contact: info@grendelsden.com

Restaurant Name: Charley's



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Theme: American
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (617) 266-3000
Address: 284 Newbury Street, Boston MA 02115