Biba/Rialto/Olives are brilliant restaurants managed by the current generation of hot chefs. I would put Biba first because of the really imaginative food, Rialto second for food but with a perhaps more luxurious decor, and Olives third -- wonderful food but a miserable dining experience because of the no reservations policy. the other restaurants are more traditional -- excellent in their way -- but more traditional. Biba/Rialto/Olives are the restaurants that foodies in other cities want to eat in when they come to Boston. Be aware that dinner in any of these restaurants can run far more than $125 for two, especially if you haver drinks before dinner (they don't tell you what drinks cost). A couple of bottles of wine may set you back $90, even if you are being careful. All that said, go and enjoy. Have a bottle of wine instead of pre-dinner drinks and you can enjoy the rest of the menu without fear. Corrections and comments from others are invited. [email removed]
Boston, MA
An embarrassment of riches
In article , [email removed] (Michael Goodman) wrote: >My wife's employer has generously offerred a $125 gift certificate to >one of the following Boston area restaurants: Wow. Weird how they chose this particular list, but let's see... As someone else has commented, Biba, Rialto, and Olive's are the three from this list that are favored by Boston's "foodies." That means you can expect inventive cuisine and a generally good experience, as long as you are not extremely traditional in your thinking about food (if you really prefer very traditional foods with very traditional preparations, you'd probably do better somewhere where that is the restaurant's primary focus). The other thing about the in places like Biba, Rialto, and Olive's is that you will almost inevitably find crowds, and it is unlikely that you'll have a very quiet, intimate evening at any of these places. It's not that they're really that noisy, but each of them has a certain "scene" atmosphere which, if that really turns you off, you'd best avoid. In general, these are the sorts of places to go when you're looking for something different, and each will offer a dining experience you will remember for a while. I love places like these, but I am pretty much a foodie myself, so my opinion may not be relevant. As to the others, I don't know *all* of these from personal experience, but... >Ritz Carlton Dependable hotel dining room, like all Ritz Carlton dining rooms around the world. Probably slightly on the stuffy side in the "Jacket Required" sense, but that's no big deal. >Locke Ober Never been there, but I've heard it described as Old Boston personified in a restaurant. It's very traditional ... which could be good or bad, depending on your tastes. >Bay Tower Room Great view, adequate but unexciting food. Probably the most romantic room in Boston, though, with a great view of Boston Harbor (and the city around it) from just about every seat. The place has a tiered design (to make sure your view is unobstructed) and a subdued mood (to make sure you have the privacy to enjoy it). If you're looking for a romantic evening in lovely setting, with food that is competently prepared but unexciting, this is your place. On the other hand, you can also enjoy the view from the lounge. I think I'd have a few drinks here and then move on to somewhere else for dinner. Be advised, though, drinks here are not cheap. >L'Espalier Was really big once, nowadays its star is fading. Expensive, mostly French menu. Attentive, though somewhat stuffy (pretentious?) service. For my money, if I want French I go to Julien at the Hotel Meridien. Better food, better service, gorgeous old room, better prices. Others swear by Maison Robert at Old City Hall. But neither of those is on your list... :-) >Morton's Steak House Steak, steak, and more steak. If that's what you're into, go for it. so S. wrote: >Bostonian The restaurant is called "Seasons," and it seems to serve as training ground for many of the city's celebrity chefs. Lydia Shire (Biba) and Jasper White (formerly of Jasper's, now retired) both did stints here. I don't know who the current chef is; I think it's changed since the last time I was here (about a year ago). This place does seem to attract top-notch kitchen talent, but the focus of the place does change a bit with each change in the kitchen, so it can sometimes be hard to predict what you'll find when you get there. Still, I can't say I've ever had a bad meal at Seasons. The menu changes seasonally and is supposed to stress natively-available, fresh ingredients of the season. The portions are adequate but not huge (quality is stressed over quantity). Nice (somewhat generic hotel restaurant) room overlooking the Faneuil Hall complex (if you are seated on that side). Avoid the lounge downstairs, where a glass of wine will cost you as much as a bottle at retail. Otherwise, the prices are reasonable. As pointed out by another poster, $125 will not necessarily buy you a complete fancy dinner for two with drinks, dessert and tip at any of these places, so if you're not willing to chip in a few bucks yourself, be careful. I think (you can probably tell this) I'd recommend Seasons at the Bostonian if you're looking for a relatively low-key evening with very good food and a few (but not too many) surprises. The one drawback here is that I can't vouch for the food under the current chef. But history suggests it will be good, as it's always been. If you want to venture out and sample some of Boston's restaurant "scene", then I'd do Biba, Olive's, or Rialto, probably in that order (though I'm sure others would order them differently). But be aware that these will be somewhat livelier (and more crowded) evenings. The other places, I think I'd leave for the tourists, except for the ones I didn't comment on, which I know nothing about. But of course, that's just me. Others can (and probably will) give you different advice. Good luck... let us know what you picked, and how it worked out! -Tony