Good places to eat in Boston and Cambridge?

[dutchy kilted]

Next month I will be taking my Church's high-school age youth group to Boston and Environs for three days. The thing that makes the trip bearable is that I intend to be kilted the entire weekend (whenever you get a chance to embarass a group of teenagers you really have to take the opportunity.) The youth are turned loose for dinner in the Fanueil Hall area Friday night so I will be on my own for dinner, then we do the same thing on Saturday night but in the Harvard Yard area.

Can any Boston-area XMTS members recommend any decent, inexpensive restaurants in the Faniuel Hall area and Cambridge where I can relax and read a book over dinner? I won't be drinking, just looking for a quiet place to relax for an hour or two until I have to round up the kids. Thanks in advance!

[seanachie]

When in the vicinity of Faneuil Hall drop by The Black Rose on State Street.

http://www.irishconnection.com/blackrose.html

You could also try Durgin Park

http://www.arkrestaurants.com/durgin_park.html

I am getting homesick thinking about this...

[Bigkahuna]

I highly recommend Durgin Park. It's right at Faneuil Hall, and has an interesting wait-staff.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

Might seem strange for an Ozarker to be responding to this, but I have a daughter in Salem.

I wholeheartedly second the Black Rose suggestion. You will be pleased.

If you want seafood, Legal's is only a couple blocks toward the harbor, or better yet, find No Name Seafood on the city wharf.

You can find anything you could possibly want to eat in Quincy Market, but it's kind of a food court atmosphere.

Dan

[Kilted in Maine]

All good suggestions...

Legal Seafoods (http://www.legalseafoods.com/ ) can be pricey and touristy but No Name (http://www.nonamerestaurant.com/) is a great choice!!!

May I also suggest, Union Oyster House (http://www.unionoysterhouse.com/). Also a little touristy but they must be doing something right to have been around so long.

Regardless of where you eat dinner, must save room for dessert and coffee at Mike's Pastry (http://www.mikespastry.com/) in the North End (Italian section and a short walk from Faneuil Hall).

As far as Harvard Square, I would recommend either Tommy Doyles (http://www.tommydoyles.com/ ), Grendel’s Den (http://www.grendelsden.com/ ) or John Harvard’s Brew Pub (http://www.johnharvards.com/index.shtml)

Have Fun!!

[MacBean]

Durgin Park has been around longer than we have been alive, and is a unique restaurant. Originally located above the markets, it has long tables with table cloths, bare light bulbs and social dining (you may be sitting with others). If you go there, the Indian Pudding is a desert specialty . Any of these restaurants could be very busy on a weekend, so plan ahead.

[dutchy kilted]

Many thanks! I will check out all of the above. Durgin Park looks rather interesting, and I don't mind being social. For some reason people like to approach me when I am wearing a kilt.

[Tim Little]

*** for Grendel's!

I'd recommend eating *away* from Fanueil Hall (too touristy; leave it to the kids); there are too many better places to eat in the Boston area.

I'm more familiar with the Cambridge/Somerville side of the river, in general. There are a number of good options in the Central/Harvard/Porter Square areas, and you always can get back downtown via T in a jiff.

If you're looking for pub grub and a place where you can hang with a book, The Field in Central Square is good, though I'd prefer the Druid or the Thirsty Scholar, both in Inman Square; the Burren in Davis Square might also suit.

Sugar and Spice in Porter Square has good, inexpensive Thai food. Tanjore has excellent Indian in Harvard Square. There's any number of "ethnic" options.... (Addis Red Sea -- Ethiopian -- for example, also in Central Square.)

There also good eats in the South End or if you want to head out towards the college kids in Allston....

These are all just off the top of my head.... I'll chime back in if anything else comes to mind.

I'd also recommend checking out reviews in the Boston Phoenix or the Globe.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

Oh, yeah, Mikes Pastry... Ah, cannoli!!!!