Tag: bristol lounge

Easter Dining in Boston 2013 (and this year Easter is March 31st)

Those in the know already have reservations for Easter brunch and dinner. This is one of the big days for dining out, and popular restaurants will fill their tables for Sunday, March 31, 2013 quickly.

First up, the list of places that organize information about Easter reservations and special offerings.

Open Table seems to have the most complete information, and you can click right through to make reservations. They also give you some idea of prices and special menus. And, you'll find a few places that are offering their regular menus as well.

Boston Chefs has a list of offerings from their member chefs and restaurants. (update 3/4/13)

Gayot lists favorite Easter brunches at places like Henrietta's Table in Cambridge.

Next, a few places we picked from these lists

The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel is always a treat. For Easter, they're offering their regular Sunday Brunch in the Lounge with some special Easter additions to the menu. And, as an alternative, you can reserve a place at their special Gourmet Easter Brunch in the Ballroom.

Upstairs on the Square always pays attention to holidays and as they say, "Guests compare our dining rooms to stepping into a Faberge egg. Come see what they mean for a festive Easter brunch, or an elegant Easter Sunday dinner in the Soirée Room."

To meet up with family who don't want to come into the city, consider AKA Bistro in Lincoln. We're happy to see that they're offering their regular brunch menu in addition to some Easter specials. The nearby deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is the perfect place to walk off your brunch and take Easter photos.

Don't be surprised if some places require a credit card to secure the reservation. This is the type of holiday when some people would try to book multiple restaurants and decide where to go at the last moment. That can cause the restaurant to turn away other potential customers and makes the venues require a deposit to hold a place.

One thing we would look for, if we were dining out on a holiday, is a place that is offering its regular menu for the day. That's always a plus for us. We're not fans of special menus.

If you know of places where the regular menu will be served, let us know. If it's a place we can recommend, we'll add it to our list. And, we'll add updates and links to this post as we find them. Check back here or follow us on Twitter to learn about updates!

Update 03/29/13- Here's a list of great lamb dishes for Easter from Eater.

From BostInno's Lisa De Canio: Dyed Eggs & Ham: 9 Go-To Easter Brunches in Boston

Opting Out of Easter

If this holiday stuff is really not part of your life, this is a great day to go ethnic. Chinatown will be wide open and filled with great menu options. Your neighborhood Indian, Korean, Chinese, or Persian restaurant will be happy to feed you. And, most BBQ and Pizza places do not have Easter menus.

Sign-up for the comment feed or follow us on Twitter for a notice, if we add updates to this page.

Don't miss an Easter photo opportunity. This Canon PowerShot G15 camera
will give you what you need to take stills and video of your Easter celebration. Canon's G series is our all-time favorite for everyday cameras. We own the G10 and G11. They're a little bigger than the compacts most people use, but let you shoot with automatic settings or easy-to-use manual controls that please the many pros who use them as second cameras. And, if you are ready to turn pro, follow our lead. Ed Shoots with the Nikon D7000 Digital SLR too, and we just added a Nikon D600
to our camera fleet and are extremely happy with the performance it has delivered.

Details:

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photos: from iStockphoto.com

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads out of comments.

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Boston Tweet's Terrific Late Night Dining List

February 25, 2013
Thanksgiving 2012 Dining Out in Boston
Time's running out to make Thanksgiving dinner reservations, especially if you want to enjoy your holiday meal in one of the area's great restaurants.

NOTE: This is an outdated post: Here is the 2015 Thanksgiving Dining resource page.

This year, we're cooking and dining at home. But, our choice on past holidays has beenSel de la Terre on Boylston Street. Click here for our report on one of those meals. They do have a new chef but the standards set seem to be the same and we've enjoyed every meal there since the change.

Most places have special menus and sometimes set seatings for major holidays. Many will require a deposit or credit card number to place a reservation.

What Boston Area Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving?

Hotel restaurants are normally open on all holidays. In Boston, this includes some excellent choices including:

Asana at the Mandarin Hotel
L'Espalier at the Mandarin Hotel
Rialto at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge
Bristol Lounge at the Four Season's Boston
Brasserie JO at the Colonnade Hotel
Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel

Our top recommendation for a lower cost option with good food would be Petit Robert in Boston.

More recommendations after this word on supporting BostonZest when you shop at Amazon. Here's a link to some of the best deals they have today. Once this link takes you to Amazon, we'll be credited for any shopping you do during this session.

Here are links to some Master lists of Boston restaurants open for Thanksgiving.

The reservation site, Open Table is maintaining a list of restaurants with Thanksgiving menus. Listings include a price and information on offerings beyond traditional holiday fare. Remember, there are many more restaurants open that day. Put a time and number of guests into the system to see exactly what is available.

Open Table even includes some places outside the city if you are meeting up with family and friends who live in the suburbs. And, they can help you find a place to enjoy the holiday meal if you'll be away for the long weekend.

Bostonchefs.com has some information on its members' offerings. For example, here are a few offerings we'd consider if we were looking for a great menu.
- Harvest in Cambridge's Harvard Square.
- Pigalle on Charles Street South near the Theatre District.
- Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay comes with a view!
- Upstairs on the Square in Cambridge
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: istockphoto.com

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Edible Boston Fall 2012 Issue Around Town Now!

Got any overdue BPL books? Wait until next month to return them

Acceptable to call Boston Beantown
October 30, 2012
Thanksgiving 2012 Dining Out in Boston
Time's running out to make Thanksgiving dinner reservations, especially if you want to enjoy your holiday meal in one of the area's great restaurants.

NOTE: This is an outdated post: Here is the 2015 Thanksgiving Dining resource page.

This year, we're cooking and dining at home. But, our choice on past holidays has beenSel de la Terre on Boylston Street. Click here for our report on one of those meals. They do have a new chef but the standards set seem to be the same and we've enjoyed every meal there since the change.

Most places have special menus and sometimes set seatings for major holidays. Many will require a deposit or credit card number to place a reservation.

What Boston Area Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving?

Hotel restaurants are normally open on all holidays. In Boston, this includes some excellent choices including:

Asana at the Mandarin Hotel
L'Espalier at the Mandarin Hotel
Rialto at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge
Bristol Lounge at the Four Season's Boston
Brasserie JO at the Colonnade Hotel
Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel

Our top recommendation for a lower cost option with good food would be Petit Robert in Boston.

More recommendations after this word on supporting BostonZest when you shop at Amazon. Here's a link to some of the best deals they have today. Once this link takes you to Amazon, we'll be credited for any shopping you do during this session.

Here are links to some Master lists of Boston restaurants open for Thanksgiving.

The reservation site, Open Table is maintaining a list of restaurants with Thanksgiving menus. Listings include a price and information on offerings beyond traditional holiday fare. Remember, there are many more restaurants open that day. Put a time and number of guests into the system to see exactly what is available.

Open Table even includes some places outside the city if you are meeting up with family and friends who live in the suburbs. And, they can help you find a place to enjoy the holiday meal if you'll be away for the long weekend.

Bostonchefs.com has some information on its members' offerings. For example, here are a few offerings we'd consider if we were looking for a great menu.
- Harvest in Cambridge's Harvard Square.
- Pigalle on Charles Street South near the Theatre District.
- Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay comes with a view!
- Upstairs on the Square in Cambridge
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: istockphoto.com

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Edible Boston Fall 2012 Issue Around Town Now!

Got any overdue BPL books? Wait until next month to return them

Acceptable to call Boston Beantown
October 30, 2012
Thanksgiving 2012 Dining Out in Boston
Time's running out to make Thanksgiving dinner reservations, especially if you want to enjoy your holiday meal in one of the area's great restaurants.

NOTE: This is an outdated post: Here is the 2015 Thanksgiving Dining resource page.

This year, we're cooking and dining at home. But, our choice on past holidays has beenSel de la Terre on Boylston Street. Click here for our report on one of those meals. They do have a new chef but the standards set seem to be the same and we've enjoyed every meal there since the change.

Most places have special menus and sometimes set seatings for major holidays. Many will require a deposit or credit card number to place a reservation.

What Boston Area Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving?

Hotel restaurants are normally open on all holidays. In Boston, this includes some excellent choices including:

Asana at the Mandarin Hotel
L'Espalier at the Mandarin Hotel
Rialto at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge
Bristol Lounge at the Four Season's Boston
Brasserie JO at the Colonnade Hotel
Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel

Our top recommendation for a lower cost option with good food would be Petit Robert in Boston.

More recommendations after this word on supporting BostonZest when you shop at Amazon. Here's a link to some of the best deals they have today. Once this link takes you to Amazon, we'll be credited for any shopping you do during this session.

Here are links to some Master lists of Boston restaurants open for Thanksgiving.

The reservation site, Open Table is maintaining a list of restaurants with Thanksgiving menus. Listings include a price and information on offerings beyond traditional holiday fare. Remember, there are many more restaurants open that day. Put a time and number of guests into the system to see exactly what is available.

Open Table even includes some places outside the city if you are meeting up with family and friends who live in the suburbs. And, they can help you find a place to enjoy the holiday meal if you'll be away for the long weekend.

Bostonchefs.com has some information on its members' offerings. For example, here are a few offerings we'd consider if we were looking for a great menu.
- Harvest in Cambridge's Harvard Square.
- Pigalle on Charles Street South near the Theatre District.
- Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay comes with a view!
- Upstairs on the Square in Cambridge
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: istockphoto.com

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Edible Boston Fall 2012 Issue Around Town Now!

Got any overdue BPL books? Wait until next month to return them

Acceptable to call Boston Beantown
October 30, 2012
Lunch at the Bristol Lounge is a Special Treat

Penny's Tale: I suggested lunch at the Four Seasons Bristol Lounge to treat Ed to one of his favorite Boston hamburgers.

To my delight, I was rewarded for my good deed with a great lobster roll prepared the way I can enjoy it. This is not the lobster roll on the menu. I can't have mayonnaise so our excellent waiter, Ricardo, was quick to assure me that he would check with the kitchen and see what alternative they could offer. He returned to say they would prepare a special version for me.

It was lovely, moist lobster with that toothsome bite that only comes fresh from the pot. There was a tiny bit of lively mixed pickle added for zest, and crunchy fresh lettuce all wrapped in a very nice bun flavored with garlic butter.

But, I'm certain those without a sensitivity-to-raw-egg issue will enjoy the original version as offered on the menu– "Bristol Lobster Roll, Lemon 'Sabayon,' Sweet Potato Fries, Garlic Toasted Bun."

I ate far more of those sweet potato fries than was my intent. And, I admit to filching some of the truffle French fries from Ed's plate.

About that Burger

I'll turn this tale over to Ed to tell you why the "The Famous Bristol Burger, Aged Vermont Cheddar Cheese, House-Made Pickles, Truffle French Fries, with or without a Toasted Bun" has always had high marks from him.

Ed's Burger: It had been a while since I'd ordered the burger at Bristol Lounge– there is a lot of competition out there. Although having recently had a burger I've since proclaimed as the best, I was anxious to revisit an old favorite.

First of all, this "before photo," while quite fetching, only shows the Bristol Burger's potential, but it'll have to do. From the instant I took my first bite, this masterpiece never again came in contact with the plate– even Penny's brilliant camera skills couldn't stop the action. Simply put, if you're lewered by a perfectly done, medium-rare burger that reminds you of a great steak, you'll covet this award-winner!

The Four Seasons Experience

We Both Say: A meal at the Four Seasons is always about more than the food. The welcome is warm, the room is beautiful, and service is what this organization is all about. We love to visit places like the Bristol Lounge to remind ourselves of what the standards should be. Highly civilized dining still exists in this corner of Boston.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2011 Penny Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

January 4, 2012
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dining in Boston 2011
You've Reached an Old Post! Go to:

UPDATE: Where to Dine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2015 in Boston

It's time to make your reservations for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals, if you're planning to dine at one of Boston's fine restaurants over the holidays.

If you have inside info on a local restaurant's plans or a favorite Christmas Holiday tradition, add it in the comments below!

What's open on Christmas Eve?

This year Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday night. A quick check of Open Table for a 9 pm reservation found far more restaurants open than I might have expected.

As with any holiday reservation ask what is being offered. Some places will present their normal menu, some will have a restricted prix fixe, and some will add special items inspired by the holiday. And, don't be surprised if a non-refundable deposit and credit card number are required to make a reservation.

Holiday Traditions

Our friend, Jackie Blombach and her husband always have Tea at the Taj on Christmas Eve. She calls it, "My Favorite two hours of Christmas!"

Traditional Feast

If you hurry and grab one of the spots at the table, you could indulge in the traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes at Grotto and sister restaurant Marliave. (Both will also offer a limited menu in addition to the feast.) The Grotto website says:

"The Feast of Seven Fishes, a traditional meal served on Christmas Eve throughout Italy. The Feast dates back centuries and the common belief is that participating in the Feast will bring good luck and fortune in the year to come. Marliave and Grotto will once again be offering our version of The Feast of Seven Fishes. The Feast is served over three courses and utilizes the great abundance of seafood available to us in Boston… "

Need a Holiday Food Break?

If you need a break from the whole Christmas scene, you could wander through Chinatown and enjoy an alternative to the traditional holiday menus. And, if Chinatown isn't quite the fit for your gang, but you would like to nibble your way through an Asian feast, we suggest Meyers+Chang on Washington Street in the South End. Chef Joanne Chang is planning to add some special treats for that night but assures us we will be able to enjoy an evening of great Asian food.

What Boston Area Restaurants are Open on Christmas ?

Hotel restaurants, since they must serve the hotel's guests, are normally open on all holidays. In Boston, hotel restaurants open both the 24th and 25th include some excellent choices:
- Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons
- L'Espalier, Sel de la Terre (Back Bay) and Asana at the Mandarin Hotel
- Eastern Standard at the Hotel Commonwealth
- Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel
- Brasserie JO at the Colonnade Hotel
- Taj Boston Cafe at the Taj Hotel
- Market by Jean-Georges at the W Boston Hotel
More information after these features from AMAZON.

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More information and reservations:

Here's Open Table's Christmas Day page but remember, you can go to their main Boston page and request a reservation for the 24th, 25th, or 26th and see the full list of options for the time you prefer.

Boston Chefs has set up recaps for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

Subscribe to the comment feed of this post or follow us on Twitter, and we'll notify you of updates. So far, the ChowHounds and Trip Advisor crews haven't had much to say on the topic, but we'll post links if a good conversation from one of these forums gets started.

Details:

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photo: from iStockphoto.com

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.
December 2, 2011