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  • Father’s Day Dining 2015 In & Around Boston

    Time to make reservations, if you plan to treat Dad to a meal out on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21, 2015.

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    For Father’s Day dining ideas, here are two excellent lists of restaurant suggestions.

    Open Table always does a great job guiding you to the right reservation. What’s more, you can just click through and reserve from this list. 

    Boston Chefs has a special list from their members. 

    Update 06/18/15: Eater Boston has prepared of list of places to consider. 

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    Would your Dad love to get his hands on some great seafood offerings at Select Oyster Bar? (They do have a steak on the menu if that would make it a good choice.)

    Our Picks:

    Select Oyster Bar is a new option this Father’s Day. Here are a couple of links to some of the meals we’ve enjoyed there. 

    Blue Prawns on the Plancha at Select Oyster Bar

    SELECT Oyster Bar: Our First Taste

    Row 34 in the Fort Point Neighborhood. Wouldn’t Dad love to slurp a few Island Creeks or Row 34 oysters? And, match those beauties with the perfect brew from one of the taps or the current cask beer?

    Here’s more on what we’ve enjoyed at Row 34 …

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401a73d849d99970d-800wi

    Sweet Cheeks Q in the Fenway may seem to be just for the meat lovers in the clan, but they put out some great veggies and a tray of hot and cold scoops (as they call them) with a remarkable farm salad that will put a smile on anyone with a preference for vegetarian fare. And, remember to order the crazy-good biscuits. (You may want to treat Dad to a doggie bag of them for the rest of the week!) Check out our Sweet Cheeks posts:

    Sweet Cheeks BBQ: A First Look

    Sweet Cheeks Q- Great Northern Brisket

    Salt & Pepper Potatoes at Sweet Cheeks Q

    Bourbon Beer? at Sweet Cheeks

    How about simple Italian-American food in a very comfortable setting. We suggest Artu in the North End or on Charles Street in Beacon Hill. Here’s one of our favorite menu items.

    If you’d like to treat Dad to something really special, consider the ultimate hamburger at the Bristol Lounge at the Four Season’s Hotel. Lunch there for just the two of you, some quiet afternoon, could be a great IOU if you can’t be together on the 21st. Here’s what we wrote about that burger.

    Another great spot to share a meal, any day of the week, is Coppa in the South End. You can even top off your meal with a quick shopping trip to Formaggio Kitchen South End across the street. We always do! And, that will let you create a super take-home gift that Dad can help select. Need more convincing? Take a look at:

    Friday Lunch at Coppa, an Italian Seduction

    Coppa Italian Grinder: A Best Bite

    Coppa- A First Look

    Evelyns

    Photo of Evelyn’s Drive-In, Tiverton, Rhode Island courtesy of that great resource for finding all the dining traditions Boston and beyond has to offer, Hidden Boston.

    Our final suggestion is a trip down memory lane. Take Dad someplace where he used to take you if you have an old favorite that survives to this day. For Penny, this might be Evelyn’s Drive-In. For Ed, The Bubbling Brook in Westwood. This day would be about remembering and laughing as much as about the food.

    And, for the best gift, let Dad choose something from his Wish List. Get an Amazon gift card! You can send it by email or print it out to tuck into a greeting card. And, if he doesn’t shop online, offer to sit with your Dad and take him on an Amazon shopping trip.

    Details:
    Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny Cherubino and Evelyn’s courtesy of Hidden Boston.

    Related articles
    Patio & Picnic Season Means More Dining Out Options

  • Where to Dine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2014 in Boston: Here’s What’s Open

    Where can you dine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Boston area? There are a few great choices! But, if you're planning to dine at one of Boston's fine restaurants over the holidays, make a reservation!

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

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    Don't be surprised if a deposit is required to hold your reservation or if there are special menus and seatings for these special holiday meals. Unfortunately, restaurants have been forced to do this because of people who make multiple reservations so they can decide at the last minute where to go. This leaves other diners without choices and the restaurants with empty tables.

    Here is our resource page on opening and closings, other than dining, at Christmas.

    What's Open in Boston on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day 2014 Plus MBTA Schedules, Parking, Trash, & More

    What's Open on Christmas Eve?

    There are more choices on Christmas Eve than on Christmas Day. Some of our favorite, special places have wonderful holiday meals planned for those who reserve for the 24th.

    At the early date of this posting, some places have not announced their traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes events for Chistmas Eve. Check back or follow us on Twitter for updates on this fun, holiday dining option. 

    • Coppa Enoteca is one of our favorites and they're offering their version of this tradition.
    • Dante in Cambridge will present Chef Dante de Magistris' version of the feast with other menu items available.
    • Grotto was one of the first to present this holiday tradition. Kitchen and Marliave, Grotto's siblings in the South End and Downtown, quickly joined in the festive fish feast. This year Kitchen will be open offering the regular menu for those who prefer an al la carte choice. At Grotto and Marliave will continue the feasting on fish.
    • Here is a great article from Edible Boston on this traditional meal.

    What Boston Area Restaurants Are Open on Christmas?

    Hotel restaurants, since they must serve the hotel's guests, are normally open on holidays.

    In Boston, hotel restaurants open both the 24th and 25th include some excellent choices:

    • Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Hotel is serving a three-course prix fixe menu from Noon-8 p.m.
    • The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel
    • Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel gives you a choice of a Christmas Day Buffet Brunch in the Atlantic Room from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., or their 4-course prix-fixe dinner in Meritage Restaurant from 5-9 p.m.
    • Brasserie JO at the Colonnade Hotel



    Other places open on holidays would include chain restaurants and some places in Chinatown. We once asked a longtime Boston cabbie where we could get something we needed on Christmas, and he said Chinatown was the place to go.

    Here are some conversations on Chowhound.com and Trip Advisor about Christmas dining. We'll add more as we see them pop up this year and we'll link to lists from other Boston food sites.

    Boston Restaurants Not Open on Christmas Day (2014) is a Trip Advisor conversation started by a visitor from London who was trying to find a top Boston restaurant to enjoy on Christmas Day and was surprised to find so many choices closed.

    Trip Advisor on Christmas Dinner (2013)

    Eater Boston's Christmas Map (Updated 12/16/2013)

    What Chinese Restaurants are Open On Christmas Day– (2012)

    Christmas Day Brunch (2012)

    Open on Cape Cod on Christmas Day (just in case you're going there) (2012)

    Xmas Lunch in Boston  (2012)

    Restaurant open Christmas Day in Newton or nearby (2012)

    Other resources:

    The reservation site Open Table has a feature list of its member restaurants with Christmas Eve Specials and Christmas Day Dining. 

    But, you can also input information on the reservation you want on Open Table and come up with a list of restaurants open at that hour. Change the hour and the list will change and some are not on the featured lists. It's a good place to start.

    The Boston Chefs site has posted a list of its participating member restaurants with special features for the holidays. Here's the Christmas Eve List & the Christmas Day list.

    From Last Year: Eater Boston has a list of What's Open in Boston Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We'll update with the new one when it's available.

    They have many good choices to add to your holiday options. We'd particularly like to recommend:

    Island Creek Oyster Bar for Christmas Eve. It's one of our favorite places, and I can just imagine what a happy scene it will be on that evening. 

    Eastern Standard: They will normally open Christmas Day for breakfast and then for a special 3-course prix fixe meal. 

    Follow us on Twitter for notice of updates to this post.

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details: 

    Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino

    Photo: from iStockphoto.com

    Related articles
    Greeting November with a Special Treat: Champagne H. Billiot Fils Rosé
    You Never Know What's Under Boston Streets

  • Thanksgiving 2014 Dining Out in Boston

    UPDATE: Reserve Now for Thanksgiving 2015 Dining Out in Boston 

    It's time to make Thanksgiving dinner reservations, especially if you want to enjoy your holiday meal at one of the Boston area's great restaurants on Thursday, November 27, 2014.

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    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. 

    We publish these holiday reservation reminders early so that our readers can get a head start and grab a reservation at a worthy spot. We'll keep adding updates as more places announce their intention to open and menus.

    Which Boston Area Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving?

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

    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.

    Here are a few that we can recommend from the long Open Table list.

    • La Voile on Newbury Street always plans a special meal for the neighbors who love this small French charmer.
    • Bistro du Midi always serves a wonderful meal. And, if you want lighter fare, their Café will be open at 11 a.m.

    Open Table even includes some places outside the city if you're 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 options we'd consider if we were looking for a great menu:

    • Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square will be open all day starting with breakfast and will serve Thanksgiving dinner from 1-8 p.m.
    • L'Espalier in the Back Bay will showcase the harvest from Chef McClelland's Apple Street Farm and will offer a three course prix fixe menu or, for a special holiday treat, a degustation menu.
    • Harvest in Harvard Square, Cambridge
    • Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay comes with a view!
    • One recommendation for a lower cost option with good food would be Petit Robert in Boston.

    Interesting Twist!

    Fairsted Kitchen is offering a pre-ordered, family style Thanksgiving dinner that is in keeping with their shared big plate menu. It seems like a good deal for a family or a bunch of friends who want to share a holiday meal.

    A Few Places with Their Regular Menus Available

    Many restaurants in Boston's Chinatown will be open. You can check with the Twitter account @bostonchinatown for more details.

    Some chains restaurants will also offer their regular menus.

    Davio's in Boston and Chestnut Hill 

    Capital Grille Boston, Chestnut Hill, and Burlington

    We'll post updates in this space as other Boston resources post their lists and choices.

     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

    Related articles
    Bar Boulud Our First and Second Look

  • Dining around Boston on Father’s Day, June 15, 2014

    Time to make reservations, if you plan to treat Dad to a meal out on Father's Day, Sunday, June 15, 2014.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401a73d849777970d-800wi

    Would your Dad love to get his hands on some great Island Creek Oysters at Row 34?

    For Father's Day dining ideas, here are two excellent lists of restaurant suggestions.

    Open Table always does a great job guiding you to the right reservation. What's more, you can just click through and reserve from this list. 

    Boston Chef's has a special list from their members. 

    Updates:

    06.05.14- Chowhound conversation: Outdoor lunch, Father's Day, Metro West

    Our Picks:

    Row 34 in the Fort Point Neighborhood. Wouldn't Dad love to slurp a few Island Creeks or Row 34 oysters? And, match those beauties with the perfect brew from one of the taps or the current cask beer?

    Here's more on what we enjoyed at Row 34.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401a73d849d99970d-800wi

    Sweet Cheeks Q in the Fenway may seem to be just for the meat lovers in the clan, but they put out some great veggies and a tray of hot and cold scoops (as they call them) with a remarkable farm salad that will put a smile on any one with a preference for vegetarian fare. And, remember to order the crazy-good biscuits. (You may want to treat Dad to a doggie bag of them for the rest of the week!) Check out our Sweet Cheeks posts:

    Sweet Cheeks BBQ: A First Look

    Sweet Cheeks Q- Great Northern Brisket

    Salt & Pepper Potatoes at Sweet Cheeks Q

    Bourbon Beer? at Sweet Cheeks

    How about simple Italian-American food in a very comfortable setting. We suggest Artu in the North End or on Charles Street in Beacon Hill. Here's one of our favorite menu items.

    If you'd like to treat Dad to something really special, consider the ultimate hamburger at the Bristol Lounge at the Four Season's Hotel. Lunch there for just the two of you, some quiet afternoon, could be a great IOU if you can't be together on the 15th. Here's what we wrote about that burger.

    Another great spot to share a meal, any day of the week, is Coppa in the South End. You can even top off your meal with a quick shopping trip to South End Formaggio across the street. We always do! And, that will let you create a super take-home gift that Dad can help select. Need more convincing? Take a look at:

    Friday Lunch at Coppa, an Italian Seduction

    Coppa Italian Grinder: A Best Bite

    Coppa- A First Look

    And, if you're thinking of an adventure in the South End, how about a guided tour of the food trucks gathered at the SOWA Open Market each Sunday. No resevations needed! Check out:

    SOWA Market: Where to Find Food Trucks!

    Evelyns

    Photo of Evelyn's Drive-In, Tiverton Rhode Island courtesty of that great resouce for finding all the dining traditions Boston has to offer, Hidden Boston.

    Our final suggestion is a trip down memory lane. Take Dad someplace where he used to take you if you have an old favorite that survives to this day. For Penny, this might be Evelyn's Drive-In. For Ed, The Bubbling Brook in Westwood. This day would be about remembering and laughing as much as about the food.

    And, for the best gift, let Dad choose something from his Wish List. Get an Amazon gift card! You can send it by email or print it out to tuck into a greeting card. And, if he doesn't shop online, offer to sit with your Dad and take him on an Amazon shopping trip.

    Details:
    Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny Cherubino and Evelyn's courtesy of Hidden Boston.

    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.

  • Dining around Boston on Father’s Day, June 15, 2014

    Time to make reservations, if you plan to treat Dad to a meal out on Father's Day, Sunday, June 15, 2014.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401a73d849777970d-800wi

    Would your Dad love to get his hands on some great Island Creek Oysters at Row 34?

    For Father's Day dining ideas, here are two excellent lists of restaurant suggestions.

    Open Table always does a great job guiding you to the right reservation. What's more, you can just click through and reserve from this list. 

    Boston Chef's has a special list from their members. 

    Updates:

    06.05.14- Chowhound conversation: Outdoor lunch, Father's Day, Metro West

    Our Picks:

    Row 34 in the Fort Point Neighborhood. Wouldn't Dad love to slurp a few Island Creeks or Row 34 oysters? And, match those beauties with the perfect brew from one of the taps or the current cask beer?

    Here's more on what we enjoyed at Row 34.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401a73d849d99970d-800wi

    Sweet Cheeks Q in the Fenway may seem to be just for the meat lovers in the clan, but they put out some great veggies and a tray of hot and cold scoops (as they call them) with a remarkable farm salad that will put a smile on any one with a preference for vegetarian fare. And, remember to order the crazy-good biscuits. (You may want to treat Dad to a doggie bag of them for the rest of the week!) Check out our Sweet Cheeks posts:

    Sweet Cheeks BBQ: A First Look

    Sweet Cheeks Q- Great Northern Brisket

    Salt & Pepper Potatoes at Sweet Cheeks Q

    Bourbon Beer? at Sweet Cheeks

    How about simple Italian-American food in a very comfortable setting. We suggest Artu in the North End or on Charles Street in Beacon Hill. Here's one of our favorite menu items.

    If you'd like to treat Dad to something really special, consider the ultimate hamburger at the Bristol Lounge at the Four Season's Hotel. Lunch there for just the two of you, some quiet afternoon, could be a great IOU if you can't be together on the 15th. Here's what we wrote about that burger.

    Another great spot to share a meal, any day of the week, is Coppa in the South End. You can even top off your meal with a quick shopping trip to South End Formaggio across the street. We always do! And, that will let you create a super take-home gift that Dad can help select. Need more convincing? Take a look at:

    Friday Lunch at Coppa, an Italian Seduction

    Coppa Italian Grinder: A Best Bite

    Coppa- A First Look

    And, if you're thinking of an adventure in the South End, how about a guided tour of the food trucks gathered at the SOWA Open Market each Sunday. No resevations needed! Check out:

    SOWA Market: Where to Find Food Trucks!

    Evelyns

    Photo of Evelyn's Drive-In, Tiverton Rhode Island courtesty of that great resouce for finding all the dining traditions Boston has to offer, Hidden Boston.

    Our final suggestion is a trip down memory lane. Take Dad someplace where he used to take you if you have an old favorite that survives to this day. For Penny, this might be Evelyn's Drive-In. For Ed, The Bubbling Brook in Westwood. This day would be about remembering and laughing as much as about the food.

    And, for the best gift, let Dad choose something from his Wish List. Get an Amazon gift card! You can send it by email or print it out to tuck into a greeting card. And, if he doesn't shop online, offer to sit with your Dad and take him on an Amazon shopping trip.

    Details:
    Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny Cherubino and Evelyn's courtesy of Hidden Boston.

    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.

  • Thanksgiving 2013 Dining Out in Boston

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    It's time to make Thanksgiving dinner reservations, especially if you want to enjoy your holiday meal at one of the Boston area's great restaurants.

    UPDATE: Thanksgiving 2015 Dining Out in Boston

     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. 

    We publish these holiday reservation reminders early so that our readers can get a head start and grab a reservation at a worthy spot. We'll keep adding updates as more places announce their intention to open and menus.

    What Boston Area Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving?

    Hotel restaurants are normally open on all holidays. In Boston, this means 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 Seasons Boston 
    Brasserie JO at the Colonnade Hotel
    Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel

    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.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340154364893ad970c-800wi

    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.

    Here are a few that we can recommend from the long Open Table list.

    • La Voile on Newbury Street always plans a special meal for the neighbors who love this small French charmer.
    • If you have been a fan of Upstairs on the Square, this will be their last Thanksgiving because they are closing. It might be a fun choice for a final fling.
    • Bistro du Midi always serves a wonderful meal and if you want lighter fare their Café will be open at 11 AM.

    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.

    • Sel de la Terre has always had a wonderful holiday menu and the Natick location would be good for meeting people from that part of the area. We certainly miss their Boston locations.

    Bostonchefs.com has some information on its members' offerings. For example, here are a few options we'd consider if we were looking for a great menu.

    • Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square will be open all day starting with breakfast and will serve Thanksgiving dinner from 1-8 PM
    • L'Espalier in the Back Bay will showcase the harvest from Chef McClelland's Apple Street Farm and will offer a three course prix fixe menu or for a special holiday treat a degustation menu.
    • Harvest in Cambridge's Harvard Square.
    • Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay comes with a view!
    • One recommendation for a lower cost option with good food would be Petit Robert in Boston.

    Update: 11/20/13

    Boston Magazine has published their list of dining options

    They'll Be Open! 26 Boston-Area Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner

    Over on the Boston Chowhound Board the hounds came up with Durgin Park as the perfect solution for a group of trainees who found themselves in Boston over the holiday.  (Bad Website warning: the Durgin Park site has cheesy music and you have to click events to get to the holiday offering.)

    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.

  • Thanksgiving 2013 Dining Out in Boston

    6a00e54fc42bb88834010535e29c53970b-800wi

    It's time to make Thanksgiving dinner reservations, especially if you want to enjoy your holiday meal at one of the Boston area's great restaurants.

    UPDATE: Thanksgiving 2015 Dining Out in Boston

     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. 

    We publish these holiday reservation reminders early so that our readers can get a head start and grab a reservation at a worthy spot. We'll keep adding updates as more places announce their intention to open and menus.

    What Boston Area Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving?

    Hotel restaurants are normally open on all holidays. In Boston, this means 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 Seasons Boston 
    Brasserie JO at the Colonnade Hotel
    Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel

    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.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340154364893ad970c-800wi

    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.

    Here are a few that we can recommend from the long Open Table list.

    • La Voile on Newbury Street always plans a special meal for the neighbors who love this small French charmer.
    • If you have been a fan of Upstairs on the Square, this will be their last Thanksgiving because they are closing. It might be a fun choice for a final fling.
    • Bistro du Midi always serves a wonderful meal and if you want lighter fare their Café will be open at 11 AM.

    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.

    • Sel de la Terre has always had a wonderful holiday menu and the Natick location would be good for meeting people from that part of the area. We certainly miss their Boston locations.

    Bostonchefs.com has some information on its members' offerings. For example, here are a few options we'd consider if we were looking for a great menu.

    • Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square will be open all day starting with breakfast and will serve Thanksgiving dinner from 1-8 PM
    • L'Espalier in the Back Bay will showcase the harvest from Chef McClelland's Apple Street Farm and will offer a three course prix fixe menu or for a special holiday treat a degustation menu.
    • Harvest in Cambridge's Harvard Square.
    • Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay comes with a view!
    • One recommendation for a lower cost option with good food would be Petit Robert in Boston.

    Update: 11/20/13

    Boston Magazine has published their list of dining options

    They'll Be Open! 26 Boston-Area Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner

    Over on the Boston Chowhound Board the hounds came up with Durgin Park as the perfect solution for a group of trainees who found themselves in Boston over the holiday.  (Bad Website warning: the Durgin Park site has cheesy music and you have to click events to get to the holiday offering.)

    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.

  • Thanksgiving 2013 Dining Out in Boston

    6a00e54fc42bb88834010535e29c53970b-800wi

    It's time to make Thanksgiving dinner reservations, especially if you want to enjoy your holiday meal at one of the Boston area's great restaurants.

    UPDATE: Thanksgiving 2015 Dining Out in Boston

     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. 

    We publish these holiday reservation reminders early so that our readers can get a head start and grab a reservation at a worthy spot. We'll keep adding updates as more places announce their intention to open and menus.

    What Boston Area Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving?

    Hotel restaurants are normally open on all holidays. In Boston, this means 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 Seasons Boston 
    Brasserie JO at the Colonnade Hotel
    Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel

    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.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340154364893ad970c-800wi

    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.

    Here are a few that we can recommend from the long Open Table list.

    • La Voile on Newbury Street always plans a special meal for the neighbors who love this small French charmer.
    • If you have been a fan of Upstairs on the Square, this will be their last Thanksgiving because they are closing. It might be a fun choice for a final fling.
    • Bistro du Midi always serves a wonderful meal and if you want lighter fare their Café will be open at 11 AM.

    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.

    • Sel de la Terre has always had a wonderful holiday menu and the Natick location would be good for meeting people from that part of the area. We certainly miss their Boston locations.

    Bostonchefs.com has some information on its members' offerings. For example, here are a few options we'd consider if we were looking for a great menu.

    • Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square will be open all day starting with breakfast and will serve Thanksgiving dinner from 1-8 PM
    • L'Espalier in the Back Bay will showcase the harvest from Chef McClelland's Apple Street Farm and will offer a three course prix fixe menu or for a special holiday treat a degustation menu.
    • Harvest in Cambridge's Harvard Square.
    • Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay comes with a view!
    • One recommendation for a lower cost option with good food would be Petit Robert in Boston.

    Update: 11/20/13

    Boston Magazine has published their list of dining options

    They'll Be Open! 26 Boston-Area Restaurants Serving Thanksgiving Dinner

    Over on the Boston Chowhound Board the hounds came up with Durgin Park as the perfect solution for a group of trainees who found themselves in Boston over the holiday.  (Bad Website warning: the Durgin Park site has cheesy music and you have to click events to get to the holiday offering.)

    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.

  • 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.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401310f8e20ba970c-800wi

    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.

    Related articles
    Patterned Easter Eggs
    Snowdrops, Crocus, and Tulips, Oh My!
    Boston Tweet's Terrific Late Night Dining List
    Enhanced by Zemanta

  • 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.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401310f8e20ba970c-800wi

    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.

    Related articles
    Patterned Easter Eggs
    Snowdrops, Crocus, and Tulips, Oh My!
    Boston Tweet's Terrific Late Night Dining List
    Enhanced by Zemanta