Tag: island creek oyster bar

Where to Dine on New Year’s Eve 2012 in Boston
This is an outdated post. Click below for the link to:

Where to Dine on New Year's Eve 2015 & New Year's Day Brunch 2016

Our readers are already searching our past posts to figure out where to dine this New Year's Eve in Boston. It's time for you to grab a reservation at a special place!

We all have our ideas of the perfect New Year's Eve. Are you looking for a place to ring in 2013 with a happy crowd? Or will you make a reservation for a quiet dinner before popping a cork for a private celebration?

We fall into the food-loving, quiet celebration group, and we'll tell you about some places where that's possible.

But, we have to admit one of our more memorable New Year's Eves was spent at the bar at Hamersley's Bistro. We had planned to slip in and out for a quick, quiet dinner and managed to stay for a much longer time enjoying the company of a great group at the bar. This year, they're planning a four-course prix fixe menu with a champagne toast if you're there at midnight.

Everyone can begin at Open Table. They maintain a list of special New Year's celebrations at area restaurants. This is perfect if you're meeting up with a group here in the city and the site even offers places like AKA Bistro in Lincoln for those who prefer a suburban location.

You can put a time into the reservation box on the main page and see what's available. Remember, many places have special prix fixe menus for occasions like this and some may require a credit card to hold a reservation.

The site Boston Chefs always posts a listing of its member restaurants that have special plans for New Year's Eve. Here is their New Year's Eve list. And, here's the list for New Year's Day.

Update 12.27.12: Eater Boston has added its Map of What to do on New Year's Eve.

Update 12.28.12: Grub Street Boston put up their, "Grub Guide: Where to Get Dreamy Takeout on New Year's Eve" Some good choices there.

There are also restaurants that have planned a special New Year's Eve menu but have built their reputation on high quality food. These are places where you can expect to have a wonderful meal any day of the year.
- Island Creek Oyster Bar is serving its regular menu and, for that kindness, we've put them at the top of this list.
- Eastern Standard, next door, is doing the same. Regular menu, great wine list, craft cocktails.
- Grotto on Beacon Hill, Kitchen in the South End, and Marliave downtown all join that list of places sticking with the food you love.
- Craigie On Main is planning two sets of seatings for two prix fixe menus. Call fast, these reservations will be snatched up quickly.
- Brasserie JO has a special menu but alway provides great food in a relaxed atmosphere, and their desserts are a party in themselves.
- La Morra in Brookline – chef Josh Ziskin says he saves some of his most prized dishes just for this evening. He's serving a four-course Italian dinner with a glass of Prosecco for toasting.
Where are you spending the evening? What's your favorite way to celebrate? Come back on January 1st and tell us about your New Year's Eve.

To be notified of updates to this post, sign-on to the comment feed for this post or follow us on Twitter for updates.

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:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Photo: 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.
December 14, 2012
Where to Dine on New Year’s Eve 2012 in Boston
This is an outdated post. Click below for the link to:

Where to Dine on New Year's Eve 2015 & New Year's Day Brunch 2016

Our readers are already searching our past posts to figure out where to dine this New Year's Eve in Boston. It's time for you to grab a reservation at a special place!

We all have our ideas of the perfect New Year's Eve. Are you looking for a place to ring in 2013 with a happy crowd? Or will you make a reservation for a quiet dinner before popping a cork for a private celebration?

We fall into the food-loving, quiet celebration group, and we'll tell you about some places where that's possible.

But, we have to admit one of our more memorable New Year's Eves was spent at the bar at Hamersley's Bistro. We had planned to slip in and out for a quick, quiet dinner and managed to stay for a much longer time enjoying the company of a great group at the bar. This year, they're planning a four-course prix fixe menu with a champagne toast if you're there at midnight.

Everyone can begin at Open Table. They maintain a list of special New Year's celebrations at area restaurants. This is perfect if you're meeting up with a group here in the city and the site even offers places like AKA Bistro in Lincoln for those who prefer a suburban location.

You can put a time into the reservation box on the main page and see what's available. Remember, many places have special prix fixe menus for occasions like this and some may require a credit card to hold a reservation.

The site Boston Chefs always posts a listing of its member restaurants that have special plans for New Year's Eve. Here is their New Year's Eve list. And, here's the list for New Year's Day.

Update 12.27.12: Eater Boston has added its Map of What to do on New Year's Eve.

Update 12.28.12: Grub Street Boston put up their, "Grub Guide: Where to Get Dreamy Takeout on New Year's Eve" Some good choices there.

There are also restaurants that have planned a special New Year's Eve menu but have built their reputation on high quality food. These are places where you can expect to have a wonderful meal any day of the year.
- Island Creek Oyster Bar is serving its regular menu and, for that kindness, we've put them at the top of this list.
- Eastern Standard, next door, is doing the same. Regular menu, great wine list, craft cocktails.
- Grotto on Beacon Hill, Kitchen in the South End, and Marliave downtown all join that list of places sticking with the food you love.
- Craigie On Main is planning two sets of seatings for two prix fixe menus. Call fast, these reservations will be snatched up quickly.
- Brasserie JO has a special menu but alway provides great food in a relaxed atmosphere, and their desserts are a party in themselves.
- La Morra in Brookline – chef Josh Ziskin says he saves some of his most prized dishes just for this evening. He's serving a four-course Italian dinner with a glass of Prosecco for toasting.
Where are you spending the evening? What's your favorite way to celebrate? Come back on January 1st and tell us about your New Year's Eve.

To be notified of updates to this post, sign-on to the comment feed for this post or follow us on Twitter for updates.

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:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Photo: 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.
December 14, 2012
Where to Dine on New Year’s Eve 2012 in Boston
This is an outdated post. Click below for the link to:

Where to Dine on New Year's Eve 2015 & New Year's Day Brunch 2016

Our readers are already searching our past posts to figure out where to dine this New Year's Eve in Boston. It's time for you to grab a reservation at a special place!

We all have our ideas of the perfect New Year's Eve. Are you looking for a place to ring in 2013 with a happy crowd? Or will you make a reservation for a quiet dinner before popping a cork for a private celebration?

We fall into the food-loving, quiet celebration group, and we'll tell you about some places where that's possible.

But, we have to admit one of our more memorable New Year's Eves was spent at the bar at Hamersley's Bistro. We had planned to slip in and out for a quick, quiet dinner and managed to stay for a much longer time enjoying the company of a great group at the bar. This year, they're planning a four-course prix fixe menu with a champagne toast if you're there at midnight.

Everyone can begin at Open Table. They maintain a list of special New Year's celebrations at area restaurants. This is perfect if you're meeting up with a group here in the city and the site even offers places like AKA Bistro in Lincoln for those who prefer a suburban location.

You can put a time into the reservation box on the main page and see what's available. Remember, many places have special prix fixe menus for occasions like this and some may require a credit card to hold a reservation.

The site Boston Chefs always posts a listing of its member restaurants that have special plans for New Year's Eve. Here is their New Year's Eve list. And, here's the list for New Year's Day.

Update 12.27.12: Eater Boston has added its Map of What to do on New Year's Eve.

Update 12.28.12: Grub Street Boston put up their, "Grub Guide: Where to Get Dreamy Takeout on New Year's Eve" Some good choices there.

There are also restaurants that have planned a special New Year's Eve menu but have built their reputation on high quality food. These are places where you can expect to have a wonderful meal any day of the year.
- Island Creek Oyster Bar is serving its regular menu and, for that kindness, we've put them at the top of this list.
- Eastern Standard, next door, is doing the same. Regular menu, great wine list, craft cocktails.
- Grotto on Beacon Hill, Kitchen in the South End, and Marliave downtown all join that list of places sticking with the food you love.
- Craigie On Main is planning two sets of seatings for two prix fixe menus. Call fast, these reservations will be snatched up quickly.
- Brasserie JO has a special menu but alway provides great food in a relaxed atmosphere, and their desserts are a party in themselves.
- La Morra in Brookline – chef Josh Ziskin says he saves some of his most prized dishes just for this evening. He's serving a four-course Italian dinner with a glass of Prosecco for toasting.
Where are you spending the evening? What's your favorite way to celebrate? Come back on January 1st and tell us about your New Year's Eve.

To be notified of updates to this post, sign-on to the comment feed for this post or follow us on Twitter for updates.

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:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Photo: 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.
December 14, 2012
We Recommend Drinking Boston (The Book!)
Boston journalist Stephanie Schorow obviously did a lot of research for her new book, Drinking Boston: A History of the City and Its Spirits. But, we bet she had fun doing it!

But, seriously, she really did collect a lot of information in preparing to write this book. As perpetual students of Boston's rich history, we loved learning so many new aspects and seeing how alcohol, the places where drinking took place, and social reformer movements fit into what we already know.

The book takes you on a time travel trek from inside Boston’s first colonial taverns, through the saloon era, on to Prohibition, stopping at the 1930s and 1940s nightclub scene, and bringing you right up to the current craft cocktail movement. Did you know that early taverns sometimes served as courtrooms?

Along the way Schorow delves into the issues of class, social reform, and reminds you of the breweries, neighborhood bars, and some of the people who were an important part of what she calls a “…drinking town.”

Put Drinking Boston On Your Gift List
- This book will make a great gift for anyone who loves Boston history and would like to see it through a different perspective.
- It can help a newcomer to the city understand references to places like Scollay Square and many beloved neighborhood bars.
- It’s peppered with background and cocktail recipes for your favorite mixologist.
- And, it includes a great collection of photos.
Here's Jackson Cannon from The Hawthorne, Eastern Standard, and Island Creek Oyster Bar.

You'll learn more about him as Drinking Boston moves into Boston's current craft cocktail scene. Schorow also takes you on visits with Patrick Sullivan, Robert "Cleve' Toomey, Misty Kalkofen, Todd Maul and others who are a part of the scene.

The book wraps up with a glossary of drinks and cocktail lingo to help you communicate with your favorite person behind the bar.

You'll find Drinking Boston: A History of the City and Its Spirits in local bookstores or you can buy it through us on Amazon.

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:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Courtesy of Union Park Press, Photo of Jackson Cannon by Stephanie Schorow

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

Another club gets permission to offer the Boston version of bottle service

Boston! – Boston, MA

Boston's South End Chocolate Tour

How to Drink on the Cheap in Boston

How to Make the Gypsy Woman from 1534 in NYC
December 13, 2012
We Recommend Drinking Boston (The Book!)
Boston journalist Stephanie Schorow obviously did a lot of research for her new book, Drinking Boston: A History of the City and Its Spirits. But, we bet she had fun doing it!

But, seriously, she really did collect a lot of information in preparing to write this book. As perpetual students of Boston's rich history, we loved learning so many new aspects and seeing how alcohol, the places where drinking took place, and social reformer movements fit into what we already know.

The book takes you on a time travel trek from inside Boston’s first colonial taverns, through the saloon era, on to Prohibition, stopping at the 1930s and 1940s nightclub scene, and bringing you right up to the current craft cocktail movement. Did you know that early taverns sometimes served as courtrooms?

Along the way Schorow delves into the issues of class, social reform, and reminds you of the breweries, neighborhood bars, and some of the people who were an important part of what she calls a “…drinking town.”

Put Drinking Boston On Your Gift List
- This book will make a great gift for anyone who loves Boston history and would like to see it through a different perspective.
- It can help a newcomer to the city understand references to places like Scollay Square and many beloved neighborhood bars.
- It’s peppered with background and cocktail recipes for your favorite mixologist.
- And, it includes a great collection of photos.
Here's Jackson Cannon from The Hawthorne, Eastern Standard, and Island Creek Oyster Bar.

You'll learn more about him as Drinking Boston moves into Boston's current craft cocktail scene. Schorow also takes you on visits with Patrick Sullivan, Robert "Cleve' Toomey, Misty Kalkofen, Todd Maul and others who are a part of the scene.

The book wraps up with a glossary of drinks and cocktail lingo to help you communicate with your favorite person behind the bar.

You'll find Drinking Boston: A History of the City and Its Spirits in local bookstores or you can buy it through us on Amazon.

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:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Courtesy of Union Park Press, Photo of Jackson Cannon by Stephanie Schorow

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

Another club gets permission to offer the Boston version of bottle service

Boston! – Boston, MA

Boston's South End Chocolate Tour

How to Drink on the Cheap in Boston

How to Make the Gypsy Woman from 1534 in NYC
December 13, 2012
We Recommend Drinking Boston (The Book!)
Boston journalist Stephanie Schorow obviously did a lot of research for her new book, Drinking Boston: A History of the City and Its Spirits. But, we bet she had fun doing it!

But, seriously, she really did collect a lot of information in preparing to write this book. As perpetual students of Boston's rich history, we loved learning so many new aspects and seeing how alcohol, the places where drinking took place, and social reformer movements fit into what we already know.

The book takes you on a time travel trek from inside Boston’s first colonial taverns, through the saloon era, on to Prohibition, stopping at the 1930s and 1940s nightclub scene, and bringing you right up to the current craft cocktail movement. Did you know that early taverns sometimes served as courtrooms?

Along the way Schorow delves into the issues of class, social reform, and reminds you of the breweries, neighborhood bars, and some of the people who were an important part of what she calls a “…drinking town.”

Put Drinking Boston On Your Gift List
- This book will make a great gift for anyone who loves Boston history and would like to see it through a different perspective.
- It can help a newcomer to the city understand references to places like Scollay Square and many beloved neighborhood bars.
- It’s peppered with background and cocktail recipes for your favorite mixologist.
- And, it includes a great collection of photos.
Here's Jackson Cannon from The Hawthorne, Eastern Standard, and Island Creek Oyster Bar.

You'll learn more about him as Drinking Boston moves into Boston's current craft cocktail scene. Schorow also takes you on visits with Patrick Sullivan, Robert "Cleve' Toomey, Misty Kalkofen, Todd Maul and others who are a part of the scene.

The book wraps up with a glossary of drinks and cocktail lingo to help you communicate with your favorite person behind the bar.

You'll find Drinking Boston: A History of the City and Its Spirits in local bookstores or you can buy it through us on Amazon.

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:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Courtesy of Union Park Press, Photo of Jackson Cannon by Stephanie Schorow

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

Another club gets permission to offer the Boston version of bottle service

Boston! – Boston, MA

Boston's South End Chocolate Tour

How to Drink on the Cheap in Boston

How to Make the Gypsy Woman from 1534 in NYC
December 13, 2012
Father’s Day Dining 2012 In & Around Boston

Time to make reservations, if you plan to treat Dad to a meal out on Father's Day, Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Here's a link to our " Dining around Boston on Father's Day, June 15, 2014 post.

Would your Dad love to get his hands into some great BBQ at Sweet Cheeks Q?

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. Updated info: June 10th!

Our picks:

On chowhound recently, one contributor said that, "Island Creek is the one to beat these days…" We agree. In our opinion, Island Creek Oyster Bar sets the standard for relaxed, comfortable dining with outstanding food and great cocktail and wine programs. We haven't given them nearly as much coverage as we should, considering how much we like the place. Here's a post from their early days, and they continue to set the bar high. So, if you want a table there, call right now.

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 17th. 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 adventure and 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!

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: © 2012 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 add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

June 7, 2012
Cuvée L’Astrée Rosé de Loire at Island Creek Oyster Bar

Last week, at Island Creek Oyster Bar, we enjoyed a great rosé wine by the glass. Frankly, we didn’t think we liked Cabernet Franc. Then, the 2010 Chateau Soucherie Cuvee L’Astrée Rosé de Loire opened our eyes, our noses, our palates.

This wine, a selection of Neal Rosenthal, one of our favorite importers, was a great partner for our oysters, lobster roe noodles with Brussels sprout leaves, braised short ribs, grilled lobster, trumpet mushrooms and pecorino. And, Virginia Striped Bass with pearl pasta, shiitake mushrooms, sweet and sour peppers, spring onion cream, and grilled ramps.

This pretty, pink glass of luscious had the backbone to face this line up of flavors and stand up to all of them. It's going be added to our next wine order. We have a feeling it will be one of our roof deck wines of the year.

What's on your shopping list for serving wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed 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 add a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

March 28, 2012