Tag: Colonnade Hotel

Where to Dine Out on Thanksgiving in the Boston Area: Our Updated Resource Page
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 23, 2017.

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 feature these holiday reservation reminders early so 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 intentions to open and menus.

Boston Area Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving

Hotel restaurants are normally open on all holidays. In Boston, this means some excellent choices including:
- Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Hotel
- L'Espalier at the Mandarin Hotel
- The Bristol at the Four Seasons Boston
- Brasserie JO at the Colonnade Hotel
- Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel.
- Dante at the Royal Sonesta Hotel across the River in Cambridge.
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 places we recommend:
- 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.
- A lower cost option with very good food would be Petit Robert on Columbus Avenue in the South End. ( In addition to holiday fare, they are also offering their full menu .)
- Chef Jackie Robert will also be offering a value menu at his Ma Maison on Cambridge Street in Beacon Hill.
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.
- Fairsted Kitchen in Brookline is offering family style meal packages serving 2-8 or more people and these may be reserved for dining in or to go.
- Harvest in Harvard Square, Cambridge
- Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay comes with a view which can sometimes come in handy when you are looking for topics of conversation!
Boston Chefs also has a listing for Thanksgiving Feasts To Go.

A Few Places with Their Regular Menus Available

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

Some chain restaurants will also offer their regular menus. But we urge you to consider celebrating with local restaurants or at least local chains with good food like Davio's in Boston and Chestnut Hill when you make each dining decision.

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

Update 11/12/16 Eater Boston has set up their map of restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving. We're sure Rachel Leah Blumenthal will do her usual great job of keeping this growing list updated.

Update 11/14/16 Boston Magazine has its recommendations.

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
November 4, 2016
Where to Dine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2015 Around Boston
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! More than ever, family and friends are gathering in area restaurants on holidays like this, which means spots at your favorites may be gone if you wait too long.

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.

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.
- The legendary team from L'Espalier normally offers a prix fixe Christmas Eve menu.
- La Morra in Brookline is an ideal spot to meet friends or family from that side of the Boston area. They are offering family style dining, "sharing traditional dishes of Piedmonte."
- Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel has a four course prixe fixe menu set for the 24th.
- Petit Robert Bistro locations will be open with regular meals and specials. We like the one on Columbus Ave in the South End.
- Here is the Christmas Eve list from Boston Chefs. Be sure to check back, because this list may grow.
- Here is the Christmas Eve List from Open Table. Be sure to check back, because this list may grow.
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 is 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. Marliave, Grotto's sibling downtown will also hold in the festive fish feast. Kitchen and will be open offering the regular menu with a seafood theme for those who prefer an à la carte choice.
- Here is a great article from Edible Boston on this traditional meal.
Update 12/17/15: Here's a link to Boston Eater's list of places to dine on Christmas Eve.

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
- The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel
- Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel
- 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 Eater, 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.

Update 12/17/15 Here's a link to Boston Eater's list of places to dine on Christmas Day.

Trip Advisor on Christmas Dinner (2013)

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:

Words: 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
November 27, 2015
Where to Dine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2015 Around Boston
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! More than ever, family and friends are gathering in area restaurants on holidays like this, which means spots at your favorites may be gone if you wait too long.

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.

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.
- The legendary team from L'Espalier normally offers a prix fixe Christmas Eve menu.
- La Morra in Brookline is an ideal spot to meet friends or family from that side of the Boston area. They are offering family style dining, "sharing traditional dishes of Piedmonte."
- Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel has a four course prixe fixe menu set for the 24th.
- Petit Robert Bistro locations will be open with regular meals and specials. We like the one on Columbus Ave in the South End.
- Here is the Christmas Eve list from Boston Chefs. Be sure to check back, because this list may grow.
- Here is the Christmas Eve List from Open Table. Be sure to check back, because this list may grow.
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 is 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. Marliave, Grotto's sibling downtown will also hold in the festive fish feast. Kitchen and will be open offering the regular menu with a seafood theme for those who prefer an à la carte choice.
- Here is a great article from Edible Boston on this traditional meal.
Update 12/17/15: Here's a link to Boston Eater's list of places to dine on Christmas Eve.

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
- The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel
- Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel
- 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 Eater, 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.

Update 12/17/15 Here's a link to Boston Eater's list of places to dine on Christmas Day.

Trip Advisor on Christmas Dinner (2013)

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:

Words: 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
November 27, 2015
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 26, 2015.

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:
- Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Hotel
- L'Espalier at the Mandarin Hotel
- Rialto at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge
- The Bristol at the Four Seasons Boston
- Brasserie JO at the Colonnade Hotel
- Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel.
- Dante at the Royal Sonesta Hotel across the River in Cambridge.
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.
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. Update: See Eater Boston's list on this topic below.

Some chain restaurants will also offer their regular menus.

Davio's in Boston and Chestnut Hill

The Capital Grille Boston, Chestnut Hill, and Burlington

We'll post updates in this space as other Boston resources post their lists and choices.
- Update 11.10.15 Avoid Prix Fixe Meals at These Restaurants This Thanksgiving from Eater Boston.
- Update 11.09.15 A Big List of Thanksgiving Prix Fixe Feasts from Eater Boston. Great job as always by Rachel Leah Blumenthal.
- Update 11.04.14 the crew over at the Boston Chowhound Board have a Thanksgiving Conversation underway at this link.
- Update 11.04.14 Boston Magazine has posted their list of "30+ Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving Dinner in Boston."
- Update 10.30.14 The crew over on the Boston Trip Advisor Board are answering the question, "Where to eat Thanksgiving in 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
Photography: istockphoto.com

Related articles

Bar Boulud Our First and Second Look

Keep Supporting Local Restaurants Like Piattini on Newbury Street
November 6, 2015
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 26, 2015.

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:
- Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Hotel
- L'Espalier at the Mandarin Hotel
- Rialto at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge
- The Bristol at the Four Seasons Boston
- Brasserie JO at the Colonnade Hotel
- Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel.
- Dante at the Royal Sonesta Hotel across the River in Cambridge.
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.
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. Update: See Eater Boston's list on this topic below.

Some chain restaurants will also offer their regular menus.

Davio's in Boston and Chestnut Hill

The Capital Grille Boston, Chestnut Hill, and Burlington

We'll post updates in this space as other Boston resources post their lists and choices.
- Update 11.10.15 Avoid Prix Fixe Meals at These Restaurants This Thanksgiving from Eater Boston.
- Update 11.09.15 A Big List of Thanksgiving Prix Fixe Feasts from Eater Boston. Great job as always by Rachel Leah Blumenthal.
- Update 11.04.14 the crew over at the Boston Chowhound Board have a Thanksgiving Conversation underway at this link.
- Update 11.04.14 Boston Magazine has posted their list of "30+ Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving Dinner in Boston."
- Update 10.30.14 The crew over on the Boston Trip Advisor Board are answering the question, "Where to eat Thanksgiving in 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
Photography: istockphoto.com

Related articles

Bar Boulud Our First and Second Look

Keep Supporting Local Restaurants Like Piattini on Newbury Street
November 6, 2015
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

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.
- The legendary team from L'Espalier normally offers a prix fixe Christmas Eve menu.
- La Morra in Brookline is an ideal spot to meet friends or family from that side of the Boston area. They are offering family style dining, "sharing traditional dishes of Piedmonte."
- Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel has a four course prixe fixe menu set for the 24th.
- Petit Robert Bistro locations will be open with regular meals and specials. We like the one on Columbus Ave in the South End.
- Here is the Christmas Eve list from Boston Chefs. Be sure to check back, because this list may grow.
- Here is the Christmas Eve List from Open Table. Be sure to check back, because this list may grow.
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
December 2, 2014
It’s Boston Pops Season, Where to Dine and Park!
Boston Pops concerts are scheduled at Symphony Hall between May 8 – June 15, 2013. Readers and friends who have tickets for the Pops always ask us, "Where can we dine around Symphony Hall?" And, once the conversation is open, it's followed by, "Where can we park?"

Please add your favorite spots for dining and parking around this area in the comments below. And, if you try one of our suggestions, let us know how it worked for you.

Here's our primer for a great visit to the BSO or Boston Pops at Symphony Hall.

We say, make dining and parking a joint decision. Our first suggestion is always to leave the car at home or at a park & ride and take the MBTA to the concert.

But, if you must have a car at hand, the Prudential Center is our favorite parking place to recommend in the city. It has its own exit off the Mass Pike. It's connected to mass transit, has taxis available at the doors, and there's a great choice of dining options within the complex. And, best of all, Google estimates that Symphony Hall is a 6-minute walk down Huntington Avenue. (map )

Prudential Options

If a splurge is on the menu, L'Espalier is the star of the show and has valet service. If a mini-splurge is more in line with your budget, reserve a seat in their Salon for a glass of wine and a bite before the concert, or dessert and a cheese course afterward. The restaurant is accessible from inside the Prudential Center via the Mandarin Hotel.

Woody's Grill & Tap

It's a six minute walk from Symphony to 58 Hemenway Street and Woody's Grill & Tap. It had been years since we'd been there but we wandered in recently with our friends Liz & Mick and enjoyed an excellent meal. The pizzas were as great as always but excellent appetizers and salads shined and will have us coming back often. Try the grilled asparagus!

Newbury Street

Park at the Pru and dine on Newbury Street. After dinner you can even walk to Symphony by reentering the Prudential Center and making part of your walk to the concert through their climate controlled corridors.

Since we walk all over the city, we would consider a few of the restaurants on Newbury close to symphony. La Voile is a great choice for French Bistro food.

And, we love to stop into Tapeo for a few tapas at the bar or a table full of choices to share with a group of friends.

Another Great Choice is Brasserie JO

We also recommend that concert goers consider a Boston gem that's often overlooked – Brasserie JO at The Colonnade Hotel. This place always comes through with French flair, great service, and a good meal. It's also a short walk on that same map, because it's across from the Prudential Center.

We love their bar to have a glass of wine and a light meal. And, after the concert, this is a wonderful place for a memorable dessert. They have a way with chocolate sauce!

Ethnic Options for less formal dining

If you want an ethnic meal or a quick bite before the show, we have a few favorites to recommend.
- Moby Dick – our friend Francine Crawford pointed us to this little gem. It's one of her favorite pre-concert spots.
- Pho Basil on Massachusetts Avenue does Thai and Vietnamese food and pleases us with both cuisines. Here's a post on some of the dishes we really enjoy at Pho Basil.
- Lucy Ethiopian Cafe is across the street from Symphony and is fun and delicious. But, give this choice a bit more time. The pace of this cafe's warm hospitality and made-to-order food is a bit slower than many places. They also have wonderful coffee and a selection of desserts for after the show.
- India Samraat on Massachusetts Avenue between Commonwealth and Marlborough is a bit further away but still within walking distance, especially if you park near Newbury Street. This is a restaurant we enjoy sharing with friends. (UPDATE: Sadly, India Samraat closed this year)
- Chili Duck, right across Boylston from the Pru, is a hidden gem and another great spot if you're meeting the gang.
Other resources and opinions

"Where to dine for Symphony?" is a question routinely asked of the crew over on Chowhound's Boston board. Here are a couple of recent conversations with some options that we haven't tried yet.
Update 06.01.13: More locals chime in on favorite places over on Trip Advisor

Here are maps to help you find more options:

Other parking around Symphony Hall

Other restaurants around Symphony Hall

If this type of information is helpful to you, consider saying thank you by starting your next Amazon shopping trip from here. They have the things you want including Boston Pops music and a full line of MP3 Downloads.

Details:
Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-4557 (map)
(617) 266-2378

www.bso.org‎

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo: Courtesy of the Boston Pops (Photo Credit: Stu Rosner)
May 11, 2013
It’s Boston Pops Season, Where to Dine and Park!
Boston Pops concerts are scheduled at Symphony Hall between May 8 – June 15, 2013. Readers and friends who have tickets for the Pops always ask us, "Where can we dine around Symphony Hall?" And, once the conversation is open, it's followed by, "Where can we park?"

Please add your favorite spots for dining and parking around this area in the comments below. And, if you try one of our suggestions, let us know how it worked for you.

Here's our primer for a great visit to the BSO or Boston Pops at Symphony Hall.

We say, make dining and parking a joint decision. Our first suggestion is always to leave the car at home or at a park & ride and take the MBTA to the concert.

But, if you must have a car at hand, the Prudential Center is our favorite parking place to recommend in the city. It has its own exit off the Mass Pike. It's connected to mass transit, has taxis available at the doors, and there's a great choice of dining options within the complex. And, best of all, Google estimates that Symphony Hall is a 6-minute walk down Huntington Avenue. (map )

Prudential Options

If a splurge is on the menu, L'Espalier is the star of the show and has valet service. If a mini-splurge is more in line with your budget, reserve a seat in their Salon for a glass of wine and a bite before the concert, or dessert and a cheese course afterward. The restaurant is accessible from inside the Prudential Center via the Mandarin Hotel.

Woody's Grill & Tap

It's a six minute walk from Symphony to 58 Hemenway Street and Woody's Grill & Tap. It had been years since we'd been there but we wandered in recently with our friends Liz & Mick and enjoyed an excellent meal. The pizzas were as great as always but excellent appetizers and salads shined and will have us coming back often. Try the grilled asparagus!

Newbury Street

Park at the Pru and dine on Newbury Street. After dinner you can even walk to Symphony by reentering the Prudential Center and making part of your walk to the concert through their climate controlled corridors.

Since we walk all over the city, we would consider a few of the restaurants on Newbury close to symphony. La Voile is a great choice for French Bistro food.

And, we love to stop into Tapeo for a few tapas at the bar or a table full of choices to share with a group of friends.

Another Great Choice is Brasserie JO

We also recommend that concert goers consider a Boston gem that's often overlooked – Brasserie JO at The Colonnade Hotel. This place always comes through with French flair, great service, and a good meal. It's also a short walk on that same map, because it's across from the Prudential Center.

We love their bar to have a glass of wine and a light meal. And, after the concert, this is a wonderful place for a memorable dessert. They have a way with chocolate sauce!

Ethnic Options for less formal dining

If you want an ethnic meal or a quick bite before the show, we have a few favorites to recommend.
- Moby Dick – our friend Francine Crawford pointed us to this little gem. It's one of her favorite pre-concert spots.
- Pho Basil on Massachusetts Avenue does Thai and Vietnamese food and pleases us with both cuisines. Here's a post on some of the dishes we really enjoy at Pho Basil.
- Lucy Ethiopian Cafe is across the street from Symphony and is fun and delicious. But, give this choice a bit more time. The pace of this cafe's warm hospitality and made-to-order food is a bit slower than many places. They also have wonderful coffee and a selection of desserts for after the show.
- India Samraat on Massachusetts Avenue between Commonwealth and Marlborough is a bit further away but still within walking distance, especially if you park near Newbury Street. This is a restaurant we enjoy sharing with friends. (UPDATE: Sadly, India Samraat closed this year)
- Chili Duck, right across Boylston from the Pru, is a hidden gem and another great spot if you're meeting the gang.
Other resources and opinions

"Where to dine for Symphony?" is a question routinely asked of the crew over on Chowhound's Boston board. Here are a couple of recent conversations with some options that we haven't tried yet.
Update 06.01.13: More locals chime in on favorite places over on Trip Advisor

Here are maps to help you find more options:

Other parking around Symphony Hall

Other restaurants around Symphony Hall

If this type of information is helpful to you, consider saying thank you by starting your next Amazon shopping trip from here. They have the things you want including Boston Pops music and a full line of MP3 Downloads.

Details:
Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-4557 (map)
(617) 266-2378

www.bso.org‎

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo: Courtesy of the Boston Pops (Photo Credit: Stu Rosner)
May 11, 2013
It’s Boston Pops Season, Where to Dine and Park!
Boston Pops concerts are scheduled at Symphony Hall between May 8 – June 15, 2013. Readers and friends who have tickets for the Pops always ask us, "Where can we dine around Symphony Hall?" And, once the conversation is open, it's followed by, "Where can we park?"

Please add your favorite spots for dining and parking around this area in the comments below. And, if you try one of our suggestions, let us know how it worked for you.

Here's our primer for a great visit to the BSO or Boston Pops at Symphony Hall.

We say, make dining and parking a joint decision. Our first suggestion is always to leave the car at home or at a park & ride and take the MBTA to the concert.

But, if you must have a car at hand, the Prudential Center is our favorite parking place to recommend in the city. It has its own exit off the Mass Pike. It's connected to mass transit, has taxis available at the doors, and there's a great choice of dining options within the complex. And, best of all, Google estimates that Symphony Hall is a 6-minute walk down Huntington Avenue. (map )

Prudential Options

If a splurge is on the menu, L'Espalier is the star of the show and has valet service. If a mini-splurge is more in line with your budget, reserve a seat in their Salon for a glass of wine and a bite before the concert, or dessert and a cheese course afterward. The restaurant is accessible from inside the Prudential Center via the Mandarin Hotel.

Woody's Grill & Tap

It's a six minute walk from Symphony to 58 Hemenway Street and Woody's Grill & Tap. It had been years since we'd been there but we wandered in recently with our friends Liz & Mick and enjoyed an excellent meal. The pizzas were as great as always but excellent appetizers and salads shined and will have us coming back often. Try the grilled asparagus!

Newbury Street

Park at the Pru and dine on Newbury Street. After dinner you can even walk to Symphony by reentering the Prudential Center and making part of your walk to the concert through their climate controlled corridors.

Since we walk all over the city, we would consider a few of the restaurants on Newbury close to symphony. La Voile is a great choice for French Bistro food.

And, we love to stop into Tapeo for a few tapas at the bar or a table full of choices to share with a group of friends.

Another Great Choice is Brasserie JO

We also recommend that concert goers consider a Boston gem that's often overlooked – Brasserie JO at The Colonnade Hotel. This place always comes through with French flair, great service, and a good meal. It's also a short walk on that same map, because it's across from the Prudential Center.

We love their bar to have a glass of wine and a light meal. And, after the concert, this is a wonderful place for a memorable dessert. They have a way with chocolate sauce!

Ethnic Options for less formal dining

If you want an ethnic meal or a quick bite before the show, we have a few favorites to recommend.
- Moby Dick – our friend Francine Crawford pointed us to this little gem. It's one of her favorite pre-concert spots.
- Pho Basil on Massachusetts Avenue does Thai and Vietnamese food and pleases us with both cuisines. Here's a post on some of the dishes we really enjoy at Pho Basil.
- Lucy Ethiopian Cafe is across the street from Symphony and is fun and delicious. But, give this choice a bit more time. The pace of this cafe's warm hospitality and made-to-order food is a bit slower than many places. They also have wonderful coffee and a selection of desserts for after the show.
- India Samraat on Massachusetts Avenue between Commonwealth and Marlborough is a bit further away but still within walking distance, especially if you park near Newbury Street. This is a restaurant we enjoy sharing with friends. (UPDATE: Sadly, India Samraat closed this year)
- Chili Duck, right across Boylston from the Pru, is a hidden gem and another great spot if you're meeting the gang.
Other resources and opinions

"Where to dine for Symphony?" is a question routinely asked of the crew over on Chowhound's Boston board. Here are a couple of recent conversations with some options that we haven't tried yet.
Update 06.01.13: More locals chime in on favorite places over on Trip Advisor

Here are maps to help you find more options:

Other parking around Symphony Hall

Other restaurants around Symphony Hall

If this type of information is helpful to you, consider saying thank you by starting your next Amazon shopping trip from here. They have the things you want including Boston Pops music and a full line of MP3 Downloads.

Details:
Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-4557 (map)
(617) 266-2378

www.bso.org‎

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo: Courtesy of the Boston Pops (Photo Credit: Stu Rosner)
May 11, 2013
Brasserie JO’s Salade Niçoise: A Best Bite
Brasserie Jo at the Colonnade Hotel is a wonderful spot for a hearty lunch. Ed's favorite there is the Salade Niçoise with medium rare tuna.

Each part of this dish gets the attention needed to make the whole an outstanding version of this classic French brasserie salad. The tuna is trimmed and tender, grilled with that balance of rare and sear that marks a good grill cook.

The greens are crackling fresh, the kind Ed would eat without dressing, by the handful, if he were in his own kitchen. Green beans, potatoes, pickled onion, chopped eggs are all allowed to let their personalities shine.

The next time you're hungry for a big, big salad, think about giving this one a try. Or, at the bar, you can share it with a friend followed by their famous profiteroles with a giant pour of chocolate sauce for dessert.

Who's on your gift-giving shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Brasserie JO‎
```
120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116 (map)
The Colonnade Hotel‎
(617) 425-3240
www.brasseriejoboston.com‎
```
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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May 24, 2012