What are some of the best restaurants to eat in Boston?
Boston seems to lack reasonably priced restaurants that serve fresh and deliciously prepared food. Not being a native or resident of Boston, that may be a really unfair statement, but tonight , Feb 1, 2009 was another night, where I was visiting Boston and couldn’t find a restaurant where I didn’t have to pay more than $20 for a really satisfying meal. That said, here are a few things that I would recommend in Boston.from Boston Magazine:Gaslight
Best of Boston 2008 Brasserie
The zinc bar and weathered-subway-tile walls are as authentic as the French fare that attracts neighborhood residents and suburbanite foodies, though any of them yearning for haute cuisine might be disappointed: This isn’t L’Espalier, nor is it meant to be. France’s answer to the American corner bar and grill, a brasserie is all about inexpensive, well-executed standards (croque-monsieurs and steak frites rather than chicken clubs and steak tips), stiff drinks, and an atmosphere steeped in joie de vivre—in other words, Gaslight’s specialties.
560 Harrison Ave.
Boston, Massachusetts 02118
617-422-0224
gaslight560.com/ Clio
Best of Boston 2008 Breakfast
Among Boston’s power-breakfast set, Ken Oringer’s otherwise high-profile restaurant (and the chef’s own "baby") has mostly remained a close-kept secret. Exquisitely mannered servers glide through the elegant dining room, quick with the coffee and sparing with the interruptions. The only risk is that the caviar scrambled eggs, banana galettes, and fresh-baked zucchini bread might have you paying more attention to your plate than to your breakfast companion.
370 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
617-536-7200
cliorestaurant.com Trattoria Toscana
Best of Boston 2008 Italian, Affordable
This ’07 winner keeps its crown for another year, and deservedly so. We adore the relaxed intimacy of the teeny Fenway trattoria, especially the everyone’s-a-regular welcome from owner Zamir Kociaj (who’s Albanian by birth, but very much Italian by nature). The menu isn’t strictly Tuscan, but no matter: It all tastes wonderful, and the informal vibe makes first-timers feel right at home.
130 Jersey St.
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
617-247-9508 from:
http://www.phantomgourmet.com/Showpage.aspx?content=restaurant&id=387
Mistral 
223 Columbus Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 867-9300
www.mistralbistro.com
Mistral sweeps diners off their feet with unbelievable Mediterranean fare that’s still down to earth. Their thin crust pizza appetizer served with smoky chili oil is grilled-to-order with luxury toppings like tomato, mozzarella, and oregano. The incredibly tender braised beef short ribs comes with roasted garlic mash, and the delicate tuna tartare comes with crispy wontons. For dessert, their cream puff profiteroles are out of this world, stuffed full of vanilla ice cream. Every bite goes down in the soaring space that’s reminiscent of a farmhouse, but made over with city style. Terra cotta floors and mini cypress trees add a dramatic edge, while Boston’s hottest beefcakes and cupcakes meet and mingle at the bar.
Xinh Xinh
Neighborhood: Chinatown
7 Beach St
Boston, MA 02298
(617) 422-0501rec from chowhound: Banh mi bo kho (beef stew, not to be confused with the sandwich) at Xinh Xinh from: http://boston.citysearch.com/profile/4730132/boston_ma/charlie_s_sandwich_shoppe.htmlCharlie’s Sandwich Shoppe
429 Columbus Ave
Boston, MA 02116-5959
Phone: (617) 536-7669
The Scene
Open since 1927 and long considered the South End’s premier breakfast spot, Charlie’s has attracted countless celebrities with its monstrous omelettes and juicy burgers. You’ll get a view of autographed photos (from LL Cool J to the mayor) and ancient "No Loitering" signs no matter where you sit. Scoring a place at the counter guarantees a view of the frenetic griddle scene. Grizzled chefs and waiters address their many regulars by name.
The Food
Epic breakfast dishes and greasy spoon lunch fare can be ordered any time. Gigantic three-egg omelettes come with excellent home fries and salad, though some patrons opt for French toast and pancakes. Lunchtime offers up one of the juiciest burgers in town, as well as countless sandwichs. Morning or afternoon, Charlie’s acclaimed turkey hash is a customer favorite. Soups and salads are also popular.
Boston seems to lack reasonably priced restaurants that serve fresh and deliciously prepared food. Not being a native or resident of Boston, that may be a really unfair statement, but tonight , Feb 1, 2009 was another night, where I was visiting Boston and couldn’t find a restaurant where I didn’t have to pay more than $20 for a really satisfying meal. That said, here are a few things that I would recommend in Boston.from Boston Magazine:Gaslight
Best of Boston 2008 Brasserie
The zinc bar and weathered-subway-tile walls are as authentic as the French fare that attracts neighborhood residents and suburbanite foodies, though any of them yearning for haute cuisine might be disappointed: This isn’t L’Espalier, nor is it meant to be. France’s answer to the American corner bar and grill, a brasserie is all about inexpensive, well-executed standards (croque-monsieurs and steak frites rather than chicken clubs and steak tips), stiff drinks, and an atmosphere steeped in joie de vivre—in other words, Gaslight’s specialties.
560 Harrison Ave.
Boston, Massachusetts 02118
617-422-0224
gaslight560.com/ Clio
Best of Boston 2008 Breakfast
Among Boston’s power-breakfast set, Ken Oringer’s otherwise high-profile restaurant (and the chef’s own "baby") has mostly remained a close-kept secret. Exquisitely mannered servers glide through the elegant dining room, quick with the coffee and sparing with the interruptions. The only risk is that the caviar scrambled eggs, banana galettes, and fresh-baked zucchini bread might have you paying more attention to your plate than to your breakfast companion.
370 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
617-536-7200
cliorestaurant.com Trattoria Toscana
Best of Boston 2008 Italian, Affordable
This ’07 winner keeps its crown for another year, and deservedly so. We adore the relaxed intimacy of the teeny Fenway trattoria, especially the everyone’s-a-regular welcome from owner Zamir Kociaj (who’s Albanian by birth, but very much Italian by nature). The menu isn’t strictly Tuscan, but no matter: It all tastes wonderful, and the informal vibe makes first-timers feel right at home.
130 Jersey St.
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
617-247-9508 from:
http://www.phantomgourmet.com/Showpage.aspx?content=restaurant&id=387
Mistral
223 Columbus Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 867-9300
www.mistralbistro.com
Mistral sweeps diners off their feet with unbelievable Mediterranean fare that’s still down to earth. Their thin crust pizza appetizer served with smoky chili oil is grilled-to-order with luxury toppings like tomato, mozzarella, and oregano. The incredibly tender braised beef short ribs comes with roasted garlic mash, and the delicate tuna tartare comes with crispy wontons. For dessert, their cream puff profiteroles are out of this world, stuffed full of vanilla ice cream. Every bite goes down in the soaring space that’s reminiscent of a farmhouse, but made over with city style. Terra cotta floors and mini cypress trees add a dramatic edge, while Boston’s hottest beefcakes and cupcakes meet and mingle at the bar.
Xinh Xinh
Neighborhood: Chinatown
7 Beach St
Boston, MA 02298
(617) 422-0501rec from chowhound: Banh mi bo kho (beef stew, not to be confused with the sandwich) at Xinh Xinh from: http://boston.citysearch.com/profile/4730132/boston_ma/charlie_s_sandwich_shoppe.htmlCharlie’s Sandwich Shoppe
429 Columbus Ave
Boston, MA 02116-5959
Phone: (617) 536-7669
The Scene
Open since 1927 and long considered the South End’s premier breakfast spot, Charlie’s has attracted countless celebrities with its monstrous omelettes and juicy burgers. You’ll get a view of autographed photos (from LL Cool J to the mayor) and ancient "No Loitering" signs no matter where you sit. Scoring a place at the counter guarantees a view of the frenetic griddle scene. Grizzled chefs and waiters address their many regulars by name.
The Food
Epic breakfast dishes and greasy spoon lunch fare can be ordered any time. Gigantic three-egg omelettes come with excellent home fries and salad, though some patrons opt for French toast and pancakes. Lunchtime offers up one of the juiciest burgers in town, as well as countless sandwichs. Morning or afternoon, Charlie’s acclaimed turkey hash is a customer favorite. Soups and salads are also popular.
