Farewell Boston Part 2: Restaurants
Little known secret: Boston has great restaurants!
Good Shabbos and welcome back! My Boston departure date is rapidly approaching as another Shabbos comes and goes. This week, I want to reflect on another very special aspect of this city: restaurants. Now, I’ve heard way too many people say that the Boston food scene is subpar. While it surely is not on the same level as bigger cities like NYC or LA, there are so many amazing restaurants that are worth trying. So, I am going to share my top hits, organized by cuisine. These are all tried and true favorites — from dinner with parents to date nights to hungover Sunday takeout, these are spots you won’t want to miss.
Italian
Fox & the Knife
Kicking this off with a top-notch Southie establishment. I went here for my birthday dinner this year, and it exceeded my already very high expectations. The broccoli Caesar is a must-try.
Coppa Enoteca
The first of the many South End restaurants I’m going to bring up. In my opinion, the South End has the best restaurants, and Coppa is up there, offering a classic Italian spread with homemade pasta and pizza.
Geppetto
I brought my parents here the last time they were in town. The tuna crudo and the chopped salad were highlights, and all of the homemade pasta dishes we ordered were delicious. We didn’t end up getting it, but the fried mozzarella also looked insane.
Nappy’s
This is an old-time Medford establishment. The food is good — they will basically make you any classic Italian dish, so the menu is more of a verbal roundup of the possibilities, rather than a set list of offerings. But the best part is it’s BYOB, so bring a few bottles of wine for what is sure to be a lively evening.
Indian
Masala
Masala used to be where underage Tufts students went for cheap margaritas until they got busted and their liquor license was revoked. But fear not, because the food is actually unbelievable. Anything you order will be amazing, but the garlic naan is especially divine.
Nirvana
I’m still dreaming about Nirvana’s chicken tikka.
Vietnamese
Pho Town 7
This spot in Medford has my favorite pho in the city. I am a HUGE pho fan, and I stand by the fact that pho cures any hangover.
Pho Pasteur
With the tragic closing of Gourmet Dumpling House, this no-frills Vietnamese establishment has become my go-to in Chinatown.
Thai
Sugar and Spice
This was by far our most ordered takeout in college. Sugar and Spice truly has the best Pad See Ew ever.
Mediterranean
Sarma
When I think of my favorite restaurants in the whole world, Sarma is on the list. During college, Sarma was the go-to spot for dinner when parents came to town, if you could get a reservation. This is truly one of Somerville’s best (and the black sea cornbread is not to be missed).
Oleana
This is the sister restaurant of Sarma, and even though in my opinion Sarma is better, Oleana is still top-notch for the Boston restaurant scene.
Kava Neo-Taverna
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston, and though it doesn’t surpass my love for Sarma, it’s up there. The Kolokithakia (AKA zucchini chips) are a must-try.
Ilona
This is the sister restaurant of Kava Neo-Taverna, also located in the South End. Still amazing, but slightly less memorable than Kava. However, this place has a lot more seating, both inside and outside, so it’s easier to get a table.
Toro
Another South End gem! Toro serves Spanish tapas (so technically Mediterranean?) and has one of my favorite outdoor patios in Boston. Usually, I think patatas bravas is overrated but their version is amazing, and I’m generally not a duck lover but the Pato con Membrillo (smoked duck drummettes) is unbelievable.
Krasi
This is a tough reservation to get, but if you are able to make it to this chic Greek eatery off of Newbury, you won’t be disappointed. They have an extensive wine list (no cocktails), and the meze-style food is delicious — the tzatziki is my personal favorite, and you assemble it yourself! If you are in the market for a cocktail, stop by Hecate, the speakeasy next door that is under the same owner, for overpriced but inventive cocktails.
Japanese
Ebi Sushi
If you’re heading to Ebi, buckle in for a long evening because the service is very slow. But the sushi is fantastic! In fact, it was actually the gateway sushi for my friend Ale, who before trying Ebi’s House Roll did not like sushi. According to Ale, the House Roll is “an adventure of flavors that come together in the form of a perfect ratio of crunchy shrimp tempura, avocado, and cucumber, all topped with a mesmerizing swirl of spicy mayo and eel sauce. And, there’s a surprise: mango!”
Yume Ga Arukara
This is the definition of a hidden gem. Located very randomly in the Lesley University food court, this tiny stall has counter seating and serves only two dishes, hot or cold udon. But, it has a big reputation — it made Bon Appetit’s top 10 hottest new restaurants list in 2018. The hours are a bit sporadic, but if you can make it there when it happens to be open, it’s 100% worth trying.
Ramen
Menya Jiro
Harvard Square has a bunch of ramen restaurants, but this one is my personal favorite.
One Ramen and Sushi
This is a small ramen and sushi spot on Mass Ave in Cambridge. The Spicy Sesame Ramen (I order it less spicy) is actually heaven on earth.
Pizza
Area Four
I will admit that the Boston pizza scene is very subpar. But, Area 4 in Kendall Square is a bright spot. In addition to being my favorite pizza in Boston, the salads and appetizers are a must-try too, especially the Shaved Brussel Sprout and Kale Salad.
Ciao! Pizza & Pasta
Located in Chelsea, this Neapolitan-style pie is worth making the trip because it’s miles better than most of the pizza in this city.
Picco
This is the only other respectable pizza in Boston, of the pizza I’ve sampled. I’ve heard Prairie Fire in Brookline and Pastoral in Fort Point are also solid, but I can’t personally vouch for them.
American
Gray’s Hall
This is my other favorite restaurant in Southie. It’s a natural wine bar, which I love, and it also happens to have amazing food and an especially unreal cheeseburger. They often have fun themed nights where you can order cheap carafes of wine.
Dave’s Fresh Pasta
My Boston restaurant roundup would not be complete without Dave’s. This establishment is one of the defining features of my Tufts experience — located in Davis Square, Dave’s is an Italian grocery store that sells prepared foods, fresh pastas, and the best sandwiches in the whole world. This is not a joke. I’ve had a lot of amazing sandwiches in my 23 years, but Dave’s takes the cake. Each year of college was characterized by a different Dave’s sandwich: freshman year was the Caprese (add grilled chicken), sophomore year was the Grilled Chicken #2, junior year was the Sun-Dried Tomato Turkey (add roasted red peppers, sub artichoke and lemon pesto), and senior year was the Sicilian (add mortadella). Key tips when ordering from Dave’s: always get your sandwich pressed, call and order ahead especially during the summer, and they’re closed on Sundays. Finally, when you go to pick-up your sandwich, grab a container of the Tamari Tahini — it’s lifechanging.
That’s it for the farewell Boston tour. When you hear from me again, I’ll be back in my native Brooklyn. Boston — you have been very good to me. It was the best five years I could have asked for full of friends, growth, and memories. I will miss this city! But it’s time for a new adventure.