SOME OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS TO TRY IN BOSTON THIS SUMMER

SOME OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS TO TRY IN BOSTON THIS SUMMER

ARTICLE CREDIT OF TIMEOUT BOSTON - EDITED BY: JACQUELINE CAIN

 

1. Comfort Kitchen - DORCHESTER

Photograph: Courtesy Comfort Kitchen/Rita Ferreira

What is it? Chic and soulful in the heart of the city, this Dorchester debut from a group of local industry veterans is one of the most exciting recent openings in Boston.

Why go: Dinner and drinks deliciously shine a light on essential ingredients to BIPOC communities, and the quaint building and patio are historic. A 2023 James Beard Best New Restaurant nominee, Comfort Kitchen also serves a more casual, counter-service menu for breakfast and lunch Thursday-Sunday.

We love: Brown-butter-seared okra with masala-spiced yogurt and plantain chips; jerk-roasted duck confit with rice, beans and Haitin pikliz; Baobab Cocktail, a punchy, free-spirited combination of baobab, ginger, orange and
Nepali Tea Traders white tea.

2. Sarma - SOMERVILLE

Photograph: Brian Samuels

What is it? Food-focused friend-groups pretty much always want to book this Somerville spot, as shareable new creations appear on the menu frequently. Ten years strong, Sarma entices season after season with vibrant Mediterranean small plates and a wealth of options for vegetarians. 

Why go? Despite a reputation for booking out, Sarma reserves bar seats for walk-ins. If you have to wait, at least you'll be looking forward to one of the most fun dining experiences around. Acclaimed chef-owner Cassie Piuma embarked on her fruitful collaboration with co-owner Ana Sortun at Greater Boston's grande dame for meze, Oleana.

We love: Warm gyro bread with "schmear" like seven-layer hummus or avocado muhummara; cauliflower romanesco with red-hot tahini and a blue cheese-spiked yogurt dip; Persion beef brik (handpie); and the sesame-friend chicken, if it's roving around the dining room. Cocktails are worth exploring too, made with unusual ingredients like prickly pear, Moroccan bitters and chai yogurt. 

4. o ya - LEATHER DISTRICT

Photograph: Gentl and Hyers

What is it? One of Boston's spendiest restaurants, o ya is an experience to savor—not only because it'll cost you nearly $300 just to get in the door.

Why go: The crown-jewel omakase from owners Tim and Nancy Cushman and their team set a new bar for special-event dining when it opened more than 15 years ago. With reverance to Japanese tradition and no-holds-barred imagination, the 20-course parade is a marvel of both flavor and presentation.

We love: That the Cushmans do sushi in more accessible settings, too. Maki rolls and sushi tacos from gogo ya at Time Out Market aren't quite the same, but it's craveable and friendlier on the wallet. 

5. Mahaniyom. - BROOKLINE

 

Photograph: Troy Ali

What is it? Not your typical Thai menu, Mahaniyom is modeled after a type of bar serving street food in the owners’ native country. 

Why go? Though the menu might be more limited than you're used to seeing at Thai restaurants in Boston, every dish is a revelation. Plus, dazzling cocktails combine Asian flavors with classic techniques, as in the signature Mahaniyom Sazerac with Thai tea-infused rye.

We love: Don’t overlook the chalkboard specials (go for the oysters with chili jam and crispy shallots). Beef panang with rich, nutty house-made curry; spicy mushroom salad (plaa hed) and crispy fried chicken skin are some of the most memorable dishes. 

Photograph: Courtesy Fox & the Knife/Brian Samuels

What is it? Inspired by her time living and working in Modena, Fox & the Knife is the debut from chef Karen Akunowicz, a James Beard award-winner and Top Chef fan-favorite. (She's also behind the glamorous Bar Volpe.) 

Why go? From breads and pasta to her signature grilled broccoli Caesar, expect innovative, Italian-influenced food. All of the pasta at this modern enoteca is rolled fresh onsite. 

We love: We strongly suggest you get the celebrated pepe e cacio, a reinterpretation of the Roman classic, sprinkled with pink peppercorns and goat butter.

7. Field & Vine - SOMERVILLE

Photograph: Courtesy Field & Vine/Brian Samuels Photography

What is it? Tucked away from the bustle of Union Square, Field & Vine is kind of like Somerville’s own secret garden. A New American interpretation of farm-sourced fare from chef Andrew Brady and his wine maven wife, Sara Markey, the duo is also behind Camberville spots Junebug and Dear Annie.

Why go? The Scandinavian-esque interior of light wood and foliage is cool and comfortable enough to be a neighborhood go-to that's also occasion-worthy. At the center of this spot, marked by a dramatic web of gnarled vines overhead, there’s an open kitchen that gives guests a front row seat to all of the culinary action.

We love: Chef Brady's liberal use of herbs and rich sauces elevate vegetables to their ultimate form. It's veg-forward but not vegetarian: Seafood and meat are complemented by earthy ingredients.

8. Amar - BACK BAY

 

Photograph: Courtesy Amar

What is it? A new import to Boston, NYC Michelin-starred chef George Mendes is doing modern Portuguese cuisine on the 17th floor of the luxurious Raffles hotel.

Why go? Eponymous with “love” in Portuguese, Amar is devoted to classic dishes Mendes grew up eating, with the chef’s own twist. 

We love: The desserts are sublime, including the made-to-order pão de ló sponge cake, an Iberian egg-yolk sponge cake with smoked cinnamon ice cream. We also love the pekin duck with vibrant sauce poured tableside.

Why go? This Cambridge spot is teeming with homegrown talent as the latest from the team behind nearby Italian gem, Giulia. The menu is apt to change nightly with hyper-seasonal seafood, vegetable and pasta dishes. Think: crudo adorned with summer herbs and stone fruit, smoked trout potato flatbread and udon noodles with curried mussels.

We love: Don't skip dessert by award-winning pastry chef Renae Connolly. Homemade gelato is a must-order. 

What is it? From a chill, fairly remote location on the industrial waterfront, this Seaport spot turns out globally influenced, Mediterranean-esque cuisine and cocktails crafted by a homegrown team of hospitality pros.

Why go? As its name nodding to the Massachusetts state bird may attest, Chickadee is deeply local. Chef John daSilva descends from Sicilian and Portuguese fisherman who emigrated to the area, and he met his business parter, Ted Kilpatrick, training at revered Beacon Hill bistro, No. 9 Park.

We love: daSilva's lobster campanelle with house-made pasta and spicy fra diavolo, slow-roasted porchetta sliced and dressed with a funky-sweet salad of fruit and fish sauce, and the anything-but-humble grilled carrot salad.

Why go? Nightshade Noodle Bar is a singular experience absolutely worth the easy excursion to the city north of Boston, where course after course delights and surprises in playful ways. 

We love: Chef Miller steers the course, but we hope you're served the frothy, vanilla-laced lobster glacé, claypot caramelized foie gras, and grilled coconut sticky rice pops topped with fresh uni and caviar. 

Why go: Co-chefs Paul Butler and Kelcey Rusch collaborate to create things we wouldn't even dream of, like savory sunchoke donuts dusted with powdered leeks; and griddled chickpea tempeh with maple-vinegar (think: vegan-friendly chicken tenders with honey mustard). 

We love: The diverse and thoughtful wine list and balanced and nuanced cocktails that complement the dining experience at Spoke.

Why go? The snug, convivial spot is excellent for a fun night out—especially on Mondays and Tuesdays when a "great date night" meal is priced for two to share.

We love: Menu highlights include fall-off-the-bone tea-smoked spare ribs, Mama Chang's pork and chive dumplings, and Taiwanese-style cool dan dan noodles with peanut-sesame dressing, cucumber and cilantro.

Why go? The cozy, industrial eatery is as jam-packed as ever—but the hidden backyard patio feels like one of the South End's best kept secrets.

We love: Day-one staples like the quince-glazed smoked duck drumsticks, gambas al ajillo (griddled garlicky shrimp) and maíz asado (zesty, saucy grilled corn) are still Boston's best Barcelona-style bites. Order a glass of Spanish vermouth from the impressive selection and pick your pintxos.

Why go? This James Beard award-nominated restaurant suits Jamaica Plain, the funky neighborhood where you'll find Brassica Kitchen at the end of the Orange Line.

We love: Don't miss the signature B.K. fried chicken—but don't fill up on it, either. The ever-changing menu of seafood crudo, rice and noodle dishes, vegetables, grilled meats and more is unpredictable but reliably exhilarating. Opt for the priced-per-person "ride" to taste the best of the best. 

Why go? The meze menu offers perfectly spiced options for all palates (including plenty of vegetarian-friendly offerings), from feta kataifi to Vermont quail kebabs. Oleana also boasts one of the dreamiest outdoor dining gardens in the area.

We love: Save room for homemade ice cream, pistachio and cardamom baklava or the showstopping Baked Alaska for the table. Executive pastry chef and co-owner Maura Kilpatrick is a decorated star in her own right.

Why go? Pick your own adventure at Pammy's, where composed crudo, vegetable dishes, pastas and proteins pull from Asian and African pantries of ingredients and are all  beautifully presented.

We love: Snagging a seat and a spritz at the marble bar, where you can order a la carte (rather than committing to a reservation and a three-course prix-fixe in the dining room).

Why go? Formerly chef of the North End's iconic Neptune Oyster, Serpa takes cues from across the Mediterranean to enhance local catch. He also picks the wines that complement the experience.

We love: The chef's deft takes on crudo (try the silky Faroe Islands salmon with pistachio oil and togarashi), and the "taverna style" whole-roasted sea bream for the table. Bonus points for the wine list, which usually includes orange wines and a seafood-friendly sparkling rosé. 

Why go? The menu may read familiar: chicken parmesan, spaghetti Bolognese, lobster ravioli. But Tony & Elaine's executes this nostalgic fare with utmost care, crafting pastas onsite and heaping plates with high-quality ingredients.

We love: The trio of homemade cannoli for dessert.

Why go? Featuring live music Wednesday through Sunday, flashy cocktails and a delicious menu of reimagined Southern comfort food, it makes for a special night out with friends or a date. 

We love: "Sweet heat" chicken wings tossed in gochujang-honey syrup, oxtail grits, and the carrot-cake chicken and waffle. Espresso martini lovers, don't miss the Black Gold.

Why go? In a new building on the site of a historic Boston restaurant, it's a contemporary homage to what's so great about dining out in Boston. 

We love: Brunch here. A shellfish platter and the lobster popover on the waterfront patio really can't be beat.

24. Celeste - SOMERVILLE 

Why go? Many spots go for social dining these days, but hip, lively, no-reservations Celeste truly shines as dish after dish of seafood-y, pepper-y, potato-y pleasure comes from the open kitchen.

We love: Fruity shrimp ceviche, beefy lomo saltado, and inventive drinks from the bar stocked with mezcal and pisco.

Why go? Casual enough for an after-work drink yet sophistocated enough to impress a work colleague or picky in-law, Puritan Oyster Bar is a choose-your-own-adventure experience of easy-going seafood snacks and feast-worthy dishes.

We love: The ice-cold freezer martini and a tower of shellfish. 

Why go? This restaurant means business when it comes to big flavors across the selection of shareable plates and seasonal cocktails. Going above and beyond the typical wine list, this spot earns extra kudos for its impressive sake selection. 

We love: Bring your friends and go in on the whole-roasted peking duck with DIY steamed buns. 

Why go? The no-reservations spot is family-friendly with ample outdoor seating. It’s also a picturesque walk in either direction to the Freedom Trail and historic sites like the warship “Old Ironsides” docked in the harborside Navy Yard, and the Bunker Hill Monument.

We love: The daily dressed oysters, wood-roasted meatballs and the Killa B pizza, topped with Genoa salami and local hot honey. 

28. haley.henry - DOWNTOWN

Why go? Small producers, especially female winemakers, are the stars of this menu, from Boston hospitality veteran Haley Fortier (Nathalie).

We love: If you’re not familiar with natural wines, the friendly staff is willing to help. Sample from the list of wines by the glass, or—if you commit to two glasses—they’ll open any available bottle for you.  

Why go? Second-gen Chinatown restarateur Brian Moy knows craveable flavors, in creative cocktails as well as shareable signature dishes like Wu-Tang Tiger Style Ribs (hoisin-Thai barbecue with peanuts and lime) and “Shadowless” duck-fat fries (drenched in mapo tofu and kimcheese).

We love: The Shojonator, part-burger, part-bao (served in a house-steamed sesame bun) that's topped with bacon, fried shallots and kimcheese.

Why go? The kitchen churns out juicy, perfectly prepped sirloins, rib-eyes and filets. Classic steakhouse sides get modern spins, like crisp onion rings coated in panko and parmesan.

We love: Freshly baked cookies and milk, for dessert.