Boston dinner suggestions

[LoveTrains]

H ladies - H and I are going to a benefit in early December at the Liberty Hotel. I don't know if you guys remember this from, but we were originally supposed to go during the weekend after Nemo and then it got cancelled.

In any case, I had a free night at the Nine Zero so we are going to stay there. The benefit is just drinks and apps/desserts and starts at 9 pm.

So I am looking for dinner ideas for an early dinner - like 6 pm or something - that would be not too far of a walk. Then we would head back to the Nine Zero to change into cocktail attire for the benefit.

Soo.....ideas?

I was pondering Grotto because I love it and its not too expensive. We just had to replace the hot water heater in our condo so I am trying not to overspend. So sadly something like Number 9 Park is out.

[liveintheville]

Nov 4, 2013 23:12:01 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Damn it, I was about to be all, "Well, duh, No. 9 Park of course," at which no one on this board would be at all surprised, LOL.

Do you like soup dumplings? There's a place in Chinatown maybe a 10 minute walk away that has the best soup dumplings ever (Dumpling Cafe on Washington St.). They also have a bunch of other Chinese/Taiwanese dishes that are excellent.

Ha! And I was going to recommend Mooo.
Is Petite Robert close enough?

[mcc]

I was going to recommend Mooo too.

What about Granary Tavern? It's in the financial district and I think their food is really good.

[5kcandlesinthewind]

Grotto is good. You could also try their sister restaurant, Marliave, which was one of our go-tos when my husband lived over there, and is basically around the corner from your hotel.

[LoveTrains]

I went to Marliave once and was underwhelmed. I didn't realize it was owned by the same folks as Grotto, though.

I don't know that I have ever had soup dumplings but I would be willing to try! H works in chinatown, though, so he might not want to head that way. But he does love Pho and he has a place that he goes to with all his work friends, so maybe we'll do that.

I would probably rather do No. 9 park over Moo....but again, looking for cheaper eats.

[LoveTrains]

Do soup dumplings come in soup? Or do you just eat the dumplings? sorry if that makes me sound ignorant.

[LoveTrains]

Awesome - that sounds really good! Will I be able to easily avoid shrimp/crab/etc? That is always my fear in chinatown.

[noodleoo]

Nov 5, 2013 9:04:14 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Now I want soup dumplings and/or pho for lunch. And I did not wear my comfy commuting shoes for the walk

ETA: If you've never had them, LoveTrains, soup dumplings are definitely worth trying (Dumpling Cafe has them on the menu as "mini juicy buns with pork").  They are wrapped with a super thin wrapper and inside is a little meat center surrounded by an amazing mouthful of soup.  They give you little tongs at Dumpling Cafe to pick the dumplings out of the bamboo steamer and you have to carefully lift them so you don't tear the dumpling open.  Put it on your soup spoon and then slurp up all the yumminess.  I often will bite the top of the dumpling off to let it cool off a bit inside before eating the whole thing as it can be very hot so be careful.  There's also a vinegar and ginger dipping sauce that goes with it if you like.  You'll want to order 1-2 other dishes too or you won't feel full.

This sounds amazing!  I don't think I've ever had them.  I've had dumpling soup, but this looks different.  I will have to try it!  Perfect now that it is getting cold.  

[fryjack2]

Paramount on Beacon Hill has good dinner.

That's kind of in the middle of where you are staying and the Liberty. DO you have to go back and change, or can you go straight there from dinner? Or if you take the T one stop on the red line from Liberty, the Kendall Hotel (small boutique place in Kendall) has a good restaurant called the Black Sheep. Its really good!

[LoveTrains]

oh rnv that looks soo good!!! I think we might go for the soup dumplings.

[LoveTrains]

Nov 5, 2013 18:20:39 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

Nov 5, 2013 18:02:40 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

oh rnv that looks soo good!!! I think we might go for the soup dumplings.

Call me if you need any help with ordering

Do you know if they take credit cards?! My H is meeting his parents for lunch in chinatown at 1:30 and is considering going there today!!

[LoveTrains]

Thank you! I haven't heard yet where they are eating but I passed on the info.

[bryantpark]

If you are going to the Liberty hotel anyway why not Clink or Scampo? Both are great. Clink is easier to book though.

[Deleted]

Ditto Scampo. It's reasonable as far as Boston restaurants go and the food is awesome.

[LoveTrains]

Nov 11, 2013 20:20:31 GMT -5 bryantpark said:

If you are going to the Liberty hotel anyway why not Clink or Scampo? Both are great. Clink is easier to book though.

I appreciate the suggestion, but we are a) not staying at the Liberty Hotel and b) we are trying to be MM.

We are staying at the Nine Zero because I have enough Kimpton in Touch nights for a free stay. It was like $300 for one night at the Liberty and I really can't justify that right now. Or, I could if we didn't go out drinking for like three weeks in a row, but I like to go out drinking. 

[vtdiamond]

My DH's restaurant is close to the Liberty and is pretty reasonably priced. I can PM you if interest.

We had dinner at Scampo last night as MIL is staying at the Liberty and it was delicious