I don't go here, but can I ask for restaurant recs?

[clseale]

Hi Boston board! I hope you don't mind a Floridian and H&F reg jumping over to ask you locals for some restaurant recs. I will be in Boston 4/16-4/20. I'm coming for the marathon. Some of the Boston H&F regs gave me some suggestions for Italian the night before the race (although I'd love to hear your faves as well), but we have many more meals to eat while we are in town. 

I'm looking for any recs across breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I am also looking for a great choice for DH's birthday (4/19). Specifically for that night, I'm hoping to find something w/a fun atmosphere (just not stuffy/formal), maybe in the $30 entree range. He loves craft beers and bourbon, so an interesting drink menu would be a plus. 

Tell me how you'd do your city. TIA! 

[drloretta]

Where are you staying?

[clseale]

Mar 8, 2016 13:16:08 GMT -5 drloretta said:

Where are you staying?

We're at the Onyx Hotel, near the TD Garden. 

[pinkroses]

I was going to recommend Sweet Cheeks Q for your H's birthday, but unfortunately the Red Sox are at home that night and it will probably be packed. Maybe hit them for lunch instead, or see if you can get a reservation. www.sweetcheeksq.com/

[clseale]

Mar 8, 2016 14:43:39 GMT -5 pinkroses said:

I was going to recommend Sweet Cheeks Q for your H's birthday, but unfortunately the Red Sox are at home that night and it will probably be packed. Maybe hit them for lunch instead, or see if you can get a reservation. www.sweetcheeksq.com/

Awesome. I'll check it out. Thanks!

[bostonmichelle]

RockNVoll and scm1011. They are usually good with restaurant recommendations.

[scm1011]

I live on the other side of the river, so my restaurant expertise lies mostly in Cambridge/Somerville. mcc and janegold might be better people to ask.

That said, here are some recs that I think would fit what you're looking for:
Boston Chops (South End)
Toro (South End)
Lincoln Tavern (Southie)
Eastern Standard (Kenmore Sq)

Boston is a big craft beer town, so most places you go will have a great selection. Bukowski's Tavern (near the finish line) is a fun bar with a great beer selection. Not birthday dinner worthy, but a good place to check out for a drink. Parish Café on Boylston (closer to the Common) fits that category as well. And since you're staying near the Garden, check out Sully's Tap for a true Boston dive bar experience

[janegold]

If the weather is good, try to take a walk to Mike & Patty's in Bay Village for either breakfast or lunch sandwiches. I say if the weather is good because they have almost no seating so we usually bring it home or eat it in a park.

Row34, Legal Harborside or Island Creek Oysters if you like seafood. Harpoon Brewery is nearby and is great for a beer (or 3) and pretzels for a snack, but you can't get a full meal there.

The Gallows in the South End for great gastropub-type food and a fun atmosphere.

Myers + Chang for modern Asian.

There are usually food trucks over in Dewey Square by South Station for lunch on weekdays; would be walking distance from your hotel. And for just quick, casual lunches, my go-tos are Boloco (modern burritos) and Sweetgreens (salad) - there are locations all over.

Good luck on the race!

[clseale]

Thanks, everyone! You are awesome. I'm so excited!

[mcc]

Mar 8, 2016 15:30:50 GMT -5 clseale said:

Mar 8, 2016 14:43:39 GMT -5 pinkroses said:

I was going to recommend Sweet Cheeks Q for your H's birthday, but unfortunately the Red Sox are at home that night and it will probably be packed. Maybe hit them for lunch instead, or see if you can get a reservation. www.sweetcheeksq.com/

Awesome. I'll check it out. Thanks!

If your H is into beer and bourbon, I would recommend Citizen Public House and Oyster Bar. The beer is better and they have an awesome bourbon selection - literally an entire chalkboard wall full of whisky - and it probably won't be as crowded as Sweet Cheeks Q. Also good for bourbon drinks is Eastern Standard, Yvonne's, Drink (in Fort Point), and Trade. Yvonne's will put you over $30 - I haven't been but everyone tells me to eat before going there so maybe it's best just for drinks. 

Depending on how crazy you want to get, Highball Lounge is an awesome time for birthdays. It skews toward a younger crowd (mid-late 20s) but I never feel out of place there with friends in our 30s. It's intense but the drinks are fabulous (read: bartenders blowing fire and pouring champagne into people's mouths).