Located in the heart of Boston's South End, Toro is an upbeat Barcelona-style tapas bar. Owned by acclaimed chef Ken Oringer, Toro has become one of Boston's must-visit restaurants. Perfect for sharing, the traditional tapas served here are small portioned dishes that allow patrons to order and try various cuisines. Toro's vast menu features a variety of tapas, including empanadas, sliders, paellas , and more. Not to be outdone by their cuisine, the signature drink menu at Toro offers wine on tap, cocktails, champagne, and bottled beer. Their brunch is one of the best in the city, offering pitchers of sangria, mimosas, and bloody marys. Be prepared to wait or arrive early, as this popular establishment doesn't accept reservations.
Housed in the Boston Center for the Arts, The Beehive restaurant and bar is almost like an opera house in itself, with live jazz, a cabaret, and a lot more action. There are fine satin drapes and exquisite artifacts adorning the eatery, which will sure catch your attention. There is no denying the fact that it is a popular hangout among the night birds, and the bar and lounge scene here is also upbeat and lively. The food is a regular mix of the grilled and Mediterranean varieties, with lamb ribs ruling the roost. Sausages, pasta, and risottos also sit happily together on the menu, and the wine sure flows freely on all days. Everything about the place has an arty feel to it.
Tourists still flock to Bull & Finch Pub, a.k.a. Cheers Boston, the inspiration for the Cheers television series which ran for 11 years and won several awards. Immerse yourself in the cozy ambiance, adorned with memorabilia that pays homage to the beloved sitcom. Visitors can enjoy a casual and friendly environment, complete with classic pub fare and a good selection of drinks. Menu options are diverse and well worth the money spent. With its nostalgic charm and a reputation for great food and drinks, Cheers is a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists in Boston.
For daring Asian cuisine enthusiasts, Myers + Chang promises to cater admirably to their needs. The chefs' interpretations of Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese cuisine are both thoughtful and novel, drawing huge crowds. Some must-try dishes here are full-flavored braised pork belly buns, delectable pot stickers, and excellent tea-smoked pork spare ribs. On weekends, Myers + Chang serves up a dim sum brunch menu that is the perfect way to have a social hangover breakfast, with plenty of sharing and a riot of flavors.
Located in the popular South End of Boston, Picco is a well-established and loved Italian restaurant. An acronym for Pizza and Ice Cream Company, Picco is known for its exceptional thin-crust style pizza and homemade organic ice cream, which are all made with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant is characterized by its bright blue awnings, simple decor and outdoor seating. With a bubbly crust, fresh cheese and herbs, the pizzas are exquisitely prepared and can be custom-ordered with a variety of toppings ranging from homemade ricotta to broccoli rabe. The ice cream is richly flavored and made in-house. The flavors rotate daily but often include chocolate, mint chip, ginger and passion fruit.
The Helmand is Boston's first Afghan restaurant. It has a wonderful atmosphere with yellow walls, hand-woven rugs, a wood-burning stove and tables set with linen and fresh flowers. Dishes here are seasoned with spices like turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon and cilantro. One specialty is the flatbread, which you dip it into the yogurt-mint sauces. The pumpkin appetizer with yogurt and ground beef is also popular. Menu items include lamb with grapes, marinated tenderloin and leek-stuffed ravioli. The restaurant also has an excellent selection of wine.
Located in Winchester, Mamadou's Artisan Bakery is a part of a chain of specialty food shops which is renowned for its baked goods. Its flaky croissants will remind you of Paris bakeries while its hearty baguette bread will keep you coming back for more. Walnut bread, Italian bread, sourdough, multigrain bread and Ciabatta are a few other varieties of baked goods which can be found here. Grab a croissant on your way to work or take home a couple of loaves to spruce up your dinner.
The Clear Flour Bread Bakery located in Brookline is known for its unadulterated breads crafted with organic flour. Through the glass windows of this bakery, you can watch skilled hands artfully kneading the dough and crafting the loaves that this bakery is famous for. An extensive variety of breads feature in this quaint bakery, including 100 percent whole grain, Ancienne French, Buckwheat Walnut, German Rye, Oatmeal Cinnamon Raisin and more. A host of delicious, freshly made pastries such as Brioche, Cranberry Currant Scones and Rustic Tarts that also feature here are reminiscent of European baked goods.
In a city that takes its ice cream very seriously, Toscanini's consistently ranks among the top three parlors in informal and formal polls. The chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice creams are divine. But unique flavors, such as burnt caramel, cardamom and saffron, really set this place apart. Sorbet and frozen yoghurt are also served and the sauces are homemade. All of their frozen treats are made on premise, so all the flavors listed on the website are not always available. The coffee and espresso drinks are also recommended.
Sarma serves a blend of Middle Eastern and East Mediterranean cuisines with a focus on mezze platters. These are small dishes that are prepared using a variety of herbs and seasonings and can be shared among a group. The interiors are quirky and use a range of bright colors in the décor. The azure blue walls are decorated with ornamental plates and the striped upholstery exhibits varied hues. The menu too is diverse and features dishes like Chickpea Fritter, Lamb Köfte Sliders, Persian Scallops and Salmon Dolmades. The food is complemented by cocktails like the rum-based Parker’s Revenge and a variety of beers and wines. A visit to this restaurant allows guests to sample a fusion of various Middle Eastern cuisines.
Gibbet Hill Grill offers a unique dining experience by introducing the farm-to-table concept to the people of Groton. The restaurant offers a seasonal menu as they are known to grow most of their produce on the farm. They have a variety of tomatoes, squashes, greens, peppers, potatoes and specialty onions that feature regularly on the menu. Fresh meat and seafood of the highest quality is usually sourced from neighboring farms. The restaurant offers contemporary dishes by combining flavors unique to the region. The tranquil location of the restaurant coupled with extra-ordinary food is sure to make your visit a memorable one. The restaurant is also open for quaint celebrations such as small weddings, bridal showers, birthdays and anniversaries.