Restaurant Reviews
Been There, Done That
Finally the much anticipated — and updated — list of all restaurants I’ve eaten at! Sorry it took so long… And there’s still much work to do, but at least this is a start. Check back frequently for updates!
* Don’t Bother
** Decent
*** Good
**** Excellent
***** Outstanding!
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Restaurant |
Location |
Rating |
Kids? |
Comments |
Cuisine? |
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South Ends |
*** |
|
Have only done bar food, not dinner. |
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Back Bay |
**½ |
a |
Hit or miss with the food. Sometimes it’s really good, sometimes it’s not. Fun bar scene. |
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Newton |
**** ½ |
|
Very good food, nice atmosphere. Click here for full review. |
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647 Tremont |
South End |
*** |
a |
Fun for weekend brunch. Dinners not bad. |
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Abe & Louie’s |
Back Bay |
** |
|
Overpriced good ‘ole boy crowd. Good for drinks. Click here for full review. |
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Addis Red Sea |
South End |
*** |
|
Very unique experience. Not for everyone. We really liked it. |
Ethiopian |
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Anna’s Taqueria |
Brookline |
***½ |
a |
Ties with Boca Grande for my favorite burritos. |
Mexican |
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Artu |
Beacon Hill |
***½ |
|
It’s been a long time. I just remember that the food was good, but I can’t remember the specifics. |
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Assagio |
North End |
*** |
|
Tried and true N. End establishment. Always a good, traditional meal. Always packed. |
Italian |
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Atlantic Fish Company |
Back Bay |
**½ |
a |
Same as all the “other” fish places in Boston. Good, not great. Standard seafood fare. |
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Audubon Circle |
Fenway |
** |
|
College crowd. Decent bar food and scene. |
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Aquitaine |
South End |
**** |
|
Very good food. Fun atmosphere. Huge wine selection and cool wine rack wall. |
French |
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Aquitaine Bis |
Chestnut Hill |
***½ |
|
Very good as well. Atmosphere in S. End is better. This space is a little small. |
French |
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Avila |
Theater District |
*** |
a |
Good food. Theater crowd. Touristy. Click here for full review. |
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B & G Oysters |
South End |
**** |
|
Excellent oysters. Pricy, but worth it. I’ve seen infants/toddlers dining there as well. Click here for full review. |
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Baja Betty’s Burritos |
Brookline Village |
** |
a |
Decent burritos. Homemade ice cream. |
Mexican |
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Bambara |
Kendall Square |
*** |
|
Have only been for large events (holiday party). Food was good. Not mind blowing. |
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Barking Crab |
Waterfront |
** |
a |
Overpriced and very casual. Young, drunken crowd. Fun for out-of-towners. |
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Bitch Street Bistro |
Roslindale |
*** |
a |
Was better when it first opened. Not so great now. Has nice outdoor space for warmer weather. |
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Blu |
Chinatown |
***½ |
|
Weird location… inside gym. Good food, hip crowd and decent bar scene. |
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Wellesley |
**** |
|
Always good. Often see Ming Sai on site. Need reservations. |
Asian |
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Boca Grande |
Brookline |
***½ |
a |
LOVE the burritos. Click here for full review. |
Mexican |
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Border Café |
Harvard Square |
**½ |
a |
Decent Mexican food and margaritas. Young crowd. |
Mexican |
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Bon Caldo |
Norwood |
*** |
a |
Not bad for a Route 1, suburban place. Sort of cheesy, but pretty good food. Click here for full review. |
Italian |
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Bonfire |
Back Bay |
*** |
|
Good food. Steakhouse feel. |
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Boston Beer Works |
Fenway |
** |
a |
What you would expect for a bar/restaurant near Fenway. Decent food. Young crowd. Nothing special. |
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Bottega Fiorentina |
Brookline Village |
*** |
a |
Small takeout place with great pastas. You pick the pasta and the sauce separately. I love this place. They have daily sandwich specials too. My favorite is the pumpkin tortellini with the brown butter sage sauce. Mmm… |
Italian |
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Bukhara |
Jamaica Plain |
***½ |
a |
Very good Indian food. Good for eat-in or take-out, though I prefer to eat-in. They are well equipped for children as well. Usually pretty busy on weekends. |
Indian |
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Cactus Club |
Back Bay |
** |
a |
Run of the mill Southwest/Mexican joint. Big bar scene and good margarita’s. Young crowd. Food is nothing special. |
Southwest |
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Café Vittoria |
North End |
***½ |
|
The “IT” place for after dinner drinks, coffee and dessert in the North End. Always packed, not overly awesome… just a fun tradition. |
Italian |
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Cambridge Brewing Co |
Kendall Square |
*** |
a |
Not bad for one of the local “Brewing Co’s”. Better than Boston Beer Works and in a good location to catch a movie at the Kendall Square Cinema. |
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Back Bay |
***½ |
|
I don’t care what others say… I still like the Capital Grille, though the Chestnut Hill location is better than the Bay Bay one. Have a Stoli Doli for me… (pineapple-infused Stoli vodka)… my personal favorite. |
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Back Bay |
*** |
|
Very good Mexican food. Go in the warmer weather and request a table on the patio… which is the best part about this place. Sort of difficult to find… hidden down an alley. |
Mexican |
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Casablanca |
Harvard Square |
*** |
|
Good bar scene. Hopping spot that’s been around for a while in Harvard Square. Decent food. Nothing overly special. |
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Central Kitchen |
Central Square |
*** |
|
It’s been a while, but I remember our dinner was good. We need to go back. |
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Centre Street Café |
Jamaica Plain |
*** |
a |
Have only been for breakfast. This place is always packed and serves very fresh ingredients – grown by local farmers. Go early and get in line. |
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Cheesecake Factory |
Chestnut Hill |
***½ |
a |
If you have been to one, you have been to them all. Always huge portions, good food, decent service and a huge selection of items to pick from the menu. Click here for full review. |
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Chipotle Grill |
Dedham |
***½ |
a |
Newest burrito chain in town. Not as good as Boca or Anna’s, but I really like them. Click here for full review. |
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Ciao Bella |
Back Bay |
*½ |
|
I hate this place. I have had awful experiences here… including having a waitress “check me” (think if ice hockey) while I was standing at the bar (waiting for a table). It was such bad experience, that I cannot even tell you what the food was like. |
talian |
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Cibo |
North End |
***½ |
|
It’s been YEARS since I’ve been here, but I used to frequent this place because they always had good meals. Not your “typical” North End fare. Not sure how they are now. |
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Back Bay |
***** |
|
One of my all time favorite restaurants. Very expensive, but worth it. The tasting menu (with wine) is a MUST TRY. |
Asian/French Fusion |
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Comella’s |
West Roxbury |
*** |
a |
Casual, kid-friendly, take-out or eat-in. VERY good pasta dishes. West Roxbury location is working on a beer and liquor license. Click here for full review. |
Italian |
|
Cottonwood Café |
Back Bay |
**½ |
a |
Nice, after work, southwest fare and margarita place. Usually busy, usually decent food. |
South West |
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Craigie Street Bistrot |
Harvard Square |
*** |
|
Lots of people love this place. We thought it was good, just not great. Parking can be a headache. Click here for full review. |
French |
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Croma |
Back Bay |
*** |
a |
Have only had lunch, outside on the patio. Great for Newbury Street people watching. Food was good and they were very kid friendly. |
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Somerville |
***½ |
|
I just love both this place and it’s sister restaurant Tapeo’s. Dali has better atmosphere. Both have great tapas, sangria and traditional fare. |
Spanish |
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Davio’s |
Kendall Square |
***½ |
|
Always a good meal. Not great atmosphere. Pricey. |
Italian |
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Delfino Restaurant |
Roslindale |
*** |
|
Always a wait. The locals LOVE this place… they call it “the North End in Rozzie”. I think it’s good… but not outstanding. |
Italian |
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Delux Cafe |
South End |
** |
|
Great for comfort food and a funky setting. Small, eclectic and fun. |
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Deno’s Pizza |
West Roxbury |
** |
a |
Best pizza in West Roxbury. This is coming from someone who grew up eating NJ/NY pizza. |
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East Coast Grill |
Inman Square |
***½ |
a |
Great brunch with make-your-own bloody Mary bar. Known for their spicy, southwest flavors. |
Southwest |
|
Essence of Thyme |
Hyde Park |
**½ |
a |
Very small gift shop with a little kitchen. Many people don’t even realize you can order food here. They have a very limited sandwich menu, but the food is fresh and made to order. |
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Fava |
Needham |
***½ |
|
This place was very good. Funky space and in |
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Figs |
Beacon Hill |
*** ½ |
a |
Great gourmet pizza, interesting combinations and good pastas. Always busy and always a good meal. |
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Theater District |
***½ |
|
Fabulous, decadent and somewhat pricy desserts. If you have never been, it’s a must try. They also have salads and sandwiches for the pre-theater crowd and a liquor license provides wines and after-dinner aperitifs. |
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Fire & Ice |
Harvard Square |
** |
a |
Kind of “chainy and touristy”. Fun for a group though. You pick you meats, veggies and sauce and then watch while the chefs cook it up in front of you. I think it would be fun for kids. |
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Foundation Lounge |
Fenway/Kenmore |
*** |
|
Food was good, but was a very young and “Euro” crowd (think BC). Click here for full review. |
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Florentina |
Kendall Square |
*** ½ |
|
Small, lunch (and dinner I think) take-out or eat-in place. I used to get lunch here all the time when I worked in Kendall Square. They have daily specials and the pasta is always SO good! Love this place! |
Italian |
|
South End |
***½ |
|
Very popular and busy S. End fixture. Good comfort food, good service and always a good time. Usually a wait. |
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Fugakyu |
Brookline |
***½ |
a |
Some of the BEST sushi in town. Try to get one of the screened-off rooms is you can. Sitting at the sushi bar is also fun. In any case, it’s always very good. |
Japanese |
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Garden of Eden |
South End |
*** |
a |
Good, casual, lunch place. Not sure if they do dinner. Not a huge menu, but kid-friendly and food is fresh. CLOSED NOW. |
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Giacomo’s |
North End |
*** |
|
Has been a N. End staple for years and years. They now have a second location in the South End. I would probably try the S. End first. This place always has a mile-long line of tourists waiting for a table. The food is very good… but not outstanding. |
Italian |
|
Gaslight |
South End |
*** ½ |
a |
We liked this place. It seems to have a good bar scene. The service is so-so. Click here for full review. |
French |
|
Geoffrey’s |
Roslindale |
*** |
a |
We used to frequent this place when it was on Dartmouth Street in the Back Bay and loved that we could bring our dogs on the patio. This new location also has a patio – which is great – which allows dogs. The food is good (not great). The drink menu is fun. |
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Ginza |
Brookline |
**** |
a |
Another excellent sushi place. Has been around for years and years and it’s been a long time since I’ve been there. Not sure how it stacks up now against all the new competition. |
Japanese |
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Back Bay |
*** |
|
One of the tried and true, original Boston steakhouses. Always packed, big after-work crowd, lots of suits and pretty good food. |
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Hamersley’s Bistro |
South End |
**** |
|
This French bistro has been around for years. Always a good meal. I believe they have outdoor space now, which considering the location, would be a nice addition to a warm summer meal. |
French |
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Haru Sushi |
Back Bay |
*** |
|
This place gets lots of good press. We though it was good, but not outstanding. Click here for full review. |
Japanese |
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Himalayan Bistro |
West Roxbury |
*** ½ |
a |
This local Indian take-out or eat-in joint is very good. Has a large, diverse menu and they deliver. Click here for full review. |
Indian |
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Houlihan’s |
Kendall Square |
*½ |
a |
Exactly what you would expect from a chain restaurant, that serves pre-mixed frozen drinks, that’s located in a mall. |
Irish |
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Hungry I |
Beacon Hill |
*** |
|
This place used to always win “Most Romantic” in all the “best of Boston” listings. I’ve only been once, and I remember the food was good, but it’s a very “stuffy” and “traditional” atmosphere (think Toile). I wasn’t super impressed and have had no desire to go back. |
French |
|
South End |
**** ½ |
|
I love this place. Every time we go the food is fabulous. It’s a large space that has been in business for a long time, so they know what they are doing. |
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Island Hopper |
Back Bay |
**½ |
a |
This Asian-mix of a restaurant serves up Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and other Asian fare. It’s been years since we went here (when it first opened), but I remember the ingredients were very fresh and the food was pretty good. |
Malaysian |
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Ivy |
Theater/Ladder District |
*** ½ |
|
I like this place. I’ve been here a few times and have had some good meals. They also have some interesting cocktails and a jazz bar down stairs. Click here for full review. |
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Jae’s Café |
Coolidge Corner |
*** ½ |
a |
I’ve been to a few of these, including the one that used to be in the Atrium Mall. The food is always fresh and tasty. Both their sushi dishes and their sautéed meals are very good. |
sian |
|
Joe’s American Bar & Grill |
Back Bay |
**½ |
a |
To me, all these places are the same. The food is good, but not great. It’s a young crowd and so-so service. My one gripe with this restaurant group is that the owner also owns the Greyhound racetrack in Wonderland. That definitely leaves a bad taste in my mouth (pun intended). |
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JP Seafood Café |
Jamaica Plain |
***½ |
a |
Great sushi. Kid-friendly. Always a good meal. Same owners as Village Sushi in Roslindale. |
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Back Bay |
*** |
a |
Get’s lots of press for being one of Boston’s best Indian restaurants. I definitely like it, it’s always crowded… but I’ve had better Indian food elsewhere. |
Indian |
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Kingfish Hall |
Faneuil Hall |
*** |
a |
Pretty good for a Faneuil hall place. Just too touristy for my liking. The outdoor patio is nice and the inside has some cool décor. It’s hard for me to take a place in this location seriously. |
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Legal Seafood |
Chestnut Hill |
*** ½ |
a |
What can I say? People love this place. Everyone who visits Boston wants to eat here. The fish is fresh, the dishes are plain, but tasty and they have great New England Clam Chowder. It’s a bit overpriced and too crowded for me. |
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L’Espalier |
Back Bay |
**** |
|
I gave this Boston favorite 4 stars because it has held it’s ground as being one of the best French restaurants (in Boston) for many years running. Personally, I think the food and service are excellent, but it’s sort of boring for me. The décor is very old-world, the portion are minute and it’s a bit too stuffy. |
French |
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Longhorn Steakhouse |
Fenway |
**½ |
a |
Eh. It’s okay. |
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Les Zygomates |
Leather District |
**** |
|
I really like this place. They have a great wine list, do regular wine pairings/tastings, play great jazz and are in a part of town that is “less traveled”. Definitely worth a visit. |
French |
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Maggiano’s |
Theater District |
*** |
a |
|
Italian |
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Mandarin Gourmet |
Chestnut Hill |
*** |
a |
Click here for full review. |
Chinese |
|
Financial District |
***½ |
|
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French/Indian Fusion |
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Mary Chung |
Central Square |
*** |
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Chinese |
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Masa |
South End |
***½ |
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Southwest |
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Needam |
**** |
a |
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Indian |
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Masona Grill |
West Roxbury |
***½ |
a |
Click here for my first review and here for my second visit. |
Mediterranean |
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Match Burgers & Martinis |
Back Bay |
** |
|
Click here for full review. |
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Matt Murphy’s |
Brookline Village |
** |
a |
Click here for full review. |
Irish |
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South End |
**** |
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Misono Sushi |
Chestnut Hill |
***½ |
a |
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Japanese |
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South End |
**** |
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French |
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Beacon Hill |
***** |
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French |
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Oleana |
Inman Square |
***** |
|
Click here for full review. |
French |
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Olives |
Charlestown |
**** |
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Papa Razzi |
Back Bay |
*** |
a |
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Italian |
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Parish Café |
Back Bay |
**½ |
a |
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P.F. Changs |
Theater District |
*** |
a |
|
Asian |
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Pho Lemongrass |
Coolidge Corner |
***½ |
a |
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Vietnamese |
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Pho Republique |
South End |
***½ |
|
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Vietnamese |
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Phuket |
West Roxbury |
*** ½ |
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Thai |
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Piattini |
Back Bay |
*** |
|
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Italian |
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Picco |
South End |
*** |
a |
|
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Pleasant Café |
Roslindale |
*½ |
a |
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Pu Pu Restaurant |
West Roxbury |
**½ |
a |
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Chinese
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Purple Cactus |
Jamaica Plain |
**½ |
a |
|
Southwest |
|
North End |
**** |
|
|
Italian |
|
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Radius |
Financial District |
**** ½ |
|
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French |
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Rattlesnake Bar & Grill |
Back Bay |
** |
a |
|
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Real Deal |
West Roxbury |
*** |
a |
Our favorite W. Roxbury sandwich spot. |
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Red Bones |
Davis Square |
*** ½ |
a |
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Southern BBQ |
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River Street Grill |
Hyde Park |
** |
a |
|
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Rocca |
SoWa |
*** ½ |
|
Click here for full review. |
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Rustic Kitchen |
Theater District |
*** |
a |
|
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Sail Loft |
Waterfront/N. End |
**½ |
|
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Salem Beer Works |
Salem |
** |
a |
Click here for full review. |
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Sel De La Terre |
Framingham |
*** |
a |
Click here for full review. |
French |
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Silvertone |
Downtown |
*** |
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Sister Sorel |
South End |
*** ½ |
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Skipjack’s |
Back Bay |
**½ |
a |
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Sol Azteca |
Fenway |
*** ½ |
a |
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Mexican |
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Sonsie |
Back Bay |
**** |
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Roslindale |
*** ½ |
a |
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Italian |
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Spring Blossom |
West Roxbury |
** |
a |
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Chinese |
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Spring Street Café |
West Roxbury |
** |
a |
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Stella |
South End |
**** |
|
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Stephanie’s on Newbury |
Back Bay |
*** |
a |
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Sugar Bakery |
West Roxbury |
*** |
a |
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Talk & Wok Café |
Hyde Park |
** |
a |
Click here for full review. |
Chinese |
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Tamarind Bay |
Harvard Square |
*** ½ |
|
|
Indian |
|
Tangerino’s |
Charlestown |
**** |
|
Click here for full review. |
Moroccan |
|
Tapeo |
Back Bay |
*** ½ |
|
|
Spanish |
|
Taranta |
North End |
*** |
|
Click here for full review. |
Italian |
|
Thai Spice |
West Roxbury |
*** ½ |
a |
|
Thai |
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The Beehive |
South End |
**** |
|
Click here for full review. |
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Kendall Square |
*** ½ |
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The Florentine Café |
North End |
*** |
|
|
itlian |
|
The Helmund |
Kendal Square |
*** ½ |
a |
|
Afghanistan |
|
The Nightingale |
South End |
**** |
|
CLOSED NOW |
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The Oak Room |
Back Bay |
**½ |
a |
|
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The Paramount |
Beacon Hill |
*** |
a |
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Torch |
Beacon Hill |
*** ½ |
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South End |
*** ½ |
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Troquet |
Theater District |
**** |
|
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French |
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Turner Fisheries |
Back Bay |
** |
|
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Harvard Square |
*** ½ |
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Vellos |
Westwood |
** |
a |
Click here for full review. |
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Back Bay |
*** ½ |
|
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Italian |
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Village Smokehouse |
Brookline Village |
**½ |
a |
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Southern BBQ |
|
Roslindale |
*** ½ |
a |
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Japanese |
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Vinny T’s |
Dedham |
** |
a |
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West Roxbury |
*** ½ |
a |
CLOSED NOW |
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Vox Populi |
Back Bay |
*** |
|
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Washington Square |
*** ½ |
a |
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West Garden |
West Roxbury |
*½ |
a |
` |
Chinese |
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West on Centre |
West Roxbury |
*** ½ |
a |
|
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Wonder Spice Café |
Jamaica Plain |
*** |
a |
|
Thai |
