Been there, done that

UPDATE: I’ve updated this page and hosted it on WordPress. Click here to see the newer version (which is still in draft form, but still more expansive than this list).

This post is dedicated to some of the more memorable places we’ve been to over the years.

New to Boston? Have company coming to town? Planning a visit? Don’t get out much? Try one of these places… you (hopefully) won’t be disappointed (though most are on the “high end” cost-wise).
a= kid friendly (even some not checked can be kid friendly if you go early… aka before 6pm)

33 Restaurant and Lounge (Back Bay) — Fun for a night out with your friends and decent meal
Blue Ginger (Wellesley) — Ming Tsai’s place… great Asian fusion
Capital Grille (Back Bay or Chestnut Hill) — A steak house, but great seafood a well
Casa Romero (Back Bay) — Great patio, very good Mexican food
Clio (Back Bay) — A tasting menu MUST TRY
Dali (Somerville) — Ambiance, visually entertaining and Delicious tapas
Fava (Needham) — Easily missed, very good food
Finale (Boston, Brookline, Cambridge or Natick) — If you haven’t been… save room and head here for desert
Franklin Cafe (South End) — Not be be missed comfort food
Fugakyu (Coolidge Corner – Brookline) — One of my all-time favorite sushi places
Grill 23 (Back Bay) — Another good steakhouse
Hamersley’s Bistro (South End) — Memorable French fare
Icarus (South End) — Always a good meal
Kashmir (Back Bay) — One of the few decent Indian restaurants downtown
L’Esplier (Back Bay) — Expensive, romantic, delectable
Les Zygomates (Leather District) — Another easily missed… good food, good wine, good jazz
Mantra (Financial District) — French Indian fusion, good cocktails, hip crowd
Masa (South End) — The best South West in Boston
Masala Art (Needham) — Great Indian food; try the spice bar
Metropolis Cafe (South End) — Eclectic mix of comfort foods, always a very good meal
Mistral (South End) — An oldie, but goodie… another one of my all time favorites
No. 9 Park (Beacon Hill) — This is “our place”… where we go for important occasions… the tasting menu is superb
Olives or Figs (Charlestown) a— I hate Todd English, but I love his food
Pho Lemongrass (Coolidge Corner – Brookline) — Excellent Vietnamese
Pho Republique (South End) — Cool hangout, hot Vietnamese food
Phuket (West Roxbury) — The best Thai in town
Rabia (North End) — Our favorite in the North End
Radius (Financial District) — A classic not to be missed
Sophia’s Grotto (Roslindale) a — A neighborhood favorite and great Italian food
Stella (South End) — Hip, happening and a bit overpriced
Stephanie’s on Newbury (Back Bay) a — Decent food, good drinks, great people watching
Tapeo (Back Bay) — Sister to Dali’s; great outdoor dining
The Blue Room (Kendall Square – Cambridge) — Great food and right near the Kendall Sq Cinema (catch an Indie flick)
Tremont 647 (South End) — Best for brunch
Troquet (Theater District) — My favorite in the theatre district… also a great wine bar
Upstairs on the Square (Harvard Square – Cambridge) — Always delicious, romantic and visually stimulating
Via Matta (Back Bay) — Very good Italian; expensive, but delectable drinks
Village Sushi (Roslindale) — The best sushi outside of the city… AND they deliver!
Vintage Restaurant (West Roxbury) a — Steak house feel with a more extensive menu
Washington Square Tavern (Brookline) — A local favorite and always a good meal
West on Center (West Roxbury) a — Pretty good food and pretty family friendly

I am certain that I am missing MANY of the places we’ve been to over the years… but hopefully this can be (if nothing else) a starting point for your search.

I used Open Table to generate most of my list and noticed there were hardly any Brookline restaurants posted… don’t miss out on this neighborhood either, there are loads of great places!

-Tammy