Boston Itinerary Feedback

Going with the general theme, I would probably work in the relatively "distant" locales from Boston proper or Cambridge - Night Shift, Brewer's Fork, etc. during the lunchtime/early afternoon hours and work your way back to either hub later in the day. Looks like you did so for Friday but I could easily flake on dinner at Brewer's Fork after hanging in the Cambridge area most of the day...

 

I'm gonna throw in a vote for Lulu's for brunch on Saturday. Very short cab ride from there to Cambridge and they are killing it right now with the taplist. They consistently get a lot of beers from Grimm, Finback and other NYC area beers that I haven't seen on tap anywhere else in the city along with Trillium and other great beers. Also, the brunch food is silly.

 

I'd consider going to Stoddards for lunch on Thursday. It's not too far from where your staying. Solid food and beer menu with usually one cask offering.

 

Or The Merchant. I haven't eaten there but they have a raw bar and nice menu. I think their beer menu has surpassed Stoddard's recently.

Note: Merchant's site only lists their permanent drafts, around 15-20 rotate that aren't listed. The few times I've been there I've spent a long time deciding what to drink because they have a lot of NE stuff not typically available in Boston.

 

jm Curley is right across from Stoddard's and has an awesome burger and usually a few fun specials on the board, plus a good bar program - not the beer selection of Stoddard's or Merchant, but always a good option on draft and the superior food experience of those 3 places. Lunch time is a good time to go - rarely crowded, eat at the bar, watch the US Open, then head over to Fort Point. Lunch at Townsman is also an option, as well as Pastoral in Fort Point. You are basically hitting all of my top recommendations, so I would say you are doing it right.

 

This itinerary is great.

Would be curious for a post-trip follow up to see if you managed to hit everything in the plan. It's gonna take some serious willpower to trek onward from the Night Shift patio on a sunny afternoon when there is maybe time to have just one more Whirlpool...

 

Since you are staying on Beacon Hill then maybe Tip Tap room for thursday lunch. Or late night since they serve food till 1:30AM. Great tap list, solid food.

 

This may be a n00b and side note question - Is Neptune Oyster that much better than places like Island Creek Oyster, B&G Oyster, Select, etc.

I'm coming in the beginning of august and wanted feedback from locals.

 

Neptune and B&G are clearly on the pricier side. Island Creek has similar owners to Row 34, both of which have excellent service ... they all equally have and awesome oyster selection. Neptune might have a better lobster roll but this really comes down to personal preference, you are looking at a $2 difference. You could probably find a lobster roll under $20 in the Boston area that is almost as good. All have a pretty good beer selection.

 

Agreed with Jason. You can have a great meal at any of the ones you list. They each have a slightly different vibe.

 

I haven't been to Select yet, despite it being a block from my office, but it is run by the former chef of Neptune and might be the priciest of all. It does take reservations, which is nice, and apparently has a lobster sandwich (not roll) at lunchtime only that is reported to be great. Of the various options that I have frequented:

Island Creek - close to Fenway Park, takes reservations, biggest menu, fun dining room
Row 34 - next to Trillium, best beer selection, industrial decor and typically quite loud, slightly stripped down menu to ICOB
Neptune - tiny, no reservations, very much a foodie destination, smaller beer selection - more focused on wine

 

Thanks guys! I have been to Row 34 when I was in Boston last summer. That is on the docket but I wanted to add one more of the more known seafood places in addition.

 

Could even go real casual with outdoor picnic tables at James Hook + Co.

 

If you are looking for a higher grade, O Ya near South station. Probably the best seafood in Boston if people think of it in that way.

Related to Alden & Harlow, the chef there is really close to opening a seafood restaurant in Cambridge called Waypoint

 

Just to add that JM Curley is consensus best burger in Boston area (as someone who usually reads lists about best burgers...), but it seems like OP is a cured meat guy so Townsman might be the better option. Both are on the walk to Trillium from Beacon Hill.

 

I've heard the burger is good there, typically I see Alden and Harlow's secret burger as tops (if you can get it) closely followed by Craigie on Main's burger (even harder to get I believe).

 

I go back and forth on Alden and Craigie having had both a couple times. I think I'd give a slight edge to Alden as the bun and sauce are unreal, though arguably the burger itself is a little more flavorful at Craigie. Either way, they are both easily 9 or better on a 1-10 scale. I haven't had the dinner burger (thick patty) at JMC, but I have had the lunch burger and it's good. Definitely good enough if the goal is have a good burger. Not super close to either of the other two, though.

 

Sorry to hi-jack but what are the best beer bars to get a range of New England/Boston area locals on tap?

 

Where are you staying/visiting?