Boston Itinerary Feedback

On Thursday, your trip to Salty Pig doesn't make a ton of sense in between Trillium and Row 34. I love Salty Pig and they usually have a few very good beers available, but you are basically heading across town and back again. I understand this may be a result of Row 34 not having a reservation available until 9, but you should consider going to Row 34 at 6, putting your name in for a table, then either drinking there until your table is ready or maybe heading to one of the other spots in the neighborhood - Pastoral, Lucky's, Blue Dragon, and Tavern Road are all worthwhile, and Row 34 will call you once your table is ready - it won't be more than an hour or so. I am told they will also store your Trillium purchases, but realize that may be a fly in the ointment if you need to get them back to your room to enjoy the rest of your night.

On Friday, again it is worth your while to put your name in at Neptune as early as you can - there will be a long wait and they will call you. Publick House is also a bit out of the way in my opinion when there are several decent options closer to the ballpark. Even if you are there right at 5 you may be hard-pressed to get dinner and be back for the first pitch.

 

I'd recommend Lower Depths over Publick House for the same logistics reasons mentioned above (5 min walk to Fenway). This is always my pre-game Fenway stop.

Might also suggest checking out Aeronaut Brewing Saturday as its out near where you will be (Somerville). Also Meadhall is worth a stop for a beer, they have an awesome tap list though it's on the more expensive side. It's also a 5 minute walk to CBC.

 

If Neptune Oyster is mobbed, I am always an advocate for a stop at Regina's. Sam or Harpoon is all the craft beer you'll
see there, but if I had gone through life without trying a well-done pepperoni...

And yeah, Gingerman isn't far and has a phenomenal tap list. If they're still doing the fixed-price, whatever-you-want samplers, it's a pretty good deal, too.

 

Gingerman is an excellent decision. They've had Fiddlehead checkins this week not sure how long they will last though, hopefully a while!

 

Also, if you do have a ton of time on Thursday afternoon, you may want to hit Drink before dinner rather than after. It's a cool spot, but it gets progressively mobbed as the night goes on, and it's much harder to get the real bespoke-cocktail experience when it's busy.

 

Looks like a solid itinerary overall. I think the one timeframe where you're trying to squeeze too much in is Friday afternoon. I'd say you're going to have a hard time getting in the Freedom Trail/North End and Neptune Oyster before trying to head to Publick House for open at 5 PM. You probably need to make a decision between Neptune or Publick House, and if you try for Neptune and can't do it then Ginger Man is a solid alternative. If you want Publick, I disagree with the comment above that you couldn't make it to Fenway if you're there right when they open...you should have plenty of time for food and a few beers and could catch an Uber to be there in ~10 minutes.

 

Had a nice late night meal, Second Fiddle, and Finback Osillation 003 at Gingerman last Saturday.
Also, the take out pizza you can have delivered to Mystic is really good.
Branch Line in Watertown is a great spot for a meal and has an excellent tap list too. Not sure if you'll be by that area.
Have fun!

 

Looks great ...

# Night Shift opens at 11am now

# Neptune Oyster even after the initial lunch crowd is pretty damn busy, just about high season for tourism in Boston now. You could see a long wait even for a couple of bar seats.

# Keep in mind Lower Depths is cash only.

# If Uber is surging hard try Lyft

# Other local breweries worth checking out are Winter Hill (very new), Aeronaut, & Harpoon even if its just for a quick pint.

# There is also this beer fest going on ...
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beer-camp-across-america-boston-ma-tickets-22130837932

 

Are you thinking about going out drinking after dinner on Saturday night? If so, Brewer's Fork doesn't make a ton of sense to me, since you are going to have to uber anywhere after. I would suggest doing Townsman for brunch if that is close to your hotel, then heading to Cambridge. You could do Alden and Harlow for dinner, or maybe Kirkland Tap and Trotter or Puritan and Co (both are on par with the other restaurants you have discussed and in the area you are already exploring) and then hit Bukowski's and Trina's Starlite in that neighborhood afterwards.

 

Yankee Lobster Company is very good. On waterfront near Harpoon. Also have a small but decent craft selection. I had Steal This Can there. They also had Spencer on tap.

 

To help make your decision on Saturday brunch, Alden & Harlow does themed Saturday brunches every so often, Saturday the 18th is one... Alden & Harlow Presents: Hip-Hop Brunch: Dirty South - https://www.facebook.com/events/1635476333444255/

 

I highly recommend Alden & Harlow. I'd even think of doing dinner there and Brewer's fork for lunch since the dinner/lunch menu at BF is pretty similar and you wouldn't be missing out on anything.

You may even be able to work the day backwards as planned - like go from BF to CBC then Lord Hobo. Or go CBC, A&H, then finish the night at Hobo

 

There is a brand new beer bar called Blackmoor Bar & Kitchen in Charlestown you may want to check out before or after Brewer's Fork. The Olde Magoun's Saloon team is behind it. Just a few blocks from Brewer's Fork. I haven't been yet but the taplist looks comparable to Magoun's (i.e., fantastic w a good selection of both US and German beers). Glad to have another great option in that neighborhood.

 

Pretty sweet game plan but I'd cut a couple things out. Mystic and Night Shift are good spots but they are out of the way and I wouldn't wanna be so aggressive with brewery hopping 8 hours before a Sox game. At the very least I'd do Freedom Trail in the AM and then the breweries mid afternoon, skipping Publick House. Brewers Fork is also out of the way, especially as the last stop of a long weekend. I'd stay in Cambridge at that point, which is a much more fun neighborhood than Charlestown.

 

Those two breweries are not out of the way IMO. Both are pretty close to Route 99 or Route 1 ... both are a very quick Uber drive to the North End so long as it is before 3pm.

Good call on suggesting the Freedom Trail in the AM ... the start is very close to Mike & Patty's. That might be a better choice @ocl1536

 

If you're not staying within walking distance, I wouldn't bother with Mike & Patty's. They make a pretty good breakfast sandwich but they're way overpriced and not really that special.

 

Alden & Harlow is probably my favorite restaurant in the greater Boston area. Fantastic stuff; brunch and dinner are both amazing.