The weather is getting nicer, more people are smiling and the Seaport, Fort Point Channel and Innovation Districts of Boston continue to explode to become THE go to dining spot in the city. I for one am very happy as I now not only live in this area, I now work in the Innovation District and I love to eat. What more could this blogger girl ask for?
Being right on the water, seafood is in abundance so let me start with a couple of seafood favorites.
Row 34 “A workingman’s Oyster Bar”
My new favorite place to go to after work for a bite to eat is Row 34. I was back just recently and once again enjoyed the Shrimp Sliders and Deviled Crab Toast. Row 34 is fantastic if you love oysters, fresh seafood and an easy casual atmosphere. This is the “IT” place in town so it is tough to get into without a reservation. Book in advance if you want to dine in the main room. If not, you can be lucky and nab a table in the bar area if there are just two of you.
Shrimp Sliders at Row 34
You can’t really go wrong as a seafood lover with Legal’s. Renowned throughout New England as probably the best seafood chain restaurant. Legal’s Harborside offers three different floors to dine from the huge first floor casual restaurant to the fine dining of the second floor to the huge rocking roof deck, which is extremely popular during the warmer months. I love sitting at the round bar on the first floor enjoying a glass of Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc and briny oysters followed by one of their Big Bowl Salads with grilled shrimp. They also do a good sushi roll menu. A great place for family get togethers.
Looking to mix up a little sushi and tequila… I mean who wouldn’t, then I suggest the welcoming, small Sushi-Teq at the InterConntinental Hotel. Enjoy ridiculously good, delicate Hamachi and spicy tuna rolls with a classic Petron margarita on the rocks with salt. In the summer you can go outside to the bar and enjoy the views of the water and people watching.
Hamachi at Sushi-Teq
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If you are looking for something with more comfort, heavier foods then look no further than 75 on Liberty and Strega Waterfront.
I have spent many an unplanned, happy evening at 75 with friends. Serving the same menu as their sister restaurant on Beacon Hill, 75 offers comforting dishes of calamari, burgers and seafood entrées such as their tasty chargrilled salmon with crispy polenta. This restaurant sits right on the water on Northern Ave and in the warmer months it opens its deck to the fresh sea air.
If you are looking for comforting pasta dishes, then Strega is the place to visit. Start with the burrata appetizer and you will not be disappointed. All of the rich, delicious pasta entrées can be an appetizer portion, which works great for me and my friends. Strega is also a fun scene to behold. It does seem to be working a little bit of the “Sopranos” feel of slightly over the top, but kind of fun.
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I am not a steak lover but I do enjoy steak restaurants very much. I especially love the New England feel of them and the wonderful aromas of the cooked meat.
Some may argue this is more Financial District than Seaport but it’s very close and worthy of putting on this list. I just went back to the Palm this past week and enjoyed a team dinner in their dining room. Previous to this I have always sat in the bustling, business crowded bar. This is definitely a fun place for the single gal. They do a great menu call “Palm Bites” between 5-7pm, which offers lobster sliders, flatbreads and fondue. You can of course order a 10oz steak if you are so inclined.
Calabrese Flatbread at The Palm
What can I say about Del Frisco’s. This place is an absolute scene to hang out at. A huge restaurant looking towards the water with a lounge, bar and main dining room. The bar is usually standing room only but worth the hovering around just to grab a seat to enjoy a glass of red with the ahi tuna appetizer and to sit back and people watch. The crowd seems to be business folks, out-of-towners and locals and I have to say a very attractive crowd – especially the men folk.
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For something a little more unique and different, I suggest both of these locales.
Sam’s at Louis (soon to be reopened)
Over the last few years, I have been a frequent visitor of this wonderful restaurant. I do enjoy dining at the small bar, love sitting in the open plan restaurant with floor to ceiling windows and having fun at a cocktail party on their deck. This place is just so cool with a constantly changing delectable menu. I have made many recommendations for Sam’s and no-one to date has felt I oversold this super place.
Lamb Chops at Sam’s
Blue Dragon has a fun, loud vibe and a cool mix of clientele from the young hipsters to the mature suburban crowd. It seems everyone wants to try this place out and I can see why. They are like a tapas restaurant for Asian food so most dishes are about sharing. I cannot rave enough about their pork ribs – they are insanely good. They also have a unique drink menu offering refreshingly good cocktails such as the Bangkok Sunrise. This place is packed every night of the week so try and get a reservation if you can.
There are many more restaurants which I highly recommend in this area…
For Mexican I suggest Papagayo. Probably the best guacamole around.
For pizza look no further than the wonderful folks at Salvatore’s. Try their Vignola Cherry Pizza.
For a great wine list and fantastic flatbreads try Trade.
Try Gather for an interesting and different beer selection.
Of course there are still more I have to try for myself and will of course share my findings.
What do you think of this new area? Are there other restaurants you would add to this list?
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Great roundup Tracey, thank you for the recommendations! I love 75, Legal Harborside and Strega Waterfront. Row 34 has been on my list to visit since it opened!