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Restaurants in Boston

Seafood, in particular lobster and clam chowders, are popular for new diners to the city. The restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over US$60)
Moderate (US$20 to US$60)
Cheap (up to US$20)
These prices are for a three-course meal and half a bottle of house wine or equivalent. They do not include tax or service.

Restaurant meals in Boston are subject to a state sales tax of 6.25%, which is normally added to the bill at the end. If a service charge (usually 15 to 20%) is not added to the bill, a tip of 15 to 20% is customary.

Expensive

L'Espalier

Cuisine: French

In an atmosphere of opulent refinement, diners are cosseted in three intimate dining areas within a grand 1880s townhouse. The food, considered by many to be the best in town, is French with a New England accent: beef tenderloin with morels; tomato fondue and rosemary polenta; foie gras torchon with Muscat gelée, pickled cherries and pistachio nuts; and halibut with ginger and lychees. There are also frequent wine tastings. No lunch. Closed Sundays.

Address: Back Bay, 774 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199
Telephone: +1 617 262 3023.
Website: http://www.lespalier.com

Myers & Chang

Cuisine: Asian

Challenging all the stereotypes about traditional Asian cuisine, this hip restaurant blends the cooking styles of Thailand, China and Vietnam to stunning effect. Expect small plates bursting with flavour, including dim sum made with farm-to-table, fresh ingredients, Tiger Tears salads of skirt steak, lime and khao koor and crispy fish tacos with kimchee and sesame seeds. The venue is light and bright, with a pop art vibe and the staff is young and cosmopolitan. Bookings advised.

Address: South End, 1145 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Telephone: +1 617 542 5200.
Website: http://www.myersandchang.com

Taranta

Cuisine: Italian, Fusion

The award-winning Taranta features southern Italian food with a Peruvian twist. Italian antiques accent the comfortably rustic setting. The service is charming and the quality of food high. Dinner options, on the seasonally changing menu, might be pan-seared tuna served over braised leeks with a sauce of sweet roasted peppers, capers and rocoto (spicy red pepper), rack of lamb or pappardelle pasta with wild mushrooms and porcini. Cooking classes are also offered. It's not on the menu, but ask for the house speciality, spaghetti with sea urchin.

Address: North End, 210 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113
Telephone: +1 617 720 0052.
Website: http://www.tarantarist.com

Moderate

The Barking Crab

Cuisine: Seafood

For a waterfront picnic, it is hard to beat this establishment's steamed clams by the bucket, its award-winning clam chowder or the lobster awash in melted butter. Both the food and the setting are unpretentious, although there are yuppie touches ('crab burgers', the music). There is also a terrific range of local microbrews and a hearty Sunday brunch. Reservations suggested during the summer months. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Address: Harborside/Financial District, 88 Sleeper Street, Boston, MA 02210
Telephone: +1 617 426 2722.
Website: http://www.barkingcrab.com

The Helmand

Cuisine: Afghani

This Afghani restaurant has won numerous plaudits. Enjoy outstanding flatbreads, grilled lamb marinated in wonderful spices, beef meatballs and sauteed seabass amongst others in an atmospheric homely setting that includes a crackling fire and luxurious rugs.

Address: Cambridge, 143 First Street, Boston, MA 02142
Telephone: +1 617 492 4646.
Website: http://helmandrestaurant.com

Toro

Cuisine: Spanish

Toro is the outrageously popular brainchild of James Beard award winners Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette. It serves up Barcelona style tapas in a dark, moody interior with a huge bar, an open kitchen and an industrial-chic feel. The menu is divided in four parts, including Pinchos (small snacks), Tapas Frias (cold snacks), Tapas Calientes (hot snacks) and “For Two”, larger dishes such as paellas and salt-crusted seabass. Don’t miss the fabulous Jamon Blanco, toast topped with La Quercia lardo, marinated Jonah crab, black garlic, shallots and avocado.

Address: South End, 1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Telephone: +1 617 536 4300.
Website: http://www.toro-restaurant.com

Cheap

Dorado Tacos & Cemitas

Cuisine: Mexican, Latin

This Mexican is head and shoulders above the rest, thanks to its extensive menu and quality of food. Order wonderful rice plates, made-to-order chorizo, steak, and fish tacos. The place always seems to be busy - that's definitely a good sign - but the staff continue to be warm and friendly.

Address: Brookline, 401 Harvard Street, Boston, MA 02446
Telephone: +1 617 566 2100.
Website: https://doradotacosboston.com/

Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage

Cuisine: American

Busy, loud and lots of fun, Mr Bartley’s burger joint has been a Harvard Square institution for more than 50 years. Students flock here for a choice of more than 40 different burgers accompanied by sweet potato fries, onion rings and raspberry-lime rickeys. And, if you can’t find anything you like, you can create your own 7oz masterpiece.

Address: Cambridge, 1246 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02138
Telephone: +1 617 354 6559.
Website: http://www.mrbartley.com

Quincy Market

Cuisine: Varied

This buzzing food hall at the center of the tourist action houses over 20 restaurants and 40 food stalls. Browse the counters and choose from just steamed bagels, cups of hot chowder, Greek vine leaves, Indian dosas, homemade ice-cream and pastries. Then make yourself comfortable at the tables in the central rotunda.

Address: Downtown, Congress St, Boston, MA 02109
Telephone: +1 617 523 1300.
Website: http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Hotel Marlowe

Stars, compasses, planets and diamond/harlequin patterns are part of the 'discovery' motif at the funky and fun Hotel Marlowe. Around the faux-marble fireplace of the tufted-velvet walled living room, there are complimentary evening wine hours and Wednesday evening poetry readings. Comfortable crimson and gold guest rooms are accented with velvet, leopard-print carpets, furry blankets and amenities that include modern electronic comfort, Aveda toiletries and leopard-patterned terrycloth robes. Even four-legged guests are regaled with leopard-print collar tags, treats and other pet services. The inviting American-styled brasserie, Bambara, is adjacent to the hotel.

Chandler Inn

This snug South End inn offers a lot of class for a relatively low cost compared with Downtown hotels. Rooms may be a touch small but they sport a designer touch with moulded Panton chairs, leather headboards and bright accents. Plasma TVs and iPod docks come as standard while downstairs you’ll find the popular neighbourhood drinking den, Fritz.

The Liberty Hotel

Prison chic is made a reality in the Liberty Hotel. For 120 years, the Charles Street Jail held some of Boston's most infamous criminals but in 2001, Liberty designers converted the building into a classy, unique hotel. Much of the décor mirrors the building's 20th-century charms, including The Clink restaurant which features authentic cell bars and the main lobby that reveals the inner atrium of the original prison. Far from being prison-like, this upscale hotel boasts all the necessary 21st-century amenities along with stunning views of the Charles River and the Boston skyline.

Mandarin Oriental

Located in the cosy Back Bay the Mandarin Oriental combines comfort and style to produce one of Boston's most luxurious and trendy hotels. Rooms resonate with classic oriental styles with a modern flare and boast beautiful views of the Back Bay cityscape. After a long day of touring and shopping enjoy a soak in the oversized Jacuzzi baths or indulge in a massage at the Mandarin Oriental's five-star spa. Perfect for a business retreat or a relaxing holiday the Mandarin Oriental will not disappoint.

Harding House

This classic, baby blue Victorian guesthouse has fourteen handsome rooms decked out in all-American style with quilts, patterned rugs and dark hardwood furniture. The period character of the house gives the place a warm, homely atmosphere which is reinforced by the freely available cakes and coffee, Thursday evening wine tastings and the generous home-cooked breakfast, which is included in the price.

Liberty Clipper

Between June and September only, board one of Boston's elegant tall ships for an alternative, budget accommodation option. Moored in the historic waterfront district of Boston, a block from the North End and Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, you will be offered a choice of one of six cabins all featuring a skylight, hot/cold water, three shared bathrooms and three shared showers. This is definitely an experience.