Best places to eat in Boston & Toronto

[Guern]

Hi All

Me and the Mrs are visiting Boston & Toronto in March.

We already have a meal at CN Tower booked. Where else to eat or drink?

Cheers in advance

[manintheback]

Toronto: Splendido is fantastic, but big bucks and may need to reserve well in advance

[MarkD]

Guern

For Toronto, PM me with your preferences. Be warned: I have heard the food in the CN Tower is, well, all about the view.

Toronto is excellent for ethnic cuisines of all sorts. Greek, Porto, Italian, Chinese especially strong given the large immigrant communities of all the aforementioned.

There's a restaurant at Floor 54 in the TD Bank Tower (I work about half way there :D ) if you want high food.

[Rollingthunder]

http://www.phantomgourmet.com/showpage.aspx?content=GreatAteList

[strake]

You might like to try The Capital Grille in Boston for "fine dining". Good if a little pricey..nice steaks etc. Always busy so you will need to book for evenings.
I've never had a bad meal there.

http://www.opentable.com/restaurant_profile.asp?ID=2050

[Guern]

Cheers guys mouthwatering stuff!! Good job I like Steak.

Any further recommendations happily accepted.

[manintheback]

By the way: re the CN Tower. It did indeed have a reputation for poor food but was overhauled awhile back. I ate there (admittedly 12 months ago) and it was extremely good. So hopefully it will be ok. Also make sure you get a seat by the window. The middle bit doesnt move.

[Flash2001]

CN Tower

Don't set anything on the window ledge, it'll be an hour or so before you get back to it!

Angular velocity doesn't improve food.

After an excellent landing, you can use the airplane again!

[BrightonGirl]

One of the restaurants people immediately associate with Boston is Durgin Park, which has been right next to Fanieul Hall for eons. You share long tables, and some of the waitpersons probably date from the revolution. They're known for seafood, of course, and for enormous slabs of very good roast beef.

Loch Ober, downtown -- I don't recall where, but it would be easy to find out (and may be pricey --it's been a very long time) is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the country, I believe.

And Anthony's Pier Four -- pricey, but great seafood.

[Guern]

Cheers Guys & Gals

We love food so anymore recommendations are great. Also places to visit in March would be great (esp Aviation related but don't tell Mrs Guern).

[Memetic]

It's about 3 years ago now but we went to an excellent little restuartant in Totonto called Verona - a quick google show's it's still getting mentions.

[radeng]

I quite like the Union Oyster House in Boston. Supposedly the oldest restaurant in the US.

[visibility3miles]

Boston:
The No Name Restaurant (seafood)
http://www.theinsider.com/Boston/Restaurants/no-name.htm

The Village Fish (seafood)
http://www.planet99.com/boston/restaurants/14637.html

Durgin Park and the Union Oyster House are classic Boston restaurants, and close to each other. I think the Oyster House has more "atmosphere" at this point.

http://www.unionoysterhouse.com/Pages/history.html

[OFBSLF]

Can't say that I much care for Durgin Park and their legendarily obnoxious waitstaff, nor for No Names. While they are Boston institutions, neither are known for excellent food.

For moderately priced seafood, Legal Seafoods (several locations) does a very good if unimaginative job.

At a somewhat higher price-point, Hamersley's Bistro (http://www.hamersleysbistro.com/) is truly excellent.

At the high end, L'Espalier (http://www.lespalier.com/) has outstanding service and wonderful atmosphere, but is very pricey.

Aujourd'hui, the restaurant at the Four Seasons hotel in Boston is quite good with excellent service and truly outrageous prices. Nice view of the Public Garden, but the last time I was there (prior to the recent renovation), the room itself was truly soulless.

If you end up in Metrowest (near western suburbs), check out Blue Ginger (http://www.ming.com/blueginger/blueginger.htm)

[Jerricho]

For Toronto, have a bit of a look through this (http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2003-05-08/goods_guide.php) . Personally, I believe the Wheat Sheaf (on King West and Bathurst) do the best wings I have ever had. Supposed to be Toronto's oldest pub as well. Excellent service.

[Guern]

One week to go so any final suggestions are welcome...

Moythwatering stuff, we especially like steaks etc

[Jerricho]

If it helps, DON'T bother with the restaurant in the CN tower :yuk: :yuk: You've been warned ;)

(Enjoy the trip :ok: )

[Guern]

We were told CN Tower was ok now????

[Jerricho]

Really? That would be good to hear (we were there 18 months ago and weren't impressed). I hope it has got better.

[p290951]

In Toronto, try any of the Keg Restuarants. Great steaks and prime rib. Also Hy's downtown.

[MarkD]

can endorse the Keg after a recent visit!

[Guern]

Cheers guys

Leaving on Friday any last minute suggestions for either city would be great.

Thanks guys & gals

[RatherBeFlying]

Toronto:

It's been a long time, but the memories are still good if it's a non-chain steakhouse you want: Barberian's (http://www.barberians.com/home.php)

There's also a lovely bistro on the East side of Spadina between Richmond and Queen.

Any Fornello is good taste and value.

Also a fancier Italian? place on North side of Harbord just West of Spadina.

Sorry for locations instead of names -- fading brain cells.

Most important -- bring Wellies. It's the deepest snow I've seen in years.

If you have an hour or two to kill at BOS, there is a fine bar in the control tower.

Feel free to PM for phone number to get directions.

[T_richard]

Sorry guys but as a Boston regular I found most the preceding recomendations to be too touristy or cookie-cutter chain restaurants (Capital Grille), with the exception of Hamersly's Bistro (sp?) If price is not a big issue I would recommend the following:
Lucca Restaurant 226 Hanover Street, Boston
The Blue Room One Kendall Sq., Cambridge
Grille 23 161 Berkeley St, Boston
75 Chestnut Street s/a , Boston
The Harvest Restaurant, Cambridge

[rotornut]

Guern,

Take the subway and get off at Chester on the Bloor subway line. Just a few steps east on Danforth Ave. is Megas, an excellent Greek restaurant. There are lots of other Greek restaurants in that area as well but avoid Ambrosia as it is overpriced.

Also, Pony Bistro at 488 College St. is excellent. Features French cooking but is not pretentious.

The Rebel House at 1068 Yonge St. is also very good (get off at Rosedale station on Yonge subway line). Food is good, excellent beer selection and very friendly staff (plus lots of good looking single? ladies).

[MarkD]

rotornut

tried Pantheon? shouldn't have forgotten there as I am a frequent patron, and if I move to East York in Q3 this year will be even more so.

Can also endorse the Rebel House - not for anyone on a diet though :D

[rotornut]

MarkD,

Yes, I believe I have. All those Greek restaurants are pretty good.

[RatherBeFlying]

Now that Guern's back, perhaps he'd let us know how he found our reccommendations.