Storm of Thoughts

Favorite Restaurants

As much as I like to cook, I also enjoy going out to eat. Growing up, we didn’t eat out that often, except for special occasions - and we didn’t need to, since my mom was always making some kind of restaurant-quality food at home. But being in Boston (and being busy) provides a good excuse to eat out more often than we used to. And, although I usually enjoy trying new favorites, there are some good ones we always end up at. Here are my recommendations:

La Galleria 33
As I mentioned last week, the North End is one of my favorite places in Boston. And for some reason, we usually end up here. Actually, there are a number of reasons - they have good service, reasonable prices, and really good food. Every time we go, Pete orders the Veal Paradiso. And, since it’s some of the best veal we’ve ever eaten, we also recommend it to everyone we take/send there. Plus, the restaurant is very cute, with brick walls, exposed beams, and little tables by the windows, looking out on the usually busy streets.

East Side Bar & Grill
For pizza on the weekend (like yesterday, actually) or a more casual Italian meal, we usually end up here. (Its convenient location helps.) At first, I was amused by all of the Rat Pack pictures and Sinatra music, determined to bring my dad (who has Sinatra CDs on replay at home all summer long) to eat here. But now, it’s really grown on us. Family-owned, you quickly start to recognize them and they start to recognize you. And the grilled meatloaf is oh so good (and a great idea!).

The Melting Pot
Some chains you hate just for being chains. But The Melting Pot is unhate-able. By now, most people have been there, but if you haven’t, you should go. It’s more for special occasions (not being inexpensive), but they usually have good coupons and deals. The atmosphere is also really nice, and the layout of the seats makes you feel more like you’re in a private area than a crowded restaurant. And, if you don’t want ALL of the food, just stick to cheese and chocolate fondue - what else do you want, really?

Cottonwood Cafe
This southwestern restaurant is in a good location and has good food and margaritas, all of which make it a staple on our list of favorite restaurants. We’ve eaten in the bar, at the restaurant, and even during special occasion prix fixe nights - and we’re always glad we went.

Parish Cafe
The Parish Cafe is all about the sandwiches. The recipes are created by chefs in local restaurants and many of them rotate on the menu - which is a good reason to keep coming back. You can usually count on a wait, unless you come at an off time, but you can also count on being impressed. Each time, there are several sandwiches we can’t choose between, and we often end up ordering two to split them just because we can’t decide. They’re all so good! This is another place we tend to bring our visitors. (Another great sandwich place we have noticed more recently is the All Star Sandwich Bar in Cambridge. Their sandwiches are also really good, they have a special sandwich for each day of the week, and they say that “A Good Sandwich is Like an Old Friend, which makes me like them.)

Top of the Hub
Okay, we’ve only been to this one once. It’s certainly not an everyday kind of place. But it was, hands-down, some of the best food we’ve eaten in Boston, if anywhere. It’s expensive, but not when you consider the quality of the food and the service, which were both incredible. And the views? Number one reason to go (see above).

What are your favorite restaurants? Do you stick to old favorites or try new ones?

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