Is it worth an hour wait? Put it this way: We’d stand in the February cold for the whipped lardo crostini. We’d get pelted with hail for the cavatelli with chicken sausage. Read more.
Peter McCarthy was doing farm-to-table before practically anyone else, and his “Home Grown” menu, annotated with a list of the producers, is still an example of local sourcing done right. Read more.
The folks behind the gastropub understand that people go out for fun, but when it comes time for more-serious eats, they don’t mess around. Try their wedge salad and Fluffernutter dessert. Read more.
Shrimp and grits. Boiled peanuts. The menu might sound like it’ll more warm your soul than blow your mind. But blow your mind, it will. Read more.
Our testers are constantly on the lookout for signs they’ve been noticed—too many “gifts” from the chef; a suspiciously good table. At L’Espalier, though, we can never tell. Read on for why. Read more.
Salts has an atmosphere of such genuine warmth that it’s the destination for special-occasion dinners. Ultracool platings make for dishes that delight you even before they hit your lips. Read more.
It isn’t for everyone. You sit next to strangers, it's bright and noisy, but those are the reasons we luuuuurrve Sportello. It’s quirky. Read more.
Jason Bond doesn’t proclaim anything, so when you go to his petite, year-old restaurant, the experience will catch you off-guard. Read more.
Ken Oringer is a tinkerer—one of just a handful of local chefs to toy with techniques like spherification—which makes for some intriguing plates. Great for date nights and business meetings. Read more.
When you finish dinner, you won’t want to return to that neon-lit madness outside. But leave you must. Otherwise, how can you come back? Read more.
When this charcuterie funhouse opened over the summer, it gave South End and Back Bay residents a spacious and much-needed beer garden. Read more.
A hangout for Boston College students with big appetites, it is also home to the Godzilla burger - 1 pound of meat, 1 pound of fries. "If you go away hungry, it's your own fault." Read more.
A 10-ounce patty made from dry-aged prime rib, short rib, flank, and skirt, topped with "smothered" onions and cheddar. A price tag of $21 for a burger? As chef the says, “It eats like a steak.’’ Read more.
Mr. Bartley's in Harvard Square, established in 1960, offers a thick, juicy 7-ounce rounded burger. Bill Bartley prefers a round patty to a flat patty and says that beef chuck makes the best grind. Read more.
The half-pound patties are so large (they're almost round when they hit the grill) that they require patience as they cook. As an added bonus, large, hand-cut fries arrive with your hamburger. Read more.
Like most steakhouses, Grill 23 is full of mahogany, martinis, and expensive suits. Unlike at most steakhouses, the food is actually worth the ridiculous prices. Read more.
It's the simple, direct breakfast food, like the Intensive Care special, with three eggs, a 10 oz sirloin, homefries and toast that make it worth the trip. Read more.
Try the Fried Maine Lobster in Caramel sauce. Critic Devra First raves"the flavors swirl into a cosmic weirdness that seems inspired equally by Vietnam, New England, and the kingdom of Bong-landia." Read more.
Some favorites from our review: thick, toasted, home-style cornbread with melted butter (a favorite), the grilled cheese sandwich with bacon and tomato, onion rings, and the chocolate frappe. Read more.
Some favorites from our review: Hansel and Gretel waffles, and the Mexican Mashed Meal. Whether you want salty or sweet, lunch or breakfast, The Friendly Toast is sure to hit the spot. Read more.