Juldie

My son is turning 23 on Wednesday, He is in graduate school in Boston. We want to take him out for his Birthday; his brother will also happen to be in Boston, which will be nice. Although I live north of the city, I am not familiar with the wide selection of restaurants all over Boston, Cambridge, etc..

I certainly have gone to a number of great restaurants but for his birthday what he said he would like is to go somewhere that is authentic in what they do and do it well! Before the Pats game yesterday (don't remind me) he was longing for his old stand by in Nashville (where he went to undergraduate school) to get the most amazing chicken wings, period. Whenever we went to visit him, he had his favorites which were as I described, unique, authentic and fantastic.

He is not looking for fancy dining and I know there are loads of wonderful high end restaurants in the city that fit the description, but please do not bother mentioning. Ethnic is fine, but not Indian. No chains. I know the North End would be a perfect place to head, but he has been there and just isn't what he is looking to do on his Birthday. I think he wants a little more funky Boston.

He mentioned Bartley's Burger Cottage in Cambridge and my husband mentioned Red Bones in Somerville. These are examples of places that have been around for a while, have their specialty, do it authentically. So if you have a suggestions it would be wonderful. I think since he knew the restaurants in Nashville so well, and he is so consumed as a graduate student and doesn't have the time or money to go out, I think he would like to begin to build his own favorites in Boston. So, his Birthday meal could get it started for him. Thanks so much.

emalloy

Has he been to Durgin Park?

TammyDe

How about http://www.eastcoastgrill.net/, Great fish tacos and ribs! Something for everyone.
http://www.tangierino.com/, Moroccan, Hookahs and Belly Dancers!
http://www.toro-restaurant.com/, Tapas from one of the cities top chefs!

Ackislander

Strongly agree with TammyDe about East Coast Grill. The food is delicious, and the ambience hasn't changed since they doubled its size, sometime in the early 90's. Something for everyone on the menu, and you can share or relentlessly defend your own plate. No reservations, but it is such a scene that a wait is not a problem. If you want to buy him a souvenir, tell your waiter privately that this is an occasion, and ask for Chris to autograph a cookbook.

emalloy is brave to suggest Durgin Park, but I agree with her. If you go there, enter through the bar and zsk to be seated on the top floor to skip the tired "nasty waitress" stuff. They have wonderful oysters and lots of New England specialties that you can't usually get elsewhere, like Indian Pudding.

Both these places have resemblances to Mr Bartleys and RedBones, only they are for adults. Neither is particularly expensive. All four are classics.

bachslunch

Will agree with every restaurant mentioned on this thread so far. East Coast Grill does arguably the best BBQ in Boston and does a fine job with seafood as well. Durgin Park is the best place by far for old-style Yankee cooking, much, much better than Union Oyster House or Parker House -- and you'll also usually find the waitstaff there only playfully grumpy at worst.

Redbones does good BBQ, but one big strength of theirs is an excellent and extensive beer selection on tap. Blue Ribbon BBQ in Arlington and West Newton rivals East Coast Grill for this type of food, and Soul Fire in Allston is also quite good. Note that "authentic" for BBQ in Boston is a relative term as well -- if your gold standard is the best of Carolina or Memphis or KC or Texas style BBQ, this won't be the equal, though it's certainly good.

china_cat

I think the East Coast Grill suggestion is excellent.

Another place I think would be fun, is Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square. I don't know if it really fits the "authentic" tag, but they do brasserie cooking really well. And they have one of the best bars in Boston.

gail

Red Bones and East Coast Grill are excellent suggestions. Another suggestion hich I think he and his brother would like (and I know misses some of your criteria) is Fire and Ice. There are 6 locations nationwwide (does that make it a chain?) - and in Boston area one in Boston, one in Cambridge. Giant ingredient bar with separate areas for proteins, veggies, carb, and sauce. Fixed price for as many plates as you want - you fill ingredient bowl, take it to huge circular griddle where guys cook it for you.

While not fitting authentic, non-chain criteria - it is great fun and perfect if dining with combination of carnivores and herbivores - and everything in between.

Even if not right for this birthday, it is a place he might want to keep on his list for future reference.

bachslunch

Will agree that in my experience kids often like Fire and Ice (yes, it's a chain), but I've met few adults with working taste buds who do. I'm not a fan, myself.

Cranachin

Durgin Park is authentic, but I have found it to be hit or miss in terms of food quality. I have had very good meals there and not so good meals there. I've never had a problem with grumpy servers, though.

Now, if you want a place that is amazingly authentic, go to The Texas BBQ Company in Northborough, west of Boston (about 45 minutes from Cambridge, for example). When I walked in the door, I literally thought I was back in Texas. The decor and the menu are authentic, and the food was wonderful (I had some of the best restaurant fried okra there that I have had anywhere, for example).

All that is not surprising, given that the owners are native Texans (in fact, we figured out that one of them went to high school in Texas with an acquaintance of mine - small world). But I was quite delighted to discover it, and ironically was thinking about it just today.

http://www.texasbbqco.com/

Juldie

Hi everyone. I am so sorry I haven't responded sooner but I am not allowed to reply to sites like Fodors at work and I just got home. TammyDe; all three of your suggestions look fantastic. Tangierino looks like a great night out but right

Kealalani

Although I haven't been there in far too long, I immediately thought the same thing as above. East Coast Grill. Other thoughts. . .

Taiwan Cafe in Chinatown

and love the salted squid at Jumbo

http://www.NewJumboSeafoodRestaurant.com/

Authentic Sportsbar
http://www.thefours.com/

Juldie

Sorry, I am not sure how that got sent. I was saying that Tangierino looks too costly for what we want to spend this time (we have another weekend coming up soon in NYC with other son who lives there). I think East Coast Grill looks like a great choice. I think my husband and I ate there maybe a while ago and I thought I remembered it being very crowded and very, very loud and thinking it seemed expensive for how casual it was. Maybe it isn't the same place.

I am not a big fan of Durgin Park; I have been there a number of times with my elderly parents over the years. china_cat, Eastern Standard also looks very good/fun but yeah, doesn't seem to be too authentic and classic but it could be good. gail; I am with you on the Fire and Ice recommendation but my sons have both been there lots of times!! When my nephew came to Boston and it was his 18th Birthday we took him there and he loved it.

If anyone has any other suggestions, that would be wonderful. Otherwise, it might just be East Coast Grill. I just hope its a place we can at least hang out comfortably and talk without screaming and being rushed. What do you think?

Kealalani

http://www.hungrymothercambridge.com/

Kealalani

and there's always The Franklin. The southie location would likely offer a more relaxing, take your time atmosphere. It is authentic as the southend original is a hangout for many professionals in the restaurant business.

http://www.franklincafe.com/

Kealalani

My last recommendation

http://www.ediblecommunities.com/bos...-of-puebla.htm
http://angelascaferestaurant.com/

Juldie

Kealalani; where have you come up with these? Are you just a foodie and/or do you write for ediblecommunities.com? Angela's Cafe looks tremendous. I will definitely try it; not sure yet if we will go for the Birthday. My son actually just returned from doing service work in a remote village in Mexico, hmm. What is the atmosphere?

Kealalani

No just intrigued by the request by authentic so thought about it for awhile!

Juldie

I appreciate you hearing my desire for authenticity and getting it with this response. I live on the north shore and never even knew about the Franklin Cafe in Gloucester; I will try that sometime. My son loves to eat, loves to cook and is a pretty earthy sort and dislikes pretension. He was the one that put out wanting it to be genuine. Thanks.

gail

The "authentic" part is what has me stumped. Union Oyster House is about as authentic as you can get in Boston, but I think it has horrible food. Same for Durgin Park.

I continue to be the only person on this board who likes Summer Shack in Cambridge (not the Boston location - huge difference in quality). Jasper White, who is an authenitc Boston chef opened it some years ago after cooking at some elite Boston restaurants - after he had kids and wanted a more casual place. Big lobster and crab tanks in center - features local fresh fish, fried chicken, good spicey fish chowder. Right at Alewife Red Line stop or big free parking lot.

Interesting how we all have our opinions - I am sure there are those who think I am evil to not love Durgin Park.

Cranachin

I'm not quite sure what your son means by "authentic", but these restaurants seem authentic in my book.

I enjoyed Similans on First Street in Cambridge (Thai). It must be at least a little authentic, as the organizers of the annual Boston Fodor's GTG (who travel to Thailand regularly) usually schedule dinner there during the GTG weekend.

Similans is owned by the same people as Brown Sugar in Boston (on Comm. Ave.) You can see the menus for both places here http://www.brownsugarcafe.com/menu.html

I have never eaten at Helmand in Cambridge, next to Similans, but I have heard great things about it. It's an Afghan restaurant, though - don't know whether that's in your son's ballpark. http://www.helmandrestaurant.com/dinner.html