lenlu

Hi there,

I'm staying in Back Bay and wondered if you guys could suggest a fun, hip, place for dinner and drinks on a Thursday night? Any food is good but sushi. Are there any old standbys that have been there forever that we should see? Good quality but no need for Michelin dining! Thanks!

china_cat

my favorite is Hammersley's Bistro, which has been around for a long time. But it is definitely fine dining, with prices to match.

If you don't mind venturing out of Back Bay, taking a 20 minute walk to Kenmore square, I recommend Island Creek Oyster Bar. Its excellent, and maybe even hip.

do check the Red Sox schedule however. if they are in town it will be a zoo at 7PM, and whenever the game is over (say, 10:30), and you will want to plan your dinner in between. (andif you meant you are in Back Bay right now, they are, in fact, playing the Rangers on Thursday night)

travelgourmet

Technically, Hammersley's is in the South End, but is still walkable from most of the Back Bay. I think it is an excellent choice. It is a bit pricey, but it is warm and welcoming and you don't need to dress up at all.

Lately I love the bar menu at Clio. I think they might have the best cocktails in town and the bar menu is inventive and fun. Obviously, the bar works best for only a few people. The dining room is great too, but more of a "Michelin"-style experience.

Deuxave - across from Clio - is another good option. Very good, seasonal food.

That being said, I'm not sure hip is the right word for those places. Honestly, the rents in the Back Bay preclude anything too hip and Boston's conservative diners don't help.

Lookin_Glass

Although I enjoy Hammersley's I wouldn't call it fun or hip. But then again I don't associate 'old standby' with fun or hip, and it is a time proven old standby.

Perhaps Beehive? http://www.beehiveboston.com/#/about

or a stroll down Charles Street to Scampo with a cocktail at Clink or the Lobby bar? at the Liberty Hotel which was once a prison that was gutted while preserving the exterior architecture - fun hip crowd

http://scampoboston.com

http://www.libertyhotel.com/index.html

cw

You don't say where you'll be in Back Bay, but the South End is adjacent and has many more restaurants that would qualify as new and cutting edgy.

I like the idea of Island Creek Oyster Bar in Kenmore Square and also Eastern Standard next door.

And take a look at the new Oak Room at the Copley Plaza Hotel. It's right at Copley Square.

china_cat

I admit, I was going with "old standbys that have been there forever" and not fun/hip when I suggested hammersley's. I think Island Creek might be classified as a little more hip.

I suspect all the really hip places are across the river, in Cambridge. Maybe Westbridge, or Puritan & Company (neither of which I've been to yet, so can't really recommend).

or maybe I just don't know hip....that's entirely possible. I think I know food, but I don't really know hip or trendy.


travelgourmet, I ate at Deux Ave just recently, and I wondered why I hadn't gone sooner. I thought it was excellent.

hazel1

We just got back from a trip to Boston over Memorial Day weekend and Island Creek Oyster Bar was our absolute favorite place. Great food, great service, great atmosphere (I'd definitely consider it hip), and we loved the walk along Commonwealth Avenue from where we stayed in the Back Bay. Don't miss this place!

travelgourmet

I suspect all the really hip places are across the river, in Cambridge. Maybe Westbridge, or Puritan & Company (neither of which I've been to yet, so can't really recommend).

I'd agree that Cambridge or Somerville are more likely to be hip (for good and bad). Puritan & Co would be at the top of the list along with Hungry Mother.

Too "establishment" to be hip, but with a boisterous atmosphere would be Blue Dragon in the Seaport.

Lookin_Glass

I have not visited the New Oak Room or Bar so cannot comment.

But I must say that every other suggestion is spot on. I am now craving the corner seat in the lounge at Eastern Standard with a martini and order of their amazing mussels. They do mussels right!

lenlu

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions you guys! I suppose it does matter where we are in BB. We're at the Westin Copley Square. I didn't think about the ballgame. Yikes! I'll look at the schedule. My single sister needs a night out so that is why I'm asking. But good food is a must so I'll take a look at these places and try to make a reservation. I really appreciate it!

Lookin_Glass

If you really want to stay close to your hotel, you might ad Lucca to your list

http://luccabackbay.com

lenlu

You guys, these places look so good, I can't choose! Thank you for all the advice...I guess it'll be up to Opentable to see what's available!

Lookin_Glass

It is my understanding that restaurants do no release all reservations to open table, so calling the restaurant directly will sometimes secure a reservation if one of the many good recommendations is calling you. Good luck!