wife and i will be in boston from sept 19 to the 21st. we'll be staying at the fairmont copley. any suggestions for each a french and america style bistro?

Hammersley's Bistro is the best American-style "bistro", IMO. A real classic and easily one of my favorite restaurants in the city.

Eastern Standard would also be a solid choice for American-style, with good food and an excellent bar.

For French, maybe Bistro du Midi or Gaslight Brasserie. I also always enjoy Brasserie Jo, but I view it more as a fallback kind of place - a good choice for brunch or lunch.

If you are craving red meat, I love Aquitaine's Steak Frites. It is dressed with the most delicious black truffle vinegar.

http://www.aquitaineboston.com/about.php

Agree Hammersley's is a long time boston favorite. And I adore the mussels at Eastern Standard.

Personal preference, but I don't think much of Aquitaine. They are very successful, though, so I am definitely in the minority.

La Voile, on Newbury Street, is an authentic French brasserie. I've always enjoyed my meals there. Easy walking distance from your hotel.

I like Trouquet and Deuxave, both of which are fairly similar French restaurants...although I'm not certain they qualify as bistros.

I second travelgourmet's recommendation of Hammersley's. Its a great choice, and one of my favorites.

Eastern Standard is a good choice for a brasserie sort of place, but beware...the Red Sox are in town that weekend, and it can be a zoo pre and post game.

Brasserie Jo is also very good, and so close to your hotel. If you like profiteroles, go to Brasserie Jo for dessert. Nobody does this classic French dessert better. they bring you a plate with 3 ice cream filled puffs, and pitcher of warm, yummy chocolate, which they will pour over your plate until you say when. This is really, really good

You didn't ask for a seafood place (although Boston visitors almost always do). Just in case...I also heartily recommend Island Creek Oyster Bar, which is next door to Eastern Standard.

I like Deuxave too, but agree it doesn't seem to fit the "bistro" definition. Some of the dishes do lean in the brasserie/bistro direction. It would be a good choice and I would choose it over Bistro du Midi or Gaslight, if you wanted something a bit more "fancy".

Hey guys. Wife and I would like to dine at Toro for Friday. If the line ends up being rediculously long, camn someone suggest a similar type restaurant that has good drinks, small plates, and high energy.

Hey guys. Wife and I would like to dine at Toro for Friday. If the line ends up being rediculously long, camn someone suggest a similar type restaurant that has good drinks, small plates, and high energy.

You could try the bar at Clio. I think they have the best cocktails in the city and their bar menu is great. Uni, there sushi bar is also pretty hopping.

Estragon is another tapas place near Toro. I honestly haven't been, but it gets decent reviews. They take reservations.

Coppa is good for Italian-style small plates (same guys as Toro), and they take reservations (not sure it won't be too late to get something for Friday, though).

what is one to do without the valuable info tidbits that you get? thanks for the info. looking forward trying out the restaurants. fyi--just called the fairmont copley and estragon is their preferred tapas joint.

Like I said, I have never been there, but it gets good reviews. My personal bias is that it is tough to improve upon Toro, as everything Ken Oringer and Jaime Bissonnette touch is invariably awesome.