Boston restaurant for family
 

I need a suggestion for a restaurant for my husband and I, our 1 year old son and my inlaws.

I thought that we would do one dinner out as a family, then one for just my DH and I.

Suggestions please. For the family restaurant, mod. price. For my DH and I, price doesn't matter.

If you like seafood, there is Legal Seafood, Naked Fish and the No Name Restaurant.
No Name is on the fish pier and not as upscale as the others.

I ahve ben to Legal and thought it was good. It has been years since I have ben there and do not know if it would be appropriate to take my 1 year old.

another family style restaurant chain with family style portions is vinny testa's. there's one right on boylston street across from the prudential center.

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Yes, you could absolutely take a one-year old to Legals. It's so noisy in there anyway, who could be bothered by a baby?! But since you've been there, you probably want to try something else. I like the idea of No Name if seafood is prefered. If you want Northend Italian, I recommend Pagliuca's on Parmenter Street. Traditional, cozy, family-friendly, and delicious. If you are wanting a "chain," you'll find a couple in the Pru center, such as Calif Pizza Kitchen and Cheesecake Factory. If you want something "Boston," you could go to Cheers; I like the one at Fanueil Hall/Quincy Market since it's fun to walk around before/after.

For your romantic dinner, I love Mistral's. For cozier atmosphere, Hammersley's Bistro is wonderful. Both restaurants at the 4S are great. Aujourd'hui for very formal/pricey, and the downstairs Bristol "lounge" for a fantastic meal in a more casual atmosphere. Actually, you could go there with bebe as well. I've seen them there frequently when in early for a pre-show meal.

Hope this helps!

Thanks, the picks sound good. I really like more "local" food. I can go to chain restaurants at home.

We took the family to Henrietta's Table in Harvard Square in The Charles Hotel at the suggestion of a poster here.It was exactly what we wanted. A terrace to dine on and they also have a small organic market.

ttt

For you and your DH - check out
Sage in the North End. I have been there twice for birthday dinners, wonderful!!

For the family, maybe Brasserie Jo in the Colonade hotel? Its nice, French bistro style food. I thought of it, because its one of my Mom's favorites, and we often take her when she's in town. Its casual, and pretty noisy, I think it would be fine to take the baby in there. Another possiblity might be Jasper White's Summer Shack. There's one near the Prudential. Again, very casual, fine for taking the babe. It gets kind of mixed reviews. My feeling is the seafood is very fresh, and very good. but it does tend to be a little bit on the pricey side. And since its not supposed to be fine cuisine, its suppose to be straightforward New England seafood, it feels a bit overpriced. But I think it is as good as Legal.

there are lots, and lots of outstanding high end restaurants in boston if you want to go out with just the hubby. some idea of location and style would help give better suggestions. Top of the line might include L'Espalier (very upscale French), Excelsior, Radius (both of these are contemporary American). Dreamer's suggestion of Hammersley's is a good one, because its very good, and its been around such a long time, its sort of a Boston institution. Also Icarus, Pignoli, #9 Park, Clio.

Thank you for the suggestions. I will check these out on line adn see.

You've gotten some great suggestions for dinner out with DH. China cat and dreamer2 named virtually all of my favorite Boston restaurants. I also like Rialto at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge.

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I bring visitinf families to Henrietta's Kitchen at the Charles Hotel in Harvars Square, the kids can run around outside and if a baby cries inside, you can sit outside at tables.
I like Hamersly's also, Icaru, Le Troquets, Locke-Ober

as far as takign your one year old, in my experience with a well behaved child in restaurants, it's best to eat early....less likely to have an overtired kid on your hands and the restaurant will be emptier so you won't have to overly worry about him/her making noise.

that said, the Legals thats opened near me always has young families in it, so you'd be fine there.

Someone suggested Brasserie Jo for the family dinner - I wanted to second this. I dined there recently with my husband and daughter and several of the staff made a point to come over and engage her and even brought her a little toy (it was a rubber ducky that the Colonnade hotel gives to people for the kids to play with in the bathtub). It was a nice dinner, although you'll find the food to be simple (not too gourmet).

For your dinner with your husband, our favorite places when we are alone are the following:

Bristol Lounge (at the Four Seasons) - incredible food and service in an atmosphere that makes you feel special.

Aquitaine - fabulous French bistro in the South End. Try the Steak Frite - it is the best I have ever had anywhere.

Rialto in the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square - excellent food.

Clio - on Mass. Ave. by the end of Newbury Street - absolutely a beautiful room to dine in and food prepared by a star-chef.

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Someone suggested Radius - I would point out that this restaurant, while very good is in the Financial District so you will see a lot of business people dining here - and afterward there won't be anywhere for you to stroll around as there would with some of the other suggestions.