Boston restaurant suggestion please!
 

I'm back hoping to get a great recommendation for a dinner to celebrate my son's graduation from BU! The last time I wrote was for brunch and dinner recommendations and thanks to everyone, we ended up in wonderful places. I took my son to Grill 23 and he loved it. We'd like to try a new place this time.

My husband and I will be staying near Copley Square so aren't necessarily looking for a place near BU. Since it's a special occasion (and also DH's birthday) an expensive place might fit the bill if you all agree it will be worth it.

Here is what I've been looking at:
Flemings, although is it worth the money? We'll spend it if it's really excellent. Comments?
Ostra although my son isn't really into seafood. Might go to this the night we arrive, just the 2 of us.
Clink - sounds fun, but very mixed reviews and I'm wondering if it's really a full service restaurant and not just small plates?
Atlantic Fish Company - near our hotel but maybe better for lunch?

Our son loves steak, but most seafood restaurants seem have a few meat offerings. We can consider anything.

So - what great recommendations do you have this time for us? Can't wait to read your comments and check out Tripadvisor. Thanks!

I see Clink as more of a cocktail place and Scampo a dining destination. LOVE the Liberty Hotel!!!

Atlantic Fish is great for dinner. If you love steak (and also seafood) Abe and Louie's is awesome! Both are located on Boylston Street. Scampo at the Liberty Hotel is terrific.

Agree with your first response - not Clink, Scampo. Great food, service and atmosphere. And your son will think it is cool since it is in the refurbished centuries old Charles Street Jail. They have kept much of the original features - catwalk, some cells. Our go-to place for special occasions.

Scampo is a good idea, and I can't remember what was recommended to you on your last trip, but Boston Chops in the South End is also a good choice. It is steak centric but does have a couple of fish entrees. As you say, almost every restaurant in Boston has good fish entrees (and steak).

So helpful...thanks! Next stop the menus for the recommended restaurants.

Do you actually eat in an old jail cell at Scampo or outside of them on the catwalk?

No jail cell, although in the adjacent bar there are some with part of the bars intact. What you do get is big old stone block and concrete walls, little alcoves, stone pillars.

I think this is the video available on in house tv at The Liberty. It will give you a good idea of the space.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uNj10c9-Js

I ate next to the jail cell one time at The Liberty. The food there is very good.
Boston has many great restaurants so please don't go to an ordinary chain restaurant like Flemings.

Ditch Fleming's. There are a ton of steakhouses in Boston and Fleming's is definitely in the second or third tier. If you really wanted steak, I'd either go back to Grill 23 or go to Mooo or Del Frisco's. If you wanted to go a little crazy, maybe Bogie's Place.

Scampo is good, but I don't think it terribly special. Just another upscale Italian place to me. If I was looking for that, I'd consider Davios as your son could get steak.

Personally, for a celebration, I'd probably choose either Clio or Asta. Not sure where your tastes run though.

Unless you're coming in the next several weeks, Clio isn't an option -- it's closing its doors as of Jan 1.

Following to hear of good restaurants.

Damn. Didn't know Clio was closing. A big shame. Great restaurant and it had managed to stay relevant all these years.

Uni will be expanding into the Clio space.

Can you recommend some moderately priced or value places in Back Bay. Any and every cuisine.

Thank you

Maybe start a new thread for this information and give price points for "moderate."

We love Scampo too. The suckling pig on a Friday night is delicious. My husband loves the roti with curried chicken.

They have a lobster dish on the menu now that I'd like to try.

<I>Uni will be expanding into the Clio space.</I>

The more I read about it, the less sad and more excited I am. An expanded Uni is pretty appealing.

We quite like Deuxave for a special occasion restaurant. The duck breast is excellent.

I'm leaning towards Scampo for me, but...since this is for DS's graduation I think I have to go with what he would like best. He is a steak and potatoes type of guy so will stay away from Flemings as recommended (thanks for that advice) and go to Moo or Del Frisco's. Leaning towards Mooo because I like the name! (and the menu looks great.)