I am looking for some recommendations for dinner in Boston. We'll be there for the marathon Monday April 15.

However, we're going up on friday and want to get a couple of rec's for dinner Friday and saturday. We are not looking for the tourist traps like Anthony's Pier 4, Jimmy's etc...but we are looking for a couple of very nice seafood restaurants, an Italian and anything else that is a must do.

Thank you,

Mike

Seafood- Skipjacks in Copley Square is good, and I still think Legal Seafood is worth the money.

Italian- North End.
Calamari Cafe, Cantina Italiana, Marcuccio's, Maurizio's , Monica's.

There are alot of activites going on in the city over Marathon weekend. The area around Copley Square will be humming- fun to just wall around and take it all in. The city will be crowded, so some things like the Duck Tours may be hard to book.

What things do you like to do? The Red Sox are in town playing the nemesis Yankees that weekend. Tickets will be hard to get, but you could get lucky.

Museums- Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardener & the Kennedy Library are all wonderfful.

People watching/shopping- Fanueil Hall or Newbury Street.

Have Fun!

I second Cantina Italiana! Had a great experience there last week. A girlfriend and I wanted to bring good food home (to the 'burbs) so we could eat with my husband (who was working and playing chauffeur to us that day!).

We looked at some menus outside of the restaurants and wandered into one I had been in for lunch before. It was completely empty at 5:30p.m. We asked if they did take out. "No", the waitress said (and then also declined our request to use their restroom). Silliness, I thought since almost all restaurants must have containers for customers to take their unfinished food home in. No dishes, dump the food in a plastic container and get full money for the dish. And your restaurant's empty too!

Anyhoo, we wandered farther down the street into the Cantina. When we walked in we were a little taken aback: a host, a bevy of well-dressed waiters, and a nice bar greeted us. Sheepishly, we asked if they would do take out. Of course! They seated us at the bar so we could have a drink while the kitchen prepared our order.

When we got home, the food was delicious! Salads were in separate containers, with dressings on the side. They even gave us a bag full of their bread, and a separate bag inside of that one, housed those little butters! The best part was that the shellfish pasta was teaming with scallops, lobster, and prawns. Wonderful!

Well, that's my long story...have a great time in Boston.

PS. I've heard Olives be mentioned on this board before. Everyone heard? They were closed down by the Health Board today for infractions...egad!

Mike: I agree with the Skipjacks suggestion, and will add Pat's Pushcart on Endicott St. for Italian. Very small, as are many. You should get reservations wherever you decide to go IMO. So many to choose from in the North End, but Pat's is one of my all time favorites. Have a great time!

Another vote for Skipjacks..but remember it's Marathion Weekend and everyplace will be crowded. Yes. Olive's was closed for health reasons..that is a disgrace..he should know better. It is so exciting to be in Boston for the race and seeing people from all over the world with their families.. and of course the people along the route are to be commended. Spoke to a man from Mexico City last year after the race and he said he never experienced such warmth on the part of the spectators..So, Welcome to Boston..and soak it all in and have a great race whether for you or a family member or friend.

Sandy,

Thanks for the help.We may indeed try Skipjacks one night. Olive's WAS a consideration. We know the city fairly well. Been there for the past 5 marathons and lived outside the city (12 yrs ago), so we're just trying to get the latest on the top restaurants.

We have eaten at Giacamo's, how does your Italian rest. compare? Does it compare with this or with Mama Maria's?

We have really enjoyed Grill23...Have you been there? Do you like anything else?

Thanks again for your help.

Mike

Olives has reopened after about a day closed - article in today's Boston Globe about whthere or not health concerns were real or not. We like Jasper White's Summer Shack in Cambridge (across street fromj Alewife T stop). It is not for everyone - not elegant, a little loud, but excellent seafood.

Go to www.phantomgourmet.com for reviews of Boston restaurants. Whoever "the Phantom" is, he gave Jasper White's Summer Shack a very good review, but his readers all seem to disagree. You may be better off having dinner in Cambridge on Marathon Weekend. The choices are many, on both sides of the Charles. You might check the other posting here about Boston.

In cambridge-try Oleana for excellent gourmet food (inexpensive compared to most) try East coast grill for fun, delicious seafood (pricey) I don't think legal seafood's is worth the price--pretty sraightforward place.

Finally the truth about Olives!Closed for sanitation violations.This guy has been fooling the public and the shameless food critics for years.Many other restaurants in Boston have surpassed Olives in food quality and friendly service.

to the top for Paul

I recommend the No Name Restaurant for seafood. If you are interested in Brazilian Barbeque, try Fire & Ice, and don't miss Finale for dessert. If you're in the North End, either Modern Pastry or Mike's for cannoli.

I would have no problem going to Olives or any other restaurant Todd English owns. Seems that some of the brouhaha had to do with the upgrading in the restaurant and the local neighbors got ticked off because of the noise and complained. Also, some of the infractions cited were in the basement of the restaurant, which the restaurant does not rent, so those infractions were actually the cause of the landlord. Todd English also has a new seafood restaurant in the Quincy Market that is supposed to be wonderful.