Insiders Boston Restaurants
 

We will be in Boston next weekend,actually staying in Cambridge. We try to avoid touristy restaurants. Anyone know of any great restaurants off the beaten path? Thanks alot!

I live in Cambridge and like Sandrine's, Orleander, upstairs at the Square, Henrietta's Table.
For seafood, Legal's has opened across from Henrietta's at the Charles Hotel.
There's Chez Henri for French/cuban.

Venturing out of Cambridge is worth it since even the lesser-known-but-still-great Cambridge/Harvard Sq. restaurants can be loaded with students (the wealthier ones, obviously). Our faves off the beaten path in Boston/Cambridge are:

1. Les Zygomates (New French), in the Leather District
2. Aquitaine (New French, in the South End
3. The Helmand (Afghani), in the outskirts of Cambridge, worth the trip, wonderful atmosphere
4. Ole' (Mexican), Cambridge
5. East Coast Grill (New Caribbean/Seafood), Cambridge-Inman Sq.

These are all in my humble opinion and they're all lesser known, slightly upscale (roughly $30-$40 p/person w/out wine). East Coast can be a little packed on a Fri/Sat. night but the Sunday brunch is excellent and not too crowded. Zagat/Boston is pretty honest and true to form. Might be worth picking it up prior to your trip if you want some decent scoop.

I second Sandrine and Helmand. I also recommend Rialto in the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, Caffe Umbra in the South End, No. 9 Park on Beacon Hill, Lala Rokh at the foot of Beacon Hill, and Perdix in the South End

Aquitane is a favorite of mine too. (They also have Aquitaine Bis in Chestnut Hill.)
Since we're now venturing into Boston: Brasserie Jo, The Butcher shop, Troquet and I forgot to mention Salts and Centro and the Central Sq. kitchen in Central Square. Also Chi-Chi owned by the wife of my favorite Spanish Tapas place on the Cambridge/Somerville line, DALI'S.

Laurel is a great find! Friends turned us on to it. It's a secret though!! :)
Prices are unbelievable reasonable for a downtown, beautifully decorated restaurant with geat food.
Laurel (contemporary ? back bay/beacon hill ? $$ ? )
142 berkeley st, boston, ma, 02118 ? map and directions

617-424-6711

tremont647.com

They have a few restaurants - if I had to choose one, I'd choose the original, Tremont 647.

Dali's - one of my favorites!