Starting to plan DD's graduation trip which will be in May in Waltham, just outside Boston. This will be 3 day event and sort of small family reunion as family members are flying in from diverse locations. There will be 8 of us. We have been to Boston quite a few times and are set with sightseeing, hotel, etc. We will be staying in Waltham with a rental car(s). Would like one really nice lobster dinner for graduation night for 8. Have been to Legal Seafoods numerous times, want something different. There are 2 80 YO grandma's who insist on restaurant with tablecloth, are hard of hearing, want something formal. Another family member doesn't eat seafood, he wants a decent steak. Really want place that takes reservations. Driving into Boston proper isn't an issue, as long as parking is available. Any suggestions?

Also, we would like to plan a family dinner for another night in the North End at an Italian restaurant. Have been to several. Want something on the casual side, that can accommodate 8 people with a reservation. Any recommendations? Thanks!

I'd just like to point out a couple of really nice restaurants right in Waltham, in case you are looking for something a little closer. Waltham has a large number of nice places, and some cheaper ethnic restaurants that are very good. But I'm just going to mention two of my favorites.

Solea is a good tapas place right on Moody street. Its a great place to go with a large party. They take reservations. Baby lambchops with gorgonzola sauce, artichoke fritters, sizzling garlicky shrimp....lots of yummy little dishes.

As far as your seafood request...here's the funny thing. I was going to suggest B&G Oysters as a great place to get lobster. But I don't think you can get a steak there. And that may be true of a lot of the seafood restaurants I can think of. On the other hand, in Boston the steakhouses often serve a fine lobster. So then I was going to suggest Grill 23, which has great steak and excellent lobster. But I had to reconsider when I though about the "hard of hearing" part. Grill 23 has to be the noisiest restaurant I've ever been in .

So now I'm thinking maybe Hammersley's Bistro. It's very nice. You can certainly get lobster there (although it won't be the plain steamed variety...it's likely to be pan-roasted, with truffles or something), and you can get excellent non-seafood as well.

Regardless of what you choose, I think you will be better off looking for a nice restaurant where you can get a lobster, than trying to find a seafood place that also serves steak. At least, that would be my advice. Lots of places do a good lobster around here.
La Campania is Italian, and will rival anything in the North end. However, its a small, somewhat upscale place so it might not be what you are looking for. However, the food is wonderful.

Somehow while I was typing the above, the paragraphs got messed up.

La Campania is in Waltham, and that paragraph was intended to be higher up, right after the Solea description and before the 'graph about seafood.

China, thanks for your reply. Should have mentioned that we have eaten at quite a few places in Waltham as DD has been there at school for going on 4 years. Chuckled at the Solea suggestion, my ex husband is a BIG guy, he did not feel tapas was enough food for him, no matter how much he ate.

The grandma's want to go into the city - they suggested Locke-Ober's or Jimmy's Harborside. No idea if these places exist any longer or are any good. Ever heard of them? Thanks!

Our favorite steak/seafood place in Boston is Abe & Louie's. It's on Boylston Street - never had a bad meal there, it is always crowded so I would suggest reservations.

http://abeandlouies.com/

Locke-ober is quite different than it used to be in the old days. It's run by Lydia Shire, one of Boston's top chefs. I've actually never eaten there, but its reputation is quite good, if rather expensive. But it definitely still exists, and still has the elegant, somewhat formal atmosphere.

Jimmy's is gone.

Another place along the lines of LockeOber would be the Oak Room. They do great steak and lobster, and definitely have that old fashioned ambiance.

I had another idea, although its not a place I've personally been to. Mare, in the North End is supposed to be an excellent Italian/seafood restaurant. And a glance at their menu shows they also do steak and veal.

I should have guessed you would be familiar with Waltham places. I assume DD goes to Brandeis? Congrats on her graduation!

My husband is a big guy too, but he loves Solea. We just have to order a LOT of tapas

China, yes, embarassed to admit we are seeking lobster dinner, but, hey we are Conservative/Reform.

The grandmas' are treating for the lobster dinner, which I have to find, so I really need the choice to be "right". Although expensive, a formal atmosphere is what they desire. Funny thing is DD is a vegetarian/pescatrian and is kosher, but I am sure any seafood place will have fresh fish as well.

What is atmosphere like at Locke-Ober? Grandmas are too vain to have hearing aids but both have a hard time hearing in noisy places. Thanks!

For the North End, I suggest La Cantina on Hanover Street. We ate there recently, all 4 of us loved our food & the service was great. Prices are reasonable.

For a great steak, Lobster, and other great seafood and meat dishes, I'd go with Abe & Louies. White tablecloths, decent noise level.

In te North End, Limoncello would be nice. they have some big tables and take reservations too.

I lot of people may not agree with this suggestion--but I make it because I think it will meet the requirements of the grandmothers. Go to Pier 4, on the waterfront, quite near to the old Jimmy's Harborside. If you can reserve a window table, you'll have a beautiful view of the next-door ICA and the downtown waterfront. www.pier4.com. It is a beautiful location. They serve steak, lobsters, and fish. It is a restaurant that hasn't changed much in 50 years.

I have had event luncheons there twice in the past two years and the food was quite good. I have a friend who took her older parents and in-laws there and they quite enjoyed it.

It has free parking (unheard of in Boston) and you can drive right up to the door to let the older people out of the car.

The Oak Room was recommended but I bet many of the downtown and waterfront hotel dining rooms might fit the bill as well.

Good luck! The pressure is on for you to find the "right" place.

I would second La Campania, it's usually rated the top Italian restaurant in all of Boston by Zagats.

Boston doesn't really have many lobster dinner type places. You might be best off at Legal's. One that hasn't been mentioned is Atlantic Fish on Boylston St. I've always liked it and I believe they have steak too. Could get loud though. The best lobster rolls can be had at Neptune Oyster in the North End or B&G Oysters in the South End.

I agree with the suggestion for Pier 4 - its old school Boston and beats a lot of other places. I also like the Oak Room or Abe and Louies. Davios is good too but more Italian/steak than seafood.

avoid the Chart House - overpriced chain with just so so seafood. Turner Fisheries is good but there are lots of stairs so might be hard on the GrandMa's. then again there must be an elevator.

In the North End, I like Francesca's - again pretty old school, white table clothes etc. Love their grilled lamb. Have entertained the CEO of our company there.

Limoncella's is good too but more casual.

Of these suggestions above, I'd go with the Oak Room. Steak's terrific, and they should have lobster as well. Dress nicely and bring a healthy credit card, though. Locke-Ober would also be a decent choice, but again dress up and bring money. Would put Abe and Louie's next on this list. Grill 23 would have been a good choice except for the noise level. In Waltham, both Il Capriccio and La Campania are excellent upscale Italian places, but not sure how their steak would be or if they have lobster.

Not sure I'd recommend anyplace in the North End for good steak and good lobster at the same spot.

Would not at all recommend Anthony's Pier 4 -- weak and expensive food, surly wait staff. Popovers and water view are great, though.

I am planning my own son's graduation this May in another state (and had to plan my older son's 2 yrs. ago) but like you Aliska I am making plans now. I think it would be good to decide who at his particular meal who you are most wanting to please. If it is your daughter I would not recommend Pier 4. But, I think if selecting this meal with the grandparents mostly in mind I would definitely say Pier 4. It is that generation's idea of a beautiful and special night out. My Mom (85) who recently passed away would always want to go to Pier 4 for her Birthday. The atmosphere is very comfortable, people don't feel cramped, it's a great place for conversation because it is quiet, it is white tablecloth, the views are exquisite. The popovers are outrageous; make sure you get the ones straight out of the oven so the butter melts in them when warm.

It is easy access into the restaurant, hassle free parking. As you walk in to the restaurant the lobby walls are lined with autographed photos of celebrities, politicians, who have visited over the restaurant's long history. The grandparents love reminiscing of back then...

The food is certainly not anywhere near the best in the city but my experience is that it is still very good. Everyone could find something. There is no loud music or hustle bustle, the vibe is slow and peaceful, and the kind of place the older generation feels is the way dining should be, elegant and tasteful.

With my own experience of 7 of us, it works to look at the menu on line ahead of time and make sure these is something for everyone. My Mother in law barely eats and gets overwhelmed when too much food is brought to her so the restaurant I chose for my older son's graduation had some "small plate" items and was also hip and cool for the graduate and brother. We only did one real formal graduation meal so I had to make it work fro everyone.

I hope you enjoy all of the festivities; it's such a wonderful time.

While I cannot recommend Pier 4 for several reasons, I can give you one very good one that has nothing to do with the quality or lack thereof.....A lot of tourists go there and some of them are dressed as tourists all over are now dressed--extremely casually. You are celebrating an important occasion and may want a more formal atmosphere. The Oak Room is much more fitting for your purpose, IMO.

Oh dear, this is NOT going to be easy. DD is hippy-dippy young lady, vegetarian but eats fish (and keeps kosher). The grandmas are paying, so I have to feel like I need to please them.

The idea of a "tourist" resto doesn't bode well, even with tableclothes. We have had very bad experience with going to $$$ tourist steak house, spending $50/pp for a la carte steak and being seated next to couple with muscle shirt, shorts and hairy pits and 3 sizes too small sundress. YUCK!

Narrowed it down to Abe & Louie's, Locke-Obers or Oak Room. Where to park and which to choose?

In memory of the recent passing of Robert Parker, which resto would Spenser and Susan choose? Thanks!