The most romantic restaurant is Boston?
 

My girlfriend has suprised me with a trip to Boston, and I'm looking for the perfect restaurant to propose to her. Money really isn't the biggest concern in the world, I just want to make it special. I don't think she would go for the proposal at Fenway. Any help would be appreciated.

You'd think there would be any number of options for romantic dining in Boston, but in reality most are terribly LOUD, not to mention expensive.

We've been all over and I'd recommend considering the following:

Julien at Le Meridien Hotel. But, do NOT go "after work" (which is up until about 9PM) on a Friday night, as the "lively" after work bar crowd noise travels into the dining room. The room is classy and positively gorgeous. But, it's pricey. Food and service are extraordinary, though. And, service is attentive and efficient and the almighty "unobstrusive" and not "snooty" in the least. Best thing about dining here is wandering up to the piano lounge afterward (home of the "after work" crowd), where the pianist will play your requests. That room also is comfortable and beautiful. A perfect place to enjoy "afterwards".

Then, there's Maison Robert. The formal dining room upstairs is magnificent, with prices to match, and "fancy" food. For more moderate prices in very comfortable and beautiful ambience, the "Cafe" downstairs is just fine. The menu here is more French/American comfort food and quite appealing. In the nice weather, dining outdoors on the terrace is magnificent. Problem with this place is that is closes down right after dinner. But, you can wander over to the Parker House or Faneuil Hall/Quincy Marketplace.

Then, there's the Bay Tower Room. We've always been very pleased here, though some aren't. Sprawling dining room with terrific views. Lovely "mezzanine" cocktail lounge with "traditional" (wedding band) music for afterward.

Your best bet may be L'Espalier, famous in Boston for "proposals". You would want to insist on the "nicest" room when reserving and state your purpose. They know all the clever methods of presenting the ring...and will suggest same if you ask. And, dress for the occasion, as they do tend to segregate folks (rightfully so, I suppose) based upon their attire. L'Espalier is one classy place. And, they are "flexible". They have a rather complicated menu - prix fixe, specials, a la carte, but the waiters could not be more accomodating and will help you out. Curiously, though, there's NO music here, and if there's a large party in your room, all bets are off for romantic ambience...And, it's EXPENSIVE.

Another possibility is brunch at Abe & Louie's (on Boylston right across from the Pru). This place is comfortable and beautiful. And, the tables set outdoors on the sidewalk are wonderful in the nice weather (the Duck Tours take off right across the street, which is fun to watch). The brunch menu is fantastic, at incredibly reasonable prices. The bread basket is terrific, service is fabulous, and the food is wonderful (breakfast, salads, sandwiches, lunch, dinner...) If the weather is nice, a table outdoors would diminish the noice factor at dinnertime.

All in all, you could go with Julien. You can catch a horse and carriage ride afterward for proposing, then return for a drink, music, dancing in the piano lounge.

Or, go to Abe & Louie's for brunch on a Saturday or Sunday (11:30 to 3, I think), whereupon, since it's not "dinner" she won't likely be expecting anything...and it's very quiet there at brunch times...

But, then, there's the Hungry I on Charles Street on Beacon Hill. I, personally, find the place whopping claustrophobic (very small rooms, low ceilings), but others find it utterly romantic.

If you do web searches on these places for the menus/prices and so forth, you'll likely find what's most appealing for you.

Other good resources for exploring are www.boston.citysearch.com, Zagat's, and www.phantomgourmet.com.

Great restaurants but for added input by the experts...try www.chowhound.com and the Boston link.

If you want to actually be IN Boston, then you've already got some great recommendations - my personal choice would be Julien. But a far better setting, IMHO, for what you have in mind is Silks, at the Stonehedge Inn in Tyngsboro, about 30 miles northwest of Boston. It's magnificently elegant and you can just about hear a pin drop in the dining room on a typical evening, which is fine because the tables are far enough apart to keep your conversations private. The adjoining lounge has a huge fireplace and is one of the most comfortable spaces anywhere. Silks is run by Europeans to European dining standards. On top of that, they have one of the best cellars in the world, running to over 1,000 wines, with many more (usually different vintages) that are not on the list.

You've been given some very good advice here. I agree with the Julien suggestion; you won't be disappointed.

Here's my vote for L'espalier. What a place! I know I've written about it before on this site, but it deserves the attention that I give it. It is a gem among the restaurants of Boston. Very classy, most excellent food and yes, expensive but WELL WORTH IT!!! Propose there, she will LOVE it!!

I am by all means not in the elite club of romantics,but I do feel a table for two at the Top of the Hub with a view of the back bay and charles river would be my choice.

It can be noisy,but the view is great.

This is from personal experience, but get a corner booth at Mistral. SO romantic! Get the duck! www.mistralbistro.com
617.867.9300

I've heard that Maison Robert is closing.

I'd pick Hamersley's Bistro (great French food, wonderful service - http://www.hamersleysbistro.com/) or L'Espalier for a proposal! Good luck!

Romantic, small, quiet:
The Hungry eye on Charles Street.

(Go Blue Devils!) There has been some disappointment with L'Espalier's food (see the reviews at Fodors and www.citysearch.com) that may have to do with it not living up to its own reputation but it always places in the top anyway, and the atmosphere is pretty nice -- an old mansion on Gloucester Street. And you aren't going strictly for the food, anyway, are you? I do think music would be an addition there, although people don't have to talk over it so it keeps the noise level down.

You don't HAVE to propose over food, anyway, right? Could be on a boat -- a swan boat or a harbor cruise (there is a dinner cruise, but they are notorious for having boring food) -- on the bridge in the Public Garden -- or at tea at the Ritz.

Congrats to both of you, anyway.

Silk is nice but if you get seated in the greenhouse section on the side of the inner dining area, that person beside you in that area is almost in your lap. If you call for lunch time, and make a request, they may make you sit outside which we have done several times.

P. S. An American Horse owner owns Stonehedge, not Europeans