What I ate in Boston

Just a week or two before Boston was faced with the awful marathon ordeal, I spent a few days there with my friend Michelle (clearly this post is way overdue). We felt like getting out of New York for a bit and frolicking elsewhere, and for its close proximity and saturated amount of awesomeness, Boston was the perfect place. Here are some of the restaurants we visited that I recommend:

Gourmet Dumpling House in Chinatown: After settling down at the hotel after a nearly four hour bus ride, we were starving. So before setting out to explore, we stopped by this casual Chinese restaurant. Judging by the fact that there wasn’t an open table in sight, this place is pretty popular. We didn’t try the dumplings but we did pig out on noodles. Their serving sizes are superbly generous - easily feeding two people - and so are the prices. One order comes in at less than $8!

Noodle satisfaction.

Sonsie on Newbury Street: We stumbled onto this place around brunch time on our walk back from the Fine Arts Museum and fell in love at first sight. The front of the restaurant was entirely open to face the sunny street and all the little marble tables faced forward, Paris-style. There was a 20-minute wait for a table but we didn’t mind. Their menu is eclectic and has something for everyone, from pork belly tacos to a beet salad to delicate brick oven pizzas. After much debate, we settled on the cheeseburger pizza to share. Although the pizza was distinctly not New York-an (too crispy, not chewy, no burns), I enjoyed it thoroughly, which may or may not have been influenced by the stiff espresso martini photographed above (isn’t day drinking the best?!)

For dessert, we had their divine, award-winning chocolate bread pudding, that was so heavenly and decadent that I’m still thinking about it a month later. I can’t wait to attempt to recreate it at home!

Russell House Tavern in Cambridge: My first impression of this place was that the swank factor was really high - dim lighting, people sipping on specialty cocktails at the bar, a 40-minute wait. But when we were seated, I looked around and realized some people were watching the game on the TV and some were even dressed in sweats. I realized that the place only looks swanky but is actually quite casual. Had it been in New York though, it would be chock full of snotty attitudes.

I ordered the crispy pork belly sandwich that was served on a ciabatta roll with spicy mayo and pickled vegetables and a side salad. The pork was tender and juicy, and well complimented by the crisp carrots. It was also enormous. For dessert, we had an olive oil cake with vanilla ice-cream. The cake tasted as clean as it did rich - we loved it.

North 26 in the Millenium Hotel near Quincy Market: I had been to this place for brunch years prior and absolutely loved it so I could not resist going back this time around. They serve a classic American menu in an elegant setting. What I love most about this place (besides the assortment of mini jams and ketchup that they serve you with your meal, which you can be sure I took home with me ) is that the whole restaurant is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows so you get to bask in natural light while eating. I had the corned beef hash with poached eggs, and yes, it was great.

Genius AND adorable!

P.S: Many thanks to Boston native Nicole for her suggestions!