Aside from studying and being at the medical center, you do have to sleep and you do have to eat. I can't help you with the former, but I can help you with the latter. Here are some places, both restaurants and others, to which I have gone. As I think of more, I will add them. So, here is the totally subjective, Zoller list of where to eat in the Boston Area. By the way, so I don't get in trouble, the opinions expressed on this page are entirely my own. So, all of you lawyers, deal with it. Just click on the area below to get to the type of food you want.
Chinese
I have been to Hong Kong and to China, and the closest I have
come to duplicating the food which I had in those two countries is
Chau Chow in the Chinatown Section of Boston. Although this
restaurant has all of the standard American type Chinese fare, it has
a lot of seafood that tastes like it was caught off the coast of Hong
Kong. When I stepped foot in the restaurant, it smelled and felt like
when I stepped off the plane in Hong Kong. There are two Chau Chow
restaurants; being directly across the street from each other. The
bigger one is fancier, but I think the smaller one, although more
crowded and noisier, is the more authentic. You should try the clams
or mussels in black bean sauce. It is incredible.
Bar-B-Que
Up until recently I made the comment that there was no place in the
Boston area where one could get really good Bar-B-Que. By that I mean
meat that is smoked, and tasty, and stuff you want to eat even
without the sauce. Actually, it is better without the sauce. This has
now changed. So, it is now with great satisfaction that I now rate my
three places to eat Bar-B-Que, and I save the absolute best for
last.
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Italian
Welcome to Italian Restaurant Heaven. This is Boston and we
have the Northend which is essentially a little bit of Italy plunked
into the middle of Boston. A couple of things about the Northend you
might not be told. One, this is where the Old North Church Resides.
That is where Paul Revere put out the lanterns when the British
arrived. This is also where the home of Paul Revere is located. Did
you know that he was an amazing Silversmith? Go see his home, it is
wonderful. Anyway, about the food, there are a gazillion wonderful
Italian Restaurants in the Northend, so go crazy. But, a couple of
things I suggest:
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Where to Get a Ton of Food for Almost no
Money
On Fridays and Saturdays the area adjacent to Faneuil Hall,
Haymarket, undergoes a startling transformation as it is
filled with food carts with vegetables, meats, fish and stuff that I
can't even describe. You wander around with people from all over the
world being shouted at by the vendors and shouting back to them.
Depending on the season, you can get 20 tomatoes for $0.50 or amazing
fish for a dollar or two a pound. The meat stores are amazing and the
vegetable stands are plentiful. Sometimes it is almost too much to
grasp. This place is open all year and it changes as the seasons
change. Again, like the Northend, this is a place to experience, not
just to shop at.
Seafood
Boston is known for its seafood and there are many places to go
to get it. But, two of the most famous, give you the range of
experiences. The first is inexpensive and informal, the second is
expensive and more formal.
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Mexican
There are very few Mexican restaurants in Boston which are not
chains and actually have authentic, not fake, Mexican food. One of
the few is Sol Azteca which is located in Brookline on
Brookline Avenue. Those of you who know authentic Mexican food will
not be disappointed. Try anything they have with mole'.
French
There are a lot of good French restaurants in the area, but one
of the best known, and still one where you can get delicious food is
Maison Robert. The food is absolutely superb, amazing,
incredible - well, you get the point. But, it is expensive. My
suggestion is that you go for lunch, that is what I do. You still get
wonderful food, but at a lesser price. This is a restaurant to which
to go for a very special occasion - like passing Part I of the Dental
Boards.
Brunch
Ah, so many places, so little time. A place that I have gone, and
plunked down $25.00 for the privilege, is the cafe at the Hotel
Meridian. This is an incredible experience with music playing and a
buffet that is like no other. They will make you crepes and omelets
on the spot. There are meats and cheeses and champagne (no extra
charge for one glass) for your to sample. This is someplace to go for
another special occasion. Dress up, spruce up, expect a lot, and
bring someone you love to share the occasion.
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Local Eclectic
Within walking distance of B.U.G.S.D.M. is Geoffrey's (the
name is correct, the spelling may not be correct). I believe it is on
Tremont Street (don't quote me). There is a range of food from
continental, to Southern to just plain interesting. You can get this
wide range of food for a moderate price. As opposed to the Hotel
Meridian where I would go for lunch, I like Geoffrey's better for
dinner.
Bagels
Now this is trouble, especially since we have people in our class
from New York City and there is nothing worse than a New York City
Bagel snob. However, in my humble opinion, we do have places in
Boston where the Bagels are at least as good, if not better. Two of
the places are:
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Ice Cream
This is the ice cream Mecca of the world. More ice cream is
consumed per person in this area of the country than any other place
in the world. I really appreciate this area when I go to other areas
in this country and can't find any decent ice cream. There are so
many places to have ice cream in this area it is almost impossible to
start. But, three of the places you might go are Steve's,
J.P. Licks and Ben and Jerrys. Regardless of which of
these three to which you go, you can't lose. Also, seek out the local
small places with their specialties. Just beware, the more you eat,
the more you want, the more you want, the more you eat and the fatter
you get. But, in the end, who cares, right???
Hamburgers
I know I've been dealing in superlatives, but in this case these
come not from me, but from reviews that have been in magazines
literally countrywide. One of the best restaurants for hamburgers in
the country is located in Cambridge, and is Bartley's Burgers.
This is not a restaurant, this is an experience and a trip back to
the 50's. The restaurant looks like something from the 1950's with a
wonderful atmosphere. The hamburgers are an experience. First, forget
fast-food. These hamburgers are a minimum of 1/3 of a pound and are
combined with almost anything you could imagine including any number
of cheeses, sauces (Bernaise, Burgundy, Hollandaise), toppings etc.
etc. There is also chicken, chili, hotdogs etc. etc. But, if you love
hamburgers, and you don't go to this place ASAP, you will regret it
for the rest of your life. I like this place so much that if you
want, I will lead an expedition to it. Also, they make the most
incredible onion rings I have ever tasted. This is still owned
and run by Mr. Bartley.
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Beer and Food
By this I don't mean your local beer joint. I mean the famous
Commonwealth Brewery which is near the Boston Garden. This is
where you can go for some good food and some of the best beer you
have ever drunk, and it is made on the premises in vats you can see.
They make their own ale, dark beer, stout and various flavored beers
including some fruit beers and honey beer. If you like good beer, and
want to taste good beer just after it has been brewed, come to this
establishment. Even if you don't like beer, the food is good and the
atmosphere is fun. This place is near Haymarket, so you can combine
the two trips into one.
A Place for the Young and Young at Heart
And now, a recommendation from your guest food critic, my daughter Sarah. She says that a must is Dicks Last Resort
which is located at the foot of the Prudential Center. This
restaurant serves burgers, ribs, fries and other stuff young people
will like a whole lot in a totally crazy atmosphere. This is a place
to go to when you want to let it all hang out. Go for it, you are
only young once, whether you are 18, 38 or 68.
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