Waiting in line for the Cronut at Dominique Ansel Bakery on a chilly morning must be some rite of passage in New York by now. Even though the Cronut craze has died down considerably since its inception in 2013, the steady line of tourists that flock in from all over the world for this flaky pastry have still made the wait in the mornings a rather painful experience. So it’s important to ask oneself before coming, is it really worth it?
Best Mediterranean food in Boston? Ask that question, and you’ll usually hear two answers: Sarma and Oleana. It’s no wonder why both restaurants have achieved such popularity though – they’re both owned by the same person, Ana Sortun, who has truly made a name for herself in Boston’s culinary scene! Where Sarma is more of a tapas place and is known for having a widely diverse menu, Oleana serves to be a more typical sit-down restaurant and has a more traditionally structured menu. In addition, the restaurant offers one item on their menu that has drawn in crowds from all over – their famous Baked Alaska.
If you sit at the chef’s tasting counter, you can watch Chef Carl Dooley (right) cooking.
Anyone who claims to be a fan of either Craigie on Main or Top Chef must dine at The Table – it may very well be one of the best meals of your life. Chef Carl Dooley and his team focus on French techniques and seasonal ingredients to deliver perfection on a plate, with flavors ranging from Middle Eastern to classical French to Asian. For those of you who don’t know, The Table offers a monthly-rotating 4-course menu for $65 per person (as of May 20, 2016). I highly recommend coming here with one other person, so that together, you guys can order and sample the entire menu.
Whenever someone asks me what my favorite restaurant in New York is, I always point them to Gramercy Tavern. Their tasting menus are consistently delicious, and I can confidently say that I’ve had some of my most memorable meals here. Gramercy Tavern boasts a well-deserved Michelin star, and I consider it one of the quintessential New York restaurants, and this time I’ll be reviewing their spring (May) Lunch Tasting Menu for their Dining Room.
Boston Public Garden
Having called Boston my home for the past 4 years, I’ve spent a lot of time researching some of the most delicious but least known places to eat. While some of these places may sound unfamiliar to those traveling to Boston for the first time, they are favorites among locals and usually boast one or two items that they are most known for.
There were a lot of places on my original list, so I’ve decided to split this post into two. Compiling and going through the list has made me realize how much I’m going to miss these places when I leave Boston, so I hope that sharing this post can both help me remember these spaces and help you decide where to eat while you’re here! Ready? Let’s go!