212 Northern Ave - 617-330-7430http://www.ltkbarandkitchen.com/
This a draft version of the new Boskone Restaurant Guide. We are still updating it, please check back later for a more final version. If you have comments or corrections, please email info-b46@boskone.org.
This guide focuses on restaurants in the Seaport District of Boston that are convenient to the Boskone hotel, plus a few additional restaurants in South Boston (the South Boston section includes many fast food restaurants that will deliver to the hotel). It is not intended to be an extensive guide to Boston's many hundreds of fine restaurants. Restaurants are listed below and are also pushpinned on this map.
We've also included some information on the History of the Seaport District, and Visitor Information on some area attractions.
The information in this guide is as accurate as we could determine at the time we went to press. But it is always best to confirm with a phone call before setting out to a restaurant. We will have menus from most of these restaurants available for reference at the information desk and in the con suite at Boskone.
Closed Restaurants
There are a number of restaurants in the area that are not available on Boskone weekend, either because they are not generally open on weekends, or because they are closed for renovations. We list them here so you will know not to go there if you should run across them in an online search or in another restaurant guide. Also read the listings carefully, as some restaurants are not open on Sunday, or for lunch and/or dinner on Saturday.
Closed on weekends: Dry Dock Cafe, Fresh City, Metro Cafe, Yada Yada Cafe, Marco Polo
Smoking
As of May 5, 2003, smoking is banned from Boston restaurants and bars.
Transportation Options
Walking
Most of the nearby restaurants are along the waterfront, so you would begin by walking northeast (toward the water) on either D St. (which passes alongside the hotel) or the elevated World Trade Center Avenue (also called Viaduct St.) one block to the west. After 1/4 mile, you will reach Northern Avenue, which runs parallel to the waterfront. There you would turn either right or left, depending on the restaurant. The total walking distance to each restaurant is listed in its description.
There are several ways you can get down from WTC Ave. to the streets below. At Congress St., there are stairs to the left side and an elevator in the WTC Silver Line station on the right. A bit further down, there is a small park on the left with a staircase diagonally across it going down to Northern Ave. (don't miss the sea serpent sculpture going down the steps). Or you can enter the Seaport Hotel on the right and use their elevators. And at the very end, under the arch of the WTC Pier, there is a glass-enclosed stairway, elevator, and an 'up' escalator.
Summer St. to the northwest is also elevated, and there is no connection to crossing surface streets until you get to A Street, where the connection is a high exposed metal staircase. Although the A St. staircase is the shortest route to some of the restaurants on Congress St., if the weather is icy, you may need to cross over to Congress St. via WTC Avenue or D. St., which will make the walk .1-.2 miles longer. If you're going to Finagle-A-Bagel, you can continue along Summer Street to the Fort Point Channel, where there is a walkway along the edge of the water (although this also involves navigating a dozen steps).
Taxi
The rate for cabs in Boston is $1.75 for the first 1/8 mile, and $0.30 for each additional 1/8 mile. When giving distances to the restaurants we are providing the walking distance; cab distance may be more depending on one-way streets, traffic patterns, etc. A few phone numbers: Boston Cab 617-262-2227, Yellow Cab 617-628-0600, ITOA 617-323-6000.
Silver Line Waterfront
The Silver Line Waterfront is a "bus rapid transit" line that links South Boston and Logan Airport to South Station. The nearest Silver Line rapid transit station is the WTC Station on WTC Avenue, a bit under 1/4 mile from the hotel. The Silver Line runs about every 15 minutes on weekends. We will mention in the individual restaurant reviews when it might be helpful to take the Silver Line.
The MBTA is in the process of switching over to a card-based fare system. You can buy individual paper tickets (called Charlie Tickets, after the famous Charlie "who never returned") or can use a stored-value plastic card called a Charlie Card. The rapid transit fares are cheaper if you use the Charlie Card, but the empty Charlie Cards are only available at certain distribution points, such as South Station. [Possibly also WTC station - we will check this]
As of Jan. 1, 2000, rapid transit one-way fare is $2.00, or $1.70 when using a Charlie Card. Transfers within the rapid transit network are free. Transfers between rapid transit and bus are free if you use the Charlie Card; other wise you pay full fare for each segment. 1-day and 7-day LinkPasses provide unlimited travel throughout the system. A 1-day LinkPass is $9.00 and a 7-day LinkPass is $15.00
In the Westin Waterfront Hotel lobby
Light menu: pizzas, burgers and sandwiches, sea salted fries, shrimp cocktail,
skewers with dipping sauce, crispy calamari, crab cakes, cheese plate, fruit
skewer with chocolate fondue, etc. $4-$18. Daily 4pm-2am
In the Westin Waterfront Hotel - 617-532-4600
Breakfast brunch buffet on Sunday 6:30am-12noon, $19. Ala carte breakfast Sat and Sun 6:30am-11am.
Lunch menu 11am-2:30pm. Sandwiches, salads, steak, seafood. Entrees $11-$16. Lunch buffet $15.
Mid-day menu 2:30pm-5pm. Similar to Birch Bar light menu.
Dinner menu 5pm-closing. You order a "center plate" (swordfish steak, salmon, tuna, pork chop, sirloin steak, roast chicken, or lobster), and pick two sauces to go with it from an array of 15 ranging from mild to "bold" to spicy. "Small plates" or appetizers are $7-$15, "center plates" from $24-$39, and sides are $6.
Mon-Thurs 6:30am-10pm
Fri 6:30am-11pm
Sat 7:30am-11pm
Sun 7am-10pm
In the Westin Waterfront Hotel
Small selection of packaged sandwiches and salads. $7-$8. Daily 6am-7pm
Channel Cafe
American/International
300 Summer Street - 617-426-0695
http://www.channel-cafe.com/
This moderately priced sit down restaurant has wine and beer and many vegetarian options. They have a diverse international menu with many daily specials. Located at 300 Summer Street, in an Artist Co-op building with an attached Gallery, it's a 5-7 minute walk from the Westin (make a left on Summer Street, exiting the hotel).
They are offering a 10% discount off Dinner entrees on Thursday and Friday night with a badge. They also offer a $10 Burger and a Draft Special from 5-7pm Thursday-Saturday. A very special Valentine's Day party is planned on Saturday the 14th with Dj's live Burlesque and Live Music.
Their hours are Thursday & Friday 8am-10pm, Saturday 5pm-10pm. They are suitable for children, handicapped-accessible, and take reservations for 4 or more. Call for reservations (especially for the Valentine's party) at 617.426.0695
Legal Test Kitchen
seafood and more
212 Northern Ave - 617-330-7430
http://www.ltkbarandkitchen.com/
Appetizers $9-$12, entrees $9-$24
Daily 11am-1am
Reservations recommend. Lunch usually not busy, but evenings there may be a
wait.
Distance: 0.30 miles.
Walk northeast on D St. After crossing the highway, take the right fork. The
restaurant is on the right at the corner of Northern Ave., across from a small
park. Look for the red awnings.
Pressed Sandwiches
sandwiches and salads
225 Northern Ave - 617-439-0000
http://www.ltkbarandkitchen.com/
Sandwiches $5-$7
Mon-Fri 7am-3pm, Sat 9am-3pm
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH ONLY; CLOSED ON SUNDAY.
Distance: 0.30 miles.
Walk northeast on D St. After crossing the highway, take the right fork. Turn
right onto Northern Ave. The restaurant is just around the corner on the right.
225 Northern Ave Boston, MA 02210 (617) 737-5454
Italian restaurant with full service restaurant with separate reception for take-out and delivery. They have been featured on local TV show Phantom Gourmet.
They will do a delivery to area hotels and will gladly offer 10% off the dinner menu to attendees who present their Boskone registration badge when dining at the restaurant.
They take reservations. They are suitable for large group and have a small private room that seats up to 15 people. Gluten free pasta and vegan preparations are available on request. They are know for their fine dining as well as their 3 lb pizzas. They are offering a special six course Valentine's dinner for $45 per person.
Lunch menu $4.00-$8.00
Dinner menu $7.00-$27.00
Mon-Friday Kitchen 11a.m. to Midnight Bar until 1a.m.
Sat Kitchen Noon to Midnight, Bar until 1 a.m.
Sun 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m
Aura
new american
1 Seaport Lane (in the
Seaport Hotel) - 617-385-4300
http://www.aurarestaurant.com/
Dinner features locally-inspired seasonal cuisine. Vegetarian entrees and lower carbohydrate substitutions are available. Reservations recommended for groups. Appetizers $7-$15, entrees $22-$38.
Breakfast: Mon-Fri 6:30am-11:30am, Sat 7am-noon, Sun 7am-1pm.
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, bar menu Sat-Sun.
Dinner: Mon-Sat 6pm-10pm
CLOSED FOR DINNER ON SUNDAY.
Distance: 0.30 miles.
Walk northeast on WTC Ave. After crossing the highway, the hotel will be on
your right. The Aura Restaurant is one level down, just off the hotel lobby.
Seaport Hotel Bakery Cafe
pastries, sandwiches, salads
1 Seaport Lane (in the Seaport Hotel)
Pastries, sandwiches, fruit, salad.
Breakfast items include cereal, parfaits, muffins, scones, and bagels.
No seating; takeout only.
Daily: 6:30am-5:30pm
Distance: 0.30 miles.
Walk northeast on WTC Ave. After crossing the highway, the hotel will be on
your right. The Bakery Cafe is one level down, on the Northern Ave. side of
the hotel.
Dunkin Donuts
donuts, sandwiches
200 Northern Ave (in World Trade Center Bldg) - 617-261-1536
Typical Dunkin Donuts.
Mon-Fri 5am-7pm, Sat-Sun 6am-6pm.
Distance: 0.35 miles.
Walk northeast on the elevated World Trade Center Avenue all the way to the
end. Take the stairs or elevator down to street level. Dunkin Donuts is on the
left side of the WTC facade (as you face the water).
200 Northern Ave (in World Trade Center Bldg) -
Typical 7/11 with some premade sandwiches, etc. Open 24 hours.
Distance: 0.35 miles.
Walk northeast on the elevated World Trade Center Avenue all the way to the
end. Take the stairs or elevator down to street level. The 7/11 is on the left
side of the WTC facade (as you face the water).
Seaport Bar and Grille
american
150 Northern Ave - 617-357-8121
Entrees $7-$20
Distance: 0.35 miles.
Walk northeast on the elevated World Trade Center Avenue until you see a park
on your left. Cut diagonally across the park and down the staircase at the far
corner. At the bottom of the steairs, turn left on Northern Ave. The restaurant
is in the next building past the water on the right. [To avoid the steps, there
are elevators in the Silver Line station (on the right after you cross the highway),
or just inside the facade of the WTC.]
15 1/2 Fish Pier St. W - 617-338-7539, 617-423-2705
Lunch: $7-$11, Dinner: $8-$16 (more for lobster)
Mon-Sat: 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm
Distance: 0.4 miles.
Walk northeast on D St. After crossing the highway, take the left fork and continue
straight across Northern Ave down the center of Fish Pier. The restaurant is
half-way down in the right-hand building. The entrance is under the canopy just
past the large archway.
Note: The restaurant's menu shows the restaurant in the incorrect location and
gives incorrect Sunday closing time!
Yankee Lobster Fish Market
seafood
300 Northern Ave - 617-345-9799
Entrees $8-$19.
Mon-Sat: 10am-9pm
Sun: 10am-7pm
Distance: 0.45 miles.
Walk northeast on D St. After crossing the highway, take the right fork. Turn
right onto Northern Ave. Walk 4 short blocks. The restaurant is on the left
opposite a traffic circle.
Lucky's Lounge
bar food
355 Congress St - 617-357-LUCK (-5825)
luckyslounge.com
Sinatra Sunday Brunch is from 10am-3pm, with live music 11am-2pm. Reservations are accepted. Live entertainment Wed (9:30pm), Thu (9:30pm), Fri (10pm) and Sun (8:30pm) evenings. Saturdays features a DJ playing upbeat R&B, Soul, Classic Rock and Dance from 10pm. No cover charge.
Mon-Wed 11:30am-10pm, Thu 11:30am-11pm, Fri 11:30-12midnight
Sat 6pm-12midnight, Sun 10am-11pm.
Bar open to 2am every day. Not open for lunch on Saturday.
Distance: 0.5 miles.
Walk northwest on Summer St. toward Fort Point Channel. When you get to A Street,
take the exposed metal staircase on the left side of the street and go right
on A Street for one block to Congress St. The restaurant will be on the right
corner. If you don't want to attempt the A St. staircase, use the WTC station
elevator to get down to Congress St., or go down D St, which directly connects
to Congress St. The alternate routes are .1-.2 miles longer.
Warning: Lucky's has no sign and can be hard to find if you don't know it's there. The entrance is in an old warehouse building directly on the corner of Congress and A Streets. Go down a few steps and you'll see the door.
The Blue Wave
bar food
343 Congress St. - 617-790-0720
www.bluewavebar-lounge.com
Burgers, salads, pasta, pizza, seafood, entrees. Sandwiches around $7, entrees $13-$18. The food here is not as good as Lucky's.
Mon-Thu: 11am-10pm, Fri 11am-1am, Sat 8pm-1am
Not open for lunch on Saturday and all day Sunday.
Distance: 0.5 miles.
Walk northwest on Summer St. toward Fort Point Channel. When you get to A Street,
take the exposed metal staircase on the left side of the street and go right
on A Street one block. Turn left on Congress St. for one block; the restaurant
will be on your left. If you don't want to attempt the A St. staircase, use
the WTC station elevator to get down to Congress St., or go down D St, which
directly connects to Congress St. The alternate routes are .1-.2 miles longer.
Flour Bakery
+ Cafe
pastries, sandwiches
12 Farnsworth St - 617-439-0822
http://www.flourbakery.com/
A newly-opened branch of a popular South Boston cafe. Pastries, sandwiches, pizza and quiche of the day. Named "Best Gourment Sandwich" by Boston Magazine..
Inexpensive ($5-$7).
Mon-Fri: 7am-7pm
Sat: 8am-6pm
Closed Sunday
Distance: 0.55 miles.
Walk northwest on Summer St. toward Fort Point Channel. When you get to A Street,
take the exposed metal staircase on the left side of the street and go right
on A Street one block. Turn left on Congress St. for one block, then right on
Farnsworth. The restaurant is a few doors in from the corner. If you don't want
to attempt the A St. staircase, use the WTC station elevator to get down to
Congress St., or go down D St, which directly connects to Congress St. The alternate
routes are .1-.2 miles longer.
At the Institute for Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave.
Lunch: $7.50-$13 (lobster roll)
Daily 11am-3pm, LUNCH ONLY
Distance: 0.55 miles.
Walk northeast on the elevated World Trade Center Avenue until you see a park
on your left. Cut diagonally across the park and down the staircase at the far
corner. At the bottom on the stairs, turn left on Northern Ave. Pass Eastern
Pier II and Anthony's Pier 4 on your right. The ICA is a modern cantilevered
building on your right. Enter at the left front corner; the restaurant is at
the right back corner of the building. [To avoid the steps, there are elevators
in the Silver Line station (on the right after you cross the highway), or just
inside the facade of the WTC.]
Finagle-A-Bagel
sandwiches, salads
303 Congress St - 617-439-0822
Nice variety of breakfast/lunch items. Breakfast sandwiches and wraps, bagels, sandwiches, melts, artisan breads, soups, salads, stuffed potatoes, flatbread pizzz, cookies.
Inexpensive ($5-$7).
Mon-Fri: 6am-6pm
Sat-Sun:: 7am-5pm
Distance: 0.6 miles.
Walk northwest on Summer St. toward Fort Point Channel. When you get to A Street,
if you can walk down the exposed metal staircase on the left side of the street,
go right on A Street one block, then left on Congress St. The restaurant is
on the left in the last block before Fort Point Channel. If the staircase is
too difficult, continue on Summer St. to Fort Point Channel and take the walkway
to the right at the water's edge. When you reach Congress St. turn right. The
restarant is on the first corner on your right.
Anthony's Pier 4
seafood, steak
140 Northern Ave. - 617-482-6262
A Boston institution, possibly patronized more by tourists than locals. Traditional seafood, Panoramic harbor view. Extensive wine list and full bar. Offers steak and a vegetarian dish as well as seafood. They are very proud of their popovers and chocolate souffle. Family-friendly with a children's menu. Online reservation system at opentable.com. Free parking.
Expensive. (Note: online menu does not list prices.)
Associated fish market will package fish and lobster to take home (1-800-341-1756).
Mon-Thu: 11:30-10, Fri: 11:30-11, Sat 12-11, Sun: 12-10
Distance: 0.6 miles.
Walk northeast on the elevated World Trade Center Avenue until you see a park
on your left. Cut diagonally across the park and down the staircase at the far
corner. At the bottom on the stairs, turn left on Northern Ave. Pass Eastern
Pier II on your right, then turn into the next driveway and walk down the long
parking lot. The restaurant is at the very end of the pier. [To avoid the steps,
there are elevators in the Silver Line station (on the right after you cross
the highway), or just inside the facade of the WTC.]
Harpoon Brewery
brewery, beer tasting
306 Northern Ave.- 1-888-HARPOON
www.harpoonbrewery.com
Not a restaurant, but this operating microbrewery has free tours and beer tastings on Friday at 2pm and 4pm and Saturday at 12noon, 2pm, and 4 pm. One of their beers is called "UFO" - very fannish! Free parking.
Brewery store: Fri 11am-5:30pm, Sat 11am-5pm
Distance: 0.7 miles.
Walk northeast on D St. After crossing the highway, take the right fork. Turn
right on Northern Ave. and continue on for 6 1/2 short blocks. The brewery will
be on your left.
Alternative: Take the Silver Line two stops outbound from WTC Station.
The Barking Crab
seafood
88 Sleeper St (off Northern Ave near Fort Point Channel)
617-426-2722 (617-426-CRAB)
www.barkingcrab.com
Casual "lobster shack" atmosphere with wood-burning stove. Sandwiches, grilled and fried fish, crab and lobster, New England clambake, burgers, steak, chicken, mac & cheese, vegetarian option. Full bar. Children's menu. Takeout. Live music Sunday 6-10 pm. Tends to be crowded. They told me they would not take same-day reservations, but might make an exception for large parties.
Entrees: $8-$24 (lunch, $8-$30 (dinner)
Mon-Wed 11:30am-10pm, Thu-Sat 11:30am-11pm, Sun 11:30am-10pm.
(Time listed is kitchen closing time; bar stays open later.)
Distance: 0.75 miles.
Walk northeast on the elevated World Trade Center Avenue until you see a park
on your left. Cut diagonally across the park and down the staircase at the far
corner. At the bottom on the stairs, turn left on Northern Ave. Go all the way
to the bridge over Fort Point Channel. Walk to the right of the bridge and through
a opening in the chain link fence to reach the restaurant. [To avoid the steps,
there are elevators in the Silver Line station (on the right after you cross
the highway), or just inside the facade of the WTC.]
Alternatively, walk .25 m. to Silver Line WTC Station and go inbound 1 stop to the Federal Courthouse Station. When you exit the station, look for the red-and-yellow striped roof and walk an additional .2 miles.
South Station Food Court
fast food
http://www.south-station.net/StationDirectory.asp
The South Station Food Court contains a nice array of fast food places, some of which are open in the evenings. It is also has a bookstore, Serenade Chocolates, and is the location of Jupitor in the Boston Community Solar System.
Au Bon Pain. Sandwiches,
wraps, salads, soups, stews, baked goods, espresso. Fri 5am-11:30pm, Sat-Sun
5am-9pm.
Auntie Anne's. Pretzels and Pretzel dogs.
Daily 8am-midnight.
Cajun Cajun. Bourbon chicken, blackened
fish, etc. Mon-Fri 9am-9:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8:30pm.
Cosi. Sandwiches [not open yet - check
back]
J.B.Scoops. Homemade ice cream. Fri-Sun
10am-8pm.
Master Wok. Decent-quality Chinese. Daily
10am-9pm.
McDonalds. Mon-Fri 5:30am-11:30pm, Sat-Sun 6am-11:30pm.
Pizzeria Regina. North end brick-oven
pizza. Fri 10am-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm.
Salad Station. Salad bar plus burritos, quesadillas,
tacos. Mon-Fri 9am-9:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8:30pm.
Distance: 0.75 miles.
Walking is very simple. Go left on Summer Street. South Station is the second
building on your left after crossing Fort Point Channel.
Alternative Route: Take the Silver Line two stops inbound.
Clarke's Turn of the Century Saloon
american
South Station - 617-261-6361
http://www.clarkesatsouthstation.com
Inexpensive, decent-quality bar food; highest price on menu is $10.75 for steak. Full bar with an array of beers.
Daiy: 11:30-9pm (for food). Bar stays open to 11pm.
Distance: 0.75 miles.
Walking is very simple. Go left on Summer Street. South Station is the second
building on your left after crossing Fort Point Channel.
Alternative Route: Take the Silver Line two stops inbound.
The
Daily Catch
sicilian-style seafood, pasta
2 Northern Ave (in Federal Courthouse). - 617-772-4400
www.dailycatch.com
Sicilian-style seafood and pasta. Italian pastries. No non-seafood choices. Limited hours.
Appetizers $5-$13, entrees $18-$24 (more for Lobster Fra Diavolo)
Fri-Sat: 5pm-10pm, CLOSED SUN
Distance: 0.8 miles.
Walk northeast on the elevated World Trade Center Avenue until you see a park
on your left. Cut diagonally across the park and down the staircase at the far
corner. At the bottom on the stairs, turn left on Northern Ave. Turn right at
the next intersection (still Northern Ave.), which then curves left. The Federal
Courthouse is the imposing brick structure where Fort Port Channel meets the
harbor. The restaurant is on the Boston-facing corner of the building. [To avoid
the steps, there are elevators in the Silver Line station (on the right after
you cross the highway), or just inside the facade of the WTC.]
Alternatively, walk .25 m. to Silver Line WTC Station and go inbound 1 stop to the Federal Courthouse Station. When you exit the station, look for the large brick building where Fort Point Channel meets the harbor and walk an additional .2 miles.
Chau Chow City
chinese, dim sum
83 Essex Street (between Chauncy and Oxford) - 617-338-8158
Sun-Thurs 8:30am-3am
Fri-Sat 8:30am-4am
Excellent dim sum available every day (although with a greater selection on weekends), served from carts in the traditional way. Keep your eyes open for the lobster dumplings (probably weekends only). Very popular; get there early or expect a wait. Open late. Inexpensive.
Distance: 1 mile
Walk or take the Silver Line to South Station. Turn left just past South Station
and right onto Essex Street. Cross the Big Dig Surface Road and the restaurant
will be another 3 short blocks on your left.
Penang
malaysian
685 Washington St (near Kneeland) - 617-451-6373
www.penangusa.com/location_boston.html
Malaysian cuisine. Very flavorful. Somewhat busy and crowded
most nights.
Moderate.
Sun-Fri 11:30am-11:30pm
Fri-Sat 11:30am-12mid
Distance: 1.2 miles (.45 miles from South Station)
Pho Pasteur
malaysian
682 Washington St. - 617-482-7467
Noted for its pho (Vietnamese soup).
Inexpensive.
Daily 9am-11pm
Distance: 1.2 miles (.45 miles from South Station)
East Ocean City
chinese
Reputed to have the best seafood in Chinatown. Moderate.
Sun-Thurs 11:30am-10pm
Sat-Sun 11:30am-11pm
Distance: 1.1 miles (.35 miles from South Station)
If you go 3/4 of a mile down D Street away from the Harbor, you will reach W. Broadway in South Boston. This section of W. Broadway has many fast food and sit-down restaurants within 1 mile of the hotel. Many of these restaurants will deliver to the hotel for a minimal charge. Some give discounts for large orders, but request 3-4 hours advance notice. The restaurants in this section are listed in order of distance from the hotel in two groups, depending on whether you turn right or left from D. Street.
Turn right (NW) from D Street onto W. Broadway:
Burger King. 280 W Broadway at D St. 617-268-9071. Mon-Fri 6am-10pm (drive-through to 12mid). Sat-Sun 7am-10pm (drive-through to 12mid)
Liberty Bell. 170 W. Broadway. 617-269-3916. Roast beef, pizza, pasta, seafood, subs. 2-topping pizza $7/$10. Delivery $2 charge. Mon-Sat 10:30am-10pm. Closed Sunday.
Amrheins Restaurant. 80 W. Broadway. 617-268-6189. http://www.amrheinsboston.com. Classic American Cuisine since 1890. Lunch and dinner 7 days a week to 9pm. Extensive Sunday brunch buffet from 10am-2pm. Free parking. Lunch entrees $10-$13; Dinner entrees $15-$22; Brunch $18 adults, $8 under 12, $3 toddlers.
Mul's Diner. 75 West Broadway. 617-268-5748. Good-quality diner food. Open 5am-10pm 7 days a week. Free delivery from 4pm-10pm. Breakfast specials from $5-$6. Sandwiches $6-$7. Entrees with two sides $11 ($13 for steak tips).
Turn left (SE) from D Street onto W. Broadway:
Broadway's Best Pizza. 321 W. Broadway. 617-268-1228. Pizza, calzones, wraps, subs, pasta, salads, dinners, frozen yogurt and smoothies. 2-topping pizza $6.50/$10. Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12mid. Free delivery.
Shenanigan's Bar & Grill. 332 W. Broadway. 617-269-9509. Bar food with an Irish twist. Dining room is dominated by the large bar and lots of TV screens. Lunch soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees, irish breakfast, bangers and mash, shepard's pie$8-$13. Dinner menu varies $12-$13. Mon-Sat 11:30am-10pm for food, Sun 11:30am-9:30pm for food. Bar open every night to 1am.
Cafe Arpeggio. 398 W. Broadway. 617-269-8822. Gourmet sandwiches, homemade ice cream, specialty "micro-roasted"' coffees (the place smelled fabulous), soups, salads, pastries, breakfast items, vegetarian sandwiches. Limited seating. Sandwiches $5-$6. Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun 7am-10pm. No delivery?
Three Clover Pizza. 401 W. Broadway. 617-268-8048. Pizza, calzones, wraps, subs, pasta, salads, dinner plates. 2-topping pizza $8/$12. Delivery $1 charge. Daily 11am-10pm.
Jake's Cafe. 402 W. Broadway. 617-269-6049. Subs, pita wraps, sandwiches, dinners, salads. Buffalo wings and chicken tenders. Breadfast eggs, pancakes, and omelets. Sandwiches $5-$6, dinners $6-$9, breakfasts $3-$5. Mon-Fri 6am-8pm, Sat-Sun 7am-3pm. Free delivery $7 minimum, starting 11am.
Pan Asia (formerly Rainbow Dragon). 412 W. Broadway. 617-268-2821. http://www.panasiaboston.com/. Chinese, sushi, Japanese, Thai. Dining room. Cocktail lounge with exotic drinks. Most dishes $5-$10. Delivery $1.50 charge (free for orders over $25). Mon-Sat 11:30am-1am., Sun 12:30pm-1am.
South Boston Chinese Restaurant. 429 W. Broadway. 617-269-1970. Typical fast-food Chinese; eat-in area with 8 booths. Most items $4-$8. Daily 10:30am-2am, Sun & hol 11:30am-2am. Delivery $1.50 charge, 11:30am-1:30am.
Land of Pizza. 445 W. Broadway. 617-269-4442. Pizza, calzones, wraps, grinders, pasta, chicken, salads. Two-topping pizza $7.25/$11. Sun-Wed 11am-11pm, Thu-Sat 11am-12mid. Free delivery
Nanning Wok. 465 W. Broadway. 617-269-4688. Delivery $1 charge. Limited seating. Szechuan, Mandarin & Hong Kong cuisine. Most dishes available in large and small sizes, plus lunch specials and combo plates. Most dishes $5-$10. Mon 11am-1am, Tue-Sat 11am-2am, Sun 12noon-2am.
Nick's House of Pizza and Seafood. 467 W. Broadway. 617-269-1161. Pizza, calzones, subs, wraps, pasta, salads, seafood, burgers, dinner plates. Delivery $1 charge. Mon-Thu 10am-12mid, Fri-Sat 10am-1am, Sun 11am-12mid.
TaQueria Mexican Grill. 475 West Broadway. 617-269-0061. Delivery $8 minimum, $1 charge. Burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, fajitas, salads, nachos, Mexican plates and combo platters. Most items $5-$6. Party orderr $80 (serves 8-10) or $160 (serves 18-25). Mon-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-2am, Sun 12noon-11pm.
McGoo's Pizzeria. 479 Broadway. 617-269-7587. Pizza, calzones, subs, pasta, dinner plates. 2 topping pizza $7/$11. Free delivery. Jimmy promised us a discount of $1.50-$2 per pizza for orders over 6 pizzas. Sun-Wed 11am-11pm, Thu-Sat 11am-12mid.
In the early days of Boston, this area was a tidal salt marsh, separated from the main city by Fort Point Channel, which got its name from a small fortified hill on the Boston side. As is common in Boston, Fort Hill was leveled around 1870 and used to fill in the area around Atlantic Avenue.
The commercial history of the Seaport District began in 1836, when the Boston Wharf Company was formed and starting filling in the marshes. They flattened some other hills in the area, and then went on to take rubble from the Great Boston Fire of 1872, so there is a treasure trove of archeology buried underfoot.
The BWC first built wooden sheds for the storage of sugar and molasses from the Caribbean (part of the infamous "triangle trade" of sugar, rum, and slaves). Later, in the 1880's, they started constructing brick warehouse buildings, many of which still stand today. (If you look closely, you'll see many of the buildings along Congress and Summer Streets display a circular brass medallion reading "BWC" with the date of construction.)
In the 1920's Boston was the center of the wool trade supplying the New England woolen mills. Fan Pier, where the Moakley Federal Courthouse stands today, was a huge rail yard, where the tracks went right up to the docks to allow easy transfer of cargo to and from the ships. Other goods transported through these warehouses included iron, glass, brick, machinery, wagons, soap, elevators, and beer.
Many of the historical piers and wharfs on the Boston side of Fort Point channel (Long Wharf, India Wharf, and Rowe's Wharf) have been converted to other uses: hotels, restaurants and condominiums. But on the east side of Fort Point Channel, much of the waterfront has retained its commercial character.
Commonwealth Pier and Fish Pier, roughly opposite the hotel, were built in 1914. Commonwealth Pier, now called the World Trade Center, has been converted to exhibit and office space, but Fish Pier is still the oldest continuously operating fishing pier in the United States. Further east, you will find the Black Falcon cruise ship terminal, followed by working container and automobile shipping ports.
At the far eastern end of this section of waterfront lies Castle Island (which is no longer an island) and Fort Independence, built between 1836 and 1851. This area is now a public park.
In the 1940's, the commercial activity in the area started to decline and many of the older wooden buildings were razed and turned into parking lots. In the 1970's, artists noticed that the old warehouse buildings provided affordable studio space, and a thriving arts community arose. Other warehouse buildings were turned into offices, and the Boston Children's Museum moved into a building at the edge of Fort Point Channel.
A more recent boom began in the past few years, with the building of the Moakley Federal Courthouse, the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, and new hotels and office buildings. The Institute of Contemporary Art has just moved into a dramatic new cantilevered building right on the edge of the harbor near Anthony's Pier 4. And an underground rapid bus line, called the Silver Line, was recently built to link this section of town to the airport and South Station. Additional development is in the planning stages.
For those of you interested in the outdoors, a public-access Harborwalk runs all along the harbor's edge. from the Seaport District into Boston. There are also two attractive parks in the area. One, at the corner of D Street and Northern Avenue, features interesting stone and brass sculptures. The second, on the harbor side of the Moakley Federal Courthouse, features hardy beachfront plants and has informational signs about the history of the area. It also has great views of the Boston section of the waterfront.
A history of the area would not be complete without mentioning the Big Dig. A segment of the Big Dig that connects the Massachusetts Turnpike to the Ted Williams tunnel to Logan Airport runs through the center of the Seaport District. The large complex building across from the Convention Center is the controversial "Vent Building #5" which serves the Turnpike Extension. The tragic tunnel roof collapse that made national news was directly under where D Street crosses the highway, right in front of the hotel.
Children's Museum
The Children's Museum is closed for renovations until the spring.
Institute of Contemporary
Art
100 Northern Avenue
617-478-3100
http://www.icaboston.org/
Admission $12, $10 students and seniors; free after 5pm on
Thursdays
Sat-Wed 10am-5pm, Thurs-Fri 10am-9pm
Normally closed on Monday, but open on President's Day (Feb. 19)
Free tours (with admission) Sat and Sun at 2pm
Audio tours available for rental, or download in advance from the web site.
Artist Studios and Galleries
Artists have gravitated to the Fort Point Channel area since the 1970's. See http://www.fortpointarts.org/ for a list of galleries and special exhibits.