Best spot for 21st B-Day? (Boston, Cambridge: appointed, hotel, home)

[msjbrent]

I'll be in Boston for the first time Feb. 10th for my 21st birthday. I am looking for a great fine dining experience there. Jean-Georges in NYC is my favorite, top notch French food, so I would like something similar in Boston. Also, what are a couple cool clubs to hit? Thanks!

[deadheadinboston]

petite roberts (french bistro) is near fenway and most of the clubs in the city are walking distance (i have no suggestions for those though).

[smarty]

2nd BostonUSA Winter Restaurant Week set for March 4-9, 2007

More than 100 of Boston’s finer restaurants will offer three-course prix fixe lunches for $20.07 and three-course dinners for $33.07



The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and American Express are presenting their second Boston Winter Restaurant Week March 4-9, 2007. The Sunday-through-Friday Boston Winter Restaurant Week will feature more than one hundred (100) of Boston’s finer restaurants, offering three-course prix fixe lunches for $20.07 and three-course dinners for $33.07. The prix fixe menus prices are based on the year.


The second Boston Winter Restaurant Week follows six years of growth of the Boston Summer Restaurant Week events held annually in August by the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau and American Express.


The Boston Winter Restaurant Week will feature landmark restaurants throughout Boston, Cambridge and its suburbs. Among the Boston restaurants: Legal Sea Foods, Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel, Brasserie Jo, Davio’s, Top of the Hub, Armani Café & Todd English’s Olives & Bonfire. Among the Cambridge choices: Upstairs On The Square, Sandrine’s Bistro, Harvest, The Blue Room, and Elephant Walk. Beyond Boston - the gourmet landmarks of Lumiere and Ariadne in Newton and Silks at Stonehenge Inn are among the choices.


Boston Winter Restaurant Week will feature both the newest and the oldest restaurant in Boston and cuisine ranging from steak to seafood, Italian to Asian.


“Boston Winter Restaurant Week is a chance for the visitor to sample the absolute best by landmark restaurants while enjoying amazing value. During six days and nights, the menus feature chef’s unique specialties,” says Patrick B. Moscaritolo, President of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau.



The full list of the more than 100 BostonUSA Restaurants - will be online on February 6, 2007 at the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau web site www.BostonUSA.com/restaurantweek with ‘click-to-view’ links to each restaurant.


American Express Cardmembers receive exclusive pre-February 6, 2007 reservation privilege: American Express® Cardmembers have exclusive access to book reservations on the American Express web site before they become available to the general public.


The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau offers more than 100 hotel packages including “Warm Winter Specials” which include room and breakfast for two starting at $79.00. Hotel packages are posted on www.BostonUSA.com . Visitors can call toll free 1-888-733-2678 or e mail visitus@bostonusa.com for the “Boston Overnight” color brochure and Travel Planner from the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.

[BrandiWorc]

medieval manor on the corner of madison and albany. Theres no plates orsilverware, youll be sure to have a good time, they put on performances that any young person would be sure to love, along with they pick ppl out and bring them on stage, its small and fun, and they serve alcohal if thats ur plan for ur 21st

[msjbrent]

Johnycakes-

Thanks alot for the very detailed response. Sounds like you know your way around fine dining yourself. My father is a restauratuer so since I was a toddler dining has been much more then grabbing a bite. I will be with my fiance who is 25. I have already heard/seen alot about L'Espalier. Thank you for sharing your experience. Sometimes you can be thrown. Are you farmilar with the NYC dining scene? I was shocked at Danube in Tribeca. Why that place is held in such high regards, I don't know! I will look into all the places you mentioned.

Thanks again for your detailed response. If you have the time, I would be interested to hear some spots for upper Continental cusine spots. I would like French but am open to other ideas.

[graymall]

Dam...after reading these posts...I actually feel malnourished!

[msjbrent]

Johnycakes-

Thanks again for the detailed post!

That is a shame about the Ritz! I too have enjoyed there formal dining room. My favorite is in Atlanta (Buckhead). I wish things were dressier these days. I think that's a shame.

If the Oak Room is primarily steaks I will pass as I am a vegetarian. I'll try to spare you from my usual lecture! My father's best friend is the VP of Capital Grille and everytime we have been we have both been disappointed. To me they just have a boring chain feel.

How do you feel about Todd English restaurants? They have been recommended to me several times.

Out of curiosity, do you live in Boston? I love the Northeast, though Boston is the one place I have yet to see. I noticed alot of people complaining about MA on the forum. But seems like everyone complains about where they live. Go figure.

[smarty]

Originally Posted by msjbrent

I love the Northeast, though Boston is the one place I have yet to see. I noticed alot of people complaining about MA on the forum. But seems like everyone complains about where they live. Go figure.

I think the biggest complaint is affordability. I see so many students in Boston just call home (the mom/dad bank) when needing money. They drive Porches, Lexus, and Mercedes without a job. I would say people making over $100-150K in general love Boston more. Would you agree it is the same with NYC?

Life is good when you can go to professional games (Red Sox) a couple of times a month. I think someone calculate that it cost about $1000 a game for a family of 4. For the minimum wage worker, it is more than a week's pay before taxes.

[msjbrent]

I understand what you are saying about affordability.

I have nothing against a kid who drives a nice car, as I was one myself. You can get crap just because your parents have done well. It is nothing to hold against someone.

I'm a little confused about the Red Sox game prices (Go yankees )because I go to Yankee Stadium once a season usually with one other person. I get my tickets online. I know you can get $75 tickets. I always spring for the $200 since I typically go once a summer and turn it into a mini vacation. Plus, I must admit I like seeing Jorge Posada as close as I can.

Well I will be in Boston a week from today and I am very much looking forward to it. This board has alot of negativity but not just on Boston. Seems everyone hates everywhere. Anyone in real life I know that has lived in Boston has good things to say.

[smarty]

You'll love Boston. Welcome. Nothing against you or the well to do. My point was it is expensive to live around here (probably still cheaper than Manhattan.)

The funny thing is I may be able to see the same Red Sox team cheaper at Yankee Stadium instead of at Fenway in Boston (even with gas money included). Good luck and have fun.

Average ticket price -
Boston - $46.46
NY Yankees - $28.27.
League Average - $22.21.
Kansas City(lowest) - $13.71.



Fan Cost Index - comprises the prices of two (2) adult average-price tickets, two (2) child average-price tickets, two (2) small draft beers, four (4) small soft drinks, four (4) regular-size hot dogs, parking for one (1) car, two (2) game programs and two (2) least expensive, adult-size adustable caps.

Boston - $287.84
NY Yankees - $208.57
League Average - $171.19.
Kansas City(lowest) - $120.35

[url]teammarketing.com/fci.cfm[url]