Traditional fine dining in Boston? (Somerville: school, restaurants, food)

[traveler098]

Hi everyone i will be visiting Boston in a few weeks and while looking online at restaurants in Boston i haven't really come across too many traditional, formal fine dining places. Everywhere seems to be new and hip. Can you guys recommend me some formal fine dining in Boston?

Not into french food at all.

[newmassphd]

Not trying to be patronizing.

How do you define fine dining?

Are you referring to the quality of the food, the atmosphere, the setting,
the service, or chef's creativity?

For example. There are restaurants with fine dining atmosphere, but the food is lacking.

If it is helpful, my Boston friends tell me that Meritage in Boston gets great reviews.

The best lobster I've ever had was seated was when I was seated at a wooden picnic table at dock in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. In mentioning this, I am trying to point out that amazing quality doesn't necessarily come with
formal type of atmosphere.

I wish you all the best in finding a great meal.

[Bridge781]

Bring your wallet:

https://m.yelp.com/search?find_desc=...c=Boston%2C+MA

[skeddy]

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...achusetts.html

[yellowstatus]

Technically in Somerville, but Sarma is outstanding. Traditional fine dining at its best. United States is only 243 years old, so basically any American food is new American. Gotta look at other countries with real history get that real traditional fine dining. Paleo diet is another option if you're going real old school

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by yellowstatus

Technically in Somerville, but Sarma is outstanding. Traditional fine dining at its best. United States is only 243 years old, so basically any American food is new American. Gotta look at other countries with real history get that real traditional fine dining. Paleo diet is another option if you're going real old school

Sarma is great, but I wouldn't call it fine dining and don't think it fits the image of what the OP is looking for. Note s/he mentions "traditional", which Sarma is not. They have communal tables, and specialize in small plates, plus the dress code is smart casual. I think for most people fine dining typically = white tablecloths, etc.

[redplum33]

The OP also mentioned formal.

Sorry, I can't offer any suggestions.

[Maddie104]

Two of our favorites:

Best Seafood and Oyster Bar in Boston MA North End | Mare Oyster Bar

https://www.atlanticfish.com/

We have been going to Atlantic Fish for the past ten years -- consistently good, traditional seafood as well as other menu items, clubby atmosphere.

We enjoyed Mare last year -- sophisticated atmosphere, excellent food with a fairly extensive menu beyond seafood.

My husband is a traditional eater and enjoyed both places.

[traveler098]

Originally Posted by redplum33

The OP also mentioned formal.

Sorry, I can't offer any suggestions.

So there aren't many formal places in Boston?

[turf3]

Well, there aren't many formal restaurants left anywhere; and Boston is full of millennials who certainly don't want to do anything that could be construed as "old fashioned"; and Boston's not really much of a restaurant town anyway; so your chances probably aren't all that great.