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BOSTON

Best Of Sneaky
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Great Bay
500 Commonwealth Ave Boston, MA 02215
(617) 532-5300
If you were to dine inside an aquarium, it might be something like Great Bay, whose underwater décor (think swaying turquoise fabrics, an arched ceiling and funky lights) make the food seem even fresher. Among the top picks here are the clam chowder, the halibut tacos and the steamed mussels with coconut milk and red curry. Open Mon-Wed,Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-10pm; Thu-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11pm
The Black Rose
160 State St Boston, MA 02109
(617) 742-2286
With Irish bars now a dime a dozen in every suburban town, the Black Rose, near Quincy Market in the financial district, still stands out for its beers. Yes, there’s Guinness (served in 20-ounce pints), but lots of other stuff on tap and in bottles. You’ll find the expected—shepherd’s pie and bangers & mash—on the menu. The pints somehow taste better when you’re listening to live Irish music, which you’ll do seven nights a week here. Open Mon 12am-2am, 11:30am-2am; Tue-Fri 11:30am-2am; Sat 9am-2am; Sun 9am-12am
Tia's
200 Atlantic Ave Boston, MA 02110
(617) 227-0828
On a warm summer evening, there are few places better to celebrate a done deal—or drown your sorrows after a snit with the boss—than Tia’s patio. Just get out of work as soon as possible to snag a spot outside, then order a round of margaritas. Your day has gone from piss to bliss. Open Mon 12am-2am, 11:30am-2am; Tue-Sat 11:30am-2am; Sun 11am-12am
Tu Y Yo
858 Broadway Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 623-5411
In New England’s sea of fake Mexican restaurants run by gringos, Tu Y Yo stands out for its authenticity, which draws a diverse crowd hankering for huevos rancheros and strong sangria. The family-run restaurant gets super crowded during the school year, especially on weekends, but in the summer it slows down a bit. A bit. Open Mon-Thu 5pm-10pm; Fri 4pm-10pm; Sat 8am-10pm; Sun 8am-9pm
Oleana
134 Hampshire St Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 661-0505
This hip, upscale Cambridge hangout delivers a sucker-punch (in a good way) to taste buds deadened by too much blah food. Dishes are mostly Turkish but with all the different flavors if the Mediterranean tucked here and there, and the earthy interior, accented by mosaics, soothing blue colors and a wood stove, creates the perfect backdrop. Open Mon-Thu,Sun 5:30pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 5:30pm-11pm
District
174 Lincoln St Boston, MA 02111
(617) 426-0180
NOTE: Our local Sneaky Sunday representative is working on developing original commentary to support this recommendation. It should be live very soon. Thank you for your patience and please enjoy this recommendation all the same.
Fugakyu
1280 Beacon St Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 734-1268
Sake it to us—this Japanese mini-palace is the real deal, with sushi and maki choices up the wazoo. They even have a little conveyer belt of sushi boats; just pick which pieces you want and chow down. For fish-phobes, there are oodles of noodles, crispy plates of tempura and a killer fried ice-cream dessert. The kimono-clad waitresses and the general vibe can seem a little kitschy, but hey, you’re in Brookline, not Tokyo. Open Mon 12am-1:30am, 11:30am-1:30am; Tue-Sat 11:30am-1:30am; Sun 12pm-12am
Grill 23
161 Berkeley St Boston, MA 02116
(617) 542-2255
Grill 23 is a fun, classy, vibrant and always tasty steakhouse that mixes classics such as dry-aged cuts of beef with new twists like Peking-style shrimp soup. Like any good steakhouse, it also serves up crave-worthy sides, including mac & cheese and truffled tater tots. There’s a seating area upstairs that offers a little bit more peace, if you need it. Open Mon-Thu 5:30pm-10:30pm; Sat 5pm-11pm; Sun 5:30pm-10pm
Tavern on the Water
1 8th St # 6 Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 242-8040
Open Mon 12am-1am, 11am-1am; Tue-Sat 11am-1am; Sun 11am-12am
The Hatch Shell
Storrow Drive Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727 8855
It’s hard to decide which is the best part of the Hatch Shell: the fact that it’s free or the fact that it’s on the Charles River. Beantown’s legendary summer venue is the place to be for Fourth of July, when the Boston Pops play, for Friday night movies and for pretty much anything that happens here. Bring a picnic and get here early.
Mistral
223 Columbus Ave Boston, MA 02116
(617) 867-9300
If the fact that this place was already packed at 6:30 p.m. on a Wednesday says anything, you've got to go to Mistral. I sat in a fabulous people-watching seat at the stone bar and was chatted up by two absolutely charming diners who raved about the creative, gorgeous food at this Boston legend while I gushed about my sauvignon blanc and the swanky atmosphere. It's best of the best at Mistral. Try the crab ravioli or the mussels to start, but make sure you call a month in advance for a table during Mistral's prime dining time. Open Mon-Sat 10:30am-11pm; Sun 10:30am-10pm