Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INEXPENSIVE
Picco PIZZA The cutesy name—short for “Pizza and Ice Cream Company”—may
seem like a red flag. Ignore it. Picco serves traditional and yuppified pizza and phe-
nomenal ice cream in an airy space up the street from the Boston Center for the Arts.
The pizza menu ranges from traditional Margherita (tomato, basil, and cheese) to the
“Alsatian variation,” topped with a lip-smacking combo of caramelized onions, bacon,
sour cream, roasted garlic, and Gruyère. The crust—a little smoky from the wood-
fired oven, blistered in spots, thin but not crackery—is as good as the toppings. If
you're not in a pizza mood, the menu includes a selection of calzones, soups, salads,
and sandwiches. Somewhat unexpectedly, Picco also has a fantastic wine list. And
what about the “IC” part of the name? The ice cream sandwich didn't do it for me
because the cookies weren't nearly as good as the filling, but all of the other sweets—
including a huge brownie sundae, ice cream sodas, and even a dish of plain old
vanilla—were scrumptious.
513 Tremont St. & 617/927-0066. www.piccorestaurant.com. Reservations accepted only for parties of 8 or more.
Pizza $9.50 and up; main courses $9-$13. MC, V. Daily 11am-11pm. T: Orange Line to Back Bay.
10 The Back Bay
VERY EXPENSIVE
In 2008, L'Espalier ( & 617/262-3023; www.lespalier.com) moved from a town
house off Newbury Street to Boylston Street's new Mandarin Oriental, Boston
(p. 85). One of Boston's favorite special-occasion restaurants, it combines French tech-
nique and ingredients from all over—notably small New England purveyors—to
create prix fixe menus of three or more courses that make dinner more event than
meal. You'll pay at least $75 a head, and you won't mind a bit.
Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse STEAKS/CREATIVE NORTHERN
ITALIAN A cavernous space with a surprisingly comfortable vibe, Davio's offers
robust cuisine that contrasts delightfully with the business-chic setting. It's stylish but
not trendy: Owner-chef Steve DiFillippo built the restaurant's excellent reputation on its
top-notch kitchen and dedicated staff. Straight-up Northern Italian cuisine shares the
menu with steakhouse offerings such as picture-perfect steaks, chops, and seafood, as
well as inventive-comfort-food sides. The traditional dishes—homemade sausage, savory
soups, out-of-this-world risotto (I'd walk a mile for the lobster version), and pasta—are
equally superb, making Davio's a great compromise for hard-core carnivores dining with
Italophiles. The exceptional wine list includes some rare and expensive Italian vintages,
and the excellent breads and desserts are made in-house. Despite the open kitchen, the
bar in the middle of the room, and the lively lounge area, the noise level allows for con-
versation, even at busy times. Bonus, if you're into that sort of thing: When the Yankees
are in town to play the Red Sox, you can often see at least a few of them here.
75 Arlington St. & 617/357-4810. www.davios.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $9-$43 at lunch
(most less than $25), $21-$52 at dinner; 5-course tasting menu $95. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm;
Sun-Tues 5-10pm (lounge menu until 11pm), Wed-Sat 5-11pm (lounge menu until midnight). Validated and valet
parking available. T: Green Line to Arlington.
Grill 23 & Bar STEAKS/AMERICAN The best steakhouse in town, Grill 23 is
a wood-paneled, glass-walled place with a businesslike air. A briefcase-toting crowd
fills its two levels and chows down on traditional slabs of beef and chops, traditional
steakhouse side dishes, and sophisticated yet traditional desserts. The meat is of the
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search