Updated 2007-08-19 22:37
KENMORE SQUARE
Once
just a place to chill (and drink, or watch people drink) before a Sox
game, Kenmore Square has undergone a mini-Renaissance in recent years —
fans of fresh, ethnic foods and Pizzeria Uno unite. Below, we’ve
selected the best of the best. Green Line to Kenmore for these ones.
| Ankara Cafe Despite an exotic sounding name, this Kenmore stalwart provides familiar fast, comforting foods such as pizza, calzone, wraps, and good old-fashioned sandwiches. They also offer frozen yogurt shakes and smoothies in a mind-boggling array of variations. But, it’s hit and miss as to how polite the servers are, and how quick the service is. What is always convenient is Ankara’s T-side location. 472 Comm. Ave., Boston. 11 a.m.-midnight, daily 617-437-0404. |
| Audubon Circle Minimalist with classy dark paneling, this classy nouveau American eatery offers a range of affordable appetizers and limited entrée selections (ribs, steak, tuna). Loungey hip-hop (Portishead and PM Dawn) and conversation din fill the air as you wait for the hearty hamburger and roasted potatoes (the kitchen has no fryerlater), delectable brie and green apple grilled cheese, Tuscan bread with white bean paste or, our favorite, the Asian potstickers. Great for pre-game eats if you’re not into the pink Sox hat and “Bud Light, guy!” scene. 838 Beacon St., Boston. 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m., daily. 617.421.1910. |
| Boston Beer Works Opened in 1992 by brothers Joe and Steve Slesar, this industrial brew-pub is a cross between the musical “Stomp” and a brewery. There’s a line out the door when there’s a game at Fenway, as every Yankee-hater in town with a pair of tickets tells their buds to meet them at Beer Works for pre-game. Catering more to sports fans than foodsnobs, the American fare of burgers and generously-portioned apps pair well with their huge micro-brewed beer list. Try the Canal Street location for more elbow room. 61 Brookline Ave., Boston. 11:30 a.m.-12:45 a.m., daily (they open earlier if there’s a day game). 617.536.BEER. |
| Chef Chang’s House Chef Chang’s is balanced like the yin/yang symbol: They serve generous portions of absurdly well-priced tasty food, but the atmosphere seems feng shui by way of Howard Johnson. Drop ceilings, paper placemats, atrocious lighting and thick carpet provide an ambiance akin to a hotel function room. Still, we forgive. The specialty is Peking duck, which the chefs carve in front of the patrons. The exotic drinks are dirt cheap, too, if you’re over 21. 1004-1006 Beacon St. Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri, Sat 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sun 11:30 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. 617.277.4226. |
| Great Bay Seafood and swank are the essence of Great Bay — this is the place to take your parents, your grandparents, your girlfriend’s parents or a very demanding date. Located in The Hotel Commonwealth, Bay features high prices (dinner entrees range from $26-$40), but you can’t beat the atmosphere and service. Plus, they let guys in without jackets. The overall design is thoroughly modern, from the copper-tinged, vaulted ceiling with spiraling light fixtures, to the futuristic tunic get-ups of the waitstaff. Because they only serve the freshest seafood, the menu changes daily based on what’s available at the fish markets, making every visit a unique experience. Mom will be proud. 500 Comm. Ave., Boston. Sun-Wed 5 p.m.-10 p.m. (Drinks: 11 p.m.); Thu-Sat 5 p.m.-midnight; Breakfast Mon-Fri 7 p.m.-10 p.m 617.532.5300. |
| Sausage Guy The Sausage Guy on Lansdowne Street is the street vendor dining gold standard (if there is such a thing). For more than a decade, this one-man show has been serving up his “secret recipe” sausage to the Fenway Faithful, ball players, and celebrities alike. Around $2-$7 will get you that trademark sausage in original, Chinese style (think spare ribs), or garlic and cheese flavors. Look for The Sausage Guy on the corner of Lansdowne Street during ballgames, and Mon-Sat, 10 p.m.-midnight. |
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