A Shopping Spree
Morning
The “T” will deposit you at Downtown Crossings, where you can peruse the fashions and accessories at Macy’s. Then check out H&M (350 Washington St) for the latest Euro styles and DSW Shoe Warehouse (385 Washington St)
for fashion shoes at discount prices. The route to Quincy Market down
Franklin Street takes you past the skyscrapers of the Financial
District. Stop at Whippoorwill Crafts (93 Franklin St), which shows the work of 200 craftspeople. Turn left at Post Office Square for lunch at Milk Street Café (Post Office Park). At Water Street, detour left to Borders (10 School St) for a selection of Boston-oriented books and souvenirs.
Afternoon
Stop to enjoy a short rest outside
Quincy Market
before you begin your spree in earnest. Numerous name-brand shops such as Victoria’s Secret await. For a more local flavor try the Bill Rodgers Running Center (Quincy Market Pl),
which is operated by the champion Boston marathon runner. When you’re
eventually all shopped out, have an early dinner and make new friends at
the communal tables at Durgin-Park (North Market,
617 227 2038). Order the gigantic prime rib and the Indian pudding (a
cornmeal-molasses dish) for dessert. After dinner, laugh it up at the Comedy Connection (2nd floor, Quincy Market, 617 248 9700), where comics perform every night.
Bars & Clubs
A pint of Guinness
Good Life Downtown
This retro lounge lizard bar-restaurant jumps after work and on weekend nights with downtown execs. Cocktails are top notch.
Mojito’s
This
vibrant Downtown Crossing nightspot has a lively, Latin music and dance
scene on the weekends, and an enthusiastic international crowd.
Times Irish Pub & Bar
You can usually get a table at this large pub. Settle in for a night of live music and taste some of the 20 beers on tap.
Felt
With
urban-chic style plus 14 pool tables, a club, and a restaurant spread
over four floors, this is as smooth as it gets in the trendy Leather
District.
Felt
Silvertone Bar & Grill
This
surprisingly unpretentious, contemporary jazz bar and casual restaurant
makes an excellent place to sip good value wine, kick back, and engage
in intelligent conversation with your neighbors.
69 Bromfield St
Closed Sun
Parris
The
strobe-lit hardwood nightclub floor beneath the Quincy Market rotunda
is always heaving at this popular club. Don’t miss the extensive martini
menu.
Office Bar & Grill
The
testosterone levels are tamped down a bit at this congenial bar near
Faneuil Hall, where downtown office workers often gather for a pint.
Parker’s Bar
It’s
posh, it’s civilized, and it’s expensive. Relax in a brocade chair, sip
a single malt, and warm up by the fireplace on a winter’s evening.
Omni Parker House Hotel
Julien Bar & Lounge
Easily
the most exclusive watering hole in Boston, the Julien exudes old
money, which is fitting for the former Governor’s Reception Room of the
Federal Reserve Bank.
Langham Hotel
Black Rose
This
pub has all the good points of a bar in Dublin’s Temple Bar – Guinness,
Harp, darts – along with the shortcomings (loud music and too many
tourists).
Black Rose
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Unless otherwise specified, all clubs and bars are open daily; most close around 2am
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Restaurants for Luxury Dining
Locke-Ober
Chef-owner Lydia Shire champions rich foods. Boston Brahmins frequent Locke-Ober for the re-imagined American fare.
3 Winter Pl
617 542 1340
Closed Sun & lunch Sat
Radius
Chef and co-owner Michael Schlow creates some of the most explosively sensual New American dishes in town.
8 High St
617 426 1234
Closed Sun & lunch Sat
Blu
Light,
fresh, delicately nuanced, and artistically presented international
cuisine is complemented by soaring post-modern architecture.
KO Prime
A contemporary steakhouse in the Nine Zero hotel with over-the-top cuts of prime meat, which are often basted with melted bone marrow.
90 Tremont St
617 722 0202
Mantra
Indian flavors fused with French technique are found in this hip restaurant where the fine food makes up for the gimmicky decor.
52 Temple Pl
617 542 8111
Closed lunch Sat
No 9 Park
Hobnob
with Beacon Hill high flyers in this bold bistro over-looking Boston
Common, where Mediterranean flavors meet an imaginative wine list.
Teatro
A glamourous hipster scene prevails at superchef Jamie Mammano’s flashy trattoria, which boasts a killer wine list.
177 Tremont St
617 778 6841
Closed lunch
No reservations
The Oceanaire Seafood Room
This former bank retains its marble glamour in its new role as an outstanding seafood restaurant.
Umbria
One of star chef Marisa Iocco’s venues, Umbria brings the heart of Italy to the glitzy surroundings of the Financial District.
295 Franklin St
617 338 1000
Closed Sun
Grotto
Hearty
Italian dishes, such as sweet potato ravioli with roasted chestnuts,
make for luxury dining on a budget in a brick-walled underground
setting.
37 Bowdoin St
617 227 3434
