After graduating from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York, Chris Coombs’ future certainly looked bright as he returned to Boston to cook alongside Ming Tsai at Blue Ginger followed by a stint at the Relais & Chateaux Toppers at the Wauwinet in Nantucket where he met Chef Patrick O’Connell, who later brought him to The Inn at Little Washington in Virginia where he prepared dishes for First Lady Laura Bush.
Photo Credit: 451 Agency
Coombs eventually came back to his roots in Boston to cook at dbar where he met Brian Piccini. Today, the two are the big names behind even larger known Boston Urban Hospitality Inc., which owns and operates three of the best restaurants in Boston (dbar in Dorchester, the Back Bay’s Deuxave and Boston Chops in the South End).
We caught up with Coombs recently to find out what he loves most about Boston:
Where were you born: Peabody, MA
How long in Boston: All my life with the exception of my time at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and the Inn at Little Washington in West Virginia
Neighborhood: Back Bay with my wife Viktoriya
Occupation: Chef and co-owner of Boston Urban Hospitality’s three restaurants: Boston Chops, dbar, and Deuxave
Favorite Restaurant: Gourmet Dumpling House, Catalyst, Tiger Mama, Yume wo katare
Best Sushi: o ya
Best Italian: Guilia
Best dessert: Anything by Deuxave Pastry Chef Shaun Velez
Best place for a romantic date: At home with my wife
Best Sunday brunch: Sonsie
Best place for a power business meeting: L’Espalier / Grill 23
If you have out of town guests, which hotel would you recommend? Eliot Hotel
Favorite shopping venue/boutique: Neiman Marcus
Favorite place to buy jewelry/watches: E.B. Horn
Best Spa: Mandarin Oriental
Favorite Charity Event: Heading Home and Best Buddies
Favorite Cultural Event: Boston Marathon
Favorite Cultural Institution: MFA
Best Steakhouse: Boston Chops
Best Pizza: Bianchi’s
Best Lunch: Pho
Best Gym/Athletic Facility: Body Ambition
Best Massage: Joshua Jayintoh Thai Massage
Best Limousine/Driving Service: Uber
Best Museum/Exhibit: The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)
Describe Boston in three words: Historic, innovative, and evolving
Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore: The Arboretum
All-around favorite spot in Boston: The Esplanade by Charles River
Best Aspect of Boston: The culinary revolution – It is an exciting time to be a part of such a tight knit culinary community.
