Haute Secrets Boston: Chef Chris Coombs

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.