Haute Spots Boston: TAMO Bistro + Bar

Tucked inside The Seaport Boston Hotel, a visit to TAMO Bistro + Bar is like stepping into a close friend’s dining room for an intimate dinner. Request a table with a waterfront view, relax in a cozy leather chair and prepare for a special evening brought to you by Chefs Robert Tobin and Richard Rayment.

TAMO InteriorPhoto Credit: TAMO/Regan Communications

Start off by checking out TAMO’s fall drink menu, which includes seasonal cocktails and their famous fish bowl concoctions like The Voodoo Bowl and S’mores Bowl as well as The Harvest Crush Sangria made with rosé, blonde rum, Green Mountain maple liqueur, cinnamon, apples, nutmeg and starfruit. Local brews on tap include Sam Adams Oktoberfest and Harpoon IPA (brewed just up the street).

From New England favorites like creamy clam chowder and a warm buttery lobster roll to Asian specialties (think grilled Japanese shishito peppers, braised pork belly buns with Tamari aioli and a seared hamachi roll with black tobiko and yuzu) to fun finds like the house made prosciutto meatballs served in a tangy marinara sauce topped with mozzarella, there is something for everyone here.

We recently visited and our friendly server suggested we try the crispy salt ‘n pepper calamari, a golden sampling of spiced up calamari made with hot peppers. We loved the North End pizza topped with a four-cheese blend and fresh tomatoes atop a crisp crust. For dinner, the Ora King Salmon should not be missed. TAMO is the only restaurant in Boston that serves the New Zealand salmon served with a polenta cake, friisee salad and a light fruit and melon gazpacho. For heartier fare, the bar steak is a standout with red wine sauce served with rich creamed spinach and a crisp potato pancake.

If you have second thoughts on finishing the night off right with a guilty pleasure, the menu teases your inner sweet tooth with an “Oh but you should” selection of sweet treats. We recommend pairing up a banana bread beer with a sampling of the rich chocolate flourless cake (to share or not to share, that is the question) topped with mascarpone cream made with vanilla beans, dark chocolate, a thick fudge drizzle, fresh raspberry sauce and candied cashews. You’ll be glad you did.

TAMO is located at One Seaport Lane in Boston.