One of the best things we love about living in New England is the change of the seasons. With that comes the switch from lighter summer fare enjoyed alfresco to fall flavors, creamier dishes and heartier stews.
There are a few weeks left before we start thinking about pumpkins and Oktoberfests. With summer quickly coming to a close, we have rounded up some of Boston’s most beloved dishes. From Back Bay to the North End and beyond, here’s a look at five must-try seafood dishes you won’t want to miss this summer.
Frutti di Mare at Benedetto
Photo Credit: Benedetto
Located inside The Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, Benedetto is the brainchild of chef/owner Michael Pagliarini, who along with his talented team, hand rolls and cuts fresh sheets of pasta each day. The regional Italian restaurant’s standout dish – Mezzi paccheri ai frutti di mare – is chock full of fresh seafood tossed with capers, olive and agretti served up with a generous portion of perfectly cooked al dente pasta.
1 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138; Website
Jasper White’s Pan Roasted Lobster at Summer Shack
Photo Credit: Summer Shack
It’s summer all year long at Jasper White’s famous Summer Shack in Back Bay. With locations in Back Bay, Cambridge and Mohegan Sun, this casual seafood favorite serves up one of Boston’s most beloved dishes. Made with bourbon, chevril and chives, White made this dish famous cooking alongside Julia Child on her television show. Since then, the rich seafood favorite remains a standout at all his of restaurants.
50 Dalton Street, Boston, MA 02115: Website
Fried Lobster and Waffles at Saltie Girl
Photo Credit: Saltie Girl
Owner Kathy Sidell and Executive Chef Kyle McClelland’s menu takes summer loving to a new level. We can’t get enough of the fried lobster and waffles with sweet corn butter and spicy maple syrup – the perfect flavor filled combination of sweet, salty, crunchy and savory. Whether you come here for a late morning pick me up or prefer to save this indulgence for dinner, you won’t be disappointed.
281 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116; Website
Seafood Hot Tower at il Molo
Photo Credit: Il Molo
Sure, you can get an chilled seafood laden tower at some of the best restaurants in town, but Il Molo likes to do things a bit differently. Instead, Chef Pino Maffeo’s creative take features a triple decker Hot Tower with tiers of oysters Rockefeller with spinach and parmigiana, clams casino topped with fresh bread crumbs, bacon and herbs along with grilled marinated Hawaiian prawns topped with a heaping bowl of Cape Cod mussels. Translated “the pier,” Il Molo’s North End haute spot also offers your last chance to indulge tableside in a clam bake feast (think whole Maine lobster, Cape Cod clams and mussels, corn on the cob, local chorizo sausage, red bliss potatoes and Swiss chard served in a seasoned broth. Summer never tasted so good.
326 Commercial Street, Boston, MA; Website
Striped Bass at Mooncusser Fish House
Photo Credit: Mooncusser Fish House
Dinners at Mooncusser Fish House are almost as unforgettable as their restaurant namesake. There are tasting menus here that are a standout in its own right for those looking to sample some mouthwatering favorites. The changing menu may include dishes like scallop tartare with caviar, crab agnolotti with morels, peas and ramps as well as grilled bluefish. If we had to choose just one favorite it would be the simply prepared striped bass perfectly paired with seasonal vegetables and even better when complemented with a 1996 bottle of Dom Perignon ‘Oenotheque.’
304 Stuart Street, Boston, MA 02116; Website
