Haute Secrets Boston: Jennifer Epstein of The Beehive and Beat Brasserie

Everyone in Boston knows where some of the best live music is played every day, a fantastic jazz brunch is held on the weekends and a patio scene bustles in the summer months like no other – The Beehive. When Jennifer Epstein and partners opened the Bohemian haute spot in the South End in 2007, it quickly caught on as the place to go for nightly jazz, blues, R&B, reggae, Latin, cabaret, country and burlesque music where there is never a cover charge. Dishes here take on a Mediterranean flair (think vegetarian couscous and stuffed chicken breast with Jerusalem artichokes).

Since then, the group ventured on to open a second haute location (Beat Brasserie) in Harvard Square where live music also takes center stage. Here, you can snack on fun snacks like buffalo cauliflower, “luxe” nachos with slow roasted pork and fried chickpeas with Romesco.

Photo Credit: The Beehive

We caught up with Epstein recently to find out what she loves most about Boston.

Where were you born: Boston

How long in Boston: Other than college and 5 – 6 years scattered post college and post law school, all of my life

Neighborhood: South End

Occupation: Restauranteur, former Attorney

Favorite Restaurant:  Other than my own (The Beehive and Beat Brasserie), O Ya

Best Sushi: I love both O Ya and Oishi, but recent favorite is Cafe Sushi in Cambridge

Best Italian: Coppa

Best Dessert: My sister’s apple pie

Best place for a romantic date: Giulia

Best Sunday Brunch: The Beehive, and not because I am biased

Best place for a power business meeting: District Hall

If you have out of town guests, which hotel would you recommend? The recently opened Godfrey Hotel because Downtown Crossing is booming

Favorite shopping venue/boutique: Viola Lovely

Favorite place to buy jewelry/watches: Ore (in the South End)

Best Spa: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental

Favorite Charity Event: Running the Boston Marathon for The Stepping Strong Fund

Favorite Cultural Event: First Fridays

Favorite Cultural Institution: The Boston Ballet

Best Steakhouse: Orinoco (steak plus other South American dishes)

Best Pizza: Emma’s Pizza before a movie at Kendall Square Cinema

Best Lunch: Myers & Chang

Best Gym/Athletic Facility: Soul Cycle Back Bay

Best Massage: Be Well Boston for clinical massage therapy

Best Limousine/Driving Service: Uber

Best Museum/Exhibit: Museum: the Institute of Contemporary Art.  Best recent exhibit:  Black Mountain College at the ICA

Describe Boston in three words:  Innovative, burgeoning, home

Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore: Fenway Park

All-around favorite spot in Boston: Running along the Charles River

Best Aspect of Boston: It’s large enough that you can get lost, but small enough “where everyone knows your name”