- Striped bass, the perfect fish to eat in Boston during summer vacation.
Before I took a week off to go to Boston and Maine, I asked you guys for dining recommendations. Thanks to all who recommended places to eat in Boston. I did my best to hit as many as possible (I wasn’t up for Olive’s and have done No Name many times). My eating time in Boston was limited because on two nights I chose to dine on Italian sausage with peppers at onions at Fenway Park where the Texas Rangers were playing the Boston Red Sox. However, I did visit two new (for me) places I now recommend to you. One is Alma Nove which is a short ferry ride across the harbor to Hingham (shot rad acrass dah haarbaah tah Hanghaum). It’s cheffed by Paul Wahlberg, brother of Mark. (I’m sure he hates hearing that. He’s been a chef around Boston for 8 years but whatevah, Mark’s an investor.) The 110-seat upscale Italian/Mediterranean spot opened in late spring and sits next to the pier in the redeveloped Hingham shipyard. I didn’t take notes but I devoured every bit of my pan seared striped bass and creamy risotto and barley. My friend Evan did the same with his salmon topped with pickled ramps. (Attention Dallas chefs: please try this at home!) Dessert report here.
Summer Shack is also worth a visit. There are four locations of this casual, kitschy joint created by Jasper White. (You might remember Jasper and Lydia Shire making waves in the early ’80s—they pretty much ruled contemporary American cooking in Beantown.) Eventually White got out of the white tablecloth business and opened Summer Shack which features all of the traditional New England dishes such as cod cakes and baked beans, lobster rolls, fried clams, and on down the line. I really enjoyed the cod cakes and baked beans and my buddies loved the lobster rolls and clam chowder. (Sorry for the lame descriptions but I really wasn’t working so I won’t now.) Jump for photos.
