The Hungry I
71½ Charles St., 617-227-3524 As much as
we might associate fireplaces with comfort,
they also can’t be beat when it comes to
setting the mood for romance. For 25 years,
Bostonians have known that one of the most
romantic spots in the city has been The
Hungry I, a cozy hidden jewel in the heart
of Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. This
two-story French country-influenced eatery
is housed in a restored 1840s townhouse, and
even has an open-air patio in the rear for
private outdoor dining. Still, when couples
looking to put that spark back in their
relationship come to sample Chef Peter
Ballarin’s cuisine, such as his signature
dish venison au poivre (venison dredged in
black peppercorns and served with a sauce of
red wine and sour cream), they invariably
find themselves drawn to a seat by the
romantic fireside. Luckily, Hungry I boasts
three working fireplaces, so there’s plenty
of dancing embers to go around.
James’s Gate
5–11 McBride St., Jamaica Plain,
617-983-2000 As many Bostonians will tell
you, few things chase away the shivers
faster than a crackling fire and a glass of
the old “black-and-tan.” In Jamaica Plain,
weatherworn locals in search of a friendly
atmosphere and a well-poured pint of
Guinness flock to James’s Gate, a cozy
neighborhood joint known for its grand,
readily accessible stone fireplace.
Decorated in the style of an authentic Irish
pub, “the Gate’s” exterior façade is modeled
after the famous James’s Gate brewery in
Dublin, Ireland. Praised for its gastro-pub
approach to conventional dishes, the Gate
complements its pub menu of traditional
Irish fare with an affordable restaurant
menu of sophisticated entrees such as wild
cherry duck confit and honey beer brined
pork loin. A favorite meeting spot for
Jamaica Plain’s eclectic community, the pub
hosts frequent events including a Monday
“Quiz Night” and frequent live Irish music
sessions. For an extra-authentic feel, the
fire is fueled with turf on select nights,
effusing a nostalgic aroma that charms
patrons with its unmistakably Old-World
presence.
Locke-Ober
3 Winter Pl.,
617-542-1340 With a colorful history dating
back to Victorian times, Locke-Ober is
widely revered as one of the most legendary
restaurants in the city. Long established
among Boston Brahmins as a destination for
French cuisine ‘par excellence,’ its lavish
dining rooms have seated a multitude of
distinguished patrons over the years,
including John F. Kennedy and Frank Sinatra.
Located in a mid-1800s dwelling in Boston’s
historic Ladder District, Locke-Ober’s
ornate interior is home to several
fireplaces whose inviting flames provide a
fitting backdrop to this storied eatery’s
grandiose presence. Overseen by nationally
esteemed chef Lydia Shire, the restaurant
menu features two signature lobster dishes:
the acclaimed lobster Savannah and JFK’s
lobster stew. With a wine cellar whose
unparalleled inventory has been nurtured for
100 years, Locke-Ober is a also a
destination for oenophiles—the wine list’s
offering of over 500 labels promises to sate
the thirsts of even the most discerning
connoisseurs.
The Red House
98 Winthrop St.,
Cambridge, 617-576-0605 When it comes to
cozy retreats, they say there’s no place
like home—especially when that “home” is a
cozy Old Cambridge abode whose foundations
date back to 1603. Formerly the residence of
two humble widows, the quaint Harvard Square
cottage known as the Red House has in recent
years been converted to a restaurant.
Restored to its original charm by current
owner Paul Overgaag, the Red House now
contains a 55-seat main dining room,
kitchen, bar area and two private dining
rooms. A working fireplace lights up each of
the house’s four modest rooms and comforts
diners with a welcoming ambiance. Yet just
as the vibe is down-to-earth, the food is
anything but—the Red House’s innovative menu
of continental and new Italian dishes such
as the grilled veal scaloppini with
chantrelle mushroom ragout is sure to excite
your taste buds as well as warm your soul.
The Omni Parker House
60 School St.,
617-227-8600 In Boston’s restaurant culture,
few places are more iconic than the historic
Omni Parker House. Located in the name-sake
hotel steps away from the State House, the
Parker House claims a special place in the
hearts of local diners—who in Boston hasn’t
heard of Boston Cream Pie? Aside from being
credited with these local culinary
innovations, the Parker House treats diners
with a menu full of nostalgic dishes like
the Boston baked scrod (also said to have
been invented here). After enjoying a
traditional local meal in the stately main
dining room, many visitors are drawn to the
fireside glow near the Parker Bar. Staffed
by some of the city’s most knowledgeable
barmen, it’s the perfect place enjoy a
classic cocktail while warming your feet by
the fire (cigar and robe optional).
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