Copley Square/Green Line Eats

September 28, 2018 11:34 AM

Where should we get dinner tomorrow night that's near/easy to get to from Copley Square?

My husband and I live about an hour north of Boston. My brother lives in Cambridge. My mom and dad are coming up; my dad will be at a conference in Copley Square, and they're staying in a hotel there. We're meeting up for dinner tomorrow night; it's also (sort of) my brother's birthday.

So, we're looking for some place either by Copley, or on the Green line (parents are happy to take public transit if need be). Bonus if there's parking nearby, ish (since we'll be driving in). We know there's a game at Fenway that afternoon which might complicate things a little bit.

I've been in/around Copley Square, but have really only eaten in the various chain restaurants in that whole complex. My brother is also a bit at a loss for suggestions over there.

We're all reasonably adventurous eaters, with a general preference for something low key/middle of the road rather than anything too fancy/fine dining. There should be table service, but something that leans a little hole-in-the-wall is OK. Last time my dad was up here, we went for Afghani food. Legal Seafood would be acceptable; Cheesecake Factory, not so much.

Any suggestions?

posted by damayanti to Food & Drink (11 answers total)

Fire and Ice on Arlington Street; all you can eat stir fry, and yummy.
posted by Melismata at 11:49 AM on September 28, 2018

This might skew too "fine dining" for you, but in that area I would want to go to Buttermilk + Bourbon, Island Creek Oyster Bar, or Tiger Mama (in that order of preference). You could park at Copley or the Common (could be tricky depending upon the game, but timed well I love those spots). Elsewhere on the green line, and a bit more "hole in the wall" would be BAB Korean restaurant in Coolidge Corner (C line). Unsure where else to point you without knowing where on the green line you'd like to be or what kind of cuisine you're aiming for - there are 4 lines, and a bunch of good places to eat. Any atmosphere preferences?
posted by pammeke at 11:55 AM on September 28, 2018 [2 favorites]

The Salty Pig.
posted by bondcliff at 11:56 AM on September 28, 2018 [6 favorites]

Best answer: If a restaurant based entirely around pork is OK, The Salty Pig is a lot of fun. For a Friday night, you'll want reservations. Lucy's (Mass Ave, right next to the Symphony stop) has tasty Ethiopian.
posted by ChuraChura at 12:16 PM on September 28, 2018

In that area I'd also be tempted to try one of the restaurants at Eataly, but not having been to any of them, I don't have a recommendation. The Salty Pig is good, but loud, if that's a problem for your folks. Douzo Sushi is also tasty, if a bit more expensive.
posted by ldthomps at 12:32 PM on September 28, 2018

I love Delux Cafe, which is an easy walk from Copley. If I was up there now, I'd go over for a beer and meatloaf sandwich.
posted by ryanshepard at 12:38 PM on September 28, 2018 [2 favorites]

Beantown Pho and Grill.
posted by seemoorglass at 12:44 PM on September 28, 2018

Response by poster: To answer some questions/some additional info:

-Some place not too loud would be good (Dad has some hearing loss, and would not be able to hear the conversation)
-Pork/shellfish are OK, but I'm currently pregnant, and would be a bit sad to watch others enjoy delicious cured meats and sushi (Yes, I've read "Expecting Better", but I'm leaning a little cautious)
-Any branch of the Green Line is OK, as long as it's not too far out
posted by damayanti at 12:44 PM on September 28, 2018 [1 favorite]

Thank you for your follow up! Given your father's hearing loss (larger places being harder to hear in) and your pregnancy (along with assuming your parents' ages, now fully understanding the need for close proximity to parking/subway) I'm now thinking of Yvonne's near Park Street Station or Kashmir on Newbury Street near Copley.
posted by pammeke at 1:05 PM on September 28, 2018

I was going to suggest Lala Rokh on beacon hill, but it closed a few months ago.
posted by brujita at 4:27 PM on September 28, 2018

Response by poster: After sending a few options along to the family, looks like we're going with Lucy's so that's been marked as best answer, but we're definitely filing a lot of these away for future use!
posted by damayanti at 9:29 AM on September 29, 2018