boston’s best!
While living in Boston, I have been fortunate enough to be able to eat at numerous different restaurants across the Boston area with friends and family. Just this past week my lovely grandparents came to visit and did what they do best, spoil me by taking me out to eat. I love my grandparents to the moon and back and I’m so grateful I got to spend a great week with them. Not that I’m a renowned food critic or anything, but I do like to talk about my passions, one of them being my great love and enjoyment of food. Enjoy my reviews of some of my favorite Boston restaurants (with prices and ratings), and let me know what you think if you end up trying one of them!
Located on Harvard Ave in Allston, Union Cafe is my dream brunch spot. They offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory to meet your morning or afternoon needs. In addition to their medium sized menu, they have a seasonal menu with more delicious options to try. Better known for their coffee and other drinks, union cafe has been a part of Allston’s foodie community since 2009, providing neighbors with a reliable and cozy spot to enjoy a meal amongst friends. With menu items inspired by numerous different cuisines such as their “Chicken Parm Croissant”, “Cajun Hash”, or “Bulgogi Eggs Benedict”, everyone is sure to find something they enjoy. I would recommend trying something off their seasonal menu if you get the chance!
Fair Warning: Union Cafe does not offer pricing on their menus and I did not get a receipt so I have no idea how much each item was.
Everything I ate at Union Cafe:
Maple Cinnamon Matcha | 7.5/10
Lox Eggs Benedict With a Side of Potatoes | 10/10
Matcha Tiramisu French Toast (Pictured Above) | 10/10
Barcelona Wine Bar is a Spanish Style tapas and wine bar with multiple locations across the Boston area, as well as within some other states. It leans more on the elevated casual side in restaurant culture. I witnessed older tech guys in khakis, polos, and puffer vests, and young college girls in fur coats and kitten heels, all enjoying themselves over glasses of Sangria, under moody lighting. The menu is incredible, full of rich and dense flavors with each bite, making their small plates all the more shareable, because it can be easy to get overwhelmed with too much of the same strong flavors. It’s definitely made in mind for someone with a more refined tastebud, as many of the flavors found on their dished are often contrasting, such as their delicious bacon wrapped dates filled with a blue cheese spread. Great for a nice date night, or for a smaller bite before a late night event. I would definitely recommend trying! At the Cambridge location they were playing artists Charli xcx and Caroline Polachek, so if you listen to them, then you know it’s a vibe.
Everything I ate at Barcelona Wine Bar:
Whipped Sheep Cheese and Pimentón Honey (Pictured Above) | $8.50 | 10/10
Brussels Sprouts (Pomegranate vinaigrette, Pimenton yogurt) | $9.50 | 10/10
Bacon-Wrapped Dates (Valdéon Mousse) | $8.00 | 8.5/10
Pork Belly (Red Pepper Agrodolce) | $10.50 | 9/10
Spiced Beef Empanadas (Red Pepper Sauce) | $8.50 | 10/10
Olive Oil Cake (Sea Salt) | $10.50 | 7/10
Gigi is a cozy neighborhood Italian restaurant located in Boston’s south end. It maintains a sophisticated but welcoming vibe with its warm lighting, and vintage tiles, making it a perfect dinner date spot. While at a higher price point, their menu contains a smaller, but carefully curated selection of dishes, with handmade pastas cooked to al dente perfection. If you love classic Italian dishes, or are looking to try something new, Gigi is the place. The staff is also incredible and makes the dining experience all the more worthwhile. People love to say that the north end has some of the best Italian in Boston, but I’m not sure if they’ve tried Gigi!
(ft. me in the Gigi bathroom)
Everything I ate at Gigi:
Gigi “Shirley Temple” (Ginger Beer and Luxardo Cherries) | $5.00 | 10/10
Calamari Fritti with Spicy Aioli and Tomato Sauce | $18.00 | 9/10
Rigatoni alla Vodka (Pictured Above) | $27.00 | 9/10
Ravioli al Manzo | $29.00 | 8.5/10
Brought here by my favorite Venezuelan boy, Orinoco Kitchen is a Venezuelan certified Latin restaurant located in Brookline. Orinoco Kitchen stays true to it’s traditional Venezuelan roots while adding in their own bits of modernity here and there. It feels authentic from what’s being served on the plate to the tasteful decor that adds to their cozy vibe. It’s sweet and simple in the best ways and at an affordable price range. Compared to my hometown of Los Angeles, I find it hard to find Latin food here that tastes and feels just as good as back home, but I think Orinoco might just be my new spot that hits the spot!
Everything I ate at Orinoco Kitchen:
Arepa Pelua | $9.50 | 9.5/10
Arroz con Caraotas | $7.50 | 10/10
Futago Udon
When one of my best friends from home, Emme, came to visit me in Boston, she made sure to prepare by looking at Boston food recommendations on Tiktok. Thanks to her, I was introduced to Futago Udon. Located next to the Boston University Central Stop on the Green Line, Futago Udon has the best Udon I’ve ever tried in the U.S. (Japan is still my #1, obviously). If you love traditional Japanese cuisine, you’ll love this place. Each spoonful is so rich with flavor and the warm broth gives such a cozy feeling. It’s perfect for a winter’s night to warm your body up from the inside. Not only are they Tiktok foodie certified, but they also have good sized portions that match the amount you pay.
Everything I ate at Futago Udon:
Sukiyaki Udon | $21.00 | 10/10
If you’ve read this far, then I hope you’ve enjoyed my reviews and have added some of these amazing establishments to your list. As time goes on, I hope to continue to add new places to this entry so keep checking back if you dare!
xoxo,
gaby!
