Ü >Ì Ì ` U Ü iÀi Ì } U Ü >Ì Ì Ãii January 25–February 7, 2010 WHAT’S HOT IN HUB DINING PLUS: / i xnÌ Õ> i>«Ì /ÕÀ>iÌ -Õ«iÀ Õ}iÀ ÀÕV >}iÀÃ i`Þ iÃÌÛ> Visit bostonguide.com now with enhanced, day-by-day events calendar! contents COVER STORY 10 What’s Hot in Hub Dining Our annual look at Boston’s newest dining destinations and hottest culinary trends DEPARTMENTS 6 hubbub All Star Burger Bash and Super Hunger Brunch charity events, and laughs from the Magners Comedy Festival 18 exploring boston 44 around the hub 18 SIGHTSEEING 44 CURRENT EVENTS 24 FREEDOM TRAIL 51 ON EXHIBIT 26 NEIGHBORHOODS 56 SHOPPING 37 MAPS 62 NIGHTLIFE 65 DINING oyster perpetual CUISINE THAT SINGS: New gmt-master ii eatery Symphony 8 delights diners with tempting dishes like this tuna nicoise. Refer to story, page 10. PHOTOBY JONATHAN DAISY on the cover: Bistro du Midi serves roasted chicken and OFFICIAL ROLEX JEWELER other Provencal classics in its beautiful ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL AND GMT-MASTER II ARE TRADEMARKS. dining room overlooking the Public Garden. Photo: Jonathan Daisy ___ BOSTONGUIDE.COM 3 The Official Guide to BOSTON What www.bostonguide.com January 25–February 7, 2010 Volume 59 • Number 18 Better Tim Montgomery • PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Josh B. Wardrop • EDITOR Time Scott Roberto • ART DIRECTOR for a Sharon Hudak Miller • PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Jonathan Daisy, Della Huff • CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Emma Snider, Meredith Wilson • Bargain? EDITORIAL INTERNS Jacolyn Ann Firestone • VICE PRESIDENT, ADVERTISING ! Nancy O’Rourke • ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE $ Rita A. Fucillo • DIRECTOR OF MARKETING " AND PUBLIC RELATIONS Nicole Moy • SALES AND MARKETING INTERN ! Paul Hurst • NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES HURST & ASSOCIATES, INC. 800-397-8908 • [email protected] Peter Ng • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER Melissa J. O’Reilly • BUSINESS MANAGER !!! Tyler J. Montgomery • OPERATIONS MANAGER ! ! Jerome Rosenfeld • CHAIRMAN EMERITUS PANORAMA is published bi-weekly by New Venture Media Group LLC. Editorial and advertising offices at 332 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210. Telephone (617) 423-3400. Printed in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission of the publisher. FILENE’S PANORAMA is a member of the Massachusetts Lodging Association, The Back Bay Association, The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, the BASEMENT Greater Boston Concierge Association, the Harvard Square Business Association, the Newbury Street League, the South End Business Alliance, the North End Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Crossing Association. 20% OFF ANY ONE ITEM with this ad at any Filene’s Basement (some restrictions apply) a magazine affiliate "! # ___ 4 PANORAMA calendar of events HUBBUBby Josh B. Wardrop FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 Take part in the crime solving as the wildly popular show Shear Madness celebrates its 30th year at the Charles Playhouse with a special anniversary performance. Refer to listing, page 50. Other events in the FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 & Magners Festival include the SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 Boston Favorites Showcase It's two nights of big laughs when local comedy and the Boston vs. NYC legend Steve Sweeney tickles funnybones Showcase (both on February with his hilarious stand-up act at The Comedy 5), and the main event on Club at Cheers. Refer to listing, page 45. February 6—the Magners Headliner Showcase, featur- SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 ing sets by Graig Murphy, “Surrender” to your inner rock ’n’ roll god or Greg Johnson and Beantown goddess and join the party as classic rock native Gary Gulman of HBO’s staples Cheap Trick play a special intimate “Tourgasm.”Whether you at- club show at the House of Blues. Refer to tend one show or several, the listing, page 48. Magners Comedy Festival is sure to be cider-splittingly SUNDAY, JANUARY 31 funny. Visit www.magner- Show your support for the green team as scomedyusa.com for a full the Celtics battle it out with Kobe Bryant schedule of events. (pictured) and the Los Angeles Lakers at the TD Garden. Refer to listing, page 49. A MEATING OF TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2 THE MINDS “And I Am Telling You” not to miss opening Vegetarians may want to night of the sensational touring production skip this next segment, but of the Broadway smash Dreamgirls at The for all you meat-lovers still Colonial Theatre. Refer to listing, page 50. reading, a hypothetical A Funny February on Tap query: what if somebody THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4 told you that you could in- U.S. Olympian Tim Thomas (pictured) and the f you’re one of the folks who spent January wallowing in those post-holiday, wintertime dulge your most carnivorous Boston Bruins are set to tear up the ice at Iblues, get ready to break out of the doldrums. As the calendar flips to February, Boston is desires and benefit a good the TD Garden against their arch-rivals, the ready to laugh again, making it a perfect time for the Hub’s first-ever Magners Comedy cause at the same time? Montreal Canadiens. Refer to listing, page 49. Festival to take over local comedy clubs Nick’s Comedy Stop and Tommy’s Comedy Lounge Well, that’s precisely the (refer to listings, page 46).The three-day event, sponsored by the makers of popular libation philanthropic (and deli- FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5 & SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 ORAL Magners Irish Cider, unites veteran local comedians with up-and-coming yuksters for a series cious) opportunity afforded D of showcases and stand-up shows sure to tickle even the most frozen of funnybones. by the All Star Burger Bash Feel the passion as The Opera House plays On February 4, local stand-up legend Tony V.(pictured) hosts the Magners Comedy Stand- (pictured above), taking host to a two-day Flamenco Festival, ERNARDO Off, in which 10 rising talents face off against each other in hopes of advancing to the Comedy place February 1 from 6–9 featuring performances by Noche Flamenca B Stand Off Finale (February 6 at 8 p.m.), with a performance slot at the Bulmers Comedy p.m. at the Nine Zero Hotel. (pictured) and other gifted artists. Refer to Festival in Dublin at stake for the winner. (cont. on page 8) listing, page 46. PHOTO BY ___ ___ 6 PANORAMA BOSTONGUIDE.COM 7 hubbub (cont. from page 7) This mouth-watering boston.com; reservations for tastiest being the Super evening devoted to that most the Burger Bash can be Hunger Brunch. unpretentious and egalitar- made at 617-772-5821. On January 30 & 31, a ian of foods—the ham- slew of fine Boston-area burger—unleashes 10 of the eateries are ensuring that by A BENEFICIAL city’s most talented culinary enjoying their delicious cui- BRUNCH minds upon that modern sine you’ll also have a chance miracle on a bun. If you’re Winter in Boston does tend to help feed those less fortu- expecting the Big Mac, think to be a popular time for nate. That weekend, 20 local again—Boston heavyweight food-oriented charity events. restaurants—including Bin chefs like Andy Husbands (Which makes sense, be- 26 Enoteca, Jasper White’s (Tremont 647), Michael cause it’s too cold to do Summer Shack, Stella, Schlow (Radius,Via Matta), much of anything but stuff L’Espalier,Tosca (pictured Ming Tsai (Blue Ginger), ourselves full of delicious above), Sibling Rivalry and Brooke Vosika (The Bristol food, so why not do some Blue Ginger—are donating Lounge at the Four Seasons) good at the same time?) For 100% of the proceeds from and Ken Oringer (KO Prime) the Greater Boston Food their prix-fixe brunch service go head-to-head in a battle Bank, January is a particu- on either Saturday or Sunday royale (with cheese) to see larly crucial month—after to the GBFB. So, by enjoying a whose gourmet burger all, the holiday season tradi- delectable meal, you’ll in turn reigns supreme. tionally sees the GBFB help the more than 300,000 Admission to the event is (which offers meals and as- needy Massachusetts resi- $25, entitling burger fans to sistance to nearly 600 shel- dents that turn to the GBFB taste all 10 of the competi- ters, food pantries and soup for assistance every year— tors’ creations before filling kitchens in more than 190 which makes the Super out scorecards ranking their communities across the Hunger Brunch a perfect way favorites. Proceeds from the state) receiving their highest to nourish your soul as well event go to Autism Speaks, volume of requests.That’s as your body. For more a national organization why the GBFB sponsors a information, including a dedicated to funding autism number of annual high-pro- full list of participating research. For more informa- file benefit events to kick off restaurants, visit www. tion, visit www.koprime the year, with one of the superhungermonth.org. ___ ___ 8 PANORAMA ABOVEPHOTOBY AMY COOPER-AYLES BOSTONGUIDE.COM 9 in WHAT’S HUBDINING HOT SHELL GAME: Local celeb chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette serve a variety of de- lectable Italian small plates, like pasta with littleneck clams and peas, at Coppa in the South End. 25 tastes, trends and tables to watch in 2010 prime Back Bay location, a warm, inviting like butternut squash ravioli, steak tips and design complete with soft wood tones, cozy bacon-wrapped meatloaf—knowing that by Josh B. Wardrop dark corners and roaring fireplaces and a bacon-wrapped anything always reassures menu of savory and sweet favorites. This us that everything will be alright. JUST LIKE MOM USED TO MAKE across the board seemed to fill up with month sees the arrival of Stoddard’s Fine It probably comes as no surprise to anyone dishes like meatloaf, fried chicken and Food and Ale (48 Temple St., 617-426- BIG NAMES, BIG FLAVORS that the most popular cuisine on the Boston grilled cheeses.