Houston’s
February 16, 2010
Faneuil Hall is not a place I would normally recommend for dinner. It’s super touristy and more perfect for a bar crawl than for a fine meal. The main things I’m eating in Faneuil are embarrassing: late-night street meat or the walk-up McDonald’s window after three too many cocktails at Hennessy’s. But thank you to Boston for having a part of town that specializes in all of these things.
Look past the sidewalk vendors to a restaurant that is nestled in the bottom of 60 State street: Houston’s. It’s a chain, and I don’t care. The food is DELISH. This venue works for a night with friends, a first date, or after-work cocktails in the 360 degree bar that faces the Quincy Market plaza.
I have never been disappointed here. There is a lovely combination of great service, cozy lighting, a makeup mirror in the ladies room and flatscreens in the men’s room. And everyone gets a cozy step-up booth to enjoy the fine-tuned menu.
The thai steak salad is an absolute must – tender filet mignon over a bed of greens, avocado, mango, peanuts and an addicting spicy thai dressing. My friends agree – it’s perfect.
My other top picks are the ribs (when it’s not date night), chowder garnished with crispy bacon (only on Friday and Sunday) and the coconut shrimp sushi. I have found that any chances the Houston’s menu has taken have been worth it. They totally could have bombed in the sushi arena but they have hit it out of the park.
In the summertime (or let’s face it: whenever), ask for a Ketel One lemonade. Houston’s has a homemade concoction that is addicting. After a few of these, it will be that much easier to cross the street for a few beers to round out the night. Who knows… you just may end up at a sausage vendor. But at least you started off the night right!
Menu! http://www.hillstone.com/pdf_menus/houstons/Houstons_Boston.pdf
As if it couldn’t get better? Parking is free with validation at 60 State Street after 5pm nights and weekends. Or, take the T to Gov’t Center or Haymarket.
Thai Steak Salad
I’m DROOLING over here!
It might be a good first date if you are the one receiving the meal, which typically happens to be the female. Otherwise, I would recommend a fancier place, such as Houston’s, as a date later on in the series, to show your date that you are more serious about starting a relationship.