Friday, June 19, 2009

Boston-Area Restaurant Options for Father's Day

Father's Day is nearly upon us, and with it, the oftentimes mad scramble to find a restaurant to go to. Well, there are so many restaurants in the Boston area--and so many different types of tastes--that it would be impossible to list all of the choices for a Father's Day meal at a dining spot in the area. But below are a number of options that might be of help, especially to those who are unfamiliar with the Boston dining scene.

Many people like to go to traditional old-school family-friendly restaurants for Father's Day (as well as Mother's Day, for that matter). A few options in this category include the Mount Vernon Restaurant in Somerville and Revere, Lewis' Bar and Grille in Norwood, Doyle's in Jamaica Plain, the Continental in Saugus, and Anthony's Pier 4 on the Waterfront in Boston. All of these places feature spacious surroundings, familiar American dishes, and reasonable prices.

Steakhouses can be popular places on Father's Day, and the Boston area has a number of options. In the more casual, less expensive category are Jimmy's Steer House in Arlington, the Stockyard in Brighton, and Frank's Steakhouse in Cambridge. If you are looking for a more high-end spot, Grill 23 and the Oak Room, both in the Back Bay of Boston, are great options.

Red-sauce Italian joints seem to be another category especially popular on Father's Day. There are countless options for old-school Southern Italian dining, but a few that stand out include L'Osteria in the North End, Abbondanza in Everett, Rino's in East Boston, Gennaro's in Quincy, and Bocelli's Restaurant and Pizzeria in Medford. Another place that is a very popular spot and has a huge amount of space is the Chateau in Waltham.

If you are looking for more of a pub-like atmosphere for Father's Day (perhaps with craft beers and comfort food in mind), the Boston area has some real standouts, including the Fat Cat in Quincy, C.F. Donovan's in Dorchester, the Highland Kitchen in Somerville, Doyle's in Jamaica Plain (again), Townsend's in Hyde Park, and the Publick House in Brookline.

Finally, if an historic restaurant with lots of character is the planned route for Father's Day, there are many options, especially outside of Boston. Some of these include the Lafayette House in Foxboro, the Wayside Inn in Sudbury, the Barker Tavern in Scituate, the Old Mill in Westminster, and the Colonial Inn in Concord.

These restaurants just scratch the surface of what is out there, but hopefully this is at least a starting point for those of you looking to find a place to go for Father's Day. Enjoy the day!