Eastern Standard is a brasserie restaurant in Kenmore Fenway, Boston.
Garrett Harker's Eastern Standard reopened in the Bower complex on Beacon Street in 2023, recovering the Kenmore Square brasserie template Boston lost.
Editorially verified May 18, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Burger and frites, Oysters Rockefeller
Must order: The ESK burger with house frites and an Aviation cocktail.
Tip: Pre-Sox-game dinner books out by 17:30. Late-night service runs to midnight on weekends.
Address: 771 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02215
Jamie Mammano's modern steakhouse inside the XV Beacon Hotel has anchored Beacon Hill in Boston since 2007. Priced at $$$$. At 15 Beacon St.
Signature: Dry-aged porterhouse, Tomahawk for two
Order: The 28-day dry-aged ribeye, medium rare, with bone marrow.
Tip: Lunch is the under-the-radar seat. Pre-theatre menu at 17:30 prices the steak below the dinner card.
Ana Sortun's Inman Square room has run an Eastern Mediterranean kitchen in Cambridge since 2001. Turkish, Syrian and Lebanese plates from Siena Farms produce.
Signature: Sultan's delight, Spiced chickpea fritters
Order: The sultan's delight: tamarind-glazed beef on smoky eggplant cream.
Tip: The garden patio in summer is one of Cambridge's best outdoor seats. Books out three weeks ahead in season.
Cassie Piuma and Ana Sortun's meze room on Pearl Street in Somerville has run Turkish-style small plates since 2013. Kitchen leans eastern mediterranean.
Signature: Meze plates, Lamb manti
Order: Lamb manti, Turkish dumplings with yogurt and chili butter.
Tip: Order the chef's choice tasting; the kitchen will send the best of the night unprompted.
Chris and Pam Willis run Pammy's as a New American-Italian trattoria between Central and Harvard Squares in Cambridge since 2017. Priced at $$$$.
Signature: Bolognese with house tagliatelle, Lumache cacio e pepe
Order: The tagliatelle bolognese with brown-butter aged parmesan.
Tip: Resy opens 30 days ahead and the room fills the same minute. Counter walk-ins from 17:30 weekdays.
The Helmand in East Cambridge has run an Afghan kitchen near the Cambridgeside Galleria since 1989. At 143 1st Street. Reservations advised.
Signature: Kaddo, Aushak
Order: Kaddo, pan-fried baby pumpkin with garlic-yogurt and meat sauce.
Tip: Reservations easy on weekdays. The kabuli pulao is the under-ordered dish; ask for it.
Tres Gatos on Centre Street is Jamaica Plain's tapas-bar-and-book-shop in Boston since 2011. Order the the chicken croquetas and a glass of manzanilla sherry.
Signature: Patatas bravas, Iberico ham
Order: The chicken croquetas and a glass of Manzanilla sherry.
Tip: Weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday is the best-kept secret. The book shop and record stall open at 17:00.
