Although it can be a hassle to keep your 'rents occupied once the clock strikes 10 - and after a day of Duck Tours and the Freedom Trail, that's the time for you to get your drink on - there are benefits to having your parents come visit. Like clean socks and a hug - those things you really need but can't ask for.
But when your parents ask you, "Where is a good place to eat in Boston?" don't be a college-student-in-the-headlights. Relish this opportunity to enjoy culinary Boston free of the restraints of budget and lack of transportation.
The closest and one of the most popular places to take the parental unit is the Elephant Walk. I work here, I know. I've seen, and perhaps waited on, all you vaguely familiar fellow Jumbos. Parents really love this place. "Teehee, Elephants,... just like your mascot! That's so cute!"
This is just the kind of cutesy crap parents get off on. Don't get me wrong; the food ain't bad. I eat it rather frequently as you might imagine. It's French and Cambodian, and there are tons of decorative elephants that your parents can force you to take your picture next to. By all means stop by and say "Hello."
But, if you really want to milk the parental teat, or just impress your parents with your mature palette, there are many other options. Down the road in Harvard is Upstairs on the Square, formally known as Upstairs at the Pudding. Upstairs is where Ben Stiller, Scarlett Jo and Natalie Portman went after they received their Hasting Pudding awards at Harvard.
When I ate there, the best way I could describe it was "mouthgasm." I know, articulate. But the food is really that ineffable.
Moving on, over the river is where you can really start gorging yourself in style. However, I have a few key tenets to picking a classy but family friendly restaurant in Boston. First, avoid "date" restaurants - mood lighting at dinner with your parents is just plain awkward, and so is watching the table next to you make out. Second, don't go to those overly trendy spots with names like Scoozi and Vox Populi. And finally, try to cover all taste levels - find a place to bring your meat-and-potatoes dad, get your mom a salad and have a filet mignon for yourself. Stephanie's on Newbury, the Capital Grille and Eastern Standard meet all these requirements and have some of the best food Boston can serve.
If your parents are a little more adventurous, try Masa or Tapeo for fine Spanish cuisine. Have a giant sushi boat at Fugakyu or maybe French tartare and pate at Gaslight or Bouchée. While you're downtown, look up any restaurant owned by Boston super-chef Ken Oringer - Clio, Uni, Toro, and La Verdad. He's culinary royalty, and he's literally the flavor of Boston.
If you're really looking for the quintessential Boston dining experience, head down to the waterfront and look for No Name Restaurant at the Fish Pier. The decor is sparse and nothing on the menu will have couli or radicchio. But most of the tables have harborside views, and the fresh seafood - served broiled, baked, or fried - is clearly the main attraction. And although it might seem a little unoriginal, Legal Sea Foods is a great place to take the family.
There is sure to be one of these within sight radius of your parents' hotel, and food is always really fresh and really good. Order the biggest lobster they have, baked and stuffed.
Oh, and don't forget your doggie bag. Microwaved pumpkin gnocchi and crab cakes are still better than anything Dewick could cook up.
Robin Alberts-Marigza is a senior majoring in psychology. She can be reached at Robin.Alberts_Marigza@tufts.edu.
