Five Romantic Restaurants in Boston
There are a handful of romantic restaurants Boston that deviate from the wine-and-roses cliché. Gothic-inspired intrigue with a vibe that could easily pass as a scene from Anne Rice’s “Interview with a Vampire” coupled with Boston’s most extensive tequila menu? Now, that’s amoré.
Here’s a list of five Boston-area restaurants that challenge the status quo in the romance department:
Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar, 271 Dartmouth Street, 617-369-5609
A subterranean den of tequila-soaked revelry, Lolita's is the sexy, new kid on the block in the Back Bay. Armed with more than 200 tequilas, Lolita's is redefining our notion of what that devilish Mexican liquor is all about, and its crew is eager to translate the difference between an anejo vs. reposado. Located in the space formerly occupied by Papa Razzi and ornamented with red-and-black chandeliers, this goth-style bordello also serves up some Mexican-inspired fare to help soak up all of those margaritas and sangrias, like a hot Queso Fundido with chorizo and cilantro pesto and Ancho-Orange Glazed Spiny Lobster Enchiladas with fire-roasted corn, chipotle chiles and Monterey jack. After vamping up the evening with your partner, you’ll even get a sweet parting gift with your bill: a Lolita Cocina temporary tattoo.
O Ya, 9 East Street, 617-654-9000
If you’re willing to shell out hundreds to wow your date, O Ya in Boston’s Leather District is the go-to place for an atypical sushi-bar experience that transcends the norm thanks to its warm, brick-walled ambience occupying a space that was formerly a firehouse in the 19th century.
South End Buttery, 314 Shawmut Avenue, 617-482-1015
The South End Buttery, which got its start with gourmet cupcakes and baked goods upstairs, has upped its ante with this cozy dining enclave downstairs, replete with a romantic fireplace and a beautifully crafted rock garden separated by glass panels. The seating is comfy, with pillows and leather upholstery, and the chic nuances, like the stone-work wall with fresh-cut flowers, sets the tone for a fiery evening.
Ten Tables, 597 Centre Street, 617-524-8810
Jamaica Plain isn’t exactly known as a hotbed of upscale dining, however, this tiny restaurant on Centre Street serves up some of the most talked about American-French fusion food in the Boston area. The vibe is cozy because the spot has an open kitchen and, no surprise here, there are literally only 10 tables. For those who aren’t lucky enough to snag a spot, the space has been expanded to include a stylish but laid-back bar.
The Q Restaurant, 660 Washington Street, 617-773-5888
There’s a mysterious, flirty vibe at The Q Restaurant, a recently opened sushi den and hot pot hotspot nestled beneath Chinatown’s luxury Archstone Boston Common complex. The entranceway, a blue LED-lit creation that simulates a lava-lamp style water feature, greets patrons into a lair of intrigue, as if one has been transported into a contemporary, Asian-themed hideaway.
Posted on Feb 9, 2011 by Sam Baltrusis
