It’s always fun to ship back up to Boston, where there is an abundance of great places to find proper sustenance. If you’re a reporter, the journey begins in the Bruins’ home rink. The TD Garden actually has a decent pre-game meal in the bowels of the building – it’s comfortably in the top third of the NHL – and stands apart thanks to the incredible dessert cart that’s set up in the press box.
The Bruins’ kitchen also mirrors the club itself: they raise their game in the postseason. If the Bs make the Conference Final, or better yet the Cup Final, the commissary has been known to break out the lobster and shrimp platters. And why not, really? Whenever they play the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs, one gets the sense the Bruins are eager to take the historical rivalry beyond the ice and into the kitchens. It’s pretty great, but let’s not kid ourselves, you’ll find the best eats a little further afield.
To hoist a couple: There are tons of pubs throughout Boston, each neighbourhood has no shortage of options. For hockey travel purposes, however, let’s turn to the
Bell in Hand Tavern, a 200-year-old spot a stone’s throw from Faneuil Hall. The joint bills itself as the oldest tavern in the Americas, and it’s touristy. But it’s also a microcosm of the Boston experience for those who don’t get to the city often. A few doors down you’ll find
Hennessy’s, where beat writers have been known to have a good time. For something entirely different, you can try
Alibi at the Liberty Hotel, a place built inside an old penitentiary. It’s very trendy, and absolutely gorgeous. Be warned, it’s a bit pricier than your average bar.
To watch the game: There are tons of sports bars in and around TD Garden, but our choice is
The Fours, notably for the quality of its pub grub. It’s a hugely popular spot, needless to say. There are also multiple options near Fenway Park like the
Baseball Tavern,
Tony C’s and the
Cask ‘n Flagon. They’ll have the game on, and likely more than one.
To grab a quick bite: If you’re catching a game early in the season, or toward the end of the schedule and into the playoffs, the odds are strong you’ll have a beautiful sunny afternoon and the option of eating al fresco. It’s the perfect time for a lobster roll, and one of the all-time classics can be purchased at
James Hook & Co., on Atlantic Avenue. Up near Boston Common,
Sam LaGrassa’s sandwich shop doesn’t look like much, but it’s a go-to spot. It’s a venerable institution, and it’s only open at lunch time. If you have a sweet tooth get thee to the North End, Boston’s Little Italy, where you’ll find the legendary
Mike’s Pastry. You’ll need to walk it off, but there’s lots of interesting places to see at the waterfront nearby.
To eat a proper dinner: We just talked about the North End, which is crawling with Italian eateries. Hockey fans will doubtless be drawn to
Tresca, owned by former Bruins defenceman Ray Bourque (you may run across him there, in fact). But the number one, beat-writer approved Italian place isn’t in the North End, it’s just south of Boston Common. We’re talking about
Davio’s. You’ll find pasta on the menu, but really it’s all about the meat. It’s not cheap, but you need to be prepared to get your wallet out in Boston. If you head up Boylston toward Copley Square, you’ll find a pair of places that seem to be targeting the same clientèle. The
Atlantic Fish Company is . . . well, a fish and seafood house. But it also serves a great steak. Two doors down you have
Abe & Louie’s, a steakhouse that does a mean fish. You can’t go wrong with Abe & Louie’s, but the Atlantic Fish Company has our vote as the best seafood restaurant in the NHL. Absolutely everything is delicious, starting with the crab cakes and the scallop platter. Again, it puts a hefty dent in the ol’ per diem, but it’s totally worth it.