Summer has arrived. Whether you are still under the strange delusion that there are any transitory seasons in Boston, the weather has warmed and people are ready to jump-start the sagging economy with the promise of outdoor dining and fresh seafood. I have chosen three locales in the Boston area that should be visited, whether for the convenience, the exotic-ness or the adventure.
Jasper White’s Summer Shack is located a sand dollar’s throw away from Boston University; a short walk from Hynes Convention Center, the space is comfortable and would be situated perfectly in Provincetown. Unfortunately, it is sandwiched between two tall high-rises in Back Bay. After slurping their raw oysters and clams at their red gingham table clothed booth at a tasting event in the Prudential Center a month ago, I could not wait until the Boston ‘spring’ erratically turned to summer and I would have full license to sample their seafood array. Although I was initially wary of the restaurant (mostly because one of their locations is at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut), I hesitantly took a plate of fried clam strips and cold, raw mollusks.
The servers were hilarious, with boisterous personalities ‘-‘- the kind you’d want to be surrounded by on a sweltering July day, bottle of Hoegaarden in hand and a platter of bottom-dwellers and barnacles. Their lobster rolls, a colossal explosion of lobster salad falling out of a folded, buttered bun, are the best in Boston, as noted by The Phoenix. The rolls deserve this title because of the fresh abundance of lobster meat only laced with mayonnaise, not vice versa. Also, there is a happy hour dollar-oyster special that varies throughout the week, but is definitely worth a visit to either the Boston or Cambridge location.
The summer splurge is O Ya Restaurant, a highbrow sushi establishment located in an old firehouse at 9 East St. in Boston. With an extensive sake list, this place is a soothing end to a busy day counting floor tiles at a painful internship. There is also a wine and beer list to complement their seasonal foie gras with a balsamic and chocolate appetizer and kabayaki dishes, which are traditional Japanese summer delicacies ($22). The hamachi belly with soy-marinated sea urchin may be a splurge for $18, but it does come with rice. Look forward to sampling the tea-brined fried pork ribs with hot sesame oil ($12), and for my vegetarian friends, the onsen egg with truffle salt and pickled garlic ($16). Also, note that the menu has two sub-categories: ‘other stuff’ and ‘something crunchy in it’ ‘-‘- an attempt at cute wit to double as emotional Vicodin for when the bill arrives.
After my checking account recovers from its O Ya-induced hangover, I will need to take a therapeutic drive out to Cape Cod and sit down at a place that doesn’t require reservations, a dress code or tablecloths. Spanky’s Clam Shack and Seaside Saloon is the perfect antidote. Only open during the summer months, the wooden-planked shanty situated on the pier in Hyannis Port has a wide variety of seafood fresh from the harbor. Samuel Adams-supplied blue umbrellas will safeguard your precious Darque Tan’d visage as you nibble on delicate steamed mussels in a white wine broth ($9.99) or the crab cakes with lobster sauce ($9.99). Give in to the kitsch and order yourself a ‘Cape Cod Clam Chowdah,’ which is house-made and has garnered rave reviews with its silky creamy soup and plump clam bellies (bowl for $5.99).
I look forward to writing again next semester for my loyal legion of weekly readers. So’ keep your eyes peeled for ‘Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Tiffany’s’ next fall, as I make my triumphant return as The MUSE’s food columnist once more. Enjoy summer and be sure to visit local, independent restaurants and just know that you’ll definitely be the least-bullied intern if you brown-bag-lunch O Ya’s sake braised short ribs on Monday.
Summer Shack: 149 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge ; 50 Dalton Street, Boston
O Ya Restaurant: 9 East Street, Boston
Spanky’s Clam Shack: 138 Ocean Street, Hyannis?
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