With no plans to fly back home, I was determined to make the best of spring break.
After multiple conversations with my friends on WhatsApp, I finally decided that I needed a plan — one that would motivate me to get out of my bed and move. And since I love food, a friend suggested that a restaurant crawl over the week would not be a bad idea.
I made it a mission to explore some of the best eats in the city. From scrumptious lobster rolls to fluffy pancakes, each eatery that I tried had something amazing to offer.
Ever since I arrived in Boston, I had heard so much about lobster rolls that I had to try them out over the break. So, I started the food tour with a popular restaurant in Quincy Market. Many websites suggested that I try Wicked Lobstah, so there I was, ready to order my first-ever lobster roll.
I began by ordering the Naked Maine Lobsta Roll. The buttery, perfectly toasted bun was topped with a generous amount of fresh, sweet lobster. It was delicious enough that the roll didn’t need much else besides a little mayo and seasoning.
The whole thing just melted in my mouth, and I realized why seafood — especially lobster rolls — is hyped up in Boston.
Continuing my quest to try seafood, the next stop on the list was Joe’s On Newbury. I walked down to the restaurant on a chilly Wednesday afternoon to try out their fresh oysters.
The place has a very classic feel to it and is a great spot for taking Instagram photos. I decided on the oysters, and added an order of crispy calamari — both dishes were delicious. The oysters had a briny taste that paired well with a squeeze of lemon and a dash of mignonette. The calamari was crispy and light, which is always a win.
Taking a break from seafood, my Chinese friends suggested that I try malatang, so we found a cozy place in Allston called Mala Town. This was a completely different experience for me.
I picked up a giant bowl and started throwing in different veggies and meats in it. At the counter, I chose Sichuan soup as the base. In hindsight, that may have been an ambitious choice, but there was something satisfying about having spicy hotpot.
I paired the meal with some peanut sauce that I made at the sauce station, and it was delicious. I am adding this new dish to my list of favorites.
My favorite meal is breakfast, so I was especially keen on finding a restaurant that served a good breakfast. Café Landwer in Back Bay raved about its pancakes and famous breakfast, so naturally, I had to check it out.
And let me tell you, it felt like a feast. It came with scrambled eggs, chopped salad and bread and a variety of Mediterranean-inspired spreads.
Although I was already full from the first dish, I couldn’t resist ordering the pancakes. The thick, fluffy pancakes came drenched in syrup with a side of fresh fruit and whipped cream. It was the perfect way to end the breakfast.
Spring break was nearing its end, and so was my food crawl.
The last stop on my adventure was Bartaco in Fenway, which offers an “upscale street food” experience. Famous for its coastal-inspired atmosphere and tacos, the restaurant is perfect for a casual date, a brunch with friends or a solo meal.
From their extensive menu, I chose to order the Baja fish taco and the glazed pork belly rice bowl. The spicy tempura-battered cod taco came with fresh toppings and chipotle slaw.
The flavors bursted in my mouth when I took the first bite, and if you ever get around to trying it, you will instantly have a big smile on your face.
The pork belly rice bowl, however, became my new comfort food after I tried it at Bartaco. The rich, slightly sweet pork complemented the sauce-covered rice. It’s the kind of dish that makes you want to scrape up every last bite of the dish from the plate.
Looking back, this Boston food tour was exactly what I needed during the break. Every spot I tried opened me to new experiences.
Whether it was trying oysters for the first time or testing my spice tolerance at Mala Town, I thoroughly enjoyed each dish. I will definitely be going back to these places again soon, and I hope you will, too.
