It was are go-to place for any occasion and my husband & I dated there for years. Still, alongside an impressive whiskey menu, theres the Dickens Punch to enjoy. Great place to work. But even among those eye-catching neighbors, Hilltop Steak House stood out. This is in no way a better in the old days post; were just pointing out that musical magic took places in many unmarked graves around the city. The story is someone would come up to the bar and order a hot dog, and hed reply We dont have hot dogs. It was here that Dickens first read his magnificent novel, A Christmas Carol, in America. The original Green Dragon Tavernmay have been built in 1654, but it was torn down in the 1850s. In 1931, George and Grace Kimball purchased 200 acres of land in Nashua, New Hampshire, and turned the property into a turkey farm. Grew up in Stoneham MA now in FL. Fantasias near Fresh Pond in Cambridge. I can still make her salad! Rte. Felicias in the North End! Best special occasion restaurant ever! Mitchells Steak And Rib House, Hyannis. Their roquefort dressing was the best. Great place. Baileys in Wolfeboro, NH. scoops of ice cream, carried to the table on a silver platter by multiple busboys, who would pretend to struggle with the weight. I miss Anthonys Pier 4 (popovers), Locke Ober (curried shrimp, and salads with their perfect roquefort dressing) and The English Room on Newbury St. (their signature salad dressing, warm sticky buns, and a seafood or was it crabmeat -casserole). I also remember Valleys Steak House and the lobster specials they had. The Viking ,422 Stuart Street..complete with smorgasbord!! Another local seafood mecca was Yokens on Route 1 in Portsmouth. In the early sixties, I worked just up Route 1 at what was once known as Ships Haven, which became, The Ship. At first, Kennedy's specialized in boy's and men's clothing before venturing into the field of women's clothing in the 1930s. Rock clubs come, rock clubs go. Ceia: One of Newburyport's go-to destinations for fine bistro fare has shuttered its doors. Signs on the plywood over the windows said, 'No Trespassing' and 'Private Property.' No one from Old Sully's could be contacted for comment on the story. This is an old question for Boston's LGBTQ community. Wonder Bar: One of Allston's most popular and notorious nightlife spots has hosted its last rager. The wait staff was great. The Last Hurrah is located inside the Omni Parker House hotel, which itself dates to 1855, and claims the much-traveled British author as a reveler and a guest. The Yankee Silversmith in Wallingford, CT. Back in the day, this watering hole hosted prominent American patrons like Paul Revere, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, so stopping by here for a beer is basically a history lesson. We went to The White Rabbit every week for dinner. Thanks for the memories of all. My parents found the restaurant when my dad bought a slice of the Countesss Dobos Tort. The chocolate loving Dutch have been eating them for breakfast on toast for decades. At that time most of us were in our twenties and had worked at a few other local places like The Last National Bank, the White Pillar, the Brownstone and fun bars like The Russian Lady and Mad Murphys, all great memories, still have best friends from those crazy years of youth! Trader Vics was another fantastic restaurant, now gone. The Copley Caf became the Merry-Go-Round Bar in 1934, complete with a merry-go-round; in 1978, it was simply The Plaza Bar and Dining Room; then, in 1996, it became The Oak Room and racked up considerable standing among Bostons Back Bay set. The sign is still there, though the restaurant in gone. JTs in Sudbury If you want anything like it, I highly suggest going to Hawthorne By the Sea, which is owned by Anthonys Pier 4, in Swampscott. Photograph: Courtesy Oak Long Bar and Kitchen/Richard Mandelkorn. Diners can still enjoy Dante de Magistris' fresh pastas and hearty Italian plates at Il Casale Lexington and Il Casale Belmont. Today, a mammoth Barnes & Noble bookstore occupies the space where the restaurant once stood. You can get other food a-la-carte. We would routinely take doggie bags to go because we couldnt eat all the food in one sitting. A summertime tradition to visit at least once while leaving the Cape. 4. The clams were fantastic Is it my imagination or was the rolls that they put on the table exceptional? In the early decades of the car boom, Route 1 in Saugus, Massachusetts, was a bastion of kitschy restaurants, each of which wore its theme proudly and worked to out-do the others. There were any weekend mornings having breakfast there and the muffins and coffee were great. Lobster, prime rib, the Arabic platter, the baked Alaska. Sorry its gone missing! Yes, Mildreds and also Thompsons Clam Bar. And of course that was followed by an Anthonys birthday cake. Though now more a restaurant than a bar, you can still stop in for a drink. The old Lord Fox was the place for local kids to go after the prom! I think the owner was named Armando. A little late maybe, but cant forget Mama Leones in Boston {servicemen in uniform eat for free), the Kon-Tiki Room at the Sheraton-Prudential Center; The Commodore in North Beverly; The Junction for ice cream in Essex, MA ; Hojos all-you-can-eat clams (strips only)all across New England; Pilots Grill and Millers in Bangor, ME; The Sail inn near Bucksport, ME; The 95er in Bangor, ME; and Vallees Steak House at Exit 8 in Portland, ME; and McNamaras in Winthrop, ME. I wonder why they left out the Shore Dining Hall at Rocky Point in RI? Yes!! Black Angus, Boston. Gaslight: The South End has lost one of its Gallic mainstays, a bistro once graced by Tom Cruise, among others. Ahh, yes, the Pillar House ~ very much a special-occasion restaurant. Weylu s palace did not open until 1989 or so. Anyway, it was just outstanding. Vanyaland editor Michael Marotta and photographer John Hutchings spent a day tracing Bostons long-gone clubs, and photo-documenting what exists in these spaces today. Victor and Anna Charpentier purchased the farm and restaurant in 1954, and they ran it until Victor died in 1966. Baileys sundaes were the best ever. The Yankee Silversmith in Wallingford, CT. Great popovers, great old New England atmosphere, and the best place for Choaties to go when their parents came to visit. What about Mug N Muffin. One time my friend and I decided to grab dinner at Durgin Park and the mens Russian Chorus from Harvard was beautifully serenading the diners! Willow Pond Kitchen on Rte 2A in Concord, MA. It really was the best Greek food around. Miss that and my Mom a lot. And last, because its Christmas, Filenes would have dinner with Santa which was the greatest treat of all. Baileys. They made a mean lime rickey too. My father in law would take us to lokobers in Boston and we would get baked Alaska for dessert. Bella Luna Restaurant & The Milky Way Lounge: A true Jamaica Plain institution, this famously inclusive meeting spot welcomed all comers since the 1990s. I remember a few great, now gone restaurants as well. Parsnip: This upscale Harvard Square restaurant, housed in the multi-level space that formerly held Upstairs on the Square, opened in late 2015. If youre looking for something a little fancier and more modern, check out our list of the best cocktail bars in Boston. Lords in Wells Maine unbelievable stuffed lobster, had an extra tail inside and the dessert in the pastry with ice cream was delicious. Most famously, John F. Kennedy launched his political career at the hotel and proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier at Parker's Restaurant. Food was meh, (it was toward the end) but you can not beat THE SIGN! Last meal there was with my dad in, I think, 1980 or 1981. The iconic Chicopee Hu Ke Lau closed its doors after 53 years on April 6, 2018. It is so sad that they closed. Its owners boast that their taproom has the oldest hand carved bar in America, and it's wherethe first draft beer pump in Boston was installed. Does anyone else have memories to share of SANDYS? Although Id only been there once about 10 years ago, it has a special sentimental place in my heart. Local sports celebs often spotted. Then one of the first Mexican restaurants in the area the name escapes me. How about maybe one of the oldest restaurants in MA. Anyone remember the name of the restaurant up a hill on Rte 3A in Plymouth, Ma? Apparently he was quite the kidder. They used to give us old-fashioned finger bowls with every meal and there were cute photos of babies on the wall. Fried Clam stand on Route 1 in York (? Learned to eat Fish & Chips there before I learned to like seafood. An online version of Filene's is still in business. Are there any other now defunct companies or restaurants that fill you with nostalgia? #BostonStrong The Pour House on Boylston 907 Boylston St #21, Boston, MA 02115 10. My thoughts exactly. Now with this pandemic so many more good places have closed. But it was hard to match the unique charm of the original, whose hallmarks included long waits, 20-seat communal tables, and sassy/surly waitstaff. The current Green Dragon, on Marshall Street, is part of a small local chain of bars and dates only to 1993. Who can blame them for co-opting the history of the name as part of its own story, when the original tavern is almost certainly the spot where Paul Revere set out for his midnight ride on April 18, 1775, to warn the militias at Lexington and Concord that the British troops were on their way to take their weapons stash. Jimmys Harborside in Boston (next door to Pier Four) and The Pillar House in Newton. A guy working at that restaurant for decades recognized dad !!! Post 390: One of the Back Bay's most popular spots for expense account dining and corporate gatherings has turned off its fireplace for good. The four Boston gay bars that closed during the pandemic were a pointed reminder of changes the community has experienced for decades. Dcor included a large-wheeled 19th-century-style bicycle that hung on the wall, and for a while, a Superman cape could be found hanging in the phone booth in the back. The Shiro in Berlin. Best sundaes around, amazing lime rickey. Christopher Pierce, When in my early teens (eons ago), my mom would give me $1.50, and I would get a Coke, a tuna sandwich, fries, and a sundae (with marshmallow!) Throughout its run, seafood remained a popular menu item and pies were the go-to desserts, but the star of the show never changed. Once home base to Bostons garage rock scene, the longtime bar space, which first opened in 1907 and was properly established after Prohibition ended in 1933, ended its run as The Abbey in late 2008. I think it was called The Robins Nest. Spent many wonderful hours hanging out with other couples in the booths upstairs. Larrys Cedar Crest in Lawrence, Massachusetts was my favorite restaurant when visiting the area. It was named the Sand Bar and was associated with a miniature golf course. God bless them for locating great places to eat, mostly from Yankee Magazine. I had so many times there with friends as part of a day spent shopping or at the movies. So, whats sitting on these properties now? They dont know what ice cream is down here. The Abbey Lounge 3 Beacon St., Inman Square, Somerville Once home base to Boston's garage rock scene, the longtime bar space, which first opened in 1907 and was properly established after. Clown sundaesyum. The Field Pub: As perhaps Cambridge's most popular Irish pub, The Field hosted countless first dates, break-ups, and late-night gatherings. The first time I had a Lobster Out was in Dinis. Visit Website. No one has equaled their coffee ice cream. The best spinach pie & rice and huge Greek salads. At its early-1970s zenith, Pewter Pot Muffin Houses could be found from Harvard Square to Cape Cod, about 40 of them in all. And their 3 lb back stuffed was great. My cousins husband Eric and his brothers Frank and Biddle Thompson owned Snow Inn and Thompson Brothers Clam Bar in Harwich Port. Oh and dont forget Nadias you had to know about that place it was so buried deep in the South End! Flagstones was our familys choice for birthday dinners. Ma Glockners was fabulous, especially their incredible cream pies! This was supposed to be its death knell; instead, its popularity increased. James Hook & Co. Year Established: 1925. As a recent college grad, in the early 1970s, I worked in a nearby law firm and was on a tight budget and usually brought a sandwich from home. Still miss my favorite restaurant. ! Mary Kerr, Remember the European in the North End? Their Saturday Club salons counted Henry David Thoreau, Henry James and Dickens as guests. The place brought you back to a different time! Susan McHugh, Christos in Brockton. However, the flagship location in Boston closed for good in 1978. Great memories! Melissa Karales, Baileys Ice Cream on Boylston Street. The Arrow and Marios in Westport, CT. Marios was a favorite watering hole across from the Metro North train station. The food was delicious. Is there a similar place anywhere now? Anthonys Pier 4 in Boston and Saunders at Rye Harbor, NH. I do remember that I enjoyed the food. Had many special occasion dinners at Benjamins with the family. Anyone remember La Picolla Venezia in the North End when it was on Salem Street? Blue Ship Tea Room on a dock in Boston. Why? Family-owned since 1909, the bar and caf is a Boston staple - and it was opened long before the proliferation of Irish-themed bars you see today (in . The Tam is a prime example, having first opened its doors sometime during the 1940s, thriving as a beloved townie bar ever since. Dad would go there traveling from Maine to Boston daily for work, back when it was just a diner. The mini-golf course (plus batting cages and other amusements) that the orange dinosaur was part of is now condos, but they preserved the dinosaur; its easily visible from route 1. I cant seem to find the name of a restaurant in osterville MA that served 2 pound baked stuffed lobsters in the 1970s. Does anyone remember the Scottish lion in Portsmouth NH? Dedicated production facilities were established, and more than 20 new Brighams locations opened in the 1930s and 1940s. In 2011, the bricks-and-mortar store closed. Original Owner: James Hook. Anybody remember anything more about it? Going to the Pewter Pot in Brookline before my shift at the hospital. Its cool to us that these old legacy bands played in places that we pass every day and dont think twice about. Locke-Ober was a Boston dining institution from 1875 until 2012. Despite its popularity, Chadwicks closed in 1998. It was really formal and they hosted weddings in the back yard. This restaurant dished up Polynesian food between 1961 and 2000. Max Brenner: One of the city's most popular destinations for sinful, over-the-top chocolate treats has served its last mega sundae. As our family of six grew, I can remember dad saying, Ready for the Hilltop? Wed all scramble in the car for a quick hour drive, usually on a Friday to get there by 3 for the luncheon special! If Grandmother was with us, shed pretend to read all the white lettered black menu boards, and finally order Just a cup of coffee, dear and then innocently inquire if they might have a little bun or something on the side? - Always turned out to be a glazed cinnamon dome that shed protest was too big for her but somehow managed to finish that last bite with her last sip of java. Though its a solid, year-round neighborhood drinking and dining spot, it turns into a complete madhouse on game days during baseball season. Potatoes were chopped very fine and the flavor was out of this world! They were old fashioned and comforting on a cold day. Good to know its still going strong. Some famous figures who've patronized this bar include Paul Revere and Daniel Webster. We already have this email. 3 Steeple Street Bistro and Bar 125 Canal Street Providence, RI 02903; 88 Wharf . Tango: The area's lone Argentinian restaurant finished up an 18-year run in the heart of Arlington Center. There were a few great fun places south of Boston along Route 1. We are lucky enough to still have many wonderful eateries from which to choose, from Kellys Roast Beef to Louis Lunch, and we appreciate them all. I cant remember the name but it was right off 95 and Colman st. My go to place for Jimmies and a Lime Rickey. Had been to the Hearth and Kettle in Hyannis back in the 80s while visiting my grandmother. Although not a fine food restaurant, Howard Johnsons (New Englanders do not call it HoJos) IS a New England classic, and deserves a spot on this list. No mention of Mildreds Chowder House? Located on the ground floor, the Jordan Marsh Food Shop and Bakery would have shoppers following their noses toward those signature muffins and other baked goods; once there, they could also browse gourmet snacks and gift baskets. Many a last call at the South Pacific in Newton. https://www.tfrecipes.com/jordan-marsh-macaroon/. As such, it lays bona fide claim as the oldest restaurant in Boston, and among the oldest in the United States. It did quite well in the 50s but later on less well and she was becoming older and she had others running it for her. But its nowhere near 50 feet tall; Id guess 15-20 from driving by there recently. The Lincoln was not the name of the stand at first it was the Hypolet Roadside Stand which was her husbands name. This restaurant was a highlight of my teenage years. They are missed too. This department store was established in the 1840s, but moved to Tremont Street in 1910. It was up a hill across from the public beach area. a whale steak. That meal alone was worth the sometimes hour-long wait. We love the pop overs and their Delmonico potatoes and prime rib. Many restaurants here have been in business for many decades or even a century. We went there a couple of times. "A lot of folks are mourning this closure as the last of dirty old Boston, but this . There was easily enough for two people. The Seawitch Restaurant & Shop on Route 1 Gone, Bel-Aire Diner, Route One North, in Danvers, MA. We already have this email. They have a restaurant in Sanford Maine now , unfortunately no stuffed lobster or dessert but still good. I seem to remember that, please correct me if I am wrong. From the terrific home made turkey soup to the home made pies, what a meal! Here in New England, we develop pretty strong attachments to the places that serve us what, and how, we like best and boy, do we miss them when they're gone. There were starched linen tablecloths and napkins. A favorite of the Kennedys, In Hartford, CT; Honiss Oyster House and The Hearthstone. I remember seconds on the house of their fabulous prime rib, my first taste of marinated mushrooms (you bet I have the recipe) and the to die for popovers. Kens in Copley Square was a late-night favorite. The brothers passed away fairly young, Edric Jr. carried the business for a number of years after. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. Supposedly, the BellyBuster was free to anyone who could eat it all in one go. Last I checked New England comprised more than 2 states. Wicked yummy! Among the most famous of now-closed New England restaurants is Durgin-Park, a Faneuil Hall favorite for nearly two centuries before it shuttered in 2019. Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), Dorchesters 50Kitchen restaurant closes its doors, The results are in: Readers name the most iconic restaurant in the Boston area, What it's like to be an extra in a film or TV show, according to readers. No matter which one you went to you would always end up seeing someone you knew. When hard times descended in the 2000s, the company was split into two entities, with the restaurant business being sold to Deal Metrics, and the retail ice cream business, along with the Brighams name and trademark flavors, being sold to Hood, which continues to distribute them to stores under the Brighams name. I was hoping someone would mention SANDYS at the entrance to Buzzards Bay on Cape Cod. Boston 1800, East Boston, Pind View, KingstonNH, All gone! The Brighams in Arlington Heights, Nov. 18, 2009. I can remember the Lobster Pies that were worth waiting for. Loved bringing my brother and sister in there when we were young! All different kinds. And a graduation dinner! Plus, being in the theatre district, you might see someone famous. Chadwick's, Waltham, MA Chadwick's was a wildly popular ice cream parlor that also served pretty good sandwiches. Surrounded by cobbled narrow streets near Faneuil Hall, Union Oyster House feels like a step back in time. ), then at a new location near the Aquaruim. That being said, you can check out all the responses from August and last week on our Facebook page or embedded at the bottom of this article. Loved it. Bittersweetthank you. Great coffee, wine & beer bar. Long gone, now, of course. The Newbury Steak House was a firm favourite. I miss The The Rome in North Attleboro-Joe Chilli was great to work for too! First dinner out with my husband of 31 years! Wish we could find the recipe for their delicious Delmonico potatoes . By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. This Boston-based chain was the creation of Cambridge native V.J. Lobster in the Rough, Route 28, Cape Cod. There were Wanted posters and bull horns on the walls. When William Filene opened his first department store - Filene's - in 1890, it was similar to all its other Boston competitors. Berneices, Cello House, Captains Table. They were an Italian restaurant served huge plates of Italian food and their desserts were good too. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with prior written permission of Vanyaland. This is where I spent my teens years in the 80s. You go downstairs. Two more owners saw the restaurant through its next 60 years, until it was finally sold in 2007 to Ark Restaurants, whose other holdings include Bryant Park Grill in New York City and Sequoia in Washington, D.C. During its long run, Durgin-Park flirted with expansion, operating satellite locations at Copley Place and Logan Airport for a time. Our wedding cake came from Jordan Marshs bakery! Me and my husband miss the Cock & Kettle in Uxbridge Ma. Yes The Cafe Budapest. The walls featured murals of a traveling muffin man making his rounds. A tiki bar with stand-up comedy and an award-winning pupu platter? Great memories. Anyone remember Honisss on State Street in Hartford? I would check every one of the restaurants I saw, looking for it. I miss them all! Whenever a new one opened,he was in charge of setting it up,hiring staff,planning menus,etc.He said he would spend 6 months at each location, get it running smoothly and hand it over to permanent management. Tell them all hello from me! Excellent Syrian food, steaks and seafood. Wonderful staff and so many special nights there with those spectacular views. Kon Tiki was also great! And Chadwicks we always celebrated my kids birthdays there. Still miss my favorite restaurant. I can still taste their saurbraten and those delicious fries. I remember Elises went I attended MIT. I remember taking dates to Kowloon. My dad always got finn Haddie we kids would pronounce it. Located on the town line between Lexington and Waltham, Massachusetts, Chadwicks was best known for its ice cream sundaes, and most famously the BellyBuster: 20 (some say 30!) Dj vu! The Bell in Hand is charmingly named after its original owners trade, a retired Boston town crier named James Wilson, who opened the pub in 1795. The grilled and buttered rolls were delicious!! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This setting should only be used on your home or work computer. Stoddard's: Tucked away in the Leather District, this retro drinking and dining haunta favorite of Downtown Crossing's after-work crowdshas shuttered its doors. Miss them all! For ice cream Browns near Nuble Light ME. Went there many a Friday night with dear friends Helen and Gen Pelrine.