They’re packed with statement furniture, lush greenery, and luxurious design—and, oh yeah, the food is pretty good, too.
Wusong Street. / Photo by Brian Samuels
Wusong Street
Chef Jason Doo grew up working in his family’s American Chinese restaurant in Malden. When the former Menton resident had the opportunity to open his own eatery, he invented an ode to those memories, from tiki mugs to crab rangoon. Now he has filled two floors of Harvard Square’s spindly Conductor’s Building with tiki-style artifacts in every corner and a stunning collection of vintage finds (1970s wicker peacock chairs, Navy diving helmets) against a backdrop of tropical wall paneling and thatched roof overhangs.
Therefore, there is certainly nothing similar to Wusong Road in the Boston area. Perhaps most unique is the main staircase: Inspired by the “Three Wise Monkeys” Shrine in Japan and crafted by general contractor Tiki Rancher (a company that specializes in tiki and tropical-themed spaces), it features dripping greenery and weathered stone.
Doo himself was very actively involved in the design and construction of the space, whether it was painting monkey-shaped lamps made of resin from Italy to look like brass or working with a doll seamstress to design mini fezzes for the monkeys. The work is never quite done – he decorates the space lavishly for the holiday season and regularly introduces new bespoke tiki glassware – so there’s always something to explore, best done with a Malden Mai Tai in hand and a few plates of crispy ma- la tater tots and classic pork chive dumplings.
Cambridge, wusongroad.com.
Rochambeau. / Photo by Brian Samuels
Rochambeau
When Lyons Group decided to close Towne Stove & Spirits in 2019 and renovate and rename the Boylston Street space as a French restaurant, owner Patrick Lyons and his team worked with Brooklyn-based Home Studios to create a completely different design direction to hit. That meant saying goodbye to Towne’s drab dark wood and hello to a light and airy space full of pink tones and contrasting white-and-black accents, from subway tiles to striped rugs. Think a little about Golden Age glamor and Rochambeau’s airy Parisian vibe, thanks to the curved edges, glass bricks, and foliage accents.
Strategically placed mirrors make the already expansive two-story space seem even larger, offering plenty of space for gathering over steak tartare, lobster fries, and Marseille-style mussels. Even better, bring a group to the gorgeous upstairs private dining area, separated from the rest of the room by airy sheer curtains, to celebrate an occasion over large-format cocktails served in crystal punch bowls. When the season permits, the large outdoor terrace is also suitable for celebrating – it’s just enough away from the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood for equal amounts of privacy and people-watching.
Back Bay, rochambeauboston.com.
When it comes to decor, new Italian steakhouse Prima is all about drama. / Photo by Assembly Designs
Fine
Of course, there are plenty of Italian steakhouses in the city, but Charlestown newcomer Prima may be the only one where you can eat your dry-aged porterhouse and feel like an absolute queen. Behind gold-trimmed maroon curtains, Prima’s dreamy Rose Room — sure to be a sought-after reserve come Valentine’s Day — is dripping with red velvet, pink marble, and an installation of red and white roses that will have you singing like an anthropomorphic playing card from Alice in Wonderland. There is also a Tea Rose marble fireplace for maximum cosiness.
Primate’s “Rose Room”. / Photo by Assembly Designs
Designed by Boston’s prolific Assembly Design Studio, the restaurant also features an attractive main dining room with reclaimed wood and subway tiles, which houses a large central bar. Our suggestion? Enjoy dinner in advance followed by drinks in the Rose Room for two completely different experiences in one evening. And don’t forget a jumbo cannoli – the size of three regular cannoli! – in conclusion.
Charlestown, primaboston.com.
Yvonne. / Photo by Richard Cadan
Yvonne
Chic downtown dining and drinking establishment Yvonne’s is only eight years old, but it’s a faithful homage to more than a century of restaurant history. Located in the area of the extremely traditional Locke Ober restaurant, Yvonne’s retains much of the original architecture – not to mention the atmosphere of exclusivity. It offers a sexy, modern twist on the city’s historic bastion of fine dining.
Take the area called “Library Bar”: Illuminated bookshelves surround white-covered seating in a dimly lit, elegant space with a few cheeky touches, from upholstered cow-print chairs to irreverent portraits of famous people by artist Charmaine Olivia. Particularly notable is the portrait of Locke Ober regular John F. Kennedy, which shows him covered in tattoos. Another throwback from Locke-Ober is that the stunning mahogany bar – handcrafted locally in the late 19th century – is still used in Yvonne’s dining room, updated a bit with a white marble bar top.
Under the umbrella of Boston restaurant and nightlife empire COJE Management Group, Yvonne’s — like its siblings, including Mariel, Lolita and Ruka — was carefully designed by the group’s in-house team. Equal attention was paid to the eclectic menu, where guests can enjoy globe-trotting dishes like Thai-style octopus, lamb kofta and baked oysters “Savannah,” while taking in every little detail, from shimmering chandeliers to eye-catching artwork.
Downtown, yvonnesboston.com.
Mariel. / Photo by Richard Cadan
Mariel
“Faded beauty” was the inspiration for the Mariel’s Havana-style design, which COJE Management Group debuted four years ago in the former Atlantic National Bank building on Post Office Square. Appropriately, the place appears frozen in time, as intricate tile work and dramatic lighting fixtures (hanging from curved, 23-foot ceilings) are juxtaposed with muted colors and graffiti-style murals scrawled on the walls. “We spent a lot of time and energy making it look old,” COJE co-founder and owner Chris Jamison told Boston at the venue’s opening.
Old but glamorous: Elegant people still flock here to see and be seen, to enjoy a Cuban-inspired dinner upstairs (try the fufú gnocchi, a favorite since day one, and one of four different mojitos ) or down to Mariel’s underground nightclub. Underground. There, they indulge in lots of champagne and dance the night away among raw concrete and metal, decorated with mixed media art by numerous local artists, each drawing inspiration from Cuba’s past or present.
Downtown, marielofficial.com.
Contessa. / Photo courtesy of Douglas Friedman
Contessa
Seventeen stories above the Public Garden, Back Bay’s beautiful Contessa feels like its own garden, a sunny, glassy wonder of pink and teal dotted with greenery. The layers of intricate materials and details are a hallmark of internationally acclaimed designer Ken Fulk, who impressively catapulted himself into the field without any formal design training. At Contessa, these details come together to create a tale of Old World northern Italian estates in a juxtaposition of Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern and Neoclassical references. In less capable hands, this could feel cluttered and unfocused; It’s beautiful here, from the lush velvet seating to the mosaic tile floors to a wood-paneled bar area inspired by an old Riva speedboat.
Arriving by elevator from the Newbury Boston, the hotel where Contessa is staying, you will find an entrance covered with a mural by Deborah Phillips, in which painted red curtains appear to have been drawn back to reflect the tranquility of the northern Italian to reveal Lake Como. It sets the stage for an elegant meal – perhaps the delicate Capellini with lobster in a spicy tomato sauce or the delicious Florentine steak for two? – with irresistible views both inside the restaurant and out through the almost floor-to-ceiling windows.
Back Bay, contessaristorante.com.
Field & Vine. / Photo by Brian Samuels
Field & Vine
When the setting sun hits Field & Vine’s west-facing window just right and gold streams through shelves full of monsteras, snake plants, begonias and more, it’s like a magical ray of light that ties the restaurant’s woodsy fantasy atmosphere together (you would be ). I’ll be forgiven for peering around the corner looking for a frolicking deer or two). The room’s centerpiece—a tangle of vines and branches designed by Forêt Design Studio above the counter seating overlooking the open kitchen—enhances the forest-like atmosphere. Firewood is stacked under one end of the counter ready to fuel the grill, a hint of what’s to come: perhaps grilled arrowhead cabbage, an unexpected stunner, topped with savory ‘nduja butter and gremolata crumbs, in a creamy pool Vermont blue cheese or crispy monkfish schnitzel, refined with a buffalo sauce made from grilled strawberries.
Photo by Brian Samuels
All the pieces come together to create a rustic-chic vibe (think chic barn wedding), including the custom heart pine tables. Throw pillows from Cora Meginsky – dyed with materials such as avocado pit and onion peel – create a cozy atmosphere and emphasize the ethos of using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.
Somerville, fieldandvinesomerville.com.
First published in the October 2023 print edition with the headline “Sitting Pretty.”
