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[betty_p]

I don't know that area of the city at all (and I'm not really familiar with restaurants in the city in general, except for that one dive pub near Beacon Hill); would it be reasonable to suggest that we meet at Polly_Mer's hotel or at the Boston Convention Center, and then walk to see what we find?

Otherwise, I think I've heard of Noname, and I'm okay with a seafood focus as long as it's not a shellfish focus.

[polly_mer]

Meeting at the Convention Center would be better since that's where I'll be just before dinner.  I'm up for a walk if others are.

[betty_p]

The real question is how far we'll have to walk to find something reasonable. Chowhound seems to think we've got some options nearby.

Weather will also be a consideration. It's been pretty mild here, but this is New England, where the axiom goes, "if you don't like the weather, just wait a minute."

Meh, worse comes to worst, we'll get on the T and hit the Union Oyster House [waves to Dellaroux and Chaos].

[polly_mer]

I'm in Bostonian hands.  I've never been, so I'm trusting the locals to come up with something reasonable.

[alto_stratus]

Weather will also be a consideration. It's been pretty mild here, but this is New England, where the axiom goes, "if you don't like the weather, just wait a minute."

I've always heard it as, "If you don't like the weather here. . . go back to where you came from."

[betty_p]

Weather will also be a consideration. It's been pretty mild here, but this is New England, where the axiom goes, "if you don't like the weather, just wait a minute."

I've always heard it as, "If you don't like the weather here. . . go back to where you came from."

Well, that too. We're an irascible bunch, but charming in our own way.

[collegekidsmom]

Too bad it's that convention center; not an interesting area at all IMHO. The Hynes is the one that is in town and surrounded by lots of restaurants, etc. You almost have to leave the convention area and go somewhere else. Especially in the winter, you are kind of stuck out there. It's just not a good central location.

[polly_mer]

OK, suggest somewhere to go that's on public transportation.  I'm flexible.  Of course, for me, the big draw is putting faces to names of people I consider colleagues, not the food or Boston itself.

Newer forum members are very welcome as well.  This isn't a private party for me and a couple of my friends.  If you (generic reader) are/will be in the Boston during that time, come.  I've met some great people at meet-ups who don't post a lot because they don't have the time, but are certainly forumites.  If you're reading, then you're invited.

[oldfullprof]

I'll adapt.  I shifted hotels for that week, and will be living on the Red Line.  I'm usually in a suburb. 

[polly_mer]

The suggestion has been made for Bertucci's in the Faneuil Hall area http://www.bertuccis.com/
or
Uno's in Harvard Square http://www.unos.com/menus/

What do folks here think?

[wanna_writemore]

Go for Bertucci's.

[betty_p]

I'm okay with Bertucci's.

[oldfullprof]

Me too.  And less of a hike than Harvard Yard.  (They may remember us from when we bombed it.)

[spork]

Some advice if you are at the BCC:

Uno's is a pizza chain. More upscale and better tasting than Pizza Hut, but still a chain. Same for Bertucci's.

No Name is reputedly not what it was 25 years ago -- now more of a tourist trap.

There are a couple Legal Sea Foods nearby. Reliably good seafood, water views. Legal Test Kitchen is the same company but reviews are mixed.

If you walk northwest from the BCC on Summer Street, cross the water, and head left, you'll find Kneeland Street and Chinatown. It's a little more than a one mile walk. There are some good Vietnamese and Thai places.  I can give you specific names if you like, just PM me. The Chinatown T station means easy transportation for those coming from elsewhere.

If you want someplace really special, and not at all expensive given the quality of food and service, go to La Voile Boston Brasserie on Newbury. Closest T station is Copley Square. This is a fabulous French restaurant. Very reasonably priced. It's small, so I'd recommend getting a firm head count and making a reservation if you have a group larger than four. The place is also open for lunch.

[collegekidsmom]

I agree about all of those chains. Also, it can be pretty windy and freezing this time of year walking from that convention center over the bridge toward the city. As spork said, the one big Legal Seafoods right by the water down near the Custom House (big old clock tower thing you can see from the convention area) is a good choice. It has large booth type tables and food that almost anyone could enjoy at fairly reasonable prices. That one (Legal Seafoods Long Wharf) is not far from the convention area and if the weather is decent, there are other places to walk around down there(brrrr). There are a few Legal Seafood branches in Boston, and that's probably the best one.

As for right at the BCEC, there are some other nice but pricey restaurants in South Boston out that way. Of course, the big hotels also have places to meet, but might be more fun to get out of there. The T is a little tricky out there because you have to take the Silver line I think and then change in South Station. A nice warm cab would be just the ticket.