Malcom Wilson Reviews some Boston Restaurants for: DiningInMass.com !

A Capsule Review of some Outstanding Boston Restaurants
Malcolm Wilson, Restaurant/Food Critic National known food writer for Fodors and Local/Regional Newspapers.
Malcolm enjoys Metro Boston and is presently
writting for the Back Bay Courant Newspaper. He also likes to take
John Rega, Television/Radio Restaurant & Food Commentator out to dine, munch and taste at some of his favorites.
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BILLY TSE, 20 Commercial Street, Boston
617-227-9990. Just opposite Lewis Wharf and off the beaten path to
Chinese restaurants, it is not your usual Chinese restaurant. A place
where it's fun to eat. where you can chow down on mein and chop suey as
well as Fried Calamari with garlic and pepper, Beef Chow Foon with
noodles as wide as lasagna, Mongolian Lamb in a tangy, well-garlicked
sauce and just dandy deep-fried Soft Shell Crabs.

BOB THE CHEF'S, 604 Columbus Ave, South End, Boston, 617-536-6204.
There's no cultural denial here in the proud self-proclamation, the home
of Soul food. A cool, informal little place, interesting in its there
but spare decor and the friendly fire of its simple food and where you
can latch onto Chicken Gumbo, Chicken Livers. Corn Muffins, Bob's Meat
Loaf and an oversized order of Bob's Chicken and Ribs Combo. Then try to
get up and out of your chair and through the door.

ISTANBUL CAFE, 37 Bowdoin Street, Boston;
An adventure in eating and a pleasure to find this happy hideaway just
below sidewalk level on the backside of Beacon Hill. Strictly unposh but
get ready for a nice surprise. it's the mystery of the Casbah wrapped
around strange phonetics with all spellings translating to excellent.
Try the Muover
(fried zucchini fritters). the familiar and always interesting Humus
(chick pea and tahini dip), Tavuk Kebab (grilled chicken breast) and
don't pass up the coffee.

RITZ CAFE. Arlington Street facing the Gardens, Boston: 617-536-5700.
The Ritz-Carlton, a name conjuring up a certain e!elegance of both food
and lodging offers a lighter menu in the quiet distinction of the Ritz
Cafe. Intimately cozy and straightforward in presence it's a place well
worth visiting to sample appetizers and entrees offered by a top of the
line culinary group. Gems, indeed. are the Ritz Cafe's Atiantic Fish
Soup, the DON'T •IS5 CLassic Caesar, Parmesan-Cruse line
•culinary group. Gems, indeed. are the Ritz Cafe's Atlantic Fish Soup,
the DON'T •IS5 CLassic Caesar, Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Breast or the
exceptional New England Chicken Pot Pie.

LA BETTOLA, •80A Columbus Avenue, Boston;
617-236-5252. A serious kitchen restaurant with a zingy menu, an
interesting interior and an audace to match their other restaurant
Galleria Italiana. Appetizers are outstanding. Marinated Pheasant Salad
and BBQ Beef Shortribs are great starters. Entrees are matchless. To be
enjoyed are the Lamb Sirloin paired with a ginger caponatina, Grilled
Salmon foiled with opal basil and the house's Beef Tenderloin,a
masterpiece of thinly sliced juicy beef over Potatoes Anna.

OAK ROOM AT COPLEY PLAZA, Copley Square,
Boston; 617-267-5300. Imposing still, but with a changed more relaxed
persona. Has layers of identities but still very and plushly Victorian
with shimmering chandeliers, dark paneling and enough lushness of decor
to corner the market on period flair. The viands are superb. louis' Crab
Cakes, Lobster Bisque and the oversized Caesar Salad are tops. Entrees
more than meet all expectations.
Bone-in Ribeye Steak (20-0z.), Stuffed Shrimp, Chicken and the Extra
thick Veal Chop are highly recommended.

THE LIBRARY GRILL, at the Hampshire@ House, 84 Beacon Street. Boston;
617-227-9600. Tom Kershaw's place. the mise en scene for Cheers has a
surprise upstairs on the second floor. Marvelously turn of the century.
this dining room has everything..not the least being excellent food and
wines. Traditional food, Quahog Chowder, Gulf Shrimp and Caesar Salad
for starters and Grilled Swordfish, Grilled Chicken Breast and premium
Black Angus Sirloin Steak for entrees make this a MUST VISIT place to
dine.

THAI BASIL, 32 Newbury Street, Boston;
617-424-8424. Undoubtedly the best small restaurant in the Back Day,
Thai Basil has a spare elegance about it. an intimacy paired with the
very good food that makes a visit to this place a high point in your
week. Dancing Shrimp, Golden Triangles. Panang Curhe very good food that
makes a visit to this place a high point in your week. Shrimp, Golden
Trianges. Panang Curng Curry ad Phuket Noodles are not weighty items but
manage to deliciously fill your stomach's demands.

ANGELO'S RISTORANTE, 575 Boylston Street between Clarendon and Dartmouth, Boston; 617-536-9015. Not just another Italian restaurant.
This one has exceptional food and pas inordinate attention to detail.
Good wines to accompany your Calamari alla Graticola, tortellini in
Brodo and Antipasto Italiano which taste like noting you've ever had
before. New Zealand Rack of Lamb, Maliard Duck Breast and Swordfish New
Zealand Rack of Lamb, Mallard Duck Breast and Swordfish will make you
throw a kiss to the kitchen .or at least a rose or two. Don't miss this
great little restaurant. Try hard.'you might be able to get a
reservation.

RESTAURANT ZINC. 35 Stanhope Street, Boston.
Near the Hard Rock Cafe. 617-262-2323. Very sophisticated with a diverse
clientele of sartorially Savvy, cellular phone ad bon chic blonde types.
Has a New Yorkish glitzy verve. Spiffy. plenty of good noise and
conversational bricolage. Besational bricolage . Better than average
wine list and starters are super. Handcut Tartare, Provencal Fisherman's
Soup, Seasame-coated Tuna are appetizer surprises. Entrees are simple:
Braised Lamb Shank. Roast Chicken and Smoked oast Chicken and Smoed
Atlantic Salmon all simply delicious in the eating.

OSAR'S, 107 South Street, Boston;
617-532-6756. A clubby New York-type bistro near the commercial jumble
of South Station with much hard-edge construction in its making is still
a very comfortable place to ogle and ogle back. And the food's very
good. Oskar's open-to-public-view kitchen offers an American fusion menu
incorporating Thai, French, Italian and Chinese touches. Excellent are
the Haymarket Veggie Soup. Roast Eggplant in Crepe Ravioli, , the Tarte
Flambe and the Thai-style Autumn Rolls. Entrees; Coq au Vin, Grilled
Fillet of Salmon and Grilled Tenderloin were delicious.