The 50 Best Restaurants 2009
14. Oishii
Score: 71.06
High: Phoenix **** Low: Boston 3.75
Like salmon toro? Here you’ll find it draped over perfectly seasoned rice, or drizzled with chives, truffle oil, yuzu wasabi, tempura oba, and a flash of gold leaf. We find the variety to be a bit excessive, but there’s one thing we never question: the consistently high quality of the raw materials.
ORDER THIS: Sashimi in ponzu sauce.
15. Ten Tables
Score: 70.34
High: Chowhound ***** Low: Globe ** 1/2
Our score: 4.25
The neighborhood eatery that every neighborhood craves, with entrées like swordfish and chorizo “cassoulet” all for $25 or less.
ORDER THIS: The four-course vegetarian tasting menu, which is satisfying even for avowed carnivores.
Hot, buttery lobster piled onto a hot, buttery roll beckons seafood lovers at Neptune Oyster. (Photograph by Bob O’Connor)
16. Neptune Oyster
Score: 68.01
High: Phoenix **** Low: Globe ***; Herald ***
Our score: 4
Would that every North Ender reached these heights: the freshest fish, with just enough zingy touches (caramelized eggplant, cucumber crème fraîche) to keep things interesting.
ORDER THIS: The oysters, of course.
17. Icarus
Score: 66.35
High: Phantom 91 Low: Chowhound ***
Our score: 3.5
Icarus was South End before South End was cool, and 30 years on, it’s still serving fine New American fare.
ORDER THIS: The appetizer of simple polenta with braised mushrooms.
18. Persephone
Score: 66.33
High: Phoenix **** Low: Globe ** 1/2
Our score: 4
Thanks to his stint in San Francisco, Michael Leviton’s food reflects the best of California cuisine: immaculately sourced ingredients, cooked with a light hand to let them shine.
ORDER THIS: Fried egg with leeks, bacon, and sauce ravigote.
19. Mistral
Score: 66.25
High: Phantom 91 Low: Globe ** 1/2
Our score: 3.75
Mistral has been a standard-bearer for fine dining in Boston since 1997, boasting classy French favorites like roasted cod with lobster and artichoke risotto in chic surroundings.
ORDER THIS: Beef tenderloin pizza with mashed potato and white truffle oil.
20. Sorellina
Score: 65.94
High: Phantom 92 Low: Phoenix **
Our score: 3.75
Hailing from the same family as Mistral and L’Andana (which placed #36), Sorellina serves highly polished Italian food for the power-broker set, plus some of the tastiest desserts around.
ORDER THIS: Lemon ricotta gnocchi with rabbit ragu.