Feeding Frenzy: Oceanaire, Chipotle Grill, and Z Square Cafe
WE GENERALLY think of chain restaurants as yawns, except when they're truly excellent. Three recent arrivals are just that. First, the Oceanaire Seafood Room on Court Street is the newest in a chain of 16 upscale restaurants. (Other locations include Dallas, Seattle, and Minneapolis.) It sits at a corner of Government Center, a natural soulmate to Ruth's Chris around the corner: surf on one corner, turf on the other. The fish at the Oceanaire is gorgeous, the raw bar quivers with freshness, and the service standard mirrors the plushest of steakhouses. The signature dishes are lump crab cakes and phenomenal hash browns, and executive chef Dan Enos has lots of room to exercise the talents he picked up in nine years at the Capital Grille. Not for a cheap date, but for a wow, it's the new destination. >> Next up: Chipotle Grill is sneaking into Boston slowly but surely. It started with an out-of-the-way location in Medford, then went on to Davis Square; now you can find it in Harvard Square, and coming soon to Cleveland Circle. And it's good; think giant burritos made with fresh sauces, organic beef from Niman Ranch, and farm-raised chickens. >> Finally, the second Z Square Café is now open on Comm Ave outside Kenmore Square (the first is in Harvard Square), and it's another guilt-free pleasure. They offer good food, wines by the glass, and breakfast served all day. How can you go wrong with a place that serves tuna Niçoise and steel-cut oatmeal? It's a new level of casual class for those in the BU arc.
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