I’m absolutely enchanted by the stunning architecture of this building located on Milk Street. If only every street could be named after delicious food!
Seafood towers truly excite me, and I vividly recall my very first experience with one. It was a memorable day spent with Mike during the early stages of our romance at a beloved downtown Vancouver restaurant. I had a rare day off from work, and the sun was shining brightly on that beautiful spring day—something we don’t often get in our typically overcast city. The warmth of the sun felt like a celebration, especially since Mike had planned a surprise date for us. We settled onto the patio where he ordered a seafood tower for us to share. Having never tried one before, I was completely taken aback by its grandeur; it felt like something out of an Instagram post! Since that moment, I’ve been hooked on seafood towers—what could possibly be better than enjoying fresh seafood in the sunshine alongside your favorite person?
Recently, I couldn’t resist hopping onto the mama duck from “Make Way for Ducklings!” Last month in Boston brought back memories of those perfect moments filled with snow and icy-cold fresh seafood shared with Mike. He participated in a panel discussion there, and I couldn’t pass up the chance to join him after hearing whispers about Boston’s incredible seafood towers.
Interestingly enough, Boston wasn’t initially on my travel radar; however, my unexpected fondness for it made me rethink my usual preference for highly hyped destinations. Sometimes having low expectations can lead to delightful surprises!
Is it odd to feel envious of your past self? Right now I’m reminiscing about that amazing seafood tower…
During our four-day stay in Boston, we did some research (because knowing where to find fresh ingredients is essential) and indulged ourselves by sampling various seafood towers around town. We split our time between Downtown and South Boston Waterfront—a bit unconventional for us but ultimately rewarding as it allowed us to explore different parts of this compact city.
Starting off in Downtown was fantastic because we were close to iconic spots like Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, and Boston Public Market—all within walking distance! Our curiosity even led us all the way to Cambridge so we could visit Harvard University. On our way there, we stopped at Tatte Bakery for coffee and their famous pistachio tart—a treat I’d eagerly anticipated based on rave reviews—but sadly found it didn’t live up to its looks.
After taking just two bites out of disappointment (and realizing how heavy it made my bag), I decided carrying that tart around wasn’t worth it anymore—I shamelessly devoured what remained instead!
In fact, embracing indulgence is key when visiting Boston! We feasted multiple times throughout our trip—primarily focusing on delectable seafood but also sneaking in some burgers from Shake Shack because who can resist? The Seaport District quickly became one of my favorites; not only does it house Shake Shack (which isn’t available back home), but also Flour Bakery among other charming spots worth exploring.
The area features historic factories alongside picturesque sections along Harborwalk which made staying there much more enjoyable than being stuck amidst Downtown’s hustle-bustle atmosphere—it offered tranquility while still providing easy access into town along scenic routes.
Overall this trip served as an excellent introduction to Beantown—we’ll definitely return!
Where We Dined in Boston:
- Row 34: This spot served an unforgettable seafood tower so good that we returned days later just for more oysters! Their 242 fries were crispy perfection paired beautifully with an outstanding lobster roll.
- Mei Mei: My choice here was their double awesome dish featuring cheddar cheese wrapped inside green onion pancakes topped with soft eggs—it lived up to its name! However Mike’s lemongrass ginger pork dumplings left much room for improvement.
- Shake Shack: Need I say more?
- Townsman: They offered an intriguing mix between charcuterie & sea fare—but fair warning—the service left something desired.
- Myers + Chang: While Mike raved about their spicy prawns overall most dishes leaned towards being overly salty.
Where We Enjoyed Drinks:
- Shojo: Late-night drinks accompanied by classic hip-hop tunes created such great vibes here—the cocktails were equally impressive!
Snack Stops:
- Ogawa Coffee: Requested an adorable bear design atop my matcha latte—and they delivered!
- Flour Bakery: Although Myers + Chang didn’t impress me much Joanne Chang’s banana bread certainly did—it was divine without any domed top!
- Union Square Donuts: A must-have while visiting—our fluffy yet dense Boston cream donut hit all right notes making every bite worthwhile!