I am someone who has a pretty clear picture of my perfect dining experience. When traveling to a new city, I spend hours researching restaurants and asking friends for recommendations. This past weekend I had the pleasure of visiting one of my favorite cities in the world — Boston, Mass. Along with attending my very first Red Sox game at Fenway, I was determined to have an amazing meal or two in the city.

In advance of our trip, I made a reservation for dinner at B&G Oysters in the South End. Though the first opening was at 9 p.m. and it was a 20-minute walk from our hotel in the Financial District, I could tell from the reviews and website this was my type of place. At first sight, this feeling was confirmed. Slightly below street level, this intimate seafood house had no more than 20 tables. It was still too cold for the outdoor patio, but I admired the string lights and ambiance nonetheless. Upon checking in, a bit early, they suggested we grab a drink at the Butcher Shop next door while we waited.

This is clearly a normal occurrence, because as we entered the Butcher Shop, we were shown to a spot around the giant “block” in the middle. Our coats were taken and drinks in hand before we knew it. I must admit, I was tempted to stay, as the food coming out of the kitchen looked fantastic! When our table was ready, B&G gave us a call. To my delight, they told us to finish our drinks as there was no rush, and the table was ours when we got there. Quite refreshing! 

And that table was in my opinion, the best in the house; we sat at a high-top booth at the front of the restaurant surrounded by large windows to the street. Our waitress was well informed about the menu, recommending oysters and wine that were both excellent. The entrées and dessert that followed were equally impressive.

What a delightful experience we had at B&G Oysters. We would no doubt be regulars if this gem was located in Philadelphia. Those from or visiting Boston may also want to try some of Barbara Lynch Gruppo’s other restaurants including the Butcher Shop, Menton, No. 9 Park, Stir, Drink, Sportello and 9 at Home.

— Danielle Hudena Pitonyak, executive vice president