Sure, you can rely on local buzz and restaurant reviews when choosing a place to eat — but why not check in with people who make their living in the kitchen? That’s what we did when we asked a notable chef in each New England state where he or she likes to go for food after work. Covering everything from steak tartare in Boston to corner-store pizza in New Hampshire, here are their favorite spots for where to eat in New England.
(Illustrations by Matthew Allen)WHERE TO EAT LIKE A TOP CHEF IN NEW ENGLAND
BEN SULKE
Providence, RIWHERE HE COOKS:Birch,
Oberlin.
WHERE HE EATS OUT: “
Mike’s Kitchen for polenta, stuffed artichokes, or the snail salad. At
North, try the ‘hidden oyster’ plate, a fried oyster inside a taco or pancake. For Chinese, it’s
Chengdu Taste for cumin lamb or fish stew. And
New Rivers does beautiful toasts—I love the tomato with goat cheese boursin.”
TIFFANI FAISON WALSH
Boston, MAWHERE SHE COOKS:Tiger Mama,
Sweet Cheeks.
WHERE SHE EATS OUT: “I love the steak tartare at
Sarma, done Tunisian-style with a soft-cooked egg and harissa chips. For Indian, it’s the okra and chicken vindaloo at
Shanti in Dorchester. At
Shaking Crab, I order king crab and shrimp with shaking sauce, extra hot.”
BUN LAI
New Haven, CTWHERE HE COOKS:Miya’s.
WHERE HE EATS OUT: “
G-Zen for the vegan crab cake (one of the tastiest things I’ve ever put in my mouth) and
Bloodroot for vegan quiches.
Mamoun’s, with their $3 falafel sandwiches, is probably the most beloved eatery in town. I eat less meat now, but I’ll still go to
Sandra’s for chitterlings with hot sauce.”
CHRIS GOULD
Portland, MEWHERE HE COOKS:Central Provisions.
WHERE HE EATS OUT: “I stop daily at
Maples— best bagels north of the tri-state area—for a salt bagel with honey-rosemary cream cheese. I love
Eventide for oysters and that brown butter lobster roll,
Lolita for wood-roasted Maine clams and torchio pasta with ’nduja and peas, and the spicy chicken biscuit sandwich at
Dutch’s.”
ERIC WARNSTEDT
Burlington, VTWHERE HE COOKS:Hen of the Wood.
WHERE HE EATS OUT: “
Misery Loves Co. is outstanding for modern comfort food. For breakfast,
Penny Cluse Café (if you can’t decide, get the Bellber Combo: pancakes, eggs, home fries, bacon). For dessert, the
Kitchen Table Bistro beautifully reimagines familiar dishes like apple cake with warm butterscotch.”
DAVID VARGAS
Portsmouth, NHWHERE HE COOKS:Vida Cantina.
WHERE HE EATS OUT: “My local corner store,
Suds & More, puts out great pizza slices. Hidden gem
Susty’s Café has the most delicious vegan food.
The Black Birch has amazing food and staff (and kiddos are welcome). Lastly,
Carl’s Meat Market has the hands-down-best burger … but order ahead, because everyone knows it!”
Have you ever tried their picks for where to eat in New England? Let us know!
These “Editors’ Picks for Food Lovers” originally appeared in the May/June 2018 issue of Yankee
.