The Greater Boston area is a Mecca of culinary diversity. Almost anything you feel the need to eat can be found somewhere, Ethiopian, Mongolian, Afghan, Russian, Polish. It can all be found within a short train ride of anywhere in the city. Even with such a large melting pot of tastes found in such a small area the old staples of Boston still hold strong. The kind of place “where everybody knows your name” is still on the top of the heap when it comes to college students looking to spend a few bucks on a night of relaxation. That’s right, pubs. Pubs have got it all, food, drink, entertainment, atmosphere. In this issue we headed out to our two picks as best pubs of the Southern half of the Greater Boston area. Next week we will head to the North of the Charles. So, stay tuned for the next leg of our culinary journey through the best of Boston.
Matt Murphy’sPub Review score: (4/5)14 Harvard St.Brookline, MA Public Transport: Brookline Village on the D Line (Green), Buses 39, 60, 65, 66
While the atmosphere of this longtime staple pub has changed, becoming less like a Dublin pub and somewhat more upscale thanks to some renovations, Matt Murphy’s remains a great small pub where you can get a refreshing draft beer or pint of Guinness, along with song classic Irish and Irish-American dishes including Shepherd’s Pie, hearty beef stew, savory rabbit, duckling, and a crispy cod and chips. The pub features live music four days a week starting at 10 p.m. and an online Weekly Vibe powered by Pubrecords.com. This is a place to relax with friends, nourish body and soul with great drink and hearty fare.
The Other SidePub Review score: (5/5)407 Newbury St. (at Mass Ave.)Boston,MA(617) 536-8437Public Transport: Green Line, Hynes Convention Center Stop
The Other Side is technically more a cafe than a pub, but we’re including it for their superior beer list. They’ve got bottled alcoholic beverages from around the globe including Pilsners, Lagers, Ales, White Ales, India Pale Ales, Stouts, Lambics and more. The music is loud and aggressive, usually a mixture of rock and punk, with the menu claiming that volume and selection is based on the prerogative of the majority of their patrons. The Other Side has a full selection of meat dishes, but their strength is their vegetarian and vegan options, including savory vegetable pies, delicious wraps and daily soup specials. Warm up for the main course with appetizer platters such as the Bread, Fruit & Cheese Plate with yogurt/honey dipping sauce or the hummus platter. Topping it all off, the hole-in-the-wall on Newbury St. features mezzanine level seating with low, funky lighting that makes you feel as though you’re in a basement pub. An ideal place for friends or an early date.