Dining Near the Boston Garden

Winter is the season for the garden-the Boston Garden. Home to both the Boston Celtics and the Boston Bruins, as well as the  city ‘s main entertainment venue for Disney on Ice and big-name  rock concerts and events,  the TD Garden was built to replace the 1928 Boston Garden. Although the arena has had several name changes since it opened in 1995, it is always- and forever  the “Gah-din” to Bostonians. The Garden does have concessions, but you can do better. The Fours (166 Canal St., 617-720-4455)(Map) , the Grand Canal (57 Canal St., 617-523-1112)(Map) and Boston Beer Works (112 Canal St., 617-896-2337)(Map) are all located in the vicinity of the Garden and are popular with local hard-core sports fans. Don’t wear the opposing team’s fan gear!  Walk a few blocks to find these lesser -known places to go either before or after the game where the crowd is fewer and the food is better. 

Red sauce Italian is alive and well in Boston.  Joe Tecce’s (61 North Washington St., Boston, 617-742-6210)(Map) specializes in massive antipasti platters and old school dishes like  lasagna and  veal scallopini with penne marinara. Tip- if you are bringing your kids to see a game or Disney on Ice, Joe Tecce’s is an excellent choice. There is rarely a wait for a table  and the kid’s menu features food that even the the pickiest eaters will eat-   spaghetti with meatballs and pizza!

If you prefer upscale Italian, head to Nebo ( 90 N. Washington St., 617-723-6326) (Map). This stylish enoteca has lots of wine-by-the-glass opportunities and contemporary Italian piatti that includes 30 kinds of pizza and  homemade pastas. The  ricotta gnocci with rapini gets raves!

Looking for drinks and apps before the game, but you don’t want to be surrounded by banks of tv’s and screaming fans? Duck into Flat Iron Tapas Bar in the Bulfinch Hotel (107 Merrimac St., 617-778-2900)(Map) for  spicy ceviche, kobe beef sliders and housemade french fries with a trio of dipping sauces.

Image credit: Greater Boston Convention  and Visitors Bureau, David Fox photographer