Tasty Tax Return Splurges: Boston’s Best Tasting Menus

It’s Tax Day! Happy Tax Day….? While this isn’t a day that everyone is geared up to celebrate, if you do happen to be receiving a tax return we’re here to help you put it to good use, in the form of food of course. Rather then pinching pennies this season we’re feeling lavish and ready to splurge. The best way to do this is to treat yourself to one of Boston’s best tasting menus, where the chef prepares a unique dining experience for you that goes beyond just the food. The hardest choice will be deciding which place to go to! Spending money on an experience is our favorite, especially when it comes to food, those memories will last forever. So go ahead, treat yourself, we give you permission.

L’Espalier

Photo Credit: L’Espalier

When you think of fine dining in Boston, L’Espalier is always at the top of the list. This Back Bay establishment serves a sophisticated and modern combination of New England and French cuisine, focusing on artisanal and New England ingredients. Absolutely the place to be fancy and wine and dine yourself after a nice tax return. They give you different options to do this:

-Five-Course Tasting
Includes five savory courses followed by a dessert.

-Eight-Course Tasting
Includes six savory courses, followed by a grand fromage and finished with dessert.

-Chef’s Tasting Journey
A unique menu inspired by the seasons of New England crafted for your table, Chef McClelland orchestrates an adventurous symphony of food traveling through multiple courses. The Tasting Journey brings you an exploration of his specialties with a lavish menu including caviar and truffles, the makings for a memorable evening. This menu is $208 with an optional wine pairing for $152.

-Chef’s Table
Dine in the heart of the L’Espalier kitchen and enjoy the spectacular Chef’s Tasting Journey at their exclusive chef’s table, which can be booked for one to four people.

Address: 774 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02199
Phone: 617-262-3023

O Ya

Photo Credit: @beautifulcuisine via Instagram

With 22 courses, including dessert, the Grand Omakase is the most extravagant tasting menu in Boston costing $285. Prepare to spend a full evening dining on some of the most delicious Japanese bites Boston has to offer. The literal translation of “Omakase” from Japanese to English is, “respectfully leaving another to decide what is best.” This is a chance for you to put your trust in the chef’s hands and just enjoy the experience they put together for you.

Address: 9 East St, Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-654-9900

No. 9 Park

Photo Credit: @theheatherneri via Instagram

This elegant dining room located in the lovely Beacon Hill neighborhood offers the ideal setting for a relaxed dinner. This is acclaimed Boston chef, Barbara Lynch’s most well-known restaurant where she serves regionally-inspired French and Italian food. The Chef’s Tasting Menu is a six-course menu that changes bi-weekly. It is $125 with an optional $82 wine pairing, or a $130 luxury wine pairing. Go ahead, you know you want to.

Address: 9 Park St, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-742-9991

Menton

Photo Credit: Menton

As one of Boston’s top restauranteurs, Barbara Lynch could not just offer one tasting menu in the city. Menton is her interpretation of, “modern fine dining” in the Fort Point neighborhood. The Chef’s Whim tasting menu is offered for $165 with an optional $130 wine pairing. The menu is eight courses and changes seasonally. It currently starts off with Island Creek Oysters, a local favorite, dressed with cucumber, champagne mango, and celery. Did someone say splurge?!

Address: 354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
Phone: 617-737-0099

Craigie on Main

Photo Credit: Craigie on Main

Tony Maws, one of Boston’s best chefs, offers a tasting menu that changes daily at his acclaimed spot in Cambridge. You have the option of a seven-course menu for $108 or a five-course menu for $85. They are comprised of a progression of small plates showcasing the season’s best ingredients and a variety of cooking techniques. The open kitchen elevates the experience to another level as you watch chefs methodically craft each dish.

Address: 853 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-497-5511

Uni

Photo Credit: @thefoodcrawls via Instagram

This contemporary izakaya opened by James Beard Award finalists Ken Oringer and Tony Messina, serves innovative Japanese cuisine and globally-inspired small plates. Located right in the heart of Back Bay in The Elliot Hotel this is a cool place to experience a different kind of tasting menu. They have the Omakase (chef’s choice) menu as their main tasting menu for $135. If you want to be a little more adventurous, you can also make your own hand rolls with the Whole Tray of Maine Uni option for $65. For one last choice, you can do the traditional 10 piece Nigiri Omakase for $58 or the nontraditional version for $90.

Address: 370A Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-536-7200