Closest thing to Eastern Standard?

Submitted by Acceptable_Tourist_4 t3_ybmrsx in boston

I’m looking for a late night restaurant that’ll serve a full meal to walk-ins (or last minute reservations), full menu and bar, late tonight (11-12ish)? These are 60+ year old international colleagues/friends, so along the lines of ES quality or style?

We have the Franklin as a standby (always reliable), but the crowd tends to be young (compared to my guests), and can get a bit cramped late at night.

Anywhere else? Boston or Cambridge only. Thanks so much!

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fakecrimesleep t1_ith9xn4 wrote

Full menu at “nice place to chat” at 11pm on a Sunday is going to be pretty damn hard in post pandemic Boston. Russel house tavern in Harvard was always well liked by my friends that loved ES but closes at 11 Sundays. Carrie nation in beacon hill I think is open late and has a similar vibe to ES but I think they cut off dinner at 10?

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wownotagainlmao t1_itkbbwu wrote

I wonder if we’ll ever see the return of late night Boston (which wasn’t even that late to begin with). It used to be very easy to get food and a drink till around 11-12 on a weeknight and 1 on a weekend… now places seem to close around 9-10 depending on the crowd, even on weekends.

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fakecrimesleep t1_itkssdu wrote

Probably not we’re descending deeper into a recession and food service workers can’t afford to live here

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wownotagainlmao t1_itkznvh wrote

I mean, that’s been the case for 10+ years. It’s gotten worse, but I worked food service downtown in the late 2000s/early 2010s and people were bussing in from far away even then.

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boreas907 t1_itke8nj wrote

> Full menu at “nice place to chat” at 11pm on a Sunday is going to be pretty damn hard in post pandemic Boston.

We don't even have a fucking Denny's. :/

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Acceptable_Tourist_4 OP t1_ithcefr wrote

Ah I should’ve mentioned, they’re a rowdier bunch despite their age. Another appeal of ES was that they could eat in the dining room, then move to the bar for another nearly full round of food and drink. Or should I say… get politely moved to the bar by management…

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Tacoman404 t1_itkr3b3 wrote

The real issue is that it’s so late at night it basically leaves you with diners as your only option with crawling to a nearby bar for maybe a couple drinks before last call.

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fakecrimesleep t1_itksm50 wrote

“Diners” lol the only fuckin 24/7 diner open is south station diner. New England diners love closing at 2 even pre-pandie

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sarcastic_traveler t1_itha00a wrote

Anchovies; mixed age crowd. My go to

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DerpWilson t1_ithzev0 wrote

I love anchovies but it’s not what I think of when someone says ES.

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Acceptable_Tourist_4 OP t1_itk76ci wrote

Love Anchovies personally, but I was avoiding Americanized Italian due to the fact that this crowd is actually… Italian. Lol. It would’ve been weird to post that originally but since it came up…

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tele23O7 t1_ithkur8 wrote

near ES, Audubon is good, tables and a nice bar

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considertheoctopus t1_itjp852 wrote

Maybe too late but Yvonne’s might work in downtown crossing.

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Acceptable_Tourist_4 OP t1_itk7jde wrote

Was heavy on the radar, thanks! Unfortunately the 1am close was a deal breaker. I was surprised they’re not a 2am close.

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devAcc123 t1_itoh7me wrote

Just a heads up a ton of places that say 2 in google aren’t actually open until 2, especially on a Sunday. Might want to call ahead and confirm.

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defenestron t1_ithqoml wrote

Honestly, nothing comes to mind that combines the upscale casual bar atmosphere and quality bar program that ES had right now.

Maybe Drink? But it crowds quickly and is most certainly not a restaurant. Perhaps, Shore Leave? Tiki vibes abound, but the bar program and casual atmosphere are there. Audubon is a hidden gem, and while its food punches above its weight, the bar program isn’t on the same level as ES by any means.

Keep your eye on Equal Measure, the next project of Jackson Cannon from Eastern Standard, which currently has a popup at Offsuit: https://www.opentable.com/r/offsuit-boston

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cocktailvirgin t1_itik5x5 wrote

I'm the GM at Drink, but our food closes as 11pm Wed-Sat and 10pm Sun (closed Mon-Tues), so we're not the late night Mecca Eastern Standard was (food until 1:30). Expect the same level of good drinks and great hospitality but not equivalent (data: ESKD patron since 2007 and Drink patron since 2008).

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defenestron t1_itin4bm wrote

I’m kinda geeking out about getting a reply from Frederic himself.

Thanks for all you do, man! Drink is in such good hands with you. 💜

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cocktailvirgin t1_itlr73d wrote

Thanks! Having Drink in my hands is a lot of pressure. What to keep and what to change with the time. How to get the staff to work to my ideals of what Drink is (or was since I frequented there a lot in 2008-2014) or to let them be themselves. It's been around for 14 years this month so it's a lot to take on.

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Acceptable_Tourist_4 OP t1_itjvky3 wrote

This crowd used to visit the Hawthorne during this annual visit, but went to Drink earlier this week and said they had a fantastic time. Thank you for your hospitality, and for treating my treasured guests so well!

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cocktailvirgin t1_itlsbw7 wrote

Awesome! Glad to hear. I was bartending only on Wednesday, working the door on Thursday, and floating as a manager/barbacking Friday and Saturday so there's a chance I greeted them or gave them water at some point at a minimum.

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member_member5thNov t1_itkiz2d wrote

I LOVED les sablons and had the pleasure of chatting with Jackson at the bar a few times.

Looking forward to their next bar.

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Acceptable_Tourist_4 OP t1_itk72n6 wrote

Excellent comment thanks. Shore Leave was a bit “too much” for this crowd, and you’re absolutely right about Audubon. Uh, I mean… no you’re not. It sucks and the food is the worst. Anyone reading this should never go.

Drink was great for this crowd earlier this week. Once again, thanks so much!

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priyatequila t1_itjjzgr wrote

OP would love if you would update us on where u ended up at!

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Acceptable_Tourist_4 OP t1_itk7ga6 wrote

The Franklin, fortunately and unfortunately. For them it was fine for a bite to eat but “wasn’t ES”, and they really lamented the closing and talked about it all night. ES was just, so, special. Even to a group of visitor who only went once a year.

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priyatequila t1_iu1sgux wrote

I just moved to Boston early this year but I've heard people talk about ES a few times when I ask for recommendations, and it sounds like my ideal place im so so sad I missed it 🥺 honestly the only let down moving here has been the late night food/restaurant scene.

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THINKFR33LY t1_itinaef wrote

Select Oyster. It's better than what ES was... RIP nonetheless.

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THKMass t1_itjj44s wrote

Better than? That's a bold claim my friend.

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THINKFR33LY t1_itjk42l wrote

Significantly.

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THKMass t1_itjkdtl wrote

I've never been so I'll give it a go and report back. If it proves not to be the case I'm gonna have to hit you with a downvote my guy.

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Acceptable_Tourist_4 OP t1_itk78a1 wrote

I’m in this club with you. Willing to check it out, with healthy skepticism.

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SleaterKenny t1_itli816 wrote

Select Oyster is outstanding. But comparing it to ES is like apples and oranges. I would never say "Oh, you miss ES? Go to Select."

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BostonZest t1_itkjs0i wrote

Any day but Sunday you could go to Cornwall's across the street from where ES was. They expanded during the pandemic but are still closed on Sundays except for some events at the ballpark.

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