The only thing better than a stellar steak is one that’s served in a setting loaded with history. Those willing to venture 25 miles west along the Pike are rewarded with just such an eatery. The Oregon Club was once a speakeasy! Now, this rustic-feeling restaurant is best known for the quality of the steaks.
The Oregon Club is located at 117 Oregon Road in Ashland.
Back in 1922, this was the Briasco Inn, a place that appeared to be a rooming house that offered meals. However, it actually functioned as a speakeasy. The name changed in the 1930s and the business became a private club until it eventually opened to the public.
Drink one beside the warm glow of the fire pit, before your meal.
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Start with a bowl of the restaurant’s signature spicy mushroom soup or else with the baked crab and brie bread pudding — the description alone is enough to make your mouth water.
Moving on to the meat… "The Steak" is a 12-ounce sirloin strip steak with a crunchy char and juicy interior. Accompanied by mashed potatoes and veal demi-glace, it’ll satisfy the appetite of die-hard carnivores.
If your appetite is on the smaller side, the 8-ounce prime sirloin "Club Steak" should fit the bill.
While beef — and meat in general — is an integral part of this menu, you do have other options. Try the seared salmon, one of the Italian dishes or, if it’s comfort food you desire, there’s always meatloaf.
The Oregon Club is open for dinner every day, except for Monday, and is located at 117 Oregon Rd., Ashland, MA 01721. Have you dined at this converted speakeasy? Share your experiences in the comments.
To get the speakeasy vibe without leaving the city, you should visit Carrie Nation in Boston. Heading out to the suburbs? Then check out these other fantastic eateries while you're there!
While food is the core of a memorable meal, atmosphere plays a significant part in the overall experience. The styles of these restaurants - not ranked in any order - vary widely, however, they all offer divine food prepared in a beautiful venue. Keep these 10 eateries in mind next time you're looking for a meal that will stand out in your memory long after you leave:
For creative cocktails, steamed buns, and thoughtfully plated sushi in an unforgettable setting, head to Red Lantern. As the name indicates, a stunning array of red lanterns dangle from the ceiling, casting a dim yet warm light throughout the restaurant. This creates a romantic ambiance that’s ideal for date night. Red Lantern is located at 39 Stanhope Street in Boston.
This snug, intimate restaurant evokes the atmosphere of Italy without feeling clichéd. When it comes to appetizers - such as goat cheese spring rolls and fried calamari - Panza knocks it out of the park. The pasta is as fresh and delicious as you’d expect from a North End eatery. You’ll find Panza at 326 Hanover Street in Boston.
While the decor at Top of the Hub is perfectly pleasing, your awareness of the interior fades as soon as you catch sight of the panoramic views over Boston. The vistas are so captivating that it’s hard to tear your eyes away for long enough to read the menu! Top of the Hub is on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower, located at 800 Boylston Street in Boston.
Wrought iron details, city views, and superb French and Italian fare combine to make Marliave a historic dining destination you won’t want to miss. It is located at 10 Bosworth Street in Boston.
Since meatballs are comfort food, you don’t usually associate them with beauty. However, the interior of this restaurant may change your mind. Rich hues and charming details unite to create a relaxed and quaint dining space. Choose your balls (beef, Korean pork, veggie, chicken, lamb, gluten-free beef), select a sauce, then add a side. You can also get Swedish meatballs and sometimes even turducken at this restaurant, which is located at 429 W Broadway in Boston.
If your design tastes tilt toward clean-lined spaces, you’ll appreciate the subdued elegance of Deuxave. Wine lovers also won’t be able to help but ogle the library of wine bottles decorating this moody space, and once you’ve paired your vino with the locally sourced, modern French cuisine served here, you’ll be convinced that life – and Deuxave - is beautiful. This restaurant is located at 371 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston.
If you’re not craving a cheesesteak dumpling or a kimchi burger, it’s probably because you didn’t realize they were on the menu at this inviting Korean restaurant! With its slick interior and vivid artwork, Koy engages all of your senses. You’ll find it at 16 North Street in Boston.
Parisian charm abounds in Aquitaine, a petite French bistro with an especially appealing bar area. Come for the eggs dishes and glazed cinnamon rolls during brunch or come for dinner and enjoy the steak or duck. This restaurant is located at 569 Tremont Street in Boston.
It’s the fetching city views you can enjoy from Mamma Maria that really make this Italian restaurant visually appealing. Inside are five separate dining areas, each with its own flair, but your eyes will undoubtedly be drawn to the windows. Depending on your table, you may be treated to views of skyscrapers, green copper architectural details, or North End neighborhood scenes. Mamma Maria is located at 3 North Square in Boston.
For craft cocktails and modern Italian fare in a delightfully Art Deco setting, dine at Teatro. With its open kitchen and dramatic décor, there’s plenty to admire in this unique space. Head to 177 Tremont Street in Boston to experience this restaurant firsthand.
Have you visited any of these establishments? Which other pretty places would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments.
A foodie city like Boston has so many restaurants that it can be hard to stand out from the pack. However, these eateries have that covered. From unique uses of space to unexpected themes, these 9 restaurants make a lasting impression:
Is it a bar, restaurant, bookshop, or a record store? Tres Gatos, nestled inside a converted house, is actually all of the above. The eatery specializes in Spanish tapas and is especially popular for Sunday brunch. Next time you’re in the mood for something quirky yet intimate, head to 470 Centre Street in Jamaica Plain.
Another restaurant that blends unexpected spaces together with slick and intriguing results is Liquid Art House. If you’ve ever wanted to at a gallery where the visual feast for your eyes is rivaled by the feast on your plate, then you’re going to want to dine here. This restaurant is located at 100 Arlington Street in Boston.
While you’re diving into succulent chicken atop waffles or kimchi fried rice, you can’t help but be fascinated by the décor in this Asian fusion restaurant. The vibrant street art murals really make this spot memorable. Visit 9 Tyler Street in Boston to see this place for yourself.
Clink is housed inside the old Charles Street Jail – now the Liberty Hotel. The hotel has fully embraced the jailhouse theme; yes, those are prison bars incorporated into the décor. This fine-dining restaurant uses plenty of local ingredients and the theme continues into the on-site bar, Alibi. Stop by the latter for a pre or post-dinner drink. Clink is located at 215 Charles Street in Boston.
Fan of the 80s? Then this Breakfast Club-inspired diner will thrill you to your retro-loving, neon-socks-covered toes. You might not find big hair and shoulder pads inside, but you will be treated to a soundtrack of 80s hits, memorabilia from the decade, and meals with entertaining monikers. How many chances do you get to order a basket case? This restaurant is located at 270 Western Avenue in Allston.
While a case can be made that any artisanal French bakery deserves a visit, this one offers croissants, macarons, and other dinky delights that’ll transport you straight to Paris. Open kitchens are fun, but if you have a sweet tooth, open bakeries are simply enthralling. Watch through the glass as pastry artists craft sweet treats and, please, try not to leave drool marks. Throw on some forgiving pants and head to 517 Columbus Avenue in Boston.
Clover isn’t like other restaurants. What started as a food truck now has 12 Boston area locations where you can sample locally-sourced, vegetarian food. Expect an industrial-chic vibe, experimental flair, and budget-friendly prices. The rosemary fries are to die for!
There aren’t many spots where you can eat below a mock missile – it is mock, right? This dive bar is known for burgers, booze, and Communist-inspired décor. It’s also a great spot for live music. People’s Republik is located at 878 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge.
Dolphin Bay has the nautical theme covered. This Taiwanese eatery has turned furniture and structural elements into boats and lighthouses. The walls are adorned with murals and the whole effect is fun and cheerful. As for the food, you won’t regret ordering the popcorn chicken. Dolphin Bay is located at 72 Brighton Avenue in Boston.
Have you eaten at any of these places? What kooky Boston restaurant do you think is the coolest? Let us know in the comments.
