The warm weather is finally here, which means its time to start entertaining interns and summer associates, clients, and corporate groups. Check out Boston's new bars, clubs, restaurants, and outdoor and fresh-air-friendly venues for corporate picnics, company gatherings, and other types of summer entertaining.
1. Mija Cantina & Tequila Bar opened in Faneuil Hall over the weekend. Available for buyout, the space can seat 140 inside and 70 on the patio; the patio can also be booked out on its own. Two bars offer summery specialty cocktails and around 150 kinds of tequila, and menu options include chili-and-cheese burgers, lobster-jalapeno tacos, and smoked chicken tamales.
2. Open since September, Back Bay's Deuxave serves Persian-spiced Long Island duck breast, seared diver scallops, and crispy duck confit. Available for buyout, the sleek venue houses a 98-seat dining room that opens onto a 35-seat patio. Inside, two semiprivate dining areas each seat 18 and can be sectioned off with sheer, floor-length fabric.
3. On Liberty Wharf, Jerry Remy's Seaport opened in March. The 300-capacity space is available for buyout, and has a waterfront patio that can hold 150. Summery menu items include lettuce wraps, grilled mahimahi, and watercress cucumber salad with seared yellowfin tuna.
4. Met Back Bay, which opened in October, is the fourth venture from restaurateur Kathy Sidell Trustman. With two bars and two levels, the town house-turned-eatery serves shrimp curry, chicken potpie, and steak. The 60-seat terrace can be rented for private events, and is equipped with gas-heated lamps.
5. Legal Harborside opened a flagship location in the seaport district in April. The 20,000-square-foot venue—rumored to be the city's largest restaurant— has three levels, including a 4,000-square-foot roof deck that can host private cocktail receptions. The menu offers everything from oysters and fresh fish to pizza and small plates.
6. Around the corner from Fenway Park, Japanese restaurant Basho opened in April 2010 and has a 48-seat patio for alfresco events. Available for buyout, the 7,500-square-foot interior seats 250 across four separate rooms. A semiprivate dining room, curtained off from the main space, seats 100, while two additional private dining rooms seat 20 and 30, respectively.
7. Back Bay Social Club, which opened in the fall, has a seasonal 30-seat patio that overlooks Boylston Street and the Prudential Center. The main level holds 61; the downstairs dining room is available for private events and seats 66 or holds 130 for cocktails and appetizers. The American menu includes chicken and waffles, roasted leg of lamb, burgers, and fried fish.
8. Towne Stove and Spirits, a sprawling eatery with 397 seats, opened in August inside the Hynes Convention Center. A terrace seats 90 alongside a gigantic solarium. Inside, a 4,000-square-foot dining room for à la carte dining, private, and semiprivate events can be divided into three sections with curtains. Menu items include lobster dishes, Peking chicken, and wood-grilled pizza.
9. Sam’s at Louis Boston opened last summer on Fan Pier. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining and views of the waterfront. Design elements in the 15-cover dining room include aluminum diner tables, black leather seats, and white leather banquettes. Café seating is available at 40 tables on a wraparound deck. The entire space can host 75 to 100 guests for private cocktail events. Signature dishes include poached seafood with a light aioli sauce and steak tartare.
10. Italian chain Vapiano opened in June in the Massachusetts Transportation building. The restaurant offers upscale but casual fast-service pasta, pizza, and salads, and has two outdoor seating areas that when combined can hold 100. Inside, a private dining room seats about 20, and the entire 180-seat restaurant is available for buyout. Floor-to-ceiling windows open to the street, providing a seamless indoor-outdoor transition from the dining room to the patios.
