The chefs below make some of the best food in Boston. But we wanted to know where they eat when they’re off the line. We’ve gathered a favorite affordable eat, splurge spot, and just the all-around top dessert pick in the city from these talented chefs who know food well.
Ken Oringer:
Ken Oringer, or KO as some people call him, is the owner of our favorite sushi spot in Boston, Uni, in Back Bay. He is also the owner of the incredible Little Donkey, Toro, Coppa, bar pallino, and recently opened Faccia a Faccia. Ken’s restaurants are some of our favorites in the city, so we can trust that he has great taste in food!
These are Ken’s favorite spots to grab a bite:
Affordable eat: Mahaniyom (Thai cuisine), Brookline
Splurge: Sarma (Middle Eastern), Somerville
Sweet: Gelato and Grappa at Contessa, Back Bay
Irene Li:
Irene Li is the incredibly accomplished, James-Beard award-winning co-owner and co-founder of Mei Mei, an Asian-fusion dumpling specialty operation that started as a modest food truck and recently expanded into a 4,000 square-foot dumpling factory in Southie! Mei Mei is the birthplace of the infamous Boston scallion pancake sandwich the “Double Awesome” which comprises of a scallion pancake vessel filled with homemade local-greens pesto, gooey cheddar, and a runny egg.
Check out Irene’s favorite picks for when she’s not enjoying her own wicked awesome creations:
Affordable eat: Taiwan Cafe (Chinese), Chinatown
Splurge: Spoke Wine Bar (American/Tapas), Somerville
Sweet: Breadboard Bakery Galette des Rois (or anything), Arlington
Joanne Chang
Joanne doesn’t need an introduction, but in case you’ve never been to Flour Bakery, she’s the mastermind behind Boston’s quintessential cafe. From the Flour Sticky Bun to every sandwich on that impossibly delicious trademark focaccia, Joanne and her team put out nothing but perfection. Joanne and her husband, Christopher Myers , are also the duo behind the delicious South End Chinese-fusion spot, Myers + Chang- which is a Boston Uncovered favorite!
Check out some of Joanne’s own favorite bites below:
Affordable eat: Boston Kitchen Pizza (Plain cheese pizza with extra sauce), South End
Splurge: Ostra (seafood), Back Bay
Sweet: Baked Alaska at Oleana, Cambridge- we’re going to have to agree with Joanne on this one!