What was a Beacon Hill mansion in the shadow of the State House houses Barbara Lynch’s flagship restaurant. An expert staff—including talented bartenders and the splendid sommelier, Cat Silirie—hits the heights of professionalism. The pricey, French/Italian-inspired cuisine is rarely less than luscious, especially the finely wrought pastas.
Boston’s most exclusive niche, Beacon Hill is synonymous with wealth, lineage, and old Boston Brahmin. The area is almost unbearably picturesque, with its red-brick row houses and mansions, gas lanterns, and steep, narrow streets—some still cobbled. A short stroll unveils centuries-old architectural treasures that are nearly worth their weight in gold. You can, however, tour a couple of historic houses—and the sumptuous private library of the Boston Athenæum—to get a sense of how the other half lived during the 18th and 19th centuries. Once you’ve exhausted this tony neighborhood, find more to do around town by checking out our guides to the best restaurants in Boston, best live music in Boston, and best museums in Boston.
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