-- Boston's Hidden Restaurants --

75 Chestnut

75 Chestnut Street, Boston, MA 02108
(617) 227-2175 Find location!

Photo of 75 Chestnut, Boston, MA Hidden in the flats of Beacon Hill, one of the most beautiful parts of Boston, 75 Chestnut underwent extensive changes to its menu and decor awhile ago. No longer an elegant, expensive dining spot, 75 Chestnut is now a terrific neighborhood restaurant and pub that promises to be a popular place with diners who didn't want to (or couldn't) pay the high prices for the entrees on a regular basis. And while some may be disappointed in these changes to 75 Chestnut, this writer feels like they have made the right move.

75 Chestnut is not a large restaurant, but it is very charming with its dark wooden walls, its windows that look out at this quaint section of Beacon Hill, and its friendly bar area. One notable change is that the wall cutting the bar area off from the dining room is now gone, giving the restaurant a slightly more airy feel. The noise level in 75 Chestnut is a tad high at times, but not overwhelmingly so, and much less than so many restaurants these days that are exceedingly noisy. The menu is pretty much what you would find in a tavern (and much like the old pub menu at 75 Chestnut before the renovations were made), but with some items that you might not find in your typical pub, such as the salad with goat cheese and strawberries, or the grilled salmon with saffron couscous, veggies, and a lime reduction. One standout remains the bistro burger, which comes pretty close to O'Sullivan's in Somerville and Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage in Cambridge in quality. And the steak tips are equally good; the tips are cooked with delectable spices that make this a truly special meal. The turkey club is also excellent, with fresh bread, top-quality meat, and tasty field greens.

All in all, the changes made to 75 Chestnut are positive; there aren't many other classy looking neighborhood restaurants in Boston that allow you to have a great meal for under $20. And yes, parking can be difficult on Beacon Hill. But with a little patience (and a lot of quarters), you should be able to park within a few blocks of 75 Chestnut. Better yet, take the MBTA to Charles or Park Station and enjoy a leisurely walk through charming Beacon Hill. The walk will surely build your appetite for some of the best "upscale pub food" that you will ever have.