Phantom Gourmet: Great 8 Underrated Restaurants

Sometimes the best places to dine don't get their due. These are Phantom's picks for the region's 8 most underrated restaurants.

Menotomy Grill
Arlington

The Menotomy Grill on Mass Ave in Arlington is a spacious restaurant with an open kitchen cranking out upscale tavern food. The Menotomy Double Cheeseburger is a two-tiered treat made even better with the addition of smoky tomato jam. Just as beefy is the French Dip sandwich served with a side au jus for dipping. The wings are definitely a must order, slathered with a zippy chipotle citrus.

Park
Harvard Square, Cambridge

Park in Harvard Square is a subterranean space that's big and comfortable with multiple, intimate rooms. The New American menu offers all your favorite comfort foods amped up. So the chicken wings are cured for twelve hours, deep fried to order, and tossed in a sambal and honey glaze. The patty melt is stacked on organic rye bread with housemade Russian dressing, melted American cheese, and slow-cooked onions. The New England Clam Chowder is anything but ordinary, loaded with apple smoked bacon, potatoes, onions and of course, fresh clams.

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Fairmount Grille
Hyde Park

Another Great 8 winner is the Fairmount Grille in Hyde Park. This laid back neighborhood spot serves food that's a big step up from your expectations. That's because the kitchen gets creative with all the foods you love, like addictive wings soaked in a raspberry habanero sauce, and juicy steak tips served over salad. Their meatloaf isn't anything like the one you grew up with.

Thirsty Scholar
Somerville

The Thirsty Scholar on Beacon Street in Somerville may look like a neighborhood bar on the outside, but inside you'll find a friendly space serving food that's way beyond your typical pub grub. There's hearty Shepherd's Pie chock full of meat, veggies and potatoes; and the plate-tipping Fish and Chips served with plenty tartar. The Skillet Roasted Mussels truly exceed expectations, soaking in a fiery cream sauce with toast points for dipping.

Raso's
Medford

Raso's in Medford is the kind of place you go to for old school Italian perfected for generation, from crispy pizzas topped with ricotta, garlic, eggplant and roasted red peppers, to oversized plates of pasta, And the steak they serve rivals anything in the city.

Masona Grill
Jamaica Plain

Masona Grill brings some Peruvian flavor to Jamaica Plain, in a romantic space with dim lighting, lots of red, and colorful artwork. Great combinations are found on every plate, like the crispy Eggplant Romano layered with ricotta cheese, plum tomatoes and garlic spinach. Dishes like the steamed Mussels are relatively simple, but simply mouth-watering.

Avenue N
Rumford, RI

Avenue N in Rumford, RI is the brainchild of chef, Nick Rabar. He and his wife Tracy turned a restored factory building just outside of Providence into a sophisticated space with a fun bar whipping up craft cocktails. The menu is certainly special, with crispy Rhode Island Style Calamari, big juicy burgers and a spin on corn dogs, amped up with Mac and Cheese and a Barbecue Potato Chip crust.

Nine Elm American Bistro
Danvers

Nine Elm American Bistro in Danvers is a small cozy spot serving carefully, well thought out dishes like a Cider Brined Pork Chop and a super tender filet topped with melty bleu cheese butter. It's their pastas that are perfection, meticulously hand crafted on site. The ultra-pillowy Butternut Squash Ravioli is simultaneously savory and sweet, and Rigatoni Bolognese made with ground veal, pork and lamb is the house favorite.

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