Pinxtos (NE USA Edition).

Summer holidays, July 2023.

Contessa

My first point of call in Boston was an immediate reservation at Contessa, located on the rooftop of the Nebury Hotel. Checking in for a sunset reservation was the best option, and the venue was buzzy. The menu offers basic Italian dishes in a bustling environment. Service is attentive, but after being awake for nearly 20 hours, I have difficulty choosing and ultimately default to (what else?) scallops, USD46. While the serving size is large — America! — I find my plate boring and with sloppy presentation. Across the table, nothing else looks particularly appealing (steak, chicken, and a sad pizza).

Would I return? No, probably not. I’ve definitely had better scallops. The company was fabulous, but I know Boston can do better.

Sister Ship

For pre-dinner drinks and snacks, we had reservations at Sister Ship, a quaint location in downtown Nantucket that does exceptionally creative all-day dining. For a party of 13 (!), we were seated on the outdoor terrace at different tables. Ther…