My Hidden Spot in Allston
Boston is a series of diverse neighborhoods. If you’re new to yours, you might be looking for a place to retreat. We asked around and found some secret gems -- this week, we’re in Allston.
You’ve probably heard time and time again that Boston is a series of diverse neighborhoods, each with its own personality. But if you’re new to your area, you might be looking for a place to retreat. This series, called “My Hidden Spot,’’ will feature a few Bostonians’ favorite spots in the neighborhood they call home.
This week, we’re looking at Allston.
Allston often gets a bad rap. As resident Will Dowsett said, “Allston usually gets the reputation of dirty and polluted with college kids, but it’s home to a lot of artists and cool people out of college who are really young and full of life.’’
Dowsett is a junior at Boston University. He has lived in Allston since September, but said he’s hung out there for over two years. In this time, he’s found some places that make Allston home.
The Refuge Café
155 Brighton Avenue
Dowsett said he loves the Refuge Café because it represents the diversity of Allston.
“You have your frat bros, your hipsters, your BC kids,’’ Dowsett said of the brick hole in the wall. “There’s a great mix of people who live in Allston and that’s why we like it.’’
Refuge sits on the corner of Brighton and Harvard, where the Allston Café used to be located. It offers your typical breakfast fare of bagels, breakfast sandwiches and coffee, but also has interesting lunch options like eggplant fries, a sweet potato salad, and a roast beef sandwich called the “Beef Nasty.’’
Dowsett goes to Refuge about twice a week for their sandwich called “The Allstoned Sunrise.’’ It’s a glorious combination of two fried eggs, melted swiss, bacon, avocado, and spicy mayo on multigrain bread. Dowsett said it’s “amazing.’’
He goes there for more than the sandwiches, though. Dowsett said the staff—“hipsters, punks, goths, and heavy metal guys’’—are a sundry bunch who treats customers like friends. With its wood-paneled walls, retro cream chairs, and diverse artwork, the interior of the café also reflects Allston’s eclectic vibe.
Silhouette Lounge
200 Brighton Avenue
Dowsett’s other go-to spot is this “rough-and-ready’’ neighborhood bar. With its brick exterior covered in graffiti, the Silhouette is hard to miss.
As Dowsett said, “It’s beat-up, but in a characteristic kind of way.’’
It’s basically a dive bar at its finest: free popcorn, a jukebox, darts, pool and $9 dollar pitchers of PBR are standbys at Silhouette, Dowsett said. There’s even Buck Hunter.
“It’s been around forever. It’s a good mix of people similar to the Refuge Café but more on the nighttime side. You can walk in and see any type of person you want to see, which is really awesome,’’ Dowsett said.
Dowsett said it’s cash only, though, so make sure you stop by an ATM to keep the pitchers flowing.
The Glenville Stops
87 Glenville Avenue
Austin Morris is an adjunct film and television studies professor at Boston University. He has lived in Allston for over two years now, and said Allston is a bit misunderstood. “I think people think it’s dirtier than it is,’’ Morris said. His favorite spot in the neighborhood is The Glenville Stops. It’s a relatively new joint – it opened this year – but Morris said that’s allowed it to remain a best-kept secret.
“Not as many people know about it yet, so you can really enjoy it,’’ Morris said.
Morris said the restaurant is close to Commonwealth Avenue, but just off of it, so “it’s pretty hidden.’’ The dark wood paneled bar and gold walls give it a cozy atmosphere, Morris said, and he finds the staff extremely friendly and knowledgeable. There are no TVs in The Glenville Stops, and Morris said it allows diners to actually have conversations with their friends.
The restaurant features interesting “Bar Bites,’’ like “Drunken Goat Cheese’’ and “Fried Shishito Peppers,’’ in addition to your more standard fare of burgers, salmon, and steak.
Morris recommended some of his favorites: “The lamb meatballs with tzaziki are really fantastic,’’ Morris said. “I like their steamed mussels, too. There’s this lemongrass coconut broth with it. It’s better food for the equivalent price of a tavern or something.’’
Stay tuned for hidden spots in next week’s featured neighborhood.
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