Is there a better place to celebrate the Fourth of July than Boston?
In Newton Highlands, 51 Lincoln
is serving à la carte picks of New England clam chowder, BBQ chicken,
North Carolina pulled pork, beef brisket and housemade hot dogs. Eat
in and be served picnic-style, or take out and have your picnic
elsewhere (617-965-3100; reserve online).
UpStairs on the Square in Cambridge is going all out for the holiday with an outdoor grill fest July 3–4 at lunch ($20) and dinner (à la carte). On the 4th, at the restaurant's Monday Club Bar, the Mid-Life Crisis Jazz Band will perform with guest singer Judith Murray at 8:30 PM; there's no cover (617-864-1933; reserve online).
Also in Cambridge on the 4th, chef Michael Madden is planning a finger-lickin’ barbecue bash at OM. Expect an à la carte spread of burgers, ribs and sausages, done up with the restaurant's trademark creative flair (11:30 AM on; 617-576-2800; reserve online).
If you'd rather do your Fourth celebrating at home, Legal Sea Foods has you covered. The beloved chain is offering a "Grill Lover's Special" that feeds six and costs only $85. You get six 1/2-lb. Angus steak burgers, 12 extra large scallops wrapped in applewood smoked bacon, 1 lb. of jumbo raw, peeled shrimp (approximately 16 to 20), 1 pt. of Legal’s own vinaigrette marinade for shrimp and six fudge brownies (call 800-343-5804 to order).
For a party right on the water, it's hard
to top the luxury cruise ship The Odyssey, which is offering special
lunch and dinner cruises to celebrate American independence. Friday,
July 3, it's hosting a "Fireworks Summer Breeze Dinner Cruise" ($104.90
per person; 7 PM boarding, 8–11 PM sail) and on Saturday you can go for
a lobster lunch (starting at $65.90; 11 AM boarding, noon–2 PM sail) or
enjoy the 'works on the dinner cruise (starting at $149.90; 7:30 PM
boarding, 8:30–11:30 PM sail). For more information call 866-429-9283 or click here.
The fun doesn't stop on the 4th, either. About a half dozen Boston restaurants will compete for the title of “Boston’s Best Chowder” the next day at the 28th Annual Chowderfest at City Hall Plaza. More than 200 gallons of New England’s signature dish will be ladled out between 11 AM–6 PM ($10 adults, $7 children under 12; call 617-227-1528 or click here for more information).