2 Boston Steakhouses Named Among The Best In The Country

A steak restaurant can be the ideal setting for numerous occasions. A holiday gathering, celebrating an occasion, or simply to have a hearty and delicious meal. Recognizing this, Food Network has published the best of steak establishments in America, and two Boston steakhouses were named.

The majority of the establishments highlighted are not chain restaurants. Meaning there are not multiple locations across North America. Additional requirements include the overall ambiance, and of course, prime cuts of meat. "There's never been a better time to be a beef lover," the Food Network states.

However, in addition to these places delivering flavorful steaks, there's another essential food requirement. That would be the side dishes. Sure, the steak is the main event, but if you want a true unforgettable experience, having equally as mouth-watering sides will put you on another level.

The two Boston steakhouses that were named among the best in the country are just a mile away from each other.

Yes, there are three Moo... locations. One of them is outside the city in Burlington, then there's another in the Seaport. The first at 15 Beacon Street is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are 11 different steak options on the menu. They are further accented by six sauces to choose from.

As for the sides, they are a great mix of classics and unique blends (like panko and parmesan crusted onion rings). And make sure you leave room for dessert. You can't go wrong ending the night with bananas foster or the milk and cookies.

Then, at 161 Berkeley St. you will stumble across Grill 23. "Since 1983, Grill 23 has been the independent steakhouse of Boston," they explain. There's a decadent raw bar at this high-end steakhouse. In fact, it's a common place to start when ordering off their extensive menu. Then, there are seven different steaks with the option to add nine different tastes. This includes everything from truffle butter to lobster tail.

As you are sipping your nightcap, you may want to bite into the warm chocolate chip cookies. Grill 23 has been one of the best steakhouses in Boston for 40 years now.

I'm a guy who moved from New Jersey to Boston; growing up, Sicilian pizza was pretty easily available. I incorrectly assumed that all Americans enjoyed this kind of pizza selection. However, when I moved to Boston, I realized that it's much harder to find that delicacy here. But there are also a few unique places that are cooking up Sicilian pizza in Massachusetts.

As an expert on Sicilian, I will tell you that it has to be prepared properly in order for it to be worth the calories. Here, I will detail three establishments where you can find great Sicilian pizza in Massachusetts. Sure, you may have to travel a bit, but these places are worth your time.

Before we cut into this delicious style of pie, let’s define our terms. Traditional Sicilian pizza is cut into square or rectangular-shaped slices. The crust is thicker and crunchy. Though this pizza is obviously heavier, it still can be topped with your favorite pizza add-ons. A sprinkle of oregano is a subtle but often important finishing.

Though strip pizza in Rhode Island is similar, one significant difference with Sicilian is that it is not baked on a focaccia style dough. In fact, Palermo Pizza NJ defines what distinguishes Sicilian Pizza and what makes it different from regular pizza. “The dough rises differently with this kind of crust because more oil is used in the recipe as opposed to a regular pizza crust recipe,” they said, when describing how this is made in a rectangular pan.

In Massachusetts, the three locations that are serving up great Sicilian Pizza are quite different from each other, but have this menu item in common. One of them happens to be a favorite of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Tucked into a quaint New England, Harvard Square street, Pinocchio's is where you need to go if you want Sicilian pizza of all varieties. It's also where you will see Mark Zuckerberg's photo all over the wall. This was the go-to spot for Zuck while he was attending Harvard. In fact, it's a place he still makes sure to stop into when in town. As for the pizza, there are 20 different toppings you can find atop the hot Sicilian pies. These pies come in a 9-slice or 15-slice size option. The 15-slice pie comes in two boxes and can feed up to nine people. During the school months, Pinocchio's stays open until 2 am on weekends.

At 289 Hanover Street in the North End of Boston, Umberto's can be easy to miss. However, once you recognize their old-school sign, you know you are in for a treat. They are old-school: it is a cash-only establishment where the large trays of piping hot Sicilian pies are continuously served. Typically, it's cheese only, but you will not be disappointed as no other flavor is needed. The single line usually reaches the door, but it moves quickly. It also gives you time to decide which arancini (their famous rice ball) you'd like to add to your order.

Leone's Pizza and Sub has been family-owned and operated since 1954. They are located right on Broadway and open seven days per week, from 8 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Their Sicilian pizza is the standard menu option here. It is available by the slice, in a half tray or full tray. The whole tray also comes in two boxes (16 slice) and costs $40. Their Sicilian pies also come in a tomato basil option and a spinach and garlic. Leone's sub menu contains over 30 options. This includes a fried meatball sub.

Right in the heart of Cleveland Circle, Pino's is a fan-favorite of Boston College students. Though the crust is a perfect combination of pillow and crunch, the secret here is actually in the sauce. Pino's describes it as "delicious, garlicky tomato sauce with in-house seasoning, cooked on a pan." $20 gets you nine Sicilian slices at Pino's. If you want to add variety to your order, they also have alfredo pies, white pies, and buffalo chicken. Like Pinocchio's, Pino's stays open until the early morning hours on the weekend to help accommodate the college crowd.