Puritan & Co. co-owner and chef Will Gilson has a reputation for making good friends — and then making even better food with those friends. Whether it’s the official public unmasking of bro-mouthed Instagram celeb Chef Jacques La Merde, or a celebration of the life and recipes of late (local) hero Julia Child with chefs from around the city, Gilson has his Inman Square doors open for dinners that cultivate community, creativity and always awesome cuisine. The 32-year-old Somervillian shares his favorite spots to dine out and snap an Insta.
Eat like an insider: Will Gilson
Provided
Best place to catch up with friends
The bar at Tavern Road is a lot of fun. Tenzin [Conechok Samdo] is doing some really innovative cocktails there and it is lively and had great energy every night. 343 Congress St., Boston, tavernroad.com
Best hidden foodie gem
The food that Chuck Draghi is doing at Erbaluce has consistently been some of the best Italian in the city since he opened. I owe a lot of credit to him for me becoming a chef and he really was one of the first chefs that taught me how to fall in love with cooking. 69 Church St., Boston, erbaluce-boston.com
Most Instagrammable dish in town
The “Grande Plateaux” at Townsman is definitely the most instagrammable dish in town. I have about 20 photos of the same dish on my phone —it is all this one. It brings the “wow” factor. 120 Kingston St, Boston, townsmanboston.com
Go-to date spot
I love going to Sarma. It is the perfect date night spot for us. The food, atmosphere, and drinks all hit the right notes for a romantic night out with my wife, Molly. 249 Pearl St., Somerville, sarmarestaurant.com
Best late night meal
The bar at Eastern Standard is my absolute favorite place to go after a shift ends. The food and drinks are always great and the bar staff are all friends, so it is a perfect way to wind down in a comfortable place after a busy night. 528 Commonwealth Ave., easternstandardboston.com
Best place todine alone
Dining alone at a sushi bar is always the way to go. I like watching the sushi chefs at Cafe Sushi when dining alone. 1105 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, cafesushicambridge.com
Place you always take or recommend for out-of-towners
Everyone who comes to Boston and asks me where to go gets sent to Coppa in the South End. It is the perfect Boston restaurant from food to service to design. 253 Shawmut Ave, Boston, coppaboston.com
