Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Food Editor

Rachel has been covering the Boston-area restaurant scene in various capacities since 2008, including nine years as editor of Eater Boston. A Massachusetts native, she currently resides in Medford with her husband, sons, cat, and too many (mostly dead) plants. When not writing about food, she's playing music or buying yet another cookbook she'll never use.

@blumie
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Fried chicken sits on an egg on a thin bun with a side of leafy greens.
Restaurants

Shy Bird Opens in South Boston

Plus, Simcha is reopening, the Dogwood is closing, and more Boston-area food news.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
A paper basket full of fried chicken tenders is flanked by small plastic cups of four different dipping sauces.
Restaurants

Nantucket Continues Its Takeover of the Seaport with the Expansion of Stubbys

The all-day Nantucket restaurant plans to open a Boston location in spring 2023.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
A Thai dish features thin slices of pork in a salad full of fresh mint and lime slices.
Restaurants

Laughing Monk Cafe’s Expansion to Allston Showcases Northeastern Thailand’s Fiery Cuisine

The menu at the tiny new location, now open in the former S&I Thai space, features dishes from the Isan region.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Two tall buildings rise next to a busy city street.
Restaurants

Hallelujah, Eastern Standard Is Making a Comeback

Plus, restaurateur Frank DePasquale has a couple of new projects up his sleeve, there’s a new Anna’s Taqueria in town, and more local food news.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
A cocktail garnished with copious mint and an umbrella is served in a mug shaped like Santa's pants and boots. A Christmas tree is visible in the background.
Restaurants

Three Holiday Pop-Ups to Visit at Boston-Area Bars This Month

Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and winter vibes with decorations and themed cocktails galore.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Interior shot of an empty, brightly lit bar with a large beach mural featuring a surfboard and a Jeep, plus light wood accents, shelves of liquor bottles, and a green plant wall with neon signage reading Fresh.
Restaurants

Tropical Cocktails in South Boston, Tacos on Mission Hill, and More Local Food News

Plus, fun things to do in the coming weeks—and a few local gifts to buy for the holidays.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Slices of raw scallop are garnished with big toasted corn kernels and sliced green chili peppers, all sitting in a bright yellow broth.
Restaurants

Cambridge’s Peruvian Gem La Royal Gets National Attention

The Celeste sibling is the only Massachusetts spot in Esquire’s collection of the best new restaurants in America this year.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Overhead view of a half dozen oysters with a brownish sauce and a couple pieces of bread on the side.
Restaurants

Pescador Brings a Tequila-Soaked Seafood Party to Kenmore Square

The second Boston venue from New York’s Blue Ribbon Restaurants has arrived, and it’s a globe-trotting look at seafood dishes from Latin America to Europe.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
A woman holding a beer is wearing a small dog in a forward-facing carrier and smiling while petting another dog that is licking her face.
Restaurants

Greater Boston’s Getting a Dog Bar (and More Local Food and Drink News)

Plus, three food events to put on your calendar this month.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
A sandwich on a round bun sits on a white paper on a silver tray. The sandwich is stuffed with a big hunk of cheese, greens, and slivers of red apple.
Restaurants

Eat Sandwiches Full of Sunshine at Shirley in Davis Square

Open since late summer and born out of a pop-up, this Somerville sandwich-and-more shop wants you to eat food that makes you feel good.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
A dim room illuminated with blue lighting features lounge seating and a karaoke machine.
Restaurants

Sake-Drenched Karaoke, the Rebirth of a Favorite Beer Bar, and More Boston Restaurant News

Plus, three delicious pop-ups you’ve got to attend in the coming months.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Overhead view of a bowl of soup with a dark broth, a boiled egg, pieces of fried tofu, crispy pork belly, and a scallion garnish.
Restaurants

Three Comforting Soups to Try around Boston This Weekend

Travel from Thailand to Turkey to Nigeria with this trio of warming dining recommendations.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Two long loaves of babka are brushed with a clear glaze.
Restaurants

Three Greater Boston Bakeries to Try on This Crisp Fall Weekend

The brown-butter chocolate chip cookies of your dreams, Haitian American treats, and babka galore.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal
A magazine cover features the headline Top 50 Restaurants and an overhead view of a bowl of Peruvian tacu tacu, with mussels and other seafood.

The Top 50 Restaurants in Boston

It’s highly curated, completely subjective, and 100 percent ranked according to us: Our annual guide to the places you need to try right now.

A pizza is topped with crumbled sausage and fresh basil and has a bubbly, charred crust.
Restaurants

What’s Your Favorite Pizza Style in Greater Boston?

We’re polling readers to learn whether Neapolitan-inspired, South Shore bar, New York-style, or another kind of pizza served locally is the best of the best.

By Rachel Leah Blumenthal