Ask the Editor: Post-Wedding Family Dinner with Nice Views

Welcome to Ask the Editor, Boston magazine’s dining advice column. Need a restaurant recommendation? Ask a pro.

Photo courtesy of Temazcal

Question:

Do you have any suggestions for restaurants that we could go to with our families after a City Hall wedding, downtown or in the Seaport? A private room would be nice but not a total necessity. Maybe somewhere with a nice view, or outside. We’re thinking either Latin food, or maybe like American/steaks.

—E.G.

Congratulations! Love will certainly join you, wherever you go, after such an occasion. But here are some thoughts about restaurants your new, larger family might all love.

Temazcal definitely fits the bill for a nice view: The upscale Mexican restaurant in the Seaport overlooks Boston Harbor, including from both of its semi-private event spaces. It also boasts a large, waterfront deck, and the interior is quite stunning, too, with high ceilings, cool chandeliers, and rustic-chic barn board—plus windowed doors open to the outside on nice days and nights. The menu spans the full Mexican-inspired gamut, from big, loaded salads, taco plates, and fajitas, to specialties like scallops al pastor, and braised short rib chile relleno. There are celebratory drinks aplenty, too, from 250 tequila options to pitchers of sangria to share. (250 Northern Ave., Boston, 617-439-3502, temazcalcantina.com)

Though not Latin-leaning nor red meat-heavy, Trade is a nice option right downtown. The menu, designed by James Beard Award-winning chef Jody Adams, is Mediterranean-inflected American fare with a lot of veggie-forward options, like roasted cauliflower with serrano-raisin sauce, capers, and cilantro; and pan-roasted Statler chicken breast on a lemon verbena-soubise puddle of maitake mushrooms, asparagus, and snap peas. There are also creative and flavor-packed flatbreads—wedding-day pizza party, anyone?—and entrees like thirty-layer lasagna; grilled steak frites; and pistachio-crusted Atlantic halibut. It has a 30-seat private room that could work for your group, as well as a nice patio overlooking the Rose Kennedy Greenway. (540 Atlantic Ave., Boston, 617-451-1234, trade-boston.com)

For the steak lovers in your party, might I suggest the Downtown Crossing location of Boston Chops. It’s formerly a bank—which means there are one-time vaults serving as private dining rooms. Cool! Besides the swanky interior, the menu is also impressive. Prime steaks are in the $50 range, with elevated steakhouse sides like poutine-style twice-baked loaded potato, pork belly mac and cheese, and creamed spinach gratiné. There is also a lovely selection of offal, if you’re into it; and nice cuts for sub-$40, plus composed entrees, like Giannone fried chicken, and pappardelle bolognese. (52 Temple Place, Boston, 617-982-7130, bostonchops.com)

Finally, though it’s in Kenmore Square rather than downtown or the Seaport, consider Eastern Standard. It’s a stalwart Boston celebration location, for several good reasons: The large, brasserie-style beauty—with comfortable, brass-studded booths and a marble bar top—has an intimate private dining room, and an energetic outdoor patio. The crowd-pleasing menu really does offer something for everyone, from cheese and charcuterie to oysters to a smoked pork chop with rutabaga and figs, and more (including steaks), plus must-order house-made bread pudding for dessert. But mostly, it’s the welcoming, knowledgeable service that makes this a great special-occasion place. (528 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-532-9100, easternstandardboston.com)

Best wishes for your upcoming “I do,” and bon appetit.