The Must-Try Dining and Drinks Spots That Are Opening Along the Waterfront

Dining at InterContinental Boston is about to turn a completely new leaf after nearly 20 years thanks to a brand new northern Italian steakhouse concept. Matria is set to take Provence-inspired brasserie Miel’s place, and cocktail bar Bar Fellini will replace rum-forward bar RumBa. These refreshed culinary experiences are also occurring alongside the opening of The Loyall Counting Room, an exclusive speakeasy nestled away from the hotel’s hustle and bustle.

We sat down with Matria’s Chef de Cuisine Jeffrey Bianchi to find out what’s in the works in Matria’s kitchen—fine cuts of steak, rich pasta dishes, and no shortage of fun breathing new life into the hotel’s long-respected beverage and foodscape.

Matria is open now, and we do know one thing: It’s going to be gorgeous. The space was already a go-to spot for romantic meals and anyone wanting a high-end Boston waterfront dining experience, but after a full renovation, we can only expect Matria’s new ambience to be a breath of fresh air—literally, as the outdoor patio facing Fort Point Channel is one of the most picturesque backdrops for dinner in the city.

“It’ll be a good date night spot,” says Chef Bianchi. But he also says the space and cuisine is suitable for romantic dinners, families, or friendly gatherings.

Chef Bianchi will be at the helm of the Matria culinary journey, which he’s been painstakingly developing ahead of the restaurant’s opening. You can expect authentic Italian flavors, rare cuts of steak compared to existing Boston steakhouses, and an extensive wine list.

These elements are inspired in large part by Chef Bianchi’s trip to Northern Italy earlier his year.

“We went to Piedmont, which is known for some of the most famous wines in Italy and rare white truffle,” he says. Chef Bianchi was able to taste favorite dishes at highly sought-after Northern Italian restaurants thanks to the direction of a local tour guide, and he gathered notes from each bite and each sip as they traveled throughout the region.

“It was inspiring to experience some of their pastas and aperitivos for the bar,” Chef Bianchi says. “We definitely gained perspective and took away some great ideas from this exploratory visit.”

He was especially inspired by a visit to the Università dei Cani da Tartufo, in existence since 1880, where they train dogs to search for the White Truffle of Alba that grow in the ground near tree roots. “We had different bites with fresh-shaved truffle and fresh pasta,” he says. The stand-out dish from truffle university: Tajarin, a rich egg yolk pasta with parmesan and a generous tossing of fresh truffle butter.

Chef Bianchi is thrilled to be creating his spring menu, which he says will focus not only on the rich Northern Italian ingredients and flavors, but also on local in-season produce to bring that noticeable freshness to each dish. Specifically: “[In the spring,] you start getting to your fresh peas, radishes, lettuces, and microgreens,” he says. Based on what’s available and what’s freshest, he says some dishes’ accompaniments (especially vegetables) are likely to change, but the base dishes will remain consistent throughout the summer.

To the Bar

Meanwhile at Bar Fellini, the successor of RumBa Bar, InterContinental’s Director of Restaurants and Bars Jenna Carlson-Carvalho is sure that the fresh sips will bring fun surprises and crowd pleasers to Boston’s dynamic summer beverage scene.

“The new cocktail program will be a mix of fun and flirty, and dark and mysterious,” she says. “[We’re] bringing flavors together you may have never considered blending. I want to surprise our guests’ palates and open their mind to what the future could look like for the Boston beverage scene.”

She also knows it’s important to pay homage to the classics you’d find in the Northern Italian regions. “Most of your old pals will have a new twist on them, giving them a slightly different identity.”

And as far as The Loyall Counting Room speakeasy goes, that same unique spirit powers one-of-a-kind cocktails in a dark, wood-clad and candlelit ambiance. Patrons relay a password to gain access to the space, and once they enter, enjoy a tribute to rebels and revolutionaries.

In short, get ready to taste the talent that InterContinental is bringing to food and beverage in Boston this summer—and it’s open now. Come hungry, come thirsty, and come ready to have your expectations for the flavors of Boston completely redefined.

To learn more about InterContinental Boston as both a hotel and culinary destination, visit their website.

This is a paid partnership between InterContinental Boston and Boston Magazine