Restaurateur Wellington Augusto opens his fifth restaurant, Mission On Fire in West Roxbury, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024.
The New York Times just released their fourth annual restaurant list, and one spot in Boston made the cut.
This list compiles 50 of the best dining locations across the country, which the Times calls their “50 favorite places” to eat in America for the year. Out of the 50, four are in New England, with one each in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
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While Dorchester’s Comfort Kitchen was the only Massachusetts restaurant to make the list last year, Somaek in downtown Boston is representing the state on this year’s list.
Somaek features traditional Korean dishes in a comfortable, intimate setting away from the business of Downtown Crossing. Chef Jamie Bissonnette says he fell in love with Korean cuisine while cooking with his mother-in-law Soon Han, to whom he gives full credit for the menu.
“We are thrilled to raise a glass to our team and celebrate being named among the @nytimes Restaurants List highlighting their 50 favorite places in America right now,” the restaurant posted on Instagram after being named to the list.
The restaurant is only one aspect of the three businesses currently owned by Bissonnette’s restaurant group. Located right next door is Temple Records, a music lounge and bar that takes inspiration from Japanese listening bars, and downstairs is a sushi counter and speakeasy.
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What to eat at Somaek
When it comes to the robust menu, writer Julia Moskin recommends classic dishes in The New York Times story such as chilled pork belly, seared beef and stir-fried squid with rice cakes.
Moskin also calls the Banchan menu “a master class,” recommending shareable sides like chive-garlic salad, radish kimchi and pickled perilla leaf.
How to visit Somaek
Somaek is open from 5-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 5-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.
You can find Somaek at 11 Temple Pl. in Boston. Discounted parking is available for customers in the Lafayette Garage at 1 Lafayette Pl.
Craft burgers, ‘not dogs’ and more: New Choo-Chew dining car on a roll in Somerset
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What other New England restaurants made the list?
Want to visit some of the other winners? Here are the three other restaurants in New England that made the New York Times’ top 50:
“No Kings” rallies are scheduled in Boston and across Massachusetts on Saturday and are expected to draw large crowds, organizers said.
Organized by the ACLU of Massachusetts, Indivisible Mass Coalition, and Mass 50501, the event is a mass mobilization in protest of the Trump administration.
The No Kings theme was created by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
“The Trump administration is trying to shred the Constitution; the No Kings movement is an unequivocal statement that we, the people, will not let that happen. This will be the third global No Kings Day, and it’s not just about protesting what’s wrong—it’s about building something better. We intend to show our power, build our power, and power a democracy that advances freedom, equality, justice, and dignity for all,” organizers wrote.
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The rally, one of thousands scheduled across the country this weekend, is planned for the Boston Common from 2 to 4 p.m. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend Boston’s rally. Other events are scheduled in Pittsfield, Northampton, Lancaster, Worcester, Framingham, Methuen, Lexington, and towns in southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape. For a map of No Kings events near you, click here.
Speakers include elected officials Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Gov. Maura Healey, Sen. Ed Markey and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and civic leaders Hessann Farooqi Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, Darlene Lombos, president of the Greater Boston Labor Council, Carol Rose, executive director of ACLU of Massachusetts, Jessica Tang, president of the American Federation of Teachers of Massachusetts, and others. It will be moderated by Rahsaan Hall, president and CEO of Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts.
There will also be performances by the Dropkick Murphys, Boston Area Brigade of Activist Musicians, BVOCAL Chorus, and Jimmy Tingle.
A previous No Kings rally in October drew massive crowds estimated in the tens of thousands.
NBC10 Boston
NBC10 Boston
An aerial view of the crowd at Boston’s “No Kings” rally on the Common on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
ALLSTON, MASS. (WHDH) – Boston police are searching for a gunman who opened fire in Allston Thursday and left one person hurt.
Police responded to a radio call for a person shot in the area of Brighton Avenue at approximately 6:46 p.m. When officers arrived, they said they found a male “juvenile” suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim’s age has not been released.
Boston police said the shooter fled the scene and remains at large. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Boston police.
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This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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