Lucca on Hanover Street for Italian
or
Lock-Ober on Winter Place for Fine Dining
or
Union Oyster House for Clam Chowder and raw bar.
last but not least for seafood -
33 Restaurant on Stanhope Street.

What Bob said, but, take mom home before dessert at Slyders.  If you want to avoid the city, traffic, parking, etc.; there are some lovely places not too far away.
Heck, centre st. in jamaica plain has about 20 ethnic places with everything from tekka maki to cheeseburgers, or so I've heard..
F

It was fabulous. Superb food, great atmosphere.

When I visited Boston I had put up a post asking about where to find the best steak in Boston. Several people suggested that I try Grill 23 and to ask for a seat upstairs.I did just that and was very pleased.
Hope you enjoy your visit as much as I did!

Davios - great steaks and northern Italian.

OMG you Boston peeps are the best!!

Thank you soooooo much everyone for the info/help (the PMs too!) I really, really appreciate it!

I've never been to Boston and so was at a total loss and a little hesitant about asking for help. Im so happy i did, you guys rock.  With all that great info i bet i can find the right place that will make everyone happy. I'm sure it will be just the kind of special night i want it to be.

Wow are you guys always this nice?

I took a client friend there for his birthday a few weeks ago-it was awesome.

I know I should really really love L'Espalier... and I do...

But I think its sister restaurant, Sel De La Terre, is such a better place. I know, I know. What a terrible thing to say? But sometimes, I feel the moniker of "best restaurant in Boston" makes L'Espalier try too hard. When you're a restaurant that's not looking to get that Michellin star, you can relax a bit and just ENJOY cooking, rather than being stressed out about it. And I feel that shows in the two restaurants.

Don't get me wrong, L'Espalier is great, but I feel that it tries too hard. If you want something similar, but less "in the spotlight", I think Meritage is the most overlooked "fine dining" spot in the city. With great harbor views, and a wine list that is huge but not daunting, and unique menu (no apps, 25 entrees that you can get in app or entree size that are all wine-paired), I think its a treat. If you haven't been, go. You'll be surprised.

I have avoided L'Espelier ever since it re-openned. I like its sister restaurant, Sel De La Terre, for its low-key vibe and Provencal flair.

But Kate's mention of it piqued my interest again.

So I went last night.

What a tremendous achievement. I know the chef, Frank, from some stuff and he was in the kitchen that night. The sommelier is a charming woman who I also know from life and so with two experts, I was ready.

The tasting menu ($185 per person) was about 14 2-bite courses and was extraordinarily filling. I was ready to raise the flag around the cheese course, but soldiered on through the chocolate. While each dish was exciting and fresh and beautifully plated, the Hebi (a hawaiian fish) served over a hot malaysian salt block and finished tableside with a miso broth was the best part.

Michellin-starred restaurants always stress me out because the staff is as on-edge to commit to perfection, but it was relaxed. Maybe because I sort of knew the staff, or maybe the new room is less cramped than the old one. The room is comfortable, like a modern living room, with big windows and good light. The wine cabinets are translucent so you can see some of the beautiful bottles they have.

I was shocked. It is really a magnificent, comfortable place and has moved away from formality into a more comfortable setting. The platings and ingredients alone are worth it. I put it up there with Clio, 11 Madison Park, Daniel and Providence (though certainly not OVER), with Alinea and French Laundry being the only restaurants in recent memory that topple it.

If you've got 4 hours to kill, a VERY empty stomach and a desire to try something memorable, try the new L'Espelier.