At the upper end of Newbury

A marathon favorite becomes a world class hotel and restaurant

By Walter & Patricia Brooks

The policy for years at Boston's Eliot Lounge was to award every Boston Marathon finisher with a complimentary Sam Adams. Until it closed its doors for good in 1996, no Boston Marathon experience was complete without a complimentary Sam Adams at this official-unofficial marathon watering hole.

The "#4" rooms on each of the Eliot's nine floors looks out on Commonwealth Ave. with the Hancock tower on the right, and the other side windows look at the

Charles River with the MIT dome in Cambridge in the distance. Click images to enlarge.

But this magnificent Neo-Georgian edifice was spared the wrecker's ball and completely remodeled into a superb, small, luxury hotel.  Its 79 suites and 16 guest rooms are exquisitely decorated and all rises above one of Boston's newest and most acclaimed restaurants, Clio.

At The Eliot Suites in the fashionable Back Bay, you are steps away from the bookstores, shops, boutiques and restaurants of Newbury Street and still within easy reach of Boston's medical and biotechnology centers and universities. It's fair to say that guests at this four-diamond hotel bask in the luxury and service experienced in the finest European hotels.

From the moment you enter you will be impressed with the refined details cultivated throughout the hotel. The 79 suites and 16 guest rooms are exquisitely decorated and outfitted with the finest amenities.   Signature robes, complimentary overnight shoeshine, marble bathrooms, high-speed and wireless Internet access, and nightly turn down service are a few of the features that you will enjoy.

Clio, a restaurant to remember

You should also plan to have dinner at the James Beard award-winning Clio Restaurant which is the current rage of Boston gourmets. We tried the rack of lamb from one of the best farms in Pennsylvania. It was pan-seared and oven roasted.

Clio is swanky and romantic. This petite Eliot Suite Hotel dining room is “where the chic eatâ€�. You can relax on Clio’s plush banquettes, surrounded by leopard print carpet and warm yellow candle light. Chef Ken Oringer’s contemporary French-influenced cooking draws on a world of ingredients and flavors and promises orgasmic taste sensations.

It's pricey, but as my mother always reminded me, "Walter, you get what you pay for," which despite her dangling preposition was good advise which I follow to this day. An even better example of her advise can be savored at...

Uni Sashima Bar

Chef Ken Oringer's sleek Uni Sashimi Bar is a contemporary fusion of French and Asian cuisine prepared by gifted chefs.

The Kumamoto oysters in Uni are remarkable, and

my wife wants Uni's Foie Gras as her last meal.

We began with tiny, remarkable Kumamoto oysters. These fresh (flown in from Japan) raw oysters are served on the half-shell arranged on a mound of ice in a black ceramic bowl. Decorated with a pansy flower and fresh Japanese fruits, each one was drizzled with Japanese citrus mixed with soy sauce and vinegar,  and caviar.

More impressive yet was the sea urchin from Santa Barbara  which came in a green-apple wasabi foam and was held together by a white nori crust.

We were truly awed by the presentation of each dish.

Other favorites included the fish taco which are fried miniature wafer-thin taco shells filled with grilled halibut, avocado cream and tomato salsa; crunchy Maine lobster with spicy Singapore black pepper sauce; and lobster sashimi with a fresh jalapeño-cilantro dressing. If you have the money to spend and a taste for delicious Japanese food, then the Uni is the place to go and is easily the best sashimi bar in Boston.  Try the chef's selection. If you are dying for a Nobu moment, this is the place to experience it.  The menu has about 20 items all priced in the $12-20 range.

The portions are not large here, so be prepared to order a number of dishes.  An evening like ours will cost a couple over $200, but again, my mother was right, and what is the value of a dinner you will remember forever?

Six types of sake are offered, and most are expensive. Try Uni's light house brand at $5 a cup.

The desserts equaled all which came before. We had the citrus soup and hot chocolate beignet. The latter is fried doughnut with creamy chocolate inside.

The staff was knowledgeable and attentive.  Clio also offers catering for private events and meetings at the hotel.

The Eliot is offering several Weekend Escape deal through the end of the year, see here.

DIRECTIONS:

The Eliot Suites, 370 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston. 1-800-44-ELIOT

From Cape Cod & the Islands: Take Route 6-West over the Sagamore bridge to 3-North. Take 3-North to 93-North.

From Newport and Providence, RI; Take 95-North to 93-North.

In Boston;  Take 93N into Boston to Exit 18, for “Massachusetts Avenueâ€�. At exit, go straight onto Frontage Road Northbound, then turn left onto the Massachusetts Avenue Connector. Move into the right hand lane and at the traffic light, turn right onto Massachusetts Avenue Northbound. Take Massachusetts Avenue northward for just over 1.5 mile. Pass by the side of The Eliot Hotel by crossing over Commonwealth Avenue and continuing straight for 2 more traffic lights to Beacon Street. Make a left on Beacon and take your 1st left again on Charlesgate West. At the next light, make a left once more onto Commonwealth Avenue. Move into the right side lane, as The Eliot Hotel will be 1 block on your right. Valet parking is available in front of the hotel.