PlanetEye

If you are in Boston and have a hankering for either outstanding barbecue or amazing seafood (or both!) head across the Charles River to the East Coast Grill in Cambridge.

East Coast Grill is as fun and lively as quirky as its Inman Square neighborhood.  ECG's bar is known for its seriously yummy margaritas - no mixes, only fresh squeezed limes are used here.  ECG serves a most excellent sangria too.

The blackboard over the bar lists the day's specials. The adventurous menu reflects a fusion of several influences - Caribbean, Latin American, Asian and the Deep South, that together are fairly unique to the Boston dining scene.

When I visited, the "fried freshest available local fish o'the day with damn good French fries" was blue fish. The blue fish was crispy light - and the French fries were pretty darn good too.  Another special-the tile fish with fresh pineapple salsa- was cooked to flaky perfection.

ECG has an almost cult-following among barbecue aficionados. There are several top-notch barbecue dishes here, but the Uncle Bud trio is a total barbecue experience on one platter- two Memphis style (dry) spareribs, shredded pork, beef brisket, baked beans, cornbread, cole slaw and a hunk of watermelon to wash it all down.

ECG is hugely popular and only takes dinner reservations for parties of 5 or more for Sunday-Thursday evenings.