Take a Time Out
by Sarah Finkel
Photo courtesy of Time Out Market Boston
The newest major addition to The Fenway neighborhood is Time Out Market at 401 Park, located on a sprawling green adorned with corn hole boards and a striking water fountain sculpture created by contemporary artist Nicole Eisenman. On the same site lies Trillium Fenway, a greenhouse-concept taproom serving fresh pours year-round and a major hit at the recent Oktoberfest event kicking off the season.
Time Out Market couldn’t be better located, at the center of a vibrant Fenway community that is coming alive with each new installment placed on its turf, especially with 401 Park serving as its playground. The market itself is an upscale labyrinth of restaurants, selected and curated by Time Out’s food editors to create a balanced assortment of Boston’s best bites.
Among some of the featured eateries are Saltie Girl, Craigie’s, Gogo Ya and Tasting Counter, popular Boston hotspots that are normally booked up weeks in advance. With counters open at Time Out, patrons can instantly sample these long-awaited cuisines by stopping at each vendor and retrieving a buzzer that rings once their food is ready. Meals are served with real kitchenware and are cleared off the rustic wooden tables by trained Time Out Market staff.
Rachel Leiner (COM ‘20) frequents the market after a long day of classes wrap up on east campus.
“It’s super accessible to BU students,” Leiner said. “Time Out Market has definitely become a go-to destination for Bostonians and tourists since it opened a few months ago. Each vendor really brings something delicious to the table, with little overlap in food genre.”
The food hall serves as both a gathering space for students and the working population of all ages, a place to convene for drinks and food of every desired flavor in a laidback, communal atmosphere. The greenspace in front of the market also provides the best combination of leisurely dining and socializing—for as long as the warm weather persists, at least.
“It’s a great way for city residents and visitors to familiarize themselves with what’s going on in the growing culinary world here,” Leiner noted.