My views may be skewed but there are pieces of each opposing argument I agree with wholeheartedly. I worked in the marketplace through college waiting tables and loved hanging with locals/industry folk/drunk tourists in Ames Plow after each shift. Many years removed, I have friends who I had introduced to this specific watering hole long ago who still work downtown (I do no longer) that go there several nights weekly to patronize one of several familiar bartenders. Building rapport, as suggested above, goes a long way in making things more affordable
. Same goes for the vendors in the Bull Market/Food court -- it may be specifically for fellows in the trade, but locals are far from absent or underserved here.
HOWEVER, aside from getting my grease or MSG fix, the food of many QM vendors aren't the best bargain for the quality. Convenience, though? Totally worth it. I would love a spot clean (to an extent) over the whole property, but I'll take the dirty mix currently in place over Frost Ice Bar in a second.
Quincy Market needs a moderate aesthetic updating but not a top-down overhaul. I'm looking at the Seaport to have what they are proposing here in terms of swank/luxury offerings and "new" tastes. I hate the street performers for the years of tips they've stolen from me, but I still made enough money on their account from the international tourists they attracted.
If you hop off a jet and come to Quincy Market, like a surprising majority of European and Asian tourists do, you see something unique. Put a bunch of upscale craft cocktail bars and tasting tables on the second floor of the central market and you could be anywhere in the world.
I'm not saying let the price-gougers gouge, but let's let New Boston take place in the Seaport, which needs an identity. Quincy Market has one that is working pretty damn well, though it needs a spot clean.
