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RoseWethersfield's Profile

gluten free in inman?

Hi,

It's a friend's birthday. I'm taking her for a massage in inman. She is gluten free. (I'm so not.) Any good to great restaurants in Inman where we can both have lunch?

Thanks!

cost no object

When I was at Menton, Barbara Lynch recommended Salts to me. I recommend Menton. Amazing.

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Menton
354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

Anyone Been to Menton? Any Opinions?

Menton is amazing. I don't have time for a full review but I'll say that the service was impeccable, the food to die for (save room for the cheese plate), and the end of the night included some chatting with Barbara in the kitchen. There was both formality and graciousness. (I'm a student and did feel bad that we dropped $400 on a dinner for two -- that money could have fed a whole village in India -- but it was good enough that I'll do it again. )

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Menton
354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210

Business Dinner for 6 in Cambridge

Rendevous and Craigie are my two favorites. Check out both menus. If you don't know the guests -- go with Rendevous. Both have good bartenders/cocktails so if alcohol is also included you will be happy. Craigie definitely has the more adventurous menu and better wine list... Although I recently had a great lunch at Central -- I don't think it is what you are looking for (too casual, bistro). I had one disappointing meal at TW. And, if you were going to go to EVOO -- then, Rendevous is a better (similar) choice.

Private Wine Tastings - Boston Area

Dave's Pasta does something similar, I'm pretty sure. I've only done some of their classes and the sommelier is great. I'd give them a call...

Molly Ringwald at Upstairs

We were upstairs. Yep, it would have (maybe) been ok outside but not upstairs. We went to clink our glasses to toast the start of a special weekend and nothing. Nothing.

[It didn't ruin the wonderful dinner but I will hesitate before ordering a cocktail there again...}

10th wedding anniversary: is Oleana the best choice?

Rendevous is one of my favorites but doesn't seem special enough -- but maybe that is because I almost always sit at the bar. I would say the same for hungry mother. I didn't enjoy TW Food the one time I went...

How about ten tables? I love the food, it is special but still casual. I went to Rialto for RW and had a great time (I've been lots of times before to the bar but had never sat at a table and had a full meal). Since it is in a hotel, in cambridge, you don't need to be dressed but it is still white table cloth with impeccable service. (And, if you are driving, you can park in the garage for a discount...)

I am a HUGE fan of oleana and sometimes there is something special in what we know... Friends recently went there for a post-wedding, pre-honeymoon dinner. They alerted the staff and champagne was waiting on the table when they arrived.. This couple was delighted (although it was their first time there and a group of us had given them a generous gift certificate...)

I love Craigie but it doesn't sound like what you are looking for.

Where can I get a great brownie?

Petsie's

Molly Ringwald at Upstairs

Upstairs has this great cocktail -- the Molly Ringwald (gin, fresh grapefruit juice + elderflower) -- supposedly in the running for a "best of" in some national contest. Only problem: they serve it in a plastic cocktail glass! [Plastic!]

P.S. RW was fantastic. The mini lobster roll with the most perfectly crunchy + vinegary coleslaw was TDF (to die for). (So, worth the $10 supplement.) The corn three ways included an amazing corn chowder. And, of course...it is always worth splurging for a 4th course cheese plate. Yum! One cheese was more perfect than butter on bread.

"Meet the parents" dinner in Cambridge or suburbs

I really like Za -- it would be very low key with a bit of a sustainable twist. Rendevous is one of my favorite restaurants -- and it is casual but nice. And, if someone prefers cocktails to beer and wine -- you are in luck. The blue room might also work.

looking for a good/moderately priced restaurant near the MFA/huntington area

How about the Savant Project...it is in the other direction but seems to fit your requirements.

Medieval Manor Food Any Good?

OK...so I got dragged here early in the spring for my partner's niece's birthday. It is pretty much a buried memory but here is what I recall...

You really have to eat with your hands. There was some type of sliced bread. There were mussels in a watery broth. The chicken with dry and tasteless. The beer was watery and gross.

I mean, it is all just bad. Worse than a canned mushroom on a pizza hut pizza. I can't really even write about it. But, everytime my partner doesn't want to go to a work or social obligation all I have to say is: the manor.

Suggestions for a nice spot for drinks and apps, must be "conversation-friendly"

Gargoyles (in Davis Square) might be a nice choice You can reserve space in the lounge side which tends to be on the quieter side. You can order off the main and bar menus. I'm not sure I would call it elegant, though.

You could also consider Rialto in Harvard Square. I think you can get a table sectioned off if you wanted to be super "conversation-friendly." This would be closer to "elegant." It is T and parking friendly.

When I think of "elegant" in boston I tend to think Oak Room...

The Friendly Toast!

45 minute wait. Yep.

The Friendly Toast!

Underwhelmed. A friend and I went for a much anticipated lunch--Friday 1pm.. We waited 45 minutes for variations on the grilled cheese. It was Friday at around 1pm. (I almost forgot to mention the spray bottle of cleaning product and used cream container thingys that were on our table...). Contrived cool isn't worth the wait.

When is hungry mother gonna open for lunch?

Will the New Parking Rules Make People Think Twice About Dining in Somerville?

I moved to Somerville two years ago after 10+ years in multiple neighborhoods in Boston. Somerville is, comparatively speaking, a piece of cake to park in both with and sans resident stickers. I also would hate to see somerville become a place (like the South End) where residents didn't eat out in their own neighborhoods on the weekends because it was overrun with non-neighborhood folks. I live a block from the Highland and I don't worry about the highland. Good food, better bar, and impeccable service. The somerville elected/appointed officials often are smarter about this stuff, too. Residents and independent businesss (through groups like DARBI) have way more input into decisions. If this idea crashed and burned (for some reason), my guess is it would be revisited. Somerville is a pretty data-driven government.

Restaurants everyone seems to love but you don't

Garden at the Cellar. Consistently bad (that is being kind) service.

Boston Burger Co.

Is this place without beer? burgers without beer?

Chowhound Top Neighborhoods

I live in the Highland Kitchen neighborhood. I have to say that I've lived all over (Dorchester, SE, Newton, JP...) but the Highland is a real neighborhood bar -- perhaps the best neighborhood bar in the greater boston area. So...I vote for the neighborhood of the Kitchen -- we have a neighborhood bar and are in striking distance of some other great chow (Craigie, Tacos Lupitos, Oleana, Petsie's, Wine & Cheese Cask...)

Cambridge top 5 based on food

In this order:
1. Craigie (food is great, cocktails are fantastic!)
2. Oleana (I've never had a bad anything at Oleana)
3. Hungry Mother (if only the bar had more seats)
4. Rendevous (predictably good. one of the best values around)
5. Upstairs (I know they are all from formaggio but the cheese plate is always wonderfully presented. And, service is the way it should be...)

Stephi's on Tremont - Anyone go yet?

I have to admit, I've gone for snacks and drinks after an event at the BCA. The tater tots and mac and cheese were actually pretty tasty. The atmosphere -- well, I find it a problem when there is a lot of straight men (older) hitting on younger women in the SE. Not cool.

Wanted: Caterer recommendation (Cambridge)

The Basil Tree is in Somerville and is great. You could also try above and beyond in the south end -- I don't think geography is a huge deal in this situation unless you are trying to spend locally.

Best Champagne Cocktail

I second the Backyard -- it came into my life as I had started to say "I'm not really a cocktail person" -- Just what Laura-jean named muddled with cucumbers. This is really one of the most amazing drinks/tastes you will have on this side of the river right now.

Po' Boys?

Tonight Gargoyles had a soft shell po boy as the special. My partner had it and enjoyed it...although left most of the bread behind...

Dave's Fresh Pasta expanding

This is such great news! I once met Dave (and his wife) at a party. They are good food people -- and the tastings are great -- great value and a great way to meet neighbors. I owe my love of port (only discovered in the last year or so) to Dave! I highly, highly recommend the small classes at night. Probably not a better way to spend $25 or so on a weeknight.

Breakfast during the week in Cambridge?

I discovered Renee's this year and I love it for breakfast (only really beat out by two Provincetown places: Cafe Heaven and Devin's and Zaftigs in Brookline and maybe Delux in Watertown). Renee's has great egg dishes (including many specials each day). Very hearty portions. I have only been a few times but as I remember they are closed one weekday and only take cash. It is very homemade-ish...and the service can have just a tad of the hard edge of old Somerville...but I do think the food is better than most weekday places around here.

Is Sofra open on weekdays? I haven't been yet....

Arlington Lunch Spot

Hi,
Can anyone think of a decent place (atmosphere and food) to have lunch on Friday? Last time we met at garden in the cellar and liked it but arlington is more convenient. We won't want to be rushed.

Thanks,
rose

Pho n' Rice - Somerville

when I was in the other day all of the staff were excited about the pending arrival of zagats. I had a sparkling limeade (my fav drink) with my lunch and was pleased. a little dot ave right in my neighborhood. (or, I can imagine...)

Great Soup

Chicken soup at Garden at the Cellar
Chicken/rice/lemon soup at Greek Corner
Pho on Dot Ave!!!

Cupcake Deliveries

Two good places for cupcakes -- petsi's in somerville and quedabra in arlington. I'm not sure if either deliver.