lmarkarian11's Profile
Ice Cream Parlor/Soda Jerk/Drug Store with Counter?
There is also Cabots on Washington St in Newton.
Private dinner for 15 - ESK, Dante, Sorisso, Stella, Upstairs on the Square?
Avila on Charles Street South, across from the Transportation Building has a couple of nice private rooms and easily reached for anyone downtown or by T. Might be a little too expense account-ish for your group, though you seem to be looking at some upscale places.
One thing I will say about Stella is it is super noisy so if you want to do toasts, etc. that would not be my first choice unless they are willing give you most or all of the back room. Also, it is not really near the T, though it is on the Silver Line (bus)
Best French 75 in town?
Definitely Kingston Station, but not bad at Brasserie Jo. Best avoided at Banq.
Going to see Wicked tomorrow. What's good
There are a few interesting options a few blocks away on Kingston Street, literally a five minute walk from the Opera House -
Kingston Station - new, French bistro style, good food, good bar, not too expensive
Good Life - interesting food basically American with a twist and good drinks, too
JJ Foleys - burgers and beer
Give yourself a few extra minutes, walk into each one and check out the vibe and see what suits you. Prior to the show they may all be quiet, afterwards there may be a bit more lively scene if that is what your are looking for.
There is a bar and restaurant in the Hyatt, too, though I haven't tried them.
Dog-Friendly/Outdoor-Dining
Also the patio at Rocca, I have seen dogs and their diners there. There is outdoor seating at Flour and the Buttery if you are looking for sandwiches, both are very dog friendly, as is Toro I think.
Perfect Date Place in South End
I agree with all these suggestions, it really depends on the atmosphere that suits you best. However, I'll add a rec for patio at Rocca, it is so lovely out there, not too noisy, spacious, service and food generally good, if not better. The summer is wanning so it might be good to take advantage of a lovely al fresco experience. I think it will be memorable. Oh, they do take reservations, but not for the patio, because of the chance that weather will not permit outdoor seating, but each time I've gone there I've been able to sit outside.
Coffee Shop near NEMC/Chinatown
There are a few coffee shops in the South End, but most are small, and really busy, so probably not good study spots: Flour (Washington Street) The Buttery (Union Park & Shawmut) Francesca's (Tremont St) is larger and probably a bit more what you are looking for. There is a Starbucks on Tremont, too, a few blocks away from Francesca's I see people studying in there all the time. These are all about a 20 minute walk from Tufts, or you can take the Silver Line down Washington St, and either get off at Union Park or the next stop for Flour. You may want to check Flour out just for the food, it is great. Enjoy!
South End Dining
I think the challenge for you is going to be seating 16 people together at many of the nicest South End places. . .
The newly opened Gaslight seems to excel at big tables, I've been in in a couple of times and I've see large groups. The food is good, atmosphere interesting, somewhat noisy, which may annoy older people in your group. This place represents a new twist on South End dining, less expensive, but still has an interesting edge, and the food is recommendable. One nice advantage of Gaslight is that if anyone has a car, parking is free.
Another place to consider if you are hoping to keep the group together is 647 Tremont, they have a fairly nice private room in the back, which might be fun if this is a group that is never together, but really wants to be together. It features a large rectangular table, but I'm not sure what the capacity is.
Any of the places recommended above would be great especially if you can get a host to work with you on placement of smaller groups at tables clustered together. You may want to take a walk around one night early and stop in and talk with the hosts at the places you are interested in and see what seems to fit your needs. A good host will make all the difference.
Good luck and I hope you end up having some fun and a good meal, too!
Toro for brunch?
The brunch is good, I think you can get a mimosa before Noon, but not positive. They have a PBJ on steroids that is really good: Marcona almond butter, membrillo and bananas on crunchy toast, really good; and the french toast is great too. Every time I've been there is has been pretty quiet, I don't think many people know they serve brunch. They also have some outdoor street-side seating.
Dinner and a Movie
Teatro is closed at the moment, I think it is going through an upgrade, though not sure.
The Beehive
The food is average, the service average. I had a really lousy experience upstairs at the bar yesterday. Fifteen minutes to wait for a draft beer, no eye contact no I'll be right with you. The bar was busy, so what. The host/manager was jerky about where we were standing, not close enough to the bar, but in the *empty* dining area upstairs.
For management with as much restaurant experience as they collectively have you'd think this place would have its act together, but I would say it has a way to go. Lines seem to form around 9pm on the weekends, I don't think outdoor seating is open yet. If I were you, I'd go elsewhere.
Boston Area@ Copley Place-Italian
Also in the South End: Sage and Rocca, both good. Rocca has a lovely outdoor patio. Sage(Washington St) is definitely walking distance (15 mins from the Westin) through the South End, you couldn't ask for a nicer walk in the city. Look at mapquest and walk down Union Park, you wont be disappointed. Rocca(Harrison Ave) is not far, a few blocks further than Sage, but those few more blocks are a little more urban/gritty and depending on your sensibilities you might want to take a cab. If you end up at Rocca you may want to ask the host to call you a cab for your return to the Westin, since you won't be able to get one on Harrison.
Organic or ethnic restaurants near Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge?
The Helmand (afghani food) is within walking distance, past the mall a block or two off EDBlvd. It gets mixed reviews on the Boston Board, and I have not been in a year or so, but always enjoyed it when I worked in that area. Not organic, but has some good veggie options if that is important. Boca Grande near by has decent burritos if you need something like that.
Sun. Brunch in Central Sq. Camb
Thanks for all the replies, we ended up walking to a place called Zoe's, which used to be Johnnies Luncheonette, a while ago, in the mall where the Dolphin Restaurant is near Harvard Sq. While the place was packed and service fine, it is your basic pancakes/french toast/eggs breakfast, though they serve their full menu. I ate the crunchy french toast with bacon on the side and iced coffee, I think it was fine, but wouldn't send anyone to Zoe's if they had other more interesting options. Breakfast for two was $25 with tip, so compared to some of the other options, this is definitely a way to go out for breakfast if you don't want to spend a lot. (lots of families and groups of students as you might expect)
Sun. Brunch in Central Sq. Camb
I'm having brunch tomorrow with a friend who lives in Cambridgeport, but who eats out rarely. If we wanted something walking/short distance what do people recommend? Rendez-Vous? Does Central Kitchen serve brunch? I've never been to the Blue Room's brunch and it gets a pretty animated response here. Others? Thanks!
Best frozen margaritas?
28 Degrees (Appleton St., South End) has a good bar featuring a changing frozen drink, currently a frozen Belini using the slurpee style machine. I'll bet they can produce a good frozen margarita, but I have not tried it.
http://www.28degrees-boston.com/flash.html
Alfresco Dining
224 Boston has a few tables out front (Dorchester)
Garden of Eden - Tremont St. - maybe too city/traffic & crowds (S. End)
Stella - Washington St (S.End)
Red Fez - Washinton St. (S. End) (mixed reviews here)
Joe V's - Union Park (S. End)
Orinoco - Shawmut Ave (S.End)
Red Fez up, Red Fez down
I was at Red Fez last night party of 6 - lots of pita
Service mezza mezz, but amiable
Bar quiet
Food good, especially for grazing with friends over a bunch of small plates
The party was a lot of foodies who eat at restaurants all around the city. I think Red Fez's big problem is dramatic inconsistency, so you can have a great experience on the patio with free parking and lots of interesting food and nice cocktails.
Or you can have lousy food and lousy drinks brought to you by a careless server. If you've had this experience one time too many, than its not worth it.
I had a mostly positive experience last night and the location/parking combo is extremely hard to beat if you are trying to get people together after work, from lots of areas around Boston who drive to work.
Its too bad for the Red Fez, it should be a gold mine.
Geoffrey's is BACK!!! In Roslindale Village!!!
I also have fond memories of the Geoffrey's on Tremont St in the South End, now Mela. . .I can almost conjure up some of the tried and true dishes they served there. It was a regular meeting spot for me and lots of friends and neighbors. The 2nd Comm Ave location was definitely disappointing if you were hoping for the South End incantation. Roslindale diners are in luck with a great neighborhood place if Geoffrey's is returning to its culinary/service standards.
tuna tartar options...
Tuna tartar is still a great dish. I like Sibling Rivalry's version, Good Life and also the Franklin when they have it. There is an interesting tuna/citrus tapas at Toro which is also worth the trip, not always available, though.
Yays and nays from Trader Joe's, lately [OLD]
If you like/love olives try the tapenade in the refrigerator section - two varieties one with crushed feta, the other cheese free. Both delicious with the TLC Crackers! A great appetizer for a crowd of foodies for about $5.
Freeze Dried Rambutan at Tj's
I bought a bag on a whim and did like it. Very interesting stong fruity/savory flavor and smell, the texture doesn't help its ability to entice eating. It is kind of sticky, but with a popcorn-y texture. I offered to a bunch of friends and it got mixed reviews. If someone offered it to me I would take a piece, but probably wouldn't buy it again. Though I do recommend trying it if you are curious.
New England Pride - Gift Foods? [moved from Boston board]
I like Sweet Sloops from Harbor Sweets. Really delicious toffe covered in white and brown chocolate dipped in nuts,shaped like a sloop. People generally love them
http://harborsweets.com/sweetsloops.html
Where to buy Marron Glaces/Candied Chestnuts?
You can buy them at Teuscher's on Newbury St, but only through next week. They are only available around Christmas. 6 for $24.
