juanbatlle's Profile
Where are the great sit-down breakfast (not brunch) spots in Cambridge!?
I second S and S. Probably the closest to what the OP is looking for. Renee's Luncheonette near Teel Sq (might technically be in Somerville, but close enough), the big table at Toscanini's on the weekends is good in Central Sq.. Does Hi-Rise Bakery do breakfast sandwiches? There are 2 Cambridge locations. I can also second the Neighborhood, though in Somerville. Blue Shirt Cafe in Davis Sq.
Where have you always had a bad meal?
We've been to Sabur a few times. The food is good but not worth a drive. Mostly go there for outdoor seating in the summer which is very pleasant...
Anniversary review: Dante's was great!
We got 4 dough balls, no ice cream, with four dipping sauces (chocolate, caramel, raspberry, vanilla). You must have had the experimental fried ice cream balls! Sound delicious!
Anniversary review: Dante's was great!
In this thread (http://www.chowhound.com/topics/492414) I asked for last minute anniversary advice. We ended up at Dante's restaurant (in the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridgeside) and had a fabulous dinner. I didn't tell them in advance that it was our anniversary, but dropped that fact as we arrived, and they proceeded to wine and dine us (doesn't hurt to have a mid-winter reservation at a business hotel's restaurant). They comped us a glass of champagne, a glass of premium sake, a mid-course potato fritter, and a warm chocolate cake with ice cream on the side (with "happy anniversary" written in chocolate). And, because they had forgotten to bring our side of pattatine (basically gourmet french fries), they comped us those when they brought them (only about 10 minutes late). And the dinner itself was phenomenal -- pillow ravioli with vanilla parsnip stuffing and scallops on the side (app), antipasto misto app (thanks ssqwerty), gnocchi entree, niman ranch pork tenderloin special entree, and the budino de polenta (a creme brulee made with polenta) and the fried dough as dessert. We didn't buy any alcohol, and it was a very reasonable $100 before tax and tip (which I made stratospheric). All of the food was delicious, and we left feeling very comfortably full. The service was impeccable (from Chad/Chas/Chester can't remember), and the manager, Seth Y., was also incredibly attentive and nice. We will certainly go back and will definitely recommend it... Thanks to all who responded to my request for advice!
(I can also highly recommend the Kimpton Hotel, the Hotel Marlowe, across the street from Dante's -- we stayed overnight there through a cheap package deal on their website ($110), and they comped us a bottle of wine and some gourmet chocolates because they knew it was our anniversary, also upgraded us to a room with a view... Room was very nice. Again, helps to be mid-winter on a weekend at a business hotel!)
Last minute anniversary advice: Dante's or Salts?
Thanks for the advice! Since I've got a res at Dante's, I'll keep that. Thanks!
Last minute anniversary advice: Dante's or Salts?
Hello all! Celebrating my 4th anniversary tomorrow (Sat) and already have a reservation at Dante's. (Our first big romantic big-ticket night out after having kids November '06! Sad, I know). Having read through CH am wondering if Salts might be a better meal, though less of a view. Any thoughts? I was originally also considering Rendezvous, but that seemed a little too "ordinary" in terms of atmosphere for a special occasion, and the recent reviews on CH have been mixed. Also open to other Cambridge suggestions. Craigie Street Bistrot doesn't have tables to satisfy my last minute second thoughts....
Know anything about Kickass Cupcakes, Somerville?
I had an almost identical experience to davis_sq_pro's. Dry cupcakes, except for the vanilla. The people behind the desk were very abrupt / rude (Me: Do you have any kind of volume discount? Them: How many do you want? Me: Around 60 or so. Them: (Very curt) No. They're $33 a dozen.). Expensive small cupcakes (and no volume discount for 5 dozen cupcakes ordered in advance? who are they kidding? what kind of idiot businesspeople are they?). On the other had, they do have interesting flavors....
The Spotted Apron (across from MGH, where I work) has a similar feel (gourmet bakery with cupcakes, but also a wide array of other items) was better tasting and had much nicer staff (they noticed I had index cards in my pocket, wondered aloud if I was an employee at MGH, then offered me an MGH discount when I said yes). Spotted Apron also has the best black-and-white cookie I've ever had (mostly because I usually only really enjoy the vanilla part, but theirs has excellent chocolate). As per other posters, I'm going to go try Lyndell's now for a local cupcake place.
