Cafe tosca is across the street from Tosca...not Trattoria Alba, which was in Quincy and no longer exists. my mistake.

Given your criteria, I would suggest:
- Tosca (probably the best combination of food and bar, with prices to match); could consider Trattoria Alba across the street too
- Burton's (it's a chain, but has good food and good bar)
- Scarlet Oak
- Add to list - Alba (Quincy)

Other reactions:
- Alma Nove probably fits the bill, but I haven't been - so I can't vouch for it.
- El Serape Braintree (Good food w/ bar, but might not be a "special dinner" spot)
- Fat Cat - bar is only good if you are sitting at it, and it's unlikely you can get seats at the bar both before and after dinner. Plus they don't do reservations.
- Sintra is good, but a bit sleepy I'd say. Not a lively bar scene.
- Gennaro's does not have a bar (I don't think) - it's a casual spot
- I don't particularly care for Spazzio
- Pembroke, Norwell and maybe even your weymouth options are further out of the way than Hingham, if you have someone coming from Scituate.

Sintra also does lunch now, and I think I like the lunch menu even more than the dinner one. Very reasonable prices, and my first experience was quite positive. Wife got the cobb sandwich, which was excellent...if a tiny bit heavy on the blue cheese if that's possible. My pork and chorizo hamburger was interesting, but could have benefited from lettuce and tomato. Had a good chorizo flavor, but I don't expect it to displace a beef hamburger any time soon. I can't wait to go back, as I think every sandwich on the menu sounds worth trying at least once.

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Sintra
906 Washington St, Braintree, MA 02184

Funny - i went to Tony's for the first time today. Your description of their onion rings is spot on. I'm not sure they should really be allowed to call them "rings"...since none of them completed the full circle. And yes overcooked - wish I got the fries, they looked pretty good.

Had the clam roll from Tony's - it was ok. Got a sandy one to start, but the rest of the roll finished strong. Would have liked a buttered, grilled roll - but it was fine. Glad I finally tried the place, Clam Box (or maybe Burke's) is next...

I'm neither a quincy folk nor an Alba lover, but I was happy for the heads up on this place. I just got back and had one of those crackstrami sandwiches...which was very tasty. I had it simply with mustard on marble rye (they also offered light and dark rye). The pastrami was the best I've had in the area, with my current favorite coming from Murray's deli in Braintree. I'm equally excited to try the brisket next time, as it looked amazing. based on the looks of the bird unfortunately, I'm not surprised to hear it was a little dry.

My wife had their basic chicken salad (they also offer a cranberry-walnut type), which she enjoyed on a bulkie.

Maybe what they will excel at is not interesting spreads & breads, but rather well executed deli basics...which would be fine by me.

Was also interesting that their sign claimed to be a "butcher shoppe" as well - they must not have that part of the operation running quite yet. Overall, I'm excited about the addition - though agree they have some kinks to work out. Oh, and it was not very busy - so hopefully business picks up for them

My wife and I went to Helmand last night with a three month old...I have to say the hostess didn't seem to thrilled, but that might have just been her demeanor. Everyone else was more than pleasant. It was a great meal and did not feel inappropriate or awkward at all. We went around 5:30 on a Friday, so there was a sparse but growing crowd.

It was my first time there, so I tried some of the basics...Kadoo, Lamb Chops...both very good. The bread and sauces were very interesting, and a carafe of house wine was really inexpensive, All around, a very good experience, and I look forward to going back and being a bit more adventurous.

My wife and I went a couple of times in the laste spring / early summer, and it was good as always. I had their outstanding short ribs dish (wrapped in canollini (sp?)), as well as a tasty, slow-roasted swordfish that I believe was a special. My wife likes a very simple pasta dish they do with shrimp. The one thing I was not crazy about during our last visit was the crab cakes...as they were not of the lump crab variety. But I do like their oysters and the clams casino.

Given your other favorites, I would definitely recommend adding Sintra to the south shore rotation.

My wife and I went to Lucca on a Friday night before taking a red-eye, and it worked out great. It's in the North End (Hanover St), and a quick cab ride to the airport after.

They do dinner until 12:30 I think, and it was quite busy with late diners the time we went.

I agree with most of those suggestions but given your time constraints, I would think Bia, Square Cafe and Tosca might not work.

I would consider Cafe Tosca and potentially Scarlett Oak Taven as places you coule eat at the bar and get in-an-out in an hour.

Other options, if you choose to take route 3A, would include Punjab Cafe for Indian in Quincy, or Crow Point Pizzeria in Higham (great Buffalo chicken calzone, calzones in general...and pretty much good anything...).

Live in Braintree, and El Sarape is probably the restaurant I frequent more than any other. Sorry to hear you had a bad experience, but I don't think its representative. I've never had any dirty glasses, but I will admit to the occasional hot margarita glass when they're busy...not ideal, but I just drink it fast and hope the next one's cold!

Also, would suggest some alternatives from the menu to anyone who is considering a trip. I tried both the tacos and enchiladas early on, and they are nothing special (though I do like the enchiladas mole, but I don't mind dark meat).

If you like enchiladas, try their burritos which are very similar to an enchilada - two tortillas of chicken and cheese with your choice of green or red sauce. I strongly prefer their green sauce, which is delicious. Another standard, safe option are the fajitas.

My personal favorites are the pollo en salsa de mango and the carne asada plate, which comes with an enchilada, chorizo and guac. The guac is really good, though portion sizes are small (two scoops for the app...nothing like Angela's bowl - yum). Also think they do a good mole, and their nachos (refried beans, cheese, jalepenos) are simple and delicious. That said, the regular chips and salsa are good too - if a bit oniony.

Love their margaritas, and the service outside of one surly guy is excellent. Give this place a try if you're in the area.

Since this thread continues to resurface, I'll throw in a positive nod to Boca Grande. I would definitely consider it solid...in the area, Skampa (roast beef, pastrami, fried fish, chicken/"chicken-salad" salads) and Boca are my go-to places for lunch. Granted it's not the most competitive area, but these two turn out good food.

In particular, I would say I've never considered the tortillas to be thick or dry, and the smoke is actually a positive in my book. The grill is right there front and center, and they're just throwing a nice char on a huge volume of chicken every day - and the smell of the grill is always welcome in the middle of a workday. The smoke doesn't deter most folks from lining up out the door. In terms of the meat, I like the chicken colorado, but also find the carnitas and carne asada to be good options...just depends on which bin looks tasitest that day.

I'll side with you that it's not spectacular, and the beans and pico are far from inspired (I favor the black beans)...but it's a big, solid, yummy burrito. I just wish it wasn't so cold all the time for my walk.

I would recommend a couple mof places nearby on Newbury St:
Sonsie - I particularly like their pizza and salads, little bit of a "sceney" atmosphere
Tapeo - Tapas, good if you think the group will be into sharing dishes. Fun atmosphere, upstairs is brighter and more lively
Casa Romero - Actually in an alley off of Gloucester St near the corner with Newbury. Pretty good mexican - like their mole, fajitas, sangria. Subterranean, cozy atmoshpere

Like Parish cafe - but be advised its mostly upscale sandwiches. Ate at Brasserie Jo the other night and was a little dissappointed - but not a bad option. I don't mind the summer shack...but not if you are dressing up to go out.

I would recommend some restaurants in that area on Newbury St.
Sonsie - i particualry like their pizza and salads, little more of a "sceney" atmosphere
Tapeo - tapas, fun atmosphere...upstairs is much brighter / lively
Casa Romero - Mexican (actually in an alley off Gloucester St. by the corner of Newbury). Pretty good mexican, good sangria...subterannean cozy atmosphere.

How about 75 Chestnut, or Figs on Charles St.? Both are on the flat end of Beacon Hill, which would give you simple walking access to the Public Gardens. Both seem like good places for a group of friends getting together.

I enjoy Fat Tire for similarly nostalgic reasons as well. Turned 21 while living in Jackson, WY...and it will always bring me back to that time, what little I can remeber about it.

Lots of reasons to want a beer - many (most?) of which have little to do with technical merits...

Too bad it's not available here, but in some ways it can be one of the fun things about traveling back to the west side

Well thanks to you and your family for all the great corn as I grew up...it will always be my point of reference for farm stand. we never found Penniman to be quite the same

Curious how long ago, as I grew up in Hingham buying corn from a stand until they closed (by the Jr. High). so good. Haven't found a farm stand to replace it yet...

Live in braintree now, and this thread has me looking for an option. Looks like Milton may have something based on the farmfresh.org link above (though no corn!). keeping my fingers crossed. anyone have any thoughts for my general area? I'm not very optimistic, as I don't see many farms around here...

Gennaro's is good, you should try it out. It's a good option for heavy italian food. I generally get take-out, and be warned that their portions are ridiculously large. they are closed on Sundays I believe.

I particularly like their eggplant parm, chicken gennaro, pizza and calzones. They also make very good bread and provide a half loaf with pasta orders.

sorry to hear about giomatti's - that was our occasional alternative to gennaros, and we liked their white bean dip for the bread...

oh, and the onion rings, which are thin, crsipy, greasy and pretty much awesome...I somehow blocked these out of my memory, but no longer.

damn you chowhound.

I agree...and tend to get the "jr. beef." Skampa also has good salads (chicken kabob, chicken salad), with nice bread and house dressing. also worth trying their fish and chips and pastrami sandwiches. i eat lunch there all the time.

I'm pretty sure they do have a new chef, and that was the driver behind some of those more up-scale items...so hopefuly it's just better now. My parents live nearby and it's a go-to place for them

Just to answer my own question about the Ocean Club...it's probably not on your list because the food is atrocious. Ate dinner there recently with four people, and between us we had the baked haddock, baked scallops, and steak tips. The seafood was borderline inedible, and the scallop plate had a hidden steak tip surprise amidst the pile of scallops...nice touch. Best part was that they all came out with not vegetable medley as advertised, but rather a gigantic helping of heavily spiced, mashed butternut squash...like it was thanksgiving. it was weird and horrible.

that said, still looks like a decent place to have an outside drink...just don't eat...

Outside the city, but right right next to a comuter rail stop is El Sarape in Weymouth Landing (actually located in Braintree). Sounds close to what you want. Great food (carne asada with chorizo and enchila plate...), great margaritas, spanish-speaking staff.

Taqueria la mexicana in Union Sq. Somerville (now that they have the full bar area) would probably be a good bet too...but this would be a bus or cab ride to the nearest T stop. actually, this place might be the better option is the goal is to get sauced...as it feels more like a bar with good food

I agree with gini's suggestion. Bridgeman's has good food, and is a favorite of mine in the area - but less fun / casual, and the outside seating does not have the same views. prices can run high there too.

Curious why the Ocean Club (I think that's what it's called) doesn't make your short list. I have not eaten there - so can't speak to the food - but the outside area right on the beach could be a nice option.

Used to love the biggy iggy, but have not seen one in a while. As an alternative, I made my own yesterday from Roche Bros. prepared double-chocoloate cookies + some mint chocolate chip ice cream. much better than any of the pre-made ones...

I recently used Famous Dave's to cater a party. They provided servers, warming trays, plates, silverware and clean-up....and it was great. I did not have them do any grilling on site though, so I don't know if they can help with that particular request.

Cafe Asiana, which is in the same area of Campanale's, Sintra and Olympian has good Thai food and would hit the price point.

My sister was there yesterday and was told that Saturday hours would not start until memorial day...I hope she's wrong. Let us know what you find.

She also thoroughly enjoyed ther experience, and ran into a chowhounder on a cross-coutry tour. her reaction to newmarket sq.: "where am I??"

Went last night. Couple of notes:
- It is afghani
- Tried the kaddo. It wasn't my favorite, but I have not gone to the Helmand, and have no point of reference for what it should taste like.
- Had the rack of lamb with an eggplant side, and my wife had the chicken kabob with a spinach side. Not the most adventurous of options, but we were both very happy with our meals. The lamb was flavorful and well cooked.
- We took it to go - not much atmosphere to speak of...
- We were the only ones there and it felt like we had a personal chef. they were very friendly.
Overall, a nice new option in my opinion. Look forward to other thoughts.

Probably not what you're looking for, but for convenience I sometimes get takeout boneless bufffalo wings from the 99....and i believe there is one in charlestown

If boneless is an option, Wing-It used to be my favorite option...though I have not been in some time. i believe it's on comm ave in brighton