The Parker House used to be the standard answer – home of the Parker House Roll and Boston Cream Pie. It’s still there, but I think it’s part of the Omni Hotel chain, which might violate your criteria. Last time I ate there, it was still very good (and expensive), but at least it’s not an import, like most of the other Boston upscale restaurants, and it’s an old standby.
There are many good restaurants in that price range in Boston and the surrounding towns. Maybe a couple hundred, though I haven’t eaten at all of them.
What kind of food are you interested in? Is this for a date? Do you have any experience with fine dining? Where? (to get an idea of what you would consider “incredible”)
I love the Common Ground Cafe on Dorchester Avenue right near the hospital. They are closed on weekends, because it’s run by a Christian Collective sort of thing. Not really culty (although I call it the cult place), but all the waitstaff is heavily bearded or wearing floor-length cotton dresses with butt-length hair. There are pamphlets available, but nobody has ever proselytized to me there, except when a friend of mine kept talking about the Bible.
No red meat, but freshly baked bread, and (at least formerly) freshly churned butter. They have lovely sandwiches, and the house iced tea is wonderful - a mixture of spearmint, peppermint, honey, and lemon. The atmosphere feels like a hobbit hole, with a nice fireplace and tables that look like they were made from tree trunks.
I think it would be the Ashmont T stop. I would think it would still be safe to take the train if you were to be heading back to it by 9:00 or so, but I haven’t lived in Dorchester for eight years so things might have changed.
Actually, the more I think about it, yes, it is. I love the Parker Omni House, but it is way too expensive. I don’t want to impress this woman, I just want to lead her through a fun and (non-sexually) sensuous experience. The place should delight her eyes, ears, nose, and taste buds.
I have experience with fine dining, but that’s not really what I’m after. But my favorite places include The Chart House, Durgin Park, that sushi place in Allston (Autolycus knows it), and Captain’s Wharf (which burned down).
The reason I said no tapas bars is because that’s what we did last time, and it was her idea. I need to come up with something different and better. Common Ground sounds fun, but it’s pretty far south. She’ll ride her bike to our date, and she’s coming from Somerville.
Elephant Walk on Mass Ave in Cambridge is nice and in the $20-or-less-per-entree range. It’s Cambodian and French food, which is not as out there as it sounds. It’s mostly ingredients you’ll recognize and it’s very good. Depending on where she lives in Somerville, it could be a very short bike ride for her.
Hmm, Elephant Walk. I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s awesome. I’m sure she’s heard of it, and I’d prefer to take her someplace she’s never heard of, but lacking other ideas, that sounds nice.
What would be best is some really odd ethnic place that would totally throw her for a loop, like Afghani or Ethiopian or Swedish. I know of one Afghani place, but it’s hard for me to get to.
I liked the Pho Republique in the South End area. The decor is funky, very rough-hewn look inside with lots of colorful Vietnamese-style paintings and other art objects - definitely not subtle and might tend towards “tacky”. Atmosphere is casual. Most entrees are below $20; check out the dinner menu linked at the site. I seem to recall a T-stop not too terribly far off but haven’t taken the T there myself. The menu isn’t kidding with its description of “big bowl of pho” - it’s huge. The other entrees are generous in their portions as well. I doubt it’s terribly “authentic” but it’s yummy.
It’s not really ethnic, but Prose on Mass Ave in Arlington is romantic and has great food. It’s hard to categorize, as the owner/chef/server changes the menu daily based on what she finds at the market. It’s a hole-in-the-wall with fun, mismatched decor and few tables. You do have to be patient as it is mostly a one-woman operation, but our patience has always been rewarded. Get a bottle of wine and enjoy the company and ambiance.
I’d agree with the Pho Republic recommendation. Also in the area is the Franklin Cafe on Shawmut Street. Great little “hole in the wall” restaurant. Reasonable priced, no entrees over $20 and GREAT food. A word of warning though (actually two): It is a small establishment and they don’t take reservations. If you are arriving after 7:00 expect a good half hour wait, but there is a bar.
We’ve been to several Pho restaurants in Boston and the Boston area (though not Pho Republique, I think). I ca n recommend any of them.
Besides North End restaurants, there are several in Chinatown that are worth it, including quite a few inexpensive ones. The problem, both in Chinatown and the North End, is that they’re pretty cramped.
Actually, there’s the Helmand at Lechmere, which is just off the Green Line, and very accessible from Somerville. And it’s good, and should be okay price-wise. But get reservations, because they’re very busy.
I emphatically second this. Helmand satifies the OP’s requirements in everyon regard (except for accesibility?). Everyone I have been to Helmand with has loved it. For interesting history it is owned by the family of Hamid Karzai, the president of Afghanistan.
I have been to Asmara in Central Square many times for lunch, although not so much lately. Needless to say I enjoy it although Ethiopian food isn’t up everyone’s alley. It certainly is easy to get to though, and their tej or traditional honey wine was one of the things that got me started on meadmaking as a hobby.
Haven’t read the rest of the thread, so this might have been said already, but Addis Red Sea is a great Ethiopian restaurant between Harvard and Porter. (There’s another location elsewhere, I can’t remember where.) There are no forks or knives, so you eat the food with the bread that is served with the main meat/vegetable dish. Very good and definitely different from your usual fare. Also, their honey wine is really good.
Well, this is a chain, but it is London chain with only 2 locations in the U.S., both of which are located in Boston. One is in Harvard Square and the other in Faneuil Hall. This is where I took a visiting friend this weekend, so I thought I’d share.
Awesome asian food and well within your price range. There are also a bunch of aspects about them that make them unique, such as electronic devices that send your order instantly to the cooks, and their policy of bringing your food out when it is ready, not when everyone elses’ is.
Is that where is is? Cheesey pee, I just saw that it was in Somerville and thought it was too far. That looks like an amazing place.
We’ve agreed on Asmara. But thanks for all the great suggestions and tips. I will definitely make note of all of them. I have a feeling that if things work out with this woman, I’ll need to know all of these places. And if not, there’s always someone else to take to them. Very handy.
Laughing Lagomorph, thanks especially for Helmand. I’ve been wanting to go back there for years, but couldn’t remember what it was called or how to get there.
I don’t recommend wagamama. Maybe I just don’t get it. The food is okay, perhaps even good, but for the prices are high for what you get. It’s crazy busy there though, so what do I know. I would skip wagamama and go to Shilla (Korean/Japanese) which is just downstairs in the same building (Harvard Square).
The best restaurant in Cambridge (IMO) is Craigie Street Bistrot. It is not cheap, but they have an early bird (and late dinner) menu that includes more reasonably priced dishes that are really good too.
I also really like eating at Porter Exchange (near Porter Square). The Japanese food there is terrific. My favorite is Cafe Mami. It’s a small booth, but the food is really good and inexpensive (7-8 dollars).