142931 Thu Sep 05 23:50:41 -0700 2002 4 12 Boston Area 0 764824 The grilled bone marrow in a section of bone is a glorious and lusty bosom of savoriness. Rustic and rich, it a rare and incredible delectation. It's not something that one expects in a quiet residential corner near Harvard Square, where this little restaurant has just opened. The interiors are tastefully decorated with art deco-ish posters, a very Francophillic dressing that lends a stylish but comfortable feel to this modest dining room. It's like eating in the living room of a friend with good taste. Indeed, the friendly and eager-to-please waitstaff makes you feel right at home. (The French-speaking waiter with a long ponytail seems particularly knowledgable, describing the wines in friendly detail to several tables.) The wonderful bone marrow can hold its own, but it is content to support the tender skirt steak that looks past its humble cut, elevated by impeccable cookery. The smokey dark red spice from a chile marinate and a moderate sprinkling of gremolata (finely chopped garlic and parsley) move it beyond the realm of ordinary. Perfect sides of coarsely mashed potatoes and and roasted carrots. The celery soup that precedes is merely satisfying, the airy qualities of celery slightly dulled by a bit too much cream. Still, there is a lively touch from a garnish of fried squash blossom, crisp with lovely saltiness. Cranberries dominate the well-crafted fruit crisp with a vermillion tanginess matched by a taste of oats in the crumbly layer. The canela ice cream is a welcoming partner, especially with its gentle hints of cinnamony spice that make the soft fruittiness more interesting. Together with a glass of house red (a balanced and earnest Rhone) and a glass of flowery muscat beaune de venise (beautiful orange blossoms, a touch of vanilla, and a bittery orange zest at the end), the pre-tip bill comes to $48ish, which is very reasonable in my mind, considering the quality and craftmanship. This place is new (just read about its opening in the Boston Herald, chef was the ex sous chef at Clio), and they seem eager to cultivate a clientele. I got a complementary pouring of the muscat beaune de venise because the dessert took a little long. The waitstaff are definitely putting their best foot forward and the attentions are almost motherly. I'll definitely keep this place in mind. P.S. there's a 3-course neighbourhood prix-fixe for $29; it looks like a bargain. Link: http://www.craigiestreetbistrot.com. Thu Sep 05 23:50:41 -0700 2002 0 Limster 1 764842 This is the site of the former Butterfish. Although I had only been once, I was disapointed to see it go. Now I'm glad it's been replaced by a restaurant as good or better! Fri Sep 06 13:26:14 -0700 2002 764824 0 Dax 1 764873 I was pondering where to grab dinner last night when I noticed your favorable review of Craigie Street Bistrot and decided to give it a try. Your review was spot on. We had the same waiter you did and he was indeed quite knowledgeable (although I swear he said the house white was Haut Brion Blanc which could not have been correct -- so I must have misunderstood). Overall, the food was quite good. The mushroom fricassee was fresh and simple and well seasoned (consisting of five types of mushroom, some tasty string beans, and toast), the skate was perfectly prepared and accompanied by fresh green tomatoes and a spicy salsa, and the roast chicken and chicken confit dish was as good as I've tasted anywhere... ever! There were long delays between courses but that was in part because we were warned it would take 30 minutes to prepare the chicken. For dessert we ordered the Pain Perde, which was good but not quite at the same level as the dishes that came before. Overall, a very impressive showing for a restaurant that has only been open four days! If subsequent trips offer as much pleasure Craigie Street Bistrot will rank with the Blue Room and Chez Henri as my favorite Cambridge haunts. Highly recommended. Jon P.S. The website indicated that one could visit the cafe section for a light meal. However, as best I can tell, the cafe section currently consists of a table with five chairs near the front of the restaurant and is intended as a place where one can have drinks before dinner. Sun Sep 08 12:03:32 -0700 2002 764824 0 Jon Reuter 1 764878 We dined at Craigie Street Bistro last night. Although there are still a few service kinks to be worked out, the food was stellar. Roast chicken to rival Boston's best versions (Hammersley's, Blue Room, etc.). A fricassee of five types of mushrrooms that was just about perfect. Skirt steak was perfectly done. Curiously, they didn't ask how he wanted it prepared. They did bring it a perfect medium rare. Skate was good too. Iggy's bread was as good as ever. For no apparent reason, we each received a bowl of celery soup, "compliments of the kitchen." We found the celery flavor stronger than Limster did. Perhaps a correction has already been made. Desserts (pain perdu and fruit crumble) didn't rise to the level of the rest of the mealm but were still quite good. Excellent french apertifs which the knowledgeable and friendly, if pushy, waiter introduced us to. Sun Sep 08 15:46:07 -0700 2002 764824 0 C. Simon 2 764888 Funny, we had almost exactly the same experience. Perhaps not that surprising given that we were probably there at the same time. My financee and I were seated at a table for two in the corner in the first of the two dining rooms. Jon Sun Sep 08 21:46:57 -0700 2002 764878 0 Jon Reuter