151964 Sun May 15 09:42:49 -0700 2005 13 12 Boston Area 0 815873 I'm trying to decide where to go for a fancy dinner for five. I was looking for recommendations to a restaurant I haven't been to yet (so no Radius, Clio, Hammersley's, No 9, Blue Ginger, Olives, Mantra, or Great Bay), price is no object. Thanks for everybody's help. Sun May 15 09:42:49 -0700 2005 0 Josh M 1 815875 Chez Henri (look at much recent chow on inc. Simon from NYC concluding after trying last weekend that he wished that there was a Chez Henri in NYC), Oleanna (much on in chow, Central Sq., Cambridge), and Sabur (pan-Yugoslavian, Turkish, Persian cuisine; Teale Sq. just past Davis Sq., Somerville) would be my recommendations for wonderful food, absolutely consistently sublime and environs to match. And, boy, being able to go to Chez Henri on an unlimited budget would be absolutely Heaven on Earth. Enjoy!!!... Sun May 15 11:20:15 -0700 2005 815873 0 Heathen & Spells 1 815880 Lumiere in Newton. Sun May 15 13:16:57 -0700 2005 815873 0 JB 1 815885 The Federalist. Worth the splurge. Sun May 15 14:10:47 -0700 2005 815873 0 Chickpea 1 815887 Craigie Street Bistro is another good choice. Sun May 15 15:43:17 -0700 2005 815873 0 phoebek 1 815888 A few of my favorite occasion places: L'Espalier, Rialto, Pigalle, Bricco, Il Capriccio (Waltham), Prezza, the Oak Room, and Mamma Maria. If you're willing to take a little drive, consider Arrows and the White Barn Inn up the Maine coast. Sun May 15 16:05:30 -0700 2005 815873 0 MC Slim JB 2 815903 I disagree with the WBI recommendation... Nice place, but definitely not worth the $$... For Prix fix, it did not deliver... Sun May 15 22:12:34 -0700 2005 815888 0 Doug E Fresh 3 815914 Have to back up MC Slim - White Barn Inn holds its own against any restaurant in Boston. Their signature lobster dish is the best dish I have eaten in this area. Mon May 16 07:52:08 -0700 2005 815903 0 nomadfromcincy 4 815930 Count me in as a fan too, especially the aforementioned lobster in that delcious cognac sauce.. Mon May 16 10:55:25 -0700 2005 815914 0 Rubee 2 815985 I had the tasting menu with wine pairings at Pigalle about a month or two ago, and really, really enjoyed it. I haven't been to the other places to compare, however. Mon May 16 19:55:22 -0700 2005 815888 0 TalismanGirl 1 815891 Locke Ober. Sun May 15 16:42:15 -0700 2005 815873 0 Taralli 2 815893 Completely agree - this is the ultimate fancy dinner location. The food and decor are special. Sun May 15 17:09:40 -0700 2005 815891 0 foo-dee 1 815909 If your dining companions are sufficiently adventurous, you might consider trying some of the high-end menus (~$70-100 per person, typically $700-$1000 per table of 10, you'll need to put in a bit of effort to negotiate) at the usual Chinatown favourites. Expect expensive ingredients you'll never see in a western restaurant e.g. dried scallop, dried abalone etc... Sun May 15 23:22:13 -0700 2005 815873 0 Limster 1 816053 L'espalier. With no price cap, definitely try with wines to match, the time we did the pairings were awesome. Plus, it is just lovely inside. I found the staff adjusted to our more casual feel. I've been to most of the restaurants mentioned so far and L'espalier is the favorite. Wed May 18 13:10:49 -0700 2005 815873 0 Sheila