153411 Wed Aug 31 13:45:21 -0700 2005 10 12 Boston Area 0 823729 Can't get reservations before 9 tonight -- what's a good alternative on the Cambridge side of the River? Doesn't have to be as fancy, but must be a good food experience. Want to take my food oriented husband out for a treat. Link: http://h2otown-info.bryght.net/ Wed Aug 31 13:45:21 -0700 2005 0 Lisa Williams 1 823730 East Coast Grill Salts Evoo Wed Aug 31 13:48:58 -0700 2005 823729 0 sammy 1 823731 Chez Henri (Shephard St, off Mass Ave bet Harvard & Porter Sqs.) our favorite for a special and always satisfying meal- and a WOW meal- in an excellent environment conducive to good conversation and romance- oh yes and a sublime-perfect mojito to boot- oh yes also the best desserts- must save room for... Wed Aug 31 13:49:31 -0700 2005 823729 0 Heathen & Spells 2 823732 I *do* hope to go there someday; sadly, my husband associates that particular restaurant with an unhappy personal experience, so he doesn't go there. Wed Aug 31 13:54:11 -0700 2005 823731 0 Lisa Williams 1 823733 I'd suggest Oleana, by far my favorite restaurant in Cambridge. If you can't get a table,Gargoyles in Davis square is as nice. Wed Aug 31 13:57:34 -0700 2005 823729 0 alssong 1 823735 Oleana is wonderful, and if it doesn't pour, you can sit on the romantic patio. I'm also partial to West Side Lounge. Not fancy, but good food and terrific cocktails. Wed Aug 31 14:02:39 -0700 2005 823729 0 Bluebell 2 823742 But call ahead...we called two days ago for a reservation for tonight and the earliest we could get was 8:30. Wed Aug 31 14:57:08 -0700 2005 823735 0 Splendid Spatula 1 823749 Upstairs on the Square/Monday Club Bar Wed Aug 31 15:46:31 -0700 2005 823729 0 Posenose 1 823774 Thank you to everyone who suggested alternatives to the Craigie St. Bistro on such short notice. My husband and I went to Gargoyles and we had an excellent dinner. We both had the prix fixe meal: Appetizers: Husband: spring rolls filled with barbecued pork Me: fried oysters in bisque. Spring rolls were fantastic. Tangy. Fried oysters good, but I found the bisque unappetizing -- it had a strong taste of burned butter which I didn't like. Dinner: Petite Lobster Pie (both) Excellent. Tender, flaky, rolled together with breadcrumbs and butter. Served with pommes frites. Dessert: Napoleon (both) Very large slice; thin pastry layers alternated between a chocolate mousse with a chocolate ganache top. Good; could have used a knife -- wasn't possible to simply slice it with the side of the fork (the mousse layers just came out the sides) Oddly, one of the things I liked the best was the herbed butter that came with the bread. Fabulous. I had a sparkling Spanish wine that was okay; Evan had an Australian merlot that we both thought was quite good. Link: http://h2otown-info.bryght.net/ Wed Aug 31 22:26:56 -0700 2005 823729 0 Lisa Williams 2 823789 ...sounds good. How much was the prix-fixe dinner? Thu Sep 01 09:48:20 -0700 2005 823774 0 twentyoystahs 3 823839 I believe it was $27. Thu Sep 01 16:52:31 -0700 2005 823789 0 Lisa Williams