Lunch in Coolidge Corner?

[vozick]

Where can we get a really good salad, or something light, and have a conversation over lunch in Coolidge Corner?
Thanks

[Northstar22]

My wife and I have had some grat luck at Zen 320 for sushi on Washington st. Service was slow during our last visit however.

[Chocolate Mousse]

Fugakyu has wonderful sushi, worth the occasional 'tude and wait. I'm also a fan of Khao Sarn (Thai).

[BJK]

If you're considering Rami's, you might also consider Shawarma King. Preferences seem to be something of a religious debate.

And it's by no means quiet (or refined), but I've had some really good salads, particularly the chef's salad, at Coolidge Corner Clubhouse. They're way bigger than they really need to be, but they're pretty tasty. Of course, that's if I can resist ordering their very under-rated burger.

:)
BK

[cmd]

Rami's for falafel, Shwarma King for schwarma (I know others disagree). :) Neither has atmosphere, but Rami's is at least near the little park.

I agree that if you want a basic salad (of the iceburg and romaine variety--chowhounds may frown, but sometimes they just work) with stuff on it, CCC is not a bad choice. I respectfully disagree about the burger--the icky roll overwhelms the burger.

[Gabatta]

I second Fugakyu.

[amatto]

One other thought..not salad, but something light..if Mr.
Sushi is mentioned, then also I thought Fugakyu is an option.

I think the lunch menu is in the $9-$12 range..and the times I
have been there for lunch, it has been pretty quiet.

And if one is willing to go down toward the St. Mary's
neighborhood (which is about as far from Coolidge Corner as
Washington Square is), I'd recommend Elephant Walk for a
quiet, light lunch..also not cheap, but not outrageous.

[charlieg]

I do a fair number of quiet lunches over salad in Brookline for business, and I have as of yet not found an adequate place in Coolidge Corner for this specification. I usually end up at The Fireplace down the road in Washington Square and they do a decent job with lunch.

[tamerlanenj]

Anyone tried the greek fare at Neko's? I've been there for breakfast, but never lunch/dinner.

[galleygirl]

Vile.....

[tamerlanenj]

hahaha. short, and to the point.

[mollymac]

Oh, boy, Dok Bua all the way! What other place needs a huge photo album to display their delectable selections!

Rami's food is great, but ambiance does sort of stink.

There's also the Paris Creperie - the ambiance is a tad better than Rami's (more hang-around-ish) though equally cramped, but the crepes are inventive and tasty, if a tad on the mushy side.

I was just discussing last weekend how CC really needs a few more locally owned soup & salad joints that have a small array of tasty entrées as well. The brunch choices were sadly slim on Saturday.

[9lives]

Ifyou want a "non traditional" salad, Khao Sarn does a great spicy beef (or squid) salad. One of their best items.

[tamerlanenj]

You guys really would recommend Dok Bua over Khao Sarn?

[BobB]

Absolutely! I've eaten many times at both. They're both good, and Khao Sarn is more white-tableclothy and has a liquor license, but the food at Dok Bua is better 9 times out of 10.

Although having said that, Khao Sarn is probably a better environment for a quiet lunch, and they make an excellent green papaya salad.

[9lives]

I really like both. KS has the salmon how moak and their beef salad is better (better quality beef)

Dok Bua does a crispy duck dish that I really like and I think they do a better job with pad ki mow....no liquor license is a plus.

I probably slightly prefer KS, but for me it's almost a coinflip.

[MC Slim JB]

I love both places, but Dok Bua seems mostly more authentic, and is a mile cheaper, than Khao Sarn. I choose KS when nicer atmosphere and drinks are in order; DB otherwise.

[tamerlanenj]

Mike's Delicatessan is about ten million trillion times better than the overpriced sandwiches at Zaftigs...thuogh Zaftigs is aobut only "quiet" place I can think of to get a good salad.

Frankly, I'd go to Khao Sarn. No salads, but the best Thai food in Boston.

[chuck s]

Yes Mike's does a better sandwich than Zaftig's but the post requested salads and conversation. That's why I suggested Zaftig's. No salads and no conversatations at Mike's.

[hiddenboston]

If you're looking to have a conversation, I'd avoid Rami's. I love the place, but it's a bit cramped and noisy.

Zaftig's is ok, though it's inconsistent. Dok Bua and Mr. Sushi may be your best choices...

[BobB]

A tad more downscale (but chowishly good) is Rami's for falafel and general middle eastern fare.

[psora]

Most of which comes with plenty of salad. Yummi stuff, had a shwarma there Monday. However, tough to get a seat/cramped quarters for the conversation part of the equation. Buy at Rami's, take it outside and enjoy the sun at one of the tables in the park across the street.

[MichaelB]

I'm hesitant to recommend because I haven't been to the Brookline branch, but if the new Finale in CC is similar to the Cambridge branch it might be a good choice.

I know, I *know*, their desserts -- their supposed raison d'etre -- are lame and overpriced and look pretty at the expense of having any taste. I mostly agree. But I've always found lunch there to be quite good and reasonably priced -- very nice sandwiches -- the roast chicken with arugula and lime-pickled onions is my particular favorite -- and a nice chef's salad (as well as several other salads that I've never tried). The Cambridge location, at least, is good for conversation, with well-spaced tables and low noise level. If the atmosphere at the Brookline loc is similar it might fit the bill.

[GaryK]

We had a mediocre meal at Finale CC last week, with the worst offender being the so-called artichoke and arugula salad. It was overdressed and loaded down with onions, but only three tiny slivers of artichoke were present. I actually complained to the waitress, who then brought out a small plate of them.

[chuck s]

Zaftig's does nice salads, big enough to share. Dok Bua for lunch plates which are a good value. Botega Florentina for good sandwiches. Mr. Sushi for what else.

[galleygirl]

I love Dok Bua. It's one of my Top 5....But I would never, NEVER, NEVER get one of their "Lunch Combo Plates"...Not if you really want to try decent Thai food.

[chuck s]

I used to feel that way also and you know that I've been going there since they just had a lunch counter and two tables. But I've recently tried some of their platters which gives me a nice portion of soup, appetizers, and a stir fry. Not bad especially if I'm by myself.

[michela]

Lineage has a nice lunch. We had an amazing beet salad w/Goat cheese. They offered a few different light salads. Lobster Sliders were on the menu. We also had the scallops which are amazing. Just saw they were named one of the Top Tables in the new Bon Appetit.