Good first date place

[goldenboy]

Hi Hounds,

Any suggestions for a good place for a first date? Someplace that serves seafood, good ambiance, but not too formal.

Niblet, your suggestions will be given extra consideration.

[jcanncuk]

B&G - definitely a place that will impress - good drinks, nice 'hood, great food, not too quiet or too noisy, great wine/drink list & not too tough on the wallet.

[gini]

From Niblet's list: Eastern Standard, Neptune Oyster & B&G. (I haven't been to dish, so I can't comment).

By the way - welcome to the board!

[EP3]

I think a good date is a drink at the B-Side Lounge and dinner at Oleana or Dinner at Central Kitchen and then go upstairs to the Enormous(sp?) Room for good music and a drink.

[jessemkahn]

the helmand in cambridge (near the galleria) is excellent. it's afghani, so there's plenty of flavor, but nothing too spicy, and fresh wood-fired flatbread. there's a roaring fire, they have several fish dishes, and an decent wine selection.

[hotoynoodle]

i'll second lala rokh, and add les zygomates and sorriso.

[jessemkahn]

any particular neighborhoods?

[yumyum]

Oh nice! You're here!

I know for a fact that Niblet likes Lala Rokh in Beacon Hill. Quiet little 3-stool bar, great food, cozy atmosphere.

Have fun!

[East Cambridge Hound]

I would suggest O Cantinho on Cambridge St. in East Cambridge. The food is really good and made with great care. The atmosphere is quiet and reasonably romantic, but not creepy-romantic for a first date. Nice short list of Portuguese wines. One big advantage: you won't spend an awkward half-hour trying to get acquainted while waiting in a crowded lobby/bar trying to stay out of the way of waiters and waitresses as they whiz by you with plates of food. There are always people eating there (it won't be EMPTY) but you won't have to wait. Your date may also think you know special secrets about out-of-the-way restaurants...

[Bob Dobalina]

I love O Cantinho, but I think that's a more second/third date - agree on your assessment completely, though - it does give the impression of knowing secrets. ;)

[Rubee]

Just wanted to say welcome to the board Goldenboy!

My suggestions (heavy on the seafood) would be B&G and Neptune Oyster in the North End. Haven't been to Dish - yet.

[tatamagouche]

Having reiterated earlier today that you and I seem to have such similar tastes, I think you'd like The Dish. That potato-bacon-creme fraiche pizza is addictive.

[Rubee]

"potato-bacon-creme fraiche pizza" Whaaaaa????? I think my stomach just growled..

BTW, thanks, that's a compliment :). And reminds me, you had written once about something like a pork dumpling/bun/sandwich in Chinatown, maybe New Shanghai? I've been wanting to try it ever since. I've been meaning to ask you - could you describe it again, details please.

Thanks much!

[powella]

So here's my JP shout-out.......What about Cafe D? Whenever I go there with the mister, I always feel well treated. They always have fish on the menu, you have a choice of sauces. Not too formal, just warm and nice and easy. 711 Centre Street (where the Arbor Restaurant used to be.......)

[goldenboy]

Thank you all for your responses. I'm leaning between B&G and Dish.

Niblet, let's keep this on the DL between us.

[Niblet]

Goldenboy -

What a great name! I haven't yet been to Dish, someone in work also recommended it just this week. So that sounds like a good suggestion. I'd also recommend:

Neptune Oyster (North End)
B&G Oyster (South End)
Douzo (sushi, next to Back Bay T)
Eastern Standard (Kenmore)
Casablanca (Harvard Sq)
Tapeo (Newbury St)

N.

[steinpilz]

These are all good, great food, great atmosphere, and diverse locations (I'm partial to Casablanca, Eastern Standard, and Neptune).

[kittychow]

If you have a phat budget I think Om is a very good first date place... Or maybe it's too sexy?

If you consider Casablanca a pre-dinner cocktail at Om could work. Oh, and then dessert at Upstairs on the Square or Finale or hot chocolate at Burdicks...

[goldenboy]

I've been to Dish once and it was very good. Quality pick. The cold must've affected my memory cuz I should've remembered.

[hiddenboston]

I'm not niblet either, but I agree that Dish would be a good place to go. Excellent food, cozy surroundings, and a great neighborhood for strolling around afterwards.

[chucktownlady]

Hi. I'm not niblet, and my suggestion doesn't have seafood -- at least, I don't think it does -- but Dish on Shawmut (South End) is a great date place. It's dark and cozy, has cute little booths, and the pizza half of the menu encourages sharing. :] Plus, it's not the always-packed too-chi-chi Franklin Cafe.
http://www.southenddish.com/index.php...

Good luck. I'd like to hear what you choose...

[lissy]

I think Dish usually has at least one or two good seafood options (I recall a pretty good cornmeal crusted cod on their menu), as does Franklin. I also like B&G for a date (or any meal for that matter).