395784 Thu Apr 26 14:26:31 -0700 2007 3 12 Boston Area 0 2518538 Any recommendations on NO. 9 Park. My husband and I have been thinking of trying it but I have a hard time believing it is worth the money...any metrowest suggestions instead, we tried blue ginger and were very disappointed. Thu Apr 26 14:26:31 -0700 2007 82826 tilliebaker 1 2518604 I think you would enjoy Kouzina in Waban. Mediterranean cuisine with fine attention to detail. Extraordinary salads. I have never had a bad meal there. Thu Apr 26 14:52:47 -0700 2007 2518538 39004 hdb 1 2520001 I was quite disappointed by Blue Ginger, too -- several times. I don't put in some of the unqualified praise that No. 9 gets here. I think it's very good, not great, as it's pretty expensive, especially with some decent wine (most apps in the high teens, most entrees in the high 30s). Some of the dishes are amazing, others a bit dull: apps tend to trounce entrees. I haven't tried a tasting menu , which gets a lot of people very excited, so maybe that's the way to go there. I do think its bartending is among the best in the city, at once classic and creative, with a lot of scholarly craft, top-notch ingredients and superb service. A couple of fine-dining restaurants in Newton I've enjoyed recently include Ariadne, a New American place that shows occasional Greek touches, and has a very comfortable dining room, parking, decent wines, and a full bar. It's a relative bargain. 51 Lincoln has a very creative young chef whose food often dazzles at prices half of No. 9's. It's his first venue as a chef/owner, and I ran into some severe service problems in my visits there, but I expect these to be smoothed out over time. Don't let them seat you in their so-called "wine room" in the basement; insist on a main dining room table, and your service will generally be much better. Some more details here: http://www.weeklydig.com/eats_drinks/articles/newton_restaurants_in_a_minor_league_of_their_own (Squint to read that chart up front; it's crucial to understanding the piece.) Fri Apr 27 05:07:54 -0700 2007 2518538 10143 MC Slim JB 1 2520099 Yeah, Blue Ginger is overrated (and certainly overpriced). I really like Lumiere in Newton. The chef/owner has been getting some attention from the James Beard Foundation, so prices have been creeping a bit, but they are still in line with Boston places, including ones of lesser quality. It's not the most creative fare, but it's well-executed and amde with superior ingredients. Service and ambiance are also very nice. Fri Apr 27 06:23:36 -0700 2007 2518538 13596 DoubleMan