Good lunch place near Museum of Science?

[JenniferAsh]

I am going to the MOS on Friday and was wondering if there are any yummy places to get a nice sit down lunch. I live in Brookline and am not too familiar with the restaurants around there.

Thanks!

[itaunas]

It will take you about 10 minutes to walk to the Cambridge Side Galleria and less than 20 to walk to the North End. While not everything is open at lunchtime in the North End, its easier to get into certain restaurants (Neptune, Daily Catch, etc). Given that the request is for sit-down, aside from Dante, I think you would do better hoofing the extra distance. And if you are coming in on the T, Haymarket is right there to send yourself out again.

[gansu girl]

Are you going w/kids or is it a grownup outing? If grownup, these offsite suggestions are all great, and if the kids are older they'd likely work out well too. If you have younger companions (say, 5 and under), you might need to stick to the food court b/c it might be too much to venture over to the other spots. As another poster said, while the MoS food isn't super, it's passable - they actually have one of the best salad bars around, IMHO. My kid frequently gets a hot dog from the "grill" section and then loads up on tofu, hard boiled egg and fresh fruit from the salad bar.

[pollystyrene]

Bambara has lunch. I've only been there once for dinner, but it was very good. They made a special vegetarian plate for me (not the usual haphazard affair) so I can't make any menu recs.

[saridt]

dante is right next door in the Sonesta Hotel...I have had several nice dinners there.

[Niblet]

I second the Dante recommendation.

[JenniferAsh]

Unfortunately, Helmand is not open for lunch. Other ideas? Perhaps I might go there for dinner...looks so good!!!!!

[aventinus]

Are you guys sure the Helmand is open for lunch? It would easily be my choice were it open...

Otherwise my next choice would be the Similans for Thai. It's essentially the same as Brown Sugar Cafe in Boston. Also, 2nd Street Cafe offers a solid all-American lunch. There is a Boca Grande by the Helmand and the Similans. Then there's the places in the Cambridgeside Galleria. You know, CPK isn't great, but I've had a hell of a lot worse pizzas in Cambridge. The wild mushroom pizza is worth a shot. I remember the Indian place in the food court being decent.

[teaperson]

Wolfgang Puck has now taken over the cafeteria at the Museum, and while it's not up to chowhound standards, it's definitely a cut above fast food. Both the freshly-made burritos and the freshly-cooked penne are palatable.

Or you could pop over to Helmand, which is owned by the family of Afghan president Hamid karzai.

[Chris VR]

In the Museum cafe, I always get the grilled salmon, which comes with a marinated tomato/cucumber salad. For a "food court" style lunch, it's surprisingly good.

[ipsofatso]

Helmand Afghan Cuisine over behind the Galleria Mall. There is alway Central Sq if you are feeling adventurous.

[Elyssa]

Helmand was going to be my suggestion as well. It's Afghan food and delicious. It's been over 3 years since I've been there but I still dream about the wonderful birthday dinner filled with pumpkin dishes I had there a few years ago. Certainly check it out!