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Wife and I really enjoy New Ginza at 65 Galen Street in Watertown.
Very friendly staff has not changed in at least 2 years we have been going.
Sushi is delicious and fresh. I crave the seaweed salad. Usually fills up after 7PM.›10 Replies-
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re: teezeetoo
I have to share the experience I had at Porcini's last fall. Don't go there unless you want terrible, attitudinal service and average, overpriced food. The hostess (older blonde woman) was by the most condescending person I have ever encountered in a restaurant setting.
It was almost 9 and the place clearly had 2 empty tables in the dining room (and no one else ever came in to sit, so they likely weren't reserved). The hostess rolled her eyes, sucked her teeth when she saw that we didn't have a res. When we said we were first timers who lived close by and have been wanting to check it out; you'd think she'd have changed her tune to accomodate potential repeat dining since DC lived close. but no. after a drawn out, dramatic display and a 3 minute wait, she let us know that they were in fact able to "find us a table" and sat us. Then, our waitress with the British accent was downright cold and brusque when taking our drink orders (and throughout the meal). Then, hostess comes back over, hands me a card, and says, next time you REALLY ought to make a reservation, with a sickeningly sweet tone. I'm shocked by this whole display, b/c obviously they weren't packed (there wasn't anyone else waiting!) and why would you treat new customers like that? what happened to first impressions?
We finished our meals (a slighlty better than pizzeria grade chicken parm and and unexciting scallops) and after a final interaction with our surly waitress I decided that this subpar, to say the least, dining experience warranted a notice to the offenders. so I took the Porcini's business card so generously supplied by the hostess, and wrote a direct (not profane) note on the back about how if this is how you treat customers, I won't be needing this card to make a res to come back. and on the way out, in sight of blondie, I placed it on her res book and we left. I don't make scenes, but these people had to know that I for one, wasn't buying their snooty crap. Even if they got better staffing, the food was still not anywhere near the prices. spend your money more wisely elsewhere. I have not been impressed by Watertown, but Fiorella's in Newtonville was a delight, from the reasonable prices, to the solid food and service and excellent drinks!
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re: rosie17
StriperGuy
Aug 13, 2007 11:02 AM
I live right near Porcini and have only eaten there once. My experience was fairly similar to yours, perhaps a shade less attitude from the blond lady. Amazes me that they are still around many years later.
Casa de Pedro has always been just okay on a good night.
Best food in the area is on the Wat/Belm line at Shanrgri-La.
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re: rosie17
Wow rosie17! What a story. They were not mean to me but as you said the food was nothing to remember. Once was enough for me. I like Fiorella's too. The other night I needed to eat and it was late for Newton dining. I walked into Fiorella's and they very nicely seated me and served us as if it were 6:30 pm. They told us not to rush and relax and enjoy. I was impressed with their hospitality. It's a simple restaurant with nice simple quality food.
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re: hoplover
I'm telling you hoplover, no exaggeration! It was one of those serious cases of "diner's remorse," by the end of the whole thing I was out 90 bucks - and no returns! I didn't know about CH then, and at the time I really wanted to share my experience so that some other unsuspecting neighborhood dweller wouldn't waste their money there,
to revisit the original topic - I love Molana restaurant in Watertown Sq. for Persian. The waitress with the curly hair hair is very friendly and accomodating, and their BYOB policy is awesome when you're looking to not break the bank. I love their eggplant spread and the yogurt/shallot spread, and the chicken barg as well.
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re: rosie17
limster
Aug 13, 2007 05:56 PM
Make that another vote for Molana. IIRC, the eggplant spread is kaskh-e-bademjan. Good stuff. I remember enjoying the eggplant stewed in a tomato sauce with scrambled eggs (mirza gasemi) and their zereshk polo (grilled chicken with a saffron rice with currants).
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re: ypeopleeat
Science Chick
Aug 6, 2007 02:52 PM
I think, technically, that is in Newton.....but close enough to the line! The Spot Cafe is very nice for a casual meal (salads, soups, home baked breads). Very nice people, too.
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re: Science Chick
Just tried Spot Cafe for the first time a few weeks ago, nice family-run feeling, good breakfast, place filled up very quickly. Not someplace I'll be going to on a regular basis, but will definitely revisit.
Casa de Pedro (in their original Main Street location) was an-almost-weekly-visited spot for me for a long time. I'd bring the family, friends, clients, and even lunch alone. Really great. But then they seemed to fray at the edges, Pedro and the staff seemed exhausted, and their quality took a nosedive. The last time I was there, my very-favorite empanadas had frozen centers. Everything else seemed off -- over or undercooked, over or underseasoned, staff unattentive. Pedro's response told me that he really didn't care. After being a regular for so long, "disappointed" doesn't describe it. Perhaps "confused" is more accurate, but I guess it was time to move on.
Having said that, does anyone know of a great place for empanadas?
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