Relaxed Dinner in Back Bay

[BigCat]

Friends are coming from out of town this weekend, and I'm looking for a restaurant in the Back Bay where we can have a few drinks, a relaxing dinner and catch up. Doesn't have to be fancy, just comfortable. All kinds of food are fine, but must be vegetarian-friendly. For price let's say entrees around $25. Thanks!

[frifred]

VOX Populi on Boylston St (next to Atlantic Fish) - ask to sit in the upstairs dining room - it is separated from the rest of the place, and you will be able to chat and catch up there. The food there is now pretty good, with their new chef.

[MC Slim JB]

Pardon my skepticism, but Vox always used to be a meat rack for the younger crowd with stupid drinks and lousy food. What's good there these days? What other places do you consider similar or equally good?

[Gabatta]

I agree with you on the poor dining experience at Vox, and I have dined there recently to attest to it.

However, what do you consider a "stupid" drink? Their bar service is actually decent at Vox. We have rented the upstairs bar space for a few going away work functions. All of the cocktails were well made and generously poured. Most Boston restaurants and bars have some specialty drinks which I would not touch with a ten foot pole. What other places do you consider similar or equally "stupid"?

[MC Slim JB]

It's actually been a while since I had a drink at Vox, but I remember being unimpressed with the level of cocktail craft. For $10-12, I want my glass chilled.

I'm talking about the kind of places I call "Cosmo lounges", where the cocktail menu is built around flavored vodkas, fruit liqueurs, cream liqueurs, sugared rims, etc -- sweet, candy-flavored drinks for kids who like the look of a cocktail glass but don't really care about balance in a drink. Besides Vox, examples include The Living Room, Match, 33: you know the type. I probably shouldn't cast aspersions on them -- lots of people like sweet drinks -- but those bars kind of annoy me, especially when they have the gall to call such concoctions "Martinis".

[teezeetoo]

i'm still waiting to find out if you've tried the martinis at Golden Temple. You wrote that you regarded it as one of those "drinks with parasols" bars, but my husband rates it #1 for martinis (yes, the glasses are chilled!).

[MC Slim JB]

I have not yet returned to Golden Temple to try their cocktails. Last time I stopped in (a ways back now), it was for a Suffering Bastard.

Yours is a useful reminder, especially since there are two places nearby that I always think of first (Washington Square Tavern and the Publick House).

[BigCat]

Thanks for the suggestions, but we wound up staying in Arlington and going to Kathmandu Spice, which was great. It was fun to share the appetiser platter - very interesting flavors.

[limster]

Domani would fit the bill. Ditto Douzo -- vegetarian sushi and tempura should work.

[edgewater]

I second MC's opinion on Laurel for what you are looking for.

[hiddenboston]

One idea is to walk/cab a few blocks to House of Siam on Columbus Avenue in the South End. They have very good Thai food, comfortable surroundings, and friendly service.

Also in the South End, a few blocks from the Back Bay, is The Dish on Shawmut Avenue. It is a nice, low-key upscale comfort food place with vegetarian options (mostly the small dishes and the specials), but it is a bit tight inside. They do have outdoor seating, so as long as you don't go tonight (I assume the rain is here for awhile), you might be in luck there. Their Web site has a slightly outdated menu, as they change it seasonally, but I believe they have a veggie risotto on the menu right now.
http://www.southenddish.com/

[MC Slim JB]

I might suggest Laurel for this kind of dinner. Good drinks, prices to your range, solid if not extraordinary food (kind of slightly gussied-up comfort food) in generous portions, always some good options for vegetarians. Nice atmosphere for the price point, but not at all stuffy. Not a wine-lover's restaurant. Only thing lacking is a patio.

Dinner menu here: www.laurelgrillandbar.com/id11.html

[hotoynoodle]

parrish cafe does excellent high-end sandwiches, all designed by local celebrity chefs. great beer selection, patio dining and a very relaxed vibe.

[Gabatta]

Sonsie on Nebury may work for you. It matches your price point and generally has a few vegetarian choices on the menu. The bar can be a bit of a scene on the weekends, but the dining room is comfortable.

Other options that might work include the 33 Restaurant and Domani.

[tamerlanenj]

Oh, and DEFINITELY avoid the following at ALL COSTS:
Joe's American Bar and Grill
Stephanie's on Newbury
Ciao Bella
Charlie's Eating and Drinking Saloon

I have heard good things about Atlantic Fish on Boylston, but I've not been. Its sister restaurant, Abe and Louie's is, imho, a pretty bad example of the genre (Worse than the Morton's down the street, for sure).

I've had one really good meal at Bouchee and three or four lousy ones, so I suppose it's got 'potential' of some sort.

[tamerlanenj]

The Back Bay, at least most of Newbury St., is a pretty crappy dining neighborhood. Unlesss you go REALLY high end (Sorellina, L'Espaler) it's mostly quite bad. Tapeo is pretty good for tapas, and I second the poster below about Casa Romero being pretty nice for Mexican, but other than it's a lot of overpriced mediocrity. Maybe walk down to the South End and go to Pops.

[cambridgeMike]

for mexican i really like Casa Romero.