442936 Wed Sep 19 16:57:27 -0700 2007 14 12 Boston Area 0 2957443 I know that everyone and their mother has posted inquiring about special occasion dining, but with so many new restaurants having opened in Boston in the last 6 months, I'm curious as to what you'd recommend as both the penultimate special occasion meal in Boston, as well as where you'd want to go for a wonderful, celebratory meal that doesnt necessarily blow the bank. I do have a small ulterior motive here: my husband and I are celebrating our 2nd anniversary on Monday and, having scrapped plans to go away this weekend, we now want to go out for a delicious dinner that evening. While we're not incredibly budgetarily minded, I dont think the tasting menu at No. 9 Park or dinner at L'Espalier is in the cards for a Monday evening... Thanks everyone! Wed Sep 19 16:57:27 -0700 2007 78214 emeboston 1 2957690 There are certain places I like that can feel like occasion places because their service is excellent, the atmosphere is nice, and the food is very, very good, though clearly not in the same high-technique stratosphere as places like L'Espalier and Clio. Their menus often features great local flavor but not especially elaborate sauces, ultra-luxury ingredients, or picture-pretty plating. You can get a festive meal at these venues without it costing $200/head (as did a recent celebratory meal at L'Espalier -- one of our nicest experiences there ever, but it was a big-round-number occasion, and we wanted to be sure to get one more event dinner in there before its move to the Mandarin Oriental next summer). My short list for not-crazy-expensive occasion dining includes Rendezvous, Union, Pigalle, Prezza, Salts, Lala Rokh, and Ten Tables (which though modest is romantic and a tremendous value). I used to count Rialto on this list, but its prices have gotten kind of stratospheric since the Sapphire Group split and makeover. If you're willing to get out of the city a bit, I'd add Ariadne, Lumiere, and 51 Lincoln in Newton, and La Campania in Waltham. Congrats! Wed Sep 19 18:21:18 -0700 2007 2957443 10143 MC Slim JB 2 2957852 On this side of the river, add Oleana, Central Kitchen, Gargoyles, and EVOO, roughly in that order (for me anyway). None are cheap but none will break the bank. Wed Sep 19 19:21:06 -0700 2007 2957690 17233 DavisSquare 1 2957695 I found that Olives in Charlestown was a great meal and a special place. Not new on the sceen but great food and not "overly" expensive. Wed Sep 19 18:24:52 -0700 2007 2957443 103072 Clove 2 2957940 I haven't tried L'espalier, but I adore No. 9 Park. Search the archives for a review of my last meal there this spring. Wed Sep 19 19:53:03 -0700 2007 2957695 82223 JRinDC 1 2957995 Choose early and book as many of the forementioned places are closed on Monday . Happy Anniversary Wed Sep 19 20:11:37 -0700 2007 2957443 11784 capeanne 2 2958204 Don't book "as many" of the formentioned places as possible... you will become the enemy of the house. Choose one after talking to the hosts/ managers you speak with on the phone. Some places go out of their way to cater to special occasions. Perhaps you can pre- order a glass of champagne to arrive at the table when you are seated, or have the restaurant order you flowers. Just inquire! Wed Sep 19 21:58:23 -0700 2007 2957995 128703 avidreader 3 2958433 I'm fairly sure you are misreading capeanne's post, which I read to say "Choose early and book quickly, as many of the places are closed on Mondays." Thu Sep 20 03:50:11 -0700 2007 2958204 10027 Chris VR 4 2958695 Exactly what i meant. Sorry for the missing comma. Thu Sep 20 06:53:33 -0700 2007 2958433 11784 capeanne 2 2958279 Salts, Gargoyles and Pigalle are closed on Mondays. I think the $50 7 course tasting at EVOO would be fun. How is Rendezvous recently? Deepak Kaul left and I hear that Steve Johnson is back in the kitchen. Wed Sep 19 22:58:34 -0700 2007 2957995 10076 limster 3 2958450 Interesting. I've had two outstanding meals at Rendezvous in the past two months. I didn't see nearly as much of Johnson in the dining room as I usually do on the more recent one, so this makes sense. Thu Sep 20 04:03:41 -0700 2007 2958279 10143 MC Slim JB 3 2958456 The $50 Evoo tasting menu is a great idea. Thu Sep 20 04:13:58 -0700 2007 2958279 14253 Joanie 1 2958442 On Mondays, L'Espalier has their "Wine Mondays" menu for $55pp but it's probably not the thing for a romantic anniversary dinner, if that's what you're looking for. Thu Sep 20 03:56:20 -0700 2007 2957443 10027 Chris VR 2 2958801 Thanks, everyone - all great ideas. While I've been to many of the restaurants mentioned above, I may lean toward Cambridge since we've just moved to Arlington from Brookline...its a good excuse to check out the scene on our side of the river! Thoughts on Oleana vs. the $50 tasting menu at EVOO? I do love tasting menus. Salts had been on the top of the list until I discovered it was closed on Mondays. Should we also put TW Food on the radar? The menu and tasting menu options look interesting... Thanks again! Thu Sep 20 07:21:20 -0700 2007 2958442 78214 emeboston 3 2985050 Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all your suggestions for our anniversary dinner. My husband and I pushed up our dinner to Saturday night instead of Monday and enjoyed a wonderful evening at Salts. The food was absolutely delicious and the evening memorable. Thanks again! Fri Sep 28 07:21:24 -0700 2007 2958801 78214 emeboston