Dining in Worcester area [Moved from Boston Area board]

[rphsims]

My son is flying to the Worcester area to surprize his lady friend over thanksgiving holidays. She is attending school in area. He is going to ask the "big question" and would like to take her to some nice places to eat. Romantic but on a budget-both are still in college and finishing this year,but still need pocket book friendly place. He will be up there for 7days(that is if she says yes),so maybe some places around area and Boston if you know any.
thanks as always.

[Eatin in Woostah]

For intimate, romantic, not too expensive French, they could head to Chloe Bistro in Hudson.

Another good place in Worcester might be Bocado. It's a hip, dimly lit tapas restaurant. Can get expensive if you go for the full-on experience, but a few small plates and glass of wine is very reasonable.

[rphsims]

Thanks for the info

[trufflehound]

Duh, El Basha fits all categories.

[Science Chick]

I have to say that I don't consider El Basha to be romantic or intimate in the least. Just a standard Mediterranean fare type place. I wish I had a better suggestion, but in Worcester it is either expensive/decent atmosphere or inexpensive/lacking atmosphere. If they like sushi, Baba is great....dim lighting and great service. Sushi can get pricey, but they can tailor the meal to keep things less expensive.

If they head into Boston (as you suggest they might), there are certainly many more options, but I'm guessing you'll need to post on the Boston board for those...otherwise the powers that be will erase our suggestions anyway......

[rphsims]

I actually put this on Boston board at first thinking I might get some ideas about Boston dining also, but they moved it to New England Board

[tbbbnbab]

This is directed to Science Chick, and is related to the previous post about Worcester. We are trying to find a spot roughly mid-way between Northampton (where we live) and Newton (where our friends live) to meet for a evening of fine dining. We all appreciate imaginative and high quality food and are looking for something special. You seem to have a good read on the Central Mass region. Surfing around Chowhound has yielded 3 leading contenders: Sole Proprietor (Worcester), Bocado (Worcester) and Cedar Street (Sturbridge). What are your thoughts on the matter? Any other choices we should consider?

[Science Chick]

Well, I would definitely rule out the Sole, although I know there are conflicting opinions on this Worcester mainstay. I find their preparations overly ambitious and falling flat, although I think their straight-ahead simple preparations are competent. If your friends live in Newton (as do I!), they will NOT be impressed. Bocada is fabulous, albeit a bit noisy....get a reservation or get their early. I haven't been to Cedar Street in about 4-5 years, but had a great meal back then. A recent report claims they still do a nice job:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/449846

I would highly recommend Baba in Worcester. Probably the best sushi/Japanese in the northeast....contends EASILY with Oiishi in Chestunut Hill (probably not far from your friends' home). Very small, and a bit darkly lit, but simply amazing food from the hands of Wilson, a brilliant chef.

[tbbbnbab]

Thanks for the advice! We are going to try Bocado, something new and different for us. I'll report back on the results.

[Rick_V]

For Italian, consider Via (Shrewsbury St), Rovezzi's (Grove St), or Amici Trattoria in Shrewsbury. Rovezzi's is the most romantic and most expensive of the three. Amici is probably the best deal of the three. Via is very much a place to be seen these days, but the food is quite good and very reasonable, and there are some nice intimate spaces.

[trufflehound]

Noy very romantic, from my understanding.

[trufflehound]

Struck Cafe fits the bill. Get a corner table, it's not too expensive and the food is great.

[The Chowhound Team]

We've moved this Worcester request to the New England board - if you are interested in recommendations in the immediate Boston area, please repost on the Boston board.

Thanks!