Birthday dinner - Tangierino, Grotto or Navy Yard Bistro?

[tahoma]

I am taking my girlfriend out for her birthday and we've done all the fancy restaurants - Clio, No. 9, Mistral, etc. I wanted to eat good food without spending all the money. These three restaurants all seemed to fit the bill of moderately priced, good food. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.

[slices]

I can't speak to Grotto but I've eaten at Tangierino many times and never had a bad experience. I think the food and atmosphere are fabulous, and it's definitely something fun and different. I had a lousy experience at Navy Yard the one time I ate there. In fairness, I've not been back to see if maybe it was just an off night. If you end up at Tangierino, the house lamb specialty is a must. I forget the name -- Sultan's Kadra or something?

[tahoma]

Thank you for all your suggestions - they have been very helpful.

[rebeccact]

We went to Tangierino for my partner's birthday last year and it was completely delightful. The food was really very good- some inventive, some classic French or Moroccan, but all very tasty. What really makes Tangierino amazing is the romantic, ornate decor/atmosphere- perfect for a birthday. I like Grotto, but it's not nearly as cool inside, and I have not been to Navy Yard- but I really think Tangierino is special.

[Kate Sylvester]

Tangerino.
Unique food
Belly dancers
and Hookhas

[yumyum]

Note that there is a restaurant side and a hookah lounge side. I've been only to the lounge side for birthday parties but have long admired the beautiful restaurant side. I really like Grotto but I think Tangierino is where I'd want to be taken.

[Dr.Jimbob]

I've been to Grotto and Navy Yard Bistro and adore both. Grotto is basically Italian with a twist, the Bistro is sort of contemporary American with some fusion twists (one of their signature dishes is an Asian-inflected boeuf bourguignon, and one of their staff went on to work at Blue Ginger). Food is excellent at both places (my details on Grotto are at http://www.chowhound.com/topics/42778...). Ambience is a little different -- Grotto's basement locale, subdued lighting and small space sort of fit with their thick, heavy (but very tasty) food. Navy Yard Bistro is in a big room with high ceilings, and has more of the feel of a pub/wine bar than a small tucked-away hole in the wall. Getting to the Navy Yard Bistro using public transportation is a little bit of a challenge, parking at Grotto is a minor nightmare.

So each place has its strengths and weaknesses, but I think either one would be a lovely place to go, depending on what kind of mood you're in. Neither is Clio or No. 9 fancy, but you'll get good value for your money at both spots. I'd actually be hard pressed to think of a better value in town (unless the dirt cheap, amazingly good food at Brookline Family Restaurant counts).

[bear]

Have you been to Sabur in Teele Sq. Somerville? Reasonable, and very good.

[Liasynthis]

Sit at the bar at Chez Henri. It's really great.

[tahoma]

I guess I wasn't specific enough. We have been to pretty much every restaurant you could think of - including probably eating everything on the Chez Henri bar menu. Anything from the White Barn to Ten Tables to Delux. These are three places we have not been. So I wanted to try one. Unless someone can think of somewhere else that has really good moderately priced food knowing that we have eaten at most places. Thanks.

[bachslunch]

They're all good places. Tangierino is a Moroccan spot and has probably the most romantic feel of these three. Navy Yard Bistro is New American but imaginative, also cozy in feel. Grotto does excellent Italian food -- and while cozy can be a little loud at times.

I think they're all worth a visit. Depends on the cuisine and atmosphere you'd prefer.