Birthday dinner - Tangierino, Grotto or Navy Yard Bistro?
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.
tahoma
Nov 13, 2007 02:29PM
Sit at the bar at Chez Henri. It's really great.
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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.
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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.
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Have you been to Sabur in Teele Sq. Somerville? Reasonable, and very good.
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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).
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Tangerino.
Unique food
Belly dancers
and Hookhas
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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.
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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.
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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?
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Thank you for all your suggestions - they have been very helpful.
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