538926 Tue Jul 15 09:47:18 -0700 2008 6 12 Boston Area 0 3870293 I know everyone is all crazy about Central Kitchen, but I'm more frequently disappointed than I am impressed. At a similar price, I would rather go to Green Street or EVOO any day of the week, or else I would rather pay less and enjoy something from the delicious bar menus at The Cellar or Chez Henri. Although I love all of the places I just mentioned, I go to them all the time and would like to find some new favorites in Cambridge, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, or even Brookline that are at/below the Central Kitchen/Green Street price point. Any suggestions? Thanks! --Nicole Tue Jul 15 09:47:27 -0700 2008 168106 knclouse 1 3870402 All together now..."Highland...(clap clap)...Kitchen....(clap clap)...and Garden at the Cellellerrrrr....(clapclap)" :) Tue Jul 15 10:15:44 -0700 2008 3870293 11172 Bob Dobalina 1 3870570 Is Rendezvous, across the street, not a contender? What about Hungry Mother near Kendall? Tue Jul 15 10:53:48 -0700 2008 3870293 12889 Taralli 2 3870621 I've never tried Hungry Mother. Regarding Rendezvous - I love that place, but it's a little more formal than I'm really looking for. I definitely feel like I have to get more dressed up to go to Rendezvous, whereas I can go to Green Street or Central Kitchen with whatever I happen to be wearing. Does that make sense? Tue Jul 15 11:06:42 -0700 2008 3870570 168106 knclouse 1 3870734 Desfina in East Cambridge has really good Greek food. Midwest Grill on Cambridge St outside Inman Square has great quasi-Brazilian food. The Helmand is a little more expensive but worth it. Also a little more expensive than Green St but a nice laid-back place with great food is Lineage in Coolidge Corner. Tue Jul 15 11:35:26 -0700 2008 3870293 202216 lhq 1 3871009 Places Cambridgeville that I like as much as Green Street: EVOO, Gargoyles, Sagra, Oleana (possibly a price point issue), RendezVous, Chez Henri, Garden at the Cellar, River Gods, Green Street, East Coast Grill, Casablanca, Baraka Cafe, Hungry Mother, Blue Room Tue Jul 15 12:43:35 -0700 2008 3870293 15217 gini 1 3872067 I've never been particularly smitten by Central Kitchen either. Great recs above. I'd argue that Chez Henri, especially the bar menu, nails the price point/vibe/tastiness thing. Also agree on Highland Kitchen and Garden. I'll also throw in a rec for the Monday Club Bar at Upstairs on the Square. I think the food is both substantially more refined and better-executed than Central Kitchen, and at a similar price point. Honestly, if I'm in the mood for a casual dinner in the area, it doesn't get much better for me than the Druid in Inman. I'm not a big fan of the "gastropub" moniker, but it's pretty fitting here -- good beer, great chow, fair prices. At this point, they make my favorite burger in the Boston area, and the fish 'n' chips [thanks gini for yet another good call] are excellent as well. Tue Jul 15 18:07:50 -0700 2008 3870293 11344 finlero