hip sf friends in town, cool lunch spot tomorrow?

[sukisooo]

I have two friends coming in from San Francisco stopping off in Boston for the day tomorrow on their way to Maine. Any suggestions on a cool or possibly New England "experience" type place to take them for lunch?

Not super pricey, and doesn't need to have bar though the option of a glass of wine or beer with lunch on a day off is nice.

I live in Charlestown and will be picking them up from another friends home in Somerville, so doesn't have to be in the city, could be Cambridge or other spot close by. Thanks!

[gramercyfoodie]

How about Pops in the South End? I really enjoy their lunch menu.

[Rabbit]

Eastern Standard... shouldn't be too crazy at lunch but there might still be a bit of pre-Sox-game buzz.

Good raw bar, great cocktails (although I recognize this isn't a huge priority for you). I think of this place as very Boston.

[teezeetoo]

Indian in somerville or cambridge (Diva or Tamarind Bay), Portuguese in Cambridge, Hungry Mother or Blue Room if they are serving lunch which I don't know if they do. For fun, roam the food court at the Super 88 on Brighton Avenue, tasting various asian delights. for excellent and unusual japanese, with elegance, Shiki in Coolidge Corner Brookline.

[mrsx]

Plough and Stars in Central Square, Cambridge serves a great lunch, along with beer and wine of course, with a nod towards old school east coast Irish-Americanness that's likely not as strong in Maine, let alone San Francisco?

[Joanie]

If they want real east coast pizza, there's Regina. They'll be eating lobster rolls in Maine probably. Maybe Eastern Standard.

[pondrat]

Summer Shack in Cambridge

[wilbanks]

Seriously? Shack I might send people who want "quality seafood meal and kid-friendly" but not "hipsters from SF" - a friend of mine who wandered into the one in back bay described as looking and feeling like Dick's Last Resort...

[LStaff]

Summer Shack is too nice for hipsters. I would take them to the buffet at Kebob & Tandoor in Waltham just to watch them squirm while picking rib and neck bones out of their chicken. ;-)

[mcb70]

If you want to come to the Back Bay, Vlora is a good deal for lunch, and Parish Cafe can be fun.

[iamsam]

I'd offer up the usual suggestion: Neptune! I think it would be perfect. B&G is another cool New England "experience" place to go. Personally I love Neptune, but B&G's patio is lovely for lunch.

[heathermb]

My first thought was Neptune Oyster in the N End... or a really fun spot that I happen to love is the Monday Club Bar at Upstairs on the Square.

[birdy30]

I second Neptune!

[sukisooo]

Hmmm, Neptune sounds great have been wanting to go there for a long time. I was wanting a lobster roll and understand it is GREAT there. But for $25? Gulp.

[y2000k]

I was also put off by the $25 lobster roll; but finally went there last week when my parents were in town visiting. Definitely worth the price.