-
Thank you all for your responses. We took three recommendations Sweet Basil, Fava and Lumiere
Sweet Basil was a loud and we got stuck in the rain while waiting for a table, we couldn’t find a liquor store to BYOB, the food was just OK, they did have big portions however Not really what I call a pleasant dinning experience. Not running back.Lumiere was very good a bit pricey for what you got, hanger steak for $32.00 is outrageous.
The best recommendation by far was Fava . The food was great, service was helpful and the prices reasonable, I wish we had one in my neighborhood. The lamb was one the best I have ever had. Thank you all again, now to choose a school!
Jeb -
In my opinion Fava is your best bet. It has great: food, wine list, service and charm. No matter how long it’s been since my last visit, I always feel special. The room gets tight on a Saturday nights but the rest of the week it’s down right cozy. I went in the other night and they had a pre fix menu for $35.00. It was great and inexpensive the Salmon was one the best I have ever had.
I have been to the other places in town, Sweet Basil is so so I hope you like garlic, it’s loud, no alcohol, no dessert, no coffee and they don’t take plastic. I don’t get out that much these days, with price of everything, but when I go out I want to be pampered a bit, and I don’t want to go to three different places to get one dinner out. First the liquor store before dinner. Then the restaurant. Then get in line at the ice cream place for after dinner. If I don’t have the cash I have to go to the bank as well. Way to much work for one dinner. When I added it all up it came to close to $85.00 for dinner for two.
I have also been to Quince it’s OK, some meals are good and some are awful, it’s too spotty for to take chances. Please don’t get me going on Not Joes, as we call it in my house. The Rice Barn is very good a little loud but great food. Village Fish, inexpensive but I think you get what you pay for. -
-
-
TPistrix
Jul 31, 2008 08:24 AM
Depends what you're looking for. If you want a high-end meal, there's Lumiere in West Newton, which is about 10-20 minutes from Needham. I've only been there for Restaurant Week, but I had a fantastic experience. It's a small, very nice space. Very open and full of light (appropriately enough). It is fairly expensive, with entrees running around $30, I believe. If you're willing to spend the money, I'd say it's well worth it.
Right in the middle of Needham, on Great Plain Ave. is Sweet Basil, which is good quality Italian. It's fairly reasonable, with entrees running around... I want to say $17-24, but I'm not entirely sure. It's one of my go-to places in the area.
I've heard a wide range of things about Masala Art, which is also in the center of Needham but have never been myself. Supposed to be good quality Indian food in an interesting venue, but perhaps overpriced or overhyped.
In Wellesley, there's Thai Basil, which is a pretty typical cheapish Thai restaurant. Solid, not great. Very reasonable prices. Definitely one of my defaults when I'm in the area and need a meal without a lot of fuss.
Finally, also in Newton on Washington St. is Cabot's Ice Cream. It's a really old fashioned ice cream parlor/diner establishment. Been there for quite a while (my Dad is in his mid to late 50s and it was well established when he was a kid). The ice cream is good, the sundaes pretty ridiculous (in a good way), food is run of the mill diner fare, but you definitely go for the ambiance and nostalgia.
Hope there's something you can use in there. Again, it all depends what you're looking for. Give folks some more guidelines and I'm sure you'll get tons of useful responses.
