Newtonville/West Newton lunch rec needed

[Blumie]

Looking for a place to have a casual sit-down lunch and intimate conversation on Tue. Anything more upscale than Cabot's/ Comella's/Blue Ribon open for lunch? I imagine Kouzina would be a good option, but I'd prefer to stay closer to Newtonville if possible.

[Blumie]

So I ended up at Kouzina -- surprisingly it was my first time -- and I found it well worth the 10-minute drive from Newtonville. I had a salad special -- three letuces (inlcuding frisee -- I'm on a frisee kick) with apples, raisins, a greek cheese, red wine vinaigrette and two little lamb phylo triangles -- which was delicious. My friend had one of their other salads -- I don't remember which one -- but she really enjoyed it too. And we were able to enjoy Tuesday's beautiful weather by sitting outside on the sidewalk. Definitely worth a repeat visit.

[sallyt]

I LOVE Kouzina - I'm addicted to the yogurt chicken with greek salad - and have always loved their lunches. They're a good deal, and it's a relaxing atmosphere.

[Blumie]

I had planned to order the yogurt chicken w/ greek salad until I heard the specials and was enticed away by another salad. I'll be sure to try it.

[TheTrout]

Psssst, just between you & me - don't tell too many people about Kouzina, it's a local gem. It's one of the few really fine "neighborhood" places in the near ( Newton, Needham, Wellesley ) west suburbs.

[mcb70]

Is Ariadne open for lunch? That might be a good option and it's right in Newtonville.

[edgewater]

They stopped serving lunch a long time ago unless they have started again. I pretty much doubt it in this economy.

[bear]

Either Rice Valley on Washington St. or Ginger Root on Adams St. might work. I know that Ginger Root has a lunch buffet, but I'm not sure about Rice Valley.

[sushidad]

A few places to consider (none of which are terribly upscale): Lam's (cambodian/thai on Washington St. in Newtonville) Paddy's (Irish Pub) Elm St. West Newton and the recently re-opened West Street Grille (Bar/Pub) West St. in Nonantum.

[TheTrout]

Karoun in Newtonville ( corner of Washington & Walnut ) is OK for lunch. If given a choice, I'd spend the extra 5 minutes & drive to Waban for lunch at Kouzina.

[Blumie]

I didn't think Karoun was open for lunch. (Just looked at their website. They are not open for lunch.)

My vote is for Kuzina, but I'll pass these options to my friend and let her make the decision.

[TheTrout]

It's been a while since I ate lunch there. I assume the majority of people who ate lunch there also rated it no better than OK , and Karoun finally stopped opening at noon....

[pemma]

Maybe Amarin at Newton Corner?