580839 Wed Dec 17 09:12:21 -0800 2008 15 12 Boston Area 0 4253751 Greetings, I will be staying in Dedham for about a week and wondered if there are any dining experiences that I should not miss. Not looking for expensive restauants, we will have a car so we can also venture out... Wed Dec 17 09:12:21 -0800 2008 109262 little debbie 1 4253927 I haven't been to Isabella's (New American) in Dedham Center, but I've heard it's really good. In West Roxbury (borders Dedham to the north) the Himalayan Bistro on Centre Street has excellent Indian/Nepali food. In Roslindale Village (a few miles northeast), there is Geoffrey's Cafe (New American), Sophia's Grotto (Medditerranean), and Village Sushi (Japanese). Hyde Park (just east of Dedham) has Townsend's (gastropub) in Cleary Square. Norwood (borders Dedham on the south) has Taso's (Greek) at the airport, Byblos (Middle Eastern) in the center, and many more places. Wed Dec 17 10:10:43 -0800 2008 4253751 14771 hiddenboston 2 4253945 Isabella's is good and the nicest/priciest in the area altho you could probably make a good meal out of apps. The Halfway Cafe is on Washington St. by the shopping plaza and is fun and super casual. There are a couple good breakfast places right in Dedham Ctr., can't remember the names. There's also the big Asian restaurant that people like but I'm spacing on all these names. Wed Dec 17 10:15:46 -0800 2008 4253927 14253 Joanie 3 4254577 I have been to Isabella's and did not like it at all. Both my boyfriend and I were disappointed with their flavor combinations and the quality of the food. Our service was fair to middling, but should have been better in such a small place. I would NOT recommend it. Wed Dec 17 13:24:41 -0800 2008 4253945 104572 taves7 1 4254082 mmmmm Wed Dec 17 10:54:41 -0800 2008 4253751 109262 little debbie 1 4254104 Debbie, as previously stated, West Roxbury and Roslindale are very close and have many fine restaurants. I recently had an excellent meal at the Masona Grill in West Roxbury and would highly recommend it. In Roslindale Square is Delfino's, an excellent Italian restaurant. The Chinese restaurant in Dedham that is very good Chinese-American with an excellent lunch buffet is called Bamboo (it's attached to the Holiday Inn); unfortunately, the host/owner, Lillie, is kind of a buffet "nazi", hovering over people if they take too much food. Halfway Cafe has very good pub grub. In the Dedham Mall is Five Guys Burgers and Fries, good fast food burgers and very good fries. Isabella in Dedham Square is known for very good, new American. Wed Dec 17 11:03:48 -0800 2008 4253751 110819 bakerboyz 2 4254891 Good suggestions from Bakerboyz. I'd also recommend Ron's Ice Cream in "downtown Dedham for the best ice cream around, and Cafe Fresh Bagels are very good, though the place is nothing to write home about. Wed Dec 17 15:22:57 -0800 2008 4254104 64696 winedude 3 4254926 Isn't Ron's Ice Cream in downtown Hyde Park? Agree that the above suggestions are good, but might argue that nothing in Dedham (or immediate environs) is a dining experience that should not be missed. That might be going a little overboard. Wed Dec 17 15:40:41 -0800 2008 4254891 177848 purple bot 4 4255296 Ron's is also in Dedham now too. Deli After Dark just outside Dedham Square is a cute little place that is a deli by day and then turns into a restaurant at night. Pleasant Cafe in Roslindale has the best pizza around, and a fun retro experience. Laughing about the Bamboo comment above--totally agree about the hovering! Wed Dec 17 18:22:52 -0800 2008 4254926 35719 mabelm4050 1 4255306 Chiara Bistro in Westwood is just over the Dedham. Nice food and atmosphere, and their on-line menu is worth checking out. Finz in Dedham has some nice local seafood options if that is of interest. Wed Dec 17 18:25:52 -0800 2008 4253751 51746 chowfamily 1 4255416 Always have had good experiences @ Isabella. Bamboo buffet is very good and replenished. 50s diner is a nice, cheap lunch and bagels @ Cafe Bagel are good. Scoot to Norwood where Abbondonza and Joe & Maria's are both good Italian restaurants. Haven't tried re-opened Vintage in W. Roxbury or new Olivado (?) in Norwood. Brickhouse Cafe in Dedham is only ok as is Spring St. Cafe. Wed Dec 17 19:03:52 -0800 2008 4253751 63181 ShelT54 1 4262340 Thanks. Anyone familiar with Tahiti? It looks kitchy. Sat Dec 20 13:39:45 -0800 2008 4253751 109262 little debbie 2 4269989 Tahiti is great if you like to get super-drunk, then get in fights with soon to be exes. Other than that, the food is genuinely bad...lots of grease and they seem to use the same sauce for most of their food. Avoid like the plague unless you WANT to appear in the Police Blog of the Dedham Times. Tue Dec 23 16:30:22 -0800 2008 4262340 196928 BeverlyCY 1 4262561 Other options include good Thai food at Siam Lotus in Norwood on Rte 1South, excellent sushi and good Chinese at Mai Place in Canton on Rte 138 South, and middle eastern food at Byblos in Norwood (excellent baba ghannouj). I had dinner at Isabelle last week and hadn't been there in years. I was very pleased with my meal there. Appetizers, salads, and entrees are quite large, so even though the prices are on the high side, you can eat there economically. Wine pours by the glass are also big, probably 200 ml. Sat Dec 20 15:32:59 -0800 2008 4253751 92862 BikeToEat 1 4262897 Tahiti is more scary than kitchy Sat Dec 20 18:47:30 -0800 2008 4253751 63181 ShelT54 1 4264360 Isabella's is pretty tasty. If you are looking for a nice ambiance - Vintage is pretty good (and right on Route 1). My last trip was for brunch and I would recommend it. Sun Dec 21 14:11:00 -0800 2008 4253751 250342 eiareis