Pre-theater Watertown meals

[justbeingpolite]

Here's the Challenge: Got season tickets to the New Rep on Arsenal Street in Watertown. Shows are usually at 8pm. I'd like to try a different restaurant prior to each performance, I think the series is 5 or 6 plays.
The trick is to be able to get to a meal, say 6 or 6:30, enjoy the meal, and get to the 8pm curtain.
Places on my list so far:
TW Food
Il Casale
Shangri La, perhaps
Can I make it from Ten Tables in Cambridge
Can Arlington restaurants go on the list?
What else you got for me?

[Alcachofa]

Shangri-La should be in your YES column, not the "perhaps" column

TW Food doesn't seem like a first date place to me.

Casa de Pedro is OK, but nowhere near worth the prices they charge. Overpriced by 50% easily.

I'm hearing good things about Red Lentil, though I haven't personally been yet.

-----
Shangri-La
149 Belmont St, Belmont, MA 02478

Red Lentil
600 Mt Auburn St, Watertown, MA 02472

[justbeingpolite]

Shangri_La was just perhaps because of distance, but it sounds like it's doable, so consider it shifted to YES, thanks.
Why is TW food not a first date place?, why would Red Lentil be more so?
How 'bout Ten Tables, though my memories of the old Craigie location ,while fond of the food, were not of a first datish location.
Guess I could go back to Il Casale, but I wanted to go somewhere new.

[Alcachofa]

I wasn't making any inference about whether any other the other places would be good first date places. That comment was strictly about TW and only because it seems not very conversation-stimulation friendly. Do you really want to sit across from someone you don't know and have a formal meal? If so, then obviously it would be perfect.

[justbeingpolite]

I guess it depends on how formal a meal. Is it that formal, or is it interesting, high quality cuisine that might act as a conversation starter?
I tend to be a food sharer, even on first dates, and if she's not, perhaps that'll help save us both an unecessary second date.
I'd appreciate any advice, though. What would you suggest for a first date?

[pemma]

You could also try Savino's in Cushing Square in Belmont. I can't vouch for it since I've never been there, but it's within your range.

[gansu girl]

Savino's has its fans, but I think it's "meh" and pricey.

GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com

[justbeingpolite]

Update:
Loved Yo Ma!!! Also like Speed the Plow a lot more than Mr Roberts.
Coming up: Indulgences. I think TW Food might be appropriate for this one, particularly as I'm taking a first date to this one.

Thoughts?

[queeny]

Vechia Roma in watertown st, Newton

[pemma]

There's also Porcini's on School Street. I was there once several years ago and I remember it being pretty good.

I think Arlington would be pushing it, too. You don't want to feel rushed.

[StriperGuy]

Porcini's is mediocre most of the time.

[Pia]

Yes, you can make it from Ten Tables Cambridge (if you start dinner at 6) -- it's about a 10-15-minute drive. I would add that to the list. Arlington would be a stretch unless you could get in and out of dinner in just over an hour.

Kitchen on Common in Belmont sounds like it would fit into your list. It features fresh, local food at reasonable prices. The menu is small, but everything is good. It's only a mile or two from the Arsenal Center.

Grappa, Stellina (both Italian), and Amarin are all decent choices. Grappa is walking distance from the Arsenal Center, if it's a nice day and you want to leave the car. I would skip Casa de Pedro (but if you're in a hurry and end up there, definitely get the flan), Strip-T's (which I like, but they do sandwiches and salads and it sounds like you're looking for a nicer dinner), and Aegean. I prefer Shiraz on Bigelow Rd. for Persian to Jasmine, even though both are good.

[Aromatherapy]

How about Persian at Molana or Jasmine.

[justbeingpolite]

Thanks, folks
Went to Il Casale for the first show of the series. Restaurant 1, NRT 0. 6 pm reservation, had no problem making the show. The Carbonara on their homemade chiratta was fantastic, as was the arancini. The vesuvio with goat and the gnocchi were good, the gnocchi itsef very good. Cappellini with spicy oil was very good as well. Mr Roberts was just ok, as the script was very similar, hard to beat Henry Fonda, Jimmy Cagney and Jack Lemmon.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep 'em coming!
BTW, the value at Il Casale was great for the quality of food!!

Any thought on whether TW Food would fit the bill?

[itaunas]

From Huron Village to there it is a quick ride, you will even miss most of the traffic... and they start serving at 5pm, so it seems feasible although it might be nice to start at 5:30 instead of 6. I wouldn't go to Arlington if its not part of your route, but if you are already going through there you will be going against the traffic at 6 and its even better later on. Toraya can certainly be done, bar dining at Tryst, Blue Ribbon.... maybe Tango.

A touch more traffic (but much better than Newton Corner), but Allston Brighton is closer than many other places you have mentioned and some prior suggestions. Jasmine Bistro would be easy (I have gotten out of there in an hour and a half w/o being rushed), JoJo Taipei (maybe in addition to Shangri-La which you should try since you'll already be there) just means a bit of traffic around Union Square -- from Watertown its easier than Shanghai Gate. And more informal options from there out. Dunno what you have tried around there, but if there is something on your list and if you can get to there w/o much traffic its very close.

[justbeingpolite]

Thanks, itaunas!
I was just thinking that Yo Ma was a restaurant we've been wanting to try. Can one get in and out of there in reasonable time?

[queeny]

casa de pedra is right next to the theater,
Aegean a couple blocks down, across from the end of arsenal mall
I second Strip-Ts
a Persian restaurant ( forgot name) on a side st of Mt Auburn st, near the Mid eastern grocery area.
I love Shangri La

[gansu girl]

I've found La Casa de Pedro to be meh, at best, but there are fans here, too (I think?). Strip-T's is a very casual place - and while the food is reasonably OK, I also don't think it's fantastic. Il Casale is solid, but you might have issues w/timing (unless you sat at the bar, which is very nice). That'd be worth the trip, as would Shangri-La, which is short on atmosphere but long on great food - beware, Shangri-La's not open on Mondays.

It's slim-pickin's over here!

GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com

[StriperGuy]

Aegean is terrible.

Casa de Pedro is so so.

Go Shangri-La!

Donohues has decent pub food.

Red Lentil is Very good veggie.

[ShelT54]

Grappa on Elm St. or Strip-Ts.

[pemma]

You could add Stellina in Watertown Square.
Amarin in Newton Corner, too.