where to eat in brookline village?
we're going to an ART production at the Old Lincoln School in Brookline. looking for dinner around there, open to all cuisines and recs. thanks in advance
Wannabfoode
Nov 03, 2009 07:58PM
Turkish Family Restaurant would be my first thought if I were around there for dinner.
I strongly advise AGAINST both Village Smokehouse and Matt Murphy's, neither of which is worth your time and money.
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Brookline Family Restaurant
305 Washington Street
Brookline Village 02445
(617) 277-4466
www.brooklinefamilyrestaurant.com
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La Morra.
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La Morra is upscale Italian, Tuscan style. It's also close to the Lincoln School.
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I'll give a third vote to La Morra. I've had some of the best fresh pasta there that I've eaten outside of Italy.
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La Morra seems to be coordinating specials with that performance, as well as serving cocktails in an onsite lounge, which they have tailored to the time period of the 'event'...
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I like Brookline Family Restaurant (modest Turkish), Sichuan Garden (pretty authentic Sichuan),Orinoco (excellent fine-dining Venezuelan), and Tashi Delek (cute Tibetan). I have not been to Pomodoro (Italian), but the North End original is a place I have enjoyed.
http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/
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Mmmm Sichuan Garden.
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Pomodoro is excellent and the service is good and efficient. If you tell them you have to be out at a certain time they will accomodate.
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This never gets a ton of love on the board but I really like Baja Betty. Its take out/counter service burrito place with great ingrediants.
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Oh god, please no. I found myself in Brookline Village once without consulting Chow and I ended up there. Disclaimer: This is my opinion only. This is the worst Mexican food I've had in Boston, food is very bland and it sits like a brick in your stomach. On the plus side they have a decent salsa bar although it is mildly unsanitary.
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"...and it sits like a brick in your stomach. "
Totally agree. I live right down the street, and gave them three tries. They're permanently out...
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Yeah, we've come to the same unfortunate conclusion about Baja Betty (though if it's any consolation, they're actually marginally better than the branch near MIT, which I tried a couple times before realizing the connection). The only source of fondness I have for Baja Betty's is that they have something called a "Watsonville Burrito", which, if you have spent any time central CA, comes across something like "Worcester Chowder" (?). So genuinely well-intentioned, and yet so off the mark :) I personally wouldn't bother actually trying to eat it, though...
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i second the recommendation for sichuan garden (ask for the chinese menu). tashi delek is a nice option to have in the area but i don't think it's as good as some of the other tibetan restaurants in town
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If you are really feeling like hard core sichuan get the whole fish with chillies and sichuan peppercorns. That is not a dish for the meek.
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La Morra and Pomodoro are both great choices for an nice dinner in Brookline Village.
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I've enjoyed some great meals and great vodka at Stoli (Russian).
213 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445
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I've never heard of Stoli (the restaurant). Can you say more about their menu and what they do well?
213 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445
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I had an underwhelming meal there once, made me miss the old Cafe St. Petersburg, but Nadeau liked it: http://thephoenix.com/Boston/Food/14433-STOLI-BAR-and-RESTAURANT/
http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/
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Was talking with a dude in Jacob Wirth's who mentioned that the cafe you mention had moved to Newton. Beats closing altogether though. I am excited to check it out.
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Cafe St. Petersburg has indeed moved to Newton, but it's not nearly as good as it was in its Brookline incarnation. My Russian wife and I used to eat at it regularly in the past, but since the move we only go there for special occasions like concerts & weddings. They even screw up Beef Stroganoff these days, making it with slow-cooked stewed beef instead of the requisite quick-seared sirloin.
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Absolutely! First a bit about Russians is in order... Russian, the stoic and tacit people we all know, are quite the opposite when dining and hanging out together. It is at mealtime when they ' let their hair down' so to speak. When they eat together with friends it is, in and of itself, a cause for celebration. For this reason they have MASTERED the art of foods that can be eaten in quick bites and taken with strong liquor in an attempt to not disturb the flow of conversation, camaraderie, and toasts that are sure to ensue.
On to my suggestions.... First of all they make a stunning array of house infused vodkas! Horseradish, grapefruit, Zubrovka (sp?) a wild grass named for the water buffalo that love to eat it, and others. These are serve by the CARAFE (and 1/2 carafe as well as shots of course with about 6oz in a half IIRC)! These must be tried to be believed, however one must do it in an appropriate way... which leads us to pickles. Russians pickle EVERYTHING! No mushroom, bean, eggplant, or tomato can be spared when a Russian is battening down the hatches for winter! As such these vinegary delights are used not only to clean the palate but also to erase the burn from the aforementioned vodka! That's a bite before and after each shot for those not paying attention :)
Next come the pelmeni (small Russian style potstickers stuffed with meat seasoned lightly with bay, pepper, and possibly paprika) a dollop of sour cream or adzhika (a slightly spicy sauce) makes them good enough to die for. After that try the stuffed blinnies (russian filled crepes) with Ikra (salmon roe). The strong fishy flavor combining well with the vodka you are sure to be (or should be!) drinking.
Hope this helps!
PS: All this can be done at home for MUCH cheaper (sans house infused vodka) by visiting Bazaar Russian Grocery in Brookline near Coolidge Corner. Also make sure to pick up a couple of cold salads (Beet, and Salad Olivier) from bazaar as well for your blinnies. You wont be dissapointed.
Have an awesome meal!
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As someone who seems rather enthusiastic about things Russian you have got to check out Baza in Newton. Pretty amazing place, 3 times as big as Bazaar and a bit tidier too:
Baza Market
30 Tower Rd
Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464
bazaboston.com
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I will def. be checking this place out soon. Thanks!
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La Morra would be the shortest walk. I have little experience eating there, but have no complaints.
Pomodoro is great. I have been there several times. The food is not fussy or challenging, and the ambience is very nice. I've had some nice wines there, too.
Matt Murphy's has excellent pub food, but can be a bit crowded and noisy depending on what time you go. I highly recommend the fish sandwich. This is your best bet if you think your group will want to continue drinking after eating.
Orinoco is hit or miss. I find the arepas and some appetizers are worth the trip, but the entrees I've had have either been far too sweet or a bit 'off'. Excellent bar, however. I have had consistently great drinks from two different bar tenders there.
Sichuan Garden can be hit or miss, depending on how much effort you put into ordering.
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