664545 Tue Nov 03 19:58:20 -0800 2009 25 12 Boston Area 0 5153949 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 Tue Nov 03 19:58:20 -0800 2009 180763 Wannabfoode 1 5153952 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. Tue Nov 03 20:04:08 -0800 2009 5153949 17548 BarmyFotheringayPhipps 1 5154205 Brookline Family Restaurant 305 Washington Street Brookline Village 02445 (617) 277-4466 www.brooklinefamilyrestaurant.com Wed Nov 04 00:38:40 -0800 2009 5153949 281272 theparegorickid 1 5154283 La Morra. Wed Nov 04 03:38:12 -0800 2009 5153949 106428 nasilemak 1 5154284 La Morra is upscale Italian, Tuscan style. It's also close to the Lincoln School. Wed Nov 04 03:38:28 -0800 2009 5153949 66281 ginnyhw 2 5154358 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. Wed Nov 04 04:47:59 -0800 2009 5154284 14386 BobB 2 5154476 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'... Wed Nov 04 05:59:43 -0800 2009 5154284 11108 galleygirl 1 5154292 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/ Wed Nov 04 03:50:43 -0800 2009 5153949 10143 MC Slim JB 2 5154546 Mmmm Sichuan Garden. Wed Nov 04 06:33:49 -0800 2009 5154292 10169 StriperGuy 1 5155044 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. Wed Nov 04 08:56:53 -0800 2009 5153949 13202 emilief 1 5155305 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. Wed Nov 04 10:03:48 -0800 2009 5153949 158016 cassoulady 2 5156132 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. Wed Nov 04 14:03:43 -0800 2009 5155305 323961 tysonmcneely 3 5156284 "...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... Wed Nov 04 14:47:08 -0800 2009 5156132 11108 galleygirl 3 5156346 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... Wed Nov 04 15:09:41 -0800 2009 5156132 49653 another_adam 1 5155818 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 Wed Nov 04 12:26:03 -0800 2009 5153949 47608 galangatron 2 5156177 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. Wed Nov 04 14:15:35 -0800 2009 5155818 10169 StriperGuy 1 5156580 La Morra and Pomodoro are both great choices for an nice dinner in Brookline Village. Wed Nov 04 16:24:12 -0800 2009 5153949 175523 macadamianut 1 5157941 I've enjoyed some great meals and great vodka at Stoli (Russian). Thu Nov 05 08:15:32 -0800 2009 5153949 1119700 FoodOfTheWorld 2 5158028 I've never heard of Stoli (the restaurant). Can you say more about their menu and what they do well? Thu Nov 05 08:46:58 -0800 2009 5157941 10232 yumyum 3 5158116 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/ Thu Nov 05 09:16:04 -0800 2009 5158028 10143 MC Slim JB 4 5158147 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. Thu Nov 05 09:25:36 -0800 2009 5158116 1119700 FoodOfTheWorld 5 5158259 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. Thu Nov 05 10:02:15 -0800 2009 5158147 14386 BobB 2 5158130 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! Thu Nov 05 09:20:47 -0800 2009 5157941 1119700 FoodOfTheWorld 3 5158355 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 Thu Nov 05 10:27:11 -0800 2009 5158130 10169 StriperGuy 4 5158884 I will def. be checking this place out soon. Thanks! Thu Nov 05 13:00:51 -0800 2009 5158355 1119700 FoodOfTheWorld 1 5158103 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. Thu Nov 05 09:11:58 -0800 2009 5153949 1084118 Area Man