Kendall Square and other Cambridge recommendations

[foodie in CT]

Looking for recommendations for lunch and dinner for visit next week. We like everything- ethnic, fancy- anything unique and or memorable. Will be there during restaurant week so those recommendations also appreciated.
One last question- what's teh take on Tangierino, a Moroccan restaurant in Charlestown?

[rlh]

The soft opening of Za and EVOO (I think) in Kendall Square (3rd St. at Broadway) is this Saturday - I have always enjoyed both very much. Za is casual, locavore pizzas (with a controversial, stylized crust) and creative salads - EVOO is more upscale and local-intensive menu. Rumor has it there will be a bar as well. Note you may need to be patient with service this early in their existence as they work out the bugs.

[dulce de leche]

I was hugely impressed with Blue Room's RW dinner. It was really really tasty and didn't feel like they scrimped or dumbed-down.
It's not easy to get a res at Hungry Mother but it's nice food and a fun atmosphere, delicious drinks.

I didn't like Dante, myself. I felt like there kept being included one extra, incongruous ingredient in the dishes and the ambience is very much that of a hotel restaurant.
It's best attributes are the bar snacks and that you can sit outside by the river, which won't be useful for this visit.

Lunch--I agree w Friendly Toast, or would go to Muqueca in Inman for Brazilian or to All Star Sandwich for a tasty sandwich.

Also nearby and good for dinner/beer is Atwood's a nice pub.

If you are going to Central (walkable from Kendall or take one T stop), for dinner: Baraka Cafe (would go here for the N. African food, if you don't end up at Tangierino), Rendezvous, Green Street, Central Kitchen. Lunch: Baraka Cafe, Central Kitchen, Caffe Luna, Andala Cafe, Miracle of Science, Brookline Lunch.

I

[hsquare2southend]

Hungry Mother, for dinner, for sure. For lunch, I would have to say check out the Friendly Toast- yummy diner food in a fun setting. Emma's is also great for a casual pizza dinner (they don't do lunch). And Craigie would be the spot for your fancy dinner.

[Joanie]

I haven't been to Tangierino but I think the consensus is it's pretty fun and okay food. For Rest. Week, I'd go to Dante, their menu looks great and it's good in general (and you're getting a deal since it's usually pretty $$). Bambara's menu looks quite good but I haven't been in years and Casablanca has some interesting stuff on theirs too.

[barleywino]

split the pigs head at Craigie, and a potato galette or sashimi (or bone marrow). ice cream next door at Toscanini's. lunch just across the bridge at Scampo (save room for the pavlova). cornmeal catfish at Hungry Mother.

[pollystyrene]

In Kendall Sq., Hungry Mother gets good to great reviews here, although I haven't been yet. Also popular here are Craigie on Main and Oleana (although it has its detractors, like me). Some of my favorites are The Helmand, Rendezvous and Garden at the Cellar.

[CreativeFoodie42]

I'm a huge fan of Helmand for their delicious Afghan food. I'm not sure if they participate in Restaurant Week but I do think it is worth a try.