Anniversary dinner this Monday night -- outdoors w/ a view -- in Cambridge?

[tastymaine]

Tell us where to eat! My husband and I are celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary in Cambridge with a child-free (!) overnight stay this coming Monday (not the best night for dining, we know...). Where can we eat a leisurely dinner outdoors with a view (in Cambridge -- but not a view of the street -- perhaps a garden, a nicely landscaped patio, or even better, the ocean)?

Would love to hear your opinions on some place with a fresh, non-heavy menu (is that a term? Anyway.). Locally sourced ingredients are a plus; also we like creative menus with a foreign influence. Not so much looking for a steak or pasta or New England seafood place (we live in Maine now, so we can get plenty that way in Portland).

Thanks!

[purple bot]

Nothing wrong with dining out on Mondays as far as I can tell... Oleana in Cambridge has a lovely patio. Also, Dante has a patio overlooking the Charles River (sorry, Cambridge isn't on the ocean). I think both would be good options. Happy Anniversary!

-----
Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

[Mr Bigglesworth]

I agree with the Oleana sentiment. Dante's view is wonderful but my experiences food wise have been so so. You also might consider Harvest in Harvest Square, which has a quiet but pretty patio and lovely food. I'm not sure if they have a patio, but Rialto might be a nice choice (run by Jody Adams of Top Chef Masters fame...)

-----
Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

[mandasanval]

I third Oleana

-----
Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

[justbeingpolite]

If you need the ocean view, perhaps on you way down you could stop ,on your way down, in Rockport and eat in My Place by the Sea on Bearskin Neck, or if you can hang around for dinner, the new The Market restaurant in Annisquam:
http://www.themarketrestaurant.com/
http://www.myplacebythesea.com

[tastymaine]

Thank you for the recommendations! We have 7:30 resos at Oleana...can't wait to try it. The porch is first come, so we'll try to be a little early.

We are planning to choose a nice bottle of wine, share a salad and 2 or 3 small plates, and then split the lamb entree. Maybe dessert. I'll post afterward about our choices. Bet it'll be delicious!

[pollystyrene]

The likelihood of getting a table on the patio is slim unless you get there right when they open...just so you don't get your hopes up.

[jjbourgeois]

Ok, not outside, but they open the windows. Sandrines, has fabulous food, and good service. Ate there Friday night, half roast chicken with pome frites, spouse had lab rack, both delicious. Great service, good beverages, nothing I can complain about.

-----
Sandrine's
8 Holyoke St., Cambridge, MA 02138

[scratchie]

>spouse had lab rack

LOL. That's adventurous. I prefer a smaller breed myself.

[justbeingpolite]

Yorkie's good, but the bones get stuck in my teeth.

OP, you won't be sorry with Oleana. Be sure to have the carrot puree thing, and the flattened lemon chicken with za'atar sounds ordinary, but is anything but!!

-----
Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

[tastymaine]

I have a shih-tzu. Not appealing. hee-hee...

Thanks for the recommendations about specific plates at Oleana. Any other faves?

-----
Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

[pollystyrene]

The ricotta dumplings.

[robertlf]

I second Sandrine's. Oleana also. The Harvest as well.

-----
Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

Sandrine's
8 Holyoke St., Cambridge, MA 02138