Early Dinner near Museum of Science ?

[pasta]

Any recommendations for a good restaurant for an early dinner and drink , within walking distance of the museum ? We are going to park at the museum around 5pm and then have to be back at 6:30.
My DCs suggested NeBo, which I am not opposed to, but wondering if anything else might be closer and/or better? Thank you.

[L2k]

About a half mile to the Liberty Hotel, where you can eat well at Clink or Scampo!

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Scampo
215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114

[pasta]

Thanks for all the recs - we ended up at Bambara as we were late getting to the area and it was so close. We were very pleased - sat at the bar and had excellent service from the bartender.
We shared a few of the $2 appetizers - herb dusted fries which were done perfectly and the arrancini filled with beef short ribs which were out of this world. Bartender brought us a complimentary cup of the butternit squash soup which was also very good, with a hint of curry.
We then split their lobster sliders and they were heavenly!

Another mention of the great service from the bartender - we were very pleased, and it struck me as a kind of place where one would be very well taken care of when dining alone at the bar.

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Bambara Restaurant
25 Edwin H Land Blvd., Cambridge, MA 02141

[mvi]

Glad you liked it. Yes, it is very welcoming for the solo diner.The bartenders and staff are always generous with complimentary treats and the occasional certificate for a free course on your next visit. Sometimes I make those two dollar appetizers into a nice dinner while I read the paper and watch the news at the bar. Very nice experience.

[mvi]

Bambara, Dante or Helmand are all close and all good. If the weather is rainy and awful Bambara and Dante are the two closest. I happen to be a big fan of Bambara. They have a very nice deal from 4-6 with their two dollar appetizers.

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Bambara Restaurant
25 Edwin H Land Blvd., Cambridge, MA 02141

[Stride]

Helmand is on First Street, not too far away; maybe a 10 minute walk. Reservations recommended, even at 5:00.

[Matt H]

2nd Helmand, also Dante is good at near by.

[hiddenboston]

Third Helmand. Also, The Similans next door has good Thai food.

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The Similans
145 1st St, Cambridge, MA 02142

[ceo]

I'd suggest Bambara, just up Land Blvd, but they don't open for dinner until 5:30. In the Cambridgeside Galleria are CA Pizza Kitchen, Papa Razzi and Cheesecake Factory . :-/ A slightly longer walk away is Similans, a decent Thai place (same owners as Brown Sugar Cafe, I think).

One Green Line stop away puts you by North Station, which has Boston Beer Works and similar options. Not the best plan if it's a game night, though.

[southie]

I believe Papa Razzi is gone and it is now PF Changs.