Good Bar/Food in Cambridge or Brookline

[lel]

Looking for suggestions where we'll be able to get two seats at the bar around 8:00 pm Saturday in Cambridge or Brookline for a few drinks and appetizers/small plates. Thanks in advance.

[GrillDawg]

The bar at Casablanca is very pleasant and they have a wide array of Mediterranean-inspired small plates.

[BackBayGirl]

Russell House Tavern in Harvard Square is good. I know they have the bar upstairs and I want to say there's also one downstairs.

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Russell House Tavern
14 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

[jgg13]

There's a MUCH larger bar downstairs, plus lots of seating.

[Madrid]

Rendezvous in Central Sq has great small plates, warm atmosphere, great service. Never been there at 8 pm on a Sat., however.

[ecwashere7]

Green Street Grill in Central and Russell House Tavern in Harvard are good options.

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Green Street
280 Green St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Russell House Tavern
14 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

[5thAndNowhere]

The Plough and Stars - btw Harvard and Central
West Side Lounge - outside Harvard
Shay's - Harvard
The Fireplace - Brookline
Washington Street Tavern - Brookline
Audubon Circle - outside Kenmore
Bergamot - outside Harvard/Inman
River Gods - Central
Cuchi Cuchi - Central
Central Kitchen - Central
ZuZu - Central
East Coast Grill - Inman
The Independent - Union

2nd 3rd and 4th for Craigie, the Garden, Rendezvous and Green Street.

[scotty27]

I love River Gods.

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River Gods
125 River St, Cambridge, MA 02139

[CookieLee]

Probably will be crowded, but I like the bar at Orinocco in Brookline Village.

[gramercyfoodie]

Have not been at 8p on a Saturday but really enjoyed The Abbey in Brookline.

[scotty27]

I love downstairs at Upstairs in the Square. Harvest is nice, too. I second Rendezvous. I was in Chez Henri on Saturday night and was disappointed: The sandwich was OK, but the onion soup (at $11) had no depth and wasn't worth finishing. The vibe at Chez Henri is really fun though. Oh, and how about The Blue Room & East Coast Grill?

www.shrinkinthekitchen.com

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East Coast Grill and Raw Bar
1271 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Chez Henri
1 Shepard Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

The Blue Room
Hampshire and Portland streets, Cambridge, MA 02139

[Taralli]

Blue Room is a must before a movie. We always order the antipasto platter w/roasted veggies & add the cured meats, cheese, etc. among other things: http://www.theblueroom.net/menus/dinner/. Also consider Casablanca in Hsq: http://www.casablanca-restaurant.com/...

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The Blue Room
Hampshire and Portland streets, Cambridge, MA 02139

[scotty27]

Right, CasaB. The burger is great!

[teezeetoo]

Brookline's tough at that hour, but you can try Washington Square Tavern, Beacon Street Tavern, Cognac Bistro or the Fireplace.

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Beacon Street Tavern
1032 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446

Washington Square Tavern
714 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02446

Cognac Bistro
455 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02446

[yarm]

For Brookline, I'd recommend Lineage.

And for Cambridge, I second Rendezvous (Craigie is great but the bar seats are rather prized).

http://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/

[viperlush]

Third Rendezvous (ate the bar NYE around 8:30) and add Green Street.

http://www.greenstreetgrill.com/

[bear]

Good suggestions. I'll add Garden at the Cellar to the list.

[Taralli]

Rendezvous, Cambridge: http://www.rendezvouscentralsquare.com/

[cambridgedoctpr]

craigie on main, chez henri and rialto have nice bars though getting a space at cragie would be difficult without a reservation.