Saturday Night w/Teenager and Old Folks: Cambridge Area

[pocketviking]

Hey Hounds, am in need of inspiration! Am looking for a place to take a 15-year-old (who would rather be XBoxing) out to dinner with his grandparents. Need easy parking (valet fine), comfortable chairs, low decibels, reliable service and, of course, good food of any kind--all adventurous eaters. Any ideas?

[LeoLioness]

I can't comment on the ease of parking, but maybe Gran Gusto? It fits the bill otherwise.

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Gran Gusto
90 Sherman St, Cambridge, MA 02140

[emannths]

Parking's no problem. There's a lot behind the restaurant, and I think you can also park in the Danehy Park lot across the street.

[Bob Dobalina]

Actually, you cannot park in the Danehy lot - at least, the signage is pretty clear that the park is closed at dusk and that you may not park there after the park is closed.

But there are a few spots right in front of the restaurant and more than adequate free parking in the lot behind the building.

[Blumie]

Rendezvous in Central Square. No valet parking, but several city lots/garages close by.

[cambridgedoctpr]

Rialto in Harvard Square; you can park in the Charles Hotel or on Memorial Drive

[viperlush]

I agree with Rendezvous. The food is great, service exceptional, and relatively quiet. Your 15 yr might enjoy the people watching.

Hungry Mother. Again good food and service. There is metered parking as well as a garage. Don't know if the grandparents have any issues with stairs, but there are a few going up to the dining area.

I hesitate to recommend Oleana because some of the seats are very uncomfortable, I've had a couple bad dishes there, and parking is somewhat limited. But the service is great, not too noisy, and the food is more adventurous than the other places recommended.

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Hungry Mother
Cambridge, MA, Cambridge, MA

Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

[yumyum]

Hungry Mother can be wicked loud, so if that is a concern I'd select Rendezvous. Green Street garage is closest to the restaurant and cheap.

Gran Gusto is also a fave but it might seem a little "sleepier" to the teenager than the Rendezvous in Central Square.

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Gran Gusto
90 Sherman St, Cambridge, MA 02140

Hungry Mother
Cambridge, MA, Cambridge, MA