Help-can't get a table at Bondir

[Aimeeredshoes]

My husband is a major foodie and we have a rare date night coming up, two young children, and I'd like to surprise him with some great food. Any recommendations for a new place? Our recent dates included Bergamont and Russell House.

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Bondir
279 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139

[yarm]

Journeyman in Somerville.

[jgg13]

On a related note, how far ahead should one call at Bondir these days in order to get a reso?

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Bondir
279 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139

[Klunco]

I'd say two weeks at this point for a weekend and probably the same for a weekday to be safe. Both occasions I've tried a week out and have been unsuccessful. Just this week I called Tuesday for the following Wednesday (8 days) and was told they only had 5 or 9:30.

After consulting this thread, I made a res at TW Food and am really looking forward to it.

[jgg13]

It turned out that I called almost exactly 1 month ahead for a Friday night for a table of 2. They only had a small handful of seatings left (9:30 and later)

[chefematician]

How about Coppa? It's a much more casual vibe than Bondir, but the food is excellent. I was there last week and I particularly enjoyed the squid ink pasta (I can't remember the exact name of the dish.)

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Coppa
253 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

Bondir
279 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139

[czarp]

Catalyst is new and generating some positive buzz.

Perhaps Garden at the Cellar?

Lumiere comes to mind, but I am guessing that you've already been.

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Lumiere Restaurant
1293 Washington St., West Newton, MA 02465

[Madrid]

evoo. bergamot. oleana. rendezvous. tw food.I know this is lots of repetition....estragon, toro.

[awkwardpause]

Something maybe a little more off beat (and not as fancy as many other places in this thread), but we were really pleased with a visit to East by North East recently. Fun, whimsical small dishes, great cocktails, and unpretentious service. We had the tasting menu while there.

[Aimeeredshoes]

Date night is October 8th. Thanks for the great recommendations, we've been to them all and like them. How about lesser knowns in or out of the city. Something that will surprise him.

[opinionatedchef]

Oleana in Cambridge has a number of recent threads; fav of ours for very unusual menu.
Erbaluce in So.End and Island Creek Oyster Bar -always listed in top boston spots.Blue Inc. new hip spot on the Greenway- just raved by McSlim in local press.

Outside of Boston:
-- Maxwells 148 in Natrick
-- 62 on Wharf in Salem
-- Black Trumpet in Portsmouth N.H.
-- AKA Bistro in Lincoln
--80 Thoreau in Concord
(all have recent threads.) Of them, Black Trumpet is the best, easily equal to Boston, imo.

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Black Trumpet Bistro
29 Ceres Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801

Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

Maxwells 148
148 East Central Street, Natick, MA 01760

Sixty2 on Wharf
62 Wharf Street, Salem, MA 01970

Erbaluce
69 Church Street, Boston, MA 02116

AKA Bistro
145 Lincoln Rd, Lincoln, MA 01773

Island Creek Oyster Bar
500 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215

[Bob Dobalina]

Go to Rincon Limeno in East Boston - get an app of the ceviche mixto, the lomo saltado or fried seafood, and a couple of pisco sours. Return home very happy. No reservations needed.

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Rincon Limeno
409 Chelsea St, Boston, MA 02128

[cambridgedoctpr]

ok, but what about the wait? do you need a reservation?

[Bob Dobalina]

Were you responding to me?

[Pia]

Rendezvous in Central Square. Great cocktails too.

[cambridgedoctpr]

how about Craigie on Main or Rialto if you have not hit them recently? I am always happy at either of these places.

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Craigie on Main
853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139

[Highland Park]

How far in advance are we talking here? If you can't get a reservation at Bondir at this stage, I doubt you can get one at Craigie. What about Hammersley's? Its a little classier, always excellent, and much easier to get a reservation at than the Cambridge places. I personally am not a fan of Rendezvous - found it fine but not terribly impressive.

[heypielady]

I highly recommend Salts in/near Central Sq. It has a similar vibe to Bondir.

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Bondir
279 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139

[czarp]

Salts is great. I also like TW Food.

If you are up for something different and fun, I think Cuchi Cuchi would make a festive date night.

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Cuchi Cuchi
795 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139