Saturday night challenge in Newton: quick dinner options

[pamlet]

So our babysitter can't make it til 7, and we have to be at the surprise party by 8:30. Where would you go for a quick Chowish bite in that time frame? We live in Brookline, near Rt 9, and the party's at the Biltmore. Thought of Farm Grill, but would like something a bit more interesting... Any ideas?

[barleywino]

Daikanyama inside Bloomingdales (stick with cooked dishes if you're in a rush, the sushi can be slow), or Bernards in the Mall

[Bob Dobalina]

Probably too late, but what about a bite from Virgilio's Echo Bridge Restaurant.
It will be more interesting than the Farm Grill, but maybe not because of the food.

[Blumie]

I walked into Virglio's for the first time ever last week, just to pick someone up. I loved the vibe of the place. I'd go back, even if the food sucks!

[Science Chick]

Yes, I shared those sentiments too, Blumie, until we dined there. I have read that the pizza is good and we probably should have stuck with that. The food was downright horrible....we love old style red sauce joints, but this was simply bad. Absolutely no flavor to the sauce. Eggplant greasy beyond belief. We so wanted to love this place, but we haven't returned.

[nsenada]

I've had the same experience with anything that is not pizza there - really atrocious. Freezer-burned calamari, industrial lasagna, etc. But the pizza is amazingly good.

[Bob Dobalina]

I have not been in ages, but decent, cheap pizza is what I remember.
Also, I thought they did an ok baked ziti.

[Bugsey34]

The Met bar on Rte. 9 in Chestnut Hill for a quick burger or appetizer would be good, too.

[chuck s]

The Biltmore serves food. Is food going to be served at the party?

[CookieLee]

This is what I'm wondering as well. Are you sure you're only having cake at this party? It's at a time for a grown-up passed hors d'oeuvres, pasta station, etc dinner.

[pamlet]

Thanks for the ideas. My husband goes to the Biltmore fairly regularly (post-tennis Boys Night Out) and wants something a bit different.

[CookieLee]

pamlet, how is the Biltmore? The menu looks good!

[L2k]

I'm not pam, but I can say the food and service are good at the Biltmore, but it's about 20-25% overpriced for the ambiance and quality/quantity.

[Blumie]

I know people like the Biltmore, but I've eaten there three times in the last year and have never enjoyed it.

[Prav]

Sweet Potato Bistro, in Newton Corner, and order some of the "Taiwanese Tapas".

[Blumie]

Newton Corner strikes me as too far out of the way, as they'd have to cut through Newton in both directions. I think the OP needs to stick with the south side neighborhoods.

You probably can get in and out of Sol Azteca quickly. Maybe Kouzina.

[philbog]

Actually, Sweet Potato Bistro is in Newton Four Corners, not Newton Corner. It's right across the intersection from the small Whole Foods - so not that far away at all.

[Blumie]

Ah, totally different!

Bonus quiz: who knows the origins of the name "Four Corners" for that area?

[Gordough]

Four gas stations?

[Blumie]

One on each corner. My recollection is a Gulf station on the northeast corner, a Texaco on the northwest corner, an Esso (later Exxon) on the southeast corner, and a Mobil on the southwest corner.

[Science Chick]

Sweet Potato Bistro is actually in Four Corners, and parking is plentiful, if that makes any difference.