what are your (reasonably priced) standbys?

[nyc_to_ma]

I know similar questions are asked occasionally, but I dont see anything really recent.

I'd mostly like to know what your standby / fallback restaurants are. That is, the places you go for a fun, delicous, and casual night out when you don't have any special plans. Preferably under $100 for a dinner for two.

I'm mostly interested in Cambridge / Somerville / Boston, but I'd go to Arlington, Brookline, Newton, or towns north of the city for something really great.

We currently frequent Blue Fin sushi in the Porter Exchange, Myers + Chang, East Coast Grill, Flatbread / Sacco's, the Painted Burro, Za, etc.

I personally love places where you can eat at the bar or don't need reservations, places where you can order a bunch of small plates / appetizers, and places with great cocktials or beer. What are your 'musts' for a casual night out?

[sun1234]

Foundry On Elm
The Saloon
Five Horses Tavern
Park Cambridge
Gas Light
Highland Kitchen

[hungrytommy]

+1 for Park Cambridge - was really crowded when I was there about two weeks ago though

I also end up at Eastern Standard a lot but again can get a little crowded

www.hungrytommy.com

[mwk]

Salty Pig would be my first choice, given your requirements. Great food, sit at the bar, casual, no reservations, small plates, etc. I eat there regularly, usually after shows at the Lyric Stage.

[dulce de leche]

when having a bar or some ambience is important:
Muqueca
Atwood's
Abigail's
The Druid
Highland Kitchen

and otherwise:
City Girl
Basta Pasta
Pho & Rice
Fasika

[teezeetoo]

Prix fixe nights at 10 Tables, Rendezvous - Jo Jo Taipei and Shanghai Gate any night (no booze at the latter) - oysters at the bar at Lineage , Fireplace Grill for great burgers and good drinks, Estragon for good tapas at good prices

[Madrid]

which reminds me how much I love the Monday tapas at the bar at Rendezvous.

[nyc_to_ma]

Great lists everyone -- thanks for the ideas! I always forget about Highland Kitchen and Gaslight, even though I love them both.

[ebone]

Downtown Boston:
-Silvertone
-Marliave
-JM Curley
-Antico Forno (for N End)

Somerville:
-Highland Kitchen

Cambridge:
-The Druid
-Green Street
-The Cellar
-Russel House

Small sample, but I'd say those are where we find ourselves most and we also like to sit/eat at the bar.

[pollystyrene]

Tupelo-comfort food with a Southern drawl plus pies by Petsi
City Girl Cafe-cozy, good & simple pasta & pizza, excellent value
Gaslight-good cocktails, which you should limit if you're using the FREE parking

[Bob Dobalina]

Second City Girl - good place that is perpetually under my radar.

[Madrid]

if you go early and sit at the bar, Oleana.

[Splendid Spatula]

We hit Chez Henri occasionally, after the dinner rush. Used to love Casablanca for this kind of meal, but not for much longer alas.

[Matt H]

Abigails, West Bridge and Portugalia are probably my 3.

[Bob Dobalina]

Highland Kitchen is my stand-by.

[misseri]

Agreed!

[Boston_Otter]

Lately -- The Painted Burro, Bergamot, Solea, Strip-T's, Saloon. If there's time for a drive, Cafe Polonia, especially in mid-winter.

[FinnFPM]

Clover in Harvard Square. The great, cheap beer they serve turns it into a worthwhile destination for an actual fun sit-down dinner. That's especially true on Friday Nights, when they serve whoopie pies.

[rknrll]

Magoun's Saloon as long as there isn't a big sporting event going on.