Marchine???

 Someone wrote:

 >I saw a story on Chronicle the other day about a 'restaurant' called
 >Marchine, I believe, in Prudential Center, where you can graze pushcarts
 >filled with cuisine of lots of other countries, get a card 'stamped' and
 >pay as you leave, sort of like dum sum on the move. Anyone hear of this,
 >try it yet, and if so, is it any good??  Thanks. Lyn

 Marche Moevenpick, on the Huntington Ave.Sheraton corner of the
 Prudential Mall.

 I've been there...hmmm...four times already. Yes, I'd say it's very
 good, if you approach it with the right mindset.

 Basically, you enter the restaurant and get a ticket (your own), then
 select a seating area from the four (soon to be five) available.
 Snagging a map isn't a bad idea either, especially if you've never been
 there. Then you start wandering around, picking up a tray, silverware,
 etc. and looking at the various food options. They have a grill, a
 rotisserie, a raw bar, seafood, soup, pasta, pizza, salad, veggies,
 juice bar, creperie, pastisserie, ice cream, coffee, rosti (a Swiss
 potato dish, very tasty), sushi, a bar, and a host of other stuff. Just
 get in line (if there is one) at any station and order. They'll stamp
 your ticket with whatever you ordered. When you're done assembling your
 meal (or your first course), head back to the table and eat -- returning
 for more food whenever you feel the need. Staff will periodically arrive
 at your table to clear plates, trays, silverware, etc. When you're all
 done, just walk to the exit and pay the cashier. In essence, it's like a
 self-contained food court done in a European style, but better.

 The food is on the third (mall-level) floor. The second floor, to open
 soon, is a large "caveau" where an utterly amazing wine list will be
 offered up by the glass and bottle (the prices are unbelievable),
 complete with faux fireplaces and wood tables. The bottom floor is a
 market, with produce, prepared foods, etc. -- also not open yet.

 Weak points: the servers are a bit too quick to take utensils, which
 means any trip for additional food should include grabbing more
 silverware. The traffic aisles between the food area and the seating are
 a little confusing and not conducive to the huge business that they're
 doing. Gratuity (a small one) is added to the check at the time of
 payment.

 Strong points: the variety of food, the wine list (what they have at the
 upstairs bar is not sufficient yet, but the full list will be stunning),
 and the individual checks. What I've found Marche to be _perfect_ for is
 the mixed group, bane of all dining experiences; if I want a lot of food
 and wine, but my fellow diners want soup and a coke, the tickets end the
 haggling over quantity, price, payment, etc.

 Warnings: don't expect Marche to measure up to fine restaurant dining in
 any respect. Except for wine service when the Caveau opens, it won't. Be
 especially careful with highly specialized cuisine, like sushi, which is
 better ordered elsewhere. The ice cream, however, is heavenly. And
 remember that certain food stations, especially the grill, will always
 have a line.

 Prices are quite low, but then they save a lot on both service and
 quantity.

 Thor

 I really disagree.  I think Marche is sort of nasty and overpriced for
 what it is: a gaudy cafeteria.

 erica

 Someone wrote:
 Someone wrote:
 : >Hey folks:
 : >I saw a story on Chronicle the other day about a 'restaurant' called
 : >Marchine, I believe, in Prudential Center, where you can graze pushcarts
 : >filled with cuisine of lots of other countries, get a card 'stamped' and
 : >pay as you leave, sort of like dum sum on the move. Anyone hear of this,
 : >try it yet, and if so, is it any good??  Thanks. Lyn

 : That place is called Marche (http://www.marcheusa.com).
 : I've never been there, but they have a smaller wing (Marchelina) next to the
 : Urban Pain in the Pru Mall, which is pretty much a takeout lunch place..

 : The food is quite good, and the prices are reasonable.

 : -joe