I dine at Mantra on Temple Place in Boston this evening and was very surprised. I knew it was Indian fusion and has a hookah den, so I was expecting a dark place with low ceilings, maybe red and yellow curtains and candles. The place was nothing like that. Mantra has high ceilings and a modern interior design with visually fun objects and marble walls. The entrance is so sleek that we missed it the first time. The service was truly excellent and the food was very good. My rack of lamb cost $38 and even the bottle of water was $8, but the quality was high. The wine list was also expensive and I had a hard time finding an appropriate wine on it, but we were ultimately happy with the Spanish red we chose. All in all the experience was a pleasant one, but be prepared to spend big bucks for a special occasion. For a new experience try the blue cheese ice cream. Subject: Re: Boston Restaurant Suggestions - Harvard Square and Beacon Hill From: Marcel Lachenmann Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2003 18:35:25 GMT In article , Jim Someone wrote: > I'm going to visit my son at college and would like some restaurant > suggestions. He's at Harvard and we're staying in the Beacon Hill area > so restaurants in those areas would be preferred but other areas are OK > too. All cusines and price ranges gratefully accepted. There are lots of restaurants offering a variety of cuisines (from burgers to fine dining) at a range of prices in those two areas, with many more in between those locations, easily accessed by public transportation. And if you're willing to walk just a little, the number of available restaurants skyrockets -- along with the number of available cuisines and the value for money. IMHO, Beacon Hill and Harvard Square are among the most overpriced places to eat in Boston. To give you an idea, the current Zagat Survey lists more than 30 restaurants in Harvard Square alone (and it is far from complete). Here are some choices to get you started: Beacon Hill: No. 9 Park -- Fine dining, high-end Italian. One of the best in the city. Hungry I -- High-end, romantic restaurant, probably not where you want to take your son. Lala Rokh -- Persian, from casual to semi-dressy Figs -- Popular mini-chain (4 or 5 locations) of upscale pizza and pasta restauants from Todd English of Olives fame. Upper Crust -- Relatively inexpensive pizza place; casual. Artu -- traditional Italian, casual King & I -- decent Thai; casual Harvard Square: Bartley's Burger Cottage -- well-known in the area for -- what else -- burgers. Cambridge One -- Gourmet pizzas, plain setting. Tanjore -- Very good Indian; crowded, and sometimes lackluster service. Pho Pasteur -- Decent Vietnamese mini-chain (about 5 locations). Legal Seafood -- Reliable seafood spot with many locations. Yes, prices are high. Yes, tourists tend to go here more than locals. But you're a tourist... And they know how to cook fish. Upstairs on the Square -- Houses two separate restaurants, both relatively expensive. This is the new incarnation of a Harvard Square classic (Upstairs at the Pudding), and the early reports are that it is better than ever. Rialto -- Another expensive restaurant, located in the Charles Hotel. Mediterranean fare, very popular. Henrietta's Table -- the second restaurant in the Charles Hotel is known for its Sunday Brunch. Chez Henri -- Trendy French bistro with Latin influences; dressy, and pushing the geographic limit for Harvard Sq. Craigie St. Bistrot -- Neighborhood French bistro; also pushes the geographic boundaries a bit... I'm sure you'll find lots of other suggestions if you ask around. These are just the ones that came to me off the top of my head. My real suggestions to you are: 1. Post this question in the ne.food newsgroup. That's where local food enthusiasts hang out, so you will get a lot more suggestions. If your ISP doesn't carry this group, you can access it via Google Groups ( http://groups.google.com/ ). 2. Help us give you suggestions by narrowing the field in terms of cuisine, price, and atmosphere a little...
Massachusetts