60

1/11/02**

Rustic Kitchen*

Bistro

200 Quincy Market,Boston
617-523-6334
Park/Park, Haymarket/H'market

While "not very rustic", the glass-enclosed room is "perfect for crusing Fanueil Hall". Add in the "wonderful, funny" waitress and the "yummy food" and you have a "thoroughly enjoyable" place.$$$$ [51]

61

2/2/02

Brasserie Jo

French

120 Huntington Avenue, Boston
617-425-3240
E-Line to Prudential

"Excellent entrees" and "cool deco decor" but our "high expectations" were "marred by slow service" and "the [befuddling]" carrot appetizer (or was it potpourri?)".$$$$ [58]

63

4/5/02

Brown Sugar

Thai

129 Jersey Street, Boston
617-266-2928
Fenway, MFA, #55 Bus

"Pleasantly overwhelming" menu of "delightful" appetizers and "very good" entrees. Some felt ervice was "well coordinated," but others just felt our "large group was rushed."$ [25]

64

5/3/02

Botucatu (now Don Ricardo's)

Brazilian

57 West Dedham St, South End
(617) 247-8394
Back Bay, #43 Bus

""Excellent" apps, "wonderful presentation" of entrees in "unremarkable decor" but with "friendly, relaxed" service. $ [26]

65

6/7/02

Red Fez

Middle Eastern

1222 Washington St, South End
(617) 338-
Back Bay/South End, #49 Bus

No one raved about the food, but we all liked the "airy, spacious feel" (but how about some blinds on the windows!), "seamless service". A "great experience", except, maybe "if you "hate couscous". $$ [40]

66

7/12/02**

Island Hopper

Pan Asian

91 Massachusetts Ave, Boston
617) 266-1618
Hynes/ICA, #1, CT1 Bus

"So-so" and "not special" Asian food but a "swank" and "snappy" setting with "above-average" and "friendly service" made for a "nice" evening. $[31]

67

8/5/02

Stephanie's

Bistro

190 Newbury Street (At Exeter), Back Bay
(617) 236-0990
Copley

"Great room" (with a "round table!" - we love round tables!), waiter "did a good job" and "Very good mixed drinks"but the food was "uninspired", "adequite food" and "overpriced" $$$[53]

68

The Nightengale*

French Bistro

578 Tremont St., South End
617-236-5658
Back Bay/South End, #43, Union Park St.

"super attentive service," "great" "veggie-friendly" food at "relatively" "reasonable prices." So good one diner "ignored the piece of glass in [his] pana cotta!" $$$[53]

69

10/4/02

Caffe Umbra

Italian

1395 Washington Street, South End
617-867-0707
Back Bay/South End, #43, Union Park St.

"Nice room" and "accomodating host" led to "good" but "overpriced food" and a "snotty" waitress "too obsessed with her Russ Meyer chic looks to bother to ...be competent". $$$[55] AND GREG CAME WOW!

70

11/8/02**

Atasca

Portugese

50 Hampshire St, Cambridge
(617) 621-6991
Kendal

"Charming decor", "reasonably priced good", "extremely friendly service" and "some of the best sangria [we've] ever had" ass up to a "charmer" of a First Friday fave. $$[35]

71

12/6/02

Rhythm & Spice *

Carribean

315 Mass Ave. Cambridge
: Central, Bus #1 or CT1

"Great music" and "very friendly waitress, but the "dry" meat made even return visitors complain "I've had better[meals here] befor," and "where's the spice?". $$[30]