Restaurants, etc. near the Somerville Theatre

[fourish.livejournal.com]

I'm seeing a show at the Somerville Theatre soon, and I've only been to Davis Square once. I loved the area and would like to do a little exploring before the show. I know this comm is crawling with restaurant reviews, but can anyone recommend a good one within easy access to the theatre? Doesn't have to be fancy or expensive, but a nice ambience for a small group would be cool.

Anywhere else (cool shops, strange landmarks, awesome places to park) within easy access of the theatre you can tell me about would also be greatly appreciated. (Is that cupcake shop anywhere nearby, perchance?) Apologies if this is the sort of thing that gets asked too often, but I just don't know the area well enough to figure out what goes where.

Thanks!

ETA: This community is amazing. You make me want to move to Somerville. :D

Comments

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

namaskar is indeed really good, but the service can be hit or miss - the first time i went, the service was so incredibly slow i was tempted to leave, but the second time, the service was great. but both times the food was excellent. it's not cheap-cheap but it won't break the bank.

redbones is also fabulous, but there might be a wait, depending on when you get there. the earlier you get there, the quicker you'll get seated, and weeknights are better than weekends. the bbq is fantastic, and it's just down the street from the theater. (walk away from the theater past the cvs and turn right at diva.) slightly cheaper than namaskar. big beer menu. really good pecan pie. (everyone who comes to visit me, i take them to redbones.)

the diesel is a good place for coffee/tea/cider and baked goods.

there's a metered parking lot behind the post office, and another one across the street from orleans.

[diatomacearth.livejournal.com]

The only time I've had sit-down service at Namaskar, the service was terrible--they took forever to bring drinks and food, when one of my party had to send back a dish because it contained an ingredient she was allergic to (not listed on the menu), they were sullen and slow about bringing the replacement, one of our party never got her dish at all, and the server's English was poor enough that she was unable to clearly explain why something appeared the way it did on the bill; the manager--who was present on the floor for the entire meal--had to come over and clear it up.

On the other hand, that was at lunch, and I've had better luck with their buffet. I got the impression that they did not expect a lunch party to take sit-down service instead of the buffet, and were confused and resentful about it.

Food was good, though!

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

that's too bad about the bad service. I've always found the wait staff at Diva to be snarky and just barely civil. I usually get take-out at Namaskar, so maybe if I ate in more often, I would not be as impressed with their service?

[unferth.livejournal.com]

Namaskar's sit-down service is nothing special either way, in my experience. It's occasionally a little bit slow, but not enough to keep me away.

I won't go to Diva anymore, purely because of the service. I think someone there took the name too literally.

[tfarrell.livejournal.com]

I've had excellent food and excellent service at both Diva and Namaskar. I've never had anything less than adequate service at either. I suspect any restaurant can have the occasional off day.

I personally prefer Diva, but that's just a matter of taste; Namaskar is an excellent restaurant.