restaurant recommendations?

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

for good Italian or Middle Eastern fare close by Harvard Square?
Does anyone know if the Middle East restaurant in Central is loud (before 10pm when the music starts) ?

(looking to recommend something to my mom and a few of her friends going out for a night of theatre and dinner)

Comments

[bluepapercup]

for Middle Eastern in Harvard I recommend Cafe Algiers. They have good coffee, too. They're down the street from EMS.

[cheerjess.livejournal.com]

There's also a small, but delicious falafel restaurant right near the central t stop.

The Middle East.

[giant-hogweed.livejournal.com]

There are two different sections of the Middle East in which one may eat. There's the one on the corner, but then if one walks two or three doors down Mass. Ave. toward MIT, there is a quieter, more spacious eating area. The menu is broader and the selections are much less expensive than at Algiers in Harvard Square, as long as your mother and her friends don't mind T'ing it once they're done.

:)

[denonymous.livejournal.com]

For Italian, I'd recommend Marino (http://www.boston.com/dining/restaurant/539) if it's not too far from Harvard (outside of Davis, on Mass Ave between Porter and Arlington). Fairly pricey, but definitely worth it.

[jencallisto]

ZuZu! in Central had pretty good middle-eastern-ish food. Cafe Barada on Mass. Ave nearish Porter has yummy middle eastern food, but it's quite a ways from Harvard Square at that point.

i've heard good things about Centro, somewhat pricey Italian in Central Square, though i haven't been there myself.

Zagat's suggests Skewers in Harvard Square (Mt. Auburn/JFK), as a decent cheap middle-eastern place; i haven't been there, but it might be worth trying.

[toodleskitty.livejournal.com]

Okay, here's my USELESS two cents:

There's a wonderful Middle Eastern bakery in Belmont I must give props to. No, there's no sit-down dining but when the weather is better, I recommend coming to this place and stocking up on their goods. You can freeze 'em!

I just tried chicken/garlic/vegetable Lamejuns for the first time and *ADORE* them!

The bakery has a long, red, hooded sign that says the generic "Middle Eastern Bakery", and the place is inbetween Oxford and Marlboro Streets on Belmont Street. You can take the #73 bus there.

[komos.livejournal.com]

There's also Saibur approaching Ball Square. It's not as convenient, but they've an amazing menu and atmosphere.

As for Italian, I'd look at Amelia's Kitchen in Ball Square or the tiny place two doors down from JP Licks in Davis. Not sure about Harvard proper.

Sabra!

[seaweedgirle.livejournal.com]

Sabra in Harvard Square has wonderful, made to order, reasonably priced Middle Eastern eats. It's close to the Charles Hotel.

Lots of vegetarian options ... and they use rosewater in their lemonade. An unusual but delicious treat!