FF Admin

ff-logo

Pre-1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005| 2006| 2007| 2008 | 2009| 2010| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | Current


On the first Friday of most months since late 1995, my best friends and I have gone to a different restaurant for dinner. It's sort of the Algonquin Round Table. Without Dorothy Parker. Or the round table.
$ at the end of the review indicates price range for one person with drink, app, entree and desert: $15-20 $$20-35 $$$35-50 $$$$ 50+ (price in parenthesis is the per person price we actually paid).

Restaurants with bold name and fff are a First Friday Favorite - deemed particular standouts for their uniqueness, fun atmosphere, or excellent food. Requires overall ratings over 4, and at least 2 "FFF" votes.)

Click on the Book online icon to make a reservation, the "Book a Table" icon for other reservation systems, or call for reservations (unless "No Reservations" is noted.)

2001

49

1/5/01

Pho Republique*

Cambodian - French

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

Washington Street, South End
617-868-3951.
T:
Back Bay / 49 Bus from Downtown Crossing

Diners "Loved the 3rd world chic" and "Manhattan-esque" atmosphere, but some felt the admittedly "great food" is "slightly overpriced for what it is." $$

50

2/2/01

Restaurant Pomodoro fff

Modern Italian

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

319 Hanover St., North End
617-367-4348
T:
Haymarket/Haymarket

"Cozy" (some say "cramped") "justifiably popular " and "a nice change from "red sauce" Italian." "One wine choice, good thing it's excellent." cash only/no desert $$

51

3/2/01

Centro* fff

Mediterranean

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

720 Mass Ave (Central Square), Cambridge
(617) 868-2405
T:
Haymarket/Haymarket

Dissenters say "blech" and "good, not great" but most say "wonderful "and "excellent food", "if a little overly hip," but "outstanding" and "very nice ...for Central Square!)." $$$$ [55]

52

4/6/01

Firefly *

American Bistro

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

130 Dartmouth Street Boston (Adjacent to Copley Place)
617-262-4393
T:
Back Bay/Copley

Formerly the much-missed Moka coffeehouse. Uneven, but "cheap," with faint praise like "I didn't like my entree, but I'd try something else" to "I wouldn't go back." $$ [32]

53

5/2/01

Rangzen

Tibetan

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

24 Pearl Street, Central Square
617-354-8881
T:
Central Sq./ #1 Bus

"Nice alternative" with " interesting " "refreshing" food in a "simple", "calming " interior, but with service that was much TOO relaxed. $$ [$24]

54

6/1/01

New Shanghai

Chinese

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

21 Hudson St. (Chinatown) Boston
(617) 338-6688
T:
South Station / Chinatown / South Station Commuter Rail (South Shore)

Above average" but "not outstanding Chinese food for cheap" in a "clean, simple room". It's "worthy of a second visit." $$ [23]

55 7/6/01 Mario's* Itaian

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

    69 Church Street, Bay Village
T:
Arlington
One of the great overlooked Boston eateries, despite (or because of ?) the occasional slutty bartender.$[20]
56 8/3/01 Henrietta's Table Rustic American

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

Book online Charles Hotel, Harvard Sq.
617-661-5005
T:
Harvard Square
"Seamless service," "To die for" and "Bathrooms [so nice] If I were homeless, I'd live in there." "Henrietta's Table was just right."$$$ [46]
57 9/7/01 Atara* fff Bistro

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

    1418 Commonwealth Avenue, Brigton
(617) 566-5670
T:
"B" Line to Allston Street
"Atari, or whatever the hell it's called" is "the kind of place where everything on the menu looks great." Loved... the [decor especially the] armor. Waitress "was charming and unobtrusive" just like a good butler." "What a find!"$$$ [43]
58 10/5/01 Artu fff Italian

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

Book online(North End Location) 89 Charles Street
(617) 277-9023
T:
Charles / MGH Arlington
"Charming" Beacon Hill Italian basement with "superb Antipasto" is "Just about superb" Oh, yes... Andrew the waiter made most of us swoon, as he too was "superb". $$ [35]
58 11/2/01 Shilla * Japanese / Korean

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

    95 Winthrop St (at JFK Street), Harvard Square
(617) 547-7971
T:
Harvard Square
"Yummy food for all?" No way say everyone else! "Kinda' icky" "rodent droppings" in a "kinda' basementy" room. Overall: "Just sort of God-awful!" $$ [25]
59 12/7/01 Perdix* fff French

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

    560 Tremont Street, South End
617-338-8070
T:
Back Bay, Silverline (Union Park)
"Charming", if "Spartan" decor with "friendly staff" (the chef came out and thanked us for coming), "worth the long wait" but "definitely for meat lovers" tho' one diner felt "[for the price] I should have had an orgasm about my food [and didn't]". $$$$ [55]

* Restaurant now closed ** First Friday Observed - Held on an alternate Friday