Diva Indian Bistro

Indian

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

246 Elm Street St., Davis Sq, Somerville
(617) 629–4963
Davis

"Yummy" Indian served in "awfully big square plates" at "pretty reasonable prices, especially for trendy Davis Sq." We "loved the lighting" and "warm colors" and would go back again. $$ (22)

Joe V's *

Italian

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

315 Shawmut Ave, South End
(617) 338-5638
Back Bay, Union Park, #43 Bus

"Friendly little" "neighborhood joint" with a "refreshingly simple" menu is a "glorified pizza-joint (in a good way!)" $$$ (40)

Scollay Square

New American

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

21 Beacon St., Boston
(617) 742-4900
Park/Park, Downtown Xing, #43

"Fun interior, reminiscent of a speakeasy" might "make a better bar ("great drinks" including "mmm...pear martinis" in "glass buckets...[to keep] them ice cold.") Everything was "very-well done from cocktails through to dessert," with "excellent, friendly service" though some noted the "somewhat skimpy portions" and "tad expensive" prices. $$$$ (62)

Gargoyles*

Bistro

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

219 Elm St., Somerville
(617) 776-5300
Davis

"Outstanding" service [unbidden, she whisked Patti's app away to keep it warm when she disappeared --long story], "well-prepared [food]" and "warm and cozy, yet spacious" atmosphere. Our lone strict vegetarian was unhappy, however, with the "sickening" entree. Except for him, "When are we going back?" was the consensus with "First Friday Favorite" votes from almost everyone. $$$$ (64)

Anchovies

Italian

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

433 Columbus Ave., South End
(617) 266-5088
Back Bay

"Perfect drinks" at the bar, an "Erudite wait[ress]" who provided "stellar service" and a "small, cozy" space complimented the "cheap" (especially for the gentrified South End), but "surprisingly good" food, including the "good Italian Nachos." Some points off for "spilling as they bussed" and "REALLY salty risotto." Nonetheless, a "reliable", "fun experience", made it a First Friday Favorite. $$ (33)

Anthem

New American

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

138 Portland Street, Boston
617-526-8383
Haymarket/Haymarket

Uniformly called "suprisingly good" ("Figgy piggy? Who knew?"), this "casual neighborhood" place with "high ceilings" and a "wall o' vodka" had "stallar service" (the waiter handled our baudy "puns with grace") and most of us loved our "cozy private room." (In short: "Simply fabulous."$$$ (44)

Peking Tom's*

Chinese

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

138 Portland St, Boston
617-526-8383
Downtown Xing/Temple Place

"fun girlie" "tropical drinks" and "great decor" that updates the "tacky/kitchsy Polynesian...for today", but "confused and inefficient" servers ("more interested in folding napkins obsessively than clearing empty glasses"), and "unsatisfying" to downright "horrible" entrees (with a lone dissenting "excellent.". All in all "not enough to make [it]...enjoyable" or a reason to "be back soon." $$$ (36)

Henrietta's Table

Bistro

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

One Bennet Street , Cambridge
617.864.1200
Harvard

This Charles Hotel restaurant is "always a good choice" and a FF favorite. It's "pleasant" outside space, "good drinks", "friendly" waiter, "excellent, simple, fresh food" adding "up to a delightful ...experience." $$$$ (55)

Equator

Thai

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

1721 Washington Street, South End
617-536-6386
#1, #CT1, Silverline

This new pan-asian + italian + steak place (most say the "menu is over-broad") rates a FF Fave despite highly polarized ratings: The majority says it was "pleasant enough" but "nothing [special]", service was "a bit of a mess" and it was "excessively pricey." The minority raved "excellent food" and "great atmosphere" and they were "very satisfied." $$$ (45)

Sluggo's Bday Brunch

Brunch

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

South End

"An excellent chef worthy of his own South End bistro," "A comfortable couch" and "Friendly dog" made the day "FABULOUS, FABULOUS, FABULOUS!!" The "gimpy waiter on cruches" was a "nice touch." [Free]

Prarie Star *

Tex-Mex

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

111 Dartmouth Street, South End
617-536-6386
Back Bay, Copley

"Surly bartender set the tone" for a "unremarkable" "bland" food -- with the exception of the "excellent brined pork chops" it was a "dissapointing meal," even if the "nice waiter" tried hard. $$ (33)

West Side Lounge

Bistro

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

1680 Mass Ave, Cambridge
(617) 441-5566
Harvard or Porter, then 77 Buz

"Delicious drinks," (though the "pear martini was watery"), "excellent apps", and "a waitress who recovered brilliantly from kitchen blubs" (one free entree and two free desserts!), though some said the Risotto was "bland" and "too buttery" (is there such a thing?!) $$$$[$67]