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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.)

2008

2008 FF Pic
FF 130 - JJ Foleys: Matt, Steven, Sluggo, Rachel, Michael, Tim, Jason, Kevin, Mike & Tim

130

1/11/08**

J.J Foley's Pub

Food:

Service: star

Decor:

Overall:

117 E. Berkeley Street, South End
(617) 728-9101

T:
E. Berkeley

One diner brings down the curve with compaints about "heinous lighting" and "small portions," but the majority thought it was a "suprisingly good eighborhood joint" with "as-expected pub food," "perky service - especially considering the big group" and a "relaxed" "dark wood pub" vibe.$$ [22]

131

2/8/08**

Green Street Grille Bistro

Food:

Service: star

Decor:

Overall:

  280 Green Street, Cambridge
(617) 876-1655

T:
Central, 1, CT1
"Dive bar" exterior gives way to a "charming" interior "fabulous drinks" and "amazing regional" food (some complain of "overdone" or" gristly" food) and overall a "nice dining experience" marred by "less than stellar" service that got " worse as the place got more crowded" and probobly lost it a FF Fave designation. $$$ [48]
132

3/15/08**

Aquitaine French

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

Book online 569 Tremont Street, South End
(617) 424-8577

T:
Back Bay, #43
Split comments over the "decent air of bistroness" to the interior (some say "tired"); "Delicious" (some say "adequite") food at a "great value" (especially the prixe-fixe menu); but universal complaints about "spotty, distracted" service which had diners ready "to get up and get [thier own] coffee", and inability to seat 13 together, "despite the space to do so". $$ [22]
133 4/4/08 Kaze Japanese

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

  41 Essex St, Chinatown
(617) 338-8283

T:
Chinatown, Boylston
"Good and fresh" food, "high [private] banquets" and efficient" wait-service, but diners disliked the "pink-neon" lights and the "mess' calling this "not a first-date place."
134 5/2/08 Kingston Station French Food: star Service: star Decor: star Overall: star
Book online

25 Kingston Street, Boston
(617) 482-6282

T:
Chinatown, Downtown Crossing

"Charming train station chic" decor and "tasty" food made for a "good meal indeed", but points off for "cramped quarters" ( trying to seat 10 bears at an 8-top?), "uncomfortably warm", and "erroneous drink orders," though the waiter was "attentive".$$$ [50]
135 6/7/08 Village Smokehouse fff BBQ

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

  1 Harvard Street, Brookline
(617) LONSTA (566-3782)

T:
BrooklineVillage
"Exactly what should be expected" and "really good, especially for the NE" with "Ribs... falling off-the-bone, tender and juicy" made for a FF Fave despite "slighty cramped seating" and the "unfriendly waitress" who was "off her game" $$ [22]
136

8/1/08

Eastern Standard French

Food:

Service: starstar

Decor: star

Overall: star

Book online 528 Commonwealth Av, Boston
(617) 532-9100

T:
Kenmore
Food marks ranged from "mediocre" to "amazing," but what really shined was the "friendly", "sweet" server, the "to-nice-to-be-Boston" decor and the "cozy PDR" (Private dining room) which made the "leisurely dinner (in a good way)" "not seem like [the] 3 hours" it was $$$$ [60]
137 9/5/08 Church Bistro

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

  69 Kilmarnock St, Fenway
(617) 263-7600

T:
Fenway
"Bland" food made for "one of the most unnipsired meals ever," service was" slow and "a mess," and we "didn't see the 'Church' inspiration in the decor." The sole highlight: The 7 deadly sins "brought sinning to another level." Go for apps and drinks, not dinner $$$ [42]
138

10/3/08

Henrietta's Table American

Food:

Service: star

Decor: star

Overall: star

Book online 1 Bennett St, Cambridge
(617) 661-5005

T:
Harvard
"Comfortable and homey" too some, "dated 90's country kitchen atmosphere" to others, with "dissapointing pot roast" and "dissapointing" to "fairly good" marks on other dishes. A former FF favorite seems to have fallen.$ $$$ [60]
139 11/7/08 Casa Romero Mexican

Food:

Service:

Decor:

Overall:

Book online 30 Gloucester St (in Alley), Boston
(617) 536-4341
T:
Hynes
Popular house special (pork tnederloin with orange mole) was "unexpected and very tasty" and other entrees were "scrumptous" while "Very attentive" service (especially on a "busy night"), "really good, fresh Margaritas" and "cute atmosphere" make for a "hidden gem" in a Back Bay alley. $$$ [43]

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