1/9/09**

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250 Huntington Av, Boston
617- 424-1950
Prudential (E-Line), #1, CT1, 39 Bus

Relatively good scores belies "mixed feelings" over food ("[Mom] could make better" and "struck out every visit" vs "I'd...definately come back for more") and over the service ("fumbled credit cards" and "nonexistent gap between apps and entrees" vs "pretty and cordial" waitstaff) but everyone loved the "chic diner" decor and the drinks ( made with Sake and other cordials). .$$$ [40]

2/6/09

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80 W. Broadway, S. Boston
617- 268-6189
Broadway

Diners liked "the feel of the place" and the food was "diverse" with "large portions" and was mostly "well done" but overall "lousy service" and "chaos with the bill" underscored it's better "for a date than a group" though most everyone would go again "on a less busy night." $$$ [38]

3/6/09

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10 Bosworth Street, Boston
617-422-0004
Govt Ctr, Park, State, Downtown Xing

"Chic" renovation of a Boston classic," "fantabulous" servers who "worked in tandem like a good team should" -- not to mention the "synchronized reveal" -- and "delicious," "surprisingly good" food makes for a First Friday fave.. .$$$ [44]

4/10/09**

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1145 Washington Street (at E. Berkeley)
617-542-5200
E Berkeley, Broadway

Though some bemoaned a lack of portion size and value," diners universally praised the "wonderfully complex cuisine" with the "perfect amount of spice" and "stellar" dishes that "held up to what [diners] had heard"; "colorful presentation" (yay "bendy straws"); "modern asian whimsy" in the decor; and "wonderful," "friendly" staff (who even complimented the group on it's "good looks".) $$$ [43]

5/8/09**

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80 Atlantic Avenue, Boston
617-227-7280
Aquarium

"Great location on waterfront" wasted with decor that "needed livening up," "terrible bread," and "suburban food"; the only redeeming feature being "quick, efficient" service and even that felt like "trying to.. turn tables." "Not fantastic, not horrible" sums it up. $$ [33]

6/5/09

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513 Tremont Street, South End
(617) 927-0066
E Berkeley,Back Bay, #43.

Rare top marks for "superbly-friendly", "top-notch" servers who "...belong at a 5-star resturant!" and "always filling and satisying" though never "mindblowing" food -- except the "hella' good Mac 'n' Cheese" -- makes this "neighborhood gem" a "favorite 'anytime' resturant." $$ [33]

7/2/09**

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150 Highland Ave Somerville
(617) 625-1131
Porter, then 83 bus

Diners liked the "standout" drinks, but felt the uneven food ranged from "mediocre" to "kind of disappointing" with a rare "awesome", and noted it was "Super pricey" for "just another neighborhood [place]," We loved the "stellar" server until she complained we were short $3 on the (mandatory) 20% tip (before we'd signed the credit cards). In short, the "meh" decor and food made for middling marks.. $$$ [48]

8/7/09

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33 Stanhope Street, South End
(617) 572-3311
Back Bay, Copley

Most diners were "impressed" by the pretty color-changing lights,while some said the "mall" decor was "quicky becoming dated" but we loved the crooked stairs but didn't all love the "aloof" waiter who "mumbled" and "dissappeared" after the mains were delivered, and thought food ranged from "delicious" appetizers to a "menu as tired as the interiors." $$$$ [63]

9/11/09**

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1746 Washington St, South End
(617) 266-0003
Silverline or #1/CT1 bus

"Taranga" loosely translates as "welcome," but after a tiff with the owner over the outrageous 20% tip on "low-key" turned "abysmal" service (with a "crazy-long" wait for dessert), we hardly felt welcome, and diners thought the decor "comfortable but not spectacular", and food "tasty", but "not as exotic as expected" food and ingredients seemed to be "reused in different combos" -- other than the standout Mafe and Filet Mignon brochettes. $$$[55]

10/3/09**

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439 Tremont Street, South End
(617) 338-8884
Back Bay, Arlington, #43 Bus

A FF Fave for the "warm." "cohesive" southwestern" decor; ,the "excellent" server's "ability to keep up "with a large group"; food that was "uniformly good" and "tasty" (especially the "kick-ass spicy bloody marys"); and the "surprisingly reasonable" "overall value" (especially due to the Saturday prix fixe items). $ [20]

11/6/09

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74 Kneeland Street, Chinatown
(617) 357-5262
Chinatown / Chinatown

High marks for the “amazing” food and “attentive” service more than offset the low marks for the décor that looks like “someone’s low-rent Chinatown apartment.” An abundance of delicious wine (BYOB, there is no liquor license here!) made for “a lot of fun, a lot of food, and good conversation.” $ [20]

12/4/09

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190 North Street, North End
(617) 523-4480
Haymarket, Haymarket

"Crowded" and "slightly cheesy" "North End Guinea" decor but the "super yummy" stuffed artichoke app and "good" food as well as the "attentive and amusing" server -- with the "heavy hand on the Lemoncello" -- made for a "pleasant experience" overall, if a "slightly pricey". $$$ [57]