Some say eating alone at a restaurant is unnerving; others feel it is a getaway to enjoy some soul time. There are plenty of times when we want to go out and don’t have anyone to join. Some spots just fit at times like these.
THE FRONT ROOM offers a cozy spot at the bar with big open windows and reasonably priced gourmet food. The restaurant is a welcoming place to bring a book and have a great meal. Their brunch menu features an array of choices you won’t find in your fridge. The dinner menu cooks up a healthy dose of contemporary American cuisine that will make you want to come back again and again. Entrées ($12-$17) include tuna steaks, braised beef shortrib, classic meatloaf, or pan-fried potato gnocchi. Or grab a Rueben for $9, or crab cakes for $7. The place is so popular, a friend might wander in, so you can order that next round of cocktails or skillet cornbread.
SILLY’S is a spot off the beaten path. The variety of offerings makes it a great choice for takeout or dine in. Pick and choose from pizzas to wraps, a plethora of starters, burgers, salads, and dinner entrees. It’s a great spot for the undecided. Get almost any meal for under $10 or large pizza for around $17. You can also create your own milkshake out of 25 flavors ranging from classic vanilla to marshmallow krispies. The atmosphere features a collection of wacky antiques from decades ago. It is precisely pure silliness.
It can be difficult to find great Indian food. HAGGARTY’S is the one to choose for ethnic take-out. The British-Indian fusion of curry can be quite difficult to master, but the cook has got it down to a science. The spice level is not too hot and just enough for the locals, with room to kick it up for heat lovers. The menu simply consists of seven sauces to pick from, all blends of different spices and vegetables. You can then add to your dish chicken, beef, lamb, or shrimp. Or leave it on the vegetarian side by adding paneer, an Indian-style cottage cheese. All meals are under $10 and come with a container of basmati rice. The portion sizes are plenty for left-overs the next day, so you have no worries about tomorrow's lunch.
BINGA’S WINGAS serves up fifteen hot sauces for either wings or tenders. Now you can find it in two locations: the original on Congress and the new one on Portland Street. The menu not only features the obvious, but offers a selection of sandwiches including a pulled pork wrap, steak tip sub, and chicken tender wrap, as well as salads and sides. You can get out for about $7 most of the time. The brightly painted walls and great music make it a great spot to dig into a basket of wings, accompanied by a selection from the array of on-tap beers, with a lively crowd that is sure to make you laugh and feel welcomed.
With seafood and more to offer, THE DOGFISH CAFÉ is a quaint spot to sip on a martini and relax at the bar. The little café anchors the corner of Congress and St. John streets. It has a great selection of appetizers including steamed mussels and classic New England crab cakes. Whether you’re in the mood for a gourmet sandwich for under $10 or want to enjoy one of the fish or meat specials displayed on the chalkboard for $11–$19, Dogfish has both sides to offer and will fulfill your needs for the evening.
