I often use Citysearch on the web to try out new restaurants. So far, I have not been disappointed. After Michele and I ate at this restaurant, I went back to Citysearch to get their take on it, and here's what they say: "It has become, without argument, the giant of the alternative rock scene in Cambridge, Boston and possibly the Northeast". Naturally, when I agreed to meet my daughter there for dinner, I had no idea I would have to go through a crowd of young'uns with mohawks, dressed in frightening black leather, with tattoos that made our freshly hennaed designs meek. Nor did I know that I would see more holes on people's faces than swiss cheese. At 50 years of age, I can readily say I was probably 2-1/2 times the median age of the clientele. But what the heck?
Surprisingly, the food was excellent and I'm a native of the middle east, so I don't say this lightly. If deafening noise is not a hindrance to your conversation, then by all means you ought to try it. We were seated mid-way through the first level of the restaurant. It apparently has more rooms up and downstairs. Unfortunately, belly dancing night is Wednesday, and this was not Wednesday.
The menu is bona fide middle east, and the prices are quite reasonable. Babaganoush came as the appetizer and the pita bread was warm and fresh. Michele had shish-kebab on a pita with french fries (not really middle east), and I had the falafel which was excellent and not too overdone. They have the "salata baladi" which is just the way I love to have salad, but there was no room to accommodate the generous portions.
There is a bakery on the premises, but we didn't indulge; like Espresso Royale, the walls here serve as art galleries for the local and not so local artists. If you can imbibe alcohol, rest assured that there is a bar in every room; we modestly asked for cokes.
Our waitress was very kind, and took an interest in our tattoos even though she had real ones. Service is not terribly prompt, but it gave Michele and I a chance to talk about Boston U. and her life on campus. Neither one of us was able to finish our portions.
Despite rumors to the contrary, the bathroom was quite clean and responsive. If you are coming here by T, take the red line and get off at the Central Square Stop. Two blocks further, the club is right on the corner, and I mean right on the corner, of Massachusetts Avenue and Brookline Street.