Your suggestions would be much appreciated-- I'll be staying in Cambridge for a short tour in a couple of weeks, and I have a gent from another state who's traveling here to take me on a dinner date.

Since he's already incurring some expenses, I don't want him to get hit with a huge restaurant tab, as well.

Help, please! PMs are welcome.

thank you all in advance,

Tabu of South Florida

you should try chowhound.com I love using it when I travel. It has a lot of different perspectives. That being said, I would recommend...
Dante
Rendevouz
Cuchi Cuchi
Oleana
Chez Henri
Harvest
Rialto

These are all on the higher end but very good. You can check them all out online too.

Sent you a private Message

i would have suggested both oleana and rialto regardless of their chowhound statuses. both are excellent. (both chefs were recently on top chef masters, too.) both are reasonably priced.

the others? meh. although cuchi cuchi is kind of fun and quirky, but i wouldn't say 'romantic.'

t/c

I will throw in another vote for Chez Henri. It is a bit out of the way. Nice atmosphere. good luck.

-- Modified on 6/25/2010 7:31:34 PM

I'm a long-time resident of Cambridge and would be happy to advise you on restaurants, but it would help to know what you would consider "reasonable."  Many of the restaurants listed here, e.g. Harvest, Rialto, are very pricey but certainly worth the money.  So send a PM and I'll be glad to give you my recommendations.  Chez Henri, btw, is an easy walk and an even easier cab ride from Harvard Square.  It features French cuisine with a Cuban touch -- very nice.

The Hungry Mother

for your culinary savvy.

I've received so many wonderful suggestions, I'm going to pass them along to the gentleman in question and let him narrow them down.... though I now have what seems like a excellent short list tucked into my DD cups, courtesy of you all.

many thanks!

Tabu of South Florida

Casablanca, Harvest and 16 Garden Street have survived for good reason.  I used to really like Casablanca.