My Thursday Night Dinner Date: New Rafiki Bistro near Harvard Square

So I was just alerted as to the soft-opening next Tuesday of Rafiki Bistro, a health-oriented up-scale bistro with a focus on using all-natural, eco-friendly & organic products. If you know me, you know that the words health-oriented, all-natural, eco-friendly, & organic are music to my ears... the only thing that could improve such a phrase would be the word 'vegan'. Sure enough, they not only have numerous vegan options (from vegan scones to vegetarian chili to lentil burgers) but they offer tofutti cream cheese! I've just become a recent convert to tofutti cream cheese: I love real cream cheese & so I was amazed this stuff was such an amazing replica of the yummy taste with way less fat & calories (& suffering)!

Anyway, I digress. As soon as I saw my email I knew this was going to be our next date night dinner for next Thursday... though I am just as compelled to go there by myself for a cafe trip (they have free wifi!) for some fair-trade tea & delicious vegan baked goods.

I suggest everyone check out their menu & website. I, for one, am very excited about this opening & will post as soon as I get the chance to try it out for myself!









Rafiki Cambridge Bistro
1682 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
617.661.7810

Just another cafe?

Other Side Cafe is anything but just your average cafe. With loud grunge music, perhaps dangerously dim lighting, and almost 20 different selections of beer, this eccentric restaurant (and perhaps--I may--say Vegan haven), defies convention.

As a vegan, it's often hard to find a restaurant that serves up a large amount of veggie friendly food while still being a desierable spot for your omnivore friends. That, plus the fact that I had one (well, two) of the best restaurant cookies of my life (vegan and non-vegan) there, makes the Other Side Cafe a place that warrants a visit.

Be warned, while it's not the hippie sanctuary of most vegan-friendly restaurant, there is certainly a welcoming and anarchic vibe to this joint. The lack of pretension makes for the perfect late-night excursion, if not the best date spot.

If you've ever doubted the deliciousness of vegan food, just try the vegan BLT (my omnivore dining partner swears they used real mayonnaise and the fake bacon melded just like the real thing without all the fat!). Their deserts are all vegan as well: but don't let that dissuade you because, again, second best cookie I've ever had that was not homemade! Not to mention the chili is a must have (go for the half chili, half sandwich deal).

If you're not feeling the fake meat, try the tuna melt (perfectly crispy and warm on the outside but soft and juicy on the inside without all the grease common of this cheese-laden sandwich).

Whether you're looking for an excuse to go into Boston, or simply a cool and laid-back place to get a beer on tap (or some vegan wine), the Other Side Cafe is a must try.

Other Side Cafe $$
407 Newbury St.
Boston, MA
Monday - Wednesday 11:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Thursday & Friday 11:30 AM - 2:00 AM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Sunday 10:00 AM - 1:00 AM