Brookline Bites

by Hannah Lowenstein

 There are a lot of places to get food in Brookline, to the point where it can be overwhelming to choose just one. However, there are also many things to take into account when finding a spot to eat, including quality of food, type of cuisine, location, mood and price, among other factors. The Sagamore wanted to give the high school population a bite of the student-friendly food options in the area. We compiled a list of what places are best for whatever time, place and budget you happen to be in.

Key:

If you have

$=under 5 dollars

$$=under 10 dollars

$$$=under 15 dollars

Cafes:

Kookoo Cafe (Brookline Village) $

7 Station St., Brookline, MA 02445 

Whether you are looking for a place to warm up with a hot drink and a snack or a place to study, Kookoo Cafe, located by the Brookline Village T stop and in the Brookline Public Library, is an ideal spot. Its warm-colored plastered walls, funky decor, bookshelves, rustic wood floors and furniture make it cozy. The fresh coffee and pastries are reasonably priced and come with very friendly service. Try the caprese sandwich with fresh tomato, mozzarella and pesto, heated up on french bread, along with their frothy hot chocolate or their bold cafe lattes.

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 Athan’s Bakery (Washington Square) $$: Athan’s Bakery is a Greek cafe and gelateria that serves traditional desserts and drinks and is open later than most places; until 10 p.m. most nights and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Their iced coffees come in one fairly large size and are very strong, which is good if you need a bit of a buzz. They always have a small selection of breakfast pastries, such as croissants, cheese pies and buttery apricot danishes, but the items to really go for are their chocolate mousse desserts, gold-foiled chocolates, and broad selection of baklava dripping with honey. They also offer sandwiches and salads.

https://plus.google.com/104428807342796822053/about?hl=en-US

Japonaise Bakery (St. Mary’s) $: This cafe is a little different from your traditional eatery. The Japonaise Bakery offers a variety of unique pastries inspired by both French and Japanese cuisine, as well as refreshing bubble tea. There is seasonal outdoor seating where you can watch the commotion of Beacon street while enjoying your food and drink.

1020 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02446

Lunch:

Clover (Brookline Village) $$

 Known for their fast, fresh, creative and inexpensive food, Clover is a great place to get a healthy lunch. Their menu changes daily depending on what they have ready and available to cook. On one day, they had a beet salad and falafel plate made on crispy pita, which deliciously integrated sweet and tangy flavors. They also served a homemade vanilla soda, which was very refreshing and not as overwhelmingly sweet as most regular sodas. The restaurant has a modern and industrial atmosphere, and their popular food truck can be spotted around Brookline and Boston. Clover is very accommodating to food allergies and other eating restrictions.

6 Harvard St. Brookline, MA 02445

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Paris Creperie (Coolidge Corner) $$$: It is a slightly more expensive eatery, but offers delicious crepes (both sweet and savory) and fairly quick service, good for both eat-in and take-out. They are known for their ‘frozen hot chocolate.’ Try the savory crepe entitled ‘The Affectation,’ with its interesting blend of bacon, arugula, goat cheese and fig. The Paris Creperie also owns a food truck, which can often be found around the Brookline Teen Center.

278 Harvard St., Brookline, MA 02446

Anna’s Taqueria (Coolidge Corner) $$: Anna’s is known for being quick, inexpensive and hearty. You can get tasty burritos, tacos and quesadillas made to order. Possible fillings include rice, beans, meat, cheese, grilled vegetables, fresh lettuce, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. There is often chilled fresh-squeezed orange juice and Mexican sodas ready at the checkout counter if you’d like a drink with your meal. There’s plenty of seat-yourself seating inside the restaurant, but ordering ‘to go’ is an easy option as well.

https://plus.google.com/118122128168296499700/about?hl=en-US

Dinner:

The Curry House (Coolidge Corner) $$$

1335 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02446

In the heart of Coolidge Corner, this buffet-style Indian food restaurant is great for take out (they deliver!), but it also has plenty of seating and a warmer atmosphere than the average fast food restaurant. If you’re looking for spice, The Curry House is where you’ll find it, and at a moderate price too. The meal often consists of a large rice or naan bread base, with a saucy meat or vegetable dish to go with it. There are also great appetizers, such as vegetable samosas and crunchy pakora.

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Eagles Deli (Cleveland Circle) $$$:  Famous for their massive “Eagle’s Challenge” burger and their other sandwich options, this restaurant is popular among students and sells higher quality fast food. It has a 1980s vibe and is often quite crowded. Their milkshakes are terrific, and they have many different kinds of burgers and sandwiches, served with perfectly salted fries. Make sure to arrive hungry.

https://plus.google.com/106430183587450425659/about?hl=en

Rod Dee (Washington Square and Coolidge Corner) $$ (cash only): Their reasonably fast service and very flavorful food makes Rod Dee a student favorite. The menu is extensive, spanning from crispy spring rolls, scallion pancakes and chicken satay as appetizers; spicy crispy chicken, egg noodles and coconut curry with vegetables as main dishes; and sticky rice with fresh mango as a dessert.

https://plus.google.com/116422016508134588203/about?hl=en

Hannah Lowenstein can be contacted at [email protected]