Ariadne344 Walnut St.

Newton,MA 02460

(617)332-4653

While at Brandeis, students must become acquainted with their surroundings. There are an abundance of wonderful theaters, clubs, museums, shops and restaurants in the suburbs of Boston. Although a bit confusing with its many villages, Newton is a neighboring city to Waltham that has much to offer. Besides the unique, independent movie theater (West Newton Cinema) and the best ice cream parlor around (Cabot's Ice Cream), Newton has a few outstanding places to dine. One of these is the newly opened restaurant and bar, Ariadne.

Originally from Greece, chef and owner Christos Tsardounis adds a Mediterranean flair to his endeavors. After working under the direction of acclaimed chef Todd English, Tsardounis opened his own restaurant, Aspasia, with his wife in 1999. Located in Cambridge, this eatery has a "cozy, off-the-beaten-path" atmosphere (www.bostonchefs.com), and quickly received rave reviews from the critics. In 2002, he and his wife opened their second restaurant, Ariadne, in Newton. It has become a popular destination for locals and tourists when in the mood for an elegant and tasty meal.

Ariadne has a simple look, with white linens and tiny candles on each table. It is a small restaurant, similar to Aspasia, adding a calm, intimate feel to the dining experience. In addition, the wait-staff are particularly friendly and responsible, many of them young adults beginning their careers in the restaurant business.

With its New-American and Mediterranean cuisine, Ariadne offers a diverse menu. For an appetizer, the "Mesclun Greens with Chardonnay Vinaigrette & Parmigiano Reggiano" is light and agreeable. Still, vegetarians beware -most of the main courses are heavy meat dishes. Luckily, I happened to be dining with my father, an avid meat-lover, so his "Grilled Black Angus Sirloin Steak with Braised Hen of the Woods & Ciopollini Onions" was devoured thoroughly and enjoyed. My "Lamb Rack with Ossobucco & Sauted Broccoli Rabe" was decent, but proved to be a bit too bland and tough. Slowly, disappointment crept in ... that is, until dessert arrived.

Without question, the desserts at Ariadne are the highlight of the meal. Made by a 20-something pastry chef fresh out of school, they are scrumptious. That night we were offered a Lemon Tart and a Chocolate Mousse Cake. The tart was precise with its mixture of sweet and sour, while the cake was rich and melted in the mouth. Both were extraordinary and far surpassed the entrees.

Similar to most chic restaurants, Ariadne is very expensive. With a tight budget, enjoy a drink and dessert there. Otherwise, a full dinner will be a fine experience. Finally, I would offer to meet you in Newton, but alas, I am graduating. It has been a pleasure being your arts editor (2001) and writer, and I wish everyone much luck in the future.



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For more information and directions, visit the restaurant's website at www.ariadnerestaurant.com.