Amazing Atmosphere For A Great Date

Waitresses dripping in shimmering costume jewelry, an impressive 40-foot bar, soft lighting, an explosion of vintage decorations and art. No, this is not the set of a movie from the Prohibition era, although it certainly could be mistaken as such.

It’s Cuchi Cuchi, a charming international small-dish restaurant and bar in Cambridge. Dishes are meant to be paired and shared – but please don’t call Cuchi Cuchi tapas! Although their menu does have dishes from Spain, it also features selections from all over the world. Located at 795 Main Street, Cuchi Cuchi brings style to the area with elegance and a serious dose of fun.

Cuchi Cuchi is a great choice for both a romantic dinner with your significant other or a night out with friends. As a girl with her significant other halfway across the country, I hit up Cuchi Cuchi with my dear aunt in tow.

Once we stepped through the door, it was clear that this dining experience would be like no other. Soft Jazz and Latin music circulated through the restaurant, and, combined with the glamorous interior, created a distinctly chic atmosphere. As we were led to our table, I was impressed by the carefree ambiance and joyful buzz about the place.

Meat eater or prefer to stick to the greens? No worries. Cuchi Cuchi is perfect for vegetarians and their non-vegetarian counterparts alike. I ordered the Italian Mushroom Risotto, Asian Salad and French Gratin Dauphinois. The risotto in particular is to die for, a delicious selection with creamy sauce, thinly sliced mushrooms and grains of rice. A concern for social respectability alone prevented me from licking the plate.

My aunt ordered the Russian Chicken Kiev, Grilled Indian Lamb and Spanish Sizzling Garlic Shrimp, which she swears that the shrimp is among the best in the city. Since she’s a Boston native with an extremely discerning palate, I’d take her word for it.

Other featured dishes include Argentinean Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce, Brie en Croûte and Baby Back Ribs with Apple Fritters. We shared the French Banana Bread Extravaganza for dessert, and again, I ran into the dilemma of wanting to savor every last crumb in a most unladylike fashion.

The Blackberry Cosmo stands out among the drink selection as the most delicious. It’s a perfect blend of freshly muddled berries, mixer, and alcohol. The bartender would not share the recipe, although I certainly tried! Other signature cocktails include the Blood Orange martini, the Mango Margarita and the Dirty Little Secret. Wine connoisseurs will be pleased with the menu, featuring selections from France, Italy, California, Chile, Portugal and Austria, among others.

Cuchi Cuchi serves dinner nightly (with the exception of Sundays) 5:30 – 11, and the bar stays open until 12:30. For your consideration, prices run from $7 to $22 per dish. At the end of the meal, I was sad to leave behind the delightful atmosphere of Cuchi Cuchi.

It was a wonderful experience, with friendly and prompt service, mouthwatering food, and delicious drinks. And with a name like Cuchi Cuchi - words that practically demand a shimmy or an air kiss - how could it not be a great night out?