Finale Harvard Square
30 Dunster St
Cambridge, MA 02138 (617) 441-9797
- Nearest Transit:
Harvard (Red)
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
133 Reviews for Finale Harvard Square
Desserts are what you do, and you charge more than just a pretty penny for them. So why don't you WOW me? The praline feuilletine would be fantastic if not for the the passion fruit curd. Your apricot chardonnay sorbet is fine, but it tastes like I just picked it up at WholeFoods. Even your signature Molten Chocolate is just...nice. (Nice. Not *thrilling*, but nice.) Your cocktails are tasty and not insanely priced, and your staff are great, so there's that. But really, it's supposed to be all about the desserts; instead, it's anything but.
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I went to Finale on New Year's Eve 2007 with my family and some relatives who we were visiting in the Boston area. We had just spent a few hours taking in Boston's First Night festivities and were somewhat tired, until it was suggested that we grab some dessert. I decided to try something new and order an interesting dish that included liquid caramel and puff pastry. Sounds irresistible, huh? Unfortunately not. The caramel tasted bitter and the pieces of puff pastry were drowning in a puddle of it. Apparently, I went on Finale's website to find out that this dessert was not listed on the menu. Perhaps people complained about how they didn't like it.
Despite my choice of dessert, the place was beautiful and the service was great. I would definitely go back next time I'm in Boston, but would choose a different dessert--something that is more worth the calories!
I had never actually been to this Finale before when I decided to have my Bridal Shower here. I liked the idea of having my shower in a place close to the T, sometime after 2pm, and to make it a dessert party.
Since my mom, Aunt and Grandmother couldn't attend but wanted to throw me a special shower -- it was important for me to find a place that could host 25 ladies for a reasonable sum. I found out Finale charged $8.50 per person for a dessert party. Liquor was not included so I bought a champagne toast ($4 extra per person), and about 10 bottles of wine for the ladies (at about $20-30 a piece). The bill came out to around $700 (with included 20% gratuity) -- so roughly $35 a person. But, if you only bought a round of drinks and didn't go wild like I did, you'd probably could skate away with it for around $500 total.
The event went really well. Emily, our server, was really attentive, I had a personalized menu, and the space was small and comfortable (though it really can't fit more than 25 people) She was available when I asked her to be available, I was starving so I ordered a sandwich through her when I arrived and she was fully aware of what I had arranged with the manager.
One problem I found while planning it (since my mom/grandmother/aunt couldn't come in) was that the Manager wasn't very attentive to his email or voicemail with my questions, but honestly, it did go off without a hitch, so I can't complain too greatly. However, if your'e a nervous nelly and need to talk to the events person a lot, this could be problematic.
Honestly for the most part, it was such a low key planning experience. I invited the ladies, signed a contract and got my "count" in a week in advance. I would totally recommend this space/experience for Bridal Showers, Baby Showers and other small day-time affairs.
Though the event was technically from 2pm-4pm, Finale let us stay until around 5:30pm in the space -- drinking the alcohol not consumed. They had a nice little gift table set up and even let us set up an hour (And hang out) before hand. I thought that was really a nice touch, it also gave me the chance to take a look at the wine menu and order a few bottles of wine within my price point.
I'd totally recommend this space to any one trying to have a Sunday Bridal Shower that is a little different, stress free and full-service. It's really hard to find an affordable place in Boston that's a little unique and if you're like me and don't want to be hosting 25 ladies in an air condition-less apartment, Finale might be for you, too!
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I came here today for the soon to be Mrs. Sweetser's bridal shower and we had a lovely time in the private room. The service was okay, though they seemed to need more help at the to go counter (I had to wait for a little while before getting helped to grab a treat to go for Jesse). The setting was nice, but needed a little more attention to detail in my opinion, as there was some water dripping from the ceiling, the ladies room needed a good scrub, and the ceiling had random patches of white.
I am a fan because I love desserts, and am all for skipping lunch in exchange for coming here for a party and eating chocolate and drinking wine. Both the wine and the dessert (I went with the ultimate chocolate cake) and it was exactly what I wanted. The chocolate was really decadent, and if I end up here again, I'd split the cake with someone else, as it was kind of heavy. It was a little round cake of heaven, though.
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I've been living in Boston for going on 3 years now and had never been to Finale until yesterday. "How is that possible?" you ask. Girls+sweets=match made in heaven. But due to the fact that my sweet tooth is limited and Finale is just one of those places that I never really got a craving to try out, you can see why I've avoided it. However, I had my opportunity for Shannon B's bridal shower/pastry party mishmash.
We had a private room, which was an excellent idea, since there were about 20 of us. The room was bright and cozy, with red plush booths on one side and chocolate wood chairs on the other side of the matching table.
The servers were attentive in getting us our wine (red and white, oh my!) because things get ugly at a bridal shower if there's a shortage of booze. Not at this one, but I imagine that it's happened before. The menu was limited to four options for our party.
I had the cheesecake, which was delightfully creamy and provided a nice contrast to the tartness of the accompanying raspberry sauce. Emma D. and Jamie A., who were on either side of me, each had the fabled Ultimate Chocolate Cake. I got to sample this treat, and oh. Oh, that's good. Time to change my pants. It was extremely rich, though, and I thought it was a wise decision to have not ordered it, since I am 99.9999% sure I wouldn't have been able to finish it.
A small group of us lingered after the party had ended, finishing the wine and chatting, as girls tend to do. The staff was pretty patient too, considering that they were waiting to clean up the room and weren't pushing us out the door in our tipsy states.
I might come back here to cap off a romantic evening out with The Boy, but otherwise I wouldn't really be drawn to returning. I'm a salt girl, through and through.
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Update: I went back recently and did not order dessert. Instead, I ordered the cheese plate. Woohoo! Score. It was a lovely cheese plate and it had a bit of everything- almonds, salami wedges, crusty bread, 4 or 5 different cheeses, olives, a big scoop of reaspberry jam, grapes. Yes! It was exactly what I wanted and it was big. I think I enjoy this place more if I don't order dessert.
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1 Previous Review: Show all »
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07/23/2008
I give this 3 stars because I always have the same reaction every time I eat there.
"The asian… Read more »
The service here is all right, sometimes good and sometimes not too good but never horrible. The desserts are always deelish though. I've had the Creme Brulee, the Magnanimous Molten (chocolate cake with a gooey filling served with three scoops of ice cream), and the Double Dipper (chocolate fondue with fruits, cookies, and white cake). It's always a treat to come here.
Desserts... what a brilliant idea.
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I was expecting a warm welcome when we entered, but instead there were two waitresses that looked at us and walked away. We then waited for another few minutes before someone came to seat us. I find this hard to believe since there were only a few tables taken. This is actually making me more mad as a type, so I just bumped it from four stars to three.
I was expecting a nice glass of cold water to cool my throat, but instead I got a glass of warmness. Luckily they saved us with their absolutely delicious dessert. I split a magnanimous molten, which simply melted in my mouth. The warm chocolate inside was very good and probably ranks in my top 5 for best chocolate sauces. There were also three scoops of ice cream: chocolate, vanilla, and coffee. They were all delicious. I am not a coffee drinker, but after trying their coffee ice cream, I was ready for a glass.
The presentation of the dishes was also nice. The dessert is a bit pricey, but worth it once in a while. This place needs some better service, but their chocolate can probably save them every time. It saved them from me, I am going back to four stars. Luckily, they put me in chocolate heaven.
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Because I'm a spaz and make decisions based on no reason at all, I marched right on into this place and bought me a tiramisu.
First, let me say that Sunday late afternoon is the time to go to this place. I'm sure that there are other times to go, too. Saturday night, probably not. Too many freshmen guys looking to score with a girl easily impressed by their ability to pronounce "tiramisu." But when I went, the place was....deserted. *ducks*
The tiramisu would be better than sex, if it lasted longer. The dessert, I mean. And even then, it would have to last a pre-tty long time. OK I'm done. Point is, it was quite a delicious dessert.
Sugary sweetness was about 6 bucks, coffee was another buck and a half. The coffee was some of the crappiest I've ever tasted. Or perhaps, every other cup of coffee I've ever had was crap, and this was high-class excellent. You decide. For a buck and a half, what do you really want.
I would go here again to plan a villanous deed, or if I really wanted my WiiFit to go "did you have Tiramisu AGAIN, fatty?" An enjoyable experience.
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Note: this review is for their lunch, not the dessert. Even though I am a huge fan of all things dessert in general, I am actually not a major Finale fan. I am, however, a little in love with their lunch special. A yummy sandwich, bag of chips, and a cookie for 8 dollars and change! That's amazing. I love having something salty to nosh on with my sammy, and then to finish it off with a perfect cookie (or if you are like me, to eat it before, a little during, and then after again). I also like to have something sweet with my salty and vice versa, so having chips and a cookie simultaneously is a fantastic idea. The cookie was delicious. I got the triple chocolate one, a good choice. I like mine super chocolatey, crunchy on the ends, and chewy in the middle. This one met all of my cookie requirements. The sandwich was also good- I got the tuna on multigrain with lettuce and tomato. I don't like many tuna salads, but this one had a good tuna:mayo:celery/onion ratio. And the bread was really fresh. Overall, I thought this was a great deal considering I was in Harvard Square and at a place I previously thought was strictly dessert-only. The only thing I didn't appreciate was the snippy waitress. She seemed nice at first, but turned on me pretty quickly.... and I don't think I even did anything to deserve it this time!
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Pretty ambiance. Pretty dessert presentations. Good service. Way overpriced. I've tasted better tasting desserts in some high-end restaurants that were also expensive but I felt were more worth my money.
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Food (9.0/10) = I have never sat down at this place during the evening and ordered from their menu. The few times I've been here, I just ordered the cakes/tarts (which cost about $5 each) displayed in the front. I've had the creme brulee, tiramisu, lemon tart, and cheesecake. All of these are fabulous, but I must say that the reason why they are so good is because Finale uses a LOT of cream in their desserts (especially the creme brulee).
Service (7/10) = Can't really say much about the service since I only come here for "take-out."
Ambiance (9.5/10) = The decor seems nice and comfortable. I like how they have a mirror on the ceiling, so you can watch the pastry chefs make your dessert.
Overall Opinion = The desserts I've had are definitely delicious. My only problem is that I feel these desserts are a bit overpriced considering the quantity per dessert.
My sister diggs this place. She is into the atmosphere. I think it's OK. just very pricey...good for maybe a special date or something.
There is a woman who works here who is so consistently unpleasant that everyone in my office stopped going here about a year ago. When I did used to go for lunch, I liked that the sandwiches/salads/soups were tasty and its chill ambiance for sitting and reading a book. So I will allow the three stars assuming that you, dear reader, won't be a regular. If you do go here and are greeted by a short, overprocessed woman who treats you like dirt...don't say I didn't warn you.
The thing is, what Finale prides itself on - desserts - it's not actually that great at. Cheesecake and creme brulee - excellent. Anything with a cake or pie as the crux of its foundation will disappoint. The cookies are just plain naff. Personally I always like the hot chocolate - it's very heavy and a bit dark which I like. And the Illy brand coffee is excellent...but Peet's is better!
Highly orgasmic. LOVE IT. Even the name is cute.
I kept looking around to see what other ppl were ordering. Every piece of dessert was a piece of art and it tasted delicious.
If it wasn't so crowded, i would have seriously licked the plate
I love my friend for bringing me here!
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The GOOD:
~Desserts are pretty (maybe that's why they cost so much).
~Decor is pretty (maybe that's why the desserts cost so much).
The BAD:
~Have you ever been waiting for a table in this place? You can't get in the door. There is nowhere to sit, though there is a perfectly good radiator along the wall where people choose to park their tushies (did they ever think of saving the life of this poor radiator and placing a bench there????). Oh, that's right, you can wait at the bar while you wait for your table. What? There are only four chairs, four chairs crowded by all the sad-faced patrons behind you who weren't savvy enough to score a chair or a section of radiator? Oh, and the bar is more of a service bar. You mean you don't enjoy the sound of wine bottles clanking loudly as their haphazardly chucked into the trash can only inches from your face?
~Service is typical chain-type, uninterested in you because we all hate our jobs service.
~The price. Oh, the price.
The UGLY:
~"The taste of the dessert, you ask? Oh see, I didn't know that was the point. Well, to be honest, good sir, they're just so boring and nothing tastes half as good as it's price would suggest and so I just didn't think that was the objective of patronizing the place." (though the molten chocolate lava cake thing was good. but i'm pretty sure hostess has a version of the same thing, it's just that you have to follow the instructions on the side of the box that say "place in microwave before consuming.")
Meh.
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It only gets a one because the store is nice and the food looks great. Don't let them win you over though. I wouldn't drink their hot coco if it was free, I took 2 sips and threw it out. Watered down hot chocolate at a car dealership tastes better that this did. I also made a stupid mistake for ordering dessert there. I at least had 3 bites. It's only saving grace was the white and dark chocolate pieces on top. I didn't finish it and threw it out as well. How they messed up a boston creme cake I will never know. Especially living in BOSTON! Don't go, avoid this place like the plague.
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We had great service. Got the magnanimous molten which was very good but not excellent. It's expensive but good for an occasional treat.
I realize that I've been Yelping for more than a month and I still do not have an ode to my holy grail of all desserts: Finale.
I think Finale is enough to turn anyone into a dessert-lover. Or actually, turn anyone into a lover - with its rich red walls and romantic ambience... Finale lives up to its promise of creating "sensational dessert experiences" (I looked up that line from the website). Dark chocolate decadence, creme brulee, strawberry bavarian, caramel affair, triple-chocolate cookie, vanilla cupcake... *drool*
Oh Finale, I think I love you.
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Definitely this is THE place in Harvard Square if you want long, quiet evening conversation without dealing with drunken craziness at a pub. It's a civilized spot, if you will. A bit too cliche for a date, I think, unless you're an ascot-wearing Harvard undergrad -- in which case, yea, dive right on in.
Beautifully plated desserts look small by American proportion standards, but the richness of the ingredients means these desserts really fill you up. And yes, there are options for people who aren't totally ga-ga for All Chocolate All The Time (like me), and they are very delicious. Really it seems you can't go wrong with any of the dessert options here, just go for what tickles your fancy and enjoy.
They even have drink Cliffs Notes with suggested aperitif pairings under each dessert. Would you care for a Madeira port with your creme brulee? Indeed I would.
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For my next trick, I'll be diving mouth first into a giant molten chocolate cake. If you're a chocolate fiend, this signature dish at Finale is worth the 10.95. I would even pay 11.00 for it. It's that delish!
The only detractors from the experience for me were the draft any time people went in or out and a cappuccino that was a little on the foamy side.
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This is my favorite place for dessert in the city - any of their locations. I absolutely love it!
I have never tried a bad dessert here. the old standbys Creme Brulee and the chocolate molten cake are both awesome. I totally loved the first iteration of the caramel carnivale (with fresh berries, caramel mouse, and little pastry separators (I don't know what the technically called them). The new one is almost as good, but not quite as fantastic as the first.
I've tried several of their desserts for two - and those have been quite tasty as well. The dessert wines and teas compliment the desserts nicely. I discovered joseph phelps ice wine there - and it's an amazing ice wine (they no longer carry it- and it's like $60+ a bottle now).
This a great place to go on a date after a meal, or with friends.
The overly artistic dessert presentation is now so overdone, it is cliche. Everything else about the place is cliche:
- Wait staff dressed in all black
- Smoky, dark, cigar bar style interior
- Greeter who apparently graduated from the fake accent university
- Overpriced menu items
- Name that should have alerted me this place would be this way...
It's one redeeming quality is that while the desserts look ridiculous, they are well-made, of good quality and taste pretty good. The dessert and wine pairings are also a nice touch. The coffee was decent.
But for a true artistic experience and dessert worth the price tag, head to L.A. Burdick.
I've been here one time. My girlfriend and I were seated and greeted promptly. The service was attentive and well-timed. The two desserts we ordered were delivered in a reasonable amount of time.
They were good like I expected them to be, after viewing the prices prior to entering the restaurant. However, no matter what restaurant I attend, I always scowl upon paying more than 6 or 7 bucks for dessert.
Unfortunately, I guess you have to pay the price for the reassurance of receiving a dessert that is above average, and the creative display.
The coffee was decent too. Will I go back......maybe.....I guess I wasn't left with a memorable impression of the place. I give 3 stars for the decent service, dessert, and coffee.
If you're watching your waistline, I don't recommend even walking by this joint. This was, by far, is my favorite dessert place in Cambridge. The cheesecake and tiramisu are totally YUMMY! The seasonal plate of dessert is good for sharing with a friend. Very busy on Friday and Saturday nights if you're trying to sit inside. However, they do have a 'to-go' counter...there's usually a line too, but it's much shorter than the line for a table. If it's too freaking cold to leave your house in the winter, you can just bake your own Finale cheesecake via the recipe on the Food Network's website.
http://www.foodnetwork...
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This place is way way overhyped. There are only two things worth checking out on the menu: The warm chocolate cake (good, but at almost $12?) and the seasonal dessert plate (a selection of whatever is in season, which is usually good and interesting as well).
If you're not on your first date, I suggest that you get take-out from the counter (almost everything is between $5-6 for what you would pay about 10-12 in the dining room) and go chill someplace else.
And if you are on your first date: Dude, couldn't you think of something more inventive than taking her to Finale? What are you, a freshman?
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Stopped here mid-day for a break from shopping. The booths are soft and comfy. The prices are high for somewhere that you order at a counter. The creme brulee gets four stars, but the cupcake only gets 2.5 or so -- it was on the small size for the price, it was too cold just out of the case, and the ratio of frosting to cupcake was unbalanced to me. I have had *much* better cupcakes from Whole Foods' bakery counter (the one in Cambridge right off of Memorial Drive) and at Deluxe Town Diner, big enough for two and a better deal for the price.
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Finale in concept gets 5 stars.
Finale in execution gets 3.
Here's why:
The goods themselves are delicious. A little pricey, but plated beautifully and artfully, while still be delectable and satisfying in the portion department. However, while the decor bathed in warm, rich color, it's plain layout and bare-essentials approach left me with a generic feeling. Although I can appreciate the attempt at simplicity, it seems for lack of ornament or originality, to fall more into the boring department.
We tried the Fantasia dessert with the Late Harvest Port Wine pairing. A wonderful suggestion that meshed well together. I love when places have samplings like that of beer or wines. Like appetizers for alcoholics. Plus, our waiter brought over his own favorite wine pairing, a treat for us to try, which was nice of him. He delivered great service. the standard polite, knowledgeable waiter who was attentive but not overbearing.
Is this what I would call fine dining? Absolutely not. The desserts are decadent and the Port list impressive, but at the end of the day, it just doesn't have that added elegance and upscale infusion that permeates today's fine dining market.
However, don't think for one second that this means I won't go back for more!
To be honest, I'm more of an at home dessert kind of girl. You know, the share-a-pint-of-ice-cream-while-watching-a-movie type. My idea of fancy dessert is going to Whole Foods and buying one of the little individual desserts and having dessert tapas while watching Law & Order.
But, on the occasions when I find myself going out to dessert (for someone's birthday, etc.), I think Finale's a pretty good way to go. The chocolate is decadent in any way, shape, or form. Even the non-chocolate items are unbelievable. Fresh fruit is used to complement many of the dishes and the plating is beautifully done. The drinks are sugary and delicious. Mmmmmmmm.
Bottom line: If you're going to go out to dessert, you might as well go all out. Finale is just the place to do that.
What can I say that hasn't already been said about the Molten Chocolate Cake....??? Mmmmm. Delicious and almost too rich. I'm not a huge chocolate fan, but I just had to try the cake after hearing what everyone has been saying about it. We came here after dinner, so I was already full (though not stuffed, just full cause you know I had to save room for dessert!) The cake was VERY rich and dense and gooey and honestly even if I hadn't eaten dinner beforehand, I don't think I would have left hungry. It came with a small serving of gelato and some chocolate wafers for garnish.
I had a bite of the Boston Creme Pie, which was amazing as well, and there was nothing mini about their mini whoopie pies on the side except their size...those things pack a punch of sweetness!!
Prices aren't cheap (about $10 for a plated dessert, and it's small enough for one so you don't even have much left over for a doggie bag) but I don't think that'll stop anyone with a sweet tooth.
Waitstaff wasn't the most awesome, but service was decent, and decor and ambience were just what we needed to wind down for the evening. We were seated right by the dessert chef's bar in the back so we could see them making the desserts in the big mirror that hangs from the ceiling. Yum.
Finale has the best creme brule I've ever had. It's definitely not a cheap place to just grab a cookie or a scoop of ice cream. The desserts range from about $9-$13 per person, and they really are not that large. But the quality is high. The waitstaff was very friendly but they kept pushing this chocolate molten cake that we weren't interested in. It's far too expensive of a place for me to become a regular at, but it's a nice place to go for a special occasion or with an out of town guest.
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Definitely..in my opinion there is a difference in this venue compared to the one in the Back Bay..from the service..the atmosphere..to the legendary molten chocolate....! The Finale @ Park Plaza is soooo much better....and almost just feels like a different spot all together...!
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"It's another clue!" The barista gasped as Velma pulled a magnifying glass from her purse and leaned over to examine the dark brown footprint behind the counter.
"Zoinks!" Shaggy moved to kneel besides Velma, but tripped and fell, landing his palm in the middle of the evidence. It had a slippery consistency and he slid a bit before regaining balance. "Ew." He lifted his hand, sniffed it, and then shocked us all by licking it. "Chocolate?"
"Roh boy!" Scooby eagerly started lapping at Shaggy's hand and the edge of the footprint.
"Scoob, like, don't lick the evidence!"
Velma left the two of them to fight over the chocolate, walking over to the huddle of Daphne, Fred, the barista, and myself, mumbling: "Chocolate footprint...caramel fingerprints in the creme brulee...the kirsch near the fruit tarts... What could it all mean?" And then suddenly, she smiled and looked at the barista. "I think I've got it!" We all began to conspire to trap the infamous Desserterie Demon of Finale's Bakery.
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Scooby fought us on wearing the little-old-lady wig and the dress, but we all loved the idea too much to let it go. After a round of grumbling about always having to be the bait, Shaggy had donned a similarly greyed wig and a pinstripe suit, and they sat in the corner of the bakery while loudly enjoying their slices of Boston cream pie. And then suddenly...
"WHO DARES TO EAT HERE ON THIS HALLOWED GROUND!" The Demon emerged from the bathroom, shaking and shuddering, splashing water around the room. At that very moment, Fred and Daphne tackled him, and the barista and I quickly followed up, tying the hands of this demon behind his back.
"You see," Velma said proudly to the barista as she pulled the stringy mop off of the head of the struggling mess, "Finale's isn't really haunted after all."
"Old Man Withers!" The barista gasped. "But...but why?"
"Old Man Withers just bought a large share of LA Burdicks down the street," Velma said. "It was his size 11 footprint we found, and his shoes are coated with a chocolate unique to Burdicks. The caramel and kirsch are from pastries that are also only sold there. He wanted to scare away your patrons and drum up more business for his own desserterie."
"And I would have gotten away with it if it hadn't been for you meddling kids!" The old man spat and cursed as the police hauled him away.
The barista turned to us all as the door closed behind the mob leaving. There were grateful tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you all so much. How can I ever repay you?"
"Umm...free desserts?" Scooby suggested. He had parked himself in front of the display, and there was a puddle of drool gathering at his feet.
Like, totally!" Shaggy grinned, and I waited for the rest of the team to demur like they normally did. Before I knew it, however, we were all arranged around a table laden with every treat imaginable: things that I didn't even know were on the menu!
"Hey guys, is that your Mystery Machine getting towed outside?" I noticed the tow truck through the window, and everyone sighed as they followed my gaze.
Shaggy began to get up, and paused. "Oh, like, whatever. We'll get it later." And then everyone around the table laughed until the frame dissolved into the credits.
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Enjoyed a nice espresso martini (delicious!) and chocolate molten dessert at this place last night. Ok, ok....so, I had a gift certificate. Creative drink options, many including chocolate, and a good selection of salads and sandwiches. Our waitress was a bit of a ditz (wait, we needed those menus!) but we survived. Was really here killing time before an alleged "date", which was cancelled due to the fact that he was in New Hampshire instead (!?!??!). But it turned out to be a lovely, high-class girl-date instead. :)
We went in with 7 people for desserts only and the charge was only 23$. Isnt that cheap?
I love this place, something really nice in the middle of Harvard that has clean restrooms, tables and chairs and the servers were polite.
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Eh. Presentation is here, no doubt. But think of all that you have to give up to get it to look like that:
Taste and texture - Whatever it is is dried out from its double life as an art project It's also on the slimy side for construction purposes.
Price - Umm.. what? Four of us went to Borders for dinner (with drinks) and still paid less there than we did for two desserts and some coffees.
Attitude - OK I get it, the desserts are high end, doesn't mean the person showing me to my seat is.
The two stars are for when you need to impress someone and can afford to spend a little. Those cakes and tarts do look damn good on a dessert table.
Moist and creamy chocolate cake from Shaw's on my couch takes the cake (har har) over a stuffy, pricey evening at Finale any day.
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I'm a dessert fiend. Whenever I'm at a restaurant, I always make it a point to flip to the dessert menu to see if there's anything that catches my eye -- and if there is, I feel like I just have to have it, even if my main entree already has me stuffed. So the first time I went to Finale, I felt like a wide-eyed 5-year-old on Christmas morning. I haven't met a plated dessert of theirs I didn't like, with the exception of their rendition of Tiramisu (I'm not a fan of it). My favorites are their Molten Chocolate, Caramel Carnivale, and sorbet/fruit plates, which I always enjoy immensely.
While the majority of the plated desserts are indeed quite good, I can't quite say the same of the ones I've tried in the glass case at the front of the restaurant. I brought an out-of-town friend here in the middle of the day once, and when we found out that they only serve the plated desserts during the evening hours, we ordered desserts from the glass case instead. I was utterly disappointed, as the desserts we had were lacking in taste -- a stark difference to what I'm used to there. Consequently, I make it a point to only go there at night now, when I can order my usual plated favorites.
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This place is awesome. The deserts are like small pieces of art, that you almost feel guilty eating.
The taste, and everything is spot on. My favorite is the Manjari Chocolate Mouse (not sure I spelled it right), is a triple layered chocolate cake, with orange cream on the side, slightly tart raspberry ice cream on the side, with few chocolate flakes, and some sugared thingy on the side.
It is really really yummy!!
Every time I have been in here I have always had a great time. The servers are great, but the place doesn't take reservations, and there is always a line outside, which fortunately moves pretty fast. There is a huge mirror on the top of the dessert making bar, so you can see the chefs doing their magic.
The prices range from 8-12 per desert, and there is lots of wine choices (and suggestions), on pairing the desserts. Seems expensive, but this is the kind of place you come for high end deliciously food, and great for dates or special occasions.
They also sell desserts to go, which are really good, but slightly different (and cheaper), than the stuff you will get in the sit down restaurant.
Now I live in San Francisco, and I have yet to find a good place like this. (I tried Citizen Cake, and it was horribly disappointing, and much more expensive).
So, Finales is a 5 on my books.
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i went into this place having heard it's the BEST place for desserts and i am usually nervous to go somewhere or do something after i have heard lots of good things because quite honestly...yes...i'll admit it...i can be very critical...sigh.
...BUT, i did join a friend for dessert and between the adorableness of the company i shared and the pineapple upside down cake dessert we ordered, i was in heaven (as well as on my way to a diabetic coma)...both of which were worth the trip.
also, good job finale for not having chocolate in EVERYTHING! there are a few freaks like me out there who do not like chocolate...and the fact that most of the desserts were fruit inspired made me happy.
i will definitely be frequenting finale again and i will also be utilizing the liposuction services provided by the plastic surgeons that i work with as well as the gym. well, maybe just the lipo.
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