Getting Away at the Getaway Cafe

I had the pleasure of having dinner with my husband, Gary, at a  and Brookline favorite on Wednesday night – the  on Sussex Avenue.

For those of you who read , you know that there are four criteria on which I place the utmost importance. Service, taste, nutritional value and the ability to lighten certain dishes without compromising taste are all essential.

As we entered the Getaway, we were welcomed by the hostess, Linda. She seated us in a very comfortable booth. The artwork and decor at the restaurant is very interesting and pleasantly displayed.

Paula, our waitress, immediately took our drink orders. My husband had a Blue Moon Seasonal, and because we had the misfortune of flurries in our area all the way into late March, I had a hot cup of coffee. The beer was not dissatisfying, and neither was the coffee. However, in keeping with a lighter fare, I was disappointed that the restaurant did not have skim milk for my coffee.

Shortly after our drink order was delivered, the owner, Lou, greeted us and suggested a baked feta appetizer, which features several types of feta wrapped in over 15 layers of filo dough and baked to perfection.

Although I just tasted it, it seemed too rich for me and very salty. My husband, however, had only delicious adjectives for this signature appetizer. Lou was very proud of this "Greek delicacy."

For my main course, I chose the Thai salmon, choosing to have the Thai sauce on the side because of potential spiciness. I dipped my fork in the sauce while eating the salmon.

Though the sauce was indeed a little spicy for me, the salmon was delicious. I requested it cooked plain in a little olive oil and asked to have the toasted sesame seeds left on. Quite frankly, it was the best piece of salmon that I ever tasted.

I chose two sides: a side salad, which was a little soggy but nonetheless adequate, and roasted vegetables that were crisp, seasoned perfectly and very tasty.

My husband had the Asiago bruschetta chicken breast, which was charbroiled, topped with diced tomatoes, basil, shallots and garlic, and finished with shredded Asiago cheese and balsamic reduction. Definitely worth trying.

We were given personal attention throughout the entire dinner experience. I passed on the starchy side dishes and the fresh bread, but all of it was available along with an array of chicken, seafood, beef and pasta dishes.

Prices typically range from $13.99-19.99 per entrée. The dinner menu is available here and offers soups, appetizers, salads and an array of sandwiches all at a reasonable price.

Because I skipped the bread and potatoes and only dipped my fork in the dressings and sauces, I shared my favorite dessert with my husband: a slice of almond torte from Signature Desserts. What a way to top off this mouthwatering meal with no guilt!

The Getaway Cafe is not just a place to satisfy your palette. The restaurant hosts a bounty of events, including but not limited to: Getaway's own "Karaoke Idol Contest" (preliminaries every Friday through May 6 and culminating May 13), "Dinner & a Comedy Show" (April 9 for $25.99/person), "Name That Tune" Saturdays (coming up again on April 16), "Easter Sunday Brunch" and "Mother's Day Grand Brunch Buffet" (April 24 and May 8, respectively, for $21.99/adult and $9.99/child aged 3-12), Cinco de Mayo specials and a "Wine & Dinner Party" (May 19 for $75/person). For more information, visit the restaurant's website or call 412-343-1333.

In summary, the atmosphere of the Getaway Cafe on Wednesday night was comfortable, the prices were reasonable and the food was tasty and nutritious. If you wanted to stick to a weight-loss plan or splurge on your favorite dishes, you wouldn't be disappointed!

Roseann is the Baldwin-Whitehall Patch's food expert. Click  to view her credentials.