Tempo — Restaurant in Waltham

Was dancing with friends on Saturday, mind you, I’m a shy person and hard to convince to go out. Ironically I was having a great time. A large security guard kept walking back and forth (the club was not crowded and mostly older folks). At one point the guy sort of grabs me as he’s going past. I think it strange but don’t really think anything of it. Well later, he goes by but this time he puts both his hands on me and my entire body moves with him as he walks by. It felt very uncomfortable. So, I turn around, and it all happened very fast, so I’m not sure exactly what I did, maybe I told him not to touch me and maybe I tried to move him off me because he was grabbing me repeatedly now at this point, I don’t really know? I’ve never been touched like this by any security in a club before. There was plenty of room behind me that he did not need to be touching me. The next thing I know, this guy twice my size has me by the throat and up against the bar and is shouting that he will kill me if I touch him again, meanwhile I’m just saying “okay okay okay” and “you grabbed me first!” My friends had to hold their hands behind my head because they thought he was going to slam my head back. Eventually my friends got him off me, but I left and had a panic attack outside because I’ve never experienced anything like that. When my friends complained, they were told “he was just doing his job.” The man was grabbing me, as well as other people around, which he should not be doing. He threatened my life, and I will be calling with an...

It was 20 degrees out the other night and it seemed all the restaurants were full up. When we walked in to Tempo, I think we nailed the last table for two. We had never eaten here, and it wasn't our destination restaurant, but I'm really glad we discovered it.

The atmosphere is warm and interesting. Large framed tapestries/quilts, interesting lighting, lots of wood making the dining room feel cozy. The service was prompt and, although they were quite busy, we didn't wait for a thing. The staff were really pleasant.

This ended up being a perfect place to pop into on a frigid night. The menu is filled with selections that are American classics. We started out with a salad that had buratta and truffle honey and dried pears. When I ordered it I told the waiter that we'd just order one salad and share it. He delivered it already portioned on two plates. I thought that was very thoughtful of him. I was planning on dividing it out myself. A small thing, but it was nice. My husband got grilled chicken and I got beef stroganoff (with house-made noodles). Both meals were delicious and filling. I really had a hard time choosing between that and the hangar steak and the duck.

We just ordered a glass of wine each. Although the wine menu tended towards the more expensive ($20+ for a glass), they certainly had enough to choose from in the $8-12 range. They were nice sized pours on the drinks.

There was a LOT on the menu that I want to try, so we'll be going back to Tempo - and...

Tempo WAS my favorite restaurant in Waltham. In fact, I rushed out of work in Boston and sat in traffic to make it there on a Tuesday evening for oysters. I live in Waltham so I commute anyway but typically I work later before I leave boston for the day. Oysters bring me joy. They are my favorite food. I couldn’t have oysters during chemo and missed them so much so now I try to have them whenever possible. Tempo is near my home so it was a perfect place to stop for a drink and have some happy oyster time. I was going to have a couple drinks and a couple dozen oysters and then head home. No sooner had I sat down and ordered a drink first and then my oysters a few minutes later that I was informed that I’m required to order two apps or an entree per dozen oysters. Or I can’t sit there. Literally. I cannot have just oysters and just drinks. No matter how many. And honestly I can’t remember if it was two entrees or two apps or some other required combo because this kill joy requirement is NOT listed in any online advertisement for Tuesday 1$ oysters that I’ve seen. It’s not on the digital menu and it’s not on the Instagram post advertising Tuesday as $1 oyster night. False advertising perhaps? If I knew this I wouldn’t have come. Once the manager declined to accommodate me, I got up and left. I hope you sleep well tonight knowing you stole a few moments of joy from a breast cancer survivor. All in the name of making a few...