restaurants around marlborough or lowell (Chelmsford, Hudson: live, mall, garden)

[birdie1]

My family will be traveling from western Mass. and Portland, ME and would like to meet in the middle for lunch/dinner. We were thinking the marlborough area up to lowell along the 495 is about halfway for all. Any ideas on good restaurants in that area? We would like someplace that's not super expensive, with a good variety menu (steaks, pasta, sandwiches), and one that we can hear ourselves talk in and not feel like we need to rush and leave (we'll be there on the weekend). So far, all I've come up with is the Horseshoe Pub or Finnegans Pub in Hudson and Tweeds Pub Restaurant in Northborough. Are any of these good? Any other ideas will also be greatly appreciated!

[Greendale]

Some of the places I can think of in the Marlborough area are Guiseppe's Grill near the Solomon Pond Mall right off I-290 before you get to I-495. There is an Olive Garden near the mall & a TGIF & Bertucci's in the mall. There is a Longhorn Steakhouse on Rte 20 near I-495.

That's about all I can think of right now.

[Jefferino]

Downtown Lowell, directly off the 495 to Lowell Connector has Cobblestones (sort of medium upscale American), Centro (Prime rib, steaks, seafood, Italian ), there a new and pretty decent Spanish Tapas place across the street from Barnes & Nobel (can't recall the name), and Fortunato's (Italian) and a new Texas Barbecue place that looks interesting (around the corner from Fortunato's). Also, Blue Taleh for Sushi, Etsogo, not fancy but good, for Chinese. There's a lot to like about Lowell.

[Crematia]

Infusions Bistro in Chelmsford is excellent.

[jdinma]

Old Timer Restaurant in Clinton has the best afforable Prime Rib according to my father when last they visited, we ate there twice in 1 wk. The cook is an Irishman with a lovely singing voice, the Guinness on tap is very good and the inside of the restaurant looks like a dimly lit Swiss Chalet. It's worth extra drive time (about 20 min NW of Marlboro). Old Timer Restaurant and Tap Room - A leading Irish Restaurant and Pub in New England since 1929

Guiseppes in Northboro has good Italian but it can be loud if there is a band playing in the bar. Skip the Olive Garden across from the Mall, the food is so-so and the wait time is outragous.

[crazyworld]

For BBQ Firefly's on Rt. 20 in Marlboro.
There is also a Kennedy's in Marlboro

[birdie1]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!! I'll definitely be checking them out!