Kip McSkipster's Profile
Best of Babka?
I haven't tried it (can anyone who has comment?) but I believe Rosenfeld's in Newton Center has babka, and I love their bagels and challah.
Dinner delivery to Denver hotel
Hello,
My wife and MIL will be staying at the Marriott Cherry Creek in Denver (150 Clayton Lane). I'd love to have dinner delivered to them one evening, something tasty (naturally) and easily consumed in the hotel room. I know this is broad, but they'd need to be able to deliver, and not too spicy.
Thanks, Kip
Flavored syrups -- where to buy?
I don't know that they carry anything besides fruit syrups, but I like the ones from Bazaar. I have raspberry and black currant right now. They're real fruit, and very reasonable, 5-6 bux a bottle.
SELTZER HOME DELIVERY BOSTON
Yet another Sodastream fan here. I get my carbonators at Sur La Table in the Chestnut Hill Mall. Just made a tasty raspberry lime rickey today, using syrup from Bazaar.
poppy seed hamentashen?
Poppy is my favorite type of hamentashen. The ones at Kupel will do in a pinch, but my recollection is the pastry part is too hard and dry. I really love the ones at Moishe's in the East Village, which have a super buttery, crumbly but moist enough pastry. Anyone familiar with those and know of something comparable around here?
French onion soup in Harvard Square?
I haven't been in years, but Sandrine's was great.
Half-sour pickles
I agree - the pickles at Russo's are terrific, and I also choose the greenest ones (ie new pickles). I have found that the POEs don't taste so great as they get more sour, so I eat them quickly; maybe it's just a personal preference for news.
Apple Picking Near Boston NOT Like Disney?
Last year, a few of us picked at Dowse in Sherborn. I believe that they have both a farmstand and a PYO orchard some distance away. The orchard was absolutely no-frills, with just one guy under a tent at the top of a hill overseeing the place. The day we went, it was very quiet.
Belkin was pretty disgusting the last time I went, with an astronomical "entrance fee" (this was BEFORE paying for the apples!), trapeze lessons, etc. I've got to admit that they had some nice picking, though.
Lunch in Westwood
I'll be working for the next few months in Westwood, around where the Providence Hwy meets 128. Any recs for lunch? All I see are chains. I like everything, but especially would love to find places that might have some spicy chow.
Softserve ice cream closer than Dairy Joy?
I second Kell's Kreme, although it's been a few years. I also recall enjoying a huge cone at a place on rte 16 in Everett, forget the name.
Strawberry Cider
Anyone spy any fresh strawberry cider in their visits to PYO/farmstands? I had a cup of it last year at Russell, was wondering if anyone else presses it?
"Roadhouse Craft Beer and BBQ "
Not that offsite/onsite would change the fact that I think their bbq is lousy, but I think the smoking is done onsite. I've walked by there during the day and smelled bbq smoke (wondering whether the neighbors care for this pungent addition to the area).
Apple cider donuts
Yup, those Russell cider doughnuts are hard to beat. I was there a couple times last year when they were serving them fresh and they were stellar. I'm not sure their apple selection is the best, but their cider is also nice.
"Roadhouse Craft Beer and BBQ "
Went to Roadhouse for the first time last night, and probably won't be back soon, despite the fact that it's close to my home. Got the pulled pork plate. The pork itself was fine, but completely swimming in an unremarkable sauce. I always prefer that bbq places err on the side of too little sauce and then provide extra for those who want it (like Blue Ribbon). Sweet potato salad was nearly flavorless, the jalapeno cornbread was a bit sweet with not enough jalapeno. Tried a DC's mac and cheese which was fine, but could have used some sharper cheese. Another DC reported the pulled chicken as being "dry" although it was also swimming in what I assume was the same sauce. I did have a delicious beer, though!
Need recs for LA Convention Center area
Okay, had to follow up on my post. I tried both Fernando's and El Parian while I was near the convention center this past week. Had the breakfast burrito at Fernando's which was fine - a quick and easy breakfast (they open at 8), a nice sized tortilla filled with egg, sausage, and I think cheese, about 4 bucks with a coffee.
El Parian was incredible. Went there for lunch one day and ordered the carne asada (plate, not tacos). A big slab of perfectly cooked and seasoned meat, thin, juicy, super flavorful. I sliced it up and loaded it into their fresh tortillas with tomato, lettuce, onion, and their tasty salsas. I can only dream of having a place like El Parian in the Boston area. Next time I'm back in LA I'll have to try their birria.
Need recs for LA Convention Center area
Going to SIGGRAPH, eh? Me, too. I haven't been able to find much chow near Staples, but here are a few possibilities: El Parian for Mexican, apparently has some fine carne asada; Pantry Cafe for breakfast (which I can personally attest to from the last time I attended a few years ago); and Fernando's Taco Inn, which apparently has some good breakfast burritos.
Dinner I can find nowhere else
I'll be in town in about a week and a half, coming from Boston. I'll be meeting up with a few old friends (3-5 of us) for a Wednesday dinner. Looking for a place that's fun, but quiet enough to talk. I'll be staying near the Staples Center, but I think anywhere within ~30 mins of there would work. Above all else, I'd love this place to offer food I would have a hard time finding elsewhere, or at least in Boston. I eat everything, but one in the group is allergic to fish. Someone recommended Cha Cha Cha. Any suggestions?
Banana Splits in Boston
I believe Cabot's is actually in Newtonville. I've always been fond of their Fudge-Anna, which is a standard hot fudge sundae with a bunch of banana wheels buried within. It's like a gooey treasure hunt, sifting through the creamy vanilla, hot fudge, and whipped cream for all the wheels.
Ten best things to eat in Boston
Fish tacos, El Pelon
The Dog, Speed’s
Cuban (with side of maduros and mamey shake), El Oriental
Sesame bagel with chive cheese, Rosenfeld’s
Grapenut custard, Louie’s
Ceviche Mixto, Rincon Limeno
Burnt ends, Blue Ribbon
Sausage pizza (well done), Regina’s
Johnnycakes, Deluxe Town Diner
Rostbratwurst, Karl’s
Arepas
I agree that the arepas at Viva Mi Arepa are great. I also have to plug their empanadas, which have that super-crispy, thick shell which seems to be a hallmark of the Venezuelan variety.
Fried Clams in Boston - In Town
The last time I had the clams at the Barking Crab (now almost two years ago, to be fair) they were greasy, small, not very tasty.
I'll also chime in for the clams at Royal- excellent fry job.
Pick Your Own Strawberries
Was also at the Russell festival yesterday (after a trip to Crane Beach nearby), which was pleasant. Had some fantastic stuff: super-fresh strawberry ice cream, strawberry cider (which I didn't see available to take home, only available by the cup), and also took home a strawberry pie which was devoured after dinner. The one misstep was the actual strawberries! Did PYO, and while there was easy pickins, the berries were not especially sweet, kind of tart and flavorless.
Speaking of strawberry cider, has anyone spied any elsewhere? It was terrific - not too sweet, surprisingly light and refreshing!
Cambridge River Festival
For what it's worth, they had okonomiyaki there for $7. I didn't try one, and didn't get the impression that you could choose your own toppings. Seemed to be a pancake sandwich 6-8 inches across with some kind of fried noodle concoction in the middle. The top was zigzag drizzled with what looked like two different sauces.
Pick Your Own Strawberries
Just visited Land's Sake in Weston for PYO. It's definitely early - I suspect next weekend will be killer. Was still able to fill a couple of quart cartons ($4/ea) with super-sweet, ripe berries.
what is the best falafel in Boston?
I just tried Fordees' falafel for the first time for lunch today and it was okay. It is similar to Sepal's sandwich, just not as good falafel. Nice sized rollup with those great pickled turnips. Perhaps slightly dry falafel, not as flavorful as those from Rami or the aforementioned Sepal.
What to Order at Dairy Joy in Weston?
I second the javaberry soft serve. Great combination of flavors and textures: mellow, smooth coffee with bright, tangy, slightly icy raspberry.
I also enjoyed their lobster rolls many years ago, not sure how they are now. More recently tried a roast beef sandwich which was serviceable but a ripoff like so many of their offerings.
Looking for meatloaf
I really like the meatloaf at Demos in Watertown - great sauce, huge portion, and they serve beer and wine.
Where can I buy Argentine Dulce de Leche
I ate a ton of dulce de leche in Buenos Aires and I concur that it was great. What I'd really love to know is if there are any Argentinean (dulce de leche) pastries around? In particular, I really enjoyed one that was a little pie shell filled with dulce de leche, somehow piled in to resemble stalagmites.
Dinner in Sarasota?
Thanks so much for the Yoder's suggestion - AWESOME. I was just there this morning for breakfast. I had the biscuits with sausage gravy and homefries which was a ridiculously huge plate of food for about $6. Big, fresh biscuits covered in plenty of sausage gravy with a mound of thinly sliced homefries. DC had pancakes which were fluffy but with a nice tooth. Got a big piece of wet-bottom shoofly pie to go, which had a nice molasses filling with lots of crumb-y topping.
Lots of Amish decoration, very friendly service, worth the trip (don't have places like Yoder's up here in Boston).
Stone Crab, Seafood in Sarasota
Going to be in Sarasota this weekend, looking for seafood suggestions within reasonable driving distance. Ideally looking for low-key, no-ambiance places with really fresh fish (e.g. Captain Jim's in Miami). Is Captain Curt's worth a try? The website makes it seem like a tacky madhouse, but maybe the food is still good?
