Lgalen's Profile
Wiener Schnitzel?
Jasmine Bistro in Brighton. I haven't been for several years, but it still gets good reviews on CH. When I went it was owned by the family (Indian?!) of the chef at the late great Cafe Budapest (kind of Boston's answer to the Russian Tea Room in the 70s).
Crete: Exploring for: olive oil, honey, other local foodstuffs
We're going to Crete in June, staying near Chania (Deratsos), and will have a car. I've gotten some good ideas for restos, but I'd love to explore local wineries, olive oil manufacturers, and other "agro-tourism" destinations. I'd appreciate any suggestions for specific places (with your opinion about them in terms of interest and product quality) to visit.
Many thanks in advance!
Clamshack between Boston and Newport, preferably in RI
I was disappointed to see that Blounts in Warren doesn't open until next week. Any great alternatives?
Lynn: Tacos Lupita and Lupita Restaurant--same? wazzup?
We had read CH reviews for Tacos Lupita, and, as we had to be in Lynn at lunchtime that day, we drove over to Munroe St. We found a parking spot ain front of the big Lupita sign over #22. I'd thought the address was in the 100s, but, here was Lupita. It sounded like the sort of menu and prices I'd read about, so we ordered some of the dishes mentioned by other posters. It was pretty good, and the people very welcoming. As we drove back to the Lynnway, though, we passed Tacos Lupita, and while I thought it must be closed, and the place at #22 must be a new space--NOOO, there were folks inside at tables.
So what gives? Are they owned by the same people? Did we miss out on the REAL Tacos Lupita?
Potato kugel made with celeriac?
Anyone have a recipe for a delicious potato kugel that has celeriac augmenting the potato? I've been making my mashed potatoes with a mixture like this, and it's delicious. I've looked online, but haven't seen a kugel recipe like this. Need it for the first seder!
Soft Shell Crab Sandwich with choice of 1 side for $10 at Wegmans
I had it today for lunch! It was the biggest soft-shell crab I've ever encountered, although that might have been exaggerated by the Panko deep-frying. It was very good, although a bit on the salty side, for my taste. I was going to leave the roll, but it was excellent, too.
this was my first time at Wegman's. I was brought there by a friend from the Rochester NY area who had been dying to go. She'd told me about it, and described it, but it was a real jaw dropper! We started out in the cafe, which had so many, many choices (Pizza to Indian to dim sum to barbecue and more) it was overwhelming. But when I saw that sandwich on a counter poster, I knew that was what I had to get. Can't wait to go back!
Coastal RI day trip TOMORROW!
It's supposed to be a beautiful WARM day, and a friend and I have Mondays off. We want to drive from Providence about an hour or so, on the way to Newport. Any suggestions for lunch along the way? I was hoping to hit Blounts in Warren, which was closed last fall because of the October storm. But now, I see that it's closed for the season, as are a lot of the other clamshacks. We're considering dinner in Newport, so I'd rather go somewhere (hopefully through some "cute little towns")between Prov. and Newport. I've looked at some towns like Wickford, Bristol, Tiverton, Little Compton. Obviously, we can't see them all, so anyone have a favorite scenic route with chowworthy eating?
Red Light's liquor licence?
Next time, we'll know to BYOB--as I said, I was surprised, because last time we were there, they had some good cocktails. What I don't get is why a place with such delicious food has such a bad front of the house. Given the many comments about poor service on CH, Yelp, etc., I'd think that Wessel would be looking for someone who could improve that aspect of his business. Liquor license or no LL, this could be such a terrific place (all right, it already is, for those of us willing to put up with it) with just a few changes..
Red Light's liquor licence?
Wazzup? Stoppped in for dinner last night. As usual, food was fabulous, service was horrible. Oh, well--I'll accept that, but I don't know why Kris Wessel does.
Anyway, I was looking forward to one of the NOLA inspired cocktails I remembered from past visits, but there was no liquor in sight in the bar area. When we asked for the drinks menu, the waitress told us they only had a shiraz and another (white) wine, and PBR or Red Stripe. She was evasive about what was going on. Nice cold Red Stripe was fine for me, but icy cold shiraz? They were fine about exchanging it for another beer, but wha????
Beacon Grille in Woburn?
Has anyone been here? A new friend gave it a rave review, but I don't know her "chow creds" yet. The menu looks okay, and it seems that the restaurant donates 100% of it's net profits to a different charity each month. It's in a convenient location for me, but none of this works unless the food is good.
China Pearl Quincy for Dimsum
We've gone to the Woburn China Pearl many times, as a convenient alternative to Chinatown, for those who want the whole experience with the carts. We haven't found them to be rude, exactly, but not too communicative. We always chalked this up to the language barrier of the cart pushers. We always enjoyed the food, but were somewhat frustrated by not knowing what was on the cart we were looking at, and what might be coming up next.
This summer, we went to an excellent dim sum place in Toronto, walking distance from our hotel. They did not use carts, and we were a little disappointed at first. Then we used the printed "check-off" menu, in both Chinese and English which allowed us to to select our favorites, and know the ingredients for things we tried, based on the recommendations of the friendly, efficient staff. Each plate came out quickly, and was freshly made and piping hot. We liked it a lot!
On Saturday, we had family visiting, and we were planning a trip to the JFK library. I checked online and saw that China Pearl also has a restaurant in Quincy, so we went there.
It was TERRIFIC! The people were very friendly and helpful. More of the servers spoke some English. If someone didn't speak English, they quickly called over someone who did. In addition, they also had the "check-off" menus, with descriptions of the dishes, and divided by "fried" "baked" "desserts" etc. We were encouraged to use this if we didn't see something we wanted. Sometimes the item was on another cart, sometimes it was in the kitchen. In any case, someone went to get it, or to direct the cart over to our table. Everything was fresh and delicious! Towards the back off the restaurant, there was kitchen-type area, where some of the Chinese people went up, and perhaps special ordered an item (?) Also someone was cooking some of the dishes at a station in the back, so one could go and watch, (we didn't).
The room itself is more like the Chinatown Dimsum places than the Woburn location (which used to be a Kowloon, I think)--a big room filled with tables, mostly peopled by Chinese families. I don't know what it's like on other days, but at 10:30 on a Saturday morning, it was not busy, but it was still lively and fun. Parking was easy (it's in a large strip mall) and it was easy to get to from
Rt. 3/93 South. My husband and nephew wanted to go back yesterday (and today!). Highly recommended! Enjoy (I'm getting hungry!)
Dim Sum with picture menu?
We're thinking of going for dim sum this weekend. We've been to China Pearl in Woburn, as well as some of the Chinatown choices (can't remember the name, but all of them were upstairs). This time, we're taking a "newbie" and I'm thinking that we all might benefit from one of those "picture" menus, that briefly describer the dish. We prefer Dim Sum with carts, for this first time experience. Any suggestions?
Tavern at the End of the World UPDATE?
Thanks to all! We wound up at HK, it was jammed. Then tried Posto, and then Foundary which were also jammed (I thought we'd beat the crowds by being early, but Noooooo.). We finally ate at Martsa, which was fine, but not what I was thinking of. Maybe next week! Thanks for the feedback. It sounds like my kind of place! BTW--the website says they have "free parking." If this is so, it solves the only drawback for going to Charlestown!
Mrs. Fussy looks for a new auto drip coffee maker
My husband resurrected our Barista, and it's working fine now, but I have a feeling we'll be looking for a new brewer sooner rather than later, and it looks like Zojirushi the one to get. I see in on Amazon, but I wonder if HMart carries it?
Thanks all!
Tavern at the End of the World UPDATE?
Website is being updated, so I can't see the menu, and all of the CH threads that mention it are a year or so old. Thinking of going tonight, either there or Highland Kitchen. We've been to HK and love it, but we'd up for trying something new. Any other suggestions are welcome.
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Highland Kitchen
150 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143
Burlington VT Pauline's?
Saw some comments on Yelp, but I find my CH friends more reliable. How's the food?
Thanksgiving in Burlington, VT?
Anyone know of any restaurants that are serving a Thanksgiving meal in or near Burlington? The only one I saw was Pauline's, which has not gotten great chowhound reviews. Last year we ate at the Inn at Essex, but although the buffet was extensive, the quality was "meh". This was like somehting on a cruise ship. I'd rather go somewhere that is cooking on a smaller scale. Any ideas? TIA!
Mrs. Fussy looks for a new auto drip coffee maker
My 10 year old Starbucks Barista finally bit the dust. Before that, we used a Chemex. I'm looking for several important features. Price is NOT irrelevant, but for something that has ALL features I want, I'd spring for $100.
Make great, rich, bold coffee (we grind our own dark roast)
Removable water tank
Thermal Carafe
I've only used cone-shaped filters. Can a basket type brew the kind of coffee I'm looking for?
The Pomegranate in Williamsville, near Buffalo
Great "Roadfood" find!
Came through the border, starving, looking for a quick bite near the highway, hoping to find a Panera. We stumbled on this place, thinking its name indicated something healthier that McD or Wendy's. Wow! Most places that have Persian food in Boston serve pretty much only kubideh. I was excited to find Koresht, too--and it was eggplant based! . And even better, it was delish! They also had a chicken-based Fesssenjan, that I'd love to try. My daughter had the lamb kubideh, and liked it a lot--I tasted it, and it was fine. Great value and MUCH better than Panera would have been. If this place was near home, I'd be there every week or so!
http://www.pomegranateny.com/
Niagara Wineries
We're visiting for the Shaw Festival, and would like to visit some of the wineries in the area. Any recommendations as to ones that would be particularly interesting?
Chow in Stratford?
Several of the Stratford threads are pretty old. Anything interesting? Good values? I definitely have "Simple" on my radar. Anything else?
Any good chow between Stratford and St. Marys?
I waited a bit too long before getting a room in Stratford, and wound up staying near St. Mary's. Any good chow in those parts, or should we go into Stratford and have dinner there before the show?
Need a new place. Somerville, Cambridge, Newton, Arlington
CAN'T BELIEVE NO ONE MENTIONED PASHA!
Montreal to Toronto--Where to stop?
We're doing a roadtrip from the Eastern Townships, to Montreal, to Toronto and then to Niagara on the Lake. All the segments of the trip are short haul, and we know where to go once we get to each stop. But the area between Montreal and Toronto is new territory for me. Are there any interesting chowish places to stop? Or interesting towns? Or should be just drive on through and eat when we get to Toronto?
McCormick and Shmick Park Plaza Happy Hour
Will the bar area be crazy on a Friday evening in summer?
What's not to miss in toronto?
Here's our trip report! Thank you Toronto CHers. We had dinner the first night at Swatow. Definitely a different flavor profile than the Szechuan and Taiwanese Chinese food we usually get in Boston, and a whole 'nother world from the Cantonese I remember from my childhood. Next am we had dim sum at Rol San, and I didn't miss the carts a bit. Their ordering system (similar to what we usually have for sushi) was unfamiliar to us, and we enjoyed ordering from the check-off menu, which described in English what the dishes were--with carts, we usually look and guess. We'd planned lunch first at Coconut Grove, but it was closed for Canada, as was our second try, Porchetta. We ended up at Kensington Market (starving!) and saw El Trompo as soon as we parked. Very yummy, although we have very good Mexican near our home. Dinner was late at Dukem, which was the only meal that disappointed. I don't think it was the restaurant's fault (very nice staff and atmosphere), maybe just that our expectations were very high, and we found it about the same (maybe even a bit less to our taste) than the few Ethiopian places we have here in Boston.
Last night, we posted a last-minute request for breakfast suggestions, and CH came through again. We had a great meal at the Prague Deli, bringing home some pastries for the ride home. Toronto's a great foodie city, and a wonderful place to visit. After this initial foray, we have a long list of attractions and restos we still want to try, and lots of neighborhoods we want to explore. Thanks again! Don't hesitate to ask for places around Boston, if you're making a trip! We'll be glad to reciprocate!
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Dukem
950 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J 1L9, CA
El Trompo
277 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T2M1, CA
Rol San
323 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5T2E9, CA
Coconut Grove
183 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5G1C7, CA
Swatow
309 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5T2E6, CA
Toronto breakfast
Thank you so much! We went to Prague Deli, and it was great--exactly what we were looking for! A great final meal of our vacation in Toronto! We love Eastern European food, but it's usually too heavy for the summertime. But breakfast crepes and French Toast with their yummy almond and raisin bread were perfect. We couldn't leave without a box of pastries to take home.
Toronto breakfast
We're heading out of town early tomorrow. Any suggestions for an early morning breakfast? We're staying near Dundas and Bay heading to QEW. We can make a small detour for a good breakfast.
