pollystyrene's Profile
Best cafe mocha in Boston area?
Is a cafe mocha the same as a mocha latte? If so, I can vouch for the ones at both Diesel and Pavement. They taste exactly the same to me at both places, and are the best I've had. Andala also makes good ones.
I'd skip the ones at Crema. I've only had one there, but it was practically tasteless. (Although their brownies are fantastic.) I'd also skip L'Aroma. Theirs was wonderfully creamy, but too much like hot chocolate and lacking espresso power. (And their brownies are not fantastic.)
On my list to try due to praise on this board: Thinking Cup, Voltage and Dwelltime.
CH-er challenge: help calling the shot on perfect placement?
There's a quiet room at Scampo? Where is it, and is it just for large groups?
Conference Widow's (Longish) Four Day Plan
I bear the burden of a vegetarian: total cheese immersion. Glad to meet you, fellow cheesist. Another visitor just posted about their disappointment with the Regina's pie because it wasn't like the pizza they had in Italy. (Also, they broke the no-more-than-one-topping rule and complained about the sogginess.) Don't expect a certified Neapolitan pizza with fresh buffalo mozzarella and a wide, charred crust; Regina's is NY/NJ style.
Conference Widow's (Longish) Four Day Plan
The kind of pie to get at Regina's is the plain cheese, but if you're not a purist, get only one topping, otherwise you'll sog out the crust.
For a place to stop for a quick bite in the South End, try Picco, especially if you like mac & cheese. I've studied the city's M&C and theirs is the best. If it's nice, they've got tables outside, away from the street. Also, you mentioned you like grilled cheese. If you don't get one from the food truck and are in the vicinity of Eastern Standard at some point, they've got a great grilled cheese: Grafton cheddar on rye with addictive fries.
I agree that Toscanini's is the best ice cream, but it's not near where you'll be and if you want something to eat while walking around Harvard Sq., JP Licks is very good, too. Or Burdick's as others have said, if it's cool and you like intense hot chocolate. (I'm not a Christinia's fan.)
Done with Chez Henri
That's too bad. From reading other Chez Henri reports over the past year or so, you're not alone. Do you ever sit at the bar? I haven't been in a couple of years, and wonder if the bar area (the only place I've sat there) has gone south, too. Something isn't going right, with all the coupons and the 3/4 page ad in this week's Phoenix. Maybe they should try putting their money into quality food and service instead.
Conference Widow Trolling the streets of Boston in search of Food
Oops. I meant JP Licks. Lizzy's is icky, I think.
Conference Widow Trolling the streets of Boston in search of Food
Burdick's Chocolate or Lizzy's Ice Cream should provide you with plenty of good walking-around treats.
Let’s make a list of obnoxiously loud restos
Also Boston: The din during busy nights at Scampo and the music at Citizen Public depending on where you're sitting.
SF Hound Arriving 4/27 - Would appreciate advice
I love that you have an "In Case of Emergency" bar. Sure you're not from Boston? Since craft drinkipoos seem a priority, I wouldn't miss The Hawthorne. It's in the same building as both Eastern Standard and Island Creek Oyster Bar, so you can stumble over to one or the other for dinner and then back again. The cocktails are as good as at Drink, but the atmosphere is plusher as opposed to Drink's brick, industrial feel--whatever you're in the mood for. Also, when you go to the bar at Chez Henri, get a periodista or two to go with your cubanos. The bar staff has changed since I last went, but they used to make a great one.
I'd keep Regina's on your list for excellent pizza but don't get more than one topping (I prefer none) or they'll sog out the crust. As for cannoli, I did a side-by-side test of Maria's, Modern and Mike's and preferred Mike's, so do it for mom, but I don't think it'll be too tough to take.
Yes, Neptune for the warm lobster roll is the consensus.
Marliave is good, but there are lots better. If you don't get your fill of Italian at Prezza, I'd recommend Coppa and Grotto, both on a par with Marliave pricewise I believe.
Awesome pizza at non-Italian, non-pizza places
Not technically pizza (rather flatbread and flammekueche, respectively), the mushroom flatbread with herbed ricotta at Garden at the Cellar is really good, as is the tarte flambee at Sandrine's. They used to have other flatbreads at Garden, but only the mushroom one--the best one, I think--survived the change in chef a while back. I've only had the mushroom gratinee one (caramelized onions, mushrooms, swiss cheese, bacon) minus the bacon at Sandrine's, but they also have an artichoke one. They make a good Sidecar there, too. I haven't tried the other cocktails. It's a nice place to sit at the (small) bar, especially when the floor-to-ceiling windows are flung open in warm weather.
Help With My Wife's Return to Boston
Nice work! I think you've picked the best places for this kind of thing. Toro and Coppa are both tiny and very cramped at dinner, but are so good, so lunch is a great time to go. And I can't imagine anyone not loving the ICOB/Hawthorne combo.
Where to eat like Caroline Knapp, Morphine, the Lemonheads, and other 1980s Bostonians past
IHOP.
Who makes the best oatmeal?
Johnny D's oatmeal is good, but even though it comes automatically with certain things, I always skip it because it's nothing special, nothing you couldn't easily make at home. So if there's something extra special about the Hi-Rise version, you might want to stick with that. I like the brunch at Johnny D's. It's simple, standard breakfast fare done well. I usually get omelets and pancakes and they're very good.
I go late, after the music has stopped, so don't know how loud it gets, but the musicians are at one end of the room, so if you ask to be seated at the opposite end, I think it would be fine. It's a pretty large room, but has a cozy, homey feel.
Which Restaurants do you consider your "Regulars"
The cheeses are the only thing I've eaten there and they have been very good, and served knowledgeably. The bread served with them isn't worthy so I like your idea of getting the pretzels with it, and the bean dip sounds good, too. Thanks!
Which Restaurants do you consider your "Regulars"
I've been waiting for someone to fess up to being a barfly! If I lived closer I'd be a regular there, too. Any food recommendations?
best bartenders for regulars?
Cheers! Kidding. I think Silvertone fits that description. I don't like their cocktails, but that's not what you're looking for, and I think it's got that friendly-bartender, neighborhoody vibe when it's not overly crowded. I've only been downstairs at the Cantab, but I'd imagine it has that vibe upstairs, along with some of the Irish pubs like The Druid, The Burren, Plough and Stars, etc. If you prefer your banter with a slur, try Sligo!
learn to make a f#*%ing coffee
Thanks, hckybg. Their late hours and free WIFI have been tempting me. Now that I know the coffee's good, I'll take the plunge. Aside from Diesel, they're the only good coffeehouse I know of that's open late.
Good Eggplant Parm
Gran Gusto makes the best eggplant parm I've had, but it's served as an appetizer so doesn't come with pasta. You could probably order it with a side of pasta, though.
I haven't had the one at Vinny's at Night in Somerville, but it seems like a good bet from what I've heard.
learn to make a f#*%ing coffee
I'm not a huge fan of their brewed coffee, but the espresso and lattes at Diesel are terrific.
Has anyone been to Pavement on Boylston?
Somerville/Davis Square: 3 Superlative Dishes?
All good points, you guys. It makes me sad, too, Yumyum. I live in the burbs but am in Davis a lot and consider it my 'hood away from home. I thought the same thing--Istanbul'lu (and True Bistro) try hard and succeed from most accounts, but aren't in Davis proper. I guess it's kind of a catch 22. Davis has a lively vibe, which is great, but therefore a captive audience. It's like a gritty version of Newbury Street, I guess.
Somerville/Davis Square: 3 Superlative Dishes?
I agree with the OP about the mushroom pizza at Posto. I'd only add the chocolate caramel bread pudding at Foundry. Why does Inman Sq., without as much as a T stop, have such momumentally better food than Davis?
Fantastic meal at Journeyman in Somerville
Thanks for answering my selfishly specific-to-me questions.
So you WERE being virtuous in your gracious gesture toward your carnivorous friend. I can buy that, although a part of me would be satisfied if you'd been served a plate of gristle for all your magnanimity. (I kid.) It seems all amuses are meaty (why?), and whenever I'm served one after ordering vegetarian, I say, "I am not amused." But I've indulged in a few "Oops" moments, too.
Maybe the chefs share my aversion (and that of many!) to beets. The only mention of them in this epic thread is as part of the chocolate beet foie gras. Way to ruin chocolate! They've learned their lesson.
Now I've got a hankerin' for carrot ice cream. Maybe I'll check Christina's on the way home.
Thanks for the condolences. She may be dead, but she'll never biodegrade.
Fantastic meal at Journeyman in Somerville
Thanks for the detailed and lively report! I take it the tasting menus are mandatory and there's no a la carte option? Good to know about the 5-course minimum on weekends.
It would appear your virtuous wife has decided to take the veg route, but you just couldn't bring yourself to go along for the ride? I appreciate your reporting on the vegetarian menu. Did anyone ask to make any modifications? I just wonder how accommodating they can be about a tasting menu when someone who's already taken their options way down by being vegetarian also happens to be allergic to nuts and a hater of beets. Although that menu you described looked refreshingly nut-and beet-free. The celariac custard with the chips sounds fantastic.
Forgive my ignorance, but I've noticed this ice-cream-with-your-entree thing popping up recently and wondered if it's actual ice cream or more of a cold foamy thing? Can you get a soupcon of jimmies?
It does sound quintessential high/low brow Somerville, right up my alley, so I guess I'll have to give in and walk down theirs soon.
Scampo: A big oily disappointment :(
Possibly. It's disappointing, though, since most Italian places are safe havens for vegetarians (good memory, barlywino). I wish that corn ravioli had been on the menu when I was there; I'm a big sucker for a good version of that. Maybe I'll try them ONE more time.
a little bit romantic, on cambridge/somerville line
Foundry on Elm or Saloon would work, I think. Maybe Green Street, but I can't remember if they have any booths or just banquettes.
a little bit romantic, on cambridge/somerville line
Bob Dob suggested it above. They do have booths, the food's pretty good, and the atmosphere is not very memorable, since I don't remember it, but maybe that's good for this purpose.
a little bit romantic, on cambridge/somerville line
The tables are crammed together--forget privacy.
