chowcat's Profile
Best Chinese in Cambridge or Somerville
What about Shangri-La in Belmont? Authentic Taiwanese (IIRC) and also a pleasant atmosphere, definitely a step up from both Wang's and Qingdao in ambience.
Wild Mushrooms at Farmer's Markets
Yes, the lady at the Newton Market unfortunately passed away a year or so ago. Her son Ben is the forager who supplies many of the finer restaurants with local wild mushrooms as well as some from other parts of the country.
Metro west Mexican
I've heard that they're getting (got?) a real chef, so things may take a turn for the better. I will wait to hear what my sources say about it -- couldn't bear another meal there if things were the same!
They are known for their margaritas and bottled beer :)
La Tapatia in Marlborough
Heartfelt thanks to hounds for steering us to this little gem. The chicken tamal was excellent, and they brought out little glass pitchers of fresh salsa verde and salsa rojo. The verde was especially good. I also had a taco al pastor -- not as good as the ones at Tacos Lupita or Tacos El Amigo in Waltham, but out here it was wonderful enough. Catchow had the camarones el diablo in a lovely thick orangey-tomatoey sauce with good heat, but more ordinary food is where this place excels, I think.
They serve enormous fruit batidos (frappes) - catchow had the mango, which was tangy and delicious. I had a smaller but very interesting drink called a tejuino, made of masa, key lime juice and some kind of sweetener. It was thick, delicious but too sweet for me to finish.
We were the only ones in the place who were not Mexican, which I take to be a good sign. The owners are from Guadalajara in Jalisco. I don't know whether the menu offers regional specialties but the freshness and authenticity were evident.
Edit: the tejuino appears to be a specialty of Guadalajara/Jalisco.
Boston farmers markets on Saturday?
checking http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/farmers_markets.htm I see a few possibilities:
Cambridgeport (Cambridge), just across the river from Boston
Union Square, Somerville - highly recommend this one
dinner with visiting mom, stay in cambridge vs find something special in boston (casual/mid-priced, no super fancy)
Ten Tables in JP or Taverna de Haro in Brookline.
Nourish -- New Vegie Friendly place in Lexington
Yeah, I love that Wolaver's organic pale ale.
Nourish -- New Vegie Friendly place in Lexington
hey! that sounds just like what we had that night!
:D
PYO Blueberries
there's a place in Lexington - really a large patch in the back of a family's home. I believe they open it up on weekends. My mom mentioned it was open this past weekend, so they're open for the seaon now. It's on Adams St. - you have to look for the sign. Sorry, I realize this is kind of sketchy on the details, but 30 minutes is not very far to go if you want to find farms.
The only other nearby farm I know of with PYO is The Farm in Winchester, where you can pick raspberries (late August/September):
The Farm
78 Ridge Street
Winchester
(781) 729-8775
Peach Picking
It may still be a bit early for good peaches - I think of this month as more blueberry time, but you could check out the following places:
http://www.mass.gov/agr/massgrown/peach_pyo.htm
GRADUATION MEAL, WALTHAM
Tuscan Grill, if they are open at that time. Not sure what "not too expensive" means to you, but it's well below La Campania and Il Capriccio, the fanciest places I know of in Waltham.
Highland Cafe and Biltmore Grill
BC, you mentioned earlier that it's "typical Boston restaurant food." Just curious -- where are some places (elsewhere?) that really measure up for you? It would give us some idea of what you like, relative to all the places in Boston that you don't like.
Highland Cafe and Biltmore Grill
Highland Cafe in Somerville? Do you mean Highland Kitchen? I'm sorry to hear that you didn't like it. What fell short, for you? I think of it as a yummy neighborhood place, not a long-distance destination (though it's not in my neighborhood by a long shot!).
locally raised ham for xmas
You might contact Blood Farm in Groton - they have their own hams.
Blood Farm
94 W Main
West Groton, MA 01472
(978) 448-6669
I also used to get wonderful pork products from Wilson Farm in Lexington - they came from Harrington's of Vermont. I only recall smoked pork loin and ham steaks, but soooo tender. You might call Wilson's and Russo's to see what they have.
dining in marlborough
Tomasso Trattoria in nearby Southborough is well worth the trip, not far from Marlborough. Many reviews on this board. We went last weekend for the first time and were very impressed. Def not a red-sauce family joint.
The Lyonnais
Have you tried Sprigs, which just opened in the spot formerly known as 5 Strawberry Hill, right off Rte 2A in Acton? Highly recommend.
Angela's open on Friday?
Had to report back. We made the trek in to Eastie from Stow and it was well worth the 50 minute drive. The guacamole is everything you all said it would be: perfectly ripe, with some chunks left in, pieces of fresh tomato but not watered down by the tomato, fresh lime juice and salt, cilantro. Aaaaah. The salsa verde was terrific too.
We also enjoyed enchiladas mole poblano (one vegetarian, one with chicken), chicken pepian, and shrimp in cilantro sauce (my personal favorite). That mole sauce is incredible.
Angela and her son are lovely people, and obviously care a lot about the food they serve. We can't wait to go back! It was very easy to get to from Rte 93, too.
Why does the Acton/Concord area have NO GOOD RESTAURANTS?
Valyn, have you tried Sprigs in Acton? Just opened recently - check the Boston Board for reviews. Also Cast Iron Kitchen in Maynard.
Angela's open on Friday?
I'm dying to try Angela's in East Boston and have an out of town guest who's a huge fan of Mexican. Does anyone know if Angela's will be open on Friday after Thanksgiving?
Chow in the Western Burbs
Have you tried Beijing Star in Waltham? I think their authentic (pink) menu has some outstanding choices. I'd skip their regular (Americanized Chinese) menu.
Sprigs in Acton
Haven't been yet - I agree about the predecessor (No. 5 Strawberry Hill) being mediocre for the price (and very trad French with too much cream and butter, etc.). But I'm excited about the possibility that this will be good (the desperation of one living in the Culinary Wasteland). We'll be trying it out Nov 7 - a bit of a birthday/election celebration (I hope!). Will report back, and especially about the vegetarian-friendliness of the place.
Maynard area eats?
We've been here maybe 4 or 5 times now, and think it's got some real winners. I especially like the appetisers and salads and like to make a meal of that. The burger is excellent, as are the vegetarian offerings. Great beer and wine, too.
Fresh Mushrooms
macadamia, I think that had to be someone else selling Ben's mushrooms. His mom passed away in July 2007. See http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/08/02/wild_for_mushroom_lady/
She was a wonderful person.
Ten Tables: new location or moving?
Deep excitement! Any word on when this is happening?
Apple cider donuts
I've always loved Honeypot's doughnuts too. Last weekend I tried the ones at Shelburn Farm in Stow and have to say that they were not as good: larger, a bit more expensive, not as browned, and greasy in places (not in a good way). Maybe the oil wasn't hot enough for that batch.
Nancy's Airfield Cafe - Stow
That lambburger is really wonderful -- the lamb is grown at Pilot Grove Farm in Stow, about a mile away. I love the Moroccan spices that Nancy adds, and the yogurt-cucumber dressing.
Chipotle Shoppers World
yeah, I was wondering why the excitement, especially when Big Fresh is right there next to Shoppers World. Love their felafel especially!
Boston's Best Delis
I doubt they have roast beef, but Domenic's in Waltham makes their own ciabatta, and they are really, really good. Very fresh ingredients, including their own sundried tomatoes in a wonderful sandwich.
