AmbigEthnic's Profile
The Big E. Anything new?
The clambake chowder at the RI house was definitely a highlight - clams, sausage, corn, clear broth. Also, the Oktoberfest area had a pretty good selection of German beers.
Tres Gatos JP?
I went a week ago and had a good time. Nice ambiance, if not a bid crowded to walk around. It was cool to be able to bring drinks back to the record/book store in back while waiting for our table. On to the food - tapas style and good - maybe not as authentic as a Taberno de Haro or Estragon - but similar quality and pretty god portions for tapas. The chef's plate for cheese and charcuterie was surprisingly big - I was more impressed with the charcuterie (jamon, chorizo, two other meats) than with the cheeses. Somehow the cheeses blended together. The Moroccon meatballs were excellent - the citrus salald nice - the chickpea soup was nice and warming (though harder to share). The chorros with chocalate (similar to Toro) are always a fun way to finish a meal. Good beer list, all Spanish wine list (interesting).
Definitely a great addition to the JP scene, and a very cool vibe. Good to see an interesting combo (tapas/bookstore) work well.
best lamb dish?
Well it's defintiely not fancy, but the lamb tips at Santarpio's are one of my faves. I sometimes get two orders of tips and no pizza. And it may be more $$$ than $$, but the lamb dishes at Oleana are always top-notch.
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Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139
Best Indian restaurant in Central Square, Cambridge
I also think that Royal Bengal is pretty good Indian food - but you have to stick to the Bengali menu. Their chicken curry (Murgir Jhol) is impressively spicy and comforting. Their Began Poora (eggplant) is nice and smokey with good mustard oil flavor. Their dals and pooris are pretty authentic (being part Bengali and all). I have had mixed luck with their fish (rui and hilsa), sometimes they're really good with nice spice, other times the fish seems less than fresh or a bit dry. Also, I have noticed that the quality of Bengali dishes is somewhat higher on weekends. The only food I have had from the non-Bengali menu has been pretty mediocre. But, if you stick to the Bengali side, it's definitely the best in Central, and still one of my faves in the area.
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Royal Bengal
313 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Davis Square dive bars?
Though also not in Davis - but in Somerville - Casey's in Winter Hill definitely fits the bill. Cheap beer, good pizza, full of regulars. And Winter Hill is a different world than Davis...
$1 Oyster HH Every Day of the Week...
Here is a somewhat reliable list - http://boston.citysearch.com/list/199171
I have frequented Lineage for the $1 oysters and have enjoyed it every time. And there definitely is no limit...
Ginger Park
Too bad - only went once - thought the food was excellent - and the interior was very cool. Somehow it never had a buzz behind it and maybe it was just too big of a space - it felt lonely and quiet that one visit I had.
What's the New England restaurant that ONLY serves pancakes & their maple syrup?
Maybe Polly's Pancake Parlor up in NH - I think they make their own syrup.
Great Meatball sub Boston and Points North?
Leone's in Somerville (Winter Hill) is quite good - and with a slice of their amazing spinach pizza - now that's a meal...
Fenugreek Leaves near Cambridge, MA?
Pretty sure that Shalimar in Central Sq has them. I just bought some fresh curry leaves there the other day.
That Great Canadian Comfort Food- Poutine
As a frequent visitor to Montreal - I will say I have waited in quite a long line at La Banquise at 3am (the crowd is quite festive) and no line at 4 pm - the variety of poutines is impressive (see www.restolabanquise.com/) - and the Poutine BOM is as close to food crack as you can get...
Chowish lunch near Brigham & Womens?
I actually prefer the Squealing Pig (just off Huntington about 2 blocks from B&W) to the Mission - they do a good calamari and generally better food. But for chowish food, I would also recommend Flames - good goat, oxtail, and v. spicy jerk chicken.
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Squealing Pig
335 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657
Cheese
Never said City Feed had the selection of Formaggio or WF - it is a pretty small store - just saying the 2 cheeses I recently had there were excellent and on par with what I've had at Formaggio.
Cheese
City Feed in JP has an excellent selection of cheese as well. Pretty sure it's all domestic - just had the Jasper Hill blue and the Clothbound cheddar - both excellent - and the cheddar might be one of the best I've ever had.
Food carts coming to Greenway
Yeah - it's one of my regulars - that dressing is amazing. I think you actually get more chicken at Karo's than at Silk Road for less than half the price.
Food carts coming to Greenway
So I finally tried Silk Road BBQ - and my verdict is mixed. First off, the service was extremely nice, you get free tea, and it's fun to watch your food get grilled over buring wood/charcoal on the Greenway. So that is a plus.
Now on to the food. I got the special sirloin kebab meal with mediterranean salad and rice pilaf. The salad was all right - but needed more dressing. The rice was pretty good - I liked the addition of chick peas The kebab was good - cooked to order - nice flavor and juiciness. My biggest complaint was portion size/value. For $12, you receive a fairly small kebab, with rice and salad. Compared to either Sultan's Kitchen or House of Kebab, the portion size is considreably smaller and also more expensive. Also, the salad/rice I feel is a bit better at SK or HoK.
So at that price point/portion size, I would not be a regular, particularly compared with better values nearby. Still the people seem very nice, so I hope it does work out for them.
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Silk Road BBQ
Rowes Wharf Plaza, Boston, MA 02110
Sichuan Gourmet: Lucky Brookline
I went last night for the first time and was also disappointed. I love Sichuan food (from multiple trips to China) and make do with New Shanghai (not bad and a bit greasy). I have not made it up to Billerica (usually on my bike or T), so I was looking forward to their new Brookline place. I only ordered two things (for takeout): Bamboo shoots with spicy wonder sauce and spicy double cooked bacon. When I ordered I specifically asked for spicy. The food I received was mediocre. The bamboo shoots were tepid, and the bacon also not very spicy or interesting. Now maybe it was I ordered take-out, but I was not impressed. Is is possible they have multiple chefs that leads to inconsistency?
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New Shanghai Restaurant
21 Hudson St, Boston, MA 02111
Food carts coming to Greenway
Looks like some food carts are coming to the Greenway including Clover Food Lab Truck (excellent!), Silk Road BBQ (sounds promising), and Andale (Argentinian sandwiches - similar to Chilean?). The other carts sounds pretty boring.
Seems like a move in the right direction to me and will be checking them out next week.
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/06/11/greenways_managers_hope_food_will_make_the_park_more_appetizing/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed5
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Silk Road BBQ
Rowes Wharf Plaza, Boston, MA 02110
Spinach Pizza at Leone's - Somerville
Yeah - it was a Sicilian slice (actually 2) with the thick crust - and my friend said his Steak Bomb (with pepporoni) was excellent -
never had Mama Lisa's - will have to check it out...
Spinach Pizza at Leone's - Somerville
Based on a rec, I tried the Sicilian spinach pizza at Leone's on Broadway in Winter Hill. One of the best pieces of pizza I've had in the Boston area. Crisp crust, fresh spinach, suateed garlic, covered in cheese - $2.50 a slice...
Help: Need Jamaica Plain recommendation for tomorrow.
Both Vee Vee and Bon Savor will fit the bill - both good and similar in price to Zon's - Vee Vee more vegetarian and fish - Bon Savor more S. American flair - I've had good meals at both recently...
Heading to Eastern Townships - any recs?
Just a quick report back from Magog:
Tried Guacamole and Tequilia on Sat night - bad name but surprisingly pretty good and authentic Mexican food - the sauces for both the mole and the other pork dish had a good kick and were definitely homemade - nice ambiance and friendly service...
Fondissimo on Sun (Valentine's Day - part of a package) - also fun - liked the cheese fondue the best - the chinese hot pot had abundant food but lacked a little flavor - and very decent chocalate fondue - not surprisingly it was very crowded...
also there is a smoke meat place called B&G smoked meat - now it's no schwart's or smoked meat pete's - but definitely on par with other places in montreal - good flavor and size - a bit lean for my liking -
anyway that's all - otherwise had a great time skiing...
ISO Authentic Soul Food in or around Boston
Mrs. Jones (Dorchester - Lower Mills) and M&M Ribs in Roxbury (truck is near Melnea Cass) - both have excellent soul food - Mrs. Jones has the better sides, M&M the better meats...
Heading to Eastern Townships - any recs?
A Boston hound here looking for some restaurant recs in Eastern Townships. Looks like I'll be staying near Magog (going skiing).
Any good smoked meat and/or inteesting places? Thanks...
Lazy Man's Lobster / Lobster Saute / Lobster Casserole
The best lazy man's lobster that I've had is at the Back Eddy down in Westport - not sure of their winter hours - but great place when it warms up - right on the water...
Sami's JP
Went on Saturday (2nd customer ever!) - pretty much as I remembered Sami's from before - not amazing but very dependable - good falafel, decent schwarma (that's all I tried) - but most importantly close to my house...
They told me it was going to be a soft opening for a few weeks - basically lunch time - and then open later as time goes on...
Five Favorite Places to Eat Among Frequent/Veteran CH Posters?
Places I go to a lot...
Izzy's in Cambridge (for the Roast Pork)
New Shanghai (for Szechuan)
Santarpios (the combo grill is too good)
La Papusa Guanaca (for papusas and empanadas)
Galleria Umberto (for the arancini)
East by Northeast - Open
I went there last night and had an excellent meal. From the very friendly service to each dish having a distinct flavor to the personal feel of the place. The napa cabbage salad was nice - good use of citrus and spice. Our kale dish was not tough at all and interesting use of rutabega. The special buns were yummy (though sadly a bit small) - and both the shrimp dumplings in broth and noodles with beef (nice use of star anise) warming on a cold night.
Seems like they may worked out some of their kinks - definitely planning to make another visit...
January 2010 Openings and Closings
El Pollo Loco in Chelsea is all boarded up - it was not my favorite - but pretty decent chicken (and salsas) for cheap - I guess pollo campero was just too much competition...
La Verdad...reviews of things other than their tacos!
Other than their grilled corn and churros with chocalate - which both are excellent - I can't think of anything else of note -
