MParente's Profile
Epic last meal in Boston
Does anyone know why the sushi isn't great in the Bay Area? With proximity to Japan and the natural resources I'd expect it to be amazing.
Went to Neptune last night for lobster spaghettini. It was out of this world. Best thing I've eaten in Boston in a long time. Price seemed a little high, but then when I saw how much lobster was on the dish it seemed totally reasonable. Sidenote- people weren't kidding about the line. Hour an a half wait at 8;30 on Monday night. But worth it.
Epic last meal in Boston
Its interesting that people keep mentioning O-ya. I thought SF would have way better sushi than we have here (in general). Either way we decided to do a few last meals which so far are going to be Oiishi (we've done O-ya, but not oiishi and didn't feel like shelling out that kind of cash), Neptune, Kowloons for hang-over lunch after our going away party tonight and Santarpios. We might be able to squeeze one more dinner in- Hammersly chicken sound awesome and we haven't been there in forever..... with all this eating I'm not getting a lot of packing done!
Epic last meal in Boston
I was thinking about that actually. I hate the no reservations thing (I get line-rage- I'm just not good at waiting for things). What about Locke-Ober? We haven't been there- but I wasn't sure if it was still worth it?
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Locke-Ober
3 Winter Place, Boston, MA 02108
Move In Weekend in Boston / College Chaos and Joy
I agree with TruBlu, Acquitaine is not a good spot for what you are describing. I always feel clumsy in there for brunch between the crowd and the way they pack the tables (2 tops often turn into 3 or 4 tops). Masa has an inexpensive brunch that always seems to go over well with my visitors.
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Masa
439 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116
Epic last meal in Boston
San Francisco. Far from home, but not a bad move food-wise.
Epic last meal in Boston
My husband and I are being relocated for his job soon. Food has been so much a part of our lives in Boston for the past 5 years. I am really struggling to decide what our last big dinner here should be. We've done everything.... all of BL's places, Craigie, TW Foods, L'espalier etc.... What would you all eat as your last meal in Boston? I'm feeling nostalgic and looking for something particularly Boston.
Please approve my itenerary!
Hmmm.... just a couple things to think about..... Menton and No. 9 Park are the same chef and although different concepts, I'm not sure I'd do both in the same weekend. I'd maybe do Craigie on Main or one of Ken Oringer's places (more casual than No. 9 or Menton). If you are looking for something upscale he has Clio or you could do Toro for tapas or Coppa for Italian. Erbaluce may also work for you. I haven't been to King Fish Hall in probably 5 years and I'm not a chowder expert, but given it's touristy location I'd be skeptical... maybe some others could confirm/deny my skeptism?
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Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Craigie on Main
853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Erbaluce
69 Church Street, Boston, MA 02116
Coppa
253 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Menton
354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
Feeling uninspired- need your help with dinner tonight!
We have tickets to go to the Red Sox game with another couple tonight but I need a back up plan (given it may be rained out). I am craving something relatively light and want a reservation. I was originally thinking douzo (but they don't take reservations for less than 5 people :-( Also looking for something pretty stylish. Help me hounds.
Romantic Wedding Venue with Outstanding Food?
I also attended a wedding at upstairs on the Square. It was great food and an extremely unique venue- definitely requires a couple that isn't looking for the standard wedding venue/set-up. It wouldn't have been for me, but I loved everything about it for that couple.
anniversary dinner in the south end
From that list, I'd probably do either B&G or Estragon. The only reason Toro didn't make my list is the wait is often very long (and unless you can get a spot at the bar- uncomfortable because you always feel like you are in the way) and it can be loud. Noche is definitely a gorgeous atmosphere, but I didn't find the food particularly impressive (MC- I've been waiting for your review.....). What about Erbaluce as another option? Not technically in the South End, but a stone's throw away and certainly very special with amazing food.
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Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Erbaluce
69 Church Street, Boston, MA 02116
anniversary dinner in the south end
There is so much great stuff in the south end, it is tough to say. Maybe more details would help. What are you hoping to eat? What price point? Any restrictions on food?
Boston hounds heading to New Orleans for anniversary- need lots of recommendations!
Hi- My husband and i are heading to New Orleans for our 2nd anniversary (staying in the french quarter). We are looking to do one special high end dinner (dinner and drinks under $300) and then do a lot of local favorites.
Here are the recommendations I've received for high end:
Galatoire's
Bayona
Cuvee
Cafe Amelie
La Petit Grocery
Gautreau's
Upperline
Cochon
Other than that we will be looking for anything that is uniquely New Orleans that we can't get up in Boston. Thanks in advance!!
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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Bayona
430 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Cuvee Restaurant
322 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Gautreau's Restaurant
1728 Soniat St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Upperline Restaurant
1413 Upperline St, New Orleans, LA
Cafe Amelie
912 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Raw Milk Buying Club?
I'm not sure how helpful this will be, but my mom lives in VT across the street from a raw milk farm. Here is their website: http://familycowfarmstand.intuitwebsites.com/index.html II just looked at it briefly and they did say something about raw milk shares, but not sure if they are doing them outside of the VT area- worth emailing them. They are a lovely family farm.
Yet another visitor to Boston...looking for advice
If I had my choice of Italian it would be Sportello (which may be walking distance to where you are staying). Also, depending on where you are coming from, I don't think Boston has particularly to die for sushi unless you are willing to spend a small fortune (O ya- totally worth it but be prepared for a $300-$600 meal for two). If you are really craving sushi Oiishi is a step down from that (but still pricey) and Douzo a step down from there (moderate). In Chinatown I love Peach farm and Dumpling House. Dumpling house is almost comically bad service, but I LOVE their dumplings and recently had the best moo-shu of my life there the other day. Enjoy!
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Douzo
131 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116
Sportello
348 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02110
Anniversary Dinner
Agree on Brasserie Jo not being appropriate for this celebration. I went a few weeks ago and service was really off and food wasn't as good as I remembered. T.W. Foods on your side of the river might be appropriate. They have a few reasonable tasting menu options. Good luck!
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T.W. Food
377A Walden St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Brasserie Jo
120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
South End Food Crawl
If you were going to try and hit a few places in one day I would definitely nix Addis Red Sea. I always find the service very very slow (which is fine if that is your goal for the evening) but not a good fit for trying to hit multiple locations.
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Red Sea Cafe
1127 Harrison Ave, Roxbury, MA 02119
I love the Gallows
Awful. A friend of mine used to work at Sage and the same exact thing (stolen safe) happened then.
Anyone Been to Menton? Any Opinions?
FYI only- Menton received 4 stars in today's globe.
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Menton
354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
Where to go for an engagement dinner?
If I could eat anywhere in Boston my choice would definitely come down to Menton and O-ya and it would be a REALLY tough call. I think the deciding factor for me would be the parents. My parents would feel more comfortable at Menton which is a more traditional, yet extremely special, dining experience. I would worry that my Dad would complain that he was hungry after leaving O-ya (but he is a little old school). So if it were me, I'd probably go to Menton, but maybe your future in-laws are a little hipper than my parents :-)
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Menton
354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
Erbaluce v. Sorellina v. Via Matta
I would definitely pick Erbaluce. It is more warm, romantic and feels more personal (chef/owner visits each table) than the others. Personally, I see Sorellina and Via Matta as expense account places that are more about the scene and the space than the food. IMO, Erbaluce is more a foodie destination with more unusual dishes and preparations.
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Via Matta
79 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116
Sorellina
1 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116
Erbaluce
69 Church Street, Boston, MA 02116
Fun Engagement dinner in Boston
Hi All- I think the heat has finally zapped my foodie inspiration so I am turning to you guys for help. My husband's best friend got engaged over the past weekend and they are coming into Boston (from RI) to celebrate with us and one other couple. I'd like to take them somewhere that feels festive and cool for dinner/drinks. I'd like to keep the price moderate (i.e. Franklin cafe type prices) since we will be spliting the cost with the other couple for the 6 of us. We live in the South End, but would cab anywhere in the city. I also want a place that takes reservations. We will have one steak/potatoes type guy and the rest of us eat everything/anything. Thanks!
Noche
Anyone been yet?
My husband and I wandered in (to see if they were open) and stayed for drinks and an appetizer. The space is completely different. You would never know it was the former home of Icarus. Very Contemporary- all black and white and mirrors- interesting. We sat at the bar and ordered Ceviche and cocktails. Cocktail list was pretty standard and the service was friendly. I had a hibiscus cocktail that was really good (flower was edible and tasted like a fruit roll-up- in a good way). Ceviche was tiny- probably 3 bites for $15. Bread was slightly stale (which is odd since they've only been open a few days). Bartender told me that the chef was a young guy from Miami- we didn't stay for dinner, but meals were in the 25-35 range.
Hole in the Wall, Family Run
Italian wasn't on your list- but when I think of family-run I think of Elisa's in Newton. Elisa doesn't let you in the door until she knows who you are, how you found her, where you are from etc etc etc. Everything is made from scratch and her 90 year old Grandma helps with the prep. Great comfort food.
http://elisasmenu.com/
Dinner for 2 in a Restaurant Wine Cellar?
Saraceno in the north end does that (but if I recall- and it has been years) there are a couple tables down there.
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Saraceno Restaurant
286 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
I love the Gallows
Went to the Gallows the other night. Everyone pretty much captures my feelings on the food so I will focus on the things people haven't mentioned.... The 'executive hostess' i.e. owner stopped by our table twice to check on us and ask for constructive criticism, which I really liked- seemed very earnest about wanting to know. I didn't have the heart to tell her that our waiter was sweet and obviously trying very hard, but ended up being more overbearing and bordering on intrusive. However, I'm sure some people like that kind of attention and everything arrived on time so I can't complain that much. Anyway, the owner also introduced us to a couple 'off menu' items that made me REALLY happy. A post dinner snifter of Boone's Farm wine (watermelon flavor) and mini cremees with jimmies. Obviously not very chowish, but brought me to a happy adolescent place. I will definitely be back.
Vermont Cheesemakers' Festival, July 25!
Right before exit 6 in VT going North on 89 = guaranteed speed trap :-)
There are some awesome places to eat that are on the way back to Boston. If you want something before leaving town you can go to The Bearded Frog (about a mile from Shelburne Farms) which is excellent and upscale. You can also grab an AWESOME sandwich at Harrington Ham's which is almost right across the street. If you get back on the highway and go a few exits you'll get to The Kitchen table in Richmond (exit 12). I think its some of the best food coming out of VT right now.
When I'm home I'll be hitting up Bove's in Burlington and Al's French Fries in South Burlington. They are VT staples that have been around since before I was born (so at least 30 years) that still pump out amazing, inexpensive food. Al's was actually a James Beard winner this year for some category.... American classics or something? Let me know if you want any other recommendations!
