Swankalicious's Profile
Date Night Next Weekend - Help Us Choose?
Mr. Swank and I have secured a Mary Poppins for a blissful night out sans small swanks. Saturday night, to be exact.
We'd like to try a newish place that we haven't yet enjoyed -- we do dine out a fair bit. Where would you go on a Saturday night without children, Hounds? Boston, Somerville, and Cambridge are all in play. We've been to Bondir.
Painted Burro - amazing last eve!
Well, it's been known to happen on occasion: Swankalicious rushed to judgment. After a disappointing opening-night meal at Painted Burro, I risked a return engagement. And I was rewarded for my open-mindedness with creamy, spicy guacamole; a delicious hibiscus margarita (well-mixed, unlike the noxious concoction I ordered on opening night); succulent shisito peppers; and hefty fish tacos. Also sampled a shrimp taco, which was divine. My sole complaint: The noise level is Miami-club decibels. CRANK DOWN THE OOMPA OOMPA OOMF club beat and let people converse!
Surly experience at Savory Plate, Arlington
Okay, I want to like this place. It's near my house. It's cute, from the outside. It sells nice things like meat pies and gazpacho. But, well, Savory Plate is just bizarre. Their display case always looks empty -- maybe a sad little salad, or a few stray meat pies. The menu is hard to read. The flash-frozen food is expensive. But, most of all, the service has been downright strange each time I've visited. The other day, I popped in for lunch. I asked what type of meat came on a certain sandwich. The woman behind the counter looked at me blankly and growled: "Um, YOU TELL ME!" I was taken aback, and I probably will not be back.
Too bad.
Looking for somewhere fun to take 24-year olds for a birthday dinner in Boston...
Toro could be fun for a group of younguns!!
Surprising Menu Items That Steal the Show
OK Hounds, let me give it to ya straight: The beef flour pie is hands-down the best thing to order at Cambridge's Qingdao Garden. It's banh mi in a pancake, not on a crusty roll, and it's delicious. But who knew? Not I, 'til my order got messed up one evening at Mr. Swank came home toting a free pie. Now it's all I order at QG. That and dumplings, of course.
What other pleasant surprises have you found on menus around town? I'm thinking of an American restaurant that *just so happens* to make a killer eggplant parm, or a Greek place with amazing French fries...you know, that sort of thing. I never would've gone to QG for flour pie but - well - my life has been forever enhanced!
Should I give the Painted Burro a second chance?
Oh, I was being cheeky about Gargoyles bitterness. I'm happy an upscale Mexican restaurant has landed in the spot. But I really didn't like my meal. I found the service frosty and muddled ... sadly the same can't be said for my margarita. I'm a fan of potent beverages, but this was poorly mixed. Very little kick, very little lime, basically a mug of tequila with an ice cube floating in it!
Agree with Slim about the lamb neck taco -- it had promise -- but I certainly didn't come away feeling excited to go back.
Should I give the Painted Burro a second chance?
When I visited last week, the service was chilly, my margarita was so potent that I could have been arrested for DUI after one sip, and my food was bland, bland, bland. I was unimpressed to say the least - best thing about the meal was the nice long sturdy chips.
Hounds, should I give it another chance? Maybe I'm bitter because I loved Gargoyles so.
Where to eat like Caroline Knapp, Morphine, the Lemonheads, and other 1980s Bostonians past
Lately I've been wanting to retrace the steps of my favorite authors and writers. I loved Caroline Knapp's description of the Aku Aku (in Kenmore Sq., across from the Phoenix). It was a favorite spot of the hard-drinking Phoenicians, and a place where Knapp often got gracefully hammered, per her book. I want to drink and dine where people like Caroline did, but the Aku is now closed. I'd ask Mark Sandman for his favorite Boston meal, but he's gone too. I want to relive 1980s Boston with a great old-school meal and drinks.
But where?
Surprisingly good Indian food at the Burlington Mall...
Young Swank and I did some shopping this morning in Burlington and stopped for a quick lunch at the food court. I decided to risk it with Indian, and was delighted that I did. Gourmet India was terrific! Had chicken vindaloo, saag paneer, rice, samosa, and tamarind chutney. Big portion, under $10. Very spicy vindaloo. They have *tons* of choices (many varieties of naan, too!) and the food is a big step up from oily food court fare. Highly recommend it to any of you spring shoppers!!
ATLANTIS DINING: What to eat, what to avoid?
I'm going on a ladies trip to Atlantis in early May. We are not doing the meal plan. Wondering what restaurants are worthwhile and how to eat (somewhat) cheaply. Advice, ideas, etc. welcome!
Celebration of major life event (between Boston and Nashua)
La Boniche in Lowell is really lovely.
Casa B Review: The drinks! The aioli! The Swank seal of approval.
Dined at Casa B last evening. It's located in the formerly deadbeat plaza that houses Taqueria La Mexicana in Union Square. Thanks to Casa B and Journeyman, parking in the tiny, one-way lot is now at a premium -- I would recommend on-street parking if at all possible.
My party (we'll call them the Swankettes) were seated in the sultrier, verdant downstairs section, which is walled with fresh herbs. Note: If possible, request to sit downstairs! The mood is much sexier. Upstairs feels a bit cramped, with unflattering lightening. Downstairs, there's a cute little bar complete with kitchen views and an adorable Mad Men-style two-seat plush barstool, perfect for cozyin' up on a date. While I dined, I noticed two chaps on a date, perusing their iPads (maybe the date wasn't going well?), and a few other couples seated at small nearby tables. The dining room, though bustling, certainly wasn't packed.
Our server was jolly and knowledgeable, though there was a (small) language barrier. He recommended any of the cocktails, though he urged us to steer clear of the Cola-Red Wine combo, saying it was preferred for "parties." Anyway, the Swankettes ordered a Sangria spiked with ginger ale, a bird of paradise, and a Malbec served in a small juice glass, like they do in Spain.
One Swankette asked for guacamole, which the server said they offered. NOTE: The "guacamole" is actually pureed asparagus dip! It is very good, but it is certainly *not* guacamole. It was served with talon-like root veggie crisps, which were crisp, warm, and delicious.
Now, as for the food. We couldn't decide what to order, so we opted to make hogs of ourselves and consume as much as possible. Portions are medium-sized and apportioned to share. First up: Albondigas, Spanish meatballs served in gelatinous guava sauce. A knockout dish, stunning in every way. We ordered another pan of meatballs just so we could sop up this sweet, tangy, rich sauce.
Next up: Sesame seared tuna atop sweet plantains. Four discs, perfectly seared, with a generous schmear of wasabi. Excellent, if not especially memorable -- reminded the Swankettes of something one might nosh at Masa.
And then: Cheese puffs with aioli sauce. This was the only loser dish. The puffs, which resemble falafel balls, were dry and tasteless -- not unlike eating mothballs. Fiery aioli sauce was good, but the damage had been done.
Followed by: Papas fritas, or "french fries with grandma’s ketchup," served vertically in a little sack. Smelled delicious, and Grandma knows her ketchup -- smoky and supple, it was. Fries were a bit turgid, as if they needed to be loved by heat just a nano-second longer.
Brief pause for contemplation, and then crispy avocado rolls, prune and cilantro sauce. The "crisp" here outweighed the avocado, and in lesser hands, this could've been a Kowloon special. Luckily, the prune and cilantro sauce was outstanding -- a bit kicky, a bit tart -- and really made the dish.
Finally, we rounded out our feast with sweet plantain omelettes, four husky squares that resemble French toast, syruped with the pink sauce that appears on many plates at Casa B. Very good, plenty eggy, and very filling.
The three Swankettes ended up paying about $30 apiece for a large feast, and we came away satisfied. I'd like to return to explore more of the menu, particularly the meat and seafood dishes.
The vibe is Manhattan chill and unpretentious -- think tea lights and hardwood. Most of all, I was pleased by the sense that they truly seem to enjoy what they're doing. There are no gimmicks here, no silly martinis or meatheads at the bar. It gets the Swank Seal of Approval, and I shall return.
What to order at Casa B this evening?
Very excited to try Casa B over the weekend; any must-orders?
Diva Indian Bistro
Amsterdam Falafelshop is an absolutely wonderful place. It will be a delicious addition to the area.
Anyone been to Pronti Bistro?
Well, I'm back and alive to report that it was delish as hell. Got eggplant wrap with spicy chutney, lettuce, and tomato. My sole complaint was that they did not provide a napkin in the takeout bag.
Anyone been to Pronti Bistro?
Halp me Hounds! Heading to the Needham area for a meeting tomorrow and plan to stop at Pronti en route. Yea or Nay?
BUENO Y SANO IS ALMOST HERE!!
Did you have the rangoon taco from the Staff Meal truck? :) I saw them touting it recently.
I know that the E-W burrito seems a bit silly and fusion-y, but it's one of their signature items held over from Cha Cha Cha, which was a burrito shop in Northampton that was bought by Bueno. It's absolutely delicious and so flavorful - the plum sauce has a bit of a Mexican kick.
Diva Indian Bistro
I've heard rumours of slipping quality at Diva, which is troubling in light of Namaskar's shutdown. A friend was there over the weekend (at the lounge, not the restaurant), and reported that many specialty cocktails and standard-issue liquors were unavailable. Strange.
BUENO Y SANO IS ALMOST HERE!!
Hargau, are you an Actonian? :)
I'm also willing to bet that there will be plenty of foot traffic from shoppers at Roche Brother's plaza and the Merriam/MCT/ABRHS/RJG complex.
BUENO Y SANO IS ALMOST HERE!!
God, words cannot adequately describe how much I love this burrito joint.
They have several locations in college towns (Northampton, Amherst, Burlington VT...), and they're coming to Acton (ACTON!) in just a couple of weeks.
For my money, these are the best burritos *anywhere*. Leaves Anna's, Chipotle, etc. in the dust thanks to enormous variety. I love the red curry, roasted garlic, and chickpea burrito; Mr. Swank enjoys the East-West with plum sauce (Asian stir-fry, basmati, grilled chicken or tofu, topped with plum sauce).
Also: Excellent red and green salsas (free), plus the choice of low-fat yoghurt as opposed to sour cream. Can order large or pequeno (pint-size) burritos; tacos (with *two* tortillas, free) and quesadillas are also on the menu. Great selection of juices, coolers, and sodas. And delicious, sturdy chips.
There's also a huge roster of options for vegetarians--seitan, tofu, grilled vegetables, and so forth. SO GOOD.
Route 2 is about to see a *lot* more traffic, I suspect.
Which Restaurants do you consider your "Regulars"
Mr. Swank and I are finally coming to have regulars after years without any. We lived in DC with a full roster of favorite haunts. Here, for some reason, it's tougher.
We live on the Cambridge/Arlington line. We frequent Qingdao Garden (Cambridge), Golden Garden (Belmont), La Posada (Arlington), Sabzi (Arlington), Za (Arlington), and Guru (Somerville) with some regularity. We also like Tu Y Yo and Hei Lei Moon, but we don't visit either nearly as much as we'd like. Strip T's is another sometime favorite. Classic Cafe in Arlington is a trusted brunch spot, when we're feeling spry.
Would love to find a few well-priced regular spots, but so far we've only savored one- or two-offs as a couple. Enjoyed many, but few are places we frequent on the regular.
So-Gross-They're-Good Faves
You know the places. Formica counters. Smelly regulars. Steamy windows. Depressing lighting. But something on the menu keeps you coming back. Maybe it's a stellar chili. Maybe it's a Reuben that just won't quit. Maybe it's a waitress who always supplies you with an extra tipple of coffee, even when you don't ask for it.
Tell me about some radar-shy, publicist-free restaurants that, for some goddamn reason, have a following.
Great gluten-free dining in Metrowest, for a birthday?
Trying to find a place for a parental birthday celebration in the western burbs, preferably someplace that is (a) hospitable toward children and (b) offers some gluten-free menu options. American fare preferable. Is this a riddle or what? Halp!
Rave for La Posada
@OC, sorry to hear that you weren't wowed by La Posada. I agree that Acitron is very "meh" (at best). They recently became a "cocina" (they'd been billing themselves as a bistro). Sigh.
Where to get New Mexican food in the Massachusetts/NH area?
Mr. Swank and I *love* New Mexican food. When we lived in Washington DC, we were lucky to enjoy several options. We've yet to find anywhere in this area that serves authentic New Mexican cuisine. Anyone, anyone?
Savory Plate: Arlington - new to-go grocery/sandwich shop
Just popped in to Savory Plate in Arlington Heights, on Mass Ave. Looks like it could be a promising addition to the neighborhood. They have soups, a small roster of warm sandwiches, frozen dinners (enchiladas, lasagnes, etc), and ... meat pies. Some of the meat pies are available to eat in as well.
Could use a bit more ambience, and my server wasn't the warmest person I'd ever met, but the chef came out while I was there and seemed quite friendly.
Getting so bored -- new ideas welcome
Tango
Craigie on Main
Foundry on Elm
Boston Burger Co.
Highland Kitchen
Zocalo
Sabzi
Temple Bar
Casa B
Special occasion fine dining - with a baby - Cambridge
We had an excellent celebratory meal at Tango in Arlington, with two toddlers in tow. They were very nice, the food was exceptional, and the room is noisy enough that a crying child will blend right in to the chaos. They have several long tables that accommodate larger parties.
