Pretty sure I've had a texas chili (made with brisket and NEVER with beans at All Star that was pretty good. Can't think of another beanless Chili I've seen in Boston.

If you're of Armenian descent, you should make it a point to stop in some of the spectacular Armenian markets/groceries on the Cambrige/Watertown line. Specifically, I'd check out Eastern Lamejun, Arax Market, Massis Bakery, and Sevan's Bakery. Amazing stuff, and just around the corner from Sofra.

Not authentic, but Sol Azteca is a Boston-institution (been here 40 years at least) and is only a 5-10 minute walk from Fenway. Great sangria and better than the Mexican I've had in Toronto. There's also Taqueria La Verdad and El Pelon Taqueria both very close/in the shadow of Fenway which are tasty taquerias.

I didn't see any info about the truck on their facebook page (which they also appear to have two of for some reason). You see stuff there? Can you post the current schedule here?

Happened to stumble across the Biryani Park truck in downtown Boston last week and had an excellent string hopper biryani for lunch. I've looked online to see why it was downtown and when it'll be back, but I can't find any location information. Has anyone else seen the truck outside of Malden and/or been able to track down its schedule? Would love to make it a regular lunchtime stop!

I've got a five week old we've been taking out since week two. What I've found is almost every restaurant (other than the absolute most upscale) are usually totally cool with babies as long as you come on the earlier side (before 6) so that they aren't yet slammed and can accommodate a stroller (or a non-paying/eating baby taking up a seat). We've hit up Island Creek, Dok Bua, Coppa, Gaslight, Sweet Cheeks, Sol Azteca, JoJo Taipei, an a few others with great results.

I like Spiga a lot. Right off of 128 on the newton highlands/needham border. Great homemade lunchtime Italian food (with a wood? oven for some great al forno dishes).

Glad you had a good time. My wife is originally from San Salvador and I absolutely love going back at every opportunity we can. Between the people, the beaches, the mountains and the food, I'm always disappointed when the time comes to head home

Actually, the Somerville and Chelsea Market Baskets always seem to have it in the freezer case (the La Fe brand, I believe). Just picked some up recently for use in some shakes.

I've had these in Chicago too and it is awesome. Haven't seen the exact same dish here, but one thing that comes close is Khao Soi. This is a noodle dish from Chiang Mai which has some soft rice noodles and some crispy rice noodles bathed in a curry sauce. You get the similar soft and crunchy textures of the Panang Noodles (i.e. not from the same noodle, although some spots do it with just the fried noodle and let the curry soften some of it). You should be able to find Khao Soi at a number of thai restaurants around here. I've had great versions at Khao Sarn and Brown Sugar Cafe.

Had another great meal there last night. The food is quite good, however, the restaurant can be VERY noisy if crowded. This might not be great for a "date night" (though if Toro doesn't bother the OP, they should be fine here).

Very strange. Definitely saw it recently in Dorchester and used it from Ming's a couple of months ago. Must be a seasonal things. Sorry!

Hmmm...don't remember the name of the new one, it's between the Bahn Mi shops and Pho Hoa (somewhere along that mile stretch of the road). You could also try Truong Thinh II Super Market (1305 Dorchester Ave) which is also likely to have it.

Yeah, the stem doesn't really substitute well for the root (especially in Thai curry pastes). I can almost always find them at the chinatown markets (as well as the Kam Man and HMart). If you're having trouble there, some of the SE Asian markets in Lowell should also have them. I think I saw Cilantro with roots them at the new(ish) Vietnamese market on Dorchester Ave (in Dorchester) as well.

I like using fresh spinach pasta sheets, which I blanch for all of 30 seconds, layered with bechamel, bolognese and parmigiano cheese. However, if you're not not making your own pasta I would recommend using regular store-bought lasagna sheets (not the no-boil stuff). Even with those, it's up to you whether to boil them or not. For a slightly softer lasagna, let them cook in boiling water for 1-2 minutes then shock in ice water. With an uncooked lasagna sheet, it'll soften if you have enough sauce, but it can remain more al dente (which not everyone likes in a lasagna).

In either event, pasta, bechamel, bolognese (you can put another layer of pasta between these sauces, depending on how noodly you like your lasagna), parmigiano, repeat until dish is full. Cover with bechamel (or a combo of bolognese and bechamel) and tons of parm.

Note, this is the northern italian Lasagna Bolognese version. For a Neopolitan version, I use a ragu napoletano, and ricotta. No bechamel....

I like the Peking Ravioli at Fuloon, but they do add a touch of spices to the filling (not sure if it's five spices or just star anise) which makes them a bit non-traditional. Love the skin and the crunch though...

Yeah, I forgot about Gran Gusto. Its pizza is pretty awesome, but for some reason I never find myself in that area. I think the chef there used to work at Luzzo's, one of the last coal oven pizzerias in Manhattan which I used to frequent when I lived there.

Haven't tried Pasta Beach (as the name really bothered me), but sounds like maybe I should....

Interesting. Maybe I take Picco for granted because I live 2 blocks away, but I like the pizza more at Posto, Coppa, Otto, and sometimes (for something different) Santarpios or the original Regina.

I agree though that Boston is not the pizza mecca I wish it were. In fact, I'm not sure that even one place serves what could be considered "una vera pizza napoletana."

That being said, I do like Picco a lot...just in a "neighborhood spot" kind of way.

I like Area Four too, but to me the interior is a bit more industrial and "cold." If you're looking for more of a convivial place to hang, I think Picco is a better bet.

Picco is a solid upscale South End pizza and pasta place, but don't know that I'd consider it a destination spot. It does get busy in the evening, but on a Saturday early-mid afternoon you should have no problem getting a table right away.

I like their Ravioli there (home made, filling changes regularly) as well as their Broccoli Rabe, Sausage & Olive pizza and their Alsatian Pizza (which they say is their version of a tarte flambé). They also have great ice cream sundaes for dessert.

I didn't use the beansprouts, so my bowl was still plenty hot, but I agree that with Chinatown a few blocks away this skimpy rendition of Pho will be a tough sell. I think I was trying to be too charitable, given that it's only day three, but I agree that it was underwhelming.

I did think the meats looked pretty good though (and my beef was pleasantly tasty in a fatty way), so I'll probably try their Bahn Mi before passing final judgement (still, I have trouble believing they'd match up to Mei Sum or 163...and I know they'd be double the price).

Sorry about the double play. I tend to avoid Momogoose at all costs as I've never had found anything I like there.

So, I decided to brave the cold and make the hike over there. First impressions were largely positive. Has a definite Bon Me feel (pick your format: Bahn Mi, Pho, or Bun; pick your protein: miso salmon, braised beef, pork meatballs, ginger chicken, marinated tofu) but seems to be striving for at least a bit more authenticity.

Braised beef pho was pretty good, and came with the proper side of beansprouts, lime and fresh herbs (as well as small containers of hoisin and sriracha). There were a few idiosyncrasies though: broth was a tad too sweet, lacked some of the classic star anise flavor, and noodles were not typical pho noodles but more like chinese rice sticks (mei fun?). I assume it's just a thin version of Vietnamese bun that they are using to only have to deal with one type noodles across all of their dishes. Still, it felt a bit "off."

Overall, though I'd certainly go back and try a bahn mi, as the protein I had was pretty good and the pate behind the counter looked tasty. As they hit their stride, would be great to see them add some cha gio to the menu as well as a few revolving specials.

Would love to hear others' thoughts....

Looks like the new Vietnamese lunch (Bahn Mi?) place Sa Pa has opened on Bedford St, where Hot Tomatoes used to be. Has anyone been? Menu online anywhere? Would love to know how it is and what they've got before trekking over there in the cold!

Chimbolos are like mini sardines (closer to anchovy size). Don't know their English translation, but they are delicious fried up nice and crispy.

It's the non-meat version of Yuca con Chicharon, great for lent (or pescatarians!)

This is a crazy recommendation! There is virtually no tourist crime in El Salvador, and by only staying inside a resort you'll miss out on the amazing culture of the country (you might as well stay home!). As someone who goes there frequently, I would visit the pupuserias in Olocuilta, the cevicerias on the water in La Libertad. For upscale try A Lo Nuestro. Some of the weekly gastronomic festivals are also nice.

I often order it at Xinh Xinh, and I agree that it's quite good there.

I agree with other posters that making it yourself is easiest (and best). However, if you aren't the DIY-type (or you like "buying croutons"), Trinity Hill Farms, which is sold online, does offer all natural cocktail sauces - no corn syrup.

Gaslight is loud on weekends, but recently has been VERY quiet on weekdays. Went last week on a wednesday and restaurant was only half full and quiet. I think it's a good option (as is Aquitane).

There's also a Vietnamese place just off exit 1 in west stockbridge, Truc Orient Express: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Truc-Or...

A bit more upscale than Pho Saigon, but not fancy by any means...

Sounds like Joel Robuchon's famous mashed potatoes. 2 parts butter to 1 part potatoes. Perfect. Little did you know your husband was actually a 3 michelin star worthy chef.