donjay's Profile
Moved from North End to North Andover....Need help please.
I second the feeling that the Merrimack Valley is a vast wasteland when it comes to quality dining. However I agree that Joe Fish is the best prepared seafood around. A large menu means you can usually find something for everyone; beit fried or some innovative things
Just Moved To Andover Ma
Couldn't agree more. In fact, if you want any food worth something you need to leave Andover and head to Haverhill or, better still, Boston. Welcome to Blandover
Black Cow in Newburyport a disappointment
Have been a few times. Irresistable in the summer because of the location, the food has never been anything but mediocre at best. The menu is good but execution has been awful
Neptune Oyster
Wow. You don't hear that much. I guess horses for courses. BTW we had the fish (or in this case lobster) tacos last night and they were fantastic. Three huge tacos for $23. Not overpriced to me
Recent Prezza Experiences?
I have been there twice in 08 and it is still top notch. I still think he does the best pasta in the city
New Restaurant in Andover
Gee, there's a shock...Andover...Merrimack Valley...chain restaurant
Anyone been to White Barn Inn recently?
Any other (more recent) takes on this? We are heading up this weekend and I am kin of apprehensive; thinking of cancelling dinner there and going up to Portland instead
Weekend Breakfast or brunch near Boston Harbor Hotel
Sorry to "me too" but I had the best brunch in Boston at Sel a few weeks ago. Lunch-type and Breakfast-type stuff. Five stars
Local beer
Beerworks still in both locations. I know they get a lot of unwashed masses during the Sox season and the food isn't good but they do good beer
All Star Sandwich Bar - two notes & a question
I just heard last night that Chris S is going to open something in North Andover? Anyone know anything about this? Sorry if I am covering old ground; it was news t me
Rocca "No"
Like they say...horses for courses (or different strokes for different folks). Four of tried Rocca two weeks ago. Nothing memorable, from decor to food (maybe the parking). With literally hundreds of places in Metro Boston we didn't find any reason to be back
Roast Beef sandwiches?
If you happen to be in the Merrimack Valley (first you have my sympathies) try Harrison's. It is one of the few things worth eating out here in the land of Blandover and North Blandover
Dining before Nutcracker
Didn't say ages and preferences but my three suggestions would be Pigalle, Pigalle and Pigalle.
Blue Room hit the spot again last night
I'm biased but still one of my favorite places in town. Went to the brunch this Sunday; first time since Nick took over and it was even better than I remember. For $23 might be best price/value around. Only "complaint" among the eight who went was that it was more lunch than breakfast but even he agreed they did it well.
Morton's or Capital Grille...best steak?
Not sure what intovation is but I like the anology with all of the steakhouses:
KO or Moo if you are on a corporate account
A and L if you are on the prowl (or want to be prowled)
Bar at Capital if you want the best service in town
Kowloon?! Really?!
Or "There's a sucker born every day". Absolutely disgusting and borderline dangerously dirty
Mission Oak Grill
Got to MOG over the weekend. I was going to post a long review but I really cannot say anything that was said better by BillieJean. Beautiful room, good service, food is only OK at best. If you see steak houses falling into three categories: 1) Capital, 23, Mortons etc as the top tier 2) Burtons tier two 3) Outback and Longhorn, then this is right in the middle of the 2's. Nothing wrong with that except it fancies itself Fine Dining and charges like it was a 1.
There was nothing serious wrong (except maybe the price vs. quality). It's just that when I am in Newburyport I will go to Glenns and when I want steak I will go to the city
What NON-Restaurant Week restaurants would you dine at this week?
All good ideas. I have been to Neptune and Prezza this week (RW week 1). I avoid RW at all costs
Great food destinations in New England
If you have the time, a Newburyport, Portsmouth, Ogunquit and Portland trek would be a foodies dream trip. Glenn's in Newburyport, Black Trumpet in Portsmouth, Arrows in Ogunquit and Fore Street in Portland. Sort of like the Olympic Dream Team
Lunch Advice - Neptune Oyster?
I get into Neptune all the time and at different times and agree that pre-noon usually works. Just keep in mind it doesn't take much for it to fill up. I hear the phone ringing with the "how busy are you" calls all the time
Grill 23 a Hit, Again.
Re: Grille 23: We were treated rudely (not ignored...rudely) by a upstairs bartender who told us "I'm leaving in 2 weeks so I don't give a sh*t about anything", 18-24 months ago. Just that is enought for my wife and I to go to the other 2000 steak places in town
Mission Oak Grill
Going Sunday with friends. Will repot back. Everything I have heard goes right to what BillieJean said. The room is beautiful (went there for a drink last Sunday) but have heard nothing but C/C- reports on the food
Phantom Gourmet.
There seems to be an advertising/review relationship which isn't good but who doesn't have that (Boston Magazine? Sorry). I think if you take that (and TV Diner) for what it is which is informational and don't use it as a de facto final word on a place it serves a purpose. BTW, are there are there any more obnoxious people in this world than the Andlemans and Costa?
