ziggles's Profile
Dinner Rccommendations: Liliburn & Conyers
Just giving this thread a bump, because I am interested in any thoughts on decent dining options in the Conyers/Covington region. I'm in the area a few times a year to visit family. I know I'm not going to find fine dining or innovative cuisine in this area, but I would like to build up a list of places to keep in mind in order to avoid resorting to cookie cutter chain restaurants. Good southern food or BBQ would be great. Any suggestions?
Dinner at Canteen
Yeah, this was definitely the case when I went there back in June 2009. Too bad, I was hoping to make it there for the prix fix when I return later this month.
Wait...I totally didn't read the dates of the post that I was responding to. Does anyone know if they still do a prix fix menu one day a week? Thanks!
Mission Beach vs Canteen for hash?
just curious...does Citizen's Band not take reservations for brunch, or are they really completely booked for the next 8 weeks (according to opentable)?
Best butter in Boston area?
Any suggestions on where to find Kate's buttermilk? I pretty much only shop at Russo's and occasionally WF, and haven't seen it at either place, but would be willing to make a special stop to give it a try. I love good buttermilk and have often wished High Lawn would start producing some, so maybe Kate's is my answer!
BYOB
BYOB is ok in Belmont, and I highly recommend Kitchen on Common. They do a nice seasonally inspired menu. The food is excellent and affordable. If you don't have a bottle of wine on hand, duck into The Spirited Gourmet next door and pick something up.
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Kitchen on Common
442 Common St, Belmont, MA 02478
Spirited Gourmet
448 Common St, Belmont, MA 02478
so disappointed in Evangeline
Can anyone local tell me if Evangeline is still in business? I'll be visiting Portland in a couple of weeks and was interested in trying this place, but the website and phone number appear to be out of service. Thanks!
Cambridge (Central Sq. Kendall Inman) Recs
What about Blue Room? Menu fits the bill (except no real raw bar, that I know of). I seem to recall having some decent cocktails there a while ago, but honestly, I usually go there for their very thoughtful (and reasonably priced) wine list.
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The Blue Room
Hampshire and Portland streets, Cambridge, MA 02139
Best Boston Cheap Eats?
If you're willing to cross the river into Cambridge, I'll put in a plug for Basta Pasta. My partner and I got takeout there a couple of nights ago, and are still working on the leftovers! You can't beat getting a great entree that includes homemade pasta (be sure to order the fusili--it's the only homemade option) for around $10-12, and having it suffice for 2 dinners and a lunch (for one person, eating responsibly, but still...).
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Basta Pasta
319 Western Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Cumin Lamb at Golden Garden, Belmont
I agree...and may just head there tonight, if only for take-out!
Five Favorite Places to Eat Among Frequent/Veteran CH Posters?
On the Marsh sounds wonderful! I am planning a birthday pilgrimage to Hugo's in Portland next month to take advantage of the weekday 2-for-1 tasting menu, and may need to incorporate a stop in Kennebunk on the way there or back! Thanks for the advice.
Lunch near Montserrat?
Hi Magiesmom--yes, i had thought of this, but being that I will just be getting to town that day, I am not sure I will be able to pull together a decent picnic. Unless someone has some suggestions about a place to stop between the airport and Montserrat to grab a baguette and some ham and cheese?
Or is there a nice little unpretentious place in a neighboring town where I could get a rustic, but good, lunch?
Lunch near Montserrat?
Hello Spanish (and Catalan) Hounders!
I've been enjoying the lively discussion of Barcelona dining and am looking forward to making use of some suggestions when I visit in a few days.
I have a specific question. I arrive early in the morning and have some time to kill before check-in. I will have a car and am thinking a half-day trip to Montserrat, but I will also be hungry for lunch, and I hear that the dining options are not that great in the Montserrat area. I'm not looking for anything fancy for this meal, but also don't want to spend a lot of cash on mediocre food. Any suggestions? Or, is there another half-day trip that I should plan instead of Montserrat?
Thanks!
Summer/Winter prix fix (aka Friday Date Night)
I'm wondering if anyone has been to Summer/Winter for their Friday night 3-course prix fix dinner. In particular, I am eager to know what the format is--is it a set menu, or is there some amount of choice. Is it worth doing?
Liptauer?
wow christina....this is way more detail than I ever hoped for! thanks for trying the recipe and providing all of the great background info on your blog!
Liptauer?
I am in search of the best recipe for liptauer spread. My experience with this stuff is relatively limited, but really amazing. I first encountered this (and related spreads) at Dano's Heuriger on Seneca Lake (Finger Lakes of NY). I highly recommend this place if you're ever in the area: www.danosonseneca.com
Anyway, ever since my first (and many subsequent) visits, I have wanted to make Liptauer. I decided to do it for a party this weekend and have been searching for recipes, but there is such a diversity. I found one by Nigella Lawson, but I'm a tad skeptical of her use of cottage cheese:http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/recipes/special_nigella_liptauer.shtml
Does anyone have a foolproof recipe for this great spread? I was hoping to avoid using anchovies to make it vegetarian, but if these are essential, so be it.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Good cider donuts close to Boston?
I am also from Michigan and have been relatively unimpressed with the cider donuts in the greater Boston area. That all changed last weekend when I visited Wilson's farm and tried one of their fresh donuts. I think you'll find that their donuts are much better when you get them right out of the machine in the garden center. It seems that they only offer the fresh donuts on the weekends, but I could be wrong. I've tried the cider donuts from Ohlins and wasn't overwhelmed....they were good, but paled in comparison to others and especially when compared to some of the other donuts at Ohlin's (e.g., the jelly filled and boston creme donuts).
ISO *good* boxed red wine in Boston
As someone who has been (irrationally) obsessed with finding good wine in a box, I found this thread quite interesting. Unfortunately, I've tended to be consistently disappointed. That being said, I just received an email announcement for a boxed wine tasting happening tonight at Gordon's in Watertown. I am particularly intrigued by the two Hahn wines....a meritage and a cab franc.....a blend and varietal that I'm quite partial to. Maybe some of you in the western part of the city will be able to make over to sample these wines:
Box Wine!
Friday (10/16/09) 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Gordon's Watertown
51 Watertown street
Watertown, MA 02472
That's right, Box Wine! Today we taste the future! I hate that line. Anyway, wine in a box is getting better and better. The fact of the matter is that it lasts longer in the fridge, weeks not hours, and the packaging is far less expensive allowing for better wine to be packaged at lower prices. See for yourself as we have a German Riesling in a Box this week. From Santa Rita we have a cheap and tasty Sauvignon blanc and a rich and velvety Cabernet. We also have a Cabernet Franc and Meritage blend from Hahn Estates.
Santa Rita Winery
Medalla Real 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Exhibiting deep, ripe ruby red color with fine brilliance the body is concentrated and rich in ripe, almost sweet tannins. Its fragrant aroma evokes blackcurrant, tar and wood notes originating from the barrels it was aged in. Reg. price: $19.99 Tasting price: $15.99
120 2009 Sauvignon blanc Crisp and refreshing, this wine has aromas and flavors of citrus fruits such as grapefruit and lemon peel that lend a fresh balance to the tropical fruit character and the typical herbal notes from the 2% of semillón in the blend. Vibrant, fresh, deep, and well-rounded on the palate. Reg. price: $8.99 Tasting price: $7.19
Hahn Estates
2007 Meritage Deep, bold, brooding and complex, this wine has a heightened level of intensity compared to previous vintages. A generous percentage of Petit Verdot and Malbec in the blend add depth and enhance the richness of the wine. Juicy, luscious flavors combined with brisk tannins to make this wine the perfect complement for strong, savory meats and hearty pasta dishes. Reg. price: $16.99 In-store sale price: $12.99
Huntington 2006 Cabernet Franc Rich and dark in color, the Huntington Wine Cellars 2006 Cabernet Franc is smooth with a subtle, spicy taste of clove and white pepper woven between supple, rich flavors of cocoa, soil and leather. Pleasant, light in tannins, this wine is smooth, focused and leaves a melody of taste in the mouth. It finishes strongly with pleasing tart flavors of cran-raspberry and smooth layers of black currant and plum. Reg. price: $15.99 Tasting price: $12.79
Wurtz 2008 Riesling Trocken The color is quite pale (typical of young, dry Riesling) while the nose shows green apple, quince (yes, it smells tart), and flint. The green apple comes through in the front and mid-palate with a nice more-middle Mosel-than-Rheinhessen white floral accent, finishing with flinty mineral and a very tightly wound sliced lemon citrus. The acid is mouthwatering. Reg. price: $25.99 Net price: $22.99 for a 3 L box
Mango Grill Watertown
Does anyone know the status of Mango Grill? I know that they stopped serving lunch a while ago, and the past few evenings that I've driven by, the place has not appeared to be open. Did the restaurant go out of business?
quiet spot for dinner
Thank you both for the lovely recommendations! I have a reservation at the Tabard Inn for later in the week, so I think we'll give Bistro D'Oc a try for tomorrow night. The menu sounds wonderful!
quiet spot for dinner
I'm meeting an old friend for dinner this weekend and would like to find a nice restaurant with interesting food and a decent wine list, but with a quiet, casual, comfortable ambiance so we can have a chance to catch up and have a nice conversation w/o being forced to listen to neighboring diners. I've found that, at least in Boston, such places are becoming hard to find these days. My hotel is right off Farragut Sq, so anywhere that is a reasonable metro ride from there is fine. Price is flexible, although we'd probably like someplace in the mid range (~$20-30 entrees).
Any recommendations?
Craving for pasties in metro Detroit
Can anyone tell me what the hours are for The Pasty Shop in Southgate?
Also, is this place a restaurant, or strictly take-out? I'm in Monroe and am dying for a good pasty, and this seems like my closest option.
Thanks!
Beef tenderloin, portobellos, asparagus=dinner?
How did dinner go?
I would be very interested in hearing your recipe for rhubarb swirl. I'm determined to break in my ice cream maker that has been sitting in my cupboard for over a year. At the same time, I'm really into rhubarb right now, so you're rhubarb swirl ice creams sounds like just the thing to get me into ice cream making mode! Any chance I can persuade you to share your recipe?
Restaurant featuring home made pastas
If you're in the mood for take-out or an inexpensive, casual meal, I would recommend Basta Pasta in on Western Ave in Cambridge. http://www.bastapastacambridge.com They have homemade fusilli that you can add to any order for a slight charge. I really enjoyed the meatballs, but wasn't so impressed with the bolognese sauce. The risotto is also pretty good here. That's all I've tried so far.
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Basta Pasta
319 Western Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
Thoughts on Brasserie Jo?
Thanks! The mussels themselves sound wonderful...maybe I'll get those as an appetizer, as I also remember underwhelmed by the pomme frites.
Thoughts on Brasserie Jo?
I'm heading to Brasserie Jo for dinner later this week, and I'm intrigued by the mussels steamed in Riesling. I love mussels, but have never had them prepared with Riesling. Has anyone had this dish at BJ? I must admit that my last experience here was a tad disappointing...I had lamb steak that was very overdone and tough, as was my DC's steak frite, so I'm considering other, potentially safer, options.
LODGE ENAMEL CAST IRON SOON!
I received one of these for xmas (well, let's say my request for a very specific gift was kindly granted!), and I absolutely love it. Very sturdy and cleans up beautifully....I've used it at least a dozen times already, and it still looks like I just took it out of the box. The seal seems very tight--we'll see if that lasts in the coming years. All in all, I would highly recommend this product.
My only concern is the non-metal handle on the top. Does anyone have any experience using this product in an oven with really hot temps? I've pushed it to 450 for 30min, which is above what the manufacturer recommends, and I didn't notice any problems, but I'm wondering whether it's safe to go as high as 500.
RW - Tremont 647?
A few coworkers and I went for lunch on Monday. We had a relatively good, albeit mixed, experience (and right up front, I'm not one to be opposed to RW on principle....I've had several very good experiences).
As for Tremont 647, service was slow at first, but picked up once she actually took our order. The restaurant was also quite cold, even though the weather was fairly mild outside.
Now on to the food: First off, the biscuits they brought to snack on were slightly hard and bland. I had the momos, which I was told are the signature appetizer, and they were quite good (and a generous portion for lunch). I sampled the chili, but wasn't impressed...it too seemed bland....even a dash of salt would have helped. I had the lobster mac and cheese for my main course, and concur with the others....it was the highlight for me. One coworker had the burger, and enjoyed it, and another was very impressed with the salmon. I had a bite of the salmon and had to agree...it had a wonderful smokiness to it. All of the portions were bountiful, and I would have to agree with drewames that the entrees constituted the highlight of the meal.
Desert was where I was most disappointed. I had the apple cake. I don't know why I ordered it, b/c it wasn't my first choice (they changed the menu and removed the rhubarb crepes, which I had been looking forward to), but it turned out to be nothing more (imho) than a dry apple muffin with chunky applesauce dumped on top of it and a few nuts scattered around the plate. Bleh....I didn't bother finishing it. The best desert was, by far, the rhubarb cobbler....def go with that if you have the option. The chocolate pudding cake was good, but overly rich, and the consistency of oil.
They gave away coupons for free momos in the future and $5 off another visit during RW. I think you can have a decent meal here, and I hope these suggestions help.
best bakery for pickup pastries?
If you're willing to stray a tad from traditional pastries, I would highly recommend the baklava from Sevan bakery in Watertown. These have become the favorite item for whenever my lab has something to celebrate. I hear their cookies are great too.
Another idea would be to get an assortment of Persian pastries from Tabrizi Bakery in Watertown Square on Mt Auburn. The Persian ice cream is great too (made with rose water and pistachio).
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Tabrizi Bakery
56 Mt Auburn St, Watertown, MA 02472
Sevan Bakery
599 Mount Auburn St, Watertown, MA 02472
Birthday Cake Recs?
I was lucky enough to receive a cake from Yum Bunnies Cakery (Belmon, MA) for my birthday last month. My family ordered me a red velvet that was amazing....better than a homemade slice I had at a diner in Georgia a couple of months ago. I think they most do wedding cakes, but are certainly willing to do birthday cakes.
http://www.yumbunnies.com/
Best Chicken Parmigiana
I agree....the chicken parm at Fiorella's is quite good. It's pretty straightforward, but a decent price, and I've sampled it 2 or 3 times and have never been disappointed. (If you're there with someone who's willing to share, encourage them to order the scallops lemoncello.....yum!)
