I too wanted to like it, given its tiny size and buy-local ethic. When I had the tasting menu a couple of months ago, though, there were a few dishes that were just not good. In particular, there was a scallops and shiitake mushroom "main" course where the flavors really didn't go together at all. I recall the soft-shelled crab being tasty but the fried toast served with it pushed the butter quotient over the top for me. There was one standout course, but it's slipped my mind at the moment. So, given the relatively high price, I think I probably wouldn't go back anytime soon.

Apparently there are now cryptic signs up in one of the vacant spaces next to Kickass Cupcakes in Davis Square that seem to indicate that a When Pigs Fly bakery will be opening there soon. Finally, a nearby bread bakery! Their raisin bread is pretty awesome.

Actually, the chain Burrito Beltway appears to extend all the way to Harvard, since we've got Qdoba, Boca Grande, and Anna's in Porter and Felipe's, Boloco, and now Chipotle in Harvard (yes, I just saw the coming soon sign yesterday over by the EMS). Either these folks aren't doing their market research or there's a great unfulfilled hunger for burrito-ish things in the Cambridge/Somerville area.

Haven't eaten there yet, but I did notice the sign said "Italian & Mediterranean." Without looking at the menu, it's hard to know exactly what they mean by that, but it sounds potentially interesting, anyway.

My Italian cold-cut sub loyalties lie with Sessa's as well.

It's actually open right now and giving away free burritos -- anything you like off the menu. Don't know how long this will last, though, so get there soon if you can!

They didn't suggest it when I talked to them the other day, and since they also own the adjacent liquor store, I would think they would have. :)

We went back to Pescatore's Sunday night to try the non-fried-fish options, and I'm happy to say it was great. I had the excellent haddock paisano, which was broiled with cherry tomatoes and a garlic white wine sauce, and came with tasty sides of sauteed spinach and roasted potatoes. My wife had the fusilli amalfi, a very generous portion of good homemade fusilli topped with a fresh tomato sauce and scallops, crab meat, and shrimp. Dessert was a homemade strawberry ice cream and chocolate mousse. It was an all-around great home-cooked meal. The only thing that could have made it better was a glass of wine to go with it. They said they hoped to have the liquor license in about a month.

This place is so good, and so close, that I really hope it survives. They need to get a big sign up facing Broadway so more people will notice it.

Never had the cookies, but that's because I go there just for the croissants, which are the best I've had in Boston. Flaky, tender, and not the bready kind you tend to get in the US. Pain au chocolat are excellent too, and they have miniature versions of both.

Mmm. Now I'm hungry for one. :)

Formaggio's in Cambridge and Sessa's in Davis Square also stock them (Monin and Torani, respectively).

For a long time the construction seemed stalled, but lately things seem to be moving ahead inside. It still looks a long way from finished, though.

Is the location really owned by Yasser's brother now?

Thanks for the Lyndell's pointer. We tried their chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting yesterday and it was excellent. I actually thought the chocolate frosting was nicely thick and chocolatey -- and for 90 cents, how can you possibly go wrong?

We were at Formaggio's on Saturday around lunchtime to pick up a few things and couldn't resist trying lunch at their sidewalk barbecue. Even if it hadn't just gotten a recommendation in Best of Boston, it would have been hard to pass up the giant charcoal grill and platters of food. We split a Pearly dog, which was a half-pound of juicy hot dog, nicely grilled on a grilled ciabatta bun and slathered with grilled onions and peppers. Mmmm! Coleslaw was quite good as well, as was the slightly fizzy lemon/limeade they were selling.

I'd definitely go back (they're open for another 7 weekends) to try the delicious-smelling pulled pork and lamb. The smoked chicken and ribs also looked great, and I regretted not being hungry enough to try the baked beans, which were simmering in a cauldron on top of the grill. Expect a line, though, and get there early -- they sold out of some items (the philly cheesesteak) in the first thirty minutes. Oh - there's also grilled corn and peaches.

We just tried out several kinds as well and agree with what seems to be the general consensus so far (is three a consensus?): they're a little small for the price, the cake is a bit on the dry side, and the owner is not as cheery as one might hope (though who knows, maybe she's been up all night baking cupcakes). I really want to like this place, but I think they need to get feedback and make some quick adjustments if they want to stick around.

Specific comments:
* Vanilla -- icing-to-cake ratio was too high, cake crumb isn't quite right (too crumbly)

* Mohito -- again, too much icing per cake, flavor combination was nice, though

* Strawberry shortcake -- best of the three we've eaten so far, with a whipped cream topping instead of icing. Tasted like strawberry shortcake. On a hot day like today, the icing doesn't travel well, though!

We still have an extreme chocolate and a pecan sticky bun one left to try.

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Kickass Cupcakes
378 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02144

I've also had good experiences at CCI. In particular, their pastry classes are excellent, taught by the head of the pastry certificate program (or at least they were a year or so ago).

We picked up some dulce de atado at a local Latin American grocery (a log-shaped "honey of sugar cane") and we were wondering what to do with it. We know that you can boil it to make syrup, but are there other better ways to use it?

Yikes, ignore that place link. Pescatore is at the corner of Rogers and Boston Ave in *Somerville*, not Lowell.

I also live right around the corner, and I noticed yesterday that they now have their dining room open -- the seating permit must have gone through. Also, the Somerville News reported that the owners just got community approval for a liquor license.

So far I've had the box of assorted fried seafood, which was quite satisfying (came with tartar sauce), not overbattered, nice and crispy, and the fish cakes, which I really liked. We'll be going back for those soon, I think, and to try some of the other non-fried fish dishes.

It's maddening to walk by there around dinnertime and smell the fried fish!

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Pescatore
158 Boston Ave, Somerville, MA 02144

I'd second the vote for Sessa's. As you say, seriously good, and also seriously messy. :)

Their prosciutto, tomato, and mozzarella sandwich is also amazing, the best I've had. But right in Davis you can get a great Italian sub from Sessa's for five or six bucks (make sure to get everything on it).

Hmm, that's too bad. My wife and I were just going to try them out this weekend, but maybe we'll stay away now. And they advertise sushi platters -- I would have expected extra-fresh fish!

I've been curious about La Bella in Medford for a while, since I live basically equidistant from Capone's, Dave's, and La Bella. Any thoughts on which is best?

No, but it looks like progress is being made now in the store -- racks and shelves and things are being put in. The rest of the stores in that little strip are still empty, though. Maybe something interesting will go in....

A year or two ago there was a little Vietnamese cafe near Porter Square called Sweet Tea Cafe. Among other things, they had a great banh mi sandwich. Sadly, they closed after a year and now my wife and I are craving banh mi. Anybody know of a place to find them in Boston?