Recently I tried a box of chocolates from EH Chocolatier. They had a table at a local fair and I was enticed by how beautiful they were. These are really something special -- the flavor and texture are just perfect, and while I'm often not a fan of flavored chocolates, they do a wonderful job of infusing the chocolate with flavor without overwhelming it. I think they don't have a retail store, but they sell the chocolates at Formaggio and possibly Sofra. According to their website, they also have a "community supported chocolate" program where for $20 a month, you can pick up a box of their chocolates that looks pretty generous compared to their normal prices. Unfortunately, it's only during the winter months.

I'm surprised I haven't seen anything about EH on Chowhound. For locally made chocolates I've mainly heard people talk about Burdick's (which used to be my go-to but EH is, IMO, much better), Taza (I'm not a fan of the texture), and Chocolee (haven't tried yet).

Great suggestions -- not Betty Ann's, though, it's Linda's in Belmont.

Of course, it's really bigotry if someone sees an Indian person and assumes they are going to be getting "some weird Indian bbq" and refuses to try to the place, or does try it and still doesn't return because it's run by "those Indians." Just the word "those" displays bigotry -- the notable thing about the restaurant is that it's run by people who aren't like me. I hate to use the word "bigotry" or "racism" because it implies that you are a bad person, and that's not constructive or usually true. But to answer your question, yes, the other things you mentioned are also bigotry, because they are based entirely on racial preference without reference to actual people or circumstances -- maybe the American is fantastic at tailoring suits or the African-American person gives incredible foot massages, but you'd never know because you wouldn't give them a chance.

Anyway, I was actually here to agree with Isolda's point. I do think race is relevant. I know anyone can be trained to cook any type of food, but I think it's interesting when someone grew up with a certain tradition or culture and their cooking reflects it. Or the opposite, when, say, a white Southerner is cooking Nepalese food -- I would expect that there's a story there. It's not always about race -- sometimes it's geographic area, religion, etc. -- but yes, I think the background of the owners and chefs is relevant.

Previous thread on this: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/864259

Flour has it occasionally -- they call it "Breton butter cake." I saw it at the Farnsworth Street location a week or two ago.

I think Salts feels fancier and more intimate. At TW Food you're elbow to elbow with the people at the table next to you. I think the food is more interesting at TW Food and they put together very fresh and seasonal ingredients in combinations you might not expect. But if you prefer traditional French and it's a special occasion, I'd pick Salts. (Your description and preferences also made me think of Bergamot...)

Speaking of unusual dishes, I went recently and had a dessert billed as a "steamed lemon cake." It was topped with beet ice cream and had some sort of miso meringue thing and little bitter leaves? And some gingerbread. Each element by itself ranged from meh to yuck, but together it magically worked! (Except I never got on board with the crunchy salty miso thing.) Not necessarily the most delicious dessert I've ever put in my mouth, but a really enjoyable experience.

Assemble your own salad too, if you have access to fresh veggies. Grill some chicken or fish for the meat-eaters. Bread and cheese on the side.

"I have tried them that way," LOL. I like most vegetables but my hated ones are: Cabbage, brussels sprouts, sunchoke, bitter melon, and jackfruit. (I'm Indian, so the last two were vegetables that I was repeatedly forced to eat as a kid. "Just TRY it!" I always try it, and I always hate it!)

We didn't eat there, but had a drink at the bar and were very happy with both the set drink menu and the bartending. I'd go back again for that.

I agree -- the food choices here in the Seaport remind me of a nice mall. Like the Prudential Center. You can have decent food, and it's in a nice setting, but it's kind of bland.

I do like Larry's Q in the middle of the park across from the Renaissance Hotel, though, if it's still there.

The thing I dislike about squash pies is the texture. If it were more creamy and custardy, it might be OK, or if it's more firm like a cheesecake, I find it more palatable. But if it tastes like you just took some pureed vegetables, made them sweet, and mixed in a few eggs... no thanks. So I would suggest a recipe with a non-squashy texture if she dislikes them for the same reason.

Nooooo... there are so few independent, reasonably priced, good dining options nearby!

I went to the Swiss Bakers in Allston for the first time this morning. It's a large, bright space with lots of seating and a big parking lot. Their menu includes the breads and croissants I was familiar with through their farmer's market appearances, coffee, a selection of savory items like breakfast quiche and lunch sandwiches, and cakes and tarts (most of which were not on display when I stopped by around 9:30 a.m.). Several people greeted me as soon as I walked in, and they offered to heat up the quiche I ordered. I got the vegetable quiche, a pretzel croissant, and a "choco weggli" (roll with mini-chocolate chips), all of which I enjoyed and would get again. I was expecting a small take-out place with a limited selection of items, so I was pleasantly surprised -- it seems like a great place to sit and have a cup of coffee or catch up with a friend.

Just tried Mamadou's in Winchester for the first time... AMAZING bread. They don't have anything else, just loaves of bread. I think it's better than Clear Flour and Iggy's. You have to try it!

Second Vicki Lee's -- I've tried all of these places and for the refined cake it sounds like the OP is looking for, definitely Vicki Lee's. (Modern is great too, but a different style of cake.)

We just got delivery from the new Allston location -- really good. I liked the spinach, broccoli, and ricotta pie with multi-grain crust.

Where are you shopping that has several different options for crema?

Addis Red Sea (Ethiopian) between Porter and Harvard?

FWIW, I agree with you... I like both Arax and Sevan a lot, and I also think Arax has a musty smell. Doesn't bother me, having grown up going to Indian markets that also have that smell of stale spices having seeped into all the corners and rested there for years. But I think it's perfectly valid to note that there's something about a store's atmosphere that you don't like.

They have them at Formaggio too, and you can buy single ones there.

We had dinner at Garden at the Cellar the other night and were very happy with our meal. We enjoyed the cod fritters and grilled octopus, but the star was the lamb gnocchi. Succulent little bits of lamb, small soft gnocchi, snipped fresh herbs, and everything sitting in a little pool of lamb-infused broth. I don't even like gnocchi usually because I find it too heavy and starchy, but this was one of the most delicious things I have eaten in a long time.

Strip-T's, T.W. Food, Bondir, Oleana, Menton for a splurge... all places that are entirely unsuitable for little ones. (Strip-T's not because it's fancy, but because the place is so tiny -- you have to hold the carseat over your head to maneuver out of there.)

If you want fiber, how about vegetables, fruit, a smoothie with flax, or bran muffins? If you don't like hot cereal, why eat it? That said, you could try steel-cut oats with heated frozen berries (which get all jammy when you microwave them), or search for "savory oatmeal" on these boards for lots of savory ideas.

Maybe Morton's in the Seaport?

Il Casale was my first thought too. Stellina in Watertown Square is also a good option.

Yes on fruits, veggies, and meats that we will use or freeze quickly -- NO on bakery items. I'm a home baker, and while I do buy stuff from bakeries, I know how quickly most baked items degrade with every hour out of the oven! Most baked items aren't very healthy anyway, so quality is even more important. If I'm going to eat a bagel, I want a FRESH bagel.

I've tried Cafe Burrito -- I thought it was a great concept, but our burritos weren't very good. Pretty much the same as what you could throw together at home without much effort.

Parker House. You can hardly get more classic now that Locke-Ober is gone. I think the feel at Top of the Hub is less "stately" -- it feels more casual to me, and the food is secondary to the view. What about L'Espalier?

Or they could do the same thing food trucks do, and just take a picture of the board with their phone and post it to their Twitter account. No need for crowd-sourced funds or an extra TV.

Noooo. Brookline?? Say it ain't so, Tim.
Is there any chance at all that this will be an actual "expansion" instead of just picking up and moving?