katzzz's Profile
Chow-worthy in Nonantum?
This is not a food question, but as a non-Newtonian I've got to ask: What's with "the lake"? Is there a body of water near Nonantum?
Butcher
That's very helpful, StriperGuy, thanks. I'm thinking lamb chops right away. I'm not suprised that the kibbe beef looked good. I got some ground beef from Nick that was terrific -- it was not as finely ground as what you get in the supermarket; worked great for burgers.
On a related topic, any recommendations on where to go to get a deboned whole chicken (aside from the likes of Savenors, which is just too expensive)? I'm guessing Nick isn't the guy for fowl.
Butcher
I've bought from Nick at Coolidge Variety three times so far and have been very happy with the meat and with Nick, who couldn't be nicer. But I wonder how skilled a butcher he is (the answer may be "very," I have no idea) and what you think the strong points of the shop are. I went in for brisket and Nick said he'd order it for me, but as it turned out, he couldn't get less than 15 lbs. (or around that much) which was way more than I wanted. Another time he ordered pork shoulder for me, but ended up getting pork loin instead, which he sold to me at a bargain price. It was great, but it wasn't pork shoulder, so I used it for something else than the recipe I wanted to make. I guess what I'm saying is that I like the place a lot, but it seems somewhat limited.
Chow-worthy in Nonantum?
Got it. But I might have to try a fried clam plate to see how it compare's with Celebrity's.
Chow-worthy in Nonantum?
OK, I'm going to get a slice at Maria di Napoli, some pastries at Antoines and if I can swing a sit down dinner, I'll check out Vecchia Roma and Fiorellas. And I have to look into Steamers too. Thanks for the suggestions. I'm guessing from the lack of mentions that the Chinese restaurant (can't remember the name) is to be avoided.
Chow-worthy in Nonantum?
In the past few months I've had occasion to drive through Nonantum several times a week. Lots of restaurants, an Italian pastry shop, and DePasquale's, which is the only place I'm familiar with. Any other places I should check out?
In praise of Arax fruit
If you're in the mood for Cuban, the new Gustazo on Belmont St. is a short drive from Arax.
Where to buy mini bottle of champagne or prosecco?
Martignetti on Soldier's Field has what you're looking for. I'm pretty sure other big liquor stores have 'em too. You can buy one little bottle or many, no need to order a case.
highland kitchen somerville
I'm guessing that the hot pepper you objected to was from the tasso ham, which is very spicy cajun ham. Sounds like it's an ingredient you were unfamiliar with, but if it says tasso on the menu, then you're gonna get something spicy.
Best Indian Takeout or Delivery near Harvard / Porter
Passage to India in Porter Sq. offers good versions of the basics you're looking for. I've never had anything there that blew me away, but then I've never had anything awful either. It's where I go for Indian takeout, simply because it's the closest Indian restaurant to my house and it always hits the expected notes.
I'm curious about Darul Kabab, the Indian-plus-other place that opened in the former KFC location north of Porter, but I'm apprehensive about an Indian restaurant that also does pizza and burgers. Annapurna, right across the street from Darul Kabab was OK the one time I tried it, but a liked it a little less than Passage to India.
I'll add that I was favorably impressed by the buffet at Masala, but that's a bit of a ways from Harvard/Porter. Most days, I still think Kebab Factory is the best Indian buffet around.
Coach Grill, Sudbury
Not cheap, certainly, but reasonable relative to Del Frisco, Morton's, Abe & Louie's and the other high end steak houses in Boston. Cost of a meal at Coach Grill will be somewhere between 25-30% less.
Coach Grill, Sudbury
I'd say the Coach Grill is exactly what it tries to be: an upscale suburban steakhouse. You will get the decent meal you're looking for there at a relatively reasonable price in a comfortable setting. I've always enjoyed my steak; never tried any of the other entrees.
SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
I agree that WF prepared foods lack seasoning, which is why I tend to avoid it. But this fried chicken didn't. Properly salty and, as I said before, very tasty.
SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
I think it was freshly made, relatively speaking, no doubt in expectation of selling a lot at half-price. It was darn crispy for cooled-off fried chicken.
SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN
Whole Foods is having a sale on fried chicken -- what they call "picnic chicken" (Don't know for how long). Half price. $4.99 a pound. Had it for dinner last night. Tasty, lots of crunchy crust. And I say this as someone who mostly avoids the prepared foods there, which I usually find disappointing.
watertown kabobs/falafel
Fordee's on Mt. Auburn St. for falaffel. They probably have kabobs but I'm not positive. If they do, I bet they're pretty good.
Town Diner Anti-Customer Service
I love the Town Diner conceptually, but the reality no longer thrills me. The food seems unexceptional; is there anything on the menu that's exceptional? The prices are not especially cheap. And last time I went it was too much like a diner from long ago: rundown and dirty. I appreciate the (usually) friendly staff and the happy multitudes dining, but these days the famous quote from Yogi Berra sums up my feelings about the place: Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded.
Where to buy lamb shoulder?
Nick the butcher at Coolidge Variety is very nice, very accommodating. Prices are extremely reasonable and I've been pleased with the quality of the meat. But I would call first. Good chance he'll need a day or two to get in the cut and size you want.
Where to eat like Caroline Knapp, Morphine, the Lemonheads, and other 1980s Bostonians past
Go to Frank's Steak House in N. Cambridge. It's a trip in the way back machine.
Fresh chick peas
Got the fresh chick peas at Arax two days ago (they're in a box in front of the produce section; $3.99 a pound). Given the warmth of the day, didn't feel like cooking with heat. Just shelled them and threw them in a sort of Asian salad I threw together (carrots, radish, scallions, mint, cilantro and chick peas) where they tasted like fresh peas. Delicious.
Pappy Van Winkles
One question no one has addressed, which I am curious to ask never having had a taste of Pappy. Is it that fantastic (and that much better than other high end bourbons) that it's worth the money?
Pappy Van Winkles
Nothing better than having a sadistic, perverted sociopathic TV character asking for Pappy by name to increase demand.
And they always have a bottle of it sitting there whenever Quarles goes into a bar and asks for it. I bet you couldn't find Pappy in a real Harlan County bar.
Pappy Van Winkles
I was in Five Horses in Somerville last week and saw Pappy on the drink list. I asked how much for a shot. They only had the 23, having sold out of the less pricey stuff. A taste of the 23 was $50. No, I didn't try it.
Fresh chick peas
Okay! I'm going to get some today and follow some of these suggestions. They just look so cool.
Fresh chick peas
Saw fresh green chick peas in Arax Market in Watertown yesterday. Eager to give them a try, but not sure what to do with them. Any recipes?
The Painted Burro
My daughter loves tacos and burritos, says she hates enchiladas. Like you say, can't wrap my mind around that (there's a wrap pun to be made in there somewhere).
Pizza slices: variety & high quality?
I find the off-the-wall combos at Otto's to be surprisingly good. They're what makes the place special. For example, the one with squash and cranberries, which sounds like a bad idea for a pizza, won me over at first bite.
A Good Negroni -- why so difficult?
The barrel-aged Negroni at Temple Bar in Cambridge is certainly worth a try. Maybe a little too smooth to my taste, but then I like to make my Negroni's at home with double the amount of gin (2:1:1).
Russo's vs. Whole Foods
I don't love the bakeries at either Whole Foods or Russo's, but if you're in the mood for something sweet, there are some worthwhile items at Russo's. The cookies are good....I like the shortbread half-covered in chocolate in particular. The rugelach are good, too. And I think the fruit pies are better than the ones at WFs, which seem skimpy as far as the amount of fruit. Russo's pies are not great, but they're tasty enough if you're in the mood. Come to think of it, great pies seem rare around Boston. I've tried Petsi's, which I want to love, but nothing there has ever blown me away. I'd rate Petsi's above Russo's, but you're paying a lot more, too.
ISO salt-packed capers
Went to Arax Saturday afternoon and, after a bit of searching, found two varieties of salt-packed capers. There was a jar (about 8 oz) for $2.50. I went for a plastic container (no label whatsoever) with a whole lot of capers for $4. Used them this evening in a salsa verde. Very tasty. And quite a bargain.
