polias's Profile
Great Lakes (US) beer for shipment in the UK, or near Leicester?
I'm looking for anywhere in the UK that might import (and potentially ship to a residence) an American microbrew as a gift for a friend. The beer is by Great Lakes brewery and is a popular but (sadly) very regional beer here in the US. A friend from Leicester recently visited me, fell in love with this beer, and would be over the moon to receive any of their beers as a surprise gift, but the hassle and cost of shipping alcohol from the US is prohibitive. I'm hoping someone knows of some spot in the UK that just might have this beer?
Cincinnati Pho recs?
A little late to the game, but I've had very good Pho at Cilantro, near UC (Clifton Ave). Reasonably priced, fresh, good options in a simple but (seems to me to be) diverse menu. Full disclosure, I've never had pho elsewhere, but this makes me want to have it everywhere, which seems to be a pretty good indication!
Best cook-at-home veggie burgers? [moved from Boston board]
[Since the discussion on this thread has been more about what brands of veggie burgers to buy, rather than where in Boston to buy them, we've moved this discussion here to the General Chowhounding Topics board, so hounds from everywhere can chine in with their favorites -- THE CHOWHOUND TEAM ]
I'm interested to find a really good cook-at-home veggie burger. I've had fantastic ones in restaurants - notably last night's delicious one at The Joshua Tree in Allston, which tasted like it was made up of mild mushrooms and seeds like sunflower seeds - really, really good. But every veggie burger I've bought in a store has been variations of terrible - dry, bland, too strongly flavored, etc. There have got to be good veggie burgers available in grocery stores around here - as much as I love dining out, I don't want to be forced to do that every time I want a healthier alternative to a good cholesterol-laden beef burger. So where might I find tasty veggie burgers in Boston?
Where have you always had a bad meal?
I think the worst of the North End has to be Cafe Pompei. Amazing how awful that meal was - frozen, improperly cooked gnocchi, canned "red sauce" (no recognizable tomato product in it), cheese that may have once been melted but upon serving had the consistency of a half-dried paint puddle.... ugh. One of the worst meals I've ever had - and expensive to boot!
where have you never had a bad meal?
Diva in Davis Square
Gourmet India in Coolidge Corner (for those omg-gotta-have-vast-quantities-of-Indian-NOW moments)
Soundbites
and though this may get me banned from the boards, when I need a good, Italian-style pizza (nothing against Greek, but it never hits the spot the way Italian does), Bertucci's. Consistent, and always very, very tasty.
where have you never had a bad meal?
I was just going to chime in with Soundbites - and I do adore breakfast. Their food is amazing (never tried the new place for anything but breakfast, though, so ymmv), creative, and always satisfying. I've moved away from Medford/Somerville, but I make the trek back there when I have friends in town because the brunch is far too good to pass up - and unsurpassed by anything I've found elsewhere in the metro area.
Where is the best sit down breakfest in Boston?
Interesting - "Boston's Best Blue" at SoundBites is almost exactly the same thing. I wonder who had it first...
First Time in Boston MUST EATs Local Favs
I just had a friend in from England and two things we did, food-wise, were big hits:
The Union Oyster House (in Government Center) for clam chowder (only because we couldn't get to their wet bar - too popular, but looked amazing!). This is the oldest operating restaurant in Boston, and was one of JFK's favorite lunch spots when he worked at the MA state House
and Anna's Taqueria for burritos. Boston has major burrito wars, and you'll hear a lot of different answers about which grab-and-go burrito is the down-and-dirty best. Anna's was the first I ever tried, and is still my favorite after 5 years. I always bring out of town guests here, and they rave about it.
Shabu Zen open in Allston
Exciting! I've been wanting to go out for shabu shabu for a long time - I've only had it made by a roommate of mine before. How does the ordering work - is it a sharing platter? (I had a look at the menu but wasn't sure.) I've got a friend coming into town and this would be a wonderful way to spend an evening, but I want to make sure it won't melt our wallets first.
Clotted Cream
Whole Foods in Brighton (Washington Street) has it, back in the cheeses section. I'd wager that the other Whole Foods locations have it, too. Also, Cardullo's in Harvard Square (back, with the teas, in the refrigerated cases).
Sunday brunch in Cambridge/Somerville
Have to chime in for Soundbites - I wouldn't go anywhere else in Cambridge/Somerville if I'm spending the cash for brunch. Renee's, near Teele, is very good, and Johnny D's in Davis are both very tasty, but Soundbites has had my heart since bite #1.
Chicken Tikka Masala
My favorite in the Boston area still is, and always has been, Diva in Davis Square, on the red line. It's always on the lunch buffet, as well, which is a good way to get some serious Tikka Masala while also mixing it up with a few sides for a relatively low-priced meal.
Mexicana cheese in the Boston area?
On a recent trip to England I had a type of cheese that I'd never heard of before - I fell utterly in love and was dismayed when I came back home to find that not only could I not find it in the city, but even Google didn't turn up any help. The cheese is called Mexicana, and it seems to be fairly common in the UK - it's some kind of jack-type cheese mixed with spices, jalepeno bits, and probably a few other items, to make a lovely,creamy-but-spicy cheese. It may qualify as a British food, but I've had no luck (so far) at any British import or food stores. Does anyone know where I might get some, or somewhere I could try looking, in the metro area?
Ball Square - Sound Bites & Lyndell's
At Soundbites, I sometimes get the Boston's Best Blue, which is just scrambled eggs (with cheese, I think?), home fries, and half a grilled blueberry muffin - sounds simple, but it's wonderful. Another favorite is something where the name escapes me, but it's made up of cheddar-cheesy eggs with dill and a scone - really lovely. I'm always an egg person there, and they've rarely let me down. It's easily one of my favorite places in the city, and probably the only place I would *have* to go back to if I were to move and return for a visit.
