Boston_Otter's Profile
Columbus Report
I think this is a very honest and objective view of Columbus food. I'm really glad you got to North Market and German Village -- it's a great sample of some of the things Cols. does best.
J's at Nashoba Valley Winery-outstanding brunch!
I went to their brunch a month or so ago and had an experience identical to this post from 2007. It's still inexpensive, delicious, and the best brunch I've had in Boston area. Nothing remotely "low quality" or "awful" .
Vernor's in Boston????
Yike! I didn't even look at the dates. 2002? Those are horse-and-buggy days when the Internet was on the telegraph.
Vernor's in Boston????
Thank you for helping to root this out, Todd -- now I have to get to Hi-Rise! Vernor's is easily the best ginger ale, and I've been missing it out here.
Why is the Olive Garden so reviled?
If they're running pasta dough through a machine and cooking it, then they're most definitely making and using fresh pasta (as opposed to hard, dried pasta).
Why is the Olive Garden so reviled?
That's an often-repeated myth. Even if f I had the time to make fresh pasta dough, used a pasta press to roll it out, then filled individual ravioli with cheese or meat that I'd prepared.. and then made pasta sauce, garlic bread, and a salad... it'd cost way, way more than the same meal at Olive Garden. Would it be better? Sure, if I knew how to make pasta and had a $70 pasta maker.
Why is the Olive Garden so reviled?
My guess is predictability. If you go to the most authentic lobster shack, it's a new experience, with unknown factors. Olive Garden and Red Lobster are safe bets -- they're the same everywhere. And for someone who's 95, maybe safe and predictable is high on their list rather than adventurous eating.
What's in Busken's maple sticks?
I moved from the Cincinnati area years ago but am generally able to satisfy my nostalgic cravings with homemade 3-ways, bottled Montgomery Inn sauce, and Graeter's at my local Whole Foods.
But I have fond memories of the donuts & pastries from Busken and nothing really matches them.
The trouble is, I have no idea how to describe that cream that's inside their maple sticks. It's totally unique. Anyone know what it's called or what it's made from?
Why is the Olive Garden so reviled?
I don't have my own Olive Garden, but I've had pasta at their locations that wasn't overcooked, yes.
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers -- Huh?
Sounds to me like their house sauce isn't as standardized as I'd assume it'd be, since everyone who tries it reports a completely different flavor of sauce.
In N Out Burger question for a newbie
Get a Double-Double Animal Style with 'well done' fries. Best fast-food burger I know of.
Why is the Olive Garden so reviled?
Some people assume that if it's a chain restaurant that's popular in middle America, then it's automatically generic, whitebread, and awful.
I've had some genuinely terrible meals at Olive Garden, but then again, I've also had some genuinely terrible meals at "chef-owned" local restaurants.
Their alfredo sauce is to be avoided, but I've had some very decent ravioli and other pastas there. I admit that their salad and breadsticks are usually my favorite things, though.
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers -- Huh?
The last time I had their dipping sauce, it was a ketchup/mayo/mustard sort of blend with a healthy dose of horseradish and cayenne. It was anything but bland.
Small Plate dinner for Memorial Day Weekend
Before going to Kika, I'd look at Solea in Waltham. Same owners, lower prices, and terrific tapas.
All-Star Pizza: A preview?
Whoa!! Confirmed -- I just rushed out and picked up a pint of Black Raspberry Chip (!!) at Whole Foods in Fresh Pond. $5.99/pint. Yow!!
They had vanilla, BRC, mocha, and mint choc. chip.
All-Star Pizza: A preview?
I'll let you know. Is the sauce crazy sweet, like Prego sauce? :)
Now if I can just convince people that chili was made to be served on spaghetti.. and find something approximating Busken donuts... my nostalgia will be satisfied.
All-Star Pizza: A preview?
As a former Cincinnatian, you've got my attention... now I have to try All-Star :)
Chains that Cold-Brew their Iced Coffee?
Cold-brewing is done overnight -- you basically mix coffee grounds with cold water and let it sit for 6-8 hours, then filter it. The concentrated coffee you get can be mixed with a little water or just poured over ice. It's much less acidic than coffee brewed with hot water. Some people feel that it makes the best tasting iced coffee... others feel that it's not intense enough.
Chow meet-up at Dali - report
Their lomito al cabrales is one of my favorite dishes in town.
Chains that Cold-Brew their Iced Coffee?
Starbucks doesn't cold-brew. They brew hot coffee double-strength and then refrigerate it to be poured over ice.
Inexpensive Salads -- Need Panera Alternatives
I like the salads from both Pinky's Pizza and Deli-icious.
Best Indian Takeout or Delivery near Harvard / Porter
Darul Kabab: I've had mediocre kebabs and terrible appetizers (pakoras and samosas still frozen), but had some really decent curries and such there. If nothing else, the DK Naan, for $3.50, is a must try. It's massive -- twice the size of any naan I've seen -- and covered in dried fruit & nuts and a sweet orange glaze.
The pizzas are pretty much exactly like the pizzas they used to serve in our high school cafeteria.
Olives in Charlestown Has Reopened
The last time I went there, the olives were nearly inedible (mushy as if filled with paste or rotten).
Done with Chez Henri
I was in the bar area, but they sat me at a table. I mentioned that I wanted the Cubano and they gave me the bar menu with a lot of sighing and cajoling.
Costco alcohol -- maybe you don't have to be a member!
This is true. In Massachusetts at least, the alcohol is a store-within-the-store run by an outside company -- you don't need to be a Costco member to shop for alcohol there.
Done with Chez Henri
After reading rave reviews of their Cubano here on CH, my friends and I went to seek it out. Our server was decently friendly at first, but as soon as we mentioned the Cubano, he cooled. He tried to convince us that there were many other good things on the menu to order, but we insisted on ordering the Cubano. After that, the service was downright rude. I haven't bothered going back.
Potbelly
Getting a sandwich with "the works" is the worst way to go about ordering a sandwich, honestly. Some sandwiches, like an Italian, are great with all the condiments. But ordering a roast beef & melted provolone with "the works" is as bad an idea as ordering a BLT with "the works" or a meatball sub with "the works". Not all condiments belong on all types of sandwich or sub.
