I can't speak to experience at this location, but looks like they are an outpost of the one in Milton. The one in Milton serves decent Americanized Chinese food takeout (my experience is extremely limited though), and has always tried to offer a few more authentic sounding dishes via a blackboard they had. With so many options in Quincy, never bothered exploring those.

I know I've seen them at C-Mart and Kam Man on occasions, but not consistently.

Pho n' Rice in Somerville used to have decent pho and they deliver for a small fee. They also have canh chua -- the soup is described as hot and sour, but I've never found any of the versions to be spicy. It's more sweet and sour to me.

The restaurant is technically Thai and Vietnamese, but I never really dug their Thai items.

I finally made it to Island Creek Oyster Bar with a friend visiting from New Zealand, and had a great time. Nice, modern space and the food was fantastic. She loved her meal, and appreciated the attentive service. They take reservations but fill up fast on the busy days of the week, so you just need to book early.

While Seattle has excellent seafood, they do not have New England style fried clams (that I could find at least) -- I'd add a meal of fried clams somewhere (Clam Box, Tony's, etc.) before he leaves!

It is - the location that closed (under Empire Garden) was a tiny market that was converted into a C-Market. Was the dingiest of the bunch, and I don't find it a big loss, considering there are much better outposts within a reasonable walk.

I was going off the Chinese translation of what I heard ("pig fat"),hence lard...but you're probably correct. Given the volume they would go through, I can't imagine all of that is fresh lard.

Transfats ban in Boston...I thought I had heard someone say lard was what helped them make their egg tarts crusts so flaky, but whatever was in it, they don't use it any more since the transfat ban in Boston.

I found wild ramps for sale at the Fruit Center Marketplace in East Milton Sq last weekend.

Crown Royal bakery was known for having the best egg tarts in town, but that was pre-lard/trans fat prohibition in Boston. The last ones I tried I still found pretty good, albeit with less of the signature flaky crust. I haven't had egg tarts from other places (except Great Taste's Portuguese egg tarts) in so long, I don't know how they compare anymore but I still find Crown to be an excellent Chinese bakery.

Ha - I'm sure you've guessed it's just an inverted rice bowl to keep the bowl shape for presentation. During dim sum, they do this quite a bit for the nuo mi fan (stir fried glutinous rice) and silver pin noodle dishes.

Is "tree fungus" just a fancy moniker for wood ear -- pretty standard in Chinese cooking and not all that bizarre, I would think. Heck, you can even find the stuff for sale at Ocean State Job Lot.

I would look for cow spleen if you want something more off the beaten track - usually part of the mixed beef bits with daikon (Cantonese: ngau jaap) in Chinese eateries, but some places might serve up just the spleen if you ask -- it's pronounced ngau bong. Might have it at Hong Kong Cafe, Great Taste or People's Cafe.

My Korean friend introduced me to eating sundae (blood sausage with rice and noodles) at one of the local Korean restaurants, which I thought was pretty good. If blood is up your alley, getting pig's blood at dim sum would also be good. You'll have to hit the cart or buffet places though - not available at the order off the menu places.

If you want a different type of tripe rather than the dim sum prep, I'd hit Izzy's in Cambridge for some mondongo. Their tripe soup is really good.

Copley Sq/Back Bay isn't the most budget friendly of places unfortunately. To get the best bang and taste for your buck, you should go beyond Copley more often, and navigating Boston is easy.

Definitely hit Chinatown - walkable or at most a 2-3 T stops away depending on where in Copley you are. Will definitely be within budget, and you will have an array of pho, banh mi, dumplings, and plenty of Cantonese-style seafood joints.

Some good options: Dumpling Cafe, Hong Kong Cafe, Dong Khahn, Xinh Xinh, Taiwan Cafe, Peach Farm, Best Little Restaurant.

There's a UBurger across from the Boston Common downtown. If you're going to be in that area, you can also consider Chacarero, considered by many to offer the best sandwich in Boston (Chilean sandwiches).

Try to stick to the T, unless you're really traveling far. If you're looking to park in Boston, what you won't spend on food will go all to the garages. Parking in downtown Boston is outrageous.

For my edification, is there a difference between the Vietnamese version vs the Chinese (specifically Cantonese) versions that are more readily available?

I love congee, but prefer my homemade version over what's available at most restaurants in the area.

I'll toss in another vote that Legal's is a decent choice - just not exceptional. I've personally never had a terrible meal there over the years, and various locations, but I've learned to narrow down my choices over time for better eats. My favorite on Legal's menu will always remain their crab cakes - one of the better versions than many restaurants IMO.

I have an out of town friend who loves their version of clam chowder, and gets it every time she dines there. She lived in Japan for many years, and now resides in Vancouver, so she knows good seafood.

It's right in Quincy Center, almost at the end of Hancock St. It just moved across the street to where the old Blockbuster's used to be (across the street from Remick's). They have a parking lot next door, and it's also walkable from the Quincy Center T stop.

I haven't been to B&G Oysters in years, but do remember a positive experience there for dinner back then.

I find the RW experience is managed differently at different venues - some will offer nothing but the RW menu, while others have their regular menu as well. In the latter, the server will always ask if someone is having the RW menu or not. Even if you wanted a dish off the RW menu, but not the prix fixe deal, it was understood you paid the full cost for that one dish. That does stink if the server hadn't clarified that for you. I may have taken it for granted that my experience with RW has always been all or none.

They have a beef stomach dish that is decent. I didn't think it was anything to write home about, but you may like it if you're looking for offal in particular.

Ah, maybe Thailand Cafe's Sichuan menu can live on if they take over the PooPoo Hotpot space! One can only dream.

With so many biotech/pharma companies and grad students in the area, an authentic Chinese restaurant should be able to do brisk lunch business at least (provided they market what they really sell - not the faux Thai food side).

Sunday is when Rendezvous has their prix fixe which I've gladly taken advantage of a number of times. I have never found the cooking to be off from what I've gotten any other nights - always a hit and with me and my fellow diners. Don't think this made the difference, but it was never late supper though.

Bummer - I hope they will try to relocate.

I find the more recent Boston food trucks also try to be a little more chic (Mei Mei, Bon Me) and trendy, rather than just a focus to supply quick food cheaply. Maybe it's because of the locations and audience, or because it's the new test for those who find diving first into a restaurant to be too big a risk.

If you look around MIT campus, before the Boston food truck scene came along, you have many options at the $5 price point (even Clover). Back in my college days, the local food trucks weren't concerned with trying new food concepts; it was all about feeding hungry students quickly and cheaply.

As lc noted, not unusual to find them in Chinese markets, as they are quite popular, so I'd check there first if it's convenient. Always in the live tanks.

Not in the area anymore, but I'm not a fan of sandwiches or pizza, so they didn't appeal to me. When I hit Star, I usually go to the salad bar, or even the occasional frozen food to mix it up.

You do get free tv - with local abc, cbs, fox and nbc affiliates (and a variety of others). Just because a channel is on the air doesn't mean it has to be free for all, as many cable channels prove. I believe the government subsidizes the educational programming - not to make sure everyone can have something to watch.

But back on topic - I'm neither here nor there on their actual food, but I think their gesture of trying to give back to the community is genuine. I'd be thrilled if other restaurants ever followed suit and did the same.

The place was always clean when I worked nearby and stopped by for a bite more often. I can't say the service was always as warm as what you experienced - not rude, by any means, but when you have a long lunch rush, there isn't really a personal touch either. This used to be the only option unless you wanted to walk 15 mins (or wanted to hop into Star's for frozen food or their to go).

There are always folks who try to rip off or cheat a system, but that's not Panera's problem -- it's on the conscience of those who are trying to pull one off. I applaud what Panera is trying to do, especially knowing that it can be ripe for abuse by those who feel entitled to free anything.

I'm just glad to hear that there are good people who will try to do the right thing if they go to the Panera Cares. No different from the small population of blood donors who keep our blood banks and hospitals afloat for all to use in cases of medical emergencies, regardless of whether they're a donor or not or those few who still support public broadcasting for anyone who owns a tv set.

Did you look in the liquor store in Chinatown on Beach St, right by the gate? That's where I bought my bottle.

Nope, replaced by Thuan Dat market in Quincy, focusing on Chinese and Vietnamese foods.

I've never had problems with fruit I buy at HMart, but I usually buy what I know is in season. I didn't think mangoes this time of year would be good, so I wonder if the poor quality is more due to this time of year (and perhaps its treatment as the other reply stated). Sorry - that is a big bummer indeed.