kobuta's Profile
Porter Exchange Japanese Recommendations?
I'll second Mami, but I go for their hamburg steaks.
Where art thou, broccolini?
I love broccolini and can eat the stuff by the boat-load. Surprisingly I have not seen this available in many of the supermarkets I frequent, but I found some at the local N Quincy Stop & Shop 2 weekends ago for the first time. Sadly, they only had a few left last week, and I strongly suspect it was the same product they had out the week before, as the one bunch I bought started to wilt after only a day in the fridge.
Where else have you seen broccolini for sale in the greater Boston area (preferably somewhere public transportation accessible)?
Non-spicy options at Sichuan Garden
I haven't eaten at Sichuan Garden, so I can't do a offer a visual or taste comparison. I found an interesting comparison on a Chinese blog that wrote these two dishes are like "twins". Ingredients are very similar, but the main difference being that the #58 features raw pork stir fried with the other ingredients. The classic double-cooked pork, of course features pork that is cooked first, and then sliced and stir-fried from there. The writer says that in the #58 dish, there's additional preparation for the pork before stir frying, but it all seems to boil down to the prep and cooking technique that results in some texture differences.
Nice dinner near Royal Sonesta, Cambridge
If you're dining at Dante, you should give their Venetian fritelle a try (fried dough balls). It's the one dish I had at my dinner there I loved, and I'm not a a dessert person. The food was fine, but just didn't knock my socks off otherwise.
May 2012 Openings and Closings
Not being a big nut lover, I'm not sure how I feel about it. Had the plum tart, and wanted more plum and less (crushed) nuttiness. Made my jaw very tired after eating it, though I did like the shell of the tart - it had a good buttery taste, without being too flake or buttery. I did like that it didn't get too soggy as they often do when paired with a custard in the center.
I'm eating the blueberry tart with hazelnuts and surprisingly not minding the hazelnuts. Ratio of fruit to nuts here is way more fruit, which I think is making the difference. You can really taste the blueberry and not too sweet.
May 2012 Openings and Closings
Tatte Bakery in Kendall Square opened their doors on Wednesday the 9th. I stopped by this evening and grabbed two fruits tarts and a portabella (spelled portobello in the store) & onion brioche. Haven't had the tarts yet, but the brioche was nice.
I've never visited the Tatte in Brookline, but the goods looked pretty. They have a few breakfast items, sandwiches for lunch and also a small dinner menu. Serving illy coffee. They also have cakes available by the slice and some pre-made cookies and biscottis that you can grab and go. They seem to really like nuts here - lots and lots of tarts and desserts with nuts. Individual tarts are pricey at the roughly $7 price point (not everything had signs or prices).
Always welcome any additions to the area. Interested in coming back on Friday and trying one of their bakes bread loaves. The store is on 3d St, across from Fuji at Kendall.
Chinatown Bakeries: Best Pineapple Bun
"Modern" hybrid buns do offer fillings, so they're probably not trying to pull a fast one on you. Traditional pineapple buns though did not have filling, and many of the old school bakeries here still sell them with no filling.
Chinatown Bakeries: Best Pineapple Bun
I'm a pineapple bun purist, and prefer it the old fashioned way with no filling and just the crumbly butter top. I like Mei Sum's version which has a good crumbly top, but a nice soft and not overly sweet bun.
Japanese style hot dogs in Ctown: Fei Fan Eatery
Yes that's what their sign claims when I had one in Vancouver, though admittedly with all the toppings, not sure I could tell either. But it sure was tasty as heck. The Japadogs are bigger than the one I recall getting at Fei Fan Eatery.
seattle fam coming for 4 days may 10-15 for first time! need help
I loved my visit to Seattle and had really wonderful seafood food there, but the one thing I wanted and never found of course were good fried clams (whole) New England style. A must try here, if you don't mind fried food. You can try a few places in the city like Neptune or Courthouse, but if you prefer the actual clam shack experience you will have to leave the city proper.
Bird's Nest
Anything that can be in the nest or comes up with when the bird regurgitates. I've seen bits of feather/fur, to twig-like material, and lord knows what else that stuff is. Birds nest gets soaked and washed before it's used in soup.
I have never had bird's nest in a restaurant, but if the OP is curious and has money to spare, he can try to find it in one of the herbal shops in Chinatown. No guarantee that they sell it, but a few stores will sell some 'hoi mei". Being so expensive, there probably isn't a large enough market to support bird's nest here. My parents buy this when they go back to Hong Kong, and my mom always insisted it's good for your skin and for preserving your beauty (not sure it's working).
Like shark's fin,, there is no taste to bird's next itself, but it's often paired with other luxurious and expensive ingredients. What you find in the canned drinks or soups is likely the low grade stuff (if you find any at all) so not sure you'll get a real bird's next experience from that.
Nice dinner near Royal Sonesta, Cambridge
Yes, there's EVOO in Kendall Square, which is less than 10 minutes away. Right across the way is Abigails which has trendier pub food.
If your definition of 'within walking distance' means 20-30 minute walks are acceptable, you can find more as you head towards Central (or Kentrall), including Blue Room, Salts, Craigie on Main. I've never been to Catalyst and Area 4, but I've heard some positive reviews of both. If Craigie sounds inviting, and you don't mind heading into Central, I would also strongly recommend putting in the extra 5 minutes to consider Rendezvous.
First Soft Shell Crabs Sighting
Courthouse Seafood had a sign they have them for sale, but didn't stop in. I went to New Deal instead - no soft shell crabs yet.
Boston trip report - March 21-25 (long).
Bone marrow pizza?? I don't like pizza, and have never ever craved pizza. You just made me want pizza.
Peking Duck for 2 in Chinatown?
Given the size of the place, I don't think they even have a table that would seat 8-10! I haven't had it there yet, but it's run by the former KF owners, so I think it may be portioned similar to what they had in the past.
Menton, Clio, or Craigie? Tasting menu blow-out for family. Recent expeiences?
I for one had a fabulous tasting at L'Espalier with my sister a few weeks ago, so I would not hesitate to recommend the place for anyone who wants to a memorable meal. I don't drink but had several delicious juice pairings, but my sister was able to enjoy a glass of beautiful wine. Ironically neither of us are big cheese people, so their cheese plate was probably the one part of the meal where we were not overly excited for, but I can't deny that how they presented it and their selection was very well done, but it didn't convert either of us a into stinky cheese lover.
ISO buns for Ippudo style pork buns
LOL. Don't know why that cracks me up.
Most Chinese markets will carry several varieties of mantou, so it would be really unusual to be completely out. Mantou come in a variety of sizes and shapes though, so if you're not picky about having a specific look to your "bao", you should be able to find mantou in the fridge. They even have whole wheat ones now that I enjoy much more than the regular white steamed buns. I also like the ones with swirls of scallion steamed in.
ISO Great Boston Doughnuts
Curious - has anyone ever tried Donuts & Donuts in Quincy Center? I pass by it every so often, but usually only for errands so I've never stopped in. According to their store front signs, they make their donuts fresh.
Great Sushi Chef Documentary Coming to Kendall
Coming to Kendall on April 6th. I have a few friends who promote the Boston Asian-American Film Festival and this is on their radar for getting a little promo.
So-Gross-They're-Good Faves
I don't feel guilty about Wai Wai. They serve a delicious plate of rice and cooked duck/chicken/roast meat. They used to offer darn good noodle soups too. Their ginger-scallion sauce is so good.
So-Gross-They're-Good Faves
Aren't these places somewhat of the point of these boards? Maybe not gross, but certainly the unassuming type of places that wouldn't attract your average diner. I think Wai Wai in Chinatown epitomizes this concept.
Russo's vs. Whole Foods
I love Russo's variety of baked goods too, but I will say a few items I've bought from them has pretty much started to go stale and/or mold within 2-3 days. I love their produce and dairy sections though. I only wish they were willing to open an out post closer to me.
Moksa Opening Soon
No exaggeration, and in fact even longer. Before moving, my office used to be in that area and I'd walk past Mass Ave to Central station every day. That place has had a "coming soon" sign on their windows since summer (maybe even spring).
Floating Rock question
Don't forget usually having to raise prices to support higher rent and/or labor costs, thereby asking fans and newbies to pay more for said dumbed down food.
The two times I've tried Floating Rock (Lowell unfortunately, isn't commuter friendly for those on the south shore with no car), the value was not there. $30 for a decent entree and a terrible appetizer alone; prices I would expect at a fairly nice sit down restaurant and certainly for a much better consistent quality of food.
Refrigerated Items- Pickled Kampyo and Gobo in Post-Kotobukiya World?
They sell a limited amount of tsukemono at HMart. It's by the kimchi section. I remember seeing pickled kyuri and gobo, but can't remember if they have kampyo.
I've never been to Miso Market yet, but I wonder if they may have some there.
China King in CTown
Sigh, wish I did. Had a middling experience there tonight that I wrote about here:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/836538#7187912
The two dishes I did enjoy were solid enough I would go back and try different things. Next time will definitely have to pre-order the duck. $38 for 3 courses.
March 2012 Openings and Closings
I had dinner here for the first time tonight, and was mildly disappointed. It was more of a mixed bag, and I hope this is just some new opening adjustments to be made.
Had ginger onion beef stir fry (can't remember the proper English name) and enjoyed this dish. Nice job on not completely wilting or charring the scallions and onion piece, and seasoned very well. I remember the original KFG having more thinly sliced beef which gave the dish a better texture overall Also had a stir fried rice cake dish with "za cai" (preserved vegetables) and pork. Dish was quite good with soft, well cooked rice cakes (right amount of chewiness) and not overly salty, which is a danger with za cai. Dish was not overly oily.
What was not so hot -- tofu hot pot. Bland, and under-seasoned, and had random thin slices of meat. My mom's choice, and didn't excite me on the menu, but so we learn. Potstickers / peking ravioli was the biggest disappointment. I remember KFG having wonderful (what tasted like) hand made raviolis that were delicious. These were clearly store bought, and looked almost deep fried rather than pan fried. Greasy and not memorable and came with an odd overly sweet sauce rather than vinegary salty sauce. Would not eat again even if they were on the house.
I did see the 3 course peking duck dish on the menu, which I would like to try, if only to see if it's up to par with the old standard.
China King in CTown
Interesting about the similarity to King Fung. Someone posted a reveiw on yelp that said it's the same owners as the couple who moved out to open King Fung II in Brookline. Supposedly has many of the same offerings, including the peking duck with 1 day advance notice.
My mom was given a certificate to that restaurant so we were going to try it this Friday. Wonder if I should give the duck a try.
