barleywino's Profile
Looking for Good Cocktail Bars in Boston
A pity they don't open until after 8pm...not sure I follow the business reasoning behind that
Guchi's Midnight Ramen
i've had the Clio pork belly bun twice, the first time was excellent, the second time the pork was a bit dry. I would probably be willing to try it again, hopefully the second time was a fluke.
Not available in the US
the domestic replica of Amer Picon, Amere Nouvelle, is now available. They've taken out the caramel color so it no longer looks like Amer Picon but the taste is quite similar. (Kronan's Swedish punsch is now also available domestically.)
Who makes the best french fries in Boston?
i think it's $18 ($21 with bacon)-- i only say "hit or miss" because i like it rare, and it doesn't always come out that way after I request it, although when it does, it's fabulous. Thanks for the tip on the Cognac burger. Try the Pigalle burger sometime (with or without fried oysters).
Who makes the best french fries in Boston?
Craigie (although I'm not sure whether the fries are available as a separate side, without the burger). The burger can be hit or miss but the fries are very consistent.
Cocktails With Swedish Punsch
haven't tried Momofuku's but Clio's are similar to the ones in your picture-- and chef Oringer has always put out fantastic pork belly (drifting off topic here, but I think Shangri-La in Watertown, Shanghai Gate in Allston and Myers & Chang in the South End also have versions of this)
Owl Station Bar "Japanese Bistro"- Southie
checked it out-- as you say, not a destination spot. The flavored "bubble-tea" sakes were also a turn off. The portions I had were small. The most interesting part of their menu is their late night menu, which as you say is unfortunately not available before 11pm.
Cocktails With Swedish Punsch
Todd Maul at Clio (Boston) makes a Swedish punsch that is quite close to the Kronan bottled version, worth a visit (plus the bar has been recently remodeled, as you may know, giving the room a much more open feel, with an expanded bar menu as well (try the pork belly buns, or the fried chicken nuggets). If you get a chance, try the Dwight St Book Club (demerara rum, Pedro ximinez, Antica, burnt cinnamon syrup, port paint)
Chinese New Year special dishes in Boston?
Bamboo cup rice pudding at jojo taipei (weekend brunch only I think)-- sticky rice w/ dried shrimp, mushroom and a slightly spicy /sweet tomato sauce
Good diner toast in Allston-Brighton?
Have you tried Tresca's in Watertown (behind the CVS / Stellina's)? I seem to remember their whole grain toast being good and their omelettes are ginormous.
Owl Station Bar "Japanese Bistro"- Southie
thanks for the report. did you happen to notice whether they had curry or ramen?
Chinese New Year special dishes in Boston?
Peach Farm has a sticky rice stuffed chicken but you have to order in advance
Chinese New Year special dishes in Boston?
pan fried (crunchy outside, soft inside, with chinese sausage and a light scrambled egg coating) sticky rice at Winsor (not to be confused with their steamed sticky rice)
sticky rice with unagi at Mulan
steamed spicy ribs coated with sticky rice at Chung Shin Yuan
Steaks
Davio's has good dark swanky atmosphere...for something more casual (and lighter on the wallet) there's Saloon in Davis square (if you're willing to go outside Boston proper) which has probably 100+ whiskeys/scotches (menu http://www.urbandaddy.com/bos/nightlife/15872/Saloon_Somerville_s_New_Old_Timey_Bar_Boston_BOS_Davis_Square_Bar )
Chinese New Year special dishes in Boston?
Jo Jo taipei has a new years menu, but i haven't had a chance to try it yet
Cocktails With Swedish Punsch
might want to call ahead to make sure they still have it (they said the bottle i bought was the last one, but didn't say whether more would be coming in soon)
Cocktails With Swedish Punsch
Per Yarm's suggestion on his blog, found Kronan's Swedish punsch at Mall Discount Liquors in Cambridge (Boston area). Less lemony and more pronounced caramel/ rum than some of the house versions available around town, like a cross between Malmsey madeira and Faretti biscotti liqueur. Hopefully will become more widely available.
What's good at Scampo?
it's like a very large roti canai, cooked to order on the griddle, shaped into an upright umbrella-like shell and with some chicken curry poured over it. you can request soft versus crispy (or in between) if you like
Suggestions on Authenic Chinese food!
yes, just ask whether they have "live baby shrimp" (it's on their menu iirc, you might also see it in one of their tanks, or if they have run out, they might run out and grab some from a nearby place that has some, like Ga Ga seafood or Jade Garden)
What's good at Scampo?
the steak, brick chicken, duck are all fine but the pork chop is exceptional (at least the previous version of it, prior to the recent menu change) as is the suckling pig. also try the panna cotta w/ sour cherries and zabaglione (mostly for the cherries and zabaglione). also enjoyed the beef stroganoff pappardelle app. the lamb shank is good but i would probably not order it again.
Looking for baked stuffed lobster....
Scampo had this on their menu but recently changed the prep, you might want to check with them
Lineage
i seem to recall having a prime skirt steak or hanger steak there that was pretty good (I asked for rare) but that was only on one occasion
Suggestions on Authenic Chinese food!
the "live" baby shrimp in the tanks are especially good salt-and-pepper with shell imo, while for salt and pepper regular (larger) shrimp i tend to prefer no-shell
Lineage
mussels w/ orso, the burger...washed down with a Martinez w/ Vya sweet vermouth
Suggestions on Authenic Chinese food!
good suggestions. if you order salt-and-pepper shrimp (sometimes called spicy salt shrimp), you can specify either with-shell or without-shell (a couple bucks more, sometimes). the "Peking" duck at Peach farm is pretty good too, (although its really roast duck). a good vegetable to order is stir fried pea leaves w/ garlic (do miao), not to be confused with pea pods or snow peas. Ginger scallion lobster is another usually reliable dish. Bernard's prawn dishes are generally excellent (prawns w/ pumpkin, prawns w/ avocado, walnut prawns, "angel hair pasta" w/ prawns, etc) and the setting is a bit upscale (including wine) if that's what you're looking for. Slightly more expensive but you do have the convenience of nearby free parking.
Okonomiyaki in Boston area?
not quite the same thing but there's the seafood pancake at Korean Garden in Allston...as i'm sure you know
Best Carbonara in town
The one time I ordered carbonara at Il Casale it was quite watery compared to carbonara at say Sportello
Sorrelina recommendations?
If they have any of their raviolini on the menu, get those. Some of the best pasta I've had in the area. Try some of their grappa while you're there.
