JoeM's Profile
Strega Waterfront -- What's the attraction ??
Very popular with the expense account crowd, especially the out-of-town travelers. I'm certain they have wonderful ($$) relationships with every hotel concierge in the Financial District. The service has been pretty good when I've been there for dinners (never my choice), and there is a lot to choose from as far as food goes, so it makes it a safe choice.
Anyone been to Pronti Bistro?
I get take out here for dinner somewhat often. Great owner, and the food is pretty solid. Check it out if you get a chance.
Foumami in Financial District?
They are on my regular rotation of lunch places in the financial district. I've only eaten their salads, so I can't comment on the bread, but I think their salads are pretty delicious, if maybe a tad expensive. I was there last week and had the Bibimbap salad which was a special but apparently popular enough that the owner was thinking of keeping in permanently. One of the best salads I've had in a long, long time, combo of rice, salad, choice of protein, and a spicy dressing.
B'day dinner for woman of a certain age in Newton/Needham/Wellesley/Dedham/W Rox
The Cottage in Wellesley or Chestnut Hill should hit your pricepoint and has pretty good food that should be popular with a mature crowd. Alta Strada may be another option.
Petit Robert Bistro (Needham) or Aquitaine (Dedham)?
I've found Petit Robert in Needham to be pretty awful the last few times I've gone. the Dedham Aquitaine is good and much better compared to PRB although I've never been there w/ a large group. I'll repeat the earlier recommendation to consider Gaslight; I don't know that it's 'much' better than Aquitaine in terms of food quality, but the ambiance is a little more lively, they have better cocktails and there is free parking which is always a plus.
November 2011 Openings and Closings
I was wondering where that popcorn smell was coming from... fills all of South Station.
Very solid barbecue in Needham: Midtown Smokehouse and Grill
I had the ribs and they were cooked (not smoked) to the right doneness (agree that they shouldn't fall off the rib). That said, they still tasted bad.
Very solid barbecue in Needham: Midtown Smokehouse and Grill
I've got to agree with sak on this one. I ate there last night.
- Server was nice enough but terrible. Knew less than nothing about the beers on tap (when I say that, I mean that she gave out incorrect information instead of saying “I don’t know” and finding the right answer), didn’t bring cornbread and then made up a story about why she didn’t (they were out, but then made some more, but the piece I got was below room temperature, so unless they found a new method of baking…)
-Food was not good at all. They were out of many of their bbq items (“We’ve been really busy since we opened”) which seemed odd since they could surely order more food if they had run out earlier in the week. Since I didn’t want chicken or sausage, I had two different kinds of ribs, baby back and St. Louis, both unsauced since they had sauces on the table. The meat came out grey, room temperature, with the baby backs very dry and bland and the St. Louis slightly less dry but equally bland. No discernable rub, no smoke, it seemed like they had been grilled and then left in a pan for a few hours. The texas bbq sauce was pretty bland, the Memphis sauce had a nice sweetness/smoke flavor to it, but no heat (as advertised). My wife had the pulled pork which tasted as if prepared similarly. I had a very bland cole slaw and some ok texas-style beans as my sides. My wife had sweet potato fries, which were very good. I swear the cornbread was made from a jiffy mix box, only because I actually really like their cornbread and blueberry muffins (a childhood thing I think). So I enjoyed it, even though cold and somewhat soggy as a result (think airplane food).
Overall, not a good experience. I’ll probably be back; they had quite a few fish dishes, so maybe that’s the way to go. I’d definitely be back if they got NFL Sunday Ticket; many flat screens and a decent tap list (once you figure out what is on there). But I’d avoid the bbq.
The Mystery of the Village Fish
I'd like to get excited, but how in the world (or at least a town like Needham where nothing gets done without months and months of outrage and controversy) are they going to smoke on premises??? I hope they find a way... or at least have a good menu otherwise.
The Mystery of the Village Fish
It was open on the 27th.
I haven't heard anything about a bbq/sports bar type of place and imagine that such a place would create quite a 'controversy' with lots of letters and local paper editorials worried about underage drinking and the smoke and the undesireables who go to bars in the metrowest suburbs (I'm being sarcastic, but I'd be willing to put money on it happening...).
Cheesecake recommendation in the North End/Financial District?
Any recommendations for a good Cheesecake baker in the North End or Financial District? Looking for a whole cheesecake, not necessarily slices. Thanks
Southern Barbecue in Boston? Oxymoron?
so I tried BBQ smith this afternoon. Nice people, decent sandwich, but I wouldn't call it serious bbq.
I tried their beef sandwich. It came on a multigrain roll and with soy-bbq sauce, so I immediately will disqualify it from any serious barbecue discussion based on those two things alone. Not very much smoke flavor. It was tasty though. Best part was the $0.50 coconut oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.
Southern Barbecue in Boston? Oxymoron?
One more vote for BT's. I grew up in Kentucky and have ventured south many times for barbecue (both east to TN/NC and west to MO/TX) and BT's is the only place I'd consider taking southern friends who would want to try our 'cue. Their brisket is great, although occasionally a little too moist (fatty) for my taste.
I'm going to try to make it BBQ Smith, the food cart near the Chinatown gate on the greenway today for lunch; it looks promising.
July 2011 Openings and Closings
A new burrito/taco place is opening (or opened) on Broad St across the street from Flat Black. I just noticed it this morning. (and hadn't ingested my coffee yet, so I don't remember details like the name). Sign said 15% off.
Beacon Hill Help
Also should note that on weekends and weekdays after 5:00, it's $10.
Beacon Hill Help
If you'd rather be closer to your car after dinner, there's a parking garage in 100 Cambridge, which is directly across the street from Grotto. The entrance is on Somerset. Sometimes you can score metered street parking on Bowdoin/Cambridge/Somerset.
Note: If you have limited mobility, Grotto is at nearly at the base of a rather steep hill going up to the State House. It's not hiking in the Alps, but it might be challenging for those who can't walk very far.
Going to Blue Ginger
I ate here on Tuesday and also thought it was too salty (and I like salt). Butterfish was fantastic.
Have to go to awful restaurant tonight--what should I order?
I've been to several large dinners here and feel your pain. Some of their stuff is passable, but not swimming in grease is nearly impossible, and everything is huge. Their chopped salad isn't bad (get dressing on the side if you can). I recall they have a passable frutti de mare.
No City Hall Plaza food trucks this morning . . .
Boston has the lamest bbq festival I've ever seen. Even small & mid-sized cities have 10+ bbq vendors, lots of good bands, etc. at their rib 'burn-off's'
No City Hall Plaza food trucks this morning . . .
Bon Me is over by South Station.
-----
Bon Me
Mobile truck; no formal address, Boston, MA
Outdoor Venue Help! :)
What about one of the harbor islands?
http://www.bostonislands.com/private-events
Coming to Boston on Sunday for anniversary dinner with wife- thinking Mare 5 course tasting menu and need other ideas for reasonable chef tasting ($10-15 a course)
Lineage in Brookline has their lobster week menu up and you can have $1 oysters at the bar from 5-7 while your pregnant wife watches!
Sel de la Terre - which location?
The Groupon is only for the Back Bay location (the other is in a mall in suburban Natick).
Boston Licensing Board - Whoops!
A wonderful ruling unless you're in support of the stupid liquor laws that pervade this state.
the Hungry I, charles st
It doesn't seem to have changed much since Matt Malloy took over. Still one of the more underrated/hyped restaurants in Boston IMO.
the Hungry I, charles st
I'd add Beacon Hill Bistro to that list.
-----
Beacon Hill Bistro
25 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114
Greenway Names Dozen Vendors for 2011 (Food Trucks/Carts)
I tried a sandwhich there today; The Figment, which was a special of goat cheese, fig spread and 'truffled' greens.
What I got was a nice piece of pressed bread with some very good greens (no truffle flavor), a bit of fig spread, and an unnoticable amount of goat cheese (I seriously had to look to make sure they hadn't forgotten it. I found a few small spots). And like six potato chip crumbs. Not worth the $7.50 and ten minutes it took them to make it, especially out of a cart. I'll try the grilled cheese truck up the Greenway the next time.
Fairway Market "clone" in BOS??
Russo's is pretty close to the old Fairway on Broadway before they expanded to the other building next door. You have:
Great produce selection (I'd put them above Fairway in breadth of selection)
Cheese (not as good, but also not bad)
Dairy case
Fresh pasta
Deli meats
Prepared foods
Bakery
Imported/domestic high-end goods like preserves, crackers, olive oils, chocolates, etc.
Slow people pushing carts and blocking aisles
It's missing uncooked meat/fish except for some packaged goods near the dairy case, (I don't recall seeing smoked fish either), Fairway’s coffee selection, the olive bar, and all the groceries they put on the other side.
-----
Russo's
560 Pleasant St, Watertown, MA 02472
Any nice bars within walking distance of Hamersley's Bisto?
Coppa on Shawmut Ave is another option, although the bar itself is usally filled with diners. 28 Degrees makes a good martini and has a patio.
-----
28 Degrees
1 Appleton St., Boston, MA 02116
Coppa
253 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118
