SmartChow's Profile
New South Indian in Union Sq: Dosa Temple
Actually it's pretty mediocre food by Indian standards, but that's how all Indian restaurants in the region are. You have to go to NY and NJ for the authentic stuff.
That said, Dosa temple is fantastic for an area that has no good South Indian food. I tried the extensive Sunday brunch and was quite full and satisfied. Especially heartening that every one gets a freshly made dosa with the meal too for only 10 bucks.
Waiting to try food from their regular menu soon though....
Ebi Sushi in Union Sq Somerville?
I am a fan. I've been there for lunch and dinner and had great experiences. Place is clean, sushi was fresh and not expensive, service was good - can't ask for much more. Especially in an area that doesn't have much good sushi.
I wish more people would go. It's never packed and I am worried they won't be able to sustain it.
Potato Freak, Somerville?
Didn't look or sound appetizing but I just had this giant cheesy, meaty potato roastie that I would eat again. And again. And again.
Quite delicious when fresh and hot!
Ebi Sushi in Union Sq Somerville?
I was delighted to find a sushi place opening in Somerville (there are so few) and went for lunch and dinner with really pleasant experiences. The sushi was fresh and tasty, service was great, and it's a pleasant atmosphere. The lunch options are cheap and plentiful - enjoyed a katsu donburi and the sushi seemed fresh and tasty. Plus, the place is really clean and spacious. Couldn't find a down side to it. I hope they survive because I didn't see it crowded at any time so I hope more people go there. Please do visit.
What markets for cheap lamb/mutton/goat?
In Somerville/Cambridge you can get mutton/goat at Wellfoods on Somerville Ave. near Union Square or Foodland on MAss. Ave. in Cambridge near Porter Sq. Basically, most Bangladeshi/Pakistani or Brazilian markets will sell fresh goat and cut it up for you. Here;s a nifty list on yelp though:
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Halal+Food&find_loc=Somerville%2C+MA
Anyone Try the Leisure Station Tea Shop in Kendall?
Yup, I have - several times and am a HUGE fan. as a lover of boba tea in general I can say they take it to another level. The teas are definitely flavorful and the jelly flavors delicate.
Right now I am am sipping the lavender milk tea with rainbow jelly and it's really delicious. I recommend the honey citron fruit tea and the jasmine milk tea - don't forget to add boba and a jelly 50c each. It's more expensive than other boba teas but I think it's worth it.
Check out my review online: http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/business/x909196992/Bubble-tea-from-Taiwan-in-Kendall-Square-high-tech-and-customized
Dumplings in Somerville?
I second Qingdao and Wangs - can't get any better. I also really like the momos at Martsa and House of Tibet in Davis and Teele squares respectively.
Frozen dumplings are pretty good at Trader Joe's, H-mart or Super 88. But Wangs is better!
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Trader Joe's
1427 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476
Dinner at Russell House Tavern
Really really enjoyed my dinner there when it opened. Here's my review online:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/business/x938980117/Local-food-organic-wines-at-new-Harvard-Square-tavern
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Russell House Tavern
14 JFK Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Ginger scallion lobster in the boston area
VIctoria Seafood in Brighton - you'll be surprised. Get it with their egg fried rice and make a meal of it. You do have to order another entree to order the twin lobster though.
Where to get Soft Shell Crabs
Outside Chinatown, a lot of Japanese/sushi, Vietnamese or Thai places have fabulous soft-shell crab. I had a good experiences at New Ginza in Watertown, Victoria's on Comm. Ave. in Brighton, Pho and Rie on Beacon Street in Somerville and Yoshi's in Powder House Square, Somerville. But not as good as Peach Farm in C'town!
You can sometimes buy them fresh and raw at Super 88 or H-Mart stores.
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Peach Farm
4 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111
New Ginza
Watertown, MA, Watertown, MA
H-Mart
3 Old Concord Rd, Burlington, MA 01803
Great romantic dinner on a balmy late Monday night?
Where are you looking? I'd suggest Atasca or Dante in Cambridge - especially if they have their porches open. Gargoyles in Davis Square or Dali in Somerville are also good. All gourmet food at a great price for fancy restaurants. Enjoy!
Sichuan Gourmet for the spice-disabled?
I suggest the whole fried fish with MILD sauces. I think they'll make you any dish mild if you just ask. Stay clear of anything with hot peppers though!
Just Curious - Turkey Prices Paid
Got a fresh 24 lb bird at McKinnon's in Davis Square for 41.03 so about $1.70/lb - what a great deal!
Boston Burger Co.
I was the first to dismiss it when I saw they opened up in Davis but my friends and I really had a fabulous meal there after all. It IS expensive and not superbly juicy but it is also very tasty with tons of sides and a giant helping all-in-all. I would recommend it: http://blogs.townonline.com/bostonfood/?p=14701
Best fried Calamari?
1. Peach Farm or Chau chau city
2. Daily Catch
3. Summer Shack
4. Legal Seafoods
5. Orleans in Davis Square
Pho n' Rice - Somerville
Tried it recently with a bunch of girls with different palates. Everyone loved the food - especially the pho which was among the best I have ever tasted. Usually I have to spice it up with sauces but this broth was just perfect.
We ordered family style among 6 people with 3 apps, 2 phos and 2 main dishes and the bill came to $11 per person, including tip.
I am definitely going to recommend it to all my friends and make frequent trips there!
What's up with Amelia's Kitchen?
i live in the area and I have gone to Amelia's twice and never intend to return. The food is bad and overpriced, place is not too clean either but it's the attitude that pissed me off the most. That too when they didn't have any other customers.
Skip it and go to Renee's, Rudy's or Soleil Cafe.
Pampas is Delicious, Props to Itaunas, Wicked Bargain
I love this place and have been eating there for some time.
The reason it is so good and cheap is because there's a lot of competition in Somerville. Minas Grill at 89 Broadway was recently revamped and had a $9.49 AYCE last I went. There's another big churrasco on Broadway in East Somerville just past McGrath Highway - can't remember the name - but that's very good too. I wouldn't be surprised if you stumble on to some more in E. Somerville or Little Brazil as it's called.
The so-called well-known ones like Cafe Belo and Midwest Grill really don't even come close and are a waste of money as far as I'm concerned.
Oh those chicken hearts!
What restaurants don't we talk about enough?
Some still not mentioned here:
Martsa - Tibetan in Davis Square
Olde Magoun's Saloon - Magoun Square, Somerville
Wang's - best handmade dumplings ev-er - Broadway, Somerville
Punjab - best indian roadside chaat made fresh in the back of the store - Arlington Center
Renee's - my fav. breakfast/brunch place - Teele Sq., Somerville
Fasika - weird atmosphere but great, cheap Ethiopian food - East Somerville on Broaday
Local Brazilian bbqs like the one in Magoun Square (Churascurra) and the newly revamped on on Broadway (Minas Grill)
Marrakesh - delicious Moroccan food but bad service and long waits - Cambridge
Coast Cafe - best soul food takeout place, don't miss their fried chicken - Cambridge
Ole - Mexican fusion food and the best guacamole, made at your table with much style - Inman Sq., Cambridge
O'Sullivans - good bar food and Boston's best burgers - Beacon St., Somerville
Orleans - decent food and great atmosphere though not as amazing as Gargoyles - davis Sq., Somerville
What restaurants don't we talk about enough?
After reading about Fuloon endlessly, we did a mid-week late night dinner there and were sorely disappointed - granted though, we were the last diners there that night. It was good but not great and my whole fish had not been cleaned well enough - I got mouthfuls of scales which really grossed me out. Sticking to Zoe's henceforth.
What restaurants don't we talk about enough?
Nope, Gargoyles still rocks. Tho I usually end up there for bar food. My only complaint is that they change the menus around so often that I can't find something delicious I had earlier - like the roasted bone marrow app. But I did have delightful waffle fries with goat cheese and oxtail there recently. Never been disappointed.
Pho n' Rice - Somerville
I've seen the sign too and am eagerly awaiting the opening. Would any of you fine chowhounders care to try it once it does? We could organize a dinner there for starters - how about Sat/Sun night?
Boston Organics
I just tried The CSA from Enterprise Farm - really good stuff and they deliver Wednesdays to Davis Square. No annual membership. You just pay month-to-month for your weekly share - $115 for the small and $150 for the big.
Here's a recent story I wrote about it: http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/fun/food/x743978505/Winter-farm-shares-come-to-Davis-Square
Vegetarian dinner?
Martsa in Davis Square is a great option for good vegetarian food too.
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Martsa On Elms
233A Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144
stir fry pan
I bought mine for less than $20 at a big store in Chinatown and it hasn't ever let me down - it's cast iron and with a glas lid. Heavy and all-purpose.
Best Mac & Cheese
I must mention Olde Magoun's Saloon in Somerville which has the best mac and cheese in a skillet served with a choice of sausage or shrimp and other things. It's a gem of a neighborhood restaurant with a really great chef, generous helpings, good prices and friendly service. Chk out their menu online: http://www.magounssaloon.com/menu.aspx
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Olde Magoun's Saloon
518 Medford St, Somerville, MA 02145
Baraka cafe: still a really hidden gem
I second the rose petal lemonade and the fabulous chocolate dessert - it does beat any other kind of dessert options in the area!
Best bet for Turkey-day dining out?
Redbones and Holiday Inn on Washington street in Somerville both have special thanksgiving dinners. The Holiday Inn buffet is about $25 and even though I am not into hotel food usually, they often have very good stuff here.
Any really good roast beef sandwich joint in Cam/Som/Med.
Nick's in Davis Square is now Deli-icious on College Ave. and I STRONGLY recommend it for a truly great roast beef melt, wrap or sandwich. Try the rare - it's outstanding!
