Aphex's Profile
Cheap Lunch in Cambridge near Kendall Square?
You can easily go over $8 but I think Aceituna is a good value for the amount of food you get. I usually get their vegetarian plate. The salads are generally tasty, hearty and good quality(though some can be a bit oily). I think the 3 choice plate is around $9.
Best sandwich in boston?
My vote is also for the Chacarero(regular chicken, http://www.chacarero.com/ ). If you can make it out to Somerville though Dave's Fresh Pasta(Davis Sq train stop) makes amazing sandwiches also. The Chipotle Turkey or Chicken #1(with roasted tomato aioli) are a couple favorites.
New Davis Sq brasserie on the way...
From an article on the closing of Poor Little Rich Girl in Davis...
http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2010/04/by_danielle_dreilinger_globe_c_37.html
Ken Kelly, owner of the Precinct and Independent restaurants in Union Square, is converting 255's other storefront and basement from sales to steak: an American brasserie, a speakeasy-style lounge, and a comedy-etc. theater.
"I think I got a good opportunity," Kelly said. "I always wanted to build a long, narrow bar." He plans to open in the fall and might release the entity's name next week.
La Verdad...reviews of things other than their tacos!
I have never had the Torta at Mike and Patty's, is it worth trying? I had the Chicken Torta from the Taqueria. I didn't think the quality of the dollar day tacos were bad but they didn't blow me away, I'd prefer more selection as I don't eat pork. My favorite taco so far there has been the Chile Relleno. However that has been inconsistent also, one time coming with a decent size pepper, the next time a much smaller one. My feeling is the Torta was of higher overall quality but with only one sample I don't have much to go on.
La Verdad...reviews of things other than their tacos!
I went a month or so ago to the Taqueria and was impressed enough to send a review to some friends regarding the Torta I got there, so here it is...
...Today though I decided to try one of their Tortas(sandwiches). It took a good 15mins for them to make my sandwich which I took as a good sign since I was the only one waiting for food. Even still upon seeing the sandwich come out I was pleasantly surprised(see pic below), it looked like something Anthony Bourdain would go crazy for. Looking back at their menu they describe their Torta as a grilled sandwich with oaxaca cheese, molasses-chipotles, avacado, mexican herbs, refried beans and mayo plus your choice of meat(or chile relleno). While it didn't quite compare flavor wise to the first Torta I had at Rick Bayless's restaurant in Chicago, it was still very good. If you love fried chicken you would love the sandwich at La Verdad, I may opt for the Chile Relleno next time since it was the toppings and roll that stood out to me. I would put it in the medium-low range in terms of spiciness.
What are you having/did you have for lunch today?
Three tacos from La Verdad Taqueria; 2 Chicken, 1 Chile Relleno for $4.83. It was Taco Tuesday so the chicken tacos were only a dollar each. They were quite tasty though and the Chile Relleno was as good as I remembered from the first time I was there. For some reason the portions seemed smaller than the first time though. I feel like 3 tacos should always be enough for lunch but I was left wanting more. Perhaps I'll add another taco in next time, what's another dollar?
Favorite spots in town to watch the game with good chow?
Interesting thread, I often find myself looking for both but rarely find good food and a nice place to see the game.
I know the guy that books bands at Tavern at the End of the World, he plays guitar in the local band Red Quiet. I guess I'll have to get over there to try out the food and catch the game.
Upon reading this thread the first time I didn't think of anything to add but after thinking about Union Sq, I recalled that I have had good food at both Precinct and The Independent. While I haven't watched the game there before they both have good TV setups in the bar areas.
Pho n' Rice - Somerville
Thanks for the update. I picked up a menu myself during this weekends Petsi Pie run, it looks good. I'm excited that they offer shrimp paste wrapped over sugar cane as one of the Bun toppings. I've missed that ever since Pho #1 in Woburn took it off their menu. There was also a Grand Opening sign outside Pho n' Rice, so maybe Saturday afternoon was the opening?
Pho n' Rice - Somerville
Driving by Petsi Pies today I noticed right next door in the old Zoe's space there is a sign up for a new Pho place, I think it said Pho n' Rice vietnamese and thai restaurant. Zoe's has moved across the street apparently. Is Pho n' Rice open yet? Anyone know anything else about it? It would be great to have a good Pho place in the neighborhood :-)
Pumpkin is in the air
I just tried the WF's Pumpkin and Maple Whoppie Pies this weekend and they were phenomenal, probably the best dessert I've had from WF"s.
CBC's(Cambridge Brewing Company) Pumpkin Ale is excellent
Petsi Pies Pumpkin Bar with Cream Cheese frosting is also as good as it sounds
From years past I also agree that TJ's(Double Rainbow) Pumpkin Ice Cream is great.
Crispy Pad Thai in Somerville/Cambridge
By far the best Pad Thai I've had in the area and probably anywhere is the Country Pad Thai at Lemon Thai Cuisine in Somerville...its not crispy pad thai but has lots of very crispy fried tofu and dried baby shrimp in it....so good...I don't see a Crispy Pad Thai on their menu though.
Best Chocolate Chip Cookie in the Boston area?
If some dried apricot mixed in with your chocolate chip cookie is acceptable, the dark chocolate and apricot cookie @ Petsi Pies in Somerville is very tasty...so is everything else they sell.
New cafe in the Boloco space in Davis Square
I knew about this place coming a little before the sign went up since I go to their Reading location regularly. Here is what I posted a little while ago. Let's hope they do well in Davis.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/540435
Boloco Davis Square closed - Green Tomatoes 2 taking it's place
As those around Davis Square may have noticed Boloco has already closed their doors. In my opinion they won't be missed as there are better options in the area such as Blue Shirt Cafe. Green Tomatoes 2 will be taking the place of Boloco. I learned this upon getting take out from the Green Tomatoes in Reading last week. I'm looking forward to it as I've consistently enjoyed the food from their Reading location...even though I've gotten mixed reactions from friends I've introduced it too. Complaints being that they are to slow, its to messy(they slice the wraps into many bite(2-3) size pieces), the portions are to big...while others seem to be more in my camp and don't mind waiting 5mins for their wrap to be made or saving leftovers for a second meal. While I think the Reading location thrives mostly on catering and take-out for families I hope they can do well in this younger neighborhood also. The Reading location serves prepared items such as stuffed chicken(or other meats) w/ sides, quiche, chicken/eggplant parmesan etc. They also make wraps and salads. My favorite wrap being the chicken w/ fried eggplant, roasted red peppers, and mesculin lettuce on a wheat wrap with balsamic dressing. In general nothing fancy but I've always thought it to be a good place to go, especially given the limited options in the Reading area. From what one of the employee's told me at the Reading location they will also be serving breakfast at the Davis Sq location. They are supposed to open around August 1st. So if you were wondering what was happening with the Boloco building there u have it...
Angela's cafe not open?
This is a little off topic, but I've been wanting to try this place for a while now. Is Angela's big enough/orientated to be able to accomadate a group of 8-10?
July vacations closings
A couple I've come across;
Green Tomatoes (Reading) closed until the 7th.
Good Food Cafe (Cambridge) closed until the 9th(?).
Macaroni and cheese
My vote for best Mac n' Cheese would have to be Stone's Public House in Ashland. They make a morel mushroom Mac n Cheese that is one of the most flavorful dishes I've ever had. I'm also a fan of Silvertone's more standard version.
Appleton Bakery
It's been a while since I worked in the city and was a regular there but assuming it hasn't changed much its a great place for a soup or sandwich. I don't have specifics such as whether they bake their own bread but it always seemed to be high quality fresh bread. The Curry Chicken Salad was one of my regular sandwiches, it is very good and an excellent summer time sandwich I think. From what I recall it can get a little crowded with the limited seating so go early or plan to take it to go and sit outside on a nice day. Let us know what you think.
What is the name of this dish: Japanese Sashimi and Rice Bowl?
From what I recall it was a potato based dish. I didn't recall whether they were peas or onions but looking at the full size pic I think squirrel is right. I do remember this dish being good though, just like everything else from this meal. It was nice to be able to to sample lots of different dishes. I had a lot of great food while there but this meal was one of the standouts.
Bread making classes in the Boston Area?
This is a little off topic, but what are regional cuisine recreational classes like at the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts? For instance;
- Thailand (May 10th)
- Flavors of South East Asia(May 18th)
Since there isn't a list of additional dates within the description I assume they are one session only. Do you learn to cook dishes or is it more of a demonstration and taste sampling?
What is the name of this dish: Japanese Sashimi and Rice Bowl?
Silverjay, I believe the sauce to bottom right of the pic is for the tempura. Do you think both were? If I recall correctly some of the Japanese guys I was sitting next to also put the Soy/Sesame sauce over their chirashi-zushi. The rice was served at room temp as you state, not hot.
Sam, what is hilarious? I choose the moriawase instead of going with a particular fish.
What is the name of this dish: Japanese Sashimi and Rice Bowl?
I had this meal while in Japan but I'm not sure what the Sashimi and Rice bowl on the left of the pic is referred to as? It also came with an excellent soy/sesame sauce(middle). Does this have a particular name? This was even better than it looked so I'd like to try to find something similar here in the US to see if it matches up.
Places near Ashland
I'm a fan of Stone's Public House in Ashland.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/475363
For decent South Indian food Dakshin in Framingham works. I've never been able to find good Mexican in the western suburbs though. The Italian place I've been most satisfied with is Il Forno in westborogh, nothing to fancy but decent food and BYOB. They also make a tasty, but cheese heavy Pesto Pizza.
Ten best things to eat in Boston
Chacarero, Chicken Chacarero - downtown crossing
Mushroom & Red Potato Tart/Quiche, Petsi Pies - somerville
Fish Fillet & Napa Cabbage in Red Chili Oil, Sichuan Gourmet - Framingham
Mysore Chili Chicken, Tamarind Bay - harvard square
Turkey Burger(Rudy Giuliani i.e. turkey reuben burger), Bartleys - harvard sqaure
Falafel Wrap, Big Fresh - Framingham
Chicken #1 sandwich(marinated chicken breast w/ smoked tomato mayo) or Turkey and Chipotle Mayo sandwich(w/pickles), Dave's Fresh Pasta - davis square
Jeffery's Maki or Paula's Maki, Oishii - Chestnut Hill
Morel Mushroom Mac n Cheese, Stone's Public House, Ashland
Smoked Pablano and Butter Yukon Potato chowder, Masa - south end
Pho Pasteur in Needham Closed, Tu Y Yo taking it's place
Apgujung in Newton does good Korean.
Best sandwich... ever?
I'm with this group, if we are talking Best Sandwich I think the Chacarero is the winner(Original Chicken for me). The one thing I think that could be improved on it is a better way to evenly spread the hot sauce, but whether you get a spicy or a mild bite its all good. I'm also a pretty big fan of Dave's Fresh Pasta for sandwiches. My Fav's are the Marinated Chicken with Tomato Mayo(Chicken #1?) and the Turkey with Chipolte Mayo and pickles(often a special). I'm not a big Chicken sandwich fan but whatever they do to that chicken ends up making it perfect for a sandwich. The two spreads I mentioned are also outstanding, so flavorful compared to similar spreads you'd find elsewhere.
Masa for RW - anyone been?
italyinmind, did you make it to Masa for RW?
We went yesterday and it ended up being one of the best meals I've had in Boston. To start out with I ordered an Mojito, I haven't had many to compare it to but this was an exceptional drink regardless. We were then served some very nice warm cornbread/white bread with 3 spreads, a chipolte, red bell pepper cream cheese, and a honey butter...all were great. For the first course we selected the Smoked Pablano and Butter Yukon Potato chowder. Eventhough the menu didn't note it the chowder did have some bacon in it, my friend who doesn't eat pork ate around it but still didn't want to swap appetizers after finishing her half of the soup. I soon found out why, simply one of the most flavorful chowders I've ever had. The other appetizer, the Spicy Ahi Tuna rolls were also excellent, eventhough there was really only one roll but filled with a good amount of tuna. The wasabi guacamole sauce had a nice kick to it. For the main course we ordered the Agavero Chicken and Pan Seared Mahi Mahi(menu change I guess). I could tell even before taking a bit of my chicken that it was going to be good, a perfectly crisped, breaded and fried outter layer gave way to a moist piece of chicken inside. The chile mole sauce had some kick to it, paired with the banana salsa and black bean sopes it was an excellent dish. The Mahi Mahi was also very good, my friend said she prefered that but having it second I didn't think it quite stood up to the intense flavors in the Chicken dish. The Mahi Mahi came with some sort of tomato coconut sauce and a fried corn sopes(?), excellent stuff just mild compared to the spicy chicken dish. On to dessert we ordered the Chocolate Truffle Tamale with Raspberry sauce and the Mexican Flan(another switch). I started with the Chocolate Truffle but didn't see how it was a tamale. Regardless it was excellent and came with a dollop of almond(?) ice cream on top of a savory piece of chocolate truffle, the raspberry sauce adding excellent contrast. The Mexican Flan was even better with a perfect consistency and so much flavor in the sauce surrounding it. All told the bill came close to $100 with tip but we arrived hungry, left full(in good part because of the bread, the plates were smallish) and felt we'd just eaten a perfect meal. The service and ambience were also great.
Orinoco???
Any updates on the opening? I'll be in the area tonight so was hoping they might be open by now.
Masa for RW - anyone been?
Unfortunately I think some of the RW restaurants have exclusions for Sunday Lunch. At least on the website I was using for reference, Masa was indicated as such, I would have made reservations for the lunch also if it wasn't excluded. However it sounds like they offered you a RW menu just an altered one, or was that prix fixe menu not part of RW?
http://www.restaurantweekboston.com
