pasta's Profile
Quincy area - Christmas Eve lunch with elderly mother in law
Any recommendations for a nice Christmas Eve lunch with some what of a " festive" atmosphere -
need handicapp access as she uses a walker and quiet space as she is extremely hard of hearing.
She doesn;t get out much so we are hoping to find a place that is pleasant with a straight forward menu.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Al Forno / Bacarro ? [Providence, RI]
So the place is always packed - a 2 hour wait is extreme - and it is " just a tourist spot" - ?? I am confused - is it crowded because the food is so good it attracts people from all over , hence the 2 hour wait - or the place is beyond it prime and the crowds are due to people who don;'t know any better ?!
Al Forno / Bacarro ? [Providence, RI]
Is there at least a decent space in which to sit and enjoy a drink while waiting?
Would hate to be standing up in a small crowded bar area if tehe wait is over an hour - which I assume it will be if we get there at 7pm on a FGriday.
Al Forno / Bacarro ? [Providence, RI]
I have never been to Al Forno and thinking about giving it a try this weekend when we will be in town. I know it gets mixed reviews but it has been around for a long time and from what I hear, still draws the crowds, so I am curious how the reviews can be so opposite !
Has anybody been recently , and if so - is it worth the wait on a Friday for a good pizza ? I have talked with some friends in the area and they feel the food is worth a visit if you have never been, but an alternative would be Bacarro - with the advantage of being able to make a reservation.
One thing I have to say is that I called Al Forno to ask a few questions and the person who I spoke with had a bit of an attitude - not enough to turn me away, but enough to put a question in my mind - about if that is reflective of the service in general.
Appreciate your insight on Al Forno vs Bacarro.
Thank you.
Need Italian recommendation for Sunday dinner
I will be visiting Portland for the 1st time and while there will be taking a friend out for dinner - he is just back from Italy and is desperatley missing the wonderful food he experienced - what is your favorite straight forward Italian restaurant ? Thank you in advance for your insight.
Christmas Eve dinner near Trinity Church or South End
Has anyone seen a listing of places that are open on Christmas Eve?
We are attending the early service at Trinity Church and are considering going out for an
early meal before a later gathering. Thank you!
Early Dinner near Museum of Science ?
Thanks for all the recs - we ended up at Bambara as we were late getting to the area and it was so close. We were very pleased - sat at the bar and had excellent service from the bartender.
We shared a few of the $2 appetizers - herb dusted fries which were done perfectly and the arrancini filled with beef short ribs which were out of this world. Bartender brought us a complimentary cup of the butternit squash soup which was also very good, with a hint of curry.
We then split their lobster sliders and they were heavenly!
Another mention of the great service from the bartender - we were very pleased, and it struck me as a kind of place where one would be very well taken care of when dining alone at the bar.
-----
Bambara Restaurant
25 Edwin H Land Blvd., Cambridge, MA 02141
Early Dinner near Museum of Science ?
Any recommendations for a good restaurant for an early dinner and drink , within walking distance of the museum ? We are going to park at the museum around 5pm and then have to be back at 6:30.
My DCs suggested NeBo, which I am not opposed to, but wondering if anything else might be closer and/or better? Thank you.
Brief report on Sams at Louis
Had dinner here on Wednesday evening with 3 friends . Not sure what I was expecting from atmosphere, but on this articular night it seemed a bit cold and industrial -which I guess fits the space .
When I entered at 6:30, there were 3 people at the bar and 1 table occupied. It filled up within the hour. Service was efficient if not very warm. Most important - the food - 3 had the pepper burger and 1 had the coq au vin - all of which were fine. Not the greatest - but better than ok. I would have preferred my burger " not peppered" and would ask for it that way the next time. The fries were thin and crunchy - not the least bit greasy. We also had a mixed green salad with goat cheese crouton which was perfectly fresh and dressed with a light hand.
My 3 companions said they would like to come back in the summer for the view and to sit outside.
I agree it would great then, but I also like it for anytime of year if you happen to be in the area and you are traveling by car - plenty of parking , its only $12 and they validate. Can'y say that I would go out of my way to frequent it, but if you're in the area and looking to " drive right up" , it couldn't be easier !
weeknight dinner in Seaport Area
Thanks for all the ideas...tuens out we will be going to Sams - she had dinner last night with several people and they al lraved about it - so that is where she has requested we go.
Stay tuned.
weeknight dinner in Seaport Area
This just in !
She just mentioned that her business contacts here have recommended Sams ( at Louis) and Myers and Chang. Have not been to either so I'll await your reply !! Aside from rating the food - how is the noise level for being able to hold a conversation at either place?
weeknight dinner in Seaport Area
Thanks - I am familiar with these recs and they may be possibilities - but I was hoping ot explore someting in the Seaport Area....
weeknight dinner in Seaport Area
A friend from London is staying at The Boston Harbor Hotel, so I thought dinner in this area would be a nice walk from the hotel - anybody have any recent favorites ? She is open to all cuisines, except sushi. Thanks.
NOLA "comfort food" -
We've got the high end dining covered, but now looking for your favorites for solid basics - jambalya, gumbo, beans and rice, shrimp creole, shrimp and grits, etc - close to the Quarter is preferred -
Thanks in advance -
Statler Chicken breasts Boston
The Fruit Center at the Milton Marketplace carries them and I beleive they are Bell and Evans.
Italian Restaurant in Provincetown?
Going out for Italian on Sunday night - looking for good food with an atmosphere that allows for conversation . A person in our party suggested Ciro and Sals or Front Street.
Thanks for your help.
Out Door Dining at Marina Bay
Another vote for Siros - I think their food had improved greatly over the past year. I have enjoyed eating at the bar during the Winter and hope the quality continues with the summer season. We had a lovely lunch there last week - very good service, prices reasonable and portions are more than enough for sharing for lunch.
Anxious to see how Port 305 turns out - they have gutted the place and I hear that the bar will now look out over the water. Our Siros waiter said the menu would be a "sophisticated version of the Cheesecake Factory" - I have never been to one of those, but anything will be an improvement over Skyline.
Disappointed to hear Coco Dan's comment on Venezia. I have not been in ages and just started to hear more about it during the last year - I was considering it for my mother in laws birthday.
-----
Siros
Marina Bay, Quincy, MA 02169
Breakfast somewhere between Adams Village & JP
Its just a one day thing for people to pick up their Holiday orders, 12-2pm. My email said they would also have eggs , spinach from their greenhouse, and meat.
Breakfast somewhere between Adams Village & JP
Menu looks good...and it appears to be very close to the Bank of America lot where Stillmans sets up shop. Any favorites ? Should I expect a long wait on Saturday morning?
Thank you.
Breakfast somewhere between Adams Village & JP
Picking up a friend who lives in the Adams Village area for breakfast and then heading to JP to pick up meat at Stillmans. Thinking of Gerards, but was wondering what the favorites where in JP, close to Centre Street. Thank you.
Friday night in Arlington or Belmont
Sorry for the inaccurate James Beard info, none the less - its a great place !
Here is a link to a posting on the awards by Sherly Julian
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/dishing/
Friday night in Arlington or Belmont
I second the Il Casale recommendation. I have found the food and service to be top notch. They were just nominated for a James Beard award, as one of the best Northeast restaurants.
Basta Pasta, North Quincy
They were mentioned in the Sunday Globe Magazine "Best of the New "
Darcy's in Quincy?
Had the pizza from Darcys Friday night and enjoyed it. Thin crust, good flavor on the sauce, a little too much cheese for me, but I will just request a lighter hand on this the next time. Held up nicely 2 days later when reheated for lunch. Thanks for the recommendation - I'll be back !
Darcy's in Quincy?
I beleive you are also a fan of Carmine's pizza...how does this compare and how does it hold up for take out ?
Basta Pasta, North Quincy
I called them on Friday for a take out pizza. It was an hour wait and they offered to call me 15 minutes before it went into the oven. They did call about 45 minute later to say it would be another 30 minutes, not 15, and did I still want it. I appreciated the updates and the pizza was fantastic.
Basta Pasta, North Quincy
Had dinner Wednesday night and it was a very good experience all around.
Homemeade fusilli with meatballs was spot on. The fusilli is light and airy and the meatballs were some of the best I have eaten. They had the right combo of meat and filler, so that they were not heavy in the least. The portion was very large and vey easily could have fed 2. My husband had the prosciutto panini, which he liked but was not overly thrilled with. He said it could have used more filling and less bread. We shared a Caesar salad, which was ample for 2. Lettuce was extremely fresh and dressed with a light touch.
Hostess and waitstaff were all friendly and efficient. I had read reports of it being cold inside, but I did not find that to be the case Wednesday night. It was actually pleasantly toasty.
The pizza looked delicious going by to another table. A friend of mine reports that he will only get his pizza from the North End and said now he doesn't have to make the trip, because he finds the pizza hear to be excellent.
Goos news is that they are doing take out now. I spoke with the manager and he said they have replaced most of the original staff and now have a kitchen that can handle the extra volume.
We are planning on getting pizza for take tonight.
Grumpy White's in Quincy
I had a fantastic fried fish sandwich the other day. It was a large piece of haddock,
lightly battered and cooked perfectly, not greasy in the least. Only disapointment was the fries.....I wish they would make their own instead of using "Sysco Specials" !
