eatanddestroy's Profile
American Craft Beer Fest -- what are you looking forward to?
I haven't been in a few years, but last time my two favorite breweries were Surly (MN) and Livery (MI). I'm not sure if they are going to be there this year.
And, as others have said, get there early!
Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe, Chelmsford
I was about a half hour away from Gene's and had about an hour to kill so I checked it out. I got the You Po. It was damn tasty. The noodles were amazing! The flavors were great! I'm still stinking of garlic hours later.
I'm looking forward to going back there next time I'm in the area. Definitely worth the 30 minute drive.
Thanks so much for posting about this place!
Singh's vs Ali's
I second almost everything that Matt H says. The only difference is that I like the roti at Ali's much better.
The doubles at Singhs are much different than what I had in Trinidad, but, damn, are they good. His hot sauce is amazing! It's worth a trip there just for a couple doubles.
Fried Chicken at Waltham India Market & more
I haven't tried their falafel, but have had their shawarma (for some reason, they never have lamb kebabs when I'm there).
I didn't realize that the steam trays are the same offerings as Kebab & Tandoor's buffet. When ever I go to Kebab & Tandoor, I can't order anything but their mutton biryani.
Fried Chicken at Waltham India Market & more
The Chester Fried Chicken is sold at a different market on Moody St. (a few doors down from Waltham India Market). I'm spacing on the name.
Now, I'm going to have to try their fried chicken next week.
Fried Chicken at Waltham India Market & more
I've seen several mentions of the grocery store and some of the food in the mini-food court at Waltham India Market, but I don't think that I've read anything about the fried chicken that one of the stands sells.
Yeah, it's under a heat lamp and you don't know how long it's been sitting there (unless you get lucky and time it when a new batch comes out), but, damn, this is some of the best fried chicken that I've had in the greater Boston area. Even if it comes from under the heat lamps, it almost always has a nice crunch, the chicken is always moist, and it has a slight spice. For $1 - $1.25 per piece it's an amazing deal! I always go for the thighs.
The same stand has some dishes in warming trays. I've only had the spicy chick pea one. (I think it is a Chana or Chole Masala.) It had more of a kick than what I get at most Indian restaurants when I ask for very spicy (which to me is a very good thing), and it was great. I think that I paid around $5.
The chaats sold at the middle stand are delicious. They run about $5 each. I've had several, and I like them all.
Anyway, go for the fried chicken & get a few more dishes since tasty leftovers are a very good thing!
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Waltham India Market
393 Moody St, Waltham, MA 02453
Cornish Game Hen - need recipe help
I like to spatchcock cornish game hen and cook in my smoker at about 250 for a few hours. If I have less time, it's always good on the grill with a bit of pecan, apple, or cherry smoke.
I would use a rub/spices that go with the mole sauce, and then baste with a little of the mole sauce while cooking and then put in a pan on the grill/smoker/range with the mole sauce to finish off the cook.
spicy foods--what to use to crank up the heat
One of my favorite sources for heat is the small green pepper that you can find at many Indian markets. Not sure what its name is, but two of those chopped up might be exactly what you are looking for.
Has anyone tried the Red Eyed Pig in W. Roxbury?
I haven't been yet, but I have to point out that, according to Boston Restaurant Talk, the place is owned by the people who run Blue-Eyed Crab in Plymouth (makes sense based on the name). I tried a couple of things at e Blue-Eyed Crab last year, and they were outstanding, seemed like they put a lot of thought into the ingredients, preparation, and execution of their dishes.
I can't wait to try Red Eyed Pig since the quality seems to be just as high based on what I'm reading on this post.
Lunch places in Waltham
Some great places mentioned...but here are a few more:
-Antojitos Cafe on Moody St for their $1 tacos & more. For $1, the tacos are amazing. The tacos at El Amigo are much better, but they cost more than $1.
-Fried Chicken downstairs in the Waltham India Market. Cheap & really good. Great crispiness, juicy, and a slight spice. The guy selling the fried chicken also makes amazing chaat.
-La Chapincita on Moody St in Waltham. This is a market, but they sometimes have some food. When you walk in, look in the warmer on the left and look on the left side of the counter to see if any prepared food is for sale.
best method for good home-made coffee
I've been really happy with my Aeropress with a Coava Disk when I'm not making espresso in my 1970s La Pavoni. However, the Aeropress only makes coffee for one (so if there are other coffee drinkers in your house, you will have to get more). A french press is great, but I like my Aeropress more.
http://coava.myshopify.com/blogs/news/2429072-inverted-aeropress-disk-method
A good grinder is way more important than you think. Don't get one of those chopping blade grinders. A good electric burr grinder costs a few hundred, but a hand grinder is cheap, takes up less space, & is easy to use. The hand grinder I use is decades old, but there are some good new ones:
http://www.orphanespresso.com/Hand-Coffee-Espresso-Grinders_c_283.html
old old fashioned
I always like an old fashioned, but the last few that I got in Boston had way too much soda water for my liking (I'm talking about 2 to 5 ounces), even at a bar where the bartenders know how to make some good cocktails.
Nothing is sadder than getting an old fashioned that tastes like you are drinking rye flavored water with a bit of fruit.
Unless I can tell the bartender directly to use no more than a drop of water, I don't order them.
Where to repair Gaggia Classic espresso machine?
In most cases, the Gaggia Classic is a pretty simple machine to repair on your own. (If you can open up a computer and swap out parts, you can do this.)
What's wrong with it?
If it is leaking, you need new gaskets. This is a simple install. Instructions are here: http://www.wholelattelove.com/articles/brew_group_gasket.cfm
If you want to check out the internals, all you have to take off the top screws. If water isn't coming out, look for a loose hose. If it isn't heating, you need a new heating element, etc.
Here's a PDF of the parts: http://www.partsguru.com/user/Parts%20dagram%20ER0182_Rev01.pdf
Good luck. If you want to try and fix it on your own, post what your problem is, I might be able to give you some tips.
Uncle Cheung's / Sichuan Gourmet in Framingham
I've never been to Sichuan Gourmet, but I always try to go to Uncle Cheung's when I'm in the area.
Make sure to get the Shanghainese menu since otherwise. They will rarely give it to you unless you are Chinese so do ask for it or grab it.
Get the Grandma's Shrimp if you are a fan of shrimps w/ their heads. This is one of the best whole shrimp dishes that I have ever had (besides when I can get live shrimp at Peach Farm).
Besides that suggestion, I second everything that galangatron mentioned.
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Peach Farm
4 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111
Uncle Cheung's Restaurant
266 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA 01702
Sichuan Gourmet
1004 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446
Crawfish availability?
Last year, I was able to get crawfish at some of the Vietnamese markets in Dorchester in May & June, but I haven't found a market that's carrying them this year.
Does anybody know of any places that are selling live crawfish?
I know that I can order them online, but I'd rather get them locally if possible.
Thanks!
Eithopian Restos in Cambridge/Somerville
I'm a big fan of Fasika. I've been going there for years. I have never had a bad meal there.
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Fasika
147 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145
What to do with curry leaves?
This is one of my favorite recipes that uses curry leaves:
http://indiankhanna.blogspot.com/2009/04/poha.html
What Boston Restaurant Items Do You Keep in Stock?
I usually use whatever hot sauce I have on hand, but I don't use any that have a strong flavor (outside the spice) since I don't want it to overpower the flavor of the patties.
What Boston Restaurant Items Do You Keep in Stock?
Here's a write-up I did years ago:
http://www.eatanddestroy.com/?p=29
It's shredded moist chicken in a very flakey dough. The chicken has a nice light spice and is very moist, probably was stewed. I usually add a bit more spice to them at home.
They are pretty slow there and the line is usually to the door so be ready to wait 10 minutes until you are at the counter.
What Boston Restaurant Items Do You Keep in Stock?
The chicken patties from Le Foyer (Haitian Bakery).
Shiraz vs. Molana for birthday dinner tonight
Both are delicious so you can't go wrong. Shiraz has a fancier atmosphere if that's what you are after.
Rye Whisky
I didn't know that they were now aging whiskey. I'm going to have to get one of my friends in Chicago to send me a bottle of each. Thanks for the heads up.
Craft Beer Fans: WGBH event
I was pretty much referring to Harpoon & the brewpubs (with the exception of Cambridge Brewing & Watch City which has really had some great beers in the last few years).
I spaced on Mayflower. I really like their beers. If you like theirs, you'll probably like BHB. Smuttynose & Ipswich both have good beers, but I'm not a big fan. I've never had Haverhill. I'll have to check their IPA out.
Rye Whisky
My favorite Rye is made by Koval out of Chicago. It's not aged, so it might not be what you are looking for, but damn is it good. It's hard to find since I think that it is only distributed in Chicago so you'd have to find an online liquor store in Chicago to get some. (Their Ginger liqueur is also amazing.)
http://www.koval-distillery.com/products/white-whiskey/rye-chicago
Craft Beer Fans: WGBH event
Blue Hills Brewery makes some pretty good IPAs. Yeah, they aren't at the Lagunitas/Stone/Dogfish level, but they are good, much better than a lot of the other local breweries. A nice level of bitterness without too much of a sweet taste.
Looking for green/unroasted coffee beans
You'll get amazing quality green beans at Terrior in Action - http://www.terroircoffee.com/store/.
Their beans aren't cheap, but they are worth the price.
I'm cheap, and have been really happy with what I've been getting in the mail from Sweet Marias.
Mojo's BBQ restaurant in Portsmouth to cater an event? (Or any other suggestions?)
Thanks for the information, I'll checkout Goody Coles.
The $450 fee is just their basic service charge.
Mojo's BBQ restaurant in Portsmouth to cater an event? (Or any other suggestions?)
Has anyone had an event catered by Mojo's in Portsmouth? I'm helping a friend put together an event. Their are going to be about 60 or 70 people, and we want to do something casual. We tried the food today and thought it was pretty decent. The food prices seem reasonable for catering, but the $450 service fee is pretty steep.
Is it worth it?
If not Mojo's, any suggestions for good BBQ that might travel to Lincoln NH?
Al Wadi in West Roxbury last night
I went there a few weeks ago, and enjoyed it. Only had a few things, but really enjoyed the kibbeh nayeh and the lamb kebabs.
Re: Spring Blossom - You missed out. Most of their dishes mediocre, but some were quite good, but the highlight was the $5.00 cocktails. They really knew how to make their tiki drinks, and they packed a punch.
