Japonaise on Beacon St in Brookline IMO uses very high quality ingredients to produce consistently fine cakes which look and taste very good. They are very refined and pleasing rather than hearty or over the top.

Thank you thank you. Have been looking for a source of sour cherries. I think the Bulgarian Feta at Sevan's is better though.

Ben Maleson, a much profiled, knowledgeable, professional forager, who supplies restaurants might be able to help you.

I would like to second many of the replies (including Hong Kong Eatery, Bistro Chi, Sher-A-Punjab), and I would like to add La Paloma for comfy (not hardcore) Mexican food and drink.

Sheer goodness on earth. Rejoice, ye who have teeth, tastebuds and time. Don't forget to ask for the graif, a rich bread of many layers.

you are not the only one! Still, Betty Ann Food Shop has the edge in spices and sheer personality.

Thank you! Mayfair has them in small cans for $2.69. The guy says he can't get them dried. I bought a can as well as a jar of aji amarillo.

Love the delicious canary (yellow) beans served at Rincon Limero. Does anyone have a source for them in the greater Boston area?

Agree Sophia's is wonderful. Another utterly delicious but different experience is Sidehill Farm yoghurt (I purchase it at Eastleigh Farm in Framingham). It is produced in Ashfield, MA and it is made from milk from grass fed cows. It is richer but lighter tasting, and it is less tangy. Amazing how diverse and wonderful good yoghurts can be!

Orrechio terrine and carbonata with uni not available at lunch today. The triple app salumi sampler (chef's choice of coppa, nostrana, proscuitto, mortadella, lardo) very nice indeed, but the lardo fell short of outstanding. Burrata only okay, not so good that I would order it again. Tuna carpaccio, recommended by the waitress, was delicious. Aperol spritzer was just right for the beautiful summer day. Interior of restaurant unavailable for seating at lunch due to work being done. French park style chairs matching tables in tourquoise shaded by orange Aperol umbrellas made for a pretty seating area outside.

Pete and Jen's Barnyard Birds in Concord near Verrill Farms usually has beautiful lard which they have rendered themselves. Check out their website.

Cyndi at the Farmer's Market in Brookline (1:30 and on, Centre St parking lot) has consistently fresh fish. Get there early for a good selection. You can preorder with her once you get on her mailing list. Downside is that it is all fillets. Upside is you are guaranteed fish fresh from the dock that morning.

My husband always orders the Kao Soi which I have read is a royal dish. It is hard to describe but it has several different kinds of noodles in a rich spicy coconut curry sauce garnished with pickled vegetables and I forget what else.

Even the Star Market will cook your lobsters for you.

My Mac shows the dreaded twirling rainbow when it get stuck at transfering data from cbs.com. Any suggestions? I can't read any of the posts past the first few before it gets hung up.

Thanks to gorboduc, itaunas and threedogs!

I can order it from King Arthur Flour in Vermont, but has anyone seen it for sale in the Boston area?

Yes, I saw it there a few days ago in the refrigerator case. Bob's is on South Street.

Many thanks for this interesting thread and excellent links. This will make a difference in my Negroni life.

Reef in Allston looks closed (newspaper lining the windows). I liked their Lebanese food and the nice people who worked there.

Are those the huge ones that Chinese restaurants steam with ginger and scallions (or black bean sauce)?

Baltic Deli in South Boston, Karl's Sausage Kitchen in Saugus, Smokehouse in Norwell.

Very interesting. Thanks for the post. Did you see any sour cherries--if so where?

I like to make cherry pies with the pits in situ (Jane Grigson says the flavor is better and I agree). A few months ago I read on CH that Smolak Farms has them this time of year, but there is no mention of them on the current SF website.

Does anyone know how these are used in Chinese cooking? I enjoyed these flavorful somewhat stinky bamboo shoots mixed with pickled mustard greens as a garnish to the fried fish fillet rice plate at Wisteria recently.

I was waiting for the 57 bus when their new marquee caught my eye. I went in to get a menu, but I haven't had a chance to dine there yet. Lots of interesting stuff on the menu, IMO. Anyone care to file a report?

I sooooo agree. Delfno's provides a very satisfying dining experience. It is a few steps from the commuter train stop, and there's easy parking in the city lot. If one dines early, one can enjoy a little premeal shopping at the Lebanese grocery (excellent olives) and the cheese shop (beautiful selection, helpful staff, choice chocolates and honeys), Dine early is my advice.

does anyone know if this has opened yet or when it will?

565 Bennington St, East Boston

The Boston Mycological Club (the oldest in the US) does two dinners a year--one is potluck and the other at a restaurant (lately it's been Flora in Arlington). Check their website if this is of interest.