DaveCan's Profile
Looking for a great dinner restaurant in the Chelmsford area
Feng Shui and Moonstones are average at best. Try Pho 88 or venture into Lowell for some authentic Asian food.
I went to Moonstones last night with the wife and the cocktails were simply horrible and the service at the bar was non existent. I dont get it, this place touts there "Moonbar" and they can't take the time or effort to staff it with competent bartenders.
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Pho 88
1270 Westford St, Lowell, MA 01851
Feng Shui Restaurant
285 Chelmsford St, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Expensive and Mediocre
Slow and indifferent service, watery Martini, bland tasting Tuna.... what more can I say?
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Beacon Grille
400 TradeCenter, Woburn, MA 01801
Looking for a quiet lounge
My wife and I are coming to NYC at the end of August to celebrate our 28th anniversary. We're staying at the Strand on 37th and are looking for a dinner recommendation.
We're looking for a comfy couch in a quiet lounge where we can take our time and order one appetizer after another between cocktails.
We'd like to keep it under $250.
Thanks for all your help!
Beacon Grille - Woburn, Typical Suburban Mediocrity
Met a former co-worker at the Beacon Grille last night.
Arrived at 4:30, sat at a table in the lounge. The lounge area is attractive and well designed. I would have been comfortable sitting at the bar as well as a table.
I was promptly greeted by a server and ordered a Bourbon Manhattan, "a little on the sweet side". I watched the bartender indifferently prepare the cocktail and as I expected, it was mediocre. Not a bit sweet and watery (this usually happens when your not paying attention to mixing).
Ordered Ahi Tuna, the tuna itself was oj but the wasabi was almost tasteless and the ginger was tan colored, not pink. In a word, mediocre.
My friend joined me around five and we ordered beers, which were served promptly. My friend ordered Crab Cakes and about five minutes later I ordered Shrimp cocktail and Salad. The Crab Cakes arrived after I placed my order. My order never arrived, I thought about mentioning it but had lost my appetite and wanted to leave. It was not on the bill.
The service was good enough (except for the missing Shrimp Cocktail and Salad) but was very practiced and stilted, like the server had too much training.
Overall it had a "Chain Like" feel, average, cold and corporate. The prices were on the expensive side.
I will not return and cannot recommend.
Terrific Time with Tucker
My wife and I recently had the chance to get away for two days in Newport. We enjoyed a fabulous meal at Tuckers Bistro.
Two perfectly mixed cocktails, the delicious seven course tasting menu and a great wine selection. Everything was perfect.
The tasting menu consisted of Beet salad, Scallops, Mushroom Risotto, Rib Eye, Cavatelle, Duck and Ginger Ice Cream. All were exquisitely presented and equally delicious.
We sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender and server. Both were charming, entertaining and just plain fun.
This place is a must visit if your in Newport.
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Tucker's Bistro
150 Broadway, Newport, RI 02840
Mediocrity in Natick
Sel de la Terre, the name is at the bottom of the post.
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Sel de la Terre
1245 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760
Mediocrity in Natick
Having enjoyed the State Street restaurant and bar many times over the years I decided to meet an old friend at the Natick location.
The mall is beautiful, the lounge area is beautiful and the stylishly dressed women shopping and working in the mall were also......... beautiful.
I sat at the bar and ordered a Bourbon Manhattan. It was so watery it was almost undrinkable. Being one never to waste good booze I persevered an finished it. Before asking for another I told the bartender of my issues with the first and he promised to make the next one more to my liking.
I watched in horror as the bartender prepared my second Manhattan. Ice, then a shot of Bourbon from a nearly empty bottle, 30 seconds to find another bottle, more Bourbon, then Sweet Vermouth, a leisurely stir and pour, Viola, a perfectly watered down Manhattan. I was astounded that so much time and effort could go into such a horribly tasting drink.
On to the Appetizers..........
1/2 dozen oysters on the half shell. They were fresh, slightly briney and perfectly chilled. Simply delicious even though I had to wash them down with you know what.
Tuna tiradito, not the best grade tuna, a bit grisly (I had to use a knife to cut it) and the sauce fell flat. Also overpriced at $6.
Finally I split an average tasting Angus Burger with fries.
Overall I can't recommend. When I'm paying top dollar for a drink I expect it to be expertly made. The food faired somewhat better but still not at a level that meets the price.
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Sel De La Terre
1245 Worcester Street, Natick, MA 01760
Looking for a Wine Merchant / Liquor Store Northwest Suburbs
Thank you Fish, Frond and Mom for the feedback.
And Mom, thanks for the tip about BistroBroad.
Looking for a Wine Merchant / Liquor Store Northwest Suburbs
I'm a newcomer to Wine. My drink(s) of choice have typically been Vodka Martini's and Bourbon Manhattans. However, I crossed that point of no return recently (Age 50) and find that the hard stuff knocks the crap out of me. I'd like to transition to Wine but I'm completely lost when I walk into a liquor store.
My liquor store of choice is Colonial Spirits in Acton and even though I spend over $1,000 per year and special order from time to time I don't feel like they appreciate my business. And when I ask for help with Wine selections I usually get a 20 something who is clueless.
Can someone recommend a Wine Merchant or Liquor Store with a knowledgeable staff?
I'd like it to be within 20 minutes of Littleton Common.
Not your average joe's norwell
I've been to the one in Acton and because this is a chain feel this qualifies as a general comment about NYAJ's.
The food is over salted, over buttered and over battered. I've tried multiple items on the menu, none were good, even the pizza or a burger.
Persephone Bartenders
I only had the opportunity to drink and dine at Persephone once. My wife and I sat at the bar and ordered several appetizers (all fantastic by the way). The bartender made the single greatest Manhattan I have ever had. Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Vya Sweet Vermouth and a dash of Cherry Brandy.
The bartender was a young woman of considerable mixing skills, does anyone know where this talent went after Persephone closed? She was probably in her late 20's, dirty blonde.
Davios - Patriots Place - Disappointing
The service echoes what I experienced last spring. We ate at the bar and the bartender had a scowl on her face the entire time. Horrible service and a real bad attitude.
Mediocrity in Wellesley
Nsenada,
Menu here http://www.cottagewellesley.com/dinner.html
A Rye Manhattan, great idea! Not going to happen at the Cottage though.
Mediocrity in Wellesley
I went to The Cottage Wellesley last night with group of former co-workers.
The good:
Beautiful Bar, spacious seating, attentive staff, great service.
The appetizers were excellent, Chorizo & Shrimp Quesadillas and Ahi Tuna Nachos.
The mediocre:
The main courses, Rosemary Grilled Shrimp, Sesame Sea Scallops. The food tasted good enough, good not excellent, but the portions were small considering the price.
The bad:
The drinks were simply atrocious. I ordered a manhattan, the bartender couldn't find the bourbon, almost mixed it with dry vermouth (they only had Martini & Rossi) and it was small and watery.
Overall I can't recommend. I wouldn't go back for dinner. Returning for appetizers while sitting in the lounge would be an option if they replaced and/or trained their bar staff. However, if your a beer or wine drinker go for the appetizers.
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The Cottage
190 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
Cottage Wellesley
190 Linden St, Wellesley, MA 02482
When Pigs Fly
I've purchased the supposedly fresh Olive Rosemary and Baquette's at the Kittery store. It was tasty but on the stale side and this has been the case multiple times.
Its good bread but not anything to go out of your way for and I definitely wouldn't buy it at the local supermarket as it would be more than a couple of days old.
Report: York-area, Maine
DSP, I'm not sure, there menu is here
http://www.blacksushihouse.com
If the link doesn't come through it's blacksushihouse dot com
Amore Ogunquit, Love Lost
I've been to this restaurant several times over the past 3 years. Each time has been consistently good. Not great but good.
I went this past week with my wife and family. From the service to the meal, it was bad.
The service was abrupt, never asked if we wanted juice, started clearing the table before most of us were done. It was comparable to a diner experience.
Most of us ordered Eggs Benedict with Corned Beef. In each case the eggs were over done. Ever had Eggs Benedict with the yolk almost entirely cooked? The Corned Beef was burned and stringy. The Hash Browns were so two days ago.
Its going to be a while before I go back.
Report: York-area, Maine
Thanks for the info DSP.
If you ever go back to Blue Sky just sit at the bar and order app's. I've been four times and always sit at the bar, usually outside. The bartender is somewhat captive so the service is better.
I highly recommend the York Harbor Inn and Black Sushi in Ogunquit.
Ogunquit / York Revisited
I've taken an assortment of day trips and overnights in the area over the last month. We've gone to and reported on most of these restaurants, consider this an update:
Blue Sky - York Beach - We sat at the outside bar and enjoyed Mai Tai's, Martinis, Shrimp Cocktail and Ceasar salad. I like this place because the bar / location is perfect, the drinks are the best in the area and the appetizers are well done. That said I still won't eat dinner there until they become more consistent and change their menu.
Blue Heaven or something like that - It's in Ogunquit near Splash, facing the bay. I had a Cajun Chicken Sandwich and my wife had the Crab Cakes. Not good at all. The Crab Cakes were 90% stuffing and the quality of the Chicken was poor, very poor. This is the second time in a row we've had bad meals there. We will not return.
Splash on Ogunquit Beach - The food is average to poor but what the hell, the location is perfect. The service is consistently great, meaning that the beers keep coming. Don't order the Shrimp though........
Frills - An inexpensive alternative to the beach scene, nice location off of Shore Drive. We had the fully loaded burgers. The beef wasn't of the highest quality but the price was right. Also, great service and drinks.
Black Sushi in Ogunquit - In my opinion, the best restaurant in the area. Besides the sushi the chef makes the best salad I've ever had.
Joshua's in Wells - This was our first time and expectations were high. As usual we sat in the bar and ordered appetizers and cocktails. We ordered Crab Cakes, Sauteed Wild Mushrooms, Salad and Ice Cream. The Crab Cakes and the Ice Cream were outstanding. I don't like Ice Cream but loved Joshua's Home Made Ice Cream. On a sour note, when I asked for a Manhattan they only Martini & Rossi Sweet Vermouth. This place is too nice not to carry better Vermouth. At a minimum they should carry Nouilly Pratt. Because we sat in the bar I can't say too much about the service but the Bartender was excellent. I recommend and will return.
Good food in York Harbor Maine?
MC Perkins Cove is average at best, Provence 98 uses too much salt and creme and Blue Sky is average though the bar is great.
I recommend Black (sushi), Gypsy Sweethearts and Amore Breakfast in Ogunquit and the pub at the York Harbor Inn.
Providence RI recommendations
Bluebird,
We want to stay within walking distance of the Hilton so CP is out. Which of the remaining three is the best in terms of atmosphere / food?
Providence RI recommendations
BB, your a mind reader, I was thinking about bakeries but forgot to ask.
Providence RI recommendations
OO,
The patio is facing the water, correct? BTW, the food pics on the website look incredible!
Providence RI recommendations
Frank,
I'll probably want to stay in Providence Saturday night and avoid driving. Would you recommend Castle Hill for Lunch?
Providence RI recommendations
Heading to Providence this Saturday night with the wife and staying at the Hilton on Atwells.
Looking for recommendations for cocktails - high end, great views, dark and quiet (romantic) and dinner - Italian preferred, cost not an issue, romantic setting preferred.
Also looking for lunch and breakfast recommendations, piano bar, shopping, fresh pasta.
Dinner in Ogunquit
MC Perkins Cove is overrated. The food is over priced and mediocre and the service was no better.
Five 0 Shore road has better service but mediocre food.
Gypsy Sweethearts, sit outside at night, its incredibly romantic. The food's not bad.
If you like butter and salt go to 98 Provence.
Amore Breakfast is fabulous but Bread and Roses has the best croissant's south of Montreal.
Black Sushi next to the movie theater is the best!
In York, Blue Sky, great for drinks and appetizers but don't go for dinner. The York Harbor Inn is classy & romantic with good food and a professional staff.
Belle's Bistro in Westford
The best restaurant in the area, no question.
Considering that there are no good restaurants within 15 miles that statement by itself is not the biggest compliment in the world but I give Belle's a big thumbs up.
We had Wareham Oysters, Mussels Fra Divalo, Crab Cakes and Petite Tender Beef Skewer. All were well prepared, presented and tasted very good. My wife hates anything fishy but she loved the Mussels
The martini's are colossal and only $10. Mine was very cold yet not watery, the best one I've had outside of Boston.
We had the above appetizers and four martini's and bill was only $83.
The service is very good and attentive. The owner works the restaurant and appreciates his customers.
I've lived in the area for almost 20 years and have never had a good food experience. Scupper Jacks just gets worse and worse, Crossroads is no better than a 99, Bamboo's food quality has taken a dive, etc. etc. etc. OK, I'm done ranting.
One complaint though, some dude was sitting at the bar with a cap on. What ever happened to manners? Aren't men supposed to take there hats off indoors to say nothing of wearing a freakin cap while your eating???
help with choices-Sel de la terre, Vlora,Radius
I've been to Radius and Sel de la terre.
Go to Sel de la terre, excellent food and service.
Radius was overrated and the service was mediocre.
Davios Lounge
Has anyone noticed the change at Davios?
When I used to sit at the bar I was always impressed with the bar staff. Very professional, ultra efficient, outstanding drinks, reasonably attractive but not to over the top.
In the last month I've been their twice and noticed that the quality of the bar staff has changed. Some of the bartenders seemed like they interned at The Rack or other similar meat markets. It seemed the class was missing, to say nothing of the service.
