bza's Profile
Amaro del Capo in Boston?
It's at Marty's in Newton, but it's overpriced at 40 bucks.
Authentic Japanese Sushi?
MC, I went to Toraya about a month ago, and while I found the sushi to be fresh and above average for the boston area, I was very disappointed since we sat at the bar but the waitress insisted we order from her rather than the sushi chef. Did we we do something wrong, or has their system changed since you last went?
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Toraya Restaurant
890 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476
La Chassagnette post-Rubinel
I am going to Provence in June and I am wondering if La Chassagnette is still as wonderful as these photos make it seem. Has anyone been there recently?
Boston Cocktail Nerd ISO Montreal Recs
It seems like it might be better to stick to wine in Montreal, but that actually sounds pretty good, Maximilien, I might end up checking that and Pop out, thanks!
And Jhn, thanks for the recs, but if you aren't into cocktails, there's not much purpose in Milk and Honey... If you like scotch, the Brandy LIbrary is a better pick when you're in New York (but I'll stop the conversation before the chowhound gods reprimand us).
EDIT: Just realized that Pop is next door and connected to Laloux, which I happen to be eating at on Saturday... how convenient...
Drink - first impression
I'm with DoubleMan on the prices. It's weird, but 9 dollars wouldn't bother me, but ten does. When I go to a great cocktail bar, I like to have three or four over the course of an evening, and that extra dollar adds up between two people. I love having smaller portions, but I don't expect to have to pay the same for them.
I disagree, however, about the menu. The only real downside I see long term is that Ben and John have come up with some really great drinks in the past (Copenhagen, Widow's Touch) and I would like to keep up on those new drinks (as well as things like new additions to their bitters or other ingredients) without having to make them reel off a list. While it would be nice to know what they have that is new, I always prefer talking to the bartender anyway, and I like the casual atmosphere of it. The short-term downside is in these first few weeks when the bartenders are crushed by patrons and you can't really have a talk with them about what you want.
And, frankly, I'm extremely disappointed in the space. I understand what they were going for, but in the location it is in, I would have preferred something warmer and more welcoming, a destination rather than a drop-in. Personally, I have always found the bar at no 9 to be warm and relaxing, particularly when you are sitting at the bar. It's very easy there to settle in and ignore the crowd that is there for vodka on the rocks on their way to their table (much easier, actually, than at Eastern Standard). Overall, I think it's a step down in terms of space, but a small sacrifice for the freedom to really focus on spectacular drinks, which I look forward to having there as many times as I can.
And yes, the crowd was just awful last night. I hope to see it improve considerably.
BTW, the chips and dip, while expensive, are insanely decadent and excellent.
Boston Cocktail Nerd ISO Montreal Recs
Not surprised that a place that specializes in whiskey would be a draw for the patrick batemans of the world, it's the one downside to the water of life.
Distillerie looks pretty interesting though, maybe I'll check it out. Thanks!
Drink opening tomorrow?
According to a call placed yesterday, they opened at five, but it is possible that that was just the first day. Though I doubt it since they probably would have pointed that out.
Boston Cocktail Nerd ISO Montreal Recs
Hello all,
I'll be visiting Montreal next weekend for the first time, and I have some great restaurants lined up, but I haven't been able to find any really interesting bars to check out yet. I'll probably go to the Whiskey Cafe, as I am a big whiskey person, but mixed drinks seem to primarily be served at either high-end restaurants or dance-focused nightclubs.
Is there anywhere to go to get well-mixed, classic-style cocktails in a mellow atmosphere? I'm talking fresh-squeezed juices, homemade bitters, original concoctions, etc. served by knowledgeable and friendly bartenders e.g. Eastern Standard and No. 9 Park in Boston or Milk and Honey and PDT in NYC.
Thanks, and I can't wait to meet your city!
TW Food or Clio?
These are very different restaurants, but both are great.
I would go to Clio if you are looking for the more "traditional" high-end restaurant experience but a more trendy style of food (lots of new cuisine stuff like foams and powders). Everything including the service is very sophisticated and put together well, and there's a pretty solid wine list.
TW Food is more of an intimate personal experience. The food is all locally sourced and French inspired, but interesting in its own way. The wine list reflects this, too, with biodynamic wines and more unusual choices. People have much more of a mixed opinion of the food, but personally I loved it as much if not more than I loved Clio.
It really depends on what you are looking for, but I don't think you can go wrong. My guess is that the majority of responses will be votes for Clio, but if you like smaller restaurants where you know the chef owner is in the back personally finishing off your food, TW might be the way to go.
Locke Ober
How's the bar there? I've heard the actual bar is beautiful, so I'm curious if you can get a good traditional martini or perhaps just a whiskey there and take in the scene.
No more bar/cafe menu at No. 9 Park
I go there pretty regularly, and this is a pretty big blow to continuing that routine. Looks like I'll have to stick to drinks and then migrate somewhere else. If only the Fort Point location was more convenient, it would be a lot easier to follow john there and leave no 9 for good.
Got Pegu Club?
I don't believe angostura orange are available in brick and mortar establishments yet, but I purchased some from Amazon.com (actually kegworks.com, but through amazon). They are pricey, but well worth it, a notably different beast than either fee's or especially regans, and they make for a great addition to your bitters arsenal.
Pigalle Not Good
Anyone eaten at the bar?
I'm curious about their food there since they have one dollar oysters this summer. Also wondering if they have good bartenders, or if it's a typical flavored vodka type place.
Iggy's Bakery Store, rediscovered
Everything above, plus the ciabatta sandwich rolls. Perfect for pressed panini, and only a dollar.
Shiraz in Watertown, anyone been?
My fiancee and I went a few weeks ago. We had the marinated lamb and grilled chicken (don't remember the actual names).
It came with a bowl of tomato barley soup which I didn't care for: it tasted too much like cambell's soup to me, but my fiancee liked it (of course, she likes cambell's tomato soup).
The chicken and lamb were both excellently grilled, the lamb was notably better than Jasmine down the street, which is still pretty tasty. It was marinated with spices and tomatoes. However, unlike Jasmine, the meat only came with rice and one half of a grilled tomato... no hummus or other sides.
While it was tasty, the chicken cost around 13 bucks, which seemed a little high considering it is chicken, rice, and a tomato, and the soup wasn't good enough to warrant the extra cost. The service was great, everyone was really friendly and eager to please, but for the price it just seems like Jasmine is still the (slightly) better choice.
I don't believe they have wine there yet, but I could be wrong.
Question about O Ya Omakase
My guess is that would be a lot, particularly if you get the wagyu, which is very rich. If you stick to the non-sushi, I would say you could eat four or five things and be more than full, but my suggestion would be to ask them. You can definitely order two or three things and then order more if you are hungry, they are extremely nice and low-pressure there.
Enjoy!
Anyone tried Citrio in Newton Highlands?
This place is excellent, I highly recommend the roast beef sandwich and any of the salads. Also, their homemade marshmellows are fantastic.
Scotch in Boston
I'm not a huge scotch buyer, but Martignetti's in Brighton has my Lagavulin 16 for a reasonable price, like 53 I think... it may have gone up though with the crappy dollar, I haven't had to refill for a few months. Cambridge wine and liquor in fresh pond has a bigger selection, but their prices are slightly higher, though by no means overpriced; I got a Macallan 12 there a few months ago for like 30 bucks on sale.
Meanwhile, Brix in the south end has a more unusual selection, though much more expensive.
Cocktail with Cynar?
I find it to be more enjoyable if you use the cynar instead of the bitters rather than excluding both the bitters and the vermouth. Just use 1/4-1/2 oz of the cynar (depending on how much you like it) and cut down on the vermouth by the same.
Tasty stuff... they make something resembling that at Death and Co called a Cynartown, though I believe they have other ingredients and I don't know the ratios... actually, now that i think about it, that's with beefeater gin, not rye. Still a pretty fantastic drink, if anyone knows the recipe, hint hint.
Cocktail with Cynar?
I absolutely LOVE Cynar, and I have been playing around with various recipes recently. The best one I've found is the Scorch the Earth, created by a bartender from Atlanta as reported by Gary Regan in a SF paper:
1.5 Cognac
.5 Lemon
.5 Cynar
Flamed Lemon Peel
Good stuff.
Super 88 foodcourt - need reco's
Yeah, I always try to order other things there (the pho that comes out of the kitchen looks at least competitive with other Boston-area places) but their banh mi always wins. And probably always will.
In fact, I was just in the San Gabriel Valley this past week out west and had some great banh mi made with fresh baked bread, homemade mayo, etc. and I'll be damned if Pho Viet doesn't make for a fine east coast counterpart.
Super 88 foodcourt - need reco's
Ken's Ramen across the hall from the food court is probably the best ramen I've had in Boston.
Pho Viet makes excellent banh mi.
I think the best Korean place is the one around the corner from the main area (across from the chinese place with the ducks hanging in the window). They make good bi bim bap.
Wisteria (I think it's called?) makes pretty good food, too, but I usually stick to the above three when I go.
Stephanie's taking over Garden of Eden spot
...I thought they closed Garden of Eden in order to expand Lionette's. Otherwise, where is the bigger store going to go?
Cocktail Recipes that Surprised You
a Ramos Gin Fizz made by John Gertsen at no.9 park is probably the best cocktail I have ever had.
Best Boston Area Mexican
I had to thank MC for recommending El Amigo. I've been a few times already and it's easily the closest to authentic Mexican I've had in Boston (I'm from LA). Angela's is really great, but El Amigo is good street Mexican, and it reminds me of home.
Most importantly, they GRILL their flour tortillas for burritos, so they aren't gummy, unlike literally every other burrito I have had in the greater Boston area.
So thank you. You've made one displaced Angeleno find at least a close approximation of home.
Tasting Three Sazeracs
See, smooth is what I get from the 18 saz, but to each his own... I'm dying to try the red hook rye, I was in new york a few weeks ago and a bottle was staring me in the face, but I couldn't drop the big bucks on it.
That's too bad about the handy, I doubt I'll ever find an unopened bottle of the '06 to taste, but I am enjoying my 18, so I'm not too torn up about it.
Mai Tai - how to?
I'm going to give it a try. Summer is coming, and it's time for rum.
Mai Tai - how to?
I have a lot of middle eastern groceries right by me, can I use their almond syrup in place of orgeat?
Cocktail Recipes that Surprised You
are any of these tea liqueurs worth trying? I have seen them all but they look more like a trend than a line of great products...
Cocktail Recipes that Surprised You
actually, it's not too far off from one of my favorite drinks, the algonquin.
2 rye
1 dry vermouth
1 pineapple juice
Excellent.
