kron's Recent Activity
Chowhound Post
TW Food - disappointing
I have to second, triple, quadruple the reviews of this place being good, but not outstanding.
TW food is definitely getting a lot of press and praise and I am all behind them for their mission and interest in local ingredients, etc... (who isn't anymore it seems right?!)...but for the price point, it just isn't worth it.
Granted I haven't been back since right when it opened...but I really wanted to like it so much that I'd want to bring out of town friends there, relatives, etc. there to eat whenever they visited. However, it just is not that place. I am all for spending a good deal of money on dinner every now and then and don't flinch at the $30 entrees. But, only if they are good enough to resonate with me a day or two later. I can usually remember all great meals, but I can't seem to remember much from that meal....except that it took about 30 minutes for us to get the check and have our plates cleared after we were done.
I wholeheartedly agree that Ten Tables offers better value (perhaps not as inventive in the culinary sense) and better overall "comfort" taste and have chosen that restaurant as one of my favorites for important occasions.
But bottom line we should probably go again and see how things have changed, improved...I'm looking forward to it and hope TW Food can change my mind.
I do dig their "graphics" on the menu/website...definitely perhaps some "illustrator" fun by their designer...
Chowhound Post
Hungry Mother in Cambridge
I recently went TWICE in 3 days, which is rare for me to do at a restaurant. One was planned, the other...well, a last minute decision given my friends living near Kendall/Central Square. Decor/space are nice and cozy...
I'd have to say I agree with much of what Meg1641 has to say. Our overall experience was enjoyable. The deviled eggs are a must as everyone (and all reviews of the restaurant) says, coming in a grouping of 3. So order 2 if you have 4 people. Skip the catfish pate and sausage appetizer as it's nothing spectacular, though I do recommend the shrimp and grits like Meg. Had the catfish, excellent as Meg states. Chicken....eh...is chicken. Meaning to try the bluefish next time if it's still on the menu. The gnocchi was pretty solid. Get the chocolate cake with a glass of Milk!!! Tastes like being a kid again...such a great idea!
The service is definitely...well...average. They aren't rude by any means, just...I don't know, I don't feel any connection with them at all nor do they make an effort to be engaging and conversational. I'd like to think I and my friends/girlfriend are pretty gregarious folk and are interested in food, knowing what it is, etc...It's a bit strange for a restaurant attempting to be a "neighborhood" spot like their previous Rachel's Kitchen venture in Bay Village. Maybe it was luck of the draw that the 2 servers we had in the visits just were not memorable. In my mind, restaurant experiences are often made even better with engaging service...or at least some small talk. And we didn't get bread our entire first visit....what?! I guess i forgot about it after devouring that tasty deviled egg. But, I'm thinking we should try the bar next time to get the real flavor of this cute neighborhood place and perhaps get a better people (server) vibe. I will say the hostesses (owners, etc) are very friendly...
On a side note...I like that they offer LARGE beers, even 750 mL to share with others...very cool.
Chowhound Post
Ten Tables: thank you
I have to agree as well. Some people knock it for some reason, but the 8 times or so we've been as well...top notch for its price range and ambition. Always a great time and great meal. The couple of times we did the "chef's table"...we'd have to agree that it is the best seat in the house since you can interact with the crew! And I think some of the freebie dessert tastings and beyond we've received only added to our memorable experiences.
My dad claimed he never really "loved" food before until we went to Ten Tables last year for a graduation dinner.
For the price (especially the prix fixe that you mention), it's unbeatable. Of course it's not fancy-smancy, so don't expect it...it's just solid cooking, good service, at a reasonable price and in a cozy setting. We often get the vegetarian option for one of us, highly recommended (usually salad, soup, gnocchi or something similar).
We'd love to host a private party there someday if we could a)afford it b)they were up for the opportunity (?)
Is the Portuguese fish stew back on the menu...? I miss it.
Must go back SOON!!!
Chowhound Post
O'Sullivan's just pretends to have Boston's Best Burger
Been going to Sullivan's for 5 years now and have to say it isn't what it used to be. Ever since they dropped their weekly TRIVIA, it has started to disappoint. Back then the top prize for leading trivia after a 6 weeks or so was FREE BURGERS for your entire team for a WEEK! Once we won that (yes, we are nerds) and had those freebies for a week, it hasn't tasted the same. Perhaps it was purely overdose on our part. Or perhaps it is because it has become too popular. I don't find it to be the blue-collar type pub it used to be that was mildly crowded on weekends, but many tables open other nights. The "Half and Half" still rocks though. Even still, I continue to defend RFO against newbies who have just tried it for the first time and say it's nothing to rave about. I've heard miracle makes a pretty good one.
Chowhound Post
Banq - news/comments/reviews?
went again with out of town friends. made a reservation on open table. they called to follow-up on friday (the day of the reservation) and confirm. I confirmed. showed up with 5 friends and the hostess said there was no reservation on file. WHAT?! they called THAT MORNING. but, luckily they sat us right away or there would have been some choice words. got home later that evening and checked my email. they had CANCELED my reservation on opentable 45 minutes before the reservation was to be fulfilled. what?! hopefully just a mistake by the those working the computers at the front....
Chowhound Post
Union square pub?
I think bull mccabes should be done in less than a month. union square is hosting a "six pack" pub crawl and i think bull mcCabe's will be the last on the list for the evening. that's slated for may 14th i believe. as for action on the space, you've probably noticed some by now...they've boarded in the old window, are refinishing the old sign with their new name, etc...looking forward to them opening their doors!
Chowhound Post
Do you live above a restaurant? How noisy is it in your apartment? [moved from Boston board]
These are all good comments. Thanks for the input. Eating there at the last seating is a good call and then scoping out the scene from there. I guess late night (ie. weekdays) is the most important to tell if it will be bothersome. And hey, paul/purple goddess, great idea...trying to score some freebies is not a half-bad idea. Thanks again!
Chowhound Post
Do you live above a restaurant? How noisy is it in your apartment? [moved from Boston board]
Contemplating a move to a new apartment, but it is located on the 2nd floor immediately above a casual dining restaurant. I wanted to know if you (or anyone you know) lives above a restaurant and has issues with noise (through your floor, windows), trash, valets, etc. coming from the restaurant below....? Granted, noise is a given in an urban setting and compounded by a restaurant, but I wanted to know if it affects your quality of life in the apartment? Thanks a lot for your responses.
Chowhound Post
Union square pub?
This spot (as I read in the union square news) is going to be called "Bull McCabe" and was bought by the people who own Spirit Bar.
Chowhound Post
Banq - news/comments/reviews?
Went Saturday night.
Very friendly service, can't emphasize enough.
Not surprised by the design since it's Office Da...it's expected. Another canopy, but great nonetheless. Lights couId be better integrated between the plywood ribs and there's a little too much zebra-wood (i think) in the restaurant but I guess it creates a warmer feel. I still think the play-on bathroom talk/recordings between men's and women's falls short (since it was so-hyped). It's in the vain of Diller+Scofidio's video recordings of people entering the restaurant at the bar of Brasserie in NY...playing on voyueristic tendencies...but just doesn't do it for me.
Tacky "ying and yang" comment on the menu among other "Asian" hints such as "forbidden rice" (seriously? please). Scallop "amuse" was the best (we ordered 5 of the 6), salmon with sugar cane is a no-go (girlfriend noted it was reminiscent of a tasty "old couch"...i agree). Croquettes were solid especially since coming with a delicious mimolette cheese. Haddock entree well-rounded and delicious.
Went out on a limb and ordered the "banq tasting" dessert. Bad idea. This "tasting" included wasabi ice cream, blue cheese ice cream, a pineapple spring roll (?) and some sort of berry-sushi (um, no). Awful. Thought it had potential (well, at least we thought the ice creams had potential), but realized it is something probably best served at some mediocre new american-asian-fusion restaurant that's trying to be hip. We think Banq should take it off the menu asap. If they want to do an "asian" theme with that dessert, try a new slant on paht bing-soo (shaved ice, red beans, condensed milk, etc.etc.)...then I would be impressed.
Overall, though, we enjoyed our experience and would recommend it for a fun night out. It is (I wince when i say) a "fusion" restaurant that I'm not sure has found its complete focus, but with some time I think they could work-out the kinks. We'd go back with friends.
