shellicopter's Profile
Maple?
We went here a few weeks ago probably 2 weeks after it opened. We got the 4 for 10 bruschetta which were really good, we like them all except for perhaps there was too much sweet fig jam on the one with prosciutto . Warning, I think each one is one or 2 small bites, enough to share for a small taste but that's about it...it was perfect for us since we got 4 for I probably wouldn't get less. We also tried the gnocchi with pesto which was really delicious. I haven't had a lot of gnocchi in my life but these were exactly what I'd expect they SHOULD taste like. Literally little pillows that kind of collapse in your mouth. We also started with a really delicious salad with fennel I think, simple but quite good, like most of the menu. We had a couple of glasses of red wine, good but a bit pricey. We didn't love our waiter but he was attentive enough, just didn't have the best attitude it seemed. I definitely am looking forward to going back.
Room 11?
I've been here a couple of times, its right on my block and it's adorable. The food is decent, I've really enjoyed the scallops, pork belly, and salad but was rather disappointed by their "cubano" which didn't seem special at all and their risotto which I thought was too al dente and rahter boring. I still love it, great vibe, good quality in general, I think it's planning on expanding soon as well based on some signage next door...hopefully this will make it a little easier to get into!
Rib Pit on 14th Street?
Thank so much for all the advice, I was just turned on to Adam Express but haven't been yet and the others are places I've heard of and been curious about so I'll put them on my list!
Rib Pit on 14th Street?
I haven't been out a lot but I went to Birch and Barley which was a lot of fun but somewhat disappointing in terms of some of the execution of the dishes, I've been looking for a fresh and simple sushi and Kotobuki didn't live up to my high hopes...around here Room 11 has been more good than bad (sub-par lamb kebabs but otherwise good)...Meridian Pint, though I wouldn't expect much, was all off...
This is not to say there's nothing good, I certainly haven't explored much, things just seem to be expensive and I have been let down...I heard BBQ pit was alright but there were very mixed reviews and I was skeptical so I just wanted to check in with people who know food...
So what are people's favorite local spots in the Col Heights/Petworth area?
Rib Pit on 14th Street?
Hi,
I've just moved to the area and have heard of this place but there seem to be no reports on it lately...so far the food in this area is very hit or miss...does anyone have an update?
Thanks!
Busboys and Poets Hyattsville
I'm going for food (dinner) and drinks to the Busboys and Poets in Hyatsville, I know its not a foodie paradise but I was hoping there were some items that were better than others...its really hard to gauge from the menu, I'd tend to go with a sandwich type option to keep on the cheap/safe side...have people been to either location and enjoyed some of the food? Thanks!
Stellina's for lunch, recs?
nobody has any thoughts on this place? i'm going tomorrow, i know its not super exciting but its not a choice, just looking for any advice! thanks!
Stellina's for lunch, recs?
Hi,
I'm going out to lunch tomorrow for a lunch with work at Stellina's in watertown. I don't know much about the place and there is little written about it on the boards here, but the menu actually looks pretty good. What are the general thoughts on the place as a whole? I would tend to go more for the salads for lunch but am open to suggestions if there are things I should definitely get or not get there. Any ideas appreciated, thanks!
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Stellina Restaurant
47 Main St, Watertown, MA 02472
The Independent, Union Square Somerville: Excellent Upscale Tavern Dinner
I want to thow in a good word for the Independent, I went there a couple of Friday's ago for a impromptu celebration, a great grapefruit gimlet, a special "small plate" that we shared with asparagus, mushrooms, pancetta, and a duck egg on top...we also got the special cheeseburger (somehow different that the regular one) which I tried and found really good also (though I'm not a conoissuer) and finally the gnocchi with braised oxtail, some mushrooms, and very thin slices of a salty cheese. We had a really good time and I adored all the food. I went back that Monday is that says anything, ordered the same tuna and gnocchi but also got a really great arugula salad with a homemade bresola and some other crispy bits, it was simple but also really really great. Our drinks, both ginger beer based, were also perfect. Its a nice warm atmosphere, cozy but not too crazy, I'm ready to go back already and try the rest of the menu!
Where to go for 27th birthday?
I just struggled with a similar question for my 27th birthday, I was looking for something rather low key but with music, a decent bar and a good scene. I debated going to the Beehive but instead ended up at an old standby in east cambridge, Atwoods, that has a great live band on Fridays. it was a fun scene, great music, and a place where you can get a good beer and great bar food...as I said its really low key but I had a great time.
homemade falafel and condiment/side help
Just wanted to say thanks for the advice and give an update and say that the falafel went incredibly well, as did the homemade pitas. I based my ingredients from a falafel recipe off the food network site (tyler florence maybe?) with soaked chickpeas, herbs, garlic, onion, and some spices as well as a little baking powder (figured why no), used a food processor and formed balls to throw into the deep fryer...I was really happy as were all the guests. The pita was from smittenkitchen.com and worked like a dream. For sides I made tahini, a yogurt/cuke sauce, an israeli tomato/cucumber salad, sliced up some mango for quick pickling as well as some quick pickled beets. It was a lot of fun and delicious if not a bit messy, definitely worth it!
homemade falafel and condiment/side help
I know there are already some falafel posts out there and I've looked them over....the thing is, I don't eat much falafel and I'm making it from scratch tonight, as well as homemade pita bread. I have the dough rising in the fridge, I have the chickpeas (only chickpeas, no favas) soaking overnight in water, I've purchased onion, parsley and cilantro....I have tahini for a sauce as well as yogurt and cucumber but I'm looking for advice on baking soda/powder, fry temp., ideal size to make the balls, and additional toppings or sides to add, I haven't settled on a recipe yet so if there is one that stands out, let me know! (I'm worried they'll be dense or dry or dull) I once went to a falafel restaurant in DC where they had a bar of toppings to put on your pita which really sealed the deal for me. Any ideas about this? Thanks so much for any input you might have!
Chez Henri, bar? dining room? recs?
I'm off to Chez Henri tonight and realized I never wrote back about my last experience there...clearly good since I'm going back! Thanks for all the recs, we did sit at the bar, meaning at a table in the bar room, and were treated to incredible service. I ordered a delicious mojito and we shared oysters, ceviche, and the delectable meaty greasy cubano...perfect though a few more pickles would have been nice to cut the grease! In addition I had attempted to reserve on open table (though you can't actually reserve for the bar) and wrote a note about it being a birthday...without saying anything the server came out with a delicious cheesecake with fresh berry compote and a candle...complimentary of course...it was really special and a really nice experience overall. I'm excited to go back tonight, taking my mom this time, and looking for any other great dishes to try if anyone has ideas. Thanks!
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Chez Henri
1 Shepard Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
where to buy good quality (uncooked) chicken wings?
Market basket is a decent option but i was hoping to get something a little more natural/fresh if possible....
where to buy good quality (uncooked) chicken wings?
We're planning to fry up a large batch of buffalo wings (a la "Buff's") for tonight's Pat's game and to our dismay, just missed Mayflower Poultry, assuming they were open later than 5 on Sat night, they're not open today. Are there any similar places that sell decent quality chicken parts,open on a Sunday, and preferably near somerville or Cambridge? Thanks
Think Tank
There's a Groupon at Groupon.com today for half off at Think tank, the menu looks promising as I tend to love asian flavors and interesting preparations, but I'd love to hear what people have to say about it before I impulse buy! Has anyone been yet? thanks!
Smoke this rib
I agree, I love HM and their rib sandwich was just bad, the rib was dried out bits and there was a mayonnaise based sauce which is really the last thing you want to put on a rib!
Fantastic meal at Journeyman in Somerville
It was described as a" "beet ganache" which I assumed meant just in a ganache like format... but I couldn't get over the overpowering chocolate flavor...after eating more than I wanted of this beet colored schmear, I asked the waiter if it had chocolate in it and he replied, "yes, it's a ganache, so it is made with chocolate and cream". I honestly think it would have been an interesting flavor had it been paired with something fresher, it was just too much for me with the foie.
Where to buy Uni/Sea Urchin?
I always buy a pack of uni from Reliable Market in Union Sq...its almost always great but I've had a couple of misses...maybe those who know their uni could tell quality just by looking but I'm only an amateur.
Fantastic meal at Journeyman in Somerville
I agree that the meal was really delicious but I was totally thrown off by the massive hunk of foie and the accompanying beet "ganache" which wasn't particularly delicious, at least not paired with the foie...i was really looking forward to this dish and in the end it kind of grossed me out...luckily the pork belly to follow was a true delight!
Additionally I found the service to be slow and awkward and the other dinner guests to be awkward as well...might have been a weird night but the whole vibe was bizarre. Still, overall I really enjoyed the food and the care put into it, with some more practice for the staff and a few tweaks to the menu, I'd be very excited to go back!
where can one buy lemongrass in cambrdige/somerville??
I've been wanting to make this Thai chicken soup recipe that involves lemongrass...I know you can get it at Russo's but I live near Porter Sq in Somerville and was wondering if there were any markets that might sell it nearby? Thanks!
Bergamot Report
So we went last night, it was completely packed at 8:15 and stayed that way until we left around 9:45, impressive for a Tues, according the our very friendly waiter, its been like that since the boston globe review came out. Anyways, we were relaxed so the slow start to the service didn't bother us, we ordered a wine and beer and the sardines to start...the amuse bouche was a nice touch but kind of weird, a cold piece of chard and ham fritatta...the sardines were good, didn't blow me away but enjoyably fishy and nice chickpea puree and chopped tomato and cucumber salad to go. For entrees I had the duck which was good but again, didn't blow me away...it was perhaps a bit more cooked than I like and sat on top of this "gastrique" which tasted too buttery to go with duck and bok choy, etc...but overall good and a larger portion than I would have normally finished had the waiter not left my plate in front of me so long. My boyfriend had the gnocchi which were again, okay, a little heavy on the butter, but overall pretty good. No dessert for us (both stuffed) save the little free "white chocolate cilantro Madeline" which was really just a small bite of lemony cake with some green bits in it...sounded more interesting than it tasted and was nothing special...all in all, we enjoyed the service, atmosphere, and care that went into the food...maybe just a few more tweaks to the menu to bring the taste up to the level of the care.
Bergamot Report
Thanks, I will be sure to try the Sardines...my experience was that the entrees were better than the apps when I went there when they first opened, maybe if I ask for the fish rare (I'm not shy about raw fish) it will be more properly cooked!
Bergamot Report
I went once when it first opened and enjoyed myself though wasn't blown away...I have a groupon to use so am going again tonight but I got mixed reviews from my friend who went last night...the menu has definitely changed based on what she said (apparently slightly overcooked arctic char, bland and oily steak, with a superb chowder and only okay tomato appetizer to start) and doesn't appear to be posted, are there any newer items to definitely try or avoid? We wont be eating until after 8 so I assume the blackboard menu wont be available... Thanks!
dragged to Barking Crab, what's not awful?
I ended up getting a couple tall boys of Narragansett and nibbling some table apps of fried clams and squid...they were okay but definitely not great...some people got oyster shooter which was an oyster in the shell with a side "shot" of vodka mixed with tobasco...they didn't have shot glasses so all shots, wine and draft beer came in plastic cups. Apparently the draft beer tasted a bit funky. We were mostly just chilling and drinking so our waiter kind of left us alone, I think I'd call the service slow but we were in no rush. I ended up mooching some of my boyfriend's fish sandwich which was weird...definitely frozen, definitely not worth it, fries were nothing special either...tried some crab cake which was very bready and flavorful but not crabby whatsoever. Also there was some sort of manager who was walking around with a 10 lb lobster (on the menu for $185) and bringing it to tables for people to take pics of...pretty weird. The bill ended up being huge, the food is definitely overpriced and clearly not particularly good. I enjoyed the summery and cheerful soundtrack, the relaxed atmosphere and I'd imagine when its nicer out it would be nice to be near the water, but I think I've had my fill of the Crab for a lifetime.
dragged to Barking Crab, what's not awful?
gross, yeah i'm snobby when it comes to food but was trying to put on a good front for my non-snobby friends...the crab dip sounds terrible, thanks for all the advice!
dragged to Barking Crab, what's not awful?
Thanks guys, this is more or less what I was expecting to hear...looking at the menu, a chicken sandwich and fries is only $2 more than the onion rings, do you think that might be edible or not worth the $2?
dragged to Barking Crab, what's not awful?
okay, bottled beer, onion rings, are the sandwiches or oysters safe?
dragged to Barking Crab, what's not awful?
So another post about what to get at a subpar restaurant...anything not too pricey and not too terrible to tide me over with my beer while going solely for social purposes?
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The Barking Crab
88 Sleeper Street, Boston, MA 02210
What is edible at Tavern in the Square?
I went there once not by choice, and got the BLT which I recall being pretty decent, though kind of strange on focaccia, still pretty good.. hard to go wrong with a BLT I suppose though...that's not too heavy either so I think its a decent option
