maxinboston's Profile
Looking for best bahn mi in greater Boston
MC- I'm 99% sure they get daily deliveries. I've walked by early in the morning and seen them opening up shop with a bunch of brown paper bags full of loaves out on the counters.
Why No Hound Raves for The Salty Pig?
Good option in the neighborhood and might hit up the patio more often in nicer weather, but not a huge destination spot. Menu/concept/dining experience it occupies the same space as Coppa, although, in my opinion, a couple dollars cheaper for a significant drop in food quality. ES alum runs the FOH and keeps the beer/cordials/wine selection on point. I don't know who's running the kitchen, but have been twice and was not disappointed or overwhelmed. Only charcuterie item made in-house was Chicken Liver Mousse, came in a small quenelle. Definitely not doing anything under the table, all items on the charcuterie side have an origin/source listed. Had a decent pizza and the accompaniments to charcuterie -- pickles, mustard, etc -- were satisfactory.
Honestly, love the design of the menu, just would like to see a little more execution from the kitchen. There seems to be very little they pick up to order-- which would lead you to believe the few things they do cook would be done with a lot of care. I want to love this place but believe they could try a little harder in the back.
Chinatown Bakeries: Best Pineapple Bun
Thanks for the clarification guys! I assume they are just dumbing it down/oversimplifying for patrons who are less familiar with Chinese pastry, but when they have the English names written out (like on the door of the steamer case in Bao Bao) they do refer to them as pineapple buns with ____ filling. But good to know the truth!
What do you call the oblong baked pastries that are often filled with custard or coconut cream? Crueller-shaped, almost. Those are dope at Hing Sing.
Chinatown Bakeries: Best Pineapple Bun
Yeah... Eldo was pretty dry and crumbly in a bad way (as opposed to crumbly in a buttery delicious way), with all the filing congealed in a small sphere in the middle. Clearly keep them at room temp as opposed to in the steamer at Bao Bao, who's are a little smaller but have a nice warm filling spread through the entire soft bao. Hing Shing is pretty on point too.
Chinatown Bakeries: Best Pineapple Bun
Last week it was jin dui, this week pineapple buns. Chinatown bakeries may be the best kept secret in town for cheap, fast + delicious (sweet or savory).
Red bean is my favorite filling, and I'm pretty stuck on Bao Bao and Eldo right now. What are your favorite spots for pineapple buns?
Jin dui/Sesame balls in Chinatown
Anyone have recommendations for the best jin dui/sesame balls in Chinatown? I'm talking about the small balls of rice flour, coated in sesame seeds and filled with bean or lotus paste. Addictive and delicious. Looking for restaurant or bakery rec's. Thanks!
TASTY BURGER - Davis Square
Yeah, I'm guessing it will just be in the garage somewhere. Which is cool, because I never found the appeal to Flat Patties that some other hounds have.
What is the superlative taco and where to find it in the Boston area?
Kenji is usually as on-point as MC, but I got to disagree with him (or whoever from SE put this together) here. Amigo and Jalisco are the best around. And I think the best in a slightly more upscale setting is probably Lone Star. Beats La Verdad, in my opinion.
That being said, you'll probably still find me and my friends at La Verdad on a Tuesday, cuz, hey, they're only a dollar.
Getting so bored -- new ideas welcome
Second East by North East, Muqeuca, Bergamot, Casa B with mixing things up in mind. Amazing spots, all of em.
February 2012 Openings and Closings
Technically January, but Deep Ellum's new taco spot, Lone Star Taco Bar, opened last night.
Lord Hobo: Any changes since new chef?
I've enjoyed various bar snacks there and have found the quality of the food increasing steadily in the last 6 months. That being said, I do find their offerings more appropriate for colder weather. The popular Polenta Fries are delicious and solve the fry problem people were citing a few months ago.
On Sunday they posted something on Facebook about a new menu, and there website is currenlty "under construction." Seems changes are afoot.
TASTY BURGER - Davis Square
Earlier tonight, Chowder reported that Tasty Burger would be opening a second location in Davis Square: http://blogs.bostonmagazine.com/chowder/2011/12/07/tasty-burger-to-bring-second-location-and-booze-to-davis-square/#more-6258.
Anyone have more details or guesses as to what space it will go into? Maybe the old Pulse Cafe spot or something down towards Downtown and Rosebud? With this and Brick & Mortar's imminent opening, I don't know if I'll ever cross the river again...
Best Burr Grinders
Hi-
I'm looking to buy a burr grinder for my coffee beans. I've used a roommate's Breville in the past and enjoyed great coffee, but, unfortunately, am no longer living with the owner of said machine. I was wondering what everyone else's top choice for grinder was. I am thinking about dishing out $100 for another Breville but was wondering if there are any cheaper options people think achieve the same quality.
Thanks!
Garden at the Cellar POST-Gilson
Thanks Carrie!
I know Chef Arms was sous'ing at Garden before he took over, and my comment didn't mean to reflect a lack of confidence in him- I was just said to see Gilson go and have been busy since! I was prompted to post because I looked at the new menu and did a little reading online and liked the changes I saw! Hearing what you have to say only reinforces that (Clear Flour can do no wrong) and I'll make sure to drop by soon. Thanks for the info.
Garden at the Cellar POST-Gilson
Has anyone been into the Garden at the Cellar this fall? I was bummed when I heard Chef Gilson was leaving- Garden is one of my favorite spots in town, and I ate there as much as I could before he took off. I've been out of town frequently since, and relocated to Davis Square so I haven't been able to make it back. I'm a little embarrassed to admit I sort of wrote it off when Will left, or at least moved it to the back burner. I just checked out Chef Arms' new menu and, while it is barely changed, it looks great and has me wanting to go back. Has anyone been since he took over?
Will Gilson leaving Garden at the Cellar
Just saw the news online. Does anyone know exactly when his last day is? Garden was one of my favorites so this is tough to hear, but I'm sure he'll leave things in good hands.
El Pelon - Tomorrow?
Can anyone confirm that El Pelon is opening on schedule tomorrow, March 15 (as hiddenboston reported in February). Thanks!
NYC for 4, 1 Night
Hey all-
Visiting my little sister who's currently studying in NYC for the semester. Four of us are going out to dinner on Saturday night and we all love food but are not too familiar with the NYC scene (stay mostly in Boston...). My sister is not a huge fan of Asian, and loves Italian with a penchant for French/Americanish also. Price is not really an object, but ability to get 4 in at some point this Saturday is (it's late, I know, I know). Any help would be much appreciated!
February 2010 Openings and Closings
Olecito Brookline now has pink paper covering the windows and door. Not a particularly exciting development, but a development...
Taqueria Jalisco - serve alcohol?
No alcohol but it is BYOB with a large liquor store across the street. Pick up a six pack of Dos Equis Amber and get a taco plate, Jalisco can't be beat.
Best Sandwiches in Boston
Pesto Chicken on Focaccia at Dave's Fresh Pasta. Anything at Dave's. Come hungry.
Jalisco
Is Jalisco open on Tuesdays or not? Yelp says yes but I seem to remember being out that way this summer on a Tuesday and being disappointed/surprised to find them closed.
Terrible Empanada Experience La Mamma Allston
Points against La Momma: I could easily see this happening there. It seems like an inconsistent place, to say the least.
Points for: I have only been there twice, but both times I've had a great quesadilla. It was served in a small pizza box, and was about half the size of a small pizza. Flaky and soft tortilla with the perfect amount of browning and crunch. Good refried beans on the inside and a small plastic cup of fresh pico de gallo were selling points.
I love my mexican (Jalisco and Lupita, whatup) and this is certainly not on the regular rotation. That being said, these were good quesadillas. Worth a try.
Chinese and Japanese in/around Davis Square
Just relocated from Brookline to Davis Square area. Looking for the best (upscale and cheap) Chinese and Japanese food around this part of Somerville/Medford. Thanks!
Spring 2008 openings and closings
Close. It's brothers... different ownership, same family. Friendly competition (Spa rocks).
