missykins's Profile
Metro West - is it really as hopeless as I think?
Thanks winedude. Any thoughts on Allora v. Tomasso?
I was considering Davio's in Foxboro but wasn't sure if it was worth the drive, maybe we'll consider that instead.
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Davio's
75 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116
Metro West - is it really as hopeless as I think?
Hi all,
I've scoured the boards and am getting pretty depressed about the reality of my dining options in Metro West. Just moved to Hopkinton a couple of months ago and have been doing well with entertaining at home and dinners after work in Boston for real restaurant fixes but am I really stuck with Tavolino in Westboro as my tastiest restaurant?
We're looking for a Boston-caliber new American, Italian, bistro french restaurant within a 20 minute drive (Wellesley is too far0 and what I've read of Tomasso, Allora and the Patriot Place restos are mixed at best.
Any recent diners at any of these that would say they're genuinely good and not just "good for the area"? We had a neighborhood gem - Bistro 5 - when we lived in West Medford and am still holding out hope for the same.
My faves in Boston have been Butcher Shop, Troquet, B & G, Mamma Maria, Hammersley's.
Thanks everyone!
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Troquet
140 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
Bistro 5
5 Playstead Road, Medford, MA 02155
Mamma Maria Restaurant
3 North Sq, Boston, MA 02113
Tavolino
274 Patriot Place, Foxborough, MA 02035
Group Dining in Brookline
Hi all,
After searching the board and doing additional research I think I need more advice about a rehearsal dinner for 35 people. Our wedding is at Veronique in Brookline so we're hoping to do something nearby for the rehearsal dinner on a Thursday night in November.
I have these ideas so far:
Petit Robert
Washington Square Tavern
Audubon Circle
La Morra
Dalia's Bistro & Wine Bar
Although there are great options for lots of cuisines in that area, we're looking for American/Italian or "non-ethnic" to suit most of the guests' palates. We'd also like to keep it to less than $75pp.
Anyone have any thoughts about these options or can suggest others?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Sabritas Japoneses
Has anyone seen these around Boston? Does anyone frequent Mexican supermarkets that might have them? I'm desperate for them and can only find them for $2.99 a bag online and don't want to wait or pay for shipping.
Thanks!
Pastalina's Medford- Don't Miss Out on this GEM!
I just moved to West Medford from Southie and am looking forward to finding places in the neighborhood. We tried Bistro 5 on Friday and loved it. We'll have to give Pastalina a try as well. Rosie17 is Moulton's in the same area?
Hungry Mother - meh.
We had dinner last night after some review of the posts here and word of mouth. They sat us right away for our 7:30 reservation, but in the upstairs dining room in a corner facing a blank black and white wall.
The menu was unimpressive, catfish, bluefish, steak and chicken as entrees. The Ball jar drinking glasses and tumblers as light fixtures didn't match up with the prices. In the main dining room there was no decor, DC referred to it as "sterile" - odd when it seemed like they were trying for "homey" with their menu.
DC ordered the roast chicken. It was roast chicken. I had the bluefish which was tasty but nothing to write home about. The service was pleasant but completely overdone - I don't like to feel like I have a literal servant as my waiter.
Nothing about the space, food or vibe was as special as they seemed to think. Perhaps they are still trying to find their identity since they just opened in March??
Maxwell's 148
Went to dinner tonight with two DC's, had the Pho Max soup and Tuna Tataki as apps. Both were OK For entrees, we had Lobster Pad Thai, Chicken Paillard and Laquered Duck Breast - good chunks of lobster meat in the pad thai, moist chicken and OK duck. My main issue is the price points for such a confused menu. We clarified with the server that the cuisine is "South Asian w/ Northern Italian" - huh??? All of our entrees were just OK - the accompaniment with the duck breast was Chinese take-out quality. I passed one of the chef's on the way back from the restroom, he asked how the meal was and I said "Eh, it was OK". The maitre'd came over moments later and asked for specifics - the problem was, it just wasn't that good - nothing specific to note actually - everything was cooked properly, etc., we just didn't like it. To me, this is kind of the worst case scenario - it's not like they could have hired new servers or redecorated - their basic vision for the restaurant is just . . . off.
Il Capriccio - I don't get the hype
I know, I was suprised myself! I forgot to mention the creme brulee! The custard was literally vanilla pudding with a carmelized sugar crust. I don't know how the screwed it up so badly - overcooked, undercooked, underchilled? Regardless, the texture was completely wrong.
I live in Southie and went out there because it was close to a friends house, I have to say there is no desire to go back - too many other great places to eat that get it right (or at least closer to right) the first time.
MC Slim - I tried for La Campania but no availability, I'll go for that next time I'm out that way.
Il Capriccio - I don't get the hype
Lots of postings about this place being great and the food being some of the best (if not the best) Italian in Metro-West. Four of us went on Saturday night and it was a joke of a meal. I had a mushroom souffle that was tasty but not too well presented - looked like burned mush within burned cheese. We also ordered the short ribs over gnocchi that was - in flavor and texture like beef stew - not very good beef stew. I had a rabbit canelloni that was dry and the canelloni was like a wonton wrapper, not a pasta. Dad had a slop of lasagna that he said was "meh". Service was mediocre, she seemed a little annoyed and put upon when we asked if she could try for a corner piece of lasagna. I have no clue how this place has ever received such good reviews. Anyone else have a similar experience?
Recommendations for caterer
I am helping a friend decide on a caterer and we checked out Baker's Best last night. I have to say - extremely disappointing. They recommended chicken teriyaki w/ honey mustard sauce. For a wedding. At the Commandant's House. A budget was not specified so I'm at a loss for why they would offer this "where were you in '92" option. To top if off, the chicken was dry.
Back Bay/Copley Square
I think Parrish fits the bill for the OP - it's certainly reasonable, and it has a "taste" of the chefs around town - if only from the sandwich perspective. I know Paparazzi is not as houndish as can be - but I always have a good meal there.
Anyone been to Marco yet for RW?
OK, went last night - had the gorgonzola stuffed figs w/ prosciutto, grilled salmon w/ avocado, cucumber & radish salad and the bread pudding. Two of my DC's had the same app and one had the zucchini blossoms. Of the figs and zucchini, I liked the zucchini better although both were very good. Two had the truffle & mushroom risotto and were not pleased, the other had the ravioli and "liked" it, my salmon was perfect although not a whole lot to eat. The risotto was cooked improperly or something - no creamy consistency, looked like regular, long grain rice, very strange.
The bread pudding dessert was very good as well.
I was happy enough to try it again during non-RW.
Anyone been to Marco yet for RW?
No, but I'm going at 6p tonight and will post back.
Boston Seafood
Just had a perfect evening at B & G last night - oysters, fried goat cheese salad, the Italian stew and DC had the soft shell crab special w/ cabbage and gazpacho - delicious.
30th Birthday Gift for a Man Who Loves to Cook - Le Creuset?
Thank you everyone! I like the saucier & grill pan idea, but now I think I'm considering the 5Q oval dutch oven - in FLAME murray6789, I think he'd love the big & orange idea! I think he'd do well with that for sauce and braising, etc. Although the saucier & grill pan are good ideas too . . . Williams Sonoma claims the best price, but since I don't have time to order online am I a complete sucker to buy it there?
30th Birthday Gift for a Man Who Loves to Cook - Le Creuset?
What piece of Le Creuset would you think would be a good birthday gift - I don't know much about his kitchen, but assuming that he has some already - which is a piece that anyone would love to have?
Paella-any recommendations?
Was that a special or is that on the regular menu that I somehow missed (although I haven't been in 2 years!)?
How Are the Steak Tips at the Quiet Man in Southie?
I've only HEARD about them, I can't get past the feeling that the jukebox would scratch to a halt and all eyes would turn and wonder why the hell I was there when I walked in with my "yuppie" friends. I always want to go in there when I'm waiting for the #11, but just feel that it's inhospitable.
But, from what I've HEARD, they are deeelicious.
NuVu (former Gusto) Roslindale
LOL - that sounds like the same night I had!!
I'm not familiar with that area and didn't know Gusto but the rest of my group was. We had the duck spring rolls and beet/goat cheese salad. We all liked both, loved the bread and basil spread - enough to ask the kitchen what it was: chick peas, basil, sun-dried tomatoes.
It was kind of the consensus that the atmosphere was pretty off - 8:30p on a Friday night. The open kitchen where you only see the oven hoods, the "wine bar" on the other side of that weird banquet area . . . I don't get it. But I did like the food, if I am in that area again I would try an entree.
North Haven CT - eats and drinks?
Lenny's is probably 20 minutes (I-91 South to I-95 North from North Haven) and would recommend going there if you're in the mood for lobsters. Rusty Scupper is about 15 minutes (I-91 South to I-95 South) - you'd probably pass it on your way up from PA.
Why no Chocolate-Vanilla combo ice cream flavor?
I remember that - Hood made it and I think Friendly's. They don't have it anymore?
North Haven CT - eats and drinks?
Yes, are you willing to go to New Haven - which is the next town from Hamden? You have tons of choices there whereas North Haven and Hamden are a bit more limited.
Late Night - Mamoun's on Howe Street in New Haven is my late night favorite.
Sushi - Akasaka on Whalley Ave in New Haven is very close off the Merritt Pkwy from Hamden - one of my all time favorite sushi places - they use the white/tiger nori that I have yet to find anywhere else.
Lobster Rolls - I'm thinking maybe Rusty Scupper on Long Wharf Drive or if you go even another 10 minutes East on I-95 there is Lenny's Indian Head - lobster rolls, steamed lobsters, steamers, fried clams, etc. with a small deck on the back.
Drinks - Many many places in New Haven but if you are still in North Haven/Hamden - Eli's on Whitney on Whitney Avenue might be a good stop - it's technically Hamden, but right along the No Haven line.
And goodbyeohio made a good call w/ the Pantry - it might be a little harder to find w/ a wait though.
Really good Italian Dinner out with 13 year old?
What about Maurizio's, she might get a kick out of the cellar room and I think the menu is varied enough - I LOVE the eggplant rollitini there.
Dessert and meal ordering
I don't think it's a bad idea at all. My dad, only 1/2 jokingly, says "FIRST, what do you have for dessert ???" when the server comes over. I think he uses it to also gauge how well they might prepare certain things. LOL - like some people go right to the restroom to determine cleanliness - he goes to the dessert to determine food quality.
Lovely dinner last night at B&G with my 6-year-old
LOL - what did Rebecca not love about the chowder? Did she comment on the consistency and clam:potato ratio? That's adorable!
authentic italian in Newton
Yeah, it's either a bad service policy or there is something "wrong" with their tap water - in which case, should you be eating the food there?
I don't know where the no cheese on seafood thing comes from but I like my zuppe di pesce covered in grated cheese. Within reason, you shouldn't really be "refused" anything when you're paying THEM, right? If they physically didn't HAVE cheese on the premises, then fine!
good old school Italian in New Haven CT area?
Tre Scalini is a great choice - not to worry. IIRC the creme brulee is UNbelievable there.
"Real" parmesan vs. the green can: A shameful admission [moved from Home Cooking]
Hmm, I agree with eating it in chunks but grating it over pasta, I think doesn't do too much for either the cheese or the pasta dish. I guess it's a reason to make pasta and try both!!
