Food4Thought's Profile
Morel season is starting!!
5/6/2012 Morels @ Russo's
$29.98 /lb. Plump, moist, large and beautiful. Perhaps the best specimens I've seen at Russo's in the past 3-4 seasons.
Buying rendered duck fat?
While the OP has already scored, just in case this topic gets searched in the future, rendered duck fat is also available at the Milton Fruit Center, in the Kinnealey Meat section. They carry D'Artagnan. I picked up a 7 oz. tub for $5 or $6. You pay for it in the meat section, not the regular check-out line.
I
Delicious fun at Scampo
Trish,
Thanks for the great report. I have also had some wonderful experiences @ Scampo, but it somehow fell off my radar. I applaud that members of your part stretched beyond their comfort zones a bit, that willingness can open up entirely new culinary worlds .
Thanks for reminding me that it's a place I must return to.
Owl Station Bar "Japanese Bistro"- Southie
Unfortunately, no curry or ramen, but a selection of Udon dishes and rice bowls are available.
Owl Station Bar "Japanese Bistro"- Southie
We went here tonight for dinner. It's the location of the former Slainte, Six House and Triple O, right across from the Broadway Red Line Station.
Overall, pretty good and I don't even have to follow that statement up with "for Southie."
When you walk in, on the right is a bar with four or so large screen TV's and on the left are about 6 high four-tops. In the rear is another dining area or "lounge" which I believe has a DJ booth, so I assume on weekends it turns more in to a bar/club area. It was a little loud dining at the high tops at the bar so next time I would opt for seating in the rear. Overall, they seem to be going for a bit of a forced chic, but that's OK.
Service was prompt and courteous. Cocktail menu had the MaiTai/ Scorpion bowl and sugary martini usuals. A moderate selection of sake's warm and cold. I selected a sake flight ( how cool is that?), but it wasn't until after I ordered that I realized that they were flavored (not so cool).
For apps we had a miso soup and Agedahsi Tofu. I'm no expert on the latter dish, but it tasted good to me. For Nigiri we had maguro, hamachi and white tuna all all were good, the rice was nicely seasoned, but some of it seemed a bit dry, a minor quibble. They were a bit on larger side, but not "gaggers" like some places which place their priority on quantity over quality.
We also had a few rolls, the Summer Maki (crab, avocado, salmon and wasabi tobiko), Spicy Tuna and a Sweet Potato Maki. The menu caters to both the nigiri/sashimi, crew, nothing far reaching, but not left wanting, as well as the kitchen sink maki abusers.
While not online or their take out menu, they have a late night menu which begins at 11:00. It consists of a mix of American bar food items ( wings, sliders, fries, etc.) and Japanese items, surprisingly including Hamachi Kama which is only featured on the late night menu, bummer.
It's nice to have a good place in the hood. Far better sushi than Teriyaki House or Pan Asia, both also on W. Broadway, but we'll have to see what happens if/when the sushi place going into the old Terrie's Place opens up.
So to sum up: Destination sushi? Probably not, but certainly worth a visit if you are nearby or live in Southie. Prices are about average for a mid-range sushi bar. Bonus: there is usually ample non-resident parking behind West Broadway on Athens St. if you choose not to take the T.
Globe Article on Seafood Substitutions.
This may be a myopic opinion that only a Hound can appreciate, but to some extent, wouldn't it make sense to refer to the fish on the menu by the scientific/ species name?
"Specius, Fishus *in Beurre Blanc sauce with capers and organic roma tomatoes with a Unicorn tear drizzle"
Astersik at the bottom of the menu: *Specius, Fishus is commonly referred to as : commonly marketed name A, commonly marketed name B and commonly marketed name C.
In the end I feel this would lend itself to a more educated consumer. As someone mentioned earlier, the scientific/ species name can be a mouthful, and I also understand that a restaurant's menu is one of it's chief marketing tools ( Wow, that sounds awesome, as opposed to WTF is Specius, Fishus?)
I expect that coastal regions may put more truck in this than than most of the country, but regionally, we have some skin in the game (economically) on this topic and there appears a concerted understanding ( at least by hounds-not that we're any better than anyone else) about consuming sustainable vs. overfished, or poorly farmed product.
Wellfleet Oyster Festival
I've been going faithfully for the past 7-8 years ( and live in Boston). This year's weather looks promising, but keep an eye on it. It is always much more crowded on Saturday than Sunday. This is the Wellfleet O-fest and they serve Wellfleet oysters exclusively (which is fine by me), just don't go expecting variety.
Lots of different food options including beer and wine. Be sure to check out their website ( http://www.wellfleetoysterfest.org/) They have done a pretty good job of ironing out the logistics over the years. It's best to park in one of the remote lots and take the shuttle/ school bus ( free).
As John mentions, there quit a few high quality craft vendors as well as folks hawking stuff like hot sauces/ jams/ dressings. Clearly I'm a bit biased, but i think it is worth the trip.
ISO Squid Ink
Yup, Las Ventas, the store next to Estragon usually carries squid ink, it comes in little packets and is usually up by the register.
Mapo tofu at Taiwan Cafe
I second Dunlop's recipe, if you are feeling lazy, I've also had pretty good results using a pre-made seasoning, Saner Brand, which I found @ Super 88 in South Bay Plaza
Saner Brand Ma Po Tofu Seasoning.
Wegmans- Buffalo area
Thank you NY Hounds. I ended up @ the Wegmans on Sheriden and it was indeed an impressive Cathedral of food. Much to my wifes chagrin, I ambled about for almost two hours and we brought a few prepared items back to the room and they were very good.
We decided on an impromptu adventure up to Niagara on the Lake so I wasn't able to fit in my whole itinerary, although we discovered, quite by accident, a great place up there called Stone Road Grill, a very nice farm to table-esque place; local cheeses, charcuterie and foie gras poutine.
I really loved Bar Bill, fantastic BOW ( w/ AuJus) and great wings...Saw an outpost of the Anchor Bar at the airport which is typically a sign of a local establishment jumping the shark so I didn't feel compelled to visit the original.
Although not on my list we did hit a Duff's because it was stumbling distance from the hotel did BOW and wings there too.
So even though I didn't get to everything on my list ( most bummed about missing Ted's) I have a great excuse for returning sooner rather than later.
Thank you all for being so helpful in guiding my Chowventure and I'd like the opportunity to do the same if anyone finds themselves in the Boston area.
Wegmans- Buffalo area
Greetings NY Hounds,
I'll be coming up from Boston for a long weekend tomorrow. As a Bostonian I am a sufferer of Wegmans Envy ( although we are supposed to be getting one in MA this October).
From what I understand not all Wegmans are created equal and I'm looking for a location that would be, for lack of a better term, a "Flagship" location.
I am willing to drive and the Wegans site says that there are 10 Wegmans within a 25 mile radius of Buffalo. Being a responsible Hound I did do a search for Wegmans which didn't yield a lot of results but someone did give the Wegmans on Sheriden in Williamsville props.
Through my research I did come up with a few stops on my Chowtinerary:
Schwabl's- BOW
Bar Bill- BOW/ Wings
Maybe Anderson's Frozen Custard ( for the custard, not the BOW)
I'm also considering a trip to Anchor Bar, I understand that it mostly caters to the tourist crowd now, but I feel a visit may be in order for, if nothing else, to pay homage.
I am Chow-agnostic and enjoy everything from a fine dining Chef's tastings to food served out of trucks and all cuisines in between. So if anything is a "must try while in Buffalo area", please let me know.
Many thanks in advance.
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Schwabl's Restaurant
789 Center Rd, Buffalo, NY 14224
Any recs. for cocktails/bar menus near Harborwalk?
And of course ther's Sullivans if you are planning on doing the South Boston-Castle Island / Pleasure Bay section.
Down home Soul food....
3rd Mrs. Jones. As far as chicken goes ( unless there has been a recent change) I think she only does whole fried chicken wings. That being said, they are very good.
This thread has me lamenting for Poppa B's, which I did not get to frequent as much as I would have liked since being introduced to the establishment.
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Poppa B's
1100 Blue Hill Ave, Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Pretzel Rolls
South end Formaggio Kitchen has some that are very good, unfortunately I don't know where they get them from.
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Formaggio Kitchen
244 Huron Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Friday night dinner near South Station
Les Zygomates a wine bar/ "bistro" has a bar menu with some small plates as well as appetizers, a two block walk from south station.
http://www.winebar.com/
Happy Thanksgiving Fellow Hounds!
See, even vegetarians make an exception for bacon (in one form or another) ;)
weeknight dinner in Seaport Area
M+C is a good call, but not in the Seaport District if that really matters. It's in a the South End, probably about a $15.00 cab ride (cabs are expensive in Boston).
Martignetti's on Soldier's Field: Old Monk $14.50 and anyone ever try Sangsom? 2009 Bordeaux
I'm pretty sure Montien has been featuring Sang Som lately with a variety of Sang Som cocktails.
Liberty Bell South Boston ( Not a best roast beef thread)
I've been meaning to try Rondo's for years, sadly they are closed by the time I get home from work and around to eating.
I recall Slim's piece and I would agree on all fronts, LB actually has one of the better Pizza's in Southie in my opinion.
Liberty Bell South Boston ( Not a best roast beef thread)
Living in Southie, Liberty Bell is pretty convenient and I've been going there for a while. I've always considered it quite a cut above of the usual crap available in Southie, but last night we had a pretty disappointing experience.
The Roast beef sandwiches, slaw, poppers and mozz six seemed really sub par compared to past visits. Granted, the mozz six and poppers are most likely Sysco or quasi-Sysco sourced so that always going to be hit or miss, but I've always really enjoyed the RB and slaw.
Anyone else seem to notice a difference in quality lately of just an off night?
224 Boston St
Great to hear. Living in Southie, it was a "go to" place, but over the past 2 or years or so the service and quality seemed to have waned. Looks like it's time for a revisit.
Frozen Mudslides?
As long as ambiance is not high on your list, the Mudslides @ Red Hat are pretty tasty and strong. Made old school with the ingredients that steve999 mentions and none of that Island Oasis type dreck
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Red Hat Cafe
9 Bowdoin St Ste 1, Boston, MA 02114
Where to get good deli franks
Those are very tasty, picked some up last weekend for the first time and non-kosher, pork casing.
Bitters / Mixers / Sodas
Haven't been yet (but dying to go) you can try the relatively new Boston Shaker. http://www.thebostonshaker.com/
69 Holland Street
Somerville, MA 02144
617-718-2999
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The Boston Shaker
69 Holland Street, Somerville, MA
Martha's Vineyard - Birthday Cake, Take-Out Seafood, and More
It would be helpful to know what town you are staying in, unless you don't mind trucking all over the island.
For the birthday cake, I can highly recommend Leslie Hewson of Mediterranean (http://www.med-mv.com/) with enough notice she can probably make you just about anything. She made my wedding cakes ( white w/ raspberry filling and chocolate w/ chocolate ganache). It probably won't be cheap, but it will make for a very memorable 40th and that's tough to put a price on.
Sorry I can't really weigh in on any of your other requests.
Huevos Rancheros
This dish isn't my cup of tea, but the wife is a fan and she likes the HR @ Masa in the SE. She feels the HR @ Franklin Southie is hit or miss
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Masa
439 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116
Franklin Southie
152 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02127
Harvard Square today
Hey Peg,
I'm pretty sure the dish your DC had was the "Pit Master" and features pork belly and not "bacon" so I could certainly see a somewhat off-putting experience if your DC was expecting traditional bacon in that scramble mash-up.
All in all, sounds like you had a wonderful day.
South Kitchen & Wine Bar Space
Saw a sign up today while passing by. Stats Sports Bar and Grill...cuz there's not enough of that in Southie. Ugh. Couldn't find anything else about it on the interwebs.
