Zabelle's Profile
8/09 Gran Gusto: An Inflexible "No" Kitchen
It is an excellent thing that they have not complied and compromised; they are actually doing people a favor by trying to serve authentic dishes from the region they represent.
I would agree that they should consider to 'adjust' dishes if there are dietary restrictions or religious restrains; but they shouldnt change a thing if this is because you feel that a certain ingredient goes well with something - if that's so stay home and cook it as you please.
Consider this a favor to this city's dining scene and praise them for trying very hard even when faced with sticky situations like these.
Restaurants are part of the hospitality industry not merely the service industry : that doesn't mean they should compromise their ideas & beliefs just because stocks have gone down. If you do not like it, dont go : I doubt they ran after you and try to change your mind once you went out the door.
Advice for gift certificate $ 150
Hi, I live in Boston and want to send a gift certificate to my brother in Chicago. Can somebody suggest a good, romantic restaurant for a couple, italian or french. Plan to spend 150 dollars for both.
Thank you very much,
Best North End coffee/pastry? Not Pompeii's!
Graffiti makes the real espressos and machiatos - havent tried capucino there.
The new place with a lot of gelato (maybe gelateria italiana) makes good espressos as well.
Sage delighted
I would like to possibly have the chance and get in the new space : I have tried 2 times and both of those times I have been ignored by the bartenders (once you get in the door) or whoever plays the host. Granted both times I have been in around 11 pm (no I dont do it on purpose :-)), but considering that they claim the kitchen to be open till 12 I would think that they at least tried to be nice and welcoming : especially now with a bigger space and trying to get into the SE scene !
I truly think that in Boston there is a major lack of understanding of the industry these ventures belong too : it is about hospitality and this is precisely what they dont provide !
Owners need to rethink staff or change hours of operation ... and mean it !
RW: Why don't some of Boston's best participate???
... a truly honest & right on opinion !
Petit Robert Bistro South End Tonight
Bistros are casual, neighbourhood places. PRB is one of the few of its kinds and it been able to keep tp its true image (good food at reasonable prices) then friendly , casual service should do it.
I would prefer the auctioning off of the dishes versus paying unreasonably at other 'bistros' justified by white linen & iron-faced servers.
Antico Forno - bad food, great pizza
I'm surprised the piza is considered one of the best pizzas in Boston, especially by proclaimed Italian food connoisseurs. It is good pizza but definitely not Emma's pizza for instance.
I was at Antico Forno 2 weeks ago or so and had an excellent Caprese salad as well as tried out 2 pizzas. They try for the best but it doesnt hit the mark I think. It is definitely not authentic pizza. It is a pizza to settle for once you realize that you cant get better maybe...
Just curious Wax... was Antico Forno the place chosen for your occasion :) ?
Good Coffee shops
Cafe L'Aroma in Newbury st... accross from New England Financial. Used to be called Torrefazione Italia. Depending by who is at the counter cappucino & espresso taste may vary unfortunately. Generally nice though and cute ambiance.
Anniversary dinner on a budget
Just confirming... are you excluding drinks for that price point because 3 course meal for 2 people & wine may be a bit unrealistic... And it would be just pitiful not to make a toast for the occasion...
Is it ever okay to be moved in the middle of a meal?
It is completely wrong to move anyone in the middle of the meal but you shouldnt take it for granted that all people who dine out understand that seating people follows a certain plan. People will refuse to sit next to other people, even though the place may be small; a table of 2 will ask for a big table (for 4 or more) if they see one; not everyone is reasonable. People will try the weirdest excuses to get what they want, even when dining out for pleasure.
If you have issues being next to other people, dont go into small restaurants on Fridays or Saturdays go to big chains that can actually afford to accomodate one's wildest dreams of sitting in restaurants.
Caffe Umbra appears to be closing...
The next day after reading the 'news' here I came accross an article published in a month of Dec. 'X' magazine that talked a great deal about Umbra & the chef. Extremely detailed article and definitely no clues about any indication of the aforementioned rumor.
:shrug:
Antico Forno
Quick update for my recent visit here. Went over on a Sunday night (not tonight :)) and I should definitely mention that it was one of the very few restaurants in the NE that was on a busy steady mode that night. That is a great indicator as everything else (walking thru the streets) seemed completely empty.
Had an excellent caprese salad - even though the mozzarella was decribed as mozzarella di Buffala it certainly wasnt, but extremely tasty nonetheless.
I had the Vesuvio pizza whereas SO had a margerita with arugula and shaved parmigiano on top. Extremely fresh ingredients and tasty dough - however, still not the crust results I expected.
Didnt try any of the entress as went in for pizza & birra - but glad to see they had traffic that night.
Dinner in Newport RI
Pasta Bar is fantastic, not just good. I drive from Boston to just get the real 'Italian' pizza there. They must be closed now though... (from what I was told when I checked last time I was there in late Sep).
Baklava
... the only issue however, will be that it is not real baklava if the fillo dough is bought and not made from scratch.
To make the real one (usually involves around 50-75 see-thru fillos) is a whole day process. If you know what the real kind tastes, you'll find it hard to feel satisfied anywhere you go.
Dont mean to put down the aforementioned places but baklava is usually made for very very important & meaningful occasions (Christmas, New Year, Birthday) because you really need a day off of rest upon completion.
When I see it being sold anywhere I fall into a disbelief mode right away :shrug:
Restaurant Week Reviews (Radius)
Just wanted to add that RW are usually held during very slow months; August this year and mid September last year.
For ilustration purposes only, I recently received an email from a restaurant mailing (it has been in business for more than 10 years and that everytime I go seems pretty full to me) which openly stated that since August is a very slow month they were offering a dinner entree for free for anyone that would buy a bottle of wine.
I feel RW is a quantitative rather than a qualitative attempt/alternative to pay the bills of opeating costs for these months.
