guineverek's Profile
What were your last three cookbook purchases...part 3 [Old]
We're havin' a heat wave: so I bought an ice cream maker and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home. Haven't made any of her recipes yet, but I've used some of her favoring ideas with a simpler and more basic Williams Sonoma base recipe. But hoping to take on one of her recipes this weekend!
South Shore Updates?
FYI I noticed that there is a Riva pizza going into the old Subway location ( behind the former Clarion hotel) in Hull. Looking forward to trying it out!
South Shore Updates?
Love Hola in Mansfield - owned by the former Saporitos folks. Beer works at the Shipyard in Hingham fits a needed niche on the South Shore. I like the beer and the burgers and had the largest order of bbq'd steak tips the other night which I got 3 meals out of and which I ordered medium rare and they were! Jammed on a Saturday though. Typhoon also in the Shipyard I found overpriced and very average. Lots of overwrought presentation too. Still love Bridgemans - would add that to any rotation.
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Bridgemans Restaurant
145 Nantasket Ave, Hull, MA 02045
November Farmers' Markets, CSAs, Farmstands and winter plans
The Hingham market is open through tomorrow, the Sat before Thanksgiving. Fewer vendors but still worth the trip. They are also having a holiday market on 12/11 at Derby Academy in Hingham.
D'Guru Indian review
I found d'guru last week. Smelled absolutely amazing but wasn't so hungry. I had a side of the zucchini with tomatoes and onions and it was nicely spiced. I went back today for the full meal - salmon curry with potatoes/cauliflower side (aloo something I think). Just delish but I was parched and oversalted feeling within an hour. I will go back and try the other dishes but will skip the bread which was too white flour and greasy. Even if not perfect (and make no mistake it was all very tasty) what a refreshing change from the mindnumbing wraps and soups of the financial district!
Best Mac & Cheese
Add another vote for the lobster mac 'n cheese at the Fat Cat in Quincy -- although I get it without the tomatoes, they take away from it somewhat.
A few days in Hanover, NH!
Plate, is Three Tomatoes what used to be Sweet Tomatoes? If so, it was decent Italian, not spectacular but fresh and well-made, and onw of the better moderately prices places, when I used to live in the area.
Simon Pearce is oneof my favorites, but I'd got for lunch, to get a better bargain.
There used to be a wonderful place in Strafford called Stone Soup. Does anyone know if it is still in existence?
Wasiks, Mezze Mare, Hyatt Cambridge
I live in Hull and have yet to try Mezzo Mare. Your review isn't encouraging me to step through the doors, but I do know some folks have supposedly had good meals there. Anyone else with a experience to relate?
Coco Bongo, Ridgefield, CT
My sister lives in Redding and has been there twice, and always loves it. I'm hoping that when I go spend the 4th with them i'll finally get my chance to try it out!
Best ice cream in Maine
Round Top fan here. More flavors than you can get through, big servings, low prices, great ice cream! In the fall, their pumpkin or indian pudding flavors are not to be missed. They close by Columbus Day.
How Is the Coveside Restaurant in Christmas Cove, ME?
My favorite places down the Bristol Peninsula are The Contented Sole for dinner (in New Harbor, on Pemaquid Harbor, past the Fort), and the Cupboard for breakfast or lunch.
I also enjoy the Anchor Inn in Round Pond, although I prefer the RP Lobster Pound right below it.
Haven't been to the Bradley Inn in years, so can't tell you what's up with it now. The Samoset has re-opened, and it seems busy, but have not been in or heard much about the food.
in Damariscotta -- I really miss Backstreet Landing, which was just the right combo of good food and lovely atmosphere. The new place (name I cannot recall) just isn't the same. King Eiders is fine, fun, good food, but always busy and I'm never patient enough to wait.
Best Chinese on the South shore??
Mandarin King or Feng Shui for me.
And chow family, I eat at/from PunjabCafe several times a month. I love them!
tastiest, prettiest, most affordable cake in Boston?
I love all the cakes at Konditor Meister in Braintree -- although the black forest is one of my favorites of all time. The smallest layer cake you can get is 8inch, but its HUGE, and at $24 it a delish bargain. Have it decorated with their chocolate dipped strawberries. YUM.
favorite Maine lobster roll spots?
I love Reds, but hate the lines. For a better bargain head down Route 27 towards Boothbay Harbor and stop at Phil the Bakers. Great lobstah rolls, full and grilled in a buttered roll, great seafood chowdah, and the best key lime pie evah. It isn't fancy, the menu isn't large, and Phil doesn't deal well with substitutions or changing things around. But who cares, you're there for the roll and it is terrific.
Craving: Best burger on the South Shore?
I had a good burger at the Fat Cat today for lunch. A tad overdone, and I don't like this trend of big square bread with burgers. All the good stuff gets squished out! The fries were ok -- they mixed steak fries with french fries, and I've never been a fan of the steak variety -- but they had a nice potato-ey flavor. All-in-all, about the same as Stars. I was looking for something a little better.
Will have to try Burtons, I haven't made it over there yet!
Craving: Best burger on the South Shore?
Quincy- Duxbury somewhere on the 3A corridor. It would be good if they had terrific, crispy fries with it as well.
Recommendations?
Favorite kid-friendly restaurant?
Stars on Hingham Harbor -- right on 3A. The kiddest friendliest place I've ever been, and the food is good too, with something to please everyone.
If It's a nice day, keep on driving down 3A and head over to Hull for a walk on the beach. The carousel has just re-opened for weekends, too!
Driving from Boston to Camden, ME...
I've never been to the Hilltop, so I can't comment. You have about a 4-hour trip from Boston to Camden -- depending on when you're going (time of year/day). Do you plan to eat in MA/Boston before you head North? If you can make it to Portland, one of the best restaurants in New England is Fore Street Restaurant -- so worth a stop. Another great restaurant is Le Garage in Wiscasset -- about an hour above Portland on Rte. 1.
On the way back for lunch, if I had the time I might stop at Reds Eats in Wiscasset, just over the bridge, for a lobster roll (ask for the butter). You'll wait in line, but its always a friendly group and worth the experience. If you'd prefer to sit and be waited on (but you may still wait for a seat), Sarah's also in Wiscasset is a family fave. Great soup and bread bar, really good pizzas, calzones, sandwiches, and pies to die for.
Starving on South Shore
Square Cafe in Hingham has become one of my favorites. As noted, it has Asian-inspired food, and they offer fabulous appetizers, "small plates," as well as full dinners. I can never decide what to have -- although their calamari with mango and cashews is exceptional!
I also love Bridgemans, great italian, lovely setting, a pretty place to hang out. I'm an old Saporitos fan. The food is very good, but I don't think its what it used to be.
Altantica/Old Salt - go for the view, don't expect much from the food, other than the salads which are very good. It's only a step above bar food. Still, there isn't any other place I'd rather go ona gorgeous summer afternoon/evening. And be prepared to wait to sit at Old Salt.
I agree on the recommendations for Feng Sui -- only place around here (other than Quincy) where the sushi is actually good. If you want to drive to Quincy Fuji 1541 is also terrific.
For breakfast I love Toast in Hull, and Stars on Hingham Harbor. I don't care for the Snug although I know people who rave.
I think Upper Crust is only so/so. The best pizza around is from Weinberg's bakery in Hull, but only on Friday and Saturday nights. Otherwise, go to Cohasset Pizza House if you like think crust/NY style pies. Crow Point is also very good for greek style pizza, and I love their greek salads.
Craving good pesto
It's very easy to make yourself, and you can control the amount of cheese, garlic, buts or anything else until you find what's perfect for you!
Fish Market in the South Shore
How does Mullaney's and Rockyneck differ from Whole Foods in terms of price and selection?
I think the Fruit Center fish is awful and overpriced, and Jake's is just overpriced for what it is.
Recent Experience at Saporito's in Hull
I was in the restaurant last week, the first time in about 2 years and only my second visit since the change of ownership. My feeling was exactly the same as the last visit - the food is still very good, but its not the same as when Marianne owned it.
I had a lovely cream of asparagus soup topped with crab salad. I asked specifically if the soup was hot and told yes. When it was served it was lukewarm at best. Flavor good, presentation nice, but not being at the right temperature was too bad.
In contrast the eggplant rollatini was scalding hot and still bubbling when it came to the table. It was only fine -- nothing spectacular.
My friend had the fried squash blossoms which were also just OK, and then a roasted salmon which was delicious, but also not quite warm enough.
We skipped dessert and ordered cappucino. Again, following the theme, barely warm. I know we should have sent them back, but by then the still uncomfortable bench seats were getting to us and we were ready to go.
These days for a good meal around Hull (where I live), I think I prefer Bridgemans in Hull or Square Cafe in Hingham. It's too bad, I adored "Saps" and I'll still go occasionally, but it won't be my first choice any more.
"Fat Cat"/Quincy?
Finally stopped by yesterday afternoon. It was so jammed at 3:30 we got take out: Lobster Mac n Cheese, Hot Wings, Caesar salad.
The lobster mnc was definitely full of lobstah, but it was waaaaay over salted (and I love savory foods). Also, b/c it was take out there were no crispy panko crumbs. Finally, the baked tomatoes on top tasted bad. Overall, I was disappointed. I won't order it again.
The Hot wings were not all that hot -- and I asked before I ordered them. Tasty, but not even lip tingling. Next time I'd go for XXX.
The salad was fine, dressing a bit over-mayonnaisey.
Still, I'd try it again because the menu offers good comfort food, I'd like to try their beer/wine selection, and the place has a good feel.
Humboldt Fog - where in Greater Boston?
I buy my Humboldt Fog at WF at Derby Street in Hingham for any South Shore Hounds who enjoy it. It's under glass, not in plastic, cut to order, and always fabulous!
Best Indian resto's in Boston (for musicman and others)
Rani in Coolidge Corner.
I also really enjoy Punjab Cafe in Quincy, small, simple, great people who run the place. The Sat/Sun buffet is always busy.
