Bugsey34's Profile
Where can I buy fresh burrata cheese
Burrata is originally from Puglia, but they make it in Naples as well so it could be that Salumeria Italiana is getting it along with mozzarella from Campania. If it is coming from Puglia, it would add even more transport time onto it and lessen the quality - the more time ticks away from the moment the burrata is made, the worse it is. Someone from Puglia would never eat burrata that's taken a plane trip, but beggars can't be choosers I guess.
I tried Fiore di Nonno's burrata and wanted to love it, but unfortunately it's not really burrata. It is more like mascarpone inside a mozzarella shell. Burrata is supposed to be "stracciatella", which are mozzarella strips that are the byproduct of making mozzarella, inside a mozzarella shell. Like so many parts of Italian cuisine, it was born out of avoiding waste - rather than throw away these "straccie" or rags, they were incased in a mozzarella shell with the leftover cream and burrata was born.
We have had good luck with Maple Brook Farms burrata from Vermont - you can find it in Whole Foods and Star Market/Shaws, it's about 7 dollars.
Interesting Restaurants Around Legacy Place in Dedham? (It seems to be all chains...)
I agree with the Kouzina Estiatorio rec, it's a no frills place that doesn't make for a fancy night out, but the food is delicious. It's my go-to in Dedham.
Strip T's increasing funkiness
Strip T's experts - are they open for lunch on weekends? I can't figure it out on their site.
Can't Miss Spots In York Area
We are back from our York trip last weekend - we had a great time. We were happily surprised with the food at our hotel, the York Harbor Inn. The dinner we had there was very good, I had broiled scallops and my husband had a burger. Delicious fries, cocktails and plenty of options on the menu.
The only other place we ate at near York was the Cape Neddick Lobster Pound, which was just OK. The boiled lobsters were fine but the service was slow and it was so dark it was hard to see! It had a strange atmosphere for some reason.
We had great lobsters and blueberry pie at Barnacle Billy's in Ogunquit - very casual place where you seat yourself and there's no table service, but a wonderful view at the outdoor seating and delicious food. The homemade pie was really the best we saw in Maine that weekend.
Another great stop on the way up from Boston was Petey's in Rye, NH - but I guess that doesn't apply to a York thread!
Blue Sky on York Beach - thoughts?
You mean you don't think there are any valid options in York?
Can't Miss Spots In York Area
Thanks for the responses, guys! I think that Brown's and Fox's might be closed for the season, will wait and see. We're excited for our trip next week, will report back here after!
Can't Miss Spots In York Area
I was coming on here to ask the same question - headed to York in late April, what's not to miss?
Saturday night challenge in Newton: quick dinner options
The Met bar on Rte. 9 in Chestnut Hill for a quick burger or appetizer would be good, too.
Good Breakfast Place in Dedham, Norwood, Walpole Area
For really classic breakfast fare, The Diner on Rte 1 in Dedham, outside Costco/Whole Foods.
Plymouth - in search of dinner
I heard about this place, but haven't been in Plymouth yet to try it: http://www.ryetavern.com/ Might be good for a casual business dinner.
Whisk in JP
I haven't been yet but I called them to ask, it sounds like a dessert cafe after hours. I tasted their stuff at the Taste of JP event and it was really delicious - it made me like desserts I don't even normally go for.
Afternoon coffee & pastry in Newton
Peet's? There aren't too many options... the Deluxe Town Diner is open between lunch and dinner as well.
Staying on Waterfront Need a place to dine for nine
No beer really, but Pasta Beach under the Boston Harbor Hotel has amazingly authentic Italian food.
Amaro del Capo in Boston?
I'm not familiar with dandelion wine actually. You could totally make it yourself, just you can very easily make your own limoncello with lemon rinds and sugar added to grain alcohol.
Amaro del Capo in Boston?
Got it, sorry I read wrong.
I have had rucolino, but only home-made. It is made from Arugula, if enough sugar is added it's not as bitter as some of the others. In any case this is really a "liquore" more than an "Amaro". Amaros usually have added herbs, usually following some secret recipe. Rucolino is just hard liquor with arugula left in it, then they take the arugula out after months and the taste and color remain.
EATING ALONG THE TYRRHENIAN COAST FROM CALABRIA TO CAMPANIA: Amantea, Maratea, Cilento, Amalfi Coast
Thanks so much for posting about Calabria! Woefully under-represented on this board. If some of these "foodies" stopped visiting Florence and Rome (and Venice, eek) only, they would stumble upon some real finds.
Amaro del Capo in Boston?
That's strange because I emailed Cirace & Sons about it a while ago, and they told me they don't have it.
I didn't know it was at Marty's, thanks for letting me know. Way overpriced though. In Italy I was paying 8 euros a bottle for it.
I ended up ordering it through Winestone, Patrick Dubsky has been wonderful at finding my obscure Italian wines and amari. He contacted the importer and got it for me for $25 or so a bottle, thought I bought several bottles.
MC Slim JB - you have to try it - my husband is Calabrian and we just moved to Boston (though I'm from here) from Florence - we often drink a tiny glass of Amaro del Capo after dinner and we turned several family members on to it. We're glad to have found it!
Amaro del Capo in Boston?
I am looking to buy Amaro del Capo, a Calabrian after dinner amaro. I can't seem to find it anywhere in Boston, has anyone seen it for sale here?
good sushi in JP?
JP Seafood is delicious, fresh and has been on Centre Street on JP for a long time... seems like forever. My favorite is the spicy tuna roll, or yellowtail/scallion. They have a good bento box deal for lunch too.
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Centre Street Cafe
669 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Cacio e Pepe
Russo's in Watertown also has a fairly vast selection of Italian cheeses, they might have it.
8/25/11 Il Casale: Terrific Italian in Belmont
If the chef can't serve a burrata that is actually burrata and not some mascarpone creation, then he shouldn't serve it at all, just take it off the menu. And candied pistachios on burrata is definitely something he created, because I don't think you're going to find that combination in Italy.
Florence - Traveling alone and Dinner recommendations
Coquinarius on Via delle Oche is small and intimate and often people start chatting with you since it's close quarters. Staff is also very friendly.
Otherwise I would think outdoor seating would be fun as well, to watch the crowds go by, Florence is starting to fill up right now. The cafe on the top floor of the Rinascente department store has a great view of the Duomo and a nice stop for a quick lunch. Also Il Santino, the wine bar annex of Il Santo Bevitore on Via Santo Spirito in the Oltrarno has excellent food and wine, but is tiny and you could take a seat at the small bar that seats 3 or 4.
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Il Santo Bevitore
Via Santa Spirito 64r, Florence, Tuscany 50125, IT
Coquinarius
Via delle Oche, 15, Florence, Tuscany 50122, IT
8/25/11 Il Casale: Terrific Italian in Belmont
I'm surprised since I went to Il Casale and was pretty unimpressed at the end of last year. The salumi app was way overpriced for the amount and types of salumi they served, and they also served "burrata" which was not burrata but rather something like mascarpone in a mozzarella shell. It was served with candied pistachios of all things. Maybe will try it again, maybe they changed chefs.
*Surgelato (frozen) notation on Italian menus......(??) (Calabria)
I have a lot of Calabria dining experience (Calabrian husband) but unfortunately not in Amantea, I know the Ionian coast. Regardless, for Calabria I would ask the locals, any local, for their opinion of the best restaurant around before looking in any book. That's just how it works there. You might find some hidden treasure that way.
Also in terms of frozen fish, a Roman tourist docked in his boat on the Calabrian coast in a small town told my brother in law that he saw a truck pull up in the early morning, unload frozen fish, rinse them in the water right at the port (!) and set them up in sytrofoam boxes, that were later sold at a fish market as "fresh". Boh. There was a lot of talk also about the bianchetti and sardella, which is made from baby sardines, that come from China.
In terms of freezing fish for a certain period of time before serving it crudo, the danger (among other things, probably) is anisakis, which are little worms that can form inside the fish. It happened in Eataly in Torino and showed up on this blog: http://www.dissapore.com/primo-piano/eataly-commercializza-sostanze-pericolose-per-la-salute-il-procuratore-guariniello-indaga/. I'm guessing every restaurateur would flash freeze to avoid this unsightly problem.
Is cilantro (coriander) available in Italy?
In Florence, it's available at any of the Chinese-owned or Peruvian markets, though sometimes you have to ask for it. It only costs 1 euro for a very large bunch both at Mi Tienda Latina on Via Ponte alle Mosse or at the Chinese market off San Lorenzo market, sorry don't remember the street name.
Florence--Dinner First Night on a Sunday
Gustavino on Via della Condotta is open on Sundays last I checked. Talented female chef, delicious but not very formal. It would be less than a 10 minute walk from your hotel. Everything changes if you are traveling around Ferragosto which is August 15th.
One day in Naples - cruise ship stop - garbage strike update
Was just there in mid July and the garbage was definitely visible but apparently nothing like it was at the end of June according to the Neapolitans. Enjoy!
