Haute Stuff's Profile
Near Newton Wellesley Hospital
The best and closest restaurant to NW is Kouzina in Waban! Kind of a Greek-French fusion-- I recommend their delicious lamb sirloin wrap with wonderful fries.
Someone mentioned The Local, but they are only open for lunch on Fridays.
In Wellesley Square, Alta Strada is a great choice IMHO. And don't forget Blue Ginger- it's surprisingly affordable at lunchtime.
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Blue Ginger
583 Washington St., Wellesley, MA 02482
Alta Strada
92 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
Kouzina
1649 Beacon St, Waban, MA 02468
Marty's Liquors in Allston is closing
I'm so happy that the Newton store is staying open- I was just there this afternoon and thinking that t is the best wine store ever! The staff is knowledgeable and always comes up with recommendations- but there's also a friendly clientele. Invariably someone who overhears my conversation chimes in and comes up with a tip of his or her own. It's always a serendipitous experience!
AZUCAR Review
Thank you for the review, Kaki. I went to Azucar earlier in June and LOVED it (and, yes, the Mojitos were a large part of what I loved- I tried the pineapple one and then had a mango mojito).
Not being from a background where I am fortunate enough to have a mother who makes Ropa Vieja, I didn't have preconceived notions of what the food I ordered was going to taste like. So I was impressed with what I tried.
Sadly the band wasn't playing the night we were there- there was an MTV 1980's style selection of music videos which were entertaining and suited the mood better than the baseball games you find on most TV's in that neighborhood.
I don't get to San Jose very often, but if I go again Azucar will be a dining destination for me!
My dining partner and I found the waiter to be a great resource, since we were unfamiliar with the cuisine, and his two recommendations were superb: a Ceviche of sea bass that was a perfect combination of citrus and heat, and a shrimp dish in a jalapeno cream sauce that was truly the stuff dreams are made of (at least my food dreams). We also shared Queso Frito served with Plantains and wonderful fresh and chunky guacamole.
'Mom and Pop' ethnic eating in San Jose, CA
I just returned from a conference in San Jose, where I had very low food expectations. Being from New England, however, I wanted something with a Latin flair, and happened upon a delight in the convention center neighborhood: Azucar on San Fernando Street near Second Street.
We let the charming and friendly waiter point us to food choices and shared Queso Frito served with Plantains and wonderful fresh and chunky guacamole, a Ceviche of sea bass that tops any I've ever had, and a shrimp dish in a jalapeno cream sauce that I'll probably be dreaming about for years to come.
And did I mention the Mojitos? I normally am not much of a drinker, but will occasionally have a glass of wine or a beer- I usually don't even finish. However, I decided to try a pineapple mojito after the waiter explained that they are made with rum infused with fresh fruit. It was so wonderful that I followed it up with a mango mojito- definitely a dangerous night for me!
I'll definitely be looking forward to future business trips to San Jose!
Brazilian salad bar/grill buffet?
I would also love to find a good Churascaria in the area that measures up to Fogo de Chao! I've been to the Chicago one several times. If you're traveling, look at their website and try one. http://www.fogodechao.com/index.htm
I have heard about one "Brazilian Barbecue" in Somerville and have not tried it yet because I was not sure of the name or location.
I have Brazilian friends who say that the Brazilian restaurants in MetroWest are rubbish, even with the area's HUGE Brazilian population. Sadly, I think the immigrant community could be priced out of a really good one.
Food Court at Super 88
Someone told me that Kam Man Marketplace in Quincy is better than Super 88- is that true? And how does the Food Court compare, if anyone has visited and tried both places?
