chicken pot pie's Profile
Lunch near Mt. Auburn Cemetary? Cambridge, Watertown area?
I love Red Lentil which is on Mount Auburn right after you enter Watertown, about 3/4 mile past the cemetery. Right across the street is the Deluxe Town Diner which is also good.
Restaurants for me and my girlfriend (out of town)
I just had an awesome meal at Pigalle with my BF...it is in the theater district. Sort of modern French with a very romantic atmosphere. Also you said you're into the small table/local so I would definitely recommend Bondir in Cambridge. You will definitely need to make a reservation there. Have an awesome time wherever you go!
Need Help with Choosing a CSA for Summer '12
I know that Farmer Dave's was not in your final 3 choices, but I have done it for the past few years and I love it. I paid $590 for the 2012 season for both a fruit share (13 weeks) and a veggie share (20 weeks) which is very reasonable I think. I absolutely love the CSA--tons of variety, great staff, both a box and a choice option, and always free extras as well as a swap box if you don't like a certain item. I highly recommend it. Good luck with your CSA--it has definitely changed the way I cook, made me eat more veggies, and last year I even harvested garlic out on the farm for the first time in my life! I love supporting a local farmer and the quality is amazing.
Winter CSA Help Needed
This is the 3rd year I am doing Shared Harvest. I love it. I wanted to let you know that they do have a swap box so if you don't want your cabbage you can perhaps swap it for something you do want. I do the 2-month share and end up using a lot of the November stuff for Thanksgiving. I recall getting a few pounds of a lot of different veggies instead of 10 pounds of one vegetable and not using it up.
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Shared Harvest
Belmont, Belmont, MA
August 2011 Farmers' markets, CSAs, Farm stands Etc.
I do a choice CSA with Farmer Dave's and I love it. This week we got corn, zucchini and kousa squash, pickling cucumbers, both heirloom and slicing tomatoes (and cherry tomatoes), eggplant, purple beans, kale, basil, cubanelles, scallions, radishes...everything beautiful. I also do a fruit share with them and this week was unbelievable: a watermelon, a honeydew, donut peaches, nectarines and early season apples. This is my 2nd year with Farmer Dave's and I will definitely sign up again. They offer a boxed share and a choice share with a swap box, which I love. Happy eating everyone!
Island Creek Oyster Bar vs. Neptune Oyster
I couldn't agree more.
Went to ICOB last night with 5 friends and it was awesome from start to finish. Had amazing WIld Belon oysters from Maine that were recommended by our server and they were great. I live in the North End and often send people to Neptune when they stop and ask me where to go for seafood in the NE. But I agree about the service at Neptune and I'm sorry but for the prices they charge they could be a little less indifferent about service. I agree 100% about the oyster sliders at ICOB and can't wait to go back and have more. 3 people in my party had the lobster roe noodles with braised short rib and I was lucky enough to get a bite--I have never tasted better short rib. I got the halibut with grilled ramps and roasted parsnips--delicious. Perfect crusty sear on the fish. I think the smoky meat with your cod was chorizo.
I love the burger at Neptune with the fried oysters on top--I love everything about it from the brioche bun to the fries. Once there was a little bit of oyster shell in there and I told the server. He comped my soda! Classy. But I forgave them and have had several since. Sigh.
For my money, I enjoy the experience at ICOB a lot more. It's just more comfy and relaxed and you don't get the rush act.
Neptune Oyster This Sunday; Recs Please?
I know everyone raves about the lobster roll there, but I love the burger. It's juicy and topped with three fried oysters on an awesome brioche bun and some of the best fries in the city. Have a great time!
Cakes in Newton/Wellesley/Natick area?
My friend just got married and got the wedding cake from a small bakery in West Roxbury called Donna's cakes. It was one of the best pieces of cake I have ever had! They only do cakes and cupcakes and they have very reasonable prices. Excellent frosting.
http://www.donnas-cakes.com/index.htm
Need recs for restaurants in Coolidge Corner
I love Rami's in Coolidge Corner. They have great falafel and hummus! Plus Kupel's bagels is great too, in my opinion.
help... need a private/personal chef for a day, south of boston, for a 40th birthday
I would suggest a local personal chef/caterer called Puddingston Kitchen based in Somerville. The chef MaryCat Chaikin is great about cooking for small parties and tailoring the parties to the needs of the client. She specializes in using local foods. Check out her website: www.puddingstonekitchen.com.
One shot at the best meal in Boston. Any suggestions?
Oleana is fantastic.
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Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139
2010 CSA Choice
I too cannot speak to those two choices. However, I'm thinking of Farmer Dave's this year. They have a sliding scale fee, a bit more choice in terms of actual produce, and my favorite feature: a trade box so you can put things in that you don't care for and take other people's things that they don't care for. They also have a separate fruit share that looks awesome. www.farmerdaves.net
North End cappuccino
I like Cafe Paradiso on Hanover St; it is downstairs from Marco restaurant. They make a good cappucino. I used to go to Cafe Vittoria all the time and really liked it. Then I went a few times and had such rude service (same waitress every time) that I never went back. So now Cafe Paradiso is my spot. Have fun!
Eating at The Four's before a Celtics game
Bobby Orr sandwich is always good (tender steak tips with melted cheese) if you are in the mood for that sort of thing. Never been disappointed with the nachos. Everything else I've had there (burgers, salads) has always been forgettable and mediocre. Have a great time at the game. Go Celts!
Quince Lemon Syrup
Hi CH'ers,
Does anyone know where I can buy Sadaf Quince Lemon Syrup in the Boston area? Thanks in advance.
Boston farmers markets on Saturday?
If you take the orange line MBTA to Sullivan Station you can take a bus right to Union Square. Sorry I do not know the bus number but if you go to www.mbta.com you should get the info. If you take the red line to either Central or Harvard, it's probably a half hour walk; but again, you can take a bus from either of those locations right to Union Square. Hope that helps.
Boston farmers markets on Saturday?
Union Square Market in Somerville goes from 9-1 on Saturdays and is a great market. B&R Artisan bread, Fiore di Nonno mozzarella, Kimball's fruit farm, Stillman's meat, Herb Lyceum, Hmong Farmers, Niesweicz farm (the best corn all summer!) and more. Accessible by bus. Union Square is probably a good half hour walk from either Harvard Square or Central Square in Cambridge.
Any suggestions for Pancakes?
I love the blueberry pancakes at Mike's City Diner on Washington St in the South End. Delicious!
Burrata in Boston?
Fiore di Nonno is pretty clear about the fact that their burrata is an adaptation of traditional burrata. It is made with mascarpone rather than the traditional curd and/or cream. I just didn't want people to think they were trying to pass off their adaptation as the "real" Italian burrata you can find at Salumeria. However, there are many interesting flavors in their adaptation and as you said, it is made fresh daily in Somerville.
Tasty, affordable eats near the Le Meridian in Cambridge?
On Mass Ave right near your hotel is a small bar/restaurant called Miracle of Science. Pretty simple inexpensive fresh food: a great grilled chicken sandwich; grilled pita and veggies with hummus; various meat kebabs with sides; decent chicken quesadilla. It's really casual but decent, simple food and super close to where you are. They also serve breakfast which I have heard is good but have not had myself. Have a good visit!
What to get at Hungry Mother
I loved the fried oysters. Cooked perfectly. I ordered the chicken and it was okay, not anything worth remembering or ordering again. The dessert I got when I was there about a month ago was the almond tuile cake with chevre ice cream and rhubarb compte. Outstanding! One of the best desserts I ever had, I think. I agree with all the posters that the tongue is worth trying. But if you could only get one appetizer, I would go with the oysters.
Reservations for Taranta Friday 6/26- what should we order?
Another vote for the pork chop. Also, I really enjoyed the macademia encrusted salmon with the risotto cake when I was there. Have a wonderful date!
pasta shop in NE
I am eating a bowl of spinach ravioli as I type this post. It is really awesome! $3.95 for about a dozen ravioli. Delicious and fresh spinach ricotta filling. I'm excited about this place. My expanding waisline...that's another story.
North End/Little Italy Must Eats
If you're looking for traditional "red sauce" Italian-style (i.e. veal or chicken parm; shrimp scampi) I think Massimino's on Endicott always delivers and has very reasonable prices for the NE. If you're looking for something a little more adventurous, I love Taranta on Hanover St. The chef mixes Peruvian influences with Italian for some great dishes, such as macadamia-encrusted salmon fillet with risotto. Right across the street from Taranta is another restaurant called Tresca where I had an amazing rack of lamb if that's what you're into. A spot I don't see much about on the board is on Fleet St. and is called La Summa, where they go more traditional "red sauce" Italian but with amazing homemade pastas (I love the spinach manicotti). You'll see a line out the door at Giacomo's because it's in every tourist guide to Boston. Food is good if you have cash only and don't mind waiting. Lots of seafood/pasta mixes. I also think Marco is quite good, which is upstairs from Cafe Paradiso where I much prefer the service and atmosphere to Cafe Vittoria, which is a tourist favorite. If you're looking for a little more upscale, pricey and/or romantic, Mamma Maria in North Square is nice. I think without question you should get a cannoli at Modern Pastry if you are a cannoli fan. I know there has been a lot of negative press on the boards recently about Neptune Oyster on Salem St. but I have always had excellent food there. Their burger is one of my favorite in the city (served with 3 fried oysters on top and awesome fries). Not sure what your budget or desire is, but I hope you have a great time. There are approximately 90 places here in the North End to eat so have fun!
Post exam celebration
I was also thinking you might like Highland Kitchen in Somerville. Crazy inexpensive, good service, good food. Fish and chips is good; burger is great; steak was great. Cool casual atmosphere. Excellent service all the times I've been there. Spelling bee on Tuesday nights if you're into that kind of thing!
Restaurants everyone seems to love but you don't
Antico Forno. Had friends in from out of town, decided to go there, and was embarrassed at how crappy we were treated. When a member in my party expressed dislike for a dish, the waiter pointed to the empty dish of another diner who got the same dish and said "Well he liked it" and walked away!
Post exam celebration
Have you tried Gaslight in the South End? It's in your price range. Food is really good and it's a great atmosphere...simple Frech bistro food; nothing fancy but good quality and a good time.
Wild Willy's Burgers in Watertown
I always get medium-rare burgers there and it's never a flat patty. I don't want to argue with anyone on the board including you but I just haven't had the experience you've had.
I'll give you 7 bucks for lunch--where would you spend it?
I would go to La Cascia in Medford and get a Super Italian sub with a bag of chips.
