newyorker1's Profile
Story behind Ming's supermarket
The link that started this thread doesn't seem to work anymore, and no amount of googling has turned up the story on the Moth's site or on WGBH's - anyone have a link that works? Thanks!
Rox Diner in Newtonville....anyone?
I've been to the Newtonville location several times for breakfast and lunch fare, and once for dinner. I enjoy the food quite a bit - nothing fancy, but pretty consistently well prepared and well priced. It's not a "classic" diner but more in the style of a casual sit down restaurant. Things can be slow at times but I've almost always found the staff to be friendly and accommodating. My favorites there are the salads, pancakes, omelets, and club sandwiches. IMHO a great addition to the neighborhood.
Best Carbonara in town
Alas, the carbonara was off for me last week at Il Casale; I'd gotten it based on my excellent carbonara at Dante a couple years ago. It might have been sitting around a bit; it wasn't *bad* just not great. (The rest of the meal was very good though.)
cooked lamb leg with lots of tiny holes (sponge-like) -- should I be concerned??
So I exchanged emails with someone from UMass (despite my moniker, I no longer live in NYC), and he said he consulted a meat expert who said the holes were from the purveyor tenderizing the meat by using a needle (series of needles??) to break up the tough fibers in the lamb meat. (This was all via email; I had sent the same pictures I posted in this thread.)
cooked lamb leg with lots of tiny holes (sponge-like) -- should I be concerned??
Thanks for all the feedback!
@oooYUM - I agree! We cut off a small piece when we first roasted the lamb, so the strange appearance didn't really register. The next day when we sliced up the rest of it, is when we realized it was more pervasive throughout the roast.
@DuchessNukem - thanks for the link; very interesting article. I like this explanation (since it doesn't involve us getting sick/dying in the short or long term from BSE, parasites or worms) though the NYT doesn't specify what they mean by spongy - appearance-wise or firmness of the meat (e.g. when you press down on a steak to tell how done it is.) I think the lamb was indeed from Australia or New Zealand.
We do plan to chuck the rest of it (keeping a sample for the local university).
cooked lamb leg with lots of tiny holes (sponge-like) -- should I be concerned??
Hi all,
I roasted a boneless lamb leg for the first time the other night, and while I manged to avoid my main fear of overcooking the meat, I ran into something unexpected. When I sliced up the lamb, on almost all slices there are very small holes throughout, almost making the lamb look sponge-like (or maybe fried tofu-like, if that makes more sense -- see the attached pics.) I've never seen this before with lamb or any other meat. What's going on, and should I be concerned that there was something wrong with the lamb?? (Mad cow was the first thing that popped into my head, unfortunately...)
Thanks for any advice or guidance!
Mapo tofu at Taiwan Cafe
Sichuan Gourmet makes my favorite Ma Po Tofu in Boston - at its best it is complex, spicy, incredibly flavorful and addictive. At it's worst it's still pretty damn good, and still worth the trek. (There's one in Brookline now which I have found is almost as good as the Billerica original version; I prefer Brookline to Framingham.)
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Sichuan Gourmet
1004 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446
Romantic Wedding Venue with Outstanding Food?
My husband and I had food as a priority, and we went in another direction, with the Boston Harbor Hotel. We chose the hotel for other reasons (central location, waterfront views, wonderful staff, "vibe") but if we didn't trust that the food would be consistently excellent, that would have been a deal breaker. A year later our guests still say it was the best wedding food they've ever had. And it might have been our particular set of circumstances, but it was cheaper than most of the other historic homes/caterer combinations we priced out. Highly highly recommended.
Individual Pieces of High-Quality Bar Glassware?
My house stemware is from Spiegelau -- elegant and classic, at approx. or less than $10/each (may not be available individually though, depending on the glass. I just checked wineenthusiast.com and they have glasses in sets of 3-6 depending on the style.) As good as Riedel for me, but cheaper. I also like Crate and Barrel for most of their glasses too.
Favorite dish in Boston area - under $15
Another Sichuan Gourmet favorite -- the ma po tofu, probably around $10? My hands-down favorite version of this dish in the boston area...
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Sichuan Gourmet
502 Boston Rd, Billerica, MA 01821
Am I the only one reading the Momofuku Cookbook?
Er, it sounds from the website that it is actually a Stir chef who gives a class based on the featured cookbook, not the chef itself. Has anyone attended one of these who can confirm how the format is structured?
Cuchi Cuchi, Ivy, Scampo or another spot for 10 ladies on a bachlorette celebration?
FWIW, I had a very enjoyable bachelorette party at Myers+Chang in the South End. Fun, casual but classy vibe, excellent food, and a lively enough crowd that our group of 30'ish somethings felt completely at home and not particularly inhibited. Our group of 7 or so were well fed (not stuffed, but definitely pleasantly full) and watered (about 2/3 of the group got a cocktail each, plus a scorpion bowl and a couple other drinks) for about $25-30/head.
The only place on the OP's list that I've been to is Cucci Cucci, and I'd say the vibe is similar in terms of energy, but a bit cheaper at M+C and very different food (personally I prefer M+C).
Hope this helps!
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Myers + Chang
1145 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Mike and Pattys- Bay Village and a trip to Costco
I'll add to the M&P content in the thread -- my favorites there are the fancy egg sandwich and the migas. Had the breakfast torta last time and that was great as well -- the quantity and quality of food is always top-notch and well worth the price. Hoping to get a lunch sandwich there today after a late morning appointment in town. I've had good luck with getting there in the morning when they open.
Mike and Patty's - Peameal Bacon!
I love Mike and Patty's but have never tried the peameal bacon; will have to do so next time!
Btw, for anyone tempted to go there tomorrow (they are closed on Mondays) they are closed for vacation and renovations until 8/31.
Meritage for Restaurant Week?
My DC and I enjoyed Meritage during winter RW so much that we went back again the second week. Excellent food and value during RW.
The Friendly Toast!
A friend and I had breakfast at the Cambridge location Saturday morning -- there were perhaps around 5-7 other tables there at a little before 9am. With the large space it looked pretty empty (not like, say, Johnny D's for weekend brunch). I found the service to be acceptable, not really noteworthy (if I hadn't been following this thread already) either way. I had the green eggs and ham, which I found to be a good, filling dish. I would have liked the herb sauce to be more herby but did like the dill that I did detect in it. The over easy eggs were done just as I like them, not runny but still custard-y in the middle. I did find the potatoes to be a bit bland, but was fine with adding Tabasco to them. We were offered coffee and water refills several times.
Overall I wouldn't necessarily call it a destination meal, but I can definitely see going there with friends in the future when we're looking for a relaxed place for an early breakfast with decent food.
Denian's -- Chinese Bao.zi and Bubble Tea Shop in Lexington
Just went today for the first time -- I got the lunch combo, which is 3 buns (your choice), and a small salad or cup of soup; including tax it was $7.09.
The buns were probably about 2.5 - 3" in diameter, northern style. I was fine with the dough/filling ratio, but they are definitely not overflowing with filling. Had the veggie, chicken and pork; all thought all were good, obviously homemade; as with the others, I think the chicken was my favorite. A little more of the sichuan spicy sauce on the side would have helped the veggie one, but overall I liked the veggie flavor of it so left it mostly unadorned.
I chose the chinese noodle salad as my included small salad -- a bit of a curious dish, homemade noodles (slightly wide), cold, tossed with strips of romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, cooked ground pork, served with the spicy sichuan sauce. I like the salad because it gives me a painless way to eat more veggies but with a distinct asian flavor profile (I don't miss the fat-ladden dressing I put on "normal" salads at all.)
Overall I'm very happy to have Danian available as a choice in my lunch rotation; it's a big improvement over some other nearby options, both in terms of the healthiness of the offerings, and the quality and value. There was a pretty good sized line when I went today, so hopefully they will do well at that location!
Soup dumplings in Boston?
I've had the soup dumplings more times than I can count at Jo Jo Taipei and agree wholeheartedly with StriperGuy. Have had it once at Shanghai Gate and it was fine, but not too memorable. Have also had it many times at Shangri-La in Belmont -- I'd put them second behind Jo Jo.
The best soup dumplings I have so far in the U.S. was at a place in Cupertino, CA -- Jo Jo's is not quite to that sublime level, but definitely the best in Boston, IMHO.
I'll give you 7 bucks for lunch--where would you spend it?
My current breakfast/lunchtime obsession (because I don't work nearby and have to make a trip) is Mike and Patty's in Bay Village -- most/all of their sandwiches are $7 or less I think. I also like the sandwiches at Formaggio, and need to check out the banh mi at Bobalicious that folks here kindly pointed me to.
Tupelo in Cambridge
I hate to say this but I have to admit I wasn't impressed by the gumbo at all! Perhaps we were there on an off night (last Friday)... my SO thought it didn't compare at all to what he's had in NOLA... I did very much enjoy my BBQ chicken and the cheddar grits, though.
Chacarero - What is my Problem?
I agree. I can see both sides of the fence -- I raved to my SO about Chacarero, and then when we finally went together, he thought it was fine, nothing special. And to be honest, that day I found it a bit dry as well (I think we had a combo.)
My conclusion -- it's not 100% consistent, but more times than not, I really enjoy the interplay of ingredients and flavors, and love the hot sauce. The fact that it's hard for me to get to (I'm rarely in downtown at weekday lunchtimes) also probably adds to the appeal.
(On an OT note, Mike and Patty's in Bay Village is my new weekday-lunch-in-the-city stop...)
Biscuits and gravy for breakfast
I'm not an expert but I've always liked the version at Johnny D's (weekend brunch). Great oatmeal too.
Banh mi in Waltham/Lexington/Watertown?
Thanks for all the suggestions (including the five for Bobalicious) -- gives me something to look forward to tomorrow!
Banh mi in Waltham/Lexington/Watertown?
And also plenty of good sandwiches, but sometimes I'm looking for something other than Dominic's... I was good and searched the board first, and was surprised to not find anything that fit the bill...
Banh mi in Waltham/Lexington/Watertown?
Any thoughts on places for a quick lunch fix? Thanks!
the friendly toast opening in cambridge!
I heard second-hand that it will be this Wed...
Kebab & Tandoor -- disappointing
We went to K&T in Waltham yesterday for lunch and had a very disappointing meal. We got there at noon and there was only one other party there. We went ahead anyway and had the buffet. Our overall impression of the food is that it was salty and not otherwise particularly flavorful. This was our second visit to K&T (the first while they were at their old hole-in-the-wall location -- we had takeout and also found it too salty to the point of being inedible, but wanted to give them another try); maybe the Hyderabad style is not our thing... (In comparison, area Indian places we do like include Pongal, and Punjabi Dhaba in Inman Sq; I'm hoping to check out Guru the Caterer soon.) Anyway, another two cents..
Looking for private dining room in Cambridge Area
Craigie on Main may be another option.
Best Ceasar in Boston?
I had the Caesar at Locke-Ober during dinner a couple months ago -- alas not table-side (I had hoped it would be), but quite delicious (flavorful, garlicky dressing...)
Sonic to Open in Peabody MA!!
I've been to a couple Sonics in northwest Arkansas a few years ago during a period of frequent and extended business travel there. While they have some unique items, I found their food even more unhealthy (according to their online nutrition info) than the typical fast-food fare, and not tasty enough to be worth the additional calories. I mostly kept to plain hamburgers and cheeseburgers (which you can get with jalapenos as an added bonus) whenever I needed to eat there. So, I admit to no enthusiasm at all to their imminent arrival in MA.
Now, if White Castle could just open a storefront here, I would be a very happy camper.
