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julieapfel's Profile

bars with outdoor patio area - for a bachelorette party

thanks for all the recs. The weather isn't looking so great so we are scrapping any hopes of enjoying some drinks outside and have settled on a pre-dinner cocktail at Cuchi-Cuchi, then perhaps a drink at Liberty if it's nice, if not we can grab something at the indoor bar, followed by dinner/dancing at Brahmin. Anyone been to Brahmin? I wasn't a fan of 33 and understand it is a similar vibe, but the bride wants what the bride wants I suppose. Sigh.

bars with outdoor patio area - for a bachelorette party

some friends and I are throwing a small bachelorette party for a girlfriend this weekend and are hoping to take advantage of the predicted nice weather and try to get to spots that have a patio. We are planning on starting with drinks and probably some food at the Liberty and then go from there. Since that's a relatively central location our options from there are pretty open. I'd love some suggestions for bars with patios. Right now I am coming up with the following:
Audobon, Daedalus, CBC, Rattlesnake, Tavern on the Green.

Ideally it would be a place with a fun vibe appropriate for a small bachelorette party. Location is up in the air - I think we'd probably go in the direction that has the biggest selection of bars with outdoor seating.

Thanks!

Any $1 oyster specials around Back Bay?

interesting. Most reviews say the dollar oyster deal at turner is terrible with old, pre-shucked oysters. Were you there for the dollar oysters?

I love Marliave, they have great dollar oysters and cocktails. I also love that it isn't a hugely popular spot. It's so cozy in there.

Food Truck Season

anyone been to the paris creperie truck yet? The 1 yelp review said it took forever but was really good, which is the same experience I had in the brookline brick and mortar location, so I guess it's not too surprising. But seriously, crepes take 1 minute in paris, why 40 in boston?

Food Truck Season

I was zero for 3 trying to get lunch at a food truck today. No speeds, they were out of the sandwich i had in mind for a back up at roxy's, and they were out of most of the meat next door at momogoose. Major bummer

Food Truck Season

I tried Go Fish yesterday and was pretty pleased. I got the grilled miso salmon wrap and a side of fries. Everything came to about $11. The wrap was one of those wraps you see around fresh rolls at Thai places - so it was kinda clear. It was interesting and made the wrap a little difficult to eat but it was offered as a "healthy" option and I definitely enjoyed it. I will definitely be going back to try some other options. Lots of people seemed to be ordering the crab melt, so I'll give that a try and the other fish sandwiches too. The fries were amazing. The only downside was that it seemed like kind of a long wait for the food to be ready but everything is made fresh to order and I'm just happy to have a nice fresh fish option for lunch that isn't expensive.

Today I'm going to give Speeds another try - can anyone confirm that his truck is up and running?

Any $1 oyster specials around Back Bay?

Just wondering if anyone knows of any spots in the back bay that offer dollar oyster specials after work, specifically Fridays.

Food Truck Season

ahh, thanks! I should get on the twitter so i know when he'll be up and running

Food Truck Season

I just went over to City Hall Plaza hoping to get a Speed Dog and the truck wasn't there! Then I checked down the street at Kilby and Oliver thinking maybe he got confused which spot was his on Wednesdays and nothing there either. Does anyone know if Speed Dog will ever be around? I am super bummed!

Green Street Grill: Opinions and Favs?

I love Green St, but mostly because of the Tres Leches cake. I've been a couple times and while I remember the meal and drinks being delicious, I couldn't tell you what I ordered, except for dessert.

anyone been to Taste? In the old Roly Poly spot

Just wondering if anyone's been to Taste yet that opened up where Roly Poly used to be. A coworker said they have a good-looking Italian sub but hasn't tried it yet. It's always nice to have more good sandwich options close to the office. Thanks.!

When to salt a steak? My research.

what happens if you salf your steak 2 days in advance? will the steaks be wayyyyy too salty even if they are rinsed off? I thought I read something on Cooks Illustrated about salting meat over 24 hours before cooking so I did it but I hope I didn't just ruin 2 perfectly good rib eyes.

Brunch in Needham, Wellesley or Newton

sorry - I should have specified. This is for Saturday. I like the Biltmore a lot but it looks like it only serves brunch on Sundays. I'll have to try it some time.

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The Biltmore
1205 Chestnut St, Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464

Brunch in Needham, Wellesley or Newton

Hi there - I am looking for good brunch recs in Needham, Wellesley or Newton. I've been to the Cottage in Wellesley and Fresco in Needham. The Cottage is nice and I've enjoyed both visits, but there is something generic feeling about it, maybe it's the size of the menu, or that it's serves SoCal food in a Nantucket looking space - weird. And I didn't love Fresco, although for cheap and simple it's nice to have nearby. I'm looking for unique - think East Coast Grill, but I may be doomed out in the suburbs. Thanks!

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East Coast Grill and Raw Bar
1271 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Low-key rec in Venice area - gift for parents

I actually went with Sharky's on the Pier. It seemed to get slightly more love on Yelp than Casey Fish House, but I will definitely be telling them to visit Casey Fish House as well since it also seems like their type of place. Thanks for the recs, when I visit them I will try to get to all these places.

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Sharky's
1012 Shorewinds Dr, Fort Pierce, FL 34949

Low-key rec in Venice area - gift for parents

I'd like to get my parents a gift certificate to a good Venice-area restaurant (or within a 10-15 minute drive) for their anniversary. They will be spending 3 months in the area (Snow-birds!) so will probablly get to know the local dining scene, and I'd like to help them along a little. They enjoy casual places, but would also like a nicer place (especially as a gift!) I am thinking a low-key place with a great gulf view, but a cozy Italian place would also be up their alley. They aren't big drinkers so a good wine list is not important. They enjoy seafood and Mexican food very much. Please no "ethnic" recs. Thanks!

2 days in TO - what not to miss??

I'll be in Toronto with my husband this Sunday and Monday. I'd love some lunch and dinner recs, nothing too expensive. Lunch about $15 or less, dinner entrees no more than $25 or so. I'd love ethnic recs but also something that is very "Toronto" as I've never been. Preferably in a neighborhood that is good to walk around in - I'm hoping to visit Kensington, Chinatown, Little Italy and The Danforth, but other neighborhood recs are also much appreciated. Thanks!

Looking for not-too-pricey drinks/bar food near Park Square, good for a small group, Friday 9-pm-ish.

you must get the buffalo wings and a mary's pink lemonade

Freezing Meatballs

what if there is no sauce to cook/defrost them in from frozen? Do the rules change?

Best Weekend Bar?

since I was 23 until now (I'm 29) my favorite "going out" fun bar remains Middlesex. It's not a quiet place to have a drink with friends, there is good, loud music to dance to, good drinks, friendly bartenders and a laid back crowd who are genuinely friendly and fun - although you'll probably always encounter people out on a Saturday night who are looking to hook up :)

To give you a feel of what else I love/dislike strongly:
dislike strongly - pretty much any bar downtown/fanieul hall area, The Alley, Boylston Street
love - Bukowski, Other Side, Rivergods, Great Scott, Miracle of Science, Lord Hobo (and B-side when it was that), Enormous Room

good luck!

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Other Side Cafe
407 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115

Enormous Room
569 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139

Bukowski's
1281 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Lord Hobo
92 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02141

Nantucket birthday

I would say 100% Company, they post the menu for each night at the beginning of the week so you can go the night that looks the best to you. The Galley is also amazing and romantic and beautiful (and expensive of course) and right on the beach. I've never eaten at American Seasons but their pastry chef did my wedding cake and it was the most delicious cake and combination of flavors (cranberry filling!).

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American Seasons
80 Center St, Nantucket, MA 02554

dinner and a drink or 2 for 1 in newport

I am going to a wedding in Newport this weekend but as I am not in the wedding party will be on my own for a few hours Saturday evening while the wedding party is rehearsing and dining. I am thinking I'd like to walk around and get a bite and a drink. I am staying at the Hotel Viking and am not sure if that is walking distance to the bar/restaurant/shopping area. I'd love some suggestions where a solo diner will feel comfortable, and also would love to know what streets are good for walking around (hopefully they are near the hotel). Thanks all.

best outdoor eating/drinking in cambridge/somerville?

what about Charlie's Kitchen? They have a big patio and lot's of beer.

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Charlie's Kitchen
10 Eliot St, Cambridge, MA 02138

1st time to Miami - spending a few hours - looking for a simple but delicious meal

I don't have a particular area of interest. As I've never been I was hoping for some suggestions of neighborhoods worth checking out - if only to drive through. Thanks!

1st time to Miami - spending a few hours - looking for a simple but delicious meal

does anyone have any suggestions?

1st time to Miami - spending a few hours - looking for a simple but delicious meal

I will be driving though Miami the evening of May 5 (Cinco de Mayo!) with a girlfriend and we want to stop somewhere for a really delicious meal. I know there'll probably be lots of celebrations for the Mexican holiday but I am looking more for Cuban fare. I would love something as cliche as the "best Cuban and Mojito in Miami" or just good simple Cuban food. Nothing expensive (under $20 for entree, not including drinks). Also, as it's my first time there, if you can suggest a place in a neighborhood that an out-of-towner will enjoy that would be nice, but not a requirement. We'll probably drive around the city for a bit too, so any places of interest are welcome too! Thanks!

Oyster values

Lineage in Coolidge Corner does $1 oysters Monday-Friday 5-7PM. I think they only serve duxbury. I've been several times, order a dozen or so and a drink at the bar and am really happy. And they'll give you their crunchy salt-topped rolls heated in the brick oven.

Meat Shares

One more vote for Chestnut Farm. I am a new member and am very happy. I've never been a part of any other meat CSA so I can't compare. I am a family of 2 and do 10 pounds a month and find that they provide enough of each meat for a good dinner for me and my husband. Although last month I received a single lamb shoulder chop so I'll have to wait for my husband to be away 1 night to eat it myself. I love using their ground meat - lamb, beer or pork - for meatloaf. My favorite part is finding recipes for meat that I have never cooked with and wouldn't if it weren't for the CSA. My only complaint is that twice now I've sent messages to them through the contact us section of their website with no response. Hmmmm

Help - what to do with pork shoulder ribs?

yummmm. thanks everyone. I'm definitely going to go the wrapped-in-foil route. maybe i'll serve it on a bun and try to make some carolina bbq sauce. can't wait!

Help - what to do with pork shoulder ribs?

how low and how slow would you say? and you don't add any liquid in the foil or anything?