celestialmundane's Profile
Thursday Lunch in Portland
A friend and I are spending Wednesday and Thursday in Portland, returning home Thursday evening. We're looking forward to Wednesday dinner at Bresca. Any suggestions for our Thursday lunch? I'd like a place where we could relax for a while (particularly if it is raining), good food, nice atmosphere (and a view would be a plus). I'm considering Sonny's -- but would welcome any recommendations. Thank you.
Craigie on Main- Recent Faves?
Crispy fried Maine clams -- the best fried clams I've ever eaten.
Casa B on Friday sans reservations
Thank you. I did make a reservation for 9:00 tomorrow. I'll report back!
Casa B on Friday sans reservations
If a friend and I stopped by Casa B on Friday, 9ish, what might the seating situation be?
Post Your Three Favorite Things You ate in Boston in 2011
I have to add:
Braised pork and veal meatballs with toasted orecchiette, maitakes and piave cheese @ Rendezvous
Post Your Three Favorite Things You ate in Boston in 2011
Crispy Fried Maine Clams @ Craigie on Main
Razor Clam app @ ICOB
Pig Ear Terrine @ Coppa
Two guys walk into a bar....
The Blue Room is terrific -- great food, great drinks, friendly atmosphere -- and an interesting wine list and by-the-glass program.
Pairing for Za'atar and Pistachio Crusted Poussin with Quince and Rose Jam
Thank you, all, for your suggestions. As Christmas approached, I found I had no time for wine shopping and so had to rely on my limited cellar. I decided to offer both a red and a white -- a Cotes-du-Rhone, the suggestion of a friend and wine professional, and a Savennierres (my pick). The Damien Laureau Savennières Les Genêts 2007, though a delicious wine, did not work with the meal. The spices fought the wine, making it taste a little sour. My red, however, the M. Chapoutier Côtes-du-Rhône Belleruche 2009, was a great match. Perfumy and soft -- just a little spicy -- it a near perfect partner for the za'atar and pistachio chicken.
Thank you for your advice and the lively discussion. Happy Holidays.
- Lauren
Dinner with kids before a show at the Boston Opera House
If your 9-year-old is not terribly picky, Chinatown might be an option. It is not very far away. When my kids were younger, we had wonderful, celebratory meals after theater events at East Ocean City. Delicious food -- and we were well taken care of.
Pairing for Za'atar and Pistachio Crusted Poussin with Quince and Rose Jam
What do you think of pairing with a Savennieres or Vouvray?
Pairing for Za'atar and Pistachio Crusted Poussin with Quince and Rose Jam
The poussin will be roasted skin on -- before roasting rubbed with butter and then za'atar and ground pistachios.
Interesting idea, Pinot. Thanks.
Pairing for Za'atar and Pistachio Crusted Poussin with Quince and Rose Jam
Thank you for your advice. I should make clear that the quince-rose jam will be served alongside the chicken; it is not a glaze. So perhaps it is less important to the pairing.
Pairing for Za'atar and Pistachio Crusted Poussin with Quince and Rose Jam
Doesn't that sound amazing? The recipe is from "Purple Citrus and Sweet Perfume" by Silvena Rowe. I will be serving the poussins for Christmas dinner. What are your pairing suggestions? Be creative!
Quince availability
Thank you so much, everyone. I was in Watertown for an appointment this evening and picked up my quinces at Russo's.
Quince availability
Can one find quinces at this time of year in Boston? Where would I find them?
Only in Boston or Best in Boston
Nah. It was called American Chop Suey on my New Jersey high school menu.
Another WOW! for Ashmont Grill.
I agree with you, C. Hamster, on the Ashmont Grill. Though I live in the neighborhood, I too have not been back in the past couple of years. I was excited to see the initial post, thinking perhaps things had improved.
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Ashmont Grill
555 Talbot Ave, Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Another WOW! for Ashmont Grill.
If you do go to Tavolo, try the pizza. I think it's terrific.
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Tavolo
1918 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Big Favor ... Calling all the "Experienced" and "Professional" wine NUTS ...
You could take Wine 101 at an adult ed center. You'll get an overview of what's out there, taste a selection of wines, meet others who are interested, and have your own "professional" to ask questions of. It's a great way to get started.
Dill Pickle Smell in Cabernet Franc
This hasn't been true of all Cab Franc I've tasted; just these from New England. It was striking that it was characteristic of all. I wondered if it was growing conditions, ripeness, etc.
Dill Pickle Smell in Cabernet Franc
Recently I tasted a selection of wines from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The nose of a few Cabernet Francs and one blend (which included Cab Franc, I think) had an assertive dill pickle note. I've found this only once before (in my limited experience) in a Marechal Foch from Nova Scotia. Can anyone explain this to me?
Providence recommendations
I almost forgot! I wanted to ask about two other places.
Old Canteen. Our cab driver (Egyptian) recommended this place. He used to cook there and was quite enthusiastic. We peeked in and loved the grand hotel look of the dining rooms.
Walter's. Wandering up and down Atwells, we checked out all the restaurants. Interesting menu here. It appealed to us. Seeing us peering in, the hostess came rushing out to ask us in -- but we had eaten. What do you think of Walter's?
Another question: the restaurants on Atwells Ave. were either packed to the gills -- or sparsely populated (like Walter's, like Old Canteen). Why is this?
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Old Canteen
120 Atwells Ave, Providence, RI 02903
Providence recommendations
Thank you for your picks.
We had dinner at Chez Pascal. It was a happy place. We were on our way in, waiting in the reception area. Patrons were laughing on their way out. The charcuterie plate looked like a Martian landscape. We particularly liked the bologna (so not like Oscar Mayer), and I was enchanted by the candied fennel. The pancetta-wrapped cod was perfectly cooked -- tender, ethereal -- with earthy turnip puree. My friend had the steak -- carmelized on the outside, tender and tasty on the inside. And the wine list: fairly priced, good bottles -- and half bottles. Nice place.
Our brunch was at Nick's, which we also quite liked. I had the special, hit-the-spot cassoulet, with eggs over easy. Great.
Later we stopped at the Providence Oyster Bar for Prosecco, oysters, bacon-wrapped scallops with maple sauce, and seared tuna with wasabi. Yum.
We plan to try your other picks soon. Thank you.
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Chez Pascal Restaurant
960 Hope St, Providence, RI 02906
Providence Oyster Bar
283 Atwells Ave, Providence, RI 02903
Providence recommendations
Would you recommend Nick's for dinner? Or is better for brunch?
Providence recommendations
In a few days, my friend and I will be spending our third mini-weekend in Providence (Friday afternoon through Saturday night). We really like the city and have had some great meals. Here's where we've dined:
Cook and Brown. Good -- though not amazing -- food, great service. Enjoyed our experience there -- but one of the best new restaurants of 2010?
Harry's Bar & Burger. Sat at the bar for lunch. Great beer selection. Loved the simple (almost) slider-only menu.
Al Forno. Though I live less than an hour away in Boston, I'd never been there. Food was enjoyable. Menu is very long. Would like to try it again, perhaps in the summer when we might sit outside.
Gracie's. Delicious, inventive food.
Julian's. For brunch. Good food. Fun, relaxed atomosphere. I was impressed by the attention to the plating of my order of three a la carte items.
Providence Oyster Bar. LIked this place as well.
We've had very good luck. So Providentialists -- where should we eat this weekend?
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Providence Oyster Bar
283 Atwells Ave, Providence, RI 02903
Saturday Lunch in Northampton
Thank you, everyone, for your recommendations. We lunched at Green Street Cafe and were very happy. On a cold, wet day, we sat near the roaring fire. I had a lovely parsnip-rutabaga (more parsnip -- I adore their delicate flavor), followed by salt cod fritters in romesco sauce. The fritters were crisp and hot -- perfectly fried. My friend had the roasted duck confit with greens. I finished with a silky cardamom creme brulee. Green Street is a relaxed, friendly place. Lunch was great
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Green Street Cafe
62 Green St, Northampton, MA 01060
Boston-area retail sources for Dolin vermouth?
I was introduced to the Dolin vermouth rouge at Liquorland a few months ago. Wow. I am a Negroni drinker -- and the Dolin vermouth makes them more complex. And three or four weeks ago I picked up some more -- Liquorland had only half bottles this time. I bought the Dolin dry vermouth as well -- also in a half bottle -- but I haven't tried it yet.
Saturday Lunch in Northampton
My friend and I will be meeting in Northampton a week from Saturday. I'm coming from Boston , and he from Connecticut. Where do you recommend we have lunch?
Chicken livers: Any great recommendations?
Last week I had "crisped chicken livers florentine
w/ white polenta & sizzling hot garlic" at Scampo. Delicious.
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Scampo
215 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114
