poho's Profile
Help with favorite quick eats near Symphony Hall?
Maybe Moby Dick? Oddly named but delicious Persian home cooking. 269 Huntingdon St.
Early "New Year's" celebration for kids?
Hi-
Anyone know of any restaurants that do a fake New Year's countdown, balloons, noisemakers, etc for little kids? I vaguely remember someone mentioning that Johnny's in Newton did this, but that was in my pre-kid days. Now, with a 2 year old and a 3 week old, I consider it ambitious to even be considering going out, but would love to know my options.
Thanks in advance, and happy new year to all!
boston to burlington with two toddlers - midmorning stop?
Thanks!
And thanks, jenni49, for the Rein's suggestion. I know and love Rein's Deli for my frequent drives down to NY/NJ and back. My daughter loves the Lady Liberty statue, and I love the corned beef! But this upcoming trip is northbound, so I think the Korean place is a good stop to keep in mind.
boston to burlington with two toddlers - midmorning stop?
Hi-
My former travel and dining buddy and I, now both moms of toddlers, will be driving from Boston to Burlington, VT for a long weekend of snowy fun (and, we hope, massages and saunas while the kids nap!). Any suggestions for places to keep in mind if we need to take a break en route? The kids are reasonably tolerant of weird foods and settings, but could also just eat the snacks we're packing.
And while we're at it, any suggestions for Burlington dining with toddlers? We're staying at the Essex, where there is a culinary school, and may avail ourselves of the interesting in-room menu, but I know there are lots of options in town..
Thanks in advance!
Walnut Street Market - Newton Highlands
I love the Walnut Market and I love Mo! He's terrific and has Persian specialties in season...goji sabz are around the corner (small bitter green plums that you dip in salt and eat...) Anyway good Persian specialties, like cookies and dried fruits, as well.
iso great food in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Hi-
Am writing for a friend who's in Bangladesh doing a documentary. Anyone have any recs for good/interesting/flavorful options? He's an amazing amateur chef, and I feel badly that he's eating mediocre food in the school cafeteria near where he's filming...
Thanks in advance,
Poho
Arlington Recommendations?
How about Something Savory? It's "island fare" and I had a delicious meal there a couple of weeks ago. Great flavors, friendly and sincerely helpful staff. The chef is from...oh, gosh, can't remember which Caribbean island, but he makes home cookin'. Vibe is warm and neighborly.
Enjoy!
New Pie Bakery in Newton Centre
Stopped in to Pie for a takeaway lunch. Portions of everything seemed kind of small, actually--not in a "normal outside of fat America" small, but chintzy small. The bowlof soup was definitely a cup. Tasty though,and interesting (buternut squash with white bean). Tried the spinach pie which was buttery and packed with green; later in the day I ate a bit of pumpkin pie and it was heavenly. Corn bread accompanying the soup was a misstep: dry, flavorless. I didn't mind the small size as much when I tasted the richness of the filling.
I really like the concept, and the food is clearly made with care and high-quality ingredients. Staff are kind of shockingly spacey, and I hope to watch them transform themselves--they are sweet though--anyway it's a wonderful concept and a fantastic location. I'll keep going back!
Buying Citric Acid in Boston area for candy making
I think it's also called "sour salt" and you can find it at the Butcherie and other kosher groceries.
rami's is so great! New stew on menu...
Hi-
So it was a dark and stormy night...pretty much, last Monday night. I went to Rami's for the Kebab Yerushalmi, which isn't on the regular menu but appears on the takeout menu. It's a spiced ground beef kebab, and with the amazingly fresh salad, some hot sauce, and a pita, makes a satisfying meat dinner...or lunch leftover, as it turns out.
There were a bunch of Israelis eating bowls of a reddish bean-containing stew over rice. The aroma was so absolutely perfect for a cold wet night that I ordered it on the spot, and devoured it moments later. Not sure of the name or the main bean, but it's warm, slightly spicy, and totally comforting. Monday was the first day on the menu--Avi, who used to work at the Las Vegas Rami's (!), makes it.
Anyway it's an Israeli bean stew and cost about 4 bucks for a bowl. If you can wean yourself away from the falafel and kebab Yerushalmi (a tough task for me), it's worth it.
Enjoy!
brunch in philly, tgiving weekend
Thanks for all your suggestions!
Unfortunately we've changed plans and are now meeting for dinner. But the ideas will not, I assure you, go unchecked...if I can get my Tgiving crew to brave the city crowds for brunch...
Enjoy your weekends!
brunch in philly, tgiving weekend
Hi-
Just five of us, maybe six. No kids. Just some old friends who want to catch up...also I found a philly.com review from 6/07 which mentioned chef's choices for brunch...will post it, or at least the recs, if I can retrieve it.
Thanks in advance!
brunch in philly, tgiving weekend
Hi--
Will be in town for Tgiving weekend, catching up with some old friends. Would really appreciate some brunch suggestions, Saturday most likely. Thinking of Center City, Manayunk, etc--some of us coming from Cherry Hill, others from west of the city--but could be flexible. Looking for really excellent food, price not a huge consideration, and for a place that won't kick us out if we end up hanging around for a bit. We promise to tip well!
Thanks in advance--
must-try duck dishes?
There's a shredded, sauteed (maybe fried) duck dish, kind of a moo shu with pancakes and tangy sauce, at Aneka Rasa in Brighton. I can't abide duck usually, as it is too fatty for me, but this was wonderful. And not too pricey either!
Birthday Cakes in Providence, RI?
Speaking of strawberry "shortcake", I just tasted a phenomenal one at a birthday party from, of all places, Whole Foods. Not really a shortcake, more of a simple white cake, but really delicious. Who knew?
Need to order food for delivery in Lexington, MA
Addendum: Butcherie is a kosher grocery store. Ruben's Deli is a kosher resturant. Both have websites, are in Brookine, and likely deliver to Lexington if you need kosher.
If not, all of the above suggestions would work, plus Zaftig's in Brookline for good deli as well.
My condolences to you and your friends.
Need to order food for delivery in Lexington, MA
Do they keep a kosher home? If so, would call The Butcherie in Brookline. As one of the only kosher caterer/restaurants in the area, I am sure it delivers to Lexington.
If not kosher, you could call Via Lago in Lexington (781) 861-6174. They cater and deliver. Excellent baked goods and catered sandwiches, meals, etc. Great soups.
Barry's and Baker's Best are v good too.
Super 88 food court (Allston) picks
Can you get non-pork-containing ramen bowls at Ken's?
I couldn't quite tell from a quick glance at the menu.
Also I love the okdol bibimbap at the Korean place across from the Chinese place.
Thanks!
More Kendall Sq Eateries - Baja Betty's coming
The main thing I like about Baja Betty's is the roasted corn which they occ offer as an add-on to the burritos. I don't think they are authentic by any measure--not Mex, Tex-Mex, or Cali-Mex--but good for what they are, which is substantial, tasty, reasonably healthy...that said, I only get a burrito there when they have the corn! (Otherwise I go around the corner to KooKoo cafe for a kookoo)
Locke Ober or Oleana?
oleana, oleana, oleana!
I love this place; it's just delightful. Festive and comfortable at the same time. A perfect b-day place for foodies; I tood a friend there this year and we agreed it was our new favorite place.
One thing that may not appeal to you, but which I really liked, is the vegetarian tasting menu. My friend and I each ordered this, and the kitchen prepared 5 different courses for each of us. Flavors are strong and unusual, and ingredients are local and fresh.
Happy birthday wherever you go!
iso spicy indian, warm atmosphere
Thanks everyone, for your assistance. Great ideas for the next few Indian outings!
I think Rani will work best, from atmospheric, geographnc, and culinary perspectives - it's also a personal fave of mine because they have two, sometimes THREE okra dishes (thanks, Hyerabadi cuisine!), and can be really spicy.
Thanks again--
iso spicy indian, warm atmosphere
Hi-
Two old friends, chow-loving, from NYC/SF, visiting next week. One wants Indian, the spicier the better. The other will be tired from three days of grueling travel and work, but happy to have a rare kid-free, non-allergy-prone dinner (the son is deathly allergic to nuts and eggs so parents can't even eat those items when home).
So: Indian, spicy, warm ambience that's fancy enough to count as a Grownup Dinner but mellow enough to linger.
I was thinking Diva in Central Square, Rani in Brookline, or Tamarind Bay. Any votes or write-ins greatly appreciated. Thanks!
ppac (providence) - nearby restos?
Hey SK
Thanks so much for the suggestion! We did go to bacaro, which I actually hadn't heard of/been to (I'm not in Prov as much as I used to be). What a great recommendation...
Mostly we ordered from the "make your own antipasti" menu. Not being pork eaters, we didn't order any of the salumeria stuff, tho it smelled delish. A bacalao with housemade potato chips was almost smoky, and smooth, and rich. Big chunks of cod and potato. I have to say, this place is VERY generous with their "small" app portions. I wish I'd known this when ordering the cheeses. We ordered three, and couldn't possibly finish what they gave us. The cheese selections are maybe a little sedate, esp if you go to Whole Foods and the Laiterie. One choice, Robiola, I had to pass up 'cos I had just had some at WF earlier that day...but they're served on a big wood board with dried fruit and Marcona almonds drizzled with very herby, aromatic honey. We also ordered the marinated cipollini onions, which were a tangy and crunchy accompaniment to the cheeses. My favorite app, though, was the cold sweet white anchovies with lemon and thyme. It was grilled and chilled, I think, then lightly marinated with some lemon and olive oil. I love anchovies and never seem to see them on menus here, or for that matter, ANYWHERE except beach shacks in other countries. Ah well. Here's to a trend.
We split an entree, which was a good idea because THAT was totally huge as well. Flounder roasted in olive oil with lemon and thyme, with Israeli couscous, tomato, and olives. A TON of fish. It's going to be my lunch and dinner tonight...
Would have loved to stay for dessert as I'm on a mini chocolate pudding kick, and they made a "chocolate budino" which I was half-considering...but I couldn't do it.
Thanks again for the suggestion. It worked perfectly! You were even right about WaterFire en route.
Take care!
ppac (providence) - nearby restos?
Hi-
Just trying to figure out distances. Thanks for the recent thread on pre-PPAC dining (and hope we all enjoy Pilobolus tonight)!
What's walking distance of the PPAC? Atwells Ave? Consider that it's a beautiful night, I'm a former Brooklynite who loves to walk...but also from the map, not sure whether you have to, like, cross I-95 to get there. If we could walk there within 30 minutes I think we'd be in good shape.
Am thinking of Tazza, or somewhere on Atwells (actually had a surprisingly good meal at Zooma recently, but would like to try something new). Any other suggestions welcome.
Thanks!
Iranian grocery stores in boston area?
Near Arax on Mt Auburn St is Super Hero, a Persian grocery. They have sabzi, kashk, dhoug, and (in season of course) goji sabz. Also all the little sweets you might like (those chickpea flour cookies shaped like little 4-leaf clovers), and Persian CD's behind the counter.
Welcome to Boston!
labor day weekend in oak bluffs - any tips?
Hi-
Will be on the Vineyard for a last-minute few days' holiday in Oak Bluffs. No car, but a bike, and haven't been in a couple of years. I always love Sweet Life and the pizza place next door to it on Circuit, and usually try to make room for at least one splurge trip to Coop DeVille for the fried clams....also love the basement-level coffee shop on Circuit whose name I can't remember. Excellent egg sandwiches and muffins. And I will be biking to Tisbury one day; usually stop at Allie's General Store for pie.
Anyone have any other suggestions? Highbrow, lowbrow, middlebrow...just good food. No dressy places though...
Thanks in advance!
poho
Looking for a 4-6 course tasting menu in Boston?
Hi-
I had a phenomenal tasting menu at Oleana in Cambridge. It was vegetarian, kind of North African/Mediterranean; beautiful space and truly memorable food. My friend also had the veg tasting menu and they did two totally different ones, so we got 10 dishes to taste! I think they do a non-veg tasting menu as well but not sure.
Enjoy!
Brookline, Breakfast
Family Restaurant for sure; I love that place. Some unusual and savory dining options, sunny location, brisk service but not pushy...Now when you say "nice" do you mean it has to be authentic, or filling, or have pleasant ambience, or what? Because I wonder if the little crepe place next to the Coolidge Corner Theatre would count. Also you can get alotta breakfast up by Cleveland Circle at the Eagle--it ain't pretty but it's pretty tasty.
Seeking Za'atar in Brookline
I think the Butcherie on Harvard St. carries an Israeli za'atar mix. "King" brand.
Lowell Folk Festival - Celiac Disease
Pretty sure that there is a large contingent of Filipino and other Asian vendors, so you can have grilled meat and rice which would work. Also I guess it depends on how strict your friend is...
