Nice pic.

Oh good to know, thanks. I was responding to Klunco's mention of celery below. there's another for the list then!

I haven't, but I imagine that it's not unlike ordering a tuna sandwich, albeit quite a bit more expensive. The lobster meat will be from a can or frozen. I guess you know what you're in for when you order a lobster roll from a fast food chain, and they're generally priced accordingly (though I recall the Panera next to International Place charging some egregious amount - $17? -for what looked like a pretty crappy lobster roll).

I always just assuming that Dairy Joy was using refrigerated or frozen pre-picked lobster meat, but yeah, it's not like it's a Neptune quality roll. I've certainly had worse though, and sometimes they've been quite good on a good night. (other times have been more watery which was what made me think it was thawed meat.) Actually though, their whole belly clams are really good (if always under salted) so that's usually my default there. Their fried scallop roll is also expertly fried with perfectly cooked juicy scallops.

Exactly! And people always say, but it doesn't taste like anything....

Maybe we're celery super tasters? I can taste it a mile away, and it's a pain to pick out. I use celery for cooking often (particularly the leaves), but in my mind it has no business in a lobster roll.

If you have any suggestions for celery-free lobster rolls, please share. The lobster rolls at Hudson Dairy Joy (now Hudson Creamery) are pretty good, and less expensive than the one in Weston I think, but it's not like they're preparing the lobster in house or anything. Could do worse though, and no celery! Last year they had a hot buttered version too, but I don't know if they're doing it this year or not.

If you have trouble finding chickpea flour locally, I always buy mine from nuts.com. I love that website. As an aside, they're also a very reliable source for Italian pignolis (no pine mouth!) and blanched almonds.

I've always been tempted by the vitello tonnato but haven't ordered it yet. I'm typically there at dinner time and not in the mood for a sandwich. I always really enjoy the mussels - the preparation changes regularly and always really interesting combos beyond the typical mussels with white wine that I do at home. I think last time I was there they were in a rich curry broth. Many times I will order the mussels and a crudo special. They also have a fantastic brothy cioppino with chunks of lobster, grilled fish, clams, mussels, and saffron rice. And I've never gone wrong with one of their fish specials.

You've reminded me that it's been too long since I've been to Neptune.

I would love to have a list for future reference of which restaurants put celery in their lobster rolls and which do not. I cannot do celery in a lobster roll - it totally ruins it for me. Occasionally I add a few snips of chives to the ones I make at home, but that's the extent of it beyond lobster and a little mayo on a toasted and buttered roll.

I would have been frustrated if I had trekked all the way to Belle Isle and realized the roll had celery in it.

I can't help with any recent lobster roll recommendations because I tend to stay away from them in restaurants, being afraid of celery and all. :-) I would like James Hook's for value if not for the celery (can't remember how much it costs, but it's not much for a lobster roll). Neptune's is of course great, but everyone knows that. Though I find the rest of Neptune's menu so compelling that I rarely get a lobster roll because there are just too many other things to try that I don't make at home.

I'd love to hear recommendations for minimalist lobster rolls.

I boil russets for 20 min. Mash with a potato masher. Then just add milk, butter, and salt until they're "right." Generally about a stick of butter for 5 lbs potatoes.

The "secret" is to not be afraid of the salt. Potatoes take a lot of salt. All of the bad mashed potatoes I've had have been a result of not enough salt and/or gumminess due to using a mixer.

Well, I'm a fellow science chick. ;-)

Yes, the Heinz non-HCFS ketchup is quite good. That's all we buy. (and I make cocktail sauce from it with horseradish, lemon juice, worcestershire and a little tabasco)

Quarterdeck in Maynard has had them recently. We had some last week that were great. Head on, $6.99/lb.

They had them at Stop and Shop in Wayland the last time I was there and I couldn't resist. They were pretty decent!

No, I've only been to the zebra room, but it is perfect for this kind of thing.

I also specifically clicked on this thread to recommend Upstairs on the Square.

Could someone help me ID a fish dish I saw there last night? I flagged down the server who delivered it to another table but she didn't speak any English so I wasn't successful. It just looked tasty flying by our table, but I didn't get a good look. It looked like it may have been a whole fish, dry fried, and was topped with cilantro. Any ideas?

Our usuals of Dan Dan noodles, bamboo shoots with sesame oil, Sichuan style green beans, gangou dry fish filets, and meatball Sichuan style were particularly good last night. Good mix of spicy and not so the kids will eat too (though the six year old has finally graduated to Dan Dan noodles...). The two year old who never eats Chinese food ( how is he my kid?) devours the meatballs, and I love them because they are nicely browned on the outside and extremely juicy on the inside.

Fugakyu, Brookline

Thanks so much for posting this! I sorely miss sabatinos in Arlington (used to live close by). Will check out WIK!

It's totally mcmexican, but in the realm of fast food it's one of the better ones.

Thanks, I can never keep the names of Thai restaurants straight. Cast Iron Kitchen went way downhill, but now they're under new ownership, so I can't speak to the quality these days, maybe it's improved.

Love it!

Maynard isn't that bad. I mean, not a dining destination, but not as bad as some. The chicken tagine at river rock grill is very good, though the couscous that comes with it is flavorless. The Thai place isn't bad (the good one, not the bad one). And hey, there's always halfway cafe. :-)
I've also wondered about el huipil but haven't been yet.

Aka bistro has frog legs on the menu, but I hate frog legs so I can't give a review. They look cute on the plate though. :-)

We had a good experience at Panza, which has some of the same menu items as Giacomos but takes reservations.

Thanks all. I'll try hmart and then go from there.

Anyone know where I can buy fresh bamboo shoots? I'd like to be able to make the bamboo shoots appetizer from Szechuan Gourmet at home.

Two of my favorites:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Grilled-Rosemary-Garlic-Shrimp-12055

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/foo...
(I don't make the remoulade, flavorful on their own. Add plenty of celery leaves with the celery)

Seems like it might be the perfect time to do tea at the Bristol lounge.

I love the poke at AKA Bistro. No idea if its anything close to traditional but it tastes awesome.

That's why I prefer just the coffee soft serve, which is excellent, and usually skip the java berry.