tsackton's Profile
Favorites at Crema Cafe?
You can't really go wrong with coffee at Crema -- espressos are good, and they brew Terroir beans for drip which are good as well. If you are getting drip coffee it is worth the extra 25 cents to get the Terroir special.
For food, I often get a grilled cheese and soup. The tarragon chicken salad is also good, and I think they might still have their lobster roll special, which is a bit pricey but tasty. But really I think most of the sandwiches are pretty good.
oleana suggestions
globalgourmand - thanks for the beautiful description of your food! I was at Oleana last night with two DCs, and your post inspired us to take the same approach (veg tasting + extra apps & desserts to share). What a wonderful experience. The highlights included the lamb & eggplant "dumplings" (tender bits of lamb wrapped in a slice of eggplant and then lightly fried); the carrot puree pret a manger; zucchini fritters with Haloumi cheese and a nectarine/tomato salad; and the ricotta and bread dumplings, but everything was delicious and the perfect amount of food. The veg tasting might not hold up as well in the winter, but on a beautiful late summer night out on the patio, it was just perfect.
OK...Sorellina or...?
I had a great meal at Erbaluce about a month ago. Prices are reasonable, service was friendly, and both the mussels app and the house-made pasta w/ rabbit were excellent. I haven't been to Sorellina yet, so I can't really directly compare them, but if you are looking for something in a slightly lower price bracket I'd definitely recommend Erbaluce.
Any good restaurants near Fenway Park? And any Five Guys Burgers around Boston?
This topic comes up quite regularly, a quick board search should turn up a bunch of suggestions. Here are a few recent threads to get you started:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/635461
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/624676
dinner with visiting mom, stay in cambridge vs find something special in boston (casual/mid-priced, no super fancy)
Neptune Oyster in the North End seems to fit the bill as far as a causal atmosphere with excellent food. The menu is almost entirely seafood, but I wouldn't exactly call it lobstery (although I'm not quite sure what you mean by that).
Toro might be another option - excellent Spanish tapas, definitely memorable food. It can be on the crowded and loud side, if that is a minus.
Right next to Toro is Teranga, a relatively new Senegalese restaurant. I haven't been, but see this recent thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/621732 Might be interesting to try.
need advice for our first visit to Boston!!
If your main concern is spectacularly good food, I would recommend the chef's tasting menu at Craigie on Main. In my opinion, possibly the best food in Boston, and if you ask in advance they'd probably be able to adjust things to the taste of you and your friends (less/no fish, maybe). However, the atmosphere, service, and room is on the causal side. Professional and attentive, to be sure, but more causal than other options.
I would also third the Mamma Maria suggestion -- the atmosphere and location are very elegant and special-occasion-worthy, especially if you can get a reservation for the room with one table overlooking North Square. They don't do tasting menus, as far as I know, so if that is important to you it might be worth looking elsewhere, however.
Other options you might investigate include: Sorellina, Salts, L'Espalier, No. 9 Park, Troquet, and Prezza.
Restaurants with Gluten-Free Menus (or just allergy friendly)
Elephant Walk (Porter Sq, Kenmore, and Waltham) has a gluten-free menu.
Restaurant Week
I went last Sunday and thought it was quite good. The RW menu includes a good fraction (at least half, but I didn't count rigorously) of the options on the regular menu -- probably 4-5 choices for app and main, with 3 dessert options. I had the steak tartare with mushrooms as an app, and the fruitti di mare as a main; my DC had the arugala salad and the mushroom ravioli. Everything was quite good, with the fruitti di mare (lots of seafood in a brothy tomato sauce on top of orzo-like pasta) standing out.
ISO Dark Chocolate
I have tried the Cacao Puro, and I agree it is quite good, although my favorite is probably the one with chiles. Haven't tried the yerba mate one yet, will have to look for it.
ISO Dark Chocolate
Whole Foods has a pretty good selection of dark chocolate (I usually go to the one in Fresh Pond). Cardullo's in Harvard Square imports a lot of high-end European chocolate, although the prices are quite high. L. A. Burdick is a good recommendation as well.
My current favorite dark chocolate is from Taza chocolate (made in Somerville), which you can get at many farmer's markets and coffeeshops as well as Whole Foods and probably other places (a bit cheaper at the farmer's markets). It is unconched, so it has a much more granular texture than more traditionally produced bars. I really like it, but it is quite different so it may be worthwhile to try a sample at a farmer's market first (I know they go to Harvard University, Davis Sq, Central Sq, Coolidge Corner, and Union Sq, and probably others).
Boston - Italian dining recommendations? (especially for great pasta)
Second this! Had a great house-made fettucine with porcini and rabbit a few nights ago.
Good eats near Harvard Square area? Please recommend some of your yummy faves
If you don't mind a ~15 minute walk from Harvard Square, EVOO (intersection of Kirkland & Beacon) is a great option. Eclectic / new American, frequently changing menu featuring fresh local ingredients, and a $35 3-course prix fixe.
I'll also second the recommendation for Crema Cafe for sandwiches, and add Darwin's.
Looking for best restaurants in Boston for weekend trip
I had dinner at Mamma Maria last night for the first time, and would highly recommend it -- although it would be quite hard to stay under $50/person if that includes wine, tax, and tip. Very nice atmosphere (in a house overlooking North Square in the North End), fairly quiet, great food.
Another Italian place you might consider is Erbaluce, on Church St about a 15 minute walk from your hotel. It is a bit less formal and definitely more modern in style than Mamma Maria, and also somewhat cheaper and you'd have a much easier time staying around $50/person. The house-made pasta is particularly good at Erbaluce (and the mussel appetizer, if they still have them on the menu).
Farmers' Markets, CSAs, Farms stands August 2009
I think the oyster guy usually doesn't show up in later in the year (late Sept or Oct). I go to the Davis market fairly regularly and haven't seen him, but I don't remember seeing him until late fall last year.
Help for upcoming visit highly appreciated...
I ate at Meritage in your hotel during Restaurant Week last winter. The menu was focused heavily on seafood, and very, very good. The room has a great view over the water, and a good wine list too. However it isn't cheap.
Farmers' Markets, CSAs, Farms stands August 2009
I talked to several farmers at the Davis market yesterday about the tomato situation this year. Enterprise Farm (Davis & Brookline markets) reported that although it has been a tough year, so far they have not been seriously affected by late blight -- they had the first organic heirloom tomatoes I've seen for sale this year (brandywines and a few others, along with beautiful looking standard red tomatoes). Nicewicz Family Farm (Davis, Brookline, Belmont, Union Square) didn't have tomatoes yet, although they report the crop is looking good (they are not organic and have been spraying fairly heavily). Kimball Farms (many markets) also has lots of tomatoes, with many heirloom varieties ripe now -- although again they are not organic, and have been spraying fairly heavily.
grass-fed meats
eatwild.com is a good resource for finding this type of information. Here is their listing of MA resources: http://www.eatwild.com/products/massachusettsresources.htm
Lunch in Cambridge?
Sandwiches: Darwin's probably has the best sandwiches in the area, IMO, although Crema is a close second. Hi Rise is okay, but they have dramatically cut back on sandwich options at their Harvard square location; I find their new menu to be somewhat overpriced and not nearly as good as their sandwiches used to be.
Pizza: I'll second the Cambridge 1 rec for grilled flatbread-style pizza. For more traditional pizza by the slice, I like Pinocchio's, Upper Crust, or Oggi. See here also for some discussion of Cambridge pizza options: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/633093
Restaurant Week
I'm going to Mamma Maria and Toro for dinner, and Upstairs on the Square for lunch. I think Toro is an especially good deal since it is the only time they take reservations, and basically the whole menu is available.
I've also had good restaurant week experiences at Harvest and Meritage.
My opinion is that places that have prix fixe menus in the $30-$40 range year-round (T. W. Food, EVOO, Flora, among others) generally aren't the best options during RW, even if the menu looks good -- why deal with the crowds and the risk of overwhelmed service when you could get the same deal any time?
Storing places to go - wheel of restaurants?
I have a spreadsheet on Google Docs, so when I see a restaurant I want to try I can just copy it over, regardless of what computer I happen to be on at the time. I generally add cuisine, price, and neighborhood, along with name and street address. Haven't tried the Chow lists, that might also work well.
Fresh Seafood in Ithaca, NY
How about the fish truck (Friday mornings, in the parking lot of the Triphammer Mall)? I always found there fish to be quite good, although I have not been this summer.
Baffled by the in laws this weekend
Legals or Summer Shack can be quite tough for vegetarians -- something to keep in mind.
Baffled by the in laws this weekend
Helmand has many great vegetarian options, and would probably be fine for a kid. No patio, though. Harvest also is good for vegetarians and has a patio, but might be a bit less kid-friendly (although on the patio you'd probably be okay).
I wouldn't think Craigie or Hungry Mother would really work well with a kid, especially on a Saturday night, although I guess it depends on the age. Both are rather tightly packed without a lot of room to maneuver; Craigie in particular doesn't really have a kid-friendly menu or atmosphere, unless perhaps you go really early.
Another place that might fit your criteria that doesn't get talked about much is Sabur, in Teele Sq. It is Mediterranean/Greek/Balkans-inspired food, would certainly be kid-friendly, and has a nice little patio. The mousaka and the slow-roasted lamb are both quite good, as are many of the appetizers (esp. the zucchini and feta fritters). The only bad thing I've had there was the polenta, which was rather bland.
Been To Flora's and Evoo any Recs?
Last time I was at Harvest was in March during restaurant week. The spring green soup stood out -- sort of like a garlic scape pesto in soup form, lemony and garlicy and yummy. But as I'm sure that is no long on the menu, I don't really have any particular dishes to recommend. I'd probably go with what sounds good and in season.
davis sq suggestions
I'll second the Namaskar rec for Indian, and Martsa on Elm for Tibetan. I've been kind of disappointed in Orleans -- the menu always looks good, but the food doesn't seem to quite live up. And it's not exactly a great value. Haven't tried the mussels though. For cheap and quick, there is always Anna's Taqueria.
If you want sushi, Hana Sushi on Mass Ave (~ 5 minute walk from Davis, right next to Qingdao Garden) is better than either of the options in Davis square, although perhaps a bit pricier. Also on Mass Ave (corner of Mass Ave and Day st) is Cafe Barada, which does good Lebanese (warning: cash only). I've heard good things about Greek Corner on Mass Ave, although haven't been yet myself.
Sagra is a good option for Italian, on Highland. A bit further away (up Holland towards Teele square) is Sabur -- they have a nice patio, but I think of them more as winter food (the slow cooked lamb and the moussaka are both very good). Also a bit pricier than other options.
Finally, if you are eating before 7:30, the sandwiches at Dave's Fresh Pasta are quite good.
Sour cherries?
Got some from Kimball Farm at the Davis Square farmer's market today. Looked like they were down to their last few pints at ~1:30 pm though, so it is probably too late to get them today. Kimball goes to a lot of markets though.
Been To Flora's and Evoo any Recs?
The first two restaurants that come to mind are T. W. Food (Cambridge) and Ten Tables (Cambridge and JP). Both focus on fresh, seasonal cuisine, and both have 3 course prix fixe menus in the same approximate price range as EVOO.
Another place to consider is Harvest. Maybe not quite as good a value (a bit pricier and no prix fixe, for food that is maybe a bit less creative and well executed), but still worthwhile, especially in nice weather when you can sit out on their beautiful patio.
In a substantially higher price bracket with correspondingly higher quality, there is of course Craigie on Main (possibly the best restaurant in Boston right now).
Current consensus on best "everyday" sushi?
Had dinner at Hana Sushi tonight -- was my first time there as well, despite living in the neighborhood. Quite good: had hamachi nigiri, spicy tuna maki, unagi, and the seaweed salad. Everything was good and very fresh. The seaweed salad was a great starter on a very hot night. Definitely better than the options in Davis square, IMO, and likely to become my new go-to sushi place in the neighborhood.
Friday and Saturday lunch suggestions
Emma's Pizza is great for somewhat unconventional pizza -- lots of interesting toppings and cheeses. Hungry Mother is also a good choice, a bit more upscale, serves somewhat fancified Southern cuisine with a French twist. Cambridge Brewing Company has great beer and okay food -- better if you stick to the more traditional pub fare options.
AVOID Tommy Doyles at all costs.
Blue Room, Atasca, and Mulan I have not eaten at but I think generally are reasonably well thought of. See this recent discussion of Atasca and other nearby Portuguese restaurants: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/611952
A recent discussion of Dante (in the Royal Sonesta) is here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/635970
Other options close to your hotel include The Helmand (Afghan, very good) and Similans (Thai -- not the best Thai in Boston, but quite good and very convenient to the hotel).
I think The Helmand and Atasca (or another close by Portuguese restaurant such as Casa Portugal or Portugalia) are your best bet for interesting cuisine not likely to be found in a "culinarily-deprived part of the midwest".
I would also suggest searching "Kendall Square", "Central Square", and "Inman Square" on the board for some other ideas.
4 New Haveners Hit Boston
Thaitation near the MFA might be a good lunch option: good Thai food, reasonable prices especially at lunch, and a short walk (on Jersey St, just across the Fens from the MFA). The Savant Project is also a possibility -- about 1/2 mile down Huntington Ave, eclectic small plates with kind of a hipster attitude, but fairly reasonable prices.
