We got done with our day of sightseeing early and came back to our hotel, in Rosslyn. I am hoping not to get back on the Metro for dinner, but haven't done any research in Rosslyn for dinner with two adventurous kids. Suggestions?

Get thee to HIghland Kitchen this Sunday. I make pancakes at home at least twice a week (two little kids) and I have been trying for over a YEAR to replicate the pancakes I had there. They are magical.

I am surprised no one has mentioned Magoun's Saloon, in Magoun Square (intersection of Broadway and Medford Street). It's walkable from Davis or Porter, and has excellent food, as well as a great beer selection. Also family friendly, if that matters - it's one of our favorites.

Doesn't sound like Louie's will be getting their soft serve machine fixed any time soon. Their hard ice cream is a bargain, but doesn't really compare to Toscanninis (B3, to be exact).

I had the best chocolate bread pudding I've ever eaten (and that says a lot, because I order or make it every chance I get) at the Waterfront location. My mouth is watering just thinking about it...

I get it almost weekly at Russo's (it's beautiful this week), but have also found it in the Porter Square Shaw's recently.

Am I the only one who still likes Gail Ann's in Arlington Center? Their donuts are incredibly dense, but I think they are delicious.

I am sure a beaten egg white or two would help the lightness of my pancakes. I can't help but feel, though, that there was something else in the Highland Kitchen pancakes, because their flavor was different than any I had ever had before. I thought they tasted a little like the flavor of beignets, which they also serve at HK for brunch, but after looking at some beignet recipes I'm not sure what might have provided that flavor that is not already in regular, homemade pancakes.

Finally made it to Sunday brunch at Highland Kitchen yesterday. Thankfully, my dc insisted we get a single pancake to top off our savory main courses. My pork hash and collards were outstanding, but completely overshadowed by the pancake. Of course, the bourbon syrup doesn't hurt, but the pancake itself was so incredibly flavorful while still being light and fluffy... I would love to know how they do it. Any ideas?

We did go to the DQ a couple of times, and we enjoyed the soft serve at Kreme and Kone the most. I recently took my son to camp and was tempted by the side-of-the-road place off exit 16 on Rt. 2, but sadly did not stop... that one is in my future, I think.

After a couple of weeks on the Cape, I was reminded how much I love soft serve ice cream (especially with the chocolate dip, but my waistline definitely appreciates how hard it is to find that around here). On our last ice cream outing back in town (Somerville, to be exact), we went to JP Licks and I was horrified to discover that a soft serve cone is now up to four bucks. Anyone have suggestions for the cheap and delicious soft serve of my youth? Somerville/Cambridge/Arlington or vicinity...

I actually called, and believe it or not, the options I got on the phone were the same as those on Open Table. I, too, have found that you often have more luck when you call, but not this time.

Cuisine type doesn't matter, as long as it's tasty. $30/entree or less is ideal. We will have a car and would travel up to a half hour, although closer is better. I'm a Somervillian, so I'm sort of out of my element here.... If they were coming to me, I'd take them to Gargoyles, Oleana, Craigie on Main, or Hungry Mother.

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Hungry Mother
Cambridge, MA, Cambridge, MA

Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139

Craigie on Main
853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139

I am getting together with three old girlfriends (they are all staying at Hotel Indigo, right off 128 at exit 23) and we are looking for a place for a nice dinner. I have been wanting to go to Lumiere, but they are booked at the time we want to dine. Any other suggestions in that range? I know I may have waited too long, given that it's restaurant week....

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Lumiere Restaurant
1293 Washington St., West Newton, MA 02465

Okay, but where do we go now for papusas? Any recommendations in the general area?

I have searched the archives but most of the info is for places on the North Shore... we are in Harwich and would like something less factory-like than Arnolds these days. Any good, small-ish, low key clam shacks left?

Good stuff at Russo's this weekend. It said "local" but I'm not sure exactly where it was from. My mantra has always been "knee high by the 4th of July," meaning we should still have a few weeks to go to get the good stuff from within Massachusetts.

I'm sitting in it now. Apparently the menu HAS changed, although they do not have new menus printed up. No beef or pork on the menu anymore. major bummer.

Sorry, my memory is not great.... definitely some prosciutto, maybe salumi.... I can't remember the cheeses at all, although I know a bit about cheese and was impressed at the time by the level of detail they were able to share with us when we asked. My MIL had the gnocchi which was very rich and delicious.

I went maybe a month-6 weeks ago. It was empty (we ate at 6ish on a rainy Sunday night and we were a group of 9, including three kids). Pizza was quite good. Salads were unremarkable. The best part of the meal was the app of cheese and meats we got - delicious! I have no idea about prices since my in-laws paid (win!). I would try it again... they were very warm and friendly and gracious about the kids.

Any other suggestions? We will be visiting the grandparents in Amherst and would like to go somewhere on Sunday a.m. Davenport's looks great, but I'm wondering if there is anything good closer to Amherst. Last year we went somewhere in Hadley which was a bit disappointing (the food was blah and they weren't even making syrup!). I still long for sap on ice served with pickles, which is what I remember as a kid....

When we go sailing, we always stop and get a baguette or two, some salamis and some cheese. Bring a Swiss army knife and you are all set!

The pastrami at Russo's is quite good. Try Formaggio, if you want something closer to home.

I am biting the bullet and taking the kids to Coco Key on Saturday. I don't think I'll be able to stomach hotel food after that - anywhere good to get something to eat nearby? My kids are adventurous eaters, so tell me what you like and we'll find something they'll chow on there. Thanks!

Anyone have a good one they can share? Thanks.

I'm not sure I would describe this consistency as similar to a sloppy joe, but this chili is very good: http://books.google.com/books?id=346L...

The pizza is quite good. We had two pies for takeout last week and we were all impressed. It is definitely more gourmet pizza than the stuff you get from Christos or Pinis.

Thank you! Margarine it is.

I am a big fan of butter when baking. However, we have new friends with a daughter allergic to dairy, and in trying to accommodate her, one option I've thought of is to switch to crisco or margarine when I am baking. Obviously, there are some recipes where butter is main ingredient and it won't work... but, for instance, tonight I'm thinking of making apple crumble bars and the recipe calls for something like 4T of butter. Can someone help me out and tell me if I'm going to hate the taste?

We had a fabulous dinner at The Port in Harwich last weekend. The Kobe burger was out of this world (and my husband is on a quest to find the best burger and spends plenty of time in Boston looking).