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Intesting/obscure Chinatown dishes?

Thanks for the suggestions. I went to BLR today. I asked about the squid dish and the waiter didn't know what I was talking about. So I guess it is off the menu?

We went with Crispy Fried Instestines, Jelly Fish and Duck Web, Fish and eggplant hotpot with XO Sauce and the old stand by, pork and bean lettuce wrap. (We've had the aforementioned squab and garlic spare ribs.)
Jelly fish and duck web was good, but was sliced a little thick and could've used more flavor/marinade.
Crispy Intestine was new to both of us, it was large intestine deep fried, served with a sweet, tangy sauce (kind of like ketchup with more vinegar.) This was surprising, it tasted like duck skin. Very good, defintiely something worth trying.

The Hotpot and lettuce wraps were good, up to typical BLR standards. Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming.

May 17, 2013
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Intesting/obscure Chinatown dishes?

Prav, that sounds good. Just to be sure that's different from the Scallops on the Shell w/ garlic and vermicelli at Peach farm? I've had those multiple times and they are excellent.

May 16, 2013
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Intesting/obscure Chinatown dishes?

A friend and I have been doing lunch in Chinatown about once a month for 2 years or so, and I feel like we've had everything. (I also work downtown and have had many solo lunches.) There are definitely some dishes/restaurants we've missed and I'm looking for suggestions. If it's a common board rec, we've probably had it, but I'd rather err on the side of caution and have too many suggestions rather than too few.

We are both very adventerous eaters, so the more obscure, the better! Thanks!

May 15, 2013
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

The Single Most Overrated Dish

Tastesgoodwhatisit,
I just got a crock pot a few months ago myself and totally agree with you. Could you point me toward the timer/power outlet product you use and give me your thoughts on it? Thanks!

May 15, 2013
tysonmcneely in General Topics

A tourist's review...

Fried Clams (or any fried seafood) is also pretty good, but on the same level will any good fried clam/seafood shack. For lobster roll, I would personally go Neptune over Belle Isle and get the hot one, but they are 2 very different types of places so it depends what you are looking for.

RE: Mul's diner, it's certainly not bad, but it's diner food that you can pretty much get anywhere else. Unless you are going there specifically for the Southie "charm."

May 14, 2013
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

NY Hound Not Fooling Around

Nice list, how many days is that?
No idea about the italian sub shop in the North End, but the 2 most well known are probably Volle Nolle and Monica's Salumeria. Maybe one of those?

I understand these may have some sentimental value to you, but I absolutely cannot recommend Villa Francesca, I've only eaten there once, but it was not very good.

Also if Gourmet Dumpling house is full (which it tends to get a lot) I highly recommend Dumpling cafe.

For banh mi, my favorite is Mei Sum bakery. (only 3 kinds though, cold cut, beef and tofu.)

Mar 21, 2013
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Bangers?

Tell your IT guy you just want just want to look at some pics of bangers...

Mar 15, 2013
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area
1

Goat Meat and Mutton?

Waltham India Market has goat meat for $7/lb.
They seem to do the butchering there.

Mar 13, 2013
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Barrio Cantina

I went last night. It's was ok, nothing spectacular though. It was pretty reasonable priced though, which I was suprised at for Fenway. Tacos (2) were around $6-8, as were apps. Entrees were $15-20, but I did not try them. Cheek and tongue taco wasn't bad, but I had it at Taquira el Amigo a few days ago and they don't even compare. (One point of clarification, the cheek and tongue were mixed together at Barrio and were seperate tacos at El Amigo.) Fish tacos were odd in the fact that they were cubes of fried fish as opposed to one whole piece. Also had a sweet potato and shrimp tamale that I would not reccomend and a quesidilla that was good but small.
Looks to be pretty similar to La Verdad, but I prefer La Verdad over Barrio Cantina.

Feb 15, 2013
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Allston/Brighton Family Dinner Options

Unfortunately, Strip T's is closed on Sundays.

Jan 26, 2013
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Whadda I order at El Pelon tonight? OR somewhere nearby with cocktails?

I'm a big fan of their Fish Guapo, which is an off menu item. It's an el Guapo burrito, but they sub out the steak for the same fish in the taco.

I agree that the fish tacos are a little lacking...

Jan 11, 2013
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Banh Mi House in DTX

I agree that the dumpling people are very nice, and they make a nice scallion pancake too. But it's hard for me to justify paying for dumplings out of a bag that you can buy at any asian grocer....

Jan 11, 2013
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Banh Mi House in DTX

I've been to Fei Fan a few times. Certainly not the best banh mi, a little light on the proteins, which aren't that great to begin with, but...... it's $2. A steal for that price, and their $2 hotdogs are pretty good too. They give you a half a hotdog cut lengthwise, with different topping combos.

Also, I've had their okonomiyaki, which is not bad, but not great, and was like $6.

Jan 11, 2013
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Saus - at Haymarket / Faneuil Hall

I think the Duck menu ended yesterday. I had the duck fat fries yesterday, and while they were good, I did not taste any duckfat. I definitely oredered them and confirmed with the counter person. I don't know if they did use enough duckfat or if I got the wrong order, but there didnt seem to be anything different. I've had duck fat fries at Duckfat in portland, so I know what they should taste like.

Dec 21, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Pedro's Tacos

I visted Pedro's today. I had a fish taco ($3.39) and shrimp($4.49) taco to-go.
As mentioned before, the size of the tacos was good, maybe a 4" or 5" tortilla with ample fillings. (definitely bigger than say an Anna's or El dorado.)
Fish taco had a good size piece of fried cod, pico, shredded green cabbage and a crema. The fish wasn't the very crispy but that may have been due to the 5 min walk back to work.
Shrimp was good too, the shrimp were bigger than I expected, I beleive sauteed, and the same other fillings. Only criticism on the shrimp was there was a lot of run off liquid, possibly they keep shrimp in this and then spoon it out?

They had a salsa bar with Pico, green and red salsa, and Pickled carrots and onions. To be honest, i found them all a bit one-note and bland, esp the green and red salsas. Could only taste bitterness and a mild heat. The pico was pretty good though, if unspectactular..

Overall, i did enjoy the tacos and I look forward to trying some more items on the list. Lobster taco/burrito could definitely be a crapshoot and I want to try the rolled taco (taquitos?) they have as well.

Oct 18, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

where to buy fresh / live seafood?

Wulf's is in Brookline, on Harvard. Not as good as New Deal, but still acceptable. Cash only.

Oct 04, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Not-so-Chinese in Chinatown?

I understand that you are probably exaggerating, but someone who doesn't speak to your for a month over a dining experience is probably someone you don't want in your life. So I guess the solution is to take her out to an all-offal dinner and never hear from her again?

Sep 27, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Do any restaurants in Chinatown sell their dumplings (frozen)?

Allstonian, you are correct. I got them confused.

Sep 24, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Do any restaurants in Chinatown sell their dumplings (frozen)?

Dumpling King uses (or at least when they opened up) Ho Toy Noodle Co Dumplings, so it'd probably be cheaper to buy straight from the source.

Sep 24, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Dinner Tonight: Brookline, Allston, Brighton

I actually think he's referring to the Abbey which is on the otehr side of beacon, if memory serves me correctly, wash sq tavern is on the same side as the fireplace. They are a similar though, The Abbey is owned by people who used to be associated w/ Wash sq Tavern, I think former chef maybe?

Sep 14, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Red, White, and Blue Burgers for the 4th

Sounds/looks amazing.
One question, I assume you mean the whole spices were grinded down before use in the meat? Whole cardamoms, not really too appealing for me...

Jul 12, 2012
tysonmcneely in Home Cooking

Roast Beast (Allston)

Yeah, the owner previously said he sourced the Roast Beef from the South Shore. I doubt he switched to Boar's Head Roast Beef, and as mentioned previously, it is a listing error. I will try to confirm this weekend, but I would bet dollars to donuts, this is the case.

Jul 12, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Roast Beast (Allston)

I'm pretty sure they don't use Boar's head Roast Beef, unless this is a new change. I admittedly haven't been there for a few months, but last time I was there, they weren't using it. I saw them slicing from a huge chunk of roast beef that would never be confused with Boar's head. Also, I spoke with the owner when they just opened, and he said he gets it from somewhere on the south shore.

Unless I'm missing something, the website makes no mention of Boar's Head, save the cheese, which is Boar's head.

Jul 11, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Chinatown dining logistics

A ton of places used to Validate for the beach st garage (I think it was $6 for 3 hrs) but I don't think any do anymore. This happened about a year ago, I spoke with one restaurant and they said that the Garage changed ownership and they no longer offered that deal.

Jun 06, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

"Water Weight"

Agreed. Even thought your scale may be digital and read to the tenth of a pound, it is still not accurate to the tenth of a pound. To test this, try stepping on the scale, then hold weight or something else that you know weighs a certain amount. Also the smaller the weight you hold onto, the less likely your scale will measure any difference. Most bathroom scales are not accurate to the pound, let alone fraction of a pound.

Ask any athlete whose sport you must weigh in for (Wrestling, MMA, etc.) You definitely dehydrate yourself prior to weighing in so that you weigh less. Then you try to rehydrate yourself when you compete so you are heavier than the weight class.

May 31, 2012
tysonmcneely in Not About Food

Downtown Crossing Area at Night?

You are very welcome. As you can see, I'm not the only one that thought you were setting $13 as a price point. Also Uburger is a pretty good burger, which was been discussed a lot on this board. (I will admit there are varying opinions.)

I would suggest looking at the menu of JM Curley's, and if that is above your price point, there is also Sidebar, which I believe has 10 cent wings. (They are little mini wings though, and this deal may only be available at certain times.)

Please realize that you are setting a very specific set of Criteria, we are just trying to narrow down what you are looking for.

May 31, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Downtown Crossing Area at Night?

If $13 is too much for you, you are looking at the Tri-factor of McD's, BK, and Wendy's. Wendy's new side dishes actually look pretty good...
$10 will get you Fries, hamburger and a drink at Uburger. If you go no fries, bring your own drink, maybe $6.

May 31, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

31st birthday!

Toro is in the South End...

May 10, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

bars with outdoor patio area - for a bachelorette party

I've been to the Brahmin and it is a very similar vibe to 33, not much has changed except the name. But they definitely don't false advertise: There are a lot of "Brahs" there.

May 03, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area

Strip T's increasing funkiness

Hmmm 5pm last Saturday you say.... I was there as well. I wasn't paying too much attention to the other parties, but I was probably there for an opinionated chef sighting.

I went with a friend who had never been there before, and the friend really wanted to get the smoked octopus. I do enjoy the incredible amount of smokiness they get into the octopus, but I do find it to be one of their smaller small plates. We also got the turnip cake with the glace as they called it. I think the word you're looking for (special oregon morel-relatives) is verpa. The Verpas and ramps were excellent as was the turnip cake, if a bit small for $18. Also had the fried chicken there for the first time, which I enjoyed, but probably not the best I've had in Boston. It came with dirty rice with some sort of blue cheese or gorgonzola type cheese in there as well as chicken "cracklins" which were bits of fried chicken skin. It was interesting but not quite as good as their grits. I really wanted to try the Soft Shell Crab, but will have to wait for another time. Not my best trip to Strip T's (No Pig's Head toast on the menu, also didn't get the grilled romaine) but as always, I walked away happy.

Apr 17, 2012
tysonmcneely in Greater Boston Area