laborchicky's Profile
Barbara Lynch Group- divergence in price on same items at different restaurants
I've been to all of Barbara Lynch's restaurants save Menton, and I have generally enjoyed them, though some more than others (Number 9>Sportello>Butcher Shop>B&G).
I am gearing up for my first meal at Menton. But, reviewing the offerings, I noticed that not only is there overlap, but there is divergence on price depending on the location. For instance, a bottle of Gruner Veltliner at B&G is priced a good $10 lower than the same bottle at Menton. And a dessert offering at Sportello is slightly reconfigured as dessert and Menton at 4x the price.
Of course restaurants can do what they want and there will be certain adjustments given the different feel of each place, but the prospect of shelling out at least $250 per person is tempered if I *know* something equivalent could be had in the same restaurant group for less.
Is this typical?
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Sportello
348 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02110
Menton
354 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
Where to watch the World Cup?
The Squealing Pig in Mission Hill (right off Huntington) is showing all games. Great neighborhood atmosphere. Solid, curated beer list and a diverse crowd that knows sport. And good toasties and fries to snack on for the 90 minutes.
134 Smith Street Boston 02120
(617) 566-6651
ISO Pomegranate Molasses in Cambridge
Christina's in Inman has pomegranate syrup and preserves (and new, later hours - 9 pm!)
Floating Rock...possible move to to Boston/Cambridge
9 of us went to Floating Rock tonight after a day at Revere Beach. We ordered the always outstanding Tiger's Tears, chicken with ginger which was wonderfully heavy on the ginger, a refreshing mango salad, shrimp chow fun which was basic but quite good, spicy quail which had a complex and unique flavor but was chopped a bit too small to deal with the many bones, and a delicious Loc Lac which required a second order after the meal as our "dessert." The coconut shakes were outstanding as was the distinctively stinky durian shake.
Lovers of FR will not be surprised to hear another glowing report of a meal here, but after complimenting (and applauding) the chef, we learned that the family who owns the restaurant is actively looking to relocate it to Boston (in the Park Square area) or to Cambridge. Not sure how I feel about that.....but as long as the food stays this delicious I'd follow FR anywhere.
What a ChowDown! Lowell!
A few fine points to add on to fredid's, NoNatto's and cassis's already detailed descriptions.....
The snail salad at PHO 88 (VietNamese) was sea snail, not land snail so the taste and texture were more like a sea anemone that escargot. The menu was just huge - filled with familiar vietnamese staples but multiple pages of items not found in even the best Boston spots, like Xinh Xinh. The sauce for the hot pot was unbelievably good - silken tofu whipped with sugar, chili and lime which added a great spicy/sweet counterpoint to the richness of the goat and vegetables. The staff was incredibly accommodating and eager - at noon, it was clear we were the only non-Vietnamese, non-locals in a sizeable and crowded restaurant.
TEPTHIDA KHMER is definitely more on the beaten path - it is stylized (as opposed to hole in the wall) and its spring rolls have been mentioned in ths month's Yankee magazine, of all things. The restaurant is definitely gearing to a weekday luch crowd in it's marketing, but the full menu has a great array of authentic Khmer dishes. Although it's a standard Cambodian dish, hands down this was the best loc lac I ever tasted. The meat was perfectly cooked and caramelized, which worked perfectly with the tart lime pepper dipping sauce. Prices were quite reasonable, with most appetizers under $7 and most entrees under $15.
PHIEN'S KITCHEN is a hole in the wall, but a good one at that. This was my first experience with Laotian food, and while the menu read like a Thai/Cambodian cross (makes sense, right?), the flavors were earthier, less tangy, with a far less pronounced nam pla/dried shrimp paste base than Thai and a less refined approach than Cambodian. The food was quite good, but more pronounced single notes than delicate balanced flavors: larb (spice!), bamboo soup (macerated greens!), sausage (smoke!). The dessert of sticky purple rice layered with coconut flakes and custard was the exception - it's flavors and textures were surprising and subtle.
A delicious road trip, well worth leaving the 617.
Best French Toast in my life at Beehives!
I had the french toast at Beehive's this Sunday. Delicious, as usual, with what seemed to be a cornflake crust and not so sweet real whipped cream on top. Overall, I really enjoy the niche the Beehive fills - a great jazz brunch at a not so crazy price point for all that you get. The French toast did not taste deep fried - could the toast retain the inside custardy texture if it were?
Vee Vee - a mixed bag.
I went to Vee Vee last night for the first time with high hopes of really liking this place. I like the vegetarian (even vegan) influences on the menu and the warm room which only remotely resembled dear old departed Cha Fahn. In short - a mixed bag.
Highlights were the appetizers - a wonderful, flavorful Tuscan bean soup with bread. Thick enough to eat with a fork, packed with flavor and filling without ruining the appetite for a main course. The beans and spinach were cooked in just right and the bread just melted into the dish. perfect for the weather we've been having. The beet salad is a veggie take on a Waldorf - green goddess dressing, celery, apples, walnuts and and all. The components were nice and tasty, but the salad was miniscule and the walnuts seemed to be thrown in at the end instead of fully incorporated.
The real drawbacks were the main dishes. The carrot and parsnip curry lacked the necessary flavor that a dish like this requires. There was one note to it - a mild curry flavor - that tasted bland after a few bites. The butternut squash enchiladas were a step up, but the spicy tastiness of the butternut squash flavor overpowered the blander elements of the rest of the dish - a flour tortilla, bland cheese, odd beans.
I don't want to write a place off because of one off night, but I haven't seen much about Vee Vee on CH. Any other experiences?
Buying plantains in Boston area
You can find them in any of the Latin markets in Allston (Sunrise) or at the Hi-Lo in JP (take the 39 bus). My favorite - the Carribean Market at 558 Washington St in Roxbury - it is Orange Line accessible, cheap and has tons of Latin American foods.
"Roadhouse Craft Beer and BBQ "
I went to Roadhouse last Thursday and, I am sad to say, I was miserably disappointed. I was salivating at the idea of good BBQ in my backyard (good BBQ....hence no Village Smokehouse). The wait - for a table - was over an hour and this is because they left half the restaurant empty to let the kitchen catch up with back orders.
When we finally (!) sat down, the waitress could not tell us whether the pork ribs were baby backs (they are not) and how the beef ribs were prepared. When the food arrived, the beef ribs were just ok, the pork ribs were rubbery and the brisket sandwich was quite good. That said, I would not come back for the brisket alone. I'll give this place a month or two to gear up and react to constructive criticism and then try again. Until then, I'll have to make do with Blue Ribbon and business trips to the South....
Need a dinner suggestion for Thursday 1/03
If part of the goal is to give them a feel for the city, I'd suggest one of the less annoying North End restaurants, like Mamma Maria (quintissential location and the food is not half bad) or Laurel in the Back Bay off of Columbus.
If the main goal is good food and a classy atmosphere, try Oleanna in Cambridge, La Morra in Brookline, Salts in Cambridge (wonderful winter menu) or even Sandrine's in Harvard Square...
Angela's - Chowdown rundown + News!
I orgainize a restaurant group and have planned an Angela's outing for next Sunday for an early (5:30 ish) dinner. There is no info on hours on the web - should I make a reservation (8 people) or can Angela's handle a walk in at this time? Should I ask for anything in advance?
How are you learning about all the off the menu stuff - just talking to Luis/Angela?
Grain and Salt - Eh...
SG - it was - not that I realized we passed each other until now! I was foggy apparently, having just finished brunch at the Harvard Square IHOP of all places. Word to the wise, when meeting someone for brunch in Harvard Square, no place but IHOP is open before 10 AM. Rooty Tooty fresh and fruity.
One more "Thumbs Up" for Shiki
They are open for dinner only, 5-10:00, though I think their actual closing hours are flexible depending on who is still there and eating (I was there until 11 and the place was quiet, but not empty).
One more "Thumbs Up" for Shiki
I've now been to Shiki twice - once a few weeks ago with a friend and again this Saturday night, solo. The food was interesting and fresh, the service was attentive and far speedier than what has been described in earlier posts (are they listening?) and the atmosphere was peaceful, belying its subterranean location.
I had the Tuna-Nagaimo Tartar both times. The fish was super fresh and the presentation was artful (a quail egg in shell in the corner of the dish, held in place with wasabi, for pouring over the chopped raw tuna and nagaimo and mixing with garlic mirin sauce). This was a substantial dish for only $7.50. Ebi mayo is grilled (not fried, despite the menu description) shrimp served over a honey sauce and drizzled with spicy mayo. It sounds a bit odd, but the flavors mesh beautifully, especially with a little squeeze of lemon over the top. Last, the Sea Eel Millefeuille (broiled sea eel combined with grilled nagaimo, vegetables, and poached egg) was solid, but not as transporting as the other two dishes.
I also had an order of toro sushi. Shiki has a full nigiri menu, though the small plates are the reason to come here. That said, the toro was melt in your mouth fatty, with two thick, oily pieces for $14. The same quality toro at Fugakyu is $22.
I need a larger group (hound destination, anyone?) to try more, otherwise I'm just going to have to devour the rest of the menu in stages.....
http://www.shikibrookline.com/menu_en.htm
Grain and Salt - Eh...
That's unfortunate, Striper. I've only been once, and I was pleased with my goat vindaloo (spiced right) and my lamb samosa. Still, with Indian food on the brain, I'd take my cravings to India Quality instead. Speaking of which, has anyone tried Punjab Palace on Brighton Ave? I understand it is owned by the India Quality folks....
Oishii Boston - is it worth it?
Oishii in Chestnut Hill is delicious and worth every penny.
Oishii in the South End is overhyped and not worth the price. At half the price I would be satisfied. The sashimi (a true test of a good sushi place) was not as fresh and buttery soft as it should be at approximately $7 per PIECE. The appetizers were creative in their conception, but when executed were just a bit off (e.g. salmon sashimi bits on a potato crisp had the wrong mouthfeel).
Restaurant Group Recommendations
I run a Boston-based restaurant group with about 150 members. The way it works is that an event is posted online for between 6-12 members who sign up on a first come/first served basis. I have chosen restaurants based on (1) good, different food,(2) easy accessibility and (3) if a restaurant is willing to put together a prix fixe or throw in something yummy on an off night. Recent choices have been Grotto, Kaze, Shanghai Gate, Helmand, Azure, Sel de la Terre, Buddha's Delight, Asmara, Koreana and Stella.
Any great ideas for an event next week? I am thinking about Anise, India Quality, Tamarind Bay, Zon's, Emma's.
