flightsurg's Profile
Recs for Natick and Boston, please?
Much appreciation to all for the input. Alas, no car planned for the trip, may have to make the best...
Will definitely give my 2 cents after the trip, looking forward to it.
Recs for Natick and Boston, please?
Got it, thanks. Much appreciation, you are a one person travel/dining agency!
Recs for Natick and Boston, please?
Great, Oleana looks awesome, was actually wondering about The Helmand and Dali as 2 others... Tapas is a fave of mine as well. The links to other threads are much appreciated as well. I think Gastropub would be a desired destination as well, will search that term as well, if anyone has specific gastropub recs near where I'll be, I'd love to hear...
Appreciate the Natick info, that was one of the few posts to come up when I searched "Natick"....
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Oleana
134 Hampshire St., Cambridge, MA 02139
Recs for Natick and Boston, please?
Hey CH'ers,
I'll be heading to the Boston area in late September and early October, would like to pick brains to get some recommendations. Will be there Sep 29 (Thursday) through Oct 4 (Wednesday). I'll be alone with no other real tour itinerary except food and studying for an exam.
I'm coming from Las Vegas and will be in Natick for a conference for 3 days, then staying near the Public Gardens on Arlington for 2 nights. I won't have a car, but am willing to take a cab or public transportation for a reasonable distance.
I'm a fan of green/sustainable, local food restaurants. I'd like to do a food "experience" or 2, but would also like great, local fare regardless of atmosphere or setting. Just good food. I've seen quite a few posts and comments involving Craigie on Main, ICOB, O Ya, and Gallows and would like to try each of them, pending additional input. While money isn't limitiless, I'm willing to do a $300 tasting menu if worth it.
I'm most interested in French and American regional cuisines, would like to avoid steak houses (we have tons in Vegas), Mexican, Thai, Chinese and Italian, either because it's readily available in Vegas or I'm just not a fan.... I'm a particular fan of molecular gastronomy (please don't let this become a thread debating the merits of MG)... We have seafood flown in to Las Vegas, amazingly fresh for how far it needs to be transported, but would like to take advantage of Boston's proximity to the water. I guess this could be a request for a quintessential Boston clam bake. We used to live in Virginia Beach, and I really miss the seafood and the farmer's markets.
Thanks for your help!
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O Ya
9 East Street, Boston, MA 02111
Craigie on Main
853 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
recession deals in las vegas
Restaurant week (which is really 2 weeks) coming up the last week of August and first of September. Can't get the link to work since I'm on my phone, but a Google search for key words will give all the details.
Benefits our local food bank, Three Square.
Meals are either $20.11, $30.11, or 50.11. Most dinners at the high end, but found at least one w 5 courses for that. Some with wine pairings for $20 more. Some have choices of 3 or even 4 dishes for each course.
I'be heard of people (yeah, a FRIEND) who do an early seating and a late seating the same night at 2 different restaurants. It works just great (so I hear)....
Bartolotta or Guy Savoy? Please Help!!!
If I recall correctly, she did say it was a few months ago. She said she has had inquiries about buying all 8 seats for only 2 diners (wedding proposal, etc) but that they always balked at the cost....
Bartolotta or Guy Savoy? Please Help!!!
Have only eaten at Guy Savoy once, completely disappointing. Totally forgettable. Nothing was "bad" per se, but absolutely nothing stood out. We were there mid week for my birthday almost a year ago exactly. Slow service, clumsy serving, not what I was expecting. My girlfriend, who is much more forgiving, felt the food was actually bad. Distinctly not worth the money.
Similarly, Robuchon's Mansion is also not worth the money. Don't get me wrong, it's a very nice dinner, with some memorable dishes (hell, the bread, cheese and dessert carts are each an experience in and of themselves). But it isn't worth the roughly $350 they charge. My recommendation is L'Atelier instead. Not the same caliber, but a third the price for 5/6 the food. Unless you HAVE to go to the Mansion to fulfill your quest, do L'A instead.
E is the opposite; they could virtually double the price and I'd consider it a bargain. E was this year's birthday dinner, a great experience. It is reviewed separately in CH and the reviews are spot on. Not everything works perfectly (as far as the food), but overall, a great meal with some cool surprises. Service is stellar, and the opportunity to interact with the masters preparing the courses is an opportunity not to be missed. We talked ingredients, techniques, industry business, funny stories, the works. It's not at all stuffy, the staff is even wearing jeans. Can't recommend it enough. We were so lucky that on our seating (5:30), the other 6 guests cancelled, leaving only the 2 of us for a superb experience. Stephanie (manager) said that has happened only once before.
No experience with Bartolotta, can't help there.
Hope that helps a bit!
In Chicago, have reservations for 2, but dining alone
Hi all,
I'm a Vegas newbie, loving exploring the myriad of choices there since moving from Virginia Beach (although the farmer's markets obviously were a loss)...
In Chicago for a surgical conference, but got a wonderful phone call yesterday from Alinea offering me a slot to dine on Saturday (Saturday!!) night... (8:00)
I made reservations for 2, since I'll take up a 2 top table either way, figured I'd open the offer to any other Hounds who would be interested, local or otherwise.
It'd be nice to make a connection here in Chicago and would be happy to give feedback/recommendations for Vegas as well.
Moto Friday night at 8:00 as well, reservation for 2.
Thursday at Blackbird and going to try to get into Purple Pig tonight or maybe a place I found a few years ago, Belgian beer specialists with a long copper bar, had an awesome shrimp sausage that was so light and airy, delectable! Anyone know the name?
Will post reviews after dining. (probably during conference, lol...)
Stephen
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Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Moto Restaurant
945 W Fulton, Chicago, IL 60607
Places off the strip in Las Vegas
Hash House a Go Go for brunch/breakfast. Sinful.
Also Rachel's Kitchen in Summerlin, off 215.
Vintner's Grill, Rosemary's, Marche Bacchus for dinners.
Postrio in Venetian (?) for lunch. Worth being on strip.
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Vintner Grill
10100 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89135
Marche Bacchus
2620 Regatta Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89128
Postrio Restaurant
3355 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Hash House A Go Go
6800 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89146
Rachels Kitchen
3645 S Town Center Dr Ste 102, Las Vegas, NV 89135
Las Vegas on the Strip - Bachelorette Weekend
Ba Ba Reeba a great idea, as is Sunday brunch at Verandah at Four Seasons.
Dinner at a nice place is tough for $20-30...
I'd play up the fact that you're bringing 8-10 chicas to go out clubbing. In other words, pick which club you are going to, make a table reservation there or at least call and talk to someone there, then link the dinner res'n to the fact that you'll bring the guys in at the club. Emailing a group photo can't hurt, either, it makes it personal and (no offense, but it's true) lets the host know "who" will be in the club. Comp'ing food is nothing if you girls will be drawing 20-30 guys into the club, eager to buy you drinks and spend $400 on a bottle (or five!) of vodka.
You can also try the casino host, who may be able to direct you to someone willing to help. Of course, start with the place where you are staying...
Good luck, you should be able to have a great weekend here as long as you plan a little.
Las Vegas big birthday dinner
Tasting: Mansion at Robuchon, very pricey; Restaurant Charlie; L'Atelier by Robuchon at MGM; Mina's at Bellagio; Alize at Palms
Wine: Off strip in Summerlin: Marche Bacchus or Vintner Grill. VG usually has either Andre Agassi, our Governor or our Mayor dining there any night of the week.
Las Vegas Steakhouses
#1: Charlie Palmer in Four Seasons (attached to Mandalay, but use Four Seasons entrance. Also a good bet for catching a cab if the Mandalay cab line is really long)
#2: Craftsteak in MGM
#3: N9NE in Palms, but may be a bit "hip" for Dad...
Avoid StripSteak in Mandalay, not up to Mina's usually high standard.
VEGAS! Bachelor party dinner
QAW beat me by a day! Had the identical post all tee'd up in my head.
N9NE steakhouse is for you! They should be able to comp you into the clubs, especially (as said by QAW) if you point out that Simon would do it. (Above all, avoid Simon. Only reason to go there is to overlook the pool, which wouldn't do this time of year). Your group is the kind of group they want: Many guys who are willing to spend money. They know that while you are there, you'll spend the cash. Only thing that would be better is if you were 13 girls who would pull in around 50 guys (all willing to spend money). When you call, push your luck and ask for some sort of VIP service and then be willing to "back down" if needed and "settle" for just comp'd, NO WAIT entry to the clubs. Again, emphasize the fact that you are
looking for a great time (="we're here to spend") and you should have no problem.
Ask for Helen (hostess Manager) or JD at the bar, always has an unbelievable story. Odds of a celebrity encounter: High, esp sports figures. Odds of many, many attractive women at dinner and at the clubs: Very high.
For what it's worth, I think Rain has the best club around, amazing space and sound, great women in tiny dresses. Moon has a great view, but as cold as it is, will be lame for the purposes of partying it up. Should go for the view, though; just expect a TON of tourists of all ages.
My 2 cents.
Need Vegas Thai, Viet and Good Mexican
Thai: Lotus of Siam, no question
Asian: Pho Kim Long (try saying it out loud), in Chinatown
Mexican: Sorry, not my cup of tequila
Enjoy!
Dinner Recommendations for frequent Vegas Visitor
By the way, if you've been to Rosemary's, you may be willing to venture out to where the worker bees live instead of the middle of the "hive" (the strip just reminds me of a buzzing beehive...)
Vintner Grill and Marche Bacchus in Summerlin are fantastic.
And if you can possibly manage, Hash House a Go Go is one of the best places in the country for breakfast/brunch. Off the strip, but almost worth a cab ride!
Dinner Recommendations for frequent Vegas Visitor
Just had dinner at Rest Charlie with 2 other folks for the first time, loved it.
We all had the degustation (3 hours), including a vegetarian in our mix. The vegetarian dishes that came out were amazing, prompting the 2 of us who were carnivores to covet the veggie dishes. Best vegetarian high end dining we've found here.
Had dinner with the same 2 people at Mansion Robuchon a month ago or so, we all remarked that if we had been blindfolded, we'd pick the Rest Charlie dinner. The experience of the degustation at Mansion was phenominal, the bread, cheese and dessert carts alone were to die for, but the food was just a bit better at Rest Charlie.
Baloud's place in Wynn was great, but I personally have refused to go back after Mr Wynn's political comments, it may be my loss and has strained my principles each time I recall the dinner! I'm sure I'll actually cave as my political loftiness gives way to my culinary urges.
NINE steakhouse is good at Palms, as is Alize. I'd skip the restaurant at the new Palms building, forget the name. Looks great online, esp with the "green wall" of herbs, but it just fell flat.
Have never been to Alex, it may have to be the next stop...
Glad Vegas is soon getting its own discussion board on here...
Good, reasonable dinners in Reno? Also, area farmers markets?
I echo the thanks and my apologies to Steve G for the misplaced post and hijacking of his post (or should I say attempted hijack, since I was saved from committing the full monty!)
I look forward to reading the Vegas posts on Southwest...
Looking for sweetbreads in Hampton Roads
Nope, still looking. Always get them when I travel, especially in DC. I think I may have seen them on the menu at Fat Canary in Williamsburg, no, wait it was Blue Talon Bistro...
http://bluetalonbistro.com/menus.html
We had eaten lunch already when I found it, so we haven't been there yet...
I'd like to lobby the chef at Terrapin to carry it on the menu, I'll have to drop a hint next time we go there. Great spot if you've never been, in VB...
Jacksonville, NC /Camp Lejeune area
Ugh, at the risk of being one of those people who have nothing positive to add, I'm sorry that you're on Chowhound and living in Jacksonville. Hopefully, your PRD is soon... I spent 2 years there, and all I can add is to get used to heading down to Wilmington or even better, Raleigh/Durham.
Wish I had something more positive, but I don't. Just get out of there as often as you can.
Looking for sweetbreads in Hampton Roads
This may be a complete pipe dream, but I was hoping someone would know of a restaurant in the Hampton Roads area that has sweetbreads on the menu. I recently had them at 1789 in Wash D.C. and have had a constant craving since!
Thanks in advance...
Hampton Roads sushi quest
Domo's sushi (and this was no exception, better or worse) has always been basic and reliable. Certainly, I would never rave about it being the best ever, but it is somewhere between strip mall sushi and what I'd expect from an average New York/LA/San Francisco sushi restaurant. Kyushu is the best I've found in the region, thanks for the tip. I find it too hard to get out there very often, though. I live blocks from Domo, so that's a factor.
Domo is a good lunch sushi spot, if Kyushu is the dinner choice...
Haven't been to Nara, need to try it. Again, thanks for the heads up.
Norfolk informal chow food for Baltimore hound?
At the risk of replying when it should be a new thread, would like to add my 1.5 cents worth. I've never understood the excitement over Doumar's, it has been just so-so and unremarkable the 3 (or so) times I've gone. I think that maybe it's the nostalgia for folks who grew up here and went as a kid...
Completely agree with the A.W. Shucks assessment. By far, the best raw oysters I've found here. Great beer selection (love the Hoegaarden (sp?)), good sandwiches, a great spot.
Excited to try Jessy's; I moved here from San Diego a year ago and similarly thought there was no good mexican to be found. Gringo's is good, Pelon's is overrated, but otherwise unable to find any outstanding candidates.
Hampton Roads sushi quest
Domo on Granby (273 Granby) in Norfolk is reliable, they had 50% off all sushi (not rolls or sashimi, just sushi) last night, not sure how long that will continue. The big score was 2 huge pieces of Uni for $4... Generous hunks of fish, above average for the area. Also, 10% off for military....
Norfolk Happy Hour
I'm a big fan of Empire Bistro, but the prices aren't quite as appetizing as Bobbywood's were... Also, Todd Jurich's, when the happy hour items are available, otherwise it's overpriced.
Would a 'hound be happy in Pensacola?
As my wife has recently moved to Pensacola (we're military currently separated by our assignments), she has just introduced me to a wonderful ethnic grocery/market. It's hard to describe because of the relative degree of controlled chaos (you'll be amazed that they know *exactly* what they have and where). They have a wealth of gorgeous meats and cheeses, ethnic items from Britain, the Middle East, Asia, and Eastern/Western Europe. They are very generous with samples, but work harder to *upsell* you than any McDonald's you've ever been in, putting the "Supersize, today, sir?" offer to shame...
Anyhow, it's worth a visit; it's called Four Winds Market on 9th Avenue in Pensacola.
Enjoy!
