powerfulpierre's Profile
The Grill Next Door, Haverhill.
Tried TGND a couple of weeks ago. Mrs had a Reuben that she said was both way too fatty and dry. Go figure. My Bleu Cheese Burger was fantastic, and the roasted pepper topping went perfectly with the blue cheese.
The beer selection was excellent. Didn't have time to sample more than one ( a strong, nutty flavored stout - can't remember the name right now) but the bar had several different sets of taps.
Service was friendly and top notch. The owner was everywhere from directing cars in the lot to cleaning tables to greeting newbies like us.
A local friend swears by their breakfast and that will be our next visit.
A busy but enjoyable place. We also willl definitely return to sample more, though Mrs won't get another reuben.
Boston Area Barbecue Restaurants
Glad to hear some good words for Lester's. It's on my way home from work so take-home is pretty frequent. Waiting is not so bad with a frosty $2 PBR, either.
Gotta mention their side of homemade pickles. Mmmmmm.
Also, on Friday evenings they have a small show 'n shine for local rods in their lot.
Surprising Menu Items That Steal the Show
And I thought I was the only one in the north to love those slimy little nuggets of flavor. . . . and a plus, the Mrs. hates them. All for me!
Family Get-together - Andover, Stoneham, Woburn, Burlington, Billerica, Lowell areas
We have had the identical situation and have gone to Polcari's on Rt 1 (Saugus?) twice. Our group included 15-20 aged 8 to 80. The seating is open, the service was exceptional and especially kid-friendly. I'm sure the one in Woburn would be similar. It is affordable, the food is decent, but in this case the comfort level is what you need.
Bacci's would be a good choice, too as it is very comfortable and accommodating but check their capacity for 20-30 people.
Am I the only one who has had awful food at China Pearl? Twice. If I am the exception, then it is an excellent option, too.
Good Luck!
Hot Dogs: the Definitive List.
Fred's Franks opens Today (Monday, March 19th)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yippee!
Which Restaurants do you consider your "Regulars"
There's no livin' like low livin'. When there isn't some little hole-in-the-wall that we have to try we default to one of these.
1. Tavern at the End of the World
2. Zaleks
3. Lester's BBQ
4. Pho #1
5. Mounir's
6. Little Q Hot Pot (Arlington)
Then movin' up town a bit. . . .
1. Reginas (Thacher St only)
2. Hungry Mother
3. Island Creek Oyster Bar
4. Gran Gusto
5. Peach Farm
Local Chow on the tube
Not a bad show at all. The whole dogfish story was news to me and I especially like the bit about molecular gastronomy at Clio via Harvard. Lots of little vignettes with some substance to them. Dinner with the Cambodian family in Lowell was real - been there and done that. The Santarpio's bit was much better than Bourdain in Southie. I guess I might be more of a fan of Zimmern than before.
Colarusso's Farm Stand Reading : New Store opening soon
Still on 28, just before the 128 intersection, on the same side, only a couple of hundred yards south of the current store.
Colarusso's Farm Stand Reading : New Store opening soon
Should be plenty of parking. The original area before demolition was huge. I talked with one of the employees a couple of months ago and parking was one of the main advantages for moving. Can't wait!
chinese food north of Boston
Mmmm, sweet and sour mouse! Seriously, they did somewhat of a rehab of the dining area a while ago and it is improved. Not really a "destination" but IMO it is still the best of it's type in the immediate area. We still go to Fuloon or Chinatown but for those take-out dinners it is just fine. And their curry flavor Singapore Noodles is the favorite of our very fussy 12 yo granddaughter.
-----
Bamboo House
21 Broadway St, Wakefield, MA 01880
Afternoon coffee & pastry in Newton
Looking for suggestions for a place to sit with a friend for coffee and conversation, late afternoon.
Subs / grinders @ Santoros
Perfect description, macca. In the day, Santoro's was the only sub to buy. Tried most of them and frankly, the best was in Stoneham. The owner, Paul, was from the family I think, and he was a master. Wakefield was OK, and now, Saugus has a hint of the greatness but. . . . maybe memories are just sweeter! My go-to now is Vinnie's for a super-Italian.
A good take on Papa Gino's
My pre-teen girls absolutely love their Buffalo Chicken pizza, and I have to admit it does have a pretty good kick. But, generally, I try to patronize local/ independent shops. Even if the pie is lousy it's rarely that bad.
Who has the best feet in the Boston area?
Infomaniac - Love dem piggy feet! Where in Lawrence did you go?
Thanks
Chowhound "Yum" Steer
Excellent Thread, Thanks! I don't post much but C-H is my daily go-to for good info. Without you folks I wouldn't have found:
Mounir's and 3 Dogz Diner in Lawrence
Tavern at the end of the World (a gold star find!)
Trina's Starlight
Lester's BBQ in Billerica
China Star and Pho 88 in Lowell
Thanks again!
-----
Pho 88
1270 Westford St, Lowell, MA 01851
Mounir's Restaurant
34 S Broadway, Lawrence, MA 01843
Red Rock Bistro? Yea or Nay?
Went there with Mrs. for, I believe Valentine's day, last year. As I remember we had the prix fixe menu with wine pairings. Your description as "a nice restaurant with decent food at not too expensive prices" was exactly our opinion. That, combined with excellent service and the wonderful views, made it a very nice evening. You could do a lot worse than sending you friend there.
Lots of lobster in Boston?
Especially scary since the Phantom boys pump it constantly.
Anniversary Night
I would second Salts as delicious and fairly priced, it is one of our personal anniversary favorites, but maybe a bit low in the "fun" factor though the atmosphere is low-key elegant and very relaxing.
For something a bit different, while being fun and unique with suberb food, consider Gilson's Herb Lyceum in Groton. It can be a nice drive out of the city, maybe 45 minutes or so.
They only serve Friday and Saturday evenings, fixed menu, BYOB, and currently $55 pp. It's one of the most enjoyable places that we have visited.
http://www.gilsonslyceum.com/gilsonherbs/MENUS.html
-----
Gilson's Herb Lyceum
368 Main St, Groton, MA
Father's Day Restaurant
I had a similar requirement for a "Mother's Birthday" and we went to Donatello's on Rt 1 in Saugus. Wheelchair access, food was good +, and the service was excellent. If Dad considers Italian "ethnic" there is always steak or chicken on the menu. An enjoyable time was had by all.
-----
Donatello's Restaurant
44 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906
Looking for Rittenhouse 100 - again
This may or may not be convenient to you but in Wakefield, Caporale's Liquors on Broadway has had it consistently for several months. Two rows on the shelf last week at $19.95.
BRAZILIAN BBQ NORTH OF BOSTON???
Can't say I'm an expert on Brazilian BBQ as I don't have much to compare it to, but I have been to Churrascaria Rodeo in Woburn twice and both times were very ejoyable. Service was pleasant and attentive and the food was great. Love those grilled chicken hearts! The second time we brought the extended family and they were extremely kid-friendly, too. Easy to get to on Rt 38 off 128 in Woburn.
-----
Churrascaria Rodeo Brazilian Steakhouse
920 Main St., Woburn, MA 01801
Where are the best pancakes or blueberry panckes near Wakefield?
Second for Brothers. Anything you want, any way, and plenty of it. Pancakes and French Toast are great.
Let's talk cephalopods!
The former Ming's (RIP) off Albany St (?), made the most wonderful salt encrusted baby octopus. Whole, about 2-3 inches long, they were a real treat. In their latter days the place was a dump but still had some real gems.
Italian Style Roast Beef Sandwich OR Roast Pork Sandwiches
Second for Artu. It's the name I want to hear after, "I'm bringing sandwiches home from. . . "
Very good dish in Malden at Serena
Thanks for the review, Bob. Mrs. and I were going to be in the Malden area and I just needed some good red sauce so we checked C-H and found Serena.
We were very, very pleasantly surprised.
Mrs. had special of homemade fusilli with shrimp and pork in a white sauce. Sounded a bit strange to me but it was excellent.
I had Ragu de Carne, a large plate with penne surrounded by stew beef (I used to call it purple meat when grandma made it), sausages, pork, and meat balls. The sausages were generic but the meat was tasty and the meat balls were soft, almost creamy, and obviously home made. But the sauce, the sauce, was the most flavorful, not too sweet, not acid, that I have had in a long time. Nothing was left to go home!
Service was prompt and courteous. The chef made a point of coming to the table to check on everything.
Not to mention that a glass of decent Montepulciano d'Abbruzzo was $5.50.
Yup, it's on our go-back-to list.
Looking for Rittenhouse 100
North of Boston, Caporale's Liquors on Broadway in Wakefield had a several bottles on the 24th.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/caporales-ii-liquors-inc-wakefield
Thanksgiving non-traditional open restaurants?
Ditto. One of our most memorable Thanksgivings was when our flight out was cancelled, nobody knew we were still home, and we ended up at Kowloon for dinner. Not gourmet but still a hoot.
This year Mrs and I are tired of cooking for the brood so we are all going to Durgin Park. They might have turkey but I am having the big prime rib. Then to Quincy Market with the grandkids and across the greenway to the North End for pastry and coffee. Then home to a clean house!
I'm excited.
-----
Durgin Park
340 Faneuil Hall Market Pl, Boston, MA 02109
Santarpio's Peabody
That was my experience exactly. Got there (Wed, Thurs?) at about 6:30, sat at the bar and had the same sausage, lamb and sausage/garlic pizza. Food was right outta easta bost. Got pretty busy by about 7:30 but with the pleasant bartender there was no wait for a beer refill.
TONIGHT! Dinner before 8pm show @ Orpheum Theater
The last couple of time we went to the theatre district we went to Pho Pasteur and got delicious food, quick and cheap, and though not fancy it is a great people-watching place. It's not right in the district but it's not a bad walk to the Orpheum and you could probably find a parking garage somewhere in the middle.
