moglia's Profile
Need recs for a 30th birthday dinner
That looks like a winner - I dig the kitsch factor and I'm sure my friends will too.
Need recs for a 30th birthday dinner
Planning a 30th-birthday dinner next month for 20-25 people. I haven't been in town for a year+ so I'm not totally sure what the options are these days.
Something fairly casual, preferably not a closed-off private room, with a menu that can accommodate folks that don't want to drop a lot of cash. Used to use ESK for this sort of thing but I'd like to branch out if possible. Boston or Cambridge is OK. Thanks!
Olive & Kickin' - Asheville
Just picked up Mother's Day gifts there. Picked out a selection of 3 different oils, 1 Spanish, 1 Greek and one walnut infused. Fair prices that I can't remember off the top of my head, very friendly and helpful staff. We caught them right around closing time so it wasn't too busy; I don't know how much traffic their getting.
They're about to add a selection of chiles and spices, along with recipes and online ordering on their website. Cool store, I hope they draw a crowd.
What to do with chopped up pork neck?
What's the best way to add these to a "gravy"-style tomato sauce? Should the neck bones be cooked separately, then add the meat to the sauce, or should I just throw the bones in the sauce and let it go for a few hours?
Dining Apps for the iPhone
Try the OpenTable app. It's free and good for informational purposes, even if you don't go ahead and book a reservation. There's also a free app called WHERE that's not exclusively a dining app, but is very handy when traveling.
Restaurant Death Watch - Marliave
That's funny, I always think the opposite when I'm in the area because Silvertone usually feels a bit too crowded and loud for a decent conversation. Is it fair to say I hope the Marliave catches on a bit, but not *that* much?
Eggplant Parmesan
At the time the weather was lousy and we were starving so we just sucked it up. Just something I filed away for future reference. I think your comment about prices applies to damn near every place in the NE.
Eggplant Parmesan
Trattoria il Panino is pretty solid. Just be prepared for the "I don't have tap water" trick.
Mexican Restaurants Closing, Opening in Allston
Do they have fresh pasta available for purchase?
Mexican Restaurants Closing, Opening in Allston
Noticed this morning that a Lily's Gourmet Pasta is going into the Burritos on Fire space. Anyone have experience with the Fenway branch?
Looking for the best cornbread in Boston
I actually found something approaching a southern version at Lower Depths in Kenmore Square. Came in a cast iron pan, crunchy edges and it wasn't sweet or cakey. The only version they were offering was with jalapenos, but it wasn't overwhelmingly hot. It's been a few months so my memory is hazy, but I think it was only offered as a side with the chili. Anyway, as a New Englander, I did know what to do with it - I ate it.
Movie Night - The Shining
That walk-in freezer is pretty central to the plot, and I dug up Scatman Crothers' line about it: "We've got canned fruits and vegetables, canned fish and meats, hot and cold syrups, Post Toasties, Corn Flakes, Sugar Puffs, Rice Krispies, oatmeal and Cream of Wheat. You got a dozen jugs of black molasses, we got sixty boxes of dried milk, thirty twelve-pound bags of sugar... Now we got dried peaches, dried apricots, dried raisins and dried prunes..."
And of course, he offers Danny some ice cream. And don't forget Jack would give his soul for a glass of beer...
Sounds like a recipe for a stomach ache if you're not careful!
Unique dinner ideas for bachelor party
This also isn't anything "unique,' but we did ESK for my bachelor party last summer. The menu worked for everyone from the steak-demanders to the less financially blowsy (there's always a few in any given bachelor party) and the service was hugely accommodating. I would strongly recommend trying to get their private room as they sat the 12 of us in the middle of the dining area, which I think became positively frightening for some of the other diners as the ratio of our bar tab to food tab skyrocketed.
Farmers' Markets & CSAs week of July 7th
I went a little on the later side to pick up in Brookline this week (probably about 12:45) and at that point radishes were only for full shares. Not a big deal, especially with the quality and size of the other stuff. Next week should have blueberries and (maybe) cucumbers!
who sells the best homemade Italian Sausages
Oooh, will have to give these a shot, despite the non-homemade factor. I did a tour of North End butchers a while back and they all had some variation of "Luganaga? Haven't seen that for years..."
who sells the best homemade Italian Sausages
Does anyone around here make luganaga? That's one from my youth that seems to have disappeared.
Saba, Netherlands Antilles
Anyone been? Any recs? We're headed there for a week for a belated honeymoon, which given the size of the island seems like enough time to hit any and all potential dining highlights. Thanks!
Cutting board mold
We recently discovered some black stains on a bamboo cutting board. Our first thought was mold but after searching the board it looks like it could be any number of things. Any thoughts on what the cause might be, and how to clean it?
Diabetic and can't eat dairy. Dessert?
Excellent post; I'm Type I and couldn't agree more. I've been using an insulin pump for years and have pretty good control, these days it's a rare meal that gives me control problems. That said, I've been doing this for a while now and can sometimes forget what you point out, that all of us react differently and need to know our own quirks. Definitley an important observation to keep in mind as in the past I've given well-intentioned but misleading advice based mainly on my own experiences. Thanks for the wake-up call!
Grille Zone Again
Agree about the fries - we've been heading there once or twice a week lately and the fries have recently become crispier but also significantly greasier. Management was experimenting with house-made chips on a recent visit; hopefully this means sometime soon the Great French Fry Conundrum will be solved.
Good takeout mac 'n' cheese?
Petit Robert (at least the Kenmore location) does an interesting version with fava beans; I would imagine the South End location would also have it available.
No. 9 Park recs?
Cheese fan indeed - we'll have to play it by ear once we get there but I'll be sure to report back. Thanks!
No. 9 Park recs?
I'm taking my bro to No. 9 Park this weekend as a gift for being my best man and this will be the first time dining there for both of us. A few questions:
- What, besides the gnocchi, is not to be missed?
- Tasting menu: Yea or Nay?
- Any dress code guidelines? It doesn't appear too stuffy but I figured I should ask.
Roy Blount Jr. Is a Food Writing God
Definitely a no-regrets purchase - he's also got some great observations with regard to music and his piece on Memphis Minnie has an incredibly evocative description of fresh biscuits, of all things.
Roy Blount Jr. Is a Food Writing God
His essay on fried chicken in LTL is also not to be missed - couldn't be happier I have this book to thumb through!
Coming Soon: 2nd Cup Cafe, Allston
Thread hijack coming up: has anyone tried any of the snacks / small plates available at Infusions?
Coming Soon: 2nd Cup Cafe, Allston
Infusions does have a limited coffee selection but I found their brew a bit weak for my taste; tea is definitely their strong suit. The coffee milk tea, however, is a very tasty and refreshing option.
Where to get the Dogs that Speed serves?
Lunch only; it's something called a "burger dog" that looks like it comes on their baguette. That's all I got...
Gluten Free Bakery?
I haven't been there in over a year, but at the time they were sterilizing part of their kitchen and using it for GF baking. The owner was very accomodating of special requests and I would hope that hasn't changed.
