skess's Profile
Contrarian views on "popular" restaurants?
I'll chime in with another favorable Limoncello review. I've taken family there from out of town because its seems a little off the beaten path (though really isnt) and is a little more reasonably priced than a lot of other North End places. Lobster ravioli is my repeat dish. Always had friendly service, and I don't think anyone I've brought has been disappointed. I don't count on the best meal of my life, but I've found it to be consistently solid.
Okay, probably been done before, but "Guilty Pleasures"?
The triple play on Comm on BUs main campus does it for me: nud pob (thai), beijing cafe (chinese), and university grill (pizza/everything). Close by, cheap, and greasydelicious. Beijing has the best crab rangoon around, IMO, and they advertise the best General Gaos in Boston on their whiteboard, and they just might be right. There are probably better versions of pad thai in Boston, but theres just something about Nud Pob that does it for me. There was a short stretch of time when I'd get an order of pad see ew with duck and extra vegetables once a week. UGrill is a sentimental favorite, its the only place within a mile I know of with a gyros spit and theyre always super nice. They always have fresh toppings and a killer chicken parm.
I don't walk away from any of these places feeling healthy or like a gourmand. But full and content? Yes.
Speeds Check (Wednesday)
Any word? Never been but I hope today is the day, as long as Speed shows up. I go back home to Chicago next week and it would be nice to know what I'm talking about if I'm going to make the claim Boston doesn't have any good hot dogs. Speeds is the last beacon of hope!
Sidenote: I'm thinking of taking the 8 bus and think I can figure it out, but if anyone has explicit directions or has taken the bus before, that might be helpful. Thanks.
Blackjack Pasta Bar (long)
Yep, just checked that menu I got. They list both locations. The exact address to the one I went to is 52 Queensberry St.
I Liked Uburger
I live closeby and have monitored the neverending debate with some interest. I have desire to jump into the burger fray, but am glad the general opinion on the fries has been positive, as I think it should be. IMO, Best handcut fries around, let alone for under $2. I stop in for fries at least once a week, and I have always, without fail, gotten hot, freshly made fries, even though I'm usually there in totally off hours of the afternoon. No matter whether you like their burger or not, gotta admit that's pretty awesome.
Blackjack Pasta Bar (long)
Had gotten a menu for this place a while back that piqued my interest, enough for me to check it out, only to find it closed on a Sunday after I walked over. So last week I finally found my way back and gave it a try.
I really love the concept of a pasta bar, there are a couple around back where I lived outside Chicago that I really enjoyed. You pick the pasta, then pick the sauce, add in any toppings. Pastas are about 7.50-10.50 as a base price (that range stretches from basic fettucini, angel hair, to a lobster filled ravioli) and you choose a sauce to go with. Add-ins seemed especially reasonable at .25 cents (peas, garlic) to 2.00 (shrimp). Theres also additional prices for some sauces, which include Chicken and Eggplant parmesean options. Certainly not fine dining, but I really like the choices and the whole mix-and-match idea.
The place is pretty small, located in the Fens area, on Queensbury st I believe. Probably six tables, max, order at the counter, no illusions that its anything other than it seems to be, which I like. I had to wait about five minutes to place my order cause there was one guy behind the counter for everything, but it was 4 on a Thursday, so I can't really fault them for not being at full staff.
I ordered the gnocchi with the #5 sauce-- a pink sauce with mushrooms, peas, and a splash of cream, i believe is how they describe it.
The whole thing was pretty good, not great. The gnocchi was a little too doughy and dense. I can appreciate aldente with a little chew but this was just a little past that point, but not enough to ruin my enjoyment. The sauce was tasty, but nothing spectacular. Pretty standard, plain pink sauce. I had been debating adding in garlic, and was pleasantly surprised that it had a good amount already (I assumed with garlic as an add-on they would remove it from other things to bait you into getting it..cynical me). I think I made a good call on the sauce, because there were plenty of fresh mushrooms and peas, though the peas were slightly undercooked, and by getting this sauce, I still got the veggies I would have added-in for additional $ anyway. Good sized portion, fed me for a few meals. Also, and this was what pushed me from a neutral to a positive review, they included a nice sized roll that was light, fluffy, and perfectly warm. The whole thing came to about 9 bucks, which is cheap for a pasta dinner, but still a lot for my student sized wallet.
So overall, I'd recommend the place. Reasonable prices, solid food. Be interested to hear about their other sauces, the crab vodka cream sauce looked especially interesting. Has anyone tried it?
B&G Lobster Rolls
This would explain why a couple weeks ago my trip to James Hook &Co was slightly dampered by a $2 increase, making lobster rolls $12 a piece instead of 10. Still a great price, and just as delicious, but for some reason keeping any item under 10 is a huge milestone in my mind.
Pricy, Tasty, but still Casual?
I know that relative to the rest of Boston, the North end isn't T accesible, but relative to public transport everywhere else in the US, I think its very T accesible (my definition is within a 10 minute walk from a station). In addition, it's one of the few dining options that I feel is uniquely Boston and therefore a nice stop for visitors.
That said, I think a number of delicious North End restaurants fit the bill (do a CH search to weed out the imposters and panderers). They're so used to tourists that they're used to a more casual outfit, in my experience.
Cheap Eats By Hyatt Regency in Cambridge?
I live on main campus (BSR) and have checked out the trek to O Cantinho based on CH recs. Gonna try it soon and will report back on how walkable it is from even further away from the Hyatt. Good luck with the Hyatt, it has its adavantages....and disadvantages. I think you'll come to realize how convenient the GSU is since its next to the bridge, but man can not live on Jamba alone.
golden shrimp
Very interesting. How many dishes can make claim to only being found in Illinois and Hong Kong (until I hear otherwise)? Score one more point for the glory that is golden shrimp.
I wonder if maybe that place is the origin of the dish in the USA? Any idea if that golden shrimp siting is a local thing or an anomaly?
golden shrimp
I'm from outside Chicago, and a huge fan of Japanese food. Back home, there is a dish served in some Japanese 'steakhouses' and restaurants called golden shrimp. It's a fast path to a heart attack but oh-so-good. it's basically butterflied shrimp with a mysterious, delicious egg yolk based sauce on top that is glopped on and left to solidify to absurdly rich goodness. It sounds disgusting, and kind of is, but in the best kind of way. I have found some highly suspect recipes online but nothing measures up. I think I've done a decent job of checking around and am relatively sure there are no places in the Boston area that make this, in fact, I'm pretty sure there are no places outside of Illinois that make it, but I thought I'd lay my appeal on the Chowhound altar and hope for some good news. I've included a link to a picture in case that might jog your memory.
http://www.thetasteoftokyo.com/images/signature10.jpg
A Brookline Primer
As far as the Brookline sushi question goes, I enjoy Sushi Express on Beacon for good, cheap sushi, which in my experience is a rare combo to find. And if you're walking down beacon anyway on a hot day, a fresh cucumber roll might do you well.
Far more interesting to me is Japonaise on the same stretch. Great for a sweet snack to allay your hunger on your walk home. They raised their prices not too long ago, but its still on par with everything else in the area.
I second the Clear Flour suggestion. And third it. That's how awesome it is.
Speaking of awesome is Michaels Deli in Coolidge Corner. I don't see too much about it on CH, and what I do is sometimes mixed, but I swear by this place for a corned beef sandwich and a side of potato salad. The cheapest and best deli in Brookline, again, what a nice combo! Heads up though, they do close early.
Getting off the C line, and onto the D, New England Soup Factory (facing the Brookline Villiage T stop, hard to find from the street) is always reliable for a solid coup of soup or a salad IMO.
You'll also find a lot of supporters on CH and among my friends as well for the Busy Bee diner, though I've never been.
Rare chance to spend more than usual- dont want to waste it
I was looking forward to the chance to post a followup....and still am. We're all on very different schedules, and one of us commutes from Hull, so it's hard to coordinate. But I refuse to give up hope, especially when there's a dinner amidst the light at the end of the tunnel. We decided on Eastern Standard based on CH recs, so I'll definately report back once we finally get ourselves there. Any specific recs on dishes not to miss? None of us qualify as foodies, I think, so things like the charcuterie plate tend to scare me off a bit. Am I being too hasty?
Back Bay Bakeries
I'm a big fan of Japponaise (sp?) on Beacon St, right by the Brookline/Boston border. They make a delicious brownie and fantastic bread, though it is fluffier than your hearty, grainy request. Its right along the marathon route, so you'll still keep an eye on the runners, and you'll get a different view of the marathon than you would at the finish line in Back Bay (the view from this location is sure to include hundreds of enthusiastic, sloppy drunk BU students, myself possibly included). It's a pretty unique place blending a french bakery with some Japanese elements, and would make a very nice walk from the back bay on marathon day. Theres also a pretty tasty french bakery on the other side of Beacon. Note- if you go on race day, you may want to go on the early end since its hard to cross beacon once all the runners make it to that point.
Rare chance to spend more than usual- dont want to waste it
I'm looking for recs on a place for dinner for a group of 9. It's a sketch comedy group thats breaking apart (amicably) and celebrating the end of our time together. We're using the money we've made from shows to pay for dinner, but what we don't spend we'll split up, so I'm looking for nice...but not over the top. We're all just finishing college now or recent graduates so this is a nice chance to sample a Boston restaurant we havent been willing to spend the money on before we all leave. I would love to do a nice North End dinner, but think with a group of 9 that may be tough. I've been thinking tapas might be fun (maybe toro?), and have long wanted to try Sibling Rivalry. Eastern Standard also sounds like a decent choice to me. Thoughts? Also, a reasonably priced wine list is always a big advantage. We just want to have fun, don't get the opportunity to splurge much, and don't want to waste this rare chance with a bad choice. Where can't we go wrong?
Lunch options near Hynes?
Steve's right off of newbury is very close, affordable, and delicious. It's greek food but has plenty of tame American options, burgers, salads, etc. I like their moussaka. Casual atmosphere but not a fast food joint or a greasy spoon. Lunch will run you about from $5-12.
worst sushi
Though I love sushi, I often forgo it in favor of less-expensive, more-filling options for my college kid budget because sushis one of the foods I feel you often get what you pay for. However, Ive been very happy with Sushi Express on Beacon St in Brookline. Down the street from Ginza, its tiny but tasty and very inexpensive. Their high-quantity turnover means its fresh (in 4 yrs of college, never had a bad experience). Not the biggest rolls or selection around but for no frills and a price that matches, I'm a Sushi Express fan.
Brunch 'n' Laundry: Sugestions for a killer combo?
Theres a laundromat next to Clear Flour Bakery (178 Thorndike in Brookline, better directions here: http://clearflourbread.com/). Super tasty, reasonably priced bread and baked goods. However, no seating (barely any standing room, in fact). So..my suggestion, put the clothes in, pop by Clear Flour, and then walk the couple minutes to Super 88 in Packards corner (right where Comm ave and Brighton Ave split) where you can sit however long you'd like and can appease all members of your group if they happen to be anti-carbs or whatever and would rather go for Asian food. This way, no waitstaff breathing down your necks at all. Or skip Clear Flour and just head to Super 88 and do a group dim sum meal from Dim Sum Chef.
dim sum
it seemed like the issue was less with the plates existence and more with their placement. Not that I blame them personally, seems like dim sum is a hectic, frustrating time for waitstaff/restaurants, but I also see where dpnpt is coming from.
Where to get the best Bread Pudding
Not chocolate, unfortunately, though maybe we can get a Chowhound grassroots movement going to all go in and ask them to make it. Not much in the way of sauce over the top, but the sauce throughout is great, not thick or syrupy. Its a little caramel-y and super buttery.
Where to get the best Bread Pudding
The bread pudding at Japonaise (sp?) on Beacon St is just awesome. A little pricey (about $5) for the size and takeout nature but is totally worth it in my humble opinion. More casual, and if you really love it, I suppose you could stock up for later. Make sure to pop it in the oven .
Reef Cafe
Nothing new to add really, just more of the same. I've had a similiar experience as ju, except I was offered food by what appeared to be the patriarch of some family friends who had just loudly arrived. It was beef and potatoes in a dark red sauce with some rice that the guy scooped up into a torn piece of pita to make a little bite of heaven. Obviously, it was delicious, as is everything I've had from the reef (mostly wraps and dips/appetizers) has been. I'm so glad its getting overwhelmingly positive reviews on CH, everytime I'm there, theres only one or two other people in the place, if anyone at all. In every sense it's homestyle cooking, to the point where I sometimes feel like a home intruder when its clear Im the only one there who isn't personally known to the owner. A good problem to have.
i'm a BU student and tell all my friends who live in the student slums in allston to hit up the reef as much as possible. hopefully some of them will start listening, eating, and enjoying
Cheap Lobster
Thanks for all the suggestions! Maybe we'll even do a lobster tour all around Boston and kill two sea chickens with one stone. He can get enough East Coast lobster to tide him over the rest of his life (ocean pun intended).
Comedy Connection- food?
As far as food goes--The Comedy Vault at Remingtons on Boylston has an awesome hamburger and halfway decent everything else and The Comedy Studio in Harvard Square will pass for chinese food if you're drinking (scorpion bowls, perhaps?) and looking for something greasy to dig into.
As a member of a sketch comedy group, and an occassional standup, Comedy Connection is most certainly not the only comedy venue in town...and the whole Boston comedy scene could really benefit from people being as adventurous in that realm as Chowhounds are in seeking out restaurants.
Cheap Lobster
Is cheap lobster an oxymoron? Or am I just a moron for thinking it can be found?
I hope not.
My brother's coming into town, and I think he is convinced that lobster tastes different on the East Coast than in the Midwest. Whatever his reasons, he wants to have some lobster while he's here. I'm in college, so the cheaper the better. (Not to say this isn't a general principle I'll live by when I'm out of college)
I know that you can buy them at Shaws and get them steamed, but I'm just not too keen on that idea. I'm a big fan of trusting the professionals. And I am no lobster professional.
So, no car to get outside of the metro area, so accesibility is an issue. I know on my way to the BPL in Copley I've seen some cheap lobster specials outside of some of those bars on Boylston. Still have them? Any good? Barring any good, is it worth it anyway? What about the touristy places by Faneuil?
On Chowhound suggestions, I went to Morse Fish Co. on Sunday and enjoyed a delicious shrimp cocktail and a decent crabcake with out of this world tartar sauce. Unfortunately, they didn't have lobster on the menu. Would like to strike chowhound gold once again...please help me out!
Boston's best burger
I haven't taken the time to read through all of the 62 previous responses, but I have to say, I grabbed a burger recently that was shockingly delicious and I never see the restaurant singled out like some of the other old standards. It was at Remingtons Restaurant on Boylston in the theatre district. The only reason I'm there is for the Comedy Vault downstairs, and I basically expect less than stellar, but still edible food, and usually get just that. However, the burgers are always great: cooked perfectly (medium rare-nicely pink throughout, but not bloody), hand packed, great taste, juicy, large, and a soft bun that holds up fairly well. The fries are decent, nothing out of this world, but a nice pairing.
