BostonBarGuy's Profile
barbara lynch-STIR
What would you rather have there, that terrible, dirty card shop? Doesn't it make more sense for staffing, storage, convenience to B&G + Butcher Shop kitchens to have everything together? I saw staff rotating between Stir, BS and Plum for a couple of hours last night, makes perfect sense to me.
An unscientific look at local by-the-glass wine pricing [moved from Boston board]
Why does this review of The Blarney Stone in the Dig say that you are a Chowhound Editor?????????
http://blarneystoneboston.com/html/press/articles/dig0106.html
New Boston Globe Critic Devra First
Kbee- Have you already e-mailed Devra? If not, I'd be glad to before this thread gets out of control speculating. Thank you.
Olives Kitchen seats!
No, they are 2 barstools looking into the kitchen, 2 of the best seats in the house. I've dined there twice a year for the last several years, most recently 2 months ago. You get a great view of all of the action in the kitchen and a great view of the entire restaurant. Now that Joe Brenner is back at the helm, the "chef's table" is an excellent experience once again. The food at Olives has improved dramatically under Joe's watch. Enjoy.
Sonsie, Seriously????
I know the feeling, they didn't exactly beg me to sit in the window...It's not easy being us.
Boston's Rocca Rocked in Globe
Devra First's debut as the Globe's new restaurant critic certainly wasn't timid;
"But the trofie, unattractive tadpoles of dough, are hand-rolled and as chewy as Trident."
"And when Rocca tries to get fancier, mucking often ensues. Panzotti, triangular dumplings filled with ricotta, struggle in a walnut sauce that tastes one-dimensional, like wet cardboard. The dour dish begs for a note of brightness."
"Veal also appears in an appetizer of crispy medallions. As appealing as these sound- mmm, crunchy little meat prizes-they're tasteless and chewy."
..."But the rooms feel overthought, with browns, tans, blues and different patterns so complementary the effect is hotel bland."
I agree with the overall tone of the review. As I have stated before, my impression of Rocca is that it is over-designed, not well laid out(bar), and the food is bland. Service is like a revolving door. Big struggles ahead, in my opinion. Too many much better options in the South End.
New Boston Globe Critic Devra First
I'm all for the diner being professional, and I'm a big supporter of servers, but I think you're jumping to conclusions and pouncing Devra her before seeking clarification. I don't know Devra and have no reason to defend her, but in all fairness, don't you think it would have made more sense to e-mail her first before ripping her?
Sonsie, Seriously????
I had the mussels, very average, and the tagliatelle, that was very good. Tonight confirmed the old notion that i had about the place; It's a scene with decent food. From a business perspective, the place was packed, the ac was working pretty well, and I'll bet when everyone cashed out tonight everyone was happy. Service at the bar was excellent, despite the fact that the bartender occassionally laughed/squealed like a seal. I'm funny, but her reaction was a little over the top. I would have tipped her well without the hyena laugh...
Sonsie, Seriously????
For better or worse, I'm meeting an old buddy at Sonsie for dinner. It's convenient for him, and he insists. So what, if anything, is great to eat at Sonsie. I looked at the menu on line and I'm curious about the steamed mussels, goat cheese ravioli, tagliatelle w/baby clams and swordfish steak w/fresh corn tamales. Has anyone tried any of these dishes, or is there anything on the menu that you highly recommend??? Thank you very much.
Can we talk about Durgin Park?
I was walking by over the weekend, on my way to the North End, and walked in out of curiosity. It looked like a tour bus had just unloaded at the front door. I saw 3 people with maps out. The clam chowder looked as thick and gooey as ever, like you could stand a spoon up in the middle of it. I think it's a lot of the same people that wait in line at the terrible tourist-trap restaurants in the North End just to be able to say they ate there. Someone at the Chamber of Commerce must be recommending the place...
Skipjack's lobster roll report
I agree that Joe V's would be a joke if voted "best neighborhood restaurant in Boston", but I didn't see it mentioned at all in the latest "Best of Boston" issue in Boston Magazine. What page is it on?
Great food destinations in New England
Cahoon Hollow Beach and The Beachcomber on Cape Cod's National Seashore. One of the most beautiful beaches in the world and some of the freshest shellfish and seafood in the world.
Help Me Decide....Mistral or No. 9 Park
I agree that "tired" describes Mistral well. They are now running an occasional appetizer special, but that's about it in terms of changing up the menu.
Go to #9. It is one of the top fine-dining restaurants in the city. Enjoy.
KO Prime?
How did the server respond when you politely let her know that your entrees were over-cooked? I've dined at the bar 7 times since they opened and in the dining room twice, and always found the satff to be very cordial and accomodating. There are always a few minor adjustments that need to be made with any meal, but in my opinion, it's all in the approach. I've observed lots of customers behaving disrespectfully to servers and then wondering why they're getting "attitude".
Mooo.... Review
I agree with you that the menu didn't bowl me over with anything "original", but I was very impressed with the execution of my meal, and the folks around me were very impressed with what they ordered. I just liked the place so much better than the old Fed, thus my detailed review. I also agree with you about the Jamie B comparison. KO Prime definitely came to mind when I was dining there. You really do need to try the piping-hot dinner rolls if you go back. The sea salt is a nice touch.
Melrose - did I just move into a restaurant vacuum?
I was referring to mediocre dining options in Melrose and the surrounding towns.
Melrose - did I just move into a restaurant vacuum?
Yes, you just moved into the land of mediocre. Trust me, I spent lots of time in that wonderful town.
Moving to Boston. Great food neighbourhoods?
Come on down! Buy a place in the South End, you'll love the dining options, all within walking distance. B&G Oysters was just named Boston Magazine's best seafood restaurant for 2007. I'll see you at the bar...
Breakfast and one nice dinner in Eastham/Wellfleet areas?
The Bookstore in Wellfleet is a good call for breakfast.
Outdoor Seating in Boston - help add to my list
I would tell them that Garden of Eden has a good patio for people watching and for ordering something safe, out of a bottle, or food you can't screw up. My experiences there have been low-end food and service.
Mooo.... Review
Saturday night 7/28
Wiping the smirk off my face after passing under the "Mooo...." sign over my head, I felt like I was walking into a modern-day supper club. I was immediately hit with a much different feeling than the old, dark, "clubby" feel of The Fed. Celeste Cooper(Mistral/Sorrelina), did a very nice job renovating the space. She got rid of the walls dividing the bar and dining room, removed the wall on the left side as you walk into the bar area, reduced the size of the columns and brightened the place up, a lot. It's a much more inviting space.
Attractive, friendly hostesses were genuinely welcoming upon arrival. I sat at the bar, now longer, and 18 stools.(The Fed only had 10. The details;
- Soft opening was Thursday, 7/26
- Friday night, 7/26 was the first night open to the public.
- They're not accepting reservations until 8/1 to allow time for staff to get aclimated, work out the details, ...etc.
- Jamie Mammano was in the kitchen and working the dining room.
- Paul Roife was greeting all of the familiar faces.
- Mgt. from Mistral and Sorellina working the room and welcoming everyone to their new venture.
- Servers did a great job greeting guests and sharing what they liked on the menu, as they had tasted everything over the last few days.
- Bartenders very engaging, efficient and prompt with their service.
- Sox game on the TV @ bar(not intrusive in dining room).
I started with the 2006 Arona, Savignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($10).
Appetizer: Kobe Beef Dumplings w/ginger, scallion and soy($22). The dumplings were just a little bit thicker than I prefer, but they were very good. The sauce was very good, so good that I sopped it all up with their tremendous dinner rolls. The rolls are made-to-order, served nice and hot, topped with sea salt (think old-fashioned Parker House dinner rolls). The rolls were great and very tempting, but I restrained myself to save room for dinner.
Switched to 2005 Paul Hobbs, Cab Sav, 'Cocodrilo', Mendoza, Argentina ($14).
For main I had the Filet Mignon served with roasted garlic and bone marrow butter (6-ounce ($28). All of the meat entres are accompanied by the bone marrow butter that you scoop out of the bone, nice touch. The filet was perfectly cooked medium-rare and was exceptional. I wish I ordered the 10-ounce($38) and saved some for steak and eggs this morning. I chose the bernaise sauce, which was also excellent.
Sides are a la carte. I chose the Mushroom Risotto w/parmesan cheese and madeira($14). Nice selection of mushrooms, very generous portion and very flavorful.
Bar sampling;
Specialty cocktails are all between $11-$13.(There were 10 drinks on the list)
Beers;
$5 beers-Bud, Amstel, Heineken, Sam, Cisco(ACK), Harpoon IPA, Allagash White, Belhaven Scottish Ale and Clausthaler(Germany).
Chimay Blue, Belgium $11
Gulden Draak, Belgium $13
Wines By the Glass sampling;
I'll pick a couple of the lowest priced, mid, and highest priced in each category.
Sparkling(4 total)
NV Gratien & Meyer, Saumur Brut, Loire Valley $11
NV Montadon Brut, Champagne $17
NV Duval Leroy, Brut Rose $19
1997 Laurent Perrier Brut Champagne $26
White(9 total)
2006 Shoofly, 'Buzz Cut', Verdelho, South Australia $9
2005 Capasaldo, Pinot Grigio, Veneto, Italy $9
2005 Domaine Wachau Gruner Federspiel, Austria $10
2004 Bennet Family, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $11
2005 Lincort, Chardonnay Santa Barbara $14
2005 Ramey, Chardonnay, RR Valley $19
Red(12 total)
2006 Viu Manet, 'Secreto', Malbec, Chile $9
2006 Bitch(I had to include this one), Grenache, Barossa Valley, Australia $10
2005 Ninth Island, Pinot Noir, Tasmania $13
2004 Flora Springs, Merlot, Napa $15
2005 La Spinetta, Barbera d'Asti, Ca' di Pain $16
2004 Turley, 'Juvenile', Zinfandel, CA $19
2003 Dominus, Cab Sav, 'Napanook', Napa Valley $23
Menu Highlights/Sampling
Appetizers/Salads(13 total)
Chopped Iceberg Salad $11
Steak Tartare $18
Foie Gras $25
Wellfleet Oyster stew $19
Lobster Bisqu $15 (The guy next to me loved it)
Red Meat
Tenderloin of Beef Wellington(foie gras, duxelle, madeira) $44
12-ounce Prime NY Sirloin $39
Bone-in Ribeye Steak for Two 38-ounce $68
Classic Pepper Crusted Rib Eye Steak 'Au Poivre' $40
100% Wagyu Beef, Kayoshima Prefecture, Japan 6-ounce $130
Other Selections
Wiener Schnitzel $28
Lamb Chops $39
Game Hen $24 (Guy next to me loved it, very moist)
Seafood
Swordfish $36
Casco Bay Sole $28(very big portion 2 stools over, looked like 2 entrees)
3-lb Baked Stuffed Lobster $80
Spaghetti Chitarra and Clams $24
Usual sides $5-$14
No room for dessert. Someone else will need to run with the ball on reporting back on dessert and full wine list.
They've cut back on the wine program. It's nice to win Wine Spectator's Grand Cru Award, but lots of the high-end bottles were getting dusty.
PDR: Nothings has changed. 45-seats downstairs, private bar, nice room in wine cellar.
Overall, very nice evening. Before you pounce on the old, "another steak house" rant, give it a try, it's a nice, comfortable place to enjoy a great meal and the service was genuinely very good.
An unscientific look at local by-the-glass wine pricing [moved from Boston board]
"Perhaps I'm failing to factor in important costs (real estate, storage, shipping, stemware, etc.) My math skills aren't what they used to be. Maybe the whole analysis overly simplistic and half-assed in some way that hasn't occurred to me."
"(I can provide more raw numbers if folks want to see them.)"
I'd love to see all of the raw #'s. I'm working on a similar comparison. I'll share my findings when I'm done. Thank you.
No. 9 Park, Mistral, Union...???
Mistral, total scene. So bad last time I went that I've sworn it off for at least 6 months. Even the veteran bartenders are sick of the clientele. Bring your loser repellent.
