ysb's Profile
Fiance's birthday this weekend. What's your favorite tasting menu recommendations?
Hi all,
so I kept the reservation at Craigie on Main, and it was definitely one of the most memorable meals I've had in a long long time. I didn't want to start a new thread but want to mention what we had. Some of the menu items were similar to what's posted on the website, or a variation. Where memory doesn't serve I've copied and pasted.
1. trio of chilled seafood- geoduck clam sashimi with some kind of mustard-y dressing, lobster salad with lime dressing, salt cod croquette with squid ink sauce
2. kanpachi sashimi with red onion shiso dressing, avocado, harissa oil
3. pan fried halibut with littleneck clams and some kind of onion sauce with chanterelles
4. pan seared red snapper with foam and mussels
5. pork belly tortellini with squash blossoms and corn puree
6. Grilled pork belly with crispy garlic and huitlacoche jus
7. trio of colorado lamb- roast leg, lam confit, and lamb belly
8. panna cotta- one with jasmine and the other with rooibus tea
9. corn pain perdu with fennel oil and anise-hyssop ice cream, macerated berries with peach tea soda and yogurt sorbet
10. rhubarb mouse with yogurt foam.
the kanpachi with the avocado and harissa oil was amazing, this place does amazing seafood. also Top Chef Masters viewers will appreciate this: at one point one contestant made panna cotta and the judge mentioned that panna cotta should have the texture of "a woman's breast" so we jiggled them around and sure enough, it was legit! I will never look at panna cotta the same way again.
Thanks again everyone for having me keep the craigie reservation.
by the way, if you don't drink alcohol, they are more than happy to make something creative for you(and I would highly recommend it) that would go with your meal.
I had an apple cider with cardamom seeds, and then asked for something less sweet, which was a grapefruit with house made corn syrup and mint.
my fiance had a cocktail and a few glasses of wine with the meal. Total with tip was $360.
would repeat any time. spoke with the expediter afterwards and he recommended the bar menu. can't wait to try that!
Fiance's birthday this weekend. What's your favorite tasting menu recommendations?
Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm pretty excited for it!
Fiance's birthday this weekend. What's your favorite tasting menu recommendations?
Hello,
I'm on the waitlist for O-Ya (would probably do the omakase), and have a reservation for Craigie on Main, but wanted to see if there were any other places that I'm missing in my search for a nice tasting menu for my fiance and me.
Thanks!
Pho n' Rice - Somerville
Tom Yum fried rice with crispy chicken. This is my "always order" dish. Anything is better topped with fried chicken, but the rice is nice and aromatic, but never as spicy as you want it. Add hot sauce.
Dry Fried Chow Fun vs. Regular Chow Fun?
I've had the beef stew noodles from Kantin at the Super 88 food court, and while somewhat tasty, they are an oil bomb . Just a heads up. I try to stick to their rice dishes
Where did I see that roast pig?
hmm, I think Bourdain's seen a lot of roasted whole pig.
Here's one from his Indonesia episode when he visit's Bali
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlGBJrCDA0Q
The skin is rubbed with coconut water!!!!
Real Hainanese chicken rice?
I hope that people don't get annoyed if I suggest that you try to make it yourself. This dish, hainan chicken, khao man gai (in thai, which is the version I'm used to) is deceptively simple in ingredients, but the technique is where the recipes vary according to country, and even by family.
If you make it yourself you get to do everything to your own liking and also provide your own garnishes.
there's so many versions online of this recipe, so find one that's the easiest for you.
Hope this adds something to the discussion!
Where is the best ramen in Boston?
Thanks to all for your replies! I had a feeling that Ken's was going to be named the best in Boston, but wanted to make sure there's no hidden holes in the wall somewhere that I haven't heard about.
Where is the best ramen in Boston?
I know, serious ramen lovers know that this question can be discussed/argued for ages, but I'm posting this for information not only for people opinions on where they think the best ramen is, but where to find ramen in general!
I've been to the ramen place in Porter Square, and also to Ken's, and between the two I like Ken's. I'm partial to the cloudy pork broth ramen styles, and Ken's does it pretty well. I've had great ramen in LA and NYC, but those cities have much larger Japanese populations and much more variety, so you can't compare Boston in there really.
I'd love to hear people's input. Thanks!
Burger Buns to Buy
I'm a huge fan of using Portuguese muffins as burger buns. Bolo levedo is what it says on the packaging. Market Basket in Somerville has them all the time. Or you can use the bun-sized Portuguese bread. Just make sure that it's well-buttered and browned to keep from falling apart.
maggi imported from France
Have you tried Golden Mountain? You should be able to find it in SE asian stores. I've always liked it better than Maggi growing up. You should try to find the smaller bottles. It's shaped and labeled like Maggi.
Making your own dried fruit
Resurrecting an old thread, but I was going to make some fruit leather in the near future with the weather improving.
Regarding the oil. What happens if there is oil, or butter in the fruit mixture?
Edible clear rice paper...Where to buy?
Hi,
I was looking for the plastic-like stuff that would come with the Botan Rice Candies. Do they sell that separately? Or can anyone think of something that would be a substitute for that?
Thanks!
bond -- don't bother
"...where the cougars go." that's hilarious. I went here for drinks and the way the OP described the wall decor is spot on. I absolutely hated my experience here. The barstaff was embarassingly inexperienced and the crowd was too "D-B'y" for me to relax.
Gang Som Goong Kai Cha-om (Sour Orange Curry?)
ThaiNut, I didn't know that you could find "pak cha-om" here in the states. I would love to find a source since "kai jieaw pak cha om" is one of my favorite dishes and I've only had it when I go back to Thailand. The english name (just googled it) is acacia leaf
Tacos Lupita
I've always been a fan of Taco Loco over this place for everything, even though Lupita is closer. I like Loco's burritos better, they're tastier to me and seem to use fresher veggies and sauce. Must be the cilantro in there. Also I've tried the pupusas from both places and though they're not as good as any I've had in Los Angeles, I thought Taco Loco's relish was tastier.
Your Favorite Bowl of Noodle Soup in Chinatown
I've had Xinh Xinh's beef stew, but with rice noodles instead of bread. Super super tasty, but it's an oil bomb. there's a lot of oil sitting on the surface. Don't get me wrong, I love me my oily soups, but you pay afterwards.
Dining at Ten Tables -- Recommendations?
Three of us went to the Cambridge location last night. I'm guessing the parking situation has been mentioned. The restaurant only has 4 spaces in the lot, and the rest of the parking in the area is permit parking. You'll have to risk getting a ticket and the host didn''t really offer much in the way of suggestions. But once you're in you're comfortable. Nice little space, intimate. I did notice a previous poster's comment about the darkness and the heat of the place. I didn't think it was too dark, but at the end of the meal as the restaurant filled up I noticed the heat.
On to the food, we shared a dozen of the Wellfleet oysters with fresh horseradish and the homemade merguez sausage. Good oysters, not the best I've ever had, but the fresh horseradish was a great touch. The sausage was well cooked and its juices combined with a fennel, roasted pepper and fresh cheese, vinegar, and I think ricotta salata to make a great dressing.
For entrees we had the steak, the boudin blanc, and the scallop dish. The scallop and the steak were described in previous posts and I've got nothing to add, except that the beet flavor really comes through in the farro mixture and it's very tabbouleh-tasting (lotsof parsley flavor) The boudin blanc dish was served with a duck confit hash and apple slivers. Very bold flavors that complimented each other nicely if you combined them in one bite. My only regret is that we weren't gluttonous to also order the monkfish stew.
Best Vietnamese Summer Rolls? (pregnancy craving)
is there a difference between spring rolls and summer rolls, or can they be used interchangeably?
Southeast Asian grocery store within 10-20 minutes of Boston?
Thanks a ton for the replies! I'll be checking these out and reporting back!
Southeast Asian grocery store within 10-20 minutes of Boston?
I'm sure that this has been asked before, but the search function is only pulling up the Battambang market in Lowell. I was wondering if there's anything closer than that. I'm in Somerville and would prefer to find a place that would have more SE asian ingredients. I used to go to Super88 and that would be sufficient, but now it's even less so with their reduction in grocery aisles. I guess Chinatown is the only other option, but I would love a place with parking. Have never been to CMart, but the crowds kind of intimidate me. So much to ask, huh? Thanks!
Pho n' Rice - Somerville
Have to agree about the staff! the first time we went I just ordered in English and towards the end of the meal was speaking Thai with the older women who were hanging around the restaurant. The second time there I ordered in Thai thinking that it would help a little, but had to repeat a couple of times in English and in Thai. My thai isn't awesome though, but when I speak Thai with the Rod Dee or Dok Bua staff they seem to understand fine.
Best Cupcakes, for sure!
no probs!
while not technically billed as cupcakes, Gingerbread Contruction company makes some monsters and they're pretty inventive. I also work somewhat close by and a lady that works here picks up a box about once a week for the office.
Best Cupcakes, for sure!
I mentioned them in the first reply as being worse than Sweet, so interpret however you like.
Best Cupcakes, for sure!
nice report, Sweet employee. Just kidding! I've had their red velvet cupcakes and the day that I went they seemed like they could be a little more moist. Decent frosting. definitely better than Kickass Cupcakes in Davis Square, though.
Last minute Valentine's dinner date - where to go?
Cook dinner at home. If you wanted to go someplace decent, it's probably filled up already and even then all they want on that night is to turn you over.
Pho n' Rice - Somerville
Hi. Just ate here for lunch and was so happy with this place that I wanted to come home and post about it. Anyways, had thai iced tea, a small pho tai, the bun with grilled pork/shrimp/egg roll, and their tom yum fried rice with crispy chicken. I think it's been mentioned here that everyone that works here seems to be Thai, but the two Vietnamese dishes we ordered were awesome.
their pho broth was really good, rice, but not too salty, and well balanced. Usually I have to augment broth with either sugar, spice, or lime, but this broth needed nothing.
the dipping sauce that came with the bun seemed like there wouldn't be enough of it, but it ended up being the perfect amount. The pork is very flavorful and grilled nicely with charred bits. I wouldn't order shrimp again, though. I would just get pork and the egg roll.
The tom yum fried rice was executed well, lots of fresh kaffir lime leaf flavor, lemongrass and nam prik pao (chili paste) the fried chicken on top was crispy and juicy.
so happy to have a place like this around the corner.
Sriracha in Somerville/Cambridge?
New Deal sells it too.
Have people started pronouncing it properly (sri-raa-chaa) instead of "sri-RAjuh"
I know. I'm being nitpicky, but it kills me to hear people say it wrong.
Lobster Prices
Last night in the Somerville Market Basket lobsters (don't know if hard/soft shell) were $4.99/lb
Monkfish Liver in Boston
I've seen it at New Deal before, but not on a regular basis. Shiki in Brookline had it on their menu as well, to add another restaurant to the list.
