DowntownChick's Profile
Housemade Ginger Beer?
Have you tried Fever Tree's Ginger Beer? Fantastic. Really spicy and gingery but not overwhelming. It definitely has the depth you are looking for. South End and Cambridge Frommagio sell it.
Chinese New Year
Anyone know of any specials or events at Chinatown restaurants tonight?
Bina Boston?
Had an excellent Sunday brunch there a couple weeks ago. I highly recommend the bloody marys. They are made table-side and include a selection of several vodkas, salts, and garnishes (pickled green beans, olives, etc). They were delicious. The food was also excellent. Two of us had the egg brushetta which was basically decadent scrambled eggs with cheese over a delicious baquette. My husband had lobster bisque that was amazing, and another freind had a terrific pizza.
I live in the neighborhood so I have also bought cheese and pre-made foods at the store. The service has been consistently helpful and courteous, and I did not find the prices outrageous. It is an EXCELLENT addition to the neighborhood and I have been raving about it to all my freinds.
New South Street Restaurant??
The new place is going in next to Boston Deli Deluxe (to the right of it if you are facing the Boston Deli Deluxe). There is a new sign in the window. Its upstairs.
New South Street Restaurant??
Anyone know anything about the new Chinese/Japanese restaurant opening on South Street? And please tell me why the Leather District - which is next to Chinatown - needs another Chinese/Japanese option??
Sage's bar for drinks?
Excellent. I have been meaning to try the new place out for a while. Any thoughts on a back up location? Does Meyers and Chang have a bar?
Sage's bar for drinks?
Thinking about hitting Sage on Wednesday for drinks with some girlfriends. I think I remember people posting that it is big and comfortable now. Is that true? If not, any thoughts on some unexpected bars in the South End that would be good for drinks? I want to go somewhere new, not the typical drinks places (e.g. Union, Gaslight, etc).
Quiet Celebratory Dinner?
I've never been to Radius even though I live blocks from it. Is that food worth the price? If so, I think that could be a great option.
Quiet Celebratory Dinner?
That's great to know because I only know people who have gone at lunch when its not that noisy.
Quiet Celebratory Dinner?
Looking for a restaurant in downtown Boston that is quiet (hard of hearing relatives!!) for a big family celebratory dinner. Will probably have 10-15 people. A private room would be good, but not required. Price not a concern, but excellent food is a must. Have considered: Sorrellina, KO Prime, Sel de la Terre. Thanks!
Brunches
This Sunday I went to Stella and really enjoyed it. It was a fun atmosphere, the food was delicious, and it was very reasonably priced. I had an egg salad bruschetta with smoked salmon that was an interesting take on the standard eggs and salmon brunch choice.
Other places I visit often for brunch are Union, Beacon Hill Bistro, and Aquitaine. Reservations are needed at all those places.
Kingston Station - Checkitout!
Had a great meal at Kingston Station last night. Green salad was delicious with hazelnuts and goat cheese. Very lightly dressed with balsamic which I loved. Then had a delicious rack of pork. Very juicy with many layers of flavors in the apple sauce and the mashed potatoes. My friend had the steak sandwich which was tasty and came with a very large with a very good sized salad on the side.
I enjoyed the atmosphere. Its doing a french bistro thing which is all the rave. I went to Gaslight a few weekends and was very disappointed. Food was uninteresting and the service was terrible. Also, the atmosphere felt overdone - like how Disneyland would do a french bistro. Kingston Station is more understated and relaxed. And the food is 100 times better.
Definitely check it out! Its still new and service was slow. But we didn't mind since the food (and wine!) were great. Also, its very affordable. We had a bottle of wine, two salads, to entrees, and desert for $100.
For a brand new restaurant, Kingston Station is doing a lot right!
Cheese shop in Great Barrington?
It's called Rubiner's. It's on Main Street past Railroad Street. Great cheese and other gourmet foods. Its restaurant behind the store does sanwiches and salads. .
Ideas for Bachelorette Party - 6 people?
My friend just had a really good experience at a bachelorette at Casa Romero last weekend. Back Bay location, well priced, and the staff got into the bachelorette theme.
http://www.casaromero.com/
Huevos Rancheros?
I went through a big HR kick at Tremont 647 a few months ago. They are yummy. I would also recommend Toro's version, which comes in a small cast iron pan.
Fun Place for Drinks & Apps
I haven't been, but Ivy has gotten pretty decent reviews by Chowhounders. And I always recommend The Good Life which is just off Summer Street on Kingston and has great food (eat in the bar area, the restaraunt area can be a little dull).
Rocca "No"
I was there for brunch on Sunday and I couldn;t have had a different experience. The place was empty when we arrived, but started to fill up later. The staff was attentive and really sweet. The owners and the event manager were going table to table introducing themselves which was a nice touch. I also enjoyed the decor - it's very comfortable but also contemporary. The food was simple, satisfying and well priced. I am looking forward to returning for dinner on the patio soon!
low fat/non fat frozen yogurt?
I second the JP Licks recommendation. Also, Stonyfield Farms makes terrific nonfat and lowfat frozen yogurt. I especially recommend the chocolate nonfat. You can get it at Whole Foods.
Verdad: Disapointing (long)
Honestly, I did not intend to slam La Verdad and I don't think my review reads that way. Instead, I was expressing disappointment because I so wanted to have a good experience. While waiting, I talked to the people on line and the staff about how difficult it must be before games, especially for a new restaurant. But as I said in my review, game crowds are to be expected on Lansdowne street and it has to be part of the restaurant's model. La Verdad is a new restaurant and is experiencing growing pains. But I don't think Red Sox crowds can be an ongoing excuse because the heavy traffic from the crowds must have been a significant factor when Oringer considered opening on Lansdowne. I feel for the kitchen and the waiters and waitresses who are trying to keep up and at no point did I blame them. In terms of the food, I had read many reviews raving about the food, so I offered a different opinion. Also, it is a Ken Oringer restaurant and I have had many excellent meals at his other restaurants so I expected more.
Verdad: Disapointing (long)
Went to Verdad last night before the game, and I am sad to report that the experience was not good because I really, really wanted to like the place.
First, we arrived before the game around 6ish. Immediately, the man at the door told us they were at capacity. Ok, our bad choice to not have come earlier. But the thing was that there were two table exmpty outside. We asked about them but they said they were at capacity. Ok, what about inside? At capacity. But we were assured it would be five minutes. We waited. And waited. The guy kept saying they were at capacity, but people kept leaving and more and more tables became available outside. And this was not a staffing problem - the waiters and waitresses were turning over the table. They were sitting empty, ready to be used.
The poor guy at the door was very apologetic. This was not his fault and nobody was rude to him. It was kind of funny - there were about 8 of us waiting in line and we could SEE enough tables and seats for us all. We got friendly on the line and offered to sit together. No dice. So finally, when the poor guy at the door is running around to see if he can let people in, we take a peak inside. It's not even close to full. Empty tables everywhere, seats at the bar. Nobody standing at the bar. It was probably the emptiest restaurant on Lansdowne Street.
FINALLY we get in. And the hostess starts moving towards the back of the restaurant. Now, we KNOW there are like 4 empty tables outside and no one inside appears to be going for them. So will she seat us there?? She reluctantly looked at us, shrugged and brought us outside. It was so wierd, but we got to a table, finally.
So we order - quickly - because we are going to be late for the game. Three carnitas for my freind, one carnita, tripe and fish taco for me. And the corn and quac. And beers, we needed beers after waiting in line for the emptiest "at capacity" restaurant in Boston.
The tacos were good, but I wasn't dazzled. The carnitas were the best because they had the most flavor diversity. The fish taco was fried and tasty but nothing special. The tripe was lame. I don't know what I expected, but it was too, well, tripe-y.
We didn't get our quac and corn until AFTER the tacos and only when we requested them. The quac was tasteless. I am easily pleased with quac but it literally tasted like mashed up avocado - it needed salt, pepper and heat. And the corn was good, but at little rich for my blood (but that is probably persoanl preference). However, they need to explain that the corn takes extra time.
Verdad is clearly experiencing new restaurant growing pains. And that's fine - I don't fault some of the kinks with the clearly unexperienced staff (no napkins, etc) because I'm sure that they will get better. AND I understand that the mad rush before games must be hectic. But that's the name of the game on Landsdowne Street. But the food didn't dazzle me and the whole "at capacity" issue was ridiculous. The food was even more disappointing because apparently Ken was in the kitchen (on line I had asked, and they said yes and was I a friend? No, but would a yes get me a table quicker?)
All in all, I was very disappointed because I really wanted to like it.
New Brunch Spots!
I would second the Union recommendation. I also really enjoyed Toro. And Eastern Standard is great, especially if you can sit outside (they have terrific heat lamps if its a little chilly).
Where is your favorite bread basket?
The bread looks like french bread but tastes more like sourdough. It's soft on the inside and hard and crispy on the outside. It's delicious. I am getting hungry just thinking about it. I think they only serve the butter upstairs and serve olive oil with the bread downstairs.
InterContinental Boston - dinner
Les Zygomates, Sorriso and O Ya all in the Leather District which is a very short walk from the Intercontinental.
In terms of Miel, I ate there once and wasn't overly impressed. I found the decor irritating - too french country for me. And the bar next to the restaraunt is very fun if you are at the bar, but I could hear the music from the bar in the restaraunt over Miel's music (very annoying). And the menu is huge, but I found the entrees heavy. That said, they had just opened when I went so I would give it another try.
Boston Organics: Excellent!
Thank you so much for the info. I think I am going to give it a try!
Boston Organics: Excellent!
Wow. I never knew about Boston Organics! Thanks so much for the heads-up. I am really interested in doing it, but have a question about delivery - Does someone need to be home to buzz them in? I live in a building without a doorman and am not home during the day. Does anyone else have this problem?
Good Italian - Not the North End!
Teatro is also good and has a fun atmosphere. The downside of the scene is that it's often packed and noisy.
Place for Outdoor Cocktail Party?
I really dislike the food and ambience at Tia's. It is a real meatmarket. Also, avoid the Living Room. People have had mixed reviews about 28 Degrees, but they have a nice outdoor patio area with small plates and its a fun environment. Also, not sure what they do for small plates, but Audobon has good outdoor space in the back. And there is always Eastern Standard.
