bostonbroad's Profile
Second Zo location
This is great news. I was very sad when Mediterraneo was taken away from me and the first Zo is just a little bit too far, especially when the weather turns nasty. Thanks for the tip!
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Mediterraneo
134 Atwells Ave, Providence, RI 02903
South End/Back Bay Top 10?
I had one of my single-worst dining experiences at Towne. Lydia was even in the house that night, which made it that much more upsetting. Rubbery razor clams, poorly executed mains, terrible bartending (although, to be fair on that one, my friend tried to order a craft cocktail off menu; they tried, they just failed horribly, even though the ration was 1:1:1:1), and the service was only okay. I've heard they may have since revamped the entirely-too-large menu, but I'd have to have every CH'er tell me this place was the second coming before I gave them more money.
Would agree with others that Coppa, Toro, Estragon, Butcher Shop / B&G, Masa, the Gallows are all good choices.
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Toro
1704 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Masa
439 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116
Coppa
253 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Scholars
Tried a veggie wrap - it was disappointing. Fries were curly fries that were not impressive in any way. Tried a couple of the cocktails, but again, nothing stood out. It's large, I can say that. Waitstaff are of the "I might be too cool to wait on you" variety. Afterwork spot for beers if you need a place not to be too cramped in is where I would rate it.
Greenway Names Dozen Vendors for 2011 (Food Trucks/Carts)
Has anyone seen the Dosa mobile? I thought it was supposed to be near the Clover truck, but I haven't been able to locate it and their website hasn't been helpful. What's up?
Looking for Rittenhouse 100
The last time there was a Rittenhouse release, Joe said that to me for three weeks straight. Maybe he'll score this time, I'm just sayin.....
Good, inexpensive food in JP/Roxbury/Roslindale?
The Rox Diner in West Roxbury is really good for breakfast - delicious French toast. They have dinner -burgers and shakes, not sure what else, a couple of nights a week that I'm dying to try. They seem like they're really trying, so if you live in the area, give them a shot.
November Openings and Closings
Same here. I could have walked out with all of their merchandise with no one lifting a finger - maybe that's why they went of business. I was disappointed in the incredible lack of products anyway, so just as well no one showed up.
Eating Animals
You'll need to ask good questions of your butcher. Savenor's, which is pricy, has a lot of locally-sourced, small-ish farms they source. There's a small store on Tremont (used to be Lionette's, now its something like DeLeo's?, right near Stephanie's South End that also has options. For farms, Stillman's sells out of Farmer's markets and, at least last year, they had a stall in the Downtown Crossing XMas market. You can buy directly from farms without being in a CSA, such as Blood Farm in Groton.
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Tremont Cafe
418 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Towne Stove & Spirits soft open preview (opens July)
Had one of the worst meals I've had in a long time here on Saturday - surprising because I know Lydia was in the house (not cooking, but still). I'll start with my cocktail, from the list, being really unbalanced. It didn't have flavored vodka in it, but somehow they managed to make scotch nearly as bad. For an app, I had the razor clams. These were so rubbier and over-cooked, I would have sent them back if I hadn't been with 5 other people, one of whom was treating, so I just sucked it up. My husband's salad was super salty. The only good app I tried (not including the little bread basket with spreads), was my friend's broiled oysters. Those were good, not great, but solid.
Dinner - I had the cod "bullet". This is cod, wrapped in potatoes, with chowder sauces and tartar sauce. First of all, the potatoes wrapped aroud my cod were actually a thin layer of undercooked string hash browns on top. Second, the fish was smaller than a deck of cards, but I had a bowl nearly the size of a coffee cup full of tartar sauce. Then, there was the chowder sauce, with a few mini clams. This part was the best part of the dish, although not very clammy when not actually eating one of the clams, and not very chowder-y. But this just made the vat of tartar sauce even more confusing. Another friend had the brick chicken. It was an ENORMOUS piece of flat (yes, I know, bricked) brown chicken, nothing else. Soooo dry. And brown. And boring. I didn't try any of the other entrees.
Service was also not great. Not horrible, but the waitress wasn't able to answer a few basic questions about the menu and kept forgetting who ordered what.
Finally, that is the most bewildering menu I've seen in a long time. Not clear what were apps, what special items were available which days.
For the price and considering the pedigree, this was the most disappointing Boston dining experience I've had in quite a long time.
Zaya rum?
I think I saw sum at Marty's in Newton a couple of weeks ago. I'd give them a call.
Deux Ave and Citizen Oyster Bar...Any news?
Deuxave has had a "soft" opening; the Island Creek place is supposedly on track for October.
September Openings and Closings
The BBRG says "they hope to find a new Back Bay home for Bouchee very soon," whatever that means. Guess Papa Razzi just makes more $$$ for them.
Lobster Roll
My two favorites (neither of them cheap) are B&G Oysters in the South End and Neptune in the North End. Enjoy!
where do boston's chefs eat
Helps that they serve Industry Brunch on Monday's, but yes, even on weekend nights, I've run into tons of foh folks at Trina's.
Boston - on the water?
Same general area is Miel at the Intercontinental. If you are willing to take the Blue Line to Maverick T station, and then a short walk, Scup's in the Harbor is another option. Just don't get sucked in by the Barking Crab.
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The Barking Crab
88 Sleeper Street, Boston, MA 02210
July Openings and Closings
There was a blurb in today's Globe that the South End Buttery is exploring signing a lease in the Downtown Crossing area (part of a broader article about the Mayor's efforts to revitalize the area).
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South End Buttery
314 Shawmut Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
July Openings and Closings
This maybe the wrong place for this, but I've heard that another branch of Petit Robert will be moving into the space formerly occupied by Vinalia. I don't know the timeframe.
June openings and closings
Clover in Dewey Square?!? Yay. That is certainly some welcome news. Thanks!
Lunch in the financial district ....as bad as the markets performance...
I tried the falafel from the South End Pita cart recently and didn't love it - especially not with Falafel King a block and change away - a bit gritty and overly herbed for my taste. Will go back to try the other offerings soon; for the time being they are a much quicker option than the very long Karo line (it could be there's a reason no one is in the South End line, or just that most people stick with what they know).
Not mentioned, Deli One on Arch Street has some decent options.
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Deli One
85 Arch St, Boston, MA 02110
May openings and closings
There was a short review / article about it in today's Boston Globe G:
http://www.boston.com/ae/food/restaurants/articles/2010/05/05/fresh_roasted_coffee_for_back_bay_connoisseurs/
Kitchen Arts Closing- where to sharpen knives
That's fantastic news. Will it still be one-day turnaround time?
WHOLE PIG
Tony's Market in Roslindale (sweetest butcher ever) now sells whole pigs by preorder.
What's up with La Pupusa Guanaca?
The sign went up at the beginning of March - maybe the renos are a result of the inspection issues?
Open late in downtown Boston
There are places in Chinatown, for instance Peach Farm is open until 3. Also, not sure if the kitchens are still open, but either 21st Amendment, the Red Hat, Kennedys, or Last Hurrah along with similar bars w/kitchens may still be serving.
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Peach Farm
4 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111
