iamsam's Profile
Thelonious Monkfish in Cambridge
We just had dinner at TM and while the food was generally good, the pickled ginger was absolutely disgusting- this problem has definitely not yet been fixed. It tasted like it had been dunked in ammonia. Yeck.
Like Oleana, but not Oleana
If you mean the Orchards Hotel in Williamstown, I would definitely advise against. It's much more of a corporate, hotel-y feel than OP is looking for.
Where to find sloe gin?
Bought some at Cambridge Wine & Spirits in Alewife a couple months ago...good stuff, but a little pricey
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Cambridge Wine & Spirits
202 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA 02138
BEST wedding caterer?
@uwsister and @ManhattanLawyer, thanks! They sound fabulous and have been super responsive so far.
Best caterer on the East End of LI?
Gotpork, sounds like we're looking for something similar. We're planning a wedding in September 2011 on the N Fork but are considering caterers in the N and S Forks as well as based out of Manhattan.
Some we've heard good things about, but would love additional reviews on:
- Art of Eating
- Creative Edge
- Callahan (may be too precious)
- Acqualina
looking for great North Fork wedding caterer -
bartowchurch, would love to hear what you ended up choosing.
Rocca vs. Coppa
Definitely Coppa, by a long shot.
Went to Rocca a few weeks ago, and found the food to be far more precious than Coppa (though not as interesting, flavor-wise). The menu looks to have changed a bit since, but in particular:
Rocca's Formaggi Bianco (parmesan, taleggio, ramps & garlic) vs. Coppa's Rampe pizza (Rampe / Wild leeks, mozzarella, chili flake and sunny side farm egg): advantage Coppa (leeks more flavorful, and that delicious runny egg)
Rocca's Taleggio Envelopes (morels, fava leaves, ramps & peas) vs. any of Coppa's pastas: advantage Coppa (the flavor of the envelopes was nice, but 4 small envelopes, with a toned-down taleggio taste? Not impressed.)
The crispy artichokes at Rocca were nice as a bar snack.
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Coppa
253 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Best Fish and Chips in Boston?
In my opinion, Publick House has the best fish and chips in the area. The horseradish tartar sauce is a close second to Neptune's.
JJ Foley's does a decent job also
At the other end of the spectrum is Pop's rendition. Precious little piece of fish and a soggy fry job.
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Publick House
1648 Beacon St, Brookline, MA
If I Liked ....., Where Should I Go for My "Last Supper?"
Have been in and out of NO a few times over the last few months for work and really enjoying the food (based in FQ / CBD each time). I'm nearing my last visit this coming week, and want to make sure I hit the remaining "must-do's" with my final two dinners (and one final lunch). I'll be a solo diner.
Love love loved Herbsaint on my last visit. (Tried a fried lamb's neck special that was out of this world.)
I've really enjoyed the po' boy at Stanley for my last couple trips, nice relaxed vibe there too. Also have enjoyed the po' boy at Mother's.
Was underwhelmed by Luke on my last visit (felt generic, food was solid but not exceptional). Enjoyed Commander's for the scene and again had a very good-but-not-great meal, had a nice pecan-crusted seafood meal at Brennan's. Hit NOLA one night as it was close to my hotel and had a perfectly good meal at the bar (though not wow'ed).
Some places I'm considering, but would also love to hear recommendations on other must-do's:
- Cochon
- Coquette
- MiLA
- August
In sum... something inventive, something very New Orleans, something I'll miss when my near-monthly trips come to an end... I want a Last Supper!
Thanks in advance.
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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130
East by Northeast - Open
For what it's worth, I noticed last night that Coppa had added in some of those heavy curtains up front. (Much needed!)
Going to Coda on Friday, What's Good?
Enjoyed the charcuterie plate a couple months back. Not sure it was a "can't miss" but it beat the mussels and mac and cheese, both of which were fine but nothing spectacular.
Besides soup, what to do with butternut squash?
In attempting to "use up" two giant b-nut squashes over the past week, I made:
- http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/rigatoni-with-roasted-butternut-squash-and-pancetta
(made some small tweaks, like adding garlic / chicken stock, and using penne, but it was FABulous)
- http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/apple-butternut-squash-soup (pretty good with a dollop of nonfat greek yogurt / creme fraiche and some pancetta sprinkled on top!)
Market at the W Hotel-Jean-Georges in Boston
The foie brulee dish was pretty great (even if it is on the menu at all the other JG places). One of those, "Hmm, why has no one else thought of that before?" dishes. Was less impressed with the lobster, which was fine but unremarkable save for the interesting lemon spaetzle on the side.
sesame seeds?
anyone have good suggestions for where to go to buy sesame seeds (more than just the tiny bottles they sell at WF)?
hmart? christina's?
thanks!
Craigie on Main - Cocktails
Interesting! We were there last week and had a huge portion. Absolutely delicious-- very tender / not at all rubbery.
Favorite Restaurants near Jury's Hotel
As of Sunday afternoon lunch (nearly empty, by the way!), the lobster stew was actually an appetizer, not an entree. Smoky bacon, Verrill turnips, big chunks of lobster. It was surprisingly light for its cream base, and was apparently made with pea puree.
We were tempted by the risotto with clams-- glad to hear it didn't disappoint!
Best French Toast in my life at Beehives!
I love the french toast at Beacon Hill Bistro.
brandy-soaked cherries?
Anyone know where I can buy some brandy-soaked cherries in Boston? Barring that, any Boston-area drinks that include these?
Thanks!
L'Espalier These Days
There's also apparently a 6-course seasonal prix fixe for $102 without wine, which I hear from a friend last night included ? blanking on course 1, foie gras with chanterelles, "some fish from Hawaii", lamb, cheese plate, and dessert.
Burrata: Don't try the trader joe's version!
lionette's market had great burrata a few months ago.
Anybody been to Barbara Lynch's new place, Sportello?
tasting menu & prix fixe menu, which can be ordered a la carte. no ordering food while sitting in the lounge seats by the window, not sure about at the bar proper. all tables in what was formerly the "cafe" now have the regular menu.
Dinner for a Bachelorette Party
Tangierino, Cuchi Cuchi, Eastern Standard, Union...
Location preference?
Drink opening tomorrow?
the word:
no drink list, no wine list, no visible bottles.
2 reds, 2 whites, 1 sparkling.
1 pale ale, 1 stout.
Drinks & Dinner: First Date
you're right that silvertone is more low key (although i wouldn't be super wowed by having to wait an hour for a table, as i had to do a few weeks ago, though it probably depends on the night of the week), but i do feel like a no 9 drinks date is bringing out the big guns-- especially now that they've done away with their bar menu! it's totally fine to do if the OP is into the girl, i just didn't think it fit the bill for a "small&dark beer&wine bar" he used to head to in new york.
Drinks & Dinner: First Date
no 9 seems a bit much for a first date.
a few options that i think are good for first dates, although most are not on the green line:
75 chestnut for drinks, bin 26 for dinner
butcher shop for drinks, b&g for dinner
eastern standard for drinks, trattoria toscana for dinner
bricco for drinks, neptune or lucca for dinner
toro for drinks, stay for tapas if it's going well
green st for drinks, central kitchen or rendezvous for dinner
Kentucky Derby party menu
Oops! Hadn't been following the thread, but since these are good year-round, why not?
They're super easy, and from an old recipe of Cooking Light (c. 2005). I up the amount of bourbon.
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1120360
