http://www.chow.com/boards/12 Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:04:19 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://www.chow.com/topics/668810#5201558 Hmmmm... The Quail at Bina at the beginning of the year. What happened? Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:42:08 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668810#5201558 http://www.chow.com/topics/654190#5201542 The dim sum is fantastic. I used to go to Chinatown but there is no need anymore. The have the best ha kau (shrimp dumpling). Somehow my husband and I have made it for dim sum about 4 times this past month. We have been there during weekdays as well as weekends. You'll see lots of chinese families eating there on the weekends. The quality is as good as in Chinatown. The food is good! Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:09:45 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/654190#5201542 http://www.chow.com/topics/669074#5201487 I got my fix for pani puri when I went home (CA). I'm usually not a fan of restaurants serving chaat, its never any good. I am more a fan of the sketchy window at the back of an indian grocery store selling cart-style chaat. We have plenty back home, but does anyone know of something like that out here? even if its reasonable at best? Thanks. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:05:20 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669074#5201487 http://www.chow.com/topics/447053#5201412 I went to Matt Murphy's last night after also searching for a dark and cozy Irish pub here and was very surprised-- the renovation must have made a huge difference. Our corner was dark and semi-cozy due to candles, but they were playing grating techno for most of our dinner and then 70's soul into the evening. The menu was nice and our food was tasty, but it was all so far from the classic, fairly inexpensive Irish pub food we were expecting and craving. (Epic let down.) The beer list looked short and sweet though I only had a ginger beer that was weak. Service was excellent. Cash only. Easy parking (I thought.) Its a nice restaurant, but I would NOT recommend it now to anyone seeking a dark and cozy Irish pub. Perhaps once this was true, but it is not so anymore. No way. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:54:18 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/447053#5201412 http://www.chow.com/topics/668872#5201388 I brine a fresh turkey every year, with consistently excellent results. Go for it. Russo's was less of a madhouse than I expected this afternoon around 4: we did all of our Thanksgiving shopping and were in and out in just a hair under 20 minutes. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:37:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668872#5201388 http://www.chow.com/topics/669127#5201382 Sichuan Garden's version of this is exquisite, and Brookline Village is easily reachable via the 66 bus. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:32:55 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669127#5201382 http://www.chow.com/topics/656867#5201357 I went to China Pearl for 2 years straight...2-3 times every month....now, only to Hei La Moon - on weekends. Very fresh and distinctive flavors. Turnip cake is the best here IMO. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:21:01 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/656867#5201357 http://www.chow.com/topics/669100#5201315 Assuming you mean Taqueria Jalisco, they are not open on Tuesdays. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:48:29 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669100#5201315 http://www.chow.com/topics/668979#5201214 crispy smelts, nantucket bay scallops, pigs head Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:49:46 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668979#5201214 http://www.chow.com/topics/669112#5201073 Stopped by Woodward at the Ames on Sat. Basic, plentiful but simple gastropub style food. Had a nice salad, flatbread and fish. Downside is the tight proximitry of the Bar with the dining spaces (there are two levels with bar and dining at both). We were downstairs and found the room loud and slightly uncomfortable for dining. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:42:38 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669112#5201073 http://www.chow.com/topics/669109#5201054 Can anyone suggest where I can buy this IN Boston? I'm making this recipe http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/candy-corn-cookie-bark/ and the only place I've been able to find the white chocolate disks is at Party Favors in Brookline and AC Moore in Somerville. Is anything closer? I live in Beacon Hill. Thank you! Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:34:34 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669109#5201054 http://www.chow.com/topics/667651#5201034 certainly the dan dan and th suan la chow show... the stringbeans and pork (i think) is great too as is the dim sum selections (sat and sun only) which includes the best scallion pancake around Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:24:10 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667651#5201034 http://www.chow.com/topics/666342#5200687 Great - next you're going to tell me that the pipeline transaction I've been recruited for by the ex-Prime Minister of Nigeria (because of my special trustworthiness) isn't legit, either. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:17:42 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/666342#5200687 http://www.chow.com/topics/627129#5200682 Fresh Idli and Dosa Batter available Hello, I made Idli and Dosa batter at home and they turned out to be very tasty. If anyone is interested and wish to try the batter, write to me at pjaya21@gmail.com. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:15:36 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/627129#5200682 http://www.chow.com/topics/669049#5200679 Trina's Starlite Lounge? http://www.trinastarlitelounge.com/food.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:14:08 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669049#5200679 http://www.chow.com/topics/668946#5200664 I don't know whether or not that brand is still available - the parent company has had a lot of legal and financial problems in the past year. The Butcherie in Brookline is a good place to start in terms of looking for kosher meat and poultry. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:05:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668946#5200664 http://www.chow.com/topics/651179#5200595 Back by again today, Courtney was out front prepping the interior and Jamie was in back prepping food. The inside is all setup and looks quite nice. Attractive wood bar with Italian Amari and a prosciutto slicer. I'd estimate they are good to open as soon as they get that BFD inspection, but we'll see. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:30:48 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/651179#5200595 http://www.chow.com/topics/666537#5200566 This is the one meal of the year that Ken heaps the big plates full of a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner and you can have seconds if you want, no cranberry foam or squash powder to be found. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:16:41 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/666537#5200566 http://www.chow.com/topics/667774#5200532 I too heard they would be opening Monday from someone who went to one of the pre opening dinners there last weekend. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:02:52 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667774#5200532 http://www.chow.com/topics/666715#5200379 Looking at their takeout menu; there are 2 pages of various rice and noodle dishes..at very fair prices. Mostly Cantonese but the hot/sour soup was exceptional. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:37:41 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/666715#5200379 http://www.chow.com/topics/664313#5200356 Usually you get a little more of each item when you order 2 vs. 3, but I don't find it to be that much more. When you order two vs. one meat, you get about half per item than what you would get if you ordered a rice plate of each individually. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:28:56 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664313#5200356 http://www.chow.com/topics/668412#5200344 Thank you all but I already tried South End Food Emporium (recommended by Addis Red Sea), Whole Foods Central Sq and also Arax on your recommendation but none of them carry the grain. I'll probably have to order Bob's Red Mill on amazon.com Thanks for your prompt responses Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:23:11 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668412#5200344 http://www.chow.com/topics/472628#5200276 I just noticed that I've replied to this thread 18 months earlier after our *first* visit to Toraya. Since then, we've been going to Toraya every 4-6 weeks regularly. We've tried most of the appetizers. While the beef tongue is good, I find it too greasy. We've had it a few times but I don't order it anymore due to the fat. I like the agedeshi tofu, their shumai and gyoza. Last night, we had their eel/cucumber appetizer which was delicious. We still order their sashimi deluxe. IME, it's best to go on a Saturday, as the sushi bar is stocked with more varieties. In the past, we've gone on weekdays (to avoid the crowd), but we've received unagi and surf clam in the deluxe order. But on Saturday nights, we usually get uni and lots of other fresh fish. I love the sea scallops sashimi with its sweet flavor. We sat at the sushi bar last night so we got to see the chef doing his magic. Just beware that if you order take-out, your fish is pre-sliced. I assume the chef cut the pieces in advance to save time during rush hour. For our sashimi, we watched him slicing the fish from big pieces. P.S. We've never experienced poor attitude or rude service from either one of the 2 waitresses. They are always very courteous to us. A few times we had to wait for 30+ minutes for a table and they were always very apologetic for our wait. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:51:18 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/472628#5200276 http://www.chow.com/topics/668629#5200274 OMG, I remember Hung Fa Chuen (spelling could be totally off, but this is a Cantonese romanization)! They opened while I was there in college, and I'll agree that I wish Boston had a tofu pudding place similar to this. I'm so glad to hear that they're going strong. There used to be one restaurant where my room mate and I would go for roast duck, just about every weekend. While we liked it - and it was a taste of "home" (she was from Boston too) - I can't say I found the duck to be outstanding (it might have been Sang Kee) but solid. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:50:21 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668629#5200274 http://www.chow.com/topics/609705#5200251 Re the Ma Po tofu - since Great Taste is really a Cantonese restaurant, it probably doesn't do the best version of ma po tofu. I love this place and always stick with the Cantonese dishes. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:35:27 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/609705#5200251 http://www.chow.com/topics/668944#5200246 wow, that's a great review. thanks for taking the time to explain so when we go we'll know what to ask for. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:32:53 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668944#5200246 http://www.chow.com/topics/668900#5200196 Unfortunatly, I'm usually not around that area in the evening, however, I did have lunch there a few months ago. The soup was mushroom soup and clearly homemade. It was delicious. The burger was good too. I also hope this place makes it. An idea might be to send a coupon out to residents in HP, Milton and Roslindale. A lot of people still don't know it's there. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:05:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668900#5200196 http://www.chow.com/topics/663862#5200169 I was at Forest Cafe last night - bar staff told me that they will close after Thanksgiving.... Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:49:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663862#5200169 http://www.chow.com/topics/661139#5200166 Glad you enjoyed! If you do the trip again, and like Chinese (especially Sichuan) Fuloon is 1 of Boston's best..in Malden just a few mins off 93 and depending on traffic..15 mins or so North of Boston Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:48:10 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/661139#5200166 http://www.chow.com/topics/153454#5199714 I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Woody's in Back Bay. It's delicious brick oven pizza, NY style, but with California toppings. Gran Gusto, in my opinion is THE place to get an authentic Italian-style one. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:51:20 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/153454#5199714 http://www.chow.com/topics/668959#5199713 Went to Avila around 9:30 last Thursday and did not find this a place I would go again. I had three appetizers. Fried calamari was very tender and lightly breaded and for $6 a bargain but could have used more sauce (which I am sure I would have been given had I asked). Tuna tartar had a truffle aioli sauce that I didn't like and that overwelmed the fish and soaked the cucumber which would have been better crunchy. The few pieces of fried calamari on top of the tartar didn't really fit with the dish. Squash filled ravioli was good, quite sweet but had been under the hot lamp too long. The cream sauce was sticky and the ravioli so hot that it burned my tongue enough to cause a blister. No reason for this as the restaurant was almost empty. Three different glasses of white wine were each, 'eh'. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:50:32 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668959#5199713 http://www.chow.com/topics/666350#5199702 Thanks for the tip! I didn't know about that store, must go check it out. And maybe pick up some cheese while I'm at it :-) Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:38:38 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/666350#5199702 http://www.chow.com/topics/625840#5199645 It sounds delish but higher priced than I was expecting. Could I bring a well-behaved toddler there early in the evening, like I can at say, Highland Kitchen? Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:29:45 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/625840#5199645 http://www.chow.com/topics/667740#5199367 Hi all! On your recommendation, we went to Massimino's in Boston tonight, and I must say that we were a bit disappointed! While the chicken piccata and the chicken paradiso were very well done, the marinara sauce was frankly a bit watery and lacked good flavor. Unfortunately, the problems with the sauce carried through to the rolled eggplant dish, which didn't taste like much because of the sauce. I wonder if it's changed? Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:32:15 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667740#5199367 http://www.chow.com/topics/668788#5199364 Third Sushi Island. If really hankering sushi I'd drive from Boston (where I live) to Wakefield. Zaleks also gets love on this board. Very casual, unassuming atmosphere like a sub shop w/ some tables. Don't let that fool you, solid fish/ steak chop offerings w/ some greek thrown in ( great stuffed grape leaves). One of those CH hidden gems. 21 Princess St Wakefield, MA 01880 (781) 245-2250 www.zaleks.com Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:30:40 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668788#5199364 http://www.chow.com/topics/668860#5199321 There are many cases of them at Truong Thinh on Dorchester Ave the past few weeks. I'm no fan of persimmon but they're actually pretty good and sweet this year. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:00:09 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668860#5199321 http://www.chow.com/topics/668765#5199088 Yup, thanks guys. I just called them to confirm, and they said they don't serve food anymore, only hot dogs until 8:00. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:21:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668765#5199088 http://www.chow.com/topics/668817#5198923 Any of the major dimsum houses will have the shrimp/taro, the eggplant. The sweet dumplings i think your talking about are sesame on the outside but red bean paste on the inside, also available at any of the major locations. The Silver Noodles i dont think i have seen though. Hei La Moon and China Pearl would be my 2 top picks in boston chinatown for cart dimsum. Winsor for non-cart. You can also get all those things at China Pearl Woburn Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:28:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668817#5198923 http://www.chow.com/topics/668672#5198761 Well, it's probably worth a call, but it's about 3/4 years old, so I'm sure the warranty is expired. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:32:17 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668672#5198761 http://www.chow.com/topics/668354#5198717 Indeed! Formaggio carries Comté Le Forte, which is one of my favorite hard cow's milk cheeses, anywhere, and certainly the greatest Gruyère-style cheese I've had the pleasure of enjoying. But just today I stopped in to Formaggio South End and they have a special Comté Le Forte Reserve, just a single wheel imported for the holidays, which was wonderful. Aged another six months, the Reserve offers even more of Le Forte's delicious, nutty, oniony flavor with those characteristic crunchy whey protein crystals. Highly recommended. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:05:41 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668354#5198717 http://www.chow.com/topics/143466#5198572 McKinnon's in Danvers has frozen Tony Chachere's Turducken and I also saw an ad for Turducken at DiLuigi's in Danvers. Not sure if the other McKinnon's have them but you couod call Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:41:48 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/143466#5198572 http://www.chow.com/topics/659728#5198562 We stopped in last night, hoping to order a pizza. The new dining room is really a much nicer space, but there are still areas with exposed drywall and some spackling that needs to be done. An odd contrast with the white table cloths. After being seated, we were told that you cannot order a pizza to eat there- only to go. They offered to do individual pizzas for us, although there was some discussion of whether this would be okay because they're not on the dining room menu, and no prices were given. We were looking for an inexpensive dinner with leftovers for lunch and were a little wary of the individual pizza offer, so we took a takeout menu and will try it some other time. Anapurna, where we ended up, was great by the way. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:33:58 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/659728#5198562 http://www.chow.com/topics/648856#5198184 Lord Hobo is finally open. Someone get in there and do some recon! Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:04:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/648856#5198184 http://www.chow.com/topics/561483#5198097 It is sad that to have quality you have to unload your entire income. I like quality, but it's like humans understand what quality is so they make everyone pay incredible amounts to have it. I am sure it is a fantastic burger, but, again, is it justified for 20+ dollars when you can have a good burger at much less than that? That said, I would love to line up these 15-20 dollar burgers and find out who the real king of the mass is. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:08:37 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/561483#5198097 http://www.chow.com/topics/668254#5198051 Ii wouldn't call marliave "romantic.." Maybe a nice spot to grab a cocktail and some oysters/apps at the bar. The one time I went (on a Saturday night, peak time) the place was like a ghost town. I suppose some might view that as romantic, but imo Marliave and No. 9 are in different leagues. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:44:43 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668254#5198051 http://www.chow.com/topics/668785#5198021 I moved to the Boston area a year ago and need black baking cocoa for a Christmas cookie recipe. Will order from King Arthur if I have to, but the shipping was more than the price of the cocoa. Thanks. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:25:19 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668785#5198021 http://www.chow.com/topics/668782#5198003 Headed to Oishii 3 tonight, any "must have" menu items? 4 people, so I expect we'll have some variety. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:10:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668782#5198003 http://www.chow.com/topics/668365#5197981 I'm in the same boat as lissy and Patsgal. We went before a show at the Lyric. The waiter was OK, but tried to upsell us a $70 bottle of wine, not his fault, I know, but we went with a $40 French Bordeaux. My wife had the steak salad which was a huge mound of lettuce with 3 or 4 small strips of steak on it. Not great for $20. My strip steak was good, but not fantastic. My wife ordered a horrible whoopie pie for dessert. My dessert was the best part of the night, a very good sweet potato pie. A word on drink prices as well. I had the Green Line which was excellent and reasonably priced at $11. One of our friends had a Grey Goose martini and was charged $14! I've heard their Bombay Sapphire Martini is $16. I don't get the upcharge to those prices when the mixed drinks are so much less. I'll probably go back, as it's so convienient to the Lyric, but I think I'll stick to apps and maybe the mac and cheese which has gotten some rave reviews. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:44:15 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668365#5197981