http://www.chow.com/boards/12 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 04:48:28 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906273#8147370 Why are oysters so expensive in northeast restaurants? Go down south and $12 for 12 is pretty common, even cheaper. $2.50 - 3 each seems to be the norm up here! What gives? jefpen2 Thu, 20 Jun 2013 04:48:28 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906273#8147370 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/905614#8147197 There are bad bagels and good bagels, but I think everyone's "best" bagel among good alternatives is a matter of taste. However, Rosenfeld's is better than anything I've had in New York City. Rosenfeld's bagels, however, must be consumed with minutes of purchase. Even a few hours later they become harder and stale. Bagel Hut in Great Neck, NY, however, has the best bagels I've ever had. There are no longer Jewish neighborhoods in New York City, but there are on Long Island, so its not surprising that the best bagels have migrated to the suburbs. lipoff Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:40:54 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/905614#8147197 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906165#8147162 correction, the ssamjang comes in varying heat levels. Sorry! Gabatta Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:24:43 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906165#8147162 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906228#8147157 The Continental. It's right out of the 70s from the dark red booths and carpet to the gold and velvet accents. The menu has a lot of variety not to mention my favorite baked stuffed lobster in the Boston area. They also come around with freebies like popovers, chicken wings, spinach pie, etc. it's right up Rt 1 in Saugus about 2 miles from the Revere exit. They do a brisk senior citizen early bird business. catsmeow Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:22:29 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906228#8147157 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906043#8147144 I've been to both as well many times. I would say that Gene's is my preference over all --- the noodles and yang rou pao mo (the lamb stew with bread bits) are better at Gene's, and the lamb skewers are the best I've had, including in China. On the other hand, the rou jia mo (the "burgers") are significantly better at Xi'an famous foods. Xi'an Famous Foods has a larger menu, with more vegetables, including a terrific spicy salad, and always has the liang pi cold noodles available. Having been to Xi'an and neighboring regions in China, I can assure you that both Xi'an Famous Foods and Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe are the real deal. In addition to the various XFF locations, they also have a restaurant, Biang, in Flushing. Biang has some interesting dishes and lots of skewers, but the noodles are not in the same league as Gene's. lipoff Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:13:23 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906043#8147144 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906167#8146653 Oro is excellent! A new spot will be opening up in August from the folks of Tinker's Son and Bia that sounds amazing as well... umami76 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:06:25 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906167#8146653 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906151#8146633 I second this, the location and space are nothing to write home about, but the staff is good, the owner is super friendly, prices are good, and the sushi is really great. I got takeout on saturday night and was marveling at the quality of the fish, and the perfection of the texture and flavor of the rice. ColoradoXJ13 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:58:34 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906151#8146633 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906230#8146621 I know there have been countless discussions and articles on the best rooftop spots for the summer, but does anyone know of restaurants in Boston where you can actually make a reservation for a rooftop spot? cpjlisinski Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:53:37 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906230#8146621 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/163960#8146609 That sounds like a lot of New England towns. They live in a time before the foodie revolution. Keeps us thin ;) fara Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:46:52 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/163960#8146609 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906183#8146588 I've never found it to be that loud to be honest. Definitely not as loud as West Bridge for example. Then again, noise isn't something that really bothers me in restaurants, but I know many feel otherwise. I know Devra (and a few others) reviewed them when they first opened, so that might be an answer. mkfisher Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:39:20 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906183#8146588 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906168#8146570 Wow, thanks for all the great options! I can't believe I'll have a choice of a good sandwich, seafood shack food, or Japanese (my three favorites). I can't believe Toraya is so close and their lunch specials look cheap. Ditto for Fresh Pond seafood. Madrona Tree looks right up my alley (although I can see how it's a touch pricey) and even Amsterdam falafel is not that far. Add in Nellio's and Francesco's and I might have to spend more time in this area outside of work! Klunco Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:30:16 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906168#8146570 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906189#8146538 Hah, I just bot a Halibut steak... pretty sure the soft shells are Fresh Maryland... StriperGuy Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:16:20 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906189#8146538 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/891968#8146296 It's official! http://www.urbandaddy.com/bos/food/24209/A4_Pizza_Bar_Meet_Area_Four_s_Pizza_Testing_Workshop_Boston_BOS_Restaurant addiez Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:37:52 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/891968#8146296 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906201#8146292 Per Urban Daddy, Area 4 to open a Pizza Bar in Somerville in July. http://www.urbandaddy.com/bos/food/24209/A4_Pizza_Bar_Meet_Area_Four_s_Pizza_Testing_Workshop_Boston_BOS_Restaurant addiez Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:37:01 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906201#8146292 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906039#8146241 Sadly i have to agree; I think the same restaurant in another part of town -- smaller and more intimate -- would have done brilliantly. In that location, with that large open dining room, they struggled. Frankly, not enough locals or tourists wanted Polish food. And as much as I loved the food and the location, they always had service issues. The new gastropub will be a better fit. I have no interest in eating there. Boston_Otter Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:10:19 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906039#8146241 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/905913#8146237 Thanks for the suggestion. Normally I would be all over a dinner with new friends... however, I'm really, REALLY looking forward to one night on my own before a week of conference-related social gatherings, aka "mandatory fun." And I rarely get to eat out without DH and DS (almost 3), so the peace and quiet will be a little treat for me. I promise I'll be more social on my next trip to Boston! truman Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:08:09 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/905913#8146237 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/765787#8146227 I stopped by for lunch today and the interior was nice but the quality of the food from the lunch menu was just average at best. The hot and sour soup wasn't really either. The very plain chicken wing was 10 minutes late and the szichuan spicy chicken was more like a Kung Pao chicken with peanuts and an enormous amount of celery in your typical brown sauce. Despite the nice looking chillies it lacked heat. It was very salty. Service was good and the enormous sushi bar was doing a brisk business at lunchtime. http://thedailylunch-woburn.blogspot.com/2013/06/oyes-reading.html Ferrari328 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:03:05 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/765787#8146227 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/905707#8146174 This WMass resident was thinking the same thing. hilltowner Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:43:06 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/905707#8146174 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/735611#8146172 Confirming still $28 at Brix on Broad St. and in stock today. rlh Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:42:19 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/735611#8146172 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906084#8146143 Sounds like they have it here http://www.kingandinyack.com/dinner_maindishes.html 51. PAD MA KURR--Sautéed eggplant and basil in black bean sauce, but you will have to go to NY! maizana Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:32:41 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906084#8146143 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906019#8146136 We had Sunday bruch there about 3 weeks ago it was very good ,and we are plnaning to go back for dinner. Tucker23 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:30:31 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906019#8146136 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/905903#8145859 Hi i received the live grains! I paid $20 which is about 2-3 times the cost of what i saw on ebay after the other post ( wouldnt have thot of ebay but that looks like an interesting option too!) . I use 2% pasteurized organic milk, it didnt produce good kefir in skim milk. And they really work well in whole milk but i wanted to cut a bit of fat. penmar0204 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:16:40 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/905903#8145859 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906122#8145825 Others may disagree, but I don't find either Blue Eyed Crab, or Carmella's befitting a special occasion, and by a rather large margin. Especially Carmella's which, IMO, is merely average.. CapeCodGuy Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:55:01 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906122#8145825 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906154#8145799 Busy Bee Diner is in the St. Mary's area - a short walk away from Kenmore. It's definitely not fancy, but it's a fun spot. addiez Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:42:30 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906154#8145799 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906159#8145720 Tried one of the pizzas on Monday (the Moosehead). Finally, some decent pizza (and beer!) in Reading. Nothing that will blow your socks off, but a place like this is sorely needed in the area. brieonwheat Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:51:58 GMT http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/906159#8145720