146603 Thu Dec 11 11:10:28 -0800 2003 25 12 Boston Area 0 785777 Howdy, Thought this might turn into a fun thread. This not a top 10 list, just 10 things I go back again and again for. In no particular order, other than how they happened to come to mind: 1. Jeff's Maki at Oishii in Chestnut Hill: sheer genius--who'd have thought of toasting spicy scallop and crab mixture atop California rolls? Surprisingly filling and utterly delicious 2. Chinese-style dumplings at Hong Kong Eatery in Chinatown: yummy shrimp-filled goodness. Watching them make it is fun, too 3. Steak and cheese with lettuce, tomato, hots, salt and pepper at Il Panino Express in Harvard Square or the North End: good bread is key--go when the weather is not humid 4. Kumamoto oysters at Legal's in the Prudential: the best price I've seen so far in Boston (8 for $15), though the sauce they add to the Kumamotos at Oishii is quite good (3 for $7) 5. Home fries/roast potatoes at Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe in the South End: usually puts all others to shame. When they're "on," these are golden, crispy on the outside with a beautiful crust on at least one side 6. The complimentary baguette and hard-boiled eggs at Brasserie Jo on Huntington when eating at the bar: the bread is so good that I occasionally wish I could buy one to take home. Try the eggs with the mustard. 7. Goi cuon (Vietnamese fresh spring rolls), ordered specifically with shrimp and grilled pork, at Pho Pasteur on Washington St in Chinatown: the grilled pork adds so much flavor--I also like the brisket and steak pho extra-large 8. Carnitas quesadilla with jalapeno peppers at Anna's Taqueria: the grilled tortilla is like the Mexican equivalent of a crepe 9. "Super shumai" (don't know what they're called, but this is what my wife and I call them) at Chau Chow City in Chinatown: they're like regular shumai augmented with two more shrimp--they come in a bamboo steamer and are usually available from the cart with the lobster dumplings, which are also quite good. Try them with a little hot mustard on top and dipped into soy sauce mixed with the hot (spicy) oil with chili pepper flakes 10. Okay, this isn't exactly a bargain, but the Sunday brunch at Henrietta's Table in the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square has an amazing assortment of pates and cheeses, as well as all-you-can-eat oysters and shrimp and other delicious items in their buffet (eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, nice desserts, fresh OJ). Although the oysters have been a bit dry the last two times, they can be quite good. The cocktail shrimp are very tasty, and I can eat two or three dozen of them, making this a relative bargain if you add the other brunch items to it (for example, the cocktail shrimp are 5 for $12 at Legal...Henrietta's shrimp are almost as tasty, so if I eat at least thirty, plus other brunch items, that's a pretty good deal!). Young-Ho p.s. you can tell I like shrimp, and I should add the "live swimming shrimp" at Peach Farm, which are incredibly fresh and sweet. Don't worry--they're boiled before serving. I only wish they were a bit bigger! p.p.s. hungry now, am going to have a late breakfast at Charlie's! Thu Dec 11 11:10:28 -0800 2003 0 Young-Ho 1 785780 Are the quesadillas at Anna's very meaty? I LOVE the burritos there! And where is Peach Farm? I've only dreamed of fresh shrimp. Thu Dec 11 12:41:43 -0800 2003 785777 0 Homer 2 785782 How much is the brunch at Henrietta's? Thu Dec 11 12:44:30 -0800 2003 785780 0 Homer 3 785793 Hmmm...I think the brunch at Henrietta's Table was about $41 per person after tax and tip. Again, not a bargain in absolute terms but IMO a relative one. Peach Farm is at 4 Tyler Street in Boston's Chinatown. It's near the corner with that Japanese/Korean sushi place (Suishaya?). The entrance is a few steps down below street level. The shrimp are small but great. You do have to peel them yourself. I seem to recall that they give you a bowl of tea to wash your hands in afterward (we couldn't figure out what to do with it at first). I think other people raved about the large oysters--we ordered them with black bean sauce, but none of us were crazy about the taste from what I assume were the full bellies. But it could have just been a personal thing. Young-Ho Thu Dec 11 13:46:58 -0800 2003 785782 0 Young-Ho 2 785791 Peach Farm is on Oxford St, Chinatown. Close to Beech. Quesadillas at Anna's have too much cheese IMO. I just ate one of their burritos with extra hot sauce. Mmm. May not be the "best", may not be authentic, but they sure are tasty to me. Thu Dec 11 13:44:34 -0800 2003 785780 0 Dax 3 785798 er, make that Tyler st. I thought Oxford extended across Beech. Thu Dec 11 14:14:30 -0800 2003 785791 0 Dax 1 785783 Re: #8 I also love Anna's carnitas quesadilla with jalapeños. Try adding rice to it. It balances the grease from the pork and melted cheese (plus, for me, if I don't add rice, I end up getting two quesadillas.) Thu Dec 11 12:48:43 -0800 2003 785777 0 Peter McCarthy 1 785785 My favorite cheap lunches that I go back to again and again: Mix Bakery for the $2 tofu or barbeque Bahn Minh(sp?) and Humbertos for a mouth watering slice of sicilian, a rice ball and large wine and I get change back from a $5. an added bonus going to Humbertos on a friday if you cut through Haymarket you can get 3 fresh cherrystones for $2 as an appetizer. Thu Dec 11 12:58:25 -0800 2003 785777 0 pluziam 2 785796 OK, where is Humberto's? Thu Dec 11 13:53:51 -0800 2003 785785 0 Taralli 2 785803 Haymarket clams and Umbertos is a favorite Friday lunch for me too. Maybe with a slice at Haymarket thrown in. The actual name is Galleria Umberto..on Hanover St Thu Dec 11 14:27:49 -0800 2003 785785 0 9lives 3 785808 So you just go to the Haymarket seafood stand and they shuck them for you right there? Do they give you horseradish or anything? How does that work and what are the best hours to go? I can't believe I didn't know about this. Thu Dec 11 15:13:13 -0800 2003 785803 0 joypirate 4 785811 You can also get two Wellfleets on the 1/2 shell with with sherry mignonette for $2 at McCormick & Schmick's during their happy hours. Horseradish included. Thu Dec 11 15:35:07 -0800 2003 785808 0 Dax 5 785814 yeah.. but do you get to here the vendors yell and swear at each other and the patrons who touch the merchandise? Thu Dec 11 16:02:25 -0800 2003 785811 0 pluziam 4 785812 Mouthwatering description in the Globe yesterday: Link: http://www.boston.com/ae/food/articles/2003/12/10/clamming_up/ Thu Dec 11 15:40:23 -0800 2003 785808 0 Rubee 4 785813 No horseradish, cocktail sauce, hot sauce and lemons. They sell oysters, shrimp, and fake crab; but the clams are what I get. There was a brief mention of him in the Globe this week. Link: http://www.boston.com/ae/food/articles/2003/12/10/clamming_up/ Thu Dec 11 15:42:01 -0800 2003 785808 0 9lives 1 785802 good list.. I have bought the French bread at Brasserie Jo to take home. A few weeks ago, East Ocean City had 2 tanks of live shrimp. 1 tank had the same small ones like at Peach Farm ; these were from the Gulf of Mexico. They had another tank of much larger shrimp..from the Pacific...not sure how long the season lasts but check it out. Thu Dec 11 14:23:29 -0800 2003 785777 0 9lives 1 785815 Post-dotcom crash my budget is more about ORDERING a #9 instead of dining AT No. 9. *sigh* I probably sound like a broken record, but here goes.. Pork tacos ($1.50) and the chorizo or pork quesadilla (about $6?) at Tacos Lupita, Somerville Ave, Somerville. Those rockin' veggie samosas (2 for $1.05, I DARE you to eat more than 2 or 3) from Sanaai Sweet Shop, Summer Street, Somerville (just outside Union Square.) Cream of Wheat from The Neighborhood Restaurant in Union Square. Creamy, vanilla and lemon zest - so good. $2-$3 depending on the day and who you order it from. Gochu japchae from Hometown (Korean) in Union Square. My new addiction, seriously. Sliced pork, onions and hot green peppers. Stir fried with a nice subtle wok char flavor served over those bean thread noodles. Hot cheese pizza from Armando's in Huron Village, Cambridge - the corner of Concord and Huron. $1.50 for a huge slice. Needs some salt, tho'. Even at about $10 now, the Cuban at Chez Henri is well worth it and great to share when you're not too hungry. Peking Duck (3 ways) at King Fung in Chinatown- what is it $27 which will feed 3-4 people? That's a steal. Salgadinhos from Muqueca on Cambridge Street in Inman Square. About $1.50 each. Throw in a fresh made juice and you're at about $5. Omelettes at Brookline Lunch in Central Square. I still swear by this place - huge servings, eggs are never overcooked, home fries, great sauteed veggies served with your order plus that house-made hot sauce (the family is from Jordan-I asked.) Skip the coffee (it's terrible) walk over to Toscanini's first. Breakfast will run you about $5-$8. The $2.50 greek salad wrap off the truck outside MIT at 77 Mass Ave. Iceberg lettuce, green peppers, olives, shredded carrots, onions if you ask, sometimes shredded red cabbage and some (oops) mealy tomatoes (I pick them out), wrapped up in nice soft pita, with plenty of fresh, creamy feta. It sure ain't high culture, but it hits the spot when I'm really hungry and want a big (fairly) healthy meal. BTW - After reading your post, I headed off to Legal's for lunch with a gift certificate I've had - the serving of kumamotos is 8 and it was only $13. Thu Dec 11 16:15:46 -0800 2003 785777 0 MB 1 785817 Great post. Here are my 10 off the top of my head. 1) Falafel at Ramis in Coolidge Corner ($5.00) 2) Soy sauce chicken leg ($1.50) at Hong Kong Eatery 3) Roast pork bun and curry beef turnover at Eldo Bakery ($1.60 total) 4) Duck Larb, at Dok Bua ($5.00) 5) Cheeseburger at Tims Tavern ($4.00) 6) Speeds Hot Dog ($5.00) 7) Pancakes from Delux Diner in Watertown ($4.00) 8) Pork chop Special Lunch ($4.50) at Taiwan Cafe 9) Meatball Sub at Guiseppes in Nonantum ($2.50) 10) Stuffed bean curd skins at Chau chow city ($1.80) Thu Dec 11 16:34:32 -0800 2003 785777 0 gourmaniac 1 785831 Not my absolute favourites, but pretty good deals for what they are: 1. pasteis de Natas at O'Cantinho 2. sfogliatelle at Napoli Pastry 3. sunday after 9pm chef's whim at Craigie Street Bistrot ($35 for 4 courses) 4. lion's head meatball lunch special at Wing's 5. spinach and sausage calzone at Venice Ristorante that will feed two 6. double pistacchio frozen yogurt blended too order at Cafe Podima 7. 7-course tasting menu at EVOO ($50) 8. red bean pancake at Zoe's 9. cold noodles at Yum Yum 10. soy smoothie at Paris Creperie Thu Dec 11 23:08:35 -0800 2003 785777 0 Limster 1 785832 my favorite cheap eats place at the moment is bukowski's (boston, not cambridge). i love the grilled cheese with tomato, and they're burgers are big and juicy. plus they serve food until 1:30 and have a pretty extensive beer selection. they do play the music pretty loud there, but after a few beers you don't mind screaming to your buddy to pass the ketchup. Thu Dec 11 23:10:23 -0800 2003 785777 0 rebs 2 785833 is there a reason you singled out the bukowski's in boston and not cambridge? [i've only ever had their $1.69 burgers and fries, so i don't know about any of the other food they serve.] i ask because i live in inman sq. and dig the one in boston, and was really excited when the new one opened up near me, but for some reason have found it lacking the original's appeal. maybe they're both the same and the boston one just *seemed* more appealing in relation to all the wretched yuppie bars that are nearby.... Fri Dec 12 00:27:58 -0800 2003 785832 0 seekaltroutes 3 785834 didn't mean to single it out, i only mentioned the boston one because i've never been to the cambridge location. although, i've heard people say some of the same things as you where the cambridge location doesn't have quite the same vibe. or maybe it is because it's a break away from the strip of cheesy, horrible frat parties along boylston st. Fri Dec 12 01:17:13 -0800 2003 785833 0 rebs 3 785865 Do they still have "buck burgers" and "dollar dogs" at Bukowski, although now they're $1.25 or so? Cheese and fries being extra, of course. Fri Dec 12 23:18:19 -0800 2003 785833 0 Young-Ho 1 785839 I'd like to add three more: Chacarrero -- In my mind this place is the epitome of what this board is all about: delicious, unique, cheap, feels like you've discovered something when you first eat here and you have to run to tell all your houndish friends. Santarpios -- I love Regina's, too, but this is where I come back to (but perhaps only because it's easier to park). Mr. Bartley's -- I've been odering the same thing for 25 years: the deluxe cheeseburger basket that includes both fries and rings, because I can never decide which I want more. Fri Dec 12 10:09:23 -0800 2003 785777 0 Ian 2 785842 Chacarero (www.chacarero.com) is located in Downtown Crossing, for those who don't know. Definitely worth the usually long line. Chilean sandwiches--grilled meat with avocado spread, green beans, and cheese on Chilean soft bread. Great stuff. Ask for extra hot sauce. Also in the vicinity is Pita Kabob (www.pitakabob.com), around the corner of the alley between Maison Robert and the Borders bookstore at the State T. Occupying a tiny storefront in front of a parking lot, Pita Kabob offers good cheap Persian food. Hmmm...Chacarero for lunch sounds good... Young-Ho Fri Dec 12 10:45:52 -0800 2003 785839 0 Young-Ho 2 786016 I was at Mr. Bartley's yesterday, got the Mitt Romney (sauteed onions on the burger, rings and cole slaw on the side) which was good. But left no tip for only the 2nd time in my life. It took a really long time (ordered med. well but they're not THAT thick) so when I asked, he said med. well takes a while then a bitchy "this ain't McDonalds". I would have let that slide if he hadn't slapped down the check without a word, like saying if I need anything else and to pay the cashier the way he did to everyone else. I still have to keep justifying it in my head cuz it's hard walking out not leaving anything. As far as edible bargains, I eat well for little at the Brazilian Cafe Belo (usually the Allston location), great ham & cheese croissants at Japonaise bakery on Beacon, small onion and green pepper pizza for only $4.75 at Ideal on Centre St. JP (Greek style), and it's a dreaded chain but the 1/2 price baked goods between 4-6PM come in handy when I need a choc. chip or English toffee cookie. Wed Dec 17 13:03:21 -0800 2003 785839 0 Joanie