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Welcome to Boston! We have a lot of suburbs here, and they spread in all directions (except East, I guess!) Let us know which direction so we can recommend suburban places. Every year Boston Mag usually does a dining in the burbs feature that you can use as a starter list.
MC Slim JB writes great comments here, but he is modestly not mentioning that he reviews for the Weekly Dig. I'm not a huge fan of Alison Arnett, but I do like Robert Nadeau, who has been writing for the Phoenix for years. I definitely agree with the concept of finding a critic whose opinions you seem aligned with, and I've found Chowhound to be an excellent resource!
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re: Bluebell
opinionatedchef
Dec 4, 2006 02:54 AM
absolutely right on robert nadeau. when you used to have to BUY the phoenix, HE was the reason i bought it! and now, i make sure to pick it up so i can continue to read his great reviews.
yes, Newintown,knowing which town you're in- will help us get even more specific in our rec's for you.
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re: Bluebell
BostonZest
Dec 4, 2006 12:41 PM
I agree with the critic assessments here.
Alison Arnett (Boston Globe) lacks credibility with me. Over the years I've noticed a distinct slant in favor of female chefs and owners. It leaves me wondering if the review is great because the food is great or because there's a women on the team. As a woman, I know how I would react if this was a man showing favoritism to males chefs. She covers and interviews a small group of women as if the Boston food world begins and ends with them.
Robert Nadeau is great! And, I will now pick up Dig and begin reading JB based on this info.
Since joining the Chowhound community, I've learned that this is THE PLACE to find great, open and honest opinions. I would recommend watching the posters and tracking some Chowhounds once you find your tastes align.
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What about La Morra in Brookline on Rte 9 - at least easily accessible to Western 'Burbs. It's a Tuscan resto. A local chef who spent lots of time in Tuscany at the helm. Cozy, but not pretentious atmosphere, everything made from scratch, well-priced prix fixe.....I normally don't eat out for Italian b/c it's so easy to make good pasta and sauces at home, but, I really do find La Morra interesting and worthwhile. Soooooo different from the North End fare!
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Depending on how far west you're willing to go, I really like Arturo's in Westborough- it's on Route 30. Food and service are good, and the last time I was there, Arturo was walking around talking to diners- really nice guy. The antipasto selection varies every night. Also in Westborough is Ziti's- a little storefront place short on atmosphere, but red sauce type Italian with friendly and casual service. Cash only, but they will take a check. I know a lot of people on the board like Tomasso's in Southborough- I've only been once a couple of years ago. It's the polar opposite of Ziti's in terms of price and type of dining experience. I would say Arturo's is in between the two.
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re: AnnieP
heathermb
Dec 3, 2006 11:36 PM
Wow - blast from the past - I worked at Arturo's all through college when it was in Worcester. They are a great family and make really wonderful food. It is definitely more in the vein of Italian-American but their renditions are delicious. And, since I haven't taken a paycheck from them in over 10 years there is no bias here!
If they still do the antipasto table at dinner definitely try it out.
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Thanks for your responses. I guess, since I know that newspapers are only aware of a small percentage of what's out there, I'll keep logging on to CH. Right now I'm looking for an italian restaurant in the western suburbs with good food and a comfortable atmosphere. Any ideas?
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re: NewInTown
Vela in Wellesley is very comfortable and very good food- not red sauce but really good food. The owner is a former chef in the NOrth End. Also, Campagna in Waltham gets rave reviews- I have not been there because it is always booked when I call. Restaurant Pava in Newton Center is sort of Italian but the atmosphere is bizarre- concrete floors, plactic chairs etc. very sterile however, food is very excellent (see my post today).
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mcel215
Dec 2, 2006 05:48 PM
I agree with all of the above.
And I read this site a lot. I grew up and have lived in the Boston area all of my life, it is still amazing how much new stuff is happening around town. This board, to me, has the most updated information.
I feel comfortable posting here also, it's a place that allows opinions, even if other people don't always agree.
Welcome to Boston.
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opinionatedchef
Dec 2, 2006 05:47 PM
i agree w the above posters w some additional comments.
allison arnett is the boston globe restnt critic. i find that her reviews- in the thurs Calendar section- are USUALLY very articulate, observant and motivated by good taste in things food.many CH posters do not use and/or know about the 'search'box and 'date'option at the top of each page. if you are interested in a particular rstaurant OR type of cuisine OR location, etc., type it into the search box. when the page of results comes up, click the ' date' option at the top left of the page, and those posts will appear in the order of the most RECENT first.
when perusing CH posts, look for ones that are asking for advice ie-ISO- 'in search of' or other wording, like
' brooklynite CH visiting boston- rec's plse' and often the most frequent posters/knowledgable CHs will respond, so you can get to know them and their recs.Also, REALLY important: when you ask for recs, TELL us as much as you can so we can help you as much as WE can: your taste in food,the location, atmosphere, type of cuisine, cost range- of the restaurants you'd like to have suggested.
a sincere welcome to boston! we're not in a region known for friendliness,but the CH community IS certainly a friendly, generous, fun group of peo. who love to spread the word about food.hope you can come to some of our informal CH nights out and get to know some of us!
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Food4Thought
Dec 2, 2006 04:24 PM
MC is spot on. I would add that just as you get to know (and even seek out) opinions of those on this board. The same can be said about the local print publications and media. Over time I have come to find where my tastes lie compared to those of the reviewers.
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Where did you move from? We travel a bit and love to dine, Boston can be expensive if you aren't careful but you can find excellent dining without the pricetag. Are you diverse in your taste? I think New England has a lot to offer in diversity too.
I like MC Slim's comments - try to find others that have the same taste as you because wow, it's amazing how different people can feel about the same experience in dining. I put creativity, taste, new experience and hospitality very high on my list of A+ restaurants.
I also check out Zagats but it really doesn't include all the great little local places.
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MC Slim JB
Dec 2, 2006 02:38 PM
There's plenty of "professional" guidance to be found: the local dailies (Globe, Herald), weeklies (Phoenix, Improper Bostonian, Stuff@Night, the various Tabs, Boston's Weekly Dig), monthlies (Boston Magazine), dozens of websites (Yelp, CitySearch), broadcast media shows (Phantom Gourmet, TV Diner), many food blogs. There's no shortage of opinions out there.
Finding out what's trustworthy is another matter: your taste may not match the reviewer's, and that website rave or pan may be written by the restaurant's owner or a disgruntled ex-employee. Many suspect a connection between certain publications' advertisers and favorable reviews.
My most trusted resources are a network of friends and colleagues who share my food obsessions, and a bunch of posters here who have steered me right in the past. One advantage of this board, unlike many others, is that the moderators do a good job of sniffing out and expelling people with a suspect agenda.
To get a feel for how you might take advantage of Chowhound, try something like, "I live in <suburb>, work in <neighborhood>, and am looking for a casual, inexpensive <cuisine> restaurant." Read the responses, do some online research on menus, pick a place and try it, and if you liked it (or didn't), remember who steered you there, and start placing some weight (good or bad) on their opinions. Iterate endlessly. Don't forget to get some exercise.
