Your favorite thing to eat in and around Boston at the moment

[heWho]

For me it's got to be pork buns from the Mei Sum bakery

[Anthony001]

I'd have to say, lobster raviloli's from Villa Francesca's in the North End. Phenomenal

[nasilemak]

Baked spring lamb that is cooked with tomatoes and wine served with stewed okra at Desfina, a laid back Greek spot in Cambridge.

[UrbanExplorer]

Polenta fries with grilled portabella appetizer at Casablanca, Harvard Square. Also their burger and salad with garlic dressing.
Salt and pepper shrimp at Changsho, Mass Ave, Cambridge.

[VTtoMAtoCAfoodie]

I have a new one, too. The turkey sandwhich at Good Food Cafe in Somerville. We went there last week, and were surprise to find out that the owner actually roasts his own turkeys for the sandwhiches! My sandwhich also had cranberry sauce and home made stuffing. Really great, I'll definitely be back there soon.

[aranthe]

I always forget about that place - everything I've ever had there has been simply wonderful.

I'd also add the Yuk Gae Jang at Manna Sushi in Arlington
Pav Bahji at Diva (even when the service sucks this still rocks)
Dan Dan noodles at Chili Garden in Medford
Pork with Spicy Wonder sauce at Sichuan Gourmet (Billerica or Framingham)
Chili Cod at Sweet Chili Arlington
Pork and Leek Dumplings (and Spinach too) at Wangs in Somerville
Sausage and onion pizza at The Paddock in Somerville (I'm still amazed how good this pizza is - its almost like a slice of my youth in Northern NJ....now if Boston could just figure out how to get decent deli...)

~A

[sailormouth]

Ooooo! Ooooo! Oooo! I have another one. The easter soup at Cafe Polonia is wonderful. It was described to me as a pork sausage, horseradish and garlic base (apparently the stock sits with the stuff for two weeks) and it somehow comes out as a soup. It's wonderful, even at six bucks. I almost drank the remnants in the bowl.

Go with a buddy, not a date, because, well, it's garlic, horseradish and pork sausage.

[Bob Dobalina]

Bread pudding from Iggy's factory outlet in Cambridge - eggy goodness.

[finlero]

They peddle that stuff like crack with their free samples. First taste is free!

[Snowflake]

Do yourself a favor and stay away from the sundried tomato feta garlic spread. it is makes me weak in the knees and I still can't resist the sample at 8 in the morning. I wish I never tried it!

[heypielady]

Mmmmm.... I want that!

[foodismyfun]

where is mei sum?

[finlero]

Chinatown:

-----
Mei Sum Bakery Coffee Shop
40 Beach St, Boston, MA 02111

[meg1641]

Ricotta pie from Spinelli's Bakery in East Boston.

[InNOutBurger]

Buttermilk pancakes at The Restaurant in Woburn Center. You wouldn't believe it, but they are AWESOME!!! I've been there 3 times in the past month already for breakfast. Great spinach feta omelette too. It's greek owned, so their greek related food is very good.

[heard]

Shiitake-leek spring rolls and Indonesian curry pasta at Blue Ginger - two dished I will go to my grave craving.

Currently, I am into simple green salads. The garden salad at Petit Robert with the crusted goat cheese and the green salad w/ feta at eastern standard. Oh, and the greek salad at Sweet Basil and the baked goat cheese salad at Sel da la terre.

[SSqwerty]

An amazing soup: the oxtail/barley soup at Matt Murphy's. A bowl full of heaven.

[treb]

Paid another visit to Alia in Winthrop last night, Said (the owner) was friendly, pleasant and talkative as usual. The menu is small but has nice selections of pastas, chicken and veal dishes, a regular salad will feed 2. The entree's were good proportioned and well prepared with fresh quality ingredients The place is an absolute deal, nothing on the menu is over $20, it's BYOB and the corkage fee is also minimal $3. The other thing I like is that you can hang out at the end of dinner and talk without feeling rushed, a nice touch. Easy to get to off rte 145 from rt 1A.

[Pegmeister]

Are they open for lunch yet? I've been wanting to get there for months. I knew Said from when he worked in the North End. Great guy. It's nice to hear the restaurant is doing well.

[treb]

I think they are but, here's his # [phone]. Also, Said's wife is soon to deliver an addition. Definitely put it on your must try list.

[Pegmeister]

Thanks for the number. I'm hoping they're open on the weekend for lunch because I'm assuming the traffic will be lighter. I would be coming from Quincy and I don't think I've ever ventured into Winthrop. I like the idea of BYOB as well.

[steinpilz]

My present favorite is fried clams, a boring and traditional choice I'll readily admit. Neptune and Clam Box have the best, though I often go to Legal Seafoods.

I'm enthused about Shiki's Kaiseki lunch, and I have high hopes that this will be my new favorite.

[bostongal]

Frisee salad at troque - I have no idea what he uses to make that dressing but I can't dplicate it. Also, truffle french fries at sorellina...they are even good when they start to get a little cold.

[tumbledrylow]

I love love love the Margharita (sp?) pizza at Picco. I love the crust, the cheese, the sauce. The crust is chewy and has that charred taste from the fire in the oven - I ask for it less well-cooked because I don't particularly love a lot of char and it is so delicious.

[sailormouth]

If I could add my favourite drink in town at the moment, it would be the Copenhagen at No. 9. A truly fantastic drink that's not too difficult to make it home, if you can get the ingredients. It has a great and subtle bite, perfectly balanced, and will knock you out. One of the best I have ever had. Definitely the best bourbon-based drink I've ever had. I try not to throw words like "best" around much, but this is a winner.

[Bob Dobalina]

What's in that? I googled, but was only finding references to gin and aquavit-containing cocktails of that name.

[sailormouth]

It's two ounces of overproof bourbon, two ounces of the Rothman and Winters Apricot Liquor (AWESOME stuff that is, Brix carries it) and between a 1/4 and a full ounce of Gammel Dansk, which is quite literally a liquid breakfast in Denmark. Brix ordered me the Gammel Dansk, it was about $25 and it's a lovely bottle, in addition to having a unique and interesting taste. At home I usually use 3/4 of an ounce, I think at No. 9 they use a full ounce. Stir over ice, strain and serve up (watch the water content). And careful, it's wicked strong.

[Bob Dobalina]

Wow! That sounds pretty downright awesome! Thanks, sm.

[Rubee]

Thanks for that recipe - sounds great, now I just have to find some of those ingredients!

[sailormouth]

Given we're talking about a $70+ investment in liquor, I do very strongly recommend going by No. 9 and trying it first. (Hell, they created the thing, they should at least get some business while it's still in patent-land, such as recipes are). If you don't like it they can always give you something else.

While I have been drinking cocktails for a long time, it's only recently I've started to make them and, anecdotally, the mark-up on the liquor at No. 9 and Green St. (slightly less so at ES) seems to be remarkably low, especially using retail prices. My big savings seem to end up being on food, tip and taxis (not a typo). They're saints with horns, all of them!

CORRECTION: Sorry about the edit! You can serve it up or down, I do it up at home only because my old fashioned glasses suck (and the colour of the drink is real purty in a cocktail glass). At the resto they typically serve it down to me.

[Rubee]

Unfortunately, I'm nowhere near being able to get to No 9 soon (sob) as it's our first year to be in Arizona until the summer. Of course, our choice for our 'last meal' the night before our flight in February was the bar at No 9. I had a bad cold, and couldn't partake of the usual libations, but John was kind enough to enthusiastically create a variety of hot and soothing cocktails for me to try, with my favorite being an orange and bourbon-based drink that he made up on the spot. But then, I'm a bourbon-drinking gal.

I'm looking forward to trying to recreate some of No 9's drinks here, just to tide me over, if I can find the ingredients (and I consider stocking the bar a good 'investment' - heh). There are a chain of large warehouse-type stores in this area called Total Wine and More 'super-stores' that a local Chowhound told me about (has anybody else heard of these?). Their website says "Each of our stores carries approximately 8,000 different types of wine, 2,000 types of spirits...and 1,000 different beers". I'm going to check it out this week.

Thanks again troublemaker...oh... I meant to say, Sailormouth - always love your posts!

[sailormouth]

Oh No! I'll have a few for you. You can MonEx it to me!

[goreblimey]

Gammel Dansk: The Best Wakeup. I was greeted with it getting off a ferry on Aero and toasted in the main street. I never looked back. I note, however that you were cheated by the liquor store. Marshes store in Norwell got me a half case for $80 last week.

[sailormouth]

Eh, I'll deal. Saves me the trip to Norwell.

[BarmyFotheringayPhipps]

After yet another return visit to Gitlo's this afternoon, I'm changing my vote on this: the daikon cake in XO sauce, extra crispy.

As Allstonian said after she had her first bite: every time we order this, it's just the best thing we've tasted since...probably the last time we ordered it!

[teaTomE]

Given the weather here, it has to be Pho for me. Who'd have thought that this hearty concoction I never saw in Vietnam would be so suited to the New England winter?

Sadly, after bad experiences with Pho Viet I can no longer go there. I think the Pho Hoa chain is where my heart is settling now.

[FoodArt]

I'd have to say the KimChi at Suishaya, wonderfully spicy and with perfect amounts of tofu, rice pasta, pork and of course, kimchi. Definitely a food I find craveable at any time.

[sailormouth]

Right now it's the deep-fried soft-cooked eggs served with the mushroom salad at Green St. I'm a sucker for anything deep fried, but when it includes a runny egg yolk it gets a special place in my heart. Hopefully that place will be opened up with a serviceable stent someday.

[hiddenboston]

The homemade tiramisu at Gennaro's Eatery in Quincy. Mamma mia, it is good!

[meg1641]

Current favorites:

Mexican takeout from La Siesta in Winthrop
Amazing donuts from Betty Ann Food Shop in East Boston
Custard tarts and coconut tarts from one of the bakeries in Chinatown (don't know the name but it is on the corner right by Eldo Cake House)
Rare flank Steak Pho from Pho Ha in Chinatown

I am dying to get out to the Super 88 to try the banh mi and pho. Also going to try the pho place I found out about in East Boston.

Thanks for all your tips and recommendations - keep 'em coming! I am determined to try as many as I can!

Meg

[chowciao]

We ate at La Siesta a couple weeks ago. Boy, was it great! I can't wait to get back there.

[meg1641]

I totally agree. We've done takeout from La Siesta twice in 4 days and both times I have been totally happy with our food!

This is a real gem out here in Winthrop which I believe is alittle chow challenged (but I need to check out Alia and the Moroccan place since I read they are both good). It's nice to have places nearby for those days when cooking is not an option...

Hope you get back there soon!

Meg

[whops]

at 10 am, an almond croissant at Canto 6

at 4 pm Thai noodle soup at Rod-Dee 2

[qianning]

ToFu Salad at Yo Ma

[redjustinsox]

The truffled frites at Vox Populi, and the tuna tartar at kingfish hall, its the best in the city by far, i eat it almost daily.

[MaineRed]

the tomato soup and cheesy so cheesy grilled cheese at The Cellar
the greens at The Publick House
chocolate glazed at Verna's

[Food4Thought]

In light of the recent heat wave, the Sour Pickle soup at Cafe Polonia

[SSqwerty]

The fish and chips at The Biltmore. And if they have Clam Chowder, grab it.

[kt1969]

Ooh, have you had their "crazy delicious pub fries"? Apparently they're basically poutine, as I've heard that described. Covered with cheese curd and some melted cheese then an incredibly good gravy [chicken gravy, tastes like].....oh my GAWD is it good! I have to get it every time I go in there, and then I have no room left for my entree.

-----
The Biltmore
1205 Chestnut St, Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464

[veggielover]

How about the grilled meatloaf at The Biltmore? I have always wondered about the pub fries. Now, we'll have to get them next time we are there.

[heard]

The pickled veggies there are amazing and the wedge salad is simple and basic, but delicious.

Those pub fries are heavenly...

[MC Slim JB]

Have you been to The Biltmore very recently? I understand that the chef, GM, and bartender that made them great have all been let go. I'm not happy about it.

[veggielover]

I was sad to read the same information on this site. It was a great neighborhood restaurant/bar.

[heard]

The Chef, GM, and bar manager are all part owners. They might have been bought out, but I don't think they can be let go.

Do you know the link for that?

[Allstonian]

It was discussed in this thread a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/490691

[kt1969]

Went to the Biltmore tonight, first time since the changeover, and I am sad to say that those fabulous pub fries are not at all the same, although they are listed the same way on the menu. They are now waffle fries with lots of melted cheese and maybe a dab here and there of a white cheese, with some vastly inferior gravy. I was extremely disappointed, as it never occurred to me that they would keep them on the menu but change them completely.

[chickendhansak]

It's a close call between a chicken burrito from Taco Loco on Broadway in Somerville, or a buffalo chicken pizza from City Slicker on Somerville Ave.

[heWho]

The buffalo Chicken Pizza from Urban Gourm.... oops, I mean City Slicker is really great. Their pizzas in general are a breath of fresh air, they're very unique.

My old stand-by favorite thing to eat in the Boston Area: a roast pork muleta from Tacos Lupita with a ton of their red salsa.

[chickendhansak]

The Tacos Lupita egg and chorizo burrito is also rather fine.

Another current fave is the enchilada plate at Taqueria La Mexicana in Union Square. Cheap and extremely cheerful.

[heWho]

Wow, I've actually never tried the chorizo burrito at TLP. I've had many, many chorizo tacos, but always felt a chorizo burrito might be too heavy. I didn't realize they made it with egg too... now I'll have to give one a try, thanks!

[soxchik]

Pasta primavera with homemade fussilli at Al Dente on Salem St. in the North End. I just went for the first time last week and now want to eat it every day.

[hiddenboston]

Al Dente is a rather underrated place IMO. Their homemade chicken cannelloni (when they have it) is unreal.

[hiddenboston]

I have a new one at this very moment (well, not right now, but very recently). It is the pepperoni pizza at Emma's, and not the Emma's that you're thinking of. this one is in Bridgewater, and it's like a mix of a truck stop and a family restaurant. I've been to Emma's twice in the past 3 days for their excellent bar pizza, and I have to say it's on par with The Alumni in Quincy, IMO, though not quite at the level of the Lynwood in Randolph. If you go, be careful with the super-duper hand dryers in the bathroom, though--I almost got blown through the cement wall by the air pressure of the thing.

[gini]

Right this very second it's the custard buns at Gitlo's.

[finlero]

Pizza margherita at Gran Gusto.
BBQ beef banh mi at Mei Sum.
Risotto ai porcini at Trattoria Toscana.
Sauteed peapod stems at Qingdao Garden.

[treb]

Osso Buco, perfect weather for it, at Vinnies.

[Rubee]

At the moment...hmm... I'll pick three:

Minced pork with sesame cakes at Wing's in Chinatown
Braised pork belly with epoisse grits at Eastern Standard
Steak frites at Kingston Station

[yumyum]

Epoisse grits? Oh my! Another reason to fall off the wagon so quickly in 2008.

You remind me ... I had a delicious steak frites for lunch at Sel de la Terre last week -- perfectly chewy rare skirt steak with their salty rosemary skinny frites. So yum. Chowmom had the pastrami on rye with comte cheese and a great glass of Italian rose. She loved it and she's not a meaty sandwich kind of person -- it was just that kind of a day. We had a lovely late lunch after the Design show at the ICA.

[teezeetoo]

so with you on the pork belly and grits! is there any such thing as non-fat pork belly? life and calories are so unfair.

[heWho]

I just ordered the Minced pork with sesame cakes at Wing's because of your tip, thanks! It was just what I was looking for... something that felt familiar, but was completely different than anything I've had. The sesame "cakes" were fun to eat with as well.

[msgcook]

Stop by M&M's rib truck on thursdays.
Sfogliatele (sp?) from Maria's pastry shop in the North End.
Yes, Cod Fritters from Eastern Standard.
And I miss the Linwood Grill for sunday morning hangover cures, but I've since found Thornton's across the street with a Jack Bauer (JD and lemonade) to cure me.

[mmocpi]

Fried Sole at Count House seafood in East Cambridge
(I ask you, where else can you get fried sole in this town?? Legal's too pricy so does not count in my book).

[Blumie]

I've had fried sole twice in the last week: Bristol Lounge, as part of their Friday fish 'n' chips ($29), and B&G, which has a wonderful tempura battered sole dish on its menu ($25). I guess with those prices, those don't make your book, either, eh?

[saltyair]

Cod Fritters at Eastern Standard
Bellini Martini at Tresca
Tuna TarTar at Sasso

[pastrylady]

any scone from blue frog bakery...yum!!!

[Bob Dobalina]

So tough, with all the new things to try - have very few repeats, but...

Pretty much anything at El Oriental &
Singapore rice noodle from Qing Dao.

[hiddenboston]

Bob, the Singapore rice noodle at Qingdao Garden is that good? I can't seem to get past the dumplings there. Maybe I'll try it this weekend.

[Mr Bigglesworth]

Sweetbread @ Le Voile
The alsatian pizza at picco
Tuna tartare @ sibling rrivalry
Espresso rubbed filet mignon at Taranta
Rock shrimp tempura @ Uni
Spaetzle @ eastern standard
The duck @ Salts
Cubano @ el oriental
Sicilian from Pinocchio's
chorizo taco from Taqueria Mexico
The wings, loved up from Deep Ellum, and equally the rasta wings, from lower depths
Hot chocolate @ burdicks
Just about anything from Shanti

[teezeetoo]

wow, so close to my list Mr. B! I'd add the pork belly with orange thing at ESK and I love their bone marrow to and the Lion's gate meatballs at shanghai garden.

[Bob Dobalina]

It's really not THAT good. No joke. :) It's just something I keep ordering for some reason. I'd think most folks would say it's yummy but nothing amazing. There is some variability in quality - when they get it right, there are lots of shrimp, pork and chicken with some decent veggies and a goodly amount of curry that I can't help but wolfing down (like last night!).

I sure would be curious to hear your impressions, if you do get past the dumplings.

[ebone]

Large Chicken Extra-Hot at Chacarero. And I don't even care that my mouth is burning for up to 20 minutes following consumption, its a good pain. That was yesterday.

But today I am thinking maybe a Doner Kebab from Sultan's Kitchen.

[subatty]

Ohhhhhh!!!!!

[chowciao]

Oohh, I miss those! I used to work very close to Chacarero and would get a fix on a weekly basis...and Sultan's Kitchen! Now I'm missing my old office!

[Dr.Jimbob]

Interesting thread. I don't know that this list is the stuff for the moment (I haven't eaten a few of these things in a few months), but here are some of my standbys (in no particular order):

gnocchi with anything at No. 9 Park mafia or at Grotto
wild mushroom risotto at Grotto
garlic and eels at Wing's Kitchen
Chongqing hot and spicy chicken (Chongqing lazi ji) at Sichuan Garden
three flavors Peking ravioli (sanxian shuijiao) and "boiled fish" (shuizhu yupian) at Qingdao Garden
wok baked beef at FuLoon
calamari in any incarnation at Daily Catch
sauteed spinach sandwich at Dave's Fresh Pasta
just about anything with eggplant and lamb at Brookline Family Restaurant
roast chicken and fried oyster po'boy at Redbones
chili verde super burrito at Anna's Taqueria (you may throw your brickbats now)
peshawari naan at Bombay Cafe near Berklee School of Music
waterzooi aux poissons at Publick House

[Pegmeister]

Can't have just one favorite; so here's my list:
enchiladas mole from Angelas Cafe
sausage and broccoli rabe pizza from Artu
chicken parmesean from Antio Forno
eggplant parmsean from Il Panino; and
an assortment of cheeses from Gypsy Kitchen

[marilees]

cambodian pad thai at floating rock, arancini at galleria umberto, eggplant parm at trattoria toscana, scallops at l'espalier, angela's mole, double chocolate cookies from flour...

[Pia]

Little Armenian mini-churro-like things from Sevan (NOT Arax, they are too sugary there) in Watertown. Don't know what they're called.

Thanks for reminding me about Galleria Umberto! I have some free time coming up and will finally check it out. I LOVE arancini.

[nasilemak]

Miso Moyashi ramen noodle soup at Sapporo Ramen located at Porter Exchange Building.

[BJK]

Miso Moyashi is my favorite too.

:)
BK

[StriperGuy]

You should try Ken's at Super88.

[BJK]

I did go once last winter and I don't know if I was disappointed or underwhelmed or if the difference between it and Sapporo Ramen was just not enough to make it worth the longer drive to Allston versus Porter Square. I'll give it another shot next time I'm nearby for lunch on a cold day. My last few times in the neighborhood were much better bahn mi weather.

:)
BK

[StriperGuy]

If you live in Porter area, probably not worth the drive, the diff is subtle, but Ken's really is better.

[nasilemak]

I was somewhat disappointed with Ken's version - definitely a smaller portion though their noodles are probably superior.

[heathermb]

I finally made my first visit to Ken's in the Super88 last night. Had the miso ramen with sliced pork. I was so impressed with the preparation - the gentleman in the kitchen was so focused and put such concentration into each dish he put together. Clearly he is doing something right because it was delicious. Noodles were perfect texture, pork was tasty (when is pork not tasty?!) and the broth was rich and warming. Perfect for a cold night. I look forward to going back (but not on Wednesdays when they are closed). Thanks Chowfriends!

[gini]

Yay! I'm so excited you finally had some Ken's Ramen.

[heathermb]

Me too! Although it was hard to walk past Pho Viet...

[Mrs_S]

Wonton noodle soup (with either BBQ pork or roast duck) from Number One Noodle House in Newton Center. Best wontons (shrimp and pork) ever (and lots of them!)

[ebone]

Pizza and Arancini at Galleria Umberto in the North End. I hadn't eaten there in years unitl the other day and it was glorious.

[lasiciliana]

by far, for me, one of the best eats in Boston!

[treb]

A warm Sfogatelli at Modern Bakery. YUM!

[coookie]

- braised eggplant with basil at taiwan cafe

i also like the pork + crab XLB there or at gourmet dumpling house.

[jajjguy]

Best Wurst at Deep Ellum. Different housemade sausage each time.

[BostonZest]

Thank you for starting this post. I will refer to it often.

After dinner tonight I must add the molten chocolate cake with pistashio ice cream at La Voile on Newbury. I keep ordering it and enjoying it when most of the time I prefer cheese over sweets at the end of a meal.

[StriperGuy]

Amazing to me how many of my own favorites have been posted already:

- Mei sum pork buns
- Super88 Bahn Mi
- Chez Henri Cuban
- Modern ricotta pie (been 6 months, far too long since I had a slab)
- Anything from Blue Ribbon (I prefer the Arlington location)

I know I am cheating with more then one item, but for me variety is the spice of life; I would add:
- sticky rice in lotus leaf from the counter INSIDE the Brighton Super88
- Countless items from Yi Soon
- Desserts from Cafe Belo
- Molten custard bun from Gitlo's
- Chive turnover at dim sum at Shangri-La
- Spinach calzone from Galleria Umberto
- Red bean paste cream puff from Japonaise bakery
- "Jamaica" from Athan's
- Ramen from Ken's
- Veggie kibbe from Reef Cafe
- Various salgadinhos from the Brazilian Bakery at the intersection of next to Blanchard's in Allston.
- Iggy's Linzer Torte (just tried this recently, WOW)

[BarmyFotheringayPhipps]

"Various salgadinhos from the Brazilian Bakery at the intersection of next to Blanchard's in Allston"

Details, please. I know the place you mean, heading up towards Comm Ave on Harvard, between Blanchards and, like, the Community Development office. What's good there?

[StriperGuy]

Been working my way through the list of items there. Gotta say, all pretty good across the board. Triangle shaped chicken thing is favorite so far. Pao de queso amazing. Very good cafe com leite. Sweet items are very good. Kibbe is excellent.

Just a pretty good Salgadinho place all in all.

Link to a previous post:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/454614

[StriperGuy]

I am very suggestible, went over to Padaria Brasil this morning and had a football shaped, deep fried chicken and cheese salgadinho that was superb along with a pao de queso and a cafe com leite. Yum, yum, yum.

[mazultav]

pork tamales at Taquiera la Mexicana

[tweetie]

Special gyro at Greek Corner. Had one at Steve's last night and it positively paled in comparison, although the french fries were some of the best we've had in a long time....really hot, crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside. Almost made up for the sad gyro.

[hiddenboston]

The Cubano at Chez Henri in Cambridge, followed closely by the wild mushroom soup with bits of sour cream at Cafe Polonia in Southie and the guacamole at Angela's Cafe in East Boston.

But I'm thinking that if I had ordered that royal shark fin soup at China Pearl in Quincy last night, there could be a new #1 today (I settled for the hot and sour soup, being the cheapskate that I am).

[mabelm4050]

The burgers at Flippin' Burgers in Newton Centre.

[catspercapita]

BBQ pulled chicken sandwich w/ mashed po's and collard greens at Blue Ribbon (Newton)........yummmmo

[BarmyFotheringayPhipps]

The grilled chicken banh mi at PhoViet in the Super 88 food court. I probably eat at least one or two of them per week.

[azra]

When I've ordered the chicken bahn mi there, it's been breaded and sitting in the same bowl at the banh mi station as the beef. Are they grilling the chicken up fresh for you?

[BarmyFotheringayPhipps]

Well, it's certainly never been breaded! I don't know if they're cooking it from scratch, but several minutes always elapse between placing the order and seeing the woman at the sandwich station assemble my sandwich, so yeah, the chicken is always at least sauced and grilled after I order it, while the bread is toasting.

[azra]

Thanks BFP. The breaded chicken wasn't my favorite, so I usually got the beef banh mi. But I'll try ordering a *grilled* chicken next time and see what I get.

[BarmyFotheringayPhipps]

I just think it's weird that you got breaded chicken at all -- as I said, I've eaten dozens of these things and have never gotten breaded chicken in one!

[yumyum]

Hey I just wanted to concur on this weird anomaly ... today ordered my first "grilled chicken" bahn mi at Pho Viet, and it was indeed breaded. Not a big thick batter, but more like when you dust chicken with flour before sauteeing. No grilling whatsoever. I made an extra special point of ordering it GRILLED and i got what azra has gotten. Hm. The bread was great though and except for a little too much sweet mayo (Kewpie) it hit the spot.

Bottom line for me -- it was a very good lunch for $3.50 -- bahn mi and hot tea. I still prefer the bahn mi at Mei Sum downtown, but I sure didn't have a problem mowing thru this version.

[azra]

Thanks BFP and YY. I've ordered the grilled chicken banh mi several times since BFPs last post, and got perfectly grilled chicken each time. I was even starting to doubt my memory of the weird lightly breaded chicken banh mi, until seeing YYs post.

Maybe it depends on the breading or how long it sits out, but I didn't finish the last breaded chicken banh mi that I was served.

[kweesee]

steak tartare from butcher shop

[kweesee]

also crossaint from clear flour
viet sandwich with bbq beef

[Carty]

Ricotta pie from Modern Pastry

[pollystyrene]

The gnocchi at Sel de la Terre.

[catsmeow]

Ribs from M+M's truck and mashed potatoes from Whole Foods.

[BostonZest]

Moules frites at Central Kitchen. Just love that dish.

[katielp]

If you like the moules frites at Central Kitchen (me too!) but fancy a change of scene, then try the West Side Lounge. Frites have to be ordered separately, but come with incredibly delicious aioli. The mussel broth is particularly good too.