490511 Sun Feb 17 10:00:52 -0800 2008 16 12 Boston Area 0 3406439 Since I had asked about the lobster bisque on this board earlier, I thought I'd report on our visit. We arrived at the Aewife location at about 5.30PM yesterday and were seated immediately. There was a fair-sized crowd- a mix of ages and mostly casually dressed. Our server was efficient, knowledgable and friendly without being smarmy. MMMpointy had a Sam draft; I had a Johnnie Black Rob Roy. From the raw bar we ordered Malpeque oysters, cocktail shrimp and Jonah crab claws. All were excellent. I like my oysters with just a dash of pepper usually, but the mignonette sauce was delicious and SO raved over the cocktail sauce. IMHO, the oysters are better than Neptune's- fresher and better presentation. To follow, I had the lobster bisque. It was not what I expected; there was hint of tomato and some flavor I can't quite identify. When I first tasted it, I was unsure, but as I continued, the flavor bloomed and it was delicious.SO loved the Bermuda crab chowder- very pronounced fish and crab flavor with a dash of Gosling's. Both were piping hot, as should be. After that, I was mostly stuffed , so I just had the baked beans. They were the second best I've ever had. (Hubby makes the best!). They were a hair underdone, but I would rather have that than overcooked mush. Flavor was rich and not too sweet. SO had the razor clam stuffies and fish 'n' chips. The clam stuffies were the only disappointment. They were well-prepared; they just didn't wow him. The fish 'n' chips were, as usual, very good. This was our third( I think) visit and we have enjoyed SS each time. I understand that it is not a traditional venue, but it was fun. Himself was in evidence throughout the meal, which provides consistency and helps with training the staff as well. My final opinion is that for whatever reason, it's one of those places you either love it or hate it. Sun Feb 17 10:00:52 -0800 2008 119175 mollydingle 1 3406519 I thought I'd give the ' Shack another try on Friday but found that the downtown location is closed until 5pm, no more lunches for me I guess! Thanks for the review, I'll have to try the Cambridge location for dinner sometime. Sun Feb 17 10:33:34 -0800 2008 3406439 18264 steinpilz 1 3406683 Another thanks for the follow-up post. The Summer Shack's biggest problem seems to be that it is so uneven. Glad you hit it on a good night - nothing like a great raw oyster. Sun Feb 17 11:38:13 -0800 2008 3406439 51746 chowfamily 2 3406735 my only gripe with ss is, yes it is family friendly but not wallet friendly if a couple goes ok but with 3 kids you may have to second mortgage on the house Sun Feb 17 11:59:05 -0800 2008 3406683 113619 foodperv 3 3407330 Very true. When the family dollars are on the line it is harder to take risks. I don't know what your chowpups like, but Chinatown, East Boston and Quincy offer good value for people of all ages, as you probably already know. The Gospel Brunch used to be good value and a great experience - I wish they would bring it back. Sun Feb 17 15:27:23 -0800 2008 3406735 51746 chowfamily 2 3409036 So you are saying the dozen or so times I'be been to SS over the last 5 years and had a good meal each time, that I was just lucky? Maybe next time I visit, I'll buy a lottery ticket too. ;-) Just wish they had better beer to go with those oysters. Mon Feb 18 08:32:42 -0800 2008 3406683 12014 LStaff 3 3409258 I have to agree. But have had Tremont Ale in draft with the oysters and enjoyed it (although some may find Tremont a tad "heavy" for a pairing with oysters). As far as what I have been reading here about the prices: you get what you pay for. Summer Shack's quality is as good, if not better, than any of the top seafood restaurants in the area. But if it's Weathervane/Red Lobster prices that people want, then it's the Weathervane/Red Lobster quality they will get. Mon Feb 18 09:39:14 -0800 2008 3409036 85683 RandyL 4 3409397 Randyl i know i was one of the price complainers but i was not complaining about the prices for an adult or a couple, just for the kids i know someone will want to shoot me for this but.... the kids are not worth spending the big $$$ on i don't mean it the way it sounds and most people will understand the context of what i said Mon Feb 18 10:21:10 -0800 2008 3409258 113619 foodperv 5 3409585 foodperv, i know what you are saying about spending big $$$ on kids (as I have a 9-year-old son) but I think they have a kids menu that is very reasonable. I know alot of kids don't like to eat off the kids menu and that is the way with my son. One day he just wants what's on the kids menu and other times he sees something on the adult menu he wants to try. If you are talking about older kids like 11, 12, 13, etc. year old kids then yes, it is pricey for them. But I look at in relative terms. If I am going to be spending $120 or more on dinner for two with the oysters, app's, entrees and desserts (maybe drinks) at Summer Shack, then how much different will it be for me to spend either $7.00 on kid's menu item or $13 more if he wants to order off the adult menu in the whole scheme of things. And I know what you are saying when it comes to kids and the way they eat too. But they are all different. Some want the chicken fingers, grilled cheeses, etc. that I used to love as a kid (and that my kid loves too) and then there are those who want the grilled bluefish or striped bass, etc.. I'll never forget when my son was 8-years-old and he and I went to the Sole Proprietor in Worcester. He started off with sauteed soft shell crabs for an appetizer, then had grilled red snapper for dinner (but couldn't finish his hot fudge sundae for dessert). I remember it for two reasons: it was a great moment as a Dad to watch my son enjoy a "grown-up" dinner and also the price of that dinner that evening for just me and my 8-year-old son. Not the typical pizza and movies night. Haha!! Mon Feb 18 11:11:42 -0800 2008 3409397 85683 RandyL 6 3409601 lol that is funny Mon Feb 18 11:16:25 -0800 2008 3409585 113619 foodperv 5 3412514 My teenage boys love the Summer Shack's Fried Chicken, which is not that expensive and very filling. Tue Feb 19 08:14:27 -0800 2008 3409397 98619 Delhiwala 6 3412849 I would put the Summer Shack's fried chicken up against anyones. That was actually the first dish I tried there the first week they opened. Went specifically to try some seafood but everyone was talking about the fried chicken so I just had to get it. Tue Feb 19 09:25:13 -0800 2008 3412514 85683 RandyL 3 3409998 Not what I was saying at all. Our experiences have been uneven, and the only reason for bringing it up is that one of us is a regular and hoping for more consistency of the good kind. Fortunately he enjoys the Harpoon Draft IPA, and the bartender starts to pour when he walks in, so that goes a long way. I too have had great experiences with the chervil pan-fried lobster, fresh oysters, and the boiled lobster combination. Other items have been less sucessful, including the boiled shrimp appitizer and other fish dishes, which vary more than they should. Seafood is very expensive, but SS has some buying clout and decent quality control is all we're looking for. I agree your gambling money was better spent at the Summer Shack than on the Lottery - odds on a decent return are much better ;) Mon Feb 18 13:12:26 -0800 2008 3409036 51746 chowfamily 4 3422023 Correction - the bartender has changed and DH is enjoying the Fisherman's Brew. This might not make any difference, but I know there are beer people out there. Thu Feb 21 14:54:58 -0800 2008 3409998 51746 chowfamily 1 3409767 The reason I had a cocktail with my oysters rather than beer is that it was less filling to me. I have had a well-poured Harpoon IPA there. I didn't notice the Guiness until after I'd ordered. Guiness being a classic pairing for oysters. The kids' meal prices did seem a bit high, but since we have no kids, it isn't an issue. Can adults with smaller appetities order the kids' meals? Mon Feb 18 12:02:49 -0800 2008 3406439 119175 mollydingle 2 3410000 I'm not sure if adults can order the kids meals. I guess if you were having apps and oysters then I would think they would understand your being a little full for an entree. I thought the kids meals were between $5 and $9 but I could be mistaken. Ever try bringing a family to Martha's Vineyard? Lots of the restaurants had kids meals with nothing less than $10 on them. Mon Feb 18 13:13:09 -0800 2008 3409767 85683 RandyL 2 3411983 Kid's meals are there to encourage parents to dine and introduce young people to food. As RandyL described, many kids quickly move up the menu, to the great delight and even greater expense to their parents ;-) At the Summer Shack, I would stick to the adult menu unless you have little ones in tow. Portions there are not huge. Sharing at the bar might be a better option. Tue Feb 19 05:25:58 -0800 2008 3409767 51746 chowfamily