506024 Fri Apr 04 08:23:08 -0700 2008 148 12 Boston Area 0 3560909 DISCLAIMER: Thread idea is stolen from New Orleans board! “What are the 10 best things to eat in Boston and where is the best place to eat them?” - Sweet butter based Maine lobster, Clio, Mass. Ave, Boston - Chile Rellenos (with potato & chorizo), Taqueria/Cantina La Mexicana, Union Square, Somerville - Wok Baked Beef, FuLoon, Malden - Meatloaf sandwich special, Sam Lagrassa, Downtown Crossing, Boston - Speed Dog, Speed’s Truck, Newmarket Square, Boston - Black & Tan Frappe, UBurger, Kenmore Square, Boston - Margherita pizza, Antico Forno, North End, Boston - Almond crusted goat cheese salad (warm), Not Your Average Joes, multiple locations - Cassava root gnocchi with green, spicy lamb ragu, Taranta, North End, Boston - Oysters on half shell, Neptune Oyster, North End, Boston Fri Apr 04 08:23:08 -0700 2008 11093 Bob MacAdoo 1 3560979 well here are some more: -almond croissant, canto 6 (jp) -cubano, chez henri (harv sq) -roast pork banh mi, pho viet (allston) -housemade charcuterie, 10 tables (jp) -anything in mole &/or tacos, guacamole, angelas (east bos) -yeasted cornbread/sourdough boule (tie), hi-rise (harv sq) -chacarero sandwich, chacarero (downtown) -fried clams, clam box (ipswich) (disclaimer: i've only had them here...) -turkey burger, zon's (jp) Fri Apr 04 08:40:17 -0700 2008 3560909 22634 autopi 2 4942889 Ditto on the Chez Henri Cubano Thu Aug 13 08:01:44 -0700 2009 3560979 1099312 jennkay36 2 5167292 sweets: adzuki bean cream puffs at japonaise bakery citrus flan at la verdad Matiz sugar anise Torta cookies at Formaggio orange chocolate tea cake at formaggio truffle ice cream w/ butterscotch fondant at Gargoyles on the Square kulfee(cardamom and pistachio) ice cream at Cristina's pumpkin pie and maple walnut ice cream at J.P. Licks Sugar Plum Sherry ice cream at Toscanini's Bonci Panforte(panpepato) at Whole Foods (seasonal) savory: pizza -Giambatta ,and Pesto chicken at Regina's, North End only pizza -Sausage, and White bean at StoneHearth Pizza, Belmont Wok baked beef ,and Szechuan noodles at Fuloon,Malden Tacos- Carne asado, Pescado, and Chiles Rellenos, and Refried Beans at La Verdad Udon noodles w/ Cuban chipotle orange sauce ; cool cukes; Rodeo rings at Betty's Wok and Noodle Rotisserie Chicken at Pollo las Brasas, union sq. chilean sea bass wrapped in banana leaf at Tremont 647 banana leaf filled w/duck, cashews, sticky rice at Gargoyles Tuna Poke at Gargoyle's gnocchi at Union Bar and Grill yama kake and all sushi at Sushi Island, Wakefield rabbit salad with dried cherries and pecans at EVOO smoked onion rings at Sonsie francese bread at Iggy's uttapam at Namaskar chicken tikka masala at Tanjore steak frites w/ Truffle Vinaigrette at Aquitaine Grilled Lamb sausage roll up at Sofra Eggplant at Toro Eggplant Parm at Gran Gusto Mon Nov 09 10:15:40 -0800 2009 3560979 10110 opinionatedchef 1 3561112 Roast Lamb sandwich with marinated eggplant - Artu Duck Choo Chee - Thai Moon Miso Moyashi - Sapporo Ramen Eggplant with Basil - Taiwan Cafe Baked Spring Lamb with stewed okra - Desfina Mandarin style Whole Fish - Fuloon Curry Mee - Aneka Rasa Oxtail stew - Flames II. Prune stuffed gnocchi with Foie Gras and Vin Santo glaze - No.9 Park Konkani Lobster - Tamarind Bay Fri Apr 04 09:11:54 -0700 2008 3560909 106428 nasilemak 2 4400413 You speak my language. Mon Feb 09 08:24:20 -0800 2009 3561112 211648 globalgourmand 1 3561140 the bread pudding at Oleana beef with long horn peppers at Taiwan Cafe watermelon gazpacho at The Butcher Shop (summer only) braised pork belly with bean curd leaf at Fuloon combo biryani at The Kebab Factory oysters at Neptune potato pancakes at Cafe Polonia shanghai lo mein at King Fung Speeds' Speed Dog grilled quail at Xinh Xinh Fri Apr 04 09:17:21 -0700 2008 3560909 12603 ScubaSteve 1 3561177 Ok, I'll play: Grilled shrimp at Casablanca Peking Ravioli at King Fung Scampi pizza at Artu Gypsy Pancake at Cafe Polonia Hot Fudge Sundae at Abe & Louies Steak & Cheese eggrolls at Davios Oysters at Neptune Chicken Parm at Antico Forno Meatloaf at Silvertones Shabu at Shabu Zen Fri Apr 04 09:25:37 -0700 2008 3560909 26213 Pegmeister 2 3561540 I second the Steak & Cheese Eggrolls at Davios! Fri Apr 04 10:46:07 -0700 2008 3561177 100153 Boston Scene 2 4531830 If you want real Shabu Shabu, you HAVE to go to Toki. And, their sukiyaki is deliciuos also. All other Shabu places in Boston are just Hot Pot restr. ps - if you're going early, don't miss the $1 kushiyaki (grilled meat & veggie skewers) from 5-7pm! Mon Mar 23 18:44:54 -0700 2009 3561177 156830 pkbos 1 3561241 Not all-time best, but some really good things I've eaten in the past few months (omitting Chacarero, Speed's, and Pho Viet banh mi, since they've been cited already): Marinated chicken tacos (with both salsas, please) at Villa México Café, Beacon Hill Chicken mole poblano at Angela's Cafe, Eastie (though practically everything on the specials board makes me woozy) Prime skirt steak frites for $18 at Kingston Station (to my shock, as the meat-market atmosphere led me to expect awful food), Downtown Crossing Lamb gyros sandwich at Farm Grill & Rotisserie, Newton Highlands Fried clams at Dube's, Salem, MA Prahok katee (pork with fermented fish paste) at Suvarnabhumi Kiri, Allston Shamday (beef curry) at Martsa on Elm, Davis Square Ceviche de pescado at Rincón Limeño, Eastie Sweetbreads, poached egg, bacon and balsamic at Hamersley's Bistro, South End Curried goat at Pepper Pot, Dudley Square Pad ga pow moo krob (three-layer pork) at S&I Thai, Allston Kubideh in pita at Pita Kabob, Downtown Crossing Margherita pizza at Gran Gusto, North Cambridge Fasulye piyaz (it's free!) at Brookline Family Restaurant, Brookline Village Mushroom-stuffed agnolotti at Benatti, Inman Square Okinawan-style braised pork at O ya, Leather District Bacon-topped pretzels from the bar menu at Persephone, Fort Point Sichuan wonton with spicy chili sauce at Sichuan Gourmet, Billerica Pineapple spring rolls with blue cheese ice cream at Banq, South End (sadly, already off the menu) Doro wat at Addis Red Sea, South End A Desi Chinese dish whose name I can't remember (the sauce was mahogany red and really chili-hot) at Namaskar, Davis Square Zurek (Easter soup with kielbasa, horseradish, and chopped egg) at Cafe Polonia, Andrew Square Pear carpaccio at Da Vinci, Park Square Maccheroncelli with Wagyu meatballs at Sorrelina, Copley Square The Loaf sandwich (meatloaf with stewed tomatoes and roasted garlic on foccaccia) at Blunch, South End. Fri Apr 04 09:40:06 -0700 2008 3560909 10143 MC Slim JB 2 3562261 The Loaf sandwich sounds really good. I never heard of this place called Blunch. Fri Apr 04 13:22:45 -0700 2008 3561241 11222 Infomaniac 3 3562297 Cute little counter service place on the corner of E Springfield and Harrison near Boston Medical Center, lots of fresh, house-made breads and pastries, very nice sandwiches, soups, and salads. Fri Apr 04 13:28:28 -0700 2008 3562261 10143 MC Slim JB 4 3581314 This is the space that used to be Christopher's, isn't it? I loved Christopher's when I worked at BMC (they catered my brunch-y wedding!) but I think they had already gone a bit downhill when I stopped working in that neighborhood, and this sounds like a worthy successor. Thu Apr 10 10:57:16 -0700 2008 3562297 18512 Allstonian 5 4278716 i love their frittata baked in muffin tins. Sun Dec 28 19:21:49 -0800 2008 3581314 158016 cassoulady 2 4278469 Namaskar Great place! Sun Dec 28 17:10:06 -0800 2008 3561241 208664 uoha 2 4942896 I think the Doro Wot at Asmara in Central Square much better than the Red Sea. Thu Aug 13 08:03:19 -0700 2009 3561241 1099312 jennkay36 3 4979658 I think Asmara is Eritrean where Addis Red Sea is Ethiopian. I wonder if there's a regional/cultural difference in the two doro wats. Haven't been back to Asmara in ages. a useful reminder. http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/ Wed Aug 26 10:43:05 -0700 2009 4942896 10143 MC Slim JB 4 5186608 There is no difference between Eritrean and Ethiopian. Eritrea was part of Ethiopia until they declared their independence in 1993. They share an identical cultural heritage with the Northern part of Ethiopia. In Southern Ethiopia you do have completely different food/culture, but what we associate with Ethiopian is the same as Eritrean. Mon Nov 16 14:54:57 -0800 2009 4979658 1124855 Kirs 2 5021494 Master Slim, Since that is your list for recent bests, what is your ALL TIME 10 or maybe 20 best? Fri Sep 11 05:35:01 -0700 2009 3561241 250758 Torolover 3 5021800 That's a really brutal question: so much to choose from. Some of it would be ancient history, too, nothing you could hope to order without a time machine, e.g., the porchetta panino from Caffe Umbra. Others might be special only at a particular moment in time, e.g., a veal chop from Olives when Todd English actually cooked in his original Charlestown location. I wrote a blog essay ("An Encomium for Icarus") about the first time I ate at Icarus when I was a sprout, which I consider a life-changing experience, my first taste of really refined New American cuisine in Boston. I'll ponder that question, but I think I think an all-time best list would be tough. I'd almost rather do another "10 great recent things", which other Hounds would be able to order, rather than pulling out the old scrapbook. http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/ Fri Sep 11 07:39:44 -0700 2009 5021494 10143 MC Slim JB 1 3561277 In no particular order and I see I am repeating some folks but I was concocting my list before all these were up: -chocolate croissant- Iggy's -carnitos burrito w/guac and hot sauce- El Pelon - pisco sour- Eastern Standard (ok not a "food" but c'mon, there's an egg in it) -bread pudding- Oleana - tuna sausage dumplings- East Coast Grill - prune stuffed gnocchi- No. 9 Park - pancakes- Deluxe Town Diner - margherita pizza- Gran Gusto - Garbanzos con chorizo- Toro - burnt sugar ice cream- Christina's Fri Apr 04 09:48:15 -0700 2008 3560909 162278 heypielady 2 3561407 Thanks for mentioning Gran Gusto pizza -- I'm munching on leftovers right now. It's so so very good. Fri Apr 04 10:15:58 -0700 2008 3561277 10232 yumyum 1 3561279 Prune gnocchi at No. 9 Park Oysters at B & G Antipasto plate at Blue Room Fried oysters at Redbones Fried clams at Choate Bridge Bangers and mashed at Thirsty Scholar Foie gras steak at Locke Ober Lamb Skottadito at The Independent Grilled swordfish with gingered sweet potatoes, macadamia brown butter and onion rings at Flora Restaurant Twin lobsters at the Mt. Vernon Fri Apr 04 09:48:37 -0700 2008 3560909 99422 Small Plates 2 4313617 What is this foie gras steak you speak of at L-O? Do tell. Sat Jan 10 08:47:40 -0800 2009 3561279 101438 hsquare2southend 3 4523590 The current prep is this: Foie Gras with Granny Smith Apple Risotto… Cider Sauce - I should have put "steak" in quotation marks. What I imply is that it is the biggest possible piece that can be carved from the lobe. It is monstrous and difficult to consume alone. Fri Mar 20 15:01:09 -0700 2009 4313617 99422 Small Plates 1 3561333 > “What are the 10 best things to eat in Boston and where is the best place to eat them?” My first thought was, "Why does the New Orleans board care what the 10 best things to eat in Boston are?" Agreements for the pizza margherita at Gran Gusto, the chicken mole poblano at Angela's, the cubano at Chez Henri. I'll add: - Risotto ai porcini from Trattoria Toscana - Fegatini from Trattoria Toscana - Prunes in armagnac with financier cookie from La Voile - Bistro chicken from La Voile - Kielbasa in any form from Cafe Polonia - Duck sausage ravioli with sage and shallot butter from Capone Foods (to be prepped at home) - Carrot cake from Pemberton Farms - Warm coconut bun from Ho Yuen bakery - Chocolate tres leches cake from Chez Henri - Curry chicken pho from Xinh Xinh Fri Apr 04 09:59:38 -0700 2008 3560909 11344 finlero 1 3561385 Not sure if these are the best, but they are 10 of my personal favorites: - Cubano, Chez Henri (Cambridge) - Sicilian pizza, Galleria Umberto (North End) - black forest chicken, Jasmine Bistro (Brighton) - chicken enchilada mole, Angela's Cafe (East Boston) - shredded pork sandwich, Flat Patties (Cambridge) - drunken noodle, Dok Bua (Brookline) - falafel wrap, Reef Cafe (Allston) - parpadelle pesto, Pasta Market Cafe (Malden) - steak tips, New Bridge Cafe (Chelsea) - pork chops, Mrs. Jones (Dorchester) Fri Apr 04 10:10:57 -0700 2008 3560909 14771 hiddenboston 1 3561762 Chacarero, Chicken Chacarero - downtown crossing Mushroom & Red Potato Tart/Quiche, Petsi Pies - somerville Fish Fillet & Napa Cabbage in Red Chili Oil, Sichuan Gourmet - Framingham Mysore Chili Chicken, Tamarind Bay - harvard square Turkey Burger(Rudy Giuliani i.e. turkey reuben burger), Bartleys - harvard sqaure Falafel Wrap, Big Fresh - Framingham Chicken #1 sandwich(marinated chicken breast w/ smoked tomato mayo) or Turkey and Chipotle Mayo sandwich(w/pickles), Dave's Fresh Pasta - davis square Jeffery's Maki or Paula's Maki, Oishii - Chestnut Hill Morel Mushroom Mac n Cheese, Stone's Public House, Ashland Smoked Pablano and Butter Yukon Potato chowder, Masa - south end Fri Apr 04 11:34:54 -0700 2008 3560909 150305 Aphex 1 3561877 In no particular order: -Chicken mole at Angela's -Open-faced seafood ravioli at Terramia -All sushi at Oishhi -Salt and pepper squid at New Shanghai -Vindaloo at India Quality -Rabbit w/papardelle at Mamma Maria's -Lemon chicken at Hamersley's -Charcuterie at 10 Tables -Crab over rice at Potluck Cafe -Salami pizza, well-done, at Regina's -Ventresca tuna from Salumeria Italiana -Squid ink pasta at Daily Catch -Alsatian pizza at Picco -Burger at Tim's Tavern (well, I can still taste it) Fri Apr 04 11:56:16 -0700 2008 3560909 16490 Bostonbob3 2 3877917 I second the Alsatian pizza at Picco! -brownie sundae: picco -grilled corn- Toro -gaucamole- La verdad -eggplant parm sub-Artu -lobster roll-Neptune -pumpkin ravioli (to prepare at home)- Dave's Fresh Pasta -brisket sandwich with coleslaw- Formaggio's bbq on Saturdays -burger- Abe & Louie's -sticky bun and chocolate chip cookies- Flour -eggplant and sausage pizza- Pizzaria Regina's Thu Jul 17 12:42:25 -0700 2008 3561877 37143 AnjLM 2 4531843 2nd on the squid ink pasta at the Daily Catch. North End is cool, but tiny. Their location next to the Courthouse is more comfortable, + nice views. Mon Mar 23 18:49:28 -0700 2009 3561877 156830 pkbos 1 3562200 Bob- Fun thread. I'll bet some people will name more than ten...(As they say, "There's one in every crowd.") - Raw Cherrystones: Neptune - Cherrystones stuffed with blue crab and chorizo: East Coast Grille - Truffled lobster gnocchi: # 9 Park - Melt-in-your-mouth lamb chops: Toro - Meaghan's spinach and feta omelet: Charlie's Sandwich Shop - Rabbit fettuccini w/fennel and green garlic: Butcher Shop - Blue cheese-stuffed shrimp, very lightly fried: Locke Ober(bar only-Miss you Carah) - Scallops: Franklin Cafe' - Lobster bisque: B&G Oyster - Anything Youji, the Japanese master at Uni makes. He's amazing! Fri Apr 04 13:05:35 -0700 2008 3560909 178797 Falcon 64 2 3562576 -Tuna tacos: ECG - Oysters and a glass of prossecco: Neptune -Rigatoni with wild boar: Lucca -Mushroom risotto: Marco -Gnocchi with short ribs: Grotto -Pork chop w/vinegar peppers: Antico Forno -Cassava root gnocchi w/ spicy lamb: Taranta -Porchetta: Artu -Super beef sandwich: Petes super beef -Soft shell crab sandwich: Courthouse seafood Fri Apr 04 14:29:59 -0700 2008 3562200 16672 phatchris 3 4279999 A few others -Egg ravioli: Prezza -Venison Loin: Prezza -Goat Stew: Highland Kitchen - Burger: Marliave - Sfogliatelle: Maria's -Suckling pig risotto: Neptune Mon Dec 29 10:04:17 -0800 2008 3562576 16672 phatchris 4 4315568 It's funny, I was just at Prezza for the first time last night and had those two things. I really liked the egg ravioli, but my DC and I were both a bit disappointed in the venison loin -- it was perfectly medium rare, and a bit smokey from the wood grill, but I wished it was a bit more gamey and venison-tasting. Perhaps a variation in the individual cut of meat. Sun Jan 11 05:29:07 -0800 2009 4279999 22926 newyorker1 5 4315968 I believe that most local restaurants serve farmed venison from New Zealand, raised on a diet of grass and grain. It's a pretty mild-tasting, lean, ungamy product if you've sampled wild venison (I have cousins who are dedicated hunters). Sun Jan 11 09:20:39 -0800 2009 4315568 10143 MC Slim JB 6 4318609 That was certainly true in the past, but until this last year, the EU was a closed market to NZ Cervena venison import. When it opened in 2008, it caused the cost of the previously inexpensive product to double, and it was certainly not worth twice the price. Domestically farmed venison has become more common since, and IMHO, tastes better (gamier). Mon Jan 12 09:22:53 -0800 2009 4315968 102066 almansa 6 4318679 I know that last year EVOO was getting really great red deer from a farm in New Hampshire. Mon Jan 12 09:48:46 -0800 2009 4315968 16672 phatchris 6 4319265 There's a nice article on a local(ish) venison farm in the current Edible Boston: Misty River View Farm in New Braintree, MA, owned by Dave and Rhonda Howe, http://www.mistyriverview.com. They sell both venison and goat meat to the public through their Web site. ******************** QUOTE********************* Although Boston-area chefs may be keen to learn of a source for local venison, the Howes say working with restaurants is challenging for a farm of their size. "We have a relationship with a restaurant," says Rhonda, "but they only want sirloin and tenderloin." Since the Howes slaughter only three animals at a time, it's hard to meet this type of demand. ****************************** The article goes on to mention that Jody Adams at Rialto serves a dish of venison done two ways: grilled leg, and shank done in an osso buco style, and that she gets her meat from Pennsylvania. That sounds worth trying! Mon Jan 12 12:26:49 -0800 2009 4315968 14386 BobB 5 4398578 You must realize that restaurants in the US cannot serve wild venison because it is not regulated and inspected. As a result, all of the venison you eat when dining out will be farm-raised and much milder in flavor--nothing like what Uncle Hank keeps stashed in the freezer from last season's kill. Sun Feb 08 13:03:58 -0800 2009 4315568 161611 RandMan14 2 4398574 Those blue cheese-stuffed fried shrimp sound horrendous--I guess I'd just have to try to find out! Sun Feb 08 12:59:34 -0800 2009 3562200 161611 RandMan14 1 3563335 Grapenut ice cream at Kimball's, Carlisle Coffee ice cream with hot fudge at Toscanini's, Cambridge Wild mushroom ravioli at Mamma Maria, North End Portobello mushroom with polenta at Prezza, North End Fontina and mushroom risotto at Prezza, North End Ricotta bread dumplings at Oleana, Cambridge Cheese pizza at Pizzeria Regina, North End Apple pancake at Bickford's, Framingham Sweet potatoe fries at Zalek's, Wakefield Lobster tail at Mike's Pastry, North End Fri Apr 04 19:25:46 -0700 2008 3560909 105892 pollystyrene 1 3565244 Croissants and Cannelles at Clear Flour Bakery in Brookline Standard Burger at Eastern Standard in Boston Buffalo Chicken Tenders at Cambridge Brewing Company in Cambridge Suan La Chow Show at Mary Chung's in Cambridge Kielbasa at Midwest Grill in Cambridge Queso Rebozado con Miel at Dali in Cambridge Chicken Tikka Masala at Kebab Factory in Cambridge Pumpkin Kaddo at Helmand in Cambridge Texas State Pen Chili at All Star Sandwich Bar in Cambridge The All Vegetable Experience of the Day at East Coast Grill in Cambridge Mango Shrimp and the Roti Canai at Penang in Boston Strawberry Daquiri at Ole in Cambridge I second the Vegetable Antipasto at the Blue Room in Cambridge Sat Apr 05 16:27:12 -0700 2008 3560909 138340 shraquel 2 3566672 pumpkin kaddo- good one. Sun Apr 06 09:13:22 -0700 2008 3565244 162278 heypielady 1 3566361 Wow, I think I have only had four of the above items. (fried clams at Clam Box, suan la chow show at Mary Chung's, chili at All Star Sandwich Bar, sushi at Oishii.) Here are the ten that came to my mind. Sure I'm missing some. Char Siu Bao (steamed BBQ Pork Buns) at Hei La Moon, Boston. City Girl Pizza at City Slicker Cafe, Somerville. Codfish in Dry Bean Sauce at Mulan, Cambridge. Foul Sandwich at Falafel Palace, Central Square. Gnocchi at Sage, Boston. Lobster Roll at (Jasper White's) Summer Shack. (Multiple Locations.) Paramount Burger at Paramount, Boston. Wild Bluefin Otoro at O Ya, Boston. Yasai Katsu Curry at Wagamama, Harvard. Yuppie Burger at Bartley's, Harvard. Sun Apr 06 07:06:51 -0700 2008 3560909 69515 jtw 1 3566652 I'll play, no particular order, and more like the first 10 that come to mind (there are really too many): -Daikon cake with XO sauce (Gitlo) -Lunch Plate (Guru the Caterer) -Charcuterie Plate (10 tables) -Foie Gras Con Chutney De Pera (Toro) -Marlin 2 ways (don't remember the name, Neptune Oyster) -Speeds dog -Vegetarian combo plate (Falafel King) -Dulet (Addis Red Sea) -Black Bean Bun - Mei Sum -Roasted Chicken (Alex's Chimi's) Sun Apr 06 09:08:38 -0700 2008 3560909 38153 adobokid 2 3567640 1. Hamachi with banana-pepper mousse at O Ya 2. Cheeseburger at Radius 3. Rice-smoked duck breast at Sage 4. Kitfo at Addis Red Sea 5. Shrimp with yellow chives at Taiwan Cafe 6. Boiled fiery fish soup at Qingdao Garden 7. Spicy dry-fried chicken wings at Vinh Sun 8. Asparagus tartare at Metropolis Cafe 9. Chile-relleno torta at La Verdad 10. Slow-roasted duck at Rialto Sun Apr 06 15:38:35 -0700 2008 3566652 45745 wittlejosh 3 4324872 Just had the cheeseburger at Radius and definitely second the above - especially the wonderful french fries that come with it! Wed Jan 14 06:39:38 -0800 2009 3567640 73480 cornFusion 1 3567650 I'll give it a shot Empanadas-Toro-South End Chicken Parm-Anitco Forno-North End Jamaican Jerk Beef- Redbones-Davis Sq. Cheese Pizza Well Done-Regina Chicken, Bean and Cheese Quesadilla-Delux-South End Mussels Fra Giacamo- Giacamos -South End Hot Wings, Well Done, Extra Sauce-Buffs Pub- Newton? Cream Filled Donut-Flour- South End Chacarero, Chix with the Yellow Hot Sauce-Chacerero-Fin. Dist. Lobster Taco's-Bonfire-Park Sq. Mixed Green Salad with Goat Cheese etc.-Columbus Cafe Chicken Swarma w/ Hummos and Hot Sauce-Falafal King- Winter St. Sun Apr 06 15:42:36 -0700 2008 3560909 95686 ChickenBrocandZiti 1 3567929 No particular order, although #1 is probably my favorite dish in Boston... 1. Tonno con La Bomba Peruviana-Calabrese Ortopiccante, Taranta 2. Piccatelle di Vitello con Pasta, L’Osteria 3. fritelle, dante 4. Eggplant Rollatini, L’il Vinny’s 5. Jalapeños Maria Luisa, Tu y Yo 6. truffled fries with parmigiano, Sorrellina 7. fish tacos, La Verdad 8. Salt cod fritters, Eastern Standard 9. homemade pappardelle (to prepare at home), Dave’s Fresh Pasta 10. Maccheroncelli with Wagyu beef meatballs, Sorrellina Sun Apr 06 17:45:09 -0700 2008 3560909 66445 saridt 2 3568065 This may not be my absolute top 10, but these are the first ten things that come to mind that I love and will go out of my way for: - Roast chicken at Hamersley's - Eclair at Beard Papa - Anything at the chef's whim at Craigie Street - Grape leaves at Arax Market in Watertown (muhamara with matnakash bread is a close second) - Chocolate bread at When Pigs Fly (can you tell I'm a dessert eater) - Seafood-stuffed poblano at Tu y Yo - Chocolate-topped almond macaroons at Lakota Bakery - Fern's Problem Solver (grilled turkey sandwich) at Hi-Rise - Arancini from Iggy's (they only make it occasionally, on weekends) - Combo plate at Greek orthodox church festival in Watertown Honorable mention: the above-mentioned cream-filled donut from Flour Bakery that they only serve on Sundays; fig and anise bread from Sel de la Terre; hot fudge sundae from Rancatore's; burnt caramel ice cream from Tosci's. Sun Apr 06 18:45:37 -0700 2008 3567929 12233 Pia 3 4531872 Agree: the Fig & Anise bread at Sel de la Terre is addictive. Mon Mar 23 19:00:31 -0700 2009 3568065 156830 pkbos 1 3877393 Here is my everyman's list of top 10... - buffalo wings from Red Bones (Davis Square) or Buffs in Newton - slice of Sweet Tomatoes' pizza (Newton Center) - guacamole from Don Ricardo's (South End) **Add a little salt** - red bean ice cream from Kaze (Chinatown) - speed dog from Speeds (Newmarket) - honey ice cream from Picco (South End) - sticky buns from Flour (South End) - Doughnut's from Kane's (Saugus) - BBQ from Blue Ribbon (West Newton or Arlington) - Steak from Grill 23 (Back Bay) Thu Jul 17 10:28:41 -0700 2008 3560909 210636 kcs1050 1 3877849 The list might be different on another day, but today it is 10. Porcini Souffle (Il Capriccio) 9. Wonton noodle soup (King Fung Garden) 8. Pumpkin kaddo (The Helmand) 7. Lamb Chowpan (The Helmand) 6. Chicharrones de puerco con maduros (El Penol) 5. Goat curry (India Quality) 4. Any pizza at Regina's in the North End, provided it has extra sauce. 3. Peking Ravioli (King Fung Garden) 2. Fried Clams (Clam Box) 1. Crab with Ginger and Scallion (Taiwan Cafe) Thu Jul 17 12:28:31 -0700 2008 3560909 10311 David Pearlman 1 3880651 it's going to be a beast getting this down to 10. In no real order: Jasper's Lobster plus Cherrystone seviche from Summer Shack (I know it's two dishes, but as long as you're there....) Cheeseburger from Audubon Peking Duck at King Fung downtown Chicken Confit Salad from Eastern Standard local Oysters on the halfshell and whatever that orange/prosecco drink is from Neptune. Corned Beef on Rye with slaw & pickle from Michael's, Brookline The standard, exquisite sushi lunch from Gari, Brookline Malted Vanilla ice cream from Herrell's, Allston "Mascarporeos" dessert at Via Matta Margarita pizza done extra crispy from Pizzeria Regina Guess I don't have room for a shout out to Deluxe Town Diner's chili, huh? Fri Jul 18 09:52:56 -0700 2008 3560909 145206 SSqwerty 2 3881853 Blood orange bellini Fri Jul 18 15:38:25 -0700 2008 3880651 16672 phatchris 1 3882165 Moved from Boston awhile ago, but here's what I miss most: Avocado soup: Elephant Walk Pumpkin Kaddo: Helmand Aush: Helmand Bloody Mary Bar: East Coast Grill (Does this count, since, officially, I make it?) Burnt Sugar Ice Cream: Christina's Chicken in the Pot: Rubins Lox and Latkes: Zaftigs Maybe I should've left Brookline/Cambridge more often... Fri Jul 18 18:14:39 -0700 2008 3560909 42033 GrillNextDoor 1 3883618 Fish tacos, El Pelon The Dog, Speed’s Cuban (with side of maduros and mamey shake), El Oriental Sesame bagel with chive cheese, Rosenfeld’s Grapenut custard, Louie’s Ceviche Mixto, Rincon Limeno Burnt ends, Blue Ribbon Sausage pizza (well done), Regina’s Johnnycakes, Deluxe Town Diner Rostbratwurst, Karl’s Sat Jul 19 12:26:43 -0700 2008 3560909 10127 Kip McSkipster 1 3885093 Exceeding the limit and in no particular order... --Chicken and Vegetable Soup with a Matzoh Ball and Noodles (New England Soup Factory) --Speed's Dog (Speed's Truck) --Jelly Doughnuts (Betty Ann Food Shop) --Sticky Buns (Flour Bakery) --Pan-Fried Daikon Cake (Gitlo's) --Kin Medai (O Ya) --Jasper's Pan-Roasted Lobster (Summer Shack) --Pork-Leek Dumplings and Boiled Fish in Fiery Sauce (Qingdao Garden) --Gambas al Ajillo (Toro) --Cubano (Chez Henri) --Pad Kee Mao (Dok Bua) --Toulouse Sausage (Ten Tables) --Fiore di Nonno burrata (various locations) --Tea-Smoked Ribs (Myers & Chang) --Deviled Eggs and Whipped Feta (Oleana) --Bahn Mi (Pho Viet) --Burnt Sugar Ice Cream (Christina's) --Torta Fluida (Orinoco--the only molten cake worth eating, in my opinion) --Farmhouse Fish Plate and Fries with housemade ketchup (Matt Murphy's) --Baked Alaska (Oleana) --La Tene Chocolates (various locations--the one with cheese is awesome) --Boiled Peanuts with Sea Salt (Hungry Mother) --Dark Hot or Iced Chocolate (Burdick's) --rustic fruit tarts (Clear Flour) --Hot Lobster Roll (Neptune) --Aligot (KO Prime) --Cellophane Noodles with Minced Pork (Sichuan Garden) --Wonton Hot Pot (Shanghai Gate) --Masala Dosa (Rangoli) --Honey Hot Wings (Buff's) --Sloppy Joe (Hot Tomatoes) --Banana-Stuffed French Toast (Zaftig's) --Sweetbreads (Craigie Street Bistrot) --Bostoks and Monkey Bread (Canto 6) Sun Jul 20 09:01:15 -0700 2008 3560909 211490 lizbomze 2 4531883 2nd the Sloppy Joey at Hot Tomatoes, but take one of their Big Cheese sandwiches, too. Mon Mar 23 19:04:23 -0700 2009 3885093 156830 pkbos 2 4569504 Just went to Buff's the other night for the first time--had the honey hot wings. Incredible! And this coming from a guy who will typically shun any wing that contains more than chicken, Frank's, and butter. Sun Apr 05 13:21:24 -0700 2009 3885093 161611 RandMan14 1 3886302 -- handmade pappardelle with sauce bolognese at No. 9 Park -- house smoked salmon at Franklin Cafe (no longer on menu) -- buttermilk fried pork tenderloin at Franklin Cafe (no longer on menu) -- smoked salmon with crispy potatos and horseradish at Brasserie Jo -- fried shrimp and celery roll at Hei La Moon (dim sum) -- pan-fried chicken dumpling at Gitlo's -- bone-in filet mignon at Abe and Louie's -- 22 ounce grilled prime rib-eye steak at Upstairs on the Square (very nice char on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside) -- soy sauce chicken at the Hong Kong Eatery -- beef wellington at Eastern Standard (Saturday dinner menu only) Sun Jul 20 18:43:29 -0700 2008 3560909 141450 Guilty Glutton 2 3887877 If you like the bone-in at Abe and Louie's I suggest trying the one at Prezza. Mon Jul 21 10:15:47 -0700 2008 3886302 16672 phatchris 3 3890846 Thanks for the recommendation! Tue Jul 22 08:29:57 -0700 2008 3887877 141450 Guilty Glutton 1 3890975 What if they're no longer around? These are just the 1st things that come to mind, some of them long gone. fried oysters & beef tongue, Neptune (gone) sardines, Neptune (Thurs) grilled corn, Toro St. Anthony's pizza, Regina yuca gnocchi with lamb, Taranta chocolate eggplant, Taranta (gone) sea urchin & mullet roe spaghetti, Taranta (gone) walnut pate, Oleana calamari meatballs & stuffed calamari, Daily Catch rhubarb clafouti, Sel de la Terre (gone) Oh, and S&P eel at Peach Farm. And the beef-heart sliders Jamie Bissonnette once made for a private shindig. Tue Jul 22 09:06:48 -0700 2008 3560909 11106 tatamagouche 2 3891075 Oh, yes, & the Gypsy Pancake at Polonia! Good call, those who called it! & haw moak at Khao Sarn. Tue Jul 22 09:30:17 -0700 2008 3890975 11106 tatamagouche 2 5024813 my list is a combo of things current and long gone: Monkfish aoli, Elephant Walk (not on menu any longer) Bistecca Florentine @ Capuccino's (gone) Salad bar at the old Grendel's den (gone) Steak and drinks at Callahan's (gone ) prune gnocchi at no 9 Kona crusted sirloin, Capital Grille skirt steak, Tango peking duck at Chef Chang's suan la chow sho, Mary Chungs mussels and steak frites,and profiteroles, Petit Robert Bistro Sat Sep 12 12:14:55 -0700 2009 3890975 1090797 CookieLee 1 3890992 - Eggplant parm, Pasta Market Cafe (Malden) - Bone in Filet, Abe and Louies (Boston) - Gnocchi and short ribs, Grotto (Boston) - Haddock Florentine, Georgetown Grille (Georgetown) - Warm Jonah Crabmeat and Fennel, Meritage (Boston) Tue Jul 22 09:10:49 -0700 2008 3560909 122013 lulu806 1 3891214 Hard to pick just 10. I added an 11th (had to have dessert)... - Grilled Sashimi of Chanterelle and Shitake Mushrooms – O Ya - Black 'n Blue Tuna Taco – East Coast Grill - Cuban Reuben – Highland Kitchen - Pepperoni Pizza (stretched & well done) – Pizzeria Regina (original NE location only!) - Tagliatelle Bolognese – Via Matta - Kona Crusted Dry Aged Sirloin (hold the shallot butter) – Capital Grille - Turkey Hash – Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe - Lobster Spaghettini – Neptune Oyster - Grilled Mushroom and Garlic Sandwich on Country Bread – Hamersley’s Bistro - Assorted Oysters – Summer Shack (Alewife location) - Chocolate Banana ice cream – Christina’s Ice Cream Tue Jul 22 10:06:52 -0700 2008 3560909 13687 Gabatta 1 3892812 not going to do a whole list, but... SULTAN'S DELIGHT AT OLEANA!!!!!!! Tue Jul 22 18:29:33 -0700 2008 3560909 56182 dianalim 1 3945709 Any particular way to order at Chacarero? Which protein? Sun Aug 10 17:54:37 -0700 2008 3560909 196839 twitchology 1 3945890 not in any particular order: lemon-buttermilk pudding with berry sauce, Rendezvous in Central Square tongue tacos, Tacos Lupita carne asada and eggs (for brunch), Ole' Mex. Grill yuca frita, El Oriental de Cuba "dinner for Henry" pizza (or over brown rice), Veggie Planet the guacamole, and everything else I've tried so far, at Sabor Especial, Chelsea (just discovered this place today--their guac is even better than Ole's, and their "chuleta especial" mixed grilled meats platter is an amazing steal at $10; the chicharrones were v. good too) "equatorial" chocolate cake, Locke-Ober JFK lobster stew, Locke-Ober tamago in truffle broth, O Ya (name not exact, sorry) fish and chips, the Druid, Inman Square bonus: harissa at Baraka Cafe double-bonus: fried catfish with collard greens at Hungry Mother Sun Aug 10 19:31:40 -0700 2008 3560909 12377 bella_sarda 2 3946421 A search for Sabor Especial turned up this: http://www.yelp.com/biz/restaurante-sabor-especial-chelsea Mon Aug 11 05:43:35 -0700 2008 3945890 10400 Aromatherapy 3 3947233 Nice review, although it didn't have a whole lot of info about the food. I'll have to add my own review and note that it is El Salvadoran cuisine. I agree that the Horchata was homemade and very good. Mon Aug 11 10:36:08 -0700 2008 3946421 12377 bella_sarda 1 3958987 xiao long bao @ Wing's Kitchen, Chinatown Cod @ Oleana Mantwo or Aushak @ The Helmand Cold Kidneys @ Shanghai Gate Hong Kong style lo mein with wontons or shui jiao @ Hong Kong Eatery Tripe @ Trattoria Toscana Chocolate Mousse Ice Cream @ Christina's Margherita pizza @ Gran Gusto's Marzipan and a cocopowder dusted chocolate that I can't remember @ Burdick's Ricotta Pie @ Maria's Pastry Shop Rustic Tarts (cherry is my favorite) @ Clear Flour Fri Aug 15 00:10:15 -0700 2008 3560909 212016 ace52387 1 4278578 Here are those specific gems which force me to make the trip to Boston from NH: 1. The gruyere croissants at Clear Flour Bakery in Allston (NUMBER ONE for a reason) 2. The (larger) Petits fours at South End Formaggio (these are imported from California, but good - and any of their cheeses, of course) 3. Hand filled cannoli at Marias Bakery in the north end 4. Tofu salad (Tohu Thoke) at Yoma (restaurant) 5. Chinese roast duck at Hong Kong Eatery in Chinatown (take the duck home and gently heat it in a 300 oven for about 20 mins and then broil until skin crisps up. Cool a bit and enjoy) 6 ABC (aka Ais Kachang) at the Penang Restaurant - take out on a hot Boston summer day. A close second is their Nasi Lemak. 7. BBQ Ribs at the back counter at Redbones (where the plating is done) 8. Dacquoise and coffee at Flour bakery 9. Bahn Mi (vietnamese sandwitch) or Pho (vietnamese noodles- at almost any vietnamese place in beantown 10. Russian chocolates and cold cuts (point and select and you will be richly rewarded often) from Bazaaar Russian grocery store in Allston The obverse is also true. Unless you want to spend lots of money on very esoteric stuff that only certain folk can enjoy, avoid the high end places. Sun Dec 28 18:06:26 -0800 2008 3560909 73480 cornFusion 2 4278648 Nice list! I'm not sure I agree with your last comment, though: there are tons of high-end places in Boston whose food isn't especially esoteric. Few of our high-end places are very challenging; almost all offer dishes that are broadly accessible. I can imagine some folks struggling with the menu at o ya, and finding the stuffy atmosphere daunting at certain pricey places, but not the food. Sun Dec 28 18:45:19 -0800 2008 4278578 10143 MC Slim JB 3 4279253 Thank you MC ... well said, and I could not agree more. I am one of those who don't do well in expensive places where one has to deal with frou-frou. Mon Dec 29 05:24:32 -0800 2008 4278648 73480 cornFusion 1 4279711 Here is my ten-best - I tried to keep it different than the usual favorite of some on this board.. lamb burger, zon's jp ham gorgonzola caramelized onion biscuits, canto 6, JP salmon Haw Moak, khao sarn, Brookline indian mee noodles (sadly the no-longer Aneka Rasa), Allston papaya/beef salad at dok bua, Brookline ja jyung mein at buk kyung, Union Sq Somerville french fries & aioli at river gods, Cambridge jaloff rice, goat stew, spicy black eyed peas at The African Cuisine, Hyde Park Arpeggio sandwich, Cafe Arpeggio (S. Boston) tangy eggplant @ Kathmandu Spice, Arlington Mon Dec 29 08:35:21 -0800 2008 3560909 11275 Prav 1 4279812 Gnocchi @ Sage Chicken @ Hamersley's Pizza @ Cafe Fiorella Open face lobster ravioli @ Delfino's Fried catfish sandwich, w/ side of onion strings @ Redbones Tuna roll app @ Pigalle Clam chowdah @ Legal Sea Foods Tomatoes, in season @ La Campania Donuts @ Ohlin's Lobster roll @ Hook's Mon Dec 29 09:03:38 -0800 2008 3560909 170572 TheTrout 1 4280103 Lots of great items here. At this point I can't think of ten that aren't already here, so I'll just add a few personal favorites: Higaditos Mexicanos (spicy chicken liver appetizer) at Sol Azteca. Unfortunately it's the only really outstanding dish on their menu. Habas con Jamon (fava beans cooked with Iberian ham) at Taberna de Haro. Kobe beef meatloaf at Pop's. Mon Dec 29 10:36:43 -0800 2008 3560909 14386 BobB 1 4280642 My list, in no particularly order, certainly missing items, and heavily influenced by recent favorites: - Pizza #4 (bacon/potato/cilantro/cranberry) at Emma's, Kendall Sq, Cambridge - Hamburger at Mr Bartley's, Harvard Square, Cambridge - Carnitas burrito at El Pelon, Kenmore Sq, Boston - Fried Kumamoto Oyster at O Ya, Leather District, Boston - Foie Gras with balsamic chocolate kabayak at O Ya, Leather District, Boston - Scottish Salmon with spicy sesame ponzu at O Ya, Leather District, Boston - Wild Bluefin tuna tataki with pickled onion & truffle oil at O Ya, Leather District, Boston - Grilled sashimi of chanterelle & shiitake mushrooms at O Ya, Leather District, Boston - Okinawan-style braised pork at O Ya, Leather District, Boston - Sake-braised wagyu short ribs at O Ya, Leather District, Boston - Grilled corn with cotija and lime butter, Toro, South End, Boston - Selection of oysters at B&G, South End, Boston - Sweetbreads in morel cream sauce at La Voile, Back Bay, Boston - Truffle pizza at Gran Gusto, North Cambridge - Falafel platter at Moody's Falafel Palace, Central Sq, Cambridge - Vegetarian tasting menu at Oleana, between Inman and Kendall Sq, Cambridge - Table-side-made Guacamole at Ole, Inman Sq, Cambridge - Butter lobster at Clio, Back Bay, Boston Mon Dec 29 13:12:43 -0800 2008 3560909 193495 rlove 1 4280815 This is a super fun thread. I'll treat it as a to-do list! =) ravioli "nudi" at Via Matta hot lobster roll at Neptune Oyster House beef tongue canape at Hungry Mother fig and proscuitto pizza at Figs baked gouda in a skillet at B Side Lounge (RIP, B Side!!) cornmeal fried oysters at EVOO vanilla bean souffle at Olives quinoa stuffed red pepper at Casablanca (much better than it sounds) Boston's Best Blue at Soundbites (it's my idea of a perfect breakfast) Mon Dec 29 13:57:52 -0800 2008 3560909 119167 ginafly 1 4283903 I'll try... 1. cheese plate (rendevous) 2. cheese plate (upstairs) 3. sultan's delight (oleana) 4. buffalo shrimp (redbones) 5. oysters (b+g) 6. cubano (dave's pasta) 7. spiked cider (highland kitchen) 8. corn pizza (summer, Za's) 9. frozen yogurt, original (berryline) 10. whoopie pie cupcake (petsi's) This is the most pedestrian of things I eat -- and interestingly -- what I crave and enjoy! Tue Dec 30 14:53:19 -0800 2008 3560909 110313 RoseWethersfield 2 4311464 No order: 1. Chez Henri - Cuban 2. Burdicks - Dark hot chocolate 3. Grotto - Garlic-truffle soup 4. Pinnochio's - Sicilian slice 5. L'Espalier - Cheese plate 6. Oceanaire - Hash Browns 7. Mamma Maria - Braised rabbit pasta 8. Green Street - Any cocktail 9. Formaggio - Cheese selection 10. Marliave - Baked beans Fri Jan 09 12:29:44 -0800 2009 4283903 148242 LAinBoston 1 4313422 Yes! I agree! YOMA is my most favorite restaurant in Boston! I love the cook, Thawdar! Sat Jan 10 07:09:53 -0800 2009 3560909 168222 coco02446 1 4315052 This list could change daily for me! Offhand and in no particular order: - Maracuchitos (cheese & plantain appetizers), Orinoco - Vegeterian plate, Helmand (does a whole plate count?) - Fried oysters, Hungry Mother - Lobster Roll, Bob Lobster, Newburyport - I know not technically Boston, but better than any I've had in the city - Frites with mayo selection, Publick House - Cheese & Beer plate, Cambridge Brewing Company - Burger, Gargoyles - DC's fave - Yemeser Alcha (lentil dish), Addis Red Sea - Eggplant parm sub, Tutto Italiano - Ricotta pie, Modern Pastry Sat Jan 10 18:53:52 -0800 2009 3560909 218451 chevrelove 2 4414829 I second the oysters at HM and also the ricotta pie at MP. Have you tried their pan forte? Available only intermittently, but when they have it - wow! Fri Feb 13 12:01:07 -0800 2009 4315052 173540 derekj 1 4315628 These are my Ten Best -Stuffed Squid in its own ink at Dali -Steak Tacos at Taco Loco in Somerville -Squash Soup and Blood Pudding at Craigie on Main -Homemade Tofu with broccoli at East Asia in Somerville -Foie gras "sandwich" at Clio -Soupe de Poisson at Rialto in Cambridge -Homemade pasta w/calamari in spicy lobster/tomato sauce at Maurizios in the North End - Salmon and escolar sashimi at Super Fusion in Brookline -Pumpkin Kaddo at helmand in cambridge -Palace bread pudding at Oleana Enjoy! Sun Jan 11 06:20:27 -0800 2009 3560909 256136 jessabella617 1 4358958 My personal faves: -Morning Buns, Clear Flour Bakery -Empanadas mechada, Orinoco -Coxinhas, Cafe Belo -Red Sox pizza, Figs -Chicken and cornbread chorizo stuffing, Union -Cubano, Chez Henri -Profiteroles, Mistral -Sweet Potato gnocchi, Capones Foods (prepare at home) -Fallafel appetizer, Oleana -Fried chicken, Myers & Chang Mon Jan 26 11:32:22 -0800 2009 3560909 118583 pink dress 2 4358996 As of last night, have to add: Shrimp with grits (maine shrimp, tasso ham, cornbread croutons and bbq sauce) at Hungry Mother in Cambridge. WOW! Mon Jan 26 11:41:53 -0800 2009 4358958 196033 justbeingpolite 3 4360660 That was the first dish I tried at Hungry Mother; I was thinking about it for weeks afterward. Mon Jan 26 20:11:09 -0800 2009 4358996 10143 MC Slim JB 1 4360583 Wait a minute. I thought this was suppose to be a list of the top ten best things to eat in Boston not a list of the fanciest restaurants in Boston. Here's my list.... - Cherry stones from The Union Oyster House - A Fenway Frank from Fenway Park - A Sausage from The Sausage Guy - Clam Chowdah from The Fours - A slice of pizza from Pizzeria Regina (North End) - A Roast beef Sandwich (3 way) from Kelly's (Revere Beach) - Any dessert from Finale - A burger from Mr. & Mrs. Bartley's (Harvard Sq) - Boiled lobster from Anthony's Pier Four - Saugus Wings from The Kowloon (Rte 1 , Saugus) That's Boston baby Mon Jan 26 19:34:15 -0800 2009 3560909 173309 Danielle11 2 4360671 Hold on a sec. Granted, I cheated by listing 24 dishes instead of 10, but of those, only 7 are from mid-priced-to-fancy restaurants. Take those away and you have 17 great cheap dishes. Mon Jan 26 20:14:24 -0800 2009 4360583 10143 MC Slim JB 3 4361117 K I'll trust you and check them out. But are those 17 dishes truly Bostonian? Tue Jan 27 02:58:58 -0800 2009 4360671 173309 Danielle11 4 4361365 If you mean "unique to Boston", I think the answer is no. But the OP's request was just "best dishes in Boston". It's an interesting question, though. Tue Jan 27 06:35:43 -0800 2009 4361117 10143 MC Slim JB 5 4364759 O I get ya. When I read the question I thought it meant to assemble a list of dishes that are the "best" in terms of meals you might not receive if you go to another city. Dishes that people will travel from other cities for because you can only find them here. But I love the assortment of dishes that have been listed. I can't wait to explore! Wed Jan 28 05:48:14 -0800 2009 4361365 173309 Danielle11 2 4414805 Not sure what your parameters are here, Danielle, but you have several of my "avoid at all cost" list here. Fenway frank? Simply the worst. (wurst?) Finale? overpriced, undersized, and mostly shipped in frozen. Anthony's Pier 4 and Kowloon? Two of the most awful tourist traps imaginable! God, I sure hope that's not boston, baby! Fri Feb 13 11:55:04 -0800 2009 4360583 173540 derekj 1 4361513 I know some of these have been mentioned, but not by me! ;~) (in no particular order) 1. Arancini - Gallaria Umberto 2. Shrimp and Grits - Hungry Mother 3. Beef Tongue Canape - Hungry Mother 4. Cubano - Chez Henri 5. Hamachi w/banana pepper mousse - O Ya 6.Fois Gras w/chocolate whatever - O Ya 7. Sweetbreads - Craigie on Main 8. Grilled sausage - Santarpio's 9. The giant plate of assoorted pasta and meats - Carlo's Cuchina Italiano 10. Panna Cotta - Via Matta Tue Jan 27 07:25:54 -0800 2009 3560909 203280 kimfair1 2 4361849 What is this giant plate at Carlo's you mention? I don't recall seeing anything like that on their menu: http://carloscucinaitaliana.com/menuDinner.shtml Tue Jan 27 09:06:49 -0800 2009 4361513 14386 BobB 3 4363053 It's the Rigatoni Ala Rachele. It has loads of rigatoni, an eggplant bundle (fried eggplant wrapped around ricotta cheese), sausage, a meat ball and a piece of chicken parm. I try to order other stuff there, and occaisonally do, but this dish is awesome (and a great bang for the buck)! I'm not sure why I said "assorted pasta" as it's just rigatoni, but I think my head was spinning thinking of all these great dishes! I'd also throw in the Marrow and Oxtail at KO Prime that I was reminded of in another thread. Tue Jan 27 13:47:39 -0800 2009 4361849 203280 kimfair1 1 4364756 I've never bben to Clio to try the Maine Lobster but I've heard great things about the restaurant. Is the lobster on the pricey side? And is is whole lobster? Love that place in Malden too! This is a good list Wed Jan 28 05:44:31 -0800 2009 3560909 173309 Danielle11 2 4364913 Interesting, There's another thread where folks seem to be raving about Bina Osteria, but I don't find one dish from there on this thread. Most of the usual suspects have at least a dish or two on here...I haven't been yet. Anyone want to add one? Wed Jan 28 06:43:59 -0800 2009 4364756 196033 justbeingpolite 3 4365115 Well, probably 80% of this thread was posted in 2008, well before Bina opened. It's been open, what, two or three weeks? Wed Jan 28 07:39:26 -0800 2009 4364913 10143 MC Slim JB 4 4365347 DOH!!! point taken Wed Jan 28 08:25:56 -0800 2009 4365115 196033 justbeingpolite 1 4378895 So much to eat, so little time! I haven't tried a lot of the foods listed, but thanks for helping me to create a to-do list for myself! Personally though, I love (in no particular order): Pumpkin Kaddo - Helmand Roti Canai - Penang Eggplant with Basil - Taiwan Cafe Pork Chop Rice Platter - Taiwan Cafe Chicken Marsala on homemade fusilli - Basta Pasta Pie Tee - Island Hopper Chicken Gyro - Farm Grill & Rotisserie Peking Duck - King Fung (for me that means the skin course and the soup course) Minced Meat & String Bean w/ Lettuce Wrap - The Best Little Restaurant Chicken B'stila - Tangierino Yum! Sun Feb 01 19:26:17 -0800 2009 3560909 19334 content 1 4400407 Okay well this might not be considered the best by many, but it keeps me coming back for more every sunday- the grilled cheese sandwich with caramelized onions, tomatoes and turkey at Moogies in Brighton. Call me what you want to- lol- it's the best grilled cheese I've ever had. I also go to Dok Bua for pad thai about once a week so I'm gonna put that on my list as well Mon Feb 09 08:21:18 -0800 2009 3560909 242801 CoryKatherine 2 4978872 6 months too late, but is this grilled cheese only a Sun. thing or just your Sun. routine? That sounds awesome. And while I'm here, a few of mine even tho I only get to the first two with regularity: Choc./almond croissant and scones - Canto 6, JP Grapenut ice cream - Louie's, E. Somerville Bacon clam chowder w/ fried clams on top - Green St., Central Sq. Fried clams - almost anywhere Cheeseburger & onion rings - Bartley's, Harvard Sq. Corn ravioli w/ pancetta & rock shrimp or any app or pasta - Prezza, North End Whatever cream pie - Agawam Diner White pizza w/ caramelized onion & portabello mushroom - Sonsie, Newbury Macaroni & cheese - work cafeteria Bread pudding - at the Frank De Pasquale restaurants (and Sonsie) Wed Aug 26 07:11:07 -0700 2009 4400407 14253 Joanie 3 4979834 What work cafeteria??? If you think its good, I have to get myself some... Wed Aug 26 11:29:32 -0700 2009 4978872 73480 cornFusion 4 4980093 In the NRB building of Harvard Medical School. It's not always there and a little hit or miss, but mostly hit. Good consistency, some crunchy stuff on top, white cheese, and wicked cheap. Wed Aug 26 12:31:08 -0700 2009 4979834 14253 Joanie 5 5148750 The current issue of Edible Boston has an article about this cafeteria. Sounded intriguing. Mon Nov 02 07:45:47 -0800 2009 4980093 51986 djd 6 5149043 Hmm, I've been thinking the mac and cheese doesn't have that same great look to it lately. Just read the article and it reminded me that I haven't seen the Wed. chef's table altho they're usually out of stuff by the time I eat lunch. They have some amazing lunches but always seem to offer the meal I want when I'm going out to dinner that nite. Nice looking pork chops, scallops, etc. w/ two sides for about $10. One of these days. Mon Nov 02 09:12:47 -0800 2009 5148750 14253 Joanie 1 4402749 truffle fries at Sorellina crispy pad thai at Montien frisee salad at Troquet lime soda at Pho Viet Mon Feb 09 20:02:31 -0800 2009 3560909 44642 bostongal 2 4413613 mmmm.... truffle fries. i need some of those! Fri Feb 13 06:43:03 -0800 2009 4402749 266192 alyesterdays12 1 4414877 Just went to Prezza for the first time. A side served with the Veal Porterhouse was a lobster saffron risoto, that risoto was the best thing I've ever eaten period. I asked our waiter if they'd serve it as an app and he said as long as it's on the menu they'd do that...as someone once said, "I'll be back" Fri Feb 13 12:12:31 -0800 2009 3560909 239805 bluesjack 1 4414998 After drooling over everyone's posts, I couldn't help but throw in my Top 10: Baked Roast Pork Bun - Eldo Cake House Garlic Frog Leg Sizzling Hot Pot (rough translation) - Peach Farm Hot Lobster Roll - Neptune Oyster Rainbow Layer Cookies - Mike's Pastry Goat Vindaloo - India Quality Pork Banh Mi - Pho Viet Steak Tartare - Brasserie Jo Fish Muqueca - Muqueca Pasticiotti - Maria's Pastry Burdick's Birthday Cake - L.A. Burdick Hot Cooked Tongue Sandwich - Michael's Deli Fri Feb 13 12:44:28 -0800 2009 3560909 210631 ilovedessert 1 4522104 - Gambas con Gabardina (Saffron-Batter Fried Shrimp w/Mojo Sauce) at Dali, Somerville (I could live on that sauce and bread) - Lomito al Cabrales (Pork Tenderloin w/Blue Goat Cheese & Mushrooms) also at Dali in Somerville. I'm not particularly big on meat, so I usually let someone else have the pork part and eat the sauce - amazing - Fresh mint ice cream at Christinas in Inman Square (only available in summer) - Mysore masala dosas from Kebab Factory in Somerville (although they have not been on the menu for quite a while now, I still dream about them) - The vegetarian sandwich (with everything and extra cheese) at Chacareros in downtown Boston (well worth both a detour to horrible downtown crossing and the wait in line) - Guacamole made tableside at Ole in Cambridge (and that tomato-ish sauce that comes with the burritos at Olecitas - what is it?) Fri Mar 20 08:11:43 -0700 2009 3560909 190361 Cattie 1 4523503 Definitely some repeats here, but this is my list. Cuban - Chez Henri Taramosalata - Greek Corner Blue Cheese fries - B Side (RIP) Pureed Parsnips - Garden at the Cellar Tuna Tartar - Tangierino Yom Nuer - Khao Sarn Maz Asado - Toro Fried Pickles - Redbones #3 pizza (spinach, sweet potato, garlic caramelized onions, rosemary sauce mozzerella and goat cheese) - Emmas Green beans with lime and sea salt - Forrest Cafe DGGC with sweet potato fries - Friendly Toast (ok not even Massachusetts... but soon to be!) Oh crap, that's 11. And I forgot the Green Olive and Walnut salad with pomegranate seeds at Sofra. Fri Mar 20 14:33:50 -0700 2009 3560909 276061 lovelyeater 1 4523651 -Tuna Tartar in Mistral -Seared Foie Gras and Prune Stuffed Gnocchi in No 9 Park -Burger in Sel de La Terre (Natick Mall) -Chicken Shwarma at Sabra Grill -Surprisingly, the Grilled Tenderloin of Beef at Top of the Hub (However, when I went back and got it again, it was very disappointing) -Braised Short Ribs and Garlic Shrimp at Toro -To die For: Ebi Mango Maki at Fugakyu -Half order of Nachos from Sunset Tap and Grill (Maybe they were so good since I was a little drunk) - Chicken Tikka Masala and Lamb Vindaloo at India Quality - Desert Crepes during Brunch at Eastern Standard Fri Mar 20 15:26:47 -0700 2009 3560909 268475 Snoop37 1 4523943 This is not very original, but here are 10 of my local faves: - Chicken Adana Sandwich at Family Restuarant, Brookline Village - Speeds Dog, mustard and onions only please - Eggplant Parm on Foccacia, Viga - Falafel Plate, by the King, Downtown Crossing - Ham and Onion Biscuits, Canto 6 - Papusas, Hyde Sq., JP - Oysters at Neptune - Ginger Chicken, Chef Changs, Brookine - Cubano, Volle Nolle - Barbeque Chicken Sandwich, Chacarero Fri Mar 20 17:22:44 -0700 2009 3560909 24184 jpsox 1 4565439 All great dishes. Here are some pesonal favorites that were not listed previously. - Pepperoni Pizza - Picco (Boston) - Potato chip with black truffle sushi - O Ya (Boston) - Cinnamon cream brioche - Flour (Boston) - Pork Chop - Ten Tables (JP) - Superbeef with sauce and mayo - Nick's Famous Roast Beef (Beverly) - Pan Con Tomate and daily specials - Toro (Boston) - Crab rangoon - House of Siam (Boston) - Nasi goreng (Spicy Indonesian fried rice) - Myer's and Chang - Pulled pork stuffed grilled banana with Inner Beauty sauce (Brunch only) - East Coast Grill (Cambridge) - Sausage - Santarpio's (East Boston) Fri Apr 03 14:02:06 -0700 2009 3560909 246965 Dog Boy 2 4695449 I grew up about a mile from Nick's RB. Since giving up meat a while back, the idea of never having another Nicks w/ sauce and cheese and mayo has been the one and only thing I have agonized over. I thought bacon would be hard but I haven't thought twice. But I have to avert my eyes when I pass Nicks. Its been really sad! Mon May 18 16:45:43 -0700 2009 4565439 242801 CoryKatherine 1 4692748 - lobster fra diavolo for two @ the daily catch, north end - burgers @ bartley's, harvard sq - japanese curry w/egg & cheese @ cafe mami, porter sq - dim sum @ china pearl, chinatown - carnitas quesadilla @ anna's taqueria, davis sq - spicy salted squid (aka salt & pepper squid) @ east ocean city, chinatown - hot dark chocolate @ l.a. burdick's, harvard sq - cannolis @ modern pastry, north end - vienna finger cookie ice cream @ toscanini's, central sq - sweet potato fries w/beer @ cambridge common, harvard sq honorable mentions: roll cakes @ eldo cake house (chinatown), johnny d's for brunch (davis sq), gargoyle's on the square (davis sq) Sun May 17 19:46:36 -0700 2009 3560909 293637 jjyoon 1 4910160 Hey guys this is my humble list. I regret that there are many culinary experiences in boston I have not yet had, but I do love food and the stuff I have found are all really really good, so please try this stuff if anything try the number one pick. My number one pick is: 1. A slice of passion fruit cake at padaria brazilian bakery. There is one in allston, somerville, framingham and more. 2. Veal parmesan at Eunos restaurant in the north end. 3. Osso bucco at Eunos restaurant in the north end. Yes I know I listed the same place in a row but damn you'd understand if you had them as well. Osso bucco is the mecca of all tender cows meat. If you think tenderloin is tender... well just have the osso bucco and tenderloin will taste like biting into a rock. 4. malai kofta at the kabab factory in somerville. I've tried a couple things here and to give you an accurate report on what you should get here I would have to try more dishes but NOTHING I've had has dissapointed me. 5. Steak quesadilla with rice, pinto beans, salsa, hot sauce, guacamole and sour cream at felipes or annas taqueria (both recipes are made by the man known as felipes and are practically the same). Yes it is relatively cheap but damn is it good! 6. Fruit tarts at the fresh whole foods bakery on river street in cambridge. 7. Chicken tikka masala from cafe india in harvard square. 8. the kebab sampler at the kebab factory 9. chocolate sundays with recees cups kit kats and chocolate fudge with two scoops of oreo and one scoop espresso from jp licks with hot fudge on top. 10. Please note that while this is at the bottom of my list it was my favorite place for many many years. It is such a treasured place in the entire boston area that it is in many ways a holy relic. Perhaps the reason it is not on top of my list is because I have not ben there for a while but please please please stop at bartly's burgers if your ok with clogging your arteries (I'm not so I usually shy away however you have to go there in order to prove your from boston). Yes the boston globe did award them the title of best burgers in America! You could try the skip gates burger(teriyaki burger with grilled pineapple) or the joe biden (burger with bacon cheese and BBQ sauce) or the george bush jr. (double cheddar BBQ burger) but I like the double kraft burger. Oh and don't forget to try the lime rickey or the raspberry lime rickey! Sun Aug 02 01:29:56 -0700 2009 3560909 1098283 theperfectpalate 2 4911018 You actually don't have to be OK with clogging your arteries in order to eat at Bartley's or any other burger place for that matter (a similar assertion was put forth about Five Guys in another thread). People go to Bartley's and many other restaurants because they enjoy the food, not because they at "ok with clogging their arteries". Everything in moderation as they say. Many folks eat fruit and veggie rich breakfasts, lunches and dinners at home most of the time so they can go out and indulge from time to time. If you don't have guilt about the other places on your list, then go ahead and enjoy that Bartley's burger (with rings and fries no less). Did you know that Anna's cooks most of their food in lard? Also I don't think a visit to Bartley's is any worse for your pipes than the Veal you listed (or any parmesan dish (fried & cheesy)), Osso Bucco, ice cream Sundaes, or many of the other items listed on these boards. Sun Aug 02 12:26:59 -0700 2009 4910160 13687 Gabatta 1 4911665 Don't miss the warm Indian pudding with vanilla ice cream at Durgin-Park! Sun Aug 02 17:42:16 -0700 2009 3560909 10452 TheScribe 1 4927881 First, can I join some of you for dinner? Many of my favorites were listed, but many more that screamed "try me." Second, I'll second the pisco sour at Eastern Standard. And they are impressed when you order a drink made with eggs. Here are some more random, but fabulous things to try. In no particular order: escargot at Eastern Standard mussels at Taranta -- made in sherry, carmelized shallots and pancetta. make sure they leave the bread basket so you can sop them up eggs benedict at Lucky's Lounge brunch. Yup, who knew. Best eggs benedict I've ever had. steak frites with blue cheese funduta at Eastern Standard. What to do? Dip you steak or fries in the blue cheese? Or both? Jasper's pan roasted lobster. Yup, it's expensive -- probably the most expensive dish in the place. And yup, adding brandy cream sauce to a lobster IS gilding the lilly. But it's so good, I think I'd bathe in it. veal schniztel at Eastern Standard -- now banished to the specials menu. Worth the trip. Yum yum ribs -- Red Rock Bistro, Swampscott. I don't really eat pork, sticky food or food on bones. But try to take these from my plate, and I'll break your hand. mango salsa -- Uncle Pete's (alas, closed). amazing. And it made you feel like you got some vegetables before slabs of fab meat. Can't somebody buy the recipes from Uncle Pete's widow and reopen? I'm sure many will toss in some funding! Fri Aug 07 22:17:58 -0700 2009 3560909 156939 nomadgirl 1 4942996 Loc Lac at Elephant Walk Spring Rolls wrapped in Lettuce with basil also at Elephant Walk Tuna Bi Bim Bap (tuna tartar) at Jae's Anything at Emma's Pizza Sweet Potato Fries at Bison County in Waltham, particularly with their mustard sauce Stonehearth's Bean or Farm Fresh pizzas - pizza and salad combined. Pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and pickles from Red Bones Tu y Yo's Chile Nogada (seasonal and delicious - just like out of the book Like Water for Chocolate) Tu y Yo's octopus and shrimp Cafe Barada's (mass ave up from Porter Square) grilled chicken salads (simple iceberg, tomatoes, cukes, and feta but the lemony delicious dressing makes it to die for) and their hummus is the smoothest and creamiest! Thu Aug 13 08:23:44 -0700 2009 3560909 1099312 jennkay36 1 4943658 pistachio ice cream from ice cream club in auburndale calamari from pescatore in somerville chicken tikka masala from little india in waltham tamales from taqueria mexico in waltham felafel and hummus from biblos in norwood soup dumplings from gourmet dumpling house in chinatown almond cookie from lakota bakery in arlington cannolli from mike's pastry lemon orzo soup from new england soup factory coffee roll from country desserts in west newton Thu Aug 13 11:01:37 -0700 2009 3560909 236602 Chris in Newton 1 4946116 Here's one more. Rabbit Milanese at Prezza. Fri Aug 14 07:51:22 -0700 2009 3560909 16672 phatchris 1 4956824 Just got back to this post almost a year and a half later - and happy to see it alive and well!!! However, I was looking for a great seafood place ... and very sad to say that oysters and lobster dominate what I would consider a gret seafood-town! So lacking other recommendations, I am off to try my luck at courthouse fish restaurant . Pretty sure it is good - not sure why we don't have more fish houses amongst the impressive names here. Tue Aug 18 13:43:19 -0700 2009 3560909 73480 cornFusion 2 4956917 Because honestly, Boston is NOT a particularly good seafood town. You'd think it would be, but frankly, there just aren't that many really great seafood restaurants here, especially once you get out of Chinatown. I never did my list, so here goes, off the top of my head: Speed's dog Lion's head casserole at Shanghai Gate Chicken banh mi at Pho Viet Smokestack at Russo's deli counter Green mango salad at YoMa (actually, any of their salads could be on this list) Churrasco na Tabua at Cafe Brazil Arancini at Galleria Umberto Any pizza at Pizzeria Regina (Thacher St only) Sweet potato waffle with pecans (weekends only) at Deluxe Town Diner Tacos al pastor at Anna's (Harvard Street) I deliberately left out Chinatown, because I suspect I could make an entire list of ten in that neighborhood alone. And I thought I was staying away from things in my immediate neighborhood, but looking at the list, I see that fully half those items are available within a 10-minute walk from my house! Tue Aug 18 14:11:06 -0700 2009 4956824 17548 BarmyFotheringayPhipps 3 4979642 What is the smokestack at Russo's? Some kind of pastrami sandwich? Smoked fish? http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/ Wed Aug 26 10:39:34 -0700 2009 4956917 10143 MC Slim JB 4 4979771 Smoked ham, smoked turkey and smoked gouda on a braided sub roll with lettuce, tomato, onion, and chipotle mayo. Wed Aug 26 11:15:23 -0700 2009 4979642 17548 BarmyFotheringayPhipps 2 4978729 Courthouse fish - the restaurant is FABLOUS! Not going to say more. Wed Aug 26 06:27:15 -0700 2009 4956824 73480 cornFusion 3 4979228 Not to worry -- much has been said about Courthouse (both the fish market and the restaurant), some of it by me. I love their soft shell crab sandwich in the spring and their fish and chips special any time of year. The chips are generic sysco but the fish is perfect. Wed Aug 26 08:53:35 -0700 2009 4978729 10232 yumyum 4 4979830 I thought i had died and gone to fish and chips heaven after tasting their sole fish & chips. Some folks know how to fry sysco chips better than others, i guess. Wed Aug 26 11:28:06 -0700 2009 4979228 73480 cornFusion 4 5148720 Soft shell crab sandwich? Oh, yum! Mon Nov 02 07:35:36 -0800 2009 4979228 211648 globalgourmand 2 4978764 East Coast Grill. Wed Aug 26 06:38:28 -0700 2009 4956824 10169 StriperGuy 1 5149336 Great post!!!! As if the list was not long enough: Black truffle mac and cheese, Mistral (winter only) Gruyere or apricot croissant, Clear Flour Sea salt, hot pepper & argula pizza, Teatro Sticky Toffee Pudding, Ashmont Grill Cheese Plate (any!), Troquet chappendaz, Helmand chicken b'stilla, Tangierino calamari w/ spicy aioli, Kingfish Hall Hurricane Roll, Misono in W. Roxbury mmmmmmm! Mon Nov 02 10:32:57 -0800 2009 3560909 98837 sforzando8 2 5178206 That gruyere croissant at clear flour has to be one of the greatest things that boston has to offer that you can put in your mouth. One of those things you have to do at least once before you move on! Fri Nov 13 06:13:44 -0800 2009 5149336 73480 cornFusion 3 5178227 Yup. That and their morning buns. One of each for breakfast and you have the ultimate sweet/savory combo! (Of course I stop at one of each. Of course I do. Sometimes.) Fri Nov 13 06:21:50 -0800 2009 5178206 14386 BobB 1 5178359 Top Ten 1. Oishii; Spicy crispy roll, wagyu sushi, uni tempura, Sapporo/Sake 2. Galleria Umberto: Arrincini, pizzette, Peroni 3. Taiwan Cafe: Xio Long Bao w/crab, basil clams, ss eggplant, Tall Tsing Tao 3. Taqueria Mexico; Campechano, tortas al Pastor, Tecate 4. Khao Sarn; Kao Soi, Miang Kum, Singha 5. Buff's Pub; Buffalo Wings, Guinness 6. Stella's; pizza slice (north of New Haven) 7. All Star Sandwich Bar: Beef on Weck w/Poutine, Rolling Rock 8. Dong Khan; Pho Satay w/goi cuon, Lychee Shake w/pearl 9. El Oriental; Lechon (Friday), Media Noche, Guanabana Batido 10. B&G; 2 dozen oysters, fried squid, lobster BLT, Gruner Veltliner Fri Nov 13 07:13:02 -0800 2009 3560909 92239 EATTV 2 5178402 I like the accompaniments... Fri Nov 13 07:25:27 -0800 2009 5178359 10169 StriperGuy 3 5192507 These were my go to must haves. I probably should bump #6 Stella's and replace it with India Quality in Kenmore. Very very very hot and spicy chicken tikka marsala, garlic Nan, rice, dahi papri chaat, and the Old 10,000 Monk beer (a malt liquor from Chennai). Wed Nov 18 14:52:02 -0800 2009 5178402 92239 EATTV 2 5188656 I finally got a beef on weck from ASSBar a few weeks ago and found it somewhat horrifying. I know that the roll is supposed to have salt on it, but this roll had almost a solid salt crust on it. And the salt was embedded in a way that it couldn't be brushed or picked off. It was too salty to be tasty and made my heart hurt after. Is this typical? I haven't yet made it to upstate NY to try the beef on weck there, so I didn't have anything to compare it to, but it didn't seem quite right... Tue Nov 17 09:46:28 -0800 2009 5178359 12671 maillard 3 5188979 Yep that's typical. Google beef on weck and look at the images. ASSBar has a particularly heavy hand with the salt, but not way outside of the norm. Tue Nov 17 11:13:30 -0800 2009 5188656 10232 yumyum 4 5189127 I did look at pictures of the usual roll and it did look salty, but not quite as solid-salt as what I was given. But good to know that level of salt is about what's expected. I guess it's just not the sandwich for me. Tue Nov 17 11:50:41 -0800 2009 5188979 12671 maillard