537979 Sat Jul 12 07:10:43 -0700 2008 2 12 Boston Area 0 3862174 I keep a little notepad in which I scribble the particulars of places I read about on CH, and it was recently put to good use with my youngest pup who had just returned from a year in Beijing. I will keep my comments brief as these places are all well known and loved. Gran Gusto: we sat outside for a late lunch of tenderly grilled calamari tossed with greens and plenty of lemon juice, and a delicate crisp pizza. It felt like Italy, (as long as you didn't turn around and see the street) spacing and setting of tables, formal but efficient waiter, and the practiced flourish with which he set down the fragrant perfect espressos. Baraka Cafe: 9:30 after a movie, greeted and seated and soon sipping the rose water lemonade. Shared the Bedenjal Mechoui smoky eggplant appetizer and Lantchouba Coca tapenade, both highly flavored but very small portions, and the comforting Mehlka stuffed eggplant on cous cous. But it is the tone that the owner Alia Meddeb sets as much as the food and the decor that makes this place unique, we could have been in Montreal or the Latin Quarter, and Alia's manner is so forward that you are soon on familiar terms. We lingered for quite a while chatting in English and French along with another table, learning that her brother Moncef is retired and not in good health. Used to love his Aigo Bistro in Concord. Xinh Xinh: the women who run this place are just so easy going and friendly (I've happily eaten here solo several times) Papaya Salad, Roasted Quail, and Softshell Crabs were listed as appetizers but came out on large platters, with a side of rice, and avocado and a jackfruit shakes. I have to say that the soft shell crabs were one of the best things I've eaten EVER: only about an inch in diameter, floured lightly then stir fried with chopped vegetables, they were sweet, chewy, crunchy and tender all at once, and well worth the $17.50 price. My only comment about the cuisine here--and Vietnamese is one of my favorites--is that I find the dishes a little too sweet: the hot sauce is there to add, but I like to balance the sweet with a squeeze of lime. Apsara in Providence hits that note best for me. East Coast Grill: whenever I've dined here I've found the food hearty but simplistic and the noise level unbearable, but I'm still drawn because of how CS has really transformed the neighborhood. So this time we were the first in the door, and sat at the bar right next to the oysters. Sensing that your bar dining experience depends on your rapport with the bartender, I watched as my pup (23) and the bartender set just the right tone of bantering familiarity. CP set off by ordering and downing an oyster shooter. The bartender made us feel like regulars, and we enjoyed more oysters, lightly fried tiny tender calamari, and the "roll your own" tuna taco, seared tuna slices on a bed of greens, avocado, perfectly dressed, as well as a beer for CP and a white wine spritzer for me. When asked about dessert, I replied "you''re too close to Christina's," and in fact we headed there next. Antico Forno: it was a miracle we ever made it here. As I drove towards the North End we unexpectedly found ourselves at the mouth of the Callahan Tunnel, so I said, oh great, we'll go to Angela's! but then missed the exit and were heading towards Revere (oh well, we'll go to Kelly's), managed to exit and to find Angela's but they were closed for repairs, so back through the Sumner. Seated at Antico Forno at last, CP had the lamb sandwich, which I found a little dry and missing the tenderest pinkest morsels of lamb, and I had Cozze alla Diavola, but the spicy tomato broth overpowered taste of the sweet briny mussels I was craving. Tacos Lupita: after dropping CP off at the Chinatown bus, I stopped at Tacos Lupita for lunch, on finding no tamales I ordered the Quesadilla al Pastor, which consisted of two large charred soft tortillas folded over barbequed pork, rice, beans, salad, crema, sauce--very hard to eat in the car-- but satisfying and only $4.50, enough for two meals for me. Must remember to keep a picnic kit in the car. All in all, wonderful adventures, and I can't wait to try Angela's now that I know how to get there! Sat Jul 12 07:10:48 -0700 2008 120073 cassis 1 3862345 Thanks, this is my favorite kind of post, I can almost taste everything you ordered! Sat Jul 12 08:46:37 -0700 2008 3862174 13756 GretchenS 1 3863153 Yes, what a nice post! Angela's: Driving and/or T directions! Happy chowing! Sat Jul 12 15:59:59 -0700 2008 3862174 16129 fredid