Prav has relocated! Chowgems near Tufts?

[Prav]

Hey Chowmigos,

I recently moved to Somerville, a little behind Davis Sq / about a block from Tufts. I am super familiar with Davis Square eats, but I was wondering if people can throw out some recommendations for those "hidden gems" places that aren't oft posted about.

A perfect example of this would be Moulton's Seafood in Medford. A mile from my house, and dangerously along my jogging route. I've not yet tried it, but have only heard fantastic things about this cheapie-but-great-quality seafood spot. Fried clam bellies in Medford, who knew.

Any other hidden treasures around that way? I want this post to encourage lurkers to come out of the woodwork and share their opinions, too!

[Aromatherapy]

Am desolated to report that True Grounds no longer carries Christina's ice cream (they used to have a small selection).

[finlero]

Bummer. FYI, I believe City Slicker still carries it.

[enhF94]

I thought so as well, but it's not on the foodler menu or the pdf.

[nasilemak]

Tu y Yo for very good Mexican.

[TomH]

Victor's in Ball Square is one of my favorites for great chicken parm subs, stuffed peppers and American chop suey!

[Prav]

Keep 'em coming. You guys are the BEST. Can't wait to try some of these out!

[WilliamTheFoodie]

A lot of people don't realize that there is a Modern Pastry right in Medford Square with the very same excellent quality of their original North End shop. I have always preferred Modern over Mike's (yes even for the cannoli). They also have arancini and calzones and soups/panini at lunch. Here is a link to my blog comparing their cupcakes to Kick Ass Cupcakes in Davis: http://thebostonfoodie.blogspot.com/s...

[Joanie]

I've had Kick Ass cupcakes twice and am not impressed. Had them at a party last week and the red velvet wasn't red and it wasn't velvety, pretty dry. Frosting was fine I guess. I'm not on that bandwagon, that's for sure.

[itaunas]

Was thinking of a couple of other places which don't get a whole lot of attention on the list, but none are explicit recommendations.

Audrey and Lino's on Mystic for greasy spoon early morning breakfasts. I always liked it for what it is, but its admittedly been ages since I have been back so hard to recommend.

Avellino's. I am curious to try this again with the demise of Giuseppi's and Bambino's, plus see how they are faring w/o the distraction of the Malden location. That said they went downhill for a good while, plus its so easy to get to Vinny's in Somerville, Abbondanza in Everett, Lil Vinny's in Magoun... or Pastalina's which allows BYOB.

Caffe Feliciano, Main and Caffe Toscana, Mystic. Both of these have gotten beer/wine licenses. The former seems pretty dead all the time, the latter a bit more busy/lively. Feliciano was serving the imported gelato (same as Napoli, Caffe Luna, etc) although not certain how much turnover they were having and if they kept it. At one point you could get an aperitivo there (campari and a couple others), though not certain now. Both had better espresso than Caffe Rossini (is that only about the pizza?), Feliciano was serving Danesi although not certain now.

If you head over to BJ's, its worth trying a slice at Puccio's and Cabana, plus Highland Cafe are nearby, or head back to Toscana.

[MeffaBabe]

Guisseppe's update... I think this place has once again closed for good. it did reopen with the original chef/owner but closed again before I had a chance to go try it. The sign is still up on the door saying they are temp. closed... not looking promising. About a month ago when I walked by people were in there working (cleaning mostly) but it's still been closed well over a month or month and a half now.

ALSO
There is a Brewery Restaurant to open this fall in the old Bambino's location. I believe the new place to have another place also located in Danvers/Peobody?? I think it's Johnnies Brewery? Not sure- will have to write it down.

[yumyum]

Not so hidden, but worth bringing to your attention again -- Dave's Fresh Pasta has lots besides pasta, like good cheeses, nice prepared foods, chocolates, wine, etc.

Guru the Caterer for lunch or an early dinner.

I've heard good things about Tokyo Taipei but from civilians, not hounds.

[hiddenboston]

Civilians.... :-D makes it sound like CH folks live together in a barracks or something...

[Prav]

Wait, we don't?

BTW, did anyone see if this week's mess hall menu has been posted?

:-D

[hiddenboston]

Loser's Lunch for all of us again, I'm afraid...

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define...

[Prav]

One loser's lunch, another loser's "low-carb diet". :)

[yumyum]

If only! Can you imagine the arguments around the camp fire about the perfect slice? Oh wait. Camp fire ... I'm not thinking of barracks.

Carry on!

[autopi]

prav--glad you posted this! we seem to be trailing each other--we also recently moved from jp/hyde square to the davis area, and are eager to explore, especially in the lesser-travelled boroughs. got some good leads from this thread already...

[fredid]

Hey, Prav! Glad to ear you can eat all this good food again! If you're a bus-taker (and even if not) don't forget to check all Itaunas (and others' ) posts about East Somerville - only "hidden" gems in that most of us don't get to them, I think..Busses up there go down Highland, Broadway, and Medford Streets, all from Powderhouse if not Davis...

[itaunas]

Apologize that I am not much of a lurker...

The Seafood Depot in West Medford rarely gets mentioned here, but its pretty good for fried seafood too and has just about the cheapest, but not best, lobster roll in town (has filler, Moulton's not). It doesn't have the variety of Moulton's and seems to have slid a bit, but its a good option for fried stuff and do get daily deliveries (Moulton's picks their own up).

Some folks haven't liked it, but you should check out Captain Boston market for sashimi. They usually have stuff which isn't in the counter, so even if the communication is difficult always ask about different options and prices, etc.

Instead of hitting Ball Square for breakfast, keep going and try Magoun. If you follow finlero's req on Panificadora Modelo, order a batida de abacate (avocado shake) and also check out Petisco's across the street for brazilian snacks and when the weather gets cooler, soups.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/545751

Alexander's has the half gallon containers of Richardson's and a full ice cream counter too, they also usually have a dozen eggs + bacon + sunday paper type special, and breakfast bombs which are good when you are on the run.

I tend to prefer Churrasco Grill/Pamaps in Magoun (which was in the process of getting a liquor license and they use charcoal), but Oasis is offering live music prob Thu-Sat, has added some decent plates of the day and a bunch of new shakes recently.

The Italo Bakery on Main hasn't fired on all cylinders when I have been there, I like La Cascia's a bit better for non-bread items, and no local Iggy's sources (Busa in Lexington is a nice drive) so Whole Foods or When Pigs Fly for fancy bread, Piantedosi for American style.

Roberto's keeps their fresh herbs and green onions out back, you need to ask for them... has chestnuts and italian specialties, nice sweet donut peaches. I am waiting for them and Busa to get some hot peppers as my pickled pepper stock is running low.

For Chinese delivery you are a in the golden triangle -- all of Chili Garden, Wang's (both evenings only), and East Asia (all day) will reach you. Chung Ki Wa does get mentioned a fair bit, but is worth it (and their sashimi is pretty good, although strongly suggest Toraya if that is what you are going for).

Pizza I tend to prefer Amici's in West Medford, no delivery to you. Their sauce uses italian seasoning, so may not be for all tastes. From Medford Square out Salem street there are hundreds of other pizza places, so no need to hold yourself to just Regina's.

[finlero]

You beat me to it, itaunas, there's some great chow in Magoun.

Definitely Modelo for breakfast and lunch. Love the pao de quiejo and the coffee with steamed milk.

I agree that Wang's is great for Northern-style Chinese and homemade dumplings (I'm still partial to Qingdao Garden in North Cambridge, but Wang's is terrific).

I'll add Pini's for pizza by the slice. I'm not crazy about the whole pies there, but the second time through the conveyor belt adds a great level of crispness to make for a top-notch (and enormous -- 1/4 of a pizza) slice.

Also second the recs for East Asia (yuppified but excellent Chinese take-out) and Danish Pastry House, especially for the fresh bread.

Prav, welcome to the neighborhood!

[finlero]

A few additional notes:

Angelina's in Teele Square does my favorite pizza delivery in the area. NY-style, fairly similar to Armando's (my favorite in the area), excellent flavor to the sauce and cheese.

I like to think of Sei Bar in West Medford as "Oishii-lite". Really fun, tasty Americanized-maki. They deliver, but it's best consumed on-premises.

Bistro 5 in West Medford isn't quite an all-Boston-class upscale restaurant, but it's tasty enough, very reasonably priced for the style, and nothing if not sincere.

[Bob Dobalina]

I am totally off the Qing Dao bandwagon, in favor of Wang's. The past couple of times at Qing Dao, the delivery has been really ordinary to substandard. Wang's on the other hand seems to make everything spicier and the quality has been great. Sorry, Qing Dao.

[Aromatherapy]

Chilli Garden is open for lunch, 7 days, but no lunch specials weekends. Qing Dao is also open for lunch. Over on Mass Ave, Maria Bonita is a nice little taco/torta joint (with beer), a lot of people like Cafe Barada so maybe I've just been unlucky, and it's time for my regular Bengal Cafe plug. Capone's branch is over that way too. One of these days I'll check out the prepared foods at the Korean market. Pemberton Market is a good resource (they have some Iggy's, some Clearflour, and they carry High Meadow milk but check the dates). Bob's also carries a small selection of Iggy breads. I'm fond of Il Pescatore in Ball Sq. Remember the new Whole Foods in W. Medford. Is that basement cafe open in Teele, below the dentist? Sounded like a good idea. Gran Gusto is very close.
EDIT: just realized "evenings" was probably about delivery, which I never use.

[hiddenboston]

The Danish Pastry House on Boston Avenue just down from Tufts has really nice pastries and a good tea selection.

Giuseppi's on Boston Avenue in West Medford used to be pretty good for Italian food, but I haven't been there in awhile.

House of Tibet in Teele Square has excellent food, IMO.

East Asia on Broadway by Powderhouse Circle (Square?) has good Thai and Chinese food and the owners are super friendly.

Bella Ravioli on Main Street in South Medford Square makes delicious homemade raviolis and good sauces.

Bob's on Main Street just north of South Medford Square is a great Italian market that I go to often for homemade pastas, sauces, sandwiches, etc.

[Prav]

Ah yes, I've read good things about East Asia, that's on my list of must-dos. Anyone tried "Taipei Tokyo"? I walk past it every day and am slightly intrigued, though I generally don't have high expectations of places that claim to serve two very different cuisines.

[poptart]

Taipei Tokyo...is that the one next to Johnny D's? If so...yes, been there and not too impressed. Yoshi's in powderhouse square is much better, and they have some nice lunch specials.

[twentyoystahs]

Second East Asia. I am jealous you live so close; the kung pao chicken is my favorite take-out around...but "take-out" seems a little ridiculous from Somerville all the way back to JP ;)

[yumyum]

They make an awesome "wanton" soup (sic). Comfort in a bowl.

[enhF94]

sorry, didn't see this originally. Taipei Tokyo is owned by cousins of the folks who own the same-named restaurant in Northampton, and another somewhere else (springfield? southern NH? I forget). They've borrowed a page from some of the local churrascos with a lunch-buffet by-the-pound, and it's passable, but not great. Certainly it's no Quindao, Wang's or Zoe's.

[Parsnipity]

I "third" East Asia. One interesting bit of info- they actually MAKE their own tofu! I'm not really a tofu kind of person usually and ended up ordering the tofu red curry there with a veg friend and was completely impressed. It's like a different food substance from what usually comes out of a plastic tub- a slightly chewy texture and much more flavorful. Definitely worth a try.

[itaunas]

All good suggestions, especially Bella Ravioli. BTW, the farmers market is Thursdays in Medford Square and doesn't compare to Arlington (wed) or Davis, but gets better each year.

BTW, Giuseppi's after bringing back the original chef, recently closed and no prediction on when it may reopen. My recent experiences weren't quite as good as before, although they had reinstated the menu that I liked.

Keep an eye on the Sichuan Bay spot as something is going in there...