566691 Wed Oct 22 14:49:41 -0700 2008 18 12 Greater Boston Area 0 4122111 This may have been posted before but I noticed it today. They had a short run as a board favorite; but seemed to slip quickly. I had a few very good meals and 1 or 2 frustrating meals. Wed Oct 22 14:49:41 -0700 2008 10111 9lives 1 4122721 Yeah, Anise has been closed for about 2 weeks now. It's a shame as I was really fond of their pork wontons in vinegar. Wed Oct 22 19:24:18 -0700 2008 4122111 15217 gini 1 4123560 Bah, Anise was always mediocre to slightly above mediocre at best IMO. Thu Oct 23 07:22:37 -0700 2008 4122111 13028 kobuta 1 4124090 Wait, are you saying Mulan is closed, too?! What's the Mulan in the title referencing? Thu Oct 23 10:33:34 -0700 2008 4122111 197286 dulce de leche 2 4124096 Mulan's not closed. I ate there on Friday and it was as great as ever. Thu Oct 23 10:36:21 -0700 2008 4124090 15217 gini 2 4124128 Same ? as DDL. Bunch of us were at Mulan for lunch last Saturday ,& I finally experienced that mouth-numbing & exhilarating rush from those peppercorns in the fish spec'l that was the table favorite. Thu Oct 23 10:48:54 -0700 2008 4124090 12889 Taralli 3 4124278 Hey Taralli! Like your name. I spent a week last summer trying to find finocchio taralli. I was seriously on a mission. I went to 5 or 6 different Italian bakeries and specialty shops in Cambridge, Somerville, and the North End, but no luck. Then I ran into a street fair in NE and a vendor had homemade ones, but I didn't have any cash on me, and the only ATM I could find was out of it, too. Finally, a friend sent them to me from New York. So, if you are an expert taralli finder, let me know, esp if they aren't like $6 a bag. Thu Oct 23 11:36:39 -0700 2008 4124128 197286 dulce de leche 4 4124321 I saw a few varieties(fennel seed, cracked pepper, etc.) strung like garlands & hanging from the rafters at an old bakery in East Boston on one of my exploratory trips a few years ago. Think the bakery was on a hill with an old brick-lined oven in back - maybe Eagle Hill area. Perhaps Fredi or some other folks might have more info. I chose "Taralli" because my grandmo often made the fennel tarals(as she called them). Thu Oct 23 11:50:29 -0700 2008 4124278 12889 Taralli 5 4124342 I saw a bag of Taralli at Sessa's in Davis Square lately and immediately thought of you. Thu Oct 23 11:54:40 -0700 2008 4124321 10232 yumyum 5 4124405 Just to clarify, gm made the bagel-sized ones, tho' bro' sent me delicious bags of minis, but don't remember the brand. Thu Oct 23 12:21:54 -0700 2008 4124321 12889 Taralli 5 4124431 Dulce - Why don't you start a thread with this Eastie question? I don't know that area of Eastie, others probably do... Thu Oct 23 12:31:34 -0700 2008 4124321 16129 fredid 3 4124330 I think NineLives forgot the second part of his post ... Mulan is definitely still hopping. And I'm so glad you experienced the MaLa (tingly sensation due to szechuan peppercorns)!!!! If you liked that, get thee to Fuloon for more. It's a little addictive. Thu Oct 23 11:53:19 -0700 2008 4124128 10232 yumyum 4 4124420 Will have to get back to Fuloon - never felt the MaLa, eventho' we ordered the beef caldron w/the notorious peppercorns all 3 times I've been there. Thu Oct 23 12:26:57 -0700 2008 4124330 12889 Taralli 4 4124425 YY - Just made a trip to Flushing (Queens/NYC) Chinatown, ate "ma la (fish and dan dan noodles)" at the best (via CH) hole in the walls, and decided Fuloon was just as great! Ain't we lucky! Thu Oct 23 12:29:54 -0700 2008 4124330 16129 fredid 5 4124621 Totally agree ... I've eaten in Flushing too and Fuloon holds up very well. The bang bang chicken was Ma La to the max one time I went, less so the next. When it's on, it's ON. I'm sure if you mentioned to the awesome hostess that ma la is what you seek, they will bring it. Thu Oct 23 13:27:53 -0700 2008 4124425 10232 yumyum 4 4124686 Get thee to Sichuan Garden for the Chongqing la-zi ji (spicy chicken with peppercorns). Popeye's on crack, as a friend described it. Too painful to eat, and yet one cannot stop ... Thu Oct 23 13:45:55 -0700 2008 4124330 14650 Dr.Jimbob 5 4124707 If that's the one with the red pepper all over it, I tried but couldn't manage that dish. Much prefer the heady perfume of the szechuan peppercorn with the buzz and the numbing but not the extreme pain. But then I don't do Hell night either. Another dish I can't do is the chili pork at Floating Rock for the same reason. Different chilis, same pain. Thu Oct 23 13:53:08 -0700 2008 4124686 10232 yumyum 4 4124916 YY got it right. I tried to edit in the Mulan portion but it didnt take. Mulan ia very much open and still great, They've put the beef leek burrito back on the menu under apps. Sorry for the confusion. Thu Oct 23 15:17:11 -0700 2008 4124330 10111 9lives 5 4124943 Great news about the beef leek burrito -- for the uninitiated, it's Taiwanese-style flatbread (similar to a tortilla but thicker) rolled around beef and leeks in a delicious brown sauce. Not gloppy. Mulan serves two in an order and cuts them each into pieces. It's a great appetizer to share. Thu Oct 23 15:31:35 -0700 2008 4124916 10232 yumyum