New Year's Eve and random stuff

[Joanie]

I go against the grain and eat dinner out on New Year's Eve with surprisingly good results at Tremont 647. I hadn't had the best luck there in the past but the food was great. The big complaint was the totally rushed feel we had, even with 9:15 reservations so it wasn't like tons of people were gonna be eating dinner after us. The amuse bouche was there before our drink, app as soon as someone cleared the amuse plate away (the guy literally stood waiting for it to disappear) and even tho i asked them to slow it down, the entree came too quickly. That said, the amuse of fried rock shrimp with a little slaw was yummy. Duck confit salad was amazing, plus I hadn't had duck in ages and it just tasted really good. DC's crabmeat salad was great too. He got rare steak with a tater tot and whatever else for an extra $5, I had amazing pecan crusted scallops that I loved. The sweet potato puree was too sweet for me, spinach was fine, very good overall. Choc. hazlenut torte with ice cream and some salty stuff was good too. Service was okay but a little confusing with lots of different people showing up at our table, no complaints tho when the extra glass of champagne arrived. A good deal at $49 and good time except for the quickness of courses. Started with a beverage at the bar of Brasserie Jo which I like altho they're not the friendliest bartenders in the world there (not that I go too often but I've had the same guys the 2 or 3 times I've gone).

Sun. my friend didn't want to drive into town so your suggestions for Old Magoun's will have to wait. I ended up by F. Hall and decided to stop in Houston's for lunch when I saw there was room at the bar with a good TV (and with no sound, I didn't know the state of Wes Welker at that point, so depressing). Got the "hickory burger" which comes with Canadian bacon and chopped cheddar. I didn't notice the "chopped cheddar" in the description so when a burger with a bunch of cold shredded cheese on the roll showed up, I was wondering what the heck was going on. Even with noticing chopped, I'm not sure I'd expect a bunch of cold cheese. I walked over to the hostess who's right next to the kitchen and had them melt it. Seems odd. In the end, it was an okay burger with too salty matchstick fries. At $13 it was the cheapest sandwich on the menu which surprised me. Girl working at the bar was nice. Now I've been to Houston's and I don't need to go back. Will go back for Costello's burger which I recently had again ($8.95) Very dependable burger and fries there. Friends like their veggie pizza but it didn't look too exciting.

Last week got to Gaslight right before the brunch menu ended and wolfed down a croque madame as if I hadn't eaten in weeks. It *had* been a day but still odd for me to eat every bite. Egg, ham, cheese, sauce, frites, what's not to like for $11? DC drank his lunch of various interesting beers enjoying the "scenery" of our bartendress.

Had one of my standby Miracle of Science meals of mesclun salad with grilled chicken. if you ask, they bring some good grilled pita with it too. A bit overdressed but very good and you feel somewhat virtuous eating it. Had a couple of my friend's atomic wings for the first time at Sunset and they were surprisingly unatomic but tasty. He said they're usually much spicier. Also tried a few bites at Precinct in Somerville which were okay, esp. the dumplings. Mushroom pizza wasn't white as I expected it to be but not bad, buffalo chicken pieces were fine, okay for standing around yakking with people but nothing to draw me back too quickly.

[pollystyrene]

Thanks for the report, intrepid NYE reveler. We got takeout Chinese NYE and then went out to dinner the following night at Garden at the Cellar. I've been wanting to try it for a while, but was scared away by the reported crowds and no reservations. Cambridge was a ghost town the night of New Year's Day--the impending storm probably added to it. I was delighted to be one of only four parties at Garden at 10:00 on Friday night. If mushroom pizza's your thing, check out the Mushroom, Ricotta and Thyme Flatbread at Garden. I thought if was fantastic (and it came with a small salad on top of it to make you feel virtuous).

I have the same "what's not to like" reaction to Gaslight every time I go. It's become one of my favorites, whether I want a full dinner in the charming dining room, or want to linger in that big, just-as-charming bar area over very good cocktails, a cheese plate, some roasted mushrooms, and those terrific baguettes. And the novelty of free parking never loses its thrill.

[digga]

So glad you posted, Joanie. B and I were at Magoun's on Sunday to watch the game and a solo woman (with a Steelers cap!) sat next to us at bar. I was thinking, good god, this cannot be Joanie so I didn't even ask. Now I know for sure.

You should give Precinct another try - the food is really quite good when the kitchen's on and not too busy (veggie Shepherd's pie, steak salad, burger, and salmon wrap are some of our favorites). Admittedly, tough to get to when you don't live in the neighborhood. We tend to stay local in the 'ville, especially in the winter. Happy 2010!