Five Favorite Places to Eat Among Frequent/Veteran CH Posters?

[hiddenboston]

Not sure if and how this thread might work, but as I mentioned in another thread, I'm curious as to which places the frequent/veteran posters on the Boston board of Chowhound consider as their personal favorites. Is anyone game for this?

Since I seem to spend way too much time on this site, I guess I can be a part of this, so I'll go first. My five favorite restaurants in the Boston area (as of this moment!):

Denly Gardens, Weymouth
Alia Ristorante, Winthrop
Angela's Cafe, East Boston
Santarpio's, East Boston
Dok Bua, Brookline

[Northender]

Hammersley's
Prezza
Sivertone
Santarpio's
Hola (in Marshfield)

[hiddenboston]

I really do have to get to Hola one of these days. So much praise for the place...

[teezeetoo]

shanghai gate
dok bua
erbaluce
tupelo
washington square tavern

[Northender]

Just a lot of fun and great little plates and you don't have to drop a bundle. The wine list has great values in the low $20.00 range. I t was really worth the drive although a designated driver is a good idea.

[pollystyrene]

Mamma Maria
Prezza
Gaslight
Grotto
Garden at the Cellar

[Luther]

I guess >5 years qualifies me...

S&I Thai
Cafe Mami
Rincon Limeno
Hei La Moon
Sichuan Gourmet, Framingham

[Bob Dobalina]

Hei La Moon still up there for you? What about the alleged downturn in quality?

[Luther]

I never liked their dinner menu items so this is strictly regarding dim sum. I've been about once a month and over the last year I'd say it's better than it's ever been. Pretty consistent even on weekdays.

There will always be occasions when the food isn't as good, but I'd say that's the exception.

[kimfair1]

Craigie on Main
Gallaria Umberto
Carlo's Cuchina Italiana
Shanghai Gate
Hugo's (Portland ME) -not here I know, but it is my favorite overall restaurant.

[Pegmeister]

I've posted a few times, so I'll add my current favorites:
Fat Cat, Quincy,
Cafe deParis, Quincy
Prezza, North End
Shabu Zen, Chinatown
Silvertones, Downtown

[gyppielou]

I don't know if I make the cut regarding your exclusive criteria

[Pegmeister]

Please share.

[SOBoston]

What do you usually order at Cafe de Paris?

[Pegmeister]

This is a pretty old post, but things haven't changed much at Cafe deParis. I still stop there on a regular basis. IMO they have the best pizza in the Quincy area. Darcys makes the pizza but you can order from the cafe side. Great buffalo chicken, or more traditional pepperoni and onion and they even have a Guiness beef and potato pizza that's quite good. Petite filet is consistently cooked to order and of high quality, while admittedly it's a smaller 6 oz portion the price is only $18. Their appetizer of seared scallops is well done and even better is the chopped salad topped with scallops. Parmsean crusted haddock is always fresh and a popular dish. Not crazy about their fried calamari. Specials generally change around once a month. This is a good solid neighborhood stop with plenty of regulars.

[FoonFan]

I don't know if I qualify, but here goes:
Tupelo
Mulan
Sichuan Gourmet (Framingham branch - hope Brookline rumor is true!)
Washington Square Tavern
Erbaluce
Peach Farm

[hargau]

Hei La Moon (dimsum sundays around 11 only)
Winsor Dim Sum Cafe
Sichuan Gourmet (billerica is much better food but less atmosphere than framingham so we prefer that branch)
Sea Basket (yea i know its in maine but still)
South East Asia - Lowell ( it may not be as good as it used to be but its still damn good and the spiciest asian food i have found)

[fmcoxe6188]

I like this idea! Ill play-even if I dont qualify :-)
Coppa, South End
Villa Mexico, Beacon Hill
Santarpio's, East Boston
O'Hara's, Newton
Dok Bua, Brookline

[gourmaniac]

i'll play.
grotto (Beacon Hill)
bon savor (JP)
shiki (Brookline)
peach farm (Chinatown)
lumierre (Newton)

[ChickenBrocandZiti]

Toro-South End
Taco's Lupita-Somerville
East Coast Grill-Cambridge
Myers and Chang-South End
Picco-South End

[yumyum]

I'd actually like to hear what the NEW posters are enjoying ... for those of us who've been around for a while, I can almost predict their top 5.

I could go on and on about favorites like Mulan or PFS, but in the same exploratory vein, one new (to me) place that is currently knocking my socks off is Erbaluce. Draghi is doing some remarkable things in that kitchen.

[bear]

Another great idea...why not start a new post?

[southie_chick]

Ok yumyum,as a "newbie" I'll bite - see if these were in your predictions:
Rino's Place - East Boston
The pasta amartriciana (sp?) with fresh pasta in nothing great to look at. Then, you put it in your mouth ........... O.M.G.!
Sake - Saugus
I''ve only had the sushi there, but I like to think of this as Sakurabana with parking! Fave is the butterfly sushi, which is a mild shite fish (yellowtail maybe) with a citrus flavor.
Villa Francesca - North End
My in-law's favorite North End place - would hvae never tried it if they didn't drag me there & was surprised how good it was. Usually get the veal with artichokes & anchovies - can't remember the name of the dish unfortunatelate but maybe CocoDan does.
LoConte's - North End
My fave North End restaraunt. It's laid back enough so it feel like you're eating at home, & it's a "white sauce" place, which I prefer vs a "red sauce" place. Reasonable prices too. LOVE the ziti,asparagus (when in season), & shrimp over ziti - it's in a lite white / almost brothlike sauce with garlic & lemon.
Abe & Louie's - Boston
I know it's not a fave of the 'hounds, but for a great steak & great service it's kinda hard to beat. Plus, it's got the fresh crabmeat cocktail & pan-seared tuna apps, which are 2 of my favorite starters.
Would have maybe substituted Sapurito's in Hull for Abe & Louie's but haven't been there since the "new" owners took over ......... Yup, it's been that long ago but I used to go quite frequently & absolutely loved it - hope it's still as good.
2 more out of the Boston area if you ever want to road trip:
Surf - Nashua, NH
The have miso grilled salmon on the menu ............ & I can never bring myself to order anything else since that is sooooooo good. But, I can always get my hubby to order something different so I get to try different things. Unfortunately, once you try the miso grilled salmon, you crave that "taste" - kinda like a Japanese / sushi kinda taste that nothing else will satisfy. Kinda like going to Speeds & seeing the have pastrami ....... but you just gotta get the dog!
On The Marsh - Kennebunk, ME
If you want White Barn Inn type food & service - only less stuffy (& less price), this is the place. Limited menu, but everything I've ordered here has been great. The scallop & steak dishes I have had have been outstanding - one of the most tender & flavorful steaks I've ever had was here. Menu changes seasonally, so the only "regular" items on the menu are the mussels with oven roasted tomato broth (Hubby said he would drive there every week just to have them) & the Apple Boleyn desert (a whole peeled,cored apple baked in pastry ) - both are great.
Sorry for being so wordy, but I just wanted to "up my game" & try to make you proud of a "newbie"! Thanks for all the years of advice!

[yumyum]

This is SO what I was hoping for ... this is off the beaten path and I love the Kennebunk suggestion especially! Thanks for posting and please keep it up. New posters are what keep the board fresh and interesting ... the rest of us can be like a broken record. I'm sure my fellow "veterans" would agree.

[southie_chick]

Thanks yumyum - that realy put a smile on my face . Yet another one I love WAY off the beaten path (any time you have to drive past Yankee Magazine HQ's, you know it's off the beaten path!) is Burdick's in Walpole, NH. It's an hour & a half fom my house in Nashua, NH but it's SO worth the trip. They do a lot of game dishes in the winter - the rabbit saltimbocca was out of this world! They also own a market next door to the restaurant so they will run next door to get the cut of meat you want if you don't find it on the menu. Not crazy about the pastries there, I usually get a cocoa to go for the trip home.

[sallyt]

TOTALLY agree about Burdick's - great addition. They also have a lovely little market a few doors down... And lots of free chocolate samples at their adjoining chocolate shop (which they could never get away with in Harvard Sq - they'd be depleted in minutes!)

[Pegmeister]

Your recommendation of Burdick's sounds really interesting. When you have a moment please supply a little more info. I had rabbit at Marliave in Boston for my very first time and it was lovely!

[southie_chick]

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. It was done in the style of a traditional veal saltimbocca - a boneless rabbit "cutlet" wrapped in imported prociutto (can't remember if the menu said it was imported but it tasted like it was) pan sauted 'till golden brown in a white wine/sage type sauce. I think it was served with a sauteed spinach but I'm drawing a blank on the veg now. It's a beautiful, romantic type setting at the restaurant, & the service is great. Just wish it wasn't so far away.

[southie_chick]

Sorry - it was rude of me not to ask - what type of rabbit did you have at the Marliave?

[Pegmeister]

Thanks for the update. That dish sounds wonderful. I have a place in Gilmanton, NH so I need to check out how far it is from Walpole. The rabbit I had at Marliave was wrapped in prosciutto with a white wine mushroom sauce. Dish sounds similar, but at Marliave the leg was done truffled mushroom stuffed. I would definitely get it again.

[phatchris]

If you like rabbitt try the version at Erbaluce. Best I've had in Boston.

[southie_chick]

Was the leg boneless? I'm not big at ordering things with bones in them at a restaurant since I'm not the best at deboning in public. Can't remember if it "originally" had mushrooms - I don't do "shrooms so I alwasy order without them. Don't know where Gilmanton is in relation to Walpole - I'm a newbie to New Hampshire (Nashua) myself so I have a tendency to drive "home" to Boston when I crave something. Hubby thinks I'm crazy for driving 110 miles for clam strips (roundtrip) but it's pretty much the same roundtrip from Nashua to Walpole - sometimes ya just gotta do it. Good food & good times are worth it. Now, if anyone is heading toward Tannersville PA, I know a GREAT place for apple crumb pie!

[Pegmeister]

No, the leg wasn't boneless, but the meat was tender enough so that it was easy to remove from the bone. I initially wasn't a fan of Marliave, but I've had some really nice dishes there lately, especially the beef wellington.

[StriperGuy]

Nice post. Welcome to the board.

[ziggles]

On the Marsh sounds wonderful! I am planning a birthday pilgrimage to Hugo's in Portland next month to take advantage of the weekday 2-for-1 tasting menu, and may need to incorporate a stop in Kennebunk on the way there or back! Thanks for the advice.

[kimfair1]

You're going to love Hugo's. It's my and my wife's favorite place anywhere. The tasting is the best way to go there as well. Have a great meal!

[southie_chick]

Ziggles, check the website for On The Marsh before you head down there - it's seasonal so it may be closed for the winter by now.

[BarmyFotheringayPhipps]

Hungry Mother
Shanghai Gate
Fuloon
Galleria Umberto
Ten Tables

[justbeingpolite]

Tough , and not sure I'm either frequent or veteran, but places that I find I end up going to repeatedly are:
East Coast Grill
Sichuan Gourmet (Billerica)
Sushi Island
Gran Gusto
O Ya (okay not repeatedly, but I wish)

[yumyum]

Speaking of Shanghai Gate -- I just had the lion's head meatballs there for the first time. Man, those are some big balls!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4...

[justbeingpolite]

Wow!! they are, and if you squint your eyes, you can see the lion's head.

[Prav]

I find them a tad too salty.

[Nab]

I found them to be quite delicate. Prav, I don't recall, do you remember if they charge by the ball ?

[Prav]

They do, you can order a sack of two... though check your bill carefully, as I got shafted last time.

[Matt H]

Great Post:

Neptune Oyster
Taiwan Cafe
Orinoco
Craigie on Main
Peach Farm

[CocoDan]

I'm in ( not in any particular order, with one exception):
Villa Francesca, North End (going Sat. night) Our Fav.
*Fat Cat, Quincy (the best go-to any day of the week).
Orta, Pembroke/Hanover line (current Italian go-to for reasonably priced, great food).
Grille 23 & Bar (all around great experience).
Alba, Quincy (how can you beat good food, more than decent wine list and free parking).
Of course this could all change tomorrow.
Enjoy,
CocoDan

[dulce de leche]

This is where I go these days:
(with family)
Muqueca
Basta Pasta Cambridge
Deluxe Town Diner

(with husb)
Gran Gusto

(with friends)
HIghland Kitchen

[Bob Dobalina]

Dulce, can I suggest that if you hit a line for brunch at the Deluxe Town Diner, check out Red Lentil across the street? They are open for brunch on the weekends, and do a fine omelet. So you can't get real meat sausage there, but they have pancakes and eggs - beats waiting in line out in the cold.

[dulce de leche]

Hey, thanks for the tip! The rest of my fam does not eat pork, so no great loss (except for me).

Is it next to the nut place? Can you eat lunch for breakfast there?

[Bob Dobalina]

It is next to the nut place - actually, I think it might be in the nut place. I think it might have replaced the nut place?

Here's a link to their brunch menu - not sure if they are doing everything listed here, but definitely have some lunch-y items.

[GretchenS]

No, we are talking about The Red Lentil which is next to the nut place (Fastachi) which is still going strong.
http://www.theredlentil.com/
http://www.fastachi.com/

[Prav]

I've never heard of this place - I must try it! Maybe I'll stop in Watertown after work and grab some nuts.

[Nab]

from their website:

"And when it comes to delivering the fruits of our labor, we painstakingly hand pack them with the utmost care. Pampered, over-protected and spoiled? Perhaps. But that's why when you eat any nut, you'll always judge it by a Fastachi."

[teezeetoo]

love fastachi and their nuts and chocolate. very nice people also.

[cpingenot]

interesting to hear about Red Lentil- There have been a series of ill fated restaurants in that spot- I remember one place with the unfortunate name of "Sushi Grill" when I used to live around the corner. This place looks like it has a nice menu- I wish them luck in breaking the curse of that spot. Town Diner has made it, hopefully some spillover will help them. I'll try to try it sometime when I'm at Coolidge Hardware.

[StriperGuy]

Red Lentil's better than Town Diner.

[Bob Dobalina]

Psst...Red Lentil folks...you need to hire more or better servers.

You know when you sit down at a place and just get the vibe that the food's going to take a really, really long time? When you think that you see hungry, desperate looks of other patrons toward the kitchen? When you sit for about 10 minutes and the water glasses haven't been filled and you just got a menu?

Look, I really like the food at Red Lentil, but when they are busy (like they were yesterday at brunch), they need to a) get their act together and b) turn on the friggin heat.

We shuddered in our coats for about 10 minutes and I made the executive decision to get out before we got involved. I doubt that the one waitress in the room even noticed. I thought there might have been a second one, but then I couldn't tell because she did not appear to be professionally dressed.

C'mon Red Lentil folks - I like your meatless cuisine - I like the flavors of your food - don't drop the ball on service. There have been enough warnings from folks on these pages already. I know you are new at this business. Just get it together, ok? I promise to keep coming back, because I really have enjoyed all the food you've put out so far. But the service thing is really going to limit my love for you over the long haul.

[BillieJean]

I am not a frequent poster (but frequent reader for sure!), but here are my 5 tops:

1. Hamersley's
2. Prezza (egg ravioli is worth the trip!)
3. La Campania, Waltham
4. Pellana Steak House, Davners
5. Michael's, Newburyport (decent food, nice water view)

[galangatron]

floating rock
rincon limeno
jnj turo turo filipino cuisine
taiwan cafe
s&i thai

honorable mention: phien's kitchen

[nsenada]

Galleria Umberto
Crema
Craigie on Main
Speed's
Toro

[Bob MacAdoo]

Does 4 years make the grade?

Fuloon
Hammersley
Craigie
Taranta
Neptune

[CreativeFoodie42]

This is a perfect Friday afternoon distraction -

Erbaluce
Hammersly's Bistro
Hungry Mother
Ten Tables
T.W. Food

[gansu girl]

Hard to pick 5 - I'm so mood-driven when it comes to food. Here're mine, in no particular order:

Sichuan Gourmet (Billerica)
Picco
Scampo
JoJo TaiPei
Myers & Chang

GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com

[nsenada]

Picco is awesome - they were close on mine

[gansu girl]

Just home from Great Taste in Chinatown and thinking that they trump M&C. I think it's impossible for me to pick *just* 5 - or to pick w/o using categories!

GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com

[hargau]

We are big fans of the bubble teas at Great Taste, currently our favorite spot for them

[Eatin in Woostah]

I think I've been on the boards for a little over three years, though for the first year and a half I lived in Worcester and mostly posted on the New England board. Sadly, as I think about where I really like to eat and actually go often, I'm starting to miss Worcester. I'm now in the 'burbs and am having a harder time finding places I truly love and frequent. But five places that I really do like quite a bit where we actually go often are:

Daikanyama, Lexington
Sichuan Garden II, Woburn
New Jang Su, Burlington
Pasha, Arlington
Ixtapa, Lexington

[MC Slim JB]

Five favorites overall, at any level, high to low? Or five value-priced, eliminating the priciest joints? Or five all-time favorites (including defunct restaurants?) I get asked about my favorite a lot, and I always have to qualify it, at least in categories of high/medium/low for price/formality of food/formality of service.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[garlic breath]

Slim, I think the point is NOT to qualify here: value priced, high-end, whatever, all lumped together.
Also seems that all-timers (including defunct) would be another thread (OP specified five faves "as of this moment").
My five:
O Ya (have only been twice, but wow)
Tacos Lupita
Garden at the Cellar
Toro
FuLoon

[Jolyon Helterman]

GB, I think you and I must have the same palate.

[globalgourmand]

Please? No qualifications. Just five personal favorite places across the board that make you really happy these days.

[hiddenboston]

Whatever you like, MC. It could be a bucket of blood, a high-end French restaurant, a family-friendly American spot, a quick-food place, and a restaurant that serves Viking food (well, maybe not the last one). Probably want to keep it limited to restaurants that are still open, I'd say.

[Alcachofa]

Agreed. I feel too much like Rob Gordon trying to answer this query.

[Eatin in Woostah]

Blue Stove was my number 6.

[Food4Thought]

In no particular order (and prepared for some possible flack). This is at the moment.
Fuloon
No. 9 Park
Eastern Standard
Garden @ the Cellar
Craigie on Main
- if 6 were allowed I'd toss in Nepune, but I haven't been there in a few months.

[gansu girl]

Hey F4T, what do you like at Garden @ the Cellar? We went for the first time last weekend after hearing good things and I was totally unimpressed . . . the only thing I liked were the truffle fries and the chickpea fries we had while waiting at the bar for our table. My chicken & waffles was pathetic - dry as dust waffle w/hardly any flavor (and the teeniest drizzle of maple jus, not nearly enough to moisten or flavor the thing, and rubbery, unflavorful chicken. My theory this is a good barfood place, but I don't know - enlighten me!

GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com

[Bluebell]

GG - whenever I go to Garden @ the Cellar, I tend to get lots of apps and sides and am always happy. The cod fritters have always been great, and the burrata is fabulous. For the record, my other four faves right now are:
-Green Street
- Pongal (Billerica)
- Highland Kitchen
- Kathmandu Spice (Arlington)

[pollystyrene]

The ricotta mushroom flatbread is excellent (they have other flatbreads, too), the tater tots and soups are very good, and, not even expecting a cocktail menu, I was surprised at how good the French Gimlet was. Looking forward to going back and trying more of the menu. I hear their croquettes and cod fritters are good, too.

[Food4Thought]

When I visit, I eat much like Bluebell. Quite honestly I don't think I've ever had an entree there. I mix it up w/ small plates and apps, we almost always get a 4 side tasting, and we love the soups too. My wife is a big fan of the Roasted Beet salad w/ Pistachios and Goat Cheese.

It's one of the few places that I could order pretty much exclusively "vegetarian" (depending upon your deff.) and come away completely satisfied.

[gansu girl]

Thanks, everyone - you've confirmed my thoughts, and thanks to you, The Garden will get another visit from GG and crew . . . cocktails, multiple munchies and a salad on the side are a great way to make a meal, IMHO.

GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com

[kate used to be 50]

Craigie on Main
Neptune
Eastern Standard
Ten Tables (JP)
Rendezvouz

[aadesmd]

Don't qualify, but what the heck:
1) Troquet
2) Toro
3) Rincon Limeno
4) Oishii- South end
5) Regina's- Original and if pizza well-done

[lexpatti]

Ok, so I'll play - within Merrimack Valley, my (latest) favs are:

Sichuan Gourmet - Billerica (severe addiction going on for this place, especially dan dan noodles)
http://www.laosichuan.com/

Friends Bar and Grill - Lowell - fantastic portugese food

Cafe Azteca in Lawrence - awesome mexican
http://www.cafe-azteca.com/

Tepthida Khmer in Lowell - excellent cambodian
http://www.tepthida.com/

Pho 88 in Lowell for fantastic vietnamese
http://www.pho88online.net/

[Chris VR]

I don't get out much these days, but here are places I've been to repeatedly recently and I know I can always count on for a good meal:

Gargoyles on the Square (Somerville)
Fu Loon (Malden)
Sushi Island (Wakefield)
U Me (Stoneham)
Silvertone (Boston)

[rlh]

Neptune Oyster
Miracle of Science
Eastern Standard
Za (Arlington)
Oishii, Too (Sudbury)

[rlove]

Craigie on Main
Erbaluce
O Ya
Coppa
Neptune Oyster

[twentyoystahs]

Mmm Coppa. Just had a really amazing meal here (no surprise, of course.) Everything delicious, right down to the olive oil served with hearty bread. A place that truly lives by "God is in the details," at least based on my first visit. A really nice glass of Barbera, excellent ricotta starter, piping hot, tender and tasty chicken milanese, and the pesto trophie pasta dish....All exceptional.

My 4 others would probably be:

Hungry Mother
Craigie On Main
Ten Tables (JP, haven't been to Cambridge yet)
Toro

[ginnyhw]

Neighborhood favorites are Petit Robert (Kenmore Sq), Tratoria Toscana and ESK.
Big night on the town is Grille 23 although we prefer the low key and lower prices in the hood.

[MrsCheese]

I'm sure I don't qualify, but...
Sichuan Gourmet (Framingham- never been to Billerica tho)
Neptune Oyster
Xinh Xinh
Blue Ribbon BBQ Arlington (eating it tonight so it's on my mind)
Craigie on Main

[nasilemak]

just 3 as i'm eating out less these days

Thai Moon - arlington
Penang - chinatown
Xinh Xinh - chinatown

[winedude]

Here's my five favorites:

Ten Tables
Ten Tables (I like it so much I've listed it twice)
Pizzeria Regina on Thatcher
L'Espalier
Orinoco

I'd also put Chez Pascal on this list, it's on the Pawtucket/Providence border, great French food.

[CookieLee]

hehe, my spouse will say I should list Dok Bua 5 times!
Dok Bua x 2
Reagle Beagle
Petit Robert Bistro (I've only been to the Kenmore site)
Chef Chang's (for the peking duck and chow fun with spicy black bean sauce)

[Torolover]

Since you love Ten Tables so much, what are your favorite dishes at Ten Tables?

What are you favorite dishes at Orinoco?

[hckybg]

I love the mixed grill at Orinoco, and the hand cheese arepa...

[dulce de leche]

I am not winedude but I am going to butt in anyway! Because I've only been to Ten Tables once, but I am still very happy thinking about 1) the giant roasted marrow bone starter and 2) the chocolate terrine with sea salt and Thai basil ice cream.

I would put Ten Tables on my list if I had the cashmoney to go there frequently.

[CreativeFoodie42]

The chocolate terrine with sea salt and Thai basil ice cream is seriously one of my favorite restaurant desserts ever.

[winedude]

One of the great things about Ten Tables is that I've almost never had the same thing twice (other than the chocolate terrine with sea salt and thai basil ice cream, which is amazing, as others have noted). It's the only place where I routinely have the vegetarian tasting menu (not being a vegetarian), but each time this tasting menu has wowed me. Last time, the amuse bouche was cold melon soup with fresh thyme, followed by a lemon grass soup (I could have eaten a quart of that, with 3 slices of sourdough bread, and called it a meal--fantastic), then a salad with arugula, endive, grana padana, and an orange vinaigrette, followed by house-made cavatappi with locally foraged mushrooms, then a palate cleanser of grapefruit granite, and for the desserts we each (there were 4 of us) got different desserts. All for $28/person. Not big portions, but every bit was delicious.

[sallyt]

Last year I had a vanilla panna cotta from Ten Tables - and I'm still thinking about it... probably one of the best restaurant desserts I've ever had. Wish they would write a cookbook... I actually didn't love the chocolate terrine (too one-note for me) but the Thai Basil ice cream was heavenly.

[hckybg]

I assume that is Christina's Thai Basil ice cream, which they occasionally serve as a special...I had a cone last year and it was, indeed, awesome and unique.

[twentyoystahs]

My guess (and it's only a guess) is that the thai basil ice cream is made in house at Ten Tables....

[almansa]

JP or Harvard Square? I've only been to JP, but they could never fit an Ice Cream machine in there. That kitchen is cramped!

[hckybg]

I would only guess Christina's because they do make a lot of ice cream for upscale area restaurants and they famously sell the surplus from special orders as special items on their menu. Thai basil seems so obscure, but it is certainly possible that it is pure coincidence.

[hiddenboston]

Thanks, all! I'm going to try to get to all of the places you mentioned by the end of the week (hehehe).

[treb]

I'll go value driven:

Galleria Umberto, NE
Alia, Winthrop
Causeway, Gloucester, seafood
Lewis', Essex (prime rib)
Rossetti's, Winthrop

[cornFusion]

We've been going to different places recently, but find ourselves magically attracted to the following:
- Rendezvous
- Shangri-La (in Belmont - for "Dimsum" (Brunch really but everyone knows it as dimsum)
- Szechuan Gourmet in Billerica (Still the best Szechuan food around)
- Udipi Bhavan in Lowell (exit 32 off route 3 and then around the bend)
- Courthouse Fish (The restaurant) in Cambridge

cheers!

[C. Hamster]

Fat Cat, Quincy
Lineage, Brookline
Brasserie Jo, Boston
Union, South End
Hamersley's, South End

[BoDubya]

places i frequent (er, slum), that don't get tons of love on this board...

grendel's den (bargain)
buff's pub (wings)
cambridge brewing (beer)
deep ellum (cocktails)
james gate (atmosphere, winter)
barking crab (deck, summer)

[twentyoystahs]

Love Buff's! Not gourmet fare but the best wings this side o' Buffalo!

And I think Cambridge Brewing is pretty good too, for an eclectic beer selection and good pub food :)

[phatchris]

Neptune
Prezza
Hungry Mother
Pushcart Pizza
Deep Ellum
Does Drink count?

[Jolyon Helterman]

This could probably be adjusted slightly every week, for me. But:

1. O Ya
Best restaurant in Boston, period, IMO.

2. Coppa
Bold, exciting flavors; feels like very modern, forward-tilted cooking, unlike many places in greater Boston.

3. The Butcher Shop
Barbara Lynch's exquisite, signature palate of low low-notes paired with ultra-bright ones always hits me perfectly here.

4. FuLoon
Hot. Numbing. Szechuan-peppercorn-oil-infused dreaminess.

5. Toro
Modern again, in that Coppa way (er, well...vice versa); doesn't feel like it's pandering to local tastes via some Caesar-wrap-loving focus group.

Maybe even in that order.

Honorable Mention: Grill 23
For the semi-regular splurge on a dark-crusted Kobe cap steak, med-rare, chased by a tannin-rich Bandol red—at perfect cellar temp.

[Torolover]

What are your favorite dishes at Coppa and Toro?

[Jolyon Helterman]

Toro:
• The nontraditional take on gambas al ajillo
• Fried pimientons
• Chorizo and garbanzos
• The tripe "Collinsville" thing that Bissonnette also did at KO Prime
• Cauliflower a la plancha
• Burger
• That tortilla espagnol sandwich that I don't even think they do anymore

Coppa:
• Blue Ribbon Pizza
• Pesce al Mattone
• Skirt steak
• Marinated cauliflower
• tuna crudo tapa, which may have been a special; I only see the pincho on the menu
• the hot octopus dish

[twentyoystahs]

Would like to add the grilled corn w/crumbly spanish cheese on top (not manchengo but now can't remember what type) to the Toro list (i know, i know, overexposed,but oh-so-good)

And yes, second that marinated califlower @ Coppa. Simple and basic, but good.

[MC Slim JB]

That cheese is cotija, and I'm thrilled to have found a local source for it (South Bay Stop & Shop) so I can make my own version of the Toro elotes at home. Not that hard, really: grilling the corn just so is the trickiest part.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[twentyoystahs]

Thanks for the info; and yeah, I know it's fairly simple to make...now even simpler since I know the specific name of the cheese. In the summer grilled corn is a staple in this household ;)
The pan con tomate is another dish that is so delicious, but also pretty basic and simple to make. Grill bread lightly, drizzle w/olive oil, rub with garlic and fresh summer tomatoes. Mmmm.

[itaunas]

If you keep your eye out for queso seco (which is commonly used on similar cheese products asuming you are not looking for the anejo), you widen your options. Particularly there are more Salvadoran options, including Don Guanco which appears to be made in New England and several from NYC. Those free you from having to buy Tropical brand cojita which is overall pretty lousy. Also there are a lot more Salvadoran cremas around to pass on the corn. For the Pan con Tomate just grill cheese in the place of the bread (queso frier is convenient for this, but unfortunately most of the brands are tasteless... I would look for a Brazilian Queijo de Coalho but its harder to find).

[cannedmilkandfruitypebbles]

I'll go with frequency as my personal all time favs would by similar to a lot of other Boston based posts- Places i tend to dine at more than 2 or 3 times a year:
El Sarape (weymouth)
224 Boston Road (Dorchester)
Orta (pembroke)
Scarlet oak (Hingham)
Ecco (weymouth)

[Joanie]

I was trying to do that too but I seldom go anywhere more than twice (or even once) a year. All I got is Costello's and Green St. There must be one more (besides pastries at Canto 6).

[SOBoston]

I've only been to the Scarlett Oak Tavern once, but the experience I had was remarkable due to the wonderful service. Moreover, the food was awesome too...although it was a Valentine's Day that I soon hope to forget.

[hckybg]

This is not a static list, but at the moment...

Gourmet Dumpling House
Zoe's (Somerville)
Orinoco
Tacos Lupita
Tupelo

[itaunas]

Hiddenboston, I usually avoid these topics, although something funny is that when you suggested it I had been tossing about some sort of "what do you plan to eat this year." Kind of a New Year's resolution of new things to try and where to eat more. I don't really have five all time favorites right now, especially for dinner where there are lots of interesting new options but I can't call any one of them a "favorite" and for some favorite foods I don't have one particular favorite restaurant. Plus there are some disappointments (Bina changing, El Paisa seems to have gone downhill; the Everett Pampas is excellent for churrasco, but lousy buffet; Fuloon is great but a bit less predictable at lunch; TLM expansion was promising, but execution isn't 100%). But for lunches, here are 5 that I keep going back to. Solid execution, some exceptional dishes, good atmosphere for sit down places and you can hold a conversation over a longer lunch.

Toraya, Arlington (anything off the specials bd, zaru soba in summer, bento boxes, agedashi tofu)
J+J's, Somerville (perhaps soley on the basis of bacalhau a lagareiro)
Amici's, Medford
Abbondanza, Everett
Courthouse, Cambridge (I am especially fond of getting fish from the market to have it cooked in the restaurant as well as the specials. Also worth getting some of the pickled peppers and olives, plus Portuguese sodas which are only available from the market to round out your meal.)

[yumyum]

Having *finally* gotten over to try Pastelaria Vitoria Broadway I was reminded just how great J+J is. PVB was fine, although the salgados are massive (too big) and not as good as J+J. The x-tudo is a BOMB of food for $6 though and the folks couldn't have been nicer as I pointed and grunted. I'll go back but first I need a trip to J+J.

[itaunas]

The pastelaria is certainly one of the places I frequent the most, but I wouldn't put it on a favorite list. And I more or less limit myself to the fried pastels and the x-tudo. As you note the salgadinhos are just a bit too big and the fillings are not great (the pastel suffers a bit because of this too), but because of the turnover they can be trusted to be fresh and they do the best fry job on pasteles. If I were to order one of their salgadinhos it might be a quibbe. I am surprised though that you have done so well at J+J's as I gave up on their salgadinhos a while back, but would be glad to hear if they are better. In Somerville I would still go to Petisco's first as their fillings are still good, although the frying can be a bit inconsistent (I think I prefer their mini party salgadinhos) and they oversalted the coxinha dough once. The Padaria Brasil Bakery in Union also might be worth a shot, but I haven't been in a while.

[hiddenboston]

Amici's, huh? Do you like it better than Armando's in Cambridge? I guess I finally need to head to this place.

[itaunas]

I did a direct comparision of pies between Amici's and Armando's a few years back which was posted, where I gave a slight edge to Armando's (thinner crust, romano gave the chease a bit more bite), but there were some things I liked about Amici's. I haven't done a direct comparision, but I am a bit happier with Amici's these days. I haven't seen Armando in a while (although I did see his car near Simon's) to see how he's doing, but the pies have been a bit inconsistent.

What I like about Amici's is the owners make all the dough and stretch all the pies, so they are consistent (and hand stretched unlike Stella's). They use decent quality cheese. Since my earlier posting I think they switched from stanilus sauce (probably saporito) to escalon bonta sauce, to which they add some italian seasoning. So be prepared to taste a hint of rosemary on your pizza which is certainly unusual. They also do a slower bake. Its not going to compare to a good Regina's pizza, to Angela's in Saugus (the crust here gets some nice malty flavors presumably due to a slow rise and then the hot hot bake), or Santarpios garlic/sausage. Its not for everyone but for me it compares decently to Armando's, John's in Chelsea (another place where the owner makes the pies), Stella's, Angelo's (ages since I have been here), Ernesto's (this seems to have improved recently). Haymarket, Pini's, La Ronga, Two Paisans (similar to stellas), and Puccio's to me are a step down, but can hit the spot -- La Ronga I got an excellent slice recently, Haymarket one excellent one and a bunch of lousy ones, but the sauce seems less cloyingly sweet. Bocelli is pretty close and inexpensive for a sit down restaurant with beer/wine/cordials, but they do skimp a bit assembling the pies.

[StriperGuy]

Conley's in Watertown also does a pretty decent pie and have a full bar menu. I also recently had their garlic steak tip sandwhich which was excellent. Some of their other bar food items are pretty basic.

[nsenada]

I've really enjoyed Picco's pizza - their crust has a strong sourdough flavor, is crispy on the outside, and very moist on the inside around the edge. Definitely not a traditional thin crust or regina-styled pie. The Alsatian one has caramelized onions, bacon, and creme fraiche, but the dough would be good all by itself.

[itaunas]

I haven't made it to Picco yet, but have never heard a bad thing about it. Puccio's is a Sub/Pizza shop on MIddlesex Ave Medford, near the Malden line. They are very convenient to Wellington Circle and deliver to all the businesses around there, but close on the early side. Their dough is also pretty unusual -- its a touch on the thick side and puffy (sort of like a sicilian, but its a regular pie and crisper on the bottom -- I would bet some sugar and oil in the dough but that is just a guess). Sauce is pretty basic salt/pepper seasoned, not the best cheese mix. It reminds me a lot of Ernesto's and not just the large slices. Incidentally I think the best pizza at Ernesto's is also pretty non-traditional (chicken, bacon, onions, tomato slices, ranch (?) dressing).

[gansu girl]

We are HUGE Picco fans over here, and the Alsatian is our absolute favorite - we had friends in from Toronto last fall and we took them there. I think they thought we were off our rockers the way we raved about the Alsatian before it came, but once they tasted it, they wanted to order another one! Agree that the crust, no matter the toppings, is outstanding.

GG
http://www.semisweetonline.com

[pocketgarden]

Highland Kitchen, Somerville
Eastern Standard, Kenmorel
Orinoco, South End
Oleana, Cambridge
Flour, South End

[heypielady]

Craigie on Main (love dinner, bar, and brunch)
Hungry Mother
Gran Gusto
East Coast Grill
Iggy's (I'm in heaven with a chocolate croissant and a coffee)

Yeah, I don't really leave Cambridge all that much.

[dulce de leche]

Me, either! Thanks for reminding me that I can go to Iggy's and get it straight from the source my own self.

[MC Slim JB]

I've started and stopped a contribution to this thread a dozen times. Picking five even if you slice it thin is excruciating. And for all my notes and journals and electronic helpers, I can't shake the nagging feeling I'm forgetting something important.

It's tough to leave Toro off, but no reservations makes it more work than it's worth sometimes. There are newer places that I'm enamored with (O Ya, Erbaluce, Craigie, Coppa, and Estragon come to mind), but a short track record keeps them off. Historically speaking, I'd want to include old favorites (L'Espalier before the move, eat, Caffe Umbra, Olives when English actually cooked there, the B-Side, South End Galleria, many others). Many deserve inclusion for doing one or two things that are stunning (Angela's, Rami's, Pho Viet, Ken's, Speed's, Wang's, Regina, Grill 23, Hamersley's, etc.).

Certain fine small restaurants I might include if they were in my neighborhood and I could patronize them more easily (Ten Tables, Garden at The Cellar, Rendezvous, dbar, Lumiere, Hungry Mother). Some I love for being better than they have to be (Audubon, Highland Kitchen, Silvertone, Vinny's, Deluxe Town, Mary Chung, etc.) And there are many traditional-cuisine restaurants that deserve a mention (Brookline Family, Dok Bua, Casa Portugal, Rincon Limeño, FuLoon, Toraya, Orinoco, Floating Rock, Taberna de Haro, Baraka, Petit Robert, New Shanghai, Xinh Xinh, etc.) I don't think much of the food at Drink, but as a serious-cocktail lover, I want to include it anyway.

I guess I'll kick in five that I really like a lot, tend to patronize regularly, and maybe am including for sentimental reasons as much as great food over a period of years:

Trattoria Toscana
Franklin Cafe (original South End location)
Peach Farm
Green Street (great bartending being crucial here)
Neptune Oyster

That was really difficult, and I can't say I feel good about the whole process. Ask me again tomorrow, and I will have another list.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[shaebones]

Thanks MSJ, I've been patientently awaiting your reply on this thread. :)

[Jolyon Helterman]

Nice list(s). I'm currently in therapy to deal with the guilt of not picking Hamersley's, Neptune, Craigie, and New Shanghai. But I'm fine. Really. Just fine. [Exhale.]

[MC Slim JB]

That's exactly what I experienced: some place is going to get ignored unfairly. For instance, I notice I didn't mention a single Indian restaurant: file that under "traditional", probably India Quality.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[globalgourmand]

Bravo Slim! I know it was hard, but you did what you could and we appreciate it! What is it that you love at Rami's?

[MC Slim JB]

I love Rami's turkey shawarma. It has gotten a little scary-pricey lately, but they're the only ones I know doing it, and my Israeli buds say it tastes just like what they remember fondly from Tel Aviv. I can't judge it that way, but it is way up there in my local pantheon of shwarma/döner/gyros/al pastor.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[StriperGuy]

Shawarma on the street in Tel Aviv cooked over charcoal is WAY better than Ramis.

[globalgourmand]

Sweet, my next meal before a film at Coolidge. Done.

Thanks!

[Allstonian]

Bear in mind that they observe Shabbas, and therefore close early on Fridays and are closed all day on Saturday.

[theparegorickid]

in no particular order
FuLoon
Dok Bua
Peach Farm
Phien's Kitchen
My House

[hiddenboston]

I'm going to add 5 more. :-b

Cronin's Publick House, Quincy
Topacio, East Boston
Cambridge Common, Cambridge
Genki Ya, Brookline
Shanti, Dorchester

[Joanie]

I think you're breaking the rules.

[hiddenboston]

I believe the starter of each thread makes his or her own rules. Or perhaps I'm sadly mistaken on this one.... ;-)

[Gabatta]

What do you recommend at Cambridge Common? The wings are above average, but we haven't hit on anything else we'd order again there. It is closeby and we would love to go there more if I knew what to order.

[BarmyFotheringayPhipps]

I mostly go there for beer and tater tots following a jazz-vinyl binge at Stereo Jack's across the way. The tots are basic Sysco, but it's surprisingly hard to find them around here.

In fact, I think I know what I'm doing next Saturday afternoon...

[phatchris]

Lower Depths also has tasty basic tots done a few ways.

[hiddenboston]

I love the boneless wings there, and the tater tots go great with beer. Burgers are decent as well. It isn't outstanding food by any means, but a friendly comfortable place (with a terrific beer list) that I like to go to when I'm not looking for that Next Great Restaurant. ;-)

[twentyoystahs]

I always enjoy the sweet potato fries there...really good.

[bostonbroad]

Not sure if I qualify, but currently:
Ten Tables (JP, haven't been to Cambridge yet)
Coppa (although I've only been once; would swap in Highland Kitchen if Coppa came off)
Green Street
Craigie
Hungry Mother

If just cocktails were allowed, I consisently spend more time (and $$$) at Drink than anywhere else right now.

[AmbigEthnic]

Places I go to a lot...

Izzy's in Cambridge (for the Roast Pork)
New Shanghai (for Szechuan)
Santarpios (the combo grill is too good)
La Papusa Guanaca (for papusas and empanadas)
Galleria Umberto (for the arancini)

[twentyoystahs]

You and I have (almost) exactly the same list! (except for my Toro for your Green St) :)

[MaineRed]

I'll stick to Medford/Davis Sqr--and our local places:

Chili Garden, Medford (excellent Schezuan, DC loooves the green peppers and mustard chicken)
Redbones (mostly for the beer and Tuesday turkey dinner)
Renee's Cafe, Holland St, Somerville (breakfast)
Guru the Caterer (delish and not heavy Indian food; www.guruthecaterer.com
)Craigie on Main (fancy/special occasion)

[Gabatta]

More detail on the Tuesday turkey dinner at Redbones please!

[Dr.Jimbob]

OK, not sure if I count as a veteran (looks like my first long review was published in 2006) or frequent (have been pulled away by other things in the past year or two), but I'll bite:

Favorite local places (with newborn twin daughters, this is where I go most of the time; being within a stone's throw of Porter & Davis Squares is awfully nice in this respect):
Qingdao Garden
Redbones
Gargoyle's on the Square
Namaskar
Zing!

Five go-to destination locations:
FuLoon, Malden
Dalí, Camberville (throw brickbats at will, I don't care how much better you think Taberna de Haro etc etc are)
La Voile, Back Bay
Gourmet Dumpling House, Chinatown
Brookline Family Restaurant, Brookline Village

[Bob Dobalina]

Currently on my "buy" list:

Erbaluce
Hungry Mother
Highland Kitchen
Red Lentil
Pho 'n' Rice

[Kinopio]

As someone who doesn't eat meat and cringes at spending more than $25 on food for one meal, my list is a bit different.

Rangzen - Amazing buffet.
Silvertone- Chill vibe, good food and prices
Brookline Lunch- Their jam and harissa sauce elevates their breakfast to another level
Hammersly's- I feel compelled to name one higher end place, and this comes to mind
Cambridge Brewing Company- Love their beer, great patio

[teezeetoo]

did you mean Brookline Family?

[MC Slim JB]

I'm guessing Kinopio means Brookline Lunch in Central Square, Cambridge, which does Middle Eastern dishes (like zataar bread, a pretty typical Levantine breakfast dish) as well as American breakfast food. I wouldn't expect to see harissa there, which I think of as North African.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[Tir_na_nOg]

Sichuan Gourmet (Billerica)
Oishii (Chestnut Hill)
Peach Farm (seafood only)
The Helmand
The Blue Room

Chowingdown in Boston since 2001.

[joeybags]

D' Annes (Abington)
Polcaries (Woburn)
Old Colonial (Norwood)

[mabelm4050]

Rod Dee 2
Bartley's
Fiorella's
Al Dente
Farm Grill & Rotisserie

[hcbk0702]

O Ya
Troquet
Neptune Oyster
Craigie on Main
Hungry Mother

[scotty27]

If I ever leave Boston, these are the 5 places I would miss most:
GALLERIA UMBERTO (NORTH END)
CK'S SHANGHAI (WELLESLEY)
MR. BARTLEY'S BURGERS (CAMBRIDGE)
SCAMPO (BOSTON)
I don't think there is a 5th place.

[scotty27]

The 5th, I forgot:
HI-RISE (CAMBRIDGE)

[steinpilz]

I'll add some old tattered favorites that I haven't seen mentioned:

The Publick House
Bukowski Tavern
Casablanca
Legal Seafoods
Japers's Summer Shack

[tatsu]

Hi-Rise Bread Co.
Oleana
FuLoon
Emma's Pizza
Christina's Homemade Ice Cream

I might put in Taiwan Cafe instead of FuLoon. I've had so many meals there. But man, I eat at Hi-Rise A LOT. I'm just waiting for a sandwich to be named after me. Oleana will always be special to me, I met Ana Sortun when she catered an office party in the years she worked at Aigo Bistro in Concord. Years later when I ate at Casablanca and I asked the waiter to say hi, she sent out a lovely asparagus app on the house. I only met that one time, so I thought that was really sweet of her. I think she really is one of the best in Boston. Emma's I think, has a right as any to claim the title "Boston Pizza". I love their history as well.

With the exception of FuLoon, these places shoulda coulda woulda been pretty good for that dude's TV show, that guy who never called me, oh Anthony Bourdain.

I was talking to a friend in NY last weekend about Boston food. He said, "I guess Boston is famous for Ice Cream." I kind of slouched back and sighed when I realized he was right. After all, we eat more per capita than any city, no? Maybe that's our food culture, who knows. Why did that thread get locked? And why did the mods delete cambridgedoc's compliment on my food photos? They are just being mean to me obvi.

So Bourdain should of done an ice cream tour. I really don't eat the stuff, but I will go to Christina's once a year. I think it's the best. Hard pack, plentiful and great but not ridiculous flavors. Tastes like New England to me.

[Bivalve]

Don't qualify, but that doesn't seem to matter:

Angela's Cafe (East Boston)
Great Taste
Helmand
Prezza
Hamersley's

[Locutus]

In no specific order

Santarpios
O'Sullivans
Blue Ribbon
Redbones [Only 1/2 Price apps at the bar]
Neptune
Walrus and Carpenter

[Pegmeister]

Walrus and Carpenter is so overlooked probably because it's in the food court. I love to sit at the little bar with a glass of wine, some oysters and the steamed shrimp. I've had some interesting conversations there with tourists. One gentleman from Russia asked me to take pictures of him with his lobster and then he wrapped up the shells to take home and show everyone. I really tried to talk him out of it but he was determined.

[Locutus]

I dont think overooked is correct. I think people know its there,but think of it as the same quality food in the rest of the market.

I love the place so much i worked there part time for 10 years or so. It has been a while since ive been there

[Pegmeister]

Your probably right I know people who won't even walk through the market, their loss I guess. I'm also really amazed at just how efficient that tiny space is. I would love that steamer set up in my own kitchen and they even bake up their own rolls, although the clam chowder is purchased.

[scotty27]

In no particular order, these are the five places I would miss if I moved away:

Galleria Umberto, North End
CK's Shanghai, Wellesley
East Coast Grill, Cambridge
Hi-Rise Bakery (on Concord Avenue), Cambridge
Flour Bakery

www.shrinkinthekitchen.com

[cambridgedoctpr]

well, there is someone else on the board who must get CK's attention when he eats there; as you added it to your top 5 list. I find most of the menu to get ok to good chinese american food well beneath the ability of the chef.

I would add Cragie - again i am one of the few who does not mind their attitude; Uni Bar, Coppa - I seem to be one of the few on this board who thinks highly of the pizzas - Sichuan Gourmet.

[scotty27]

Maybe I'm being sentimental about CK, maybe not. I sent two people there last week: They ordered all shellfish off the menu and were blown away by the precise, clean flavors.

I agree about Craigie; funny, i don't see attitude there, but I know many people do as well.

www.shrinkinthekitchen.com

[Swankalicious]

Guru the Caterer (Somerville)
Tu Y Yo (Somerville)
Hei Lei Moon (Chinatown)
Strip T's (Watertown)
Qingdao Garden (Cambridge)