Todd English restaurants

[itryalot]

Only in town for a few nights, but are any of Todd's restaurants chow worthy?

[SeoulQueen]

Just had a horrible lunch at Figs - his pizza place in Beacon Hill. Husband and I wanted a quick lunch before heading back home to CT and this was near our hotel. We did 1/2 and 1/2 pizza, one side roasted pulled chicken and the other was figs and proscuitto. It was awful. The chicken was underseasoned and the pizza was so oily and greasy that I couldn't even finish my 1st slice. The figs and proscuitto side was only marginally better - the figs and balsamic jam were sweet but I couldn't see/taste any gorgonzola cheese to cut through all that sweetness. The proscuitto was dried out - must have been pre-sliced and left laying out for a while. horrible horrible.

The slice of pepperoni pizza I had yesterday for $3.25 at Panifico down the road was better than this! I don't understand why English gets so much press if this is the standard of cooking he produces?

[MC Slim JB]

One word: marketing. English as Chef was overtaken by English as Brand Building Engine long ago.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[ParisLady]

I agree (unfortunately, Slim JB). I do like Kingfish Hall. One can usually find Che English at Mohegan...at Bobby Flay's Bar Americain, which I thoroughly enjoy!

-----
Kingfish Hall
188 South Market Building, Boston, MA 02109

[phonelady]

Two-alarm fire shuts Olives in Charlestown http://bit.ly/91193B

3800Follow First tweeted by universalhub.

[pastrytroll]

no, used to work for one, would not eat in any of them.

[opinionatedchef]

just curious why you say that?

[Cheffrank]

I still like Olives but the rstaurant can be inconsistent. If Todd is in the building, it rocks but he is not there often

[StriperGuy]

"If Todd is in the building" I am sure he actually sets foot there at least once or twice a year.

[hyde]

english is the perfect object/lesson in the "famous chef" category. charlestown was truly great before he was a name. sad he decided on this course but the money was probably extrordinary. eat elsewhere.

[Chocomom]

Nope.

I had a friend that worked in one of his restaurant and she wouldn't eat there. LOL

[Gabatta]

Why?

[Chocomom]

Because she told me that most of their specials are anything but.

Let's say nothing is wasted and everything is used regardless....

[pastrytroll]

uh - same for me!

[itryalot]

I am so glad to hear "NO". I would rather go with locally owned operations.

[MC Slim JB]

Well, English is in fact based here, has a home on Beacon Hill, but arguably he's a multinational conglomerate these days. I suspect you mean local independent chef-owned places, in which case, I heartily agree.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[itryalot]

Yes; thanks for clarifying MC. Noticed he has many places in Florida.

[kate used to be 50]

no

[MC Slim JB]

I still like the Figs on Beacon Hill (gourmet pizza, salads, sandwiches), but Olives in Charlestown is a disappointment to most visitors who insist I bring them there. It's a pale shadow of its former glory (years ago, it was my favorite upscale restaurant in Boston), and The Todd rarely if ever darkens its doorstep. There are about a hundred fine-dining venues in Boston that outperform it.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[nsenada]

I do like that fig and proscuitto pizza, and while it usually isn't my first choice, Kingfish Hall is actually quite good for certain things. Their chowders are very good, and I like their lobster roll. I had a ceviche once with pickled onions that was excellent. Haven't been to olives in many years, mostly based on similar tales of faded glory.

-----
Kingfish Hall
188 South Market Building, Boston, MA 02109

[lexpatti]

I've always enjoyed Olives in Charletown, it can be a bit noisy with the open kitchen concept but I really really love his tuna tartare app. I haven't been in prob a year or so but I've always enjoyed dining here.

[BostonZest]

no

[Blumie]

I don't think so.