Oishii
1166 Washington St # 110, Boston, MA 02118
We were a party of 3 with a reservation for dinner. We were seated downstairs and greeted right away. The service was a little slow to start. It seemed like our server had too many tables. We decided to go for it and ordered the Omakase for the 3 of us with 2 of us enjoying sake. All of the dishes were beautiful to look at, cooked to perfection, and the flavors were outstanding. We can't wait to return.
Tasting Counter
14 Tyler St, Somerville, MA 02143
Making a reservation at Tasting Counter is different than most restaurants. On their website you buy tickets for lunch or dinner on a specific day and seating time. A dinner ticket (which we booked) is $180.00 per person and includes your dinner experience, your paired beverages, taxes, and service tip.
The evenings 1st service was late so we didn't enter room until 8:20. I really feel dinners should be at 6 and then 8:30 instead of 8 giving the team time to turn things over when there are guests who lag behind. We were checked in and seated but had to get back up to have my coat checked.
The chefs were very impressive especially considering that their schedule was a bit off. I was also thrilled to see that my allergies were taken seriously. The chefs didn't just remove components from my dishes but made separate items to accommodate. Sommelier offered us a nice selection of sake however o ya selection was more diverse. I will say there was a few faux pas by the sommelier. Drips on the counter were wiped up by her hand.
Over all the food was beautiful, refined, modern and cooked perfectly. Greg and I do tend to lean towards bold flavors so we both agreed that the seasoning here was on the subtle side.
The evenings 1st service was late so we didn't enter room until 8:20. I really feel dinners should be at 6 and then 8:30 instead of 8 giving the team time to turn things over when there are guests who lag behind. We were checked in and seated but had to get back up to have my coat checked.
The chefs were very impressive especially considering that their schedule was a bit off. I was also thrilled to see that my allergies were taken seriously. The chefs didn't just remove components from my dishes but made separate items to accommodate. Sommelier offered us a nice selection of sake however o ya selection was more diverse. I will say there was a few faux pas by the sommelier. Drips on the counter were wiped up by her hand.
Over all the food was beautiful, refined, modern and cooked perfectly. Greg and I do tend to lean towards bold flavors so we both agreed that the seasoning here was on the subtle side.
O Ya
9 East St, Boston, MA 02111
We were able to secure a reservation at O Ya thanks to a last minute cancellation. Traveling into Boston, we arrived a little early but only had a few minutes wait. Our seats were located at the Sushi Bar, which worked for us! The staff helped us with our coats and showed me the hook under the counter for my clutch. With so many delicious choices we opted for the chef's choice tasting menu and the wine/sake pairing. Over the next few of hours we enjoyed 16 beautiful and perfectly paired dishes. I will say, compared to other tasting menus we've tried (Morimoto, Zuma, The Bazaar), we don't feel O Ya offers a complete meal. We didn't leave the restaurant hungry but only having one bite each left us wanting more of some dishes. At a total bill of $600 we expected start to finish courses and were a little thrown off when we were asked if we would like to see a dessert menu. This was the first chef’s tasting menu without at least one dessert offering. As a whole, we also felt the meat portion of the meal should have been expanded based on the number of courses.
****Koreana
154-158 Prospect at Broadway, Cambridge, MA
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The hostess seated our party of 3 right away even though we were a little early for our reservation. We knew we wanted to try a little of everything so we opted for appetizers and BBQ. We started our meal off with the Kimchi Pancakes (unfortunately I can't speak to the taste since I didn't want to chance eating the wheat flour) and the Ddod Bok Gi (Rice dumplings in a spicy sauce). The Ddod Bok Gi was very spicy but not in an unbearable way, full of flavor, and has a chewy texture.
For our entrees we ordered the Pork Belly, Unmarinated Prime Beef Short Ribs, and the Bulgogi. While we were eating our appetizers the waitress brought out our side dishes. We had bean sprouts, marinated vegetables, salad, kimchi, daikon, sesami oil, a couple of sauces, broccoli, and green onion salad, lettuce, and rice. All of the dishes we tried were flavorful and worked with all the meats we ordered. The pork belly took the longest to cook and oddly was my least favorite. It seemed to be lacking in flavor. The short ribs were so tender they practically melted in your mouth. The bulgogi was full of flavor and was also incredibly tender.
We had a wonderful meal, walked out completely full and can't wait to go back!
For our entrees we ordered the Pork Belly, Unmarinated Prime Beef Short Ribs, and the Bulgogi. While we were eating our appetizers the waitress brought out our side dishes. We had bean sprouts, marinated vegetables, salad, kimchi, daikon, sesami oil, a couple of sauces, broccoli, and green onion salad, lettuce, and rice. All of the dishes we tried were flavorful and worked with all the meats we ordered. The pork belly took the longest to cook and oddly was my least favorite. It seemed to be lacking in flavor. The short ribs were so tender they practically melted in your mouth. The bulgogi was full of flavor and was also incredibly tender.
We had a wonderful meal, walked out completely full and can't wait to go back!
***Gourmet Dumpling House
52 Beach Street Boston MA
We were interested in trying some Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings). We decided to try The Gourmet Dumpling House. We were so glad that we did. We put our names on the list since the restaurant was very busy. Unfortunately, they missed our names and so lots of people got sat before us that came in after. Oh well we're in no rush. We were seated at a small table by the fish tank (don't make friends with the fish they may become your dinner lol). We started with a couple Tsing Beers and perused the menu. We ordered pan fried dumplings, pork soup dumplings, and a spicy pork hot pot. In other words food for 4-6 people lol! The dishes came out all at once so this made our small table even smaller.
The soup dumplings were delicious although it took me a couple of tries to get the proper eating of them down. Tip: Make a small hole in the top to let out the steam and cool for a few seconds. Next take a bite out of the side of the dumpling and sip out all of the soup liquid. Finally eat the rest of the dumpling. The dumplings were tender, flavorful, and fresh. The friend dumplings were good although kind of standard at any decent Chinese restaurant. The spicy pork hot pot was outstanding! The vegetables were crisp (yay I finally got to try Lotus Root), the pork was tender, and the sauce was salty and not overwhelmingly spicy (I will say that Greg and I do love heat from peppers so this isn't for someone who likes mild dishes).
Greg and I can't wait to return to Gourmet Dumpling House!
The soup dumplings were delicious although it took me a couple of tries to get the proper eating of them down. Tip: Make a small hole in the top to let out the steam and cool for a few seconds. Next take a bite out of the side of the dumpling and sip out all of the soup liquid. Finally eat the rest of the dumpling. The dumplings were tender, flavorful, and fresh. The friend dumplings were good although kind of standard at any decent Chinese restaurant. The spicy pork hot pot was outstanding! The vegetables were crisp (yay I finally got to try Lotus Root), the pork was tender, and the sauce was salty and not overwhelmingly spicy (I will say that Greg and I do love heat from peppers so this isn't for someone who likes mild dishes).
Greg and I can't wait to return to Gourmet Dumpling House!
****The Bristol Lounge (2nd visit)
200 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02116
Our friends had tickets to a matinee in Boston so we decided to meet up with them after the show for dinner. We suggested The Bristol Lounge because of their willingness to accommodate allergies. The Bristol Lounge offers a lounge menu, dinner menu, dairy free menu and a gluten free menu.
We were a party of 4 with an early reservation. Our waiter was a lovely gentleman from Italy with a fantastic sense of humor. We ordered drinks and started on the bread basket. The initial bread basket contained gluten but was dairy free. Our waiter ordered a gluten free basket for my friend. The four of us opted for the Seafood Sampler (we had fond memories of this from our previous visit). Sadly the sampler wasn't as good as we remembered. The crab, oysters, shrimp and lobster were all wonderful but the dish no longer comes with clams nor ceviche. On our previous dish the ceviche really elevated the sampler.
For entrees I ordered the Ahi Tuna (fricassee of spring peas, vines, pods, and pearls, and edamame hummus). This dish was wonderful. The Tuna cooked and seasoned beautiful and the vegetables were just right for a warm summer evening. Greg ordered the Soft Hewn Black Pepper Pasta (wild boar ragu and grated Romano). Our friends seemed to also enjoy their dishes although I can't quite recall what they ordered.
We all have decided that we would return to The Bristol Lounge again some time.
We were a party of 4 with an early reservation. Our waiter was a lovely gentleman from Italy with a fantastic sense of humor. We ordered drinks and started on the bread basket. The initial bread basket contained gluten but was dairy free. Our waiter ordered a gluten free basket for my friend. The four of us opted for the Seafood Sampler (we had fond memories of this from our previous visit). Sadly the sampler wasn't as good as we remembered. The crab, oysters, shrimp and lobster were all wonderful but the dish no longer comes with clams nor ceviche. On our previous dish the ceviche really elevated the sampler.
For entrees I ordered the Ahi Tuna (fricassee of spring peas, vines, pods, and pearls, and edamame hummus). This dish was wonderful. The Tuna cooked and seasoned beautiful and the vegetables were just right for a warm summer evening. Greg ordered the Soft Hewn Black Pepper Pasta (wild boar ragu and grated Romano). Our friends seemed to also enjoy their dishes although I can't quite recall what they ordered.
We all have decided that we would return to The Bristol Lounge again some time.
***Brasserie 28 (2nd visit)
2 Elm Square Andover, MA 01810
I really wish I could write a glowing review for Brasserie 28 however on this visit almost everything went wrong. I will start with the positive. The food is well thought out, presented beautifully, and is very satisfying.
We were a party of 4 with a reservation for dining on the new patio. After checking in we were seated right away. It took about 10 minutes for our drink orders to be taken and another 10 minutes before we received them. We placed our orders (choosing the 2 item prefix) and enjoyed our drinks and the sunset.
It took over an hour from the time we sat down to receive our appetizers. For the table we ordered La Queceria "American" Proscuitto (which came with grilled bread) and the fingerling potato skins. It would have been appropriate for these two items to come out before our individual dishes. Individually we had two orders the Foie Gras appetizer (mine without dairy), Greg ordered the Lamb Sausage, and one of our guests ordered the Clams. Sadly my Foie Gras was given to me with polenta that contained dairy. I voiced my concern and my plate was taken back to the kitchen. When my appetizer was returned to me I found some polenta on one of the peaches so I have a feeling my plate was just wiped clean of the polenta instead of firing me a new entrée, a little concerning as I have a dairy allergy as opposed to a lactose intolerance. It also wasn't until well after our appetizers were served and eaten that our server asked if we would like a 2nd round of drinks.
When our entrees were delivered we had the Tuna Nicoise (dairy free for me), Squash Blossom Risotto (gluten free for my friend), Hake, and Pork Chop. The kitchen made a 2nd error. The Squash Blossom Risotto contained fried squash blossoms which weren't gluten free. The plate had to be sent back to the kitchen and wasn't returned until after the rest of the table had finished our meal.
Earlier in the evening the server piqued my friends interest talking about a flour-less chocolate cake. My friend did order it and stated it was the best part of the meal.
In the end the restaurant did apologize for the errors and took those two items off of our check. The next day we all agreed that we would still go back to Brasserie 28 due to the flavors of the food, but would need to remain diligent in checking the food with our associated allergies.
We were a party of 4 with a reservation for dining on the new patio. After checking in we were seated right away. It took about 10 minutes for our drink orders to be taken and another 10 minutes before we received them. We placed our orders (choosing the 2 item prefix) and enjoyed our drinks and the sunset.
It took over an hour from the time we sat down to receive our appetizers. For the table we ordered La Queceria "American" Proscuitto (which came with grilled bread) and the fingerling potato skins. It would have been appropriate for these two items to come out before our individual dishes. Individually we had two orders the Foie Gras appetizer (mine without dairy), Greg ordered the Lamb Sausage, and one of our guests ordered the Clams. Sadly my Foie Gras was given to me with polenta that contained dairy. I voiced my concern and my plate was taken back to the kitchen. When my appetizer was returned to me I found some polenta on one of the peaches so I have a feeling my plate was just wiped clean of the polenta instead of firing me a new entrée, a little concerning as I have a dairy allergy as opposed to a lactose intolerance. It also wasn't until well after our appetizers were served and eaten that our server asked if we would like a 2nd round of drinks.
When our entrees were delivered we had the Tuna Nicoise (dairy free for me), Squash Blossom Risotto (gluten free for my friend), Hake, and Pork Chop. The kitchen made a 2nd error. The Squash Blossom Risotto contained fried squash blossoms which weren't gluten free. The plate had to be sent back to the kitchen and wasn't returned until after the rest of the table had finished our meal.
Earlier in the evening the server piqued my friends interest talking about a flour-less chocolate cake. My friend did order it and stated it was the best part of the meal.
In the end the restaurant did apologize for the errors and took those two items off of our check. The next day we all agreed that we would still go back to Brasserie 28 due to the flavors of the food, but would need to remain diligent in checking the food with our associated allergies.
****Bricco Ristorante
241 Hanover St Boston, MA 02113
For only $20 we used the restaurants valet service - a great deal! We were a party of 4 with a reservation. We were first shown to a table upstairs right by the restrooms. After asking to switch tables we were told there would be a slight wait. This was fine for us so we headed back downstairs for a bit. A few minutes later we were seated on the first floor near the open kitchen.
Our waiter was extremely friendly and personable. He was also extremely accommodating and understanding about my allergy. For appetizers we ordered the Soft Shell Crab Tempura (dairy free), Octopus, Salad with Burratta (fresh and creamy), and the Mussels. All were seasoned perfectly and presented with flair.
For entrees we ordered two of the Papparadelle al Cinghiale (one without dairy), Veal Valdostana, and the Big Night Timpano. We couldn't find a fault with any of our meals.
We chose not to order dessert since the restaurant is in the North End. Walk anywhere in the area and you can enjoy fresh pastries, gelato, and so much more.
We all highly recommend a visit to Bricco.
Our waiter was extremely friendly and personable. He was also extremely accommodating and understanding about my allergy. For appetizers we ordered the Soft Shell Crab Tempura (dairy free), Octopus, Salad with Burratta (fresh and creamy), and the Mussels. All were seasoned perfectly and presented with flair.
For entrees we ordered two of the Papparadelle al Cinghiale (one without dairy), Veal Valdostana, and the Big Night Timpano. We couldn't find a fault with any of our meals.
We chose not to order dessert since the restaurant is in the North End. Walk anywhere in the area and you can enjoy fresh pastries, gelato, and so much more.
We all highly recommend a visit to Bricco.
***Brasserie 28
2 Elm Square Andover, MA 01810
We were a party of four and had made a reservation earlier in the day. The restaurant is small but very inviting. The atmosphere is a bit modern with a touch of vintage. The only piece I didn't like was the fish tank (yes it was salt water and shows dedication to maintain) but it felt a bit dated.
We all decided to get the two course prix fixe menu. You are able to choose your selections based on the menu offerings. Our table started with Clam Chowder (light, more like steamed clams with broth), Salad with a lavender vinaigrette, Foie Gras with berries, and sadly I can't recall the last appetizer. We thoroughly enjoyed our appetizers. They were all perfectly executed for sight and taste.
For entrees we ordered Scallops with fava beans (sadly the fava beans were slightly undercooked), Potato crusted Tuna, Hake, and Risotto. Again beautifully presented and very flavorful. My one critique would be the meals were slightly salty.
We would return again and encourage others to visit.
We all decided to get the two course prix fixe menu. You are able to choose your selections based on the menu offerings. Our table started with Clam Chowder (light, more like steamed clams with broth), Salad with a lavender vinaigrette, Foie Gras with berries, and sadly I can't recall the last appetizer. We thoroughly enjoyed our appetizers. They were all perfectly executed for sight and taste.
For entrees we ordered Scallops with fava beans (sadly the fava beans were slightly undercooked), Potato crusted Tuna, Hake, and Risotto. Again beautifully presented and very flavorful. My one critique would be the meals were slightly salty.
We would return again and encourage others to visit.
***Wagamama
Quincy Market Building Boston MA 02109
We were a party of 2 adults and 2 children for lunch. The hostess greeted us right away and had a table available for us. We were asked if we wanted children's menu's but we declined them.
The seating is close to communal with small spaces in between the tables. The restaurant also offers outdoor dining. Our waiter came and greeted us and was very accommodating to our dairy allergy. To start the meal we chose the sweet potato fries with spicy dipping sauce. The fries were crispy yet soft in the center and the dip was full of flavor with a touch of heat. For entrees we ordered:
Pad Thai with Tofu - Could have used a bit more flavor and definitely could have used more Tofu
Chicken Ramen - Thoroughly enjoyable
Chicken Raisukaree - Very tasty and you were able to adjust the heat by eating or avoiding the peppers
Shichimi Chicken - Light but flavorful
We will definitely return to Wagamama!
The seating is close to communal with small spaces in between the tables. The restaurant also offers outdoor dining. Our waiter came and greeted us and was very accommodating to our dairy allergy. To start the meal we chose the sweet potato fries with spicy dipping sauce. The fries were crispy yet soft in the center and the dip was full of flavor with a touch of heat. For entrees we ordered:
Pad Thai with Tofu - Could have used a bit more flavor and definitely could have used more Tofu
Chicken Ramen - Thoroughly enjoyable
Chicken Raisukaree - Very tasty and you were able to adjust the heat by eating or avoiding the peppers
Shichimi Chicken - Light but flavorful
We will definitely return to Wagamama!
***All Seasons Table (their website takes a few tries at times - finicky)
64 Pleasant St Malden, MA 02148
We were supposed to dine in at the restaurant but my grandmother wasn't having a good day and so the restaurant was very accepting of us cancelling our reservation (for 8). The menu still sounded good so we decided to order take out. The food looked fresh, well prepared, and offered large portions. Our party ordered:
Lady in Red Maki (soft shell crab tempura, topped with tuna, tobiko and balsamic glaze) - excellent
Crab Rangoons - Least favorite items of those who could eat dairy
Shrimp and Veggie Tempura - crispy and fresh
Hunan Style Lamb - restaurant accommodated a request for extra spicy
Mongolian Lamb with Sesame
Crispy Duck with Ginger and Scalion - Duck was definitely crispy although a bit dry. Sauce could have used some more flavor
Fresh Grilled Salmon - this person cleaned their plate!
House special pan fried noodles - noodles were too crispy and too stuck together
Dry Sauteed Green Beans
I think we definitely would have enjoyed it more had we eaten at the restaurant since the dishes would have been plated better. We recommend All Seasons Table and will be going again ourselves.
Lady in Red Maki (soft shell crab tempura, topped with tuna, tobiko and balsamic glaze) - excellent
Crab Rangoons - Least favorite items of those who could eat dairy
Shrimp and Veggie Tempura - crispy and fresh
Hunan Style Lamb - restaurant accommodated a request for extra spicy
Mongolian Lamb with Sesame
Crispy Duck with Ginger and Scalion - Duck was definitely crispy although a bit dry. Sauce could have used some more flavor
Fresh Grilled Salmon - this person cleaned their plate!
House special pan fried noodles - noodles were too crispy and too stuck together
Dry Sauteed Green Beans
I think we definitely would have enjoyed it more had we eaten at the restaurant since the dishes would have been plated better. We recommend All Seasons Table and will be going again ourselves.
***Thai Sweet Basil
209 North Main Street. Rt. 28 (Shawsheen Plaza)
Andover, MA 01810
We have always wanted to eat at Thai Sweet Basil but for one reason or another it took us 10 years to try it. We decided to order take out one night. Greg's impression of the restaurant was small but clean and friendly (it looked like others mostly order take out too).
We ordered an appetizer of Fresh Basil Spring Rolls. The Spring Rolls were delicious and refreshing although the accompanying sauce was a bit too sweet for our taste. Next we ordered a Shrimp Papaya Salad. This salad was tangy, sweet, and a hint of salty. Perfect!
For main courses we decided to over order to get an idea of what the restaurant offers. We enjoyed Basil Fried Rice (although would have preferred a bit more basil flavor), Crispy Pad Thai, and Green Curry Vegetables (Greg liked this as it was however I would have preferred the vegetables to have been cut a bit smaller).
We both agree we will definitely dine here again!!
We ordered an appetizer of Fresh Basil Spring Rolls. The Spring Rolls were delicious and refreshing although the accompanying sauce was a bit too sweet for our taste. Next we ordered a Shrimp Papaya Salad. This salad was tangy, sweet, and a hint of salty. Perfect!
For main courses we decided to over order to get an idea of what the restaurant offers. We enjoyed Basil Fried Rice (although would have preferred a bit more basil flavor), Crispy Pad Thai, and Green Curry Vegetables (Greg liked this as it was however I would have preferred the vegetables to have been cut a bit smaller).
We both agree we will definitely dine here again!!
**JW's Burger Bar
17 New Driftway Scituate, MA 02066
We tried JW's Burger Bar while in Scituate for a photo shoot. We were a party of 7 and were seated right away. The atmosphere is fun and kooky but after a while it does want to give you a headache. The menu looks and sounds and for the most part the food continues that feeling.
The restaurant was very accommodating to my dairy allergy. Including dairy free buns, checking on whether there was dairy in the appetizers, and being able to remove cheese from the burgers. Unfortunately, things hit a bit of a sour note when my cousin ordered her salad. The salad was 7.95 which is more than reasonable but to add chicken was an additional 7.95. This was a rather pricey lunch salad.
I ordered the Cali Burger (topped with avocado and cilantro lime aioli). The burger was tender and juicy but the aioli was just drizzled over the burger and lacked depth of flavor. The other burgers ordered were the same cooked perfectly but needed seasoning. The buffalo chicken fingers were delicious according to my little cousin.
The star of lunch were the french fries and accompanying sauces. The Truffle Ketchup was tangy and had the perfect touch of truffles. The Thai chili aioli was outstanding! The aioli hit on all flavor points.
I would try this restaurant again but it is on the pricier side for burgers.
The restaurant was very accommodating to my dairy allergy. Including dairy free buns, checking on whether there was dairy in the appetizers, and being able to remove cheese from the burgers. Unfortunately, things hit a bit of a sour note when my cousin ordered her salad. The salad was 7.95 which is more than reasonable but to add chicken was an additional 7.95. This was a rather pricey lunch salad.
I ordered the Cali Burger (topped with avocado and cilantro lime aioli). The burger was tender and juicy but the aioli was just drizzled over the burger and lacked depth of flavor. The other burgers ordered were the same cooked perfectly but needed seasoning. The buffalo chicken fingers were delicious according to my little cousin.
The star of lunch were the french fries and accompanying sauces. The Truffle Ketchup was tangy and had the perfect touch of truffles. The Thai chili aioli was outstanding! The aioli hit on all flavor points.
I would try this restaurant again but it is on the pricier side for burgers.
****The Bristol Lounge
200 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02116
We were heading to a show in the Theater District and wanted a casual but interesting meal before hand. We decided to try The Bristol Lounge and immediately liked the atmosphere. We chose to sit at one of the couches in the bar area rather than sitting down for a full meal.
Our waiter brought over our drinks and provided us with a few different menus. We were given the full dinner menu, the bar menu, and after hearing about my allergy presented me with a dairy free menu.
We inquired about the short rib crostini and at first were told that it couldn't be made dairy free. However, another staff member brought it out without the provolone cheese and verified with the chef that the bread was dairy free. Next we ordered the Seafood Sampler. The sampler included Chilled Shrimp, Maine Lobster, Alaskan Crab, Oysters, and Scallop Ceviche. All of the seafood was fresh, chilled, perfectly cooked or seasoned, and the accompaniments were flavorful without overpowering.
Based on our experience I would definitely return and would also recommend to others.
Our waiter brought over our drinks and provided us with a few different menus. We were given the full dinner menu, the bar menu, and after hearing about my allergy presented me with a dairy free menu.
We inquired about the short rib crostini and at first were told that it couldn't be made dairy free. However, another staff member brought it out without the provolone cheese and verified with the chef that the bread was dairy free. Next we ordered the Seafood Sampler. The sampler included Chilled Shrimp, Maine Lobster, Alaskan Crab, Oysters, and Scallop Ceviche. All of the seafood was fresh, chilled, perfectly cooked or seasoned, and the accompaniments were flavorful without overpowering.
Based on our experience I would definitely return and would also recommend to others.
***New Saigon Sandwich
696 Washington Street Boston, MA 02111
What can I say about the delicious Banh Mi's from New Saigon Sandwich........lets put it this way they didn't last long enough for me to take pictures of them!
A Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich consisting of a crunchy sub roll, a protein (pork, tofu, chicken, etc), pickled carrots, cucumber, mint, jalapenos, and a sauce.
At New Saigon Greg and I both ordered the shredded pork Banh Mi's. We enjoyed the extra crispy bread and how all of the flavors melded together. The one downside would be that the fillings to bread ratio was on the low end of the scale.
For $3.50 you can not go wrong visiting New Saigon Sandwich for lunch or dinner!
A Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich consisting of a crunchy sub roll, a protein (pork, tofu, chicken, etc), pickled carrots, cucumber, mint, jalapenos, and a sauce.
At New Saigon Greg and I both ordered the shredded pork Banh Mi's. We enjoyed the extra crispy bread and how all of the flavors melded together. The one downside would be that the fillings to bread ratio was on the low end of the scale.
For $3.50 you can not go wrong visiting New Saigon Sandwich for lunch or dinner!
***Bahama Breeze
413 Middlesex Road Tyngsborough, MA 01879
One of my best friends frequents this chain in Florida and always tells me about the fun atmosphere and drinks. Bahama Breeze opened earlier this year. We never realized there was one here and when we did we thought we'd give it a try.
For drinks we ordered a Lemon Ginger Mojito and a Zombie both drinks were well made. For small plates we ordered the Ahi Tuna Stack (Yellowfin tuna marinated in Ponzu sauce with pickled cucumber, stacked between crispy wontons. Served with pineapple salsa) and Conch Fritters. The Ahi Tuna Stack was dairy free, but it was best with the salsa on top and unfortunately you are given very little salsa. The Conch Fritters did contain dairy but I suffered through it because it's one of my favorite dishes. The fritters were tender, hot, and full of flavor.
For entrees we ordered the Key West Fish Tacos (flour tortillas fileld with sauteed fish, fresh avocados, with ancho-chili sour cream on the side) and the Cuban Sandwich (Ham roast pork, salami, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, hot-pressed on Cuban bread). My fish tacos were good but could have used some more acidity. Unfortunately, I couldn't use the ancho-chili sour cream. Greg's Cuban was good although not traditionally made.
We ordered some more drinks at this point. The conch fritters made me miss Tortola BVI so I ordered a Painkiller (rum, pineapple, coconut cream, nutmeg) and Greg tried the Aruba Red (house special amber lager). We ended our meal by ordering some Key Lime Pie to go. The Pie was relatively good although a bit on the heavy side, topped with meringue instead of whipped cream.
I would recommend Bahama Breeze for a casual lunch or dinner. I also heard that they have live music on some nights of the week out on their patio.
For drinks we ordered a Lemon Ginger Mojito and a Zombie both drinks were well made. For small plates we ordered the Ahi Tuna Stack (Yellowfin tuna marinated in Ponzu sauce with pickled cucumber, stacked between crispy wontons. Served with pineapple salsa) and Conch Fritters. The Ahi Tuna Stack was dairy free, but it was best with the salsa on top and unfortunately you are given very little salsa. The Conch Fritters did contain dairy but I suffered through it because it's one of my favorite dishes. The fritters were tender, hot, and full of flavor.
For entrees we ordered the Key West Fish Tacos (flour tortillas fileld with sauteed fish, fresh avocados, with ancho-chili sour cream on the side) and the Cuban Sandwich (Ham roast pork, salami, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, hot-pressed on Cuban bread). My fish tacos were good but could have used some more acidity. Unfortunately, I couldn't use the ancho-chili sour cream. Greg's Cuban was good although not traditionally made.
We ordered some more drinks at this point. The conch fritters made me miss Tortola BVI so I ordered a Painkiller (rum, pineapple, coconut cream, nutmeg) and Greg tried the Aruba Red (house special amber lager). We ended our meal by ordering some Key Lime Pie to go. The Pie was relatively good although a bit on the heavy side, topped with meringue instead of whipped cream.
I would recommend Bahama Breeze for a casual lunch or dinner. I also heard that they have live music on some nights of the week out on their patio.
****Sweet Cheeks Q
1381 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02215
Sweet Cheeks Q is a delicious and comforting BBQ restaurant owned by Tiffany Faison who you may recognize from Top Chef. The location is convenient to get to and is right around the corner from Fenway Park. We both enjoyed the casual atmosphere, sports on tv, and good music. Adding to the relaxed atmosphere was the mix of canisters for silverware on the tables, bottles for sauces, and mason jars for drinks.
Even though it was mid-afternoon I ordered the House Bill 819 (tea-infused Berkshire mountain corn whiskey, lemon, mint, simple syrup) while Greg ordered a beer; Bubs Homebrew. Both drinks hit the spot! For a starter we ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes. The dish came came with more than enough for two people. The tomatoes were hot, crispy, and tender on the inside (they way they are meant to be).
For an entree Greg ordered the Berkshire Pork Belly and Pork Ribs Tray w/ heirloom bbq beans and coleslaw. The Pork Belly was tender with extra crispy skin and the perfect amount of salt. The Pork Ribs were tender but not falling off the bone and had a nice smoke taste. I didn't try the beans but Greg felt there were outstanding with the right amount of heat. Unfortunately, the coleslaw was in need of more vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
For my entree I ordered the Berkshire Pulled Pork Tray w/ potato salad and collard greens. The Pulled Pork was tender and flavorful. When comparing it to other BBQ restaurants I love I wish there would have been a bit more bark included. The collard greens were buttery, and seasoned well. Just like Greg's coleslaw the potato salad was flavorless. If the salt and pepper would have been adjusted things would have been great.
We did try the three BBQ sauces offered. I tried the Carolina style (my personal fav), the sauce was as good as I've had down south. Greg tried the regular BBQ sauce and said that it was enjoyable. The habanero sauce was flavorful but definitely for those who really enjoy a kick.
Even though it was mid-afternoon I ordered the House Bill 819 (tea-infused Berkshire mountain corn whiskey, lemon, mint, simple syrup) while Greg ordered a beer; Bubs Homebrew. Both drinks hit the spot! For a starter we ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes. The dish came came with more than enough for two people. The tomatoes were hot, crispy, and tender on the inside (they way they are meant to be).
For an entree Greg ordered the Berkshire Pork Belly and Pork Ribs Tray w/ heirloom bbq beans and coleslaw. The Pork Belly was tender with extra crispy skin and the perfect amount of salt. The Pork Ribs were tender but not falling off the bone and had a nice smoke taste. I didn't try the beans but Greg felt there were outstanding with the right amount of heat. Unfortunately, the coleslaw was in need of more vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
For my entree I ordered the Berkshire Pulled Pork Tray w/ potato salad and collard greens. The Pulled Pork was tender and flavorful. When comparing it to other BBQ restaurants I love I wish there would have been a bit more bark included. The collard greens were buttery, and seasoned well. Just like Greg's coleslaw the potato salad was flavorless. If the salt and pepper would have been adjusted things would have been great.
We did try the three BBQ sauces offered. I tried the Carolina style (my personal fav), the sauce was as good as I've had down south. Greg tried the regular BBQ sauce and said that it was enjoyable. The habanero sauce was flavorful but definitely for those who really enjoy a kick.
***Johnny D's Uptown Restaurant and Music Club
17 Holland Street Somerville, MA 02144
We went to Johnny D's to see Bob Schneider perform live. We opted to do dinner first and we were pleasantly surprised. For drinks we ordered a beer for Greg (naturally) and a Tom Collins for myself.
To start our meal we ordered salad's. My Apple and pecan salad was good although they could have went a step further and caramelized the nuts. Greg's salad was also good but not memorable.
For entrees we both ordered sandwiches. I ordered a hamburger with poblano peppers and onions. The burger was cooked well and seasoned properly. Greg ordered the jerk seasoned turkey burger and he enjoyed this as well. Both burgers were served with steak fries.
To start our meal we ordered salad's. My Apple and pecan salad was good although they could have went a step further and caramelized the nuts. Greg's salad was also good but not memorable.
For entrees we both ordered sandwiches. I ordered a hamburger with poblano peppers and onions. The burger was cooked well and seasoned properly. Greg ordered the jerk seasoned turkey burger and he enjoyed this as well. Both burgers were served with steak fries.
**Sauce wings, ribs, and burgers
19 Essex Street Andover Ma 01810
This week we ordered take out from Sauce. Sauce’s owner also owned other restaurants we used to frequent (Evenfall Restaurant in Haverhill and Glory Restaurant in Andover).
We ordered the Pirate Style Crispy Ribs (A Classic Jamaican Mixture of Spices & Hot Peppers), Three B Burger (bacon, boursin, buffalo), the Chicago Burger (all the toppings of a classic chicago dog), and two orders of French Fries.
The ribs were tender and lean while the sauce was flavorful and definitely offered heat. The burgers were both good however, we would have preferred to say how we wanted our burgers cooked. The french fries are hand cut, and fried to perfection!
We both would definitely order from here again especially now knowing that they also offer Gluten Free items.
We ordered the Pirate Style Crispy Ribs (A Classic Jamaican Mixture of Spices & Hot Peppers), Three B Burger (bacon, boursin, buffalo), the Chicago Burger (all the toppings of a classic chicago dog), and two orders of French Fries.
The ribs were tender and lean while the sauce was flavorful and definitely offered heat. The burgers were both good however, we would have preferred to say how we wanted our burgers cooked. The french fries are hand cut, and fried to perfection!
We both would definitely order from here again especially now knowing that they also offer Gluten Free items.
***Myers and Chang
1145 Washington St (South End)
Boston MA 02118
I love Joanne Chang's Flour Bakery. Naturally, when I heard about Myers and Chang I was very interested in trying it. Unfortunately, our group of 4 have mixed emotions about our dining experience. Our lunch started off unpleasantly due to the fact that the restaurant only offers their Dim Sum menu for weekend lunches. Myers and Chang's website is a bit misleading. On the websites main page it states lunch and dinner hours without any restrictions. Only if you click on the dim sum page does it state served on Saturday and Sunday. This limited our options and also limited the Gluten Free options.
We ordered drinks and perused the menu. I felt horrible for my friend Robyn who has a Gluten Allergy. Robyn checked out their website beforehand and decided on a meal and it wasn't apart of the dim sum menu. We ended up ordering:
Green papaya slaw
Fried egg banh mi w/sweet soy glazed bacon
Sweet potato chips w/ roasted garlic
Fresh Rolls
Coal-black chicken wings with housemade sriracha
Crispy pork belly stuffed bao
Braised short rib stuffed bao
Lemony shrimp potstickers
Nasi goreng with pork, pineapple and fried egg (hot rice)
Greg and I enjoyed the flavors of all of the items but found the Crispy Pork Belly Stuffed Bao wasn't crispy and the Lemony shrimp was our least favorite dish. Our friend Tom who is Vietnamese didn't really enjoy lunch, although he is a traditionalist when it comes to most of these dishes. Robyn really enjoyed the Sweet Potato Chips w/ Roasted Garlic. We all decided the best dish was the Nasi Goreng with Pork, Pinapple, and Fried Egg.
Greg and I both agree that we would like to try this restaurant again for dinner. We also would hope that Myers and Chang updates the hours / coordinating menus on their front page.
We ordered drinks and perused the menu. I felt horrible for my friend Robyn who has a Gluten Allergy. Robyn checked out their website beforehand and decided on a meal and it wasn't apart of the dim sum menu. We ended up ordering:
Green papaya slaw
Fried egg banh mi w/sweet soy glazed bacon
Sweet potato chips w/ roasted garlic
Fresh Rolls
Coal-black chicken wings with housemade sriracha
Crispy pork belly stuffed bao
Braised short rib stuffed bao
Lemony shrimp potstickers
Nasi goreng with pork, pineapple and fried egg (hot rice)
Greg and I enjoyed the flavors of all of the items but found the Crispy Pork Belly Stuffed Bao wasn't crispy and the Lemony shrimp was our least favorite dish. Our friend Tom who is Vietnamese didn't really enjoy lunch, although he is a traditionalist when it comes to most of these dishes. Robyn really enjoyed the Sweet Potato Chips w/ Roasted Garlic. We all decided the best dish was the Nasi Goreng with Pork, Pinapple, and Fried Egg.
Greg and I both agree that we would like to try this restaurant again for dinner. We also would hope that Myers and Chang updates the hours / coordinating menus on their front page.
*****Georgetown Cupcake
3 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
I wanted a rather low key birthday this year but I always request a delicious dessert. Georgetown Cupcake certainly delivered!
When walking up Newbury Street we noticed a small line at the bakery. Georgetown Cupcake had placed a staff member at the door who helped control the line. While waiting,she offer a printed menu to help us decide from all of the offerings. As a few people were let out others were let in. Once inside they have a case showing all of the yummy cupcakes and a menu along the wall. Considering that there were at least 14 choices of cupcakes that day I was happy to see more menus once getting to the ordering counter.
After you place your order you move to the pick up counter where more staff are filling the orders. Upstairs you are able to view even more staff baking the cupcakes. Overall the staff and service was outstanding.
We ordered the Vanilla squared, Chocolate squared, Chocolate Cubed, Red Velvet, Strawberry, Coconut, PB Fudge, Key Lime, Salted Caramel, and Marble Brownie Fudge Cupcakes. All of the cupcakes were moist and full flavored, and beautifully decorated. My personal favorite was the Salted Caramel. The cupcake itself had caramel pieces melted into it, and the frosting was somehow smooth and gooey at the same time. Greg's favorite was the Chocolate squared. This cupcake was the chocolate lovers ultimate dessert.
Whether you are needing a dessert for a party, a gift, or yourself I highly recommend Georgetown Cupcake.
When walking up Newbury Street we noticed a small line at the bakery. Georgetown Cupcake had placed a staff member at the door who helped control the line. While waiting,she offer a printed menu to help us decide from all of the offerings. As a few people were let out others were let in. Once inside they have a case showing all of the yummy cupcakes and a menu along the wall. Considering that there were at least 14 choices of cupcakes that day I was happy to see more menus once getting to the ordering counter.
After you place your order you move to the pick up counter where more staff are filling the orders. Upstairs you are able to view even more staff baking the cupcakes. Overall the staff and service was outstanding.
We ordered the Vanilla squared, Chocolate squared, Chocolate Cubed, Red Velvet, Strawberry, Coconut, PB Fudge, Key Lime, Salted Caramel, and Marble Brownie Fudge Cupcakes. All of the cupcakes were moist and full flavored, and beautifully decorated. My personal favorite was the Salted Caramel. The cupcake itself had caramel pieces melted into it, and the frosting was somehow smooth and gooey at the same time. Greg's favorite was the Chocolate squared. This cupcake was the chocolate lovers ultimate dessert.
Whether you are needing a dessert for a party, a gift, or yourself I highly recommend Georgetown Cupcake.
****China Blossom
946 Osgood Street
North Andover, MA 01845
In our opinion Massachusetts has some of the best Chinese Food around. China Blossom is consistent, fresh, flavorful, and all natural. In addition to great food you can visit China Blossom for cultural lectures, comedy, entertainment, and a full service bar.
We have dined in and always receive great service whether ordering off of the menu or eating at the buffet. When we order take out / delivery the food and service is still top notch. Some of our favorites are:
House Special Chicken Wings
Vegetarian Spring Rolls
Spicy Green Beans
Noodles with Scallions and Garlic
Egg Foo Young
General Jor's Chicken
Pork Fried Rice
For fresh, tasty, and never greasy food visit or call China Blossom. Celebrating 50 years in business!
We have dined in and always receive great service whether ordering off of the menu or eating at the buffet. When we order take out / delivery the food and service is still top notch. Some of our favorites are:
House Special Chicken Wings
Vegetarian Spring Rolls
Spicy Green Beans
Noodles with Scallions and Garlic
Egg Foo Young
General Jor's Chicken
Pork Fried Rice
For fresh, tasty, and never greasy food visit or call China Blossom. Celebrating 50 years in business!
***Jamba Juice
Northshore Mall Peabody, MA
For the longest time we did not have a Jamba Juice near us. I would have to wait until we visited family in Colorado or the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas to get myself a smoothie. Finally we have one within an easy distance. Here are some of our favorites:
Dairy Free:
Strawberry Whirl - Apple-Strawberry Juice Blend, Strawberries, and Bananas
Orange Carrot Karma - Orange Juice, Carrot Juice, Mangos, Bananas, and Ice
Non-Diary Free:Caribbean Pasion - Passionfruit Mango Juice Blend, Orange Sherbet (Contains Milk), Strawberries, Peaches, Ice
Guilty Pleasure:Peanut Butter Moo'd - Nonfat Vanilla Yogurt (Contains Milk), Chocolate Moo’d Base (Contains Milk), Soymilk (Contains Soy), Ice, Bananas, Peanut Butter (Contains Peanuts).
Dairy Free:
Strawberry Whirl - Apple-Strawberry Juice Blend, Strawberries, and Bananas
Orange Carrot Karma - Orange Juice, Carrot Juice, Mangos, Bananas, and Ice
Non-Diary Free:Caribbean Pasion - Passionfruit Mango Juice Blend, Orange Sherbet (Contains Milk), Strawberries, Peaches, Ice
Guilty Pleasure:Peanut Butter Moo'd - Nonfat Vanilla Yogurt (Contains Milk), Chocolate Moo’d Base (Contains Milk), Soymilk (Contains Soy), Ice, Bananas, Peanut Butter (Contains Peanuts).
***Cheesecake Factory
Northshore Mall Peabody, MA
I know this is a chain restaurant that isn't known for great food or healthy options but we occasionally dine here. We decided this would be a good place to meet up since there were 7 of us and some vegetarians, some meat eaters, some with allergies etc. Here is what we found out and what we enjoyed.
The brown oat bread is soft, flavorful, and dairy free.
The Factory Chopped Salad is always delicious with lettuce, avocados, apples, bacon, blue cheese, and more. I opted to have this with shrimp instead of chicken. The dressing is very good as well although this time it was a bit over dressed.
The Old Fashioned Burger was good although we had to totally deconstruct due to Porscha's dairy allergy. We brought our own bun, asked for no cheese and no mayo. Another party member ordered this and enjoyed it as it comes from the menu.
The Carbonara pasta was enjoyed by my father - my father is Italian and knows a good carbonara so this was a happy surprise.
The Memphis Burger was pretty good although the pulled pork being above the Mason Dixon Line wasn't a true pulled pork. My husband is dying to know why the took the Farm House Burger off the menu because he truly believes it was the best burger made anywhere in New England.
All in all the food was good, the company great, and yes we received weird looks from the waitress when we didn't want Cheesecake for dessert.
The brown oat bread is soft, flavorful, and dairy free.
The Factory Chopped Salad is always delicious with lettuce, avocados, apples, bacon, blue cheese, and more. I opted to have this with shrimp instead of chicken. The dressing is very good as well although this time it was a bit over dressed.
The Old Fashioned Burger was good although we had to totally deconstruct due to Porscha's dairy allergy. We brought our own bun, asked for no cheese and no mayo. Another party member ordered this and enjoyed it as it comes from the menu.
The Carbonara pasta was enjoyed by my father - my father is Italian and knows a good carbonara so this was a happy surprise.
The Memphis Burger was pretty good although the pulled pork being above the Mason Dixon Line wasn't a true pulled pork. My husband is dying to know why the took the Farm House Burger off the menu because he truly believes it was the best burger made anywhere in New England.
All in all the food was good, the company great, and yes we received weird looks from the waitress when we didn't want Cheesecake for dessert.
****Yoki Japanese Restaurant
Station Landing Medford, MA
We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Yoki Japanese Restaurant this weekend. The restaurant was a bit slow so the 6 of us were seated right away. Our waitress was friendly, casual, and attentive.
The highlights of the meal were:
Soft Shell Crab Appetizer (Deep fried soft shell crab served with scallions, grated daikon radish, and ponzu sauce)
California Sunrise Maki (Jumbo California Sunrise roll topped with oven baked salmon, spicy mayo and scallions)
Hawaii Maki (Shrimp tempura maki topped with fresh sliced tuna and a mixture of tempura flakes, spicy mayo, crabstick and tobiko. Finished with glazed pineapple sauce and pieces of pineapple.)
Other enjoyable meals were:
Unaji (Boiled fresh water eel glazed with a special sweetened soy sauce. Served over a bed of rice and Japanese pickle.)
Chicken Terriyaki
My two complaints would be limited vegetarian options, and the fact that my meal (Hawaii Maki) was served long after the other entrees at our table.
The highlights of the meal were:
Soft Shell Crab Appetizer (Deep fried soft shell crab served with scallions, grated daikon radish, and ponzu sauce)
California Sunrise Maki (Jumbo California Sunrise roll topped with oven baked salmon, spicy mayo and scallions)
Hawaii Maki (Shrimp tempura maki topped with fresh sliced tuna and a mixture of tempura flakes, spicy mayo, crabstick and tobiko. Finished with glazed pineapple sauce and pieces of pineapple.)
Other enjoyable meals were:
Unaji (Boiled fresh water eel glazed with a special sweetened soy sauce. Served over a bed of rice and Japanese pickle.)
Chicken Terriyaki
My two complaints would be limited vegetarian options, and the fact that my meal (Hawaii Maki) was served long after the other entrees at our table.
*** Orange Leaf
28 Park Street, Andover, MA 01810
15 new stores coming to Massachusetts
I know this is a chain yogurt shop and probably very similar to many others out there. However, I love Orange Leaf. We used to get ice cream from Dairy Queen, Friendly's, or local shops but I now choose Orange Leaf . Based on the fact the store usually has a good amount of people inside at any time, I would say others agree with me.
The basic layout of the store is a few tables and chairs. Starting near the back is the self service assembly line: a table for bowls, then multiple machines each offering two flavors and finally you have the toppings bar and scale to weight/pay. Each machine allows you to choose one of two flavors or swirl the two together.
I have tried the wedding cake, classic tart, coconut, Dole pineapple, and mango flavors. Orange leaf reminds of gelato, not because of the texture or creaminess but because of the bold and deep flavors. I love cake batter ice cream; to eat the wedding cake flavor to me is just like getting a delicious piece of vanilla cake with white frosting.
Greg thinks I tend to ruin my dessert because at the toppings bar I head straight for the strawberry Boba! I just can't get enough of them! Boba are tiny gelatin balls of flavor that are difficult to describe.
After filling our bowls, we measure our desserts and cringe slightly at the cost (based on weight). We always decide it was worth it when we realize how satisfied we are.
The basic layout of the store is a few tables and chairs. Starting near the back is the self service assembly line: a table for bowls, then multiple machines each offering two flavors and finally you have the toppings bar and scale to weight/pay. Each machine allows you to choose one of two flavors or swirl the two together.
I have tried the wedding cake, classic tart, coconut, Dole pineapple, and mango flavors. Orange leaf reminds of gelato, not because of the texture or creaminess but because of the bold and deep flavors. I love cake batter ice cream; to eat the wedding cake flavor to me is just like getting a delicious piece of vanilla cake with white frosting.
Greg thinks I tend to ruin my dessert because at the toppings bar I head straight for the strawberry Boba! I just can't get enough of them! Boba are tiny gelatin balls of flavor that are difficult to describe.
After filling our bowls, we measure our desserts and cringe slightly at the cost (based on weight). We always decide it was worth it when we realize how satisfied we are.
***** Yella Grille16 Post Office Ave, Andover, MA 01810-3618
December 2011
My husband and I just got back from dinner and Yella Grille was so delicious I felt I needed to write about it right away. The restaurant is cozy, the staff friendly and knowledgeable, and the food was outstanding.
For a starter we enjoyed the Mezza Platter which consisted of Meat Pies, Grape Leaves, Spring Rolls, Spinach Pies, Falafel, Babaganouj & Homemade Pita Chips. What we liked about this platter was that everything was cooked perfectly, flavorful, and each item was unique.
For entrees I enjoyed the Sea Scallops Pan Seared and served with a Cilantro, Roasted Garlic, Shallot, and White Wine Sauce; Trio of Sautéed Shitake, Portobello & Chanterelle over Truffled Shaved Potato. My husband enjoyed the Kibbeh, Braised Beef & Carmelized Shallots served with a Cilantro, Garlic Yogurt Sauce; Long Grain White Rice. Both of our entrees were delicous to the point that our plates were cleaned! To accompany our meal we ordered a bottle of Pellegrino and a bottle of Tempranillo wine.
For dessert I enjoyed the chocolate bread pudding while my husband enjoyed a lebanese dessert (unfortunately I don't remember the name or spelling) that our waitress described as a cross between a bread pudding and a flan flavored with rose water.
We loved Yella Grille so much that we were already planning what to order the next time we dine here.
My husband and I just got back from dinner and Yella Grille was so delicious I felt I needed to write about it right away. The restaurant is cozy, the staff friendly and knowledgeable, and the food was outstanding.
For a starter we enjoyed the Mezza Platter which consisted of Meat Pies, Grape Leaves, Spring Rolls, Spinach Pies, Falafel, Babaganouj & Homemade Pita Chips. What we liked about this platter was that everything was cooked perfectly, flavorful, and each item was unique.
For entrees I enjoyed the Sea Scallops Pan Seared and served with a Cilantro, Roasted Garlic, Shallot, and White Wine Sauce; Trio of Sautéed Shitake, Portobello & Chanterelle over Truffled Shaved Potato. My husband enjoyed the Kibbeh, Braised Beef & Carmelized Shallots served with a Cilantro, Garlic Yogurt Sauce; Long Grain White Rice. Both of our entrees were delicous to the point that our plates were cleaned! To accompany our meal we ordered a bottle of Pellegrino and a bottle of Tempranillo wine.
For dessert I enjoyed the chocolate bread pudding while my husband enjoyed a lebanese dessert (unfortunately I don't remember the name or spelling) that our waitress described as a cross between a bread pudding and a flan flavored with rose water.
We loved Yella Grille so much that we were already planning what to order the next time we dine here.
**** Joseph's Trattoria Restaurant and Bakery145 Oxford Ave, Haverhill, MA 01835
December 2011
There were four of us without a reservation on a Friday night. We ended up having a 45 minute wait which wouldn't be so bad except for the bar area is very small. The drinks (especially any specials) were delicious though!
For dinner we started with Carpaccio di Vitello o Tonno (Seared rare tenderloin or tuna, truffle oil, preserved lemon, fried capers, mixed greens, Parmigiano), and Insalata di Cantalupo, Arugula e Prosciutto (Cantaloupe, Prosciutto di Parma, arugula, red onion, walnuts, orange vinaigrette). Both were good however on a previous occasion the tuna was better.
Our entrees were Ravioli di Zucca (Butternut squash ravioli, brown sugar butter, Parmigiano Reggiano, sage), Calamari Arrabbiata con Linguini (Fresh calamari, sautéed in a spicy arrabbiata sauce, with fresh thin linguini), and Bistecca di Filetto (Filet mignon, crimini mushroom port wine demi glace, rosemary roasted gold potatoes, pan seared asparagus). Again everything was pretty good.
Between the martinis, the prosecco, and beers we were eating and laughing for a good amount of time that night!
There were four of us without a reservation on a Friday night. We ended up having a 45 minute wait which wouldn't be so bad except for the bar area is very small. The drinks (especially any specials) were delicious though!
For dinner we started with Carpaccio di Vitello o Tonno (Seared rare tenderloin or tuna, truffle oil, preserved lemon, fried capers, mixed greens, Parmigiano), and Insalata di Cantalupo, Arugula e Prosciutto (Cantaloupe, Prosciutto di Parma, arugula, red onion, walnuts, orange vinaigrette). Both were good however on a previous occasion the tuna was better.
Our entrees were Ravioli di Zucca (Butternut squash ravioli, brown sugar butter, Parmigiano Reggiano, sage), Calamari Arrabbiata con Linguini (Fresh calamari, sautéed in a spicy arrabbiata sauce, with fresh thin linguini), and Bistecca di Filetto (Filet mignon, crimini mushroom port wine demi glace, rosemary roasted gold potatoes, pan seared asparagus). Again everything was pretty good.
Between the martinis, the prosecco, and beers we were eating and laughing for a good amount of time that night!
**** Dolce Freddo Gelato Restaurant300 Merrimack St, Methuen, MA 0184
We enjoy gelato here often since 2010
It's always nice in summer or winter to head to Dolce Freddo for dessert. We usually go and order coffee, gelato, and another dessert. The gelato is creamy and full flavored, and the Tiramisu is my parents favorite in the area.
It's always nice in summer or winter to head to Dolce Freddo for dessert. We usually go and order coffee, gelato, and another dessert. The gelato is creamy and full flavored, and the Tiramisu is my parents favorite in the area.
*** Saus 33 Union Street, Boston, MA
February 2012
My husband and I tried Saus before heading out for drinks. We enjoyed the Poutines (Frites topped with homemade gravy and cheese curds) and the Spicy Frikandel ("burger sausage" with chipotle sauce and pickled jalapenos).
We are dying to go back and try the Belgian waffles and dipping sauces
My husband and I tried Saus before heading out for drinks. We enjoyed the Poutines (Frites topped with homemade gravy and cheese curds) and the Spicy Frikandel ("burger sausage" with chipotle sauce and pickled jalapenos).
We are dying to go back and try the Belgian waffles and dipping sauces
*** Bell In Hand Tavern45 Union St, Boston, MA 0210
February 2012
We joined family and friends at the Bell in Hand for birthday drinks. We had a reserved area and enjoyed the selection of beers and drinks (I enjoyed lemon drop martini's). There was good dance music downstairs and then a live band. As an added plus they had the Bruins game on!
We joined family and friends at the Bell in Hand for birthday drinks. We had a reserved area and enjoyed the selection of beers and drinks (I enjoyed lemon drop martini's). There was good dance music downstairs and then a live band. As an added plus they had the Bruins game on!