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I schlepped out to Colvin Run a few months ago and it was not worth it. The only memorable part of the meal was the prime rib of beef and that was because it was so overcooked and dry.

Save your gas money and order in a pizza instead.

I was at Bob Kinkead's and his brother collaboration joint in Boston, Sibling Rivalry. A big disappointment. We had raw oysters, tuna tartare, foie gras and beef tenderloin. Middle of eating our "skinny" oysters, my husband bit into the most FOUL smelling oyster. My 1/2 dozen were okay but the mignonette sauce with sesame oil? a big faux pas...sesame oil overpowered the taste of the oysters so much that I just had mine without any. The tuna and foie gras were above average...nothing spectacular but no disappointments. The beef tenderloin came out medium when we ordered rare...The restaurant offered to take the oysters and steak off our bill...which was graceful of them. But don't restaurants get it???? It's not the free meal I am looking for. I will pay for quality. Bob Kinkead should not be opening up restaurants with his name if he is not capable of ensuring the quality!! To Bob's credit, his wine list was excellent. We ordered a New Zealand Savignon Blanc (name, which I forget) and a Cab from Kelman Vineyards.

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Glad we didn't make it there this weekend, then. Managed to take in the chef's tasting at Clio, good if leavened with too many liquid preparations for some tastes, dinner at Mistral, very stylish room and solid cooking, and a final splurge at Grill 23, where we had excellent service and wine but steaks that weren't a patch on a certain local favorite with a corny name.

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I had a good meal in Cambridge last weekend at the East Coast Grill, on Cambridge St. near Inman Square (which isn't a square at all). They tout themselves as a seafood and bbq joint, which I thought was a bit odd, and still do. And even though there is a drawing of a lobster on the menu, they do not serve lobster. :P It's pretty casual / funky inside - formica tabletops, open kitchen, young kids welcome. And the waitress scooped out a small bowl of delightfull homemade bread and butter pickles from a big crock for the table. They like to put a lot of ingredients on the plate at once. What I loved loved loved was the chili crusted black and blue tuna tacos with arugula, avocado slices, lime pickled jicama and orange chipotle glaze (see what I mean?) So fresh, so tasty, so gone. But c'mon - coriander grilled Atlantic swordfish with peach and mint salsa, carrot and ginger couscous, grilled figs and asparagus? Really, the fish would have been better without all that other stuff bothering my tastebuds. The college kid was disappointed that there was no lobster, but had his fill of buffalo shrimp and Memphis-style ribs and declared it all better than dorm food. This isn't a destination restaurant, but darned good if you're in Cambridge, with or without a hungry and grateful crew.

Black and Blue Tuna Tacos:

tunatacos0yd.th.jpg grilled swordfish with ...everythingswordfishwithotherstuff3ja.th.jpg

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There is no place in the world that grills fish better than East Coast Grill.  Good brunch too (though I'm not as big a fan of Christina's ice cream next door--I'd rather head back to MIT or Harvard for Toscanini's).

Toscanini's is definitely the best ice cream in Cambridge. There is some amazing eating within a 20 minute walk of Inman Square, too. Harvest in Harvard Square (120 Mt. Auburn) for upscale American, Darwin's (160? Mt. Auburn, and new Broadway St just off Harvard's Campus) for incredible sandwiches, Bartley's (1500 or so Mass Ave) for good burgers and rickeys, Henrietta's Table in the Charles Hotel for great brunch and homestyle food, Tanjore (18 Eliot St.) for sublime Indian, Pinocchio's ('noch's to the locals. corner of JFK and Winthrop) for the best pizza I've ever had, and cheesesteaks to match, S&S (across from East Coast Grill) for matzoh ball soup, Dalí (Beacon and Kirkland) for good Spanish, and the list goes on.

Wow. I really miss Cambridge...

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Anyone heading to Cambridge, I strongly recommend to go get Cream Brulee from Finale in Harvard Square. Rich and creamy, slightly cooler on the bottom and perfectly carmelized on the top which you get to crack with your spoon.. it was delicious. I also liked the melange of fruit - blueberries, rapsberries, strawberries, kiwi, orange, etc. - and orange-flavored mini shortbread cookies that come atop.

Service was over the top, and I can't wait to go back..mmm

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Anyone heading to Cambridge, I strongly recommend to go get Cream Brulee from Finale in Harvard Square. Rich and creamy, slightly cooler on the bottom and perfectly carmelized on the top which you get to crack with your spoon.. it was delicious. I also liked the melange of fruit - blueberries, rapsberries, strawberries, kiwi, orange, etc. - and orange-flavored mini shortbread cookies that come atop.

Service was over the top, and I can't wait to go back..mmm

Don't forget the other location in the Theatre District!

I've been going there since it first opened (1998 I believe) and have yet to have a bad experience there. During the summer when berries are in season, the desserts knock your socks off. I was sorely disappointed I couldn't make it down there during my trip home in July, erg. :lol:

I have to highly recommend the Manjari Mousse... I still think about that cabernet sorbet, yum.

http://www.finaledesserts.com/

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Is anyone familiar with Boston? I have several reservations there next week. Any great places. Going to Union Oyster, No. 9 Park (Barbara Lynch), Craigie St. Bistrot (Kevin Maw), Radius (Micheal Schlow), Upstairs at the Square (Susan Regis), and Hamersley's Bistro (Gordon Hamersley).

Any informed input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

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Santarpio's in the WEST End (that's "West" End Not the North End) for pizza and bbq. Serious. Better pizza than anywhere in D. C., annually considered the best of Boston. The only real challenger is the original Pizzaria Regina which has a coal fired oven dating to the '20's. Santarpio's once had a coal oven also but replaced it in the '60's with a German oven that turns out great crust. The bbq'd lamb is up to Roberto's standards! A real neighborhood place with 75 years of history and feeling. (Roberto has been to Santarpio's, too!) VERY easy to find: when you come out of the tunnel driving to the airport take your very FIRST right hand turn. Santarpio's is one block down on the right. Roadfood has some excellent photos of Santarpio's including their pizza and bbq:

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=409

Most important point is that Santarpio's is an experience unavailable in D. C., matched by only a few places in America. Of course if you have time and a rental car there is New Haven....

And, for the North End, Mamma Maria's is considered by most to be the best restaurant. The North End is about ambience and feeling that you are in Firenze-not the U. S. Great cannoli there, too. Toscanini's near Harvard Square for ice cream.

Edited by Joe H
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Is anyone familiar with Boston? I have several reservations there next week. Any great places. Going to Union Oyster, No. 9 Park (Barbara Lynch), Craigie St. Bistrot (Kevin Maw), Radius (Micheal Schlow), Upstairs at the Square (Susan Regis), and Hamersley's Bistro (Gordon Hamersley).

Any informed input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

*Cry* I envy you, since I'm originally from there.

Radius and #9 both have great reps in town, but it's been awhile since I've eaten at either. You might want to consider Oleanna as well- Chef Sortun received a James Beard award last year, but it's in Cambridge in Inman Square, which would require some decent walking or a cab ride.

http://oleanarestaurant.com/ (watch out- VERY ANNOYING FLASH!)

Here are some other recs for lunch or otherwise:

Dessert- Finale. Locations in both the Theatre District and Harvard Square. They now do dinner, but I've always stuck to dessert and wine.

Hamburgers- Mrs. bartley's Burger Cottage in Harvard Square. It's an institution, and while Bostonians love to debate the best burger in town, this place has got charm in a classic New England way :lol:

Raspberry Lime Rickeys- available at either Bartleys, or at Emack and Bolio's if you're walking on Newbury Street.

If you don't get ice cream up there, I'll cry. Toscanini's is always highly regarded. (I'm originally from the burbs, so I know more places out of town rather than in town for ice cream.)

Have a blast and dress warmly!

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I spent a few days in Boston and came away impressed more by the expense than the quality. That being said, a couple of courses in No. 9's cafe were spectacular (gnocchi with truffles, steak tartar) and the chef dropped by the table to say howdy and sent out a bite. I imagine the dining room would be well worth the expense.

Do NOT go to the Union Oyster House for Dinner. Go at an off time, sit at the historic bar (where Daniel Webster sat) for oysters and beer, and then go someplace good for dinner.

More here.

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These are some of my favorites from my days as a student in Boston, so they're a little lower-end...but they're still around 15 years later, so that may be an indicator of how good they are....

For cheap and good, and IMHO, the best falafel ever, check out

Rami's at Coolidge Corner (C Line on the T)

324 Harvard St

Brookline 02446

Also, the Daily Catch on Hanover Street in the North End has very good, fresh, simply prepared seafood (cash only) and from their website looks like they now have a location just a few doors down from Rami's at 441 Harvard St. They are well-known for their fried calamari. And if you hit the North End location you can pop across the street to Caffe Vittoria for a cappucino or espresso, or head to Mike's Bakery for all kinds of Italian cookies and pastries.

On a more recent visit, we really enjoyed the Indian cuisine at Tanjore near Harvard Square (18 Eliot St). They have a menu that covers the North, South, Eastern and Central and Eastern regions. My +1, who is picky about his Indian food, having grown up in London, thought it was very, very good. Don't recall specific dishes, but they were all delicious, the service was good, and the setting was warm and comfortable.

Someone else mentioned ice cream - I always liked Steve's (location in Faneuil Hall) where they do mix-ins. I've found it kind of funny that there are all these new places like Cold Stone and Maggie Moo's that are doing now (and I think, presenting as something new) what was going on up in Boston 20 years ago.

Edited by goldenticket
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If you're a fan of Kinkead's, you should definately make a stip to his "Sibling Rivalry" in boston. His brother runs the place, and you can choose which brother's dishes to order---hence the rivalry fun. But this place is definately not about gimmicks. The food seemed to be impecibly fresh, original, and a tad overpriced. But I would definately recommend Sibling Rivalry for anyone in/or going to Boston.

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Central Kitchen in Central Square, Cambridge--good oysters, otherwise gutsy chow, and one of the coolest wine lists I've seen in a long time--stuff like 2001 Hirtzberger GV Rotes Tor for under $50 and a bunch of cool Italians (and maybe some of ours now--haven't been back since we started having distribution up there).

For ice cream, it's Toscanini's. Sorry, Christina's and Herrell's devotees, you're just wrong <_< . Main St. just off of Mass Ave, Cambridge, and a demi-location just south of Harvard Square.

East Coast Grill, Inman Square Cambridge. Great-great-great grilled fish and a wonderful raw bar. And hopefully, you won't get Frank Bruni as your waiter.

Parish Cafe, Boylston St. near the Public Garden. Good beer/booze selection and sandwiches designed by the top chefs in town.

Antico Forno, North End, lunchtime, for rustic Tuscan.

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Walk to the North End and get lost.  Serious.  Neighborhoods like this don't exist in D. C. or in Baltimore.

I probably don't have the time. I'll be at a conference all day, and will have a couple of hours to escape for dinner two nights, before heading back to the hotel to do work. If the North End is walkable, I don't mind heading there, but I really need to have a destination in mind.

I've been to Boston a few times, and have done good walking tours of a lot of neighborhoods, including Cambridge.

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Going to be in Boston proper (at the Hynes Convention Center) solo this week for a couple of days.

Any moderately-priced recommendations that are walkable from that area?

Not walkable, but an easy ride on the T (and mentioned by me before)

For cheap and good, and IMHO, the best falafel ever, check out

Rami's at Coolidge Corner (C Line on the T)

324 Harvard St

Brookline 02446

You can take it with you and head back to the hotel - I don't think there's any seating, but it is REALLY good :)

Jasper White's Summer Shack is right around the corner on Dalton. A few years back, I tried the pan roasted lobster there and it was good, but a bit pricey ($38). There are plenty of other lower-cost seafood items on the menu too.

From my undergrad days, eons ago, the Pour House on Boylston was always good for a beer and some bar food. There should be lots of choices on Newbury Street, just a block over from the Convention Center - can't help with any specifics, sorry!

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I tend to agree with Joe H. Take the T to the North End -- or walk if you have an hour to kill -- and enjoy a truly unique place. There are dozen's --hundreds, maybe -- of places crammed side-by-side. Just pick one that looks good and -- without looking for haute cusine, enjoy a good honest meal (at a reasonable price, a rarity on Boston).

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Good inexpensive to mid-range places in the North End include Antico Forno on Salem St and Pomodoro and Daily Catch on Hanover St.

Also on Salem St. is Neptune Oyster, which has great oysters and the best whole-bellied fried clams humanly possible. And a heck of a good wine list.

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Got shanghai'd by a couple of colleagues into DURGIN PARK at Faneuil Hall. It wasn't a 4-star gastronomic experience, but it was fine. Lots of food for the money. Clam chowder, baked beans, baked scrod, and dessert. With soft drinks, out the door under $35/person after tax and tip.

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Got shanghai'd by a couple of colleagues into DURGIN PARK at Faneuil Hall. It wasn't a 4-star gastronomic experience, but it was fine.

Good lord, the main thing Durgin Park is known for (besides its longevity) is the legendary brusqueness of its waitresses. Have they become kinder and gentler as well?!

p.s. Tosci's ginger ice cream rules. But that vanilla at Emack & Bolio's is pretty darned good too.

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Again I got caught up into a larger group of colleagues, and walked all of 100 feet to Jasper White's Summer Shack.

This was actually pretty good. Chowder, a half-dozen oysters, and a big plate of fried whole bellied clams. With a couple of beers and dessert, still out the door for under $50 after tax and tip.

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Had a very enjoyable dinner at Le Soir out in Newton Highlands last night. Regularly voted best "neighborhood place" in the Boston suburbs, and I can see why. Nice wine list, good buzz in the dining room, Mark Allen was running food out of the kitchen himself.

Highlights:

Whole roasted Monkfish with carrots and lardons.

Wasabi deviled eggs.

Pork chop with black pepper pineapple and sweet and sour cabbage. (Sounds odd, works great.)

Definitely worth a half hour ride out of town on the D Green Line. (Newton Highlands T stop.) Or, in our case, the half hour drive in on the Pike from High Chair and Cheerios land.

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Peach Farm Restaurant in Chinatown. Super authentic, nicely prepared greens and vegetables, fresh seafood. The Parker House Hotel has a nice bar where one can order well-prepared classic and not-so-classic cocktails and a huge bowl of delicious clam chowder. The last time I was in Boston, I also ate a great, small, local spot called the Grotto, near Government Center. Fantastic and reasonably priced Italian. I had a gnocchi with beef short ribs and gorgonzola dish that I often think about and wish I can eat again.

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Can't remember if I've pimped for Sichuan Gourmet here before, but it's becoming our most-visited restaurant.

The owners seem to care greatly about both their restaurant and their native cuisine, and the cooking is consistently good. The Chengdu spicy dumplings and the double-cooked bacon are favorites. On weekends only, there is an incandescent rabbit hot pot dish.

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Had a very enjoyable dinner at Le Soir out in Newton Highlands last night. Regularly voted best "neighborhood place" in the Boston suburbs, and I can see why. Nice wine list, good buzz in the dining room
Thanks for these recommendations. I'll be heading to Boston's western 'burbs (Natick, Framingham, and the Newtons) and need to have suggestions for two dinners so I won't end up at the Natick Legal Seafood (won't have time to get into Boston proper). In addition to Le Soir & Sichuan Gourmet, I have these – please help me fine tune:

Lumière, West Newton

Blue Ginger, Wellesley

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Blue Ginger, Wellesley

When Wellesley used to be quasi home for me, we used to frequently visit Blue Ginger. I really love their foie gras shumai with onion/beef broth...imagine the french onion soup, sans cheese and bread, instead floating foie gras dumpling. The Sake-Miso Marinated Alaskan Butterfish was also a favorite. Reservations are a must. I would just walk in and sit at the bar...as I like eating at the bar area generally.

Another place I really miss is Figs...a pizza chain, I think, owned by the same guy who owns Olives.

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Thanks for these recommendations. I'll be heading to Boston's western 'burbs (Natick, Framingham, and the Newtons) and need to have suggestions for two dinners so I won't end up at the Natick Legal Seafood (won't have time to get into Boston proper). In addition to Le Soir & Sichuan Gourmet, I have these – please help me fine tune:

Lumière, West Newton

Blue Ginger, Wellesley

Sorry, I missed this. If the trip hasn't already taken place, you might also consider Oga's in Natick, off Route 9 just past Natick Mall. Among Boston's best sushi places.

Lumiere is very good, by most reports. Blue Ginger can be good, but is noticeably on cruise control and is almost impossible to get in to on any kind of shortish notice.

PS: The Figs in Wellesley has closed and is to be replaced with another tony, Italian, Michael Schlow venture called Alta Strada.

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Am headed to Boston tomorrow for work very last minute. Have to pull of a moderately expensive business dinner for three tomorrow night. Any suggestions on good places that might not be booked full? We'll all be in the city proper, on the waterfront by the convention center. Thanks in advance for any help!

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Santarpio's in the WEST End (that's "West" End Not the North End) for pizza and bbq.
I know this is way over a year old, but I just noticed it. I couldn't even think of where the West End of Boston might be (I've spent a lot of time in Boston, including living there for several years and actually driving a taxi for a time). So I looked it up. It's the area around Mass General Hospital that was almost completely destroyed during the "urban renewal" assault on American cities. But it's not where Santarpio's is; that's in East Boston across the harbor, at 113 Chelsea St. (East Boston is also where Logan Airport is.) I have never been to Santarpio's but it sounds great; I didn't want anyone wandering around the wrong neighborhood looking for it. You can visit their website here. I'm going to try to visit Santarpio's next time I'm up there, although it certainly is out of the way.
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Where should I go for a good lobster roll? We'll be staying downtown without a car, so we will need a restaurant that is T assessible. I have received rec's for Skipjacks and Neptune Oyster Bar from co-workers. Thanks

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Memorial Day weekend I'll be visiting with my wife's family in Holliston, MA. I don't think we're going to make it in to the city, and our hosts are not especially well known for their cooking prowess nor taste in restaurants.

Anything I can steer them to out that way?

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Is Wellesley (12 miles) too far away? If so I know Stretch has had some good experiences there (not Blue Ginger). Stretch?

I'm not driving, so I don't know.

I should point out that we'll be around 16 people, with kids from 7-16.

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