Devra_First: Hi everyone. Eat anything good last week?
Ell_Ell__Guest_: Where do you think the best patio dining is in the Boston area? And *not* just the South End or Newbury St. - please include the 'burbs as well
Devra_First: Oleana in Cambridge -- it's so pretty back there. Taberna de Haro in Brookline. dbar in Dorchester. Dante. Sushi-Teq. Via Matta. Picnic at Singing Beach (nature's patio?). See, I didn't mention the South End or Newbury Street at all! But now I'm going to, just because Hamersley's patio is really nice.
nonee__Guest_: what restaurants can you recommend within walking distance of Symphony Hall other than Brasserie Jo (which is good)
Devra_First: Let's see -- my first though is Clio/Uni, but not if you're on a budget! There's not a ton within easy walking distance, but you know that or you wouldn't have asked this question. Sorellina, again, is expensive but very good. There's a pho place, Pho and I, right nearby. Petit Robert and Columbus Cafe (haven't been in ages so don't know how it is) are fairly close. So is Island Hopper for a mix of Asian dishes.
Duece__Guest_: One of my fav places to grab food is Bartley's in Harvard. Can you recommend any other great burger joints in the city
Devra_First: Some swear by O'Sullivan's on Beacon Street in Somerville. It's just too much burger for me, almost a softball-size patty. Radius's burger just won the Burger Bash at the South Beach wine and food fest. The Druid in Cambridge has a pretty good burger.
radio-globo__Guest_: may I ask how do you pick the restaurant that you write for, do you receive any comment from friends, os PR companies or just you run into them?
Devra_First: I keep track of what's opening, drive around different neighborhoods scouting for spots, consider what long-standing restaurants haven't been reviewed for a while, watch for trends, and of course am curious about any restaurants that friends and colleagues rave about.
Ell_Ell__Guest_: Have been to Oleana and sat on their patio. Will have to check out Via Matta and Taberna de Haro - thanks! Forgot about Hammersley's patio
Devra_First: Let me know what you think if you go.
FoodLover__Guest_: Hi Devra curious what you think of something like La Verdad entering the Fenway scene?
Devra_First: I think it's great. I've had mixed experiences at La Verdad, but I love their tacos. If I'm going to the game, it's a safe bet I'm eating at La Verdad before or after.
radio-globo__Guest_: Jesus, people ask Devra First for burgers... !! That's why Boston is not a food destination. ... and Devra mention, Radius. You bet, even for the best toilette paper in Boston, we'll have Oringer or Schlow.
Devra_First: What's wrong with burgers? I'd argue that Boston is a great eating city, and burgers are as much a part of that as anything fancy-schmancy. Though Radius's burger is fancy-schmancy on the burger scale. I also mentioned O'Sullivan's and the Druid...
Devra_First: What local burgers do you folks like?
Mouser__Guest_: Where's good Ramen noodle place, Boston and north? Don't say Wagamama. I mean like in Japan - cheap and real soup.
Devra_First: Ken's, in the same building as the Super 88 food court in Allston, but not actually in the food court, off to the side. Ramen is not Boston's strong suit. I was in Japan in the fall, and I ate an obscene amount of ramen!
radio-globo__Guest_: What do you think of celebrity chefs that link their name to restaurants where they don't know where the kitchen is located. Do you think this is stealing from restaurant goers. Do you think that this trend needs to be critisized from food critics
Devra_First: Interesting question. I wouldn't say it's stealing from restaurant-goers: If you care enough about restaurants to follow chef musical chairs, you can probably figure out who's really cooking where. That said, I'm not a huge fan of the whole celebrity chef phenomenon. I'm a huge fan of great chefs who cook consistently well in whatever kitchen they're currently in. Sometimes the two categories overlap.
FoodLover__Guest_: Don't know if this qualifies as a "burger" but the mini kobe beef burgers at Toro are just out of this world in my opinion!
Devra_First: I love them too -- those Kobe burgers, the some-hot-some-not peppers, and the corn at Toro is a perfect dinner.
kris__Guest_: I've been looking for a good outdoors place to go to after work...someplace that won't be too crowded with the 22-ish crowd. Any suggestions?
Devra_First: Where do you work?
mo__Guest_: Best french bistro in city? Need something wheelchair accessible (which I think Petit Robert Bistro in Kenmore Sq is not)
Devra_First: How about Petit Robert in the South End? Or Brasserie Jo? I think both can accommodate wheelchairs.
redroom__Guest_: Is a good restaurant simply don't to consistency? I have been to very highly rated places (Sorellina, Il Capricio, Mistral) by critics or friends that I trust that I found mediocre. I often wonder if the reviewer went to the same place. What gives?
Devra_First: It's part of why I think it's important for restaurant critics to make multiple visits. Even so, there are so many variables in a restaurant experience: who's in the kitchen, your server, who's sitting next to you. (I can definitely remember a meal at Mistral where the very obnoxious drunk gentlemen at the next table ruined the experience.) Consistency is one of the biggest challenges for a restaurant, and a huge attribute. Have you found favorites for consistency?
jggfjy__Guest_: Grille Zone had awesome burgers but is now closed. I like the burger at Audubon....
Devra_First: Do you like UBurger? I have a weakness for Cabot's in Newton. The atmosphere somehow makes the burger taste great. (And the ice cream doesn't hurt.) I'm curious about Flippin' Burgers in Newton. Anyone tried it?
redroom__Guest_: In terms of consistency ... I really like Dante (esp when Dante is cooking) ... Cafe D in JP (comfort food, but always good), Petit Robert, Lumiere (one of my faves).
Devra_First: See, funny, because I've had mixed experiences at Cafe D and Petit Robert. I think Rendezvous in Central Square is pretty consistent, Craigie Street, O Ya. For comfort food, Green Street. Hmm, Cambridge-centric list from me, and I don't live in Cambridge.
Jenna__Guest_: Have you been to Grezzo yet? Any other vegetarian places you'd recommend?
Devra_First: I've been to Grezzo a couple of times. It's interesting! For vegetarian, I'd recommend the Helmand. Also, Craigie Street, which I just cited for consistency -- it was recently named one of the best restaurants in the world for carnivores by Food & Wine magazine, but I think it has great vegetarian food. Also Oleana and Hamersley's. And anywhere Turkish or falafel-y. What are your favorite spots?
coast__Guest_: Hi, I need a last minute place for 4 tonight in or near JP (worried Ten Tables might be full on late notice?)
Devra_First: It's worth a try for Ten Tables -- unlikely, but you never know. How about Cafe D, the Alchemist, or El Oriental de Cuba?
Bossweet__Guest_: So, what is the new hot spot that is really worthy of all its buzz?
Devra_First: I really like Persephone in Fort Point -- definitely a neighborhood to keep an eye on. The chef is Michael Leviton of Lumiere, and much of the food is really great. Try the grilled squid, a phenomenally well balanced and delicious dish with parsley and preserved lemon. Plus, good cocktails and Wii and Guitar Hero, if you're so inclined.
Bossweet__Guest_: I hear that Dante has a new place that will be opening. Any word on where and when?
Devra_First: Dante, is that you? Just kidding -- I haven't heard an update in a while. Last word I got was spring sometime, rustic Italian in a Belmont firehouse.
CalJ__Guest_: How did you get such a cool job? What's your biggest challenge?
Devra_First: I was lucky! One of my biggest challenges is finding the balance between fairness to the reader and fairness to the restaurant. Another one is trying to balance out my profligate night-time dining with exercise and non-profligate daytime dining.
radio-globo__Guest_: Devra, I read often about NOISE LEVEL in a restaurant. What the restaurant has to do with impolite clients that yell and laught loudly. Can you blame the restaurant because someone feels like making noise and being rude to others?
Devra_First: Well, sometimes it's the clients, but sometimes it's the structure/padding of the room. I don't think a noisy restaurant is necessarily a bad thing, either -- it can be fun and lively. I frequently hear from readers who are concerned about noise levels, so if a restaurant is particularly loud, I think it's worth pointing out.
radio-globo__Guest_: Thank you for your time Devra. I'm a European citizen who live in Boston and eat out a lot. I really like your reviews and wait for them every wednesday. I will be in Boston for 8 more months (after 5 years) and once I leave your restaurant review will be among things that I will miss.
Devra_First: There's always the Internet! Glad to hear you like the reviews. Well, as they say, that's all folks. Hope to hear from you again the week after next, May 7 at noon.
