Restaurant critic Devra First took your questions
Are you curious about dining out in the Boston area? What's affordable? What's new that's not to be missed? Devra First, the Globe's restaurant critic, took your dining-related questions and comments on Sept. 3 at noon. Miss the chat? Catch up here.
The transcript follows.
Devra_First: Hi everyone. Are you out there, or are you all on vacation this week? (If so, I'm a little jealous.) Hope you all had a good Labor Day. Any good cookout dishes to dish?
Dan_2__Guest_: Hey Devra.....favorite rest thats not gonna blow your wallet?
Devra_First: I like spicy food, which is good for my wallet, because my favorite takes on it are usually inexpensive. There are some very good spicy dishes at Dok Bua in Brookline, and inexpensive non-spicy ones as well.
Devra_First: I like Chinatown. Gourmet Dumpling House is good for soup dumplings.
Devra_First: Angela's in East Boston for Mexican.
Devra_First: Bahn mi, Vietnamese subs, are delicious and very inexpensive. Noodle soups at Hong Kong Eatery in Chinatown.
Devra_First: Hungry Mother in Cambridge is a not-too-expensive place to have a great Southern/French dinner.
Devra_First: How about you?
thai-fan__Guest_: Hi Devra, I'm looking for a good/awesome Thai restaurant. I haven't looked around too much, but what would you suggest in Boston/Cambridge? Thanks!
Devra_First: Funny! I just answered your question. Try Dok Bua in Brookline. It somewhat reminds me of the food I ate in Thailand, though at Dok Bua you have to really encourage them to bring on the spice. Also the Rod Dees can be quite good (two in Brookline, one in the Fenway). I hear good things about S&I in Allston but I haven't tried it yet.
chatter__Guest_: Hi Devra, when does the new L'Espalier open? Do you think the new location will be a hit? Thanks.
Devra_First: It opens this month, though I don't have an exact date. I think longtime fans of the place will miss the atmosphere of the townhouse. (I will.) But I also think the place will be a hit, attracting a new crowd. In that hotel, it may draw more well-heeled travelers and fewer old Boston types than the old location. But the space will be really nice, if very different. And the kitchen is ginormous. Will you miss the old place? Will you try the new?
ideaguy__Guest_: I see you recommended a Chinese dumplings restaurant. Regardless of price, where do you go if you want to eat Chinese food that's full of fresh ingredients and prepared in a way that we wouldn't be too afraid of looking into the kitchen? Thanks!
Devra_First: It's hard for me to guess what anyone's kitchen looks like, from the highest-end place to the tiniest hole in the wall. I would say Fuloon in Malden is a very good bet. Peach Farm in Chinatown is very good for fresh seafood. Any places you favor?
hello__Guest_: Hi Devra, curious about the fall ... Now that summer is ending, where to you think would be good to go out to eat? I know it's not totally over yet, but I'm thinking of the next couple months before it gets really cold out. Is there some place to go that has really yummy soups, for instance? And a nice atmosphere that's not too cozy, but not too airy? Thanks!
Devra_First: I considered boycotting your question. I'm really not ready for summer to end, though I do love fall. And I really love soup. It's a great time of year for Vietnamese pho; the beef ones always seem somewhat autumnal to me in their star anise-y spicing. The Franklin Cafe in the South End is, to me, a good fall place: Their turkey meatloaf with figs comes back on the menu, and it's dark and cozy without being too much that way.
Devra_First: Once it gets a little colder, I like to go to the Helmand, which has very good Afghani food and a lovely fireplace.
Devra_First: A branch of the Melting Pot just opened, which I've never been to; fondue is very cold-weather-y! Though it's a dish I like to make at home.
Devra_First: I'd also go to places that favor seasonal produce, like T.W. Food or Persephone, to enjoy all the great squash that will be arriving soon. I love squash!
Devra_First: And not restaurant-y, but it's going to be a great year for apples. Definitely have to go apple picking a few times, back some pies, drink some mulled cider... OK, maybe I am ready for fall.
hungry__Guest_: Hey Devra, do you know a good kid-friendly restaurant in Boston that would also be a more high-end dining out experience? Looking for the best of both worlds ... thanks.
Devra_First: Hmm. Some thoughts. Vlora, an Albanian restaurant, is nice-looking with very nice, Mediterranean food, and it has a kids' menu. I'm hoping that means it's kid-friendly!
Devra_First: The Sel de la Terre in Natick has a kids' menu, too, if you're out that way.
Devra_First: Eastern Standard would be good -- it's big and festive, and there are things like grilled cheese on the menu. (As an adult, I must vouch for their grilled cheese.)
Devra_First: If you like Chinese food, big, banquet-friendly restaurants like the Chau Chow in Dorchester are a bonanza for kids. The staff dotes on them, they can run in circles around the room, and there are fish tanks!
Devra_First: Anybody have any recommendations for nice and kid-friendly dining?
so_hungie__Guest_: what's the story on the new bbq place in washington square in brookline? have you tried it? i still think blue ribbon makes the best ribs...
Devra_First: I haven't tried it; I believe it just opened last night -- soft opening, opening for real tonight. Blue Ribbon is pretty darn good, I agree. Who wants to volunteer to try it tonight (alas, I can't make it) and report back?
Hub__Guest_: Best pizza around?
Devra_First: What style? I haven't eaten nearly enough pizza recently; maybe that's a good fall food. I like Emma's and Cambridge 1, Santarpio's, Pizzeria Regina... What are your favorites?
so_hungie__Guest_: speaking of apples, do you know of any place that does apple picking plus cider donuts or apple fritters?
Devra_First: Wilson Farm!
so_hungie__Guest_: I love places like Green Street that have fancy cocktails and homey, delicious food. Are there any places like that that you would recommend? (other then Hungry Mother and Highland Kitchen, which are also great)
Devra_First: I *was* going to recommend those places. Central Kitchen, too. The aforementioned Franklin Cafe. Rendezvous has a different kind of cocktail scene, but some nice concoctions and good food. Pops in the South End.
wine__Guest_: What's a good wine bar in the city? I went to Wine and Roses once in NYC and absolutely loved it. It's romantically cozy, yet also fresh and cool, with lots of wine and cheese, too. Anything like that here?
Devra_First: I would like to have more wine bars. You could try the Butcher Shop and B&G Oyster in the South End. You'll find a very good wine selection, plus nice nibbles. Troquet has a bar area and an excellent wine selection. Bin 26 in Beacon Hill also does a very good job with wine. Near South Station, there's Les Zygomates.
peggy__Guest_: upper crust or sweet tomatoes for thin-crust!
whitecrane__Guest_: Where are a few restaurants in Boston?
Devra_First: Open door. Step outside. Look left, or right. We have so many restaurants, many good, some not so much. What kind of food are you looking for? Any particular neighborhood, atmosphere, price point?
kinophile__Guest_: Devra a friend who is a french food lover (Benoit, Chez Helene, etc) wants to know a good place to eat in Boston
Devra_First: Has your friend tried La Voile on Newbury? That would be a good place to start. Also Brasserie Jo.
kinophile__Guest_: Price is no object
Devra_First: When L'Espalier opens, try that. Not traditional French, sort of modernized, New England-ized French.
eatingright__Guest_: I'm trying to be healthy, yet also really enjoy eating out. Any places that customize orders, or generally cook light? (Or would be willing to?) Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thx.
Devra_First: I hear you. Vietnamese restaurants can be good for some lighter options -- rice vermicelli with nuoc cham-type sauces -- if you avoid the fattier meats. (A friend who's done Weight Watchers also informs me that pho is low in points.) Many Asian places offer steamed options. Grezzo in the North End is raw food, and generally quite healthy, with some nice salads. Sushi can be a very good option. We don't have many restaurants that have your health as one of their main goals, but many place are extremely accommodating about holding fatty spreads/dressings/cheese toppings and will answer questions about how things are prepared. Anyone else have tips on this?
kinophile__Guest_: When will L'Espalier re-open?
Devra_First: Sometime this month; I don't have the exact date.
kinophile__Guest_: Devra is there anything like Blue Hill in Boston?
Devra_First: Not exactly. You might try Craigie Street Bistrot or T.W. Food. Also, another French-y suggestion from your previous question, try Lumiere.
so_hungie__Guest_: Thanks for the recommendations! I went to Pops once and had the most amazing short ribs.
Devra_First: Sounds good! Persephone in Fort Point also has some fun cocktails and a nice selection of different size plates. Barbara Lynch's new bar, Drink, is opening soon in the same 'hood. I expect the cocktails to be great; food will just be canapes.
nick__Guest_: Reviews of Lobster Pot in Rockport range from glowing to avoid at all costs. Have you been there?
Devra_First: I think I had a lobster roll there years ago, but I haven't been recently. Does anyone have any Lobster Pot opinions?
Devra_First: P.S. Much less scenic, but Essex Seafood does a good lobster roll.
whitecrane__Guest_: Where did all the South End restaurants move to? Where is a good place for adults?
Devra_First: Which restaurants are you thinking of?
lovely__Guest_: Hello. So Cambridge versus Boston: Which has better restaurants? Is that possible to answer? Or maybe, how would you describe the different vibes? (what are the vibes?)
Devra_First: I've been thinking of doing a story on this very issue, mostly because I think it would be fun to provoke people by saying: Cambridge has better restaurants! Actually, I think they're probably tied -- I'd have to do some sort of official tally to decide. I lived on the Cambridge side of the river for years and now live on the Boston side and often find myself missing the food over yonder. Vibe-wise, I think Boston has more scene, which can be good and bad. Cambridge is a little more laid-back, which I tend to enjoy more when I'm not working. But that's a generalization; of course there are exceptions to both. What do you think?
Hub__Guest_: Hi, thanks. I like thin crust pizza/neopolitan style pizza the best. I really love a good margherita pizza with fresh basil .... mmmmm ...
Devra_First: Mmm, me too. The first pizza on the list at Cambridge 1 satisfies that craving nicely for me, I have to say. Verrry thin crust, almost a cracker.
Merri__Guest_: Devra - Was your mother a teacher in the Sharon school system?
Devra_First: Nope! Though she was a teacher in a previous career, in Philadelphia, however.
bob__Guest_: If you come out to Stow for apple picking (Honey Pot Farm has cider donuts, plus a hedge maze and petting zoo for kids) you can have dinner at the new Cast Iron Kitchen in Maynard. It's a twist on comfort food -- the short ribs and fried artichoke hearts are to die for!
Devra_First: Funny -- Katie McLeod from Boston.com just came by to say that she loves Honey-Pot in Stow: http://www.honeypothill.com.
Devra_First: Just the name Cast Iron Kitchen sounds cozy and autumnal. I'll have to check it out.
smallplates__Guest_: Hey, what do you think of Dali in Cambridge? Cuchi Cuchi? Any recommendations for where to go for small plates? What about specifically for tapas?
Devra_First: I haven't been to Dali or Cuchi Cuchi in a while, though I've had lots of fun at both in the past. For tapas, I like Taberna de Haro in Brookline and Toro in the South End. Also Estragon in the South End.
so_hungie__Guest_: i moved from brookline to the cambridge/somerville area and will cast my vote for cambridge when it comes to the best dining. too much real estate in boston seems dedicated to tourists or to the M-F working crowd, with the exception of the south end. cambridge/somerville has so many parts to it with so many different scenes, from upscale places focusing on the local food scene to blue-collar hang outs.
Devra_First: I'm getting the idea that you and I have pretty similar personal tastes in restaurants. Anyone else have opinions on Cambridge vs. Boston? (Though I do think Brookline has some really good places to eat.)
ava__Guest_: What are the best restaurants in east boston?
Devra_First: I really like Angela's for Mexican. There's Rincon Limeno for great ceviche etc. Santarpio's for pizza. I need to explore the Italian places more.
annie__Guest_: Hi Devra I live in Plymouth, MA DO you have any recommendations for that area in and around town?
Devra_First: Hmm, Hingham's a bit far, but some good options there: Tosca, Lobster Pound, the Snug...
VeggiePekora__Guest_: What are your thoughts on where Boston fits into the national restaurant "scene?" I think we're mostly very proud of what we've got going on here, but how do we stack up?
Devra_First: I think we're getting better and more varied all the time, which is exciting. I don't think we're New York, San Francisco, or Chicago; I'd say those are technically better "restaurant" cities -- more consistency, more variety, higher level of service all around. Do we want to be one of those cities? I'm not sure. I like our neighborhood-y character. I'd like to see more and more good neighborhood restaurants, more and more great cheap eats, and a few more "world-class" restaurants along the lines of Nobu, Babbo, etc. But we're a smaller, different city, and our restaurant scene is going to naturally be smaller and different, unless people come a long and make a concerted effort to change that. Tastes are evolving all the time, and people are getting more adventurous, so who knows. Anyway, I'm rambling nonsensically and it's time to sign off. Sorry, I would have liked to give this question more thought and attention! Talk to you all soon. Ciao for now.
