Restaurant critic Devra First took your questions
October 15, 2008
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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 Oct. 15 at noon. Miss the chat? Catch up here.
The transcript follows.
Devra_First: Hi everyone. How have you been? And what have you been eating recently?
stg__Guest_: Have you been to Road House in Brookline? Its getting mixed reviews and I am curious.
Devra_First: I'm ashamed to admit I haven't had a chance to get there yet. I too have heard mixed reviews. Anyone out there been yet and have a report?
Aja1__Guest_: Hi Devra, any opinions, experience, info on the Boston area secret supper clubs?
Devra_First: The one I knew of has curtailed operations. It was called Love & Butter. They made phenomenal food and had a cute dog...
Karen__Guest_: Two of my friends are taking me out for a special birthday. It's my choice and I have no idea where to go. I prefer not to go into Boston because of the parking. I do live in Watertown so anywhere in the area would be great. They suggested Capital Grille. Thoughts? (I like just about anything). Thanks...
Devra_First: How do you feel about Newton? 51 Lincoln has really nice food, a little different from the usual. Here's the website, where you can see a menu: http://www.51lincolnnewton.com/
Devra_First: Entrees are generally in the low to mid-20s. It's very different from the Capital Grille, though. If you want a steakhouse, and you're in the mood for a bit of Miami-style glitz, BOKX 109 is a possibility. Close as Newton comes to making you feel like you're in the movie "Swingers." Here's the website: http://www.bokx109.com/
wthbaby__Guest_: is 'top of the hub' kid friendly
Devra_First: How old are the kids? Are they accustomed to dining out? I've taken young teens there and they liked it. The view could be quite an attraction for children as well. And there are things on the menu for unadventurous eaters. I'd give them a call and double-check, but I think well-behaved kids would likely be OK there.
gc__Guest_: Quick question: is there anywhere in town that serves trotters?
Devra_First: I don't know for sure, and if you're the person who e-mailed me with this question, I apologize for not having answered yet. Good places to try would be KO Prime and Eastern Standard, which tend to offer good offal experiences. I am certain that quite a few places in Chinatown serve trotters.
Yo__Guest_: I would not recommend Bokx 109
Devra_First: You'd have to be in a certain mindset. Did you have bad food there? I had a mixed experience foodwise, but I did have fun.
Yo__Guest_: I think a better recommendation coming from Watertown in Newton would be Lumiere or Campania or Il Capriccio in Waltham.
Devra_First: Those are great recs, too. Not sure what price point or atmosphere Karen was looking for.
Yo__Guest_: I had a good time with the people I was with but the food was not good. Mussels were bad(as in off) tuna tartare was old and grey, server asking what temperature we wanted short ribs etc
Devra_First: That sounds bad! My food experience was much better.
Yo__Guest_: If they were looking at Capital Grille then high price points would probably be okay
Yo__Guest_: I had an excellent 20 oz bone in sirloin at Flemings, too bad everything else was fairly inedible
bryan2108__Guest_: Hi, I am looking for a good restaurant to celebrate a one year anniversary
Devra_First: Congratulations. Is there any kind of food you really like, or any location that might be more convenient? Is price an issue?
Yo__Guest_: Well for what it is worth my experience at Bokx was within the first month of opening so we didnt expect perfection but unfortunately we didnt even reach medicority
Speedy__Guest_: Today is my first anniversary with my husband, we'd like to find a place to have a romantic dinner this weekend but not break back. Any suggestions?
Devra_First: Congrats to you too. Hey, wouldn't it be funny if Speedy and bryan2108 were married? Very O. Henry. But happier! I'll pose the same questions: location? kind of food?
Yo__Guest_: oops mediocrity
Devra_First: We knew what you meant!
cranberrysauce__Guest_: Hi Devra, I love this time of year. I'd love to try to make butternut squash soup. Do you know where there's a good recipe for that?
Devra_First: There's one I used to make all the time in Didi Emmons's "Vegetarian Planet." It involved roasting a few different kinds of squash (you could do all butternut, which I think I sometimes did) and then, I believe, apples and onions and sherry and maybe a touch of curry powder. It's been a while. I can send you the recipe later. E-mail me at dfirst@globe.com if you like.
chelmsford_guest__Guest_: Are there any good places to eat in the Lowell area? Of course the SE Asian restaurants are plentiful but there isn't much variety if you want to get out of the chains/bar&grills.
Devra_First: I mostly know the Asian spots, as I'm pretty excited to eat there if I'm in the Lowell area. If I lived there, I'd want variety, though! I've heard good things about Centro and La Boniche.
goingout__Guest_: What do you think of Persephone? Good bar scene for a Friday night? Good food?
Devra_First: I haven't been on a recent Friday, and I wonder if the opening of Barbara Lynch's Drink nearby has affected them at all. She says Friday afternoons have been a scene, financial types drinking quite a bit from 4-7. I've always liked Persephone and would definitely give it a shot. They have really good red curry chicken wings, lovely local squid preparations, and a pretzel dog -- yep, what it sounds like. Now they also have a $100 sandwich, but it's only available at lunch I'm afraid. I'm sure you would have wanted to order it otherwise.
hungersaurusRax__Guest_: Does Speeds dogs still close if it's raining?
Devra_First: I don't know! I've never tried to go in the rain. You can actually call them now: 617-839-0102.
Ms_Fit_2__Guest_: I have been invited to one of the restaurants at Liberty Hotel - don't know which one but I hope it's Lydia Shire's place. Any recommendations for what to eat at any of the places over there?
Devra_First: I hope so too. I enjoyed the ciccio and elephant ear walking, the spaghetti aglio e olio, and the burrata and anchovy quite a bit. If it's Saturday, I'd definitely get the baby lamb al forno. It's delicious.
KG__Guest_: the public market set up during the Greenway event was great! are we ever going to see one in Boston?
Devra_First: I hope so. I don't have any news to report on those efforts, but this reminds me to check in and see if anything new is afoot. If freezing cold Montreal can have a year-round (and awesome) market, I'm pretty sure we can manage it too.
Yo__Guest_: I wish they served a regular sized hot dog at Speed's instead of that tube of bologna they call a hot dog. The prep is great and so are the condiments, but that sausage is hardly a hot dog.
Devra_First: BYO hot dog?
chelmsford_guest__Guest_: I love this season too. Do you know of any good (original, must-try) farmstand foods, or are they all the same?
Devra_First: You mean a la potpies sold by the side of the road? Seven Acres in North Reading sells turkey pies. Wilson Farm has great cider doughnuts. I like the Herb Lyceum's fresh rolls at the Copley Farmers Market. Any others spring to mind?
Ann__Guest_: We ate dinner at Sorellina last night to celebrate my birthday, it was excellent! Atmosphere is very chic and waiters are professional but not snobby. For an appetizer we had the bruschetta with foie gras butter and entrees were beet ravioli and kobe meat balls. Everything was delicious! It's a bit pricey for an every week dinner, but I would highly recommend it for special occasions or expense accounts!
Devra_First: I completely agree.
Ms_Fit_2__Guest_: Do you have any recommendations for moderately priced lunch in Newburyport?
Devra_First: For a bit of in-the-rough charm, try Bob Lobster. There's actually a really good Indian place, but I can't remember which one it was! It might be Jewel in the Crown. It's underneath an apartment building abutting a parking lot in the center of town. I know that doesn't help much.
Yo__Guest_: Richardson's in Ipswich also has great cider doughnuts and so does Honey Pot Farm in Stowe.
kunman__Guest_: What are your thoughts on the Phantom Gourmet?
Devra_First: The more opinions the merrier! What are yours?
kunman__Guest_: Have you been to any great restuarants in the Worcester/Sturbridge area?
Devra_First: Have you tried One Love Cafe in Worcester?
kim__Guest_: I heard Coach Grill on route 20 has good steak, any advice?
Devra_First: I haven't been. It's from the Back Bay Restaurant Group (Abe & Louie's, Bouchee, Joe's, etc.), so if you tend to like their places it would probably be worth a visit.
kunman__Guest_: I have not tried One Love Cafe but will put it on the list. I have tried Castellana's in Worcester and Cedar Street Restaurant in Sturbridge lately. Both great choices.
Devra_First: Good tips. One Love is Jamaican home cooking.
Yo__Guest_: Are we talking about credible restaurant reviewing info or the Phantom Gourmet? You can't have both in the same sentence.
Devra_First: But how do you really feel? :)
kunman__Guest_: I love watching the Phantom Gourmet but it seems they push the restaurants that advertise more than anything, but that's just me.
Devra_First: I don't have a good sense of how things work over there. I occasionally look at their comments sections.
quincy__Guest_: Where's there good brunch in Quincy or South Boston?
Devra_First: Do you like diners? In Southie there's My Diner and Mul's. In Quincy there's the Wheelhouse.
Yo__Guest_: I was being kind.
Ms_Fit_2__Guest_: I agree with Yo. Phantom Gourmet really seems to be all about the junk food. I have very rarely tuned in when there was not some big disgusting plate of something being touted - and I say big disgusting plate in the nice way.
Ann__Guest_: Why the negative opinion of Phantom Gourmet? I haven't been led astray by them.
kunman__Guest_: But the TV show is fun to watch. The food looks amazing!
kunman__Guest_: And I have to mention Kaizen Sushi in Sturbridge, it's only been open about 1 year, but it's so good.
smiles__Guest_: Any good restaurants known for doing anything fun for Halloween?
Devra_First: Oh yes. Are you up for a little Helloween? The East Coast Grill does its super-spicy Hell Night each year on Halloween. It will put some fire in your belly.
Ann__Guest_: I do agree about the junk food and quantity, but take it with a grain of salt. I find the show entertaining, though.
brett__Guest_: I love peanut butter!
Devra_First: That's wonderful! I love it too.
kunman__Guest_: Devra, I know its kinda out of the way in CT but have you been to or heard of the Still River Cafe in Union CT. It has gotten some great reviews by the NY Times and such.
Devra_First: I've heard of it but haven't been. Have you?
Ms_Fit_2__Guest_: Billy Costa just oozes charm though. He just seems like a guy who knows what he knows but can be a real goof too.
Yo__Guest_: Bacon and Peanut Butter sandwiches rule!!!
Devra_First: Jamon iberico and peanut butter sandwiches! I'll make you one for a mere $50.
curious__Guest_: Are more restaurants opening near the ICA? I remember when it opened there were reports that the area was expected to grow. Do you see that still happening?
Devra_First: With condo sales down and, well, the economy not doing so well, future expansion in that area (and others) may slow. Barbara Lynch's new projects are opening soon; the bar part of her Fort Point operations, Drink, opened recently, and there's a casual concept to come, followed by a fine dining restaurant. Restaurants that were planned one, two, three years ago will still open. It's a few years down the road I'm wondering about. Go go gadget bailout plan.
smiles__Guest_: What restaurants around town serve Thanksgiving dinner?
Devra_First: Hotels are always a good bet. Eastern Standard would be a good bet. Also Henrietta's Table.
edd__Guest_: Waltham recommendations for a reasonable night out? (Il Capricio is great, but not exactly cost effective.)
Devra_First: Not so much on the cost effective, no. There are many options. Beijing Star for Chinese (comment to follow by a fellow poster), Solea for tapas, and Taqueria El Amigo for Mexican come to mind. Watch City Brewing might be a fun place for a beer.
Yo__Guest_: Not sure why I am remembering this now but I have had amazing house fried rice at Beijing Star in Waltham lately. Very light and fluffy
Devra_First: It's 1 p.m. and this conversation has made me hungry. I'm off to find some lunch. Thanks for chatting.
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